Review: Early Spring Products
One of the best perks of working in the outdoor industry is ready access to cool new products. Here’s a rundown of some interesting gear and apparel that’s landed in our office lately.
Merrell RFE Short
To make it through a long run, your shorts need to cooperate: no chafing, no soaking through with sweat, no nonsense. Basically, you want the feeling of nudity—without the associated prison time. Thankfully, with a pair of RFE shorts, you’ll get just that. Constructed from lightweight wicking fabric, these shorts float around your thighs as you float down the trail. And with a generous eight-inch inseam, they cover the notoriously unaesthetic male-upper-thigh area—unlike some of those other running shorts. Best of all, they also feature built-in underwear that provides gentle (yet critical) support for those extra-long runs. $45; merrell.com. –Dave Reuss
Gerber Prodigy Knife
For the Montana outdoorsman, nothing beats a good blade—and for the money, nothing beats the aptly named Prodigy. This military-style knife is the Glock of the knife world: simple, jet-black, and tough as hell. The 4.75-inch blade is partially serrated for cutting rope, and the grippy rubber handle is scored for a secure grip no matter what. I especially liked the friction-release mechanism and double strap on the sheath, which kept the knife tight to my belt yet easy to draw. The best part? This burly blade is made in the good ol’ U.S. of A. $88; gerbergear.com. –Mike England
Hoo-rag Bandana
Quivers and ultra-specialized gear may be all the rage, but if there’s one thing time teaches us, it’s this: the pendulum always swingeth. As it slides back toward simplicity and versatility, products like the Hoo-rag bandana will prevail. This thin, elastic neck gaiter serves as a headband, balaclava, beanie, ponytail holder, and more. I used mine as a face mask during the late hunting season in January; the cotton-polyester microfiber kept my mug warm and wicked moisture on cold winter days. It’s now my backcountry-skiing neck gaiter; in late afternoon, when the temps drop, I work it into a balaclava and keep on shredding. $15; hoo-rag.com. –Mike England
Teko EVAPOR8 Sock
It’s not easy to find socks that not only stay up while I run, but also don’t make my ankles look like sausage casings. Enter: the Evapor8 Women’s Light Low sock, with an “Achilles Tab” to ensure there’s no slipping or bunching. The sock is made of recycled materials, and has features specifically for women like a narrow heel pocket and tapered toe that ensure a great fit. They’re tight but stretchy, thin but comfy, and wick away moisture better than a chamois (as in the car-drying towel, not the goat-antelope species). Ladies, getcha some! $12; tekosocks.com. –Kate Beaudoin
Outward Hound Port-a-Bowl
As spring settles in and daytime temps increase, so do the risks of heat exhaustion for your favorite outdoor companion. On those steep hikes far above the rushing meltwater, tuck a Port-a-Bowl into your pack for convenient canine rejuvenation. Lightweight yet durable, the Port-a-Bowl also works great as a food bowl for all-day adventures. Sure, portable dog bowls are a dime a dozen these days, but what sets the Port-a-Bowl apart is collapsibility: this puppy (yuk, yuk) folds up smaller than a cell phone. $5.50 and $7.00, depending on size; outwardhound.com. –Joyce Pollastro
