Spotlight: Nite Ize Lights

Red Radiant 125 with an alternative bombproof mounting using a Nite Ize Gear Tie

Note: these products were provided to me by Nite Ize to demo without caveat. I would like to thank them for their generosity. All opinions are mine. Interested in me checking out your gear?

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Ultimate Direction Product Picks: My Favorite Gear To Use

I’m proud to be an ambassador for Ultimate Direction, especially since my outdoor adventures tend to defy easy categorization. I initially met Buzz Burrell, then Brand Manager of UD in 2014 on Longs Peak while completing the Longs Peak Radical Slam (which I’ve now done a few more times). Turned out, he was doing the same thing! Unfortunately for me, I couldn’t keep up with his pace on that day.



Luckily, Buzz found my Tour 14er trip I completed a few months later inspiring enough to invite me to become an ambassador for UD. Ultimate Direction is a local company to me, based only a few miles from my house – close enough that I’m always happy to stop by, say hello, give my feedback on products, and pet all the office dogs. Here’s a list of the UD gear that I love the most:

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Review: Nite Ize SpokeLit – Disc-O Select Rechargeable Light

Note: this product was bought by me at retail. All opinions are mine. Interested in me reviewing your product?

  • Pros: inexpensive, compact, fun, eye catching light used in an angle not always thought of as a blind spot to other road users. Rechargeable via a micro USB port.
  • Cons: Probably too fun and colorful for your local bicycle curmudgeon, but buy one for them, anyways.
  • Weight: 1.2 ounces/35 grams
  • Run Time: ~ 6 hours; Charge Time: 1.5 hours
  • Price: $20
  • More information: NiteIze Website
  • Purchase Options: REI | Amazon
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Salsa Journeyman Apex 1 700: Initial Impressions/Review

Note: this bike was bought by me at retail. All opinions are mine. Interested in me reviewing your product?

  • Pros: Inexpensive, light-enough, comfortable, good bike handling for endless miles. 1×11 drive train, carbon fork
  • Cons: You really want a tubeless setup
  • Weight: 24lbs for 54cm model
  • Interesting To: dipping your feet into All Road/Gravel bikes, winter trainer
  • Price: $1500
  • More information: Salsa Cycles Website
  • Purchase at REI or your local bike shop

Intro

With Winter slowly creeping in, I was in the market for a do-it-all road bike – “All Road” being my primary requirement.

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Review: Ultimate Direction SCRAM

The Ultimate Direction SCRAM is a large-capacity running vest that’s been toughened up and given storage capacity for all-day missions, allowing you to take it anywhere to help in supporting you doing essentially anything.

  • Pros: Classic Ultimate Direction Running Vest Design, tons of storage, tough materials, minimalist.
  • Cons: Maybe too minimalist for some? Not perfect for a dedicated running vest: if you don’t need the storage, this isn’t the best vest for you.
  • Weight: 445 grams / 15.7 ounces
  • Storage Capacity: 23.5 Liters
  • Interesting To: mountain runners, skimo, fast-and-light climbing missions, bikepacking
  • Best For: those needing a lot of capacity, but not yet Fastpack-capacity; people who are very tough on gear
  • Price: $134.95
  • More information: The Ultimate Direction SCRAM | Adventure Collection
  • Purchase at Ultimate Direction | REI | Backcountry
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Review: Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack Tent by Big Agnes

The Copper Spur HV UL1 Bikepack Tent

At a Glance

  • Pros: Comfortable, roomy, extremely well-designed
  • Cons: stuff sack to use as bikepacking bag is a great idea, but may need to be further developed as a solid feature
  • Weight:
    • Tent Stakes/accessories: 121 grams
    • Stuff Sack: 111 grams
    • Tent Poles: 363 grams
    • Rain Fly: 348 grams
    • Tent Body: 337 grams
    • Integrated Footprint (sold separately): 169 grams
    • Total Packed Weight: 1.13kg
  • Interesting To: Bikepackers and Ultralight hikers who want a tent rather than a tarp/bivy setup
  • Best For: Those who seek comfort and privacy only a tent can provide
  • Price: $399.95, Ground Cloth: (suggested): $65
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Sneak Peek: Ultimate Direction Bike/Tarp Conversion Kit

At a Glance

  • Pros: Easy to set up/take down, simple, lightweight, roomy
  • Cons: Tarps in general don’t have the greatest protection from bugs like mosquitoes
  • Weight: alone: 91 grams, w/FK Tarp + 6 stakes: ~544 grams
  • Interesting To: Ultralight enthusiasts
  • Best For: FKTs/Self-Supported Races, sub-24 hour missions
  • Available: Fall 2019
  • Price: around $25 – $35 for the kit (once released); $199.95 for the FK Tarp
  • More Information: The Ultimate Direction Adventure Collection
The Ultimate Direction FK Tarp set up with the Bike/Tarp Conversion Kit – no trekking poles required!
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