“Pack light” is a philosophy I’ve preferred when running pretty much always. I’ve never liked running with music on an armband, a water bottle strapped to my hand, or a phone or electrolytes in a waist pack. Less is more and I don’t like having to fiddle with anything while I run. However, as I step into Ultra running territory for the first time, it’s become evident that I need to get used to packing…
One of the most underrated gear items I have reviewed here at Run Oregon was from way back in 2014. I was just starting to get in to some trail running and was happy to connect up with Ultimate Direction for their Fastpack 20. Of all the gear I have reviewed over the last 3+ years, I have put this pack through the ringer above all else. I have utilized it for running, as a pack…
Over the course of the past few years, I have experimented with different ways to manage hydration on long runs. As many of you know, there are several ways to carry or manage your hydration from hand-helds to belts to vests with pockets and vests with built-in bladders in the back. Each of these ways have their own merits and surely you have your favorite. I found myself bouncing back and forth between a belt…
I’m not a huge movie watcher. I think I only saw two movies in 2015 (Wild and Into the Woods). I think that my real work life is drama enough that I don’t need fictional accounts to keep my head swimming. But thank goodness for the 2015 Trail Running Film Fest Spring Northwest Tour coming nearby this year. The festival is currently touring the East Coast, but beginning March 31, 2015 it will start up again for…
I am rapidly becoming obsessed with Ultimate Direction running gear. After trying out their PB Adventure Vest earlier this year, it became my trail running necessity. It even accompanied me on my 5 day camping extravaganza in the Eagle Cap Wilderness this summer. I loved how comfortable it was and have been happy, on numerous occasions, to have it with me for day hikes and trail runs. But I am sure that the Adventure Vest…
When we were reached out to about trying out an Ultimate Direction Ultra Vest, I made it very clear. “I am not an ultra runner. I have run one marathon in my life, and my loves of half marathons do not require me to carry gear with me. I would be willing to try this out, but just know that my experience may be limited to some long hikes instead of an all-day ultra trail run. Just…
Ultimate Direction has finally created a hydration pack made for women who are endurance athletes that is designed by women and I love it. Ultra Vesta was designed by Jenny Jurek with help from a Women’s Collective. This vest also received recent accolades from the 2014 Trail Runner Magazine Gear of the Year Award, which won for it’s ergonomically shaped fit and ability to and perform well while heavily used. How this vest came to…
Scott Jurek is my running idol. Knowing that his wife, Jenny Jurek, has created a collection of products for women runners, I was uber excited to get my hands on any of the products that she developed. Ultimate Direction, a well-known company in the running and ultra running scene, has released a number of Jenny’s products, including the product I had a change to try out, the “Handy 10”.
Aside from one little suggestion that I would LOVE to see implemented, I really liked the “Meow” Waist Pack for running from Ultimate Direction. It’s lightweight, didn’t chafe, and stayed tight around my waist while running. Here’s the breakdown … read on for my brilliant idea! How does it look? Because, regardless of how little I really care what others think of me when I’m running, if it looks too nerdy even I won’t wear…
