Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Bluetooth Headphone Review

I stress safety over and over again on my blogs.  I do a reason why.  A few years back, I watched as a 15 year old girl ran across the street and got hit by a car because she wasn’t paying attention.  She is okay now, but it a lasting impression on me and stressed the importance of safety and how quickly things can happen.  That is why this review is so cool.  I read about headphones that don’t actually go in your ear, but in front of them and they use bone conduction technology (more on this in a little).  They allow you to still hear your surroundings while listening to music. 

Aftershokz began in 2011 and is committed to making situational awareness a priority, which I totally agree with.  They developed a suite of proprietary audio technologies and provide the only completely open ear design in a headphone.  The Aftershokz headphones provide premium quality stereo sound while still allowing you to stay safe.  The design provides a comfortable fit as well and there are no wires to worry about since the Trekz Titanium uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone.  Aftershokz does offer wired versions as well.

Bone conductive technology was first introduced by Voxtech in 2001 and was initially developed for military special operations and law enforcement.  You have probably seen these in some action movies.  Sound with normal headphones travels through your eardrums and bones simultaneously. Bone conductive technology use small transducers to guide miniature vibrations through your cheekbones to your inner ears.  That way you get great sound without impeding your hearing. 

The Trekz Titanium starts with a titanium wraparound headband that is lightweight but extremely flexible.  This means that the headphones are durable and will last quite a while. 

You simply hold the power button (volume up) and the Trekz Titanium connects to your smartphone suing Bluetooth 4.1 technology.  It was really easy to pair and I have not had any problems with the connection dropping.  There is a charging port next to the volume buttons with a rubber cover and a little LED light that will tell you when the unit is done charging.  The

The Aftershokz website states that you will get 6 hours of continuous music playback or talking on the phone on a single charge.  It also only takes 1.5 hours to charge the device, which is far better than my other headphones.  From my testing, I got more than the stated 6 hours of use on a charge.   When you turn on the device, a voice (nicknamed “Audrey Says”) greets you and tells you how much battery life is left.  “Audrey Says” will prompt you through the power up process, pairing, playing music, and talking on the phone.

You can change the equalizer settings to boost bass and reduce vibration with ease.  These aren’t your Beats by Dre, but they do offer high quality sound and work just as good as most of the other headphones that I have tried.

The Trekz Titanium is IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust, and moisture.  You are protected from both sweat and inclimate weather, although swimming with them would not be a good idea.  You also get a limited 2-year warranty (as long as you purchase it from an authorized reseller). 

Pros:

Listen to music and still hear your surroundings

6+ hours of listening to music or talking on the phone

Water and sweat resistant

Great Bluetooth 4.1 connection (won’t stop working mid run)

High-quality sound.

Decent price at $129.99

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The Trekz Titanium comes with a case, charging cable, and some earplugs in a nice box.  While they aren’t super cheap, the Trekz Titanium offer a great way to enjoy your music while still being able to hear a car, other runner, bicycle, or a predator.  At $129.99 at the Aftershokz website, I would strongly recommend this to runners.  You also get free shipping, so why wait?  Get a pair today and let me know what you think.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts and ELITE Escape Jersey Review

Pearl Izumi was started over 50 years ago in Tokyo, Japan by a father who wanted to make bicycle racing clothing for his son.  It has become one of the largest makers of cycling apparel in the world.  The name Pearl Izumi means “fountain of pearl” and was named after Izumi, which is an area of Japan known for its clear water and the gem, pearl.  They have been selling their gear in the United States since 1981 and have branched out into selling gear for running and triathlons as well. 

I have been using Pearl Izumi cycling products for over 15 years and have found that the quality of their gear is top notch.  The durability and design has never left me disappointed.  I have 3 different Pearl Izumi cycling shorts and my favorite shorts are the P.R.O. series shorts.  I was really excited when I got a pair of the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts and ELITE Escape Jersey.

P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts

There is no substitute for really great cycling gear.  When you have the right bib shorts or jersey, it can make all the difference in the world.  Research has proven that you ride faster when you are more comfortable.  The P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts are the top of the line bib shorts from Pearl Izumi.  The features really do make a difference and while the price tag of $195 is pricey, they will last quite a while and feel awesome.  I have had a pair of Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Shorts for about 6 years and they work just as good today as the day I bought them.

The P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts feature high end fabric with Coldblack technology.  This provides a great amount of stretch and compression, which will aid in muscle support and recovery.  Coldblack is a revolutionary finishing technology that reduces heat buildup due to sunlight, especially on darker materials.  Having Coldblack will also protect you from the sun by providing a minimum of UPF 30 protection.

Another great feature of the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts is their 1:1 Chamois.  It comes with multi density foams that support key areas (you know the area’s that I’m talking about) but still remains light weight.  It looks like one uniform chamois and you wouldn’t know that there were different thicknesses if you didn’t touch the chamois.  I have to say that this is one of the biggest selling points for me.   A great chamois will keep you happy mile after mile and the 1:1 chamois that Pearl Izumi used in the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts is the best that I have ever tried.  

The upper bib material (the overall straps) are made with a Transfer Direct Vent mesh and provides awesome moisture transfer, odor resistance, and dries really quickly.  I will admit that up until about 2 months ago, I always wore regular cycling shorts.  I tried a few bib shorts out and I will never go back. 

Some of the other features of the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts include silicon grip material at the leg openings to hold the legs in place and prevent them from creeping up in the middle of your ride and reflective elements for low light visibility (which is hidden in the black material of the bib shorts).

While it may be hard to justify the $195 price tag of the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts, It is a great investment.  The bib shorts will last quite a while and you simply can’t beat the comfort.  With some of the best features in the industry, I would put the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts up against any bib short out there. 

Pros:

Coldblack material keeps you cooler and drier

Mesh bib area is well ventilated and dries quickly

Best chamois I have tried

Silicon leg grippers to keep the shorts from riding up

Cons:

Expensive, but well worth the price.

Elite Escape Jersey

The Pearl Izumi Men’s ELITE Escape Jersey is another great product that delivers some of the best moisture transfer technologies in the industry.  It is specifically made to keep you cool and comfortable even in the heat of summer.

The ELITE Escape Jersey may not be Pearl Izumi’s top-of-the-line jersey, but you wouldn’t know that from the fit, feel, and performance.  It comes with Pearl Izumi’s Elite Transfer In-R-Cool fabric which uses Ice-fil technology to keep your skin cooler.  I have used this on a few 90+ degree rides and felt like the fabric did keep me cooler than my other jerseys.  The jersey also has Direct-vent panels to provide superior ventilation.

The ELITE Escape Jersey has a full length zipper in the front, three large pockets and two additional stow pockets (all pockets are in the back).  This is the first jersey that I have used with 5 pockets and I really liked it.  Plenty of room for tools, gels, bottles, my phone, and more.  There are also reflective elements built into the jersey for added safety.

The ELITE Escape Jersey is made with 100% polyester that has UPF 50+ protection from the sun’s harmful rays.  The price tag, like the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts is a little higher than some jerseys, but I feel the features are worth the price tag.  You may find a cheaper jersey, but it won’t perform or feel as good.  You can find the jersey for around $85.

Pros:

Elite Transfer In-R-Cool fabric with Ice-fil keeps you cooler

Direct-Vent panels help keep you dry with superior ventilation

Full length zipper

5 pockets to store your gear

Cons:

Expensive, but well worth the price.

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I have never been disappointed with the products that Pearl Izumi makes and that is especially true with the P.R.O. Pursuit Bib Shorts and Elite Escape Jersey.  They both have top-of-the-line features that really came through in my brutal testing.  I was riding in 90 degree temperatures each day and they not only made the ride more manageable, but I feel the compression in the shorts and comfort of the chamois helped me perform better.  I would not hesitate to pay the higher price tag for such a great cycling kit.  You can purchase these items on the Pearl Izumi website or at a local dealer near your (click here for locations).  I would love to hear what you think about these products, so please leave a comment and let me know.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Scrubba Wash Bag Review

I don’t know about you, but I tend to take way too many clothes with me on vacation.  I not only pack a lot of casual clothes, but running gear as well.  What if there was an easy way to wash your clothes on the road?  I am always paranoid to use do-it-yourself laundry facilities in hotels because I think someone is going to steal my clothes.  The other option I have is to pay the hotel to wash them, but that is extremely pricey. 

There is a product I came across called the Scrubba.  It is a portable washing machine that weighs a mere 5 ounces and folds down to a very compact size.  It would be great to not only take when you are staying in a hotel, but for camping and hiking as well. 

The Scrubba is basically a dry bag that has a flexible rubber scrubbing board built into it.  There is an air release valve, which is basically a blow up valve you would find on a beach ball.  There are directions printed on the side of the Scrubba and it has different lines depending on how much water you need to add to wash your clothes. 

The Scrubba is extremely easy to use too.  I decided to test it out after I went on an 11 mile run.  I made sure to sweat a little more to really put it to the test.  The first thing you do is fill it up with water and throw in a little laundry soap.  I use my Sport Suds, which is an awesome product and is specifically made for technical fabrics (if you have never tried Sport Suds, I highly recommend it).

Once you have the water and detergent in the Scrubba, simply fill it with your dirty clothes.  Roll the bag over 4-5 times and clip it shut.  Then you use the air valve to deflate the air in the bag, which is really easy to do. 

Once you have let the water out you just press down and rub the clothes on the internal flexible washboard for as little as 30 seconds.  If you want a more through wash, you could scrub for 3 minutes.  If you have delicate clothes, simple rub gently. 

Once you have scrubbed your clothes, you unclip the buckle and unroll the bag to pour the water out.  Fill up the bag with fresh water for a quick rinse and you are done.  Take your clothes out of the Scrubba and you are good to go.  You can also rinse your clothes under the faucet.  Hang them over a shower curtain bar, bed post, or even a string, which you can bring from home to make a clothesline.  Take a towel and pat the clothes dry or wring them out like I did.  Once you are done, just rinse the bag and flip it inside out to let the bag dry.  The Scrubba is made with microbial and hydrolysis resistant materials so air drying the bag will help it last longer. 

 

Pros:

Smallest washing machine in the world

Compact design for traveling

Can reduce the amount of clothes you need to take on trips

Great price at $49.99

Awesome guarantee

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The Scrubba has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.  If you are dissatisfied in anyway, they will exchange it, replace it, or refund your money within 30 days.    Not a bad deal.  You can purchase your Scrubba for $49.95 at Eartheasy.  Eartheasy is a website that sells Solutions for Sustainable Living.  They have great items, and it is a family owned company.  Their founder, Greg Seaman, wanted to encourage, inspire, and inform people about the benefits of living a simpler lifestyle.  The company has grown and offers some awesome products at great prices.  They have a killer satisfaction policy so what do you have to lose?

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.

Performance Bicycle Ultra Cycling Apparel Review

Performance Bicycle was founded in 1981 by Garry and Sharon Snook.  They started a bicycle catalog company because they saw an opportunity to serve customers better.  With their second kid on the way, Garry and Sharon leveraged their life savings to start the company.  After almost 35 years in business they have grown into the number one specialty bicycle retailer in the United States with more than 100 stores.  Their goal is to provide the best customer experience possible to all cyclist, from the recreational rider to the avid enthusiast.

There are a couple reasons why I love Performance Bicycle.  They have a Low Price Promise.  I have found some bib shorts on sale at a competitor’s online store and the guy at Performance matched it instantly.  The prices at Performance are awesome, especially if things are on sale and they have sales all the time.

Performance Bicycle also stands behind everything they sell with their Lifetime Guarantee.  If an item does not meet your expectations, simply return it.  You can get cash back for the first year and after that they would provide you with an exchange, repair, or store credit.  I had a pair of padded bike shorts that I wore for about 5 months.  The seams started to come apart.  I took it to the store to find out if this was a common issue or something specific to me, not expecting to exchange it (I just wanted to bitch).  The guy at the shop insisted on exchanging it for me.  That’s great customer service.

If you buy a bike from Performance Bicycle, they will make adjustments like basic spot wheel truing, shifting and brake adjustments, tightening bolts, checking and filling tires, and lubing chains.  This won’t just happen for the first year like at most bike shops offer, but for as long as you own the bike.  I have purchased some components and they installed them free of charge, even though they could have charged me. 

You can also join Team Performance, cycling’s #1 buyers’ club.  You pay $29.99 per year but get 10% back on all of your purchases.  This adds up quickly.  You also get upgraded to 2^nd day for all orders over $50 at no cost.  For orders under $50 you just pay for standard shipping and get it upgraded 2 day shipping for free.  I can tell you from personal experience that the membership fee is more than covered by the savings, even if you don’t buy a lot of gear.

Performance Bicycle has their own line of cycling apparel from shorts, to bib shorts, to jerseys and more.  They have gear for warm weather as well as cold weather riding.  Their clothing line has many of the same features as the name brand gear at a fraction of the cost.  I got the opportunity to review a pair of bib shorts and a jersey from their Ultra (top of the line) collection. 

Performance Bicycle Ultra Bib Shorts (2016 version)

The Performance Bicycle Ultra Bib Short (2016 version) was an item that I was really excited to test out.  If you have looked into getting a pair of bib shorts, they can be extremely pricey.  There is a bib short from a well-known company that I will be reviewing in the next week or two that runs about $189.  The Performance Ultra Bib Short is regularly $109.00, but is on sale for $89.99 right now, which is a killer price.  If you are a Team Performance member, you will get $8.99 back for a future purchase too.  Not too shabby!

Okay, so I know what you are thinking.  If these cost so much less, they probably don’t use quality materials or the fit won’t be as good.  That is not the case at all though.  The Ultra Bib Shorts use top of the line materials and the way they are made should allow them to last for quite a while. 

So let’s get into the features.  The Ultra Bib Shorts are made with a 60% Nylon/40% Spandex blend on the body with different blends for the side panels and bibs (overall straps).  It comes with an 11” inseam.  The fabric has an embossed texture and uses push/pull technology to help with moisture management.  The multi-panel design with high compression reduces muscle fatigue and speeds up muscle recovery while it provides a great fit.  Performance Bicycle uses a Coldblack Finishing Technology to reduce heat build-up in direct sunlight and protects you from the sun’s harmful rays.  Some other features include flatlock stitching, reflective tabs, and wide sublimated leg bands to help keep the shorts from riding up without restricting blood flow. 

Now to the most important part, the chamois.  This is one area where Performance didn’t skimp.  The Ultra Bib Shorts use an Ultra TMF Italian chamois.  It is specifically designed for a man’s anatomy (there are women specific versions too), which provides great comfort and fit while reducing chaffing.  The seamless Skyving technology that they use eliminates steps between the foam layers which really adds to the overall comfort and feel.  It is a 4-layer chamois and the multi density foams absorb vibrations and offers impact protection.  The chamois stays dry and feels great.

I have thrown a lot of specs at you, but how did it perform on the road?  I love these bib shorts!  They felt so comfortable and fit perfectly.  The material is really light weight and you don’t have to worry about the legs slipping up as you ride.  The first ride I went on was in the 80’s and it didn’t feel that warm out because of the breeze.  The biggest things that stood out were the fit and comfort of the bib shorts.  They just fit really well, from the chamois to the compression of the fabric.  My next ride was quite different.  It was 94 degrees when I started to ride and it felt even hotter.  What I can say is that the moisture transfer and cooling effect of the Coldblack worked really well.  The bib shorts were fairly dry when I finished my ride.  Even in extreme temperatures, the Ultra Bib Shorts were awesome! 

Pros:

Extremely comfortable

Looks awesome

Fits like a glove

Moisture control and dries quickly

Awesome price

Performance Bicycle Ultra SL Short Sleeve Jersey

The Ultra SL Short Sleeve Jersey was another item I was really excited to test out.  The SL stands for “Super Light” and it feels like it.  This is another top of the line product from Performance Bicycle and is a little more than some jerseys, but if you are looking for a cheaper option, Performance has other jerseys as well. 

The Ultra SL Jersey was made to handle those long training rides or really hot days.  They took out the spandex and went with 100% polyester fabric to reduce the weight and increase breathability, but still made sure that the jersey met UPF30+ (sun protection) standards.  The ultra-light fabric absorbs moisture and dries quickly to reduce your skin’s temperature, which in turn provides a cooling effect. 

The fit of the Ultra SL Short Sleeve Jersey is considered form-fitting to increase aerodynamics and the sleeves are rolled forward.  That means that it was designed to do just as good when you are in the drops as when you are sitting upright.  Most jerseys are not made that way and when you lean forward to get in the drops, your jersey bunches.  Not with the Ultra SL.  There is a full YKK Vislon zipper that you can easily unzip and zip back up for extra ventilation and there is a zipper garage to make sure that the zipper does not irritate your neck.

You can find a media cord loop at the back of the neck and three rear pockets.  That is the one thing that is missing compared to some other brands top of the line jerseys.  Many of the top of the line jerseys have 5 pockets in back, but these pockets work well and hold plenty of gear.  There is a reflective stripe on the center back pocket and silicon dashes along the hem of the jersey to keep it from sliding up as you ride. 

While this jersey might be a little more money than your standard jersey, it is not your standard jersey and is well worth the money.  The Ultra SL Jersey is regularly $99.99 but is on sale for $69.99 (you would get $6.99 toward a future purchase if you are a Team Performance member).  I found that the design, fit and comfort were amazing and it had tons of great features for the price.  Like the bib shorts, the Ultra SL Jersey really did a great job of not only keeping me cool, but dry during my ride in the extreme heat, which is not the case with most of my cycling gear. 

Pros:

Extremely comfortable

Looks awesome

Fits like a glove

Moisture control and dries quickly

Awesome price for what you get

Cons:

The white part is kind of see through (but that is the trade-off of having an ultra-light material)

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If you are looking for top of the line cycling bib shorts and jerseys, look no further than the Performance Bicycle Ultra Bib Shorts and Ultra SL Short Sleeve Jersey.   You get tons of great features that are usually reserved for products that cost twice as much as you can get these for.  Save even more money when you buy them on sale, which happens quite often and being a Team Performance member will get you some cash for future purchases.  Performance Bicycle is a great company with a great return policy, so if you don’t like the gear, just take it back.  Try returning clothes to other local bike shop and see what they say.  If you want to look good in a great cycling kit without breaking the bank, pick up a pair of Ultra Bib Shorts and an Ultra SL Jersey at your local Performance Bicycle or at Performance’s website.  What do you have to lose?  Let me know what you think.  I would love to know.

Note:  I received this product in exchange for a review.  The review is my personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular opinion of it.  I am not a doctor, so please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.