Yeti 36 Ounce Rambler Review

Have you heard or Yeti Coolers?  They are probably the most rugged coolers on the market.  Yeti was founded by Roy and Ryan Seiders and is based out of Austin, Texas.  Roy and Ryan always had a passion for being outdoors and loved to hunt and fish.  The problem that they found was that coolers out there just couldn’t handle the demands of their adventures.  The brothers decided in 2006 to start Yeti Coolers with a simple mission: “build the cooler we’d use every day.”  They sure didn’t make your ordinary cooler though.  Their coolers are designed and marketed toward more serious outdoor enthusiasts.  The prices of their products reflect that. 

The benefits of Yeti Coolers can be worth the money depending on your needs. They are simply made to not break.  Roy and Ryan never want to sacrifice quality to save a few bucks.  Originally only offering coolers, they have branched out to cups, bottle openers, Hoppers, and more.  I was thrilled to test out the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler.

I have used a vacuum sealed Contigo bottle in the past before it broke.  I then went to a Hydroflask bottle, which has been decent.  I will be comparing the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler to the 20 ounce Hydroflask and a non-insulated shaker cup.  Let’s first talk about what the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler has to offer. 

They classify the Rambler as 100% over-engineered stainless-steel drinkware.  “It is over-engineered for maximum beverage enjoyment” they say.  What does that mean though?  Unlike some openings, the Rambler uses Over-the-Nose Technology (a large opening over 2.5” across) so you can drink without your nose getting in the way.  This especially good if you have a big honker like me. 

The 36 ounce Yeti Rambler uses 18/8 kitchen-grade stainless steel so they are not only puncture-proof and rust-resistant, but it won’t leave a metallic taste in your mouth.  It has a double-wall construction with vacuum insulation.  This is important because it will help keep your cold drinks cold and your hot drinks hot.  The vacuum insulation also will prevent sweating so you can say goodbye to rings on the coffee table as well as wet and frostbitten hands.  The 36 ounce Yeti Rambler is BPA-free as well.  

Yeti uses a TripleHaul Cap, which is a loop that is easy to grip with 2-3 fingers depending on how big your fingers are.  The cap is insulated as well, unlike my previous two vacuum bottles (from Contigo and Hydraflask) which is where they lost most of their benefit.  You can get your 36 ounce Yeti Rambler personalized with a monogram, logo, or picture on the Yeti website.  There are also 3^rd part companies who sell vinyl wrap for your Rambler.  I just ordered an American Flag one for $15 including shipping.  The Rambler is covered for 5 years against any manufacturing or material defects.  So let’s get to the field testing.

I filled up three bottles, a shaker cup (non-insulated), 20 ounce Hydraflask, and the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler with about 18 ounces of ice.  Then I filled them all up with cold water.  I left them out on my counter to see how long it would take for the ice to melt.  I started on Friday at 6:00 PM. The non-insulated shaker cup’s ice melted after 4 hours (Friday at 10:00 PM).  The Hydraflask’s ice melted after 28 hours (Saturday at 10:00 PM).  The 36 ounce Yeti Rambler’s ice melted after 51 hours (Sunday at 9:00 PM), a full 23 hours after the Hydraflask.  That is amazing! 

 

Pros:

Overbuilt to take abuse

Easy to hold with the TripleHaul Cap

Over-the-Nose Technology makes it easy to drink

Ice last for days

18/8 Kitchen Grade Stainless Steel won’t leave a metallic taste in your mouth

BPA-Free

Cons:

Priced higher than its competition at $59.99

I knew I would be impressed by the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler.  I have friends who bought the large Yeti ice chests and had ice in it for over a week without the ice melting.  I never expected the ice to last 23 hours longer than my Hydraflask bottle.  I like the way the 36 ounce Yeti Rambler feels, and it is awesome to have ice water even after it has been sitting in my hot car all day.  This is great for trail running when you get back to your car and just want some ice cold water.  You can pick up your 36 ounce Yeti Rambler at the Yeti website or online through other retailers, although the prices are almost the same wherever you buy it.  As a runner and cyclist, hydration is vital in performing at my best.  Hydrating when you are not running is just as important, if not more important before and after a run than during your run.  Pick up a Rambler for yourself 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.

SmartWool PhD Running Gear Review

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love Merino wool.  SmartWool has been knitting American-made socks for over 20 years and their multi-generational sock makers have the knowledge to design and manufacture some amazing socks.  SmartWool makes much more than just socks now though.  They make products for running, cycling, skiing, and hiking just to name a few sports.  What are the benefits of Merino wool though?

Merino Wool does a great job at transporting moisture away from your skin, which will help you to stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.  As your body heats up, the moisture vapors will be absorbed by the wool fiber and released, keeping you dry and comfortable.  Merino wool can actually retain up to 30% of its own weight in moisture and still feel dry to the touch.  That is not true with most of your technical fabrics.

Wool has a natural shape to it that traps dead air, which helps insulate you in the cold weather.  The moisture wicking qualities of the wool help you stay cooler in the warmer weather.  That is why sheep don’t overheat, even when they have a thick coat of wool and it is hot out.  (Hey, I just learned something new there).

Wool is extremely durable and can be stretched in any direction 30,000 times or more without damage.  This includes stretching out.  Do you had socks that stretched out over time?  With wool, it will take longer for that stretching to occur.  Also the way wool has a natural curl, or “fiber crimp” also improves the elasticity and resiliency of the fibers.

One of the coolest qualities of wool though is its natural odor fighting qualities.  Because of wool’s ability to transfer moisture, odor-causing bacteria doesn’t have the moist environment that it needs to thrive, therefore you can participate in intense activities for longer periods of time without having to worry about how bad your clothes smell.

I always had this perception that wool was itchy and stayed away from it for years.  The reason is that larger diameter fibers are less flexible and don’t have the ability to bend.  That in turn pricks your skin.  These can often be found in those old wool sweaters; you know the ones I’m talking about.  The ones your parents made you wear for family pictures when you were a kid.  The thinner fibers that are used in many of the wool products now are more flexible resulting in extremely soft and comfortable clothing.  I got to test out the SmartWool PhD 7” Shorts, PhD Ultra Light Short Sleeve Shirt, and PhD Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks. 

The SmartWool PhD 7” Shorts have a comfortable Merino/polyester blend interior brief that fits well and feels great.  The inner brief helps to regulate your body temperature and dries quickly for comfort that last your entire run.  The natural odor fighting qualities of the Merino is great as well.

These are a semi form fitting short that have a drawcord to secure the waist.  It as a zippered pocket in the back and a smaller pocket in the right side for gels or your keys.  The 7” inseam offers a decent amount of coverage.  It is just the right length.  The SmartWool PhD 7” Shorts retail for $65.00 on the SmartWool website.

The PhD Ultra Light Short Sleeve Shirt is made to dry quickly and can handle even your sweatiest workouts.  The natural temperature and moisture regulating qualities of the Merino wool are combined with the greater stretch and recovery of polyester.  Put the two materials together and you get a faster drying, more comfortable fit.  There are mesh panels located in strategic areas to offer added breathability and moisture management as well.  They have both Men’ and Women’s specific models because the mesh panels and cut of the tops are made to best fit that gender.

The PhD Ultra Light Short Sleeve Shirt uses flatlock seam construction to eliminate chafing and the raglan sleeves remove the underarm and shoulder seams.  This is one of the most comfortable tops that I have tested.  It seems a little heavier at first than some of the tech tees, but the materials that SmartWool uses are awesome and make for a truly enjoyable experience. The PhD Ultra Light Short Sleeve Shirt retails for $70.00 on the SmartWool website.

I remember seeing SmartWool socks at REI over a year ago and was really interested in them, but never pulled the trigger.  I got to test the PhD Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks, which are now one of my favorite running socks.  Check out this video about how the socks are made. 

The PhD Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks feature SmartWool’s 4 Degree Elite Fit System. That is where they use two elastics for greater stretch and recover of the material.  The result is a sock that stays in place and doesn’t stretch out as quickly as some of the other brands out there.  They also use their patented ReliaWool technology in high impact areas to increase the durability of the socks. 

There are mesh ventilation zones that increase the breathability and help with moisture management.  While there is minimal cushioning, I found that there was plenty to keep my feet comfortable and happy.  The socks really felt like a second skin without any added bulk.  The material is a blend of 55% Merino wool, 41% Nylon, and 4% Elastane.  The toe has almost no seam as well, which is awesome.  The PhD Run Light Elite Low Cut Socks are considered a low cut sock.  It retails for $15.95 at the SmartWool website.

Pros:

Great guarantee

Excellent breathability and moisture management

Natural odor fighting qualities

Feels amazingly soft and comfortable

Made in the USA

Cons:

A little more expensive than some of the other brands

SmartWool’s Media Links:

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So not only do you get a comfortable Merino wool running product, but you get a killer guarantee.  If you are not satisfied with your SmartWool purchase for any reason, simply return it within two years of when you purchased it and they will make it right.  That’s right, I said two years!  You can pick up your SmartWool products on their website or at a local retailer near you (click here for locations).  I am a huge fan of SmartWool products now and am so glad that I got to test them out.  While the price may be slightly higher than some other brands, it is well worth the price.  The superior construction and natural qualities of the Merino wool will keep these products in your rotation longer.  Pick up some for yourself 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.

Opedix Blade-Tec 2.0 V-Neck Shirt Review

Opedix is a company that makes athletic wear that is scientifically engineered to activate your kinetic chain.  What is your kinetic chain you might ask?  It is another term for how your body moves. Opedix products are made to promote dynamic alignment and keep everything lined up so your joints function as they should.  By helping keep your joints in better alignment, you should be able to participate in your favorite activities better, for a longer amount of time, with less pain.  Opedix calls their products “Kinetic Health Gear.”

Opedix claims that their gear can help reduce wear and tear on your joints and decrease the rate that your body fatigues, it also can be used to come back from a joint injury or reduce the amount of pain that you are in when you run.  They even claim that their products can help you improve your performance.   Opedix didn’t just throw some material together, they partnered with renowned orthopedic surgeons and biomechanical scientists to come up with products that would really make a difference.

I tested the Dual-Tec 2.0 ¾ Length Tights in February.  They are phenomenal running tights that really did help me last longer before fatigue set in (click here for my review).  As I stated in my past review, the claims that Opedix makes about improving mobility and stability during training, which is not new in the industry.  Many companies claim to offer huge improvement to performance, but many products don’t stand up to their claims.  I did some research and found this article from Outside Online called “Debunking the (Often Phony) Science Behind Performance-Enhancing Apparel.”  The author did debunk several companies claims, but didn’t with Opedix.  He appreciated their science explainer page, which I did as well.  It made it easier to understand the technology.

I was so impressed with the tights that I wanted to test out their Blade-Tec 2.0 V-Neck Shirt.  Opedix realizes that their products aren’t going to be found in the dollar section at your local store.  The Dual-Tec 2.0 ¾ Length Tights cost $225.  The Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt is cheaper at $125 but if it can delay fatigue, especially in longer distance races, it would be well worth it. 

The Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt uses Opedix patented Torque Reform Technology.  While both the Torque Reform Technology and standard compression gear claim to support the muscles and joints, the mechanism that they use is completely different.  Compression technology just squeezes the muscles to reduce their demand.  While this can be helpful, the Torque Reform Technology does more.  It creates a connection system that links how your joints move relative to each other while still providing the benefits of compression. 

What I really like about the Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt is that you not only get the benefits of compression, but the tension that is created can correct muscular imbalances.  This in turn will improve performance, enhance your posture, and reduce pain.  I have worked very hard on my form over the years and it is decent (not perfect my any means), especially at the beginning of my runs or races.  The problem is that after I start to get tired, my form starts to deteriorate.  My shoulders start to drop and I hunch my back.  The Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt uses 33 panels to offer a great fit while creating tension that will help you’re your form good.

Some of the other great features include a V-neck, which is great for wearing as a recovery shirt under dress clothes.  It is longer than some shirts and has a silicon elastic gripper along the hem to make sure the shirt doesn’t ride up and remains in the proper positioning.  The material that they use is breathable and moisture wicking (OPX and TR+) mesh fabric, which will help regulate your body temperature and while keeping you relatively dry.  The OPX base fabric is made of 80% polyester/20% spandex blend.  The TR+ mesh banding fabric is an 82% Polyester/18% spandex blend.  There is an Anti-odor treatment and the best part is that it’s made in the grand ol’ USA! 

Like all Opedix products, the Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt has a great warrantee, after all, if you are spending that kind of money, you would want to make sure the product will last.  Opedix stands behind the products that they make.  If you are not completely satisfied with your product, just return it to Opedix within 30 days and you will get a replacement or full refund, no questions asked.  You can’t beat that.

I have run several 13+ mile runs in the Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt and alternated my long runs, with and without the shirt.  That way I could see the benefits.  I could tell the difference in my form and the efficiency of my running when I had the shirt on.  I was able to run faster with less effort for a longer period of time with the Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt.  It was a result that was repeated over and over again.  I really like the feel and look of the shirt and it is comfortable to wear.  The material is extremely breathable and dries quickly, which is great for running in the heat.   It works great on shorter runs too.

Another great benefit is that I have a bad shoulder, most likely rotator cuff injury, although my doctor thinks I am making it up.  The pain is in my right shoulder and tends to show up after repetitive or restricted movements.  On long runs, this can be excruciating.  I haven’t had any pain in my shoulder when using the Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt but did on the alternating weeks without the shirt.  The tension and compression of the shirt really helped me out and I can’t wait to test it out on even longer runs once my marathon training starts next month.  Bring on the 20 mile runs!

On a side note, this would also be great for cross training and even under a bike jersey.  I tend to have lower back pain when I cycle and sometimes my shoulder flares up.  This would be another great time to put on the Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt.

Pros:

Light weight and breathable

Provides tons of support to aid in joint pain

Improves your form by supporting your muscles

Reduces recovery time

Great guarantee

Cons:

Priced for serious athletes at $125.

Opedix Media Links:

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I was extremely impressed with the materials, construction, and feeling of the Blade-Tec 2.0 V-Neck Shirt.  While the price may be too much for many runners, it would be great for racers and people who have been dealing with injuries, but still want to run.  You can get yours at the Opedix website.  I really felt the difference on my longer runs when my body typically would get tired.  The Blade-Tec 2.0 Shirt did help me keep my running form longer and I felt like it reduced the amount of time it took to recover from those hard runs.  If you are willing to spend the money, it is a product that I would definitely recommend to you.

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.

Reference: Outside Online article “Debunking the (Often Phony) Science Behind Performance-Enhancing Apparel”