Reviews

Reviews of new items which may include workout gear, books and games.

Vlog 84: Harry Potter X Vans

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Vlog 84: Harry Potter X Vans

New shoe collab from Harry Potter and Vans. I didn’t know this was coming out but I picked up a pair of the Ravenclaw Authentics.

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–Cameras–

Below are Amazon Affiliate Links

Nikon D3300: https://amzn.to/2SFsJuV

Samsung Galaxy S8: https://amzn.to/2ydD3AS

GoPro Hero 3: https://amzn.to/2JQd5Kk–Other Gear–

Joby Tripod: https://amzn.to/2LGgIEZ

Cell Phone Bracket with Cold Shoe Mount: https://amzn.to/2SCDyxM

Microphone: https://amzn.to/2YocCYa

 

Vlog 63: Game of Thrones x Adidas

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Vlog 63: Game of Thrones x Adidas

My wife surprised me with a new pair of UltraBoosts from the Game of Thrones X Adidas collaboration.

 
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/I06jy0eEr44


Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe to the Channel!


My Vlogging Set Up
 
Cameras
 
Samsung Galaxy S8: https://amzn.to/2TG8qNM
 
Other Gear
Cell Phone Bracket with Cold Shoe Mount: https://amzn.to/2Gz5n68

 

 

Gear Review: Pacsafe Venturesafe X30

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Pacsafe Venturesafe X30

*Full Disclosure – This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. 

After traveling through Europe with my Venturesafe 150 GII and an old Oakley backpack. I decided to combine the two and pick up a Pacsafe backpack. Pick pocketing is a prevalent crime in large cities and I wanted a more secure backpack for an upcoming trip to Manila and Japan. The Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 looks good and doesn’t scream “anti-theft”.

Backpack Specs

Main Material: 210D Nylon Double Ripstop
Weight: 2.7 lb
Volume: 30L
* Specs taken from Pacsafe Website.

Backpack Features

The appeal of any Pacsafe bag is their anti-theft features and this bag has a lot of them. The bag has four outside pockets with two side pockets to hold other items like water bottles.

Zippers

This bag comes with two types of zippers designed to prevent theft, the zip clip and the secured zip tab. Both zipper types make it harder to pickpocket which is a plus when you’re on a crowded area. The zip tabs are easy to use but the zip clip is a bit harder. Trying to get both zippers to clip is a bit difficult and takes a minute. It’s a great system that could be improved upon in the next version of this bag. The main compartment zipper has holes for a travel lock as well for extra security.

Slash Guard and Straps



Another anti-theft feature is the eXomesh slash guard. The slash guard is a metal net that is between bag fabrics. The net doesn’t cover the whole bag, just the bottom half of the bag. This stops thieves from cutting your bag open and running off with what’s inside. The bag straps also have metal wires which prevent cut and run theft. The strap also comes with a turn and lock security hook which can be attached to a fixture. This helps prevent snatch and grabs.

RFID


The bag comes with an RFIDsafe pocket for credit cards and passports. This pocket prevents RFID skimming. Most passports have RFID chips as well as some credit cards. My cards do not have an RFID chip so my passport was the only one that needed to be safe.

Rain Cover

This is very convenient and would have come in handy in recent trips. My camera bags have rain covers but I haven’t seen many regular back packs with them. I had to use this once while in the Philippines and it was easy to pull out and cover my bag.

Bag Support

This bag comes with an aluminum support which helps with load transport as well as a hip belt. The hip belt can be stowed away when not in use. Their is also an adjustable sternum strap. If you load up your bag with some heavy stuff this support can take the load from your shoulders and transfer to your hip, making long walks not too bad.

Other Features

Like most bags on the market, this one comes with a organizer pocket, a laptop sleeve and side pockets for drink bottles. The laptop sleeve also doubles as a hydration pouch.  Side compression straps are also available for when your pack is not full and you need to slim your bag a bit. The bag will work with the Travelsafe X15 Anti-Theft Portable Safe if you want another level of securtiy.

Final Impressions

I love this bag. It’s a bit pricey with a MSRP around $170 but the peace of mind is worth it. Nothing beats being aware of your surroundings but this bag surely helps. The durability is great as well. I’ve used it on two trips and it’s holding up very well and looks brand new. I had a minor complaint when it came to the zippers but it’s not a huge issue. It’s also comfortable for long trips with a full pack. If the X30 is too big, they make a smaller model Venturesafe X22 (22 L). Overall, I would recommend this bag for people who want extra security when they travel.

Check out the Pacsafe Venturesafe X30 on Amazon if you’re interested.

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Review: Inov-8 F-Lite 235 v2

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Colorway (Grey/Blue/Black)

Inov-8 F-Lite 235 v2

The first shoe I reviewed on this blog was the Inov-8 F-Lite 235. I loved that shoe. It was light, looked great and felt awesome during workouts. The new version was released late last year and I have been using them for about three months. So far they are great but I have some issues with them.

Specs

Fit – Standard
Drop – 0mm
Weight – 235g
Sole Compound – Sticky
*Specs taken from Inov-8 Website.

Looks, Fit and Construction

Looks

The first colorway that interested me was the red/blue sketch that Inov-8 Training posted on their Instagram.

Screenshot taken from @inov8training Instagram profile

I love the red and blue color scheme which is why I purchased the first version in that color. Unfortunately, the sketch was not a production color. After looking at the launch colorways, I decided on the grey/blue/black version. The shoe resembles many of the shoes in the Inov-8 catalog and is not something completely different like the original 235’s.

Fit

I ordered my pair from Zappos.com, in the same size as the v1’s. I am not sure if I received a defective pair but they were a little more than a half size too big. I had to ship it back for a half size smaller. When I got the new pair, it still felt a little big but not by too much. I had more room in the toe box compared to the original.

Construction

After using the shoes for about five months, they are holding up great. No rips or tears from rope climbs or general use. The only issue that I have is with the rubber label on the tongue. It was attached using some kind of adhesive and has started to come off. It’s not a big deal but it’s the only flaw I can find in the shoes. The mesh is also showing some signs of wear where the shoe flexes. It looks like it will hold up.

Performance

If you are a fan of the original 235’s, you will like this version. Since it’s not as snug, I was afraid my feet would be sliding around during workouts and lifts. I have used these shoes for almost six months and almost any workout. They held up against olympic lifts, metcons, squats and deadlifts. The soles felt sturdy during squats and flexible during runs. Power transfer was not an issue during heavy lifts thanks to the dense sole.

Rope climbs feel great as well. They grip the rope better than the Metcon 2. Better technique might be able to explain that however. I set some pr’s while wearing the v2’s, a new power clean pr and a few metcon pr’s. Check out my Instagram or the Barbells and Boxcars for videos of me wearing them.

Final Thoughts

The v2’s is a great follow up to the original 235’s. It does what good shoes are supposed to do, let you forget about them. I did not think about my shoes during workouts and did not have to switch them out when heavier lifts were programmed into the workout. It could be that I’m getting better at the movements but the shoes definitely help. If you can get passed the aesthetics, these will be a great buy.

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Review: Inov-8 Trailroc 245

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The only pair of running shoes that I own are a pair of Kayano 21’s and my other shoes are for CrossFit. Since I don’t have an old pair of shoes that I would be okay with ruining, I decided to buy a pair of trail shoes for the Konqer OCR. I read a lot of good things about Inov-8’s trail running/mud shoes and I found a good deal online for the Trailroc 245’s.

 

Looks and Fit

The shoe looks like has the usual Inov-8 design, which is not a bad thing. The shoe is made up of a soft mesh which feels durable and breathable. The toe area is also reinforced with a fuse material design. The sole looks like it will maintain grip on the muddy trails.I thought this shoe was true to size. I ordered my regular size and it fit well. The toe box is a little wide which is great for people with wider feet. After lacing up and walking around a bit, I couldn’t wait to hit the course!

 

Performance

Konquer was my first OCR, and I don’t normally do trail runs. My running experience is all on pavement so I didn’t know what to expect out of this shoe. The first leg of the run was done on loose gravel and mud. The traction was great. I didn’t slip or slide on the steep inclines. My fellow teammates wore normal running shoes and they were having some traction issues. 

During the mud section, the bottom of the shoe was covered in mud. I felt like I was running in cement shoes. After jogging on dry dirt/gravel, the mud would fall off and my shoes would feel light again. The water also drained quickly leaving only my socks feeling full of water. The shoe also handles rocks and other sharp obstacles well. I could still feel the ground but I wasn’t worried about injuring my feet.

Final Thoughts

This is a great overall trail shoe and I’m happy with the performance. I was nervous during the race and the last thing I wanted to worry about was my shoe. The durability might be an issue since the material is soft. Sharp limestone rocks are all around trails on Guam but I believe they will hold up. After I put some miles in, I’ll update this post. I’m excited to do more runs in these. 

*This model may have been discontinued which is why it was on sale for a low price. 

 

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Review: Nike Metcon 2

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Colorway (Cool Grey/Wolf Grey/Black/Metallic Gold)

Nike Metcon 2: Electric Boogaloo

The Nike hype hasn’t died down with the release of the new Nike Metcon 2. I had a difficult time trying to pick up a pair at launch but they were sold out. My fiance was able to get them from Footlocker.com but they were back ordered. I waited until late February and I’ve been wearing them ever since. If you liked the previous version of the Metcon, you’re going to love the Metcon 2. I will be comparing these shoes to the previous versions which I have reviewed on this site. Check out my previous reviews on the Metcon 1’s for more info.

Looks, Fit and Construction

Over the past few weeks I’ve used these shoes for everything. They were my go to CrossFit and casual shoe. This was my favorite colorway from the launch selection. The gold on black and grey looks fantastic. If you take a closer look, the shoe looks very similar to the Metcon 1. The shoe is divided into four sections that can have different colors. The area around the laces are different but it’s not a huge change. The shoe fits like the Metcon 1, true to size. It took a week or two to break in, but that’s like most shoes. The mesh on the toe box is the same as the second wave of Metcon 1’s but has a different construction.

The sole doesn’t look too different from the previous version and that’s not a bad thing.

Changed the heel by adding more padding. Heel should slip less.

Added a plastic plate to the heel which reduces friction on the handstand pushups.

Performance

I put these shoes through its paces. CrossFit to casual wear, these shoes have held up great. The sole is a bit more rigid in the heel area; I didn’t feel as much compression during squats. The sole is still flexible and do not make a squeaking noise (yet). I still wouldn’t want to run long distances in them. A mile max, but I don’t think any shoe would help me at that point. My heels felt more locked in during running and jumps. The extra padding around the heel and a new heel design is probably the reason for the improvement. I haven’t done a lot of rope climbs yet but that’s on my list of things to test. The gym just built a rig that has a rope climb section. 

The plastic heel works and I do feel less resistance. I’m not sure how much of a difference it’s going to be but it will take some stress off the sole. The wall has to be flat and smooth since that plastic piece will be able to grab onto cracks. I haven’t encountered that problem yet but it might be something to look at.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of the first Metcon, you will definitely love this one. Nike took all the feedback and improved the shoe for the better. My only complaint from my first pair was the mesh on the top of the shoe but that looks like it has been fixed. I need to do more rope climbs and bang it up a bit to talk about the durability. I’m having a great time working out in these shoes and I’m sure you will too.
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Review: Nike Metcon 1 Varsity Red "Banned"

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After the CrossFit games controversy, the Nike Metcon 1 Varsity Red became the most sought after colorway. I must admit, they look slick. I’m a huge fan of the red and black, paying homage to the Air Jordan 1. The only thing I would change would be the sole color. I would have preferred a black sole or even a red sole.

Their are some differences between this version of the Metcon 1 and the original version that I reviewed here. The mesh on the top of the toebox is a lot thicker and feels like a different material all together. I haven’t used my Metcons to do many rope climbs but I have heard about shoes falling apart from repeated abuse. My Metcons are also starting to fray at certain spots but are still usable. I hope this material change brings more longevity to this shoe. Other than that, I haven’t noticed any more changes. Check out some of the other pictures below.

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Review: Inov-8 Fastlift 335

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After talking to a few members and coaches about weightlifting (Oly) shoes, I decided to take the plunge and order a pair. The hardest part was deciding which shoe to purchase and what fits my budget. I settled on the Inov-8 Fastlift 335 because of its price point, versatility and availability. I have been using these shoes for a little more than a year and they have been great.

Looks and Fit

The Fastlifts come in a variety of colors but my favorite colorway is the black and red. The materials used were ripstop nylon as well as other synthetics. The heel platform is different from other lifting shoes that I’ve seen. Instead of a wedge it has a “power truss” which look like columns. I think the columns make the shoe lighter while still providing the same stability as a wedge. The shoe has one strap which keeps your foot locked down and instead of a rigid midsole this shoe also has a metaflex system. The flex point should help during movements like box jumps and brupees.

Since these were my first pair of weightlifting shoes I didn’t know what the fit was supposed to be like. A lot of articles online recommended a snug fit. The Inov-8 website recommends a half size up from your f-lites, but I decided to get my normal size. If they didn’t fit well I could always return them. Thankfully they fit well, not loose or too snug. Fastlifts are light weighing only 335 g or around 12 oz. I would be doing some olympic lifts in the coming weeks which gave me a great opportunity to test them.

Performance and Durability

This is my first pair of Oly shoes and I did not know what to expect. I tested these shoes during heavy lifting days and I did some metcons as well.

Heavy Lifting Days

The advantages of Oly shoes can be felt immediately. My ankle and hip mobility are not great; these shoes help keep me on my heels and maintain a more vertical torso. During heavy squats I’m able to push into the heels without the give from regular CrossFit shoes. Snatches and clean and jerks feel better in the Fastlifts. The first and second pulls felt easier and my turnover feels faster. With all these advantages I managed to hit a clean PR at 165 lb. during the first week, adding 10 lb. to my clean. I was able to also PR my snatch but that was a few weeks after my clean PR.

WODs

I would use these shoes for WODs that had moderate to heavy barbell movements. I wouldn’t use them for WODs that had running in them however since the raised heel would kill my running form. During WODs these shoes do not feel heavier than normal shoes which was a concern since those extra ounces add up. The shoes are flexible and do not hinder movements like box jumps or burpees.

Durability

So far these shoes have held up great and still look fairly new. All of the pictures featured in this post were taken a week ago and I’ve been using these shoes almost every week since I got them. I only use these shoes indoors and during certain workouts which helps with longevity.

Final Thoughts

I bought these shoes mainly because of the price, hybrid functionality and online availability. At the time these shoes were $150 but they may be cheaper now. I’m not sure if these would be better than the other hybrid shoes on the market but they are definitely well worth the price. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below.

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Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I received my copy of Ready Player One by Ernest Cline in the February Loot Crate. I didn’t know much about the book or the author. I read the sales copy but I wasn’t excited to read it. I read an article about Steven Spielberg being tapped to direct a movie adaptation, so I decided to give it a read.

Ready Player One is a science fiction novel written by Ernest Cline, set in the year 2044. The world is overpopulated, going through an energy crisis and dealing with wide spread poverty. The population escapes this reality by going into a virtual one called “OASIS” (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). The OASIS is a hyper realistic open world game where people can go on quests, work, and even attend school. At the beginning of the book one of the creators of OASIS,billionaire James Halliday, dies and leaves his estate to the first person to find the virtual easter egg he has hidden somewhere in OASIS. In his announcement video, Halliday uses many 80’s pop culture references which people interpret as clues. This leads to a resurgence in everything 80’s, from video games to music and movies.

 The narrator of the book is Wade Watts, a high school student and full time egg hunter (gunter). He dreams of finding Halliday’s egg and escaping his life of poverty. He is well versed in 80’s movies, music and video games. He meets a few people along the way, his best friend “Aech” and “Art3mis”. They usually discuss 80’s trivia trying to outdo each other with a “who knows more” contest. The main antagonist of this story is Nolan Sorrento the head of the Oology Department at Innovative Online Industries (IOI). IOI is the typical greedy corporation. They want to destroy the open and free version of the OASIS and turn it into a “pay to play” world. Wade and his friends must find the egg before IOI or else the OASIS as they know it will cease to exist.

Ready Player One is one of my favorite books. It’s a great story about gamers and how gamers can change the world. I loved the pop culture references in this book. It brings back memories of my childhood especially the gaming references. Cline does an excellent job building the world especially OASIS. However, the book primarily appeals to people who enjoy copious amounts of pop culture references. The writing is okay at best with the exposition spanning more than a few chapters. The book also feels like a young adult novel but the target demographic would be 80’s and 90’s kids. Even with the books shortcomings, I would still recommend this book to friends. I might re-read the book before the movie comes out. This is a book any nerd will enjoy.

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Review: Nike MetCon 1

Nick Palomo2 Comments

When you think Nike, you think sport and with CrossFit becoming more mainstream, it would make sense for Nike to enter the market. I think it is safe to say the Nike MetCon 1 is one of the most sought after CrossFit shoes. The marketing hype combined with the limited number of shoes available at launch made them that much more desirable. I felt like I was trying to buy a pair of new Kobe’s or Jordans rather than a pair of CrossFit shoes. If you didn’t get a pair within the first hour of launch, you were out of luck. Thankfully, my fiance manged to order a pair online and they have been my go to CrossFit shoe for a few weeks.

Looks, Fit and Construction

The Anthracite/Black/Cool Grey colorway are my favorite colors from the launch. The shoe has a unique color pattern with the shoe divided up in four sections. The divisions are more noticeable with the other colorways. Ordering shoes online is risky especially when it comes to new shoe models. Thankfully the shoe felt true to size. The shoe fits snug but after you break them in, they feel great. The toe box has enough room to spread your toes which is great for lifts. The shoe is also wider which allows for a stable base.

Since this is a Nike shoe, you’re bound to see some of their tech. The shoe features Flywire, which helps to lock your feet down and gives support to certain areas of the foot.  A Hyperfuse upper and a rubber midsole is more for rope climbs. The newer Flyknit material would probably rip after a few rope climbs making the Hyperfuse upper ideal. After a few weeks of use, the shoes almost look brand new. The excellent shoe quality is what I expect from Nike.

Performance

My first workout in the Metcon 1 was great for a performance test. It was a FGB style workout with wall balls, thrusters, rowing, double unders, burpees and box jumps. Throughout the workout the shoes held up great. I felt stable during all movements. I had no problem jumping during box jumps, it also had a slight spring. The shoes perform well during heavy oly lifts and heavy squats. I felt stable in the bottom position of the lift and the shoe didn’t give as much as I was expecting. The insole is a little thick but the heel area felt solid during lifts. The shoes have great grip and the sticky rubber soles are indeed sticky. I didn’t feel my feet slide around during split jerks or lunges. The midsole grip felt great during rope climbs and the upper held up. Checking the shoes after, it didn’t have any scratches or tears.

During a run however, I noticed most of the flaws of this shoe. My feet felt heavier during runs and the rigidness of the sole is not comfortable. If I know running will be programmed for the day I will use different shoes.

Final Thoughts

The Metcon 1 is a great shoe and is now my favorite shoe to use during CrossFit. It covers almost all workouts except for running. They are holding up well and if I wipe them down with a damp cloth, they will look good as new. I’ve read that the newer versions of the Metcon 1 have some changes to material and construction. I plan to get another pair in another color, and I will update this post if I think the changes will make a difference. My next shoe review will be on the Fastlift 335. Hopefully it will be done in a few weeks. If you have any questions or comments, enter them below.

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