Best budget buys to beat the post-holiday blues
1. Asics GEL-Pulse 2 The GEL-Pulse 2 is a work-horse trainer that’s lightweight without being anorexic and cushioned without being a bed of pillows. Quite simply, it’s a running shoe for a wide range of runners. Most of us don’t need to spend $150 for space-age shoes designed to help us run like a cheetah. We just want comfort without breaking the bank. Not that the GEL-Pulse 2 is completely void of bells and whistles. The new update includes a rear foot gel pocket for shock absorption and an open mesh upper for better breathability. 12 ounces. $85. asicsamerica.com 2. Novara Buzz One Singlespeeds and fixed gear bikes are all the rage for around town commuting, but most of us don’t need to pay a grand for a bike with just one gear. Enter the Novara Buzz One, a chromoly steel singlespeed with a reversible hub introduced at the 2010 Interbike. The reversible hub means you can switch the bike from a free-spinning single speed to a fixie on a whim. $399. rei.com 3. Kelty Cosmic Down 0 Sleeping Bag Kelty stuffed 550-fill-power down into a durable shell to create their new Cosmic Down 0. It’s not the lightest 0-degree bag on the market, but it has some smart details that add to the overall warmth of the package, like the full baffle collar and insulated hood baffle, which work in unison to keep heat inside the bag where it belongs. 3 pounds, 11 ounces. $159. kelty.com 4. Columbia Boarderline Softshell The Boarderline is a lightweight, windproof, water-resistant softshell with super-comfy fleece lining, hood, two chest zipper pockets (perfect for the iPod or phone), and key loop in the hip pocket. And the whole package is coated with Columbia’s Omni-Shield for better water repellency, so if you take header after header into powder, you’ll stay dry. You’d be hard pressed to find a higher quality softshell at this price. $120. columbia.com
We took the JanSport Catalyst on a variety of adventures: a multi-day mountain bike trip along the Pinhoti Trail in North Georgia and a peak-bagging speed hike on one of the highest, most rugged trails in the Southern Appalachians.
The Catalyst doesn’t rely on gimmicks. Instead of an overly complicated suspension system, the pack has perforated foam shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel, which vented moisture without a lot of fuss during long days on the Pinhoti.
There’s also a separate hydration sleeve with a side zipper on the back of the pack that employs a simple loop to keep the bladder upright throughout the day. The pack doesn’t come with its own bladder, which is a bummer, but the omission probably helps keep the price low. The Catalyst was comfortable, even while scrambling along boulders near Mount Mitchell. At 20.48 liters, storage space is limited. But this is exactly what the Catalyst is designed for: fast moving adventures for people who know exactly what to leave at home.
$99. jansport.com.
