Moxie Vixen Cycling Jersey: Visibly Cool

Moxie Cycling Company'sT-Back Vixen combines style with visibility.  WindMax Helmet and Ability Eyewear by Rudy Project

Summer cycling is always a challenge. The sun, heat and humidity can all but ruin a ride. Personally, I love the cool breezes a sleeveless singlet can bring but always have to make sure my underthings don't show.
That's why I was so impressed with Moxie's designs in women's cycling jerseys. They totally get it. These little numbers have an included nylon support bra so simply throw this bad boy on and ride. As the company says: "Even busty ladies can feel 'locked and loaded' without needing additional support."

Moxie Vixen Cycling Jersey
The bold pattern of the Vixen offers maximum style and road visibility so get ready to turn heads. This is not a line for wallflowers although if you are, you can easily come out of your shell in the Vixen. This design was actually created by one of the company owners and as you can see it's just fabulous!

Moxie Vixen has ergonomic seams & a tag-less design

Material Goods
Moxie's Vixen and their many other styles are made of a substantial moisture transport fabric. The fabric is almost like that of a spandex Tankini and I suspect you could even use this top for a triathlon or swimming as getting wet wouldn't cause it to creep up or show through.

Heat Transfer
It's long been known that having your armpits exposed to the cooling breezes allows your blood to also chill out. The Vixen offers design specific ventilation points to release heat just where you need it, keeping you comfortable even on very hot days.

Got Your Back 
One thing I think is important in a cycling jersey is that it covers your backside even when your riding down in the drops or using your aero bars. This jersey has some structure so it's not going to fly up or inch up on you. The three rear pockets lay very flat and really you don't notice them unless you look closely. However the point is, you WILL be noticed in this cycling top and for me, the more visibility the better. Along with bold patterns like this, add as many lights on your helmet, bicycle and yourself as possible. Here on the back of the WindMax Cycle Helmet, we have a Super Nova Red Firefly LED Light. Set it on blink and add a bit of extra visibility and safety to your next ride.

T-Back design and rear pouches of the Vixen. Super Nova Helmet Light by Road ID.com

 

Mountainsmith Dart TLS REVIEW

Just the essentials but really important ones!  Mountainsmith Dart TLS with waterbottle & gel pack pouch.

The newly updated Mountainsmith Dart TLS allows you to pack just what's essential for a short run, walk or hike when lightness is key.  The Dart weighs a mere 7 ounces!

The Dart is made of airy, recycled materials with a water bottle holder (comes with its own Mountainsmith BPA-Free water bottle).  However you can pop in your favorite water bottle such as the new smaller Insulated 12 oz Polar Bottle.  Filling a thermal bottle with ice and water helps keep you cooler in the heat not to mention hydrated.

The Dart TLS weighs only 7 ounces

Easy Access

On the left hand side is an easy to access zippered pouch with mesh inner separators and a key clip.  More than enough space inside for a couple of gel packs, your cell, some cash and an energy bar.

The Dart is easy to adjust with its perforated air-flow foam padding and Lumbar Control Point™ pad that locks the pack into the lumbar region of your back.  I ran with it fully loaded and did not notice any shifting or bouncing up and down. Really for such a small lumbar pack, it offers a lot of features:

• Diamond airmesh with anti-sweat DWR finish
• Lumbar Control Point™ pad
• 3M™ reflective piping
• Internal key clip
• Headphone port on front pocket
• Low profile side mesh pockets fit energy gels
• Internal mesh pocket holds iPhone, iPod or similar devices
• Airflow waistbelt
• Perforated interior foam padding for increased breathability
• BPA-Free Water Bottle is included

The Mountainsmith Water Bottle adapts and is easy to refill with purification systems like Purificup

Reflections

Firefly Supernova Blinkie

The Dart TLS has reflective piping all around for maximum visibility at night.  You can even clip on a Firefly Supernova LED blinkie to be sure you're seen when running after sunset or before sunrise.  As the weather heats up, these cooler parts of the day will be prime time for getting outdoors.

The Wrap

Ultralight backpacking is becoming more and more popular as most of us realize that the bigger our packs, the more tempting it is to fill it with stuff we really don't need.  This is especially true for shorter hikes and excursions when you can leave most of your gear at base camp or if you are front country daypacking, in your car.
  

I've found that I could fit my SOL Origin Survival Kit and Aurora Magnesium Fire Starter in the Dart.  This plus a container of water and some almonds would be about the bare minimum I would take on a short hike.  Water is SO essential that it is refreshing to see a lightweight lumbar pack like this include a water bottle. The water bottle even works with the Purificup Portable Water Filtration System for refills in the outback. In fact this pack impressed us so much that we included it in our gear collection for the Heat & Sun Awareness Project on Pinterest. 
The beauty of the Dart is that it can be used during very strenuous activities such as running and rock climbing.  People who have shoulder pain will appreciate the shift to carrying weigh in the lower back area.  All around this is a great little lumbar pack that you will appreciate for its many features and lightness.  Visit the Mountainsmith Website for more innovative designs in outdoor gear! 

The Dart can double as a survival belt.  It holds the SOL Origin Survival Kit and Aurora Firestarter.

Road ID Firefly Supernova Lights

This Firefly Supernova Wristband easily laces through the vents of this Rudy Project helmet.

As the season's weather heats up, you may find yourself wanting to train in the cooler temperatures of early morning or after sunset.  While there are great advantages to this, ( less traffic, pollution and heat), visibility is going to be more of a challenge.  Bright LED lights have become the standard and are cheaper yet burn longer than traditional halogen bulbs.

 

Here's a Bright Idea (or two)

LED's are so bright that they are even visible during the daytime. I have three bicycles that I ride in rotation with various panniers, trunks and baskets. Each has some sort of LED blinkie clipped on but now my vented helmets also have lights! As far as I'm concerned, the more the better. I'd rather be lit up like a Christmas Tree in July than not be seen at all.

What makes LED's so cool is that they are cool.  They don't give off a lot of heat so they can be worn pretty close to the skin such as you see here on the zipper of my hoodie. That makes them very versatile, allowing drivers to see you coming and going. Light it up!

The same light on my wrist for night running

ROAD ID's FIREFLY SUPERNOVAS

Road ID is known for making wristbands with personal contact and medical information engraved. However they also offer a line of LED lights for runners and cyclists.

These operate on a watch battery (included). Lightweight, cool and super-bright, these are the ultimate blinkies for all sorts of outdoor activities when being seen is key.




Supernovas come with a variety of attachments: bicycle, wrist band, belt/clothing clip-on so you can use them everywhere.  They weigh under an ounce and have a run time of about 250 hours. Choose, red, blue, green or clear. Best of all these are blindingly BRIGHT. Set on flashing, they are visible even in broad sunlight so you know they will get the driver's attention on night-time excursions.  Don't take chances!  These are inexpensive, (about $15 each) and easy to use.  Just a little extra insurance out there.  More Road ID safety and ID products can be found at their website: Road ID.com

In addition to riding with lights, make sure your cycle wear has reflective qualities too.

Cool Runnings: Carve Designs

Carve Design's new Zipper Line Hoodie in Graphite is cool cover for hot workouts.

I really love this time of year. It's so unlike the summer heat when I have to get up before dawn to workout because it gets blazing hot by 10 am.  Usually a tank top is perfect but I want to be sure to keep my skin protected from the harmful rays of the sun.  I use sunblock but sweat and rubbing often leaves you less protected than you think.  So I've found walking, running and cycling in the hours of predawn and twilight to be my best bet at beating the the sun and heat.

Taking Cover: Carve Design's Zipper Line Hoodie

Zipper Line Hoodie & Pearl Izumi running shoes.

I don't just mist...I sweat during my workouts.  Most of my hoodies and cover ups are just too thick and heavy for any serious exercise.  That's why Carve Design's super lightweight cotton Zipper Line Hoodie was such a cool change.

Zipper Line in Thistle

Carve Designs of California specializes in surf-wear for active woman.  So they know a thing or two about staying comfortable despite the sun's heat. In a slub jersey knit, it's just the right weight with a semi fitted cut that looks feminine.  The Zipper Line Hoodie is very soft and sheer, so it lets the breezes through.  It can also be used as a beach cover.  One of the lovely accents of this piece is the contrast print lined hood.  Just taking a walk in the Zipper Line was so comfortable and NO sweat buildup underneath.  I came home refreshed, not damp from perspiration.  The full length zipper allowed me to regulate my body temperature while the cover itself gave me some sun protection.  This is where fashion meets function. 

Road ID's Firefly Supernova - visibility before dawn, after dark

See the Light: Road ID's Firefly Supernova
 
As the season heats up, you may find yourself walking, running or cycling before the sun rises or after dark.  Aside from being comfortable, the one thing you want to be out there is visible.  Walking or running near traffic can be much safer if drivers can see you.  That's why in addition to reflective panels on my athletic shoes, I would recommend clipping on a blinkie like the Road ID Firefly Supernova.

It is small so it can clip onto your wrist, hoodie, cycling jersey or helmet.  It is also VERY BRIGHT.  You can see this thing from about a mile away.  Available in clear, blue, green and red, you decide which colors to attach to what.  It uses a little watch battery that runs for about 250 hours on flashing and weighs only 1 ounce. Be sure to have a few of these on board and your Road ID Medical / Identification tags.  It could save your life.

Road ID Fixx ID Tags

Road ID's Blue Firefly Supernova wrist model.  Be seen out there!