Review Category : Gear

Soaking Up Summer in the Mazda MX5 RF GT

Living in beautiful Vancouver comes with a trade-off … many a soggy day. In fact, our city has been nicknamed Raincouver. Several years ago while living on the west coast, I had a convertible. The leaky soft-top and moldly interior weren’t worth the glam of feeling the wind in my hair on the dry days. As a weather anchor, today I can attest that our coastal forecasts change by the hour. It can go from sunny to wet in a matter of moments. So when it comes to choosing a new car, many Vancouverites would likely put a convertible near the bottom of their wish list. Fast forward to the summer of 2019. Never in a million years did I expect to fall in love with the 2019 Mazda MX5 RF but I did. This compact, two-seater convertible is a dream. If you like attention on the road – you’ll get it. I was stopped at many a traffic light where looky-loos would roll down their windows just to comment... ...

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Vancity Hustle in the Hyundai Accent

Getting around Greater Vancouver, AKA Vancity is not always easy or affordable…until now. This vehicle was made to keep up with the Vancity hustle. Introducing the 2018 Hyundai Accent. Managing multiple gigs is a way of life for Vancouverites. The day to day grind can be costly and chaotic if you are driving a gas guzzler or trying to use public transportation. That is why the Vancity go-getter needs a compact, affordable, trustworthy ride like the Hyundai Accent. Whether I’m running around between set, studio, auditions, kids and everything in between, I need a car I can rely on that won’t break the bank in monthly payments, repairs and gas. The Hyundai Accent offers Vancouverites the perfect solution. Starting from only $14,599 you get the choice of two body styles, including the Canada-exclusive 5-door hatchback. A subcompact car that has all the technology you need to get your job(s) and side hustles done and done.  Featuring a 1.6L Direct Injection (GDI) four cylinder engine producing 130 horsepower and 119 lb-ft. of torque, choose manual or automatic transmission. Complete with a 7-inch... ...

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Rocky Mountain Road Trip in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro

Outdoor enthusiasts, the Toyota 4 Runner TRD Pro was made for adventures on and off the road. Rugged and strong, set your sights on owning this ride!  A recent Rocky Mountain road trip to Jasper, Alberta proved that Toyota designed and built the 4Runner like a warrior. Blazing through remote areas in search of Canadian wildlife, we found the 4Runner TRD Pro the ideal transportation and then some. 4 Reasons You’ll Love to Adventure in the 2018 4Runner TRD Pro 1. Sturdy, Strong and Handsome:  Be warned that if you prefer to travel discreetly this may not be the vehicle for you. It is an attention-grabber, especially in the Cavalry Blue!  You will feel like a celebrity behind the wheel of the alluring and impressive 4Runner TRD Pro which IS capable of handling all your wildest off-road adventures.  The One-Touch 4 Wheel Drive ensures you can go from the highway to the backroads with the simplicity of one touch. 2. Bells and Whistles: Nothing beats the functional back window feature which... ...

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A Mazda Canada 150 Road Trip!

I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Canada 150 than to hit the road in a 2017 Mazda 6 with our kids to explore BC’s bounty. They don’t call our province “beautiful BC” for nothing! The west is the best with much to discover.   Some advice for travellers: Lake Time: No matter where the journey takes you…make sure your road trip includes lake time especially in the heat of summer. It’s so refreshing! Pit Stops: Make spotting Canadian roadside attractions a family affair. Be sure to have your camera on hand   Heritage and History: You can’t road trip right past some of the best heritage sights in BC and not stop and learn a little bit more about our history here in the west.   Find Hidden Gems: You’d be surprised at all the hidden gems waiting to be discovered in Western Canada and we only made a small dent. From natural hot springs to miles of lava beds and waterfalls…Canada rocks! Play Outdoors: No matter where... ...

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Man Up with the Men’s Double Propulsion 60 Jacket

The Smartwool Double Propulsion 60 Jacket impressed me from the start. The look of part jacket / part sweater felt like I was wearing something innovative, new and stylish all at the same time. My impression grew as I wore the technical Smartwool Jacket day in and day out. However, what struck me from the start was the comfort and style. Remarkably light, I was surprised how I never had the issue of feeling too warm. To give the temperature gauge a test run I put the Merino wool and SmartLoft wool insulation through my everyday paces. From work meetings, to post workout attire and every step in between, the Smartwool Double Propulsion 60 Jacket joined me on all my adventures from warm day hikes, cold treks, ski days, hockey practice, events and parties to even just strolls in the Vancouver rain. It’s been hard to find a good zip up technical jacket that I could wear all day without feeling bulky, too warm or uncomfortable.  The Merino wool back panels ensures breathability without overheating which... ...

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Winter’s Best Wooly’s: Smartwool

  Heading off to play outdoors only to have to your toes go instantly numb from the       cold is a winter nightmare. In light of the importance of keeping our feet warm we put Smartwool PhD Slopestyle alpine socks to the all-day-ski-test. Made with Indestructrawool Technology ™. Smartwool socks are classic Merino wool magic that generate warm, cozy feet for hours on end whether you’re blazing the slopes or the trails. I know when you think of wool, itchy – scratchy comes to mind. This is not the case with Smartwool. These socks are made for performance activities with zero itch and mucho warmth for endless hours of comfort and durability. As a bonus, the Smartwool socks have zero stink factor. Cold and stinky feet are a thing of the past. A blend of 59% Wool, 39% Nylon, 2% Elastane – we highly recommend you get your feet on the Smartwool trail… your tootsies will thank you. www.smartwool.com ...

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High-Five to the 2017 Ford Fusion!

We give these 2017 Ford Fusion features a double high-five as this year’s adventure ride because of the many exciting features from which to choose. 1) The rotary dial gearshift is sleek and easy to use, making more room for driving essentials like USB ports and coffee holders. We loved the advanced, edgy design and smooth gear transition for adventures like heading to Whistler up the Sea to Sky corridor. 2) Sensors galore! From assistance with both parallel and perpendicular parking to cruise control and blind spot sensors, you can trust the Ford Fusion 2017 to give you that extra ‘sense’ of security on the road. 3) LED Headlights are top of the line in quality, design and efficiency. You’ll never go back to Halogen once you’ve tried LED. 4) Heated leather seats and steering wheel fire up in seconds, making your post-adventure return home the ultimate in luxury comfort! 5) Eco Boost for fuel efficiency. The 2.7L EcoBoost engine has 325 horsepower and 350 feet of torque translating to... ...

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Surf Trip Essentials: Ford F150 Limited

  When it comes to choosing a ride for a surf trip bigger is better. Surfboards and adventure gear require space and lots of it. Thick, cold-water wetsuits, booties and gear have to be stored somewhere. You’ll also need room in your ride for your surf crew buddies because the more the merrier when it comes to chasing waves. We fell in love with the souped-up 2016 Ford F 150 Limited. The insanely roomy passenger cab is so plush, spacious and comfy you won’t believe you are sitting in the back seat of a pick-up truck. Seats in the passenger cab flip up easily to reveal a full size storage compartment and that’s in addition to the flatbed. Both cabs easily accommodate the big guys so pack’em in boards and all. With a Twin Panel Moonroof it’s like driving the Pacific Rim forest in a fish bowl surrounded by ocean and giant Sitka spruce trees. Now crank up some surf stoke music on the F150 Limited’s sound system, a sure-fire way... ...

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Auto Review: Chasing Fun in the All New 2016 Toyota Prius

Spending a day sitting pretty behind the wheel of the all new 2016 Toyota Prius has changed my perspective on what how an ‘adventure’ ride should look, feel and drive. Many outdoorsy types like me tend to stereotype adventure vehicles as large and in charge with off-road capability but perhaps this theory is stale and should be challenged. As the first car company to put the hybrid on the map, Toyota has the leading edge on its competition and this owns the bragging rights. The most iconic car in the green category to date, one can assume that the 2016 model has all the bells and whistles and then some. As far as we adventurers are concerned, the need to go green comes with the territory. You can’t really be a true outdoor enthusiast without having some degree of passion for our planet. Who wants to be guzzling gas and spending a fortune on getting to your adventure destination? Rather we prefer to do the environment some due diligence, save... ...

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Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket

From the City to the Ice Cave The Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket is an all-season winner. Thermal Q-Elite Insulation is designed for cool, damp weather the West Coast throws our way. At first glance the Thermostatic Jacket is eye-catching. I went with red and was on my way. With the look of the currently popular puffy insulated jacket but the low profile of a climbing jacket, I wanted to see if it would stand up to the test of not only the outdoors but everyday life. I love the great outdoors but my body temperature gauge tends to err on the side of overheating. When I exercise it can be a constant battle of the jacket on, jacket off. It wasn’t long however, before I felt just how well the Thermal-Q Elite 60 g/m2 insulation kept my body temperature consistent. Wind and water-resistant, the Mountain Hardwear Thermostatic Jacket is the only one I need for my lifestyle. As I go from home to the hockey arena, from the trails to... ...

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