Ultimate Direction Fastpack 15 Review

 The Ultimate Direction

I have reserved writing a review of this pack until I had tested it under more than a day run. This week it was tested more than ever expected.  For a 2 day 30 mile backcountry run I chose to take this with me to a remote lake off the JMT from Lake Edison (VVR).  This pack held my Mountain Hardware 15 ounce down sleeping bag, 3 days worth of food, an ultimate direction bottle full of water,  a partial foam pad and a few incidentals adding up to a 10 pound load.  I kept my camera in the left shoulder pocket. 

 I was able to contain all items within the main compartment and still roll the top over much like a dry bag and it is this feature and the materials that have completely impressed me.  Not only was this pack comfortable with the ten pound load, it had no bounce when running. There were no rub issues and the load remained firm against my torso. 

The true test of this pack came when I made a very sketchy creek crossing in water that came up well above my hips and the bottom of the pack.  The incredible force of the water this year in this particular creek and the slippery rocks created an environment in which loosing footing and floating away for 50 feet became part of the trip’s adventure.  The amazing thing, other than not drowning, was that everything within the pack was totally dry despite having been completely immersed in the current.  I was sure the camera pocket would have failed to keep my device dry, however my camera suffered no moisture issues. 

This is the second Ultimate Direction pack I have purchased and am completely satisfied with this pack, the materials and design.

For All Who Have Loved and Lost (or thrown away) Headphones

Bluetooth Earbuds TREBLAB XR500

I have used these daily for a couple of months, wearing them over the course of several hundred miles of running and am very impressed.  The sound quality is better than any headphones of similar pricing purchased  prior to these. 

There have been many discarded models of different brands and none compare in this price group. Being a distance runner who likes to have music  and wants to wear them for hours at a time, I was drawn to these when they advertised up to 9 hours of battery life. 

 After only one hour of charge, the Treblab lasted over 8 hours. They continue to work with clarity for up to about 30 feet before beginning to cut out.  

The earloop does not have a wire which I would have preferred, however they do stay in place.

Additionally, they have paired easily with two tablets and two Ipods.

Love the case they came in. 

 I was so impressed with these headphones,  I purchased a second pair.