There’s no shortage of hulking SUVs designed to bring your family and all your gear on adventures—or to the grocery store. While often overlooked in the full-size, three-row category, the Nissan Armada is making a case for itself with a 2021 refresh. The updates are aimed at making the ride more refined, comfortable, and luxurious for seven or eight passengers, while keeping the brutish V8 power the truck-based SUV’s always had. On the inside, the sport-ute feels more like Nissan’s Infinity QX80 than the brand’s Titan pickup. That’s where the Armada story started: Nissan bolted an SUV’s body to the truck’s frame back in 2004. To see if the updates are enough to put the Armada into the conversation with the Tahoe, Yukon, and Expedition, we packed the SUV with luggage, bikes, and (at one point) five kids and headed out on a long weekend trip from New York to Rhode Island.
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Day 1: Settling Into the Interior
With the Armada’s roots planted firmly in a pickup truck, it’s no surprise its early interiors felt truck-like. Utility trumped luxury, with swaths of hard plastic trim in the cabin that made pulling into the mall parking lot feel like clocking in on a construction site. That’s changed for 2021. The seats up front are comfortable and plush with quilted leather and soft-touch accents. The center console has a traditional shifter, which we like, and doors that fold down to hide cup holders, which helps keep the interior tidy. Anyone with open cup holders knows how quickly they become the driver’s damp, sticky, penny-filled lost-and-found.
The middle row can be a bench or two captain’s chairs, and in our tester they easily flipped forward for third-row access. Those sitting in the middle have a center console, but they can also flip the top open on the front row’s armrest to access storage. During our trip, we stashed snacks and charging cables there, which cut down on whining.
While that last row is roomy enough for small children on quick rides of, say, less than 45 minutes, it’s too tight for adults on all but the shortest trips. If your brood requires stashing a child back there consistently, by default it’ll have to be the shortest one of the lot due to the limited head- and legroom. And even then, she or he is likely to complain. That said, four or five adults can find the Armada a very comfortable and quiet ride. In our case, two adults and five children all under the age of 10—with three spaced across the rear seat—had enough space to handle a 30-minute ride without a mutiny. The trunk behind the third row is a sparse 16.5 cubic feet—that’s less than some crossovers provide. If you plan to have the third row up all the time, that won’t leave a ton of room to schlep gear or groceries.
Outside, the styling is big, bold, and rocks plenty of chrome accents. Everything from the front windshield out is redesigned for 2021, including the streamlined Nissan v-motion grille and attractive headlights. Underneath, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels fill their wells nicely (and also make using the side steps obligatory). Taller riders will appreciate the high step-in height. Chrome runs almost the entire length of the car, modernizing the look.
But the rear bumper is a love-hate detail. It projects out, which can get in the way while you’re loading up gear, but it also serves as a seat when the liftgate is open. When we loaded up our Thule hitch-mounted rack with adult bikes, the bumper left little space between the car and floppy front bike tires, though securing the bike tires should keep the paint safe.
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Day 2: The Tech
The technology inside is probably the biggest leap forward with the new Armada. The center console is topped with a 12.3-inch-wide display. You can sync Apple CarPlay to it wirelessly or use Android Auto through the USB-C port. The graphics on the touch screen are sharp and it’s highly responsive, with almost no lag. The screen is paired with two knobs for volume and tune that also help you navigate through on-screen menus, and those work well, too. For low-speed maneuvering, the touchscreen gives you a 360-degree view around the car with graphics that are clear enough to keep you away from light poles and other obstacles. Although the screen’s size sounds impressive, only about 3/4 of it is a touchscreen. The right-hand portion is an information display, and that chunk sometimes shows info that you can see elsewhere, like the time.
The HVAC, thankfully, has its own set of buttons, so making climate control adjustments doesn’t require going down a rabbit hole of touchscreen menus. Under the screen, a wireless charging cubby makes a nice spot to hide a phone while driving; it also prevents it from sliding to the ground when you sprint from a stoplight.
Nissan’s safety suite includes things like emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, which was our biggest pet peeve. The hitch-mounted rack loaded with bikes interfered with the backup sensor, which then jolted the car to a sudden stop when in reverse. The feature got so annoying we ended up turning it off. The instrument cluster has a centered, 7-inch screen that does a good job of indicating what features are on and helps you zip through menus controlled by buttons on the steering wheel. After a couple of days getting acquainted, we found the interface was pretty smooth and allows you to handle many adjustments—radio volume, for example—just by glancing down at the dash.
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Day 3: The Drive
The daily driving with the Armada is smooth, thanks to the buttery seven-speed automatic transmission, and quiet even at highway speeds. While it can feel a little springy and less refined in turns, overall it drives like a smaller truck despite sitting so high up. Nissan kept the 5.6-liter V8 engine the Armada’s always had as the only engine option. The powerplant cranks out 400 horsepower with 413 lb-ft of torque with a max towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. Between city and highway, the Armada came in at about 15 mpg, which isn’t great—something your wallet would like you to consider before buying. A hitch is standard and integrated trailer sway control is built into most of the trim levels. In a way, Nissan’s telling you this SUV is for towing: boats, Jet Skis, trailers, etc. The selectable four-wheel drive on our tester is available as an option.
Bottom line: The Armada starts at about $50,000, with our four-wheel driver tester coming in at over $63,000. It faces stiff competition from other people-hauling, full-size, third-row SUVs that have more room, like the Tahoe, Suburban, Expedition, and even some larger crossovers. But with those other SUVs coming in at six figures when well-appointed, the Armada carves out a niche for itself—and the stout engine can make sense if you need a tow vehicle.
There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
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1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
Marius Bugge
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
Marius Bugge
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Marius Bugge
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
Marius Bugge
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Marius Bugge
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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