Fitness
The Best Outdoor Blankets for Camping, Tailgating, and More
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
As chilly weather rolls in, it’s always a good idea to have some cozy blankets within reach—and if you’ll be spending time outside this fall, outdoor blankets are a must. At my house, there’s no such thing as too many. We have options for the couch, bed, and desk, and our van is equipped with a full stack for snuggling up when we’re adventuring outdoors.
Outdoor blankets are made from all sorts of materials, like wool, down, or synthetic fabrics, and each fabric comes with different benefits. Sizes vary from small enough to fit in your lap to gigantic enough to cover a king-sized bed. And the intended use also matters: Take note of which ones are meant for hardcore camping and which ones are better for staying inside your cabin.
These 11 picks—ranging from weather-resistant outdoor blankets to picnic blankets to ultra-plush premium options—will keep you warm no matter where you’re headed this fall.
The Best Outdoor Blankets 2021
1. Best Premium Blanket: Rumpl SoftWool Blanket
We could pick multiple Rumpl blankets for this list—the brand has mastered the art of making lightweight and plush camping options—but this merino wool blanket is new and utterly amazing. Made of responsibly sourced Australian merino wool and organic cotton in a 50-50 blend, it’s perfect for nestling in your cabin or on your patio (you won’t want to get this one dirty). It features a modern striped pattern, and comes in throw, queen, and king sizes.
[$199–$479; rumpl.com]
2. Best Wearable Blanket: Poler Reversible Camp Poncho
Forget sharing: With Poler’s wearable blanket, you can keep all the warmth to yourself. This fully reversible poncho comes with snap-closure sides for trapping heat and a roomy kangaroo pouch for warming your hands or storing camp essentials. The synthetic material is super soft and keeps its loft over time, even after lots of use. At 2.5 pounds, it’s a better pick for car camping than backpacking.
[$100; poler.com]
3. Best Budget Blanket: Kelty Bestie Blanket
For a wallet-friendly option that’s still comfy and packable, consider Kelty’s Bestie Blanket. For just $25, you can wrap this twin-sized blanket around yourself while at camp or a music festival, or you can use it as an extra layer over your sleeping bag. It packs down to the size of a bread loaf for easy storage and carrying, and it’s available in four funky patterns and colorways.
[$25; kelty.com]
4. Best Packable Blanket: Matador Pocket Blanket
Blankets can take up a lot of room, and the ones with the best warmth-to-weight ratio can be pricey—unless you opt for the Pocket Blanket, which is neither large nor expensive. Built from a lightweight nylon fabric with a waterproof coating, it’s best for covering the ground so you can sit, yet it’s small enough to pack as an extra “just-in-case” layer. Built-in ultralight stakes ensure it won’t blow away, and its stitching shows you how to pack it up so it fits into its mesh pouch.
[$30; matadorup.com]
5. Best Down Blanket: Big Agnes Dotsero Down Blanket
For the most loft, warmth, and compressibility for use in the outdoors, the Dotsero Down Blanket is at the top of our list. The 650-fill DownTek insulation is wrapped in a quilted polyester taffeta shell that repels dew and is easy to clean. Measuring 80 by 88 inches, it’s the right size for sharing; you can also fold it in half to use as a one-person quilt. The blanket compresses down to the size of a basketball for bringing along on a pack-rafting, bikepacking, or camping trip.
[$250; bigagnes.com]
6. Best Tarp: Tarpestry Blue Leaf
There’s a certain type of blanket that’s only used for spreading out on the ground and never for cuddling up. The Tarpestry Tarp falls into that category. When you’re in the grass, dirt, or sand, it’ll keep butts dry and clean. The UV-resistant polyester fabric won’t fade after a day in the sun, and you can hose it off when it’s really dirty. It’s available in four-, six-, eight-, or 10-grommet options; the various layouts allow you to stake it down to the ground or tie it up to make a sun shade.
[$198–$222; tarpestry.com]
7. Best Two-Sided Blanket: REI Co-op Flannel/Fleece Blanket
When the seasons change, reach for this plush layer. REI combined two of the warmest fabrics into one big, snug blanket. It’s fully flannel on one side and fully fleece on the other, and it measures 74 by 54 inches for full coverage. Better yet, for every blanket purchased, REI will donate 10 percent of the sale to the REI Cooperative Action Fund, which makes grants to nonprofits that promote justice, equity, and belonging in the outdoors.
[$60; rei.com]
8. Best Emergency Blanket: Oceas Mylar Emergency Blankets
Winter weather equals dicey road conditions, so it’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your car. With this set of four compact but effective emergency blankets—the reflective mylar material was originally designed by NASA for use in space—you and your passengers can maintain a healthy body temperature even if you’re stuck in your car. The blankets come rolled up in individual polyester bags and tucked together in a durable case that keeps them protected until you need them.
[$25; oceasoutdoors.com]
9. Best Wool Blanket: Pendleton National Park Blanket
The natural thermoregulating properties of wool excel in this Pendleton blanket that you can wrap entirely around yourself. It won’t pill or shred even after extended use, but be sure to keep it out of the dryer (wool can shrink). The vintage striped colorways are a tribute to America’s National Parks: Perfect for decorating your camper or adding to your stack of campfire blankets.
[$269; rei.com]
10. Best Weighted Blanket: Layla Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are like a giant hug, and they can improve sleep quality, too. When camping, bring one that’s easy to wash and doesn’t make that annoying swishing sound, like this Layla model. One side is cotton and the other is a polyester mink “fur,” and it’s full of high-density micro glass beads for added heft. Every blanket comes with a 120-day guarantee: If it doesn’t work for you in that timeframe, you can return for a full refund.
[$199; laylasleep.com]
11. Best Down Alternative: Eddie Bauer Hemp CBD Throw
As if a blanket wasn’t relaxing enough, this one is infused with organic CBD extracted from hemp. Envelop yourself into this quilt—the CBD will help enhance relaxation, release tension, and improve sleep. (It also won’t wash out because it’s encapsulated into the fabric.) Instead of down, this one is puffed up with a Premeaire down alternative that’s just as lightweight and warm.
[$149; eddiebauer.com]
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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.
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.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
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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