I’m a web designer and developer living in Austin, Texas. I work with great people to create great experiences. When not working on my craft, I’m planning my next adventure.

GoLite Waterton Travel Short Review

photo of the GoLite Waterton Travel Short worn while cycling around town

I recently purchased the GoLite Waterton Travel Short to serve as an all purpose short for around town, mountain biking, traveling, and even some backpacking. In the month that I’ve owned these shorts, I’ve put them through the paces. Unfortunately, I’m not thrilled with them.

The Waterton Shorts live up to their intended purpose, excelling as travel shorts. They obviously work well with your favorite synthetic t-shirt, but can also manage with a casual button-up. Perhaps the best feature of the Waterton Shorts, they’re comfy like cotton but dry quickly like a pair of synthetics, meaning you can rock them all day every day. Get a little dirty grabbing some single track on your way to the coffee shop, brush it off, and keep going.

Unfortunately, the Waterton have one major issue - you better be able to pull off the skater kid look. Extending to my knee, these shorts are a few inches too long. I’m active. Long shorts slow me down. And they’re dorky. I would have expected GoLite to get this.

If you need a pair of shorts to do it all, the GoLite Waterton Shorts are a good choice. Just be ready to trade in your Merrells for some Vans, brah.

Positives

  • Feels like cotton, dries like synthetic
  • Durable
  • Ample pocket space (including a zippered pocket)
  • Affordable

Negatives

  • Too long

My First Technomad Gear List?

I’m sitting in the Austin Bergstrom Airport battling zero ATT coverage and spotty Boingo WIFI waiting for my flight to Columbia where I’ll be spending the next 10 days. Between now and the 30th I’ll be competing in the Mud Run, doing some overnight backpacking on the Palmetto Trail, meeting project deadlines from coffee shops, and attending the best web conference in the South East, ConvergeSE.

As usual, I’ve packed light. However, this trip includes a wider variety of activities than I’m used to packing for, so I thought I’d share my gear list. In 10 days I’ll let you know how everything performed.

Clothes

  • GoLite shorts
  • Columbia shorts
  • running shorts
  • running under shorts
  • Ex Officio t-shirt
  • Patagonia t-shirt
  • Banana Republic white casual button-up
  • Cotton t-shirt
  • Cotton boxers
  • Ex Officio boxer briefs
  • Smartwool lightweight ankle cut socks
  • Mountain Hardwear wind jacket
  • Merrell Trail Gloves

Shelter

  • Silk liner
  • Integral Designs 5x8 sil-nylon tarp

Electronics

  • iPhone/USB cable/earbuds
  • Just Mobile battery/dual USB power adapter/mini usb cable
  • 13” Macbook Pro/charger/inCase sleeve
  • Square card reader
  • Steripen

Misc

  • Behance Dot Grid sketch book
  • pencil
  • deodorant
  • toothbrush
  • 1oz Dr. Bronner’s
  • chapstick
  • spork
  • sunglasses/sleeve
  • Klean Kanteen 27oz water stainless water bottle

Packing

  • Chrome Bags FTC Yalta
  • 1 snack sized ziploc (holds Dr. Bronner’s for TSA screening)
  • 1 ultralight Sea to Summit drybag

mansgottado:

When Were You Young? by Trevor Ware captures some of the feeling of freedom and joy one experiences while riding a motorcycle around the country. All in all, Trevor took three years to ride around the US on his 1974 Honda CB550. Rather than settling into a job and mortgage, wife and kids, Trevor decided to really live and follow his dream while he was young. Having made my own 12,000 mile journey a few years ago (amongst other big Western US road trips over the years), this is a feeling that is near and dear to my heart. There is just nothing like traveling long distances on a motorcycle. You can also check out a ride report from a portion of his trip on his blog.

Via Pipeburn on facebook.