The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC is a Portable Powerhouse

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC isn’t just another power bank. It’s basically the size of thin hardcover book, and is packed with more charging options and tech than you can imagine. At two pounds it can slip into your backpack almost without you noticing.

The sleek unassuming profile of the Sherpa 100AC belies its power. The 94.72Wh power bank features wireless charging, high-speed power delivery, and enough ports to satisfy the charging needs of all of your devices. From smart phones and tablets, to cameras and laptops, the Sherpa 100AC will keep you powered up throughout your day.

The Sherpa 100AC can be charged via a 110 plug or with a 28 watt solar panel (not included), which makes it a true road warrior. The 100W AC port is unique to a power bank of this size, and allows you the freedom to travel even further from AC power, and for longer lengths of time.

At $300, this power bank isn’t cheap, but you’ll find it indispensable as one device to keep all of your other devices going.

The Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC is a Portable Powerhouse was first posted on http://charlesandhudson.com

Chevy Colorado ZR2: A City Friendly Truck, Built for the Dirt

The mid-size truck market is on fire, and the Chevy Colorado just might be the best of the bunch. From 2017 to 2018 the mid-size truck market increased 20% year over year. That’s a huge increase that will only continue to grow with the introduction of the Ford Ranger this year and the Jeep Gladiator next year.

The Toyota Tacoma still leads all mid-size truck sales, but according to Truck Trend the Chevrolet Colorado sold 69,875 units, resulting in a segment-leading 39 percent year-over-year change and 27 percent of the 2018 market share (up from 23 percent for the same period in 2017). The Colorado saw the biggest year-over-year growth.

These are promising numbers for a new truck trying to make inroads into a category dominated by the Tacoma. I’ve spent two weeks with the Colorado ZR2 and here’s why I think the truck should be considered for any off-road enthusiast.

Upgraded Suspension

The Colorado ZR2 is a purpose built off-roader that Chevy engineers designed to maximize the Colorado platform to its fullest. It all starts with the Multimatic DSSV shocks that were designed specifically for the Colorado ZR2, and draws on heritage from the Camaro Z/28. This suspension is the first of its kind on a production truck and made to perform equally as well on-road or off. Truck Trend does a great job explaining the technology behind the shocks, which shows the lengths that Chevy went to build the best off-roader they could.

Aggressive Stance

The front and rear tracks on the Colorado ZR2 are 3.5″ wider than a standard Colorado, which offers more stability when on the trails. A 2-inch lift and 31″ off-road tires add to the off-road prowess of the vehicle and provide greater ground clearance for clearing obstacles. The front and rear bumpers are also tapered to improve the approach and departure angles, so you can tackle steeper hills and you’ll be less likely to get hung up.

Diesel Option

The Colorado is currently the only mid-size truck to offer a diesel option with a 2.8L turbo diesel which gets 18/22 mpg or a 3.6L which gets 16/18. I preferred the peppy V6 with it’s 308 horsepower compared to the diesel, but if I were doing any towing I’d opt for the diesel.

Locking Differentials

Locking differentials are the holy grail for off-roaders. With the differentials locked, your vehicle maintains equal amounts of power to each tire, so your climbing abilities are not hindered by tire slippage. Typically a rear locker is the first major upgrade that any off-roader will do to a vehicle, but adding a front locker just makes your truck unstoppable. The Colorado ZR2 has both! Which is class exclusive to this vehicle.

There are a ton of other upgrades with Colorado ZR2, but these are the ones that separate the Colorado ZR2 from the pack. The aftermarket has grown exponentially for the Colorado, so you can find basically any type of rack, bed cover, or rooftop tent to fit this truck. I predict the Colorado ZR2 will soon become a platform of choice for overlanders who spend weeks on the trail with their vehicles. The interior is much more refined and spacious than the Tacoma which is dire need of an update.

If you are seeking an adventure mobile that will take you and your family anywhere, but is also manageable as a city daily driver, the Colorado ZR2 should be near the top of your list.

Chevy Colorado ZR2: A City Friendly Truck, Built for the Dirt was first posted on http://charlesandhudson.com

Igloo’s RECOOL Is the World’s First Eco-Sensitive Cooler

White foam coolers are ubiquitous at parks and beaches everywhere. They’re lightweight, cheap, and are effective at keeping your food and drinks cool for short jaunts, but sadly these cheap coolers are terrible for the environment and have been littering landfills for years. Igloo, one of the pioneers in coolers and ice chests, has just introduced the RECOOL, the world’s first eco-sensitive cooler, made from 100% biodegradable materials. 

RECOOL is made in the USA of molded pulp which is a 100% biodegradable material. Sized at 24 quarts, it’s large enough to fit food and drink for up to four people and Igloo claims it can retain ice for up to 12 hours and hold water without leaking for up to 5 days.

Thes RECOOL is also more durable than your typical foam cooler and will resist chipping cracking like a foam cooler and can hold up to 75 pounds.

Many communities have started banning the sale of foam coolers, but the RECOOL is legal everywhere. Available on May 1, 2019 for $9.99, the RECOOL is ready to provide the most bang for your buck on your next summer adventure.

And if Rob Machado approves it, then we are totally on board too.

Igloo’s RECOOL Is the World’s First Eco-Sensitive Cooler was first posted on http://charlesandhudson.com

A Stylish Wheelchair-friendly Open-plan Space

DRYLOK® Masonry Paint Solves Your Waterproofing Woes

Water can cause tremendous damage to a home in a short period of time, which is why stopping water in its tracks is vitally important. One of the most popular products available to stop water is DRYLOK® masonry paint.

Water Damage

Water can cause wood and drywall to rot, but the biggest danger comes in the form of mold. When water gets trapped inside a wall or behind wallpaper it can quickly form mold and mildew which is difficult and costly to remove, as well as dangerous for your health.

Easy Application

To prevent the spread of mold you first have to stop the water leaks, and that’s where DRYLOK® comes in. DRYLOK® is actually guaranteed to stop water and they have a variety of masonry paint products to do the job. Other powdered waterproof coatings are difficult to apply compared to DRYLOK®, as you don’t have to pre-wet the surface or worry about mixing anything by hand. With DRYLOK® you just apply as you would any other latex paint. Of course, read the label, but it’s not rocket science.

There’s no need to alter any of your homes color design, as DRYLOK® works great as a waterproof base coat, upon which you can paint over with what paint you desire. DRYLOK® is also available in a variety of colors, so you can use it as an all-in-one paint and primer, to save even more time.

Fully-Tested

Here’s how DRYLOK® works. It’s manufactured by United Gilsonite Laboratories in Original Latex, Extreme and Clear Floor and Wall.  All the formulations of DRYLOK® Masonry Waterproofer are formulated to withstand hydrostatic pressure (PSI) which stops water that is under pressure (below grade on foundation walls). And hurricane forced wind driven rain (above grade – exterior). DRYLOK® products are used in a wide variety of residential and commercial applications including basements, living spaces, laundry rooms, dry storage, hobby corners, fish ponds, retaining walls, bird baths, and virtually any area of your home touched by water.

Visit DRYLOK.com for more details.

This post is sponsored by DRYLOK®, but all opinions are 100% those of Timothy Dahl of Charles & Hudson.

DRYLOK® Masonry Paint Solves Your Waterproofing Woes was first posted on http://charlesandhudson.com

Bullfrog Spas Modern Hot Tub Design Is a Technological Wonder

We’ve been living in Los Angeles for 10 years, and at the top of the bucket list for our home has always been a hot tub. There are a lot of design options when it comes to choosing a hot tub, but after months of searching we finally found a look that we love.

We moved into our 1940’s Los Angeles home a year ago, and although it has a great pool, we really wanted a hot tub. A built-in hot tub isn’t an option because we’d have to spend a tremendous amount of money to also re-do our pool and deck, and from our research it didn’t look like a built-in spa had as many jet options. So we spent months researching all of the above-ground spas, and we actually found it difficult to identify a spa that we felt worked with our style and what we want for our home. Until we came across the STIL series from Bullfrog Spas.

Our home is built in the traditional style, but our goal is to design and decorate it with modern accents and pieces. Our backyard has been neglected for years, but since moving in we’ve added vintage Brown Jordan chaise lounges and low-slung modern IKEA chairs. We have yet to complete the landscaping, but we’ve filled our yard with as many potted succulents as we can.

Modern Hot Tub Design

To complement this look we wanted a hot tub with simple clean lines, both inside and out. We were originally drawn to the simplicity of cedar hot tubs which reminded us of Japanese ofuro soaking tubs, but we’re a family of four that likes to entertain, so these types of tubs just aren’t practical for us. They also require much more maintenance than we have the time and patience for.

The STIL Bullfrog Spas are quite a leap from the cedar tubs. Their minimalist aesthetics are similar but that’s where the comparisons end. Underneath the modern clean lines of the STIL lies a technological marvel in the world of hot tubs. Really, every other hot tub seems stuck in the stone age compared to the STIL.

JetPak Therapy System

We were initially drawn to the STIL7 because of its award winning modern design, but after learning about the personalized JetPak massagers, we were sold. Laura and I are both active and workout regularly. Hours spent in the spin studio and on the jiu-jitsu mats takes a toll on our bodies, but there is no better way to recover than with a therapeutic jet massage. When customizing your spa you can select 3 of 6 different JetPaks, that can all be interchanged and placed in different locations along one side of the spa. This is a game changer for our health and wellness, as well as our savings from the regular massages we used to get.

Beyond the JetPaks, the other major design choice is color. The STIL7 interior is only available in a white snow color which was perfect for us, but we could choose between a slate or chestnut brown exterior color. We went with slate which matches everything, but could see the chestnut color working well next to a home with wood siding or on a deck. 

The final design aspect of the STIL spa that we loved was the open-concept seating. Instead of molded individual seats, the STIL7 designed like a large square tub with bench seating that face each other. This makes maneuvering between JetPaks much easier, and allows for a sense of movement within the tub without being restricted by the the contours of the spa. The bench seating allows for you to sit upright or reclined and has jets to service whatever areas you need.

Booming Sound System

We’ve always got music playing in or around our home. We love our Sonos home audio system indoors, and always have a bluetooth speaker setup outside. But the STIL7 has an integrated sound system that includes four speakers that wrap you in the music of your choice. The speakers are marine-grade and completely waterproof, and the system is compatible with any smart phone.

The Bullfrog sound system has plenty of bass and we can crank it up for a full party or enjoy some soothing sounds when we just want to relax.

We’ve only had the hot tub for a couple weeks now, so we’ll report back soon with more details on how the JetPaks Therapy System functions and details around the maintaining the spa using the Simple Water Care System.

Bullfrog Spas Modern Hot Tub Design Is a Technological Wonder was first posted on http://charlesandhudson.com

Leatherman Launches the New Free Collection Leading with the P-Series

Leatherman just launched the first of three new Free series multi-tools. The P2 and P4 pliers-based tools are available now with the remaining Free tools to be released this summer.

I got a sneak peek at the Free lineup at this years Outdoor Retailer show in Denver, and ever since then I’ve been pining to see them in the wild. I never leave home without my Leatherman Wave, and lately I’ve really enjoyed using the Skeletool, but the Free P2 looks like a new must-have everyday carry.

The Leatherman Free is the brand’s most extensive product launch since the introduction of the PST 35 years ago.  The collection will feature the P-Series, a pliers-based multitool, the T-Series, a pocket tool designed for everyday carry functionality and finally the K-Series, a multipurpose knife.

Leatherman Free Series

Leatherman‘s design team spent five years developing the Free series from the ground up. The team relied on years of customer feedback and insight as a foundation for product innovation. The new collection features multiple design patents, is made in the USA in Leatherman‘s factory in Portland, OR, and comes with Leatherman‘s industry-leading 25-year guarantee.

What Makes It Different?

The Leatherman Free collection features a first-of-its kind architecture. The key to the new architecture is integrated magnets, making it easier for users to open, handle, and close the tools, eliminating the need for nail nicks.  Plus, the internal locking system utilizes an all-new elastomer, reducing wear and tear on the implements, making the tools within the Free series more durable than ever before.

The P-Series

Leading the collection launch, the Leatherman P-Series contains Leatherman‘s iconic pliers-based design with enhanced Free technology. The new series is made of 420 steel to create a lightweight, durable multipurpose tool.

The outside features the eye-catching aesthetic and design of FREE, and the inside features a revolutionary magnetic architecture that allows each tool open and close seamlessly. Leatherman engineers designed the tool so that all implements are easily accessible from the outside, for one-handed opening. Individual implements no longer require a fingernail to access and deploy.

Additionally, the new architecture also provides epic haptics and a distinct clicking noise to provide auditory confirmation that the tool is open and ready for use.

I’m looking forward to checking out both versions and can’t wait to see the remaining Free series tools.

Leatherman Launches the New Free Collection Leading with the P-Series was first posted on http://charlesandhudson.com