The difference between a great running apparel brand and a good brand (they’re all at least good brands, Brent) is the ability to create a sense of community. For these brands, getting a consumer to purchase and fall in love with a shoe is half the battle. This is especially true for newcomers to the running world, who are trying out products from different companies to find the best fit for them—both in terms of the gear and the sense …

For many of us, going on a daily run, walk, or bike ride is the only way to retain any sense of normality in the times of this pandemic For myself, I’ve been doing quite a bit of all three—particularly running. And I’m not alone. Whether it’s folks getting back into running or hobby joggers who are looking to increase their weekly mileage with all this extra time, the trails, sidewalks, and blocked-off roads along the Mississippi are filled with …

As I sit here, quarantined due to the coronavirus a.k.a. covid-19 a.k.a stupid virus that sucks, I thought, now would be a great time to write a post on the ol’ blog. Here is the result of that thought. Take in the Views Hiking on Bean and Bear Lake Loop There are a lot of great hikes on the Superior Hiking Trail. Like over 300 miles worth of them. And, while I’ve only trekked over a small portion of it, …

You know how a potential “craft beer bubble” has been a topic of conversation over the past decade or so? With breweries and micro-brew brands popping up seemingly everywhere (shoutout to Tillion back in little ol’ Cannon Falls), many folks have been asking, when will this bubble burst? Apparently, not anytime too soon, with 2019 being another year of growth for the craft beer industry. According to the Brewers Association (I know, I’m sure they have no bias whatsoever), from …

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on Writing Outside—and while the usual writing hiatus is supposed to bring new, inspired work—I’m going to be writing about pants. I’ve long been on the search for the perfect pair of chinos, but have never found much luck (my hatred for shopping and trying on pants was definitely a factor in this failed quest). Recently, I finally decided I should check out some of these chino brands that I’ve constantly been …

Social media has the best ads. I may be in the minority in saying this, but I like ads on my social media apps. In fact, sometimes I get more enjoyment out of an ad I see prior to a Youtube video than the actual video itself. This is due in large part to brands becoming pretty damn good at making ads feel non-intrusive as they appear on or social media feeds. With platforms like Instagram, brands are seamlessly integrating …

When you hear the name, “Lululemon”, what do you think of? Which images come to mind? Perhaps you envision a perfectly sculpted individual doing yoga and finding some necessary chi in their busy life. Or, maybe you see a Cycle Bar class full of attractive, 20-something professionals. Whatever it is you think of it, it most likely involves some combination of good-looking people and a trendy physical activity. You probably don’t think of a people riding 300 miles on a …

If you’ve ever caught the infamous “travel bug,” then you know just how alluring it can be to jump on a plane and head somewhere completely new. I also think it’s fair that this advertisement — courtesy of Travel Oregon — captures that feeling quite well. Colorful anime-inspired design, gorgeously animated landscapes, towering environmental-themed creatures, and an overall sense of adventure run amok in this 2-minute ad, appropriately titled “Only Slightly (More) Exaggerated.” Yeah, you can go ahead and inject …

If you’re a fan of plump little seals flopping around in the water, ominous fogs floating amongst jagged cliffs, and some of the best goddamn clam chowder — then boy do I have good news for you. Howth, Ireland has all that, and much, much more. For reference on how great this town is, comedian Eric Andre was just there. Here he is going off on Bono about that U2 album everyone was forced to have on their phones and …

For anyone who has ever been to the North Shore — Duluth and beyond — they understand the allure of this part of Minnesota. Along the 150 miles of road are small towns with fantastic shops on every corner and some of the best fresh seafood in the Midwest. As you drive north, to the right is the enormous lake and to the left, dense forests and hiking trails surround you. For someone who has gone up there nearly every …