I thought it would be great to share several ultra-lite wallets I came upon from my search for the lightest wallet. Let’s take a look at the Butterfly Wallet and the Xband.

INITIAL IMPRESSION & TESTING

I’m always on the search for an ultra-lite wallet option.  I’ve evolved from the bulky wallets, to the money clip, then to the DIY duct tape wallet, and even to the rubber band.

The OLD Wallets – Wallet, Clip, Duct Tape, Rubberbands

The Butterfly Wallet is made with a durable lightweight ripstop nylon material with a water resistant coating.  It comes in at 0.2 oz (5.7 g) in the trifold model.  It has 3 card compartments and a large bill compartment.  It is perfectly designed to fit credit card sized items.  There is no “extra” to the wallet and the items placed inside the wallet provide the structure.  It folds nicely.  I like to carry 6 card-sized items and some bills (has plenty of room to carry more if I needed to). I carry my wallet in the front pocket so the Butterfly Wallet is a perfect no-bulk minimal wallet.  The only issue (small one) was when I accidently put the wallet in my pocket upside down and upon removal one card fell out.  This was not a big concern, but something I noticed.  One of my sons liked this wallet so much, I had to get him one (and he loves his wallet).  The Butterfly Wallet is for those looking to minimize the size and bulky feel of their current wallet in a durable lightweight design.

Various Views of the Butterfly Wallet

The Xband “wallet” comes in at 0.20 oz (5.7 g).  I’m not sure I can call this a wallet in the traditional sense, but it does the job holding my card-sized items and bills.  The Xband has a non-slip silicon on the inside of the band to allow extra gripping power.  I did need to get used to pulling the cards out.  I tried two methods which seemed to work – (1) slip the Xband down slightly and slide the card out to use – I know what cards I use frequently so I put those cards on top; and (2) undo one of the bands and fan out the cards and select the one I want to use.  I do have to add that I received the most questions and compliments using the Xband from people standing in line at the register. They were impressed with the simple design and look of the Xband.  My boys and scouts loved it too.  I would add that it was a little inconvenient when unfolding and refolding cash (and receipts), but most of my transactions are with the credit card. The Xband is a great alternative to the wallet and you only carry what you need. It sure beats the rubberband option in a nicer package.

The Xband

Various Views of the Xband

TECH SPECS

Butterfly Wallet

• Material – Ripstop Nylon
• Tri-fold
• Capacity – Unknown – easily up to 10 cards
• Weight – 0.20 oz (5.7 grams)
• Made In – China

The Xband

• Material – Ripstop Nylon
• Wrap Around
• Capacity – Up to 20 cards + Cash
• Weight – 0.20 oz (5.7 grams)
• Made In – China

CONCLUSION

Butterfly Wallet

Nice tri-fold in an ultra-lite durable package to reduce bulk.  Watch out for the orientation when placing into your pocket and/or bag.

The Xband

A hybrid-wallet nicely designed that only holds what you need and nothing more. It may require some getting used to.

The “toe socks” as my family calls them.  Injinji has come a long ways since their launch of their original line.  Let’s take a look at the Performance 2.0 Trail sock.

INITIAL IMPRESSION & TRAIL TESTING

Injinji’s launch of their Performance 2.0 line of socks adds color (lots of color), different models and various lengths, more fabric choices, and added features (just to name a few).

The Performance 2.0 Trail line of socks is made with midweight material with added padding in the midfoot and heel. They are made of COOLMAX Xtralife material and come in mini-crew length.  For Injinji fans (me included), you will notice the upgraded cuff with a dual welt band with increased compression that holds the sock in place. Another added feature is the arch band support.  These aren’t the old Injinjis I’ve grown to love, because over time they tended to stretch out, sag and eventually slip a bit until you wash them to shrink them back. The 2.0 Trail line holds there shape after multiple repeated wear – yup, I didn’t wash them after each run – only if they got extremely muddy.

The Performance 2.0 Trail held up to cold, heat, wet, and muddy conditions on the trails. They felt great on long trail runs with the added arch support. The dual welt band kept debris out of the socks.  Those who love the original Injinji’s will love the new upgrade, as well as, those who want to try the “toe socks”.

Other sock choices by Injini are Run and Compression models with COOLMAX Xtralife/NuWool blend and LYCRA Energy materials, respectively.

TECH SPECS

• Material – COOLMAX Xtralife
• Weight Level – Midweight, Padded Cushioning
• Length – Mini-Crew
• Weight – 2.10 oz (59.5 grams) – Pair of Mediums
• Made in – China

CONCLUSION

The Injinji Performance 2.0 Trail sock – a great upgrade to an already great sock.

Orange Mud, a grass-roots-born company, has developed some really cool products for the trail running Nation.  These guys/gals have created products out of the need that they had while running.  Click HERE to listen to our audio review.

This review is focused on the Hydraquiver.  A very unique hydration system that combines a hydration vest with a water bottle.  These vests come in three colors: Pink, Black and Orange, and Gray.  This pack retails for $84.95 but they are selling the 2012 model for $65!

Faith gives us her opinion on three products from the Arc’teryx 2013 Endorphin line.  Click HERE to listen to the review.  Faith rated all three products very high and LOVES the Enza Zip!!

Women’s Motus SS Crew  (Faith is the one in the green shirt)

Suggested Retail: $55 USD

Visio VL Jacket 

Suggested Retail: $299 USD

Enza Zip Neck LS 

Suggested Retail: $99 USD

New from GU Chomps – Lemon Flavor.

The new lemon flavor tastes great. I was a bit skeptical of how they would make the Lemon flavor taste, but it tastes great – not too sour or too sweet.  It’s just the right flavor blend for the Spring. Check out the new GU Chomps Lemon Flavor.  It has the similar carbs, amino acids, antioxidants, and electrolytes you expect from Chomps. No caffeine in this version.

NUTRITION FACTS

INGREDIENTS

Tapioca Syrup, Cane Sugar, Maltodextrin, Pectin, Citric Acid, GU Amino Blend (Leucine, Valine, Histidine, Isoleucine), GU Antioxidant Blend [Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Vitamin E (DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate)], Potassium Citrate, Sodium Citrate, Colors Added (black carrot juice concentrate), Natural Flavor, white tea caffeine, Fractionated Coconut Oil, Carnauba Wax. Gluten-free.

What more can you do to the already successful Saucony Kinvara line?  Let’s take a look at the Saucony Kinvara 4 (May 1, 2013 Release Date).

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Saucony Kinvara 4 has a very nice fit out of the box.  For those who are familiar with the Kinvara line, it is already an impressive line from Saucony.  What more can Saucony do?  The Kinvara 4 has the FlexFilm adjustments (adds support to the upper while reducing weight and increasing breathability) and an upgraded heel insert to the PowerGrid material.

ROAD (AND SOME TRAIL) TESTING

Out of the box, the Kinvara 4 fit true to size.  The forefoot area is roomy and not too tight.  The readjusted overlays make the shoes extremely breathable, especially after a run in the rain and through water puddles.  The Kinvara 4 worked well in all types of training from aerobic base building runs to the faster tempo runs (even on mild non-technical terrain).  Saucony has kept the popular offset at 4mm and similar fit through the heel and midfoot, while keeping it lightweight at under 8 oz. (227 g) – all great properties of the Kinvara line.  The Kinvara 4 is a solid every day trainer for those looking for a road trainer when unable to make it to the trails.

TECH SPECS

• Forefoot Height – 19 mm
• Heel Height – 23 mm
• Drop – 4 mm
• Gusseted tongue
• Neutral  Shoe
• No Rock Plate
• Midsole – EVA
• Upper – Synthetic
• Made In – China
• Women’ Version – May 1, 2013 Release

Weight Breakdown

CONCLUSION

The Kinvara 4 continues to keep the things that make the Kinvara line near perfect – 4mm drop, similar feel from heel to midfoot and in a very lightweight package.  The upgrades include the readjusted overlays (more in the heel and midfoot to provide a secure fit) and upgraded heel insert to the PowerGrid material.  In summary, a solid redesign to an already great shoe.