Coleman FreeFlow AUTOSEAL Insulated ​Water Bottle Review

​Who Is This Product For?

​If you're like most people, it can be a challenge to intake enough liquids on any given day, whether you're out adventuring or simply taking care of business at home and at work.

The Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle, which comes in 24 or 40oz. models, makes the task a bit easier. It's particularly ideal for outdoor recreation, exercise, travel, and busy workdays, given its ability to maintain cold or hot temperatures for extended periods, its easy on-the-go use, and its anti-spill and anti-leak design.

It's probably not the very best model for less active or stay-at-home folks, or for anybody with arthritis or other hand issues: The button, slide-lock, and spout-cover features might be overkill for the former and a bit challenging - or at least frustrating - to operate for the latter.

​What's Included?

​This water bottle doesn't come with accessories: The basic purchase gives you the bottle itself and the removable lid.

You can choose between the 24 or the 40oz. Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottles, and between a variety of available colors:

• Black
• Heritage Red
• Heritage Green
• Seafoam
• Sandstone
• Slate
• Violet

Overview of Features

The Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle is constructed from double-walled 18/8 stainless steel and 100% BPA-free plastic. Its vacuum-insulated design is meant to maintain cold beverages at temperature for as many as 31 hours, and hot beverages for up to 11 hours.

The textured exterior of the bottle makes for an easy and sure grip: no small advantage when you're sweating on the trail or at the track.

The lid also boasts a flip handle for carrying.

The standard 24oz. Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle--which measures 3 by 3.8 by 10.5 inches and weighs 1.8 pounds--fits in most modern automobile drink holders and many bicycle bottle cages.

Speaking of that lid, it's a pretty decked-out AUTOSEAL setup:

Press the button on the back of the lid to drink from the high-flow spout, which lets out a pleasantly steady flow. When you're not drinking, a slide lock prevents that button from being accidentally depressed. There's a spout cover, too, that keeps dirt off the lid's mouthpiece.

It all adds up to quite the spill- and leak-proof water bottle that can stand up to the inevitable dropping on the pavement or gravel or jostling around in a backpack or gym bag.

​How to Use

​To maximize the temperature retention of the Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle, consider adding ice cubes to cold beverages and pre-warming the bottle with hot water before filling it with coffee, tea, and other hot liquids.

Be careful not to over tighten the lid, which could damage the sealing gasket and result in leakage.

Wash the Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle by hand: The stainless-steel bottle itself is not designed for the dishwasher, although you can wash the lid in a dishwasher's top rack.

The DropDown design of the lid makes thorough cleaning all the easier.

​Alternative

​The button-controlled AUTOSEAL lid of the Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle is a great innovation, and the high-flow spout is awesome for thirsty chugging.

You may, however, prefer a more basic, button-free operation for drinking if you're not regularly stashing your water bottle in a pack.

Coleman offers plenty of bottles with simple screw-on, screw-off lids or--as in the Coleman 1-L Aluminum Hydration Bottle--popup straws. 

If you mostly drink hot beverages, furthermore, you may or may not find this bottle's spout-flow too voluminous for small sips.

​Conclusion

​Active and on-the-go types will appreciate how tightly sealed and spill-proof the Coleman FreeFlow Insulated Water Bottle is.

The button operation and flow control can take some getting used to, and not everybody will love that design, but it's definitely got its advantages.

The vacuum-insulated, double-walled construction makes the bottle quite an effective vessel for both hot and cold beverages, depending on what the activity, your mood, and the weather all call for.

​K-Mini Plus™ Single Serve Coffee Maker Review

​The name ​Keurig has become synonymous with coffee, and Keurig Dr. Pepper is the seventh largest food and beverage company in the United States, with $11 billion in combined net sales in 2017.

Keurig is the inventor of the K-Cup, the small, plastic single-serve pod filled with coffee that makes brewing a cup a piece of cake.

The Keurig K-Mini Plus fits nearly anywhere and brews a strong, intense cup of coffee. It comes in Cardinal Red, Evening Teal, Matte Black, and Studio Gray, making it an eye-pleasing addition to your kitchen countertop or your desk at work. The K-Mini Plus brews the coffee right into your cup.

​Who is This Product For?

​The Keurig K-Mini Plus is for anyone who loves coffee but drinks it one slow cup at a time.

It's great for the single person who doesn't need a 12-cup coffee maker at home, and it's perfect for the studio apartment dweller who has limited counter space. Students love the Keurig K-Mini Plus, which is ideal for the small confines of a dorm room, travel, van life or other mobile pursuits.

The K-Mini Plus is a practical choice for residents in assisted living facilities, and it's perfect for rushed teachers who can't always rely on finding fresh coffee in the lounge.

Smaller companies may opt for a single-cup coffee maker rather than a full-sized version so that rather than making a whole pot that may sit all day, employees can make a single, fresh cup when the need arises.

​What's Included

​The K-Mini Plus™ Single Serve Coffee Maker is about 12 inches high, a little over 11 inches long, and 4.5 inches wide.

It's a single unit with a removable drip tray and water reservoir for easy cleaning and filling.

A pod storage container holds nine K-cup pods and fits in the brewer to save counter space.

​Overview of Features

​With the K-Mini Plus, you can brew between six and 12 ounces of coffee. The removable reservoir is easy to fill and features clear markings for different cup sizes. A "STRONG" button on top lets you choose a more robust cup of coffee.

The unit uses K-Cups to brew the perfect cup, and with over 400 varieties of coffees, teas, and cocoas to choose from, you can spend a lifetime experimenting to find your favorite brand and flavor.

Note: This coffee maker doesn't work with K-Carafe pods, K-Mug pods, Vue pods, or Rivo pods. However, it is compatible with the Keurig My K-Cup Universal Reusable Coffee Filter, which is sold separately and allows you to use your favorite roast instead of pods.

The K-Mini Plus brews coffee directly into your cup and accommodates travel mugs up to seven inches tall.

A removable drip tray can be easily cleaned, and it's large enough to hold an accidental brew so that you don't end up with a huge mess in the event you forget to place your cup under the spout. The pod storage unit holds nine pods and slides into place where the cup goes. Built-in cord storage keeps things tidy.

The K-Mini Plus shuts off automatically 90 seconds after the last brew, making it an energy efficient unit that's sleek, stylish, and fully portable.

​How to Use

​The Keurig K-Mini Plus is easy to use.

1. Simply fill up the removable water reservoir with your desired amount of water and slip a K-Cup into the front of the unit.
2. Set your cup under the spout, and press the on/off button. If you want a stronger cup, press the STRONG button. In a matter of minutes, you'll have a piping hot, fresh cup of coffee.
3. When your cup is full, remove it, turn the unit off (or let it shut off automatically) and replace the pod storage unit to keep it compact.

​Alternative

​While Keurig is one of the most-recognized coffee maker brands on the market today, it's not the only one.

An alternative to the Keurig K-Mini Plus is the CHULUX Single-Serve coffee maker, which also uses pods and brews up to 12 ounces of coffee, tea, or other hot beverages. 

A removable drip tray and water reservoir makes it easy to fill and clean, and it comes with a reusable filter you can use with your own coffee.

​Conclusion

​Single-cup coffee makers save you time, space, and money.

If you're a coffee drinker but can't stomach a whole pot, you can make one cup at a time with one of these convenient machines.

The K-Mini Plus™ Single Serve Coffee Maker is easy on the eyes, simple to use, and quick to clean, and its compact design saves space in the kitchen or break room. Never waste a whole pot of coffee again with this one-cup wonder.

​Espro Travel Coffee Press Review

​​Many coffee drinkers enjoy using a French press, but these systems aren't perfect. They often create grit, which means you usually end up tossing half of your coffee away. And because many press systems continue brewing after the coffee has reached perfection, the drink usually ends up over-extracted and bitter.

Traveling with a French press is nearly impossible. If it gets to your destination without breaking, you have to juggle the machine, a mug, and supplies as well as your belongings.

A French travel press is a far more convenient way to get freshly-pressed coffee on the go. 

​Who Is This Product For?

​The Espro Travel Coffee Press requires some effort, but it makes a quality cup of coffee.

It's the ideal system for caffeine addicts and tea devotees who only drink a few cups daily but demand the very best.

Avid campers and hikers will also quite enjoy the Espro travel system due to its small size and portability.

​What's Included?

​The Espro Travel Press comes with the cup, drinking top, travel lid, and plunger.

Then, you can choose between the coffee press system and filters or the tea version of the press. 

The Espro comes in a variety of colors and includes a lifetime warranty.

​Overview of the Features

​On the outside, this travel mug-like coffee press has a luxurious yet durable design that weighs in at just over twelve ounces.

The mug itself is double-walled and vacuum-insulated to keep the coffee or tea hot for hours. The twist-on lid keeps the heat in and the entire system leak-free.

How much the Espro press makes will depend on what you make and how you use it. The system will produce a ten-ounce coffee or twelve-ounce tea. If you use it as a travel mug, however, it will hold a full fifteen ounces.

Inside, the Espro Travel Press uses a custom press system to make coffee or tea. The Espro system has a set of baskets with fine and super-fine mesh to keep the grit out of your coffee. And if you put the company's paper filters between the reusable filters, you can get a cleaner, pour-over style coffee with no oil.

The travel press mug is nice to drink out of, too. It's BPA, BPS, and phthalate free. With multiple openings along the top, you're able to drink out of any side of the mug, but it still gives you a drip-free pour if you decide to pour your coffee into a separate cup or mug

​How to Use

​To make a coffee or tea in the Espro Travel Coffee Press, pour the leaves or grounds into the bottom of the mug.

Then, put the plunger through the drinking lid, attach the tea or coffee baskets, and turn the cover back on. Once the tea or coffee has finished steeping, slowly press the plunger into the mug and enjoy.

To clean the press, scoop out the leaves or grounds. Then, rinse it with clean water and let it air dry. You can clean the system in a dishwasher, too, but it will likely last longer if you wash it by hand.

​Alternative

​The KOHIPRESS Portable French Press Coffee Maker is similar to the Espro Travel Coffee Press. The mug is double-walled and vacuum-insulated with a durable exterior. It is slightly heavier and not as compact, but it only has a twelve-ounce capacity.

The KOHIPRESS has a fine mesh on the bottom of the cup's interior. So, rather than pushing baskets into the water using a plunger, the KOHIPRESS system requires you to push the inside of the travel mug into the exterior. It costs slightly less, but it limits you to medium or coarse ground coffee or tea.

​Conclusion

​The Espro Travel Coffee Press is a fun and interesting little system for getting a decent cup of coffee when you're away from home. And while it's priced a little higher than its competitors, it still isn't all that expensive when you consider that standard stainless-steel travel mugs cost almost as much.

Combine the price with the convenience of the system with the benefit of having a cup of coffee that doesn't leak, stays hot, and isn't full of grit, and this little system is a purchase well worth the money.

​Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Pole Review

​Paria Outdoor Products manufacture a range of camping and hiking items that deliver high quality for an affordable price. 

Their entry-level carbon fiber trekking poles are the company's top line. The company also produces an aluminum version with all the same features and folding systems.

Featuring a simple, tri-fold design and comfortable handle and strap, the carbon cork trekking poles from Paria focus on comfort and usability. As a result, the poles an affordable option for hikers, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

We decided to take a closer look at these poles to see if they deliver.

​Who Is This Product For

​Hikers and explorers will like the quality and features included in Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles.

They won't add a ton of weight to your pack, but you'll still find them robust and reliable. The carbon construction will absorb any vibration and support your weight while you navigate the wild outdoors.

Older individuals and people who need a little help or reassurance getting around will also like the Paria Outdoor Products hiking poles. They're sturdy enough to provide support, but they fold up quickly and are compact. You can shop, have coffee, or smell the roses in the urban jungle with ease.

​What's Included?

​The Paria trekking poles are available in a 100 cm (39.37 inches) version, which extends from 39" to 47", and a 120 cm (47.24 inches) version that extends from 45" to 53".

They'll arrive at your door along with a carrying case. And for the bottom of the poles, you'll find mud baskets, snow baskets, and rubber feet for hard surfaces.

​Overview of the Features

​Folding down to just 15", the walking sticks from Paria Outdoor Products are a compact set of poles made to travel.

The poles use a cable system to fold and extend, which also aids in the shock absorption of each pole. They fold and unfold in seconds using aluminum connections and weigh just under 9 oz.

The handles at the top of these tri-fold trekking poles are made of real cork and have a curved, flowing design. They're comfortable to hold, wick away moisture, and prevent your hands from sweating. However, you'll notice the cork will mold to your hands with use further reducing fatigue in your hands and wrists.

This set of hiking poles are fully adjustable. The straps that go over your hands shorten and extend in seconds. Each pole has a solo flick lock that opens and closes with ease to adjust the length of the poles.

At the bottom of each pole, you'll find durable tips and feet. Mud and snow baskets will keep you on your feet in all weather. The rubber, non-slip feet will stand up to the wear and tear of pavement, stone, and other hard surfaces.

​How to Use

​When you unpack your Paria tri-fold cork-handled trekking poles, pull them apart and feed the small portion into the larger cuff to unfold the poles.

Then, use the flick lock system to adjust the poles to the proper height and adjust the straps.

To use the poles, reach ahead with your left pole as your right foot comes forward. Simple as that.

​Alternative

​If you like the Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, but you're not crazy about the price or the carbon construction? The aluminum version from Paria Outdoor Products is worth considering.

The Paria Tri-Fold Alloy UL Trekking Poles have the same folding system, feet, and tips for an even more affordable price. The tri-fold aluminum foam trekking poles weigh just under 10 oz.

At the top, the foam handles will keep your hands dry while helping reduce wrist fatigue. You will need to find a carrying case, however.

​Conclusion

​Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles from Paria Outdoor Products are an affordable option for hikers hoping to save a little money while seeing the world.

They pack, carry, and take traveling with ease. Finally, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the views instead of nursing your aching knees and being glad your climb is over.

​TOLKA Collapsible Hiking and Trekking Pole Review

​TOLKA poles are some of the most popular collapsible poles on the market. Known for their affordable price, these entry-level sticks are often chosen as an alternative to luxury poles like Leki.

They're not as light and durable as carbon fiber, but they still give hikers, hunters, fishers, and photographers the advantages of top-of-the-line poles.

Aluminum TOLKA collapsible poles extend from 26" to 54.5" and weigh 9.5 oz. And while they only come in black, you won't notice the color once you get on the trails. We heard so many things about these walking sticks that we decided to review them.

​Who Is This Product For?

​Beginner hikers, photographers, and outdoor fanatics will like the price and quality of TOLKA collapsible trekking poles. They'll be able to get outdoors without the steep costs of other poles. Older adults will be able to walk confidently with a set of these hiking sticks, too.

Individuals with their eye on some rugged treks may benefit from a set of TOLKA poles, too. They can use the sticks to prevent falls and injuries, investigate surfaces, and for added stability on steep inclines. They're also ideal for turning a basic walk into a full-body workout.

​What's Included?

​TOLKA collapsible hiking poles come in a pair with a nylon travel bag and a set of clips to keep the poles together when carrying or traveling.

There are also:

•  snow baskets
•  mud baskets
• non-slip, rubber feet for the carbon tips. 

And, of course these poles come with a quick set of instructions.

​Overview of the Features

​At the top of the TOLKA trekking poles are shaped cork grips. Durable and non-chaffing, you'll find the cork comfortable right from the start, but they also gradually adjust to your grip over time.

The grips shed sweat, prevent slipping, and are connected to adjustable straps to ease the strain on your wrists.

Below the handle are foam extensions. While not as durable as the cork, you only use them on steep inclines, switchbacks, or terrain changes, so they get limited use and should stand up.

The shafts of the hiking poles are made from durable aluminum, and have enough flexibility to absorb vibration, but are sturdy enough to take your weight.

To collapse and adjust, these hiking sticks use a tightening screw and quick lock tab system to lock the pole in place.

The locking system, along with the measurement marks along the shaft, make it easy and quick to set the poles to the same length. And they stay at the proper height even with intense use.

At the bottom of the trekking poles are tungsten-carbide tips. This is where the quality, long-lasting feet attach to the poles. With three different sets, it's possible to use the poles in all weather and on all surfaces with confidence.

​How to Use

​To use the poles, open the quick locks, adjust the length, tighten the screws, and snap the quick locks shut again.

Then, put your hands through the straps, lightly hold the grips, and begin to walk. As your right leg comes forward, your left pole moves forward and vice versa.

It takes some practice, but there are instructions and YouTube videos if you need more information.

​Alternative

​If these aren't quite what you're looking for, check out Premium Outdoor Gear Ultra Lightweight Trekking Poles. 

They also come with a cork grip, mud baskets, snow baskets, and non-slip feet. They're foldable and made from super light carbon fiber.

The Premium Outdoor Gear hiking poles are 8.8 oz and cost a little less than the TOLKA-brand poles.

However, they fold to 14.5" and have an extended length ranging from 45" to 53", which is shorter overall than the TOLKA walking and hiking sticks.

​Conclusion

​TOLKA collapsible hiking and trekking poles are fantastic poles for the price. They get the job done, and you won't have to worry that they'll break or give out at any moment. Mount Everest will feel like more of a molehill with TOLKA trekking poles in your hands.