Ever since I bought my ebike, I knew the day would come when I would need a real cycling jacket. When the weather is decent and warm, I didn’t really need one, but I knew that I needed something to make me more visible. I tend to wear darker colors, which isn’t always a great idea on a bike if you want to be seen. I toyed around with a vest in a slime green or bright yellow, and I even thought about making my own jacket, but when I saw the Kara Active Jacket on the Tonik website, I knew that this was the jacket I wanted to wear.
The Kara Active is well made – the fabric is a poly/spandex blend, and is actually pretty heavy. The information on the Tonik website describes the fabric as wicking, with UPF 50 fabric – hopefully the sweat produced riding up a steep hill will be wicked away so you don’t get chilled from it! The jacket has six pockets; two on the inside, two zippered exterior front pockets, and two back pockets. The princess-styled front seams are curved, with reflective trim sewn into the seams, and is also sewn into the back princess seams. The sleeves are cuffed, with thumbholes that are bound. This is a great feature to keep the wrists and top of the hands warm. The fabric is a blend of bright yellow, and black/gray stripes, which is a great combination. The construction overall is really well done. Finally, the back seam is a longer length, for good rear end coverage. Sizing for this jacket runs from XS to XXL, for a range of six sizes.
I think this jacket is going to be well used, and probably not just for cycling. It will be perfect for walks in cooler weather. I wear plus sizes, and it’s not always easy to find well-made athletic clothing for someone with curves. The XXL is equivalent to size 20. This is a very trim-fitting jacket, and I will admit – I am IN this jacket! But, with the stretchiness of the fabric, it is a snug fit, but I can move in it, including raising my arms. One of the issues I always have in ready-to-wear clothing is the length of the sleeves, and I was a little concerned that the sleeves would be too long. They are a tad too long, but not so long that I would need to shorten them. That’s a win-win for me, because I get very tired of shortening sleeves! As far as cost goes, this jacket is comparable with other cycling gear I’ve looked at, and frankly, I am willing to pay for clothing that is well made. This is definitely a 5-star product!
I arrived in Monchau battered and exhausted, but unwilling to leave without exploring. What I found was a town straight out of a storybook—and a zero day that rested my feet, lifted my spirit, and reminded me why I hadn’t quit.
Day three started with exhaustion and a defeated sigh, climbed quickly into pure bliss, and then unraveled in the kind of way only long trail days can. Somewhere between borders, hailstorms, and a muddy hillside, I learned just how thin the line is between strength and surrender—and how powerful unexpected kindness can be.
Ever heard of PUDs? Pointless Ups and Downs—those soul-sucking stretches of trail that climb steeply, drop mercilessly, and reward you with… absolutely nothing. No view. No payoff. Just burning lungs, screaming quads, and regret. Welcome to Day Two on the Eifelsteig.
What followed was a relentless cycle of brutal climbs, knee-crushing descents, hailstorms, wrong turns, and a campground that was definitely not “right off the trail.” Add a 70-pound pack that somehow kept getting heavier, a tent pitched in a rain-fed stream, and a growing appreciation for the phrase Du bist müde. Exhausted, soaked, and still stubbornly moving forward, this day was a masterclass in perseverance—proof that even the roughest trail days can end with coffee, oatmeal, and just enough optimism to lace up again.
Ever since I bought my ebike, I knew the day would come when I would need a real cycling jacket. When the weather is decent and warm, I didn’t really need one, but I knew that I needed something to make me more visible. I tend to wear darker colors, which isn’t always a great idea on a bike if you want to be seen. I toyed around with a vest in a slime green or bright yellow, and I even thought about making my own jacket, but when I saw the Kara Active Jacket on the Tonik website, I knew that this was the jacket I wanted to wear.
The Kara Active is well made – the fabric is a poly/spandex blend, and is actually pretty heavy. The information on the Tonik website describes the fabric as wicking, with UPF 50 fabric – hopefully the sweat produced riding up a steep hill will be wicked away so you don’t get chilled from it! The jacket has six pockets; two on the inside, two zippered exterior front pockets, and two back pockets. The princess-styled front seams are curved, with reflective trim sewn into the seams, and is also sewn into the back princess seams. The sleeves are cuffed, with thumbholes that are bound. This is a great feature to keep the wrists and top of the hands warm. The fabric is a blend of bright yellow, and black/gray stripes, which is a great combination. The construction overall is really well done. Finally, the back seam is a longer length, for good rear end coverage. Sizing for this jacket runs from XS to XXL, for a range of six sizes.
I think this jacket is going to be well used, and probably not just for cycling. It will be perfect for walks in cooler weather. I wear plus sizes, and it’s not always easy to find well-made athletic clothing for someone with curves. The XXL is equivalent to size 20. This is a very trim-fitting jacket, and I will admit – I am IN this jacket! But, with the stretchiness of the fabric, it is a snug fit, but I can move in it, including raising my arms. One of the issues I always have in ready-to-wear clothing is the length of the sleeves, and I was a little concerned that the sleeves would be too long. They are a tad too long, but not so long that I would need to shorten them. That’s a win-win for me, because I get very tired of shortening sleeves! As far as cost goes, this jacket is comparable with other cycling gear I’ve looked at, and frankly, I am willing to pay for clothing that is well made. This is definitely a 5-star product!
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