Memorable Gear and Moments from OR Winter Market 2011 (part 2)

A full week after returning home from Salt Lake City and the 2011 OR Winter Market, we are just now fully recovered.  After reviewing my library of notes and mountain of catalogues and brochures we are no closer to having a handle on all of the cool new gear rolling out in 2011.  Here are a few others that we can't wait to get our hands on...

The Ahnu Elkridge Mids are a great lightweight hiker that takes comfort seriously.   A perfect blend between rugged function and street style, the Elkridge Mids are on my short list of Must-Haves for this spring...

I hate digging through my pack looking for my camp cutlery.  Keeping my spoon with my fork and knife requires attaching them to a split ring and they never lay flat, taking up far more room than should be necessary. Enter the Baladeo back-country Cutlery Set.  A detachable Fork and Spoon as well as a folding knife, can opener and corkscrew make any meal in the woods a snap...

(Image of Soft Rack not available)

 

The new Soft Racks and Lockable Tie-Downs from Sea to Summit are a great addition to an already extensive line of gear for paddlers of all kinds.  A slick daisy chain attaching system makes mounting these racks easy as can be.  The rubberized base and squishy top will secure any load and keep the roof of your ride safe.  Feel free to leave your vehicle unattended, the lockable tie-downs will keep your gear safe.

Wolverine put together a party Friday night at The Depot in Salt Lake City for the attendees of Winter OR.  To keep the crew of outdoorsy folks entertained they brought in Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.  Her blend of Bluesy Rock and a sort of Disco Funk were a ton of fun. A special thanks to Wolverine for a good time. 

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First look at Slippery When Wet - A Shasta Boys production

Slippery When Wet: Evan Garcia from Shon Bollock on Vimeo.

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Memorable Gear and Moments from OR Winter Market 2011 (Part 1)

Salt Lake City was once again host to the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market.  OR is a twice-annual outdoor gear super-palooza.  The most recent winter iteration was a first for the Paddle Junkie crew and, man, we had NO idea what we were walking into.  The Salt Palace Convention Center was packed with roughly 17,000 people, over 900 exhibitors and countless media outlets for the 5 day event.  There were booths everywhere, in the hallways, lobbies, everywhere.  Seeing everything and getting to speak with everyone has to be utterly impossible, but we gave it quite a run. Here is a list of the most memorable gear and moments from OR Winter Market 2011... 

1.  Sidewalk Surfing with a Shotgun...  Sanuk announced a new series featuring Mossy Oak Camo with Blaze Orange highlights.  It is no secret that we are fans of Sanuk to start with, but this is just too perfect.  Now in addition to being comfy my feet can disappear into the foliage while wandering the back-country.  Mossy Oak Sanuks will start becoming available in April...

2.  Sierra Designs gloves...slated for release Fall 2011, is a new force to be reckoned with.  The Transporter and Enforcer gloves will cover all your outdoor winter hand protection needs.  Transporters for spring/fall outings where insulation isn't needed, but waterproof and durable are, and Enforcers for battling the back-country powder on frigid winter days.  The best part is they are reasonably priced, MSRPs of $109 (Enforcer) and $79 (Transporter).

3. Our best hour of the show...  At about 3:30 in the afternoon we had a meeting at the Keen wonderland, with their seemingly endless line of footwear and bags, the vintage Desma vulcanization machine they have put back into use and the Frisbee dogs doing their thing.  I was in sensory overload, but in the best way possible. By the time we wrapped up with Keen it was 4:00 and that meant "Happy Hour" at booths all over the show, we grabbed a beer and headed over to Oprey Packs to see their new wears.  To set the mood for the last part of the day Mountain Khakis had The Infamous Stringdusters playing live from their booth just a few yards away.  Trade show perfection...   

...to be continued....

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G Sakai International's Kawasaki Special Stag Fixed Blade - Gear Review

For centuries the master blade makers of Japan have crafted some of the most legendary knives and swords ever created.  The invention of Damascus steel and perfecting the samurai sword are just two of the laundry list of accomplishments to their credit.  When I first spoke with G Sakai International, a knife maker from famed Seki City the birthplace of Japanese cutlery, my expectations and excitement rose to unprecedented levels. 

The Kawasaki Special Fixed Blade Stag is a faithful reproduction of an original design by one of Japan's most respected bladesmiths, Akihisa Kawasaki.  That, unfortunately, is where legend and reality start to diverge in a hurry.   The VG-10 blade has a random pattern stamped along the top to try to replicate the look of marks left by an ancient forge press.  The bolster and trim on the sheath are both adorned with similar engraving.  The Stag handle material gives the knife a rustic and classic feel, but is the only authentic piece on the knife.  Sadly, none of the character and soul of the traditional techniques have made it into this production knife.  From materials to workmanship this knife left me wanting more.

For a $240 knife from Seki City, "disappointed" is a massive understatement.

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Gillespie Outrigger Paddles - Gear Review

The Standard 10 degree paddle from Gillespie is a great paddle at a great price.   This medium weight paddle is very strong and durable.  On my trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area I pushed off of rocks and dead heads making sure to keep my canoe afloat.   I wasn’t once worried about the durability of this paddle.  It felt light and strong in my hands and giving me a strong stroke creating an easy time paddling through the beautiful lakes of the BWCA. 

This paddle can be ordered with a T grip or a Palm grip.  The Palm grip is an extra $7, but is well worth the extra money.  The paddle also comes in a standard 10 degrees, but if wanted can be ordered in a 7 or 5 degree paddle.   The partially cup tip is made out of Maple and helps to create a smooth entry into the water.  The Standard paddle also has a slightly oval shaft, which is approximately 9 inches in width and is roughly 22 ounces. 

Overall, I really like the ruggedness of this paddle.  It is a strong entry-level paddle, which is stylish, durable and has a great feel.  My one and only complaint about this paddle is that the product logo is placed on the paddle with a sticker.  Come on Gillespie!

MSRP:  $146.00

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Bertucci Field Watches - Gear Review

One of the main reasons I love to escape to the woods is to simply unplug. No ringing phone, no emails, no text messages, just quite. That said, you can't just wander around without a plan and you want to get back to camp before nightfall. Having a dependable timepiece is a necessity in the back-country, unless you can tell time by looking at the sun (yeah, not that talented).

Bertucci has designed and built a line of field watches with the outdoors enthusiast in mind. Rugged and accurate, you can't ask for a whole lot more. I gave the A-2T Vintage a try and I am thoroughly impressed. The matte titanium case is waterproof to 100 meters, and nearly unbreakable. Utilizing a classic military design, the bars/lugs are solid and integrated into the case so you have no chance of popping a pin and losing the watch. The Swiss made movement keeps perfect time. I have been checking it against the official US atomic clock, and it has been right on for over a month. 

The watch came with two bands to choose from, the green 2-ply nylon (pictured) and a grey Tri-Dura that feels like suede.  Simply slide one band out and the other in, no need for tools of any kind.  Also included was a Pro-Guard, a high performance elastomere dial guard that also slides on without tools, that adds even further durability to an already tough watch.

Bertucci produces 10 watch models with countless color and band combinations, so you can find the one that fits your needs and style. Every watch available has been built for the woods, but are cool enough for the street.

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General Craziness - "People are Awesome"

People + Adrenaline + a little Crazy =

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The Hawkeye F33P Fish Finder - Gear Review

The Hawkeye F33P Portable fish finder is a great addition to any canoe trip. When I go to the BWCA to fish I don’t want to have to lug a bunch of extra fancy gear, but one item I won’t forget is my Hawkeye portable fish finder. This fish finder is exceptional for finding depths, finding structure, and for finding fish! It’s the perfect size and fits easily into my thwart bag.

The F33P fish finder fits comfortably in your hand and has a lanyard so you can wear it around your neck for easy and quick viewing. The display gives you just the right amount of information for a back-country canoe trip. Some of the functions include depth readout, sensitive setting, back light, fish alarm, fish depth indicator, bottom contour detector, fish location indicator, and weed detector. For me this is more than adequate in canoe country. The ease of use and the simplicity of the Hawkeye F33P makes this a must have on any fishing trip.

Technical Specifications
Model Number F33P
Unit Dimensions 1.5”H x 2.8”W x 4.3”D
Display Window Size 1.5”W x 1.8”H
Display Type VirtuView Liquid Crystal Icon
LCD Backlighting Green LED SoftGlow
Power Requirement 4 x ’AAA’ Alkaline Batteries
Battery Life 30 Hours Continuous Use
Units of Measure Feet & Meters
Depth Range Max. 99.9 Feet (30.4 Meters)
Depth Range Min. 1.5 Feet (.5 Meter)
Depth Readout Increments .1 Foot/Meter
Sonar Sensor Type Floating, Trollable, ShootThru
Sonar Sensor Cable Length 35 Ft (10.7 M)
Sonar Sensor Frequency 200 khz
Sonar Beam Angle 25 Degrees

MSRP: $99.99

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Magellan eXplorist GC - Gear Review

21st century hide-and-go-seek, or information age treasure hunting are both apt descriptions of what geocaching is.  Long story short is that there are roughly 1.25 million locations around the world where other geocachers have stashed a prize and/or marked its location via GPS.  Geocaching.com houses THE database of geocache locations, a basic membership is free with an premium option for only $30 a year.  Each eXplorist GC comes with a free 30-day trial of the premium membership. 

Find geocache locations near you for a quick hunt, or preload locations from around the world, either way the eXplorist GC will guide you right to them. Loaded from the factory with ample geocache locations, you can simply power on and head out the door.  The bright screen is easily readable in any lighting conditions and even rookie GPS users will find the navigation of this unit to be no problem.  You can easily; locate, navigate, find, record and share all of your geocaching adventures. 

So, if you want to hunt for hidden caches and share the adventure online with your friends, the eXplorist GC is a perfect tool.  Plus, if you find yourself off the beaten path and maybe even a little lost, it will help you find your way home too.

MSRP: $199

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This is what a gym should look like...

Forget treadmills and stair-climbers.... get a full body workout and have some fun at the same time...



The video is over 11 minutes long, but the first few kids featured are well worth the watch...

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Obermeyer Lightning Pant - Gear Review

When I walked out the door this morning my truck was reluctant to get moving and with the temp reading -3 degrees, so was I.  Just going outside was painful and the thought of having fun out here seemed impossible.  Dressing for the weather is the only way to fight back and if you have any intention of playing outside this time of year, ski/snowboard pants are a requirement.  Obermeyer is a brand infamous in the ski market and justifiably so with over 60 years of making top-notch gear. 

You can probably find thousands of pants that will keep you relatively warm and dry in the cold and snow, but few do it as well as the Lightning Pants for a number of reasons. Obermeyer didn't leave any of the bells and whistles on the shelf when designing them.  The fit, articulated knees, adjustable everything, doubled material at the knees and seat and vents galore make these pants perfect for any conditions.  Whether you are carving through fresh powder or firing up the snow blower in these, the lower half of your body will be toasty warm and bone dry.

The most feature rich (and expensive) men's pants Obermeyer has available, the Lightnings are the Big Kahuna.  Worth every penny if you ask me, these are an investment in winter fun that will pay dividends for years to come.  If these are not exactly what you are looking for you can choose from any of their 11 other styles.

MSRP: $275

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Zippo Outdoor Line Gear Review

For more than 75 years the Zippo brand has been synonymous with windproof refillable lighters.  The iconic flip-top lighters have earned Zippo legendary status and with the Zippo Guarantee you will always have a fully operational piece of equipment.  So, when I heard that they were delivering a line of outdoor fire production products I was sure there would be a few winners in the collection.

The Line boasts 2 different utility lighters; a flexible neck lighter that lets you put the fire exactly on target or the outdoor utility lighter that has an integrated LED flashlight.  The Emergency Fire Starter Kit is a great addition to any survival kit.  It looks much like a Zippo flip top lighter, but inside is a sideways flint wheel and a few waxed tinder sticks that catch fire in even the most inhospitable conditions.  The Hand Warmer is built for rugged use, and last for up to 12 hours on one fill.  The Campfire Cedar Starter Pucks are a great backyard fire starter, they catch fire and burn long enough to get even damp wood burning.  They are scored to easily snap into quarters to get four separate fire going. 

Once again Zippo proves that they are a dominate force in fire production, this time taking their design and quality into the back-country. 

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