Kamik Men's Icepark Boots - Gear Review

This winter has forced many of us to invest in many new gear and equipment.  Ridiculously low temps and record snowfalls have made these last few months some of the most difficult in recent memory.  Snow blower, shovels and boots were all on the list of requisite upgrades. 

While at the winter Outdoor Retailer trade show I stopped by the Kamik booth and checked out these Icepark boots.  They looked like many other light-duty winter boots.  With a soft leather upper and a very flexible rubber lower shell yet they stand only 8 inches tall and are rated to 40 below, yeah I said -40.  Everything about these boots reminds me of my hiking boots rather than my normal winter monsters.  Not nearly as bulky, tall or heavy as the traditional clunkers we have all owned at one point or another, these let me run and play with the kids unhindered.  Normally the sacrifice in bulk equals a loss in thermal protection, not this time.

I have run these boots through the paces on several occasions.  Most recently for about 5 hours in two feet of snow with temps never breaking into double digits. I was perfectly comfortable the whole time.  Fortunately for me, we have not seen temperatures below -10 since I got my hands on these, but following the snow blower in subzero weather has always meant frozen toes, until I slipped my feet into these.

If you are in the market for versitile winter boots, that will keep you toasty warm in any conditions, these need to be on your short list...

MSRP: $99.00

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Costa Del Mar 580 Polycarbonate Sunglasses - Gear Review

With roughly 30 years of experience and the knowledge of a legion of sport fishing professionals, Costa Del Mar creates arguably the best polarized sunglasses on the planet.  The purists will tell you that glass lenses are the only acceptable option for true quality, but Costa took that as a direct challenge.  Their new 580 polycarbonate lenses are an amazing rebuttal.

The 580 refers to the fact that yellow light near 580 nanometers is extremely difficult for the human eye to process, so the new 580 lenses block it out completely.   These glasses provide the most optically clear, glare free vision I have ever experienced.  Built for spending time on the water, one of the most visually inhospitable environments, these shades are practically like wearing X-Ray Specs.  Spotting fish laying in the shallows has never been my forte, but apparently I wasn't bringing the right arsenal.

Light and incredibly scratch resistant, the polycarbonates are nearly indestructible.  I have had the opportunity to wear the Howler frames with the Grey 580 Poly lenses and I am thoroughly impressed.  These are not just for sitting in your boat either.  They are light and have a rubberized grip material on nose pads and the underside of the arms keeping them firmly in place during even the most vigorous activities.  Whether you are canoe fishing the back-waters or adventure racing in the mountains, these glasses will be a welcome addition to your gear list.

MSRP:$169.00 for Howler frames with 580 Polycarbonate lenses.

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Winter has Returned to Minnesota... :(

Just when you think the end is in sight, a 16" blanket of fresh fluffy white snow covers the Twin Cities once again...  At least the temps are tolerable and we can get out and play in it a little. 

Pedro giving his snow shoes a workout...

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My Rugged Kid - Gear Give-Away

If you are in the market for ladies or kids gear, or just great ways to get the family out of the house, head on over to My Rugged Kid.  They just teamed up with Kelty to give away a new 2011 FC 3.0 Child Carrier Backpack.  Details for the give-away can be found HERE. 

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Obermeyer Sawyer Jacket - Gear Review

...review provided by My Rugged Kid

If you are looking for a warm winter jacket, but don't want to sacrifice style, this is it!

Obermeyer's Sawyer Jacket is semi-fitted, giving you shape but allowing for layering underneath. The copper buttons and big knit cuffs really jazz it up. I can not even begin to try and count how many times I have been told how cute this coat is. What is even better is this coat is WARM, and I don't say that very often. The removable hood and inner cuffs with thumbholes, for those days you forget your gloves, are great features. The length is great as well. Sitting in the car and suddenly feeling the cold seat on your lower back does not happen with this coat! The sleeves are made so that you do not lose any mobility, very handy when chasing a toddler around the yard. Just because you are a Mom does not mean you have to wear Mom jeans and puffy jackets anymore! The jacket runs $249.50, which is not cheap, but in my opinion worth the investment! A must have in my house now.

•Critical Seams Sealed
•CZV - Control Zone Ventilation
•Removable Technical Hood
•Darted Shaped Seams
•Heavy Duty Zippers
•Internal Zipper Windguard
•External Stormflap with Velcro Closure
•Tricot-lined Hand Pockets
•Inside Patch Pocket with Zipper
•Inside Lycra Cell Phone Pocket
•Articulated Elbows/Full Motion Sleeve Construction
•Elastic Sleeve Cuffs
•Lycra Inner Cuffs with Thumbholes
•Integrated, Adjustable Powder Skirt that Snaps to Pant
•Adjustable Interior Hem Drawcord
•Fleece Chin Protector/Fleece Inside Collar
•Key Holder/Ski Pass D-Ring
•Scratch-free, Absorbent Goggle Cloth

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Men's Oxbow Bend Shirt by Woolrich

If you haven’t noticed, plaid is back, so I decided to try the Oxbow Bend long sleeve plaid shirt from Woolrich. When I held the shirt in my hands, I noticed it had some weight to it, and it felt like a well-constructed shirt. Then when I put the shirt on it felt like an old friend. It was broken-in and comfortable right away. Usually, I like to wash my new shirts a few times, so they get that soft broken-in feel to them, but with this shirt, I didn’t have to do that. It was ready to go right away. Now, I remember why I wore all those plaid shirts in the early 90’s. I have to admit I think I found my new favorite shirt. I definitely know I am going to want to wear it every day. I just wish I had one for every day of the week.

The Oxbow shirt is also very nice as an added layer of warmth. Here, in Minnesota, we often need to dress in layers to stay warm and this shirt is the perfect, added layer of warmth and comfort. This is a fantastic shirt, and I only have one caution. This shirt runs large! I almost always wear an XL in all of my shirts, but this one is a large. I’m about 6’1” and I usually have problems finding shirts that fit properly in the sleeves. The Oxbow Bend large fits perfectly, and the sleeves are plenty long. If you can try the shirt on first do it. Overall, this is a great shirt, and I highly recommend it to anyone that likes plaid, warmth, comfort, or grunge music.

MSRP: $49.00

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Gramicci Blow-Out Sale!

One of my favorite lifestyle clothing brands, Gramicci, is having one of the most INSANE sales ever.  If you are looking to add a couple of new things to your wardrobe, now is the time.  I have been wearing their gear for a couple of years and the stuff lasts forever. 

I am particularly partial to the sweaters and the infamous G-Pants, but try the stuff out for yourself.  At these prices, you simply can't go wrong.  Sizes are a little limited, but I'm sure you can find something you just can't live without...

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Hydration Integrated Daypack the Hydrapak Jolla - Gear Review

Any outdoor athlete or enthusiast will tell you that staying hydrated is more than just having a water bottle along for the journey.  In most conditions your body burns through a max of about 1.5 liters of water per hour, in extreme (tropical) conditions that number skyrockets to an astounding 3.5 liters.  So, when traveling away from reliable water sources in certain conditions bringing ample water with you is simply a must.  Your half liter canteen just ain't gonna cut it. 

Hydration packs are not a brand new concept, but the Jolla from Hydrapak has fine tuned it to a point beyond that of its competition.  This versatile daypack can hold up to 18 liters (1100 cubic inches) of gear, making it plenty big to function as my back-country daypack. It can carry everything I need for a full days journey including my fishing kit and rain gear.  The integrated 3 liter water reservoir has all the features one would look for in hydration.  For me the biggest advantage Hydrapak has is cleanability,  the "easy seal" closure far surpasses the traditional screw type closures in simplicity and allowing you to clean the inside of the reservoir.  The "EasyFlo" bite valve makes regulating flow a snap, bite harder more water, and an inline shutoff valve prevents accidental spills.  And there is no "plasticy" taste imparted to the water that you tend to find in some lower quality hydration systems.

Many hydration packs focus on the hydration; forgetting about the finer points of a pack.  Not the Jolla.  I could wear this pack all day, fully loaded, and hardly notice it was there.  Several straps allow you to secure the load, the padded shoulder straps are very forgiving and the moisture wicking back pad will keep you dry.  Creature comforts like organizer pockets and a dedicated media pocket with audio port make this a great around town pack as well.

All in all, one of the best all around hydration packs I have ever tested. 

MSRP: $129.99

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Ryders Remix Goggles - Gear Review

I have to admit, I have never been much of a goggles fan, opting for my go-to sunglasses in times where goggles would probably be the better option.  They always drove me crazy, fogging up, totally eliminating peripheral vision, and just plain uncomfortable.  It has been a while since I last tried a pair and man, they have come a long way in just a few years. 

Ryders Eyewear once again proves to me that you can get performance and style without having to sell your kidney on the black market.   Their Remix Goggles, in my preferred Rasta colors, are simply great.  The spherical double lenses allow for clear vision without impeding your periphery too bad.  The vented frame, anti-fog coating and antibacterial foam padding eliminated any fogging issues, and it was a balmy 3 degrees during a recent test.  With amber lenses they cut the bright sun with ease, but you can keep rocking them down to very low-light riding.  At a measly $35 price point, you just don't get this quality for that kind of money any more. 

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Granite Gear Traditional Food Pack

I have been using a canvas food pack for years, but last summer I decided to try the Traditional Food Pack by Granite Gear. To be honest, I was not expecting much, boy, was I wrong. This food pack is made out of 210D Nylon Cordura, which is very light, compared to traditional canvas. It also has padded shoulders straps and belt that make for a comfortable fit. I have always been told that a hip belt is nothing but a nuisance on a trip into canoe country, but let me tell you that it was an added comfort and help when traveling on some of the longer and more treacherous portages last summer. Another great feature of this pack is the two handles for lifting the pack in and out of canoes, a feature that is missing on some of the canvas packs I have used. There is also a drawstring cord at the top of the pack for easy access to your food. I put a cardboard beer bottle box on the inside of the pack to help sort my food and some nylon bags to sort other food items, which works perfectly. Overall, this Traditional Food Pack by Granite Gear Rocks! This pack is surely going to replace my canvas pack that I have been using and will be a welcomed comfort on portages in canoe country.

MSRP: $119.95

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