Vasque Juxt - Gear Review

I have been waiting since January to get outside and give these trail shoes a try, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Vasque footwear, a member of the Red Wing Shoe family, is based right here in our back yard in Red Wing MN.  It brings about a sense of Minnesota Pride to know that a local company can deliver gear that will hang with any company residing in the Rocky Mountains or Pacific Northwest.

The Juxt 7000's blur the line between trail runner and low top hiker.  Rugged with traction to spare, but light and comfortable, these are perfect for that technical day hike or day at the dog-park.  I took these out of the box, laced them up and spent 10 hours on my feet the first day (not usually a good idea).  I was flat out amazed at the performance.  There were a number of times I forgot I was wearing a hiker style shoe and not my squishy runners.  My high arches and wide forefoot were right at home in the Juxts.  

It is a fine line between adequate ventilation and water protection, I must admit, these were more worried about keeping your feet cool.  I had a small amount of water invade through the very base of the tongue, so avoid the deeper puddles and you will be fine.  A minor blemish on otherwise awesome shoes.  If you are looking for a pair of shoes to be your universal outdoor, go-to kicks, you could hardly go wrong with these.  

MSRP: $130.00

To learn more about Vasque's Arc Tempo Last and the design philosophy that goes in to their performance footwear, here is a cool video...

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Team Paddle Junkie's 2011 BWCA Gear Test

At a little more than 2 weeks away, Team Paddle Junkie is in the throws of finalizing our plans for our biggest trip of the year.  For 2011 we will have 7 guys entering the Boundary Waters Canoe Area for nearly a week of back-country canoe camping and (hopefully) catching more fish than we can count.  We have a great group of testers along for the ride, with a couple of rookies and a couple of guys making a return trip from Kansas City.

Thinking about making a BWCA trip of your own?  Check out our 2011 Outfitting Partner, Voyageur North Outfitters.  The crew there has everything you need to craft and enjoyable outing, including outfitting, a bait shop, permit services and bunkhouses for pre and post adventure lodging.  Hop in the car, head to Ely Minnesota and these guys can handle pretty much everything else.

We have a ton of gear to test.  On this year's roster we have; Kelty, Keen, Granite Gear, Sanborn Canoe, Sanuk, Sierra Designs, Revo, Berkley Fishing, Lake Lady Custom Rods, Pflueger Reels, Eddie Bauer First Ascent, Rab, Nemo Equipement, Eno Hammocks, Sea to Summit, Gramicci, Panasonic, Timex and many many more...  Stay tuned for gear previews and trip details as we get closer...

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Last Chance to FindTheGo...

The 8th and final clue for the SylvanSports FindTheGo contest was released Monday. No one has yet located the over $15,000 prize package located somewhere in the USA.... Register now and watch the video clues for your chance to with gear from KEEN, Kelty, Black Diamond and Emotion Kayaks, just to name a few...

FindtheGO 2011 from kurt mann on Vimeo.

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Wenger EvoWood 16 - Gear Review

Wenger EvoWood 16

The Wenger EvoWood 16 is an instant classic! This knife is made out of walnut using pieces of wood that would normally be scrap. I have always loved Swiss Army knives and this new version is simply beautiful. The wood handled knife makes it an immediate heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation. My 11-year-old daughter already asked for it.

There are four versions of the EvoWood ranging from the basic to the complex. All of them are instant winners with a one of a kind walnut handle. The EvoWood 16 includes a 2-½ inch blade, serrated scissors, screwdriver, bottle opener, can opener, nail file, Philips screwdriver, reamer, key ring, and an awl. The scissors are great and probably the best scissors I have used on a multi –tool. My only complaint is that the knife is missing the tweezers and toothpick. I’m not sure why they skimped on that and I hope they add them. Overall, this is a great knife and it would make a great gift for anyone.

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Fishing Preview - Gear Reviews

This last weekend was an official Minnesota holiday, Opening Fishing.  Driving on any highway you were sure to see boats on trailers loaded down with gear usually heading north to lake country.  We has a chance to test out some new gear, here are a few items that will put more fish in your boat and make your buddies jealous.

Fenwick Technique Specific Walleye Rods:  The days of having a single rod for all your fishing needs have past.  Today, any serious fishing enthusiast has a number of rods in their arsenal for different species and even for a particular fishing technique.  Fenwick has a series of Walleye fishing rods that are built for just how you like to fish.  Whether you are jigging, rigging, bottom bouncing, trolling or throwing crank-baits, they have a rod built just for you. You may be thinking "how different can they really be?" (I was saying the same thing). I have seen the light.  I have been testing the 6' 6" Spinning Jigging rod and this thing is perfect for its job.  Throwing a jig and running it along a rock legde, I could feel every turn of my bait and bump against a rock or log.  You won't be missing a single nibble from the finicky walleyes with this thing. The TAC handle looks and feels like cork but is less slippery when wet and seems to hold up better to abuse than cork.  MSRP: $199.00

Penn Conquer Reels: Hunting for Monster Northern Pike?  This is the reel for you.  With over 80 years of building legendary reels for both salt and fresh water, Penn makes a reel for whatever you're after.  I have been testing the 4000 series model and it can handle any fish I hook onto in the lakes around Minnesota.  A couple cool features I found more than handy; the EAS easy access system makes cleaning and greasing the gearbox a simple operation, the Superline Spool has a "Eternal Alloy" rim for increased durability and a rubber gasket to keep your line from spinning on the spool.  One of the smoothest operating reels I have ever touched, it even ran like new after I dropped it in the mud.  I could still cast and retrieve like it was fresh out of the box.  MSRP:  $199.00

Frabill's Hiber-Net:  Storing a landing net has always been a pain in the backside, and collapsible nets have been around for years.  The new Hiber-Net takes self contained nets to a whole new level.  Two handed operation allows the net to completely store inside the handle.  It does take a little muscle to get the net to lock in the open position, but that also prevents it from buckling under the pressure of a monster fish at the moment of truth.  Once stowed it easily straps to the gunwale of the canoe or in the rod locker on your boat.  I was a little worried the netting would be snag and tangle prone, but found it to be above average in both areas. Available in 52" and 72" versions at $79 and $99 respectively.


Berkley Gulp! Alive Artificial Baits:  Traditionally there is nothing that compares to live bait, especially when hunting Walleye, but I have been made a believer in plastics.  One difficulty with spending time in canoe country is there are no bait shops around and keeping bait alive can be tough.  Well, problem solved.  In a head to head comparison, the Gulp! Alive leeches put MORE fish in the boat than live leeches.  They survived more bites so we used fewer of them and every few casts a quick dip back in the special sauce brought them back to new.  Never again will I worry about dead bait half way through my canoe trip.  MSRP: $5.99 (2.1oz) to $35.99 (27.5oz) 


 Gerber Gator Fillet Knives:  So, cleaning fish is no one's favorite task, but at least it can be easy.  The Gator Fillet knives from Gerber help do just that.  They are thin and flexible so you waste less fish while being razorsharp all the way to the needle point.  Piercing even the toughest, scaliest fish skin is not a problem for these blades and when it gets a little dull there is a sharpener built right into the sheath.  Combine a quality piece of steel with the Gator Grip and you have one serious fish cleaning weapon.  The Gator Grip is soft and comfortable for marathon cleaning sessions, and it even gets a little stickier when wet so you won't have to struggle to hang on to the thing.  Available in both 6" and 7.5" you can pick one up cheap, at $11.99 and $13.99 receptively we feel they are the best value on our list.

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Kelty's Monthly Gear Give-Away

More freebies from Kelty....  sign up now and get your name in the hat to win a cool camp lantern.  Stay tuned to The Paddle Junkie for more chances to win great gear...

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First Ascent Rainier Storm Shell - Gear Review

OK, Mother Nature is a bit bi-polar here in Minnesota.  Barely a week ago I stepped outside to evening snowflakes, yesterday temps topped out in the upper 80's and we are now looking down the barrel of thunderstorm bazooka.  As usual, Spring lasted about 45 minutes, but here comes the rain...

For our 2010 BWCA gear test, I forgot to pack one piece of gear that was sorely missed, my RAIN GEAR!  This year, that will not be an issue.  After sampling a few different jackets, I have found my new go-to barrier shell, the Rainier Storm Shell from Eddie Bauer's First Ascent line.  This jacket is simply amazing. 

I could tell you all about how it has welded seams, an integrated hood and waterproof zippers, but every rain jacket on the market makes those claims.  It does it's job very well, 20 minutes in the shower and I came out bone dry.  The reason I love this jacket is because it doesn't feel like rain gear.  The three layer WeatherEdge® Pro fabric is soft and pliable, and there is no annoying plastic crinkly noise when you move.  An athletic fit and articulated elbows makes paddling in a PFD comfortable and twist free.

A rugged 4-season shell, the Rainier Jacket teams up with base and insulating layers to provide waterproof protection year round.  It is not the most packable jacket in the category, but it more than makes up for this in versatility.  Whether it is 80 degrees and pouring rain or a 40 degree evening by the campfire, this jacket is all I'll need.

MSRP: $349.00

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Win a "Year of Adventure" from Sierra Designs

Want to win a trip to Ecuador, Alaska or Everest???  Yeah, me too!  Head on over to Sierra Designs web-site and register for the "A Year of Adventure" sweepstakes. 

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Mother's Day Gift Guide

I am betting that there are a number of guys, and gals, out there that are in the same boat I am.  Mother's Day is this Sunday and I have yet to get anything for the mothers in my life.  Well, I have been doing a little research and I came up with a number of "can't miss" gift ideas. 

Osprey Packs - Sirrus 36: This 36 liter pack is the perfect companion for your gal's next extended day hike or overnight camp.  Osprey's AirSpeed™ suspension will make her forget she is carrying a 20-30 pound load, all day. There are pockets everywhere on this top-loader, several large pockets for bulky items as well as a pocket on the lid, one each waist strap and even a handy pocket for her MP3 player or other essentials is built into the right harness strap.  Bred for the back-country this pack is well built and ready for years of outdoor fun. MSRP: $139.00

 

Sierra Designs - Lunatic Jacket:  This spring weight shell is a compliment waiting to happen.  Our tester can't wear this out the front door without someone commenting on it, and she loves it as much as anyone.  Built from Barricade™ waterproof breathable fabric, she'll stay warm and dry in any weather conditions.  Whether your gal is taking a cool early morning run or taking the kids to the park, this will be her new weapon of choice.  The perfect marriage of performance and style have made this jacket one of the most coveted in our spring gear test line-up.  MSRP$159.00

 

Sport Science - Performance T-Shirts:  There is a huge variety of athletic base layers available, but few are as cool as those available from Sport Science. Rapid wicking materials, seamless body construction and a tag-less design all make these shirts ideal for the performance minded.  Machine washable & dryable and odor resistant, they make for perfect gym wear.  Plus, where else can you get performance tie-dye?  No more cotton t-shirts for your gal!  Once she wears these, she will be converted for life.  MSRP:$23.40

Timex - Sleek 150-lap TAP watch:  If your lady is a runner, then she will LOVE this watch.  It may not have GPS or an Altimeter built in, but it is like having a trainer strapped to your wrist.  Able to record up to 150 split times as well as keep 2 time zones, alarms, pre-programmed training interval programs, Indiglo illumination, dated training logs and waterproof down to 100 meters.  The best part is that there is no hunting for buttons while in the middle of your workout, just give the watch face a tap to record split times or start/stop timers.  MSRP: $90.00

Fits Socks:  Not all socks are created equal, and Fits Socks just jumped to the top of the food chain.  Constructed from two-ply, compact-spun, ultra-fine Merino wool, these socks are the best fitting socks in the outdoor world.  With over 100 years experience in sock design and manufacturing, Fits (made by Crescent Sock Co.)  is the oldest operating hosiery mill in the U.S.  A deep heel cup and special toe seam help keep the sock in place in even the most vigorous conditions.  And they come out of the washing machine as good as new every time..  MSRP: $17.99

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The hunt for the SylvanSports Go continues

Clue #5 was released yesterday, plus last week our friends over at The Gear Junkie had a special Bonus Clue....

Anyone have any idea where this thing is...  Not this guy!

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Keen Pyrenees - Gear Review

As I look out the window I see something that had been away for far too long, green grass. It is already May and the threat of snow is still not completely behind us, but signs of spring are everywhere. Give me just a couple of nice days in a row and I plan to disappear into the woods. The first trip on my list is a weekend along the Superior Hiking Trail, some of the most scenic hiking this part of the country has to offer.

In anticipation of this, I have been running a new pair of Keen Pyrenees hiking boots through the paces. They look the part of the classic hiker, but with a few modern upgrades (minus a pair of long red laces). The full leather outer with rugged riveted lace hoops and hooks and the trademark Keen toe-guard ensure that durability is not in question. I have relatively wide feet at the toes, and the toe-box on these provides the perfect amount of room, without getting sloppy. Even Keen will admit that these run a half to full size small, and no matter how good the boots are they are not going to be comfortable if they don’t fit, so I am wearing a half size larger than I normally would.

Completely waterproof! I mean dry as a bone. I sank these into the Mighty Mississippi to within a half inch of my socks and not a drop snuck in. They’ve seen spring snow-melt and afternoons on the sloppy trail and I have yet to be let down. If anything, Keen was forced to sacrifice breathability to provide this epic water protection. With this year’s never-ending winter, I’m not complaining. It may be a different story in July however.

Break-in time was basically zero. The pad around the ankle was a bit stiff at first, but only for a wearing or two. This is an obvious waterproofing tactic as well, creating a tight seal once “molded” to your leg contours. The insoles are comfortable yet solid, ready for miles of trail and a decent amount of pack weight. Traction is dependable, but not so meaty that they can’t be worn around town. Keen even has a nifty “see with jeans” feature on their website so you get a better idea of how they’ll look in an everyday setting.

Whether I am hiking the trail or chasing pheasant in the brush, I know these boots will keep my feet dry and blister free. Plus, I just dig the timeless style... classic cool…  Available to the whole family; men's, women's and even kids

MSRP: $140.00
($70.00 for the kids)

Available at…

Free Shipping over $45.00 at Altrec Outlet

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