No White at Night Challenge

As the evenings get shorter and the darkness of night invades the day earlier, we find ourselves out training in more dangerous conditions.  Throwing on a bright white t-shirt initially makes sense, but is it doing the job?  Take the No White at Night Challenge and see just how wrong that is...



To check out 3M's entire line of Scotchlite gear, follow this LINK.  Reviews of products made by THESE companies utilizing Scotchlite materials coming in the near future.


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Costa Del Mar Grand Isle Sunglasses - Gear Review

Over the last couple of months I have been testing out new sunglasses from Costa Del Mar called the Grand Isles.  A more lifestyle oriented frame, which transitions easily from the boat to the patio.  Back in February I had a chance to review the Howler frames with 580P Polycarbonate lenses, which taught me more about sunglasses than I thought possible.  The clarity and color the Costa lenses provide are vivid and crisp, making extended wearing a pleasure.  

The Grand Isles I tested are sporting the 580 Glass lenses in the Green Mirror finish with Copper base glass.  Not only do they look sweet, but they are amazing when navigating creeks and lakes hunting for walleyes and small-mouth bass.  Glare off the water is all but eliminated and you ability to see into the water on bright sunny days is obviously what these glasses were made for.  While casting crank baits into the shallows for smallies, I could see the action of my bait from an amazing distance away.  There is nothing more exciting than seeing your lure disappear into the mouth of a fish, then setting the hook with a vengeance.  Pure fishing bliss.

My only complaint about these shades is that glass is far more fragile than the Polycarbonate, and I mean by a long shot.  I got about 3 months outta these before my daughter pulled them off my face, landing them on the concrete sidewalk.  The left lens chipped at the point of impact and it cracked vertically from top to bottom.  I am more than bummed.  The Howler frames with Poly lenses withstood a sick amount of abuse and show no signs of fatigue.  I even dropped my 50+ pound pack on them at camp, I was sure they were a tiny pile of pieces, yet they're good as new.  At the time of publishing I have an email into Costa to find out the repair cost for the cracked lens, because I am going to get them fixed.  I will let you know when I know...

So, if you are looking for new shades and you want something sporty enough for the water but cool enough to wear on the street, look no further.  These will not disappoint.

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The Baladeo Eco179 - Gear Review

The Baladeo Eco179 is a knife designed for the typical adventurer whether they are found on a mountain, in the woods, or under the sea. This knife is marketed towards all experience levels and that shows through in the design intent.

The design intention for this knife was to be a lightweight easy accessible cutter that could be clipped onto a carabineer. It can easily be clipped onto a jacket, a backpack, or a lifejacket as long as you have a carabineer. I stress the easy accessibility of this item. Equipped with a left and right hand opening and closing system, this knife is very easy to use. It has a serrated edge, a smooth edge and a rope cutter to fit any needs possible while hiking, climbing or diving. The blunt, rounded edge also gives the blade strength of a longer blade without the weight and dangers of the pointed end.

Design wise, this is a fun knife to look at. The design is sleek and smooth which gives the entire item a more finished look. Plus you feel cool while flinging it open making it look like a switch blade. Ask anybody on the canoe trip and they’ll tell you I am a fan of the switch-blade-esque-whipping-out that has been epitomized on movies such as “The Outsiders”.

My only problem with this knife is that I feel the handle could have used a little more thought. There isn’t much grip and if your hands are wet, which they are if you’re paddling, you are going to have a hard time not dropping this knife into the drink. Secondly, if this knife was intended to be hooked onto a jacket why not include the clasp within the knife handle.

Baladeo is a fun company to say the least, apparent in their products and website. They have been designing outdoor accessories since 1995 so they have young energy while containing the expertise of superior craftsman. I recommend checking out their website and finding out more about them. http://www.baladeo.com/

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An "Under the Radar" Outdoor Gear Legend Celebrates 25 Years...

Have you ever busted a zipper or blown out a seam in a piece of quality gear.  I think we all have.  If you sent it in for factory repair, you have probably seen the work of Rainy Pass Repair, Inc.

You may have never heard of them before, but the list of companies these guys work with is simply astonishing...  With names like  like Arc’Teryx, Helly Hansen, Ibex, Kelty and Cloudveil as their partner brands, these guys are THE go-to name in direct-to-consumer and factory/warranty repairs. Plus, Rainy Pass Repair, Inc. is the only Gore-Tex® Fabric Certified repair facility in the United States.  Yeah, the ONLY one...

If you have a pack or jacket sitting in the bottom of a closet because it has an issue, but you can't bring yourself to let it go, check with these guys and get it fixed.  The repairs are at least manufacturer quality, it'll be like nothing ever happened. 

Congrats to the folks at Rainy Pass for a successful 25 years, and here is to many more....  

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Sanborn Canoe's "Unnamed" Paddle - Gear Review

The guys over at Sanborn Canoe keep proving that they truly understand both paddling and wood-working.  Several weeks back the delivery guy handed me a box from Winona, MN.  Inside was a beautiful wooden bent-shaft paddle and a note from Zak at Sanborn Canoe.  In my hands was a paddle so fresh off the design table that it didn't even have a name yet and I got to give it a test run. YEAH!

Much like the Gunflint Paddle I had the chance to review last summer, this paddle is a work of art.  The design and construction are second to none in the paddle world.  This time around a few additions have been made; the introduction of Cherry wood to the shaft and the Epoxy blade guard has been replaced with a Ash hardwood tip.  This increased the strength of the paddle and amplifies the natural aesthetic of their work.

What I learned after just a few strokes was that this paddle had a much different soul than the Gunflint.   A more modest bend in the shaft (10 degree as opposed to 14 degree) and a smaller blade both depart from the power focus of many of the paddles on the market.  Power is not everything and while navigating the narrow creeks connecting lakes in the BWCA I saw exactly why.  At no point did I think to myself that I was missing the "get-up" the more power focused paddles brag about.  What I did notice was that controlling the canoe was significantly easier and over-steer was all but eliminated.

A couple of ounces heavier than the Gunflint (19oz) went basically unnoticed.  The oiled grip did not.  Sanborn never soaks their paddles in epoxy or marine varnish, so you never have that glossy lacquered feel, but there is something more natural, more familiar about an oiled grip.  Hours in my hand and miles traveled and at no point did I regret choosing this paddle to get me around the lakes.

Want one for yourself?  Well, come up with a great name for this stick and it could be yours.  Enter HERE to win the August paddle giveaway from Sanborn Canoe.

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KEEN Recess comes to Minneapolis... TODAY!

In addition to making killer footwear and other gear, KEEN has been doing their best to get us back outside.  Remember recess.  For some of us the most memorable part of the day back in grade-school.  It wasn't long, but the only part of the day where FUN was the only thing on the agenda.  Well, KEEN is bringing recess back.

Today we are lucky enough to have the team from KEEN right here in our neighborhood.  Peavey Plaza, downtown Minneapolis will host the fourth stop on the KEEN Recess Tour.

Cough cough...  I'm suddenly not feeling so well... I think I have to take the afternoon off boss...



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Innate's Portal Deluxe Travel Envelopes - Gear Review

When I was laying out my gear and checking things off my pack list in preparation for a week in the BWCA it took all of about 30 minutes to realize 2 things; 1) I have trimmed much of the unnecessary weight from my pack and 2) this very process has left me with a large number of small items to pack.  From my first aid kit and bug deterrents to back-up fishing gear and my eating utensils, everything has been stripped down to only what I need.  The problem is I now had a pile of gear that would be lost in my pack if I were to just throw it in.  I would be digging, searching and undoubtedly irritated unless I could find a way to keep this stuff organized and readily available.

Enter the Innate Portal Deluxe Travel Envelopes. I was able to divide that mound of little individual items into three groups and tuck them neatly into my three different sized weather proof zipper pouches.  Each made from re-purposed/recycled materials and constructed with welded seams and a water-proof zipper, they were rugged and stood up to the elements better than I could have hoped.

One pouch with the first aid kit and bug dope spent its time hanging from a tree in camp, easy to locate and immune to the world around it whether it was the wind and the rain or the critters that may want to sample the contents for dinner.  Another held bobbers, sunscreen and anything else I needed for an afternoon fishing excursion.  Rather than loading up my daypack, I could grab this pouch and clip it to the thwart of my canoe. The third had the usual personal effects, toothbrush, toothpaste, Advil and a few other miscellaneous items.

What I loved about these things was how well thought out they were for what you would initially think a simple pouch.  The window on the side, made from recycled PU, was an obvious advantage especially when things are wet.  The reinforced clip points at the corners made attaching these to your pack with a caribiner all too handy and each point is rated to 26 pounds so ripping off was not a concern.

I am by no means a "highly organized" person.  In fact much the opposite, but that doesn't mean I can't keep my gear protected and somewhat wrangled.  The Portal Deluxe Travel Envelopes are the perfect solution for a guy like me.  They saved me from myself on more than one occasion.  At midnight sitting by the campfire, I knew where my bug spray was and the pain medication i was in despirate need of after a full day of paddling was dry as a bone and right where it should be.  Those things may not seem like that big of a deal, but when you are being eaten alive by the unofficial MN state bird (the Mosquito) and you can't lift your arms above your shoulders, you have a much different perspective.

MSRP: $30 for a set of 3 (1 small, 1 medium and 1 large)



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Bridgford Ready to Eat Sandwiches - Review

I am a bit of a food snob when camping.  I am not afraid to throw a couple extra pounds on my pack to ensure that I eat well in the woods.  When I first saw the Ready to Eat Sandwiches from Bridgford Foods I was a bit skeptical.  The possibility of these things tasting like cat food wrapped in play-doh was a real concern.  What I found was that they are not just tolerable, they are really tasty.   

I took a few different flavors, the Italian Style, Pepperoni Stick and BBQ Chicken, and threw them over the campfire for a few minutes.   I grabbed the Italian Style sandwich, which was now golden brown and steaming hot.  My first bite was nothing short of shocking. This was less sandwich and more calzone, a fluffy crust-like shell held in a sausage, pepperoni and sauce mixture that was packed with flavor.  There was nothing bland or boring about this and having toasted it over the open fire infused it with a little of the smokey flavor that makes back-country cooking so special.  

We tried nearly every flavor available and not a single one was disappointing.  The fan favorites were the Italian Style and the Pepperoni Stick.  It didn't matter what time of day it was, when someone got a little hungry around camp and was feeling too lazy to actually "make" a meal, we'd tear open one of these little packages and drop it over the fire.

Originally created for the US military these sandwiches deliver a shelf life longer than most of us would ever consider reasonable.  They promise that these will taste as good THREE YEARS from now as they do today.  Yeah, 3 years! But trust me when I tell  you, they are never going to survive that long, they are too tasty to sit on a shelf for 1,095 days...

MSRP: $14.99 for a 4-pack

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Outdoor Research Equinox Shorts - Gear Review

I literally took the tags off the Equinox Shorts from Outdoor Research the day before our BWCA trip back in June. I did try them on to make sure they fit before I packed them, but I was going to give them a real evaluation in the woods.  Temps in the 80's and 90's, in and out of the water, inevitable rain showers and miles and miles of portages all make for an ultimate proving ground.  

When gathering up your clothing for a hiking or paddling trip, what factors are you most concerned with?  I look for three; light weight, quick-drying and a comfortable fit. The Equinox shorts from Outdoor Research nails all three.  I was a bit surprised at the length at first, they came to the middle of my knee when standing.  This payed dividends though when seated in the canoe, especially after the sunburn my knees got from the paddle in when I was wearing other shorts that left about 3 inches of leg exposed.  The material is incredibly quick drying.  I wore them swimming more than once and every time they were dry before the mop on my head was.

The fit and finish on these shorts is what makes them exceptional.  They are loose enough in the right places so that hiking up an incline didn't prove to be an issue, while not so loose that they would bunch up while seated paddling in the canoe.  I didn't realize at first that there were as many pockets as there were either, the concealed zipper "cargo" pockets can hold a decent amount of stuff, but they are nearly invisible.  They simply don't look like your typical outdoor shorts.

I dig these shorts to the point that I find myself digging through the "less clean" laundry looking for them. Whether I am working around the yard or heading on the town, these are my first choice.  Case in point, I pulled these out when heading to the U2 concert outside at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis back in July.  It went from a beautiful summer evening to a torrential downpour for the entire show.  I was forced to buy a t-shirt after the show because the one I was wearing was never going to dry, but my shorts were not a problem, dried out shortly after I got outta the rain.  Evening saved, thanks to my Equinox shorts.

MSRP: $55 and worth twice that!


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Sea to Summit's Big River Dry Sacks - Gear Review

How you pack your gear is a personal choice, but for many of us keeping it dry and relatively organized is a bare minimum.  When paddling into canoe country, dry is by far the harder of the two objectives.  Inside my waxed canvas canoe pack you will find several ultra-light stuff and compression sacks shrinking my gear down and keeping it all dry and accessible.

The one habit I have had for years is keeping my shelter and rain gear in a small bag lashed to the outside of my pack.  That way I can set up camp without even opening my pack, which has saved me numerous times.  Most ultra light stuff sacks are not cut out for this kind of wear and tear.  Sea to Summit has a wide range of storage and dry sacks to choose from, but if you are looking for bullet proof the Big River Dry Sacks are the Cadillac on the market.

From a technical standpoint, these bags are incredible.  420D coated nylon fabric comprises the bulk of the sack, but this stuff has been tested to repel more water pressure than seems possible.  The waterhead test is designed to force water through the fabric under pressure.  The higher the pressure necessary to produce 3 drops of water on the opposite surface, the more water resistant the fabric.  Class 3 fabrics, the highest in apparel, requires that fabrics surpass 1300mm of pressure.  These Dry Sacks tested out at over 10,000mm!!!  I am not a techno critic, but 7.5 times the class 3 benchmark leads me to believe the fabric is extraterrestrial.

One trick to creating a good seal is to put soft resilient objects inside the sack to push back against the roll-top closure once secured.  Try putting your pillow, towel or fleece at the very top of the sack, it makes a huge difference.  Every dry-sack I have ever touched says "Do Not Submerge" and that the closures are not designed to be water tights against pressure.  Well, I am not exactly one to follow directions, so I did exactly that.  I stuffed this sack full of soft stuff (clothes and my towel), closed it up tight, and went for a swim.  I used it like a life preserver and floated around the lake for over an hour, even dunking it down to 5-6 feet deep.  When I climbed back onto shore I opened up the bag and pulled my bone dry towel out and dried myself off.  Not a drop managed to sneak inside.

Sea to Summit did not try and build a bag that will keep your stuff dry if you splash it with a little water, or it has to sit in a puddle in the bottom of your canoe.  A black plastic garbage bag can do that.  They built a bomber sack that you can literally drag down the trail, throw overboard to save your swimming challenged buddy, then fend off a family of granola bar thieving raccoons, all without any signs of fatigue.

MSRP: $18 to $53

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Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter - Gear Review

If I were to list the worst things about getting water in the wilderness with a traditional pump-action filter, it would certainly include:

1) Time: having to spend a half hour squatted down pumping water for dinner

2) Energy: expending countless calories on pumping instead of fishing

3) Risk: focusing on pumping instead of watching for bears

4) Muscle cramps: there is no comfortable position in which to pump water from a stream

5) Inconvenience: not being able to hold your cup of wine while doing so!

I'm sure you could add a few more of your own. However, on our last trip to the BWCA, the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter eliminated all of the above.

The most beautiful thing about this filter is its ability to clean 4 liters of filthy in under 3 minutes. That was fast enough for no one in our group of 7 to have to pump once during the trip. As you can see in the picture above, the GravityWorks is designed use force of gravity to move the water through the filter. You simply detach the "dirty" bag from the line, fill it up from a nearby water source, reconnect it, backwash it to remove air bubbles, and position the "clean" bag lower than the "dirty" one to get things moving. Once filtered, you disconnect the "clean" bag from the filter, and you're good to go. A nifty little clamp is provided to prevent spilling.

The GravityWorks uses hollow fiber technology to filter down to 0.2 microns, which is small enough to remove any bacteria or protozoans that may float your way. The specs are available here.

All-in-all, this is an incredible filtration system. The folks at Cascade Designs have been around for 35 years, producing quality goods manufactured only in the Seattle, USA and Cork, Ireland. Their dedication to quality shows in the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filter.

MSRP: $109.95

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Freewaters Dude Sandals - Gear Review

When it comes to flip-flops, I am pretty picky. I don’t allow just anything between my toes. In fact, there are some flip-flops I just won’t wear. When I came across the Freewaters, I was intrigued not only by the comfortable, stylish, and practical flip-flops, but also by their message. If you buy a pair of Freewaters proceeds also go to help provide water for people in need of it.

I have been wearing the Dude style Freewaters all summer and to put it simply they are great! They are made with a soft webbing toe strap, which is a must for me. They also have arch support, which helps for those long days of standing and walking, and of course, they are made for heavy water use. For a guy that is pretty picky when it comes to flip-flops, these are choice!

At $28, the price is right too. But what is even more amazing is that when you purchase these excellent flip-flops you are also providing water for someone for a year! How cool is that? Let’s face it, our economy is not the greatest, and I think a lot of people feel they are not able to give because of their own budget woes. What is nice about Freewaters is that you can buy a reasonably priced quality flip-flop and give to others in need at the same time. For me, that is a no brainer. Freewaters will always be at the top of my list because I know they make fantastic products, and I know they help others around the world. Nice job Freewaters and keep up the outstanding work!

To learn more about Freewaters check out this video...



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Fenix Lights LD01 & LD20 Flashlights - Gear Review

One of my favorite parts about spending time in the woods is the night's sky.  You simply don't get to see the stars for what they really are if you live in the city.  There is just too much artificial light and it drowns out the stars.  My first trip to the BWCA changed how I look at the sky and my understanding of just how many stars there are out there.  That also means that if the stars and moon are shrouded in cloud cover you get to know a new meaning of darkness as well.

Lying in my hammock on a cloudy night this last June, "pitch black" was the only way to describe it.  I literally couldn't see my hand in front of my face.  So, I reached for the little flash light I had dangling around my neck.   I turned it on and it was like a searchlight blazing a trail through the darkness.  I couldn't believe how bright this thing was.  The little Fenix LD01 ran on just one AAA battery and easily illuminated a 10 foot wide path 30-40 feet ahead of me.  The amount of light output is adjustable with a twist of the rotating regulating switch at the bulb end of the light.  This little flashlight may be all I need for my future camping trips.

Then there is the Fenix LD20, the big brother to the little LD01.  Not Fenix's largest flashlight by any means, but I felt like I could signal the space shuttle with this one.  With 5 different modes, you can dial in the right amount of light for any given situation.  Throw this one in "Turbo" mode and make sure you don't point it at anyone you care about, because flash blind is an understatement. It also has a "Strobe" and "SOS" mode to help get you out of a jam if necessary.   On one of my evening excursions for firewood with this light, it was like mid-day wherever the light was pointed and the rest of the world was swallowed by black.  The rest of my crew told me when I returned that there was no chance I was getting lost, they could see where I was the entire time.  "It looked like 'close encounters of the third kind' coming outta the woods" one guy said.

I was utterly impressed by both of these lights.  Battery consumption was not an issue, they lasted the full 6 days in the BWCA on just the batteries I loaded before we left (and I played with them a lot).  Both are waterproof to 2 meters and rugged as heck.  The LD01 took a fall, landing on a granite slab from about 25 feet.  It may have gotten a couple of scratches, but that's it, still works like new.

For all the Specs Geeks out there, here is what Fenix says the lights can do.

MSRP: LD01 = $56.00     LD20 = $78.00


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SPACETrailers - Gear Review

Review provided by My Rugged Kid

This is not your father's trailer...

As I toured the Northwest Sportshow this spring, one thing caught my attention.  It was a sleek looking, covered cargo trailer that would be perfect for my family vacation up north.  I have a big family, and while we all fit comfortably in our van, it doesn't leave much room for storage.  To solve this problem last year, we bought a soft-sided cargo carrier that attaches to the top of our van.  Most of our clothes and other gear fit in the carrier and we put the rest of our things in my brother's boat.  Problem solved, right?  Wrong.  Halfway through our trip, the sky turned really dark. We frantically stopped at the nearest Walmart to find a tarp to put over the carrier because our clothes were getting soaked.  Needless to say, the carrier functions well and holds a lot, but it didn't do us much good.  That's why I was so excited when I saw what SPACE trailers had to offer.  

Northwest Sportshow

This lightweight covered cargo trailer was perfect.  It was easy to hook up and was a breeze to tow behind our car.   Most importantly, it was covered.  This trailer was the perfect size for my family of 7's gear.  We had so many compliments and inquiries about this trailer and I couldn't give it high enough praise.  Even when we stopped at a store, I noticed a guy circling the trailer in interest.  All in all, this trailer is good-looking, sturdy and highly functional.  So whether you are buying or renting, these trailers are reasonably priced and have many options like the basic uncovered, adjustable SPACE bars for hauling canoes, bikes or kayaks, and spare tires.  If you're taking a trip and need extra storage, check out SPACE trailers, you will not be disappointed.

All unloaded!

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Climbing Wall + Treadmill = Climbstation

Looking for a new way to get your workout in?  Check this out...

They call it the Climbstation.  With variable speed and incline settings you can tailor this to anyone's skill level.   Check it out in action...

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Primus Litech Super-Set - Gear Review

For many reasons the food-pack always ends up being the heaviest pack on every trip.  We tend to bring more food than is necessary, simply because we don't want to run out and you definitely can't count on catching fish to sustain you.   So, in order to make the food-pack less of a chore, we tried to shave weight where ever possible.  Step one was the cookware.

Thanks to modern materials and innovative design Primus Camping is able to package a 3-piece cookware set that takes up less space in your pack than a football and weighs in at less than 2 pounds.  Constructed from hard-anodized aluminium with a titanium non-stick interior coating, they perform incredibly well and clean up easily (even with the eco friendly camp soap).  I was impressed with how quickly these pots and pans came up to temperature and even in windy conditions.  The handles functioned better than many of the collapsible options on the market and did an excellent job of dissipating heat so you don't fry your fingers.

I am by no means a chef, but cooking with these made my life easy.  This set-up will easily handle full meals for up to about 4 people.  For groups larger than that the size starts to inhibit portion size.  We had to bust out the old school giant skillet to keep up with our 7 man BWCA crew.  This kit will make it on the final gear list for many trips to come, it's perfect for just about any back-country kitchen.

MSRP:  $72.00  Available at ...



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Therm-A-Rest Neo-Air Mattress

At just 14 oz, the comfort to weight ratio on the Therm-A-Rest Neo-Air mattress is in the thousands. Granted, I have not tried many sleeping pads, but compared to the heavy self-inflating ones or the blue foam pads that have been around for centuries, this is one neon-yellow savior.

When we reached our camp site in the Boundary Waters this last June, I unpacked the Neo-Air out of it's 1-liter sized case and unrolled it for the first time. I was impressed to find it completely inflated after only a few breaths. As according to the instructions, I stretched out on it with my head near the valve so I could let out just a bit of air to allow the mattress to form to my aching body, and holy smoke did it feel good. I thought to myself, "this is better than my bed at home!" Needless to say, I slept like a baby.

My only issue was that though it wasn't wide enough for my body size (5'10", 175 lbs), if I didn't stay in place I'd use up the inch or two of wiggle-room before I'd be sliding off. On checking out Therm-A-Rest's website, it looks like you get 5 more inches of width (and 5 more of length too) with just 5 more ounces to carry if you get a Large one. This is something to keep in mind if you're a bigger person or like the extra sleeping space and can afford to carry a few more ounces. Also, when reading other reviews it seems that these may have a tendency to develop very small leaks when used dozens of times, but that Therm-A-Rest is happy to patch/replace them as this occurs. Since I only used the Neo-Air for a few days, I can't speak to that. 

Finally, this is an awesome sleeping pad. I'm considering getting my wife and I each one once it cools down here in the Midwest so we can do some Fall camping. If you're someone who, like me, found the absolute worst part of camping to be the stiff neck and sore back when you wake up in the morning, problem solved with the Neo-Air mattress and a good pillow.

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Orca vs. White Shark??? Any bets?

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Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Preview

Today marks the start of the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show. Sadly, I will not be in attendance this year.   It is by far the largest US show for the Outdoor Industry.  Words cannot express just how much I will be missing out on.  With roughly 1,300 booths and over 20,000 people in attendance, this is set to be the largest OR to date.  Here is a quick look at some of the new gear and a few attractions OR has to offer.

Wolverine Pulsar Low-Cut Hikers:  Utilizing Wolverine's ICS, you can customize the cushion level of these waterproof light hikers by rotating the gel disc integrated into the heel of the footbed.  Make adjustments for your particular feet or that day's activity.  Combined with the Pulsar's exceptional fit lacing system and a Vibram rubber lug outsole, these shoes will take you anywhere and keep you comfortable the entire time...  Available Spring 2012

Columbia's Bug Jacket:  Nothing can ruin a back-country trip like a nasty Mosquito infestation.  When your bug spray just won't cut it, bust out this uber-light, bug-repellent infused mesh jacket and keep even the most ferocious pests at bay.  Flip up the hood and pull the draw-string waist tight and you have maximum protection.  Available January 2012 with a suggested retail price of $90.

Keen's Backseat Backpacks:  Here is one of those products you look at and think to yourself, "how has no one thought of this before?"  Kill two birds with one stone; a day-pack with an integrated camp chair.  A full featured pack with a 3 liter hydration reservoir and  enough room for a full day's worth of gear.... Brilliant!  MSRP: $120

Mad River's Serenade Hybrid:  Can't decide if you want to get a new canoe or a new kayak?  Why decide?  Mad River gives you the best of both worlds in one snazzy package.  Get the stability and maneuverability of a kayak with the storage and simplicity of a canoe.  You are looking at my new boat folks...  MSRP $1399 and up...

Win a Custom Landcruiser:  Mountain Khakis and KAFM Solar-Powered Community Radio are raffling off a sweet custom '87 Landcruiser.  This thing is ready for any back woods terrain you can throw at it.  $20 buys you a chance to win.  You don't have to go to OR or be there to win.  Get your tickets HERE, just don't plan to win 'cause this thing is gonna be in MY garage, I hope :)

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Harmony Vapor Bent Paddle - Gear Review

I have had the privilege of testing out many of the top paddles on the market and nothing compares to a wooden paddle.  The feel and performance can not be replicated by new-age materials.  However, if done correctly, blending in modern technology is not a bad way to go.  

The Vapor Bent Shaft paddle from Harmony marries Cedar wood with Carbon Fiber and Fiber Glass to create a light, durable paddle.  The 10 degree bend makes for a good balance between power and control and at only 19 ounces it is right in there with the other major players in this category.

While on our BWCA excursion this year everyone wanted to give this paddle a try.  There is something alluring about the shimmer of the carbon fiber that compels you to pick it up.  The classic beaver tail blade design provides plenty of power, but sacrifices a bit of control when navigating narrow waterways.  As the stern paddler I found myself over-steering on occasion.  The reinforced blade was nearly indestructible.  While lifting the canoe on my shoulders for one of our last portages I accidentally stepped on the blade of the Harmony paddle, fully expecting to hear a crunch.  I was surprised to find zero damage done.  I may not be the biggest guy in our crew, but most paddles would buckle under 200+ pounds (that's me plus the canoe BTW) on less than 1/4 inch of cedar.

At an MSRP of $169.99, you get a paddle unlike most others out there and one that will last for years of rugged use and abuse...



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Sperry Top-Sider SON-R Bungee - Gear Review

I've always been a big fan of being "ready for anything." In grade school I was all over the fad to wear zip off pants to a skating party, just so when it got hot you could turn them into shorts. So you might think that a pair of shoes like these would be right up my alley, and they are.

The Sperry SON-R Bungees clearly come from a company that has made comfortable boat shoes for decades. I decided to put them to the test this summer, and wore them when we portaged into the BWCA in June. During a full day of portaging, they dried very quickly when I was paddling, and served as great hiking shoes while portaging. For as light as they are, they provided a lot of support, cushion, and protection compared to a lot of water shoes out there. They did not absorb water and get heavy as the day wore on, and the bungee system works great for keeping them on your feet, even when you're trudging through mud with a 50-pound canoe on your shoulders. When we reached our camp site, I was reluctant to take these off. The only complaint you'll get from me is that Sperry stuck with a tread that is clearly meant for the deck of a sailboat. With some of the more dicey terrain up in the BWCA, something with more of a hiking tread would have done me good.

All in all, this is a great shoe. I took a risk choosing these as my go-to shoes for this trip, but I was very impressed. Finally, back in the city I have been ecstatic to find that after a week of abuse in the wilderness, with a quick rinse they were ready for more. No stink either! Since our time in BWCA, I've been wearing them to walk the dog, take the sailboat out, and get groceries, confident that I am "ready for anything" this summer may send my way.

MSRP: $90

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