For the most part, my experience with flashlights spans from flashlight tag in the fifth grade to helping my dad under the kitchen sink. I was accustomed to the usual dumbbell-esque flashlights that had enough D-batteries to beat down zombies with. Up until a few months ago I never encountered any high-tech flashlight. This is when, on my way up to the top of 'Pa…
Read moreWhat makes for a good tent? For me, there are a ton of factors to consider. Weight, durability, space and ease of set-up. Every time I look into tents I am amazed at the range of designs and prices. There are so many things to consider when picking a tent. Versatility is key. Functionality is not optional. Nemo makes one of the most well thought out tent pac…
Read moreAttention Paddle Junkie Nation... An outdoor industry friend has gone missing and we need your help... We've been asked to help in any way we can to try and support Julie Bosworth, whose husband Mark disappeared from Riddle, Oregon during a Cycle Oregon event last weekend. Deckers Footwear has generously offered a $10,000 reward noted in the flyer below. …
Read moreHydration packs are now everywhere. Head to your local park or trail and there is a tube with a bite valve sticking out of nearly every pack there. Some focus more on the hydration and less on the pack, for others the opposite is true. The one thing that you will find with nearly every hydration system on the market is the bite and suck methodology of getting the …
Read moreSpring, Summer or Fall, when heading out for a paddling trip I am pretty much a shorts guy. But you will always find a single pair of long pants in my pack on every trip. Fluctuating temps, blowing winds and bugs are just a few reasons to dig them from the nether regions of your bag. When the elements demand, I reach for Gramicci's ROCKiT Dry Pants . Spend an…
Read moreWhat started nearly a month ago by a lightening strike in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota has escalated in the last week to one of the most devastating fires in Minnesota history. Smoldering in the remote north for nearly a month before gusting winds aided in the rapid spread of the fire, over 100,000 acres of pristine wilderness have been reduc…
Read moreWhen heading into the woods for an extended period of time, the one category of gear that I struggle with most is around the kitchen. It seems like I always end up with way more stuff than I need and what I do bring has had the tendency to disappoint. Here are a few camp kitchen essentials I think make the super short list. Snowpeak- Titanium Sporks : At just …
Read moreLooking to book a fall canoe trip to the Boundary Waters? The folks up at Voyager Canoe Outfitters in Grand Marais, MN have a Groupon deal going on right NOW for 50% off Outfitting Services for a Canoe Expedition for 1 to 4 people. Click Here to save 50% on your Fall BWCA Trip Tweet &…
Read moreSuper sick surfing videos from the Transworld Surf Imaginarium Contest. They " invited four teams from four companies to conceptualize and execute a photographic feature to be shown on the pages of TransWorld SURF." We get to pick the winner... Check out the videos and then Vote Here ... Body Glove goes old school Nintendo style with their video, &quo…
Read moreMinnesota may be know for its painfully cold and seemingly endless winters, but we also have a few short months of beautiful summer. In stark contrast to our frigid sub-zero temps in January, our July and August months prove to be hot and humid. This summer, temps in the 90's and humidity in the 80+% range were common. Sleeping outside, under the stars, was go…
Read moreLooking for a set of saddle bags or a handle bar bag to add a little storage to your bike? It makes that commute easier but everything at the bike shop looks like it should be strapped to a $5000 race bike; fluorescent, reflective and paper thin. Well, if you care less about shaving grams and more about style and durability, then these guys have the bags for you. …
Read moreSeveral years ago, taking the suggestion of a friend, I decided to bring a box of wine with me into the woods for an extended camping trip. This came after many years of choking down luke warm beers and cocktails. It is nearly impossible to keep anything cold for more than a few days in the summer heat. I have long been a fan of red wine, and substituting it as my…
Read moreI have been on the hunt for an all-around watch rugged enough for the woods but still stylish enough for the rest of the time. Waterproof, and tough were a minimum. There are countless features available on rugged outdoor timepieces in today's marketplace. Everything from digital compasses and GPS to Altimeters and thermometers, watches have become more about …
Read moreI have truly been converted. Unless I am camping with the family and need to share a tent, I am officially a hammock camper. The idea of swaying in the breeze, staring up at the stars in pure comfort is just too perfect to pass up. What prevented me from going this route years ago is pretty simple. Mother Nature can be cruel, and being completely exposed to the e…
Read moreThere are three things that matter when I’m looking at a pair of sunglasses: comfort, style and price. Honestly, I am unable to keep a pair of glasses longer than a few months because they either get broken or get dropped in the lake. The Grindhouse sunglasses fulfill all I want. They are priced reasonably, comfortable, and stylish (the pair I got with the …
Read more