Gear of the Year 2012

Our picks for the best gear of last year.

The Paddle Junkie's - Base Layer Buyer's Guide

Prepare for the cold! We run done our picks for the best base layers around.

Outdoor Retailer "Best in Show Awards;

The Paddle Junkie crew spent 4 days wandering the halls of the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City to find the coolest gear released at the Outdoor Retailer trade show. This is what we found.

2011 BWCA Gear Test

7 Guys, 6 Days, 150+ pieces of Gear... More fun than could be imagined.

The Paddle Junkie's Gear of the Year Awards

Our top picks from all our reviews of 2011.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Illuminate Your Path- Fenix MC10 Gear Review

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 'Party Rock' in Colorado Springs, CO, the Fenix MC10 proved itself to be very useful.

The MC10 is an all-purpose flashlight. Equipped with three different levels of illuminance this flashlight can be useful when reading a book, or checking to see if there are any bears outside of your tent. There is also a strobe light option that would prove helpful if you need rescue, however I just use it to annoy my campmates.


Design wise the handle makes sense. In the shape of "L", the flashlight is held like a handgun, with your thumb acting as the trigger finger. There is only one push button, and depending on how quick and how many times you press it, you can activate different levels of light, or turn on the strobe light effect. The flexible joints allow you to attach the light to anything while not limiting the direction of the light.

All in all, this is a small, useful light source which possibilities are endless.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Nemo Equipment's Losi 3 Tent - Gear Review

What 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 packages I have ever seen.  If are looking for an Uber-light minimalist shelter, this is not it.  It is a bomber 3 person cocoon from the elements.  The pole design takes the classic 2 pole dome tent and adds a pair of poles that make the tent feel 30% larger on the inside.  
The added poles make the walls nearly vertical and add to the structural strength as well.  The tent without the fly is noticeably more stable than a comparable two pole only tent.  The entire top half is no-see-em bug screen that is suspended by clips to the poles.  The lower half creates a deep nylon tub that will keep any precip that may sneak past the fly completely at bay.  If you're not worries about getting wet, sleeping in this tent without the fly lets you forget you're in a tent.  The bug screen seems to disappear against the night's sky.  

Put the fly on and you are ready to battle anything the skies can throw at you.  A deluge of rain or howling winds are no match for this bunker. Take the 50 sq ft of interior space and add on another 24 in vestibule area, one on each side.  Simple stake out the four corners of the tent and add 4 more to tie off the fly and this set-up is solid as a rock.  The fly zips open wide so you can roll back sections for great visibility and air flow. With the top half of the tent being screen, the chance of humidity building up inside is almost zero.  I spent the night, with two kids, in this tent.  88 degrees during the day, and mid 70's at night, early morning rain and flat out sticky. Usually those are the ingredients for a sticky wet mess inside any tent.   Yet, we were incredibly dry and comfortable inside.

Setting this up is a snap.  The two main poles are joined in the middle by a swiveling hub that adds to the stability of the set-up and makes one person assembly easy.  The clips that secure the tent to the structure are solid and can be done one-handed , in the dark.  As I said before, every detail of this tent is obviously well thought out.

I love the package this tent is stored in. It has individual compartments for the Tent, Fly, Poles and Stakes so each stay organized and the likelihood that you get an accidental tear or puncture is basically zero.  Once stored, the whole deal rolls up like a sleeping pad and has two cinch straps to secure everything in place.

At $399 this tent is one of the more expensive 3-person shelters we have tested, but this is an example of "you get what you pay for".  I would suggest you add the footprint ($49.95).  If you feel like spoiling yourself add the Pawprint, an interior floor liner that is made of soft brushed fabric($54.95).

Friday, September 23, 2011

A Friend in Need

Attention 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.

Help us move this story beyond the Oregon borders.  It is likely that Mark, in a diminished mental state due to an ongoing battle with cancer, wandered far from the area and hitchhiked outside of Oregon.   


Let's help get the word out.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Geigerrig 700 Hydration Pack - Gear Review

Hydration 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 water from their system into your body.  Giegerrig turned that mantra on its head with their "Never Suck Again" hydration system.

I had the opportunity to review the Rig 700 set-up.  This is a slim pack about 95% focused on hydration, with only 700 cubic inches of dry storage, and less than that if the bladder is full.  The pack is great for any activity where range-of-motion or weight are a concern.  Climbing and biking are obvious, paddling in a canoe was the surprise.  I was able to wear this pack while paddling and still be comfortable.  Not true of most packs.
To be perfectly honest, the pack is not where the Giegerrig sets itself apart.  It is all about the "Hydration Engine".  Forget bite and suck, this is pressurize and spray.  Each bladder has two chambers, one for liquids and another for air. A small squeeze pump sits on the shoulder strap opposite the hydration tube.  Give the little black  bulb a few pumps and the pressure inside the air chamber forces liquids out of the hydration tube.  A bite/squeeze valve with on and off settings make drinking a breeze.  Sip, squirt or spray, you can set it up however you want.  From getting a quick drink to spraying off your boots before getting in the car, you can handle a huge range of water needs from this one system.

Another huge leap forward is in cleanability.  The fill opening is a fold and seal system which allows the bladder to be turned completely inside out and then thrown in the dish washer.  No more funky corners and trying to fashion a paper towel - coat hanger cleaning tool.  Quick release connections make attaching and removing the engine from your pack easier than ever before.

Heading into the back-country?  Add the filter ready tube and in-line filter to your set-up and remove 99.9% Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Unfortunately, this filter does not meet the EPA standards for Bacteria and Viruses. This may not be enough for the germ phobic, but it is all I need.



I have utilized the Hydration Engine in several of my Hydration Ready packs, making it as versitile as it is innovative.  But don't take my word for it, give it a try for yourself and tell me it doesn't change how you think of portable hydration systems...


Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Gramicci's ROCKiT Dry Pants - Gear Review

Spring, 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 any time at all in the back country and you realize that your favorite jeans are not your friend in the wilderness.  They are heavy, once wet they never dry, and breathability is not something they even understand.  The ROCKiT Dry pants are exactly the opposite.  Very light, extremely breathable and, as their name implies, they dry out almost before they get wet.

These were built for active adventures.  The range-of-motion in these is enormous.  Throw in the elastic waistband with an integrated belt so they will stay on without cutting off the circulation to your legs.  The material is soft and garment dyed so they look and feel broken in with the tags still on them.  They are rated at  UPF 30, so you wont get sun-burnt.

I have washed these at least 30 times and they look as good as new.  I wiped out on a long portage, slid down a gravel trail and when I got up, not a single tear.  Most nylon pants would have been shredded.  They were more than capable of keeping the mosquitoes from getting to me.

Nine times out of ten you will find me rocking shorts in the woods, trying to get some color on my sun starved legs.  When I finally break-down, it'll be me and my Gramicci ROCKiT's....

Friday, September 16, 2011

BWCA Forest Fire Rages On

What 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 reduced to ashes.

Nearly 500 fire fighters from all over North America have converged on Ely Minnesota to help battle the blaze.  Navigating rugged portages and paddling canoes loaded down with equipment, they were able to meet the fire head on yesterday for the first time.  With back-up from the air and calmer conditions fighting at the fire line was possible, but none of the perimeter has been classified as "contained" at this point.  Populated areas on the edges of the BWCA have been growing more and more concerned and nearly 200 residents of Isabella, MN have abandoned their homes.  


Smoke plumes could be seen from great distances, and has made for incredible sunsets for much of the upper Midwest.  Many of the entry points to the BWCA have been closed to visitors and campfires have been banned within the park, limiting campers to portable stoves for cooking purposes.

Exceptionally dry conditions and a wealth of natural fuel keep the blaze fully fed.  The fast and erratic nature of the fire is only expected to increase should it reach the "blow-down" area left by a windstorm in 1999 that affected nearly 40% of the BWCA.  Should the fire reach it, officials are concerned that there may be little they can do to control its progress.  Thousands of acres of downed mature trees, drying for over a decade,  create conditions that are simply too perfect.  Forestry service personnel have performed controlled fires over that time, with roughly 16% of the blow down area cleared, but that will hardly slow this blaze down.

The fire yet again revitalizes the conversation about the benefits the forest receives from a cleansing like this. My only concern is that if the BWCA is vastly charred, the increased traffic on the untouched areas will skyrocket, doing untold damage of its own.  We need some rain.  A little help from Mother Nature would go a long way at this point.  We thank all the fire fighters for their efforts and hope they stay safe.

I will keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Ultimate Camp Kitchen - Wish List - Gear Reviews

When 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 over half an ounce, these sporks add nearly no weight to your pack and will handle most eating tasks beautifully.  Unlike most sporks you can actually fork something with them.  Stabbing chunks of breakfast sausage and fried potato like a champ.  Plus, the funky colors make it easy to tell when someone "borrowed" your gear.  MSRP: $9.95
Colorful and tough, these make short work of nearly any back-country meal

Innate - Camp Towel:  Having a towel around camp seems like it may be a bit frivolous, but trust me, you will use this one more than you thought possible.  From drying dishes to yourself after a swim in the lake, this super absorbent quick drying towel is all you will need.  At about 1 foot by 2 feet, it may not be huge but it just never seems to get saturated, it could keep drying forever.  Add a little dish soap, a couple quick rubs together and a rinse, and it was as good as new.  MSRP: $17 (Small) - $22 (Medium) - $34 (Large)
One towel - 6 days - dishes - swimming - NO Problem

Primus - Thermal Bottle:  For those trips where temperatures are extreme, a quality vacuum sealed thermal bottle is a must-have.  This Primus bottle comes in 1.2 and 1.5 liter models and keeps its contents stable for hours.  In the summer heat it kept ice for over 2 full days (makes those back woods beverages SO much better).  With temps dropping like a rock around here, I will get to test the cold weather performance all too soon.   MSRP: $22
Keep your lemonade cold or your soup hot  far longer than necessary

 Sea to Summit - Kitchen Sink:  I was blown away at how well this sink worked.  We were able to power through a pile of dishes after each meal in half the time it usually takes with just a large camp pot.   The low profile and bulging design made it almost unspillable.  Go ahead and use hot water, not a problem, and dishes actually get clean.  Use it to soak your feet after a rough portage (just try not to let your germ-phobic friends see ya' doing it, they kinda freak out).  MSRP:  $15-25 depending on size
Water bucket, Kitchen Sink, Bath Tub, Dog Bowl.... use as you see fit
Sea to Summit - X-Set:  Pack space gets gobbled up by most mugs, bowls and even plates, unless you have an X-Set.  The 3-piece set (plate, bowl and cup) collapses down into a  1" tall, 12" round zipper pouch that fits almost anywhere in your pack.  The base of each piece is a rigid plastic and the collapsing sides are a food grade silicone.  I cut my steak on my plate and scooped oatmeal from the bowl without issue.  I was pleasantly surprised how little heat transfer there was when using the cup for my morning coffee.  No need to sacrifice performance for space savings any more...  MSRP: $29.95
Carry a Plate, Bowl and Cup in the space of a Frisbee
SOG - Aura Camp Knife:  If I could only bring one knife into the woods (last time I brought 3, I know - I know) this would be the one. This 6" fixed blade can handle almost any cutting task and stayed sharp long past when it should.  A tough yet comfortable non-slip handle made using it a dream.  If it does get dull, unscrew the sharpener from the end of the handle and bring back that razor edge in a few seconds.  MSRP: $53
Cut, carry, sharpen - all in one package

Industrial Revolution - Stormproof Matches:  Struggling to get a fire going in the rain will never be an issue again with these matches.  They light easily on the striker on the outside of the waterproof container.  Once lit they burn for 10 to 15 seconds (most matches are 3-5 seconds) and will burn even is submerged in water.  Remember the old M-80 firecracker fuses, that's what they are like.  Don't light one in your tent though, you can't just blow this out when you are done.  MSRP: $5.99 for the kit

Weather vs. Fire - Fire Wins!

Platypus - PlatyPreserve Wine Bladders:  If you like your wine, and the good ole box wines just don't satisfy your sophisticated pallete, then head down to your cellar and grab what you want.  Pour it into the PlatyPreserve bladder and it will be good for several days, easy.  Platypus says it may even last for weeks because of you squeeze the air out of the bag before capping it, you have eliminated the chance for O2 to mess up the program.  Tough and reusable, weight saving and collapsible; back-country wine reinvented.  MSRP: $9.95 each or $29.95 for a 4-pack
Want your favorite Cabernet in the woods?  PlatyPreserve it...

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Explore the BWCA for Half Price

Looking 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.





Transworld Surf Imaginarium Contest

Super 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, "8 Bit"



 The team over at Reef brings us "If a Reef Had Eyes", a unique perspective.



Rusty drops "The Single Life, Pura Vida"...



Billabong brings "The Temple of Rock"...


Now go vote for your favorite....

Tweet

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Cocoon's Tropic Traveler Sleeping Bag - Gear Review

Minnesota 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 gorgeous.  The one issue was that most of the sleeping bags in my arsenal were designed to keep you warm, not an issue here.

Enter the Tropic Traveler from Cocoon by Design Salt.  This bag is built for one purpose, to keep you cozy when the outside world is hot and sticky.  Brilliant!!!    

I have used this bag more this summer than all my other bags put together.  Uber-light and it packs down to nothing.  The exterior is made from a rip-stop nylon, common in sleeping bag construction, it's durable and water resistant.  Where this bag sets itself apart is the inside.  The silk and cotton blend feels like nothing else on the market.  The wicking capabilities are stellar and you feel like you are crashing at a Four Seasons "Rustic" location.  Opulence in a sleeping bag, I think so.

Rated for a temp range of something like 50 to 80 degrees, this bag can cover a broad spectrum of time in my part of the country.  Basically from May to October, this is my first choice in sleeping accommodations.  I was surprised to find that it kept me warm even when late night temps dropped into the 40's.

Once you have been introduced to sleeping in a silk bag, you will find it hard to go back to a flannel or fleece lining.  Not a problem.  Take your current bag and pair it with one of Cocoon's Silk Bag Liners and experience that luxury while keeping your bag looking new.

MSRP: $150

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Rugged Style Meets Urban Cycle - Frost River Bike Bags - Gear Review

Looking 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.

Frost River's Caribou Trail Bar or Seat Bag
Frost River, makers of incredible canoe packs and other luggage and bags, doesn't build stuff that will last you a few months.  They build bags that your grand-kids will fight over. I had the chance to review their Grand Portage Pack earlier this summer, I absolutely loved it. Whether it is the Echo trail or Gunflint Trail seat bags, the Highway 1 Panniers, or the Sawbill Trail or Caribou Trail Handlebar Bags, you get rugged waxed canvas with real leather straps and solid brass hardware.  The vintage Americana that oozes off these things is simply amazing.  Not sure if they are brand new or 100 years old, that is the beauty of such classic style.

Now, you can load up your bike for a trek through your nearest National Park or grab the essential groceries on the way home from work.  If you want to take that vintage cool with you after you lock up your bike, add the Messenger Bag to your collection.
Frost River Messenger Bag  -  $130
No matter what you pick, they guarantee it will last, forever. Seriously.  Lifetime guarantee.  Get that with your 8 ounce neon yellow seat bag that holds your keys and a chap stick.....  Not likely.


Thursday, September 8, 2011

Clif Climber Pouch Wines - Review

Several 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 back-country adult beverage perfect sense to me since it is normally served at room temperature.  This is not a new innovation, it just took me a while to get on-board.  The folks over at Clif Family Winery (Yes, the same people as the legendary Clif Bar) took it even one step further.

Not only do they make wine, but they have packaged it specifically to be taken anywhere.  The package holds 1.5 liters of wine, is nearly unbreakable and boasts a few stats that make planet earth happy.  An 80% lower carbon footprint and 90% less waste and landfill than 2 glass bottles.  It's lighter to carry and keeps wine fresh for up to a month after opening (not that it ever last that long at my house).  When I first picked it up it was impossible not to think about the Carpi Sun juice pouches I give to my kids.  Only, this one is full of "Grown-Up Juice" and comes with a hole perfect for a caribiner.  Just clip it to the outside of your pack and you are off...



Available in both Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, there is an option for both the Red and White drinkers.  Our BWCA gear test each June is not a small group, usually 6-8 guys.  So we consume quite a bit of everything.  This year we brought a substantial amount of wine for our nearly week-long adventure.  The favorite, by far, was the Clif Cabernet.  As you can see by the "Wine Bar" we set up on a tree near camp, we had several options to choose from, but we polished off the Climber Pouch within 24 hours of setting up camp.


Easier to carry and a more manageable size than your traditional box wines, the climber pouches are brilliant. The wine is well above average and makes most box wines pale in comparison.  If I was to find a negative for them it would only be price.  At $17 for a 1.5 liter pouch, you are quite a bit higher than the other options on our tree, but you get what you pay for.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Timex Military Chrono - Gear Review

I 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 everything they can do except tell time.  I just wanted a watch that would keep perfect time and be able to survive anything I threw at it.
Timex watches has had this very reputation for as long as I can remember.  They "take a licking and keep on ticking", right?  I have been wearing the Timex Expedition Military Chronograph for the better part of the summer and I can not break this thing.  I have done everything except crush it with a hammer and it reads exactly the same as the Atomic Clock I set it against back in June.

Still not impressed?  Well, here is a brief list of the things I have done to this watch in an effort to make it fail.
1) 60 minutes at 20+ feet deep in a freshwater lake
2) Covered it in a towel and drove over it with my SUV
3) Dropped it from 15 feet to a hard-packed ground surface.
4) 3 days in my freezer (don't lick the frost off metal, I thought I was smarter than that)
5) Let my 3-year old daughter play with it, usually the end of anything worth more than a pack of gum.

Now, Timex has a whole line-up of watches with the bells and whistles, so if that's what you want look HERE. I love this watch for the fact that it does just a few things incredibly well.  As I said, It keeps perfect time.  It also has a Chronograph (stopwatch) to a 1/20th of a second, a date feature so I know what day it is and the infamous Timex Indiglo back light.

After all the abuse I have given this watch there are only a few signs of wear.  A few busted stitches on the Cordura strap, some of the paint has been scuffed off the bezel and a little scratch on the side of the case, but that's it.  Not a mark can be found on the crystal, nor have any of the buttons had any issues.

When you look around at what is available in this category, you will be hard pressed to find anything that's this good of a value.  At only $150, the Military Chrono has very few competitors.  But you are going to have to get your own, this one is mine...

MSRP: $150


Friday, September 2, 2011

ENO OneLink Shelter System - Gear Review

I 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 elements is not an option deep in the back-country.  The problem has been resolved...

Eagle's Nest Outfitters, or ENO, has created a complete shelter system around their uber-light hammocks.  The One-Link Shelter Systems provide you with everything you need to sleep comfortably no matter how ugly the weather or the bugs get.  Each system includes; a hammock, a rainfly, a Guardian bug-net and a set of slap straps.

Now, you have several options to choose from when designing your One-Link Shelter.  There are 4 hammock choices; the Single Nest and ProNest are both 1 person hammocks and the DoubleNest and DoubleNest Deluxe are both for 2 people.  All are made from ultra-light breathable nylon and pack down to about the size of a softball.  Then you have to pick a Fly; again 4 to choose from, The FastFly, ProFly, DryFly and the ProFly Sil Tarp.  Which is best for you depends on when and where you are going.  As you can see in the picture above, I tested the DryFly, which provides maximum protection from heavy rain, but added a couple of extra tie-out lines for increased stability in heavy winds.

Now, throw in the Guardian Bug Net.  This is what makes hammock camping viable for me.  If you have ever been to Northern Minnesota in June, you understand what I mean.  Without a bug screen, I would wake up several pounds lighter and every mosquito in a 5 mile radius would be stuffed full.  The ENO SlapStraps made attaching to any tree a simple task and held incredibly well to the smoothest trees all without damaging them.

From a practical standpoint, this set-up was more comfortable and easier to pack than any tent on the market.  My whole shelter system weighed in at under 3 pounds and was smaller than a loaf of bread.  It took me a little longer to set up my OneLink system than a few of the guys with 2-pole tents, but not by much.  I had all the fun too.  On nights with clear skies I was able to pull one half of my fly back and enjoy the stars and the breeze.  Getting in and out of the hammock through the zipper door in the Guardian BugNet took a little practice, especially when you throw in climbing into a sleeping bag, but I got it figured out.

Because of the openness of the system, I never woke up soaked in dew.  I never had a sore back from lying on the ground or having a tree root to fight with.  As a matter of fact, I found myself sleeping longer than I normally do because I just melted into my hammock.   No need to look for level ground, just find two trees and string it up...

MSRP:  Around $200-$225 depending on your selections...


Thursday, September 1, 2011

Protect Your Eyes with Style- Ryders Grindhouse Sunglasses - Gear Review


There 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 Rasta frame definitely draw attention.)

Since I am a college student I am not looking to spend an entire paycheck on a pair of shades- I need that money for… school books. Therefore, I am not looking for the latest polarized lenses or aerospace frames. As long as my eyes are protected from the basic harmful rays I am happy. That is why this pair is perfect. The lenses are not over-produced; they simply do what they should: protect my eyes. While blocking 100% of harmful rays, the Grindhouse sunglasses complete this task.

Since these shades are equipped with Hydrophilic Nose Pads I do not need to constantly slide them back up the bridge of my nose. The last thing I want while walking through the woods is my glasses sliding off of my face.

Ryders Eyewear has been making sport sunglasses since 1986 and they pride themselves on filling the gap between “overpriced hype and underperforming materials”. Once I visited the website and found out more about the company, their story, their beliefs, I couldn’t help but become a fan. Ryders does have the technology to make the upper-end sunglasses. They do offer breaking edge technology, but they don’t forget those with a smaller budget. So, when that unfortunate time comes when I drop my shades into the lake or crush them under a loaded bag I know where I am headed to get my next pair.