The Paddle Junkie

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market "Best in Show Awards" - Part 1

I just returned from Salt Lake City after four days of traversing the ginormous Outdoor Retailer Trade Show. With over 1000 brands, 20000 attendees and literally millions of products, it's hard to find more gear under one roof anywhere else on the planet. This is part one of our "Best in Show Awards" Sierra Designs launched a new line featuring what…

OR Show Preview

It's that time again. I am headed to Salt Lake City for the country's largest trade show for the Outdoors world. The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market runs from Wednesday to Sunday next week, and I will be there for the whole thing. At current tally there are 1,015 names on the Exhibitor List . Check it out and let me know if there is something you want us…

Hi-Tec Rainier Event WPi Hikers - Gear Review

We have another new writer on the Paddle Junkie crew. This time we bring in a good ole southern boy from Tennessee. Not only does this guy like to hike and camp, but he is a professional raptor trainer and handler. He ran the bird show at Dollywood and is just an all-around cool dude. Now, before anyone gets their undies in a bunch, I know we just reviewed these b…

Hi-Tec's Rainier Event WPI Hikers -Gear Review

If Lewis and Clark wore these.... Straight out of the box, the Hi-Tec Rainier Event WPI hiking boots molded to my feet and performed like to my expectations. The day after Christmas my family took a hike around a very muddy, very slippery, very hilly trail around a nearby lake. Everyone else in my troop was wearing shoes that were not prepared for such a treache…