Pocket Disc - Gear Review

It may be my inner hippy, or simply my love for being outside, but I love to throw around a Frisbee.  My accuracy may leave a little to be desired and finding space in my pack to bring one along on a back-country trip is often easier said than done.  I met a couple really cool guys at the Outdoor Retailer trade show that had a product that changed all that.  The Pocket Disc is a crocheted cotton disc that flies incredibly well and if your throw finds an unintended target, no worries, nothing is going to break.  Even better, it folds, rolls or stuffs into nearly any space.  Headed to a music festival?  Just stuff this in your pocket...

Available in dozens of colors and patterns, there is a design that is perfectly your style.  Made by Mayan artisans, these are not cranked out on some huge machine in a warehouse in china.  Every single Pocket Disc is hand made and a fair trade product helping enrich the lives of the artists that create them.

They are fun on so many levels... My daughter can't decide if she likes it better as a toy or a beret...

The crew at Pocket Disc are not done here either.  Check out their latest innovation, the LunaDisc.  They have incorporated pliable LED lights for nighttime fun.  Just because the sun called it quits for the day, doesn't mean you have to.  Check out their Kickstarter project for full details and how to get your hands on one.

  Tweet

Read More

The Paddle Junkie's Summer Gear Guide 2012

Living in Minnesota you learn to enjoy the summer quickly, because it is over quickly.  We have had a number of adventures already this summer and I have found a few pieces of gear that flat out rock.  No matter what you are into, there is a little bit for everyone on this list.

Sanuk Anthem Waxed Canvas Sneakers:I know Sanuk says "they're not shoes, they're sandals" but this one may be a stretch.  Taking ques from the now extinct Simple brand, the anthems are a throw-back to my youth.  The waxed canvas upper begs to be abused, just like the rugged packs that made the material famous.  Just slip these on your feet and you are ready for a day at the park or a night in the town.  MSRP:$70.00

Injinji Performance Toe-Socks:  They may take a little getting used to but these gloves for your feet will forever change how you look at socks.  No pinched toes, almost zero friction between toes and moisture management unlike any sock you have ever slid your foot into.  Now with a wide range of lengths and weights, the Injinji toe-socks are available for everything from distance running to yoga.  For you yogis out there, there are versions available with either rubber grippers on the bottom or a toe-less version, both to provide a little extra traction in those extreme poses. MSRP: $10 - $16

Avon Bug Guard Plus:   Memories of summers at my grandparent's house were unavoidable when I got the first whiff of the new generation of Avon's skin-so-soft Bug Guard Plus spray.  This stuff is brilliant for back-country protection.   A true 2-for-1, surprisingly effective bug protection with SPF 30 built in.  It comes in pump and aerosol sprays, as well as pocket friendly wipes for easy application.  They're pretty waterproof, so you don't have to reapply every time you get a little splash of water in your face.  MSRP:  $14 to $16

Black Diamond Equipment Storm Headlamp:  I have never been a headlamp guy, but this one changed that for me.  Completely waterproof so you won't get stuck in a storm flying blind.  100 lumens of light fill camp, but a quick press of a button switches it over to a night vision saving red light, so my camp buddies can stop yelling at me for leaving the light on and blinding everyone.  A handy lock feature keeps me from killing the batteries by lighting the inside of my pack while in transit.  MSRP: $49.95




Granite Gear's Zippditty Bags:  Sometimes, it's the little things that make life easier.  In this case, it's keeping the little things organized.  These little zipper bags offer countless options for keeping your pack tidy.  Built from ultra-light 30D CORDURA fabric and outfitted with Granite Gear's waterproof zippers, these little bags will keep your goodies clean and dry inside.  Being semi-trasparent also helps find what you are looking for without rummaging through every one.  MSRP: $14.95 - $29.95

GSI Outdoors 14" Aluminum Dutch Oven:  Cooking over an open fire makes everything taste good.  But have you ever had calzones or banana nut bread at camp? If not, it is time to invest in a dutch oven.  This aluminum model from GSI shaves serious weight off of the enderour and performs as well as any we have used.  On our last BWCA trip this little wonder was the center of our cooking marathons kicking out some of the camp favorites.  MSRP: $109.00

Rapala's Clackin' Minnow:  For both Walleye and Bass, throwing this lure over the side of the boat is like ringing the dinner bell.  The internal rattle calls fish in from a distance and the swim action triggers ferocious bites.  Incredibly sharp VMC hooks make sure that when the big one hits, it's not getting away.  Available in 3 sizes and 13 colors, you will have no problem finding the right combination for your neck of the woods.  MSRP: $12.999-$14.99

Bending Branches Espresso Paddle:  This beautiful dark paddle is made from Black Willow wood.  Weighing in at a minuscule 18 ounces and very well balanced, this paddle can take you miles with hardly any effort.  The grip is comfortable and the blade has a wrap around rock guard and had been wrapped in fiberglass for added protection.  A 14 degree bend in the shaft and the 8" x 20" blade provide powerful strokes that move even the most loaded down boats through the water.  MSRP: $130.00










Tweet

Read More

LifeProof iPhone 4 Case - Gear Review

While wondering the halls of the Outdoor Retailer show some months ago, I ran into a display that was nothing short of amazing.  A guy had a brand new iPhone 4 in a slick little black case and he was absolutely abusing it.  Dunking it in water, whacking it with a hammer, dropping it on the floor and covering it in super fine sand, any of which would have rendered a naked phone immediately worthless.  The banner behind him read LifeProof, and that is exactly what this case is.

Now, I was a little skeptical when I got one of these things in my hand.  It didn't seem like it was beefy enough to do all the things it claimed it could do.  It's no thicker than a normal case, unlike the chunky Otter Box case that has been the standard in rugged iPhone protection.  The screen cover seemed uber-thin; and how was water not going to get through the slot over the speaker???

Once I watched the "Installation Video", put the case on and played with it for a few minutes, I was ready to put it through the paces.  I reluctantly went to the driveway and dropped it from about shoulder height to the concrete, no problem, whew.  Next, off to the shower to see how it handles a little water, note that I wasn't ready to submerge this thing just yet.   Here is a little video of trial #1....

Not a problem...  So the next big test was to bring this thing with to the BWCA for a few days in the woods.    I walked around with my phone in my pocket the whole time, went for a swim, not a problem at all, but that isn't what impressed me.  What did is this little story.  

Dinner time by the campfire, sun was down and it was dark, I mean "can"t see your feet" dark.  I am sitting on a log cutting my steak (yeah we eat pretty well up there).  I had several pieces cut up so as I usually do I went to stab my knife in the log next to me and when I jammed it down I didn't hit wood.  I knew immediately what I had done, I just stabbed my razor sharp camp knife into the face of my iPhone, the screen was going to be toast for sure, right.  To my utter amazement the case saved it.  Not only did it save it but the knife only dented the case, it is STILL waterproof and works as well as the day it came out of the box.  

All in all, I am amazed by this case.  If you play outside and have an iPhone 4, this will be the best $79.99 you've ever spent!

Here is one of LifeProof's videos of the case underwater snorkeling...   Thought it was pretty cool.

Tweet

Read More

Stanley Ninteen13 Carbonated Drink Bottle - Gear Review

The Stanley Ninteen13 Carbonated Drink Bottle is designed to keep carbonated beverages cold and pressurized.  The domed top and bottom provide the necessary design for holding and maintaining pressure when sealed.  The bottle has two twist off caps: one that removes completely to open the entire bottle for easy filling/cleaning, and a smaller spout cap with hinge-strap for drinking and pouring.  A sleeve on the outside helps insulate the bottle.  A firm plastic handle provides a grip to slip your fingers through.

Stanley Ninteen Carbonated Bottle - Shown in "Stormtrooper" white -sweet.

Naturally, I tried this out with the most popular of carbonated beverage: beer.  First, at 32 ounces this thing easily handles 2 12-ounce selections of whatever is at hand.  Twist open the entire top to fill the bottle, seal her up and be on your way.  To test this out I took it out on the water at noon and drank it at several intervals over a 45 minute period.  Even with regular openings and closings the beer was still carbonated, though at the 45 minute mark it was starting to fade.  Start-to-finish the temperature was nearly as cold as when I filled it.  Admittedly, this was an extreme test as I would not normally spend that long with that many bottle openings/closings on anything.  This bottle stood up to the challenge anyway.

A key feature to this bottle: DISHWASHER SAFE!  Under the handle is a zipper too remove the outer sleeve.  Unscrew the top and toss it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.  The handle is made out of a fairly rigid plastic, and unhooking it to get to the zipper was a little tricky but not insurmountable.

Whether a day on the lake, a hike in the woods, or a trip to the park, this bottle is worth it.

Tweet

Read More

Basilica Block Party - Review

In it's 18th iteration, the Basilica Block Party went down last weekend and Team Paddle Junkie was there for our "ticket to musical redemption".  It may not have saved my soul, but music, sunshine and a couple cold beers definitely didn't do it any harm.

Mrs. Paddle Junkie - Taking Pics,Rockin' the Media Pass

With one of the better line-ups to come to the BBP in a few years, we were quite excited to make our way over to Minneapolis and the grounds of the Basilica.  With Train, The Head and The Heart and Cake all playing Friday night only Mother Nature could put a damper on the festivities.  The skies opened up with about 30 minutes to go in the Train set, sending people running for their cars in a torrential downpour.

Saturday night, on the other hand, was perfect.  As the evening went on, and temperatures slid to a more comfortable 80ish degrees, the party was in full swing.  Boys N' The Barrels got things started off, then over to Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles, caught the end of Fitz and the Tantrums then we set up camp to get a prime spot for The Avett Brothers.  Great performances from everyone, but The Avett Brother's stole the evening for me.  I was kind of torn too, being that OAR was playing on the other stage.  Remember "opportunity cost" from economics class?  Prime example.  But here are a couple of reasons why I think we made the right call....

As one of the better Basilica Block Parties in recent memory, I was impressed.  From the way it was organized to the local food and beverages available.  Barrio had their truck there dishing out super yummy tacos and guacamole, just wish I could have gotten one of their famous tequilas to wash it down...

Looking forward to next year BBP...  God knows my sould could use the redemption, musical or otherwise...

Tweet

Read More

Bear Creek 200 Tent by Paha Que' - Gear Review

Paha Que' touts this as their first 2-person backpacking tent providing protection in all types of weather.  The featherlight design is one of the lightest tents I have ever had my hands on; at about 5 pounds it is barely noticeable.

Unboxing:
The tent comes in a carrying bag which, upon opening, was encased in a heavy plastic bag.  Inside these bags are the "floor," waterproof nylon rainfly, 3 poles (2 for the tent, one for the rainfly, also in a plastic bag), stakes, and tie-downs for the fly.  There are 3 bags total: 1 for the stakes and tie-downs, one the poles, and one for the whole thing.

Setup:
The directions for the set-up are attached to the pole bag, and the professed "5 minute or less" setup is true to its word.  Simply lay out the floor, stake in the 4 corners, insert the poles through the sleeves and into the grommets at the stake points and you have the "tent."  Insert the pole into the rainfly pockets, drape it over the floor, and secure it with the stakes and poles (you remove the poles from the floor grommets, insert them into the rainfly grommets put them back into the floor).  This is far-and-away one of the easiest tents I have ever put up.

Pros:
In addition to the ease of setup, the tent's foot print is extremely roomy.  At 6'3" I was able to stretch out without needing to be a contortionist, and there was plenty of room for another person next to me without being crowded.  The "bathtub" floor would definetly keep the rain from coming into the tent from underneath, and the rainfly provides a safety dome to keep just about everything else out.  I especially liked the vestibule the rainfly forms at the entrance.  It is perfect for getting out of the weather and taking your shoes off to avoid dirtying the inside of the tent, and it could provide some storage for gear.

Cons:
While the footprint may be roomy, the 36" height provides little head space.  You would have to be under 6' tall to sit up in this tent, and even then I think you would be pushing it. This seems less of a tent and more of a large bug screen with an optional umbrella.  The tent is designed for sleeping in the open (bug screen) or providing a bunker from the elements using the rainfly (optional umbrella).  If you aren't keeping an eye on/don't have access to the weather you could make a grave choice sleeping without the rainfly only to be awakened by rain (or worse) and having to hastily put it on. And there is no middle ground; using the rainfly keeps out the elements as well as no air movement to speak of.  I set this up lakeside with a strong wind from north of which not a whisp entered the tent.  Even pulling back the rainfly vestibule and exposing the tent did no good in the absence of a cross ventilation opening.

In the end you have two choices: comfortable and exposed to the elements or protected and stuffy. Overall this is a nice, light tent for backpacking or regular portaging.  It has plenty of room to sleep 2 people comfortably with a little extra room for gear.  The rainfly and Bathtub floor design will certainly keep you dry, but it provides no breathability making the tent stuffy.  This would be a great tent for early spring or in the fall.  In the summer you'll have to choose between comfortable sleeping or guaranteed dryness.  Unless you have regular access to the weather forecast you may want to skip this one for warmer trips. MSRP: $299

Read More

Endo Sunglasses by Native - Gear Review

 

Been looking for a pair of shades that provides comfort and function without breaking the bank?  I currently own 4 pairs of sunglasses for driving/hanging out, sportswear/coaching, triathlon racing, and home construction projects.  With these bad boys I ditched the 3 I own for the latter activities!

Unboxing: The Endo-model sunglasses came with a semi-rigid zipper carrying case, a drawstring carrying bag, polarized reflex blue (extreme sunlight, installed) and bronze (moderate to bright light, replacements) interchangeable lenses, and a Velcro spare lense sleeve that can be removed from the zipper case.

To test these out I virtually lived in them over the Memorial Day weekend up at Mille Lacs.  True to their website these fit comfortable on my larger-than-average skull.  Wearing them right on the ear pinched slightly, but a quick bump above the ear reduced the pinching to barely noticeable.  The Cushional™ grips delivered: secure enough to keep the glasses on in any position and virtually unnoticeable on my face while providing enough flex for comfort.  I spent 2 hours picking rocks out of the water and never once felt like I was going to have to catch these off my face.

Anyone who has been to Mille Lacs knows it is always some degree of windy.  The wrap-around, close-fit lens design kept me from tearing up every time I put the boat in gear.  Broad hinges at the temple protect your peripheral, but the lens construction maintains better-than-expected vision on the sides (no tunnel vision).  In short, a broad range of vision that protects from the elements.

Last test: running.  There was a little bounce to the lenses with each stride, but the bounce was minimal and not distracting.  Surprisingly, I did not get sweat in my eyes or dripping down the lenses as is typical of my other sports glasses.  This was only a short run, but it was a welcome change from the blurred vision I am used to during a typical summer workout.

The only downside of these relates to the lens swap-out process.  I did not see the instructions for doing this in the box, though it could have been lost in the shuffle of my excitement to get these on my face.  I turned to their website where they have a video showing the procedure for making the change.  You have to wait through a couple of other styles of lenses before you get to the Endo model, at which point they quickly and easily show you how to remove and replace a lens in about 20 seconds.  All I seemed to be able to accomplish was coating my lenses with fingerprints and an uptick in anxiety as I waited for something to break.  I gave up.

Overall this is a great set of shades.  These can be used for just about any outdoor activity you can think of, and at $109/$129 (bronze or blue lenses, respectively) I don’t think you’ll find a better deal.  Look for them at just about every outfitter you can think off, or find their complete selection on Zappos.

Tweet

Read More

Seal Line eSeries 8 Case - Gear Review

Dry bags are the not the first item on my list to be "tested".  I refuse to purposely throw a bag of electronics into the water to see if the bag they are stored in works. I do not care about the technology or the 'manufacturing on a molecular level' that went into a sealable bag. I will not dump a bag of belongings into the water... on purpose.

Our dry bags were tested this year. And I am glad to say that I was literally a happy camper. As our canoe flipped over, the last thing on my mind was the condition of my digital camera. I was more concerned about my dad, my tobacco pipe, the boat, Ryan's fishing rod (sorry Ryan). So as my father and I came to shore 20 minutes after being tricked by the science of buoyancy, I was thrilled to see that my camera had not been affected by the "wave" that took the boat and its occupants by surprise. 

The Seal Line eSeries 8 Case did its job. My Canon Powershot was happy and dry while its owner was irritated and wet. This case is big enough to fit a phone, GPS, or a point-and-shoot camera. It's equipped with holes to clip itself onto any pack and a Ziploc-esque seal constructed for the apocalypse.  The see-thru plastic allows you to operate touch screen devices while inside, safe and dry.

So I would like to thank the people at Seal Line for saving my items from the unforeseen and the un-dry. Consider a dry-bag from them as insurance without the monthly bank draft.

Seal Line eSeries 8 Case





Tweet

Read More

Bear Grylls Survival Tool Pack - Gear Review

The Bear Grylls Survival Tool Pack by Gerber is an all-in-one solution to any camping mishap. Did you forget your flashlight? Left your fire starter at home? Found yourself stranded on an island? Packed capped bottles instead of twisties?  This kit has everything.

The core of the multi-tool is the versatility of it.  Equipped with 12 components this kit is a regular multi-tool with some beautiful details that enhance the utility. The pliers has a recoil spring which keeps the tool in your hand while you’re shaking from the cold. This component is accompanied with a nice set of wire cutters as well. A knife (smooth and serrated), a flathead and a standard screw driver, a bottle opener, a scissors, an awl, a finger nail file, and a wood saw are all integrated into the handles. The locking mechanism located on the handles that releases the smaller tools is well thought out and works easily.

The flashlight, located on the outside of the case, can twist on and lock or it has a push button for quick glances around camp. A fire starter is attached to the kit as well to help you in those especially desperate situations.

There are two errors Gerber made with this product- the strap and the weight. The strap on the back of the case is made of rubber that clips into the carrying case towards the bottom. This makes the exchange from one pair of pants to another very difficult. I feel that it could have been a belt clip for easier and quicker transfer. Also the entire kit is somewhat heavy, 11.1 ounces, and cumbersome to have at some times.

I would encourage packing this on any camping trip, but I would leave it in attached to a day pack or to a life jacket. I look forward to future generations of this model. Gerber officially has a one-up on the multi-tool market and I am anxious to see the changes they'll make this kit through out the next few years.

Bear Grylls Survival Tool Pack

Tweet

Read More

Bolle Tetra: Style Meet Comfort - Gear Review

I am a man of many sunglasses. I have a pair for the lake, for a bike ride, for a day wedding. You name the event, I own the sunglasses that suit any occasion or outfit. Since I have so many pairs of shades I have a difficult time categorizing a pair of sunglasses that is, in its design, multi-functional. The Bolle Tetra Sunglasses were crafted for any occasion.

Although Bolle categorizes this pair as a sport sunglasses, they could fit into any style. These are simply engineered as sport glasses. Bolle has perfected the needs of athletes anywhere. With the Thermogrip, these shades cling to your face no matter how much you are sweating. The last thing you want on your mind as your pull that 11lb Northern out of the water is your specs disappearing into the same water that brought you dinner.

Created with the B88 frames, these sunglasses are light enough to hang from your shirt, while durable enough to stuff into your pack. Accompany that fact with their Pinless Hinge Technology and you have a pair of sunglasses that if dropped into the water, or soiled in sweat are not going to rust.

The design is tasteful as well. The eye shapes have a modern arrogance that still succumbs to the beauty of aerodynamics. The Tetra falls into the limbo between sport and lifestyle. So, if you are ever riding your 1984 Trek Bicycle to a Business convention in the Appalachians don't worry about packing another pair of sunglasses, the Tetra has you covered.

MSRP: $129.00

Bolle Tetra


Tweet

Read More