Icebreaker's Kodiak Hoody - Gear Review

Few things can take the bite out of a frigid winter day.  Planning a day adventuring in the outdoors but between the thermometer and your level of activity, dressing appropriately is nearly impossible.  As you know, layers are key, but which layers?

I have a relatively new found love affair with wool, merino wool to be precise.   If your first thought of wool goes directly to your grandfather's work shirt; itchy, rough and about as comfortable as a Brillo pad, you have no idea.  The Kodiak Hoody from Icebreaker is a piece of wool clothing that you can use year round.  made from their Merino "Realfleece 320" it is a heavier mid-layer that has been brushed to a softness you simply need to feel to believe.  I know these guys make wool gear, but I had to check the tag to be certain.  It's so soft you can hardly believe there is any wool in there.  FYI; it's 100% merino wool, no blend, no BS. Adding to the natural wonders of wool, Icebreaker employs the use of Bluesign endorsed "nanotechnology" to help repel water, mud and oil. 

It was Icebreaker that opened my eyes to the new generation wool a couple years ago.  It wasn't the materials or marketing that peaked my interest, it was their design.  Icebreaker is a performance clothing maker that realizes just because you are using their gear for active pursuits, doesn't mean you want to look like you are leaving home in sweats.  The Kodiak has acted as everything from a fall jacket over a simple t-shirt when temps are in the upper 40's, to a very welcomed thermal layer under my shell jacket during a sub-zero cold spell here in the frozen wasteland...  Performance minded the Kodiak has panels in the sided and back for stretch and a zipper chest pocket with a slit for your headphone cord.

This thing is machine washable and comes out looking beautiful.  DO NOT put it in the dryer though, trust me on  this one.  It feels so much like any old cotton hoody that it's easy to mix it up with the $20 beater from college.  I ran mine through once, it wan't happy.  Fortunately, I was able to get it wet again and hang it to dry resolving the problem.  Bullet dodged.

MSRP: Regularly $270 currently on sale for $189...  It may not be cheap, but it is easily a 3 season piece.  Once you put one on, you'll never look at a cotton sweatshirt the same way again.


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Wolverine Shindell Boots - Gear Review

We have had the opportunity to test all kinds of gear from countless companies.  We have tested a few pieces of Wolverine gear, including the bomber Pulsar Trail Shoes.  This time around we get to go down a less technical route and try out the street ready "lifestyle" boots, the Shindell.

I could go on and on about how cold and miserable the winters are here in Minnesota.  I won't do it to you again, promise.  The reason I mention it at all is because boots are not simply a fashion statement 'round here.  They are part of the winter uniform.  You just can't leave the house in a pair of sneakers and expect that to be sufficient.  For my average day, the sidewalk is as close as I get to a trail, so these will do nicely.

As part of the No. 1883 collection, the Shindells take Wolverine's rock solid construction and blend together "tradition and trend".  I liked just about every detail of these boots straight out of the box.  The soft leather required no break in period.  The micro fleece lining is soft and warm.  The contrast stitching and plaid flannel cuff added just enough flavor to make them interesting.

I have very few complaints.  The white sole looked great initially, but has proven to be a pain to keep clean. I know it is being nit-picky, but the two-tone waxed laces refuse to stay tied, and it drives me nuts.

So, when your hikers are overkill, these may be the way to go.    

MSRP: $137


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TI Survival's Exo Flame Lighter - Gear Review

Having a reliable source of fire in the woods is more than just a luxury.  The first thing I do when I get to camp is get a fire going.  Whether it is for cooking dinner, keeping you warm or just as ambiance, for  me a fire is not an option, it's a requirement.  Canoe country poses all kinds of obstacles to getting a fire going.  First of all, there is water everywhere, and Mother Nature may be against you as well.  The odds of getting your lighter wet are incredibly high, so keeping it in a dry container has always been a great idea.  But once it gets wet, there is often nothing you can do to salvage it, so you need to resort to waterproof matches or a ferro rod, which is harder than it looks.

Enter the waterproof lighter.  The Exo Flame from TI Survival is hands down one of the slickest little additions to my gear list in quite a while.  Machined from solid Titanium, this thing is solid yet light and it will never rust.  It is small enough to attach to your pack (I keep mine on my key ring), and only weighs 1 ounce when full of lighter fluid.  With the rubber O-ring installed, the lighter is both water-proof and it will hold fluid indefinitely.  If you own a "Zippo" type lighter, you know that is not the case with most flint style lighters.  I have been on camping trips where my Zippo was dead after just a few days, even with light use, because the fluid will simply evaporate without an air-tight seal.

What sets the TI Survival products apart from other Titanium gear is the artistry with which they have been adorned.  Esteban, the man behind TI Survival, creates a number of finishes through the application of heat, polishing and sand blasting.  Each piece is a unique piece of art.  I also highly recommend having the glow dots added to the cap, so you can find the thing in the dark.  They have saved me a few times.

In addition to the Exo Flame lighters, TI Survival offers a nice selection of back-country gear you would love to add to your pack.  From the Leviathian Tube to the Nitro Pod, they have waterproof canisters of all sizes.  Throw in a TI Straw, Spork, Fish Stringer or Lanyard Rings and before you know it you are dripping in Titanium.

Like anything else, you will pay for quality.  The Exo Flame starts at $100 and could be up to about $140 if you deck it out.


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