Outdoor Gear Reviews
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The North Face Ice Storm GTX – Winter Boots
Friday, November 21st, 2008
When conditions are extreme, you’ll appreciate the fail-safe waterproofing and fumble-free lacing system.
Multi-Season Performance MEC Pamir Soft Shell Jacket
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
The Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Pamir functions exceedingly well as either a mid-layer or an outer layer, making it one of the most versatile jackets we tested. The secret is Polartec Power Shield Light, a stretchy two-layer fabric with a smooth weather-resistant exterior and a plush fleece interior.
Athlete’s Best Friend The Salomon Fast and Lite Soft Shell Jacket
Tuesday, November 11th, 2008
The Fast and Lite excels at high-sweat activities in inclement weather. The tightly woven, smooth front fabric cuts wind and light rain, while the stretchy, breathable panels on the back and elbows eliminate restriction and act as steam vents. What you end up with is an ultra-light softshell that packs away easily, but that can also be worn in a variety of conditions.
Sierra Designs Side Car Sleeping Bag
Saturday, November 8th, 2008
The Sierra Designs Side Car sleeping bag is one of the few technical sleeping bags made specifically for kids. Designed like a regular mummy bag (complete with a hood) but cut to fit those five feet and under, it minimizes wasted space and weight. Comfort features include a watch pocket, fleece-lined footbox, stuffable pillow pocket and sleeping pad keeper straps. And it uses synthetic fill, which means it will stay warm when wet and, more importantly for parents, be easy to wash.
All-Purpose Down Mountain Hardwear Piute Sleeping Bag
Friday, November 7th, 2008
The down-stuffed Piute is the workhorse of the lot. It’s durable, comfortable and well-featured, yet light enough to carry everywhere. A cut that’s slightly roomier than most mummies will appeal to thrashers and anyone who doesn’t relish being cocooned. And the foot box has a perfect ergonomic design that lets your feet splay naturally. A well-stuffed draft collar seals in your warmth on cold nights. Best of all, it doesn’t cost a fortune.
The North Face Hightail 900 Sleeping Bag
Thursday, November 6th, 2008
Peer into the semitranslucent shell of the Hightail and you’ll see a mishmash of down plumes. What you’re looking at is 900-fill Eastern European goose down, the gold standard for lightweight sleeping bag fill. In the real world, that translates into a bag that packs down smaller than a loaf of bread, tips the scales under two pounds and will keep you toasty down to a chilly -10 degrees.
Best Budget Sleeping Bag – The MEC Hybrid
Sunday, October 26th, 2008
Why is the MEC Hybrid sleeping bag the one of the best budget sleeping bag, because it combines synthetic fill and down in the same bag. The inside layer contains 575-fill down, which is then wrapped in a layer of quilted synthetic. The idea is to take advantage of the best properties of both: the superior heat retention of down and the waterrepellency of synthetic fill. The outer layer serves two purposes when it comes to moisture: it repels outside condensation and rain without losing its warmth, and it keeps the down dry by pulling perspiration outward.
The Therm-a-Rest Expedition Sleeping Pad
Sunday, September 28th, 2008
The Therm-a-Rest Expedition is an updated version of its popular sleeping pad. The self- inflating convenience and indestructible shell remain, but by some miracle of design, the new model is both lighter regular length: 2.3Ibs, 1.0 kg) and thicker (1.75 inches) .
The Primus LITECH Kettle
Friday, September 26th, 2008
The Primus LITECH Kettle is also made from anodized aluminum. The Primus LITECH kettle weighs only a third of a pound, has a fold-down handle and a packable flat shape-yet it boils almost a litre of water. Use it as a dedicated pot for hot beverages and you won’t end up with old noodles floating in your brew.
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