Friday, December 19, 2014

Christmas Giveaway - Enter NOW!





Happy Holidays everyone!
It's time for a giveaway for 3 main winners and 20 secondary winners!

Entering the Contest is simple; state how the TOGR has inspired you over the last two years.  Maybe you bought some gear, maybe you went on an adventure, etc.  The winners will be selected shortly after Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone.  Thank you for making TOGR what is today.


39 comments:

  1. It's tough to put into words how inspirational your videos have been. I always look forward to receiving an email to tell me that you have uploaded a new video. I've lost a lot of things over the last few years and you show how all you need is a positive attitude, a tin of beans and a camp fire to be happy.

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  2. My man your videos are great...I love the fact you have a calm centered approach to talking about life...clearly by being grounded well in nature...It's that enthusiasm that has inspired me to get back into the gear market and get back in the wild

    thanks my friend

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  3. I love watching your videos. Mostly due to your channel I have asked for all Backpacking gear for Christmas. I have been getting out all my old gear and figuring how to make it work and what i need to buy. I am planning on going on my first solo backpacking trip after the end of deer season. I have also been taking my 3 almost 4 year old son out on some short day hikes. He loves being outside. I am also planning on doing some car camping with him this year. Thanks for all the hard work.

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  4. We discovered your video channel this summer. My wife and I rediscovered our past love for backpacking, and spent the summer doing it together for the first time. We did just about all of the CT section of the AT, and in our quest for knowledge, and to keep getting our share of trail when we were home and wished we were still out in the mountains, we hit the internet to live vicariously through the adventures of others. These experiences have brought us closer together, and we look forward to continuing on even longer adventures next summer. And since discovering your videos, we have watched just about every one of your overnight adventures and after the camps, and my son is a huge fan now as well. He will be getting his first backpack for Christmas and we look forward to taking him out for his first non-car-camping overnight. He loved the videos with your son, who is about the same age, and we loved watching you and Suzie's adventures together, as we relate to those experiences a lot. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  5. ive been watching your channel everytime a video came out.And slowly buying some gear over the internet and what do you know i did my first solo winter camping on a snow storm 2 weeks ago.something that I never have dare to do. thanks!! you inspired me and give me the confidence to do so and appreciate nature
    Greeting my friend from Montréal Québec cheers

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  6. Luke your videos have inspired me to get off my butt and outdoors more. Your gear videos with purchasing tips and websites have made gear purchases a lot less pricey and a lot less stressful. I look on youtube daily for a new video from you. Thanks for all you do and keep it up. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  7. I have been watching and following your channel for about 6 months now. It has inspired me to get out more and restart hiking in the Black Hills of South Dakota again. I am a 20 year retired veteran of the USAF and have in recent years lost interest in hiking and camping. I am now back into it and feel so much better, lost some weight and enjoy trying out new gear. One backpack but I have many different options to change it up inside. Your channel has helped me to purchase very good gear, and is one of the very few out their that actually produces QUALITY video on your hikes and information videos about different gear. We have many places to hike here in the Black Hills and I plan in the next couple years to get out and visit a lot of them. Thanks again and take care, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  8. Hey Luke, you have had so many awesome reviews and overnight adventures, but the one that has got me most fired up was your bushcraft overnight it was the first time I had ever heard about bushcraft. Now I spend every other weekend in the woods under an open tarp or a shelter that I created I thank you so much for that.Have a happy holidays and I hope the best for you and your family.

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  9. I recently discovered your channel on youtube and have been watching videos as often as I can. Through you I have rediscovered my love of hiking and made frequent trips in the last few months into the woods. Also you have shown me numerous new sites to find discounted gear as well. Thank you!

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  10. Luke,

    At first I was not a fan of the OGR. I watched a few more videos and quickly realized that you are a super nice and well versed young man. As you know, I do a lot of motorcycle camping. The products you review and recommend are a seamless connection moto camping as well as to backpacking. As I wear my LA Tactical pants today, my first purchase based on your review I look back to my evolution in camping kit. The 25 year old Timberline Eureka has been replaced with a Kelty Salida, North Face down bag, I don't carry my MSR International as much anymore now using a Pirus gas canister tiny little stove rocket. I have purchased flash lights, the USB light bulb, the list goes on. You have influenced me and many others with great vendors, excellent links to good buys, real life field testing and also unbiased. I have revived my backpack and as soon as the weather breaks I will do an over nighter with my dog. Your influence in fact has not only inspired me to get my backpack back on but I have started a meager workout program. Yes, 53 years old. I do 100 situps and 25 push-ups everyday and run or walk @ 2.5 miles every night. I am on a streak of over a month now, everyday! I have been sitting around your campfire for about a year now. I feel like I have a nephew and family in N. Carolina. Everything in your give away would be essential for me to take on my 10 day ride in Baja this February.

    It's been great reviving my old eagle scout days at my stage in life, a huge part of this is a result of you Luke. Thank you - happy everything and looking forward to 2015. Peace & Honor my friend.

    Ateam

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  11. I'm an avid backpacker and usually camp with either my solo tent or with no shelter at all. I am very picky with gear. Years ago I bought a very nice nylon tarp but have never used it. The OGR videos inspired me to get the tarp out and rig it so that it could be used as a shelter, which would provide me with protection from the elements but not the extra weight of my tent. I was set up to try it out, but my plans have been temporary stymied due to an unplanned physical set-back. I have a great back country hike planned to try out my tarp system as soon as I get everything straightened out. I can't wait.

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  12. Luke,
    I watch almost all of your reviews since I have subscribed to your channel. I base a lot of my decisions on purchases on reviews you have provided. I kinda consider myself a hybrid bushcraft hunter of sorts. I apply a lot of my outdoor knowledge to survival, hunting, hiking, and river sports. I have purchased Mora knives after seeing your review...Wow is all I can say for the price you cant go wrong. I have also purchased flashlights from your reviews. Also I got that cool little LED usb bulb...that thing is awesome. I try to get my wife involved like you do as well. Showing her videos of you and yours going on trips together is great. I can see my wifes wheels turning. All I can say is keep up the great work! I recommend your channel to all who ask me about gear. Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year to you and your family.....Happy Trails!!

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  13. TOGR has inspired me to buy a few more pieces of gear and it has inspired me to go on more overnight adventures. Happy Holidays!

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  14. well luke i love all your video's but the one that sticks with me the most is the debris shelter from one of your fall over night trips it was by a large downed tree on a slope if you remember well the reason it stuck so well is the closed style it gives and the warmth you can hold in it im a big winter camper so warmth is a biggy for me but as a family man i can afford to try some of the bigger and nicer bits of gear but i love and try as much of the cheaper stuff that i can i love that because it lets me find gear for the whole family to have and use not just the cool stuff for me as thats no fun for the wife and kids and they are why i love to camp so much just wanted to say thanks for the overnighters they were a good part of showing my young girls that its fun not scary out in the woods now we watch them all together! stay safe and warm my friend may there be happy trail's ahead

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  15. I live in the city of Philadelphia, since I have learned so much from your educational video;s , my brother and I have taken our kids camping many time. Cooking and camping outdoors is now a habbit . we have also started into backpacking/camping, which is awesome. Keep up the good work and happy holidays

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  16. I have recently found T.O.G.R. and have enjoyed all of the videos. I have recently retired, and have been looking forward to spending more time in the great outdoors. Unfortunately I have had some recent joint problems which have limited my mobility. I have some surgery scheduled for this spring to correct these problems, and I am hoping that some trail time will assist in my recovery. Your videos have inspired me to try to get in shape to make the recovery easier, and to enjoy again the outdoor adventures that I once loved so much. Keep up the good work with the gear reviews. I appreciate your up-beat attitude and interesting delivery.

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  17. T.O.G.R. has helped me in selecting budget gear for my AT thru hike next spring, on top of that watching the overnights has been very helpful for all the knowledge Luke gives out, my confidence is much higher after practicing some of the ways to start a fire and improvised shelter building that have been demonstrated.

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  18. T.O.G.R has help me understand I can take on the desired adventures in my life. Even extending myself beyond what my mind says is possible.
    The "Lone Wolf" spirit and class which is displayed on each episode renews my hope in this great country.

    Keep up the great work Luke...Enjoy the outdoors with Honor sir...

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  19. Thank you Luke you have inspired me to get out more then I use too. Your honest review of gear is a breath of fresh air. After watching the video of the Cessna on Grand Father Mountain I was checking out in person my next days off. Keep up the good work Luke.

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  20. The OGR helped me decide to but the Red Rock enhanced assault pack. Thank you for the great review.

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  21. My brother and I spent a lot of time outdoors, hiking, camping, and planning bug out bags. We would buy and compare gear, a lot of it was trial and error. Some things we would get were winners and some weren't but we always had fun. He died in a car wreck last year and the only reason I didn't go crazy was because I was able to spend a lot of time outdoors. TOGR not only helps me make informed purchases but it reminds me a lot of the conversations my brother and I would have about whatever we were trying out. He would have enjoyed your reviews just as much as I do. Thank you for doing this, it's a big help for a lot of people!

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  22. Hey Luke. from the beginning of your videos until now. It's amazing how far T.O.G.R has traveled. I was looking for a way to relieve stress in everyday life and enjoy some time with my son. Your videos helped me figure it out. There is nothing like the outdoors to make a person feel alive. I hope you and your family has a Merry Christmas.

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  23. Great facts given.. has made some purchases easier when I had the correct info. THANKS!!

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  24. You have definitely inspired me to get outside more. I really enjoy watching you go places so close to home. (My home as well) Cool to say, "I've been there!" or "I know my next place to go". Thanks for the videos and looking forward to the next one!

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  25. Since watching your videos I have joined several hiking groups and generally go on a hike every Sunday. I can't wait to do some winter hikes! I plan on doing some overnights in the New Year.

    Continue doing all that you do.
    Strength and Honor!

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  26. Luke, your videos are absolutely fantastic! I am 16 years old and I have lived in the gorgeous Colorado Rocky Mountains all my life. I am an avid hunter and bushcrafter and although I love it here, I have always wanted to spend time in the eastern woodlands yet haven't had the opportunity to do so. I really enjoy your videos because they have inspired me to want to travel into the seemingly beautiful Appalachians, but also because of the beautiful scenery and settings of your videos. I love the positivity and enlightened mood you bring whenever you make a video and I look forward to seeing some more my friend. Keep it up my man you are doing great!
    Best Regards
    Hunter, @ WoodsmansSelfReliance

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  27. Hey Luke! I'm like "fat old lady in the woods", no way at age 64 I can do outdoor stuff any more. Then I see you and Suzie and LukeyBear having so much fun, and you offer so much encouragement and good advice that I'm thinking maybe I can do a bit more than just envy you through your videos. So I got my kit together and added a few modern bits according to your suggestions, and went off for a week's camping by the sea a few k's from home. Not only did I survive, I was comfortable even through a thunderstorm and enjoyed every moment. And I am following your advice, walking whenever I can - losing weight, feeling great. And now I am confident enough to plan a long canoe/ camp/ trekking trip in northern Ontario next autumn. If I can figure out how, I'll document it on Youtoob. If it wasn't for you and your family, and the way all TOGR people care so much and offer support, I'd just moulder away on the couch. You have helped me reclaim my life, and I'm grateful.

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  28. Luke, I'm hooked on your overnight adventures and dayhikes!
    I wait impatiently for you to post the next adventure to get me by to the next "fix".
    I'm not proud of it, but there you have it...

    I'm from the land of Fjällräven and we have this proud tradition of hiking far and with a heavy load, far far away from anything and anyone. But life sort of gets in the way of undertakings of that magnitude. So your shorter, lighter hikes in the neighbourhood (sort of) have been very inspirational to me! I just love the idea of everyday adventure so now we're out hiking every weekend :-D.

    I've gone from thinking that camping was a summer thing to taking my hammock for a full moon night out in November. I've lured my significant other to the northern parts of our beautiful country on a two week long road trip and hike in September, just before the first snow. That was his first wildcamping trip ever and he loved it. So Luke, you've totally changed my take on what is possible when, and shown me how little it takes to get out there and enjoy nature.
    You've literally changed my life - thank you!

    I could also point out how much I love your levelheaded approach to life in general and how much I appreciate your lack of macho nonsense, but that would probably be regarded as borderline flattery so I better not ;-) But please keep up the good work. You mean a lot to a lot of people :-)

    I wish you and your family A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

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  29. Hi Luke,
    You've inspired me to go backpacking! I've always had the dream to do some survival/backpacking but I have never had an example until I saw your video's. Thanks to you I've made my first trip two years before. Since then I have learnt very much by myself but mostly from watching your video's. I'm happy that you answer questions that I/we ask!
    Thank you for this year and have a nice Christmas and a safe new year! I wish you all the best!
    Christiaan

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  30. Hi Luke
    I've always been keen on the outdoor life bug since watching your Chanel the tips and knowledge that you have passed on has allowed me to go further and longer with the correct equipment . The most amazing thing is that my wife and daughters
    Have now started joining me since viewing your family out with you. Keep up the great work and have a great Xmas

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  31. Hey Luke. I've only been subscribed to TOGR for 6-7 months but it's really fueled my desire for adventure. It's always helpful and fun to go through your reviews and get a little of your knowledge to use in the future. As a 16 year old that has to furnish his own gear and plan his own trips it can be difficult making big hikes and what not happen but your channel helps ease the load. I especially like military surplus videos because it's fairly indisputable that its perfect for anyone on a budget that also needs durability. Hope to see some more on that! I have a 76 mile hike planned with some friends in a few weeks and can't wait as it will be the longest one yet. Hope you have a merry Christmas and happy Holidays! -Hayden

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    Replies
    1. Congras Hayden,
      you won a patch with the Giveaway!
      Please send me your address so I can ship it out.

      You can email me at theoutdoorgearreview@gmail.com

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  32. TOGR inspires me to get out there and enjoy the great oudoors, camping, hiking, kayaking and more. Recently buying new gear and planning my next adventure. Lukes upbeat and super positive attitude is addictive and makes me want to live and share new adventures, thanks and keep the great info coming!

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  33. Hey Luke. I have only known about TODGR for a few months, but in those few months it has gotten my back out in the great outdoors. I am a 23 your old from Maryland, I'm a career fire fighter so in my off time i used to find my self not always knowing what to do with my down time. I have always loved being outside, as a kid i was always outside either hunting, fishing, hiking or things like that. Since watching your videos I have gone on quite a few night hikes, they are very relaxing in i see why you like them so much. I also have a camping trip planed here in the next few weeks with my brother and cousin so that should be a good time. Also after watching your videos I have started to build my camping pack witch has also gotten my dad and youngest brother go and start one to. All in all I would like to thank you and TODGR for giving me that push to get back out in the woods.
    Thanks your pal, Fish

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  34. Been watching your vids for a while now and I guess it's time to get into the mix. Love your outlandishly positive attitude. After a while it became what I looked forward too. I've found my self with a renewed sense of a love of all things outdoors. And a fervor to instill in my boys that appetite too. Merry Christmas.

    Stay the Course!

    Benjamin

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  35. I grew up spending lots of time outdoors, a Boy Scout backpack camping and hiking, and 2 weeks every year camping at Lake George in NY. I asked my wife to marry me there while tent camping. Over the years work, kids, and life has stopped me from spending the same time out there. We purchased a travel trailer and have camped as a family but driving and setting up a camper is not the same as hiking in finding a spot setting up a tent and enjoying the weather and nature up front and personal. I have been watching YouTube videos and came across your channel and as I watched your videos they brought me back to my childhood and the things I enjoyed. I have since pulled out some of my old camping gear, I purchased another backpack for my son, an mss sleep system, an msr stove and water filter as well as an ultralight tarp. I have planned an overnight hike up the Appalachian trail near our house in the spring. I am hoping he will enjoy it as much as I did and we will be able to continue with more future trips into the Catskills and Adirondacks. Thank you for the videos you post, they are very enjoyable and informative. Keep up the great work.
    Michael from New Jersey

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  36. TOGR provides much inspiration.


    My last trip 14 days ago - I had never come away without having seen videos.

    I would like some reviews with Hammerock and tarps.

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

    Jenner

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  38. Hi Luke! For me TOGR is a great inspiration for Health and products. Have bought many of the products you've tested and i am very satisfied. The very best thing is that you like Fjallraven which is manufactured here in Sweden, where i live :-) Continue to share your great knowledge, Because here in Sweden, you have a big fan who looks forward to every movie you make. Take care!!!

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