Monday, February 29, 2016

Off Trail - Father and Daughter Day Hike Adventure




Join Luke and Maddie as they head off trail for some free hiking on a cold winter's day.  Exploring, laughter, bloopers, turkeys and more!

Friday, February 26, 2016

Testing Grounds - Overnight Adventure - INTRO



This one is for you Overnight Adventure lovers!  This is the INTRO for Testing Grounds.  The actual Adventure is coming soon.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Sunjack CampLight USB Light with Switch - Review




Today Luke is reviewing the Sunjack CampLight USB Light with Switch!  This is an updated version of the light that he shared years ago and it has some very useful new features.

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Link : http://www.sunjack.com/products/camplight-usb-bulb

Price : $14.95 on their web site.  A bit cheaper on Amazon

Four Versions : Cool White and Warm Light

Regular version or a Daisy Chain Version which allows you to charge a separate device while using the light

The ultimate in portable lighting!

· Super bright 8 LED USB light bulb

· 340 lumens, equivalent to a 40W incandescent bulb

· 7 foot long USB cord

· 270 degree beam angle

· Powered by any USB source


This 4 Watt USB LED bulb is super bright and ultra portable at just over 3.5 ounces. A fraction of the weight and size of traditional heavy lanterns, use it for camping, reading, or any task that requires an even distribution of light. Highly durable – shatter, shock, and vibration resistant. Will fully illuminate a tent at night. Power it from any standard USB source – compatible with all USB wall plugs, USB batteries, and laptops.

and ran off of a '5000mah' (3700 actual) battery pack for about 4.5 hours.

Final Verdict - The camplight is a very inexpensive and easy to provide light. It is perfect for camping or for a power outage.... in fact, it is worth having a couple lights around your home.






Monday, February 22, 2016

Friday, February 19, 2016

Backpacking Basics : Layering For Cold Weather



It's cold out there but it doesn't mean you can't get out and enjoy yourself.  It's all about Layering!  Today we're going over some Layering Options!

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Snugpak Basecamp OPS Sleeper Expedition Sleeping Bag - Review



Up for review is the Snugpak Sleeper Expedition (Basecamp) Sleeping Bag.  An amazing Bang for the Buck product!

Snugpak Sleeper Expedition (Basecamp) Sleeping Bag
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Price : Retail $89.00 / on Amazon for $81

The Sleeper Expedition is our most extreme temperature sleeping bag in the Sleeper Series range, taking good care of you in conditions right down to -17°C. Our design team have created a reliable, comfortable bag using soft-touch, siliconised fibres that form an insulated shell around you, and will see you happily through all four seasons.

The Sleeper Expedition is an incredibly warm, reasonably priced addition to the Sleeper range. Your only challenge will be parting with it in the mornings!

Part of the Basecamp Range.
Temperature rating: Comfort: -12°C, Extreme: -17°C 
• Highly siliconised synthetic fibres give a soft touch finish and prolonged lifespan compared to traditional hollowfibre filled products. 
• Mummy shape for retention of body heat 
• Compact pack size: 33 x 28cm


EXTRA LONG

No

COLOURS AVAILABLE

Olive/Amber Yellow

WEIGHT

2600g / 5.7 lbs

LENGTH

200cm /78.7 inches

WIDTH (CHEST)

75cm /29.5 inches

WIDTH (KNEE)

65cm / 25.5 inches

WIDTH (FOOT)

50cm / 19.6 inches

PACK SIZE

33cm x 28cm (Fully Compressed) / 12.9” x 11"

ORIGIN

Imported

TEMPERATURE

Comfort: -12°c Extreme: -17°c /  Comfort 10F - Extreme 1.4f



OUTER FABRIC

Aqua Light (100% Polyester)

INNER FABRIC

Supersoft (100% Polyester)

FILLING

IsoFibre (100% Polyester)

………..

When it comes to my impressions of this sleeping bag, I’m extremely impressed.
The quality is excellent and the feel of this bag is top notch.
Yes it is heavy, it is large but this is a synthetic fill sleeping bag that can handle temps down to 1f.  

With my experiences, I’ve tested this bag out on two overnight trips where the temps went down to 3f at the coldest point.
I stayed perfectly warm with while wearing a sweater and some thermal underwear.  

This is a mummy style sleeping bag so this will be a snug fit as it is meant to fit close to the body to prevent cold pockets.

When testing out this sleeping bag, I couldn’t help but to compare it to the Eberlestock Reveille sleeping bag.  I’ve reviewed the Reveille bag in the past and I love it but it’s a pricey bag at $279.00.  The comfort temp ratings are almost the same (5F) even though Eberlestock says that their bag can be pushed to -36F.

The fact that the Expedition sleeping bag is $89 blows my mind.  This is in my opinion offers an incredible value for the money for a sleeping bag that really does perform on a level that matches much more expensive products.  

Friday, February 12, 2016

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Feedback Requested : ThruNite Product Reviews





You're feedback is requested in regards to future reviews of ThruNite products.  Watch and then vote.  Thank you everyone.

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

USGI Military Duffle Bag (Sea Bag)



It's Military Surplus Wednesday (!!!) and Luke is here with the USGI Military Duffle Bag (Sea Bag).

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Purchase Location :  Ebay is the best bet

Price : $15 - $50 depending on condition.  Most likely you will find the pack for a price that is in-between that range and it will be used and will have markings on it.

Heavy duty Nylon fabric.

12" X 12" X 36"

It has 2 padded shoulder straps, a carring handle, and a outside pocket

Weight : around 2lbs or so.  Honestly I didn’t weigh it as I doubt anyone really cares.  This isn’t something that you hike up a mountain with and with it being so large, once you get your gear in this you won’t really care about the weight of the bag.

This bag has been originally issued for many years to soldiers as a general purpose bag. Marines and Navy call it a Sea Bag. Army calls it a Duffel Bag. This bag is large enough to pack everything you need on your travels! You can easily carry it by the handle or it can be hoisted onto your back as a back pack. It also has a durable snap pocket. Perfect for camping or weekend getaways! When using this tough and great looking bag, it is made to last and can take a serious beating so you don't have too!

 STATS
Dimensions: 34" Height x 18" Diameter
Made of Heavy Duty 1000 Cordura Nylon Material
Padded Shoulder Straps to be used as a Backpack
 Extra Water/Wear Coating on Bottom of Bag
Mildew and Water-resistant
Easily Carries 70 Pounds or more
Snap Pocket on side of bag
Color: OD Green
NSN 8465-01-117-8690
Made in USA
Genuine U.S. Government Issue


Friday, February 5, 2016

Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Arc’teryx Conveyor Belt - Review




Today Luke is reviewing the Arc’teryx Conveyor Belt.

...

Link : http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?language=EN&model=Conveyor-Belt

Price : $39.00

I purchased mine from Sierra trading post for $15 if memory serves me right.

Lots of different colors including black, coyote brown, grey, purple, pink and more.

Belt lengths:

Small = 43 inches/109 cm,

Medium = 45.5 inches/116 cm, 3.4oz

Large = 49.5 inches/126 cm.

FULL FEATURE LIST

Self locking, metal buckle with bird logo

Contrasting stitching

MATERIALS

1.5 in (3.75 cm) nylon webbing

The buckle is easy to use and strong, but light in construction using aluminum.

thick textured nylon webbing and a smooth self locking buckle, similar to the one used in their climbing harnesses.

The profile for this belt is thin but it’s not the thinnest on the market.  When wearing a pack, and if your pants ride high, you will notice the bucket being pressed in by the waist belt of your pack.

For myself, I wear pants that ride low on the waist so that the waist belts on my backs rides above the buckle.

I have been wearing this belt for over a year now and I love it and it continues to look great.  Would I buy it again?  Absolutely!

Pros : Incredible build quality.  flexible material, good length, sturdy but not too stiff.  Easy to thread though a belt loop with the knives that I carry.  It’s  a quiet belt. My previous leather belt made a squeaking noise with every step that I took.

Cons : I do have to make adjustments ever so often.

Monday, February 1, 2016