Sunday, December 31, 2017

Best Forest Jacket - Fjallraven Greenland Jacket - Review



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Oh yeah, today we are looking at the excellent Fjallraven Greenland Jacket.

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Link : https://www.fjallraven.us/products/greenland-jacket

Cost : Retail is a Whopping $225 but you can find these on sale ever so often.  They also appear on Sierra Trading Post from time to time for around $100.

I purchased mine from eBay in 2016 for around $50 and it was used.  That is generally how I can afford Fjallraven gear.

Weight : 1.63lbs for medium

Colors : There are 6 current colors being offered by Fjallraven but you will find even more that have been discontinued around on the net.

Mine is Called Uncle Blue

Variants : There are a lot of different variants of this jacket which Fjallraven offers;

There is the Greeland jacket which you see here, there is the Greenland Winter Jacket which I will show off in the future, the Greenland Down jacket, The Greenland No. 1 Down jacket, the Greenland No.1 Special Edition, the Greenland Winter Parka…and I think that is it.

Sizes : XS – XXL

The jacket is made from wind and water resistant G-1000 Original with double layers of fabric over the shoulders and yoke. The hardwearing fabric also effectively ventilates out moisture when you are active. For extra protection against wind and water, the jacket can be impregnated with Greenland Wax, which will also increase its lifespan. It has a fixed, snugly fitting hood and a two-way zipper with press buttons at the front. It has two chest pockets with flaps and two spacious top-loaded pockets lower down with extra hand pockets behind that are accessible from the side. The sleeve cuffs can be adjusted with press buttons.

·       Outer material: G-1000® Original: 65% polyester, 35% cotton
·       Gender: Male and Female sizes
·       Weight: 740 g in size M

Pockets : 4 item pockets and 2 hand pockets – 1 small hidden pocket on the inside of the jacket – won’t fit a modern phone unless it is very small.  It would hold my son’s iphone 5 but not my wife’s iphone 6s

Start with Cons because the list is short but at the same time very important :

-       PRICE – Very, very expensive.  So expensive that most will skip it.
-       Waterproofing isn’t a quick and easy process
-       For a waterproof layer I would definitely go with something else.
-       Sizing with Fjallraven is often all over the place.  I have had to return many of their products because of sizing issues. This jacket is a small and fits perfectly. I have had other small jackets and I couldn’t wear them at all.

Pros :

Excellent Quality – will last you years of abuse – will last forever with normal wear

Variety of colors

Tough material

Can be made waterproof….just not easily

Fairly lightweight

G1000 material is fast drying, breathable resistant to the wind

Slightly large in Size but that a Good thing for me – I’ve seen some people say that the sizing is off but it is right on with the small size which I am wearing.   Large enough for layering….which you want it to be.

Versatile – worn by itself in mild weather or layered for colder conditions.  In a good dry snow, it performs great.

YYK zippers and good quality snaps

Looks good but doesn’t make a fashion statement.. I have heard from some that Fjallraven is a fashion brand but I can’t agree from my own personal experiences. I have worn Fjallraven gear for years and years and have made a lot of progress with getting the brand known in the US – never have I had someone say; “Luke is that Fjallraven”  In most cases I get asked “what are you wearing”

Review : This is a rough and tough jacket which I absolutely love especially for the price which I got it at.  Would I spent $225 on it?  Doubtful because I am a working man and I don’t have that level of money to spend on a jacket. This is a jacket which you all have seen me wear over the years and I love it.  As a shell to block out minor winds, to block out a dry snow and for forest work, it’s fantastic! It’s comfortable.  Looks good and isn’t what I would call trendy.  No one that I know has ever heard of this brand.  Because of the materials I know that it can take my forward charge through the woods without any fear of destroying it.




Friday, December 29, 2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

There Aren't Enough Words - Viewer Mail #38



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It's mail time again and as always I am honored and thankful!

You all are the best viewers!




Sunday, December 24, 2017

Winter Snow Overnight Adventure - Merry Christmas!



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It's Christmas....
This is my gift...
Snow has fallen with more on the way....
The temps are cold....
Winds are picking up....

The Lone Wolf Heads Out!

This is Luke's latest Overnight Adventure; Winter Snow!

Thank you all for making this a tremendous year.  Stay warm, stay safe and enjoy your time with your friends and family. Know that you are appreciated.



Thursday, December 21, 2017

ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 Person Tent





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We have done the Test Night and the Setup video and now it is time to go over all of the details concerning the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 Tent.



Link : https://www.campingsurvival.com/zephyr1al.html




Tuesday, December 19, 2017

What the Heck Sportsman Guide? - U.S. Military Surplus Assault Pack Review



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For years I have been a customer of the sportsmansguide.com but that very well may change after purchasing this product and seeing first hand just how dishonest that they can be.  This is what they call the US Military Assault Pack which they claim is military surplus...which is a straight up lie!

This pack is a piece of .....



Link : https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/us-military-surplus-assault-pack-new-irregular?a=2120778

Cost : $60




Sunday, December 17, 2017

Improvements! - Nomadik Subscription Box - November



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Nomadik Subscription Box - November

Susan and I know how much you love seeing these unboxings so here is another one!  This is the Nomadik October Box; the unboxing and discussion begins now....

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Link : https://thenomadik.com




Thursday, December 14, 2017

24 Hours in the Forest - Overnight Adventure - 4k



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Join Luke for 24 Hours in the Forest; an Overnight Adventure which shows just how dramatically things can change in a short period of time!

Another Overnight Adventure is coming up soon; Christmas Eve!

Gear List :

Splav Raid 45 Pack with Expansion Pouches

Sierra Designs Convert 2 Tent

Mountain Laurel Designs Ground Sheet

Snugpak Basecamp OPS Air Mat with Pump

Snugpak Basecamp OPS Air Pillow

MSR Rocket Rocket 2

UGQ Bandit Quilt

Mountain House Meal

Toaks Titanium Spoon

Mountain Laurel Designs Titanium Mug

USGI Stainless Steel Cup

Kifaru Ultralight Pullout Bas for Organizing

Sunjack Light Stick

Woolly Merino Wool Long Sleeve

Marmot Sweater




Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Where are the Handles? - Mountain Laurel Designs Titanium Mug



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Remember the review for the Mountain Laurel Designs Titanium Mug?

Remember that the mug didn't have any handles?

Let's talk about that for a moment.
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Link :  https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/product/titanium-mug/




Sunday, December 10, 2017

Very Good Quality But Not Perfect! - My Trail Co Storm UL Jacket - Review



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Today Luke is reviewing the My Trail Co STORM UL JACKET.  Very Good Quality but Not Perfect!



Link :  https://mytrailco.com/collections/mens-raingear/products/mens-storm-ul-jacke

Price : $100 retail but often on sale for $69 – At $69 this is a bargain that you shouldn’t skip
Sizes : Small – XX Large
Colors : Black Blue Fire Red
Weight : 10.oz Medium Size

A few years back I spoke of the company known as Golite and how the company was one of my favorites and that I was saddened to see it go under.  Well a number of years have passed and Golite has returned with a new name, some new products and with a new direction.  When I was contacted by My Trail to do this review, I was happy to take a look at the newly formed My Trail.

By the way, the company was originally known as My Trail Co (company) which I didn’t think sounded very good….good news, they are dropping the Co part!  Smart Choice.

Weight: 10 oz

Shell: Ripstop nylon Interior Coating: Waterproof/breathable polyurethane Exterior Finish: Durable water repellant [DWR] Seams: Fully-taped waterproof Zippers: Watertight

Sleeve Cuffs: Adjustable with velcro closures

Hood: Adjustable with drawcord closure Hood Garage: In collar Armpit Vents: Large double-zippered Hand pockets: Watertight zipper closures Hem: Adjustable drawcord

Included: Storm flap

To the review : I have a history of giving very honest feedback on products not only so that the viewer can make an educated decision but so that companies can make better products.  With that being said, on to the review, starting with Pros!

Pros :

Nice looking jacket!  The cut is flattering.

Lightweight – even more so than the precip jacket

Easily adjustable

Waterproof – Used for multiple months now and it is indeed waterproof.

Long Pit Zips with two zippers for positioning – longer than most jackets at this price point

Overall good quality

Lots of pockets including interior pockets which a lot of rain jackets are missing

Hood can be stowed when using the jacket as a wind block which is a nice feature

Cons :

Nylon rain gear will hold in a bit more heat and body moisture than goretex…but goretex can cost hundreds of dollars

Going back to quality - but there I noticed a lack of proper gluing with some of the Velcro (right and left cuffs).  That is the issue issue that I have found with this jacket.

Suggestions : I would like to see a stuff sack included with the jacket.  In other words, a quick way to compress the jacket in your pack would be nice.

I would like to see a lined guard behind the top of the zipper so that you don’t feel it press against your skin when wearing certain styles of clothing

Summed up Review

This is a great rain jacket which is perfect for a misty walk around the lake or in your pack when you are hiking Cathedral Lake in Colorado.  The price is excellent.  The quality is very good and it will keep you dry from the rain.  Do keep in mind that with any piece of rain gear, if you sweat in it, it will bottle up some of that heat and moisture.

Compared to the competition, the Storm is just as good as the offerings from Marmot with their Precip Jacket and others.  The difference is in the cost where the Storm is $30 less expensive for the same materials and even more features.


Thursday, December 7, 2017

The Backcountry Day Hike - (4K) Canon Vixia GX10





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Join Luke in 4K with his latest adventure into the backcountry of Western North Carolina.  A pleasant hike along with a good lunch in the middle of nowhere....and some of the coldest water ever!




Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Wait, How Much???? - Italian Military Inflatable Mattress



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Today Luke has the Italian Military Inflatable Mattress which is one of the best Military Surplus Bargains on the internet today!   Will you want one....or maybe two?



Link : https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/italian-military-surplus-inflatable-beds-with-pump-2-pack-new?a=2090911

Price : $15 for TWO OF THEM

Genuine Italian Military Surplus rubber-wrapped canvas Air Mattresses puts a layer of cushy comfort between you and the hard, frozen forest floor. You don't even have to deploy your lungs to fill it. Included canvas hand pump picks up that slack, so you can work on catching some zzzzz's. The real surplus deal, here for BIG BUCKS OFF!

·              Durable canvas Beds wrapped in rubber
·              Beds are easy to collapse and tuck away
·              Multi-chamber construction increases support and distributes weight
·              Beds are 78"l. x 29"w. overall
·              Includes 1 canvas hand-model Pump that compresses to 1" thick

Key Specifications

·              Item Number: 680148
·              Bed Material: Canvas, rubber wrapped
·              Color: Desert Tan
·              Size: 78"l. x 29"w. overall, 63"l. bed chambers, 15"l. pillow chamber

Review :

Very odd to inflate

Comes with tons of hand pumps which fold down to rough 1”  - they require a connection piece so that it can be used to inflate the pad – without it is useless.  You could make your own with parts from lowes.

Heavy!
Takes a while to deflate
Comfortable.
Has pillow

Perfect for car camping, overlanding, hunting.


Sunday, December 3, 2017

Howto Setup the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 Person Tent



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Being able to see how easy a tent can be pitched is very important to the purchasing process.  With that in mind, here is how to setup the ALPS Mountaineering Zephyr 1 Tent.

Link : https://www.campingsurvival.com/zephyr1al.html




Friday, December 1, 2017

Ultralight + Super Comfortable + Good Price - Granite Gear Crown2 60 Pac...



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Today Luke is previewing the Granite Gear Crown2 60 Backpack.

Please note that this pack was seen in the Flash Flood - Halloween Special - Ghost Hunt Backpacking Adventure.

Link to that video : https://youtu.be/yH_JuHVQo8g



Granite Gear Crown2 60 Pack Information

Link Men’s :  https://www.granitegear.com/crown2-60-pack-2636.html

Link Women’s : https://www.granitegear.com/crown2-60-pack.html

Price : $199

Weight : 2lbs 4oz without the top.  2lbs 10oz with the top

Colors :

Dried Sage

Highland Peat and Black

Versions : Men’s and Women’s

Available in 3 torso sizes:

Short Torso = 15-18inches
Regular Torso = 18-21inches
Long Torso = 21-24inches

Hydration compatible

·              Inside dimensions 23.5" X 13" X 8"
·              Cu In 3660
·              Short Torso Weight 0.90 Kg / 2.0 lbs. Torso Length = 15" to 18"
·              Regular Torso Weight 0.96 Kg / 2.12lbs. Torso Length = 18" - 21"
·              Long Torso Weight 1.0 Kg / 2.25lbs Torso Length = 21" - 25".
·              V.C. (Vapor Current) mark 2 Frame with 35lb (15kg) load rating
·              dual density shoulder harness with load-lifter straps and removable sternum strap
·              Re-Fit fully adjustable (from 28 - 40in), dual density hip belt
·              Dual large hip belt pockets with DWR treated zippers
·              Roll-top main compartment opening with centered dual strap and singular buckle for quick access and easy compression
·              Removable lid has a compartment with DWR treated zipper
·              Hydration port & internal hydration sleeve
·              Large side stretch woven pockets
·              Stretch mesh front pocket
·              Side and front compression straps
·              100D High-tenacity nylon with NeverWet liquid repelling treatment
·              210D High-tenacity ripstop nylon with NeverWet liquid repelling treatment