Monday, February 25, 2019

Virginia to Tennessee - V.D. on the A.T. - Overnight Adventure





This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Luke and Susan are on the trial again and in this episode we hike from Virginia to Tennessee along the Appalachian Trail!

STEEEP!
Windy.
Rain.

Also, we make some interesting discoveries along the way including
artwork done by Dome (Do-Me).

Enjoy the adventure, more is on the way.

Gear List :
Tent : Nemo Losi 2P
MLD Ground Sheet
Exitus 35L Pack from Paratus Exploration Equipment (Luke)
Golite Adrenaline 0 Sleeping Bag (Susie)
Jacks R Better High Sierra Sniveller (Luke)
Gregory Deva 60 Pack (Susan)
Fajllraven Vidda Pro Pants (Luke)
Casio Pro Trek F20 Watch (Luke)
Fitbit Versa Watch (Susan)
Filmed with Panasonic GH5
Mic : Rode Video Mic Pro Plus
Edited on Final Cut Pro X
Trek : Started at Damascus VA, South Bound on the AT into TN.


Friday, February 22, 2019

Ultralight, Stable, Versatile - Sierra Designs High Side 1 Tent - Review




This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Luke is ready to hand down his verdict on the Sierra Designs High Side 1 tent!  This is the full review;

pros, cons, and more!

….

Link : https://sierradesigns.com/high-side-1/

Cost : $279.95 retail

Highlights :
Pre-bent pole sections create "high side" over door maximizing livable space while minimizing weight

Low profile design reduces weight, without feeling too cramped.

Compact storage size takes up minimal space in your pack

Secondary vestibule zipper creates "awning panel" that provides covered storage and improved ventilation

Materials :
Number of Poles: 2 poles
Pole Material: DAC Featherlite Aluminum
Fly Fabric: 20D Nylon Ripstop, Silicone/1200mm PeU, FR CPAI84
Floor Fabric: 30D Nylon Ripstop, Silicone/1200mm PeU, FR CPAI84
Body Fabric: 15D Nylon No-See-Um Mesh

Specs :
Minimum Weight: 1lb 15oz / 0.88kg
Packaged Weight:  2lbs 7oz / 1.11kg
Number of Doors: 1
Number of Vestibules: 1
Vestibule Area: 7.7 ft2 / 0.72 m2
Floor Area: 17.2 ft2 / 1.60 m2
Peak Height:  32" / 81cm

Dimensions (L x W): 88 x 34 (head) x 26" (foot) / 224 x 86 (head) x 66cm (foot)

Packed Size (L x W): 13.5" x 5.25" / 34.3 cm x 13.3 cm
Design Type: Semi Non-Freestanding
Number of Guylines: 6
Stake Quantity: 13

Testing :

I received this tent at the end of summer and have been using it since then.
Temp ranges from 60’s to the lower 30’s.
I’ve experienced strong winds, moderate rain for hours at a time and light ice

Pros :

Very good price considering how light this tent is.  Most tents in this weight range will run hundreds more.

Good size for those whom are 6’3” and under.  Taller than that and you will find this tent snug

Excellent 3 season tent

Ultra light weight

Very airy but condensation may be inevitable regardless of the shelter’s design.

Excellent design which features an awning.

Extremely small form factor – can fit horizontally in your pack – only 13” long – great option for bike campers

For such a small tent; 32-inch peak height. It has enough room to lie down or sit in a hunched position, and to keep your gear out of the rain, but nothing more.

You can use the inner on its own with the fly and if you want, you can even use it with a large tarp for a variety of setups.

Easy to pitch and break down; not the easiest but not complicated either.  A tight pitch can be achieve rather easily.

Good weather resistance

Excellent quality; no issues when I received the tent and none have presented themselves with the last 6 months of testing.

Cons :
Small tent without a ton of space.  Think of it as a step up from a bivy; not a full tent in terms of size.
Requires a lot of stakes to setup
Because of the need of stakes to setup properly, this isn’t the tent for all adventures

Summary :

With this tent, you need to ask yourself, what are you seeking?  What is that that you need and want?
Are willing to sacrifice livable space for weight-savings.
Seek a shelter with a small footprint and/or small packed size.
Want a dedicated pole set, because you don’t use or need trekking poles, or because you are willing to carry more weight in exchange for a less fussy pitch.

Camp in humid environments, and therefore benefit from a physical barrier between you and a possibly condensation-soaked fly.

Always use the fly and tent body together, for a full-sided and fully enclosed experience.

Have a limited budget, or don’t care to spend $300-$600 for a shelter that is marginally lighter and/or uses more premium fabrics like 7d nylon or Cuben Fiber.

There are lighter tent stakes on the market; ditch the included ones if you want to drop a few oz.

No tent is perfect as there is always some compromise between weight, price, durability and usability. However, Sierra Designs has done a nice job with this one and is worth putting high on your consideration list if you’re looking for a new three season solo shelter.




Wednesday, February 20, 2019

3 Will Win - Enter Now - Fenix CL26R Lantern - Giveaway





This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Today Luke is hooking up 3 viewers with an awesome lantern from Fenix!  This product just hit the market so enter now with the only channel on Youtube which is completely agenda free!

My review of this product is coming soon.

Link : https://www.fenix-store.com/fenix-cl26r-high-performance-rechargeable-camping-lantern/




Monday, February 18, 2019

Hitting the Road with the Eberlestock Bandit Pack H31 - Hiking Test





This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.

Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR



Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/



It is time to get the Eberlestock Bandit Pack out and do some hiking with it.



Is it going to be comfortable?  Are there going to be problems?

Find out now!



Eberlestock Bandit Pack (H31) – First Look



Link : http://www.eberlestock.com/store/bandit-pack


Friday, February 15, 2019

Man Challenge Accepted - Viewer Mail #53




This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

This is Viewer Mail episode 53!

Phil, I accept your Man Challenge and we am thankful for the kindness that you and David have shown us.

Let's do this!


Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Can I Recommend It? - 5.11 Insulator Jacket - Review




This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

This is the jacket that everyone has been asking about recently, the 5.11 Insulator Jacket!  To cut to the chase, it's awesome but 5.11 as a company isn't and the question is, can I recommend this product?

Find out now!



Link : https://www.511tactical.com/insulator-jacket.html

Price : Retail $130 - $50.00 – I don’t know if 5.11 stuff is always on sale or not but it has been at this price for the last two months at the time of filming.

Colors : Sheriff Green

Size : Small – 2XL

START : I really like this jacket but there is a huge reason why you may not want to purchase it or anything else from this company and I will address shortly.

62% nylon / 38% polyester fabric

Versatile thermal protection
RAPIDraw™ pockets
DWR treated exterior
62% nylon / 38% polyester
Low-profile chest pockets
Performance fit stretch panels
100 gm Primaloft® Silver lining
2-way YKK® front zipper

Stretch side panels which allow the jacket to stretch with your movements

Pros :

First off, this jacket looks awesome!  I love it and so do many of you as I have seen the hundreds of comments concerning it.

Excellent quality

Very warm – I’m comfortable down to the mid 40’s with this jacket with only a t-shirt.  Add a good insulation layer such as a merino wool sweater and I’ve rocked this down to around 15F.

Comfortable. – Warm – Easily adaptable to temp ranges
Accurate fit.
Adequately packable
Very well thought out jacket.
Excellent zippers.
Easy of access to your front carry and conceal.
Plenty of pockets
No obnoxious branding
Excellent value for the money with the sale price.

Cons :

The collar is just ok in my opinion.  It never gets on my nerves but I find that I am having to adjust it from time to time as it has a tendency to stick up and touch my face.  This is VERY small con and doesn’t impact my thoughts on this jacket at all but I want to mention it.

Terrible Customer Service


Monday, February 11, 2019

The New Eberlestock Bandit Pack H31 - Preview





This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Today we are looking at one of Eberlestock's newest packs, the H31Bandit!  This is a preview with Trail Testing and the Review coming up soon.

Eberlestock Bandit Pack (H31) – First Look

Link : http://www.eberlestock.com/store/bandit-pack
Price : $129
Weight : Weight: 2 lbs 5 oz

Colors : Lots of colors and camo patterns; black, coyote, military green and so on.

Total Volume: 935 c.i. / 15L

Dimensions main bag: 18"h x 9"w x 7"d

The H31 Bandit is a great little every-day-carry pack.  Its laser-cut MOLLE panel allows you to rack on accessories and provides a place to quickly lash one bulky items outside of the main bag. Open the front-loading zipper and you'll be surprised at just how much room there is in such a small pack. Insert either a 2L or 3L Source Hydration Bladder, and this becomes the perfect day pack. Open the top zipper compartment, and inside you will find a key hook, mesh storage pocket, and a third magazine type pocket.

At just over 2 pounds, this is a minimalist's dream. Whether you’re an outdoorsman who is into biking, running, snowboarding, hiking, or want to be prepared with an SBR compatible, EDC pack, choose the Bandit.

This is part 1 of a three part series with this pack.  This is the preview, the next video will involves some actual testing with this pack and the 3rd will be the review once I’ve learned all there is to learn concerning it.


Friday, February 8, 2019

FREAKING AWESOME - Random Lunch and Chat



This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Surprise!

This is a Random Lunch and Chat episode which features Luke looking for antlers, a visit from a hawk and some low flying F15's!


Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Before You Buy - How to Setup the Sierra Designs High Side 1 Tent




This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Today Luke is going over the setup process which the Sierra Designs High Side 1 tent.
How complicated is it?
Find out now!

Link : https://sierradesigns.com/high-side-1/

Before You Buy - How to Setup the Sierra Designs High Side 1 Tent





This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.

Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR



Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/



Today Luke is going over the setup process which the Sierra Designs High Side 1 tent.

How complicated is it?

Find out now!



Link : https://sierradesigns.com/high-side-1/



..

Monday, February 4, 2019

Don't Buy This Backpack - AmazonBasics Hiking Backpack



This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

Whatever you do, don't buy this backpack!
Today Luke is getting the AmazonBasics 55L Backpack out on the trail and it doesn't take long for the problems to present themselves.

If you are in the market for a budget backpack, this isn't one to get.

Link : https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Internal-Hiking-Backpack-Rainfly/dp/B077P17P2N


Friday, February 1, 2019

A Little Late - Christmas Presents! - Viewer Mail #52



This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Support TOGR with Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/TOGR

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorgearreview/

I've been meaning to get this video up for a long time; iIt's time for another Viewer Mail episode and I am forever thankful for the kindness that you have shown my family and I.  In this episode, a bunch of surprises!