Awesome US Navy Gore-Tex Parka Jacket

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This episode is all about the US Navy Gore-Tex Parka Jacket which you have seen multiple times in my videos.

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Agenda Free Link : www.eBay.com

Price : Pre-owned prices start around $50 and go up depending on seller

Sizes : Available in a wide range of sizes and lengths

Camo : This is the phased out Blue-berry camo.  The current camo is the AOR2 which is more expensive in terms of cost.  I will get one of these in soon so we can compare features.

Version : This is the type 1 version with the blueberry camo.  Type two features the AOR1 and Type 3 is AOR2.

Weight : approx. 2.5lbs

Materials : I haven’t been able to learn of which flavor of Gore-Tex this is

Features :

Hanger loop – left and right chest upper chest pockets -left and right cargo pockets – hand warmer pockets – snaps on the inside fleece liner – zips and snaps in – draw pull under cargo pocket

Wider chest for maneuverability

Water resistant zippers

Hideaway Collar for Hood Storage

Pros :

One of the best waterproof jacket bargains out there…as long as the weight of the jacket makes sense for you and the activity that you have planned.

Awesome price for excellent waterproof performance and wind blocking.

Robust set of features.

Excellent for cold weather- good for warm weather as long as you pay attention to the amount of exertion – this is a think heavy jacket and even though it is Gore-Tex you can sweat in this

True to military sizing- military articles are generally a bit larger than civilian made products

Cons :

Heavy – there are MUCH lighter Gore-Tex jackets out on the market.

If you are hiking the AT, this isn’t the jacket for you.  If you are out for an afternoon walk, perfect.  With a product like this, it is all about the right place and right time….that is true with all products.

Did You Win? - River Country Trekker 2.2 Tent Giveaway Winner Announcements

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It is time to announce the winners of the River Country Trekker 2.2 Tents!  Did you win?  Find out now and if you did, please contact me ASAP with your shipping address and I will get these out ASAP!

More giveaway are coming up soon!

Hot Tent Wild Camp - Escaping the Virus 2 Adventure

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As the world goes into lockdown, the Lone Wolf is out for another adventure and this time, he's in a HOT TENT!

The viewers selected the tent, they also selected the stove and Luke selected the location!

This is the Hot Tent Wild Camp Adventure - Escaping the Virus 2!

The Most Dangerous Stove - VINIDA Survival Stove - Review

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This is without a doubt the most dangerous wood burning stove that I have ever tested and I do not recommend it!

This is my review of the VINIDA Survival Stove!

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Agenda Free Link : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F8PFQ53

Price : $20 on Amazon

Weight Stove : 7.4oz

Weight of Storage Bag : .5oz

Measurements Standing : 8” x 4.5” wide

Measurements Broken Down :  4” x 4.5” wide

Materials : Stainless Steel

Stove Features :

Stainless steel copy of the Toaks Titanium wood stove which costs $45.

Gasifier Stove

4 piece system

Stove Review Pros :

Not difficult to lite and get doing.

Easy to use

Fun as well.

Reasonable size; not the smallest when it comes to gasifier stoves

Gasification process can begin quickly but it will depend on the dryness of your materials.

I’ve had no issues in terms of quality with the storage bag

Pot supports are good and offer a stable platform.

Fuel is free

No warping so far with my testing.

Large feeding port

Stove Review Cons :

Quality isn’t impressive even for the money.

Has lots of sharp jagged edges which could possible cut you. There are some minor dents in the material around the edges.

Be careful what you place this on as it could scratch table surfaces and even rip fabric. It should be mentioned that this is a common complaint with this stove.

Metal is thin but haven’t had any issues with use.

Arrived in a state of filth; the stove was covered in black metal dust.

Storage bag quality is….just ok and looks like it could begin coming unraveling at any moment.

No instructions included; for those who have never used a stove like this, it could be confusing.

Holes in the bottom are WAY to large; coals, burning sticks/twigs will fall through onto the ground.

Also because of this, you can kill grass that is below the stove and can causes external fires easily.

This is a natural aspect of all wood burning stoves; it takes work and it takes time.  Do you want to collect fuel and feed the stove; that is up to you.  Such stoves are much slower to use than your average canister stove and that needs to be considered; for myself, when I am on the trail, there are times where I want to wake up, pack up, boil water for coffee and go but that isn’t going to happen with such a stove. You will have to collect unless you did so previously and take time feeding the stove until your water is ready to go.

Another con for such stoves is that efficiency will vary depending on numerous factors; you aren’t guaranteed to boil water at a certain time nor will you have a consistent level of heat throughout your cooking experience. It can be difficult to achieve a consistent hot flame.

While the stove is efficient it will leave your pot very dirty and you need to be prepared for storing this in your pack.

You could always do the soap and water treatment trick for easier cleanup but you are making the pot slick which doesn’t bode well with an already slick system.

In windy situations, a wind screen is recommended as performance of the stove will be hindered in adverse conditions.

I mentioned in the pros that fuel is free but there is something that you need to consider; if you are taking this to heavily trafficked area finding fuel can be a problem. Some areas are going literally be picked clean so make sure to plan accordingly.

Summary :

If you have followed the channel for a while, you know that I generally like type of gasifier stoves; their designs are interesting and in most cases their quality is good.

With this one, the quality misses the mark even though the design isn’t bad at all.  Because of the quality issues and a potential to get cut, rip clothing and scratch/damage surfaces, and cause external fires, I would advise skipping this stove.  For the money, there are better gasifier stoves out there. 

Good for backpacking, camping, kayaking trips and even emergency use.  Not well used for long distance hikers or those who want to go light and quick.  Those in wet environments may not want to consider a different stove type.

Side Note :

Taking a look at sites which analyze Amazon Reviews, one such sites stated that around 40% of the reviews were fake on Amazon and that deception was likely.  They also stated that once the fake reviews were removed, it was a 2.5 star product instead of a 4.5 star product.

Someone Actually Made This!!! - Viewer Mail Episode #73

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Today Luke and Susie are opening some awesome packages from our friends and we can't believe that someone actually made this....actually, these!

As always, we are very, very thankful for all of the kindness and generosity.

The Dead Trail - Wild Camp Overnight Adventure

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While the world is facing the Coronavirus crisis, why not leave it all behind for an hour and join me on the trail.  Speaking of which, there are trails out there which time has forgotten; those which no longer see the foot prints of humans...

It is those trails which I like to travel and for this adventure, I am Pathfinding Dead Trails within the backcountry.

Fjallraven Quality! Fjallraven Keb 52L Backpack Review

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After over 6 months of testing Luke is ready to pass on his Agenda Free Review of the Fjallraven Keb 52L backpack!

Will it live up to the high standards which are often associated with Fjallraven?

Find out now!

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Price : $275

Weight : Almost 5lbs (4lb 15.7oz)

Agenda Free Link :  https://www.amazon.com/Fjallraven-Keb-Storm-Dark-Navy/dp/B07HFGYF52

Colors : Men, Blue and black

Women : Black, red navy blue

Versions : 52L (3173cu in) and a 72L

Sexes : The Keb is available in men and womens makes.

Sizes : One fits all

Made from new Bergshell fabric and well-proven G -1000 HeavyDuty Eco S  – it offers outstanding performance in challenging terrain.

trekking backpack with ski touring functionality.

Made from G-1000® HeavyDuty Eco S with base and side sections in Bergshell, a waterproof 400D ripstop fabric made from 31% recycled nylon.

YKK zipers

Wooden frame made from FSC-certified birch.

Narrow profile gives freedom of movement on technical treks/ski trips.

Ergonomic carrying system with snow-repellent stretch fabric.

Carrying system can easily be adapted to fit a wide range of back lengths.

Supportive hip belt and shaped shoulder straps.

All features designed for easy handling with winter gloves on.

Large main compartment with snowlock closure.

Top lid with two zippered pockets.

The hip belt has two pockets plus loops for pulling a toboggan.

Hydration system compatible.

Rain cover included.

Pros :

After countless months and dozens and dozens of trips out, I’m ready to share with you all my thoughts on the Keb pack.

Top notch quality

Excellent burly materials which will last

Torso length can be adjusted

Fit & Wear Comfort : is absolutely excellent and in fact, this is without a doubt one of the most comfortable packs that I have ever used no matter how much weight I have put in it.  Even with loadouts up to 35lbs the pack continued to be comfortable and manageable.

Excellent weight distribution.

 It sits where it needs to sit on your body, is adjustable where it needs to be and has excellent padding on the shoulders and waist belt.

Dual access; size and top is excellent.

Excellent side pockets for bottles and additional gear; nicely designed so you can use them when you need them or get them out of the way when you don’t. Stretchy is a plus.

Excellent compression straps

Sleeping bag zipper at the bottom

Good amount of pockets for organizing and quick access items.

G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S material, made from recycled polyester and organic cotton (can be made water-resistant with Greenland Wax for more extreme weather conditions).

Keb has a very slim profile and doesn’t fall far from your back.  It’s a good shape that leads to stability when hiking even on slick or steep terrain.

 The bottom and sides are made from the completely new waterproof Bergshell fabric, made from recycled nylon. Then there is the external frame of (FSC certified) birch. According to Fjällräven, CO2 emissions during the production of the backpack are reduced by 90%.

Cons :

Back of pack offer padding but isn’t the most breathable of packs.  Not the best, not the worst as far as ventilation goes.  With that being said, you will sweat with enough effort with any pack on.

Hop pockets are not very good in my opinion.  Big enough to hold small items but unfortunately can’t be opened one handed.  To open and close, it takes two hands; one to hold the pocket and one to pull the zipper

As you fill the main compartment the front pocket becomes tighter and tighter;

This is a slender pack which can make accessing your gear from the top…luckily you have the side access!

Summary :

comfort, durability and robustness

Truly one of the best packs that I have used in years and is worth every penny in my opinion.  I purchased this with my own money, I don’t care if you buy one as that isn’t of any significance to me.

Consider : 52L may not be enough space for everyone; consider what you carry and whether or not you need a larger pack. If you are in doubt, there is the 72L version to consider.

Simply Excellent - Helikon-Tex Woodsman Anorak Jacket

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Over the last 6 months Helikon-Tex has continued to impress me with their value, good designs and functional gear/clothing/equipment and after much use, it is time to share my Agenda-Free review of the Woodsman Anorak Jacket.
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Agenda Free Link : https://www.helikon-tex.com/en_usd/ku-wdn-dc-woodsman-anorak-jacket.html

Price : Retail $94

Weight : Around 1.7lbs for Medium size

Materials : 55% Polyester, 23% Cotton, 19% Nylon, 3% Elastane

Sizes : WX/Regular – XL Regular

Colors : Lots of Colors including numerous color combos which I really like

Features :

  Made of DuraCanvas® fabric

  Additional gussets made of StormStretch® fabric

  Large kangaroo pocket with internal organizer

  Adjustable hood

  Adjustable cuffs with hook&loops

  Ventilation zippers in armpits

  YKK® zippers

Based on the Mistral Anorak, Woodsman Anorak jacket is made of DuraCanvas® - the fabrics more suitable for outdoor and camping. The front is made of DuraCanvas® fabric, therefore it is fire-spark resistant and durable enough not to be damaged by sharp objects and branches. The back of the jacket was made of StormStretch® fabric, to provide higher breathability and better freedom of movement. The whole jacket is highly wind resistant. Woodsman anorak has three pockets, including one kangaroo on the front with internal organizer. Sides are fully zippered up to the arm pits to provide easy don and doff. The side zippers can also be used as ventilation. Additionally the jacket has adjustable, hood with visor.

Review Pros :

Top notch quality

Excellent design

Good Value

Excellent hood which is adjustable in all of the ways that it needs to be.

Material is excellent for blocking wind, keeping you slightly warm and is very breathable.

Material is also a little stretchy which makes it more comfortable for daily use and activities.

Zippers are excellent; they aren’t sticky, flow easily and don’t get caught.

Plenty of pulls to get the fit that you specifically want/need.

It layers very well with small insulative under layers – fleece sweaters, flannels, etc.

Chest pocket is excellent and offers a lot of space.

Size zips are awesome and make putting the jacket on easy; this is important, as a muscular guy, putting on some Anoraks can be difficult.  The sides of the jacket zip from the hip all the way to the arms pits. Zips go from arm pit bottom of jacket.

The side zips serve three purposes:

Ease of putting it on and taking it off, ventilation and ease of access to belt warn items

The materials used in the Anorak are water and spark resistant which make it perfect for those who spend a lot of time next to a fire.

Water resistant, but not waterproof.  It wouldn’t replace your raingear - Can be impregnated with wax but you will loose breathability.  If you have never done this before, it can be a chore and I tend not to do it.  For something to be made waterproof takes a lot of time and attention; miss a spot and you’ll get wet.

Kangaroo pocket features internal organization and a D-ring.

Review Cons :

Cons?  Hmmm, there really aren’t any…

No hip pockets – this really isn’t a con but more a trade off; you forgo the hip pockets for the chest kangaroo pocket.

Summary :

I absolutely love this piece of clothing and it is perfectly suited for how I like to dress;

It makes for an excellent companion for a wide range of uses including hiking, camping, backpacking, bushcraft and in general daily life.  I personally wear this jacket on a daily basis, I wear my Fjallraven Barent Trousers on a daily basis and if doesn’t matter where I am heading.  The point being that such equipment is comfortable for the trail and life use.

I mentioned Fjallraven and I have to say that I have been a fan of their gear for a long time and finding a company who makes gear as good is difficult but Helikon Tex fits the bill.  Their quality is just as good, their designs are even better in many ways and their prices, are fair more reasonable.  If Fjallraven made this jacket, it would easily cost $300-$400+ or more.  By the way, I say that because Fjallraven does make Anoraks and they literally cost that much.

Pathfinding Forest Roads 2 - Lost on the Backroads - Overnight Adventure

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In this Episode :

Luke is searching for an old forest road which he has always wanted to hike and things don't go according to plan.  That night, a visitor of the forest arrives.....

Thank you for joining for this overnight adventure.

S&H

...

: Gear used in this Adventure :

Warrior Assault ELITE OPS X300 Backpack

OneTigris Bungalow 2 Tent

MLD Groundsheet

Helikon-Tex Swagman Roll

Helikon-Tex Chest Rig - Firearm

Helikon-Tex Woodsman Anorak

Solo Stove Lite and 900ml Pot

How to Save Money on your Outdoor Gear Purchases

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This episode is all about saving LOTS of money while purchasing high quality gear even with a low budget!

Watch this before purchasing your next piece of gear.

Razor Sharp - Woox A1X Hand Axe - Field Test

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Woox A1X Hatchet – Field Test

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Agenda Free Link : https://wooxstore.com/products/axe-ax1

Price : $229 retail Made in Italy, developed in US – woox describes themselves as a high end tool and stock company

Weight : 2.3lbs on my scale

Colors/Finishes : Walnut / Midnight Grey

WOOX AX1 is a unique tomahawk-style hand axe that features an octagonal Appalachian hickory handle to bring durability and ergonomics. Finished with Cerakote to enhance the performance of the ax, make it more resistant to abrasions, wear and tear, corrosion, chemicals, and impact.Featuring a tempered carbon steel head and diamond heel, this ax is perfect for camping or clearing trees and bush in your back yard.Get the best from your AX1 with WOOX's leather sheath, Arkansas Whetstone and all the other ax accessories.*Italian leather collar included with each ax. Custom leather sheath available for purchase separately.

The WOOX AX1 is a quality tomahawk style hand axe. Sporting a solid wedge-shaped axe head made of tempered carbon steel, along with Cerakoted in either black or gray for improved weather resistance, this axe is one of a kind.

WOOX has developed a leather and collar sheath (protects handle) specifically designed only for the AX1 to keep it safe and clean when not in use.

(sara-coated)

Observations :

No sheath included and I personally don’t like this.  For the price, one should be included especially considering how sharp this tool is.  It doesn’t have to be as elaborate or as feature rich as the  $70 version but something needs to be included to cover the blade.– one can be purchased for an additional of $70.  It’s nice but for an axe of this price, something should have been included.

Impressions : Without the doubt, the nicest axe/hatch that I have ever used.

Gimping is a nice touch; does allow for finer control over the axe head with finer work.

My thoughts so far are :

Price : Without a doubt, this is one of the more expensive hand axes out on the market that I am aware of; In fact, this is more expensive than most full size axes and that is a problem.  While is exceptionally nice and the quality is top notch…price is always going to be a touchy topic especially when you can buy a quality hatchet/hand exe for $50.  Something to keep in mind, higher end products can provide a higher end experience which can make your life easier and can also be safer.

If you purchase too inexpensively you may get something dull out of the box or a tool which dulls quickly and won’t hold an edge. The other opposite end of this is that you can spend too much and you can go past the point of even returns for the money.

Speaking of which, coming up soon I will have a more budget friendly hatchet to put to through the paces in another Field Test!

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Delimbing -  Chopping Test

Standing Splitting – remember, when splitting, the trick isn’t strength and power, it is finesse.  With finesse you can balance power and control, wildly swinging will result in someone getting hurt.

Lay-down – Center Split - Feather stick - Hammering

Strike guidance – straight or does it curve – this is important as not axe heads are created equal.  Some heads will guide one way or the other

How does the handle absorb impacts : Much better than metal handles as wooden handles do a better job of absorbing vibrations.

If you're chopping with a hatchet, unless you are very well trained, chop from a kneeling position. This way an errant swing stops at the ground, not your leg.

If you're using a block, place the piece of wood being chopped towards its rear edge.

3 Day Winter Overland Adventure - Pisgah in the Truck

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Luke and Susie are back on the road again for a 3 Day Adventure which spans some beautiful locations in North Carolina.

Join Luke and Susie for an Overland Camping and Hiking Adventure in the Rain, in the Snow and with a lot of Mud!

Dark Peak NESSH Women’s Down Jacket - Review

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Join Susie today for her very first solo review as she goes over the Pros and Cons of the Dark Peak NESSH Women’s Down Jacket.

Way to go Susie!

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Dark Peak Jacket Revew

Agenda Free Link : https://darkpeakgear.com/product/nessh-womens-down-jacket/

Price : $229

Fill : 850 fill power down from responsibly sourced goose down

Weight : 11.3 oz

Packs down into waist pocket

Longer back than front

Nylon shell

Baffles (vertical side channels) very flexible

2 way front zipper allows you to unzip from the bottom when you need to sit down or as needed

Integrated wrist mitts/gaiters – these are awesome because you can tuck them in when you don’t want them

2 external insulated waist pockets and 3 internal pockets.

Available in 5 colors and sizes XS to XXL – but remember this is UK sizes so for the USA it would be minus one size. Like the M is a USA Small.

Black, gray, maroon, blue, and red

Also this is a down jacket and you don’t want it snug. Leave room for layers.

Specifications:

 Lightweight: 11.3oz (322g)

 Drop-back / dipped hem design (Longer in the back than the front)

 Insulated hood (helmet compatible), with elastic adjuster

 Rip-stop 10D Nylon outer & inner shell (light & highly wind resistant)

 Water resistant (DWR) coating

 850 Fill Power, Responsibly Sourced Goose Down.

 Zipper internal phone pocket

 Insulated waist pockets with zippers

 Packs away into its own pocket

 2x internal glove pockets

 Elasticated (adjustable) hem

 YKK® 2-way front zipper with wind guard.

 Elastic wrist mitts / gaiters (wrist warmers).

Fill Weights:

The NESSH Jacket has a fill weight of 90g per sq m. The actual fill weight of a jacket varies depending on the jacket’s size e.g. a size XS jacket would contain significantly less down than an XXL, but proportionally they are the same based on the amount of down spread across a jacket’s surface area.

Actual Fill weights for each size are listed below:

 XS = 111.7g (3.94oz)
 S = 119.2g (4.2oz)
 M = 126.6g (4.47oz)
 L = 134.1g (4.73oz)
 XL = 142.1g (5.01oz)
 XXL = 150.1g (5.29oz)

The jacket offers a lot of pros.

Cons for me is that the company showcases the One Sold One Given motto on the back of the jacket.

They do give away a different jacket to homeless for every jacket sold. It’s great that they do that, but it doesn’t make me want to purchase this jacket over another.

Also, the jacket they give away is different. All the information is on their website in regards to it. They are very open about why they do it and what they do.

A portion of what you pay buys another jacket? Just something to consider.  I like the color variety.

Price really isn’t that different in my opinion. There is a big range, but this one isn’t so cheap that it will blow your mind. It falls into the range of them. You can find something similar in the same price range. You can also find a good deal.

To sum it all up, there really isn’t anything to complain about. It’s a jacket that offers a lot of features. My only complaint goes back to the Buy One Give One  Business Model and the logo of that on the actual jacket itself. What are your thoughts?

Enter NOW - Giveaway - River Country Trekker 2.2 Tents

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I've had enough people show interest in these River Country Trekker 2.2 Tents that I have decided to do a giveaway.  If you want one, enter now in the comments on Youtube for your chance.

There will be two winners; good luck.

Remember...these tents leak; BE SAFE with them.