If you purchase anything from the links above, you will be supporting the channel through a small commission on Amazon. Thank you for the support and remember, TOGR is 100% Agenda Free.
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100% Agenda Free :
This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
If you purchase anything from the links above, you will be supporting the channel through a small commission on Amazon. Thank you for the support and remember, TOGR is 100% Agenda Free.
....
100% Agenda Free :
This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Winter time is upon us and today I’m going to be sharing with you all one of my favorite pieces of gear EVER!
This is the Xtherm Sleeping Pad/Mattress from Therm-a-Rest and this is the best sleeping pad mattress that I have ever tested. While there are some very high-end pads that get close to this, there is no pad out on the market today that has been able to overthrow it.
I’ve been testing this product out for get this, almost 10 years!
Literally, I purchased this pad in the fall of 2014 and it’s still going strong.
Year after year, trip after trip, this pad continues to be m first choice when it comes to cold weather pads.
It’s comfortable, it’s lightweight, it’s compact and it’s warm.
At the same time, it is EXPENSIVE!
As with all high-end gear, if you want to play you’ll have to pay.
Price : When I originally purchased the Xthrem 10 years ago, it cost me $150 for the regular size. Now, the Xtherm runs around $250 - give or take depending on where you order it from.
Colors : There are 2, both are shades of gray - one is bluish gray and the other is gray gray like you see here.
Versions : There are two versions, a mummy cut and a rectangle version. There is also a version that is even more lightweight - I prucahsed the heavier model as it is more durable and it is warmer.
Materials : 70D nylon on the bottom withstands the wear and tear of extended expedition use, while 30D ripstop nylon on top keeps it light and packable.
R-Value : An incredible 7.3 - that is very high for an air mattress.
How? : Therm-a-Rest was able to accomplish this high R-value due to two thermal technologies that they implement into this pad - one is called the Triangular core Matrix and the other is ThermaCapture - both of these you can look up on the Therm-a-rest web site.
Included : Pump Sack, Stuff Sack and Repair Kit
Made : One of the very few outdoor products that remains to be made in the USA.
It has been roughly 3 years since I introduced English speaking
countries to one of the most unique stoves that I have ever seen and
used;
What I’m talking about is the Soto ST-320 Cassette Stove.
This Stove is Wildly different than 99% of camp Stoves that are out on the market and since I posted that video like I said 3 years ago I have continued to use this stove in just about every possible way imaginable in just about every form of conditions possible.
After all of this use, all of this testing these are my thoughts in a
summarized.
It’s so unique and performs so well - I absolutely love it!
Over the years I have used and review many products - thousands of products and out of those, certain products are what I consider to be my favorite.
This is one of them.
This is the Soto Helix Coffee Maker and it’s one of those products that I like to use as it slows me down, makes me focus on not only the world around me but the entire process of making a really good cup of coffee.
I don’t always use this coffee maker when I’m out on a trip but when I do, it’s always a pleasure.
This is Luke's long term review of the Soto Helix Coffee Dripper!
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Soto Helix :
Weight : 1.6 oz for the basket – 2.3oz for the basket, bag and 10 filters
Materials : Stainless steel
Shape : Inverted cone-shape and collapsible coffee maker
Dimensions set-up : 4.5” x 4.1” base x 2.8” tall x 3.9” wide at top
Bag Dimensions : 5” wide x 5” tall x 1” thick
Price : $17
Pros :
- Lightweight (half the weight of the gsi product)
- Compact – folds flat enough
- Not bulky
- Dries quickly so you can stow it again.
- Bag carries the stand, filters, and coffee which I put into small zip lock bags
- Makes good coffee
- Included coffee filters work just fine and I haven’t had any issues with them.
- #2 filters are easy to find and can be purchased very inexpensively.
- Easy to clean up- there are numerous products which have integrated filters which can be a pain to clean and stay wet for a long time. With this one, you remove the filter, air dry for a moment and you are good to go.
- Price isn’t bad even though I don’t blame anyone for questioning $17 for a wire basket but if you go out and look at similar products, some cost $40, some plastic models cost $13 and so on.
Cons :
- Can be challenging to use if you are in forest as you will need a flat spot to put your cut and then the Soto on top.
- If it isn’t flat, it will slide.
- Again, this product will slide around on top of your cup so you need to be careful with it - don’t know it over.
- Time – using this product will take a bit of time for you to have a full cup of coffee and it may not be as hot as you want it to be once full. Because of the small design, the amount of filtering that it can do is less than larger products which are out on the market.
- For Two – The product states that this is for two cups of coffee but I use it for one
- The Soto Helix is pricey at $17 - there are knockoff versions of this that cost $7 - the one that I looked at doesn’t include a bag or any filters. I’ll put the link to it in the description box if you wish to check it out.
It’s time for another episode of My Favorite gear - this series is all about gear that I love to use.
In this episode, I’m talking about a product called the Swagman Roll that is from a company known as Helikon-Tex.
You may be asking, what is the Swagman Roll and that is a good question to ask.
The Swagman Roll is a multifunctional blanket that can be used as a poncho liner, a sleeping bag, or as a blanket.
I initially reviewed this product 2 years ago and since that point and time, I have continued to use it on countless adventures on and off camera. I love it and in this episode I am going over why that is.
Over the years, here and there I have been posting videos which go over my favorite gear and it dawned on me the other day that I haven’t done a video with that series in a long time.
Let’s Change that!
This is the Decathlon Trek 100 70L backpack and without a doubt this is one of my favorite backpacks EVER!
Why you may ask?
Great question - I have a lot of reasons why I feel that this pack is so good and I will be going over them in this video.
To put it simply, for the money, this is one of the best backpacks that I have tested and for value oriented individuals who have a budget around $100, this is the pack that I would easily recommend.
It has every feature that you can imagine, the harness system is adjustable in ways that it makes even the most advanced of systems look archaic.
If you purchase anything from the links above, you will be supporting the channel through a small commission on Amazon. Thank you for the support and remember, TOGR is 100% Agenda Free.
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The US Military Poncho Liner has for years stayed virtually the same with very few changes....that was the case until recently when a major modification was made and a zipper was added!
This is a first look at the US Military Zippered Poncho Liner and folks, it's better than ever! Also, I go over somer repairs that I made to the used liner that I picked up on eBay. ....
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TOGR - PO Box 111 7378 Old US 421 S Deep Gap, NC 28618
FYI; I don't live in the Deep Gap area, I only have a PO Box there for packages due to privacy; it may take me a few weeks to check the box due to distance. ... The Updated US Military Zippered Poncho Liner / Woobie Blanket
What it is : Last week I put up my review of the US Military Poncho Liner, AKA The Woobie Blanket - the version without the zipper - this video is going to focus on the zippered version which I mentioned I would be getting in soon.
For the most part, this is the exact same poncho liner; it can be used in all of the same ways with the exception being this - this version features a zipper that goes around the body of the blanket. When zippered it creates a sleeping bag of sorts.
Rarity : Locating a legit military surplus poncho liner with a zippered body isn’t all that easy - they aren’t available on the civilian market like the traditional, non-zippered model. Very limited supply and limited number of sellers.
Price : When I purchased this poncho liner, I located it for sale on eBay and I paid $32 for it and that included free shipping. The condition was Grade D.
The grading scale is simple; A is best & that would be like new.
D is bad and F is terrible with everything else in between.
When I purchased this, the seller that Ihave linked to only had Grade D liners but at the time of filming this video, they have B, C and D
Grade B’s were listed for $100.
Weight : 1lb 10.2oz
Measurements Unfolded : 88” long - 64” wide
Measurements Zippered : 88” long - 32”
Measurements Compressed : 12” long x 6” ….. Info : The poncho liner is part of a wet weather System; the poncho liner was designed to work with the US military poncho as an insulation layer but can be used by itself in numerous ways.
Blanket - protective cover - sleeping bag and so on.
Colors : With this specific zippered poncho liner, I have only seen this available in a digital woodland; it may be available in other patterns but I haven’t seen them myself. The traditional version can be found in digital woodland, the Army’s universal combat pattern, USAF’s Environmental Camo and so on. … My thoughts comparing this zippered poncho liner to the traditional model;
I much prefer the zipper and having the ability to make this into a true sleeping bag. You could do that with the traditional model but since it couldn’t be zippered it wasn’t quite as warm.
This newer version retains all of the benefits of the traditional with no sacrifices from my perspective. …. Condition of the Liner : I mentioned that I purchased this liner in a graded D condition and that’s exactly what I received. It featured a large size hole that went all the way through and the zipper was almost broken. Luckily it was repairable and I was able to correct the issues to my satisfaction with an iron-on polyester patch - once it was in place, I went around the patch with my wife’s sewing machine. I also repaired the zipper as well as I could by hand and have re-enforced it. It’s nice and smooth and should be usable for years to come. …. Variants : Before I say goodbye, I’ve mentioned in my review of the traditional poncho liner that there are many companies out there who make variants of this product; some make replicas while others have a product that is loosely based upon the original military spec. The products that are loosely based on the mil spec are known as “Styles”
- US Military Poncho Liner “Style”
One has to be careful when purchasing a product like this as there are a lot of companies who are willing to do and say anything to make a sale. They may even go as far as saying that a product is legit military surplus when that isn’t accurate or true at all.
I recently got in one of these military style poncho liners with a zipper and I will have a video up next week discussing it and how it’s different.
I can tell you this much, it is very interesting!!! The Differences may shock you. ... 100% Agenda Free: This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
This is one of my most Favorite pieces of Gear EVER! Known as a Woobie Blanket by some, a Poncho Liner by others; it is a highly versatile piece of kit that can be used year round as a blanket, a sleeping bag, a pillow, a liner and so much more.
The Value of this Blanket, is incredible! .... Want to Send Us Something?
TOGR - PO Box 111 7378 Old US 421 S Deep Gap, NC 28618
FYI; I don't live in the Deep Gap area, I only have a PO Box there for packages due to privacy; it may take me a few weeks to check the box due to distance. ... What it is : This is a US Military poncho liner, which is a form of blanket that is also informally known as a woobie.
It was designed to be used alone or with a US Military Poncho as an insulating layer. When used alone, it can be a blanket, a sleeping bag, and a protective cover.
Agenda Free Link : eBay.com
Variants To Be Aware Of : When it comes to these liners, you are going to find one of 3 variants out there;
- Military Surplus - official products used by soldiers Reproductions - companies who make an identical copy of the original design - they may make this in colors and camp patterns that weren’t originally offered but the design is virtually the same.
- Styled Liners - This is where a company takes the basics of the liner and have made serious alterations to them. They may call it improved, call it a tactical poncho liner and so on. These products are merely based upon the original liner…..they are “styled.”
Cost : A good condition Woobie is going to run around $40. If you are purchasing military surplus, make sure to confirm condition as these have been used all around the world and it’s easy to get one that is in rough condition. Ask the seller questions and ask to see pictures if buying used.
Design : Designed to be intentionally thin for lightweight, no-bulk packing.
How Does it Attach to a Poncho? Using the tie cords at the corners, they are tied through the grommets on the ponchos.
Colors : Woodland, Digital Camo & others.
Measurements : 87” x 64”
Weight : 2lbs
Materials : Quilted nylon with a polyester filling. It is attached to the poncho by means of integral lengths of material which are looped through the poncho's eyelets.
History and Versions : The poncho liner has been around for a long time and there are a number of military versions.
Poncho liners were first used by the U.S. military in the Vietnam War. They gained the nickname "woobie" later; that term is conjectured to have derived from the name for a child's security blanket in the 1983 movie Mr. Mom.
From what I have read, the US Poncho Liner was first fielded in 1962 to special forces troops in Vietnam. It consists of two layers of quilted nylon encasing a polyester batting. There were tie-cords on the corners and side that could be tied through matching grommets on rain ponchos. They measured 62 x 82 inches. The intent was to field an item which was lighter & faster drying than the standard-issue Army Wool Blanket, which had essentially been rendered obsolete in the wet and tropical environment of Vietnam.
The first ones were Olive Drab on both sides & the earliest models featured squared corners.
Until the USMC produced their own Digital Woodland Pattern, most poncho liners were produced with the same pattern on both sides. The Marines decided to field one with Woodland Pattern on one side & a solid Coyote Color on the other.
Most recently, there have been models produced & issued in the Army's Universal Combat Pattern, the USAF's Environmental Camouflage Pattern, and Multicam/Scorpion II/etc. Also, some models have a zipper that goes around the edges.
Summary : I continue to love the Woobie Blanket, it’s a great piece of kit that I use on & off all year around. In the summer on hot nights I will use it all by itself instead of a sleeping bag and it works great! I can stay comfortable with regular clothing down to 50f.
In the colder months, I will use them to layer in my sleeping bag for additional warmth. I’ll bring it along with me just in case I need extra warmth & I’ll even use it as a pillow.
Speaking of cold conditions, a Woobie by itself is not enough of an insulation layer to keep you warm. It’s a VERY thin blanket; it’s not the same as a wool blanket, a quilt or a sleeping bag.
For the money, a Woobie is impossible to beat as it is highly versatile and is so favorably viewed around the world for a reason. ... 100% Agenda Free : This channel is Agenda Free and is fully supported by the viewers.
Today Luke is reviewing what has become his favorite budget friendly backpack; it's feature rich, the quality is excellent, the price is very fair and it easily surpasses products like the Teton Sports Scout!
Also, it features a truly unique adjustment system that will allow for virtually anyone to wear it and to adjust it effortlessly.
Are there any issues? Find out in this Agenda Free episode!
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Our patented Easyfit system allows you to adjust the height of the back and tightness of straps at the same time by pulling on a single strap (on each side).
1. Put on your bag
2. Fasten and tighten the belt
3. Pull the straps (upward) And you're done!
Review Pros :
The quality of this pack has been excellent with my use and at no point have I had any issues even when in remote areas in the middle of winter storms with very cold conditions.
Excellent price – for the money these in my opinion easily beats out lower cost backpack options such as the Teton Sports Scout 3400. Speaking of which, the Scout 3400 runs around $70 and I would highly recommend looking at this pack when compared to it; this is substantially a better product and is worth the additional dollars.
Plenty of space.
Plenty of pockets for organizing.
I like the color combination
Dedicated sleeping bag pocket with divider.
Front access is smartly designed and features dual zips which is an awesome idea; you can unzip from the bottle without having to detach the lid. Zippers are very secure; have never opened on their own.
Includes a rain cover – gray, not brightly colored?
The gray color is neutral and therefore uses less dye. The component is made of BITON: this process allows us to lower our carbon footprint and reduce the consumption and water pollution in comparison to the colored models. These small measures demonstrate the commitment of Forclaz to improve the environmental impact of its products.
10 Year Warranty
Excellent adjustment system – fully adjustable in every way that a user would want.
Slanted water bottle pocket – easy to access and easy to put your water bottle back into.
Good size hipbelt pocket – it’s actually usable and is fairly large. Large enough to hold even a large size phone
Review Cons :
My only real con for this backpack is slight and deals with the harness padding; it has taken roughly 3 good hiking adventures for it to soften up; initially it was firm and rough...noticeably rough.
Summary :
For the money, this is one of the best backpacks that I have tested and for value oriented individuals who have a budget around $100, this is the pack that I would easily recommend. As I mentioned before, it is better...substantially better than lower cost options such as the offerings from Teton Sports. When you compare the two packs, it is a night and day difference in terms of feel; the materials are strong, the pack is better made, it’s a smarter design that feels unique where as most of the products from Teton Sports for example feels copied and pasted from many other companies. All in all, I’m very impressed with this pack and it is one that I would have no problem grabbing for just about any trip. It’s not the lightest backpack but it is feature rich, well thoughtout and comfortable. The EasyFit suspension is excellent and actually works and it doesn’t cost you any time to make adjustments.
Fjallraven is a Swedish company who makes some serious outdoor gear and clothing and with just about everything that they make, the quality is amazing and their prices are exceptionally high.
My experiences with the company go back 10 years; I had a pair of the Barents imported and fell in love them these pants as they were so strong, so durable, and the performance was so good…..I’ve worn virtually nothing else since then.
Differences : Barents have a raw length and when you receive them, you will need to get them hemmed to your size.
The Vidda Pro Trousers have a predetermined length and one less pocked.
In truth, I have owned a pair of each and unless I looked really closely, I wouldn’t even notice a difference. The Vidda pants do come in a larger variety of colors than the Barents.
Price : Retail $145 for the Barents, $155 for the Vidda
Weight for Size 48 : 1.25lbs
Colors : Dark olive, Dark Grey, Black
Review Pros :
Incredibly tough – have handled all of my use and abuse without any issues. One pair of pants can literally last years and years. For an example, these are 3 years old and I wear them just about daily. Seriously, I wear them to go to town if it is cool, I wear them for most hiking trips….and they have taken everything that I have put them through.
I’ve ripped the crotch on some barbed wire, resewn them and no issues.
Left side pocket where I put my phone has begun to worn through and I have sewn them the best that I can...For 3 years of hard use, I’m very, very pleased.
Good wind resistance.
Good water resistance
Dry quickly.
Price – They are more expensive that a lot of pants but they are so strong, I consider even full price to be very fair.
Lower waist is awesome for backpacking as your harness will go above your belt if you wear one. This makes for a more comfortable backpacking experience. If you are aren’t familiar with wearing a lower wasted pant, these will ruin you once you get accustomed it. Anything higher wasted will not be your preference.
Lots of pockets
Re-enforced knees
Knee pads can be used but I have only done this once...it worked well but I found that I don’t really need them in most cases.
Lifetime warranty…..as long as you have your receipt. I’ve heard that the company can be less than helpful if you are not able to prove that you are the original purchaser.
Can be waxed….if you wish go through that process. I’ve done it a time or two and prefer not to it. It’s a chore to do, a job to wash it out, adds to the weight, limits breathability, and so on. I would suggest doing a cotton water repellent wash and that will help make them much more resistant to light to modern rain.
Belt loops are great for hanging items…
My experiences is that the fit is relaxed and comfortable….but with everyone having a different body type your mileage will vary.
Review Cons :
No rear wallet pocket
Not the best for hot conditions – in the summer, if you have to wear pants I would definitely recommend something else unless you need some pants that are very strong and durable. By the way, Fjallraven has pants which are better suited for warm weather...
Sizing can be confusing for American users. EU sizing has to be converted...I am a 32” waste and I wear a 48 in EU sizing.
Material doesn’t stretch….this really isn’t a big deal...but if you plan to rock climb of run around in an obnoxious sort of way...these aren’t the best pants for you.
Heavy...there are much lighter pants out on the market
Summary :
For the majority of my adventures and daily life use, these are my go to pants and I can’t state their praises any more than I already have. They are top notch and are well worth the money.
Great for bushcraft, great for hiking, great in warm, cool and cold conditions...not hot.
Great for being at the range, working around the house, and every day use.
[Large] 77 x 25 x 2.5 in, [Regular] 72 x 20 x 2.5 in
R-Value : 5.7
Packed Size :
[Large] 11 x 4.5 in, [Regular] 9 x 4 in
Claimed Weight
[Large] 20 oz, [Regular] 15 oz
Review :
Out of all of the sleeping pads which I have and have used over the years, this remains my number one choice. Not only for winter but even for the summer months.
Speaking of the summer months, I’ve found that I can go with a lighter insulating layer thanks to the warmer sleeping pad. I was worried that the pad would be too warm in the summer trips. I had no issues with over heating in the summer nights
In the winter, it has taken care of me all the way now to -10f with nothing more than a moisture barrier between the pad and the ground.
Absolutely no leaks or issues to report over the years of use. How long has it been; I purchased this early 2014 and with some care, it looks almost new.
Works just as good on the ground as it does in a hammock.
The weight and durability of this pad are amazing! The cost is high, but worth every penny.
I am also a side sleeper and I can report no bones in the dirt while on this pad.
The fact that this little wonder rolls up so small and only weighs about a pound is a huge plus consider my back issue. The inflation bag is a great idea as well an it works!
Negative: There is some noise with this pad but I’m comfortable sleeping outdoors so I can block out most noises including this one. It’s noisy but not loud. It’s a crinkle!
