Category — Gear Review

As time passes companies have started to shift into high gear finding and producing new water bottles that are BPA free. You have no doubt been faced with the question of which bottle has BPA which does not and how do I know?

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There has been a lot of chatter about cutting cycling from the Olympics due to the doping scandals that have rocked the cycling world. Matters were made worse by the recent results proving that Leonardo Piepoli of Italy and Stefan Schumacher of Germany tested positive for CERA (an advanced version of the blood booster EPO) using new third generation tests. Stefan Schumacher won both time trials and Leonardo Piepoli won the 10th stage of this years Tour. [Read more →]

MtnMama here!

I had a blast yesterday riding mountain bikes with Yeti and some friends! It was awesome to ride but also a great opportunity to get some sweet photos. Before the ride, I struggled with the idea of taking my bulky heavy camera or not (so much risk of damage but also risk of missing a great shot). I chose to take it… but couldn’t find a case small enough, light enough and tight enough around my back to carry it in. I searched though my closet and found a very old Lowepro TLZ1 camera case.

I had used this camera bag before when traveling light but it always had one shoulder strap so I had NO idea how I would make it work for a bike. I searched though my closet again and found another strap that could hook onto the bag. One strap went around my head and right arm, the other around my waist. During the ride, it was very easy for me to get off the bike, pull the bag to the side of my right hip and pull out the camera.

The camera was also around my right arm and head to make sure it didn’t fall out of the bag. I can’t believe how easy this was and how light the pack was. I couldn’t even tell I was wearing a camera! I also packed an extra battery and a few SD cards just in case. The bag held up great, hardly moved on my back, and even protected the camera well when I took a digger!!! I’ll post photos soon of the camera bag and how I did it but first, here are the results from the day!

CAMERA….NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!!!!

Here is a great link for more info about mountain biking with a camera. SLR Camera bag for MTB

UPDATE: 10/9/08

The biggest tip for making a DIY camera case is to be creative. Find what works for you, make sure the bag’s straps are tight and that your camera is strapped in/on securely! Here are the photos:

View from the back. Clips are attached to four plastic D rings on the bag

Side shot

Front of straps

The major goal of making this bag was to make it easily accessible to the camera without taking the bag off

Over the past few years we a have seen the market for hiking boots shift from the bulky, high ankle, leather clad, beefy lug soled, 2+ pound each, steel shanked do anything boots to the simple, light, flexible, not so supportive trail runners as the hiking staple.

Before trail runners were so popular and numerous when someone got into hiking/backpacking you needed these large boots to protect your ankles and give you the support for the heavy equipment and long days you would assuredly be facing upon launching into an outdoor adventure.

Now as technology has advanced and lightened our gear we see that the days of the heavy boot is waning. At least for the weekend warrior or simple backpacker. Andrew Skurka showed us that a hiker can spend a great deal of time on the trail covering a great deal of ground with minimalist equipment (although since comfort is subjective to each his own).
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Unless you are a fan of explosive projectile diarrhea, you have no doubt tried to come to terms with the safety of our backcountry water sources. It seems like the days of reckless abandon are gone when it comes to drinking from creeks, lakes, and rivers. With the ever present Giardia, cryptosopridia and a laundry list of viruses and bacteria which can lead to months on the porcelain throne and debilitating cramps, nausea, vomiting, as well as the afor mentioned EPD, we must filter, boil, irradiate or chemically purify our water to stay healthy in the backcountry.

I have in the past have tried every method and each have their drawbacks, some take hours, or fuel, or taste nasty. Others are cost prohibitive or rely on batteries which does not really work for extended outings. Even to this day I switch up what I am using on almost every trip because there is no all in one kick ass water treatment device. I am sold on none…yet.

I must admit that I do still drink untreated water often even though I have done the research and read the reports. I know better! And I still am playing with fate.

Think about the enjoyment of a trip and taking a few minutes out of the hike to filter/treat whatever your water. No big deal right? Then why do so many of us play russian roulette with our health? I don’t know, but I am making the commitment now to be safer. And as such I was looking for a new whiz bang water treatment to be my all in one when I came across the Reliance PUR Purifier of Water

The PUR system utilizes powdered iron sulfate and calcium hypochlorite which happens to be the same system used all over the world to clean up water for humanitarian missions, as well as in most water treatment plants in U.S. cities.

Basically you add the chemicals to nasty water and it congeals the funk and you then filter it out via a cotton sheet (check out the video). This new system is supposed to be the most effective and with a creek to mouth time of around 30 minutes it might not be to bad. Each PUR packet treats 2.5 gal. of water. So if I only need two water bottles full how am I sure to get just enough chemical?

PUR is also marketing a Reliance PUR Clean Drinking Water Kit which has two collapsible containers a stir stick and a few other items.

I think I might give this one a go and see how I like it, especially since it promises no chemical taste, after all isn’t that why we drink out of streams in the backcountry?

I will give a report once I can test it for myself, or if any of you have given it a shot let us know how you liked it. Whether you buy this kit or not always carry a backup method, such as my current favorite Potable Aqua Chlorine Dioxide Tablets - 20 Pack. They take a bit longer but are light and dummy proof!

UTM posted recently raving about his Keen sandals the other day, so it got me thinking about some of the gear that I dig. There are a few things that I dig and use almost daily, and I figured while I am not by any means an expert I do know what I like and dislike about some of my gear so I figured I would share my experiences.

Take note that I have added a “Gear Review” section in the categories listed above. This category will house my likes “High Five” and dislikes “Kick in the Nuts” primarily concerning gear but I could branch out into other things such as beer, events, places, etc… you get the picture. Feel free to let me know what you think. Oh and I must warn you any negativity concerning PBR will not be tolerated and you will most assuredly have to deal with Brownie should you choose to bash this fine beer.

The first such gear choice are my beloved Chacos. High Fives all the way!!!!! For those of you not familiar with this product be prepared to be amazed. I personally give the UpaDowna endorsement to the Chaco Z/1. I have had these for a few years now and can not even begin to tell you how awesome these are. I have hiked extensively, waded in rivers and lakes, swam, played ultimate frisbee, climbed boulders and trees, explored waterfalls, biked, drank beer and tons more in these amazing sandals.

Their ultra grippy vibram soles never give up and if they do, Chacos can be resoled!! If the strap wears out they can replace it!!! Buckle breaks you guessed it, it can be replaced! Seriously think about a pair of sandals that you can use forever. Just replace the worn out part and you are off for the next adventure. Average repair turn around time is 5 days once they receive them.

As with anything there is always something negative, and for Chacos it is no different. The price is about the only negative aspect since they hover right around $100. However put it in context. These are the LAST pair of sandals you will EVER need. That money is well spent, hell Chacos are an investment that makes great sense.

So I cannot say enough about these rugged do it all sandals. If you don’t have a pair yet GO GET ONE.