Category — Gear

Darn Tough Vermont Socks: The Premium All Weather Performance Sock. Made in America with American wool. ($12.95 ) This is by far the easiest review I have ever done simply because now I am a true believer.

During the recent Outdoor Retailer show I had the pleasure of meeting with Ric Cabot of Darn Tough and discussing socks. Yeah it is one of the most over looked and under appreciated piece of equipment that we as outdoors folks ever use, it is also one of the most important. Fortunately Ric and the Darn Tough team do appreciate them and they know how to do it right.

When I met Ric I asked him what he thought of his product his response was, “We make the best socks ever…period”. Pretty tall statement to which he followed up with info concerning Darn Tough’s Guaranteed for Life, no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it plug. So my question then was why wouldn’t everyone buy a pair? To this he had no answer. And neither do I, because in my opinion everyone should. [Read more →]

Osprey Packs is based in Cortez, CO, so as with most Colorado-based gear companies, UpaDowna is slightly biased towards them because we love to support our local folks when they make solid products. Osprey’s Exos line, released last year, brings us a line of extremely lightweight, yet full-featured, overnight backpacks. I’ve probably read close to 20 different reviews of this line of packs since they were released, but I feel like a lot of those reviews were made after one or two trips with these packs. Here are my thoughts on this line of packs after more than a year and a several hundred trail miles…. [Read more →]

When we speak of JanSport packs it is often in reference to backpacks that many refer to as “book bags”, but in addition to these homework-haulers JanSport does make some more technically-styled backpacks. The JanSport Salish 34, a frameless light-packer, was handed over to us for a test drive recently. Some of the features were winners, while others were losers. Overall, the Salish comes off like a light-hiker in the midst of an identity crisis. [Read more →]

Another one of those hmmm moments during the Outdoor Retailer show occurred when we came upon the Biffy Bag aka pocket potty, stashable shitter, packable privy, well you get the point. In case you didn’t pick up on where I was going with that, a “Biffy” is apparently a bit of slang referring to a toilet. I love the fact that this product exists and I really dig the fact that the guy promoting it was really excited about the product. So how could I not give it a go?!

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Today marks the last day of a four day whirlwind of gear and beer that is lovingly referred to as the Summer OR show. Staged as a place for all things gear related this is the place for manufacturers large and small to display their wares for retailers, buyers, and media. Think of this as a bi-annual gear extravaganza!!

We were fortunate to be able to attend and get an up close and personal look at all of the latest and greatest the industry has to offer. Trust me when I say that after a week of walking through out the expansive Salt Lake City Salt Palace we are exhausted and a bit stir crazy. While I would love to break down all of the gear we saw, there is just no way possible, so I figured we will give you a bit of a taste over then next few days of some products that really caught our eye.

You should also be aware that we were able to get quite a few of these items as testers so we can run them through the ringer as a means to let you know how they did. Here is a brief taste of just a very few of the great products that are coming.

Easton breaks all of the rules with the Kilo a 2 person tent weighing 2lbs!!!

A vest that utilized Argon gas as an insulator Klymit Double Diamond vest.

A brand spanking new pack maker based right here in Colorado Mile High Mountaineering.

And wait for it, wait for it, instant Tomato soup that is actually really really good!!

Thank you Nature’s Coffee Kettle!

Now this is just a few of the many many products that we thought were noteworthy, many more to come soon!

I’m a little late on this one, so you guys are getting something more like 80 days of free gifts. I know we’re going to have a bunch of winners, so I thought it would be nice to give everyone else a little head start. One of my favorite companies GoLite is giving away one piece of gear everyday this summer! All you have to do is visit their website and register (all that it requires is an email address and birthdate). From there you will be prompted to their Facebook fan page. Click the “like” button and cross your fingers. Announcements are made daily on the Facebook news feed. It’s that seriously that easy!!! Go there now, what are you waiting for!!!

Good luck and enjoy!

Menikmati