Camping Gear Reviews

2011-05-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

Grizzly Spit Portable Campfire Rotisserie

Availableat: http://www.firepies.com/grizzlyspit.html

Overall Rating 7.25

Ease of use 8

Construction 6

Setup Time 8

Value 7

Price $59.00

Intro.

This is what the Manufacturer hasto say about the item.

The Grizzly Spit is portable and can be takenalong and set up anywhere, anytime. It comes with two upright poles which aredriven into the ground on either side of the fire. It has a three foot crossbarthat fits into the battery operated motor. The crossbar comes with two spitforks which lock the food on the crossbar so that the food does not slip whilethe rotisserie turns.

All of this is true and the unit does exactly what it issupposed to do. It will also run for about 12 hours on a set of D cellbatteries. It has a torqued down gear system that offers a surprising amount ofturning power for the spit. No worries about your heavy roast or leg of venisonnot turning and burning on one side. We just have one MAJOR complaint about theunit. It is made from plastic and it is supposed to be placed within a foot ofhot coals. The plastic casing becomes so hot it begins to deform. If you tonedown the heat then the meat will not cook before the camping expedition isover. This is a huge design flaw.

We solvedthis issue with a piece of roofing flashing and about 8 pop rivets. As seen inthe photos above we made a small heat shield to prevent direct heat fromreaching the unit and allowing air to flow around it. Problem solved for about50 cents and 8 minutes of time.

Pros: Works exceptionally well and has served ourneeds for over 4 years in many adverse conditions.

Cons: The manufacturer really needs to consider aheat shield or at the very least a metal body housing.

Conclusion: A wonderful product with a littleretrofitting. Very steep on the price considering the materials, but to date wehave found nothing less expensive that will do the same job as well.

2011-05-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

300 Weatherby Pacesetter Die

Availableat: http://leeprecision.com

Model# Lee-300-WHBY-K5

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 8

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 10

Price 38.98

Intro. We here at the RRS have a few firearms. No Itake that back we have a LOT of firearms. We hunt, sport shoot, and defend thecampsite from evil squirrels when necessary. I reload my own ammunition due tothe cost of over 1.50 per shell for a quality 300 Weatherby Magnum round. It canget quite expensive sighting in a new scope before that Elk hunt Wes and I planon taking in the fall. Recently I was doing this very thing and had a casebecome stuck in the decapping / sizing die. Before you ask yes I was using caselubricant. In the process of removing the stuck shell the decapping pin wasdamaged. I have used Lee products for years and have always been extremely pleasedwith the quality.

I was unhappy with this unfortunateincident which was no fault of the product but more than likely the casing hadexpanded to much in the guns chamber to fit the die. I should have switched to colletdies ages ago to prevent this type of thing since this is the only gun theshells are fired from and the casings don’t need resizing only the necks. Butthat aside I emailed Lee and asked if it was possible to purchase a replacementdecapping rod. Within 1 hour I had received an email response that included theitem name, number, cost and that they were sending me one that same day free ofcharge.

That’s right they were sending meone at no cost and even covering the shipping. Wow I was impressed. This typeof product confidence by a manufacturer is very rare. I can certainly saywithout a doubt that I will always be a Lee fan when it comes to my reloadingequipment and gladly endorse their products.

We did however give an 8 on ease ofuse because this is not some item you can just plop out of the box and usewithout knowing what you are doing. Please read the instructions carefully,follow all manufactures safety guidelines, invest in a good reloading handbookand read it before using this item. Failure to operate this die as directedcould result in serious bodily injury or even death.

Lee 300 WHBY Pacesetter 3-Die Set includes Full LengthSizing Die, Bullet Seating Die, Factory Crimp Die, Universal Shell Holder,Powder Dipper and Instructions/Load Data

Pros: A wellbuilt quality product. The manufacturer stands behind their inventory and fromour experience customer service in top notch. You get far more than what thestandard warranty implies. The adage of under promise and over deliver ringstrue with Lee Precision.

Cons: The one thing I would like to see different onthe Lee dies is a locking ring with a set screw to keep it from slipping muchlike RCBS uses. Other than that there are no down sides to this product.

Conclusion: Aquality precision product with a smashing warranty and wonderful customerservice.

2011-05-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Zodi Outback Gear 1066 Battery PoweredShower Pump

Availableat: http://www.zodi.com/

Model # 1066

Overall Rating 0
Ease of use 0

Construction 0

Setup Time 0

Value 0

Price 28.45

Intro. A secondattempt into a product made by Zodi by our group. Right out of the package theunit did not work properly. Supposedly you drop the pump into the water and switch it onand it should pump water to the shower head. For all you skeptics out there, yes we did use new batteries that had been tested prior to use. It appears this unit is nothing more than aprime example of cheap design and poor shoddy construction. In our opinion Zodi cares not one whit about customer satisfaction and evidentiallydoes not rely upon repeat business because they burn those bridges with everysale. Upon contacting customer service we were told by Shelia that we hadpurchased a defective unit and there was nothing that could be done. Zodi did not offer any warranty or return options and they were "sorry we were unhappy.Perhaps if we bought another unit it would work better".
WHAT??? Burn me onceshame on you, burn me twice shame on me. Trust me there will not be a thirdtime. Our suggestion to all our readers is stay away from this company and its products. Thereare much better options out there I’m sure and when we find them we will letyou know.

Pros: There is not one redeeming thing that we say about this unit or the company that makes it.

Cons: Zodi has the worst craftsmanship and customerservice we have ever experienced in 35 years of testing camping equipment.

Conclusion: Our recommendation is stay away from this company and all of itsproducts.

Update:

We have found two alternatives to this device and as promised have listed them for you. The first we actually bought and have used. It has worked wonderfully on 3 different occasions.

Stansport Portable Battery Powered Camp Shower
At $43.99 it is more expensive but as with most things in life you get what you pay for. It is battery powered using 4 D cells and unlike the Zodi has a nice shower head with suction cup mount.

The second unit which we have not tried is the

Texsport® Portable Battery Powered Camping Shower
At $39.99 still more expensive but if it works at all it would be better than our experience with the Zodi.

Let us know what your experiences are with any of these products in the comments section.

Update:

We were contacted by Ryan Crittenden the Zodi customer service manager after we sent them a link to our review. He expressed concern over the quality of the customer service we experienced and sent a UPS shipping label for us to return the defective item for replacement. We promptly sent it back and now 2 months later still have heard nothing. Make from this what you will, we are done with this company. Its time to move on campers!

The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

2011-02-22T20:13:00.000-08:00

The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

Availableat: http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Model # Spot 2

Overall Rating 9
Ease of use 9

Construction 10

Setup Time 7

Value 10

Price $149.00 Plus subscription

Intro. The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger provides a vitalline of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergencyassistance when you need it. Using 100% satellite technology, SPOT worksvirtually anywhere in the world, even where cell phones don’t – all with thepush of a button.

That's theintro on the spot web site, and it greatly intrigued us here at the RRS. Weoften find ourselves in places so remote that they have never heard ofelectricity let alone cell phones. Heck our regular camp site in Indian Glen isso far back in the BFE that not even radio signals can be counted on to listento the UK Wildcats play.

Wepurchased this unit in January of 2011 for $149.00 and proceeded to makedecisions on what subscription plans to go with. Spot has several optionsstarting with the basic $99.00 plan which covers Search and Rescue, Help, andCheck In.

For anadditional fee of $49.99 we got the Track Progress feature which allows friendsand family to follow your progress online in real time or to save waypoints soyou can review your entire route at a later date. SPOT Track Progressautomatically sends your GPS location waypoint to a Google Map every 10minutes. Our site is http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0EqyHxvabXMp0AfNkRCpTgUVH706BsONH

For another$12.95 We purchased Geos Member Rescue Benefit. Geos provides the SOS/911 monitoring included in your Basic Service. You canupgrade to the GEOS Member Benefit for reimbursement of up to $100K in Searchand Rescue (SAR) expenses - even coordinating a private SAR contractor ifneeded to get you to safety.

And lastbut not least we got the Product replacement insurance for $17.95 with a $30.00 deductible. If the product is lost, stolen, damaged, or even eaten by a Yetithey will replace it.

Additionaloptions were Type and send where your smart phone can send short text messages,Sensor alerts for maritime use, and roadside or maritime assistance where youcan call for a tow truck or boat.

The unit uses AAA 8X lithium batteries only and will noteven turn on if anything else is inserted. It's kind of picky about what youfeed it, but in its defense it will run 3 days nonstop on one set of batteries.If someone hasn't found you in that amount of time your screwed anyway. Setting it up online took about 2 hours andwe had to wait 24 hours for it to be active. Not quite as easy as it could havebeen but FCC regulations make everything more difficult than they need to be. Theuser interface on the Spot website is not laid out as well as it could be andtakes a learning curve. Thus the 7 for setup on our ratings.

Pros: We have used all the features except the SOSwhich would notify SAR and it has worked wonderfully. It sends messages to upto 10 people by text or E-mail along with allowing others to track ourmovements on Google Earth. Customer service is instantaneous with a native Englishspeaking human not a machine in about 30 seconds.

Cons: Thereare several some of which cannot be helped and others which can.

1 The unit has to have a relatively clearview of the sky or it cannot contact the satellites in space.

2 The track me feature only works onInternet explorer. It will not display on Firefox.

3 The yearly recurring feature is ratherpricy. The package we finally went with cost a total of $250.00 after taxes. That's$100.00 more than the unit itself cost.

4 Setup is rather time consuming andrequires several calls to customer service to complete.

Even with these drawbacks we still gave it a 10 on Value.Why you might ask? Well if you're stuck with a broken leg or serious injury,lost, or just to inebriated to make your way out of whatever situation you arein this thing will save your life by calling someone to come and get you givingthem your GPS coordinates down to a 3 foot radius. How's that for Value?

Conclusion:

Well worth theinvestment. We hope we never need to use the SOS feature but you have to askyourself how much is your life worth?

2010-07-29T21:59:00.001-07:00

3-1/2" Nine LED Flashlights, 2 Pack

Available at:

http://www.harborfreight.com/

Direct Link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-1-2-half-inch-nine-led-flashlights-2-pack-97036.html

Model # 97036 Manufacturer: Gordon

Overall Rating 9.5

Ease of use 10

Construction 8

Setup Time 10

Value 10

Price $3.99 for a two pack.

Intro.

I have been 'field testing' these flashlights around the house for thepast 6 weeks, they've not let me down yet. For the money (Harbor Freight 2 for $3.99) you probably cannot find a better deal money-wise for a compact light source.None of the companies selling this product include the actual Lumen Rating (we estimate perhaps between 40 & 50 Lums).The Beam produced is a smooth, even, rounded shape, it is not 'warped' in any way and penetrates Fog very well. Nicely illuminates from between 20 to 30 feet outward in clear conditions.

The exterior construction is as advertised "an anodized, machined aluminum body" so it is rugged and base parts screw together well. The 3 AAA batteries ('off-brands' are included) are held in a housing of their own which is inserted into the Flashlight's lower body, a rubber "O-ring" does make for a "water-resistant" design but that does not mean it is "water-proof", we have yet to test the limits of these lights in a water-drenched environment. The 'Push-Button' light switch is located at the base and is overlaid by a textured rubber cover, presumably aiding with water resistance. If this Rubber area were to be punctured,seeping moisture might then corrupt the light (untested) as the Lens-Housing the 9 LEDs might be if it were damaged, so be careful. A 'Wrist Strap' is attached to each light but for its size the only creature able to actually use it that way would be small woodland creatures (possums, raccoons, rabbits, etc.) but you will find it fits your human fingers very well.

As for just how long they will last (over 100,000 hours?), it will probably be sometime before we can comment on that. Even if one of these 9 LED Flashlights actually were to malfunction ... just grab another, the low cost at this point seems to off set any 'limited product life', which I have yet to experience. But all in all, for the size, brightness and cost these flashlights are light years beyond the old bulky, cheap, plastic, bulb-type lights we've seen for decades which are still found in checkout bins on your way out of a store (without batteries).

Product Detail:

[Uses 3 x AAA]
(Sold Under Various Company Names: Gordon, Miraclebeam, etc.)
Powerful, rugged and durable, this pocket-sized, aircraft-grade light can withstand even the most extreme conditions. The 9-LEDs provide an efficient light source and perform faultlessly over 100,000 hours. Features an anodized, machined aluminum body, O-ring seals to create a water-resistant housing and premium contacts.
* Dimensions: 3.75" x 1"
* Weight: 2 oz

Pros:

Cost, rugged construction, compact size with adequate Beam strength.

Cons:

Not the sharpest of beams, but what do you expect for the cost? Thus far no other real drawback, will update after testing in the field come this September.

Conclusion:

In short, these LED lights should be ideal and convenient for our basic RRS uses roaming around in the Red River Gorge Darkness.



This Excellent review was submitted

by RRS founding member Greg

Stamper. It was greatly appreciated,

and he receives our most sincere thanks!!!

2010-05-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

Garmin nüvi® 1300

Available at: http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us

Direct web link: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=134&pID=30950

Model # nüvi® 1300

Overall Rating 4.25

Ease of use 9

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value -10

Price 169.99

Intro.

Our second foray into the world of GPS navigation has once again left us disappointed. Although the Garmin Nuvi 1300 worked much better than the previous try with the Tom-tom it still left much to be desired.

First the good points. And there were good points about this little unit. It was built better and had a more substantial feel than the Tom-tom. Its interface had a quick learning curve and I was able to use it right out of the box within 2 minutes. The touch screen was sensitive to the right extent without being over touchy and the satellite acquisition seemed really fast. While in the city of Atlanta I was able to navigate around town easily where it would bring me directly to my desired destination without any problems. Rerouting for missed turns is automatic and the voice prompts are easily understood. Unlike the Tom-tom it includes Points Of Interest, Maps, and other features free of charge. There are some paid expansions that are available, but for general use the unit is fully functional right out of the box.

Why then did we give it a minus 10 on value for an overall score of 4.25 if it did all these things? Here is why. Once I decided to get back on the road and head for home I plugged in my destination of Johnson City Tennessee and my starting point of Atlanta Georgia. The unit planned a rout that took me through every cow lick small town in north Georgia down winding 2 lane country roads with an average speed of 30 mph. It had me going through Ashville North Carolina, and Greenville Tennessee before finally arriving home 6 and ½ hours later, while having to stop at every red light along the way in Podunk USA. Having driven this rout many times I know from experience that I needed to travel North on I-75 to Knoxville, then head East on I 40 / 80 until I got to within 15 miles of my home. It is 4 to 6 lane interstate the whole way with a 70 mph speed limit. Although the trip is 4o miles longer this way it only takes 4 hours to get there because of the greater speed and no stops.

I tried to program an alternate route and that is one function that is not available on the Garmin unless you have another city along the way you want to see and program it in as well. I put Chattanooga into the rout along with my destination and it then gave me the interstate path to my home. My big beef is if I knew enough about the area, roads and maps to do this on my own then I didn’t need the GPS to begin with. Thus it becomes a chore to try to trick the unit into choosing the fastest route to your destination instead of the shortest which is not always the quickest.

Also it did not come with a sync cable to connect to a PC for downloads or a 120 volt adaptor to charge from house current.

Pros:

It does work better than the Tom-tom and is easier to use. Better built with a sleek substantial design.

Cons:

Computer generated mapping still is not as good as just using a compass and a road atlas. If I had followed this things route I would have gotten home quite as safely it would just have taken me 2 extra hours to do it.

Conclusion:

If you’re doing city driving its seems to be an excellent product. Get one. But for the open road you might want to consider another option.

2010-04-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Thunderbolt Aerosystems Inc.

THUNDERPACK

Available at: http://www.thunderman.net/

Model # ThunderPack Revision-2, Generation-2 (R2G2),

Overall Rating 7.75

Ease of use 6

Construction 9

Setup Time 8

Value 8

Price $100,000.00

Intro.

The RRS purchasing committee knuckled under to pressure from Paul Napier and bought a Thunder Pack system ostensibly to assist the Forestry service in rescue operations in hard to reach areas when JAFFO’s and those hippy rock climbers get themselves in trouble in hard to reach or totally inaccessible areas. It has a flight time of around 75 seconds allowing for a rescuer to transport a tether up a mountainside to a stranded climber or down into a steep ravine for those who get to close to the edge in their lawn chairs and pull a Humpty Dumpty falling over.

However this grand and altruistic desire to help the forestry rescue service turns out to not have been the only reason Mr. Paul Napier wanted the unit to be purchased. After a month of intensive training at the National Guard Armory on the weekends he was certified to fly the unit, and has hardly been seen since. Flying around the country side buzzing fellow RRS member’s homes and generally being a nuisance. Over the past two weeks I often hear wafting down from the sky whoops of joy and exultation. We might have to rethink this purchase and ground Jet Boy as he has now become known.

With all that being said our review of this product is from observation only, since we can’t catch up to Jet Boy for a proper review. Ease of use is low because of the high initial learning curve and training involved. Although if Jet Boy can eventually operate it then it can’t be that hard!! Setup time likewise is intensive with the delicate fueling procedures on a glowing hot jet pack. Also the value is somewhat lower than we would like at 100 thousand dollars to purchase for a short flight time of 75 seconds. I’m sure if some of the other RRS members could inspect the unit we could give a more accurate and positive evaluation but until we catch up with, and ground Jet Boy that will have to wait.

Pros:

The future is here and flying cars can’t be far behind. It does strap to your back and let you fly around.

Cons:

High cost and short flight time are drawbacks.

Conclusion:

Hey if you got 100K to blow and want to become a Jet Boy as well go for it.

2010-03-23T19:58:00.001-07:00

TomTom One XL 330 GPS - 4.3" Touch Screen Display

Available at:

http://www.tomtom.com/index.php?Lid=4

Model # XL 330 GPS

Overall Rating -5

Ease of use -5

Construction -5

Setup Time -5

Value -5

Price $139.00

Intro.

This Past week I was in Atlanta Ga. and had to purchase a GPS navigation unit to get around town. I made the mistake of buying the TomTom XL 330. It is the only product we have ever reviewed here on RRS Camping gear Reviews that has received a negative score. I will only touch upon some of the more glaring problems with the unit.

The features advertised on the box are all optional added items not included as the packaging leads you to believe. Millions of points of interest such as gas stations, hospitals, restaurants and so on are available but at a cost of $19.99 for each product category. The maps are rudimentary but more detailed ones are available for a price.

The interface is so complicated as to be unusable. Certainly not something you could do on a trip. You would need hours to program a destination.

Every time I turned the unit on it defaulted to German and had to go through the entire setup process of inputting name, address, location, and product registration along with setting user preferences (like English). This was usually about a 20 minute process and happened each and every time it was turned on, even though the settings were saved at the end of setup.

The voice prompts were unintelligible and only about one in ten words of the computer synthesized voice could be understood.

The touch screen had to be hammered hard with a stiff finger to get it to register input. No option to adjust sensitivity was available.

The USB charging cable would not fit into the jack on the unit. It was the wrong type. It simply would not fit and there was no car charger with it. That was a separate add on item for $29.99. Even though it is supposed to be used in a car. I only had about 4 hours charge on the thing out of the box. If I wanted to continue to use it I would have to pay an extra $29.00 for the charging adaptor that would fit it.

TomToms web site is full of broken and dead links so that it is impossible to actually contact customer service. Also the drivers that I did manage to download were not compatible with Windows Vista or 7.

Pros:

Not one single redeeming feature or thing can be said for this expensive piece of junk. It is a travesty of cheap manufacturing combined with poor design and customer service.

Cons:

Its expensive JUNK !!!!

Conclusion:

Don't buy one, EVER!!!!!! It is a piece of unmitigated trash and you will be wasting your hard earned money on TRASH!!!

2010-03-17T08:44:00.001-07:00

Esbit Solid Fuel Tablets

Available at: http://www.rei.com/product/653344

ESBIT Home page:

http://esbit.biz/index.php?id=95&sess=8e3d542c508b41e468e3e2b1de6db715

Model # 653344

Overall Rating 9.5

Ease of use 10

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 10

Price $5.95

Intro.

The brand Esbit® began in 1936 when the solid fuel tablets were invented by Erich Schumm. Soon after further products were developed. For example the stoves in pocket format of which more than 10,000,000 pieces have been sold to date.

We here on the RRS Camping Gear Reviews have used these wonderful little tablets for years in our backpacking gear. They provide a better source of heat than alcohol for pocket stoves, burning longer and hotter with less weight. Their packaging is excellent preventing the mini fuel bricks from getting wet or absorbing moisture from damp field conditions. In my experience they can be somewhat resistant to lighting at first requiring more than a few seconds of direct heat from a lighter or match to get them going, but once they take off they perform wonderfully. Some features of these units are as follows.

Non-explosive
Does not liquefy when burning
Ignites with match or lighter
No sparks
Strong heating output
Leaves almost no ash after burning
No visible smoke
Lightweight and compact
When properly stored, Esbit solid fuel maintains its full functionality for many years

We have found one tab will burn about 12 minutes and will bring 500ML of water to a boil in around 7 minutes depending upon its starting temperature. Not bad at all for an inch square tab of fuel.

Pros:

Lightweight, compact, stores well, and very cost effective. Burns a surprisingly long time considering its size.

Cons:

Can be somewhat resistant to lighting initially.

Conclusion:

If there is a more compact convenient and lightweight fuel source out there I don’t know what it is. Everyone should keep some of these in their backpack.

2010-03-13T20:51:00.001-08:00

LG CE110 AA Emergency Cell Phone Charger

Available at:

https://www.cellularfactory.com/

Direct Web Link:

http://www.cellularfactory.com/camera/CASIO/40/31339/758/

Model # 31339-E1-13

Overall Rating 0

Ease of use 0

Construction 0

Setup Time 0

Value 0

Price $6.89

Intro.

I bought this with the expectations that I could use it to recharge my cell phone while out backpacking where no other charging source was available. It is advertised that you can use AA batteries to recharge your cell phone.

Well this is the first item we have reviewed here on RRS Camping Gear that has received a flat out ZERO!!! The unit did not work. It wouldn't even register on the three separate phones we tried it on. Batteries were checked and the list of compatible phones was consulted several times. Nothing at all happened. It was like plugging your phone into a rock. Perhaps a rock could actually generate a spark if you hit it just right and have a better chance of imparting some small modicum of power to your phone.

When we contacted the vendor with our request for a refund or exchange for a working unit we were told by a non native English speaking person that, and I quote "You stupid American, we have you money, you go away now" click they hung up.

So an inexpensive product that does not work sold to the unsuspecting public by a foreign national with no sense of integrity or customer service in their business model. Why does this not surprise me. Sighhhhhhhhh.

Live and learn I suppose.

Pros:

Not one good thing can be said about this unit.

Cons:

The money from the purchase is most likely being used to support an anti American agenda in their home country.

Conclusion:

Buy a charger from your mobile phone manufacturer or provider instead of third party clone products. OEM is the way to go if you want quality.

2010-03-12T19:36:00.001-08:00

V squared 6 Chip Tactical

Available at:

http://www.coastportland.com/

Direct web Link

http://www.coastportland.com/product.php?prodid=934&prodnums=%C2%BF934%C2%A11038%C2%A11039%C2%A1268%C2%A1264%C2%A1263%C2%A1260%C2%BF&mastCat=1&catid=8

Model # 7345S

Overall Rating 10

Ease of use 10

Construction 10

Setup Time 10

Value 10

Price $28.00

Intro.

About 10 years ago I bought the Lenser 6 LED light. I was very hesitant because the LED lights were still a new technology on the market. Most of the lights out there were not very bright and poorly constructed. For the most part things have changed very little for the majority of the LED lights on the market. You can buy a hand held torch with 6 to 10 lights for as little as 2 dollars that are all plastic with lenses that will fall out and cheap rubber switches that don't work half the time. You know the ones I'm talking about! Those 2 for 3 dollar deals in the checkout line in Wal-Mart or the local gas station. Those cheap pieces of junk.

Well this is not one of those. Sure it cost $28.00 and looks like just about every other light out there, but it's how its built and the quality of the components that matter here. This thing is solid milled aluminum with a cloverleaf multi-reflector system. It has 6 truly high intensity LED's that provide 80 lumens. None of this micro candle power nonsense others use. It uses 3 AAA batteries and will run over 100 hours on that power source. Others claim to do so but within 20 hours or so the LED's are so dim as to be useless. Sure they are still running but they don't provide enough light to do anything other than be annoying. At 4.5 inches long and 1 inch wide it is small enough to fit easily into a pocket or be unobtrusively carried in the hand without feeling like you are hauling around a Billy Club. Best of all it has a lifetime guarantee.

I have used this light for ten years and it has never let me down. I have only changed the batteries 4 times in that span and cannot express how impressed I am with the brightness and durability of this unit. It has been banged around and put through far more abuse than it was ever intended for and yet it still performs like a champ.

Pros:

Superb construction and flawless performance. This is one light that will last 100 times as long as those cheap imitations.

Cons:

It is $28.00 which is a lot for a 6 LED handheld light but this is one of those cases where you DO get exactly what you pay for.

Conclusion:

If you can justify the expense buy one you won't regret it for a moment. Especially when you're trying to find your way to the latrine in the woods in the pitch black of night. Not a time to be fighting with a light that doesn't work 100% of the time.

2010-03-12T12:43:00.001-08:00

Igloo Marine 94 Cooler

Available at:

http://www.igloocoolers.com/home/

Direct Web Link:

http://www.igloocoolers.com/products/FullSize/Marine/213/

Model # Marine 94

Overall Rating 8.75

Ease of use 10

Construction 8

Setup Time 10

Value 7

Price $167.99

Intro.

Years ago (15 to be exact) I broke down and bought a nice cooler. I usually purchased a single season use cheap plastic cooler for our camping trips hoping they would last several seasons and then having them give out in several months. Foam insulation would expand and warp in the hot sunlight, thin plastic bodies became brittle and cracked, plus they just don’t insulate well letting everything get warm after a day or two at the campsite.

At the insistence of my lovely wife I purchased this Igloo cooler for around $89.99 at the time and have been pleased with its performance ever since. It has a 94 quart capacity, stainless steel hardware, UV inhibitors in the thick heavy duty plastic, a fish measuring ruler is molded into the lid and the threaded drain plug is compatible with a hose. The cooler also has tie-down loops located on the handle brackets to secure it to the deck of a boat.

As advertised it is called a 5 day cooler and I can testify that with the right type of ice this is absolutely true. Solid ice not the puffed air kind you get in the vending machines will last much longer. We actually freeze about half of our drinking water in the plastic 1 liter sizes before hand and use that as the cooling agent. That way you take up less room with ice that melts and fills the cooler with a sea of water that can waterlog food items. But back to this cooler. It has withstood countless behinds plopping down on it. It has been baked in the sun for days on end and covered in mud, grime and filth. It has performed flawlessly the entire time with one exception. The plastic latches will develop cracks after about 4 years and break off needing replaced which we have done several times. This cost about 9 dollars for a pair of them and can be changed out in about 4 minutes with a Phillips head screw driver. Other than that this cooler is a dream.

Pros:

Heavy duty construction for a lifetime of service. It will even hold 2 liter drinks in the upright position. The water hose threaded drain plug is a nice feature so you don’t change your kitchen area into a swamp if you need to drain off ice melt.

Cons:

The latches break after a few years and need replacing, and the price is way too high in my opinion. Thus the 7 for value and 8 for construction

Conclusion:

A rugged well built cooler that will give decades of service.

2010-03-11T16:33:00.001-08:00

Classic 2-Mantle Coleman Lantern

Available at:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp

Direct link to product:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=288B700&categoryid=1015&brand=

Model # 288B700

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 9

Construction 10

Setup Time 9

Value 8

Price $64.99

Intro.

The Classic Coleman Lantern used for decades by campers around the world. Synonymous with quality and dependability, this unit embodies the very essence of what Coleman stands for. The design has been perfected over many years and stands as an icon in the camping industry. It is available in various permutations with options on fuel sources and auto starting. This particular unit runs on 1.3 pints kerosene but others have an option to run on unleaded gasoline, propane or even a dual fuel version that works on just about anything combustible that you can pour in as a liquid. (Coleman suggests using Gas or Kerosene only)!! There are battery powered and rechargeable models as well.

We have used this two mantle unit personally in our camping expeditions for over 33 years. Sure we have broken some of them; they are glass after all and not punching bags. They do get a bit hot also, but nothing will pump out light like one of these babies. I don’t care how many batteries you have nothing on the market will burn as long or brightly putting out hundreds of watts of light like a Coleman Lantern.

Pros:

A traditional staple in camping fare. We love our Coleman lanterns. The only maintenance I have had to do in 15 years is replace the mantles a few times at about a dollar a pair and oil the gasket on the primer pump.

Cons:

The price is a little steep but if you shop around you can find good deals on this and other Coleman products. Look at some of our favorite places to shop links to the right for suggestions.

Conclusion:

Dependable, sturdy, quality!!!! What more needs to be said?

2010-03-09T20:25:00.001-08:00

13 HP, 5500 Rated Watts/6500 Max Watts Generator with Electric Start

Available at:

http://www.harborfreight.com/

Direct link to Product:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98839

Model # 98839-2VGA

Overall Rating 9.5

Ease of use 10

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 9

Price 449.99 to 599.99

Intro.

Harbor Freight provided us this fine generator to review. We already had one that produces 800 / 1000 watts that we use on our year end camping expeditions, but as the group has grown we have found ourselves in need of a bigger power source on occasion as the demands for power have increased. Keep in mind the week long annual RRS trip is not a backpacking event. It is a full base camp in the woods with torch lit paths, hot and cold running water, restrooms, furniture, full kitchen and so on.

With that being said let me expound on the virtues of this unit. It has 4 - 120 volt outlets rated at 20 amps and a single 4 pole locking 120/240 volt 25 amp outlet along with leads for 12 volt power. Rated at 5500 running watts and 6500 peak watts it has power to spare. It will run 8 hours on its 6.5 gallon tank using a 13 HP 4 cycle engine. The optional wheel and handle kit for 23.00 make it much easier to use as it weighs in at a whopping 197 lbs.

In my opinion the best feature is the fact that it has an electric start feature. Just set the choke and turn the key. It starts just like a motorcycle. No more pulling endlessly on the starter cord to get the thing running.

Now to the best part. Harbor Freight offers a buyers discount club. For 30 dollars you get a year's membership. Each month they send you a flyer or you can go online to the special promotions available to members only. This unit list at 599.99. To Inside Track Club members it cost 449.00. That's a savings of $150.00. You already saved the cost of membership and the special club prices cover hundreds of items. We had Harbor Freight figure up the cost on this unit with the club discount, 2 year in store replacement plan and the Inside track Club membership along with accompanying taxes. The total cost would have come to 580.33. That's still less than the in store price for all the other common mortals. We purchased a membership for the RRS and are just dying to use it.

OK back to the generator! It started on the second attempt on a dry fuel system and on the first attempt 3 hours later with fuel in the lines. Vibration is minimal due to the effective motor mount suspension. All in all quite an excellent product that promises to give years of service if the initial use is any indication. It is a bit loud much more so than the little Duro Power generator but this is also a monster of a generator. It isn't supposed to be whisper quiet, it is supposed to crank out half a kilowatt hour after hour without complaint.

Pros:

Easy set up right out of the box. Fill with oil, fuel, install a battery and it's ready to go. A substantial piece of engineering that has a quality feel to it.

Cons:

The unit doesn't come with a battery or the wheel kit. These would have been nice additions.

Conclusion:

A prime unit to supply the needs of a large base camp or even for your home in emergency's to keep the heat pump and refrigerators going. This generator is excellent.

2010-02-24T13:22:00.000-08:00

Guide Gear® -15° Fleece lined Sleeping Bag

Available at: www.sportsmansguide.com

Direct Web Link:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rectangle-sleeping-bag-by-guide-gear.aspx?a=245534

Model # WX2-100300

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 8

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 10

Price $53.97

Intro.

On many occasions I have been camping and wanted something with a bit more room and substantially warmer than my lightweight backpacking sleeping bag. We are talking about base camping or car camping. Something where weight isn’t really an issue but rather the comfort. That’s where this bag excels. It’s no lightweight but it is big on space and comfort. Rated down to -15 degrees and roomy with measurements of 39 x 90. My mummy bag weighs in at 2lbs 8 oz. This thing is a whopping 12 pounds but it is so very very warm. I tried it out in 22 degree weather recently and was amazed.

The price also can’t be beat. At only $53.97 it is less than 20% what I paid for my North Face mummy bag.

Pros:

Warm, well constructed, very roomy, comes with its own compression sack.

Cons:

The zipper like on every other bag I have ever tried seems to catch and snag on the surrounding fabric.

Conclusion:

If its going to be cold and you don’t have far to go take this bag. Its an economical way to make sure you have enough room and stay warm as well.

2010-02-08T14:24:00.001-08:00

BlackCat™ Perfectemp™ Catalytic Heater

Available at:

http://www.coleman.com

Direct Web Link:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?CategoryID=3000&product_id=2000004165

Model # 5038A800

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 9

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 9

Price $57.00 to $75.00

Intro:

This little heater puts out 1500 BTU’s and is quite a surprise. When I first got one it was because we had switched our annual camping trip from June to September. The nights are noticeably chillier that time of year. I used this unit on the second night and it almost ran me out of my tent. It got downright hot in there. That’s what it’s supposed to do though. It’s a heater and will operate 14 hours on a 16.4 ounce bottle. The amazing thing is due to the catalytic technology it can be used in a tent without gassing yourself to death with Carbon Monoxide. Don’t ask me how it does this but it requires minimal ventilation. It’s not suggested to use it in a car or space with no ventilation but tents have enough airflow to make this issue a moot point. This is great.

The unit is simple to operate just screw in a propane tank, turn on the gas flow with the single control knob and light it. There is a more expensive unit that has a piezo electric self lighting sparker built in as well.

Pros:

The unit is very compact and folds down to an easily storable size. Ease of use is nominal. 2 minutes with the instructions and you are good to go.

Cons:

I can’t really think of any down sides to this product. I wish they made a smaller size for backpacking!!

Conclusion:

It does exactly what it is supposed to each and every time. It is a heater. The price is quite in line with what I would expect to pay for a product that will give many years of trouble free service.

: Special note: Always follow the manufactures instructions on operation when using a self contained heating unit like this in a confined space.

2010-02-01T19:34:00.001-08:00

Sham-Ease 10 Pack Towels

Available at:

http://www.heartlandamerica.com

Direct Web Link:

http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/item.asp?product=sham-ease-10-pack-towels&PIN=83264&GUID=

Model # WW22-50528

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 9

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 9

Price $10.00 to 19.99

Intro.

I had been looking at buying a pack towel from REI to put into my backpack for the upcoming Creation Falls Trip, March 12-14 of 2010. I looked at several from MSR, REI, Liteload, and Discovery. All seemed about the same with little to no difference between them. Color texture, weight, water absorbency were all very similar. They all ranged in price from $22.00 to $45.00 for a large pack towel.

Then I ran across these jewels at Big Lots. That’s right Big Lots. I couldn’t find them on their web site but I did find them at the links listed above with Heartland America. I got them at Big Lots for $10.00. They are a German made microfiber towel and this box includes 10 of them. 4 small, 3 medium and 3 large. They feel like the Discovery towel, but are not quite as soft as the MRI or REI towels.
That aside they are fantastic. I poured an entire 16 ounce bottle of water on the large towel and it absorbed it all!!!!! After wringing it out it was almost completely dry and within 1 hour of hanging it was. WOW I mean WOW!!!! I always saw these things on the TV infomercials and thought “Oh right”. Well for the price of ½ of a so called camp towel I now have 10 lightweight pack towels. This is fantastic.

Pros:

To good to be true. It is exactly what it’s advertised to be. Amazingly absorbent, lightweight, super fast drying.

Cons:

Big lots only had this one box and you never can tell when they might get another batch in.

Conclusion:

WOW that’s all I can say. Just plain AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-02-01T18:31:00.001-08:00

12 Volt Jump-Start and Power Supply

By Chicago Electric Power Tools

Available at:

http://www.harborfreight.com

Direct Web Link:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38391

Model # 38391-6VGA

Overall Rating 8.5

Ease of use 9

Construction 8

Setup Time 8

Value 9

Price $59.99

Intro.

We needed a battery to run my wife’s C-PAP machine when we went camping and tried several units from the medical supply houses with disappointing results. They all carried lithium Ion battery packs about the size of a large hardback book that wouldn’t run the unit more than 5 or 6 hours at best, with a cost of several hundred dollars. I hit upon the idea of using this unit and was amazed at its performance.

It has 400 amps boosting power with 900 amps peak power. A maintenance free 17 amp hour non spillable lead acid battery. #4 copper booster cables, a cigarette lighter socket for running 12 volt accessories (Read C-PAP Machine) and a battery indicator meter.

This unit can boost off your car, has a built in 50,000 candlepower spotlight, can charge from your car’s 12 volt socket, a wall outlet, or solar panel. It will run her C-PAP machine for 3 evenings in a row before it needs a recharge and seems to hold its charge for long periods of inactivity. If the battery becomes exhausted you can even replace it quite easily with the enclosed instructions.

I even hate to suggest it but perhaps it could also be used (shudder) as a defibrillator in an extreme emergency. I mean if someone is already dead and there is no other choice what harm could it do? Hook them up, yell clear and hit the juice!!!

Pros:

Power on demand anywhere. It can boost your car without you having to find help especially out in the wild on a camping excursion.

Cons:

Being a lead acid battery it is a bit heavy so it’s really for base camping or toting around in your car, not for backpacking.

Conclusion:

A wonderful little product from harbor Freight at a reasonable price. Comparable units from other stores will run about 20% more.

I think it looks kind of like R2D2's predecessor Huey from the 1971 movie silent running.

Silent Running

2010-01-30T23:00:00.001-08:00

560 Portable Camp Toilet Camping Commode

Available at: http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Camp-Toilet-Camping-Commode/dp/B000CN9CN6

Overall Rating 3

Ease of use 3

Construction 2

Setup Time 3

Value 3

Price $27.70

Intro.

This is a great idea and I really wanted to like the product, but it just didn’t work out that way. It was rickety and poorly constructed. I realize that it’s supposed to be a lightweight portable unit but design considerations could have been made to improve the overall performance. The legs didn’t offer a large enough footprint to keep from sinking into the ground unless they were on rock or pavement. The attaching ring that held the bag inside the lip of the seat did not attach securely and kept coming undone. Most of all the seat is extraordinarily small. So much so that unless you are a small child the unit is nearly impossible to use in the normal expected fashion. (I won’t go into details on that just use your imagination.)

Pros:

Not to many, I guess the only redeeming feature is that it’s lightweight.

Cons:

Poorly constructed, bad design, unsafe to put your full body weight on.

Conclusion:

Try the old crouching over a hole method, it will work a lot better for you. Unless there is a movement of major proportions you most likely won’t lose your balance and fall over.

We tried to use it the spring of 2009 but the log worked better!!

2010-01-27T11:09:00.001-08:00

Mountain House Freeze Dried Foods

Stroganoff w/Beef & Noodles - Serves 2

Available at: http://www.mountainhouse.com/

Direct Web Link: http://www.mtnhse.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=53119&Category_Code=MHDL

Model # 53119

Overall Rating 9.5

Ease of use 10

Construction 9

Setup Time 10

Value 9

Price 6.40

Intro.

I was skeptical about this product when I received it for review but tried it with an open mind despite previous experiences with dehydrated foods dubious flavor and consistency. I tried it with a friend since it serves two and we both were surprised at the flavor and quality of the product. It was as good as any prepackaged meal you would buy in your local grocery freezer. Setup time was easy. Just pour in 2 cups of boiling water and reseal. After about 10 minutes the contents had rehydrated completely exhibiting a creamy texture, plump mushrooms, noodles, and ground beef that was gristle free.

Mountain House has a wide range of similar products with pork, beef, chicken and all vegetable options. They are all low in sugar for the diabetics or gastric bypass patients out there and the shelf life is quite simply amazing. The pro Packs like this one have an expected storage life of 7 years and weigh only 4.8 ounces. The #10 cans of the same products are guaranteed for 25 years!

Pros:

Excellent selection, long shelf life, great flavor, fast and easy to fix.

Cons:

Seems to be really high in sodium content. 1010 mg per serving for this particular flavor and up to 1310 per serving for the Oriental Style Chicken with Vegetables. Perhaps Mountain House could offer a selection low in sodium.

Conclusion:

Perfect for camping or backpacking. You’re not having to haul around a lot of water weight in your pack. Well worth the money.

2010-01-16T10:51:00.001-08:00

O2-Cool 1053 10" Battery Powered Fan

Available at: www.walmart.com

Direct Web Link:

http://www.amazon.com/O2-Cool-1053-Battery-Powered-ut/dp/B000BRFYWQ/ref=pd_bxgy_k_text_b

Model # B0009V6IGK

Overall Rating 7.75

Ease of use 9

Construction 7

Setup Time 7

Value 8

Price $16.00

Intro.

It’s a fan. It works like its supposed to. Really useful when its hot and balmy and you need to push some of that humid air out of your tent. Battery life is good but it does use 8 D cell batteries. I have seen Eco Cars use less battery power, so it should run a while on that kind of power reserve. On the flip side the heavy base with all those batteries does give it a very stable footprint.

Pros:

Decent air flow, long battery life, and really low noise.

Cons:

Batteries are hard to change out because the compartment door is most difficult to remove. It's to heavy to hang in the tent and must be placed on a flat surface.

Conclusion:

It’s a fan! It blows air. It runs on batteries. I've seen better and worse.

Here Scott fights with the battery compartment door.

2010-01-03T19:40:00.001-08:00

Vanguard Synthetic 300 Weatherby

Available at:

http://www.weatherby.com/

Direct Web Link:

http://www.weatherby.com/product/rifles/vanguard/synthetic

Model # .300 Wby. Mag

Overall Rating 9.5

Ease of use 9

Construction 10

Setup Time 9

Value 10

Price $399.00

Intro.

So you want to kill a Kodiak grizzly bear and are worried you might not have enough gun to do the job. You want to take down a Bull Elk at 600 yards and make sure the bullet still has enough stopping power when it gets there. Look no further.

This gun is a beast. The .300 Weatherby Magnum cartridge not to be mistaken for the .300 Winchester Magnum cartridge is a powerful round. Pushing over 3000 feet per second on a 200 grain round. This gun is actually too big to use on deer and is suggested for use on African big game. It has even been used to take down Elephant and Rhino.

The Vanguard line of Weatherby rifles are the most economical bang for the buck on the market in my opinion. For under 400 dollars you can own one of these beauties. The Mark 5 and Mark 22 can run upwards of $7500.00 but that doesn’t detract from the quality of this sturdy accurate rifle. When using hand loads I have done myself I can manage a grouping of 3 inches at 300 yards. I am certainly not as good as some of my friends like Paul Napier who is a phenomenal marksman but I feel this is pretty good for a Rifle that kicks like a mule.

The synthetic stock and blued finish give this gun a low reflectivity profile and it has a length of 44 ½ inches long with a rather hefty weight of 7 ¼ pounds unloaded. This particular caliber isn’t something you take to the range to go plinking with due to the cost of the ammo, even if you reload yourself like I do and the amazing amount of recoil it packs. I have retrofitted mine with a muzzle break and butt cushion to help with this but it will still jar lose any teeth that are not firmly in your head. Using a 200 grain solid round I have actually shot through 2 inches of steel plate and the 2 foot thick tree behind it.

Pros:

A beautiful rifle that is a joy to shoot. It will perform flawlessly for many years with the proper care and is intended for serious hunting not target plinking.

Cons:

The action requires a full stroke on the bolt manually to fully eject and load a new round. It can be easy to eject a round and not load a new one if you don’t pull that bolt back all the way in the receiver.

Conclusion:

If you’re looking for a big game rifle not a varmint gun then you can’t get any better than the spectacular Weatherby 300 magnum. For that matter any of the guns from the famous Weatherby Company will be shooting perfection.
The Weatherby motto is " Nothing shoots flatter, hits harder, or is more accurate than a Weatherby Rifle." I agree!!

Special Note:

As with any firearms we suggest a proper gun safety course be taken from a state licensed instructor. Gun safety is not a joking matter and the use of firearms should always be taken seriously. NEVER EVER mix guns and alcohol!!! Never point a gun at something you do not intend to kill.

2010-01-03T14:25:00.001-08:00

Minnetonka Aussie Ruff leather Hat

Product Home Page:

http://minnetonkamoccasin.com/default.asp

Direct Web Link:

http://minnetonkamoccasin.com/CatalogMinnHatsText.asp
Online retailer:

http://www.minnetonka-by-mail.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=42

Model # 9543

Overall Rating 10

Ease of use 10

Construction 10

Setup Time 10

Value 10

Price $37.95

Intro.

I bought this hat about 10 years ago at a truck stop in Nevada on the way from Vegas to the Grand Canyon. It cost about 15 dollars at the time and I got it specifically to keep the sun off my head. I am a Red Head and the desert sun is not kind to us. It turned out to be one of those purchases that stick with you and make a difference for years to come.

I have worn this hat on every expedition, outing, hike, and vacation since. From shark fishing off Martha’s Vineyard, rafting the Colorado in the Grand Canyon. climbing to the top of Holston Mountain in Tennessee to the deepest glens of the Red River Gorge this hat has been my constant companion and one piece of clothing that has not changed.

Minnetonka Moccasin Co was founded in 1946 and produces a huge range of footwear. Their hats are only a very small part of what they do. If their footwear is constructed anything like their hats then I would have no qualms about buying a set of them if I was a moccasin wearing type of guy.

A side snap allows you to wear this hat with left side of brim up or down. Made with steel wire hidden in the edge of the brim allowing for personalized shaping. Comes with a chin strap.

Pros:

Traditional Aussie leather hat. A design that been perfected for hundreds of years. All leather and excellent craftsmanship.

Cons:

None that I can think of. Just remember to condition the leather with a readily available leather treatment to keep it from drying out in the harsh trail conditions.

Conclusion:

Need a hat? Get one of these. Minnetonka doesn’t fool around when it comes to quality. Besides you will look cool wearing it!

2010-01-03T07:26:00.001-08:00

Duraworx
Deluxe Garden Cart

Item #: 214397 Model: TC4205F

Available at:

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=home

Direct Link :

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=214397-52314-TC4205F&lpage=none

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 9

Construction 8

Setup Time 9

Value 10

Price $99.96

Intro:

This garden buggy has been a life saver for our group. When we have our week long annual camping trips we move a lot of equipment into the camp site. We have a storage trailer that we leave in the parking lot with all of the communal supplies but they have to be transported to the actual base camp. Sometimes this can be several hundred yards. Our week long trips are not roughing it like the backpacking trips. We have huge tents, a kitchen, lots of lawn furniture, rotisseries for the fire pit, numerous coolers, showers, generators and so on.

To actually carry all of this can be back breaking. Thus the use of this wonderful little buggy. It’s small enough to get down a forest path at 23.2"X44.9" yet still strong enough to haul whatever we have placed in it. Rated at 1000 pounds I personally know that it will hold 1500 or more from doing some stone work in my yard and filling it with concrete block. It has 13" wide-tread pneumatic wheels which give it a good deal of ground clearance and a hauling capacity of 4.68 cubic feet. The sides will even fold down so that it can be used as a flat bed or for more compact storage and transportation. The front wheels are on a pivot so it will turn on a dime and the handle can be removed so that it can be attached to a lawn tractor or other towing option.

After about 10 years of use it is starting to show some rust and the cotter pins need replacing. The biggest issue has been the tires, thus the 8 on construction. The clam shell two piece rims are held together with 5 bolts. On two separate occasions the bolts have finally worked loose and the tires have lost integrity due to air pressure escaping from the separating rims. This has been easily fixable once back in civilization where new bolts can be obtained. If it had been designed with stop nuts instead of lock washers perhaps this would not happen. I have taken our unit and completely refitted all of the wheels with stop nuts on the rims so this will not be an issue in the future.

Pros:

Rugged hard working little garden cart. Long lasting performance.

Cons:

Needs better bolts on the wheels. Stop Nuts are a retrofit must.

Conclusion:

If you are moving a large amount of equipment and have the room for this buggy then get it. It has been invaluable for our group and the price is quite reasonable.

2010-01-02T22:35:00.001-08:00

Hot Hands and Toasty Toes

Available at:

http://www.handwarmers.net/

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 10

Construction 8

Setup Time 9

Value 9

Price - As low as .75 each in packs of 40

Intro:

Handwarmers.net sent us these wonderful little packets that can be slipped into gloves, boots, jackets or between layers of clothing. They are activated by opening the package and exposing to the air. A few shakes to activate the chemical process then you place them where you want warmth. The more oxygen they are exposed to the hotter they get up to 130 F and the shorter amount of time they will work. The manufacture says when used properly they last 18 hours for the larger Super Hot Hands Body Warmer, 10 hours for the regular sized Hot Hands and 5 hours for the Toasti Toes.

These things are great and if you place them in an area where they are in limited contact with fresh air they certainly will provide long lasting warmth. They are odorless, safe, non toxic, disposable, non flammable, and have an adhesive backing to facilitate placement. One of my favorite uses is when I am camping in very cold conditions I use one of the Super Hot Hands Body Warmers in my sleeping bag with me. If you place it somewhere in contact with a lot of soft tissue like your stomach or between your thighs your body will soak up the heat and redistribute it by way of your circulatory system. Kind of like when you drink a big slug of hot chocolate and you feel the warmth radiate out from your stomach. I have slept all night in below freezing weather and had one still cranking out heat the next morning.

Pros:

For the money they work great and can’t be beat.

Cons:

They don’t store well as well as the manufacturer claims. Don’t buy them and plan on storing for a few years. The packaging will leak over time and the contents lose their ability to warm and become hard inert little bricks. I found that usually a year is about the maximum amount of time you would want to store them even though the packaging claims they will last up to 6 years.

Conclusion:

Great product does what it says, economical and effective.

2010-01-02T19:20:00.001-08:00

Intex® Queen Memory Foam Airbed

Model # WX2-131715

Available at:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/

Direct Link:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/intex-queen-size-memory-foam-airbed.aspx?a=436707

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 9

Construction 9

Setup Time 8

Value 10

Price $119.97

Intro:

I bought this air bed 6 years ago and have used it on so many occasions. Everything from camping to the extra bed for overflow houseguest. It has held up phenomenally and has never leaked. While in the woods on weeklong camping expeditions it only needs topping off every other day. The memory foam top adds a level of comfort that is unsurpassed in any other air mattress I have ever owned. Keep in mind that I sell beds for a living and I personally sleep on a Tempurpedic king size Deluxe model at home. Trust me when I say I know mattresses.

I couldn’t find a direct link to the manufacturer so I have included links above to one of my favorite online discount camping and hunting stores that carry the unit. They have this to say about the product.

High-rise design has both coil and I-beam chambers connected by 4 flow-through ports for extra firmness and support
Frame is I-beam constructed, Mattress has coil beams, both delivering firmness and support
Topped with a removable layer of super deluxe memory foam that conforms to your body's unique shape
Big 600-lb. weight capacity
Cozy flocked surface offers comfort
26-gauge top for toughness
Carry duffel bag with shoulder strap included.
Measures 60 x 80 x 22"h., weighs 36 ¹/2 lbs.

Pros:

Well made quality air bed. High density memory foam topper makes it the best choice I have ever run across for camping.

Cons:

It is heavy. Not intended for back packing. More of the base camp option for sleeping arrangements at 36 ½ pounds

Conclusion:

You have to ask yourself “What’s a good night’s sleep worth?” Yes it’s expensive and there are items I will skimp on while pricing but there is an old saying “You are either in your boots or your bed and you can’t be cheap on either one”

2010-01-02T18:53:00.001-08:00

Stansport Willow Pack Frame

Model # 1016-75

Available at:

http://www.walmart.com/

Direct Link:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10326055

Overall Rating 0.5

Ease of use 1

Construction 0

Setup Time 1

Value 0

Price $59.98

Intro:

We bought this pack because my wife decided to go camping with me literally the very last moment as I was walking out the door. I had planned a three day hike with friends into a very remote area of the Daniel Boon National Forrest. Specifically the Red River Gorge area. I had researched and bought equipment over the past 4 months in preparation. For my wife to get equipment at the very last moment we were forced to take advantage of the fine selection at our Local Wal-Mart. I had only 1 hour to procure her entire pack before I needed to leave or throw the entire trip behind schedule.

That being said we wound up with this piece of junk Wal-Mart calls a “Back Pack”. This is what they have listed at Walmart.com for technical specs.

· Lightweight aluminum frame provides support and mirrors torso movement

· Foam back for ventilation

· 600 D polyester fabric

· Zippered side pockets

· Tool loop, cargo straps, and side compression straps let you attach your gear securely to outside of pack

· Fully adjustable torso length

· Fully adjustable hip belt

· Volume: 75 liters

· Weight: 6 lbs, 4 ozs

Quite frankly you would be better off placing your gear in one of the plastic sacks they use to put your groceries in at the checkout counter. This pack is so ill designed and poorly made it didn’t last the first 2 miles of the hike. Stitching came undone and the side pockets came completely free when a water bottle was placed inside. The belt clip shattered and came off necessitating tying the pack on with rope. There are no interior separators for sleeping pad or bag like with most other packs and the zippers quickly gave up the ghost as the teeth exploded right off in a flurry of shedding particles. No included rain fly and ergonomically designed for either a troll or subhuman Morelock. The compression straps look like any others you would find on similar packs but they are sewn on with a minimal of thread and when tightened down they will just quite literally fall apart.

I didn’t even bother to return this thing to Wal-Mart. It was discarded in a trash bin at the ranger station.

Pros:

It’s an easy way to lighten your wallet.

Cons:

It is a piece of trash. Junk does not even come close to describing it. Wal-Mart should have someone testing out their products before they ever come to market. If Sam Walton were alive right now he would be mortified. Wait I think I hear him turning in his grave!!!!!

Conclusion:

This seems like a regular theme from products bought from Wal-Mart. Don’t buy this product. Run screaming the other way!!!

2010-01-02T18:05:00.001-08:00

Gerber Compact Sport™

Multi-Plier® 400, Needlenose

Model # 05500

Available at:
http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php

Direct Link:
http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/160

Overall Rating 8.75

Ease of use 9

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 8

Price $66.25

Intro:

I have been through 3 of these over the past 10 years and every time I manage to abuse one to the point of failure I send it back to Gerber and they send me a new one no questions asked. I have put my 400 series Multi-Plier through things it was never supposed to handle and have been amazed at what it will take and dish out.

This particular series has the following tools

· Needlenose pliers

· Wire cutter

· Wire crimper

· Serrated knife blade

· Fiskars® scissors

· Cross point screwdriver

· Small flat blade screwdrivers

· Medium flat blade screwdrivers

· Large flat blade screwdrivers

· Can opener

· Bottle opener

It is small enough to be carried in your pants pocket at only 4.37 inches unlike its larger 600 series big brother. But it doesn’t lack in performance. It opens with a flick of the wrist and has a positive locking feature on all the tools so they don’t fold shut on your hand while in use. My favorite feature is the fact that all the tools open from the inside of the grip handle so it leaves a smooth solid surface on the outside for your hand to grip unlike other companies designs which have all the tools opening from the outside. When this happens it leaves the empty tool channel exposed to the gripping surface of your hand and the U shaped track cuts into your palm if you’re being super manly and gripping really hard. It has an all stainless bead blasted surface and Fiskars® scissors, along with a ballistic nylon belt sheathe.

Pros:
Well designed lightweight, durable and compact.

Cons:
I have found whenever I carry it in my pocket with change that quarters can become jammed inside the closed handle / hinge preventing it from opening. I don’t know how they manage to fit in there but they do and it takes a bit of work to get them out. Also it’s a little pricy compared to makes of comparable quality from other manufacturers.

Conclusion:
If you want a reliable small form factor multi tool then this unit fits the bill. It’s well constructed and Gerbers warranty can’t be beat.

2010-01-01T18:28:00.001-08:00

The North Face Orion 20 Degree Sleeping bag

Model No. Orion

Available at:
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/index.html

Direct Link:
http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/equipment-sleeping-bags/orion.html

Overall Rating 8.75

Ease of use 8

Construction 9

Setup Time 9

Value 9

Price $189.00 – 199.00

Intro:

The following specs are listed on North Face.

· Temp Rating 20° F/-7° C

· Shoulder Circ [Regular] 62 in. (157 cm) [Long] 63 in. (160 cm)

· Shell Fabric Hyperlight rip stop

· Max User Height [Regular] 6'0 in. (183 cm) [Long] 6'6 in. (198 cm)

· Hip Circ [Regular] 58 in. (147 cm) [Long] 59 in. (149 cm)

· External Length [Regular] 84 in. (213 cm) [Long] 90 in. (228 cm)

· Weight [Regular] 2 lbs 8 oz (1125 g) [Long] 2 lbs 11 oz (1230 g)

· Fill Weight [Regular] 2 lbs (700 g) [Long] 1 lb 11 oz (768 g)

· Foot Circ [Regular] 40 in. (102 cm) [Long] 40.5 in. (103 cm)

Now that we got the specs out of the way what’s the unit really like you might ask. Well North face consistently offers quality products and this bag is no exception. It is warmer than I expected and I have been on some cold hikes with Mad Mountain Mike. It kept me toasty on a windy mountain top with nothing but scrub and rock to keep the wind off my Spitfire2 tent in less than 20 degree weather and I found myself having to unzip to cool off. It’s well constructed but I did have a heck of a time with the zippers. Someday a brilliant person will invent a fastener system that works better than a zipper. Until then we are stuck with zippers catching the surrounding fabric and jamming up. This happened quite a few times on this sleeping bag. I had to make sure that I was careful to zip slowly and keep the seam taunt to prevent jamming, even though it is supposed to have a No-Snag bonded stiffener in zip column.

Another factor is the size. I am not a big guy (any longer) and I found this like many other so called mummy bags to be a bit tight. That’s not a design flaw with this bag, it’s just the style. If you want a bit more room I would suggest going with one of North Faces more traditional styled bags such as the GREAT SMOKY BX or the Dolomite.

I chose this bag for the weight savings while back packing. To that end it serves its purpose well. The hood draws down tight leaving just your nose out if you want to really conserve body heat. The draft tube and overlapping shingle construction along with the Climashield™ Neo synthetic insulation really work well. It even has sleeping pad retention loops which come in really handy if you are on any sort of incline at all. Nothing like waking up completely off your pad down at the foot of your tent.

Pros:

Well designed lightweight, durable and compact. I had no trouble at all getting this thing to compress down into the provided storage sack. It also seems to really come back to its original shape with a minimal of fluffing and shaking.

Cons:

Zipper is a little snaggy and the price is a bit steep for a synthetic bag.

Conclusion:

If you want a reliable lightweight sleeping bag this product is definitely a premium quality choice.

2010-01-01T11:01:00.001-08:00

AeroBed Ultra-Light Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat

Available at: http://www.walmart.com/

Direct Web link: http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9133991

Model # 82215

Overall Rating 2.5

Ease of use 5

Construction 0

Setup Time 5

Value 0

Price $49.98

Intro.

I personally have not ever used this item because of the poor performance I witnessed amongst other campers cursed with its presence. At one pound 15 ounces and 72.0 x 20.0 x 1.2 in size it equates to almost 2 pounds of trash in your backpack. Every single person I have seen with one has not gotten more than one nights use out of it before seams split and the thing died a pitiful gasping death. The internal baffles are heat welded very poorly and split away from the outer shell. This breakdown in structural integrity breaches the skin and it will no longer maintain its inflated state. The only reason it rates a 5 on “Ease of use” and “Setup Time” is because all you have to do is open the valve and throw it on the ground. Once it’s inflated close the valve.

My wife eschewing the proper preparation for a backpacking trip wound up with one at the last moment and it necessitated me having to hike 3 miles back out to the car the next morning to replace it with something better. Mike Hughes had the same problem as did Paul Napier. Both experienced RRS campers.

At $49.98 this is a travesty to foist off on campers. The manufacturer should be ashamed to produce it, and Wal-Mart should be embarrassed to sell it.

Pros:

Not a single good thing can be said about this piece of junk.

Cons:

It’s Junk.

Conclusion:

Run screaming the other direction. Spend a few extra dollars and purchase a nice sleeping pad like the Therm-a-Rest ProLite.

2010-01-01T10:01:00.001-08:00

Coleman Camp Oven

Available at: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp

Web Link to Item: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?CategoryID=5150&product_id=5010D700T

Model No. 5010D700T

Overall Rating 8.75

Ease of use 8

Construction 9

Setup Time 8

Value 10

Price $29.99

Intro.

I was very skeptical when we purchased this stove for our group to use on our annual week long camping excursions. I was pleasantly surprised at its performance. Most impressive is its small form factor once it is packed away. It ingeniously folds down into a compact square about the size of a 2 inch thick phone book. No Kidding. This same feature also rates it the 8 in "Ease Of Use" and "Setup Time" because it does take some practice to learn how to unfold it like a tesseract into its final form. In fact here is a link to a website I found where a guy shows how to unfold it. http://www.alpharubicon.com/altenergy/colemanovenjaden.htm

We used it to make sausage and biscuits the first time and were able to fit about 8 of them inside on the convenient 10X10 inch baking rack. When placed upon a Coleman Stove the thing will really heat up inside just like a real oven. The thermometer on the door seems quite accurate and the baffle in the bottom prevents direct heat from burning the food, letting only heated air circulate inside like a convection oven. Pretty impressive. Unfortunately we no longer have this unit. It was damaged in a camping accident that involved a priest, large caliber guns, and a helicopter. Don’t ask; just understand we have really strange camping adventures sometimes. This stove is high on my list of items to purchase again for the coming season.

Pros:

Does exactly what it is supposed to. It’s an oven, it cooks food. Folds down into a really small package. Quite an ingenious idea.

Cons:

It is a bit tricky to assemble. Even after several tries it still took time to get it right. This appears unavoidable due to the very compact folding nature of the stove. Certainly isn’t a reason to not get this very functional product.

Conclusion:

Get one you will love it. If you do a lot of cooking on your camping outings this is invaluable. Heck you can bake a fresh pie in it. What more could you want around a roaring campfire than a fresh baked apple pie?

2009-12-31T19:30:00.001-08:00

Victorinox Swiss Huntsman Army Knife

Model No. Huntsman 1.3713 Style Number: 53201

Available at: http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?page=0&lang=E

Item Direct Link : http://www.victorinox.ch/index.cfm?site=victorinox.ch&page=161&lang=E

Overall Rating 10

Ease of use 10

Construction 10

Setup Time 10

Value 10

Price $39.00

Intro:

I rarely give a perfect 10 rating to any item I review but this is one exceptional piece of equipment. The classic Swiss army knife. The first one I ever got is still one of only two that I currently own. It has a lot of sentimental value as well as being a perfectly designed tool. 37 years ago Elvis Presley gave me this knife. To be more precise I was visiting my grandparents who lived only 2 blocks from Graceland at Christmas. On Christmas Eve a van came down the street and a lady with a clipboard knocked on all the doors of the houses. She asked how many children there were,their gender and age. A man from the van brought presents to the door and then they went on to the next house. The card on the small blue box said merry Christmas from the Presley estate. Inside was my first Victorinox Swiss Army knife. So technically Elvis did give me the knife.

All that aside what I will say about the knife is what a perfectly designed and useful tool. Victorinox has got it right after 125 years of making cutlery. No matter what accessories you are looking for more than likely they make a tool that will fit the bill. This particular model has the following accessories.

Large blade
Small blade
Can opener with small screwdriver
Bottle opener with large screwdriver & wire stripper
Scissors
Wood saw
Reamer with sewing eye
Corkscrew
Hook
Toothpick
Tweezers
Key ring
Life time warranty

At only 3 ½ inches long it fits easily into the pocket and other than my Gerber Multitool with the pliers is the only tool I take camping with me more often than not.

Pros:

Well designed lightweight, durable and compact. It has never let me down and I have abused this knife something terrible.

Cons:

I lost the toothpick years ago but that’s my own fault. Other than that how can you complain about perfection?

Conclusion:

If you want a reliable lightweight premium quality pocket knife/ tool this is it. At less than 40 dollars it’s a steal as well. I mean what other product can you get and use daily with almost zero maintenance for over 37 years for that kind of investment?

2009-12-31T14:32:00.001-08:00

Portable Flush Toilet

Available at: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/home.asp

Direct link to product: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=827B802T&categoryid=6100&brand =

Model # 827B802T

Overall Rating 6.5

Ease of use 5

Construction 7

Setup Time 7

Value 7

Price $69.99

Intro:

We used to have a 5 gallon bucket with a garbage bag in it and an old broken toilet seat perched precariously on top with a little lime to sprinkle on your business to cut down on the odor. This unit is an improvement in the odor department by far. Is it more convenient? That is a matter for debate. It holds 3.2 gallons of water to flush with and all the business drops into the removable lower chamber after you flush. The problem is someone has to empty that lower chamber, and it’s usually right when you need to use the unit in the worst way and don’t have the time to fool with it. Then there is always the person who finds the need to pump the heck out of the flusher and fill the entire lower tank with just one use to overflowing, thus making a stinky smelly mess for the next person. Convenient? No! Perhaps if it were just for one or two people who would be accountable for its use it would be perfect. For larger groups other arrangements are necessary.

The holding tank is 2.8 gallons while the fresh water it holds is 3.2 gallons. Add a little business in there and you far exceed the capacity of the holding tank. Does no one else see this as a problem? Also when emptying the unit it gurgles and splashes sending droplets of foul smelling chemical treated blue waste splattering everywhere.

Pros:

It’s great for one or two people but no more. It does eliminate odors and makes for a cleaner experience when used very carefully within the strict limitations of the design.

Cons:

Holding tank is not large enough, and emptying the thing is so much of a chore that it is quite unpleasant.

Conclusion:

Better than a bucket I suppose but not by much. The bucket is far easier to empty. Just tie off the garbage bag and dispose of it.

2009-12-30T20:17:00.001-08:00

Katadyn Hiker Pro

Available at: http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/

Direct Link : http://www.katadyn.com/usen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-water-filters-backcountry-series-products/katadyn-hiker-pro/

Overall Rating 9.75

Ease of use 10

Construction 10

Setup Time 9

Value 10

Price $79.95

Intro:

I purchased this water filter after much research and deliberation. I am sure there are other filters that are quite wonderful and will produce water just as clean and refreshing at the same or even lower price. Not having tried them I cannot say how this filter compares to others, and more than likely I will never find out. This unit works well and has never let me down. It’s really easy to pump not requiring a bodybuilder physique to operate and produces a surprising amount of water flow easily and quickly at 1 quart per minute. It is designed to be serviced in the field with no tools and is a snap to clean.

The manufacturer states that it can filter 200 gallons of water; I think perhaps this is a worst case scenario if you were pumping sludge through it. From my observations I think it would produce quite a bit more if cleaned and cared for properly. The replacement filters are around 35 dollars and are quite easily obtainable. It also has a pre filter that really helps preserve the life of the .3 micron glass fiber filter, and activated charcoal to help eliminate bad taste. Its diminutive size of 3x6.5x2.4 and weight of 11 ounces make it perfect for backpackers who want safe water without the foul taste of those purification tablets.

Thanks to quick connect fittings the installation and removal of input and output hoses is easy! It also connects directly to hydration packs with 1/4” drink tubes, or too many water bottles with the included bottle adapter. It comes with attachments that you can splice into the water lines of just about any hydration pack with minimal fuss so that quick connecting is a breeze, along with a gasket lubrication tube and a carry bag.

Pros: Well designed lightweight, durable and compact. It inspires confidence in me when I pump brown muddy creek swill and get clear refreshing good tasting water.

Cons: None that I can think of right off hand. Even at 79.95 I think it is quite a deal for having fresh water to drink.

Conclusion: If you want a reliable lightweight water filter from a company with an excellent track record this is it. They have a large line of other products for almost every need. If you don’t need a backpack water filter they have them for home use, base camp, even desalinators for marine purposes. Well worth the money!!

2009-12-29T19:57:00.001-08:00

Snow Peak Titanium

3 Peice Cook Set

Model No. STW-001T

Available at: http://www.snowpeak.com/

Direct Link : http://www.snowpeak.com/back/cookware/titanium.html

Overall Rating 9.5

Ease of use 10

Construction 10

Setup Time 9

Value 9

Price $44.95

Intro:

I purchased this cook set when I was outfitting for some light backpacking several years ago. The Snow Peak Multi Compact Titanium Cook Set is ultra light but strong enough for extended use in adverse conditions. It is a modular kit that nests neatly together so that the entire set is quite compact. It includes a large and small pot with a lid that can be used as a sauce pan, all with their own handles. Compact stowage and featherweight titanium make this the perfect cook set for fast and light hikers. I put my small titanium cook stove and a handful of fuel tabs, lighter, some tin foil for a windscreen, and titanium spork inside the smaller pot. This way my entire mess kit is in one small lightweight package. The two pots are 5-1/2diam" x 2-1/4",and 5"diam x 2-1/8", while the frying pan is 5-3/4"diam. They all have rounded edges which make cleaning up a lot easier. The entire set weighs only 7.1 oz

As with all the Snow Peak products I have purchased I am pleased with the weight saving quality of Titanium along with its deceptive strength to weight ratio.

Pros: Well designed lightweight, durable and compact.

Cons: A little thin so be careful that you keep the food moving around so it won’t burn. But it is designed to be a light weight set so the thinness is sort of necessary for the weight saving feature.

Conclusion: If you want a reliable lightweight cook set this is a premium product. While $44.95 is a little steep this is worth the benefits gained in materials and performance.

2009-12-25T20:06:00.001-08:00

Rocky Blizzard Stalkers

Available at: www.sportsmansguide.com

Direct link: http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rocky-blizzard-stalkers.aspx?a=146542

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 9

Construction 10

Setup Time 9

Value 10

MSRP Price $119.97

Intro:

Rocky® quality from heel to toe these have got to be the warmest boots commercially made. I purchased a set of them 10 years ago and have used them off and on during the worst snow storms whenever they rarely hit our area. With 1200 grams of Thinsulate Insulation they are rated to -135 Fahrenheit, and are aptly named Blizzard Stalkers.

These boots are like slipping your feet into a warm soft pillow. The inner liner is as comfortable as the most plush house slipper, and can be removed to clean if you get them a little soiled. A lot of shoe companies advertise that their boots are water proof. Short of actual waders these can’t be beat for their effectiveness at keeping your feet dry. Sportsman’s Guide has this to say about them.
Waterproof, oiled suede leather and 1,000-denier Cordura® uppers, combined with Rocky®'s waterproof construction, for 100% waterproof protection
1,200 gram Thinsulate™ Ultra Insulation
Removable 3-layer EVA insole with moisture-wicking fleece and wool to cushion and keep feet dry
Multi-directional Rocky® Bob rubber outsoles plow through snow and mud without clogging
³/4-gussetted, padded tongue keeps the wet stuff out
Anti-reflective 5 tunnel loop / 5 speed hook lacing
Steel shank for support
Approx. 11" h. and 43 ozs.

Pros:

A little pricy for the rare occasional use but when you’re in a 3 foot snow drift you need the right shoe. At that time you will be glad you spent the money on these boots. They will keep your feet warm no matter what weather you might find yourself in, even if you’re traveling to the South Pole.

Cons:

These are heavy boots, over 2 ½ pounds each. If you’re going to be wearing them all day be prepared for a workout. My calves ached for days after slogging around in these for 6 hours.

Conclusion:

The absolute best Pack Boots on the market. Worth every penny. Oh and did I mention they are warm?

2009-12-21T20:43:00.001-08:00

Banff Pro

Model No. 2104954649

Available at: www.lowaboots.com

Item direct link. http://www.lowaboots.com/catalog/ShowBoot.cfm?StockNum=2104954649&Category=2&Type=M

Overall Rating 9

Ease of use 10

Construction 10

Setup Time 8

Value 9

MSRP Price $280.00

Intro. I recently lost a lot of weight (238 lbs) and have been doing a lot of backpacking and hiking. Putting in 60 to 70 miles in rough terrain hiking in a week is not unusual at all. I went through many shoes before I finally poneyed up the cash for the Banff Pro. I started out with the elcheapo hikers from Wal-Mart and they lasted exactly 2 days. I went through a succession of different boots and even managed to wear out some highly rated Merrell Outbound mid leather GTX Hikers $210.00 and a set of Asolo TPS 520 GV boots at $248.00 in less than a month each. Both had seam separation right at the ball of the foot.

I tried the Lowa's on at the insistence of a store clerk despite my reservations about the price and past performance with other so called top of the line shoes. I had never heard of Lowa and was skeptical of a shoe without Gortex or insulation. I was impressed with the fit and feel of the boot and pondered the purchase for over 3 weeks before I broke down and bought a pair. To put it in a nutshell I couldn’t be happier.

Lowa's are made in Germany and use glove leather lining on the inside along with a water-repellent 2.5MM seamless Nubuck leather upper that is durable and resistant to scratching and scrapes.
It has a very stiff Vibram® Masai sole that takes some getting used to but really supports your foot on those long treks with heavy 60 pound packs.
The insole has a breathable top layer that transports moisture away from the foot, eliminates pressure points, minimizes friction between foot and insole to reduce fatigue.
Patent-pending Tongue Stud flexes the tongue vertically and horizontally for even distribution, avoiding blisters and pressure points.

All that sounds very good and is copied from the Lowa web site. The actual facts are this is a fantastically comfortable shoe. One of my biggest issues with hiking boots in the past have been the seam that every manufacturer puts into the materials right down the Achilles tendon and heel. If you have the slightest bit of creep in the fit of the boot it will act like a rasp on the back of your heel and after 10 miles you will be begging for mercy.

This boot has one seamless expanse of oh so soft leather with no stitching right across the heel area. It is also designed to fit the actual shape of the human foot not like some other manufactures idea of what they assume a foot should be like. (Ozark Trails).

The leather does show scuffs and wear quite noticeably, and this concerned me at first but it does not seem to matter to the performance of the boot and let’s face it we are talking about hiking apparel not runway haut couture.

The lace locks work well and keep a secure snug fit. While there is no active moisture wicking material such as Gortex involved in the construction I have not had a single problem with moisture at all when used with a pair good quality wool and silk blend socks. The self cleaning lugs also afford a reliable grip even on the most uncertain of materials. At the suggestion of the store clerk and online comments I have found that conditioning the leather with a simple leather moisturizer will help keep the interior buttery soft and maintaining that luxurious feel. It also helps keep the outside looking nice and prevents water from degrading the integrity of the leather.

Pros: Well designed heavy duty, long haul boots. I have never had a pair hold up like these and feel as good as they do this far into the season.

Cons: Be prepared to have an extended break in period. I was aware of this before my first hike and used them on my elliptical for two weeks. They can be stiff and require a bit of working. While a little pricy at $280.00, you get what you pay for.

Conclusion: I don’t think there is a better built hiking boot. I would recommend it to anyone who was serious about foot comfort while hiking over rough trails or long distances.

Camping Gear Reviews

Model# Lee-300-WHBY-K5

The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger

Model # 288B700

BlackCat™ Perfectemp™ Catalytic Heater

O2-Cool 1053 10" Battery Powered Fan

Duraworx Deluxe Garden Cart

Hot Hands and Toasty Toes

Intex® Queen Memory Foam Airbed

Model # WX2-131715

Stansport Willow Pack Frame

Model # 1016-75

Gerber Compact Sport™

Multi-Plier® 400, Needlenose

Model # 05500

The North Face Orion 20 Degree Sleeping bag

Model No. Orion

Model No. 5010D700T

Victorinox Swiss Huntsman Army Knife

Model No. Huntsman 1.3713 Style Number: 53201

Katadyn Hiker Pro

Snow Peak Titanium

3 Peice Cook Set

Duraworx
Deluxe Garden Cart