Posts filed under 'Gear'
Demo Day is the day at the Outdoor Retailer show where the attendees get to play… and sweat. I think I sweat a gallon today. I heard the showing of vendors was probably half of what it has been in the past. Probably due to high fuel costs. Nobody wants to ship 200 canoes across the country, then ship them back 4 days later with these gas prices.
Anywho, I did see some interesting products today and met some cool people. One thing about this trade show that differs from others I’ve been too is the relaxed atmosphere. People were paddling kayaks down by the lake and drinking beer and eating turkey burgers up by the booths. All the while Reggae was playing in the background, and business was still getting done. It felt sort of like the Bonnaroo of trade shows.
Above is the paddle sports demo area. As you can see, loads of boats… and paddlers. There were some other booths at demo day, but most of the action was in the paddle sports area.
Here I am testing a new Bell Solo Canoe in what I like to call the Paddler Soup. The light literally shown through the walls of its kevlar mesh hull. It could turn on a dime which was great, and was light enough for one person to pack with ease. In the background you can see some “Stand-Up Paddle Boards.” I’m not sure how well these are catching on, but testers were having alot of fun with them.
This Airis inflatable kayak has a built in dry bag. No need to pack one. And it fits in a bag the size of a
backpack. Perfect for the apartment dweller or someone who wants to fit their kayak in their trunk without sawing it in quarters.
And I’m dubbing these two guys the Kayakillacs. They are from Epic Kayaks and really do seem to be the
Cadillac of kayaks. Their shell is much harder, they have nice cushy grab loops, roomy dry wells, and plush interior.
I saw plenty of other cool stuff today too, like some new innovations in backpacks Ergon is making, some cool quick dry technology, and some other stuff we’ll gear test for you guys down the road.
August 7th, 2008
As you may know I am at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.
This is the big outdoor industry trade show where all the outdoor companies will be shmoozing and showing off their latest and greatest products. AKA, the stuff you will want in your stocking this December.
I walked around a bit today and watched some of the madness that is a trade show set-up. I used to work for a company and worked the trade show circuit a bit. Let me tell you it is organized chaos. Sweaty people running to and fro with boxes of kayak paddles and trekking poles. Tow motors driving frantically with loads of who knows what outdoor-gear-joy packed away inside. Giant inflatables hovering above your head in anticipation of the next days activities, climbing walls sprouting up
out of cargo crates, CEOs of small outdoor companies sweating with the crew to get the booth looking just right.
Tomorrow I’ll be at Demo Day. This is where all the big gear gets demo’d. I’ll be watching people paddle kayaks, set up tents, roll out sleeping bags, and test harnesses. I’ll report back on the action there as well… stay tuned.
August 6th, 2008
The one thing all of us that visit this blog, and Outdoorzy have in common is an appreciation for the outdoors. A love of being outside and taking part in an active lifestyle. We can all agree on that. But I believe one other thing that is a very close 2nd at binding us all is our love of the gear that gets us out there.
So this week I will be attending the Outdoor Retailer conference in Salt Lake City, UT. For the uninitiated this is the big trade show that the outdoor industry holds each year. All the new gear is debuted, new companies launch, the gear that was new this year is upgraded, and people shmooze.
My goal this week is to gain entry to this show, visit every booth (probably thousands), blog multiple times a
day, and keep all of you up-to-date on what is coming out for 2009. Just imagine, this year, you can be that one friend that is always like “..oh, did you say the Moutain Hardwear Goat Jacket? Yeah I know that one, has the fleece liner and the built in martini bar in the inside pocket.” Yes you! You’ll be the coolest Outdoorzy friend on your block. You can show your friends you’re the real deal, not Matthew McConaughey outdoorsy. No need to drive an old Land Rover Discovery, or leave your canoe on your roof rack all week. You’ll have the 4-1-1 and can talk the talk. 
Anywho, in celebration of this event we want to give you some Gear. The first 3 people to enter 8 gear reviews before Friday night will win one of three prize packs. The prize packs are like outdoorsy grab bags. They are each going to be a high quality daypack full of little gear items. Who knows what you’ll 
get… clothing, guidebooks, headlamps, solar chargers, mp3 players, t-shirts, shoes, water filter??? Gear freebies I pick up to review at this trade show will go into the 3 daypacks. You’ll be the first one to get your hands on some of these items.
So get hoppin! And your gear review doesn’t count if you half-ass it. Don’t review your new climbing harness and say “It was great, it kept me alive” We want more detail than that people….. work for it!
You may have also seen this contest on Contest Hound
August 4th, 2008
The British are coming! Yep, the British are invading the shoe market in the US. Well the British shoe company Inov-8 is anyway. They specialize in trail running shoes and I’ve been testing the Roclite 295 and 320.
The 295 The 320
As you can see the constuction of the sole is identical for these two models. The upper is different mostly in look. I am partial to the 320 because they are funky, bright, and attention grabbing. They are both breathable, but the 295 may be a bit mroe breathable because there is more breathable material in the upper.
As far as performance, these shoes are great for walking and casual use. For running they have Fascia band-aids built into the sole. This aids in propulsion when running. The lugs on the bottom are almost boot-like. They are sticky and grab rocky trails with ease. Ankle support is typical of a lowtop shoe, so these could also be used as hikers for those who don’t need much support in the ankle area.
My only complaint with these shoes is the lack of padding in the heal. The 295 simply has none. There is a layer of material over the hard plastic in the back. I got a blister after running 2 miles on the trail with those. As for the 320 it does have some padding in the heal. The padding hugs the side of the heal and still leaves a small sliver of vulnarability in the back. These didn’t cause a blister, but rubbed a bit and long-term use or longer runs may be an issue for those with boney heals.
Overall I’d reccomend these for casual use and the occasional jog. Dont’ do any hardcore running in these though if you are prone to heal blisters though. You can find the Inov-8 brand in most running stores or specialty stores. They are online at www.zombierunner.com, www.backcountry.com, and a few other online retailers. Inov-8 has several other styles to choose from and they are making big waves in the running world. We’ll be checking more of their shoes out and keep an eye on them as they continue to penetrate the US market.
July 29th, 2008
Merrell was kind enough to provide me with one of their XXL Invent shirts to test out. This has turned into, hands down, my favorite shirt to wear. I would say that this shirt is more comfortable than a t-shirt to wear and looks much better.
I took this shirt with me on my honeymoon to Jamaica and it was the perfect place for it. The fabric is a great moisture wicking polyester. You can wear this to the beach or on hikes and it can get wet and sweaty and dries quickly. It also has some great vents in the upper back area to let air flow through easily and keep you cool. The buttons are rubbery and actually hidden when completely buttoned up.
It seems very durable and easy to clean and dry. As a big guy, many times I worry about the length of XXL shirts that aren’t labeled TALL as well, but the length on this is great. You wouldn’t really be able to tuck it in, but this is the type of shirt you wouldn’t tuck in anyway.
This really is a top notch shirt and I do plan on buying a few more. My only suggestion to Merrell would be to provide an Outdoorzy orange…those would fly off the shelves.
July 28th, 2008
During my college days, I had a rain coat for those wet days that I had to go to class. The only problem was this coat was built for temperatures under 30 degrees. So on a typical rainy day, I was very hot by the time I got to the top of the hill.
Merrell’s Thrive jacket would have been perfect for that time. The waterproof fabric protects you from the rain, and it’s lightweight to keep you warm without being hot. The “pit vents” were totally new to me, but they come in handy when you need a little extra air.
The women’s Thrive comes in Ink (shown), White and Rainforest. I really like the overall fit of this jacket. The sleeves are long enough which is rare for me. It’s pricey at $189, but I would definitely recommend it.
Specs from Merrell’s site
- Merrell Opti-Shell™ lightweight 2.5-layer rip-stop fabric
- Contoured, adjustable attached hood provides optimum protection
- Two-way pit zip venting eliminates unnecessary heat
- Dual, secure zippered hand pockets
Get it at:
July 24th, 2008
I had the chance to test out the Merrell Waterpro Toro. At first glance, I thought I would wear them around for a weekend or two while I am running around to fly shops, visiting the future In-Laws, etc. But every time I needed to do all of the stuff above, plus run to the grocery store, check the mail, go to do wedding stuff, I found I was clasping the buckle on these very comfortable shoes to do the everyday stuff. I am not much of a fan of the open toe sandal, because I usually end up fishing in them and I like my toes to be protected from rocks and gravel, but these shoes are great for the boat, canoe, kayak or just any day when you feel like getting out and about. The shoes are easy to slip on and adjust with Velcro straps on the front and rear of the shoe and nylon buckle on the middle strap. Once the shoes are adjusted, you only need to use the buckle to secure the shoe to your feet. The Merrell Waterpro Toro sandal is my new “Go To” foot wear when I headed out to play.
Specs from the web:
• Webbing and synthetic leather uppers wrap feet securely and adjust at toe, instep and heel for a highly personalized fit.
• Once adjusted, use buckles on instep straps to get in and out; remove the padded heel straps to easily convert sandals to slides.
• Lycra® spandex and neoprene linings are soft against your skin and dry quickly.
• DeepDish™ contoured, compression-molded EVA footbeds cradle and center feet for action; Aegis™ antimicrobial treatment keeps odors at bay.
• Air Cushion® midsoles provide shock absorption and cushion for high-impact wear.
• Thermoplastic urethane stability posts provide rearfoot support.
• Injection-molded nylon forefoot flex plates supply flexible support and protection from sharp rocks.
• Nonmarking Vibram® Water Pro Plus Sandal™ outsoles with TC5+ rubber and razor-cut siping deliver amazing wet-surface traction.
• All synthetic construction is vegan-friendly
July 16th, 2008
As bike commuting becomes more popular I think we’re going to see more of these….. Madison Wisoconsin now has a vending machine for bike parts. People will be able to buy the basics that go wrong…. Flat out? No problem, just deposit $ and a tube pops out. Genius!
You can also buy bottled water, energy bars, and other parts like chain lube. It even comes with a built in rack to hang your bike on while you work…
Now we just have to teach people how to change a tire…. and ride a bike.
Via Treehugger
July 15th, 2008
My first thought when I saw these Ahnu Dolores shoes was that they look very similar to a pair of Skechers that I own. After wearing them, I realized there’s a lot more to these. They’re sturdier and have great arch support. My only complaint is that the straps on the top are a little tight and leave marks on my feet. I’m hoping that will stop after breaking them in some more. I have the blue pair shown here, but they also come in black, green and thistle. They’re great paired with jeans when you need a comfortable, casual shoe.
Specs from Ahnu’s website:
- Highly breathable spacer-mesh for added comfort and flexibility.
- Multi-density drop-in midsole with anatomical design for increased arch support and comfort
- Synthetic suede wrapped OrthoLite® foot pods for added under foot all day comfort
- Anti-slip, non-marking carbon rubber outsole
Get them at:
July 14th, 2008
Next Posts
Previous Posts
backpack. Perfect for the apartment dweller or someone who wants to fit their kayak in their trunk without sawing it in quarters.
SD 45 degree Womens’ Topaz - Long - $87
Gregory Wingate Backpack - $114
Simond Bumper Climbing Helmet - $39.95
Henri Lloyd Storm Barrel Duffel Bag - $29.95
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