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Fenix HM65R Headlamp Review
Headlamps are the most convenient way to light your way through the dark. When paddling, they point where you look, and when in camp they help you see the area so you can complete your chore or just kick back with a good book. I recently received a Fenix HM65R Headlamp for review. In the past I reviewed another Fenix light and liked it. The Fenix PD36R was a solid flashlight. I was looking forward to trying another one of their lights out. So, how did the HM65R do? Fenix HM65R Headlamp Description The Fenix HM65R Headlamp is a rechargeable headlamp constructed from a lightweight magnesium. It features a USB-C…
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KÜHL Sun-Protective Shirts Review
Being outdoors and on the water exposes us to harmful UV from the sun. The leathery outdoors person is a typical cliché, but if you spend a lot of time outdoors, that’s the look you’ll get. According the the Skin Cancer Foundation, “An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun. People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily.” This doesn’t even touch on the health issues, such as skin cancer, caused by sun exposure. That’s where men’s sun-protective shirts and women’s sun-protective shirts come into play. They help…
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Sawyer Water Filter Bottle Review
After using this product on my 11-day, 160-mile trip, I feel like it’s time to do a quick Sawyer Water Filter Bottle Review. Usually, I like to get 30 days on a product before reviewing it, but in this case it’s based on technology from Sawyer that I’m comfortable in providing my full thoughts. I’ve used both the Sawyer Squeeze and Mini before. This water filter bottle uses the Mini. Sawyer Water Filter Bottle Description Here’s what Sawyer says about the product: At just 4.5 ounces in weight, this durable BPA FREE water bottle can deliver clean water as fast as you can drink it. Use the included filter with…
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Nightcore P30i Review – an impressive wide-throw flashlight
Recently, Nightcore reached out and asked me to do a Nightcore P30i Review. The P30i is a wide-throw, long-range and rechargeable flashlight. The opportunity to do a review on a Nightcore product was exciting, because I’ve heard great things about the Nightcore NU25, a lightweight headlamp of just over an ounce that gained popularity in the lightweight hiking world. The P30i is a completely different beast and to let the cat out of the bag early, a flashlight that I’ve fallen in love with. Reviewing the specs of the Nightcore P30i makes it seem like an impressive flashlight. At the strongest setting, it outputs 2,000 lumens and throws up to…
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Superior Fleece Hoodie Review
For this Superior Fleece hoodie review, I’ll review the Poplar Hoodie. Recently, I was trying to figure out how to get a Melanzana hoodie. They are nearly impossible to get. You have to apply to a lottery in order to get a chance to buy one. When I mentioned that I was trying to get that hoodie, someone said I should look at Superior Fleece. Superior Fleece was selling on Etsy at the time, and I ordered a hoodie. I bought the hoodie four months ago. After wearing it nearly nonstop for months, I feel like I’m willing to give it a review. The short of it: my wife says…
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Kayalu Kayacam Review: a camera mount for kayaks
Kayalu sent me a Kayacam camera mount to test out on my kayak. I decided to give it a go on a calm day (check out the video below) for this Kayalu Kayacam review. The Kayacam mount attaches to your kayak or canoe by hooking into a deck fitting with a stainless steel clip. The stainless clip attaches to a bungee cord, which you tighten until the mount is secure. Kayalu recommends that you use cameras weighing 7 ounces or less when used on a kayak, canoe or other boat subject to rocking. That’s about perfect for a GoPro9, which is the action camera that I’m currently using. It wasn’t…
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Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2 Review: The Classic Tent
Review of the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2 Tent.
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Reviews of Boat Building Books
Concise reviews of 19, count them, 19 boat building books. This list will get you started building boats of your own. It's easy just check out my building log for my latest kayak.
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REI Co-op Screeline Pants 2.0 Review
With my REI Annual Membership Dividend in hand, I went on a blow-it-all-at-once shopping spree at REI last month. I had recently ripped a pair of pants in a place where repair wasn’t possible and was looking to replace them. I ran across the REI Co-op Screeline Pants 2.0 online. I’m usually picky about the pants I wear. I usually search for months to find the perfect fitting pair of pants, so I’m often skeptical about fit when shopping online. I like to try clothing on in person, but I needed the pants. With my dividend in hand I figured why not? If they didn’t fit, I could easily return…
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Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes Review
Back in the good old days, I had a sponsorship for an expedition from Action Wipes, which were basically great-smelling, oversized baby wipes originally designed for post-love-making sessions. Since then a number of other companies have come up with something similar, including Sea to Summit Wilderness wipes. Sea to Summit designed the Wilderness Wipes were specifically for the outdoors. The Wilderness Wipes allow you to “shower” when you’re out on a wilderness trip and don’t want to jump in a lake. They’re made from extra thick soft fabric and designed to be gentle on your rugged exterior. You can compost them when you get home. The wipes contain aloe vera…
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The Best Boots for Canoeing
My go-to boot for shoulder season day tripping has always been the NRS Boundary Shoe. But, on longer trips, especially those without a dry suit, I’ve found the shoes to be too flexible for portages and not waterproof enough for long days. They weren’t the best boots for canoeing, especially during the shoulder season. I polled my friends and fellow paddlers, some of who have spent years guiding canoe trips and have paddled on expeditions all around the world, about what boots they typically used for this. They recommended the following most often: Xtratufs Legacy, Kamik Bushman and Muck Wetlands. The criteria for the best boots for canoeing was as…
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Skeeter Beater Magnetic Vehicle Window Screens Review
I’d hate to admit this but since I bought a Subaru Outback, I tend to sleep inside the car more than I front-country camp anymore. It’s far more convenient unless I’m camping in the same spot for several days. That doesn’t happen as often as it used to. The car gets stuffy without the windows down, so during bug season it’s good to have mosquito netting to cover the windows. This last summer, North Fork Gear sent me a set of Skeeter Beater Magnetic Vehicle Window Screens to review. The Skeeter Beater Magnetic Vehicle Window Screens allow you have open your car’s windows while providing protection from biting bugs. Made…
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Trekology Ultralight Camping Pillow Review
Over the last couple of years, I’ve been experimenting with different pillow options that range from Hyperlite Mountain Gear Stuff Sack Pillow to stuffing clothing into the sleeves of my coats. Nothing has been comfortable. So, when searching for inflatable pillows, I came across an inexpensive option that was well reviewed on Amazon. It’s the Trekology Ultralight Camping Pillow. This is my brief Trekology Ultralight Camping Pillow Review. Description The Trekology Ultralight Camping Pillow is technically called the Aluft 2.0. It’s $16 on Amazon. It is an inflatable pillow. It takes three to five breaths to completely inflate. When inflated, it’s about 17 inches by 11 inches and about 4…
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Fenix PD36R Flashlight Review
Having a bright flashlight with you on a paddling trip, especially when night paddling, can make a difference between being able to navigate and being able to be seen while on the water and not. In the U.S. if you paddle at night, the U.S. Coast Guard requires that you carry a bright, white light to point at other boats as needed. The ideal flashlight will be bright, light and watertight. To that end, I was recently able to checkout a new flashlight by Fenix. This is my Fenix PD36R Flashlight Review. The Fenix PD36R is an USB-C rechargeable flashlight with a maximum brightness of 1600 lumens out to the…
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What I Carry on my Life Vest for Kayaking
What you carry on your life vest for kayaking varies based on personal choice and what you use your vest for. But, many beginners or intermediate paddlers skip carrying gear on their vest in favor of throwing it into a day hatch. That can be a bad choice. As the Coast Guard says, “If it isn’t on you, you don’t have it.” As an example of what to carry, I present to you what I carry on my life vest for kayaking. Vest fit is personal, but also a bit of a compromise with features. The vest that fit me best only had one tight pocket and made it impossible…
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