Gear Review: La Sportiva Men's FC Eco 4.0 GTX Hiking Boot

I picked these up for a bit under $140 from moosejaw.com back in December. I was looking for a light weight, waterproof boot with good ankle support for use while hiking with overnight loads. The Eco 4.0 GTX from LaSportiva fit the bill and is made using eco friendly and recycled materials. I was a little hesitant to trust eco friendly materials to keep my foot dry but I gave it a shot. I'm all for more environmentally friendly products as long as they still perform. Using Gore Tex to make them water proof and Vibram soles for grip these have performed great during my 5 months of wear. The Gore Tex liner has kept water at bay  while waking through above ankle deep swamps and wet trails alike , the Vibram sole has never lost traction on wet roots and rocks. They are supportive enough for a weekend pack while still being light and flexible enough to run short distances in. I even wore these on a warm weather sno shoe trip without issue.
So far these boots have performed better than I expected. The hiking season is about to really get into full swing and I will update you on how these handle heavier loads and greater milage.

Dave  

Gear Review: Buck Knives Redpoint Knife

Coming in a close second to my love for packs is my love for pocket knives. I carry a knife everyday at work and around home and always find a ton of uses for them, more so in the woods. Folding knives are not a useful as their fixed blade counterparts in the woods but they are a whole lot easier to carry and give off a lot less of a weird rambo feeling. For $30 you get a 4 3/8" long (closed) partially serrated stainless steel locking blade sub 3 ounce folding knife with a bottle opener and a belt clip. The easy to operate with one finger blade lock locks the blade both open and closed, the series of groves cut into the back of the blade make it quick and easy to deploy, buck calls this SafeSpin deployment, the rubberized grip is super sticky when wet, to the point its hard to get out of your pocket when wet. Basically this knife just works. It's easy to use and large enough for most jobs and small enough to forget its in your pocket. My only caveat is the bottle opener. While it works, its not the greatest bottle opener, you never know when your going to need to open a beer in a pinch and having a bottle opener handy is always a good idea. I say it's worth the $30.

Dave

Gear Review: Osprey Talon 33 Day Pack

I love packs. If there is a piece of outdoor gear I can't own enough of it's packs. I love checking out all their pockets and gear attachment points, playing with all the suspension straps, etc. I have a particular affinity for Osprey packs. I think they are the best made, best designed, most comfortable packs I have found. I currently own 4 of them. My latest is this yellow Talon 33 day pack. With 2000 cubic inches of space weighing in at 2 lbs even this is a very good sized light weight pack. Osprey calls it an active light pursuits, Multi-Use pack. I call it an example of everything you need nothing you don't design philosophy. Its a spacious top loader that is hydration compatible, with pockets in the waist strap, easy to reach pockets on the side of the pack body, plenty of attachment points and a very comfortable suspension.
 I'm having a hard time thinking of things to write about this back. It is simple, light weight and well built.  It leaves you wanting nothing and as a result you forget it is there. It's intuitive to pack so you never give it a thought. I can think of no better complement to a pack than being forgettable. Too often short comings in pack design or build make us painfully aware of them. Not so with this pack. Load it full, shoulder it and forget about it.

Dave

Gear Test Update: Columbia Shimmer Me Timbers Jacket part 2, the rebirth of Columbia?

After spending all winter with this jacket, I recommend this jacket whole heartedly. From bitter cold to snow, light rain and gusting wind this jacket kept me warm and dry.  At home during trips around town, hikes in the Cascades and a blizzard in Lake Tahoe this jacket became a fast favorite. After my test jacket from Columbia had its zipper chewed off by an unsupervised Chiweenie I had fallen in love with this jacket to the point that I forked out $120 of my own money to buy a replacement in South Lake Tahoe, it's that good.
If Columbia keeps building garments like this they will win back the hearts of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere. I am looking forward to next years product line.