Big Agnes’ doublewide helps spread the love
Big Agnes Cabin Creek sleeping bag
- Pros: Has a pillow pocket and pad pouch; Full-length zipper on either side; Compresses relatively small
- Cons: Cinch cords not individualized; Creates big drafts when partner moves; Zippers easily stick on fabric
- Bottom Line: Sure you may get sticker shock, but considering a doublewide could replace two singles, the Cabin Creek sleeping bag is a good buy.
- MSRP: $240
There’s something said about getting out of a constricting mummy bag and cuddling up next to your loved one while camping.
Big Agnes is well aware of that, and its Cabin Creek sleeping bag, which is new this year, helps spread the love.
The 15-degree bag has dimensions of 110 inches by 96 inches by 80 inches at shoulder, hip and foot respectively. My wife and I, who are both athletic and fit, found it had more than enough room to comfortably move around at night.
To help regulate temperature, each side has a full-length zipper that zips from both ends – a great feature if you and your partner differ as to how warm/cold you like to sleep.
A draft collar and chest and head cinch cords help keep warm air in and cold air out.
Big Agnes Cabin Creek
However, we found that those three features did little on a 40-degree (Fahrenheit) night in the Rocky Mountains.
As one of us moved, drafts came rushing in despite the cinch cords being semi-taught. We both thought it would be nice to have individual cords to regulate ourselves as needed.
In each hood, the Cabin Creek has a pillow pocket that kept pillows (or in my case bunched up clothes) from moving. And on the underside, the sleeping bag has pad pouches that kept our pads in place.
Despite being a doublewide sleeping bag, you don’t give up much, if any, compressibility.
It took some coxing, but I was able to squeeze the Cabin Creek in the sleeping bag compartment of my Arc’teryx Bora 80 backpack. The bag compresses to 10 inches by 13 inches.
And even the weight is pretty impressive.
At 5.5 pounds, it’s by no means light. However, considering you’ll be packing the Cabin Creek instead of two single sleeping bags, those stats are pretty reasonable.
I know we plan to swap out our singles for a double.
‘Green’ bike tube messenger bag falls short
Green Guru Gear Cycler messenger bag
- Pros: Made from used bike inner tubes; Ample storage space; Padded back panel
- Cons: Shoulder strap loosens; Makes hands smell like rubber; Support A strap awkwardly placed
- Bottom Line: While the Cycler will make riders feel good about being green, it has too many design flaws to make it worth the price.
- MSRP: $130
For any cyclist that wants to see biking become greener, Green Guru Gear’s Cycler will definitely make you feel good about yourself.
Mostly made from recycled bike inner tubes locally sourced around the Boulder, Colo.-based company’s small shop, the Cycler has an urban hipster look.
And, besides being “green,” the inner-tube outer keeps water out.
Green Guru Gear Cycler messenger bag
As you could expect, the 1,200-cubic-inch messenger bag smells like an inner tube – and it makes your hands smell that way after handling it for a few minutes.
I used it for commuting to work, and I found the bag had enough space to easily hold a change of clothes, a pair of shoes, a lunch and still had a little room to spare.
Inside, the bag has a 100-percent recycled PETE (aka: plastic soda bottles) nylon-feeling fabric liner, a laptop divider with a Velcro-type closure to keep it secure, a zipper pocket, some open pockets, and a few pen/pencil slots help keep smaller gear organized.
And some reflective piping on the straps and a rear safety light loop round out the features and help keep you safe at night.
But I found a major design flaw with the A strap that attaches from the bottom of the bag to the shoulder strap to help keep the bag in the same spot on your back.
Being a right-handed bag (which goes over your left shoulder) the A strap that attached to the bottom of the bag feels like it should reach from the high corner while it’s on your back instead of the low corner.
Green Guru Gear Cycler messenger bag
Because of it attaching from the wrong corner, the bag isn’t comfortably held in place while wearing it.
That caused the stationary shoulder pad to be positioned uncomfortably.
The pad definitely adds comfort, but it’s not long enough unless you have the bag positioned high up against your shoulder (to the company’s credit, that’s where you’re supposed to wear it). I typically don’t wear it quite that high though.
Partially because of the A strap, I was constantly battling with the Cycler to keep it in position while riding.
And, sometimes, even if I could keep the bag in position, the main strap loosened causing it to shift again, so the shoulder pad, again, wasn’t in the right spot.
To me, those are substantial enough design flaws to hope the company cranks out an updated version of its messenger bag before you shell out the money to go green.
Flip N’ Drip: A camping coffee fiend’s dream
Brunton Flip N’ Drip
- Pros: Makes a good cup of joe; Simple to clean; Very few parts
- Cons: Mug doesn’t fit on all backpacking stoves; Larger and heavier than other coffee-making options; Directions not clear
- Bottom Line: Though likely too large and heavy for the casual coffee drinker to use in the backcountry, the Flip N’ Drip produces a cup of coffee that rivals the average in-house coffee maker.
- MSRP: $60
For the coffee fiends in the world, carrying a roughly football-sized coffee maker into the backcountry is worth the extra pound of weight.
An easy-to-use two-cup coffee maker, Brunton’s Flip N’ Drip contraption has three main parts: a mug used to boil water, a filter for the coffee grounds, and a cup for the made coffee.
Boil water in the mug, add the grounds/attach the filter followed by the opposite end cup, flip the entire thing over and wait for your coffee to be ready.
Brunton Flip N' Drip in action
To my dismay, I found the mug’s base wasn’t wide enough for the majority of my backpacking stoves. Out of the three backpacking stoves I have, the mug only fit on one. With the others, it fell off because the stoves’ feet didn’t support it enough.
And, perhaps because I had to use my oldest stove, it took more than 15 minutes to boil the water (I live about 5,430 feet above sea level).
Then it took about 20 minutes for the water to fully percolate through the filter making my coffee. Perhaps that was a fluke too as the company claims you’ll have coffee ready in 6 minutes.
But, once it was made, the coffee was pretty good.
In terms of quality, the Flip N’ Drip was split down the middle when four testers pit it against a standard in-house coffee maker.
Brunton Flip N' Drip
That tells me that the coffee was on par with what many people are used to at home. And, in the backcountry, that’s not bad for a simple contraption.
One coffee-addicted tester who spends ample time in the backcountry said it made better coffee than other options he’s tried – minus a French press.
So if you want quality coffee and are willing to carry an extra pound, give up some space and be patient, Brunton’s unit won’t disappoint.
From canyon to climb, OR’s dry bag handles all
OR DryComp Ridge Sack
- Pros: Compression, hip and sternum straps keep load in one spot; Lightweight; Large capacity
- Cons: Shoulder straps too minimal for full load; Not hydration-bladder friendly; Water collects between layers of bottom fabric
- Bottom Line: The OR DryComp Ridge Sack is a great dry bag backpack that’s perfect for any summer activity and well worth the money.
- MSRP: $120
Designed for ice climbing the Outdoor Research DryComp Ridge Sack is a full-featured dry bag that can go anywhere.
Weighing a mere 16.4 ounces (slightly more than a pound) with a capacity of 2,075 cubic inches (34 liters) the dry bag backpack is perfect for an all-day adventure. I could see the pack especially useful while exploring different slot canyons throughout the country.
Beside using it as a carry-on while traveling, I used the pack exploring the lakes and rivers of the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota.
OR DryComp Ridge Sack
As an all-purpose dry bag that I could pack with a towel, food, camera and other needed supplies, OR’s DryComp Ridge Sack didn’t fail.
Swimming with it was easy. The waist and sternum straps helped keep the bag in position, and the air trapped inside acted as a floatation device that helped if I got tired on longer swims.
Lightweight and feature-rich is great, but a good dry bag has to be durable too – something OR didn’t seem to skimp on.
The Ridge Sack is mostly made from 70D nylon and held up well against typical wear (ie: rubbing it against boulders, throwing it on the ground, sliding it back and forth in a canoe).
Swimming with the OR DryComp Ridge Sack
While the bag can fit a full day’s worth of gear, don’t expect to pack it to the brim without it digging into your shoulders.
Its shoulder pads are quick-drying mesh with little actual padding – something I expect from a dry bag backpack. With about 16 pounds of gear inside, the pack was a bit heavy, and the hip belt does nothing to alleviate part of the load.
However, side compression straps help keep the load tight to your back.
To my dismay, water got trapped between the two nylon layers on the bottom of the pack – likely because of the stitching that penetrates the outer layer. A layer of 420D nylon on the outside reinforces the 70D nylon body, but it needs some sort of waterproof sealer to keep water from penetrating through the stitches.
The biggest problem that poses is the opportunity for mold or mildew to form – not exactly something you want with any outdoor gear.
OR DryComp Ridge Sack
Luckily, the inside of the pack remained dry, even after full submersion when swimming.
It has bungee cords on the back to secure extra gear (that can get wet), two ice axe loops and a mesh pocket that the company claims is where you can put a hydration bladder – though it’s not the most ideal place. I’d rather see an easy-access side water bottle pocket or two.
The DryComp Ridge Sack has nearly everything I’d look for in an effective roll-top dry bag for any summer activity.
AdventurerOpti uses UV light to purify water
SteriPen AdventurerOpti
- Pros: Works quickly; Compact and lightweight; Doubles as emergency flashlight
- Cons: Relies on batteries; Doesn’t work with small-opening bottles; Doesn’t filter floaties
- Bottom Line: The SteriPen AdventurerOpti is compact and lightweight, but its reliance on batteries makes it more suitable for traveling than exploring the backcountry.
- MSRP: $100
Being compact, lightweight and easy to use, the SteriPen AdventurerOpti has potential for backcountry travel.
The UV-light water purifier zaps 99.9-percent of protozoa (like giardia and cryptosporidia), bacteria and viruses making it trustworthy in nearly all lakes and streams you’d encounter.
Press the single button, dip it in a 16- or 32-ounce water bottle, stir it around for 48 or 90 seconds respectively, and you’re ready to drink. No pumping required.
The AdventurerOpti has a water sensing LED light that, when placed in mostly-clear water, tells the UV light to turn on. That’s a new feature in SteriPen’s line and prevents the UV light from turning on sans water – thus draining the batteries.
But, a few hours after testing it once, I found the UV light on while the purifier sat on a table. I didn’t know how it turned on in the first place or exactly how to turn it off – it wasn’t just a matter of pressing the button once.
I eventually got it to turn off – after pressing/holding the button a number of times – and it worked again.
The 2-inch UV-emitting wand doesn’t reach the bottom of a Nalgene – making me nervous that I wasn’t killing all the invisible organisms.
SteriPen AdventurerOpti
However, despite my hesitancy, the SteriPen seemed to work. I drank Nalgene after Nalgene of lake and river water – from places I normally shy away from like the edges of lakes and rivers including where ducks frequented. I never got sick.
Of course that doesn’t mean the SteriPen worked (I didn’t drink straight from the source to know if I got sick from untreated water), but it gets my vote of confidence.
The AdventurerOpti does rely on batteries though, which is a huge concern for backcountry travel.
Even if the company claims the disposable batteries will last long enough to purify 50 liters of water, I, and most others I know, don’t like to rely on batteries when being away from clean water.
After three days of regular use, I experienced the worst – but in a controlled environment. The AdventurerOpti kept giving me a red blinking error light, and the UV light wouldn’t turn on.
Luckily for me, I could fill up my bottle with tap water during the incident.
In full disclosure I accidentally swam with it in my swimsuit pocket prior to the error light, so the outcome is understandable. And the company states it isn’t waterproof.
But, at the same time, having the SteriPen submersed could easily happen when using it in the backcountry.
After a few days of it being packed without use, it worked again. Perhaps the batteries dried.
With something so critical, if the batteries die or the unit stops working, you risk being sick – or having to carry a backup purification method that then defeats the purpose of having the AdventurerOpti.
But for travelers I see this being an easy solution to drinking water in countries like Mexico.
Highgear watch has it all at a fair price
Highgear Axio Max
- Pros: Band has numerous slots for adjustments and added airflow; Light only illuminates the digits; Numerous alarms including altitude and hydration
- Cons: Buttons too easy to press; Thermometer isn’t displayed on time screen; Curved band prevents watch from laying flat
- Bottom Line: With a price that’s on par with similar watches on the market, the Highgear Axio Max watch has all the features needed when on nearly any adventure making it a good buy.
- MSRP: $150
It’s often good to know more than standard time when you’re out in the backcountry. It helps you track progress and prepare for any unseen conditions – like undesirable weather.
The Highgear Axio Max watch has all the key elements of a great adventure watch: altimeter, barometer, compass, thermometer and all the normal functions like dual time zones, a stopwatch and numerous alarms.
All worked great in my daily tests over the course of a few months – though I found inconsistencies in the altimeter.
Time after time, the altimeter varied by 200 feet even when the watch was in the same place each time.
Highgear Axio Max
Highgear claims that’s normal (though they say it typically varies by as much as 150 feet) because of changes in barometric pressure.
The watch’s elevation readout consistently differed from another Highgear watch too – something the company says is also normal. The company claims that as long as the altitudes are within 100 feet, all is well – and it typically was within that when compared to the other watch.
In terms of altitude, the watch also tracks your elevation gain/loss over a specific time and you can set an alarm to go off once you reach certain milestones.
You can also set an alarm for rest, hydration and the standard time-based alarm.
Highgear Axio Max - black
To my dismay, the watch’s thermometer reading, which is about 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer when on your wrist, can’t be viewed alongside the time. I typically use the altitude, temperature and time the most, so it would be nice to cycle through those features with the time display.
To Highgear’s credit, you can cycle through altitude, date and day while time is displayed – also important features to be displayed with time.
Perhaps my biggest gripe, though, is that the buttons are too easy to press. A handful of times I found that the time zone had changed on me likely because I was holding the button down with the back of my hand. Once it happened while lollygagging at an airport only to find out I was scheduled to fly out in an hour instead of two.
The watch’s band has a plethora of slots for band adjustment and added airflow, so I found the watch position was always comfortable and not overly sweaty when wearing it.
I also like how the watch light brightly illuminates the digits instead of the entire watch face – a feature that made it easier to read at night.
Though, if you don’t need all the features, it’s a little spendy, the Axio Max is worth the money and has become my go-to sports watch.
REI dog pack good, but new one is better
**Editor’s note: In fall, REI is launching a modified version of its dog pack. Though I didn’t test the updated version because the sample size available wouldn’t fit my dog, I did get my hands on one to compare it to the current version. I inserted info on the updated version where applicable, but this review revolves around the current pack.**
REI Adventure Dog Pack
- Pros: Big buckles easy to use; Main pockets have drain hole; Doesn’t wobble much, if at all, when dog moves
- Cons: Main pocket zippers hard to access; Buckle on top strap unnecessary; Body straps loosen after a few hours on an active dog
- Bottom Line: The REI Adventure Dog Pack fits well and doesn’t wobble much, no matter its load, making it great for most uses. But the company is launching a better-made pack in fall, so it may be best to wait.
- MSRP: $40-50
Many adventure dogs love to “work,” but making sure he or she is comfortable while carrying a load is especially important if you’re going to be out for an extended trip.
REI seemed to understand that when it made its Adventure Dog Pack.
The simple design has two pockets on either saddlebag – one main pocket and a smaller side pocket – that, all combined, hold 488 to 1,465 cubic inches of gear depending on pack size.
The size small that fit Lulu, my 35-pound Australian Cattle Dog mix, holds 488 cubic inches of gear.
Lulu with the REI Adventure Dog Pack
That seemed to be enough for a few days worth of dog food, some water and some poop bags. If you don’t carry all that gear, each of the main pockets was just big enough to hold the Ruff Wear Highlands Bed.
And the main pockets each have a drain hole in case water gets inside – something other packs don’t have.
To my dismay, the soon-to-be-out version, which has an expandable main pocket, doesn’t have that drain hole. But I doubt the hole is used very often – which was the case in my tests.
The entire pack was held in place by an easy-to-clip chest strap as well as two under-dog straps that were just as easy to use. And despite how full it was or how much Lulu ran or rolled in snow or dirt, the pack barely budged.
REI Adventure Dog Pack
Like any dog pack, if the two saddlebags are weighted differently, it’ll shift a little, but it was minimal.
On the current pack, the main zippers are hard to operate. Because they’re positioned at the seam of a more-or-less square compartment, the zipper often gets hung up on the corner. REI fixed this problem on the pack that’ll be out in fall.
Something that the current version is missing, but REI added to the new one, is reflective piping. It’s nice to be able to spot your dog easier at night while it roams around camp.
As for breathability: Though Lulu couldn’t directly tell me, the REI dog pack seemed to breathe better than another pack we tested (the Mountainsmith Dog Pack). The fabric between the saddlebags is made of a durable mesh fabric that, besides keeping her cool, dried quickly.
There’s nothing overly wrong with the pack, but REI definitely made some nice changes for the version that comes out in fall, so, if you don’t need one immediately, it’s likely best to wait until fall to get the Adventure Dog Pack.
