http://exploreitoutdoors.com Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:35:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ http://s2.wp.com/i/buttonw-com.png http://exploreitoutdoors.com http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/07/19/outdoor-research-drycomp-ridge-sack/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/07/19/outdoor-research-drycomp-ridge-sack/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:56:54 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.com/?p=5216339 ]]> http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/07/19/outdoor-research-drycomp-ridge-sack/feed/ 0 Explore It Outdoors Outdoor Research DryComp Ridge Sack Outdoor Research DryComp Ridge Sack swimming Outdoor Research DryComp Ridge Sack http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/06/14/sierra-designs-new-backpacks/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/06/14/sierra-designs-new-backpacks/#comments Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:49:43 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.com/?p=5216240 ]]> http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/06/14/sierra-designs-new-backpacks/feed/ 0 Explore It Outdoors Sierra Designs backpack frame Sierra Designs Revival 55 front http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/03/08/osprey-raptor-18-backpack/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/03/08/osprey-raptor-18-backpack/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:11:18 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.com/?p=5215941 ]]> http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2010/03/08/osprey-raptor-18-backpack/feed/ 0 Explore It Outdoors Osprey Raptor 18 http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/12/18/outdoors-holiday-gift-guide/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/12/18/outdoors-holiday-gift-guide/#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:04:04 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://explore-it.blog.com/?p=5215665 ]]> http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/12/18/outdoors-holiday-gift-guide/feed/ 0 Explore It Outdoors guyot-designs-squishy-pet-bowl eno-hi-fi-speakers sierra-designs-down-moccasins nemo-equipment-ditto-backpack green-guru-gear-cycler http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/05/04/black-diamond-pack-ultralight-minimalist/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/05/04/black-diamond-pack-ultralight-minimalist/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 18:06:05 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/black-diamond-pack-ultralight-minimalist
photo courtesy Black Diamond

Black Diamond Equipment's Flash backpack

• Pros: Very lightweight; Shoulder strap has hydration hose clip; Reflective surfaces on back of pack
• Cons: Small pockets too small; Waist strap useless; Zippers hard to pull while wearing gloves
• Bottom Line: The Black Diamond Flash pack is lighter than many comparable packs on the market, but its compartments aren’t as functional.
• MSRP: $60

Black Diamond Equipment's Web site

    The Black Diamond Flash backpack is one of the lightest packs of its size on the market.
    Weighing in at just 7.4 ounces, the 9-liter (549-cubic-inch) pack is the perfect size for half-day adventures.
    It’ll easily fit a 100-ounce hydration bladder in its minimalist interior sleeve, and the interior bladder hook keeps it hanging when the water is low.
    The right shoulder strap has a clip that secures a bladder hose to keep it out of the way, and the clip can easily be switched to the left side. I found the hose was easy to secure and just as easy to grab when I needed a drink making it a great alternative to tucking it under the shoulder strap.
    From biking to running, when packed full the Flash stayed put on my back.
    That’s in part because of the sternum strap, and, in no part, because of the minimalist waist belt. The Flash’s waist belt is great in that it’s a simple, roughly half-inch-wide, strap. But the belt, like most other small packs on the market, won’t fit most adults correctly.
    If the pack was positioned correctly on my shoulders, the belt was positioned around my stomach. If the pack was positioned correctly on my waist, the shoulders pads were too short.
    The perforated shoulder pads seemed to breathe fairly well in the hot Sedona, Ariz. sun, despite the minimal perforations and nylon covering the foam straps.
    The back of the pack, however, despite also being perforated, didn’t breathe as well as other comparable packs causing my back to quickly sweat.
    The Flash has two small, camera-sized pockets in addition to the main compartment. While they have potential to be awesome, I found the pockets to be awkward.
    For instance, I could barely fit my slim point-and-shoot camera (with its small case) inside the pocket. And the other pocket quickly filled up with my wallet, cell phone, keys and an energy bar – items I like to keep separate from the rest of my gear and easily accessible.
    As with many other daypacks, the Flash has shock cord compression on the back to help stash a midlayer, raincoat or other gear you may need on the go.
    While the pack’s negatives may outweigh the positives for many people, if you’re looking for a minimalist, ultralight pack to take with you on a quick adventure, Black Diamond’s Flash may be the right choice.]]> http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/05/04/black-diamond-pack-ultralight-minimalist/feed/ 0 Explore It Outdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/04/30/rei-stoke-9-small-but-mighty/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/04/30/rei-stoke-9-small-but-mighty/#comments Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:26:23 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.wordpress.com/2009/04/30/rei-stoke-9-small-but-mighty
photo courtesy REI

REI Stoke 9 backpack

• Pros: Adjustable shockcord on back very versatile; Lightweight; Compartments more useful than some comparable packs
• Cons: Waist strap useless for most adults; No reflective surfaces on pack; Heavier than other comparable packs
• Bottom Line: The REI Stoke 9 is a great pack for most half-day adventures, but don’t expect it to be as comfortable or fit as well as larger packs.
• MSRP: $40

    For some people a small hydration pack doesn’t offer enough storage, but a larger daypack is too much.
    The REI Stoke 9, though, offers a happy medium between barely enough room for a large camera and ‘if I have more space I’ll be carrying someone else’s gear.’
    The Stoke 9, which has 9 liters (or 549 cubic inches) or storage space, will easily hold a 100-ounce hydration bladder in its separate zippered pocket.
    Its mesh, lightweight shoulder straps breathe well and still provide enough shoulder comfort for the amount of weight you’ll likely throw in the pack.
    And the sternum strap, with attached ear-piercing whistle, helps keep loads in place.
    The nylon bag also has a waist belt, but most adults will find it useless. I found it less than useful and I’m 5-feet 10-inches tall and weight 175 pounds.
    If I buckled the waist strap where it should be, the shoulder straps were way too short. And if I put the shoulder straps where they should be, the waist belt was positioned around my stomach.
    That being said, most lightweight, small packs I’ve used have the same problem.
    The compartments on the Stoke 9, one large main compartment and one smaller one near the top, are well designed. The small compartment is perfect for keys, wallet, phone and a point-and-shoot camera or snacks, while the larger one will hold a larger camera, sunscreen, notebook and a few other odds and ends.
    It also has an elasticized pocket on either side of the main compartment that I found useless. My camera didn’t fit because the opening was too small, and if I put energy gel in it, then the packet would get lost towards the semi-wide, semi-deep bottom. It is, however, a perfect size for sunglasses sans case or an mp3 player.
    The unisex pack also has adjustable shockcord on the back, which is ideal for a midlayer, raincoat or anything else you may need access immediately.
    Ultimately, the pack is great for adults on a short excursion or kids on a day hike who want to wear a pack like Mom and Dad.]]> http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2009/04/30/rei-stoke-9-small-but-mighty/feed/ 0 Explore It Outdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2008/09/30/osprey-talon-11/ http://exploreitoutdoors.com/2008/09/30/osprey-talon-11/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 19:07:02 +0000 exploreitoutdoors http://exploreitoutdoors.wordpress.com/2008/09/30/osprey-talon-11
photo courtesy Osprey

Osprey Talon 11

• Pros: Perfect size for a half-day pack; Front bungee system very useful; Easy-to-use hydration compartment
• Cons: Two sizes don’t fit all; Hip belt is virtually worthless; It’s not for long day hikes
• Bottom line: A great light-weight half-day pack well worth the price, but it won’t fit everyone.
• MSRP: $79

Osprey's Web site

    When a hydration pack isn’t quite enough and a full day pack is a skosh too big, the Osprey Talon 11 is jumping up and down yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!”
    It’s hard not to fall in love with the little acid green pack that has reflective flames on the front. After all, it’s light-weight, flashy and reasonably priced.
    From hiking Emerald Pools and Angels Landing in Zion National Park, to snowshoeing by Cedar Breaks National Monument, tromping around Bryce Canyon National Park and biking in Moab, the Talon has done it all and never failed.
    It’s essentially a glorified hydration pack with enough storage for a short adventure.
    The shoulder straps consist of slotted foam covered in mesh making it breathable for hot days.
    Even the hip belt – which I found worthless – is made of mesh for the same reason, and the AirScape back panel is designed to keep you cool – though it didn’t keep me cool and dry because it still rested against my back.
    According to Osprey, the pack is designed for “active light pursuits” such as hiking, trail running and biking – hence the skimpy 1.5-pound pack weight.
    And my personal favorite: The hydration compartment.
    My 100-ounce bladder easily slipped in, and there’s a hook to keep the top of the bladder up so as you drink, it doesn’t bunch at the bottom.
    However, some of the brownie points have to be subtracted because, for some reason, Osprey decided to only make two sizes – small/medium and medium/large.
    My wife, whose torso length was between sizes, has to cinch down the straps on the larger size to keep the pack in place whereas I have to loosen them quite a bit.
    The hip belt doesn’t fit me either. If I put it where it should be, the shoulder straps aren’t in the right place, so I’m forced to dangle the hip belt behind me or be uncomfortable.
    And the bottom corners of the pack dug into my wife’s hips when she wore a thin layer on top, but it didn’t bother her when she wore it snowshoeing with a thicker top layer.
    The negatives, though, were easily forgotten the more I packed the Talon and brought it with me.
    And while it unfortunately won’t fit every body type, it’s a great pack to add to your arsenal if you have a small to average frame.

This story first appeared in The Spectrum & Daily News
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