For the past few months Mrs. Adventure has been testing out Minus33‘s Sequoia Midweight Merino Wool 1/4 zip and she is notably impressed. I am noticeably impressed too, and not simply because it means she’ll be borrowing less of my merino layers!
Features
Fabric: 100% 18.5 Micron Merino Wool
Fabric Weight: 230 g/m2 Interlock knit construction
Construction: Flat lock seams, chin guard
Design: 1/4 zip, long sleeve
Weight (Size medium) = ~8.8 oz.
UPF Rating: 50+
Colors: Black, Red, Charcoal Grey, Cream and Radiant Violet
Sizing: Available in Women’s Sizes: XS to XXXL
MSRP: $75.99 USD
Testing
So far it’s been put to good use out hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, around the fire, and everywhere that winter takes her. It’s already on her list for upcoming ski trips and will certainly be added to summer outdoor adventures.
What do we think?
This top is the counterpart to Minus33’s men’s Isolation 1/4 zip that we reviewed earlier this year and boast all of the same benefits. From the super soft 18.5 micron merino wool, to the flat lock stitched seams, this midweight layer is everything you could want as part of your layering system.
The 230 gram interlock knit construction is comfortable against the skin and durable between layers. It’s in the mid range for merino warmth and is best for the shoulder seasons (autumn and spring) and ideal for winter as part of a layering system.
We always recommend going with a 1/4 zip for mid layers as they are that much more versatile for temperature control.
The lack of lycra or nylon manifests itself in it being a bit looser of a fit than merino blend items. That isn’t a bad thing from the performance perspective (it’s actually better to have a 100% merino item to get the full benefits of merino wool (wicking, thermal retaining properties, odor absorbing), just something to keep in mind if you’re expecting more of an athletic fit.
Being a midweight layer there’s room for other layers underneath. Worn with a lighter layer you’ll find it excellent for active winter sports, and it will fit in quite nicely with an outer layer.
Conclusion
All in all, the Sequoia Midweight 1/4 zip is a solid, higher performing midlayer, worth every penny it costs. Check out their entirely line of Women’s Merino layers at the Minus33 website.
This winter we were introduced to Minus33, and we’re loving the quality, fit and comfort of their merino wool layers. I’ve been testing out the Isolation Men’s midweight 1/4 zip top.
Let’s take a look at the features and then talk about our experience with them:
Features
Fabric: 100% 18.5 Micron Merino Wool
Fabric Weight: 230 g/m2 Interlock knit construction
Construction: Flat lock seams, chin guard
Design: 1/4 zip, long sleeve
Weight (Size Large) = ~12.8 oz. (363 grams)
UPF Rating: 50+
Colors: Mossy Oak, Sand, Navy, Black, Red, Charcoal Gret and Forest Green
Sizing: Available in Men’s Sizes: XS to XXXL
MSRP: $75.99 USD
Testing
A Canadian winter. So far we’ve used it from day-to-day, out hiking, snowshoeing, in snowball fights, sledding and around the fire.
What do we think?
Our family has always been fans of Merino Wool. Our son loves his Minus33 Kids Merino baselayers. We love our minus33 too. Here’s what I like about the Isolation 1/4 zip:
Fit
The Isolation 1/4 zip is a perfect size for me. It is a looser style which suites a 100% merino layer to be used in active scenarios. As a midweight you can put lighter layers underneath as well as put heavier layers on top for really cold weather.
You should note that these are 100% merino layers, so if you are used to merino blends you’ll note that these aren’t as fitted, although they do have a natural elasticity. Many other merino layers use a blend of merino and polyester, lycra or other elastic fabric to make more of an active fit. That has its benefits, but it sacrifices the performance of merino.
Comfort
Merino is known to be much softer than typical sheep’s wool and you notice that immediately with Minus33’s 18.5 micro merino. It’s smooth against the skin and combined with the flat lock seams virtually eliminates any discomfort. Although we typically wear this with another layer underneath, it is comfortable when worn against the skin.
Performance
Yes, you’ve probably googled “benefits of merino wool” but let’s just summarize again:
Breathable – The Natural fibres absorb lots of moisture, pull it away from your skin and then wick it away through evaporation.
Stretchy – It has a natural elasticity
Versatile – Merino is known to keep you cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool
Comfortable – the finer fibres mean that it’s not itchy against the skin like that old wool sweater you had when you were a kid
Minus 33 opted for a 230 g/m fabric, which is on the higher end (120 g/m is a very light merino) and therefore much warmer. As such it’s great for fall, winter and spring. We found extra layers on top of this and a light baselayer unnecessary for winter activities like snowshoeing and a snowball fight left us quite warm!
Construction
We had never tried Minus33 before this winter and are very much impressed with these items. The choice of merino weight, the stitching and the fit are all excellently put together, to make an excellent layer. I haven’t found or developed any loose seams, or other manufacturing defects on any of our items.
Conclusion
Minus33’s Isolation 1/4 zip is another fantastic product in a line of great baselayers offered by Minus33. We are using them more and more for our winter activities. When you live up north in Canada, you need gear that performs and this brand gets our stamp of approval. $74.99 price tag is fair for what you’re getting, and you’ll probably find it on sale for even less. You should definitely check them out. You can find the Isolation 1/4 zip here on their site.
Full disclosure:
Minus33 sent us this baselayer to review in exchange for our honest opinions. All comments are our own and reflect what we’d recommend to family and friends.
Keeping kids warm and comfortable in winter is essential for outdoor adventure success. If you’re looking to take your children outdoors on adventures where performance clothing is important then you should check out Minus 33‘s merino wool Triceratops Midweight Crew and T-Rex Midweight Bottom with kids’ sizes from 4 years to 12.
Let’s look at the features and then discuss their performance.
Features
100% 18.5 Micron Merino Wool
230 g/m2 Interlock knit construction
Thumbholes
UPF Rating: 50+
Machine Washable
Color: Black
MSRP: $45.99 each
Testing
One highly energetic 7 year old boy who loves to get out and have fun, whether that’s building a snowman, hiking, snowshoeing or racing across fields.
What do we think?
Baselayers are an unglorious piece of gear. They’re meant to be functional, not fashionable…although they’ve come a long way from grandpa’s long johns. The keys are performance and comfort.
With kids, comfort is key. Minus33 offers that in these super soft baselayers. Adding to the quality wool is the flat stitched seams which get rid of the typical sore spots that can form under regular seams. The thumb holes mean that not only will the tops not ride up to their elbows when they put their jacket on, but they’ll keep their wrists warm when they are active. They help keep snow out as well, should they crash on the downhill runs… and they will.
Minus33 opted for a midweight merino and it’s fantastic. It’s warm enough to wear by itself in milder temperatures, especially when they’re active. In colder temperatures it’s great for a layered approach. The 18.5 micron wool means it’ll trap in more warmth, while still allowing breathability.
If you haven’t seen all there is to be written about Merino wool, just remember that it insulates extremely well, even when wet, and on top of that, it helps wick moisture away from the skin and helps it to evaporate so that they stay warm and comfortable throughout their activities.
Conclusion
We’re huge fans of merino wool, and after trying Minus33’s high quality, high performance merino baselayers we can give them the two thumbs up. You should definitely check them out.
We were given this baselayer set to review in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are our own, and reflect what we’d recommend to our family and friends.
A 850 fill down midlayer weighing 8.6 oz is hard to beat. When Canadian based Arc’teryx is behind it, you know it’s going to be fantastic. And it is.
Canadian gear store Live Out There asked us to give an honest review of Arc’teryx’s Cerium LT Jacket and we were happy to oblige. We were even happier once we’d put it through its paces.
Let’s look at the features of this fantastic jacket and then talk about what we think about it.
This jacket has faced the Canadian North’s cold mornings, afternoon snowshoes, day hikes, frigid evenings and Sunday morning paper routes. It has battled the elements and even a savage attack by triffids… ok maybe it was just an aggressive tree branch, but needless to say, we survived.
Who is Arc’teryx?
Arc’teryx is a Canadian based creator of high end outdoor gear. To quote them, “Arc’teryx is built on the principle of obsessive, precise design and production.” After chatting with reps from Gore-tex last year I believe it. I found that Arc’teryx even pushes them to better performance with their designs and goals for higher performing gear.
How many times can we say fantastic in an article? Seriously, this minimal midlayer jacket by Arc’teryx is incredibly warm for the weight, is incredibly comfortable, allows you to move freely and has all the features you need for your active sports! But let’s break it down and spend some time on each feature.
Designed as a lightweight midlayer, Arc’teryx went for a minimalist feel. It’s got two decently sized and insulated zipper hand pockets… and not much else, except warmth. As a midlayer that’s nice. This jacket isn’t designed to show off to your friends in the coffee shop, it’s designed to be functional outdoors. It’ll do well alone or underneath an outer layer when needed. You get a streamlined, functional jacket that keeps you warm and moves with you, without extra bulk. oh… and it only weighs half a pound!
The Cerium LT is designed as a standalone layer for cool weather, or as a midlayer for colder conditions. It uses a combination of 850 loft down and their own Coreloft polyester insulation wrapped in an Airectica shell. Most of the jacket uses 850 fill goose down (90% down, 10% feathers), while the areas where moisture is more prone to build up use synthetic insulation to preserve warmth.
Despite the light weight aspect of the jacket (8.6 oz) it’s incredibly warm. Even though it packs down into the small, included stuff sack (look for it in the left pocket) it lofts up nicely and kept me toasty even on a slow snowshoe (how fast can you go while following a 3-year-old go on snowshoes?).
The LT (light weight) Cerium is designed to be close fitting. It fulfills that, while still allowing easy movement… and a flattering look for even a 33-year-old father of 4 who spends more time at his desk job then he’d like to admit! There’s no restriction on this jacket. I’d forget it was on if I wasn’t so warm!
Arc’teryx’s Airetica ripstop nylon stopping a potentially much larger rip.
We put the Airetica 20×10 denier ripstop to the test on a recent hiking trip in the woods near the house. We snagged it hard on a branch and I panicked thinking I had torn through it. It turns out the damage was almost microscopic. As you can see, even using my microscope camera, damage is minimal – a testimony to the effectiveness of the rip-stopping capacity of the shell fabric. When you consider that this whole jacket including down only weighs 8.6 oz with insulation, that’s an impressive feat. Arc’teryx got back to me quickly as well and recommended some tenacious tape, even though the area isn’t at risk of losing insulation (it’s over the synthetic fill).
Oh, and the DWR finish on the fabric means it’ll stand up to a bit of rain if the weather turns on you too!
The chin guard is great for those of us who tend to suffer from the five o’clock shadow, and the insulated collar means you don’t have to worry about cold breezes either! The packability of this jacket means it’s easy to store when you don’t need it. It’ll be a great jacket to take while ultralight backpacking. It’ll even double as pillow at night!
Wondering if it’ll actually fit into the tiny stuff sack!
Packing it all up
Ok, we’re impressed. For $360 CAD you get a high-end, high performing midlayer jacket that comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s fantastic as a standalone jacket when you’re active and perfect as part of a layering system when weather gets really old. It packs down small, is extremely lightweight and fits like a glove… and very comfortable and functional glove. The choice of fabric and insulation combined with the cut and style of the jacket results in an extremely functional (and good looking) top that you won’t want to take off.
I can honestly recommend this to anyone looking for a high-end, high quality jacket… even if you do go with the drab black or admiral blue, instead of the flashy “magma” that I chose. Take a look at it here on Liveoutthere.com
Keep your eye out for Arc’teryx gear and try on the Cerium LT jacket when you get a chance. You won’t be disappointed.
Have you tried Arc’teryx gear before? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Full Disclosure: We were given the Arc’teryx Cerium LT for review by Live Out There, a Canadian based outdoors store based in Calgary, Alberta that has an excellent selection of outdoor gear available online. We were asked for an honest review of the jacket, and that’s what you see here. All opinions are our own, and what we’d recommend to family and friends.
In typical Patagonia fashion, they didn’t stop at making a merino wool top. No, they designed a seamless top that minimizes waste and maximizes performance in a base layer that moves with you, allowing you to stay comfortable while it does what a base layer is meant to do.
Let’s take a look at the features and then talk about our 3 month review of Patagonia‘s Merino Air crew.
Features
Sustainably farmed Merino Wool
Merino / Capilene polyester blend
Seamless whole garment knitting design
Proprietary spinning method to maximize loft and insulation
Zig-Zag Knit for greater air flow
$129 USD ($149 CAD)
Testing
Our tester (Mrs. Adventure… not misadventure) has been putting the Merino Air Crew to the test in all her outdoor activities (backpacking, hiking, cycling, canoeing) and she plans to continue taking it out this winter skiing, skating and snowshoeing as well.
Sustainability
We have to comment first on Patagonia’s approach to sustainability. Aside from producing quality gear, Patagonia prides itself on sustainability. It’s a brand that wants to keep the outdoors green and alive so you can enjoy it. It wants your layers to last you so they don’t end up in the landfill. They teamed up with farmers in Argentina with a goal to minimize the impact of farming by using regenerative farming practices (avoiding long term impacts like overgrazing). The whole-garment knit approach saves the waste associated with cut and stitch methods utilized in typical base layer construction.
What do we think?
First off, our reviewer loves the fit. “I hate to use the cliche, but it fits like a second skin. It stretches and moves with you without pulling, puckering or wrinkling. Instead of having to pull at it to get it back into place, or adjusting it, it just stays there.” Mrs. Adventure says: “It’s a very flattering shape that is close fitting, giving you a smooth silhouette. It doesn’t ride up either, which is a huge plus.” – important when you’re wearing it by itself in warmer weather and when you’re active. “The wool does a great job of trapping air and keeping heat in. It’s surprisingly warm for how thin and light weight it is.”
The loft of the Merino Air wool and knit make this an incredibly comfortable layer for your activities, perfect as a part of your layering system.
The one thing to be aware of is that the knit can snag on velcro. We count only 2 snags after 3 months, but it’s something to be aware of.
Conclusion
Mrs, Adventure wears this base layer more often than any of her other base layers… and she has a lot of base layers. Not only does it perform incredibly well insulating and wicking moisture, but it looks great on it’s own. “You can take your vest off and wear it by itself and it looks good.”
If you’re in the market for a great loking, functional and sustainable baselayer then Check out the Merino Air Layers at Patagonia. They come as a crew, hoody and of course baselayer pants.
We have a long standing with Canadian winter gear brand Hillsound, so it was great to be offered the opportunity to check out their Armadillo LT Gaiter, their lightweight performance gaiter designed for the budget conscious. If you missed our previous reviews of their Trail Crampons, or Trail Crampon Pros, then check them out. Let’s take a look at the features of the Armadillo LT Gaiters and then talk about what we think.
Features
These Gaiters are designed to be lightweight and breathable with plenty of stretch so that your movements aren’t restricted while they keep debris out of you’re boots, as you hike or snowshoe.
Several years ago I tried a prototype of the Armadillo gaiters and I think they’ve made some fantastic progress since then. These are ideal for the all season outdoor junkie who’s looking for a lightweight way to keep the dirt, debris, ice and snow out of their boots, while still protecting their pants from the common culprits of the trail and track at an economic price point.
The Top down, water resistant zipper is quick and easy to use. I prefer Top-down zippers as their easier to undo at the end of the trail, especially when your fingers are cold. The amply sized zipper pulls are great for gloves too!
Although I wasn’t adventure racing, I did find the flexibility of the gaiters a huge plus. They kept the legs warm, without feeling sweaty, and didn’t restrict movement like heavier alternatives.
An earlier version of the Armadillo LT that I tested on summits around 16000 feet.
Summary For $49 these are a great set of gaiters for all-round use. If you’re slogging through powder, or scrambling up scree, it’s hard to go wrong with these versatile, stretchable, waterproof gaiters by Hillsound.
Check out this instructional video put together by Hillsound for more detail.
Full Disclosure: These gaiters were provided for me free of charge for an honest review. All opinions are our own and what we’d recommend to family and friends.
We’re already into the the throws of cold weather, so it’s time for a look at some fashionable and functional winter wear from Royal Robbins. You may seen our review this past summer of their Diablo shirt and Convoy shorts, and Royal Robbins was generous to offer us our pick of some cold weather items and offer them a fair review. We chose the Fireside wool 1/4 zip sweater and their Convoy pants. Let’s take a look at the features and talk about what we think.
Fireside wool 1/4 zip sweater
80% Wool, 20% nylon blend
Reverse jersey body with 2×2 rib running down sleeve
We’ve been using these items for a few months already, testing them in the city, at work, and of course outdoors.
What do we think?
What we were looking for with these items was something that could handle light winter outdoor activities, as well as dress up for casual events and nights out. When we look for gear, we ask the following:
Is it versatile?
Does it look good?
Will we wear it often?
Is it going to last?
Is it worth the price?
The Fireside Wool 1/4 Zip Sweater
The first item we want to look at is the Fireside wool 1/4 zip sweater. We chose the Petrified Oak color in medium. This great wool/polyester combo is classic in its styling, but with a contemporary fit.
This sweater is great for the fireside as I found out at the end of October at a fall birthday party. Although not Merino, the wool is comfortable, not itchy. The fit is very comfortable. The sleeves are long enough and the torso length is enough to handle movement without exposing your middle to cold weather.
The collar is nice and high and provides great protection from the cold, without being uncomfortable. I think this has slipped into the dryer more often than not (lay flat to dry), so there’s a bit of pilling after several months, but it still looks and feels great.
We keep coming back to this sweater. There are a lot of situations where an athletic sweater or fleece just don’t suit. This simple, classic sweater is a perfect balance of style and outdoors ready. It’s not built for backpacking, but it’ll handle the backyard and more…
Men’s Convoy Pants
These aren’t winter pants, but they’d do a great job all year round. In winter they perform well with a set of base layers underneath.
First off, look at the stitching. That’s right, the pants are mix of double and triple stitching for strength. The fabric is a lightweight, breathable, quick drying poly-cotton-nylon blend. They provide some stretch, without looking like a pair of yoga pants.
There’s just the right balance of pockets. Two Front, two rear (one velcro, one zip), one hidden front pocket and a cell phone pocket.
We’re huge fans of the Convoy Pants. They fabric is very soft, and the fit is perfect for active and formal settings. These are our favourite pair of pants at the moment. They look good, and they’re incredibly versatile.
In Conclusion
When we’re invited out with friends, this combo is our first choice, especially with the Diablo Shirt underneath to complete the combo. We’ve been really pleased with Royal Robbins as a comfortable, outdoors ready brand. Check them out and let us know what you think.
As soon as I learned about hiking poles, I knew I had found an accessory that was going to make my backpacking experience a far better one for years to come, and I firmly believe that is still the case.
When I think about the first backpacking trips I ever went on, the memories that stick out the most were the incredible views from 4th of July Pass in the North Cascades, and how sore my knees felt after hiking on a few miles with a pack on.
The core benefits of hiking poles is stability and reduced strain on the knees as you now have an extra two points on the ground to keep you from falling and take a portion of the walking load. An additional benefit is keeping your arms moving which in turn keeps the blood flowing just a little better.
Now, as far as hiking pole brands go, I have become a fan of Cascade Mountain Tech. They’re hiking poles are well designed with a host of features at prices I find very reasonable. Their base pair of hiking poles are the Aluminum “Performance Walking Poles” prices for $20 on the cascademountaintech.com website.
The Performance Walking Poles boast of the following features:
EVA grips
Anti-shock handles
Twist-lock mechanism for collapsing the poles
Neoprene straps
Tungsten Carbide tips and extra caps/baskets for different hiking scenarios
Oddly enough, what impressed me the most with these hiking poles was not the advertised features, but some of the little things.
The grips are extra-long, giving you additional hand positions to handle different terrains without having to adjust the height of the poles.
Reflective material on the straps
I tested these poles under two scenarios. One was a family hike up the Dock Butte/Blue Lake trail while carrying my 18 month old daughter on my back. The second was a two night backpacking trip with my 6 year old son up a set of switchbacks taking us to Lower Lena Lake in the Olympic Mountains. In both hikes the Performance Walking Poles performed admirably well helping to maintain stability with a squirmy toddler on my back or with an extra heavy pack going uphill.
These hiking poles were the first ones I’ve ever used that use EVA as their primary gripping material, and overall I was pretty impressed. EVA is comfortable and offers excellent grip. While it doesn’t feel exactly like the cork on my other hiking poles, I didn’t feel anything to make me think that EVA was an inferior material. It just felt a bit different in the hand. Regardless of material, I really appreciate that Cascade Mountain Tech gives around 10 inches of gripping surface. I was able to set my pole length, and when climbing up some taller banks I was able to grip the hiking pole a bit lower for a more comfortable leverage point.
The Twist-lock mechanisms worked well and the poles did not slip out of place at all. Even after my son accidently pulled one section completely out, it went back in and has been operating without a problem at all. Twist-lock mechanisms are the expectation at this price-point, and it was nice to see then working well. They poles are very straightforward to adjust and the internal components give good feedback so you know that you’ve tightened them enough.
Now there is something else to note about the poles that is not mentioned on the box or on the poles themselves, and that is the ability to lock and unlock the shock absorption feature. It is mentioned briefly on the website, but I still managed to walk quite a while with the shock absorbers locked thinking that they just didn’t have much play before realizing I had locked them. It is easy enough to turn off and on. When tightening the pole a definite ‘click’ indicates that the poles are locked. Twisting in the unlock direction just past the ‘click’ indicates that the shock absorbers are unlocked. While the presence of lack of shock absorbers doesn’t play very strongly in my hiking pole decisions, it’s useful to know that it’s a feature that can be turned off and on, and may prevent a few people from locking their poles unintentionally.
While they put “Neoprene Straps” as a feature, I really didn’t notice any difference in comfort compared to my other hiking poles. What I do believe is a feature is the reflective material. A number of years ago we hiked to Blanca Lake and camped in a meadow at the top of a ridge. Our group was coming in two parties so I set up my hike poles as a couple of reference points to help find our tents. In that case I had added reflective tape to my poles, but with the Perfomance Walking Poles that is not necessary. This also provides a measure of safety should you be hiking along a road at night.
I did not put the baskets or the tips through any testing. As a general rule with budget poles I tend to shed those extras almost immediately as they frequently fall off and get lost, joining other litter on the trail. That said, I do keep them around as I want them available in the event that circumstances dictate value to be gained by adding a basket or keeping the tips on.
After using Cascade Mountain Tech’s Aluminum Performance Walking Poles, I believe these hike poles make a fantastic pair of first poles as well as an excellent pair of inexpensive backup poles that can be used in a pinch and will meet most hiking expectations without complaint. The grips are of a good quality and give lots of opportunity for your hand to move around. They are sturdy and the sections don’t slip at all. While the anti-shock does not have much springiness and tend to make the poles a bit noisier, I couldn’t find any serious deficiencies worth complaint. On the contrary I actually enjoyed the fact that I could ‘feel’ the material under the poles much more accurately and continue to focus on the trail.
Graeme A
The Outdoor Adventure Team
Disclosure: This item was received free of charge for review purposes. All reviews are what we would recommend to family and friends.
You know that favourite jacket of yours that hangs in the closet because the zipper slider is missing or broken? We’re going to fix it!
If you have a jacket, tent or anything that has a broken or missing zipper you need to take a look at FixnZip. Even if it’s a waterproof zipper, FixnZip handles it without a problem – no technical knowledge required! This is probably the easiest DIY zipper repair you’ll ever do.
Fixnzip kit Features:
1 FixnZip™ slider
1 ring pull tab
1 black cord pull tab
Repair Instructions (on the back of the cardboard display tag)
Reusable
Colour: Nickel or Dark Nickel
Works for: sleeping bags, pants, bags, wetsuits, jackets, tents, etc.
FixnZip is specifically for replacing damaged or lost zipper sliders. They are compatible with nylon and metal coil and teeth zippers. They do not replace damaged stoppers at the end of a zipper. For that click here for amazon zipper stopper options. It does not replace missing or damaged coils/teeth.
MY repair was for a waterproof zipper, which meant I had to put the slider on backwards. After that, I simply tightened it all the way with the knob and then backed it off a 1/4 turn. Et Voila! My work jacket could come out of retirement!
What do I think?
A replacement for my work jacket would cost close to $200, so a $10 universal zipper is a small (and extremely easy) price to pay for a replacement. What’s more, the manufacturer didn’t have a replacement zipper, so an aftermarket repair was my only option.
The repair was straight forward and with a bit of tweaking to the right pressure the zipper now works fine. FixnZip is definitely worth checking out. Take a look at their website here.
Have you ever done your own zipper repair? Would this have made your life easier?
Disclaimer: I received this piece of gear free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own and what i would recommend to friends and family.
The PA Pure by Potable Aqua is an Easy to use water purification system ideal for large group and long trips. It’s easy to use, requires no pumping or expensive replacement parts and little to no maintenance. Using the same advanced electrolysis process found in city water purification it needs only salt and water to kill viruses, bacteria, Giardia and Cryptosporidium – those nasties that can make you seriously ill on the trail.
Let’s look at the features and then talk about how it performed in this summer’s testing.
Product Features and Components
PA Pure Electrolysis device
Weight – 7 oz with all accessories
Purifies up to 20 liters of water at a time
Kills bacteria, viruses, Giardia and Cryptosporidium
This device was our go to water purification device this summer. We tested it on day trips to weekend back country backpacking trips to a 4-day wilderness canoe trip.
Performance
First off, I should say that I’m an ambassador for Potable Aqua. The reason I accepted the ambassadorship was because I believe in the technology behind the PA Pure… and I was looking for the ideal group backpacking solution for our troop of Jr. Adventures (a.k.a. our four kids). Let’s get to the straight, honest goods.
Water Purification: The PA Pure gets full marks for effectiveness. Like we said earlier, this is the same process used to purify your drinking water for your tap. It’s proven, reliable and efficient.
Ease of Use: The actual process of purifying water is simple. See the video above to see it in action. It’s straight forward and if you’re not sure if it worked you can use the testing strips to double check.
Device: The device is durable and easy to use. The included solar panel for field charging is a fantastic addition, helping to ensure you can always have clean water. The device is intuitive and take very little time to learn how to use it effectively and efficiently. The only challenge we found was seeing the LEDs in full sunlight, but shading the device with our hand was an easy solution.
What do we think?
What are the key features that we like most about this device?
It kills all the bacteria, viruses and protozoa you’re likely to encounter on your trip
It uses proven water purification technology used around the world to purify our drinking water
It is ideal for groups (up to 20 liters at a time)
It doesn’t require maintenance (like back flushing)
It doesn’t require expensive replacement parts (like $50 replacement filters)
It has a built in solar charger for potentially unlimited use on your trip
It’s fast and easy to prepare your water
Water can be easily tested to ensure it is pure
What are areas of improvement?
The LEDs are hard to see when filtering in daylight
Chemical purification requires more time to purify (30 minutes for most water, 4 hours for Cryptosporidium)
We always stay ahead of the game by purifying new water before we need it. By drinking our clean water at the water source and then purifying new water then and there the 30 minutes of hiking, playing or fishing flies by.
Overall we found this system to be an easy-to-use, lightweight, reliable and efficient way to purify water. It is fantastic for groups or families where more water is needed.
For $120 the PA Pure is hard to beat as a reliable way to purify water for individuals and especially groups. It is now our go-to water purification method for all group or family trips.
Disclaimer: We received the PA Pure free of charge. All reviews and opinions are our own and what we recommend to family and friends.
In an effort to simplify, I look for clothing that will serve dual purposes: Quality outdoor clothing that looks good, last long and can be worn outdoors and in the office. After testing out Royal Robbins’ Diablo shirt and Convoy shorts I can happily recommend Royal Robbins as an approved outdoor adventure brand.
Let’s look at the products and then get into the details:
We’ve tested this gear all summer long. The Diablo shirt is now on our short-list of gear to bring on all outdoor adventures. It alternates with Columbia’s Voyager top that you saw in another review.
Why do we like them?
When it comes to clothing reviews we have some pretty clear requirements:
Is it versatile?
Does it look good?
Will we wear it often?
Is it going to last?
Is it worth the price?
We love the Diablo shirt because it checks those boxes. It’s professional enough to wear to the office, comfortable enough to wear on the hottest days, and above all, it’s adventure proof. The stretchable fabric and shirt design means that you have full range of motion in active tasks like canoeing and it’s incredibly soft against the skin. The rollable sleeves and tabs mean that you don’t need to change the shirt in hotter weather or when doing nitty gritty tasks like preparing dinner on the trail or catching fish.
We’re fans of the Convoy shorts because of the heavier duty fabric, multiple inseams and style. They’re built to last and they do. They have triple needle stitching! Seriously these shorts are loaded with features, but don’t look like it. They are comfortable and stylish and have a great fit. We’re not as big of a fan of these as the shirt, but that’s partially due to me feeling conscious showing that much leg 😉
The price-point on these items is in-line with comparable high-quality outdoor and travel wear, and what I find is most important is: they will last.
Conclusion
For me, the proof of whether or not I like a brand is whether or not I wear it often. I’ve pulled out the Diablo shirt 1-2 times a week since I received them in May of this year. When I go backpacking, canoeing, hiking, or just out with friends, this is one of the top shirts I reach for. I’m not a huge fan of wearing shorts, but the Convoy’s have gotten nearly as much use as the Diablo shirt during this hot Canadian summer.
Since being introduced to this brand, it’s a brand we trust, and look for when in the market for quality, durable and good looking adventure wear.
When it comes to backpacking with kids, gear weight, compact size and comfort are hugely important especially when it comes to sleeping gear. That’s why my go-to sleeping bag for nearly two years has been a Therm-a-rest Antares 15 degree down bag. It’s more than just a sleeping bag.
About three years ago Therm-a-Rest (www.thermarest.com) came out with a line of sleeping bags that you can slide a sleeping pad into the back of. This has some major benefits: It cuts down on weight (as you don’t need insulation between you and the pad), it cuts down on pack space (less insulation bulk), and it prevents the sleeper from sliding off the sleeping pad in the night. All of these things make for a warm and cozy night sleep and a lighter load… which is important when you’re packing gear for 4 mini adventurers.
Let’s take a look at the Antares features and then talk about how it performs.
Features (Regular Model)
Style: Mummy bag
Weight: 1 lb 15 oz
Fill: 750+ goose down (14 oz)
Fits: 6 ft
Packs to: 7” x 12” (8 liters) without compression straps
Temperature rating: 15 degrees Limit
Fabric: 30D Nylon
Shell: 30D Nylon with DWR coating
Design Features:
Draft Tubes & Collar
Snag Free Zipper
SynergyLink Connectors
Zoned Insulation
Stash Pocket
Sculptured Hood
Trapezoidal Footbox
Storage & Stuff sacks
UPDATES for 2015: For 2015 the bag was updated with water hydrophobic down and a thermacapture lining.
MSRP: $499.95
The Antares hardly took up any space in my backpack on the John Muir Trail
Field Testing:
This bag has been on countless trips, from a 2-week stint on the John Muir Trail in California to the humid Pacific Northwest and into the alpine. I’ve had this bag for close to three years now and leant it out to many very happy friends. I should mention that I use it with my Neoair All Season sleeping pad (which is another excellent piece of kit from Therm-A-Rest). My wife is currently hiking the enchantments with this same bag and they’re expecting snow!
What do I think?
First, a bit of basic sleeping bag insulation science. Insulation works by reflecting heat back to you and cold away from you. It restricts heat transfer by creating a barrier between you and the cold. With down and most synthetic insulations it does that with loft that creates a barrier of dead air space between you and the cold. The down-side (pun intended) is that compressing that insulation means that it can’t do its job. With a sleeping bag, that means that the insulation that you lie on isn’t doing its job. That’s why Therm-a-Rest got rid of the insulation underneath you entirely.
The Therm-a-Rest bags and sleeping pads work together as a sleep system . The Bag provides insulation on top and the pad provides the insulation on the bottom. By doing it this way, the Therm-a-Rest system saves you a significant amount of weight while giving you better insulation between you and the ground.
For disclosure, I’m a side sleeper… when I’m not rolling around and alternating between sleeping on my back and stomach. Fortunately, the straps that connect the bag to the sleeping pad keep me on the pad all night, which means I stay warm and comfortable, without feeling claustrophobic. They also keep out any potential cold breezes between the bag and the pad.
The bag comes with a Durable Water Resistant shell, which while being breathable also sheds light rain. The DWR coating on the bag meant I could comfortably handle rain splash from a heavy storm a year back when I was sleeping under a tarp.
The Bag design is very comfortable for a 5’ 10” average guy. I didn’t find the footbox restrictive, and the mummy hood was the perfect size for me. The Draft collar is key to keeping the warmth in and the cold out. A good draft collar should be a feature you look for on any bag you buy.
Therm-A-Rest distributes the down in their bags “zonally”. That means they put more where you need it. The result of this is an accurate 15 degree rating. That should be qualified. It’s accurate for me. All bags are rated on an average and you should take into account if you’re a warm or cold sleeper.
Oh, and take advantage of the extra storage bag included. When you’re not using the bag, a storage bag will help preserve the loft of your down.
On top of all the stellar features and performance of this bag, it’s extremely small when packed. It packs down to 7×12 easily, and without compression straps. You could probably squeeze an inch or two off that with compression straps if you had to… That said, I was able to pack this bag, the Therm-A-Rest Neoair all-season (an excellent pad), a BV500 Bear Vault Bear Canister, stove and pot, and clothes for a two week hike of the John Muir Trail inside a 40 liter backpack. Yah, it’s small.
Room for improvement?
My bag is two years old now, and still performs excellently. If I was to find some improvement for the bag it would be to upgrade to a water resistant down, and even increase the quality of down to an 800+ loft. That said, those features would drive the price of this very economical bag up higher.
SONY DSC
Conclusion
Therm-A-Rest’s entry into the backpacking market has been done correctly. The quality, design and performance of the Antares reflects that of the Therm-A-Rest brand that many of us know and trust. Everyone I’ve lent this bag to has raved about its comfort and performance. I would and have recommended this bag configuration to anyone. Combine it with the neo-air all-season pad and you’ll be warm well into the fall in this excellent 3-season bag.
The Outdoor Adventure Giving you tips, tricks & recommendations to help make adventuring in the Outdoors fun, safe & exciting for you and your kids.
