Gear Institute Announces Gear of the Year for 2014

If you're still looking for that last minute Christmas gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life, and could use a little extra help, that perhaps the Gear Institute could be of assistance. The website, which is dedicated to all things outdoor gear related, has announced it's gear of the year picks for 2014, naming the items that are Best in Class in over 45 different categories that range from climbing, hiking, camping, running, and more.

Some of the items that earned this distinction from the expert staff over at the Gear Institute include the Lowa Camino LL Flex boots, which were named the best backpacking boot, and the Patagonia Ascensionist 35L which won best daypack. Joining those items in the winner circle were the La Sportive TC Pro climbing shoes (best all-purpose climbing shoe), and the Primus ETA Lite (best rapid-boil stove). Mountain Hardware's Skyledge 3 earned the distinction of being the best 3-person backpacking tent, while the Brooks Cascade 9 went home with the trophy for top comfort trail running shoes.

The Gear Institute has been around for a few years now, and over that time it has become one of the best online resources for anything outdoor gear related. Their team consists of numerous individual experts on specific gear items, and they put that expertise to good use testing and reviewing all kinds of items that will likely be of interest to you. Be sure to check out their Best in Class 2014 list to see what gear items have impressed them the most this year.

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The Adventure Blog Holiday Shopping Guide

Thanksgiving is always a great time here in the States. Friends and family gather together to catch-up with one another, enjoy some great food, and relax for a few days. But, it also kicks off the frenzy of the holiday shopping season, with millions of consumers heading out to stores in search of the perfect present for their loved ones. If you have an outdoor adventurer on your shopping list this year, then perhaps I can suggest a few items that they might find under the tree. Without further adieu, I present to you the 2014 Adventure Blog holiday shopping guide.

Osprey Rev 12 Pack ($110)
The perfect gift for the trail or ultra runner in your life is, without a doubt, the Rev 12 pack from Osprey. It is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and packed with features. For instance, it comes with with a 2.5L hydration bladder, an innovative media pocket that keeps your phone close at hand at all times, and plenty of pockets and compartments for storage of essential gear. This is simply one of the best packs ever made for trail running, and it is sure to be a hit with your favorite outdoor athlete. The Rev is also available in 1.5 liter, 6, liter, 18 liter, and 24 liter sizes depending on the needs of the runner.

Mountain Hardwear Sereaction Jacket ($600)
Looking for the ultimate high performance jacket to keep your favorite adventurer warm and dry in the mountains? Then look no further than the Sereaction Jacket from Mountain Hardwear. This shell features the company's proprietary Dry.Q Elite fabrics, which were developed for maximum breathability and ventilation during rigorous alpine activities. Designed to allow the wearer to remain comfortable at all times, without restricting movement, this is a jacket that will perform well in nearly any kind of environment and conditions.

Bikes From Cannondale
One of the best presents that anyone can find under the tree on Christmas morning is a new bike. That was true when we were kids, and it remains true to this day. Cannondale always has excellent models to fit every type of rider. The Trail SL 29 ($2060) is a great ride for all-mountain performance, while the Quick CX 1 ($1620) is a fun hybrid for comfortable off-road and city riding. But for the top of the line mountain biking experience, check out the Trigger Carbon Black, Inc. ($10,830), a lightweight, nimble beast that can both climb and descend like no other. This is quite possibly the best mountain bike available today.

CamelBak Forge Travel Mug ($30)
If you've been looking for the ultimate travel mug, your search is over. CamelBak (yes, the makers of all those hydration packs!) has gone to great lengths to design the best travel mug imaginable. The Forge features a double-wall, vacuum insulated container that will keep your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate warm for 4+ hours. Its innovative lid features a leak-proof design that is built to keep your hot beverage going inside of you, not down the front of your shirt. Best of all, CamelBak has come up with a way to make it easier than ever to keep you mug clean, with a design that is so simple, you'll wonder why no one thought of it sooner. This is a wonderful product that is perfect for just about anyone on your list.

Outdoor Technology Big Turtle Shell Wireless Speaker ($230)
These days, Bluetooth wireless speakers are everywhere, and have become a popular accessory for our outdoor adventures. But few of them are built from the ground up to survive in the backcountry, while also delivering high quality sound in the process. The Big Turtle Shell from Outdoor Technology has been designed to not only provide great audio performance, but it is also water resistant, dust proof, and shock proof. That means, music lovers don't have to compromise on sounds when they go camping or backpacking. And with a battery life of 16 hours, they'll be able to listen for a long time between recharges.

Sugoi Cycling and Running Jackets
Running and cycling apparel also make for great gifts, and Sugoi has some of the best gear for both sports. Take for example the new Zap Bike Jacket ($160), which features the innovative Pixel fabrics that are designed to be both highly waterproof and incredibly reflective. This is the kind of jacket you want your loved one wearing when the rain sets in, or darkness starts to fall a bit earlier than expected. Similarly, the Alpha Hybrid Jacket ($175) is tailor made for runners. It provides plenty of warmth for those cold weather outings, with great breathability to ensure overheating doesn't become an issue. Wind and water resistant, the Alpha will quickly become a favorite piece of gear for your favorite runner.

Vasque Grand Traverse Shoes ($130)
Adventure travelers looking for a lightweight, highly packable, and very comfortable shoe to take with them on journeys will want to consider the Grand Traverse from Vasque. Good looking and versatile, these shoes are perfect for light trail duty, traipsing around town, or shuffling through an airport. Depending on the type of activities that are part of the itinerary, the Grand Traverse just might be the only shoe you need to take with you on that next adventure abroad.

Nite Ize Inova STS Headlamp ($35)
There are a lot of headlamps available on the market today, but what sets the Inova STS from Nite Ize apart from the competition is its unique swipe-to-shine technology. This allows the wearer to quickly and easily dial in the exact level of brightness they need without having to fumble with buttons, special modes, or switches. The headlamp is capable of putting out as much as 142 lumens of power, and is waterproof to one meter, as well as drop resistant.

Goal Zero Sherpa 50 Power Pack ($200)
Keeping your electronic devices fully charged in the backcountry can be a real challenge these days. In addition to smartphones and digital camera, we also have to be able to keep your GPS devices, rechargeable headlamps, and other gadgets working too. It would be nice if that extended to tablets and laptops as well. Enter the Sherpa 50 Power Pack($200) from Goal Zero, a battery pack that can provide plenty of juice for everything you take with you on your adventures. Charge it up before you leave home, or pair it with a Nomad 13 solar panel ($160) for a portable charging solution.

Buffs ($20)
Buffs have been around a long time now, and they remain one piece of gear that I never leave home without. These versatile pieces of headgear can serve as a scarf, balaclava, do-rag, face mask, and so much more. Available in dozens of colors and styles, they make great stocking stuffers for the active outdoor enthusiast. Personally, I'm a bit partial the new National Geographic Everest design, but there are so many to choose from, it's tough to decide which is best. And don't forget there are Buffs designed specifically for cold weather use as well.

Chums Gizmo PED Case ($25)
Keeping our electronic devices safe while in the backcountry, or on a trip to the far side of the planet is of the utmost importance. That's why Chums has introduced a new set of products designed to do just that. The Gizmo case is offers padded protection for a smartphone, digital camera, or similarly sized device, with an interior that is lined with soft fleece to protect delicate screens. The outer shell is made of ballistic nylon to help provide further protection, while a couple of interior pockets are great for organization. The case is perfect for an iPhone 6, charger, and cable, with enough room left over for a few other items too.

Vessyl Smart Cup ($99)
Fitness and workout nuts will love Vessyl, a smart cup that can keep track of everything they drink, and provide nutritional feedback. With its sophisticated set of sensors, the Vessyl is capable of detecting the brand, flavor, and contents of just about anything that is put into it, and store that data for analysis over time. The device can then break down the "liquid calories" consumed by the user, making them more aware of what they are drinking. When linked to a smartphone, the device can help users lose weight, stay hydrated, regulate sugar and caffeine intake, and more. The Vessyl will ship in 2015, but can be preordered now at a special introductory price.

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Gear Closet: 5.11 Tactical Rush 12 Backpack

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, a few weeks back – just before I left for Ecuador – my friends at 5.11 Tactical were kind enough to ship me a box filled with all kinds of goodies. Amongst them were the Stryke Pants, which I took with me to South America and put to good use in the field. But also in the box was a wonderful daypack that I think many people will find is a great addition to their own gear closets. It is the Rush 12 pack, a versatile, durable, and well built bag that can be used in a variety of situations from the backcountry to the boardroom.

As with all of 5.11 Tactical's gear, the Rush 12 takes a lot of its design cues from military and law enforcement gear. This looks like a pack you would expect to find on the backs of soldiers deployed in just about any theater of operations around the globe. It is incredibly well built, and designed to last, and as such it resists abrasions, tears, and scuffs very well. This is the kind of pack that you'll be able to abuse for years, and still continue to put to good use while hiking, hunting, or carrying your urban gear around town.

The designers of the Rush 12 put a lot of thought into this bag, and have managed to put in a surprising number of features. For instance, there are 16 different compartments, stow pockets, and storage chambers on the pack, giving you plenty of options for keeping all of your important items in just the right place. Those compartments include a fleece-lined pocket that is perfect for sunglasses or a smartphone, with the soft lining ensuring that lenses or screens don't get scratched. There is also a 60oz (1.77 liter) hydration sleeve, a pocket with built-in organizational slots, and large main storage area that can swallow up plenty of gear as well.


Unlike most other pack manufacturers, who generally indicate the size of the bag in the name, 5.11 Tactical took a different approach. The "12" in the Rush 12 name indicates the number of hours the bag would be used for. Thus, the Rush 12 is a good daypack for up to 12 hours of use. This is in contrast to the Rush 24, which would be an overnight bag, or the Rush 72, which is a three-day pack. In terms of traditional size however, the Rush 12 offers a solid 21.2 liters of capacity, which puts it on the smaller end of the daypack scale, but with more storage capacity than that number might typically indicate.

The Rush 12 features thickly padded shoulder straps, which help to distribute a heavy load nicely. A sternum strap locks the back into place, although their is no hipbelt at all, which may cause some to find the fit to be a bit more loose than they would like. The back stayed well in place during testing however, and unless you are attempting to use it for trail running, or some other fast-paced aerobic exercise, it will more than likely meet the demands that you put on it.

All of the straps, buckles, and zippers on this pack are of exceptional quality, and only add to the feeling that this pack can withstand plenty of punishment. 5.11 Tactical has gone to great lengths to ensure that Rush 12 can survive in harsh environments, and that includes integrating self-reparing zippers, with pull tabs that are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves. The great quality even extends to the stitching, as the entire package has been constructed in a manner that simply makes the Rush 12 feel practically bullet proof.

The back panel on the Rush 12 doesn't feature any type of frame to help facilitate ventilation. In fact, there isn't even much in the way of contouring that could provide relief when wearing this bag in a warm environment. It is not unusual for a pack of this size to lack those kinds of features, but it is worth pointing out none the less. If you're someone who works up a sweat while wearing a daypack, the lack of ventilation system may be of ca concern. Depending on how you plan to use the pack however, it may not be something you would notice at all.

While this pack may lack some of the more technical features of bag designed specifically for hiking, it definitely makes up for it with its level of versatility. This is a pack that you can use as part of your everyday commute, just as easily as it can pull double duty out on the trail. It has a nice, classic look to it that would feel just as at home in an office environment, as it does sitting around a campsite. Military and law enforcement personnel will absolutely love this pack, and I think it will be a hit with hunters too. It has all of the storage space that those individuals will need, all wrapped up in a nice compact design. Casual hikers will find that it is more than up to the challenge of day-hiking along your favorite trail, although serious trekkers may want to look towards a more technical pack designed specifically for their needs.

With a price tag of $100, the Rush 12 is a great bargain for the market that it it going after. You'll have a tough time finding a pack of this quality from any other manufacturer at that price. Durability and dependability are the name of the game, and 5.11 Tactical has delivered those qualities, and then some. If this is the type of pack you need, then don't hesitate to order one today. You will not be disappointed.

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Gear Closet: Granite Gear Kahiltna 29 Pack

It has been interesting to watch the evolution of the backpack over the past couple of years. Outdoor gear manufacturers have managed to continue to add excellent –and often surprising – new features, without compromising on the size, storage capacity, or overall design of their bags. Take for example the Kahiltna 29 pack from Granite Gear, a versatile technical daypack that feels larger than it actually is, while still managing to deliver on the promise of a comfortable fit that can see you through a full day of adventure in the backcountry, around town, and beyond.

Granite Gear has a legacy of creating excellent technical packs designed for a variety of outdoor activities. The company has sent their gear to some of the most remote places on the planet, including Everest, and the North and South Pole. Over the years, they've continued to refine those products, improving on their designs after every generation. The Kahiltna is a culmination of those efforts, combining years of experience with technical know, to create a pack that is versatile enough to take with you anywhere.

What struck me first when putting on the Kahiltna pack was how well padded the shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel actually are. For a small daypack, Granite Gear has certainly gone to great lengths to ensure the comfort of the wearer. The thick, plyable padding allows you to carry a heavier load than you would think possible with a 29-liter pack, without straining or struggling in anyway. The back panel does lack a frame system that would allow for better ventilation however, although a series of contours etched into the panel does provide some relief in that area.


In terms of storage, the pack features a large main pocket that can hold a surprising amount of gear, especially when the side compression straps are released to provide extra space. A front pocket includes several nice features for organizing smaller items, with the internal zip pocket proving especially useful. A handy key clip and a variety of other organizational pocket, show that this pack can pull double-duty in the backcountry or urban environments. Two large pockets on the hip belt make for perfect storage for a cell phone, digital camera, or trail snacks, while small mesh pockets on each shoulder straps are good for stowing small items that you want to keep close at hand. The Kahiltna also features twin water bottle holders, one on each side of the pack as well.

The pack includes a few extra features that will come in handy in certain situations. For instance, the Kahiltna is hydration ready, supporting up to a 2-liter water bladder. Customers will have to purchase a bladder separately however, as Granite Gear doesn't include one. For those looking to shave a few extra ounces off the weight of the pack, the hip belt can be removed. Considering the Kahiltna tips the scales at  2 pounds, 1 oz (.93kg) this may be a welcome option for some, although it does comes at the expense of some stability.

A built-in rainfly, located in a zip-pocket at the bottom of the bag, is another welcome addition. It can be deployed in a matter of seconds, keeping the contents of the pack safe from excess moisture from an unexpected rainstorm. In recent years I have really come to appreciate a pack that includes this feature, as it has saved my gear on more than one occasion. I was happy to find that Granite Gear has included one on this pack as well. It may seem like a minor feature, but it is really good to know that it is there when you need it.

Considering the price, the Kahiltna truly delivers a lot of value for the money. Granite Gear sells this pack for just $139.95, which is a solid bargain for everything that it delivers. It is a versatile, comfortable, and durable daypack that will fit the needs of most people. With a capacity of just 29-liters, it is a bit on the small side for some bigger adventures, but the bags ability to handle larger loads makes it a solid performer on most active outings. The Kahiltna's capacity to serve as a good travel pack, as well as for lugging gear around town, makes it an even better bargain, as it truly can be a bag for all occasions. If the outdoor enthusiast on your list has requested a new pack this holiday season, this just might be the perfect choice.

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