Therm-a-Rest is definitely the leading force in the outdoor sleepmat department. Sleepmats come in all shapes and sizes and for the type of backpacking I tend to do, I have always used a 3/4 length mat. Although light and convenient space-wise, these are by and large uncomfortable. Nights tend to have little bit of tossing and turning, but at the end of the day this evens out with the weight and space saved while trekking during the day… or so I thought.
My sleep has been easier, however since I found the Therm-a-Rest trail lite series. Weighing only 2 lbs/910 g and condensing into a small size for packing, this full-size mat is the perfect compromise between size and weight verses comfort and durability. The trail lite series is also compatible with the fitted sheet, ventral down comforter and tech blanket for those who want to compile equipment for a truly bed-like, two-season outdoor sleeping experience. For more info on the trail lite and sleep systems click through to the company’s website.
I was a really big fan of Nike products when I was a little younger, but to be honest, as I matured my interest has slowly died down — until recently. For this gear test I decided to look into the ACG or All Conditions Gear range and was pleasantly surprised.
First I tried out the Cordillera composite no sew jacket which utilizes a breathable cotton polyester mix that enables this form-fitting and ultra stylish garment to be moisture resistant, while also wicking away sweat. It also features a taped (rather than sewn) seam throughout which immensely improves comfort. This product was equal in it’s abilities to most comparable items provided by leading outdoor manufacturers, so I can and will recommend it, not least because of it’s very competitive price point.
Next, I took out a sample pair of unreleased Nike Zoom Ashiko boots.
These boots have been billed as ”A revolution in outdoor product that combines leading edge construction techniques with Nike’s boot heritage, creating a lightweight minimalistic product unlike anything else in the market.” That’s a mouthful, but I have to say I agree. These stylish boots are a great choice for the fashion-savvy day hiker. On the first part of my trip in Manhattan I had plenty of compliments, but it was on the trail that they came into their own.
They are light, very supportive and incredibly airy. At a retail price of $270 Nike isn’t giving them away, but then again you are getting a groundbreaking sneaker and a state-of-the-art hiking boot rolled into one.
Filson has been making tough garments since 1897. Founded in Alaska to outfit the Goldrush, Filson still makes hard-working, all-natural clothing that has stood the test of time.
I’m a big fan of any ‘Classic’ clothing. The jean. The white tee-shirt. The two-piece black suit. Work wear. And classic work wear is something that Filson does very well.
The Filson item I tested for this article is the ‘Single Tin’ pant. This is the best pant I have ever worn camping or in the woods. It’s fabricated from a very tough canvas fabric that has been treated with oil to repel water. I have worn these pants in a diversity of environments including the Amazon jungle, North American pine forests, high Andean Mountains and even rainy Toronto streets. The one constant: I’m yet to be disappointed. They look good, and once they are worn in they fit like an armoured glove. A word of caution, however. They do take some wearing in. To begin with they can chaff and feel uncomfortable. Also they are soaked in oil to provide a water repellencey, which soaks onto the inside of the pant too. I found the best way to deal with this was to wear them with a pair of cotton long-johns that soak up excess oil until it is displaced into the fabric properly.
These are also by no means summer pants. They’re great in spring, fall and winter, but prove to be too clammy for a summer trip. They can also be a little stiff to hike in, but I found that their tough construction more than makes up for this.
The entire luggage and clothing line can be viewed at www.filson.com.
The scintillating summer styles of “Ship to shore” can be found on pp42-49 of the Hot Issue. As often happens in fashion shoots, a few extra pictures were snapped during the course of the day. Entirely by coincidence, all of the photos in question this time ’round feature beautiful women in flattering swimwear.
“After the jump” is common parlance for clicking through to the next page but for this one, we recommend that you dive.
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Lock ‘em out.
That’s a political tactic that seems to be having a moment in vogue right about now. Are you a government that wants to make some kind of political statement? Then why not find some vauguely important foreigner who is planning a visit to your country — one who could be seen to symbolise views you oppose – and simply deny them entry.
Even better, approve their entry in advance, and then revoke it at the last minute.
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We do aspire to have a strong enough sense of cool in the Hot Issue: Witness our travelogue through the slush fun(d) that can currently be found in Iceland (“Reykjavik’s progress,” pp50-52), as well as the following web-exclusive interview set in the southern antipode of Antarctica. What’s hotter than Kate Beckinsale kicking high-concept action ass in leather (Van Helsing, the Underworld series)? Clearly, it’s Kate Beckinsale kicking high-concept action ass in leather with fur on top — for the late-summer action thriller, Whiteout.
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There’s a radio station that pumps its signal through almost every car, bodega and liquor store in South Beach, its playlists dotted with celebrity-laden station IDs proclaiming Miami to be “The Sexiest Place on Earth.” While one is inclined to believe the likes of Lil Wayne and Trick Daddy when they say as much, it’s still a lofty claim. In fact, for those accustomed to cooler climates — particularly those of us who are built for comfort rather than speed — sexiness can feel like something of an elusive pursuit, particularly in the persistent heat of a South Miami summer.
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