The Russell Moccasin Co. is a traditional moccasin and boot maker based in Wisconsin. They have been manufacturing handmade footwear for over 110 years and have such a personable service that while boots are manufactured from high quality leathers and hides, Russell also boasts the ability to make most items from your own hunting spoils, from elk to elephant.

The Russell range seems to lean heavily towards the hunter of both North American and African big game. But there is a spattering of dress shoe options and an ample line of slippers and household mocs as well. I was recently told by a friend with a very high position within men’s tailoring that the Russell Moccasin Co. is considered, industry-wise, to be on a par with top cobblers Church of England.

I opted to test the newest product in the Russell arsenal: the Thula Thula PH moccasin.

The Thula Thula “PH” was designed for serious big game hunting…specifically tailored for a quiet, cat-like final approach for Big Five (that is: Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Buffalo, and Rhinos…”oh my!” indeed) dangerous game hunters. (Thula Thula means “Quietly…quietly” in Zulu)

With no rubber midsole and thick, smooth leather soles, The Thula Thula “PH” is, by design, superbly quiet and provides excellent feedback from the ground for delicate stalks. Early Thula Thula testers report they were more agile and aware of the ground, which prevented inadvertent stick and rock-generated noise. Built on the famous Munson Army last, the PH is designed so that the 26 bones in the foot plus the muscles, joints and tendons can move naturally, simulating barefoot walking…allowing your foot to rock forward naturally.

I used the Thula Thulas for a week in the damp, costal areas of Maine and a week pounding the streets and clubs of Manhattan, before spending a week on the rugged Canadian shield of Georgian Bay. My verdict? Thumbs up. These shoes are a fantastic option for the beach, camping or a night on the town. Though I wouldn’t suggest too much wet weather wear, I haven’t had a problem yet.

For more info: russellmoccasin.com.

I tagged along for the DRIVEN gear test where the cold and rainy weather served as perfect conditions to examine the MEC Hybrid Sleeping Bag -20C. The Hybrid gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to the “down is lighter vs. synthetic is drier” debate. This bag held up extremely well during the five-day drencher on the east coast of Maine and was a treat to snuggle into after a three-hour kayaking tour off the coast of Bar Harbour that left us cold and soaked to the bone.

The Hybrid’s intelligent design results in a bag that is both light and very warm due to it’s 575 fill-power duck down component, which is protected by an outer layer of Hyperloft (a shingled MEC-developed synthetic). This added layer moves the dew points outwards to minimize the moisture accumulation in the down feathers. Box baffles hold the down layer in place so that it remains in an optimal position. The bag also remains drier by adding the extra insulation of Hyperloft to the hood and footbox and while guaranteeing warmth by adding it to the bottom of the bag, which gets compressed during use. I could have poured a cup of water on the foot of the bag without feeling a drop inside. Predictably, I managed to stay warm all night even though the ground was consistently cold.

The one downfall I found is that your legs can feel restricted – the bag is recommended for one who sleeps on their back or sideways. I sleep on my side, so make sure to test for individual comfort in store. Overall, the Hybrid’s construction of both natural and synthetic materials capitalizes on the strengths and minimizes the faults of both, making it an ideal choice for cold and wet conditions. After walking five miles in the rain before we could set up camp, the minimal added weight on the hike was a small price to pay to get a good night of uninterrupted sleep. The nights of endless downpour should have put a serious damper on our trip, but in the MEC Hybrid I was elated to wake up entirely dry from top to toe.

The MEC Hybrid Sleeping Bag -20C is bright orange with charcoal detailing and comes in 3 sizes: SM, REG, LONG and weighs 1.9kg, 2.0kg and 2.1kg respectively. For more info visit mec.ca.

You can find links to reviews for each outdoorsy item featured in “GEAR,” on page 18 of the magazine,  after the jump.

See the full GEAR page from the magazine here.

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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.