A Place for All Outdoors
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by Arnie P
going up Blueberry Mountain
This past month was very good in terms of weather, timing, and five great hiking days to put these boots through a lot of varied conditions. I hiked in the Carlisle Great Brook Farm, Billerica Forest, and in New Hampshire.
To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
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I have enjoyed using the Aladdin To-Go-Tumbler over the past month. I
Using the To-Go-Tumbler for OJ on a paddle
have used it mostly around the house but have also taken it with me as I leave a few times, usually in the cup holder in my truck. It fits the cup holder perfectly, and with the straw and screw on lid there was not much danger in spilling anything in my truck. I also carried it on a kayaking day trip. To read the rest of the update along with the entire review please click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
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MSR Pocket Rocket
The Pocket Rocket from MSR (a Cascade Designs subsidiary) is not a Japanese motorcycle…however, it is an excellent backpacking stove. It is said to be the world’s most popular canister stove and I don’t doubt it. In fact, I bought one myself about 15 years ago and used it several years. It was the stove I used on a four day hike in the Smokey’s with my son as well as many other shorter hikes with him and by myself. To read more click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
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So far I have really enjoyed reviewing these shoes, they are like nothing I have ever worn before. I encourage you to review the second installment of my review here…
Dave (the turtle) Wilkes
Categories: Reviews.
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So easy a 9yo can use it
“So easy a caveman can do it…”
There were no cavemen available for this review, but I was able to locate a 9yo.
I have completed my review of this stove and you can read for yourself how it performed for me here…
Dave (the turtle) Wilkes
Categories: Reviews.
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Blueberry Mountain trailhead
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By Suzanne
Canada Goose Camp Down Jacket
When I was first told that I would be reviewing a down jacket, my immediate feeling was that I would be wearing something that emphasized my worst features and made me look like a doughboy that is on tv a lot this time of year. I was not at all enthusiastic. But, Canada Good has definitely proven me wrong. Their Camp Jacket has got to be my favorite jacket ever. It’s the perfect combination of outdoor wear and city active wear. I’ve worn it to go out to dinner at fancy restaurants as a jacket to go with a nice outfit. But, more notably, I’ve also worn it for all of my winter expeditions and come back nice and toasty warm despite the wretched temperatures. My most recent expedition with the Canada Goose Camp Jacket led me to Pleasant Mountain in Maine, which is a small local peak known for great views with minimal time on the trail. To read more about my trip itself, read the full report here. Otherwise, you can find my thoughts from the trail on the Canada Goose Camp Jacket by going to my review here.
Categories: Reviews.
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By Suzanne
Camelbak Fourteener
The first pack that I ever bought when I started seriously hiking about five years ago was a Camelbak. I found it locally, liked that it came with a water bladder, and it fit within my poor college student budget. Well, I’ve grown up, but my taste in packs is still with Camelbak, especially with their CamelBak® Fourteener, which they sent me to review. The improvements in the basic overall design of the CamelBak® Fourteener versus my old Camelbak are really noticeable and had definitely resulted in a pack that I’d buy even if it didn’t come with their newly redesigned bladder. I recently took the CamelBak® Fourteener up Pleasant Mountain, a local peak where I got my first winter hike in a couple years ago, with my husband and dog. To hear about my trip with the CamelBak® Fourteener you can click here. To read my full report and thoughts about just the CamelBak® Fourteener, click here.
Categories: Reviews.
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By Suzanne
Saucony Women’s Progrid Razor
I have been a Saucony loved for as long as I can remember. My mom used to buy them for me when I was growing up because she knew that they were a high quality sneaker with a reasonable price tag. I’ve tried other brands of running shoes now that I’m on a quest to get fit, but nothing seems to come close to the fit and feel of Saucony on my feet. One of their newest designs to hit the market is the Progrid Razor, which is the perfect shoe to be training in now that winter is underway here in Maine. When other shoes slip or lead you to have wet feet when running in incliment weather, the Progrid Razor keeps your feet warm and dry. I recently took them up Pleasant Mountain, a small peak nearby, to see how they would handle the mud, ice, and dusting of snow that the mountains have been blessed with so far this year. To read my full trail report, click on this link. To read just about the Saucony Women’s Progrid Razor and hear more about my thoughts on this awesome addition to the Saucony lineup, click here.
Categories: Reviews.
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Wonder Warmers (Size Small)
By Suzanne
Reuseit.com, which is an awesome site to find anything eco-friendly, recently hooked me up with a set of Wonder Warmers to try out. I don’t know if you have been watching the weather lately, but we have been hit with a lot of cold temperatures here in Maine lately (and absolutely no snow). I’m typically against using portable/chemical heating pads because I don’t like the waste that they cause. Fortunately the Wonder Warmers are completely reusable. To read about my latest trip outdoors with them, you can read the whole report by clicking here or you can read about just the Wonder Warmers by clicking here.
Categories: Reviews.
Dakine Comet Method Women's Gloves
By Suzanne
The temperatures here in Maine lately have been downright frigid (below 20 degrees most days) and having gloves/mittens no matter what you are doing outside is just about mandatory. The Comet Method Gloves have been my “go to” gloves every single morning that I go out, not just when I am heading for the mountains. They do not limit my mobility as much as other, heavier gloves typically do. I have no problem wearing them while driving or holding on to my trekking poles when heading up a mountain. The GoreTex membrane means that my hands stay nice and dry, but don’t wind up getting terribly sweaty thanks to the breathability of it. They are the absolutely perfect multipurpose glove.
Click here to read more about my thoughts on the Dakine Comet Method Women’s Gloves.
Categories: Reviews.
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by Suzanne
On Firewarden's Trail up Pleasant Mountain in Maine
The snow is starting to stick to the ground. The temperatures in the morning have been hovering in the mid-teens. Winter has definitely arrived here in Maine even if it isn’t December 21st yet. Unlike a lot of people around my area that seem to dread the cold and can’t drive as soon as the first snow flake falls, I live for winter. The mountains get calmer. The trail heads less crowded. And I can often go for hours on the trail without seeing a soul. It’s just the way I like my time in the mountains (most of the time).
To hear more about my first day out in the mountains during this winter season and Digby’s last day of the year, click here.
Categories: Outdoor Article, Reviews.
By Suzanne
Saucony ProGrid Guide 3.0 for Women
I am a reluctant runner and have a history of not wonderful knees that have kept me from even considering running as being something that I would ever enjoy. However, in an effort to shape up, I actually decided to give it a shot. The most important part of running to keep you happy and healthy is a sturdy pair of good running shoes. Fortunately for me, Saucony hooked me up with the ProGrid Guide 3.0 to help me get started. I made sure to visit my local running store first to make sure they fit correct and then I was off and running. Literally.
Click here to read about my initial thoughts about the Saucony ProGrid Guide 3.0 for Women and to hear about how I’m putting them through their paces.
Categories: Reviews.
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So far I am liking the Princeton Tec Push just fine. Unfortunately, about 2 weeks after getting the light the weather really went south…and I have not been riding much at all in the daytime, much less at night. Regardless, I did manage to do a couple of night rides during those first few weeks. One was off the mountain and I found my initial assessment of the light at speed was correct. To read the rest of the review please click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
For the past month I have been enjoying my daily java in the Aladdin Transform Recycled and Recyclable Mug.
This mug is made with recycled plastics, BPA free, dishwasher/microwave safe, and is good for the environment.
Check out how I am liking this mug here.
Jenn K.
Categories: Reviews.
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Review by arnie
MEC Tace jacket
The MEC (Mountain Equipment CO-OP) Tace jacket was provided for review purposes.
The Tace jacket was made primarily for running. I looks very similar to a running jacket I own, but when I stopped running, I started using my jacket for hiking and backpacking. I intend to use the Tace jacket for hiking and daily use. To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
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I’ve used the SoftBottle almost every day for the past month. It’s been used on day hikes and everyday use while on campus for classes. So far I have found it very useful and a good addition to the gear that I use on a consistent basis. Click here to check out Update #1 with my latest thoughts and experiences with the Platypus SoftBottle.
Categories: Reviews.
During the past month I have used the EarthLust Stainless Steel Bottle almost every day. It has gone with me on fitness walks, short hikes, and to work. I was very excited to try this bottle as I have never owned a stainless steel water bottle.
This bottle is made of a high food grade stainless steel, non-toxic paint, and no BPA. Plus it looks really cool!
Check out how I am enjoying it here.
By Jenn K.
Categories: Reviews.
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When I received my Exchange 26 Duffle Bag from Briggs and Riley I was very eager to try it out. Everyone should own a great duffle bag and I think I have found mine in the Exchange 26. I was checking out the features and was very impressed with the zip away panel that hides the amazing padded back pack straps for hands free traveling.
Categories: Reviews.
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The MEC (Mountain Equipment CO-OP) Mercury Tights are designed for running and other winter time activities that require warmth and freedom of movement. However, due to bad knees, my running days are pretty much over. However, I do still like to hike in the winter, and often do so at a fairly brisk pace when I’m out for exercise. And while these pants are not designed as hiking pants, they will work for this activity just about as well as anything else, and a lot better than some pants, like say for example, blue jeans. To read the rest of the review please click here.
Coy Boy
Categories: Reviews.
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~ Chuck
Not all Hoodies are created equal, especially the Columbia Prouty Glacier II. It might look like an ordinary hoodie, but Columbia (http://www.columbia.com/) has added their own style to the everyday hoodie. Read more….
Categories: Reviews.
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Ever wanted to show your buddies just how fast the trees come at you when you’re skiing off-piste, or wished you could send your parents your face when you took your first skydiving trip? The GoPro Helmet Hero HD is a small, durable, wearable high-definition video camera that’s designed to help you bring other folks right into the moment. Read more about it here.
Categories: Reviews.
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Review by arnie
Titanium Spork in package
The Light My Fire Titanium Spork was provided by reuseit.com for review purposes.
When I am reviewing anything I try to incorporate the item into my daily activities. I don’t like having surprises on a backpack so I try equipment out before going on a backpack. I have been using a plastic Spork backpacking for about 2 years. The Spork replaced plastic ware from fast food restaurants. To read more.
Categories: Reviews.
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A lightweight headlamp that packs a punch…
Image Courtesy of princetontec.com
I have used many different types of headlamps and many of them seem to utilize very similar designs. The Princeton Tec Byte headlamp didn’t try to reinvent the wheel when it created the Byte, but it definitely has some designs aspects that set it apart from the competition.
Click here for my first review of the Princeton Tec Byte headlamp.
-Kaleb R.
Categories: Reviews.
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~Rich
It was -43 on Mt. Washington (New Hampshire) this morning. That’s a bit cold for me! Mt. Washington has some of the highest wind speed records, and some of the toughest terrain around. Timberland named one of their most rugged pairs of hiking boots after Mt. Washington – the Washington Summit.
Read the updated review: HERE
Categories: Reviews.
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