Osprey Exos 34 Pack

An ultralight pack with features?  Say it ain’t so, Osprey.

Well, it is so – and we’re talking about bells and whistles like Osprey’s AirSpeed suspension, a Stow-on-the-Go trekking pole attachment, InsideOut compression system.  And that’s just the trademarked components, mind you.  What about tool loops, a 3-liter hydration sleeve, and a removable top lid?  Yep, these features are there too.

Osprey hits it right on the money with the Exos 34 pack, filling a gap between ultralight packs constructed of whispy fabrics and bags intended for long excursions into the backcountry. I’ve taken the Exos 34 on tons of day, weekend and three-day hikes – it rides very well and is easy to adjust on the fly.

For complete specs, visit www.ospreypacks.com.

Check Out Columbia’s New Mobex Backpack

I’ve got my grubby mitts on one of the Columbia Sportwear Mobex packs! Look for a hands-on video soon, but for now, here’s a video from the Outdoor Retailer show and a couple of pics to hold you over. Oh, and I’ve hidden the Mobex in a super secret location, so don’t come sneaking around my place in the middle of the night thinking you can make off with it. I’ve got dogs. Big dogs. And lions.

Golite Poncho/Tarp Review

For ultralight hikes, using gear that can serve double duty is the only way to go.  I’m not recommending that you go so far as using your titanium spork to dig a cat hole, that would just be taking things waaay too far.  If you are doing that, stop now — it’s just gross.

Back to the Golite Poncho Shelter.  Is it primarily a poncho whose secondary mission is to also serve as an ultralight shelter?  Or is it an ultralight shelter that you can stick your head through and use as raingear and pack cover?  That’s a mystery that can only be solved by endless posts in a gear forum somewhere that usually ends with some overzealous gear nerd calling you a dirty name.  You respond in kind, and the thread gets locked and you get booted from the site.  Hate it when that happens.

Ok, ok — I’ll try to focus a little harder.  The Golite Poncho/Tarp weighs in at a paltry 10 ounces, making it perfect for fast and light activities.  You’d think that a piece of gear like this would be fragile, scaring you every time a rain drop falls from the sky.  With the first drop you shriek, thinking that it will pierce the nylon.  Can it, you sissy- the Golite Poncho is tough, withstanding heavy winds while staked out in shelter mode.  The SilLite fabric can take a beating, so don’t worry too much about having to baby this piece of gear.  Just don’t be silly and try to rig it up between the trees and bounce on it like a makeshift trampoline.

This is my go-to gear for quick, ultralight hikes.  It works great as both a poncho and a tarp shelter for one.  The snaps hold tight, but they will rust a little, so be sure to dry out your gear properly afterwards.  On several rainy hikes (well, more like tropical storm conditions) the Golite Poncho kept me as dry as you could expect from a poncho.  It’s got great coverage for your pack, thanks to a section on the bottom that can be unsnapped to drop down a little lower in the rear. As a shelter, the Golite Poncho provides minimal coverage, so be sure to pitch it as a lean-to (with your trekking poles, of course) facing away from the weather.  When things are a little rougher, you can set it up with only one pole in a pyramid fashion.  Works great to block wind and weather.

The Good Scoop

At only 50 bucks, the Golite Poncho/Shelter is an affordable way to lighten up that monster pack you are carrying.  You can combine your shelter, raingear and pack cover into one unit, and it weighs under a pound.

Remember, coverage as a shelter is minimal,  so if you are the size of Andre the Giant, you ain’t gonna fit.

Get the full specs and detail without all my ramblings at www.Golite.com.

Here’s a direct link to the Golite Poncho/Tarp: http://www.golite.com/product/proddetail.aspx?p=AC0207&s=0

Spitfire SOT Kayak

Looking for a lightweight sit-on-top to chuck in the back of your pickup?  Emotion Kayaks has recently introduced the Spitfire, an 8-foot boat that’s perfect for those quickie beach and calm river trips.  Oh, it won’t break the bank, either.  You can pick up this snazzy little craft for less than $250, so that’s good news for you folks looking for an inexpensive way to get out on the water.  As expected, the little Spitfire is super nimble, but have fun trying to get your track on.  Tracking is lacking (intended cheesy rhyme, thanks), so don’t think you are going to go out and paddle the Sea of Cortez with this boat.  But that would be silly, right?  Right.  Stick with playing in the surf (works great) or lazily drifting down a river with a light current.

Here in Florida, this boat is perfect for sliding around in springs.  I took it out to Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River where I spent several hours drifting around.  The Spitfire is exceptionally stable, I was able to stand and paddle (sort of like a poor man’s SUP).  It also worked well while kneeling and paddling, which is great for looking downward into the water while taking pictures or video.  I’d stick to calm waters for this kind of stuff, though.

Features.  Everyone always want to know about all the bells and whistles, which you won’t find too many of with the Spitfire.  Molded foot braces accomodate paddlers of all sizes (unless you are some sort of giant), and the fold down seat was adequate for a few hours in the water without any discomfort.  There’s also molded paddle keepers on both sides of the boat.  That’s pretty much it.

Things I would spiff up a little?  I’d add a better bungee with cordlock to the rear storage area, and perhaps add on some carry handles.  The molded in handles aren’t deep enough to get a grip on the boat, especially when it’s wet.  The Spitfire only weighs 38 pounds, so with the addition of better handles, you’ll be able to one-arm carry (unless you are a real weakling) it right down to the water.

The Good Scoop

The Spitfire – it’s a good half-day tripper for the beach and light river running.  Lightweight and affordable. Fits in the bed of a Ford Ranger.  Visit www.spitfirekayaks.com for all the specs and local dealer information.

Adventure Medical Kits Smart Travel First Aid

Now here’s a pouch full of goodies that you definitely should have along on all sorts of outings – backcountry excursions, road trips, business travel – you name it.  It even comes with a copy of Dr. Eric Weiss’ Comprehensive Guide to Wilderness and Travel Medicine.  Between the guide and the items in AMK’s Smart Travel kit, you can properly treat dang near anything that’s ailin’ you. Got the McGurgles in your gut?  No problem, grab a packet of Almag Plus from the Smart Travel medical kit and you’ll be on your way to feeling right as rain again.  AMK’s Smart Travel Kit has all the essentials needed for 1 or two people on a several-day trip.  There’s plenty of supplies to treat blisters, minor cuts and scrapes, burns – the typical owies that you may discover after a wild night in Mexico City, perhaps.

The Smart Travel kit is just what the name says it is – smart.  Medications and supplies are seperated into different zippered sections, making it easy to locate exactly what you are looking for.  Also, a Visual Communication Tool will help you describe to someone what the heck is wrong with you after that wild night in Mexico City, so you’ll live to tell the tale.  The Smart Travel kit isn’t one of those “use and lose” items, either.  It’s totally refillable via the interwebs at www.refillyourkit.com.

The only thing that I’d include in a first aid/medical kit like this would be a pair of nail clippers.  If you’ve ever whacked your toe really hard and busted off part of your toenail, believe me – you’ll consider that a medical emergency.  Nail clippers are useful for all sorts of medical situations, so think about throwing in a pair.

For complete specs and more information on the Smart Travel kit, visit www.adventuremedicalkits.com.