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Shopping for the outdoorsman or outdoorswoman in your family? Put down the “Panther Sex” cologne, the kitschy seashell picture frame, or the nothing says “I don’t give a damn about what you get” message of a gift card. Get them gear. But not cheap gear, not bad gear – get them the gear I recommend. Because I don’t roll with the plastic Mickey-mouse spinfish combo, or the “Mr. Human Torch” tent.
GEAR I’VE TESTED
I can give this gear my highest recommendation, either because I’ve abused it for seven months on the Appalachian Trail, or I’ve subjected it to innumerable days in the tropic brine of south Florida.
CAMP STOVE:
MSR Pocket Rocket with Titan Kettle ($84.95)
This baby is super-light (3 oz) and durable. I’m going on more than 300 starts without a single problem, and I haven’t even cleaned or maintained it. Boils water quickly and is adjustable, but this is strictly a heat-up water, one person system. Takes IsoPro fuel. Find them here: http://www.msrgear.com/stoves/pocketrocket.asp
SLEEPING BAG
North Face Superlight ($289.00-299.00)
Many zero-degree bags will disappoint by being either too bulky for portability or woefully exaggerating their temperature rating, but this is a zero-degree down bag that I’ve had down to five degrees fahrenheit without a hint of discomfort. The North Face website:
HIKING BOOTS
Merrell Radius Mid Waterproof ($120.00)
Good durability, excellent grip and low-weight for long distance hiking. I went over 1000 miles of bone-grinding terrain before I blew my first set out, and then Merrell replaced them. My second set has over 1000 miles and are still going. I’d say they are more water-resistant than waterproof.
HIKING POLES ($149.95)
Leki Super Makalu Ergometric Long AS
Leki is another company that is great about repairing or replacing gear, free of charge. I’ve owned two sets of their poles, and had this latest brand up Mt. Marcy, the high peak of the New York Adirondacks.
FISHING REELS
Pen 750SSm
This is my favorite all-purpose saltwater fishing reel. Highly durable, reliable and easy to maintain. I’ve had one for a decade that has caught countless mahi-mahi, kingfish, sailfish, sharks and other species.
NEW GEAR
These are products I have not had time yet to test, but I’ve checked out their specs and talked to their representatives, and I think they are worth looking into.
NEW KELTY TRAIL SERIES PACKS
Kelty is a name-brand I trust – I have met many hikers toting Kelty packs, and I had an exterior-frame Kelty myself. They have three new designs, from expedition-size to daypacks, and five redesigns. I liked the classic Red Cloud, but the new Pawnee looks like a great compromise between lightweight gear and storage space. Comes in women’s and men’s versions.
ORIGO GUIDE PRO FISHING WATCHES
Whenever I carry a paper chart on a fishing boat, it quickly becomes a soggy mess or scrunched up and stowed in an inaccessible hatch. Now you can carry that info electronically. This watch has moon phase data, and the top-of-the line Fishing Pro puts a weather station on your wrist (temperature, barometric trends, tide chart, altitude graph, and portable Asian masseuse. Ok I made that last one up). Check the series out here: http://nagear.blogspot.com/2007/08/origo-guide-pro-series.html
GIBBON SLACKLINES
Are you into this new but growing sport of balance and tightrope-like skills? Then you might want the high-quality gear Gibbon has to offer: http://www.gibbonslacklines.com/servlet/StoreFront
FLYFISHING KNOTS
I’ve heard the name Dave Chermanski mentioned in numerous fly fishing articles and in fishing circles, and now he has a book to help those of us who suffer from fumble-fingers, Flyfishing knots and leader system. As well he is selling his Bimini Twist Knotmaker, which can “produce a perfect bimini twist in less than a minute” according to his site. That would be a great improvement on the three-minute long monstrosities some fishing mates have laughed at. His merchandise is at his website, www.chermanski.com.
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The New Kelty Pawnee, courtesy of Kelty
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I have a foolproof way to bring in blacktip sharks. But it’s messy, it’s gory, it’s not for the feint of heart. You’re going …
- appropriate clothing (layered, self-wicking, some water resistant)
- reliable source of fire (flint and steel, waterproof matches, butane lighter)
- purified water
- maps (know where you are)
- compass
- modest first aid kit
- emergency shelter (tarp, groundcloth, tent)
- non-perishable, high energy food (energy bars, dehydrated meals)
- spare change of clothing in waterproof container
- quality sleeping bag (last line of defence)
