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A Bag to Travel the World: The Synapse 25 by Tom Bihn [Review]

Remember my favorite bag, the Tom Bihn Synapse? Well, it found it’s big brother, the Synapse 25 and I couldn’t be happier.

The Synapse 25 has 30% more volume than the smaller Synapse 19. In the video above I traveled to Seattle for a three day trip, packing everything (including laptop) in only one bag. This summer I’ll be traveling throughout Asia and again, only bringing the Synapse 25.

Everything I’ve come to love about the 19 has been included in the 25. The long water bottle holder (which came in really handy in Rome when the temps hit the high 90s), the side pockets that are still useable with a full center compartment, and a new an improved padded case on rails for my laptop.

Tom Bihn manufactures their bags in their Seattle factory. Though I stopped by to meet some of the team and take a tour, it’s all top-secret and I was forbidden to take pictures. Know this: it’s very cool!

Though I could see using the Synapse 25 for all sorts of reasons, I’m a lightweight traveler and this bag is a perfect match for my adventures around the world.

Tom Bihn Synapse

Links

Tom Bihn Synapse 25

Tom Bihn Synapse 19

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Hi-Tec Hurricane Mid Waterproof: Not A Cub Scout Anymore [Review]

Hi-Tec has aimed to please with their Hurricane Mid Waterproof, and I’m just the person that needs some pleasing. I had the chance to wear the multi sport shoe in Moab for 5 days and was impressed.

I’m going to be honest here, the last time I wore Hi-Tec was in Cub Scouts. It was the first hiking boot I ever owned. And while it held up and I never had any complaints, for some reason it was the last time I bought Hi-Tec. Welcome to 2013 where you can find Hi-Tec still at the front of innovation and charging the way for others.

Before Moab I wore the shoe around Crested Butte and had time to test it’s waterproof capabilities with our spring time weather. I never had a problem with wet feet and was very comfortable in the slush and puddles.

In Moab I was able to get a feel for its breath ability and hiking/multi sport characteristics. I never had a break in period with this shoe and surprisingly from the get go it was extremely comfortable and felt like I had been wearing it for months. This may be thanks to their Ortholite insole. My feet never got too hot and I found it to breath very well.

I like the mid top personally but the shoe also comes in the low top for you cool guys. With the mid top I found it to have a bit of extra ankle support while staying a very light shoe. The Vibram sole provides loads of traction while ensuring lasting rubber for years.

The Hi-Tec Hurricane is a shoe I would recommend for anyone who wants to go and explore the outdoors, from a rock scramble in the morning to a multi day hike, the Hurricane can handle it.

Hi-Tec Hurricane

Links

Hi-Tec Hurricane Mid Waterproof: http://goo.gl/ts2if

More gear reviews: http://goo.gl/0x4zz

Tyson Lukasavige — 2 Comments

Decked Out Brooks Range Avalanche Shovel [Review]

A shovel is normally a shovel, unless it’s the Sharktooth LongNeck Pro D handle by Brooks Range. In addition to cutting through packed snow and ice, I’m pretty sure it could also cut down a tree.

If you’ve ever dug through avalanche debris you know it’s similar to what they plow leaves at the end of your driveway; only worse. I’m happy to say this shovel handles it with ease and is exactly what you need if you find yourself in a rescue situation. You should buy all your backcountry buddies one this Christmas and feel safer with them.

Brooks Range didn’t set out to make one shovel for the masses. They created a modular system which lets you design the exact shovel you want. Mini or Pro blad, long or short shaft, T-handle or D-handle, SharkTooth blad or smooth. And for the fashion conscious backcountry guy or gal, a choice of more than ten colors.

Cheapskates, have no fear. You can add or subtract features to your heart’s delight and the shovel costs no more or less. At less than $55 you might as well get an extra to keep in your car.

Brooks Range Avalanche shovel

Links

Brooks Range Avalanche Shovels

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Justin Lukasavige — Leave a comment

Chore Cool: A Beefed Up Rubber Boot by Muck Boot [Review]

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Muck boots and the Chore Cool. My feet usually get hot in any type of rubber boot once the temps get much about 50. After wearing them for a month I am very pleased and find myself wearing them more than I thought I would. They are a fully waterproof boot with a 4mm Flexfoam bootie, steel shank, Vibram sole, and ExpressCool fabric liner.

I was unsure how the boot would do in warmer temps and so far I’ve only been able to test that inside buildings but I’m happy with the results. The ExpressCool fabric does a great job of pulling the moisture away from the foot and dispersing it to dry parts of the boot giving it an evaporation cooling effect. The 4mm Flexfoam bootie is extremely comfortable and I can barely feel it under my pants (which is a huge improvement to where most boots rub the hair off and leave the skin irritated).

The Chore Cool provides very good support for a rubber boot and I find it’s a boot that someone can use all day in the construction or outdoors industry and not complain come time to clock out. It has a steel shank which gives added support along with a Vibram sole ensuring years of use.

I had one minor problem with the boot where my left foot it rubbed my ankle. It may just be me and my fat ankle but the problem was quickly solved with a Nalgene bottle stuffed into the boot and placed in front of the fireplace for an evening. No more rubbing and it’s now as comfortable as the boot on my right foot.

The Chore Cool is a boot that I found made its own little niche and filled it nicely. I can already see it’s going to be a great boot for the summer as I find myself stomping around muddy farm fields and washing airplanes. For the winter I find it very adequate in cold temps especially if you are wearing a pair of ski socks. This is definitely a boot to consider if you find yourself on your feet for long hours in wet conditions or warm weather.

Muck Boots

Links

Muck Boot Chore Cool

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Tyson Lukasavige — Leave a comment

Mountain Khakis Mountain Pants & Old Faithful Sweater [Review]

I’m new to Mountain Khakis and I guarantee you’ll see more of them. Nice enough for church and office yet rugged enough for splitting wood and walking in the forest.

I wear medium in just about every jacket and this fit is right on in the Old Faithful Sweater. Made from 100% polyester it’ll stand up to light wind and rain and still insulate, all while drying in time for a walk downtown. The color I’m wearing in the video is Charcoal.

The Mountain Pants are constructed from 10.4 oz. cotton making them durable and rugged. I’m wearing the color Freestone in the video. With a 33″ waist, I normally wear 31″ x 34″. Most manufacturers normally subtract 2″ from your actual waist measurement, probably to make us Americans feel better. I’m wearing 32″ x 34″ and after four washings they’ve shrunk to the exact size I need.

Links

Mountain Khakis Old Faithful Sweater: http://goo.gl/pFqKk

Mountain Khakis Mountain Pants: http://goo.gl/ZqvTU

More gear reviews: http://goo.gl/0x4zz

Justin Lukasavige — Leave a comment

Light & Motion Solite 250: Car Headlight on Your Head [Review]

The Solite 250 has blown me away with how powerful it is and how long the battery lasts. The light is extremely small for it’s 250 lumen capability and will last for 2.5 hours on that setting. It also has 125 lumens, 30 lumens, 6 lumens reading mode, and a 30 lumens blinking mode. There is also a feature where you can lock the light so if you throw it in a backpack it cannot be inadvertently turned on (a feature I find very useful).

I have used the Solite 250 extensively in the snowmaking department where I work from noon until midnight. The light has performed flawlessly under these conditions with water and cold being a constant. It outperforms our department’s snowmaking lights that consist of a 12 pound battery strapped around your waste. It is very small and will have no problem fitting into a small pocket for an emergency light while heading out in the evening for a bike ride or hike (although it’s so powerful it could easily be used as a main light on a bike at night).

The one thing to keep in mind is that it takes a little while to charge back to a full state if you drain it. I have found it takes anywhere from 2-3 hours to get a full charge (though Light & Motion says it will take 5 hours) but that is a small price to pay for a 250 lumen light that will last 2.5 hours and I am happy to accept that.

It charges via a micro USB cord which is the same cord that my cell phone uses. I found this to be a huge advantage as I already had the option of charging it via a wall outlet, cigarette lighter, or my computer. I also found this could be great if you travel to another country as you can plug it into your computer and not worry about bringing an adapter for it (which some of my lights require). Just one less thing to worry about as you travel.

I highly recommend this light and it’s now the only one I use. I find it hard to use any other light as they just don’t perform nearly as well as this one.