Gifts that get used! Any of these gifts ($8-$120) are likely to please an active outdoors enthusiast. Merino wool zip-neck top from Icebreakers, Leki trekking poles, 3 AAA headlamp from Princeton Tec, Steripen water purifier, Swiss Army knife, Insect Shield bandana, Kahtoola Microspikes,.(Tim Jones photo)

Let’s face it…outdoors enthusiasts are all about the toys. When hubby says “Honey, I really NEED that $400 tent; it’ll take 4 ounces out of my pack weight!”, what he’s really saying is “That thing is SO cool, and I want to play with it!” It makes them easy to buy for…a gift certificate to LL Bean, EMS, REI, or a million other places will allow them to  indulge. But what if you want to actually have a package for them to open?

The real problem is that anyone who is contemplating buying a gift for an active outdoors enthusiast is putting themselves in real danger of getting it wrong. You can buy something that isn’t outdoor related and watch them try to think of something polite to say (“What a lovely new tie…I can use it to hang my lantern!”).  Or, you can buy something outdoorsy—with the attendant potential for getting it wrong. There’s a flip side, too; enthusiasts who buy “agenda gifts” to try to encourage non-believers to get more active are walking on dangerously thin ice (trust us, we speak from experience on this, and have the scars to prove it). If you are going to buy an outdoorsy gift for someone, make sure it’s something they, not you, would like.

Here at EasternSlopes.com, we get to test a whole bunch of new gear (heaven for a gear junkie). And, we have lots of long-proven gear as well. So here are our carefully considered suggestions to avoid gift-giving disasters. Chances are, most active outdoors enthusiasts would use and enjoy these and picking them isn’t as difficult as choosing something highly specialized like a tent or backpack or skis. And, for the AO enthusiast that wants to subtly  encourage someone to get out there, some of the items are “everyday life friendly”; who wouldn’t appreciate a way to keep bugs away, or a light they could carry in the car and use in their hands or on their head?

One-Size-Fits-All Gifts

Trekking Poles ($50 to $120): If the active outdoors enthusiast you are gifting is still using old ski poles for hiking, or isn’t using poles at all, consider giving a pair of modern, adjustable trekking poles. It’s hard to describe how much difference they can make. When the going gets rough or slippery, they are a remarkable aid to balance,  saving you from many a fall. On long downhills they help ease your knees. They can serve as an emergency tent poles and fishing rods. And when you don’t need them, they collapse down and ride on your pack (or in your car, where they can literally be a lifesaver when you have to navigate an icy parking lot). There are many poles on the market and all of them are better than old ski poles. Our personal favorite is the Leki Corklite Makalu Ultralite ($120). They aren’t cheap, but they have comfortable, versatile grips, an easy-to-use external locking system and snow baskets are a cheap ($8) add-on.  A great budget choice is the Gabel Mont Blanc Lite ($75), which has external locks and includes snow baskets. And, for the backcountry ski enthusiast, the Easton CTR-65 ion($99) is an ultralight, 2-piece external lock pole with an extended grip; perfect for when they’re skinning up a steep hill.

The Steripen quickly turns water from almost any wilderness source into safe drinking water. (Tim Jones photo)

SteriPEN($50-100): Safe drinking water is essential for all outdoor activities. All untreated water sources are suspect and can carry a host of diseases. You have two choices when playing outdoors: either carry the water you need or treat the water you find. Of all the water solutions we’ve tried, the SteriPEN is the lightest, most compact, and easiest to use. It takes just moments to purify a liter of water with the ultraviolet light. Instant safe drinking water from almost any source, anywhere!

Waterproof Camera ($100 and up) The newer ones cost more, the older designs still work. Taking pictures make any outdoor adventure more memorable and these are wonderful cameras for taking along anywhere they can get wet, and the newest models are shockproof as well. You can pick up a refurbished model on eBay or Amazon with a warranty for relatively cheap money and not worry about how abused it gets…that’s a great option for your budding Eagle Scout. For the more serious photographer, new models from Olympus, Canon, Nikon, and all the other big names have 12 megapixel and up sensors and will take photography-contest quality photos in the right hands (if your outdoorsman doesn’t have the skills, think about a gift certificate to a local photography workshop!).

Bheestie Bag ($20): Speaking of electronics, most of us have lost at least one piece of e-gear to water damage, and probably more due to long-term corrosion. This slick little item reminds you to drop your phone, camera, iPod, whatever into it after you’ve been in wet or snowy conditions. It’s got a pouch of superabsorbent beads that suck any humidity out of it. Get caught in a unexpected rainshower when running? In goes your music player, and it has a chance of surviving. If you’re a parent, this is a stocking stuffer that could pay for itself many times over!

Clever Wraps ($10-15, packs of 5):  We tend to stick our phones, etc., into Ziploc baggies, which works in most conditions. But, if you want a more tailored option, or want a little extra protection for that rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, these do work. We wouldn’t use them for sticking in our bike jersey pocket on a daily ride; they’re pretty pricey for that use, and definitely overkill, but they’ll give you some extra security on a big, wet day.

If you want to see someone light up, put one of these in their stocking! (David Shedd photo)

LED Headlamp: ($15 to $100): The most useful, versatile light we’ve found  for the outdoors in general and especially for the long nights of cold-season camping is an LED headlamp.  You can use it hands-free or carry it like a flashlight.  And, if your enthusiast has one that’s more than a couple of years old, virtually ANY new one will be a big improvement…the technology has changed a lot.  Two notable new models for winter are the Black Diamond Storm ($50) and the Underwater Kinetics Vizion Arctic ($45).  Both have technology designed to recycle heat from the LED to warm the batteries; that translates to significantly longer battery life in the cold. The Black Diamond is the tech freak’s dream: 2 sets of white LEDs that both have infinitely variable output, and maximum blowtorch level of 100 lumens, plus red LEDs for close up work that preserves your night vision. The Underwater Kinetics is the absolute opposite; it has two levels (65 and 35 lumens), and uses a rotating filter to diffuse the light or give you red output. BUT, it’s about as bombproof, bulletproof, waterproof, and idiotproof as it gets, and has the added advantage that the light capsule comes out of the housing and doubles as a lantern so you can play cards in your winter cabin.

With a magnet to secure it to your car, an articulated rotating head, and bright LED/strobe modes, the Streamlight Knucklehead can put light exactly where you need it (David Shedd photo)

Streamlight Knucklehead (from about $65, depending on model): Here’s a great one for the non-outdoor enthusiast that just MIGHT get borrowed. Hands down, the best light we’ve ever seen to keep in the car. The 360 degree articulating head means you can aim the light wherever you want it. The magnet means you can stick it on your car’s fender and aim it backwards as a warning strobe, or aim the light to where you’re changing your tire, or even stick it on the hood to use as an emergency headlight when yours short out. If you’re feeling wealthy, get the rechargeable version with the clip; you can mount it permanently in the car and ALWAYS know you have light when you need it, plus can attach it to your belt if you’re working away from the car.

Swiss Army Knife ($20-$50): We’ve had a Swiss Army knife of some sort made by either Wenger or Victorinox in our pockets almost every day of our adult lives and wouldn’t consider going for a hike without one. Choose a basic model like the Wenger Commander ($25) or Victorinox Tourist ($23) or something a little fancier like the Victorinox Camper ($30) or Wenger Traveler ($45). Either way, it’ll get carried and used. Particularly if you get a model with a corkscrew…

An $8 lifesaver! The insect protection in this bandana is certified for 70 washings. (Tim Jones photo)

Insect Shield Bandana ($8-$12): We doubt we’ll ever leave the house again between April and October without one of these. When the bugs aren’t out, it rides in your pocket like any other bandana and serves all the same purposes. When the bugs show up, use it as a headscarf or neckerchief, and the bugs stay away from your face. Protection lasts for 70 washings—give another one for next year!  Of course there’s a whole lineup of Insect Shield clothing, too, which we’ve tested extensively and reviewed; everyone loves socks for Christmas, and what better than a pair that will keep ticks away!

GSI Pinnacle Dualist ($60) We find it hard to imagine anyone who plays outdoors who wouldn’t enjoy this compact cooking/eating kit for two. It’s just plain cute, and very very functional whether you want hot soup on a picnic or are cooking in a backcountry camp.  Pair it with a tiny canister stove and one of those Swiss Army knives that will fit inside it, and you have a totally self-contained system for eating anything everywhere.  We keep it in the car for impromptu picnics; give it to your favorite non-AO enthusiast, and maybe they’ll start wanting to picnic farther afield (or, perhaps you can borrow it once in a while…)!

Dr. Drip makes it easy to get that caffeine fix in any situation! (David Shedd photo)

Dr. Drip ($8.99/5 pack): Got a java junkie on your list? For years, we’ve searched for an easy way to make quality coffee in camp, and finally found it. Dr. Drip is a single-serving all-in-one coffee/filter/carrier setup. Open one, put it over your cup, put hot water through it, and you’ve got cafe-quality coffee in minutes. We carry a few inside a Primus EtaSolo on backpacking trips or day-long snowshoe jaunts (yes, we know that hot cocoa is more traditional for that, but some people HAVE to have their coffee); pull over by the side of the trail, and in 5 minutes you’ve got your hot caffeine fix!

Windbloc Fleece Hat ($20): Fleece hats are good: lightweight, warm, comfortable. But Windbloc Fleece is even better, especially if you are out for a long time. Many companies make windstopper versions. Look at the L.L. Bean Wind Challenger Fleece Hat ($19.50)  as a great example. Even warmer, the Arctic Shield Fleece Beanie($14) uses a radiant barrier to hold heat in (weakness:  it doesn’t breathe as well as plain fleece, so isn’t as good for highly aerobic activities).

Highgear Traildrop ($50):  Sort of an electronic Swiss Army knife, the Traildrop is a watch, thermometer, electronic compass, stopwatch, and level in one neat little package, allowing you to replace multiple items.  We’ve used it for checking temperatures to determine sleeping bag ratings, to time how long isobutane canisters run in real-world conditions, how long it takes to boil water, you  name it.  Being throwbacks to the dinosaurs, we’re still not fans of electronic compasses, but having a backup is always a good thing.  The level…well, we haven’t figured out a trail use for it, but it’s handy for setting up the gas grill for tailgating.  It’s always clipped on one pack or another, ready when we need it.

Air Grill Blower ($10):  One of our favorite “luxuries” when we’re backpacking, the imaginatively named “Blower” does exactly that…blows air. Anyone who has put their head sideways on the ground to blow at the base of a fire knows how miserable that is, and how quickly you start to feel dizzy, even when the fire isn’t blowing smoke in your face. This nifty tool weighs almost nothing (4.1 ounces), and allows you to blow a steady, controllable stream of air exactly where you want it. In dry conditions, it’s great; in wet, invaluable. Useful for backyard grilling, too!

Whatever knife you have, the Sterling will sharpen it quickly and easily (David Shedd photo)

Sterling Knife Sharpener($15):  We’re freaks for sharp knives, and have tried pretty much every tool to get them sharp and keep them that way. But with all those toys, we doubt there’s been a single backpacking trip in the last decade where we didn’t carry a Sterling with us. Small, light, ridiculously easy to use, it’ll sharpen your knives in the field or the kitchen. There’s nobody who can’t use one or more of these; 30 seconds, and you can go from dull to sharp on virtually any knife.  One in the kitchen, one in the backpack, one in the car or tool kit…you get the idea. At this price, you can own several, and you can’t go wrong. A simple, brilliant design with a lifetime warranty.

Small, Medium, Large . . .

Road ID ($20-30; ): It can (and does) happen: You are out for a bike ride or other outdoor adventure and end up in the emergency room—and no one knows who you are, who to contact, or what special medical needs you might have . . . Road ID solves that nicely and is comfortable enough to wear 24/7. The Elite is the highest end model; there are other models for wrist, shoes, you name it.

Little Hotties Toe Warmer Insoles ($15 + heat packs): These can be hard to find (they aren’t even on their website), but are worth it for any kind of foot travel in cold weather. These are NOT the disposable heater insoles, but a thick, supportive foam insole with a plug where you can insert an adhesive toe warmer and walk, skate, or ski in comfort.

If you hike in the winter, you need these traction aids. (Tim Jones photo)

Kahtoola MICROspikes ($60) By far the best traction aids ever devised for hiking on icy trails (or sidewalks). One step down from crampons, miles ahead of other slip-on traction aids when the going gets nasty. If you hike in the winter, you need these. (For the non-outdoors enthusiast, a pair of YakTrax to keep in the car shows that you really care about their safety.)

Lightweight Longies($25-$80) Whether you choose polyester or wool, lightweight longies tops and bottoms are essential equipment and no one can have too many sets. We’re now totally hooked on the superfine merino wool versions from Icebreaker  and Minus33, but we’ve happily used cheaper polyester from EMS, Marmot, Patagonia, Hot Chillys and others for years. The waffle pattern cotton ones at the local discount store? Free is overpriced for them.

Any of these under the tree will warm the heart (and other parts!) of your favorite outdoors enthusiast or not-so-enthusiast.  Don’t forget birthdays, either…and if you’re the hopeful recipient, you can always print this, highlight a few favorites, and leave it around the house!

Gifts that get used! Any of these gifts ($8-$120) are likely to please an active outdoors enthusiast. Merino wool zip-neck top from Icebreakers, Leki trekking poles, 3 AAA "Fuel" headlamp from Princeton Tec, SteriPEN water purifier, Swiss Army knife, Insect Shield bandana, Kahtoola Microspikes.(Tim Jones photo)

The start of winter is a dangerous time of year for Active Outdoors enthusiasts and the people who love them. No, we’re not talking about weather that can change in a heartbeat, or icy trails, short days, or the other usual culprits that put people at risk at this time of year.

The real problem is that shopping season is in full swing, and anyone who is contemplating buying a gift for an active outdoors enthusiast is putting themselves in real danger of getting it wrong. You can either buy something that isn’t outdoor related and watch them try to think of something polite to say (“What a lovely new tie!”).  Or, you can buy something outdoorsy—with the attendant potential for getting it wrong. The safe option is a gift card to an outdoor shop—but sometimes it’s fun to really surprise them with something they will use often and think of you every time they do.

There’s a flip side, too.  Active Outdoors enthusiasts who buy “agenda gifts” to try to encourage non-believers to get more active are walking on dangerously thin ice (trust us, we speak from experience on this). If you are going to buy an outdoorsy gift for someone, make sure it’s something they, not you, would like.

Here at EasternSlopes.com,  we get to test a whole bunch of new gear (heaven for a gear junkie). And, we have lots of long-proven gear as well. So here are our carefully considered suggestions to avoid gift-giving disasters. Chances are, most Active Outdoors enthusiasts would use and enjoy these and picking them isn’t as difficult as choosing something highly specialized like a tent or backpack or skis.  And, for the AO enthusiast that wants to subtly  encourage someone to get out there, some of the items are “everyday life friendly”; who wouldn’t appreciate a way to keep bugs away, or a light they could carry in the car and use in their hands or on their head?

Remember, a good Active Outdoors gift will remind the recipient that life isn’t a spectator sport. And, it might encourage them to get out and enjoy!

One-Size-Fits-All Gifts

Good trekking poles make hiking more fun and safer. The comfortable grips and easy locking system on these from Leki make them top performers. (Tim Jones photo)

Trekking Poles ($50 to $120): If the active outdoors enthusiast you are gifting is still using old ski poles for hiking, or isn’t using poles at all, consider giving a pair of modern, adjustable trekking poles. It’s hard to describe how much difference they can make. When the going gets rough or slippery, they are a remarkable aid to balance,  saving you from many a fall. On long downhills they help ease your knees. They can serve as an emergency tent poles and fishing rods. And when you don’t need them, they collapse down and ride on your pack (or in your car). There are many poles on the market and all of them are better than old ski poles. Our personal favorite is the Leki Corklite Makalu Ultralite ($120). They aren’t cheap, but they have comfortable, versatile grips, an easy-to-use external locking system and snow baskets are a cheap ($8) add-on.  A great budget choice is the Gabel Mont Blanc Lite($75), which has external locks and includes snow baskets.

The SteriPEN quickly turns water from almost any wilderness source into safe drinking water. (Tim Jones photo)

SteriPEN ($50-100): Safe drinking water is essential for all outdoor activities. All untreated water sources are suspect and can carry a host of diseases. You have two choices when playing outdoors: either carry the water you need or treat the water you find. Of all the water solutions we’ve tried, the SteriPEN is the lightest, most compact, and easiest to use. It takes just moments to purify a liter of water with the ultraviolet light. Instant safe drinking water from almost any source, anywhere!

Olympus digital waterproof cameras are perfect take-alongs on outdoor adventures. (Tim Jones photo)

Olympus Stylus Waterproof Camera (100-$250) The newer ones cost more, the older ones still work. Taking pictures make any outdoor adventure more memorable and these are wonderful cameras for taking along anywhere they can get wet, and the newest models are shockproof as well..

LED Headlamp: ($15 to $50): The most useful, versatile light we’ve found  for the outdoors in general and especially for the long nights of cold-season camping is an LED headlamp which uses 3 AAA batteries. It’s the perfect balance of brightness and light weight in a compact, economical to run package. Both Tim and David use models from Princeton Tec. Tim uses the new Fuel ($27; )  while David uses the Aurora (no longer made; stay tuned as he tests possible replacements!). There are many other comparable units on the market.

Swiss Army Knife ($20-$50): We’ve had a Swiss Army knife of some sort made by either Wenger or Victorinox in our pockets almost every day of our adult lives and wouldn’t consider going for a hike without one. Choose a basic model like the Wenger Commander ($25) or Victorinox Tourist ($23) or something a little fancier like the Victorinox Camper ($30) or Wenger Traveler ($45). Either way, it’ll get carried and used.

An $8 lifesaver! The insect protection in this bandana is certified for 70 washings. (Tim Jones photo)

Insect Shield Bandana ($8-$12): I doubt I’ll ever leave the house again between April and October without one of these. When the bugs aren’t out, it rides in your pocket like any other bandana and serves all the same purposes. When the bugs show up, use it as a headscarf or neckerchief, and the bugs stay away from your face. Protection lasts for 70 washings—give another one for next year!  Of course there’s a whole lineup of Insect Shield clothing, too, which we’ve tested extensively and reviewed; everyone loves socks for Christmas, and what better than a pair that will keep ticks away!

Hard to believe, but the GSI Dualist contains cook pot, bowls, mugs, & eating utensils for 2; add your fuel canister, stove, and Swiss Army knife for a complete eating system! (David Shedd photo)

GSI Pinacle Dualist ($60) We find it hard to imagine anyone who plays outdoors who wouldn’t enjoy this compact cooking/eating kit for two. It’s just plain cute, and very very functional whether you want hot soup on a picnic or are cooking in a backcountry camp.  Pair it with a tiny canister stove and one of those Swiss Army knives that will fit inside it, and you have a totally self-contained system for eating anything everywhere.  We keep it in the car for impromptu picnics; give it to your favorite non-AO enthusiast, and maybe they’ll start wanting to picnic farther afield (or, perhaps you can borrow it once in a while…)!

The Little Hotties cushion insoles hold a foot warmer pack for cold-weather comfort. (David Shedd photo)

Little Hotties Cushion Insoles ($15 + heat packs): These can be hard to find (they aren’t even on their website), but are worth it for any kind of foot travel in cold weather. These are NOT the disposable heater insoles, but a thick, supportive foam insole with a plug where you can insert an adhesive toe warmer and walk, skate, or ski in comfort.

Windbloc Fleece Hat ($20): Fleece hats are good: lightweight, warm, comfortable. But Windbloc Fleece is even better, especially if you are out for a long time. Many companies make windstopper versions. Look at the L.L. Bean Wind Challenger Fleece Hat ($19.50)  as a great example.  Even warmer, the Arctic Shield Fleece Beanie($14) uses a radiant barrier to hold heat in (weakness:  it doesn’t breathe as well as plain fleece, so isn’t as good for highly aerobic activities).

Try the Air Grill Blower, & you'll wonder how you ever lived without it! (David Shedd photo)

Air Grill Blower ($10):  One of our favorite “luxuries” when we’re backpacking, the imaginatively named “Blower” does exactly that…blows air.  Anyone who has put their head sideways on the ground to blow at the base of a fire knows how miserable that is, and how quickly you start to feel dizzy, even when the fire isn’t blowing smoke in your face.  This nifty tool weighs almost nothing (4.1 ounces), and allows you to blow a steady, controllable stream of air exactly where you want it. In dry conditions, it’s great; in wet, invaluable.  Useful for backyard grilling, too!

Whatever knife you have, the Sterling will sharpen it quickly and easily (David Shedd photo)

Sterling Knife Sharpener($15):  We’re freaks for sharp knives, and have pretty much every tool to get them sharp and keep them that way.  But with all those toys, we doubt there’s been a single backpacking trip in the last decade where we didn’t carry a Sterling with us.  Small, light, ridiculously easy to use, it’ll sharpen your knives in the field or the kitchen.  There’s nobody who can’t use one or more of these; 30 seconds, and you can go from dull to sharp on virtually any knife.  One in the kitchen, one in the backpack, one in the car or tool kit…you get the idea.  At this price, you can own several, and you can’t go wrong.  A simple, brilliant design with a lifetime warranty.

Small, Medium, Large . . .

Road ID ($20-30; ): It can (and does) happen: You are out for a bike ride or other outdoor adventure and end up in the emergency room—and no one knows who you are, who to contact, or what special medical needs you might have . . . Road ID solves that nicely and is comfortable enough to wear 24/7.  The Elite (shown) is the highest end model; there are other models for wrist, shoes, you name it.

If you hike in the winter, you need these traction aids. (Tim Jones photo)

Kahtoola MICROspikes ($60) By far the best traction aids ever devised for hiking on icy trails (or sidewalks). One step down from crampons, miles ahead of other slip-on traction aids when the going gets nasty. If you hike in the winter, you need these.

Lightweight Longies ($25-$80) Whether you choose polyester or wool, lightweight longies tops and bottoms are essential equipment and no one can have too many sets. Tim is now totally hooked on the superfine merino wool versions from Icebreaker but we’ve happily used cheaper polyester from EMS, Marmot, Patagonia, Hot Chillys and others for years.

Any of these under the tree will warm the heart (and other parts!) of your favorite Active Outdoors enthusiast or not-so-enthusiast.  Don’t forget birthdays, either…

Not just for cycling anymore, the Road ID Elite is on my wrist no matter what I'm doing (Tim Jones photo)

In the cycling world, the name “Road ID” brings to mind Levi Leipheimer, their spokesman and one of America’s greatest cyclists.  And, after the 2010 Tour de France, Road ID is in the minds of lots of people who aren’t necessarily avid cyclists, but enjoy that particular annual spectacle; all of the commentators wore their bracelets, and participated in roundtable discussions about them.  But, in this world of cell phones with  ”ICE” numbers, is there really a need for an ID bracelet?

First, what exactly is Road ID, and what makes it special?  For starters, it’s a company, not a product.  Back in 1999, Edward Wimmer was training for a marathon, and his father Mike was bugging him to carry ID with him, just in case. He, being young and cocky, ignored that advice until the morning he found himself in a ditch after nearly being hit by a truck.  That “duh” moment led to them starting the company in their basement. From the original product (resembling military dogtags), the line has grown to include a variety of wrist, ankle, and shoe IDs and accessories.

Look carefully at my left wrist for the telltale flash of yellow...(Tim Jones photo)

Road ID’s focus is on making it easy and comfortable to wear, and to allowing you to put the information on that you want, not just the typical name and address.  Want to have 3 emergency numbers?  Sure.  Want to cover a drug allergy, or epilipsy, or diabetes, so that a first responder will know immediately what might be wrong with you? Sure. Have a particular quote, phrase, word that means something important to you?  Put it on.  Whether you want it around your neck or on your shoelace, the information is there.

According to Road ID’s statistics, close to a half million athletes a year end up in emergency rooms without ID.  Without trying to sound melodramatic, some of those people could literally have their lives saved by having basic information available immediately to emergency responders and healthcare providers.  A few years ago, I was riding my bicycle when a van came over onto my side of the road; I headed for the ditch, he hit my bike (luckily, NOT me), slamming me to the road and spinning me off into the weeds.  I was confused, disoriented, but, luckily for me, a friend was riding with me and gave the police & ambulance appropriate information.  Was my life at risk?  Nope…I’d smacked my head, but in the gravel, not on the pavement.  Was it too close for comfort?  Yes.

But, what about the ubiquitous cell phone?  Think about it; you’re riding along on your bike, cell phone in your pocket, and a truck hits you from behind.  Three bad options; the phone comes out of your pocket and lands in a puddle 20 feet from you, or is crushed when you land on the pavement, or has a screen lock and the first responder doesn’t know your password.  And, of course, your cell phone isn’t going to carry medialert information, and if your emergency contact isn’t available, they won’t know who they should call next.

Yes, it's on me for hiking, as well (Tim Jones photo)

Those potential glitches made me decide that I wanted to wear Road ID.  The decision for a wrist band was easy for me; first responders are always looking for medical alert bracelets, so they’d be sure to notice it.  A quick look at their website identified two wrist versions, the Sport and the Elite.  The Sport  is a nylon web version that costs a whole $19.99; the Elite, a silicone band with a stainless steel clasp, in multiple colors.  Hmmm…yes, there’s yellow.  As a cyclist, I’ve supported Lance Armstrong’s “Livestrong” foundation for years, and have worn the yellow band; this would allow me to still wear the yellow, and protect myself at the same time.  I ordered one, and within days it came.  A very slick product; the clasp looks like it came from a higher end watch, the stainless ID tag is laser engraved extremely professionally and precisely. On it went; after a couple of tries, I cut it to the right length, and left it on.

And left it on…and left it on…and left it on.  The more I thought of it, the more it made sense to simply wear it all the time.  My life is a series of situations that have the potential for disaster; cycling, hiking, running in and out of the woods, kayaking, crossing the street, driving my car, etc.  A lot of the time, it’s the only form of identification that I could easily carry, and when it’s on my wrist, I don’t have to worry about remembering to bring it with me.  Within a few weeks, it became a 24/7 item; it simply stays on me all the time.  It’s become my own little security blanket; I feel safer with it on.

The updated Road ID Elite has an elegant and utterly secure buckle, as well as a brighter yellow band (David Shedd photo)

Now, my first version wasn’t perfect.  Over time, two things happened.  One, the yellow band darkened; not to the point of being unwearable, but…not as bright and shiny as I’d like. And two, the clasp had an odd habit of popping open at random times.  Not a big deal; it didn’t happen often, but it was still a minor annoyance.  Now, here’s when you find out what a company is really like; how do they handle problems?  In a word…proactively.  I received an email from Road Id that said, in part, “You previously purchased a Wrist ID Elite from us.  It has come to our attention that a very small percentage of the clasps on the Wrist ID Elite are not functioning properly. A few customers have reported that the clasp ‘pops open’ unintentionally.” Along with that came a link that allowed me to get updated replacement parts, no charge.  Wow…no waiting for me to complain?  And offering a free fix???  That’s the way business should be done!

Yes, I even use it for its intended purpose--cycling! (Susan Marean photo)

But, I still had the darkening yellow band.  So, I sent them an email and asked them about it.  And received a prompt reply, apology, and a request for my address so they could send me a new version.  Which arrived, with an elaborate, expensive-looking new buckle, in a couple of days, also at no charge.  And, a few days later, a follow-up email came, asking if I was happy with the replacement.

It’s nice to run across a company that cares so passionately about its product and its customers’ satisfaction level.  Couple that with their product being genuinely useful, and it’s hard to find a flaw in their business plan.  I recently ordered one for my fianceè, and noticed that they have gift cards available online.  Hmmm…Christmas and birthday presents?  Instead of an ugly tie or a pair of socks, how about giving someone something that actually could save their life?  Time for me to go check my list…

CONTEST: I’ve been wearing my Road ID since this spring, and it’s appeared on me in a number of photos.  The first reader who emails me at dshedd@easternslopes.com with the correct number of photos that show it will get a code for a free Road ID Elite!  Watch this space for the winner’s name…and hurry up to beat everyone else!  UPDATE:  We have a winner! Daniel LaFiette found all 16 photos of me with Road ID on and visible, plus he noticed that I was wearing it in the “boot repair” video.  Great work, Daniel, and we hope you enjoy your Road ID as much as we do ours!

Bandanas, shirts, and socks of Insect Shield fabric allowed for a remarkably comfortable blackfly season expedition (Marilyn Donnelly photo)

They say only two things in life are inevitable: death and taxes.  We’d add a third…bugs.  Here in the East, we have water; while Western hikers may be jealous of us not having to carry every precious drop, it creates great breeding grounds for a myriad of species of creeping, crawling, and flying creatures that just love our blood for food.  And, while most of them are merely painful and irritating, others are dangerous. Lyme disease, Eastern equine encephalitis, and West Nile disease are probably the three best known (and most dangerous) of the bug-borne illnesses.

The usual remedies are pretty well known.  Long pants, long sleeves, hats, mesh headnets, DEET, citronella, geranium oil, etc…mostly uncomfortable or sticky and nasty.  The solution is better than the problem, but not by all that much.  Is there anything else out there, other than staying at home (which is often no bargain; we’ve got plenty of mosquitoes in the back yard), that will alleviate the bug problem and give us “creature comfort”?

For a number of years,   Insect Shield has been making a treatment that is applied to fabrics from various companies that then turn them into bug-repellent clothing and accessories.  You probably heard, as we did,  that early versions didn’t last (it was rated at effective for 25 washings, but many claimed it didn’t last THAT long), and quickly turned into expensive pieces of general clothing that the bugs bit through or around the same way they did with everything else.  Remember how poorly early Gore Tex performed? Same thing with Insect Shield. As of 2006,  Insect Shield had changed their manufacturing, the EPA re-tested their products, and found that effectiveness lasted for at least 70 washings; in 2008 products with the new technology came out on the market.

That’s a serious improvement…if it really works.  Laboratories are great, but the field is where we all live, so…testing time for the EasternSlopes.com crew!

We asked two suppliers, ExOfficio and L.L. Bean, for samples of their  Insect Shield products.  EO supplied us with shirts, bandanas, and pants; Bean coughed up shirts and socks.  And, we put them through the wringer. We tested them over and against blackflies, mosquitoes, ticks, gnats.  And, we compared  IS treated clothing directly against standard bug-avoidance strategies– bug dope (DEET based, as well as some natural oil based products), plus long-sleeved clothing and long pants.

What did we find out?

Before getting into the effectiveness of the product, let’s deal with safety.  Permethrin is a by-product of crysanthemums, with very low toxicity for humans (the EPA classifies it as safer than DEET, which itself is a whole lot safer than getting bitten by a deer tick carrying Lyme disease).  It is toxic to fish and cats, but that’s generally for use as a pesticide, in much larger quantities.  But, just in case, don’t go swimming in it and don’t leave it around for your cat to make a nest of.  In the category of risks you can take, this appears to be about as low on the list as you can get.

Far from a fashion statement, but David's "babushka" kept the bugs at bay (Tim Jones photo)

The first thing we tested is whether the technology works or not, period, regardless of longevity, comfort, or other concerns. We are unanimous:  YES, IT WORKS!  We tried every way we could to see if we were being fooled, over and over, but there wasn’t any question…when there were bugs around and we wore IS products, they bugged us less.  Our reactions ranged from pleased to incredulous; there were times that the effect was so dramatic, we almost didn’t believe it.  We went to campsites in May that we normally wouldn’t even dare to get near until July for fear of being carried away by the little biters, and were able to enjoy ourselves.  Were we convinced?  After a month of testing, we doubt that any of us went out the rest of the summer without at least one Insect Shield item with us, regardless of what else we were carrying and testing.  It’s that good.

Can we confirm the claims of 70 or more washings?  No.  We’re crazy, but not crazy enough to run an item through a washing machine 70 times just to see what happens.  We did have items that got washed  up to 20 times and still worked.  The 70-washings claim has yet to be proved, but at this point we’re willing to say that, even if they didn’t perform for the full 70, we’d feel we’d gotten good value.

As we tested its efficacy, we had a chance to address a second concern. It’s a bug repellent…will the clothes stink, and will they make US stink (more than we usually do after a hot day’s hiking, anyway).  Good news: the clothing has no perceptible odor when it’s clean.  In all conditions, including sopping wet with sweat, we were unable to smell any chemical odors.  Certainly that’s better than clothes soaked with DEET-based repellents.  But, in this case, there’s NO chemical smell at all, though when you’ve sweated in it awhile it gets just as ripe as non-IS clothing.

Our third concern was what the fabrics themselves would be like.  We found in the past that special treatments can have decidedly negative characteristics, and we were VERY concerned that on a hot summer day, we’d be stuck in a thick, bulky, heavy, HOT shirt in order to keep the bugs at bay.  Again, we were pleasantly surprised.  The male testers passed an ExOfficio Baja shirt back and forth over the summer; the material was light, breathed well, and thanks to some excellent detailing by ExOfficio not only worked well but looked good  to use not just for hiking but for outdoor parties and concerts in the park .  The women used an L.L. Bean Kennebec shirt, and had identical comments.  Yes, in the heat of summer we’d rather have had a short-sleeved, ultralight wicking shirt, but we found that when the bugs came out, it was a relatively easy tradeoff: bugbites and itching vs. a (very) little extra sweat.  We’ll sweat, thanks.

Early testing--Tim's Insect Shield pants & socks kept his lower half as bite-free as DEET did upstairs (David Shedd photo)

Socks were an area that particularly excited us, especially since this was forecast to be a supremely bad year for ticks.  The L.L. Bean Cresta socks worked their magic; while wearing them, we found NO ticks crawling up our legs.  The socks were beautifully made of a merino wool blend and as comfortable as any sock; our only quibble is that they’re a quite thick; we’d much prefer thinner socks inside summer boots.  But, at $26 for 2 pair, they’re a bargain; you could easily pay that much for quality wool socks without the Insect Shield protection.  ExOfficio has several different models of sock; while didn’t test those, we’d recommend that anyone who needs a thinner sock look into them.

Pants…Tim took the lead on that, testing the ExOfficio Insect Shield Convertibles.  No quibbles there; the product details were as good as on any hiking pants he has ever had.  Even with the legs zipped off, the IS effect seemed to keep bugs away from his calves fairly well, particularly when used in combination with the socks; apparently, while we can’t smell the permethrin at work, the bugs can.

Look carefully; Susan has the Cape Hat around her neck as a bandana! (Susan Marean photo)

Next, we tried hats.  Keeping bugs off our faces and out of our hair is always a major pain in the neck (often literally!).  We tried two ExOfficio hats, the Insect Shield with Cape (in, God help us, “cigar” color; luckily, the smell was better), and the Breez’r Cape.  Of all the Insect Shield products that we tried, these were the most controversial; wearing hats in hot summer weather is just plain miserable.  EO has done their best to get some ventilation, but ultimately we found that when it got really hot, some of us would rather deal with stinky ol’ bug dope.  Cooler weather?  They were fantastic (and yes, you can tuck or tie the cape up to get it out of the way).  The best part is that the hat was effective at keeping bugs away from the face without covering it; not only did it cut down on landings and biting, it also dramatically reduced the “cloud” effect of dozens of buzzing insects in your field of view.

Now, you’d think that that bonus effect would have helped overcome our heat-induced issues with the hat, and it would have; let’s face it, a significant part of the problem with bugs is the irritation of them just being in the way.  But, we found another solution that astonished us in its simplicity and effectiveness, and that’s the Paisley Bandana.  David, in particular, took to it like a duck to water, wearing it as a headband or often as a babushka (causing a number of observers to comment that he’s a singularly unattractive woman).  We all found that when the bugs weren’t too bad, having one in our pocket and just throwing it over our head would cause the little beasties to leave us alone;  at night it made for bug-free trips to the “facilities”.  A couple of times at the peak of blackfly season (when it’s still generally cool out), using the hat plus the bandana over our lower faces made us look like bank robbers, but kept us totally bug-free.

Tim admitting that being unattractive to humans AND bugs is a tolerable compromise (Susan Marean photo)

There’s a huge range Insect Shield products out there: sleeping bag liners to camp chairs.  While we can’t endorse them without actual testing, we CAN say that we have yet to try an IS  treated product that doesn’t have some value in making the bugs less obnoxious; we’d be willing to give pretty much anything a try (particularly from a retailer that is good about returns).  It’s not often that we can so wholeheartedly endorse a range of products, but the fact is that in our experience Insect Shield technology works, and they’ve been careful to partner with some excellent companies that produce gear that’s well-built and functional.  For information on other companies that make IS products, go to the partners section of their website; if you can’t find a company out of that group that makes something you like, we’ll be surprised!  And, we’ll see you out on the trails when other people are staying home because the bugs are too bad…yes, you can enjoy hiking during blackfly season!

Packed in a neat little (free) container, this kit could save your trip (Warner Shedd photo)

Be Prepared! That motto is as important for Active Seniors (and anyone else) heading for an outdoor adventure as it is for Boy Scouts. 

When we started getting more active outdoors, we read Tim’s article on the need to carry a daypack with an emergency kit every time you leave the road behind. We immediately  put our own together. We added one thing – a space blanket. By the way, if you’re not familiar with a space blanket, it’s a thin mylar sheet covered with reflective aluminum, all folded up. You can find them in any sporting goods store. A space blanket is  good for wrapping up in if you  get stuck out on the trail and need to keep warm.  It weighs almost nothing and takes up very little space.  There are various types available; Campmor has a good selection. 

Then we decided we needed  an emergency medical kit as well, and started researching them.  What we found is that you can buy a pre-made one at a sporting goods store or a drugstore, but they generally have things you don’t want, and there are things missing that you might need.  Besides we found them to be a bit costly, so we made up our own. You can do the same easily enough; take a look at our list, leave out what you don’t need, add anything else you prefer (for instance, we don’t have allergy issues so don’t need an EpiPen, but you might). 

Disclaimer – if you need to use the kit on the trail, be sure to get the injury checked by  medical personnel when you get back to civilization. You don’t want to end a nice trip with a nasty infection or develop complications because your first aid kit couldn’t handle the situation. 

Carefully chosen items give a lot of security without a lot of weight or bulk (Warner Shedd Photo)

Here we go: 

1.  Two pair of protective gloves – in case you need to help someone else. Always use them if you might be handling ANY body fluids. 

2.  Four alcohol swabs – for cleansing wounds and scrapes. 

3.  Antibiotic ointment – apply to wounds and scrapes after cleansing. 

4.  For covering wounds – 4 large adhesive bandages, 6 regular adhesive bandages (also good for covering blisters AFTER you cleanse them), 4 sterile pads, and adhesive tape (1 inch is wide enough). Flexible fabric or “sport” bandages are better than the older plastic type; they tend to stick better and stay on longer. 

5.  Six butterfly bandages – for pulling the edges of a wound together. If you are not familiar with butterflies, they are a wonderful tool. They are shaped like a small Band-Aid, but in place of the pad they have a very narrow piece of adhesive. After you cleanse the wound and realize that it’s wider than you first thought, stick one side of the adhesive close to one side of the wound, pull slightly so the narrow part of the butterfly is over the wound, and stick the other part of the of the adhesive to the skin  on the other side. It pulls the wound edges together nicely. Try it at home before you go so you’ll feel comfortable if you need to use it on the trail. Not only will it close the wound, but it’ll likely leave less of a scar than if you don’t use one. 

6.  Self-adhering tape – sticks to the skin or to itself. Good to wrap around a sprain.  Be careful not to pull it too  tight and cut off the circulation. You can also use an ace bandage. 

7. Tweezers – for splinter removal, not for plucking your eyebrows! Uncle Bill’s Sliver Grippers are a good choice; they have a protective end that keeps them sharp and helps them to not poke holes in everything in your kit. 

8.  Tick pullers – for guess what? Tick removal! Always put the tool close to the skin under the tick,  and pull the tick away gently. That way  you should be removing the head. Ours looks like a syringe with tweezers on the end. It works, but  we’re going to replace it with the Ticked Off, which has a a little plastic spoon with a slot cut in the side.  Very neat and easy to use! 

9.  Sterile eye drops – if you don’t have access to good clean water, and you get a foreign object or sunscreen in your eye, you can use these drops to flush out the eye, or to get dirt out of a wound before you use the alcohol swabs. 

10.  Allergy cream for rashes and itches that poison ivy and other charming plants cause. 

11.  Allergy pills – Claritin, Benedryl, etc, for allergic reactions. 

12.  Ibuprofen, Advil, Tylenol etc. for sore muscles and other hurts.  Tylenol isn’t an anti-inflammatory, so you may want to consider one of the other types, unless you are on blood thinners and can’t use  ibuprofen. 

13.  And now for Edie’s all-time favorite – lavender oil!   She’s talking about the essential oil that you buy in a health food store, not a cosmetic or scented oil.  You use it externally only.  Put a few drops on a cotton ball (we have a half dozen in our kit) and pat on a burn; use as an antiseptic on cuts; use on sore muscles; put the cotton ball in your ear for an earache; inhale it for a stuffy nose; and if you can’t sleep, put the cotton ball on your pillow and let the scent waft you to dreamland.  Your sleeping bag will smell SO good the next day, too!  If you start using lavender oil, you will begin to use it for lots of other things, too. Warning: some people  are allergic to the oil, so try it at home on a small spot of skin before committing to its use. 

One item we don’t have in our kit, but is highly recommended if you do longer hikes, is blister-specific dressings.  There’s nothing that can ruin a trip, particularly an overnight, like a bad blister.  Good old moleskin will work to take pressure off a blister area; buy it in sheets and cut it to size when you need it, rather than getting the pre-cut pieces that may or may not work (assuming you carry a good knife or a multitool with scissors!).  Better still is one of the high-tech blister dressings, which not only pad the wound but protect it from infection and speed healing; Spenco, among others, makes an excellent product that the editors of EasternSlopes.com have been using for years.  If you’re hiking and start to feel a hot spot that could be turning into a blister, treat it before it becomes one if you can! 

Lavender oil and cotton balls can solve a world of problems in the field (David Shedd photo)

The whole kit weighs 12.5 oz. and  fits in a plastic semi- soft container with a zipper that Edie found in a drawer.  She thinks it used to hold hair rollers that somebody left here. It’s about 6 inches square and 2 inches high.  Obviously, you can go out and buy something for your kit to fit into, but if you’re cheap like we are, look around your house first! 

That’s our kit.  We may add or subtract as we use it. If you like our ideas, use them – but feel free to make your own additions or subtractions.  We would really appreciate your feedback or ideas, so please send them on; if you think of something we should have put in, we’ll happily modify our list.   Happy trails!

Our BOB trailer in action on a recent tour of Cape Cod. It holds everything we need for a multi-day trip. (Christopher Wilson photo)

This is an Ode to BOB, one of our favorite traveling companions!

We’ve traveled with BOB to Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, Nova Scotia, done a 4-day tour of Cape Cod from end-to-end, and most recently to the marvelous island of  ”BikeTucket.”

BOB stands for Beast of Burden, but what it really does is make traveling with your gear on a bike much less of a burden and much more fun.

Most bike tourers use panniers for their luggage but panniers have to be packed carefully for balance and are often hard to get on and off the bike. We prefer the single-wheel Yak trailer from  BOB Gear, which also makes a fancier off-road version with a suspension called the Ibex.

Unlike most trailers which attach with a single long arm and sort of sway along behind your bike, the BOB has a rigid frame which attaches directly to both sides of the rear axle of the bike using a special skewer which comes with the trailer. This sturdy setup keeps the center of gravity low, centered and stable. Behind the rear tire of your bike the load carrier  pivots side to side easily, so the single wheel follows along naturally in the track of your rear bike wheel.

The BOB trailer attaches securely and detaches easily whenever you need to. Ride with it to your lodging, then detach it for exploring the area. (Tim Jones photo)

You don’t have to worry about packing the BOB trailer carefully since it doesn’t affect the balance of the bike at all. In fact, except for the additional weight and length (our BOB-and-tandem is 12 feet long!), you don’t even notice it’s there.

Once we’ve reached our lodging, it’s a matter of seconds to detach the BOB. Then we can ride the bike wherever we want to explore without any encumbrances.

The BOB can be loaded with anything (I’ve carried plants and groceries in it). But for touring it has its own completely waterproof dry bag that nestles in the trailer. No matter how hard it rains, or how muddy it gets on the outside, everything inside stays dry and clean. At the end of a long day, we hose the inevitable road grime off the BOB bag when we are cleaning the bike. The bag then comes into our room with us.

The freedom that BOB gives us to travel where we want with our bike is priceless. Bike touring is simply easier and more fun with BOB.

Thanks BOB!

Three generations of Olympus Stylus cameras. On the left is an older, "splashproof" Olympus Stylus 410. On the right a newer Olympus Stylus 720SW. In the middle, the author's current "go-to" camera, a waterproof/shockproof Olympus Stylus Tough 6020. Together, they have shot thousands of outdoor photographs. (Tim Jones photo)

Why would anyone list a simple point-and-shoot camera as a “favorite thing?”  It’s simple: about 90 percent of the Active Outdoors photos you see on this website or with my newspaper columns were taken with one Olympus Stylus camera or another. They are rugged, waterproof, almost foolproof, and they work in all conditions from summer heat and humidity to winter cold.

I use two models day in, day out.  One is a Stylus 6020 “Tough” 14 megapixel camera;  the other, an older Stylus 720 SW (the SW stands for Shockproof/ Waterproof) 7 megapixel camera. I have a dive housing for the 7020 and it goes with me whenever I’m playing in or on the water. David Shedd, the publisher and Senior Editor of EasternSlopes.com has a Stylus 1050 which is a 10-megapixel version of the same camera. Most of the time, we shoot at 5 megapixels, saving card space. That’s plenty for web and newspaper use, and we have the capability to go to higher resolution when we need it.

All three of these cameras are supposed to be waterproof to 16 feet and shock proof enough to withstand a fall from 5 feet. We haven’t tested them to these limits. But I like not having to worry about the normal bumps of use, or having to hide the camera when it rains.

The Olympus Stylus 720 on the left has a dive housing that's waterproof to 120 feet. The 6020 Stylus "Tough" on the right is waterproof to 16 feet and shockproof. (Tim Jones photo)

Before these cameras my “everyday camera” was an Olympus Stylus 410 Digital which wasn’t shockproof and was only rated as “splashproof.” It survived five years of hard use (including the biking accident that broke my collarbone). Winter and summer, spring and fall, it shot thousands upon thousands of photos. My son has taken it for his outdoor adventures and still works fine. The computer in it did malfunction once. I returned it, and had a replacement in days. It’s worked perfectly in the years since. In my experience, Olympus has great customer service.

Please understand: every time I leave the house one or more of these cameras goes with me. They’ve ridden in cars, planes, trains, gliders, helicopters and boats large and small,  on bikes, snowmobiles,  snowcats and horses, been canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, surfing, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing and on dozens of summer hikes. And they always work. If I do my part, they always work well and get great photos.

No wonder the Olympus Stylus cameras are one of my favorite things.

Typical ad shot; the McKenzie belongs outside, not on a mannikin! (GoLite photo)

We all have those favorite items, the ones that, when we don’t think about it, we automatically reach for.  It might be a favorite knife, or a hat, or gloves…they’re the ones that fit right, that feel right, that make us feel confident that we can handle any conditions.

I’ve got a row of jackets in the mud room.  Light, heavy, insulated, puffy, windproof, you name it.  Great products, all of them…and at any given moment, one of them is just right for the conditions.  But, when I’m not sure what the conditions will be, I always reach for the GoLite McKenzie Reflexion Softshell.

Why?  Well, let’s start with the specifics.  Try not to yawn…there’s a lot to talk about.  The basic material is a DWR treated polyester with a very soft, rich feel to it.  Behind that is a Sympatex waterproof/breathable membrane, with the back side treated with Reflexion, a Sympatex aluminum treatment that acts as a radiant barrier.  The inner lining looks like a miniature eggcrate, making it soft and comfortable when I want to throw it on over a t-shirt.

On a chilly morning, the radiant barrier holds the heat my coffee is providing close to me (Tim Jones photo)

Okay, that all sounds great, but why do I keep reaching for it?  Other parkas have all sorts of cool stuff, too, but this combination just plain works.  In warmer weather, it’s amazingly breathable, keeping me from feeling clammy, and the pit-zips allow me to open up when I’m really working hard.  When the rain starts falling harder than I’d been planning for, it keeps me dry (although be aware that it’s not a seam-sealed parka; it’ll keep you dry, but not in a monsoon).  When the temperature drops unexpectedly, the radiant barrier adds a level of warmth that I wouldn’t expect at this weight and thickness.  The styling is classy enough that I can throw it on for a night out unless a jacket and tie is involved.  Urban environments usually include ridiculous winds in unexpected places…on a February Friday night, I can zip it up tight and stay comfortable on the mile-long walk back to the car.  Then, the next morning, I can throw a pack on over it and head up a mountain.  Interestingly, it retains campfire smoke smell much less than my other “go-to” softshell; and the fewer times I have to wash it, the longer the DWR lasts.  Yesterday was one of those infamous New England weather days; 28 degrees in the morning,  50 in the afternoon, with snow, rain, hail, sun, and winds to 45mph during the day, and the McKenzie was the perfect “one jacket” solution.

Yes, that's a computer; it goes with me almost as much as the McKenzie does! (Tim Jones photo)

The McKenzie does have a couple of quirks, however.  One is the fit.  I ordered a medium; typically, a medium is, if anything, too LARGE on me.  Nope.  The cut on this jacket is very tight (one of the reasons it looks so chic in an urban environment).   At first, I saw that as a significant flaw; I can’t put much on underneath it.  After a while, though, I began to see the logic in it.  You want a radiant barrier to be as close to your body as possible, to reflect your body heat back with minimal loss.  So, even though this is a shell, it’s cut more like a midlayer.  I can wear one midweight layer on my arms, and can also put a vest on, and that combination will see me through pretty much any active conditions, regardless of temperature.  When I stop moving, though, the key is to layer OVER the jacket, not under it.  Paradigm shift time.  Because it’s cut so slim, my down puffy fits over it easily, and that combination will keep me warm into the zero-degree range without any problem.

When I need to extend the temperature range of a sleeping bag, the McKenzie is perfect for that; not bulky, breathes well, and the radiant barrier keeps the warmth from getting out into the bag.  One more safety net created, without having to carry anything extra!

A simple, inexpensive modification turned my jacket from a great technical piece to a great everything one! (David Shedd photo)

The other quirk is the hood.  GoLite designed the hood to be helmet compatible; this is a serious climbing shell, so that’s necessary for safety.  And it’s a great hood, helmet or not…it’s easy to adjust, tightens down small around my face, and of course has plenty of room to pull over whatever hat I’m wearing if the winds start to howl.  But, because of the nature of the material and the design, it’s a pretty big, bulky hood.  That’s fine when it’s raining, or when I know I’m going to want it on, but it sometimes gets in the way of my backpack and can be a pain in the neck when driving in the car.  And…it’s permanently attached.  THAT’S the problem.  When I want it, it’s there…and when I DON’T want it, it’s there.  Now, that may not be an issue for you, and if it isn’t, great.  But if it is, there’s actually an easy solution.  I took it to my seamstress, and for a whole $28 dollars she took the hood off, installed a zipper, and now it’s perfect.  The hood stays in a side pocket on my backpack, or in my car, or in a pocket of the jacket itself, ready for instant deployment at need.

Bottom line:  I don’t know of any softshell that I’ve seen or tried that is as useful in as many situations as the GoLite McKenzie Reflexion.  If you don’t already have a “go-to” jacket, you owe it to yourself to check this one out!

Tiny but mighty, the GSI Pinnacle Dualist is an efficient cooking/eating system (David Shedd photo)

Remember the Russian “matrushka” stacking dolls, where you opened one, and there was another inside…and another…and another?  Well, the GSI Pinnacle Dualist is something like that.  Hidden inside a protective bag is a 1.8 L pot which holds everything 2 people need for cooking and eating on a backpacking trip…including your stove and fuel!  To top it all off, everything actually works, not always the case with intricate miniature systems.  At  $59.95, it’s a heck of a bargain.

First,  the kit fits neatly into a protective carry bag that just happens to be waterproof and seam sealed, so can be used as a washbasin, or to carry water back from a nearby stream.  Very handy, and reduces the equipment redundancy that adds an ounce here, an ounce there. Smart thinking.

Next, the aluminum pot itself has a folding handle that stays attached; no looking all over your campsite when you need it.  It wobbles a bit, but we’ve had zero problems with it.   GSI makes a number of claims about the pot’s Teflon with Radiance nonstick coating,.  We have no reason to doubt them based on our experience with it; it’s been effective and damage-proof in our tests.  We’ve boiled water, cooked soups, made couscous, sauteed sausages, scrambled eggs, used temperatures low and high, and even with our sometimes ham-handed techniques, haven’t been able to burn food on yet, which fits with the way Radiance is supposed to spread heat.  The cover even has a built-in strainer, making it easy to drain pasta, etc., and a useful flip-down handle that makes it pack small.  Thoughtful touches all around.

Hard to believe all of that came from inside the pot! (David Shedd photo)

A pair of bowls made of Infinity plastic, BPA-free, nestles inside the pot.  Tucked inside those bowls are mugs with neoprene “cozies”, and covers with sippy holes.  The bowls are large enough for a decent meal, and the mugs not only are large and comfortable to hold, but virtually impossible to tip .  The second trip out with this set, my sweetheart Susan knocked my cup about a foot away while doing some packing. With my regular mug, my oh-so-valuable coffee would have been splashing around on the tent floor, along with my tears.

Here’s where GSI’s attention to detail really kicks in.  Put one mug cover in the bottom of the pot, then put the bowl/mug combination in on top.  Then, drop in your fuel canister, your mini stove, and the little bag with the Foons in it, put the other bowl/mug and cover on top, put the pot lid on, snap the folding handle over the top…voila, one neat little package!

Small and functional, the "Foon" made a believer out of me. (David Shedd photo)

Oh, wait, the Foons!  I hate sporks…soup drips through the tines, and the tines never actually pick anything up.  A “foon” is a folding fork & spoon; a spork by another name.  I knew I was going to hate them, but product testing is product testing.  And…I was wrong.  These silly things actually work.  We ate sardines with them, using the fork end to pick out whole ones and the spoon to get the little pieces.  The tines are strong enough to pick up steak, and sharp enough to stab romaine lettuce.  Don’t put too much pressure on, though; they will collapse.  That’s a small price to pay, though, for something that works this well, weighs this little, and takes up virtually no room.  We even used them at home for a sort-of-elegant date night dinner, just to see how they’d do…they were fine.  They’re available separately for  $2.95 each; I’m going to buy one to keep in my glove compartment, plus a couple to keep in my picnic basket…they’re that useful.

Relaxing after one of many good meals. Note how flat the mugs are; virtually tip-proof! (David Shedd photo)

I do miss a frying pan; there are some camp meals where a fry pan makes sense.  But, the  Dualist saves weight and bulk; I carry a fry pan only when I need it.  All in all, it’s hard to fault the concept or execution of the Dualist; after a half dozen trips with it, we’re only loving it more.

One of the things that I’ve found useful for years is disposable toe warmers with adhesive on one side.  They’re easily available from several manufacturers, they’re inexpensive, and they work for hours.  Whether I’m cycling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, whatever, they add warmth to the toe area of my boots.  Unfortunately, though, they have a problem.  If you put them UNDER your feet, so the warmth is rising, they’re miserably uncomfortable when you’re walking.  So, we all put them on top of our feet, where they’re a whole heck of a lot better than nothing, but not as useful as they could be.

Can something this simple really make your feet comfortable for hours in cold weather? The answer is a resounding "yes!" (David Shedd photo)

Enter the Little Hotties Cushion Insoles.  On the face of it, they look like a typical decent quality insole, shaped to fit a typical foot, with the usual arch support and heel cup.   A little thicker than typical, so probably a bit warmer.  Nice, but nothing special…until you turn them over, and that’s when the “aha” moment comes.  Right directly under the ball of your foot is a little plug that just HAPPENS to be the same size and shape as, you guessed it, a Little Hotties toe warmer!  Pull the plug out, take a warmer, stick it in adhesive side first, and slide it into your shoe; voila, instant heat!

The insoles happened to arrive the day before I did one of the Saturday morning bike rides, which has me leaving my house at 6:30 and riding about 14 miles in to meet the group for some serious pain.  And, when I got up, it was 30 degrees.  Not a great temperature for my feet, but perfect for testing the insoles.  Into my race shoes they went, and rather than putting on heavy booties as I typically would for that temperature, I wore my Sugoi Ti booties, which are wonderful, windproof, and remarkably warm for their thickness and weight, but are NOT designed for subfreezing temps.  And…on the way in, during the ride, and on the way home, my feet stayed comfortable!  Because the heat source is by the ball of my foot and not the toes, the very tips of my two middle toes felt a little cool for a while, but that was it.  No discomfort, and 4 hours later, they were still producing useful heat.

Insoles, toe warmers, and light booties make even lightweight racing shoes comfortable below freezing. (David Shedd photo)

That by itself would be enough of a test, but Mother Nature wasn’t through with me.  April 9th, I did a bicycle race called the Tour of the Battenkill in upstate New York…62 miles of hell.  But, at least the weather forecast was good; temperatures at race time were supposed to be in the low 40s, not a lot of wind…great racing conditions.  And, I was fully prepared for them, which of course means that when I woke up at the Mount Snow Grand Summit hotel in the morning, it was snowing.  And at race time, it was 34 degrees and a 15 mph wind.  And, you guessed it…no, I didn’t have clothes, and particularly footwear, for those conditions.  I had the Sugoi booties mentioned above, perfect for the conditions I was supposed to be riding in.  But, I’d thrown the Little Hotties in, and a set of toe warmers, almost as a joke; I really hadn’t expected to need them.  Into my shoes they went, onto my bike I got, and throughout the race, at least my feet wore comfortable (the rest of me was in pain, but that’s what I get for doing a race like that early in the season!).  The race was miserable enough without any help; with cold feet, it would have been sheer torture.

Basically, these are, to me, a “no-brainer” for anyone who cycles in cold weather.  There’s no downside to them, period.  But that’s not all they’re good for.  Anyone who expects to stand around in cold conditions watching kids playing football, or goes to watch an XC ski race, or is an ice fisherman, should have them.  If you can imagine a time that your feet are going to be cold for an extended period, you should own them.  The price is so low for the performance that there’s just no good reason not to get them.  The only thing you need to be aware of is that they’re likely to be a little thicker than your current insole, so make sure you don’t have a tight shoe.  Or wear a slightly thinner sock than you usually would…you’ll MORE than make up the difference with the heat from the toe warmers.  The little plugs go back in, so if you want to use the insoles without the toe warmers, you can do that; keep a pair of warmers in your pocket, and if you unexpectedly find yourself in a situation where you’re stuck standing around in the cold, you’re all set!  It really is that easy, and they really do work that well.  My feet will never be as cold again!