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KEEN Tryon WP: Designed for Adventure, Built to Last

posted by gumptiongear December 10, 2011 0 comments

Blurring the lines between hiking boots and adventure shoes, KEEN’s stylish and rugged water proof Tryon lets you hike deep into the backcountry with cool, sure-footed determination. As noted in our First Look, these fast and furious adventure shoes are loaded with features that will give you a much needed assist in tearing up the trails. Continue Reading

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

First Look: KEEN Tryon WP Adventure Shoes

posted by gumptiongear October 18, 2011 0 comments

You have an epic new day hike planned, but it requires a lengthy approach over a labyrinth of demanding landscape. If that’s the case, you may want to lace up the lightweight KEEN Tryon Shoe and scramble your way to the mountain top.

These fast and furious adventure shoes are loaded with features that will give you a much needed assist in tearing up the trail.

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Pack

The Deuter Junior Backpack: Ready for all your little hikers adventures

posted by gumptiongear September 30, 2011 0 comments

Kids belong outdoors—a fun, healthy, beyond-the-ordinary place that can expand their view of the world. Whether it’s a short day hike out on the trail, or a longer backpacking trek, both are great ways to help your little squirrel appreciate all the beauty and adventurous possibilities that the natural world offers.

The earlier in life kids become acquainted with walking longer distances (as early as age 3), the more likely they will be receptive to a backpacking trip at a later age. Of course you’re going to want to ensure that your little guy or gal has a quality pack that is as comfortable as it is durable.

Introduce your young hikers to the joys of carrying their own gear in comfort and style with the Deuter Junior pack. This sharp looking durable pack will help your little squirrel tackle their own daylong outdoor adventures. This top-loading pack is ideal for carrying day-hiking essentials, clothes or that all important stuffed bear – because we all need a hiking buddy.

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Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Pack

High Sierra Sport’s Curve Pack: Style for School, Durability for the Trail

posted by gumptiongear September 8, 2011 0 comments

As the leaves start to turn and the thermostat begins to descend, Fall is a perfect time to start introducing kids to the thrill of the outdoor world. Yet even the basic outings require a pack that is not only comfortable, but large enough to stash away all the goodies your little Sherpa needs.

For over 30 years, High Sierra Sport Company has been committed to producing thoughtfully innovative bags that appeal to the intelligence and esteem of the active lifestyle and outdoor consumer. So when preparing to introduce your children to the glorious outdoors, there are few better places to turn than High Sierra Sport for the equipment that will make your outdoor adventures memorable.

As we began our search for backs/daypacks for your little tikes as they are introduced to the world of hiking High Sierra Sport was kind enough to send us a few packs to get out on the trail. First up the Curve.

With a capacity of 1710 cubic inches the Curve affords your kid plenty of room for books, binders, and pencils during the week. When Saturday finally comes, dump out the school supplies and load it up for an escape from town. The large main compartment has plenty of room for a poncho and burrito, while the organization front pocket stores that little pack of gummy bears, GU and other goodies.

After a liberating drive into the hills, the S-shaped padded shoulder straps comfortably hug your budding mountain goat as they follow the trail into the sweet stillness of the mountain air. And if the wilderness is a bit too quiet then the Curve has a handy cell phone/media pocket for them to stash their beloved iPhone so they can take snapshots of their journey.

While there’s not an incorporated hydration reservoir, a large gusseted side mesh pocket provides plenty of room for holding a water bottle or stashing that swim suit that took a dip at the base of the falls. The other feature our little gumption field tester appreciated the plastic pull loops making for easy strap adjustment on the go.

Smooth, contemporary styling, and sleek curves not only make the Curve a classy pack for school days, but sweeping lines give the pack a more narrow profile helping your little trail mate avoid the jutting twigs and branches that snag on broader packs. And for those moments when your hiking buddy can’t avoid the reach of mother nature’s long arms, the Curve’s mini-hexagon ripstop duralite materials keep the bag protected durable enough to last for years of hiking to come.

The Bottom Line…
The Curve helps carry everything your little tike needs for a recon mountain mission while providing that “cool factor” they want for school. Although the pack does lack High Sierra’s VAPEL™ mesh AIRFLOW™ padded shoulder straps and back panel, the Curve was comfortable and durable enough to earn high praise from our junior Gumption Crew member and will leave parents comfortable knowing they’ve purchased a multi-functional bag that will last many moons.

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

In Search of the Perfect Sandal: Freewaters™ MAGIC CARPET

posted by gumptiongear August 31, 2011 0 comments

Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood.” Towards those ends, Freewaters™ has combined patent pending technologies and innovative design features to forge the Magic Carpet– a sandal that has plenty of magic to get your blood flowing.

Like the pride of a racing stable, the Magic Carpet leads the pack in performance, comfort, and style. This hi-tec innovative sandal goes places you never thought a sandal could, so get used to the idea of never taking it off.

Patent pending neoprene flex panel straps are so comfortable you’ll forget they’re even there. These innovative straps demonstrate that pressure and pinching derived from the foot flexing forward need not be a part of your flip-flop experience. Moreover, during those rare moments you remove the Magic Carpet sandals, the straps retain form. While this may seem like a tedious detail, few things can prove to be more insufferable than toe wrestling a flattened strap when you just want to get up and get out. Did we mention they are also water and vegan friendly?

Freewaters has raised the stakes in the world of flip-flop design by incorporating running shoe technology into this sandal. The Freewaters team accomplishes this through an Exclusive Response Arch Shank which creates torsional flex resulting in a spring type action reminiscent of your favorite athletic kicks.

Coupled with the midsole’s ‘toe spring’ which helps eliminate toe drag, the response arch shank generates an efficient transfer of energy within every stride resulting in greater ease whether you’re strolling the beach or making that long walk to the BBQ to flip the burgers.

Amidst a forest of innovative design features, there was one part of the Magic Carpet that truly resonated with our crew: A recycled eco-rubber outsole with aggressive tread and siping providing traction that would impress the Michelin Man. This sticky, water-channeling sole moves water away from the bottom of your sandal ensuring secure footing on slick and sketchy surfaces so you don’t have to hold back when your pistons are firing.

When constructing an outsole that excels on the land and longs for the water, the Freewaters design team put equal effort into fashioning a eva foam footbed that serves as the ultimate welcome mat for your feet. A brushed non-slip footbed keeps you locked in and comfy cruising through life’s waterparks. The 3D molded footbed matches your foot’s shape and cushions your steps while keeping your feet cool on even the hottest summer days.

While this sandal seems to lack the impressive arch support of the Freewaters Cruz Control, the Magic Carpet still delivers rock steady support and massive comfort for which your body will be grateful. At a time when more than one company lays claim to an “out-of-the-box-no-break-in” fit, once again, Freewaters is king of the hill in that category. Good news for you, because when the sun is out, you don’t want to waste any time breaking in new sandals.

Bottom Line…
They say that the elegance of art is that it enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. If that is indeed the case then the Magic Carpet from Freewaters is the essence of art for the feet.

Exit Note…
If there’s one thing we like more than a quality sandal, it’s a quality sandal with a humanitarian heart. The purchase of one pair of Freewaters allows ProjectFreewaters.org to provide clean drinking water for one individual for one entire year. So go purchase your Freewaters sandals, you’ll be doing your feet and the world a lot of good.

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

Vasque Taku GTX: Master Your Mountains

posted by gumptiongear August 28, 2011 0 comments

Light-footed, slender and clever, Hermes is the great messenger of the gods in Greek mythology. An Olympian god, he is the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them – the god of all those who must move quickly or make fast getaways.

While the crew at Vasque has not yet confirmed the rumor… we feel confident in saying that Hermes himself was charged with crafting the light weight Vasque Taku GTX.

With the wisdom of Athena, the Vasque design team (aka Hermes) crammed a slew of mountain-mastering features into this waterproof, breathable, mid-high boot without weighing it (and you) down when the going gets rough.

Waterproofed, 2mm thick nubuck leather uppers with air-mesh nylon panels at the collars keep boots light and breathable in warm temperatures aiding your quick pace on the trail. This is especially helpful for those moments you hear the Sirens song seducing you into setting up camp before reaching your destination.

When Zeus attempts to dampen your day with thunder and rain, take heart knowing the Taku GTX utilizes the power of breathable Gore-Tex, shedding water. The fully breathable Gore-tex boot means you need not dread crossing Poseidon controlled creek beds.

The design of the Taku GTX not only ensures a light, agile and blister free boot, but was crafted to promote comfort and durability. Beefed up rubber toe bumpers help protect uppers and feet from abrasion and premature wear meaning even the Greek god of time, Kronos, won’t outlast these boots.

The Taku’s molded EVA midsoles offer lightweight cushioning and flexibility that is so comfortable that you’ll never want to return to your chariot. Thermoplastic urethane plates help control flex, reduce ankle strain, enhance stability and protect feet from rough terrain.

Vasque’s Arc Tempo Last construction creates an agile, athletic fit that promotes quickness and agility over technical ground and has an asymmetrical curve that’s great for higher arches. The additional benefit of the Arc Tempo Last is that it directs more power to the toe during foot push-off ensuring an efficient transfer of energy with every stride resulting in greater ease for rocky, barely-there trails.

The Taku GTX rides on a Vibram® sole keeping your feet on the trail whether you are eating up miles on a week-long trek or picking your way through shale slides as you shimmy to the top of Mount Olympus. This confidence-inspiring traction is not only durable but is engineered with an athletic stance that’s ounces lighter than a typical hiking sole. The result: if you can handle the terrain so can this boot.

The Bottom Line…
Responsive and snappy, the waterproof Vasque Taku GTX Hiking Boots are as easy on the eyes as Aphrodite, yet tough enough to get you to the top of Mt. Olympus for your tangle with the Greek gods.

Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

KEEN Has One Question: Got SOX?

posted by gumptiongear August 26, 2011 0 comments

As an outdoor enthusiast you have high expectations for your footwear. You demand that your shoes provide a comfortable and secure fit while delivering the nimble support needed for all of your outdoor escapades. Why then have we lived through our journeys with lesser expectations from socks?

If you want socks that will keep your feet comfortable, dry, blister-free in every activity then KEEN may have your answer.
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Gear Reviews Go Hike Go Outdoors

Platypus Hydration Re-Imagines the Hydration Pack

posted by gumptiongear August 18, 2011 0 comments

The Dictionary defines “variety” as (1) The state of being varied or diversified; (2) a different form, condition, or phase of something.

We can’t prove that Cascade Designs, Inc., had this definition in mind then they set out to redefine the hydration pack, but it wouldn’t surprise us if – like when Rocky trained for his fight with Drago – they had it stuck in the frame of their mirror keeping them ever mindful of the task set before themselves.

Drawing on years of expertise in the hydration category, Platypus Hydration (part of the Cascade Designs family) set out to re-design and re-imagine the traditional hydration pack. When they put pen to paper, there were no rules, no boundaries, just a vision of what a Hydration Pack could, and more importantly, should be.

The result is a series of low-profile and highly efficient packs fit for a variety of athletic undertakings. This post reflects our initial impressions on both the Origin 3 and Origin 22 after spending a few short weeks with the packs. Over the next five to six weeks our team of outdoor experts will continue putting the packs to the test to see if they truly offer the best performance, comfort and customization available for your outdoor endeavors.

First Impressions…

A lightweight, puncture-resistant, Platypus Big Zip™ SL reservoir is the cornerstone of every pack in the Origin lineup. The designated hydration compartment is constructed to easily accommodate both the two-liter and three-liter sizes without affecting the capacity of the pack itself. Platypus utilizes unique toggle mounts for the Big Zip SL reservoir. These mounts take a bit of getting used too, but they make for a more stable, secure fit.

The leak proof antimicrobial reservoir keeps water fresh and taste free and opens as easy as a bag of chips for stress-free filling and cleaning. Another quality feature is the on/off position on the bite valve which helps ensure that the water stays in the reservoir and not all over your shirt, jacket, or car trunk.

Equipped with the cool BioCurve ventilated back panels and SoftTouch stretch-woven harness, the Origin packs are constructed to attack the most demanding trails while comfortably supporting the weight of your water and whatever else you carry with it.

The ergonomic shoulder straps are a soft, stretch-woven surface stretched over a ventilated foam padding. Over the course of our long term field testing, our team will give distinctive attention to the design of these straps www.generikaonline-de.com/pille/cialis/ because we are interested to see if they effectively compare to the more standardized mesh straps used on comparative hydration packs.

One thing that separates the Origin series from other hydration packs is the variety of hydration hose options which allow the wearer to find the most effective placement for their chosen adventure.

When it seems that an increasing number of brands are moving towards the integration of raincovers for their packs, the Origin series again splits from the pack by sporting waterproof, 10,000mm-coated fabrics, welded, all-weather zippers and heat-taped seams. These materials contribute to an overall minimalist sleek design that is easy on the eyes and sure to draw attention.

Everyone knows the importance of a good first impression and after our first few dates the Origin 3 and 22 packs left us with the warm fuzzies. Next step we’ll put this relationship to the test through the literal peaks and valleys of our relationship to make sure the Origin packs have gumption necessary for a long-term relationship.

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