Helping One Trail at a time

Helping build and maintain trails is one way to give back to the community that you live in and a great way to get out and immerse yourself in the wilderness. You can meet new people, friends, and who knows maybe your next boss or wife. So get out and about and enjoy every minute of your life!!! Live on my friends. 

Herd's Tough Gear Upgrade

We now have a website up and running with a store and detailed information about our fast growing company. We hope everyone around the world finds it useful and you can also find us on Face book. Keep Dreaming and Exploring; the sky is your limit!! Herd's Tough Gear Website  Also if you are interested in contacting us you can email us here Contact

Light Weight Shoes

When backpacking either through the mountains or your local park having comfortable shoes is the most important thing. When you don't take care of your feet you will find out fast that there are big consequences to pay!! If your wearing boots all day long it's priceless to have a pair of lightweight comfortable shoes to wear after your long strenuous day of hiking. Your foot will be able to recover and also give your boots time to dry. Not only does it make sense to carry a pair of light weight shoes but it is essential. Day trips from your base camp often do not require the ankle support because you are only carrying a fraction of the weight. These treks are great for building ankle muscles and stretch out those important ligaments. However if you need the extra support be sure to be prepared to pack your hiking boots. When I was hiking in the Yukon mountains and the Swiss Alps I wore New Balances All Terrain shoes. However at the OR show i was fortunate to meet the guys from Lem's shoes and have been wearing them for a couple days and very impressed. I will be posting a full review with comparisons in dependability, durability, packability, and versatility. The market of light weight backpacking and trekking gear is continuing to grow and there are countless brands claiming to be the best. Be sure you do your research before laying down the cash. 

Outdoor Retailer Show (Salt lake City)

Herd's Tough Gear was able to attend the OR show in salt lake city because of the amazing support from our audience and supporters. I would like to personally thank everyone who has helped me out achieve this success (Kentucky Royalty, Altera, NOLS Yukon, MOM, DAD, BROTHERS, GRANDMA and all my family) and with your continued support Herd's Tough Gear will be developed into a reliable testing company where people can get unbiased reviews and retailers can promote quality products. It has been a rough few years since HTG founding but we have been growing very fast in the past months, and there are blue skies in our future. When the road gets bumpy we will always be there to help pave the way for the new era of Back Country travel. To gear junkies all over the world, Thank you for helping me take Herd's Tough Gear to the next level in this business environment!!!
Cheers,
Dylan Herd
Herd's Tough Gear CEO 

Creating a Micro-climate for Protection

Creating a micro-climate between your skin and the environment is not only important but it is critical to protecting ones self from harsh weather.
STEP ONE: know the climate and environment in which you will be traveling.

• Heat..Sun(UV rays)
• Cold
• Moist
• freezing
• Wind
• Water travel

STEP TWO: Get a price range on what you want to spend and keep your options open for multi-             use clothing.  Buying UN-needed gear can prove costly and heavy. For weight conscious travelers light weight designs are available however be sure to balance durability, packability, and the versatility of the  clothing item.         

 
STEP THREE: Pick and choose a layering system that will allow versatility and also be the most comfortable.

An outer shell of Gore-Tex can create a buffer between your inner clothing and extremes outside that will protect you during back country traveling. It will stop wind and also create a water-proof barrier. You will want to have a moisture wicking base layer such as nylon or polyester and be sure not to use Cotton as it doesn't insulate when wet. For a basic system I prefer a fleece pullover followed by a heavier polar-tec fleece zip up under the Gore-Tex outer jacket. Regardless of preferences you will need to be sure that your layers you are packing can do the job of trapping in body heat and wick moisture. If you are traveling in warm climates you will want the moisture wicking properties combined with UV protection. Over all use your brain and instincts when buying high priced items and do plenty of research. Best of luck!!! TG 

Back Country Knives

Weather you are traveling in a remote National Park or just a short hunting trip in the near by state park you need to be sure to have the best equipment available. I will be testing several knives that are from a diverse array of companies and products. The products and companies will be released when I am done with the testing but be sure to do your own research on them before buying. As well they will be available for sale directly from my website for the first time. Make sure you understand what you want and most importantly need out of your knife before you start shopping around. This will ensure less time in the store and decrease the risk of buying a product that is unreliable. Even though name brands such as Gerber, Winchester, and Buck have the market cornered but that doesent mean there isnt a home town knife maker that has products that supercede any commercial bought Item.

Best Wishes this Holiday year and Merry Christmas
Sincerely,
Tough Gear

Silver-Anti microbial sock

Outdoor products are developing rapidly and helping us outdoorsmen and women travel with more comfort. This brand of socks I extremely liked and would recommend to anyone because they were very comfortable, didn’t stink even after four days of intense hiking and are tremendously well made. When hiking in the Swiss Alps they kept my feet warm even when I was soaked. I have more sock reviews coming this week but out of them all for cold wheather climates this pair was by far the best.

Product:  Silver Anti-microbial socks made by Kentucky Royalty (Adventure Sock Collection).

Materials: 51% Alpaca fiber, 37% polyester, 12% silver/Nylon.

Testing Location: Swiss Alps, Jura Mountains (Switzerland, Europe).

Testing Date:   4-23-2012 through 5-5-2012 

Weather: Snow, Rain, cold temperatures down to 30 degrees F and up to 85 degrees F.

Materials	Breathable	WR	R-value	DRT
A		N/A	x
B	x	N/A		x
C		N/A
D		N/A

WR: Water Resistance, R-value: this is how well the materials insulated, DRT: Dry Time,

Dependability: These socks kept my feet warm in very cold snowy conditions and made hiking very comfortable. When I was sitting on a rock face overlooking a huge valley the weather was changing rapidly. I got a shiver through my whole body but my feet still had that cozy warm sensation. I crossed a few streams and to my amazement they insulated extremely well when they were soaked. I wore them for four days straight without the slightest hint of smell and I have very sweaty feet. Tough Gear Dependability Grade A.

Versatility: These are really made only for cold weather and can make hiking miserable if one is to wear them through 80 degree heat. Tough Gear Versatility Grade C. 

Affordability:            $ 20.00 and great for eliminating the ten pairs of cotton socks. Tough Gear Affordability Grade B+.

Packability: They are very bulky and do not compress well and are better packed if each sock is stuffed into extra space at the bottom or top of your hiking pack.

Personal Note: They dry after six hours of hanging or very fast once the wind blows or sun shines. If they are tied onto the pack during hiking they dry out over the day.

Fire Building in the Backcountry Leave No Trace (LNT) style

Having a fire while camping can be something that everyone enjoys. However with ecotourism increasing daily we all want to make sure that we minimize our environmental footprints so that the next person can enjoy a pristine setting. When traveling in less remote areas be sure to follow the strict rules and use a fire ring if possible.

Wilderness Areas

If you are hiking and camping in a wilderness area make sure you bring a jet boil or some other cook stove. Many of these areas do not allow fires and have very strict guidelines on what you can and cannot due. Be sure to check at your park office before venturing into the woods.

National Park

Many National parks have set up camp grounds with fire rings but if you want to travel deeper into the park then you will need to get a backcountry camping permit. These are available at the park office. Some parks have different rules depending on the state and locality in which they reside.

National Forest

Our national forests maintain rules just like the national parks do and have a fire season in which it is prohibited to burn. If it is dry and the leaf and ground litter is dry I suggest not risking having a fire unless it is a dire situation.

Selecting a Low Impact Site

Always choose a site that will be able to bear the environmental impact of a fire. For instance you don't want to have a fire right next to a trail or road because these areas have already been impacted greatly from human pressure. It may seem weird to think about our effects on nature and many think that it would not change by following LNT ethics. This might be true for a couple of travelers but along the roads and trails hundreds if not thousands of people might be using them and this can really add up. Areas devoid of brush and cover are great if it is not windy! Be sure to monitor the wind and the level of humidity in the air. The dryer the air the higher the chances of having a fire get out of control. Go a good distance off the trail and find a nice clearing that you can dig a small pit. If you are traveling in a highly traveled area you may have to pack in wood. If this is not the case just be aware of the amount you are consuming and don't collect it all from one place. This will spread out your impact and allow wood for future travelers. Always mix up the soil and ashes when you are done so that mother nature can reclaim the sterile soil.

Fires Along The River

Rivers and streams are great places to construct fires. You can start by collecting river rocks and building a ring. Then collect drift wood and light her up. The only thing you need to do is cast the charred rocks back into the river, and scatter the ashes so that there is no trace of a fire.

If you want to learn more about constructing a LNT fire you can visit their website at www.lnt.org

 Enjoying a Fire along the beautiful Hyland River with my NOLS buddies!!

Hiking Socks of the Future

With the outdoor clothing industry booming the quality of products continues to increase as competitors compete to make the best. New synthetic fibers continue to merge with the outdoor market and have made a revolution in the packability of some products. However with this said there is a huge surge of natural fibers hitting the market and time is only to tell what will happen. I have three different socks that I will be testing in Europe and they are hybrids of the natural and synthetic fibers. All three companies are based in the USA and manufacture their Socks in the USA. One is made natural, one with silver, and one with copper. It will be interesting to see the effects of added antimicrobial metals. I will post the reviews after I have personally field tested the socks!! Here is a little more about each pair.

The Adventure Sock

·         51% Alpaca

·         37% Polyester

·         12% Silver/Nylon

·         http://www.royaltyfiberfarm.com/

Cupron Sock

·         8% Cupron Copper Oxide Polyester

·         84% Cotton

·         1% Lycra Spandex

·         17% Nylon

·         http://www.copperheadclothing.com/

Sabamba Sock

·         75% Alpaca

·         23% Nylon

·         2% Elastic

·         http://www.sabambaalpaca.com/

Feild Guides (Are they worth the Weight?)

When you are traveling in an unfamiliar area Field guides are something that can save your beacon. The small amount of weight that they add to your pack is worth the knowledge in which they hold. I am going to cover many guides that will meet your needs depending on what you are looking for and where you are looking.

Edibles
  If you are planning to forage for food while you are hiking make sure you know what you are eating. Many hikers die each year from eating toxic edibles. Just because you see an animal eating a berry does not mean that it is OK for you to consume it. These animals have adapted and evolved to tolerate the different chemicals that are in these foods that our systems cannot withstand. So if you take only one thing from this learn that you always want to know what you are eating.
          A good book for beginners to pack in is Peterson's Field guide to wild edibles. They have many photos and can give you good descriptions plants and berry's as well as roots and other sources of vital nutrients. There are many more guides out there but this one I strongly recommend.

Travel
   For those wanting to travel to all parts of the world make sure you pack a field guide with you. You can spend hours searching for good restaurants and places to see. Getting a good affordable travel guide can save you time and money. Company's like AAA and travel services can make planning your next backpacking trip a breeze. You will be spending enough time on logistics for the back country so don’t waste your time planning the travel and departure events when you can get them done cheaply and conveniently. Rick Steve's has a good video collection of Europe and hiking in the Alps also guides for many destinations. Contact your local travel service for the best results.

Combo Guides
  If you want to enjoy your trip with the least amount of packed weight and the most bang for your buck then you should get a Combo guide. These are not hard to find that include wildlife, flowers, landscapes and information about local towns, and National Parks. If you are looking for something that is more general and less specific then a combo guide is the way to go.

     By traveling across the U.S or around the world there are an unlimited amount of things to see. Take your time and pick out a good Field guide that will make your trip less stressful and more enjoyable.

Coolpix P90

The Cool pix P90 is a camera that comes with a great quality of zoom both digital and manual. The features cannot be beat but it is not something you want to take on a long backpacking trip. It requires batteries that need to be recharged and will not last long. You would be required to pack in a solar panel and charger that would add weight and volume to your pack. This camera is resistant to water but really takes up a huge amount of space in your pack. I suggest something more packable and durable for the every day hiker.
 " When I was in the Yukon a buddy of mine had an expensive camera and packed it around. If you want high quality photos then it may be worth the extra weight but make sure you protect your investment with a pelican case."
 Personally I think that a camera that can last long on one charge and also take AA batteries is far more convenient for long backpacking trips. Overall Tough gear Grade: C

HP photo smart 735

This model is old when it comes to digital cameras but is great for capturing mountain ranges and friends. All of the photos on my blog from the mountain backpacking in Alaska are from this camera. One thing I really like about it is that it has a manual zoom and digital zoom. You can save a lot of battery  life by only using the manual zoom instead of the digital. It also takes regular AA batteries which are easy to pack and do not require a charger and all of those fancy extras. It can take video and has many unique features. So let's not see where it stands on the Tough Gear Challenge.
Durability
I dropped this camera a few times and it has kept working great. However not to mention that it has been to Afghanistan, Germany, and many other places over the years. This camera is very dependable, and can capture those moments that you will remember forever. Tough gear Durability Grade: B
Affordability
This camera is now very affordable and you can shop around on eBay or other sites to find one. Tough gear Affordability Grade: B
Packability
This camera is not one of the small pocket size ones but fit rather well in any coat pocket or backpack pocket. Tough gear Packability Grade:B
Versatility
This camera has the capabilities of taking pictures and video, as well as having a digital and manual zoom. It can be used with AA batteries and does not need to be charged with the conventional wall outlet. Tough gear Versatility Grade:B

Cameras and (What not to Bring)

Documenting your trip can be a fun thing to do. I love taking pictures of the camp sites, mountain, friends, and the majestic northern sky. However with the new digital age we all can have trouble trying to find cameras that will capture our adventure, not break the bank, and not break! Unless you are a professional photographer I suggest not lugging your 2,000 dollar camera into the back country to only have a battery die or something go wrong.
*Take a solar charger or extra batteries to make sure you don't miss any spectacular views.

I have posted two Toughgear reviews on two very different kinds of cameras and how they match up!

Gear made to Last or Crash??

With the competition in the Outdoor gear business many companies are making equipment less expensive and overseas. Whether you are buying a backpack, tent, sleeping bag or whatever it is best to look into several company's and where they make their product. If you are for supporting goods made in the USA or the country you live in then take the extra time to search for these products and pay a little more to keep your dollars at home.
*There are two types of gear and only two types of gear. Gear that is made to sell and gear that is made to last.
Gear that is made to sell has all of the bells and whistles that really are not needed. They usually come in some fancy color with built in toe warmers, a pocket, and who knows what. Beware of these because they may be nice to look at but when you are miles from the nearest building and without a means of communication these can cut you short. Literally!! Let me tell you a little story...
  "When I was in the Yukon backpacking in the mountains I had a sleeping bag that I thought was good. I had been a tight wad and did not want to pay the 100 bucks more for a really nice sleeping bag that would have kept me toasty and living the high life during a raging snow storm. Well to make a long story short; each night I went to bed with two pairs of socks on, every layer of synthetic pants, all my clean shirts, my coat around the bottom of my sleeping bag and then inside my backpack and my winter hat and gloves on. It made a night after a long day of hiking even longer." Thank you to my NOLS buddies George, Austin, and Leum who showed me how to get through those nights. Real lifesavers and true friends; I would of never thought of putting my sleeping bag into my backpack and tightening it to add insulation!

So spend the extra money on a piece of equipment that you will have for years. It is really worth the extra money and trust me you will buy one the next chance you get anyway so why not be prepared. Please learn from my mistake! However if you do fall victim to one of these cheap items make the best of it and hopefully you have mild weather to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
*Warning do not buy cheap equipment for Remote Solo trips!!!! This could not only make your trip suck, it could cost you your life!!! If at all possible go with a buddy. But like myself we all need some nurturing alone time with mother nature.
Gear that is made to last is usually made by a small company or one with a reputation for quality goods. You don't want to buy that 30 dollar sleeping bag that is supposed to be rated for zero degrees and can't even keep you warm during a summer night (trust me I've been there). However I do know what it is like to be on a budget so spent your money on the items that are going to be your lively hood while in the back country or at a state park.  Items like a Tent, sleeping bag, backpack, boots, socks, etc. (This will change with the climate you are traveling in). One thing that won't change is your feet!! Spend money on a good pair of hiking boots with several pairs of good socks. I myself like cabala's hiking socks or wool rich socks are nice too. Yes expensive but these are for your feet and without proper foot care you are going nowhere!!! Literally speaking!!

**The military always spends money on quality equipment and that's great for all of us who shop around in army surplus stores and on eBay. Remember that they are equipped for the extreme environments and you can find equipment that was never used for a great price.

The gear that is made to last is made from quality materials. For instance a sleeping bag made with goose down, or a carbon fiber tent pole. You want to make sure what your buying is for the quality equipment and not for the brand. Many brands have moved to alternative materials to save money. If I can pass one word of advice to you it would be this; just remember to do your research. Look at reviews, pictures on Google, prices from different sellers, material its made of and where it is made. But most important buy gear that fits your lifestyle and personality.
Good Hikin,
                      Tough Gear

Backpacking In Europe

As some of us know backpacking in Europe can be an amazing experience. I will be traveling through many countries, the Jurua mountains, black forest, and alps. Many photos will be taken and I will be sure to post them.