Cabelas Guidewear Gor-tex All weather Jacket (Extream or lean?)

When I went on my trip up north I was lucky enough to come across a Cabelas Guideware jacket in the bargain cave. I was so overjoyed that it was the perfect fit I had made my mind up to buy it. This jacket has many features that I will point out and tell you how to get the most of your jacket.

                                             

DURABILITY :( A+) this is one of the toughest jackets that i have ever come across. The Pockets have riveted holes underneath them so that when you are in harsh rain or in the river the water that goes in will easily drain out. They have a Main zipper up the middle that is then supported by a wind prof velcro. The hood is built for the harshest weather and has a bill that sheds rain from you face, a drawstring that allows you to tighten or loosen the opening around your face, and a tightening belt in the back of the head that can move the bill forward for heavy rain or back to enjoy a light rain. The inside of the pockets have a felt that is similar to a microfiber towel. During a strong storm it works well to keep your hands warm. It’s almost like if you have ever been cold and curled up in a warm fleece blanket but on the inside of the pockets. There are multiple pockets on the inside including a nice mesh pocket and a zip pocket for valuables or things that need to stay dry and warm. Also around the torso there is a draw string that allows you to tighten to your size. The cuffs also fit to your wrist to keep wind, rain and snow out!

AFFORDABILITY :( B) This jacket is quite expensive but you will find that in the end it is going to pay off. Not only for me did this jacket double as a paddling jacket, and rain jacket but it also is good to wear around camp on a windy day.  What sold me was this jackets versatility! I used it one night to put over my sleeping bag to keep my feet warm and then the next morning used it as a rain jacket. If the jacket was soaked like when i rolled my canoe into the river the next morning it was dry and ready to hit the current. Trust me you don’t want to skimp out on a few extra bucks now to find yourself in a surprise wind/rain/sleet storm in the bush and be stuck with a light weight poncho. It’s better to invest in a jacket that will provide you with many years of service. Also remember that Cabelas is a highly respected store and their customer service is great. You might be lucky like I was and come across one in the bargain cave. A good time to look is after Christmas or during summer.

PACK ABILITY:(C) Compared to other jackets on the market that are built to be light weight this jacket is quite heavy and takes up a lot of room in the pack. It doesn’t compress very well and will tend to get in the way. If you are a light weight backpacker then i would not really recommend it. You may want to go with a light durable rain jacket instead. And Cabelas, Patagonia, Marmot, and many other company’s make good quality rain jackets. However this jacket does double for multiple items and during a heavy rainstorm or snowstorm I would not of rather had any other jacket with me. If fits well over a thin puff jacket and will keep you warm and dry at the same time.

DEPENDABILITY :( A+) I found that it didnt matter if I was in the mountains or on the river I could always count on this jacket to perform. The versatility of the jacket is amazing and it never failed to let me down. I wore it through rain storms, up into the mountain snow storms, on the river as a paddling jacket, and in camp as an all-around comfortable thing to wear jacket. It is extremely nice to have and withstands sand and dirt great.

Over all the Cabelas Guideware Gore-Tex All weather Jacket gets a Tough Gear grade of (B+) and would be highly recommended to anyone looking for a jacket that will be the MacGyver of your gear pile. It is highly versatile and never disappoints. You can get more information at the Cabelas website listed below.
 http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search_within.cmd?form_state=default_state&searchWithin=true&N=0&Ntk=AllProducts&Ntt=cabelas+guideware+jacket&search=cabelas+guideware+jacket&nttWithin=gortex+jacket&x=14&y=14

Here is me sporting the Cabelas jacket while doing some white water canoeing on the hyland river,yukon with my buddy alex.

Synthetic or Wool

When going on extended long back country camping trips is is vital to carry the best, and toughest gear. Do not fail to take into mind the power of  mother nature. When it comes to wearing synthetic material or wool material you should take into mind the climate you will be traveling, what time of year it is, and  the altitude you will be traveling in. I will tell you some of the synthetic materials that are available.

Synthetic 
 Modern synthetics are great for a base layer and offer great moister wicking abilities. They are very comfortable and can come in many insulating strengths. Many companies offer a whole line of layers that can be used independently or as a system. They dry out fast and pack light. Patagonia has many options as far as synthetic clothing goes. If you are looking for a comfortable, durable light weight material then go synthetic.
Here is a link to Patagonia's website for their Capilene line.
http://www.patagonia.com/us/shop/mens-capilene-baselayer?k=1D-6x

Wool 
This  material has been used for ages for clothing. Wool socks are a must in the winter if you are hunting or hiking in a cold environment. Wool socks also offer a cushion between your foot and your boot. So it makes for a less likely situation to form blisters. To some wool is uncomfortable but their are multiple types out there that come in different textures.  Wool is great for insulation and also works good for a mid layer. Wool does however take a little longer to dry and is not as packable as synthetic material but overall it has worked for hundred if not thousands of years and wont let you down. If you are looking for a durable material that will get the job done and insulate when wet well wool is for you. Many company's offer wool clothing lines and even a blend with synthetic material.

Weather
When you are deciding on the material that you are going to be outfitted with make sure you take into consideration the elements. I have seen first hand the weather in the Yukon change from 85 degrees and sunny to 50 degrees and raining, then to snow and back again. Luckily I did my pre-trip planning and was hiking with seasoned outdoors men and women. You will want to make sure that if you will be hiking hours on end to have a layer system that offers maximum breathibility. For this I recommend synthetics such as polyester or capilene. However there are many other synthetic materials out there. The most important thing is that you stay warm. Wool and these materials will insulate you when your wet. If a flash rainstorm catches you off gard you can through a layer over top and let your body heat dry it out and be nice and toasty at the same time. Do not and i mean do not wear cotton. It will not insulate you when wet and also takes a long time to dry out. So spend the extra money and get the best material!!!  Because a little more money spent here in the front country could end up saving your life in the back country. And most important learn about the environment you are entering and do not under estimate the power of mother nature.

 If you want to learn more about layering systems I have put up a link to the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) blog that includes tons of information for beating back the elements. As a NOLS alumni i highly recommend it.
http://nols.blogs.com/nols_news/2010/02/fresh-from-nols-teton-valley-the-latest-video-from-nolsywood-debuts-today-featuring-the-nols-layering-system----get-a-glimp.html

Crocs Sandels (The shoes from down-under)

If you are in the market for a pair of the most comfortable sandals that you will ever own then a pair of Crocs are for you! These are great for camping, running the river, or just an all around comfortable shoe. They protect your foot from rocks and at the same time offer the breathable comfort of an open toed shoe. They come in camouflage, blue, black, green, and mostly whatever color you desire. So now that you have heard my view I going to break them down based on the tough gear methods.

DURABILITY: (B) These sandals are very tough. However they are made of comfortable soft plastic and due to the tendency be punctured by nails and sharp rocks would recommend wearing them on the beach, river, or around the house. The construction site probably not the best idea.

AFFORDABILITY:(A) When it comes to saving money buying a pair of crocs is where its at! You don't need those orthopedic foot pads just get a pair of these and you will be surprised how much better your feet will feel. For guys that play football after a two-a-day in steel tacked cleats these are worth a million bucks. Now However I think they feel great I'm not a doctor so if you really have bad foot problems taking my advice would probably not be the smartest choice.

PACK ABILITY:(A) For anyone who has traveled on a multiple day backpacking trip you know that every ounce of weight you can cut from your pack means a better feeling you at the end of the day. Crocks offer a great addition to your pack and do so with the lest amount of weight. I have learned this first hand when i was hiking through the mountains of the Yukon. I was the youngest of our NOLS group and for the most part had the least amount of experience. So i was unaware of what to bring for use in camp. I ultimately had a pair of tennis shoes but there not the best when you jump into an alpine lake. I found myself many a times air drying my shoes on my pack. However with this said the advantage of being surrounded by people who have more experience than you  is that they are always prepared. One of my friends let me barrow his pair of sandals which worked out at the time. But always remember you wont always have help!

DEPENDABILITY:(C) Don't get me wrong crocs are a great addition to your gear pile. But being realistic they are not a pair of closed toes shoes and should not be worn like one. If you are hiking in the thick brush or conifers i recommend not substituting your closes toes pair for them. You will not be able to depend on them in stressful conditions because ultimately they do not offer the support that you should count on in these times. If you are a heavy river runner, or white water canoeist then they make a good addition but the lack of straps to secure them tightly to your foot may mean you go the rest of your trip in hiking boots.

Over all they do make a great sandal for the beach, walking, and all around comfort. they are worth the money and wont break the bank. They can be stylish and comfortable and if your anything like me they it sure beats wearing a pair of those crappy flip-flops. Hope this helped and I would like for anyone to make a comment with their experience.
Here is a link to the Crocs website!
http://www.crocs.com/

TOUGH GEAR GRADE( B+)

Rocky Brand Hiking Boots

Rocky Brand hiking boots are some of the most durable boots I have-ever worn. The pair that i have now have lasted a month in the Yukon hiking through mountains and across streams. They have borne the winter hunting season in south eastern Ohio and six months of school. They dry really fast are for the most part waterproof. I however from experience would not recommend hiking with them if you are going hunting and have to sit for long periods of time. They do not hold up long in cold weather. DURABILITY: (B) These boots have performed better than I could have ever asked. For a guy with a wide foot they worked out extremely well. The leather is tough, made with thick rubber soles, and has Gore-Tex to keep the water out.  However they did lack some of the comfort, and insulation one would need in the snow therefore they receive a B.  AFORDABILITY: (B) These boots are quite expensive but if you shop at the Rocky boots store in Nelsonville, OH you can get some good deals. I bought my pair 50% off. Go to the second floor and look around. PACKABILITY: (B+) the boots are very easy to carry and pack deep into a pack or lash on for use as needed. The Boots however are bulky and do take up quite a bit of space in a luggage bag. If you are traveling by plane and can take getting strange looks I would recommend wearing them not packing them, even with shorts on!  DEPENDABILITY :( A) Whenever i was crossing a river or a mountain in the Yukon I could always count on these boots to preform and hold up under extreme pressures. I would recommend them to anyone and once broken in they will offer you several months, possibly years of comfort depending on what you dare to accomplish.

Here is the link to their web site.

http://www.rockyboots.com/