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.

Cabelas DryPlus Waders

Cabelas Dry-plus Waders are composed of a one piece chest wader that has insulated boots. The boots are very comfortable and can make those long das in the river bearable. They are packed with 600g thinsulate and spongy insoles. They are very bulky so I reccommend trying them on first and not ordering them from a catolog or the internet. The breathable membrane is a true life saver for days where the sun wont go away. The 900-denier nylon layer is extreamly tough and resists tears, scrapes, and cracking.  You can use knee pads to lean up on rocks or for kneeling in a boat. There is an outter and inner pocket that offer storage for small flat items such as money or hunting/fishing license. However these pockets are not waterproof so be very carefull what you put in them. On cold mornings it is really nice to have the felt lined hand pockets to keep your hands warm and ready to go; so there is no wasted time with gloves.
The Cabelas Dry-Plus waders have recieved a Tough Gear Dependability, Versitility, and packability grade of a B. The overall Tough Gear Challenge grade is a B. We hope this helps you and there are more reviews to come.

Write In the Rain Note Books

The write in the rain note books have been used by the military for a long time. I have tested these note books in Canadian winters, summer heat, humid, and wet coastal environments. They have never let me down and even come in handy to use for labels that are inside water or alcohol for preserving insects. This Brand receives a Tough Gear Overall grade of an A++ and is highly recommended. If you don't want to pay the high price for a water proof pen, pencils work very well but do tend to smear more often. Ball point pens will start to bleed and run if kept wet long enough. As an outdoor scientist and recreationalist I highly recommend these products for field and everyday use.

National Outdoor Leadership School

For many who don’t know about the National Outdoor Leadership School it is the leader in wilderness education. It is made up of people who love the Outdoors and the Environment!! NOLS offers Courses all over the world that will not only leave you with hands on experience for the job market but also college credit. The Leadership skills that you learn on these trips can be acquired nowhere else and will develop you into a stronger person both physically and mentally. My trip was to the Yukon for two weeks of hiking in the mountains and two weeks of white water canoeing on the Hyland River. I was able to meet fellow students and now friends from all over the world, from Israel to Vancouver, and Louisiana to Chicago. I was able to build my own perspectives of different cultures and to-do so in a war free, stress free, pristine environment. The life we live in today is often fast and stressful and I found that there is no better place than the wilderness to relieve you of these burdens. NOLS offers a scholarship and more information can be found at the NOLS WEB SITE.  You only live once and you are not doing your soul justice if you don’t experience these pristine places on earth!!!!

Coleman Sun Shower

We have found that the Coleman Sun shower can be a nice Item to have on a backpacking trip. It has many uses and can be that one luxury item that makes your personal backcountry spa even more enjoyable. However we did find a few flaws that we will note. Most importantly it has been put through the Tough Gear Challenge and that will be the final judge.

DEPENDABILITY: The Coleman sun shower was great if the sun was shining but obviously if there was no sun then you wouldn’t be enjoying a nice hot shower. It did not leak or puncture when I stepped on it, dropped it, and after sitting in the sun for several consistent days. For this it receives a Tough Gear Dependability Grade of a B.

VERSATILITY: When it comes to this sun shower I found that it could be used for much more than heating up water. It works well for transporting water, a make shift float bag, or heavy duty splint in survival situations. Since there are many options for this it receives a Tough Gear Versatility Grade of a B+.

AFFORDABILITY: This product is more on the economic end of the sun shower market. It comes more with the bare bones package that does not include the thermometer, or support rod. It costs around $9.99. With this in thought it receives a Tough Gear Affordability Grade of a B.

PACKABILITY: This item is very easy to pack and goes nicely at the bottom or side of your pack. It can also be roll up and lashed on the outside of your pack (however not recommended if bushwhacking). With this it receives a Tough Gear Packability Grade of a B.

All in all the Coleman Sun Shower performed very well. But there are some flaws that must be mentioned. The support bar for distributing weight around the handle at the top was small and did not extend the whole width of the bag. So if you would fill the bag full it was prone to rip if held in this manner. Also if it is in the heat of the day and the water has been sitting out in the sun for several hours it will be hot enough to burn you. This is where the thermometer would be convenient. It is nice for a short trip but for an extended trip in the backcountry I would recommend a sun shower of higher quality. Or just enjoy a refreshing dip in the lake. With this being said the Coleman Sun Shower receives a Final Tough Gear Grade of a B.  However no matter what you should read more reviews and buy the product that will fit your needs.

Here is a link for more information on this product at amazon

Mosquito Head Net

The Coleman Mosquito Head net is made of fine mesh and can block out mosquitos, black flies, horse flies, moose flies, and deer flies from your face. This can be the barrier between a man having an amazing trip or going insane. We put this head net through continuous nights of use and many days on the water. So now there is only one thing left between this item and a good review. That is the Tough Gear Challenge!!!

DEPENDABILITY: This product saved me and my friends so many times from swarms of mosquitos and black flies that it was well worth its weight in Gold. I could depend on it to keep those bugs from biting my face that with-out it I would have gone crazy. Therefore it receives a Tough Gear Dependability Grade of An A+.

 VERSATILITY: Being made for a specific purpose it doesn’t do much other than keep out blood thirsty insects. However in dire situations you can filter out bugs and debris from water, use it as a small net to catch minnows, or use as a nice breathable gauze type bandage if the situation called on it. Therefore it receives a Tough Gear Versatility Grade of a B+.

AFFORDABILITY: For the low price of $1.99-$5.99 it is sure worth bringing a few along. However I did not have to break out my second one because the first head net lasted the whole trip. For less than the Cost of a gallon of gas you can get one that will make your trip so much more comfortable and rewarding. Therefore it receives a Tough Gear Affordability Grade of an A++.

PACKABILITY: Unlike all those bug hats that require a huge metal ring and whatnot this item can go right around a normal boney hat. This thing can fit right into your pocket and be whipped out at a moment’s notice.  It is Extremely Packable and lightweight. Therefore it receives a Tough Gear Packability Grade of an A+. 

Overall this item was very beneficial to have and did not require all the space of a traditional head net with rings and whatnot. I hiked all over with this thing and I guarantee that it can’t be beaten for its price. You will need to have a boney hat or regular hat to keep the net away from your ears, but in the end it is well worth it. You should buy two just in case one gets snagged on a tree or if you have a friend who forgot to pick one up. It is indeed worth the extra investment. Therefore it receives a Final Tough Gear Grade of an A+.

You can go to Colemans website to buy them or buy almost at any local store. Here is a link Coleman Insect Head Net. As you can see in this picture I took many of my friends have them on!!

Digi power –Dual Power Wall Charger/Portable battery

Being off the grid for more than a week means that you will need back up power for your electronics! Being in the new technological age almost everything we do requires power. We aren’t saying eliminate the traditional methods of navigation but most of us have smart phones and GPS capable devices that can provide us with up to date maps and trails. The Digi power is the missing link between you and your wall charger. Equipped with two USB inputs, an adapter, a built in flash light and a fold-away wall charger, it is perfect for charging hand held devices on the go. So we will see how it stands up to the Tough Gear Challenge!

DEPENDABILITY: This product charged my IPod once and my cell phone twice with-out being recharged itself. I could depend on it when I had a low battery and had to check in or just listen to some tunes. However it is not water proof or crush proof and should be protected in a small case. It held up to the Canadian Backcountry and receives a Tough Gear Dependability Grade of a B.

VERSATILITY: This product is a wall charger, flashlight, portable backcountry battery, and has time to charge two items (VIA USB) at once and is equipped with adapters. It also works as a universal charger that means it is not necessary to pack a wall charger for each one of your hand held devices. I found out fast that it was nice to have because if you miss place your headlamp at night you can whip out this gizmo and have light in no time. Therefore it receives a Tough Gear Versatility Grade of an A+.

AFFORDABILITY: This product is about midscale on today’s market. The price range should be around $25.00-$35.00 dollars. This is a reasonable price to pay if you are going on a trip where you will be out of reach of an outlet. Many of the other portable batteries that I looked at did not come with the adapters and also did not have a wall charger. Also it was really expensive if I was going to buy another camera battery and it really helped me there. This is why it received a Tough Gear Affordability Grade of a B.

PACKABILITY: This Item is about 3”X 5”inches and can fit almost anywhere. The product is very durable but not completely waterproof so it needs to be packed in a safe spot protected from the elements. It is also recommended that you protect your investment with a small waterproof container. As stated above having this item eliminates the need for bringing a wall charger for each of your hand held items. This is going to mean that you will save a nice bit of cargo room. Therefore the Digi power receives a Tough Gear Packability Grade of a B.

Overall this product performed very well for me and I had no issues using it. However because it was so small and somewhat dense I found that if I didn’t put it into a specific pouch or container it would drop to the bottom of my pack. This is not a good thing for two reasons. One you won’t be able to find it when you need it and most important  if any moisture gets into the bottom of your pack it could ruin your battery.  This Item helped me a lot and even though I dropped it many times it kept chugging along. Therefore it receives a final Tough Gear Grade of a B+.

Columbia Omni-dry Long Zip off pants

Testing the Omni-dry pants made by Columbia started off questionable because of their high price. These pants market retail for $60.00 and sell on sale down to $30.00. So I tested with an open mind and let the Tough Gear Challenge take care of them. The conditions in which these pants were tested was the deciduous/coniferous forest of Ontario, Canada. Now the weather was about 75% sunshine and 25% rain.

DEPENDABILITY:  These pants were very dependable and I could count on them to hold strong when it came to going into the brush and high weeds. They also had a great resistance to tear. It proved this when I had to make my way through a thorny black berry patch and skidding down sharp rocks. It seemed that no matter what I would put these pants through they would heal up and be ready the next morning.  There for they receive a tough gear dependability grade of a B.

VERSATILITY:  This pair of pants was more like a two for one deal. The zippers around mid-leg can zip half off and make them into shorts for hot summer days. You can also use it as a pair of swimming trunks. These pants really paid off for me because I was working on the water a whole lot canoeing and doing fisheries research, if they got wet they were dry sometimes in fifteen minutes. Therefore they receive a Tough Gear Versatility Grade of a B.

AFFORDABILITY: This pair of pants is on the high end of outdoor clothing. I have seen them from 30-60$ per pair. But in the end they will hold up during a long backcountry trip! I do recommend shopping around and looking for a pair of pants that is comfortable for you to wear. Therefore they receive a Tough Gear Affordability grade of a C+.

PACKABILITY: This pair of pants weighs the fraction of a normal pair of jeans and doesn’t take up as much space.  They can compress down to fit in almost any pocket of a backpack. I could fit them right in the front pouch of my backpack if I needed a dry pair of pants. Therefore they receive a Tough Gear Packability Grade of an A+.

Tough Gear Final Grade: After reviewing all of the different points of view the Columbia Omni-dry Long Zip off pants receive a final grade of a B+. They held up and the zippers were extremely durable and didn’t seem to be thrown off by mud or sand. The pants dried very fast and really are one of the most comfortable pairs of pants I have ever worn. They do tend to stain a little bit but that all comes with use. Now that you have read our review it is time for you to decide what qualities you’re looking for in a pair of backcountry pants!

Backpacking Expedition Food

The food you pack into the back country is going to be your main source of nutrients that keeps your blood pumping for the duration of your trip and you want to make sure that it is full of protein, carbs, and vitamins. When you are hiking up hills and down vast Vally's it is essential that your body get the full amount of nutrients needed. So I am going to tell you what I bring on my trips. Why I bring them and what they provide for the body. Also I am going to tell you some recipes that can be whipped up off of a Back country stove.

If you like to mix it up a little bit and are tired of frieze dried meals in a bag then this menu is perfect for you.

BREAKFAST 

A very nice addition to any camping/hiking trip is a well rounded meal. Some of us need the extra boost in the morning and some of us don't. If you are a person who does need a nice meal early then we have the best one for you. The meal consists of oatmeal grains and some dried nuts. you heat a pan up so that it is more than hot to the touch and pour in some butter. Make sure it is melted and then add in some brown sugar. White sugar can also work. Next you will to add in the oatmeal grains, granola grains and the nuts. After theses have cooked up you can throw in some raisins, Mellon, mango, or what ever you like. Serve hot or cold.
Fruit!!!!
 Remember that when you are on the trail staying hydrated is very important! If the fruit you are going to use is dried make sure you soak them in water first so that they have a little time to rehydrate. The juice from the water is good to drink after hydration. Doing this does a number of thing like help with digestion and prevent the dried fruit from draining water that is in your system. Also if you are eating dried fruit drink alot of water!!



LUNCH   


                when on the trail most don't like to stop to cook and eat a meal. For this fact I have chosen a snack that  many can relate to and one that will be fast and convenient . Trail mix is a very popular item that many bring with them but one that can have a variety of mixtures. The one that I prefer to most is one that will offer the protein, carbs, and nutritional balance that is needing during a long hike. To get protein you should add peanuts, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, or any other nut that will offer the nice protein boost. Now getting your fix of carbs can be easy or hard. You can add some dried crackers or add some crutons.  The nutrients all come from fruit's! Dried apples, mango's, pears, strawberry's, Orange's, etc. But what it really comes down to is you finding what you like to eat and mixing it up to give you a well balanced trail snack. Just remember that your body is a well oiled machine and requires a well balanced fuel.







DINNER


Back Country Pizza



Nutrition on the Trail (important for your survival)

The amount of food you pack on your trip is going to depend on your personal needs and caloric consumption. Not all of us are built the same therefore we will not all consume or burn the same amount of calories. This is not a topic to sweat about but one that should be at the front of your mind so that you can have a healthier, safer trip into the backcountry. There are many meals that offer pre-quota calorie amounts but rarely go by body size or metabolism. Here at Tough Gear we want you to eat good and healthy while in the backcountry! So we are going to break down backcountry nutrition by applying the Tough Gear Challenge to multiple kinds of trail food. This is a first so let us know what you think.

If you are not familiar with The Tough Gear Challenge it is a set criteria for testing backcountry and front country gear. It includes Durability, Affordability, Packability, and Versatility. We are now going to apply this to some trail foods that we have used and enjoyed on the trail! We are going to call it The Tough Gear Food Challenge!!

The Most important thing you can put into your body while on the trail is carbohydrates and fats. They both are filled with calories that will keep you going and will last longer than basic sugars. However a balance in your nutritional diet is very important. Sugars will give you the fast fix of energy that is needed to get going in the morning and a nice amount of carbs, and fats offer endurance energy so you will be able to keep going on those long days of bushwhacking. No matter how you choose to ration you trail food always having the best and most vital nutritional needs is key to a successful trip. Having the best food does not always mean the most expensive!! Remember this when it comes to buying pre-packaged foods. You can often find good inexpensive trail mixes at your local Whole foods and can pack your rations on personal preference. Our First Test is coming Soon!!