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Showing posts with label BOB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BOB. Show all posts

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Review: Outbound 60L Pack

Taken from Outbound's website:

Product SKU: OB-BP-27529-600
MSRP: CAD $120.00

Full featured large volume styled backpack. Hydration compatible, with a large main compartment with divider. Two bellows side pockets and 2 concealed pockets. Rain cover on board and multiple tool attachments. Compression straps to secure all your gear.

Specifications
Mat 600D Polyester/PU and Nylon Dobby
Vol 65 + 10 L / 3966 in3
Size 45W × 38D × 73H cm (17¾" × 15" × 29")
Wt 5 lbs / 2.3 kg

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Outbound's 60L Canyon Pack


I picked up the Canyon 60+10L pack from Canadian Tire on a whim. I had never used Outbound gear before and truthfully had not ever heard of them. After posting on CGN for some input from other users, I went back and bought it. Only after reading the tag was I even more impressed. I got this pack for nearly half off it's regular price - I paid about 60 bucks!

So far, I've taken the pack on a day trip, but nothing longer. I've taken it on the trail; rod, reel and tackle box all cinched down on the bag itself. Some things I have attached more carefully are my trail knife - a SOG Seal Pup and a Tasco 10X monocular. I picked up a coil of diamond weave nylon rope on the same day. After attaching a few hooks on the end, it's always on the bag; to tie up the dog or otherwise. It's always good to have rope.

The bag has a great design. Two big pouches - the main internal pouch which also houses the steel H-Frame and a spot to keep your hydration bladder. It has the usual hole in the top to weave out your hydration hose. The internal pouch does not have any type of organizer - but a few pouches can remedy that. It opens from the top with two draw-strings. One on the inside, one on the outside to hold the whole thing closed. I'm personally used to clam-shell backpacks, so packing this one to use on the trail was a little different for me. You have to pack by priority - most used stuff at the top.

Rear view - Canyon 60L Pack
The pouch at the bottom is a great idea - not to say that it's an original one... Separate and waterproofed from the main internal pouch, I use it to carry things that would be wet and dirty. I also keep vacuum sealed first aid equipment in there - I'm not worried about it being damaged by the weight of the pack itself when resting on the ground.

The top flap, that folds over the internal-pouch entrance also has storage on the outside and the inside, where I keep my fire building materials, a camp stove and a buddy burner. On the outside of the top pouch I keep my rain gear - a waterproof coat and the included rain fly. That's another thing about this bag - it comes with a rain fly, and it actually works!

I got caught in the rain, on a trail, on the way back from fishing - it perfectly shed water, after less than a minute of set-up time.

Rain Fly
The other big thing about a bag like this - the fit. At first, this bag really tugged on my shoulders. I had to spend a good 30 minutes fitting and refitting to get a good, solid fit. This could be because of my inexperience with larger bags - or at least bags that have a built in frame. Once it was correctly fitted, and I could give it a walk around the block with a bunch of blankets inside, with no pulling, I buttoned up all the loose straps. A couple strips of black duct tape later and the bag was fitted and nicely tied up.

I would definately reccomend this product to the average hiker - but I'm not sure how it would last on an extended trip. The only reason I reserve that opinion is because I have not personally tested the bag in this way. Otherwise - it's a lot of storage with built in rain protection. A great buy and great value.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Opsgear staff gives tips on emergency preparedness

I am a big fan of opsgear.com they are a hard working lot who provide a wide array of excellent products at quite reasonable prices. But what is really impressing me recently about opsgear even more then what they stock is how involved they are getting with individual customers and the world around them.

I have been browsing and buying from opsgear for a long time and I remember when it was just an online store with a few dvd trailers on a youtube page. I knew nothing of the staff except that they always came through with getting me my order. That has changed

In the last two years Opsgear has given generously to many people in need from wounded veterans from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to the earthquake victim of Haiti to millions of people via free tactical tips

Here are two videos on preparedness courtesy of Opsgear.com these can give you a basic ideas for what to stock in your survival kits.


As always stay ready and stay safe and check out www.opsgear.com
Jorden