Your backpack is your closest companion on the trail. From our perspective, that means a comfortable fit with ample room for all of your gear isn’t optional, it’s mandatory. Enter the Manta and Mira hydration packs from Osprey, winner of the Editors’ Choice Award for meeting our standards of quality, utility, value, and excellence. Redesigned for 2013 to provide greater comfort, stability and storage, this series isn’t just impressive, it’s our new adventure BFF.
Rushing rivers and tireless tropical storms aren’t the only adversary for adventure travelers. Damp foliage, sea spray, mud and even unexpected downpours can wreak havoc on regular backpacks and destroy or ruin whatever electronics or gear you’re packing along.
Whether you’re taking that once in a lifetime adventure in monsoon ridden Malaysia, or looking for a pack that can handle your next Stand Up Paddleboard adventure, Outdoor Products Amphibian Weather Defense Backpack may be the right fit for you.
“Life is adventure, not predicament.” – James Broughton
Whether tackling backcountry trails, riding through mountain towns, or picking your way through a busy terminal, life is indeed an adventure. Yet, in the midst of a difficult economy many outdoor enthusiasts have found themselves in a predicament. While nature beckons with a lifetime of cost-free adventures, paying for the gear necessary to meet those adventures can prove to be difficult.
Since their founding, Outdoor Products® has built their business around the philosophy of quality and value, which serves as the driving force behind the design of products built to meet the test of any outdoor adventure. For outdoor enthusiasts seeking a pack that is as affordable as it is versatile and durable, the Gama Internal Frame backpack delivers an impressive bang for the buck.
In an industry dominated by the male perspective, it’s always refreshing when a company takes time to craft a product designed specifically for the mountainista. As part of their new line of adventure packs, Columbia has released the women’s specific Vixen. Like its male specific counter parts, the Treadlite and Endura, the Vixen is designed specifically to provide freedom to roam fast and light without compromising on comfort or features.
So when the company offered our Gumption Gals the opportunity to test the Vixen backpack we jumped at the chance. Continue Reading
“Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted.” — George Kneller
As Columbia will readily admit, there was a time not that long ago when the company had settled into a comfortable niche of merely cramming apparel and gear into big department stores. Thankfully for outdoor enthusiasts that is no longer the case as Columbia is once again on a creative quest re-examining what they once did with fresh eyes. The result is a wave of product and technology launches resulting in gear that will satisfy the unbridled hunger for adventure that rests within each of us.
Built upon the Platypus heritage of well-designed hydration systems, the Origin series of packs marks Platypus’ foray into the world of hydration backpacks.
The smallest of the Origin line-up, the Origin 3.0 Hydration Pack provides the outdoor enthusiast the ability to carry up to 2 liters of liquid refreshment and still have storage space – 183 cubic inches worth – for keys, nutritional supplies or any other goodies you may want for your trek.
Similar to its larger sized siblings, comfort and durability are at the foundation of the Origin series of packs. The contoured fit of the Origin 3.0 is designed to support aerobic activity. The BioCurve ventilated backpanel conforms to your movements while allowing air to flow freely between you and the pack. The padded ergonomic shoulder straps provide comfort without compromising maneuverability. Both the BioCurve backpanels and the shoulder straps are overlayed with a soft, stretch-woven fabric that provides next to skin comfort and surprising durability.
Constructed from 200D nylon and treated with a urethane laminate for a waterproof finish, the Origin 3.0’s got your back when the sun fades behind those dark clouds and Mother Nature turns on the water works. Add to that welded, water-resistant zippers and heat-taping on all critical seams, and the Origin 3 is ready to handle the toughest of adventures.
If it is variety and function that you crave, the Origin 22.20 from Platypus is a veritable feast. Appetites are satisfied with jaw-dropping waterproof, 10,000mm-coated fabrics, welded, all-weather zippers, heat-taped seams and 1342 cubic inches of gear space.
In redesigning the hydration pack the Cascade Design Team took a streamlined approach providing exactly what you need and nothing you don’t to keep things light and simple. The main compartment is large enough to gobble up all the gear necessary for minimalist overnights at the beach or peak-bragging day trips.
For all the small essentials you want at your fingertips the minimalist approach of the Origin 22.20 hydration pack doesn’t short change you on storage options. Two zippered waist pockets and two stretch sleeve side pockets along with an internal mesh organizer pocket provide a plenty of storage options. Moreover the stretch sleeve side pockets blend in seamlessly with the rest of the pack and remain tight keeping the streamlined profile of the pack intact.
Edward C. Steadman once said, “One must spend time in gathering knowledge to give it out richly.”
If experience brings wisdom, then Columbia Sportswear’s 70+ years of experience in the outdoor industry means they should know a thing or ten about making great outdoor gear. As such, when Columbia offered the Gumption Gear team an opportunity to review their Spring 2012 line-up of versatile new backpacks the answer was an easy – YES!
Columbia’s new series of backpacks – the Treadlite 22, the Women’s Vixen 22 – designed specifically for women – and the Endura 50 is an ample demonstration of the Company’s new direction: Attitude and Innovation.
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.