The Sparky Bag @ duluthpack.com

If you are a hiker, fisherman, camper, trekker, scout, or even a student or someone who needs a comfortable and conveinent way to carry some stuff, then zone in and read about the Sparky Bag. The Sparky Bag was created by a company in Duluth, MN. Any traveler that has been to Duluth, MN knows that the great outdoors encompasses trees, lakes, rivers, birds of every color and song, wildlife, hunting, picnics, bon-fires, hiking and trails, fishing, cabins, tents, calling loons and soaring eagles, and memories that are only found by exploring and experiencing nature.

In order to enjoy the outdoors, it is important to have equipment that is dependable, durable, efficient, affordable, and mulit-functional. One item that meets the requirements is the Sparky Bag--found at www.duluthpack.com. What an amazing bag! There are testimonies from customers all over the country, bragging about its usefullness. The Sparky Bag is a back pack. It is an 18 ounce bag (17H x 13W x 5D), cleverly made of durable canvas, with a thick layer of leather on the bottom--protecting the bag from wear and tear. The unique and added features are: padded leather shoulder straps--also durable and designed for comfort, dual zippered side pockets, and a leather grab handle--designed to last. Unlike many conventional back packs, the Sparky Bag opens on top like a small suitcase, which unzipps completely, making it easy to load or unload. This is a definite advantage when in a hurry or late for your next class! There are additional tabs and bungee accessories that allow for carrying additional items on the Sparky Bag. Side pockets allow for further storage space and are large enough to carry a thermos or 32 oz. drinking mug or bottle. The Sparky Bag comes in a selection of different colors.

Not only is the Sparky Bag versatile and durable, making it a "feel-good" purchase, it is made in the USA--Duluth, MN to be exact. As seen on their website at www.duluthpack.com, the manufacturing company of the Sparky Bag started its business in 1911. It has been making products geared for durablity since then. This is a relection that the company is successful and accomplished--the Sparky Bag is a product of that success. Each Sparky Bag is handmade and is backed with a lifetime warranty. The craftmanship shows in each Sparky Bag.

Travelers and outdoorsmen have offered up wonderful comments and praises on the use of the Sparky Bag. The ruggedness of the canvas textile and strong leather will last through all types of climates--high heat, terrential rains, high humidity, and fridgid cold. Safety is a dire concern to many outdoorsmen, and the Sparky Bag is like a miniture housing unit for very important and life-saving items and equipment. You can find your Sparky Bag at www.duluthpack.com.


Leather and canvas backpack

Market Tote: Go Green and Reuse your bags

Market Tote: For Men of For Women
The market tote seems like it is advertised to women, and for good reason. It is the tote that doubles as a purse. But does that mean that it is not for men? Certainly not. Let's explore why women love it, then we will delve into why would men love it.

Women find it appropriate for so many of their daily routines. What women need is a place to hold their stuff, wallet and keys. Not all women want or need an over sized purse filled with makeup, but they still need to carry around the basics. But women are not just carrying around dainty items. They are carrying sweaters and books, even a lap top. You can fit all of that and more into the generously sized market tote.

It will carry everything that a women needs to haul around, day in and day out, including all of the baby gear a little tike could hope for. A mom would have no problem fitting diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, bottles, formula and baby food easily into a market tote, and a few toys as well.

It also doubles as a grocery tote bag. Most of us would prefer to use fabric bags over plastic bags for any myriad of of reasons, and this is ideal for that. It is large enough to fit a weeks worth of fresh groceries for a family, including a gallon of milk. You do not need to worry about the durability of the straps, as they are reinforced leather. You could go from one store to another, getting in all of your errands done in one day and fitting all of your purchased goods neatly into this tote. That means one bag to lug in from the car, instead of trip after trip bringing in those plastic bags, worrying that their plastic handles will give way.

So, why would men love this tote as well? They would love it for the same reason that women do. They would probably opt to carry their keys and wallet in their pockets, but they can still use that small compartment for whatever they may need. They can make the adjustable leather straps shorter, and not carry it over their shoulder like a purse, but carry it like a tote.

One might think that a man would opt for the sportsmen tote, and for sure, many would, but the sportsman tote is smaller and more expensive. It has more of a leather reinforcement, structured differently that the leather handles of the market tote. The structure of the sportsman tote and overall look of it might make a man opt for it over the market tote, but there is no reason that men could not get plenty of use out of the market tote as well.



Market Tote Video

Victorinox Swiss Army for Any Occasion

Victorinox swiss army knives are one of the most convenient tools that one can possess. Victorinox swiss army products are well known for their quality and many capable uses. There are a wide variety of victorinox swiss army products to choose from. One of my all time favorite is the victorinox swiss army knife.

There are many choices of victorinox swiss army knives to choose from, depending on your hobbies and life style. Just a small list of the types of knives available, fishing, hunting, survival, rescue, hiking, sailing, golfing, and yes even gardening. You just need to choose the one that has the tools that you think would most come in handy for you.

Camping

Doubling as a great survival knife, and if you love to camp, imagine having a tool capable of fitting in your pocket that can handle many of the tasks or emergencies that might come up while being secluded in the wilderness. Even something as simple as tightening up a loose screw on a pair of glasses can be very convenient.

Traveling

You may not be able to display your victorinox swiss army on your keychain anymore while boarding an airplane, but you can still bring it with you by packing it along with your luggage. Having a victorinox swiss army knife with convenient tools while you are traveling is like having a whole tool kit at your disposal.

Everyday Use

The victorinox swiss army knife doesn't have to be acquired for any one reason. It's unique selection of tools can be used for everyday use. From can openers to tweezers, to scissors, and lighter, it is sure to come in handy for any occasion. You can even find one with a removable USB flash drive that is capable of storing anywhere from 256 MB and up to 16 GB of data.

The new victorinox swiss army knives come in a variety of different colors and sizes. One of my favorite to admire is the Swisschamp. It is 2.5 inches thick and full of cool toys. It has absolutely every tool imaginable.

It seems that the victorinox swiss army knife has multitools beyond imagining. Features such as ballpoint pens, magnifying glass, lighters and more. Instruments such as the knife, saw and scissors remain very sharp. With this knife capable of surviving many years, it just seems like a quality peace to add to your survival gear.

Therm-a-Rest for Great Outdoor Comfort

Therm-a-Rest for Great Outdoor Comfort
For those people who value their rest, even when they spend their nights in the wilderness, the Therm-a-Rest mattress supplies just what the doctor ordered. Therm-a-Rest developed by 2 avid backpackers is a self-inflating camping mattress that is designed by an extremely airtight nylon fabric. The Therm-a-Rest mattress also provides a warmth that no other air mattress can give. As it resists leaks, the user does not have to worry about finding him or herself sleeping on a bumpy ground by morning.

Self Inflated

Have you ever gone camping with an inflatable mattress? Even with a battery operated or manual pump to supply the mattress with air, it's an inconvenience. One of the many benefits of the Therm-a-Rest is that it is self inflatable. You can imagine how convenient this makes an air mattress. You simply draws air into itself. You can adjust the air intake to for a softer mattress or a firmer fill.

Warmth

Besides being self inflatable, it keeps the person sleeping on the Therm-a-Rest mattress warm throughout the night. This is because it is lined with a sheet of low density, polyurethane foam. If you have ever slept a regular inflatable mattress, you may remember that having air underneath you tends to be cold and uncomfortable. Being cold while sleeping outdoors is unacceptable in my book.

Design

The design of the Therm-a-Rest is truly ingenious. Made from an extremely airtight nylon fabric, the inflatable mattress is not only easy to inflate, but also deflate. You simply open the valve and roll it up. As you roll, the air is pushed out the valve. The portability is amazing. Some of these Therm-a-Rest mattresses can be folded or be rolled up to the size of a 1 liter bottle of water, and weighing in at under 15 ounces.

One of my favorite things about camping and sleeping out doors is how wonderfully one sleeps under these conditions. With the convenience of the Therm-a-Rest easy set up, it is no wonder that it is the favorite of many hiking and camping enthusiasts. Along with other important conveniences, keeping warm would be at the top of the list when you are sleeping in the middle of nowhere. The airtight nylon fabric that is wrapped in a low density, open celled polyurethane not only allows the mattress to keep the user warm, but resists a leak hole that might have the camper sleeping on a uneven ground by morning.

therm-a-rest prolite 3 therm-a-rest prolite 4 therm-a-rest dreamtime therm-a-rest pillow
therm-a-rest neoair campmor msr marmot

stormy kromer and ida kromer hat

The outdoorsman needs quality clothes and hats to keep them warm on a cold day. Stormy Kromer sells a line exceptionally warm clothes and hats to keep you warm during the bone-chilling winter months. Stormy Kromer was a semi-pro baseball player and railroad engineer. One morning back in 1903, Stormy asked his wife, Ida, to sew ear flaps on one of this baseball caps to keep him warm. This is how the Stormy Kromer brand all began.

Stormy Kromer makes many different warm outdoor wares. One of those products is the Stormy Kromer hat. One of those hats is called the Original Stormy Kromer Cap and is made from six panels of pre-shrunk, recycled wool. Another hat is called the Rancher Cap and this one is heavy duty cap. Then there is the Waxed Cotton Cap, this cap will protect you even if it’s raining out. Flexible Fit Original cap is another Stormy Kromer hat and is made from six panels of indestructible pre-shrunk wool. For the child outdoorsman there is the LiL’ Kromer Cap, this cap is made with the same craftsmanship as the adult hats. The Flexible Fit Ida Kromer is made for the outdoorswoman. This is a feminine cap with all the same comfort and warmth of the other Stormy Kromer hats. There are some many hats in the stormy Kromer line I can’t name them all.

Stormy Kromer also makes outerwear. One product would be the Stormy Kromer Button Vest. The Button vest is made from 100% virgin wool and will keep any outdoorsman warm. The Stormy Kromer Mackinaw coat is very warm and also made from 100% virgin wool. This coat is made very high in quality and will last a very long time. The Bunkhouse Trousers are made of 80% wool and 20% nylon and come with an adjustable waist. These are heavy duty pants and will last a long time. The Short Jacket is another way to keep warm on those chilly winter days. This jacket is made from 80% wool and 20% nylon.

Shirts are another product that Stormy Kromer makes. One of those shirts is called the Fishin Shirt. This shirt is made from 100% cotton and is imported. Another shirt by Stormy Kromer is the Flannel shirt. This shirt is sure to keep any outdoorsman warm. This flannel shirt is made from 100% brushed cotton and will keep you warm on your camping trip.

Stormy Kromer also make hand wear. One of the gloves that Stormy Kromer makes is called the Deerskin Chopper Mitt. These gloves are made from 100% deerskin and have an acrylic lining. They will keep you warm while performing rugged outdoor activity.


Magnesium Fire Starter

Spyderco Salt I Review

The Spyderco Salt I folding pocket knife comes with a plastic grip with a volcano texturing for added grip in slippery situations. The blade is Japanese steel with some branding courtesy of Spyderco engraved on the blade. The blade has a curved serrated edge with its signature Spyder edge with two serrated points about 2 mm apart and the third being 6 mm apart providing an edge that destroys normal cutting materials. The most prominent feature of this pocket knife is the opening device, a hole in the middle large enough for bulky thumbs and can also act as a blood groove.
Cutting with this knife is a dream through normal cutting materials and the steel blade stays sharp through heavy use. I have used this blade around the house and the blade performed well even when whittling plastic, which can really put a bind on cutting power. The knife additionally performed well in the field when used to open a steel can of condensed milk. While folding knives usually feel like just that, this blade has the feeling of a fixed blade even when piercing the can. The Spyderco Salt I performed remarkably in the cutting portion of field testing.
The knife fits the hand well with an ergonomic natural feel and opening and closing the knife feels equally natural even with extended use. The raised angled backside of the blade gives extra support especially when shaving wood or other materials with a secure area to rest my thumb and direct the blade. There is one concession for this blade that I must discuss although this problem seems to be indicative of a serrated blade and that is making a smooth cut. The serrated edge leaves different indentions in materials so a straight blade is needed for these instances.
Durability with the Spyderco Salt I is exceptional. After three months of excessive use the knife continues to open and close correctly and the blade is still true. It passed the dishwasher test and came out clean as a whistle. After applying a little oil it went straight back into my pocket. The serrated edges have come down in height some and sharpening serrated blades changes the cut dramatically but this is another setback of serrated blades. The knives cutting ability has depreciated over time but still performs well. I recommend this knife to anyone looking for a basic pocket knife for daily use.
The Spyderco Salt I knife is a durable, lightweight knife ideal for every day use. It is actually lighter than most others in its class and consistently performs well in spite of this. Other than the normal setbacks of serrated blades there are not many complaints from my end and I am still amazed at the folding mechanism.

Get Smart: The Efficiency of SmartWool

In my case, in the environment that I reside, it's difficult to find wool products that are both comfortable, soft to the touch, odor resistant, and natural. I love the look and feel of wool, however nowadays it's difficult to find a product that is versatile, eco-friendly, and high quality. This is what makes SmartWool unique.

The use of merino wool makes clothing products much softer to the touch and against your skin, which is why I love SmartWool. I want to ability to wear wool in Florida, and with the inconsistency of the weather, it’s always good to have a light fleece or jacket for those unpredictable days. I have a few must haves in the closet that I use on a weekly basis, those being the microweight tank that is perfect for layering and working out in the gym. The greatest aspect about this shirt, well to be honest, I can wear it with dressy pants or workout yoga pants and no one knows it’s outdoor apparel for sport.

Let’s not forget those super cool and colorful Saturnsphere socks that keep your feet dry, soft and comfy, and stylish at the same time. Every year for Christmas my sisters and I get a pair of these socks as a stocking stuffer and our tradition is to all wear them to dinner, and all day for that matter. However, I do tend to stray from tradition and wear them all year round when I work out and, when I run out of trouser socks to wear with my knee high boots, I put a pair on to keep my feet dry and cool.

Now, you have to keep in mind the reasons why you are purchasing SmartWool and how you will use the product when you receive it. If you’re a skier, and let’s face it, this company was founded by two ski instructors Peter and Patty Duke which was acquired by Timberland Company in 2005; this is one of the best companies to find products for your trips. In fact, I think I have purchased over 10 jackets in the last 4 years from them for Christmas and birthday presents. My mom loves the Foothills Full Zip Jacket, and she wears it almost year round up in the UP of Michigan.

The lightweight material, natural moisture wicking, and the odor-reducing, anti-microbial properties make this product unrivaled, providing extreme sports enthusiasts a great product, while still allowing sports enthusiasts and consumers the same kind of quality for everyday use.

The evolution of this product takes great care and requires the highest quality checks to ensure that you are getting the best piece of apparel. As a consumer, you can be rest assured that you are purchasing a product of high quality which has a much lower impact on the environment.