SOG SOGfari Tanto Machete

Today we have a great tool that can be used fro camping, hiking, or just about any outdoor adventure. It is a brand new tool from SOG and its called the SOGfari Tanto Machete. The length of the blade is 10" and it features a textured rubber grip that feels very nice in the hand. SOG already makes a regular SOGfari machete but this is the first time they have created a tanto version of the machete. Here is a close up look at this cool machete:

As you can see, it has a really cool look to it. After using it for a few weeks now, I have been very impressed with the sharpness of the blade for an extended period of time. It comes very sharp out of the package and holds an edge very well. I see no signs of dulling after many uses. Here are some links where you can go to check out more specifications of this compact but powerful tool:

http://www.sogknives.com/sogfari-machete-tanto-10.html

http://www.knifecenter.com/item/SOGMC04N/SOG-SOGfari-Sawback-Tanto-Machete-10-inch-Carbon-Steel-Blade-Kraton-Handles

Thanks for checking out today's product and check back in the near future for even more outdoor products!

Snow Peak Giga Power 2 Way Torch

We've got a really cool product to look at today. Its called the Giga Power 2 Way Torch and it is made by Snow Peak. It is a torch that can be used with any kind of backpacking fuel canister. It is recommended to use the snow peak Giga Power fuel, but it can be used with any brand of fuel. It can be used to start fires and can even put out enough heat to dry out some wet logs. If you want to start a fire quick and easy without having to use multiple matches, the Giga Power 2 Way Torch is a product you need. It is started by simply twisting on the fuel valve and lighting a match over the end. Here are some pictures of what this torch looks like:

This product can be found at a variety of online stores and retail locations including backcountry.com, snow peak.com, and some others websites. Here are the links to those websites where you can read a little more about this cool fire starting device:

http://www.backcountry.com/snow-peak-gigapower-2-way-torch

http://www.snowpeak.com/gigapower-2way-torch-gt-100.html

You can also watch numerous videos about this torch on YouTube and actually see it in action. With a price around $39.95, this product is very affordable. As with any Snow Peak product, you are getting a very high quality material meant to last in the toughest conditions. Snow Peak is a very cool company that makes some of the highest quality backpacking and camping cooking equipment on the market.

Thanks for checking out today's product and please come back tomorrow for another great piece of outdoor gear. Also, check out my You Tube channel (mbtennis17) for some videos on many outdoor products.

Black Diamond Revolt Headlamp

Today I am going to be looking at the Black Diamond Revolt headlamp. This headlamp is really cool because it runs on either regular alkaline AAA batteries or the included
rechargeable NiMH batteries. It also puts out a whopping 110 lumens. To recharge the headlamp, simply put in the NiMH batteries and plug it into a USB power source. This is a really cool feature on a headlamp so you dont have to always worry about bringing along extra batteries. It comes in a variety of colors also. Here are some more features for this headlamp:

Chart of maximum output in different light modes

• Pop the NiMH batteries in the ReVolt, connect the included micro USB cable and start charging from any USB power source, such as a solar panel, laptop or car power port
• Headlamp features a TriplePower LED that outputs up to 110 lumens? and throws a beam up to 70m when powered by AAA alkaline batteries
• TriplePower LED outputs 90 lumens? and illuminates objects up to 66m away when powered by AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries
• 2 SinglePower white LEDs? and 2 SinglePower red LEDs? output 25 lumens?and throw a beam up to 9m with alkaline batteries and 8m with NiMH batteries
• Dimmer switch lets you choose the light output needed for the task at hand, from a blazing 110 lumens? down to 4 lumens?
• Use the red LEDs? to preserve night vision while hanging out at camp or making your way down the trail; red light mode activates without having to cycle through white mode
• Use the strobe? function to flash red or white light to signal for help  
  
• 3-level power meter shows how much battery life is remaining
• Alkaline batteries provide up to 70 hrs. of use with the TriplePower LED on high and 300 hrs. with the TriplePower LED on low
• NiMH batteries provide up to 12 hrs. of use with the TriplePower LED on high and 190 hrs. with the TriplePower LED on low
• Recharge the NiMH batteries without removing them from the headlamp; simply plug the included USB cable into the headlamp and a USB power source
• Lock mode prevents the Black Diamond ReVolt headlamp from accidentally being turned on while in your backpack
• IPX4? water-resistant construction delivers reliability in inclement weather
• Black Diamond ReVolt headlamp comes with 3 AAA alkaline batteries, 3 AAA NiMH batteries and a micro USB cable for recharging the NiMH batteries; wall plug not included

You can find this headlamp at a variety of outdoor stores and websites. Here are a couple of places where you can purchase and find out more information on this cool headlamp:

http://www.rei.com/product/840008/black-diamond-revolt-headlamp

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en-us/shop/mountain/lighting/revolt-

headlamp

I hope you enjoyed today's Outdoor Product of the Day and check back tomorrow for the next product.

Marmot Pulsar 2 Tent

The Marmot Pulsar 2 is one of Marmot's newest and lightest tents. It weighs it at around 3 pounds 14 ounces and has one door with a single 8 sq ft vestibule. It's a really cool tent with a unique shape that maximizes space at the foot of the tent. It's very roomy and plenty big for 2 people plus some gear. Here are some more features of this tent:

• 1 large side door and 1 shared vestibule? help keep the Pulsar tent weight low
• Mesh canopy walls circulate air and offer exceptional views on warm, clear nights
• DAC Featherlite® NSL dual-diameter poles are super lightweight yet strong, and are annodized without the use of harmful acids; rear brow pole extends headroom
• Reverse-foot pole design creates additional room at foot and head so you don't feel cramped at either end
• Color-coded, easy-pitching poles and clips simplify setup
• Catenary cut floor provides a tight pitch with reduced weight; seam-taped bathtub floor maintains waterproofness
• Rainfly vent allows air to circulate throughout tent
• Lightweight, durable ripstop nylon rainfly has silicone and polyurethane coatings for waterproof protection and UV resistance         

• Reflective guyout points enhance nighttime visibility
• Inside pockets store and organize small gear inside the Marmot Pulsar 2 tent
• As a convenient option, poles and rainfly can be set up with the footprint (sold separately) to create a lightweight shelter

This tent is a great new tent that is super lightweight and ready for any adventure. Be sure to check out videos and more reviews on one of these sites:

http://marmot.com/products/pulsar_2p?p=118

http://www.rei.com/product/845862/marmot-pulsar-2-tent

Thanks for checking out this cool tent and come back tomorrow for a brand new Outdoor Product of the Day.

Mountain Hardwear Mountain Speed 32

Today I am going to review one of the lightest, most compact sleeping bags on the market. It's the Mountain Hardwear Mountain Speed 32 sleeping bag. It was designed for alpinist Ueli Steck for his expeditions. Mountain Hardwear has an entire Ueli Steck collection that you can check out on http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Ueli-Steck-Collection/ueliProject,default,sc.html The one downside of this sleeping bag would have to be its price. At around $480, this is a bit steep for a sleeping bag.

This sleeping bag only weighs 1 pound exactly and is fill with 850 goose down. It also packs down to a 5 x 8 stuff sack size and comes with a stuff sack. This is the lightest and most compact sleeping bag I could find on the market and is great for backpackers that need to cut down on weight and space. I strongly recommend this sleeping bag and I will be purchasing it myself very soon. Here are some features of this cool bag :

• Q.Shield™ advance water repellency technology protects individual down fibers from moisture so they retain loft and insulation properties; Q.Shield won't wear off
• Insulated with lightweight and compressible Q.Shield 850-fill-power? goose down, blended and lab-certified in the United States
• Performance mummy cut features a snug overall fit that positions the down insulation close to the body, maximizing warmth and minimizing weight without restrictiveness
• Nylon shell is lightweight and tear resistant; fabric is treated with a Durable Water Repellent? finish to repel moisture
• Tight 5-in. baffle spacing keeps down from shifting and prevents cold spots
• Insulated draft tube extends to bottom of bag to eliminate cold spots
• Multi-baffled, tailored hood lies close along the sides of neck and face for easy warmth
• Ergonomic collar drapes comfortably over neck and shoulders, sealing out drafts; no need to cinch it unless it's close to bag's temperature limits
• When it's cold enough to cinch down hood, face gasket makes hood closure more comfortable and effective
• Comfort footbox is shaped to allow feet to rest naturally; shape preserves loft and allows insulation to drape close to feet for more warmth
• Half-length zipper enhances weight savings; snag guards keep fabric from catching in zipper
• Mountain Hardwear Mountain Speed sleeping bag comes with a stuff sack and a storage bag

This bag can be purchased at a variety of retailers. Here are a few places you can buy it:

http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Mtn-Speed™-32 %28Regular%29/OU8519,default,pd.html

http://www.rei.com/product/846738/mountain-hardwear-mountain-speed-sleeping-bag

Thanks for reading about todays product and check back every day for the next installment of Outdoor Product of the Day.

UCO Arka Rechargeable Lantern

Today I want to talk about a really cool LED lantern made by UCO. Not only does this lantern double as a lantern and a flashlight, it also charges your electronics via a USB port. I have never seen this feature on any lantern I've seen. It is a really cool feature to include on a lantern; however, the only problem I would envision would be how long the battery could charge a cell phone and also function as a lantern. UCO claims this lantern can pump out a very bright 180 lumens and also charge a cell phone up to 2 times. If this is true, this is a really cool product I am definitely going to purchase. Here are some additional features of this lantern:

• High-quality Cree XP-G R3 LED provides adjustable brightness up to 180lumens? to illuminate your campsite
• Slide the frosted globe up to diffuse the light for use as a lantern or slide it down for use as a flashlight; throws a beam up to 75m (250 ft.) when used as a flashlight
• Built-in, rechargeable 4AH lithium-ion battery doubles as a charging station for your USB devices, such as a phone, camera, flashlight or GPS (sold separately)
• Recharge the lantern battery using the included 100 - 240V charger and USB cable; recharge your devices using their respective USB cables
• 3 red LEDs? can be used to help preserve your night vision or signal for help
• Glow-in-the-dark on/off switch makes the lantern simple to find and operate at night
• LED indicator light displays the battery level and the charging status
• Use the convenient split ring on top to easily hang the lantern inside your tent
• Legs fold out to make the lantern more stable on the ground or picnic table
• UCO Akra LED rechargeable lantern has an IPX6? water-resistance rating to ensure operation in inclement weather

Here is a link to watch the video and purchase this cool lantern:

http://www.rei.com/product/851552/uco-arka-led-rechargeable-lantern#ooid=oybHBtYTq0F6cBNcna-lxH2ka0RxOsyX

Osprey Hornet 46

Today we are going to take a closer look at one of Osprey's newest packs, the Hornet 46. This is an ultralight backpacking pack with a maximum capacity of 46 liters. I happen to own this pack and I think it is an amazing pack. It has so many pockets and neat features like the mesh pockets on the side. I strongly recommend this pack and it only weighs a little more than a pound. Here are some more specific features and specifications on this pack:

• Ventilated and supportive BioStretch™ harness incorporates mesh-covered, slotted foam for breathability; hipbelt cinches with easy forward ErgoPull™ movement
• Vertically adjustable sternum strap slides up and down the harness for adjustable fit and comfort
• Spacer-mesh back panel is lightweight and features a removable foam pad
• Modified frameless design features 2 Delrin thermoplastic side rods and an HDPE framesheet for support and load transfer
• Removable top lid features a mesh map pocket and key clip on the bottom
• Spacious main compartment features a sleeve and exit port for a hydration reservoir (sold separately)

• Front stretch-mesh pocket features reflective accents for enhanced visibility in low light; it's ideal for carrying often used and bulky items
• Cord tie-off points let you lash trekking poles or other tools to the front of the pack; side stretch-mesh pockets and zippered hipbelt pockets hold water bottles and snacks
• Along with the ultralight side compression straps, an adjustable overskirt compression strap extends from the front stretch pocket to reduce pack volume and stabilize the load
• The Osprey Hornet 46 pack is made of lightweight, durable 70-denier? triple ripstop nylon and 100-denier? shadow check nylon

It is sold in a variety of stores nation and worldwide. Here are a few places you can find out more information and purchase the Osprey Hornet 46. Thanks for viewing today's product and check back tomorrow for the next segment of Outdoor Product of the Day.

http://www.rei.com/product/828406/osprey-hornet-46-pack

http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/group/superlight/hornet_series

http://www.backcountry.com/osprey-packs-hornet-46-backpack-2640-2760cu-in

REI Flex Lite Chair

The REI is a brand new, ultralight camp chair that uses the same poles as a tent. The chair has one pole that converts easily into a chair frame. The poles are DAC ultralight poles which are the same poles used by many ultralight tent companies. The chair fabric itself is made of a strong fabric that is very comfortable to sit in. The only downside I have found to this chair is its size. It sits a little low but this is because it has to cut out the weight of the legs to achieve its super lightweight. It also comes in 4 cool colors: black, blue, orange, and yellow. It is a super comfortable chair and comes in several different colors. Here are the exact features and specifications of the chair:

• Chair sets up quickly and easily using a DAC aluminum frame similar to the design found in many lightweight tents; features a stable 4-leg design

• Center seat panels use nylon mono mesh that dries quickly and allows moisture to drain

• Fabric seat provides support

• REI Trail Flex Lite chair packs up into the included stuff sack for easy storage and transportation

There are a couple other chairs on the market similar to this chair (A-Lite Mantis) but this chair is not as expensive as the others. REI has done a great job in making a chair that is ultralight and affordable.

REI is the exclusive dealer of this chair so here is the link where you go and purchase this chair and also watch a video about this great piece of gear:

http://www.rei.com/product/829239/rei-flex-lite-chair

I hope you have enjoyed this review and be sure to check out another piece of gear tomorrow.

Bio Lite Campstove

Today's product is relatively new to the market and can only be found in a few places. This product is basically a wood burning campstove that uses heat from the fire to charge electronics via a USB cable. The only fuel needed to power the stove is small twigs. There is a fan built in that allows air to circulate thus creating and maintaining a larger, stronger fire. It is almost like a mini furnace. It will burn sticks in no time and this heat is transferred back into the orange power module creating energy to charge your devices. I will list all the features below but being an owner of this product, I have to say I am really impressed by the capabilities of this stove. I boiled a pot of water in about 4 minutes and meanwhile charged my iPhone battery about 5 percent. That is around 1 percent of battery a minute. That is pretty good for a device that is not plugged into anything. Another benefit of this stove is that you don't have to deal with butane mix fuel canisters. This stove puts out much less carbon emissions that a normal backpacking stove like the MSR Pocket Rocket. I will say there is only one downside to this stove: THE WEIGHT. Weighing in at around 2.1 pounds, it is a little heavy for a stove. But the weight doesn't come close to making you not buy this product. I think almost anyone would sacrifice a pound for a charged cell phone or light. Here are the specific features of the stove:

• There's no need to buy or carry heavy fuel canisters with this stove—simply collect twigs during your journey and burn them when you get to camp
• Using patent-pending thermoelectric technology, the stove converts heat to electricity that charges an internal battery and powers a fan to increase the efficiency of the fire
• Extra electricity can be used to charge small electronics like cell phones, headlamps and rechargeable batteries via the USB port; devices and charging cables sold separately
• For an Apple iPhone® 4S, 20 min. of charging with a strong fire gives you about 60 min. of talk time; charging times vary by device as well as by the strength of the fire
• During a full burn, the CampStove can boil 1 liter of water in as little as 4 min. 30 sec.; place your pot or pan on the built-in pot support
• Like a campfire, you can sit around the CampStove and watch the flames dance while you roast marshmallows and spend time with friends
• Twigs from hardwood trees, like oak, maple and hickory, will burn hottest and cleanest; choose wood that's dry, and avoid burning leaves, as they can be smoky
• CampStove can also burn wood pellets (available at many home and garden stores) if you're camping in a spot where you're not allowed to collect twigs or trees aren't present
• BioLite CampStove weighs about 2 lbs.and is about the same size as a 1-liter Nalgene water bottle; power module stows inside the fuel chamber when the stove is not in use
• Anodized-aluminum legs create a stable platform for cooking; legs fold in for compact storage when you're done making dinner
• CampStove's starter battery helps kick-start the fire before the stove begins generating its own power so it's best to charge the battery for 2 - 4 hrs. before leaving home
• BioLite CampStove comes with firestarter, stuff sack, USB cord for charging the internal battery and instructions for use; does not include a cable for charging devices

Here are the sites where you can buy this stove:

http://www.biolitestove.com

http://www.rei.com/product/846334/biolite-wood-burning-campstove

I hoped you enjoy my review of this product and be sure to check back tomorrow for the Outdoor Product of the Day!

Goal Zero Rock Out Portable Speaker

Today I am reviewing a product made by Goal Zero called the Rock Out Portable Speaker.Goal Zero is a brand that makes solar panels, rechargeable batteries, and other portable power products.   One of their products that caught my eye was the Rock Out Portable Speaker. This is a great speaker and the sound quality is excellent in such a small package. I was surprised with the sound quality. It sounds very good and the sound fills the room that you are in. It has bass also so it really feels like you are surrounded with multiple speakers. It also comes in various colors. Here are some of the features found on the speaker:

• Wooden sound box and bass speakers deliver a full range of high-quality sound
• Zippered opening has room to store music player inside for protection
• Power indicator lets you know when the speaker is on or if the rechargeable battery is receiving a charge through the USB port
• Purchase multiple speakers and link them together for even more powerful sound
• Easily hang the Goal Zero Rock Out Portable Speaker from a pack, bike stem or belt with the cinchable shock cord

This speaker can be found at a variety of places including REI and the Goal Zero Website. The links of the websites will be listed below:

http://www.rei.com/product/814770/goal-zero-rock-out-portable-speaker

http://www.goalzero.com/rockout.html

I hope you have enjoyed reading about this cool product and please check back tomorrow for the next Outdoor Product of the Day.

How It Works

This blog is going to be an easy way for camping, hiking, backpacking, and many other types of outdoor enthusiasts to find cool products without having to search the web for hours. I am going to post a cool, innovative outdoor related product almost everyday for you to read the review and maybe even purchase.