You and Your Pack: Best Buddies

There are a wide range of backpacks to sort through as you decide on what best suits your needs. There are backpacks for cyclists, day hikers, thru-hikers, and mountaineering enthusiasts. It is important that you are fitted properly and heading comfortably down the trail or road with your backpack.

This week I will be comparing the Osprey Talon 33 and the Rugger by Mountain Hardware from facts to personal experience.


Osprey Talon 33 (M/L)

-Holds 33 cubic liters of capacity

-Soft internal from that fits comfortably around
 the back without giving up support for heavier
 packing

- Hip and sternum support straps for adjustments

-Dual ice axe loops come with bungee tool tie-offs,
 letting you lash extra gear outside

- Water reservoir compartment between the frame
  and the main storage pouch. This can hold a
  bladder up to 200 ounces that is made up of
  stretchable material that is both water and dirt
  resistant

-Front and side stretch-woven pockets are ideal for
 jacket, helmet or other often-used gear

-2 lbs.

-24 x 10 x 7 inches

-Nylon

-Retail price is $129.00



Osprey Warranty

-The awesome thing about Osprey's warranty is the
 no questions asked guarantee on all their packs no
 matter the age of where you it was purchased– The
 Osprey All Mighty Guarantee. Pretty
 awesome, right?

Rugger by Mountain Hardware

-Day pack

-22 liter pack

-Built in compartment for hydration that can fit a 100
 ounce reservoir

-Adjustable sternum and hip straps (detachable)

-Main storage compartment to fit gear for a day hiker or
 books for a student

-Secondary compartment with pockets to keep those small
 items in place

-Fleece lined pockets keep electronics from getting wet

-Nylon

-2 lbs. 4 oz.

-19 x 13 x 8 in

-Retail Price is $69.95



Mountain Hardware Warranty

-Mountain Hardware guarantees that the materials and workmanship
in their products will stand up to the use for which they were designed.
This warranty does not cover damage caused by improper care, accident
or the natural breakdown of materials. Products should be returned for
evaluation and will be repaired or replaced at their discretion. Damages
due to improper care or accident will be repaired at a reasonable rate.
Mountain Hardware only covers products that have failed in the line of
duty due to a manufacturing defect. The warranty does not apply to
exchanges of any kind.

Personal Review:

Jessica: "You use both of these packs on a regular basis. What is your personal
             opinion of the Osprey Talon 33?"

Gatsby: "Overall the Osprey Talon 33 offers a lot of features for its size. While
              only at 33 liters, it's still possible to pack for a multi day back packing
              adventure. I also use it for a day pack; it's lightweight and not as
              cumbersome as my other interior framed backpacks. I am a minimalist,
              so I love how versatile the pack is!"

Jessica: "Tell me what you use on your way into work everyday and mountain biking."

Gatsby: "The Rugger. This is an extremely durable pack! I use it nearly every single
             day of the year since the summer of 2010! What is really cool about this pack
             is how well it translates from the trail to the urban sprawl. It fits comfortably
             in the middle of my back which is really nice for my bike commute to work."


          

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

 

 

 

Taking to the Water: Willow Vs. Squamish

Being a proud owner of a kayak is exciting, but before purchasing a kayak it is important to know which one is right for you. There are a few questions that need to be answered first: What activities will you be doing? How much do you want to spend? What can you handle in the water?

This week Current Designs Willow and Squamish will go face to face; two different British touring kayaks from the same well-known brand. Touring kayaks are able to handle a wide range of water conditions and cover a lot of water in a short period of time. From numbers to personal opinions you will get to know Willow and Squamish very well thanks to my friends at Ridgebridge Farm. The only thing you will have left to do is to go test them out for yourselves at your local kayak dealer.

                   
-Willow                                                                                   

-One person seating inside(padded)

-Carry Handles

-Deck rigging

-Foot braces

-Skeg

- Hull: V-Shaped

-Material: Fiberglass

-Hatch location: Bow, center & stern

-Dimensions:

-Length: 15.5ft.

-Width: 22in.

-Weight: 45lbs.

-Weight capacity: 275lbs

-Cockpit: 29 x 16 inches


-Retail price: $3,199.00

 

-Squamish

-One person seating inside(padded)

-Carry Handles

-Deck rigging

-Foot braces

-Skeg

- Hull: V-Shaped

-Material: Thermoplastic

-Hatch location: Bow & stern


-Dimensions:

-Length: 15.67ft

-Width: 23in.

-Weight: 54 lbs.

-Weight capacity: 250lbs.

-Cockpit: 29 x 16 inches


- Retail price: $1,299.00



 As you can see the Willow and Squamish have all of the same standard features. They do differ in some areas of dimension. Willow being slightly smaller all around makes for easier handle in the water. If you are a newbie this will be ideal for you, but as experience is gained over time Squamish would be a great advance. When the owners of the kayaks, Karen and Skip, take the kayaks out Karen usually takes the Willow because it is easier to handle and turn because she is smaller. Although they love both of them, after time you have personal preferences. Hatch access is easier on the Willow because they are easier to open on the water, unlike the straps on the Squamish. The Squamish does perform better in rougher and open waters because it's longer with more stability.

Another difference is the material. Willow is made of fiberglass (glass-reinforced-plastic) and Squamish is made of plastic. What's the difference? Good question! I was hoping you would ask. Material matters and it is important to know why. Thermoplastic is the cheapest and most common material used. It can take a beating against rocks and more aggressive adventures. Fiberglass is very expensive (note the Willow retail price) because it requires hand work. It damages more easily than plastic, but is great for fast speeds and better performance. So basically this brings you back to the question: What kind of activities will you be doing in your new kayak?