Product Reviews

Paddles

Aquabound Carbon Tripper: A solid all around paddle that is light-weight and easy on your shoulders.

Bell Northwind Bent Shaft: I bought this paddle for my significant other. For some unknown reason she still likes to use a straight shaft.

Bending Branches Tailwind: This was the first kayak paddle I ever bought. I have since sold it, but some days, I miss it.

Bending Branches Viper: I had the chance topaddle the prototype of this unique paddle, and I was impressed. Mostly . . .

Mitchell Touring Special: This paddle has been in my quiver for the last few years, and has turned out to be my second favorite straight shaft paddle.

ZRE Lightweight: I can't think of a single improvement needed on this paddle. Eight ounces of pure pleasure.

Books, Videos, and Movies

Review: Build Your Own Sea Kayak by Bob Boucher: A review of Bob Boucher's video Build Your Own Sea Kayak. If you're interested in building a skin-on-frame, this video is for you.

Music for Paddling or Building Boats: Yep, I'm a little passionate about music. I love to listen to it even when I'm miles from home in the middle of nowhere, and here are some of my favorite albums. If you only buy one album this year, make it one off of this list and you won't be disappointed.

Reviews of Boat Building Books: Concise reviews of 19, count them, 19 boat building books. This list will get you started building boats of your own. It's easy just check out my building log for my latest kayak.

Make Your Own Inuksuk Review: Make Your Own Inuksuk by Mary Wallace reviewed.

Woodcraft and Camping by Nessmuk: The ultra classic camping book that sparked the article that sparked this site.

Some of My Favorite Books: Here is a short list of a few of the books that I love.

Tight Squeeze: An all female whitewater video.

iRiver i799: This mp3 player happens to be one of the best for paddlers wanting to bring music with them on their next trip.

Waterfilters

Katadyn Hiker: My first filter, which has seen over 2000 miles of use, still serves me well.

MSR Mini-Works: A solid but slow hand pump filter that you can clean while in the woods.

MSR Miox: A slightly quirky device that works great after you figure out a system of bottle rotation.

Tents

Big Agnes Seedhouse 2 SL: The specs look great, the weight is right, and Big Agnes has made the problems right. Is this now the perfect sub four pound tent?

Sleeping Bags

The North Face Cat's Meow: A classic sleeping bag that continues to serve many adventures.

MountainSmith Wisp: Darn close to the perfect sleeping bag, if I could get the smell out.

Portage Packs

Duluth Pack Northwoods: As solid as they get. Classic in canvas, but make sure to get a custom hip belt.

Bell Pioneer Pack: A massive flap with a built in pocket is only one of the great features of this pack.

Vaude Hobb Creek: The Hobb Creek first built for canyoneering and spelunking makes its way to Minnesota. How does it stack up?

Clothing

Review Terramar Transport Micro-Mesh T-Shirt: A review of one of the best T-shirts in the world. The Terramar Transport Micro-Mesh T-Shirt is reviewed.

Camping Toys

Moleskine Notebooks and Cahiers: These lightweight high quality notebooks and cahiers are about the best that money can buy and perfect for keeping a journal on while on a trip.

Brunton Firelight: Sort of cool, sort of expensive; it still doesn't replace a plain old BIC in my pack.

Granite Gear Thwart Bag: Do you find the bilge of your canoe full of lose gear, then this bag is for you.

Bell Padded Seat Cover: Not a fan of Crazy Creek chairs, then this little pad will be music to your tush.

Crazy Creek Canoe Chair: It's hard to review a chair that is now known world wide, but how does it stack up to newer brands and models.

Building Supplies

Review: System Three Metlweld: When Charles E. Campbell built his Wigeon sailing canoe he found out that many of the small metal parts he needed for the rig weren't available, so he had to make his own. In the process he tried System Three's Metlweld.

Canoes and Kayaks

How to Pick a Bell Solo Canoe: Having worked for a Bell Canoe Works retailer for seven years, I was asked this question often. I'll give you an easy to follow explanation of which canoe to load up and take home.

Bell Wildfire: A favorite canoe of mine and many other writers, such as Cliff Jacobson. I'll tell you why.

Bell Magic: In an interview, David Yost, the designer of this canoe, said that he keeps one in his backyard chained to a tree. And you will also, because if you don't this canoe is so fast it will get away.

Freedom 17: I built this canoe with cedar-strip construction, but Bluewater makes it in kevlar. This is one of the best canoes I've paddled.

Dagger Blackwater 11.5 and 12.5: Two popular recreational kayaks that I happen to enjoy.

Stoves and Cooking Gear

Review: Orikaso Fold Flat Bowl:A review of an innovative new product designed to help save weight in the kitchen, a place where saving weight is needed.

MSR Whisperlite Int: A stove that has served me for many years and many miles. What more could you need?

Martill Hot Shot: A little canister stove that manages to cook quickly.

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