Kayaking Facts

Although kayaking an extremely popular outdoor activity, not many are aware about its underlying facts. There are several interesting features that never fail to surprise kayaking enthusiasts. Knowing some of the finer details would definitely help kayakers in developing a holistic view of kayaking.

1. The origin of kayaking can be traced to the freezing land of the Arctic at the North Pole. The Inuits first began to practice kayaking for hunting fish and seals and the kayak was their only medium of traversing the icy waters. The current form of kayaking has been modeled upon the Inuit style of kayaking. Sea kayaking was the first form of kayaking to be practiced followed by the whitewater kayaking much later.

2. By the beginning of the 20th century the popularity of kayaking grew so much that it was recognized as a formal surface water sport. In 1936 it became a part of the Olympics and has since then has undergone radical transformation.

3. Also, the two main types of kayaks are the solo kayaks that accommodate one paddler while the tandem kayaks accommodate two paddlers. In a few rare instances, some tandem kayaks even accommodate three paddlers together.

4. Many kayakers feel that the sit-on-top kayak model is a newly designed type of kayak. However, this is a common misconception and in fact the sit-on-top kayaks have been in use since a very long time. Even in the US, the sit-on-top kayaks were introduced in the early seventies. The sit-on-top kayaks are the slowest among all kayaks.
5. Also, there is a misconception that stability is only important for amateur kayakers and that once paddlers gain experience, they can opt for swifter kayaks. This is incorrect and kayakers of any level must opt for kayaks with basic stability, especially when opting for fishing kayaks.

6. While buying a kayak, it is always good to opt for one that has a bulkhead. These bulkheads are great to store kayaking gear, food and clothes. Along with this, they also provide greater floatation in case the kayak tips over. Also, ensure that the kayak has a footrest inside as it provides great comfort to the feet while paddling. Also, a kayak with a rudder is a better proposition as rudders help greatly in tracking and maneuverability.

7. There are two types of paddles - symmetric and asymmetric paddles. As the name suggests, symmetric paddles are symmetric at both ends and can be used either ways to paddle. Asymmetric paddle is usually used in racing with one side having a curve.

8. Usually kayaking on rivers is broadly categorized as whitewater kayaking. However, kayaking on difficult rivers is called as creeking. Creeking refers to kayaking on a waterfall, water slide and ledges.

9. In the modern times, the most widely used kayak types are plastic kayaks, fiberglass kayaks and fabric kayaks. Fabric is used for inflatable and folding kayaks, which have come to dominate the world of kayaking in a big way.

These are some of the most overlooked but important kayaking facts. Keeping these in mind can greatly help in enhancing the performance of the kayakers.

 VENUS Single seater sit on top Kayak

Camping Hammocks Are Fun And Functional

Camping hammocks are sweet! The first time I used one was a few years ago up in the Bitterroot Mountains about 2 hours outside of Lewiston, Idaho. I was along with my son's Boy Scout troop for a 3 day adventure. We hiked about 8 miles the first day, but didn't make it to our planned camp site. When it started getting dark and everyone was feeling tired, sore, and worn out from a long day on the trail, we decided to just set up camp at a wide spot along the trail. The boys started unpacking their tents, fighting with poles, tarps and the rest of the traditional paraphernalia.

Before leaving I had purchased one of the camping hammocks that was designed with light weight hiking in mind. Before you could whistle Dixie, I had picked out two likely trees and strung my hammock between them. I secured my gear, some of which went at my feet inside the insect covering that was an integral part of my new home away from home. I settled in and quickly realized that while everyone else was fussing around, I was ready for sleep. And boy did I need it!

The next morning the sun broke early and felt hot. There are different types of camping hammocks, and the one I had offered a bit of protection from the direct rays of the sun, but still got hot too quickly for it to be comfortable to linger very long in bed. So, up I got. Stowing all my gear was a quick and easy process that basically just involved untying the hammock, rolling it up, stuffing it back into its stuff sack, loading my pack and waiting for everyone else to gather up their stuff.
Spending the night in camping hammocks is a real pleasure because you don't have to deal with trying to sleep on hard ground. My night had been restful, easy, and comfortable. As others were complaining about the odd rock or root that kept them tossing and turning during the night, I quietly enjoyed the fact that I hadn't had to deal with any of that.

If you are camping in a place that doesn't require you to hike far, you might want to consider hammocks like the one made by Algoma. Their foldaway hammock and stand combination is perfect for this sort of camping. It features a bed made out of weather resistant polyester fabric and has a canopy below the bed made out of mesh. This is a really handy place to store things within easy reach. It has a collapsable powder coated stand and a storage bag with a shoulder strap. It measures 89" Long x 39.5" Wide x 31" High and weighs 29 pounds. It does include a carry strap too so transporting it around is easy. For camping hammocks under $100 bucks, this one is a good one to consider.

Camping hammocks under the $50 price range are varied. One of my favorites is the KingCord camping hammock. It is strong and will support up to 300 pounds. It is light weight and includes a pouch to stuff it into. The cool thing about this hammock is that it is made out of bright, multicolored parachute nylon that is fun and functional.

camping Canopy, outdoor Canopy, NETING GAZEBO

Cross Country Ski Goggles - XC Ski Sunglasses: Eye Gear for Cross Country Skiing - Casco Nordic Spirit

When you are out cross country ski Goggles, the weather can either be sunny, windy or snowy. All these conditions merit eye wear when out in the elements. The problem when cross country skiing can be that you are working and breathing hard, thus sunglasses tend to fog up, making it difficult to see and depth perception almost non-existent. Most people wear regular sunglasses when nordic skiing. One solution to keep the eye wear from fogging is to use anti-fog solution, used by swimmers to prevent their goggles from clouding up. Some recreational skiers use alpine ski goggles, but they are not recommended, since they tend to be hot and fog up as well. For much of the nordic world, alpine ski goggles on the nordic trails indicates a newbie in the xc ski world - so if you want to be stylish alpine goggles are not recommended.

The nordic world has solved the problem of foggy goggles during inclement weather. Casco, a German eyewear manufacturer, has come out with fog-proof cross country ski goggles. The Casco Nordic Spirit are ski goggles designed for cross country skiers. The lenses protect from heavy snowfall, cold and sun, where usual sunglasses give up at these conditions. Different from other sunglasses, this eyewear doesn't fog up. The biathlon cross country ski community is going wild over these goggles since they can hinge up for accurate shooting as well. The Casco Nordic Spirit goggles come in two colors for the head bank - black and white, and are found in two sizes - s/m and m/l. The xc ski goggles come with two lenses - one for sunny days, and one for those cloudy/snowy days.
The Casco Nordic Spirit lenses use Vautron, a unique optical polymer unlike any other. Originally developed for military purpose used in AH-64 Apache helicopter windshield panels this nordic goggle combines benefits in a single lens. Benefits include: High performance photochromi lenses that have automatic adjustment to varying light conditions. Vautron photochromic lenses get dark up to 75-80% of their initial transmission. The combine an anti-reflection mirror with the photochromic lense not typically available.

The Casco cross country ski goggles are highly chemical resistant - so Klister or wax removal will not scratch it! This cross country ski eyewear is also oil and water repellent - so melted snow wicks off quickly. They are also impact resistant, considerably higher than polycarbonate. These nordic lenses pass all impact resistance standards. The biathlon skiers particularly appreciate this quality.

The Casco Nordic Spirit lenses are optically superior, having a lower refractive index, internal stress than typical sunglasses, resulting in lower surface reflection and "rainbow effect", higher definition and sharper images. The lenses are scratch resistant and do not attract dust unlike typical sunglasses.

Best of all the Casco Nordic Spirit is lightweight. On average it is approximately 16% lighter other eyewear.

Brian's Bicycles and Cross Country Skis Goggles in Mammoth Lakes California carries these fantastic nordic goggles. They are hard to keep in stock. Order by calling 760 924 8566 or go to our online store xcskistore.com. Enjoy your fog-proof skiing!

Ski goggle

waht is Sleeping Bag

Getting a Sleeping Bag comfortable night’s sleep in the great outdoors can be pretty tough without the right sleeping bag. Not only do sleeping bags help insulate you from the cold, they also help seal in body warmth, which means choosing the appropriate temperature rating is extremely important, especially in colder conditions. When it comes to maximum warmth with minimal weight, nothing beats the mummy bag, which has a tapered, body-hugging design to minimize heat-robbing air space inside. Of course, for maximum comfort in milder conditions, a rectangular bag is a great way to go. Check out our awesome deals on sleeping bags from Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Big Agnes and more, or take a look at our Sleeping Bag Guide for more tips and advice.
tiny pods of light, fluffy filaments that line the underside of waterfowl feathers. Down is harvested from ducks and geese that are being prepared for sale as food. All down fills also contain some feathers and feather fibres.

Both duck and goose down in the construction of its down sleeping bag. The quality of down doesn't depend on the bird species it comes from, but on the bird's environment and maturity. Birds respond to colder, wetter conditions by growing fluffier, warmer down. White or grey down has the same performance. For purely cosmetic reasons white is more expensive than grey. It can be used in light weave or translucent fabrics without showing through.

When it Sleeping Bag gets wet, down insulation is compromised. In damp conditions, a waterproof-breathable shell fabric can protect sleeping bags or jackets from external wetness. In cold climates, a vapour barrier sleeping bag liner keeps internal moisture out of the down fill. In consistently wet conditions, it can be very difficult to keep down dry, in these circumstances, a synthetic fill may be the best option.Down bags have a fill rating that indicates the amount of volume one ounce of down occupies. The higher the fill-rating, the loftier the down. It provides more warmth with less weight.

Sleeping Bag - SP-1311-A

backpack

Whether you are an avid trekker or a student whose longest hike is across your college's campus, the backpack style that you choose can, quite literally, make or break your back. If you are in the market for a new backpack you will find yourself faced with hundreds of choices and styles. Between internal frames and external frames, padded straps and cubic inches of packing space, there is a lot more to consider than simply the aesthetic appeal of a backpack. The question is how do you decide which backpack is the best backpack style for you?

How does it fit?

Adjustable straps are all well and good, but some backpacks are a better fit than others. A backpack that does not fit comfortably can leave you with an aching back, or tire you out to the point where you have to quit hiking early. Some points to watch out for include:

Chest straps that can help stabilize a heavy backpack, but may not be comfortable for most women because they fit across the chest.
A foam padded back frame can fit the backpack snugly against your back, making it much easier to support.
A hip belt, waist belt, or both are musts, but it is important that the belts hit the right place on your torso.
When choosing a backpack, measure your torso instead of your full height. If you are planning on doing a lot of backpacking, be sure to get a backpack that has a fully adjustable frame.

How much packing space do you need?

What can you fit into 1,000 cubic inches? How about 5,000 cubic inches? In general, the following rules of thumb apply:

If you are selecting a pack for day trips or around the town use, then you should be fine with a day pack that has a capacity of up to 1,500 cubic inches. Kids' backpacks can be proportionally smaller.
If you plan on taking weekend trips or doing light backpacking and hiking, then you may want a backpack that's substantially larger. A capacity of 1,750 to 3,000 cubic inches will provide plenty of packing room for clothes and gear for one person on a weekend camping trip.
If you are carrying gear for more than one person, or for an extended trip, look for a full pack with over 3,000 cubic inches of packing space. A full pack with an external frame will distribute weight evenly and make your backpacking trip a pleasure.
Hybrid frame blends external-frame comfort and load transfer with internal-frame
stability; X-Brace crossed stays stabilize the hipbelt against unwanted sag
Sleeve in the main compartment accommodates most hydration systems;

ports allow for routing the bite valve over either shoulder (reservoir sold separately)
Front pocket arrangement provides 2 zippered pockets on top of a stretch-woven
stash pocket, allowing access to your gear without interference from the other pockets

Floating lid can be removed and stowed; secure key pocket is inside lid;
double top collar allows you to vary the pack's capacity

Dual side-zip access allows easy retrieval of items buried deep in the pack;
bottom sleeping bag compartment features a smooth curved zipper

Quick-release straps on backpack the bottom of the pack body provide an easy
attachment point for sleep pad or tent

Backpack - BK-1254-A

How is Sleeping Bags – 13 Ways to Re-use/Recycle Them

Make a quilt using whatever filling is inside the old sleeping bag.  If the inside or outside of the old sleeping bag is in good enough condition, you could use it for the back side of your new quilt.
Make a scarf, ear warmers, hat or gloves.  Who says these need to be made out of yarn?  For these I would probably use new material for the outside and fill it with the old sleeping bag's filling.  Nice and warm!
Make down slippers or booties using whatever filling is inside the old sleeping bag.
Make a dog bed.  There are two ways to do this that would be easy.  First, decide what shape you want the dog bed to be.  Using the old sleeping bag, fold it into the shape you want (a square or rectangle would be easiest) and then use a strong quilting thread to quilt or tie the bed together.  After that, cut wide strips for each side of the dog bed, fold over each edge and sew down.  This will create one nice edge.  The second way is basically the same as above, but cover the outside with new material before quilting or tying the bed together (no need for the wide strips on this one).
Made seat cushions.  A used sleeping bag probably won't make a good couch cushion, but for a wooden chair or bench it would do great.
Make a rag rug.  Cut the sleeping bag into strips and make your rug.  I've never done this myself, but there are plenty of sites online that can tell you exactly how.  My mother in law has made plenty of them and says they're quite easy for anyone to do.
Make a decorative pillow.  Again with this option, I would probably use new material or maybe a nice piece of clothing that's no longer needed for the outside.  If it's the right material though, the interior or exterior of the old sleeping bag could be used and embellished.  Using old buttons or ribbons, sparkles, stamping or anything else to dress it up.
Make toddler pants or shirts using the filling of the old sleeping bag.  Why do we only see sweatshirts or sweats for keeping you warm inside & outside?  I'm not talking about snow pants or snow shirts here.  Just enough filling to keep the chill off.
Make doll clothes or Barbie doll clothes, quilts, rugs etc.  I just came up with this one while writing this article.  The filling as well as the materials could be used for this purpose.
Make wall art.  In recent times I've seen the DIY television network using wall paper samples for wall art.  Well if it's the right material and/or if you embellish it or dye it, why not use your old sleeping bag this way? It can turn out looking fantastic!
Make a sleep mask.  Use the down from the old sleeping bag to fill whatever material you choose…how soft and pleasant.
Donate your used sleeping bag. There are several different places to donate them to. How about the animal shelter, homeless shelter or any youth program that does outdoor things.  Also

Sleeping Bag - SP-1316-A

Camo Tent

This camo tent is easy to set up and has many features you would not expect at this price. The Three-pole pin and ring frame system with shock-corded fiberglass poles for easy set up and tear down, Six "no-see-um" mesh roof panels provide superior ventilation and bug protection. Three Person Camouflage Hexagon Dome Tent Complete with stakes, carry/storage bag and instructions Flame retardant, meets C.P.A.I.-84 Specs, Covered by Texsport's 3 year limited Warranty For over 40 years Texsport has been supplying your local sporting goods dealer with camping and outdoor recreational equipment. Our products are designed to have the most features with an emphasis on value. Texsport is "Authentic Adventure Gear"
This package contains two sleeping bags

With plush flocking on the top, the queen-sized Classic Downy airbed from Intex provides a softer sleeping surface that also helps keep bedding from slipping off the mattress. Crafted with durable heavy gauge vinyl, the cozy flocked top cleans easily and is waterproofed for camping use. The quality-tested bed is constructed with a 20.8-gauge waterproof flocked top, along with 14-gauge vinyl beams, and 15-gauge sides and bottom. With a 2-in-1 valve with an extra wide opening, inflation or deflation is quick and easy.
The all new King’s Turbo Tent by Black Pine Sports is the ultimate tent for all your hunting, camping and outdoor needs. The patented design makes this the most convenient, easiest set up tent you will come across. Full setup takes less than five minutes and the sturdy construction will handle all that Mother Nature can throw at it. Available with King’s Desert Shadow Camo accent. The Freestander Six Man Tent has a 10′ x 10′ foot floor base.

Hunting Tent, Camo Tent, Two-Person Trail Tent

Tactical Backpacks: Must-haves for the Active Police Force

Police officers are required to carry plenty of equipment especially during field operations as part of their job, said equipment of which are best carried in backpacks. But not just any backpack, however, because conventional backpacks are unsatisfactory for the demands of the job – only tactical backpacks will do for police officers on the job!

What are tactical packs in the first place? These are part of the standard load-bearing equipment of military soldiers and police officers used to carry extra weapons and ammunition, food rations, medical supplies, tents and sleeping gear, and extra clothes, among other important items necessary for survival in the field.

To say that tactical backpacks are must-haves for police officers is an understatement indeed. Here are a few reasons why police officers should have their individual tactical packs while on the job of serving and protecting their fellowmen in their official capacity.
Backpacks used by police officers are designed to withstand years of extreme use in rough conditions. These backpacks are made from high-quality rugged polyester materials that will not easily tear even with a 100-pound load placed inside their compartments. Keep in mind that police officers have to carry plenty of equipment on their backpacks so the more durable these are in terms of materials and construction, the better for their missions.

In contrast, non-tactical backpacks are usually made from light-grade polyesters. This is the reason why these bags can easily tear even with just a few pounds of load within a few months.
Tactical backpacks are also designed with as many pockets and compartments as possible because of the wide variety of items that must be placed inside. As previously mentioned, these backpacks are designed to carry everything that a police officer – or a civilian using it for camping or travelling, for that matter – will require on the job especially during tactical missions. Thus, the more space provided by the backpack, the better for the purpose intended.
With all these features of tactical backpacks, it's no wonder that even non-police officers are buying these bags for their own uses!

Backpack - BK-1220-A

Select From a Range of Camping Tents for an Exciting Weekend Trip

If you have not had an exciting weekend trip for a long time, plan a camp with a roof tent. Several Australian companies stock sturdy superior quality tents for a camp or a short trip to the countryside. There is the convenience of buying online too; the company will ship it to you without any delay.

Selecting a Roof top Tent

A roof top tent has a range of selection; there are different types of these tents. If you are planning to fix your tent on top of your vehicle, a hard-shell type is advisable. They deploy quickly, offer very little resistance to air and provide absolute comfort. Fabric tents are good and have more frontal wind resistance especially when driving on highways. The package is small but you will find a lot of space inside. Tents in various fabrics are available for your selection. Carbon fiber and fiberglass models are lightweight and the operation is simple allowing instant deployment. The carbon fibre variety is very tough and ideal for any trip. All tents invariably look alike; however, you have to consider a few tips before buying. Examine the hinges, they should be robust, thick and of stainless steel. Select a tent with a thick foam mattress and durable zips. A flysheet of superior-quality is vital as also a wooden base for the tent. Zippered shutters and mosquito netting are must-haves. Finally, check the ladder of the tent before you make the final decision.

Types of Camping Tents

Camping tents come in different shapes and sizes; A-frame tents are the most common type that appears like a prism. The other type is a pyramid tent which has the same shape; this has a main pole at the centre. Although there may be some inconveniences of having a central pole, this type of pyramid is lightweight and hence easy to cart along. Hoop tents are different, in that they have parallel hoops that hold the fabric and the number of hoops varies from tent to tent. There is a slight variation of this type called wedge tents; these have two hoops criss-crossing each other, giving it more height. When there are more than four hoops, it's called a dome tent. Another hoop is used to construct a freestanding vestibule. These tents are ideal to use in inclement weather conditions. However, the poles make it difficult to deploy the tent. Whichever tent you choose, you have to ensure the dealer provides a good warranty.

Hunting Tent,Camping Tent, Ultralight waterproof