Guide Gear TeePee Tent Review

ByPaulInGear, Legacy Posts, Product Review, ShelterOn25 Apr 201318 Feb 2018

When shopping for this product at first, I was hesitant.

The reviews for the tent sounded great but the lack of photos, videos, and more in depth specifications kept holding my purchase back. After long consideration I bit the bullet and got it.

It is what it is – a TeePee tent.

One pole in the middle and over a dozen of spokes gluing it to the ground. Although it takes up as little of space as a 4-person tent (like Coleman Sunset Dune), on the inside it is very spacious. With a little friction between the pole and the outer walls, you can fit up to 2 standard height queen size mattresses. If your pump for the mattress only runs when plugged into your car, have no fear of inflating on the outside of the tent. Even though the doors seem small, with a little pressure, you can squeeze the mattress right through. Please keep in mind: any larger and/or higher mattresses will not fit through the doors.

This Tent can comfortably fit 4 adults,

a couple of medium size bags, and a medium to large size dog. Being packed like that, do not worry about condensation because the tent offers 4 flaps that can be half or fully opened and 2 doors. All of which are covered with bug screen. For additional lighting, the tent has 4 windows made out of “plastic bags” providing not the clearest views but still allows just enough light to brighten the inside.

This tent is a looker!

It definitely stands out at any campground. It is very practical and a fun place to take shelter in. Speaking of fun, not quite sure if kids these day still play “cowboys and indians” but if they do, this tent is a perfect prop for the Native Americans hide out in.

Overall, It’s a great product for the price.

However, please keep in mind that this is a 10′ x 10′ TeePee tent. If you feel like it will be too small for you and your family, check out their larger size of 18′ x 18′.

CHECK OUT MY VIDEO REVIEW OF IT!

Columbia Titanium Mobex Backpack REVIEW

ByPaulInBags, Gear, Legacy Posts, Product ReviewOn16 Jul 201218 Feb 2018

What a bag!

I am in love with the way it is designed. It is by far the best looking bag on the market. At first, it may seem unpractical but in farther investigation, the amount of “hidden” pockets it has will blow your mind. On the outside the bag has 2 zipper compartments (on top and bottom) and 2 mesh compartments on its “face”. Peaking inside, the bag has space for a 3 liter water bladder (with opening for a hydration tube of-course), 1 large pocket with a separator, 2 hidden pockets, and a detachable pouch. On the waist strap you will find a nicely sized pouch and a very useless bottle holder.

Useless Bottle Holder?

Yup! As with Nissan Cube, the outside design is beautifully thought out & executed but the interior seems like the designers either ran out of money or talent. It stinks! Same goes with the bottle holder for this bag. It’s impractical and your canteen will be in a way of your arm movement while hiking. Check out the video below to see just how awful it is!

It’s a bit feminine.

We randomly stumbled upon this bag while exploring Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and I immediately had to have it. Priced at $80 I was a bit hesitant but couldn’t get it out of my head and ended up buying it. It turned to cost $60 at the end. Today you can find it online for about $40 which is a great bargain. Right.. went off track for a bit. Just look at it! Doesn’t it scream out Hello Kitty?.. even when it’s in black. Maybe it’s just me. Personally, I don’t care. The bag is comfortable & lightweight, and at the end of a long hike these are one of many very important factors.

For day hike you say?

Even though it’s small and most of the compartments can only fit a pair of socks, with smart packing this bag can be used for at least an overnight hike (if not 2 or 3 nights). It all depends on the amount of hiking, terrain, and the weather you are facing. With proper rationing of water (don’t forget the terrible canteen holder), you’ve got room for some dehydrated food and clothing. You can attach your sleeping bag, mat, hammock/tent on the outside of the bag and you are ready to hit the trails.

Overall, this bag is

awesome! I would highly recommend it for day hikes (and overnight hikes too!), bike rides, or morning commutes. Please check out some additional information in the video below.

Intex Seahawk II Boat Set Review

ByPaulInGear, Legacy Posts, Product Review, RecreationalOn09 Jul 201218 Feb 2018

What’s awesome:

This raft comes with two ores, manual pump, 2 pouches (1 for motor battery, the-other for whatever floats your boat.. heh, get it?), and two blow up seats. Although this raft is for 3 people I would only recommend it for 2. This way you get plenty of room for your fishing equipment and even room for a large dog. Since the raft is so rugged, having a dog in it is no problem…. Don’t worry about the dog’s nails, it’ll handle it!

If you plan to use this raft on a lake, I highly recommend you to get an electric motor. The raft has special hooks and a place for a battery. If you plan to use it as a safety raft for you yacht or just for rafting down the river, than no worries, don’t bother with the motor.

Why a motor? Due to the rafts’ size and shape it gets exhausting to constantly keep rowing every time the current sends you back to land.

What’s not so awesome:

It’s white, the ores suck, and folding it back into the bag is a time consuming & strength draining task. Can somebody please tell me whose bright idea was it to make this raft in white? Between the dirt, mud, sand, pebbles, and everything else, this raft is now between yellow and brown color. It’s as if the designers though this will be used in a nice, clean, chlorine treated pool….. seriously?

If you decide to

ignore my idea of additionally purchasing electric motor, do yourself a favor and at least get additional oars. The ores that come with the raft are the definition of “cheap junk”. There are many reviews on amazon that say exactly the same thing – the ores that come with the raft will break. Mine did during second time using them!

Check out SailboatsToGo and raft like a sir with a sail.

Folding the raft back

into the bag is a really annoying task. Unfortunately I do not have luxury of a yacht, backyard, or a shed to keep this thing inflated all the time… This means I must fold it back after each use and this can take up to good 20 minutes. Take your time and take care of it.

Survival/First Aid Kit (Walk-through & Tutorial)

ByPaulInGear, Legacy Posts, SafetyOn07 Feb 201218 Feb 2018

A hiker should know how to

properly navigate with the help of sun and moss, catch a meal, make fire with sticks, and all of it with as little of equipment as possible. A survival kit is a “bag of goodies” every hiker should customize for themselves, according to their skills, age/health, terrain & weather they are hiking in. The items listed below are some of the essentials I would find useful & even luxurious addition to my knowledge in a survival situation.

Please check out my video overview of most of the items that are on the list.

Item. Quantity.

Alcohol Pads 8
Bandage Roll 1
Adhesive Tape 1
Hand Sanitizer 1
Copper Wire 1
Cot. Balls fire starter. 8
2.5″ Pocket Knife 1
Orange Rain Poncho 1
Orange Garbage Bag 1
Space Blanket 1
Tea Bags 4
Safety Pins 4
Pencil 1
Paper 4
Fishline, Hooks, Weight
5 ft Rope 550lb 1
10 ft Rope 550lb 1
Compass 1
Light Stick 1
Foil 1

Med Kit Items

Item. Quantity.

Spazmalgon 7
Prilosec 6
Charcoal Pills 4
3109 Penicillin 9
GI Motrin 9
PDI Alc. Swaps 2
CVS Alc. Swaps 6
Syringe & needle 1
Cotton Swaps 2
XL Bandaids 2
S Bandaids 2
Cu-tips 8

Large Extreme Pak InvisibleTM Pattern Camouflage Backpack Review

ByPaulInBags, Gear, Legacy PostsOn07 Feb 201218 Feb 2018

At first glance

this bag seemed to be very sturdy. Unfortunately, looks can be deceiving.
As soon as I received it, I stuffed it with my camping gear and anxiously waited for the next trip. Right away I noticed it started to rip on top (where you close it). After about a year of barely any use (about 2-4 trips), the zipper on top broke and mash on side pocket ripped. It’s pretty uncomfortable to hike with. The waist straps dont help you support the weight, they just tend to bring the bag closer to your body.

It is however,

HUGE! You can fit a lot of stuff in it. It has a separate compartment for a sleeping bag (which can be turned into extended interior space). Plenty of spacious pockets for gear. Unfortunately, none of them are easily accessible while you have the bag on your back. It has an insane amount of available spaces for you to clip on your mat to or just about anything; on top, on sided, on the bottom, on front straps… you name it and there is a place where you can attach stuff to it. It offers mash (which has ripped after 3 uses) on sides for you to store your water canteen for “easy” access while having the bag. It’s somewhat easy to take it out but good luck putting it back in. The waist straps are very wide and if you have a multi-tool attached to your belt, expect a lot of discomfort.

Overall,

skip it! Save your money and buy something less inexpensive.

Check out the video review