tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32584342908439125042024-03-19T03:26:50.669-04:00Ontario GeardoAn outdoor and military gear blog dedicated to delivering honest content, with the goal of getting more people outside.OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-17180961316027973672021-03-02T22:49:00.003-05:002021-03-30T09:45:07.920-04:00Leatherman MUT<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I get it, you like the idea of buying the <a href="https://alnk.to/d3vlHI7">Leatherman Military Utility Tool (MUT)</a> that is specifically designed for the M16/AR15 platform, you like the idea that it was designed by some SFCs from the Army Marksmanship Unit at Ft Benning, and that it was field tested in Iraq and Afghanistan for two years before its release… but it sells for about $160USD. You would rather get something else like some fancy mag pouches with kydex inserts, or a new daypack because even though you already have two, you’ve realized that when you’re wearing them it looks like you’re about to kick a door and that you probably need a regular looking day pack. Trust me, I get it. Picture this though, you’ve pulled up to the range to zero the new laser or optic you got in the mail and you realize that you’re drawing a lot of attention because you’re a geardo and your rifle looks like you might have stolen it out of Garand Thumb’s Pelican case when he wasn’t looking. You step to the line, load a mag, chamber a round, flip the safety, fire a group as tight as possible and surprise surprise, you need to make an adjustment. Now you’re the guy with the expensive mag pouches trying to figure out if a dime will fit in the adjustment screws.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AA9kBaMgoc/YDwii9Z1psI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/C7Fr3Yhoc8Qsq7mHq6IzlOAi-R3h1bxEACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_LEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="2048" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4AA9kBaMgoc/YDwii9Z1psI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/C7Fr3Yhoc8Qsq7mHq6IzlOAi-R3h1bxEACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h251/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_LEAD.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p>
<span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Ok fine, you probably have a flathead with you, and you could just buy all the equivalent tools and cram them all into your range bag. However, odds are one day you’ll probably forget some of them on your work table at home plus your bag will be filled with 16 tools when you could get away with just one tucked away neatly in a MOLLE pouch. This efficiency is even more important for those in uniform where ounces make pounds. Or for those who need to cut something like barbed wire or a seatbelt quickly without digging through a pouch for the right tool. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">While the MUT has a tool to remedy immediate issues like a bolt override, I feel as though where the MUT will be most valuable is during maintenance. Using the replaceable bronze carbon scraper on your BCG will prevent premature wear, and using the well selected 7/64 hex bit for mounting or adjusting optics will be nice to have at the ready. It has a disassembly punch that you can remove from the MUT and then hit with the hammer tool to knock out the take down pins on your AR if your pins are especially stubborn. There are also few spots to screw in OTIS cleaning rods to make a T handle which is a nice touch, but a feature I’ll probably never use. </p>
<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0a5SnUhiZUo/YDKlxSSVqVI/AAAAAAAAFx4/Kwe5sniDcOQmzH6YOvEoUlK9q9glvcMngCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0a5SnUhiZUo/YDKlxSSVqVI/AAAAAAAAFx4/Kwe5sniDcOQmzH6YOvEoUlK9q9glvcMngCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>The bronze carbon scraper is designed not to damage your BCG during the cleaning process.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PAqbGNy3MY/YDKmjZUlKzI/AAAAAAAAFyA/qCr4Xi5QOUUC-gfqbYoF7QFxaHAHsWHjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2PAqbGNy3MY/YDKmjZUlKzI/AAAAAAAAFyA/qCr4Xi5QOUUC-gfqbYoF7QFxaHAHsWHjgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;">You could just pull out the retaining pin with your fingers like a normal person, but if you have the MUT, now you can do it in style.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Personally, I think that while there might be only a small chance I’d need to use the cutting hook on a seatbelt, there is more of a chance that I’d end up cutting my finger with that tool. Yes, you can seat one of the accessory bits to partially block the blade, but for those needing that tool in a hurry, that’s an extra step and the blade is still partially exposed. If you were to keep this in your pant pocket using the clip, which has fantastic retention by the way, your pinky finger would end up in the cutting hook area which is not something I want to worry about when reaching for a tool, so it’s probable that I’ll take the blade off. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are some typical multitool features like the knife and saw which are easily deployed using one hand, as well as wire cutters, wire crimpers and of course the pliers. Also, after watching one of Leatherman’s promo videos, I saw that they had some people clipping the MUT to their bags using the carabiner which is something I’d never trust with such an expensive tool, but I imagine I’ll use it to open a few beers here and there. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOnBrTqWthc/YD2hbuTDf_I/AAAAAAAAFz8/r48fNUaPNAcLFSs43mf9uT_w3NPGjmW2wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gOnBrTqWthc/YD2hbuTDf_I/AAAAAAAAFz8/r48fNUaPNAcLFSs43mf9uT_w3NPGjmW2wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I cut a random fence for this review? No, but you could if you wanted to!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-hYiL-BJAQ/YD2ehS4bm0I/AAAAAAAAFzw/RG-SqQR4AWYrmmpfaFFbES1gErMYbAODwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_07.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-hYiL-BJAQ/YD2ehS4bm0I/AAAAAAAAFzw/RG-SqQR4AWYrmmpfaFFbES1gErMYbAODwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_07.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know that I might be over thinking it, but I just don't like having an exposed blade. It's hard to get and angle on this, but my pinky finger is right in the seatbelt cutter. If you zoom in on the fence cutting photo above, you can see the blade in more detail.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_OgRgvHvPo/YDKsa9PN5uI/AAAAAAAAFyY/bEuC-Tcu-38FrF95rFyi_1gqVIjYqOsdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_05.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v_OgRgvHvPo/YDKsa9PN5uI/AAAAAAAAFyY/bEuC-Tcu-38FrF95rFyi_1gqVIjYqOsdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_05.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you have stubborn take down pins, you the MUT has a tool and hammer to get the job done.</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I’ve used and owned a number of multitools throughout the years, but none as useful as the MUT. While it shines for those who own and operate AR15s, it also has a place for every day use with all the different screwdriver heads, the knife and the pliers. And let’s be honest here, the MUT looks really cool. The flat black finish, and all the AR specific tools makes this a really stylish and practical piece to have. You’ve likely put thousands into your firearms, why not upgrade your multitool and simplify your range bag? Do yourself a favour and stop stripping your screws using that borrowed hex bit that only kinda fits, use the bronze carbon scraper and stop wearing down your BCG, and don’t be that guy that needs to borrow a flathead to adjust your PEQ15 at the range. You’ve probably put thousands into firearms if you’re reading this, you might as well spend the money and get the right tool for the job. Stay safe out there, geardos!</p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O15TRkz5CNk/YDKoDAYKbiI/AAAAAAAAFyM/6EMBaYMFeooGRmTGhxYYtoJdqX6nE2kBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_04.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O15TRkz5CNk/YDKoDAYKbiI/AAAAAAAAFyM/6EMBaYMFeooGRmTGhxYYtoJdqX6nE2kBwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't feel like smashing your buttstock on the ground, you can use the MUT's bolt override tool.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dINdnwVeP_Q/YD2ZmEWfT0I/AAAAAAAAFzo/55z-oh1sw_YRjnyT-e0kjrpy1UO4f79pgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_06.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dINdnwVeP_Q/YD2ZmEWfT0I/AAAAAAAAFzo/55z-oh1sw_YRjnyT-e0kjrpy1UO4f79pgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/Leatherman_MUT_Ontario_Geardo_06.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be that guy. Bring a multitool to the range. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div><br />OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com102tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-50260840942873555532017-10-17T13:04:00.003-04:002019-10-29T11:05:49.958-04:00Triple Aught Design Fall Film Festival This season Triple Aught Design is hosting a film festival and is showcasing some outstanding videos from all over the world of their fans sharing their passions. I put together a short film with the team of some caving and rappelling and am honoured to have been approved for their festival. Please click the link to see <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/film-festival-caves-and-crags/">my submission</a>, my <a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/film-festival-because-its-there/">second submission</a>, and if you like it please vote! If you want to be the first to know about new videos the best way is to follow me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ontariogeardo/">Facebook</a> or on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ontariogeardo/?hl=en">Instagram</a>.<br />
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Video and editing by: Jeremy Meuris</div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-72117378367247622922017-05-23T22:51:00.000-04:002017-05-24T09:10:55.848-04:00Salomon XA Pro 3D Trail Runners<div style="line-height: normal;">
It all started with a post I saw on Mark Owen’s (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/markowenseal/?hl=en">@markowenseal</a>) Instagram feed. Nothing even over the top really, just a bunch of dudes, wearing Salomon XA Pro 3D shoes with Multicam pants. At the time, I was in the market for some new trail shoes so obviously, this piqued my attention. When a former member of DEVGRU posts a photo like this and says “ Best mid weight shoes ever”, I knew I had to check them out. I don’t imagine Mr. Owen was paid by Salomon to endorse their shoe, but considering at least his demographic, they couldn’t have asked for a better endorsement.<br />
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Fast forward a few weeks, and I’m at Mountain Equipment Coop in Toronto walking around, not necessarily wanting anything, but wanting everything at the same time. I see the grey and green shoes on the shelf and think to myself… wait a second. I pull out my phone to check out the Instagram picture again, and sure enough, they are the same shoe, just an older generation. Part of me thought I was going to have to go to some sort of online tactical store to grab these. I’ve got wide, flat feet so buying shoes without being able to try them on usually makes me fairly hesitant. To make my day even better, I found out that they came in a wide version, and most importantly they were comfortable! I remember after <a href="https://youtu.be/_dMZYROup90">watching a video</a> a number of years ago that described a pair of Vasque shoes that were worn by one of the other operators during the UBL raid, I was motivated to seek them out only to find out my foot and that shoe were never meant to be. <br />
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It’s been a few years since that fateful day at MEC, and I’m currently on my second pair. I use these shoes for everything from running to hiking. I even used them for a 24-hour Goruck Heavy event last year. I’ve heard plenty of times over the years that ankle support is necessary for extended hikes, especially with heavy weight, but personally, I’ve never had a problem, but your mileage may vary. On the other side of the argument, which I’ll dig into in a second, is the idea that lighter shoes will reduce the aerobic demand of running. At .75 lb (340g.) per foot, they aren’t the lightest shoes around, but the support, protection, and considering how much lighter they are compared to my boots, I’m definitely a fan.<br />
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In the early 1980s, Dr. Jack Daniels (How could you not like this guy), was working with Nike and presented to the World Congress of Sports Medicine his findings that adding 100 grams to the shoe increased the aerobic demand of running by 1%. In practical terms, that means that if you can run a mile in 5:40, reducing your shoe weight by one ounce, Daniels found that you could shave .83 seconds per mile.<br />
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Shortly after this Daniels’ presentation in 1983, the US Military conducted a similar test which questioned the energy cost of running and walking in boots versus shoes. They found that even tiny increases in the weight of footwear could add up to significantly higher energy expenditures in subjects when walking or running no matter if they were experienced or inexperienced runners. The consensus was that carrying an amount of weight on the feet required between 4.7 and 6.4 times as much energy as carrying that same weight on one's back. So if you believe the research that the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in Natick, Massachusetts is correct, then when someone says “one pound on your feet equals five pounds on your back”, you can probably say with some confidence that it’s correct. <br />
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Before you go out and buy the lightest shoes possible, consider one more thing. Going back to our good friend Dr. Jack Daniels, his research went on to find that when the shoe weight went too light, it would usually mean that the weight savings was coming at the cost of midsole cushioning, and that the runner’s muscles had to start absorbing more landing shock, and that costs more energy. The surface you run on obviously makes a difference too. Running on asphalt is not the same as running on an artificial track. One shoe they tested had a midsole that was over one inch thick and was made of a sponge material similar to what you would wash your car with. They weren’t the lightest shoes they tested, but they absorbed so much of the impact they dubbed them “marshmallow shoes”, and said that they were a joy to run in. The problem though was that if you pronate, the marshmallow shoes exaggerated the problem. <br />
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Ok ok, this is a write up regarding XA Pro 3Ds, not a history lesson in nerdy running research right? I’ll bring it back, and explain why I went off on this tangent. I have wide flat feet, and very low arches. People with low arches, tend to over pronate when they run. This means that when I am running, my heel makes initial ground contact, and then the foot rolls inward more than 15%. This also means my feet and ankles have problems stabilizing the body, and the shock isn’t absorbed as efficiently. At the end of my gait cycle, the front of my foot pushes off the ground using mainly my big toe and second toe, which then must do all the work. While the XA Pro 3D’s dual-density EVA midsole features full-length cushioning, it also provides unprecedented support, energy rebound, and pronation control. Whether or not the shoe helped me is hard to say for sure, but I’ve easily walked and run a few thousand kilometres with these shoes which is well over the recommended amount before needing to replace shoes. Knock on wood, but I haven’t had any injuries yet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">To add to arch support, I sometimes wear Superfeet (above in green). Moreover, I found that when really wet, the Salomon inserts can bunch up under your foot which would surely result in a blister. Superfeet are less prone to bunching.</span></td></tr>
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I am by no means fast on my feet, be it running or walking. So when I am out rucking with my friends, or hiking through the forest, I want comfort, foot protection, and something light because I need all the help I can get! I’ve used the Salomon Comet 3D Goretex boots in the past and they are, conveniently for this article mathematically, one pound heavier than the XA Pro 3Ds per pair. Given that when I go for a ruck or a hike, I’m out there for more than an hour at a time, the added performance I get from weight savings means it doesn’t take as much effort to catch up or keep pace with my buddies, and that I’m burning significantly fewer calories. <br />
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What really caught me by surprise is how much I like the lacing system. The shoe itself is designed in a way that you don’t actually need them laced too tight. Even with the quick-pull fully disengaged, I can walk and run casually around the city or campsite without any issues, but when it’s go time, it is very easy to tighten and then stow the pull handle in the tongue pocket so it doesn’t flop around. Inside of each of the lace eyelets is a hard piece of polymer which allows the whole lacing system to self-equalize. Coupled with the ease of use of the quick-pull system, it’s simple to make micro adjustments so that you’re feet are always comfortable.<br />
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As with all my reviews, I try to look at a few negatives too, and this write up is no different. One thing that I have noticed, as well as one of my Ontario Geardo teammates, is that the sole of the shoe have a tendency of separating more easily than other shoes we’ve had. We are both on our second pair though, which should say something about how much we like them. I’d say that wearing these almost exclusively, they started falling apart in just under a year. The treads are fine, perhaps it’s just the adhesive that Solomon uses to glue their soles on. So realistically, a year of use isn’t unreasonable in my opinion. <br />
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It looks as though Salomon has updated their XA Pro 3Ds for 2017, as well as the colours. It’s a bit of a shame since I really liked the green and grey combo. The new line has something similar, but not in the wide lineup. For those of you that don’t have feet that resemble flippers like I do, you will also have a nice all black option, and for extra cool points, you can look into Salomon Forces, which is their military line. The Forces shoe is all black and is made of Goretex, and their midcut boot have black and coyote colour options, but no Goretex.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photography by Rey</span></div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-60353675724865311042016-09-27T21:38:00.000-04:002016-10-06T13:55:20.342-04:00Beyond Clothing - PCU Level 5 Glacier Shock Softshell Jacket and PantsAfter a lot of digging around, I finally managed to pick up all the pieces of the Protective Combat Uniform (PCU) system. Since its inception in 2002, there have been many progressions in outerwear technology that have inevitably made PCU inferior in some ways, but in my opinion as a total system, it is still at the top of the heap. Speaking specifically about the level 5, the most versatile level in the system, the use of Epic fabric made by Nextec does a great job of blocking the wind, but at the same time, it doesn’t trap moisture produced by your body within your clothing system. When you consider those benefits and then look at how thin and tough the material is, Epic is hard to beat. Because the jacket allows for moisture to escape, I’m able to stay more comfortable during high-intensity activities in the cold rather than if I were to use a Goretex which acts as a vapour barrier. After three years and two Glacier Shocks later, I think it’s a good time to write the full review of Beyond Clothing’s level 5 system.<br />
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Initially, I found that I was using the Glacier Shock primarily for my daily commute of 30km (round trip) to work on my bike in the colder and snowier months. I layered appropriately with other pieces from the PCU system so that I was happy if it was -20°C with snow, or if it was -5°C with slush. If it started to rain, the Glacier Shock would keep my dry long enough for me to reach into my bag to get my rain gear. Just know up front that the soft-shell is not a raincoat, that’s what the level 6 hardshell is for. The level 5 is designed for a proper cold winter, and it doesn’t rain when it’s proper cold. During snowy conditions, this jacket really shines. The DWR and tight-knit does a great job of shedding snow, and if you find yourself kneeling in it for a while, a quick brush with your hand will usually get most of it off. I’ve brought the level 5 jacket and pants camping as well as entire days on the slopes snowboarding. In all those instances, the level 5 system stood up to the challenge and kept me warm and dry.<br />
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Speaking of challenges, two years ago, I put Mark Twight’s claim that the PCU system could be dunked in a lake and walked dry within an hour. A friend and I submerged ourselves in Lake Ontario on a cold day in December and walked home. And of course, we sprinkled in some PT along the way. I wore the level 5 as my outer layer with levels 2 and 3 underneath. We found that even though the temperatures below freezing, I was indeed able to walk myself dry within an hour. Pretty impressive if you ask me!<br />
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In addition to that first test, I also used my level 5 jacket during my first GORUCK Challenge. If you’re not familiar with the GORUCK Challenge, it is a team focused endurance event where you carry a backpack full of bricks, you get into pretty much every body of water you walk past, you get barked at by members of the US Special Operations community, and you perform what seems like endless amounts of PT, with a goal of walking at least 15-20 miles and a time of 10-12 hours. If you keep in mind that since their motto is “Under promise, over deliver”, you can expect that you’ll be doing more. In some ways, I knew what I was getting into, and in many ways, I didn’t. It is primarily a challenge that you beat with your mind, and they say that the gear isn’t important. Between you and me though, not having to worry about your gear failing, knowing that the clothing you are wearing is dumping moisture when you don’t need it and that it’s keeping you warm instead of leaching heat definitely helps. During those challenges, I spent time low crawling across the pavement, dragging myself up rocky beaches and did an insane amount of sit ups and burpees all over the city. How did the Glacier Shock look after all of that? Surprisingly, pretty decent! After a wash, it looked as though it was good as new.<br />
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Unfortunately during my second GORUCK Challenge, while we were moving an 80-foot tree, I’m not even joking, my sleeve got caught on a branch and it ripped the fabric. I can’t say that I can fault the jacket for that one. While it was regrettable that I ruined the jacket, part of being a geardo means that I enjoy looking around for more gear. The only real source for "commercial off the shelf" PCU is through Beyond. Wild Things makes soft shells as well, but they only offer them in Multicam and Coyote, which is a little too hardcore for me. So I ordered another Glacier Shock but this time around there were a few changes to the ordering process.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These generous pit zips will help you dump heat and perspiration quickly without taking your jacket off. </td></tr>
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In the past, you could choose from a zip off, roll up, or regular hood. As well you could give them your measurements so that you could have a custom fit jacket. Now you just get what you get. My preference was to have a regular hood, but now the jacket comes with a roll-up hood that you can zip into the collar. My first jacket’s hood was made with Epic, but now it is a thinner material that feels more like the level 4 windproof material. As well, some of the early run PCU garments, (which are the ones that my team has), had zippers made by a company called Ideal. This was a huge mistake in my opinion for two reasons. First, the bottom stop is terrible. Jeremy, my training buddy, had to send his jacket in for repair because many of his bottom stops literally fell off the jacket. I’ve actually cut my hand on the back of the zipper stop as it seems to just be a bent piece of metal, and a sharp one at that. It’s one thing to cut my hand, but if that had been my Goretex mitts, I would have been pissed. Second, we have both found that sometimes the slider on the slash pocket and bicep pocket zippers won’t engage the teeth. When you think you’ve closed the zipper, all you’ve done is moved the slider, leaving the pocket open. Luckily the main zipper is of better construction and none of us have run into problems in that regard. More good news is that Beyond has since phased out the Ideal zippers in favour of the burlier YKK zippers, and they offer lifetime replacements for the life of the garment so if you have the ADS branded Ideal zippers, you can send your garment in for a zipper swap.<br />
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With my first Glacier Shock jacket, I noticed pilling after a few days in high friction areas like under the arms and the back where it rubs my pack. After a few months the little balls of fabric fell off, and I didn’t really notice it anymore. Most importantly, it didn’t seem to affect the performance of the jacket. With my new Glacier Shock, I haven’t noticed any pilling yet. What probably happened is that the mill noticed the issued and made an inline change. I’ll get back to you guys as soon as I hear back from Nextec. Regardless, I am happier with the fabric this time around.<br />
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One thing that seems to have carried over from my first to my second jacket is the YKK velcro that is used on the shoulders and the wrist closures. After a while, the velcro on the bicep pockets of my first jacket started to look like a real mess as it seemed like when I was taking off patches, it would pull a lot of the velcro with it. This results in a pile of velcro that looks messy, and after a while it isn’t as effective as it could be. After two years of use, the velcro closures on my wrists didn’t work anymore. Fortunately, a recent change is that Beyond has switched from YKK to Velcro USA, and I’ve been told that performance tests have been positive.<br />
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My last issue is with loose threads. Every once and a while I notice a stray thread and I’ll pull on it to get rid of it. Where I notice it the most is on the inside of pockets. It’s a bit unnerving to do as I’m always worried that I’m going to unravel something structural. As well, entire threads started coming off the velcro patches on my shoulders. I actually ripped the loop velcro off of one of the pockets once because the seam that attached the velcro to the pocket was so close to the edge. When I took a closer look, the velcro had lost so many threads near the edge, there wasn’t really anything left for the seam to hold on to. I ended up just taking the Glacier Shock to a tailor to have them run a double seam further away from the edge, and it was fine after that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zips at both the cuffs and the waist make it easy to reach into pockets on inner layers or to take the pants on and off without taking your boots off. </td></tr>
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One thing to note about this review is that even though I have a lot of gripes, this it still my first choice for outerwear when it comes to being active in cold weather environments. The coldest camping trip I ever participated in was during the “Polar Vortex”, where we hiked through -32°C (Before windchill) weather to get to the spot we had chosen. With the level 5 jacket as an outer layer and other selections from the PCU system underneath, I found myself comfortably warm while I was moving. I like the way the Glacier Shock performs, I like the way it looks, and I like that I can beat the crap out of it and it will keep going. Please keep in mind that most of my complaints are more to do with the cosmetics rather than the primary function of the Glacier Shock. I haven’t found a jacket that performs as well as this one, but at the same time, I think it has some room for improvement. It should say something to you guys that when it was time to replace my first Glacier Shock, I went straight back to Beyond to get another one.<br />
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Words by: Mike C.<br />
Photos by: Jessica D.<br />
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-44163322032097606422016-09-19T14:17:00.000-04:002019-10-29T11:06:49.827-04:00Millbrook Tactical HQOn the last day of August, I was lucky enough to attend the Millbrook HQ grand opening just a few kilometres away from their old location on Iber Road in Ottawa. All the elements you know from the old location have been brought to their new home at 129 Willowlea Road. The difference now is that Millbrook is in their own detached building, and for the public, the showroom has been upgraded stylishly with a tasteful combination of modern displays and reclaimed barn wood. It would seem that with every year that passes, Millbrook Tactical grows more prosperous. The question, of course is, what is the key to their success?<br />
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At the crack of dawn, Sean the Ontario Geardo photographer and I, made our way from Toronto to the nation’s capital to be one of the first groups of people to see the new digs for Canada’s premiere gear boutique. The drive is long, but when you’re traveling with another geardo, conversations are always exciting. As we rounded the corner on Willowlea, we immediately knew we were at our destination when we saw a line of black Ford trucks and SUVs parked on either side of the road. As we climbed the stairs and entered the new showroom I’ll admit that I felt a bit nervous. Neither Sean or I have served with law enforcement or with the Canadian Forces, so considering Millbrook’s slogan of “Those who serve, deserve”, I felt a tad awkward. With a general idea of the staff and client’s job experience, we figured there were going to be more than a few members of the more specialized and tactically focused departments of the Canadian government in attendance. It’s not that I was nervous of who they were, it’s just that I wasn’t sure what I was going to talk about for the next 9 hours. Being civilian media, we really didn't have any shared work experiences to discuss. Luckily whilst Sean and I were looking at some of the Salomon footwear, a rep came to talk with us about the Forces line that was on display. At that moment, we both fell into our element and at least personally, I felt more comfortable with the whole situation. Gear is something we can all talk about.<br />
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After being walked through the Salomon Forces line the rep was also able to chat with us about some of the new products from the other companies under the Amer Sports Corporation umbrella like Suunto and Arc’teryx LEAF. I wasn’t sure if I was happy or shy with the fact that I was wearing Salomon XA Pro shoes on my feet, Arc’teryx button up shirt and Rampart Pants, and a Suunto clipper compass on my G-Shock. As the night went on though, it was almost comical to see that almost everyone in attendance was wearing something from those three companies.<br />
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As we were finishing up with some of the cold weather jackets from the LEAF line, Frank the owner of Millbrook came over to say hello with a big smile and handshake to welcome us. He noticed that we didn’t have a beer in our hands and quickly brought us down to remedy that deficiency, picking up anyone else suffering from the same problem along the way. We caught up beside the kegs and Frank was just as down to earth and hospitable as I had remembered. Any apprehension I had for the rest of the night was now a distant memory.<br />
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Sean and I headed back upstairs eager to explore some more of what the new showroom had to offer. All the great companies that I remembered from the old location were still there from Petzl and Outdoor Research to Smith and Vertx. As we rounded the final corner to see the far side of the showroom we met up with the reps from Ops-Core, a company that all the members of Ontario Geardo hold near and dear. We don’t just collect gear for the sake of collecting gear, the reason we have all this stuff is because we love being outdoors. I’d like to think that I have a pretty good idea of what quality means within this industry, so when Frank told me he only carries the best, I felt confident in the fact that I had already come to the same conclusion. When the time came for Sean and I to select a helmet for our outdoor adventures, I needed to look no further than Millbrook’s shelves. To finish up our time with Ops-Core, they gave us a demonstration of their RAC headset which is incredible. I will dedicate a write up to that system soon as it deserves more than just a paragraph.<br />
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After a little more exploring, Frank met with us again to show us some of the items from L3 Warrior Systems and Wilcox that really impressed him. A few of the really notable items included some white phosphorus night vision and a range finding device that you can mount to your rifle. Once you lase your target, it will give you the ballistic solution. Apparently there was a demo where they got a woman who had never shot before to hit a target 1,200m out with her first round. I had better start saving my pennies right?<br />
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Sean and I headed back downstairs for some ribs and pulled pork that Millbrook had generously catered for all the guests. We were happy to meet a staff member named Mike who has been with the company for just over a year now, and unlike a lot of the other Millbrook staff members I had met before, he was not a member of CANSOFCOM. He was just passionate about what the company was all about and of course the products that they carry; a fellow geardo. We had a great chat about gear and night vision which felt more like the kind of conversation I had with Sean on the drive up, rather than the thin interactions I’ve come to expect at cheap surplus stores around the GTA.<br />
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It was then that I started to put together why Millbrook was enjoying as much success as they were. When they were first starting out, the staff used their Canadian Forces determination and resolve and applied that to business. It translated well and it is no doubt a contributor to their growth. Of course the connections within the industry Frank has as a retired member of CANSOFCOM certainly helps when buyers are getting quotes from different tactical shops. What I personally think puts them at the top of the heap is that they are the only SOF centric tactical equipment and apparel store that I know of in Canada that has such a discriminating and informed focus when it comes to what they put on their shelves. Simply put, they only carry the best, and they sell it all at honest prices.<br />
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Their slogan “Those who serve, deserve” is something that they take very seriously. I found out after speaking with Frank’s son, that it not only applies to their customers but also to those their hiring practices as well. As a patron, and reassuring for civilians like Sean and I, I'm happy to say that it looks like the Millbrook staff try their best to treat anyone who decides to walk in their store equally. When you visit, you are met with staff that is friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to help you find what you need. When I shop in Toronto I am often watched silently from a distance or ignored, left to find what I’m looking for by myself. Whereas at Millbrook, the staff is proactively seeking to find have a friendly conversation with you. Something that really stood out for me was that when we showed up, one of the staff members Steven, recognized me and came up to shake my hand to say hello. This was a pleasant surprise because I hadn’t been to Millbrook in over a year and a half.<br />
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Millbrook really is a one-stop shop for those looking for next level customer service and the best tactical equipment on the market. Whether you are an outdoorsman with an affinity for SOF centric gear, or if you need this kind of equipment for work, Millbrook has you covered.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ontariogeardo/">Follow us on Instagram</a> to get bonus pictures of the party.<br />
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Photography by: <a href="https://500px.com/7point62">Sean Arbuthnot</a>OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-60912912846333708002016-07-06T18:06:00.000-04:002016-07-06T18:06:11.750-04:00An open letter to Jason McCarthy of GORUCK<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><span style="color: white;">Open discussion for all about the GORUCK Challenge, which is nearing 6 years young and remains our flagship event:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">How are we/Cadre doing in line with our goal of Building Better Americans? If you have any feedback on anything at all (events themselves, operations, how we can better help you get your friends to show up), please post below. Good idea, Bad idea, Positive feedback, Negative feedback. Have at it. Even Wednesday whatever drama, just don't get out of hand :)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">The worst thing you can answer with is silence.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">Thank you all for growing this badass community tens of thousands strong all over the country and the world.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: white;">Jason McCarthy</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Hi Jason,</span><br />
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I have done 3 events now, two Challenges, (524 and 981), and one Heavy (122). I have even shadowed two events and made <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ0wAsbV-fg" target="_blank">videos</a> (Including the infamous "<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2013/07/shadowing-goruck-class-659_12.html" target="_blank">You do it</a>" video) because part of me wanted to show some of my friends what a GORUCK Challenge was all about, and also because I know it would be a fun keepsake for the people in the video to look back on. </div>
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To say that you have piqued my attention is an understatement. I have literally changed the way I exercise and stay fit by constantly preparing to participate in your events. Once a week a few of us do “Welcome Party” style workouts in the park with rucks, logs and weights, and then get together for food and beverages afterwards. So to answer your question on how you and your cadre doing with your goal of making better Americans? I’d say that at least with a couple of us, you’ve managed to engage us in a way that motivates us to stay fit, all the while having fun with friends. I’ve struggled in the past with finding an activity that keeps my attention more than a couple months, so I’m very grateful to have found GORUCK. Since my first challenge 3 years ago, I haven’t stopped training and I’m in the best shape of my life. As well, I have met dozens upon dozens of other GRTs at events that I'm lucky enough to now call my friends.</div>
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An added bonus of doing your events, is that we get lessons in teamwork unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. My comprehension of the word has been brought to a whole new level. Having completed a few of your events now, my definition of what is possible is drastically different than it was before GORUCK. I know now that if I set my mind to something, it’ll take some hard work, but I’ll get there. Here’s my problem though, I have not successfully been able to explain that to anyone in a way that makes them interested in actually attending an event, except for two people. The good news is that those two have stuck with it, and have not stopped training.</div>
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Most of the time, when I explain what GORUCK is all about, I get responses like, “Well I’d never do that, it sounds too hard” or “Man, that’s crazy”. So if you have any suggestions as to how to get more people to sign up, then I’m all ears. Here’s the thing though, the two people I convinced to do GORUCK with me really didn’t take that much convincing. It lined up with their interests in a way that when I showed them a few videos and talked about the cadre, they were in because it was as if they were looking for something like this already, but just weren’t aware of GORUCK. As I’m sure you know, most people are able to do GORUCK if they want it badly enough. So perhaps the friends I have unsuccessfully tried to get to participate are people that are already satisfied with their fitness plans, they don’t want to get wet and sandy, or they simply aren’t interested in exercising. </div>
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Something specific to me, which is somewhat unique compared to a lot of my friends is that I love reading books about modern military history. So when I get to meet cadre, it’s pretty much the equivalent of meeting a movie star or celebrity. The only difference is that it’s their branch of the military rather than the individual I am familiar with. The draw of meeting cadre is honestly a big part of signing up, where as with some of my other friends, they wouldn’t know or care to know the difference between a SEAL and a Ranger. </div>
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When I spoke to my father about my most recent event, he said something interesting, mostly because I didn’t think he really understood GORUCK. He said, "your event sounded really difficult, and it seems as though it’s something that not a lot of people could complete. The thing is though, if everyone could do it, it wouldn’t be special”. Part of me likes that he’s right. Part of me likes that I’m still hesitant to sign up for your events because I know how difficult they are. Since they are different every time, you never really know what you’re going to get which is an amazing way of keeping things fresh as well it scares me into training for things I'm bad at instead of getting stronger at the things I'm good at. The second challenge that I did, I noticed something much different than my first. I noticed that people seemed more interested in getting the patch, than they did with helping out their team. I was TL for part of that challenge and my team was struggling under a concrete parking block. When I went to get people to help, I was met with people shaking their heads at me because they were too hurt or tired, so I let them continue to ruck. After the challenge, that decision really bothered me because everyone was tired and hurt. It made me feel as though some people’s patches were worth less than others. So when I was TL at my recent event, I did my best to make sure everyone had equal opportunities to help carry things. I didn’t care if it meant being under something heavy for 5 minutes or 5 seconds. What mattered to me was that people understood they needed to do their best, and that if they weren’t carrying something, one of their teammates were in their place. </div>
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Trying my best it would seem isn't enough as I found out during my Heavy event. I was one of the weakest and slowest guys there. I struggled with the exercises and running, and was one of only two people that failed the half way PT test because I could only do 52 of the 60 burpees cadre was asking for within 10 minutes. When the event was over, I felt shame because I wasn’t able to help my team out as much as most of the others. I was doing my very best to help, but my very best was not as large a contribution. It made me feel as though I didn’t deserve my patch. It's not like I was completely out of shape, or that my class was waiting for me, it's just that I wasn't at their level. I think part of me knew that if I tried my best I would eventually get there, and that I would complete the Heavy. This knowledge got me through the event without EVER even thinking of quitting. It didn’t matter how bad I felt during the PT, it didn’t matter how badly my muscles burned while carrying heavy things, and it didn’t how much I hated the running, I knew that if I could put my head down and do my best I would eventually make it. </div>
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I think that realization killed part of GORUCK for me unfortunately. That realization that if I never quit makes it seem kind of pointless in a way to sign up for future similar events because even though I think I’ve found my current limit, just as long as I don't quit I can finish. As it is right now, given the time I have to train, as well as balancing the rest of my life, a GORUCK Heavy is just about right, if not a bit above my level. I’m lucky enough to have participated in a number of events with Stony, and know how much time and effort he has put into getting through Selection. I even made a <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2015/09/goruck-selection-kit-list-with-stony.html" target="_blank">few videos</a> to go over his kit selection. Realistically, with the time and commitment I have right now I don’t see Selection being a possibility. Perhaps in the future, but not right now. Right now, I'm going to concentrate on improving where I saw weakness during my performance at my last event. </div>
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So I guess this has morphed into how can you better help yourselves to get me (or possibly other GRTs) to sign up to do multiple events because I think the only way I'd sign up for another Challenge at this point is if it was for an HTL. Or if I travel to do an event. All the events I’ve done have been in the same city, the idea of doing an even in a different city seems like an interesting way to travel. Seeing special events like Normandy, and at Ft. Bragg look amazing. Also, I was insanely jealous of the people that got to do the obstacle course in Coronado. Lastly, your events like Navigator would be interesting for me because it’s so different than a Challenge, but it’s still under the same roof. I like improving my skills, and I like GORUCK, so being able to incorporate the two is a really great option.</div>
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Hopefully this meandering letter is useful to you somehow. As well, my apologies for it being so long. You did say that worst thing I can do is answer with silence, so if you guys have taught me anything, I figured I’d over deliver. </div>
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Thanks for all that you do. If you count North Americans as Americans then I think you’re right on track, as I know of a number of Canadians up here that have grown because of your efforts.</div>
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Kind regards,</div>
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Mike</div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-4399108332402711972016-05-30T13:03:00.000-04:002019-10-29T11:09:10.016-04:00Backpacking List - Working towards ultralight<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
A new year brings new gear! I remember when I first started to buy camping gear, my goal was to see if I could get everything to fit into one bag. I had a large ALICE pack that was modded to fit more than the regular 50L capacity, but it wasn’t large enough to accommodate my hand-me-down synthetic sleeping bag and much of anything else. As the years when by, I did my research, talked to people with more experience, and over time I picked up items that were smaller and lighter. </div>
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Below is a list and a video of where I’m at for the 2016 summer season. I still have some improvements to make, and if you have any suggestions or comments, please share below or on YouTube. I’d love to know what you think! Do take note though that I haven’t included my food, water or clothing. I’ll be doing another video to cover those items. </div>
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Arc'teryx Axios 35</div>
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Toilet Paper and Ziplock Bag</div>
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Petal Tactikka XP</div>
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Aurelle Toob Toothbrush</div>
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Sun Bum SPF 50</div>
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Humangear Gotoob </div>
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After bite</div>
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Ben’s 30 Wilderness Insect Repellant</div>
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Lip balm</div>
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Advil</div>
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Leukotape P</div>
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Sawyer Mini Water Filter</div>
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Lighter</div>
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Leatherman c33x Crater Folding Knife</div>
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Fenix LD02 LED Flashlight</div>
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Outdoor Research Coyote Pack Cover</div>
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GSI Cathole Trowel </div>
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Thermarest Z-Seat<br />
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Video by: Jeremy Meuris</div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-46907245253943330682015-10-28T00:27:00.003-04:002019-10-29T11:07:48.219-04:00Arc'teryx LEAF Atom LT - Review<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">Many years ago I learned a valuable lesson about purchasing gear from a waitress. I was out to celebrate an anniversary with my wife at a restaurant called the Lobster Trap. My wife ordered the lobster bisque and I ordered the clam chowder. I was surprised when the waitress stopped me and said, “No, you don’t want the chowder, you want the lobster bisque”. I had my heart set on the chowder, brushed off the recommendation, and was surprised with how forward our server was. Curiosity got the better of me after a few sips of the chowder though and I asked for a spoon of my wife’s soup. When the waitress came back to bring us our drinks, I ordered myself a bowl of lobster bisque. </span><br />
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That dining experience taught me an important lesson about humility. Our waitress, I would come to learn, had been working there for years and had probably seen countless people regret not ordering the bisque after sharing their neighbour’s bowl. Not that there was anything wrong with the chowder, it’s just that there was a better option for me after she knew I was interested in soup. Being open to suggestions from people you trust and learning from other people’s experiences can yield great rewards if you have an open mind. </div>
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Rewind almost four years ago to when I was looking for an insulating mid layer. I was already sold on pretty much anything that was a part of the Protective Combat Uniform layering system, and having the Level 3 Fleece was pretty much the only option on my list. This was about the same time I started noticing that Arc’teryx was appearing in more retail stores around Toronto. The prices of their pieces compared to the prices of PCU seemed outrageous even though I knew their quality was almost unparalleled. When I spoke to the sales people at outdoor retail stores like Atmosphere, Higher Ground and Sporting Life, one thing seemed to stay consistent. They all seemed to recommend the Atom LT. In fact, one representative told me that they were sold out of the LTs because the staff had bought them all. At this point, I hadn’t made the connection that the lesson I had learned all those years ago was applicable to this situation. So I picked up the Level 3 and was impressed with it’s performance. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7pPz8vOpes/VjBFMVcF9xI/AAAAAAAAANc/zcHR7-7K1dQ/s1600/Arcteryx_LEAF_Atom_LT_Review_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M7pPz8vOpes/VjBFMVcF9xI/AAAAAAAAANc/zcHR7-7K1dQ/s400/Arcteryx_LEAF_Atom_LT_Review_02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm pretty sure I'm wincing because I'm looking towards at the sun. Or perhaps it's because it was 20°C and I'm wearing a jacket... The things I do for you guys. (It was one of the warmest Thanksgiving weekends I can remember. At least I gave the Power Stretch a good workout!)</td></tr>
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As the winter approached, I saw my wife getting increasingly jealous, and she put in the request for a “Level Fuzzy” to keep her warm. She wasn’t tied to something in coyote brown like I was, and like most items that are available to the armed forces, there are usually a number of great civilian options. As I shopped around I found a number of colourful fleeces that would fit the bill, but then I found an Atom LT on the rack. Now don’t get me wrong, like the clam chowder, level 3 fleece was great, but the geardo inside of me was curious about that lobster bisque.</div>
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It wasn’t fuzzy, but it was certainly warm. Was she disappointed, or was she pleased with my decision? Well, a year ago she got me the Atom LT LEAF hoody for my birthday. She said that she felt it wasn’t fair that she had one and I didn’t. </div>
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So what are the difference between the commercial and the LEAF version? Besides coming in subdued colours and being $11 cheaper, the Gossamera ripstop face fabric is 40d rather than 20d which should make it more durable but also a little heavier. The commercial Atom LT is 360g where the LEAF version is 445g. Some features that might be of interest to those who those who need to run communications gear will be happy to hear that the LEAF version has two internal media ports unlike the commercial version. As well the cord locks that are used to adjust the drawstrings around the waist are routed upward and should not interfere with the use of your holster or gear on your belt. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Polartec Power Stretch does a great job of dumping extra hot air from under your arms.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />The Atom LT has two versions, but the reason why I like the hoodie is based on a few things. It is nice to have a way to keep your head and ears warm without packing a toque. I don’t like sleeping in barrel bags, so when the temperature goes down, my shoulders and upper back get cold. I’ve slept a few nights with the Atom LT and it’s been a much more enjoyable sleep having the hood stay in place rather than trying to find my hat in a dark tent after it has fallen off. A few of my friends avoid hoods, as they say it bothers them and that it gets in the way. That isn’t really a problem for me though as the majority of the snowboard jackets and apparel I’ve had over the years have had hoods; so besides thinking they look cool compared the the Mandarin collar, I don’t really notice the added fabric.<br /><br />The stretchy Polartec Power Stretch with Hardface technology helps with breathability, but it’s a bit of a two way street. If you are using this as an outer layer, then you will notice cold air seeping in when it’s windy. But you guys are geardos, so layering up with a hardshell or softshell will solve that problem easily. The two side pockets are massive, and have a thin fleece liner on one of the walls. There is one internal breast pocket that is also very generous in size, but does not really effect the profile of the jacket. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLAChzHaqhw/VjBKRHPfDzI/AAAAAAAAAN8/VmDQ7LBZ1U0/s1600/Arcteryx_LEAF_Atom_LT_Review_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SLAChzHaqhw/VjBKRHPfDzI/AAAAAAAAAN8/VmDQ7LBZ1U0/s400/Arcteryx_LEAF_Atom_LT_Review_04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The breast pocket and the media port just above.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A very serious issue I had with the Atom LT was with the tapered elastic cuff. While it does a great job of keeping the cold air out, it also makes it difficult to get my watch out to find out what time it is. After a few months of use, I noticed that the stitching came apart at the seam from constantly pulling it over my G-Shock. I contacted Arc’teryx, got an RA number, dropped it off at their downtown Toronto location, and a few weeks later I got a brand new jacket at no extra charge. Now, I am very conscious of not checking my watch now when I wear the Atom LT which is kind of annoying. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As far as performance in the cold goes, I have been very impressed. The jacket keeps me comfortable walking around at temperatures ranging from 5-15°C, and if I’m jogging or if I’m on my bike, going down to 0° with nothing more than a T-shirt underneath is fine. If it dips below freezing, An outer layer and a grid fleece is usually added to keep me smiling if I’m on the slopes. The fabric is treated with DWR, and I’ve noticed that when it’s raining, it will hold up for about 10 minutes before I start to feel wet. The Atom LT is by no means a rain jacket, but it’s nice to know it will keep my dry as I reach for my hardshell. For things like winter camping where I’m not moving around as much, I’d rather go with something more substantial. The Atom LT uses 60g/m² Coreloft, where the Atom SV uses 120/m². So at the moment, when the forecast is calling for really cold weather I reach for my PCU level 3. Going forward I’d like to check out the SV because if it compresses as well last the LT I’m sold as the PCU takes up a lot of room in a pack. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the end of the day, is the Atom LT my lobster bisque? Is it the warmest mid layer I own? No, PCU Level 3 is still my go to. Is it the lightest mid layer I own? No, at 15.7 oz, it’s slightly heavier that my Patagonia R2 (13.8 oz). Is it the most versatile mid layer I own? Yes it is. The wind and rain protection it provides allows me to wear it in more situations and environments than the other two. I definitely notice myself reaching for the Atom more often than any of the other options. To me, the Atom LT is a winner because it's warm, well made, and comfortable. The added bonus is that I blend in with my buddies when I’m at the range, and I don’t look like that “tactical” nerd if I’m walking around downtown with my buddies trying to find a pub. Am I upset that I got the Level 3 first? Not at all, it helped me complete a set, and without it, I wouldn’t have been able to put into perspective what I like about the Atom LT. Additionally, having more than one of something allows me to use one for everyday, and the other for trips, but that’s a topic for another day. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waist cinch is directed up to get out of the way of items on your belt. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Photos by: Rey</span></div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-34077433927574806692015-10-09T10:37:00.001-04:002015-10-09T10:59:40.281-04:00Camping Checklist - Prep and Packing (late summer/early fall)<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">When I first started getting into camping the hardest thing to do was to fit everything into one backpack. The source of my problems, I came to realize, stemmed from two problems. First, the vast majority of my gear was entry level with almost no consideration for packability and weight. Second, and this is what’s probably most important, is that I was bringing too much crap. The more I spend time in the woods, the more I realize, you don’t actually need very much! Something that holds true for me especially is that the more I bring in, the more likely I am to lose a piece of gear. </span><br />
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Packing for the trip, for whatever reason, is almost as enjoyable as the experiencing the trip for me. Figuring out what to bring, as well catering each list to the location and people I’ll be with is a fun exercise for me. I’ll admit to packing the night before a few times, but ideally, I will pack a few days, if not a week in advance. I used to keep a list beside my bag and would write things down as I put them in. I would keep mental notes and sometimes write after actions of what I wish I had, what worked well, and what I didn’t use. Once I cross referenced that with the packing lists I had made, I was left with a pretty decent packing checklist. No more worrying about if I’ve forgotten something. It’s all just there.</div>
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The list below is what I would bring for a late summer/early fall camping trip when the bugs are still around. As well, I've included a checklist of things that need to happen before it all goes in the bag. It's a good reminder that prepping is not as simple as throwing everything into a bag. To keep your sanity and to reduce stress, allocate time to getting your gear ready well before your trip instead of the night before.<br />
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Here is a complete kit list for those who are interested in the specifics.</div>
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<span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue;">MSR 10L Dromedary</span></div>
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GSI Glacier Stainless Bottle Cup</div>
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Snow Peak Titanium Spork</div>
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Dollar Store Lighter x2</div>
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MSR Alpine 1L Water Bottle</div>
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Eureka 10L Drybag</div>
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550 Paracord</div>
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Petzl Taktikka XP</div>
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Mechanix Multicam FastFit Gloves</div>
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Eagle M60 Pouch </div>
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Katadyn Base Camp Water Filter</div>
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MSR Micro Rocket</div>
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MSR Isopro Fuel</div>
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INOVA Radiant LED Flashlight</div>
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MSR Tent Pegs</div>
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MSR Tent Poles</div>
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GSI Cathole Trowel</div>
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Toilet Paper</div>
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Ziplock Bag</div>
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Leatherman c33x Folding Knife</div>
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Outdoor Research Waterproof Compression Sack</div>
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MSR Mutha Hubba 3p Tent</div>
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Outdoor Research Waterproof Compression Sack</div>
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Mountain Equipment Coop Drake 0°C Down Sleeping bag</div>
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Therm-a-Rest Expedition Pad</div>
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Eagle MLCS Medical Pouch</div>
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Toothbrush</div>
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Toothpaste </div>
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com59tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-35096829657801413822015-09-10T11:13:00.000-04:002019-10-29T11:08:11.528-04:00GORUCK Selection Kit List with Stony Smith 014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 12px;">The first time I met Stony was during my first Challenge, <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2013/06/gear-guide-for-surviving-goruck.html" target="_blank">Class 524</a> in Toronto. I had read on another blog that he had done the Challenge the year before, and I saw the video he made of the creation of our team weight. This guy was dedicated. During the event he was quiet, except for when someone needed help. He was always willing to assist the team by carrying someone’s ruck or to lend a hand. I imagined he knew what we had in store, but instead of spoiling the surprise, he just let us experience the Challenge fresh.</span></div>
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Fast forward a few years, he’s still the same friendly guy. He still comes out to Challenges (<a href="https://youtu.be/WgNhMSSFTds" target="_blank">Class 659 video</a>, <a href="https://youtu.be/VZ0wAsbV-fg" target="_blank">Class 1571 video</a>), and works with people to help them through the events. Except now he has a glorious face forest, and his muscles are a bit bigger. When I asked him if he would mind doing a segment with me about his gear, he didn’t bat an eye. Always willing to share, and always down for telling a good story. We need more guys like Stony. Damn Skippy!</div>
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*Note - There will be another video coming out Saturday morning that will outline some of his ruck and boot modifications and what he wore during the challenge. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ontariogeardo/" target="_blank">Follow my page on Facebook</a>, and you'll know exactly when it comes out. </div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: large;">Kit List</span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-GR2<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Condor
Tactical Belt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Condor
Battle Belt, small<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Condor
Utility Pouch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-PT belt,
Green –safety First!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Mechanics
Gloves, 1 pair –cut open finger tips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Petzl
Tikka+ headlamp, one set extra batteries (3 AA)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Red
flashing strobe light –Broke, used Chemical lights<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-One
Contractor bag <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Small
dry bag<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Knee
sleeves <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-CADPAT Boonie
Hat for keeping the sun off my delicate skin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Tac Hat
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Sun
screen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Emergency
Blanket<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Moleskin
kit and tape.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Extra
mouth piece for bladder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-ID,
cash<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Small
amount of Duct tape, enough to wrap around my boot multiple times<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Wrist wraps
and 2 cinch straps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-2
Source bladders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Nalgene
bottle<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-25lb
steel plate, 5lb weight plate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-20L dry
bag, Containing...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-2 pair of socks, Darn Tough and winter weight Smart Wool hiking
socks (glorious)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Neoprene gloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-3/4 length, windbreaker rain coat (Mountain Hard Wear)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-extra Tan Shirt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Merino Wool Toque Eh!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Under Armour Fitted Cold Gear top<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Salomon Running shoes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Black PT shorts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">What I
wore for most of the event<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Under
Armour Boxer Jock 9”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Darn
Tough Socks boot cut, doubled over at the top –filters the sand out<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Columbia
Silver Ridge Cargo pants<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Under
Armour Heat Gear loose fitting top.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Rocky
RLW, with modified drain holes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-CA">-My
number 14 tan shirt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA">-Various
D-rings, Carabineers, chains, and clips.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Looking for more GORUCK articles?</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2015/04/tactical-pants-faceoff.html" target="_blank">Tactical Pants Comparison</a> - 6 different pants that would work well for Challenges</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2013/09/arcteryx-axios-35-review.html" target="_blank">Arc'teryx Axios 35 Review</a> - Did my first challenge with this pack</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2014/11/camelbak-hawg-review.html" target="_blank">Camelbak HAWG Review</a> - Did my second challenge with this pack</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2014/05/perroz-designs-reflective-dfq-patch.html" target="_blank">Reflective DFQ Patches </a>- This is where you get em!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2014/04/goruck-challenge-class-981-aar.html" target="_blank">Class 981</a> - After Action</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2013/12/pcu-submersion-test.html" target="_blank">Cold Weather Gear Submersion Test</a> - I jumped in a lake and walked myself dry in under an hour... in the winter... Canadian winter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2013/06/gear-guide-for-surviving-goruck.html" target="_blank">Gear List for Surviving GORUCK </a>- What kept me smiling during my first challenge</div>
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Video and editing by: Jeremy Meuris</div>
<br />OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-62299270986518686262015-07-20T16:23:00.002-04:002015-07-27T13:42:14.259-04:00The Grand Canyon<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">We did our best to do as much research as possible so that our hike would be both enjoyable and efficient. We trained with our rucks, and had them packed with exactly what we would be bringing with us so that there wouldn’t be any surprises. All said and done, each of our packs weighed about 70lbs. The smiles and cheeky comments when people saw the way we were dressed, as well as how big our packs were on the way up and down made something perfectly clear; we looked fucking spectacular. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPs_S9nCIng/Va1RDQbtSBI/AAAAAAAAB-A/8RUZ-uoNDP0/s1600/Grand_Canyon_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YPs_S9nCIng/Va1RDQbtSBI/AAAAAAAAB-A/8RUZ-uoNDP0/s400/Grand_Canyon_014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In all seriousness, everyone that we passed had about half the weight and seemed to fly up and down the canyon, while we trudged along at a pace that got us down to the Colorado River in about 9 hours, and 8.5 hours on the way up. There was a certain pride in completing the hike with such a weight, that obviously others viewed as bullheadedness or inexperience. I'll admit to being bullheaded, but doing an inventory of what I brought, I think the difference in weight came down to military gear vs ultralight gear. All that Cordura added up!</div>
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The thing is, we all enjoyed doing it with as much weight as we did. It was certainly difficult, but a secondary bonus is that our slower pace allowed us more time to enjoy the views rather than speeding down and then hanging out in the cantina. It’s also become somewhat of a benchmark for us that can be use to put things into perspective. When presented with a difficult tasking we now know what we’re capable of. I’ve caught myself thinking “Ya this is going to suck, but it’s not anywhere close to being as hard as the Grand Canyon with 70lbs. This should be a cakewalk.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkT_mXQx2qM/Va1R5xMpT9I/AAAAAAAAB-I/LZZ6Syn97lA/s1600/Grand_Canyon_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkT_mXQx2qM/Va1R5xMpT9I/AAAAAAAAB-I/LZZ6Syn97lA/s400/Grand_Canyon_006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switchbacks are put in place so you don't need to climb or descend at a steep angle. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Footwear</span></b></div>
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I wore Salomon Comet 3D Gore-Tex boots for this adventure as they had served me well in the past. I’ve had them for over a year and have never even come close to developing a hot spot, never mind a blister. What I didn’t anticipate though was that after we were about half way into the canyon my feet started swelling ever so slightly. Couple that with walking downhill all day, my toes started to bang the toe box a bit. Unfortunately for me that meant that my big toes on both feet were pretty tender by the time I got to the bottom. I noticed descending stairs sideways to protect my toes from impact, as well I was using my trekking poles to lessen the impact helped, but by then it was too late. My nails turned black, and five months later, I’m just waiting for them to grow out. </div>
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<b>Solution: Make sure that your boots/shoes have enough room in the toe box, and anticipate your feet will get a little bigger. I know some people that hike with anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling in the hands and feet. If that’s something you’re into, definitely experiment during training before a big hike just to make sure it works for you. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Mf7R6nll94/Va1S62WNBYI/AAAAAAAAB-k/ljixTPuGRTk/s1600/Grand_Canyon_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Mf7R6nll94/Va1S62WNBYI/AAAAAAAAB-k/ljixTPuGRTk/s400/Grand_Canyon_011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were warned there might be ice and snow, but this was pretty much all of it. Definitely didn't need the crampons in the end. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Pack Weight</span></b></div>
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When we contacted the park rangers before the trip, we were warned that temperatures could fall to -20°C and to bring crampons. We spent the night before camping at the rim and it certainly got chilly, but never below freezing. There was a bit of snow for a few steps, but beyond that it was dry and warm. It’s definitely worth showing up ready for anything because it’d be a shame to have to turn around because you weren’t prepared. Worse yet, it’d be a tragedy to get hurt down there because you didn’t have enough gear. </div>
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There were three of us in total, in my opinion we all made one big mistake. And this is a hard one for geardos, but we had too much redundancy. We all had cool shelter systems, stoves, water filtratioin, and supplies that we wanted to bring and test out, but if we really wanted to cut down on weight, we should have consolidated our gear and split it up between all of our packs. It’s hard for me to only bring one of something because we all know the two is one, one is none mantra. I’ve certainly had stoves break during trips and relied on my buddy’s stuff. Realistically, there is a cantina at the bottom, so the capability of making hot food wasn’t even really a requisite. Trail mix, fruit and some energy bars would have been enough.</div>
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<b>Solution: It only takes half a day to get down and half a day to get out, so you don’t really need to plan this like a camping trip if you don’t want to. We did though, but I think that’s because we’re masochists that always enjoy a good challenge. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NBBkyOx7wo/Va1Sc7p9UYI/AAAAAAAAB-c/xeQQ4n6Mtbg/s1600/Grand_Canyon_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6NBBkyOx7wo/Va1Sc7p9UYI/AAAAAAAAB-c/xeQQ4n6Mtbg/s400/Grand_Canyon_012.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Two of us used the Mystery Ranch 6500. Certainly not the ultralight option, but tough as nails. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Water</span></b></div>
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We took the South Kaibab Trail down and up which unfortunately has no provisions for water. There is water at the Bright Angel Campground, but the taste of the water is heavily chlorinated. Plus we were warned that sometimes the pipes freeze and there is no water at the bottom. I personally carried 11 litres of water (10 kg or 22.05 lbs.) 10 of it in my MSR Dromedary, and 1L in my canteen. Running out of water during such a long hike was not an option. I wanted to stay hydrated throughout the hike, and I needed water for my dehydrated meals. As well, I wanted to have water for my buddies should they run out, which happened on the way up! </div>
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It wasn’t an easy decision knowing that almost 1/3 of your pack weight is water, but I’m a worrier. The temperature in January was very pleasant and didn’t end up sweating very much during the hike. On the way down, I drank only 1L of water, and on the way up I only drank 1.5L because it was a little warmer. Notice that I said warm and not hot though. If it had been summer time, I would have probably tripled my water consumption. </div>
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<b>Solution: Going with a food option that doesn’t require me to bring water would have been a better option and would have probably gotten away with bringing much less. </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mindset</span></b></div>
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On the way down tried our best to get to the Colorado River before it got dark. When we realized that wasn’t going to happen, we pulled our headlamps out and carried on as the sun started to disappear. By the time we got to the bridge, my toes were bothering me and I was admittedly in a pretty grumpy mood. It felt like the bridge was a mile wide, and I cursed every step. When we got to our site, I watched my buddy setting his tarp up with one corner over a cactus. He tried in vain to make adjustments so that it’d work, and I saw his will to "get it over with" was stronger than wanting to start from scratch. I stepped in and together we set it up right. What went wrong? Endurance wise, we could have gone further, but I think the mistake we made is that we didn’t stop to eat. </div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Solution: Make sure you get an honest amount of kilometres with weight under your belt before you step into the canyon. Also, if you haven’t done anything like this before, go with a buddy or two. That way you can keep an eye on each other, and through training you’ll recognize what your friends look like when they're tired. I’ve been told I’m getting stumbly and low on sugar a number of times before I noticed it myself. We saw a number of people literally tripping up the trail completely smoked. If you trip and fall, you’re dead. There aren’t any ropes or fences to keep you from tumbling into the canyon. Learning from our experience the night before, we made a plan to stop for lunch so we could refuel. We found a nice plateau and had one of the best views in the canyon. The decision to take it easy on the way up made for an noticeable improvement in morale as well as energy levels. So don’t rush it! You might only get the opportunity to do this once, so you might as well enjoy the sights and sounds!</span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The first time you see the river, is when you realize you're only half way down.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b></div>
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There were certainly some things I could have done differently, but looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Any negative events are now learning experiences that won’t be repeated. With every trip we go on, we become more efficient. The positives of this trip MASSIVELY outweigh the negatives. I’m glad we chose to go in January as the temperature was perfect. I’ve heard hiking the canyon in the summer referred to as a death march because of the heat.<br />
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The wildlife was spectacular too! At one point we saw a heard of Big Horn Sheep running around just south of Skeleton Point. And at the bottom, were the most tame deer I’ve ever seen in my life. They are so used to humans, you could literally walk up to them and touch them if you wanted. </div>
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One of my favourite memories happened before we had even stepped off. We were on the shuttle heading towards the trail, and I saw a glimpse of the canyon through the trees. It blew me away. There aren’t any photos or videos that can do it justice. And that was just my first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. There were multiple times on the way down and up that we just stopped to enjoy how magnificent the views were. I’m not sure how to convey how happy we were without sounding cheesy, so I suggest that you just go and see it yourself. If you follow this blog, I just don’t see how you could not be amazed by this place.</div>
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7/23/15 - Because a few people have asked, this is the list of things I brought with me into the canyon</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Packing List</b></span></div>
Mystery Ranch 6500 Pack<br />
MSR Mutha Hubba Tent<br />
Pegs<br />
Tarp<br />
Down Sleeping Bag<br />
Goretex Bivy Bag<br />
Thermarest Sleeping Pad<br />
PCU level 6 Hardshell top and bottom<br />
First Aid Kit<br />
Headlamp<br />
Hand warmers<br />
Mechanix Gloves<br />
Gaiters<br />
8 dehydrated meals<br />
Gloves<br />
Hat<br />
Spork<br />
Batteries<br />
10L dromedary<br />
Solar flashlight<br />
Crampons<br />
Trekking Poles<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MrA4PcFxaA/Va1T9H5q1QI/AAAAAAAAB_E/BlBT0WU7pmw/s1600/Grand_Canyon_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6MrA4PcFxaA/Va1T9H5q1QI/AAAAAAAAB_E/BlBT0WU7pmw/s400/Grand_Canyon_002.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably one of the most unique views my tent has ever seen.<span style="font-size: 12px;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ0aELme_Ag/Va1T8z10O2I/AAAAAAAAB_A/H56OabHA37c/s1600/Grand_Canyon_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NJ0aELme_Ag/Va1T8z10O2I/AAAAAAAAB_A/H56OabHA37c/s400/Grand_Canyon_003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is probably the closest I've ever been able to walk up to a deer. We saw dozens of them just as tame as these near our campsite. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICw5pK0ITA8/Va1T9Mc2-tI/AAAAAAAAB_I/xdVvGAP-kRg/s1600/Grand_Canyon_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ICw5pK0ITA8/Va1T9Mc2-tI/AAAAAAAAB_I/xdVvGAP-kRg/s400/Grand_Canyon_005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 3/4 of the way down we were treated to a number of Big Horn Sheep going for a walk. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6jxD9KeYMw/Va1T9cbRaKI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/f8V-QtI7X98/s1600/Grand_Canyon_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q6jxD9KeYMw/Va1T9cbRaKI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/f8V-QtI7X98/s400/Grand_Canyon_007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's hard to capture how massive and impressive this place is with a camera. </td></tr>
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-13783073317032101152015-06-28T15:37:00.001-04:002015-07-16T19:19:14.900-04:00One Shot Tactical Store<div class="MsoNormal">
It was 10 years ago that <a href="http://oneshottactical.com/" target="_blank">One Shot Tactical Store</a> first
opened its doors. A few weeks ago, we made the hike from Toronto to Trenton to
wish the OSTS team happy birthday. I had never been to the shop before, but
I’ve certainly frequented their website to make purchases over the years. They
were one of the first Canadian shops that I knew of to carry tactical products whose
inventory mirrored many of the American sites I liked. The bonus was that I was
able to support a local Canadian business and, of course, there were massive
savings in shipping. From a professional standpoint, the store is strategically
located near CFB Trenton, home of JTF2 (once they finish moving).<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we got to the store, I wasn’t expecting to see all of the
paddling equipment, which didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me at the time.
It’s only one part of the store, mind you; I soon found myself digging through
Blue Force Gear, and HSGI TACO pouches. In the back of the store are some glass
displays filled with edged weapons, and a pretty impressive collection of black
rifles and handguns.</div>
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While we were admiring the Knight’s Armament collection,
Darren Cole, the owner, walked over to see how we were doing. He offered us
some cake, and then generously spent the time to walk us though his store. We
chatted about the changes in the industry now that the war is over and what
that means for sales. During the war, they were selling a plate carrier a day,
where as now, they might be selling one every month. <o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the things he found interesting was looking at the
orders that people were making, because they weren’t simply focused around just
tactical gear or just outdoor gear. People were buying a whole range of
products, from mag pouches to paddles. It was then that it became very clear to
me why the store was so diverse and unlike any other tactical store I had ever
been to. A lot of the military and law enforcement customers that come in also
enjoy spending time outdoors, so making OSTS a one stop shop make sense. That
said, OSTS is set up in a way that can easily transition back to primarily
tactical gear, should Canada find itself involved in another war. However, if
Darren’s Instagram account is any indicator, the paddling inventory will always
have a spot in the store. It’s the opinion of this geardo, who likes military
gear as much as spending time in the great outdoors, is that any store that
caters to two of my favourite hobbies is just fine with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-70681510751745533362015-05-22T12:50:00.002-04:002015-05-22T12:50:57.762-04:00Legit Kit Interview<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
When I first started getting into gear the only place I really knew where to get good kit was on eBay. Every once and a while I’d find a seller that had a real Eagle 3-Day or an LBT Garmin pouch, not a crappy knockoff. Those were exciting days. Then I stumbled upon <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/legitkit" target="_blank">Legit Kit’s eBay store</a>... I was just getting into Navy Special Warfare stuff at the time, and it was like this guy was monitoring my Google search history because his store had EVERYTHING. The really obscure stuff that I was looking for like TFSS pouches, Coyote OR pack covers, UDT horse collars, you name it, it was there. Sure there were forum boards and niche blogs where you could find this kind of stuff, but the sheer volume and frequency of his updates meant that I had something arriving at my doorstep a few times a month from his inventory. What made it even more enticing was his impeccable feedback percentage! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkZwUg_KyCU/VV9YPH8ZivI/AAAAAAAAB6U/xl63GNI1r9I/s1600/Legitkit_01.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkZwUg_KyCU/VV9YPH8ZivI/AAAAAAAAB6U/xl63GNI1r9I/s400/Legitkit_01.jpg" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>The nice people at <a href="http://www.beyondclothing.com/" target="_blank">Beyond Clothing</a> were nice enough to invite me to the Beyond SHOT after party at the Encore, and while I was there Milan from <a href="http://www.perrozdesigns.com/" target="_blank">Perroz Designs</a> introduced me to Legit Kit. Over a few drinks, I was pleased to find that he is a modest, and really down to earth guy. What’s better is that he’s also passionate, and knowledgeable about the merchandise he sells and the people he buys it from.<br />
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Enough from me though, you’re here for him! So find a comfy seat, and a tasty beverage. This interview is certainly long, but an undeniable gem. </div>
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<b>OG: What drew you to NSW gear specifically over all the other branches?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: It was location. We’re just in that area; Hampton Roads, Little Creek, Dam Neck. As well in the area you’ve got the attached guys from EOD, to RIVRON. Mainly Navy, but when army guys train at Dam Neck they stop in Camp Pendleton which is right on the oceanfront. There’s so much military, it’s saturated. Living in the area, you know if a if certain things fly out of Oceana, it’s probably got certain people on it.<br />
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It’s weird, outside of Hampton Roads people are like, “Woah! A SEAL!”. And rightly so, these guys, they’re heroes. In Hampton Roads though, you hear people say, “Oh yeah, my husband is so and so.” or “I go to church with one”. It’s not the same mystique that’s perpetuated in the rest of the world.<br />
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<b>OG: It’s just more everyday.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: Ya! It’s everyday because they are to your left and right. There’s a healthy respect for the military, and we respect the guys immensely. We make sure to take care of them when buying gear because it’s a very tight knit community. If you do wrong by one person, that spreads very quickly. Then that’s it, and that’s the end of it. So you do right by people, and they do right by you.<br />
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<b>OG: So when you buy gear, how can you tell if it’s legit or if it’s a knockoff?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: At this point, I’ve been doing this so long, I know. I can tell LBT from Eagle, from Allied, by the stitching, Velcro, colour and hue. There are so many types of tan, but when you’ve done it enough you can just tell. There is still stuff that stumps me for sure, but being in the industry this long you just come to know it like the back of your hand.<br />
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<b>OG: You must really surprise some guys if they come in with a 6094 in Multicam and get quoted one price, but then they come in later and get another price when they offer the same rig in AOR1.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: Honesty is the key there. We don’t exist without customers, so it’s really about managing expectations. In that way, it would be very easy for someone to come in and not know what they have necessarily. This is their rig, they set it up their way. They might have taken the buckles off or added different bungee retention. They know “operate”, they know that really well, but they aren’t into kit the way that some of the rest of us are. They won’t get the small nuances; tan vs black buckles on MLCS. That was never done as an intentional thing. They were built initially with black buckles, guys were spray-painting their buckles tan, buckles came out in tan, so they started making the buckles in tan. That made a “Gen 1” that is now hard to find, never intentionally. That doesn’t register for a lot of people. If you talk to other militaria guys like WW2 or Vietnam guys, they get it. There’s all the HBT and the different tans and greens. WW2 is even crazier in a lot of ways.<br />
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The old 6094 in AOR with tan webbing, is astronomically more valuable to a collector than digital webbing. The funny thing about it is that in some cases the early digital webbing would fade to tan. We’ve got one in the shop on a mannequin. It’s digital webbing, but it’s so faded it looks tan. Those were never intentional things. It’s just that better materials came out. So now there is this artificially inflated rarity because new pictures came out with subtle changes which makes the first gen a rare thing.<br />
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So it would be really easy for us to say, this guy doesn’t know what this is worth. We can pay dirt for this, but you can’t do that. I take great joy in surprising someone when they come into a transaction looking to sell something for $100 only to find that we’re willing to give them $400, because what they were offering has value over what they think it’s worth. That, by leaps and bounds, is the best form of advertising there is. That guy has a platoon, that guy has a squad, or he has buddies that have gear to get rid of.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9fqea5MrEk/VV9Z-LyLicI/AAAAAAAAB6o/XIEDwpRgtS8/s1600/Legitkit_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g9fqea5MrEk/VV9Z-LyLicI/AAAAAAAAB6o/XIEDwpRgtS8/s400/Legitkit_02.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<b>OG: If the guys coming in aren’t really into gear, then where do you get your information?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: I started just like everyone else. I went on forums and Facebook groups. There are guys that know way more than I do in France and Japan and all over! If you’re looking at 80’s and 90’s stuff, there are guys overseas that know so much. A lot of the old stuff, there are reference books out there. You just have to spend the time to and sit and look. I don’t so much anymore because I’m busy, but I’d look at photos that had been released on various forums.<br />
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Plus there’s old reference books at libraries. Go to a bookstore, in the military section, and they’ll have books on Navy SEALs in the 90’s. You pull that open and look at every single piece. It’s very easy to just open it up and say, this is a bunch of old junk they’re wearing. But if you take the time, you’ll say wait… that’s the specific sheath from Duane Dieter that came with the model such and such knife. It’s not marked or labeled, but if you haven’t spent the time to research and analyze, you don’t know. It’s about putting in that extra effort up front to build that basic knowledge base. From there it’s just been the stuff I’ve seen over time.<br />
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<b>OG: I imagine it’s hard to tell what kind of person makes up your clientele since the majority of your sales are on eBay, but my guess is that most of the people that buy your things are collectors, and not so much people that are buying your gear for work.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: The majority of what we do is a collector market. These guys are doing a 1:1 based on a picture they saw and sometimes we sell to TV shows and movies that are looking for accurate representations. It’s stuff that even they can’t get their hands on, so it’s an interesting dynamic of how that works sometimes.<br />
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<b>OG: When you’re watching a movie and you see kit that they’ve gotten wrong, does that ruin it for you?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: [laughs] It pulls me out every time. In Lone Survivor there were guys wearing Ops-Core helmets and it’s like “What is going on!?”. The PJ’s have VAS Shrouds, and it’s like, those weren’t released yet! What are you doin’? In a lot of ways that’s what I was saying earlier, the shooters are really good at their jobs, but don’t pay attention to gear. That’s not their forté. They will set this stuff up, and it might not look pretty, it might not sound like it works to you, but for that guy, that’s his shit. As long as it works for them. That guy then becomes a movie consultant, and says “Ya this is the stuff we wore”, and it’s technically wrong. You’d never tell him that though. I’m never going to walk up to a guy and say, hey man you never wore that. They just aren’t as clued into the nuances or maybe the timeline of when they started or stopped using specific things. In Lone Survivor they were wearing Liquids. That’s not right. Liquids didn’t exist, but it was a product placement thing. I think I heard there were Beretta’s in there as well. I hate to pick on Lone Survivor though, I love that film. It’s just the first one that comes to mind. But ya, I can’t watch movies.<br />
<br />
I heard in the new Chris Kyle movie American Sniper, the Rangers are in ACU Massif combat shirts with Ranger tabs and airborne scrolls. That’s not at all correct [laughs]. You have to imagine, maybe they had a Navy military advisor that was like “I think Army guys were wearing something like this…”, but it wasn’t anywhere near what they were actually wearing.<br />
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Something that we’ve actually considered in the future is moving into offering consulting for film work. We research day in and day out. I have a terabyte hard drive nearly full of reference images. Plus, we have a lot of that kit. I have RAID mod tops for days, I have the old 3-hole Norotos shrouds, MLCS pouches. All the kit, the RRVs, MAR CIRASs. It’s more expensive for a prop company to pay someone to build them that. I’ve got the real stuff. It’d just be easier to come to us. So maybe one day we’ll go down that path.<br />
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<b>OG: All that older stuff, the CIRAS, the RRV. That’s my jam.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: Ya! It’s the old school stuff these days that gets me amped up because it’s a lot harder to find. The newer stuff and new patterns are easier because they’re still being made. If you get the older ABA or the silver label LBT, that’s the stuff that keys me off because you just don’t see it anymore.<br />
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I get a rush whenever someone comes in with something cool. If a piece of gear could tell a story. That’s what I think is some of the coolest stuff. You get guys that have been all over the world. They may have served on the different teams, like an EOD guy. An EOD guy is NSW, so he gets to go out and get attached to Army Rangers, he could be with Dam Neck guys, he could with Air Force PJs, he can go a million different ways. That piece of kit has been all over the world and seen more than 99.5% people will ever see. That’s a real thing. That thing wasn’t made in China to “mil-spec” standards to look like the real thing. That’s a real thing you know? That is really cool to me.<br />
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<b>OG: I’m really glad that I like that older stuff because collecting it, there is an end to the shopping list you know?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: [laughs] Ya! It doesn’t just keep getting lighter and faster and better, that’s cool!<br />
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With my firearm collection, it’s not the lightest, the most high speed, or the brightest parts. It’s like the old P114 big fat Nitrolon Surefire light for my Sig. It’s the old Sig, non-railed with the adapter because that was the 90’s hotness. It’s not necessarily the latest and greatest thing.<br />
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<b>OG: One of the things that my buddies rib me for is the AR I put together. Colt lower with a SOPMOD Stock, 10.5” LMT upper, old Knight’s rail, Surefire 951, and it’s like a brick. You can shoot with a lot better, you can shoot more efficiently, but that’s what I wanted to build.</b></div>
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LK: Ya if you wanted to shoot 3 gun, there’s something for that, but coming at it from a collector’s standpoint, that’s really cool!<br />
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<b>OG: This year I had the opportunity to buy the QD flashhider…</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: The one with the notch.<br />
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<b>OG: Ya! I was like, I really want this, but it’s $100. And in Canada we’re not allowed to have suppressors so it really would serve no purpose other than me knowing I’ve got it.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: I’ve been trying to work on some weapon stuff and it’s the same thing. It’s like man, I could get a stand in for fifty bucks or I could get the real thing for a hundred and fifty bucks. In your mind you know it’s not perfect so you spend that extra little bit. So I get that completely.<br />
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<b>OG: What are some of your online sources that you’ve gone to in the past to find those reference pictures?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: The big one, that isn’t so much gear related would be www.militaryphotos.net is excellent reference. Oh man it’s been so long… <a href="http://arniesairsoft.co.uk/forums/" target="_blank">Arnie’s Airsoft</a>, there’s a gear whore forum, what’s the one in Sweden?<br />
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<b>OG: <a href="http://www.gearsoc.se/" target="_blank">Gearsoc</a>.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: Ya, Gearsoc is a good one! A lot of that stuff has actually gone to Facebook now too. There is a wealth of information out there.<br />
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It’s not so cut and dry when it comes to reference photos. Some guys will say they use this and only this. That’s not true at all. These guys are very smart on how they want their stuff set up. So you can never say, they never use something. Somebody somewhere probably used that thing. Now I understand the realism and that you want to make it as accurate as possible. You want a “legit kit”. But there are guys running Walmart phone pouches as like… whatever. They use what works, they use what they have in front of them. A reference image is just that. It’s used for reference. It’s not a rule, it’s not a be all end all.<br />
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[Pause]<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, in their line of work, guys pass away. That’s one of the worst parts of it. A photo is released and people fixate on it. I think it’s important to remember, I think a lot of gear guys lose sight of the fact that, there was a person wearing all that stuff. A guy with a family, a wife. He was a husband, he was a son, whatever it may be. That in mind, we always mark out kill numbers. We always mark out any sort of initials and identifying info. I do not sell any sort of team patches, call sign patches, or anything like that. It’s one thing to honor those who have served, and say this is what the guys were wearing, but when you get personal and you drill it down to team patches, or memorial patches, or whatever it is, I don’t think that’s kosher. That’s just me.<br />
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Mark Owen touched on that on one of his photos on Instagram. He had bought a T-shirt with a trident on it when he wanted to become a SEAL, but then a team guy was like “that’s not cool, you gotta earn that.” It’s one thing to go with the look, but when you get specific like that, that’s where I draw the line. You can get DEVGRU patches from China, and that’s really weird to me. I don’t like that. That’s just my personal opinion.<br />
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<b>OG: Two last things. First, where did you get the illustration you use on your eBay page.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: It’s from a buddy of mine. A Navy buddy. He does military doodles all the time, and does t-shirts and challenge coins for his command. I’ve known him for a long while and was like hey, wanna draw me something cool? That’s where we’re at. It was never an official thing, it’s just an eBay page. It’s not like we’re a big corporation. So we went with that and have never done anything with it further, but we’d like to eventually.<br />
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<b>OG: Lastly, what are some of your favorite pieces of gear in your collection?</b></div>
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<b><br /></b>LK: Hmmm… The IBH. The fact that there is so much info on that, and they were so limited in supply. You can read that they went through Air Force testing and didn’t pass. It’s really weird to have the back story on something. A sub-note to that, helmets are my favorite thing. I collect helmets, because that is where you see personality in a piece. Where he put his Velcro, where the paint is, where it isn’t, or the NOD mount or the light setup, that is the coolest piece of kit for me. It’s not just Navy, I’ve got some Army stuff, I’ve got a little bit of everything, but helmets for me are definitely the coolest part.<br />
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And then I’d say, the older <a href="http://lbtinc.com/" target="_blank">LBT</a> and <a href="http://www.blackhawk.com/" target="_blank">BLACKHAWK!</a> stuff, LBT for me is really cool because they’re from the same area, Virginia Beach. So you can read about how the founder didn’t really set out to become what it is now. The story I heard was that nobody made some specific holster left handed, so he said to himself, well I can do that. He started making gear in his garage. Being in the area, he met some people, shook some hands and then evolved to a company that just got purchased by ADS. Pretty crazy.<br />
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Same thing with BLACKHAWK! They used to print it on their old catalogs. Their founder was walking through a minefield in Iraq and his backpack broke. He figured he could do it better, and went from sewing in his garage to a company that is now owned by ATK whose booth is the biggest here, if not the second biggest. That stuff for me, to have that history, to have started in Virgina Beach in the 80’s... and now, wow. They do some awesome stuff.<br />
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-66794867351254283582015-04-05T15:43:00.001-04:002015-04-07T12:59:01.449-04:00Tactical Pants Faceoff<body>
Tactical pants, or as our friends in law enforcement and armed forces call them, pants. Whatever you call them, they are a massive step up from wearing jeans or track pants when it’s time to do some PT. As a civilian, my "tactical" uses for these kinds of pants are kind of limited, but where they really shine are for range days, camping, hiking or during GoRuck Challenges. These pants are not designed to help you with your yoga class or your upcoming half marathon. These pants were designed to get dragged through the mud, dunked into a lake, and low crawled through a ditch without ripping or unnecessarily sucking heat away from your body when wet.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdwYhKwCjy0/VSIFwbLdahI/AAAAAAAAB4c/rOO04WZxxQE/s1600/Splash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdwYhKwCjy0/VSIFwbLdahI/AAAAAAAAB4c/rOO04WZxxQE/s1600/Splash.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
We will be looking at a range of pants all of which have strengths and weaknesses.<br />
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ACU ($20-$30)<br />
<a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/" target="_blank">TAD Force RS Cargo Pant</a> ($119)<br />
<a href="https://tripleaughtdesign.com/" target="_blank">TAD Force AC Cargo Pant</a> ($99)<br />
<a href="http://arcteryx.com/" target="_blank">Arc’teryx Rampart</a> ($100)<br />
<a href="http://www.cryeprecision.com/" target="_blank">Crye Gen3 Combat Pants</a> ($202)<br />
<a href="http://www.beyondclothing.com/" target="_blank">PCU Level 5</a> ($50-$330)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJmB1ac5SgA/VSGca_BamYI/AAAAAAAAB1A/CL1S1_QDozg/s1600/ACU_Combat_Pants_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FJmB1ac5SgA/VSGca_BamYI/AAAAAAAAB1A/CL1S1_QDozg/s1600/ACU_Combat_Pants_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Army Combat Uniform Pant</b><br />
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The most basic of all the options here are definitely the Army Combat Uniform pants. They’re cheap, they’re battle tested, and have almost all the features you could ask for in a good pair of pants. Some of the features include: two massive thigh storage pockets with elastic drawstring and Velcro closures, two smaller calf pockets, pockets for kneepads, two-inch belt loops, cuff drawstrings and a waist drawstring. <br />
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I’ve owned my pair now for quite a while. They’ve been on some pretty long hikes and have spent some honest time in the dirt. A problem that I know I’m not alone on, is that I’ve blown out the crotch and have had to repair these pants more than once. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sBHmjB7kYU/VSGcbMwseOI/AAAAAAAAB1E/hVH7PBoYn7U/s1600/ACU_Combat_Pants_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sBHmjB7kYU/VSGcbMwseOI/AAAAAAAAB1E/hVH7PBoYn7U/s1600/ACU_Combat_Pants_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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The thigh pockets on the ACU pants are by far the biggest out of all the pants covered in this review.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3U-3KeoXyWw/VSGcW7D98YI/AAAAAAAAB04/ufKFnQ4r1cs/s1600/ACU_Combat_Pants_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3U-3KeoXyWw/VSGcW7D98YI/AAAAAAAAB04/ufKFnQ4r1cs/s1600/ACU_Combat_Pants_03.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calf pocket, and to the right is the opening for the kneepad insert which is accessed by hook and loop Velcro.</td></tr>
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They are made with a 50% nylon and 50% cotton blend and can come in variety of patterns. I'm sure you knew already, but just in case, ACU actually refers to the cut and not the camouflage pattern. These pants are made with ripstop material and will take a lot of abuse.<br />
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If it’s cold outside, and if I know there is a possibility that I’ll get wet, I’ll always choose my PCU. The ACU pants hold onto water and that’s the last thing I want since hypothermia isn’t too high on my bucket list. When it’s hot out, I certainly have pants that will regulate my body temperature better than ACU since they are fairly thick. When do I use them then? I’ll grab for these guys when I’m bushwacking or when I know I’m going to be in for a rough time. When the comfort of my lower body in regards to temperature is secondary to protection from abrasion; and for when I figure the probability of ruining a pair of pants is high, ACU is my go to. <br />
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<b>Triple Aught Design Force RS Cargo Pant</b></div>
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These are ACU pants on crack. The big thigh pockets are there of course, but also have inner compartments and D-Rings for attaching lanyards. There is also an opening to dump things quickly into the pockets. As well, two smaller pockets on the top of the thighs will fit M4 mags perfectly. There is no draw-string or calf pockets, but the kneepad pockets, cuff drawstrings and ripstop construction are definitely there. <br />
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The blend is also similar at 52% nylon and 48% cotton but there is also an addition of a DWR treatment that will help you shed water for the first few months you own the pants. These do not come in camouflage but are available in earth colours like tan, olive green and grey. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOEOsq_jW28/VSGeQNztdmI/AAAAAAAAB1s/cxF9z199Tug/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_RS_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HOEOsq_jW28/VSGeQNztdmI/AAAAAAAAB1s/cxF9z199Tug/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_RS_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like the ACU pants, the TAD cargos have kneepad pockets and generous thigh pockets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HxTXW23kJWA/VSGeBGrCbaI/AAAAAAAAB1g/YH4ULvMM9Z0/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_RS_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HxTXW23kJWA/VSGeBGrCbaI/AAAAAAAAB1g/YH4ULvMM9Z0/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_RS_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Additional pockets on the front of the thigh can fit M16 mags, but I think they're better suited for smaller things like phones.</td></tr>
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One of the big differences that TAD made is that it has a gusseted crotch that allows for better freedom of movement without strain on the stitching. I haven’t blown this pair of pants out in the year that I’ve owned them and I wear them a lot!<br />
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The one drawback in regards to these pants is that it’s so hard to actually get your hands on them. TAD seems to have very small production runs and a massive following. So when they go up on their website, they get sold very quickly. However a bonus from this San Francisco based boutique is that when they have pants in stock, they have a pretty wide range of waist sizes and inseam lengths. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHp9xnaPfgc/VSGhtArimlI/AAAAAAAAB14/OuOzWSUEAfA/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_AC_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHp9xnaPfgc/VSGhtArimlI/AAAAAAAAB14/OuOzWSUEAfA/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_AC_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Triple Aught Design Force AC Cargo Pant</b><br />
These are the same as the RS pants but are made with a lightweight 100% nylon with DWR and no ripstop. The benefit here, which I’ve tested myself, is that when you jump in a lake and then go for a run, you are going to be dry much faster than the cotton blend option. They will also be much more comfortable to wear in the heat because of the thin material, but don’t write them off as being delicate. I’ve done a number of GoRuck style PT sessions in these pants and they still look like new after a wash. When I went to go buy a pair in San Francisco, I was told by the staff that the day before a bunch of GRTs came in and cleaned them out in preparation for an upcoming challenge. It was nice to know other GoRuck guys were into them, but was a bummer I had to wait.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CL7QeLizt18/VSGhuclZKOI/AAAAAAAAB2A/IpXhsOfPHcg/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_AC_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CL7QeLizt18/VSGhuclZKOI/AAAAAAAAB2A/IpXhsOfPHcg/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_AC_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both the TAD options have inner pockets within the thigh pockets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzKf2XLHWOo/VSGhvDhiCtI/AAAAAAAAB2I/ReXsfilGn3Q/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_AC_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzKf2XLHWOo/VSGhvDhiCtI/AAAAAAAAB2I/ReXsfilGn3Q/s1600/Triple_Aught_Design_Force_AC_03.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As far as I can tell, the cut is exactly the same when it comes to the RS and the AC pants. The lightweight and quick dry material in the AC though makes them a great choice for wet weather or when you need to save space in your pack. </td></tr>
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TAD took the standard combat pant and refined every detail. The improvements they made in terms of durability, range of motion, and application is what you’re paying for. On top of that you’ll be hard pressed to find a pair of “tac pants” that look as nice from an urban standpoint. I have no problems walking around downtown with TAD pants, but I would be hesitant to roll around in ACU, PCU or Crye. They’ve blended function with style flawlessly in my opinion. <br />
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*Added bonus, both the RS and AC pants have hidden passport pockets on the inside of the pants attached to the back pockets. How cool is that!?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-mys7XV3OU/VSGnd9VBv2I/AAAAAAAAB2g/YKWqe6NF9po/s1600/Arc'teryx_Rampart_Pants_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-mys7XV3OU/VSGnd9VBv2I/AAAAAAAAB2g/YKWqe6NF9po/s1600/Arc'teryx_Rampart_Pants_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Arc’teryx Rampart Pant</b><br />
This is the only option on the list that is a non LE/MIL pant. It’s not even from the LEAF collection! That said, I was turned onto these pants after seeing a <a href="https://youtu.be/_dnD5RLbP8k" target="_blank">video by Travis Haley</a> that focused on what he puts in his gobag. These pants do not have massive thigh pockets, drawstrings on the cuffs or waist, kneepad inserts or any of the fancy features the other ones do, but man do they ever pack down small in your bag. <br />
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The pants are constructed with quick drying TerraTex nylon with elastane fibers. The fabric also provides UPF 50+ protection, and in my experience, unparalleled breathability thus making these a great choice for the summer. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdeYtYM2W88/VSGne-SysOI/AAAAAAAAB2o/r1tez3b47Yo/s1600/Arc'teryx_Rampart_Pants_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fdeYtYM2W88/VSGne-SysOI/AAAAAAAAB2o/r1tez3b47Yo/s1600/Arc'teryx_Rampart_Pants_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-les7l-C0O8o/VSGndO7T_AI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/62Lwr2qsw3k/s1600/Arc'teryx_Rampart_Pants_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-les7l-C0O8o/VSGndO7T_AI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/62Lwr2qsw3k/s1600/Arc'teryx_Rampart_Pants_03.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These won't win you any points at a hipster bar, but these roomy pants will keep you comfortable on the trails. </td></tr>
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Like the TAD option, these pants have a gusseted crotch articulated knees which should show you that these pants were meant for activity. What’s really awesome about these pants is that they are lightweight, but also durable enough to go camping with. I’m sure they aren’t as durable as the cotton blend options I’ve listed here, but that’s why you have to select the right pants for the activity. <br />
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If you’re looking for a pair of pants that aren’t screaming “concealed carry” when you go downtown, these are a nice option. As well, since they aren’t LEAF, you can get them at most stores that sell Arc’teryx. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BtyrhZxNMxc/VSHofIBWatI/AAAAAAAAB3I/cDyNITcT_2Y/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_5_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BtyrhZxNMxc/VSHofIBWatI/AAAAAAAAB3I/cDyNITcT_2Y/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_5_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Protective Combat Uniform Level 5</b><br />
Both of the GoRuck Challenges I have participated in have been in Toronto during the early spring. That means that the temperatures are hovering around freezing and dipped below during the night. If you expect to be wet, make sure that you have clothing that is going to keep you warm whilst you are wet. As well, make sure your clothing is going to dry as quickly as possible. PCU was designed to keep members of the US Special Forces warm in the colder months in Afghanistan. If that’s not a good enough selling point for you I don’t know what is. <br />
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The Epic Glacier (5.8oz fabric), by Nextec has done a great job of keeping wind and light rain off of my legs over the years. It has proven itself time after time that getting wet in the winter is not a game ender. Get dunked, walk yourself dry in about an hour even if it's freezing cold outside. These parts are treated with DWR, but don’t expect them to be rain pants. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkrz5FZ1hR0/VSHmTAwG6sI/AAAAAAAAB28/bpp4u5_PFj4/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_5_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tkrz5FZ1hR0/VSHmTAwG6sI/AAAAAAAAB28/bpp4u5_PFj4/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_5_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cuffs include webbing to turn the pants into gaiters. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPXLm70d154/VSHoiRMAitI/AAAAAAAAB3M/UNOESuoTFyE/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_5_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zPXLm70d154/VSHoiRMAitI/AAAAAAAAB3M/UNOESuoTFyE/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_5_03.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are more practical features on these pants that the others in this list in my opinion. Side zippers at the hip allow you to easily take the pants on and off quickly as well as allow access to your pockets if you are wearing these over another set of pants. The zippers at the ankle make it easy to put the pants on if you already have your boots on. </td></tr>
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A neat feature with the Level 5 are the loops on the cuff. If you tie some paracord or shock cord around the sole of your boot, it will turn these pants into a poor man’s gaiter. This will keep your pants around your laces and will help keep rocks and snow from entering the top of your footwear. <br />
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The majority of companies that produced these pants are no longer making them unfortunately. Beyond is definitely going to be your best bet for sourcing a new pair. If you want a cheaper option check out my <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2011/12/pcu-buyers-guide.html" target="_blank">Buyer's Guide</a>, then try your luck on eBay. Just aware that there are cheap airsoft knock offs from China. They have gone as far as copying the ORC label, so buy with caution. <br />
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For more information on the ORC Level 5 Pants, follow <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2012/05/orc-pcu-level-5-pants-first-impressions.html" target="_blank">this link</a> for my full review.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsadLPUM32U/VSHs0FzVegI/AAAAAAAAB3s/HDMNlXBMnsg/s1600/Crye_Gen_3_Combat_Pants_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsadLPUM32U/VSHs0FzVegI/AAAAAAAAB3s/HDMNlXBMnsg/s1600/Crye_Gen_3_Combat_Pants_01.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Crye Precision Gen 3 Combat Pants</b><br />
If you are looking for a pair of pants with all the bells and whistles look no further. With 10 pockets, double layer seat, AirFlex knee pad pockets with height adjustment, all wrapped up in Mil-Spec 50/50 NYCO ripstop Multicam, what more could you ask for in a pair of pants? These pants are the choice of many tier 1 operators. <br />
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They are the toughest pants on this list. That said, something to consider is that if you do manage to rip these things, you’re out over $200. You could potentially get ten pairs of ACU pants for the same price. The ACU pants, have lots of the same features, it’s just that the details are not as refined as what Crye makes. There’s no denying that these pants look slick, but for what they cost, I’m not sure I’m convinced. From this civilian’s standpoint, and considering all the activities I have, these pants are too expensive for me to replace. I don’t want to be distracted by my pants and if I’m going to rip them. I want to focus on the task at hand. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6MdtSUGWZE/VSHszIXQ2LI/AAAAAAAAB3o/jiDVQkH5aU8/s1600/Crye_Gen_3_Combat_Pants_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6MdtSUGWZE/VSHszIXQ2LI/AAAAAAAAB3o/jiDVQkH5aU8/s1600/Crye_Gen_3_Combat_Pants_02.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No shortage of pockets on these pants. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAeRsFSlZ6k/VSHs0mTZy5I/AAAAAAAAB34/tYbZd-Q2Rcg/s1600/Crye_Gen_3_Combat_Pants_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAeRsFSlZ6k/VSHs0mTZy5I/AAAAAAAAB34/tYbZd-Q2Rcg/s1600/Crye_Gen_3_Combat_Pants_03.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kneepad height can be customized so that it's always in the right spot. </td></tr>
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I’ve also heard a lot of people getting abrasions from the material on the knees. If they aren’t cinched tightly enough, they can rub and cause you some discomfort over time. With all that said, I don’t want you to get the impression that these are not a great pair of pants, because they absolutely are. I think that if you could find a pair of combat pants that performed as well for less, then you’d see Navy SEALs wearing those instead of the Gen 3 combat pants. The build quality is excellent, and there are a lot of different sizing options. It really comes down to whether or not you need the best or if you’re willing to compromise. <br />
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<b>Conclusion</b><br />
Each one of these pants have pros and cons. I can’t simply choose one as the best as I truly believe it’s situational. If someone were to ask me what pair of pants I think would be best for doing The GoRuck Challenge, I have two selections. In cold temperatures, the winner hands down is PCU level 5. They keep you warm and dry in the cold and snow, and will keep you relatively comfortable when you get wet.<br />
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For warm weather, my choice is the Triple Aught Design Force AC Pants. This decision was much harder to determine than my choice for cold weather. What it really came down to was that the Force AC Pants are lightweight, quick dry cargos with optional kneepad inserts at a decent price. All of the options except for the PCU would actually be decent choices in the summer as being wet when it’s warm is a matter of discomfort rather than hypothermia. In fact, if it’s really hot, having pants that stay wet for a little longer might actually help you cool down if you don’t mind the added weight. <br />
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At the end of the day you should choose the best option you can afford. As I said before, the options I’ve presented on this list are all fantastic choices. The pants I selected are my personal choices, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are the best for you. If there is anything I’ve missed or if there is anything else you’d like me to talk about just let me know in the comments, and I’ll be more than happy to expand on this discussion!<br />
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Photography by: <a href="https://500px.com/7point62" target="_blank">Sean A.</a><br />
Article by: Mike C. </div>
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</body>OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-52481135169429034402015-03-09T00:43:00.001-04:002015-03-09T00:44:49.845-04:00Outdoor Research interviews with designer Nathan JenkinThis year at SHOT Show we were very happy to speak with Nathan Jenkin from <a href="http://military.outdoorresearch.com/gov/accessories.html" target="_blank">Outdoor Research</a>. He is one of their product designers and he was kind enough to walk us through some of their shooter specific gear. The first is their Aerator Gloves, and the second is a prototype maritime ensemble designed in conjunction with SEAL Team 4. <br />
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<br />OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-42245910750712820202015-03-04T13:36:00.004-05:002015-07-20T16:33:31.783-04:00Layering up for winter camping I went up to some crown land over the weekend with some friends with the objective of building some quinzee snow shelters to stay in for a few nights. On one of our day hikes instead of traveling along the logging roads, we chose a point on the map and used our topo map and compasses to walk a straight line. It took us over some decent hills and was much more rewarding than taking the easy way. Below is a video that outlines the layering system I used for the weekend.<br />
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<br />OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-59899771463698250762015-02-17T10:48:00.000-05:002015-05-24T13:35:35.119-04:00BeastMode For The BraveHere is our submission for <a href="http://www.beastmode4brave.org/" target="_blank">BeastMode For The Brave</a>. Please check out their page to learn how to bring more awareness and support to veterans living with PTSD and disabilities. Please share this with your friends and do your own video!<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-79319999110193410132015-02-04T01:13:00.002-05:002015-02-04T01:27:59.296-05:00Vertx and Victory First with Matt JacquesWe were very lucky to have the opportunity to meet with Matt Jacques from <a href="http://www.victory-first.com/" target="_blank">Victory First</a> at SHOT Show 2015. He walked us through some of the EDC bags from Vertx as well as some of his background in SWAT. One thing I didn't know before SHOT Show was that the name <a href="http://vertx.com/" target="_blank">Vertx</a> is short for "covert" and the "x" is a nod to <a href="http://leaf.arcteryx.com/" target="_blank">Arc'teryx</a>. Learn something new every day!<br />
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Of course Vertx makes more than just bags. Their focus on making low profile battle garments will make it easier for you to blend in on the range or even downrange without screaming operator. When you consider that Vertx is a branch of Fechheimer, a company that has been making uniforms for the military for over 170 years, you know you're getting quality. </div>
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-51465643588347849172015-01-31T09:00:00.000-05:002015-02-13T15:07:20.916-05:00Crown Land Camping During The Polar Vortex<div class="MsoNormal">
Polar Vortex Crown Land Camping<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As some of you might know, each year Matthias and I put
ourselves to the test and push another month into the winter. In December 2013 we
did 8 days on Manitoulin Island, albeit in relatively balmy weather with the
temperatures never really dropping past -5°. Checking the weather forecast
before our January trip in 2014, we learned that we were going to be looking at
temperatures dropping at night to -32°C before the windchill.<br />
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What worried me the most about the trip was getting cold and
remaining cold. I really wanted to see if my PCU set up would be able to stand
up to the punishment. I knew from previous tests I had done with my PCU clothing
system that I’d be fine if I kept myself moving. However, I had never really tested it
for static use.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I focused first on filling my 107L (6500cu-in) Mystery
Ranch pack with the things I absolutely needed. I’m in no way an “ultra-light”
backpacker, as you can tell by this list. </div>
<br /></div>
• Expedition Thermarest<br />• Modular Sleep System Gore-tex Bivy<br />• Modular Sleep System Summer Bag<br />• Mountain Equipment Co-op Drake 0°C Bag<br />• Thermarest Pillow<br />• Seam and Tent Repair Kit<br />• Mountain Equipment Co-op Scout Tarp<br /><br />• MSR Dragonfly Stove<br />• 2x Fuel Canisters<br />• Pot and Measuring Cup<br />• Dehydrated Food (with enough for two extra days)<br />• Tin Cup<br />• MSR 10L Dromedary Water Bladder<br />• 1L Canteen<br /><br />• MSR Foldable Spork <br />• Bag of 550 Paracord<br />• First Aid Kit<br />• Helinox Chair<br />• Toiletry Bag<br />• Change of Clothes<br />• Compass and Map<br />• Emergency Bivy<br />• SOG SEAL Pup<br />• Gerber Folding Saw<br />• Petzl Tactikka XP<br />• MS2000 Strobe<br />• Extra Batteries<br /><o:p></o:p><div class="MsoNormal">
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After all of that was put into my pack, it was nearly full.
This was the first time I had loaded up my Mystery Ranch 6500. It is twice the
size of my other pack, the Large ALICE. I was a little disappointed that I had
filled it until I lifted it up. It weighed in at 72lbs. Not heavy by military
standards so I’ve been told, but not light by my standards!<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Trip<o:p></o:p></div>
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We parked the car in the small town of Dwight, just a little
trip east of Huntsville. There were lots of snowmobiles buzzing around taking
advantage of a beautiful sunny day. Matthias and I stretched after the long
drive and suited up. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--[if !supportLists]-->• Perroz Designs Performance T-Shirt<br />• Arc’teryx Polartec Gridfleece (Level 2)<br />• PCU Level 3 Fleece<br />• PCU Level 5 Softshell<br />• Long Johns<br />• Burton Snowboarding Pants<br />• Wigwam 40 Below Socks<br />• Salomon Comet 3D GTX<br />• MEC Cascade Gloves<br />• MSR Goretex Shell Mitts<br />• Mystery Ranch Touque<br />• Trekking Poles<br />• Atlas 1030 Snowshoes<o:p></o:p><br />
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The hike was easily one of the best parts of the whole trip.
My body temperature was well regulated as we walked across the north shore of
the Lake of Bays. I wasn’t hot, and I wasn’t cold. We took our time and took
breaks when we needed them. One of the things that struck me as being different
than a lot of the other hikes I’ve done in Ontario is that as we passed Cooper
Lake, we were surrounded by fairly large hills. Well… large by Ontario
standards. I’m used to fairly flat terrain, and it was interesting to see
something new, and was a reminder of why I love going somewhere new as often as
I can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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We found a nice clearing to set up the tent and started
unpacking our bags as the sun was going down. With the Toronto Ice Storm still
fresh in our minds, staying away from breaking tree branches was pretty high on
our list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we were done we were
treated to a night’s sky that both of us admitted to be the clearest we had
ever seen. We mulled around for a bit and then went into the tent to hang out
before going to bed. I had found that my MEC sleeping bag was significantly
warmer than the winter bag that comes with the Modular Sleep System, so the
order of bags was the Goretex bivy on the outside, green summer bag in the
middle, and the MEC bag on the inside. Considering how cold it was outside, I’d
say that the combination worked pretty well as I was never cold. My feet got
pretty chilly in the middle of the night, but I found out it was because my
feet were pressing against the side of the tent. That was remedied by throwing
some hand warmers into my socks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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What made me feel really uncomfortable though was my nose.
When the night was its coldest, the air would freeze the inside of my nostrils
and warm up a bit as I exhaled. The tip of my nose is what worried me the most
though as it was always cold. Developing frost bite whilst asleep was not very
high on my to do list so I pulled the front flap of my bivy over my face. While
that kept me much warmer, it predictably meant that condensation and frost
developed on the inside of my bivy. Every once and a while I’d wake up because
my face would shift and get pressed against the ice. It was pretty miserable. I
battled with this for a few hours waking up every so often until I gave up. I
sat up and told myself I wasn’t going to lay down again until I used my brain
to figure out a better solution. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I flipped red filter over my headlamp as not to wake
Matthias, and looked around the tent. Then it came to me, one of the most
low-tech items I had brought with me became the key to a relatively comfortable
sleep. I dug into my pack and pulled out my shemagh, opened it up and put it
over my face and lay down again. The lightweight and breathable scarf allowed
me to breathe without feeling stuffy. I’m not sure why, but it never really
collected too much moisture, and it never froze. Most importantly, my nose was
happy again! I drifted back to sleep, and was pretty much good to go until the
morning. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the other big lessons from the trip was how our
stoves performed in the cold. We had two MSR stoves, a Pocket Rocket and a
Dragonfly. The main difference between the two is that one uses compressed gas,
and the other uses liquid fuel. As you can imagine, the compressed gas barely
worked in the -20°C morning air. It barely produced enough BTU to warm my hand
when I waved it over the flame at full blast. The Dragonfly on the other hand,
performed well. It leaked a bit when I pressurized the line, which worried me,
but getting some warm food into my stomach was going to happen. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Looking back at this trip and how much snow we had around
us, I think that creating a snow shelter would have been infinitely more
comfortable to sleep in. However considering the hour that we arrived at the
site, it would have been pretty difficult. At least that gives me some goals
going forward! I definitely took a lot away from the trip, and I’m glad that we
decided to go. Next year, February! <o:p></o:p></div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-63345646134487938282014-12-28T23:51:00.001-05:002016-09-20T10:27:47.020-04:00Millbrook Tactical Inc.Update 9/20/16<br />
Millbrook has moved to a new location. <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2016/09/millbrook-tactical-hq.html">Click here</a> for updated info, photos and article.<br />
<br />
Just outside of Ottawa in Stittsville lies a real gem. Frank Paquette founded <a href="http://millbrookcanada.ca/">Millbrook Tactical Inc.</a> in 2008 after a 15 year career with <a href="http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vo6/no4/operatio-eng.asp" target="_blank">CANSOF</a>. The organization supports Military and Law Enforcement by providing specialized training and SOF based equipment. Luckily for guys like me, they also have a storefront that’s open to the public. A few weeks ago I set up an appointment and over the Christmas holiday I had a chance to stop by for a chat.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZUO3DTgZyM/VKDXgJDUjDI/AAAAAAAABFU/PSw4D6cdLbE/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JZUO3DTgZyM/VKDXgJDUjDI/AAAAAAAABFU/PSw4D6cdLbE/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Only a few steps in the front door, I could tell that this is not your average tactical store. In Toronto I’m used to wall-to-wall no name pouches, backpacks and uniforms. Millbrook, on the other hand, has lots of open space, despite being a modestly sized store. You won’t find yourself scouring through cargo pants from companies you've never heard of; Millbrook cuts right to the chase and serves up companies like Crye, Arc'teryx LEAF and Vertex. In past, I’ve sifted through wannabe Navy SEAL dive watches and cheap scope mounts. Millbrook, however, presents you with the top end products from Suunto and Wilcox. Simply put, you won't find any crap in this store. What you will find is equipment and gear that the staff have used during their years of service with the Canadian Special Forces, as well as what they use currently in their training courses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6U0NNdXubs/VKDXwXnedwI/AAAAAAAABFc/K4nk48jcM-g/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C6U0NNdXubs/VKDXwXnedwI/AAAAAAAABFc/K4nk48jcM-g/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="_5yl5" data-reactid=".ah.$<1419866167314=23388570679-931981026@mail=1projektitan=1com>.2:0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ah.$<1419866167314=23388570679-931981026@mail=1projektitan=1com>.2:0.0.0.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".ah.$<1419866167314=23388570679-931981026@mail=1projektitan=1com>.2:0.0.0.0.0.0.$end:0:$0:0">Ops-Core with MUM-14 and Wilcox mount.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Speaking of which, during their courses, students can train with the gear that they have in the store, such as the new <a href="http://millbrookcanada.ca/collections/night-vision/products/l3-an-pvs-31-binocular-night-vision-device-bnvd-1600-fom-gp-ag-filmed-black" target="_blank">AN/PVS-31</a> binocular night vision devices. That way you get the opportunity to have the staff teach you how to utilize the gear they sell to the fullest. Last year alone, the Millbrook guys ran 52 training courses; none are currently available to civilians.</span></div>
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One really refreshing part (other than the cold beer they kindly offered me) was that the prices were all very fair. These guys could easily charge a premium for being a one-stop shop for the best collection of gear in the country, but they don't. They really do want to outfit those protecting Canadians with the very best, and at decent prices. Millbrook certainly live up to their slogan of "those who serve deserve."</div>
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I was shown around the store by Troy, another veteran of CANSOF. I brought up the conversations I had with the staff at the <a href="http://stores.arcteryx.com/toronto" target="_blank">Toronto Arc'teryx store</a>, and the fact that a lot of people are under the impression that LEAF stuff is only available to Law Enforcement and those in the Armed Forces. Not the case! Everyone is welcome to buy LEAF in Millbrook’s store or on their <a href="http://millbrookcanada.ca/">website</a>. The only difference is that civilians don't get a discount. <br />
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In the earlier years of the store, they carried fewer product lines and were admittedly less experienced than some of their competitors. So they took what they learned during their time with the Canadian Special Forces and applied that to the business – the result being that things really took off. Especially with R. Nicholls closing its doors and liquidating their inventory (<a href="http://www.rnicholls.com/en/index.php" target="_blank">starting January 2015</a>), Millbrook plans to be there to pick up some of their lines, meaning an even larger selection in the near future.<br />
<br />
Toward the back of the store is one of the most impressive Arc’teryx collections I’ve ever seen. Millbrook represents the largest LEAF retailer in Canada and the 6th largest in the world. As I was drawn deeper into the store, Frank emerged from his office with a smile, and enthusiastically walked me through some of the features of the line that really impressed him. For instance – the level of detail Arc’teryx went into with their R&D: Frank’s first generation of Alpha SV jacket showed wear around the zippers after spending a lot of time crawling prone. The second generation eliminated that wear point. Frank explained that when you buy something from the LEAF line, you are getting something that has been designed, field tested, and redesigned until they were satisfied with the product’s performance. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNaYfQFmxuc/VKDYjiPTeYI/AAAAAAAABF4/_kfoZbS7V8c/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lNaYfQFmxuc/VKDYjiPTeYI/AAAAAAAABF4/_kfoZbS7V8c/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't mind a few small blemishes, you can snag some LEAF stuff at some truly unbelievable prices. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;">Later this year, Millbrook will be opening a new 12,000 square foot facility that will have a room for training as well as sufficient retail space to really suit their needs. For instance, currently there are Nemo tents pitched and visible above the showroom floor; in the new space, you will be available to crawl into, set up a mat and experience first-hand what it’s like to be in them. There are tentative plans to set up features such as a rock wall, and LEAF is interested in curating a display showcasing the durability of their product, featuring a fully-functional yet 10-year old Alpha jacket. If they get to implement all of the features and displays they told me about, it’s pretty much going to be Disney World for operators. </span></div>
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Before I left, Frank made sure to show me one of the most interesting advancements in nylon I’ve seen in a while. <a href="http://www.tyrtactical.com/faqs/tactical-equipment-manufacturer/" target="_blank">Pluma Vires</a> - aka PV - is a hybrid fabric by Tyr. It’s been around for a number of years, but it’s the first time I’ve seen a live demonstration of how strong the 500D cordura and 200D Kevlar holds up to tearing. Frank called up to the balcony and a square of PV was frisbee’d to where we were chatting. A knife had been used to slice a hole in the square and as hard as Frank tried to make the hole bigger by trying to rip it, the material held together. Not only does this stuff hold up to punishment, it ends up adding to your ballistic solution while weighing 40% less than comparable products. What have YOUR pouches done for you lately?<br />
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Now I get that this whole article reads like a biased pat on the back for Millbrook. What I hope I can get across to you guys is that this really is the most impressive store of its kind I’ve ever been to. I know there are many others like it and I can’t wait to see them, however as it stands now, the combination of the staff, inventory, and services provided, bring Millbrook to a whole new level. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4AefIJNp34/VKDY70zUNkI/AAAAAAAABGE/1RX3AT3U34o/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4AefIJNp34/VKDY70zUNkI/AAAAAAAABGE/1RX3AT3U34o/s1600/Millbrook_Tactical_006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After an outstanding talk with the staff, there was only one more thing to do. That of course was to take advantage of the fact that they actually had <a href="https://www.ops-core.com/" target="_blank">Ops-Core</a> helmets in stock! Forget waiting for the Boston-based company’s back order list and shipping times. Since Millbrook is Canada’s exclusive dealer of Ops-Core, I simply got fitted, paid them nearly par with the American MSRP, and just like that I was the proud owner of a Base Jump Helmet.<br />
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Do yourself a favour. If you’re in the neighbourhood, and if you’re into nice gear (which I assume you are if you are reading this blog), visit Millbrook Tactical. The fair prices, meticulously selected inventory and knowledgeable staff is pretty much the perfect storm for your credit card. You can thank me later.</div>
OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-42600148717554154292014-11-03T11:27:00.002-05:002014-12-15T16:44:23.115-05:00Camelbak HAWG Review<span class="null">The first
“tactical” backpack I ever got was the Camelbak HAWG. I was in the
market for a daypack since I had worn through the cordura on my Eddie
Bauer schoolbag after about 13 years of daily use. A few of my friends already
had the HAWG and sang it's praise. So when I heard through the grapevine there was a
possibility that Camelback was going to discontinue the HAWG in DCU, there was no choice. Find it
and buy it as soon as possible.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0C0sJwx70o/VFP6zJ3RSnI/AAAAAAAABAA/J6KvzUEx5zo/s1600/Camelbak_HAWG-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P0C0sJwx70o/VFP6zJ3RSnI/AAAAAAAABAA/J6KvzUEx5zo/s1600/Camelbak_HAWG-35.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a>At first I was disappointed with the HAWG because of it’s capacity not understanding that it's a daypack and not a 3-Day. As
time went on, I collected more bags that were able to carry more, the
35L Eagle 3-Day, the Arc’teryx 35L Axios, the classic 50L large ALICE,
and the massive 107L Mystery Ranch 6500. What I found over the years is
that the pack I kept going for in my gear closet was the HAWG. It’s
modest capacity is enough to carry some food, 3L of water and a change
of clothes with room to spare. When it came time to choose a backpack to
bring on my 100km OXFAM walk, I brought the HAWG. When I decided it
would have felt weird to do Tough Mudder without a pack on, I chose the
HAWG. And since I did all my training for GoRuck with the HAWG, it got
loaded up with 40lbs of bricks and supplies and came with me for my
second challenge.<br />
<span class="null">
<br />
<b>Features</b> </span><br />
<span class="null">As I mentioned before, the main compartment is fairly modest and is
enough to fit some daily items, but don’t expect to go camping with this
pack. There is a loop on the inside of the pack for hooking your water bladder onto. I
like to put the bladder on the inside of the pack when I don’t have
much to carry because I find that if I fill it completely, and put it
into the rear compartment, it sits awkwardly until you drink about a
pint of water. On either side there are two ports for you to run your
hose or antennas.<br />
</span><span class="null"> </span><br />
<span class="null">The compartment in the back has extra padding to
insulate the water bladder. An added bonus is that this means there is
also a lot of padding between your back and the contents of the pack.
There are three ways to route the hydration tube out of this compartment.
The first option is the run the tube to the main compartment, and then out one of the two side flaps. For a
more direct route, you can use the ports underneath the shoulder
straps.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuyesaJRrsQ/VFP6wZc4XJI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/UbGje_bIxTg/s1600/Camelbak_HAWG-113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuyesaJRrsQ/VFP6wZc4XJI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/UbGje_bIxTg/s1600/Camelbak_HAWG-113.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="null">In
terms of adjustment, the sternum strap can slide up and down the
shoulder straps so that you can have it in the perfect spot. The waist
strap is more to keep the bag from
flopping around excessively than for distributing the load to your hips.
</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg6nmCTBWOQ/VFP6zyK82fI/AAAAAAAABAk/f3bSxCCljEk/s1600/Camelbak_HAWG-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cg6nmCTBWOQ/VFP6zyK82fI/AAAAAAAABAk/f3bSxCCljEk/s1600/Camelbak_HAWG-44.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="null">
The front pouch is probably the weakest point design wise
in my opinion. There are lots of layers and integrated pockets that I’ve
never found useful. When the main compartment is full, it’s actually
difficult to access the contents of the front pouch. Another reason why I
don’t really use the front pouch often is because the lower compression
straps are in the way of the path of the zipper. If these compression
straps had side release buckles like the top straps, it would make
things a bit easier. This however is all a bit of a moot point because
the new version of the HAWG has completely redesigned the front pouch.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<span class="null">There are two pieces of velcro at the end of the shoulder straps to
keep the ends rolled up which I think is a bit unnecessary. I’ve never
really had the loose webbing get in the way of anything. Also, the hook
portion of those retainers messed up the fabric on my Arc’teryx base
layer during my 100km OXFAM walk. Over time, all the rubbing pulled some
of the fibres and left my shirt looking like it had gotten into a fight
with a cat. Lesson learned.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="null">The MOLLE is a nice feature and I’ve
used it to attach first aid kits and radios. The most recent version of
the HAWG has more MOLLE and a more streamlined front. Along the shoulder
straps are loops and D-Rings that can be used to run cables and your
hydration tube. Side release buckles on the shoulder straps can be
squeezed if you need to dump your pack in a hurry, but I’ve luckily
never had to do that.<br />
<br />
The 3 litre bladder that comes with the
HAWG comes with a sleeve to insulate the tube, and a cap to protect the
mouth piece from dirt when you aren’t drinking from it. I definitely
appreciated this feature when we were in some questionable bodies of
water during the GoRuck Challenge. Even happier after we rolled in sand
and mud.</span><br />
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<span class="null"><br /><b>
Final Thoughts </b></span><br />
<span class="null">How has it held up after years of abuse? The zipper pull from the main
compartment has frayed a bit, and the drainage grommets on the bottom of
the pack have lost their paint. That’s pretty much it. I’ve beat the crap out of
this bag and I bet if I threw it in the washer, it would come out
looking next to new. The HAWG has proven itself over time to be the pack
that I can bring anywhere, and do whatever I want to do without
worrying about it failing. I’m actually fairly convinced that I’ll be
using this pack for many more years to come. I’ve purchased lots of
other bags throughout the years, but the this is the one I keep going
back to. Without a doubt, out of all the packs I own the Camelbak HAWG
is by far my favourite.<br /><br />Review by: Mike C.</span><br />
<span class="null">Photography by: Sean A.</span><br />
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OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-33133353734653085872014-09-24T17:27:00.000-04:002014-11-04T21:10:23.403-05:00ORC PCU Level 6 Pants - ReviewI suppose it was only a matter of time before I did a review on a product that I didn’t like, but I think I’m getting ahead of myself. When I was first introduced to PCU, the only piece I knew about was the <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2011/11/review-orc-pcu-level-5.html">ORC level 5 softshell</a>. Besides some RAID modded BDU’s they were the first jackets that I had ever seen with velcro pockets on the biceps. After I wrapped my head around the idea of what a softshell was for, I picked one up and fell in love. I needed more. I called ORC and was surprised when the answered their phone, "O.R.C. Industries, how can I help you?”. Wait a second… I had been calling them Orc all this time, like the green dudes that were chasing around the hobbits. I brushed it off like I knew their name was pronounced like an acronym the entire time and let them know I wanted a pair of their level 6 pants.<br />
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I had read the reviews and had heard the warnings from my buddies. The pants were meant for static use, and when they show up from ORC, they are going to stink. Hyperbole I figured, why would they make a pair of pants for the US Special Forces if you couldn’t run around in them? And how badly could they stink? Well, it turns out they could stink quite a bit, but for whatever reason that didn’t really bother me.<br />
<br />
The first chance I got to test them was a rain/sleet storm during a 12km bike ride into work. I was pleased to see the water beading off my legs and didn’t notice it getting muggy on the inside of my pants. I suppose however that it is because it was hovering around 0°C (32°F). After about 30 minutes however I noticed my groin starting to feel wet. The fly’s zipper was not waterproof and because I was essentially in a sitting position, the crotch of the pants was collecting water. It had nowhere to go, so it went through the teeth of the zipper and soaked me down to my knees. I was lucky that when I got into work people were more focused on letting me know how crazy I was for cycling in, than the fact that that it looked like I had pissed myself. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSOcCbkRIY/VCOb7faLhlI/AAAAAAAAA9E/4a-BHwwYsC4/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_6_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dSOcCbkRIY/VCOb7faLhlI/AAAAAAAAA9E/4a-BHwwYsC4/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_6_002.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same attachment points for suspenders like the <a href="http://www.ontariogeardo.com/2012/05/orc-pcu-level-5-pants-first-impressions.html">ORC level 5 pants</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dXLDxJmSvs/VCOcOhSI5UI/AAAAAAAAA9M/D2gFXiGbPH0/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_6_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dXLDxJmSvs/VCOcOhSI5UI/AAAAAAAAA9M/D2gFXiGbPH0/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_6_004.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The good old Black Beard logo, and a closer look at some of the seam tape. Arc'teryx craftsmanship, this is not.</td></tr>
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In some respects, riding a bike was not a “true” test of the level 6 pants, as they are not designed for cycling, but I still think it highlighted an inherent problem with the pants. So on another day I took them camping during a trip where it did nothing but rain. During the hike in it rained, we set up in the rain, cooked and sat around in the rain, and we hiked out in the rain. Three days later, I was happy to be able to say that it was a huge success! I was dry, and didn’t overheat! It all went downhill from there though.<br />
<br />
That trip happened in the spring when it was still pretty cold. As I used the level 6 pants in the summer and into the fall, I noticed that I was overheating, and sweat would get trapped on the inside of the pants and even wet out my inner layers depending on how long I stayed outside exercising. Over time, the DWR wore off and no matter how many times I treated the pants with Nikwax, the water seemed to always find its way into the pants. <br />
<br />
When winter rolled around again, I had already given up and purchased a pair of Propper level 6 Goretex pants, but figured it was still worth testing from time to time. I found that they continued to collect condensation on the inside of the pants, and if slush got kicked up onto my pants, they would leak after a few minutes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haithS60k5A/VCOcqpweghI/AAAAAAAAA9U/JMUteoc18_s/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_6_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-haithS60k5A/VCOcqpweghI/AAAAAAAAA9U/JMUteoc18_s/s1600/ORC_PCU_Level_6_003.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't take it easy on these pants, but I wasn't especially hard on them either.<br />
As you can see, the seam tape across the groin is toast. </td></tr>
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I had a hard time finding a use for the ORC level 6. They weren’t waterproof. I wouldn’t use them as a wind pant because the level 5 does a good job of that already. At this point I’d say they are equally effective as being water resistant for a period long enough to get my Goretex on. So really, what are my ORC level 6 pants good for? Nothing really. I suspect since the ORC pants were part of the Block 0 project, and considering we are now on block 2, the feedback was received and everyone agreed that Goretex was the way to go. The only reason to buy the ORC version in my opinion is if you are a collector, as there is no practical use for the pants. If you are in the market for PCU level 6 pants, there are many other great options out there from Beyond Clothing to Patagonia. With all that said though, even though the only time I wear them is when I accidentally pick them up thinking they are my Goretex pants, the collector in me won’t let me sell them.OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-6738089909874824192014-08-20T15:51:00.003-04:002015-07-24T10:45:52.497-04:00Top 4 things I do to make sure I have a good night's sleep while campingI’ve heard all the excuses for people not wanting to go camping. I can sympathize because when I was starting out I had many of the same complaints! I’ve seen those lists that float around Facebook from time to time that are titled <i>70 Ingenious Camping Hacks!</i> They are fun, but sometimes they seem more like things that I’d be more likely to do during a backyard BBQ than a camping trip. So to combat the excuses and to give a few tips of my own, here is the first instalment of Practical Camping Tips!<br />
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<b>Excuse #1: I need a good night’s sleep</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Solution #1</span></b><br />
In my opinion, one of the most important pieces of gear that I bring camping with me is my Thermarest mattress. When I started out, I tried everything from the inflatable queen size mattress from Canadian Tire, to those $10 blue foam mattresses. I was unwilling to spend $70+ on one of those “fancy” self inflating mattresses. What I learned was that in most situations, those blue mattresses are fairly uncomfortable, and the inflatable mattresses provide zero insulation from the ground, and in some cases accelerate heat loss during the night. On top of that they take quite a while to inflate even with a pump, and they are prone to punctures.<br />
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The choice to shell out to get a self inflating mattress with insulation opened my eyes to how comfortable I could be whilst camping. Gone are the days of waking up with a sore back! It sufficiently insulates you from the ground, and packs down to a manageable size. The blue mattress does not compress at all, and the queen size mattress is huge and heavy. Pair that with a pump, and it pretty much becomes impossible to go backpacking with. The self inflating option is surprisingly soft and comfortable, and it only takes a minute to inflate! Do yourself a favour and buy one. Better yet, if you’re just starting out, head to <a href="http://www.mec.ca/" target="_blank">MEC</a> and try a few out! If you’ve never spent any time one one, I bet you will be pleasantly surprised. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Solution #2</span></b><br />
I am not an early riser. I’m happy to snooze until 10am sometimes. However one thing for sure is that the sun will rise regardless of how much beer I’ve had the night before. Luckily it always rises more or less in the east, so setting up your shelter with some tress or bushes to the east will keep you cool in the early morning thus preventing you from waking up in a sweaty mess.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Solution #3</span></b><br />
I’ll admit that unless I’m completely exhausted, I need to the biggest pillow possible. If you’re car camping, you can simply bring a pillow from home. If you are hiking in, pack space is going to be at a premium. Compressible pillows are not bad, however I’ve never really found one that remains fluffy the whole night, meaning I wake up in the morning with a sore neck on a flattened pillow. The best set up I’ve found so far is to put my pack behind my mattress. The pack acts like a headboard and prevents the pillow from drifting throughout the night. After that I put some clothing into a pile and then put my pillow on top of that. If you’re really ambitious you could bring an empty pillowcase and fill it with clothes.<b><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Solution #4</span></b><br />
Nothing wrecks a good night sleep like a bug flying around in your tent. During bug season, I am militant about keeping the door closed at all times. If the bugs in the area are really bad, walk straight to your tent and get in. Don’t hang out in front of your tent allowing bugs to swarm around you and land before you enter. Make sure you get in and out your tent as quickly as possible so that you have a safe haven if need be. Another simple solution is to have the door of your tent facing the wind. It won’t work 100% of the time, but it will make it harder for bugs to meet you at the door.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bonus!</b></span><br />
Once you find a good spot to sleep, lay down and get a feel for the ground. Too many times I've set up my tent only to find that the ground tilts just enough that I have to move the tent. Or maybe the ground is a little lumpy, and moving 8 inches to the left would make it perfect. Save yourself some time, and lay on the ground before setting up your shelter. <br />
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I could have easily added tips for tents and sleeping bags, but I think I’ll save that for another day. Stay safe, and have fun out there geardos!OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-48685014965915582752014-07-11T11:31:00.001-04:002014-11-04T21:10:37.919-05:00Failed rescue attempt at Moon River FallsBy the time we heard him calling for help it was too late, but we went anyway. We had made the decision to try to head up to Moon River Falls for Canada Day like we had for the last two years. Lake Muskoka feeds the river and the flow is controlled in Bala by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Hydro. Three years ago, it was calm enough to swim underneath the main falls. This year however was a completely different story (shown below). The water proceeds towards a wide cascading waterfall that was easily crossed on foot. After the cascading falls, the river opens up and is calm enough to swim around and paddle around before it feeds to another choke point. When we showed up this year, we could hear the waterfall before we could see it as we paddled upstream from Moon Basin Marina. I expected it to be rough, but when I saw the falls from about 200 metres, the violence of the water took away any ambition I had to go anywhere near it. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>My wife and daughter heard the cries for help before I did. We were on the south end of the river and had a radio quietly playing some music. A group on the north side of the river had been blaring house music all day and at first I thought the voice I heard was part of what they were listening to. However the body language of my wife caught my attention, and then I heard it clearly. “HELP! HELP ME!”<br />
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I looked north, and saw a man at the bottom of the cascading waterfall moving towards the third. I figured he had been swimming, and then just got in over his head. My friend Henry and I had been throwing rocks into the fast moving water at the choke point earlier in the day and were surprised with how strong the current was. 30-50lbs rocks would be swept away like leaves, and that was in the calmer area of the choke point. The part he was heading to was much more violent, and since the river floor is made up entirely of Canadian Shield rock, I knew it would be better to get him sooner rather than later. <br />
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I was cooking at the time, and told my wife to turn off the stove as I ran towards the canoes. I grabbed a few life jackets and began to unlock the canoes (last year we saw some drunk guys stealing another group’s boats for a booze cruise). While I worked on the lock, I got Henry to get the paddles, and from the water I could hear the man yelling and urging us to “GET IN THE FUCKING WATER NOW! HELP ME!". I had been in my flip flops, and quickly got in to my hiking boots. But for whatever reason, I decided to kick those off by the shore as I knew I was probably going to get wet. As we put the boat in the water, Henry made the observation that at the speed he was traveling down the river we weren’t going to get to him before went through the rapids at the choke point. “Fuck it”, I remember saying, “We just have to get there.” If I were to guess, from me getting up from my seat, Henry and I were paddling out to get him in under 60 seconds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJMQmcipWjY/U78BAWA-6BI/AAAAAAAAA44/tsxQgejooq4/s1600/Moon_River_Falls_Ontario_Geardo_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IJMQmcipWjY/U78BAWA-6BI/AAAAAAAAA44/tsxQgejooq4/s1600/Moon_River_Falls_Ontario_Geardo_2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom of the cascading falls, and the choke point off in the distance.</td></tr>
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Henry was right, we weren’t going to make it. As we paddled out, I put on my lifejacket. We paddled for about 50 feet and then headed to beach the canoe at the choke point. I grabbed a lifejacket for the man and jumped in the water and swam out to his direction in what I thought was the calmer part of the river. I could still hear him screaming, which was a good sign because I knew at this point he was through the worst of it and at least he was still breathing. However there was something about the way he was pleading that almost canceled out any sort of rational thought in my head. I just needed to get to him. I started swimming harder and harder. So hard in fact that I dislocated my shoulder. I froze in the water and clicked it back in. By the time I gathered myself, I realized I was now being swept down the river, over sharp rocks, barefoot. <br />
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The water varied in depth from 2-4 feet. I oriented myself to travel feet first down the river and bent my knees to anticipate any rocks. I was cursing myself for not keeping my boots on, but was happy that I had the foresight to at least put the lifejacket on. I rolled over onto my stomach and started desperately grabbing at the river floor to try to stop with my good arm. Everything I touched be it a 1 foot rock or 2 foot rock, got pulled loose whenever I got my hands on it. I knew that eventually I’d get dumped out into a really calm part of the river, but to get to that I had to travel past a lot of rocks, without shoes, and the speed I was going, I was really worried I’d slice myself open. <br />
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I think it was my fourth try, my hand was raw from dragging it across the rocky riverbed, but I knew I had to stop. I grabbed hold of a rock and came to a halt. I pulled my head out of the water and saw my wife way upstream. I looked downstream and saw a bunch of motorboats and canoes in the water looking for the man. I stood up in an area that was about two feet deep and quickly realized that while standing was difficult, walking the 10 feel back to shore was not going to be easy. I shouted to my wife that I needed some rope. She and Henry quickly rushed back to the camp and came back with some 550 paracord. Henry tied it to a canoe paddle and threw it into the river upstream. I caught the paddle and was instantly relieved when I saw the bowline knot. <br />
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The sheer force of the water made it pretty treacherous. Being barefoot didn’t help either. Eager to get me back on dry land they pulled hard, but ended up pulling more quickly than I could walk so I had to let go. Henry threw the paddle back and I told him that I just needed to move at my own pace, which seemed to be centimetres at a time. Whilst standing I couldn’t really see through the water, so I felt the ground with my feet and took steps when I felt stable. With the encouraging words from Henry, I made it back to shore.<br />
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While I gathered my thoughts on what just happened, two guys paddled upstream, jumped out and then asked Henry if they could borrow our canoe. It was then that I saw a flipped canoe beside our beached canoe. Henry tried flipping it over, but the suction was too strong to flip it easily on the slippery rocks. We could have given it a better effort if we got deeper into the water but Henry made the correct assessment that it was for too dangerous considering its proximity to the fast moving water. Coincidentally it was in the exact same spot we were testing the speed of the water with heavy rocks earlier in the day, so we knew exactly how powerful the water was. As we stood on the shore and tried to figure out what to do with the canoe, Henry looked up at the falls and made a horrible discovery. “There is another canoe stuck in the falls. Can you see that?” <br />
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I told him I wasn’t wearing my glasses and that I couldn’t see that far, and that I was kind of glad. Looking at the raging waters I couldn’t imagine anyone surviving a fall through such a long set of rocks and water. Henry was right on point and decided it was time to call 911, and headed back to the campsite. I told my wife that she needed to get our daughter and her cousin into the tent. While they was gone, the canoe dislodged itself and it started to drift towards me. Watching it float towards me with the front all smashed up and the floor caved in, made my heart sink and I prepared for the worst. I was upset that I was waiting for it alone on the shore, but if someone was with me they would have been standing beside a bit of an emotional wreck. If anyone was trapped inside the canoe he was surely dead. <br />
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It took a few minutes to reach me and like the first canoe, the suction was too great for me to flip it from the side. I still wanted to work as quickly as I could just in case someone was still alive and trapped even though I couldn’t hear anything. I reached underneath and into the canoe, and luckily I didn’t find anything. I was relieved but now the full picture started to become very apparent. Both of the canoes had gone over the falls including the guy we were were trying to chase down. The reason he couldn’t swim to shore after the cascading waterfall is because he must have been injured. This was confirmed once the guys came back. <br />
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Apparently they were friends with the group of guys that were paddling down the river. Travis, the guy I was talking to said that he lived in the area and had never seen the water like this before and had warned his friends not to take the canoes out. Three of them did anyway, found that they had bitten off more than they could chew, and one of them went over the falls. The two others bailed before the falls and swam to shore. Travis said that the guy we were trying to help had been pulled out of the water and his leg and hip was probably broken. I stood there the whole time shaking my head in disbelief. It’s a miracle he didn’t die. I know that only a few years back 11 people got stuck in the falls, and <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/2009/08/04/bravery_and_death_at_swirling_moon_river.html">three of them drowned</a>. So for Travis to say that this was the worst he had ever seen the falls, and with me looking at it as he told me about his buddy, I was in disbelief. <br />
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It was all over, and I was exhausted mentally. I went back to my tent and lay down to decompress a bit. I was disappointed in myself. With all the first aid that I had learned with the Canadian Ski Patrol System, albeit over a decade ago, one of the most important things was that you shouldn’t get yourself into a situation that could turn one victim into more. At the same time though, if that man had died, I don’t know how well I would have been able to deal with not trying to help. In all honesty, I don’t even remember making the decision to help. We heard him, and reacted. Part of me is proud that we were quick to try to help, but the longer I think about it, the more I realize I should have spent the time to form some sort of a plan and to assess the situation before literally diving in head first. Hopefully you guys can learn from my mistake.<br />
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Stay safe out there geardos. OntarioGeardohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08557857519072582794noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258434290843912504.post-11792031863731269932014-05-27T09:58:00.000-04:002014-11-04T21:10:54.671-05:00Ontario Geardo is on Facebook!Hey guys, I finally got my account set up the way that I want, with a web address that isn't 762 characters long. My focus is still going to be this blog, but since it seems that everyone under the sun is on Facebook, I figure it’s a good way for you to get a heads up on blog updates instead of checking from time to time. As well, I will post deals on gear that I stumble upon, events that I find interesting, as well as pictures from adventures that aren’t quite long enough to be blog posts.<br />
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So if you’re interested in following the last blogger in the world to get a Facebook page, please visit <a href="http://facebook.com/ontariogeardo">facebook.com/ontariogeardo</a><br />
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