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Archive for the ‘Stuff I Like’ Category

NEMO Equipment – Heliopolis + Helio

Friday, August 4th, 2023

NEMO Equipment’s Heliopolis and Helio were literally made for one another. The Helio is a portable pressure washer and the Heliopolis is a shelter to offer some privacy while you wash.

Helio is offered in two sizes and is pressurized with a foot power pump. The 5.8-gallon sized LX offers 7–10 minutes of strong, continuous spray. the smaller Helio’s 2.9-gallon tank offers 5–7 minutes of spray. Both boast a 7 foot long hose with a spray spigot which is like what you’d find in a kitchen sink and very handy to use. I’ve used both for years while camping and to spray the dogs off after day hikes.

The Heliopolis is a portable shower tent and privacy shelter. You can wash and or change your clothes in it. It’s simple to erect ans doesnt take up much space in your vehicle.

www.nemoequipment.com/collections/showers

Tactical Distributors – Long Sleeve Shooter Shirt

Saturday, July 29th, 2023

I’ve had the short sleeve version of this shirt for awhile now and look forward to picking at least one of the long sleeve versions up for range sessions. They are made from a moisture-wicking, 4-way stretch.

Naturally, the Desert Tigerstripe caught my eye, but TD has them in several colors as seen in the image below.

Sizes Small – 3X-Large, these won’t break the bank at $29.99 each.

Stuff I Like – The Flight Suit from Kühl

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

For the man who wears everything Kühl comes the Flight Suit. This jumpsuit has two interesting features: a hood and thumb loops which make it great for kühler weather. It’s also made from a pretty robust knit, similar to a heavy sweatshirt.

I’ve got one and it’s über komfi. Made from a knit fabric, it’s got some stretch and has plenty of room. If you go off of their size guide and sit in between sizes, I suggest you go down, unless for some reason you want to layer under it.

Even though there are only four zippered pockets including chest and thighs pockets, I find myself looking for items like my cell phone. There’s plenty of storage.

Offered in Dark Moss, Raven, and Pirate Blue in sizes Small-XLarge with 30 or 32 inseams.

Stuff I Like – Black Diamond Session Approach Shoes

Saturday, July 9th, 2022

I pick on my wife telling her that she wears the adult equivalent of toddler clothes around the house, but truth be told I’m doing the same thing.

Since COVID hit I’ve taken to wearing an ersatz uniform around the house and on short errands consisting of Vuori climbing pants, an Arc’teryx T-shirt and Black Diamond Session Approach Shoes*. If it’s raining, or I’m going for a hike, I stick with the Salewa Alpine Trainer Low. It’s not that I’m bouldering anymore, it’s really about comfort.

So why would I wear approach shoes? A couple of reasons. Although the soles are in fact sticky and offer sure footedness, these are really casual shoes. Plus, thanks to the stretch-fit heel they are slip-ons. That is the biggest factor.

The EVA mod-sole makes them comfy and I like the rubber toe rand. I’m now on my third pair since I started wearing them, so expect about a year’s worth of wear.

Offered in sizes 6-14 in several colors.

www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/product/session-ms-shoes

*If you’re curious about my underwear it’s Saxx boxer briefs and Point6 socks. If I like something, I buy six pair.

Casca – A Blast From The Past

Saturday, May 7th, 2022

We first mentioned the Casca series in 2013 and we like to bring the Casca books up every once in awhile because they were such a big part of growing up in the early 80s. Plus, every time we bring it up, a few new readers discover the series.

Casca is a legendary eternal mercenary who was charged by Christ on Golgotha to fight until the second coming, from conflict up conflict. Exciting stuff, and as a kid, I couldn’t put it down.

Did you devour this book like I did? If so, did you know that the Casca images by artist Darrel Millsap on the cover of every title were based on this photo of author Barry Sadler?

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And, did you know that same Special Forces Veteran Barry Sadler also wrote and performed the song “The Ballad of the Green Berets” which hit Number 1 on the charts in the Spring of 1966? If you’ve ever served at Ft Bragg, you’ve heard that diddy a time or two.

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Although Sadler passed away in 1989 of complications following a gun shot wound, the Casca-series of books carried on and still boast a website dedicated to the series.

If you enjoy retro topics like this, be sure to follow us on Instagram.

Stuff I Like – Wildfire GORE-TEX Men’s Shoes

Monday, April 4th, 2022

I got a pair of these when Salewa first introduced the Black color. I’ve just bought my third pair on a whim when I saw them in stock at Tidewater Tactical because I was worried they’d stop making them. Much to my relief, I see that Salewa continues to offer this model and color scheme.

You’ll often see me wearing them at trade shows, particulary if it’s wet outside. That’s a pretty good testament to their comfort if I’m willing to walk around all day on concrete in them.

The Wildfire features a GORE-TEX Extended Comfort lining and POMOCA Speed MTN sole which is pretty grippy. Additionally, there is an edging zone at the toe along with lacing down to the toe so you can get by pretty well in a simple climb.

www.salewa.com

Stuff I Like – MTHD Basin Tweave Durastretch Field Pant

Saturday, February 12th, 2022

MTHD is Tactical Distributors’ house clothing brand. Although not well known, it’s very well designed and manufactured from some of the best materials on the market.

I recently picked up a pair of their Basin Field Pants which is made from a durable 4-way stretch fabric called Tweave Durastretch which is a USA-made performance fabric.  The fabric is burly and I was afraid they might be uncomfortable and maybe a bit too hot for hiking here in the mid-Atlantic.

We’ve had some varied weather over the past few weeks ranging from a dry mid-70s to pouring rain in the low-40s and then down into the low 20s, all within a few days. Great conditions to try them out.

Right up front, they are super comfortable. Although I never overheated in the pants, they have zippers on the outer thighs which open to reveal breathable panels lined with mesh to aid with ventilation.

The DWR worked great, shedding the rain as I hiked.

If anything, there too many pockets. However, they are easy to get to and zippers make sure you won’t lose what’s in them. The legs are cut with plenty of room to layer. The knees are articulated and the bottom hem has a snap adjustable opening.

I also like the nylon tape belt loops. They are sleek, yet strong enough to attach lanyards to.

Although I’ve only worn them on a few outings, and once all day, they seem well constructed and the fabric itself is tough as nails. I expect them to last me for a long time.

Offered in Flat Dark Earth and Dark Shadow.

www.tacticaldistributors.com/products/mthd-basin-field-pant-l2

ANETIK – Remix Raglan Tech S/S

Sunday, August 29th, 2021

Turns out, there’s a short sleeve version of the Remix Raglan Tech shirt I wrote about last year.

The moisture wicking fabric is quite comfortable and offers 30+ UPF. Offered with a Grey body and darker or lighter lizard pattern camouflage sleeves. Sizes XS-3XL.

To order, visit anetik.com/collections/2019-mens-shortsleeve-performance/products/mens-raglan-tech-s-s-master-style.