Northwest Hiking

A rugged boot, Herman Survivor Footwear left very little wanting in the design of the Settler model boot.  Not only is it comfortable and easy to break-in, it also performs decently under moderate conditions.  For the average hiker who doesn’t need a light weight hiking boot, this will do the trick.  Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:  Break in time is short, under a month if worn consistently.  The boot is extremely comfortable and can be worn for extended periods of time with no problems.  The boot is a working boot, but doubles easily as a hiking boot.

Cons:  Durability is lower than most expensive hiking boots, and the sole tends to wear down if worn daily over the course of 7-8 months.  If you wear tennis shoes and just wear these hiking and working, expect a life span of about 1 1/2 years depending on wear and tear.  They are also heavy compared to hiking boots, so expect to build some extra muscle to wear these around.

Final Verdict:  2.5/5 stars

The boot isn’t going to compare to a backpacking shoe, but for average hikes, will perform perfectly fine.  Buy depending on need only, and make sure you get what you truly want for your skill level.

More Information

As a hiker and writer, I sometimes get the privilege of testing new products and working with some of the finest producers on the market.  This last month, I was able to test the Body Bottle, a new alternative to the overly large hydration bladders.  And after testing this out, I am not sure I could truly go back to the bulky and hard to clean hydration systems.

The makers of Body Bottle had one thing in mind when they developed this product: ease of use and low maintenance.  Ruggedly designed with superior materials, nothing was overlooked on the design of this new hydration system.

The bottle is made of durable plastic with a secure Velcro strap in place around the entire bottle.  A second strap fits snugly around your arm’s bicep and has Velcro on the front.  After filling the bottle, it can be “stuck” on the strap around your arm, and then pulled off when needed for easy access to fluids.  The design and way it was constructed allows you to take on virtually any challenge with this bottle, and after mountain biking, jogging, and running with this, I can say without a doubt that it will for sure be secure enough for almost any sport.

Another plus in the material is the comfort level which was achieved when choosing products.  The armband isn’t itchy, fits comfortably, and it soft to the touch.  As an added bonus, the Velcro on the front of the bottle can even double as an MP3 player holder by securing a piece of Velcro to your player.

The Body Bottle is a one stop shop for even your most intense hydration needs.  The phenomenal construction and extreme ease of use revolutionizes the view on current hydration systems.  Fantastic design and durability make this one of the best new products on the market.  Here at Northwest Hiking, we’re converted—how about you?

 The Body Bottle

Have you ever hiked a trail, and then realized two months later you don’t remember half the things about it?  With such a dilemma, you may even choose to not go again because you weren’t sure how long it was, how strenuous it was, or what the trail conditions were like.  Luckily, such a dilemma has been confronted and ended thanks to the Nomad Adventure Journals and their amazing solutions for hikers.  One of their journals, the Hiking Trail journal, is especially good for hiking and logging trail data.  Here are some of the things that it includes:

• Trail difficulty
• Water availability
• Distance
• Location
• Trail type
• Trail conditions
• GPS coordinates
• Weather

A landmark journal, I recommend this to anyone who seeks a good way of recording a lot of trail data in an easy to find and use notebook.  Happy hiking!

Hiking Trail Journal

A little out of the ordinary for me, I would like to review Propel water.  Many hikers and outdoor sports enthusiasts already know about the powder  packets and water bottles available at pretty much any grocery store.  There are a few reasons why propel is such a great liquid to keep with you, but the main ones are hydration and vitamins.  Studies show that when water is flavored, you stay better hydrated.  Straight water does wonders for the body, too, but it lacks the vitamins and other trace minerals that your body needs to stay in proper balance.

After getting extremely sick to the point of late heat exhaustion symptoms (even after drinking over a 1/2 gallon of water), I know that water needs added vitamins and electrolytes to keep you running at your best and to prevent you from getting sick.  Propel offers you a variety of vitamins to help ensure that you get those, and by adding an additional powder packet that contains trace minerals, you’ll be well on your way to staying healthy.  Propel is also available in liquid or powder form, so you can always add it to your water later on, too.

For more information, visit Propel’s website here.

Yes!  Cold weather has finally arrives here in the northwest, bringing temperatures down to lows that we haven’t seen since spring.  That means colder hiking weather.  You’ve already switched over your hiking survival kit and first-aid kit to cover more cold weather conditions, but what about comfort?  Obviously, you’re going to dress warmer and in more layers, but here’s a new way to stay warm:  through foot and hand warmers.

You know the little packets that keep you warm while skiing?  The ones you slip in your gloves when putting them on?  These little wonders do an amazing job at keeping you warm and and comfy while out on the trail, too.  If you hike a lot in especially cold weather, you’ll want to think about these guys for your hikes.  Simply take them out of their package, place them in your glove or pocket, and you’re set to go.  Happy trails everyone!  And happy autumn!

And here’s a good place to get them:
Warmers.com

As far as survival manuals go, not many can provide an all-around-the-world coverage, insight into survival structures, and an in-depth look at survival as a whole.  Furthermore, not many will give readers something they can read many times over and still glean more from the book.  Not many, except for the SAS Survival Handbook.  Not only does it cover areas found all around the world–such as arctic, tropical, beach, mountainous, and forested settings–it also provides readers with enough information to keep them intently focused for months.

Every time readers pick up this book, they will be amazed by the wave of practical survival information that seems to teem from the pages, bringing a whole new light to the topic of survival.  It can be said without a doubt that the SAS Survival Handbook is a must for any hiker or survivalist (”wannabe’s” included) who need more information about the world around him or her, and practical ways to use that to an advantage.

See more information here.

As promised, a review of one of the most convenient and effective emergency blankets (bag).  Although it doesn’t look like anything special, this little blanket will do wonders when in a survival situation.  It is not only small, it’s lightweight and easy to use, convenient for storage in a survival kit or backpack.

The blanket itself is not overly large, scaling in at 3 feet by 7 feet.  The bag is packed into a little box that is 4″ x 3″ x 2″ inches and weighs just 3 ounces.  Not a bad middle ground when a small emergency blanket is needed.  It is also windproof and holds in 90% of body heat, retaining it to keep the victim even warmer.  Definitely a must for any survival/first-aid kit!

Space Brand Thermal Reflective Blanket

Knives are indispensable in any situation.  For some they are an item kept at all times, whether that’s a dressed up party or the most rugged surroundings.  Hiking is no exception, and a knife is a useful tool in survival situations, or just to shred some tinder for a campfire.

For my survival kit, I pack the Coleman pocket knife.   It is extremely durable and trustworthy in any situation.  I have had mine for 5+ years and it is still in great condition and in my survival kit.  The grip is leather and hard to beat in quality.  The blade is stainless steel, and also extremely durable.  The blade is small at about two inches,  but that’s not to say anything about the usefulness of this knife, however, and I highly recommend it for any survival kit or hiker.

View the knife here

For those needing a better backpack when carrying gear to various places, the Lowepro CompuDayPack will provide you the perfect place to keep your gear.  Primarily made for SLR cameras, the backpack’s rugged design give it plenty of padding and durability when trusting it with your camera on a hike.  Not only does it store your camera, it also has a sizable storage area for food, water, and your survival and first-aid kit.  In the slot closest to your back, it has a spot for your laptop—although what you would do with it on a hike, I have no idea.

For those who need a better backpack that holds camera gear and regular hiking gear on a hike, this backpack will do more than its part in the protection and storage of your equipment.  I recommend it to anyone who has a SLR camera and needs to take it safely to places where it needs superior protection.

 CompuDaypack

When you are out camping or hiking in the backwoods, most likely you are not going to bring along an axe or chainsaw to cut firewood or clear the trail of larger branches.  Not only can it be a hassle, but it is also too much weight to carry something larger than a small hand saw, many of which are bulky and will cut through your gear.  For the hiker and backwoodsman, however, Coghlan’s Sierra Saw offers you perfect versatility and functionality when you need it most.

The Coghlan’s Sierra Saw folds up into its own handle to provide a safe means by which to store and pack it.  This is a huge bonus for those who need to cut down on space and still have something that is beefy enough to take on the larger branches.   With a 7″ blade and an overall size of 17″, this is sure to take care of all your needs—whether that is clearing a trail, or cutting firewood for the night!

Coghlan’s Sierra Saw