It is a quest that never ends…swapping out gear for something “better.” This is what I have done with my rain jacket. I have been using the Sierra Designs Cyclone Eco jacket and while it is a great jacket, I just wanted something a little lighter. Two other things that were important to me in my search were hand pockets and pit zips. (Ok, 3, money too…) So, I searched around, read some reviews on a few different jackets and finally settled on one, the GoLite Tumalo 2.5L Pertex Storm Jacket. Using a 40% off code, this jacket was a great blend of nice features for a great price, and with the features I desired. So, here is a video review I did with my initial impressions:
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Thanks to Trails and Treads in Tupelo, MS for doing such a great job at helping with my first bike purchase in a looong time... After reading tons of poor reviews and looking at the (broke down) bikes at our local Walmart I thought about investing that money in a "better" bike, so I gave Trails and Treads a call and discussed my needs/wants and concerns. I ended up going with an entry level Trek, the FX1. They ordered the bike for me, and in less than a week it arrived at the shop and they assembled it for me. Once I arrived they walked me through some of the basics and then put the bike up on a rack and told me to hop on. They then proceeded to take measurements and make fine tuned adjustments so that the bike fit me. After more questions and picking up a few "essentials" they finally helped me load it up and take it home! This weekend I put almost 16 miles on it riding at JP Coleman state park while camping. It's a ton of fun to ride, lightweight, and fast (I got up to 30 mph at one point!) and I look forward to putting many more miles on it! So while it may not be a top of the line bike, I am happy that I decided to learn with this bike rather than the others I looked at, and I am even more happy that I went to Trails and Treads for the experience. If you're in the market, definitely give them a call or stop by! (And no, I don't work for them... lol!) https://www.trailsandtreadstupelo.com https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/bikes/hybrid-bikes/fitness-bikes/fx/fx-1/p/17446/ #trailsandtreads #tupelomississippi #trek #trekbicycles #bicycle #fx1 #trekfx1 #trekownersI think these LoLoHo shirts are the only matching shirts my wife and I have... lol. Anyway, since getting our camper last year we have watched a lot of YouTube channels about RV’ing, and our favorite channel has been Long Long Honeymoon. They have lots of videos full of tips and suggestions about all things RV’ing as well as lots of travel videos. So if you are new to the RV’ing world or just looking for some fun, interesting YouTube channels to watch talking about RV’ing, give their channel a view. #loloho #longlonghoneymoon #matchingshirts #rving #rv #starcraft #21fb #clearcreekcampground #alabama #camping #glampingHad another good weekend in the camper... despite the bad weather (mostly just predicted) and the less than friendly neighbors... Clear Creek campground near Jasper Alabama has some nice sites and some of the nicest staff that we have encountered. There are even some walking and bike trails that are pretty nice, and a really nice beach area. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area! #camping #glamping #rvlife #rv #starcraft #21fb #camper #jasperalabama #clearcreekcampground #site61 #fawnloopThe skies cleared briefly on the last day of our hike (last month) to give us this great view from the top of Blood Mountain on the AT in Georgia. Storms were getting ready to roll in though, and just a couple of miles past this point was the end of our hike, so we decided to head out before the weather got bad. #appalachiantrail #at #bloodmountain #bloodmountaingeorgia #georgia #blueskiesandclouds #viewsformiles #sectionhike #backpacking #hiking #mountains #mountaintops #4458feetWould you believe that @backpackinglight (of all people) talked me into checking out a backpacking chair! I’ll admit that I haven’t been backpacking hardly at all in the past year, but between this chair (which is awesome by the way) and my Zpacks Duplex tent... I am really wanting to get back out there ASAP! And who said that it ain’t about the gear... lol (jk... to some degree). Anyway, this is the REI Flexlite Air chair. Mine comes in at 15.5 oz for the chair only, and with my DIY Kelly Green 8D stuff sack it comes in at a total of 15.7 oz... so yeah... an extra pound. But that’s what’s nice about getting all my other gear weight down... even with this chair I can still be around 20 pounds for even cold weather trips. As for the chair... it’s rated at 250 lbs and I’m a solid 210 lbs (yeah, I got heavy again) and it does wobble a bit so I’m curious to see how it will hold up to someone of my weight over time. But for now it’s pretty comfortable. For a more thorough review check out the video that BPL put out not that long ago on these chairs... #backpacking #chair #itsarealchair #ulbackpackingNot the best pitch, but given the space I had to work with and the time before it was about to rain, it’s what I ended up with. Regardless, this was the only night I have spent in the Zpacks Duplex on the trail (although I also spent 2 nights into with my wife at the ATKO19). For one person though, this thing is fantabolous! It rained much of the night, and as with any other tent, splatter did come in at the corners, but with the Duplex I can just scootch on over to the middle and not have to worry about that... well until I have to clean it up later. Anywho, the Duplex is an awesome tent... easy to set up, lightweight and spacious! The only downfall is that it is a single wall shelter, so condensation can be an issue, however due to the amount of interior space, a 5’10” guy can still easily avoid the wet walls. And as I have said before, because of the high clearance of the canopy around the Zpacks shelters plenty of air can circulate which means there is minimal condensation to begin with. Either way, while I loved my Hexamid for many years, I am happy to be in the Duplex now. Now I just need to plan more trips!! #zpacks #teamzpacks #at #appalachiantrail #justicecreek #duplex #cubenfibertent #cubenfiber #itsnotcalleddcf #backpacking #hiking #ultralightbackpacking #ul- Follow Stick's Blog on WordPress.com
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Chad,
I will look forward to a further review on its performance. It seems a good value jacket in the uk too. Selling at £100.
“Boggin”, thats a new word for me. Never heard a wooly hat called that before.
In UK we call them Bob hats or Beanies depending on how old you are.
Thanks.
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Alan,
Thanks for checking out my site and leaving a comment. I agree, it is a nice value jacket (and even more so with the 40 % off coupon) but like any other piece of gear, it will have to prove itself in the field to see how it really does. I will be sure to report back here on my blog once I have it out!
Oh, and I have always just called it a boggin, not sure why, guess it’s just what I have always heard it called… 🙂
Chad
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Hi Stick,
Good review and i agree with what you say. Don’t like the hood closure or the cuffs. It looks a sweaty jacket from the vid but what is it like in reality? I know it has pockets and pits for ventilation but is the material breathable?
I like the storm flap on the main zip.
Does the hood have a rear adjuster to it and if so, is it exposed to the rain or is it covered in some way.
Thanks for sharing this. Excellent stuff.
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Alan,
Very good questions.
At this point it is hard for me to say how well it breathes. The most I have worn it was about 3 hours one day playing outside with the kids in the snow. Underneath I was wearing a plain cotton t shirt and my R1 over that, then the jacket. Temperatures were around the mid 20’s and we had about 9″ of nice snow. We built snowmen, forts and had snow ball fights. I got worked up but never felt wet inside from sweat. When I felt a little warm I simply unzipped the main zip about half way. However, no experience yet in the rain with a pack on.
And no, the hood does not have a rear adjuster. Although, for me the hood does conform around my head nicely when cinched down, and especially so if I am wearing a boggin.
Thanks for stopping by!
Chad
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