Inside Alex Honnold’s Tricked-Out New Adventure Van
Back in 2014, pro climber Alex Honnold gave us a tour of the 2002 Ford Econoline E150 he used as his mobile base camp. That van served him...
-
You might be thinking more about snow than water right now. But that means it’s a great time to invest in off-season gear. And a bunch of BO...
-
No one wants to have to use first aid. But everyone wants the goods when bad stuff goes down in the backcountry. You don’t have to try to f...
Friday, June 29, 2018
No Wheels: Meet the Camper that Rides on Your Hitch
The Hitch Hotel fits onto a trailer hitch for transport. At a campsite, the compact camper expands to nearly three times its size.
Say goodbye to wheeled campers with the introduction of the Hitch Hotel. A unique telescoping design promises motorists a lightweight and cozy camping option.
Announced today, Hitch Hotel is the world’s first expandable wheel-less trailer. Hitch Hotel attaches to your vehicle on just the hitch in transit and expands to fit two adults comfortably.
In transit, the 250 lb. Hitch Hotel only takes up 16 sq. feet. of space. It fits onto class 2 hitches and higher.
The nuanced design can hold 100 lbs. of cargo directly on your hitch. Expanded, the platform can hold more than 1,000 lbs.
Currently, Hitch Hotel is on Kickstarter and costs $4,499 retail with substantial discounts for early backers.
Hitch Hotel: Lightweight, Hitch-Mounted Camper
The Hitch Hotel is simple in design but versatile in use. When closed, there is more than 60 cubic feet of storage. Opened, the Hitch Hotel provides a 135 cubic feet sleeping space. That’s larger than a queen size bed.
For a stable connection, Hitch Hotel is only compatible with Class 2 hitches and higher. This equates to tongue weights of 350 lbs. or higher.
Four sets of ladders make a sturdy connection with the ground for when it’s expanded. And Hitch Hotel keeps your gear and yourself safe and secured with its watertight design.
Vents and windows line the outside of the camper, and an external grab bar serves as a gear rack. Its frame is constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum.
The closed dimensions are 68 x 34 x 50 in. This lets the vehicle meet all lane requirements. Then, with a set-up time faster than a tent, it telescopes to 7 ft. 4 in.
Hitch Hotel is estimated to deliver in September 2018. Its Kickstarter ends in July.
Check out the Kickstarter video to get stoked on this compact addition to the adventurer’s rig.
The post No Wheels: Meet the Camper that Rides on Your Hitch appeared first on GearJunkie.
How I Set Up My Tacoma for Life On The Road
Beating the daily grind and living life on the road has a lot of appeal for outdoor-minded folks. Here’s what I use to make it a reality.
There was never a plan. Trying to balance a rigorous startup job with a ceaseless desire for adventure, I decided to give away most of my possessions, buy a used Tacoma, and move in. This compromise offered flexibility and fresh air at the cost of normalcy, which I willingly accepted. Microadventures, long weekends in the mountains, and remote work all became much closer to reality.
A few days later I bought a LEER truck cap and spent the weekend crafting my first storage system – a drawer in the bed. I’m now working on its fourth iteration. Over the last three years, truck life has evolved with me.
I’ve progressively optimized for dirt roads and more out of office emails. And, while the nomadic lifestyle has some obvious downsides like a lack of showers (sorry Mom), it enabled some of the best years of my life. If simplicity, fixing things, and seeing new places draws you, consider it. Here’s how I set up my truck for adventure.
Living in a Tacoma
Unlike many Sprinters, the TacoMama is nothing fancy. I designed it to go anywhere, which comes at the cost of comfort. There is no A/C, heater, or water pump – and no cooking inside.
Also, it has no LED string light, prayer flags, or general frills. Instead, I invested in 4-wheel drive, A/T tires, a 3” lift, and a practical sleeping setup that works as well in the city as it does in the mountains.
It’s almost always dirty and smelly – and that’s why I love it. Truck life isn’t right for everyone, but if you do go down this route, this is where I suggest you start.
Storage
The Thule Motion XT cargo carrier has just enough space for a couple pairs of skis, tents, sleeping bags, and assorted camping, climbing, and biking gear. But not much more. It’s low-profile and easy to use, making it the ideal non-excessive gear hauler.
Power
Solar panels often stick out like a sore thumb, so I opted for three flexible panels that contour to the roof of the truck. I daisy-chained the Lensun 100-watt panels to a Goal Zero 1400, which stores enough power for the fridge to run for a handful of days – or indefinitely if the sun is out.
Cooking
With a focus on reliability, I bought a Camp Chef Double Burner. And it’s run, without fail, since. I’m able to make coffee and oatmeal in the morning and veggies and quinoa at night, which is all I need. The stove is connected to a 20-pound propane tank that cuts down on waste and rarely needs to be refilled.
I’m a big proponent of meals cooked on a cast-iron skillet. I pair that with nonstick MSR pots, bowls, plates, and TOAKS sporks. I keep my coffee fairly simple, too. Wide-mount MiiR bottle and a large steel french press off Amazon are all you need.
Water
I rely on a seven-gallon water jug to store most of my water, refilling it every couple of weeks. When I head out on long trips or want a quick shower in the backcountry, I use MSR 10L Dromedary. I tried a lot of other systems and ultimately defaulted on this one. Less is more.
Sleeping
Four inches of memory foam and a pair of standard pillows set the foundation. Two Mountain Hardwear sleeping bags for different temperatures – the Phantom for colder nights and Ratio for warmer ones – keep me happy in any weather.
Maintenance
I always keep a few rolls of duct tape, a bundle of zip ties, a cordless drill, a set of wrenches, and a good headlamp when the inevitable bad luck strikes. This makeshift kit has saved me more than once.
Now it’s time to hit the road. Consult our guide on free camping here:
Camp for Free on Public Land: 'Dispersed Camping' 101
No campground, just a spot on the side of the road on public land, dispersed camping is free, fun, and easier than you might expect. Read more…
The post How I Set Up My Tacoma for Life On The Road appeared first on GearJunkie.
BRP acquires Alumacraft, creates Marine Group
Valcourt, Quebec – Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), headquartered in Valcourt, Quebec, announced this week the creation of the Marine Group with the acquisition of Alumacraft, a private North American manufacturer of aluminum fishing boats based in St. Peter, Minn., BRP said in a news release.
Tracy Crocker, senior vice-president and general manager of Evinrude Outboard Motors since 2017, has been named president of the group, effective immediately, BRP said in the release, adding that the acquisition will allow the company to leverage the strength and reputation of the two marine industry players.
The BRP portfolio includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am on- and off-road vehicles, Evinrude and Rotax marine propulsion systems as well as Rotax engines for karts, motorcycles and recreational aircraft, the company said in the release.
The post BRP acquires Alumacraft, creates Marine Group appeared first on Outdoornews.
from Outdoornews https://ift.tt/2tCJfki
via IFTTT
‘Goldilocks’ Trail Shoe: HOKA ONE ONE Torrent First Look
Chug uphill, glide down, and cut through rocky switchbacks – the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent touts the best of everything a trail runner wants: agility, ground feel, cushion, breathability, and minimal weight. We tested them for a month on Colorado trails.
Runners committed to minimal footwear and maximum ground feel typically shrug off HOKA ONE ONE trail shoes. Not because of the brand ‘s quality — far from it. HOKA outfits some of the world’s most accomplished endurance athletes.
But HOKA ONE ONE has become synonymous with maximum cushion and plush foam midsoles. But this month, the brand launched what it called a “seemingly contradictory combination of cushioning and agility.”
The Torrent targets trail runners seeking lightweight and breathable shoes that protect against rugged terrain without a “moon boot” feel.
Our editors (one is training for the Leadville 100) took the Torrents on moderate to long trail runs, from five to 15 miles, and even used them on daily commute runs to and from work.
In short: With the Torrents, HOKA ONE ONE discovers a new position within its trail-running line. Lighter and slimmer than its Speedgoat cousin, the Torrent transmits more of the terrain’s feel to the foot. Along with its relatively light weight, the shoe provides agility and speed on twisting trails. But ample rebound and 23-mm stack maintain the brand’s trademark cushion-forward DNA.
True Grit: Inov-8 Graphene-Toughened Shoes Tested
Earlier this week, British brand inov-8 unveiled its new graphene-enhanced G-Series sports shoes to a small group of journalists. We went to England for this review. Read more…
HOKA ONE ONE Torrent Review
No shoe can guarantee to make you faster. But a few shoes, the Torrent included, might make you feel faster. How? The brand will tell you it’s “Profly,” and that’s part of it.
Profly is market-speak for a midsole design that combines a bouncy foam midsole at the heel with a more firm material at the toe. The result is a shoe with noticeable rebound that also helps your toes claw forward.
But the Torrent also keeps this shoe light and breathable with a mesh upper. My size 13s weighed 11.7 ounces, and the brand advertises 9 ounces for a men’s size 9.
Trail Test: HOKA ONE ONE Torrent
If bounce and a moderate cushion is what you’re looking for in a trail shoe, the Torrent has a few other performance features worth noting.
Unlike other HOKA ONE ONE offerings, the Torrent does not hug the whole foot. Instead, it sports a heel-hugging quarter that keeps the ankle stable and a toe box that allows room for feet to splay.
This was great for long runs, as it prevented sore, squeezed feet. But it also allowed the forefoot to shift a little, worth considering if you plan to run fast descents. They are not as loose in the forefoot as some other brands though, and we found them fairly precise for technical, rocky terrain.
We ran them down some really steep grades and found the aggressive lugs performed well, biting into both loose and packed dirt.
As for breathability, the Torrent does permit airflow, but it is not the most breathable trail runner out there. We noted a little moisture in socks after really hot runs, but its mesh helped mitigate some heat.
HOKA ONE ONE Torrent Trail Running Shoe
Overall, this is a great shoe for the trail. While you can use it for runs from your front door to the workplace, it’s a little too aggressive for pavement. On the dirt, however, it shines.
A Contender For Leadville
One GearJunkie editor is signed up for the Leadville 100 trail run in August. Having used these in training, this shoe is among a few contenders that he may toe the line with come race day.
A few of the other shoes he’s considering are the Altra Lone Peak 3.5, and Salomon Sense Ride. Given the length of Leadville, he’ll likely cycle through a few pairs. But the Torrent will almost certainly be in the rotation.
HOKA ONE ONE Torrent
The HOKA ONE ONE Torrent is a very capable trail running shoe. It’s among our favorites on the market now, and one serious trail runners should try on.
The strong points are grip – both up and down – lightweight cushioning, and an improved degree of agility for the brand. And at $120, it’s not an overwhelming monetary burden for the category.
Best Running Shoes for Women 2018
Looking for the best women's running shoes? We've tested the best shoes for road running, trail running, and barefoot runners of 2018. Plus, we've got a Buyer's Guide with helpful tips for better shoe shopping. Read more…
The post ‘Goldilocks’ Trail Shoe: HOKA ONE ONE Torrent First Look appeared first on GearJunkie.