From the Pages of Outdoor News – June 30, 2018

Trad Shoe Evolution: Scarpa Maestro Mid First Look

Twist into cracks, smear with precision: The Maestro Mid Eco makes bold claims as a supportive and soft climbing shoe for long routes. We reviewed the latest release from the brand to see how it holds up on the rock.

Innovation in the world of trad climbing shoes seems to revolve around a few central design tenets. Namely, trad shoes are comfortable for all-day climbing, can withstand twisting into cracks, and are stiff.
The Scarpa Maestro Eco, released in spring 2018, departs from the idea that trad shoes need to be stiff. The Maestro Eco line comprises two shoes: a mid-height version and a low version. They cost $190 and $180, respectively, and use premium materials for demanding climbers.
After reviewing them for more than a month, I’ve found the Maestro Mid Eco to be a high-performing climbing shoe. The leather feels great twisting into cracks, and the shoe’s rubber and randing feel decidedly more precise on the rock than those of other trad shoes.
But in regard to Scarpa’s divergence from typical trad shoe design and stiffness, the difference is there — it’s just subtle.

Review: Scarpa Maestro Mid Eco

Scarpa markets the shoe for high-performance, all-day climbing. Typically, when a shoe is marketed for “all-day,” sacrifices are made in performance for the sake of comfort.

But with a new IPC-Tension active rand system – meant to support the foot during prolonged use – Scarpa claims the shoes can perform well on both face climbs and cracks for an entire day.
While not a stiff shoe, this support allows climbers to maintain foot strength on micro-holds. Think really small edges.
So in theory, the Maestro Mid can smear, crack climb, and edge well for all-day climbing without feeling stiff. This is a really bold claim. After a few hours of climbing without taking off your shoes, support in your shoe is paramount to its comfort level.
Both models use Eco Leather in their uppers. It feels supple and alleviates the environmental impact of tanning. For rubber, the shoes use 4-mm Vibram XS Edge, Vibram’s rubber designed for edging and multi-pitch climbing.
Scarpa optimized the top of the shoes to reduce pressure points when wedging into cracks. The higher ankle height on the Mid Eco helps when climbing hand-sized to off-width cracks.
I didn’t test the low-cut Maestro, but that shoe uses a more powerful randing. Scarpa claims it’s better suited for technical face climbing.

Review: Scarpa Maestro Mid Eco

For the past month, I’ve tested the Maestro Mid Eco in Colorado’s Front Range crags. Climbing up slabs, vertical walls, cracks, and even overhangs of various rock types, I fiercely focused on how my shoes performed.

In use, the shoes excelled on all styles except steep sport climbing and bouldering. The shoe can hold an edge and instills confidence when smearing.
I found my favorite use for the Maestro was climbing finger-sized cracks. The shoe was able to wedge itself into super small cracks and feel secure. It’s good for crack climbing and smearing — it gripped cracks and the surrounding rock with power.
It feels bomber in hand cracks and when wiggling up off-widths. The lacing configuration didn’t create any pressure points, and the leather was very comfortable. I felt very secure and comfortable whenever I’d lock in a good foot jam.
But as for its support on long multi-pitch climbs, the Maestro Mid Eco falls a bit short than its expectations. After a day of climbing, I still wanted to take off my shoes.
But that’s not to say this is a novel experience. After a whole day of climbing, no matter what shoe, I want to take my shoes off.

Scarpa Maestro Mid Eco: Who Should Buy It?

Don’t get me wrong: The Maestro Mid Eco is a comfortable shoe. Way more so than any sport climbing or bouldering shoe.
Those that like to multi-pitch or crack climb are in for high-performing shoe that maintains comfort pitch after pitch. And it offers better performance than most other trad climbing shoes on the market.
If trad climbing is your jam, try on a pair of Scarpa Maestro Mid Ecos at your local climbing store to see if they are a fit for you. Wear them on the rock and feel confident with smears, jams, and sending your climbing goal.
The post Trad Shoe Evolution: Scarpa Maestro Mid First Look appeared first on GearJunkie.

All wood is not created equal

Foolish to declare chronic wasting disease not a problem in Pennsylvania

Your Daily Wisconsin Outdoor News Update – June 29, 2018

Gunner Kennels: The $500 Dog Crate Worth Every Penny

A $500 dog kennel might sound expensive until you consider the cost of a trip to the veterinarian.

The first thing that you notice when your Gunner Kennel arrives is the size and stoutness of the shipping box. Gunner’s Intermediate size kennel showed up in a box that was large enough to serve as an emergency shelter for a small person.

So I gave it a “tire kicking” nudge with my foot. The box did not move. This should be interesting, I thought.

With the box open, the kennel’s components appeared grossly overbuilt compared to other dog crates. Unlike other kennels, Gunner rocks double wall construction for incredible canine protection.

Gunner Kennels builds for serious field use, not to hit a mass-market price point.

Really though, $500 for a dog crate? It smelled YETI-esque to me as far as product positioning and execution. Being a happy YETI owner, that is not a bad thing.

Gunner Dog Kennel Review

Gunner Kennel’s genesis story starts with founder Addison Edmonds. After college, Edmonds started his own ad agency. The agency was successful and eventually acquired. Edmonds, an avid bird hunter with working dogs, was set loose.

As a retired product developer, I tend to look at products very differently than the average consumer. When I walk into an outdoor store I don’t see cool toys. I see spreadsheets and the thousands of decisions it took to bring a product to market. I recognize development meetings where brands embraced or scuttled features based on strategic price point decisions.

Edmond’s ad agency background explained his ability to get the Gunner Kennel message out, but it didn’t explain the engineering behind the product, so we asked.

According to Edmonds, the answer is that he sought out the best in the rotomolding business and contracted that work out. He knew what he wanted to end up with.

However, getting from concept to prototype was another matter. Some may view this as a flaw. But in my experience, successful entrepreneurs come from a place of understanding what they are good at – and not so good at.

For those tasks you are not so good at, you hire the best in the business. That allows you to focus on your core strengths to grow your business.

Gunner Kennels: Rotomolded Dog Crate

Really though, $500 for a dog crate?

Rotomolding polyethylene is a process that has been around for decades. The vast majority of whitewater kayaks are made this way. Setting up these plants and processes is expensive. Very, very few brands actually own their manufacturing plants but instead work with partner facilities on a contract basis. These facilities may be molding kayaks one week, semi-truck parts the next, and dog kennels after that.

According to Edmonds, he spent around $500,000 to set up his tooling. That means that he did this very, very efficiently. Each kennel requires two molds, one for the top portion of the kennel, and one for the bottom. Each mold then has to be constantly maintained to ensure its integrity.

It takes about an hour to rotomold each kennel. Each piece then requires about 15 minutes of hand finishing. That means that a very limited number can be produced in one day.

Product quality in this process relies on the thought that went into the initial design and engineering. If you don’t consider production efficiencies, then production quality and units produced per hour suffer, leading to reduced margins.

Product quality also depends on your manufacturing partner’s quality assurance standards. If a plant is molding garbage cans that retail for $10, you can’t expect them to change their culture and rise to your level. You have to seek out manufacturing partners who are already on your level – or be prepared for a gut-wrenching ordeal.

It is clear from the end result that Addison Edmonds considered all of these factors.

A Dog Crate To Reduce Injuries

Really though, $500 for a dog crate?

I’ve hunted upland game and judged hunt tests around the country for more than 40 years.  In this time, I’ve seen all manner of canines injured or killed because they lacked proper restraint. There was the hunter who rolled his vehicle in Montana, his Lab was never seen again. Or the dog with a crushed trachea who had to be put down. Or the Setter that saw a songbird, jumped out of a slowly moving vehicle and was died instantly.

It doesn’t matter if your canine is a rescue dog or a multi-thousand-dollar puppy whose life job it is to find birds, avalanche victims, or work the World Trade Center tragedy. The reality of canine ownership is this: Once you bring a canine into your home and heart you own the tremendous responsibility of its care, well-being, and happiness every single day.

In return, canines give unconditional love regardless of what mood we are in. As one person said, a dog is one part of our existence. We are all of their existence.

All of the above provides background for the purchase price of a Gunner Kennel. It doesn’t talk about the product’s features though.

Gunner Dog Kennels: Pros

A kennel with double-wall construction will keep my canine as safe, or safer, than me in case of a mishap.

Molded-in nut plates attach the two kennel halves. This eliminates loose hardware – and after a two-day road trip, there is always loose hardware.

Molded-in tie-down pins allow you to secure the kennel to your vehicle.

Oversized rubber feet do not allow the kennel to slide.

Backup safety latches on the kennel door ensure that your Best Furry Friend (BFF) stays in the kennel at all times. This is huge for open pickup trucks.

The keyed paddle-latch door allows me to leave my vehicle windows open, run in to get something to eat, and know that my BFF will still be there when I have a belly full of food.

Each point creates a product that is greater than the sum of its parts and pieces.

Finally, a word on safety: Gunner Kennels is the only canine crate that is crash test certified by Center for Pet Safety. This speaks to the total of that sum, as do the testimonials and gruesome crash images submitted by Gunner owners.

Gunner Dog Kennels: Cons

If I had one negative about Gunner Kennels it’s that the double-wall construction takes up more room than its single-wall, price-minded counterpart.

When ordering I went for the interior dimensions that were the same as my existing Vari-Kennel. When I dropped the Gunner in my 4Runner it definitely took up more room. That is the price one pays for double wall construction and should be a consideration when ordering.

A Valuable Safeguard For Your Pooch

So, $500 for a dog crate? For a product that is engineered like Gunner Kennels, it is an easy decision for me. You may cringe at the initial purchase price. However, if your BFF is ever in need of that level of protection, you will likely think it is worth 10 times its price.

Think about what inanimate object you might spend $500 on: A technical hardshell? Down jacket? Ski boots? Snowboard? Now ask yourself if your Best Furry Friend, that living breathing entity who adores being with you, is worth that level of investment and protection.

The post Gunner Kennels: The $500 Dog Crate Worth Every Penny appeared first on GearJunkie.

Your Daily Minnesota Outdoor News Update – 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.

Fort Wayne berm built to keep Asian carp out of Great Lakes

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.

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