I was fortunate to be provided a pair of Rocky S2V Resection Athletic Tail Shoes prior to my recent trip to the Shawnee National Forest this past weekend. I will admit as with any pair of new outdoor shoes or boots I did wear them and do my best to break them in. Instantly I realized these shoes were like a pair of sneakers and required minimum wear prior to getting out on trail. The shoe is the most innovative shoe I have ever tried. To the naked eye it resembles a hightop boot but in fact once you pull back the outer gaiter it reveals the shoe that actually resembles a lightweight low hiker. The zip up gaiter feature ensures your laces will never come untied, get tangled or caught up in brush and whats best will keep your feet dry when traversing through creeks or wet ground. The Vibram soles are cut to provide significant stability when day hiking or climbing over rocky terrain. I used the shoes this past weekend around camp during a moderately cold four day trip and my feet were always sufficiently warm. The zip up feature truly serves as another layer to protect not only from the wet conditions but also cold temperatures. Not sure if Rocky's intended for this during the design, but anything that keep my feet warm is a welcomed innovation in my book. I had the pleasure of not only hiking in the shoes over the course of the weekend, but also bushwhacking between trails up and over rock formations in the Shawnee National Forest and exploring the Garden of the Gods Recreational Area. All of these areas required stability, an anti-slip sole, comfort and flexibility and these shoes answered the mail and delivered high performance on and off the trail. Typically after wearing a singular boot all day, upon returning to camp at the end of the day I am craving my soft comfortable sponge camp shoes. My camp shoes never came out of my pack last weekend. One of my camping mates referred to the shoes as "Jordans". I did feel like I could play some basketball in these shoes , and that was after a full day of hiking and rock formation exploration. I will admit I am used to a full boot and or a full mid-cross trainer when hiking. This is neither. That is a not a good or a bad thing. This shoe is truly an athletic shoe that provides immense features for the outdoor terrain. Grip, anti-microbial protection and a outer gaiter for protection from the elements sets this shoe apart from other athletic outdoor shoes in the same price range. The fact that this is a shoe versus a full boot can minimize it's uses for some but after an extended weekend I see no reason why day hiking, camping and extended backpacking would be limiting to this product. Product Specs:
Rocky S2V makes other footwear and outdoor apparel and are located in Nelsonville, Ohio. The good people at Rocky S2V have provided me a code for any product on their website. Enter to win the chance to get any of Rocky S2V's products below.
Keep Hiking Forward! Scott
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There are a lot of things that I have brought back home from Hell Hike and Raft namely a strong bond with a host of new friends, amazing memories of tackling the amazing mountains and rapids, and the food! Mmmmm the food was unbelievable! I don't want to go too deep in this post about the amazing offerings we were provided by our new friends at Americas Rafting Company because I have a full post in mind soon. Every meal was its own independent best it could be to us all and without a doubt the Pork Loin we were offered on the evening of our first day on the river answered the mail! The meal was a marriage of continued excellence in backcountry cooking by our guides Parker and Becky and a sponsored product provided by our team member Annie Yearout (aka outdoorsymama). Annie provided the team and Parker and Becky with hot sauce. Yes, hot sauce. Not just any ole hot sauce but amazing lime hot sauce. Floyd and Fred's Hotlime, a family recipe turned business was used in a few of our meals while on trail and on the river. But none of meals brought the two flavors to life like the pork loin that was had while in camp at Sheep Creek Camp. Always trying to recreate experiences, moments and flavors to bring about those similar moments and memories this week I will finally crack into my bottle of Hotlime and marinate a rather hefty porkloin to share with my local friends. Being of an Italian heritage, I was raised around food and the premise that food and memories work together. I hope to bring just a small percentage of joy to my fellow hikers as we were provided during this meal while paddling the mighty Snake River in Idaho. Hotlime gave the porkloin a tangy, citrusy, yet almost intoxicating flavor that made you just want more of the porkloin. I think I had twelves pieces that evening in camp. It was simply amazing. I can't wait to make the marinade that is offered by Hotlime on their website for meat, pork or chicken. I have listed it below for convenience. HotLime Marinade for Meat (Beef, Pork, & Lamb) for 8 - 12 servings For steaks, just brush the marinade on during the cooking process - whether grilling, broiling in the oven, or searing in a cast iron pan on the stovetop. For roasts or tri-tips or legs of lamb, a longer saturation in a bowl will have a greater effect. Cover the meat with the marinade and leave it out at room temperature for three hours or in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Turn the meat a few times during the marinating process. The longer the meat stays in the marinade the more the flavor will be affected. 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup soy sauce (or Teriyaki sauce, which is a little sweeter) 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 tablespoon HotLime (use more or less to suit your taste) 1 tablespoon dijon style mustard 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon of mixed dried herbs (include thyme, rosemary, marjoram, sage) Salt and pepper to taste (the soy sauce, worcestershire sauce and HotLime all have salt in them already, so you may not need any extra) Mix everything but the olive oil until thoroughly blended; then to get the oil to combine adequately, whisk the oil drop by drop until half is blended and add the remainder in a slow stream. Apply to meat. You can keep the remainder in a covered jar for future use for up to a week. Stay tuned for a full review by me and my fellow local hikers on how well the Hotlime marinated pork loin is received. Personally, I can't wait to make the marinade and get this baby over an open fire. For information about Hotlime go to www.hotlime.com. Keep Hiking Forward! Scott This coming weekend, I get to return to the woods and mingle with the Gods in the Garden of the Gods in the Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. I have been waiting, rather impatiently for this trip to arrive. It's been way to long since I have been able to get out. My adventures lately have been filled with hoping from plane to plane or cab to hotel, living in the urban jungle adventuring from one city to another. Enough of that! It's time to get outdoors and enjoy time with my friends from my local hiking and adventure club. This trip will allow me three nights and four days to explore the Shawnee National Forest and Garden of the Gods. Even though it is the beginning of November the colors in Southern Illinois are supposed to be fantastic still. This is a trip I am really looking forward to for the purposes of seeing my good friends for the Corn Desert Hikers and relaxing by the fire, however their is work to be done. I want to give you a sneak peek into some of the amazing gear that I will be bringing a long to put to the test and review for all of you. Stay tuned once I return for full reviews on the following products: Resection Athletic Trail Shoes by Rocky® are men's extreme sport and trail shoes. It's about performance and comfort with a special, unexpected safety feature. These are shoes that will keep your feet dry on the trail while gripping the terrain; or they may help save your life.These trekkers have a VapourFlex® four-way stretch waterproof shroud. VapourFlex is a patented waterproof, breathable and elastic tech fabric designed for outdoor gear. Run or trek where you like, these are waterproof shoes. Forget zippers; these trail running shoes have waterproof self-locking asymmetrical zippers. Water isn't getting in! You'll have sure footing on and off the trail with outsoles that feature a Vibram® compression molded trek rubber compound. This trekker has a proprietary wave underlay texture for element traction and shedding. (product description from Rockys2v.com) Sierra Designs Mobile Mummy 800 4 Season Bag The most innovative sleeping bag I have ever encountered on the market. I am trilled and excited to give this bag a true test. Living in the north I plan on using this 4 season bag rather often throughout the upcoming winter. And if this winter was anything like last winter the 800 fill is going to pleasantly welcomed. In addition to the 4 season capabilities of this bag it offers some interesting features: Ultralight Jacket Hood With No Cords Or Toggles It moves with you, while fitting comfortably snug around your face like the hood on a jacket. Zipperless Arm Ports Ready for instant use, our arm ports have no zippers, toggles or hook-and-loop closures to get in the way. Garment-Style Shoulder Design When you’re upright in the bag, our tapered design rests on your shoulders—not your head. Centrally Placed, Ventable Zipper The 58" zipper is easier and more natural to operate. Dual sliders can be zipped from the bottom for venting. Draft-Prevention The draft collar, tube, and curtains keep warm in and cold out. Stowable Footbox Foot box can be tucked up with toggles to prevent the bag from dragging when you walk around. (product description from www.Sierradesigns.com) d.light S300 Solar Lantern The d.light S300 provides bright white light at a wide angle, enabling the illumination of an entire room. The S300 features 4 brightness settings, providing up to 16 hours of bright light (100 hours on the bed light setting). A USB port provides the ability to charge smart phones, and a battery indicator shows the charge level. Lightweight (350g), it comes with an ergonomically designed handle and top strap, which offers maximum flexibility for use in the home, workplace, or outdoor environments.
(product description from www.dlightdesign.com) Pat's Backcountry Beverages What do all crave after a long day of hiking? Or want to have by our side during an awesome campfire with friends? BEER! Well thanks to good people and Pat's Backcountry Beverages not only are they giving us the opportunity to have beer but also awesome soda flavors too in the backcountry. I am really looking forward to trying this product out. Not only for its convenience and flavor but to show it off to my friends from my hiking group. People have heard of the backcountry beer but seeing and tasting will be believing. Introducing the most environmentally-responsible carbonated beverage system on earth! This awesome little addition to your gear list is engineered with an emphasis on rugged durability and first of it's kind functionality. In it's more docile state, it functions as your standard, everyday water bottle (yawn). However, when you decide to kick it into high gear and unleash the technology hiding under it's cap, you get a burst of refreshing carbonation to energize any beverage of your choice. So no matter how far your wanderlust leads you down the trail, you can still enjoy a crisp, carbonated beverage anywhere on the planet. Cheers! (product description from www.patsbcb.com) First, much thanks is necessary to the good people at Fish People Seafood for sponsoring Hell Hike and Raft and providing our team with product to try out during our expedition. Typically when one thinks of pre-packaged backcountry meals a few things come to mind, heavy in sodium, void of taste and huge portions which typically means waste to then carry out. The Hell Hike and Raft crew along with our awesome guides from America's Rafting Company broke into our packets of Fish People Seafood on our second night on trail at Hibb's Cow Camp. My first recollection about cooking the meals was how easy it was and fast to feed a group of fifteen people. In a matter of less then 15 minutes all of were quiet and happy as we sat around the campfire all independently enjoy and devouring our meals. At the same time we scarfed on our own meals we all were wondering what the delightful aroma was to our left and to our right was. Soon, titanium sporks started to dip into our closest neighbors Fish People Seafood packets to try what was making our crew mate next to us audibly voice their approval with mouthful nods. Picking a packet of which dinner to have is was not an easy affair. As mentioned earlier, most backcountry meals offer the very basics. If you want flavor you better bring that separately. This is definitely not the case with Fish People Seafood. Wild mushrooms, Chardonnay Sauce, Lemongrass and Curry for just a few examples are not things you find in your average backpacking meals. These meals are anything BUT average. As a born and raised "New Englandah" I consider myself a connoisseur of New England Clam Chowder and those similar. Given this I tried the Fish People Seafood Creamy Razor Clam and Bacon Chowder. Hands down, I have never had a more complex and interesting chowder. This meal was bar none restaurant quality dining from a pouch, that took less then five minutes to cook and cost half of what other backpacking meals cost on average. One of the best things about this meal in addition to the taste was the amount was just perfect. Typically, you are left with extra bland and undesirable food that you can't even pawn off on your fellow hikers. No so with these meals, we all were able to finish our meals and well all loved them. The other thing about this experience is...how often do you get fish on trail? Without catching it yourself? Freshness? Without a question, I believe that Fish People Seafood, starts with an excellent product and packages it fresh. Clams and fish if not done correctly won't maintain their taste or consistency without care being paid to it. Am mentioned, you could have blind folded me and told me I was in a seafood restaurant in Seattle, Boston or Portland. Bravo to Fish People for creating a fresh, sustainable and amazingly tasting alternative to the "average" backcountry meal. I can't to have more fish on my next trip into the backcountry. Keep Hiking Forward Scott Recently I got the opportunity to try out a pair of Rhino Laces. Before I discuss the laces themselves, there are few things that impress me when it comes to outdoor gear. One thing is quality. Obviously, we are going to put our gear to the maximums of maximums out there, so its not quality then what the point right? Second, it's hard to find much of anything truly thought of, manufactured and processed to the marketplace solely in the United States anymore. For me, this is a huge bonus, knowing that somewhere there is a guy like me who had an idea, maybe because he bought some gear that wasn't up to his standards and decided to make his own. That idea for me is something that will make me keep coming back to their product and company. And finally, a guarantee. If you already start out with a quality product as a company and you are invested because it was your idea and you are committed to your product and company this shouldn't be an issue for the company. But as the buyer, the guy or gal pulling money out of their pocket, when it comes to gear for me, this is always on my mind. What happens if it breaks, wears or doesn't live up my maximums? Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to Rhino Laces. Made in America. CHECK! Made of quality material that will not wear, burn, break be cut or sawed. CHECK! And, has a guarantee! CHECK! If you break them they will replace them for free. Yes. Free. NO questions asked. I tried a pair out recently to compare them to the laces that came with a new pair of boots. The reflectivity on the Rhino Laces were much brighter then those that came standard on my boots. Plus, after doing a little inquiring to my boot company, they don't stand behind their laces. Rhino Laces were developed by the Wildland Firefighters who as you can image need their gear to be in top shape and the last thing they need while fighting a forest fire is for a lace to burn up or to bust on them. While we are not fighting fires, we could be miles and miles from home and the last thing we want is for our laces to bust as well. Rhino Laces makes a wide variety of lengths for standard boots sizes as well as a host of colors (Black, Coyote Tan, Reflective Red and Reflective Black) to help match your boots. If you would like to get a pair for yourself to try out for your next long journey and add a little extra insurance policy to your boots I encourage you to enter the Rhino Laces Giveaway below. Keep Hiking Forward Scott About a month ago Hiking Forward raffled off this Potable Aqua prize pack. Tamara Deane from North Carolina was the selected as the lucky recipient of the prize pack. Just recently, Tamara and her husband were able to get away into Tennessee and use the Potable Aqua products that she won. Here is her review. Tim Deane (my husband) and I have been hiking for several years as individuals and only recently together. We both have used different methods of getting clean drinking water. He has shared with me that the drops and tablets were effective but had left a unpleasant color and taste. So I have steered clear of using them. Recently I was gifted with an awesome opportunity to use the Potable Aqua system that I won from Hiking Forward during a kayak/camping weekend trip on Douglas Lake TN. Not only was it easy to use and easy to pack, it also didn't have the unpleasant taste I was expecting. I am excited to have this product in my pack as a reliable way of purifying my drinking water and am pleased with how easy it was to use. Thank you for my gift and I'll be spreading the word. Congrats again to Tamara Deane on winning the Potable Aqua Prize Pack! Keep Hiking Forward Scott |
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