Great Outdoor Blog

>> Stanley Built for Life Tour Stops in Charlotte – Oct 14

Since 1913, the Stanley brand has been building durable, rugged products that last. Passed down from generation to generation, the Stanley® vacuum bottle is an icon. It has survived a 4,000 foot drop from a plane, been run over by a tractor and has even stopped a bullet. Now in its 96th year, the innovation that sparked a revolution in vacuum insulation continues to grow. Today, we deliver superior food and beverage gear for rugged, active lifestyles and remain dedicated to this simple promise: Buy Stanley® products, get quality gear. Built for life.

16oz Drink Bottle – Car-cup and bike-cage friendly, this mug/bottle will keep your coffee piping hot well into your day, and won’t spill a drop!

8oz Flask - Stainless steel, retro and ready for a party!

20oz Food Jar – The best part of camping is dinner, and this vacuum-insulated Food Jar keeps a warm meal hot after a long day out. Leak proof, packable and durable, it even includes a spork for complete portability.

24oz Classic Food Jar – Chili, chowder or chicken soup keep warm all day in this essential companion. Stainless-steel construction stands up to rough work, play or travel. And the insulated lid doubles as a bowl. Wide-mouth opening fits liquids that are more stew than soup.

Outdoor Mug/Bowl – Combo snaps together to save space without sacrificing volume or convenience. Staff Favorite!

16oz Classic Bottle – With all the strength and function of its bigger brothers, this half-quart bottle packs easier than larger vacuum bottles when space is a premium. Fully leak proof, it’ll keep your drink warm and your pack dry.

Atacama 28L

Never mind that the Atacama is the driest desert on the planet, this dual compartment daypack was built for carrying wet stuff – like waders or a wetsuit. A waterproof barrier separates its outside pocket from the inside, and comes with mesh for drainage and ventilation. The main compartment includes plenty of organizational options for pens, electronics, keys and phone, along with a padded sleeve that’s raised to protect up to a 17-inch laptop. The sleeve also holds a hydration reservoir (handy in desert environments) and comes equipped with a tube port. Adjustable webbing straps take on a skateboard or bulky clothing, and two stretch pockets keep water bottles at your side. Airflow mesh on the shoulder straps and back panel prevent overheating, compression straps stabilize the load, and the sternum strap has a built-in emergency whistle. Made from 420-denier 100% nylon oxford plain weave with an 840-denier 100% ballistics nylon bottom. The lining is 200-denier 100% polyester. All fabrics have a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish. $79

Chacabuco 32L

When you need everything for anything, grab the Chacabuco and go. It houses all your gear in three separate compartments, has reflective piping for night commutes and an exterior shock cord for additional stowage. The generous main compartment carries most things, and comes with a padded sleeve that’s raised to protect up to a 17-inch laptop. Equipped with a tube port, the sleeve also accepts a hydration reservoir when you leave your laptop at home. A secondary pocket stores everyday necessities, like keys, pens and a phone. A zippered outside pocket holds power bars, and a microfleece-lined top pocket protects sunglasses or an audio device. Two stretch pockets keep water bottles within reach. The Chacabuco’s suspension system uses airflow mesh shoulder straps and back panel, a webbing waistbelt and a sternum strap with an emergency whistle. Compression straps stabilize the load. Made from 420-denier 100% nylon oxford plain weave with an 840-denier 100% ballistics nylon bottom. The lining is 200-denier 100% polyester. All fabrics have a Deluge® DWR (durable water repellent) finish. $89

Other colors:

New product available in our Wilmington and Raleigh shops

When you live life in the sun you have to take skin care seriously. The folks at Watermans are committed to providing quality sun protection products to those individuals for whom sun protection is not an option. Watermans: Applied Science offers the best, most effective and functional, high-performance sunscreens on the market, specifically designed with high-intensity water sports in mind. Their sunscreen is formulated to stand up to the rigorous demands of an active life in the wind, water, and waves. Function is their focus, because a day in the shade is not an option. Watermans will never run in your eyes, make your hands slippery, or negatively affect your performance in any way. Their goal: to make sure a day in the sun doesn’t mean a lifetime of dealing with the consequences. Watermans: Applied Science, because not all sunscreens are created equal.

Lotion $19.99
Face stick $15.99
Lip Balm $2.99

Smaller. Lighter. Enhanced Performance.

The SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger provides a vital line of communication with friends and family when you want it, and emergency assistance when you need it. Using 100% satellite technology, SPOT works virtually anywhere in the world, even where cell phones don’t – all with the push of a button.
Our price is $149.95

SUMMER SPOT PROMO: FREE Tracking service when you activate Product Replacement. That is a $32 savings on additonal SPOT Services! Promo valid 6/1/10-8/31/10 >> Download Redemption Form (PDF)

What does Spot do?

SOS / 911: Use this function In the event of a life threatening or other critical emergency to notify emergency services of your GPS location and that you need assistance. The GEOS International Emergency Response Center alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide – for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders in Europe.

Help: In the event of a non-life threatening emergency, you can use this function to notify your personal contacts that you need assistance. Additional SPOT Assist services can be purchased and programmed to your Help button as well. When activated with SPOT Assist, the Help button will notify professional services either on the land or water. SPOT has partnered with national service providers to offer non-life threatening assistance.

Check-in/OK: This feature allows you to let your friends and family know that all is OK with a pre-programmed message along with your GPS location. With a push of a button a message is sent via email or SMS to up to 10 pre-determined contacts and your waypoint is stored in your SPOT account for later reference. Your stored waypoints can be easily integrated into a SPOT Shared Page or SPOT Adventure account.

Custom Message: This feature allows you to let your friends and family now receive a custom message along with your GPS location with a push of a button. Use this feature as a secondary OK message or transfer your personal help alert to this message function if you are using a SPOT Assist service on your Help button.

Track Progress: This feature allows you to send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress in near real time using Google Maps. With your SPOT account you have the ability to set up a SPOT Shared Page which allows you to show your SPOT GPS locations to others on a Google Map.

Check one out at your local shop

We showed you a preview of the upcoming new SOT from Hurricane Kayaks right here at GOPC a few months back and were really looking forward to this new, cleanly laid out SOT. However, we wanted Hurricane to make some minor changes to the promising prototype as follows:

• We wanted some deck rigging added to that nice bow storage area.
• We wanted a Paddle Park added to make it easier for folks to stow their paddle while fishing, taking pictures, viewing wildlife, etc.

Hurricane delivered on all our requests and we’re proud to offer this kayak to anyone looking for a very light, versatile SOT with an emphasis on maneuverability and acceleration.

You can check out the Hurricane Open Bay 120 in more detail here.

From the creative mind of Philip Curry, the guy who started Lotus Designs and practically reinvented the modern paddlesports PFD, comes the new 2010 models from Astral. These new PFDs which feature Astral’s patented Airescape Technology build upon the highly successful V-Eight. Airescape Technology allows airflow through the PFD itself -making the PFD breathable and much cooler on your body.

The key new models include the Camino and the Nova.

While the V-Eight has a high back to accommodate the tall seat backs found on most Sit-on-Tops , the front of the PFD is fairly thick (in order to make up for the lack of foam in the short back panel). On the other hand, the new 2010 Camino has a more conventional rear panel that allows for a very low profile and ultra flexible front panel. This combination of flexibility (from the low profile construction) and ventilation (from the Airescape Technology) makes the new Camino the most comfortable PFD for general purpose paddlesports use we’ve seen on the market.

The new ventilated Nova is perfect for folks who find themselves in boats whose seatbacks are too tall even for a V-Eight.

While we currently have the new 2010 Astral PFDs in stock, supplies are fairly limited due to unexpected demand. See our PFD lineup here.

Osprey’s new Hydraulics™ packs are in our shops! An innovative suspension and ergonomic backpanel provide superb bike riding comfort and great stability while trail running. Bike-specific pocketing along with a proprietary LidLock™ system keeps your gear organized.

Raptor 10

Mountain Biking. An ideal size for everyday riding, the Raptor 10 offers streamlined organization with enough room for extra food and layers. Lower side compression straps keep the load close to your back and a stretch woven front pocket stashes extra gear. $89

3-liter HydraForm™ Reservoir Included

Colors available: Silt Gray, Spruce Green, Sand Gold

Raptor 14

The Raptor 14 is a great long haul pack for an all day adventure on your favorite single track. Stretch woven side pockets with InsideOut™ compression provide versatile gear carry options, while a large zippered front pocket with dedicated compartments for bike tools keeps essentials handy. $99

3-liter HydraForm™ Reservoir Included

Colors available: Silt Gray, Spruce Green, Sand Gold

Manta 20

Day Hiking, Adventure Racing. Fast and light endeavors are perfect for the Manta 20. Incorporating a streamlined design along with all the key features of its larger siblings, this pack is perfect for light and fast hikes, adventure racing and full day trans-alpine mountain bike rides. $129

3-liter HydraForm™ Reservoir Included

Colors available: Madcap Red, Storm Gray, Liquid Blue

We just enjoyed our first detailed look at Hurricane Kayaks’ upcoming Sit on Top in our Cameron Village shop. Jon Stewart of Hurricane Kayaks (and former GOPC Wilmington employee) brought the very first pre-production model from the factory so we could get a better look at this exciting new SOT. Jon wanted our feedback and to be honest, we were hoping for a sneak peek at the rumored new boats being designed at Hurricane. While the kayak we saw is a pre-production model (meaning there are still some finishing touches remaining to be completed), we can share the following information:

• The upcoming Hurricane SOT is 12ft in length and weighs only about 45 lbs.
• The boat has a foam core sandwich construction between the scupper holes and this makes both the deck and hull very stiff. It feels very solid with minimal flex.
• The hull is the same design as the Hurricane Phoenix 120. So this new boat should have great glide for a 12’ SOT.
• We’re told the boat may be ready sometime in March.
• We don’t yet have an official name (it might be called the Open Bay) for this new kayak from Hurricane but it should not be confused with the other new Hurricane kayak, the Open Fisherman.

Below are some photos of the new Hurricane SOT, aka, “Open Bay”.

Note Indents for Cooler, Crate and small Bait Bucket.

Shown with factory installed Rod Holders and Surf to Summit seat. Note Clean Deck layout.

Deck rail appears to be good location for Anchor Trolley installation.

We do plan to stock this boat as soon as it becomes available.

From The Brooks Blog:

The Cascadia 5 for Men and Women is now officially available. Special thanks to Brooks-sponsored ultra runner  Scott Jurek for his insight into the design process and insider’s view on this award-winning trail shoe’s updates.

What is your role in the design process at Brooks?
I work closely with the Brooks footwear design team on all steps of the design process from planning, reviewing sketches and early shoe samples, wear testing, and relaying feedback from the field (i.e. retailers and customers). The footwear team is very interested in new ideas and receptive in designing shoes that provide optimum function and performance. I feel fortunate to be a part of this team process

How is designing a trail shoe different from designing a road shoe?

In designing a trail shoe it is important to take into account all the surfaces and environments that a trail user encounters. In addition, the biomechanics that the foot and ankle encounter running on these surfaces is critical so that the trail shoe provides normal movement and function while assuring stability and performance in a varied trail environment.

Trails offer more obstacles and uneven surfaces than roads. How does the Cascadia 5 help keep a runner stable while staying flexible and light?
The low profile design of the midsole and outsole, base of support through footprint surface area, and the independently stabilizing Pivot Posts in the Cascadia 5 create a very stable trail shoe. The spacing in the one-piece outsole lug design, minimized outsole thickness, flexible Ballistic Rock Shield, and light BioMoGo midsole all contribute to a flexible and light ride.

W’s Cascadia 5 – $100

What updates do you think people will notice the most in the Cascadia 5?

Cascadia 5 users can expect the same ride and feel in previous versions of the Cascadia, as we kept the same award winning midsole and outsole. The Cascadia 5 update story is in the upper where we improved the midfoot wrap to create a better connection between the foot and the midsole-outsole complex. This will make for greater stability and a feeling that the shoe is a part of the foot. Cascadia 5 users will notice greater stability where it matters most: downhills and technical trail sections.

Are there any features people won’t notice at first but you’d like to call out?

A lot of runners ask about waterproof uppers, and an often missed feature of the Cascadia 5 is its ability to drain water and dry quickly. Because trail users often encounter above-ankle deep water (creek crossings) or water enters above the collar (because of puddles), waterproof shoes are not a solution to the problem. It is inevitable that trail shoes will get water inside them.  And if you are in a hot dry environment, moisture from sweat and heat retention are the issues. It’s not a matter IF the feet will get wet, it’s WHEN. We designed the Cascadia 5 upper with hydrophobic microfibers and meshes that allow optimal water escape, maximum breathability, and quick dry time.

Most importantly, the Cascadia 5 is not only performance driven, it is making strides towards being “lighter” on the earth. The HPR green rubber outsole and BioMoGo midsole are key components that are “lighter” on the earth during production and post consumer. I feel it is important that our gear we use to enjoy the trail is produced with the least impact so we and our future generations can enjoy it as much as we do. I am excited that Brooks is taking strides towards this goal.

What makes you Run Happy, Scott?

Running a ribbon of single track trail on a ridgeline as the sun is rising or setting…Happy Trails!

M’s Cascadia 5 – $100

Also in stock: Brooks Adrenaline ASR 6

Just in: The perfect toys for nighttime games and the people (and pets) who like to play them.

• Nite Ize Meteorlight K-9 LED Ball
• Nite Ize Flashflight Dog Discuit
• Nite Ize Meteorlight LED Ball
• Nite Ize Flashflight Flying Disc