Great Outdoor Blog

The challenge and fun of single track trail runs takes on a new dimension with the GoLite Trail Fly and Sun Dragon. Protection and superb traction are the dimensions that shine above all. The shoe’s outsole adapts to rugged terrain using “trail-claws” that improve stability and performance. I found the “grip-stick” claws excellent For hill climbs up wet terrain. The trail-claw footbed works well to provide great displacement over uneven terrain and improves confidence for downhill plunges over mid-sized scree (golfball to baseball size). The mesh upper has been very comfortable on these hot days. Great addition to the trail.

• Trail Fly : $110
• Sun Dragon : $95

I have had a chance to put the Santee Expedition on the water at two of our local demos and with a variety of different customers. The goal of the boat’s designers was to create a crossover or “hybrid” boat that blends the characteristics of a touring kayak and a recreational kayak. More specifically, this particular hybrid was designed with high displacement to accommodate larger paddlers.

The Santee Expedition is far more stable than a pure touring kayak for big folks like the Capella 173 (for example). However, it is nearly as stable as a Santee 116 and considerably more efficient. The Expedition tracks well and can be edged (to some degree) to allow for better maneuverability than a Rec boat of the same length. Also, the Santee Expedition has less drag than the typical Rec kayak of the same length -an average paddler can expect to cover 3-3.5 miles in an hour.

This boat is too roomy for me (I am 165 lbs). Based on what I’ve seen at our demos, the Santee Expedition could handle a 320 pound paddler and still behave well. This is the first really good design for bigger folks in the Hybrid category I’ve seen in a premium construction. We have additional info on our Hybrid Kayaks Page. Click on the Santee Expedition for detailed info.

If weight savings (only 52 lbs!), good performance/stability and reasonable pricing is high on your list of priorities, the Santee Expedition is the best choice for a Touring/Rec Hybrid for larger folks. I can’t think of another kayak that offers what this boat does for less. Stop by your local shop or Boat Demo to check one out.

MULEteam Price: $1095
Reg: $1189

CHAD’S REVIEW: Originally a mountaineering boot and rock climbing shoe company, La Sportiva has been stepping up to the plate with it’s mountain running division over the past few years. The latest installment, The Fireblade, is no exception.

When I first received my pair you can’t help but notice the color. Bright orange. (You Longhorn and UT fans are in for a treat!) Once on, the Fireblades feel super light (12.1oz) and fit a narrow to medium width foot very well. The mesh sides let your feet breath on those hot and humid days, while the stretchy mesh tongue guard does a great job of keeping dirt and trail debris out.

The only thing I found about these shoes that I didn’t like was the insole. I switched mine out for my Superfeet and didn’t have any problems afterward.

Hands down this is one of the lightest and most comfortable trail running shoes I have run in. Come by one of our shops and give’em a try, you won’t be disappointed.

CLOSEOUT PRICE: $49.99 - REG : $90

Fireblade’s are in these shops:

• Chapel Hill
• Greensboro
• Raleigh
• Wilmington

CHUCK’S REVIEW: The FIREBLADE is a terrific trail running shoe. I began running in La Sportiva on March 12 at this year’s Umstead Trail Marathon. Last time I wore a pair of La Sportiva I was climbing in the Tetons. What these folks learned from technical climbing shoes has been applied with precision to their trail running collection.

I literally opened the box on Friday and ran the 26.2 the next day. Not exactly what I’d normally recommend but in this specific case, the La Sportiva shoes were so comfortable, it worked out. Race day was very comfortable on both Umstead’s single track and bridal trails. The midsole construction of the FIREBLADE will remind you of your favorite road shoes. The well constructed footbed is thin, compared to other trail runners, but I found the protection more than adequate. I prefer a minimalist, low to the ground shoe and yet my 45+ muscle/joints do have expectations. La Sportiva met those expectations. Particularly the sticky rubber outsole that saved me from several face plants as I scrambled up thru the switchbacks on the Sycamore section. Reminded me as to why I picked La Sportiva when climbing in the Tetons.

The AutoLoader Xv is the most advanced kayak carrier ever offered in the transport industry.Features

• Jawz Universal Mounting System (Patent Pending) - fits square, round and factory oval cross
• New Hex Head Mounting Bolts Fit All Rack Sizes
• State of the Art Corrosion Free Plastic Injection Molded Frame
• Molded Boarding Ramp for Easy Loading
• Cavitated Construction to Add Strength & Reduce Weight
• Increased Frame Dimensions to Handle Large Beam Kayaks
• 9′ Cam Buckle Straps - Multi-Slotted For Various Loads - Ten Year Warranty

$99.95 - MULEteam Price: $87

REVIEW

This is one of those gadgets that makes you wonder how you got along all this time without one. The Malone AutoLoader is a side-loading kayak cradle that mounts to your roof rack. There are three things that separate this product from the other “J shaped cradles“ on the market:

1. The front lip of the Malone AutoLoader has a loading lip that makes loading your kayak on its side very easy. You simply lift the kayak and push it onto the AutoLoader. The loading lip will automatically position the kayak properly on its side.
2. The Malone AutoLoader is made of a flexible, durable polymer material that is designed to flex and give with road vibrations and bumps –it’s like carrying your kayak on shock absorbers. Additionally, the AutoLoader is lined with a rubber pad that will protect the finish of your kayak, including Gel coated Composite boats.
3. The Malone AutoLoader comes with multiple strap anchor slots. These slots allow greater flexibility in carrying kayaks of varying shapes and widths. Additionally, one can actually strap kayaks on the opposite side of the AutoLoader, in addition to the one you just loaded in the cradle. This feature allows the AutoLoader to be used as a kayak stacker, in addition to a “J shaped kayak cradle”.

Carrying kayaks on the side will save valuable roof rack real estate. Furthermore, most kayaks are stiffest when placed on their side, so a side loading cradle makes good sense. This is the only cradle I feel comfortable using with my $4000 Feathercraft Khatsalano. The Malone AutoLoader is available in three configurations. One will fit roof rack crossbars that are round, like Yakima. Another will fit square roof rack crossbars such as Thule. There is even a version available that will fit the majority of factory crossbars found on most SUVs, Minivans, and Wagons. To sweeten the value even more, Malone includes (2) 9 foot padded cam buckle straps with this fine roof rack accessory.

Review by Bittu Ali, canoe and kayak specialist at Great Outdoor Provision Co.

John Pugh (GOPC Staff) will be presenting a slideshow from his 2175 mile Southbound Thru-Hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2000. Slideshow will be followed by a AT Prep Overview (he will have his pack!) and Q/A session.

This is a great event for aspiring Thru-Hikers, past AT hikers or those who love the outdoors!

The 2006 Jackson Fun Series was already regarded as one of the most versatile WW designs on the market. Totally redesigned for 2007, the new Jackson Fun Series promises to be a significant upgrade from its predecessor.

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This weekend I picked up my new Pyranha Recoil Med. I was able to paddle it on the Nantahala for its first run. I immediately felt comfortable in this boat on the water. It felt very balanced and appropriately sized for me (5’10”, 165-70 lbs). Initial stability was very good, but not so good that you had trouble edging the boat as in other boats I have tried. Secondary stability was also very user friendly. I did not get much chance to truly test the play or river running ability of this boat, but what I did leaves me with high hopes for the future.

The Recoil seemed to park itself on surfers wave and not want to fall off unless I did something to make it. I also caught another wave on the fly and the Recoil just sat right in and wanted to surf and carve very well. It seemed very balanced for cartwheels and other vertical play moves. I am sure a more proficient playboater than myself could really throw this boat around nearly as well as any full on playboat out there.

As far as getting down the river goes there is not much on the Nanty to really test the river running ability of this boat. The best thing I can say is that I was able to catch both micro and macro eddies of the falls with the ease I haven’t felt in a while. Most under 7ft playboats require some work to make the ferry from micro to macro, but the Recoil cruised right across and acted like it was a 7’+ boat. The stern never seemed unpredictable or have any tendency to want to squirt you on any little thing like many of the more dedicated playboats. In addition this boat is one of the easiest rolling playboats I have tried. Some playboats can be quirky rolling, especially in funky water, but my experience with the Recoil is that it snaps right up on command even with a less than perfect roll.
My Recoil is outfitted with Pyranha’s new Rapid + outfitting. I felt I should address this for any that are skeptical about this new outfitting. Although it does not have some of the bells and whistles of other outfitting, this system is very effective. The seat and backband were very comfortable. My hippads were only temporarily installed but did the job nicely. It is a notably more simple system than Pyranha’s Connect 30 or other manufacturers but don’t read this as less effective. This system provided me with all the control and comfort I could ask for.

If you are in the market for a playboat and want to still be able to get down the river with relative ease the Recoil may be just what you need. I look forward to paddling it on some harder runs to better test its abilities, but for right now I couldn’t be more pleased with this boat.

Todd Z. - Cameron Village Shop

A new SAIL/YAK from Hobie is now available in select shops. The Hobie Mirage Adventure Island, a 16′ Trimaran “Sail/yak” that incorporates the patented Hobie MirageDrive into a unique sailing machine unlike any other sailing craft on the water. This boat should be a speed-demon based on our experience with the Hobie Mirage Adventure kayak. The Adventure kayak is already a very versatile boat and appeals to recreational users, divers, exercise enthusiasts, and touring boaters. The Adventure Island appears to be a natural evolution to an already excellent platform. Here are the features that make the Adventure Island so special:

• A boomless, roller-furling sail rig completely manageable from the cockpit with the pull of a line.
• Two retractable amas (outriggers) that fold up against the side of the boat, again with the simple pull of a line, for easy docking, maneuverability, and transport.
• The cockpit is the stable platform of the Hobie Mirage Adventure Kayak.
• The Hobie Mirage Drive allows the boat to be pedaled while under sail, or simply pedaled with the sail furled for versatility not found in any other sailboat.
• The Adventure Island is loaded with additional standard features such as a daggerboard; oversized “Twist and Stow” rudder; Turbo Fins; Mast and Sail Cover; and an Ama/Daggerboard Bag.
• The Adventure Island will be offered in two color packages: Yellow and Red. Both options include beautifully color-coordinated sails.

Our Price $2995 (available in select shops, please email for info)

» GOPC Paddling Page

The gear we sell at Great Outdoor Provision Co. is made to last many years of hard wilderness use. While outdoor gear has to take all sorts of knocks, abrasion, dirt, sweat, water/sun, and then be put up dirty and wet for another day in a backpack, all gear needs care between trips to maximize product life.

» http://greatoutdoorprovision.com/resources/howto/

This simple to use vessel identification tool is a great small boater’s device. It is small, lightweight, and simple to use. The tool shows the actual view of vessels for Port, Starboard, Bow and Stern lights. LIGHTrule identifies 60 light configurations and provides a magnifying lens to make vessel descriptions easy to read. It also displays audible signals for restricted visibility, maneuvering and warning. LIGHTrule is also an excellent aide for navigation classes and Coast Guard exams too.

It’s a great value, constructed of extremely durable plastic and stored in a vinyl sleeve. US Patent Pending.
Dimensions: 16” x 5 ¼”
Our Price $22.95