Since I didn't succumb to the apocalypse and I'm able to catch up on my blog, I guess I should point out that there are some extreme preppers out there who probably feel a little let down! I mean, I heard about people having built bunkers that they would stay in during the end of the world fully rigged out with water supplies, food for long term, all the good stuff. Why am I having a flashback to that movie 'Blast from the past' where Brendan Fraser plays a character who had been hiding in a fallout shelter with his family for 35 years? Is anybody out there? Hello? Did everybody vaporize and turn into zombies?
Not that I wouldn't like to have my own bunker...I mean, wouldn't everybody?
Now it seems we have a 2nd amendment crisis in the works. Due to the actions of another deranged individual, the anti-freedom crowd would like to try and disarm us. Again. You see, as much as they've advanced their agenda so far, they can't get the rest of the way there while the citizenry retain the ability to fight back. Sound wacky? Go read your history book. Oh, and there will always be psychos out there regardless of what tools they have at their disposal.
So 2013 is here and apparently starting with a bang..or a chill anyway. I've been testing out some of the synthetic thermal wear as well as outerwear lately, although with my limited budget, I only have a few items I can actually test. I can definitely give a thumbs up to the ECWS top I got at Bass Pro-warmth without feeling sweaty, although they do have the typical synthetic curse of smelling bad after a day of hard hunting. I know there are some synthetic layers that incorporate silver to reduce that stink problem though, I just haven't tried them yet. I also bought a Russel APXG2 L4 jacket that I at first liked, although in the really cold stuff, it seems that it's too cold, and once I start moving, too hot. Too bad because I love the jacket itself! It's thin and light, somewhat form fitting, and seems very durable. I have another 'iteration' of layering garments to try out before I say for sure that I don't like it.
Now, good stuff time! I picked up a Kryptek vest on sale for a screaming deal and I can say, hands down, I LOVE THIS VEST! The only drawback is that I bought a vest and not a jacket! This thing is as warm as a thermolite vest I have only without the bulk and it comes in CAMO. More Kryptek please... Hat's off and blown away in the wind for the Cabela's Microtex shirt and pants. I was given these as a gift about 5 years ago and have tried my darndest to wear them out. So far so good! In 30 degree temps I can put the pants on over my jeans and not need thermals! The shirt has been used as a jacket more times than I can count. This stuff is just that good! The only drawback to the pants is that they don't have zippers in the legs for putting on over your boots. I solved that with the help of a local tailor. If you think that's a big enough drawback not to buy a pair, I'll point out that these pants are warm enough that it's worth buying them AND having them tailored. Plus they're tough as nails and will last a long time!
Since I'm in that hunting gear review mood I guess I'll keep with the theme! I keep buying and selling backpacks. I just haven't been able to find a hunting pack that I can really like. I'm talking day pack size, I really haven't ever had the opportunity to test anything larger. What I'm finding is that the more pockets, the harder it is to find everything and the heavier the empty weight of the pack. It just takes more material to make all those pockets. Pack weight may not sound very important when we're talking daypacks, but I use this gear in rough terrain and constant movement of spot/stalk hunting. I'm actually starting to view most hunting packs as a way to seperate us hunters from our money without giving us much better than we can get from a good hiking pack. Anybody that can change my mind about this is very welcome to try! Till then I'm having pretty good luck with the ArcTeryx designed USMC patrol pack. It's no frills with just two compartments, large and small. It has molle attachment points if I want to strap or attach something else to it, a plastic 'frame' panel to keep pointy things from digging into my back, as well as to add structure to the pack, and a tuck away waist belt if I end up needing to carry heavy stuff. It's pretty comfortable with plenty of strap length and comes in a very cool camo pattern. I almost forgot-it's hydration compatible as well. Of course it's tougher than nails-it IS a USMC issue pack after all.
On the topic of gear reviews, I would love to do that more often. If anybody reading this blog has something they would like tested, with real 'no butt kissing' feedback, let me know. I promise to put it through hell on one or more of my hog hunts in the brush, barbed wire and mud. Not to mention west Texas dust and airborne ATV rides. I'll even give it back when I'm done! Hopefully all the pieces will still fit in the original box! JUST KIDDING (maybe).
