Sunday, December 8, 2013 - Blog on a Log
Bivvys, Pelican Cases and Dry Bags all make Kives' "Gifts for Gearheads"
As Bartley Kives (of the Winnipeg Free Press) points out, it is the time of year for buying stuff. Whether you're purchasing for yourself or someone else, some trail-tested gear advice is always appreciated, and Kives has picked out several great outdoor gifts coming in at under $30.
Featured on his list were the Heatsheets Thermal Bivy, Pelican cases, and SealLine Dry bags. We couldn't agree more with his assessments:
Heatsheets Thermal Bivy
"If you ever head into the wilderness, you will at some point make a mistake that will require a night outdoors without a tent or sleeping bag. Whether you get lost, run out of sunlight or simply plow a car into a ditch, you'll need some means of staying warm while you stay put until it's safe to move again.
Every glove compartment and daypack has room for a thermal blanket with a reflective-metal liner -- the kind they've been stuffing into car survival kits since the '70s."
How necessary is a bivvy? Kives admits, "I haven't tested this thing, but can cite two occasions where I wished I had something like it in my pack."
Pelican Case
"It wasn't long ago when the only valuables people took into the bush were a bit of emergency cash and maybe a clunky camera. Now, iPhones and other electronics have insinuated their way into the outdoors. You need waterproofing to keep 'em safe...Pelican, which makes all manner of protective cases, makes a bomb-proof Micro model" recommends Kives.
SealLine Dry Bags
"If all you need is waterproofing," suggests Kives, "SealLine roll-top bags sell for $13 to $17, depending on the size. I stow a small camera and spare batteries in a Pelican case and stuff cash and essential documents into a tiny SealLine that winds up getting stowed in my PFD pocket on paddling trips. Both are more reliable than baggies."
You can read Kives' full article online.