MY FAvoRIte thInGs
stAFF GeAR PICKs
JETBoIL sTovE
Dan Gummow, St. Louis, MO
JetBoil’s versatile cooking
systems make backcountry
meals fast and efficient.
ThERM-A-REsT NEoAIR
Lori Wood, Tulsa, OK
This ultra-light mattress weighs
just 14 oz. and packs down to the
size of a 1-liter water bottle.
osPREY
MANTA 20
Jim Lickey, Backwoods Operations
Manager, Oklahoma City, OK
LIfE Is GooD
Many outdoor enthusiasts appreciate the benefit of having quick and easy access
Mike Burns, Omaha, NE
to lots of water while hiking, biking, or trail running—hence the proliferation in
today’s market of hydration packs, which utilize soft water bladders or reservoirs
This brand that’s all
with pliable drinking tubes. The majority of hydration pack users, however, have
about amazing comfort
probably experienced one or more of the following problems with these packs:
and constant optimism
poor fit, poor carry performance characterized by “barreling” or “rounding out”
makes our staff smile.
of the back panel and sloshing water and difficulty inserting and removing the
reservoir from the pack. I recently had the opportunity to hike with Osprey’s
Manta 20 from their new Hydraulics Line of hydration packs and found that it
addresses these issues quite well.
The Manta 20 comes in two frame sizes so the user can get a closer match PATAGoNIA
between the pack and their own torso length. The flexible nature of the shoulder CoRINNE DREss
straps and the hip belt keep the pack centered while hiking up and down steep Kandice Westerhoff, Austin
and uneven terrain. The “Hydra Form” Reservoir designed in conjunction with Corporate Office, TX
Nalgene utilizes a molded plastic sheet between a layer of nylon fabric and the
Patagonia delivers the perfect
reservoir back. This forces the reservoir to hold a flat shape which conforms much
dress for spring.
better to your back’s shape, even when full, eliminating the “barreling” issue of
many reservoirs and allowing for a more stable and comfortable fit.
This design along with the reservoir’s rigid handle/spine also makes it quite
easy to insert it into the pack, and its dedicated compartment keeps it from
intruding on the packs 1000 – 1200 cubic inch cargo space. The Manta’s Light Wire
RoCK CLIMBING
peripheral frame supports a tensioned mesh surface, which holds the pack’s back
ARKANsAs
panel off of your back for enhanced ventilation. It also helps stabilize the water
Shawn Wiggins, Wichita, KS
load by locking the reservoir in place.
In addition to its ability to handle the typical hydration issues the Manta 20 is
This book provides details
loaded with a plethora of features such as an integrated rain cover, Stow on the Go
on some of the best routes
trekking pole attachment, and zippered fabric hip belt pockets just to name a few.
for Midwestern climbers.
It all adds up to make the Manta 20 a great choice for any day hiker.
hoBIE MIRAGE GREGoRY
ICEBREAKER
REvoLUTIoN DEvA 60
Ira Ralston, Norman, OK
Tim Martin, Fort Worth, TX Sarah Williams,
Icebreaker’s soft
Austin, TX
A hybrid combination
merino wool
of Hobie’s best kayaks, Designed and
baselayers provide
the Mirage Revolution tested by women,
the ultimate
combines speed, utility, and the Deva has a nar-
temperature
maneuverability to create a row back panel and
control during
solid all-around boat that’s adjustable waistbelt
adventures in all
versatile and easy to use. for optimum female fit.
seasons.
8 SPRING/SUMMER 2010