GearFlogger

Dakine Project Blue Recon pack

Dakine takes it to a higher level with their Project Blue Recon pack. Project Blue is a surf industry effort to keep our waves rolling, our water blue and our coastlines pristine. Two bucks from each pack go to the Surfrider Foundation.

Dakine doesn't go halfway; the Recon is seriously eco-friendly, 100% PVC-free and made with a lot of material from recycled PET materials from plastic bottles. Maybe they compromised on features? Not! The Recon is very well laid out to go from campus to beach, with a top-mounted fleece-lined sunglass pocket, insulated cooler cubby and seam-sealed wetsuit pocket for your skanky second skin.

The organizer pocket has sleeves for phones and music players so they don't slosh around scratching each other. I've always given extra points for pockets that can be accessed while the pack is being worn, and the recon has two: a small mesh bottle pocket on the wearer's right and a zippered pocket on the left, perfect for a cell phone that you want to secure out of sight but handy. The pack is deceptively tall, providing a more-than-you'd-think 1,900ci inside. There's even a sternum strap. About the only thing missing is a hip belt, but the Recon is made to go short distances so most users won't have a problem with that. Beach rats will love it.

$74.00 at Zappos

DaKine Mini Tune tuning kit

Calling all tools: your case has arrived. DaKine's Mini Tune kit has just what you need and nothing more, so you'll actually carry it with you and have it when you need it.

The Mini Tune's compression-molded case just fits three items: a T-handled torque driver with five bits stored in the handle and a 8/10mm wrench; a snuff can of Afterburner flourinated wax suitable for all snow conditions; and a two-sided mini edge tuner with a choice of zero or two-degree bevel.

You should be able to get 'er done in the field with this kit, and the compact case means you'll be more likely to bring the damn thing in the first place. Can't go wrong here.

$25.00 at MooseJaw

DaKine Mustang glove

DaKine makes a wide range of gloves for skiing and snowboarding. The Mustang is classifed as their "high performance freestyle" glove. It's so supple it feels more like a dress or driving glove, but the padding on the knuckles and the back of the hand gives up its serious side.

Getting down to business the Mustang has pre-curved fingers, although the leather is so soft finger stiffness is really not a factor. The cuff is neoprene lined, but the rest of glove is leather and will get wet during a day throwing powder. The cushy tricot lining will keep that wetness from affecting your hands too much.

The cuff has a zipper, but it just barely snugs the fit and isn't meant to stabilize the wrist at all. A better design choice might have been some kind of elastic or adjustable webbing that could keep snow out no matter what. If you're looking for a light-duty glove for warm and not too wet conditions that can double for about-town duty it's a good choice, especially given the reasonable price.

$49.95 at Backcountry