GearFlogger

RevoMax Insulated Bottle

As much as it pains me to admit this, sometimes we receive a piece of gear and, after taking it apart, can't figure out how to put it back together again. Call it the Humpty Dumbshit effect, if you will (you won't).

Such was the case with the RevoMax insulated bottle. It has a very clever lid assembly that is not, at first glance, obvious in its operation. Had we just taken ten seconds to RTFM it would have been obvious that you have to push the center button and pinch the side buttons simultaneously, then it pops right open. See, now you know. Once we had that little item figured out the RevoMax quickly became our favorite vacuum bottle.

The lid is the main thing that makes it so handy. Single-handy, if you will (you still won't). It's easy to operate with just one hand thanks to its threadless design, and as a bonus the lid creates a double seal when closed that makes it absolutely leak-proof. It really is that clever, and very fast to actuate after using it a few times.

The bottle itself is just as thoughtfully designed, with a copper coating to reflect heat inside, a grippy but comfortable powder coated exterior and BPA free silicone seal. They even include an extra seal and a silicone funnel, useful for sipping hot liquids or filling the container with ice.

Our quick and dirty tests from a hot water tap indicate that the Revomax performs at least as well, and in some cases better, than equivalent vacuum bottles on the market. The seal is superior to most both in reliability and ease of use, and the price point is at least competitive and in many cases less expensive. Cleaning it takes a few extra steps because of the modular nature of the cap, but even that is relatively painless after a little practice. It really is a slam-dunk of a design.

From $16.99 at Amazon

DreamWave Explorer Portable Speaker

Portable bluetooth speakers are a dime a dozen, unless of course you're looking for something a little different from the endless parade of cheap plastic clones that all sound fine until they inevitably fail due to impact or exposure to dust or fluids. We're not saying what kind of fluids, you'll know them when you see them.

The DreamWave Explorer, as the name suggests, goes farther than your average speaker. It starts with a hefty, 1.5lb solid construction that uses actual hex screws and solid plastics and rubber to armor the unit against the pitfalls of life. The Explorer is IPX5 compliant, basically resistant to splashing, sand and dust. It is not designed to be submerged, but it seems to withstand incidental water like rain well.

The Explorer has a nonskid rubber bottom with a screw-in camera mount, and the controls are housed on the top in the form of large rubberized buttons for power, bluetooth and volume. There is also a larger cover on the top for USB power out to charge other devices, line in and power in.

Volume is loud enough for small to medium rooms, and sound quality is good with a nice balance across the spectrum. The hands-free speakerphone works well, and a nice touch is the included handlebar mount that has both thin and thick pads to mix and match for the perfect fit. This will work not just on handlebars, but on any equivalent sized round-ish supports like tent poles, roof racks and the like.

Overall the Explorer does a good job in justifying its higher-than-average price with better-than-average features, so if you're looking for a tough little speaker with some mounting flexibility give the Explorer a listen.

$149.99 at DreamWave

Jackson Kayak Orion Cooler

Coolers have come into their own as serious gear over the past decade. Jackson Kayak is one of the more recent manufacturers, but they come into the field with a rich history of innovation and quality in the making of kayaks, and the transition works. The roto-molded polyethylene Orion coolers are visually striking and eminently practical.

Orion coolers by Jackson Kayaks are competitive with the best in the category, and even surpass them with a few nifty details. We looked at the Orion 25, the smallest cooler in their lineup, which easily holds a case of beer or other, less important things of equivalent volume. The first thing you notice about the Orion is the color selection. No more boring white here, you can choose from a few solid color and a lot more tie-dye and camo styles. We'll stick with the Gearflogger compatible Blaze, a beautiful orange-and-white creamsicle concoction that is easy to pick out of a crowd.

The cooler-specific features include a pair of cam-lock latches on the front that are easy to manipulate, even with gloves on, an effective drain plug, and a solid - not wire mesh - plastic tray inside for small items. The cooler is easy to move around with both molded-in handles and long low-stretch rope grips. From that basic feature set Orion brings the innovations: the four corner tie-down points also function as bottle openers, and the front corners are lockable. And our favorite detail: the top of the cooler has a soft, neoprene-like pad that makes sitting or standing more comfortable. Want more? The whole thing is a certified bear canister, so if you're rafting in Alaska you're good to go. It'll take that grizz a while to get through the two-inch insulated walls.

Orion didn't stop here. They've made their cooler a platform for accessories that mount on YakAttack gear tracks on the cooler sides. These are short track strips mounted above the molded-in handles that accept a range of attachments for cameras, rod holders and related items. The beauty of this system is that you can strap the cooler down on deck and use it to mount a GoPro, as a casting platform, or to hold your fishing rod while you kick back at the tiller, and all without interfering with your constitutional right to open the cooler lid to grab a cold frosty.

We think it's the boat-builder mentality of Jackson Kayak that led to the richness of features in what could have been just another me-too product. What they've built with Orion coolers is a premium product that goes way beyond it's normal mission, in a way that's actually useful. Check 'em out, you won't be sorry.

$369.00 at Orion Coolers

Orange Screw

We see a lot of outdoor products around here, and one thing that is sure to cause an eye roll right out of the box is a pretentious and/or convoluted name, e.g. "LX5000 Ranger Pro XTreme Series Titanium Special Edition." OK, sure, after seeing it written out it sounds better and maybe we'd buy it but we're gear whores from wayyyyy back and that kind of buzzword marketing works on our tiny little brains.

On the other side of the product naming spectrum we find the Orange Screw. Can you guess what it is? Can you guess its color? Yes! Because the name is perfect, despite its subtle allusion to copulating with a certain hue of modern politician whose name shall not sully our page. The Orange Screw is made of recycled plastics and is tough as nails.

The Orange Screw - see, there it is again - does not leave you free of all decisions, however. You have to decide whether you want a small Orange Screw (9.5 inches and 1.8oz) or a large Orange Screw (12.25 inches and 3.6oz). We recommend you start with a small Orange Screw and work your way up. The small screws will give you about 250 pounds of straight-up pull resistance and even more at an angle. The only limitation is harder soil, for which you'll want a traditional nail-style screw.

The Orange Screw is not just another pretty name. It's purpose is to screw things, into the ground, and this it does. Whether you're at the beach trying to anchor an umbrella or a dog or a child (don't anchor a child = against the law, probably), or in the forest with nothing but two feet of loamy moss underfoot, the Orange Screw is there for you. It drives easily, and you can use the included clear storage sleeve as a T-handle to make it even easier. If you're just carrying a single screw, e.g. for pet tethering duty, just slip the sleeve over it and slip it into your pack.

Once it's in the large eyelet lets you clip a carabiner, thread a leash or tie a rope to it easily. As the ground gets harder you may need to dig a pilot hole, but that's about the only technical detail here. Tough, practical and simple to use. Really for the price they're hard to beat, and you're sure to find a use for them.

$21.95 for four at Amazon

Niterider Pro 2800 Enduro Remote MTB Light

Shoulder season is transitioning into downright Winter, and where does that leave the humble mountain biker? Saddling up a fat bike with studded tires is where. But before the batbike can venture forth, there is one more thing necessary: a big honkin' light. No worries, Niterider - makers of all things bikey-shiny - have you covered. They're like the Chuck Norris of bike lights: the dark is afraid of them, and rightly so.

The Pro 2800 Enduro Remote is a 2,800 lumen handlebar mounted monster that will provide ample warning of trail hazards to even the fastest hoon-jockey out there. You know it's serious equipment when you pull it out of the included storage bag. There's the light itself, sexy enough with two giant owl-eye LEDs and a thumb-switch, the handlebar (and helmet!) mount, the plug-in power adapter, and then there is the li-Ion battery pack, a giant strap-on tube and yes we know how that sounds.

Plug in the battery pack the night before to charge it up, which will take about five hours. Install the light itself and the remote switch on your handlebars. Marvel at the water- and impact-resistant construction. Revel in the oddly satisfactory clicking noise as you cycle through the six available lighting modes, from 125L (56 hours) to the full enchilada of 2,800L (1.5 hours). 

Once you're up and running, you will love the godlike powers of observation you gain in the dark. Whether it's at minimal illumination as you spin uphill, or max throw for bombing the downhill, you can't outrun the light. You'll find yourself loving the convenience of the handlebar mounted switch for quickly optimizing your cone of visibility to your immediate needs. Sometimes you'll cycle through the modes just for fun, just because you can without moving your hands.

Clearly we love the Enduro Remote, and we make no apologies. The Pro 2800 is perfectly sized for just about all needs, but if you really want more you can step up to its big brother, the 3600. Either one can serve double-duty on motorized rides, and they can be mounted on a helmet if you don't mind the extra weight and really need to see where you look. Niterider has proven its products to be high performance and high quality, and that brings us to the only downside: you'll lay out a fair wad of cash for these top-of-the-line lights. We feel its worth it, especially if you're a bike commuter; it's a small price to pay for safety, and just think of the money you're saving on gas and insurance.

$359.99 at Amazon