How to Test a Backpack Before You Buy

When you have selected the type and the right size backpack, you should definitely take it for a test drive before you purchase.

This article will provide you with some helpful tips on how to test out your chosen backpack before you buy.

Preparation

How to Test a Backpack Before You Buy
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Before testing out a backpack, you will need to know how much weight you will be carrying. This of course is dependent on the duration of your hiking trip, whether it is day hiking, overnight or three to five-day hiking.

If this is your first backpack purchase, then before you go to the outdoor store lay out all what you would need for your hiking trip at home, then place them in a light plastic bag and weigh them.

If you have a large amount of items then divide your items into smaller groups and then weigh them.

Weight Distribution

Start by loading up the backpack with the test weight items at the outdoor store. All outdoor stores should have weights and fillers specifically for load testing.

These weights may not be ideal but do your best to distribute the weight evenly. Use a load weight near to the weight you would normally carry on a hike.

After you have loaded the backpack, put it to the test by walking around the store, bending over, jogging a short distance, moving from side to side, touching your toes and walking up and down the stairs if any.

Try anything that will assist you in your decision-making. Throughout these actions, the backpack should remain stable and tight-fitting.

It should not feel loose or cause you to go off-balance (that is if it is packed well). Pay attention to the weight of the load, making sure it is being evenly distributed and that no excess weight is felt in any one place.

Good backpacks provide the flexibility to distribute the weight to your hips, lower back and shoulders by adjusting the backpacks hip or shoulder straps.

Experiment by loosening and then tightening the hip and shoulder straps to test the backpacks ability to re-distribute the backpacks weight. Each position should feel comfortable.

These test runs will give you a feel for the backpacks suitability.

Home Test

Inquire if you can try out the backpack at your home, packed with your own gear and return it if it does not meet your requirements.

If you cannot return the backpack, then be certain that it is well suited to your bodies profile before handing over your money or locate an outdoor store that does have a return policy.

  • Extra Backpack Features
  • Hydration System
  • Many backpacks have either built-in water bladders or a designated pocket for a water bladder.
  • Splash Cover

Backpacks are not usually 100% waterproof so some have a built-in or separate splash cover which is a waterproof cover that you can use to cover your entire backpack. This feature will keep your backpack dry during rain showers, river crossings and provide protection from the early morning dew.… Read More

January Is American Outdoor Supplies Nutrition Month

American Outdoor Supplies is  January Nutrition and Health Month for us. Since the United States has many people wanting to improve themselves and cure their ailments.  Where do we start?  They say there are 177 ways to reduce and burn calories, starting from substitute fruit purees for butter or Margarine to eating Fish at least twice a week.

January Is American Outdoor Supplies Nutrition Month
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What if you don’t care for fish? What if, What if, What if, there is always what if’s.  Everyone is going to pick a different diet and ways to lose, gain or get healthy.  Most everyone knows strokes are the women’s leading #1 death.  Cholesterol is not good for the arteries.  Fatty deposits that cause blockages and obstacles that interfere puts you at risk for disease. High Blood Pressure is another problem.  Try being stuck on a ship in the Middle of the Indian Ocean with blood pressure of 170 over 110.

The ship is headed to the Gulf and your stressed out even more.  They put you on blood pressure bills and send you off the ship, so you can sit in Diego Garcia for 3 days to wait for a flight.   Either way some form of exercise is always good for you.  Take a walk, Walk around a mall inside for a couple of hours, as long as you can stay away from those delicious cinnabuns and fast food you are OK.

We recently went camping, and during the day we went on some hiking trails very known to many people.  One was the catwalk in New Mexico, Beautiful scenery and great exercise.  A Good Waterproof Warm jackets for Women and Men make the hike much more enjoyable.  Comfortable Hiking Supplies are helpful.  You can always get some cheap fishing gear and Relax by the Water, On those nights and days you just want to get away.  It’s known to help reduce stress with something you love.

Since everyone’s life styles are different, I think that each person has to find the diet that works for them.  You can do your online shoe shopping here and get a wide selection.   Take that 1/2 to hour walk with your pets or loved ones, and wake up the next morning feeling a little bit better.

Researchers have discovered that eating blueberries helps to prevent the development  of  High Blood Pressure. Eating at least one serving of blueberries a week helps reduce the chances of developing high blood pressure by ten percent. They are rich in anthocyanins, which are powerful antioxidant pigments.  U.S. food companies caught faking blueberries with artificial colors and liquid sugars.  So if you can buy Fresh Blueberries, Freeze them and save them for different days of the week. don’t forget to Double Bag them.

Working in the Garden is actually great exercise also, plus Great Results when things bloom.  Whether your into fresh Vegetables or Beautiful Flowers.  You can always decorate and relax on your Garden Furniture.   Always Remember when there is always pleasure in the Living … Read More

The Un-Canadian Sport of Backpacking

The Un-Canadian Sport of Backpacking
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With countless backpacking trails in the Canadian Rockies, it is astounding to locate more international vacationers than Canadians citizens enjoying an outdoor adventure.

The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia and Alberta present spectacular scenery and memorable treks. Just a few hours from Calgary, backpackers can go additional in to the wilds, remain longer in nature and be one of many few to witness the ever changing beauty with the back-country.

“Maybe we’ve turn into as well accustomed to possessing all of this organic beauty so close to property,” says Greg Lynch, an avid hiker and outside enthusiast with Scenic Travel Canada. “Perhaps which is why much more Canadians never venture into our personal back yard.” Here are a handful of backpacking trips he recommends:

Backpacking to Elbow Lake in Kananaskis, Alberta

K-country is a mountain playground just outdoors of Calgary & Banff and offers backpacking trips for people of all fitness levels. Elbow Lake is a short but steep hike that offers a well maintained campground along the shores of a small, green lake at the base of two mountains. This is the entrance to the Elbow Valley that leads to glacier hikes, waterfalls and high-altitude camping. The beauty and quiet from the area is incredible.

Exploring the Upper Kananaskis Loop Trail – Alberta

Day hikers can take this 15 kilometer walking hiking tour around this turquoise lake. Backpackers can extend the trip into a 2-3 day trek to explore secluded valleys, towering waterfalls and other mountain lakes at higher elevations. The continental divide, which marks the eastern or western flow of water as well as the provincial border, is never out of view.

Camping above the tree-line leaves backpackers potentially exposed to high winds, especially as Pacific weather systems move in from the coast. Camping within the forest, amongst 400 year old trees, provides a lot more shelter and safety.

Hiking along Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park, BC

Exploring the glacier-scoured terrain inside the BC Rockies is magical. Mornings are cold, even within the summer. As you emerge from your tent, inside the shadow of a towering peak, the distant valleys present a mountainous invitation to all those true adventure-lovers.

This 2-3 day trek gives hikers a far more intimate view of Takakkaw Falls, a popular tourist destination near Field, BC. During the day, you’ll hike through terrain on well-trodden wildlife paths and ascend mountain ridges that few people ever get to see (bear training is recommended). The nights are best when the moon is full. With a clear sky, the Milky Way seems close enough to touch.

Backpacking in Canada isn’t just for tourists. Consider exploring your personal backyard and discover the beauty that countless people from around the world have known for years.… Read More

Adventure Outdoors in Bled and Its Surroundings

Adventure Outdoors in Bled and Its Surroundings
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Nothing prepared us for the beauty of Slovenia’s Bled and Lake Bled. A small town in northwest Slovenia, Bled’s claim to fame is its lovely picturesque lake and the thermal springs which have earned it exclusive spa resort status. To boot, a wealth of outdoor adventure travel activities are on offer here and in the surrounding area.

LakeBled

LakeBled, the jewel in the crown, is a picture of near perfection, a tiny island perched in its center and its castle, guarding the lake protectively from a high crag above. This beautiful lake, which is quite small, affords one of the most relaxing and lovely walks around its banks where one can take in the spectacular scenery. A visit to the church on the island is a must – public transportation is available by motorboat or gondola, but hiring a boat and rowing out is a much more satisfying and exciting experience. Overlooking the lake and perched atop a cliff, Bled Castle offers amazing views of the whole of the lake and the many valleys in the background.

Vintgar Gorge

A short drive from Bled, you come upon Vintgar Gorge, an impressive canyon whose wooden walkway built into the rock crisscrosses the Radovna River and affords great views of cascading falls and rapids. Walk in these beautiful surroundings, with the refreshing mist of the river spraying your face or take an easy white water rafting trip down the nearby river rapids. Vintgar Gorge is a superb place for adventure outdoors!

Postojna Caves

The Postojna Caves, a mere half hour’s drive from Bled, are without a doubt some of the most spectacular caves to visit. A small train takes you through approximately 4 km of the caves, where gallery after gallery of incredible rock formations in hues of black, red and bluish white astounded us. Spaghetti-like stalactites dangle from above while stalagmites appear as if candles melting in Gaudi-like structures, and in the background the oohs and aahs of spectators left gasping by the spectacle. Thin calcite curtains appear as fragile as to give an impression of fluttering voile cloth. Where the train ends, a tour on foot continues and takes you to the second of the cave’s highlights – a view of the Proteus Anguinus – the human fish, a remarkable tiny albino creature found only in these caves.

Ljubljana

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital is only an hour’s drive away. This is a great city, small enough to explore on foot, yet classically European. Stroll its quaint streets; hike up to its castle, visible from almost anywhere in town; enjoy the lovely houses in Tarnovo and Krakova neighborhoods as you wander along the banks of the Lubljanca. Ljubljana is first and foremost, though, an outdoor town. Let the sun shine and the city’s many nature lovers are out walking, hiking, cycling and roller blading.

Bled and its surroundings, the wonderful, unspoilt mountains,,its towns and even its capital city all present the best that nature, in all its splendor, has to … Read More

Make a terrific Sales and Media Kit

Make a terrific Sales and Media Kit
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A sales and media kit might help your enterprise get the focus it deserves. Listed below are several tips to assist you get began.

Cover Letter:

The very first thing (aside from your cover) that your audience will see and study, your cover letter should be a brief introduction for your enterprise in addition to a thank-you for your recipients for their interest and consideration. Give them an notion what they may uncover inside the kit and what to expect. This letter must be on company letterhead and you could possibly need to have it hand-signed by the highest ranking officer in your firm. Use 1 of your oldest tricks within the sales-letter book here as well, if you like: a P.S., in particular a single that seems to be hand-written, will often get read.

Profile:

Your business profile need to be a quick (1 web page) mixture of the beginnings of the enterprise along with recent information. That is your very first likelihood to introduce the elements of the business that you are attempting to convey towards the media as well as your customers. Readability and scan-ability are some great factors to bear in mind here too. Bullet points are normally great.

Clippings:

You should tailor your press clippings to you audience too. When you are sending the kit to a possible client, really feel cost-free to contain every single scrap of (fantastic) press your firm has ever gotten. If, however, you might be attempting to obtain far more press, you don’t need to give your neighborhood outlets the idea that you just and your small business have currently been covered to death, unless you may have a brand new angle you may give them.

After you are sending the kit around, do some investigation beforehand so you may have an idea of who at your media outlets covers a specific type of story. As an example, of you run a distinctive outside adventure corporation, you could desire to send your kit to the outdoor writer of the nearby paper. You ought to also have an idea of when a particular outlet has covered some thing similar, and not hit them up too quickly afterward.

Press Release:

A existing, newsworthy item written in a newspaper style that contains quotes which will be pulled and used verbatim in brief blurbs or stories. There are many on-line tutorials for writing a fantastic press release.

Promotional Material:

Your media kit should include things like a nice version of one’s logo in digital type if attainable, any pertinent brochures that you have on hand, and a enterprise card or a web page with bios of corporation officers and their make contact with information and facts. You ought to also include photos that would be usable to members in the media to include things like in any feature stories. Anything you could do to make their jobs simpler increases your chances of getting coverage. A sheet that lists awards and a single … Read More