MERINO WOOL

What is Merino Wool ?

The Merino is an economically influential breed of sheep prized for its wool. The breed is originally from central Spain (Castille), and its wool was highly valued already in the Middle Ages. Today, Merinos are still regarded as having some of the finest and softest wool of any sheep. Poll Merinos have no horns (or very small stubs, known as scurs), and horned Merino rams have long, spiral horns which grow close to the head.

The Merino is an excellent forager and very adaptable. It is bred predominantly for its wool, and its carcase size is generally smaller than that of sheep bred for meat. South African Meat Merino (SAMM), American Rambouillet and German Merinofleischschaf have been bred to balance wool production and carcase quality.

Characteristics

Merino wool is finely crimped and soft. Staples are commonly 65–100 mm (2.6–3.9 in) long. A Saxon Merino produces 3–6 kg (6.6–13 lb) of greasy wool a year, while a good quality Peppin Merino ram produces up to 18 kg (40 lb). Merino wool is generally less than 24 micron (µm) in diameter. Basic Merino types include: strong (broad) wool 23–24.5 µm, medium wool is 19.6–22.9 µm, fine 18.6–19.5 µm, superfine 15–18.5 µm and ultra fine 11.5–15 µm. Ultra fine wool is suitable for blending with other fibers such as silk and cashmere. New Zealand produces lightweight knits made from Merino wool and possum fur.

The term merino is widely used in the textile industries, but it cannot be taken to mean the fabric in question is actually 100% merino wool from a Merino strain bred specifically for its wool. The wool of any Merino sheep, whether reared in Spain or elsewhere, is "merino wool". However, not all merino sheep produce wool suitable for clothing, and especially for clothing worn next to the skin. This depends on the particular strain of the breed. Merino sheep bred for meat do not produce a fleece with a fine enough staple for this purpose.

Merino wool is common in high-end, performance athletic wear. Typically meant for use in running, hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, cycling, and in other types of outdoor aerobic exercise, these clothes command a premium over synthetic fabrics. Several properties contribute to merino's popularity for exercise clothing, compared to wool in general and to other types of fabric:

Merino is excellent at regulating body temperature, especially when worn against the skin. The wool provides some warmth, without overheating the wearer. It draws moisture (sweat) away from the skin, a phenomenon known as wicking. The fabric is slightly moisture repellent (keratin fibers are hydrophobic at one end and hydrophilic at the other), allowing the user to avoid the feeling of wetness.

Like cotton, wool absorbs water (up to 1/3 its weight), but, unlike cotton, wool retains warmth when wet, thus helping wearers avoid hypothermia after strenuous workouts (climbs) or weather events. Like most wools, merino contains lanolin, which has antibacterial properties. Merino is one of the softest types of wool available, due to finer fibers and smaller scales. Merino has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio compared to other wools, in part because the smaller fibers have microscopic cortices of dead air, trapping body heat similar to the way a sleeping bag warms its occupant.

10 Things That Make Merino Wool Great

Merino wool is just one of the many types of wool available for making blankets and other warm textile products. However, there are many reasons that merino wool is the number one choice for these types of products. Take a look at these ten reasons that merino wool is so great: 

1] It is soft to the touch. One of the main reasons that merino wool is so attractive for products that are going to touch the skin is because it feels so good to the touch! It is a very soft type of wool that is cozy and comfortable. In fact it’s one of the softest types of wool available. 

2] It isn’t excessively fuzzy. The one drawback of some of the other types of soft wool that you can find today is that they are really, really fuzzy. While they’re nice to the touch, they tend to shed all over everything. This can get frustrating. Merino wool is nice because it has that great soft feeling but isn’t excessively fuzzy and so it doesn’t shed a lot.

3] Merino wool isn’t itchy. Many other natural fibers tend to be itchy. This is uncomfortable for adults and can be intolerable for children. This isn’t a problem with merino wool. This type of wool is actually made from keratin, the same thing that human skin is made from, so there’s no uncomfortable itch to contend with. It feels totally natural.

4] Merino wool regulates temperature really well. What this means is that an item will be cool when it is warm out and warm when it is cool out. For this reason merino well is sometimes used in the making of exercise clothing! At a more practical level, it means that the blankets made from merino wool tend to be comfortable all year long.

5] Merino is a highly absorbent type of wool. It actually can hold a lot of moisture before it begins to feel damp. Even if it does get wet, merino wool won’t get cold (in contrast to cotton).

6] It is an affordable type of wool. This means that the products that are made from it can also be affordable. That’s certainly important to most people!

7] It can easily be blended with other wools as well as synthetic materials. There are many reasons that this may be done. For example, there is a cashmere-merino blend that is particularly soft and nice for making luxurious items. On the other hand, mixing merino wool with polyester or another synthetic material may make it easier to wash.

8] Merino actually has anti-bacterial properties! It contains lanolin, which is where these properties come from. That’s a nice perk for when this type of wool is used to make items for babies and children.

9] It is naturally odor-resistant. That means that you don’t have to wash merino wool products constantly because they stay basically clean for a long time even with frequent use. They naturally smell nice!

10] Merino wool is fire-resistant. This is one of the least flammable natural fibers. If you want a blanket that you can set near a campfire with then choose one made with merino wool!

CAMELBAK HAWG NV 2013

2013 version of Camelbak’s popular Hawg NV hydration system and the R & D boys at Camelbak haven’t disappointed us. The excellent build quality we’ve come to expect from Camelbak is clearly present here. With its combination of durability, comfort, and devilish attention to detail, the Hawg NV will be the backpack of choice for any mountain bike guide or multi-day rider.

NV refers to the articulated support system that keeps the pack off your back, and allows a constant flow of air for ventilation. It works really well. The four segments or pods that make up the system felt firm at first, especially at the lumber region, but with a further tug on the chest straps, the snug fit evenly distributed the load along the spine of the bag; this makes for an extremely comfortable and secure fit.

Secure is a word I don’t use lightly in the context of carrying a heavy load. When carrying a full load on your back all day, the fit of the bag is extremely important, especially when the terrain gets bumpy. You need a backpack that fits correctly and offers bags of confidence and comfort, and won’t move around. The HAWG is secure on your back and is held there comfortably without feeling restricted at either the chest or waistband straps.

The three-litre lightweight reservoir features all the latest Camelbak updates: the quarter turn closure works a treat by lining up the finger handles horizontally, and then a flick of the wrist to the 12 o’clock position secures it with a resounding clunk.

You can unclip the tube at the reservoir base for cleaning. The fitting here is leak free so far, and slots together with another resounding click, a bit like a garden hose.

But what’s really neat is the handle drop slot that cunningly holds the reservoir securely in place no matter how much or little water you’re carrying. There’s nothing fancy here, just a simple slot that works really well at holding the base of the plastic closure into place, and no half-empty bladders crumpled up in the bottom of your HAWG.

The HAWG NV has an all-up carrying load of 17 litres. This is split between a 14-litre main compartment, and three litres of bladder space. The four way compression straps glide neatly into place to allow for variations in carrying capacity. The main compartment is deep and wide enough to carry a full day’s wet weather load of clothing, food and spares, and this is neatly augmented by the overflow bay which sits on the back of the main compartment.

More often than not, I found myself stuffing regularly used gear, like food, a windproof or waterproof top, into the overflow bay and slipped on the handy, day-glow yellow rain cover to keep everything dry and clean, although out of habit I still double bag clothing for added protection first.

I also used the rain cover if the trails were wet anyway. It keeps the HAWG dry and clean, which is especially good if you have to unzip the bag for something. Anything that prevents unwelcome crud getting into the main compartment is good.

The helmet clips on each side of the bag are another straightforward design feature and are simple yet effective. I must admit though, I tend to carry my helmet in the overflow pouch for added protection when transporting my gear around. There’s a handy rear light strap built into the reflective logo and markings on the back; there’s a rear light strap on the rain cover too.

One of the features of the HAWG NV that I took to instantly and went “yep, that makes sense” is the ever so simple D-fit rings that hold the top end of the chest straps in place. The chunky and silky smooth D-rings allow the straps to fall into a natural alignment with your shoulders without any fuss or adjustment. It works so well you don’t even notice it – like a problem solved before the issue arises.

Other finely tuned details include the understated reflective strips on the chest straps; a chunky carrying handle; and a lined media pocket that’s ever so soft to the touch. The media pocket comfortably holds my (empty of cash) wallet and stupidly outsized smart phone, and I can safely squeeze my glasses in there too. Our sample HAWG NV weighed in at 0.97kg, which is not bad for a pack this big.

Verdict

The 2013 Hawg NV is packed with plenty of well thought-out features and has a ruggedness that belies its slim looks. There’s nothing about the Hawg NV that looks or feels like an afterthought or change-for-change sakes, every detail about it makes sense and has an ergonomic, tactile feel with a functional reason for being there.

It’s weird, but after a few weeks of soggy trail riding with the new Hawg NV clinging limpet-like to my back, I still feel that I’ve experienced a dream where I had taken my original, well-worn Hawg back to the design office at Camelbak Towers to explain what I wanted from an updated, fully expedition-capable backpack: “I need compartments like this, I want padding like that, the straps should move like this, but fit like that …”. Well someone got inside my head, because the bagmen at Camelbak have came up with the almost flawless 2013 Hawg NV.

CASIO PROTREK PRG-505T-7 WATCH REVIEW

CASIO PROTREK PRG-505T-7

   

WATCH SPECIFICATIONS

- Tough Solar (Solar charge system)

- Waterproof to 100metre (10bar)

- Mineral Glass
- Neobrite
- Case / bezel material: Resin / Stainless steel
- "Double-lock, 1-press, 3-fold Buckle"
- Titanium Band Solid Band
- White LED light
- Full auto LED light, afterglow
- Low-temperature resistant (-10°C/14 °F)
- Digital compass
Measures and displays direction as one of 16 points
Measuring range: 0° to 359°
Measuring unit: 1°
20 seconds continuous measurement
Hand indication of north
Bidirectional calibration and northerly calibration function
Magnetic declination correction
- Altimeter
Measuring range: -700 to 10,000 m (-2,300 to 32,800 ft.)
Measuring unit: 5 m (20 ft.)
Hand indication of altitude differential
Manual memory measurements
(up to 14 records, each including altitude, date, time)
High Altitude / Low Altitude memory
Total Ascent / Descent memory
Others: Reference altitude setting, Altitude tendency graph
*Changeover between meters (m) and feet (ft)
- Barometer
Display range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (7.65 to 32.45 inHg)
Display unit: 1 hPa (0.05 inHg)
Hand indication of pressure differential
Atmospheric pressure tendency graph
*Changeover between hPa and inHg
Barometric pressure change indicator
- Thermometer
Display range: -10 to 60 °C (14 to 140 °F)
Display unit: 0.1 °C (0.2 °F)
*Changeover between Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F)
- World time ; 29 time zones (29 cities), daylight saving on/off
- 1/100-second stopwatch
Measuring capacity: 59'59.99''
Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
- Countdown timer
Measuring unit: 1 second
Countdown start time setting range: 60 minutes
Countdown start time setting range: 1 to 60 minutes (1-minute increments)
- 5 daily or one-time alarms
- Hourly time signal
- Battery level indicator
- Power Saving (display goes blank and hands stop to save power when the watch is left in the dark)
- Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
- 12/24-hour format
- Button operation tone on/off
- Regular timekeeping:
Analog 3 hands: Hour, minute (moves every 10 seconds), second
Digital: month, day, day of the week
Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
Approx. battery operating time:
6 months on rechargeable battery (operation period with normal use without exposure to light after charge)
23 months on rechargeable battery (operation period when stored in total darkness with the power save function on after full charge)
- Size of case/total weight: 56.8 X 49.3 X 14.3 mm/111 g





VERDICT

You may well be pondering the marketplace has lots of products exactly like this one, and why would I replace the one I already have in my house with this one. Certainly as among the finest manufacturers to choose from CASIO have added numerous amazing features to this watch that can change your thoughts. When you see that many benefits this Titanium Casio Protrek Triple Sensor Solar Watch PRG-505T-7 has to offer you will probably instantly desire to sell your previous one and purchase this brand instead. It's got numerous latest features which the previous one was lacking.

Among the other incredible things about this Titanium Casio Protrek Triple Sensor Solar Watch PRG-505T-7 will be its cheap price because others identical to it might be double the price. Pricing is something you will not need to consider with this item. When buying models like it, level of quality is essential, however with manufacturer you won’t need to be concerned about the high quality of this item because CASIO have added numerous features that will surprise and excite you. This product is a wonderful option and is far better than several equivalent items.

DISCLAIMER

This blog is not in any way advertisment, endorsement nor representation for any brand and/or company related.

This blog are my own personal opinions expressed are a result in which my highly disorganized and somewhat disfunctional mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. If it in any way were to accidentally defame, purge, humiliate and or hurt someone's person or feelings as a result of them reading and or acting upon any or all of the information and/or advice found here at my site, it is entirely unintentional of me to do so.

Any comments that may be found here at Bliss Adventure Travel are the express opinions and or the property of their individual authors. Therefore, I the owner/author of this site can not be held responsible for the fact that the minds of the respected authors may just well be as disfunctional as my own. If not more..... and it is not a practice of my own to edit any comments left here by others.

Should you (the reader) identify any such content that is harmful, malicious, sensitive or unnecesary, I request that you contact me via email so I may rectify the problem. Failing that you may like to just sit and weep incessantly!

OSPREY Farpoint 55

SPECIFICATIONS

Main backpack volume is 2440 cu in / 40 liters 

Daypack is 900 cu in / 15 Liters

Farpoint Day dimensions are 19x11.5x7 inches / 49x29x17 cm.

At only 55 litres + 10 for the daypack, this is not a big pack by any means, but still more than enough for my purposes. The first thing that you notice when looking at the pack is its detachable daypack strapped to the front. Again this was a major factor in my decision to buy it as the last thing I want to do in a hot country is to have to drag a large ruck with me everywhere I go. This way I can at least keep some essentials stored in the daypack and leave the main pack at the hotel when I don’t need it. The daypack simply zips to the front of the main pack and has two compression straps that go around it also. Tucked in behind the back pad on the daypack are its own set of straps complete with small chest and hip straps if you want them. Also, for some reason, there is a whistle built into the clip of the chest strap; it doesn’t seem to work very well. As mentioned above, the daypack can hold 10 litres which doesn’t sound a lot but it’s surprisingly spacious. Inside the daypack is a mesh pocket and against the back pad is a pouch for a laptop which can be strapped in nicely. How big of a laptop can you fit in there you ask? Well, it’s obviously designed for smaller offerings such as a netbook or similar but I can just about manage to fit in my 15″ T61p ThinkPad. It’s snug, but possible and it’s how I’m intending to stash my laptop when I go away. On the front of the daypack is another small zip pocket which I guess is good for quick access to small items. However this pocket doesn’t appear to be lockable, so I wouldn’t put anything valuable in there that you care about. Also on the front are some mesh pockets for drinks bottles/snacks.

Okay, onto the main pack. A pretty thoughtful idea, if I end up having to check my rucksack in at the airport at least now I can zip the straps up and save them getting caught in a conveyor belt and ripped to shreds. Once you unzip the cover it rolls up neatly at the bottom of the pack where it gives some more padding there. 

The straps are sturdy and comfortable, although the hip belt seems to be designed for someone with a lighter build than I as it only just fits at its most extended. The shoulder straps are comfy and light as is the padding on your back which thankfully curves away from the small of your back letting air flow freely there. With all the straps on, it spreads the weight nice and evenly across your body. Carry handles at the top and side are a nice addition also. Moving to the front is the detachable daypack and compression straps. The main pack is front opening which gives you total access to the whole of the inside. No more blindly fumbling around the bottom of the pack for a runaway battery. On the inside of the flap are several large mesh pockets which will stop small items getting loose and the floor of the bag has three internal compression straps.

Overall I’m impressed with the quality of the bag so far and the little thoughtful additions such as the headphone hole on the daysack and being able to tuck away all the straps make it even better. There are a couple of questionable design choices included such as the clip whistles and being able to wear the daypack on the front which I see little use for, but it’s nice to have them anyway. So far it looks up to the job and all that remains is to take it out and see how it performs.

Deuter ACT Trail 28 SL REVIEW

SPECIFICATIONS : -

- Aircontact Back System with DelrinTM Frame RodSL – Women’s Specific Fit

- Front-entry Two-way Zip Panel Allows Access to Deep Gear

- Integrated, Detachable Rain Cover

- Side Mesh Pocket and Large Side Zippered Pocket

- Hip Belt Pocket

- Ice Axe and Trekking Pole Attachments

- Hydration Compatible

- Contoured, Padded Shoulder Straps with 3D AirMesh

- Carrying Capacity = 20 lbs. 

- Volume: 1710 cubic inches / 28 litres

- Torso: 16 – 20in inches

- Weight: 2 lbs. 14 oz. / 1270g

- Dimensions (HxWxD): 24 x 11 x 9 inches / 60 x 28 x 23 cm

- Material: Deuter-Microrip-Nylon / HexLite 210

FIRST IMPRESSION

Incredibly comfortable, even when fully loaded. The shoulder straps are narrow, close-set and perfectly shaped to fit round the bust, and the well-padded hip fins move as you walk. There’s plenty of length in the chest strap and hip belt. Back system allows a decent flow of air, and maximum comfort and stability. Double compression straps keep contents secure. It’s a tall, slim pack so doesn’t obstruct arm movement and the wide drawcord opening and single buckle lid closure make it easy to pack and fasten. Plenty of pockets, mesh compartment for wet clothes, zip on the front allowing easy access in a hurry.

Up until a few years ago, if you said the name Deuter (doy-ter) to a group of your hiking buddies, you were most likely miss-pronouncing the name and many of your friends had never heard of the brand nor had any idea what products they produced.  Deuter has been in the backpack making business for a long time, 112 years to be exact!  

VERDICT

I tested out Deuter’s ACT Trail 28 SL; a women’s specific day pack that is packed to the gills with features.  At first glance this pack reminds me of a scaled down multi-day backpack, with lots of features that are not always found in a day pack.  For starters, the ACT Trail 28 has a rain cover attached to the pack that easily stashes into its’ own pocket at the base of the pack.  The rain cover has come in handy in multiple occasions and has a snug fit to the pack and did not get blown off in above tree-line gusts. The hip and sternum straps were able to easily peek out of the pack for use, without sacrificing the elastic fit of the rain cover. The ACT Trail has two separate entry points: your typical top entry with a pull cord and a beefy zipper along the front panel that allows you to access gear at the very bottom of your bag.  When the front panel is fully unzipped it can be flapped towards the top allowing you to visualize the contents of your bag.  I thought this was a major plus because I am always forgetting to put my go to gear at the top for easy retrieval, this zipper is a life saver.

Additional features that have come in handy include the large front mesh panel that overlays the front panel; it easily accommodates a helmet, wet clothing that you don’t want in your pack, dog leashes, climbing rope, and any additional gear that doesn’t fit in the pack. If it doesn’t fit in the mesh panel there are bungees to further attach your gear. Inside there is a sleeve for a hydration pack; I placed a 3 L bladder inside without problems.  My only complaint is that the velcro closure that secures the bladder may wear out sooner than I’d like.

On the left rear there are two loops that could be used to store trekking poles: simply place the tip of the trekking pole through the loop-facing the ground and secure the remaining pole with the side cinch buckle that attaches to the front panel.  Another bonus, an ice axe can also be housed on the right side.  When I rigged the pack in this fashion, I didn’t have any annoying pokes from the axe nor the trekking pole tip, bonus!

On to pockets I go, the ACT Trail 28 SL has a typical zippered compartment on the lid and a hidden pocket on the underside.  I loved the underside zipper because I could put my keys and phone inside and didn’t have to worry about them for the remainder of the hike. On the reverse side of the lid there are instructions for emergency signaling, super cool to help you out when in a bind. On the right side of the hip belt there is a nice square pocket that can handle your munchies and even a super small camera.  Having snacks, dog treats included, easily accessible is a must for me.  The last pocket is on the left side of the pack (when looking at it from the rear) and serves as a great spot to stash a trail map, headlamp, or other go to items that you like to keep nearby.  When I tested this around town on my bike, I used this pocket like it was my purse and placed my wallet, phone, lip balm, etc. inside.

Okay, so I have highlighted all of the extra bells and whistles that go into making this a great all around day pack that I have used for numerous hikes.  Where the ACT Trail 28 SL truly shines is the fit and feel of the pack while in use. The back panel features the Aircontact Back System; a padded ridge runs along each side of the pack creating a channel for air to flow through.  The hip belt is nice and beefy and is semi rigid yet covered with mesh padding.  The shoulder straps are easy to adjust on the move and are also padded to increase comfort and reduce hot spots. The pack has a sternum strap that can shift up and down to accommodate a variety of heights.  Many pack makers include a whistle on the sternum strap and I have to admit I kind of missed this feature when trying to capture the dogs attention above tree line.

The ACT Trail 28 SL has enough space to pack gear for a full day of hitting the trails and could be also used for a fast-packing trip for a few days.  Deuter says that it is designed to carry 20 lbs comfortably, and I would tend to agree. The fabric carries a denier rating of 210 and is rugged enough for most pursuits. After 3 months of using the pack as a commuter bag and hiking pack, it still looks like new. Just for fun, Deuter has included a fabric flower to place on the pack (it’s yellow, see the picture).  I get lot’s of comments on this which begins a conversation about the rest of the great features of the ACT Trail 28 SL.  

DISCLAIMER
This blog is not in any way advertisment, endorsement nor representation for any brand and/or company related.

This blog are my own personal opinions expressed are a result in which my highly disorganized and somewhat disfunctional mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. If it in any way were to accidentally defame, purge, humiliate and or hurt someone's person or feelings as a result of them reading and or acting upon any or all of the information and/or advice found here at my site, it is entirely unintentional of me to do so.

Any comments that may be found here at Bliss Adventure Travel are the express opinions and or the property of their individual authors. Therefore, I the owner/author of this site can not be held responsible for the fact that the minds of the respected authors may just well be as disfunctional as my own. If not more..... and it is not a practice of my own to edit any comments left here by others.

Should you (the reader) identify any such content that is harmful, malicious, sensitive or unnecesary, I request that you contact me via email so I may rectify the problem. Failing that you may like to just sit and weep incessantly!

Marmot Grid 2 Person Tent REVIEW

Marmot, who are an American manufacturer, first released the Grid exclusively through Cotswold Outdoors, and it was widely touted as being an American tent designed for the UK market. It subsequently became available from a range of retailers, and I like the quality of a lot of American kit, so was intrigued, but my solo adventures, and my fascination with tarps, stopped me from “needing” one for a while. The lowest new price I could find in May 2011 was £300 (USD486/SGD592)

Price £300 / USD486 / SGD592

Design three-pole geodesic

Poles shock-corded alloy

Materials outer: 30D nylon ripstop, 3500mm hydrostatic head; ground sheet: 70D nylon 8000mm hydrostatic head; inner: 40D polyester

Internal dimensions length 230cm; width 120cm; height 105cm

Packed size 56x19cm

Weight manufacturer’s stated weight: 2500g; Trail’s Tested weight: 2680g

Made in China

Testing at low altitude in still conditions, and in relatively exposed conditions with enough wind to get a taste of what it’s capable of.

Unpacking the tent for the first time raises my confidence. It’s all pre-assembled, with the inner tent hooked up to the fly ready to go, and the included repair kit is very comprehensive, including swatches of all the fabrics used, a pole repair sleeve, self adhesive repair strips for all the fabrics (including the ground sheet), and spare buckles and tensioners.

Pitching is ridiculously easy. Being semi geodesic, the tent is free standing, so you don’t have to guess at the footprint; just erect it and then position it where you want.

Technically this is a fly first tent, meaning you can get the fly sheet up and then work on the inner tent under shelter. In practice though it’s even better, as it goes up as a single piece, all properly positioned. The inner tent is so well secured to the fly that there’s little danger of getting the inner wet from the ground as you pitch it, because only the ground sheet comes into contact with the earth.

I think I’d always want to use the two in the middle of the side panels, just to make sure the fly’s held away from the inner, but other than that I’d question whether or not more than just the three at the tail are needed, and even then only in very strong winds.

I estimate the whole process takes less than 5 minutes single handed.

Once pitched, everything is nice and taught, and there’s very little “flap” in the inner, because it’s attached to the fly in plenty of places, and well designed to avoid surplus fabric.

The pegging points deserve a special mention, because being made of webbing, and quite long and adjustable, they can be wrapped around or placed under a rock or simillar if the ground’s too hard or soft for pegs, and have the length to be secured easily enough in snow or sand.

Two types of peg are supplied, both aluminium. There are sixteen “curved vee” types (think vee peg, but with a curved cross section), that weigh 10 grams each and appear to be very very strong. There are then two skewer types that weigh 15 grams each, and which in my experience are more likely to bend.

I asked Marmot UK why they supply two types, and the answer was that the two skewers are for the minimum setup, where you’d leave the tent free standing (unpegged) other than the porch. While I see what they’re saying, I think you’d be hard pressed to stop the main tent creeping towards the porch like this, and can’t see why the lighter vee pegs wouldn’t be perfectly adequate anyway.

Overall I think the pegs supplied are a perfect choice; light enough for most people, while strong enough for virtually any use. Of course you can always replace them with either super-lightweight titanium ones, or with heavy rock nails, but given that it’s impossible for a tent manufacturer to provide for all eventualities, I think Marmot have made a good decision. Except for the skewers; I’d rather have an extra two vee pegs!

Venting is very good, and adjustable to a greater extent than on most backpacking tents. There are 4 venting points on the fly, one at the rear, one at the front, and one on either side just behind the porch. These are all held open when required using small rods sewn onto the fly and held in the open or closed position by velcro.

I think this is a great system for the rear and side vents, but not for the front. At the front the rod attaches to the door when the vent’s open, about 150mm down from the top, which means it’s in the way when you come to open the door. To be fair Marmot do provide a loop on the edge of the vent hood, so that you can hold it open by “hooking” it onto the front guy instead, but I’d have preferred a wired edge to the hood, like the peak on a jacket hood, as that would have made the vent completely independent of the door or guy.

Each external vent is matched with a mesh panel in the inner tent, directly at the back and sides, and via a mesh inner door at the front. The door mesh can be closed off completely by zipping a “solid” door over it, but the other three inner vents can’t be closed. In my opinion this is a good thing, to ensure that there’s always some ventilation.

The rear vent has a small zip at the bottom to allow access to the outer vent from inside. This is a great feature for when the wind picks up overnight and you want to close things down, but it does beg the question; why no similar feature on the side vents? I guess adjustment of the side vents is less critical than the rear, and it would add weight, but it does mean you have to get out of the tent if you want to adjust them.

The porch is a good size; big enough for two rucksacks plus cooking, though not a lot more, and protects the inner tent well. However, its best feature is the door, which has four pulls on a zip that runs continuously all around. Because of that, virtually any opening pattern is achievable, including opening from the top, the bottom or the sides.

Alternatively, the side wings of the porch can be rolled back to create a side entrance.

Marmot provide very secure loops to allow the door to be tied back in many different positions, but also give you a mesh pocket at the bottom of one wing, into which you can simply stuff the open door. I can’t stress enough how handy this is. Simple, yet incredibly useful.

Space in the inner is adequate for two, though standard mats do tend to overlap at the foot. However, things are helped by the fact that the two main poles are pre-bent at the tail, which gives enough extra height to make a surprising difference. This, combined with the pre-bent apex of the front cross pole which adds height to make it easy for all but the very tallest to sit up inside, gives a very spacious feel to the tent.

There are two mesh pockets inside, and loops to allow a drying line to be run the length of the inner.

In use, the tent feels absolutely bombproof! I have tried it in extreme wind, in 30mph gusts it bearly moved at all, so I have high hopes. The inner, being “solid nylon with vents”, as opposed to all mesh like a lot of American tents, is warm while remaining well ventilated, and the fly drops close to the ground for added protection.

The materials used are high quality and extremely waterproof, with high static heads and fully taped seams.

The external pole sleeves do look as if they’d trap snow on the relatively flat roof, but the incredible strength of the tent should mean that’s not a problem. Additionally, even though the sleeves could act as gutters to channel water, they’ve been well thought out so that the cutouts at the crossing points allow water to drain away in the right direction; away from you rather than toward you.

There are two colour options for the fly, orange or green (Marmot have the obligatory arty names for them, but to me they’re orange and green!!), while the inner is orange on all models. This gives a nice bright, warm feel to the inner even on a dull day, and I suspect still would do even with the darker fly.

One less than perfect aspect is the front guy, which I think Marmot have deliberately designed to be as obstructive as possible, running as it does exactly down the middle of the door. I hate guy lines that you can’t help catching as you get out of the tent, as it can hurt, and as the resultant “ping” as it’s released shakes the whole tent. Some people have replaced theirs with double guys that run to left and right, though that would still create some restriction, but in practice I think it’s unlikely that this guy will be needed in anything other than hurricane conditions, and so I’ll likely remove mine completely.

The weight is exactly as claimed, at 2.7kg all in. There is a claimed “minimum” weight of 2.5kg, but the only way to achieve that is to leave the pegs at home, which I think would be a very bad idea.

2.7kg is quite heavy by modern standards (the Voyager for example is under 2kg even in it’s “standard” format), but by no means unmanageable, and perfectly forgivable given the bombproof nature of this shelter, and the convenience of some of the added features.

There is a little potential to save weight. So far I’ve removed the extra snap locks that are there only for fixing a footprint if you use one, and saved a MASSIVE 22 grams!! Other items that could be removed, though all come with some compromise, would be:

- The inner solid door lining and possibly its zip, leaving just a mesh door.

- The web pegging tensioners, to be replaced with either bungie or with paracord.

- Several of the guy lines.

- The stuff sacks.

In practice I suspect that the total weight of all these would be minimal, and will probably decide to retain the convenience of each instead.

All in all I think this is an exceptionally well thought out tent, with manufacturing quality to match. I think there must have been design input from Marmot UK, as it genuinely is designed for their climate without going over the top. I’d like to see them reduce the weight (though that’d mean I’d need to buy a new one!!), and the front guy is just silly, but it’s hard to find fault beyond that, and I’m extremely happy with my purchase.

I’ll certainly be back for more Marmot gear based on this experience.

DISCLAIMER
This blog is not in any way advertisment, endorsement nor representation for any brand and/or company related.

This blog are my own personal opinions expressed are a result in which my highly disorganized and somewhat disfunctional mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. If it in any way were to accidentally defame, purge, humiliate and or hurt someone's person or feelings as a result of them reading and or acting upon any or all of the information and/or advice found here at my site, it is entirely unintentional of me to do so.

Any comments that may be found here at Bliss Adventure Travel are the express opinions and or the property of their individual authors. Therefore, I the owner/author of this site can not be held responsible for the fact that the minds of the respected authors may just well be as disfunctional as my own. If not more..... and it is not a practice of my own to edit any comments left here by others.

Should you (the reader) identify any such content that is harmful, malicious, sensitive or unnecesary, I request that you contact me via email so I may rectify the problem. Failing that you may like to just sit and weep incessantly!

PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT (PSK)

A survival kit is a package of basic tools and supplies prepared in advance as an aid to survival in an emergency. Military aircraft, lifeboats, and spacecraft are equipped with survival kits.

Survival kits, in a variety of sizes, contain supplies and tools to provide a person with basic shelter against the elements, help them keep warm, meet their health and first aid needs, provide food and water, signal to rescuers, and assist them in finding their way back to help. Supplies in a survival kit normally contain a knife (often a Swiss army knife or a multi-tool), matches, tinder, first aid kit, bandana, fish hooks, sewing kit, and a flashlight.


PERSONAL SURVIVAL KIT (PSK) LEVEL 3


CONTENTS

Shelter or warmth
A variety of materials are recommended for emergency shelter, and vary between geographic regions. Options often included in survival kits may consist of:
- Reflective "aluminized" (Mylar coated) space blanket or survival blanket to retain body heat (and signal)
- Lightweight poncho for protection against wind and rain
- "Tube tent" or bivvy bag
- Tarp with grommets or tie-tapes (best if nylon or polyester)
- Large plastic trash bag as poncho or expedient shelter roof
- Ferrocerium rod (AKA "Metal match", "Hot Spark", "Firesteel", "Magnesium fire starter") and fire striker for fire-starting, Fire piston or Solar Spark Lighter
- Waterproof matches or cigarette lighter
- Cotton balls or pads smeared with petroleum jelly for fire starting (can be carried in 35 mm container or heat-sealed inside large diameter plastic straw)
- Catalytic heater and bottled gas fuel
- Canteen full of water, and a filter if needed


FIRST AID KIT (REFER FAK)

First aid kits will often include a combination of the following, below is just a basic Level 1 FAK :-
Bandages
Band-aids
Sterile combine dressing, and gauze pads
Adhesive tape, and gauze tape
Medical tweezers
Surgical razor or scalpel
Disinfectant pads
Latex gloves (rubber if allergic to latex, to protect first aider against infection)
A 30 day supply of personal prescription medication
Antibiotic cream
Epinephrine and antihistamines for allergic reactions, primarily to insect stings
Rubbing alcohol
Suture kit or sterile disposable surgical stapler
Oxytetracycline tablets (for diarrhea or infection)
Aspirin
Extra pair of prescription eyeglasses or contacts
Salt is an essential mineral for health. Salt containing potassium chloride, sold widely as low sodium salt, can be used to prevent dehydration from diarrhea and can save most cholera deaths. (See Oral rehydration therapy)
Multivitamin and mineral supplements. Zinc supplements are useful in treating diarrheal intestinal tract infections, especially in children.
Sunscreen (where appropriate, above 30 SPF)
100% UV protective sunglasses ("UV 400") (protects eyes from harmful UV radiation. Polarized glasses are not necessarily UV protective, but aid with glare only)


FOOD / WATER

Most survival kits involve sustenance for short periods of time, to be used and replenished before contents spoil.
Water in sealed containers for dry areas, or water purification tablets or household bleach in areas where water is available but may be contaminated.  

Heavy duty aluminum foil to create a distillation tube to remove salt from salt water during boiling/condensation. Must have another receptacle to collect condensate.

Canned food, Ready-to-eat meals (MRE), or high-energy foods such as chocolate or emergency food bars.

Fishing line and gear (fish hooks, lures, and split shot leads)

Snare wire

Gill-netting (for emergency fishing)

Signaling, navigation and reference


A U.S. Marine signalling an aircraft with a signal mirror.
Since the primary goal of a survival kit for lost or injured persons is rescue, this part of the kit may be considered the most essential. 

Key elements for rescue include:
Whistle.
Signal mirror.
High power LED light (able to have batteries replaced, and carry an extra battery), white lens, with signaling capabilities. Strobe versions are available for some lights. Use lithium cells only, due to superior shelf life.
Flare: three fires in a triangle is the international distress signal
Laser pointer with lithium batteries, for superior signaling range. Laser pointers have resulted in at least one rescue: during the night in August 2010 two men and a boy were rescued from marshland after their red laser pen was spotted by rescue teams.
Surveyor's tape - orange or chartreuse for marking location for rescuers
Pen/pencil and paper for leaving notes to rescuers about direction of travel
Compass or analog watch 
Trail maps/charts (if location is known in advance)
Survival manual for technique reference
Multipurpose tools or materials
Survival kit tools emphasize portability and versatility. 

Tools recommended for many types of survival kit include:

Bow saws about 24 inches in length are light weight and fast cutting.
  
A small Snow Peak portable stove running on MSR gas and the stove's carrying case
Fixed-blade knife, or multitool such as a Swiss Army knife.
Can opener
Heavy-duty needle and thread for repairing clothing and equipment
Red or orange plastic bag(s) or trash bags
Sturdy cord or "550" parachute cord for setting up a tarpaulin and snaring small animals
Hatchet with sheath for cold conditions, or machete for tropical conditions (shelter and fire)
Camp stove or some type of gas burner and fuel such as bottled propane or Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
Candles for light, signaling, fire-starting
Metal billycan or "water bottle" for water storage, boiling, purification, cooking
Compact saw such as Japanese style backsaw with coarse teeth (folding models available). Bow saws can quickly cut larger diameter limbs and small to medium thick trees, and Folding saws can be small enough to fit into a kit, but big enough to cut small to medium diameter limbs, and possibly smaller trees.
Solar charger


Survival kits for military aviators are often modified according to the environment of operations:

In desert areas, survival kits may have more water and sunscreen, and have additional items such as shade hats, a compass, a whistle, medical equipment, tinder, matches, and sun glasses.

In tropical areas, a survival kit may have mosquito head netting, additional insect repellent, anti-fungal cream, a machete, water purification tablets, foot powder, matches, a flint strike, a compass, a wire saw, a space blanket, medical equipment (gauze pads, elastic gauze bandage, antiseptic creams, anti-malaria tablets, anti-infection tablets, bandages, etc.), salt tablets, a fishing kit, snare wire, extra socks, a candle, a signal mirror, flares, a sewing kit, safety pins, tinder, tape, a whistle, and rations.

In arctic or alpine areas, survival kits may have additional cold weather clothing (winter hats and gloves), sleeping bags, chemical "hand warmer" packets, sun glasses/snow goggles, snowshoes, a collapsible shovel, a snare wire for small animals, a frying pan, a camp stove, camp stove fuel, a space blanket, matches, a whistle, a compass, tinder, medical equipment, a flint strike, a wire saw, extra socks and a tent designed for arctic use.

For personnel who are flying over large bodies of water, a survival kit may have additional items such as flotation vests, fishing nets, fishing equipment, fluorescent sea marking dye, a flare launching gun and cartridges (and perhaps a revolver and tracer ammunition), a survival radio (e.g., an AN/PRC-90), a distress marker light, a Sea Water Still[3] for desalt seawater, a raft repair kit, a paddle, a bailer and sponge, sunscreen, medical equipment, a whistle, a compass, and a sun shade hat.

The US Army uses several basic survival kits, mainly for aviators, which are stored in canvas carrying bags. Aviators in planes with ejection seats have survival kits in the seat pan and the survival vest (SRU-21P) worn by US helicopter crews also contains some basic survival items.


MINI SURVIVAL KITS

"Mini survival kits" or "Altoids tin" survival kits are small kits that contain a few basic survival tools. These kits often include a small compass, waterproof matches, a fishing hook and fishing line, a large plastic garbage bag, a small vial of bleach, a small candle, a jigsaw blade, an Exacto knife blade, and a safety pin. 

Pre-packaged survival kits may also include instructions in survival techniques, including fire-starting or first aid methods. In addition, parachute cord can be wrapped around the tin. The parachute cord can be used for setting up an emergency shelter or snaring small animals. They are designed to fit within a container roughly the size of a mint tin.

Fire making kit contained in tin


Natural disasters

A list of in-home emergency kit items focuses on the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and materials to maintain body warmth. 

The recommended basic emergency kit items include:
Water, at least one gallon of water per person for each day for drinking & sanitation (should be rotated every 3 months)
Food, non-perishable food for at least three days which is not required to be cooked or refrigerated
Emergency food bars, preferably products with 2,400 or 3,600 calories and contain no coconut or tropical oils to which many people may have an allergic reaction, in addition to non-perishable food which does not require cooking or refrigeration
Battery- or hand-powered radio with the Weather band
LED type flashlight (battery- or hand-powered)
Extra batteries for anything needing them, lithium type is preferred for shelf life
First aid kit
Copies of any medical prescriptions
Whistle to signal
Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Wrench or pliers to turn off water valves
Can opener for canned food
Local maps
Spare keys for household & motor vehicles
Sturdy, comfortable shoes & lightweight raingear
Contact & meeting place information for the household

SAMPLE SURVIVAL KIT VIDEO

DISCLAIMER

This blog is not in any way advertisment, endorsement nor representation for any brand and/or company related.

This blog are my own personal opinions expressed are a result in which my highly disorganized and somewhat disfunctional mind interprets a particular situation and or concept. If it in any way were to accidentally defame, purge, humiliate and or hurt someone's person or feelings as a result of them reading and or acting upon any or all of the information and/or advice found here at my site, it is entirely unintentional of me to do so.

Any comments that may be found here at Bliss Adventure Travel are the express opinions and or the property of their individual authors. Therefore, I the owner/author of this site can not be held responsible for the fact that the minds of the respected authors may just well be as disfunctional as my own. If not more..... and it is not a practice of my own to edit any comments left here by others.

Should you (the reader) identify any such content that is harmful, malicious, sensitive or unnecesary, I request that you contact me via email so I may rectify the problem. Failing that you may like to just sit and weep incessantly!