I’m a lucky man. You see, I’ve got a new favourite shirt. The Icebreaker Men’s Bodyfit 260 Slalom Zip to be precise.
I wear every chance I get, which is often.
It is simply amazing for when you want to spend significant amounts of time outside when it’s cold. No silly, it’s not waterproof nor windproof and actually isn’t all that warm. But that doesn’t detract it from being an awesome baselayer. Quite the opposite in fact.
This man is looking good and feeling GREAT
Not too long ago, I went to Mont-Mégantic National Park for a weekend of camping with my girlfriend. I was really looking forward to it since it has anti-light pollution by-laws, in order to protect the ASTROLab observatory. This means crazy starry skies. Unless it rains.
Mont-Mégantic ASTROLab
The Arc’teryx Sidewinder SV takes on The North Face Free Thinker II in a battle of the snowsport hardshells.
The North Face Free Thinker II
Arc'teryx Sidewinder SV
Both these jackets are fully equipped to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at you so you can be one with her. I’ve decided to compare them by going feature by feature. Let’s start with the top.
Hoods
They both have excellent hoods: adjustable and helmet compatible. So the essential stuff is well taken care of. The Free Thinker’s is three-way adjustable, whereas the Sidewinder’s is four-way adjustable and with that a better fit. However, the pull straps for the frontal adjustment are easier to use on the Free Thinker while the Sidewinder’s are hidden thus reducing flappage…hard to tell who wins on the front pulls. Read more about Arc'teryx Sidewinder SV vs. The North Face Free Thinker II
This week I decided to proceed with a review of four classic down jackets for men. Even though each one of these models was made for braving extreme cold, their urban look makes them excellent city coats. Anybody who has waited at the bus stop for twenty minutes in Québec’s bone-chilling winter winds will understand the advantages of a good coat. The four models under review are: The North Face McMurdo Parka, The North Face Ice Jacket, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka and the Canada Goose Ontario Parka.
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
Canada Goose Ontario Parka
The North Face Ice Jacket
The North Face McMurdo Parka
Where They’re Made
Many people are initially surprised by the difference in price between these two brands. I don’t really like to repeat or quote myself, but for the benefit of the cause here is an explanation from my previous article: Canada Goose is made in Canada, whereas The North Face (in the case of the McMurdo Parka and the Ice Jacket) are made in China.
Click here for more information in my most recent article: The North Face Gotham vs. the Canada Goose Chilliwack (in French).
After trying them last winter, I have to say they’re all very warm: the kind of jacket good for walking around outside in, but that needs to be taken off on the bus or in the metro. The differences between each one are small in detail. For example, the Expedition has more down than the Ontario. The North Face Ice Jacket and the McMurdo Parka have the same amount of insulation. The down used in both the Canada Goose jackets is white duck down with a fill power of 625, while the two North Face Jackets are filled with goose down with a fill power of 550. In my opinion, the difference between the two types of duvet is too small to cause any hesitation. Read more about these Canada Goose and The North Face jackets and parkas
"Hahaha!" I can hear you already: "Is he serious? Is he really doing an underwear review?"
The answer, dear reader, is: “OH YEAH!”
If you knew what I know, you would have already written one. But what can I say, I’ve been pretty busy these days; but not too busy to continue my love for merino wool. We here at altitude-blog.com love the merino. That being said, I’m just gonna step up and say that no one loves it like I do. In fact, if I had any musical talent, I would probably have written this little ditty
I Am Lonely by The Heptones
All my life I was in misery
Then you came along and made everything happy
I recently had the opportunity to head out to the Eastern Townships for a few days and I thought I’d take the time to review some products while I was out there. Of the many types of gear I brought with me, it was the tents that left the most lasting impressions. I brought two Mountain Hardwear tents: the Light Wedge 2 and Hammerhead 2. I went about testing them in several ways.
Part 3: Waking Up
wax paper = sleeping bag
I woke up feeling like I was a hamburger in a ski hill cafeteria: hot and soggy. In my inebriated state, I hadn’t thought of placing my tent in the shade. I’d also slept-in, so the sun had time to warm me to the point of a light simmer.
I laid there for a while, trying to piece together the evening. It was only after a few minutes that I remembered my late night visitor. I slowly peeked over my shoulder. He was gone, but had forgotten his fanny pack. That’s right… his fanny pack.
Everywhere you go, Alpha SL will be your buddy, even at Prague Castle
The Alpha SL by Arcteryx is quite the marvel. I got it expressively for a recent trip to Europe that included some planned hiking in Norway and the Czech Republic. It did not take much time for the jacket to impose itself as a critical element in my travel arsenal. Although I was rather lucky weather-wise, it’s so light and packs in such a compact manner that I always had it in my bag, like a safety net, just in case things got nasty. Where rain or wind showed up, I know I’d be safe in my blue cocoon.
I recently had the opportunity to head out to the Eastern Townships for a few days and I thought I’d take the time to review some products while I was out there. Of the many types of gear I brought with me, it was the tents that left the most lasting impressions. I brought two Mountain Hardwear tents: the Light Wedge 2 and Hammerhead 2. I went about testing them in several ways.
Part 2: The Intimacy Test
the hammerhead 2
Let me set the scene. It’s late, I’ve just spent the past few hours with friends staying in nearby cabins deep in the woods, and I’m heading back to my campsite on the beach. I’ve had a few. I stumble towards my Hammerhead 2 bag (of course it wasn’t set up yet, it’s part of the test!). It only took me a few minutes to assemble the tent in the moonlit darkness.
I began stocking one of the vestibules with my remaining gear. This consisted of my trusty Jetboil, a backpack full of clothes and random supplies, my shoes, a case of beer, and the open beers I was double-fisting when I got to the site. There was tons of room for other stuff and I didn’t even need to use the other vestibule. I got into the tent, slipped into my favorite sleeping bag (The North Face Orion), and slowly began to fade away.
I recently had the opportunity to head out to the Eastern Townships for a few days and I thought I’d take the time to review some products while I was out there. Of the many types of gear I brought with me, it was the tents that left the most lasting impressions. I brought two Mountain Hardwear tents: the Light Wedge 2 and Hammerhead 2. I went about testing them in several ways.
Part 1: The Preliminary Test
the light wedge 2
I found a field and began setting up. I feel like no one should ever have to use an instruction booklet to set up a tent, and I didn’t (but then again, I’m really really smart). I was actually blown away at how easily and quickly I was able to set them up. Before I even had a chance to realize I was putting up a tent, it was already done.
When I started checking out all the bells and whistles however, it quickly became apparent to me that one of them might not make the grade. I’ll get back to the Hammerhead 2 later, but the Light Wedge 2 needs a small spanking. Problem is, my mommy always told me that if I didn’t have anything good to say, then I shouldn’t say anything at all.
