Gearpods lanterns

Just a couple of tips for using the gearpods survival kits as lanterns. Invert a head torch on the outside to give off a ambient light (this also works well for empty milk cartons).  Or alternatively, use a bit of bungy cord on the outside to attach a light with a diffuser.

Field test: Pacific Outdoors 'peak elite ac'

I have recently traded my slightly old and bulky thermorest for a new sleeping pad, the Pacific Outdoors 'peak elite ac'.  I have now used this camping quite a few times now and I'm pretty pleased with how light and compact it is as well as being comfortable to sleep on.  The main advantages over something like a self-inflating mattress is how small you can roll it up. Once packed the pad is roughly 10 cm by 30 cm which is much smaller than my 4 season thermorest which took up about a third of my 50 litre backpack. Inflated the pad gives you about 7 cm of air core cushioning (2.5. inches for my american chums). 

Along the main sleeping torso area there is a Radiant Heat Return technology that apparently increases your R- value my 10 % giving you a rating of about 3 seasons. Another nice touch is the super light anodised aluminium  values that look pretty robust and durable. In summary, one of the best pieces of outdoor gear that I have bought this year.

The regular sized pad is 396 g in weight and has a R value of 2.5 - 4.4.

Field test: gearpods

 If you are anything like me and always lose small things while backpacking or wonder where you put them, these new storage containers are very useful. While many storage containers exist these new gearpods bring a modular twist to storing small items of gear. 

The gearpods themselves come in a variety of sizes which are sold individually or as sets (including pre-made survival kits). The sizes range from the small (1.5 inches) to medium (3 inches) to large (4 inches) to extra large (6 inches). They are made of durable light plastic which can be tightened till they are fairly waterproof (although I have not tested this and they do not have O rings)*. The whole novelty to these storage devices is that they can be joined together using connectors to form a kind of modular multi-kit. At present I use the largest gearpod for my main tools, the medium one for first aid and the smallest for firelighting materials. The possiblities for these containers are really down to the individual (they make good fishing kits too).

*EDIT: The first generation product used a neoprene O-Ring. The second generation products use a friction seal negating the need for the O-Ring.