Product review: Outdoor gear for the fall

Product review: Outdoor gear for the fall

(Grant Olsen)


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Estimated read time: 8-9 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS—With temperatures mellowing out and autumn conditions on the horizon, this is a great time to experience nature. Whether you're interested in rugged red rock or alpine lakes, you'll most likely find thinner crowds and pleasant weather this fall. This article features a handful of products that might be right for your next adventure.

Barebones Trailblazer Flashlight

GRADE: A-

PRICE: Varies by retailer

Pick up the Trailblazer flashlight and you'll notice two things. First, it's quite heavy. Second, it looks like a lightsaber. Because of the weight, you probably won't want to put it in your pack for a high-altitude trek in the Wind Rivers. However, because of the lightsaber similarities, you'll probably want to use it for just about everything else.

The Trailblazer is the most versatile light that Barebones sells. It's got a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery (via a USB port) that actually provides enough juice to charge your cell phone and other small devices. Simply use the 30-inch charging cord that comes with the Trailblazer to recharge the battery or lend power to another device.

It's also easier to extend the life of the battery thanks to the three brightness settings on the light. While the high setting will deplete your battery in less than three hours, you'll get a full 24 hours with the lowest setting. And there's a battery life indicator built right into the side of the flashlight, so you'll always know where you stand.

The Barebones Trailblazer Flashlight. Photo credit: Grant Olsen
The Barebones Trailblazer Flashlight. Photo credit: Grant Olsen

MoraKniv Pro S Knife

GRADE: A

PRICE: $14

MoraKniv is a family-owned company based in Ostnor, Sweden. Going back generations, craftsmen in Ostnor have produced high-quality knives using traditional methods. Many of these techniques are retained at the MoraKniv shop today, though they also employ the latest technology.

The Pro S is one of MoraKniv's top sellers. Right out of the package, it feels amazing in your hand. The handle is made from TPE rubber and delivers excellent grip friction. It's this ergonomic handle, combined with the well-balanced blade that gives the knife such a substantial and sturdy feel.

At 3 1/2 inches long, the blade is larger than on some of MoraKniv's similar knives. The purpose is to give the blade the strength to withstand heavier pressure. When you combine the excellent handle with such a robust blade, you've got an all-around knife that can handle most any task.

UCO A-120 Comfort-Fit Headlamp ==============================

GRADE: A

PRICE: $39

The best products are designed to solve problems and address the weaknesses and limitations of the status quo. The A-120 headlamp from UCO falls into this camp. Have you ever worn a headlamp with a bulky light mount on the front? The kind with plastic hinges that subtly dig into your forehead until you have to take it off or risk a headache?

The A-120 eliminates that problem with a soft, streamlined neoprene strap. Believe it or not, the softest part of the strap is the front where the light attaches. The unique design ensures that no extra pressure is exerted on your forehead.

Like most good headlamps, the light has a hinge so it can be angled down for reading or working on projects. Powered by 3 AAA batteries, the A-120 uses a sliding adjustor to provide up to 120 lumens. Simply rotate the dial and you can get the perfect amount of light. There's also a red LED mode that is perfect for reading in the dark. The batteries, which can be another problem on lesser headlamps, are stored in a pouch near the back of the strap. It's simple to adjust the batteries and they're lightweight enough that you'll hardly even notice them.

UCO A-120 Comfort-Fit Headlamp. Photo credit: Grant Olsen
UCO A-120 Comfort-Fit Headlamp. Photo credit: Grant Olsen

L.L. Bean Stowaway Collapsible Lantern ======================================

GRADE: A-

PRICE: $17

This handy little light has a couple big things going for it. First, it's collapsible and easy to transport. At just about the size of an Egg McMuffin, you can effortlessly fit it in a fanny pack or jacket pocket. You can use it as a flashlight in the compressed mode, and whenever you need the one-watt LED evenly dispersed for a broader light, just open it up and enjoy the benefits of a mini lantern.

Also, the Collapsible Lantern gives you excellent battery life. On the high setting, you'll get 36 hours of light. Switch it over to the power-saving mode and you'll get more than 60 hours. The power switch is designed so you need to hold it steadily for 2 seconds to turn the light on. This is a power-saving feature because it ensures the light won't accidentally be turned on in your pack.

The light can stand upright on its base or hung in your tent from the built-in hook. It's a versatile little product that could easily brighten your next trip.

Thule Coaster Bike Trailer

GRADE: A

PRICE: $399

While more and more companies are making bike trailers, the Coaster from Thule has several features that set it apart from the crowded market. For starters, you can open and close the Coaster as effortlessly as opening or closing an umbrella stroller. This is rare indeed. Even high-end trailers are often difficult to open once they've been collapsed for storage.

The zipper-free wind cover is also surprisingly easy to use. There's a Velcro strap in each of the front corners and once the strap is closed, the cover stays put. With no zippers to hassle with, it's a really sleek system.

One of the greatest features is how the trailer's front stroller wheel stores on the attachment arm, which makes it a breeze to convert it to a stroller. It's surprising that more manufacturers don't do this because when the stroller wheel isn't readily available, the trailer loses some of its versatility.

If there's one weakness on the coaster, it's the child harnesses. They're definitely serviceable, but not quite as comfortable and easy-to-use as those found in Burley trailers. That being said, they do have excellent vertical adjustors. So adjusting the harness for your child's size is simple.

All in all, the Coaster is one of the best bike trailers out there. It's durable, sleek and easy to use.

Thule Coaster Bike Trailer. Photo credit: Grant Olsen
Thule Coaster Bike Trailer. Photo credit: Grant Olsen

Smith Guide's Choice Sunglasses ===============================

GRADE: A-

PRICE: $250

When you spend a lot of time on the water, there's always the risk of losing your sunglasses. Manufacturers try to fix this problem in a few different ways. The first is making sunglasses that float. This isn't always practical for design, however, and it's also a proven fact that floating sunglasses will disappear in a swift river nearly as fast as sinking ones will.

Another solution is using technology that increases the tackiness of the shades, helping them stay put even when wet. Smith has done this with their Guide's Choice sunglasses, adding hydrophilic Megol nose and temple pads. But they took it a step further, adding an integrated leash. Don't worry—it's not a bulky neoprene leash that looks dorky and gets in the way. Rather, it's a sleek wire that's subtle yet effective. It's also detachable, so you're free to include it only when it's necessary.

These sunglasses also boast features like a comprehensive wrap to block out light leaks, a lightweight frame and spring hinges. The polarized lenses (anti-reflective and hydroleophobic) are nothing short of amazing and offer stunning clarity. Wear them for a day on the water and your eyes won't feel nearly as strained as they would with lesser-quality lenses.

TomTom Bandit Action Camera ===========================

GRADE: B-

PRICE: $399

With navigation tools included on most mobile devices, these are tough times for companies that make dashboard GPS navigation units. So TomTom has taken a page from Garmin's playbook and created an action camera to compete in the action-camera market. While the Bandit is better than Garmin's cameras, it still has a ways to go before it can compete head-to-head GoPro.

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First off, the Bandit is bulky. Its cylindrical shape makes it stick out more than a lot of other options on the market. This may not be a problem if you're using a helmet mount, but it definitely matters if you prefer to use a chest mount. With its protruding profile, the Bandit's more likely to snag or get broken off.

Where the Bandit excels is its easy-to-use interface. Alternating between camera modes is intuitive and you simply won't ever find yourself lost in the menu screen. The Bandit also has a unique battery pack with an integrated USB connector. Once you're ready to transfer video files to your computer, you just remove the battery and plug it right into the USB port. There's no need to mess with cables.

The Bandit has built-in sensors for speed, G-force, altitude and rotation. This means that if you're wearing it on an epic run down a ski hill, the camera will automatically determine the times when you were engaged in a stunt like a backflip. Creating a highlight reel is easier than ever because of this feature. So for action sport junkies who want convenient highlight reels, the Bandit may be an enticing option.


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About the Author: Grant Olsen -----------------------------

Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com contributor team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.

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