Gear Guide: 3 New Essentials



Fall is here - make sure you're geared up right with a new backpack, hard shell and an awesome camping hammock.

Credit: Osprey

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                                <div class="imageCredit">Credit: Osprey</div>

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Osprey Pixel Port

($130; ospreypacks.com)

Keep your cycle-commute going strong — Osprey’s Pixel Port is ideal for active-living urbanites. With a padded 15-inch laptop sleeve, a main compartment large enough for lunch and a jacket, a plethora of multi-sized internal pockets for everything from smartphones to Sharpies and an external stash pocket for quick-access items, it carries everything the workday requires. The key feature is a transparent, touch-sensitive port-window that holds an iPad and allows use without removal. But what we loved most about the Pixel Port was its high-riding position and low-profile style. When dodging downtown traffic, this pack feels good and looks good.

 

                        <div class="articleAmazon">

                        <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Packs-Pixel-Daypack-Pinot/dp/B00AVSEJ3K%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00AVSEJ3K" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>
                        <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Packs-Pixel-Daypack-Pinot/dp/B00AVSEJ3K%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00AVSEJ3K" class="amazonTitle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Osprey Packs Pixel Port Daypack, Pinot Red</a><br>
                        <span class="amazonPricing">
                            <b>Amazon Price:</b> <span class="amazonRetailPrice">$120.00</span> $75.00 
                            <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Packs-Pixel-Daypack-Pinot/dp/B00AVSEJ3K%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00AVSEJ3K" class="amazonBuyNow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Now</a><br>
                            <small class="amazonPriceDate">(price as of Jan 20, 2015)</small>
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                                <div class="imageCredit">Credit: Westcomb</div>

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Westcomb Apoc

($480; shopwestcomb.com)

I learned a lot while touring Westcomb’s East Vancouver factory — such as how their 20-stiches-per-inch exceeds industry standards and how they not only design and construct in Vancouver, but also source a great deal of material from within North America. I learned even more by testing their top-selling Apoc hard shell. Features like a helmet-compatible hood, pockets designed with a backpack in mind (including Napoleon and bicep pockets, i.e. “granola bar pockets”), watertight YKK zippers, articulated sleeves and a velour-lined chin-guard are all welcome. But it was the breathability of the PolarTec NeoShell membrane that truly impressed. Fully meeting waterproof standards, and even offering a slight two-way stretch, this seam-sealed hard shell breathes better than some soft shells; the armpit vents are practically superfluous. 

 

                        <div class="articleAmazon">

                        <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Westcomb-Mens-Jacket-Harvest-Large/dp/B00C716C2U%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00C716C2U" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kHIFLunoL-jpg.webp" class="amazonImage"></a>
                        <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Westcomb-Mens-Jacket-Harvest-Large/dp/B00C716C2U%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00C716C2U" class="amazonTitle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Westcomb Men's Apoc Jacket, Harvest, Large</a><br>
                        <span class="amazonPricing">
                            <b>Amazon Price:</b> <span class="amazonRetailPrice">$480.00</span>  
                            <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Westcomb-Mens-Jacket-Harvest-Large/dp/B00C716C2U%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00C716C2U" class="amazonBuyNow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Now</a><br>
                            <small class="amazonPriceDate">(price as of Jan 20, 2015)</small>
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                                <div class="imageCredit">Credit: ENO</div>

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ENO DoubleNest 

($70; eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com)

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reviewing the DoubleNest Hammock from Eagles Nest Outfitters. This nylon, 180-kg-rated pack-hammock has become standard gear for our camping trips. For starters, it weighs only about half-a-kilo and packs into a stuff sack that’s the size of a softball. Combined with the available nylon-webbing SlapStrap Pro straps ($25), which utilize a clever adjustment scheme (and add about another half-kilo), setup is as easy as finding two sturdy supports (trees, stumps) anywhere from three to five metres apart (give or take) — in about 30 seconds you’re kicking back, staring at the sunset. The DoubleNest is rated for two people, but is especially spacious for one.

 

                        <div class="articleAmazon">

                        <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagles-Nest-Outfitter-DoubleNest-Hammock/dp/B0042QYO9G%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0042QYO9G" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41S7aVwSqgL-jpg.webp" class="amazonImage"></a>
                        <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagles-Nest-Outfitter-DoubleNest-Hammock/dp/B0042QYO9G%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0042QYO9G" class="amazonTitle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eagles Nest Outfitter DoubleNest Hammock: Assorted Bright Colors</a><br>
                        <span class="amazonPricing">
                            <b>Amazon Price:</b> $69.95 
                            <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eagles-Nest-Outfitter-DoubleNest-Hammock/dp/B0042QYO9G%3Fpsc%3D1%26SubscriptionId%3D02WEQZ4ZZJNDY48TN0R2%26tag%3Dmedialunchbox-20%26linkCode%3Dsp1%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0042QYO9G" class="amazonBuyNow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Now</a><br>
                            <small class="amazonPriceDate">(price as of Jan 20, 2015)</small>
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