Mystery Ranch Terraframe 50 External Frame Backpack Review

The Mystery Ranch 3-Zip Terraframe 50 is an external frame backpack with a load sling that's good for hauling awkwardly shaped and heavy loads that won't fit into a normal top loader or roll top pack. Load sling packs (also called breakaway packs), like the Terraframe 50 and its big brother the Terraframe 80, are popular with hunters because they make it easy to haul heavy meat, packed in game bags, after it's been field dressed and de-boned. Mystery Ranch is probably the best known company to sell load sling packs into the general outdoor recreation market, but they're also available from Seek Outside, Kifaru, and Kuiu.

Specs at a Glance

• Type: External frame w/ load sling
• Adjustable Torso length: Yes
• Gender: Unisex
• Weight: 5 lbs
  • Frame w/ hip belt: 3 lbs 2.5 oz
  • Pack bag: 1 lb 13.5 oz
• Pockets: 4
• Materials: 330 Cordura Lite Plus Pack Bag, Carbon Fiber Frame
• Max recommended load: 150 pounds (that's not a typo)

Load Sling Capability

With a maximum recommended load of 150 pounds, I tend to think of the Terraframe 50 as a working "persons" pack because it can carry an axe, trail maintenance tools, or even a chain saw, between the frame and pack bag. But it could just as easily be used to carry a pelican case, soft cooler, rope bag, base camp tent, or packraft for more recreational pursuits. That's in addition you anything you can fit inside the pack bag or strapped to its exterior.

Load sling backpacks are external frame packs with a shelf (center) that you can rest more gear on, slotting it between the frame and the pack bag.

The pack bag is connected to the frame with thick webbing straps at the top, bottom, and along the sides when the load sling capability is not in use. The base of the pack is connected to the frame with an extended piece of fabric, forming a sling or shelf, that can be used to carry additional tools, gear, or stuff sacks.

Load sling backpacks are good for carrying heavy or awkwardly sized loads. This chain saw is fairly comfortable to carry, for instance.

For instance, if you were a trail maintainer and wanted to carry a chainsaw to remove blowdowns from a trail, you could position your saw between the pack and frame to carry it (as shown above). Next, you'd sandwich the saw between the frame and the pack bag (as shown below) by attaching its webbing straps to the frame. This makes it possible to carry quite heavy objects or stuff sacks to a base camp, for instance, but still have a regular backpack that you can use during the day for side trips.

The pack bag is connected to the frame with webbing straps, securing the item between the frame and the bag.

If don't need the load sling capability, you can use the Terraframe 50 just like you would any backpack. In fact, it feels more like an internal frame pack when worn than an external frame pack, because its center of gravity is close to your hips. This is very different from old-school external frame backpacks like the Kelty Trekker 65 (see review), where the center of gravity is higher up and closer to your mid-back.

Backpack Storage and Organization

The Terraframe 50 consists of an external frame and a pack bag. The pack bag has three zippers, one vertical and two diagonal so you can open up the entire bag or just access stuff in the upper part. There's a hydration pocket inside and a single hydration port that comes out between the shoulder pads. The pack back also has two top lid pockets that close with zippers and two open side water bottle pockets. The top lid pockets are on the small side, but convenient.

The Terraframe 50 pack bag has three zippers which open to provide full access inside.

However, the side water bottle pockets can only fit a single Nalgene and rather snugly at that. The pockets not reachable while wearing the pack and while they do have cutouts to drain wet gear, like a dripping water filter, their small size makes them difficult to store multiple items.

When I open the central zipper my gear spills out willy nilly.

I don't particularly like central zipper on the Terraframe 50, because I find my gear spills out of the pack willy nilly when I open it. It'd be far more useful if the pack could rest flush with the ground, but the pack has a very robust hip belt which prevents it from lying flat. The Terraframe 80 has a more conventional design with many more pockets and compartments for gear organization. I wish it was available in a 50L or 60L size instead of just 80L.

It's easy to attach gear to the outside of the pack with the compression straps, even when the load sling capability is used.

External Attachment and Compression System

There are numerous external compression straps on the Terraframe 50 pack bag, which serve the dual purpose at attaching the pack bag to the frame in load sling mode or as regular compression/attachment points when it is used like a regular backpack. They make it very easy to carry a foam sleeping pad or tent body underneath the bottom of the pack or attached to its front.

These include:

• two tiers of side compression straps
• two tiers of straps that loop around the front of the pack over the center zipper
• two straps that connect the top of the pack bag to the external frame
• two straps that connect the bottom of the pack bag to the external frame

Unfortunately, the small size of the side bottle pockets makes it difficult to terminate long objects like tent poles, paddle shafts, or axes in the side pockets and store a water bottle in them at the same time. These are best stowed using the load sling capability, between the frame and pack bag.

Long objects are best carried between the frame and the pack bag.

The compression straps are on the Terraframe 50 are quite long in order to serve their dual function. Mystery Ranch provides velcro cord keepers to wrap up any excess webbing that is not needed and keep it out-of-the-way. However, these cord keepers are not sewn to the ends of the webbing, making them very easy to lose. Other pack makers sew them to the ends of their webbing straps and it'd be nice if Mystery Ranch did the same.

The Terraframe 50 also has numerous webbing loops that can serve as attachment points, to lash additional gear to the pack bag. There are four such loops on the top lid and three at the end of each zipper. The latter let you tension the zipper for smother operation. There is also a short run of MOLLE loops at the base of the bag.

The frame can be completely separated from the pack bag.

Backpack Frame and Suspension

Mystery Ranch has a adjustable-length frame system called the Futura Yoke that they use across many of their backpacks. The Futura Yoke lets you adjust the height of the shoulder pads so that they correspond to your torso length. This is done using a velcro-backed yoke that slides up and down along the frame and is pretty standard across adjustable-length pack makers.

What's different about the Terraframe's external frame, is its flex and shape. It has a flat frame, rather than being curved at the top and bottom, and flexes dynamically with you as you move. This is achieved by using a carbon fiber frame with two vertical stays and three cross braces. The Terraframe has a wide and stiff hip belt that locks over your hip bones and won't slip when worn. It also has wings which are tightly coupled to the base of the carbon fiber frame, rather than floating free. This is very different from most internal and external frame packs where the pack bag and the frame are detached move independently from one another.

The Terraframe 50 frame is flat and rigid

The result is an external frame that fits close to your body, making it good for scrambling like an internal frame pack, but with the load carrying capacity of an external frame pack. It's rather clever, but better suited for military and hunting use where regularly people carry 100+ pound loads, rather than the outdoor recreation market, where maximum load weights are considerably less.

Assessment

The Mystery Ranch Terraframe 50 is an external frame backpack that can carry very heavy loads, with a load sling capability that lets you carry large or awkwardly shaped gear between the frame and the pack bag. While the load sling is useful for hauling a big tent or stove for base camping, I question the Terraframe 50's utility for weekend or general purpose backpacking since a 5 pound backpack with a small 50L capacity isn't that attractive when compared with similar volume backpacks that weigh considerably less.

While I didn't have a chance to review the 6.1 lb Mystery Ranch Terraframe 80, that's a more reasonable base weight for a high-capacity expedition backpack that's comparable to a Gregory Baltoro 75 or Osprey Xenith 88 in terms of volume and functionality. The Terraframe load sling capability also makes a lot more sense in an expedition context, where you'd be more likely to haul extra food or technical climbing gear.

What I also find surprising about the Terraframe 50 is that it's not available with interchangeable pack bags, so that you could use different volume pack bags with the same frame. While that would make the Terraframe system harder to sell through retail outlets like REI, it would certainly provide a lot more value for consumers that fall in love with the Terraframe and want to use it across different sports and functions. The use of lighter weight and waterproof fabrics like XPac (which Mystery Ranch has used in the past) would also increase the attractiveness of its pack bags.

Compare 3 Prices

• 

  CampSaver.com

  $400.00 $300.00

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  Moosejaw

  $399.95

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  REI.com

  $400.00

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Last updated: 2018-11-05 01:01:11

Mystery Ranch provided the author with a backpack for this review.

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support SectionHiker's unsponsored gear reviews, articles, and hiking guides.

The post Mystery Ranch Terraframe 50 External Frame Backpack Review appeared first on Section Hikers Backpacking Blog.

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog https://ift.tt/2Pe0THX

IndieView with Jake Craven, author of Marooned

Fans of classic noir will likely be especially intrigued by this story, but efforts were made to make it accessible to the casual reader. I feel that despite the genre, if a story draws interesting characters, readers can all find something in common with them.

Jake Craven – 3 November 2018

The Back Flap

Isaac is an enigmatic man. A loner covered in scars, each with its own story, he's the go-to guy for Charleston's criminal underground when they need something done right the first time. But when tasked with protecting the daughter of a powerful druglord, everything goes wrong – the girl goes missing, people turn up dead and he's left with his back against the wall. It's then that he's forced to do the one thing he's good at – raise all hell.

About the book

What is the book about?

It's a neo-noir story set primarily in Charleston, SC; however, the book consists of two stories told in parallel which ultimately meld into one.

When did you start writing the book?

The book began in the summer of 2016 as a single opening scene with no real idea for a story in mind.

How long did it take you to write it?

Collectively, it took just over two years, as I had to juggle my writing with a school and work schedule.

Where did you get the idea from?

Some ideas were spawned from my own history, as well as my father's. Others were inspired by many years of reading other authors and watching films by people such as the Coen brothers as well as crime films from the 1970s and '80s.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Establishing interesting characters was paramount to the story, so keeping them in line with what felt natural to their development was of constant scrutiny. Also, keeping the story going at a pace which felt appropriate while taking the time to flesh out the characters was a concern (the dual timeline seemed to aid the story in that regard).

What came easily?

The protagonist character came very easily to me, as his background and personality are somewhat mirrored from my own.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Certain elements of the flashback sequences were based on experiences of my father, who had a somewhat rough upbringing.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Cormac McCarthy and Raymond Chandler have been particularly influential on my interest in both reading and writing, especially in style. I've had an intense fascination with the crime genre since I was a kid; however, after reading No Country For Old Men over ten years ago, I've been especially interested in how terrifying the consequences of criminal behavior can be. Combined with McCarthy's use of archaic language and gritty style, I've been keen on telling my own stories for a number of years.

Do you have a target reader?

Not particularly. Fans of classic noir will likely be especially intrigued by this story, but efforts were made to make it accessible to the casual reader. I feel that despite the genre, if a story draws interesting characters, readers can all find something in common with them.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

One strategy that helped to move the story along was an emphasis on momentum. I'm sure I'm not alone in my crippling self-criticisms, something that can set a writer back to the extent that he or she is never able to finish something. So, rather than harping on something I wasn't entirely happy with, I'd instead make note of it, and keep the story going with the intention of going back and tweaking the problem area.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I attempted to do a physical outline, though it just didn't come naturally to me. Instead, I would mentally picture specific scenes that I wanted to occur, and would mold the story in such a way that it would ultimately lead to said scenes.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you've finished?

I did a fair bit of editing along the way, especially regarding plot holes and such. After the first draft was complete, I re-read the entire story numerous times, fixing small errors; I also reached out to a few trusted people who were able to read and respond with their own feedback before submitting the manuscript to my editor, Carol, who's amazing at doing quick turnarounds.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Shayne Silvers, author of the well-known Nate Temple series, recommended a freelance editor to me. She's truly amazing at what she does and I can't thank her or Shayne enough.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Sometimes, yes. I'm a music junkie, which readers would likely be able to guess by reading the many nods to bands in the book. Often, depending on the scene I'm trying to write, I'll listen to what I imagine would be playing within the scene. For instance, in Marooned, there's a club scene where electronic music is pumping and a fight breaks out – during this, I'd listen to albums by Boy Harsher or a synthwave artist like Perturbator. This tends to help very much with getting ideas out of my head and onto the page.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

It was considered, but no. I'm open to the idea of it, but for now I rather enjoy being my own boss with this venture.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

By seeing the success of other writers, such as Shayne, as well as the boom of indie filmmakers, musicians and artists, I figured that the paradigm has shifted in the writing world – rather than facing potential rejections around every corner, writers now have the capability of sharing their work directly with readers, which is really the dream of becoming a writer. I believe that because of this, we live in a very exciting period for the arts.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I reached out to the brilliant Ariel Zucker-Brull, a New York illustrator who's most well-known for his album covers for musicians like Perturbator and Trevor Something. There's something so gritty yet beautiful about his work that draws me in – I was actually shocked when he responded to my business proposal! I think that he did an amazing job and I hope he continues to work with me in the future.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I'm still figuring out the in's and out's of Amazon's marketing services, social media ads and positive reinforcers like bloggers and reviewers. That said, I'm exploring every facet that becomes available to me so that I can find my audience.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Don't be afraid, ever. We live in an era where the arts are no longer dictated by agents, managers, and corporate dregs who have no concept of anything but profits. If you've got a story in you just pushing to get out, just sit down and let it out. It's not always easy, but it is always worth it.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Rocky Point, North Carolina.

Where do you live now?

Wilmington, North Carolina.

What would you like readers to know about you?

"Jake Craven was born in the South and raised on a former plantation property. His interests include, but are not limited, to film, literature, vintage cars, and an endless supply of music. He is a longtime musician, former nuclear contractor, and graduate of Arizona State University. He resides with his family in Southeastern North Carolina. Marooned is his first novel."

What are you working on now?

I'm currently revisiting a previous story I'd written several years ago about a couple of teenagers in the late '80s who find themselves in a precarious situation with a dangerous criminal racket.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Marooned from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView https://ift.tt/2Dlb6LY

IndieView with Jake Craven, author of Marooned

Fans of classic noir will likely be especially intrigued by this story, but efforts were made to make it accessible to the casual reader. I feel that despite the genre, if a story draws interesting characters, readers can all find something in common with them.

Jake Craven – 3 November 2018

The Back Flap

Isaac is an enigmatic man. A loner covered in scars, each with its own story, he’s the go-to guy for Charleston’s criminal underground when they need something done right the first time. But when tasked with protecting the daughter of a powerful druglord, everything goes wrong – the girl goes missing, people turn up dead and he’s left with his back against the wall. It’s then that he’s forced to do the one thing he’s good at – raise all hell.

About the book

What is the book about?

It’s a neo-noir story set primarily in Charleston, SC; however, the book consists of two stories told in parallel which ultimately meld into one.

When did you start writing the book?

The book began in the summer of 2016 as a single opening scene with no real idea for a story in mind.

How long did it take you to write it?

Collectively, it took just over two years, as I had to juggle my writing with a school and work schedule.

Where did you get the idea from?

Some ideas were spawned from my own history, as well as my father’s. Others were inspired by many years of reading other authors and watching films by people such as the Coen brothers as well as crime films from the 1970s and ‘80s.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Establishing interesting characters was paramount to the story, so keeping them in line with what felt natural to their development was of constant scrutiny. Also, keeping the story going at a pace which felt appropriate while taking the time to flesh out the characters was a concern (the dual timeline seemed to aid the story in that regard).

What came easily?

The protagonist character came very easily to me, as his background and personality are somewhat mirrored from my own.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Certain elements of the flashback sequences were based on experiences of my father, who had a somewhat rough upbringing.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Cormac McCarthy and Raymond Chandler have been particularly influential on my interest in both reading and writing, especially in style. I’ve had an intense fascination with the crime genre since I was a kid; however, after reading No Country For Old Men over ten years ago, I’ve been especially interested in how terrifying the consequences of criminal behavior can be. Combined with McCarthy’s use of archaic language and gritty style, I’ve been keen on telling my own stories for a number of years.

Do you have a target reader?

Not particularly. Fans of classic noir will likely be especially intrigued by this story, but efforts were made to make it accessible to the casual reader. I feel that despite the genre, if a story draws interesting characters, readers can all find something in common with them.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

One strategy that helped to move the story along was an emphasis on momentum. I’m sure I’m not alone in my crippling self-criticisms, something that can set a writer back to the extent that he or she is never able to finish something. So, rather than harping on something I wasn’t entirely happy with, I’d instead make note of it, and keep the story going with the intention of going back and tweaking the problem area.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I attempted to do a physical outline, though it just didn’t come naturally to me. Instead, I would mentally picture specific scenes that I wanted to occur, and would mold the story in such a way that it would ultimately lead to said scenes.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I did a fair bit of editing along the way, especially regarding plot holes and such. After the first draft was complete, I re-read the entire story numerous times, fixing small errors; I also reached out to a few trusted people who were able to read and respond with their own feedback before submitting the manuscript to my editor, Carol, who’s amazing at doing quick turnarounds.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Shayne Silvers, author of the well-known Nate Temple series, recommended a freelance editor to me. She’s truly amazing at what she does and I can’t thank her or Shayne enough.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Sometimes, yes. I’m a music junkie, which readers would likely be able to guess by reading the many nods to bands in the book. Often, depending on the scene I’m trying to write, I’ll listen to what I imagine would be playing within the scene. For instance, in Marooned, there’s a club scene where electronic music is pumping and a fight breaks out – during this, I’d listen to albums by Boy Harsher or a synthwave artist like Perturbator. This tends to help very much with getting ideas out of my head and onto the page.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

It was considered, but no. I’m open to the idea of it, but for now I rather enjoy being my own boss with this venture.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

By seeing the success of other writers, such as Shayne, as well as the boom of indie filmmakers, musicians and artists, I figured that the paradigm has shifted in the writing world – rather than facing potential rejections around every corner, writers now have the capability of sharing their work directly with readers, which is really the dream of becoming a writer. I believe that because of this, we live in a very exciting period for the arts.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I reached out to the brilliant Ariel Zucker-Brull, a New York illustrator who’s most well-known for his album covers for musicians like Perturbator and Trevor Something. There’s something so gritty yet beautiful about his work that draws me in – I was actually shocked when he responded to my business proposal! I think that he did an amazing job and I hope he continues to work with me in the future.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I’m still figuring out the in’s and out’s of Amazon’s marketing services, social media ads and positive reinforcers like bloggers and reviewers. That said, I’m exploring every facet that becomes available to me so that I can find my audience.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Don’t be afraid, ever. We live in an era where the arts are no longer dictated by agents, managers, and corporate dregs who have no concept of anything but profits. If you’ve got a story in you just pushing to get out, just sit down and let it out. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it.

About You

Where did you grow up?

Rocky Point, North Carolina.

Where do you live now?

Wilmington, North Carolina.

What would you like readers to know about you?

“Jake Craven was born in the South and raised on a former plantation property. His interests include, but are not limited, to film, literature, vintage cars, and an endless supply of music. He is a longtime musician, former nuclear contractor, and graduate of Arizona State University. He resides with his family in Southeastern North Carolina. Marooned is his first novel.”

What are you working on now?

I’m currently revisiting a previous story I’d written several years ago about a couple of teenagers in the late ‘80s who find themselves in a precarious situation with a dangerous criminal racket.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Marooned from Amazon US or Amazon UK.

from The IndieView https://ift.tt/2Dlb6LY

Galleria Concord Gardens

Galleria by Concord Pacific is a new transit community located at No.3 Road and Capstan Way in Richmond. This project in inspired by art and technology, and includes spa-inspired bathrooms, Miele appliances, and a unique art facility area for children. Located just steps away from a 2-acre neighbourhood park, Galleria brings contemporary living to a park-side setting. 

The post Galleria Concord Gardens appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2yQqAnt

Galleria Concord Gardens

Galleria by Concord Pacific is a new transit community located at No.3 Road and Capstan Way in Richmond. This project in inspired by art and technology, and includes spa-inspired bathrooms, Miele appliances, and a unique art facility area for children. Located just steps away from a 2-acre neighbourhood park, Galleria brings contemporary living to a park-side setting. 

The post Galleria Concord Gardens appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Projects – Vancouver New Condos https://ift.tt/2yQqAnt

50 Best Backpacking Gifts Under $50

It can be difficult to pick good backpacking gifts if you're not an expert backpacker or hiker. That's why we've pulled together this list of the great backpacking gifts under $50 to help you get your backpacking friends gear that they'll appreciate.

Backpacking Gifts Under $50

1. Toaks Titanium 750 ml Pot. Ultralight backpack cook pot perfect for boiling water and simple cooking.
2. Toaks Titanium Alcohol Stove: Ultralight alcohol siphon-style backpacking stove. Super easy to use.
3. MSR Trail Shot Water Filter. Hand sized water filter great for trail runners and fast hikers.
4. Joby GorillaPod Action Tripod. Designed for GoPro Action cameras. Great accessory.
5. AntigravityGear Ultralight Bear Bag System. Weighs 3.8 oz and include 50′ of cord.
6. Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Hat. Super warm, windproof, Polartec Hat. A classic!
7. NEMO Fillo Backpacking Pillow. Best pillow EVER! A backpacker and camper favorite.
8. MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Canister Stove. Durable and reliable folding canister stove. Lasts forever.
9. Nitecore NU20 Rechargeable Headlamp. Ultralight. Super bright USB Rechargeable headlamp.
10. ENO Helios Hammock Strap System. Ultralight whoopie sling hammock suspension replacement system.
11. Sven Saw. Ultralight folding saw that's real handy for cutting firewood and trail maintenance.
12. Petzl e+Lite Headlamp. Ultralight headlamp. One of the best designed products ever!
13. Mountain Laurel Designs Event Rain Mitts. Makes hiking in the rain enjoyable again.
14. Mora Blaze Orange Bushcraft Knife. Great multi-purpose outdoor knife. Hard to lose color
15. Arlette Laan's (Trail name: Apple Pie) Hiker Sock Dolls: Lovely reminder of your friendship.

Backpacking Gifts Under $25

1. CNOC Vecto 3L Squeezable Water Bottle. Compatible with all Sawyer Squeeze, Mini, and Micro water filters.
2. Toaks Titanium Windscreen. Super lightweight and compatible with all non-canister stoves.
3. The Deuce #2 Ultralight Trowel. Bury your poop. Encourage Leave No Trace.
4. Dirty Girl Gaiters. The most popular hiking shoe gaiters on the planet. Radical and fun patterns!
5. Good To-Go Thai Curry. Great tasting dehydrated backpacking meal.
6. Tyvek Tent Footprint. Soft, quiet, and ultralight.
7. Possum Down Gloves. Super warm gloves from New Zealand.
8. Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket. Holds a phone or camera. Attaches to any backpack shoulder strap.
9. Simple Shower. Ultralight shower kit that connects to soda bottles.
10. Aquamira Water Treatment Drops. Great gift for new backpackers. Long shelf life.
11. Therm-a-Rest Seat Pad. Classic accordion-style sit pad to keep your bum warm and dry.
12. Swiss Army Spartan Knife. You can never go wrong giving someone a Swiss Army Knife.
13. Vargo Titanium Whistle. UL way to signal for help.
14. BRS UL Titanium Canister Stove. Compact folding stove. Just 25 grams.
15. Darn Tough Micro Cushion Hiking Socks. Backpackers favorite. Super durable and comfortable
16. Nite-Ize BugLit LED Micro flashlight. Perfect for backpacking and camping. Looks like a bug!
17. Luci Lantern. Solar powered lantern. Super lightweight. Good for emergencies too.
18. MSR Windburner Coffee Press Kit. Got a Windburner? You can have coffee too.
19. Snow Peak Titanium Trek 700 Mug. Ultralight cook pot which doubles as a bowl and mug.
20. REI Lifetime Membership. 10% rebate on all purchases for the rest of your life!

Backpacking Gifts Under $10

1. GoBite Uno Spork. Better than a traditional spork!
2. Victorinox Replacement Tweezers. Replace the missing tweezers in your Swiss Army Knife.
3. AlpineAire Food Indian Style Curry Freeze Dried Meal – Great tasting backpacking meal.
4. Injinji Liner Socks. Socks with distinct toes that stop blisters in their tracks
5. Dr. Bronner's Soap. A revelation if you've never tried it. 2 oz size for backpacking. (2 or 4 oz size).
6. Voile Ski Straps. These straps have a million and one uses for backpacking and skiing.
7. Lightload Towels. Mini wash towels that can withstand multiple uses.
8. Mountain House Ice Cream Sandwich. Freeze Dried!
9. Assortment of Mini Nalgene Bottles. Perfect for ultralight backpacking.
10. Packit Gourmet: Pasta Beef Bolognese Dinner: Hearty dehydrated dinner on the trail.
11. 12 oz. Nalgene Flask. Great for sipping whiskey or cordials on the trail.
12. Leukotape P Sportstape. Great blister prevention tape popular with long distance hikers.
13. Jetboil Coffee Press. Turns a Jetboil stove into a French press.
14. Tenacious Tape. The ultimate gear repair tape. A perfect stocking stuffer.
15. REI Gift Card. It you're clueless, give them a gift card. You can't go wrong.

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support SectionHiker's unsponsored gear reviews, articles, and hiking guides.

The post 50 Best Backpacking Gifts Under $50 appeared first on Section Hikers Backpacking Blog.

from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog https://ift.tt/2DhfD23

Food for the Sole – Backpacking Meals Review

Food for the Sole in a new Backpacking Meal Company out of Bend, Oregon that specializes in dehydrated Vegan and Gluten-Free meals. Founded by Julie and Henry Mosier, this mother and son team has created a dazzling array of tasty meals that are delicious and easy to prepare, including nutritious cold salads that just need to be soaked in water before being eaten.

Being a young company, Food for the Sole don't have a huge selection of different meals available yet, but the ones I've tried are pretty good, with excellent mouth feel and a complex array of flavors and textures. They're also very clean without any processed junk or unpronounceable ingredients, which is something I appreciate. All of their meals have 500-600 calories, but they're surprisingly filling and its often hard to eat anything else after you finish one.

Zesty Miso Broccoli Salad

Here's are the ones I've tried on backpacking trips and back home.

Triple Peanut Slaw (cold soak): This is Food for the Sole's signature disk and it is crunchy and peanut-y, without being spicy. Loaded with vegetables, it has enough body that you could enrich it with pre-soaked ramen noodles to make a feast.

Zesty Miso Broccoli Salad (cold soak): Another great tasting cold soak meal with actual broccoli florets and crunch.

Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Kale and Quinoa (hot): Super filling with a nice balance of flavors and textures. You'll be amazed by the amount of kale and sweet potatoes it contains. Bring toothpicks to get at the kale the sticks in your teeth!

Ratatouille with Nutty Quinoa Pilaf (hot): Another super filling dinner loaded with veggies and fresh garden flavor.

Food for the Sole's hot meals and cold salads take 15 to 20 minutes to rehydrate can be prepared in the bag. If you prefer cold soaked meals, you'll appreciate the fact that you don't have to measure fluid ounces when rehydrating their meals. Instead, their instructions tell you to add enough water to just cover the food, so you don't  have to carry a graduated measuring container like a cook pot or Nalgene bottle to measure out the exact amount of water needed.

At $11.00/each, Food for the Sole's meals are on the pricey side. But they make great stocking stuffers, so drop a hint to your family and friends this holiday season. Check them out at FoodforTheSale.co. 

Disclosure: The author received meals in order to write this review.

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The post Food for the Sole – Backpacking Meals Review appeared first on Section Hikers Backpacking Blog.

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