Outdoorsman Time

tips for the modern sportsman

Father’s Day 2018 Gift Guide

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With Father’s Day fast approaching, Outdoorsman Time has compiled some particular products that are bound to be the perfect gift for the Outdoorsy Dad. Whether he’s a grill master, hunter, or an explorer, we’ve got you covered.

Binoculars

Binos are the key factor in a successful outdoor experience. You’ll never know what’s only a couple hundred yards away if you can’t see that far. You can use them for scouting terrain, hunting, birding, and sporting events.

For the best outdoor glassing experience, we recommend a pair of Upland Optics Perception HD 10x42mm binos. These binos have a very wide FOV (Field Of View) of 113m at 1000 yards and come with lens protectors on the eyecups and objective lenses.

 

Outdoor Grill

Maybe your guy has been looking to showcase his talents on a new and improved grill for some time. Your family could also be in the market for a portable camping grill that you can fit in your car, trailer, or RV. We have some recommendations for both cases should the need arise.

The Weber 46510001 Spirit E310 is one of the most popular tri-burner currently on the market, and it routinely goes on sale during the holidays.

While the price cut isn’t dramatic, its way better than paying the full original price. The Spirit E310 has 424 sq in. of grilling space and 105 sq in. for warming. It’s the perfect outdoor grill for grilling/warming multiple foods and has an efficient price for a grill of its size and heating capacity. 

Coleman’s Road Trip LXE grill is one of the most popular portable grills on the market. It folds up neatly and you can roll it around on two wheels with the handle on the opposite side.

It’s also small enough to fit in the back of most vehicles, one of its most popular selling points.

 

Smartwatch

Fitness wearables are becoming increasingly popular with each passing day. For those who are looking to get their health back on track, a smartwatch or similar wearable can be the difference maker. Experts and fitness enthusiasts agree that a wearable tracker to be a big motivator to get active and stay active.

The Versa is Fitbit’s newest smartwatch. It combines style and advanced software to keep track of the various exercises you can do. Another plus for the Versa is that its not too outrageously priced. Fitbit routinely has sales even when there aren’t holidays in the near future, so look to pick this one up at a discount.

 

BBQ Tools

A set of fancy and shiny barbeque tools is sure to be on every guy’s wishlist. This 16-Piece set by BBQ Masters sports stainless steel tongs, brushes, skewers, and much more. This set is well received among customers because it includes two steak knives. High quality steak knives can be expensive on their own, so the BBQ Masters solve that problem by providing you with two.

Each tool has a loop at the bottom of the handle so you can hang them up or place them in the carrying case that comes with your purchase. Stainless steel is a favorite material among grill and barbeque masters, so you too can share in that experience of well-made barbequed foods.

 

Zero-Degree Sleeping Bag

A zero degree sleeping bag is a necessity for any outdoorsman when traveling into and through areas where temperatures drop below freezing. Your average sleeping bag doesn’t have the right layers of insulation to retain heat below freezing. Zero-degree bags fit around your body and head so as to keep as much heat circulating around you as possible.

The Outdoor Vitals Summit is our choice for the best zero-degree sleeping bag on the market. Its fill power rating of 800 is off the charts for sleeping bags, so whoever ends up using it is going to feel like they’re sleeping on a cloud.

 

Mother’s Day 2018 Gift Ideas for the Outdoorsy Mom

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With Mother’s Day fast approaching, shopping for the outdoorsy mom can be a little tricky. Here at Outdoorsman Time, we’re dedicated to helping you find the best products to enjoy the outdoors. Without going to into depth in a particular activity, we’ll look at some items that would make excellent gifts for the outgoing mom or any mom for that matter.

Hiking BootsOboz Women's Sawtooth Mid BDRY Hiking Boot,Iceburg,9.5 M US

Hiking boots and shoes are the bread and butter of any hiker. Running shoes will hold up in wet conditions, so its best to stick with boots and shoes with tough outer layers and insulating interiors.

My pair of Oboz boots got me through a week of backpacking in the depths of the Grand Canyon. Since then, Oboz has retained my loyalty and I’m certain they’ll work out for you. The women’s Sawtooth boots are some of the best reviewed and received in Oboz’s catalog.

Other boots/shoes we recommend:

Hydration Pack

Hydration packs are becoming increasingly popular for all types of hikes. Camelbak is one of the most popular brands, but nowadays there are cheaper and more diverse choices.

Both the packs and water bladders come in a variety of sizes and styles, which gives you many options to choose from. If you decide to purchase a water bladder without the encompassing pack, you can place it in a larger backpack and still drink from the tube. You may be able to save money this way and still get the bladder (the essential part).

Choose the Unigear pack if you’re looking to take a water bladder but have plenty of room to include other items.

Other hydration packs we recommend:

Trail Running ShoesSalomon Speedcross 4 Trail Running Shoe - Women's Blue Jay/Black/Infrared, US 9.0/UK 7.5

A popular alternative to hiking boots or shoes are trail running shoes. If you’re looking to get some extra exercise in, trail running shoes are the footwear that will enable you to run or jog on natural terrain without harming your feet.

The Salomon Women’s Speedcross is the 4th iteration in the Speedcross line, with a water-resistant textile built into the fabric of the exterior. You won’t have to worry about tying laces, as it comes with a simple pull string for easy tightening and loosening. They also come in a variety of vibrant color schemes.

Other trail runners we recommend:

Fitness TrackerFitbit Versa Smartwatch, Black/Black Aluminium, One Size (S & L Bands Included)

Fitness trackers are pretty popular for their health tracking software and reminders to keep active during the day. Working at a desk eight hours a day can leave your body pretty stiff at the end of the day. There are many different types of fitness trackers. Some are simple in that they only track steps, heart rate, and calories. Others, like smartwatches, have a variety of apps available to help you understand your health or go even about your day a little easier.

The Fitbit Versa is Fitbit’s newest smartwatch and has already impressed us with its style and versatile range of activity trackers. It’s not terribly expensive as well.

Other fitness trackers we recommend:

Standup Paddleboard

Standup Paddleboards (SUPs) provide a unique experience for water recreation. There are three different types of SUPs currently on the market: hard foam, wood, or inflatable. Inflatable ones are cheaper and easy to transport, while hard foam and wood are more authentic and can sometimes be used as surfboards. SUPs are also a commonly used platform for aquatic exercises. If you’re really looking to get into shape or work on your balance, consider a SUP this holiday season.

Our favorite SUP is the Surftech Saber. Pricey it may be, but it can double as a surfboard and has a sturdy EPS construction at its core.

Other SUPs we recommend:

Winter Coat/JacketImage result for Women's Arrowood Triclimate

The price of winter coats and jackets will skyrocket once fall sets in, so make sure to grab yours now while they’re at some of the lowest prices of the year. Take these hiking, backpacking, or just about any outdoor adventure that’s within your reach. Don’t forget to pack extra layers!

The North Face is a pretty reliable brand and also has an enormous selection of coats for all different situations. For general outdoor activities, we recommend the Arrowood Triclimate jacket.

Other jackets we recommend:

Action Camera

With the right tools and adjustments, action cameras can be mounted just about anywhere. Action cameras are designed to be hands-free so you can use your hands for more essential tasks. Plus, who doesn’t want to revisit memories of their favorite trip?

It’s for these reasons that we strongly recommend the GoPro HERO 6 Black. While there are definitely cheaper options, GoPro is almost unmatched in its quality, user-friendly interface, and adaptability to gimbals and selfie sticks.

Other action cameras we recommend:

ThermosThermos Stainless King 16-Ounce Travel Tumbler, Midnight Blue

Whereas water bladders and bottles are designed to just keep contents cool, thermos containers can keep things hot as well. If your mom is a coffee fanatic or enjoys taking soup on the go, a thermos or similar device is sure to make her life easier.

Thermos’ 16oz King is the most basic container in Thermos’ catalog but is also the most popular. It can keep contents warm for around 5 hours and chilled for about 18 hours.

Other Thermos’ we recommend:

The Best Outdoor Coolers (like Yeti!) of 2019

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As spring sets in and summer approaches, you’re probably thinking of a storage system for your food and drinks. While Yeti is certainly a popular brand for coolers, there are definitely people who dislike the brand or find them far too expensive.

Fear not! There are many coolers on the market that have risen to the challenge posed by Yeti. Remember: coolers don’t always come in the stereotypical ammo box-shaped container. You might find that shoulder carriers or smaller coolers work for you.

Let’s take a look at these coolers that are some of Yeti’s fiercest rivals.

ORCA

Orca stands for (Outdoor Recreational Company of America), which is a pretty ingenious title if you ask us. That pretty much establishes USA-made quality and performance on behalf of Orca. They are going to be on the pricier side of coolers but they do have a very wide selection of different designs and sizes you can choose from.

For the most part, Orca’s popularity comes from a secure and efficient design that keeps contents cooled for up to 10 days. Gone are the days that stuff you but in at the beginning of the day is melting at the end. One neat feature is that the clamps are actually shaped liked whale fins.

ORCA ORCG140 Cooler with Extendable flex-grip handles for comfortable solo or tandem portage, 140 quart, Green

You can also find a couple of specialized Orca coolers that have the designs and colors of your favorite college team. These particular items are routinely sold out, as you can imagine, for all the tailgate parties held during football season. Make sure to pick yours up as soon as possible!

Coleman

Coleman is heavily invested in all things outdoor-from grills to coolers to water bottles (you name it!). The Xtreme cooler has a unique design where you can place four cans on the top while its carrying handles fold down on the sides. Coleman has a knack for being temperature controlled devices and the Xtreme is one of their poster products.

Their highest capacity cooler, the Coastal Xtreme(120 qt), is still priced below $100. You should consider Coleman and its coolers if you’re looking to save some money while making extra use out of the cup holders and comfortable exterior surface.

RTIC

RTIC’s coolers design-wise are pretty similar to Orca’s but without the whale tails for clamps. They are far cheaper than Yeti products, which has proven to be a huge plus in the minds of RTIC customers. RTIC, like Yeti, also has a shoulder carrying version of a cooler, what they call a soft pack cooler. If you’re not looking to take too many foods or beverages on a short trip, you can pack one of these for said trip.

Here a couple of other popular RTIC coolers:

Why should you consider RTIC? If you were a long time Yeti customer and want the best alternative, RTIC is going to be it. The durable construction of the heavy coolers means you can use them as benches without compromising the temperature of the interior.

Igloo

Igloo Quick and Cool 100 Qt. Cooler

Igloo’s iconic all-white color is symbolic of their commitment to providing some large and efficient coolers. One of the most iconic coolers on the market is Igloo’s Quick and Cool container, which comes in two sizes.

As you can see, Igloo has some of the higher capacity coolers on the market. What makes Igloo so great compared to Yeti? Apart from having large capacity coolers, they’re pretty cheap too. Capacity and price are related, but there are lower capacity coolers out there that are more expensive than Igloo’s 150-quart container.

Grizzly

Grizzly’s coolers take the shape of most mainstream coolers but also comes in a variety of colors. One of the best aspects to Grizzly is the lifetime warranty, especially to their 40qt cooler. It may not hold as much compared to the larger coolers but it is substantially cheaper than Yeti. The interior insulation is designed to keep contents chilled for days.

It also comes with a 2in drainage system when you need to clean it, and a dry foods tray if you want to keep things from getting squashed. They also have a 15qt and 20qt version of this cooler. The 15qt comes with a shoulder strap.

Pelican

Pelican really takes the strength and durability of their products seriously. As you can see, the Elite 30 cooler isn’t as smooth and flat as Grizzly or RTIC, but this has four spots for cups on the corners of the top. The exterior is constructed of 2in thick polyurethane giving Pelican products remarkable insulation capabilities for up to 10 days.

While not exactly cheaper across the board compared to Yeti, Pelican does have similar cooling features. When you lock down those latches, you’ll know that your food or beverages will be safe from the heat and any unwanted guests.

Bison 

Bison may not be as well known as Yeti, RTIC, or Orca, but their products speak for themselves. Bison is a proud American brand and their Gen 2, 25qt cooler is roto-molded like Yeti products and has thick walls like Pelican. This cooler is also the perfect device for fishing because it has an integrated ruler.

Compared to Yeti, Bison’s coolers are every bit as strong and committed to temperature control. Customers have also complimented Bison on having a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty.

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