REVIEW - North Face Foundation 4 and 6

The Foundation tent merges thoughtful design and quality materials we have come to expect from The North Face. This family style tent offers a multitude of set up options with the casual camper in mind.

Dual doors and adjustable rain fly will keep your party dry and gives you quick access where you need it. Built in storage make it convenient to stow your phone wallet and keys so you can  forget about them until its time to head back to the rat race. The North face also offers a gear loft for extra storage and custom footprint to protect the underside from moisture and abrasions.





Pros:

•  We love that it can be set up with one person in a matter of minutes.  Lightweight bungee poles and tent clips make pitching this tent a snap.

• The adjustable rain fly can be staked down when rain is coming down in sheets. It allows you to create a vestibule to cover your pet carrier or muddy boots. 

• Two Doors.. its more fun than one. 

• Multiple mesh pockets. Everyone has a space to store their valuables. When you can see your gear its easy to find in a flash. 

• A large transparent mesh skylight provides excellent visibility and ventilation.

 

Cons:

• Lack of large windows on such a casual camping tent make you feel like something is missing... (the view.)
• After less than 10 camp outs the seam tape on the floors is becoming detached. 
  
  

This is one of my favorite weekend adventure tents. I even take it when I go fishing alone. Its easy to set up and so spacious I can set up a hammock and chair inside with room to spare. I would recommend anyone looking for a quality weekend camping tent to consider the Foundation series by The North Face.  

     

Features:

• Large, family camping-style tent with room for six and a partial fly.

• Aluminum alloy poles

• Fusion pitch combines pole sleeves and clips

• Taped nylon floor

• Partial fly with color-coded attachment

• Internal prayer-bound floor seams increase user space with clean angles

• Dual doors

• High-low venting with mesh screens and zip closure

• Stuff sack included

Foundation 6 Specifications:

• Style: AT1P Capacity: 6  

• Avg Weight: [Trail] 14 lbs 11 oz (6.67 kg); [Total] 16 lbs 10 oz (7.53 kg)  

• Fly: 75 denier, 185T polyester taffeta coated with 1200 mm PU Floor: 70 denier, 190T nylon taffeta coated with 2000 mm PU  

• Vestibule Area: 14 ft2 (1.3 m2)  

• Poles: [Number] 4; [Diameter] 14.5 mm, 12.0 mm  

• Fabric: [Canopy] 70 denier, 190T nylon taffeta Area: 79 ft2 (7.3 m2)

GEAR REVIEW - ONTARIO RAT 1

The Ontario RAT 1 is easily one of the best value blades I have found. When it comes to features this knife compromises in the right places and still offers a blade with great quality.

Length:

• Overall: 8.62"
• Blade: 3.6"
• Closed: 5"

Weight:

• 5.037 oz

After two years of testing it's still one of my favorite knives to carry every day. Coming in at under $30 you wont feel guilty putting it through the gauntlet. Although this blade may not offer premium materials you will find in knives ten times the price, it does offer features you usually can't find at this price point. The quality of materials and craftsmanship at this price are pretty unbelievable. This is one blade I can highly recommend if you are looking for a great value that will stand up to hard use.

Pro

• Price
• Looks awesome
• AUS 8 Stainless steel strong and holds a decent edge
• Great blade shape
• Stainless steel liners
• 4 way adjustable clip
• Dual thumb studs
• Comfortable ergo grip
• Lanyard hole

Con

• AUS 8 Steel can rust
• Zytel nylon scales are a little slick
• Liner lock
• Blade finish chips easily
• Made in Taiwan

Product Review - TEVA CHERRY BOMB KAYAK BOOT

The Teva Cherry Bomb is a high top water boot constructed of 4mm neoprene and SSR rubber soles. After wearing them two seasons and putting them through the gauntlet I'm ready to share my review.

I originally bought these boots for kayak fishing.  Over the last two years I've also tested them snorkeling in the ocean, hiking lava fields in Maui, and walking miles of free stone river beds fly fishing from Tennessee to Texas.

I was attracted to these boots because of the aggressive looking soles, cool style and digi-camo accents. They looked like they would protect my feet and hold tight to slick rocks. The high top neoprene keeps your feet warm in cool water and keeps gravel out. The straps make a comfortable fit and the sealed seams increase the durability at heavy wear points.

I was incredibly surprised that these boots didn't get totally destroyed on the lava in Maui, but they held up quite well. There were a few small pieces of the sole chewed up, but we're talking RAZOR sharp MAGMA! I was quite impressed at how well they protected my feet.

Walking on an aqueduct over a high river gorge in Maui.

As a kayaking boot the only major criticism I have is the lack of drainage. Since I live in the south, it was only a matter of time before I decided to take these guys wet wading. The first time I wore them fishing I noticed two issues. Although the boots protected my feet well, the traction was not up to par on the slick river rocks. Also, while fly fishing from a boulder the line got caught on the straps several times making casting a pain.

At the beginning of my last fishing trip I noticed that one of the rubber seams that connects the sole to the boot was beginning to crack at a flex point which was a little disappointing. I was happy with the use I got out of them considering the abuse I put them through. It wasn't until I got home that I saw the entire sole on the right boot must have completely come off the foot pad during my last day of wading. You can see in the picture below that there is a hard plastic insert that protects the sole, so I never felt a thing!

The final blow out... it was a good death!

 
I would recommend these boots for kayaking, wet wading on sandy and muddy bottoms, or protecting your feet at the beach or water park.

I would not recommend the Cherry Bombs for fly fishing and wet wading on slippery river rocks due to lack of traction, drainage and straps that snag.  

Pro:

• Toe and heel protection
• Fit/Comfort
• Warmth in cold water
• Snug fit keeps gravel out

Con:

• Lack of traction on slick rocks
• Poor water drainage
• Straps can catch and snag

Over all I would rate these boots a 7 and would buy them again if they were on sale.

If you have a recommendation for my next pair of boots or a piece of gear that you want reviewed leave a comment below or on our Facebook Page.