Photo Friday Winner!

2010 February 5

Nala tugging on the Chuckit!

Submitted by Amber.

Pictured is the Chuckit! Flying Squirrel, along with the photogenic Nala. Perhaps Nala earns a double bone-us, as we see her pictured here lying on the ever so comfy Canine Hardware Travel Bed!

If you would like to see more of Nala and some of the adventures she has taken, visit her blog, it is quite entertaining and very creative.

Every Friday, is Photo Friday, so submit those photos to photos@mpgear! Who knows, your canine may be the next MPGear star.

Photo Friday Winner!

2010 January 29
by gearoutfitter


Submitted by Team Checkpoint Zero.

Pictured is the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2P, along with some drying clothes and hey, the MPGear banner. Taken at the Abu Dhabi Adventure Challenge along the coast of United Arab Emirates. Team Checkpoint Zero competed with 40 other teams from around the world and placed 21st!
Checkout their write-up of the Big Agnes Seedhouse SL 2P.
Every Friday, is Photo Friday, so submit those photos to photos@mpgear! Who knows, you may be next weeks star.

Photo Friday Winner!

2010 January 22
by gearoutfitter


Submitted by fellow MPGear adventurer Wanda.
Pictured with Wanda are her new Atlas Elektra 923 snowshoes. Taken form atop Mt. Seymour, Vancouver BC on Christmas day. Nice work on getting out there on Christmas Wanda and thanks for the photo!

Every Friday is Photo Friday, so submit those MPGear photos to photos@mpgear and you may see yourself and your gear, right here, next week!

Photo Friday Winner!

2010 January 15
by gearoutfitter

Submitted by fellow MPGear adventurer Scott B.
Pictured is the LOSI 3P and a young intrepid camper, taken during a trip on the outskirts of Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand.
Every Friday is Photo Friday, so submit those MPGear photos to photos@mpgear and you may see yourself and your gear, right here, next week!

Basic Guide to Choosing Snowshoes

2010 January 12
by gearoutfitter
Two questions:
1. How much will you weigh when snowshoeing (body weight + clothes and gear)?
2. What snow conditions (typical to your region) will you be in: dry powder or heavy, wet snow?

Then, select the smallest snowshoe that can handle your typical load (combined body and pack weight).

SIZE

PACKED SNOW, MOUNTAINOUS OR DENSE BRUSH

POWDERED SNOW,

FLAT OR HILLY

8”x 20”

Child to 150 lbs.

Child to 125 lbs.

8”x 25”

100 lbs. to 175 lbs.

50 lbs. to 150 lbs.

9”x 30”

150 lbs. to 210 lbs.

125 lbs. to 200 lbs.

9”x 34”

200 lbs. to 275 lbs.

175 lbs. to 250 lbs.

10”x 36”

250 lbs. to 350 lbs.

200 lbs. to 300 lbs.

Have fun in the snow this Winter!!

Winter Woes – Which bike trainer is right for me?

2009 December 30
by gearoutfitter

As the year progresses and the days become shorter the amount of time you have available for training begins to fade away with the daylight…and lets face it, unless you are unemployed its nearly impossible to find the time to get out and ride. This is why cyclists of all types turn to their trainers for the fall/winter months. Bike trainers are a great way to stay in shape throughout the colder months, but with so many models out on the market it can be hard to chose the right one for you.
When considering an indoor bike trainer the major feature you will be looking at is the type of resistance. The three main types of resistance for trainers are wind, magnetic, and fluid, and while each provides an excellent workout for the rider, there are strengths and weaknesses to each.
The fluid trainers are touted as giving the rider the most realistic riding experience and have the most natural power curve. The intensity and resistance level of your workout is determined by how hard you’re pedaling and the gear you ride in. As you pedal faster the fluid within creates more resistance giving you the feel of riding on the road. Not only are these trainers the most realistic, but they are also the quietest out of the bunch (so if you are on the top floor of an apartment complex you may want to look into these). As the fluid trainers are the “top-of-the-line” on the market they also come with a top of the line price…but CycleOps has provided complete kits with everything you need for winter training at a great price. At $469.99 the JetFluid Pro Winter Training Kit gets you their best JetFluid Pro trainer, a rubber training mat to keep the sweat off your carpet, riser blocks to simulate climbing hills, and a bike thong to keep your remote control or nutrition bar close at hand.
Next in line are the Magnetic trainers. These also provide realistic levels of resistance, but there is a much wider range of trainers in this category than the fluids. CycleOps has a couple magnetic trainers that range from their basic Mag Trainer ($161.99) or Mag+ ($179.99) with a remote for increasing/decreasing resistance, up to their more advance SuperMagneto Pro trainer (trainer kit is $499.99) that allows the rider to more finely tune the amount of resistance. Having the ability to do this makes the SuperMagneto a great choice for those who are looking to share a trainer with a friend. You can set higher resistance for larger riders or those looking for a better workout, or a lower resistance for those less powerful riders.
Last, but certainly not least, are the wind trainers. These are an excellent, entry-level way for cyclists to keep pedaling strong when the weather doesn’t permit it. At just $159.99, the CycleOps Wind trainer reasonably priced and will give you the workout you’re looking for. You can even add a couple riser blocks at $22.50 ea. and start attacking some hill climbs. If you are looking for the trainer to take you to your place of Zen you may not want to pick up a wind trainer, because unlike the Fluids, these guys are a bit more noisy. But if waking up the neighbor that shares yours walls isn’t an issue this is surely the best way to go for an entry level trainer.
Once you know what you are looking to get out of your trainer you will be able to better select which will best fit your needs, but if you’re questioning which is right we always have the ‘gear guys’ sitting around to answer your questions.

Move like a goat with this family of Hydros!

2009 December 7
by gearoutfitter

They’re all here at MPGear, the kid-HydroSprint, the nanny-HydroSpeed and the billy-HydroSwift. This family of GoLite waist packs will help keep you hydrated on your journeys over the river and through the woods. The insulated bottle holsters will keep your milk warm and the mesh hip pockets will store your gel pudding.

Come on now, everybody, let’s run and sing – “Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go…”

Adventures of the Mad Pete O’Gear

2009 December 4
by gearoutfitter

…time before I can relieve myself in an appropriate location. You know, it’s very important, ZOWIE, I just got hit by the ATLAS thunder BOLT. Well, one problem solved, good thing I had my SKINS on. (“help”, “help”, “help”, heard in the distance). DUGAST! Somebody needs me. It’s nice to be needed. Come on Pete, get a GRIP. It’s time to…

OSPREY Talon Moonlight Blue – 30% OFF

2009 December 2
by gearoutfitter
Midnight Sale – Now 30% OFF!

MPGear has just a few of the 2007 Moonlight Blue Talon 33’s and Talon 44’s left in the store. So checkout the reviews and go to MPGear.com and snag one before these disappear.

Talon 33 Moonlight Blue: – $90.30, see a review
Talon 44 Moonlight Blue: – $111.30, see a review
These midnight sales are progressive, the savings will increase with the passing of time. So if you don’t like the price today check back later. But, you’ll never know when the sale turns into a pumpkin and the product disappears.

Come Sale Away!

2009 November 27
by gearoutfitter

No, it’s not a typo; I intentionally misspelled ’sail’ to draw attention to the big PFD sale we’ve got going on right now. Yes, I realize puns are the lowest form of humor, so if you need something to rid your mind of the bad joke, here’s a link to something much funnier.

Anyway, for a limited time, we’re offering as much as 20% off Astral, Extrasport, and NRS lifejackets; a pretty compelling offer, considering those are top-of-the-line brands. When you combine that with our free shipping offer on orders over $45, I’m sure you’ll agree you’re getting quite the bargain.

That’s it for today, but be sure to check back next week, as we’ll be rolling out many more offers on Cyber Monday.

Adventures of Mr. Pete O’Gear

2009 November 26
by gearoutfitter

...Hhmm, well it’s not too cold out here, thanks to my Beartooth. Let’s take a peek into my bottomless BA Stagecoach duffel. Ah, there it is, my Garmin 60CSx. While that powers up, let’s take a look around. Well, it sure is beautiful out here, cathedral-like. Wow, that raptor is huge, funny, it has a moonlight blue sheen to its feathers. Holy cow, it’s even clutching a Chinook in its Talons, you don’t see that every day. I better take a look at my trusty GPS, an el. of 4,063’, N 37.81986 and W -79.062527, where am I, in some kinda of wonderland? I suppose it’s time to break-in my Inov-8 Roclite’s and hike down this trail, it could be a long…

(to be cont’d)

The American Gladiator sleeping bag battle!

2009 November 23
by gearoutfitter

Lazer and Spark, like two chiseled athletes charging through the hit show American Gladiators, these sleeping bags survived the Eliminator round and now battle to become…Ultralight Champion!

In the men’s corner, with a trail weight of 33 oz., Lazer 30 is packed with high performing PrimaLoft ECO insulation, his body constructed with a Flex Technology that eliminates constriction and makes him more agile, improving his thermal efficiency.
In the ladies corner, with a trail weight of 25 oz., Spark 30, pumped-up naturally with 800-fill goose down and constructed with the same Flex technology as her opponent Lazer 30, she too has the impressive thermal efficiency of a true champion.
Lazer 30 and Spark 30, which will become the Sierra Designs ultralight sleeping bag champion? See now at MPGear.com. At 30% off, this battle may last only a few rounds.
Who will win the head-to-head MPGear battle challenge?

Get the Drift?

2009 November 20
by gearoutfitter


The Gregory Drift Winter Pack that is.

Designed with a narrow profile and constructed with abrasion and puncture resistant fabrics this pack is great for those winter adventures. With enough space to carry a shovel and probe, this pack, with its ski carry system, allows you to stow your skis vertically or diagonally with its non-slip, fastening attachment points.
So get out into the backcountry and don’t be caught without your Drift.
-MPGear tested, mother approved.
-Tested during the filming of Tokyo Drift (well, it could’ve been).
-Zach in a drift.

Adventures of Mr. Pete O’Gear

2009 November 19
by gearoutfitter

(cont’d from last week)

…hit you with my time travel Atlas trekking pole. Every Thursday you’ll be transported to a different location, ha, ha, I hope you have your Travel Bags packed.” The tiny child-like man withdrew a pole from his Gamut and pointed it directly at Mr. Pete O’Gear. A Virga like streak of Ether struck Mr. O’Gear.

“I’m so cold…I think I see Blue!”

(to be cont’d)

Bottles & Bottles & Bottles galore!

2009 November 17
by gearoutfitter
MPGear has an excellent selection of CamelBak water bottles, these make great gifts.
The CamelBak insulated Podium Chill Bottle – $6.00!
This is a great bottle for warm and cold weather alike. Pour some warm tea in for those cold, wet bike rides during Winter or chill down in the Summer with a gulp of liquid coolness.

-Designed to fit almost all bike cages.
-Not designed for extra-hot or boiling water, this will distort the plastic.
-Designed with HydroGuard antimicrobial technology.
-Designed without BPA.
-Designed with secure lockout cap for transport.
The CamelBak Better Bottle, better because it just is – $7.00!

-The Better Bottle can withstand being filled with boiling water or stored in below freeing temperatures. However, you probably should not boil the bottle and use caution when sipping contents that are hot, it’s like sucking hot magma through a straw and that could hurt.
-Is compatible with filters that adapt to 63 mm screw top, most market filters.
-In the straw off mode it becomes a tip and sip bottle. You’ll have to manually remove the straw. There’s no button that automatically does this for you.
-Dishwasher safe, BPA-Free, spill-proof and many colors too.
Buy one plus two plus three today at Mountains Plus Outdoor Gear.