As a seasoned traveller, I have always been keen to try out new ways to carry everything required for a trip, without skimping on the essentials. As a writer and photographer, I needed protection, and this range of backpacks allows the safe transportation anywhere of my valuable items. It is a solidly built structure that I light-weight, and easy to use in the hardest of places. The backpack has seen some solid use in the last few months, kayaking on the Noosa River, a Fraser Island camping trip, and a friend borrowed it for his Mexico and Guatemala trip. The pack is still as strong and offers the same protection as it was the day I received it. It offers great waterproofing, this I found out with a slip up when my kayak overturned. Fortunately for my camera and laptop, this backpack boasts a water-resistant coating designed to handle everything nature offers. The pack is very comfortable to carry when full, and features the most comfortable shoulder straps I have had on any pack before. I can see myself using this pack for many years to come, which is great! I am fortunate enough to have been around iSUPS for quite some time, in fact even using one whilst paddling around the Florida Islands in 2016. I have to say how impressed I was when my new DRIFT ACTIVE PRO arrived, considering that I have been paddling another brand for the past 3 years….. From the quality backpack, reinforced shipping, inflatable thruster fin supports, and the strap to hold it all together when packed up were very impressive. Unpacked, inflated and into the river in 35km/h winds and incoming tide I went for my first paddle. 2 hours later and 7km covered I was blown away with the stability and ease of tracking. In fact that stable that I was able to fly-fish off it as well. Jane at www.sups.com.au has some awesome deals for BLADE & OE readers. They spruik themselves as the SUP Package specialists and I believe they certainly are. I actually had the pleasure of testing out two Hex backpacks over the past couple of months.
The first is the Signal backpack which is a great bag for travel - when you just can’t leave your computer at home! It’s actually also good if you’re just going to work or you have a meeting and need to take the essentials. It fits a laptop up to 15” and is water resistant, so if you’re heading out on a paddle adventure and want to record everything as you go (we’d love to hear your story!), this bag is definitely worth the investment. It’s so comfy to carry as well, and a whole lot better than shoulder laptop bags. I got the grey one, but there are plenty of colours and patterns available. Lighting a fire when you are out and about while trekking, hiking or mountain biking when you are short of time can be a bit stressful.
When it’s windy, it can be difficult to light a fire, when it’s raining it’s even harder. One of the best inventions for adventurers would have to be Arc Lighters flameless lighters. Flameless… There is a great range of USB rechargeable Arc lighters that are windproof and flameless to make your life easy when you are out and about. They don’t need gas, they don’t need other flammable liquids and they won’t blow out in the alpine winds. These lighters are durable as they have a metal casing, they look great, they are easy to charge, and they will last ages. You won’t need another lighter...ever again. If I could recommend ONE thing for all paddlers, surfers – anyone who loves the water, to purchase before next winter, it’s the Red Original Pro Change Jacket.
WOW. I actually tested this out on a recent rainy day and loved it. This is definitely the best thing since kayaks were invented, but it doesn’t matter what your flavour sport is – if you love to get out no matter the weather, this is the ultimate jacket. Basically, it fits so loosely (and is so warm) you don’t have to freeze when you take off your wetsuit or change from your wet clothes. It acts like a blanket, that doesn’t fall off! And you can just wear it straight home. It's super warm, gets you dry like a towel, and it looks great as well. It’s great for men, women, kayaking, surfing, fishing, camping – the options are endless. You could even keep the kids rugged up in it. We love it and highly recommend it! I can’t wait to take it to NZ in winter 2019 I recently got to review the Garmin® Instinct®: the cool new, shock-proof, GPS watch for a few weeks and it was certainly an interesting experience. Though it took some getting used to, once I started playing around I thought it was a whole lot of fun.
The watch records plenty of data, and it’s great for the adventure lover. It has access to GPS, GLONASS and Galileo so you know where you’re going, but it also has ABC and heart rate sensors, it’s tough and scratch resistant. I took it out on a camping trip and had a great time playing around with it, but the thing I loved most was being able to track everything I was doing each day. From the number of steps I took, to the calories burned and distance travelled. If you’re after a great watch to get you places, and keep track of all that info, this is the one for you. A 100% family owned business based in Darwin are the innovators behind the Frillneck. Whilst the original design dates back to 1994, the product has evolved to where it is today. Using cutting edge materials and design to ensure that anyone purchasing the Frillneck is afforded a high level of protection for the face, neck, ears and head in our harsh environment.
I received my sample just before the Christmas break to ensure I had it with me when heading into the Gorges. The simplicity and quality of design and manufacture stands out immediately, as well as comfort and ease of use. Even whilst out there on my SUP in 35 km/h winds it still stayed on offering me incredible protection. Check out the special offers at frillneck.com.au that you as a BLADE reader are entitled to. Ok so sometimes when you hear about or see a really cutting edge product you tend to get a little bit excited yeah?
Well, I came across a product that is now available here in Australia, FlipRocks – Extreme Flip Flops. I suppose we call them thongs but when they come with Velcro attachable interchangeable grip pads they are Flip Flops. On a serious note, I received mine 3 weeks ago and have not taken them off other than when going to bed. I have worn them casually, when out on my SUP and on a hike through the TIA and APSLEY Gorges in NSW. In fact, the pads are so easy to interchange and walk in and due to the construction do not hurt your feet when walking on a gravel or sandy patch. The Water Trekker pads that I had on ensured no slip, even with a dodgy knee. The guys at www.fliprocks.com.au have them in stock and available for immediate shipping. There is also a special discount code that they have kindly given us for all purchases made directly online, check out their ad in the mag for more information. Oh, and did I mention the one unique feature of the FlipRocks which is unlike any other sandal/thong/flip flop out there? Well, it's in the toe-guard design, anyone who’s ever kicked an onboard cleat or bloodied their toe on the rocks can appreciate that. As a seasoned traveller, I have always been keen to try out new ways to carry everything required for a trip, without skimping on the essentials. As a writer and photographer, I needed protection, and this range of backpacks allows the safe transportation anywhere of my valuable items.
It is a solidly built structure that I light-weight, and easy to use in the harde\st of places. The backpack has seen some solid use in the last few months, travelling everywhere with me, kayaking on the Noosa River, a Fraser Island camping trip, and to Mexico and Guatemala. The pack is still as strong and offers the same protection as it was the day I received it. It offers great waterproofing, this I found out with a slip up when my kayak overturned. Fortunately for my camera and laptop, this backpack boasts a water-resistant coating designed to handle everything nature offers. The pack is very comfortable to carry when full, and features excellent support and the most comfortable shoulder straps ive had on any pack before. Raising The Bar In Carryology PelicanTM Launches Mobile Protect Backpack Range You expect the very best when it comes to your everyday-carry-gear, especially when they are used for hauling your valuables such as laptops, tablets and e-readers - which is why PelicanTM has crafted the ultra-rugged Mobile Protect backpack range. Once again Pelican has raised the bar in terms of carryology to bring you a pack that provides exceptional device protection as well as great utility – and will last a lifetime. Thanks to exceptionally well-thought-out interior and exterior pocket design, the Mobile Protect series can hold it all: water bottles, laptops, tablets & smart phones - in fact, the unique loop-and-lock zipper pull system is featured on all laptop and media pockets, to ensure your more valuable cargo remains safe and secure at all times. Of course there’s also plenty of payload space for the regular items you want to carry for convenience. The foundation of Pelican’s Mobile Protect range is the durable 1000D nylon shell that boasts a water resistant coating designed to handle whatever nature throws at it. When you consider the ballistic nylon-coated impact zones and compression-molded EVA shoulder straps, back panel and impact zones, it’s evident Pelican cut zero corners in the construction of this pack. Even the zippers are tough - polyurethane coated YKK® zippers means strength and durability in the face of constant use. All of this backed by Pelican’s lifetime guarantee, these brand new 35, 25 and 20 litre packs are a new benchmark in ‘get up and go’. The popularity of wearing trail-running shoes for hiking has moved the footwear market towards lighter designs,and Merrell’s newest shoe in the cross-over lightweight category is their MQM Flex. It’s a combination of a trail running show and a hiking shoe which is very capable of performing well for both.
Putting on the Merrell MQM Flex, it’s immediately clear that it’s a very different shoe to the Hiker model. It feels like a trail runner, and the lightweight flexible soul is also thing and keeps you close to the ground. Although comfort is not high on it’s advantages, it is one of the lightest hiking shoes on the market. Lacking slightly in downhill grip, it has a solid heel cup, and the mesh makes it comfortable on a hot day. The shoe is also available in a waterproof option which mioght be a better choice for wet areas. Overall it is a versatile shoe that delivers enough protection and support for ultralight backpacking and day hikes. We are excited to introduce you to Merrell’s NEW MQM Flex footwear. Inspired by Athletes, but Made for You: The MQM Flex is Your New Favourite Mountain Guide Merrell took on the improbable of introducing a new way to move in the mountains after a few of our athlete ambassadors came to us with a challenge: build a shoe that has never been built before. Inspired by professional mountaineers, the MQM Flex—which stands for “Moving Quickly in the Mountains”—is light and flexible enough to propel you up a mountain, yet stable and protective enough to allow you to charge back down. The shoes offer a secure fit with a Hyperlock™ heel, natural flex with bidirectional flex grooves, and serious grip with a durable, sticky rubber outsole. The MQM Flex is a versatile shoe and serves as the bridge between a hardcore hiking boot and an ultra-‐athletic trail runner, making it the ultimate hiking companion. Just a Gob on a Stick - The Voice Behind the Mic, By Simon Hill Having commentated on major football games around the world for more than 25 years, English-born Fox Sports commentator and talent Simon Hill has become so much more than what his colleague once described as ‘just a gob on a stick’. It was Simon’s devotion to his beloved Manchester City that led him to follow his passion into a career working as a football presenter and commentator in both radio and television in the UK before moving to Australia, where he has become the voice of ‘the world game’. Simon recounts some of the many memorable football games he has been part of, including the Socceroos beating Uruguay in 2005 to qualify for the World Cup, and then for the excitement of Australia’s first appearance at a World Cup since 1974. – Simon Hill’s autobiography is a simple story of a boy from Manchester City. The stories he tells in this book don’t seem to disguise his drive to succeed, he also doesn’t hide anything to m,ake him look better than he is, and it is a tell-all tale of his hard schlep to achieve his success. From critically analysing relationships with his colleagues to his mistakes and consequences, the story is told chronologically from the time he was a twelve year old boy realising he was never going to be a professional footballer. It’s a uniquely personal account of a football career from the other side of the field, and it’s a great read for anyone. Whether you live an adventurous life or are just plain clumsy, there is one thing you are well-aware of, and that is it costs a whole lot of money to replace the screen on a broken phone. Keeping your phone safe when being adventurous could save your life in extreme circumstances, so it’s vital to make sure it’s protected at all costs.
Pelican’s range of phone cases for the new Samsung S9 and Samsung S9+ are an excellent choice for phone protection. The cases are robust, but they are also lightweight and not as bulky as a lot of other sturdy “life proof” cases are. This Pelican case it tough. No matter how many times the phone is dropped on a trail or from a bike, the case just keeps on protecting. Equally as effective on a jobsite as it is when you are rock climbing, the Pelican Shield Phone case is definitely worth the money you pay for it. An incredibly thorough research and development process led Pelican to design a range of streamline, lightweight cases that possess iconic Pelican toughness, without the bulkiness that characterises most robust phone cases on the market. Using sophisticated high-impact technology tested to stringent military standards, the Pelican range will protect your new device from the jobsite to the gym, and everywhere in between. The Shield The Pelican Shield phone case is built for Samsung S9 and S9+ models and constructed from Kevlar fibres providing 8x stronger than steel wiring, the Shield has earned its title. Five layers of protection, reinforced corners and a shock absorbing shell mean that your phone will be safe no matter what life throws at you. Specially designed, easy access covers keep dust and grit out of your charging and headphone ports when not in use without hindering function at all, meaning there’s no job too dirty for the Shield. Boasting 3x military-grade drop protection, including 3x the drops from 3x the height and 3x stronger than MIL-STD 810G military testing mandates, the Shield is protected by Pelican’s legendary lifetime warranty. If it breaks, it’ll get replaced - forever. Pelican Shield for Samsung S9 and S9+ RRP: $69.95 Available now via: www.pelicanstore.com.au Others include: The Pelican S9 and S9+ phone case range also includes the Ambassador, Voyager, Protector, Adventurer and Marine models, each to suit specific lifestyles but all designed with a few things in common; unparalleled toughness, incredibly robust construction and the backing of Pelican’s lifetime warranty. Extreme adventure sports need extreme measures when it comes to getting the right nutrients before, during and after your events, and training. One of the best new ranges of products available are Set the Bar’s EnerGi Bio Bars. EnerGi Bio Bars are a gluten free option that is high in protein. They are an excellent option for anyone who wants to keep blood sugars levels steady during your next adventure. Packed with probiotics and essential vitamins and minerals these bars are lightweight and thin for easy to carry options and have no artificial sugars. The bars were originally designed to combat the global “diabesity” epidemic and created a range of healthy options suitable for diabetics. They are a great snack to keep on you while being active and are a healthy snack option at any time of the day. Set the Bar Unveils Improved Formulations and New Flavours in their enerGi Bio Bars range The professionally formulated sports snack bar with research-backed health benefits This month, Set The Bar has officially re-launched their range of professionally formulated sports food products, enerGi Bio Bars, with two additional flavours and new packaging. The improved formulations are university certified low GI, with protein, antioxidants, probiotics and prebiotics to support energy production, gut health and the immune system. Brother-sister duo, Adam and Sascha Jones, originally established enerGi Bio Bars to combat and address the “diabesity” epidemic that’s increasing at an alarming rate across the globe. According to recent statistics released by Diabetes Australia, approximately 1.2 million Australians are registered diabetics, with the numbers increasing steadily each year*. The snack bars also provide unique health benefits for athletes, health conscious-consumers and busy mums. “We wanted to create a trusted healthy snack option for sportspeople, health conscious consumers and those that are pre-diabetic or have Type 2 Diabetes, created with their optimum health in mind. Each bar has research-backed health benefits and is university certified so consumers can be confident that our product will support them along their wellness journey,” said co-founder Sascha Jones. Releasing their flagship product in April 2017 (under the brand name enrGIsustain), the pair has expanded their product line with new flavours that offer a convenient, tasty and healthy snack alternative for consumers of all ages. In addition to keeping blood sugar levels steady, helping to maintain a healthy weight and providing sustained energy, the new snack bars assist with digestion and promote good gut bacteria. “We are so excited to unveil our new look bars and add two new flavours to the enerGi Bio Bars range, offering consumers even more choice for healthy snack options. Our bars not only taste delicious, but they also contain 15 billion colony forming units (CFU) of probiotics, an increased protein count and are packed full of 18 essential vitamins and minerals,” said co-founder Adam Jones. enerGi Bio Bars are made from specially selected low GI ingredients, are high in fibre and protein, glutenfree and contain no artificial sugars, perfectly suited for health-conscious consumers and those looking to manage their weight. Named after its ability to provide sustained energy for on-the-go consumers, enerGi Bio Bars are also the ideal sports food for athletes or people who lead active lifestyles as they provide a steady release of glucose into the blood stream. enerGi Bio Bars are now available in three delicious flavours, Dark Choc Coco-Nutz, Berry Bomb and Mint Madness, sweetened with low GI bee honey and all natural Xylitol to help reduce cavities. The bars can be purchased nationally through Bio Living and online at www.setthebar.co from $4.95 for a 40g bar. A visually stunning book of images from the deep captured for the love of diving with sharks. If you love divinG, you will love this book. It captures the essence of the ocean and the top of the food chain that hunts, lives and thrives in it. It offers information on almost every shark species in the ocean, as well as offering insight into some relatively unknown sharks, their behaviours and where you can encounter them. As beautiful as it is frightening, this book is a must buy for anyone who loves the ocean.
ABOUT THE BOOK The prospect of amazing encounters with Great Whites, Tiger Sharks, Whale Sharks, Hammerheads and many other shark species mean that each year more and more divers are heading underwater to swim with these magnificent and misunderstood predators at hot-spots all over the world, from Australia, South Africa, the USA and Mexico, to Fiji, the Red Sea, the UK and the Bahamas. This book is a complete guide for divers seeking sharks, and for everyone interested in these incredible creatures. It includes an in-depth introduction followed by comprehensive coverage of all the shark families and species that could be encountered, including many of the lesser-know sharks, with details of biology, behaviour and where to find them. There is also a listing of the best shark diving hot-spots from around the world. With more than 500 known species of sharks, and more being discovered every year, Diving With Sharks is the ultimate guide book for anyone wanting to learn more about these incredible creatures of the deep and also where to see them, up close and personal. Lighting a fire when you are out and about while trekking, hiking or mountain biking when you are short of time can be a bit stressful. When it’s windy, it can be difficult to light a fire, when it’s raining it’s even harder. One of the best inventions for adventurers would have to be flameless lighters. Flameless…There is a great range of USB rechargeable Arc lighters that are windproof and flameless to make your life easy when you are out and about. They don’t need gas, they don’t need other flammable liquids and they won’t blow out in the alpine winds. These lighters are durable as they have a metal casing, they look great, they are easy to charge, and they will last ages. You won’t ever need another lighter again. The last lighter you'll ever need we sell stylish plasma USB rechargeable Arc lighters that are windproof and flameless! Yes, that is right... no more refilling with butane or other liquids, these Arc Lighters will only need approximately an hour worth of charging to be able to last 3-4 packets of cigarettes! These lighters are encased in a metal alloy which makes the Arc Lighter durable to last. We offer 1 year warranty on all our Lighters. On the upside, you can use these lighters to ignite just about anything that is flammable. Each Arc Lighter comes in a beautiful box that can even be appreciated by anyone that is difficult to buy for. https://arclighters.com.au/collections/all
‘All Animal Beings’ delivers some of the most beautifully caught images of animals ever seen. The book features everything from iconic wildlife to farm animals and pets, mostly with a signature black background. Ken’s knowledge of animal body language and manners allows him to draw out unique character in each of his models. The book offers the reader the chance to engage in questions relating to our relationship with animals and will pull on the heartstrings of every animal-lover. All Animal Beings By Ken Drake All Animal Beings is a coffee table book containing beautiful photographs of the animals in our lives that we think we know best. All manner of pets, farmed animals and iconic wildlife are featured in Zoo Studio’s signature style, including their striking black backdrops. Some of these animals we call family, some we call foe, some we call food—All Animal Beings will showcase these creatures in a new light, as seen through the lens of highly awarded master photographer and animal specialist Ken Drake. The book will pull on the heartstrings of every ‘animal lover’ and provide thought-provoking messages on who we share the earth with. Photography aficionados will appreciate the skill that has gone into producing this stunning book. Readers are invited to engage and explore many questions relating to mankind’s relationship with animals through Ken’s photographs, for instance: Why are dogs considered a man’s best friend? Why can cats be so aloof? Why is it ok for us to eat some animals, but not others? Is it only domesticated animals that are smart, or does our wildlife have special abilities, too? Zoo Studio is passionate about helping animals in need and has worked with many charities since Zoo Studio was born. The launch of Zoo Studio Foundation has helped to provide a greater focus on raising funds by utilising photography and business skills for charities that can’t necessarily do it all themselves. Last year I received a pair of Merrell Moab shoes to test out for Outer Edge and let’s be honest, I’ve worn them every day since. Honestly, they are so comfortable! So when I was given the opportunity to test a newer style, I couldnt’ say no! And I’m glad I did.
Though I still keep my old ones on hand, the Moab 2 shoes are ridiculously comfortable – and they look great as well. They are actually waterproof as well, which is fantastic for hitting the rainforests around the hinterlands (which I love to do). Made from durable leathers, a supportive footbed, and Vibram® traction – I love them! There’s nothing worse than hitting the snow and the cold weather kills your phone battery. Or on the other side, extreme heat makes your phone battery 10 times hotter than it should be. This case ends all those issues.
The Lander Climate Control phone case is great for adventures, all year round, anywhere in Australia (or the world). It has Thermoline™ insulation technology, a temperature regulating component, to ensure your phone stays at a safe temp all the time! It’s compatible with all iPhone 6/6s/7 and you can buy it in purple or black. It’s stylish and fits easily in your pocket. https://www.lander.com/cases If you’re anything like us, you love escaping city life on the weekend. We spend a lot of time hiking, camping, kayaking, yak fishing; and one of the biggest problems we find is stocking up on enough cold drinks to get us through the day – without a big esky getting the way.
Icemule cooler bags are fantastic if you’re limited on cooler space. The 15L fits plenty of drink for everyone, and it keeps everything super cold, regardless of the Qld heat! The best part is when we get where we want to go, there’s no need to lug around eskies, when we can simply put the cooler bag on our back and away we go. Stylish and practical. When it comes to jeans, I always have trouble finding a pair that actually fit great, but that are also comfortable! Until I met Vigilante Travel Denim. Vigilante is a world leader in outdoor apparel and these jeans have a combination of both stretch and lightweight materials, for maximum comfort and ease of movement.
From the moment I put them on, I was in comfort and I’ve never loved a pair of jeans quite so much! They have moisture absorption technology that makes them fast drying if you get caught in the wet, and they are great for any occasion – whether you’re going out to dinner, or going hiking. http://www.vigilante.com.au WIGWAM Socks
Okay, so who doesn’t love a new pair of socks? And when you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, you want a pair of socks that are a. not going to stink; b. going to keep your feet comfortable and dry; and c. super stylish (probably not WIGWAM Socks so much stylish, but hey – why not!). American outdoor brand, Wigwam have released these high performance socks that give maximum comfort, while also keeping your feet fresh from odours, sweat – and even blisters. They come in a range of stylish designs (like these Copper Canyon ones) and they really do keep your feet feeling comfy all day long. BlackWolf Hiker
You probably love hiking and camping as much as I do, but one of the worst things about it is having to lug all your essentials along! The last thing you want when hiking along the Cape to Cape trail in WA, or along the Twelve Apostles Lodge Walk, is to have a sleeping bag that is weighing you down. That’s where the BlackWolf Hiker 300 is ideal. It has 700+ loft water repellant down with a hood for cold nights and zips for warmer weather. It’s really lightweight at 900g and can be used in temps as low as -16°C. Not to mention it’s bright blue and comes with a Lifetime Warranty! olloclip Pivot Do you love taking videos of your adventure but find it hard to get the right angles on your phone or camera? The olloclip Pivot is designed to combat any problems. It works with your phone, camera or GoPro, is water resistant if you want to head into the water for filming and it has 225 degrees of rotation to make sure you’re getting the right angle for your videos! The universal clamp and 1/4-20 tripod mount give you more flexibility and better protection (holding a phone while cycling can be hard!), and because it’s so small, you can take it anywhere with you! You expect the very best when it comes to your everyday-carry-gear, especially when they are used for hauling your valuables such as laptops, tablets and e-readers – which is why PelicanTM has crafted the ultra-rugged Mobile Protect backpack range. Once again Pelican has raised the bar in terms of carryology to bring you a pack that provides exceptional device protection as well as great utility – and will last a lifetime.
Thanks to exceptionally well-thought-out interior and exterior pocket design, the Mobile Protect series can hold it all: water bottles, laptops, tablets & smart phones – in fact, the unique loop-and-lock zipper pull system is featured on all laptop and media pockets, to ensure your more valuable cargo remains safe and secure at all times. Of course there’s also plenty of payload space for the regular items you want to carry for convenience. The foundation of Pelican’s Mobile Protect range is the durable 1000D nylon shell that boasts a water resistant coating designed to handle whatever nature throws at it. When you consider the ballistic nylon-coated impact zones and compression-molded EVA shoulder straps, back panel and impact zones, it’s evident Pelican cut zero corners in the construction of this pack. Even the zippers are tough – polyurethane coated YKK® zippers means strength and durability in the face of constant use. All of this backed by Pelican’s lifetime guarantee, these brand new 35, 25 and 20 litre packs are a new benchmark in ‘get up and go’. |