BEYOND THE BACKYARD: THE NEW WOOX SOLO BACKCOUNTRY AXE
1 WOOX SOLO BACKCOUNTRY AXE
WOOX is a company built around its history of handed-down, father-to-son Italian crafts and traditions. The latest installment in its line of axes is definitely destined to be a part of some father-son adventuring, though it would also serve a solo adventurer well (as the name suggests). The new Solo axe was designed for hunters, campers and explorers seeking a multi-purpose implement that can withstand the rigors of backcountry adventuring.
The 8.5-inch-wide tempered carbon steel (C45/1045) slip-fit head has two cutting edges, the primary edge measuring 3.5 inches. The opposing side of the head is an adze, which is intended for fine point-work and digging tasks. The handle is Appalachian hickory and available in brown or black, each with detailed checkering for better grip. The Solo weighs 1.85 pounds, measures 19 inches long, and every axe includes a genuine Italian leather sheath.
“The Solo is designed in concert with renowned axe maker, Benjamin Bouchard, specifically for those who make their own path, oftentimes finding themselves alone enjoying a personal experience in the outdoors,” said Danilo Minello, CEO of WOOX. “The dual cutting edges and mattock make the Solo a true multitool for those conscientious of the weight they carry and getting every bit of use from that gear.”
The pulaski-style head is sharp on two edges and is ideal for a variety of cutting applications from trimming limbs, creating kindling or clearing a camping area. The adze side can serve for trimming bark, trenching and backcountry jobs where shaping large pieces of wood is useful.
“At less than two pounds and adding a load of utility, the Solo is a fantastic all-around tool for anyone going beyond the backyard and living off what they carry in on their back,” said Chip Hunnicutt, VP Marketing for WOOX. “Every Solo is backed by the WOOX 100 Years of Service commitment that includes free blade sharpening.”
SPECS
WOOX Solo Backcountry Axe
Head: Tempered carbon steel (C45/1045)
Edge: Convex
Head Size: 8.25 inches long x 3.5 inches tall
Blade Width: 0.5 inch
Adze Width: 1.5 inches
Handle: Appalachian hickory
Overall Length: 19 inches
Weight: 1.85 pounds
2 CANVAS CUTTER FORTRESS 2.0 BEDROLL
Canvas Cutter says its mission is to give you a great night’s sleep – anywhere – so you can enjoy more of any outdoor adventure you embark upon. The Fortress 2.0 Bedroll seems to deliver on that promise. The Fortress 2.0 is more of a sleeping system than a bedroll because it’s really a shelter and sleeping bag all rolled into one. And while it may seem a little bulky rolled up, it only weighs 6 pounds.
The Fortress 2.0 Bedroll shares the same features of Canvas Cutter’s Dominator 2.0 Bedroll but comes in a slightly smaller package, combining manageable packability with the durability and comfort of the company’s other offerings. This bedroll would be a sensible choice for any hunter, backpacker, angler or outdoor adventurer. The Fortress 2.0 is available as a bedroll only or a bundle, which includes Canvas Cutter’s dense foam pad and Standard Pole System for $485.97. Both are compatible with the company’s The Mesh screened liner accessory for an open-air or highly ventilated sleep experience that locks out annoying insects and other creepy crawlers.
For optimized room and comfort, the Fortress 2.0 is 7 feet long and measures 30 inches wide in the shoulder area, then tapers to a 24-inch width in the footbox. Sidewall heights taper from 14 to 11 inches. This bedroll is built on a foundation of durable 12-ounce canvas that is dual-treated to resist both water and mildew, with a breathable polyurethane coating on the inside that ensures comfortable and dry sleeping. All seams are double stitched for longevity, then taped for additional water and weather resistance.
The Fortress 2.0 features four zipper pulls that facilitate smooth operation for ingress and egress, as well as ventilation for temperature and airflow regulation. Built-in ventilation covers provide protection from the elements when vents are open. The bedroll also features robust, nylon cinch straps and quick-release buckles with a tensile strength of 1,700 pounds for secure packing and transport.
SPECS
Canvas Cutter Fortress 2.0 Bedroll
- 12-ounce canvas treated for water and mildew resistance
- Breathable polyurethane coating on the inside for extra water resistance
- Double-stitched and taped seams to keep the elements out
- Three quick-release buckles on nylon straps and easy to carry handle make set-up or roll-up simple and easy
- Four zipper sliders that allow you to control airflow, temperature and make it easy to get in and out on whatever side you want
- #8 YKK zipper that operates smoothly in dust, sand or mud
- Dimensions: 84 inches x 30-24 inches x 14-11 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
3. ALPS OUTDOORZ REDWOOD -25° SLEEPING BAG
Winter hunting? ALPS OutdoorZ has you covered at the end of a long, cold day in the field. Weighing in at 13 pounds, the company’s newest sleeping bag, the Redwood, isn’t for the ultralight hikers, but rather for car camping or a hunting base camp. This guy is less about convenience and more about comfort.
The Redwood -25° is a classic-style sleeping bag that is built to provide a cozy night’s sleep in otherwise frigid base camps. The oversized rectangular design boasts 38 x 80-inch dimensions, so there is plenty of room for any sleeping style.
Rated for -25° Fahrenheit, the bag utilizes a TechLoft Silver insulating fill with a warm and soft 100% cotton flannel liner and a rugged canvas outer shell for years of dependable use in the rough hunting camp conditions. The two-layer construction and offset quilting prevents cold spots and offers ample padding for use with or without a sleeping mat. Additional features include a heavy-duty #10 zipper and roll-up straps for easy storage and transport.
SPECS
ALPS OutdoorZ Redwood -25° Sleeping Bag
Temperature Rating: -25°
Dimensions: 38 inches x 80 inches
Fill: TechLoft Silver
Outer Material: Rugged canvas
Liner: 100% cotton
Liner Color: Flannel
Total Weight: 13 pounds
Shape: Oversized rectangle
Colors: Tan or Green
4. ARGO ATLAS EV AMPHIBIOUS XTV
For over a decade, ARGO has been a key player in the electric unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) and autonomous driving markets. A manufacturer of ATVs, SxSs, UTVs and amphibious Xtreme Terrain Vehicles (XTVs), ARGO is known for creating vehicles that can “Go Anywhere.” The company’s latest creation is a first: The world’s first fully electric amphibious 8×8 XTV, the Atlas. Outfitted with a single-drive electric motor generating 107 feet-to-pounds of torque, this fully electric amphibian is equipped with 28kWh of battery power with enhanced regenerative braking. It also has a hill ascend/descend assist that allows this machine to stop and turn on a dime while on inclines or declines.
Inside the cockpit is an interactive 12-inch touchscreen display that keeps you and your passengers informed on the vehicle’s status and health, with real-time reporting and a comprehensive list of integrated location and terrain mapping functions. With the adjustable front seats and room for two more people in the back, this ultra-quiet XTV allows you to go anywhere, in comfort.
The Atlas EV stands out not only as a fully amphibious, go-anywhere vehicle, but also is a testament to ARGO’s advancements within the electrification field. The newly launched Atlas EV XTV touts an independent steering motor, while the ARGO Admiral E-steer™ transmission incorporates steer by wire technology for seamless and progressive maneuvers.
The Atlas EV introduces ergonomic updates with an adjustable split front seat and contoured seating. The cosmetic refinements to the headlights and internally recessed winch retain all the function while making this Sky Silver Metallic 8×8 one eye-catching, very capable machine.
SPECS
ARGO Atlas EV XTV
Engine: Electric 48 V
Drive Motor: Electric
Steering Motor: Electric
Chassis: 8×8
Service Brakes: Electric
Steering Brakes: Electric
Transmission Type: Admiral E-steer
Drive Belt: Standard
Full Skid Plate: Standard
Brushguard: Accessory
Winch: 3,000 pound
Front Rack: Accessory
Bilge Pump: Standard
Load Capacity (Land): 437 pound (198 kg)
Load Capacity (Water): 237 pound (107 kg)
Towing Capacity: 1,800 pound (816 kg)
Seating Capacity (Land): 4
Seating Capacity (Water): 2
Speed (Land): 25 MPH (40 KM/H)
Speed (Water): 3 MPH (5 KM/H)
Weight: 2,113 pound (958 kg)
Length (Includes winch when standard): 119 inches (3,023 mm)
Width: 60 inches (1,524 mm)
Height: 51 inches (1,295 mm)
Axle-bearing Extensions: Standard
Tire: XT119 25X12-9
Rims: Steel airlock
Ground Clearance (Tires): 10 inches (254 mm)
Ground Clearance (Tracks): 11 inches (279 mm)
Warranty: 1 year
Color: Sky Silver Metallic
5 BERTUCCI ULTIMATE FIELD WATCH A-2A GOLDEN FIELD WATCH
Bertucci is the maker of Ultimate Field Watches, which are watches designed with a balance of ruggedness and class. The latest addition to Bertucci’s line of watches is the A-2A Golden Field, a rugged yet refined dress field watch with a striking gold look. The name of the game with this watch is versatility; it would be at home at the work site, the campsite and/or in a fancy restaurant.
“The A-2A Golden Field is not your grandpa’s gold watch,” said a spokesperson for Bertucci. “This watch is built for comfort, performance and durability with a gold look that will turn heads.” The A-2A Golden Field is built around a 40-millimeter (1.57 inches) case with a non-reflective anodized gold tone aluminum. It features Bertucci’s A-2 U.S.-patented Uni-body™ construction, with no pins or spring bars that can often fail.
The A-2A Golden Field watch features an accurate, gold-plated, all-metal movement and scratch resistant R-Type mineral glass crystal. It’s water resistant up to 100 meters, has a battery meant to last at least four years and an ergonomic 4 o’clock crown that won’t impinge wrist movement.
The watch dials come in black or white with gold details and large, easy-to-read numbers with 12- and 24-hour markings. The Swiss Super Luminous hands and markers provide visibility in low-light conditions.
Watch wearers can customize their A-2A Golden Field with Bertucci’s patented B-Type nylon webbing bands. New band colors for this watch come in Defender Olive Gold or Black Gold. Both are also available with a subtle stripe down the middle of the band or no stripe at all.
SPECS
Bertucci Ultimate Field Watch A-2A Golden Field Watch
Case Material: Aluminum
Case Diameter: 1.57 inches (40 millimeters)
Finish: Gold tone
Band Type Included: #95G Black Gold Line™ Nylon
Crystal: R-Type Mineral
Movement Type: Japan
Battery Life: 4 years
Luminosity: Swiss Super Luminous
Colors: Black Gold, Defender Olive Gold, Black Gold w/ Stripe, Defender Olive Gold w/ Stripe
6 PNUMA OUTDOORS PALISADE WEEKENDER JACKET
My favorite kind of jacket? A packable one. Aside from rain jackets, it’s not often that you come across a jacket that will pack down into its own stuff sack. Pnuma Outdoors’ new Palisade Weekender jacket is just that: a lightweight outerwear piece for wear in the urban jungle or in the field.
The Palisade Weekender is constructed using a water-repellant, microfiber outer shell that keeps you dry and comfortable in austere conditions. Treated with Polygiene® Odor Control and Odor Crunch®, the Weekender can also withstand daily wear without accumulating odor. Coming in a wide range of sizes and one color, a handsome, dusty green Pnuma calls “Savage Green,” the Weekender features a lower back hem for extra coverage while bending and a high collar to shield your neck from wind and rain. One of the nicest features about this jacket is the company’s Lifetime Warranty; Pnuma backs all of its products that bear the Pnuma logo for the full life of the product. If the jacket fails you, Pnuma will fix or replace it.
SPECS
Pnuma Outdoors Palisade Weekender Jacket
- Water-repellant and quick-drying DWR finish
- Microfiber shell reduces noise
- Reverse-coil YKK® AquaGuard® zippers
- Stuff sack included for packing down
- Lower back hem provides added coverage when on the move
- Synthetic and down blend insulation stays warmer and drier longer than traditional down insulation
- High collar protects the neck from wind and rain
- 100% Polyester
- 550g 50/50 Down/Polyester Blend Insulation
- Treated with Polygiene® Odor Control and Odor Crunch®
- Sizes: S, M, L, L-Tall, XL, XL-Tall, 2XL, 2XL-Tall, 3XL, 3XL-Tall
- Color: Savage Green