It’s finally May and anglers all over the country are out and about in pursuit of their favorite fish. Often what separates a great outing – or outdoorsman – from an average one is the gear we take. Well, here folks is a rundown of some of the new and best fishing and outdoor gear available at Sportsman’s Warehouse stores to ensure all your experiences are great! Continue Reading

What is tougher than a Grizzly?  Nothing that we have found when it comes to coolers.  Grizzly coolers are manufactured and developed by Iowa Rotocast Plastic (IRP) here in the United States.  IRP has been making rotomolded products since 1983 and their tough new line of coolers has what it takes to stand up to a hungry grizzly bear, let alone the tough usage of the Sportsman’s News team. Continue Reading

Every year, we head to the field to hunt and film episodes for SNTV.  I often stop at camps to visit with other hunters or talk with them while in the field.  It surprises me to see how many people I find without a rangefinder.  Knowing the exact yardage to your target will eliminate a lot of future misses if you have done your homework at the range. Continue Reading

It’s a scenario that parents of toddlers know too well: A day at the zoo, in the city, getting through the airport or an afternoon on the hiking trail starts to take its toll on tiny legs, and the toddler who began with a burst of energy is suddenly too tired to walk.  From that, the Piggyback Rider was born. Continue Reading

Picking the right tent for your situation is a big decision.  There are so many questions to ask and if you haven’t spent a lot of time in a tent, you don’t even know where to start.  Do you need a freestanding tent, three or four seasons tent, double wall or single wall.  The questions go on and on. Continue Reading

Nothing says elk camp like the glow of a white canvas wall tent on a cool September evening.  The smoke created from the wood stove slowly rides the thermal airwaves out across the valley while the residents enjoy a toasty evening reminiscing about hunts of the past as they plan the strategy for the upcoming days.

A smile comes across my face as I read this last paragraph.  It brings back so many great memories of life with family and great friends. The wall tent is a home away from home for all that use it.  The famed “Wall Tent” has been around for centuries and has been used by our military since the Civil War era.  It is a primary home for many outfitters and their clients throughout the summer and fall each and every year.  However, this isn’t just a piece of equipment for professionals.  More and more individuals are purchasing these tents for even the occasional usage.   Continue Reading

Being in the outdoors is a wonderful place to share time with family and friends.  Some of my greatest memories are with my wife and children on camping trips, away from the cable television and out of range from internet and phones.  Making sure you have a comfortable camp makes it easier to pull those family members away from the power outlet. Continue Reading

The company that we know of as Leica started building binoculars over 100 years ago.  It was in 1907 to be exact.  They have developed cutting edge technology since inception with the best German Engineering money could buy. The birding community has known about their quality, chromatic aberration, and clarity for many years.  Guides and outfitters have come to depend on these same qualities which were plugged into the first pair of binoculars with a built in rangefinder as well.   Continue Reading

Visiting the NIGHTFORCE website at www.NightForceOptics.com should be your first step in getting the correct model scope for your setup.   Click on the link for the “velocity reticle calculator” on the home page.  This will start the step by step process to input your rifle data and other atmospheric information. You will need to know several things about your rifle and ammunition setup, so you can provide accurate information to the program.  Take the time to get actual muzzle velocities and ballistic coefficients. Taking the time to get the correct data will maximize the performance of your new rifle package. Once you have entered your data into the fields, you will be provided with a results page showing the match for your setup.  You can print this sheet out and head to your local Sportsman’s Warehouse to order your specific scope. Continue Reading

Catching fish is only half the fun.  Enjoying your catch as table fare is equally enjoyable if you know how to prepare your bounty.  Alaskan Gourmet Batter helps to make that job just a little bit easier and a lot more enjoyable. Continue Reading

One of the most important parts of any fishing trip is staying dry.  On our many visits to waters around the world, the Sportsman’s News team has the chance to put many products to the test and one of those products that has made it on our “Must Have” list is the Caddis Wading System. Continue Reading

Spring is upon us and you know what that means Turkey Season!  The crew at Sportsman’s News has done a little behind the scenes gathering of information for all of you gobbler chasers out there and a stop at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse can get you set up with everything you need for a great hunt.   Continue Reading

The days are getting longer and the mountain trails are screaming your name.  It’s time to get out there and shed those few extra pounds that piled on during the winter months.  This task is daunting to many, but a sheer joy to others, but  is much easier to enjoy when your feet are comfortable.  Here are some of the great hiking shoes available at Sportsman’s Warehouse that should solve the comfort problem this year.  We have picked a couple of models of the most common brands and here is what they are all about.  All of the weights are based off of a size 10 or 11 shoe and taken here at our office.  Our team has field tested them all for the last couple of months and provided their full reviews and photos below.

Keen

Keen Inc. was developed in 2003 by Martin Keen and Rory Fuerst as a sandal company that could also protect the toes.   They were an immediate success and named the “Launch of the Year” by footwear industry publications.  Soon after this they added a variety of styles as well as different types of footwear.  In 2004 the Asian Tsunami that took the lives of  hundreds of thousands of people grabbed the hearts of the Keen team and they donated their entire marketing budget to the relief efforts.   This set the tone for their motto of “Living a Hydralife” which means that they are committed to creating solutions in their business practices and products that allow them to play without ceilings.  The products that they have developed this year to help you  with this same motto is the Oregon and Glarus models.

Oregon
The Oregon PCT multi-day hiker is a waterproof wonder featuring  a cushioning system made from natural materials for an eco-friendly take on tough performance. A supportive, interlocking stability plate gives you sure-footed assurance so the wilderness is yours to explore.

Weight Per Pair: 52 oz
Lining: KEEN.DRY™ Waterproof membrane and breathable textile
Upper: Leather, webbing and mesh
Height: 6″
Sole: Non-marking rubber outsole

This is a 6-inch mid-length hiking boot that comes to the top of the ankle. I have found that many boots with full leather uppers do not breathe well, but Keen’s slick design of the upper on this boot is a combination of leather and heavy synthetic material providing excellent breathability and did not make my feet sweat. Most of the synthetic material is in the tongue area so it is protected from abrasions under the laces. The eyelet and speed hooks for the laces are all metal. The interior of the boot is lined with Keens own proprietary water proof, breathable membrane “Keen Dry”. Although I never had an opportunity to wear the boots in wet conditions, I did allow them sit in 5 inches of water for over 2 hours and they never leaked.

The foundation this boot is built on is what makes it special. They have an aggressive tread that doesn’t hold rocks, which I found to have an excellent grip on rocky terrain. I never experienced slipping or sliding during my testing period. Keen put a high rubber wrap all the way up the back of the heel and the outsole wraps up and over the toe which both provide great support and protection from sharp rocks. This is exactly the type of boot construction that is required to stand up in the area I hike and hunt. I found the Oregon to be a very comfortable boot right out of the box requiring no break-in time. I have a slightly wide foot and I found the toe box to be a nice snug fit. I live in Southern NV and field tested this boot in very rocky rough Desert Sheep country. When hiking down steep terrain with a heavy pack, I was able to tighten the laces and had no problem with my toes banging into the toe of the boot like many other boots I have owned. They have a great solid feel and provide a snug fit that I found comfortable on hikes up to 6 hours. I have always worn a full length 10in. high boot for hunting and hiking. This shorter mid-length Oregon has changed my mind about that. I really did not expect this boot to perform as well as it did. From everyday walking around in town to the nastiest sheep country in the desert, they performed flawlessly and best of all my feet still felt good at the end of the day. To top it off they are also a good looking boot. On this review I really didn’t have any negative qualities I could find in the Keen Oregon PCT boots. They have just become my new favorite boot, and I will put them through hell this year and give an update to this review in December. If you are looking for a sturdy comfortable boot that can handle long hauls over the toughest terrain, I would strongly recommend giving these boots a try. – Paul Harris, Pro-staffer.

Glarus
The Glarus is built for long weekend trips. A durable, waterproof full-grain leather upper mated with a KEEN.DRY waterproof membrane ensures your feet will stay dry in the backcountry. The high-traction directional lugs will keep you on the path with ease.

Weight Per Pair: 48 oz
Lining: KEEN.DRY™ Waterproof membrane and breathable textile
Upper: Waterproof full-grain leather upper
Height: 6”
Rubber: Non-marking rubber outsole

When I first put these boots on, I didn’t think I was going to like them very much. They have a rigid foot bed that conforms your foot to the boot rather than the boot conforming to your foot. After wearing them for a while, I realized that they were conforming my foot to the best shape to properly walk without tiring out my feet and calves.

These boots have a removeable padded EVA midsole and TPU torsion shank that prevents overflexion of the foot, especially when carrying a heavy pack. The ample toe box prevented squashing my toes with downhill steps.

Where the Glarus really performs is in the waterproof department. The waterproof KEEN.DRY membrane provided excellent wetness protection while the ample mesh padding allowed plenty of airflow keeping my feet dry from the inside and outside.  Ample padding kept my feet warm without being too toasty that they overheated.

This 6-inch hybrid hiker features a full grain leather upper and lower providing ample protection from prickly things and added armor against things with fangs, both of which are a real plus in the places I hike. A heavy lug sole acts like an off-road tire in providing ample traction in all kinds of terrain, which is what you would expect from a boot named for a Swiss city at the foot of the Alps. – Dan Kidder, Managing Editor.

Vasque

The Vasque name was originally developed in 1971, but the mother corporation who owns the Vasque name is Redwing Shoes and has been around for over a hundred years.   Their boots were field tested in our histories toughest battlegrounds during World War I and II.  So, to say that these guys know a lot about boots would be an understatement.  The Vasque brand  grew  tremendously  as climbing,  hiking, and backpacking took the United States by storm throughout the 80’s.   The company continues to grow today and here are a couple of their products that we couldn’t wait to put to the test.

Breeze
This boot is an athletically inspired classic style boot.  The aerobically-inclined boot is extremely  light and actually feel lighter than they weigh .  However, they still offer good protection  for those who move quickly over varied terrain. The aggressive lugs on the Vasque-exclusive Vibram® contact sole provide stability and traction on the roughest trails.

Weight Per Pair: 39 oz.
Lining: Non-waterproof breathable  textiles-
Upper: Leather, webbing, and mesh
Height: 5.5”
Sole: Vibram®

I am a hiking machine these days. I am about 10 percent into my goal to hike 2,000 miles this season. Part of this goal is inspired by the ability to test out new hiking boots and out of all of the miles and boots I have put under my feet this year, the Vasque Breeze 6-inch hiker has been my favorite so far.

I took the Breeze on one of the top hikes in the world, a 4.2-mile long roundtrip to the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park. While the overall length of less than 5 miles may sound like a walk in the park, so to speak, the steepness and severity of the hike will really put a hiker and his footwear to the test. Slim paths with 1,200 foot drops on one side and 800 foot drops on the other while pulling yourself along chains to prevent a fall, make this hike one to be avoided by those who are faint of heart or have trouble with heights. The Vasque Breeze performed flawlessly. Normally, I am a little nervous to pull a pair of boots straight out of the box and take them on a serious hike, but timing was a problem and I didn’t get a chance to wear these for a week or so before their first major test. I didn’t need to worry about it with the Breeze. They fit perfectly straight out of the box and never gave my feet the slightest discomfort on the entire trek.

The Vasque Breeze boots felt like an extension of my leg, giving me the confidence of a mountain goat on the rugged terrain. While many people were tripping on the trail, slipping in pockets of snow and ice that hid out the shaded parts of the path, or were opting to go barefoot because their footwear had failed them, the Breeze took it all in stride if you will pardon the pun, and destroyed anything that it encountered.

The Breeze is not designed for cold weather hiking or for hiking in nasty wet environments, but as a summer desert hiker, I have never had a better boot for such a rugged and hostile environment. The heavy-duty Vibram sole grabbed the terrain in its fist and never let my foot slide even a little. the 6-inch upper provided the perfect amount of cushioning and support to my ankles, even at some pretty freaky angles. The breathablilty of these boots kept my feet nice and dry and from overheating, even with wool socks. They were a perfect fit, right out of the box, and did everything I asked of them without complaint, which is more than I can say for my hiking companion. – Dan Kidder, Managing Editor.

Wasatch
This is an extremely high quality boot,  fit for any occasion.  Although this boot isn’t new for 2012, it deserves to be mentioned because it rises to the top of all of our testing and has for many years.  Although a little on the heavy side for a day to day shoe, the overall comfort and durability has made it my personal choice for the last 3 years.   Whether I am working  at my desk,  scouting for deer, or climbing 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, you can be sure that I will be wearing my Vasque Wasatch.

Weight Per Pair: 54 oz.
Lining: Gore-Tex®
Upper: Full Leather
Height: 5”
Sole: Vibram®

This pair of Wasatch boots has hiked more than 2,500 miles.

This boot is a full leather upper and weighs in at 3.43 pounds for our size 10 medium width test models.  This is a little heavy, but to be expected with a full leather boot with PU mid-sole and full rubber toe rand. All of these assets make this boot extremely durable with a lot of support.   I have had the benefit of beating this boot up for over a three full years now because it is my absolute favorite boot for all around use.  The full leather upper is just over the ankle and high enough to give you some excellent support for even heavy loads (60 plus pounds).  The Vibram® soles are extremely durable and grab rocks like an extra set of hands even when wet.  The GTX in the name stands for Gore-Tex® and is the standard for breathability and waterproof in the same breath.  A new pair of boots will keep you dry in all occasions unless you get yourself into water over the tops.  Anyone with high arches will love this boot and without aftermarket arch supports.  I especially like the toe box on the Wasatch boot.  I have a fairly narrow foot with high arches, but the correct sizing (medium) that fits most of my foot leaves my toes cramped and will cause fatigue after a few hours in most shoes, but not the case with the Wasatch. The toe box has ample width while the rest of the footbed still keeps a snug fit around the ankles.  During this review, I had the privilege of breaking in a new pair of Wasatch instead of my old broken in pair.  The old pair were broken in during 2009 early shed hunting season and continued to gain my confidence over the next 3 years of daily use.  I have an estimated 2500 miles on this pair of shoes and the Gore-Tex® liners finally gave away and I had a wet foot on a rainy trip to Disneyland.  I can honestly say that I pushed these boots beyond the limits of expectations and they performed flawlessly. 2500 miles is more than I would expect out of any pair of boots by more than double.   The break in on Wasatch in unnecessary because they are extremely comfortable out of the box, but it was great to see that all the things I grew to like about the first pair of Wasatch had stayed consistent with the new pair.  These boots run very true to size and is one you can confidently order online. This is one of the best and most durable boots available at Sportsman’s Warehouse in this category in my opinion. – Michael Deming, Publisher.

Vasque Bitterroot GTX

Most trail professionals will tell you that the majority of accidents occur while trekking downhill. When you add even 15-30 pounds of weight on your back the punishment to feet, ankles and knees goes up exponentially. As do the odds for a slip or fall. When hiking with heavier loads like a full 4-day winter pack or a caped-out Elk, boots with aggressive tread and well-built construction become mandatory. I found such a boot in Vasque’s Bitterroot GTX.

The Bitterroot GTX Slate Chili Mdl. 7170 has a full leather upper and weighs in at 3.8 lbs (1588gr) for the size 11 Med width test model sent to me.  This is a couple ounces heavier than its cousin the Wasatch, but the extra construction of the foot bed more than makes up for those few ounces.

Construction of this model utilizes the exclusive to Vasque Vibram® Summit Sole and a Hybrid Summit Last that utilizes the heel from the Arc Tempo with a straighter forepart. All of these assets make this boot extremely durable with a lot of support. During several trips to the mountains I found that the full leather upper had ample padding placed high enough over the ankle to give some excellent support and to keep ankles from getting banged about while scrambling up and down rocky trails.

The Gore-Tex® liners in these boots kept my feet dry during the wettest conditions of a 3-day hike, one reason they are the industry standard for breathability and waterproofing. The foot bed provides some of the best out-of-the-box support for both the arch and ball of the foot. This design also minimizes the amount of forward shift against your toes, something immediately appreciated once you start down a steep rock staircase with an overloaded pack. Heavy duty lacing eyelets allows a dialed in fit from toe-box up to the ankle. I purposefully pushed the Bitterroot GTX boots beyond the comfort level of my normal trips to see how my feet and knees would feel after a long day on the trail. What I found out was after 12 miles with a 50lb pack, my feet were less swollen at the end of the day and my knees required less stretching out in the morning before heading off on the next day of boot testing.

It was great to see that all the things I grew to like about my old pair of Wasatch boots had stayed consistent with this more rugged upgrade.  These boots run very true to size. The Bitterroot GTX is one of the best and most durable boots available at Sportsman’s Warehouse for serious heavy load, rough terrain backpacking or steep trail hiking. – Lee Wilson, Pro-staffer

Merrell

Merrell was founded by Clark Matis, Randy Merrell, and John Schweitzer in 1981 as a maker of high-performance hiking boots.   Randy Merrell had made a name for himself making highly-praised custom boots which retailed for $500 a pair.  The team worked  to designing a more affordable high-performance boot, which was developed in 1982 with plans  for production of the new line in factories located in Italy.  The new line was a huge success and the company continued to grow.  In the late 90’s, footwear giant Wolverine World Wide took interest and purchased the growing company.   The Merrell brand continues to grow today and here are a couple of models from the new line.

Phaser Peak Waterproof
The Phaser executes every outdoor mission through rough terrain and variable conditions with moisture-free precision. The high-cut Nubuck upper tops off Merrell® waterproof construction throughout. A Merrell® 6mm tapered-nylon grade 4 insole adds stability to the durable EVA footframe and aggressive Vibram® Phaser sole.

Weight Per Pair: 49 oz.
Lining: Waterproof Membrane treated with Aegis®
Upper: Nubuk Full Leather
Height: 5”
Sole: Vibram®

The Phaser offers a Nubuck leather upper, weighing in at 3.1 pounds.  I normally where a size 9 or 9.5, but found the sizing a little on the small side, so our testing was with a men’s size 10.  Out of the box, I found the Phaser to be a little stiff, but quite comfortable to the feel.  The give in the most important area, about in-line with the second lacing hook from the front was very good.  The lining throughout was very good with no uncomfortable feeling from heel to toe, especially along the top of my foot, cushioned by a very well padded bellows tongue.

The height of the shoe gives good support and offers very good mobility while climbing.  The base width was perfect for my, a little on the wide side feet, adding much needed stability when on the move.  This was also aided by the unique lace design, incorporating a “hook and loop” combination that really seems to help secure your foot and add to the overall feel and support.  Merrell also uses air cushioning in the heel , greatly enhancing the shock absorbability and again adds to the stability of the Phaser.  The Phaser incorporates a waterproof membrane that is treated with Aegis antimicrobial solution that performed  well in our testing conditions.  In my opinion, the Phaser is built for a little more on the cool side of the hiking spectrum, which is fine since I spend a lot of time in Alaska and in the mountainous terrain of the west in search of big game.  The Vibam  sole and Trek rubber make for very good feel and mobility on most surfaces.  I would like a little more aggressive pattern for my extreme use (of course that tends to add weight to the equation as well) but the Phaser performed very well in both extreme ascending and descending conditions.

Now that I have had a chance to give the Phaser a fair break-in period, I will have to admit it is one of the most comfortable boots I have ever owned.  Although I will use them primarily for hiking and hunting, you will find me wearing them around town and hustling from gate to gate at the airport on my way to those hunting and fishing destinations.  Merrell’s Phaser Peak is another great example of quality and workmanship you can expect from one of the best names in the business! – Kent Danjanovich, Senior Editor.

Moab Vent Mid Waterproof
The mid-height version of Merrell’s endless summer essential is now an even better match for summer spritzers or water spurts with the addition of waterproof construction and the leather reinforced breathable mesh upper. Women’s version includes QForm® Comfort stride alignment in the Merrell air cushion midsole. Vibram® Multi-Sport Plus sole increases braking power at the heel for more demanding terrain.

Weight Per Pair: 38 oz.
Lining: Waterproof Membrane treated with Aegis®
Upper: Nubuk Full Leather
Height: 3.5”
Sole: Vibram®

A nice fitted boot that feels broke in from the first time you put them on. Light weight and breathable makes this boot ideal for many different applications of use. Used in many different conditions from wearing in temperature controlled environments to exterior challenging conditions.  The Vibram sole performed extremely well from slick rocks while shed hunting to gripping slippery slopes to snow and ice covered sidewalks. The Vibram sole was pliable enough to grip sharp rocks, snowy ground cover and dead fall but yet not distort the comfort of the boot. I was pleasantly surprised with the ankle support of this boot, as usually when I go into the back country I don’t trust anything that isn’t mid calf or higher to support my weak ankles. There was not a time even on steep rocky slopes that I felt my ankle support was compromised. The water proof feature as well was very nice when traversing north slopes still covered with snow and my feet maintained a completely dry and warm status. I have taken this boot to cold weather ball games when I wanted something more than a tennis shoe and felt very pleased with its ability to look nice and keep my foot warm. The lacing is very secure and strong, in fact, almost too strong that I feel more secure with the laces staying tied by tying double knots. All in all there was no need to worry about breaking them in as they fit my foot perfectly and give really good arch support. The comfort and light weight design of this boot allows me to use this product in the rough outdoors or in a controlled environment and stay completely secure with my choice of footwear.- Rick Lunt, Pro-Staffer.

Danner

The Danner Shoe Mfg. Company opened its doors in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin with five employees to begin  the manufacturing  of low priced handcrafted work boots in 1932.  Owner Charles Danner strived to make higher quality boots and eventually moved the company to Portland, Oregon where it catered to loggers and shipyard workers.   The company was later passed down to sons Bill and John.  Bill purchased his brothers interest and continued the growth of the company throughout the vast expansion of hiking and outdoor footwear.   After 50 years of being a family business, the company was sold and today it is owned by Lacrosse Footwear, Inc. who has successfully been delivering rubber boots to the world since 1897.  They still demand the high quality that Charles required when he started the company and here are two models from the 2012 lineup.

Sobo Low

Developed to provide the comfort and stability needed for 20 mile-a-day light and fast hikes, the Sobo features a durable suede, nubuc leather and lightweight nylon upper, an antimicrobial mesh lining in the collar and tongue, a lightweight moisture wicking PU footbed, a cushioning EVA midsole and the athletic performance of Danner’s lightweight Trailguard platform.

Weight Per Pair: 32 oz.
Lining: Anitmicrobial mesh lining
Upper: Durable suede and nubuc leather upper with rugged and lightweight nylon
Height: 3”
Sole: Danner® Appalachian outsole

I hate sneakers. The only time I wear them is when I am running or hitting the gym. Other than that, I have on cowboy boots, hiking boots, work boots, or tactical boots. I like boots on my feet. Having said that, I really liked the look and feel of the Danner Sobo Low hikers. A 3-inch hiking shoe that is a hybrid between the comfort of a sneaker and the style of a hiking shoe.

I took these on about a 10 mile overland hike far from any marked trails. I did find that the low cut provided less ankle support than I would have preferred for this type of hike. These low-riders offer a versatile sole more appropriate for a trail shoe than for serious offroading. They are light-weight, and feature an anti-microbial mesh lining for extended wear without building up foot odor. A heavy rubber welt over the toe protects from abrasion from rough terrain.

Not only do these shoes (I refuse to call them boots even though Danner does) have their place on the trail, but they are a perfect selection for an everyday wear shoe if your daily routine calls for more than a lowly sneaker can deliver. – Dan Kidder, Managing Editor.

Mt. Defiance
Defying the belief that stability and support must come with added weigh t.  Crafted with a durable waterproof leather upper, a reinforced toe box, a rubber heel counter which locks your heel in place and Danner’s lightweight yet extremely stable TFX®2 platform, the Mt. Defiance defies all odds performing as a rugged hiking boot which provides the stability and support needed to carry loads in ascending and descending terrain while keeping the boot weight to a minimum.

Weight Per Pair: 50 oz.
Lining: GORE-TEX®
Upper: Full-grain all leather upper
Height: 5.5”
Sole: Danner

Danner’s Mt. Defiance is a rugged performance hiking boot that offers the stability of a heavy duty boot with less weight and more comfort.  Along with being light-weight (50 ounces) the boot is crafted with a waterproof leather upper, breathable GORE-TEX lining, and a reinforced toe.  It also has a rubber heel counter, which locks your heel in place.  The boot has a TFX2 (Terra Force X2) platform, which allows for great stability in extreme conditions, whether ascending or descending the terrain. This boot is designed for moderate to cool temperatures.

I generally wear a boot size between 9.5 and 10. The testing size for this review was a size 10. My feet are on the narrow side, requiring me to do a little extra searching when looking for a good hiking boot that will keep my feet stable. To my pleasant surprise, the Mt. Defiance was just the boot I was looking for; the footbed was soft and the heel counter held my foot in place nicely. The toe box left plenty of room, so cramping was not an issue. They felt stiff and rugged out of the box as advertised, but they were also accompanied by comfort and a light-weight feel. The height of the boot gave good support and didn’t hinder my mobility. The outsole of the boot is very aggressive and perfect for rugged terrain and has an abrasion-resistant toe and heel cap that will do the job for me in the challenging terrain of southern Utah.

After wearing the Mt. Defiance boots on multiple trips up and down the mountain, my experience and impressions haven’t changed. They were comfortable from the first trip and were noticeably light as I climbed from low to high terrain. The tread design has been great for both  dry and wet weather conditions. The build of the shoe, with its solid heel counter, toe box, TFX2 platform and GORE-TEX lining have allowed me to enjoy the scenery and not worry about my feet. The Mt. Defiance boot is another example of a great product made by Danner.  I would recommend this boot to anyone looking for a dependable, light- weight boot.  If you seek comfort, performance and durability, then Danner’s Mt. Defiance just might be the right boot for you. – Kent Danjanovich, Senior Editor.

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By Sportsman’s News Pro-Staff

Solar power.  It has been talked about in every corner of the world and has been in the development stages for years.  Every year, new and more innovated products break into the market, offering more and more  exciting alternatives  for storing and producing power everywhere we go.  Continue Reading

By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Imagine if you go on a simple day hike and a sudden storm breaks. Your trail back to your car is washed out by a flash flood and now you have to hike several miles out of your way across unfamiliar terrain to get back to your vehicle. Also imagine that during this trek, you get turned around and hopelessly lost. Will the meager supplies you took with you be sufficient to help you survive this unexpected emergency? Have you taken sufficient precautions to ensure that you will get out of this alive? Are you prepared for the unexpected?
As a survivalist, I make sure I carry a few items with me whenever I go into the wilderness. Most of the time, I never need them. But emergencies are seldom the result of a single event, but usually a confluence of things going very wrong – a perfect storm of ill fortune. Having these items on hand can make the difference between an uncomfortable few days with great stories to share and dying in the wilderness.
Some new items that have come out this year are easy to carry, inexpensive, and provide the materials you need to make it through should you run into to trouble in the outdoors. Continue Reading

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Great new products for 2012 the staff of Sportsman’s News saw at the 2012 shows.

Bear Anarchy

Bear Archery – Siren Bow

Designed for serious female shooters.

• Speed (IBO): 300 fps
• Weight: 3.8 lbs
• Brace height: 6.75”
• Axle to axle: 31”
• Peak draw weight: 40 lbs / 50 lbs / 60 lbs
• Draw length range: 22” to 27”
• Let-off: 75%
• Strings/cables: contra-band
• Cable slide: slide Continue Reading

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