Explore the Outdoors!
I write about my favorite outdoor gear and the different materials used in outdoor gear to help you make informed decisions before you buy!
I recently wrote about the thinner nylon fabrics (from 10D to 40D) and how these are often used for weight-critical constructions like tents for backpacking or sports jackets. Thicker nylon fabrics like those made from 70D and upwards are sturdy and can be made more waterproof with the right surface treatment. And whereas 70D nylon…
Modern rain jackets and rain pants can be made from several different materials, but most of these are derived from nylon or polyester to some extent. Both nylon and polyester are good choices when it comes to rain gear, but there are some crucial differences that you should know before buying your new jacket or…
If you are looking for a new jacket, blanket/duvet or sleeping bag, there are essentially two filling options to choose from: Down and polyester. Alternatively, cotton or other natural fibers such as wool may be used for filling in clothing, sleeping bags and blankets. However, down is still the golden standard for lightweight insulation, so…
I admit it. I am a light sleeper and I hate when people are snoring or otherwise making noises during the night. I enjoy the soft sounds of the outdoors, but I hate synthetic man-made noises and especially when caused by my own gear! Therefore I set out on a journey to find the absolute…
Dyneema is an artificial polymer just like nylon, but it has several fundamental differences. Both are plastics, but the manufacturing process is radically different. Nylon, as I have already written several posts about, is an amide polymer, which means it’s a long chain of monomers that can be formed into countless unique chemical structures. The…
The AKSOUL RUNACC inflatable foot-pump sleeping pad, a portable and convenient sleeping pad, is one of the first products to be launched by a relatively new hiking gear company AKSOUL. This sleeping mat is camping luxury! It features a sturdy, yet lightweight design that is more comfortable than most inflatable mats out there. With a…
Most tents available today are made of synthetic lightweight fabrics like nylon or polyester. The difference between 10D through 40D nylon fabrics is the thickness of the thread used in the tent sheet fabric. Whereas 10D nylon threads only weigh 1.1g/Km, 40D nylon is four times heavier at 4.4g/Km. Nylon is the superior fabric…
Polyester fabric is a synthetic fabric found in numerous objects including clothing items, furniture, and tents! Here we will focus on the latter application for tent fly sheets, and dive into what the different types of polyester mean for your choice of tent, but everything in this article will also apply to other objects made…
Polyester is a synthetic plastic fabric often used for outdoor gear like jackets, backpacks, and tents. Along with nylon, it is the most common material to make up the flysheet and floor material of most camping tents today. The difference between 150D and 300D polyester is in the thickness of the thread used to make…
I have previously written a range of articles on what groundhogs eat, and how they, depending on the season, may ruin your backyard by eating your plants, including flowers, tomatoes, onions, and numerous fruits. The same is the case for gophers. There are several ways to make sure that rodents like groundhogs, gophers, mice, and…