Gear Archives - Adventurer's Hawai‘i

Summer kayaking

June 7, 2014 By Peter Caldwell

With summer days here, itʻs a great time to jump on your kayak and visit your favorite Oahu spots. Want company (and you should always try and go with someone else), check out the schedule put together by the Hui Waʻa Kaukahi Kayak Club here on Oahu.

The windward side of the island has plenty of opportunities such as Kaneohe Bay in this photo of a smiling kayaker on the way to Kapapa Island. Besides paying a visit to the sand bar, you can cruise inside to Kualoa Regional Park after launching next to Heʻeia Kea Pier. The more adventurous can paddle out the channel and head for Mokoliʻi Island (Chinamanʻs Hat) with a stop on the island before riding the small bumps going in to Kualoa. As always especially if you head outside the reef, safety gear is important. I always throw in my small lightweight Marine VHF radio (available at West Marine for $120) in addition to my cell phone. For those who are also hardcore hikers, getting ACRʻs ResQlink 406 although more expensive is as good as it gets for dire situations out in the water as well as up in the hills.

Gear for 2014 Part Two

May 24, 2014 By Peter Caldwell

Outside magazine has both annual winter and summer buyer’s guides. Summer 2014 covers a lot more ground than the Backpacker version as you might expect. Cycling, running, and water sports get more coverage plus there is a separate section for women participants in all these activities!

So what jumped out at me looking through these pages? Once again footwear that might be especially good for island trails and conditions: Yep, nothing detracts from an adventure on the ‘āina than ill-fitting or troublesome hiking shoes.

Because we often encounter wet/muddy trails or slippery sections, take a look at the Vasque Lotic, a shoe that is touted as especially good for amphibious hikers.

It lists for around $100 but can be had for less at Amazon and other online retailers. Thereʻs a womenʻs version too!

Dead cell phone? How about checking out Digital Treasures The Soldier. This handy gadget like the old line takes a lickinʻ and keeps on tickinʻ (i.e. charging). Will charge an iPhone three times and also serves as a serious flashlight. Can be had on Amazon for $59.95. Definitely worth a look!

Daypacks keep getting lighter and having more features. Companies like Granite Gear, Gregory, and Osprey have good selections. The Gregory Miwok 18 is a versatile, comfortable pack with plenty of ways to organize your stuff. Shop around and you can find it for less than its list $99.95 price.

Once again, you can sure spend less for adventuring gear but in my experience, youʻll thank yourself many times for parting with some of your hard earned cash for quality outdoor products.

Gear for 2014 Part One

May 21, 2014 By Peter Caldwell

Besides online reviews, I like two print resources for annual updates of what’s new for hiking and kayaking gear. Of course, it’s not all applicable to Hawaii but many of us take mainland trips as well. In my case having grown up hiking and backpacking in California’s Sierras (http://www.sierrahighlights.net/ )before coming to the islands, I’ve always been interested in what’s available to make these trips more enjoyable and easier for those of us who are getting into the prime time age!

First let’s take a look at what’s in Backpacker magazine’s 2014 best new gear. Their reviews are not as comprehensive as Outside’s annual summer issue, but there were a couple of items that caught my eye that might be of interest to Hawaii adventurers. First, for local kayakers and paddlers, footgear is always high on the list. We’re always on the lookout for something for reef rash protection and traction on slippery rocks. How about the Keen Class 6 water sandal that fulfills our requirements. It’s moderately priced at $90 (it even floats!) but sells at a discount at REI for example. More info? Go to keen footwear.com.

Now for the some hot Go Pro videos on the go, there’s the Vu Pack Pole (vuvantage.com). At first it looks pretty crazy but turns out that this weird piece of gear really works! You just set it up in your pack and you’re good to go. One reviewer even remarked that he used it for a week in Hawaii for SUP and hikes and got some great shots plus it survived wipeouts and mishaps to boot! Official price is $140 but the street price is less if you look around.

I’d say in general both magazines use a bunch of hard core testers, and I’ve found their opinions right on target. In Part Two, I’ll move on to Outside’s summer buyers guide covering 360 hot new products. Going for one of these items does hit us in the disposable income, but when outside in the boonies, it’s not a time to rely on el cheapo items!

Hawaii magazine outdoors issue

May 8, 2014 By Peter Caldwell

Check out the June 2014 issue of Hawaii magazine for some scoop on some favorite hiking trails and especially a photo feature on three days in Waimanu Valley, one of my highlight trips as well.

See some photos from a very memorable visit there in the Big Island section of Adventurer’s Hawai’i. I remember it well for its remote beauty, and the up and down trail sections before the final steep switchback drop to the valley floor itself.

The issue also includes some excerpts from Brother Noland’s new book, The Hawaiian Survival Handbook , which provides local insider’s info on subjects like How to Avoid a Wild-Pig Attack and other topics of interest to adventurers in the great Hawaii outdoors! The book will be available beginning July 15th and is published by Watermark Publishing.