Outdoor Kids Book

Getting kids off the couch — and into the outdoors — is something Eugene Buchanan, former editor-in-chief of Paddler magazine and founder of Paddling Life, believes strongly in. To help parents get their kids outside, Buchanan wrote “Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids,” a 300-page tome to hiking, camping, swimming, paddling, snow sports, biking, fishing, and virtually any other outdoor activity a family can do.

Through a mix of anecdotes and lessons learned, he brings real experience to the page. A Men’s Journal editor recently wrote “Buchanan isn’t the smug expert who makes you feel like an idot, but a friend who’s been there.”

Buchanan is an experienced writer, avid outdoorsman and the father of two girls. He touts the book as a set of training wheels for first-time parents or parents inexperienced in the outdoors. Another area covers tips for the outdoor veteran parents out there.

The book will be available in February for $20. You can pre-order the book here: http://outdoorkidsbook.com

—Ryan Dionne

Nat Geo Archive

If you have the desire, now you can unclutter your bookshelf and enter the 21st century by recycling your yellow-outlined National Geographic magazines. In their place, get your hands on the magazine’s entire library of issues via a special NG hard drive. Dating back to 1888, the hard drive has every issue through 2008, including advertisements, photos, maps and stories.

Though the pricey archival set comes on a 160-gigabyte hard drive, 100GB of it is empty, allowing you to add your own files. The package contains a DVD with tips from and interviews with National Geographic photographers as well as a look at how the magazine is put together.

The 3×5-inch hard drive will work on Mac and PC computers and connects via a USB port. It’s available for $200. http://shop.nationalgeographic.com

—Ryan Dionne

Aquapac Waterproof Backpack- Gear Review

What’s known as a commuter pack by some could be called a canyoneering or rafting pack by others. The Aquapac Wet and Dry Backpack is a 24-liter (1,525-cubic-inch) waterproof backpack made for a variety of uses.

With a roll-top closure and a TPU-coated nylon exterior with taped seams, it’s made to protect your stash 100 percent from all things liquid — in nature or on the way to work.

Aquapac Wet and Dry Backpack

The pack has an inner divider that helps keep your dry — or clean — gear separate from your wet — or dirty — gear. And it has a small clear pocket to stash and keep track of your phone, wallet, keys and other small items.

With a sternum and waist strap, rear light loop, reflective logo and mesh side pocket to store a water bottle, the Wet and Dry Backpack has the necessary features for a safe and comfortable commute, too.

The Aquapac Wet and Dry Backpack is currently available for $85. www.aquapac.net

—Ryan Dionne

Gear Review – Gregory Vibe Messenger Pack

“Gregory morphed the best of a messenger bag and a backpack to concoct the Vibe messenger pack. Worn like a backpack, the Vibe has a large flap closure to keep out rain, dust or just lung-choking exhaust. It also has a large main compartment, organization pocket, internal and side stash pockets, and is made of a PVC-free, TPU-based tarp-like material.

With seatbelt-like straps – both the top handle and the lid closure – and what seems like a super-durable material, the pack looks like it’ll stand up to the rigors of daily commuters – whether via foot, bike or bus. The 1,342-cubic-inch pack also has a front loop so you can clip on a safety light, a padded back panel to keep sharp office supplies from jabbing you and can fit a 17-inch laptop. My biggest beef, though, is that the pack has no reflective surfaces – something every commuter-oriented pack needs”

—Ryan Dionne

Two local outdoor stores carry Gregory Backpacks: Outdoor Trails in Daleville and Blue Ridge Mountain Sports in Blacksburg.

Are you a gear head? Submit your gear review to
pete @ roanoke.org