Category Archives: Other

The Insulating Benefits of a Sleeping Bag Liner

As a necessary requirement for any camping activity or outdoor overnight activity, the sleeping bag is very important. When sleeping in the cold outdoors, it is vital that the proper type of bag is purchased. All products provide a rating on the label, so you know how much protection you will have against the cold. For bags that do not provide enough warmth in the cold, there are other options in improving performance, without purchasing another bag. A sleeping bag liner or travel sheet slips inside your bag, to improve its ability to protect you from the cold. Liners can be added or removed to meet the changing requirements from one day to the next or in different locations.  These products typically come with a zipper, which aids in keeping warmth in your bed roll.

One product available is the silk liner, which is desirable because it is soft, yet sturdy. Other products combine Egyptian cotton with silk, for an even more comfortable feel. Silk fabric is a soft and shiny when dry, yet becomes very strong when it gets wet. Woven silk provides insulation properties that are far better than other heavier fabrics. This makes it perfect for use with bedding, particularly in the outdoors. It can greatly improve the comfort level of the sleeping bag and allow the user to get a better night’s rest. Silk used to make consumer products interestingly comes from caterpillars. If you think about how well this creature’s cocoon keeps out chilling temperatures, you can understand the benefits that using silk will provide in keeping you warm.

If the high cost of a silk liner is not in your budget, you can buy a fleece liner as an alternative. Fleece is made of natural animal fibers, typically from the yak or sheep. It keeps animals warm, so it will help keep you warm inside your bedroll as well. Liners made of this fabric can be washed in a machine at home and are available in many bright colors as well. Coleman offers a desirable product which folds into a highly compact roll, which is kept in place with a stretch cord. This can keep you warm in temperatures as low as fifty degrees (F), by itself. This is an indication of just how warm you will be when using this product inside your bag. It is a very thin fabric, but provides quite a bit of warmth.

As weather conditions can change very quickly outdoors and wind chill can make the environment much colder, using a bag liner is the best way to ensure you will stay warm, when such conditions arise. Many have additional handy features, like a carrying pouch or a closable storage pocket. These items are easy to pack and take with your other camping gear.

Prepare for Disaster by Packing an Emergency Backpack

You never know when disaster is going to hit close to home.  It’s a simple thing to overlook as we go about our daily lives, but the evidence that things can go terribly wrong on a horribly grand scale is rampant among our world.  Earthquakes, hurricanes, flooding, and wartime struggles are just a few catalysts to force us out of our homes in a moment’s notice and on to the street facing primal survival.  The illustration may sound like hyperbole, but unfortunately, emergency evacuation is something millions of people have to face each year.

Fortunately, you can always prepare for the worst.  If disaster preparedness is themed around immediate evacuation, there are a few things to consider.  First, pack light.  A lot of folks think emergency preparation means going out and buying a pallet of freeze dried food.  That’s great if you’re faced with a disaster that grants you the fortune of staying in your home, but one ton of beef jerky won’t do you much good if you’re forced 100 miles from your neighborhood.  Only pack the things that you need.

Sticking with the packing light theme, pack smart.  Emergency backpacks can surely be loaded with practical tools you may get use out of for years, but what we’re primarily focused on, particularly in reference to perishables (like food and water), are items that will get us through 72 hours – a week at the latest.  Sure, you may very well find yourself in a seriously awful predicament for a much longer period of time, but 72 hours generally allows you get yourself somewhat established and where you need to be to continue.

You’ll also need to pack ahead of time.  This sounds like a no-brainer…it is.  Unfortunately, we as humans tend to put things off until it’s too late.  Going out and purchasing all of the supplies necessary for a good evacuation kit is only half the battle.  If disaster strikes, you don’t want to be running around like a maniac piecing everything together while your house falls apart; you might forget something, or worse, die.  Do yourself a favor, and put your gear together in an easily accessible, memorable location.

As far as the gear itself, we’re keeping it basic.  You need a versatile backpack to stow your supplies, long-lasting, high calorie food, water, first aid, simple tools, a radio, and lightweight shelter.  This guy put together a wonderfully detailed list of all the supplies you need for preparing an emergency backpack.

Remember, pack simple, be smart, and don’t put it off until it’s too late.  Good luck out there!

Forklifts for Sale: Moving Gravel, Rock, & Concrete

What is one of the main common denominators between; concrete, gravel, and rock? The answer to this question is obvious they are all back breaking when they have to be moved.

No matter the project, whether it is; a new retaining wall, instilling a driveway, a decorative gravel walkway, or a rock garden moving the material is always a chore. The material is heavy and often times dirty or dusty. For this reason it is a good idea to have a forklift on hand or know where to find forklifts for sale.

Having the proper equipment to move the material is a must. Most places that you get the material from use many different types of equipment to get it moved. These pieces of equipment can be; forklifts, back hoes, bobcats, and many others.

When someone orders the material from a supplier they usually have it delivered to the project site. When the truck arrives with the material it is usually deposited in one central location. It is then the responsibility of the people performing the work to transport the material to the exact location that it is needed. During this part of business, it is a good idea to have some forklift attachments on hand. If you don’t have the proper equipment, look for forklift attachments for sale.

To do this by hand is next to impossible. Even with the use of a wheelbarrow the person doing the work will soon be sore and tired. This is where the use of proper equipment comes in.

Depending on your application will determine the proper equipment to purchase or rent. Often times a bobcat (or similar equipment) will be the best choice for most smaller jobs. The reason for this is the attachments available for this type of equipment. If you have pallets of stone or concrete block you can use the forklift attachment. If you have to have stone or gravel moved you can use the bucket attachment. Often times when doing a project you will have a combination of materials will be used. The ease of changing the attachments makes this equipment that much more desirable.

Check The Weather Before Packing Your Camping Equipment

The type of camping equipment you may need for a safe, enjoyable outing depends on quite a few different things, such as your health and age, the type of weather you are likely to encounter, and where you will be camping at. A young, healthy person could take a sleeping bag, throw it on the ground and be perfectly happy, while folks who have trouble getting up and down, whether from age or health, would need at least some camp chairs and a cot if not a camper to sleep in. So you do need to consider not only yourself, but also those going camping with you to make an appropriate decision on some of the equipment.

A tent is essential camping gear as far as I am concerned. The weather, as well as the time of year and climate for where you are going can determine the type of tent you need. If it will be rainy or a super cold, even snowy climate, you may need a bigger tent, as you will no doubt be spending a good majority of your time in it. This could also mean you need a heater that you can use inside the tent.

Whether you are able to have a campfire to cook over, or you may need a propane camp stove is something you should to find out ahead of time. Most of the parks where you can camp are set up with campfire pits and some even have BBQ grills for you to use. Find this out before packing your cooking gear as you use different pots and pans to cook over an open fire.

Of course, if you have a camper, that usually has all the gear you need, but if you do not, gather up the tent, sleeping bags, cots, a cook stove, heater (if needed), pots, pans, cooking utensils, plates, cups, eating utensils, and chairs to sit on around the campfire. Take the bug spray so you get to eat more than the mosquitoes do. Do not forget the food or it will be a really short trip.

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Wear thermal shirts in the winter and fight hypothermia

When the winter months come, you will definitely want to wear clothes that can better protect you from the freezing cold. If you don’t wear the right garments, there’s a pretty big chance that you’ll suffer from hypothermia, a condition that hits people who are left exposed to the cold. Hypothermia is a real threat – it affects several people, even those who live in urban areas, every winter. To fight hypothermia, it is imperative that you put on thermal shirts.

What exactly are these things called thermal shirts? Thermal shirts are shirts that are specifically designed to warm the wearer in a cold setting. They are perfect for the winter months where the cold can seep in and cause your body to feel colder than ever. Made of thermal fabric, these shirts usually come with long sleeves and a turtleneck covering, offering lengthier protection from the cold.

Shirts made of thermal fabric can truly make the winter season not just bearable but also enjoyable. With a thermal shirt on, you can do everything you need to do without having to worry about experiencing hypothermia. You can readily walk the chilly, windy streets and even go on a winter vacation in the great outdoors with confidence and, most importantly, adequate warmth.

What’s even better is that these shirts now come in a variety of designs. There are shirts made of thermal fabric that will go well with your work outfits, and there are those in cuts and colors for more informal settings, such as a trip to the ice skating rink or the ski lodge. You can stay safe from the clutches of winter and be fashionable, too.

So, what are waiting there for? Prepare for the winter months as early as now and get yourself a stock of thermal shirts now.