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The Eclipse Solar Gear Bicycle Bag is the only bicycle bag with a solar charger that you can use to charge small items like your cell phone or iPod. This is an incredible bike bag, in every respect. The main compartment is large enough to hold shoes, a jacket, a bike lock, and everything you need for a full day of biking. The side pockets are the perfect size to hold sunglasses, gloves, and other small items, and tire change tools will fit easily in the back pocket. The bag also has a removable shoulder strap and a front grab handle. The best thing about this bag is that it has a very well designed charger compartment with a car accessory outlet adapter. The top flap features a solar module designed to trickle charge your hand held electronics or extra batteries with a 12V cigarette lighter adapter. This feature is especially useful if you are going on a very long day ride and could benefit from the added bonus of the solar charger. This bag is also made of the highest quality 1680 denier nylon, and the zippers are heavy duty to withstand the wears and tears of your journeys. All around, this is the best bicycle bag on the market.

Their tag line says it all - “Everything we design and build is all about quality”. Since 1979, Dakine has been building gear for board sport enthusiasts which includes snowboarding, surfing, and windsurfing. Their early products included the Dakine surf leash and windsurfing footstraps. In the 1990s, Dakine began making snowboarding day packs and today their products include kiteboard accessories, backpacks, hydration packs, skate packs, ski bags, and even messenger bags and wallets.

Check out some of the newest Dakine bags below to find your style.

Eagle Creek is known for their innovative and quality bags, but the Eagle Creek Exploration Systems Double Down ORV Gear Bag stands out as true adventure duffel and an ideal bag for fly fishing. The reason is its flexibility in how it can be carried and the organizational features that allow you to pack a lot but separate and protect dry clothing, electronics, and other items from wet and dirty things. Here are just some of this bag’s specific features:

• Collapsible dividers in interior perfect for dual use - clothes and gear
• Drop bottom compartment is easily hosed out or wiped down - perfect for fly fishing gear that can get wet and dirty
• Internal storm flap in bottom offers increased water protection
• Hideaway backpack straps and removable padded shoulder strap for flexible carrying options
• Fleece-lined pocket for sunglasses
• Eagle Creek Pack-It accessories can easily be integrated

A canoe camping trip that combines tent-camping overnights with a canoe as vehicle-of-choice by day is a sure way to pack extra fun, exercise, adventure, relaxation and scenic beauty into any camping vacation.

Why Canoe?

If your dream excursion is a face-to-face, high-sensation encounter with all that nature has to offer, a canoe camping trip is for you. There’s not much better than guiding a 16-foot aluminum canoe down a rushing - or even quietly flowing - stream through a wooded wilderness as the morning sun breaks through the trees.

Canoe camping is beginner-friendly, and astonishingly inexpensive. It requires very few skills and little gear beyond what’s prudent for typical camping trips and equipment. Riverfront or shoreline campsites can be as cheap as nothing at all to $5 or $10 a night. Canoe camping with friends or family makes the adventure livelier and even less expensive.

Transporting your camping gear on a canoe camping trip is so easy, you may never backpack again! The typical two-person aluminum canoe can easily carry close to 500 pounds of “stuff” - although, remember, the more you bring, the more you must haul off-board, pack up and haul back on-board when you break camp in the morning. Just because you can haul more on a canoe camping trip, doesn’t mean you should.

Because you’re traveling relatively slowly, you’ll see much more of the countryside’s scenery and wildlife in a canoe camping trip than you’ll see when using a car, truck, RV or other motor vehicle to transport you from campsite to campsite.

How To Plan Your Canoe Camping Trip

As with any new venture, planning ahead is the key to your enjoyment.

1. If someone in your party (including you!) is new to canoeing, by all means, take a short test run on a nearby stream or small river. Practice paddle-handling, especially turning and banking. Get in and out of the canoe, and load and unload it. If possible, spend at least one night camping on your dry run, to get an idea of what gear and supplies you can leave behind on a longer trip, and what items you absolutely can’t live without.

2. Choose your waterway. Word-of-mouth from other canoeists and campers is the best way to decide on your destination, because they’ll have first-hand experience with all aspects of the waterway, everything from good campsites en route to bad mosquito populations along the way. Camp-gear outfitters, canoe rental sites and local, state and national park Web sites are also great information sources. They can help you match up your prospective canoe route with your detailed vacation plans. Consider: What else are you hoping to do on your trip besides paddle your canoe and set up and strike camp? What’s available on any given waterway varies dramatically from site to site, so check each option carefully.

3. Map your route. Once you’ve decided which watery superhighway you’ll be traveling, treat canoe camping planning as you would any other kind of vacation trip. Will you bring your own canoe or are long-term rentals available, and where are they located? How long will you travel each day and where will you rest each night? Where are the portages and how long will you spend portaging? What’s the off-water terrain like? What side trips do you want to take? Will you stop to fish, swim or eat along the way? Are there locations to stop and seek shelter in case of dangerous weather?

Put it all down on paper. That paper, of course, will find its way to a waterproof dry bag as you’re putting your canoe camping gear together!

What To Take Canoe Camping

It’s helpful to prepare your packing list in two columns: what you need for canoeing, and what you’ll need for camping. Since canoe campers are typically experienced car, RV or backpack campers first, the focus here is on what you’ll need specific to canoeing.

1. First and foremost you’ll need a canoe! A 16-foot canoe about 34 inches across and 12 inches deep is the ideal vehicle for a two-person canoe camp trip.

2. Equip your canoe with one paddle for each occupant, plus an extra paddle for caution. Lifejackets for each occupant are also a must and really should be worn when the canoe is in the water.

3. A cooler to keep each day’s prepared foods and drinks cold in the hot sun.

4. Water jugs filled with fresh water. Paddling can be thirsty work. Drink water while you canoe. Bring at least 2.5 liters per person per day. A few packets of water purification tablets can’t hurt (packed in a waterproof bag.)

5. A bright heavy-duty flashlight for the canoe. If for some reason, you’re stuck paddling in twilight or darkness, you’ll want to see as much as you can of the waterway, and you’ll want others to see you as well!

6. Rope or towline. Invaluable for tying up at night, but also necessary in the event the canoe overturns and paddles are lost.

7. Emergency supplies: Compass, Swiss Army Knife, waterproof matches, first aid kit, whistle, aloe, lip balm, sun block, aspirin, disinfectant. Some canoeists won’t leave home without a weather radio. Many pack a hand-held mirror to enable them to signal shore or other canoes in a pinch.

8. Canoeing clothes. Check the gear outfitters for super-comfortable quick-dry shorts that can be worn over a bathing suit if you’re planning to swim along the way. Tee-tops are fine most of the time, but you’ll want a shirt with sleeves and possibly quick-dry long pants for morning and evening paddling when the mosquitoes are out and about. Also, don’t forget rain ponchos. Wear skid-resistant boat shoes at all times and never canoe without protection for your head. A wide-brimmed sun hat is ideal and works to keep rain off, too.

9. Supply of trash bags and dry bags. Your dry bags will be watertight and will contain items such as your map, wallets and personal identification, cell phones, cameras, extra batteries and flashlight lamps, and anything you need to protect from the inevitable spray and wet-tracking that comes with canoeing. Plastic trash bags work fine for extra clothing, extra food, camping needs, and, of course, trash. Don’t dispose of anything in the waterways. Always place your trash in proper receptacles.

Some items that you normally would pack away for camping, you may want to leave out in the canoe, such as your camp chair or plastic-covered cushion. Hours of sitting on a plain un-cushioned canoe seat can be tough on the bottom. Keep your fishing gear handy if you’re planning to fish along the way. Binoculars, camera, notepad and extra pens should also be kept within reach.

After you’ve got your canoeing gear lined up, simply pack your camping gear, complete your other typical trip preparations, leave your trip plan with a friend or family member, and you are ready to hit the trail. All that’s left to do is enjoy yourself!

Article by Kate Sheridan from AssociatedContent.com

Whether you are a die-hard hiker, a skier or a snowboard baby, investing in a carrier for your footwear can help make your life a whole lot easier. Boot bags provide storage for outdoor gear in the off-season and make it easy to carry your boots when you are heading out for your sport or taking a trip and bringing them with you. Here are some tips for selecting the right one for you:

• Be sure and check out the size of the bag. If you wear size 13 boots, you’ll want to be sure they will fit inside before you buy. If you have tiny feet, you won’t want a gigantic bag if you can avoid it. If big bags are all that is available, get one that has two compartments and store other items in the second one.
• Go for water-resistant bags. If you’ll be tracking around in the snow, you will want to be sure your other stuff stays dry. This is also a good move if you are a hiker who goes out in all weather. Just because it is cold outside it doesn’t mean there won’t be mud. Water-resistant bags make wiping up easy.
• If you are a mountain climber and want to invest in a bag, consider getting one with a reinforced bottom for better durability. They hold up well when placed on snow.
• Look for easy grab handles or a sensible strap for convenient carrying.
• Go for bags with additional pockets. The more you can fit in one bag, the less you will have to carry overall.
• Search for reinforced materials at places such as the seams and handles. This type of bag will likely hold up better.

Whether you are headed out to the X Games to watch the latest tricks or just going down the block to the skate park, having all your gear with you is a must. Skateboard bags can be a super way to make sure you don’t leave something behind when you go to practice, compete or hang out with friends.

A good bag won’t drag you down with weight, but will have some smart features to help you bring your stuff along. Items like water bottle holders and good straps to secure your board are important things to look for. Great extras include smart design features that allow you to plug and play your tunes without digging through the bag and safe zip pockets to hide a few dollars in case you need an energy bar after going hard all afternoon.

If you tend to ride at dusk or in the evening, be sure to check the bag for reflective strips, or make your own using reflective tape. After all, safe riding is good riding. It can also be a smart idea to put your name and phone number inside somewhere just in case the bag gets lost. Skateboard bags are also a great investment if you want to bring more than one board with you to practice; you can ride one and strap the other one in.

If you are new to hunting or if you are looking for the just the right gear, there are some things to keep in mind. Different features will appeal to different hunters, but there are some great gear choices out there for those who enjoy getting out in the woods to challenge themselves and hone their skill. Here are some thoughts on hunting bags:

• You’ll want to blend. Camouflage fabrics or natural colors are a must-have feature when it comes to hunting. All the cool gear in the world can’t make up for blowing your cover.
• You’ll want to eliminate excess weight. Let’s face it, hunting bags are typically loaded with the necessities; you don’t want the bag to be heavy before it’s packed.
• You’ll want a durable bag. Balancing durability with a lightweight bag can be a challenge, but newer fabrics exist that can accomplish that if you look around a bit.
• You’ll want multiple storage compartments. One large center compartment won’t do it for most hunters. You need spots made for ammunition and other items.
• You’ll need protection from rain. Waterproof bags are the best choice as you never know when a storm will blow up or when you may get a bit of drizzle in the great outdoors.

Does your dad enjoy camping? Well, then check out some of these unique camping products below that make great Father’s Day gifts:

	The Kelty Kitchen Sink is freestanding and lined for use a sink. The bag includes mesh pockets for drying plates and utensils and has dual carry handles for easy transport. No more paper plates when camping.
	Carry logs in style with the Filson Log carrier. Made from cotton twill with genuine bridle leather handles, this bag is not only incredibly strong, but also treated for maximum water repellency.
	Help dad kick back at the campsite with the Kelty Recliner. The chair folds flat for easy transport and storage and is made with breathable mesh fabric and a comfortable headrest.

As summer approaches, so does barbecue and picnic season. And with barbecues and picnics comes summer games - specifically badminton.

What is it about badminton that continues to delight? That’s hard to say. The sport, however, has a rich history traced back to ancient Greece and Egypt and is enjoyed today by many from professional players to school children. In fact, badminton is an Olympic sport.

A typical badminton set will include lightweight racquets, at least 1 or 2 shuttlecocks, and possibly a net. The playing area can be easily set up on any moderately sized lawn or open area. A badminton set that includes a racquet carrying case is ideal for storing the set when not in use.

If you are a runner looking for the perfect bag then keep reading. The North Face offers its Photon running bag, and it has every feature you could need for either a short–or a longer run. Features such as an air mesh waist belt help keep you cool, and the three point adjustable strap insures you have a good fit when you hit the road.

Superior running bags will have a built in spot for you to bring water or your favorite drink along. The Photon’s is at a great angle so that it jostles around less and it also comes equipped with bottle stabilization features such as molded control panels. Better still, the bottle itself has been included for your convenience and for a perfect fit.

Carrying your personal gear such as a good luck charm for a race or keys for the car isn’t a problem with the Photon either. There is a zip pocket with a key clip where you can tuck important items away safely and forget them for the run. Add to all of this some reflective accents for safety and you have the perfect running bag. The North Face has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to outdoor gear, and this bag is a great example of what happens when everything goes right in terms of design.