Gear Closet: Kelty Ignite Down Sleeping Bag

One of my favorite advances in terms of outdoor gear technology in recent years has been the introduction of waterproof down. In my opinion it is a real game changer in terms of providing us with the best insulation possible while avoiding previous problems with what happens to down when it gets wet. In the past I've reviewed (and loved) the Brooks Range Mojave jacket, which was one of the first products to incorporate DownTek, one of the options available for waterproof down. Recently I've been testing an Ignite Down sleeping bag from Kelty, which uses DriDown, the primary competition to DownTek. It turns out, it doesn't matter what you call the waterproof down inside, it still performs great and remains the best insulator available today.

The version of the Ignite Down sleeping bag that I tested was rated for 20ºF/-7ºC. That makes it a comfortable option for three-season camping. The bag has a pack weight of 2 pound, 12 ounces (1.2 kg), which is decent, if unremarkable. The mummy-style bag also includes internal loops for a bag liner, external security loops for connecting to a sleeping pad and hand loops for storage. It has high quality zippers and is made from 30D ripstop nylon, while being stuffed with 600-fill DriDown of course.

I was extremely impressed with the build quality of the Ignite Down. Kelty has a rich history of delivering outdoor gear that provides an excellent performance to price ratio. But this bag actually exceeded my expectations in terms of how well it managed to keep me comfortable in a variety of conditions. Better yet, it also feels like it is built to last, shrugging off the normal abuse that come with traditional  camping and backpacking trips. The durable external fabrics are easy to keep clean and very resistant to wear and tear.

The bag also happens to be quite comfortable, which is of course what we're all looking for. Not everyone likes a mummy bag, and if you're someone who feels restricted by this type of sleeping bag, the Ignite Down probably won't do anything to change your mind. But if sleeping in a mummy bag isn't a problem for you, you'll find that this one provides a snug, but not overly confining fit, with plenty of room inside. At 6'2" (1.8 m) in height, I used the "Long" version of this bag and found that I had plenty of room to spare. So much so in fact that I could keep socks, base layers and a few other clothing items that I wanted to keep warm and dry at the bottom without feeling cramped in any way.

As expected, the DriDown performs exceptionally well. The material provides plenty of warmth, even at a slightly reduced 600-fill level. In fact, I feel Kelty might be a bit conservative with their temperature rating and I wouldn't have a problem using this bag even in slightly colder weather. Its water-repellant properties make it a great option whether you're camping in the desert or heading to a damp forest. Similarly, it works well in dry, cool conditions, as well as damp, rainy or snowy ones.

If there is a knock on this bag it is probably in its weight and compressibility. As I mentioned earlier, the Ignite Down tips the scales at 2 pounds, 12 ounces, which makes it rather average in terms of pack weight. It also doesn't compress down particularly small, which means it also takes up more room in your pack than similar bags.

But Kelty more than makes up for these minor issues by delivering a great product, that happens to include waterproof down, at an amazing price. The 20ºF version of the Ignite Down carries an MSRP of just $219.95, and it can be found at places like Sport Chalet for just $199.95. That is an incredibly good deal for backpackers and campers on a budget, who care more about good performance at a great price than they do about shaving a few ounces from their pack weight. For those folks, Kelty has delivered a great option.

As we're heading into the holiday season, this sleeping bag also happens to make a great gift for your favorite outdoor enthusiast. I know I wouldn't mind finding one under my tree this year.

Gear Closet: Goal Zero Rock Out 2 Portable Speaker

Goal Zero is a company that is well known for offering affordable and efficient solar chargers for use on everything from a day hike to a full blown expeditions to the Himalaya. GZ is dedicated to creating products that are tough, useful and good for the environment, and over the past few years their gear has accompanied many explorers on their adventures. But it turns out they also make a line of other products that are fun and a bit unexpected. Take for example the new Rock Out 2, a ruggedized portable speaker that is designed for listening to your favorite tunes and keeping your smartphone charged while in the backcountry.

The Rock Out 2 is a refined update to the original Rock Out portable speaker system that Goal Zero has offered for several years now. The multifunctional device serves as a protective case for your smartphone or mp3 player while also allowing you to listen to music, podcasts or other audio sources while on the go. In a sense, it is an entertainment system for backpackers, campers and hikers who just can't leave home with out their personal soundtracks.

Goal Zero brought some nice upgrades to the sound quality of the new Rock Out 2. The bass is louder, deeper and more full than the previous model, delivering a surprisingly nice thump for such a small speaker. I found sound quality to be quite good across the entire audio spectrum with the mid- and high-ranges coming through distinctly at all times. The speakers also don't distort as the volume increases, belting out tunes clearly at all times.
A portable speaker is only as good as its battery and GZ was sure to give the Rock Out 2 solid performance in this area. It includes a lithium-ion power source that is rated for up to 20 hours of playback. In my testing, I'd ay that was fairly accurate. Higher volumes seemed to drain the battery a bit more quickly but it was always a considerable amount of time between charges. A built-in energy saver system automatically shuts the speaker off after five minutes of inactivity, which helps to preserve power as well.

As you might expect, the device is also designed to easily pair with a Goal Zero Nomad 7 solar panel to stay charged in the field. The company says it takes about three hours to recharge the device using their system, although that time will vary depending on the amount of available sunlight. You can also charge the Rock Out by plugging it into a USB power source. Recharge times will vary there as well depending on the quality of the USB port. My MacBook Air was able to refill the battery in roughly two hours.

The outer case of the speaker system is well built and feels very solid. It has been designed to protect any device that is slipped inside its padded interior and it does an excellent job at doing just that. Not only is it water resistant, but it would take a seriously vicious impact to the Rock Out for any damage to actually pass through to the interior of the case, which has been expanded in order to accommodate larger smartphones. If you're someone who likes to take your iPhone or Android device with you into the backcountry, you'll find that the RO2 provides plenty of protection, although it is bulkier than a standard case thanks to the built-in speaker system.

Goal Zero listened to customer demands and added exterior controls to the Rock Out 2 allowing the user to  adjust volume, pause, play and skip tracks. This is a nice touch over the older model which required you to open the case to access the audio device to make those kinds of adjustments. Doing so can expose the smartphone to the elements, which is counterproductive considering the amount of protection the case provides otherwise.

While the Rock Out 2 is a fun, well built product there is one thing that it doesn't do that i would have liked to have seen included. It doesn't allow the user to tap into it's battery and use it to recharge your smartphone directly. I know the idea is that everything will be charged through a solar panel, but it would be nice to able to take the Rock Out and your smartphone with you and have the battery life extended by charging off the speaker itself. It's a minor quibble but it would have been nice to have the option.

The new Rock Out 2 carries a price tag of $59.99, which is a reasonable price for speaker/case of this kind. GZ kept the original Rock Out in their line-up for $29.99 as well, giving customers a choice. Personally, I think the performance gains from the new model are worth the upgrade price, but if you're looking for audio output while on a budget, you'll find the older model to be quite a bargain too.

Gear Closet: Eureka Midori Solo Tent

Last year, tent-maker Eureka made a splash with a well designed new line of backpacking shelters in the form of the Midori 2 and 3. Those tents were lauded for being lightweight and affordable while still offering plenty of features that campers and backpackers really appreciate. This year they're bringing that same sensibility to the new Eureka Midori Solo, which as the name implies is a lightweight tent built for one.

The Midori Solo has inherited a number of key features from its older, larger siblings that make it an attractive option for anyone looking for a single person tent for their excursions into the backcountry. For starters, I was impressed with how easy it is to set up, even on my first go. It took less than ten minutes to take the tent out of its included bag, assemble it and move inside. Considering the tent is designed for the solo hiker, that ease of set-up is much appreciated.

I was also impressed with the level of ventilation on the Solo. Here in Texas, we're just now starting to cool off from the summer heat and the evenings have continued to be relatively warm. Rain has been at a premium as well, which meant I was able to camp without the rain fly without any issues. Even on warmer nights however, I was comfortable inside the tent with jut a light sleeping bag liner.

One of the most important aspects of any solo tent is how much it weighs, after all you won't be able to split the weight across multiple backpackers on a solo excursion. Eureka has delivered a product that performs relatively well in this aspect, particularly considering the tent's price tag. The Midori Solo tips the scales at 3 pounds, 9 ounces, which is hardly svelte but not especially hefty either. Make no mistake, there are solo tents that  weigh considerably less than this one, but they'll also lighten your wallet too.

Inside, the Midori Solo provides a solid amount a room for a single person although things get a bit tight if you bring too much gear inside. When secured into place, the rain fly provides a secure place for hikers to stash their gear to keep it protected from the elements. Inside their are a couple of gear pockets  for keeping a few small items close at hand such as a headlamp or a multitool. A gear loft across the ceiling provides even more internal storage.

With the fly in place, this is a tent that is rated for three-seasons, making it versatile for just about any outdoor adventure save winter camping. As mentioned, we haven't had much rain in my area, so I can't comment on how well the Midori Solo performs in wet conditions. But if it maintains the same level of performance of the Midori 2 and 3 however, it should do well in adverse conditions.

On more than one occasion in this review I've indicated that Eureka has delivered a great tent at an affordable price. The Midori Solo will sell for just $129.99 when it hits gear shops in January of 2014. That's a great price for a solo tent of this quality and relatively light weight. If you're in the market for a single-person tent for your future excursions, without breaking the bank, this is a tent that I think you'll be very happy with.

(Note: The photo in his story is of the Midori 2. I haven't been able to find a solid image of the Solo yet and I didn't carry a camera with me when I went camping with this tent. While the Solo is smaller and more narrow, the image of the Midori 2 does give you an indication of what the Solo looks like as well.)