Amazing Jetboil Stoves

Over the last week, our Jetboil stoves proved themselves again. Everyone in our customer service department field tested Jetboil's Flash PCS while out backpacking. Here are some of the comments I overheard: "It really does boil water in just 2 minutes!"..."I like how much safer it is around my kids...there aren't spills or matches."..."It's amazing."

For those lightweight backpacking purists, the new Jetboil SoL has improved on the Flash PCS system by creating a smaller and lighter version that sets a new standard for cold weather performance. At 8.5 oz, the Titanium SoL ($149.95)--aka. the SoL Ti--weighs in at a mere 8.5 oz for the stove, .8L cooking cup, and tripod stabilizing base. The Aluminum SoL ($119.95)is only 2 oz. heavier at 10.5 oz. If you like winter camping, you'll be thrilled that this stove maintains consistent heat down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. And like the Flash PCS, you can still stow the stove and a 230 gram fuel canister in the cup. You'll hardly notice these in your pack!

For family campers and group leaders Jetboil also created the new 1.8L Sumo Companion cup which weighs 6.5 oz. and is big enough to stow a 230 or 450 gram fuel canister. Boil time is 4 minutes 5 seconds for a liter of water. Isn't it great having all these options?

Traveling with Trekking Poles

Today's trekking poles typically telescope in three sections which means you can break them down and travel with them in your suitcase. Whether you're headed somewhere off trail or on, Leki Poles have an option suited to your intended use and budget. Look for hiking poles with anti-shock features and comfortable grips that make them must have gear for many hikers.

The poles you find on the market in 2011 are lighter and stronger than ever before. New technologies have enabled stronger metal tubing for the poles and stronger locking mechanisms that are both easier and safer to use. If you're especially concerned about weight, poles made of carbon fiber are available as an ultralight option.
This year Black Diamond Poles has come out with an award winning superlight Z-pole design that is both lighter and easier to use. With a flexible, elasticized cord, you simply unfold the pole sections and it springs into position.

And let's not forget Komperdell hiking poles which offer affordability with many similar features and lot's of great styles to choose from.

Backpacking Boots Trade-in Time

So yesterday a member of the Stowe Mountain Rescue team came in to our store looking for a new pair of backpacking boots to replace his old ones. He is someone who puts in a lot of trail miles, often with heavy loads. He paid the highest tribute to the investment he made years ago in his high quality backpacking boots...he refuses to stop wearing them even though the sole has been falling off for almost two years!

Midsummer is often the time of year many people realize the same thing after a few trips on the trail...it's time to replace my old hiking boots. Reluctant to spend the money when one's old boots can still be put on, you may fit this category. Remember our customer...more money spent wisely now leads to years of comfortable performance. Cost tends to equal quality: better leather, more durable soles, bombproof hardware, etc. If you buy the right boots now, you won't be sorry in 5 years that you spent a few extra dollars today.

We're proud to carry three top-notch backpacking boot brands: Zamberlan, Lowa, and Vasque. And with our new member promotion there's no better time than the present to find the boots that are right for your feet. Take a look and we'll help you get fit in just the right boots and you'll save 20%.

SAVE 20% with a Summer Member Discount!

If you're looking for Discount Big Agnes or a Nemo Tent discount to get a great tent for summer camping you've got until July 31st. CCOutdoorStore.com is now offering FREE memberships that give you access to periodic member discounts throughout the year and special pricing on shipping. SIGN UP TODAY!

You can even use your discount on a new pair of the Editor's Choice winning TREKSTA EVOLUTION MID Hiking Shoe--pictured above--which is now in stock in all sizes! And we have the Treksta Evolution Running Shoe available too if you don't need the extra ankle support of the Mid.

A Break for Backpacking Mt. Mansfield

The July 4th break is over but not before getting the family out on some backpacking on Mt. Mansfield. We broke in the kids' Deuter hiking backpacks this weekend with some low key, very scenic packing from Butler Lodge to Taft Lodge on the Long Trail. Friday's short buggy and humid hike was followed by a cool, windy and socked in summit and ridge hike along Mt. Mansfield. The sky opened into a glorious day for our decent after lunch. And we got to see the Stowe Balloon Festival from the deck of Taft Lodge after dinner. We also enjoyed meeting the Green Mountain Club's 2011 Mansfield caretakers. Of course we got to test more gear so we'll try to keep a live feed of product reviews and pictures over the next few days.

Darn Tough - Vermont - U.S.A.

Darn Tough Socks of Vermont is another inspiring "Made in the U.S." story. We traveled to Northfield recently to pick up our summer order of Darn Tough Socks. We were eager to tour the mill and find out how Darn Tough can offer a Lifetime Warranty on their wool socks. If you've worn Darn Tough you know these socks don't go threadbare like others. What's the secret? In a nutshell, the density of the wool terry loops (1440 per sq. inch)is so tight that the loops don't move side to side and wear out. Pretty impressive. We think that the Darn Tough Merino Wool Boots socks are the perfect complement to our backpacking boots.

It helps that Darn Tough has an attention to quality that is rare in our modern world. Most Darn Tough employees have been with the company for 15 years or more, many over 30 years! During our tour, we saw owner Ric Cabot in three different corners of the factory looking at product, machinery, and working one-on-one with his workers. Impressive! We couldn't be happier for their recent successes.

If you'd like the background story...when other knitting mills were fleeing the Northeast in the 60s and 70s for states in the South, owner Mark Cabot bought some used sock weaving equipment and set up shop about 25 miles from where CCOutdoorStore now stands. When pressure from overseas manufacturing threatened their business and its 120 plus employees, the company "toughed" it out. Hence the burgeoning six-year old outdoor sock brand DARN TOUGH.

With new packaging, new styles, and 20 new looms on order we're very excited by all the exciting developments we heard about on our recent tour of the Darn Tough factory.

Thermarest & MSR: Proud American Brands

Thermarest mattresses, MSR stoves and almost all of MSR's production remains in the U.S. of A. as we were reminded in our product clinic on Wednesday. With July 4th fast approaching and patriotism in the air it makes sense to highlight and promote those companies who are working extra hard to keep jobs in their communities and maintain high standards of quality. Hats off to you! We also appreciate that American-made products are not impacted by the same backorders and long lead times that have become a bigger problem in our industry lately.

Thermarest and Mountain Safety Research are both owned by parent company Cascade Designs in Seattle, WA. Like CCOutdoorStore.com, these are family-owned brands and operations--albeit ours is much smaller! Both Thermarest and MSR are on sale at 20% through Tuesday, June 28th. For those of you on the East Coast hurry in your orders and we should be able to rush you your order before the holiday. West Coasters must contact us directly to provide expedited shipping info.

Note: MSR tent poles are manufactured domestically, but MSR tents are sewn overseas like almost every other tent.