Guest Review: Small Stoves For Camping, Hiking, Survival

by Marc Hutchison


[Brian's Note: I've known Marc practically my entire life. We've spent a lot of time in the outdoors fishing, hunting, and shooting. He has been receiving a lot of requests for information regarding these small camp stoves and thought it would be easiest and most efficient to write up an article. Marc is far more knowledgeable than I about these tools and I was happy to post his review.]

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Over the past few years, my sister, Myra, and I have chatted many times about all the different "survival/emergency" items that can be used in the event of power outages occurring in one's home or place of work. Many of these same items can be extremely useful, and even life saving, when included in a "Bug Out Bag" or "vehicle bag". I would probably be labeled as utilitarian and/or minimalist when it comes to buying items for my various backpacks because I'm a staunch believer in keeping things very simple and basic. Among the simplest and most basic items I carry are small camp stoves. There are numerous models on the market today of all different sizes, but my purpose for writing this article is to focus on the small stoves that can actually fit in your pants/jacket pocket, hiking backpack, and your survival/emergency bags. And, reflecting on my first sentence, these small stoves are priceless when you're faced with an extended loss of electricity, lost in the woods, or experiencing vehicle troubles in the middle of nowhere. 


I've personally used the following 4 stove systems and would highly recommend them. And for clarification, I'm not associated with any of these companies at all. I'm listing them from lowest to highest in price. 


1. ESBIT Mini-Stove (approx. $10)
This is an extremely compact stove that I keep in all my vehicles as well as my backpacks. This is a very simple stove that you open, place a fuel tablet in the center of the stove, light the tablet, and you're in business. I've used this particular set up to make everything from hot beverages to instant potatoes. The stove has a two-position design where the top can be fully apart for larger pots and half closed for smaller cups.

This stove uses Hexamine type fuel tablets which generate up to 1400 degrees (Fahrenheit) of heat. These tablets don't liquify when in use and they don't put out any smoke (unless leaves, sticks, etc. are also used). The fuel tabs can actually be cut in half, or even into four pieces, if you're in a situation that you need to conserve tablets. In addition, you can extinguish the tablet and re-use the remainder at a later time.

The tablets should be lit with a match or lighter because they will not hardly light with a "Fire Steel" or other sparking device. During one setting, I tried lighting these tablets with various fire steels for a duration of 20 minutes without any success. The tabs would just get brown spots that looked like a small brownish marshmallow. These tabs will light up with no problem once a match or lighter is held directly on them. On a side note, I've wrapped the tablet in a petroleum covered cotton ball and threw sparks on it with my Fire Steel rod. The sparks ignited the cotton ball which in turn lit the tablet.

Generally, one fuel tablet will burn between 12 and 15 minutes. For this article, with snow falling and winds howling, I poured one cup of water in a stainless cup and lit the tablet. Small bubbles appeared at the two minute mark and it was a full rolling boil at 4 1/2 minutes. The fuel tablet finally extinguished itself at exactly 15 minutes.

If there is an "open fire" ban in your outdoor activity area, this is a perfect way to make your coffee, cocoa, and noodles while on the trail. Also, if you are in windy conditions, take measures to block the wind from your flame or you may end up munching on crunchy noodles. 


FYI - Always store extra fuel tablets inside of the Esbit mini-stove. That way you will always have them on hand if needed and it also conserves packing space. The Esbit brand of fuel tabs can be on the expensive side (I've seen them anywhere from $6 - $8 per 12 pack, but you can use any type of Hexamine type fuel tablets with this stove). Almost two years ago, I found a website selling the Coghlan's brand of fuel tablets for $2 a pack (24 tabs) and I stocked up with a vengeance. Lastly, I always carry a small "tin knife" in my Esbit stove. That way I have a cutting tool in case I need it for any chore/task associated with getting a small fire started with the stove.

Specs:  Weight - 3.25 ounces.  Size - 4" x 3" x 0.75" 
(Other equipment in Esbit pictures: GSI "Glasier" stainless steel cup, Backwoods Custom Knives "Battle Axe" tin knife - maker Bill Akers, "Light My Fire" Swedish Fire Steel.)




2. MSR Pocket Rocket (approx. $35)
This small stove is used with a fuel canister. The beauty of this stove is its simplicity. There's no priming, no preheating, and no pressurizing required with the Pocket Rocket. You just simply screw on the fuel canister, spread the 3 holding arms, twist the fuel valve, light it, and start cooking.

This system does not have an automatic igniter, so the use of a match or lighter is necessary.   If your matches are wet or your lighter is inoperable, you can still light the stove with a spark. I carry a Fire Steel in all my backpacks and vehicle bags just in case my other means of making a fire don't work. To light the Pocket Rocket with a Fire Steel rod, just take the spine of your knife (not the sharpened edge) and quickly scrape the rod while directing the sparks on top of the stove. I've done this numerous times and it works fine. On a side note, if your knife has a rounded spine, or you have no other means of creating a spark or flame, then you may have to resort to snacking on uncooked dehydrated food and crunchy coffee grounds.

This stove will boil a liter of water (just over 4 cups) in less than 4 minutes. The three arms of the stove have serrated supports which help prevent pots/cups from shifting. The fuel used with this stove is called "Iso Pro" and is an 80/20 blend of Isobutane and Propane which burns very clean and virtually eliminates clogging. The self-sealing valve allows the canister to be safely removed from the stove burner. For this review, I poured two cups of water, a small dehydrated vegetable pack, and a few pinches of ham base into a cooking pot and ignited the stove. I kept it on a medium burn (not at full heat blast), and the water began to boil in a little over 3 minutes.   The wings, or arms, of the Pocket Rocket are very sturdy and will hold most cups/pots with no problems.

I've used several different canister brands (Coleman, MSR, and Jet Boil) and they've all performed flawlessly. You can purchase these canisters in the camping/sports section of most stores (brand of canister will vary). The 4 oz. canisters are around $4 and the 8 oz. canister usually runs between $5 and $6. As a general rule, one 8 oz. canister of Iso-Pro fuel will be sufficient to boil water for two people over a 4 day period (morning, noon, and night). For reference purposes, one 4 oz. fuel canister will generally boil about 28 cups of water. Of course, these statistics will vary. 


FYI - In extremely cold temps, try to keep the fuel canisters warm so they will work properly.   Again, this is a fire making alternative in case you are hiking/hunting in an area with an "open fire" ban. 


Specs: Weight - MSR Pocket Rocket - 3.0 oz (3.9 oz. with travel case). Size - 4.1" x 2.1" x 2" 
(Other equipment in Pocket Rocket pictures: GSI "Dualist" cooking pot, ML Knives "Short Kephart" knife - maker Matt Lesniewski, "Light My Fire" Swedish fire steel.) 




3. Emberlit (wood stove)
There is a stainless steel version ($35) and a titanium version ($55). My review is on the titanium version. This is a wood burning stove that is extremely light, sturdy, easy to assemble, and can easily be placed in a backpack or vehicle bag (it's completely flat when disassembled). It has 5 separate panels that quickly and easily fit together.

Once the stove is assembled, you just gather up twigs the size of a pencil and place them down into stove. Once the fire is started, you can feed sticks and branches into the front panel opening. Place as many sticks that will fit in the feed port and then just let the excess lengths hang out of the stove. As the sticks burn inside the stove, continue to push the sticks into the feed port as long as your cooking or boiling. I really love the front panel port feature of this stove because it allows my food and water to continue cooking or boiling without me having to constantly take the pot/cup off the top of the stove and shove sticks down into the stove.

The design of this stove blocks the wind and allows the heat to be directed straight out the top which results in faster cooking/boiling time. In addition, there is very minimal smoke when using this wood stove. For this review, I put 2 cups of water in a titanium pot and in less than 5 minutes had a rolling boil which was used to make instant potatoes. If you don't want to fool with cleaning the pot, just pour the water straight into the instant potatoe pouch and stir (just be careful because the bag will be hot on bare fingers).

  
FYI - I have my Emberlit stove stored in a fishing tackle organizer along with various instant coffee, tea, cocoa, instant potatoes, and noodles. Also, if needed, it could be used as a wind block while using another mini stove (Esbit or Pocket Rocket).

Specs: Weight - Stainless version (11.25 ounces). Titanium version (5.45 ounces).  Size: 6" tall and 4 1/2" wide at bottom (narrower at the top).  
(Other equipment in Emberlit pictures: Evernew titanium 1.3L pot, ML Knives "standard Kephart" - maker Matt Lesniewski.) 




4. Jet Boil Flash (approx. $85)
This is an "all-in-one-design" which combines the burner and cooking cup into a fairly compact stove unit. This unit also uses the "Iso-Propane" canisters. I've used several different brands (Coleman, MSR, and Jet Boil) and each one works fine. The Jet Boil fuel canister is made to fit inside the cooking cup which makes it very convenient.

The Jet Boil system is incredibly easy to use. You basically take the cup off the bottom, attach the burning unit, screw on the fuel canister, and push the automotic igniter button. You have a sipping lid that can be placed on top of the cooking cup which also contributes to a faster boil.   The main cooking vessel is wrapped with an insulated cozy so it can be picked up and held while eating or drinking out of the vessel. There is also a tripod base included which gives the unit more stability when in the woods. If using the unit on a flat surface, there isn't any need to use the tripod. Two cups of water can easily be boiled in 2 minutes with this cooking system.

For this particular model, the side of the cup will change color when the water begins boiling.  This feature is called the "Flash" color change heat indicator. The indicator is a clear color and, as the water begins to heat, the clear color gradually begins turning an orange/yellow color. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, the color of the indicator is completely full blown yellow (other models may vary in the color). I personally don't need a special feature to indicate or inform me when the water is boiling, but the advantage to this feature is that you can leave the lid on the cooking vessel without continually checking the water.

I recently took my daughter Caitlyn squirrel hunting, and while in the woods, I enthusiastically showed her how this stove operates. Honestly, she was more excited about drinking hot chocolate than learning about the working physics of the Jet Boil.

FYI - There are other Jet Boil systems that cost about $60 (which doesn't include the tripod or "Flash" color change heat indicator)  and other models exceeding $100. This is a great stove to use during power outages in your home. I stocked up on the larger Coleman fuel canisters (8 ounce) and keep them stored in my home to use for that very reason. I also stocked up on the Jet Boil canisters to use while camping, hunting, and hiking since they were made to fit perfectly inside the Jet Boil unit.  


Specs: Weight - 14 oz. without fuel canister.  Size - 4.1" x 7.1" 
(Other equipment in Jet Boil pictures: Backwoods Custom Knives "BSK" (Backwoods Survival Kephart) - maker Bill Akers.) 


Conclusion
The above mentioned stoves are not the "Be All, End All" for every outdoor situation or natural disaster that we may encounter in our daily lives. In addition, you can come up with home made coffee can, soup can, or 55 gallon garbage can stoves in order to save money. But my backpacks are not equipped to haul around a 55 gallon stove, so for now, these mini stoves will work just fine for my outdoor adventures and also serve as a means of back up food prep and water boiling in case of any type of power outages at my house.


I'm probably preaching to the choir, but hopefully this article will be a spark that ignites some thought into survival/emergency items for your vehicle, home, or backpacks. Not to mention, these little stoves are a ton of fun to play with on the back porch. In fact, my wife and kids think I'm crazy when I go out on the porch and brew up my morning java...mini stove style!


Lastly, I want to extend a very sincere "Thank You" to Brian for allowing me the opportunity to share this article with his readers.

Review: BosStrap Camera Sling

I'll start this by saying I don't like traditional camera straps. For me, they are uncomfortable because they put the weight of the camera on my neck and that gets tiring during a day in the field. Even when I had a camera strap, I rarely used it over my neck. I normally carried my camera in my hand. I would sometimes sling the camera over my shoulder, but that's about it. I don't like having my camera bouncing around in front of me. I also don't like the "tourist" look of camera straps and they often get in the way while shooting. Most camera straps attach in a semi-permanent fashion and are difficult to remove. They're the same kind of problems presented by binocular neck straps before chest harness carry systems were developed.


So I began looking for a different method of carry. I found a couple of sling systems that looked interesting. I liked the fact that a sling puts the camera at your side rather than directly in front. The first slings I found attached to the camera via the tripod socket. During my research, I discovered a couple of issues that made me think twice. The biggest issue was that by attaching the sling to the tripod socket, the camera was carried in the upside down position which put all of the weight on the tripod socket. I found that the major camera manufacturers don't recommend the tripod socket for this purpose. It's not intended to hold that weight. The other issue with that attachment method is you have to remove the sling system in order to use a tripod. That may not be a big issue for some people, but I decided to continue looking for other options. I liked the sling idea and concentrated on finding additional products that were similar.


Enter the BosStrap Camera Sling System. I haven't been this excited about an accessory in a long time! The BosStrap Sling has been nothing short of a joy to use! It's lightweight, strong, adjustable, easy to remove, and can be used with multiple camera bodies.


The BosStrap was developed by an amateur photographer of 40 years with a background in mechanical engineering. The strap is made from the same material as seat belts. It's very soft, yet very strong. The strap is 1 1/2" wide, eliminating the need for a bulky shoulder pad. It has two buckles which allow for a wide range of adjustment depending on your body size and clothing.

BosStrap camera sling

There are only two pieces to the system - the BosStrap sling which goes over your shoulder, and the BosTail which attaches to your camera strap lug. This solves the issue I mentioned about the tripod socket. By attaching to the actual camera strap lug, the BosStrap carries your camera upright using a point designed to hold the weight. It also keeps the tripod socket free for use.


The BosTail attaches the same way a standard camera strap would, except that it has a metal ring at the end. It is recommended that the BosTail be attached to the camera strap lug on the left side of your camera. The BosStrap has a metal ring with a TriggerLoc clip that clips to the ring on the BosTail.

BosTail attached to left camera strap lug

The TriggerLoc clip allows you to quickly and easily attach and detach your camera to and from the sling. If you have multiple camera bodies, you only need one BosTail on each camera and you can use the same sling when changing cameras.

TriggerLoc clip attached to BosTail

Setup of this system is very easy. Once you have the BosTail on your camera and have adjusted the BosStrap to fit you, you're good to go! The metal ring on the BosStrap slides freely up and down the sling and makes the system very fast. The BosStrap itself remains stationary on your body. The camera is moved quickly from your side to eye level by the sliding metal ring. If you want to remove the camera, simply open the TriggerLoc clip and the sling can remain over your shoulder.


These next photos show the BosStrap sling in place and you can see how the camera is positioned. The black adjustment buckles on the BosStrap should be worn on your back. This keeps the front side free so the metal ring can slide up and down with the camera.

Front view - BosStrap over right shoulder

Side view

Back view - note adjustment buckle is on the back

The instructions tell you to wear your camera on the right side (BosStrap over left shoulder), but it can be worn either way and the BosTail stays on the left camera strap lug for either side. I wear mine so my camera is on my left side and I prefer to have my camera facing backwards. If I were to accidentally bump into something, I would rather bump into it with the back of my camera than the front of my lens. That's just a personal preference, though. The nice thing about this sling is you can wear it on your left or right side with your camera facing forward or backward - whatever works best for you.


I have found the most comfortable positions for my camera to be either just above or just below my hip. When I want to use my camera, I simply grab the lens barrel with my left hand and bring the camera up into shooting position. Because there's no strap attached to the right side of the camera, there's nothing to get in the way of vertical shots and no annoying strap getting tangled up in your shooting hand.


From a practical field use standpoint, the BosStrap is fast, secure, and easy to use. It's very comfortable and keeps the weight on your shoulder rather than your neck. Because the sling is made from seat belt material, it has a very low profile and doesn't get in the way of other activities. This carry system keeps your camera out of the way when you need to be hands-free.

The BosStrap Camera Sling is made in the USA and costs $39.95 and is available at many online retailers. I got mine directly from BosStrap and shipping was fast. If you have more than one camera body, you can order BosTails individually. I love this carry system and, as I've said before, if I didn't think it was a quality product, I wouldn't recommend it. As a disclaimer, I am not associated with BosStrap and was not asked to write a review. I'm doing it simply because I think it's a great way to carry my camera and wanted to share the information.


This system may not appeal to everyone and I'm sure it's not the perfect solution to every carry problem. However, if you're unimpressed with traditional camera straps like I am or you spend a lot of time in the field, this may be a solution worthy of consideration.


I do have to give props to my little girl who took the photos of me wearing the BosStrap! It saved me from having to set up another camera with the self-timer and all that jazz. Thanks, sweetie!


 BosStrap Website

Magnum Work Pro Ultra Boots Review

I was thinking about how I wanted to write this review for Magnum's Work Pro Ultra boots and I decided just to keep it simple and to the point. I'll skip most of the technical stuff because you can find that on Magnum's website. What I will do is give you the meat and potatoes - my straight up impression of the boots. First, though, I need to take care of a little business just like I did when I reviewed the Work Horse boots. I am a field tester for Magnum. They sent me the Work Pro Ultra's for wear testing. I am not employed by Magnum. They have not seen this review until now and did nothing to influence it in any form. This review is my opinion and mine alone. I like to be clear up front about how I acquired the boots. This concludes the business.

Now, on to the good stuff. I have been wearing the Work Pro Ultra's since the beginning of the year. Yes, I know that seems like a long time to test something. I'm not one to wear the boots around the house for a week and call 'em good. Many times issues don't start to arise until you've used something for a while. In reality, I could have written this review a few months ago and had the same conclusion. I'm probably the slowest field tester Magnum has in terms of coming out with my formal review.

Technical
I'm going to hit the highlights here. The boots have a leather upper, carbon rubber outsole, ATSM approved composite safety toe, and Ion-mask technology. They are waterproof (more on that in a bit) and electrical hazard resistant. The boots have other technical features you can read about on Magnum's website.


Quality and Craftsmanship
Out-of-the-box the boots had no manufacturing issues. There was nothing about them that would cause me to send them back. After all of my wear testing, there are still no problems. The stitching is excellent, the soles show no signs of wear, and the leather has held up wonderfully. I can't find anything worn, torn, or wrong with them. I haven't used any kind of dressing on the leather. If they get muddy, I simply wash them off with water and that's it.

As you can see in the above photo, the Work Pro Ultra's are a pull-on style boot. The straps are heavy duty and can be manipulated even while wearing gloves. The boots are very easy to get on and off and the soles provide excellent traction. 



Comfort and Fit
Like other Magnum boots I have worn, the Work Pro Ultra's are very comfortable. There was zero break-in time with these boots. The first time I wore them felt like the hundredth time. They fit me perfectly - not too tight and not too sloppy. I wear a size 11 and I have found Magnum's fit to be dead on with every pair of their boots I've worn. I haven't experienced any hot spots or discomfort anywhere on my feet. Last week I worked a horse competition and was on my feet in the arena for 10 hours a day. My feet were happy at the end of each day.

Waterproofing
Today's waterproofing on most footwear is good. There was a time when that wasn't the case. Even so, I like to test the waterproof capabilities of my boots. When I'm hunting or working, I want to know my boots will keep me dry. When I tested the Work Horse boots last year, I stood in a cold creek to check the waterproofing. I didn't have a creek handy this time so I improvised and put the Work Pro Ultra's in the bathtub. I filled it with enough water to cover the top of the foot and left them in there for 30 minutes. When I went back and checked them, they were bone dry. There wasn't a trace of water inside.

Conclusion
To say I'm impressed and pleased with these boots would be stating it mildly. They have performed exactly as intended without fail. If you work in construction, with heavy equipment, landscaping, on a ranch, a farm, at the hunting cabin, your own yard, or you have to be in dirty, dusty, muddy, wet, or nasty conditions, you should give serious consideration to the Work Pro Ultra's. They are comfortable, durable, and will keep your feet dry. If you've read any of the other reviews on my blog, you know I won't recommend inferior products no matter who makes them. Magnum makes superior products and if they didn't, I wouldn't agree to be a field tester.

To find out more about Magnum and their products, just click on the links below. They have top notch customer service and an excellent PR team. They love to interact with people and will be happy to answer any questions you have or resolve any issues you may have. Magnum's team is very active on Facebook and Twitter and I encourage you to visit them. They also have a very nice blog called BLDG4801 where you can get lots of inside information.


Magnum Boots USA Website
Magnum Boots on Facebook
Magnum Boots on Twitter
Magnum Boots on YouTube

Camp Dog Cajun Seasoning

When it comes to cooking and grilling, I like to have a variety of seasonings on hand as I'm sure most folks do. Lately, I've been using Camp Dog Cajun Seasoning from a fella named Scott Perrodin, aka "Papa Scott". As you know, I like to be up front regarding my reviews. Nothing was sent to me free in exchange for writing this review. I purchased a couple of varieties of Camp Dog seasoning and liked them so much I wanted to pass along the info. This really isn't so much a review as it is a recommendation.

Camp Dog mild blend and Camp Dog original

There's really no reason to try and get in-depth with something like this. Seasoning is one of those things that you either like or you don't. I happen to really like this stuff! The original blend has a very good kick to it without being so hot that it's unpleasant. The mild blend is toned down a bit, but still has great flavor. I've used Camp Dog on steaks, burgers, chops, spaghetti, scrambled eggs, and have even sprinkled it on Hamburger Helper. It's great on anything you want to add some "pick me up" to!


Papa Scott offers the seasoning in standard 8oz. sizes as pictured here and it's also available in larger 16oz. containers. You can get packages of 6 or 12 containers, too. If you really want to bulk up, the original seasoning comes in a huge 8lb. gallon size! In addition, Papa Scott has fry batter and hush puppy mix. If you prefer to try before you buy, sample packs of each blend are available.

Camp Dog has become one of my favorite seasonings for the grill and kitchen! It adds great flavor to just about anything. Several other bloggers have reviewed Camp Dog already and I am not alone in my liking of this tasty seasoning.


What are Papa Scott's directions for using Camp Dog? They're very simple - "If it flies, walks, crawls, swims, or jumps, just sprinkle a little Camp Dog on it and cook."


You can get all the details at the Camp Dog Cajun Seasoning website. I would be very surprised if you didn't like it, too! As Papa Scott says, "Get 'U' Some!"

Pictures To Canvas: Easy Canvas Prints

A while back, I was contacted by the folks at Easy Canvas Prints and asked if I would be interested in receiving a canvas of one of my photos in exchange for reviewing the canvas. I took a look at their website just to assure myself it wasn't some sham deal. Once I was satisfied the company was legit, I agreed to their offer. If you know me at all, you know I call things the way I seem them. Yes, Easy Canvas Prints sent me a free canvas for review purposes. No, they did not see my review ahead of time. Just because something is free doesn't mean I will recommend it. Free crap is still crap, it's just free.


Fortunately, the canvas I received from Easy Canvas Prints was about as far from being crap as something can get! I was very impressed and pleased with the canvas and everyone I have shown it to has also been impressed. My initial thought was to use one of my hunting or fishing photos. At the last minute, I changed my mind and decided to use a picture of my brothers and I with our late grandfather. This was a fun picture to take and there was a lot of laughing going on between shots.

Getting a canvas made from one of your photos is very easy. You simply go to Easy Canvas Prints and upload your picture. It will even let you know if the photo is of sufficient resolution. Once the picture is uploaded, you can size it to fit within the frame size you have chosen and then pick from a variety of options. You can choose from a 0.75" or 1.5" border wrap. Border options include image wrap, mirror wrap, or a colored border. I chose the mirror wrap option on mine. As you can see from this next photo, the border mirrors everything adjacent to it.

Other options include color effects and retouching. Sizes range from 8x8 up to 30x40. You can see a complete list of sizes, prices, and options on the Pricing and Options page.


The canvas is well made and securely attached to the frame. The frame has no play in it whatsoever. The canvas itself has no wrinkles or loose spots. I've never had a canvas print before and I like the fact you can see the texture of the canvas up close, but when you step back, it looks just like a regular photo.

Overall, I am very happy with this product! I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the folks at Easy Canvas Prints did a wonderful job! I'm glad I chose this particular photo because now I have another great reminder of my grandfather.


Despite the fact I received this canvas for free, if it had been substandard, I would not recommend it. I won't associate my name with garbage, free or not. However, I have no problem recommending this company if you are looking to have something like this done with your photos. I am very satisfied with their work.

Review: Magnum Boots Work Horse 6.0

Before I get into the review, I want to take care of some business first. I'll start by saying I am an official field tester for Magnum Boots USA. I am not employed by Magnum Boots, however they do send me products to evaluate. In exchange, they want honest feedback on their products to include the good, bad, and ugly. They do this so they can provide the best possible products to their customers. 

The two major careers I've had in my lifetime have required me to wear boots. I've worn many styles of boots from many different manufacturers. Over the course of my life, I've spent more time in boots than any other kind of footwear. At this point, I know what to look for in quality boots and what is required for a pair of boots to work for me. I've had Magnum boots in the past - long before I became a field tester.

I say that so you know I'm not promoting Magnum boots just because I'm a field tester. The folks at Magnum are seeing this review for the very first time just like everyone else. It has not been proofed, edited, or approved by anyone except me.

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Magnum Boots Work Horse 6.0 Review

I have been wearing the Work Horse boots for several weeks. If I had to pick a single aspect of the boots that really stands out to me it would be comfort. I can say without hesitation that these are the most comfortable boots I've ever worn. As with any kind of footwear, if they aren't comfortable you aren't going to enjoy wearing them and probably won't keep them for long. The padding on the tongue and around the ankle is very, very good. The cushioning in the foot bed is top notch. To me, walking in these boots is like walking in a good pair of tennis shoes. They are also quiet. They don't give off that loud "clomping" sound that some boots do.

Work Horse 6.0

Here are the ingredients in the Work Horse 6.0. The boots have a full-grain leather upper. They are waterproof with a breathable membrane. They have a Cambrelle® moisture-wicking lining and an Agion™ antimicrobial treatment. The boots are made with Coats Barbour anti-fraying stitching thread and durable non-metallic composite hardware. Inside you will find a lightweight compression-molded EVA midsole and a M-PACT contoured sockliner with memory foam. They have an X-Traction outsole and are electrical hazard resistant. 

Waterproof boots are pretty standard nowadays, but some are better than others. I like to test the waterproof capability of all my boots. To test these boots, I stood in a cold creek with the water covering the top of my feet. I knew if there were any "leaks" it wouldn't take long to feel the cold water. I'm pleased to say my feet stayed bone dry.

I haven't just worn the Work Horse boots for general everyday wear. I've hiked in them in the woods at our cabin, worn them while working a new food plot, and most recently while doing construction projects. They are lightweight and have excellent traction. The sizing of these particular boots is spot on. I wear a size 11 in boots and these are neither too wide nor too constricting.

Because I have been testing these boots to provide feedback to Magnum, I have really been looking for something to disappoint me. So far, I haven't found anything. There has been no fraying of the stitching. The soles have held up perfectly. There are no gaps in the seams. And I already mentioned the waterproofing.

As with any tool, you have to use the proper tool for the job at hand. For example, these boots are not insulated so I would not wear them to sit in a tree stand for hours in sub-freezing temperatures. I have hunting boots for that purpose and that's not what the Work Horse boots are designed for. They are intended for work and everyday wear. They would be perfectly acceptable as a warm weather hunting boot if you chose to wear them for that purpose.

Footwear is a very personal choice. What fits good on me won't necessarily fit well on everyone else. Just like when you go into a shoe store to buy new shoes. You see something you like and try it on. You know immediately if those particular shoes feel right. If they don't feel good, you put them back and move on. For me personally, these boots beat anything else I have in comfort. I enjoy wearing them. If they weren't comfortable I wouldn't wear them. Period. And if I wouldn't wear them myself, I would never recommend them to others. That's not how I conduct business.

If this is the style of boot you like, you would do well to take a close look at them when making your next purchase. They are well made and, if I haven't already mentioned it, comfortable!

Magnum boots are available at many dealers online. To find a dealer near you, check the Magnum Boots website.

Review: Redfield Rebel Bino's

For the past year, I've been on the hunt for new binoculars to replace my aging Bushnell's. Not only have they been used heavily, but technology has advanced so much that it was simply time for a better pair. After doing a lot of research, I settled on the Redfield Rebel 10x42 bino's. Hunters know Redfield for their quality scopes and now they're making binoculars and range finders.

Let me get the technical spec's out of the way first. The Rebel's are 5.9" long, weigh 26.4 oz.'s, have a field of view of 341' at 1,000 yards, and a close distance focus of 4.3 feet. They are a roof prism design utilizing BAK4 prisms and fully multicoated lenses. The Rebel's are fogproof, waterproof, and have an armored aluminum body. They are black in color and come with lens covers, neoprene neck strap, and a carry case. 

Redfield Rebel 10x42 binoculars

My criteria for new binoculars included a set price range, roof prism design, and ten power magnification. The roof prism design is more compact than porro prism designs and I wanted a higher power than my previous pair. Obviously, the higher the power the more "shake" you will notice when looking through a pair of binoculars. That's something to keep in mind if you don't have steady hands. 

The Rebel's lenses are fully multicoated which means every lens and lens surface has been coated multiple times. Generally speaking, there are three types of coating: coated, fully coated, and fully multicoated. Coated is the least extensive type and means only certain lens surfaces are covered. This is normally used on cheaper quality bino's. Fully coated is the next step up and covers all lens surfaces once. Fully multicoated covers every lens surface with several coats, as I mentioned, and is used on high quality binoculars. These coatings help with light transmission, anti-reflection, and glare. 

In addition to the high quality coating, the Rebel is built using BAK4 prisms which are made from higher quality glass. BK7 prisms are made of lower quality glass and are found in cheaper quality bino's. BAK4 prisms provide much clearer, sharper images. Most manufacturers will specify what kind of prisms and coatings are used in specific binoculars, but if you find some that don't, you can bet they're probably cheaply made. 

I've used my Rebel's while hunting and I am more than impressed with the quality of these binoculars! The view is sharp and crisp from edge to edge. Light transmission is exceptional. They feel solid and well built. The focus wheel turns flawlessly - there's no catch or looseness. The eyepieces adjust for people who wear glasses, but unlike older binoculars where you folded the rubber eyepiece down, these eyepieces twist up and down. The armored finish provides a very secure grip and I can attest that they are indeed fogproof. 

I watched two bucks from my stand this past weekend and was very pleased with the image these binoculars produced. I have a pair of Steiner binoculars that I don't use for hunting because they are too large. Anyone who knows anything about binoculars knows Steiner produces quality stuff. I literally cannot tell a difference between the Redfield's and the Steiner's just by looking through them. And my Steiner's cost four times as much. 

In addition to the 10x42 model which I have, the Rebel is also available in an 8x32 version. If you prefer a porro prism design, Redfield makes a Renegade line consisting of a 7x50 model and a 10x50 model. Now for the cool part...the Rebel 10x42 will run you $150. That's it. Try finding quality bino's with the features of the Rebel in that price range. They are few and far between. 

I am extremely pleased with my choice of binoculars to replace my old Bushnell's. Binoculars are very much a personal preference item, but if this is the style of bino you like, you should have these on your short list the next time you're shopping for a new pair. 

I know Cabela's and Bass Pro sell the Redfield's. Gander Mountain does not as of the time of this review, but I'm sure there are several other places that do. You can see the Redfield binoculars on their website: Redfield Binoculars. They did it right the first time with these optics.