Gear Review : Earth Pak

     I love success stories, and what I love even more is to be a part of those stories. It’s one thing to be successful, but it’s another to do it on your own. The gear review I’m doing today is from a company who did just that. They built something special from the ground up.

                A few months ago I won a contest on Instagram. Yep! You can actually win some of those giveaways without being flooded with junk emails in the future. Anyways, I was lucky enough to win a 30L dry bag and a waterproof phone case from the guys over at Earth Pak. @Alyfromalabama was doing the giveaway, if you are an outdoors enthusiast I highly recommend following her and Cody on Instagram. About a month later I received the earth pak in the mail, and instantly I was drawn to it. So today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the Earth Pak.    

          

               Who they are

Earth Pak was founded in 2015, when a group of friends went on a trip to Asia before grad school started. Sometime during their trip, they realized that their gear wasn’t holding up to the conditions they were in. On the way home, the group decided to drop out of grad school and start their own company using their savings and their inspiration for quality gear that they missed out on during their trip. With $5,000 they ordered 700 bags, they had no investors or crowdfunding but went all in anyway. By October 2016 their products evolved and the company hit the 1 million dollar milestone, and now they are expanding with new products and gear.

The product I’m going to share with you all today is the 30L dry bag in a unique shade of blue. It has been field tested many times, from canoeing and hiking to fishing and hunting. I’ve even done some other tests with it in weather that was anything but sunshine. Let’s dissect the toughest dry bag I’ve ever come across.

Design

There are numerous series of dry bags offered by Earth Pak, but most of them have a unique design to seal out liquid. This one of a kind buckle is very useful out in the field in that it doesn’t make much noise. After filling the bag, fold over the top a few times and click the buckle to keep it in place….that’s it. I went squirrel hunting a few weeks ago and having this pak with me in the woods made it easier to hide and I felt as though I wasted little time getting something out of the bag.

The bag is made from a thick 500D PVC material and the larger bags come with shoulder strips and D rings to attach it to a boat or another backpack. The Torrent series bag (like mine) has a outside zipper which is perfect for my phone and wallet.

The bag comes in numerous colors to fit your lifestyle, while the bag I won is blue I’m planning on my next one to be the Olive green for hunting in the woods. The Viewpoint series bags are nice if you can’t pick a color, since they are clear to help find what you need without digging through the bag.

Versatility

What I love about my larger Pak is how often I can use it. 30L bags are perfect for day trips, it’s large but I’m still able to move comfortably while packing everything I need for the day. The first time I took out the bag was to my Boys football game. It poured that night but I left the bag on the bleachers to see how it held up. When Earth Pak claims “waterproof” they mean it.

 I took this bag on a 3 hour hike with my 3 and 6 year old as well. We had all of the essentials such as the first aid kit, water bottles, and snacks. But I also packed my personal belongings, phone, knife, camera, throw blanket, sunscreen, bug spray, and even more snacks and I still had room.

I took the mountain bike out In October to a new trout stream. I brought the Dry bag and packed it full of fishing gear including my rod. Again, the shoulder pads held up on the trails and the bag held everything I needed with room to spare. The bag made it through the day with a scuff on the front and nothing more.

I have to admit that before I won this bag I had never heard of the brand or products. Being grateful for what I was given I dug into the history of the company and started shopping around the site. If any of you follow me on Instagram I’m sure you have seen this bag put to the test. Even tonight, as NY is being hit with its first snow storm of the season. My bag is outside in the snow with a scarf in it, and once the snow has stopped I will post the results to Instagram like I always do. The dependable design and the integrity of the company is why I am brand loyal to Earth Pak. I was recently honored with being a Brand Ambassador, which hasn’t changed much of how I review and promote the product from before I was a team member. If you’re not into the dry bags check out their other products. They have soft coolers, duffle bags, accessories and even a waterproof phone case that does come with select bags.  Visit them at earthpak.com, and use Derrick15 for an additional discount just for reading this blog or following me in Instagram. 

Got a product you want me to talk about? Or ideas for the blog? let me know at djb602@hotmail.com. And don't forget to subscribe to our email list.

When the winter blues keep you from the outdoors

                It’s the dead of winter, Hunting season is over, and it’s cold and windy but not cold enough for the lakes to freeze. Hiking is doable as long as you dress for Mount Everest, and your mountain bike doesn’t come with heated seats and handles. So how do people keep the outdoor fire lit when there seems to be no way to feed the flame? Below are 4 ways to pass time while waiting to get outdoors.

             

   Blogging

Let’s start with the obvious, you are reading a outdoor blog about blogging. I actually got into blogging last year right around this time. If I couldn’t be outside then I might as well write about it…agree? Blogging may seem like a cliché in the internet age, but you can actually benefit greatly in the outdoors by blogging inside.

                First, you have the chance to make your blog your own brand. I’ve had 5,000 visitors to my blog now and it feels like a great accomplishment.  I made the name, shopped around for a free blogging site, and spent countless hours making a logo with no design skills what so ever. I started this blog for fun, with the intent of sharing my opinions and information with others. It didn’t cost me a dime, and Iv’e met some great people along the way that share the same passion that I do.

                Second, you have the chance to monetize your blog if it takes off. I am personally at the point where I may be able to start doing this, but currently I’m enjoying the opportunity to write about the outdoors when the weather isn’t suitable to be outside. Ive talked to pro anglers who have shared their story, I’ve become a brand ambassador for a great outdoor company after doing a gear review (and have since received awesome gear), and now I’m talking with an internationally known country artist. Blogging is a great way to pass time when you have the outdoor itch.

              

    Crafts

              

  I’ve never been big on crafting, but last year while browsing Instagram a Pro Angler had a beer bottle cap fishing lure challenge. I thought he was crazy, but as it turns out I’m not the only one who likes Miller Lite. A fishing hook and bottle cap is all you need and you can actually fish with it like it’s a spoon. We made a few out of the old fashioned Stewarts bottle caps with the kids and they loved the project.

                I was also introduced to para cord this year. Paracord is considered to be the 8^th essential in survivalists and avid outdoor enthusiasts. It’s time consuming, but it’s another project that you can make your own and even make a profit off of. I spend 6 dollars at Walmart on the good stuff, and another 3 dollars on key chain rings and plastic buckles for bracelets. Our dog now has a Para cord collar, my three kids have them on their book bags, and I made what is formally known as a Para cord grenade. A disabled vet reportedly made $8,000 in 2017 by making para cord designs while on disability from his home.  

           

     Outdoor TV apps

                As an outdoor hunter and angler I love watching big hunts or fishing tourneys on TV. The problem is that there isn’t that many options on cable, at least not Direct TV. I was introduced to the MyOutdoorTV app this year which is on both android and IOS. There is a ton of content from across the outdoor world and it even has educational hoe to videos. This isn’t the only app out there, Mossy Oak and other big names have an app… I mean who doesn’t have an app today?

 Speaking of apps, the best social media app out there for the outdoors men in by far GoWild. It just launched a new version which allows tracking through GPS and is now partnered with Garmin. The app is for anyone in the outdoors who wants to share their passion by posting on a friendly social media platform. I’ve been on it a year and I’ve never seen any negative comments. Hunting, Fishing, Hiking, Cooking, Kayaking, Hammock laying… you name it in the outdoors you belong here. Check out timetogowild.com to download this app, it’s free.

Social Media

                Speaking of social media, Instagram and Facebook are also great ways to stay connected to the outdoors. While not as friendly as GoWild there are huge opportunities to learn about new brands. A few months ago I also discovered the power of the giveaways. In the last six months I’ve won dry bags, hats, fishing lures, cell phone cases, a carbon fiber kayak paddle, and even a Guitar with a Magic Hat brewery wrap on it. Social media giveaways are an e commerce tool used to help spread the word of products you can’t see in person. Find ten friends who share the same passion as you, agree to be giveaway tagging buddies and let the fun begin. A great place to start would be on Instagram. Look up Kong Valley Collective who is giving away something every day in January. I’ve known these guys since before Kong Valley was a reality and I’m telling you now they are the real deal. These guys have come together to bring something unique to the outdoors, and it’s for everyday outdoorsmen who aren’t ashamed of the smaller deer, the smaller fish, the easier hiking trail. For more info check them out, you will thank me. I’ve found that when I won something online, it’s more than just a product that I’m winning. I end up meeting great brands and the people behind them. I live in New York, and now I have friends I’ve never met all across the country and even one amazing dude out in Scotland.

While the outdoors is supposed to keep us off of the electronics, it’s also important to embrace the power of technology and use it in the outdoors. It doesn’t have to be every day, but there’s nothing wrong with combining old fashion with the new. If anyone makes a battle cap lure after reading this send it to me, I would love to share it on our page.    

Keep your roots deep.