National Outdoors Gear Review

The Jetboil Helios Cooking System incorporates the bomber Flux Ring technology into a large capacity cooking pot. The whole system packs into the pot, and weights 28 ounces (without fuel canister). The standard Helios holds 2 Liters, but you can purchase a larger 3 Liter pot. This system can boil 1 liter of water in 3 minutes.

Jetboil Helios Cooking System

The Screwpop Tool is a handy keychain gadget. The tool features an interchangeable #2 Flathead and Philips Screwdriver, a 1/4" hex nut driver and a bottle opener. It's small enough to add to a set of keys without extra bulk.

Screwpop Tool

Despite the slow economy, a few companies introduced new technologies at the 2010 Winter Outdoor Retailer Show. I was immediately interested in the new TransDRY technology from Cotton Incorporated. Believe it or not, this technology allows cotton to wick moisture from your skin to the outside of the fabric where it can evaporate. The details of how the technology works were not released, but I've been testing out a baselayer shirt made with TransDRY and the new technology does work.

I've been testing the Mountain Khakis Alpine Utility Pant for the last 4 months. I put them to the test clearing bush and chopping wood around the cabin. The pants are made from Mountain Khakis's 10.4 ounce cotton duck canvas which is extremely durable, lightweight and fairly soft for canvas. I'm impressed with how comfortable these pants are for a durable "work pant".

Mountain Khakis Alpine Utility Pant in Downtown Jackson, Wyoming