The CamelBak MULE NV will be released in the Spring of 2009. National Outdoors was fortunate to be able to test out the pack prior to the official launch. The MULE NV provides a new ventilation system to the popular MULE hydration backpack. We tested the pack on number of hiking and mountain biking outings, and were very pleased with the ventilation system and added performance it gives to the traditional MULE backpack. The MULE NV comes with a 100 oz. hydration bladder.

CamelBak MULE NV Ventilation System

I’ve had facemasks freeze stiff as a board while skiing, snowmobiling and working outside in subzero temperatures, so I was intrigued when I saw Psolar’s QXtec Core Heater face masks at the Outdoor Retailers Show in January. I finally had a chance to test the mask, so I headed up into the mountains to test it out. Unfortunately spring is in the air, and the days of temperatures in the teens are gone; however, I was still able to find a noticeable difference between my old mask and the Psolar mask with the temperature at 34 degrees.

QXtec Core Heater Technology

Over the years, the Karhu Jaks (female version is the Jil)have received numerous awards and raving reviews in magazines, blogs and forums. If you've been lucky enough to ski on them, then you know why. This year's version offers a top sheet of Titanal to help dampen the ski and provide more edge hold on the hard pack. I skied this ski with two different bindings. The first time I skied with the Hammerhead binding, and the second time I skied it with the Rottefella NTN binding. The ski handled much differently with each binding.