A Field Test: Woolrich Declination.

Many good things from yesteryear still perform flawlessly in to our modern 2012's lifestyle. Canvas, leather and wool still fill the main part of my tripping kit and are only becoming more and more popular. Yes, we know there is lighter more waterproof fabrics available, but with the lighter is better mentality they are paper thin and are way less durable as the three I mention above. I was excited when asked to give Woolrich's new Declination Hoodie a shot at the outdoor experience.  Part of there newer "vintage inspired" collection, Woolrich has reaching back to the 70's and has brought back poly cotton as a outdoors fabric and some fantastic styling.

Fit
The Declination is an anorak shell, but they chose to use the term hoodie for some reason to describe it. The fit is great, not to baggy, not to tight. When wearing it for my test and during the pictures I have underneath a thick wool button up shirt and a base layer and there is still a bit of room to spare. My major concern with the hoodie is the lack of side access zipper. This would have been such a great add on to the jacket. The fact that fabric has no stretch, and due to the friction between the wool and cotton, getting it on and off that day was a bit of a struggle. Manageable, but if i was wearing this out somewhere "nice" I wouldn't want to be pulling shirt up over my head looking like I was just "jersied". The actual hood was big and roomy but could be snugged down if winds really picked up, as well the nice sized pockets when filled did not make the jacket seem tighter. I might also add that being at tall (6'5"), the declination sleeves were 100% acceptable, I was pleasantly surprised I could put my arms over my head and not have the cuffs at my elbows. and same goes with the overall length, the drop back made for reassurance that the small of my back staid covered while bending over.

 

Materials

As mentioned above that the Declination shell is poly cotton,  65% cotton, and 35% nylon to be exact. The shell is a light weight tight weave that really does block all the wind. While trying it out I was faced with 90km/h winds and snow, and the Declination broke all the wind and also kept the snow off my wool shirt. The lining of the hood is a nice Woolrich plaid cotton, which is super comfortable and soft. The plaid cotton does not just cover the hood but also extends over the bust and around the shoulders. The Talon brand zippers are a heavy duty metal, brass would have been nice as one would not have to worry about rust or any corrosion, alas they are not plastic which would throw the whole heritage vibe. A lot of the tabs on the Declination are made with oiled leather. When I saw pictures of the jacket before I received it, the leather looked raw. This concerned me as treating such small pieces of leather can be difficult as you might get waxy dressing onto canvas where it can stain. When I got the declination the first thing I noticed was that all the leather was in fact oiled. Nice touch Woolrich!  The anoraks front main pocket is lined with a nylon type satin and closes with a double velcro closure, snaps would be better and longer lasting for a area that will frequent open and closing. Behind the front pocket is a left and right hand pockets with zippers, which is perfect for the more valuable items you want to keep at hand and not worry about dropping. All in all the materials are good for its job, the poly cotton is a tough breathable fabric, the zippers are a known heavy duty brand, and the leather won't get brittle and crack prematurely.

Performance

When I gave thought as to the use for the Declination, I thought it would make a great campfire jacket, something to throw on after I set up camp and was just lazing around a fire at the end of the day. However, testing in such extreme winter conditions my feelings about the Declination has really changed tune. This jacket is an excellent windbreaker, and general use shell. Being out in the snow, back country skiing for 4 hours one could really appreciate the ease of breath-ability of the cotton, plus the front zipper is long enough to open up for even more ventilation if needed. If I was to be wearing a gortex shell or even a soft shell I know my back would be pretty gross with sweat, but because of the poly-cotton it was completely manageable.  All this "behind-the-scenes" ventilation happens while blocking out the cold gusts wind and blowing snow with ease. The huge front pouch and is big enough carry your favorite GORP,  a extra hat and gloves with some room to spare and have them all at the ready. One of the other pluses I notice and was quite thought out was the cuffs. They are snap closures, but they have a gusset, so when they are unsnapped, they are huge, perfect for pulling down your sweater that was pulled up while putting it on. Some of my other coats don't have wide cuffs and it can be very frustrating. Also I should note that while its does not really provide any water resistance, it could definitely fend off a small shower and in my case wicked snow, as it would dry fairly quick.

Skiing in snow storm 90 km/h winds.

The aftermath, but I was warm.

Conclusion
Retailing at $134 CAD at Woolrich.com, the Declination is a solidly built "hoodie", although it is not made in the US, you can tell that Woolrich has strict standards about the quality of their garments and they want to remain true to their long history of durable outdoor goods. While skiing, I snagged it a couple times on some trees and nothing ripped, not even so much as a pulled thread. While it will be tagging along with me in the coming canoe season, I can't lie and say that I have not been enjoying the comfort and classic styling of the Declination while running around town in this transition period from Winter to Spring. Thanks Woolrich and to Michael at PME for the letting me give the Declination a run while out adventuring in the bush.

The Weekend, and Blueberries and Noodles.

What a weekend. It started off with heading to the Outdoor Adventure show to say "Hi" to the COEC guys, and to take a look around. The COEC booth looked fantastic, racks of Gransfors axes, lots of Helle Knives and Trangia stoves. The trifecta of solid outdoors kit. I bought what I thought was Coyote Brown Para-cord, but due to my colour blindness (some colours) I bought Olive Drab, I will have to get that switched. Lots of other good stuff to be had and ideas for places to visit. I even got to have a great conversation with Author Kevin Callan and Evan Holt of Trailswag.ca about my recent score of 16mm films, and the other possibilities of showings. Saturday was busy as I was in pursuit of a birthday gift for my wife, with no luck. I did however hit up Lens Mills in Cambridge, which is a fabric store built in the old Dominion Woollens Factory. I was digging in the "outdoors fabric remnants" bin, and scored 3 yards of Canvak treated Canvas Duck in Emerald Green, as well as half a yard of blaze orange Cordura. If you are unfamiliar with Canvak it is a Canvas treatment giving it a waxy feel and noticeable smell, It has been the choice of waterproofing for canvas for a very long time in the Military, and you will smell it when you walk in any army surplus store. There will be some special projects coming up shortly for these bits of fabric. Sunday was filled with a good olde fashion brain storm, My wife and I sat down and played with ideas for some new dry goods. Trying to keep it different, but still tough and useful. All these items are small batches and limited quantities but that keeps things interesting. I think I have a couple fun things coming up shortly, as well as some great new field tests and reviews. So stay tuned folks and in the mean time try this old Adamiak Family recipe. It was created to be a lazy man's Blueberry Perogies.

Blueberries and Noodles

Ingredients:
One pack of Penne Pasta.
One pint of Blueberries (frozen will do).
One 500ML Tub of 14% Sour Cream.
1 cup of white sugar.

Directions:
1. Boil pasta in pot as usual.
2. In seporate pot, on stove top blend blueberries and half cup of sugar to make blueberry sauce, or put the two in microwave and nuke for a couple minutes to make sauce.
3. When pasta is done, strain water.
4. In pasta pot, mix blueberries with pasta, then add at least 3/4 of the tub of sour cream, and the rest of the sugar to taste.

You can make this with any berries, I have had strawberries, cherries, raspberries, or all at once! I know it might sound disturbing, but I assure you it is amazing.  You can thank me later.

Damn Yak Dry Goods At Tinder Shop.

I am super excited to see the newly designed Tinder Shop up and running.  Good friends, archaeologists, and shop owners Donna and Angus, have put together a plethora of fantastic sundries from hot water bottle cover from BC and Scotland, Stanley flasks and thermos', to German Feuerhand Hurricane Lanterns. They carry quite a unique bunch of cottage industry goods at obtainable prices. Tinder has also grabbed the last mason jars of Damn Yak Wilderness Remedy {pine pitch Salve}, and a bunch of canvas cups. Swing by their online shop to take a browse, and don't forget to take a look at their blog as well. 

Tinder Shop & Tinder Blog

Christmas Shopping @ Damn Yak Dry Goods Co.

This Christmas be sure to grab your haul of Damn Yak Dry Goods for that somewhat special person in your life. Click on the pictures to be directed to Etsy or Email me at damnyak(at)gmail.com.

FYI. Canadian outdoor equipment still has some stock of the Damn yak Salve in Tins. Contact them for info!

Carhartt Swag.

Look what was waiting in my mail box when I arrived home today, I mailed a letter to them awhile back commending them on a excellent product.  Letting them know my pair of pants are now on year six.  Thanks Carhartt.

Tilley Hats.

Illustration by: Paula Becker

In 1980 an amateur yachtsman decided to make himself the perfect hat. Alex Tilley wanted his sailor's hat to float, tie under the chin, stand up to the harshest weather, launder, look classic, and wear comfortably. Tilley located a milliner through the yellow pages who agreed to sew a hat for him, but then ran into problems. "The canvas I wanted to use was so tough that needles couldn't go through it and it shrank when it got wet,". After experimenting, Tilley discovered that he could preshrink the canvas by boiling and steaming it. In 1986 he added a thin layer of foam to the sweatband and to the crown to make them float thus completed his hat. These hats, not just for yachting anymore are still made in Canada. Still are bombproof and come with a lifetime warranty. The washing instructions are simple; “Give ‘em hell”. Even though they now make over 30 different hats the original T2 hat is my favourite, with its classic look and comfort. You can order one up at their website, or find a retailer near you.

Bill Mason: Patron Saint of Canoeing.

Any person who refers to themselves a paddler has learned some of their skills from Bill Mason. Often referred to as the "Patron Saint of Canoeing", he had done more for bringing the knowledge and joy paddling to the masses then anyone other person has. Along with canoeing, film making, writing, and being a fine artist, he was just as talked about for raising environmental issues. Born April 21, 1929 in Winnipeg, Bill enjoyed the water from a very early age, building his first boat at the ripe age of 12. Working as a canoe guide and camp counselor for Manitoba Pioneer Camp in the mid 50's and an animator in the late 50's Bill when met and married Joyce, his beloved wife and soul mate. They would later have two children Paul, and Rebecca, both are still very active in the art and paddle sport community. Bill made 17 well known films. The three that I know best is "Path of the paddle", a series of films that show the viewer methods of paddling in flat water as well as white water. "Song of the paddle" is a beautiful film showing Bill and his lovely Family on a canoe trip. My favorite part of this film is the conversation Bill and Becky have regarding his Pancakes. Camp pancakes just don't turn out pretty like at home!. The last one that I am have seen multiple time is "Waterwalker", a film showcasing Bill on a solo trip around Lake Superior area. Bill Also wrote a "Path of the Paddle" book which is a companion piece to the film of the same name, also he wrote "Song of the Paddle" which goes into detail the knowledge of wilderness camping. I remember being 5 or 6 and my Father borrowing the reel film version of Bills movies from the Library and watching them projected on the living room wall. Then Later in life having to ask "what were those camping movies" then finding them on VHS. He was a Traditionalist, being out in the bush / water from thaw to freeze over. Always in plaid with his Woods Pack and Bakers tent, which a lot of people now refer to as the "Bill Mason" tent. His red Prospector Cedar Canvas Canoe is at the Peterborough Canoe Museum for all to see. And I will say they when I went to look at his canoe, it gave me goose bumps. The energy in that Canoe is something that one can truly feel. Bill passed away Oct 1988. I would have loved to share a story and a laugh with Bill, however watching the legacy in film and print of this great man is fine enough. So please pick up one of his books, and a DVD of his films, or a print of his art. All of the above can be purchased at www.redcanoes.ca, as well as Becky's and Paul's Artwork.

The "Bill Mason" Uniform (from Ebay and Etsy):

Filson Summer Packer Hat.



Red Bandana, Made in the USA.




Pendelton Wool Shirt



Vintage harness leather belt with brass buckle.



Levis big "E" cut off shorts.



Kodiak wool socks.




Woods Canada #200 canoe pack.

Enjoying The Outdoors - Part Two.

Here are some photographs of America enjoying the outdoors. These are from my personal collection.

Canvas Cup - damn yak dry goods Co.

I am please to present the first product under the "damn yak dry goods Co." brand. This small run of canvas cups is made with preshrunk unbleached canvas, raw leather, and copper rivets. Limited to 10 cups, each one measures approx 4" x 5.5". Each cup is made one at a time by me. The seams are not absolutely straight, but guaranteed tough and long lasting, each side is sewn twice. On each cup is a leather loop riveted with copper for hanging off your bag. And yes, they are meant to be used and function quite beautifully. The cups are stenciled with "D.Y." in black acrylic, then heated to set. 100% of the proceeds of this project will be going into the next "damn yak dry goods Co." item. I will stand by these product fully, if you ever need repair on your cup just give it back, and it will be repaired or a new one will be made. I am asking for $10 (shipping included) a cup, and I assure you that it is money well spent as it will never let you down in the field. Thanks for looking and please email me at damnyak@gmail.com if interested.






*as a side note, these cups are meant for water only, and there will be some moisture felt when using the cup, but it will hold water and you will be able to drink from it.