Hats Off To You

It’s summer and everyone has to take shade at some point! It sure is hot but if you make sure you keep your head covered with a light hat, you will keep yourself much cooler. There are many styles of hats available. Each hat has a different style to fit your particular need or taste.

I recommend the Boonie Hat; especially in the warm weather.

It is a wide-brimmed hat that is better known as a Bush Hat. It is used for various reasons; one of the many reasons is for military use. It was first used in the U.S during the Vietnam War. There are quite a few prints and colors to choose from.

 It will definitely keep your head protected from the sun. It allows an extreme amount of shade for you to keep cool. As far as the material, it is a matter of preference. When the Boonie Hat was first introduced it was mainly made from excess material from parachutes. Some prefer rib stop; while others like a nylon blend. It really depends on the reason of use.

Fishermen are often seen wearing them because of the loops around the base of the hat. It is a great place to store your lures. If you are looking for full coverage in the hot sun, this is a perfect pick. There are usually vents that allow air to get to your head. The best part is you can adjust the hat to how tight you would like it on your head. Try it!

Protect Yourself and your Electronics

Do you own a tablet, iPad, iPhone, Nook, or laptop? There are many cool new carry cases and Military Bags that accommodate your electronics including some that you may have never seen before.  They include an iPhone case equipped with a removable pepper spray baton,  an iPhone or iPod arm band that is great to use while working out or jogging,  and all types of iPad or laptop carry bags in just about every camo option.

If you are looking for a way to keep your iPhone on you while you are jogging then you need the iPhone arm band.  It has an adjustable arm strap, an inner zipper compartment to store your keys or money, and an ID window on the outside of the band. Another great idea for jogging is the iPhone case that comes equipped with the removable pepper spray baton. Now you can protect yourself while you reduce the number of items you carry with you since the pepper spray detaches easily from the iPhone case.

Do you travel with your iPad or laptop? Available now are tactical field laptop cases in digital camo, multi camo, coyote brown, olive drab and black.  For any tablet you may want to check out the modular Camo tablet shoulder bag. It can be used three ways: as a waist pack, with a carry handle, or a shoulder bag. It is made of heavy duty yet light weight nylon and has numerous modular attachment points.  These are just a few of many great carry cases and bag options that are available to you right now.

Surviving The Elements

Hey everybody I just wanted to let you know about a great product I just discovered. A Company by the name of Sealskinz has come up with an amazing line of Waterproof Gloves, socks, and hats that are sure to be a big hit in the outdoors men and hunting community. I know you have all seen this before but you really have to check out this product the waterproofing technology is unlike any I have ever seen before.

Sealskinz specializes in close fitting yet breathable waterproof Military Gloves. These are the perfect accessories for any outdoor activity. The outer layer will not allow any water to penetrate keeping your hands and feet completely dry. This same technology makes everything windproof as well, blocking all incoming wind and keeping your hands warm. Now you may be thinking that if it is water tight and liquid cant escape your hands and feet might get a little sweaty. This is the best part about the product and why the technology they use is at the top of the game. They use a solid outer layer that has no pores to assure no wind or water passes through. The middle layer is the waterproofing layer that removes moisture. The breathable membrane is there to make sure you hands and feet do not sweat while wearing them. This three-layer construction makes these gloves really stand out from the rest in terms of performance.

Customer reviews are top notch for this product and I am sure you will be impressed with yours. They are well made and will last a long time if taken care of. So if you love being outside and baring the elements this product really is a great tool to have with you as far as keeping yourself comfortable harsh weather conditions.

CAMPING TIPS

When you are camping in wooded areas or in bear country, you have to be extremely careful. There are people that may think it is cute to spot a bear but it is nothing of the sort! Those beautiful animals are very aggressive and a simple camping trip could cost you your life if you are not cautious!

When people go camping, it is extremely important to bring flashlights, batteries and bottled water. Those are three very crucial items that should be the first things you pack. If you are not familiar with camping and sleeping outdoors, you want to pack extremely comfortable sleeping bags and other items to sleep on.

You may want to check the temperature rating of sleeping merchandise that will be appropriate for the climate you will be in. You want to make sure you have padding to put under the air mattress or cot you are sleeping on. That will keep you warm because it will put distance between you and the floor.

Never! I repeat never, keep food in your Tent!! Throw all your food away in the designated trash areas in your campground. If there are no areas, make sure you keep your food in a cooler and keep it far away from your tent, preferably one hundred feet away.

You can purchase bear-resistant canisters and other items that will keep bears away from your tent. Do not forget there are also creepy crawlers that can get into your food, so be vigilant and take all precautions on your outdoor adventure!

Born Survivor

Everybody loves to hear stories about survival. It could be about someone that was lost at sea or lost in the woods. It’s always inspiring to hear how that person was able to survive and managed to make their way back home safe and sound.  We try to put ourselves in their situations and think about how we would have reacted and what we would be capable of doing in order to stay alive. There are even a number of shows dedicated to these scenarios. One of the shows included is “I shouldn’t be alive” which has the real survivors retelling their stories of how they got into danger and what they had to do in order to make it out of it. Some other shows such as “Survivorman” and “Man vs. Wild” show the viewer what to do and how to survive in certain situations.

Now, the host of Discovery’s “Man vs. Wild” Bear Grylls is working with Gerber, one of the best knife companies out there. Together they have developed a new line of knives, machetes, and fire starters for people to purchase. These items are made with the highest quality materials and even come packaged with land to air rescue SOS instructions and a pocket sized survival guide which contains some of Bear’s best survival tips. The machete or “parang” has an angled stainless steel blade to allow the user to clear brush and limbs with ease. The fire starter is compact and comes with a waterproof storage container and a lanyard to keep the item intact. All of their knives are made with a stainless steel blade and comfortable rubber slip resistant grip and are available in a variety of different styles.

 So, now that you have the tools and knowledge, go out there and put your skills to the test. Are you a survivor?

Independence Day

Like many holidays, the true meaning of Independence Day unfortunately seems to be forgotten by a lot of us. Of course the 4^th of July is a day to celebrate… but do we really know what we’re celebrating? The real meaning of this day is profound but sadly goes unnoticed, especially by young people. We have to remember what this holiday is about instead of allowing it to be obscured by parties, drinking and fireworks.

In essence, this holiday is our country’s birthday and indeed deserves a celebration! But how much do really know about the country we live in? On July 4^th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed, which gave us independence from Great Britain. Before the Declaration was signed the United States consisted only of thirteen colonies and was under the rule of King George III. The colonies grew tired of paying taxes to Great Britain and having no say in what went on in the English Parliament. In 1774, they sent delegates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress which continually tried to resolve differences with England without having to formally declare war.

After a considerable period of time, their efforts proved to be hopeless and a committee lead by Thomas Jefferson was formed to compose the formal Declaration of Independence. To make the document official, it was signed by the president of the Continental Congress, John Hancock.

The first Independence Day celebration took place a year after the document was signed, on July 4^th, 1777 and has been proudly celebrated by Americans ever since. The history of our country is so rich, so interesting and so meaningful. Wave your Flags high this year to celebrate our country’s birth!

Showing My Gratitude

Almost every American family has at least someone in it that is currently serving or has served in the military. Not only did my father work very hard to provide for our family but he also served in the Army and was an excellent role model to my brothers, sisters and me. Even though he wasn’t looking for compliments, I always found that a little of encouragement meant a lot to him. And showing my gratitude with a simple gesture really went a long way. He was and still does take pride in his strength but I know there were a few times that I saw tears in his eyes while he opened up and read a card from me.

I know first-hand how hard it is to be far away from our loved ones but it’s important to remember what they’re fighting for. A great way to show our appreciation is with a little hello and a thank you gift. There are so many different kinds of items available for either any occasion or for a special occasion.

I know one thing that my father always loved and put to use was Army Clothing and boots. Not just when he was away but anytime. I still always pick him out gifts from Army Navy Stores when it’s his birthday, Christmas or anything like that. He’s got coffee mugs, key chains, and wallets to last him the rest of his life. And he’s got enough Camouflage gear to be passed down for generations. Are any of your loved ones serving in our Military? What special ways have you found to show your love and appreciation for them?