High Sierra Gear Review

I'd like to put my two cents on in High Sierra gear. Of course, I am just a lone blogger, and to my knowledge, no one has actually read my blog since November, so it goes without saying that High Sierra has no investment in me and my opinions are strictly my own.

I really like High Sierra stuff. High quality, holds up well, for the most part works well, and has a great price tag.

I first discovered HS as a brand several years ago when I bought a backpack online. I had never heard of them, but the pack was the right price. They offered gear with all the bells and whistles other brands had for half the price. I ordered the bag and took a chance.

I've been using that book bag for 3 years solid, and it is 95% of its original condition. I used it daily in college, I've packed for quick overnight trips, and have taken it on short hikes. It comes with me to work daily and literally gets tossed on the floor under the nurses station, kicked around, slung around.....generally abused. It has held up tremendously. Literally the only thing that has any issues is the velcro closure on the little cellphone caddy. After 3 years of constant use the velcro has frayed and doesn't work if much pressure is applied to it. But, that took three years to occur. The bottom, straps, and zipper show no wear.

I can't remember, but I think I paid somewhere between $30-50. It has rip-stop like construction, good zippers, a laptop compartment, an mp3 player cubby, a cellphone pocket on the shoulder straps, and a sad version of a hip belt and chest strap (it works buts its not too substantial). Really, it has the material, features, and build of a $100+ bag. Also, while not built for CCW, it has a padded pocket in the front that perfectly holds my Glock 23 or J-frame revolver. They don't seem to make this particular bag now, but it looks very akin to this one, only with a laptop compartment and no hyrdation sleeve.

I also have a HS internal frame hiking pack (Explorer 55). Find info here. Its a very standard 55 liter top loading pack with internal frame. Like the backpack, it is very well built, using "Duralite" material, and has all the feature other packs do. Both bags have a padded mesh vented side that goes against your back, allowing for airflow. It has help up extremely well in 3 hiking trips. It also includes a rain cover, which I have not seen in most affordable packs.

This bag is good, but not perfect. The zipper for the bottom sleeping bag compartment is difficult at times, and I'm hoping it "breaks in". Fortunately, I only tend to access that compartment once or twice a day. I'm not wild about the top flap. Unless the bag is loaded to the brim, when cinched tight it pulls to the rear so extremely it almost doesn't cover part of the bag, which is not a huge deal since it has a cord locked storm cover inside. Its almost more of an aesthetics thing than a real problem.

The kicker is that I don't really care because this pack only cost $60! That is literally a fraction of what most comparable bags cost. And, given I've tested it, and have complete confidence in how it holds up, its a complete steal for the price.

The main downside in all HS bags I've found is that they like straps- a lot. Every bag is loaded with cinching straps to tighten down loads and hoods and everything- but so much and with so much extra length that one finds them self with a host of nylon tentacle-like extensions hanging from their back. Occasionally, I will fold up the slack and rubber band it together.

On the whole, however, I find High Sierra gear to be extremely rugged, well built, reliable, and long-lasting. I would highly recommend their product. Given the few negatives- a few extra straps and some difficult zippers- you can sure save a few bucks for an overall well built product.

Knives- A Man's Cutlery

Breaking away from guns for a bit, I thought I'd write a post about the knives I use. Just like guns, I do not have an endless collection, just a few that I use regularly. It should be noted that I do not really carry knives as weapons or for self defense, I carry them as a tool to use. I think its great to have a good knife with you, always a use for something. Also, while I like to buy decent knives, I certainly don't spend a fortune on the most amazing thing out there. I buy decent quality stuff that's affordable. I'll start with the smallest and work up the largest.

Camillus Sizzle

This is my "everyday" knife I carry around with me pretty much whatever I do. Nice little knife, assisted opening, 2.5" blade made of Aus8 stainless. I bought it as a gift to my brother, and liked it so much that I kept it. Has held a good edge, and its a nice size to carry around....a little blade to do random little everyday tasks. The one downside is that mine has a partially serrated edge.....when I bought it I thought that was great, but I have really grown to prefer a completely straight edge. They are discontinued but are still out there for sale. I bought mind for around $35

CRKT M4

I've had to warm up to my Columbia River Knife and Tool M4. At first, I can't say I liked the thing, but now I love it. It was my first decent knife I bought, and I think I expected it to slice through steal. Having generated realistic expectations about knifes, I know very much appreciate it. The blade is made of Aus8 stainless and bead blasted. It has a positive extra locking system that I like when the blade is open. The edge is hollow ground with a drop point.

I like this knife because its slightly larger and more robust, I feel I can take on serious work with the thing. It also has a thick enough spine that I would feel comfortable using to baton wood, etc. I have taken this camping/hiking and would feel good if I was lost and this is the knife I had at my side. I take it with me when I'm outdoors- plinking, dayhiking, or when I'm beboping around doing things where I might want a decent knife. It has a thin handle which is nice for my smaller hands. The one downside is the pocket clip can dig into the hand a bit. Overall, a well constructed knife. Does need sharpening a couple times to get a really good edge. They are around $90 new but I found one on sale for about $40 on REI.com

Benchmade Rant Drop-Point

I really like this knife. I've only had it for about a month. This is my larger, more robust knife I plan to bring on full-out hiking/camping/hunting trips. It has a 4.5" blade made of 440c stainless. Obviously, it also has a drop point. It came right out of the box with a really nice razor sharp edge. It has a finish that I can't explain....its like a bead-blasted but yet different. The appearance would remind you of corrugated steel. The handle is a very large textured santoprene handle. Actually, the handle is probably getting too big for me....it has a large palm swell that feels like it could give me blisters. I've only used it on a winter camping trip, so I had gloves on. It comes with a leather sheath that is well built, but is a but finicky on how it slides in. Thus, it doesn't easily resheath without looking- which is probably my biggest bummer.

On the trip though, it did a great job of splicing kindling, whittling, cutting rope, doing some kitchen duty, overall it was great. I would feel more than good in having this on my side if I got lost and was in a survival situation. Also would make a good knife I think for hunting and skinning. I've seen these anywhere from $45-70. Mine was in the middle.

Note: if you happen to google this, the knife was redesigned recently. Subsequently, there's lots of pictures out there of the old ones. The new one (that I have) is the Mel Purdue designed Rant DPT

Rant DPT on bottom, Fallkniven F1 on top.

Other things:

I also frequently carry around a Leatherman Fuse and a Swiss Army knife. Both great. I registered for a Leatherman Wave in my wedding gift registry, we'll see if I get lucky :) Great fiance to let me register for that, huh?

Competition Rig

Well, my competition belt finally arrived......2 days after the last meet of the season. It took almost a month. I have a Safariland bucklelss 2 layer belt- one inside the pants loops and one out.

Right now I have an Uncle Mike's Law Enforcement paddle holster but I'll be replacing that. Not sure exactly what yet.....maybe something Safariland or maybe just a Blade-tech. I don't want a race holster because that is nothing like what you'd actually have in real life.

I'm using Comp-tac mag carriers. They do the job. I need to get 1 or 2 more.

Accessorizing

I think I finally understand women and all their accessories. Purses, earrings, shoes.......

For men its called...gear! Shopping for it, comparing it, buying it.....even organizing it all. I think I love gear.

This week I've had a blast picking up new stuff:

Uncle Mic's range bag. What a great little bag for 45 beans. Holds plenty of ammo and all my gear for shooting. Its my first range bag actually designed to hold shooting gear and I love it.

Also picked up some Peltor Tactical 6s electronic muffs. Looking forward to trying those out. I'll probably review them after I've warn them shooting.

Starting getting the beginnings of my competition rig. Stuff I'll being using for USPSA and hopefully some IDPA too. I have some Comp-Tac single mag carriers and an Uncle Mike's Police Gear kydex holster for use with my G17. The comp-tac stuff is okay. Will do the job. The holster is a little disappointing. I've loosened the tension screws as much as possible but it still draws pretty hard. I think I'll be ordering a Safariland 007 holster- it will work for USPSA and IDPA. I also already ordered a Safariland double buckleless belt, but it won't be here in time for the last competition of the season.

Will be picking up at least one more 17 round mag for the Glock this week. Also picked up some snap caps......pretty much any little thing that looks good, I've been grabbing up! Here's to gear!