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Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho Review

Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho

When I first got the Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho, I was—to be completely honest—confused. I kept looking at it trying to find a good situation to test it in. 

Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho


Even when I took it camping with me, I couldn’t find the right situation to throw it on. In part it was because of my responsibilities at the campsite and my family. It was too much stuff to be around me while I was cooking or chasing after the kiddos.


But this past weekend, I was at a mountain retreat preparing to consume five grams of psilocybin and I was cold and wanted something comfy. I went to my camp box and pulled out the Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho, threw it on, and proceeded to prepare myself for some medicine work.

Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho


This poncho is the perfect companion for a mushroom trip. There were so many times where I fluctuated from being too hot to too cold and this was the perfect thing to throw off and on or just to hold onto for some soft, fluffy comfort. 


It has also become a companion to my meditation practice. It’s the perfect size to drape over my entire body as my legs are folded underneath me and provides a nice, grounding weight as I try to connect to something deeper than my own ego.

Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho
Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho


While not everyone will be on the same journey, if you are looking for something soft and fluffy to chill or just be in, the Poler Sleeping Bag Poncho is the way to go.

You need a fanny pack: KAVU Spectator

I have been getting gradually more frustrated with the amount of things I carry in my pants pockets: phone, wallet, keys, and with mask mandates going back into effect, a mask.


My pockets are bulgy and not in a funny “or are you just happy to see me?” sort of way.


With fanny packs becoming in fashion again (thanks, Matthew McConaughey), I’ve been casually browsing various outdoor brands looking for the right fit and after visiting the KAVU booth at Outdoor Retailer, I found my match: the KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack.

KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack
KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack


There are a lot of Fanny Pack’s the choose from, but the reason I settled on the KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack was because of its simplicity in design and it’s wide range of color options.


First, when it comes to design, it is a two pocket fanny pack. The smaller pocket is perfect for my wallet and keys, while the larger pocket comfortably holds my iPhone 12 Pro, a pair of sunglasses, and a mask.


And with its wide-range of designs, I was able to pick one that I felt captured my current life phase. They have a lot of fun designs, and I ultimately settled on one that had a bit of an outdoorsy vibe that didn’t clash with my wardrobe.

Since jumping on the fanny pack bandwagon, I couldn’t be more happy. My KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack is setup so that it’s ready to go. My wallet, keys, sunglasses, and mask are always in there. I no longer have to hunt for each, which is a great time saver. 

Additionally, those times where I’m in my car and need to access my wallet or phone (not while driving, mind you), I don’t have to shimmy to gain access to my pants pockets and then dig around to find what I need. 

KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack
KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack

Now, while it is called a fanny pack, I tend to wear it as a front pack. My hips and butt don’t like fanny packs. The design of the pack also allows you to utilize it as a sling, which I have done on some bike rides when I just need those essentials.

If you’re ready to come aboard the fanny pack train, look no further than the KAVU Spectator Fanny Pack.

Eat Greener with EcoVessal’s WanderWare Utensil Set

If you look at my go-box for camping, it is a disaster.


Anything I possibly could need is thrown in there with no order, rhyme, or reason.


Anytime, we get to a campsite, there’s always moments of organization and cleaning; especially the items I use for food prep or eating.


That’s why I was excited to get a sample of EcoVessel’s WanderWare 6-Piece Utensil Set to try out.

EvoVessel WanderWare Utensil Set
EvoVessel WanderWare Utensil Set


Everything you need to eat with is contained within a zippable travel pouch: fork, spoon, knife, chopsticks, straw, and straw cleaner.


Each utensil is made with premium, food-grade stainless steel and is super durable. Just for giggles, I used their knife and fork on a steak and a raw carrot. While it didn’t cut through amazingly well, neither utensil bent or broke.

The EcoVessel WanderWare Utensil Set is a great addition to my go-box, but it’s also a great solution for those times where I know I’ll be eating somewhere with disposable silverware. Their chopsticks are also a great replacement for the wooden disposable ones, as well.


If you’re trying to eat a little greener, this is a great option for you!

Eco-Friendly Food Storage with U-Konserve

U-Konserve Food Storage
U-Konserve Food Storage

U-Konserve has a solution for consumers looking to reduce their waste with their line of reusable containers. They sent me a few of their stainless steel containers with platinum-grade silicon lids to try out.


U-Konserve to-go containers come in a variety of sizes. They are perfect for school lunches, spontaneous picnics, or other outdoor activities. The silicon lids slide on easily and fit tight enough so that there wasn’t any leakage. 


We tested them over a few weeks in a variety of ways.

Daily, my kids use U-Konserve containers to pack dry snack food for their school days.

U-Konserve Food Storage
U-Konserve Food Storage

We also used it to store leftover spaghetti (thinking of the most stainable food to test with) and the silicon lid didn’t turn pink after a day or so in the fridge.

For a recent camping trip, I pre-cut vegetables for cooking and stored some seasoned steaks in them (separately of course). What I appreciated about this test scenario was that I would usually use gallon plastic bags or glass to store in. And this provided a solution that didn’t cause waste or have a potential hazard at the campsite (e.g. glass).

If you’re looking for food storage solutions, these are a great option. 

Sleep like a baby: Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad Review

Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad

I love to camp, but I don’t like sleeping. It doesn’t matter how much melatonin or CBN I take, I always sleep poorly for the first couple of nights. Eventually, my body will adjust and I will sleep through the night by the third night.


Part of my challenge is that I am a side-sleeper. Not 100%, but there’s always points during the night where I will roll onto my side.

My other challenge is that I have back and neck issues. If I sleep slightly out of line, my neck and back will be jacked up for a few days after.

When I was at Outdoor Retailer, I saw a potential solution for my sleep issues: the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad. It was a glorious vision: a think padded bed with—I couldn’t believe it—memory foam.

Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad

The Klymit booth had a model setup that I laid on; first on my back and then rolling to my side. And it felt good. I mean, really good!

Klymit was kind enough to send a sample so I could do a full test.

Before I could take it out camping, I had an opportunity to try it out at home.

We just brought home a new puppy, Parker, and he wasn’t settling down in his crate at night. My first night on the sofa was pure torture, so the second night I got out the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad and I slept like a baby.

And that’s no light feat. There have been many times in the past with sick kids where I’ve camped out in their rooms on one of my other sleeping pads and it would always be a fitful, restless night.

But on the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad, I slept through the entire night and didn’t wake until Parker asked to go outside the next morning.

A week later, I took my oldest to Cub Scout camp in the mountains west of Boulder. 

Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad

One thing I noticed about the Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad was that it didn’t make a lot of noise. Other pads, when I’d role from my back to my side, would screech, but the KLYMALOFT would only make the slightest sound. So once my son was asleep, I was able to move about the tent without making much noise. 

And, more than anything else, once I fell asleep, I slept really good.

I was also responsible to cooking breakfast the next morning. I can’t tell you how good it felt waking up and not feeling the stiffness that I normally would have on my other pads.

I highly recommend this pad for anyone doing car camping. It is lightweight and packs down nicely, but it’s memory foam topper makes it a bit heavier than something you want on the trail.

Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad
Klymit KLYMALOFT Sleeping Pad

When combined with the Klymit Rapid Air Pump, it fills up very easily and quickly.

The Best Lanterns for Camping: BioLite’s AlpenGlow

One of the standouts from this year’s media event at Outdoor Retailer was BioLite’s innovation in the camp lantern market. They debuted their AlpenGlow Series, featuring USB-rechargeable lanterns, and I was excited to have received them to test out in the field.

BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern
BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern


The AlpenGlow models offer 250 and 500 lumens. It utilizes ChromaTeal LED Technology, providing surprisingly accurate color rendering in lowlight conditions. But the coolest feature is the built in accelerometer that will activate “Candle Flicker” mode or “Fireworks” mode.


I brought these lanterns with me to a recent Cub Scout camp and the Fireworks were a hit; the colors quickly cycling between red, blue, purple, green, and orange.

BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern
BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern


As for the functionality inside the tent, it provided adequate lighting (especially with the 500 lumen model) to go about setting up our bedding, changing clothes, or doing some light reading.

BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern
BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern


The bottom of the BioLite AlpenGlow has a hook that can easily hang from the ceiling. And it also has a USB outlet that allows you to plug your phone in to charge or attach a series of SiteLight String Lighting for additional illumination. 


Once my son was asleep, I was able to sneak out of the tent with one of the lanterns and sit at a nearby picnic table with some of the other parents to converse. The lighting modes were easy to navigate back to a warm light that wasn’t so bright it would disrupt our sleeping children.


The next morning, while it was still dark, I navigated the campsite (lantern swinging next to my side) to start preparing breakfast. As the sun was coming up, it provided able illumination so I could make sure the pancake batter wasn’t too think and the bacon wasn’t getting burnt.

BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern
BioLite AlpenGlow Lantern


I was really impressed by these lanterns and the technology they are infused with. I’ve been a fan of BioLite for years and these lanterns didn’t disappoint.

As the days get longer and colder, I look forward to sitting out on my porch with these for illumination.

HeadPeace Ethically-Made Headbands Product Review

Now that my hair is longer, I have been trying various solutions to keep my hair out of my face. Hats of various shapes and sizes are the obvious choice, as are various hair ties. But what about headbands?

I’ve tried a couple that I flatout didn’t like. They were too tight or they wouldn’t sit on my head; constantly rising and rising until I had an unattractive pile of hair on top of my head. I wanted something that looked good and felt good and would hold up with some sweat.

That’s why I was excited to receive a sample to test from HeadPeace.

HeadPeace Headband
HeadPeace Headband

HeadPeace specializes in making various styles of headwear, including headbands.

The sample I received was lightweight, soft and extremely comfortable. I immediately pulled it on and went outside to work up a sweat working on the lawn. During my time wearing it, I didn’t have to make any adjustments. The headband stayed in place and didn’t move around.

Plus, HeadPeace’s designs are pretty awesome. Their designs are fairly gender neutral and they have everything from fun and funky color combinations, to designs that are a bit more earthy. My favorite on their site is one that incorporates mushrooms into its design.

But sure, there are a lot of headband companies out there. What makes HeadPeace so special?

A big part of their specialness is their mission.

All of their products are made in Nepal by a socially-ethical, fair trade manufacturing company that helps women coming out of slavery and trafficking situations get back on their feet.

If you’re looking for a headband or even a lightweight hat, neck gaiter, or kids bands check out HeadPeace and support a really great mission.