Osprey Momentum 26 Review By: Jason Colton

The Momentum 26 is a commuter oriented backpack loaded with friendly features. Osprey has put a lot of thought into Momentum 26, and has successfully delivered a fully functional pack for the everyday commuter.

There are nineteen compartments on this versatile pack and all of them have a purpose to help get you through your day. Two of the main compartments and the shoulder harness pockets are lined with a heat embossed “nylon silk” material. This technology is wonderful because it won’t scratch. Instead it will polish your glass, plastic, and aluminum gadgets you store inside. The two shoulder harness pockets are marvelous! The left side pocket is designed for today’s larger smart phones and the “nylon silk” lining polishes your phone while on the go. The pockets zipper also features a built-in garage to keep your valuable phone safe and dry. The right side pocket is for your keys and has a handy retractable key fob. The three main top-loading sections of the pack are also the largest. Again you will find that “nylon silk” has been implemented, and has an inner document sleeve that is perfect for envelopes and notebooks. Another compartment has three mesh pockets with reflective tabs for easy access at night. This compartment is perfect for a wide array of items: camera gear, lenses, and bicycle repair tools. One of the coolest features I enjoyed while utilizing this pack was the expansion panel. You can expand the main compartment five liters by unzipping the three quarter perimeter zipper. This makes for extra storage space when you need it most. This allows the Momentum to expand from twenty six liters to thirty one liters of storage! The second section is designed for a fifteen and a half inch laptop. During my use I discovered it will fit a seventeen inch laptop in a neoprene sleeve with no problem. The third top-loading section is again lined with “nylon silk” and has four inner pockets. Two pen pockets and two other storage areas that I quickly utilized for extra batteries, sunglasses, and a mouse with room to spare. There is also a handy clip for spare keys but I used it for usb flash drives. On each side of the Momentum 26 are mesh pockets with adjustable straps for large water bottles and are easy to access while wearing the pack.

The Momentum 26 is full of creature features on the outside as well as the inside. The thermo-molded, sculpted foam back panel and padded foam shoulder harness offers unparalleled comfort and support during extended use even when packed down with a heavy load. The front face of this Osprey pack has a very nice patented Lid-Lock helmet attachment for when you reach your destination. Located on the bottom of the pack is an integrated high visibility rain fly that deploys from its own compartment. When the thunderstorms come, rest assured that your laptop and paperwork will be safe and dry during your commute. For those of you who are concerned with safety this pack even includes a rescue whistle, a thick reinforced blinker light attachment, and strategically placed reflective strips. These features make it perfect for those night commutes keeping you seen, heard, and protected.

The Momentum 26 is a great choice for students and professionals. It has two compartments that can quickly stow away the hip belt and shoulder harness. On the left side of this pack is a sturdy reinforced carry handle that completes the system and transforms it into a technical yet professional briefcase for school or office. I also used the Momentum as a carry-on and would easily recommend it to any avid traveler.

If thirty one liters of expanded storage isn’t enough for you then take a look at the Momentum 34. It is the big brother of the Momentum 26 and expands from thirty four liters up to forty two of space. It is also equipped with a U-lock pocket and two extra zippered pockets with internal gusseting.

All Osprey products are backed by their “All Mighty Guarantee” which is a lifetime no-fault warranty for as long as you own the pack. If you’re a student or a professional looking for a all-in-one commuter pack that will go the distance with style, look no further. Stop by Dynamic Earth today and check out the Momentum 26 and the full line of Osprey Packs and Accessories.

Article Submitted by: Ben Hodgin ben@dynamicearthdotnet

Recently I was given the difficult task of picking between Wilderness Systems Commander 120 and their Ride 115. I paddled both kayaks extensively.

First, let me tell you about the Ride 115. This SOT (Sit On Top) kayak has a whoppin’ 500 lb. capacity. It also has two large Orbix storage hatches making getting to your gear a breeze. To accompany this huge storage capacity the Ride 115 also offers a pontoon style hull that makes standing in it to fly fish a very real possibility. The Slide Trax rail comes standard, so if you are a geek like me you can deck these kayaks out from mild to wild to suit your needs. If fishing is not your thing then use this stable SOT as a gear hauling machine for those multi-day expeditions, or throw your scuba gear in it and take off. A quick note about me, I am 6′ 1″ and the Ride has ample leg room for a guy my height, so all of you tall guys out there that can’t get comfortable on the river need to come sit in this beast. The seat you would be climbing into can be moved forward and back in the kayak to adjust trim, but when you set up camp or stop for lunch you can pull the seat out and stay comfy out on the gravel bar.

Last but surely not least, the Commander 120. Boast a 400 lb. capacity. This pontoon style kayak gives you a few seating options. Up high in the Captains seat so you can fish, or down low in the big removable seat for great back support. Like the Ride it has the pontoon hull, and the seat moves to adjust trim. While sitting in the higher seat I was reminded of sitting in a canoe. Then I paddled it. This canoe/kayak hybrid offers you the huge storage potential of a canoe with the comfort and performance of a kayak. From the high seat, transitioning to standing is a dream. So if you are looking to fly fish this is the kayak for you. It also supports the Slide Trax rail to deck this kayak out with fishing accessories.

So now, I guess I have to pick one. It has to be the Ride for me. The SOT offers some pretty sweet features. I love the ability to swing my legs over the side and split the distance between me and the stern, so fishing 360 degrees is easy to do. This is just the one that I would pick, but I would be tempted to own both kayaks.

If you are looking for those epic overnight fishing trips, a great lake or river day tripper, or you just want to pack some malty beverages in your kayak and be comfy at the same time. Come look at these kayaks. Sit in one. You won’t want to get out.

Quick Arcteryx S220LT Review Submitted By: Ben Hodgin of Dynamic Earth.

I was heading out for a climbing trip a couple of weekends ago, and the General Manager of Dynamic Earth threw me an Arcteryx S220 LT Sport Climbing Harness to try out. I had not only just scored a weekend off, but a new Arcteryx harness as well! The first thing that I noticed was the harnesses weight, or rather the lack of. This is the lightest sport climbing harness that Arcteryx produces. The S220LT comes in at roughly 8 ounces pending the size selected. This super packable, lightweight harness is the most comfortable sport climbing harness I have ever worn. Its breathable, open –weave Vapor Mesh polyester leg loops utilized a conical shape for belay comfort, and the Extra-wide Warp Strength Technology swami (WST) evenly supported the load across the entire harness structure. It does have two reversible gear loops, but it only has 2 so all of you trad climbers will want for more loops. This harness offers plenty of features for sport climbing at Horseshoe or Sam’s. Overall it is a phenomenal harness, comfortable for all day wear and at a price you can afford. Make sure to stop by the store today and check out this award winning Arcteryx harness.

Summer Vacation is upon us and we can’t think of a better way to start a trip than a killer new piece of truly functional luggage. We have some of the best luggage on the planet from the likes of Osprey and Patagonia. Rest assured it doesn’t get any better and both brands offer no questions asked unconditional guarantees. Go ahead airlines, hit em with your best shot.