Rain Boots, Part 2: How High?
Whether you need to wade through knee-deep gumbo to hook up a winch cable or just keep your feet dry during a spring rain, there's a mind-boggling variety of rubber boots on the market suited to any outdoors task. For example, here are just a few samples from LaCrosse.
LaCrosse Footwear, 800.323.2668, www.lacrossefootwear.com
The LaCrosse Z-Series boots are made from a rubber-compound shell that's guaranteed 100-percent waterproof and feature a chevron-cleated rubber outsole for sure-footed traction. Available in a variety of heights (5-, 11-, and 14-inch models are shown here), The Z-Series boots are designed to fit over leather work boots, so you could carry these in your cab in case the weather looks threatening outside. At right around $30 retail, consider these cheap insurance for your nice leather boots.
The LaCrosse Alphaburly 18 is a line of 18-inch-tall, rubber-clad Neoprene boots that'll keep you dry up to your knees. Within the Alphaburly line are boots with varying degrees of insulation-from 1,500 grams of Thinsulate to a simple fleece lining to wick away sweat. Styles range from plain olive drab to a number of different camo patterns, including Mossy Oak New Break-Up, Advantage Timber, and Realtree Hardwoods.
Trailside Entertainment
Too wet to 'wheel? Check out these portable entertainment systems. From Jeep is the Rubicon Rugged Radio, a big, burley, weather- and shock-resistant AM/FM tuner that looks a lot like a small generator. It's built with rubberized knobs that are easy to use with gloves and sits on protective rollbars with rubberized feet. The Rugged Radio runs on six D-cell batteries or the supplied power cord.
Taking the Rubicon radio to the next level, the folks at Jeep have just introduced the Rubicon Rugged TV/Lantern/Radio with-you guessed it-a built-in television (a 5-inch black-and-white unit) and a retractable lantern. The radio dial also gets a weather band to keep up with local storm warnings. Its ruggedized construction features are similar to the original Rubicon radio's.
Jeep, www.jeep.com
Jeep isn't the only company to get in on the trailside entertainment movement. Coleman offers the King Cobra Lantern TV Radio, which packs a 5-inch TV, an AM/FM/Weather (seven-band) radio, a fluorescent tube, and a flashlight all into one compact package. The King Cobra can be powered by C-cells or 12-volt power, and the kit includes a car-plug adapter.
Coleman, 800.835.3278, www.coleman.com
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Jeep Rubicon Rugged Radio
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Jeep Rubicon Rugged TV/Lantern/Radio
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Coleman King Cobra Lantern TV Radio
Waterproof It
You may already be familiar with products on the market that can add or refresh the waterproof layer on your boots, jackets, and other outer wear. But a quick look over the Nikwax line will show you that modern waterproofing technology doesn't stop at clothing. Nikwax also offers cleaning and re-waterproofing products for tents, backpacks, duffle bags, rope, and even maps and charts. You'll find more traditional types of 'proofing products in the lineup too, for leather, cotton, wool, down, and even water-repellent fabrics like Gore-Tex.
Nikwax, 800.563.3057, www.nikwax.com
Tent & Gear Proof from Nikwax is designed to add a waterproof layer to backpacks, duffle bags, tents, and other gear made from polyester, Dacron, and polyurethane- and Neoprene-backed nylon.
Frog-Like Skin
When it gets wet enough, you'll want waterproof protection for more than just your feet. And let's face it: Those 99-cent see-through ponchos you get at the drug store just don't cut it, for more than a few minutes anyway. For true wet-weather repellancy look to a rain suit like those made by Frogg Toggs. Made up of three layers of polypropylene material with a center layer of microporous film, Frogg Toggs suits are 100-percent waterproof but also breathe, to keep you comfortably cool even when fully zipped up. Frogg Toggs come in several styles, including models for hunters with Advantage Wetlands, MAX-4 HD, and Timber camo patterns.
Frogg Toggs, 800.349.1835, www.froggtoggs.com
Frogg Toggs' Pro Action suits are the company's most popular. The jacket includes a hood that zips into the collar, while the pants are made with pass-through pockets, an elastic waist, and 8-inch zippers at the cuffs.