Hard Working Apparel & Gear

Whether clearing mountain bike trails for IMBA, helping a buddy rebuild a collapsed outhouse or rewiring a vintage travel trailer, sometimes we get our hands dirty for good reasons. Active Junky’s found three brands uniquely qualified to deliver the goods. With enough left in the tank to put up a couple of cords before whiskey-sipping time arrives.

Phunkshun Convertible Ballerclava: When warmth hinges on it

This Colorado company understands there’s a sweet spot between performance and striking style. For them, the balance is doing both exceedingly well and never looking back. Convertible Ballerclava has a hinge to allow wear up, down or in between. Active Junky testers relish it under a helmet, pulling the face panel into position before dropping in. Phunkshun claims Ninja status, but we’ve never seen a deadly warrior looking this smooth. Their $30 balaclava comes in colors and patterns to suit every rider, skier, snowmobiler and martial arts practitioner. Along with accommodating any bad-weather, hard-working outdoor lover who wants to make the most of shorter winter days. Plus Repreve moisture-wicking fabric delivers UPF 50+ protection. Without apologies.

Best For: Ride, ski, hike, snowshoe, work and travel (better buy two now that we think about it) 

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Treeline Outdoors Bullhead Axe: Taking the highest ground

When the evaluation sample arrived, only one course of action seemed plausible to testers. Yank out the gas fireplace and replace it with a wood-burning hearth. This noteworthy axe (and its full-on companion Buckeye Hatchet) puts a hand-carved, solid rosewood handle in your mitts with the power of a forged 2lb head at the ready. Even the steel itself swings big as it was reclaimed from Canadian Pacific Railway track before being fabricated by a 4th generation blacksmith. If you haven’t clicked through to buy one by now, the 26.75” axe even follows the proven Hudson Bay style with the kind of easy-swinging balance that turns art into cordwood. Fast, as Active Junky recommends getting a splitting wedge for maximum individual output. After all, why would you let somebody else have all the fun. Bonus points awarded for buying this pinnacle model as a gift (as if being a backwoods hero wasn’t already enough).

Best For: Chopping and splitting along with finer work (with practice – and regular sharpening to ensure enough bite in damper wood). Add the Gear + Supply Cache to stake your claim above or below the ridgeline.

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Treeline Outdoors Assiniboine Straight Blade Knife: Elevating the edge

Simply cutting wood, hides, fish or game takes a basic level of consistent edge pressure and control. But Active Junky’s out to do more than fake their way through camp, cook and field chores. Treeline Outdoors Assiniboine unsheathes from its hand-stitched leather cover to dispel any myth that all knives are the same. While many commodity brands try to get their slice of the market, this 3.5” straight blade model tempers the aspirations of competitors with a hand-forged Krup steel blade that takes hardness all the way to 61 on the Rockwell scale. With the able assist of the 1”-long thumb rest, this 189g tool rewards the discerning user with sublime control in all axes. Meaning, it stays the course, front-to-back and side-to-side, in the face of heavily-knotted wood, tough tendons and thick cordage. The coco bola wood handle gets a touch of copper in the bolster to further justify inheritance-worthy status. Whatever is happening up in Alberta with this knife means a visit to the source is the only logical response, pilgrim.

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Dickies Pro™ with CORDURA® Field Coat: Get out of the way COMING FALL ‘17

If you’re not ready to work, stand back. Dickies is coming through with a powerful dose of Thinsulate Platinum insulation to put weather in its place. And manage heat build-up and moisture on the inside as well. Generously sized with enormous pockets, Dickies Pro™ with CORDURA® Field Coat adjusts easily both at the cuffs and hide-away, uninsulated hood. Stay safe with reflective piping and take advantage of the beefy (but smooth-running) zippers and snaps attached to military-grade CORDURA® fabric rated for six times the abrasion resistance of normal fabrics. The storm flap does the job and Active Junky’s now at the front of the line to wear Dickies durable, no-nonsense outerwear. Anywhere. And kindly request that less capable clothing stand aside.

Best For: Walking, building and doing in colder climates, less activity in moderate weather (given the powerful protection of the jacket)

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