I finally got to use the Thermal Trekker. Plug it in to the DC outlet in the back of the sportwagen and drove for about 1.5 hours. The bag carried "ALL" my stuff. Granted, I wasn't coaching but going to do some early season free skiing with a friend, but that also meant I put stuff in the bag that I wouldn't, so I'm treating those things as stunt doubles. No gate tape, range finder, radio & harness, batch of hand warmers for forgetful athletes and such, but normally when I'm coaching I wear my ski pants and jacket to the mountain (not that far away) and this time I had all that in the bag. In the boot compartment there was room for more items. It is almost deceiving on how much it will carry.
When I was unpacking it at home, I realized if I had been more organized and didn't just shove things in the main compartment, I could have gotten more in there. In the main compartment I had my Hestra mittens (which are the size of boxing gloves), Kinco mittens and Kinco gloves, ski pants and insulated jacket with hood on it, Orange dry guy boot warmers (which I later realized were redundant) coffee thermos and camelback .75 water bottle. 3 pairs of Socks, 3 pair of glove liners and neck gaiter in the front compartment. I also had some incidental (duct tape, tools Hotronic batteries etc) items in the top zippered pouch.
All that and I was just shoving things in because I was running late. Easily could have gotten more in by just folding or rolling things up and taking the time to decide on each items home.
With regards to how warming the boots worked...
OMG! I love it.
It's like when cell phones first came out. I thought they were stupid until I got one. Now I don't know how people live without one.
The bag is very well made and looks to be very durable. I don't expect to have any issues with it.
My only "con" would be that I'm not a big fan of helmet slings in general. I reminds me of when I was always SCUBA diving and you had to constantly remember that your girth was more than it felt like because of the tank on your back. We all get used to the backpack being there and can account for the extra foot behind us when slithering through crowds and doorways. Now there is another 6 or 8 inches added to that. I'm sure in no time I'll get used to that as well, but I did bump into a few things first time out.
Maybe in future revisions that can be moved to the top somehow.
There is one other con which is probably only in my head. I've never been worried about leaving my gear in a cubby when visiting other mountains. I was getting ready to hang the Thermal Trekker on a hook and someone stealing it just for the bag flashed through my head. I imagined coming back to the hook and seeing all my crap dumped on the floor and no more Thermal Trekker
I opted for a spot tucked in a corner with my friends bag keeping it out of site
.
Well done Mr. Abramowitz, well done.
Ken
