Ideas, hints and buying tips

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I have a question for you. What’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant? I see it on lots of outdoor gear but I’m not sure which is which.
– Soggy Seth, Portland, Ore.

A: Great question, Soggy Sir. And you’re right, the terms waterproof and water-resistant are plastered all over the hangtags of tents, rain jackets, watches, GPS, and so on.

To help answer this one, I pinged Andrew MacAuley, the product development director at Aquapac (www.aquapac.net), the folks who make those handy waterproof pouches for cameras, electronics and such. When I asked him what’s the difference between waterproof and water-resistant, here’s what he had to say:

“Well, actually, not a lot. It means different things on different products. Most items like electronics, Aquapac cases, etc. use a system called the IP (Ingress Protection) scale; which goes from 1 to 8. IPX1 means that an item is not really protected against water. IPX8 means that you can safely take the item underwater — although the depth and time that it is safe underwater can vary. A lot of ‘waterproof’ electronics are IPX7, which means that they will be OK if you accidentally drop them in a stream and get them out immediately. When you talk about tents or clothes, waterproofing is measured on a scale called the Hydrostatic Head. If you take a piece of the material, and put a tube on top of it, the hydrostatic head rating is how much water you can fill in this tube before the pressure and weight of the water pushes through the material. Proper ‘waterproof’ levels are considered to be 1000mm (25.4 inches) of water, but most decent tents have an HH rating of over 2000mm, and a good waterproof jacket will be around 3000mm+. You need a higher number because the force that rain hits a tent or jacket, especially when it’s windy, can be quite considerable. Meanwhile, watches have an entirely different grading than most other electronics.”

I did a little research and found that only true scuba diving watches can be advertised as waterproof. All other watches must be listed as water-resistant to a specific depth, but you shouldn’t press any function buttons while it’s submerged. As a rule of thumb, watches with water-resistance ratings of 30 to 50 meters are okay for fishing but not suitable for swimming and diving. Watches with water-resistant ratings of 100 meters are fine for swimming and most watersports like paddling, surfing, and snorkeling but NOT scuba diving. You’ll need a true diving watch for that.

So bottom line: before you buy something that’s waterproof or water-resistant, find out exactly what it means for that particular product by checking the fine print in the user’s manual or on the hangtag.

Q. I love mountain bikes but I never go on trails. I think road bikes are too delicate for my street and I never like going too fast. What should I do?
– Matt On-The-Fence, Pittsford, N.Y.

A. Hey there, Matt. You bring up an interesting question here. First off, good job for identifying the style of bike you like and identifying where you’ll be riding most often. That’s the first and most important step for picking the right bicycle.

You like mountain bikes, and there’s absolutely no problem with riding a mountain bike on the road. I do it all the time. And if you plan on riding on the street exclusively you might consider trading out the big knobby tires that come on most mountain bikes for a pair of smoother, low-profile road slicks or commuter tires. They range from about $15 to $30 per tire at your local bike shop and you can easily put them on yourself. You’ll get a smoother ride with better grip for the hard surfaces of your street. If you ever decide to go off-road, simply switch back to the knobby tires.

If you’re certain you’ll be sticking to the hard stuff forever than you might consider simply going with an urban commuter bicycle with a mountain bike-style frame like the Novara Buzz V Bike ($449; rei.com).

But if you want my bottom line advice, get a mountain bike with a pair of slicks, because as your skills improve on the street I bet you’ll wanna start ripping it up on the trails too.

The T-shirt probably is the most important piece of clothing in a guy’s closet. Besides being comfy and appropriate for most any activity, a T-shirt with a favorite slogan or image on it can say a lot about the guy wearing it.

And now, thanks to Websites like www.cafepress.com, it’s super easy to get creative and design your own t-shirt. You simply log on to the site and upload a digital image (be it a favorite photo, slogan, or a cartoon you drew and scanned to your PC). Then you pick what color, style, and size t-shirt you want to create. You can preview your design and edit it until you’re happy. Then, voila, a week or so later your brand new, custom-made t-shirt shows up in the mail. Prices start around $14.99 for a basic light-colored t-shirt.

And if you’re into Boys’ Life gear, be sure to check out our online store for great designs on shirts and more!

Q. Why are white gas stoves more versatile than butane, propane, or other canister stoves?
– Chef Robert, Round Rock, Tex.

A. Thanks for the question, Chef. White gas stoves are indeed more versatile than screw-on canister-type stoves. The main reason is they burn reliably in all weather conditions, whereas canister stoves are typically unreliable in winter weather. When temps approach freezing, the pressurized fuel canisters can lose their pressure and become unusable.

Another thing that makes white gas stoves more versatile is that they operate with refillable fuel bottles that you fill at home with exactly as much gas as you expect to use on your trip. With canister stoves it’s impossible to tell how much fuel is left in a partly used canister, so you always have to bring a couple (added weight) and when the canisters are empty you have to pack them out (dead weight clanking around in your backpack).

White gas is cheaper too. Fuel for white gas stoves is up to 10 times less expensive (especially when you buy it in bulk versus purchasing individual fuel canisters).

Now keep in mind, all of the above does not mean that canister-style stoves are a bad option. They are great, too, and I use one myself on lots of trips. In general, canister stoves are more compact, simpler to operate, and there’s never a danger of fuel spilling or leaking in your pack.

But you’re right — white gas is more versatile. However, if you’re looking for the ultimate in versatility, check out a multi-fuel stove like the WhisperLite Internationale ($90;www.cascadedesigns.com) which can burn white gas, kerosene, unleaded gasoline that used for cars, and even jet fuel. Now that’s versatility!

Q. Dear Gear Guy, which tent material better handles prolonged exposure to the sun—150-denier oxford polyester or canvas?
–Curious Montana, Port St. Lucie, Fla.

A. Hello Curious. So your last name is Montana, but you’re actually from Florida? Very interesting. The question you posed is interesting too. For the answer, I checked with my friend Chris Pottinger, a tent designer with Big Agnes (www.bigagnes.com). Here’s what he had to say: “Canvas is kind of a general term so it really depends what the tent material is made of. That said, as a rule of thumb regarding resistance to sun exposure, cotton is longer lasting than polyester, and polyester is longer lasting than nylon.”

So, if the tent is made of cotton canvas then it will indeed be more durable to sun exposure than a polyester tent. There you have it, Curious.

Okay, so this one isn’t exactly a piece of gear, but it is something we really, really like. AND it’s free! It’s an online music program called Pandora (www.pandora.com) which is basically like a radio station on the Web that plays only the music YOU like.

Here’s how it works: just type in the name of a band that you dig. Then, the computer will play you another song from another band that sounds similar. Click on the Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down icon to tell Pandora whether you like each song or not and eventually the program will narrow down (and learn) what you like so nearly every song you hear you’ll dig. And did I mention it’s free!

Q. When I’m kayaking, my paddle is always slipping through my hands. Can you help me?
– Slippery Trey, Covington, Va.

A. As an avid kayaker, I’ve experienced the exact same problem myself. There are a couple things that could be going on here. Lots of different stuff can make the shaft of your paddle slippery, including mud, sunscreen, even grease from your hair. So, your first task is to give the shaft of your paddle a really good cleaning. Do this with water, a tiny bit of dishsoap and a rough sponge.

Once the paddle is free of slippery stuff, make sure your hands are clean before you paddle. I don’t mean wash-your-hands-before-dinner clean. Just make sure there’s no mud or sunscreen on your hands. Every time before paddling, I reach down into the riverbed and grab a handful of pebbles or gritty sand and wash my hands with that. It totally works.

If your paddle is still slipping, you might try rubbing a small amount of wax on the shaft where you grip it. Mr. Zogs Paddle Wax ($1.75; www.nrsweb.com) works fine. Hope that helps!

I have to tell you about my new favorite camping tent that’s not actually a tent. I just returned from a weeklong kayaking trip in Louisiana’s Atchafalaya Basin. It’s the largest swamp in North America — a really wild place with tons of huge cypress trees and water everywhere, but not much dryland for camping. There are plenty of alligators there too, so I was extra keen to get up off the ground at night. My best option for camping was a hammock. I chose the Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) OneLink Hammock Shelter System ($200; www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com).

Basically it’s a hammock with a slip-on bug net and tarp to keep the rain and dew off while you sleep. The hammock is super easy to set up. Just find two trees about eight feet apart and slip a SlapStrap on each. No need to tie fancy knots. The straps have built in webbing loops so you simply snap each of the hammock’s carabiner clips in place at the preferred height and you’re ready to go. The tarp is easy to attach as well so after a couple nights I was able to pitch the whole thing in less than five minutes. Weighing in at just 4 pounds 4 ounces, the ENO is also lightweight enough for backpacking and you can even chose one pre-treated with InsectShield bug repellant for $10 bucks extra.

Now keep in mind that hammocks are best for warm-weather camping since you don’t have the insulation of the ground to keep you warm during cold nights. However on my trip the weather did get down to near freezing one night, but I just dumped all my clothes into the bottom of the hammock and slept on top of them for added insulation and I was fine.

This was the first time I’d spent multiple nights in a hammock, and I’m here to say it has to be the most comfortable way to camp. No rolling off your sleeping pad. No rocks and sticks poking you from below. No pinched nerves and dead arms. Just a gentle rocking motion lulling you to sleep like a baby.

Q. When I’m camping, I hate having to get up in the middle of the night to go outside and pee. Sometimes it’s too cold or I’m nervous about what I might step on in the dark. What should I do?
– Anonymous, Tampa, Fla.

A. I have a good solution for you. As you know it’s super important to stay hydrated anytime you’re on an outing. So keep drinking that water. But that also means you’ll likely need to urinate in the middle of the night. Every time I’m camping somewhere cold or someplace where getting out of my sleeping bag at night would be really uncomfortable, I bring along an empty quart-size plastic bottle. I like to use the wide-mouth ones, like an empty Gatorade bottle. When nature calls, I kneel in my sleeping bag, position the bottle just so, and VERY CAREFULLY pee into it. When I’m finished, I screw the top on tightly and sit it outside the tent door.

Make sure you label the bottle appropriately so your buddy doesn’t mistake it for lemon-lime Gatorade.When you’re sharing a tent with someone, it’s a good idea to make sure they’re O.K. with your bathroom plans before just whipping out the old bottle.

Q: I actually don’t have a question. Just wanted to tell fellow Boys’ Life readers that Alps Mountaineering gives all Boy Scouts a 45 percent discount off list price on outdoor equipment on their website.
–Barry the Bargain Hunter, Louisville, KY

A: Everybody loves to save cash on gear. And Barry is exactly right, guys. Alps sells good quality backpacks, tents and sleeping bags and gives Scouts a savings of 45 percent off their normal retail prices. You can check out their stuff at www.alpsmountaineering.com or go straight to their Scouts-only website at www.scoutdirect.com. The good old fashion phone works too, if that’s more your speed: 1-800-344-2577.

They look awfully silly, and the guys might laugh, but you’ll be the one smiling at the end of the day after hiking or running in these toed socks. You will be blister-free, with no skin-on-skin rubbing, and you’ll find you have better posture and balance when your toes are allowed to work as they were meant to. Take care of your feet, and they’ll take care of you.

The Outdoor Series hikers combine Nuwool, nylon and Spandex for a comfortable, durable fit; the Performance Series runners have a high content of Coolmax designed to wick sweat away. $12-$16, www.injinji.com

Q. I have an 8-person tent I got from Wal-Mart a few years ago. It has been fine for camping in the backyard with the family but we are going to a couple of state parks this summer so the convenience of running in the house if it starts to rain is not an option.  The tent boasted “weather-tec” or something like that, basically claiming it will stay dry.  I really don’t want to buy a new tent.  How do you think it will fair if it begins to rain?
–Concerned Keith, Chicago, Illinois

A. Hello Keith. Thanks for the good question. Your gut is right on — there’s indeed a good chance that your tent won’t be truly waterproof. Inexpensive tents from stores like Wal-Mart may be just fine for fair weather outings. What they usually lack is durability, weather-proofness and they are often heavier than high-end camping gear.

I hear what you’re saying about not wanting to buy a new one so it’s good to know there are a couple things you can try to make your tent work. First, you could get a basic tarp at the hardware store (probably will cost you less than $15) and hang that above your tent. That way, the tarp shelters your tent and takes the brunt of the rain during a storm.

Second, you could treat your tent with a waterproofer like Nikwax Tent & Gear Solar Proof ($14-$44; www.nikwax.com). Simply pitch your tent, spray it down with a hose, and then cover the entire thing with the Nikwax. For a tent as large as yours, you’ll likely have to use most of the 2.5-liter bottle, which costs about $44 bucks. The Nikwax will boost your tent’s water repellency and prevent the fabric from being damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun. Will it make your Wal-Mart tent ready for an expedition on Everest? Not a chance, but it should get you through a summer of camping fun.

File this one under Strange but Fun. From the maker of some of the best knives on the market, Spyderco, comes the new BaliYo.

At its root, BaliYo is a pen. A good one too: a 4 1/4-inch-long Fisher Space Pen that can write underwater, upside down, in freezing temps, just about anywhere.

What makes it unique are the two weight balanced arms that swing open and enable you to flick open and spin the pen around in your hand. It comes with an instructional DVD to show how to make the pen do flips, aerials, even two-handed tricks. Sound strange? Told you so. But the BaliYo promotes hand-eye coordination, and it’s also kind of fun.

Here’s a video from the manufacturer that shows what it can do.

Check out the BaliYo website for the how-to trick videos and you’ll get a better sense of what this thing is all about. $25; www.baliyo.com

Watch as Eagle Scout Jon Almquist, who works for national outdoors retailer REI, shows you how to fit a backpack in this exclusive BL video.

Learn more about picking the perfect backpack in the May 2009 issue of Boys’ Life magazine.

Q. I need a new bicycle but I don’t know if I should get a mountain bike or a street bike. What are the pros and cons of each type?
– Confused Carl

A. Dear Confused Carl, good question. I’d say the best way to think of it is this: The mountain bike is a SUV and the road bike is a sports car. Which type of bike is best for you depends mostly on where you plan on riding. Without knowing your answer, my first instinct is to tell you to get a mountain bike. The reason: durability and versatility. Mountain bikes are very durable because they’re designed to handle rough off-road conditions. They have heavy duty gears and parts, a stronger frame (like the bike’s skeleton), and some even have cushy shock absorbing suspensions for smoothing out the bumps. But don’t let the name “mountain” fool you—whether you’re riding on trails or bouncing off curbs around your neighborhood, this versatile type of bike will stand up to all sorts of riding. On the other hand, road bikes are usually
lighter weight with thin frames and skinny tires. They are really fast and agile but definitely not well suited for rough roads. If you have a need for speed, get a road bike. If you wanna ride a little bit of everywhere, buy a mountain bike.

Q. My dad and I go fishing a lot. We used to use PowerBait but we just didn’t catch anything. So we started using mealworms and we caught much more. But the next time we went fishing and the other fishermen were saying the fish were biting the PowerBait! My dad and I love catching trout but we don’t know what bait is best for that?
–Matthew Mealworm, Gillete, New Jersey

A. Hello Mr. Mealworm. Thanks for the question. For this one, I’m going to defer to my buddy Justin Lucas. He’s a 23-year-old pro fisherman from Folsom, California, who fishes for Team National Guard and catches trout and bass that probably weigh as much as you do! Anyway, here’s what Justin had to say:

“That’s a good little question. Throughout most parts of the United States, Berkley PowerBait ($3.50-$10; www.berkley-fishing.com) is
actually, overall, the best trout catcher there is. But, obviously there are times when live bait is going to work a lot better because it’s real. Think about it like this—On certain days you might want to eat a hamburger but someone is trying to feed you a taco and you just don’t want to eat it. Then, there are other days when you want the taco but you’re getting fed the hamburger — and you don’t want to eat that. So you just have to experiment and learn what the fish want each day. I would stick with the PowerBait and live bait like mealworms or night crawlers, but some days they just might want one or the other.

Here’s another tip to help you catch more trout: Let your bait soak more. Instead of reeling it in fast, let your bait sit there longer than the other guys — up to 10 to 20 minutes after each cast. Remember, you’re waiting for the fish to come to you rather than going after the fish.”

Q. What is the best lock-back pocketknife (3- to 4-inch blade) for the money?
–Knifeless Joe, Licking, Mo.

A. Hey Joe. You should be able to get a good quality lock-back that will last many years for about $25 to $40 bucks. One of the best options out there is the Gerber EZ Out ($30; www.gerbergear.com). It’s a simple, strong knife with a 3 1/4-inch blade, solid plastic handle, easy one-handed opening — and it’s made in the USA. Gerber has sold more than 2 million EZ Outs over the past 15 years. Naturally there are lots of other good options out there.

Remember, when looking for a new knife, stick with well known brands like Buck, Kershaw, and Gerber and avoid cheap knockoffs made in China. When shopping for a new lock-back, make sure that when it’s in the open position there’s no movement of the blade. It should feel solid like there’s no chance of it folding on your hand. Hope that helps.

Q. I am looking for a nice backpacking stove that doesn’t use too much gas or weigh too much. What can you recommend?
– Stoveless Steven, Phoenix, Ariz.

A. If you’re just getting into backpacking, choose a canister-type stove. These are just small burners that screw on top of butane fuel canisters. They are simple, reliable and some are also very lightweight. These are two of my favorite canister stoves that’ll have you cooking in no time:

Mountain Safety Research PocketRocket ($40, www.msrgear.com) One of the most durable ultralight canister stoves on the market, the palm-size PocketRocket weighs just three ounces. It has a small but hot flame and is best for smaller pots.

Brunton Raptor ($61, www.brunton.com) This five-ounce stainless-steel butane canister stove features an automatic lighting system, and though it’s super compact, its three fold-out arms can support a surprisingly large pot.

Q. I mostly do warm-weather camping, but sometimes I go on winter camp-outs. I can only afford one sleeping bag, so can you recommend one that would work for both?
– Sleeping bag-less Seth, St. Louis, Mo.

A. Finding one sleeping bag that can do it all is tough, but I know of a really cool bag that might fit your needs. It’s the Mountain Hardwear Flip. It’s well named, because each side of this bag is made with a different thickness of synthetic insulation — one side is rated for mild weather (40 degrees), the other for cold nights (rated to 25 degrees). When it’s cold you simply flip the warmer, thicker side up. Warm night? Flip it over with the lighter side on top. At 2 pounds 14 ounces the Flip isn’t exactly ultralight, but it’s suitable for backpacking, totally comfy and expecially handy since it’s like two bags in one. ($100; mountainhardware.com)

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Jetboil has announced a voluntary recall of certain Jetboil Personal and Group Cooking Systems.

Jetboil has used three gas valves (the “A”, “B” and “C” style valves) in the production of its Personal Cooking System (PCS) and Group Cooking System (GCS).

Units with the B style valve, which have been sold since July 10, 2008, are affected. According to Jetboil, “a very limited number of end users” have experienced leaking gas and a fire. No injuries or property damage have been reported by these users.

Other PCS and GCS systems continue to be fully safe and functional. No Helios systems are affected by the recall. For details and to determine if your Jetboil is affected, go to http://www.jetboil.com/recall

Who says skate shoes aren’t for wearing in the wintertime? Whoever it was obviously has never seen the iPath Pro Reed ($75; www.ipath.com). These things are legit suede skate shoes (we road-tested them for days and they worked great) plus they have a cushy padded collar lined with toasty sheepskin.

Q. On winter hikes, my socks always seem to get wet and soggy. How can I prevent that?
– Soggy Sam, Fort Collins, Colo.

A. Try wearing boots, Sam. Just kidding. Actually, I know exactly what you’re talking about. That annoying wetness usually comes from either water and snow or sweaty feet. First, try treating your boots with a spray-on waterproofer like McNett’s ReviveX ($7, www.mcnett.com). A simple solution for sweaty feet comes to us from Eagle Scout and elite mountaineer Jeff Mathy. He recommends wearing a thin neoprene or silk liner (about $3) next to your skin, then slipping your foot inside a plastic grocery bag (free). Yup, a grocery bag.

“Sounds weird, but it creates an inexpensive lightweight vapor barrier,” Mathy says. (Every time you do this, he cautions, allow your feet to dry for at least 12 hours daily — so sleep without socks — to prevent trench foot.) Finally, pull a good quality wool or wool-blend sock atop the plastic bag. Voila, dry feet!

Q. What kind of light should I take if I’m going inside of a cave?
– Caving Calvin, Rogers, Ark.

A. The short answer, Calvin: three of them. Whenever you enter a cave, you should always, always, always (that means every time!) bring along at least three light sources: one main flashlight plus two backups. You never know what might go wrong underground, and your life depends on having enough light to find your way out. Here’s an example of three lights that would be good for caving:

• Petzl Duo LED 5 ($86; en.petzl.com): Waterproof, halogen bulb for illuminating big areas, LED bulbs for close viewing.
• Mini Maglite ($14.99; www.boyslife.org/links/scoutstuff): Small, rugged, durable, runs on 2 AAA batteries.
• Chemical Light Stick ($2.49; www.boyslife.org/links/scoutstuff): Lightweight, waterproof, cheap, gives you several hours of light.

Q. I’ve been having trouble finding a quality rain suit that does not cost an arm and a leg. Can you help, Gear Guy?
– Wet Will, Fayetteville, Ga.

A. Dear Wet Willie, um, I mean Will. It is tricky finding a good affordable rain suit. One of my favorite rainwear brands is Helly Hansen (www.hellyhansengear.com). Check out the Mandal Jacket ($30) and the Tvedestrand Bib ($30). If you’re not a bib kind of guy, and you should be because bibs keep you drier than pants (think: no rain down your rear), Helly Hansen also has the Flekkefjord Pant ($24). This stuff is what the crab fishermen in Alaska wear. It’s coated with PVC polyester, so it’s totally waterproof and so durable that you’ll grow out of it long before it’ll ever wear out.

Q. What is the best hat to hold in the heat while hiking in the snow or really cold weather?
– Cold Cranium, Issaquah, Wash.

A. Dear Mr. Cranium, you obviously have your thinking cap screwed on tight because you already know we lose lots of precious body heat through our heads. So, keeping your head covered is key. My favorite winter hat is a balaclava. Weird name, but handy design. A balaclava covers your head like a stocking cap but can also be rolled down to cover your neck. When it’s really cold, it can even be pulled up over your mouth and nose so the only bit exposed to the elements is your eyes.

Here are two good options:

• Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Balaclava ($28; www.mountainhardwear.com)
• Seirus Quick Draw Hat ($20; www.seirus.com)

Q. It feels like I’m the only one who doesn’t get fish when I go fishing with anyone. How can I make sure I’m not the only one not bringing home fish?
–Fishless Dylan, Indianapolis, Ind.

A. You need some serious angling help, Fishless, so I went to a serious angler for advice. I recently ran into Jimbo Meador, an expert angler with Legacy Paddlesports and former Orvis fishing guide, and asked him your question. Check out this video to learn from the master:

Q. I need to know what you think about Gerber’s Liquifusion Hydration line, specifically the Military Reserve Hydration Pack. I admire the size of the reservoir and the large Molle grid. I read that it is made here in the U.S. and it seems like the perfect summer camp daypack once I attach some Maxpedition pouches. All I need to know is your opinion on initial quality and your take on its usefulness for my chosen application.
–Thirsty Sims, Lubbock, Tex.

A. Hey there, Thirsty. First things first, I have indeed tried Gerber’s Liquifusion hydration bladders before, and they work fine. I like that they’re made of a semi-rigid plastic, the same sort of stuff used to make gallon milk jugs. The bladder keeps its shape whether it’s empty or full, so it’s easier to refill. And it conforms to the shape of your back so it won’t slosh around in your pack so much. Finally, the whole rig is dishwasher safe so it’s a bit simpler to clean than Camelbak-style bladders.

But as for using that specific Military Reserve Hydration Pack as a daypack, I’d say: nah, you could do better. That pack is small and designed more for cycling or simply to carry your water. You could add Maxpedition pouches but I think your best choice would be to just buy the bladder (I saw it online for about $20) and then slip it inside a larger pack that would be much better suited as a summer camp daypack.

Finally, I’ve been told by a Gerber representative that they’ve discontinued their hydration line. It’s not a big deal but that would explain why you’ve found that pack priced so low (about $45 online). Hope that helps!

Q. I play soccer and football. I sometimes wear my cleats six days a  week. Is there any way to rid my equipment (cleats, shin guards, shoulder pads, etc.) of that everlasting smell of fresh body odor?

– Raffi the Odorous, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

A. Dear Stinky…uh, I mean Raffi. I’m actually a pretty athletic guy too — and, as it goes with the territory, equally stinky. So I hear you on the smelly gear.

There are a couple of things you can do. First, never leave your pads and cleats cooped up in your gear bag after practice. When you do that, tiny microbes grow on your gear, and the smell can be lethal. So, the first step to eliminating odors is properly drying out your stuff. As soon as you get home from practice, set your pads out to dry. Hang them. Put them on a drying rack. Whatever. If your cleats are wet, stuff them with old newspaper.

Once everything is dry, get a spray bottle of Febreze Antimicrobial ($5-$6; febreze.com). Give it all a good spray. Febreze does a good job of neutralizing odors and killing the microbes that cause smells. It’s a temporary fix — and definitely not a cure-all — but that should help cut down on your stench. Good luck!

Q. I need a pair of good waterproof snow boots that don’t cost a  fortune. Can you help, Gear Guy?

– Bootless Garrett, Ketchum, Idaho

A. I can indeed, Mr. Bootless. You know, I figure every guy should own a pair of good waterproof snow boots—unless, of course, you live somewhere like Miami. The good news is there are plenty of affordable options.

Although you can find all sorts of boots made with so-called “waterproof” leather or fabrics, for truly staying dry in all conditions I prefer tall rubber-style boots like the Kamik Hunter ($46; kamik.com). These are 14.5 inches tall with aggressive soles and removable insulated liners and an adjustable nylon collar at the top of the boot to keep out the snow and slush. Best of all, since they’re less than $50 you’ll have plenty of money left over for that new sled you’ve always wanted!

Q. I am looking to buy a kayak but there are so many possibilities. Which one should I pick? Help me!

– Kayakless Cameron, Sandown, N.H.

A. You’re right Cameron, the number of kayaks on the market can be dizzying. Before picking a boat, it’s important to consider where you’ll be paddling.

If you plan to kayak mostly in lakes, slow moving rivers and mellow seas near the beach, then you’ll want a open cockpit boat that’s around 10 to 12 feet long, about 27 to 30 inches wide or so, stable and comfortable to paddle. A good choice would be the new Old Town Vapor 10 XT ($489; oldtowncanoe.com) or a sit-on-top style kayak like the Heritage Redfish 10 ($559; heritagekayaks.com) which is a great choice for fishing too.

If paddling whitewater rivers is your goal then you’ll need a shorter, narrower, more responsive river runner that’s designed to be rolled back up (a.k.a. the “Eskimo roll”) when you flip over in the rapids. One of the coolest new options for kids (who weigh up to 120 lbs.) is the Jackson Side Kick ($799; jacksonkayak.com). It’s 6 feet 7 inches long, about 22 inches wide, and is a stable, predictable kayak—perfect for learning to run whitewater.