In honour of our “The Rain Stops Here” sale, we decided to ask the Novack’s staff about rainwear. We asked them the very personal and potentially life-changing question: “What do you look for in a rain jacket?”

As expected, most of the staff thought immediately of words like:“breathability”, “light weight” and “compact-ability”.

For Glen and Kyle, making sure that a jacket is waterproof, and not just water-resistant is a crucial distinction to make when buying.

For sales associate Mel, versatility is key – as both a hiker and cyclist, it is important for her to ask, “how many different activities can I do with this jacket?”

Warmth plays a part in Madison’s decision. As does style – she prefers more fitted styles for women – something a little more up-to-date than the traditional box-shaped yellow raincoat.

When it came to specifics, John said that he prefers a full-length shell (which goes over the hips) with 3-ply Gortex membrane. And Glen named the Marmot Essence as his favourite pick because of its combination of compactability, lightness and the “pit vents”. Tristan mentioned how raglan sleeves were important to him. That refers to the lack of stitching on the shoulders, which is better for wearing when you are wearing a pack. He also appreciates a good hood brim.

We also asked Novack’s buyer Mike what he looks for in a rain jacket when he is ordering product for the store. He said that he looks for functional features (like venting options), the performance of the fabric, what degree of waterproofing and breathability it is (because it can vary greatly), a good warranty (because Novack’s stands behind its products) and good value. When trying a jacket on, he reminded buyers to try on the hood, making sure it fits well. Crystal added that as a bike rider she checks to make sure the hood is helmet compatable.

When we asked Novack’s owner Paul he, like many others, stressed the importance of weight. When he wears a rain jacket, he doesn’t even want to know he is wearing it. He also mentioned that when wearing a wind proof fabric, it creates a 40% insulation factor so that you can get multiple seasons out of your jacket.

Tell us! What do you look for in a rain jacket? Have a favourite brand you have fallen in love with? How did you weather your first storm together?

Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand:

The rules here are similar to the US and Canada, but large immigrant populations may operate outside of them, enthusiastically haggling in their neighbourhoods or in stalls or markets they run and frequent.

Central and South America:

Stores that use price tags may not play the game, but in markets and at souvenir shops, feel free to bargain away.

The Middle East:

Haggling central of the world! Even in countries dripping with oil wealth, the foreigner attempting a purchase in a souk or shop should be wary of bring overcharged and ready to do battle.

Asia and Africa:

Haggling is traditional and still expected, althought the old patterns are being whittled away. Seek local guidance, but typically a street or market seller will offer you a first price that is unreasonably high. A notable exception is Japan, where you may be perceived as crude and uncouth if you ask for a lower price.

Haggling How-To:

If you have local friends willing to shop with you, let them make the first purchases and observe before trying to bargain against the merchants.

If you are on your own, act confident and pretend to be experienced.

Feel free to laugh or show astonishment at an initial high price.

Your first offer should be well below what you are willing to pay, so that you have plenty of room to move. Many experienced hagglers advise starting at less than half of where you want to end up.

If things aren’t going your way, try turning away as if ready to leave. A lower price may be forthcoming.

Do not insult the vendor personally.

Don’t go back! Remember that sourvenirs are readily available – you will probably see it again.

The Avid Traveller 2013 season is not going to be unveiled until later in April, but because I love the Avid Traveller community so much, I am going to let all of you in on a little secret – We are creating a tour in IRELAND for June 2013!!!

So, here I am in Ireland, scouting out potential accommodations, restaurants, and walks for this upcoming tour, and I happen to be in Dublin for St Patrick’s Day: lucky how that worked out, eh?

I definitely had an idea of what I might see, but there have been some surprises along the way:

Misconception #1: I arrived Thursday afternoon with the expectation that Saturday was going to be the big day for St. Patrick’s celebrations. Not so much! St. Patrick’s celebrations are spread over a four day event with the fun starting on Friday. Every since I arrived, I have seen Irish bands and street performers at every turn. There are three “Fun Fairs” spread out in the city which are basically small amusement parks with rides and ferris wheels. Everyone says that the “the best view of Dublin” is from the Guinness Sky Bar, but I have to disagree. The view from the Ferris wheel was spectacular – we saw the city, the coast and the hills of Co. Wicklow.

Misconception #2: I knew it was going to be busy but WOW! The streets are jammed with people – and it is quite the international community. I thought that I would be celebrating with 1 million of my closest Irish friends, but so far I have met a ton of fellow Canadians, Americans, Brit, Germans and even groups from Norway and Austria! We are noticing that to find the authentic Dubliners, you have to travel a couple of blocks outside of the main craziness and look for people NOT wearing green costumes.

Misconception #3: The theme of this year’s parade is supposed to celebrate Dublin’s reputation as a “City of Science” – don’t worry, I scratched my head too, over that one. The way this theme has made its way into the parade is through questions like HOW? WHAT? WHY? For example I saw a bus trying to tackle the question, “How is a rainbow formed” and there are a lot of people dressed up like scientists – mostly “mad scientists”!

The Parade begins as usual on Parnell Square and continues on to O’Connell Street and over O’Connell Bridge to Westmoreland Street and it finishes just past St. Patrick’s Cathedral. I have attached a little map.

Now I am heading over to a mass Irish dancing event which happens after the parade. Ask me to show you some of the Riverdance moves I have learnt when I get back – I am sure to be a pro by then!

Marmot Traillight 2P

• Maximum Weight: 5 lbs 6 oz / 2.5 kg
• Floor Area: 33.75 sq ft / 3.1 sq m
• # of Doors: 2
• Vestibule Area: 9.6 sq ft / 0.9 sq m

Asolo Astro 2

• Maximum Weight: 5 lbs 4 oz / 2.4 kg
• Floor Area: 33 sq ft / 3.04 sq m
• # of Doors: 2
• Vestibule Area: 9.6 sq ft / 0.9 sq m

Mountain Hardwear Drifter 2

• Maximum Weight: 5 lbs 4 oz / 2.4 kg
• Floor Area: 32 sq ft / 3.0 sq m
• # of Doors: 2
• Vestibule Area: #1 – 10 sq ft / 0.9 sq m | #2 – 10 sq ft / 0.9 sq m

The North Face Flint 2

• Maximum Weight: 4 lbs 5 oz / 1.97 kg
• Floor Area: 30 sq ft / 2.8 sq m
• # of Doors: 1
• Vestibule Area: #1 – 6.3 sq ft / 0.6 sq m

Plus many more including tents from Sierra Designs, MSR, and more.

There are two items on the agenda: Adapters & Converters. Let’s start with Adapters.

Adapters

Depending on the country you plan on visiting, the wall outlets will look different than the ones here in North America (NA). In most of Europe, for example, the wall outlets require plugs with round pins, making it impossible to plug in a North American appliance with a flat 2 pin prong. Therefore, in order to use a NA appliance in a European country the first step is getting the right adapter.

There are two types of adapters: 2-pin & 3-pin. 2-pin polarized adapters will allow you to use appliances such as hair dryers and shavers; 3-pin polarized adapters will accept 2-pin or 3-pin grounded polarized appliances. The term polarized simply refers to a prong configuration that allows for only one way of inserting it. In NA, the left prong on a 2-pin is larger than the right.

All you need to do is know which countries you are heading to when you come in, and we can match you up with the correct adapter or adapters.

Converters

In NA we use 110-125VAC; conversly, Europe uses 220-250VAC. VAC simply stands for alternating current volts. Because of this difference, it is necessary to check if the appliances you plan on bringing with you are dual voltage.

For most small appliances, such as hair dryers and straighteners, there will be a switch to convert to 110-125VAC or 220VAC.

For larger electronics such as laptops, you will need to check the power adapter to see if it is dual voltage. Most new laptops will have the ability to handle 100VAC to 240VAC. If all of your electronics are dual voltage, you are set with just the correct adapters that we discussed already. If not, then you will need a converter in addition to an adapter.

Hi/Lo Converters will allow you to convert the voltage, thus allowing you to use 110-125VAC appliances in 220-250VAC countries like most of Europe. One item to note is that converters are not designed for continuous use, rather, short intervals. With that said, there are high current appliances that don’t work with converters such as ceramic hair straighteners. So if you have a single voltage appliance, it would be best to do a bit of checking to see if you can even use it with a converter.

Conclusion

Once you have the proper adapter(s), have voltage requirements sorted for all of your appliances wither with or without a converter, you will then be ready to adapt to the new cultures, languages, and food. However, if by the end of your trip you found it impossible to adapt to anything, you can take comfort in knowing that at the very least you were able to adapt to the wall outlets.

It is always ideal to check out your gear at the beginning of the season to make sure it’s as ready for the outdoors as you are. We are going to go over a few tent checks today that will ensure our tent is ready for our first camping trip of the season.

First, weather permitting, pick a warm sunny day to set up our tent for inspection. If you are in London, ON (or southwestern Ontario for that matter) we should have plenty of these types of days on the horizon. Be sure to check for any major rips or holes in both the fly and tent. Sometimes dirt and dust between layers can cause wear from friction. As we assemble the frame of the tent, take note of any bent or broken poles. Barring any visible damage, use a garden hose as if we are out during a shower…no need for ‘monsoon setting’. This will determine whether or not the tent’s seams and DWR (Durable Water Repellant) are still repelling water adequately.

If we notice any tears, holes, or punctures in the tent, mesh or fly, there are a number of things we can do. At Novack’s, we sell a wide variety of patches from brands like Gore-tex, Gear-Aid, MSR, and Tear Aid like Tenacious Tape. Instructions vary for each manufacturer, but an often needed tip is to always be generous when cutting patches or seam tape, as the patch must have a firm hold in order for the repair not to fail. A good patch kit is also recommend to keep on hand when we get out there. Field repairs are very easy, and can definitely extend a trip should we run into trouble.

If during your test shower, the water caused any leaks, Novack’s has you covered. Seam-Grip is perfect not only for small scratches, but it also repairs and seals any seams that may have cracked or dried out; and as a result, started leaking.

When the fly and tent itself stop repelling water and become waterlogged, it is time to re-finish the tents DWR. Replenishing the DWR is nothing out of the ordinary, and there are many products available that will restore the waterproofing of the tent. Check out UVX-1 or UVX-2 waterproofing from World Famous. Like patches, application varies for the different products, but all are very straight forward. Re-waterproofing can be expected approximately every four or five years depending on a number of factors. UV exposure, the amount the tent is used and even how a tent is packed away can dramatically affect the waterproofing of a tent. We’ll talk about packing a tent right after pole repair.

While your tent is set-up, if you noticed any damaged poles, now is the time to deal with them. Again, Novack’s often has the spares or replacements you’re after. Novack’s also has replacement shock cord which is often required with pole repairs. If you bought your tent from us, and we don’t have a replacement pole/pole set on hand, we will work with you and the manufacturer of the tent to get you replacements. Our resident tent expert—Matt—says that if we happen to break a pole while we’re enjoying the outdoors, we don’t have to pack it in early! Using two extra tent pegs, we can create a splint for the damaged pole that will often get the job done for the remainder of a trip. Of course, come see us after the trip and get a proper replacement.

With all repairs complete, we can now pack up the tent, ready for the weekend!

It’s always best to leave a tent and fly out for a few hours to give it enough time to dry completely before packing. Out of direct sunlight is best, as UV rays break down the water repellency. So depending on the temperature, it may take longer than a couple hours to dry completely. Giving ample dry time will stop mold, mildew, and bacteria from forming while the tent is packed. Once the tent is sufficiently dry, remove any lingering dirt, bird poop, or tree sap that may have been picked up while assembled. Leftover dirt not only wears the tent and fly faster, it also can cause a zipper to malfunction over time.

As mentioned, packing a tent can determine the life of the tent and/or it’s water repellency. We don’t want to fold the tent the same way every time we pack it, and we don’t want to leave it packed for too long. This can stress the same areas of a tent or fly, and causes creases to form where the water repellency will break down prematurely and also weaken the fabric. So fold it differently every time, or stuff the tent into a stuff sack. Just be careful when stuffing, and un-stuffing, as you don’t want zippers or grommets to tear the tent or mesh. We also talked about using extra tent pegs for an in the field pole repair, so definitely pickup and pack a couple extra.

Hopefully this little reminder saves you some hassle when you get out there on that first trip of the season. If you have any questions regarding tent prep or maintenance, don’t hesitate to come see us at Novack’s or online at Novacks.com, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

*Our friends at AvidNomad.com just posted a bundle with most of the items we talk about in this post. Click here to buy the bundle online now.

We are excited to announce the arrival of Cushe Footwear here at Novack’s. Cushe describes their style of footwear as something that was created to…

make something a bit different, unique and set apart from the masses, challenging the boundaries of footwear design rather than following trends set by others

The Cushe philosophy definitely shows in the shoe design, and is why we are so thrilled to show off the urban styles that we have brought in. We want you to look good, but also be functional at the same time, and Cushe shoes definitely offer that. We have also brought in a couple of styles that are the perfect mix of urban/travel shoe, and light hiker, for those adventurous getaways that our customer loves to take.

Have a look…

January: The Pyramids of Meroe – Sudan

So often overlooked in favour of Giza’s better known monuments, the pyramids of Meroe are among Africa’s forgotten treasures. The average temperature during this time of year is 30°C, much better than the scorching 45°C in summer.

February: Salvador Carnival – Salvador, Brazil

The coastal city of Salvador is considered the gateway to Brazil’s northern beaches. Officially the biggest street party in the world, this awesome carnival offers greater participation and much more fun than its more famous counterpart in Rio. Try to stay as close to the action as possible as movement within the city is very difficult during the carnival. Neighbourhoods like Pelhorinho or Barra are a good choice.

March: The Soup Bowl, Bathsheba, Barbados

The Soup Bowl, on the rugged east coast of Barbados, offers warm water, surfing and tube rides with a fraction of the of the crowds from other famous beaches. By going in March, you avoid the crowds who are running away from winter in December, January & February.

April: Cherry blossom Season – Kyoto Japan

The arrival of cherry blossoms brings to life an iconic image of Japan past and present. Each year, the pinkish-white clumps of blossom appear and people gather in parks to celebrate this beautiful moment in time.

May: Bath, England

Bath’s history dates back to 2000 years ago to when Romans built the first baths here. This British univeristy town is a thriving place with fine theatres, cinemas, live music, great restaurants and art galleries.Beat the summer rush by going on the shoulder of tourist season.

June: Montreal Jazz Festival – Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

With over 750 concerts by 3000 artists from more than 30 countries, Montreal’s show stopping, multi-genre music festival whips millions of festival goers into a frenzy each year.

July: Lake Bled, Slovenia

With the majestic Julian Alps as its backdrop, Lake Bled, a vivid turquoise tongue of water ringed by thick forest and stunning snow streaked mountains, is a must -see! In July you will encounter long days and few tourists.

August: Iceland

The country’s awe inspiring terrain features some of Mother Nature’s greatest triumphs, from tremendous ice caps and mammoth spouting geysers to gnarled lava chasms and cascading waterfalls. In August, daylight is almost perpetual – perfect for a late night game at Reykjavik Golf Club!

September: Lecce, Puglia, Italy

In the poor, dry lands of Italy’s “heel”, this stunning Baroque city erupts like a volcano out of the sea. Many facades are enriched with the lace-like patterns which are especially enchanting at night. Enclosed in a city wall, with a lively street life, this Roman town has a 1st Century amphiteatre in its main square!

October: Madagascar

Once linked to Africa and the Indian subcontinent, the landmass became an island some 60 million years ago, and since then its wildlife has evolved in virtual isolation. October is when the area is experiencing its dry season and therefore is the best time for walking and wildlife viewing.

November: The Chilean Lake District – Chile

Discover this fairy-tale region of shimmering blue water, emerald forest, Andean peaks and steaming hot springs that bubble beneath smoldering volcanoes.

December: Christmas Market, Prague – Czech Republic

Each year the sound of carols fill the air, and the Old Town Square and Wencelas Square fill with visitors, who stroll amid bright wooden huts browsing traditional crafts, trailing steams from cups of mulled wine.