New fabric end products for the hunting and fishing markets cover a lot of ground. By Jamie Swedberg

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1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 8:53 AM Page 40 The inside scoop on outdoor gear New fabric end products for the hunting and fishing markets cover a lot of ground.

Fabrics have always played a key role in outdoor recreation. Some are made of high-tech synthetics; others are specially designed from natural fibers.

A tub of a different rub The hardest spots to hide can be the best spots to hunt. Shallow sloughs and flooded fields are magnets for game birds. The Neo- Tub from Avery Outdoors Inc., Memphis, Tenn.

1 1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 8:53 AM Page 40 The inside scoop on outdoor gear New fabric end products for the hunting and fishing markets cover a lot of ground. By Jamie Swedberg The NeoTub allows hunters to hide in open areas; the sides can be pulled up and over to completely conceal the person inside. Fabrics have always played a key role in outdoor recreation. Some are made of high-tech synthetics; others are specially designed from natural fibers. Here, we showcase new hunting and fishing products from specialty-fabrics manufacturers who ve figured out creative ways to make weekends in the woods a little more comfortable and convenient. A tub of a different rub The hardest spots to hide can be the best spots to hunt. Shallow sloughs and flooded fields are magnets for game birds. The Neo- Tub from Avery Outdoors Inc., Memphis, Tenn., is designed to help hunters hide in these wide-open spaces. The tub s bottom is made from waterproof neoprene with 600-denier polyester laminated to the outside. The sides and top are constructed from camouflagepattern neoprene, and all seams are glued and blind stitched. Perfect for hunting in up to eight inches of surface water, the NeoTub was created to get you closer to the action. Jamie Swedberg is a freelance writer based in the Athens, Ga., area. She is a frequent contributor to the Review. Net a fish safely Anglers who practice catch and release fishing may be injuring the very fish they intend to spare. That s because traditional knotted mesh nets can scratch a fish s eyes, remove its scales, or damage its protective slime coat. To solve this problem, Frabill Inc. offers fish-friendly knotless nylon nets designed to significantly reduce roughing. The nets feature a shallow bag and a flat bottom panel, so that the entire weight of the fish is supported. This helps eliminate curling and allows easier, more humane removal of the fish. The net is sealed against hook penetration, and its smaller-than-usual 3 8- inch mesh size helps prevent split fins and snagged gill plates. Fish-friendly nets allow catch-andrelease fishermen to minimize damage to fish. Frabill offers this fish-friendly net in two sizes, both with teardrop-shaped extruded-aluminum MeshGard hoops and Frabill s Tru-Trax cam-lock telescoping handle system. 40 Industrial Fabric Products Review NOVEMBER 2004

1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 8:53 AM Page 41 A waist pack keeps all your fishing tackle at your fingertips. Durable chaps Briars have a way of shredding even the toughest pants.

has invented Double Tin Chaps with Zippers. The chaps aren t actually tin, of course; they re made of Filson s Tin Cloth material, which is a 12.5-ounce cotton duck soaked in a paraffin-based wax.

Double Tin Chaps come in regular and Angler accessories A tackle box just isn t practical when you re standing on sand flats or wading in a river. To make fishing tackle more portable, C.C. Filson Co.

The Fishing Waist Pack is made of a lightweight olive-green six-ounce cotton fabric that the company calls Dry Finish Cover Cloth.

The pack is designed with grommets for drainage, and its solid brass zipper resists rust and corrosion in both salt and fresh water.

2 1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 8:53 AM Page 41 A waist pack keeps all your fishing tackle at your fingertips. Durable chaps Briars have a way of shredding even the toughest pants. And mud, snow and rain can dampen the spirits of intrepid hunters when water soaks the bottoms of their pantlegs. To protect pants (and legs) from the elements, C.C. Filson Co. has invented Double Tin Chaps with Zippers. The chaps aren t actually tin, of course; they re made of Filson s Tin Cloth material, which is a 12.5-ounce cotton duck soaked in a paraffin-based wax. This already durable material is double-layered below the knees of the chaps because this area tends to experience the heaviest wear. Twill binding at the bottom prevents fraying. Double Tin Chaps come in regular and Angler accessories A tackle box just isn t practical when you re standing on sand flats or wading in a river. To make fishing tackle more portable, C.C. Filson Co., a Seattle manufacturer of durable clothing and hunting and fishing products, manufactures the Filson Fishing Waist Pack. The Fishing Waist Pack is made of a lightweight olive-green six-ounce cotton fabric that the company calls Dry Finish Cover Cloth. The interior compartment is lined with divided slot pockets for separating tackle, small fly boxes, and personal items. The two front snap pockets can be opened and closed with one hand. The pack is designed with grommets for drainage, and its solid brass zipper resists rust and corrosion in both salt and fresh water. Sturdy webbing-backed grommets give fishermen a place to attach tools. The pack is one-size-fits all, with an adjustable waist strap that expands to 48 inches. Sportsmen are protected with Double Tin Chaps, whether hiking through briars or slogging through swamps. husky models, each available in regular and long. They are manufactured with two adjustable straps for a custom fit. The bottoms of the chaps have a bellows closure with zippers, which allow wearers to put the chaps on even when they ve already laced their boots. All-terrain protection When unexpected snow or rain descends on a backcountry hunting party, Outback Inc. of Harleton, Texas, comes to the rescue with its Durocab all-terrain vehicle enclosure. Durocab keeps ATV sportsmen and their gear covered up. The nylon and polyester enclosure (manufactured with Mossy Oak or Realtree camouflage) has a powder-coated steel frame and can be towed at highway speeds. It has hinged removable doors, and it can be removed entirely within a couple of minutes. Outback says a Durocab essentially turns an ATV into a mini-jeep or mini-suv. The Durocab was created with the idea of allowing hunters to wear up to one-third less clothing and still be comfortable. It also serves as a mini-shelter in case of squalls and storms. A Durocab user can wait out a short storm without returning to base camp. And the enclosure allows hunters to keep clothing and hunting gear dry on the way to and at -the hunting destination. Protecting ATV extras Kwik Tek, Denver, has designed XXL ATV Covers specifically to protect all-terrain vehicles equipped with rack extensions, snowplows, windshields, spreaders, rack luggage, game carriers, or anything else that makes the ATV too large for a regular-sized cover. The extra-large covers measure 108-by-36-by-36 inches. XXL ATV Covers are constructed of water-repellent, UV-resistant, 210-denier polyurethane-coated nylon and are available in Woodland camouflage or black. The seams are double-stitched for strength and interlocked for durability and water-resistance. All-terrain vehicles that sport windshields, racks and other accessories can now be completely covered by Kwik Tek s oversized covers. A heavy-duty elastic cord on the bottom provides a snug and secure fit. A nylon storage case with a drawstring and cord lock is sewn into the cover for easy stowing. Industrial Fabric Products Review NOVEMBER

3 1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/8/04 9:42 AM Page 42 THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUTDOOR GEAR Hydrated hunters Eagle Industries Unlimited, a Fenton, Mo.-based manufacturer of nylon products for the military and outdoors markets, is a distributor for CamelBak hydration packs, made by CamelBak Products Inc., Petaluma, Calif. Eagle sells these packs in Advantage Timber TM and Mossy Oak Break-Up TM camouflage patterns for hunters. The Woodland TM model of CamelBak holds 70 ounces of water in an easy-to-fill, cleanable polyurethane reservoir. Users can drink hands-free with the attached hose and valve. The reservoir is insulated against heat and cold with a layer of closed-cell foam. Because the foam doesn t take up moisture, it also won t absorb perspiration. The Woodland measures 19-by-11-by-seven inches overall. In addition to the water reservoir, it has 1,200 cubic inches of space for supplies, food and personal items. An internal organizer separates items and makes them easy to find, even after hours of movement through rough terrain. The outside of the pack is covered in CamelBak s quiet, lightweight and abrasion-resistant Saddle-Cloth TM fabric. The pack features exterior pockets, sternum and waist belts, hook-and-loop straps to keep webbing out of the way, and a padded harness for comfort. The CamelBak is available in Mossy Oak (left) or Realtree (above) camouflage patterns. 42 Industrial Fabric Products Review NOVEMBER 2004

1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 8:53 AM Page 43 THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUTDOOR GEAR Ice-fishers innovation Frabill Inc., Jackson, Wis., has designed an ice shelter for anglers who want extreme portability.

4 1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 8:53 AM Page 43 THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUTDOOR GEAR Ice-fishers innovation Frabill Inc., Jackson, Wis., has designed an ice shelter for anglers who want extreme portability. Called the Ice Cruiser, the shelter features a durable polyethylene sled-style base designed to be towed behind an ATV, snowmobile or other vehicle. It comes in two sizes. The flip-over-style shelter has a telescoping frame and a multi-position roof that can be pulled completely closed or left at half-mast as a windbreak. The fabric cover features sewn-in storm flaps that seal the bottom of the shelter against wind and blowing snow. It includes four clear windows equipped with adjustable blackout drapes and hook-and-loop closures. The fabric can be removed from the frame for cleaning and off-season storage. The shelter cover is made out of Frabill s proprietary Arctic Armor fabric. Historically, ice shelters have been fabricated from polyethylene or cotton/poly canvas, but polyethylene can become stiff in cold weather and fray or tear in the wind, while canvas may absorb moisture and can tear if it is punctured. The Ice Cruiser s Arctic Armor fabric absorbs sunlight to heat the shelter. To improve the quality of its shelters, Frabill has created Arctic Armor, a heavy-duty nylon fabric designed for durability and protection from the elements. It is lightweight, sheds water, and blocks out wind and snow. The material is coated for flame retardance, resists punctures and tears, and remains pliable regardless of temperature. The fabric is produced in a special solar black color that absorbs the sun s rays and heats the shelter. Arctic Armor is available on the Ice Cruiser and all of Frabill s other ice shelters. Industrial Fabric Products Review NOVEMBER

1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/8/04 1:51 PM Page 44 THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUTDOOR GEAR ATV gear versatility All-terrain vehicle drivers have a multitude of needs and wants.

Kwik Tek has killed all three of these birds with one stone: the ATV Logic ATV Rack Bag/Cooler/Cover. The rack bag mounts behind the ATV s seat.

5 1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/8/04 1:51 PM Page 44 THE INSIDE SCOOP ON OUTDOOR GEAR ATV gear versatility All-terrain vehicle drivers have a multitude of needs and wants. Among other things, they like to keep their gear organized, their drinks cold, and their ATVs protected from the elements. Kwik Tek has killed all three of these birds with one stone: the ATV Logic ATV Rack Bag/Cooler/Cover. The rack bag mounts behind the ATV s seat. It s constructed of water-repellent, UV-resistant, 600-denier polyester in black or Mossy Oak New Breakup. It has two zippered coolers with leak-proof liners that each hold up to ounce cans. A zippered pocket on the back and a mesh pocket on front provide easy access to gear, Kwik Tek neatly meets a number of ATV rider needs with its ATV Rack Bag/Cooler/Cover. 44 Industrial Fabric Products Review NOVEMBER 2004

6 1104rvw_40-57.qxd 11/4/04 11:08 AM Page 45 and raingear or other items can be lashed on with the attached zigzag shock cord. When the ATV is parked, it s a simple matter to open the cover zipper and pull out the cover. It s big enough to protect the seat, handlebars, and front rack, but folds away so small it s almost imperceptible. The ATV Rack Bag, Cooler and Cover attaches to rear ATV racks with eight pairs of heavy-duty straps and ladder-lock buckles. It s equipped with storm flaps that keep rain away from the oversized zippers. Possum-style tote Most sportsmen would prefer not to cultivate a belly. But ATV riders who need a handy, safe way to carry a gun or bow while they re riding would be extremely pleased to acquire a Possum Belly. The Possum Belly Gun, Rifle and Bow Tote was designed by Joe E. Stewart of Ruston, La. The firearm version comes in cotton twill (in licensed camouflage patterns) or Cordura nylon and has a pocket and a fleece lining that doubles as a handwarmer. It s worn like a pair of overalls, with the straps crossing in the back, and has adjustable straps. By releasing one buckle, the wearer can move the barrel of the gun to either a lowered or raised position. The bow version is manufactured in cotton twill only and has no lining. It differs from the rifle version in that the straps do not cross, and the bow can be worn either on the front or on the back of the body. Stewart says the Possum Belly has historically sold briskly. However, he s currently having trouble finding a fabricator to sew it because he orders small batches. Interested parties should contact him via To offer feedback or comment on this article, please contact Mary Connor, Editor, , mlconnor@ifai.com. Turn to page 70 to contact the sources for this article. Industrial Fabric Products Review NOVEMBER

DOWCO FASTRAX LUGGAGE

Luggage -15 DOWCO FASTRAX LUGGAGE Sport and Adventure Luggage - Deluxe Series FEATURES DOWCO COLOUR MATCHING DESIGN SYSTEM A unique pocket designed and sewn into the interior of each piece of luggage that