Review of the GORUCK GR Echo

My buddy Álvaro Serrano has nailed it yet again with his review of the GORUCK GR Echo daypack this morning over at Tools & Toys.

[T]he Echo thrives in an urban environment. Its understated looks and slim profile make it easy to dart through crowded areas like subways, shopping malls and the like, while providing the assurance that your belongings are always safe.

However, don’t let its discreet appearance fool you into thinking this is an ordinary bag. The Echo shares much of its DNA with the rest of the GORUCK packs and like them, this bag can take whatever you throw at it, and then some.

As usual, the photos are gorgeous and worth clicking for alone. Check it out.

Street Photography in Madrid with the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 Lens

Álvaro Serrano:

Madrid is an amazing city, full of life and color all year round, but it gets even better when the cold temperatures of winter subside and the glorious spring sunshine takes their place. As the days become longer, the heartbeat of this unique city begins to pick up the pace and when the first heat wave of the year hits the streets, its effects are immediately felt all the way across town, like a shockwave. [...]

With that scenario in mind, I definitely felt this was as good a time as any to take out my new Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens for the first time and have some fun documenting the arrival of spring to the Spanish capital.

Madrid is one of those cities that I've heard about in my life but never really had much exposure to, in photos or otherwise. I had no real sense of the place at all.

After reading Álvaro's article and seeing his beautiful photos of it, now it's a place I think I'd like to see in person someday.

The SIRUI T-025X Travel Tripod

Álvaro Serrano wrote a review of the SIRUI T-025X travel tripod for Tools & Toys:

In a nutshell, the T-025X is one of the world’s most compact and lightweight full-size travel tripods, but what really sets it apart from the competition is its incredible balance of performance, features, portability and price. There may be some slightly lighter tripods out there, and tripods that can withstand more load. There are probably also taller tripods, and tripods that offer more stability. But you’d be hard pressed to find one that matches the T-025X in all those features at the same time, and even more hard-pressed to find another carbon-fiber tripod that can do all that at this price point.

You wouldn’t necessarily read the term tripod review and think “interesting read” or “gorgeous photography” but Álvaro nailed it on both counts.

The Tom Bihn Parental Unit Review

Erin Brooks wrote a great review of the new Tom Bihn Parental Unit diaper bag for Tools & Toys. It seems like only yesterday, rather than over three years ago, that my wife and I searched seemingly endlessly for the "perfect" diaper bag bef0re finally settling on the Diaper Dude bag. It wasn't a bad bag at all, but I still kinda wish the Parental Unit had been around at the time.

* * *

If you enjoy Erin's review, be sure to check out the first post on her brand-new blog, wherein she discusses her iPhone photo-editing process.

A Review of the GORUCK GR2 Bag

Speaking of Mr. Serrano, the man has written and photographed my new favorite review of the GORUCK GR2 bag—quite possibly the only review one will ever need to read about it.

This line really sums it up:

“With just a bit of planning and the right strategy, it’s the only bag you’ll ever need to carry.”

But it's more than just an in-depth examination of an excellent bag—it's a call to travel. If you reach the end of the review and don't feel like planning your next big trip, I can't help you.

Stop Packing So Much: The Minimalist Packing List

Former British Army soldier James Turner constantly travels around the world, so you'd think he carries a ton of stuff everywhere he goes. That is not the case (at least, not anymore).

“Fast forward to the tail end of 2014, I’m at Hong Kong’s ridiculously large airport heading over to Thailand for 3 months. I’ve got a tiny 26 litre backpack casually thrown across a shoulder which tops out at 12kg. The tiny bag, coupled with some impressive Hong Kong’ian logistical efficiency means I’m off the train and into the departure lounge in a speedy, fuss free 20 minutes.”

I also enjoyed his take on the Tom Bihn Smart Alec backpack:

“When you touch it, it’s like closing the door on a VW Golf. You immediately trust the engineer behind the design.

[...]

There are plenty of bags which you can pack small with, but not many which will leave you with a smile.”

If you're interested in travel or want to nerd out about packing organization (and who doesn't?) you should read his article. Lots of great tips and gear recommendations throughout.

But really, it's about much more than travel gear—there's something amazing about the idea of carrying everything you need in one little bag, no matter how big the adventure.

Jeff Sheldon's Iceland Trip [Video]

Jeff Sheldon—of Ugmonk fame—recorded this footage while recently vacationing in Iceland. It was shot on an Olympus E-M10, the same awesome micro four-thirds camera Shawn Blanc extensively reviewed on Tools & Toys.

The trip was beautifully captured, despite Jeff's claim not to know much about videography. Clearly the man has an eye for composition. Now I want to visit Iceland.