Outdoor Gear Reviews | ub Outdoors

February 13, 2012 in News and Media by Carl H. Martens

Winter’s Finally Here! Know Before You Go

Mother Nature has finally brought snow to much of the Western mountain regions, and as we celebrate the bounty, it is as critical as ever to be aware of the dangers that exist. The National Ski Patrol would like to remind everyone to be as safe as possible while skiing and snowboarding, and to Know Before You Go.

Developed by the Utah Avalanche Center (UAC), the NSP is also presenting the Know Before You Go program, a free 50-minute program outlining the dangers of avalanches and what to look for, before you go out on to a slope that could slide.

The dangers of avalanches are becoming more prominent as more snow enthusiasts are buried and/or killed by avalanches in backcountry terrain, whether that terrain is accessed from a gate at the ski area or a trailhead. Recent events serve as a cruel reminder that avalanches can occur in unexpected places, even on in-bounds terrain, and the consequences can be tragic. 

in News and Media by Carl H. Martens

– From now through April 1, viewers can win Yakima & OR gear through online contests –

Beaverton, OR – February 13, 2012 – Yakima, the innovation leader in vehicle racks and cargo solutions, and outdoor gear company Outdoor Research (OR) are showcasing seven epic outdoor adventures through an original short film series, “The Classics.” The series debuted this week on Yakima’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/YakimaProducts/featured) and the OR microsite, www.whatsthedealwithdinosaur.com.

With breathtaking photography, the seven original shorts takes its viewers to iconic destinations across North America and shows off the incredible adventures to be had there, from sidecountry skiing through legendary powder on Washington’s Mount Baker, to exploring the serene Georgia coast by sea kayak, to highly technical mountain biking in British Columbia’s famed North Shore. 

February 10, 2012 in News and Media by Carl H. Martens

StrikeMaster Ice Augers and Mora ICE™ Join Rapala Family of Brands

MINNETONKA, Minn. (February 10, 2012) ¾ The sound you are hearing is  ice-expanding…not to mention the ice fishing marketplace growing. That other sound, the musical machine clearing a path to the underside of the ice? That’s a StrikeMaster auger – a brand that has been finding passageways to frozen fish since the end of World War II.

Bolstering its already solid ice fishing selection, Rapala^® VMC Corporation (Rapala) announces it has acquired the assets of Minnesota-based StrikeMaster Corporation, the leading supplier of ice augers in the United States. In a symmetrical maneuver, Rapala also acquired the Mora ICE brand – Europe’s preeminent name in ice augers and cutting blades – from Mora of Sweden AB (Mora, Sweden).

“We have jumped into the winter business with both boots!” exclaimed Tom Mackin, president of Rapala USA. “Now we have the ability to reach anglers during all seasons. Our new ice-fishing lineup is quite extensive with tackle and accessories, augers, electronics and more. These acquisitions are directly in line with our core competencies and a perfect fit to the Rapala family of brands,” said Mackin. 

January 5, 2012 in News and Media by Carl H. Martens

Rugged Shark is proud to announce their sponsorship of Bassmaster Elite Series Pro Ott DeFoe of Knoxville, Tennessee. Ott, in his first Elite series year, captured the 2011 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year, as well as the 2011 Elite Series All-Star Championship. He was wearing the Rugged Shark® Tiverton flip flop in the All-Star victory.

“I am extremely excited about joining the Rugged Shark Pro team.  I wore Rugged Shark shoes all during the 2011 season and believe the Tiverton flip-flops are the best pair you will ever find – period! Be sure to visit a Bass Pro Shops near you to try on a pair of those Tivertons!  You will never find a flip flop with more support and better grip on the bottom than the Tiverton.  In cooler weather I wear the Atlantics and the Bill Dance Pro models.”