Thermos Ultimate 900ml review and some general advice on flasks

Recently I purchased a new flask, I have been using one that was given to me it doesn't come with a cup and whilst useful it doesn't keep the drinks that hot over a longer period of time it was also comparitvely heavy whilst not really holding a lot.

So I did some research and there were a few candidates:

SIGG Hot & Cold ACCENT Aqua 1.0 L 

This looked a good option but was expensive and I couldn't find the weight listed it did claim to keep your drink warm for many hours but didn't say how long on their official website...

Black Trail Break Biker

Now this was a serious contender I liked the design, again not cheap but specification wise it fell down firstly on the weight 610 g   220 grams heavier than the thermos ultimate and it stated would keep drinks warm for 18 - 20 hrs whereas the thermos ultimate stated 24 hrs warm.

Thermos Ultimate 900ml  

slightly less capacity than the other two I was considering, however it weighed in at only 380g and claimed to keep drinks warm for 24hrs.  After going through several youtube videos with nothing but good to say and backing up their claims I decided this one was for me.  

The Thermos ultimate is as expensive as the others however I managed to source one from Amazon for £20.00 because it was listed as used the packaging was damaged, as the packaging would have ended up in the bin this was a no brainer.

(Long term note:  as the flask is extreemely lightweight the walls whilst strong are more prone to denting than a traditional steel flask, it hasn't been a problem for me but something for you to consider.   I just ensure I store mine in the bag not on the outside and wrap it in something.)

Overall then my choice was easy, however I think the Primus Trailbreak is a great contender and if I had more stats on the Sigg I am sure it was also a serious contender, tbh unless weight is a major consideration I think they would all be a good choice.

 (Long term note:  I am consistently amazed at how long this keeps things hot it really does what it says on the tin!!!!) 

 (Long term note:  A feature I never really considered when buying but now find immensely useful is the way you can completely remove all the lids etc.. on this flask and designed so they don't break i.e. push button flasks, this makes it SUPER EASY TO CLEAN!!)

WELL BUILT EASY TO CLEAN
GREAT INVESTMENT

So finally some tips to share that I have gleaned over the years:

1. Preheat your flask, pour some hot water in swill it round let it stand for a minute then empty and then fill it properly.  This will keep your drink hot for the maximum time as it stops the cold flask initially dropping the temprature.

2. If your going to leave your drink for a long time don't add the milk in.  I don't drink milk but have added it for others to find that after hours in the flask the drink can tase like the milk is off.   Just carry the milk with you.   I tend not to put anything in, just hot water it means you don't have to clean your flask, maximum hot water.

3. Make a flask up before you go to bed, then you can wake up in your tent/bivvy and have a warm drink to get you going before you have to venture out into bad weather.

4. Cleaning your flask - crush up some egshell, put that a little warm water and a few suds put the lid on and shake vigourously - really works.

5. Don't leave anything in the flask for a long time - trust me it's never pleasant to clean out...

6.  If you aren't going to use your flask for a while, wash it and leave the lid off till it is completely dry inside.   If you leave it damp with the lid on for an extended period it will smell.

Storing a down sleeping bag

It's getting to that time of year when the tempratures gradually rise and your thinking of storing your down sleeping bag.  

I have a Montane Deep Heat Sleeping bag which I have had modified to be extra wide, I bought a Snugpak Winter Expanda panel and had it sewn into the bag and the existing zip reused, the material was such a close match no one can tell!!! the shop did such a great job on it.

I love the bag, but don't think much of Montanes customer service though there's a blog post about it so I won't bore you with the details.

Anyhow, I wasn't to happy with their storage bag as storing it that way and on top of a wardrobe means the bag is still compressed slightly and I wanted to ensure that it had the chance to fully decompress whilst stored.

After looking about for bags no one seems to make one that allows you to really let the bag breath and decompress.  I then had a little lightbulb moments and bought one of those underbed storage bags which cost me about £4.50 including postage from e-bay, the bag fitted in perfectly and can fully decompress.   It's stored on top of the wardrobe looks tidy so problem solved, a tip I thought I would pass on.

TO THIS

FROM THIS

Changing Tyres the easy way

My new tyres arrived today and at the moment I can't really strain much to fit them as I am currently recovering from an operation and have a stent in me.  Vic had offered to come over but me being me had to at least try it myself. 

I got the old ones off but when it came to fitting the new tyres it just seemed impossible I really couldn't manage it, after almost half an hour I was in pain and getting nowhere, half convincing myself that the tyres were somehow wrong for the wheel, they were 700 x 28c same as what had come off but a different brand. 

I should say my rims are fairly narrow and the new tyres are Shwalbe Marathon plus probably one of the sturdiest tyres on the market and very very stiff to fit when new.

Well they say necessity is the mother of invention so I did what I normally do when brute force and celtic don't work I simply stared at the problem and tried to think a way out.  The main problem was that as soon as you pushed one part in it caused the one next to it to jump out so you chased the tyre round the wheel unendingly.

Well I came up with a solution that made the whole job so much easier, there was no straining involved and each one was done with little fuss and very quickly.   Now I know what your thinking.... I admitted defeat and I called Vic and got him to do for me, well you would be wrong.  

Instead i simply pushed one section into the rim and then taped it with a little electrical tape, then went a bit further along and did the same.  It only took about 3 sections being held in place to make the whole job so much easier.  Like having 3 sets of helping hands.

Three Tape Sections

Close Up

I always carry an amount of this tape in my tool kit, I wrap mine round the small aluminium tube that came with my tent to repair a broken pole in an emergency.  In future when I am travelling out and tired after a long day ending up with a puncture won't be such a chore, however it's a long time since I had a puncture!

Anyhow I hope this helps, it's a trick I won't forget!

Repair to an Ortlieb Pannier

I recently noticed one of my front panniers had developed a tear probably something sharp as it was a very straight cut.  I got hold of some glue and repair material for a car soft top from a friend who had recently reapired his roof and recommended it (thanks Measey!!)  he bought it on Ebay so I used that, it was designed for a car travelling at speed so should do the trick!

(Long term note:   This patch has been on for over 2 1/2 years now still solid still waterproof, I did a bath test before a recent trip and it rained so the reapair is good).

To repair:

1. cut a patch at least 3cm wider than the tear at each point.
2. Clean the surfaces (I use plain old water).
2. Coat the patch and tear with glue (thoroughly)
3. Wait 10 main for both surfaces to become tacky and apply the patch
4. Wait 24 hrs to dry properly, dust with talc and test in water.

Here is the tear

Vinyl glue & patch

Fully covered

Repair in place inside the bag view

When it has had 24 hrs to dry I will dust in talcum powder so nothing sticks to the excess glue.  I will then put it in the bath to see how waterproof it is.  So far a 10 minute job!

I have now tested it in water and on the road, waterproof and isn't peeling away etc..