• Mattress: The Love and Sleep Mattress by Nest Bedding is one of the most affordable non-toxic mattresses (a queen-sized mattress costs about $600). The mattresses are handmade in the USA and ship quickly.
• Comforter/Duvet: 100% Yak Wool Duvet by Healthline. Yak wool is ultrawarm & hypoallergenic. See this article for more details.
• Comforter Cover: 300 Threadcount Organic Cotton Sateen Duvet Cover by Coyuchi
• Sheets: 300 Treadcount Organic Sateen Sheet Set by Coyuchi or Magnolia Organic Cotton Sheets
• Pillow: 100% Natural Latex Pillow by OrganicTextiles
• Mattress Topper: Serenia Natural 100% Natural Latex Topper or Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper by Sleep On Latex
• Mattress Topper Cover: Sleep On Organic Mattress Topper (80% Organic Cotton, 20% Polyester)

All of these bedding items are non-toxic, and hypoallergenic (meaning they won’t trigger allergies).

The blankets and sheets are also thermal regulating (meaning they help your body at an optimum temperature).

I have all of the products in my bedroom and have enjoyed them over the years.

Why Choose Non-Toxic Bedding?

We spend about one-third of our lives in bed. So choosing the right bedding is quite important. Our body also regenerates itself during sleep, and we absorb substances through our skin and our lungs during this process.

To create a non-toxic bed we must ensure that the mattress, pillows, and sheets are free of toxins. Specifically, the aim here is to avoid:

• Fire-retardant chemicals (PBDEs)
• Formaldehyde
• Boric acid
• Toxic dyes
• Bleaches
• Pesticides & herbicides

Most conventional bedding contains many of these contaminants. Unfortunately, some chemicals are even deliberately introduced, such as the fire-retardant chemical PBDE (or “Polybrominated Diphenal Ether”). To buy a mattress in the U.S. that is free of the PDBE, you need permission from a doctor. This is even though PBDE has been banned by Europe, Canada, California, and the state of Washington.

It’s also a good idea to avoid synthetic materials. Natural fibers allow for changes in body temperature, because they do not reflect heat and because they can absorb moisture.

More Information

The rationale for choosing chemical-free, organic bedding can be found in the book Sleep Safe In A Toxic World (this book is a great source of information).

See also the activist website People For Clean Beds.

The post The Best Natural & Non-Toxic Bedding appeared first on Reactual.

In terms of heat retention and the ability to be used as filling, these are the warmest fibers by weight:

• Qiviut [Musk Ox Wool]
• Yak Wool
• Alpaca Wool
• Camel Wool
• Sheep’s Wool

For more details, see my article explaining why these wools are ultrawarm.

After testing duvets filled with Camel, Alpaca, and Merino wool, I found that Camel wool is indeed the warmest inside a comforter.

All of these wools contain no lanolin so they are hypoallergenic and odorless.

They have good moisture “wicking” properties. This means that moisture is absorbed by the fiber. This keeps sweat away from being released to the outside of the duvet.

This is the duvet I found to be the warmest:

The absolute warmest duvet on the market is the Qiviut duvet:

Alpaca Duvet

This Alpaca duvet I have tested and it is also very warm:

• Ave Maria 400 GSM Alpaca Wool Duvet/Comforter

The post The Warmest Wool Duvets (Qiviut, Alpaca and Camel Wool) appeared first on Reactual.

Jeans Made In The U.S.

• AG Jeans — Los Angeles, California — jeans (only selected products)
• Jean Shop — New York, New York —  jeans
• Levi Strauss & Co. — San Francisco, California —  jeans (only selected products)
• Rag & Bone — New York, New York —  jeans (only selected products)
• Raleigh Denim — Raleigh, North Carolina —  jeans
• Tellason — San Francisco, California —  jeans
• The Stronghold — Los Angeles, California —  jeans
• True Religion — jeans

Accessories Made In The U.S.

• American Optical — sunglasses, eyeglasses
• Bollman Hats — Adamstown, Pennsylvania — hats
• Buffalo Gold – Goodnight, Texas – Bison wool clothing
• David Hart & Co. — New York, New York — neckties
• Dodo Case — San Francisco, California — iPad / iPhone cases
• Edgar Leather — Tallahassee, Florida — leather goods
• Faribault Woolen Mills — Faribault, Minnesota — blankets
• Geier Glove Co. — Centralia, Washington — leather gloves
• The General Knot Co. — Bedford, New York — neckties
• Gfeller Casemakers — Meridian, Idaho — leather goods
• Noble Buffalo — St. Louis, Missouri — leather belts
• Leather Man Limited — Essex, Connecticut — belts, accessories
• Optimo Hats —Chicago, Illinois — hats
• Pierrepont Hicks — Minneapolis, Minnesota — ties, accessories
• Randolph Engineering — Randolph, Massachusetts — glasses, sunglasses
• Shuron — Greeneville, South Carolina — glasses, eyeglasses
• Solesu — Belleville, Illinois — leather belts
• Tanner Goods — Portland, Oregon — leather goods
• Wiley Belts — Charlottesville, Virginia — belts, leather goods

Luggage Made In The U.S.

• Accessories Unlimited — Portland, Maine — bags
• Acorn Bags — California — cycling bags
• Artifact Bags — Omaha, Nebraska — bags
• Bailey Works — Portsmouth, New Hampshire — bicycle bags
• Billykirk — Pennsylvania — bags, leather goods
• Beckel Canvas — Portland, Oregon — bags, tents, etc.
• Buzzline — Fort Pierce, Flordia — bags
• Dandux — Ellicott City, Maryland — bags
• Domke — Hauppauge, New York — camera bags, accessories
• Duluth Pack — Duluth, Minnesota — luggage
• Emil Erwin — Nashville, Tennessee — luggage, accessories
• Estex Mfg. Co. — Fairburn, Georgia — bags
• Equinox — Williamsport, Pennsylvania — bags, outdoor gear
• Frost River — Duluth, Minnesota — bags, tents
• Ghurka — New York, NY — bags, leather goods, accessories
• Goruck — Bozeman, Montana — bags, hats
• Johnson Woolen Mills — Johnson, Vermont — bags, clothing, accessories
• Joshu+Vela — San Francisco, California — bags
• J. W. Hulme Co. — St. Paul, Minnesota — briefcases, bags, accessories
• Klein Tools — Lincolnshire, Illinois — bags, accessories
• LL Bean — Freeport, Maine — luggage (only selected products)
• Makr — Orlando, Florida — luggage, accessories, leather goods
• Mer — Brooklyn, New York — luggage
• Moop — Pittsburg, Pennsylvania —bags
• Port Canvas — Kennebunkport, Maine — canvas bags
• Red Oxx — Billings, Montana—  adventure luggage
• Topo Designs — Denver, Colorado — bags
• Tough Traveler — Schenectady, New York — bags
• Triple Aught Design — San Francisco, California — bags, accessories
• Utility Canvas — Gardiner, New York — bags, accessories
• Wm. J. Mills & Co. — Greenport, New York — bags
• Wood&Faulk — Portland, Oregon — bags, accessories

Clothing Made In The U.S.

• Anderson-Little — Tamarac, Flordia — navy blazerslected products)
• Berle Manufacturing — Charleston, South Carolina — trousers
• Beyond Clothing — Seattle, Washington — outdoors clothing
• Bill’s Khakis — Reading, Pennsylvania — khaki pants, clothing
• Brooks Brothers — New York, New York — clothing, sportswear, footwear, accessories (only selected products)
• Bemidji Woolen Mills — Bemidji, Minnesota — clothing, blankets
• Camber — Norristown, Pennsylvania — tee shirts, sweatshirts
• Carhartt — Dearborn, Michigan — workwear, outerwear (only selected products)
• CC Filson — Seattle, Washington — outwear, bags, accessories (only selected products)
• CEGO — New York, New York — custom shirts
• Commonwealth Proper — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — shirts
• Centralia Knitting Mills — Centralia, Washington — outerwear
• Crescent Down Works — Seattle, Washington — outerwear
• Ebbets Field Flannels — Seattle, Washington — jackets, jerseys, accessories
• Engineered Garments — New York, New York — clothing, bags, accessories
• Epaulet — Brooklyn, New York — shirts, ties
• Gitman Brothers — Ashland, Pennsylvania — woven shirts
• Hamilton Shirts — Houston, Texas — custom shirts
• Hart Schaffner Marx — Chicago, Illinois — tailored clothing
• Hertling Trousers — Brooklyn, New York — pants
• Homage — Columbus, Ohio — tee shirts, sweatshirts, accessories
• Individualized — Perth Amboy, New Jersey — woven shirts
• Langlitz Leathers — Portland, Oregon — motorcycle jackets
• New England Shirt Company — Fall River, Massachusetts — shirts
• Oxxford Clothing — Chicago, Illinois — tailored clothing
• Pendleton Woolen Mills — Portland, Oregon — sportswear, blankets (only selected products)
• Pointer Brand — Bristol, Tennessee — clothing, denim, workwear
• Post Overalls — New York, NY — clothing
• Ramblers Way — Kennebunk, Maine — wool clothing
• REI — Kent, Washington — outdoor clothing  (only selected products – see their “Made In USA” section)
• Rogue Territory — Los Angeles, California — clothing, accessories
• Round House — Shawnee, Oklahoma — denim, workwear
• Self Edge — San Francisco, California — clothing
• Schott NYC — New York, New York — outerwear
• Spiewak — New York, New York — outerwear
• Sterlingwear — Boston, Massachusetts — outerwear
• Steven Alan — New York, New York — sportswear, accessories (only selected products)
• Stormy Kromer — Ironwood, Michigan — hats, clothing, outerwear
• Taylor Stitch — San Francisco, California — shirts
• Thom Browne — New York, New York — tailored clothing, sportswear
• Vanson Leathers — Fall River, Massachusetts — leather jackets
• Western Mountaineering — San Jose, California — down jackets, sleeping bags
• Wrath Arcane — Cleveland, Ohio — sportswear

Footware Made In The U.S.

• Allen-Edmonds — Port Washington, Wisconsin — shoes (only selected products)
• Altama — Atlanta, Georgia — boots
• Arrow Moccasin Company — Hudson, Massachusetts — footwear
• Chippewa Boots — Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin — footwear (only selected products)
• Danner — Portland, Oregon — footwear
• Darn Tough — Northfield, Vermont — socks
• E. Vogel — New York, New York — boots, shoes
• Fox River Mills — Osage, Iowa — socks
• Keen – Portland, Oregon – footwear — (only selected products)
• Limmer Boots — Intervale, New Hampshire — boots
• LL Bean — Freeport, Maine — boots
• New Balance — Boston, Massachusetts — athletic shoes (only selected products)
• Oak Street Bootmakers — Chicago, Illinois — shoes, boots
• Oliver Moore — New York, New York — custom shoes
• Perry Ercolino — Doylestown, Pennsylvania — custom shoes
• Quoddy — Perry, Maine — footwear
• Rancourt & Co. — Lewiston, Maine — footwear
• Red Wing — Red Wing, Minnesota — footwear (only selected products)
• Russell Moccasin Co. — Berlin, Wisconsin — footwear
• Townview Leather — Dexter, Maine — footwear
• Vincent & Edgar — New York, New York — bespoke shoes
• Weinbrenner — Merrill, Wisconsin — footwear
• Wesco Boots — Scappoose, Oregon — footwear
• White’s Boots — Spokane, Washington — footwear
• Wigwam — Sheboygan, Wisconsin — socks
• Wolverine – boots (only selected products)
• Yuketen — Hermosa Beach, California — boots, shoes

Tools Made In The U.S.

• All American Pressure Cooker — Wisconsin — Pressure Cookers
• Ambruster Tent Company — Springfield, Illinois — Canvas Tents
• Annin & Company — Roseland, New Jersey — Flags
• Baxter of California — Los Angeles, California — Men’s Grooming Products (only selected products)
• Benchmade — Oregon City, Oregon — Knives (only selected products)
• Buck Knives — Post Falls, Idaho — Knives
• Estwing — Rockford, Illinois — Axes / Wood Splitting
• Field Notes — Portland, Oregon — Notepads, Writing Instruments
• Fisher Space Pen — Boulder City, Nevada — Writing Instruments
• Klhip — Ketchum, Idaho — Nail Clippers
• The Good Flock — Portland, Oregon — Technology Cases
• Jacob Bromwell — Tempe, Arizona — pots, pans, accessories
• Klein Tools – only selected products
• Leatherman — Portland, Oregon — Multi-Tools
• Luma Labs — Portland, Oregon — Camera Straps
• PortaBrace — North Bennington, Vermont — Camera Bags
• Pocket Pin High Pro – Knoxville, Tennessee — Golf training equipment
• Rada Cutlery — Iowa — Kitchen Utensils
• School House Electric — Portland, Oregon — light fixtures, home accessories
• Scout Books — Portland, Oregon — Notebooks
• Springbar Tents — Salt Lake City, Utah — Canvas Tents
• Snap On Tools – only selected products
• Steelcase —  Grand Rapids, Michigan — Chairs
• Streamlight — Eagleville, Pennsylvania — Flashlights
• Surefire — Fountain Valley, California — Flashlights
• The United States Playing Card Company — Cincinnati, Ohio — Playing Cards
• Vornado Fans — Andover, Kansas — Fans
• Wiggy’s — Grand Junction, Colorado — Sleeping Bags, Outerwear
• Wilson Bohannan Co. — Marion, Ohio — Padlocks
• Woodman’s Pal — Boyertown, Pennsylvania — Machetes
• W.R. Case & Sons — Bradford, Pennsylvania — Knives
• Zeroll — Fort Pierce, Flordia — Ice Cream Scoops
• Zippo — Bradford, Pennsylvania — Lighters

Audio Gear Made In The U.S.

• Audio by Van Alstine — Woodbury, MN — preamplifiers, amplifiers, digital-to-analog converters, and phase inverters
• Ayre Acoustics, Inc. — Boulder, CO — full line of audio and video components
• Audeze — Headphones
• Car Audio Factory — Richmond, TX — subwoofer enclosers
• Carr Amplifiers — Pittsboro, NC — guitar amplifiers, made by guitarists for guitarists.
• CI Audio — Port Hueneme, CA — headphone amplifiers, monoblock amplifiers, and power supplies.
• Fargen Amps — Sacramento, CA — all tube (not solid-state) guitar and bass amplifiers
• Grado Labs — Brooklyn, NY — high-quality headphones and phono cartridges (their SR80-i is one of the best headphones under $100)
• KCS Loudspeakers — Sun Prairie, WI — custom horn loudspeakers
• Klipsch –  Hope, AR – audio gear
• Koss Headphones – Milwaukee, WI – headphones
• Manley Labs — Chino, CA — Hi-Fi and professional recording gear
• McIntosh Labs — Binghamton, NY: fine audio and home theater sound systems
• Mohu, Inc. — Raleigh, NC — makers of the LeafTM, a USA-made indoor HDTV antenna
• Moog Music — Ashville, NC — miniMoog Voyager analog monosynth, MoogerFooger guitar pedals, and Etherwave theremin
• Ohm Acoustics — Brooklyn, NY — high-end speakers for audio and home theater applications
• Orb Audio — Sherman Oaks, CA — Mod1 and Mod2 satellite speakers for flat screen and home theater applications, handmade in the USA. “Small Speakers for Smart People”
• Schitt Audio – Audio Gear
• Synthesizers.com — Tyler, TX — modular analog music synthesizers, assembled in USA with domestic and imported components
• SVS — Ohio — speakers and subwoofers for music and home theater
• Wavefront Technologies — Los Angeles, CA — theremin musical instruments and accessories
• Westone — Colorado — Earphones
• Woo Audio — New York — amps
• Zinky Electronics — Flagstaff, AZ — electric guitar amplifiers & accessories

Camping Equipment Made In The U.S.

• American Outdoors — coolers, boat totes, camp chairs, etc.
• Arc Flashlight —Phoenix, AZ — LED pocket flashlights that run on a single AAA battery
• Awl for All —Arlington Hts., IL — indispensable wooden-handled awl for repairing leather, canvas, and vinyl outdoor gear
• Butler Bags —Cedar City, UT — sleeping bags, bedrolls, and gear bags
• Cascade Designs —Seattle, WA — manufacturer of camping gear of all sorts (including Therm-a-rest self-inflating camping mattresses, MSR camping stoves)
• Equinox. —Williamsport, PA — makers of ultralight backpacking gear, including sleeping bags, tarps, ponchos packs, and totes
• EZ-Sales and Mfg. —Gardena, CA— American-made hammocks, folding aluminum camp chairs, cots, and canteens (only selected products)
• Feathered Friends —Seattle, WA — sleeping bags, outwear, and comforters
• Fuerte Cases —La Mesa, CA — waterproof protective cases for laptops, PDAs, firearms
• Kirkham’s Outdoor Products —Salt Lake City, UT — manufacturer of Springbar and AAA canvas wall tents
• Nalgene —Rochester, NY — water bottles, bike bottles, travel mugs, and other “hydration necessities” (only selected products)
• Northern Lites —Wausau, WI — high-tech, lightweight snowshoes for all uses, from racing to hiking
• Open Country Campware — aluminum camp ware kits, plates, pots, and canteens made by Metal Ware Corp. (Two Rivers, WI)
• Outdoor Research —Seattle, WA — shelter systems, headwear, gaiters/footwear, and storage systems/stuff sacks (only selected products)
• Princeton Tec — headlamps, outdoor gear, bikes lights
• Purcell Trench Mfg — Addy, WA —ultra-lightweight camping grills and tarp shelters
• REI — Kent, Washington — outdoor equipment  (only selected products – see their “Made In USA” section)
• TarpTent —Redwood City, CA —ultralight, mobile shelters made with US materials in Seattle, WA
• Tektite —Trenton,NJ — LED flashlights and lanterns, divelights, and marker lights

Bikes Made In The U.S.

• Ahearne — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• A.N.T. Bicycles — Holliston, Massachusetts — bicycles, bicycle accessories
• Bilenky Cycle Works — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — bicycles
• Brooklyn Machine Works — Brooklyn, New York — bicycles
• Calfee Design — La Selva Beach, California — bicycles
• Courage Bicycle MFG Co. — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Cygolite  — bike lights
• Davidson — Seattle, Washington — bicycles
• Fast Boy Cycles — New York, New York — bicycles
• Gunnar Cycles — Waterford, Wisconsin — bicycle frames
• Hufnagel — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Independent Fabrication — Somerville, Massachusetts — bicycles
• Ira Ryan Cycles — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• J.P. Weigle — Lyme, Connecticut — bicycles
• Lightspeed — Chattanooga, Tennessee — bicycles
• MAP — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Metrofiets — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Moots Cycles — Steamboat Springs, Colorado — bicycles
• NiteRider  — bike lights
• Outlier — Brooklyn, New York — cycling clothing
• Pereira — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Phil Wood —San Jose, California — bicycle components
• Princeton Tec — bikes lights
• Richard Sachs Cycles — Chester, Connecticut — bicycles
• Seven Cycles — Watertown, Massachusetts — bicycles
• Signal Cycles — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Six-Eleven Bicycle Co. — Roanoke, Virginia — Bicycles
• Steelman Cycles — Redwood City, California — bicycles
• Strawberry — Portland, Oregon — bicycles
• Tet Cycles — West Branch, Iowa — bicycles
• Townsend Bicycles — Monrovia, California — bicycles
• Waterford Precision Bicycles — Waterford, Wisconsin — bicycle frames
• Worksmen Bicycles — Queens, New York — bicycles

The post A List Of Goods Still Made In The USA appeared first on Reactual.

Best Design: The Z-Bar Mini LED Desk Lamp

The slender Z-Bar High Power LED Desk Lamp features high-tech power-saving LED bulbs in a minimalist frame. With its angular black aluminum housing and unique pivot, it belongs on a Berlin engineer’s desk or in the lobby of an upscale New York architect.

The ingenious design extends beyond aesthetics; this is a seriously bright light that uses very little energy. The Z-Bar’s six daylight white LEDs generate about 240 lumens of light and only expends 9 watts of energy.

If 9 watts is still too much energy usage for your taste, activate the built-in 4-step dimming function to produce a softer light for even less wattage. This feature works incredibly well when you are unwinding prior to bedtime. Lower the light before you fall asleep to adjust your brain to get ready for bed.

The thin circular base is weighted to keep the light from tipping over, and adjustable joints can be placed in almost any position without tightening or loosening knobs or screws, simply move the light to where you need it and the lamp will hold to form.

The Z-Bar is the winner of I.D. Magazine “best of category” award. It is available on Amazon for around $300.

Best Overall: Lumiy Lightblade 1500S

If you find your desk lamp’s brightness underwhelming, buy a Lightblade and let there be light. This is the LED desk lamp for those who want only the brightest crispest replica of perfect natural light. With 1100 lux of brightness and a high CRI, the Lightblade can transform even the dreariest space into a warm and bright zone of productivity.

The Lightblade’s radiant lighting comes from its cool and warm white LED’s for a color rendering index of over 90 CRI. A light’s CRI determines its ability to accurately display an object’s full color. The higher the CRI, the more faithfully the color is displayed as if it would be in natural light. The Lightblade’s high CRI makes it a perfect choice for artists and other professionals who require brilliant vibrant colors.

The lamp has other desirable features, including an omnidirectional pivoting head for better control of the lighting. It also has touch sensors that control brightness and monitor energy expenditure.

The Lumiy Lightblade 1500S is available on Amazon for about $100.

Best Value: TaoTronics Smart LED Desk Lamp

The TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp is perfect for those who want bright light at an affordable price. 30 dollars gets you  410 lumens of power and up to 11 levels of brightness, perfect for any setting. The best feature of this lamp is its versatility. It includes 5 color modes, which function as temperatures that you can adjust depending on your need. The soft uniform light is ideal for reading and doesn’t flicker like other value options, while the natural light is perfect before bed. It also has an incredible lifespan. According to the manufacturer, this lamp is rated to last for 50,000 hours and uses 75% less energy than incandescent lights with similar brightness.

The Smart LED desk lamp also looks elegant.  An adjustable gooseneck gives further control over light positioning and brightness, while the blend of silver metal looks modern and can fit in any room. 

The TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp is available on Amazon for about $30.

Most Customizable: The Softech DL-90 Multi-Function LED Desk Lamp

Softech‘s latest LED desk lamp offers an astounding amount of customization for total brightness control. You decide the lighting mode you want and the DL-90 will conform to your request. The lamp has 27 high-power daylight LEDs with a 90+ CRI that comes extraordinarily close to natural light.

The lamp has four distinct lighting modes and 40 brightness levels in total for total precision. The first two modes are for desk work: a reading mode with mid-range colors (4300K-5300K) that are easy on the eyes, and a study mode which has a high range color temperature (6000K-7000K). The lamp can also be switched to a relaxation mode and a sleep mode — these have softer, warm color temperatures.

This lamp uses 10 watts or less of power to provide light equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent bulb. It lasts about 40,000 hours or 20 years of normal use. An automatic turn-off feature extends lamp life even further.

The Softech DL-90 lamp is available from Amazon for about $70.

Most Versatile: BYB E-430

Clamp-on desk lamps are a great option for those working who need high-quality illumination but are working with limited desk space. The award-winning design of BYB’s E-430 dimmable LED desk lamp delivers energy-efficient lighting from a slender device latched onto the side of your desk. It has a swivel lock socket that tilts in any direction, whether it’s on the desk or not. The adjustable arm is matched by a flexible head and includes built-in dimming strips.

It delivers 4 lighting modes and 6 levels of brightness, ranging from study mode to bedtime mode. We also like that the lamp is rated for 50,000 hours and comes with a 5-year warranty.

The BYB E-430 is available on Amazon for around $110.

Best Smart Design: TaoTronics TT-DL27 Desklamp

Take advantage of four distinct lighting modes with this versatile smart LED desk lamp from TaoTronics. You can set the lamp to sleep mode, study mode, reading mode, or relax mode, each delivering a customized LED distribution designed to satisfy your needs. And if study mode is likely to become sleep mode, you can just activate the 1-hour off timer on the lamp to make sure it shuts off as you drift to sleep.

I also enjoyed that you can swivel, rotate, and bend the head and neck of the lamp to fit your lighting needs. Just tilt the head to activate a wide 62cm2 area of light, enough to illuminate your entire desk area. The metal arm and sturdy base are hallmarks of great construction, making sure the light doesn’t fail on you.

The TaoTronics LED Desklamp is available for around $35.

The post The Best LED Desk Lamps appeared first on Reactual.

Qiviut (Musk Ox Down)

Qiviut (pronounced “kiv-ee-ute”) is the name for the downy hair of the musk ox. It is the warmest fiber in the world — about eight times as warm as sheep’s wool.

Muskoxen live in Alaska and Canada where temperatures sometimes drop to –100ºF (-73ºC), so they need protection. The Inuktitut name for the musk ox is “umingmak” meaning the “bearded one”.

Qiviut is an ultralight fiber and very soft fiber too. However, there is a limited amount of Qiviut produced every year, so it’s expensive.

In Alaska, qiviut is obtained from farmed animals or gathered from the wild during the molt. Unlike sheep, the musk oxen are not sheared.

Yak Down

Similar to qiviut, yak down is a very warm fiber that’s also lightweight and soft. It’s a more affordable alternative to the rare qiviut.

Yaks are primarily raised by nomadic Tibetan and Mongolian families. Their wool is combed once per year in the springtime.

According to Kora (a yak performance wear company), the wool is 40% warmer than merino wool. It has 66% greater air permeability and 17% greater water vapor permeability (tested with ASTM D1518, ASTM D737, ASTM E96).

Bison Down

Bison down is a very warm, insulating fiber. It is also very durable for such a soft fiber. It has a moisture regain of about 30%, compared to 18% for sheep’s wool — this means that even when saturated, the fiber draws moisture away from one’s skin.

There is only a limited amount of fiber available – estimated at 10,000 pounds per year versus 2,100,000,000 pounds of sheep wool.

It is harvested in Colorado and South Dakota, as a by-product of the bison meat industry.

Alpaca Wool

Alpaca wool is about three times as warm as sheep’s wool, and it is lightweight and durable. It contains no lanolin, which makes it hypoallergenic and odorless. Alpaca wool also has one of the highest moisture ‘wicking’ properties of all-natural fibers.

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze in the mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile.

Other Wools

Other warm (and very soft) wools include llama, camel, angora, cashmere, vicuna, and guanaco.

Durability and Fineness

In terms of durability, bison is in most cases the strongest, followed by qiviut and yak down alpaca and merino.

In terms of fineness, any fiber that has a diameter of 20µ (microns) or less will feel very soft to the touch. In the alpaca world, the labeled “royal” alpaca should indicate fibers under 19 µ, “baby” alpaca should indicate fibers that are around 22.5µ, and “superfine” alpaca is 26µ.

There’s also an International Alpaca Mark that indicates the fiber is less than 28 µ.

In the merino world, look for wool labeled “ultrafine” (around 15-17 µ) or “superfine” (about 18-20 µ).

Here’s a list of fibers from finest to coarsest (in microns): 

• Vicuña (12µ)
• Angora rabbit (8 – 12µ)
• Suri Alpaca (10 – 15µ)
• Silk (10 – 13µ)
• Qiviut (11-13 µ)
• Cashmere Goat (14 – 19µ)
• Huacava Alpaca (15 – 29µ)
• Camel (15 – 22µ)
• Ultrafine Merino (15.5µ or less)
• Yak Down (17.5 to 19µ)
• Bison (14 -18µ)
• “Royal” Grade Alpaca (19µ or less)
• “Cashllama” Grade Llama (20 -21µ)48
• “Baby” Grade Alpaca (22µ or less)
• Mohair (23 – 28µ)
• Superfine Merino (15.6 to 18.5µ)
• Superfine Alpaca (26µ)
• Standard Sheep’s Wool (30 – 32µ)
• Human Hair (60 – 80µ)

Based on these criteria, these are the warmest woolens I could find:

Warmest Boot Socks

• 50% Bison and 50% Merino Boot Socks by Buffalo Wool Company — a very warm sock with full terry loop knitting — $45
• Icebreaker Mountaineer Socks — 79% Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, 1% LYCRA Spandex — $21
• Smartwool Merino Wool Heavy Cushioned Socks — 70% Merino Wool, 29% Nylon, and 1% Elastane — $22
• Time May Tell Merino Hiking Sock — 80% merino wool, 14% Nylon, 5% Poly, 1% Spandex — $15
• Darn Tough Boot Socks — 64% Merino Wool, 33% Nylon, 3% Lycra Spandex — $25
• Wayfarer Sock by Khunu — 56% yak wool, 34.5% nylon, 9.5% Elastane — £22 ($28)
• 78% Alpaca Socks by Williamston Alpaca — 78% Alpaca, 20% Nylon, 2% Lycra — made in the USA — $22

Warmest Crew Hiking Socks

• Icebreaker Everday Crew Sock — 79% Merino Wool, 20% Nylon, 1% Spandex — $20
• Fox River Trailhead Heavyweight Crew Sock — 77% merino wool — $17
• 100% Cashmere Socks by Lona Scott – very soft and warm — made in Scotland – $40
• 100% Alpaca Wool Socks by Gamboa — $20

Warmest Indoor Socks

• 100% Qiviut Socks by Qiviuk — musk ox wool is the warmest and softest fiber in the world — $219 (!)
• 90% Yak Wool Socks by Yakamel — soft, inexpensive yak wool socks — $21
• Bison and Silk Blend Socks by Fox River — these socks are great for indoor use — 36% bison wool, 36% silk, 26% nylon, 2% spandex — $43
• 90% Yak Wool Socks by DoctorTM — a bit thin but still warm — $13

Warmest Gloves

• 90% Bison Down Gloves — 90% Bison Down, 10% Nylon — the bison wool makes this glove particularly warm — the styling is rustic  — $98
• 100% Qiviut Gloves by Qiviuk — $250
• 100% Yak Wool Gloves by Mahogany Cashmere — $62
• 100% Yak Down Gloves by Handcombed – $34
• 100% Alpaca Double Knit Gloves — very thick but warm and durable – $36
• 100% Thick Cashmere Gloves by Oxford Cashmere — $40
• 100% Cashmere Gloves by Fishers Finery — $39

Warmest Hats

• 100% Qiviut Beanie by Qiviuk — $260 USD
• 80% Yak Wool Beanie by Khunu — £65 — $84 USD
• 100% Yak Wool Beanie by Kora — 230 g/m² — $45 USD
• 100% Yak Wool Beanie by Yakamel — double layer — $38 USD
• 100% Yak Down Beanie by Handcombed — $51
• 100% Yak Wool Beanie by Mahogany Cashmere — $78
• 90% Bison Down Beanie by Buffalo Gold — 90% bison down, 10% nylon – $85
• 100% Alpaca Beanie by Woop!Wear – $25
• 100% Cashmere 3-Ply Beanie by Fishers Finery — $40
• 100% Cashmere Cable Knit Hat by Fishers Finery — $33

Warmest Scarves

• 100% Qiviut Scarf by Qiviuk — $629
• 90% Bison Wool Scarf by Buffalo Wool Co. — $160
• 100% Yak Wool Scarf by Simplife — 27″ by 79″ – 3.3 oz — $89
• 100% Yak Wool Scarf by Simplife — 39″ x 79″ – 10.6 oz — $130
• 100% Yak Travel Blanket by Khunu — 47″ by 74″- 3.8 oz — £310.00 ($389 USD)
• 90% Bison Down Knit Scarf — 90% bison down, 10% nylon – $125
• 100% Qiviut Heavy Weight Aleutian Scarf by Oomingmak — $275
• 100% Alpaca Scarf by Kuna — $99
• 100% Cashmere Women’s Scarf by Fishers Finery — $52
• 100% Vicuna Scarf — $1790

Wool Fiber Reference

• Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook is a good reference on all the different types of wool in the world
• In Search of the World’s Finest Wools – a photographic search around the world to find the finest wools available

The post The Warmest Socks, Gloves, Hats and Scarves appeared first on Reactual.

• The best pair of binoculars is the Carl Zeiss Victory HT Binoculars. They are the brightest binoculars available, and sport a robust and ergonomic design. There is no better option for bird watchers and hunters.
• Nikon Monarch 5 offers a much more affordable yet comparable quality pair of binoculars.
• The best pair of compact binoculars for hikers and everyday use are Bushnell Legend Ultra HD.

The Details

Stellar improvement in binocular technology has leveled the optical playing field. Specialty brands such as Swarvorski and Zeiss still have an edge over their lower priced competitors, but the gap has narrowed enough that you can comfortably purchase a mid-range option without losing much in the way of clarity, color, durability, and ergonomic design.

There are a few important considerations to weigh when picking out a pair of binoculars, and what option is best for you depends on whether you will be gazing at stars or birds.

The optical specification of a pair of binoculars is represented by a number that looks like a basic multiplication equation. 8×42 and 10×42 are the standard binocular specifications, and are the numbers that are best for general purpose use.The first number, which is invariably the smaller of the two, refers to the magnification power of the binoculars. It represents how many times larger the object will appear through the lens than it would to the naked eye.

The second number is the objective lens diameter, which is the larger piece of glass at the front of the binoculars. Objective lens diameter determines how much light is let in. The larger the lens diameter, the more light is let in. Photographers can think of it like aperture on a camera lens. A larger lens also means the binoculars will be heavier, which might compromise how long you are able to hold them steady. Increasing upper arm strength is a great solution to this problem, and will allow you to hold a pair of binoculars for longer while enjoying more light.

Field of View

The field of view is determined by the size of the eye piece and represented in degrees. Therefore, a 7.0 degree field of view would be 7 out of a 360 degree circle.  Wide angle are 7 or more degrees, while standard binoculars are around 5 degrees.

As magnification goes up, the field of view goes down. Birders will sacrifice some field of view for increased magnification. If you want to take in scenic panoramas, opt for a wide angle lens.

Other Factors To Consider

Get a pair of binoculars with a long eye relief if you wear glasses. Eye relief is the vertical distance to which your eye is supposed to sit, and is measured in millimeters. 13-15mm is considered a long eye relief, and the minimum a bespectacled individual would want to comfortably use the binoculars.

Reactual readers will also want to take note of the lens coating. The objective lens will be protected by an anti-reflective coating to minimize glare when light hits the surface. Fully multi-coated lenses are the best for performance and durability, as they enhance clarity, maintain integrity of color, and protect the lens from scratch and other damage.

We also highly recommend you choose a pair of binoculars that is waterproof or, at the very least, water-resistant. Even if you don’t plan to use your binoculars by water, fog and moisture in the air could potentially damage your pair.

Zeiss Victory HT: The Best Binoculars For Hunters and Birders

If you have the money to spare, there is no better pair of binoculars available than Zeiss Victory HT. The manufacturer is a specialty optics company with more than 200 years of binocular manufacturing expertise, and the Victory HT are engineered with precision to deliver the brightest color and most ergonomic design of any pair of binoculars. Released in 2012, Victory HT are made in Germany with the best products and most advanced technology.

They are the brightest premium binoculars in the world. They are the highest contrast and deliver more than 95% light transmission, 5% higher than other premium binoculars on the market. This jump is thanks to the new Schott High Transmission glass, which is exclusive to Zeiss. Schott has been developing special optical glass for more than 125 years, and their HT glass has the highest transmittance levels of any optical lens. This cuts down on a phenomenon known as “thermal lensing effect” and increases blue spectral range, which is particularly helpful in low-light situations.

Hunters and birdwatchers benefit most from the extra color in low light situations, as the HT glass makes the most of deep twilight. The lenses are protected by anti-fogging material which keeps them clear in the early morning cold. The extra color is still noticeable in general daytime use, but the difference is not as drastic as in dim or low-light viewing. If you plan to use your binoculars in daytime, the extra price tag is probably not worth the incremental improvement in color crispness.

The ingenious design of the Zeiss Victory HT sets it apart from competitors. It has a compact bridge and a large easy-to-use focus wheel. The comfort grip system allows you to grasp both optical tubes without a hinge in front of binoculars, and a long eye relief provides a comfortable viewing experience for those with and without glasses. It also has a double hinge feature which increases durability by minimizing the chance of breaking and a robust chassis that is made from lightweight magnesium.

The biggest drawback of the Zeiss Victory HT is obviously the price. Some commenters noted that other premium priced binoculars come with better kit (case, cleaning cloth). The lifetime warranty and 5 year no fault policy do provide some peace of mind for dropping so much on a pair of binoculars.

Zeiss also offers the Victory HT in 10×42, which gives you stronger magnification at the expense of a few degrees in field of view. Another option is the 10×54 version of the Victory HT, which Zeiss launched in 2014. Much lighter than other models with such a large objective lens diameter, this option is great for stargazers and deer hunters who need to make the most of nearly non-existent light.

Another Option For Bird Watching: Nikon Monarch 5

If you are willing to sacrifice color quality, Nikon’s Monarch 5 Series offers near identical image quality for a fraction of the price. It is a mid-level binocular with multi-coated Nikon ED (extra-low dispersion) lens that delivers sharp, high-contrast views. The ED Glass lenses and Dielectric High-Reflective Multilayer Prism Coating were previously reserved for Nikon’s more expensive models, but are available in the Monarch 5 series.

They have a 6.4 degree field of view, and maintain image sharpness outside of a 5 degree diameter up to 80%.

The exceptional design of Monarch 5 is durable and intuitive. It is very light, though not as light as Zeiss (21 oz versus 16 oz). The focus knobs are precise and smooth, very easy to adjust and find the best clarity. We appreciate the fully waterproofed rubber armored fog proof housing, which make this a durable and comfortable pair of binoculars to hold.

One complaint Monarch 5 owners have is that the lens cap is loose fitting, which leads to many lost caps. Nikon assures that this was an intentional design choice, but it nonetheless leads to problems.

 Best Compact Binoculars For Everyday Use: Bushnell Legend Ultra HD

Compact binoculars are lightweight and portable, perfect for hiking and general use while travelling. Any pair with an objective lens diameter smaller than 30mm is considered to be compact.

Bushnell Legend Ultra HD offers stunning HD image, thanks to ED Prime Glass. They are coated with anti-reflective lens and are secured in a lightweight magnesium chassis that is waterproof and fogproof. 

The post The Best Binoculars appeared first on Reactual.

Yaks are primarily raised by nomadic Tibetan and Mongolian families. Their wool is combed (not shorn) once per year in the springtime when the animals shed their winter coat.

Some advantages of yak wool:

• Yak wool is 66% more breathable and 40% warmer than merino, weight for weight
• Wicks moisture efficiently and allows sweat vapor to escape from your skin, so you won’t overheat or feel clammy
• Naturally anti-bacterial fabric smells fresher longer
• Feels soft like cashmere – and there’s no itch

The major producers of yak wool clothing are: Kora, Khunu and Handcombed.

The post Underrated Fiber Series: Yak Wool appeared first on Reactual.

• The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2
• The Best Bluetooth Speaker for Sound Quality: FUGOO
• The Best Indoor Bluetooth Speaker: Bose SoundLink Color

The Details

The Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker: Ultimate Ears UE Boom 2

Pros: Waterproof, rugged, great battery life, impressive sound, lightweight

Cons: playback controls occasionally unresponsive

A favorite pick of top tech magazines, the UE Boom 2 is a remake of the popular, original UE Boom.  Although just over 1 lb., the compact, cylindrical speaker projects a loud, clear sound with deep bass in all directions.  Unlike many delicate tech gadgets, these speakers were meant to be taken outside – the outer shell is resilient, rugged and made to withstand dings and dents.  It’s not just water-resistant – it’s waterproof – and can be submerged in over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.  The rechargeable battery lasts an impressive 15 hours, perfect for a weekend camping trip with a group of friends.  The UE Boom 2 also offers a variety of other features, including the ability to sync with a second UE speaker for even more sound, intuitive app features, and a variety of color options to suit any style.

The UE Boom 2 is available at Amazon for around $200.

The Best Bluetooth Speaker for Sound Quality: FUGOO

Pros: Powerful sound, excellent battery life, durable design, customizable “jackets”

Cons:  Does not give visual cues on volume or battery life, changing jackets requires some dis-assembly

According to TechRadar, the FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is one of the industry’s best-kept secrets.  Although some high-end Bluetooth speakers from well-known brands, such as Bowers & Wilkins, Bang & Olufsen, Sony, Marshall Kilburn, and Bose, may boast of higher quality sound, many of these are not realistically portable, or likely to be used as portable speakers, due to their size, weight, and price tag.  However, the FUGOO is a true portable speaker at a little under 1.5 pounds, and includes a durable core and different exterior “jackets” depending on the purpose and environment.  Specifically, the core is itself a rugged machine capable of handling dings, dents, and spills.  The “style” jacket offers additional protection and a streamlined silhouette.  The “sport” and “tough” jackets offer additional protection.  The speaker sound is exceptional; music lovers will be astounded by the depth and clarity of the sound produced via its six drivers, including two tweeters, two mid/sub drivers, and two passive radiators.  The FUGOO also offers an unbelievable 40 hours of continuous battery life.

The FUGOO does have some small drawbacks.  Its streamlined, minimal visual design only indicates whether the machine is turned on or off.  All other cues are voice-activated, which means a simple glance to check the volume level or battery life is not possible.  Additionally, the jackets are not easily interchangeable.  Although the “style” jacket slides and locks in, the other jackets require a little more assembly; many reviews noted changing jackets was frustrating and somewhat confusing.

The FUGOO Bluetooth speaker is available on Amazon for $178 to $230, depending on jacket type.

The post The Best Portable Bluetooth Speakers appeared first on Reactual.