If you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a gear whore. I love equipment, especially when it is high quality and has some great features to offer. I scored big time for my birthday this year when my wonderful lady hooked me up with a kit of tools from Trail Boss. I’d been curious for a few years, and now I’m hooked.
She had a great ordering experiencing, piecing together a kit with the 3-piece handle (with one segment being steel), McLeod head, 2 lb pick/mattock, and round shovel. Sice then, I’ve added even more, but I’ll save those for their own posts!
Initial Impression: Quality. The machining, materials, and construction are all top notch. Looking at pictures, its hard to tell if something is worth the premium price. But after handling a kit at the Sedona MTB Festival, I felt the quality. Talking to a few people with first hand experience, I realized the reputation reinforced the cost. Upon opening my own kit, it was immediately obvious that this kit would be a game changer for me.
Fit & Feel: Everything was somehow stronger AND lighter than I’d expected. Assembling the kit is easy, and nothing about it feels dainty. It’s like if space shuttle engineers made a trail tool. It’s legit. Everything goes together and tears apart efficiently, meaning there’s less shortcuts and fuss when it’s time to pack up your tools at the end of an exhausting day. The size of everything makes the kit far more manageable than an array of full sized tools.
Trail Building Pros: The main purpose of packable tools is access and portability. This kit breaks down and fits in my Dakine Builder pack like it was made for it. Strangely enough, the handle segments act like a frame for my pack, making the whole setup ride better on my back. Of course my pack gets a little hefty when I pack in all the gear, food, water, segments, and tool heads. But it is WAY more effective and safe than trying to pedal or moto in with a full sized McLeod, shovel, and pick all at once. I also love that I can just pack it all up at the end of the day rather than leave my tools in the woods.
The absolute biggest advantage I’ve found so far: I’ve always got the right tool at the right time. No shortcuts or compromises. I can put a single handle segment on the pick head to dig out and set rocks, then back fill it with more shafts and the shovel, and put the final groom and pack on it with the McLeod head. No more marching back and forth or searching for your tools.
The McLeod head is also a bit more narrow and lighter than the Nupla models I’ve used before. What that translates to: ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain! A lighter tool is easier to use, which means you’ll use it more and better.
Pro Tip: Keep the threads clean and the collars tight. If you’re a “hacker” with this tool, it can develop a little wiggle if it gets loose. There’s a tool set ith a tightening wrench, grease, and brush that comes with the kit. A wise monkey would use the tools they are given.
Durability: I’ve used the set hard for a few months, so I’m still in the honeymoon phase. I keep it all clean and the threads guarded, and treat the kit with kindness and care for the most part. I’m confident that it will hold up well, and that the company stands behind their product within reason. Like so many high quality products, your maintenance efforts will make a huge difference in the lifespan, so I plan to do my part!
Do-Overs: If I had a second chance, I think I’d skip out on the round shovel. I never use the attachment, which makes sense because I never used a round shovel before. I much prefer a square edge shovel with an angle to it, which Bill at Trail Boss has since custom made for me! It’s a great piece of kit that will get its own review soon!
So fresh and so clean… The initial kit in all its freshly unpacked glory. Except for the McLeod, it got put to use immediately!
There are several more jump opportunities on this build than there would have been without this kit. So much easier to act on ideas when the right tools are already there.
Unearthed Trails 