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Reviews > Fun and Games > Test Report by Michael Pearl
GSI OUTDOORS OUTSIDE INSIDE BACKPACK GAM
INITIAL REPORT - September 04, 2018
TESTER INFORMATION
I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year-round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Outside Inside Gifts by GSI INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
Each game is held in its own nylon and mesh bag with drawcord closure. The game boards fold in half storing game pieces inside. The boards open with a simple latch on one side. The exception is chess. The chess board is a flexible, foldable or rollable sheet of silicone. The chess pieces are held in two mesh bags. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS Each game includes brief and easy to understand instructions in English and French. I already knew how to play all of the games except Reversi. I read the instructions once before playing and then again while playing. This was enough to explain the games to my kids which they picked up quickly as well. TRYING IT OUT
Upon receiving the games we grabbed Mancala and took off for a favorite hike. The drive to the trailhead is 45 minutes. This very first use was both a great success as well as a minor failure. Usually the kids (9 7 11) are approaching boredom halfway there. However with Mancala in tow they were occupied the entire drive. This proved the game a success. The pieces are quite small and in scooping them up the kids lost one in the car. Mancala and chess are the only two games without magnetic boards. I was saddened that we lost a piece on the first play. Alas on with the hike, we carried Mancala to the summit and played a few rounds there. Again the kids interest was held and we were able to enjoy the summit views for twice as long as usual. Even with a missing piece we simply substituted with a small pebble. An enjoyable car ride and more time atop a favorite mountain make Mancala a success. SUMMARY
All six games are fun and cleverly scaled and packaged for outdoor use. I enjoy playing them and the extra degree of engagement they provide my children. I really like the magnetic feature for keeping games pieces in place. I wish this feature were part of the Mancala board as well. However finding a suitable "trail piece" is added fun. So far the games are an entertaining addition to our hiking. I am eager to see how they fit into or change our camping and overnight backpacking experience. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
The family and I packed a different rotating selection of four games on several different outings. We made a car camping trip in the fall. There were four hikes to catch the autumn leaves. We cross country skied to a cabin. There was a long weekend trip with downhill skiing, a bushwhack snowshoe and Nordic backcountry trail ski. PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
The games helped mix and shift the focus of all of our excursions. It wasn't just about reaching a summit, view point or a certain number of miles. Now it was who would play who at which game, finding a suitable spot to set up the games and most of all who won last time and who would win this time. This made things more engaging and enjoyable. The time in the car on the way to hikes and trips was less monotonous and passed easier too. Some games blended better in some settings than others. SUMMARY
The Outside Inside Games helped make all our family trips more fun when played outside or inside. The size and weight of the games make them easy to pack along on day hikes or overnight car / basecamp style adventures. My family and I will enjoy these games on many outings to come. Read more gear reviews by Michael Pearl Reviews > Fun and Games > Test Report by Michael Pearl |