How we researched and tested Six dogs took to the trails in ten different states (and drastically different climates): Champ: A Black Lab/Great Dane mix, who calls Alaska, Maine, and Colorado home Axel: a Boxer, who calls Colorado home and is best friends with Champ Karluk: a Black Lab Mix adopted from the Oregon Humane Society, who spends his outdoor time in Oregon and Washington, but also tested dog backpacks in California and Nevada
Medium color tempered cane w/quasi spiral node spacing, brown C/P wraps over heavy gage reverse twist guides and Mildrum stripper, typical Thomas Signature wrap at swelled butt in 3/7/3/1 pattern, triple tipped at ferrules, NS hook keeper soldered to NS winding check, 6 modified Wells grip terminating in an aluminum and NS D/L screw lock seat with no-jam garden hose threads with varnished cedar spacer, cap impressed F.E
I've also used it for t-rigs and fixed head jigs but prefer the H XF for those applications
For those wanting to ride in their goggles without having to store the face shield, most goggles fit inside of the XD-5's eyeport with the face shield in the raised position