gear review

Long term review – Aqua-Tainer

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Paul Mags — 3 Comments ↓

A sturdy, reliable, and easy to use water container. Should be a simple item. But most aren’t good. The Reliance Aqua-Tainer is a 7-gallon wonder that works!

Top Ten Reasons Why Top Ten Gear Lists (Mostly) Suck

Posted on June 21, 2018 by Paul Mags — 9 Comments ↓

Top Ten Gear Lists are perhaps the most popular articles in any community. Be it backpacking, music, movies, etc. But they are typically useless.

Gear Review: Greenbelly Meals-2-Go

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Paul Mags — 8 Comments ↓

A review of Greenbelly meal bars that prompted a discussion on food, nutrition, dollar to calorie ratio, and why we enjoy the outdoors.

Gear Review: Montbell Frostline Parka

Posted on January 3, 2018 by Paul Mags — 2 Comments ↓

A well-rounded, all-purpose winter backpacking down parka that is under-$300. But has many of the features of more expensive winter parkas.

Gear Review – Aennon USB Rechargeable Headlamp

Posted on December 19, 2017 by Paul Mags — 3 Comments ↓

An inexpensive workhorse of a headlamp that is rechargeable via USB.

Gear Review – Gaia GPS app

Posted on November 21, 2017 by Paul Mags — 18 Comments ↓

A review of the Gaia GPS app for Android and iOS-based devices. A powerful, flexible, and easy to use navigation tool.

TBT Gear: MSR Simmerlite

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Paul Mags — Leave a reply

A relatively light, compact, and quiet white gas stove. It was just marketed wrongly. And the stove came out at the wrong time.

TBT Gear : REI Hoodoo 3

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Paul Mags — 2 Comments ↓

A very large, no longer made “ultralight backpacking shelter” that I would never take backpacking. But works well for base camp.

TBT Gear: Feathered Friends Hummingbird

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Paul Mags — 3 Comments ↓

I am loaning out this classic sleeping bag for a little bit. Some musings on why a sleeping bag or quilt is not an item to dirt bag if the budget permits.

TBT Gear: SMD Wild Oasis

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Paul Mags — 9 Comments ↓

A look back at an older shelter that is very versatile. And one I am thinking of cycling back in for some planned trips with possible mixed conditions.