Luci Lights – Surprisingly practical
Simple, reliable, useful, and not expensive. The inflatable and solar charged Luci lights became a helpful item for me over the past year. Read More …
Tag: gear review
The Quiver: Footwear
The current quiver of footwear I use for outdoor pursuits. Read More …
Gear review: UBTech Travel Pants
The UBTech Travel Pants are a less expensive alternative to the popular prAna Zion pants. Here’s a review based on over a year of hard use. Read More …
Gear review: LWCWUS Thermals (MilSurplus)
A mere $22 for cold weather tops and bottoms comparable to midweight layer offerings from mainstream outdoor companies. Read More …
Gear Review: Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra
Well-made, easy on/easy off traction devices that holds up for more aggressive hiking in semi-technical icy terrain. Read More …
Gear Review: Kinco Alyeska 5230 Mittens
Some inner mittens for cold weather activities that are durable, reasonably light, effective, inexpensive and, most importantly, sized correctly for my shell and liner use. Read More …
Bahco 2444 Carpenter Mora Multi Purpose Knife
A $12, practical, and useful “Jack-of-all-trades” utility knife that keeps a sharp edge and requires little maintenance. Read More …
Gear Review: Montbell Rain Trekker jacket
A sub-10oz three-layer jacket that works very well for constant precip and rougher conditions. Read More …
Gear review: NatureHike Foam Pad (Z-Lite clone)
Here’s a $27 alternative to the $45 Z Lite or the new $50 Nemo Switchback. Similar specs and performance at about half the price. Read More …
Gear review: Altra Superior 3.5
A very comfortable and light shoe that fits wider toe-boxes well. Not durable, however, and best for maintained trails and non-rough terrain. Read More …
Gear Review – Atlas Guides GDT app
A review of the Atlas Guides (Guthook) Great Divide Trail app for Android and iOS-based devices. More than just navigation, it works as a guidebook, too. Read More …
Gear Review: Montbell Versalite
A light, functional, and effective jacket that packs a lot of features in a 6 oz package. Including pit zips! Read More …
Gear review: Salomon X Ultra 3 Hiking Shoes
An all-purpose hiking shoe good for rough trails and conditions in addition to off-trail jaunts. Reminiscent of the old Montrail Hardrocks in many ways. Read More …
Long term review – Aqua-Tainer
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! Read More …
Top Ten Reasons Why Top Ten Gear Lists (Mostly) Suck
Top Ten Gear Lists are perhaps the most popular articles in any community. Be it backpacking, music, movies, etc. But they are typically useless. Read More …
Gear Review: Greenbelly Meals-2-Go
A review of Greenbelly meal bars that prompted a discussion on food, nutrition, dollar to calorie ratio, and why we enjoy the outdoors. Read More …
Gear Review: Montbell Frostline Parka
A well-rounded, all-purpose winter backpacking down parka that is under-$300. But has many of the features of more expensive winter parkas. Read More …
Gear Review – Aennon USB Rechargeable Headlamp
An inexpensive workhorse of a headlamp that is rechargeable via USB. Read More …
Gear Review – Gaia GPS app
A review of the Gaia GPS app for Android and iOS-based devices. A powerful, flexible, and easy to use navigation tool. Read More …
TBT Gear: MSR Simmerlite
A relatively light, compact, and quiet white gas stove. It was just marketed wrongly. And the stove came out at the wrong time. Read More …