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 …
Category: Gear
The most popular topic of the outdoors it seems.
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 …
Glove in Hand – Layering for Cold Weather
A fair amount of people ask what to wear on the hands for cool and cold weather hiking. Here’s my take.
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Gear pick of the year 2018: Plastic storage bins
A practical, useful, and outstanding gear pick for maximizing your outdoor time. Read More …
Ten Ghosts of Gear Past
Some gear or clothing I used to use. But I have now phased out for various reasons. Always interesting to see how styles and preferences evolve over the years. 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 …
Stove Comparison – Real World Use
An overview of backpacking stove types with their pluses and minuses. No such thing a the “best stove”…just what is best for you. Revised October 2018. Read More …
Industry Terms, Outdoor Gear, and Marketing Buzz
Some musings on how industry terms for outdoor gear become marketing buzz. And how people use buzzwords to purchase gear without thinking what the terms mean. 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 …
Quick Tip: Psuedo Deadman Anchors
Deadman anchors are the way to secure a shelter in soft sand or snow. But there is a happy medium between a true deadman anchor and hoping your stakes hold. Read More …
Sleepings Pads – A grounded view
An overview and comparison of sleeping pads for backpacking and camping. Updated October 2018. 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 …
Rain Gear – What To Wear?
Which rain gear or shell to wear? Depending on the conditions, one piece of gear may be better than another. Updated October 2018. Read More …