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Home » Archive for  Gear (Page 16)

Category: Gear

The most popular topic of the outdoors it seems.

What not to dirtbag

Posted onJuly 5, 2016November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags15 Comments

I’m a big proponent of inexpensive backpacking gear and clothing when it makes sense. But there are some items where it is worth spending more money. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear

Gear review: BDU pants

Posted onJune 24, 2016November 6, 2024AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Need some durable, versatile and inexpensive pants for trailwork and other outdoor activities? Consider some military style Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) pants. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscar camping, clothing, gear review, surplus, trail work

Quick Tip: Ziplock bag map cover

Posted onJune 7, 2016November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A simple and effective map cover to keep your printed maps protected while outdoors. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsmaps, quick tip

TBT Gear: Cheesecloth

Posted onJune 2, 2016June 14, 2019AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

TBT follow-up to my surprisingly popular article on Pecorino Romano cheese. How to keep all cheese even longer in the backcountry? Use some cheesecloth. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Quick TipsTagsfood, quick tip, TBT Gear

Gear Review: Black Diamond Firstlight tent

Posted onMay 4, 2016May 18, 2017AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

The Black Diamond Firstlight is a light and easy to setup winter shelter for the solo winter backpacker not spending a lot of time in camp. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, shelters, tents, winter

Gear review: Deuce of Spades

Posted onApril 28, 2016May 30, 2017AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

A lightweight, durable and compact trowel for doing what needs to be done. Useful in more popular backcountry areas. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsDeuce of Spades, gear review, trowel

Fish on a bicycle – Useless gear concepts

Posted onApril 21, 2016February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags28 Comments

Some gear concepts boggle the mind for three-season backpacking. Why are they so popular? A very opinionated list. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsover engineered, useless gear

Stoves for camping

Posted onApril 13, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Car camping, road tripping, doing trail work or even a trailhead bivy? Here’s an overview of stoves that may work. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscamping, campstoves, car camping, gear review, quiver, stoves, the quiver

TBT Gear: Gossamer Gear Rukus

Posted onApril 7, 2016April 22, 2020AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

An odd pack that is “neither fish nor fowl”, but ends up being surprisingly useful. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbackpacks, daypack, gear review, Gossamer Gear, packs, TBT Gear

Quick Tip: Ammo boxes for caching

Posted onMarch 29, 2016November 6, 2024AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Caching food or other supplies for off-the-beaten trips or even convenience? Surplus ammo boxes are an inexpensive and easy way cache these supplies. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Quick TipsTagsbackpacking, budget gear, food cache, gear review, quick tip

Quick Tip: Pull tab guyline tensioner

Posted onMarch 22, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Make a guyline tensioner out of pull tab from a can. Light, cheap and easy to use. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsbackpacking, budget gear, camping, DIY, guylines, quick tip, shelters, tarp

TBT Gear: Cast iron cookware

Posted onFebruary 25, 2016November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

It is Throwback Thursday with a look at cast iron cook gear! The old school cookware that is suitable for in home or camp. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscamping, car camping, cast iron, cookware, food, gear review, stoves, TBT Gear

from Google Image Search

Quick Tip: Test strip containers for storage

Posted onFebruary 24, 2016November 6, 2024AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Empty glucose test strip containers for diabetes work well for misc. hiking, camping, backpacking and even geocaching storage. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Quick TipsTagscamping, containers, quick tip, storage

Gear review: Paradox DriRelease thermals from Costco

Posted onFebruary 16, 2016December 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags12 Comments

A review of the Paradox DriRelease thermals. Well made, affordable and effective base layers typically found at Costco. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, Costco, DriRelease, gear review, merino blend, Pardox, popular, shirts, thermals

TBT Gear: Lands’ End ragg wool socks

Posted onFebruary 4, 2016April 24, 2018AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Another Throwback Thursday look at gear. This time a simple pair of ragg wool socks I’ve used for many ski tour days. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, Lands End, ragg wool, socks, TBT Gear, winter

Review: Minus 33 midweight merino wool layers

Posted onFebruary 3, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

A long term review of the Minus 33 midweight merino wool layers. They breathe well, they adapt to different temperatures…they just don’t last long. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, merino wool midweight, Minus 33, shirts, thermals

Pack Shakedowns

Posted onJanuary 29, 2016November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags22 Comments

A “pack shakedown” is popular be it online or in person. But the best way to shake down a pack is to go out and use it. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagspack shakedown

Quick Tip: Sun shield for winter camping

Posted onJanuary 27, 2016October 9, 2018AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A simple trick for sleeping warmer at night. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsbudget gear, camping, quick tip, winter

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A Quick Guide to Moab

The Squak – A readily available, $60, active-focused grid fleece hoodie from a Utah-based company. Read the review.

Women’s | Men’s | Children’s   

The Squak Camp Dress 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
  • REI: Outlet 50% off deals
  • REI: Official Coupons and Rebates page
  • REI: Used Gear Store

PMags Instagram

@ramblinghemlock and I did a quick overnight camping and hiking trip at 10k feet. Cool weather, plenty of wildflowers, and a favorite place to escape the summer heat of Moab.
Apparently, I’m a “grandfather from Austin” in an AI slop video titled 'When Karens Go Off-Trail in Arches National Park – Lives Lost" about the dangers of Delicate Arch.
Above the desert floor, revisiting places I hadn't seen in years, I found the land and its history enduring, indifferent to the ebbs and flows of time.
@ramblinghemlock and I finally had schedules that lined up as I settled into my new job.
Off the desert floor for a bit
Four days in the desert spring. Some backpacking, one night of camping, and one memorable trip.

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Disclosure: This website may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products to which I link. These sites include Amazon, REI, Moose Jaw, Gaia GPS, Six Moon Designs, Squak Mountain Co, and ULA Equipment. There is no additional fee for purchasing items through these links.

 

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    • Thru Hikes, Long Walks, or Routes
      • My Alphabet Soup summary
      • Vermont’s Long Trail
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Colorado Trail
      • Continental Divide Trail
      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
      • Benton Mackaye Trail
      • Tahoe Rim Trail
      • Uinta Highline Trail
      • Collegiate Loop
      • A Walk Across Southern Utah
      • Great Divide Trail (Canada)
      • The Northern New Mexico Loop
      • Grand – Moab Route
      • SEUG Circuit
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      • Utah
      • Colorado
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      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
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      • Clothing and related
      • Footwear
      • Packs
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      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
      • Stoves, cooking, and related
      • Tools
      • Water containers
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    • Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques
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