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Home » Archive for  Gear (Page 20)

Category: Gear

The most popular topic of the outdoors it seems.

Maps: My favorite piece of gear

Posted onMarch 21, 2014April 17, 2019AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

My favorite piece of outdoor gear? A map.
Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfavorite, gear, maps

Backcountry ski repair kit

Posted onFebruary 27, 2014November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A simple, functional utilitarian kit for backcountry ski repair. For snowshoeing, too. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackcountry, gear list, gear maintenance, skiing, snowshoes, winter

Post-Trip Gear List

Posted onFebruary 13, 2014November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

A few luxury items for after the trip makes the drive home a little more pleasant. Makes a nice transition between the outdoors and home time, too. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Musings, Quick TipsTagsbackpacking, gear, gear list, hiking, quick tip

Quick Tip: Key chain ring for gaiters

Posted onFebruary 11, 2014November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A quick, inexpensive and simple way to keep long gaiters on winter boots. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagshiking, quick tip, skiing, winter

Gear Review: SealSkinz Ultra Grip Gloves

Posted onFebruary 7, 2014February 4, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A review of SealSkinz Ultra Grip Gloves. Good, well made gloves..but good for what purpose? Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear, gear review, gloves

Under Cover: Which Hat to Wear

Posted onJanuary 31, 2014November 25, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Which hat to wear outdoors? It all depends on the conditions, time of the year and personal preference. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsclothing, gear, hats, winter

Guide Gear Winter sleeping bag for car camping

Posted onJanuary 22, 2014April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

The Sportsman Guide house brand -15F sleeping bags are a great bargain for deep winter car camping. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscamping, car camping, gear, gear review, sleeping bag, winter

Gear Review – Timex Indiglo watch

Posted onJanuary 17, 2014November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags20 Comments

Many people have outdoor watches that do it all. Mine tells the time: the Timex Indiglo.

CategoriesGearTagsgear, gear review, watches

Don’t get stuck – Winter trailhead driving

Posted onJanuary 7, 2014November 2, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

More people seem to get stuck on the way to or from the winter trail head. Here’s some advice on how not to get stuck…or what to do if you do. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagscar camping, driving, trail head, winter

Quick Tip: Rehabbing wool layers

Posted onJanuary 5, 2014April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

How to make your wool socks, thermals, hats etc. good as new Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsbase layers, clothing, gear maintenance, lanolin, winter, wool

Ski Touring: Wax or Waxless skis?

Posted onDecember 19, 2013February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

What’s better for Nordic touring? Wax or Waxless skis? The usual answer: It all depends! Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, gear, skiing, winter

The Thermos – Best Winter Gear Ever?

Posted onDecember 11, 2013April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A look at why I take a thermos on winter outings Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, MusingsTagsgear, thermos, winter

Wool vs Synthetics – What to wear?

Posted onDecember 10, 2013September 4, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

It is now winter. Should trusty wool be used or synthetics? Read on to find out more.

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, clothing, gear, hiking, winter

Gear Review – Merrell Mix Master Move

Posted onDecember 3, 2013January 4, 2019AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A review of the Merrell Mix Master Move   There was some hiking in “dem dar foothills!” Shoes are a piece of outdoor gear we ask a lot of. We put down miles while schlepping our gear. Our shoes need to Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfootwear, gear review

Gear Review – Land Shark Instant Survival Bag

Posted onNovember 26, 2013April 24, 2018AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A review of the Land Shark Instant Survival Bag

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, shelters

More gear on the cheap

Posted onNovember 26, 2013September 26, 2019AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

Outdoor stores are expensive. Places that aren’t outdoor stores but sell outdoor gear aren’t. Here’s some surprising places to buy outdoor gear. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, dirtbagging

Alcohol Stoves Reconsidered

Posted onAugust 22, 2013April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags20 Comments

Re-thinking my personal use of the alcohol stove.
Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsalcohol stove, backpacking, burn bans, gear, stoves

Made In The USA gear

Posted onAugust 16, 2013April 22, 2020AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Reconsidering the “Made in the USA” as a factor for buying outdoor goods.

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsbackpacking, gear, Made in the USA

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Virtual tip jar

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 changed our plans because our usual March haunts were already pushing 90°F. We headed higher to places we usually visit in May. The blooming paintbrush, greening plants, and the lack of snow on the 11,000+ foot peaks in the distance made me wonder what the coming fire season might bring.
@ramblinghemlock and I have had to do some adulting lately. A career transition and a 1956-era house will do that. It sometimes means skipping overnight trips.
We did some volunteer work for an organization we are active with on Saturday and Sunday, and made it into a local camping trip in between the assignments.
Some local hiking this weekend. I scouted a route for a possible packrafting trip later this month, and on Sunday, @ramblinghemlock and I meandered through a canyon we’ve been curious about for a while.
I can’t imagine this landscape with a wall.
Two years inside the Park Service, trying to balance trade and calling. I left in fall 2025, and I’m still making sense of it - part grief, part gratitude, and part closure.

PMags Popular Posts

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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
      • A Walk Across New England
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    • New to the outdoors? Start here!
    • Getting Started
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      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
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      • Clothing and related
      • Footwear
      • Packs
      • Shelters and related
      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
      • Stoves, cooking, and related
      • Tools
      • Water containers
    • Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques
    • Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques
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    • Who is Paul Mags?
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