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Home » Archive for  Gear (Page 9)

Category: Gear

The most popular topic of the outdoors it seems.

The Quiver- Hydration options for backpacking

Posted onApril 15, 2020December 5, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A look at the hydration options I use for hiking and backpacking. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, the quiver, utah-tip, water containers, winter

Gear Review: Generic coffee mug from Krogers

Posted onApril 13, 2020April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

As light as “real” insulated backpacking mugs from REI, $10 or less, and found just about anywhere. And one I’ve had for ten years now. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, coffee, cooking, gear review, mug

Tent of Wonder – Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 (2019)

Posted onApril 3, 2020April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Less of a gear review and more about thoughts about having the right gear for what we are doing and works well for us. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsBig Agnes, gear, gear review, review, shelters, tents

Gear Review: Altra Zero Hoof Drop Shoes

Posted onApril 1, 2020April 2, 2020AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Altra came out with some shoes perfect for off-trail jaunts on the Colorado Plateau. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsApril Fools, footwear, gear, gear review, humor, review

Outdoor Gear and Disaster Preparedness

Posted onMarch 24, 2020November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

The recent flood in Boulder had me thinking: Being an outdoors person works well for disaster preparedness.
Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTags72 hours, car camping, gear, outdoors, preparedness, time bank

Gear review: NxN Merino Wool Hooded Neck Gaiter

Posted onMarch 9, 2020December 31, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A look at the versatile North x North’s merino wool hooded neck gaiter. Bonus: Made in the USA Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, hats, winter

Etsy – lightweight, inexpensive, and useful gear

Posted onFebruary 13, 2020February 4, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Etsy often means tchotchkes for oddball things. But it also offers a surprising array of backpacking items from individuals or small businesses. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, gloves, winter

Review: NoBox – A two knife review

Posted onFebruary 12, 2020April 19, 2021AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A look at two knives from NoBox. NoBox makes camping equipment suitable for the outdoors, everyday use, and those who tend to not make a distinction. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, knives

Review: Ventury Silverlight Socks

Posted onFebruary 5, 2020February 7, 2020AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

The Ventury Silverlight socks are an alternative to the well-regarded Darn Tough socks with claimed anti-microbial properties. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, socks

Gear Review: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm MAX

Posted onJanuary 30, 2020April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A one year+ review of the NeoAir XTherm MAX (rectangular) for cold weather backpacking. The non-WingLock version can be bought at a discount as of 1/2020. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, sleeping bag, sleeping pads, winter

Top gear of the decade

Posted onJanuary 1, 2020April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Items of gear and clothing that I used consistently over the decade. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear, gear list, montbell, Six Moon Designs, surplus, ULA

Gear review: TSLA 1/4 Zip HyperDri shirt

Posted onDecember 20, 2019December 4, 2022AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A light layer excellent for cooler three-season conditions. And only $17. A women’s version is also available for $14. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, shirts, surplus, thermals

Gear pick of the year 2019 – A beat-up Coleman cooler

Posted onDecember 17, 2019June 4, 2025AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Utilitarian, effective, it stood the test of time, and cheap – a beat-up 28 qt Coleman Cooler Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, car camping, gear pick of the year, stove

Review – Zoner Photo Studio X

Posted onDecember 6, 2019December 19, 2019AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

If you want an affordable Abode Lightroom alternative or better support and smoother operation than GIMP, get Zoner Photo Stuido X. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, software

The Joy of Car Camping – Base Camping for the active outdoors person

Posted onDecember 5, 2019December 15, 2025AuthorPaul Mags20 Comments

An extensive guide to car camping. Includes suggested equipment, clothing, gear and a gear checklist. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagscar camping

Long Term Review: Champion Brand Wind Pants (Target)

Posted onDecember 3, 2019December 27, 2022AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Some “shell” pants for winter use. Discount store wind pants are inexpensive, light, and effective. And I’ve used the same pair for nearly a decade. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, rain gear, winter

Quick Tip: Firearms oil for pole maintenance

Posted onNovember 28, 2019September 6, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

With oil used to lubricate and clean firearms and some simple scrub brushes, you’ll keep your hiking and ski poles in optimal condition. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsgear maintenance, poles, quick tip

STCT USB Headlight – The poor person’s Nitecore

Posted onNovember 21, 2019April 26, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

The STCT USB Headlight is a $17 headlamp with 145 Lumens and high water resistance that boasts similar features of more expensive models. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, lights

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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 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.

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  • Paul Mags on Thoughts on two years with the National Park Service
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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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      • Colorado
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    • Gear
      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
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      • What I’m Wearing
      • 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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