Gear Reviews

Railriders Bone Flat Pants Review

Railriders Bone Flat Pants Review

Railriders Bone Flat Pants are thin lightweight long pants with mesh vents running down the inside and outside of the leg. I discovered them last summer when we had record heat and humidity in New England and I wanted long pants that …

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Osprey Talon Velocity 30 Backpack Review

Osprey Talon Velocity 30 Backpack Review

The Osprey Talon Velocity 30 is a frameless backpack with a running vest-style suspension that’s great for day hiking, fastpacking, multi-sport adventures, and travel. It’s loaded with all the features you’d expect on a premium daypack and comes with an adjustable torso …

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SlingFin Portal 1 Tent Review

SlingFin Portal 1 Tent Review

The SlingFin Portal 1 is a freestanding double-wall tent that’s a one-person version of their bomber Portal 2-person tent, which we first used several years ago and recommend highly. The freestanding Portal 1 tent is superbly made, and suitable for 3+ season …

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REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket Review

REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket Review

The REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket is a reasonably priced ($169) 2.5 layer waterproof/breathable raincoat loaded with features that hikers will appreciate, particularly for winter hiking an shoulder-season use. It has a two-way adjustable hood with a front bill, pit zips, zippered …

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REI Flash Air 50 Backpack Review

REI Flash Air 50 Backpack Review

The REI Flash Air 50 Backpack is an ultralight, roll-top backpack that weighs 1 lbs 14 oz. Available in men’s and women’s sizes, it’s quite similar to the REI Flash 55 Backpack (link to our review) with its reconfigurable pack-mod accessory pocket …

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Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review

The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a moderately priced, 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that’s surprisingly affordable with premium features important to hikers and backpackers. It has a two-way adjustable hood with a front brim, pit-zips, zippered handwarmer pockets, rip-and-stick velcro-style cuffs, and is …

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Mammut Trion Norwand 38 Backpack Review

Mammut Trion Norwand 38 Backpack Review

The Mammut Trion Norwand 38 is an alpine pack that’s great for winter hiking, mountaineering, climbing, and ski touring. It has a vest-style harness, a rolltop closure with a removable floating lid pocket, dual side-compression straps, side ski straps, dual ice axe/trekking …

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 55 Backpack Review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 55 Backpack Review

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 55 Backpack is an ultralight backpack made with an extremely durable outer fabric called Woven Dyneema that is significantly more abrasion resistant than the Dyneema Fiber/Polyester laminate used to make Hyperlite’s regular ultralight backpacks. While it’s priced …

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