Gear Reviews

The REI Flash Insulated Hybrid Hoodie is a synthetic insulated hooded jacket that packs down small but provides an impressive amount of warmth in cool weather. It’s loaded with storage and performance features including five pockets including a stuffable chest pocket, an …

Outdoor Products Roll-Top Dry Sacks are reasonably priced dry-bag style stuff sacks that are good for organizing and packing hiking, backpacking, and camping gear in a backpack. Priced at $15 for a 3-pack, they’re an absolute steal compared to name-brand roll-top stuff …

The Superior Wilderness Designs Rugged Long Haul 50 Backpack is a lightweight backpack that’s built to handle anything, from off-trail bushwhacking and desert travel to regular backpacking and thru-hiking. There’s no exposed mesh on the exterior of the pack to rip and …

The Zpacks Vertice Rain Jacket is an ultralight 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket with a two-way adjustable hood, adjustable wrist cuffs, pit zips, waterproof zippers, and a large chest pocket. It’s cut longer in the torso and arms than most lightweight rain jackets, …

The Exped Ultra 3R Sleeping Mat is a lightweight inflatable sleeping pad that’s 3 inches thick and has an R-value of 2.9, making it suitable for outside temperatures down to 25F. It contains synthetic insulation which makes it very quiet to sleep …

The Merrell Moab is the most popular hiking shoe in the world with over 25 million shoes sold since it was first introduced 15 years ago. Now in its third generation, the Merrell Moab 3 (Merrell dropped the word ‘Ventilator’ in this …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear (HMG) 8’6” x 8’6” Flat Tarp is a versatile, strong, and waterproof tarp made of Dyneema Composite Fabric, weighing only 9 oz/ 255 grams (an 8′ x 10′ model is also available). It has a ton of tie-outs …

The La Sportiva Bushido II is a lightly cushioned mesh trail runner that provides excellent traction and stability. It is designed for hiking and trail running in rugged terrain with numerous design elements designed to protect your feet including excellent toe protection, …

The Durston Gear Kakwa 40 Backpack is an ultralight, internal frame pack that weighs well under 2 pounds with a total volume of 55L including 40 liters in its main compartment plus 15 liters of additional external storage. It provides excellent weight …

Cross Bands are four-way silicone elastic bands that keep backpacking and camping cook sets closed so the lids don’t rattle when you hike. They also have a million other uses around the home, such as keeping puzzle boxes and game boxes closed, …

The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 NorthRim 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 …

The ULA Catalyst Backpack is the largest volume backpack in ULA’s line of ultralight style packs with 75 liters of capacity. Weighing 44.4 oz (1259 g), it’s a durable backpack that can carry an enormous amount of gear and food, packed inside …

The Outdoor Research Superstrand LT Hoodie Jacket is a lightweight jacket insulated with a new type of polyester insulation that OR claims is as soft, light, and lofty as 700-800 fill power down.” Called VerticalX Superstrand, it consists of lofted polyester strands …

The Outdoor Research Bugout Brim Hat (formerly called the Sentinel Brim Hat) is well suited for summer hiking and backpacking, rain or shine. It has a wide brim to protect your face from the sun, a UPF 50 rating,  mesh side vents, …