Gear Reviews

The Zpacks Plexamid is a one-person, single-wall ultralight tent that weighs 14.8 ounces. It is made with 0.51 oz/sq. yard Dyneema Composite Fabrics (DCF), a waterproof material that has does not stretch or sag, making it well-suited for lightweight tents, tarps, and …

Outdoor Research Phosphor Down Mitts are warm down-insulated mittens for people who get very cold hands during winter hikes or when downhill skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling. They’re insulated with 600 fill power goose down and made with Goretex Infinium with Windstopper. While …

The Allmansright Custom Liten 35 Backpack is a frameless backpack with 35 truly usable liters of capacity, that can be used as a hiking daypack or an ultralight backpacking pack for hikers with a dialed kit. While there are a lot of …

The Sierra Designs Convert 3 is a freestanding three-person tent that’s strong enough for four season winter camping and backpacking, but can also re-configured for three season use in less demanding conditions. It has a large main compartment and two vestibules, which …

MSR makes great snowshoes for winter hiking and backpacking that provide excellent traction and flotation over packed snow and ice in mountainous terrain and powder in higher elevations and drier climates. With an ironclad guarantee, MSR also has a great reputation for replacing …

The Seek Outside Silex is a two-peak/two vestibule tarp shelter with an optional inner tent (nest) for bug and condensation protection. It offers an innovative and durable zipperless design for its two doors and vestibules. It’s roomy for one, fits two adults …

The Zpacks Nero is a frameless 38L ultralight backpack that weighs 10.9 ounces and is made with waterproof Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), formerly called cuben fiber. It’s seam-taped inside, making it effectively waterproof so you don’t have to line it with a …

The Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket is a 2-layer Gore-Tex Infinium rain shell that’s loaded with features but still exceptionally lightweight and affordable. Weighing just 7.8 oz in a men’s XL (6.9 oz in a size medium), it’s a great seam-taped jacket for …

The Zpacks Goose Down Jacket is an insanely warm 950-fill power goose-down jacket that is perfect to wear in camp on cold nights and as an adjunct to a sleeping bag or quilt. It’s sort of a cross between a parka and …

Here is a problem that has been vexing me for a long time – safe isobutane canister disposal and recycling. The recommended way to dispose of a used canister is to vent all of the remaining gas in it and punch a …

The Amazon Basics 65L Internal Frame Backpack is an adjustable length backpack designed for multi-day backpacking trips. Priced at  $65, it’s a surprisingly good value if you want a fully functional multi-day backpack that can carry 40 lbs of gear, food, and …

Hillsound Trail Crampons are a winter traction aid that’s tailor-made for hiking on inclined trails covered with hard ice or packed snow where you need longer and sharper spikes to penetrate the surface and give you a good grip.  They’re compatible with insulated …

MSR has a group version of their WindBurner canister gas stove system. Whereas other versions are “upright” type stoves (where the burner mounts on top of the canister), this is a “remote” type stove (where the canister is off to the side, connected …

The Northern Lites Ultralight Backcountry Snowshoe weighs 43 ounces per pair, less than half the weight of most conventional snowshoes from MSR or Tubbs. That’s a big deal because you can slash a few pounds from your winter gear list while reducing …