Gear Reviews

The Hammock Gear Economy Phoenix 30 Underquilt (“Econ Phoenix”) is a 3/4 length down-filled underquilt for hammock users. We found it very easy to use and the slight increase in weight over Hammock Gear’s Premium underquilts will be a good trade-off for …

The Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Two-Person Tent is a double-wall tent with a freestanding inner and a semi-freestanding fly (i.e. the vestibules need to be staked out). It is part of a new line of double-wall tents that feature what Sea-to-Summit …

The Hammock Gear Standard Dyneema Fiber Tarp with Doors is Dyneema DCF Tarp that only weighs 7.28 ounces. Many hammock hangers (people who use hammocks) like tarps with doors because they provide more wind and weather and tarps with open ends. For …

The new Granite Gear Virga3 26L is a frameless ultralight backpack weighing 1.26 lbs that will appeal to day hikers and backpackers alike. Weighing 20.2 oz (572g), it has an adjustable torso length so you can dial in a personalized fit with …

Baselayer tops and bottoms are supposed to transport perspiration from your skin into your midlayer clothing so that you stay drier and warmer when you’re working hard in cold weather. That’s the theory behind layering. But how many times have you pulled …

The Therm-a-Rest Prolite is a self-inflating sleeping pad with an R-value of 2.4, good for use down to 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit. While self-inflating sleeping pads are not nearly as popular as they were 20 years ago, they are more durable and resilient …

Marmot Scree Pants are softshell pants available in men’s and women’s sizes that are good for winter hiking and snowsports. They’re highly breathable and wind-resistant with a good amount of built-in stretch for added comfort and fit. They’re also roomy enough to …

The new Gregory Jade 53 (2023 model) is a ventilated backpack with an adjustable-length torso designed for women for multi-day trips. It has a women’s specific hip belt and shoulder harness and has big hip belt pockets and other pockets and features …

The Kammok Firebelly Trail Quilt is a 30*F rectangular quilt that can be used as a comforter, a top quilt, or a full-length hammock underquilt. While it’s optimized for use with Kammok’s hammocks, it’s general-purpose enough it can be used with hammocks …

The Slingfin 2Lite is a lightweight double-walled two-person tent that has excellent interior room and is easy to set up. Weighing 2 pounds 10 ounces (minus tent stakes) it has two doors enabling easy entry and exit, with large side vestibules for …

The Outdoor Research Apollo Jacket is an inexpensive but fully-featured waterproof/breathable rain jacket that can be used year-round for hiking and backpacking. Priced at $129 dollars, but often available for less, it compares favorably with other value-priced rain jackets like the Marmot …

The Borah Gear Bug Bivy is a reasonably priced bivy for use under a variety of tarps when there is mild to medium bug pressure. It can add a few degrees of warmth to your sleep setup and is also great for …

The Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier is a bottle based water filter that removes bacteria, viruses, and protozoa from contaminated backcountry and international water sources. It’s easy to use, portable, and safe to use by individuals for day hiking, fishing, or international travel …

The Black Diamond Alpine Start Hoody is a highly breathable softshell jacket that excels as a wind shirt and protective garment against light precipitation. Ideally suited for cold-weather pursuits, it provides excellent breathability without the weight of a heavier technical shell. RELATED: …