The Warbonnet Wookie is a down-filled hammock underquilt that’s super easy to set up and eliminates the need to adjust with a underquilt suspension system, which is the nemesis for many first-time underquilt users. That’s because the Wookie doesn’t have a traditional underquilt …
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QiWiz Titanium Ultralight Dual Fuel Stove System (Alcohol and ESBIT)
When I want to go backpack really light, I pack the QiWiz Titanium Ultralight Stove System (Ti Kit) which includes a 700 ml titanium pot, pot stand, a titanium foil wind screen, and a dual fuel stove which can burn ESBIT or alcohol. QiWiz also …
Read More »Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar – Long Term Review by Dave Lintern
Recently on walkabout in the southern highlands of Scotland, I idly pondered how many nights I have spent under the Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar. I am not affiliated with Mountain Laurel Designs and am rarely given gear to test or review. I …
Read More »REI Flash Air 2 Tent Review
The REI Flash Air 2 Tent is an ultralight two-person tent with two doors and two vestibules that weighs 1 pound 15 ounces if pitched with trekking poles (regular tent poles are also included). It is a single wall tent with lots …
Read More »Eureka Solitaire AL Tent Review
The Eureka Solitaire AL is a lightweight single-person bivy style tent that comes with durable aluminum tents poles. Weighing just 2 lbs 10 oz, the Solitaire AL costs $115 and provides backpackers with an interesting alternative to other solo backpacking tents costing …
Read More »Tenacious Tape for Hiking Gear Repair
Tenacious Tape is the bee’s knees for patching rips and burns in hard shells and insulated jackets, inflatable sleeping pads, tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks. I’ve used it many times since to repair the gear and clothing I like and want to …
Read More »Leki Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles Review
Leki Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles are adjustable, carbon fiber, lightweight Z-style trekking poles that fold away into 3 sections for travel or for easy storage in your backpack when they are not needed. The cork gripped handles have a slight …
Read More »Adotec Ab Bag Front Pack Review
Adotec is a cottage backpacking gear manufacturer located in Canada that specializes in Dyneema front packs that are attached to backpack shoulder straps. The Ab Bag is one of their smaller models and can serve double duty as a fanny pack, but …
Read More »CAMP Corsa Ultralight Ice Axe Review
The CAMP-USA Corsa Ice Axe is quite possibly the lightest weight ice ax in the world, weighing just 8.8 oz (250 grams) in a size 60 cm length. Despite its lightweight, it is a fully functional UIAA-certified B ice ax capable of …
Read More »Paria Outdoors Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles Review
Paria Outdoors Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are adjustable length, z-style trekking poles that fold away for travel or when they’re not needed. At just $60/pair, they’re much more affordable than other folding carbon trekking poles with cork handles and offer a …
Read More »G-Works Gas Saver: Canister Fuel Transfer Adapter Review
If you use a canister backpacking stove like a Jetboil Flash or an MSR Pocket Rocket 2, you probably have a lot of partially used isobutane canisters in your gear closet. While the ease of using canister gas stoves has revolutionized backcountry …
Read More »La Sportiva Ultra Raptor Trail Runners – Long Term Review
La Sportiva’s Ultra Raptor Trail Runners are hiking shoes that excel in mountain environments because their soles have sticky rubber which adheres well to rock, including wet rock while providing enough protection for your feet. A thick rubber toe cap and an …
Read More »Scarpa Rush Mid GTX Review
Scarpa Rush Mid GTX Boots are very lightweight waterproof/breathable mid-height hiking shoes with cushioned soles that provide excellent traction and stability. They’re great for use during mud season, that period in mid-sping when snow cover gives way to mud before it dries …
Read More »Kelty Galactic 30 Hoodless Sleeping Bag Review
The Kelty Galactic 30 is a hoodless rectangular sleeping bag that compresses down to a surprisingly compact size. It is insulated with water-resistant DriDown with a full-length side zipper, which also makes it possible to combine two bags to create a double. I’ve …
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