Gear Reviews

The Survive Outdoors Longer Escape Pro Bivvy is SOL’s highest-end (and most expensive) bivvy sack, made of waterproof-breathable Sympatex Reflexion fabric with an aluminum liner which it claims to reflect 90% of your body heat. This fabric is much different from the …

I have been using the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System for the past few years. Priced at $50, the Squeeze includes several different sized water reservoir bottles and a screw on filter threaded for a soda-bottle sized cap. The filter has a pop-up …

The Arcteryx Proton LT Insulated Hoodie is a synthetic insulated jacket that can be used as an active outer layer in cold weather. It’s designed as a self-regulating insulation layer that vents excess heat and moisture through a combination of air-permeable fabrics …

The Tarptent ProTrail (MSRP $229) is an ultralight one-person single-walled tent designed for three-season use. Weighing just 26 ounces, the ProTrail is generously sized for one person with plenty of interior room for gear. Setup requires two trekking poles although conventional poles …

The Unitensil Folding Fork-Knife-Spoon is a highly portable and reusable eating utensil that weighs a mere 7 grams. It folds flat for easy storage in your wallet or a food bag and can be reused hundreds of times making it perfect for …

The Arrowhead Equipment Westslope Pouch is a 1 oz minimalist organizer designed to hold all of the fishing gear (minus rods) for a day on the river. I use mine to hold my flies, tippet, nippers, and hemostats when Tenkara fly fishing …

Orvis’ Ultralight Wading Boots are rubber-soled wading boots that I wear with stocking foot waders when I fly fish rivers with a rod and reel. On wider streams and rivers, a rod and reel, waders, and wading boots give you the extra …

The Sierra Designs High Side Tent is a single person, double-wall tent that’s a big step up in comfort from a bivy sack. While it features excellent ventilation and a side vestibule, one of the stand-out features of this tent are its …

If you own a Garmin GPS receiver, you can save yourself a chunk of change by downloading and installing the free user contributed maps available at GPSFileDepot.com which has an excellent collection of US topographic maps, as well as maps from all over the …

The importance of dental hygiene, including tooth brushing, can’t be overemphasized on backpacking trips. You’ll feel better if your teeth are clean and people won’t shy away from you because your breath smells bad. One of the oldest pieces of gear that …

I’ve like using the Solo Lite Stove when I feel like having a fire at night for cooking and mood enhancement but don’t want to build one from scratch. For longer trips where you don’t have access to a resupply point, cooking …

REI’s On The Trail Sun Gloves are fingerless Lycra stretch gloves with a UPF 50 rating to protect your hands from harmful solar radiation. They have a sewn-on synthetic suede palm that extends over the index finger and thumb to help prevent …

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Spectrum Gloves are lightweight fingerless gloves that protect your hands from the sun’s harmful rays. They’re great for hiking, backpacking, paddling, running, or fishing because they eliminate the need to carry suntan lotion while protecting your hands from …

The Ex Officio Halo Check Shirt with Insect Shield is perfect for hiking or fly fishing where you want protection from the sun and disease-carrying insects. Part of the Ex Officio’s BugsAway clothing collection for men and women, it’s been factory pre-treated with …