Gear Reviews

What’s the best way to carry a point-and-shoot camera when you’re backpacking so that your camera is easily accessible when you want it, it doesn’t get in the way of normal activity, it’s in a waterproof compartment to protect it from rain, …

The problem with many pyramid-style shelters (such as the MLD Duomid, the Solomid, and the Trailstar to name a few) is that they suffer from low angled walls which reduce the amount of usable interior space inside. Granted, all lightweight backpacking shelters …

The first time I tried filtering water from a stream, I knew that the distance I could hike in one day would never again be constrained by the amount of water I could carry. I remember the scene vividly: getting water out of a …

Yama Mountain Gear is an ultralight shelter and gear maker owned by long-distance hiker and unicycler, Gen Shimizu, the company has quickly established a fiercely loyal following with long-distance hikers for its innovative shelter design and impeccable product quality. I purchased a …

The Toaks Titanium Wood Stove is a can-style wood gas stove that weighs 7.9 ounces and can be used to burn wood on camping and backpacking trips. It’s an inverted double-wall gasifier stove that burns wood and smoke more efficiently than a single walled …

Do you replace the factory insoles in hiking boots or shoes with better ones that are more supportive or comfortable? Example Comments I use Green Superfeet insoles in my Asolo TPS 520 boots because my arches need more support. If I don’t use them I …

I started breaking in a new pair of boots today. My current pair of Asolo TPS 520’s (left) is in need of resoling and some repair work by a qualified cobbler. I’ve hiked at least 1000 miles in them over the past …

PocketMonkey is a surprisingly useful multitool for its minimal size and weight. It weighs 18 grams, is slightly smaller and thicker than a credit card, and is designed to fit into a card slot in your wallet. The PocketMonkey is USA made, …

The Hilleberg Akto is one of the lightest weight, single person, 4 season tents ever made. First introduced in 1995, Akto was the gold standard by which lightweight ( 3 pounds 8 ounces) expedition class solo tents were judged for more than …

I’m always on the lookout for new gear to prevent my goggles or glasses from fogging up when I’m hiking above treeline in winter.  I believe that poor venting of moist exhalations is the main culprit behind lens fogging, and if your …

Have you ever wondered how the insulation in a NeoAir works? It’s surprisingly simple. All Therm-a-Rest NeoAir air mattresses have the same honeycombed air baffles, shown in the photo above. These run from one side of the air mattress to the other, …

I’m pretty close to nailing down my footware system for crossing Scotland next May during the TGO Challenge. Hiking conditions in Scotland are notorious for being wet and boggy and leather boots are not going to fly for a 14 day cross-country …

I hate writing product reviews about my underwear, but I’ve had such a good experience using Super.Natural’s LS Top 175 this winter, that I wanted to tell you about this new brand. Half wool, half synthetic, the Super.Natural’s LS 175 Top has …

The Casio PAG240-1CR Pathfinder Triple Sensor Multi-Function Sport Watch has a built-in barometric altimeter that helped transform my off-trail navigation skills this year. While it is a fully featured sports watch and has many built-in functions, including a compass, barometer, thermometer, multiple times …