Gear Reviews

I discovered a new cottage backpacking food company a few weeks ago called Outdoor Herbivore. You should check them out, especially if you’re on a vegetarian or vegan diet. I tried two of their meals last weekend on a section hike and …

I tried Packit Gourmet’s dehydrated vegetarian Spaghetti Sauce dinner last weekend and it was awesome. Called Market Pasta Puttanesca, it’s a one pot backpacking meal that makes two servings and packs 740 calories. Preparation is simple. but you need a pot with …

I use a number of different ultralight guy line tightening systems for my tarps and tents already, including LineLocks, but I was interested in trying the Figure 9’s because they’re a little more robust, especially for winter use when ice is likely …

Here is my Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid Review based largely on my experiences using this shelter during the 13 day TGO Challenge, this year in Scotland. Andy Howell has also published a review of the cuben fiber version, which I also suggest …

I'm pretty psyched about my new Superlight Bivy Bag from Mountain Laurel Designs (6.8 oz) and I'm looking forward to using it in Scotland next week in combination with my Mountain Laurel Designs Duomid pyramid tarp. I got this bivy bag because …

Calories with Crunch When engaged in hiking or any other sustained strenuous activity you need to be able to give yourself a quick calorie and blood sugar boost without taking a break to prepare a full meal or elaborate snack. Many people …

Ultralight Rain Mittens I like to go backpacking in the early spring, but cold spring rain can really be murder on your hands if you hike with trekking poles on multi-day trips. So, this year I’ll be using a pair of ultralight …

For spring hiking this year, I’ve added a Patagonia R1 pullover fleece layer to my wicking system to give me a bit more warmth under a technical shell and to replace a synthetic vest that I’ve been using for the past few years. …

I plan on using gaiters in Scotland to keep the bottom of my pants from getting soaked when walking over boggy ground. Since, I’m going to use trail shoes instead of boots, gaiters will also keep rocks and sticks from getting into …

  I am not a fan of Camelbak hydration reservoirs, but I love their locking valves. So much, that I tear off the wimpy mouthpiece that comes with the Platypus hydration reservoir drinking system and add a Camelbak hydrolock valve to it. …

The Patagonia R1 Hoody fleece pullover is a great mid-layer sweater for use in combination with waterproof shell better for winter hiking and mountaineering. Why this obsession with thermo-regulation? It’s simple really. Being too warm accelerates dehydration and chilling/hypothermia from perspiration. This …

I bring an Equinox Ultralite Marsupial Pouch on every backpacking or day hike I go on. The Marsupial is a small silnylon stuff sack with a plastic clip on one corner. I use it to store the little things that I can’t …

If you want to go winter hiking but don’t own a pair of specialized mountaineering boots and you want more traction than  microspikes, you should consider getting a pair of strap-on crampons. I own Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons that fit onto …

I don’t carry a sit pad when I go hiking. I just sit on my backpack or day pack if I need thermal protection from the ground during rest breaks. Tree stumps also work pretty well if they’re not covered in snow. …