The Granite Gear Crown2 60 Backpack (which is colored black with red highlights) is available in both the men’s and women’s sizes, with gender-specific shoulder straps and hip belts. Weighing 39.7 oz fully configured, it can be modified in several ways, bringing …
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Oboz Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoes Review
Oboz Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoes are ventilated, non-waterproof shoes for hikers and backpackers who want shoes that are lighter weight and less constricting than hiking boots but are more stable and protective than trail running shoes. While they look similar to …
Read More »Gregory Octal 55 Women’s Backpack Review
The Gregory Packs Octal 55 is an ultralight backpack with a ventilated frame that helps evaporate back sweat and keep your shirt dry when hiking. Weighing 2 lbs 10 oz, it’s also one of a very small handful of female-specific ultralight backpacks today, …
Read More »ZPacks.com Arc Blast Ultralight Backpack Review
The ZPacks.com Arc Blast Backpack is an ultralight Dyneema DCF backpack with an external carbon fiber frame that is available in three sizes: 45L, 52L, and 60L. Weighing just 17.4 ounces in the 60L version (shown here in orange), the Arc Blast …
Read More »The North Face Cobra 60 Backpack Review
The North Face Cobra 60 is a versatile winter backpack suitable for climbing, multi-day mountaineering-style winter trips, and backcountry skiing. Like many specialized winter packs, it can be configured in a number of different ways, depending on your trip needs, with optional …
Read More »MSR Needle Stake Review
MSR Needle Stakes are lightweight aluminum tent stakes with square-shaped shafts, a wedge tip, and a hook at the top. Weighing 8 grams each and 6 and 3/8″ long, they’re ideal for staking out tents and tarps that use cords as guy-lines. …
Read More »Saucony Peregrine 11 Trail Runners Review
The Saucony Peregrine 11 is a moderately cushioned trail running shoe designed for rugged trails that also makes an excellent hiking and backpacking shoe for mountainous terrain. It has a large toe box so your toes can splay out for added comfort …
Read More »Deuter Futura Vario 50+10 Backpack Review
The Deuter Futura Vario 50+10 Backpack is a ventilated and adjustable length pack that’s well-sized for multi-day trips, hut-to-hut hikes, and pilgrimage style trips. While it’s loaded with convenience features and cushy padding, it’s comparatively lightweight at 4 lbs 9 oz providing …
Read More »Big Agnes Mystic UL 15 Sleeping Bag Review
The Big Agnes Mystic UL 15 is a lightweight 850 fill power mummy-shaped down sleeping bag that can be used for camping and backpacking. Weighing 32 oz, it is a cross between a backless quilt and a hooded mummy sleeping bag because …
Read More »Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo II Ultralight Shelter System Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo II Ultralight Shelter System is a modular tarp shelter system with three components that can be mixed and matched depending on your trip requirements. Made with Dyneema fiber, it’s also very lightweight enabling it to be used …
Read More »Outdoor Research Thru-Gaiters Review
Outdoor Research’s Thru-Gaiters are short stretch gaiters with a Hypalon instep strap and two front hooks for clipping on to your shoelaces. They can be used with hiking boots, mids, or trail runners and incorporate OR’s ActiveIce thermoregulating technology to keep your …
Read More »Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy Review
The Outdoor Research Interstellar Bivy is a 4-season bivy that features an upper made with AscentShell, a proprietary waterproof breathable fabric made by OR that has some built-in stretch. While the floor of the bivy is nylon coated TPU for more conventional waterproofness …
Read More »Montane Atomic Rain Pants Review
Montane’s Atomic Rain Pants are lightweight waterproof/breathable rain pants with thigh-high side zippers for easy ventilation and temperature regulation. They’re ideal for spring, autumn, and winter hiking in highly variable temperature conditions when you need rain protection for your legs, but cool …
Read More »Prana Stretch Zion Hiking Pants Review
Prana’s Stretch Zion Hiking Pants are my favorite hiking pants. They’re buttery soft with just the right amount of stretch. They have snaps in the legs so you can roll them up if you get too warm and include an integrated belt, …
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