Vintage Backpacking Gear

The Montane Minimus Smock is an incredibly lightweight pullover style, waterproof breathable hardshell weighing just 5.7 ounces in a size XL. Made out of 15 and 40 denier Pertex Shield+, the Minimus Smock is so lightweight that it feels like you are …

What in god’s name is a minimalist barefoot hiking boot you wonder? I have to admit, I was intrigued. I always thought the point of barefoot minimalist shoes was to put you in closer contact with the earth and make your foot …

I’ve been using a Deuter Speed Lite 30 backpack for most of my dayhikes and bushwhacks since last June. I like it so much that I find myself using it regularly on my weekday training hikes near home and up in the …

The Jetboil Sol Ti is really good for heating up water fast. Really good. With heat exchange fins, it’s also pretty miserly on canister gas. When used with a small canister it also packs up small in your backpack, a desirable feature …

It was only a matter of time before Inov-8 revamped their Terroc 330 running shoe –  one of the most popular shoes used by hikers who have switched from traditional hiking boots to lighterweight and faster drying trail runners. But change is …

I’ve owned a pair of Golite Tumalo Rain Pants for over a year and use them for 3 season hiking because they’re so lightweight and such a great deal ($50/pair). I got to use them for nearly 6 days of continuous drizzle, …

Designed for active cold weather sports, the Capiz Jacket is part of a new line of DriDown apparel that will be available from Sierra Designs in Fall 2013. Having worn the Capiz almost every day since mid-February, I’m excited that Sierra Designs …

The Deuter Guide 45+ alpine-style backpack is an extremely flexible and rugged backpack for a wide variety of winter adventures. Although mid-size in capacity (2750 cubic inches / 45 + 10 liters), this pack really shines for multi-sport activities like mountaineering, backcountry …

Every year, I like to recognize the piece of new gear that has had the greatest influence on my enjoyment of backpacking. This year’s winner is the Therm-a-Rest Alpine 35 Blanket (click for my review), a down quilt which I started using this …

I’ve been testing the new EMS Helix Jacket made out of Polartec Neoshell for the past 6 weeks and like it although there are significant changes between this version and the one I reviewed last year. (Don’t confuse this jacket with the …

The purpose of using gaiters in winter is to keep your socks dry by preventing contact with deep snow. They can also serve secondary functions such as blunting self-inflicted crampon strikes, which tend to occur when you get tired and lose your …

I’ve owned a MSR Simmerlite Liquid Gas Stove for 4 years. I’ve used it every winter since then for one and only one purpose: melting snow for drinking water and boiling it to store in insulated containers or rehydrate winter backpacking meals. …

I got turned onto the Marmot DriClime Catalyst Jacket  when I was winter backpacking in the White Mountains. Several very experienced hikers on our trip had the DriClime Catalyst and they raved about it. Whenever you carry a backpack in winter, sweat …

The Therm-a-Rest Haven is a special type of sleeping bag that doesn’t have any back insulation. Called a Top Bag, all of the insulation in the Haven is located on top of your body and along the sides, because insulation and fabric you lie …