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 »Vintage Backpacking Gear
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 »Elemental Horizons Women’s Aquilo Backpack Review
The Elemental Horizons Women’s Aquilo Backpack (75L) is one of the first women’s ultralight-style backpacks made by a cottage backpack manufacturer. Weighing 43.8 oz, the Aquilo is a roll-top backpack with an adjustable length torso, another rarity amongst cottage gear makers, with …
Read More »Vasque Snowburban II UltraDry Winter Hiking Boot Review
The Vasque Snowburban II UltraDry is a heavy-duty winter hiking and snowshoeing boot with an UltraDry waterproof/breathable membrane and 400 grams of Thinsulate insulation, making them suitable for cold weather use. Vasque doesn’t publish a temperature rating for them but they’re comparable …
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 »Redington Palix River Wading Pants Review
When I fly fish larger rivers with a rod and reel or a Tenkara rod, I often need to wade from the shore to get closer to the best trout habitat. But I’ve found that traditional bib waders are overkill for my …
Read More »Outdoor Research Foray Jacket Review
My winter shell is the Outdoor Research Foray Jacket because I prefer wearing jackets with pit zips. Outdoor Research is one of the few companies that put pit zips on jackets made out of breathable fabrics – something I really respect about the …
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 »Montane Minimus Rain Pants Review
Besides the fact that they’re very lightweight, the most important thing you have to know about Montane’s Minimus Rain Pants is that they’re not baggy. They have extra velcro tabs along the base of the legs that you can cinch down to …
Read More »Mystery Ranch Street Mask Review
A lot of backpacking gear companies are making masks these days, but I like the Mystery Ranch Street Mask the best because it has a head strap like a surgical mask and not just ear loops, so you get a tighter, more …
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, …
Read More »