As a career outdoor instructor in many disciplines, one of my favorite refrains is “feet are group gear”. Taking care of your feet is vital to being a successful expedition member and just as vital to being a successful and…
Before this pad, most of my experience sleeping in a tent has been on a much thinner back-packing style mat. The Static V Luxe SL pad really changed my mind about what type of comfort is available while camping. It…
Last summer, and friend and I foolishly agreed to a run/climb combo of the fabulously remote volcano Glacier Peak in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. Fast and light. That was the goal. This peak is normally done over 3-5 days minimum due…
With a perfect balance between weight and durability, the Convert 2 lives up to its name and treads the line between heavy expedition level 4-season tents and less durable 3-season tents. This is the first 4-season tent I have come…
Nite Ize kept things simple and effective in their design of the 314 Lantern – it has one button, one flap with input/output, a clip at the top and a functional light diffusing storage bag. The minimalism lends itself to…
The EXPED Thunder 70L men’s pack performed well at carrying heavy loads with many features allowing for ease of packing. This pack was a work horse carrying climbing, mountaineering, and backpacking gear during the testing. The Thunder 70 would make…
Founded in 1965, Sierra Designs is an extraordinary company with a history rooted on a solid foundation. Founders Bob Swanson and George Marks believed that all people deserve to have good gear, regardless of their experience level or background. We…
I am a long time lover of the fanny pack. In my humble opinion, they never went out of style. When I started seeing them in Instagram ads and magazines over the past few years, I was overjoyed. Finally, I…
There are a few pieces of gear that you need to take with you on any adventure, and a headlamp is always towards the top of my list. I’ve spent a few months (quarantined and all) with the Biolite 330…
A well-built sleeping bag that will keep you comfortable throughout the night is absolutely essential for any camping trip. The brand new Exped Waterbloc -16°C is a sleeping bag that will keep you warm and dry in just about any…