Few things can make or break a trip to the backcountry like your sleeping pad; you can sleep without a tent, wear extra layers instead of a sleeping bag, or use bundled clothes as a pillow, but there is no…
The more I use Klymit products, the more impressed I become with them. I find them to be quite durable and functional with each use. For this product review, I tested the Klymit Traverse Shelter and it was no exception.…
Of all the gear that you bring along on a backpacking trip, few things can make or break your experience like a quality sleeping pad. Even harder to find is a sleeping pad that can transition seamlessly from backpacking to…
The NeoAir Topo Luxe is a sleeping pad that prioritizes comfort without compromising its weight and packability. This sleeping pad is suited for practically any adventure with its TwinLock valves, 4 inches of thickness when inflated, an R value of…
The Monte Hybrid jacket combines insulation with unrestricted movement and a stylish look. It kept me warm on 14er ascents, relaxing at 10,000 feet at camp, and accompanied me to a drive-in movie. It’s warm without being restricting, and stylish,…
I brought the Exped Lyra III on a trip with two other people to test its capability as a “basecamp” style tent for climbing peaks. On a trip where I would typically bring a lighter sleeping setup, I wanted to…
When I pulled this jacket out of the box, the first things I noticed were the fun color scheme Cotopaxi is known for and how soft it is. I usually associate down jackets with slippery material and the “swishy” noise…
I’ve had the same sleeping bag since 2014, and while it was once the apple of my eye, I’ve had more field days than I can count in that bad boy, and I’m long overdue for an upgrade. As a…
The Batac 16L backpack from Cotopaxi is a great stand alone pack for daily needs and was designed to pack down small enough to store within larger bags for longer trips. I used it for my daily work commuter pack,…
Over the last month, I’ve had the pleasure of testing the Exped FlexMat on several multi-day solo backpacking trips. Piggybacking my lookout shifts with backpacking trips is the best idea I’ve had yet. These hybrid trips meant that I got…