Over nine months ago, my girlfriend and I started planning a month-long summer bouldering trip to the Rocklands of South Africa. While not remote, it is still a trip of considerable distance and travel, requiring 30 hours of flight, renting a…
The challenge and terms were simple: wear a few merino wool Icebreaker items for two days and do not take them off. Challenge accepted. I was sent three items to test out: Men’s Hike + Light Crew socks, BodyFitZone shorts,…
When Astral decided to expand its product lineup to include footwear a few years ago it made waves in the kayaking community. The first few shoes released, the Brewer and the Rassler, were designed with kayakers in mind, and made…
The Scarpa Zodiac Plus GTX are a very light, supportive, featured boot that are at home under heavy loads and off trail. I have always been committed to wearing approach shoes while backpacking, both on personal trips and while instructing…
Good news for every outdoorswoman! The game has truly been changed. Big Agnes is taking sleeping comfort and technology to the next level with their new line of sleeping bags and pads. The Hazel SL 15* is a one-of-a-kind sleeping…
The Scarpa Spin is a new addition to their Alpine line of trail runners, finding its place right in-between the minimalist Atom and the higher profile Neutron. They call it the “Goldilocks of [the] Alpine Running collection, for those who…
If you have read my other review on the Astral Tinker or know me at all you will know that I am a fan of Astral products. The Astral Greenjacket PFD is my go to. That said, I got the…
The Five Ten Eddy Pro water shoe is a lightweight, well-drained piece of footwear that is paired with Five Ten’s fantastically sticky Stealth rubber to give you the confidence to scamper around the wet rocks without feeling like you are…
Astral wins my heart again and again, this time with their Tinker multi-sport shoes. Expanding away from just river shoes, the Tinker nails the multi-use category. I have taken these shoes down desert rivers, mountain hikes, and out for a beer with…
Where and How I Tested This Harness My friend Andy and I went for an earrrrrlllyyy season regular type of three pitch moderate trad skip up a local Bozeman crag in early May just after snow had receded from (parts)…