An amazing event happened to me this year. 10 days into 2010 I did not father a child, get a new job, or win the lottery. The keys to a 2010 Toyota Tacoma were passed my way. Oh yes, pulled the trigger on what the dealership calls, ‘the taco’.

When I heard about the hub bub of recalls happening with the ‘10 Tacoma models from Toyota I hadn’t noticed any problem with my accelerator. I found out quickly there wasn’t a recall on my truck which doesn’t surprise me. I was never worried, I’m not worried, and I never will be worried. I mean, these machines are tough. And one fun fact I picked up this last week;

“Tacomas hold their value more than any car on a lot.” – Anonymous Passerby

The Tacoma Skinny

I’m impressed with my truck overall. It has the TRD package, back-up camera, and even a wall outlet plug in the bed. The upholstery is made to resist dirt and water. I am bummed about a couple things though. Before you get all, “I can’t believe you drive a vehicle to work and blast emissions into our poor atmosphere” on me, I think this is a valid discussion to have as a auto-owner.

Tundra Vs. Tacoma

I drove a Tundra for about 6 months and the first thing I noticed when pulling the Tacoma out of the lot was a good solid small feel. Well obviously, I mean, Tundras are HUGE! What do you miss out with having a Tacoma and not the Tundra? Funny you ask, I feel some bullet points coming.

• Miss out on ‘the driving a suburban’ feel. (Which I don’t miss.)
• Don’t get the V8. (V8 is gross, I’d much rather have orange juice.)
• Don’t get to visit the gas pump as often. (Less Red Bull runs, this does make me a little sad.)
• Bed space is obviously smaller with the Tacoma. (No comment.)

For me, I tow a Yamaha Rhino around maybe once a month so towing power wasn’t an issue. The 4-door is definitely the way to go. I fit both kid car seats in the back, hook up the DVD player and can have a comfortable trip to Durango for the weekend. When you put a car seat in the back of a Tundra you quickly figure out a way to find other forms of transportation. The clearance is way too high if your loading and unloading frequently. Don’t rule out the Tacoma just because its smaller, still a lot of power without the extra metal.

Here Is What Bugs Me About The 2010 Tacoma

• The tailgate doesn’t slowly open. They have this feature on the Tundra and it really bothers me it didn’t carry over to the Tacoma.
• I consider my model to be somewhat high-end, did they forget to install the electric seat adjustment? Lame.
• No heated mirrors = makes my “Bugs Me List”

Why Do They Even Make A 2WD Model?

The constant storming that you have been hearing about on the news in NM is right where I live. I’ve been really happy with how quick the 4WD activates and deactivates when 10 inches of snow covers my streets over night. Toyota must have modified the weight distribution over the past couple of years because I don’t feel like I need to weigh down the bed with sand to drive on snowpack.

I may have answered my 2WD question. Tacomas make sick low-riders. Throw on some spinny rims, faded flames paint job, and tint those windows up 750 notches.

BOTTOM LINE

I love my truck. My first experience with Toyota was a ‘95 4Runner and I cried the day I sold it. My reunion with Toyota these past couple months in the form of a Tacoma has been intoxicating.

BUY NOW….or LATER Can you really buy a vehicle online? I guess so, at Toyota.com/tacoma.

The day before Thanksgiving back in 1996, my brothers and I were on our way to Purgatory for a day of skiing. My brother was driving 55 MPH on hard pack snow and flipped the Jeep Cherokee we were driving. We did one full rotation and landed on our tires. After the car stopped rolling we were in shock. The only thing I remember from that day is the smelly dude who towed our car home and the Yakima rack imprinted in the snow after it popped off the top; completely held together. Yeah, Yakima is tough.

If you have had a similar experience or just tired of your crusty old ski rack, the Yakima FatCat 6 ski rack. For the record, we kept the rack and used it for ten more years. With Yakima rack systems being completely universal you have no excuse not to splurge on a new plank carrier.

Capacity

The FatCat totes six pairs of skis. And were not talking grandpa’s old Hart 360 210cm skis, were talking the big fatty fats all of us our riding on these days. Do you ever get snowboarders remorse? Ya know, when the knuckle-dragger in the crew slaps his board on top of the car with the huge bulky bindings. When I put my wife’s board on top for the first time I found quickly the FatCat is lifted, creating room to put the board bindings down.

The gate closes easily too. Its one thing to say a rack can carry an amount of skis but you still need to close the stupid thing. The latch near the lock looks like it was extended this past year as to compensate for the ski width and doesn’t rely on the cushion compressing to make room to lock it down. However I think they could take the gate closing a little more aggressive for next year.

Installation

We are talking easy. I’m betting Jeff Foxworthy will have contestants install one of these puppies on that 5th grader show because a kid could seriously do this. Screwing this on my Subaru factory bars was so easy I felt like I was cheating. After 5 minutes, I thought I wasn’t done. “No way should it be this easy!”

And with the universal mount you don’t have to scramble over to a bike shop and figure out the difference between Q24 and Q26 parts and than come to find the shop doesn’t have the part you need. Yeah they can order it but c’mon, we all know setting up the rack is what you do RIGHT before the trip! The rack folds forward and backward to tighten it down on your bars making it so your not losing pieces. And if you do lose the bolts, they would be very easy to replace at a hardware store. The rack is completely threaded which has been a huge improvement from past years.

Low Profile

The rack is shaped to be as aerodynamic as possible. I remember the old school racks how they were flat against the wind as your driving. This horizontal design can’t be blamed for your crappy MPG that your Hummer is getting. One thing you will also love is how easy this rack is to store when not in use. All the pieces stay together and can fit in a tucked away spot in the garage. If you want to lift the rack on it’s side, the part is inside the rack opening. You open the gate, and prop up the stand. Boom.

The Good

• You won’t even know its there.
• $209 gets you the rack and the security locks. Fair price without having to run around the internet finding every piece.
• You can have the kids install it.
• Great capacity. What you see is what you get, even with the big planks.
• ahem…uh Gear of the Year anyone?
• Completely universal. Your buddies Amanti breaks down, switch the rack over to the Outback. No worries.

The Bad

• Making the gate easier to close should be a focus for next year.
• Each rack should be wider. Really making it a good solid ride for the planks.

Bottom Line: Yakima FatCat 6 Ski Rack

The main theme with this gear piece is integration. I’m sure Yakima was tired of getting those phone calls about the little plastic piece Aunt Joan threw away thus making the whole rack unusable. Which in turn really makes this rack an economic booster because for those Thule people wanting to cross over to the other side can because Yakima racks are all universal.

BUY NOW: The Yakima FatCat 6 Ski Rack w/ Locks.

When you drive into Durango Colorado and want to fit in, a gear box is required. Slap on 85 stickers from your favorite brands and organizations you support and any New York newbie could make their BMW blah blah blah score a free brew at the drive-up espresso lane. Third row seating is cool and all but the only thing you can really tote around is milk and a half-pint of soy butter. That won’t work for a weekend in Moab. Ladies and gentleman of the online world, I present the SkyBox 12 by Yakima.

Easy Install

New racks are fun and all but I hate the amount pieces they come with. It’s like getting a robot that can make you bacon and eggs in the morning but you have to put him together. Lame. The SkyBox 12 really has nothing to it. Crack open the case, lay it on top of the car, loosen up the hinges, slide it forward, and do it quick enough to not miss the fresh powder at East Castle.

Inside the box you loosen up the hooks that slide forward on to your rack. Ready for the sweetest part of all? The attachment goes with ANY bars or factory racks. Square, round, triangle (not sure thats out yet) or flat; this baby fits. Now that’s what I call convenient. The slide back and forth to fit the settings your car has which really made it easy. I mounted the rack on my Honda Pilot on to Yakima round bars in about 15 minutes out of the box all by myself. The hardest part of it all was getting the box actually onto the car while my wife watched The Bachelor.

Security

I know the economy is tough but the SkyBox 12 eases up the wallet tension quite a bit. You don’t have to hire that big muscle dude to watch your planks while you grab an egg mcmuffin in the morning. He’ll find work somewhere, I’m sure Shaun White needs some help fending off the ladies with his new found bling. One thing that turns me off a bit with the SkyBox is when I goto open it I always forget my key. I have to get the key open it, and than I have to leave the key in the keyhole while I meddle with my things. From a security standpoint its awesome because I’ll never lock my keys inside the gear box. It does take some getting use to.

How Much Gear Can I Fit?

The 12 version is pretty slimmed down but with my style car that is what I needed. FYI – Don’t go get the big SkyBox 18 and slap it on your ‘79 pacer. The number is how many square feet it can store.

Here is what I put in mine:

• big boy 189 Bluehouse Mavens (139 underfoot)
• my wife’s 144 Snowboard
• her 155 K2 Dawn Patrols (she never uses but insists on bringing)
• both our helmets
• ski poles
• sparkling pomegranate juice to enjoy at lunch

That is my usual truck load. I did fit 2 snowboards and 3 pairs of skis one time but that was a squeeze and I was really pulling on the door to close shut. Dang snowboards and their bulky bindings. Just telemark so we can all be happy. GOSH!

Pros

• Install is unbeatable.
• Quality is amazing. I ran into a stucco building with this on my car and it took it like a champ. The box cracked but I was going about 5 mph and I didn’t realize it. (Feel free to comment on what an idiot I am.)
• Easy to open and close.

Cons

• I don’t care for the double side opening. Too many moving parts and I haven’t used it in the 4 months of ownership.
• No organization inside the box. I wish they had a net or some slick tie downs to keep my goods from rolling around. (Or maybe I need to drive slower.)
• Yakima should have an object sensor before you run into stucco walls. Maybe when you get within 10 feet it could say in a robotic voice, “Slow Down Moron. Your about to make contact with an unidentified object.” It would probably jump the cost up $500, just saying.

BOTTOM LINE: Hey its a gear box. Yakima has been making them forever and this one has some seriously convenient install parts. Just make sure to ease up on the weirdo, “My Angels Can’t Keep Up With Me” stickers.

BUY NOW: The Yakima SkyBox 12.

I went winter camping this last weekend and used the Brunton Duo Profile camp stove. I’ve already done a fall season review on this but I wanted to share my winter findings.

The Knobs When I say the word 'knob' I instantly think of Strange Brew. "Take off you knob!" If I had one request for Brunton it would be to change their knobs. When I was turning the ignite knob it was really slippery and hard to turn. Same with the two gas knobs. They need to stick some sort of spike or flatten the knobs so you can turn it no problem with a glove.

I know what you're probably thinking about me taking this big momma stove out in the snow. Too heavy? Too bulky? Well for me, if you can take the big poppa two-burner go for it. I don't care to mess with little Jetboils and MSR pocket rockets when I need snow melted NOW.

Does it Sled?

A couple weeks ago I got a $15 sled at BIG-5 to tote the kiddos around the icy sidewalks of Durango. When I went camping the other night I brought the sled along and put the Brunton stove at the bottom to carry to my campsite. It was a nice test to see if it would fit and it totally worked. Granted I walked about 200 yards so it wasn’t that big of a deal, but if I do a longer snowshoeing trip I’m totally bringing my stove/sled system and leaving the Jetboil at home. Not every camp out you can have steak and bacon for your meals, until now!

Bottom Line If this stove is going to dominate the two-burner universe the knobs have got to change. I totally see this thing hitting truck beds at football games and ski parking lots.

BUY NOW: The Brunton Duo Profile Stove.

“Looks like he is wearing a sleeping bag…” says a girl to her friend at my local coffee shop. Well technically I am wearing a sleeping bag and if you care to know it has a name; the Flex Down Jacket by Sierra Designs. While you and Ms. Francis update your Facebook and work on your novel freezing in those space boots that were cool in 2005, I’m also updating my Facebook and working on my novel snuggly warm in my down comforter-like jacket. “Enjoy your macchiato ladies.” pretending I didn’t hear them.

I’m not sure who made down jackets ‘cool’. Was it that ice climbing hermit that crawled out of Ouray for a movie premiere with his blue North Face nuptse? We all stood in amazement shivering in our Denali fleece and Patagonia pullovers. When was it exactly when these jackets didn’t make us look fat and focused on our hardcoreness? I don’t know exactly but what I do know is that my cheerleader sister-in-law is hooked and just called me the other day worried about some ‘feathers’ coming out of her down jacket. Oh the puffy newbie…

Sierra Designs improved the puffy in my opinion. Having been freezing my #$@ off in Northern NM for the past 4 weeks I have been trying out multiple jackets. If you’re cold, reach for a puffy. That simple.

That Light Fluffyness
Imagine a sleeping bag cut in half and sewn on arms with a hood. Thats the best way to describe the Flex. Compared to my Sub Zero from Mountain Hardwear, the Flex does just what it says; FLEX. Do you ever feel like the down fill is packed in SO tight that you have this Popeye can’t move type feeling in the shoulders? Sierra Designs completely solves that problem with the Flex. For example, the jacket is hanging in my office right now the arms hang down, not out. Meaning the shoulders aren’t reinforced with bullet proof structure. Finally, a down jacket I can move in.

How low does it go?
Let’s talk about length. I’m 5′8″ and the bottom of the jacket reaches mid-butt. Looking at it, you would think it goes farther but no. Compared to the snug waist style that the North Face Nupste has to offer the, Flex is longer by about 3-4 inches. The lower design of this jacket allows for a lot of movement and doesn’t ride up if your bending over. Making this a great option to ski in. I would NEVER ski in a Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero or TNF Nupste. Those jackets are for Rainier and attending movie premieres at bars.

Whoa! You did what?
The hood is completely filled with down which I’m impressed with. Also the hood has the cinch for when your turning your head…yadda yadda they all have that. But what I think is cool is the cinch string for cinching the hood around your face is on the inside of the hood, not the outside. How many times have you snagged your ski on that annoying elastic band on your hood when slinging them over your shoulder? Me? Like a billion times, so this makes sense.

Here’s what I want for next year Sierra Santa Claus
A fleece-lined hood would make so much sense. I would shower in this thing if it had a fleece-lined hood, and to the Sierra Designs team reading this review I’ll make a bet with you. You add a fleece-lined hood, and I’ll post a YouTube of me showering with it on. A fleece-lined hood kinda seems like Spyder and hanging out with Jennifer Aniston at the Sundance festival but I envy my wife’s Spyder mink fleeced hood and I’m planning on going star gazing this February in Park City.

Inside the left pocket there is this even smaller pocket for car keys or maybe Polly Pockets? It’s quite small, you couldn’t fit a credit card in it. It has a velcro latch to keep the Polly Pockets from coming out. This pocket has to go. The fleece-lined pockets are great, but every time I’m about to put my left hand in I cringe knowing its going to be cuddling up to some velcro and nylon.

Yes. Sierra Designs is doing their part going green. The material even has ripstop which when you first lay your hands on this jacket can be recognized right away. This just might be my new Rainier jacket.

BOTTOM LINE: Easy to move around in. I have not seen one hint of feathers coming out, I am very impressed with the nylon. Elastic cuffs are so the way to go, velcro can go make me a sandwich. For $245 this exceeds the price tag of the other guys but also exceeds my expectations, except for that nylon Polly Pocket thingy.

BUY NOW: The Sierra Designs Flex Down Jacket.

A technical shell with thumb holes? Where was I when this all started? Maybe I need to spend more time following Helly Hansen on twitter and less time outside. Their Mig Technical Shell has been fun to try out these last couple months. I still can’t get over the fact this thing has thumb holes.

The Minimalist Mig
The Mig is your minimalist adventure racing get out of my way shell. Helly Hansen makes the jacket with tech® XP material and 2.5 layer construction blah blah blah….all that matters is if this jacket keeps you dry. I took it camping and luckily ran into some rain. The group probably thought I was cuckoo when it started raining because I pulled out a handful of gear and started running around like a kid in a candy store. I spent about 90 min. in completely exposed rain (not hunkered down by a tree) and the Mig passed my nerdy test.

I compare the material to a nano felt-like feel which actually makes the moisture bead up. Pretty impressive. The inside of the jacket is a smooth feeling layer that clams up the bare skin. You can’t do mesh so I would hope companies in the future are working towards a more breathable comfy inside layer.

The hood is articulated but the brim on the hood is a bit large. For a minimalist piece I would expect something a little more trimmed down. Helly Hansen is working on saving weight with this but I would think the brim would be smaller to do so. It’s also hard to pack this baby down when you have a big brim. Jus’ sayin.

The Fit
Arms are too long and it bugs me quite a bit. When you put thumb holes in any piece I’ve found more room in the arms help thus preventing stretching the arms. For example, my Backcountry.com Merino top drives me bonkers because if I use the thumb holes all of a sudden I’m wearing a small rather than a medium. So if Helly was trying to compensate for the thumb hole usage they did a good job, but I don’t like the bunched up fabric I have left over when I’m not using the thumb holes.

The length seems short to me. You know when you lean over and your top hikes up your back? I feel that a with the Mig. However the torso feels perfect when I’m upright. When I sit down the chest section stays flat rather then lurching forward. The collar is well thought out, not too high not too low. It covers my face in the wind and tucks down nicely when I need some air space.

The Extras
Water resistant zippers always make a jacket snazzy. My gripe with the zipper is that it’s backwards. Every time I put it on I always forget. I think that is one zipper no-no. To quote Men At Work, “Never, EVER, touch another man’s fries”… I say, ‘Never, EVER, flip the zipper on a jacket’. The front of the jacket has reflective material that adds some cool style along with functionality.

Did I mention this jacket has thumb holes? I thought it was weird but I use them ALL the time. The elastic wrists make them easy to slip in and out. On that topic, velcro wrists on a jacket are so 2006. I cringe when I have to velcro my wrists shut. The chest pocket is deep so anything you put in sinks down and won’t easily fall out. No hand pockets on this jacket but you already knew that when I said the word ‘minimalist’.

Would I buy this jacket?
I would. For $200 I am pleased with what it has to offer and can get over my nit picking. You’ll pay $100 more for an Arcteryx Alpha SL which is 1.4oz lighter than the Mig so its up to you and your wallet situation. The big difference I see with the Mig and other minimalist jackets (TNF, OR, Arcteryx) is the felt-like material. Try it on and see how it fits for you.

BUY NOW: The Helly Hansen Mig Jacket.

Well this came out of no where. Who would have thought Columbia would jump on the 80’s bandwagon of colors to ring in the 2009-2010 ski season? I mean we are talking some crazy colors that will soon be flaunted downtown and on the slopes. My first ski jacket was actually a Columbia. I would post a link to the model but it was before Al Gore invented the Internet. Let’s just say it was bright yellow, had this fluffy insert, and was as waterproof as a sponge.

I’ve had the chance to look at a handful of Columbia jackets out this year and overall I think the style is right on. I mean. It’s all about the colors anyway, who cares how they perform? Sorry, its Tuesday and my sarcasm is over flowing. Columbia boasts the Omni-Tech and Titanium construction to be waterproof and breathable. Even if Arcteryx and eVent are screaming the same claims I have to get outside and use this stuff before I can say they can actually walk the walk. Some of the jackets I’ve been able to use in the moisture but not all of them.

Rodeo Magic II Shell – $200
First on the docket is the el Magic Shell. The inner lining has the micro fleece which is nice for throwing on real quick to go shovel the walk way. The arms are quite bulky which for me a treehugger telemark skier isn’t cool. If telemarkers had it their way, we would all be back in those tight spandex and snug racer jackets. The pockets on the Magic are fleece lined which, if your not lining your pockets with fleece then designers need to wake up to the cries of ladies who complain about cold hands. Haven’t been able to test in the snow but from the feel of it I think it will do fine. You knuckle-draggers might need something a bit more waterproof in the bum area since your sitting quite a bit.

The Ice Ice Jacket – $120

I can’t help it! I have to make a Vanilla Ice joke! “too cold, too cold…Kick it one time, BOOOY!!” Ok I’m good now. Has a more slimmed feel with also more water proofing, being seam sealed and all. I took this camping and luckily it rained. Popped up the hood and cooked my soup for about 40 min. and it kept me dry. To me, if a jacket can perform in the rain then your set. Also has fleece body paneling which I first saw from Mountain Hardwear using their Pimp Chimp fleece. The collar comes up a little high if you ask me, how am I suppose to breath with jacket in my face? You know us telemarkers, huffing and puffing to keep up with our uber cool alpine friends.

Git Down Puffy Jacket – $170
If your considering shoplifting during the winter the Git Down is a stellar choice. Careful running after you snag a Blu-Ray player though because you’ll overheat in this puffy really quick, just like any down filled piece. For an around the town jacket this would make sense. I wouldn’t take it winter hiking or skiing, way to bulky and low water-resistance. Not sure how much ‘Git’n Down’ your going to get with the Git Down, but hey the colors are crazy. I see mostly casual use for this jackets future.

Mahagony Ridge Parka – $200
For those ’save the Earth’ types, the Ridge offers 57% recycled polyester along with a completely seam-sealed shell. I don’t care for the removable hood. I mean, honestly anytime something comes completely detached; its gone. I like when companies tuck the hood in the collar a lot more. The zip in liner cranks up the price a bit more than the other models. The fit is quite baggy, only snowboarders need apply. Fleece-lined pockets are a plus and should be standard in all jackets in my opinion.

The Ice Ice jacket is by far my favorite jacket. It fits the best and I can tell it will resist moisture really well. It really is nice to see Columbia up the ante with cool styles. Hopefully the quality performs well this season. But hey, for the price, you get into a solid jacket that meshes well with the 80’s scene.

Check out the Columbia line to stay warm and in style this winter.

There isn’t a brand more classic. Simple design. Comfy fit. Materials to drool over. The Patagonia Merino 3 offers nothing less. A friend told me he threw out all his cotton shirts to replace them with merino. I’m not there yet, but when I can let go of my soft cotty tees, merino will definitely be moving in the closet.

The all mighty Green
When I think of being obsessive about going green I first think of the innovators of going green. In fact, Patagonia doesn’t even call it going green, they call it; everyday values. Made in the USA, recyclable through Common Threads program, and durable material so you aren’t having to replace it abnormally frequently. Now I know what you’re thinking, “$90 for a long sleeve shirt that I’m suppose to recycle?”. I think Patagonia is trying it’s best to continually lower their footprint. It’s your shirt, turn it in if you want.

This shirt fits different, I swear!
I’ve had capilene and other merino shirts feel too lose and under ski clothes they bunch up causing an annoyance. Patagonia seemed to have tightened up the fit which really helps in the arms. It bugs me when you drop a chunk of change on a merino shirt that dries quick, but fits awkward. The collar also fits flat and I have yet to see it loosen.

The merino material doesn’t ride up my forearm like I have had capilene. The cuff fits snug but if I want to roll up my sleeves for a climbing session they don’t cut off circulation. The lower part of the shirt is the perfect length. Once again, doesn’t bunch up. It’s like the designers tailored it just for me. Which, might be bad for the rest of you. You definitely get what you pay for in many aspects, not just the merino material.

Thumb holes?
Nope. Not for this shirt. I’ve had a couple ski layers with thumb holes and have really enjoyed them. Maybe its on the dock for Patagonia but they might be holding back because its one more seam, one more hole, and one more chance to wear out a cuff. I am a fan of thumb holes however when you put your thumb through it stretches the shirt. Now you have to figure out how to mix lycra with merino; designers nightmare I’m sure.

This Pata-Gucci shirt homes the logo at the bottom left of the shirt, out of the way for logo-overloaded souls. Your addicted to merino anyway, might as well step it up a notch with this well thought out crew.

BUY NOW: The Patagonia Merino 3 Classic Crew.

Hatchback bike racks usually intimidate the hell out of me. More straps than a 1998 internal pack and rickety bars that look sketch. And how do you secure your $3,000 carbon girlfriends with this failed eagle project? Well I think Yakima is on to something with the hatchback rack genre, ladies and gentleman; The Quick Back 3 Bike Rack is beckoning.

If you are wondering if a 2 or 3 capacity carrier would be best I personally like the 3 just because you never know what biking hitchhiker you’ll pick up. Unless you are 100% certain for the next lifetime no more than 2 bikes will be toted by your vehicle. The other thing I like about the 3 model is if there are only 2 bikes it really spaces them out and it’s not a struggle fitting them on.

Installing the Quick Back
Like the name, strapping on this puppy is quick. The half-circle arm is easy to adjust for a Subaru, Honda, ‘79 Pacer, or whatever you are pumping gas into. The Quick Back even welcomes VW bus style flat surfaces. Yakima really made this an all around rack which makes it worth the money, ahem…$199. The hatchback style is cool too, especially when Subaru is keeping you up at night with their FAILING 2010 rack.

The security straps are plain jane. Slip them through a couple cracks in the rear opening and hope to high heaven some teenager doesn’t try out his new butterfly knife on them. Hopefully in future years Yakima can figure out a way to really beef these up. Micro cable with electric shock? There are clips on each strap so when you wrench down to make the rack snug, you can tuck in the slack. It use to be cool to buzz down the highway with bike straps free flowing rasta-style but after a couple trips to Moab the ends get frayed. Good luck switching out frayed straps on a rack system like this.

Holding the bikes
I’d be very interested to hear any stories about bikes falling off your car. No need to name brands, but here at gear.com you can find a shoulder to cry on…after we have a good laugh. I actually drove into underground parking with my Gary Fisher loyally attached to the top. I was going around 10mph and it popped clean off. My reflector got a little scuffed but luckily nothing else perished, other than my pride.

The Quick Back is solid. The two straps that hold the bike to the bars beefed up from other rear access racks Yakima has come out with. A warning with the rubbery straps is that if you aren’t using your rack store it indoors. Those straps can get hot and easily crack in the sun. The Quick Back straps are going to last longer but its still the same material being used. After all, you don’t have to have the rack on 24/7 to look tough, those dolphin stickers your lady put on the bumper says it all.

Telling the future of the Quick Back

*holding my Macbook Pro to my forehead Johnny Carson style*
“Carting bikes on my Subaru. Official bottle opener. Ramming weapon for demolition derby.”
*opens Macbook*
“Three roles of the Quick Back.”

Don’t be afraid of hatchback bike racks any longer. Pack the brews and drop the old bike rack off at the thrift store on the way to the trail.

BUY NOW: The Yakima Quick Back Bike Rack – $199.

Cooksets these days keep getting better and better. I’ve been a fan of GSI ever since my rendezvous with the Pinnacle non-stick pan. Now I’m turning my spoon towards the Pinnacle Dualist cookset and all the sweet stuff it comes with. GSI might be in the woods stalking hikers studying all the little things they don’t like about cooksets, there is no other explanation for how they nailed it with the Dualist.

The Lid
The orange plastic tab at the top of the pot lid flips up to grab easily while cooking. Doesn’t burn your hand. Doesn’t slip. No need for a special tool (you’ll probably lose anyway) to attach. The orange tab is also used to lock down the handle to secure all the bowls inside the pot. The lid has a built in strainer that didn’t clog up when I made pasta. It is also crushproof/meltproof plastic which I put to the test with the Brunton Profile Duo stove. And when it comes to weight, this is definitely not the heavy part of the cookset.

Pot Scuttle
The pot handle gets a little warm when you heat up the stove. The plastic coating on the handle made me a little nervous as I felt like it got a squishy from the heat. I tried to move the pot so the handle wasn’t getting any heat which worked well. I finally had to cut off the plastic right next to the pot on the handle because it burned. For a backpacking stove this probably wouldn’t be a problem but I think GSI should revisit the material used on the handle. I think the only stove that would fit inside the system would have to be a MSR Pocketrocket.

No need to pack along those annoying measuring cups with the Dualist. Check the side of the pot to make that eyeball estimate a little more tuned in to not botch the freeze dried scrambled eggs. GSI uses Radiance technology in the metal to distribute the heat lowering boil time. I can’t say I noticed a drastic difference between a Jetboil system but it definitely wasn’t slow.

Feeding the Troops
The oatmeal is steaming hot and the drooling hiking partners are hungry. Slop them up quickly with the four bowls that come with the Dualist system. Two bowls are a hard plastic and the other two have a neoprene cover to help resist burning your paws while you chow. The system also comes with two lids for the bowls for those outdoor leftovers. And yes, everything is BPA-free and odor resistant.

Is that a spoon? Or a fork?
I think sporks are kinda dorky. Before someone could think of a really clever name for the utensil Johnny Joe Cool in the corner blurted out, “SPORK!”. So here we are. But GSI added a cool twist on the epic camp utensil by having it collapse making it able to fit inside the bowls. Moving parts make me nervous when camping. From the looks of things their spork is made with the same polycarbonate the bowls are so I guess I’ll let it slide.

Quick Dualist Facts

• 20.7 oz
• Non-stick coated
• Welded wash basin storage bag to put it all in (PROBABLY MY FAVORITE PART!)
• $60

This 2008 Editors Choice award winning kitchenette has just about everything but the hungry hiking partners. I liked how it just felt bomproof. Me of all people make dumb mistakes cooking and this has been forgiving for my weaksauce cooking habits.

BUY NOW: The GSI Outdoor Pinnacle Dualist Cookset.

Who would have thought we could ever bring along portable energy to keep our electronics afloat in the outdoors? Portable solar energy has been out for a while now making the Solio Magnesium refined and powerful. On my trip to Alaska last year I packed along the Solio Hybrid 1000, which didn’t impress me with the power output and it seemed like it took forever to charge.

The Solio Skinny
I wasn’t quite sure how many watts my iPhone was going to need. I thought something is better than nothing. I found that its not how many watts the electronic uses, its the time frame to charge in relation to how many panels you have. Which depends on how many watts the panel can generate. The magnesium charge time is noticeably shorter than the hybrid and can hold more energy. I also noticed the hybrid was very sensitive when it came to overcast conditions and didn’t charge that well.

The magnesium three blade design seems to establish a better chance to get all the solar rays possible in overcast conditions. This also helps attached it to bungee cords as seen here with my Columbia Mobex trail pack.

We all go with iGo®
The magnesium is the first Solio model compatible with iGo tips. Netbook to iPhone to most Dell laptops, iGo has a tip to keep you powered up. I can even get an iGo tip for the Macbook Pro I’m currently using to write this post. When I was using my hybrid 1000 I was a bit frustrated with all the extra cord I had to track down to plug in my iPhone. This iGo tip has been a big relief because it requires less cord and pieces meaning less stuff to keep track of.

Magnesium Difference
The material used for the Mag is leaps and bounds more durable than the classic. For the couple months I’ve had the Mag I’ve banged it up quite a bit, not on purpose of course. The three blade fan design protects at least two of the panels where the Hybrid 1000 is always exposed. Water resistant? I wouldn’t take this swimming but I accidentally left the Mag out in the rain over night and it did just fine. The port has a rubber seal to protect which is very solid. The Classic model is almost the same as the Mag but doesn’t have the iGo compatibility, durable build, or watt output.

Mag Charging Facts

• Fully charged mag can charge device 3.5 times (Classic – 2 times)
• 8 watt output (Classic – 6w, Hybrid 1000 – 4w)
• 1 hour in the sun = 20 min. talk/30 min. music

Definitely play with the power button for a bit before you start relying on this thing in the outdoors. When you first push the button it will blink 1-5 times showing you how full the charge is. One blink being lowest five blinks being the highest. When the power button is red that means its receiving a charge. The other sweet thing about the Mag is being able to charge it through an outlet. It obviously charges a lot faster than the sun (about 30 min. for full charge) and is a great way to get quick back up storage.

Drawbacks
Solio should include a dashboard attachment to charge through the windshield. I do it all the time and it’s a great way to get some rays. The power button takes a little getting use to, sometimes I wonder if the charger is on and losing power. I wonder if they are considering a different interface.

Get the magnesium model, “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.” You’ll get frustrated with the lower watt output with the other models. For $169 the Mag is reasonable for what it can do and you can always hit up the Solio Twitter peeps for daily contests to win free iGo tips. Fueling crackberry addictions two thumbs at a time.

BUY NOW:The Solio Magnesium Edition Charger.

If you were to search for clarity in the dictionary there is a picture of the Julbo Dirt sunglasses. Ok not really, but that is the best way I can describe the Zebra lens they come with. Good rugged design made for…well, playing in the dirt.

At first they look a little bulky on the side of the frame but the durability that comes with that makes it the ultimate mtn. bike shade. The wide design is also nice for blocking peripheral sun rays that could quite possibly burn your retinas. Julbo is more commonly known for their glacier glasses with the famous leather side patches. With the Dirt, Julbo integrated that idea but with a stylish hybrid frame for all around use.

Hmm which lens?
I had the chance to try out the polarized Zebra lens which is always a good choice for driving, fishing, and riding. The photochromatic lens changes as more UV or less UV rays hit the lens. For example if you were to walk indoors with a photochrom, the lens would lighten up and you can achieve true creepiness at the grocery store. To me polarized is a great all around choice and easier on the wallet. Julbo offers anti-fog with their photochromatic which is something to consider if cold weather use is in your future.

The other plus I noticed about the Zebra lens is the coating material is different than per se a Smith lens. When I clean the lens I haven’t seen any peeling like I use to see with my Smiths. I don’t think there is anything more disheartening than have splotches of missing coating on your lens. Julbo has made the lens coating more burlier than the rest.

Paris Hilton factor
Big glasses are sort of the fad lately, well the past 3-4 years. Personally I got sucked in the Paris Hilton crew about a year ago and once you go with a big lens with wide face coverage it’s hard to wear tiny glasses again. The Dirt has that big coverage but not in an overbearing way. After all, these things need to fit under a helmet.

The larger coverage helps in a protective way. I’ve been hedging junipers (worst bush in the world) in my yard and the clippings can be quite pokey and annoying. I didn’t have to get the big nerdy safety glasses to cut a couple bushes because the lower part of the frame comes about 2mm within my upper cheek.

Julbo Construction
I’ve seen the snap in hinge design on sunglass frames which makes the frame more forgiving if your hard on sunglasses. The Dirt is made with two screws per hinge which I prefer. The hinge type seems to feel loose after a while and if you break a the little insert the frame is done. Little screws are annoying to tighten and are easy to loose but they are easy to replace also. The earpieces have a smooth rubber that doesn’t pull on hair when taking on and off. The rounded frame arms keep the Dirts secure on the face also.

My only complaint is the earpieces aren’t adjustable and feel too tight. If Julbo could put a slim metal piece in the end of the side arm you could customize the fit. Overall I am really pleased with the Julbo Dirt. Stylish. Durable. Bomber lens. Interchangable lenses are cool and all, but if you could have once lens to do it all, why not? Julbo takes it back to basics with the Dirt which is what we need.

BUY NOW: The Julbo Dirt Polarized Sunglasses.

What has 25 water bottles, a lumbar strap, and three zippers? The Mountainsmith Recycled Day Pack of course! Except the water bottles are in, well, a different form. Pretty impressive Mountainsmith has stepped it up by re-using that much plastic for their bags and still sustain a good performing waist pack.

The pack can be used for just about everything. I have seen photographers pack this full of padding to rally a SLR camera, moms packing it with diapers, and soil scientists using it to carry planting supplies in the field. Compared to the previous models of the Day lumbar pack, I noticed this model has a zipper upgrade making opening easier with one hand. The straps are trimmed down a bit also, it can be annoying when you have an airport travel bag that seems to have unnecessarily long straps flopping around.

Light or Heavy, it doesn’t matter
When I hit the farmers market to pick up my favorite cranberry-jalapeno salsa, I sport the pack on one shoulder briefcase style. After picking up the freshest produce I throw the shoulder strap across the chest to help carry the extra weight. Then when I want to buy that really heavy rock sculpture I strap on the lumbar strap to transfer the weight on the hips. The Day pack exceeds versatility expectations.

The Day pack offers 854 cu. in. capacity compared to the trimmed down sister version, the Tour, coming in at 488 cu. in. If you aren’t carrying 850 cubic inches of stuff around you probably want to nab the Tour pack. If the Day pack isn’t filled up it can be a bit annoying with the sagging empty space. The outer yellow bungee has been great for attaching a rain jacket and the lower compression straps help suck in the un-used space.

The top gear loops are very easy to grab on to when passing the bag to someone else. Compared to the Osprey Float bag, the Day gear loops are way better. I can never seem to grab the Floats tiny top gear loop and end up grabbing a handful of material. The Day shoulder strap comes off literally with a snap which has been really nice for hiking use. Other waist packs have their shoulder straps sewed on making them less versatile. The lumbar straps also tuck away when not in use, nothing says ‘gomer’ more than un-used straps flopping around while at the coffee shop.

My Criticism
To make this bag more competitive against other waist packs I would include a cell phone holder. I know us outdoor gear freaks all think we don’t carry a cell phone, but lets be honest. Mountainsmith makes the Amp Cell Phone holder so maybe retailers might consider selling it as a coupled deal to keep up with the times? However maybe keeping them separate would be cool to mix and match colors and give us the ability to put the holder exactly where we want.

The inner hideway pocket is made with a nylon that I think could be replaced with a felt material that is attached to the inner wall of the pack rather than the outside wall. I found when I had my keys in the pocket it was a pain opening the zipper and retrieving other stuff inside.

More colors than a kaleidoscope
Mountainsmith offers a TON of colors to choose from in all their waist packs making this a great gift idea to fit any personality. I like their design and I’m glad they are keeping it the same. I really hope they don’t do multi-color in the future, their style is untouchable.

BUY NOW: The Mountainsmith Recycled Day Lumbar Pack.

I cringe when a scary old broken down stove makes it to the campground. My mind flashes forward to the headline, “Outdated Camp Stove Blows Up without Warning…”. Time to upgrade to the Brunton Profile Duo which offers a range and grill with steel construction. Had the chance to cook with the Duo last week in Southern Colorado at around 9,000 feet.

Gas options
The versatile stove offers propane and butane giving you the power to choose or the flexibility when your buddy picks the wrong canister. I burned a 1/3 of my green Coleman tank over 3 days of cooking for 3 people. The flexible hose to the tank was perfect for setting the stove on different tables and tailgates. The regulator is easy to fit on the tank and stores nicely under the grill burner in the stove for carting around.

Brunton Power
The boil time for a Nalgene of water was about 4 minutes on the range. There is a ring on the range burner that heats up and really helps to lower boil time and also stays hot when leaving the pot on to keep the food warm. I came back to a pot of noodles sitting on the range for 15 minutes and steam was coming out as if I had the burner on low. I quickly turned off the burner because I thought it was on. Just be aware the Duo needs some solid cool down time. After all, it sounds like an F-16 when you fire it up.

Considerations
When I first opened up the stove it was jammed which I noticed again and again. When you are closing it, make sure the grill hasn’t come loose. I remedied the jam by putting pressure on the hinges which brought the cover forward a bit releasing the jam. The latches on both sides of the stove don’t fit very tight which I think is good because they would probably wear out and put unnecessary strain on the top cover.

This ain’t your Grampys stove
The steel grate is sturdy and has a small pole that fits in the range area keeping big pots secure. The wind screens take a little maneuvering, make sure to do it right though, you don’t want those puppies coming down on your dinner treats. I noticed where the hose attaches to the stove can let out gas if not fitted tightly. When I first attached the hose, it felt tight but then the hose shifted a little and I could hear a leak. I just needed to tighten up the nozzle a bit more. Never had the problem again.

My favorite part about this camp stove is the handle on the bottom. I’ll probably never find a slick case to lug the 10 lb. stove around so the handle is key. I have never had good luck with igniters on stoves but the Duo lights right up after one turn of the orange knob. The only time it didn’t spark right up was after the first night I accidentally left the stove out in the rain over night. I wiped the range burner with a paper towel and it sparked right up. NOTE: Leaving the Duo out in the rain is not suggested and is disrespectful to your Brunton resulting in bad food karma.

Can you say ’ski season’?
The Duo is coming skiing with me this year for sure. Hot dogs and bratwursts at my car in the parking lot at lunch. This $90 stove is the ultimate crowd pleaser for car camping.

BUY NOW: The Brunton Duo Profile Camp Stove.

Had the chance to try the Kuru Cirque this summer. At first it looks like a skate shoe with old fashioned cosmetics with a techy side to it. Kuru prides itself in making the worlds most anatomical shoe which may come off nerdy but who likes shoes that hurt? When I first slipped on the Cirque I could tell the heal cup was aggressive and took some getting use to. After a week or so my feet became accustomed.

The Cirque is a street shoe no doubt. I found it best used for urban wear as the outer material wasn’t water resistant at all. There are leather sections on the toe and heal but I didn’t try waterproofing them. Most of the shoe is mesh so it didn’t seem worth it. I took these on a couple trips and one thing I noticed is how packable the tongue and side panels are. Kuru mentioned they were easy to compress but I was leery because of how big the shoe looks.

Skate shoe?
The toe box is very large making this an easy slip-on out-the-door shoe. I really like the ’skate shoe’ feel coupled with a durable sole. The rubber sole performed well on a hikes I went on. After skidding around on wet rocks I noticed side pull loops on both sides of the shoe opening. I would have taken those off as they just add to frills. There was even one time I was walking through my garden and something caught one of the loops, kind of annoying.

The Best Part
The biggest strength the Cirque has to offer is breathability. The non-restricting fit combined with the mesh panels really kept my feet dry. It is so hard to find a comfortable all around shoe that doesn’t bake my feet. If you are like me and suffer from excess feet sweat, the Cirque is for you.

Overall the Cirque impressed me. The guys at Kuru are definitely on to something by focusing on a stout sole. Follow Kuru on Twitter to stay updated with shoe scuttle and discussion. Find a Kuru dealer near you. $90

Let Sierra Designs send you on a magical trip for two to Wales. Plane tickets, luxurious yurts, and of course free gear from one of the top brands out there.

Enter Sierra Designs Sweepstakes before Sept. 30th at midnight

Winner will be drawn in October so brush up on your…Wales…language….errr WELSH. Thats it! And in no time you’ll be updating your facebook status, “Off to Wales! Diolch Sierra Designs!”.

Sierra Designs is hooking up the winner with the award winning Lightning XT 4 tent along with other gear. The Lightning has full mesh sides with two doors and two stout vestibules. I’ll be doing a review on this tent here in the coming weeks and from what I have seen there is a complete makeover with pole-inserts and tie downs.

Good luck to everyone and while you wait on the winner announcement check out Sierra Designs gear and apparel.

The Gerber Flik Multi-tool is like no other when it comes to a functional smooth tool. Smooth meaning it doesn’t jam when you are trying to collapse or expand the tool. I am not sure if Gerber joined up with the producers of Transformers but that is the first thing I thought of when I saw the Flik. So maybe there are more to this tool than meets the eye?

The needle nose pliers are truly unique. I was tightening up a medium sized phillips screw the other day and it looked like the needle nose could fit inside. Instead of searching for the phillips tool I just jammed the needle nose and twisted. Worked like a charm. Best thing was, I didn’t even have to take it out of the case as there is an opening at the bottom of the Gerber case.

When I use a multi-tool I am probably more hard on it than it is made for.

Examples:

• Using it for a hammer.
• Pulling off metal grates where a crowbar would be used.

*The Flik has survived my multi-use beating but I don’t recommend it. Not that the tool can’t withstand it, but you can really hurt your hand.

Moving Parts
The slide to expand the tool is very smooth. It rarely jams compared to other multi-tools I have used. The patented Saf.T.Plus™ locking system works in two ways:

1. Obviously locks the tools in place when in use.
2. NEW! When you engage the locking slide it slightly pops up all the tools on that side of the handle. This prevents hurting your fingernail when trying to pull out that tiny little flat head screw.

To pull the large knives out you use the pad of your finger rather than your fingernail. Each knife has an opening to grip on to the finger. The scissors aren’t spring loaded until the scissors are open and than you put the blade against the spring.

My one gripe about the tool is the heavy weight. On the hip I constantly feel it. I wish the case had a little more gusto so it didn’t slide on the belt. With weight comes a tough industry standard tool, but something to keep in mind. Overall the hinges are very well built and I’m a big fan of the tool opening system.

BUY NOW: The Gerber Flik Multi-Tool.

Look forward to the new Helly Hansen Trail Lizard HT for all your winter running and snowshoeing. The 15K waterproof material attracts 4-season trail runners establishing itself as a true trail runner hybrid. I’ve been kicking around in the shoe for a couple weeks now and here are my findings.

Comfort
You know when you put on an uncomfortable shoe and you find yourself looking at them a lot wondering if you installed the batteries wrong? I probably could have slept in the Lizards because of how they feel. I really had no idea I was wearing them on the couple trail jaunts I have been on. Superb comfort.

Sole
I noticed the sole near the toe has extra support under the curl of the toes. Almost as if it is has bump under the toes giving more power in your stride. The heel cup is similar to the Oboz Ignition in that it holds the heel in place but is more forgiving than the Ignition. The Lizard sole is lower to the ground than the Saucony Guide TR-2 which I like because I feel like it doesn’t weigh me down.

Material
Matching the 15K waterproof material is a 15K breathability rating. Backpacking anyone? I am always nervous taking out low profile shoes backpacking but it looks like the Lizard is stable enough. Anytime a shoe can keep my feet dry for long hikes I am a happy hiker. The rubberized grid outsole seems like a great idea. Instead of caking on the rubber Helly Hansen has put down a grid to keep the shoe burly but low profile.

So far my favorite part about the shoe is the mesh-like sides that keep the top of the foot cool. Is it mesh? Is it nylon? It’s down right functional. Looks like the Helly Hansen Twitter is all ready for ski season, stay tuned for more of their apparel and footwear gear recipes.

BUY NOW: The Helly Hansen Trail Lizard HT Trail Shoe.

I got to scope the Saucony Guide TR-2 at Outdoor Retailer and have been wearing them for a couple weeks. So far I have been liking the ‘walking on clouds’ feel and the loud Godzilla green design. Everyone I have talked to about Saucony always rave about their comfort and quality. Now it’s my turn to give them a test drive.

Guide TR-2 Breakdown
The Guide TR-2 is unique by catering to on and off road conditions. Unless you live in a cabin and can hit the trail at the drop of a hat, you may want to consider a hybrid like the Guide. I think this shoe would be great for recreational runners who want to keep up their running skills on the road and trail. The Guide TR-2 offers ProGrid technology which is meant to absorb impact and to give your feet a smooth transition.

A Dual Density EVA is going to increase response and more importantly durability. That way your not having to buy as many shoes saving you green. From other shoes I have been wearing this summer I can already tell the Guide TR-2 is a bit bulkier but with that comes a lot of stability and comfort. The padding on the tongue is quite generous as is the sides of the shoe.

The toe box has more room than other trail runners I have noticed. The tread is multi-directional which is meant to decrease slippage on rocks. So instead of having to wear knee pads, the Guide TR-2 has you covered. Hopefully.

I look forward to trying out this gaiter compatible antimicrobial trail runner hybrid over the coming weeks. Stay tuned for my final review. In the mean time, check out Saucony shoes and apparel.

I had the chance at Outdoor Retailer to see what Columbia was up to. Aside from a totally hip style of winter outerwear coming soon, this new Mobex Trail pack made me do a double take. Is it a tent? Is it a pack? Does it come in my size?!?
First Impressions
The clamshell opening is great for eying all your gear to organize and get to a bite to eat on the trail quickly. The lycra outer pockets always win me over. I fit about 5 PROBARs in the one pocket and I wouldn’t be surprised if my rain jacket fits in there also.

The pack straps are lightweight with a breathable design. The hip strap has a pouch that could fit a gel, cell phone, and most likely a bar. I wasn’t quite sure what the tent poles do to help the pack. I’ve only used the pack a couple times and I find that having the pack ‘already open’ is actually pretty sweet for throwing stuff in.

I’ll put some miles on the pack and get back to you on how well the tent poles do. I see rock climbing, day hikes, farmers market, and urban use in this backpack’s future. The Columbia Mobex trail pack comes to you in Spring 2010.

Buy Now: Search for Columbia Gear

I went to the local lake yesterday in search for a battery re-charge from the daily grind. We met up with some friends to throw the boats in the water, roast weenies, and darken up our ghostly white farmer tans. I had my Kelty Cabana with me but didn’t set it up right away because someone else had brought a 10X10 shade tent. My friend said the cabana was too small and that I should just leave it in the bag.

Cabana First Thoughts
As a gear junkie you can’t just leave stuff in the bag even if the need for the gear has already been fulfilled. The cabana is quite spacious actually and is a stellar beach shade getaway. You may not be able to fit six adults underneath along with their Twilight books and lawn chairs, but if you have little ones who need to take a nap the ground floor provides great protection from the sand.

Cabana – 1. 10X10 shade – 0.

Tent Set-up
The set up isn’t bad. If your like me, you probably don’t have 3 people dying to help you set up your tent making the cabana a good addition. After a couple times you get an idea of how the poles are suppose to bend and find which sequence works best. The tent has two short poles and one long one creating the frontal hoop. Anything that can get me in the water faster makes me smile in my sleep.

Cabana – 2. 10X10 shade – 0.

Fighting the Wind
If you went to the beach and watched people there is no doubt something in their spot will blow away at some point. The pole design on the cabana reminds me of a glider and isn’t exempt from being ‘blown-away proof’. Stakes are a must but you’re going to have to dig some up because my cabana didn’t come with them. The little sand bags at each corner of the tent won’t do it. They are a cute idea but this nylon aircraft is going to be ready for takeoff without some serious anchors.

Cabana – 2. 10X10 shade – 1.

Cabana Design
One thing that I would seriously consider marrying Kelty for is that they are simple. I like the two bug screen windows that can be covered by lifting up the nylon sides hooking into the velcro. The floor space was big enough for me to hang my feet out the front opening while laying down with my head towards the rear. You could easily fit two people for an afternoon nap. We also fit a camp chair inside and while sitting you don’t feel like the roof is on top of your forehead.

Cabana – 3. 10X10 shade – 1.

The front opening also closes completely for some beach privacy to switch in and out of clothes. One idea I had is cutting out a hole in the floor of the cabana for cooking with a stove. With the curved design and leaving the door open it could ventilate during a little storm. The material wouldn’t be ideal for a rain storm but hey I’m a dreamer.

Cabana – 4. 10X10 shade – 1.

Bottom Line: Kelty needs to get rid of those silver casings on their poles and retire the sleeves. Hooks may weigh more but 99% of the time the 4lb. 14oz. cabana is coming in my car not my Osprey Argon 85. This cabana is a strong contender in the beach shade department and I’m looking forward to taking it on my next beach excursion.

“Put em’ in a body bag Johnny!”

BUY NOW: Get the Best Price on the Kelty Cabana

I have been trying out the Oboz Ignition trail runner along with the END Stumptown 10 and 8.5 these past couple months. My opinion about trail running is if your going to go, get far and get dirty. Trail running provides the chance to get away from the mundane neighborhood loop. There are a lot of choices out there for trail runners and hopefully I can relay some knowledge to keep your feet happy on the trail.

About Oboz Footwear
Pronounced “Oh!-Boze”, this Bozeman company uses the saying ‘True to the Trail’ as a motivation to provide solid footwear for your outdoor demise. Their philosophy is make time for getting outdoors despite the whirling time suckers that consume us and strive to minimize our carbon footprint. I’m looking forward to calling up their number to compliment them on their shoes and listen to their recent bike ride story. Nice to see a company run by people who can relate to their audience.

FYI – Oboz has commited to planting a tree for every pair sold.

The Oboz Fit
After using the Ignition for a couple 4 mile runs I couldn’t describe how the shoe formed around my foot. Later I found the technology is called the Radial Fit System which fits perfect to how it feels. Some shoes I have worn in the past do a good job wrenching a gripping fit around the arch but can cause soreness after a while. The Oboz have a good stable fit without cutting blood to the toes. The rocker in the Ignition is a bit more aggressive than I have seen in other runners.

The rocker made it nice for uphill jaunts keeping my toes higher than I am use to. The heel cup is also more snug and stable than other shoes I have tried. I telemark in the winter so believe me when I say, “I hate heel lift”. The TPU cup and plate work together to protect your feet from rocks while maintaining stability. The toe box is fairly wide which I appreciated to give my toes room. I did notice a bit of a hot spot on the outside of my pinky toe after a run, but I never noticed it again.

Ignition Material
The leathery upper is key for those wet muddy days. I also think the leather helps preserve the toe bend area. I have had shoes wear out very quickly because that area was just made with mesh. I can tell Oboz paid close attention to detail for common complaints with trail shoes.

The Z-Grip rubber has a lot of bang without the bulk. Compared to the END trail runners, the Oboz sole is definitely a lot heavier but with that comes more stability than the END line. It is up to the runner really, if your ankles can compensate for the stability than END is a good choice. Personally it was a toss up because running in the Oboz really doesn’t require extra thought on how stride or place your feet.

The Z-Grip is grippier than a rubber glove in the ER.

All-around Use
Who doesn’t show of their new trail runner at dinner? The no tongue design isn’t ideal for everyday use. I don’t normally care for the slip-on style footwear, but once it’s on, you’re set for a stellar run. The benefit of this shoe is you can leave it on after a run so really you could probably shower and sleep with them until snow falls. The Ignition was also comfortable for a backpacking trip I recently did, once again that sole is plenty stable.

Bottom Line
The 27oz. Ignition may seem a lot heavier than an END shoe but don’t let weight be your boss. The breathability works well in wet conditions and would be a great stable addition to your trail runner quiver.

BUY NOW: Get the Best Price on Oboz Footwear

I love cooking good food in the outdoors. I break away from dehydrated food every now and again to spoil myself and the people I camp with. I am done messing around with pan clamps and heavy pans, the GSI Pinnacle Frypan is the happy medium you’ve been looking for.

There might be a day I take this backpacking but for now I’ve mostly taken it car camping. Even car camping I like to have my gear small and easy to store. Squeeze the handle and it stores nicely in the pan when not in use. The handle has a nice plastic coating that I still have yet to burn away. The hinge prevents the heat from transferring to the handle which sure beats a smoldering cast iron.

The first time I cooked on the Pinnacle I, of course, forgot any type of cooking spray. I was happy to find the finish didn’t have any problem cooking eggs or meat. There are also circular strips on the bottom of the pan which help the heat distribution and prevents sliding on the stove.

The 10 in. pan is just less than a pound in weight so if you did take it backpacking it wouldn’t weigh you down that bad. With a price tag of $25 and with stellar specs I wouldn’t go with anything else.

BUY NOW: Search for the GSI Pinnacle Frypan

If you like the traditional feel of a Chaco but want a backless sandal the Zongis probably on your wishlist.

I have a hard time wearing thong sandals. The thick rubber piece between my big toe isn’t comfortable. The Zong has been great because I get he backless easy-on style with the comfy signature Chaco toe loop. The thicker sole is nicer then the Flip for a more supportive feel.

The first week in any new Chaco is going to be a tight fit. The webbing has to loosen up a bit to slip in and out with ease. The Zong is no different. I thought it wouldn’t have a break-in period like the other styles but it definitely does. Be patient.

Sizing Weirdness?

The feel of a Chaco sandal is awesome. Any outdoorsy peep is going to have at least 3 pairs in their closet. I have found that in the Z1 and Zong I am a 9 US. In the Flip I am a 10 US. When I try to cram my foot in a Flip size 9 the webbing is too tight on top of my foot. I wish the Zong had a more snug feel because I can only tighten the strap so much. I guess cutting the webbing is an option but I’m too lazy and I don’t want to mess with it.

One Zong so many uses

I find myself using the Zong for swimming, short walks, and family reunions. If I am going to be walking for a long period of time the Zong isn’t ideal because I feel like it’s going to come off. Once again I need to figure out the webbing. Probably one of the craziest thing I have used my Zong for was to sun bake a marshmallow and chocolate for an afternoon s’more. If I find the picture I’ll post but I’m sure it’s lost in a memory card vortex.

Overall the Zong has treated me well. Nice sturdy Vibram sole and easy to get in to. If your chasing someone who just stole your wallet, hopefully you have a pair of END shoes in your back pocket because the Zong won’t last long.

BUY NOW The Chaco Zong Sandal at Backcountry.com.

The Big Fat Frog 24 tent is the new North Face shelter for the 2009 Summer season. Without the fly it looks like the old school grasshopper from back in the day. Slap on the fly and you my friend have quite the outdoor getaway.

I had the chance to check the tent out the other day and found good and bad factors.

The Good

This will withstand a tough storm. From the looks of how the poles are arranged the vestibule not only adds square footage (14.5 sq ft) but it also adds stability. The North Face also trimmed down on the nylon on just the tent quite a bit. This makes a great hot weather option for desert camping.

For the guy carrying the poles they will be happy to know their a DAC featherlite. The fourth pole for the vestibule is optional so if your going lightweight you can ease up on the functionality and save weight. The vestibule is impressive, you could probably fit a couple of large dogs in there (not sure why but you get the idea).

The Bad

Not that The North Face makes bad tents but here are the drawbacks. I wish they would have done all hooks instead of half hooks and half sleeves for the tent poles. Hooks in general are way easier and it’s a pain to have to go back and forth.

The 6 lb weigh in isn’t super appetizing. If you did leave the extra pole it can cut down on weight but for a two person tent that is a bit heavy. On the vestibule it’s missing the hooped opening for cooking. Those can really come in handy when your stuck in the rain. One review on Backcountry.com said it does get a little drafty around 15 degrees so probably not the best winter tent.

Overall I think it looks like a very cozy summer tent. Maybe a pound more than what you would want to carry but personally I like to have a nice hotel in the hills.

BUY NOW: Search for The North Face Tents.

I love to run. I’m no Karl Meltzer but trail running cleanses my soul. No need to rough it with uncomfortable kicks. After using a Vasque and Teva trail runners I was about to give up my dirty hobby. I stumbled across END footwear and have been sporting the 10oz Stumptown for a month now. Hang on to your socks folks.

Who is END?

END stands for Environmentally Neutral Design which they accomplish by using recycled materials for their shoes, shoe boxes, and even their trade show booths. Check the attached video to see how they re-use materials to make their shoes sustainable. Out of Portland, Oregon, END has a strong passion not only for the environment but also for a tough pair of shoes.

When I first put on the Stumptown it felt like a jacket for my foot. The thin walled material is easy to slip on and it doesn’t matter if you have a wide or narrow foot. The Seamsmart nylon material compensates for either one. The heel is a bit thicker then most shoes I have tried helping absorb shock.

Is it even a shoe?

No clunkiness. No resistance. No kidding. When I wear the 10oz Stumptown I’m not wearing shoes. The only way I can describe them is a burly sock. My feet usually get overheated when I run, but not with END shoes. On colder days it almost feels like my feet get wet, but it’s just the sweat cooling off my feet. The absolute mind boggler is the material keeps your feet clean and dry. I was told I could run through mud and not have problems. Absolutely correct. Mud, snow, and water sheds off the waterproof material with no problems.

END Fit

The toe box is smaller than my Oboz Igniitions but with the material being as flexible as it is I didn’t have any issues. I would also size down a half size, I normally wear a 10.5 but the 10’s fit perfect. To achieve a minimalist design the rear doesn’t cradle your heel like other shoes. It does feel a little small as if your heel grew a half inch. It takes a little adjustment but it feels really secure after a while.

The 10oz has a bit more material reinforcement on the sides of the foot where the 8.5oz is a true minimalist shoe. I can’t wait to try on the 12oz, from trying the 10oz and the 8.5oz I think the 12oz would make a good light backpacker.

Parting Thoughts

I wonder if I could send my old shoes to END to make me a pair of new Stumptowns? They are doing their part, I should do mine. The comfort and quality had me at ‘hello’ and the price tag of $75 is hard to compete with.

Lace em’ up: The END 10oz Stumptown trail running shoe.

I’ve been wanting to get better at capturing videos for skiing this season and I am digging my Aiptek HD camcorder. It is the low model of the Aiptek camera ($130) family but I figured if I get really good I can always upgrade to the 1080.

Camera Cosmetics

Usually I’m not excited about taking my glove off while skiing to take a picture or record. Great thing about this camera is you don’t have to. I use my Black Diamond Guide gloves (electronic dexterity is low) when I ski and all I have to do is flip open the viewfinder and press the front record button. By opening the viewfinder the camera automatically turns on.

The joystick button on the rear of the camera is secure and easy to push forward for zooming in and out. If your going to view a video you’ll have to take off your gloves to press the buttons on the viewfinder screen. The overall build of the camera doesn’t worry me while I’m skiing. It’s very small and after a couple wrecks on the snow I haven’t seen any issues of performance. I don’t smoke but the size of the camera is like a tall pack of cigarettes.

Aiptek Quality

Aiptek and other brands definitely have higher definition then the 720 but for what I’m doing (capturing priceless moments of my kids) it does what I need. I’m a little bugged by the cords it came with, for some reason I can’t get video to playback on my TV so I’ll have to hit google and start the research.

Video
You really have to keep your hand steady with this thing. You can tell by the youtube of us sledding on Hammerheads it’s not stellar but than again it was taken at night sliding down a hill. It does give you a good idea of what this thing can and can’t do.

Still Shots
The 8mp camera is very sensitive so keeping the camera still is key. When you press the button give it about 5 seconds (no joke) for the camera to actually take the picture. I suggest using the flash, my pictures on this camera come out a lot better when I do. I really bought this for the video recording but a still shot is always nice to have.

Mic check…mic check
The microphone picks up a lot of noise which can be good and bad. Bad in the since when I’m skiing behind my wife to pick up sweet action shots you can hear every little sound of the wind. Not a big deal if you dub out the sound and throw in some tunes. The sensitivity is nice for picking up the voices of people in the shot, I suggest having them stand less then 8 feet in front of the camera.

Another feature I like for the kids is the voice recorder. I’ve used it a couple times when my daughter says funny stuff like, “Holla! Shot calla’” at night in the car. Not a major feature I use but a cool add-on that Aiptek included. I would keep your mouth 12-18 inches away from the camera so your voice doesn’t over power recording.

Storage
The camera takes an SD card which now a days are going up to 32 GB. The SD card is my favorite memory card so that really sold me on this model. The mere 6mb of internal storage gets slaughtered after about 5 min. of filming so pretend as if you have none.

Check out the Aiptek 720 and the 1080 for your filming enjoyment.

On your last outing did you cook food? Of course. Did you keep your food cool? Maybe. How about a pop-out kitchen table? Unlikely. The Kelty Duo pack is the ultimate kitchen away from your kitchen. Boasting a portable cutting table and cooler compartment is hard to pass up on your next trip.

Kelty
Kelty has excelled in their backpack design. They make good solid packs that don’t drain your wallet and yet last a lifetime. I’ve really enjoyed their kid carrier systems and the old Tioga my dad let me borrow on my first backpacking trip. Kelty gear is for everyone and can be used everywhere.

Duo Bin Layout

In one compartment you have a cooler. Tons of space for feeding at least 6 people (depending on the appetite). To get an idea of space you could fit 12-14 IBC cream soda bottles in the  cooler. I’m not saying that is a healthy dinner but you get the idea.

The other detail Kelty did a great job at was making the cooler compartment easy to clean. If your carrying foil dinners or bacon inside you always get meat liquid swirling around the bottom. Unlike other coolers that are hard to clean, this bag has a user friendly design for the clean at heart.

The non-cooler compartment has the same amount of space to fit all the goodies you could ever want. I think Kelty could probably make a smaller version because for me and my small family we usually have tons of left over space. You will notice on the side of the bag the plastic pole that is bent. That is really nice to have for the left over space because it helps keep the bag more compact for when carrying on your shoulder.

The Table

Zip these bags together and pop open the table for a veggie cutting extravaganza. The plastic table has a stay that comes out underneath to keep it steady. I wouldn’t suggest cutting directly on to the table but with all the space you have in the bag you can definitely bring along a mini-cutting board. The table zips on and off so if you just want the bag you have that option.

Bottom Line
The bag is big when your carrying it on your side so it can be a little awkward if your carrying lunch for eight. You can carry the bags separate and delegate the load which is what I do.

BUY NOW: The Kelty Duo Pack 12 at Backcountry.com.

Comfort is what gets me up in the morning. It’s always fun to pack light for that minimalist 12 day backpacking trip. How about the rest of the time when it’s time to kick back and relax? I attended the Teva Mountain Games last year to work a booth and the Lafuma Padded Camp Chair kept a smile on my face the whole weekend.

Who is Lafuma?

Started in 1930, three brothers made various bags including backpacks for skiing and lifestyle use. Catering to Everest mountaineers and military expeditions, Lafuma fit the bill for carrying gear in an efficient comfortable way. In 1954 they carried their comfort and construction efforts to furniture giving birth to a successful line of camp tables and chairs. Out of France the company owns Millet, Oxbow, and Le Chameau; I bet their company outings are not to be missed.

The Chair

The $180 price tag is a bit steep for a camp chair but the money-worries will melt away after you try this thing out. The pillow at the top has an elastic band to easily fit at the top to cradle your noggin’ for a brief snooze.

The material suspends your body through a trampoline-style construction that makes your body feel like it’s floating in the clouds. My favorite part about this chair is the bottom bar where your feet go. Kick up the bar with your heals and start scoping the sky. Instead of clanky levers, in one swift motion with the bottom bar your in business.

When the chair is open, I’ll admit it looks intimidating in terms of packing it down. Just like the reclining feature the chair quickly closes when you pull the top and bottom bars together. It’s more smooth than my Graco stroller. When we used the chair at the Teva Games we had to shuttle our tent and other gear across Vail Village. My buddy and I fought over who got to carry the Lafuma despite its 21lb. weigh in.

The drawback with this model is it doesn’t have a cup holder. Which is really quite a pain because when you sit down you start to think the world revolves around you. Reaching down to the ground for your Dr. Pepper becomes a nuisance; be aware of rapid laziness. The black fabric can get a little toasty in the sun but with it being a tight woven mesh material it didn’t get too hot.

If you enjoy comfort, you will enjoy Lafuma.

BUY NOW: The Lafuma RSX XL Polycotton Padded Camp Chair at Backcountry.com.

When you name a tent ‘hammerhead’ it can be the wallflower at the school dance. The Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead tent is anything but the plaid pant wearing teen avoiding the ladies. This tent has been in my pack for 2 years bringing me night after night of comfy warmness.

My initial plan for this tent was housing my climbing partner and I on Rainier. After a couple winter camps I was sold. The extended vestibule on the one door is perfect for cooking and storing gear. Two doors is key for any occasion in my opinion. The Hammerhead is also great for all around camping. My 6-month old daughter slept nicely because you can zip up the mesh with nylon to really lock in the warmth.

Hammerhead Space

The Hammerhead design really maximizes your space with how much you have to carry. The ceiling is higher then your usual backpacker tent which is nice for getting dressed or fitting a pack n’ play (yeah did that one time). The floor plan allows room for you and your precious gear. Personally I don’t like leaving gear outside so invite all the trinkets back in for a warm night.

Mountain Hardwear Stability

On Rainier the winds are gusty and powerful. Even though this tent is a little tall it never caved or flopped around. Sure its loud but what tent isn’t screaming at that altitude with 50 MPH winds? While we climbed we came back to our tent right where we left it. Another year I went a guy lost his two-person Bibler to the hungry stomach of a crevasse below Muir. Ouch. Best thing about this tent is the option to go mesh or lock it down with nylon. That way your not buying all the tents on the shelf.

Hammerhead Tent Specs

• 7lbs. 12oz. Heavy for Rainier I know but the thing is a hotel.
• Interior Height – 45″
• 36sq. feet for your late night dance parties.

Bottom Line

Sleeves are for dinner parties. The hooks sustain the stoke and a good nights sleep.

Gear fanatics, sleep well this year in the Mountain Hardwear Hammerhead 3-season 2 person tent.

I think one day all we will need to go camping is pockets. Granted there might be multiple pockets on those pants but you can be sure the MSR Pocket Rocket stove will be neatly stowed away, maybe somewhere on the hip? Ever since the beginning of my backpacking career MSR stoves have been with me every meal and like the Hershey’s chocolate bar; why change?

The Company MSR

With MSR you get fresh, new, and innovative designs in your outdoor gear. Functionality mixed with reliability with a dash of sensible know-how, brings you supreme performance. Since 1969 MSR has been passing the competition with steady strides of consistent growth in their gear. The Whisperlite set lightweight stoves to a new standard and here we have the Pocket Rocket, blowing our minds and boiling our water.

Ever buy those Toblerone candy bars at the airport? Well cut one of those bars in half and thats what size of the case the Rocket comes in. My problem with lightweight small stoves is the stability of the pot on top. I feel like if I am going to cook with these little guys I’m going to need a fort of rocks to keep the pot from falling over.

I haven’t used this stove yet but with my experience with the Superfly it looks like the three prongs come out far enough to keep your boil rolling. Well here’s another thought, if your using the Pocket Rocket in the first place your probably not going to be packing a long a huge pot for 10 people. A teeny cup should do the trick for your minimalist appetite.

Canister vs. White Gas

I’ve had great luck with canister stoves. They are very easy to use and hard to screw up. White gas may pump out the gnarly heat but with canister your not riding the pump train which can be nice for newbie backpackers…or lazies like me. It is fun to pour the left over gas on torches and explore caves; keep out of reach of children.

Pocket Rocket Specs

• Boil Time – 3.5 minutes, your not going anywhere, you’ve got time.
• Weight – 3oz. Is that a stove in your pocket or….?
• Burn Time – 60min. (8oz. canister)

Simmer down, theres enough for everyone with the MSR Pocket Rocket Stove.

If your looking to add a little style to your wardrobe Nixon is always a good choice. If you love your Nixon watch you’ll definitely love wrapping the Nixon Enamel Icon Belt around your waist.

Made with genuine leather and a burly enamel, this belt has served me well. I have had some leather belts that after wearing them for a couple months they start to curve which is annoying for hanging in the closet. The Icon must have some different leather treatment because after the same amount of time it isn’t deforming.

The belt buckle is removable with a snap latch making it easy to share the Nixon style with other belts. I read on the Backcountry.com reviews and someone was saying the belt felt cheap and the enamel was coming apart. It might have just been a fluke, I haven’t seen a hint of defect on mine.

Belt sizing

The Nixon sizing is straight forward. I am a 31 waist and I got the 28-32 size small belt and it works perfect. I might be rounder then I thought though because I am always latching the first hole. I would rather hit the first hole then have 4 inches of left over belt flapping in the wind so that size worked well for me.

Sporting a Belt Buckle

Before I started riding the belt-buckle train I was worried the hunk of metal would dig into my gut making it uncomfortable. It’s been quite the opposite and easier to latch then a normal belt. I use to think buckles were for cowboys but now I have seen the light. If I do ever go snowboarding I can bring along my Nixon belt to not feel so out of the steez loop.

Nixon Belt Specs

• 2.9 inch width.
• 2 year Nixon warranty.
• Genuine Leather.

Bottom Line

Would buy again but one drawback that might bug people is the belt is made in China.

BUY NOW: The Nixon Enamel Icon Belt at Backcountry.com.

It was 45 degrees last night and even though it’s snowing once again here in SLC I am getting excited for the summer months. I was browsing around and found the enormously awesome Big Agnes Dream Island that looks like it sleeps four but I’m guessing just two.

Big Agnes or “The Mother of Comfort” first won me over with their sleeping bag/pad integration. How did they do it? Little piece of nylon sewed on the back of the bag to slip your pad in like a glove. On a side note their pads are ultra warm I really love my Air core.

Big Agnes

Out of Steamboat Springs, Big Agnes provides all you need for your home away from home in the outdoors. Their headquarters boasts a backyard of trails so you know the gear gets a good test by BA employees before it hits your pack. Big Agnes makes something for everyone, recreational hiker to mountaineers.

Bag of Many Uses

When you look at the Dream Island bag you may think, “Oh I would never use that, thats for car camping.” Yeah maybe so, but think about it gear nuts, if your lady isn’t down with camping because of the cold you can snuggle up in this bag of warmth.

Lately I have been thinking about emergency gear for the home for power outages and godzilla attacks. I think the Dream Island will be on my check off list next to wheat and twinkies. The Big Agnes warranty last longer then a 30 yr. shelf life. So even after the second ice age hits Big Agnes will still take care of a broken zipper.

Also when your rocking the boiled water in your nalgenes you can share the warmth rather then pass them back at forth at 3AM.

Dream Island Sleeping Bag Specs

• Weight – 9lbs.
• Stuff Size – 12 x 14in
• Material – Ripstop DWR treated nylon

Get snuggly this summer with the Big Agnes Dream Island sleeping bag.

Have you ever gotten lost? Have you ever admitted it? If you are banging your head on the keyboard because you own a GPS and got lost with it on your dashboard you might want to check Lowrance GPS navigators. Out of the box these puppies pride themselves in ease of use and come with all the extras your looking for in a GPS unit.

The Endura series is keeping up with the Apple iPhone and Blackberry Storm craze with having a touchscreen interface to buzz trails or find that POI everyone on the blog is raving about. Pre-loaded maps and SD expansions slots to cram your MP3’s and pics are just a few of the treats you get with the Lowrance Endura series.

ENDURA SIERRA – $549 (Blue)

The ‘flagship’ of the three units boasts a 4GB internal memory to store tunes and trails. This unit comes with Intermap’s Accuterra, a high resolution topo map to really hold your hand through the backcountry. The Sierra offers the NAVTEQ road network for the lower 48 for that visit to DC, so no worries on getting lost while trying to find Ben’s Chili Bowl. The Sierra accepts many GPX and online community-based content.

ENDURA SAFARI – $384.99 (Gray)

Ever thought of keeping notes when your following a map? Along with the Sierra the Safari has a built-in voice recorder to remind you where exactly you put the toilet paper. The Safari has a stout processor for quick panning and trail loading. Uploaded with detailed maps to help ease the pain of being lost…dis-oriented…errr you know what I mean.

ENDURA OUTBACK – $229.99 (Yellow)

The Outback is a solid affordable choice for getting into the GPS world. This unit comes with a geocaching application compatible with Geocaching.com to go leave baseball cards in lunch boxes tucked under abandoned railroad carts. Full color and touchscreen makes this easy to use and gives you all the POI’s you need for a jam packed road trip. The contours aren’t as detailed as the other models but will get you where you need to be. Don’t forget Fishing Hot Spots and Lakemaster charts already uploaded to catch the big one.

All units are 5.1-inch high x 2.3-inch wide x 1.1-inch deep and weigh you down 5.8oz. Sleek and easy to use, theres no reason not to pack one along and on top of that; not get lost.

Check out Lowrance to find the Endura GPS unit that will make your next trip epic.

Nothing worse then trudging through winter and constantly digging snow out of your boots. When I go snowshoeing I wear my Keen Targhees because they are light and very easy to run around in. The Mountain Hardwear Ascent Ventigaiters go well with low cut shoes or boots for numerous reasons.

The elastic in the back fits nice and snug on a variety of footwear. I had some OR crocodiles back in the day for mountaineering and ice climbing with my Makalus. The OR gaiters are good if you have a big momma beefy boot, otherwise they are very hard to fit snug without the elastic band.

Gaiter Sizing

It is hard to find the right size in a gaiter. With the OR Crocs I wore an XL and with the Ventigaiter I’m in a large. I could probably go down to a medium in the Ventigaiter though because of the type of footwear I am doing. Good rule of thumb is to go by what footwear your wearing. I wear a 10 in the Keen Targhee and a medium/large works, also depends on how massively large your calves are.

With side zips on most snow pants these days the vents on the Ventigaiter work very well. When I first saw the vent I thought I wouldn’t use it but for trekking up to base camp on Rainier its nice to let the calves breath. The top cinch strap seems too big, I can never get it tight enough. I always feel like the gaiter fits really loose on me unless I have extra layers.

BOTTOM LINE

For recreational use the Ventigaiter is your boy. Watch out for crampons though, you probably want to step it up to a FTX gaiter so you don’t slice up the fabric.

BUY NOW: The Mountain Hardwear Ascent Ventigaiter at Backcountry.com.

After using my Nixon Quattro for a little while I got hooked on the Nixon train. Over the past couple of holidays I’ve been less keen on new gear and into the day to day stuff. Sure a new pair of skis is cool, but by Christmas I already have them mounted and 20 days under the bases.

For my birthday I got the Nixon Rotolog and really dig it. The style can be loud, edgy, or sleek depending on what color you get. I went with the orange but looking through the colors its really hard not to envy another color. The wood teak color is pretty snazzy looking.

Reading the time is taking some getting use to. It’s almost like they made this watch specifically for left-handed people because the time feels like its going backwards. And hey, I’m left-handed so I guess thats good for me. When your scoping this in person you’ll know what I mean.

Anyone remember fossil? I know they are still in stores but back in the day they were THE watch. I remember my first metal watch and how it was so dang heavy. After a while you get use to the weight, I mean style comes with a price folks. The Rotolog isn’t that bad at all and fits close to the wrist to stay out of the way.

Nixon Rotolog Lowdown

The latch is very cool. Hopefully by the pictures you can get an idea of how it works. You squeeze the sides and the band opens up. Easy peasy. Not all metal watches are super comfortable. I would say compared to the Quatro the Rotolog is more comfy with how the links are designed. The watch reminds me of the Price is Right wheel to enter into the showcase, so it makes a great good luck charm. Don’t forget to spay or neuter your pets!

BUY NOW: The Nixon Rotolog Watch at Backcountry.com.

Getting the best of both worlds only comes once in a long while. You know how you love your merino top and all its benefits? How about your old fleece that you can’t throw away? Stop cutting and trying to sew your clothing together, the Backcountry.com Agnello top takes care of it for you.

I love my Mountain Hardwear Powerstretch Zip but it can get a bit hot in the chest. The Agnello has merino where it needs to be and then does a powerstretch fleece in the arms. I’ve taken this skiing a couple times already and it works. Keeping your arms warm is key and after working hard your chest is most likely over heating.

Thumb holes. I share Claire’s excitement about thumb holes which the Agnello also provides. Cold morning and your typing away at work? Slip on those thumb holes and enjoy. And of course the other 364 days a year your going to need those thumb holes for skiing and running around in the outdoors. I have dubbed this a solid winter piece but I am not ruling it out for backpacking.

Sizing is true to size. I am 165lbs. and 5″7′ and the medium works great, which is what I normally wear in everything else. Another cool feature is there is powerstretch fleece up the sides of the back placed to keep you plenty warm all around. For camping I used this shirt as a pillow and it worked very nicely, multi-featured, I like it!

From what I have seen with Backcountry.com logo wear, I would buy 2-3 of these because you never know if they’re going to come back or not. This piece is definitely worth getting a couple of, you never know what tragedy can befall your gear.

BUY NOW: The Backcountry.com Prime Agnello Top at Backcountry.com.

Back-up headlamps are always a nice addition to any pack of gear. Hiking in the dark or setting up camp in the middle of the night, whatever situation you find yourself in, you can never have enough light. The great thing about the Black Diamond Ion Headlamp is it stays out of the way and then shines bright when you need it.

Anyone remember Micro-Machines? Talk about the coolest little world to join ever. The Ion could probably stand in as a light post for your Micro-Machines village of hot rods and jet fighters. My favorite thing about the Ion is the strap is very easy to cinch down. I’m tired of headlamps with the middle strap across the head, I am digging these head band style lamps.

I wonder if BD or Petzl will come out with really thick hot pink 80’s style headbands?

The BD Ion So Small Jokes

• The BD Ion is so small it can hide behind a toothpick.
• The BD Ion is so small Tom Cruise coughed up one while filming MI:2.
• The BD Ion is so small the pentagon can’t even find it.
• The BD Ion is so small contact lenses are too big for the bulb.

Well, you get the idea. At an ounce the Ion can’t afford to go on a diet. Easy to replace 6V battery finishes off this sweet piece of gear. I love carrying the Ion in my pocket when I’m hiking. Personally I hate things in my pockets, but the Ion has earned a front seat.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond Ion Headlamp at Backcountry.com.

350 clams for a sled??!? Yeah thats what I was thinking when I heard about these snow contraptions. How good can it be and who is really going to use it? Fortunately I had the chance this last week to take these non-motorized snowmobiles to the sled hill to go nuts; oh and I did.

First off the CherryMax Hammerhead Sled is easy to carry. You can see how the bars are formed which made it super easy to carry it up the hill. After all, sledding should be easy right? Last week at OR I asked the Hammerhead rep how in the heck to ride this thing. She promptly had me take off my backpack, lay on top of it on the ground, and get into the ‘Hammerhead’ position.

I’m so glad I ran into her because she said to make sure your shoulders are in line with the front bar. That was key in keeping my sternum intact while bumping through some of the gnar gnar on the hill. Ok so I get to the top of the hill. Everyone with me is snickering at my Mercedes-Benz sled. I lay down, get into my sternum protection position and start to go.

The steering in the front is ultra touchy. For the first run I tried to keep it straight. Bump after bump after bump my body was softly cradled by the sleds high strung netting. When I hit the bottom I cranked the steering blades hard left and made this huge GS turn from the energy I had left over. AMAZING!

I fell off the sled for two reasons:

• Because I’m use to falling off and it just felt normal.
• I was baffled with how soft and comfortable this sled is.

What?!? No hurt butt!? No damaged shoulders? No sitting at the bottom of the hill with the air knocked out of me?

I probably go sledding 4 times a year. Having more kids now I think that number will grow and my resort days will decrease. Would I buy a $350 sled? After riding the Hammerhead and not dumping it every run wrecking my body. Yes. Yes I would. You really need to ride this thing to feel the magic. Also check the Hammerhead Blog.

Gear Gripe

CherryMax I love your sled but the runners on the bottom come off a little too easy. I spent 20 minutes trying to find a lost skinny runner. I really hope you can add a more secure attachment to keep those babies on.

Bottom Line

Does Yakima or Thule make a rack to carry this thing on top? Bring it on baby.

BUY NOW: The CherryMax Hammerhead Sled at Backcountry.com.

I always bring way to much stuff for backpacking. This shout out for Granite Gear sacks is long overdue. These little sacks have saved me from having to buy a bigger pack and taught me how to ease up on the gear overload on my trips. I mean, there is a limit no matter how many sacks you use.

Granite Gear Sacks Sizing

The most common use for a compression sack is for the sleeping bag. Some compression sacks I have tried to use make my bag into a loaf of bread but I prefer more of a basketball shape. That way at the bottom of the pack I can squeeze things on the sides. For the average sleeping bag, go for a large, it should fit nicely, unless your rocking a massive double.

A medium is really great for packing the bulk of extra clothing. It’s also nice to use for a down jacket on your winter trips.

The small size is really good for more of an organizational purpose rather then for specific items. I usually use it for socks and gloves and a packable t-shirt.

The extra small and the XX large sizes I haven’t used much. For emergency home use these would be great for storing blankets and other useful items.

Granite Durability

I wrench on my compression sacks and probably over stuff them. The straps have never had an issue and I’ve never had the material bust open on me. Your stuff is also easy to get too. Compared to other compression bags, it’s like you have to know the secret password or something to get your stuff out.

BUY NOW: The Granite Gear Compression Sacks at Moosejaw.com.

Mountaineering brings on the fatigue. There is no doubt about that. When your cranking 50lbs. of gear in steel shanked boots the last thing your mind needs is heavy clunky gear. The Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe has been by my side for years and it’s going to take a yeti on steroids to pry it from my white knuckle grip.

My first axe was the raven from about 7 years ago and the pick was hard to grip. It was very boxy and didn’t feel good at all. The Pro is vastly different. The head fits nicely between your fingers as if BD came to your house and molded your hand. The Pro doesn’t have a rubber grip and I don’t think it’s necessary, unless you don’t use gloves then by all means get the grip.

In any piece of gear your always going to find something lighter. The deal with ice axes is when they hollow out the shaft that means you have a hole at the bottom of your axe. The idea of buying a axe 3oz. lighter and then possibly picking up 3oz. of snow at 12,000 feet kinda screws with my head. And at that point in the climb my head needs a vacation.

I like the Raven Pro because at 13.5oz (60cm) you get a dominate beefy axe that isn’t the tank of the pick line-up or the most spendy. For a straight shaft it feels good in the hand and for self arrests it is easy to maneuver (Practice also has a little to do with it). When your pounding a fluke into the snow, it’s all work and no play with the Pro; solid.

Ice Axe Sizing

Make sure when your sizing an axe to consider the fact your going to be wearing crampons while using the axe. It’s ok if the axe feels a little short. I am 5′7″ and use a 60cm axe and at first it felt too short but when your reaching up in the snow and trucking you don’t want to be lugging a long pole up the hill.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond Raven Pro Ice Axe at Backcountry.com

I had the chance this last weekend to take the Black Diamond Mesa tent winter camping. A tent is your home, your shelter, your backcountry getaway of love; never good to skimp on your home away from home. Black Diamond has done a stellar job with the Mesa, here are my findings.

Space

We all need more space with our tent. Whether it be the vestibule, inside, or more gear pockets on the walls. One thought is to decrease the junk we bring camping…nah probably not going to happen. The tent was great for just me, I can see two people fitting fine but its going to be snug. My Big Agnes sleeping mattress size long barely fit the tent. It made the whole floor of the tent into this mattress, which was actually kinda cool. No complaints, why need more space if your not going to use it?

Vestibules were plenty big. I had a oil candle and my Jet Boil busting away with ease. At the top of the zipper of the door it has the hooped nylon to keep the rain out. For this trip it actually rained all morning so that came in handy. Having two vestibules is a plus, I honestly don’t care for single door tents much.

Design

The height fits pretty low to the ground which is great for high ascents and backpacking. Weighing you and your partner down a mere 4lbs. 8oz. I think your back will be stoked carrying and laying down in this nylon home. It was also easy to build a snow wall to block wind and insulate around the tent.

Two doors is the way to go. I am planning on taking this tent on Rainier this summer because the nylon goes pretty high up the wall for warmth. The Mesa is your all around tent with having a mesh roof to take out on the warm trips.

The spider pole design threw me off but I am a firm believer now. Like a spider, there is a metal ring that connects the 6 poles together, two short poles for the fly and four main poles. At first its hard to put together and break it down, but I’m a huge fan now. The system is very to use for one person setting up the tent, which is usually me.

Gripe

For the tent stake loops I wish they had a tightener buckle system to cinch down the fly. When your using the snow to replace tent stakes its hard to dig a mini-pit and then find its not tight enough for the fly. I reckon they didn’t put buckles on because they were trying to save weight. Since BD got Gear of the Year in 2007 from Outside magazine I should keep my yapper shut.

Bottom Line

Its going on Rainier with me this year.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond Mesa 2-person 3-season tent at Backcountry.com.

Pictures: The picture where the packed tent is next to a Nalgene, kinda makes the tent look huge right? Wrong. That’s a mini-nalgene. It’s my first time messing around with camera tricks, hope you got tricked!

Oh so many jackets how can one choose? Let the Arcteryx Beta SL Jacket help you narrow it down. I picked this up a while ago for backpacking, all around use, and well….I hate being wet and cold and this jacket is the one for me.

The Arcteryx Fit

Normally an Arcteryx shell fits me really big. I normally wear a small in Arcteryx but in the beta and theta selection I wear a medium. The beta has a shorter cut on the bottom so I think that is why I’m a medium. In the arms an Arcteryx jacket always has plenty of room for layering, however in the Beta SL their minimalist outlook is not left out by tightening up the arms. Who backpacks with their down jacket underneath a shell anyway?

Compared to the Alpha SL jacket the Beta is going to fit more athletic. I’m liking how the Beta isn’t as long as the Alpha because when I telemark in the Beta my knees aren’t fighting fabric.

The Beta SL Tech

The hoods on jackets are a big deal to me lately. The Beta hood fits a helmet and has an interesting drawstring. The hood cinch cord actually runs vertical rather then horizontal. It’s placed lower then other hoods I have seen. When I cinched it down it opened up my peripheral more then other hoods. This is great for watching my tail when mountain lions are scoping me for dinner.

The GORE-TEX Paclite is very packable and light. I know everyone is jonesin’ for eVent but Paclite is still a solid material that has minimalist written all over it. I packed this jacket to about the size of a softball and 11oz. is nice to wear and carry.

The pockets ride lower then most Arcteryx jackets I have seen. I’m not bagging peaks everyday of the week and the lower pockets make it nice for casual use. Beware there is no internal iPod or wallet chest pocket. I was a little bugged at first but I think I’m over it now. This will probably help me get in touch with my ‘natural outdoorsy purist’ side rather then my ‘rockin’ to Zepplin while sloshing through the backcountry’ side.

BUY NOW: The Arcteryx Beta SL at Backcountry.com.

I got to the check out the Black Diamond Livewire Quickdraw today at the OR show here in Salt Lake. Some very interesting changes that I must have over looked from last year. When I found the LiveWire when I first started climbing I used the rest of my biners for Christmas tree ornaments, I’m a fan of the LiveWire.

The Livewire alone is an amazing design that really sinks the rope in the biner. Obviously the wire is the way to go on the bottom of your draw for an easy clip and for safety. I also like how big the LiveWire is which makes it easier to grab. And if your sketched out on a move the big gate feels good to put the mind at ease.

The Dynotron has ridges on the gate also for your thumb to grip when opening the gate; genius. Both biners on the draw now have ridges on the spine of the biner. It’s basically an i-beam construction for weight distribution. It also looks like a ninja sword design which helps for gripping the biner while clipping. I didn’t think the LiveWire could get any better but I’m glad it did.

This is definitely the ultimate draw for your sport climbing addiction.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond LiveWire Quickdraw at Backcountry.com.

Yeah baby now were talking. After I threw away all my cotton socks for everything I do to switch them out with merino I thought that was the end. “No more sock shopping for me!” I thought. Oh no, I was wrong. If your sold on the warm, dry, and the soft feel of merino, upgrade to the Bridgedale Bamboo Lo sock and get ready to be blown away.

What more can you do with socks? Foot goes in. Keep the foot dry, warm…non-stinky. But to do all of that well, now your speaking my language. Think of moving on to Bamboo like trying an eVent shell after using GORE-TEX for so long. Bridgedale also places vents in the sock in just the right places.

When I wear certain socks they form to my foot. Problem with that is now I have a dedicated left and right sock after I take them off. The bamboo sock doesn’t have that at all, you can switch it over and over again. This is nice for when your hiking and switching out socks and the last thing you want is a bunchy sock on your trek. Blah.

BOTTOM LINE

I’ve worn this sock without washing it for 11 days and no funkiness. Hey Merino! While your up, how about making me a sandwich while I’m out running with my Bamboo socks?

BUY NOW: The Bridgedale Bamboo Lo sock at Backcountry.com.

The coffee shop culture is a fun one that is for sure. So how about taking a piece of the party along with you? I recently began using the Backcountry.com Dawn Patrol Tumbler and I’m 50/50 happy and sad with this little guy.

The Good

It’s small. I would actually take this backpacking its so small. It has a snug screw on top that I haven’t had spill on me yet. The sleek design fits nicely in the hand and in the car. The insulation is impressive. I made hocho and left it on my counter and it sat for 3 hours. Came back, totally piping hot. Sure I forgot my brew but I was impressed with how hot it kept my sweet goodness.

The Bad

The screw top keeps in the liquid but is a serious pain while trying to drink and drive. On top of the lid there is a compartment for a tea bag, I feel like its unnecessary. The problem with the lid compartment is instead of having two females you have a male lid, causing overflow. And also can take away from your portion of brew. This is definitely not your everyday use tumbler. My other gripe is when I got a refill at the shop the owner made fun of the cup saying “it was a poor design”. OUCH!

The Bottom Line

If you know your getting into a non-casual cup you’ll be happy. Oh and the colors are pretty snazzy.

BUY NOW: The Backcountry.com Dawn Patrol Vacuum Coffee Tumbler at Backcountry.com.

Along with the helmet craze I think another trend is rocking low bulk ski gloves. For a while it seemed like the big gauntlet gloves were the trend but now the slim gloves are the norm. I jumped on the boat last year and have been amazed with how warm these little mitts can be. My new favorite finger jacket is the Outdoor Research Criterio glove.

The best part about the Criterio is the zipper instead of the strap. Straps are lame. I already have a strap on my jacket, I don’t need another strap. The Criterio zippers are nice because they are easy to use but aren’t gnarly big and annoying.

From my wrist to the tip of my finger it measures one BIC pen and a tootsie roll and the Criterio fits me perfect in a large. Getting the glove on is a bit tough, however once your in it’s a solid fit. As far as dexterity goes I didn’t have any problems with using my pant side zip to get to my boot buckles. Buckling my boots were easy too, I felt like this glove has a higher dexterity then the OR ExtraVert glove.

The GORE-TEX is ideal for any use along with the 100g EnduraLoft which kept me plenty warm this morning at Alta at 20 degrees. The pointer and the middle finger have padding which I am still trying to figure out what the use is. Maybe a lift line boxing match for first tracks? I’m very happy with this glove overall and would gift it to even my worst enemies.

Gripe

My gripe to OR is when I pull my hand out of the glove the liner comes out in the pinky sleeve. It’s almost impossible to get my pinky back in. I reckon they could make a sewing alteration to overcome this.

BUY NOW: The Outdoor Research Criterio glove at Moosejaw.com.

I am trying harder each day to be more stylish. A peak in my journey has been sporting the Dansko Professional casual shoes that I propose aren’t so casual. I probably wear these shoes 4 days a week and on the other days I miss em. I am tough on my shoes and I hate to abuse these treasures more then needed, not that they can’t handle it.

I have accepted over the years that I am short. It’s fine. But I have definitely looked into height enhancing pills. Thankfully I won’t need to take sketchy meds to get my up’s. The professional gives me about 2.5 inches so if I ever have a business meeting with NBA athletes I won’t be out of the conversation.

Dansko Tech

Inside the shoe the instep is raised and holds up that muscle underneath your foot. I don’t completely understand it but your first 8 hours in the shoe are going to be painful. Your foot needs to get use to that raised section, after that it is smooth sailing friends. The leather is beefy. I’ve drudged through the salty muck snow of the SLC streets and it doesn’t phase these kicks. They scuff a little but that is me, not Dansko quality.

I’m all about the slip-on style shoe. Airport security anyone? Their tazer guns don’t have anything on you. As you can imagine by my enthusiasm for these shoes I have dubbed them my before and after skiing shoe. Their also a great business shoe, I get a ton of compliments and hopefully one day Helen Hunt will buy me lunch. Still waiting for that.

BUY NOW: The Dansko Professional Shoe at Backcountry.com.

If bullet proof vests were any thinner you could probably just go with the Arcteryx Alpha SL jacket. I know eVent is the big topic right now but Gore-Tex Paclite is a tough contender still standing in the waterproof-breathable ring.

Of all the shells I have tried the Alpha SL is probably my favorite. It is so low-key you really forget it’s there even with the rain coming down. I’m not a huge fan of velcro wrist straps on sleeves however on the SL Arcteryx made them thinner and more “out of the way”. My worst nightmare is when I bend my wrist skiing and it won’t budge due to bunchy wrists on my jacket.

The jacket is long enough to cover your hide but still gives you movement for backpacking. I even layered this jacket on Rainier with my Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero jacket and the SL layered well. At a mere 12oz. this is the do-it-all jacket for all the seasons. The SL stands for SuperLight, and believe me, thats what you get.

Add the waterproof zippers and a helmet compatible hood and the Alpha SL makes all your other jackets obsolete. For me Arcteryx fits big, I usually wear a medium in most brands but a small is what works in this brand. I am 5′8″ and 165lbs. dorky looking non-smoker…if that helps.

BUY NOW: The Arcteryx Alpha SL Jacket at Backcountry.com.

A recent dump to the Wasatch flooded our streets with white and our mountains with 20+ inches of fluff. With a recent addition to the family I couldn’t partake of the epic powder but was assigned to keep the sidewalks walkable in my neighborhood. I threw on my new Backcountry.com Shift Welder jacket in an attempt to give it a gear performance pop-quiz during one of the many SLC snow puke sessions.

Under the reviews on the jacket one guy is saying the Welder is “comparable if not superior to the Arcteryx Gamma MX”. I’m not sure if its up to the Gamma level but here are my thoughts.

The BC Design

The material is very soft, well duh its a softshell but I swear the backcountry.com team threw something else into the brew on this jacket. I like that aspect because it makes it super packable and doesn’t restrict any arm movement. For all that crazy snow shoveling I was doing it kinda felt like I wasn’t wearing anything. As far as resisting the moisture it did ok, but I was really wanting my hardshell or my Sigma SV during the snow storm. With the fully welded seams, hence the name, your mind can be put to rest.

I also took this for a run in the cold to see what it could do. The heat regulation was impressive with my merino baselayer underneath. And it also kept me just warm enough to withstand the 19 degrees it was that night.

The wrist cuffs don’t have a velcro strap but has a 3 inch section of lycra (I think) to reduce the bulk. That really makes this jacket a solid touring choice. Along with the teeny foam pads they use to hold the multiple drawstrings, you can tell the design team didn’t let any details slide.

Not my favorite

Ok speaking of details and call me knit picky if you want, but the front zipper. For one it can open from the bottom which I’m really not a fan of. And maybe I got a funky one but its just not very smooth. Maybe the team considered waterproof zippers or a more high-quality zipper but they kinda missed it on this aspect of the jacket.

Bottom Line

I would buy the jacket again because I think its bomber alternative to my array of jackets. It fits with a helmet and has a nice micro fleece lining. The arms fit long so get ready, I’m 5′8″ and usually wear a medium and this jacket in a medium fits perfect. The Tahoe blue color is also really snazzy!

BUY NOW: The Shift Welder Softshell jacket at Backcountry.com.

The best of both worlds is what you get with the La Sportiva Makalu boot. You get a tough rugged steel-shanked sole coupled with a comfortable soft side. What more could you ask for on your Ouray trip or glacier trek? Other then a foot massage after every pitch…

The makalu has been my choice for the past 8 years for all my ice and glacier ascents. Recently a friend of mine has been shopping around for a boot and asked me what I think. Even with all the new tech and fancy details with other boots, I would get the makalu again. The rubber material around the toe is perfect for keeping the boot dry when your front pointing.

The leather is plenty burly for years of abuse. I have seen a lot of forest fire fighters use this boot and you know those guys put on the serious miles. I put on Nikwax every so often and that keeps up the waterproofing just fine. The locking mechanism for the laces is a very nice feature when you need that extra ‘oomf’ and security. Especially when your ice climbing the laces keep you on your A-game.

If your looking for warmth I would suggest going with the Nepal or Spantik. I’ve done all my Rainier ascents with the Makalu and have been fine though. The fact that their 2lbs. 1oz. is also nice, they won’t weigh you down.

BUY NOW: The La Sportiva Makalu Mountaineering boot at Backcountry.com.

After packing 40+ pounds of gear that may or may not get used this trip you stroll into camp finally done with your day. After about 20 minutes of setting up camp you start to boil water for dinner to actually nourish your tired body. Whats worse then eating slop that tastes like nasty left overs in the outdoors? Worry no more and let Alpine Aire spend a little time in the kitchen on your next trip.

It’s always a gamble when your food shopping for a trip. Energy bars, drink mixes, and of course the dinners. I took a leap with Alpine Aire on my last Rainier trip and was very pleased. It seems to me that the food is prepared in such a way that it cooks quick and has a very eatable texture. The pouch is a ziploc style to really lock in the heat to cook the food quick. And hey a ziploc in the backcountry even acts as a storage pouch for left over food. Genius.

I had the Chicken Gumbo one night and with a little Chalua it turned into a great meal. Alone the Gumbo is spicy enough for any regular person but I’m a fan of hot hot food. They also have an array of desserts and other cool sides to keep your tummy happy while your feet might not be. The price on the food also doesn’t leave you like a poor church mouse.

BUY NOW: Alpine Aire Food at Campsaver.com.

The rain is starting to drip on your forehead like Chinese torture. Then a constant stream of water starts at your feet. Because your miles away from the Internet much less this gear review you start to whimper because you could have had the North Face Tadpole 23 tent. Good thing your reading this before your trip.

I’ve only used free-standing tents. They just make sense to me when I’m in a mild wind storm setting up camp by the light of my headlamp. If your looking for a stable straight forward design this should be in your pack. For a single door tent the vestibule is very impressive and has plenty of space for all the gear. I’ve even cooked in a storm and the design handles a stove very well.

You can easily split the 4lbs. 4oz. among your 2-person crew. Whoever gets the poles will be pleased with the DAC featherlite material when carrying them and also when using them to hold up the tent. The mesh sides keep the condensation down and personally I have never had a problem with moisture.

As far as tent length goes if your taller then 6′2″ or so you might consider a different tent. Other then that this outdoor house will keep you snugly wuggly warm against the elements.

A tadpole may sound wussy but believe me this tadpole is anything but, it’s like a tadpole ninja.

BUY NOW: The North Face Tadpole 23 tent at Massey’s Outfitters.

A beanie is a beanie right? Not in my experience. After trying hat over hat I have finally found the best: the Dome Perignon by Mountain Hardwear. You can lose a lot of heat from your head but with this beanie your brains won’t freeze.

The hat is made with Gore-Windstopper making it your new all around use beanie. The stitching and detail in the design really beat the rest. If your not a helmet fan while skiing, this hat works great even with snow coming down because it blocks moisture to keep your noggin’ dry. It’s not waterproof, but compared to other lids it reigns superior.

Has a soft inside and once you put this thing on get ready for the warmth. Imagine a down jacket for your head but without the down. My only warning is the sizing. I wear a medium helmet and the size medium works well for me in this hat. However I have heard a ton of sizing complaints with the large saying it is HUGE. So consider sizing down a notch.

All your other beanies will shy away to the corner with envy when you come home with the Perignon, prepare accordingly.

BUY NOW: The Mountain Hardwear Dome Perignon Beanie at Backcountry.com.

I hiked 65 miles in 12 days and used some old school trail running shoe. Ever since that trip I was sold on using trail running shoes for backpacking. All until I about sprained both ankles numerous times on a little 4-miler. I’d heard great reviews on the Danner Expedition GTX and I’m glad I made the switch.

The rubber toe sold me the most. When your hiking in the morning and brushing through wet grass it’s nice to keep the toes dry. The soles are just solid. The “aggressive Vibram” sole is trail gripper and it may be tough but it’s not heavy. Once again I’m not a huge weight junkie so 2lbs. 10oz might be a lot to some but they feel super nice.

The lacing system has nice hooks that hold well during the hike. The leather is also burly enough for field work or things of that nature. They are more on the narrow side, Danner makes an EE width if needed. My biggest concern with a boot was comfort, obviously, but these things are down right easy on the feet.

Trek with confidence and comfort.

BUY NOW: The Danner Expedition GTX Hiking boot at backcountry.com

Clothing is something I just don’t buy myself. It’s not exciting to go get a new long sleeve shirt compared to getting a new pair of ski boots. A couple months ago it was time to break down and refresh the boring clothing section of my closet. Surprisingly I had a great time shopping thanks to the Horny Toad Noonan Chino Pant and Lloyd long sleeve shirt.

The scarce occasion I do shop for clothing it is like visiting the dentist, except the drilling, it doesn’t smell that bad, and….ok its nothing like the dentist. I use to wear Gramicci back in the day because of the comfort and materials. Horny Toad nailed it with the materials but did way better with the style then most casual brands. The brown plaidish pants are kinda loud but I have loved wearing them for everyday use.

Horny Toad feels like wearing your first kiss or skiing your first freshies (no I’m serious it is). This ain’t your daddys’ old skool Eddie Bauer collection. I know that the shirt and pant I got are going to be around for a long time. It’s hard to find quality clothing and yet want to wear it more then once. Well Horny Toad has me hooked to the point I’ll probably buy the same shirt in different colors and possibly even the same color. Fits true to size and if your not into getting compliments or looking good, stick with the old threads you have circulating in the depths of your closet.

This wasn’t the most hardcore gear post in my day but Horny Toad clothing absolutely rocks.

BUY NOW: Horny Toad Noonan Chino Pant and Horny Toad Lloyd Button-Down Long-Sleeve Shirt both at Backountry.com.

Probably one of my favorite genres of gear; the helmet. Instead of hitting the hospital after hitting the crag bring a helmet, and don’t just hang it on the back of your pack put the lid on. Black Diamond has been perfecting the Half dome for a while now. Ever since my start on rock and ice my head has been cuddled underneath the domes foam and plastic.

Don’t Mess

When your buying cams or safety gear you just don’t skimp. It’s not exactly the kind of gear you go to a flea market searching for a ‘good deal’. Your head deserves the premium gear which is exactly what Black Diamond provides with the half dome.

The headlamp clips are perfect for throwing on the lamp in a rush. They keep your light secure and if you ever flip upside down for whatever reason, don’t worry about losing your light (been there done that). The weight is perfect for all around use. Coming in at 12.2oz the half dome feels solid up on top. On Rainer or on Potash this helmet is great for heat regulation and fits perfect with a beanie when needed.

BD Design

The other thing I like about the helmet design is it doesn’t shoot forward where you have to re-adjust all the time. The rear strap adjuster is an awesome bonus with the half dome to make adjusting a breeze. The chin strap is comfy and the strap are attached in such a way that when you tilt your head forward it stays solid. Save your dome and save the flea market for angel figurines and yucca rain sticks.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond Half Dome at Backcountry.com.

I am glove shopping again. No need to call GWA (Gear Whores Anonymous) I just need some good gloves to get me through the rest of the season. I promise its my last pair. After talking to fellow gear nuts Hestra usually dominated the conversation. The company started in 1936 and started making gloves for lumberjacks. If I ever have a deep desire to chop wood then make a raft out of that wood and leave home for 6 months; Hestra has me covered.

From looking at reviews, these gloves look down right tough. The thing that caught my eye about the Hestra Heli Glove is the big strap thingy attached to the gauntlet. It goes around your forearm so you don’t drop your glove into a crevasse while opening a gel. And yes I actually saw this on Rainier, guy totally dropped his BD Guide glove into a crevasse. Ouch!

I’ve heard a lot of ski patrol are using Hestra because of the ultra tough leather. I don’t mind paying a little more for a glove that is going to last. Translation: I’m super cheap and despite my gear addiction I need a tough glove. Seth Morrison is also rocking Hestra so I hope TGR doesn’t expect me to start dropping crazy cliffs if I sport these while teaching my two year-old how to ski.

Hestra Technology

I am liking how Hestra has dialed in the details. They make their gloves with an Eagle Grip which has a pre curve for a more solid grip. Their Fiberfill insulation is looking toasty with the Snow Lock drawstring. Overall I am impressed and stoked to strap into these warm hand jackets.

BUY NOW: The Hestra Heli Glove at Backcountry.com

It’s fun to enjoy the outdoors with good solid gear and its even better when you get to start outfitting the little ones. Even before I had kids I was really looking forward to getting a kid carrier. My heart was really set on a Kelty pack because thats all I saw but after doing some research the Sherpani Rumba Superlight won my heart.

When our kid was 4 months old we strapped her in the Rumba and were stoked with the performance. The support is amazing for their little head when they fall asleep. The harness system really holds them snug when your scrambling around tight trails. The hip belt fits men and women equally and feels super comfy. Thats a big deal too when your rockin’ the kid with a mostly metal framed pack.

I’m not a huge weight junkie for the most part but the Rumba is 2lbs. lighter then all the other packs I saw out there. It is low profile so when your cruising the farmers market in shoulder to shoulder traffic the pack doesn’t slow you down. It also folds down really skinny which is another huge plus for storing in the car trunk.

The Good and the Bad

The rain cover isn’t super secure. It is a bit flopsy mopsy and doesn’t really clip down. The storage is really impressive. After taking it backpacking the Rumba carried plenty so we weren’t trucking down the trail holding duffle bags. The top rear storage is a lycra stretch pocket which surprisingly is amazing for kiddie stuff. If I were to do it again I would get the Rumba, absolutely love it.

BUY NOW: The Sherpani Rumba Superlight Kid Carrier at Backcountry.com.

I love good gloves. I mean who doesn’t? It’s so nice when you can go skiing with confidence and not worry about your hands getting cold. The Outdoor Research ExtraVert Glove has been going strong for two seasons for me and I’m looking forward to to a third.

I also use these for mountaineering because being able to work ropes and fiddle with ascension gear is key. The light insulation they put in is just enough to keep your hands warm. The softshell backing keeps your temp balanced so your not too warm. To be honest I don’t think I have had many gloves that have been TOO warm. I wouldn’t use this for ice climbing but it works great as a belay glove.

The wool liner is nice too keeping your hands dry and not itch at all. In recent years wool has definitely gotten a better reputation with natural fibers so really ‘itchy’ is no longer tied to wool. The leather wrap-around makes it easy to go to work. I telemark so its nice to be able to fiddle with leashes, skip songs, and be a hippy without having to take my gloves off. Definitely give the ExtraVert a go this year, I promise some serious stoke.

BUY NOW: The Outdoor Research ExtraVert Glove at Backcountry.com.

My feet get so hot. I mean it is unreal how hot they get. My lady reminds me that I need to ease up on the laces but nothing ever works. I have yet to find a stellar breathable all around shoe. I got the Keen Targhee II to replace my Chacos for hiking and they did ok but I especially love them for winter.

My Targhees have the eVent fabric which I haven’t seen much success with. Hopefully the new KEEN.DRY coming in 2009 is going to keep people like me in mind and bring down the temperature.

The great parts about this shoe is the famous Keen rubber toe and the burly sole. I actually took these out snowshoeing last year and they did really well. I made sure to wear a solid gaiter other wise I would have been toast…well in this case frozen toast. The nubuck leather blocks out the snow and does great at keeping you dry.

I think when they built the laces Keen secretly knew I was going to buy them one day because I can’t crank on the laces. Don’t get me wrong they stay on just fine just thought it was interesting.

BOTTOM LINE:I really dig these for winter use and recreational snowshoeing but they do better keeping cool in my closet rather then on my feet in the summer.

BUY NOW: The Keen Targhee II Shoes at REI.com.

When I think of skins I can’t help but laugh. Such an amazing and great invention and yet so easy to really screw up when your cutting them. For my first pair of un-used skins I jumped on to TGR and searched around for tips. Luckily I had some great advice that prevented some massive mistakes. Even if you do make a couple junky cuts the Black Diamond STS skins make up for it with solid performance on the up and up.

The great thing about the STS skins is the rear attachment is all ready to go. I had to attach that thing back in the day for another pair of skins and it is super tough, and in the process I think I lost 30% of the pieces. Not good. Ok back to the STS. Fit super strong on the ski and don’t flop around as your climbing.

You can always get the Nikwax skin waterproofer that helps keep them dry and working primo, but as is these skins kill it. You will notice on the sticky side that their is about an inch wide strip that goes from the tip to the tail. Not exactly sure of the mind set behind this but I am pretty sure it is to decrease the amount of glue that your using to make taking the skin off easier. Leave it to BD to keep up on the innovation.

Throw in a reversible tip loop to fit a wide range of tips and the ultra solid camming device for the tail and your on your way. You can also check out this video from Brig reviewing the Glidelite skins.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond Ascension Nylon STS skins at Backcountry.com.

We have all had numerous watches. I’m no different. From the Swatch uber cool decoder watch from ‘99 to my Suunto Vector computer, my wrist has seen many time keepers. If it were possible I would choose to take laps on Mt. Rainier everyday in the summer and live on Wasatch slopes in the winter.

Truth is, I work a day job like most of you. I really don’t NEED to know what elevation my break room is. I do like style and durability and thats why the Nixon Quatro watch is living on my wrist these days and will stay that way for a long time.

As I am typing this post the Quatro is chilling on my right hand. As I bend my hand up and down to SHIFT and CTRL it doesn’t get in my way. My biggest complaint with past watches is when I type the thing is flopping around like dead weight. The face isn’t so big that it digs into the top of my hand but big enough I can actually read the time. I did wish it had the date but it forces my pea brain to remember it throughout the day.

I had a fossil watch one time and the metal band drove me crazy. Flipping the little clip to take it off became a chore because I think the metal wore out or something. The Nixon band clip is really solid and easy to take off and put on. I got the Gunmetal color and it’s been a nice low-key choice. The weight of the watch is nice too, doesn’t weigh me down like the old metal watches and neither does the price.

BOTTOM LINE: It may not be the most hardcore piece of gear I own but its definitely one I use everyday.

KEEP TIME: The Nixon Quatro Mens watch at Backcountry.com

Tents don’t wear out per se I just find cooler ones to buy. If your looking to have a tent stay in your pack for years to come the Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 tent would be my pick. Been using it for a while now and here are my findings.

I like how Mountain Hardwear really switched up their tie down material near the stakes of the tent. Its a super thin low-key strap that is surprisingly strong. The top pole that creates space on the roof of the of tent is also nice for keeping the fly away from the mesh which kept us dry this summer.

The weight of this thing is amazing. They only used the lightest of materials down to the shock cord in the tent poles. Minimum weight is 3lbs. 15oz and that divided…well you do the math. I like how it has the two doors and not only that but two vestibules. This is great for not mixing your gear around with your tent partner and leaves more cooking space.

Its all about the hooks. I am so done with sleeves. Hooks are so easy to use and make the set up ultra quick. The fly is a very waterproof and tough piece keeping you warm and dry. Packs down small and would be a great replacement for that old smelly tent in your garage.

BUY NOW: The Mountain Hardwear Skyledge 2.1 Tent at REI.com.

I thought polypropylene was a thing of the past. I used it back in the day and then merino hit my skin and I have since forgotten the silky threads of poly. If your still not ready to make the switch or missing your poly check out the Helly Hansen Crew Shirt.

I got a top this week and the first place I went was the tag. “ugh poly”, I thought. And then I concluded that companies spend a lot of time, money, and passion to make their products. I took it running to stroll down memory lane of the ol’ poly days.

The feel of the shirt is different from the poly I have been use to. The material has open cells to keep the skin dry and move moisture. My past experience with poly has been locking in the wet and the stink; not a good match. The shirt didn’t make me run faster but it did great with keeping me dry.

How many shirts do you have come with racing stripes? I had to laugh when I saw the stripe coming through the arms but hey, a little steeze is fine by me. I have yet to take this skiing but the users have been saying it does what you need. It’s worth a try. Worse comes to worse I switch out my top at lunch along with my skis. A clothing quiver? Wow, I am a gear freak. The other thing I was stoked on was the low-bulk cuffs, if your stuff is low-bulk its fine by me.

Helly Promise
Helly Hansen gives a 30 day performance promise with their dry tops. In 30 days if it doesn’t perform better then any dry top you can get a full refund. If your looking for a pro-athlete opinion Chris Davenport has a couple things to say about HH gear.

BUY NOW: The Helly Hansen Crew top – Long Sleeve at Backcountry.com.

Goggles can be our best friend or our worst enemy. I mean don’t we just want to see clearly? Is that too much to ask? Ask and ye shall receive with the Electric EG1 goggle, straight forward specs to help you dodge groms, tree stumps, and yard sales.

I have been trying these goggles the past couple of ski days and I love the simple design. The anti-fog coating has been great and I haven’t had to put cat crap on. The elastic band fits a helmet perfect and it doesn’t have a ton of extra material that bunches up or anything.

For the price I really feel like I am getting a ton of bang for my buck. I can see perfectly through the Gold Chrome lens they come with. The lens increases contrast and I don’t feel like I am skiing in some toon land with crazy colors. I feel like the medium fit is perfect for my face. They don’t have a ton of extra lens or frame that I am lugging around.

You even get a free lens from Electric which is always sweet. I got the rose lens because they work for me while I go night skiing. Compared to the Spy and Oakley goggles I have used in the past, these Electrics bring it for sure. Not to mention the high steeze factor.

BUY NOW: The Electric EG1 Goggle at Backcountry.com.

What more could you want then buying gear for yourself then outfitting your kids? It finally came time this year to get my little one a sleeping bag. I know kid sleeping bags all look the same but I am really digging the North Face Blue Ridge Bx bag and if my girl could lay down some vocab she would probably share my opinion.

I had to carry three sleeping bags everytime we went camping this year so I wanted to make sure this one packed down really well. I have always had good luck with down getting small but the synthetic did really well. I got it down to about a half sized loaf of bread. I really don’t mind carrying the extra weight, anything to get my family out, it is a nice bonus that it fits in my pack though.

Seems like these last couple of years the half zipper has been a trend and I am not exactly sure why. For packing a kid in the bag it is really nice because my daughter is about as tall as two computer keyboards. And the half-zip is all I need. Since she is so short we wrapped the un-used bottom of the bag and tucked it underneath her as a pad. When I checked on her throughout the night her hands were always toasty, I wouldn’t go with anything less then this 20 degree.

She woke up at her usual 7am but I was happy. She got freaked out a couple times with the bag over her face so pack along your usual blankets. To get my ladies to go backpacking with me it was worth carrying the extra 2lbs (not including the insane amount of kid stuff that also come along).

BUY NOW: The North Face Blue Ridge Bx Sleeping bag at Backcountry.com.

I get carried away sometimes of how cool I think am with my gear selection. Last year on Rainier I wanted all my gear to be lighter, smaller, and perform like a jaguar ninja. I brought along the Petzl e+LITE headlamp and I have to say I am impressed but probably wouldn’t take it again.

PRO’S
Don’t get me wrong. Petzl did a great job cranking out the power with this teeny little guy. Check out these treats.

• 45 Hours of light
• Free pivot position which is great for hanging in a tent.
• Chill elastic band that doesn’t give you a headache.
• 27 grams of weight, let me know if that is too heavy for you.
• Lithium battery that can be easily replaced.
• Flashing switch for throwing a dance party at your campsite.
• Sweet clip for going on the climbing harness.

CON’S
It’s a great backup, I wouldn’t use this as your main headlamp.

• The light strength is great, but not good to rely on for serious night hiking.
• It can feel a little loosey goosey when your trying to change the light option.

Ok really not too many con’s. For $30 this would be great for throwing in the car to change a flat at night or as a back up light source for your trip. The case it comes with is pretty sweet for keeping matches dry or anything else you can stuff in there. The size is unbelievable though, you really won’t know its there in your pack.

BUY NOW: The Petzl e+LITE Emergency Headlamp at Backcountry.com for $29.95

The easy to use pump has a ceramic filter to get all the ickys out of your backcountry water.

The Icky Menu

• Bacteria
• Protozoa
• Crypto
• Giardia
• Particulate
• Lame Taste

Order up! All of these and more won’t come with your batch of water. It really isn’t rocket science when you want your water either. Dip the hose into running water, screw on the nalgene, pump, repeat. At 1 liter per minute you really won’t be waiting long to re-hydrate your buddy who is waiting for the yucky tablets to de-gross his water.

When I hike there is nothing better then good tasting cold water. The pump doesn’t come with an A/C to keep the water cool but you get the idea. The pump packs down to about the size of a skinny nalgene and at 16 oz. I have found it’s worth carrying the weight for what performance it provides. Cleaning the ceramic filter is super easy after your trip, the MiniWorks comes apart very nicely and goes back together with ease.

If you ever need help with the pump or a random piece, MSR is a top notch company who is just a phone call away. They have gotten me out of a pinch a couple times and never make me feel like the dummy I am. If your wondering what to get that world traveler who frequents Mexico this pump should be in their stocking this year.

BUY NOW: The MSR MiniWorks EX water filter at Backcountry.com for $84.90.

I don’t snowboard. The only thing I know about Shaun White is that his nickname is “the flying tomato” or something like that. This year I am thinking of leaving my uber hardcore Arcteryx collection in the closet this season and switching over to the Burton Shaun White Cosmic Delight, gotta get my tomato flyin’.

I feel like I am getting left in the dust when it comes to steeze. I chatted with a snowboarder friend of mine and asked him about the Burton jacket quality. Just so happens its not all about 80’s colors and an overload of pockets.

The Shell
Ladies and gentlemen I give you Durashell. This fabric is all about maximizing the waterproof power mixed with breathability through laminating three layers together. Feeling the outer fabric in the store this is going to not only blocking moisture but gnary durable. Boarders tear up their gear and from the looks of things the Cosmic is delivering.

The Insulation
Low-bulk Thermacore insulation focused on increasing mobility without letting go of warmth. My Primaloft does that…sounds good to me. Whether your a flying tomato or dodging tomatoes on the way down, this jacket will keep you bustin’ moves.

Ok where do I sign? Finally some style with hardcore materials. Personally I really like the Bright White Faded Stripe, so if you see me dropping a knee at Alta don’t boo me off the mountain please.

Reality Check!
Am I crazy? Should I not worry about looking good on the hill? I really think a re-vamp in style will be more effective then lifting weights and lunges at night. Correct me if I am wrong.

BUY NOW: The Burton Shaun White Cosmic Delight Jacket at Backcountry.com.

The material is similar to a North Face Apex jacket using their Spylon water resistant technology. The wife really wanted white so I have been crossing my fingers hoping the jacket isn’t ridden with goopy stains from our kid. After a week of partying with the family for the Thanksgiving break the material has held up well and I can tell we will be just fine for the upcoming goopy season, not to mention repelling the snow and water.

The inner material is very soft making it a solid all around lifestyle/performance piece. I like hoods but ones that get in the way really bother me. My wife said that the small fitting hood is nice because it stays out of the way and when you need it the cold is blocked out really well. The fleece lining in the hood is also superb with the uber soft pimp-chimp (from Mountain Hardwear) like fleece. You won’t need a beanie when rockin’ the hood which makes it nice when your 5 beanies are MIA.

Spyder Sizing

The wife is 5 foot nothing and the XS in the Arc Tech fits great. Doesn’t seem like there is any hidden measurements to throw you off so feel free to order with a peace of mind. Oh and can I just say the price is phenomenal? $130 and your in a sweet jacket. Who said Spyder had insane prices? This is the ultimate Christmas gift for the lady.

BUY NOW: The Spyder Arc Tech Softshell at Backcountry.com for $129.95.

Not everyone can go back in time and try out for Top Gun to be Mavericks right hand man, but at least we can wear aviators like Mr. Cruise. I could never bring myself to impersonating a cop, mainly because its a felony, but if I ever wanted to the Smith Serpico sunglasses would be my choice of facewear.

The Tapered Lens Technology actually makes it so your vision doesn’t get scrambled even though the bend in the glass admits you to high-class Hollywood parties. The tapered lenses mixed with the polarized finish give your eyes a seamless drive home. I am a huge fan of the wrap style sunglasses, the coverage does wonders for blocking out sun that creeps in on the sides.

Smith also has their uber swank Optically Delicious site which really lets you test drive these puppies without closing gear.com, facebook, solitaire, and anything else you have running on the screen. The frame is very durable along with the carbonic lens. Carbonic sounds a lot like bionic and performs quite similar; it is the ultimate impact lens tech. What else do you expect from a prestigious optics company?

BUY NOW: The Smith Serpico Sunglasses – Polarized at Backcountry.com.

It’s the little gear that counts. This is one of my favorite bring-a-longs for winter camping. Even if your not stomping around Camp Muir anytime soon these are great for around the crib on colder days. If your looking for a simple yet rugged design in a bootie, go for The North Face NSE Tent Bootie II.

When I was shopping around for a bootie I didn’t think it should be a big deal. I wasn’t trying to be picky but I felt like most booties were weak sauce. Not the NSE. This down slipper has a grippy rubber bottom that worked great for walking around camp in the snow. They kept my feet warm but more importantly kept them dry. The NSE is more packable then its cousin the Nupste Bootie which has the ultra sturdy EVA sole. Pick your poison.

Putting them on is a little tight, I feel like the elastic opening is going to rip when I slip in but no worries after a couple times. It’s kinda like popping out Smith lenses the first time. The down is superb for wrapping your feet in, the 700 fill did not disappoint. Even the non-gear freaks will enjoy these matching jackets for their feet.

BUY NOW: The North Face NSE Tent Bootie II at Backcountry.com.

I’m not a huge messenger bag man myself. There was a massive trend last year to have an over the shoulder bag but I just couldn’t get into it. I think companies are realizing that not everyone rides a fixie and is stoked on the massive compartment that rides more on their back then their side. Osprey brought out the Float Courier Bag this year, and I think they are on to something.

To clarify, I’m a backpack man. Two straps, main compartment, evenly distributed weight; I’m good. I’ve been looking at this bag for my wife who is in desperate need for a sassy diaper bag and I am considering changing my belief system. On the green side of things, Osprey came out with the ReSource series which uses recycled materials for at least 70% of the bag. Thats way cool and will go a long way with the urban peeps.

The Stoke

• It’s not massive. It looks small but the compartments are impressive.
• When you open the top flap it doesn’t engulf you in fabric restricting your arms to retrieve fish crackers and the binky.
• It has an outer bottle holder for a small sized nalgene.
• Cell phone case on the strap. No more digging at the bottom of a black hole to search for the Justin Timberlake ringtoning phone.
• Comfy hip pad with a waist strap to stay secure for chasing the little one at the farmers market.
• Has an iPod cord holder on the strap to keep cords organized if your jamming.

BUY NOW: The Osprey Float Courier Bag at Moosejaw.com.

There is something to be said for a piece of gear that isn’t plastered with logos. I got to a point last year where I got a little burned out with gear whoring logos like they were going out of style. I wanted to stay warm, look good, and just be me. Backcountry.com nailed with their signature Wool Hooded jacket. I mean look at the name! No funky words, no code names. It is what it is.

The Inside

The inside of the jacket has this super soft micro fleece lining that is awesome for running out the door in a tee to go shovel snow. There are two pockets towards the bottom that are good for gloves, trick-or-treating, or bringing home a light load of groceries.

The sleeves have cuffs which are really nice to lock in the heat. No iPod pocket but c’mon, when your rocking this jacket birds will surround you with song. Hasn’t happened to me yet but it might.

The Outside

The jacket is made with a wool blend and it worked great for spring skiing this last season. Just enough beef to resist wind and bomber protection to shed snow. I’ve also been caught numerous times in the rain with this jacket and it has performed nicely. The hood doesn’t have the articulation cinch cord but for a casual piece you don’t really need one.

The main reason I love this jacket is because it’s not filled with cinch cords and weird pockets. The chest pocket is nice for the phone or wallet. The hand warming pockets also serve the lady well when she forgets her Wool Hoody in the car. Leave the logos at home, slip into this sweet action for some outdoor satisfaction.

The Fit

I am 5″7′ coming in at 155lbs. and the medium fits great. Its a mix between an athletic and casual fit. Looking at the reviews might help if your on the fence with a size.

Buy Now: Search for Stoic (Backcountry.com) Apparel (this jacket is discontinued)

It was a nice sunny day at Snowbird. The ski area was buzzing with shredders, the slopes smelled of pine, and the clouds seemed to twinkle…errr hold up! Before this turns into poetry hour lets get into the gear. Had the chance to try out the Arcteryx Beta AR pant today and I am pleased to share my findings.

The Good

This pant is beefy. The ankle panels feel like alligator skin and the GORE-TEX has a Chuck Norris beat down feel to it. Durability has never been a question with a brand like Arcteryx. The pant has nicely placed side zips to keep air passing through. The vent starts at the top of the pant a little below the waistline so you can actually grab it rather then fiddle around with your jacket. I used my Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch tight underneath and it was a good match for the semi-chilly temps.

No back pocket, just a little pocket on the right to fit chapstick and two forms of I.D. I like the one pocket because it forces me to leave stuff in the car. The other thing that was missing, that I didn’t miss, was that gator thingy that bunches up and hardly ever fits around my ski boot. They replaced that cuff with a cord cinch which is more minimalist. For the record the bottom of the pant fit perfect around my boot.

The Not So Good

I know these pants are focused towards mountaineering but for the price tag I would also like to use them for my telemark trail blazing. I found these pants really hard to drop a knee in. The knee is articulated somewhat but I think it is only slightly for ice climbing and hiking. When I did drop a knee I felt like the pant was either hiking up my leg or pulling my pants down. I’m gonna have to get with the program and match my sport with one of the many Arcteryx fraternities.

Beta AR Specs

• Weight: 16.6oz.
• 3/4 length side zips that are waterproof.
• Straight forward belt with elastic waist band.

BUY NOW: Arcteryx Beta AR Pant at Backcountry.com

If I ever start boxing my choice of vest weaponry would be the North Face Nupste Vest. The thing is straight up beefy and if anyone ever bit my ear off I could use it as a pillow to wait for the ambulance to arrive. My sorry 150 lbs. won’t be entering the ring anytime soon so I’ll probably just use this vest for keeping the vitals cozy in the cold.

The Warmth

In the past I used my down jacket under my shell for the super cold days. The problem with that is I limit my arms to little or no movement. Overheating is also a problem when sporting a full down coat. That all goes away when I slip on the Nupste underneath and in most cases has plenty of feathers to lock in the heat. For running a muck downtown late at night this vest also keeps my hands warm with the fleece lined pockets. Gotta keep the paws warm when your throwing snowballs at strangers.

The Fabric

Over the years The North Face has made a stronger more water resistant nylon with their insulated jackets. The nupste has a mini-ripstop weave nylon which is very durable however I wish it was even more water resistant then it is. That is my only gripe. Not that your going to be using this in a down pour but it’s always nice to keep the feathers inside toasty and dry.

The Low Down

• 700 goose down fill, good for all around use.
• Weight: 19.2oz and has a stow pocket to make that pillow mentioned above.
• I usually wear a medium, the nupste is a bit big on me so consider sizing down.

BUY NOW: The North Face Nupste Down Vest at Backcountry.com.

Like Claire said, the Wasatch is getting the flakes and the chilly weather no doubt. I am glad to have the Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Tights on hand to get that extra warmth for making turns and avoiding hypothermia. Stretchy pants aren’t just for Nacho Libre.

These pants are going to be more of a heavyweight layering piece which I like for cold days and mountaineering. I am not a yoga person but I am sure if your into winter yoga the athletic fit will provide all the desired freedom. The stitch near the ankle is very low profile which is great for tucking it into my ski boot and not having it bunch up. The Polartec fleece also does wonders for keeping dry which surprises me for such a heavyweight bottom.

I have been using capilene for a long time and its great for touring and for warmer conditions. The Power Stretch is ‘the bottom’ to sport for those colder temps where you need to be generating heat rather then focusing on the wicking power of a lighter bottom. I don’t see that Mountain Hardwear has come out with the Nacho red and blue scheme, maybe next year.

Stretchy Pant Highlights

• Elastic waistband to reduce bulk.
• Snug athletic fit all around, no bagginess.
• I am 5′8″ and the medium works great, around a 30″ inseam.
• Impressive price for such a hardcore piece of gear.

BUY NOW: Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Tights at Backcountry.com

Rolled up late to the camp spot and you can’t even find a tree to bang your head against because its so dark. Let there be light! I checked out this sweet ray of sunshine and with a brand like BD and something I’ve always wanted, this is going into my pack with no delay.

The Black Diamond Apollo sheds a 30 foot radius of LED rays at that dark but primo campsite. The thing is super durable sporting aluminum stays, but what else would you expect from BD? The reviews on Backcountry.com are informative and entertaining. Everything from “the size of a can of soup” and named “the Scout Master’s Choice”.

I have been wanting a lantern for a long time but I’ve just been holding out. I definitely don’t want to mess with gas and lighting little bags on fire. Coupled with BD’s NRG Rechargeable Battery Kit, this will dominate your gear supply and the darkness around you. Also would fit nicely into a stocking right above the orange and next to the Star Wars Pez dispenser.

Apollo Specifics

• Weight: 7.8oz, light enough for ya?
• 60 hours max, long enough for ya?
• Collapsed 5×3in Extended 9.5 x 3in, small enough for ya?

LET THERE BE LIGHT: Black Diamond Apollo Lantern at Backcountry.com.

DON’T FORGET BATTERIES: Black Diamond NRG Rechargeable Battery Kit.

There are a ton of options out there for ski pants and you’ve tried most of them. I telemark myself so the most important things I need in a pant is articulation and breathability. Whether it be through side zips to open on the lift ride or a stellar material, at some point I need cool down time. The great thing about the Westcomb Vapor FX is you don’t have to wait till the lift ride or bury your legs in snow. The eVent shell releases that heat as your charging or hiking the skin track.

The basic run down of eVent is that the pores on the material are open to actually release the moisture created when your baking while skiing. This helps keep you dry keeping you warmer. On the Vapor, Westcomb reinforced the butt of the pant which I think is very useful. So what if I want to do some slopeslide luge in my Vapor pant? They’ve got me covered.

And just because the pant can breath doesn’t mean it won’t keep you dry. eVent has been praised time and time again for its bombproof shell blocking out the moisture. The Vapor was rated “Best in Test” by Skiing Magazine this last month giving it that cushy street cred we all adore. I really am digging the concentration on articulation by Westcomb. Their jackets have it too, giving us ‘freeheelers’ that ‘freedom’ we constantly search for.

After hearing it from the other guys for such a long time that your going to ’stay cool’, slip on the Vapor and experience what it really feels like.

BUY NOW: Westcomb Vapor FX Ski Pant at Backcountry.com.

Just like the iPhone, you can update your Ortovox S1 beacon with the new 2.0 update. Except the iPhone can really only take pictures of the snow and chances are the coverage isn’t that great to call anyone for help. The S1 has stellar new features for backcountry use but won’t be playing music or videos anytime soon.

Ortovox has added filters to eliminate noise that confuses your buddy with radio signals bopping around the area your in. This has also made the program on your S1 find your friend faster and more accurately. The S1 has a screen to easily display multiple burials in a slide. As advanced as the beacon is, I wish it could also speak and tell you what friend to help out first. If you have an s1 I am sure most of your ski partners are going to be picking up the beer tab, drive to the hill, and even pack some of your stuff. You have that going for you, which is nice.

The overall update is increasing the signals from 6 to 8 making all the new features possible. To update your beacon send it to:

Ortovox
455 Irish Hill rd.
Hopkinton NH 03229
603-746-3176
ortovoxusa@aol.com

http://www.ortovox.com

Include a $14 check to cover return shipping and insurance. To avoid sending your precious beacon away and if your not in a huge rush, check with your local Ortovox retailer as some of them will be receiving the update tool.

WARNING: Attend an avalanche education course before heading into the backcountry. Buying this device does not make you invincible or magically turn you into a super hero.

BUY NOW: Ortovox S1 Avalanche Beacon at Backcountry.com.

Anyone remember the old Subzeros? It was my first pair of Oakleys and they built the foundation of steeze.This last year I used the A frame, the fit was great for my helmet and the view it offers is great for spotting speedsters in your peripheral. Buzzing around the mountain I didn’t think polarized was an option. Time to switch things up.

I used the persimmon lens and it seemed to work well for all around conditions. I mean it would be great to have a handful of lenses in my glove box to switch out at any time but lets be serious. The polarized lens is great for increasing contrast and cutting down glare on my sunglasses but goggles? If the polarized can replace the 3 lenses that are recommended for various ski conditions sign me up.

Oakley claims to rise above everyone else by cutting down the haze and distortion other polarized lenses come with. Worth a try, definitely when your dealing with the brightest thing ever; snow.

I didn’t notice a huge fog issue with the A frame, Cat Crap is always a good remedy if your going blind. I really tried to keep these babies on my face as much as possible so my beanie didn’t heat them up. If your rocking a helmet though it shouldn’t be a problem. My request from Oakley is to bring back the Subzeros and the old school Oakley logo on goggles, but the polarized lens will definitely be popping into my A frames this season.

BUY NOW: Oakley A Frame goggle at Backcountry.com.

After having a couple unwanted run-ins with groms I was sold on a helmet. My biggest hold-ups in sporting a helmet was it being too heavy, too cold, too hot, and too bulky. ‘Coolness’ wasn’t really a factor, I figure that won’t happen for me in this lifetime. After trying on a couple brain buckets I snagged a whatever one with a Mp3 hook-up, plugged in, and loved my new found confidence. I should have held out for the Smith Variant Helmet, most helmets these days are keeping up on the tech but you’ve gotta check this lid out.

The Variant brings your noggin AirEvac 2 technology which moves air from the front to the back of the helmet keeping you regulated. Teamed up with their regulator goggle this reduces fog to keep you groovin’. The other cool thing about the Variant is the adjustable vent system up top. There are left and right vents you can open and close with your glove on. Talk about personalization.

The fit feels great, super easy to adjust and really connects with the dome. If the AirEvac tech and 18oz weight doesn’t get you stoked, chat it up with Chris Davenport. Looks like he is in Antarctica right now so just ping him when he gets back. If you still haven’t gotten on the helmet train this would be a great ticket to buy to not stick out on the hill. After wearing a lid for 5 minutes you’ll forget its there. Oh and its safe and stuff.

BUY NOW: Smith Variant Helmet at backcountry.com.

You don’t mess with another mans gloves. And you don’t leave them at home either. Probably in the top 5 for most important pieces of gear along with cell phone, iPod, and back-up cell phone. I’ve used the Black Diamond Guide glove for just about anything under the clouds, including digging a car out of the snow.

The inside of the gloves give your hands the soft cushy goatskin they deserve. The lining and the Primaloft insulation not only provide warmth but a nice padding for the ice climbing crowd out there. Slamming your knuckles on jagged sharp ice repeatedly, talk about pain. For mountaineering I have really liked them because I can still tie my knots and manage my prusiks without having to take my gloves off. The leather in the palm is super grippy with the axe, skis, and snow shovels.

On a deep day skiing, the gauntlet is key for keeping the snow out and your hands dry. This may sound weird but this glove supports my thumbs really well. Every once and a while my ski pole will jerk my thumbs, maybe Black Diamond was compensating for this I’m not sure, but my joints are grateful for the mini-pillows. The gauntlet drawstring is easy to tighten but loosening it up can take some getting use to. Don’t worry you’ll have plenty of time to practice while at dinner parties showing off your new BD gloves.

Glove Specifics

• Material: 4-way stretch Shoeller and Gore-tex XCR.
• Weight: Medium 11.1oz.
• Kevlar capped fingers to keep them movin’.

BUY NOW: Black Diamond Guide Glove at Rei.com.

Tis’ the season to be stuffing bags in overhead compartments and paying $14 for gnarly tuna sandwiches in airports. Personally I don’t travel well. I was one of those kids that the flight attendant picked out and made sure I got the captain wings. It’s stressful. Especially when your scooting across the country for some sweet powder but your Dr. Pepper is flat on the connect from Chicago.

Ok ok, I’m getting worked up. I have had the Osprey Sojourn 22 all summer and it has definitely made me more pleasant on the go. The straight jacket compression design is great for cramming a couple more things in and really wrenching it down to fit in the overhead. The zippers have a 3 inch long plastic handle to quickly open your bag and slam the Red Bull right before you have to throw it away at the security line. No liquids, bummer.

The polyurethane wheels run ever so smooth and do great loaded down with ‘extra’ bags your friends are too lazy to carry. The real big test for me was if it could stand up weighted with stuff. Even carrying my clunky timbuk2 laptop briefcase, the Sojourn stood strong upright. The backpack straps that come out are surprisingly comfortable and very supportive. I used those babies while trucking around Mexico ruins this summer. Lastly, the bag really protects my stuff. Not that I travel with rare Indonesian plates or anything, but the side foam is great for bringing home Alta shot glasses for the poor souls that couldn’t make the trip.

Bag Low Down

• Weight 7lb 4oz.
• Top and side handles for easy lugging.
• Attaches easily to the 28″ version.
• 2400cu in (40L) quite a bit of space actually.

BUY NOW: Osprey Sojourn 22 pack at Rei.com.

Seems like these days graphics are becoming more and more important. Underfoot? Flex? Core? Forget about it, how are the graphics dawg?!? Just because people are throwing down some steezy ink doesn’t mean you don’t get a killer plank. The Icelantic Shaman brings you a stout 110 waist along with rockin’ features making it a great addition to your ever expanding quiver.

When I pick up a pair of skis for some reason I go right to the sidewall, I have no idea why. The white waxy finish threw me for a second. Yep, thats P-tex alright. Good for easy repairs, avoiding blowing an edge, and transferring energy. It’s nice to see a ski company address such issues. Not too bad of a website either.

The 160 mm clover looking tip is quite competitive in this years line up. Everyone is wanting the big momma wide skis. But what happens when you forget your skinnies and powder isn’t on the menu? The Shaman’s construction is going to be nice for busting crud and getting you down the hill after taking face shots in the secret stash. The burly flex will keep you stable at high speeds (speed suit sold separately) and the weight is ideal for the backcountry. And the graphics are arguably the steeziest on the hill, which remember is the most important part.

Ski Specifics

• Weight: 173cm 8.43 lb (pair).
• Poplar wood core.
• Handmade in Colorado with 2 year warranty.

MOUNT EM’ UP: Icelantic Shaman Ski at Backcountry.com.

Everyone has a shirt or pair of comfy pants that they will never lend to anyone because the thought of losing it would make that person never want to get out of bed. Ok, this is mine. I have had the Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Zip T for 6 years now and this year on the anniversary I made sure to take it out for dinner.

For a heavyweight layering piece I use it for skiing and for mountaineering. The reversible design is great for switching things up. You can switch out the soft side to outside for a more warmer trip and vice versa for the more colder weather. The zipper is also really nice because it doesn’t irritate my chin at all. The arms stay nice and snug when you put on your shell so your not having to pull shirt scrunchies through the arm hole.

For touring it is a little warm so I would stick to the merino. I have loved this shirt for hanging around camp and cold weather ski days. I know merino is pleasing the masses but Polartec will always have a spot in my drawer. Overall this a low bulk fit that is very comfy for all around winter use. Off the topic, I actually used this top for a job interview one time and it worked out nice.

BUY NOW: Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Zip T at Backcountry.com.

I have gone through more packs then all my gear. Jackets come close, but I have been through a ton of packs. Were my packs wearing our rapidly? No. I’m a gear freak and don’t have the self control to avoid buying new toys that do amazing things. Check out the Black Diamond Covert pack that comes with all the things you need for your avy goods. Don’t worry, you can find space in your gear closet for this one and you won’t be switching this out for a long time.

This is definitely the pack you don’t wear on college campus to cart your books around. People are going to give you gnarly looks as they stare at the Avalung oxygen hose coming out of your shoulder strap. In the backcountry this integration is key to get the extra fuzzy feeling of safeness. I also like the shape of the pack, its not super long or short. It doesn’t feel like your packing an expedition pack yet doesn’t feel like a dinky daypack.

The bottom straps for your skis actually cinch down to keep those planks secure on the up. The inside of the pack has sectioned off compartments for everything which is nice to keep your probe separate from your turkey-cranberry sandwich. BD also covered the little details like having clever zippers, low bulk design, and even a cute little orange whistle on your sternum strap.

Pack specifics

• Comes in 22L (1343cu in) or 32L (1953cu in).
• Thermoformed waist belt, shoulder straps, and back panel.
• Weight: 22L – 2lb 14oz 32L – 3lb 7oz.

WARNING: The little hose coming out of this pack does not make you invincible. Goto an Avy class, ’nuff said.

BUY NOW: Black Diamond Covert with Avalung Winter Pack at Backcountry.com.

5 years ago it was hard to find people sporting a down jacket. Something about looking fat and the myth of being too bulky? These days “puffies” are popping up all over the place. Marty Mcfly must have really seen into the future on this one.

Patagonia brings us the Micro Puff Jacket (also available with a hood which Claire reviewed last month) which combines the uber warm down feathers combined with a lightweight finish. Mountaineering, ice climbing, keeping warm this winter; you name it; the puff is sending warm vibes your way. It may look like there’s nothing too it but you’re not sacrificing warmth to get that low-bulk love. Looks like this year they did away with the micro lines on the jacket, I thought they gave the jacket a cool edge.

At 21 ounces this is going to be ideal for the lightweight junkie. I have had my share of down jackets over the years and I don’t see a lot of pieces performing at this velocity. I really don’t care for a ton of bulk when I am repelling, traversing, climbing; really any movement of my arms and legs. Being outside is all about being free, why not free up those limbs to stay on top of your game?

The Nitty Gritty

• 21 oz, yeah thats right.
• 800 down fill European Goose.
• Double ripstop polyester, 90% recycled of course.

BUY NOW: Patagonia Micro Puff Mens Jacket.

Remember when you had to get the bindings that had the cartridges on the outside of your boots? If you’re like me you’re probably not a huge fan of your cartridges clanging down the hill as your trying to get into your groove. No need to worry when rocking the Black Diamond 01 binders.

I’ve been on this binding for a season and have really enjoyed the power and functionality compared to BD’s 02 binding. The 01 has a snappy response and is ready to move. Coupled with the easy switch-to tour mode, I won’t go with anything else. If you’re suave enough you can actually keep your skis on at the end of the hike, pull off your skins, and hit the button and go. Maybe that’s why the color is green?

The other thing I like about the tour button is that there is no way your accidentally going to pop into tour mode on the way down. Unless you’re just nuts because you ski with your poles right in front of your boots and have amazing aim. As your looking around for a killer tour tele-binding, give the 01 a chance at the runway, they will definitely be crowned.

Tech Specs

• Comes in three cartridge options; free flex, mid-stiff, and ridiculously stiff.
• Weight: 3 lb. 11 oz.

BUY NOW: The Black Diamond 01 Telemark Binding at backcountry.com.

Are you in a softshell yet? Take the dive, you won’t need much push and shove after feasting your eyes on the Apex Bionic by The North Face. First off, go to your closet and pull out that old duct taped jacket. Now stick it into a picture frame and proceed to hang it on the wall. Use that extra space for your new softshell. Results may vary.

My favorite part about this jacket is putting it on over a t-shirt and feeling the nice soft micro-fleece lining for a cold night on the town. Mixed with an athletic fit and a DWR treated outer softshell, this thing will replace quite a few of your old fleeces and shells alike. I also like wearing my softshell with a down vest underneath for skiing, does wonders for blocking wind.

This jacket repels snow super well and even kept me dry while walking through the rain. I also like how the Apex looks on the ladies compared to a fleece, makes them look thin and sporty. Do you and your closet a favor; go with the softshell this season.

BUY NOW: The North Face Apex Bionic at Moosejaw.

Had the chance to fondle this boot the other day and personally it takes a lot for me to get stoked about a piece of gear. I mean, its just a ski boot right? WRONG! Dalbello has hit some killer details that I normally overlook in a boot.

I thought if you have 4 buckles then your set and that 3 buckle boots were only good for the antique roadshow. Not so. The 3 buckles on the Krypton are placed in the right place so you don’t need that 4th buckle and can get the stellar performance you need. The plastic on the outside is placed against a leather tongue so it takes away friction when you flex the boot. This helps give your feet the freedom needed for quick response to dodge tree stumps, land mines, and ski patrol sleds.

Ever had cold feet? Check your sock system first but also slip into these babies and enjoy the more open area above the arch. Apparently there is a big artery on the top of your foot that needs flow and the Krypton compensates for that. Check out the hinge on the boot and how low it is. That is lowered to give a more natural feel when your doing your thing on the hill. Switch out tongues for a stiffer or softer ride to absorb shock according to your preference. Kinda like Burger King; have it your way.

Krypton Pro Boot Specs

• Thermo moldable liners. (Who isn’t these days?)
• Multiple tongues for a race or freeride fit.

STRAP EM’ ON: Dalbello Krypton Pro I.D. Ski boot at backcountry.com for $699.95

When I was a little grom, I took a nasty dive at Snowbird on my elans and completely tanked. I got to the lift and noticed my top sheet coming off and learned the term, “de-lammed”. Back then graphics, ski appearal, underfoot, and radius didn’t matter; it was all about the down and the snow. The down and the snow are the same but elan is definitely stepping up the tech and you won’t be having any de-lam problems with these skis. Take a peek at the new Pogo Sticks from elan that have what you need for serious ups.

The big scuttle on these planks is the fact they have a bottle opener on the tail of one of the skis. Isn’t there a sign at Park City saying not to drink and ski? This ski paired with pole flasks could bring many good times coupled with responsibility and errrr…. safeness. The elan guy I talked to also said to “take off the ski” before using the opener, it’s a little easier that way.

For the park rat that wants the pop and landing performance; the pogo is your plank. Ok back to the bottle opener, lets say your skiing switch in 12 inches of powder…does that hole in the tail of the ski shoot snow in your face? Just a thought. 90-92 underfoot this is going to be a great backcountry jib pow ski, most preferably facing forward. If I see someone skiing pow switch this year I will provide pictures.

Elan Pogo Sticks Specs

• Burely RST sidewall for that extra durable steeze.
• Response Wood core providing the mentioned pop and response.
• Sizes: 165, 175, 185.

MOUNT EM’ UP: The Pogo Sticks at backcountry.com for $649.95

The Powderwhore tour is coming to a theater near you, well hopefully. The movie is not to be missed and even if you don’t free your heels or drop a knee; all powderwhores are welcome. Enjoy the trailer and check the dates for the tour.

This ain’t your daddy’s Kelty Tioga. The Osprey Argon 85 delivers space, comfort, and a tough attitude for your all season treks. I have been a Dana Design man myself for the past 8 years and decided it was time for an upgrade. It was like going from Windows 95 to Vista. Been carrying the Argon for about 6 months now and here is how Osprey is killing it.

Space

When people go from a 75 L pack to an 85 L, it seems like a worry can be lugging around too big of a pack in proportion to your size. Not so with the Argon. Their load design with pockets and the main containers are done so you can carry everything you need for a week but you don’t feel like a 10 yr. old rockin’ 191 BD Megawatts. I packed the Argon with three sleeping bags along with everything else you need for the family and the pockets and compression straps performed with ease. The three straps on the outside even housed a huge pillow (you may laugh but I love sleeping comfy). Definitely my new mountaineering pack for Rainier.

Comfort

Let’s be honest. Backpacking and hiking is fun but carrying 50+ pounds of gear can be a pain. Literally. Strap on the ReCurve suspension system and leave the IcyHot at home. The system distributes the weight to give you a stable flex and shock absorption. Compared to my beloved Dana, the frame was a dream. Molded hip straps anyone? Don’t isolate the heat moldable technology just for your ski boots, Osprey brings along the BioForm hip pads to get you rolling with a custom fit. Remember: carrying 50+ pounds doesn’t have to be painful.

Technology

Call me old fashion but the zipper grabs on Osprey packs are amazing. And think if all the Scouts in the Uintas wore an Osprey pack with the built-in whistle, genius. Ever wanted to throw on the A/C while hiking? It’s ok to seek a little comfort in the outdoors. The Argon sports the AirScape technology, which does just what it sounds, gets rid of that hot un-wanted air. No more soaked shirts from the heat between your back and the pack.

Osprey Argon 85 Specs

• Weight: Medium [6lb 7oz (2920g)]
• Water resistant Nylon and stretchy lycra on stash pockets
• Access points; top, bottom and side making it a stout all around pack.

TAKE IT HOME: Pick up the Osprey Argon 85 for $368.95 at backcountry.com

Who says sleeping when camping has to be uncomfortable? On Rainier my climbing partner pulled out the Big Agnes Air Core pad out as I unraveled my old foam pad. After laying down, it looked like he was levitating a couple inches above the ground in a blissful sleep on inflated nylon. It really was a no brainer; I had to get one of these babies.

Don’t fall off

I tried out the pad…errr mattress for a backpacking trip this weekend and my main concern was falling off the thing. I was pretty nervous laying down feeling like I would regret this purchase and be on the ground in an hour. No problems, my 150 lbs. went the whole night on the pad. Big Agnes nailed it with the nylon slip on the back of their sleeping bags, however I was in my Mountain Hardwear bag and it worked great.

Lets talk space

The Air Core packs down to about the size of a 32 oz. nalgene. Too big for you? Throw it into a compression sack. Because the insulation is Primaloft and not a big piece of foam, it will go nice and quietly stuffed away. The pad I used before was the Mountain Hardwear Trailhead which rolls to about the size of a sleeping bag and don’t even think about a compression sack.

Weight Junkies

How does 27 ounces sound for a Long 78 inch pad? I am 5″9 and I went with the long because I really don’t like my head or feet hanging off an end. There are other Big Agnes pads that are lighter but remember your getting the Primaloft love along with a durable nylon all in a big momma mattress that everyone will envy. Tweak to your preference. The blow up time for this puppy is a little long, but if you faint, you have this amazing mattress ready to break your fall.

LOW DOWN: Let Backcountry.com make your next trip a bit more comfortable with the Big Agnes Air Core Insulated pad for $69.95

WARNING: Do not use sleeping pad while sleeping in tent with someone who is NOT using a Big Agnes pad. As you peacefully sleep your partner could potentially throw items at you during the night disrupting your beauty sleep. Play it safe and bring an extra pad for that special someone.

Later in the afternoon it was getting warm of course and I found the Havoc really powered through the snow and was very stable edge to edge. Verdict was a bit too stiff for me, the thing is great for the big boys but my 150 lbs. couldn’t control those hunks. Kilowatt is very impressive, I was really on the fence between that one and the Havoc. I wanted something a bit more all around and the Havoc just did it for me.

The Havoc may not be as wide as the computer screen your reading this review on…*cough* Megawatt *cough* but the ski has done me right this past season and I’m looking forward to another Havoc season. The 3D pockets BD added last year are great for the torsion box along with the Dual Torsion Bow Tech giving the powerful stability that excels in the corn. BD’s mantra “its all about the down” rings true when you slap these babies on.

Black Diamond Havoc Ski Treats

ADD ANOTHER PAIR: Pick up these planks on REI for $539.95

Alpha LT – Alpha = Hardcore shell. LT = Lightweight.

Gamma AR – Gamma = Softshell. AR = All around.

Fission SV – Fission = Insulated. SV = Severe use.

I have had my Fission AR for about 6 months now and compared to my shells, softshells, and even down jackets this thing absolutely rules it. Why? The waist doesn’t come down very far like other jackets Arc makes. For climbing this makes a big difference when putting on a harness and being able to move around. Plenty warm for winter climbing, this is coming with me on my next Rainier trip no doubt.

Gore-Tex XCR anyone? I love throwing this in my pack because I don’t have to string along my rain jacket. Hard to imagine an insulated waterproof jacket but Arc nailed it with this one. The insulation is great for warming up in the morning and skiing without feeling like the marshmallow man on Ghostbusters. Cuffs that represent. Do you ever get bugged with velcro and tight cuffs? The cuffs on the AR went with a lycra opening so its not a tight uncomfy fit and yet keeps you secure. Genius.

Fission AR Key Specs

• Waterproof zippers
• Primaloft sport insulation, SV jackets have a warmer rating. 200 g/m2 to the 133g/m2 on the AR.
• Weight size medium – 27 oz.
• Stowaway hood for the bar afterwards.

TAKE IT HOME: Pick it up at Backcountry.com for $314.96

Go green. Go smart. Leave your massive extension cord and generator at home on your backpacking trip. With the Solio Hybrid 1000 you can plug into the sun. Ok hold up…before you break out your electronic toys to take over the peaceful backcountry, let me lay some treats on ya. I got the Hybrid 1000 for a trip to Alaska a month ago and it kept my iPhone plenty charged for all my picture taking needs, after some self taught lessons.

Out of the box your going to need to give this a USB computer charging session. I tried “plugging into the sun” and it didn’t work so well because it was its first charge. It took about 4-5 hours of charging on my computer to get this going and then I was set. As far as solar charging, you really need a solid ray of sunlight coming down, none of this overcast business. 1 hour of solar charging = 15 min. of cell talk time or 40 min. of music enjoyment.

Quick Solio Tutorial

Red light = charging
Green light = charge strength, 1 blink is lowest strength and 5 blinks is the strongest
Black button on back = press once to initiate charge with device
Green light rapidly blinking with device attached = charging
Green light rapidly blinking when no device attached = hold black button for 2 seconds to turn off

The great thing about the Hybrid in comparison to its big brother the Solio Classic, is the size. The Hybrid has this flat short knife design that also has a clip to easily charge on the outside of your pack. In my case, I didn’t need the 8 watts of power the Classic delivers, the 5 or so watts with the Hybrid is perfect for my iPhone. Waking up your device from the dead is a tough spot, try to plug that baby in before your toy heads for the light.

Solio Hybrid 1000 Solar Charger

• Weighs 131 g (Classic – 179 g)
• USB tip, mini-USB (blackberry, garmin etc.) and Nokia tip included.
• 1.5-5 watts of sweet action output
• Can be used for energy storage

REACH FOR THE WALLET: REI rocking the Solio Hybrid 1000 for $79.95

Black Diamond is like that ice cream truck that comes around every summer. Reliable. Great product. Always coming out with something good. Down right delicious. I finally got to try on the Custom Telemark boot the other day in a gear shop and I am impressed. Compared to my Scarpa T-Race, the Custom delivers less bulk and more heel support. I hate it when I feel like I am lugging around more plastic then I need.

BOA and BD Boots?

Granted I haven’t dropped in strapped with these kicks but the Boa system is a nice addition to the tele-boot world that I think most free-heelers are going to enjoy. When I first heard about boa on the new BD boot line I thought “Boa = snowboarder gear”. But hey, can’t knock it tell you try it. Then after you try it, give it hell.

The Custom is the most aggressive boot in the Telemark Power series. I also tried on the Push, the mid-stiff, and that is comparable to the Ener-g and Terminator. BD also came out with the Efficient series for your 3-buckle paradise. Tele-skiers are always looking to cut weight and slim up their setup so the BD boot line is definitely going to rock the slopes this season.

Black Diamond Custom Telemark Boot

• Weighs 8lb 6oz (380g)
• Strobel liner w/ Boa system
• 130 Ridstiff mofo flex

BUY NOW: Snag the Black Diamond Custom Boot on Backcountry.com for $719.95