I resisted for a long time, but I finally upgraded my sleeping bag and I could not be happier with my choice, a Western Mountaineering Versalite. Talk to anyone in the strange community that is thru-hikers (a group who knows gear as well as or better than probably any other) and you will hear a
Bluffworks Chino Pants Review
Pants. They cover your legs and provide a level of modesty suitable for most formal events and occasions where revealing one's leg skin would not be very appropriate (or for just hiding your awesome and/or regrettable tattoos). Long did I scour the globe and the internets for the perfect pair of
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite Review
For a long time I was not a big fan of inflatable sleeping pads, but when I finally broke down and got one, I went straight for the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite. Weighing 12 oz / 350 g with a 3.2 R-value (the measure of resistance to heat flow through a given thickness of material), it's not only
Osprey Exos 58 Backpack Review
After thousands of miles hiking with my Atmos 65, I decided I had leveled-up to a smaller capacity pack. The answer? The Osprey Exos 58. Seriously? Only seven liters difference? Yes, baby steps, people. I erred on the larger side because 1) there's only a 2 oz / 57 g weight difference
Mountain Hardwear Wraith Sleeping Bag Review
When I decided I was going to trek to Everest Base Camp in the middle of winter, I knew that I would need to change out some of my gear before heading to Nepal. As much as I love my Phantom 15 sleeping bag, it is not suited to keep me warm in the bitterly cold temperatures - the kind I expected
Peak Design Capture Clip Review
Hey, look! Something neat! Let's take a picture of it so we can show it off to faux friends and strangers on the internet. Do you have your camera handy? No? Where is it? In your backpack? Inside some awkwardly slung case dangling from one of your appendages? Too late! Neat thing is gone (or
Darn Tough Socks Review
When I began the Pacific Crest Trail I was offered free socks from KEEN, and thought to myself, "great, socks (supposedly) made for thru-hikers, that's one less thing to think about adding to my gear list." It turns out that KEEN's socks are terrible, and after only 180 miles I had worn through
Bluffworks Travel Pants Review
Prior to departing for an open-ended jaunt around the Europe, I realized that my backpack lacked a pair of pants suitable for my intended adventure. If hiking the Pacific Crest Trail had taught me anything it was that just because you can bring something with you, it doesn't mean you should