Since moving back to NH, I’ve put more thought into deciding what gear I’d carry if I were backpacking in cold & rainy weather. Tonight it is cold (26° predicted, 22° with windchill), so I’m planning to spend the night outside. Here is some of the gear that I’ll be using/testing tonight and that appears in the video below. TarpTent – Rainbow … Read More
Why Buy? About a year ago, I started testing my first merino wool products in preparation for a 60+ mile backpacking trip on the High Sierra Trail (HST). During my gear testing for this trip, I started to realize that merino wool is an amazing material. After finishing my trip I was convinced of it’s antibacterial (odor preventing) and wicking properties. My testing continued throughout the … Read More
The recent cold spell in NH has given me the opportunity to test some of my cold weather gear in April. Yesterday I spent the day sledding and tonight I’m planning to spend the night outside. Here is some of the gear I used sledding and while setting up camp, as well as what I’ll be testing tonight: Overnight … Read More
Over the last few months, I’ve been testing the Katabatic Gear Flex 22°F Backpacking Quilt. I used it on my Coyote Gulch backpacking trip, several nights in the New Hampshire cold, and as a blanket around the house. I’ve been thoroughly impressed with it’s quality and versatility. Why Buy? The main advantage of a quilt over a traditional sleeping bag is weight. … Read More
Why Buy? For the last 2 years, I’ve been working hard to reduce my pack weight. My first couple of overnight backpacking trips were miserable, a direct result of carrying too much weight. After keeping track of the gear I carried on hikes and what gear was actually used, I was able reduce pack weight by simply leaving unnecessary gear at home. At that point, I started … Read More
Why Buy? Merino wool is an amazing material. After using it throughout the spring and summer, I was convinced of it’s antibacterial (odor preventing) and wicking properties. Testing mostly socks and shirts in temperatures ranging from the 30s to 90s, I was continually impressed how well merino regulated my body temperature and was especially impressed with how much merino could be worn … Read More
Why Buy? I’m picky about the gear that I accept for review. I do my research and ask questions, in the hopes that I don’t spend my time testing something that doesn’t fit a need or something that already has a track record of poor performance or durability. When I was first asked to review the Sun King Pro AN Portable Solar Lantern … Read More
Why Buy? Merino wool is an amazing material. After using it throughout the spring and summer, I was convinced of it’s antibacterial (odor preventing) and wicking properties. Testing mostly socks and shirts in temperatures ranging from the 30s to 90s, I was continually impressed how well merino regulated my body temperature and was especially impressed with how much merino could be worn … Read More
Why Buy? When I head to the mountains, I carry a beanie. It doesn’t matter if it’s 90 degrees at home or if the forecast is clear. I never know when I could spend an unplanned night on the trail or when the weather will take a turn for the worse. While I am concerned with pack weight, my safety take precedence. … Read More
Why Buy? I recently stopped using hydration reservoirs on a regular basis due to the difficulty in cleaning them. Unfortunately, I found that when I did not use a reservoir, I was drinking less water. I also found it annoying to carry several bottles when I needed to carry a large amount of water. With some recent battles with cramping, I … Read More