The Main Warden day pack is a robust, feature rich pack designed with the help of Maine game wardens to suit the diverse needs of hikers, rescuers, enforcers, fishermen, and more. It provides a breathable support system, waterproof compartments, and other features to set it apart. This is my review: The Maine Warden pack is…
The Thermarest Questar HD 20 attempts to bridge performance and affordablity. It’s a three season, mummy style sleeping bag featuring hydrophobic down, sleeping pad connectors, zoned insulation and a high quality water resistant shell. This is my full review. The Questar HD 20 is fairly traditional in shape, with a sleek and efficient mummy style…
Featuring two doors, two vestibules, a full rain fly, a top vent, a freestanding hubbed aluminum pole system, interior pockets, and a spacious interior, the Copper Spur HV UL2 packs every major feature into a solid, 3 lb package. My review: The Copper Spur HV (for Higher Volume) is a redesign of one of my…
It’s not often I find a multi-tool that catches my attention. Generally, I find them unruly, difficult to use, and full of compromises, stuffing as many gimmicks as they can inside. That’s not the case here. The Gerber Center-Drive packs several innovations that not only differentiate it from the pack but also transform it from being…
Lately, Sierra Designs has been expanding the scope of their sleep systems. The Backcountry Quilt 700 is one of their latest efforts, continuing the trend towards uncompromised comfort through unique design. Let’s see how it performs in the field. The Backcountry Quilt 700 is a 15 degree (28 F EN comfort rated) quilt designed to eliminate some of…
The Pocket Rocket 2 is a complete design of the long standing classic ultralight stove by MSR. They’re re engineered the original to be even lighter, smaller, and more stable than ever. How can one of the best stoves on the market be improved? My review. Starting with the basics, the Pocket Rocket 2 is a small,…
For some, going light is not just preferable, it’s the only way to go. The Nemo Hornet Elite has been designed for those people. It’s a two person shelter with two doors, two vestibules, and it weighs a scant 2 lbs. 3 oz, but can it hold up on the trail? Every detail in the design…
The Big Agnes Q-Core SLX utilizes welded I-Beams to create a lofty, quilted sleep surface that aims to provide more cushion, added lift, and in the end, a better night’s sleep. It’s big, fluffy, and insulated, but does it perform in the field? This is my review. Starting with the numbers, the SLX brings an impressive…
REI attempts to bridge the gap between grounders and treelings with their REI Quarter Dome Hanging Tent. It sleeps flat like a tent, but strings up between two trees like a hammock. It’s a promising premise, but how does it actually perform? My review. The biggest distinguishing feature that separates this “hanging tent” from other traditional…
I recently had an interesting talk with a reader about which speaker to bring backpacking. This chat just happened to be in a public forum, and a heated debate rapidly erupted. Long story short, this sounded like an excellent topic for an article, so let’s talk about music in the backcountry. First, it’s fair to say…
Made in the USA from Grand Trunk’s own proprietary Trunk Tech Ripstop, the ONEMADE hammock promises a lighter, stronger, more compact hammock, all with a lifetime warranty. Can a hammock make those claims and still perform in such a competitive field? My review. The Double Hammock tested is a fairly standard design. It’s slightly longer…
I wanted to take a moment to highlight some new reading material that I’ve recently been working my way through, and provide a quick review for each. Highlights include a true story of a journey through a melting world, some science fiction, the newest backpacking gear, and an overview of backpacking gear in general with selection…
The Black Diamond Sprinter is a lightweight USB rechargeable Headlamp designed for high intensity use on and off the trail. Housing a powerful front lantern, back red strobe lights and a removable top band, it’s usable in practically any condition. My review: The Sprinter divides it’s electronics between the front and back of the unit. The…
The Camelbak Chute is a large double walled thermos designed to keep 40 oz of goodness cold for a full 24 hours or hot for 6. This is my review. The Chute is primarily constructed from two layers of 18/8 stainless steel with a gap between them, forming a vacuumed, double walled barrier of insulation.…
Big Agnes has a long history of making high quality sleeping bags. Now, they’re producing high quality jackets as well. I’ve been using the Big Agnes ShovelHead jacket for quite some time now, and I’m a big fan. The Shovelhead is a lightweight insulating jacket filled with 700 fill DownTek down: a waterproof goose down that…
