Rugged and ready for the worst conditions, the Backcountry 2 Dome tent from L.L. Bean offers impressive durability and weather protection at a relatively low cost. The Backcountry 2 is a full double wall 4-season backpacking tent. This means it’s designed to handle high wind, heat and snow. The tent has a full front door…
Simplicity in use is the theme of the Princeton Tec Axis. The Axis is a lightweight, high powered headlamp that provides instant access to brightness adjustments through a unique, simplistic interface. My review: The Axis has only two adjustments. There is a large, easy to find button on the side of the headlamp, and an…
Improving on their previous Backcountry bed design, Sierra Designs has updated their sleeping bags to be warmer, more efficient, and lighter through the use of streamlined design and revised materials. Is newer better? My review: Let’s start by looking at the design. For the unfamiliar, the original Backcountry bed removed the zippers of traditional sleeping…
4 season protection at 3 season weights? The Sierra Designs Convert 2 tent promises to be just that. With a removable vestibule, beefed up construction, and a sturdy design, this could work. The Convert two is designed for winter use. It has a more robust pole system than most 3 season tents, breathable nylon walls…
The Primaloft Mountain Pro Hoodie from L.L.Bean is a full synthetic, stretchy hoody that’s lined with Primaloft Gold for protection from the cold in times of high activity.
The unique Yaktrax Summit crampons are designed with the new Boa ratchet system for faster, easier attachment to boots or shoes. Featuring 3/8″ carbon nano spikes, they’re poised to provide excellent traction and easier use. My review:
The Down Hugger sleeping bag line from Montbell utilizes a unique spiral construction that’s paired with elastic stitching to gather the loft up around the seams, improving warmth, comfort and fit. This is my review. The Down Hugger 800 #1 is an 23 degree EN rated sleeping bag. It is constructed from lightweight 20 denier…
The Oden Veor takes the traditional down jacket and pokes some holes in the design, almost literally. Implementing unique back, pit and chest vents, the Oden Veor aims to enhance heat regulation and reduce moisture build up, while still providing warmth at a light weight.
When it comes to staying warm on the mountain, layering is key. The L.L.Bean Down Sweater 3 in 1 Jacket combines a lightweight down jacket and sturdy waterproof shell that can be zipped, allowing it to be worn in three configurations. The 3 in one is essentially two jackets that combine to become one. The…
Few things are as comfortable as a sandals, and few brands are as iconic as Chaco when it comes to producing them. Their Z/Cloud line of sandals combines their classic design and styling with a soft, pillow-top footbed. Starting with the build, the sandals are essentially three layers. The top two layers come together to…
