Reviews

The Oboz Sawtooth Low has been my hiking shoe of choice for the past two years. I picked them up from REI on the recommendation of Person B, who found their increased toe box width, availability of wide sizes, fancy insoles, and overall comfort to be just as captivating as I now do. In fact, the moment I slipped them on they felt more comfortable than any outdoor footwear I'd ever used before, something which still holds true to this day. Stats Make: ObozModel: Sawtooth Low (non-waterproof)Model Year: 2018Date Purchased: September 8th, 2018Price Paid: $110Measured Weight: 454g per shoe in [...]

Strappal is a rayon-based rigid strapping tape from the same manufacturer as the ubiquitous Leukotape P. Although it is noticeably easier to tear, Strappal is insufficiently adhesive and durable for blister prevention, breaking down in as little as six miles of hiking. Stats Make: BSN MedicalModel: StrappalModel year: 2020Measured weight: 86gDate Purchased: 2020-05-16Price Paid: $3.89Usage: 1 day hike I prefer to use products for at least an entire season before I review them but when something fails so spectacularly I don't feel the need to invest more time in it. I taped up my feet with Strappal in preparation for [...]

The Sawyer Select S1 is a convenient way to filter water that's contaminated by farm runoff - as long as you don't follow the directions. Stats Make: SawyerModel: Select S1Model year: 2019Measured weight: 228gDate purchased: 2019-03-29Price paid: $29.93Usage: 3 trips in the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area Unit Construction The hollow fiber filters that Sawyer is typically known for are great at removing viruses and bacteria but they're unable to remove chemicals (including the pesticides found in water that's contaminated by farm runoff) or heavy metals. To address these needs Sawyer has a Select line of foam-based filters currently consisting of [...]

The Lunar Solo is a pyramid-style single-wall trekking-pole tent. It stands out for its affordability, light weight, polyester construction, and livability and only requires a single trekking pole to pitch. It is both my first trekking-pole tent and first single-wall tent. After almost two years of use in everything from 34mph windstorms to granite basins it is still my go-to tent for 3-season trips. Stats Make: Six Moon DesignsModel: Lunar SoloModel year: 2018Measured weight: 725gDate purchased: 2018-07-06Price paid: $200 plus $30 for seam-sealingUsage: July 2018 - present (over a dozen trips, two dozen nights, 200+ miles) Materials Eh, not my [...]

Litesmith's cross bands are an ultralight alternative to the stock stuff sacks that cook pots come in. Essentially just an X-shaped (non-)rubber band, the stretchiness of the heat-resistant silicone exerts pressure on the pot's lid, keeping it snugly in place and preventing rattling. They can weigh half as much as a typical stuff sack: compare the 7g of the 6" cross band to the 15g of the Evernew Ti Mug Pot 500's mesh sack or the 10g of the Evernew Ti Ultra Light Pot #2's Tyvek-ish stuff sack. Stats Make: LitesmithModel: Cross BandsModel Year: 2019Measured Weight: 7g in size 6"Date [...]