Gear 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 [...]

Crystal Light With Caffeine packets are my favorite way to get caffeine while I'm out and about. The fruit-flavored powder in each packet contains 60mg of caffeine, about two-thirds the amount in a cup of coffee. The single-serving packets are easy to pack and mix well in cold water. Stats Make: Crystal LightModel: With CaffeineModel Year: 2019Measured Weight: 4g per packetDate Purchased: Summer 2019Price Paid: $28.65 for a 4-box variety pack or $0.72 per packetUsage: 2019 - present Mixing Although the directions state that a single packet should be mixed with two cups of water (a little less than half [...]

Pot holder (top) and stove base (bottom) Carbon felt is a soft fireproof material commonly used to make welder's blankets. It's easy to cut down at home using a utility knife and can be fashioned into a pot holder, stove base, or even a wick for an alcohol stove. Stats Make: HanswayModel: High Temp Carbon Fiber Welding BlanketModel Year: N/A?Dimensions: 12" x 12"Estimated Weight: 63gDate Purchased: 2019-04-10Price Paid: $9.99Usage: 2019 - present Pot Holder and Stove Base My cook system consists of an Evernew mug pot and Kojin alcohol stove with a Caldera Cone pot stand. Although the mug's lid [...]

Widely considered to be the gold standard for ultralight backpacking multitools, this 21 gram pocket knife houses 6 tools in a body that's only 2 1/4 inches long. However, real-world usefulness of the tools varies widely and the most useful can be replaced by dedicated alternatives which are more functional and just as light. Stats Make: VictorinoxModel: Swiss Army Classic SDModel Year: 2018Measured Weight: 21 gramsDate Purchased: 2018-05-19Price Paid: $16.00Usage: 2018 - present Tools 1 5/16" non-locking smooth-edge drop-point knife. The knife is short to the point of uselessness and only good for cutting food, tape is best cut using [...]

Short and stout wins the race After using an Osprey Exos 58 for over two years I upgraded to an Opsrey Levity 60 in Q1 of 2019. After using it for the entirety of the 2019 backpacking season I thought I'd share my impressions so far. This review will focus on the Levity but also contrast it with the Exos for those considering a similar upgrade. Stats Make: OspreyModel: Levity 60Model Year: 2019Volume: 60 litersCarrying Capacity: 10 - 25 poundsMeasured Weight: 873 grams (863 main body, 10 compression cord) in size mediumDate Purchased: 2019-03-10Price Paid: $270.00Usage: 13 trips (32 days [...]

Stats Make: ASAPModel: Orange Nitrile GlovesModel Year: 2019Price Paid: $11.91 for a box of 100 or $0.12 per gloveMeasured Weight: 7g per glove in size large When I was doing some maintenance on the Bogachiel Trail with the WTA I got some advice for keeping your hands warm while working in the rain: wear a pair of nitrile gloves under your work gloves. Every volunteer was given a complimentary pair and I can say from experience that it was super effective. Once I got home I ordered a box of 100 off of Amazon and have been bringing them on [...]