The Outside Blog Gear Feed

The Gear Junkie Scoop: GearPods

The Gear Junkie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:01:48 -0500

Take a watertight polycarbonate container and cram it full with gear. That's the gist of a GearPod, the namesake new product from GearPods Corporation of Polson, Montana.

The company (gearpods.com) offers a line of ready-made adventure and survival kits. Each one uses screw-shut polycarbonate vessels about the size and shape of a water bottle. They fit unobtrusively in a backpack and protect the gear and small items inside until needed in the outdoors.

A customer can pick from more than a dozen pre-made kits, including collections assembled for first-aid, survival, cooking, and shelter. Inside, the company packs bandages, matches, cord, fire starters, water-purification tablets, whistles, blades, and other small items for a task.

The larger kits, including the GearPods Wilderness, which I tested out, offer a stock of essentials for first aid, survival, and shelter. The Wilderness package costs about $165 and lets you "effortlessly carry the gear and tools you need to manage contingencies and stay prepared--even during unplanned nights out," as the company puts it.

Total weight of the GearPods Wilderness kit is 1.8 pounds. It measures about 14 inches long, and the screw-together tubes are about three inches in diameter.

But inside that small package is an amazing amount of gear. The components are of high-quality, including name-brand first-aid implements, tightly packed fire-starting tools, survival items such as fishing line, a thermal blanket, small saw, mini compass, and a signal mirror.

For making an ad hoc shelter, the kit comes with a thin, rip-stop nylon tarp that weighs scant ounces. There's even a small stove inside the Wilderness kit. It burns chemical tablets and boils water in an included thin-wall metal mug.

Overall, I am impressed with the GearPod idea. The cases might seem bulky at first to the ultra-light crowd. But on a scale, you can see that they are indeed light. When empty, the larger polycarbonate case tube weighed 3.5 ounces on my scale.

The Wilderness kit has more than I would bring for a backpacking trip. There are a few items I would consider extras in the case. But they are minuscule things that weigh mere grams and almost don't warrant taking out.

As a concept, GearPods offers the convenience to buy one product--they start at less than $20 for the most basic kits--and have all or most of what you need for an activity. They keep gear safe from moisture and rain in a watertight case. They are stout and protective, stowing all your small items away, safe and ready until the day you need them in the field.

--Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at www.gearjunkie.com.

Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover

The Powder Feed — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:38:40 -0500

If there’s one item of winter clothing to put on the wish list this year, it’s Patagonia’s new Nano Puff Pullover. Here are three reasons why:

1. It has easily one of the best weight-to-warmth ratios of any synthetic jacket I’ve tried.
2. It packs down smaller than an orange (in the handy chest pocket) and the women’s version I have weighs 8.2 ounces. That’s probably less than last night’s hamburger.
3. Unlike down, this jacket isn’t useless when damp and dries quickly, thanks at least in part to the DWR treatment on the poly shell.

In other words, this pullover is ridiculously versatile. It makes an excellent ultralight mid-layer under a shell on cold days, an outer layer on warm days, and a no-frills emergency layer to cram in the bottom of a pack whenever. This is not a puffy cloud-like apres-ski jacket; it’s a lean workhorse. It has proven its worth during countless days of backcountry skiing as well as an 18-day Grand Canyon raft trip this spring that turned frigid on more than a few occasions.

Admittedly, the cut isn’t that cute on women. The elastic on the bottom poofs where women don’t want to poof, but the trade-off is that the elastic helps keep the drafts out. (My guy tester liked the cut of his.) Questionable cuteness quotient notwithstanding, the Nano Puff is probably the jacket I wear most. (And the ugly truth is I have 20-plus jackets.) Patagonia’s prices usually prompt eye rolls, but $150? It’s worth every smacker.

--Kate Siber

The Gear Junkie Scoop: Injinji EX-Celerator Socks

The Gear Junkie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:21:59 -0500

By Stephen Regenold

When you pay $38 for a pair of socks--that's $19 per foot, excluding tax--they had better be something special. The EX-Celerator Socks from Injinji Footwear, which have individual toe slots and an over-the-calf compression fit, do indeed qualify as special.

Putting them on is a task. The compression legging, made of a
calf-squeezing nylon/Lycra fiber blend, is a tight fit. Add Injinji's
patented "five-toe-sleeve technology," where each piggy has to be
wiggled into place, and pulling on a pair is no fast feat.

But once adjusted and on, the socks feel great. They fit like no other sock I have worn, hugging toes, feet, ankles, and calves like a second skin.

There is an adjustment period to getting accustomed to the feeling of your toes separated. But on a run or hike, you forget about the "foot gloves" below after a few minutes on the go.

Injinji, which sells a line of toe-socks, touts the toe separation as preventing common foot problems like blisters, hotspots, moisture build-up, and "fungal conditions."

In my test, including running and hiking in the EX-Celerator socks, the fabric-between-the-toes fit did noticeably prevent rubbing. However, I do not commonly get blisters between my toes, so I couldn't
assess the socks' effectiveness in that area.

The second technology story with this sock, the compression leg, is marketed as "fueling circulation to promote faster muscle recovery and prevent fatigue during and after exercise."

Compression socks are a trend in fitness circles. In the past month, two coaches have recommended a compression sock to me for recovery after hard workouts as well as for long plane trips to aid in circulation.

With the EX-Celerators, the socks' fabric tube has a "graduated compression," which uses a Lycra fabric that meets "the correct levels of compression throughout the shaft of the sock, allowing for gradually decreasing compression going up the sock," according to the company.

Injinji touts the compression legging as a feature to decrease swelling and add a feeling of increased energy while working out. To me, it seemed like a slight advantage. The socks fit fine and squeezed subtly on the calves, adding a feeling of support.

Wearing the socks while running--my calves compressed, toes separated and free--I could almost see the point of spending $19 on each foot.

--Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at www.gearjunkie.com.

Lupine Lights the Way

Singletrack Dirt — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:06:29 -0500

My racing partner and I, Mario Correa, placed second at the 24 Hours of Moab this year. It was a tough course--the first six miles served up some rocky terrain, so it was game on right away. Because we were going to do a lot of night laps, I went in search of one of the best lighting systems out there. The winner: Lupine. We ran the Betty lights on our bars and the Tesla and Wilma on our helmets. We specifically wanted the lights to avoid these common problems during a 24-hour race:

1. Support gets batteries confused: All batteries are interchangeable with Lupine lighting systems.

2. Batteries run out of charge: Lupine batteries can last quite sometime, depending on your power output. Plus, it has a reserve tank.

3. Mounting systems fail or slide around: Lupine lights have two sizes of rubber o-rings that curl around your bars.

4. Light output isn't strong enough: These puppies put a Hollywood movie set to shame.

Bottom line: Lupine is a quality system across the board.

After the race, Mario and I talked about our experience with the lights. Mario mounted his battery on his stem (it was long enough for that). I mounted mine on my top tube. The case shuts with Velcro, and there's the added security of a plastic clasp. Both our set ups were bomber. We pre-rode the first four miles at night to check out our systems and then did the battery mount test. Mario's involved dropping his bike on both wheels from about four feet off the ground several times. The helmet mount was also solid, as this type of Velcro is sticky throughout. Read on for more details.

--Heidi Volpe

MC: I could also mount the small battery on my bar, right behind the head tube, or mount it on the bar, and it wouldn't compromise my steering. The battery is so light-weight and small. I like to keep my batteries off the carbon frames, so the carbon doesn't get compromised.

Tapered handle bars have presented a mounting problem in the past. What about with Lupine?
HV: We both have tapered bars, so we ran the larger o-ring mounts, which secure tightly and don't slide around. I found that with other lights, they would slide around, especially if the course was technical and you bounced around a lot.

Was the light beam cool or warm?
MC: Not as yellow as the NR, but not as cool as LM. More in between, neutral.

Brighter than the moon?
MC: Yes. All the nocturnal animals came out.
HV: I blinded the timing-table people a few times. I think they saw stars.

How was the light spread?
HV: Lupine sends out an even light output and spread, as opposed to the Light in Motion, where there is a concentrated beam. I found this a little difficult to get used to at first.
MC: The even light spread was perfect for me. I don't like looking at a concentrated source because, when I look away, I get the after image/glow spots.

Were you worried you were going to run out of power?
MC: No. NR has run out on me in three different solo races, and with LM, you just have to be careful and manage your batteries between laps. Lupine comes with a device that indicates how much power you have left, so you are aware of your charge before going out. It will also go on a reserve, so you can at least get back to your pit.

Was the light output easy to manage?
MC: Very. It had adjustable settings, but we ran the default settings, which were fine for a duo. The one drawback was the instructions. I think they need a get-started-fast users' guide. They don't tell you exact burn times because they have so many fancy settings it's difficult to give estimated times. Like most people, I rarely read manuals--but get ready for some reading for this one. Once you set it up, though, it'll work like a charm.

Gear Army: MSR Skinny Too Tent

The Gear Army — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:39:24 -0500

The first thing out of my mouth when I set up this beast was, "This thing's freakin' huge!"

MSR’s latest addition to its fast-and-light series of tents, the Skinny Too ($250), is a lightweight yet roomy two-person tent for adventures of all types. Did I say roomy? Perhaps generously voluminous, would be more accurate.

Comparable in packed weight (a dainty 4.6 lbs) to its similarly-sized, single-walled competitors, this tent just feels bigger than most. It's hoop design has almost completely-vertical walls which made me feel like I was getting every last inch of its marketed 25 square feet. It's nice to have reprieve from the sloping walls of a dome-style tent too.

Single wall construction not only means guaranteed weather protection, it also scratches weight (no fly) and makes for easy set-up (again, no fly). It does result in nixing one of my favorite things, though: star-gazing on clear, warm nights. It also tends to make for a lot of condensation but, unlike other single wall tents I've used, the Skinny Too had no problems with moisture as long as a vent was open somewhere (even mid-summer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula).

While breathability was a bonus, the vestibule situation was not. First of all, there was only one which made for a crowded entrance and exit. Had it been a little larger (it's eight-and-a-half square feet), there might have at least been passing room amidst our gear. But, I guess that's where the weight-savings comes in.

The Skinny Too kept my wife and I bone dry on a recent through-hike of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and there was plenty of room for both of our sleeping pads and a little extra gear within its confines. I would recommend this tent to anyone looking for a lightweight and reasonably-priced single wall tent that will deliver performance when needed.

--Dan Smith is a student by day, but moonlights as an outdoor addict. His longest trip, a week in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains, hardly rivals his recent summer schedule: a 25k run, backpacking in Colorado's Elk Range, volunteering in Panama, and hiking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

To join the Outside Gear Army and write reviews for us, apply here.

The Gear Junkie Scoop: Ultra-Light Hiking

The Gear Junkie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:54:50 -0500

By Stephen Regenold

Rod Johnson, owner and founder of Midwest Mountaineering, took a multi-month journey on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) this past summer to push the limits of ultra-light gear. His experiment in minimalism for the great outdoors included more than 1,000 miles of hiking and unconventional gear tricks, such as using bubble-wrap for a camp pad. His food--freeze-dried meals and Clif Bars--was bundled together at night in an odor-proof bag and used as a pillow.

You can take or leave Johnson's unconventional advice. But here are a few field-tested equipment suggestions and trail techniques he employed to trade comfort in camp for a lighter load while walking hours each day on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Food-Bag Pillow: In bear country, many hikers secure a cache of food at night in a tree. Johnson trusted O.P. Sak Odor-Proof Barrier Bags, which are reusable Ziploc-type bags made by Watchful Eye Designs. Johnson's technique was to put his food in a bag, stash it in his backpack, and then use the lump as a pillow.

Bubble-Wrap Sleeping Pad: A thin sheen of plastic served as an ad hoc air mattress for months. It was warm enough for nights down to 50 degrees, Johnson said. But you must "contour" the ground each night by moving dirt and sticks to shape a sleeping spot. A new body-length sheet of wrap-- which weighed just 0.9 ounces--was unrolled from a stash every few days at re-supply points as the bubbles deflated under his weight.

Trail Shoes: Boots are out with ultra-light backpackers. Instead, trail-running shoes like the End Sumptown, Vasque Blurs, and Lafuma Sky Race models have enough support for long-duration trips. Johnson tested five pairs during his 1,000-mile hike. Most weighed half of a typical hiking boot.

VestPack: Johnson's own invention, the VestPack is a vest that distributes gear weight equally around your torso (instead of on your back and shoulders). It has eight mesh pockets and a small sleeping bag compartment. But on the PCT, Johnson abandoned the vest after switching to a stove that did not fit in a pocket.

Custom Pack: Commercial suppliers do not often deal in the periphery where ultra-light hikers like Johnson exist. Key items on his equipment list, including his backpack, were custom creations. Minnesota-based Cooke Custom Sewing's Ultralight Pack is made with silicon-coated nylon. It weighs 7.6 ounces and can carry up to 20 pounds of trail weight.

Bivy Bag: For almost 1,000 miles, Johnson avoided carrying a tent. Instead, he slept in the open wrapped in a 6.5-ounce waterproof bivy bag. His bag, made by MontBell, worked with a 16-ounce sleeping bag from Western Mountaineering. The aforementioned bubble wrap insulated his core from the cold earth underneath.

--Stephen Regenold writes about outdoors gear at gearjunkie.com. This column was adapted from a feature article on the site.

The Good Route: Outdoor Clothier's Sustainable Wave

The Good Route — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

By Mary Catherine O'Connor

When Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard called him two years ago, wanting to talk gear, Ernest Capbert knew that he and his cohorts at the outdoor clothing startup Finisterre were doing something right. The company is the dreamchild of Tom Kay, a British surfer who wanted to create a sustainable clothing line for the action sports industry. Like Patagonia, Finisterre places a major emphasis on how and where it sources materials, creating products with a cradle-to-cradle lifecycle in mind, while fostering a sustainable supply chain. The company is also incorporating biomimicry into its designs while going to great efforts to secure its own source for wool (hint: it takes the do-it-yourself trend to new heights).

The Good Route recently had a confab with Capbert, Finisterre's director of marketing, about the company's clothing line and its focus on sustainability.

Herewith, some outtakes.

The Good Route: How do you go about designing Finisterre clothing and selecting materials?

Capbert: It's always been about sustainable design. We are not using [waterproof] membranes because the process of combining two polymers is really energy-intensive and most fabrics with polymer laminates can't be recycled. Another issue is just how long the products are going to last. The membranes degrade over time. A jacket might last three to four years [before losing waterproofness]--that's not long-lasting enough for us.

The Good Route: Finisterre has been recognized for its efforts in using biomimicry--using otter fur as a template. Where is that showing up in your products?

Capbert: A lot of what nature does is awe-inspiring. So we try to use it in the way we make clothing. After lots of research with academics at Bath University, we have been able to manufacture the Napa lining. It mimics the structure of otter fur. The lining has multiple layers that work to keep heat close to the body while wicking away moisture and its used in the latest versions of our Humboldt and Storm Tracker jackets.

The Good Route: And you're starting up a new effort to source the wool used in your base layers?

Capbert: We source our Merino wool in Tasmania, from a group that gives accreditations for ethical Merino sheep farms. But we found out that the group is not just the accreditation organization but also an exporting company. There sheep in Tasmania that are exported when they get old. We are against live export. Plus, interest in Merino is spiking and because of this, companies [farms] are going to try to fill demand and things will fall through the cracks.

There are free trade groups, ISO certifications, etc. Standards are good, but not good enough. This whole thing showed that if you want to go anything you have to do it yourself. We don't have enough visibility into the supply chain. So we started the Natural Advantage program. Merino sheep are not robust enough for the climate in England and Scotland, but about 30 years ago a new breed of sheep was started that is a combination of Shetland and Saxon Merino. The goal was to create sheep with soft, fine wool like Merino but in an animal that could stand the climate here. But soon after this new breed, call Bowmount, was made, the the US wool market fell out and the project was given up. The Bowmont flocks that had been bred were sold and many were slaughtered or crossbred with Shetlands. So we are working with a breeder here and are looking for and breeding more Bowmount. We have 35 so far and we need 95 to start getting enough wool to manufacture with it.

--Mary Catherine O'Connor is a freelance writer, covering the environment, sustainability and outdoor recreation. The Good Route, her new blog for Outside Online, is focused on the places where the active life and sustainability merge.

Gear Army: Salomon Quest Hiking Boots

The Gear Army — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

I tried to get the Salomon Quest 4D GTX hiking boots ($200) a couple of weeks in advance. With a rim-to-rim backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon on the horizon, I wanted to have some time to break them in. As it turns out, these were ready to go right out of the box.

Out-of-the-box fit isn't the only thing Salomon got right when designing these boots. High-ankle boots don't normally equal lightweight, but these are the lightest backpacking boots I’ve ever had on my feet, at a total of three pounds per pair.

Once I got them in the Grand Canyon they performed superbly. The nylon-and-suede upper's adequate padding kept forward slippage to a minimum while I descended the Bright Angel trail. The real prize on the upper, though, is the lace-locking cleat between the ankle and forefoot which allows you to customize the fit. By letting me lock in the laces at that point, I kept a snug fit down low while opening up the ankle for comfort.They are also waterproof thanks to a Gore-Tex membrane. My feet stayed dry, but also grew a little too hot in the Arizona climate.

The features that makes these boots extra special? The sole and chassis. Salomon designed these boots with one of their proven trailing running shoes, the XA Pro adventure-racing shoe, in mind. The chassis is a thermoplastic-urethane midsole support-plate designed to improve stability by reducing lateral flex. It also protected my feet from sharp rocks commonly found on the trails where I live. The chassis gives a great balance between walking comfort (even with a 45-pound pack) and side-to-side stiffness. The deeply-lugged Contragrip outsole, made with rubbers meant for backpacking, has a flared heel section which also made them very stable.

All in all, I loved these boots and they outperformed my expectations.

--Stephen Hovanec's advice for not getting heat exhaustion while exercising outdoors in, Phoenix, one of America's hottest cities: Run in the evening, the coolest part of the day even if it's 105 degrees. Make sure you're not exposed to direct sunlight like on Piestewa Peak's 3.5-mile Circumference Trail.

To join the Outside Gear Army and write reviews for us, apply here.

Gear Army: Sugoi Verve Running Shorts

The Gear Army — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

Ask any serious runner about their favorite piece of running gear and they will likely tell you about their super-technical shoes, lightweight polarized sunglasses, or distance/calorie/pace tracking-stopwatch system. And their running shorts? Shorts are probably the last piece of gear runners think about.

The funny thing is you spend just as much time in a pair of shorts as you do in your running shoes, so you want to have shorts that feel good, fit and perform well. And I have learned the hard way in the past that the right pair of shorts can make a world of difference (bad shorts = chaffing, the bane of any runner’s existence). I recently tested the Sugoi Verve running short; ($45), a low-rise, lightweight running short with mesh panels and a mesh liner for moisture wicking and breathability, and was quite happy with how well the shorts fit, felt and performed.

Fit: These shorts fit true to size and are a bit longer than the traditional half-split running short. At first I thought the length would inhibit my stride, but I didn’t have any problems with that while running. The Verve shorts have a drawstring waist and a mesh liner that wasn’t too tight to feel restrictive and wasn’t too loose to make you want to cut the darn thing out of the shorts!

Comfort: I found these shorts to be very comfortable on both short and long runs. The material is thin but strong, and even after a long, hot and sweaty training session the material stayed dry and didn’t stick to my skin or feel uncomfortable. The mesh liner was excellent at wicking away moisture and I honestly didn’t even think about the liner during the run, which makes it pretty much perfect in my book. Sometimes shorts can ride up during a run and I find myself constantly adjusting them and pulling them down. The Verve never rode up.

Performance: There are several features of the Verve shorts that set it apart from other running shorts. There is a small mesh key pocket in front, which is actually large and stretchy enough to fit a classic-sized iPod. On a long run, I was surprised to find that my iPod stayed put and didn’t bounce around at all. There are also two Velcro “quick draw” pockets on the sides of the shorts that easily fit a gel or two in each, which is especially great for distance runners. What I didn’t expect was that these pockets are large and stretchy enough to fit a headlamp. Who really wants to carry a headlamp when setting off at dusk or wear one in daylight before it gets dark? I was just able to close the pocket and thus my headlamp was snug as a bug, no annoying bouncing or jumping out of the pocket. Speaking of running in the dark, the Verve short has 3M Scotchlite reflective strips on the sides, which certainly came in handy when running in pre- or post-daylight.

Overall, I highly recommend these running shorts. The only downside is they are a bit more expensive than other shorts on the market. As with many things, however, you get what you pay for and in the end I think these shorts will last (and obviously perform) a lot better than some of the cheaper running shorts I own.

Bethany Aquilina has been running since she was three years old. She's paced herself across 21 countries and four continents. Her most memorable moment? Being chased by overzealous monkeys on a trail in Hong Kong.

Want to test gear for Outside magazine? Apply to be a member of our Gear Army, here.

Field Tested: Best Big Wall Climbing Gear

Field Tested — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0500

What do you bring up the northwest face of Yosemite's Half Dome in early October? Answer: not much. It’s a 1.5-mile approach gaining 3000-feet in elevation with multiple class 4-5 scrambles, followed by a 2000-foot wall of sheer granite. My climbing partner cut his toothbrush in half to shed weight. I left mine at base camp.

Climbing isn’t—and shouldn’t—be about the coolest newest gear. It’s about what works well. That’s why we brought whiskey.

Below is some of the essential non-technical gear I used. Whether you’re an ultralight backpacker, big-wall climber, or just happen to like stuff that works, this gear will deliver:

SmartWool Adrenaline Light Crew Socks ($18)

Since I wasn’t planning on bringing a second pair of socks up the wall, I needed something that would keep my feet warm and comfortable in a variety of conditions; from hiking in 80 degree weather down in the valley to subfreezing bivouacs on the wall. And, they would have to handle my notoriously sweaty (read: stinky) feet. This light, half-cushioned merino wool-and-nylon crew sock stayed fitted without bunching up, even after several days of heavy use. My partner also commented on the improvement of my foot odor when we were bivouacking. I’ll pack these again the next time I go play in the mountains, for sure. Tip: turn them inside-out to get an extra day of use out of ‘em. You won’t even notice the difference.

Five Ten Marvel Trail Running Shoes ($115)

No hiking boots? Damn right. They’re heavy, and generally totally unnecessary for everything but carrying a pack that’s probably too heavy for you too far. Stealth Rubber, on the outsole, stuck to the granite slabs like suction cups, and the low-profile upper of the shoe made working with the aiders more bearable—especially in high winds when they would flap around like Buddhist prayer flags. Before the trip, I had been running three to eight miles every day in the mountains near Santa Fe in these shoes. Snow, mud, scree, goatheads—they handled everything, without making me feel like I was wearing too much shoe. Mesh panels and breathable lining helps the shoes dry fast, and the ultra-light compression molded EVA midsoles have a shock absorbing heel wedge that eats up shock, letting you play hard all-day.

Patagonia Simple Guide Pants ($125)

I’ve used these pants for everything; mountaineering, cross-country skiing, hiking, whitewater canoeing, yoga, climbing—the first good date I had, I was wearing these pants. These pants are versatile! After four years and three different continents, I’ve only put one hole in them. And that came from a 20-foot upside-down lead fall while wearing crampons. The double-weave of all-recycled polyester and spandex with DWR-coating offers remarkable durability and weather-resistance while remaining lightweight. Water-resistant zippers close the pockets: two welded-in front, one thigh and one rear hip. And my favorite features: a draw-cord elastic waistband that eliminates the need for a belt, and a two-way zip fly for easy use with a harness.

Mountain Hardwear UltraLamina 15 degree bag ($205)

My hat is off to Mountain Hardwear on this one. I could have sworn I was using a down bag. With a solid (and accurate) 15-degree rating, this surprisingly light (2 lb 14oz ) synthetic bag somehow compressed down to the size of a loaf of bread. My partner’s synthetic bag took up twice the space. How is this bag so miraculous? Mountain Hardwear took their old synthetic insulation and cut it into a million pieces. Poof! Down-like synthetic insulation. Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner? And you can’t beat synthetic insulation for reliability. Even when my bow-hatch flooded during a multi-day kayaking trip through the Apostle Islands in late September, this bag kept me warm, despite being soaked through. The dual side zips allowed me to stay in the bag while cooking supper, and the rip-stop nylon shell repelled even the heaviest dew. This is the bag you want if you need to go light, fast, and warm—no matter what.

Black Diamond Big Wall Hooped Bivy ($230)

Bivy sacks are simple; think of them as waterproof, breathable shells for your sleeping bag. Staying in the shell is surprisingly hard to achieve without poles, though. Honestly, a tent is best. But sometimes, like on the northwest face of Half Dome, you can’t have one. I found that BD’s Big Wall Hooped Bivy was the closest thing to a tent that I could hope for. It's a good option if you’re going ultra-light and plan on encountering some weather. A sewn-in flexible wire creates much appreciated air space around your head (enough to read a book in!), and the single-wall fabric, with its taped seams, can handle a serious beating—even a hailstorm— and worked just as well as Gore-Tex. If you need a bivy sack to save your ass, this one will.

Mountain Hardwear Direttissima ($200)

This 50-liter pack proves that it’s not about what a piece of gear is designed to do, it’s about what it can do. Turns out, this thing can get dragged up 2,000 feet of granite. Not bad for an alpine-style pack that’s not necessarily designed to be used as a haul bag. With an approach that could kill me (literally) if I didn’t keep my feet, I didn’t want to be mucking around with a boxy haul bag. So, I found the best of both worlds with the Direttissima; a solid alpine pack that could—in a pinch— handle getting hauled up a massive rock face. The hipbelt, framesheet and lid are removable, and the compression straps tuck away allowing it to glide over rocks and shard edges. With 3,200 cubic inches of storage available, this pack is good for everything but only the longest, most drawn-out expeditions, yet it compresses down comfortably for day-trips. Only complaint: the white color shows the dirt as one might expect. --Dave Costello

Check out a photo gallery of editorial intern Dave Costello's trip up Half Dome, here.