Category: Tech
-
Sierra Designs Elite Cagoule snap judgment
It’s uncommon that so few specifics are available about so interesting a product, and downright rare that I spend money* on something about which I have both substantial interest and major trepidation. So here they are; details, warts, good things, as well as home I assume it will work once I get it into the…
-
The float to hike transition
Transitions are an easy way to loose time while packrafting. Having a predictable system whose way of doing things is as similar as possible from trip type to trip type not only makes you faster, but makes it less likely you’ll pack your rain gear at the bottom of the main packbag, or leave something…
-
The nuclear option
I was hoping things wouldn’t have to go this far, but as I discussed here sorting out carry options for baby and multiday gear has not been simple. Putting this pack on the back of the Poco AG has worked well, but it’s short on space, and relies on the Poco belt, which is good,…
-
BD Alpine Start hoody: the final word
Black Diamond’s Alpine Start hoody hasn’t changed much in the two years it’s been on the market (and since I first wrote about it). The material, a light and tough softshell with excellent breathability and darn good weatherproofing, is unchanged and remains the heart of what is (still) the most versatile and all-around best outdoor…
-
Future baselayers now
Baselayers, I’ve written many words on the subject, including these and these. Fancy underwear may be a prosaic subject, but given that you wear it more often than anything else while In The Woods, it is worth both more words and perhaps, more money. Because exciting things are happening. The orthodoxy of baselayers has for…
-
BD Dawn Patrol Touring pants
I used to think heavy softshell pants like Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Touring pants were stupid, a needlessly heavy and expensive version of the lighter and more versatile pants I’ve been using for hiking, climbing, and everything since I was ~20 and the hundred or so dollars taslan pants ran was no longer excessive. By…
-
From the land of the living
I’m back, and things went well, in that there were no major mishaps, immemorable numbers of minor ones, I was pushed to stay on schedule, but ended up finishing an hour early. The following are raw, primarily logistical and equipment thoughts while my focus returns. This was my first multiday trip with the current generation…
-
Packing for the South Fork, in winter
LB was taking a nap while I did this, and in my preoccupation I forgot or said poorly more things than usual. I’m bringing Swix violet and extra blue kick wax. Rain gear is, as always, Haglofs Ozo anorak and BD Paclite pants, Food is usual assortment of winter stuff; Ramen, Olive Oil, chocolate, chocolate…
-
Osprey Poco AG snap judgment
We got many quality miles out of wraps, more recently bought an Ergobaby Performance which has been quite satisfactory, and I put a lot of effort into trying to mod an old Kelty kid carrier we got as a free handmedown, but a few weeks ago we bowed to the seeming inevitability, and purchased an…
-
Seek Outside Divide 4500 by the numbers
This is generation two of Seek Outside’s backpacking/all purpose pack, the Divide. Specs on this one are ~4500 cubic inches. 35 inches of unrolled height along the back panel, 32 inches of effective height (shown in first photo, below) with two rolls of the roll top. Top circumference is 40.5 inches, bottom is 36. The…
Bedrock & Paradox 
You must be logged in to post a comment.