I am a man of many proclivities, and you better believe that “good denim” is on the list. I have been lucky enough to work in jobs that allow me to wear jeans whenever I please, which equates to every day (summers included). So, when I got an email with the subject line of “Meet…
Category: Gear Reviews
Avalanche Striker Shirt review
When summer gets hot, you need a cool and comfortable shirt while recreating outside. A shirt that breathes, is light weight, and wicks away moisture is key. The Striker shirt from Avalanche claims to have all of those qualities. So I’ve been wearing one for everything from mountain biking to trail running and have a…
Book review: Hiking Utah’s High Uintas
Utah’s Uinta Mountains are one of the most popular ranges in the state for hiking. But the Uintas are a very large, and sometimes remote, place. Countless trails, lakes, and summits are scattered through a vast area in northeastern Utah, which makes choosing just one hike a daunting and intimidating task. But a new book…
Basin and Range Flying Dog shirt review
Backcountry.com’s new in-house brand, Basin and Range, has a whole line of summer apparel available right now – from shorts and pants, to light jackets and even outdoor dresses. Last winter I tested the Guardsman Hoody and found it to be versatile and of impressive quality. So now that it’s summer, I’ve been wearing the…
Stanley Adventure Happy Hour 4x System review
The 10 E’s are a list of backpacking gear requirements that are essential to comfort and safety. Well, I say there should be a 10 E’s for camping in a popup trailer, and at the top of that list I’d put the Adventure Happy Hour System by Stanley. Boozy drinks under a starry sky after…
Leatherman Signal review
Being prepared… it’s not just for Boy Scouts, but for everyone who ventures into the outdoors. If you ever find yourself in a survival situation, having the right tools can make all the difference. Leatherman has long been a top player in the world of multi-tools, but their new Signal takes the multi-tool to a…
Maven B.3 binoculars review
Binoculars are one of those pieces of gear that I always cheap out on. Growing up as a kid, I’ve been happy to spy on the neighbors with chintsy plastic optics because, well, quality “binos” are really expensive. But these days, I shoot video of elk and deer hunts, and worry that I’m entering some…
Basin and Range Guardsman Full-Zip Jacket review
A jacket you can wear every day, all day is pretty much the ultimate jacket, right? From backcountry skiing, to hiking, fishing and going out for drinks, I know I want something that is versatile enough for all of that. After testing the new Basin and Range Guardsman Full-Zip Jacket, I think I found what…
DryGuy Force Dry DX review
Call it funk, stank, or plain old odor. It’s that nasty smell coming from your outdoor gear after you rode it hard and put it away wet. Not drying your gear out properly is bad on two levels: 1) it won’t be ready for you to use the next day, and 2) it can stink…
Thule Versant 70L backpacking pack review
Backpacking season is here in the desert, and the mountains will be without snow in a few short months. Time to shop for a new backpacking pack! I’ve been using an old pack since the early 2000’s and it has worked well for me. But it has always felt heavy. Clearly materials have come a…