Problem: you’re high on a cliff or in the mountains, and you’ve bonked. A fresh cup of coffee is miles away, and you have nothing in your pack to give you a quick caffeine fix. Solution: Voke. Voke is a start-up company based out of Montana, that seems to have gained a following among the…
Category: Gear Reviews
Klymit Insulated Static V Lite camping pad review
Let’s face it: the worst part about backpacking is sleeping on the ground. Sure, you can pack a cushy, heavy sleeping pad to keep rocks and roots from digging into your back, but most are too heavy to carry miles into the mountains. But the good folks at Centerville-based Klymit have been offering super light…
Icebreaker Strike Crew and 5-Inch Shorts review
It’s getting damn hot in Utah right now, and that could mean runners are banished to early mornings and late evenings. But if you have the right clothes to keep you cool and dry, you can run all hours of the day. I’ve been testing out the new Icebreaker Strike Short Sleeve Crew and Strike…
Outdoor gift ideas for Father’s Day
Father’s day is coming up fast, and if you haven’t yet found a gift for your outdoorsy dad, here are some cool and unusual ideas that we’re sure he will love. Leatherman Tread First up is a Leatherman… but not your grandpa’s old multi tool. This thing is on a whole other level – it’s…
Hanz waterproof gloves and socks review
When the weather gets wet, or you’re out recreating in cold water, you’re going to need waterproof gear. But the body parts that seem to get the least amount of love when it comes to “waterproofiness” are our hands and feet. Sure, there are boots and winter gloves with waterproof membranes, but what about thin…
Big Agnes Slater UL2+ Tent review
Desert camping has been challenging for me. While I love to set out on multi-night adventures in red-rock country, I’ve always had issues with my tent. The desert is sandy and windy. Most tent have lots of mesh. Sand and mesh do not mix. Nearly every trip into southern Utah, I would end up with…
Watson’s Merino Wool Baselayer review
I’ve always thought someone should create a base layer that wicks moisture, retains heat, doesn’t stink and feels great against your skin. Turns out, nature already created it, and the base layer is Merino wool. Jared Hargrave has long extolled the virtues of Merino wool here on this site, and after my girlfriend schooled me…
Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Jacket review
A good, waterproof shell is essential when exploring the alpine. You can set your watch to afternoon summer thunderstorms in the mountains, and hikers need to be prepared. But the key is finding a waterproof layer that also breathes, or else you’ll get wet from sweat instead of rain. The answer to this conundrum may…
Kelty Discovery 4 Tent review
No one wants to go camping. That was my life before making the move to Utah. For starters, camping was not as readily available back east. Also, the gear which my friends and family owned was a step above pathetic. The whole idea of going camping sounded fun but setting up camp drove me away…
Update – First Look: Atomic Backland Carbon Boots
The word is out: Atomic is going big in regards to backcountry ski gear, and the proof is in their new Backland line of touring skis, skins, packs, and poles. But the big story for the 2015/16 ski season is the release of the Backland Boots – light weight, two-buckle touring kicks in the vein of…