Articles (2020)

Overview

In The North Face’s Flight Series, the Flash Down Jacket is a standout. It comes in men’s and women’s models and features 900-fill power down, a very light shell fabric, and minimal features to keep the weight down. The weight: 12 ounces for size medium.

The jacket has a simple elastic binding on the cuffs and hem. The full front zipper has a good backing to prevent snagging, and the collar is fleece-lined.

The jacket has good loft and is best worn as a midlayer because of its thin shell fabric.

The North Face claims to have cornered the market on 900-fill down, so we should expect to see more of it in their insulated garments.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: The North Face (www.thenorthface.com)
• Style: down insulated full zip jacket
• Features: 900-fill down, full length front zipper, side pockets, chest pocket on men’s jacket, fleece lined collar
• Weight: 12 ounces (size medium)
• MSRP: $229

Overview

The Wild Things Icesac has been around awhile, what is new is it’s now available in a Dimension Polyant X-pac version (3000 cubic inches/2 pounds 14 ounces) with a large front zippered pocket. The Dimension Polyant X-pac fabric is one of the toughest around for its weight. The front “bullet” pocket holds and protects any modern ice tool.

Beyond ice climbers, who we deeply respect, this new version of the Icesac has some real merit for lightweight backpackers who want a truly durable pack with low weight and the right volume. Remember the Wild Things AT Pack? It was lightweight, but way too large at 5000 cubic inches. The Icesac at 3000 cubic inches is a nice size for a lightweight weekend trip or multi-day ultralight trip.

Features we especially like are its lightweight/durable fabric, removable components, and large gusseted front pocket.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Wild Things (www.wildthingsgear.com)
• Volume: 3,000 cubic inches (49 L)
• Fabrics: body and pockets are Dimension Polyant composite vx-21
• Features: padded and removable hipbelt, two gear loops on hipbelt, large gusseted front pocket, contoured removable top lid, removable backpanel pad, roll up snow skirt, two ski slots, compression straps, whistle on sternum strap, hydration system compatible
• Weight: 2 pounds, 14 ounces
• MSRP: $275
  

Introduction

Keeping in sync with the original Hubba (1-person tent) and Hubba Hubba (2-person), MSR introduces for 2006 the 3-person Mutha Hubba (nope, it’s not the Hubba Hubba Hubba!). It incorporates the same lightweight design and features of its brethren to provide ample room for three for 6 pounds 12 ounces. Yeah, that’s a lot of weight, but it comes out to 2 pounds 3 ounces per person, which is not bad for full weather and bug protection. That weight also includes two doors with vestibules.

Overview

There are a lot of energy bars around, many of which taste great and provide a lot of needed energy. But one thing that bothers me is that energy bars in general have trended to be more like candy bars than nutrition bars. Enter Perfect 10 Natural Energy Bars from Canada.

The name refers to the 10 ingredients: three fruits, three kinds of nuts, and four types of seeds (dates, figs, almonds, hazelnuts, flax, poppy, pumpkin, and sunflower). In other words, they are real food, no added sugars or syrup. The bars come in five flavors: apricot, lemon, cherry, cranberry, and apple cinnamon.

From our sampling, we thought they had a great flavor, and reminded us of the home-made energy bars we used to make from our trail food recipe books.

There’s one little dirty secret: they also have one bar called Perfect 10 Bliss. It’s the same fruit and nut bar with dark chocolate chips. Hmmm…, but it is dark chocolate.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Perfect 10 Natural Energy (www.perfect10bars.com)
• Weight: 50 grams
• MSRP: $1.99

Overview

New Balance will introduce the new lightweight model 872 trail runner for fall 2006. It will be a technical off-road trainer designed to provide exceptional cushioning and traction. It looks like a good pick for the experienced trail runner and ultralight backpacker, and it will be available in extended sizes and widths.

The new shoe features an Endurance heel and Absorb cushioning for extra shock absorption. The outsole actually has density gradient cushioning from heel to toe. A N-Lock technology adds extra midfoot support. A Rock Stop plate provides forefoot protection from rocks, and the shoes have an excellent toe bumper to shield the toes from impacts. I especially liked their moderately stiff midsole and lightweight.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: New Balance (newbalance.com)
• Style: low-cut trail runner
• Sizes: available in extended sizes and widths
• Weight: 12.7 ounces/shoe (size 9.5)
• MSRP: $90.

Overview

Forgetting your tent poles is not a problem with the NEMO Hypno PQ tent. Reason: the “poles” are inflatable tubes than can be inflated in 35 seconds and deflated in 5. The new Hypno PQ was designed to fit four sardines, I mean adventure racers, inside. (We had fun kidding them about going to a layering design so they could fit in six adventure racers!) Realistically, it’s a 2-person tent. It has 31 square feet of floor space and a minimum weight of 2.9 pounds.

The Hypno PQ is a single wall 30d silnylon tent with two diagonal inflated “poles” and one door. There is one large ceiling vent aft of center. The zippered entry door is sloped (so rain will fall in), but has a tunnel entry below it which also provides ventilation.

We found a lot to like about the NEMO Hypno PQ, in its innovation, ease of set-up, and lightweight.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: NEMO (www.nemoequipment.com)
• Style: single wall tent with floor and one door
• Fabrics: body and floor are 30d silnylon
• Features: inflatable structural airbeams, ceiling vent, zippered entry door with netting, tunnel entry under door
• Weight: minimum weight 2.9 pounds, packaged weight 3.3 pounds
• MSRP: $395.

Overview

Dunham is my boot company because they offer extended sizes and widths (I wear a size 11.5 EEEE), lightweight, and comfortable fit. With the Terrastryder, Dunham’s goal was “to build the best fitting, most comfortable, lightweight, and durable fast packing shoe on the market”. It has in fact become one of Dunham’s most popular models. I agree with all of the claims, except the last one. I loved the fit, comfort, and traction of the original Terrastryders, but the seams came apart after only six months and 1000 miles.

The updated 2006 model seem to fix the durability issue I had with the original Terrastryders. A key change is an extended rubber toe bumper and leather band along the sides above the welt to eliminate exposed seams on the sides. Hopefully, this change will greatly extend their longevity. They also have Dunham’s DryWorks membrane for breathable waterproof protection. The uppers are made of breathable fabrics.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Dunham Bootmakers (www.dunhamfits.com)
• Style: the new Terrastryders are available in low and mid-height cuts
• Sizes: available in a wide range of sizes and widths
• Weight: mid is 21 oz/pair, low is 16 oz/pair (size 9.5)
• MSRP: about $100 for low, $120 for mid-height

Overview

Blist-O-Ban is meant to help prevent blisters. It is a very thin (.002" thick) bandage with a bubble in the center. Placed over a hot spot, or where you are prone to blisters, it is meant to prevent a blister from forming by isolating the tender spot from friction. When friction is applied to the top (bubble) layer in the center of the bandage (such as from a shoe or sock rubbing), the top layer slides over the next layer of the bandage and dissipates the friction before it reaches the tender skin below.

Blist-O-Ban has a strong adhesive and will stay on for several days, even in wet conditions, if applied correctly. That means swabbing the area with alcohol – alcohol swabs are packaged with the bandage. The skin-contact layer of the bandage is a breathable, micro-perforated, latex-free, polyurethane film. Each Blist-O-Ban bandage is packaged in a waterproof pouch. Pouch, bandage, and alcohol swab weigh less than 0.1 ounce.

I’ve been wearing a Blist-O-Ban bandage on the back of my hand for about 20 hours. It is so thin and flexible that I don’t notice it is there, and it hasn’t irritated my skin like duct tape does. It comes in several colors including clear so you can see what yor "boo boo" looks like under the bandage. This product was developed on a larger scale for limb amputees and has been scaled down for blisters. It shows promise of being a very effective anti-blister treatment.

Features and Specifications

• Weight: bandage, waterproof pouch, and alcohol swab weigh less than 0.1 oz
• Sizes: small, medium, large
• Dimensions: medium – oval shape approximately 3" long by 1.5" wide by 0.002" (6 mil) thick
• Features: sterile, strong adhesive, breathable, in a waterproof pouch.
• Colors: pink, blue, clear
• MSRP: $7.50 – $8.50 in assorted sizes (6 each)
• Distributed: by Adventure Medical Kits separately or in their Light & Fast series of first aid kits

Overview

A new product from Big Agnes is their lightweight Mounatin Booty, which is insulated with 60 gram PrimaLoft I. They have a thin nylon outer fabric and brushed nylon inside. The bottom is a heavier weight nylon fabric. They have two drawcords to secure them, one over the ankle and one above it.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Big Agnes (www.bigagnes.com)
• Style: synthetic insulated footwear
• Insulation: 60 gram PrimaLoft I
• Weight: 6 ounces (size L)
• MSRP: $35

Overview

Origo is a brand new company making multi-sensor watches with barometer, altimeter, and digital compass. The watches are available in a multitude of styles. Their size and weight are about the same as similar products, the big differences are that they are (claimed to be) very user-friendly and cost only $150-$200.

The features are:

• Graphic weather forecasting indicator and temperature function
• Barometric trend graph display (past 30 hours)
• One-touch direct access altimeter
• Altimeter 1 foot resolution
• Altitude graph with past 8 hours trend
• One-touch direct access digital compass with bearing lock
• Declination adjustable
• 75 altimeter data memories with date, time and altitude
• 1/1000 second chronograph with lap and split time
• 99 lap memories stored in a maximum of 99 runs
• 2 daily alarms
• Soft blue EL backlight
• Battery life: Up to 1 year
• Water resistance: 50 feet

Specifications and Features

• Manufactuer: Origo (www.nagear.com)
• MSRP: $150-$200, depending on features

Overview

You’ve seen those light, colorful, foam shoes that are so popular now. The Crocs brand seem to be everywhere, but the original design is from Waldies who are relaunching their line at this OR show. And the shoes from Canadian distributer Holey Soles are out of the same mold as the other two – literally. It seems that all three brands used to come from the same manufacturer. Then Crocs bought the factory and the other companies needed to find new factories. The rumor is that Holey Soles came away with the original foam recipe and took it to another manufacturer. Waldies designed a new foam meant to have more cushion and has now relaunched their line. And in the meantime, Crocs has greatly expanded their style choices.

So, which company makes the lightest shoe – Holey Soles, Crocs, or the original Waldies?

Holey Soles wins. Photo to the right is of the Holey Soles Social (top) and Explorer shoes(bottom).

Weight per pair for women’s size 8 or 8/9 shoe with enclosed forefoot and toe, rear strap (this style is a favorite on the AT)

• Holey Soles Explorer: 8.5 oz, $29.99
• Waldies AT: 8.8 oz, $29.95 (click here for more info)
• Crocs Cayman: 10.2, $29.99

The Waldies are 0.3 ounces heavier than the Holey Soles, but run large and wide (the Holey Soles size W-10/11 M-8/9 are just long enough for my size 11+ feet while the Waldies in the same size have about half an inch of extra length), and have what looks like a slightly more aggressive tread and a softer footbed feel right out of the box than the Holey Soles shoes. The Holey Soles distributer said that his shoes soften during the first wearing and I can confirm that.

Crocs, Holey Soles, and Waldies both offer lighter models – who wins the overall title for lightest camp shoe?

Holey Soles again.

Weight per pair for women’s size 8 or 8/9 shoe

• Holey Soles Social (closed forefoot and toe, no rear strap): 7.8 oz
• Waldies Classic (closed forefoot and toe, no rear strap): 8.1 oz
• Crocs Scoots (slide style with open toe, available May ’06): 8.1
• Crocs Athens (flip-flop style, available Mar ’06): 8.4 oz

Features and Specifications

• Weight: Holey soles Explorer 8.5 oz per pair, Social 7.8 oz women’s size 8/9
• Styles: Explorer, Provider (same but no holes), Social (same but no rear strap)
• Sizes: Cricket (kids 9-10, Explorer only), XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL (men 12-13)
• Features: antimicrobial, EVA closed cell foam
• MSRP: $29.99 Explorer, $26.99 Social

Overview

While the new Arreba is billed as a women’s adventure racing pack, we found it to be sweet general use lightweight backpack. Many adventure racing packs are loaded with racing specific features, but the Arreba doesn’t have that clutter, and is in fact a very nice lightweight pack with a normal feature set.

At 2.5 pounds and 2000-2400 cubic inches (depending on size) the Arreba is sized for a woman with a narrower backpanel and a women’s shoulder harness and hipbelt. The pack has Gregory’s Wraptor Stabilizer system and a weight-supporting HDPE framesheet. I especially liked the roomy outside mesh pockets and huge hipbelt pockets. The body is made of Gregory’s G 30 silicone impregnated high tenacity nylon fabric.

Gregory’s Anti-Gravity pack series strike an excellent balance of lightweight, durability, and performance and are the choice of many thru hikers for their exceptional load-carrying comfort. The men’s equivalent to the Arreba is the Advent Pro, which has a slightly different feature set.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Gregory Mountain Products (www.gregorypacks.com)
• Style: internal frame, top loading, drawcord closure with top pocket
• Features: top and front access, quickdraw compression system, large mesh hipbelt pockets, large side and front mesh pockets, and hydration sleeve and port
• Sizes: XS, S, M
• Weight: 2 pounds 8 ounces (size S)
• MSRP: $149.

Overview

X-Technology uses proprietary sewing machines to incorporate as many as 17 different fabrics and 8 different stitches into one pair of socks. X-Technology is based in Switzerland and X-Socks are the most popular socks in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria and have just recently been introduced into the US.

First of all, the socks are right and left foot specific in accordance with foot anatomy. Different fibers and stitching are used in different parts of the sock, depending on the purpose. Some of the sewn-in features specific to different foot regions include air conditioning channels, air guiding ridges, instep cushioning, toe protector, toe tip protector, self-adjusting cuff, high cushion shaft, X-cross ankle bandage, Achilles’ tendon protector, heal protector, and traverse airflow channel system. You get the idea…

As far as technology goes, these socks are totally amazing. I’m looking forward to trying them on the trail to see if I can really detect a difference in performance.

If the socks were not amazing enough, you should see their base layers. Their X-Bionic union suit will blow you away! It better, because it costs $350 for a base layer. It’s also available in separate tops and bottoms.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: X-Technology (www.x-socks.com)
• Style: many sport-specific styles available
• Fabrics: the Hiking model is 60% Nylon, 28% Polypropylene, 7% Acrylic, 5% Elastodiene
• Sizes: S to XXL
• Weight: 3.1 oz for Hiking model, size L
• MSRP: $29.95

Overview

With Liberty Mountain as the new US distributor for Vaude outdoor gear from Germany, we now have an assortment of lightweight backpacks available to us. We recently reviewed the Vaude Rock Ultralight 25 and the Cross Ultralight 35, two exceptionally lightweight and durable daypacks. At the OR Show we got to see some of Vaude’s ski packs, which equally impressed us.

We looked at a total of six packs. The Daytour 26, Powder 34, and Ski Pro 42 are all ruggedly built HDPE framesheet/single aluminum stay packs. Each contains a Rescue Pack which holds your shovel, avalanche probe, etc., in a sleeve that is easily pulled from the pack and opened. The outside of each pack has sturdy ski loops on the sides and front, plus a strap to tie the tops into an A-frame configuration. The exterior has lots of pockets and a detachable helmet sleeve.

Another group of three packs are a bit lighter because they don’t have the Rescue Pack. They are the Ski Race Ultra 12, Snowrider 22, and the Spindrift 35. These packs have the same framesheet and stay, but use lighter fabrics. All of the packs have firm and well padded suspension systems for carrying weight.

Overall, we were dully impressed with the quality, features, and general light weight of the Vaude ski packs, and they are also an excellent value.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Vaude (www.libertymountain.com)
• Style: internal frame, top loading, drawcord closure with top pocket
• Frame: HDPE framesheet and one center aluminum stay
• Features: easily accessible Rescue Pack in some models, ski loops, ski tie straps, detachable helmet sleeve, front zippered pocket, zippered top pocket, side tool loops, compression straps, and well padded shoulder straps and hipbelt
• Weight: varies by model, range is 1 pound 15 ounces to 4 pounds 1 ounce
• MSRP: $65 to $135

Overview

One thing we discovered at this OR is that Kelty is catching the ultralight bug. While one could argue whether their gear is lightweight or ultralight, the point is Kelty has some serious interest in entering the lightweight arena. We looked over their Sawtooth 2-person double wall tent and saw some true innovation. The Sawtooth comes in at 28 square feet and a minimum weight of 3 pounds 9 ounces.

The tent is basically a mono-pole design, with one main looped diagonal pole and two shorter struts at the other two corners to extend the canopy. The inner tent has a mesh ceiling for good ventilation, the poles are Featherlite aluminum, and the fly is silicone coated nylon. There is one entry door with vestibule.

Other tents in their “ultralight” series include the Stick, which is a solo pyramid style tent with a minimum weight of 2 pounds 8 ounces, and the Ridge which has one hubbed multi-pole and has a minimum weight of 3 pounds 12 ounces. The Ridge (which we did not get to see) has two doors and two vestibules and weighs only 3 ounces more than the Sawtooth, so its specifications gained our highest interest.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Kelty (www.kelty.com)
• Style: 2-person double wall tent, one door with vestibule
• Fabrics: 33d nylon ripstop tent walls, 1800mm nylon taffeta tent floor, 30d 3000 mm silicone coated nylon ripstop fly
• Poles: 8.5 mm Featherlite aluminum
• Features: one door, one vestibule, taped floor seams, side-wall vents, internal storage pockets, side-release buckle tent fly connections, mesh ceiling
• Weight: minimum weight = 3 pounds 9 ounces, packed weight = 4 pounds 3 ounces
• MSRP: $275

Overview

The North Face’s Flight Series has several items of interest to lightweight backpackers. One standout is the new Skareb packs, available in 40 and 55 liter sizes (2,450 and 3,050 cubic inches). While we may tend to label TNF gear as too bombproof for lightweight backpacking, the Skareb is a real exception.

TNF really gets it right with the Skareb’s feature set. The frame is a perforated HDPE sheet and lightweight 7075 aluminum X-stays. The suspension features E-VAP, a perforated firm foam for lightweight and good ventilation. The frontpanel has a large mesh pocket and a nicely designed bungee system, and each side has a large zippered easy reach pocket. The left pocket holds a rain cover which is included with the pack.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: The North Face (www.thenorthface.com)
• Style: internal frame, top loading, drawcord closure with top pocket
• Sizes: S, M, L
• Fabrics: body is 70d ripstop nylon, stress areas are 210d ripstop Cordura nylon, 420d nylon
• Weight: 40L model is 2 pounds 10 ounces, 55L model is 2 pounds 15 ounces (size M)
• MSRP: Skareb 40 is $149, Skareb 55 is $159

Atlas is revamping most of their snowshoe line for 2006, which involves shifting some of their popular features down their lineup. Their successful “Spring-Loaded Suspension” will be added to most of their line for fall 2006. With the changes, basically you are getting more snowshoe for the money.

Photo: New for fall 2006, the Atlas 13-Series will be the new top of the line snowshoe. Weight per pair is 3.8 pounds.

The new top of the line model is the 13-Series, which sports a nice feature set while keeping weight down to 3.8 pounds per pair. Innovative new features are a flattened tubular frame at the toe and rear sides for more surface area and strength, a new carbon fiber foot plate, and a new Flex binding that holds your foot securely by clamping to the welt on your boot, eliminating the need for a heel strap. It also includes a heel lift.

(Above) The 13-Series features Atlas’s new Flex free heel binding that clamps to the welt on your boots and has no heel strap. The foot plate is carbon fiber. The pivot strap is Atlas’s Spring Loaded Suspension.

Specifications and Features

• Style: tubular aluminum frame snowshoes with pivot strap
• Frame material: 7075 aluminum alloy
• Deck: Durateck
• Crampons: stainless steel toe, heel, and lateral
• Binding: Flex free heel design
• Weight 3.8 pounds per pair
• MSRP: $289

Overview

Protech makes a nice sunscreen. It includes a moisturizer, SPF is 30+, provides high protection from UVA types I and II and UVB rays, and it’s fragrance, oil, and PABA free. Since it’s oil free, it absorbs quickly and lets your skin breathe. What makes it really interesting for lightweight backpackers is that it is now available in 0.25 oz tubes (good for about 4-6 applications on the face and neck) and single application foil packs. No more filling those little pots with suncreen before every trip, just grab a tube or a few foil packs.

Features and Specifications

• Weight: tube 0.25 oz (empty tube 2 g), foil pack 2 g
• Active ingredients: Avobenzone 1.5%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Oxybenzone 3.0%
• SPF: 30+
• MSRP: $3.25 tube (volume discounts), box of 24 foil packs TBD

Overview

You’ve been there – your nose is running constantly while you’re out snowshoeing/trekking and you don’t want to take off your gloves or mittens to search for a hanky, you just washed your jacket and don’t want to snot up the sleeve, and you are wearing BMW Vapr Mitts with a silnylon back that just doesn’t do the job or feel good on your nose. Or, your hand wear did have a nice, soft nose wiper but it’s already worn out, long before the end of the useful life of your gloves/mittens. What to do? Monica Martin and friends had similar thoughts and came up with a solution. Soft microfleece Snot Spots that can be added to a glove or mitten (and even your bare hand), then later removed and washed.

What do I think? My nose runs constantly when I hike and I’m excited about the Snot Spots, especially since they fit on bare hands (my nose running knows no seasons).

Features and Specifications

• Weight: large 0.3 oz, small 0.2 oz
• Sizes: large fits adult winter gloves/mittens, small fits thin adult gloves and youth juniors, and bare hands
• Fabric: 100% polyester microfleece
• Colors: black (hides dirt) and alabaster (hides snot)
• Parent Company (When I Grow Up, Inc.) mission: To donate $1 million to charitable organizations by 2015
• Website: www.snotspotvail.com
• MSRP: $9.95