Articles (2020)

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

Do you prefer mittens or gloves on your feet? That’s right, gloves for your feet, these cuddly critters fit your tootsies like a glove. Why is that so great you might ask? By having the sock fit around each toe, they separate your toes and keep them from rubbing, keep them drier, and allow your feet to perform naturally without restriction. This all sounds like manufacturer hype, but they are definitely intriguing and worth a try.

Photo: These socks fit like a glove – literally. Pictured is the outdoor merino wool model.

The Injinji sock models are all fairly thin (so they don’t squeeze your toes), and come in a variety of fabrics targeted to different activities. We liked the merino wool Outdoor model for hiking and similar sports.

Specifications and Features

• Manufacturer: Injinji (www.injinji.com)
• Styles: various (low and high)
• Weights: various, mostly thin
• Fabrics: various, including merino wool, CoolMax, and cotton

Darn Tough Vermont makes a lot of claims about the quality of their socks, but there’s one claim that really made an impression – they have a lifetime guarantee! So, you can invest 20 bucks in a pair of their socks and wear them for life. Maybe you want to put them in your will, because DTV says the number of socks that have been returned wouldn’t fill a shoebox.

Photo: Darn Tough Vermont socks come in an assortment of styles for different activities. Pictured are the merino wool hiking socks in regular and short heights.

Their secret – 1,444 knit stitches per square inch using super fine 21 micron merino wool. They even have independent tests where other socks wore through with 14,000 rubs, while their socks had no wear at 20,000 rubs. Ok, now you’ve heard all the hype, but these socks are darn nice and the lifetime warranty is impressive.

Specifications and Features

• Fabric: 67% merino wool, 29% nylon, 4% Lycra Spandex (Merino Wool Boot Sock). Other models use Coolmax.
• Styles: various models for different sports

Overview

SmartWool is bringing out a new women’s product that may make a lot of men jealous. The Spectrum Hoodie is a lightweight hoody with some nice design features. It’s 195 and 200g/m² wool, making it suitable as a base layer. There are thumb holes to add a bit of warmth to hands on cool days. The zipper opening is a nice length, and the collar stands up around the entire neck circumference, independent of the hood. And of course, it has a hood.

This piece looks like the Holy Grail I’ve been searching for. I’ve acquired four hoodies in the past year. None turned out to be quite what I was looking for. Not thin enough for a base layer, a too short or non-existent neck zipper, or no thumb holes. My search for the perfect base layer hooodie was bound to fail, because what I really wanted was a lightweight, technical wool hoodie, but no one was making one. I love wool as a baselayer; I’m more comfortable in it over a wider temperature range than a synthetic baselayer. I like the idea of a hood attached to the layer I’ll always be wearing since it reduces the number of items I need to keep track of, and it’s instantly available for a warmth boost without a search.

SmartWool may have ended my quest for the perfect cool weather baselayer with the introduction (next fall) of the Spectrum Hoodie. As a bonus, since the Spectrum Hoodie is part of SmartWool’s Versawear line, it’s fashionable enough to wear as an outer layer in town too. And guys, don’t despair, the henna (looks like rust) and black colors are subdued enough for you if your ego can take wearing a women’s top. (I know at least one unnamed Backpacking Light staff member – initials RJ – who has already requested one.)

Features and Specifications

• Weight: about 9.5 oz
• Fabric: main body 100% SmartWool jersey knit, contrast fabric 100% SmartWool Rib knit
• Fabric weight: main body 195 g/m² (5.7 oz/yd²), contrast fabric 200 g/m² (5.9 oz/yd²)
• Sizes: women’s XS-XL
• Features: tonal accenting with rib, stand up collar independent of hood, hidden pocket, flared cuff with thumbhole
• MSRP: $95

Building on the success of their White Lightning tarp, Granite Gear is introducing their Northern Light tarp. This is truly a premium tarp, with catenary cut edges and a stretch seam binding that reduces direct stress on the fabric. It even includes attached lightweight guylines.

Photo: The new Granite Gear Northern Light tarp has side catenary curves and short sidewalls. Lightweight guylines are included.

The Northern Light comes in one size, 8 x 8 feet, big enough to sleep two. It has sidewalls that hang down below the edges. Another innovation is optional “Dodgers” that attach to the ends to create vestibules when more protection is needed.

Specifications and Features

• Style: flat tarp with catenary edges
• Fabric: 1.3 ounce sil Cordura nylon
• Size: 8 x 8 feet, plus sidewalls
• Options: “Dodgers” that create end vestibules
• MSRP: $135, Dodgers are $55

The awaited re-designed Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) packs are nearly here, and we got a chance to see two of them at the OR Show. Brian Frankle proudly showed us his new Relay (see separate dispatch) and Conduit frameless packs. The Conduit has a capacity of 3,200 cubes (50L) and weighs a scant 20 ounces, which hits a sweet spot, providing just enough volume for an ultralight 3-4 day (or more) backpacking trip.

Photo: The new ULA Conduit frameless pack has 3,200 cubic inches and weighs 20 ounces. Hey, you want outside pockets!

The Conduit is adorned with five outside pockets, two on the sides, one large one on the front, and two on the hipbelt. All are bellowed to provide plenty of capacity when the back body is stuffed full. The top closure is a roll-down with an extension collar, drawcord closure, and top strap.

We are pleased to see that Brian continues to use Dyneema Gridstop fabric on all of his packs, which is very durable for its weight.

Specifications and Features

• Style: frameless backpack, roll-down closure with top strap
• Volume: 3,200 cubic inches (50L) including all pockets
• Fabric: Dyneema Gridstop
• Outside Pockets: 2 side, 1 front, 2 hipbelt
• Weight: 20 ounces
• Side compression straps: yes
• Options: internal stash pocket, hydration sleeve, water bottle holsters, handloops
• MSRP: $125

Overview

CW-X applies science and engineering to make high performance undergarments. As I reported from the last Outdoor Retailer show, and in my SuperUltraLight series, they got their science right in the Sport Support Bra. It is the most comfortable sport top I’ve ever worn. But the available sizes were very limited. After lots of feedback from potential customers, CW-X has responded by expanding the size range of the Sport Support Bra (32AA to 36D) and adding a Firm Support Bra (34B/C to 38D) to their lineup. The Firm Support Bra uses a modified Soft Support Web for larger cup sizes. If the Firm Support Bra is as comfortable as the Sport Support Bra, large busted active women can rejoice.

Features and Specifications

• Fabric: 80% Coolmax, 20% Lycra
• Sizes: Firm Support Bra 34B/C to 38D, Sport Support Bra 32AA to 36D
• Features: Flat seams, Soft Support Web technology

Available: August ’06 Firm Support Bra, spring ’06 larger and smaller sizes of Sport Support Bra

• MSRP: $52 Firm Support Bra, $45 Sport Support Bra

A new snowshoe model for fall 2006 is the Atlas Backcountry 24. By all indications, Atlas has it right, with a proven combination of features, including Atlas’s Spring-Loaded Suspension, a simple urethane binding that lays flat, a strong 7075 aluminum frame, killer stainless steel toe, heel and lateral crampons, and a heel lift. I expect these snowshoes to be strong performers on the snow, and also appreciated when its time to pack them on your back – only 3.2 pounds per pair!

Photo right: New for fall 2006, the Atlas Backcountry 24 snowshoe weighs just 3.2 pounds, yet has a really nice feature set for backcountry travel. The Summit binding is urethane with tried-and-true hook-and-hole fasteners, and lays flat for easy packing.

The Backcountry is 24 inches long to provide a little better maneuverability and packability, but because of their shape they have the surface area and floatation of a 25 inch snowshoe.

Based on our initial impressions, the Backcountry 24 will be a great value at $199.

Photo above: The bottom side of the Atlas Backcountry 24, showing long stainless steel toe, heel, and lateral crampons and 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: Summit urethane hook and hole straps, two over the toe area plus a heel strap
• Weight: 3.2 pounds
• MSRP: $199

Overview

SmartWool has developed an interesting series of clothing in their Versawear (performance, comfort, and STYLE) line that has wool next to skin, and a double knit synthetic exterior surface. SmartWool is careful to say that the Synergy fabric is wind resistant, but not enough to be classified as a softshell. The Synergy garments come in men’s and women’s sizing and include a jacket, pullover, hoodie, and three styles of pants.

Photo: SmartWool’s Gardner Flanigan strikes a pose in the Synergy Pullover.

If the Synergy fabric successfully combines the temperature regulation of wool with the moisture wicking and wind resistant properties of the double knit outer layer, these garments may be top performers in conditions cold enough that a thin wool baselayer is just not enough. Moisture management, i.e. not allowing the garment to become completely sweat soaked, will likely play a role in getting the best performance from these garments. Still, it’ll be interesting to compare drying times for this top to a thin wool shirt layered under a thin synthetic shirt.

Features and Specifications

• Weight: about 11 oz
• Fabric: double knit (56% SmartWool, 32% nylon, 12% polyester) 300 g/m² (8.85oz/yd²
• Features: bonded stretch woven pocket on sleeve, draft flap, collar extension
• Sizes: mex S-XXL, women XS-XL
• MSRP: $140

The GV Snowshoes Carbon Tech definitely got our attention for pure innovation and lightweight. And the cost is less than you might think.

Photo Right: The GV Carbon Tech Solstice measures 8 x 29 inches, weighs 3.9 pounds per pair, is ruggedly built, and has a superb binding.

The frame is contoured carbon fiber, ruggedly built, and measures 8 x 29 inches, so it provides lots of floatation plus strength. On the underside it has very capable aluminum alloy crampons. The topside has the nicest ratcheting binding straps we have ever seen, and they easily work with gloved hands. The pivot system is a nylon sleeve and rod.

The business side of the Carbon Tech has long, toothy aluminum alloy crampons. The pivot hinge is a nylon sleeve and metal rod.

In spite of its carbon fiber frame, the Carbon Tech is not exceptionally lightweight at 3.9 pounds per pair. Some weight is added back from the ratcheting binding and deck material. However, they have a good balance of lightweight, high-end features, and durability.

If you want the best snowshoe technology currently available, then check out the GV Carbon Tech Solstice. The cost is only about $75 more than a regular high-end pair of snowshoes.

Specifications and Features

• Size: 8 x 29 inches
• Weight: 3.9 pounds per pair
• Crampons: aluminum alloy, toe and heel
• MSRP: $319

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