Articles (2020)

Sierra Nanolite Rainshells – Best in Show?

At each Outdoor Retailer show, the raingear gets lighter. This year Sierra Designs shatters the weight barrier with waterproof/beathable rainshells using their new Nanolite super lightweight fabric. The Nanolite shells weigh 30% less than the lightest fabric rainshell we know of, the 6.5 oz Patagonia Specter. ("Fabric" as used here excludes nonwoven material such as used in Propore and Dri-Ducks garments.) Even more amazing, these jackets weigh less than their non-woven wp/b counterparts. The Isotope Jacket weighs just 4.3 oz (121 g) in men’s size large. This includes a hood, 2 zippered hand pockets, 2 inside cargo pockets, and a full length front zipper with a storm flap! The hoodless Neutron jacket weighs 3.2 oz in a women’s medium. Now there really is no reason to leave your rain jacket at home.

The Nanolite shells will hit the market in 2006. The jackets are reasonably priced at $75 for the hoodless Neutron and $90 for the hooded Isotope. We expect them to fly off the shelves this Spring.

Specifications Men’s and Women’s Neutron Jacket

Weight	manufacturer’s specification 3.2 oz (91 g) women’s medium
Model Year	2006
Shell Fabric	Nanolite: nylon ripstop waterproof/breathable silicone coated shell with DWR, 3,000 mm waterproofness, 3,000 g/m2/24 hrs. breathability. SD claims it is an “ultra-lightweight fabric that is extremely strong and durable.”
Features	A minimalist shell, the Neutron saves weight over the Isotope by losing its hood and storm flap, but still offers a draft on the front zipper: 2 zippered hand pockets, drawcord waist, reverse coil lightweight zippers, full-length front zip with draft flap, elastic binding cuffs, stuffs into hand pocket, fully seam taped, reflective logo
MSRP	$74.95

Specifications Men’s and Women’s Isotope Jacket

Weight	manufacturer’s specification 4.3 oz (121 g) men’s large – BPL sample weight 4.4 oz (125 g)
Model Year	2006
Shell Fabric	Nanolite: nylon ripstop waterproof/breathable silicone coated shell with DWR, 3,000 mm waterproofness, 3,000 g/m2/24 hrs. breathability. SD claims it is an “ultra-lightweight fabric that is extremely strong and durable.”
Features	2 zippered hand pockets, 2 inside cargo pockets, drawcord waist, reverse coil lightweight zippers, full-length front zip with storm flap, elastic binding cuffs, stuffs into hand pocket, fully seam taped, reflective logo
MSRP	$89.95

Icebreaker introduces a variation to their Superfine line (190 g/m²) of merino wool garments with the Elite Tee (men and women) and Track Singlet (women only). These shirts have backs of highly breathable eyelet Superfine fabric. Icebreaker claims that the eyelet fabric is 23% more air permeable than regular Superfine fabric. These shirts will be available in the Spring. We’re eager to see if the eyelet fabric backs are an advantage for sweaty backed backpackers.

Well, the news doesn’t sound good, some say.

There’s really no way to candy-coat it – the future looks pretty bleak for the wild places we love. It’s a message we’re more than familiar with by now. But, according to Richard Louv, the guest speaker at the Outdoor Industry Association’s kickoff breakfast this morning, perhaps the most potent threat to future environmental protection comes not from loggers, miners or the captains of industry, but rather from apathy.

It turns out we’ve been starving the nation’s young people of contact with the natural world. And it turns out that it matters.

Louv is the author of the recently published Last Child in the Woods, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. The Outdoor Industry Association invited him to address attendees at this summer’s Outdoor Retailer as part of their ongoing effort to provide commentary on broad cultural trends that have an impact on the outdoor industry. And given what Richard Louv had to say, it is clear that present trends in how kids relate to the natural world could have a monumental impact, not just on the outdoor industry, but on the future of wild places as well.

According to Mr. Louv, for tens of thousands of years kids have had an abundance of unstructured experiences in the natural world by going out into the woods to play. Meanwhile, during the past few decades there has been a dramatic reversal of this process, as kids spend increasing amounts of time indoors, plugged in, and cut off from the possibilities of wonder and engagement that the natural world has to offer them. Mr. Louv reported that American kids now spend an average of forty-four hours a week in front of computers, playing video games or watching television. And if they’re not in front of some kind of screen, there’s a good chance that they’re doing homework, practicing an instrument, or engaged in some other structured activity that keeps them inside.

In addition to having both feet firmly planted in the media culture and suffering from chronic over-scheduling, kids also have to contend with the changing nature of the places they live. Louv cited examples of Homeowners’ Associations that have outlawed much of what used to be considered normal outdoor child activity. In many planned communities forts and tree houses are forbidden, and in some neighborhoods children are no longer allowed to go outside and simply draw on sidewalks with chalk. Louv also argues that in addition to crowded schedules and social norms that are increasingly hostile to the existence of unfettered children, there has also been a dramatic increase in the perception of what he calls “Stranger Danger.” Parents are frequently gripped by the fear that unsupervised children will be abducted or otherwise harmed by strangers if they are allowed to stray too far from home. The result is that most kids will never know what it feels like to explore the natural world on their own terms as many of us did when we were growing up.

So what does all of this have to do with the future of wild places, or maybe even more pointedly, with backpacking? The upshot seems to be that as fewer and fewer kids have compelling experiences in nature, we are likely to see a corresponding collapse in environmental constituency as these children mature into adulthood and become the future’s majority. And without a committed constituency, it is unlikely that the places we love, which are already so frequently threatened, stand much of a chance over the long haul. So while this summer’s Outdoor Retailer is the largest show in the event’s history, and while thousands of retailers, manufacturers, and media people exhaust themselves trying to catch the latest and most likely trends in the industry, the most significant trend may be that the industry itself faces an uncertain future.

Overview

If you’ve had the pleasure of multi-sport racing wearing GoLite’s 24 pack, but wished it was, say, 700 ci larger, you’re in luck. GoLite created the new Multi-Sport pack identical to their 24, but with 1900 ci of volume while only adding an additional ounce (1 lb 5 oz). It shares the same great durable fabric (Arrowhead Cordura ripstop), panel access, side compression, side and back pockets, and hip belt pockets. The additional volume allows you to carry 6-liters of water for longer duration activities.

Features and Specifications

• Fabric: Arrowhead Cordura ripstop and nylon mesh
• Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
• Volume: 1900 ci
• MSRP: $100

One of our major gripes about the Suunto X9 was the lack of an interface with decent electronic maps and waypoint mapping software. There just wasn’t an easy way to get waypoints into or out of the X9. This rendered the unit virtually useless except for getting a GPS fix of your current position. Useful yes, but only about 10% of the utility and potential of GPS units like the Garmin Foretex that do interface with electronic waypoint and mapping software.

At Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Suunto introduces the new X9i, designed to seamlessly integrate with National Geographic Topo! software and State Series Maps (my favorite electronic mapping software and maps). Finally there is a way to plan routes and easily download waypoints into the X9. This adds a new level of performance to this GPS!

Sunnto claims to have improved upon our other major gripe with the X9, slow GPS fix times. They claim that improved firmware gives the X9i fix times similar to units like the Garmin Forerunner. If this turns out to be true we couldn’t be happier to have the X9i succeed as a small fully functional GPS unit.

We’ll be testing the new X9i with TOPO! State Series maps in the next few months to see how these fixes fare in the real world (pun intended).

The Suunto X9i retails for $499 and will be available fall 2005. The TOPO! State Series retails for $99.95 and is available by state. Current TOPO! users will be able to download updates to provide compatibility with the Suunto X9i.

2005 LIGHTITUDE AWARD HONORABLE MENTION

The Pentax Optio WP is a fully waterproof digital camera that, at just under 5 ounces, may become the go to camera for ultralight backpackers.

The photo with this article was taken using an Optio WP, and all photos under my byline during this OR show will be snapped with the same Optio WP.

• Weight: 4.9 oz with Li-ion rechargeable battery, BPL verified
• 5.0 effective megapixels
• Pentax 3X internal optical zoom lens
• JIS-Class 8 waterproof – underwater photography 1.5 m below surface
• 2.0 inch LCD with low-reflection glare control
• Easy shot green button

Click here to view the Beercan stove in action (946 kb)
(note: Apple Quicktime is required to view this movie, to download please vist Apple)

It’s a stove, pot stand, windscreen, cook pot and insulted drinking cup in one integrated unit. Think of this integrated cooking system as a Jetboil with anorexia. You get much of the function of the Jetboil for 20% of the weight and 15% of the cost. Possibly the coolest and most inexpensive gizmo of the show. Every backpacker should have one.

The Ultralight “Beercan” Cook Pot & Stove (ULBCPS) uses Esbit fuel tabs. One tab boils 20 oz of water and weighs ½ oz. The whole system weighs 3.8 oz, less than many canister stoves alone.

Specifications Ultralight Outfitters – Ultralight “Beercan” Cook Pot & Stove

Weight	manufacturer’s specification 3.8 oz (108 g) BPL verified weight 3.9 oz (does not include Lexan spoon that comes with kit)
Model Year	2005
Elements	Esbit stove, pot stand, 25.4 oz aluminum pot (Fosters Beer Can), windscreen (doubles as insulated pot holder), also includes a Lexan spoon

Ultralight Outfitters – Ultralight “Beercan” Cook Pot & Stove Setup in cooking mode: Pot (a Foster’s beer can) sits on wire support that serves double duty to hold an Esbit tablet at the correct height below the pot. An aluminum windscreen keeps the tablet burning at top efficiency.

The Esbit stove and stainless steel potstand. It holds an Esbit tablet at the correct height below the pot and when stowed serves as a protector for the dirty pot bottom.

Windscreen wraps around pot as an insulated mug holder for a hot drink. Potstand holds the windscreen in place.

Smartwool adds more eye appeal to their microweight lines with new Versawear colors and styles. Microweight tops are significantly lighter than lightweight tops in corresponding styles.

Gardner Flanigan of Smartwool models a Versawear top.

Smartwool microweight crew.

Features and Specfications

• Fabric weight for lightweight line: 195 g/m²
• Fabric weight for microweight line: 150 g/m²
• At 7.0 ounces in size large, the Smartwool microweight crew top weighs 1.4 ounces less than the lightweight crew.
• At 6.1 ounces, the microweight Versawear short sleeve top weighs 1.5 ounces less than its lightweight counterpart.

Alan Dixon in Versawear.

Keela, a Scottish outdoor company, claims a significant innovation in waterproof breathable technology, “System Dual Protection” (SDP). While this technology is much heavier than current 2.5 layer PTFE and Polyurethane based WP/B fabrics, Keela claims it will keep the wearer drier than current WP/B fabrics by reducing condensation on the inner surface of rainwear.

Keela believes the real test of a rain jacket is how dry it stays on the inside. They claim their new technology reduces condensation on the inner surface of their rain gear significantly compared to other WP/B fabrics. To prove this they’ve done extensive testing of rainwear in cold, rainy environments. They also developed an apparatus to simulate these conditions and test the performance of WP/B fabrics. Keela claims that their SDP measurably outperforms current WP/B fabrics in cold and rainy conditions when worn for an extended period of time with an exercising user.

The Keela Cumulus at 24 oz is currently the lightest rendition of the System Dual Protection technology. Lighter fabrics might bring SDP garments into the 12 to 16 oz range.

 

Keela claims that current moisture transport tests of WP/B fabrics do not simulate real world cold and rainy conditions – the conditions one is most likely to encounter when wearing a rain jacket. That is, a warm humid environment inside the jacket created by an exercising hiker and a cold damp and rainy environment outside. Under these conditions, the inside of a rain jacket condenses in the same way your car windshield fogs up on a cold damp day. The warm moist air from your body hits the cold inside surface of the rain jacket (chilled by contact with cold rain and the outside air) and condenses into liquid water.

 

Keela apparatus to test garments in “real world conditions” – cool, wet and rainy. Standard PTFE and PU laminates come up with a wet inner surface. Keela System Dual Protection garments have a much drier inner surface.

Since the outside of the shell is just as wet as the inside there is no force to move water from the wet inside of the jacket to the wet outside of the jacket. That is, there needs to be a moisture differential (wetter inside and drier outside) to create a motive force to move the condensing water to the outside of the shell. So as long as you exercise in these conditions, water continues to accumulate on the inside of the shell and soak your baselayer and whatever other clothing you have on inside of the shell.

To solve the condensation problem Keela uses an approach similar to a double paned window. They use two hydrophilic WP/B membranes separated by an air gap. This is their “System Dual Protection” (SDP). These are not bonded but are two free hanging fabric layers.

How does it work? First, the air gap between outer and inner fabric layers creates an insulating barrier between the inner and outer surfaces of the rain jacket fabric keeping the inner surface warmer and less prone to condensation. Keela claims that it also keeps the wearer a bit warmer and reduces the number of layers. Note the focus on cold, damp, and horrid conditions as encountered in Keela’s homebase – Scotland.

Second, the inner hydrophilic membrane has a high wicking star yarn polyester liner (which acts similarly to a sponge in absorbing the moisture). Inner moisture is absorbed through the jacket lining and passed though the inner hydrophilic membrane to the air gap between fabric layers. Once here, it cannot wick back through the inner hydrophilic membrane liner as the waterproof laminate will not allow it. The moisture in the air gap between the two fabrics escapes through the outer fabric at its own rate, or it can literally drain down between the two fabric layers and exit via the bottom hem of the jacket. A bellows effect between the two fabric layers as you move also helps to transport water from the inner layer.

What’s the catch? Well for one thing, the lightest rendition of this technology uses two layers of 70 g/m2 fabric. That equates to a jacket (albeit sturdily built and with lots of features) that weighs 20 to 24 oz. Also in warm environments the added insulation of the dual layers may keep you hotter than you want.

For the US market, we could see a jacket with two 30 g/m2 fabric layers coming in between 12 and 16 oz. If the technology is as good as Keela claims, its performance may be worth the weight for hiking in climates like the Pacific Northwest and Scotland.

Overview

Mountainsmith’s MountainLite line has been completely eliminated. This includes the loss of two favorite packs among many lightweighters: the Wraith and Ghost.

This does not mark a departure away from making great lightweight packs. Mountainsmith introduced a new line at Outdoor Retailer in 2005. Their new TrekLite series has been designed to better accommodate the needs of long distance hikers. We favored the PCT 45 (or CDT 45 women’s version). With an extended volume of 4222 ci (standard volume is 2624 ci) and weight of just under 3 pounds in size regular, these packs may well mark an improvement to Mountainsmith’s line of lightweight packs.

The new packs feature twin corrugated T6 6061 aluminum stays, two water bottle pockets, a large back pocket, hip belt pockets, convertible top lid, and a full-featured harness.

Features and Specifications

• Fabric: 210d and 420d Corduras
• Weight: 2lb 15 oz (size R); 3 lbs 1 oz (size L)
• Volume: 2624 ci (size R); 2746 ci (size L)

Overview

Mountain Hardwear enters the backpack market with a strong pack line coming out in 2006. The 3400 ci Foray pack from their Aspiration series hits a hefty 3 lbs 14 oz by our standards; but uses very durable 420d Cordura and 630d Ballistic Cordura, has a sophisticated harness and suspension, and is competitively priced at $179.

Features and Specifications

• Fabric: 420d Cordura and 630d Ballistic Cordura on the bottom
• Weight: 3 lb 14 oz (size M)
• Volume: 3400 ci (size M)
• MSRP: $179

The New Life-Link A.T. Superlight answers the call of the hikers who want a strong, light and durable trekking pole but don’t need adjustably or to shorten the poles for storage. The A.T. Superlights used fixed-length carbon fiber shafts and come in 44", 46", 48", 50", 52" (112, 117, 122, 127, 132 cm) lengths. The carbon shafts are joined with a light grip, and the standard Life Link snag proof trekking basket and carbide tips.

The Life-Line poles face stiff competition from other carbon fiber trekking poles. At 12 ounces a pair, they are about the same weigh as Komperdell Duolock multi-section adjustable poles. Fixed-length Poles from other ultra-light manufactures like Gossamer Gear weigh 4 to 5 oz.

If A.T. Superlights have an advantage it will be in strength and durability. The carbon shafts have a thick walled construction with years of proven field durability. It is the same constant diameter shafts used in the lower section of their hybrid aluminum and carbon fiber poles like the Guide Ultralight trekking poles.

Overview

To compliment their already popular lightweight pack line, Granite Gear announced the addition of their Vapor Ki, a women’s specific version of their very comfortable Vapor Trail pack. The only real difference to their other Vapor Trail, aside from a new chic color and women’s specific fit, are a pair of zippered pockets at the top of each side panel. Neither the fit nor the color was a favorite of mine, but you get the idea. This is an excellent addition to gear made specifically for women.

Overview

MacPac’s Epic 150 SF sleeping bag makes an excellent addition to an adventure racer’s or ultra-lighter’s gear quiver. It allows the use of a very small tarp, or perhaps no tarp at all, without the need for a bivy. MacPac uses stitch-free welded seam construction to create the baffles and seal in the 750 FP European Goose down. This also creates a totally waterproof bag using Reflex LoftPro waterproof-breathable fabric. Reflex LoftPro is a PU coated 2-layer fabric with a claimed breathability better than PacLite.

Features are fairly sparse; and we like that. MacPac omitted a zipper and made the fit trim, so it might be a challenge to shimmy into it. The stuff sack is oddly sewn into an inside seam, but could be easily removed with scissors. There is no need for a draft tube and the collar has been omitted.

At 19 ounces and a claimed temperature rating of 35 F, the Epic 150 can easily beat the combined weight of a similarly rated down bag and lightweight bivy. Loft will likely diminish as moisture condenses on the inside of the PU coating, making this bag more suited to shorter trips and/or drier climes. We hope to receive a review sample after the show for a thorough review.

Features and Specifications

• Fabric: Reflex LoftPro outer with 30d VapourLite inner.
• Weight: 19 oz
• Fill Weight: 5 oz
• Claimed Temperature Rating: 35 F, 2 C
• MSRP: $280

Inov-8 Mudroc 280 Fell Running Shoes: Weight 280 g (9.9 oz)

Remember when the controversial topic was switching from leather hiking boots to trail runners? Now there is a trend to go even lighter. This time from “heavier” padded trail runners to lighter and more flexible shoes – some weighing as little as 9.5 oz (270 g). The claim is that the lighter and more flexible shoe is less fatiguing by allowing the foot’s normal biomechanical action. These shoes are the logical progression from a trend to go to lighter packs, faster hiking speeds and longer distances. Going under ten pounds for a base pack weight used to be a big deal. Now, a number of people are using sub-5 pound packs for cold trips on challenging terrain.

This August, Andrew “Trail Dog” Thompson broke the speed record on the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail. He shaved almost a day off the old record by completing the AT in 48 days 10 hours 11 minutes. He did it using Inov-8 Flyroc 310 and Terroc 330 shoes weighing 10.9 oz and 11.6 oz respectively.

Inov-8, founded in 2003, is a British manufacturer of extremely light trail running (fell running in the UK) shoes. They’ve taken competitive trail running, ultra-running, adventure racing, and orienteering by storm. They have a number of prestigious race wins.

The Mudroc 280 was the 2004 Fell Race British & English Championship winning shoe. This shoe is stripped down to its essential elements. Inov-8 calls it a “Lightweight Mountain/Fell racing [shoe] with a minimal upper construction, precise fit, and more sensitive underfoot. The 280 has a new softer sticky sole compound exclusively developed by the Inov-8 team using climbing rubber technology.”

“Minimal upper construction… more sensitive underfoot” are the key phrases here. When you put on a pair of Inov-8 shoes you notice an immediate difference. They are lighter and significantly more flexible than even light conventional trail runners. They feel more like slippers than shoes. The soles are so flexible you feel ground imperfections under your feet.

One would think that shoes like this would lead to foot soreness but they don’t (as long as you give your body time to adapt). The shoes work for ultra-runners and Trail Dog who subject their feet to more punishment than you and I ever will. Maybe it works for an average hiker. The basic premise of these shoes, according to Inov-8 founder Wayne Edy, is to allow the foot and ankle their natural biomechanical motion without interference from the shoe – “The foot controls the shoe. The shoe does not control the foot.” Inov-8 shoes provide some protection and a sole for traction but do not interfere with the foot’s natural motion. That is, the closer you get to running barefoot the better your efficiency and stability, and the less your risk of injury.

Using a shoe like this does take some time to adapt. It’s critical that you take the time to incrementally condition and strengthen your body to running or hiking in the new shoes. Sore calves are a common symptom of adapting to more flexible shoes. Strange but true.

I started off running around 3 to 4 miles in my Inov-8 (less than my usual mileage) and slowly worked up to 12 to 14 mile hilly trail runs over a few months. Initially a number of muscles in my calves, ankles and feet were sore. This was my body adapting to my normal stride and strengthening muscles. Three months later I am running farther and with less fatigue than with the old padded and controlling trail shoes I thought necessary for shock absorption and foot protection – even on rocky trails. My eyes and feet are better coordinated, another skill needed to step in the right places and miss the wrong places on the trail.

Readers, I am not a gifted runner. I’m by far a light runner. But I don’t think I’m going back to my old shoes anytime soon. In fact, I’m graduating myself from 310 gram Flyrocs to lighter 280 gram Mudrocs. I haven’t enjoyed trail running this much in years!

Inov-8 Flyroc 310 shoes: Trail Dog used them on the AT and I first adapted to lighter shoes with the Flyroc 310s. I used them for 14 mile trail runs and long training hikes for the last three months. I’m graduating myself to the lighter Mudroc 280s in preparation for some very long distance hiking this Fall.

Note: while this article discusses water loss calculations, Hydra-Alert is considering adding calorie loss calculations to the watch in the future. More about this possible feature at the very end of this article.

The Hydra-Alert™ (HA) is a sport watch that adds a new feature to training aids, it estimates your fluid loss and tells you when and how much to drink. The Hydra-Alert™ sports watch monitors air temperature, ambient humidity, and your heart rate to estimate fluid loss during physical activity. No, it doesn’t directly monitor water loss, it estimates it. The HA does this by plugging monitored values (air temp and humidity) and exertion level (heart rate vs. resting heart rate) into internal formulas for fluid loss. There is a one-time programming of the unit for the user’s weight, sex, age, resting heart rate and maximum MET (VO2 MAX) The unit will run a simple self administered test to calculate resting heart rate and maximum MET if you don’t know them.

The HA has been in development with the Military to keep soldiers hydrated in difficult environmental conditions, like the Iraq war. For instance it helps soldiers on guard duty (they wear hydration bladders) to hydrate at proper levels.

One big advantage I can see to the HA is to conserve water. With an accurate estimation of you water loss, you drink only what you need. This allows you to carry only the water you need and minimizes drinking stops to those that are needed. No more conservatively guessing at water you need, carrying and drinking large amounts, and peeing it out in short order. I can also see applications for the HA in ultra-endeavors. I wished I had the HA for long hot dry days canyoneering in Southern Utah.

The Hydra-Alert™ can tell you, at user determined intervals, how much water you need to drink (fluid lost during the interval). For example, you could set the unit to beep every 20 minutes with the amount of water you need to drink. If you can’t drink then (like you’re in the middle of a climbing pitch) the unit will keep track of you water loss and give you an updated amount 20 minutes later that includes the water you didn’t drink. The HA keeps track of the total amount of water lost during the entire exercise period. This is very useful information for predicting water consumption for future trips or training sessions.

Obviously the HA designers had the medial risks from dehydration in mind, not conserving water! Maintaining proper hydration is essential for healthy cardiovascular and metabolic function. Possible consequences from dehydration include:

• Reduced endurance
• Diminished physical performance
• Diminished cardiac output
• Increased body temperature
• Elevated heart rate
• Inaccurate perceived exertion
• Loss of muscle strength
• Inefficient oxygen consumption
• Eventual Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion

The Hydra-Alert™ also calculates a four zone Heat Index based on temperature and humidity: Caution, Extreme Caution, Danger, and Extreme Danger. These give the user an indication of risk of dehydration before they start to exercise. Oh, and the Hydra-Alert is accurate even when you’re not exercising.

Features Included in Hydra-Alert watches:

• Fluid Check™ for Safeguarding Against Dehydration.
• Build-in sensor for detecting Temperature and Humidity
• Display Heat Index
• MAX MET (VO2 MAX) Calibration
• Fitness Index
• Heart Rate Monitoring
• Three separate EZ-Set Target Zone with Visual and Audible alarms
• Records and Displays Time Below/Above/Within TZ
• In-Zone-Goal Count Down Timer (0-60 min)
• Heart Rate Sampling: 5, 15, 30, 60 sec or 5 min
• 50 Lap Memory over 1 Exercise Session
• Interval Timer
• Easy to Read Stopwatch
• Dual Display for Analog and Digital Time
• Weekly and Annual Event Reminder
• Date and Day Display
• Daily Alarm
• Nite Lite with Smart Lite Function
• Scratch Resistant Crystal Lens
• Water Resistant to 30 Meters
• Rechargeable Battery
• MSRP: $150 to $350 depending features (four models)
• Weight unavailable

Now about calorie loss: How cool would it be if you not only knew water loss but also how many calories you were burning? Using the same information of monitored heart rate the HA could (in a future version) figure out how many calories you burn. So at the reminder intervals it would not only tell you how much water to drink but also how many calories to eat. Not only that, the unit, knowing your exertion level, would figure out the amount of fat and carbohydrate your body burns. It could even tell you when you start to enter critical glycogen depletion and start metabolizing body muscle into energy (not good).

If you took some good training hikes with the HA monitoring calorie consumption you’d get a good idea of how much energy you expend hiking or running. With this information you could better calculate the food you need on a trip – that is, you could figure out the minimum amount of food for a trip saving a lot of weight. Also, with the HA you could hike in your most efficient “fat burning” zone.

Again, I stress that the calorie monitoring function is not in any current Hydra-Alert units and not even announced for future units. It is simply based on discussions with HA’s physiologist about possible future enhancements using their technology.

The new Black Diamond Skylight is a three-person single-wall tent in the Superlight tent family (Firstlight and Lighthouse). The Skylight has a hybrid single/double walled construction. The rear two-thirds of the tent uses a single wall of Epic fabric for good breathability and high water-resistance (see our review of the Firstlight). The front of the tent is a mesh inner wall and an Epic outer canopy/fly and can be rolled-up in nice weather or rolled down in inclement conditions for protection and a spacious vestibule.

Weights: Package: 4.97 Lbs Tent: 2.84 Lbs Poles: 1.26 Lbs

Area: 36.667 sq feet

Dimensions: 88″ (length) x 69″ (shoulder width) x 42″ (center height)

Packed Size: 7″ x 12″

The front of the tent is a mesh inner wall and an Epic outer canopy/fly and can be rolled-up in nice weather or rolled down in inclement conditions for protection and a spacious vestibule.

Overview

Osprey’s Aether 60 has long been regarded as a standard in lightweight pack lines. In our tests of previous versions, we found the hip belt limits the upper carrying capacity of this pack. Osprey announced some significant improvements to the Aether series at this Outdoor Retailer; most notably an innovative redesign of their hip belt and suspension.

Heat moldable foam in not new to the outdoor industry. It’s best use has been where a perfect fit improves performance, such as in ski and telemark boots. Osprey has pioneered heat moldable harnesses in their backpacks, and the Osprey Aether series uses a lighter version of their BioForm CM foam used in their heavier packs over the past year. Dealers who carry the Osprey line will be equipped with a specially designed oven to heat the belt for approximately 10 minutes. The hiker wears the hip belt while it’s warm, and the belt conforms perfectly to the wearer’s shape.

The backpanel has also been improved with better ventilation. Osprey uses a nubbed foam covered in mesh to improve air flow across the entire back.

The cost of this innovation is increased weight. The new Aether 60 adds an additional 6.4 ounces over their previous version. The fit seemed improved over older versions, even without heat molding the hip belt, which may compensate for the increased weight.

The other features the Aether 60 is known for remain the same or similiar. It will still carry ice axes, snow shoes, snowboards, skis, and accept their line of accessory pockets.

Features and Specifications

• Fabric: The main fabrics are 210d double ripstop, 210 oxford, and 420d oxford in higher wear areas. 2-way stretch nylon and Lycra are used for the side and front pockets. Heat moldable Isoform CM material is used in the hipbelt.
• Weight: 3 lb 15 oz (size M); 4 lbs 2 oz (size L)
• Volume: 3700 ci (size M); 3800 ci (size L)
• MSRP: $199