Episode 150 | Usability
Episode Summary
In Episode 150, Ryan Jordan examines usability as the relationship between outdoor gear, the person using it, the task, and the conditions. He explains the difference between user interface and user experience, then uses trekking-pole adjustments and a watch’s rotating bezel to explore what makes gear intuitive, fast, and versatile to use. The discussion defines “analog by design” through physical representation, direct manipulation, and tactile feedback, including how these qualities can coexist with electronic functions. Ryan also outlines a practical evaluation process: try a relevant task, learn and practice the operation, and repeat it under expected trip conditions. The episode closes with the ways reducing weight can help or hinder usability and a preview of the next discussion on simplicity. This is Part 2 of the Principles of Outdoor Gear Design series, supported by Vaer Watches.
Listen Now
together with Vaer Watches
This episode is supported by Vaer Watches and features the Vaer C4 Tactical Field Solar watch. // The C4 Tactical Field Solar pairs a matte black dial and large, U.S. Air Force-inspired stencil numerals with raised, 3D-printed Super-LumiNova blocks - the brightest lume Vaer has offered. // Its 12-hour unidirectional bezel includes a 20-minute scale for timing a climb or a boil, or tracking home time in a second time zone. // About six hours of light provides up to six months of power, so there’s no battery to swap in the field. // A 41.5 mm bead-blasted steel case houses a recessed screw-down crown and flat sapphire crystal, with 200 meters of water resistance. // Assembled in the USA and backed by Vaer’s two-year waterproof warranty.
Show Notes
Watch the video version (YouTube):
Key talking points
- What usability means for hiking and backpacking gear, including effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction.
- The difference between user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).
- How finding an adjustment, understanding it, operating it, and interpreting feedback affect the experience of using gear.
- Analog by design: physical representation, direct manipulation, and tactile feedback.
- What rotating watch bezels and trekking-pole adjustment mechanisms reveal about usability.
- A practical evaluation process that separates initial learning, operation after practice, and use under expected trip conditions.
- How reducing weight can improve or impair usability, and how usability differs from simplicity.
Mentions and resources
- Hiking and Backpacking at High Altitudes — December 2 masterclass
- Altitude illness, carbohydrate depletion, and dehydration — case study and companion video
- Using Stakes and Guylines with Ultralight Shelters — video
- Backpacking Light newsletter — subscribe and browse previous issues
- Episode 149 | Durability — Part 1 of Principles of Outdoor Gear Design
- Vaer C4 Tactical Field Solar — analog watch with a rotating bezel for time tracking
- Backpacking Light membership
References
- ISO 9241-11:2018 — Usability: Definitions and concepts
- ISO 9241-210:2019 — Human-centred design for interactive systems
- Don Norman — The Design of Everyday Things, revised and expanded edition (2013)
- Ben Shneiderman — “Direct Manipulation: A Step Beyond Programming Languages” (1983)
- Jeff Rubin and Dana Chisnell — Handbook of Usability Testing, second edition (2008)
- Don Norman — Living with Complexity (2010)
About this series
Principles of Outdoor Gear Design is a four-part series created in partnership with Vaer Watches that features episodes about durability, usability, simplicity, and performance in outdoor gear design. It combines philosophy, engineering, and practical backcountry experience for outdoor industry professionals and users.
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to: Episode 150 | Usability
How easy is your gear to use when conditions change? Ryan Jordan explores usability in hiking and backpacking gear, from trekking-pole adjustments to an analog watch’s rotating bezel. Learn how physical representation, direct manipulation, and tactile feedback affect the experience, and how to evaluate whether lightweight gear works for you, your skills, and the conditions of your trip.
Become a member to post in the forums.