Clothing

Gear

Accessories

Get Your Profile Dialed

Craig Armstrong

Biker // Hiker // Boulderer

Craig Armstrong

  • Backcountry.com Employee Backcountry.com Employee

11 Reviews:

Helpful?
3 Yes

1 Questions:

Helpful?
0 Yes

3 Answers:

Helpful?
1 Yes

4 Photos:

Helpful?
2 Yes

0 Videos:

Helpful?
0 Yes

2 Comments:

Helpful?
0 Yes

1 Wishlists:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Field Tests:

Helpful?
0 Yes

  • Stomping Grounds:

    Salt Lake City / Park City
  • Bio:

    beauty in all. bmx, hiking, birding, bouldering, spirits, good food, good people, a bug on a ball to experience all..

Flag

Un-Flag

Close

Something wrong with this profile?

Thanks for pointing it out. We'll take it down immediately and send it to our clean-up crew.

This profile was: (Optional)

Use your real name to add some legitimacy to your content. Real names mean real community, and real community means real knowledge. Gear Gurus who use their real names get bumped up 1.5x for each contribution - you deserve the credit. For more info check out the Help Center.

This is how you compare to all the other Gear Gurus on Backcountry.com. You earn one point for each list / review / question / answer / gear photo / comments / votes you contribute. You gain an extra point every time someone gives one of your contributions a thumbs up, but you lose a point for every thumbs down. Bonus: if you use your real name, your point total increases by 1.5x—you deserve credit for putting your neck on the line to make this community better. For more info, check out the Help Center.

Change me.

This is how you compare to the other Gear Gurus within a group of products. You earn one point for each of your list / reviews / questions / answers / photos / comments / votes. You gain an extra point every time someone gives one of your contributions a thumbs up (killer), but you lose a point for every thumbs down (filler). Bonus: if you use your real name, your point total increases by 1.5x-you deserve credit for putting your neck on the line to make this community better. For more info, check out the Help Center.

Set-up Step 2

Set-up Step 2

Black Diamond Mesa 2-Person 3-Season Tent

October 21, 2009

After you've connected the top/middle of the tent to the pole-hub, this is how you plant each pole in the corners then snap the tent-clips on along each pole. It is such an easy/great set-up, painless.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
See all photos for this product >

Set-up Step 1

Set-up Step 1

Black Diamond Mesa 2-Person 3-Season Tent

October 21, 2009

I love how this tent sets up it is SUPER easy. The 6 poles (4 main and two tiny awning poles) are connected in the middle. You connect the top/middle part of the tent itself to this pole-hub. Then you just plant the poles into each corner and snap the clips on along each pole. It's really the easiest set-up I've ever encountered and I'm a huge fan of this tent. Thank you Black Diamond.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
See all photos for this product >

Tent Pole / Grommet

Tent Pole / Grommet

Black Diamond Lighthouse Tent 2-Person 3-Season

September 14, 2009

This is where the small pole sticks through to hole up the tiny awning-type entrance, the grommet that lets the pole fit through also lets bugs fit through.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

0 Comments

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
See all photos for this product >

Moab

Moab

Black Diamond Lighthouse Tent 2-Person 3-Season

September 14, 2009

Tent in its glory; under the sun, with no wind or rain, empty. I'm going to leave my full thoughts in a review of this product.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
See all photos for this product >

Favorite Car Camping Chair

Kelty Lowdown Chair

Kelty Lowdown Chair

Rating for this product: 5 April 20, 2011

I love this thing. I bought one, tried it out, then bought another. It's shorter legs help it pack slightly smaller than other chairs. You sit lower to the ground, which is nice when chilling by a fire, but the back is still nice and high/supportive. The cup holder is large, it will hold a nalgene-size bottle or GSI Fairshare container. The attached bottle opener is never a bad thing. I really really love these chairs.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Incredibly Warm

The North Face Catalyst Down Jacket - Men's

The North Face Catalyst Down Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 5, 2010

I cannot stress enough how happy I am with this piece.

I'm 6', 175 lbs, with a long reach and the large fits me perfectly.

I've used it skiing, climbing multi-pitch routes in the cold windy shade, walking to work everyday, it's amazing. Total windproof, incredible warm insulation, water resistant, and has held up to abrasive sandstone climbs so far. I love this thing.

It's very functional. It's not the most fashionable. The hood fits over a helmet so it looks silly if you're not wearing one, but if you want a solid shell that will keep you warm this thing kicks all ass. It has a dual zipper which makes belaying in the cold really easy and convenient. The zipper did go through a break-in period, it was hart to start and unhinge at first, but it's smooth now after a month of use. This is my absolute go-to shell in cold wintry Utah weather.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

My One and Only

Five Ten Moccasym Climbing Shoe - Men's

Five Ten Moccasym Climbing Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 5, 2010

Just ordered my third pair of these shoes. They are the only pair I own and use for all types of climbing, I have not found an area where they let me down. They do stretch and I agree with everyone else order a half size down and most people will be good to go. I hover between 10.5 and 11 in normal street shoes, I do not like the super tiny climbing shoe concept, so I stick with the 10.5 size and they work beautifully for me. Being my typical size they are snug at first but after a short break-in period stretch and fit exactly how I want them to. Bouldering, sport, trad, crack (just getting into this, they're fine so far no complaints), gym, I love them for everything.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Favorite Base Layer

Icebreaker BodyFit 200 Oasis Crew - Men's

Icebreaker BodyFit 200 Oasis Crew - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 5, 2010

I'm 6', 175 lbs, with a long reach. The large fits me perfectly.

This piece is a total base layer. It's thin, form fitting, and will wick sweat off your skin quickly. It is not a thick thermal piece, it's the first layer and perfect for it. I've worn this on multi-day climbing trips where packing light is necessity and the doesn't-smell thing is true, it was still fine after day three on. Not perfect, but better than comparable synthetics I've used. The fit, durability, comfort, and all round awesomeness of this and other Icebreaker pieces I've picked up have turned me into a serious brand fan.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Favorite for Daytrips to the crag

Arc'teryx Miura 30 Backpack - 1831-2136cu in

Rating for this product: 5 August 24, 2010

I'm 6'0, 175lbs, 33-34" inseam, long torso and arms and the Tall fits perfect. It feels light and does not hamper agility much, the design is very well thought-out with a great athletic fit and I've crawled through some dense brush with this thing on. It's quite comfortable with easy access to all pockets and I am really glad I chose it. I mostly do day-trips, if I were doing more multi-day requiring more gear I'd want something larger but this pack is fantastic for day-trips. I added some cord connecting the main gear slings to the top hydration anchor, shown in the picture, that lets me hang more stuff and hang stuff higher in the pack.

You can easily tie your rope on to the outside.

In the main pocket I get two pairs of shoes, a lot of draws, two harnesses, chalk bags, a stuffable shell/fleece, a filled 70 oz bladder, and have room for more if I need it. The way it opens, with full access, is definitely super-convenient.

In the hood pocket I keep tape, a couple headlamps and other small items and have plenty more room in there.That leaves one extra external pocket where I usually keep food. This external pocket is accessible from inside the main pocket as well.

I love that you can remove the waist-belt, I removed it day one and haven't put it back on yet. I love packs with just a sternum strap so this was a key feature for me.I like that the external gear straps are removeable and reconfigurable. One downside is they may come off if they're just hanging there without the friction of holding something in place. Recognizing this I just take them off and store them inside if I'm not using them.

You can empty the pack and use it like a crazy-creek chair. It's not the best but it does work and if you're in the middle of nowhere it is definitely better than nothing and increases comfort level for sure.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Arc'teryx Miura 30 Backpack - 1831-2136cu in

January 19, 2010

Can the waist-belt on this pack be removed, or is it a permanent fixture?

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

View Product Details >
Read all Q&A about this product >

Survey Says

Black Diamond Mesa 2-Person 3-Season Tent

Black Diamond Mesa 2-Person 3-Season Tent

Rating for this product: 5 September 14, 2009

I had the pleasure to test this tent for a weekend and I'm going to agree with just about everyone else here, this tent is awesome. It's not the lightest but it's way not heavy. SUPER easy setup. Really nice in great weather under the stars without the fly. I'm a fan and will purchase this tent soon. Honestly, I get to test a lot of gear and usually find something bad to say about at least part of it, nothing bad to say about this tent I loved it.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Not my Favorite Feeling

Black Diamond Lighthouse Tent 2-Person 3-Season

Black Diamond Lighthouse Tent 2-Person 3-Season

Rating for this product: 2 September 14, 2009

I'm a huge Black Diamond fan. Most of their product is Top Of The Line in my opinion, and they make my favorite tent of all time to date (Mesa: http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Black-Diamond-Mesa-2-Person-3-Season-Tent/BLD1057M.html). I was surprised by this Lighthouse tent. I liked how it's stuffed, the poles are in a separate sack which attaches to the main stuff sack and acts as a little handle. It's smart, it's nice. That's about all good I can say about it. The setup is pretty simple, the poles fit into little button-type grommets inside the tent. Yes the whole setup is inside. When I was dismantling the tent it felt like if a pole were to slip out of my hand wit would expand fully and probably poke a hole through the tent (the model I was testing did have a hole in it already too, hmmmm). If it were raining, there would be water all over the place. There is no separate rain fly, great for keeping it light but not so great for keeping you dry. And the grommet that the top pole fits through leaves enough space around the pole that tiny bugs can fit through (I uploaded a photo showing this in detail). If I'm depending on "light is right" and going bare minimum I still want gear I can depend on, I felt this one was way to awkward to use and had potential, relatively easily, to fail terribly. Not my favorite feeling to have for the gear in my pack.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

CW-X Ventilator Tight - Men's

July 22, 2009

If you kick as hard as JCVD in Bloodsport II yeah they'll probably fray within a training session or two. If you're more the Ralph Machio type you're probably safe. I'd stick to shorts but if you must these are really durable they'll certainly hold up as well or better than any other tight and they'll definitely make you look flashy during the Ram Muay or when doing spin kicks.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

View Product Details >
Read all Q&A about this product >

Oakley Flak Backpack 2.0

February 17, 2009

I think you're referring to the removable storage compartment for your ‘puter cords. It's great for a toothbrush and tube of paste while travelling that's what I thought it was for actually, toiletries. But it would fit a standard wrapped up power cord/charger deally easily, maybe a tiny mouse, there's plenty of other room for the mouse though. A nice felt lined pocket on the outside and extra felt lined pocket in the main pocket. You got space.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
Read all Q&A about this product >

very pleased

Salomon B52 TS GTX Winter Boot - Women's

Salomon B52 TS GTX Winter Boot - Women's

Rating for this product: 4 January 27, 2009

Superlight, very well insulated (aka soft warm and comfy) and they definitely keep me dry. I do a lot of woods walking following tracks and birds, long periods of time out there often sitting in one spot and these keep me really warm. The handle on the back makes them easy to slip into and out of. If there's one qualm it's the laces, they have the easy to use salomon pull-up system but to get these really snug takes a little extra effort than just pulling from the top (have to pull on the middle laces first, then the top) but that's far from being a hinderance. I've taken these on a few long walks and so far I absolutely love them.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

0 Comments

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Polar FS1 Heartrate Monitor Watch

November 15, 2008

This does use the chest strap and it is included. You can see it pictured in the 4th "detail view" image above.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
Read all Q&A about this product >

Perfect Daypack

Oakley Flak Backpack 2.0

Oakley Flak Backpack 2.0

Rating for this product: 5 October 6, 2008

Honestly I am not an Oakley brand fan. This backpack was a gift I never would've bought it. It is awesome! Let that be a lesson to me.. for a daypack size pack this thing is so well thought out, comfortable and quality. Tiny details, awesome storage, great laptop compartment. I love this thing and it's a bit sad to me that I never would have bought it based on brand alone. Seriously, if you're looking for a daypack or take-to-work bag this one is stellar.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

0 Comments

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

the best

CamelBak Big Bite Valve Mouthpiece

CamelBak Big Bite Valve Mouthpiece

Rating for this product: 5 September 30, 2008

simple = good/convenient/awesomeness. i've tried many this is hands down the favorite

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Great against Wind

Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket - Men's

Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 September 26, 2008

Awesome windshell. I used this on a hike on Mt. Timpanogos recently. The day was beautiful in the 70's at the bottom but when you crest the top of the ridge near the summit the wind was severe and temp was way way colder. It was a dry day but this shell worked awesomely to keep me warm against the frigid wind.. with a fleece under it of course, the shell itself would be cold against your skin. But with a thermal layer this is a super performing simple shell. I was able to cinch the hood down all tight-like to really keep as much skin covered as possible too.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

Permanently Out of Stock -- View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product