Edward Stoklannd

Nice light but a little pricy. I searched far and wide but could not find a more compact a suitable lantern with versatile capabilities and durability. The wide stance base allows for more stability while when retracted the lantern is perfect for hanging overhead light. The legs do seam flimsy but they hold up strong. The light produced is remarkably bright even in the darkest of nights. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars just because of the price. I made the mistake of purchasing it at REI and paid 10 more bucks then I should have. Just buy from Backcountry.com and avoid this mistake.

Obviously titanium is the best way to go. Sure it’s expensive but it’s as light weight and durable as you can get plus it’s the last mug you will ever have to by. The thermal heat transfer across titanium is distributed less than more dense metals which means you can heat the cup directly over the stove and drink it without burning off your lips. No more waiting for your coffee to get cold before you can drink it. An added feature that makes it that much better is the collapsing handle which makes it much easier to pack inside of other nesting cook sets. Once you go titanium you don’t turn back.

Affordable and light weight, keeps food warm for just over 10 minutes, and the nesting feature makes compact packing much easier. The bowl holds enough for 2 servings and the lit will help keep the bugs out while you stoke the fire; that is unless you prefer to have a little extra protein with your dinner.

The Mountain Hardwear Cohesion Jacket is one of the best versatile, light weight, water proof jackets I have owned, and the first one I’ve owned that does not have the texture of a plastic trash bag. The jacket is a semi-athletic fit so you can still Keep wind and water out while having room for base layers that keep you warm without looking like the state puff marsh mellow man. Great for climbing without raising your body heat but keeps the chill of the summit out of your bones. There are 3 convenient water tight pockets with plenty of room to stow gloves and/or hand warmers. The jacket has a nice fitted look with both taped and welded seems. Great jacket, I love it, my only complaint is that the front zipper cover does not secure. Its stays closed but a button or a little Velcro wouldn’t hurt.

Light weight and extremely well ventilated shoe. Perfect for day hikes that require you to pick up the pace and double time down the mountain. Great for when you need to scree down a mountain or climb at a fast pace. I do not recommend the refuge for extended hikes or climbs but it does work great as a light trail running shoe. There is not much arch support or room for movement, but the Ortholite anotomical footbed does add extreme comfort and cuts down on soreness and blisters. There is great traction at the toe that gives an additional push with every step. I highly recommend this shoe for anyone who wants to move fast and light.

Next to the Mountain Hardwear Wicked Light the Elmoro is one of the best performance shirts ever made. I use this shirt when Climbing, Running, Mountain Biking, and Hiking, its perfect for doing just about any activity outdoors. It is expensive but at this price you are getting more than any other shirt you may have purchased. The material wicks extremely well and leaves behind no stink what so ever.
To me there just is no comparison. The size is a true athletic fit, not too loose, not to tight. Bottom line this shirt will make you look and feel like a pro.

This is probably the best hydration pack for the money. I don’t use hydration packs often but when I need to the cloud walker works just fine. This pack is great for day hikes and long bike rides, with plenty of storage room for a small tire pump, snacks, camera, first aid kits, ect. The down side is that the bladder collapses as the water is used, though I see that Osprey has solved this problem by affixing a support panel for the bladder. If you’re looking for a basic hydration pack with pack space for an extremely affordable price this is the perfect one for you. It will probably be the only one I will need.

Love this jacket, it has great ventilation and the material is very soft to the touch, much nicer than most garbage bag textured water proof shells. The fit is much better than most, it’s semi form fitting so it’s not sticking to tight to your body but also not flailing in the wind with 100 yards of extra material. There are many water resistant pockets, and the left hand pocket is actually 3 pockets in one. However compared to the Marmot Aegis jacket it comes in just a little short. One con is that the main zipper cover has no Velcro or buttons so I am not sure how it will keep a tight seal on the zipper over time. Also the Aegis jacket has light fleece on the cuffs and neck which does leave the cohesion jacket a little bit lacking in comfort, nothing bad just not as nice as Marmot s cuffs. One extremely good note the construction of this jacket is probably some of the best I have seen. The seams are doubled stitched with tape on the inside that is clean a flawless looking, actually I would say the overall construction of this jacket is only rivaled by Arc'teryx if not just a little better. I do not regret this jacket, there were just a few little disappointments, but other than that I love this jacket.

These shorts are good, but not spectacular. They are extremely flexible, perfect for trail runs, Plyo-metrics, and stretching. I like the simplicity of the 2 in 1 feature, and the inseam is a good length which is a couple inches longer than most running shorts for those of you who are a little uncomfortable showing off a little too much man leg. The back pocket feature is nice, but if you have your keys in them just remember before you sit down cause you might be in for a surprise. One other nice feature is that the compressive short liner does not ride up your leg while you’re moving which saves you from constantly pulling them back down. The biggest downside other than the price is the draw cord single loop design, It’s much harder to keep a tight fit compared to the separate draw cords.

I have tried almost every kind of performance shirt out there everything from Nike to The North Face, and in my humble opinion there is nothing performance about them. None of them are any different than a 9 dollar Champion shirt from Target. With that said the Mountain Hardwear Wicked Lite shirt stands on its own as the only true performance shirt that does everything that they claim all the other shirts do. Granted it is about 10 bucks more than most shirts and it’s a shame that you have to throw down 35 bucks for a good shirt but this one is worth it.
The shirt is built tough, doubled stitched with soft seams on the inside so there is absolutely zero irritation. It truly wicks, keeps you dry and cool, and when you’re done running or working out you don’t smell like a dirty gym, in fact my wife cannot smell me at all, and that is saying allot since like most women she has a bionic nose. The shirt fits better than any shirt I have worn! I wear a XL but I’m not a 300 lb fat guy, but most brands XL looks like it’s made for a 300 lb fat guy. Maybe soon I will be down to a size Large but until then I don’t want to look like some baggy shirt freaky fat guy trying to not look like I’m fat while I’m working out.
You put this shirt on and you will already look like you have completed 6 weeks of the P90X workouts, I don’t know how they cut this shirt but as soon as I put it on people say “man your dropping weight fast” and it’s not that I just want it to look like I’m in shape, the point is, it’s motivating and it makes you feel good. I feel like I am an well trained athlete in this shirt and that motivates you to perform like one.
I have never had a single piece of clothing affect me in such a positive way, so I am serious… buy this shirt and you will not regret it! In fact buy as many as you can before their gone, REI is almost out of them but Backcountry.com still has the biggest selection right now. This is the shirt for athletes and those who are becoming athletes.

I first purchased this jacket with trail running in mind, and now I find that this jacket is perfect for all outdoor sports in Southern California. This jacket will keep you warm enough on cold mornings while your getting started, but once you get moving and the body temp rises you will not over heat, and if your from So Cal you can appreciate the 40 degree mornings and the 80 high noon. Another attribute of So Cal environment is the plants; they all want to poke, stab and cut you so I like to have long sleeves if possible and with the Apex Elixir I can without overheating, and if it does get a bit to warm the Apex Elixir has a very small stuff size that will fit easily in most hydration packs. In my experience this has been one of my most utilized technical jackets mainly because of its comfort, versatility and style. You could not ask for a better technical jacket for the price.

I took the Comp 5 out on a trip that was supposed to be a spring time mountain bike ride in the Laguna Mountains, in San Diego. Much to our surprise there was still snow on the ground, blizzard like winds and everything was constantly wet. The good sports that we are, we locked up the bikes and went on a 6 mile hike through the snow, and flooded bogs. I would not have brought the comp 5 if I knew the conditions would be like this, but I don’t think I could have brought a better shoe. Snow boots would have been too hot, and heavy for these conditions, and since the comp 5 is Gore-Tex I had a supper comfortable shoe that was light, breathable and water proof. In the comp 5 you will stay dry but not overheat, and that’s not to mention the Salomon comfort and the Contra grip which is pretty much like having crampons just in the places that you need them the most, the rest of the time you are walking on a cloud. By far Salomon makes the best all terrain shoes in my opinion and these are the best pair of Salomon’s that I have owned to this day. Hands down you get more than you pay for.

The pocket rocket is a trust worthy stove that heats your food or water at a decent speed. It seems to use fuel more conservatively than most stoves I have used, and is extremely compact. I have only tested it up to 10,500 feet so I am not sure how it will perform at a higher altitude. At 10,500 feet the cooking speed did not seem noticeably different than cooking at sea level. The only complaint is that its cooking surface is not that stable, so when I use it I have to take extra care that the surface I am cooking on is flat and level. I have had a few instances where my cup fell off, while no other unit I have used has had this happen. Good product, but a little too pricy for what you get.

I have mixed feelings about these boots. For the most part they are intelligently designed and ergonomically fit worthy. The details however are a bit more complicated. First I’ll list the pro’s followed by the con’s. They are 100% water proof and extremely warm, a little too warm actually, wool socks are not necessary in temperatures above 20 degrees, since the entire principal of being water proof will be completely negated by sweaty feet. They are comfortable, and have excellent arch support and a wide enough toe box so you don’t get to cramped. There is also a clip for attaching gaiters and the heels are suited for crampon straps. The best feature by far is the ContraGrip outsole technology. While climbing a snow slope at an angle of about 65 degrees the Beluha stuck to the snow like Velcro, but we were running out of time and as soon as the sun was going down this snow slope started to turn into a ice slope but without fail the ContraGrip kept me griped tight on the ice and saved me from sliding into an icy death. I should have had crampons on, didn’t take it too seriously and didn’t want to take the time to put them on while the sun was going down luckily for me this boot lived up to what it claimed to be and more.
Unfortunately there are a few cons. I did get a couple blisters my first time wearing them and I did get a strangely sore ankle where the lace ties across. I their defense the first time I wore them we hiked for around 8 hours and climbed an elevation of 4k for around 16 miles. I have never had to break in boots before but I have also never hiked that far the first time in boots, so it may be my fault.
So in conclusion; great boot, saved my life, extremely warm, and just break them in before going the distance. This boot will Beluha your mind!

Nice jacket but without base layers the wind penetrates at 54 degrees when standing still, but the jacket gets too hot while doing anything active in 30 degree ambient temperatures. So I am not too sure what to use this jacket for. It makes a good base layer if you have a waterproof shell, also the outer material is extremely tough. I have brushed up against many rocks and trees, and when I thought for sure there would be a tear I looked and the material was not even marked. It’s a good jacket just do not wear base layers with it or you will get to hot, and when you reach your base camp and start to cool down it should then become a base layer depending on the temp.

First off this tent is extremely light and has a very small stuff size, small enough to fit in most 40L packs. The first thing you will notice is the typical cheap stakes, so through those away and pick up some MSR ground hog stakes. The single pole design is amazingly simple and easy to set up, after that all you have to do is use the single clips to complete the set up. That’s it. Set up in less than 2 minutes. The rain fly is even more simple, just clip on to the 4 corners and your done. The inside Velcro straps are completely optional, but if you wanted to secure the rain fly completely that just takes a couple more seconds. The jingle free zippers are completely snag free and both the door and the vestibule can be opened from virtually any position. The vestibule is small but big enough to store your shoes or to cook. Both the door and the vestibule door can be secured to the side using a simple adjustable lock strap. Inside there are to installed gear lofts. The interior does not have much room, when sitting with my legs folded my head and shoulders do touch the top and the sides, but this is a minor inconvenience compared to the small stuff size. I am 6ft but did not fill cramped at all, of course a 2 person tent has more room, but for a 1 person tent it’s pretty roomy. My sleeping bag, sleeping mat and all my gear fit just fine including my pack. Holds up in a thunderstorm like a champ, had no problems with condensation or water leaking in at all. My only real complaint is that getting in and out is a little difficult, it seems like the door to vestibule design is a little off, makes me feel like I am in a tent made for a Hobit. Other than that This tent ranks high on my list of the best tents I have used. If your climbing big or far you need a light weight tent with a small stuff size for a good price without sacrificing quality this is the tent for you.

These ascenders are intuitive, color coded, and light they work well.
My only complaint is that it feels more difficult to open the rope-grabbing mechanism than I think it could be. In a way, that is a sort of built in safety that prevents someone from accidentally opening it, but I still think it could stand to open more easily for one handed operation.

Very lightweight and moves well with your body.
Comfortable to wear while hiking and descending from long routes.
Gear loops are reversible and large enough for a double rack of cams plus quickdraws.
Packs up really small so it does not take up a lot of space in a backpack.
The elastics lost their power very soon and partly ripped off. This is especially annoying at the leg loops, their fit became too loose. The tie in loops show significant tear and wear after one year of occasional (1x every 2 weeks) use. The warp webbing does not "breathe". Your sweat will be caught under it. When you get rid of the harness, you will feel wet in your back.

If you are building your own quickdraws, replacing old dogbones, or making a longer quickdraw, these are the dogbones for you. They are really thin and will stay out of the way. The Dynex means they are solid and strong.

When I first reviewed these pants I only wore them once which was not enough for me to fully appreciate these pants. They are light but strong, they are well ventilated, and can hold just about everything you need other than water. A simple lumber pack to hold water and you can trek up and down mountains all day long without the burden of a pack on your shoulders.

Marmot Alpinist is not exactly the warmest tent to sleep in, yet a good sleeping bag can easily take care of this problem. Also, the vestibule is small and generally not very useful, and a second vestibule would have been a welcomed addition but also would have added on extra unwanted weight.
On the other hand, the Alpinist tent is very easy to set up, even by one person, and has no problems staying up even in strong winds. The Alpinist Tent has both its advantages and disadvantages. I still recommend the Marmot Alpinist tent for its sturdiness, ultra light weight and easiness to set up.

Light and versatile jacket, it can be used alone or it can be used as a water proof outer shell with layers. All of the seams are taped on the inside and the pockets are sealed. There are too large pockets on the side’s one on the arm and 2 pit zips. The zippers are snag free, and fast light typical of Marmot. There is a nice layer of fleece on the wrist and in the neck area. The Aegis is completely water proof but more breathable than the Venture or the Precip, yet the material feels much softer and comfortable than most plastic bag feeling rain jackets. The fit is athletic but not so much that you cannot have a few layers. I love the Aegis, and it’s well worth the extra $50.00 to replace my Precip.

Nice and comfortable. The outer material does not wear and ball up like most beanies, while the inside material is a soft fleece that keeps your ears from freezing, without making you itch like crazy.

While remaining light weight and compact I am able to carry all the first aid essentials in a standard size cargo pocket. Includes bandages, ibuprofen, medical tape, antibiotic ointment, gauze, and antiseptic wipes. I have also included in my kit after bite ointment, snake bite poison extractor, water purification tablets, and sutures.

The men’s version looks just the same, if not then I guess I have the women’s. The fit is just the same, these glove’s are extremely flexible and excellently form fitting and low profile. They keep your hands warm in temperatures ranging from the mid 30’s to 40’s but not below 32. Nice fit, forms to the hand without extra side stitching that inhibits dexterity. The only con’s are that they do not have grip on the palms and the outer material is quite sensitive. Keep gloves away from Velcro; it will severely damage the outside material! I did not really notice these downsides since I was looking for a glove that has a low profile, and keeps your hands warm without reducing dexterity. In these regards the gloves are perfect, there just are a few trade off’s. If anything they make great glove liners. I do not regret buying them, I just think I might get a little bit more heavy duty version of the Black Diamond ones next time.

My first pocket in my cargo pants go’s to my first aid kit; my second belongs to my MSR Packtowl. Compact and light you hardly know that it is there. Its ability to absorb water is remarkable, and comes in handy quite frequently. It can even save your life if you take off on a 14 mile trail run in 90 degree weather with only 2 liters of water. Just saturate the Pack towel with water and wrap it around your head. Your body temp will drop significantly, protect you from exposure and the water will remain in the pack towel for at least an hour which just may be enough time to get you back to base camp.

At first you may think that the lightweight material will not take a beating, but you will be surprised. I use these to organize all of my gear and I have stuffed them with everything except an open blade. The colors help to designate certain gear so you don’t have to search all your bags for the gear you need. Since they are so compact you do not waste any room or add extra weight. The small bag is perfect for cordage, or tent repair kits, the medium can hold all of your day hike survival gear or a compressible rain jacket, and the large is perfect for holding base layers or cooking supplies. These are an amazing price for what you receive, best bang for your buck in regards to stuff sacks.

I have use the MSR Dromedary on many exertions now without one leak or complication. The wide opening with the low profile handle makes it easy to fill. Pouring water is easy and direct so you don’t waste water. The outer material is tough so I have all the confidence in the world when packing with all my gear that cannot get wet. The straps on the side are extremely convenient when you’re in the need of securing it to the outside of your bag or hanging it wherever you need to. The only small downside is drying it out can be difficult and can take a day or two to air dry.