Clothing

Outdoor Gear

Best Sellers

Get Your Profile Dialed

Ben Steel

Camper/Hiker // Climber

Ben Steel: #1,296 of 174,454 More Information

8 Reviews:

Helpful?
10 Yes

3 Questions:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Answers:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Photos:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Videos:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Comments:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Wishlists:

Helpful?
0 Yes

0 Field Tests:

Helpful?
0 Yes

  • Stomping Grounds:

    Berkeley,CA | Northern California

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.

La Sportiva Solution Vibram XS Grip2 Climbing Shoe

May 4, 2011

So what's your opinion on the Solution vs the Miura VCS? They both have the same price tag so I was wondering whats the major differences besides the solution's more aggressive downturn. In particular which heel is better and which holds it's shape longer.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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

La Sportiva Miura VS Vibram XS Edge Climbing Shoe

May 4, 2011

Any thoughts on the miura lace-up versus the VCS? like in terms of comfort, performance, durability, any major differences really.
Thanks

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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

La Sportiva Miura Vibram XS Edge Climbing Shoe - Men's

May 4, 2011

Any thoughts on the miura lace-up versus the VCS? like in terms of comfort, performance, durability, any major differences really.
Thanks

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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

Solid Harness

Black Diamond Momentum Speed Adjust Harness - Men's

Black Diamond Momentum Speed Adjust Harness - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 May 4, 2011

This is a great harness for the money. Apart from the AL, it's one of the cheapest harness's out there, and it's made by BD, so you know it's damn safe. The speed adjust buckles work great, they're incredibly easy and hassle free.
This harness also has some great gear loops and it's super comfortable on top of that.

Like with many harness's make sure it fits right, I got a medium and I have to cinch it all the way down, but a small was pretty tight on me, so if you're in between two sizes try both out thoroughly to find the right fit.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

0 Comments

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

Good Shirt

Stoic Breathe Composite - Men's

Stoic Breathe Composite - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 May 4, 2011

Well, I haven't used this in and extensive manner so far, but it's served me great in everyday activities. Wicks sweat well, and will keep me warm in moderately cold weather. It's not as tight as I'd like (I got a small, and there's still some room, but I'm a stick) and the turtle-neck part could be a little snugger.
But overall, those complaints are minor and this is a great shirt for all around base-layer warmth.

note: red color is more of a burgundy than bright red.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

1 Comment

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

Classic

Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle - 32oz

Nalgene Wide Mouth Tritan Bottle - 32oz

Rating for this product: 5 April 3, 2011

A classic great water bottle that will go anywhere with you and will never fail. Constructed of the most bomber material, it wont break and it will hold plenty of water for your trip. Only downside is there's no hook to hold it by because if you use the cap strap it will break. But the mouth can be screwed into many standard water filters, so it's great for backpacking.
Throw a sticker on it.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

1 Comment

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

One complaint

Black Diamond Super Chute Rope Bag - 1525cu in

Black Diamond Super Chute Rope Bag - 1525cu in

Rating for this product: 4 April 3, 2011

Great bag, the only complaint is that the single strap system isn't the most comfortable thing. If it had two straps you could carry it backpack style which would be so much better than slinging it over one shoulder. If you carry it messenger bag style it tends to swing around and bump into other things a lot.

Other than that, great bag that gets the job done well.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

So comfortable

La Sportiva Mythos Vibram XS Edge Climbing Shoe - Men's

La Sportiva Mythos Vibram XS Edge Climbing Shoe - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 April 3, 2011

You can wear these things all day. Not super aggressive for technical stuff, and the toe isn't very asymmetrical at all, so best for long climbs and gym use. If you're going to be bouldering, this might not be the shoe for you, but if you're into comfort, definitely consider this. The lace system also lets you cinch them up super tight for a great feeling fit.

Helpful Votes: 2 Yes

0 Comments

View Product Details >
Read all Reviews about this product

Bad Cinch

Marmot Trestles 15 Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Spirafil

Marmot Trestles 15 Sleeping Bag: 15 Degree Spirafil

Rating for this product: 3 April 3, 2011

The bag itself was fine and kept me perfectly warm (although it never dropped below forty outside). However, I didn't like the cinch system at all. Because of the half zip on the side, the cinch system has two draw strings, one on top and one on the bottom. The bottom one has an elastic pullcord, so no matter how hard you yank on it, it just stretches and doesn't actually cinch down much. The top pullcord isn't elastic, so it doesn't stretch, but whenever i moved, the cord slid through the draw-pull (the little cinch button thing wasn't strong enough to hold the cord tight). So I ended up sleeping with the top un-cinched.

However, it is a pretty good price for a 15 degree bag.

Also, only comes with a compression stuff sack, you have to buy a bigger storage sack separately.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

0 Comments

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

Fine Lamp

Petzl Tikka XP 2 Headlamp

Petzl Tikka XP 2 Headlamp

Rating for this product: 5 April 3, 2011

I haven't used this lamp a whole lot but from what i have done, it seems great. When the diffuser isn't applied, the beam is very powerful and can reach almost 30m. The diffuser is nice for in the campsite when you need a wide angle. The red light makes it so you don't blind your friends, but it's not very bright, so it can be a bit hard to see with.
Overall, a good lamp.

Also has a built in whistle for emergencies

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

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

Perfect Starter

Five Ten Coyote VCS Climbing Shoe

Five Ten Coyote VCS Climbing Shoe

Rating for this product: 5 April 3, 2011

I bought these shoes after climbing for about half a month in borrowed shoes. So far I've had them for six months and they've served me well. Not the most aggressive shoe out there, but they certainly get the job done well. Also, they are damn comfortable, I've worn them for three hours straight with only the most minor discomfort. The comfort is due to the fact that they stretched a bit and now fit my foot perfectly(although, now they aren't the tightest fit).
Another plus is the fact that because they aren't synthetic, they still smell almost new so they don't stink up my pack.

Overall, great starting shoe.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

0 Comments

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