Gear · Hiking Gear

Gear Find: Nine Lives Wet Phone Fix

I recently received samples from FreshPackUSA, a company that makes an extensive line of Mylar and plastic bags, which are great for use in storing outdoor gear and backpacking meals. One of the items was a Nine Lives Wet Phone Fix, which caught my eye. (It is also on Amazon as well) Over the years,… Continue reading Gear Find: Nine Lives Wet Phone Fix

Gear · Hiking Gear

Gear Review: Klymit V Seat

It's not that I needed a new sit pad; my long-suffering Thermarest sit pad is doing just fine (it is so old, it is a prototype that fell off the wagon into my backpack and became a forever piece of gear). Still, as I walked past an endcap of Klymit gear at the local hardware… Continue reading Gear Review: Klymit V Seat

Hiking Gear

An Ode To The Wool Sweater

When I started hiking and backpacking long ago, wool was seen as fuddy-duddy. What was in style then were the newer fabrics, all created in labs by scientists. And it best had "tec" in its trademarked name back then. And overall, this hasn't changed in the past 20 to 30 years. Maybe the biggest change… Continue reading An Ode To The Wool Sweater

Gear · Hiking Gear

Gear Review: Farmer’s Defense Protection Sleeves

Years ago, I started wearing hiking sleeves in summer. I was tired of starting at sunrise when it was chilly at the trailhead (in the 30s), and within an hour, I was so hot as the sun came up over the ridge. Before, I found that I'd be in a long-sleeved top to stay warm… Continue reading Gear Review: Farmer’s Defense Protection Sleeves

Gear · Hiking · Hiking Gear

Gear Review: Cirkul Metal Bottle

Last year, I reviewed the standard 22-ounce Cirkul water bottle on the blog. Recently, they debuted a new 32-ounce Cirkul bottle in stainless steel. It comes in a variety of very trendy colors. The small Walmart 30+ miles away had the hit pink, light pink, and chameleon colors in a setup in the aisle. Who… Continue reading Gear Review: Cirkul Metal Bottle