Climbing Helmets Showdown: Petzl Meteor vs. Edelrid Salathe The Short Answer After spending hundreds of hours on the rock face, specifically testing gear on the North Fork of the Skykomish River and the steep routes of the Cascade Range, I have narrowed down the two best all-around climbing helmets. Both the Petzl Meteor and the…
Fixed vs. Adjustable Leg Loops: The Real-World Climbing Harness Guide The Short Answer If you are buying a harness for sport climbing, bouldering, or top-roping, you need a fixed leg loop harness. I tested the Black Diamond Momentum Harness on the steep granite face of Mount Si in the Cascades during a late October storm….
Camp Kitchen Essentials: The Ultimate Outdoor Knife and Multi-tool Guide The Short Answer If you are cooking over a fire in the Cascades or preparing a quick meal on the High Sierra, the ESEE 6 Fixed Blade is the only tool that earns its weight in the pack. I tested this on a six-day winter…
Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo vs. Tarptent Notch Li: The Pacific Northwest Ultralight Shelter Showdown The Short Answer Buy Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo if: You prioritize absolute weight savings above all else and are willing to accept a steeper learning curve for setup in high winds. You camp in exposed alpine environments where the…
NRS Paddle Wetshoe Review: The Trail-Worthy Option That Leaks Who Should Buy the NRS Paddle Wetshoe I first picked up these shoes while scouting a river access near the Hoh River in the Olympic Mountains. They are a solid choice for paddlers and hikers who need a shoe that handles waterlogged terrain without adding excessive…
Enlightened Equipment Revelation vs. Katabatic Flex 22: A Head-to-Head on the Trail The Short Answer Buy Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt if: You need a versatile three-season shell that handles the wet, chilly air of the Cascades and Olympics without weighing down your pack. You want a quilt that can be stripped down to a single…
Warbonnet Blackbird XLC vs. Clark NX-270: The Ultimate Camping Hammock Showdown The Short Answer After spending dozens of nights suspended between trees in the Pacific Northwest, the choice between these two giants comes down to your specific tolerance for heat and your willingness to manage condensation. Here is how they stack up based on my…
Solar Charging in Remote Areas: The Best Camp Lighting Guide The Short Answer After three seasons of testing gear across the Pacific Northwest, the Black Diamond Moji Lantern remains the only solar-ready option that actually makes sense for a lightweight camp. It is not a solar charger itself, but its battery management system allows it…
REI Co-op Camp Table vs. Alps Mountaineering Dining Table: The Real-World Head-to-Head The Short Answer Buy REI Co-op Camp Table if: You need a stable surface for cooking on a rocky or uneven campsite in the Cascades or Olympics where a folding leg might slip. You require a lightweight option under 3 pounds that fits…
Top Budget Hiking Boots Under $50: Real-World Tests from the Pacific Northwest By Cole Hartman — Portland-based outdoor gear tester, 8+ years on Pacific Northwest trails The Short Answer After testing dozens of boots on the rugged trails of Washington and Oregon, my immediate top pick for hikers with a tight budget is the Vasque…
First Visit to Yosemite: The National Parks Hiking Buying Guide The Short Answer If you are planning your inaugural trip to Yosemite, the single most important item you can bring is a pair of low-cut hiking boots or stiff-soled trail runners. Specifically, I recommend the Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX or the Merrell Moab…
How to Ultralight Backpack with Hiking Poles as Tent Stakes: A Real-World Guide The Short Answer Using your trekking poles as tent stakes is a viable emergency or weight-saving strategy, but it is not a primary setup method for a serious ultralight backpacker. The only scenario where I successfully relied on this technique was during…
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