Insect Protection Outdoors: What the Pros Actually Use on the Trail The Short Answer After two decades of leading group treks through the Pacific Northwest, Rockies, and beyond, the one product that consistently separates a miserable, bug-bitten bivouac from a restful night is Permethrin-treated clothing. Specifically, I recommend the Permethrin-treated base layers (often applied to…
Sunscreen Head-to-Head: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 100 vs EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 The Short Answer Buy Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 100 if: You need the highest possible sun protection factor available for extended exposure on high-altitude passes like the Hurricane Ridge Trail where UV intensity is significantly higher. You are willing to sacrifice some…
Nuun Sport vs. Skratch Labs: The Real Talk on Hydration Tablets The Short Answer After burning through dozens of boxes on the trail, I can tell you that neither of these is a universal savior. They are tools, and like any tool, they have specific jobs they are good at and specific jobs they fail…
Nemo Sonic 0 vs. Western Mountaineering Puma GWS: A Winter Cold-Weather Battle The Short Answer Choosing between the Nemo Sonic 0 and the Western Mountaineering Puma GWS comes down to your specific winter environment and your tolerance for condensation. I have spent the last few years testing these bags in the Cascades and the Rockies,…
How Much Food Fits in a Bear Canister for 5 Days: The Real Numbers The Short Answer For a five-day trip in the Cascades or the Rockies, the reality is that you can fit approximately 1.5 to 1.8 pounds of dehydrated food inside a standard 4500 cubic inch bear canister. This translates to roughly 750…
Epic Provisions Meat Bars Review: Real Trail Test Results Who Should Buy the Epic Provisions Meat Bars I first encountered these bars during a four-day solo trip on the North Cascades High Country Trail in late October. Temperatures were hovering around 28 degrees Fahrenheit at night, and I was carrying a 45-pound pack. The meat…
Head-to-Head: Rapala Original Floating Minnow vs. Mepps Aglia Spinner The Short Answer Choosing between a topwater minnow and a spinnerbait isn’t just about personal preference; it’s about the specific water body you are fighting against and the time of day. I have fished both extensively in the Oregon Coast Range and the high alpine lakes…
Best Outdoor Watches for Trail Running and Pace Tracking: A Real-World Guide The Short Answer If you are chasing a sub-4-hour run on a technical descent in the Cascades, the Coros Pace 3 is the only logical choice on this list. I wore this unit for a 26-mile out-and-back run on the North Cascades Trail…
Clotting Sponge vs. Hemostatic Gauze: The Real Talk on Stopping Bleeding in the Wild The Short Answer Buy QuikClot Sport Advanced Clotting Sponge if: You are dealing with deep, high-pressure arterial or venous bleeding where seconds count and you need immediate chemical clotting. You require a product that works effectively without the need for direct…
How to Secure Your Trail Camera From Theft: A Field Guide The Short Answer If you are installing a trail camera in the Pacific Northwest or Rockies, you need a unit with a robust physical mounting system and high-resolution imagery that deters thieves who look for easy targets. The best deterrent isn’t just a lock;…
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….
