Reviews

Therm-A-Rest Trekker Chair A Therm-A-Rest® Chair has been a staple in my backpack for decades. Since I first tried one in the 90s, I’ve never headed into the backcountry without this ingenious little system of straps and sleeves that converts a sleeping pad into a reasonably comfortable camp chair. But in recent years, sleeping pads have evolved (gotten thicker and …

Therm-a-Rest Vesper™ 20F/-6C Quilt Quilts have replaced sleeping bags for many weight-conscious hikers who are serious about shedding pounds in their backpacks. Thanks to its ingenious SynergyLink™ Connectors, the new Vesper 20-degree quilt ensures a comfortable night’s slumber without the weight of a zipper by connecting to—and utilizing the warmth— of your insulated mattress. Weighing only 19 ounces, the Vesper features 900-fill Nikwax …

Sometimes as a shop owner, I have to creatively justify expenses for the toys I want that we sell. In this case, I wanted to try the Kokopelli Recon pack raft, so I bought two for our rental fleet (despite the fact that 20 years ago I had decided that whitewater scared me more than rock and snow so I …

Backcountry Essentials is stoked to offer skis from Elan this year. We focused on the Ripstick series for both men and women because we felt these skis best complimented and differentiated themselves from all the other skis we carry. These skis are not slarvy, nor do they readily butter; they are precise carving machines—and they are a blast! We have …

Helinox Sunset Chair For a collapsible camping chair that’s small and light enough to carry almost anywhere, the Sunset Chair is also remarkably comfortable. The high back offers excellent support for end-of-the-day weary bones, and it sits high enough off the ground to allow effortless ingress and egress. I’ve transported mine from Alaska to Iceland and enjoyed countless hours relaxing …

When it comes to fantastic fall footwear, the Blundstone Chelsea boot ($189-$219) stands alone. This unisex boot is stylish enough to go with dress pants or dresses, rugged enough to be a regular farm boot, and currently hip enough to wear every day with jeans. The heel allows for near hands-free exit and entry, and the great insulation underfoot will …

Cascade Designs Platy® Water Tank All backcountry travelers like to camp near a water source, but sometimes, it’s just not possible. For example, I have camped on Copper Ridge, where getting water meant a stiff climb down to Egg Lake to fill bottles and bring them back up on top of the ridge. At times like these, it’s a blessing …

MSR®  Habitude™ 4 Tent The ideal car camping tent, in our view, is 1) durable, 2) bomb-proof in bad weather, and 3) spacious. Meet the new Habitude 4 from MSR, a tent that hits all three of these marks in a big way. This tent is constructed to last—the fabric, poles, and zippers are all top-notch, and the fully seam-sealed …

Every year, more people are getting into the backcountry to escape the inbounds ski crowds. The longer days and firmer snow of spring tours bring a new perspective to skiing as the playing field expands, and skiers can disperse even further into the mountains. In our neck of the woods, the experienced ski mountaineer can often find great snow through …

Outdoor Research Juneau Fleece Jacket Now here’s a seriously warm fleece jacket. The Double-brushed sherpa fleece is super soft and plush, and extraordinarily comfortable. At just shy of 30 oz., it’s definitely not lightweight, but on a chilly evening away from the campfire, it’s just what the doctor ordered. OR describes it as “ultra-cozy,” and they’re right. More info: www.outdoorresearch.com  …