Honest, field-minded reviews of outdoor and safety gear.
360-degree serrated steel frames, DTX crampons and a pole-flickable heel lift. 4 lb 5 oz (1.96 kg) for the 25 in (64 cm) pair. The snowshoe for traverses and sustained climbs, not Sunday loops.
For an alpine start at 3 a.m., a technical trail run in the dark, or a ski descent under headlamp, a basic light is not enough. You need serious output and a beam that keeps up with you. The Petzl Swift RL throws 1100 lumens from a 100-gram headlamp and, thanks to a light sensor,…
Ultralight 100% carbon poles that fold into thirds for a pack or running vest, with FlickLock length adjustment. Our field review of the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ for fast-and-light miles.
A phone running GPS with a bright screen is doing the most power-hungry work it can do, and the backcountry has no outlets. The Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3 is the power bank serious backpackers keep landing on: a full 10,000 mAh in a carbon fibre body barely heavier than most 5,000 mAh banks, tough enough for trail life, and light enough that it never gets left at home to save weight.
Instant, adjustable, double-sided rechargeable heat that doubles as a power bank. The most convenient warmer for frequent cold-weather use, and where its battery falls short.
