Hiking Gear Reviews

Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series trekking poles.

Review: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series Trekking Poles

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Trekking Poles Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series $250, 15 oz./pair (with trekking baskets) One unisex size, adjustable backcountry.com List all the qualities you’d want in the perfect trekking poles and you may find yourself describing the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series. From a three-day, 36-mile backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail to a steep, eight-mile, 5,200-vertical-foot dayhike …

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Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles.

Review: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

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All-Season Trekking Poles Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Poles $200, 1 lb. 1.5 oz./496.1g (per pair, with trekking baskets) Two sizes, adjustable: men’s 100-130cm/39-51 ins., women’s 95-125cm/37-49 ins. blackdiamondequipment.com For backcountry users who need poles that can handle hard use and any and all activities around the calendar, from backpacking on good trails to scrambling off-trail up mountains and backcountry …

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Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 trail-running shoes.

Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 Trail Running Shoes

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Trail Running/Hiking Shoes Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 $140, 1 lb. 4 oz. (US men’s 9) Sizes: US men’s 7-14, women’s 5-11 backcountry.com Note: See my newer review of the Hoka One One Speedgoat 4. Trail running and hiking can be hard on feet. Beyond the possibility of blisters, miles of pounding can sometimes leave your feet feeling beat up …

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The Knog Bandicoot headlamp

Review: The Knog Bandicoot Headlamp

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Rechargeable Headlamp Knog Bandicoot $35, 2 oz. Eartheasy.com My first reaction to the Knog Bandicoot was: a rechargeable headlamp that weighs and costs less than headlamps that require batteries?! My second thought was: Hey, this thing looks kind of… cool. After using it on late-summer (think: it’s dark by early evening) backpacking trips on the Teton Crest Trail and in …

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The North Face Morph Jacket.

Review: The North Face Morph Down Jacket

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Down Jacket
The North Face Morph Jacket
$249, 12.5 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL
ems.com

While today’s insulated jackets come in a greater variety, with different strengths and weaknesses, it can seem confusing to differentiate between them. One easy metric relevant to any consumer is warmth per dollar—and that’s where The North Face Morph Jacket shines. Stuffed with high-quality down feathers that are not water resistant, it delivers warmth that competes with the best down jackets of the same weight, and performance ideal for many backpackers, climbers, and others, at a price about 100 bucks lower than top competitors.

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