Category: Uncategorized

Three Petzl headlamps, three different uses. Although you could certainly use all of these headlamps for a number of activities, all three lend themselves to different tasks. We thought we would take time to introduce you to the Petzl’s Bindi, Swift RL, and Iko Core headlamps and give you our take on them.

BINDI

Billed as the “ultra-compact rechargeable headlamp designed for everyday athletic activities” by Petzl, this 200 lumen micro-headlamp is perfect when you need something small and easy to carry. At only 35 g, the Bindi casts a 200 lumen flood off a 680 mAh rechargable (micro-usb) battery. It’s three white light intensities: low (5 lumens) and 50 hours of time, medium (100 lumens) and 3 hours of time, and high (200 lumens) and 2 hours of time. The red light comes with two settings, a low-intensity light that burns at 1 lumen for 33 hours and a strobe light, good for night cycling or running that will burn for 200 hours and is visible from 400 meters. It has two different locks, one digital and one physical, to prevent accidental activation of the headlamp when it’s packed.

We’ve found the Petzl Bindi the perfect light for around the camp, early morning hikes, and places where a lower brightness is needed. A perfect companion.

SWIFT RL

Featuring REACTIVE LIGHTING, a 1250 mAh replaceable battery, and a 900-lumen brightness, the SWIFT RL is the most powerful of the Petzl compact headlamps.

With a total weight of only 100 g, it definitely feels like it’s punching above its weight. Using REACTIVE LIGHTING technology, a sensor analyzes the ambient light and automatically adjusts brightness to your needs on the fly. Useful in dynamic and intense activities such as mountaineering, trail running and skiing, the Swift RL fits the bill when we need very bright light for longer, more technical activities.

IKO CORE

Unlike any other headlamp we’ve seen, the IKO CORE brings together multiple technologies like an exceptionally thin and light 7 LED light panel, a thin battery pack that accommodates either the CORE micro-USB rechargeable battery pack or AAA batteries, and the ultra comfortable AIRFIT headband. 

The IKO CORE rechargeable headlamp casts 500 lumens with a total weight of only 79 g. Between the AIRFIT headband, an ultra-thin lamp body, and an energy source worn in the rear, the headlamp is balanced and comfortable enough to be imperceptible. The IKO CORE is a wonderful “put-it-on-and-forget-it” piece of wearable tech that will integrate well with other soft headwear and possibly some helmets.

Mountain Hardwear Rep Jack Powell stopped by today for a clinic on new Spring ’15 clothing and hardgoods. It’s a cold one outside today, but we all braved the parking lot to get some hands on setting up the tents and talking specs.

We saw the “Hoop Dreams” set up…no that’s not a group poncho…it’s Mountain Hardwear’s floorless, single-pole shelter. Also shown was the “SuperMega UL1”, a full size tent at about the same weight as a bivy! We got a brush up on Dry.Q fabrics too.

Mountain Hardwear has moved away from GoreTex completely in favor of their in house waterproof-breathable fabrics. They justify this move with test results showing their fabrics to be more breathable at any temp. I guess we’ll just have to try out a few pieces to see what we think of it!

It’s just a few days away from summer and warm weather is already here to stay. We’ll all be headed to the water soon if we haven’t already. For me this usually means choosing the most beat-up breathable shoes in my closet and designating them as river shoes. The downside to this is that since they’re totally trashed already, they usually have almost no rubber left for traction. NRS has a stylish solution.

The NRS “Crush” Water Shoe has the classic skater look but shows it’s true colors on the water. The 1000 denier nylon canvas construction is super tough and shrugs off sharp rocks and sticks, plus it just looks cool. They’ve definitely gone for a small dose of style on this one…one of my favorite touches is found on the sole: a gripping tribute to NRS’ home state of Idaho.

The packaging is pretty neat too. The box is held together with a four foot NRS 1″ Tie Down Strap. Finally some packaging that can be used more than once! It’s not really a reason to buy the shoes, but if you were on the fence it might win you over. Besides the shoes and strap, there’s also an extra pair of (grey) shoelaces in the box for those wanting a little less blue “pop”. The liner covers the whole interior with smooth nylon that is comfortable for all-day barefoot wear. The Crush’s namesake is from the crushable heel that lets you wear the shoes as slip-ons.

Honestly this is one of my favorite features. I love shoes that do this and it’s especially useful when you’re camping out. When nature calls in the middle of the night, you will want a pair of slip ons! The removable insoles are a bit thin. People with foot issues might want to replace it with something a little more supportive…on the other hand it’s also nice to have minimalist insole for quick drying. There are two drain ports on the outside edge of each shoe. I’ve read some worried comments about how well they’ll drain with so few places for water to escape, however most of the first hand accounts I’ve heard say it’ a non-issue. If you’re looking for a do-it-all casual summer shoe, check these out. They make ’em for ladies too!

Have you ever needed a little extra extra moral support to get past the crux? If your super-stoked friends couldn’t make it to the crag and your belayer is more interested in texting than catching your fall, maybe one of the sweet chalk bags from 8b+ will give you the confidence to carry on. There’s a fuzzy face for every personality type and more flair than anything else you’ve got with you. The main consideration when choosing a chalk bag is style. Size and features should be an afterthought. If you stand out you’ll climb better. That’s why the old school folks (and any modern climber with a lick of sense) wear neon spandex. Following this truism, 8b+ has created a line of flashy, funky, and sometimes frizzy little creatures to wear on your waist. Feed them a steady diet of climbing chalk and they’ll always stay by your side. Loyalty is earned, so keep them well fed! They make for a fun camera case too.

Sitting on a smooth rock or bare dirt is only comfortable for so long: two minutes tops. If you plan on spending a few hours lounging by the river, or watching the alpine sunset from your favorite mountain, you’ll probably want a lil’ something to soften the bumps and lumps. I browsed though our chairs and pads to see what might work best for me. Weight, setup time, and comfort are the three main areas of scrutiny, and wow, what a difference between brands and products!

We’ll start with the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Chair. Most of you are probably familiar with Crazy Creek. Their classic chair has been updated with perforated foam to reduce weight and so the pad can be rolled up for space savings. The first thing I noticed it that it’s narrow! I know they want to keep bulk down, but even for a skinny guy this chair is a fairly tight squeeze. It manages to stay mostly comfortable though, so I wouldn’t rule it out. Most chairs are 20″ wide…this one is 15″.

Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Chair

Setup time for this beast is practically nil. Unfold chair, snap buckles together, sit. Weight is so-so. 21.9 ounces is lightweight for a chair, but it’s pretty heavy in terms of backpacking. I would put this squarely in the car-camping category, or for bring-the-kitchen-sink affairs like rafting. Certainly one of the least difficult to use and setup. Comfort is lacking. The padding is quite thin, but the chair itself seems very durable. Treated nylon keeps the water from soaking in, so you can at least avoid wet-butt.

Weight: 5/10
Setup Time: 10/10
Comfort: 6/10
Final Score: 7/10

Neexxxt! Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge 20. Ok, so everyone has heard of Therm-a-Rest. Part of Cascade Designs (MSR, Platypus, Seal Line, Tracks, etc…), they’ve been making pads for the better part of 40 years. Since they’re known for their comfortable pads, it only makes sense they would design a few chair kit options. Now, the Trekker Lounge requires the use of a sleeping pad. I used the “Trail Lite”. Any of their “Fast-and-Light” Regular size pads will work with this, but if you don’t already have a pad, this kit probably isn’t the best choice. The coolest part about the Trekker Lounge is that is doesn’t need to be removed. Once you slide it on to your pad it can remain in place overnight.

Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge 20

Setup for this guy is a little more involved. Best to start with the pad only partially inflated. Slide the pad into the blue sleeve sections. Flip the grey stretchy sleeve over the top of the pad, then fold the blue sections for a double thickness seat. A strap goes across to keep the bottom folded, and then snap together the buckle to turn it into a seat. Much easier done than said, but it still took a couple of minutes. At 18 ounces, it’s not overly heavy, nor is it ultralight. Aside from comfort, the biggest benefit is that it protects the pad from sharp objects while sleeping or sitting. I would have to say the Trekker Lounge gets the award from most comfortable. I don’t think I would take it backpacking, but maybe on an easier, more lackadaisical trip.

Weight: 7/10

Setup Time: 6/10 Comfort: 10/10 Final Score: 7.5/10

Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge 20

Therm-a-Rest knows that not everyone has a sleeping pad, not everyone wants a full size chair, and not everyone is willing to carry a bulky seat. Enter, the NeoAir Seat. Not seen in the photos is their unique triangular aluminized baffles that trap and reflect the warm air inside the pad closer to your body. There isn’t any insulation in the traditional sense, but there is no doubt this seat is warmer than your regular air pad. It’s actually small enough to take anywhere, and even picky-old-me can handle a 2.5 oz weight penalty. Comfort is top notch, but I have to dock a point or two for the lack of back support. Obviously it’s an apples to oranges comparison–I shouldn’t penalize the NeoAir Seat for something it wasn’t designed to do–but two of our four compared seats have back support. You notice when it’s missing.

Weight: 10/10
Setup Time: 9/10
Comfort: 6/10
Final Score: 8.5/10

Last, we have the TravelChair “Slacker”. Near instant setup, satisfactorily comfortable, tough. These little chairs can hold 275 lbs, and your car’s trunk is the perfect home for one or two. This is certainly not a backpacking item, but it’s so easy to pack and carry that you’ll end up using it all the time. It’s the best for fishing!

TravelChair Slacker

Weight: 4/10
Setup Time: 10/10
Comfort: 7/10
Final Score: 7/10

So the “winner” — if it was a competition — is the NeoAir Seat. Your mileage may vary. All four have their place, and all of them are more comfortable than sitting on the ground. Of that I am sure!

If you don’t already own a pair of Chacos you should jump on the bandwagon this summer. We’re showing off the Women’s ZX1 and ZX2 and wow are there some cool color combos this year! They’re more than your typical pair of sandals. The polyester jacquard webbing straps are comfortable on the skin and quick to dry. The straps aren’t anchored directly to the shoe, instead they run under the footbed and over the sole. This lets you fine tune the fit without resorting to multiple buckles or elastic, and for stability on uneven terrain this fine-tuned fit is really exceptional. It feels much more like a shoe and less like a sandal.

The soles are made from the same non-marking sticky Vibram rubber you’re used to on your hiking boots and approach shoes, so wet and slippery rocks are less of an obstacle. The “Loveseat” footbed is an orthotically correct design that’s received the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). Exactingly calculated arch support protects your foot from pronation and heel cup keeps you centered on the sandal. The footbed contours are similar to a pair of SuperFeet…support is top notch and hiking is a joy. In my opinion they really shine while wading up a creek or hopping from one fishing hole to the next. The ladies luck out though! There is a really nice selection of colors this year and everyone will be asking where you got your awesome sandals! These two models represent just a fraction of Chaco’s offerings, but the “Loveseat” footbed can be found in every one of their sandals. Also the strap adjustment system is standard on nearly every model. Those two features are what separates Chaco from the massive number of competing companies. Now, after almost 10 years wearing various models from them, I can say it would be tough switching to another brand. Go get your Chaco Tan!

Butora, a South Korean climbing shoe company, hasn’t been on the scene for all that long, but ever since they hit the USA, they’ve been knocking it out of the park. Any search for the Acro, winner of Rock and Ice’s Best Climbing Gear of 2016, results in numerous rave reviews about the enjoyable functionality of these aggressive shoes. In fact, it’s pretty difficult to find reviews for their shoes that are not 4 or 5 stars; however, when you’ve based your business model on designing shoes that perform and are actually comfortable, it’s easy to see why.  Their designer, Nam Hee Do, has 30 years of manufacturing and design experience –  so it’s no wonder the attention paid to the small things, like the expert stitching and the lack of glue spots (that are common place with some brands). Most of their shoes are made with organic hemp and Butora’s own proprietary rubber, which further highlights the company’s attention to detail and quality of materials. Each model is made in a narrow(regular) and a wide fit, to give climbers more choices in getting the perfect fit.

One of the most common questions we hear at Backcountry Gear is regarding the stretch factor. Almost all of Butora’s shoes have a 100% organic hemp fabric lining. Most climbers know the story with synthetic and leather shoes, but hemp? Not only is this hemp liner great at combating smelly climber’s foot, it also means that Butora’s shoes hold their shape and won’t stretch. The only exception is the Acro, which is a combination of leather and synthetic, so it’s recommended that you might want to size down a ½ size. The full length ABS midsole further contributes to the shoe’s static form, and ensures that the downturned shoes stay down. Finally, all of Butora’s shoes have a unique rubber, applied in a way which results in much fewer delamination issues.

Butora’s one of the few companies that regularly holds climbing shoe demos in gyms across the US. This past Friday, I headed down to our local gym the Crux to talk with fellow climbers and Tyler, the Butora Rep for the Pacific Northwest. Tyler, an Oregon native, described Butora as “a company by climbers, for climbers”. He said that the past year and a half, since Butora really started expanding in the US, has been a whirlwind. They’re a small company and the reception to their products has been much more than anticipated.

I joined the fray and hopped on some routes in the Endeavors, their all-around climbing shoe. Right off the bat, I noticed how comfortable these shoes were but had no trouble tackling the footwork I put them through. Climbing a 5.11 friction-y, calf-burner, smear fest, the Endeavors performed like a dream. I loved how sticky the rubber was and how easy it was to trust my feet, even though I was climbing . My climbing partner also tried the Endeavors and fell in love. When she took them off, and put back on her own climbing shoes, 3 holds into the next route, she was already wishing she had the Endeavors back.

One climber I spoke with had been in the market for a more Aggressive shoe, so she took the Acros for a spin. She said that “they’re different… but good different”, referring to how hard it is to find a shoe that feels good, while you’re putting it through the ringer. When I tried on the Acros, I loved how it didn’t feel like the usual aggressive shoe; but when you start edging and throwing heel hooks, you can certainly tell the effective work horses you’ve got on your feet.

There’s no doubt that Butora gained some new devotees after their demo here in Eugene. If you haven’t had the chance, I definitely recommend checking them out!

The Hults Bruk axe and hatchet line is classic, truly classic. The company– with a history dating back to 1697 — has outlived countries and empires, seen the rise of the steam engine and electricity, and survived the power struggles of a world becoming ever more connected. Through this long history Hults Bruk has incorporated new technology while managing to maintain a traditional quality-first mindset. First established to make nails, iron bars and other construction implements, the water-powered production plant later made anchor chains and forgings for shipyards along with a variety of industrial and household goods. Through their first century of business, their production focused primarily on nails. Keep in mind, ships were still built from wood at this time, so nails and other durable fasteners like iron pins were in high demand.

The 1730’s saw a sale of the company to widow Brigitta Wallrave von Berchner, which marked the beginning of major expansions to the original property. Her death in 1745 meant the business went to her granddaughter, and a series of sales traded ownership around until the 1820’s when Magnus Ekelund purchased it and set it on a new course, one that would see the company passed down through three generations. The first major technological jump was made when the Ekelunds switched from forging metals to a true foundry. Now accurate blanks could be poured and then further forged into a final product. Modernization had begun.

The forge allowed them to branch into agricultural machinery and railway parts, a good thing too, since stiff competition manufacturing nails and chains forced them out of production. Finally, in the late 1800’s and with profits dwindling, a decision was made to specialize…in axes. Hand tools like axes and spades had been forged at Hults Bruk since the beginning, but never on a large scale. In those days and until the early 1920’s axe heads were forged from iron and a high quality steel edge was later baked in. Gunnar Ekelund — grandson of Magnus and now 3rd generation owner — traveled to the US on a mission to study industrial methods and further refine the production process. He purchased several machines in the US and England and the newly streamlined methods allowed axe production to boom, outpacing all their other goods.

The newly improved and now state-of-the-art production capacity at their original ironworks site outside of Norrkoping allowed Hults Bruk to create an international market, and they quickly capitalized on a high demand for quality tools in and outside of Europe. Their planned export markets at the time were mainly Australia and New Zealand, but a consequence of Gunnar’s trip to America was new demand from the vast reaches of American timberland. Hults Bruk’s first axe shipments to America started in the 1880’s but ended before the turn of the century.

After electrification in the mid-1910’s various modernizations were tried, but hand forged axes were still noticeably higher quality, so the tradition continued. Finally in the 30’s heat treating was introduced to maintain sharpness and combined with a now-solid high quality steel axe head to complete the evolution of design. The axes purchased today are made a in a very similar fashion to those manufactured nearly a century ago.

The Hultafors Group purchased Hults Bruk in 1992 and still owns it today. Now part of the global marketplace, you can purchase a Hults Bruk axe pretty much anywhere in the world, but unsurprisingly their major business comes from Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. It wasn’t until 2015 that they started up sales in the US again with a specific line of axes for the American market. We carry several Hults Bruk models and each one is designed with a specific job in mind like carpentry, cutting kindling, felling trees, and splitting logs. They even have a model specifically designed for hatchet throwing. The curved hickory handles are treated with linseed oil for a durable natural protective layer and the axe heads are sand blasted before a clear lacquer is applied for longevity. Check them out! A simple tool is a true pleasure, one with a little history behind it is even better.