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The fourth generation of Garmin’s Fenix GPS sport watch will replace the current Garmin Fenix 3 and Fenix 3 HR. Release date is March 2017. The three models vary in both size and features: Fenix 5S Fenix 5 Fenix 5X You might be asking, What happened to the Fenix 4? The rep did not go into details, but…
On display at the Altra booth was the next iteration of its best-selling trail shoe, the Lone Peak 3.5, plus two new trail shoes, the Timp and King Mountain. Preview: Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Expect minor changes from the current Lone Peak 3.0 (my review). The 3.5 will retain the same voluminous last and fit,…
Last week Gear Junkie named the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 Pack a “Top Gear Pick” of 2016. Read their recap and their full review, and/or scan other products that made their cut. If you’re in the market for a new pack, or if you regularly recommend models to others, I genuinely believe that the Flex Capacitor is…
I keep regular tabs on my website traffic, but probably don’t spend enough time studying it. So this annual “best of” list (see 2015’s) is about as revealing to me as to readers. In 2016 I was surprised by the persistent strength of old content, given my increased efforts to generate fresh material. Posts about breakfast & dinner recipes, female…
This year I have quietly coached a handful of individuals who sought my help for their upcoming backpacking trips. Jessica completed the Colorado Trail in July. Ambitious teens Hannibal and James flew over from the UK for an adventure in the High Sierra. John, Bill, and Stephen & Diane are preparing for thru-hikes next year…
It looks as if Sierra Designs is trying to clear inventory from past seasons and from its spring/summer line, and yesterday began offering 50 percent off its apparel. That’s a damn good deal — about equal to the price paid by a retailer like REI, which then doubles the price and sells it on their floor.…
While in the headlamp aisle at the local REI last summer, I wondered if other customers felt fortunate for the recent advances in LED technology. The three models I was deliberating between were all less expensive, lighter weight, longer lasting, and brighter (by several factors) than the lights I had used for my thru-hikes in the 2000’s and…
Did I save the best for last? I think so, but only incidentally, since Salewa is last in alphabetical order among the brands that generously provided goodies for this giveaway series: Coast, Esbit, GaiaGPS, LuminAid, and Platypus; plus Sierra Designs, which broadcast my holiday gift guide last week via Facebook Live Yesterday’s winner Congrats to Elena G,…
We’re getting close to the end, today and then a final grand prize tomorrow. Good luck! Yesterday’s winner Congrats to Bill R, yesterday’s winner of the Platypus Platy Bottles. Today’s giveaway With the GaiaGPS app, my smartphone has the same functionality as a conventional handheld GPS unit. In many respects a smartphone-as-GPS is an even better system:…
Three more days to go! Yesterday’s winner Dave A. was the winner of the Esbit Cook Set. Congats! Good luck today! Today’s giveaway I add 70-oz Platy Bottles to my kit in two instances: In arid environments, when I need to load up on water to get through dry stretches, and On casual trips, when…