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Buyers Guide || Cameras for backpacking: Phones, point-and-shoots, compacts & interchangeable-lens

By Andrew Skurka / May 2, 2017 /

Last week I spent many more hours researching and deliberating about the purchase of a new camera than any non-obsessive person ever would. While they’re still fresh and relevant, I’ll share some backpacking-specific buying and product insights that I wish I had found elsewhere. Personal context I primarily use my camera for backpacking, followed by…

Preview: new Black Diamond 300-lumen Spot headlamp

By Andrew Skurka / January 14, 2017 /

The new Black Diamond Spot headlamp will produce 300 lumens, which is a 50 percent increase over the current version (read my review). Its weight and size appeared unchanged, as does its single control button, unfortunately. The current Spot will become the new Cosmos, which represents a 25 percent increase in light output (to 200…

Review: Black Diamond Spot Headlamp || Bright, lightweight, reasonably priced

By Andrew Skurka / December 14, 2016 /

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…

Exclusive LuminAID coupon + win a “portable campfire” || Holiday Giveaway #2

By Andrew Skurka / December 9, 2016 /

For each of the next five days I will be raffling off an item featured in my holiday gift guide, which we broadcast via Facebook Live on Wednesday. Return back each day to enter to win. Yesterday’s winner Bill O., who was lucky #7, won a Coast HL27 Headlamp. Good luck today! Today’s giveaway First, I…

Win a Coast HL27 Headlamp || Holiday Giveaway #1

By Andrew Skurka / December 8, 2016 /

For each of the next six days I will be raffling off an item featured in my holiday gift guide, which we broadcast via Facebook Live on Wednesday. Today’s giveaway The Coast HL27 is my go-to headlamp for trail running, hiking off-trail, and bike-commuting in the dark. It is very bright, with a max output…

Long-term review: Coast HL27 Headlamp || Bright & quickly adjustable

By Andrew Skurka / November 10, 2016 /

While perusing the floor of Outdoor Retailer last year, I walked past Coast, which I had never heard of before and which appeared to have a nice line of lights. I spoke with a rep for a few minutes, and he sent me off with the Coast HL27 Headlamp. After more than a year of…

Quick tip: Field-friendly Leukotape strips for foot care & first aid

By Andrew Skurka / October 4, 2016 /

A core item in my backpacking first aid kit and foot care kit is Leukotape P, a non-elastic strapping tape. I most often use it for hot spots, blisters, and other skin irritations; and on a few group trips I have made custom bandages and protected injured body parts with it. Leukotape P should not be confused…