Just noticed this the other day: REI.com has added consumer reviews (which backcountry.com was using two years ago, but hey, late progress is still progress). As a sampling, check out this link to the $600 Garmin Colorado 400t GPS unit,…
Gear
Fanny packs: who’s got one?
by tom • February 1, 2008 • 14 Comments
And is it worth a hoot? I bought a fanny pack (the Brits call ’em bum bags, I love that) at REI when I first started hiking … just big enough to hold my wallet and a couple of water…
Wet shoes: getting ’em dry again
by tom • January 28, 2008 • 5 Comments
Happy Feet has some interesting tips for keeping your shoes healthy after wet outings: Do not put them in the dryer and do not place them directly over a heater or too near a heat source. Remove the laces and…
What I got for Christmas: Pioneer Inno XM Satellite Radio receiver
by tom • December 26, 2007 • 4 Comments
Melissa got me one of these nifty satellite radio receivers, which could come in handy on hikes. Normally I prefer to hear the sounds of the outdoors but not every hike is going to be all that interesting, soundwise, so…
What do you want for Christmas?
by tom • December 14, 2007 • 11 Comments
I, of course, want only peace and harmony for the world’s peoples. And stuff coated with Gore-Tex (or EVent, because I respect all faiths. Speaking of which, here’s a nice comparison of Down vs. Synthetics from the folks at Sierra…
Cool socks report
by tom • December 7, 2007 • 2 Comments
Rick at HikeHalfdome.com writes up some very nifty hiking socks from Northern Ireland that are cut for right and left feet. Wool-synthetic blend with anti-bacterial treatment. Nice. (Field sobriety test for next wine-soaked overnighter: can you tell which feet your…
More gift ideas for outdoors types
by tom • December 3, 2007 • 0 Comments
Last week it was Texas; this week it’s Iowa. The Des Moines Register sent out a scouting mission. I liked these: Books “Spooky Campfire Stories,” retold by S.E. Schlosser. $12.95. Sportsman’s. “Hiking Iowa: A Guide to Iowa’s Greatest Hiking Adventures,”…
Hiking socks for Christmas
by tom • November 29, 2007 • 1 Comment
A writer at the Dallas Morning News loves that Smart Wool: Smart Wool socks are pretty expensive (nearly $20 for the midcalf style that’s perfect for hiking or walking behind bird dogs), but they’re worth the money. When I bought…
Deal of the Day Tracker
by tom • November 19, 2007 • 0 Comments
One for all you gearheads: DODTracker.com, which chronicles the Deals of the Day at dozens of sites (Sports & Apparel has possibilities.) (Be sure to stock up before Buy Nothing Day).