Outside Online
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 2

1. Outdoor Gear Lab

Head-to-head gear tests

By:
Outdoor Gear Lab blog
Outdoor Gear Lab blog Photo: Courtesy of Outdoor Gear Lab

Good for: Head to head comparisons of camping, backpacking, and climbing gear.

Written by: Chris McNamara, who has climbed El Capitan more than 70 times, holds nine big wall speed-climbing records, and is the cofounder of the popular climbing website, Supertopo.com.

McNamara and company beat the b’jeezu out of gear by employing lab tests and field tests. Multiple testers take products out in the field, often for months at a time, divulge all testing criteria, and rate items in multiple categories. Not enough for you? They also have video reviews.

Sample Post: Considering both sides of the solid Black Diamond Huey, Outdoor Gear Lab give us enough information to make the final call.

The Huey Duffel by Black Diamond is the toughest duffel in this review. It is also the most weather-resistant model we tested, making it a great option for extended expeditions, long-term travel or storage use. It is one of the nicer duffels to drag around by any of its options – backpack style, briefcase style or grabbing the end loops and dragging it on the ground. Its biggest disadvantage is the fact that it is nearly heaviest duffel in this review, with only the Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffel being heavier, and is a little harder to zip shut than others. So if you are looking to save weight you might want look somewhere else. But if you are looking for one of the burliest duffels you can buy, then look no further than the Black Diamond Huey. ...

Read more at Outdoor Gear Lab

More at Outside

Free Newsletters

Dispatch This week's featured articles, reviews, and videos. Sent twice weekly.
News From the Field The most important breaking news from around the Web. Sent daily.
Gear of the Day The latest products, reviews, and editors' picks. Coming soon.
Outside Partners Outside-approved deals and special offers from select partners. Sent occasionally.

Subscribe
to Outside
Now with
iPad Access

Magazine Cover

Plus 2 Outside Buyer's Guides included with your purchase!

News

Jun 20, 2013

Current Issue Outside Magazine

Subscribe and get a great deal! Two free Buyer's Guides plus a free GoLite Sport Bottle. Monthly delivery of Outside—your ultimate resource for today's active lifestyle. All that and big savings!

Free Newsletters

Dispatch This week's featured articles, reviews, and videos. Sent twice weekly.
News From the Field The most important breaking news from around the Web. Sent daily.
Gear of the Day The latest products, reviews, and editors' picks. Coming soon.
Outside Partners Outside-approved deals and special offers from select partners. Sent occasionally.

Ask a Question

Our gear experts await your outdoor-gear-related questions. Go ahead, ask them anything.

* We might edit your question for length or clarity. If it's not about gear, we'll just ignore it.