Gear Guy

Friday, February 13, 2004

Which boots will hold up under a 250-pound load?

My ten-year-old Vasque Sundowners are finally toast, so I'm looking for an affordable replacement, perhaps REI's Gore-Tex Monarch boots. I weigh about 200...

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

What pants won't shred when I'm sliding down icy slopes?

Great response on the pros and cons of the Theta LT versus MEC Flight pants, by the way. But what about a pair with a heavy-duty rear-end that will withstand...

Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Are detachable lids on sleeping bags worth the extra cost?

I am looking to upgrade my sleeping bag so I can get more versatility over a range of temps. In particular, a light bag that would be suitable from 50 degrees...

Thursday, February 05, 2004

Can you recommend a hiking boot to mitigate heel pain?

I bought a pair of Asolo FSN 95 GTX boots for hiking Mount Rainier's Wonderland Trail. They felt very comfortable in the store and needed very little breaking...

Thursday, February 05, 2004

What's the warmest glove to use when snowshoeing?

I am getting ready for a February snowshoeing trip to the Sierra Mountains, and I want to nix my usual problems with cold hands. In the past, I've tried using a...

Thursday, February 05, 2004

Are cheaper, house-brand tents inevitably less reliable?

I have been waiting to buy a lightweight two-person backpacking tent for a while now, and recently was impressed by the newer REI-brand tents. Is there any...

Wednesday, February 04, 2004

Will bear spray ward off a mountain lion attack?

In light of the recent mountain lion attack in southern California, I was wondering if a bear spray like Counter Assault would work against a mountain lion? If...

Monday, February 02, 2004

Are there any road bikes fitted with disc brakes?

Here's my recurring nightmare: I'm hurtling down a hill when my rim, worn away by repeated gritty brakings, ruptures and warps, stopping the bike instantly and...

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

How can I repair a daged tent fly?

Having loaned my friend my old Sierra Designs tent, he returned it several months later without having adequately aired it out. The coating on the fly is now...

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

What's the latest in backpack innovation?

Where do you think things are going in terms of backpack innovation? I am looking to buy a bag for base-camp-style backpacking, but I don't want one that is...

Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Will La Sportiva's Makalu withstand winter climbing?

I'm considering buying the Makalu boot from La Sportiva for extended backpacking and mountaineering duties, thinking it would be flexible enough for backpacking...

Monday, January 26, 2004

Will Gore-Tex lose its water-repellency after repeated washings?

I have a question regarding an older Serac Gore-Tex jacket I have: Does Gore-Tex lose its water-repellency after repeated washings? Is there something I can...

Thursday, January 22, 2004

Can you recommend a poncho for the Belize jungle?

I know you don't like ponchos, but I used one for a month in the Belize jungle and think it did a darn good job: In the hot, humid conditions, it allowed air to...

Thursday, January 22, 2004

Can you help me choose a compressible, lightweight sleeping bag?

My 16-year-old daughter's Venture Scout troop is doing an eight-day horseback trek in northeastern New Mexico this July. They have to store all their gear in a...

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

How do alpinists protect their skin from the cold and wind?

I ski a lot, so need to protect my skin against the combined ravages of wind, cold, and sun. What do women (and men, too, I guess) put on their faces when...