Gear Guy

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Do I need a full-suspension mountain bike?

It is better to have a full-suspension mountain bike or will a hard-tail with a suspension seat post be sufficient enough for a smoother ride?

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Can I get all the gear I need from one store?

I'm completely new to backpacking and am worried about buying gear from just anywhere. Here in Canada, MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) supposedly carries nothing...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is the Stephenson WarmLite the lightest three-person tent?

In answering the question, "What's the lightest three-person tent available?" a few weeks ago, you missed by far the lightest candidate: the Stephenson...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

How do companies measure the volume of a backpack?

When a pack manufacturer specifies a volume for a certain pack, do they mean the main compartment only or does the number include all the outside pockets as...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's a good pair of light, durable travel pants?

I'll be going to England, Ireland, and Scotland soon and will spend most nights in my tent or in hostels. My question for you is: what kind of pants should I...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Does anybody make a slimmer altimeter watch?

I'm a woman with very small wrists and have had great difficulty locating an altimeter watch that I can actually wear. Are there any smaller altimeter watches...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's a roomy, lightweight tent that's easy to setup quickly?

I'm fortunate enough to live a half-hour from Shenandoah National Park. Often I'll drive out there after work, park by the side of the road somewhere, walk into...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's a good pair of weatherproof pants for emergencies?

I'd like to invest in a pair of waterproof-breathable pants for one- or two-week treks where I might encounter rain and snow. Ideally, the pants would not be...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Do you have any tips for taking a dog on trail?

Do you have any tips for taking a dog on trail? I'm taking my dog on her first trip and want to protect my gear without constantly worrying about it. Are those...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Can I combine two sleeping bags to make one warmer bag?

My summer bag is an Integral Designs Andromeda Strain (40-degree, Primaloft); my three-season sack is the North Face Cat's Meow (20-degree, Polarguard Delta)....

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What kind of crampons do I need to climb Mount Shasta?

A friend and I are planning an attempt to summit Mount Shasta this summer. Neither of us owns an ice ax or crampons and we plan to rent those items when we get...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's a low-priced road bike I can use for racing?

Sage of swag, I'm in the market for a road bike, and looking for direction. Initially, I'll be using it for fitness riding, but I anticipate riding in local...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Can I repair the butt of my mountaineering pants?

My wife says that my regular reading of your column has cost us a fortune but I swear you've saved me money. Here's a chance to prove your worth, and much more...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Can the same boots take me up Rainer and McKinley?

I need to buy a pair of boots that will work well on Mount Rainer and Mount McKinley. They need to be waterproof and crampon compatible. I don't need them to be...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What do you think of packs with separate suspension systems?

All-knowing Gear Guru, I am intrigued by Dana Gleason's concept of separating a backpack's suspension and pack into two separate components. Is this idea...