Gear Guy

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Must I sacrifice load suspension for the sake of a lighter pack?

I'm curious to hear your opinion about Osprey's line of Ariel backpacks, particularly their Ariel 75. I can't seem to find any reviews on anything other than...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Must I sacrifice load suspension for the sake of a lighter pack?

I'm curious to hear your opinion about Osprey's line of Ariel backpacks, particularly their Ariel 75. I can't seem to find any reviews on anything other than...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will a homemade alcohol stove be enough for the AT?

I have been contemplating hiking the Appalachian Trail. Having spoken to a number of through-hikers, I'm told that many are using homemade alcohol stoves made...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is pre-packaged trail food a waste of money?

Not really a gear question, but can you tell me about all the pre-packaged trail food on the market? What have you tried? What's the best? Also, do you know of...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What are the advantages of a shortened sleeping pad?

I'm looking for a decent sleeping pad to use when backpacking. Cascade Designs' Therm-a-Rest seems a good buy, but I'm not sure. Does the three-quarter pad mean...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's the advantage of wearing bike shoes with pedal clips?

What's the advantage of wearing mountain bike-style shoes with pedal clips, versus regular, all terrain-type shoes? Also, how does one escape from the clip?

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will laundry detergent ruin fleece?

Is there anything wrong with using a regular detergent like Tide to wash fleece, instead of gear-specific products like Nikwax? Are there any other fabrics that...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will laundry detergent ruin fleece?

Is there anything wrong with using a regular detergent like Tide to wash fleece, instead of gear-specific products like Nikwax? Are there any other fabrics that...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What boot would you recommend for wet conditions?

I'm going hiking on the West Coast Trail, and my boots have Vibram soles that are very slick on wood when it's wet. Since it constantly rains on the West Coast...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Will my Koflach boots be enough for climbing in Bolivia?

I'm planning a mountaineering trip to Bolivia in June. I have a pair of Koflach Degre boots, which have been fine on Mount Hood and when winter climbing in New...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What's the most weatherproof cycling jacket?

I'm so confused by the different possibilities and terminology when it comes to rain jackets for biking. I bought a "waterproof" one, but it wasn't and I got...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

What are the pros and cons of hydration packs?

I am trying to decide between a compact CamelBak hydration system, with very little room to carry anything else, or a larger daypack-hydration system like...

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Is it dangerous to wear electric socks with waders?

Will a pair of electric socks, worn inside waders, work when I'm steelhead fishing? More importantly, will these be safe if I'm wading in water?

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Why is it so difficult to find narrow boots for women?

I'm so frustrated by how much boot sizes vary, even within the same model! I'm a woman, narrowing my options to begin with, and I'm a woman with narrow feet....

Thursday, September 18, 2003

Why is it so difficult to find narrow boots for women?

I'm so frustrated by how much boot sizes vary, even within the same model! I'm a woman, narrowing my options to begin with, and I'm a woman with a narrow foot....