ACR ResQLink Personal Locator Beacon

Overall: ★★★★☆

This is like my first aid kit--something that I hope I never have to use but I won't be caught dead without it in the backcountry (literally). After debating between the SPOT Gen3 Satellite Messenger and this ACR model, I finally chose this one because of it's superior GPS transmitting capabilities. The SPOT has specialized features in addition to S.O.S. capabilities, but it transmits a considerable less-powerful GPS signal compared to the ResQLink. When activated, the ResQLink transmits both a 406 MHz and a 121.5 MHz homing signal to alert local rescuers of your position quickly and guide them to you via US military satellites.

Specs:
Weight: 4.6 oz
Size: 1.3x1.9x3.9"
Waterproof: 5 meters for 1 hour

Pros:

No yearly subscription fees (compared to at least $150/year with SPOT)

Easy to use with one hand

Can self-test to ensure battery life is good

Fairly lightweight

Cons:

Expensive

I love the peace of mind this gives my wife and I and our families, but I think it could be cheaper. However, I do think this is probably the best personal locator beacon on the market.

Arc'teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket

Overall: ★★★★★

I've proven this Gore-Tex jacket in the rains of Southeast Alaska, and I've been amazed by how well it performs. Although Arc'teryx recommends this jacket for periodic emergency use due to it's lightweight nature, it's exceeded my expectations on backpacking trips, boating excursions, and just around town. It's very lightweight but durable, making it perfect weather protection in the backcountry when it counts. I've noticed that when the rain is blowing sideways water eventually seeps through the front zipper, but that's only happened once and is to be expected. Overall it's a minimal but extremely reliable rain jacket.

Specs:
Weight: 11.1 oz

The North Face Blue Kazoo Sleeping Bag

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  Warm, compact, and quality.

I got the men's and women's versions of this three-season sleeping bag soon after my wife and I were married. She needed a warmer sleeping bag for chilly nights, and I was about due for a new sleeping bag also. I'm 5'11" and skinny and the regular fits great. The cinch-able hood is very comfortable, and the 650 fill power down keeps us toasty. The North Face's Water-resistant Pro-Down seems to work too -- most nights in humid, rainy Juneau I wake up with some dampness on the outside of the bag but can't notice any wetness inside. The glow-in-the-dark zipper pull is a neat gadget. The only thing that could be improved is a larger accessory pocket near the head, the current one is too small for anything other than my contact lens case. I wish it could fit my small contact solution bottle (bad morning to wake up to that frozen) or my phone (if you let the battery get cold it dies extremely fast). However this is a minor concern.

But the coolest thing about them is...

Men's dark blue on the left and women's lighter blue on the right.

...they zip together! Mine is the men's regular and Dani's is the women's long, so their zippers are just about the same length. Dani makes up for the difference in length by stuffing clothes in the bottom of her bag to keep them warm for the morning. Men's sleeping bags zip on the left and women's zip on the right, so they fit perfectly.

Specs:
Temperature rating: 15 degrees F
Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz
Fill Power: 650 loft down

MSR SuperFly stove

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

I got this stove because I loved the broad flame delivered by the wide burner. I like to use this stove in the backcountry for purposes other than just boiling water, and it cooks very evenly. When I am just heating water, it boils extremely quickly and efficiently. I also prefer the four-pronged pot supports for added stability, instead of most three-pronged stoves. The only drawbacks to these benefits are bulkiness and heavier weight, but the pros are worth it. I've never had any problems with my MSR SuperFly.

Specs

Weight: 5.9 oz
Boil time (with IsoPro fuel canister) for 1 liter: 3 minutes

Salomon X Ultra Mid II GTX Hiking Boots

Overall: ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

I got these boots before moving to SE Alaska because I knew I was going to need something waterproof to hike in wet conditions. However, my feet have gotten wet most of the times while I'm out in the rain. I originally thought that moisture might be getting in from the top, but it seems to come from the toe while walking through shallow puddles and muddy trails.

Besides this obvious flaw, the boots are great. They are lightweight, fit well and are comfortable for hiking long distances on very challenging terrain. Traction is awesome. Just wish they were waterproof like advertised.

The North Face Thermoball Hoodie

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

What's awesome? Free Alaskan rockfish and TNF Thermoball jacket.

"Never one place, always one jacket" is an accurate description of how the Thermoball is best used. This hoodie has kept me warm on chilly nights in the high desert, breezy days on a glacier, and winter mornings in the mountains. Despite the jacket's lightweight nature, PrimaLoft's synthetic alternative to down keeps you surprisingly warm. The pockets are roomy, the hood is comfortable, and it really does stay warm when it's wet. The way mine packs into the zipper pocket makes it perfect for a pillow on backpacking trips. This jacket is my go-to on all my adventures.

I love it.

Metolius FS Mini Wire-gate Quickdraws

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I purchased eight of these small, lightweight draws as a beginning climber. I was looking for just regular size quickdraws, but the place I got them from was all sold out so I grabbed these lightweight draws instead. Despite being small, they are very durable with the sling hardly showing any signs of wear. The carabiners have worn as expected.

These would earn that last star if the wire-gate carabiners were replaced with a biner that had an easier to open gate. After making a big move past the crux of a climb my wimpy hands almost get too pumped to clip the rope.

The BD FreeWire next to the Metolius mini.

Mountain Hardwear Epic Rain Jacket

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ -- this jacket served it's purpose, but I was hoping to get more out of it in terms of effectiveness and durability.

I've put this jacket through the wringer.

I bought this rain jacket years ago for riverguiding in Moab. It did really well the first season, but after that it seemed to have a time limit on waterproofness. I could go for about an hour in light rain or 15-30 minutes in a downpour before it seeped through to my baselayer. For living in a desert with brief summer rainstorms and almost always a chance to dry off in the sun afterward, it suited me just fine. The hood is comfortable and never bothered me, pockets are roomy, and the pit-zips are perfect. For chillier days I'm able to layer this over a warm coat and still comfortably move around.

A few months ago I sprayed Nikwax Fabric Proof waterproofing spray on the outside of the Epic in an effort to increase water repellency, but I couldn't notice an improvement in performance.

Since I've moved to Southeast Alaska, this jacket hasn't been ideal. Somehow the laminate layer in the hood tore (I'm not sure how it happened, so it couldn't have been more than a slight stress that did it in) and it separated from the outside layer (which is NOT waterproof). I carefully applied a flexible, waterproof glue (GearAid's Seam Grip) to repair it but soon after it dried the laminate tore in the surrounding areas. I was really bummed out, but I guess that's what I can expect from an older rain jacket.

The only other complaint is the velcro cuffs began to fray away the fabric on the outer shell after time.

Osprey Atmos/Aura AG 65

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 
Biggest strength: Comfort

Osprey Atmos Anti-Gravity 65 liter backpack

I've done a handful of overnight trips with this pack.

When my wife and I decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, we knew we needed some quality packs that were going to be comfortable and durable for 4-5 months of straight hiking. I boiled my options down to Gregory or Osprey, and after trying the Gregory Baltoro and the Osprey Atmos, I knew the Atmos was by far the most comfortable. My wife and I got the men's and women's (Aura) versions, and have loved every trail with them.

My favorite part about this pack is the Anti-Gravity Suspension system. Osprey designed a continuous mesh backpanel from the top of the pack to the hipbelt. It conforms to your back like a sleep number bed! Just kidding, but it really is the most comfortable fit you can find. The hipbelt and shoulder straps are awesome - I've never had them slip or had to readjust them after miles of hiking.

We purchased our packs from REI so they each came with a raincover and small 3L drybag. Backpacking up here in Alaska, the raincovers have been essential. We haven't had our gear get wet with the raincover on while hiking, but when we left our packs on the ground in the vestibules of our tent (with the covers on and upright), the outside of the packs got a little damp overnight. One of my biggest nightmares is my TP supply getting soaked in the wilderness, so the small drybag is perfect for my daily "study supplies." Well done REI.

The Pockets: I'm a guy, pockets are big deal to me. I love Osprey's open-loop zipper-pull design, they make life easier when your fingers are numb and you need to access your sleeping bag quickly in cold temperatures. There are two pockets on the removable lid that I've used for clothing and food and have always hiked with the lid on. For this reason I don't like the redundancy of their "FlapJacket" underneath the lid for when the lid is off. The main compartment of the pack is large and easy to compress with outside straps. Hydration bladder stores inside the main compartment. On the outside of the pack are two vertical zippered pockets for keeping maps, snacks, or anything lightweight for easy access. I really like the outer open mesh pocket for stowing your jacket when you get too warm on the trail. The bottom pocket holds a sleeping bag separate from the rest of your gear in the main compartment. There is a water bottle pouch on each side - with two openings each -and they are easily reached while you have the backpack on. There is a pocket on each side of the hipbelt . . . only complaint here is the zippered openings aren't big enough for a man to reach all his fingers in easily - my wife has smaller hands and doesn't have this problem.

The author with the Atmos 65

Dani with the raincover over her Aura 65.

Specs

Chris's Atmos men's medium
Capacity: 65 L
Weight: 4 lbs 6 oz

Dani's Aura women's small
Capacity: 62 L
Weight: 4 lbs 2 oz

ALPS Chaos 2 Tent

Overall: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★    Awesome tent.

ALPS Chaos 2 tent

First of all, I want to say how much I LOVE the pole system. No longer will campers be required to awkwardly hold two separate poles upright with one hand while trying to clip the tent with the other hand like an obscure yoga pose. When the pole ends are secured in the corners of the tent with this system, they are freestanding and very easy to clip. I was a little nervous about the sturdiness of this pole design at first because I've never used anything like it, but it is bombproof. This design also allows for maximized head room while sitting up in the tent.

My wife and I got this tent from REI about five months ago and we've already used it numerous times, most of which have been overnight backpacking trips. The Chaos 2 is lightweight and packs down really well. When it's set up it's very roomy for both of us (I'm 5'11" and still have lots of space to stretch out) and our gear. We keep our shoes and packs in the two large vestibules. Inside the tent there are LOTS of convenient mesh pockets (including a removable overhead mesh pouch) for easy-to-find-in-the-dark essentials: headlamp, glasses, machete, my wife's midnight chocolate craving, sawed-off shotgun for zombie attacks, etc.

The zippers on both the rain fly and the mesh doors are very durable and easy to use, I'm able to open the tent doors with one hand, and I haven't had any problems with them getting stuck.

The last trip we took this on we hiked to the summit of Mt. Juneau in Alaska (3,576 ft elevation) during a torrential rainstorm. After frantically setting it up we cozied up in our sleeping bags and attempted to sleep. While this tent kept us sheltered from the rain and hail, we didn't sleep much because of the wind that picked up during the night. *Note to self: I need to use the guy lines in bad weather.* After we got up in the morning we noticed that the inside of the rainfly had sweat during the night and let condensation into our tent. I think this is normal (I've never had the inside of the rainfly 100% dry after a rainstorm in any tent). However, this was minimal and not concerning. If I thought the wind was bad inside the tent, I was surprised at how much worse it was outside and was impressed by how well the Chaos 2 protected us from it.

The stakes are very lightweight and durable, they haven't bent on me when I've shoved them between the rocky ground.

The footprint is not included with the tent but I would definitely recommend getting it. It is essential to keeping the floor of your tent in good condition. 

Waking up high and dry after a night of constant rain.

Specs

Two person
Three season
Total weight: 5 lbs. 6 oz. (not including footprint)
Packed size: 6.5" x 22"