Doug Schnitzspahn
Published
She escaped the Nazis, stuck it to the men, turned the outdoor industry on its head, and made us laugh. All while seeking perfection.
A trade show calendar packed full of large, small, and regional events has left many retailers, reps, and manufacturers strapped trying to figure out the best way to focus their resources. In response, Outdoor Retailer is releasing a new web-based survey that could result in (more) major changes to the big show's dates and format. So we asked exhibitors, retailers, and reps: What does the ideal trade show calendar look like for the industry? Can all the various shows remain relevant? How can attendees get the best return on investment? No surprise: It’s complicated
Choose the right type, fit, capacity, and features, and away you go.
More backpackers, fishers, and hunters are meeting up at camp, and increasingly using the same type of gear. What's the crossover potential?
The Eddie Bauer First Ascent Sorcerer goes from hauler to super-long hauler and can also be stripped down to a day-mission sack. Call it magic.
Serious about minimalism? Then this is the pack for you.
Easily tailored to your body, with clever details and a surprisingly light weight.
Eddie Bauer First Ascent Alchemist 40L This shape-shifter might just replace every pack you own. Lashed down, the Alchemist is compact enough for one-day summit bagging. Unzip the top wedge and unfurl the hideaway lid, and it morphs into an entirely different beast—a roomy 55-liter hauler with plenty of space…
Beat dehydration this summer with one of these great reservoirs: The Geigerrig Hydration Pack bladder, which comes standard in the brand's hiking and biking packs; the Platypus Big Zip SL, the most secure bladder we tested this season; or the Hydrapak Shape-Shift, which you can zip up in the middle to create a more dispersed load.
According to the Peltzman effect, helmets and seat belts cause people to ski, drive, and ride more recklessly, if only slightly. We don’t suggest you trash your lid, but consider these numbers.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the JanSport Versteeg pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Eagle Creek Adero 55 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Deuter ACT Zero 50+15 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the OutThere AS-1 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Osprey Hornet 32 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mountain Hardware Fluid 48 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Gregory Z40 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'teryx Aerios 14 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Epic 45 pack.
ϳԹ reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Sierra Designs Revival 65 pack.
FEATHERWEIGHT First impression: Too light to abuse—or rely upon on in really nasty weather. But doubters became believers in the field: It’s every bit as durable and waterproof as jackets twice the weight and didn’t slow testers down on a wet-weather run from the summit of Mount Adams. The trick?…
SUMMER-WEIGHT CHAMP Meet our new warm-weather favorite. The track-suit-inspired Avido was a godsend in the middle of summer when we didn’t want to stuff a full-on rain shell in our packs but then got blasted by cold winds up in the hills. The reason, as one tester pointed out, is…
STAY ORGANIZED We were all impressed with how well the Futura Pro carries a full load, but it was our anal-retentive testers who were most partial to this feature-laden, everything-has-its-place pack. A bottom compartment keeps food separated from clothing and gear, while a bevy of quick-access compartments (two long pockets…
THE WHOLE PACKAGE Good for Resort System jackets might seem passé to some, but the reasonably priced three- in-one Rodeo Magic, which can be worn as a shell, a midlayer, or both, is a pretty sweet (and, of course, versatile) garment. While not as waterproof…
Hiking, biking, trail running—we did it all with the Diablo. There’s just enough space in this 352-cubic-inch pack to stash an emergency shell, a bike pump, and a snack, especially if you take advantage of its waist-belt pockets, two external stash pockets, and bungee strap. But what really makes…
All-Season Workhorse The Lookout 45 was designed with winter in mind—there are ski-, snowboard-, and snowshoe-specific straps. But our testers liked it so much, they kept grabbing this 2,870-cubic-inch bag for weekend adventures all summer. That’s because everything—from maps to hydration tubes to camera cases—has its place on this tricked-out…
These café loungers segue easily from snowshoe rambling to latte sipping. Credit a casual style paired with Helly’s proprietary waterproof-breathable fabric and built-in gaiters that fit a wide range of boots. hellyhansen.com…
PRACTICALLY WATERPROOF If you took your favorite base layer, hard shell, and soft shell and threw them all in a blender, it would be a terrible mess. But Westcomb’s mash-up makes terrific sense. A thin layer of merino wool on the inside wicks away moisture (like a base layer),…
TRADITIONAL TOP LOADER “Airy and easy to adjust” is how one tester summed up the Locus 40. It’s light, too: The minimalist design boasts an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. Torso adjustment takes just a few seconds, then the pack slides into place. The AeroFly suspension rides nice and tight to the…
GATE HOPPER The 1,098-cubic-inch Silo 18 is an ideal choice when you’re jumping between the lifts and the sidecountry. Three stash pockets (one internal, two external) help you keep track of quick-grab items. The polyethylene back panel is just tough and stiff enough to make a solid base for ski…
This smart little pack brings a dash of technical know-how to a street-savvy bag. In town, you can remove the hip strap to dial back the crunchy-guy factor, while a bit of reflective piping increases your visibility when riding or walking in the dark. Wherever we were, the water-resistant…
Can Take a Beating The Ascent 40 was designed with climbing in mind; for example, it comes with a rope tarp. And while it does a fine job getting rope to the crag, we also loved it as an adventure-travel pack. That’s because the 2,450-cubic-inch Ascent is basically, as one…
Thanks to tough—and 100 percent recycled—fabric on the rear, knees, and ankle cuffs, these weather-resistant pants can handle everything from ice climbing to bushwhacking. patagonia.com…
Crappy out? These no-nonsense Gore-Tex Pro Shell pants were simply the best bad-weather trousers we tested. Added bonus: They come with a built-in Recco avalanche rescue system. thenorthface.com…
1. No gimmicks here. The North Face’s new X-Radial suspension is the real deal. The secret is a lightweight aluminum, X-shaped frame that’s reinforced on the top and bottom to deal with heavy loads (up to 55 pounds) and actually pivots at the center of the X, which means…
TOWN AND COUNTRY The perfect travel backpack needs to be versatile, compact, and sturdy. On all three counts, the panel-loading Instinct nails it. If you travel light, it’s just big enough for weekend trips. Out on the trail, the lightly padded back didn’t vent body heat as well as other…
CLIMBER’S FAVORITE The stripped-down Prolight 27 performs best when it’s going up. How do we know? After spending time in Colorado scaling multipitch climbs in Eldorado Canyon and summiting (and then skiing down) Longs Peak, our American Mountain Guides Association–certified tester didn’t want to give it back. “It was perfect,”…
A mash-up between a college book bag and a classic daypack, the streamlined, 2,000-cubic-inch Shrike was surprisingly versatile. The suspension system—basically a padded back panel and shoulder straps—isn’t anything fancy, but if you don’t overload it (30 pounds, max), it’s plenty comfy for long hikes. Around town, the front…
Built for the Long Haul If you’ve got big plans this summer—or you’re the mule for a weekend family trip—you want a beast like the 5,200-cubic-inch XT 85L. The suspension system, a hybrid of old-school frame construction and new-school torso padding, didn’t flinch when one tester loaded it up with…
1. This is simply the most adapt-able winter-specific storm shell we tested. The key is Schoeller’s new waterproof-breathable fabric with c_change technology, a membrane with a polymer structure that opens up when you get hot and contracts when you cool down. Translation: Testers didn’t overheat when their buddies did…
Get these soft-shell pants for classic winter conditions: more cold, snowy, and windy than wet, slushy, and rainy. The Gore Windstopper fabric is tough on the outside, but has a soft fleece lining. cloudveil.com…
MOVES WITH YOU Built with a light plastic frame and hipbelt system and an Allen-wrench-adjustable pivot point that attaches a separate shoulder harness to the pack, the BA1 offers independent hip and torso motion. Testers were skeptical at first: The BA1 seems like a lot of money for a lot…
Good for Resort 1. This hybrid jacket uses soft-shell material on most of the body, which gives it a slightly stretchy athletic feel and fit. But because it’s seam-sealed and reinforced with waterproof-breathable (hard-shell) nylon panels in strategic places—like the hood and the tops of…
EFFICIENT MOUNTAINEER Our most organized testers especially liked this tough, sensible 1,850-cubic-inch pack. Internal pockets hold snow-safety gear, valuables, and a hydration bladder. ϳԹ, five more: two on the side, one in the lid, one on the hip belt, and one shove-it pocket on the back panel. The ski and…
Got straps? The 3,350-cubic-inch Mountain Guide has plenty, making it a favorite with our most fastidious testers—you know, the guys who spend hours fiddling with their pack until it’s just right. The vertical-carry center straps held a Therm-a-Rest, snowboard, or snowshoes equally well and, thanks to sturdy molded-plastic reinforcements,…
Old-School Cool A 1,950-cubic-inch daypack made out of merino wool? Yup. And it’s not a greenwashed gimmick, either. For starters, the merino wool here bears little resemblance to your favorite sweater; the yarn is worsted and given a ripstop treatment so it’s durable yet light. While the overall design is…
BIG-TRIP MASTER This 3,200-cubic-inch pack’s suspension system—a compression-molded back panel and nicely padded shoulder and hip straps—can handle the heaviest of loads (and the floating top lid really allows you to overfill the thing). But strip off the top pocket and framesheet and swap out the big hipbelt (pictured) for…
These pants were impervious to Cascade storms, but still light enough for spring touring. The key: strong and breathable Gore-Tex Pro Shell, and removable suspenders that make for a smooth transition from foul to fair. scottusa.com…
SPARTAN AND PACKABLE No suspension system, extraneous buckles, or even a sleeve for a hydration bladder. And that’s why we love the Cierzo: It’s perfect for those times when you’re not sure you’ll need a small daypack—be it a business trip to San Francisco or a river trip with the…
AEROBIC MASTER Good for Resort Hesitant about wearing a soft shell to the resort? Relax. In drier climates, the fleece-and-soft-shell Gamma SV is the perfect choice for hard-charging lift-lappers. Built with cozy, high-loft Polartec Power Shield fleece in the chest and a lighter version of the…
1. Keeping rain out is never the problem; a $2 poncho can do that. But if you want a jacket that also holds up the other end of the bargain, letting moisture out, it’s going to cost you—usually around $200. Which is why we were so impressed with the…
The svelte, 2,150-cubic-inch Koa 35 was ideal for light, fast overnight trips. Testers loved the breezy mesh back panel and the cram-friendly roll-top closure. And although it looks minimalist, the Koa is actually bedecked with a bunch of clever features. There’s a stretchy zip-away pocket on the front of the…
Most Breathable Seems like 2,000 cubic inches is the magic number when it comes to versatility—just big enough to max out on a fast-and-light overnighter but not too big for a day hike. And size isn’t the only thing the top-loading Spectro AC gets right. It was the most breathable…
Good for Resort Just like the turquoise-and-hot-pink, three-in-one Columbia you skied in as a kid—only much better. The inner jacket, a trim-fitting, polyester-lined down puffy with pit zips and three internal pockets, is practically worth the price of admission on its own. Ditto the waterproof-breathable shell, with…
Warm, yet wild. Touches of corduroy give these waterproof, PrimaLoft-insulated pants a dash of outlaw flash. But what feels downright illegal is when you shed your base-layer bottoms, go commando, and still feel warm and fuzzy inside. powderhorn-world.com…
VERSATILITY CHAMP “Exactly what a daypack should be,” said one tester—and that’s the best way to describe the Laguna. With the ability to expand from 500 to 800 cubic inches, the Laguna’s just big enough to fit a shell, snacks, and a few extras. The airflow system’s mesh padding doesn’t…
BACKCOUNTRY STANDBY Good for Backcountry Technically, the Vanquish is a “soft” shell, but it certainly didn’t behave like one in the field. Gore-Tex’s Soft Shell material is fairly breathable and virtually waterproof—we didn’t test it in driving rain, but it easily shed several hours of…
Heading someplace hot and wet? The Cruiser is your jacket. It’s cut from eVent fabric—arguably the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market—and has big pit zips for extra venting. As for keeping water out, the combination of an extra-tall collar and four-adjustment-point hood is as good as it…
The light-yet-stable Vapor Flash bridges the gap between an overnighter and a multi-day hauler. At 3,200 cubic inches, this traditional top-loader is just big enough for several days’ worth of gear (one tester even hauled a six-pack in it). But at a waifish three and a half pounds, it…
Top Ultralight Lunch-hour hikes. Mountain-bike rides. Long trail runs. At 600 cubic inches, the Fluid 10 is just big enough to fit the essentials—shell, camera, lunch, etc.—without any wasted space. The light, ridged polypropylene framesheet gives it some stability (and a bit of ventilation) without adding too much bulk or…
LIFESAVER Should you get caught in a slide, the AvaLung-equipped Anarchist can improve your odds of survival. The device—which is built into this comfy 1,953-cubic-inch pack—redirects the poisonous carbon dioxide you exhale, delaying the formation of a suffocating “ice mask” around your face. It reportedly can keep avy victims alive…
1.The Patrol 35 nails the most important feature in a winter pack: how well it carries skis or a snowboard. TNF’s Fly-Trap carrying system compresses skis (A-frame or diagonally) or board (vertically) amazingly close to your center of gravity. The result is excellent stability—which made me feel balanced and…
GREEN-MINDED AND OLD-SCHOOL Mountainsmith managed to build the Phoenix out of an impressive 85 percent recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled PET fabric, recycled mesh back panel and zippers, and sustainable biopolymer buckles. That’s about the current eco-limit without compromising the pack’s performance. But there’s much more to the Phoenix…
DUDE CRED Good for Backcountry FlyLow has a sense of humor. The care-instructions tag in this piece advises you first to “Drink Cold Beer.” But the Denver-based company also has a solid reputation for making durable, no-nonsense gear. And by using a highly water-resistant, stretchy “kung…
The WeatherEdge was this year’s biggest surprise. Less than $120, pit zips, a fully functioning hood? There really isn’t a catch, though. It’s every bit as waterproof as jackets that cost twice as much and, while it’s not quite as breathable as the pricier jackets here, all you have…
The 3,970-cubic-inch, top-loading Sentinel may not look as sleek and stable as the other packs here. But it’s sturdier than it looks. The traditional suspension system consists of two aluminum stays, while the main compartment includes rear sleeping-bag access and a generous stuffsack. What impressed us were the extras…
Urban Hiker Half messenger bag, half backpack: That’s the easiest way to describe this 1,500-cubic-inch urban hauler. With a well-cushioned 15.4-inch laptop pocket and a DWR-coated, splash-resistant flap closure, it’s the perfect pack for biking to work or walking to the coffee shop. Thanks to the same breathable mesh padding…
1. Thanks to the 690-cubic-inch Bandit’s low profile, we barely noticed it while riding lifts. And when we wanted to leave the gates or head out for a quick backcountry tour, this pack was the perfect size. 2. The Bandit’s sleek look belies its utilitarian nature. Inside, you’ve got…
DAY TRIPPER If your passion is touring, get the nimble Drift. “It’s the perfect size and profile for the typical day trip,” said a tester who put miles on the pack in the Colorado backcountry. Skis or snowboards strap on easily and stay rock-solid, with three different carry options. On…
TAKE IT OFF-TRAIL Like a souped-up Jeep, the Triconi begs to be taken off-trail and over jumbly passes. The reason: The hipbelt and shoulder straps are built into the pack frame with auto-adjusting pivot points. It’s a smart system. The pivots adapt to individual hip curvature and shoulder/torso size, allowing…
TOWN AND COUNTRY Good for Backcountry Don’t worry, it’s also available in black and UPS brown. We were surprised that what looks like a soft-shell sweatshirt on acid could perform so well in nasty conditions. But this hoodie felt as at home riding the lifts on…
Both the Ekolab’s vegetable-based waterproof-breathable membrane and DWR finish are fluorocarbon-free and recyclable. Testers were a bit skeptical that the sustainable chemistry would perform as well as the regular stuff, but the shell easily fended off hours of rain during a wet hike in Colorado’s Indian Peaks. Although the…
This was the best multi-day haul pack we tested. In terms of both price and usability, the 3,480-cubic-inch El Lobo hits the sweet spot. “Feels lighter than it is” and “really moves with you” were common tester refrains. Credit the Lobo’s X-shaped chassis and dual-pivot hipbelt, which, as advertised,…
Simple and Smart Although they’re best known for making school bags, JanSport also has a long track record making technical performance packs—like the 2,074-cubic-inch Salish. From long day hikes to more gear-intensive scrambles to local crags, it consistently received high marks as a comfy, versatile pack. An externally accessed hydration…
LIFT SERVANT One tester described this pack as “a wallet on your back with water.” The 275-cubic-inch Scorpion’s two-liter bladder kept testers hydrated both on quick tours before work and skiing all day at the resort. Lunch, a spare pair of goggles, and an extra layer fit in the main…
HARD CHARGER Unless you huck off every cliff in sight, donning body armor is overkill. But a little back protection makes sense for anyone who ventures into exposed, big-mountain terrain. The multitasking, 1,450-cubic-inch Razor is built with a Shield Back System: foam-wrapped polyethylene pads that are part of the internal…
LOVES BIG LOADS Can’t decide whether to pack the pinot noir or the grigio? Bring ’em both—and the cast-iron skillet. On a multi-day trip in the Cascades, the Argon’s burly suspension system and memory-foam hipbelt and shoulder straps didn’t flinch at 60-plus pounds. It’s also crammed with tons of user-friendly…
EURO CORE Good for Resort The Formula is the Porsche of this test—damned pricey, just as flashy, but worth every cent. Kjus’s designers tossed in everything from an integrated balaclava to a dedicated cell-phone pocket with a keeper leash. So plentiful are the hidden accessories that…