SLEEPING BAGS: DOWN VS SYNTHETIC
Down Insulation
|
Synthetic Insulation
|
- Gram for gram is warmer and more packable
- Will last for years without a drop in performance
- More comfortable to sleep in
- Can be harvested sustainably
|
- Less expensive
- Easier to care for (you can toss it in the washer without worry)
- Remains insutative when wet
|
The Bottom Line
The choice comes down to budget: if you have the money, spend it on a good down bag. You can always get a model with a waterproof/breathable shell fabric - yet more money - if you're worried about getting it wet. That said for those on a tight budget - or those who regularly sleep in snow caves - synthetics are getting better every year.
STOVES: LIQUID VS CANISTER FUEL
Liquid Fuel
|
Canister
|
- Fuel bottle can be refilled and re-used
- Faster boil times and better performance in the cold
- Multi fuel models can run on gasoline kerosene or even alcohol in a pinch
- Improved simmering with new micro flame adjusters
- Determining how much fuel you have left is easy: just look in the bottle
|
- Lighter, smaller and easier to pack
- Foolproof set-up - no priming required
- More accurate simmering
- All canisters are now recyclable
- Determining remaining fuel level - is tricky, but has improved with the advent of stick-on fuel gauges
|
The Bottom Line
Liquid fuel stoves still rule for travelling - you can find fuel almost anywhere - and cooking in the winter or high alpine. The smallest canisters, on the other hand are impossible to beat for light-and-fast overnighters.
WATERPROOF/BREATHABLE FABRICS:
GORE-TEX VS. THE COMPETITION
Gore-Tex
|
The Competition
|
- Most hardcore users agree that Gore-Tex - the original waterproof/breathable - is still the best at cutting rain and wind.
- Despite some rumours, performance isn't affected by salt water, which makes it ideal for paddle sports.
- Strict manufacturing guidelines mean that all Gore-Tex jackets - no matter what brand - meet the same waterproof/breathable standards.
|
- The best proprietary fabrics - like The North Face's HyVent - come close to Gore-Tex performance and are much less expensive.
- Non-membrane fabrics - like Marmot's Precip - are not only cheaper but also more breathable.
- Other fabrics - like Sierra Designs' Nanolite - are not as waferproof or breathable but are incredibly light-weight and packable.
- All canisters are now recyclable
|
The Bottom Line
How often do you actually wear your shell out there? If it lives mostly in your pack sacrifice breathability and opt for something less expensive and/or lighter. On the other hand, if you literally put it through the wringer - summer and winter - shell out for Gore-Tex. You won't regret it.
HEADLAMPS: REGULAR LEDS VS HIGH-POWERED LEDS
Regular LEDs
|
High-powered LEDs
|
- Sufficient for close range tasks such as reading or cooking
- Extremely long battery run time
- Smaller and lighter
|
- Brighter and can project longer distance
- Better for moving - hiking, climbing or biking - at night
- Require more battery power and are bulkier - though this is changing fast
|
The Bottom Line
LEDs have officially usurped halogens as the bulb of choice in modern headlamps. But not all are equal. Basic LED lamps - most have three or four bulbs - are tiny and last for hundreds of hours on one set of batteries, making them ideal for general around camp use or as an emergency light that you keep stashed in your pack. But for true nighttime adventuring use you can't beat the new high powdered one-watt or three-watt LED bulbs.
SHOES: APPROACH SHOES VS. HIKERS
Approach Shoes
|
Hikers
|
- Equipped with sticky soles that grip with tenacity on steep rock
- Rubber soles wear faster and also leave marks on floors
- To-the-toe lacing and slim profile provide precise fit
- Minimal cushioning under foot
- Rubber rand and burly uppers are designed to withstand serious abuse
|
- Roomier, more comfortable lit for all-day use
- Deeper sole lugs provide better traction on wet muddy or looser terrain
- Added cushioning under foot for long trail days
|
The Bottom Line
Approach shoes are designed for climbers to get to and from the mountain or crag with ease. They also make great scrambling footwear for rocky terrain. But their marking soles and limited traction on wet ground make them a poor choice for all-around urban or trail kicks. If you spend more time on dirt and concrete, and less on steep rock choose a light hiker - if you need some on rock performance choose a model with a stiff shanked sole.
SUNGLASSES: GLASS LENSES VS POLYCARBRONATE
Glass
|
Polycarbonate
|
- Highly scratch-resistant
- Best optical clarity
- Can support prescription and photochromic (tint varies with ambient tight) lenses
|
- Lighter weight
- Shatter-resistant but require more care to prevent scratches
- Less expensive
|
The Bottom Line
Glass lenses are still the clearest, while polycarbonate lenses are the safest. New technology on both sides have levelled the playing field somewhat. The newest glass lenses are more shatter-resistant than ever - especially polarized models, which have laminated film inside. The latest polycarbonate lenses, on the other hand, have improved optical quality and added materials to improve durability. Still, for fast-paced and potentially high-impact sports - such as mountain hiking, skiing or rock climbing - stick with poly lenses.
PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER: HARD DRIVE VS. FlASH MEMORY
Hard Drive
|
Flash Memory
|
- Larger capacity - currently availabte up to 100 gigs
- Latest models allow you to store and watch videos and recorded TV shows
- Extra capacity allows for storage of other digital files, like photos or word documents, while travelling
|
- Smaller and lighter
- Less expensive per byte of storage space
- Lower capacity - usually up to one gig
- With no moving parts, they are more durable, reliable and shock proof
- Longer battery life
|
The Bottom Line
Portable hard drive players still rule for audiophiles and travellers who must have their entire colleclion with them or who need space to upload photos or video from other devices. For running mountain biking, hiking or just going to the gym, flash players are the ticket - they're easy to stow away, less expensive and more durable.
Download the PDF file to read the whole article, size 3.19MB. (originally from Explore magazine)
 BestGear2006.pdf
|
