Gear Review: GSI Crossover Kitchen Set
Everything you need to cook up a feast in the backcountry.
Author
Kelly Bastone
My Stories
Gear Review: MSR Alpinist 2 Cookpot
A 2.4-liter hard anodized aluminum cookpot.
Gear Review: Jetboil Sumo Cookpot
A 1.8-liter aluminum cookpot.
Gear Review: Soto Muka Stove
A white gas stove that doesn't require priming.
Gear Review: Lorpen Kids Light Hikers
Merino/synthetic socks that will make kids' feet happy.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Hurricane Accelerator Shell
A hooded, seam-taped, DWR-treated rain jacket for kids.
Gear Review: REI's Tarn 18 Pack
A kid-size mileage logging pack.
Gear Review: Patagonia Kid's Capilene 3 Midweight Crew Baselayer
For outdoor kids, a baselayer that will keep them dry and warm.
Gear Review: Baladeo 22G Knife
A full-size, three-inch blade that's sharp and light.
Gear Review: Adventure Medical Kits Core Lite Knife
A knife, whistle, and light in one.
Gear Review: Callpod Fueltank DUO Rechargeable Battery Pack
A rechargeable, lithium-ion battery pack for all your gadgets.
Gear Review: RoadID's Wrist ID Sport
A bracelet with all your vital information in case of emergency.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Echo Cap
A stretchy, superbreathable sun hat.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Downpour Wide Brim Rain Hat
A storm shell and umbrella for your head
Gear Review: Chaos Dri-Release Multi-Tasker Pro Balaclava
A versatile balaclava made of a blend of fabrics.
Gear Review: ENO ProNest Hammock
Set up camp anywhere with this easy-to-use hammock.
Gear Review: Apples to Apples
While away tent hours with this fun card game.
Gear Review: Black Diamond GTX FrontPoint Gaiters
Bomber gaiters that block out slime.
Gear Review: Stoic Welder Gauntlet Mitt
A 100-percent wool-lined glove that heats hands instantly.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Arc Gloves
A great all-purpose glove for high-output activities.
Gear Review: Outdoor Research Backstop Gloves
Gore Windstopper covers the back of the hand from cuff to fingertips.
Gear Review: Zeal Tenacity Sunglasses
High performance shades scaled down to fit small and medium faces.
Gear Review: Julbo MonteBianco Sunglasses
High-elevation glasses that have city street style.
Gear Review: Ryders Eyewear Vela Interchangeable Sunglasses
High quality interchangeable optics for one low price.
Gear Review: Smith Pivlock V90 Sunglasses
Rimless and interchangeable
Gear Review: Adventure Medical Kits' S.O.L. 3 Survival, Medical & Gear Repair Pak
A first aid kit that can handle way more than blisters.
Gear Review: Handpresso Wild
Caffeine in the palm of your hand–no plumbing or plugs required.
Gear Review: Nuun U Natural Hydration Tablets
A subtle way to mask chemically treated water.
Gear Review: Planet Dog Natural Hemp Adjustable Collar and Leash
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Gear Review: Ruff Wear Cloud Chaser
A primo softshell jacket...for your dog.
Gear Review: Black Diamond Contact Crampons
Stainless steel crampons that bite into ice and repel slushy buildup.
Gear Review: ContourHD Camera
A tiny helmet cam with above average sound quality.
Gear Review: Sanyo Xacti VPC-CA102YL Camera
A waterproof video camera that's reasonably priced.
Gear Review: Pentax K-5 Camera
A tough DSLR that's perfect for shooting wildlife thanks to its quiet shutter.
Gear Review: Pentax Optio W90 Camera
An all-conditions, high-value performance point-and-shoot camera.
Gear Review: Brunton Pioneer 26DNL Compass
A compass that floats.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Shoe
550-fill down booties that are perfect winter camp shoes.
Gear Review: Patagonia Advocate Shoes
A leather slipper with a rubber sole–the perfect camp shoe.
Gear Review: Therm-a-Rest Trekker Lounge Chair
Turn any standard-size sleeping pad into a decadent recliner.
Gear Review: Clik Elite Access Pack
A light and streamlined chest camera pack.
Gear Review: Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Water Bottle
A double-wall insulated bottle that is amazingly effective for its weight.
Gear Review: Brunton Eterna Compact 10×25 Binoculars
Powerful optics that pack small.
Gear Review: Pentax Papilio 8.5×21 Binoculars
A bargain binocular that doubles as a backcountry microscope.
Gear Review: Mammut Smart Alpine Belay Device
A versatile belay device that works with single, double, and some twin ropes. It also offers active braking support.
Gear Review: Ibex Shak Lite Half Zip Baselayer
A heavyweight baselayer that's soft and fitted, and stretch and warm.
Gear Review: WinterSilks Long Sleeve Silk Wool Crewneck and Pant Baselayers
This 70/30 silk/wool baselayer keeps you warm while also wicking.
Gear Review: Patagonia L/S Polarized Tee Baselayer
A 100% polyester t-shirt that feels just like cotton.
Gear Review: Helly Hansen Pace SS Baselayer
A polypropylene/polyester blended baselayer that wicks away sweat.
Gear Review: NEMO Pentalite Tent
A roomy pyramid shelter.
Gear Review: Hilleberg Saitaris Tent
A mountaineering tent that costs as much as a mortgage payment, but delivers homelike comforts.
Gear Review: Marmot Boreas 3P Tent
A freestanding, three-person tent that has super ventilation.
Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Corners 3 Tent
A roomy, affordable, and freestanding dome.
Gear Review: Cabela's XPG Ultralight 3 Tent
This three-star accommodation costs less than $60 per person.
Gear Review: Easton Kilo Tent
This three-season tent saves weight with new pole technology.
Gear Review: Marmot Turret 2P Tent
A tent that can handle the rougher edges of spring and fall.
Gear Review: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Echo II Tent
If you count weight savings in grams, not ounces, you won't find a lighter option with this much protection.
Gear Review: MSR DragonTail Tent
True all-season performance–without a weight penalty.
Gear Review: Sierra Designs Lightning HT 2 Tent
Two-person tent with more space than meets the eye.
Mountainsmith Morrison Tent
A double-wall tent that's simple on design but big on space.
Gear Review: Tarptent Moment Tent
An ultra-affordable ultralight solo tent.
Gear Review: NEMO Moto 1P
A solo tent with XXL dimensions.
Gear Review: EMS Velocity 1 Tent
A bargain solo tent.
Gear Review: REI Arete ASL 2 Tent
A four-season tent that truly can be used year-round.
Best Hikes Ever: Northville-Placid Trail, Ny
Explore the Adirondack's valleys.
Best Hikes Ever: Willow Gulch, UT
Explore resurrected sandstone slots.
Best Hikes Ever: Olympic Traverse, WA
Go from rainforest to glaciers.
Best Hikes Ever: Redwood Creek Trail, CA
Feeling small among the world's tallest trees.
Wyoming Hikes
Go high and wide in Wyoming's untamed range.
Best Hikes Ever: Boundary Waters, MN
Immerse yourself in Minnesota's liquid wilderness.
Long Trail Hikes
Traverse the first long trail in Vermont.
Best Hikes Ever: Four Pass Loop, CO
See some of the Rockies' most iconic mountains.
Best Hikes Ever: Southern Traverse, AK
Tackle an epic adventure in the far north.
Best Hikes Ever: Wonderland Trail, WA
Circumnavigate the West's most majestic mountain.
Best Hikes Ever: Zion Narrows, UT
Sluice through towering walls of sandstone in Utah's Zion National Park.
Best Hikes Ever: The Needles Traverse, CO
Forge your own route through the Rockies' most rugged corner.
Best Hikes Ever: The Lost Coast Trail, CA
Hike a remote paradise just hours from California's bustling cities.
Best Hikes Ever: Appalachian Trail, GA-ME
Thru-hike America's most revered long trail: the Appalachian Trail.
Best Hikes Ever: Denali, AK
Pick your pilgrimage through the backcountry Holy Land: Mt Eielson Loop or Kesugi Ridge.
Best Hikes Ever: Presidential Traverse, NH
Tag a team of the East's most challenging peaks in the White Mountains.
Best Hikes Ever: Escalante Route, AZ
Plumb the wild depths of the Big Ditch.