Gear Guide 2012: Brunton O.S.S. 10B Compass

[compass]

Heading off trail? “Grab a length of P-cord and loop this simple compass around your neck,” says our senior editor, who used the O.S.S 10B to maintain course during a whiteout on Mt. Rainier’s Muir Snowfield. “For ultraprecise navigation, you’ll want a spendier compass with a sighting mirror, but for spot checks while following a bearing (a common compass use for hikers), this is one of the simplest yet most reliable models out there.” Bonus: A clear baseplate allows you to overlay it on a topo during map consults, and adjusting declination requires no tools—just twist the housing. $13; 1 oz.; bruntonoutdoors.com