Timbuk2 Scoop Camera Backpack

www.timbuk2.com
For us, carrying camera equipment almost crystallizes what a bag should be: You want something that’s both highly functional and highly protective—but you don’t want anyone to know that you’re lugging around all that well-protected, expensive camera gear. The simple truth is that thieves are sufficiently sophisticated to recognize camera-specific bags by their brands. This is why Timbuk2’s Snoop Camera Bag rises above most competitors. Crafted out of durable ballistic nylon by the San Fran cycling bag company, the secret of the Scoop is it’s stealthy diversity.  The main compartment is spacious enough to hold all varieties of SLR camera bodies, lenses, portable flashes, and more—all ensconced in thick padding. Better still, the internal padded sleeves are attached by Velcro, which lets you modify the interior to custom-fit the specifics of your kit. This main pocket is accessible by a wide, side zipper flap (there’s no top-loading access, an unconventional approach for a backpack), along with a narrow zipper opening for quick access.  The flip-top lid has three pockets (two of them mesh) for SD cards, batteries, and cables. There’s also a shallow, wide zipper pocket on the front of the pack for flight documents. The bag comes equipped with a plush, padded laptop sleeve, which can handle a 17-inch computer and is accessible from both the main compartment and an easy-to-access exterior zip that greatly simplifies the TSA juggling act.  Two burly shoulder pads and a removable sternum strap distributed the weight nicely while terminal hopping in Seattle International, and the two straps on the back of the pack are ideal for lashing on a full-sized tripod (though…yea, that may announce your Ansel Adams-like ambitions).  We did wish for somewhat more storage options; the bag is designed for the gear-laden photographer out for a day shoot, rather than travel. The Tetris-like internal customization does allow you to create space for in-flight essentials like an eBook, magazines, and a sweater, but a few additional pockets would make this pack even more versatile.

Product Type
Camera Accessories, Day Packs
Good For
Tested In
Washington, DC; A long slog from the East Coast to the West Coast; Bend, OR

Five Ten Anasazi VCS Climbing Shoe

fiveten.com
The Anasazi VCS from five Ten is an aggressive climbing shoe. With a relatively stiff sharp-edged sole and Stealth Onyx rubber, it can find traction on the smallest pieces of quartz, and clings to the tiniest of cracks. With a positive hand hold, smearing on the smoothest surfaces is a breeze—and the shoe’s proprietary sticky rubber makes all scrambles as effortless as Spiderman crawling up a sky scraper. The heel sticks out to offer an additional sticky hook for overhangs. They also slit the rubber on the heel to provide more grabbing surface, and built the sole out on the sides of the feet, so you can anchor in and rest the toes. The Velcro closure system allows flexibility; I can wear these shoes with or without socks and still get a very tight fit. Being aggressive, these shoes are probably not the best for all-day climbing; they’re designed to get you where you’re going, not necessarily to be luxuriously comfortable while you do it. On your most technical climbs however, you will be more than satisfied with the performance.
-Carl Poland

Product Type
Climbing Shoes
Good For
,
Tested In
Great Falls National Park, Seneca Rocks, WV

Black Diamond Speed 40 Backpack

www.blackdiamondequipment.com
Dubbed the perfect climbing pack by our tester, an A-list alpinist who used it on a successful ascent of Denali’s West Buttress, the Speed 40 boasts a cavernous main compartment, removable lid, and sleek, inverted teardrop design. The padded hip belt is also removable, as is the simple but effective plastic framesheet (with a V shaped stay for load transfer). The reACTIVE hip belt uses a passive pivot mechanism that allows the pack to move with your body, a feature that’s accentuated by floating shoulder straps that lets the pack weight to naturally adjust to your every move. This floating system takes a few miles to get used to, but results in a natural, comfortable carry with a load that tracks perfectly and is amazingly stable. While the 40-liter top-loader has the capacity for long weekends or ultra-light longer trips, its true calling is in the mountains. On the front there are two cleverly designed ice axe loops, a reinforced crampon patch (an oxymoron, we know), and sturdy haul loops.  We like the uncluttered, no-nonsense exterior that won’t get snagged on trees when you’re bushwacking through scrub oak or skiing the trees.

Product Type
Weekend Backpacks
Good For
, , ,
Tested In
Yosemite, California; Lover's Leap, Nevada; Smith Rock, Oregon

LifeStraw Water Filter

www.vestergaard-frandsen.com/lifestraw, two ounces
Hiking is one of life’s simple pleasures, but keeping a supply of clean, safe drinking water on hand complicates matters. With a gallon of water weighing more than eight pounds, carrying a day’s supply of water can be taxing. Water purification tablets work, but often leave a chemical taste. And pumping water through a filter sounds easy—if you have the forearms of Popeye.  Instead, try the LifeStraw, which was developed by a Swiss humanitarian (Vestergaard Frandsen) to help save lives in developing countries.  The lightweight, nine-inch straw filters out 99.99999 percent of waterborne bacteria and 99.0 percent of waterborne protozoan parasites (including E. Coli, Giardia and Cryptosporidium). It also filters murky and muddy water down to 0.2 microns—but doesn’t remove viruses, heavy metals, or salt. With the LifeStraw, you can sip directly from any lake, river or even puddle. The straw contains no chemicals and only requires sucking to activate. We admit we didn’t test the straw in typhoid- and rhino-infested swamps, but we did carry straw on more than two dozen day hikes and overnight trips in the Oregon Cascades. To use the straw, you just have to get close enough to the water supply to sip. Or you can fill your water bottle and insert the straw. Placid lakes and meandering streams are the easiest for this straight-forward hydration delivery system, with ice-choked waterfalls and flood-stage streams proving to be  more challenging. While we still had to boil water for tea and noodles, the LifeStraw gets our vote for a convenient, lightweight personal filtration system. The life straw is guaranteed for 422 gallons (1,600 liters) of safe drinking, but it’s recommended to be discarded after 1,000 gallons. While there’s a recommended expiration date on the container (three years), the company reports that there is nothing in the filter system that will degrade over time.

Product Type
Water Treatment
Good For
, ,
Tested In
Many Day and Overnight Hikes in the Oregon Cascades

Swiftwick Performance Armwarmer Sleeves

www.swiftwick.com
Running in the city always seem colder to me than anywhere else…I always think it is because the wind funnels through the buildings, but finally after trying out the Swiftwick performance sleeve I was able to run outside in the blustery cold and not feel miserable. I pulled the sleeves on under my long sleeve and not only did the compression sleeves help me regulate my temperature, but it wicked away the sweat, which is a must when running in the cold. When I got back to the gym after my run and pulled the sleeves off I felt like I did not even need a shower! The bicep cuff and double cuff at the wrist were not tight on my arm and the design does not restrict any movement or even bunch. I did not even notice that I had the sleeves on once I hit my stride.
-Jennifer Seabolt

Product Type
Base Layers, Bike Accessories
Good For
, , ,
Tested In
Training for a half-marathon during the spring in Washington, DC and Virginia.
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