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www.mountainkhakis.com
As its name implies, the Teton Twill seems to have been culled from mind of Jackon Hole itself, which isn’t surprising since Mountain Khaki is based in that iconic Wyoming outdoor hotspot. But the shirt does naturally perform in almost any setting. The heavy, 4.8-ounce cotton twill has some serious heft and durability, but a proprietary wash has imbued the fabric with a buttery-soft touch and a slightly distressed look (likely matching your equally-worn shoes). Two chest drop pockets make it travel-friendly and the drop-tail hem lets you dress it up or let it all hang out. One tester has taken to wearing it whenever he flies (with a t-shirt underneath) because it adds just the right measure of warmth and style. It doesn’t flaunt a lot particularly graphic detailing, save from an embroidered logo on the back right shoulder and line of white fabric at the button hem, and for some that subdued sensibility is perfect.
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www.ospreypacks.com, one pound, five ounces
We love light comfortable packs in the 30-liter range, because the size is ideal for clothing- or gear-laden day trips, and just big enough for hut trips and ultralight overnights. Osprey’s Hornet 32 (the middle of three sizes in their Hornet series) fits those criteria perfectly, staying light and easy to load, yet not scrimping on the features that fastpackers and ultralighters appreciate. It has twin hipbelt pockets, energy gel/iPod/sunscreen pockets on both shoulder straps, and a mesh shove-it pocket on the front.
The single compartment top-loading backpack, and a two-compartment top pocket, maximize space while providing just enough organization to avoid chaos. A large hydration sleeve, located between the packbag and foam back panel, can be easily refilled with the pack loaded, or take a folded foam pad for bivvy use and increased load support.
The Hornet really shined during a three-day round trip to climb the northeast ridge of 14,130-foot Capitol Peak in Colorado. “It was light and flexible enough to fold into my 45-liter load-carrying pack for the approach,” that tester wrote. “Then it carried ropes, technical, clothes, and helmet comfortably for 2,000 feet to the technical section.” Once he collapsed it down using the narrow side compression straps, he “barely knew it was there, during all the knife-edge straddling and scrambling. It hugged my back like a scared koala.”
The Hornet was also serviceable, if a bit flappy and strappy, for trail runs and mountain bike rides, and carried a 20-pound overnight load just fine for quick desert overnights. It’s not very rain-resistant, but it’s close to an ideal one-quiver pack for hikers, ultralighters and peak-baggers, as long as you keep loads under 30 pounds, because back panel support and shoulder strap comfort degenerate quickly beyond that.
-Steve Howe
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www.mountainsmith.com, one pound
Face it—organization does make life easier. Whether it’s your gear closet, your car, the campground, ski lodge, or vacation home, things need to be stored, carried, and accessed. Backpacks and plastic tubs have their place, but for convenience, accessibility, and the ability to keep cold items cold (or warm items hot), this insulated rectangular tote is hard to beat. Compact, with 26 liters of storage capacity (enough to carry beverages and picnic lunch for a family of five), the Cube conveniently packs into the back of the car. Moutainsmith sells cubes without the insulation, but we like the fact that the Cooler Cube is a viable alternative to heavy, clumsy, hard-shelled coolers. For frozen stuff, we recommend bringing along freezer packs, but to keep drinks frosty on a hot day, the insulated walls do a great job on their own. Our testers toted the Cube on a 9,000-mile road trip, and relied on it during 102 degree days from Texas to Tennessee. More day-to-day uses include carrying frozen foods home from the grocery store on hot days—ice cream, milk, and even popsicles stayed frozen for an hour in August in Marfa, Texas. The zippered lid has an inside mesh pocket for loose items; outside is a tough ripstop fabric, a clear sleeve for a label (if you have multiple Cubes), and a handy bottle opener.
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www.hydroflask.com, 27 ounces
It’s hard to over-exaggerate our enthusiasm for the continued success of the craft and microbrew scene in the States (and not just because we have a field office in beer-rich Bend, Oregon). The advent of interesting, artisan beers has happily changed America’s rep as the…beer water capitol of the world. And with that recognition, we salute another tradition that’s re-emerged: the Growler. Originally named for the sound of CO2 eeking its way out of the bottle, traditionally heard while walking home with a jug of beer fresh from the tap at your local watering hole, today almost every city with a brew pub offers growler filling. Typically these vessels are made of glass, but our go-to choice is undeniably the 64-ounce HydroFlask Growler. Cast from 18/8 stainless steel, the double-wall vacuum insulation technology will keep cold contents cold for about 20 hours—which is enough time to fill it up with your favorite brew, go an overnighter or day hike/trial run/climbing spree, and then have cold, delicious beer waiting when you get back. The 2.19-inch-wide mouth assures easy access, and a lifetime warranty means this’ll be our go-to growler for as long as our liver holds out. Of course the growler can also be used to store other cold liquids and hot stuff like coffee, hot chocolate, or soup. It’s a bit too heavy (especially when full) to haul into the deep backcountry, but it definitely qualifies as a go-to reservoir for car camping and picnics.
Available with screw-off or flip-top lids
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www.rockport.com
A provocative recent trend in men’s footwear is to combine a sole with the appearance and/or technology of an athletic shoe—often in an eye-popping color—with the upper of a traditional brogue, wingtip, or chukka. It represents a novel cross-breeding of old school tradition and high-tech materials that speaks to our culture’s fixations with cutting edge technology and artisanal craftsmanship, not to mention comfort and style. Rockport has followed suit with its truWALKzero line, which combines a super-flexible Adidas adiPRENE-cushioned EVA outsole with a thin, supple leather upper. To be fair, as a subsidiary of Adidas, Rockport has long used adiPRENE performance tech in their work and dress shoes, but the truWALKzero lets it out to play. And play it does. Surprisingly light, the truWALKzero is cool, fun, funky, well-constructed, and exceedingly comfortable. The adiPRENE sole is shock-absorbent and its flexibility—enhanced by a deeply furrowed tread—offers full range of movement. The upper features a padded and elasticated built-in sock liner that protects the instep from blisters and pressure from the laces. The overall impression is of wearing an ultra-lightweight, springy slipper, an ideal shoe for some fashion-forward urban stomping and traveling. And they look pretty good, too, especially in the chocolate brown and vibrant orange wingtip colorway. Be warned, the orange sole is so bright that it verges on quasi-fluorescent. The truWALKzero is also available in black and grey, but this palette smacks of playing it safe. And what’s the point in that?
-Adam Greenhalgh
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