Finding new gear to replace old gear or to add to the collection is hard. There are so many options and so many opinions out there. Add to that, we all have different body types, hiking styles, and environments that we explore. Most often, our best resources are our hiking buddies at the trailhead when we see them put on a pack or turning on a device. We ask them, "Do you like it?" We trust it more than we would an online review from an expert.
Occasionally I get asked to do gear reviews whether it's water hydration, backpacks, socks, etc. and have done a few in the past. I don't like to do it for a couple of reasons.
The first obvious reason is that there is a bit of pressure to make it favorable... I mean, they are giving you something free and/or maybe even giving a commission. You don't want to just put something out there that says this thing is garbage (at least that's not our way). If it was really bad, I just never said anything about it.
The second part is that there is a limited window of actual testing. The manufacturer is hoping that you can get the review out at the beginning of the season so that they can sell them throughout the season. The problem is, I don't know if I like something until after I've really used it! Trying it out for a week isn't the same as using it all year. I've had gear I've initially loved, but then hated it and gear that I've warmed up to after putting it through the paces.
Kristen and I decided to put together our list of gear that we actually use. Hopefully this feels more like from a friend at a trailhead. This is gear that we've purchased and used the heck out of. Some of the items are more recent purchases (a shade over a year ago) and some have been with us for many years and are unavailable in their older form.
Regardless, they are worth mentioning and go with us pretty much every time we hit the trail whether it's spring or fall, Glacier or Yosemite. Feel free to ask us questions below the blog or drop us a line.
the trail awaits...
Jake and Kristen
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