One of the big eye openers for me at this years Primal Quest Montana race was the footwear.  With 10 days, 548 miles, 100,000 feet of total vertical altitude gain, huge temperature swings and lots of water, I was anxious to see what these wilderness athletes would be wearing on their feet. 

As the racers trickled into and through the Check Point and Transition area after the Bridger section of the course I had a chance to spend some time with them.  I talked with them about their packs, food, electrolyte replacement, hydration, socks and boots.  Except no one was wearing boots.  The surprise was that everybody was wearing low top, lightweight trail runners.  Not one racer was wearing boots and only one wore mids.  The theory is that light means fast but there is a trade off.  There always is.  In my opinion, lightweight means light structure and support which means that your feet take an awful beating.  


I saw this scene often during the Primal Quest Montana race.  The trick is to avoid blisters in the first place but that is easier said than done.  Incidentally, despite the best efforts of these medics, all that tape came off during the next segment. 

The exception seemed to be those racers that were wearing trail runners that were a touch heavier but offered more structure in the uppers and support and protection built into the bottoms.  The Montrail Hardrock shoe was the most popular example of this type which meant that I had to get a pair for evaluation.  That is exactly what I did, boy am I glad that I did.


Compare these to most other "trail runners" on the market and it is obvious that they offer more support, structure and protection.  I think that means less trauma to the feet and less time in the medical tent.

Here are the stats on the Montrail Hardrock 08.
 
Class-trail running shoe
Height-low, 7 loops/holes
Materials-synthetic rubbers and fabrics
Insulation-none
Waterproofing-none, it is meant to drain and dry quickly
Cushion-stock foot beds are very good, dual density midsole for midfoot support and pronation control.  Full length TPU plate protects foot from rough terrain and stone bruising.  Comfortably soft but firm enough to offer precision and control.   
Flexibility-excellent without being sloppy or too soft 
Tread-Grytonite sticky rubber gives pretty good traction and wears well but could be a little more aggressive.  Lateral traction bars help with downhills 
Volume-moderate to full   
Width Availability-yep, regular is a D and the wide is a EE
Weight-my 45s (11US) weigh 1 lbs 1 ozs per shoe
Crampon Compatibility-n/a
Quality-very high, made in China (unfortunately)
Break In-none, they were comfortable out of the box 


These Montrail Hardrock 08s and my favorite Smartwool Walking Light Mini Crew socks are the best trail running combo that I have evaluated so far.  Still light but supportive and protective enough to actually handle wilderness trails. 

Regular readers know that I am not usually prone to gushing but I gotta to tell you, I love these shoes.  I have tried a lot of so called trail runners from some of the biggest names in the business and while they are fine running shoes they are simply too flimsy on the bottom to handle anything more then soft dirt trails and rockless dirt roads.  The trails I run are not groomed and they are strewn with loose and embedded rocks.  Several miles in the lightweights result in several days of sore feet and stone bruising.  They just can't handle this kind of terrain.  Period.

 
Montrail spent some money on the footbed and the well padded collar hugs the ankle nicely.  Supportive but very comfortable.  Note the full length TPU plate showing through the traction bars in the tread. 

Not only is this my favorite trail shoe but it is easy for me to recommend it to my readers because Montrail offers it in a wide version that will fit the EE crowd.  Fewer companies are offering widths in their lines and I would like to thank Montrail.  A wide in this shoe is greatly appreciated. 

So the Hardrock is a great shoe, is there a catch?  Maybe.  Montrail is now a Columbia Sportwear company and I hope that it doesn't effect the quality and integrity of the Montrail label.  These are great shoes and I sincerely hope that they continue to be.  I saw the 09 line at the Summer Outdoor Retailer show.  They have made some minor cosmetic changes and added a mid height version of the Hardrock which I think is a good thing.  The bad part is that Columbia is a big company and that means suits.  MBAs and accountants care more about units sold and increasing margins than making kick ass trail shoes.  Want proof?  The Vitasse shoe has enjoyed a cultish popularity for many years but it is going away because it didn't meet sales goals.

Let's hope that the shoe guys at Montrail stay at Montrail and continue to make great shoes for people that want great shoes.  However, I am going to order another pair of Hardrock 08s to keep on the self, just in case.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.


    

  

You are going to see more hunting type articles from me this time of year because...it is that time of year.  Everybody I know is getting into shape and their gear ready for upcoming big game hunts.  We talk alot here about optics because it is something that serious, western style hunters are interested in and since I are one, here ya go.

I get many email messages everyday from readers with specific questions about one thing of another but the majority of them lately have been about my hunting optics set up.  Maybe I can kill a few birds with one stone here.  This is what I have been using for a few years now with excellent results.









Everything shown here is available from The Outdoorsmans in Phoenix.  You can certainly get the Leica binoculars somewhere else but I don't know why you would.  The rest of it is made for and exclusively found at The Outdoorsmans 

Editors Note:  Let me say something here about my relationship with The Outdoorsmans before I get accused of being in the bag for them.  I live in Scottsdale and they are located in Phoenix.  I was a customer long before I started this site and I became a big fan of their proprietary equipment as they were developed and I used them in the field.  I am a sucker for good people, great products and honest to God customer service which is why I patronize The Outdoorsmans.  It is also why I am pleased to recommend them to you .  However, I receive no compensation from them, or anybody else for that matter, in return for promoting their products.  As with everything else you see on this site, we use what we like and promote what we use.  We are opinionated but we can be persuaded or even proven wrong but we cannot be bought, and believe me, some have tried.

From top to bottom, these are the components of my system. 

Leica Duovid 10-15x50 binoculars
Outdoorsmans Leica Trinovid Duovid Binocular Stud 
Outdoorsmans Binocular Adapter
Outdoorsmans Pistol Grip Head
Outdoorsmans Quick Release Adapter with one Adapter Plate
Outdoorsmans Panning Attachment (by Jim White)
Outdoorsmans Center Post Extension-Long
Outdoorsmans Med. Tripod Leg Set
Tactical Tailor Camoform Tape in MARPAT Digital Desert

The Panning attachment simply allows me to bump the glasses left or right with my nose as opposed to gripping the Piston Grip every time I want to move the glasses.  It is a convenience item that adds extra weight.  I will use it when I am working out of the truck or the Ranger but probably won't pack it in on my back.  

That is my backpack hunting rig and as I said, it has worked beautifully for me.  The Outdoorsmans tripod and accessories are well made and work as designed.  The Leica Duovids give me variable power flexibility and outstanding performance.  

I have recently tested some very good products but nothing that will cause me to change this set up.  I am happy with it as is.     

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.

This semi-custom piece has proven to be a great all-around rifle for me.  It will probably be sufficient for anything I hunt the rest of my life.

There are few subjects that will turn otherwise soft spoken, mild mannered and polite sportsman into spitting, finger pointing, yelling fanatics like the question of which is the best bullet caliber.  Well, I am smart enough to avoid that issue here but I will share with you what I think is the best rifle set up.

The rifle pictured above started as your basic Remington model 700 ADL chambered in 30-06.  Why 30-06?  Because that is what the old man shoots and I have never been convinced that there is anything better.  Now, as I have explained to my wonderful wife all these years, each species and geographic region requires a specific firearm and then there are self-defense weapons that are different but also necessary which is why we had to have that very large, very heavy and very expensive fireproof safe lag bolted into the concrete of the master bedroom closet.  Obviously I am not advocating just one rifle but if your wife is not as wonderful as mine and you could only have one, this would be my suggestion.  Did I say that my wife was wonderful?   

Anyway, I bought this rifle to build an all weather hunting rifle that could be used on anything in North America.  First thing we had to do was find out if it shot.  The master, or Jaba The Hunt as I like to call him, took it to the range and proclaimed it an exceptional out-of-the-box shooter.  Once that question was answered I took it to Robar in Phoenix.  Since the rifle already shot consistent sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards I didn't really need or want to do anything drastic.  They coated the bolt with NP3 and the action and barrel with Roguard matte black, spent a little time on the trigger and then put it in a pillar bedded, free floated McMillan fiberglass stock.  That's it.  We didn't even cut and crown the barrel.  It didn't need it.  They finished it off with a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5 to 10 power scope.  


A closer look at the important parts.  Clean, simple, durable and it shoots like a house afire.  What else do you really need? 


What else do you really need?  Well, how about an exact duplicate rifle in .375 H&H magnum of course.  An equally impressive rifle but a thumper that is perfect for elk.  I really should do one in .308 to complete the set, don't you think?

That is my rig and I gotta tell you, I like it very much.  I know I could spend more money and there are lighter configurations available on the market but I have carried this rifle for seven years now and I don't think that I can do any better.  I am fortunate to have found something that works for me.  I know guys that are still searching for that one rifle/caliber combination that they are comfortable with and can rely on.  If you have not found your "best rifle", good luck and keep looking. 

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
                

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.

I always enjoy going to Salt Lake for the biannual Outdoor Retailer shows.  They are well done, full of great people and a treasure trove of information.  The Summer 08 show didn't disappoint. 

Here are the highlights.

General Impression From This Show
While the "green" machine continues to roll along, the overriding feeling I got from this show was children and dogs.  Not products for children and dogs but actual children and dogs.  Maybe it was because it was the summer show, but everywhere I looked there were little kids, strollers, double strollers, kid carriers and pet dogs.  The kids don't bother me but is it really necessary to bring the mutt with you everywhere?  Trade shows, shopping centers, restaurants.  I know, this makes me a mean, nasty Grinch but my beloved Ranger, the greatest black lab ever to walk the earth stays at home.  Where he belongs.

And as far as the green thing goes, hey, I am all for a clean, healthy planet but are bamboo socks really the answer?  And it strikes as odd that for a group so seemingly committed to saving the environment, why is it that I come back from every show with a two foot stack of catalogs and workbooks.  Only one company, Hi-Tech, gave me their product information on a thumb drive.  So is it a heart felt, legit effort to save the world or is it just marketing?  I am just asking.

The best info babe award for this show goes to Jessica from Superfeet.  Now before you politically correct types get all bent out of shape and start calling me bad names, it is no secret that the marketing folks put attractive people in these booths to get attention.  Well, I am telling you that it works but it is irritating when said attractive people don't know much about the product.  Jessica was the exception.  Pretty enough to get me to walk by the Superfeet booth every chance I got, professionally dressed, presented herself and the product very well, didn't pop her gum or call me dude once and she knew the subject backwards and forwards.  Well done Jessica. 

Tools-Knives-Lights
Surefire introduces the Saint Ultra High-Output LED Headlamp.  I have been using and depending on Surefire flashlights for many years which is why I recommend several of their models in the Tools-Knives-Lights category of this site.  The uber light maker pretty much owns the tactical and high end light market but they didn't offer a headlamp until now.  Apparently, I wasn't the only person that was asking for one. 


A scan of the Surfire Saint brochure

Word from the Surefire rep manning the booth was that the Saint will hit the retail market in about sixty days.  It looked interesting and had some attractive features like the ability to run on two different kinds of batts and adjustable brightness of one to one hundred lumens.  Because it is made by Surefire, I am positive that it will be well made and able to stand up to heavy use.  Will it displace one of the Petzl headlamps from my pack?  We shall see.

Shell Layer
Waterproof and Breathable.  Is eVent really the better breathing waterproof laminate?  I spent a few hours talking with reps from W.L. Gore, makers of market leader Gore-Tex, and challenger eVent, which incidentally is owned by a little company called GE.  This might be another one of those subjects that requires an advanced degree in hydrology, physics and thermal dynamics but I simply can't swallow the marketing info from either side without trying to get a better handle on the facts.  A much anticipated shell jacket from REI called the Shuksan uses eVent.  However, according to my sources, REI wanted to use Gore-Tex in their product line but were turned down by Gore because there were already plenty of like products out on the market using Gore-Tex.  The question I still have is, which is the better waterproof/breathable.  I will let you know what I find out.  

Another interesting tid bit is that hunting clothing maker Sitka Gear has successfully negotiated the Gore licensing process.  That means that we will soon see Gore-Tex in the Sitka line which I am sure makes their recent hires from Arcteryx happy.  While, in my opinion, Sitka has not yet created the perfect shell gear for hunters, the ability to use of Gore-Tex waterproof/breathable laminates is a huge step in the right direction.  This is great news.  

Editors Rant:  The absence of a technically correct, modern mountaineering style shell that satisfies the specialized needs of the hunter is something I have been bitching and moaning about for many years.  I mean in this day and age, how tough is it to make a lightweight waterproof/breathable jacket with pit zips, a detachable/adjustable hood and a quiet, camouflage exterior?  My bet is that Sitka will be the first to get it done right and Cabelas will have to follow suit by finally updating their MTO50 Quiet Pack Jacket.  We are that close boys and girls to having not one but two best-in-class shell systems that work for high end hunters.  Wouldn't it be a fitting tribute to my efforts in this regard that the perfect hunting jacket be called the Hardcore Jacket?  Just a thought.   

Feet
Lowa, Scarpa, and Asolo continue to impress.  Lowa fine tunes but makes no major changes to their line.  They fix the stitching problem with the Renegade light hiker.  Lowa continues to offer more narrow and wide width models than any other European maker I know of and that makes them even easier for me to recommend.  Danner is the American maker that offers the most boots in widths.

Montrail makes the outstanding Hardrock 08 trail shoe and adds a mid version for 09.  If you are a Vitasse fan, you better go out and buy all you can because they are discontinued for 09.  Sorry.

Vasque offers up a really nice new trail runner called the Aether Tech.

Nike and Nike ACG may be making some organizational changes which make sense to me.  You would think that the "All Conditions Gear" part of the label would be where all the off road and trail gear would be housed but you would be wrong.  Frankly, despite a very fine adventure racing team, Nike ACG is not living up to it's potential and they have to be frustrated with the growth of competitors like Under Armour in that space.  Stay tuned.

As a result of our ongoing boot and trail shoe evaluations, I was forced to also look closely at socks and after market foot beds.  As far as socks go, I was already using Smartwool, Lorpen, Injinji and Danner socks but on this trip I was able to meet with Bridgedale, Teko, Thorlos, and Foxriver.  On foot beds or insoles or whatever you call them, I have been testing Superfeet, eSoles, Lathrop & Sons, and Spencos but I picked up new samples from Sole, New Balance, Montrail.  An article on the socks and foot beds is in the works.

Base Layer      
Smartwool has expanded their collection of lightweight and micro weight t-shirts which I have been using and really like.  They are extremely soft and comfortable and seem to do very well in all but the highest of temperatures (remember that I live in Phoenix).

MontBell has a couple of new lightweight technical t-shirts called the Cool T-Shirt Short Sleeve and Raglan Zip Long Sleeve.

Carhartt's WorkDry t-shirts are billed as having the ability to feel like cotton but wick moisture and dry like synthetics.  I will let you know if that is true.

Other Stuff
I took a stroll through the new exhibitors section of the show, which was actually located off site, and I ran into a couple of nice guys that came up with what I call a C.A.I or crazy ass idea while surfing in Hawaii.  This one makes sense to me and I think it will do at least as well as the "Baby On Board" signs that you used to see in every soccer moms car window.  

It is called Xtreme Sports ID.  You know those little rubber bracelet things that everybody wears now?  Yellow is the Lance Armstrong Live Strong Cancer thing and green is to show support for environmental causes, are you with me?  Xtreme ID uses the same kind of rubber bands but each one has a unique 8 digit ID and a common toll free telephone number molded into it.  The idea is that your emergency information is entered into their site referenced by the serial number on the wristband.  If you are ever hurt or otherwise incapacitated you can be identified by calling the toll free telephone number and entering the unique number on the wristband.  It is a good idea for runners or hikers that don't have a good place to stash their ID so they don't carry one.  It is better than the leather or nylon medic alert tags because it is rubber and won't wear out or get all dirty, sweaty and stinky.  Pretty smart, huh?

I told them that it would be great for kids too and told them that when my kids were little we would take them to Disneyland.  Being the anal retentive obsessive compulsive A shifter type I was worried about them getting lost or taken.  My solution was to write their names and my cel phone number on their stomaches with a Sharpie under their t-shirts.  Hey, I put my name on everything else, why not the things I value most.  These guys just stared at me for a minute and then said that this was better.  Take a look at Xtreme Sports ID and see what you think.    

So that is about it for this trip.  Oh, next time you are in SLC, try the Connect Rolls at Mikado Sushi.  Not quite as good as the Yummy Crispy Rolls in Coronado, but still damn good.  Domo.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
 

Our condolences and best wishes go out to the family and friends of the 13 wildland fire fighters and crew that went down in Northern California last night at about 1930.


Sikorsky S61 Fire King

A Sikorsky S61 Fire King helicopter owned by Carson Helicopters of Grants Pass, Oregon went down in rugged terrain while working the Buckhorn fire in Shasta-Trinity National Forest.  It is unclear if they were deploying or retrieving an 11 man wildland crew but early reports from a survivor said that the main rotor blades struck a tree while comping up.  Of the 13 aboard, 4 were rescued and are being treated at area hospitals.  9 are unaccounted for and feared dead.

Please take some time to think about these people, their families and all the other heroes that put it all out there on the ragged edge everyday.  They are the ones we depend on when things go bad.  They are the ones that can't turn back.  Make sure you say thank you next time you get a chance.  They do a job that most couldn't or wouldn't do.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.

Built like a standard Light Mountaineering class boot but lighter and more flexible.  These are the Scarpa Escape GTX and they have become one of my favorite pair of boots. 

One of the things that I have learned in this footwear evaluation process is that you don't always need what you think you need and once you realize that then like the song says, you can't always get what you want.  From the beginning of my effort to identity, secure and evaluate the best boots and shoes for the things I like to do I have gravitated to the stout, sturdy and heavy duty Light Mountaineering class boots.  The best in this class are made by Kenetrek, Lowa and Meindl (for Cabelas) but they are heavy, stiff and rigid.  That is perfect for extreme terrain, heavy loads and long humps, however, as I have since learned, I prefer something that is just as tough and beefy but with more flexibility.  I was beginning to think that what I wanted didn't exist.  Enter the Scarpa Escape GTX.

Scarpa is another one of those long time, high end, high quality Italian boot makers.  Here are the particulars.

Class-Light Mountaineering or Heavy Hiker, has the best of both
Height-mid plus, 7 inches, 7 loops/cleats
Materials-Crosta suede leather, Cordura, full heavy rubber rand
Insulation-none but the skin is thick, multi-layered and there is excellent padding around the ankle
Waterproofing-Gore Tex waterproof breathable liner
Cushion-stock foot beds are thin, Profiber midsole is firm and strong but provides good cushioning, the outsole is stiff enough to handle difficult terrain and rock but is very easy to walk in 
Flexibility-excellent through out but they are not sloppy or soft 
Tread-Vibram Jorasses is sticky and firm, could be more aggressive 
Volume-full   
Width Availability-nope
Weight-my 45s (11.5US) weigh 2 lbs 1 ozs per boot
Crampon Compatibility-yes, GSb automatic, semi-rigid
Quality-very high, made in Italy
Break In-not much required, they were comfortable out of the box



The upper rough out leather makes these more flexible than other boots in this class.  Lace-ability is outstanding.  An effective pinch cleat at the top of the foot allows for segmented tension.  Note the GSb crampon compatible front welt.

These boots are not available in a wide version but the SL last that they are made on are big enough to accommodate my EE width feet even when wearing the Smartwool Heavy Trekking socks pictured.

The boots have a full wrap around rand which affords a great deal of protection against rocks and sharps.  I like that a lot.  Above that is the Crosta leather uppers that are certainly thick and heavy enough to protect me in all but the most extreme landscapes, like steep shale slopes.  It is this leather that gives the boot it's superior flexibility which makes it tough and protective but very walkable and that is the nitche I have been looking to fill.  They are outstanding in this respect.  


The Scarpa SL last is made for high volume feet.  The collar does an exceptional job of wrapping the upper ankle without restricting movement too much.  The tongue is fully gusseted and lays down better than any other model I have tried.  

I can see myself wearing these boots for hunting, back packing and mountaineering.  They are that versatile and they are that comfortable.  My only complaint, if you can call it that is that the stock footbeds are pretty el cheapo for a boot of this caliber but it is easily remedied by using after market ones.

Again, these are great boots and I am looking forward to spending a lot more time in them.  The Scarpa Liskam boot is built on the same SL last but it is has a heavier leather upper.  I can't wait to see how they work for me.

Well done Scarpa.  I don't know how they will work out for someone with a thin or low volume foot but they work beautifully for me.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
 

I wrote a blurb a couple of weeks ago promoting the Kowa Highlander Prominar binoculars based on the fact that they are being used by a number of people whose opinions I respect but I really needed to use them myself in the field before I could recommend them to you.  I was also a little surprised at the strong response that I got to that piece which means there must be a fair amount of interest in big binoculars.  Fortunately, I have friends in high places that could help me out.  Floyd Green, one of the best lion hunters in the country and owner of The Outdoorsmans in Phoenix, set me up with a pair for a couple days.  He even gave me something to compare them to.


From left to right-the Docter Optic Aspectem 30x80 High Power Binoculars on a Manfrotto 055XV tripod, the Kowa High Lander Prominar 32x82 binoculars also on a 055XV, Leica 10-15x50 Duovids on an Outdoorsmans Lightweight Tripod which is my favorite hunting set up, and a short WalkStool.

We headed North of town to do some glassing with these big binos.  It was really nice to have the Docters along because our Zeiss and Leica 15s just weren't going to be able to hang with 30+ power for any kind of descent comparison.  

As I said in the earlier piece, the Kowa (pronounced coe-ah) binoculars are big.  In fact, both the Kowas and the Docters weigh about 14 lbs and incorporate a carrying handle into their design.  They are best for using out of the truck or Ranger or maybe a pack horse rig if their protective suit cases are packed right.  However you get them to where you want to use them, once you set them up, the power and ability to use it with both eyes is impressive.  

As we went back and fourth between the Kowas and the Docters three things became obvious to me.  1)  The Kowas are substantially better than the Docters.  They are clearer, brighter, offer better contrast when you are looking into the shadows and they are easier to adjust and focus.  2)  The Manfrotto 055XV is not substantial enough for these big glasses.  They are just too top heavy and the view suffered from vibration in light and moderate wind.  I don't know yet exactly which tripod would be best for them, maybe the 058B  3)  Hunting Coues deer and sheep is not the only thing these would be good for.  Astronomical observation, which is what they are actually made for, is obvious but with a good vantage point the amount of real estate that could be covered effectively with these glasses is truly awesome.  In fact, you could make a good case for spending the $4500 it takes to buy the Kowas if you consider the potential reduction in fuel and manpower it takes to cover say a border area or security sector.  What else?  How about keeping track of alpine climbers from base camp, looking for lost ones from the command post, performing wildlife unit surveys and counts, or conducting long range surveillance and targeting.


One thing you need to think about.  These Kowas were designed for looking up at the sky so they have a 45 degree bent tube configuration.  It doesn't take long to get used to but looking down in front of you can be tricky.

A couple of other things to mention.  The High Lander "Prominar" models have Fluorite crystal lenses.  The eye pieces are focused individually, which I really liked, and can be swapped out easily for optional 21x and 50x power units.  The housings are dry nitrogen filled, waterproof and made of die cast aluminum for durability.  And they come with a lifetime warranty. 

These are made for specialized applications that require high end, high power optics.  If you need to look for and watch things at great distances for long periods of time, the Kowa High Lander Prominar is the best you can get. 

Wade Nelson
Editor

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
    

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
 

I don't care how good you are with your GPS, you still need a good compass and you damn well better know how to use it.  I don't think you need something fancy or expensive but it should be made well enough to hold up to hard use and get the job done.  I have used Silva products mostly but have grown to appreciate my Suunto M-9 Wrist compass.  It is now what I use in the field and what I put in the custom kits I make for friends and family.  

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.
      

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.

 

Just about as high as you can get in Arizona, on the summit trail to Humphreys Peak which is 12,633 feet.  Looking East, the Inner Basin, Lockett Meadow and Sunset Crater.  There was still a fair amount of snow on the ground for mid-June. 
 
I have been itching to do Humphreys Peak from the Inner Basin side and just before Fathers day I got a kitchen pass so I jumped on it.  I slept pretty good in the bed of the truck, there was nobody else on the trail and the weather was perfect.  It was a great day.  

I had a couple reasons for making the trip up from Phoenix.  First, Snow Peak sent me their new Lite Max cannister stove and I wanted to see how it worked above the tree line.  Second, I have been feeling positively smitten with the FSN 95 heavy hiking boots from Asolo and I wanted to find out once and for all, was it just a torrid affair or true love?  The only way to know for sure was to put in a full day on rough, steep terrain.

The Snow Peak Lite Max weighs in at 1.9 ounces according to the advertisement but they must be rounding down because the best I could manage on my scale was an even 2.  Regardless, that is a full ounce less than my next best light weight flame thrower which is also from Snow Peak.  I took my cooking kit out of my pack when I hit the summit trail and whipped up a little Ramen noodle concoction (see Hot Stuff Coming Attcha! in the Food-Water-Cooking category) and I was very pleased with the results.  The lite Max is not only lighter than it's predecessors but it also is supposed to handle the wind better.  I can't speak to the wind issue yet because there wasn't any but the unit fired right up and boiled my water in what seemed like a little more than 3 minutes.  Sorry.  A really good gear tester would have remembered to bring his watch and a dishonest one would just make it up.  The best I can do for you today is to SWAG it.  Anyway, at just over 12,200 feet the little stove worked very well.  It is easy to use, easy to set up, has good fold out pot supports, is made very well and puts out a nice even flame worth 11,200 thermal units.  The British kind.  So far, so good on the new Lite Max.

Now for my feet fetish.


The Asolo FSN 95 GTX has been around for quite a while because there are a lot of people that call it their favorite boot.  I can relate because it is the heavy hiker that I like best so far.

Class-Heavy hiker, made for rough terrain and light to moderate loads
Height-mid, 6 inches, 7 loops/cleats
Materials-double and triple layers of 1.7mm water resistant suede, Cordura and a heavy rubber toe cap
Insulation-none but the skin is thick and there is good padding around the ankle
Waterproofing-Gore Tex waterproof breathable liner
Cushion-stock foot beds are thin, midsole is firm but provides good cushioning, the outsole is stiff enough to maintain it's integrity in the rocks but is very easy to walk in 
Flexibility-excellent through out but they are not sloppy or soft 
Tread-Asogrip (Shirley they could have come up with a better name than that) is sticky and firm but should be more aggressive
Volume-moderate to full on the regulars and full in the wides  
Width Availability-available in wide
Weight-my 46s (11.5US wides) weigh 1 lbs 12 ounces per boot
Crampon Compatibility-strap on instep models only
Quality-very high, Italian company but made in Romania
Break In-not much required, they were comfortable out of the box


For some reason they look narrow in this picture but they aren't.  Even the regular widths have a fairly roomy toe box and a normal heel cup.

I don't want to take anything away from these boots but boy what a difference the right fit makes.  The second time I did my 7 mile test loop in these I used the custom footbeds from eSoles and it was by far the most comfortable trip I have made in the three months that I have been doing these evaluations.  To tell you the truth, I didn't even think about my feet until I reached the top and stopped to tighten up the laces for the down hill.  It was very nice.

I also wore them this last weekend on my 8 hour Humphreys trek and they performed above and beyond expectation.  I was in and out of snow all day and my feet stayed dry.  The FSN 95s are light but have enough heft and structure to kick steps in old compacted drifts like the light mountaineering boots but they handle difficult terrain with precision and finesse.  The outsoles do a good job of protecting you from the rocks but don't feel stiff or clunky.  These boots strike a nice balance and seem to do everything pretty well. 


The fully gusseted tongue lays down nicely and provides plenty of padding even when the laces are cranked down.  The collar is smooth and comfortably 
supportive. 

What can I say, these are very well made boots with an exceptional design and they fit me perfectly.  That seemingly elusive combination puts these at the top of my list when I don't want to run and don't need the big guns. 

So, let me say, loud and clear, to my friends at Asolo, these are great boots.  Don't get any funny ideas about messing around with a proven product.  They don't need a make over or a redesign.  Change the color if you want and put little more bite in the tread but other than that, leave them alone.  Please!  You keep them in the line the way they are and I will keep recommending them.  Deal?  

Thanks for visiting.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back. 
  

   

Peanut Butter Crunch.  My favorite.

It is no secret that I like to eat.  That is fairly obvious from the pictures on this site but I won't eat just anything.  Case in point, energy bars.  I have tried them all and most are pretty tough to choke down.  What's even worse is having to eat one that isn't fresh.

Not so with the Wilderness Athlete Performance Bars.  I actually like them and they seem to keep better than most.  I am no expert in the subject of athletic nutrition but Coach Mark Paulsen is and I trust him when he says that these bars are full of the right stuff.  I am just telling you that they work and they taste good which is important when you are really working hard and need to refuel.  This is especially at altitude.

And that brings me to one of their other products, Altitude Advantage.  Those of you that that have experience working and playing hard above 10,000 feet know that the effects of altitude can be a real problem.  That problem is worse for people that haven't had the time to properly acclimatize, like your guiding clients that just flew in the night before.  Your only options have been to suck it up and suffer through it, which is no fun and could be dangerous, or go the prescription medication route with drugs like Diamox.  Coach Paulsen developed a non-prescription supplement that not only lessens the unpleasant side effects of the alpine environment but also helps you perform better.

I have not put Altitude Advantage to the test yet but some people I have a great deal of confidence in have, including archery champion and bow hunter extraodinaire Dr. Randy Ulmer, and they say that it works well for them.

So, if you suffer at altitude, give this product a shot. 

Full disclosure.  I am a stock holder in Wilderness Athlete but I am not being compensated for this evaluation nor has my interest in the company had any influence over my opinion of their products.  Here is the story.  I am not sure which one of actually came up with the name first but I am the one that registered the .com.  Since Coach Paulsen was a lot farther down the road with his business plan than I was with mine, I agreed to sell him the URL which is how I came to be a stock holder. 

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back. 
    

The Slik 613CF carbon fiber tripod is well made and lightweight.  If weight and packed dimensions are your chief concerns then this unit should be on your list.     

It was nice and windy here today and I wanted to spend some more time with the Slik 613CF tripod in those conditions so Cody and decided to burn some $4.75 a gallon diesel fuel and head up to one of our close in spots.  Boy, I love my Dodge Megacab but $160 to fill the tank is crazy.  Might be time to go back to a gasser that gets better millage.  Anyway, most of my glassing over the years has been done with one of three tripods, the Manfrotto 3001BD, its successor, the Manfrotto 190XV and the Outdoorsman’s Medium.
 
The old 3001BD is a rock solid war horse that would blow over before it would vibrate from the wind.  With the exception of one bad thumb screw, it has been a very good piece of equipment for almost 15 years of hard use.  The new 190XV is pretty much the same unit but it is a little sleeker, a little lighter, painted green and shod with quick flip leg locks, which I prefer.  At 3 lbs 13 ozs and 58 inches fully extended this three section tripod is the most stable of the bunch and while it could be carried in a pack, it is really more suited for the truck, Ranger or quad.

The Outdoorsman’s decided to make their own lightweight aluminum tripods a few years back and they were immediate hits with anybody that was going remote with all their gear on their backs.  My two section model weighs 2 lbs 10 ozs, stands 45 inches tall and also uses flip locks.  This is the tripod I have been using the most for the last two seasons and it is my favorite when I am hoofing it.  It is made well and I especially like the soft rubber leg tips.  This tripod is lightweight but withstands moderate wind with no problems.
 
The object of my attention today is a carbon fiber, lightweight tripod from Slik.  Slik is a new manufacturer to me but it has been around a long time and is highly regarded by many experienced hunters.  The 613CF weighs 1 lbs 11 ozs and extends to a little over 47 inches.  It has three sections and uses rubber twist lock rings.  The tripod is well made and definitely slim and trim.  If weight is your primary concern then you will be very happy with this unit.  It has to be the lightest, high quality field usable tripod on the market.
 
However, you need to know a couple things about this tripod.  There are compromises that have to be made when you start to push the envelope in terms of weight.  This tripod is not as robust as the others mentioned and we did experience some vibration from the wind.  Wind conditions today ranged from 15 to 30 miles per hour.  There is no weight hook on the bottom of the center tube so you will either have to rig something up or stabilize it by applying down ward pressure yourself.  Draping your arms around the top part of the legs and letting them hang or grabbing the center post just under the grip and hanging on it worked just fine.  I will say, though, that after a couple hours, those techniques begin to wear on me a little.  Soft rubber feet like the ones on the Outdoorsman’s would dampen some of the wind vibration and also keep the legs from sliding.  Fans of this tripod tell me that duct tape achieves the same results but I prefer Camoform tape from Tactical Tailor.   
   
So, is there a point of diminishing returns on lightweight tripods?  I would say yes but this tripod is not there yet.  I think the Slik 613CF is about as lightweight as you can go and still expect satisfactory usability in the field.  Is it the best all around tripod I own?  No, that title still belongs to the Outdoorsman’s Medium but the Slik 613CF is a very nice specialty piece that I can and will use in certain situations.

Thanks.

Wade Nelson
Editor

Sorting through the fads and fashion of the outdoor equipment industry to identify and promote the very best wilderness gear for high end recreational users, backcountry professionals and government agencies.

Hardcore Outdoor is dedicated to those who can't or won't turn back.

Boots, boots, and...shoes.  I admit it.  I am the Imelda Marcos of outdoor footwear.  For every one of my favorite outdoor activities there is a veritable cornucopia of specialized shoes or boots.  Fact is, the market is over flowing with choices which makes it very difficult to zero in on what really works.  Fortunately, for you, I enjoy the process of identifying, securing and evaluating the best boots and shoes available.  Here is my recommended boot list which I guess should really be called the Recommended Footwear List since it includes trail shoes.

But first, some comments about this subject.  1)  Feet are weird, continually changing and very specific to each person.  The perfect boot for you may not work at all for me no matter how much I want it to.  There is no one best boot or shoe; there is only the best boot or shoe for you and your funny, ugly feet.  2)  Problems most likely come from poor fit and or poor quality socks.  Most people wear their boots too short and too narrow.  Find a master boot fitter or error on the big side.  Go at least ½ size, maybe even a full size up from your street shoes and then get some top notch socks (yes, there is a corresponding sock list).  According to the Docs, your feet may expand and contract up to a full size over the course of an outing.  4)  The amount of extremely high quality products out there for your feet is stunning but the names, models and color offerings change constantly.  That’s fashion for you.  I blame the suits and the posers in the marketing departments of these companies.  More formal schooling and fancy letters after their names then real time in the sticks sweating and humping big loads.  Shameful.  Anyway, here you go.  These are what I like and what I use.  Hope you get something out of it.  See detailed evaluations of each in the "Feet" catagory. 

Light Hiker/Trail Runners
Lowa Renegade GTX
Danner 453 GTX