|
|
![]()
Editors' Choice 2005
New Zeland is pretty to look at, but harsh on gear making it just what we needed for our Kiwi challenge.
April 2005
Innovation ain't worth bugger all if it pikes out in a pinch. That's why we took the finalists for our 13th annual best-gear
awards to New Zealand: We knew the South Island's legendary storms and rugged topography would help us peel back the last
layers of hype and determine which hot new outdoor designs really work. Herewith, the survivors-13 products that raise the
bar for pack, boot, tent, and high-tech performance plus two tried-and-true Gold Award winners and our Green Award winner
that managed to keep mother nature in mind with each step.
----------------
Gold Awards 2005
Two tried-and-true favorites join our gear hall of fame
April 2005
Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero
Stay dry in the wettest weather with this lid
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: Since 1985, the indestructible Sombrero has kept our heads and necks dry in deluges from northern Canada to the
Carolinas to the Northwest's rainforests. It's packable, the brim is stiff enough in all but the strongest winds, and the
tail is elongated to channel water over your jacket collar, not under it. Sure, the styling is vintage '80s, but who cares
about fashion when the rain is falling so hard you can't see your fingers in front of your face?
WHO: Four adjustable sizes (S-XL) suit all but the hugest melons.
How much: $46
Weight: 4 oz. (size large)
Contact: (888) 467-4327, www.orgear.com.
Smith Sliders
These innovative shades continue to lead eyewear evolution.
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: A decade ago, Smith introduced interchangeable lenses, and while others have followed suit, the original Sliders are
still a tester favorite when it comes to versatility in different light conditions. We've also seen the tough frames survive
countless endos and a 60-foot drop in Joshua Tree, and the polycarbonate lenses are incredibly scratch-resistant. The padding
on the nose and temple areas absorbs sweat and keeps the glasses from slipping. Of the current models, we like the District
Slider ($109) best; it has medium-sized frames, three lens colors, superb protection from wind and dirt, and an optional
polarized lens that's great for anglers. Best of all: In the unlikely event you break the frames, Smith will replace them for
a nominal fee.
Who: Anyone who needs durable, versatile, stylish sunglasses.
How much: $99-159
Contact: (208) 726-4477; www.smithoptics.com.
----------------
Green Awards 2005
This year the eco-friendly award goes to socks that are soft on the planet--and your feet.
Teko Socks
These socks are soft on the planet-and your feet
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Kent Pell
Why: Many gear companies are taking steps to make more eco-friendly products, and we applaud every one of them. But few have
made the top-to-bottom effort Teko has applied to its new line of socks. Teko's merino wool socks undergo a washing process
that uses ozone instead of chlorine (the only byproduct is sweet oxygen). Other models are made of organic cotton and
recycled polyester. Not convinced? Teko's plant in North Carolina buys renewable energy from wind power plants, and last fall
every sock in the line passed a strict environmental test in Europe, proving the fabrics are harmless next to your skin. Even
its minimalist packaging is eco-correct. Best of all, our testers raved about their warmth, softness, and no-slip fit. The
wool model pills a bit, but our favorite, the synthetic Ecopet, is holding up well.
How much: $10-23
Size: S-XL
Contact: (800) 450-5784; www.tekosocks.com.
----------------
Gregory G Pack
This ultralight weekender stabilizes any load
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Steve Howe
Why: When you tug on Gregory's new Wraptor Stabilizer straps, you almost expect to hear a sucking sound-not the painful gasp
of your diaphragm collapsing, but a whoosh of air as the pack seals into your lower back. We've never worn a snugger,
smoother-fitting belt, or enjoyed such good load transfer in a sub-3-pound pack. Said one editor: "After 7 hours of
hill-climbing with a 30-pound load, my shoulders and hips felt like they could go another 7 without a break." Other
outstanding features include a deceptively large packbag that held foul-weather gear and food for a weekend; deep mesh
pouches; super-simple tool attachments; and snack pockets on the hipbelt. Our only caution: The silicone-impregnated
70-denier fabric is surprisingly strong for its weight-it survived New Zealand bushwhacks and Pennsylvania brambles-but it
isn't meant for scraping through slot canyons.
Who: Any hiker who wants to trim pack weight, but still carry 30 pounds comfortably. It comes in 3 torso lengths.
How much: $139
Weight: 2 lbs. 10 oz.
Size: 2,700 cubic inches (regular size)
Contact: (800) 477-3420; www.gregorypacks.com.
Salomon GCS Pro
Be cool in fastpacking's finest footwear
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: After hundreds of miles of ultralight hiking and trail running, our testers agree that these are the most stable
lightweight low-tops we've seen. The secret is Salomon's new Ground Control System, a funky mechanical innovation that
repositions the cushion under your heel with every step. Four floating springs absorb shock with each heel strike-a welcome
benefit on high-mileage days. But the springs also flex sideways to handle indirect impact, like the kind you get when the
edge of your shoe lands on the corner of a rock. Add a wide and very grippy sole, and you get a shoe that rarely lands
awkwardly-a boon to hikers and runners with weak ankles or poor balance. Testers also raved about the supportive plastic
exoskeleton and one-pull lacing, which together provide an extremely secure, close fit.
Who: The shoes fit all but the flattest, widest, and highest-volume feet. Women's model is the Comp.
How much: $130
Weight: 2 lbs. (per pair, men's size 91/2)
Sizes: men's 61/2-131/2, women's 31/2-101/2
Contact: (877) 272-5666, www.salomonsports.com.
MSR Hubba Hubba
Meet The new benchmark in lightweight, THREE-season shelter
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Steve Howe
Why: This two-person tent strikes the finest balance we've seen yet between minimizing weight and maximizing space. Thanks to
an innovative pole configuration that spreads the walls and lifts the ceiling, its 30-square-foot interior is surprisingly
roomy; our 6'6" executive editor didn't touch at either end or bump into his tentmate while sleeping or sitting up. And the
story gets better: The Hubba Hubba is freestanding and has two doors-both features a rarity in this weight class. The twin
vestibules accommodate packs, boots, and careful cooking, and rain doesn't drip inside the tent when you open the doors. With
an all-mesh canopy, its ventilation is excellent; we saw no condensation through New Zealand soakers. You can save another
pound by pitching only the rainfly, or a bit less when you pitch rainfly and footprint (sold separately for $35). Caution:
Stake the tent in a sheltered site, because it's light on guyouts and stability in strong winds.
Who: Unless you're a tarp, bivy, or cold-weather fan, you'll love this tent.
How much: $290
Weight: 4 lbs. 4 oz.
Contact: (800) 531-9531, www.msrgear.com.
Contact 3.0 Hiking Package
Satellite broadcasting gets light, cheap, and trailworthy
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Matthew J. Reigner
Why: This packable multimedia setup ushers in a brave new world of adventure Webcasting. The sat phone/PDA/camera system, all
powered by Contact 3.0 software, promises to revolutionize remote communications by offering an economical, portable,
easy-to-use system for real-time text, photo, and video transfers from campsite to Web site.
Just shoot photos or video clips on the digital camera, or type dispatches into the PDA via wireless keyboard, and hit
"send." Your dispatch goes out by satellite phone and appears on your designated Web site seconds later. We hauled this
package through Glacier and the Canadian Rockies, and successfully broadcasted from isolated campsites, ridgetops, and
glaciers. (View sample dispatches from around the world at www.explorersweb.com.)
All components are solar rechargeable, and you can use each of the pieces alone. A variety of packages are available,
tailored to your media preferences; we particularly like the optional software that lets you plug in a GPS unit and
automatically plot your position to an onscreen map. Who: Would-be backcountry bloggers, plus outdoor clubs, sponsored
expeditions, thru-hikers, and charity adventurers.
How much: $2,744 (as tested; includes server setup, software training, and Pelican case)
Weight: 2 lbs. 8 oz.
Contact: (212) 966-1928; www.humanedgetech.com.
EMS Summit TL Rucksack
This versatile midsize is the sweetest deal of the year
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Tyler Stableford
Why: You won't believe the comfort and features this top-loading weekend pack offers for the price. V-shaped aluminum stays
and a plastic framesheet provide plenty of support and weight transfer, as two editors found after hauling 30 pounds on stiff
climbs and descents in New Zealand's Southern Alps. But the Summit's secret weapon may be its hipbelt-the thin yet firm foam
contours closely around your hips, and it's wide enough that it didn't sag on long days in the Rockies and Poconos. The
solidly constructed packbag easily swallows enough food and gear for 3 or 4 days in three-season conditions, but the Summit
is versatile enough to double as a technical daypack or hut-touring pack. Best of all, it has features rarely found in this
price range: a handy (if somewhat stiff) shove-it panel for crampons or a shovel blade; a fleece-lined sunglasses pocket in
the lid; axe loops; and a 3-liter Nalgene bladder (a $25 value).
Who: The Summit's harness doesn't adjust, but only the shortest torsos won't fit the regular (17"-19") and long (19"-22")
sizes.
How much: $109
Weight: 4 lbs. 14 oz. (with hydration bladder),
Size: 2,860 cubic inches (regular)
Contact: (888) 463-6367, www.ems.com
Raichle Mt. Trail XT GTX
Slip into the most comfortable all-leather backpacking boot you've worn in years
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Tyler Stableford
Why: Of the 100-plus boots we trail-tested last year, these Gore-Tex hikers offer the best blend of all-day comfort,
off-trail durability, and big-load support. Testers raved about the last, which exhibits several classic signs of careful
craftsmanship. The first is a deep, firm heel pocket that locks down skinny heels, eliminating the pressure and rubbing that
causes blisters. This allows Raichle to open the forefoot just a bit to accommodate wider feet and give everyone's toes some
wiggle room. Then comes a one-piece, full-grain upper that's supple in an old-fashioned way-it molds to every curve of your
foot without the creases and folds that afflict too-soft leather. The XT's sole also hits a sweet spot: It's rigid enough to
handle 50-pound loads and rugged cross-country routes, but there's also enough longitudinal flex and cushion for big-mile
trail days. And if you get stuck crossing talus slopes, no worries; the XT may be the most nimble boot in its class, and its
rubber toe cap will fend off the sharpest rocks.
Who: Anyone hiking rough trails with big loads should consider this boot. Fit is forgiving for all but the widest feet.
How Much: $189
Sizes: men's 7-12 1/2, 13, 14; women's 5 1/2-10 1/2;
Weight: 4 lbs. (men's size 9)
Contact: (800) 451-5127; www.climbhigh.com
Snickers Marathon Bars
Keep going-and going-with our favorite new trail snack
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: Are they the healthiest energy bars out there? Probably not. But the four flavors in the Snickers Marathon line pack a
ton of energy and nutrition (100% USRDA of 10 vitamins and minerals) into a chewy, crunchy, chocolate-and-caramel stick that
just plain tastes great. And not just during the first hours of a hike. What puts these bars over the top is that they're
still appetizing when nothing else in your food bag is making you salivate. The only downside: They melt in hot weather. Our
favorite, Chewy Chocolate Peanut, has 220 calories (60 from fat), 27g carbs, and 13g protein. Other flavors: Caramel Nut Rush
(290 cal., 41g carbs, 20g protein), Multi-Grain Crunch (220 cal, 32g carbs, 9g protein), and Peanut Butter (160 cal, 18g
carbs, 14g protein).
How much: $1.49 to $2.29
Contact: (800) 551-9986, www.snickers.com.
The North Face Catalyst 60 & 75
Not going light? Experience a revolution in big-load comfort
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Steve Howe
Why: You still have to be one strong mule to haul 60 to 70 pounds, but The North Face's new Pivotal suspension makes the
experience a whole lot more pleasant. Built around a super-sturdy frame, the system blends the stability and streamlined
profile of an internal frame pack with the workhorse comfort and load transfer of an external. But the real innovation is the
pivot itself, which allows the hipbelt to swivel with each step. We immediately noticed improved freedom of motion; we could
squat, bend, or high-step without binding. Farther down the trail, we noticed the pack wasn't sliding south on us, which kept
pressure off our shoulders.
Torso adjustments are simple: Just flip a tab and slide the back panel. Nitpicks: Load control isn't equal to the best big
packs, though it's more than adequate for basic scrambling. And the packbag could be a bit tougher and more user-friendly.
But for the way it carries, and the money we'll save in chiropractic bills, we'll take it.
Who: Expedition trekkers, Sherpa dads, and luxury campers. Available in two men's sizes (60 and 75), and two women's sizes
(60 only).
Catalyst 60
How much: $349
Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz.
Size: 3,700 cubic inches (men's medium)
Catalyst 75
How much: $379
Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz.
Size: 4,600 cubic inches (men's medium)
Contact: (800) 447-2333; www.thenorthface.com.
Alpacka Rafts
These Boats are so light they redefine where you can paddle
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Steve Howe
Why: Open a whole new world of backcountry exploration with these revolutionary rafts. At a scant 4 pounds each, the
inflatable craft are easily packed in to hard-to-reach headwaters, remote lakes, and other distant put-ins. And these are no
toy blow-ups. In New Zealand, after heavy rain kicked the Shotover River into high gear, we paddled through wave trains and
flood debris, dragged the boats across rocks-then did it again because it was so much fun. How does it handle? It's not made
for long flatwater paddles, but on rivers the Alpacka is more nimble than a raft and more stable than a hard-shell kayak, and
with the optional spray deck ($150, 1 lb. 5 oz.) you can navigate whitewater without swamping (we've heard reports of expert
paddlers managing Class IV). Space is tight, but with a pack lashed over the bow you can sit comfortably with feet extended.
Stiffen and pad the bottom with your self-inflating mattress.
Who: Anyone who wants to run wilderness waterways, safely ford big rivers, or fish backcountry lakes.
How much: $595
Weight: 4 lbs. 4 oz., with lashing cord (for the midsize Yukon Yak, also available in smaller and larger models). Alpacka
also plans a model with a welded-on spray deck ($775).
Contact: (907) 688-8005, www.alpackaraft.com.
Garmont Trail Sport Junior Boots
Young hikers deserve performance shoes
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: Because we're sick and tired of watching our kids pull off boxy, bulky, leaky boots to reveal sore, soggy, blistered
feet. If your young ones like hiking as much as ours do, they'll thank you ten times over for buying them a pair of Garmont's
Flash Junior XCR or Nagevi Junior. Built with the same attention to detail and high-quality materials as the grownup
versions, Flash XCR and Nagevi XCR, these boots fit our young testers like gloves, gave them superior traction on wet
streamside rocks, and virtually eliminated the foot fatigue they'd experienced with less supportive models. The suede and
synthetic uppers broke in quickly, but didn't stretch or sag, and overall durability is such that you'll hand them down two
or three times. The Flash Junior XCR has a Gore-Tex XCR lining and higher, ankle-protecting cut; the low-cut Nagevi Junior is
a better choice for dry, smooth trails and general kicking around.
Who: Active outdoor kids who wear sizes 1 to 5 (both shoes come in half sizes)
How much: Flash, $70; Nagevi, $50
Contact: (802) 658-8322, www.garmontusa.com.
Evernew Slick Non-Stick Titanium Cookware
Your ultralight kitchen is now complete
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: Finally, the benefits of titanium without the hassle of scrubbing burned crud. The trick? Evernew figured out how to
apply a tough nonstick coating to titanium, making this cookware line the first we've seen to deliver weight savings,
durability, and easy cleanup in one smart package. Folding handles eliminate the need to locate that lost pot gripper. We
like the 2-pot Cookset for its versatile combination of 1.9- and 1.3-liter pots, and lids that double as frying pans.
How much: $95 (for the 2-pot Cookset; $49 for one 1.3-liter pot)
Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz.
Contact: (800) 426-4840, www.rei.com
New Balance Ultra Arch Support Inserts
Pamper your feet with The most supportive footbeds we've tested
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Courtesy
Why: We have happy feet. Check that-we have blissed-out feet. We hiked and ran more than a thousand miles with these insoles
in our shoes, and we've never felt less end-of-day soreness. We give the credit to the Ultra's lightweight graphite arch,
shock-absorbing pads in key impact areas, and thick, firm foam that's contoured to support the midfoot and lock in the heel.
Who: Anyone who wants to upgrade the comfort of their boots.They come in unisex sizes from XS to 2XL but are thicker than
most insoles, so they work best in mid- and high-volume boots.
How much: $40, 5 oz. (per pair, size large)
Contact: (800) 253-7463; www.newbalance.com.
Garmin Foretrex 101
Get started-or get simple-with the best GPS deal
April 2005
![]()
Photo by Mitch Mandel
Why: GPS doesn't get any easier than this. One of our testers torched the (blessedly thin) instruction manual-yep, up in
flames-to see if he could master the unit without it, and within minutes he was saving waypoints and a track log. Novices may
need more guidance, but the Foretrex's intuitive interface and plainly labeled buttons significantly shorten the GPS learning
curve. But don't let the unit's size and ease of use fool you: It stores 500 waypoints, acquires satellite signals faster
than some more expensive handhelds, and holds reception in all but the thickest woods. You'll want a bigger screen and map
download capabilities for serious cross-country navigation, but we had no trouble with off-trail scouting and backtracking in
open terrain. In testing, we got 6-8 hours of use on 2 AAAs.
Who: The Foretrex is a fine choice for beginners, ultralighters, and anyone who wants core GPS functions in a small,
affordable package.
How much: $139
Weight: 2.6 oz.
Contact: (800) 800-1020; www.garmin.com
----------------
![]()
![]()
http://www.rei.com/online/store/Search?topStyles=719007%2C715743%2C721125%2C726736%2C726735%2C720287%2C725102%2C725103%2C725104%2C725106%2C238313%2C713857%2C727097%2C727099%2C705133%2C716581%2C705138%2C716584%2C646717%2C716586%2C684907%2C716587%2C655416%2C716583%2C629911%2C613778%2C694771%2C716582%2C613776%2C716585%2C613776&originalTextQuery=sm3822_bp_award&noalias=1&inc=s
m3822_bp_award.jsi&catalogId=40000008000&stat=hq2&topStylesTitle=Backpacker+Editors%27+choice+Award+Winners+2005&cm_re=hsq*hsq1*04_BP_Award_Winners&langId=-1&query=999999&link=1&memberId=-2000&group=0&text=1&storeId=8000&vcat=REI_HP_L4
|
|
发表于 2005-3-21 22:46:53
收藏
支持
反对