According to me… and what do I know.
Backpacking has come a long way in the last 10-20 years. I started backpacking regularly about 10-12 years ago. At that time, all of my gear was bought at an army surplus, from friends, or donated to me. My backpacking buddies and I have since upgraded our cache of goodies, and here are some advances that I think are wonderful.
10. Jet Boil - Your kitchen all in one slick package. As Borat would say “NIIICE”
9. LED lights - Bright, longer lasting, cool white glow.
8. MSR Miox Water Purifier - No pumping, no maintenance, no pumping, no pumping…
7. Digital Cameras - You can get a tiny one now that has 8 Mega pixels - no film, no fuss. And when you get back, all your homeys will have a copy of you on the summit or running that rapid in their inbox… like they really wanted one.
6. GPS - As long as you keep fresh batteries with you, you have a map system and can mark waypoints (still, don’t leave home without the compass and paper map…)
5. Multi-tools - Leatherman and all it’s knock-offs have been around for a while, but they keep adding tools, and getting smaller and smaller. I’m still waiting on the Leatherman liquor cabinet that folds out your favorite libations….
4. Titanium Cookware - Its lighter than steel and stronger than aluminum.
3. Quick Dry - Polyester was on all the dance floors in the 70s but now with a few technical upgrades it is on the body of most every person in the backcountry. And for good reason.
2. Lightweight Shoes - My first serious hiking boots must have weighed 20 lbs and the soles were made of concrete… Now you can slip on a pair of mid-high Montrail, Salomons, or Merrells and float on up the trail.
1. Ultralight Tents - #1 on the list, for me, has to be tents. They are stronger, lighter, windproof, rainproof, have all sorts of cool features. And now-a-days two backpackers can sleep comfortably for under 2 lbs!
Oh, and this is our 100th post… Yay! 
May 10th, 2007
Outdoorzy.com is about to add some BentGear.com ads to the site, and as I took a look at their selection I noticed they are having an Outdoor Gear and Clothing Sale on some of the backcountry essential items and top brands. Here are 10 I thought were cool. Specifically check out the sale items, some of the Winter stuff is on sale.
10. ThermaRest
9. Backpacks - They have some good deals on daypacks and camelbacks here
8. Leatherman
7. GoLite
6. Brunton
5. Men’s Down Jackets - Marmot Down Jacket for under $100, sweet
4. Men’s Sandals - Tevas for 21 bucks, bring it on Summer
3. Princeton Tec
2. Nalgene
1. Women’s Down Jackets - Ladies Down Jacket for under $80
May 1st, 2007
Money Magazine released it’s Best Places to Retire Young recently. They were places in the US with a semi-affordable cost of living and plenty of things to do. A few places like, Coeur d’Alane, ID and Logan, UT look like really sweet places to hang your hat. But they also included places like Manhattan, KS and Ames, IA… I’ve been to those places and well… I think I could have picked a few better spots for outdoor activities specifically.
SO, without Further Adieu, here are my Top 10 Best “Outdoorzy” Places to Retire Young, and why I think so. (Please comment if you disagree or have any honorable mentions…)
10. Port Angeles, WA - this town lies just across the sound from Canada, has the Olympic Mountain Range at it’s back door, the Hoh Rain Forest a hop away, and enough water activities to shake a paddle at.
9. Klamath, CA - Go there and you will understand. This North Coast gem boasts a placid river spilling into the pacific where majestic redwoods, black bear, and Roosevelt elk are your neighbors.
8. Buena Vista, CO - Like 14ers? Take your pick here, you have at least 10-15 within an hours drive of your crib. Not to mention an excellent whitewater river running through the middle of town, a nearby hot springs, and a kick arse burger joint.
7. Asheville, NC - An amazingly open community for the South, mixed with resident artists, the Biltmore, and natural beauty, this town has been the rave recently. Not to mention Smokey Mountain NP, premium whitewater, the blue ridge parkway, and epic mountain bike trails at Tsali and Pisgah.
6. Portland, ME - Acadia NP, Moose, Lobster Rolls for lunch, an art school providing plenty of canvas and two-legged visual distraction. A great music scene, unstoppable seafood, lighthouses around every corner, and microbrews. It’s almost enough to endure the winters.
5. Taos, NM - They say the air “hums” there. Seriously, they don’t know why. But the buzz I hear on Taos is that you have snow covered peaks, a cool hippy culture, and Wheeler Peak.
4. Kona, HI - This is where the Ironman Triathlon happens each year. But while you’re not training try a fruity drink, surf the world-class waves, or hike through the lush jungle and strange volcanic world on the slopes of 13,679 ft Mauna Loa.
3. Estes Park, CO - The resident elk herd roams through your front yard as you decide which mountain stream to go pluck trout from this morning. Or perhaps you want to try a new route on Long’s Peak? Maybe take a drive on the scenic trail ridge road?
2. Monterey, CA - Sea life is crazy here, it IS life. There’s a greenway through the middle of town teaming with bikes, walkers, etc. Great wines. The bay is always full of kayaks. San Francisco is a short drive up the amazingly beautiful coast if you want city life. Mountain bike trails abound. It’s an outdoorzy paradise.
1. St John, US Virgin Islands - Well, for number one this better be pretty good, right? Here are a few things to get you interested in googling this place… Virgin Islands NP, Coral Reef Natl Monument, pristine Caribbean waters to paddle, miles of jungle to explore, plenty of beach bars, warm ocean breezes, perfect sunsets, and 80 average temps.
April 12th, 2007
