A couple weeks ago Garmin Released the brand spanking new Garmin Forerunner 945. Garmin’s latest offering in the “Forerunner” lineup. I was lucky enough to get my hands on one! The Forerunner 945 sits in the flagship position in this series replacing the previous Garmin Forerunner 935 that was wildly popular with triathletes, cyclists, and…
Altra Lone Peak 4.0 Long Term Review – 500 Miles Later
Trail runners, Yup! I’ve gone through a few! Over the past 3 years I’ve had an unhealthy addiction to Altra Footwear. I’ve gone through 5 pairs in 2 years… Youch! That hurts my wallet! The “Lone Peak” has become my go-to trail shoe. My first pair of Lone Peak’s was the Lone Peak 2.5 model….
Field Tested: Garmin InReach Mini Review!
For the past 3 years I’ve been carrying a Satellite Messenger in some capacity for both casual communication with friends and family, and SOS emergency capabilities if s#$t were to hit the fan while I was off the grid. My first satcom device was a SPOT Gen 3 messenger which ultimately failed me when I…
Trip Report: Running the Presidential Traverse
Today my friend Nate (@hiker_nate) his dog Piper would be joining me for a “quick presi”. The Presidential Traverse! Located in the heart of the White Mountains of New Hampshire this rugged point to point run or hike is considered to be one of the crown jewels of the North East and also one of the…
Field Tested: Garmin inReach Explorer+ Satellite Communicator Review
Overview When you’re off the grid or in the back country having a reliable means of communication is crucial. There are a few options on the market that can achieve this but its hard to decide what features you really need. Are you buying something to casually communicate with family and friends? Or is this…
Garmin Fenix 5x – A Trail Runner’s Review
Overview These little gadgets we call “Wearables” are a hot market right now. Fitbit, Garmin, Suunto, Wahoo, Casio, Polar, Mio… this list goes on. It seems like a flooded market with options just about anyone. This list becomes a lot leaner when you start running ultra long distances and require so much more from your…
Field Tested: Optimus Crux Lite Solo Cook System
Awe Yeah! Optimus has sent us some goodies to test, play with, and review! The Optimus Crux Lite Solo Cook System entered the market in 2012 as an Ultralight Camping Cook System that wouldn’t break the bank. This is a flooded market with brands like MSR, and Jetboil taking their share there’s a lot to…
Running the Pemi Loop – A Classic White Mountain Death March
September 22, 2017 I’ve been training hard on my local terrain in Massachusetts as well as hitting the White Mountains when I can. Trail running regularly with as much elevation gain and technical terrain as I can get my hands on. I wasn’t training for a race. There would be no medal or award ceremony…
Field Tested: Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Trail Running Shoe Review
Thru Hikers, Backpacker’s and Trail Runners will be excited to see a new version of the Altra Lone Peak on the shelves! The Altra Lone Peak 3.5! For the past 2-3 years or so I’ve been trail running and hiking wearing the Altra Lone Peak trail running shoes. These shoes have evolved over the years…
Field Tested: Katadyn BeFree 1.0L Water Filter
When I first got into hiking and backpacking I would carry an MSR Sweetwater pump style water filter. This type of filters uses a lever/plunger assembly and tubing to filtrate the water through a carbon filter for drinking. While they do work really well for filtering gross dirty water in a fast manner, they are…
Field Tested: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles
I’m not an avid trekking pole user. However, I do always carry them with me due to a history of knee issues. If I’m 20 mile’s in on a hike or run and my patella start barking I’ll pull them out for a little relief on the downhills. I’ve gone through a few pairs of poles over…
Winter Hiking Traction Devices – What, Why and When
So you’re ready to get out and experience the beauty of winter hiking and the frozen trails. You are ecstatic! You pack your bag, lace up, take your first icy step… and slip falling directly on your face! It’s a hard lesson we all learn. Without the right traction devices a short winter hike can…