Coleman Exponent Multifuel Stove Review

I just love this stove and can't praise it enough. I bought mine some years ago after reading a rave review in Backpacker magazine. I used it mainly for extended backpacking. I have used this stove heavily over the years and it has performed flawlessly, reliably, and impressively.

Talk About Headlamps

Head lamps have come a long way since we were on our last scouting trip. No longer do you need to have a glorified Mag Lite strapped to your head, bobbing around and weighing your head down.

Hi-Tec's V-Lite Fast Hike Review

Talk about Hi-Tec's V-Lite Fast Hike shoes: Slightly deviating form the simplicity of Hi-Tec shoe designs, Hi-Tec packed as much technology into this shoe as they can. Built like a tank, in its mid cut version, this is a great shoe for anything from day hikes to light and fast trekking. It has rubber rands in front to help protect you from trail debris. The fit is great! The shoe is coupled with a lacing system that snugs your feet in the shoes special form fitting insoles. When your hike will last for at least half a day, this is the shoe that won't get you screaming in pain after only a couple of hours of trekking. Unlike other trekking shoes, the Fasthike needs little on no breaking-in period (although I suggest you still break-in every shoe that you purchase, just to be on the happy and safe side).

The Coleman Exponent Avior X-1 Three Season One-Man Tent Review

The Coleman Exponent Avior X-1

The Coleman Exponent Avior X-1 Three Season One-Man Tent is a great little tent. It's light at just a little over a kilo, so it's great for backpacking and its fairly cheap. If you want to use it for solo backpacking, it's great as you have plenty of room to sleep in and keep all your gear inside!

The Mountain Safety Research (MSR) DromLite Hydration Bag Review

The MSR Dromlite 2 liter and 4 liter Hydration Bags

I have recently made a move to lightweight gear, and smaller volume packs. I start early and hike hard so as to enjoy the afternoons exploring. I usually take a hammock withh a mosquito net and tarp, and enjoy hot meals at night. The Mountain Safety Research DromLite Hydration Bags (hereafter called the DromLite or bag) are collapsible, roll-able fabric water reservoirs. They are made of "MSR red" 200-denier Cordura which is welded together to seal the edges creating the envelope-type storage containers seen here. The fabric has a thick plastic-feeling coating on the inside. The MSR logo is applied to the face of the DromLites.

At the top of the bag is metal grommet that can be used to hang the bag on a nail or hook. A small carabiner, piece of cord or webbing can be placed through the grommet too. I have a hang strap from MSR on my 4 L bag.

The MSR Dragonfly Stove Review

The MSR Dragonfly Stove

I have had my eye on a petrol stove for a while, as I have used gas stoves before and have some issues with these. Their performance in the cold can be poor, and of course you are always trying to gauge how full the gas bottles are and how many to take. I though a petrol stove would solve all these problems, although I was not so sure. I have heard they are noisy difficult to simmer with and on occasion temperamental.

After some research, I got my hands on an MSR Dragonfly because of the good things I heard about it (a good simmer control, and a good reliable stove).