Climbing hardware is tricky to review because, well, gear is pretty damn good these days. Many manufacturers rely on iterations of the same tried-and-true conventions, so it can be hard to find standouts. Still, some items are slowly shifting the narrative, from high-tech iterations on classic gear that approaches perfection, to products made following a greener manufacturing process, to niche items we didn鈥檛 even know we needed. Below, you鈥檒l find our picks for the most interesting new climbing hardware of the season.

The Winners at a Glance

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Ocun Hawk QD Wire Bio-Dyn Ring Quickdraw

Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Belay FG Eco locker

Fixe Hardware 10mm Dyneema Anchor Sling-240cm

Grivel Plume HMS K3GH carabiner

Metolius Captive Quickdraw

Metolius Ultralight Master Cam

Petzl Nano Traxion pulley

Petzl Spirit Express Quickdraw

Trango Superfly Evo Autolock locker

Wild Country Zero Friends cam

How We Test

Number of Testers: 6

Number of Products Tested: 22

Number of Vertical Feet: 35,000-plus

Number of Years Climbed by Our Most Veteran Tester: 49

Least-Punishing Testing Venue: 鈥淰almont Canyon,鈥� aka the corridor in east Boulder, Colorado, that鈥檚 home to the city鈥檚 four rock gyms

Most-Punishing Testing Venue: The Bugaboos, British Columbia

Worst Weather: An epic thunderstorm at the Monastery, Colorado, that had two testers (and one dog) cowering under boulders while the gully flash-flooded

We tested 22 products, then narrowed down our final selection to 11 finalists. Our six testers put each piece of climbing gear through its paces in as many venues as possible, including the climbing gym (for things like belay carabiners); front-country cragging in Colorado (the granite around Estes Park, the sandstone of the Flatirons and Eldorado Canyon, the limestone of Rifle), North Carolina, Squamish, and Kentucky; and alpine, backcountry routes in the Bugaboos and Canadian Rockies. Our testers ranged in age from their late 20s to early 60s, all with years and even decades of climbing experience.

The goal when testing any climbing hardware is to determine how well it performs for its intended use鈥攕o, for example, we sent the Metolius Ultralight Master Cams with our resident alpinist, Anthony Walsh, who put them to work on trad climbs in the Bugaboos. Since I鈥檓 primarily a sport climber myself, I tested things like quickdraws and wire brushes on the local crags. Although we considered factors like weight and appearance, the main criteria with hardware are always reliability and durability. Our goal is to answer questions like, 鈥淗ow well does this gear do what it鈥檚 supposed to?鈥� and 鈥淒oes it perform over weeks and months of hardcore use?鈥�

Meet Our Lead Tester(s)

Matt Samet, former editor of Climbing, has been an avid rock climber since the mid-1980s, the era of high-top rock shoes, Hexentrics, and early camming devices. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, where he primarily sport climbs, boulders, and trains in the gym. He鈥檚 been testing climbing gear for the past 20-plus years. Two other key hardware testers were Anthony Walsh, a digital editor at Climbing based in Golden, British Columbia, who has a deep love for Canadian granite鈥攂e it the smooth gray rock of Squamish or the alpine splitters of the Bugaboos. And Duane Raleigh, the North Carolina-based, former editorial director at Climbing and a climber of nearly five decades, who鈥檚 seen gear come and go during his tenure in climbing media.

The Best Climbing Hardware of 2023

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Ocun Hawk QD Wire Bio-Dyn-Ring Quickdraw ($110 for a five-pack)

Weight: 2.7 oz
Pros: Bio-Dyneema is an ecologically friendly, light sling with dogbone material for weight-conscious climbers; Easy-clipping action on the wiregates was welcome on crucial clips鈥攍ots of tension and spring
Cons: White coloration, also found on regular Dyneema, could be confusing in a fixed-draw situation, in which you鈥檙e not sure whether the draw was dyed and has faded (and is thus a safety risk) or whether the dogbone was white in the first place.

We鈥檙e big proponents of Dyneema鈥攊t鈥檚 great for saving weight on multi-pitch climbs or when starting up a long onsight while carrying a ton of draws. But, as with so many synthetic materials used in climbing, standard Dyneema comes from non-renewable fossil fuels. Bio-Dyneema, on the other hand, presents a better alternative: It鈥檚 made from waste products upcycled from the pulp and timber industry, but with regular Dyneema鈥檚 weight, strength, and UV resistance. (Ocun, for now, is the only company using bio-Dyneema for their dogbones.) The draw we tested the material on, the Hawk QD Wire, rates to a very high 25 kilonewton breaking strength鈥攊.e., more than enough holding power, and plenty of toughness for high-wear situations (like the dogbone sitting over an edge or while alpine climbing). 鈥淭hey鈥檙e little, they鈥檙e light, they鈥檙e strong鈥攍ike Mighty Mouse,鈥� said one tester. The wiregates have fast, snappy action鈥攚hile in a pump crisis on a roofy climb at the Solarium in Kentucky, the same tester slapped the draw on, dropped the rope in, and kept going, all within a few critical seconds.

Bottom Line: This is a more eco-friendly, multi-use quickdraw that works for all genres and all climbers, but is especially good for alpinism given its light weight and freeze-resistant wiregates.

Edelrid HMS Bulletproof Belay FG Eco carabiner ($40)

Weight: 3.1 oz
Pros: Steel insert in the basket aids carabiner longevity; Spring bar consistently prevented cross-loading; Gate action is stiff and snappy; not anodized for greener footprint
Cons: The gate is so stiff and snappy, and the keylock closure so small, that one-handed use can be painful on your thumb

We鈥檙e so used to seeing anodized carabiners that we were initially taken aback by the old-school aesthetic of the gunmetal-gray HMS Bulletproof Belay FG Eco鈥攁nd going bare gets rid of toxic chemicals in the anodizing process. Once we got past the looks, however, we loved the carabiner for belaying at the crag and gym鈥攊t鈥檚 nice to have a big, beefy HMS locker. The ample basket (plenty of room for your device to cant from side to side) and the steel insert there鈥攁 trademark of Edelrid鈥檚 Bulletproof carabiners鈥攁re big selling points, as this main wear point on a belay carabiner often scuffs or thins on a standard aluminum basket. But you can barely ding this steel. On the flipside, this makes the Belay FG Eco heavy, but it鈥檚 a big clipper meant for cragging and gym use anyway. Testers liked the stiff, snappy gate, though the keylock closure was rugged on our thumbs, given how hard you have to press down to slide it open; we also kept snagging on the nose. It seems like the ergonomics could be refined there.

Bottom Line: Minus some thumb wear, this is a strong, eco-minded, anti-cross-loading belay carabiner that鈥檚 ideal for gym use and cragging.

Fixe Hardware 10mm Dyneema Anchor Sling-240cm ($26)

Weight: 3.1 oz
Pros: No anchor-equalization 鈥渒not fuss鈥�; Supple Dyneema is easy to knot; Packs down small for harness and backpack carry
Cons: More expensive than a cordelette

A sling is a sling is a sling, but this light 240-centimeter anchor sling from Fixe solves an issue we didn鈥檛 realize had been bugging us: namely that of the knot in our cordelette always ending up in the wrong damned place鈥攈anging up on a carabiner鈥攚hen we equalize a trad anchor. Made of supple ten-millimeter Dyneema that鈥檚 a snap to knot (and that unknots easily with some minor back-and-forth tugging after it鈥檚 been weighted), Fixe鈥檚 anchor sling coiled for easy harness carry (you can quadruple it for shoulder carry too), and, thanks to the the low-profile, three-inch-long bartack, was much easier to work with than an unwieldy cordelette knot. On a tricky, spread-out cam anchor atop a Colorado granite dome, one tester was glad he had the sling鈥攖he anchor equalized first go, and he was on rappel before he knew it. It鈥檚 rated to 22kN.

Bottom Line: This is a compact, easy-carry anchor-equalizing solution for multi-pitch and alpine climbing that does away with the dreaded 鈥渒not fuss鈥� you get with cordelettes.

Grivel Plume HMS K3GH locker ($15)

Weight: 1.5 oz
Pros: Compact and lighter than a screw-gate locker鈥攇reat for alpine and multi-pitch climbing; Opposed double-gate closure system reduces the risk of accidental opening
Cons: Gate closure takes some getting used to and is a tight fit with certain belay devices

With its two opposed wire gates, the HMS K3GH doesn鈥檛 look like a 鈥渓ocker,鈥� lacking the twist-lock or screw gate we鈥檙e accustomed to seeing. (It actually looks like a giant paper clip, which makes it a great conversation starter.) Yet, it is a locker. The Twin-Gate system is interesting: You pop open the outer gate, floss the eye of your belay device or the ropes over it, and press down on the inner gate to get it all the way in. While testers initially struggled to pull this off one-handed, they reported they eventually got quicker. The HMS designation means this piece is suited for belaying with either a belay device or a friction hitch (M眉nter), and it did both well, with just enough room in the basket for a Grigri, though it was a somewhat tight fit getting the device on. (The HMS K3GH has a gate-closed strength of 23 kN and a minor-axis strength of 7 kN.) The HMS K3GH would also be a useful tool in fast-and-light situations, such as part of an anchor system on an alpine climb.

Bottom Line: The HMS K3GH brings locker functionality to a small, light package, making it ideal for multi-pitch and alpine climbing (particularly for building anchors), though it works just fine for belaying, too

Metolius Captive Quickdraw ($30)

Weight: 3 oz
Pros: Captured-eye technology on both pro-side and rope-side carabiners is 100-percent effective at preventing carabiner rotation; Snappy gate action; Steep angle on basket creates room for rope plus fingers for fast clipping
Cons: Dogbone could be thicker for scenarios where one needs to grab the draw

Metolius has always put great thought, effort, and energy into the safety engineering of its gear (e.g., the Safe Tech Trad Harness with two belay loops, or locking Anchor 鈥楧raws). The company鈥檚 new Captive draws continue that tradition, solving the issue of quickdraw carabiner rotation, which can happen when a draw is clipped to your harness or, more annoyingly, up on your project when you pull the rope. Throughout our testing, whether on granite sport and mixed climbs in Colorado or clip-ups in the Red River Gorge, Kentucky, none of our testers could get the carabiners to rotate, even when whipping the rope down through a long, steep line of draws. So you can leave them up on crux clips with total confidence. The six-inch sling length is nice鈥攇ood for mitigating rope drag鈥攂ut the sling itself is skinny, making it tougher to grab when your arms are pumped.

Bottom Line: The Captive is an especially great redpointing clipper that eliminates the carabiner rotation. And at three ounces, it鈥檚 also light enough for onsight use.

Metolius Ultralight Master Cams ($275 for #1鈥�4 set, $285 for #5鈥�8 set)

Weight: 1.6鈥�4.5 oz
Pros: Remarkable weight savings (20 percent) over the original Master Cams makes these ideal for long-approach, multi-pitch climbing and alpine routes; Flexible stems are good in horizontal placements; Range Finder feature helps with assessing placements, especially for newer trad leaders
Cons: Flexible stem makes it harder to place the cams when pumped, especially in the larger sizes

Understood as a genre鈥攁nd not simply a goal for all gear鈥斺�渦ltralight鈥� has its place, namely on longer climbs where weight savings add up. Our tester Anthony Walsh put the Ultralight Master Cams through their paces in perhaps the perfect venue, the Bugaboos of British Columbia. 鈥淭he approach was multiple hours, and our packs were loaded with two-and-a-half days of food, fuel, and a lot of climbing gear,鈥� said Walsh. 鈥淚 brought a single set of these Master Cams and, while stuffing them into my overloaded pack, I noticed how low-profile they are compared to my other camming units.鈥� This build paid off on the harness, too, where Walsh noted how light the cams felt on one side versus a competing brand鈥檚 ultralights on the other. 鈥淭he route we were trying was long and technically easy, with few opportunities to place gear,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen there was a crack to plug a cam, we were usually at a comfortable stance. This sort of terrain is where the Master Cams shine.鈥� Walsh felt like the trigger action required extra pressure to retract compared to other ultralights, though once partially retracted, the action was smooth. He found the cams鈥� narrow head particularly appealing on thin granite cracks and seams, especially in the smaller sizes where you want deeper placements. The biggest ding is the minimalist thumb loop, which, along with the pressure-sensitive gate action and flexible stem, made it harder to place the units when pumped, a drawback more prevalent in the larger sizes.

Bottom Line: The Ultralight Master Cams are great for gear-intensive rock and alpine routes with long approaches, where you can take your time with placements.

Petzl Nano Traxion Pulley ($100)

Weight: 1.9 oz
Dimensions: 48mm x 52mm x 21mm
Pros: Ultra-light and portable hauling option; Tiny鈥攖akes up almost no space on a carabiner; Silky smooth progress-capture action
Cons: Small size makes it easy to fumble when you鈥檙e pumped silly; Lacks the cam-open lockout feature of the Micro Traxion

One of our testers owns every generation of Petzl鈥檚 Traxion progress-capture pulleys and uses them primarily for toprope soloing, something climbers have been doing for more than a decade. (Petzl lists rope ascent as one use of the Nano Traxion, plus they offer their own for solo toproping on their website.) The idea is that the devices cam against the rope in one direction, letting you pull slack through (or ascend a fixed line, as in a toprope-solo or rescue situation) without having that slack drop back down through the device. Each iteration has gotten smaller, and now we have the Nano, which weighs next to nothing and is about the size of a Matchbox car. It鈥檚 easy to bring one along on a multi-pitch climb. One tester used the Nanos to haul bolting gear and a day pack on long climbs, and they clamped down reliably. He also used one as a secondary, backup device for toprope soloing (they work on ropes from seven to 11 millimeters), and it slid ably along under his Micro, even on his fatty 11 millimeter static line. As someone with big fingers, our tester鈥檚 one caveat would be that the Nano can be fussy to remove up at your anchor, especially when you鈥檙e wicked pumped.

Bottom Line: This is an indispensable tool for weight-conscious, multi-pitch free climbers hauling the crag pack from belay to belay, or as a backup (secondary device) for toprope soloing.

Petzl Spirit Express Quickdraw ($24 for 11cm, $25 for 17cm)

Weight: 3.1 oz (11 cm), 3.4 oz (17 cm)
Pros: Lighter weight than previous iteration; Bolt-side carabiner is less prone to flipping due to smaller dogbone eye; Clips just as smoothly, if not better, than the previous version; Gates have improved ergonomics
Cons: Premium pricing may be too high for casual climbers

Petzl Spirits have been a gold standard in performance quickdraws for years. Known for their buttery gate action and light, ergonomic handling, you鈥檒l see them hanging on routes at almost any serious sport area. The latest iteration builds on that legacy with two big visible tweaks. The carabiners (straight-gate and bent-gate) are slightly smaller, shaving weight off their previous counterparts (eight grams per draw with the 11 centimeter dogbones; or, for a rack of a dozen 11 centimeter draws, 96 grams鈥攔oughly the weight of one more quickdraw). There are a few other updates as well: The clipping divot in the straight-gate is closer to the keylock nose, which makes for better handling but no snagging; the size of the keeper eye in the straight-gate side of the dogbone is smaller, reducing flipping; and the bent-gate has a friendlier curvature that makes for faster clipping action. One tester, pumped out of his gourd on a 30-degree-overhanging cave climb at the Red River Gorge, was beyond grateful to have a draw that clipped so quickly.

Bottom Line: These are stylish, premium quickdraws for hardcore sport, trad, and alpine aficionados, with fast-clipping, ergonomic action that鈥檚 notable for how light the draws are.

Trango Superfly Evo Autolock locker ($17)

Weight: 1.9 oz
Pros: Nearly perfect balance in hand (weight-to-size-to-thickness) makes this a user-friendly belay carabiner; Twist-lock gate closure is fast, responsive, and reliable; Carabiner has ample room to accommodate any belay device
Cons: The edges on the semi-circle cutout on the twist-lock mechanism (the sleeve) are a tad sharp, and would be better milled down.

There are so many lockers on the market, it can be difficult to single any out for special notice鈥攖hey all have the same function and they all do their job pretty well. What stood out with the Superfly Evo, however, was the marriage of utility, balance, and bright, flashy style. Two of our testers noted how well balanced the carabiner is: It鈥檚 just the right thickness to feel natural in hand while belaying, while the twist-lock gate is reliable and responsive. The barrel is a good, grabbable size鈥攊t just feels solid under your thumb. 鈥淢any locking carabiners, particularly auto-lockers, seem to suffer from a lack of friction on the sleeve or have over- or undersized sleeves,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淭he Superfly seems to walk a perfect line of these two attributes, making repetitive operation seamless.鈥� Also noteworthy are the bright color schemes鈥攚ith the fluorescent turquoise-and-green Superfly Evo, you鈥檒l never have any trouble finding the carabiner and belay device amidst the chaos of your crag pack.

Bottom Line: The Superfly Evo is an ergonomic crag companion for belaying and gym climbing. It鈥檚 also small, portable, and multi-functional enough for other general locking-carabiner use (anchors, etc.).

Wild Country Zero Friends cams ($230 for 0.1鈥�0.3 set, $230 for 0.4鈥�0.75 set)

Weight: 1.8鈥�2.91 oz
Pros: Buttery-smooth trigger action; Cable stem flexes but still has enough heft to reduce floppiness, allowing for deep placements; Extendable sling reduces the number of draws you need to carry
Cons: Spendy (though $5 cheaper per cam than a competing brand鈥檚 thin-crack pro)

Duane Raleigh was the perfect tester for these cams鈥攈e鈥檚 been climbing for 49 years, since the pre-cam era鈥攕o he鈥檚 seen every generation of spring-loaded camming device since the original Wild Country Friends came out in the late 1970s. He took these sleek, thin-crack pieces out to a local granite area, the Narrows, near Carbondale, Colorado, to test on its bottoming cracks and funky seams. 鈥淭he Zeros were excellent in micro placements,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he stem flexes to keep rope drag and flex to a minimum, yet is stiff enough for easy triggering.鈥� He also appreciated the teeth machined into the cams鈥� non-anodized working faces, noting how well these helped placements stay put. By comparison, Raleigh said, he 鈥渦sed cams with anodized cam faces and they skipped around; I hated them.鈥� As with comparable, high-end thin-crack pro (Metolius Master Cams, Black Diamond Camalot Z4s), the Zeros will ding your wallet, but after months of testing, the trigger action remained buttery, justifying the cash outlay for a full set.

Bottom Line: The Zero Friends are for trad climbs with thin pro and where a narrow head width and semi-flexible stem are key, as in Eldorado seams, Yosemite thin cracks, and Gunks horizontals.

How to Buy

Climbing gear is such a vast category, but we always come back to the obvious: What is your intended use for the gear? And: Is the gear built for that use?

Weight

For climbers, the primary consideration with hardware is almost always weight. You have to schlepp the gear to the cliff, and then clip it to your harness or carry it in a multi-pitch pack. Thus, a school of thought that lighter is better has emerged, and manufacturers seem to be constantly on the hunt for ways to lighten their gear; in fact, they鈥檒l sometimes offer a regular and an ultralight version of the same product.

Durability

What buyers sometimes fail to consider, however, is that lighter doesn鈥檛 by default equal better; it just equals better in certain situations, typically for alpine climbing, multi-pitch climbing, or onsight cragging where you鈥檙e placing pro or hanging draws. And there鈥檚 the physical reality that lighter gear鈥攈ollowed-out or drilled-out metal, thinner-diameter slings and ropes, smaller pulleys and belay devices, etc.鈥攚ill be less resistant to wear-and-tear, thus prone to wearing out more quickly, or even, under extreme forces, failure. In certain cases, beefier gear that鈥檚 more resistant to friction may in fact be better, and usually only adds a pound or two of weight in your pack, a minor consideration for front-country climbing.

Materials

Finally, there鈥檚 been the recent acknowledgement that the ores we use to make metal aren鈥檛 infinite, and that the nylon and other synthetic fibers in our slings, quickdraw dogbones, and ropes comes from another nonrenewable resource: oil. There鈥檚 also the fact that the dyes and processes used to make our gear bright, smooth, and sexy鈥攁s with anodization鈥攃reate toxic byproducts, and may not be necessary. So if environmental impact is a consideration for you, there are now more options than ever.

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The听green one-pound propane bottles we all use to feed our car-camping stoves are as ubiquitous in the outdoor world as leather hiking听boots and two-pole dome tents, but they come with more than their fair share of problems. The biggest one? They鈥檙e incredibly difficult to recycle, and听like most single-use items, they only serve us for a short time before ending up听in the landfill.听You鈥檙e probably听familiar with the 20-pound propane tanks folks use to grill, which you can听either take to get refilled or cheaply听swap out for a fresh one.

So, why can鈥檛 you do the same with the smaller, more portable options? For starters, it鈥檚 dangerous to top off one-pound propane tanks that aren鈥檛 specifically designed to be refilled鈥攁lso known as 鈥攁s a result of听their听thinner walls. And if the threat of an exploding steel canister isn鈥檛 enough to make you think twice, can land you some major fines and even prison time, so steer clear. There are better alternatives听out there. Consider one of these reusable tanks for your next camping trip.

Best Propane Tanks for Camping

Ignik Gas Growler Deluxe ($150)

滨驳苍颈办鈥檚 听hits a sweet spot between the one-pound cans that only last for听a few days of cooking and the cumbersome 20-pounders. It鈥檚听packed in a durable, easy-carrying canvas case as small as a stowed four-person backpacking tent, making it听my favorite听option for car camping. With five times the volume of the disposable canisters, it lasted for听more than a week of breakfast and dinner stove use. A four-foot hose (which packs into the carrying case) connects it to all your standard propane appliances. You鈥檒l need to find a place that听refills propane tanks, like a propane distributor or some gas stations.听But a full recharge in Boulder, Colorado, only set me back $5鈥攋ust a buck or two听more than the DOT 39 cylinders. The initial investment, even for the tank without the case ($100), is disproportionately steep, though. Hardware stores often carry听a selection of different-size听tanks听as well, which can be refilled and used in the same way as the Ignik.听But for a durable, ready-to-use package, the Gas Growler Deluxe is worth the cash.

Flame King One-Pound听Refillable Cylinder and听Refill Kit ($45)

Unlike most common one-pounders, this is rated for refilling and perfect for those who require听less gas. The kit comes with a stand to flip and elevate your 20-pound tank (which you鈥檒l use to refill the smaller one), an adapter, and the refillable bottle. The adapter is easy听to use, and thanks to a valve of its own, it prevents the slow leaks that can occur with听simpler devices. Plus, a bleeder hole in the bottle鈥攏ot a feature you鈥檒l find on听the disposable variety鈥攎eans you can load up the bottle without fear of overfilling it听or needing to weigh it. Follow directions, wear hand protection, and steer clear of any flames.

If that sounds like too much of a hassle, brands like are offering to swap out one-pound canisters (many of which are manufactured by Flame King) at a handful of California locations. Their exchanges typically cost听between $8 and $9听per one-pound bottle. , a San Francisco Bay Area chain, sells Flame King bottles at cost, then refills them听for听free for听members听and for听$2听for nonmembers.

An Exchangeable 20-Pound Tank听

For someone in search of the highest level of convenience and听savings鈥攅specially听vanlifers, longer-term car campers, and听those with bigger rigs鈥攚ho said you can鈥檛 just tote along the 20-pounder living under your backyard grill? You鈥檒l have enough propane to last weeks, and it can simply be swapped out for a full tank at just about any grocery store or gas station for around $20 (buying the tank听generally costs around $50). One common misconception with larger tanks is that you鈥檒l need a separate regulator to keep the flow of gas to a manageable level.听Don鈥檛 worry: these tanks have them built in.

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For my 30th birthday, my dad got me a . Before that my woodworking experience had been limited to assembling IKEA furniture and installing prefab shelves鈥斅璱ncidentally, with a drill my dad bought me for my 29th birthday. He would appear to be sending me a message.

I took the saw out of the box, carefully spun the toothy blade, and decided that I was going to learn how to use this tool. When my dad was my age, he was fram颅ing walls and building cabinets. By contrast, I recently had to google simple carpentry terms while editing a story about a couple of guys who raised a cabin in the woods. I wasn鈥檛 looking to become a master builder, but I thought that having some basic skills would make me feel like a more competent person.

A planter box would be my first project. But it was weeks before I started to build it. First I had to set up a workbench, something that required multiple ill-informed Home Depot visits and calls to my dad. His shopping list included screws, which seemed simple enough. Not so much. I had no idea there were: wood screws, deck screws, sheet-metal screws, Torx head, Phillips head, all in dozens of lengths and diameters. I bought five kinds, just in case. I also immersed myself in YouTube how-tos, which were quite soothing until the mustached hosts started saying things like 鈥淒on鈥檛 forget to square the end of your dimensional lumber.鈥� Time to FaceTime Dad again.

After five trips to the hardware store (fun fact: circular saws don鈥檛 always come with their own battery or charger), I finally was able to start using my saw. I practiced rip cuts鈥攄ividing the board lengthwise鈥攐n my homemade jig, which helps keep the cuts straight. Once I got over the fear of slicing off a finger, I was delighted by how smooth it felt. The blade went through the wood like butter. I made cut after cut until I got the hang of it.

Things became less fun when I actually started building the planter. I fretted over every 16th of an inch while calculating the dimensions of the frame pieces, then wound up ripping half of them too wide. Frustrated, I tried to put together the planter with my motley assemblage anyway. I drilled and glued the uneven panels, and though I had to recut a couple of them to fit, it was easier to figure out what I needed to trim with the box taking shape in front of me. Even though the pieces were slightly off, the planter came together.

This imperfect perfection surprised me. I usually conduct endless research before trying something new, instead of figuring out what I鈥檓 doing wrong along the way. It was by actually making the planter, not by watching five more YouTube videos, that I began to get a grasp of woodworking and gain confidence, as if slowly becoming conversational in a once foreign language.

I realized that I had fallen into the trap of preparing too much. The finished product wasn鈥檛 exactly a masterpiece, but it was sturdy enough to hold a tomato plant. With my newfound knowledge, I was confident that my next project would take half the time, and be twice as good.

The post I鈥檇 Never Made Anything in My Life. Then My Dad Sent Me a Saw. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Dion Model听120 Laser LT (starting at $145)

Vermont-based Dion makes some of the lightest, most versatile running snowshoe on the market. The frames themselves are lightweight for a model built for speed, at only 1.3听pounds, and, depending on the conditions, you can swap out the standard cleat for ice or deep-snow models. The easy-to-use but sturdy听bindings stay put across long distances, but if you鈥檙e not a fan, simply use a drill and some basic hardware to mount the LTs to your favorite trail runners.

Crescent Moon Luna Foam Shoe听($120)

A few years ago, Crescent Moon debuted the Eva, the first-ever all-foam snowshoe, which one tester called 鈥渁 fat bike for your feet.鈥� The Luna is a smaller version, at听seven by 20 inches compared to the Eva鈥檚 eight by 24, but it has just as much cushion and a similar rockered shape, plus optional screw-in studs that offer extra traction in icy conditions. Not that you鈥檒l be getting rid of it anytime soon, but when you do, it鈥檚 recyclable through athletic-shoe recycling programs.听

Atlas Helium-Trail ($140)

It鈥檚 not often that snowshoe companies come out with all-new models, so testers were excited about Atlas鈥檚 new-to-market Helium series of backcountry, all-mountain, and trail-walking models. Our favorite, the Trail, is an all-purpose composite snowshoe that comes in 23- and 26-inch sizes and flexes gently as you walk. Steel crampons keep you upright on icy terrain, traction is built into the deck for stability, and an easy-to-flip-up heel lift takes the edge off of steep climbs.

TSL Highlander Adjust听($250)

A fantastic all-around snowshoe, the French-made TSL Highlander Adjust comes in three sizes. Once you鈥檝e selected your model, a one-time adjustment fits the binding to the length of your entire boot. From that first use onwards, all you have to do is step into the binding, cinch the Boa down across your toes, and secure a strap around your ankle. 鈥淚 had the entire system set to accommodate my boots in less than two minutes,鈥� said one tester, who added that the Adjusts were also nimble and confident on spring melt, ice, hardpack, and deep drifts.

Garneau Premiere Premi猫re听($245)

The company has updated its popular Premi猫re听backcountry snowshoes with a new Boa closure system听that tightens the binding uniformly around the toe and heel with the twist of a single knob鈥攏o pulling straps or fiddling with buckles required. Available in two sizes, the Premi猫re听proved well-designed for breaking trail through deep snow.

Northern Lites Honey Badger ($299)

If you鈥檝e ever been in a situation where you needed snowshoes and ice crampons, what you really needed was the Honey Badger. Named after the world鈥檚 鈥渕ost fearless animal,鈥� these snowshoes feature aggressive鈥攙ery sharp, very long鈥攕tainless-steel cleats from toe to heel to keep you steady on slick, steep surfaces. And at only 25 inches long and 3.75 pounds, they鈥檙e not unwieldy or too heavy, although testers who weigh more than 175 pounds may want a bigger snowshoe or risk sinking in deep powder.

The post The Best Snowshoes of 2021 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Death and danger are inexorable facts of summiting Mount听Everest, but a longtime听guide thinks a new system听can听help prevent听one of the most common issues there: high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).听Lukas听Furtenbach,听who has been running expeditions in the Himalayas since 2001 and founded Furtenbach 国产吃瓜黑料s in 2014, plans to implement听a new pulse oximeter听system on Everest during the 2021 season that, he claims, will make climbing听the world鈥檚 tallest peak as safe as flying. (The odds of dying on Everest are about , compared to听about in a plane crash.) Whether that听is听true or not remains to be seen.

Dr. Leo Montejo, an anesthesiologist and founder of the telemedicine company WiCis, created a system to track climbers鈥� health metrics on the move using I-Streme, an Android app he developed that sends live data via satellite back to Base Camp, and a Nonin WristOx2 3150 pulse oximeter. In 2019, Dr. Montejo brought a version of the system to Furtenbach to test with his team on Everest. They鈥檝e since parted ways to develop different versions of the system.

Pulse oximeters measure oxygen saturation (SpO2) by calculating the percentage of the blood鈥檚 hemoglobin with oxygen attached to it. At sea level, 94 to 100 percent saturation is considered normal; at, say, 18,000 feet (just above Base Camp),听a climber鈥檚 oxygen saturation听might range from 60 to 90 percent on supplemental oxygen. Saturations below that range suggest听hypoxia and, in theory, could point to the onset of illnesses like HAPE, an accumulation of fluid in the lungs that can be deadly. Pulse oximeters aren鈥檛 new鈥攖hey鈥檙e prevalent among hang-glider pilots and balloonists, and听doctors use them to monitor patients with lung disease or, lately, COVID-19. But on Everest, their use has generally been limited to Base Camp readings to gauge acclimatization. That鈥檚 partly due to a technology gap that听the new听system may be closing.

Furtenbach notes that听sensors in use today听don鈥檛听work when climbers are active,听which is the most essential time to gauge saturation. 鈥淪pO2 is the main indicator for whether somebody鈥檚 developing altitude-related health problems, like HAPE,鈥� he says. If guides and Sherpas听can constantly measure a climber鈥檚 oxygen-saturation听levels while they鈥檙e active, Furtenbach鈥檚 thinking goes, they听can keep a better eye on clients and use the readings as a data-based impetus to increase oxygen flow or turn back at-risk climbers before the summit. In the past, Furtenbach says, making these types of decisions 鈥渨as always not based on facts, it was always a decision based on our experience鈥攈ard to understand for the client. Now we can just show the听numbers and say, 鈥業t would not be wise if you go on.鈥欌��

Furtenbach鈥檚 team, which operates on Everest鈥檚 north side,听tested the system last year with one of the team鈥檚 guides, three clients, and Dr. Montejo acting as expedition doctor. Climbers using the oximeter wear a sensor on a听finger inside gloves that Furtenbach adapted and a large display on their wrist outside their down suit. As with all climbers who are using supplemental oxygen, a regulator is attached to听a听backpack strap. The new system, which utilizes Summit Oxygen cylinders and mask, allows a flow rate of听up to eight liters per minute, according to Furtenbach, an increase听from the standard maximum rate of four liters per minute. With one element still in testing, wearers听sleeping in the higher camps wake to听the system鈥檚听vibrating alarm听if oxygen-saturation听levels drop below some preset critical value (typically about 85 percent, though the number is individualized for each climber). Furtenbach says that everything worked well during these on-mountain tests.听(He has since switched to another app, still in development, which he hopes will work better at very high altitudes.)

A complementary benefit of the system could be to conserve supplemental oxygen. 鈥淏ecause we don鈥檛 say you climb on four liters a minute听or whatever,鈥� Furtenbach explains. 鈥淲e say you climb on the oxygen-flow rate that your body needs. And this is very individual.鈥�

Protocol for using the oximeter is theoretically straightforward. Sherpas check clients鈥� oxygen-saturation听readings every ten minutes and, if necessary, adjust oxygen flow. When satellite connections allow, real-time data also streams down to Base Camp,听where听an expedition doctor听monitors and radios guides if someone鈥檚 numbers are consistently low (when the connection fails, guides radio down to base camp. In such cases, a climber鈥檚 Sherpa will increase the oxygen-flow rate by half a liter per minute, as many as three times. If there鈥檚 no improvement, they鈥檇 likely decide to turn a client back.听

This听method, however, strikes some as problematic. 鈥淭o make a decision about the safety of a climber based solely on a number appearing on display on the outside of a glove at听minus 30 degrees听Celsius seems to me to be closer to reckless than safe,鈥� says听Monica Piris, an expedition doctor for Alpenglow Expeditions, a rival guiding company.听鈥淪imilarly, titrating someone鈥檚 oxygen flow based on this number also seems crazy. People who are using supplementary oxygen to climb Everest should be using as much oxygen as they possibly can.鈥�

Dr. Piris considers pulse oximeters fickle devices in the best mountaineering circumstances. Readings bounce around constantly from motion, which blurs readings, or from poor circulation in cold fingers.听Below 80 percent saturation, levels in which Everest climbers typically live, readings听become less accurate. (At this point, the data is no longer based on comparisons to actual blood samples done in labs, and pulse-oximeter companies aren鈥檛 required by the FDA to report data below 70 percent saturation.)听The new sensor, made听by Nonin and designed especially for active measurement, works 鈥減erfectly鈥澨齱hile climbing in the cold, Furtenbach听says.听

Yet even if oxygen-saturation听numbers are accurate, the spectrum of well-being that oxygen saturation indicates varies so widely between individuals that it鈥檚听impossible to create a one-size-fits-all protocol. The main crevasse for Furtenbach鈥檚 team to hurdle is that there鈥檚 still no consensus for normal oxygenation ranges on Everest. Because pulse oximeters have never been used while summiting, Dr. Piris notes that 鈥渨e have no idea if it鈥檚 normal to summit with saturations in the fifties, in the seventies, or in the forties.鈥�

The new system still bears promise. 鈥淚t鈥檚 potentially great,鈥� says Peter Hackett, a pioneer in altitude research and director of the Institute for Altitude Medicine, who has also summited Everest. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no question in my mind that it makes the climb safer, because they can diagnose pulmonary edema more quickly. That鈥檚 the main reason. In cases of HAPE, SpO2 will always be very low.鈥澨�

A lot goes into an oxygen-saturation听reading, and while useful, the听data听can be deceptive. If a climber takes a few big breaths at 18,000 feet elevation, Dr.听Hackett says, their reading听might jump from 70 to 80. During active climbing, oxygen saturation drops, because red blood cells go through the lungs more quickly when you exercise. There isn鈥檛 enough time for them to equalize with the oxygen in your lungs. Any pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen at your fingertip in a given moment, oxygen that was in your lungs about 30 seconds earlier. The lag time makes it tricky for guides to interpret the number, depending on whether they鈥檙e looking for oxygenation while you鈥檙e active or at rest. (It would likely be difficult, given the terrain, for a guide to reach a client in time to observe active oxygenation.) And some people are just shallow听breathers at high altitude, so their numbers will always be lower. It doesn鈥檛 mean they鈥檒l have problems.

These complexities may turn thorny when guides and clients become too reliant on oxygen saturation听to direct their actions. 鈥淚f a climber wants to show their听guide that their number is high,鈥� Dr.听Hackett notes, 鈥渁ll they听have听to do is take three or four big breaths.鈥澨�

Two-time Everest summiter听Kuntal Joisher, who is based in Mumbai, India, and who watched Furtenbach testing the new pulse oximeter at听the north-side Base Camp last year, feels that such a device would only complicate his climb. Joisher says he would have to听take oxygen-saturation numbers into account contextually but would never change oxygen flow based on that alone.听

鈥淚f I鈥檓 very near the summit,鈥� Joisher says, 鈥渕y decision would be very different than if I鈥檓 very far from the summit. That device does not know where I am. Knowing Lukas, I鈥檓 sure he鈥檚 going to be really rigorous and diligent about using the oximeter. But you still need to know what you鈥檙e doing as a guide, as a Sherpa. You need to understand how to look at a client, how to talk to a client, and how to understand where the client is.鈥澨�

Like Dr. Hackett, Joisher believes oxygen saturation is best used in tandem with听other symptoms: headache, nausea, fatigue, loss of mental acuity. 鈥淟et鈥檚 say you look at a client and think, Man, this guy鈥檚 knackered, he鈥檚 not acclimatizing,鈥澨齁oisher says. 鈥淭hen you look at the reading and see the oxygen saturation is 55. So you know, OK, what I鈥檓 thinking is actually true, let鈥檚 ask this guy to turn around. Instead of saying, 鈥楬ey let鈥檚 look at the reading. It鈥檚 55. You need to go down,鈥櫶齧aybe it鈥檚 just a malfunction. Maybe they鈥檙e听just tired, and if they rest听a bit, they鈥檒l improve.鈥�

鈥淭he SpO2 and HR [heart-rate]听readings would be just one part of the decision-making process,鈥� Furtenbach says of his team鈥檚 plan for the system. 鈥淏ut a very substantial one, since biometrics don鈥檛 lie, and the devices don鈥檛听have听emotions, summit fever, or other motives.鈥�

In the meantime, Dr. Hackett鈥檚听advice to Furtenbach听is: collect data, get some experience, and empirically try to determine the oxygen levels at which climbers perform well. 鈥淟ook at it as a research project, because we just don鈥檛 know,鈥� Dr. Hackett says. 鈥淎t this point, it definitely has to be considered experimental. I would consider using them to make on-mountain decisions听a bit dicey.鈥�

Furtenbach thinks the pulse ox system is ready for climbers, though his team is using the lack of a 2020 Everest season to field-test other sensor additions to monitor metrics like heart rate and hydration levels. 鈥淓verybody will be using this on our team next season,鈥� he says, although he agrees that more use and data will help perfect the system. 鈥淲e would like some more experience with clients, because not many people have used it so far.鈥� Furtenbach would听like to have at least one full season using the pulse oximeter with a dozen听to two dozen听climbers before making another round of tweaks, which he suspects would enable Furtenbach 国产吃瓜黑料s to offer the system as a whole package, including software and hardware, for other teams to use in future seasons.

Joisher thinks the new system might听prove听most helpful to Sherpas who don鈥檛 know their clients鈥� abilities well on commercial expeditions like Furtenbach鈥檚. It would give them another piece of information for smart decision-making. As for himself, he prefers the hard-won data of pure experience. 鈥淗aving that good trust, having that good partnership, that鈥檚 the style I like,鈥� Joisher听says.听鈥淚 don鈥檛 like depending on technology so much. I don鈥檛 see this as being a game changer.鈥澨�

Other guiding companies may consider incorporating the system into their protocol if it becomes available in 2022 or beyond. 鈥淥verall, I think more data is better than less,鈥� Adrian Ballinger, founder of Alpenglow Expeditions and a friendly rival to Furtenbach, concedes. 鈥淪o if it鈥檚 possible to get accurate pulse-oximeter information on a real-time basis, that sounds great. But I鈥檓 not sure it would significantly change my decision-making. Climbing Everest with a fully certified guide company that runs the mountain in an ethical way, with small groups and low client-guide听ratios, is incredibly safe as it is.鈥�

The post The Tech That Could Make Climbing Everest Safer appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The satellite-messaging market听has two major players: Spot听and Garmin, with the latter claiming most of the market share. For a product that鈥檚 now ubiquitous and high dollar (largely due to subscription revenue), I鈥檇 like to see more brands competing and innovating in this space.

There is a new one that鈥檚 worth consideration: the听听($200, 5.3 ounces), which debuted in January. It鈥檚 priced, constructed, and engineered well,听and it provides a significantly improved messaging experience for both the user and their contacts. (Another option is听the new Global Hotspot from , though I have not had the opportunity to review this model.)

When the听Garmin InReach Mini听($350, 3.5 ounces) was released two years ago, it seemed like the holy grail, providing听reliable two-way messaging, location-based weather forecasting, and functional GPS navigation in a palm-size听package. The Zoleo听satellite communicator is 40 percent heavier and lacks any navigation features (which is fine鈥攋ust use听Gaia GPS), but it outperforms the InReach in its core function: messaging.

The Zoleo听platform, which is comprised of the device and the app, offers seamless communication across all connection methods. From the听app, texts and email听can be sent over cellular service or Wi-Fi and, if combined with the communicator, over听satellite. In comparison, an InReach owner must use at least two messaging apps听(one for the front country, like Google Voice, and Garmin Earthmate听for backcountry), often resulting in disjointed conversations and missed messages, especially for thru-hikers, avid weekend warriors, international travelers, and residents of rural areas who bounce regularly between the front听and backcountry.

Like the InReach devices, Zoleo听relies on the Iridium satellite听network, which offers听true global coverage. While testing the Zoleo, messages cleared the device within minutes.

Key Product Specs

• Two-way satellite messaging
• Global coverage with the Iridium satellite network
• 5.3听ounces听(150 grams),听plus 0.3 ounce听for optional carabiner
• $200听for the device, plus required monthly service plan听($20 to $50 per month, or $4 per month to hold)

Device Activation

Before taking Zoleo听into the field, register the device and select a听.听Then download the听,听and sync the device with your smartphone.

The听website is well designed in terms of both its aesthetics and intuitiveness, and I successfully sent my first message about 30听minutes after unboxing the device.

Sending and Receiving Messages

Messages can be sent directly with the communicator听or using the app (which connects to the unit via Bluetooth).

From the device, two form听messages can be sent: SOS and check-in/OK.

Custom texts and email听can also be sent and received from the app. SMS is capped at 160 characters,听email at 200; however, when both the sender and the recipient听use听the听app (which is free, even without purchase), the caps increase听to 950 characters, or the equivalent of about six text messages.

For receiving messages, each Zoleo听owner is given a dedicated phone number and a Zoleo.com email address. I gave this information to my contacts, who could then send me messages via听any device or platform鈥攑hone,听computer, InReach, or another Zoleo device. Custom messages can only be viewed in the app.听

This configuration is much simpler than the听听required to send听messages to an InReach unit.

Seamless Messaging

The Zoleo听app can send texts and email听with cellular, Wi-Fi, or satellite connections听and is therefore equally functional in the front country and backcountry. This prevents having to migrate听conversations to a different app when you enter or leave the backcountry听and eliminates any missing messages that were sent using听the wrong platform.

As an example, here is a seamless conversation I had with my friend听Dave, sent over听Wi-Fi and satellite:

The Hardware

The 5.3-ounce听device听is about the size of a small digital camera (3.58听by听2.6 by听1.06 inches) and lacks the InReach鈥檚听awkwardly protruding antenna. It鈥檚 powered by听a lithium-ion battery听and will last more than 200听hours while checking for messages every 12 minutes. The operating temperature range is minus 4 degrees to 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

The exterior is made of rubberized plastic, which听offers a good balance of weight, durability, and grip. It鈥檚 shock-,听dust-, and water-resistant.

The unit does not have a screen. To convey activity, it instead relies on cheery beeps and four LED lights, which听blink or stay solid in four colors. The meanings of the beeps and lights are mostly intuitive, but until you have them memorized, pack the Quick Start Guide or use the app.

The SOS button is well guarded by a hinged door. An accidental depressing of the SOS button is unlikely, though I鈥檇 be comforted if its snap closure required more force to open.

Zoleo听Versus the Competition

Zoleo听enters a market dominated by听two other brands: Spot听and Garmin. I don鈥檛 recommend the 听($250, 7 ounces).听Garmin鈥檚 InReach service is available in four devices,听my favorite of which is the , because it鈥檚 the lightest and least expensive option while retaining the functionality of听the other units (assuming it鈥檚 paired to a smartphone).

How does the Zoleo听stack up against the Garmin InReach Mini?

Messaging: Zoleo听Wins

The messaging reliability seems about the same between my InReach and the Zoleo. Since both use the Iridium network, this is what you鈥檇 expect.

Otherwise, the Zoleo听messaging experience is better in every way. Messaging is centralized in the app听rather than, as in Garmin鈥檚 case,听split between conventional messaging apps when using cell service or Wi-Fi听and the Garmin Earthmate app when using the听device. This makes听conversations continuous, and no incoming messages get missed.

As an added perk, if your contacts send and receive messages from you through the free听app, they can contain up to 950 characters, whereas the InReach鈥檚 max is 160.

Extra Functionality: InReach听Wins (Maybe)

The InReach device听offers GPS navigation through the device itself (though the Mini and SE+ are limited due to screen size and a lack of built-in mapping) and听in the Earthmate app. The Zoleo听completely omits this functionality. I think that鈥檚 fine听since I use听听anyway.

Zoleo also omits location tracking, whereas with Garmin, it can be set to a specific frequency,听like every ten听minutes. As a hiker, I don鈥檛 particularly see the value in this service (as opposed to, say, a pilot or sea kayaker), but I know that some backpackers do use it.

Both devices have location-specific weather forecasting. Here is the screenshot from the Zoleo听app:

The Hardware: InReach Mini Wins

The InReach Mini has two advantages over Zoleo. First, it鈥檚 just 3.5 ounces鈥�33 percent lighter. Second, and more importantly, the Mini has a small screen that more clearly displays its status and any received messages听and can be used to send messages (albeit using its painfully slow virtual keyboard). This latter use is probably rare, since the Mini will most often be tethered to a smartphone, but it鈥檚 a nice option to have just in case.

The single advantage of the Zoleo on this front听is its $200听price, which is $150听less than the Mini. I tend not to put too much stock in the retail price of these units, however, since its lifetime cost is largely determined by the monthly service fees.

Service Plans: Toss-Up

Garmin currently has听, all of which include a $25 annual fee and allow you to pause your subscription during the off-season.

• Safety: $144 per year, or $15 per month
• Recreation: $300 pear year, or $35 per month
• Expedition: $600 per year, or $65 per month听

The Safety plan includes unlimited preset messages but only ten听custom messages (and 50 cents per overage).听Tracking, location requests, and weather forecasts are available but are charged 脿听la carte. With the Expedition plan, everything is essentially unlimited. The Recreation plan falls听in between, with 40 custom messages per month and unlimited tracking and location requests, but听premium weather is still 脿听la carte.

Zoleo also听has听.

• Basic: $240 per year, or $20 per month
• In Touch: $420 per year, or $35 per month
• Unlimited: $600 per year, or $50 per month
• Month-to-month plans are charged a $4 per month hold fee, which is similar to Garmin鈥檚 $25 annual fee for its Freedom Plans.听

The Basic plan includes 25 messages total,听both standard听and custom. For anything beyond just-in-case听use, the In Touch plan is more realistic鈥攊t includes 250 messages, which is听eight times more than Garmin鈥檚 mid-tier Recreation plan. Unlimited is the final option听and fairly named.

The post A Backpacker Tests Zoleo’s New Satellite Communicator appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

You鈥檙e heading up to the mountains for the weekend听and a storm hits. A sign flashes across the roadway: chains required ahead. Uh-oh. Chain control isn鈥檛 something you can bypass or ignore. If your car can鈥檛 make it over the snowy, icy roads safely, you鈥檙e not going anywhere.

Most chain-control checkpoints require you to have either a four-wheel-drive vehicle with adequate snow tires or chains properly installed. If you have 4WD but no snow tires, prepare to chain up. Some states require by law that you carry tire chains in your car if you鈥檙e driving in snow country鈥攚hether you have 4WD or not. Other states听that don鈥檛 regularly have wintry conditions听prohibit the use of chains because they can damage roads if听used when they鈥檙e not needed.听So听check your听 before you head into snowy or icy conditions. We called up Steve Nelson, public information officer for the California Department of Transportation, for advice on what you need to know before听chaining up.听

Pick Up Tire Chains (the Right Ones)

If you鈥檙e renting a car, the rental company may provide them; otherwise, before you head into the mountains. You can鈥檛 purchase chains at a checkpoint鈥攁lthough you can often pay to get them installed there. Most tire shops and some well-equipped gas stations sell chains. Check your tire size in the manual (or on the tires themselves if they鈥檙e aftermarket) to make sure you get the right fit.听You鈥檒l likely only need to install chains (sold in pairs) on two of your tires: the back two if you鈥檝e got rear-wheel drive听and听the front two if you鈥檝e got front-wheel drive.听Refer to your manufacturer鈥檚 recommendations for听all-wheel drive.听It鈥檚 best to consult a professional when purchasing to make sure you get the right size and chain pattern for your vehicle.

Carry Emergency Supplies

鈥淐arry blankets, gloves, warm layers, extra food, and water鈥� if you鈥檙e headed into snow country, says Nelson. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l also want a full tank of gas and fully charged phones. There can be times when we have to shut down the interstate, and you鈥檙e stuck out there. So come prepared for anything.鈥� Make sure you鈥檝e got a sturdy pair of gloves in your trunk for installing chains. Leather hardware-store staples, like ($18), get the job done, or if it鈥檚 really wet out, you might opt for a waterproof, insulated glove, like ($13).

Practice Before You Go

In limited places, chain installation at checkpoints is available for about $30 (removal will cost about听$20).听But in most cases, you鈥檒l need to be able to install them yourself.听鈥淲e always tell people to do a dry run, putting on your chains before you actually go out,鈥� says Nelson. 鈥淧ractice听in your driveway. You don鈥檛 want to be out there in nasty weather and wind doing this for the first time in your life.鈥� Each set of chains comes with instructions, and there are plenty of听 to help you along. Or stop into your local tire shop for a demo.

Chain Up

Find a safe place to pull over on the side of the road. 鈥淭he biggest thing is to pull all the way off the shoulder into the designated areas we鈥檝e provided for installing chains,鈥� says Nelson. Straighten your wheels, lock your parking brake, untangle your chains, and lay them flat on the ground. The plastic instruction sheet that comes with your chains can be good to kneel on while you work. Place the chains over the top of the tire, making sure they鈥檙e centered. Clasp the attachment system鈥攂e it a hook or clamp鈥攐n the outside of the tire, facing you. Tighten and lock, following the specific instructions for your chains. Depending on what type you have, you听may need to roll the car forward a foot or so to secure them entirely. Once they鈥檙e on, drive a car鈥檚 length, then stop and check to make sure they鈥檙e snug and locked properly.

Take It听Slow

Chains aren鈥檛 meant for fast driving. 鈥淚n chain control, the speed limit is usually 25 miles per hour,鈥� says Nelson. 鈥淪low down and drive for the conditions.鈥� Pull off the road听if you hear any clanging or loud metal sounds鈥攖hat鈥檚 a clear indicator that something needs your attention.

Remove the Chains

When signs indicate that听chain control has been lifted or roads are dry, it鈥檚 time to remove your chains. Leaving your chains on when there鈥檚 no snow or ice on the road can damage the road, and in , it鈥檚听against the law. 鈥淲e always have chain-on and chain-off stations that will be signed and marked,鈥� says Nelson. Once again, 鈥減ull over and look for the designated wide shoulders and safe locations.鈥� When you get where you鈥檙e going, be sure to hang your chains in a warm, dry place so they don鈥檛 rust.听

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In the business world, people often refer to lifetime value.听It means the long-term worth听of a customer who will return and purchase several times听over the course of their life听because they love your products. Take Patagonia for example. The lifetime value of its customers is 听because the company has built incredible brand loyalty where customers come back time and again for quality outdoor clothing听(and to support the other work Patagonia does).听

For me, lifetime value has become a handy way to think about the value of gear itself. Instead of thinking about the immediate worth of whatever I鈥檓 buying, I like to consider the lifespan and number of times that gear will get used. The longer the potential lifetime value, the more I鈥檓 willing to pay.

This metric is particularly useful when it comes to my everyday carry, since I use it on such a frequent basis. There are knives, wallets, pens, water bottles, notebooks, and sunglasses at nearly every price point, so I have to decide how much I value each product and how often it will serve my needs over the next year, five years, or even the next decade.听And sometimes you have to pay more for听high-quality EDC gear, but in my opinion听it鈥檚 worth it.

As an example of how high I鈥檓 willing to go, I鈥檇 gladly shell out $90听for a wallet because that price buys something like the , which should have a lifespan听of at least a decade. This durability is thanks to its听thick听vegetable-tanned leather build that will put up with a bashing in my pocket鈥攁nd actually look better for the wear over time. There鈥檚 also added value, because Bellroy designed the Hide and听Seek to be slender. That slimness forces me to be thoughtful about what cards I carry and spurs me to deal with those reimbursement receipts quicker than normal. Less space means more organization. I鈥檓 not that worried about people stealing my personal info, but the RFID blocker is an added bonus.

There are plenty of $30 knife听options that will open cardboard boxes, slice lunch cheese, and whittle a stick. But I often opt to pay at least twice as much because for $70 I can get something like the . Built with high-quality components like a carbon-fiber handle and a steel blade that holds an edge exceptionally well, I can use this knife again and again and never worry about breaking or damaging it. That鈥檚 not something you can say about cheaper models that dull out significantly faster and have hardware that鈥檚 prone to breaking. With a three-inch blade and a 4.26-inch length when folded, the Terminus fits perfectly in my pocket, and the linear grooves in the handle improve听grip and ensure I don鈥檛 have any mishaps.听

When it comes to pens, most have a lifetime worth听of almost zilch. They get used a couple times and then get lost. One way to increase the value is to buy a more expensive pen that you鈥檒l use frequently听and won鈥檛 misplace. At $25 the ain鈥檛 cheap, but it鈥檚 not ridiculously priced听either. It鈥檚 made from stainless steel and is nearly indesctructible,听unlike your standard BIC, which will leak if you bash it around too much in your backpack. And like any more expensive pen, it鈥檚 also refillable.

No good watch is cheap, but I think the strikes the perfect balance when it comes to lifetime value. For $450 you get a gorgeous, simple, maintenance-free听quartz-movement timepiece that will keep you on time for decades. Short of crushing the watch with a bulldozer, it will also put up with endless abuse with a stainless-steel case and sapphire crystal face that鈥檚 nearly impossible to scratch. As you would expect, it鈥檚 waterproof to 100 meters, and the simple but sturdy rubber band looks good dressed down or up.

Speaking of abuse, there鈥檚 probably no one item in your everyday carry that gets more beat up than your water bottle. We drop them on the pavement, drag them around in bags, forget to wash out that breakfast smoothie, etc. That鈥檚 why I always advocate for the most sturdy bottle possible鈥攕omething like the 听($50). The strength comes from鈥攜ou guessed it鈥攁 stainless-steel build and double-wall construction that also keeps your liquids hot or cold for a ludicrously long time.听

When it comes to sunglasses, my hands-down favorite is the . I have regular and prescription pairs, both of which look great (which is important)听and both of which have taken a beating. The prescription pair costs a whopping $400, but I plan to have them for at least the next five years because they won鈥檛 go out of style (lifetime value) and because they鈥檒l ensure I can always see clearly when driving or riding my bike. I will, however, point out that I also see value in glasses like the Huckberry Weekenders that cost just $35. For less than dinner out for two, you听get polarized lenses, a slim fit that stays on during rides, and nice styling that looks good on your way to work. However, if you lose these glasses or run over them with your car鈥攖wo cases that are not unlikely鈥攖hey鈥檙e easy to replace.

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Two heads are better than one, the saying goes. Our friends at Backcountry took that advice to heart when creating their听new climbing collection, teaming up with brands like Black Diamond, Edelweiss, Metolius, and others听to develop a special line of gear. Backcountry also added exclusive in-house apparel to the mix. After a few weeks of testing, here are our takeaways on four key pieces.

Backcountry and听Black Diamond Stone Garden Crag 30 Pack ($130)

I鈥檝e been a fan of ($190) since it came on the market a few years ago. The haul-bag-style construction affords cavernous, no-fuss storage space for my rack, shoes, and rope, yet the front compartment and its smaller inner pockets lend organization for my keys, phone, headlamp, and sunscreen. In its collaboration with Black Diamond, Backcountry took the Creek and, in many ways, made it better with its user-friendly . But there are some things I miss from the original.

First, the pros:听The outer compartment is now on the side of the pack, and听though slightly smaller, it still has as much functional space as I need for accessories I want to keep separate and out of the main body. And kudos for the addition of a dedicated shoe pocket on the bottom; if I have听heavy gear in the main compartment, my kicks get squished when I put the听bag down, but it鈥檚 nice to have them quarantined from the rest of my equipment鈥攅specially at the end of the day when they鈥檙e a bit ripe. One of my favorite features on the Creek is its vertical side zipper, which makes pulling out buried gear much easier. Backcountry didn鈥檛 mess with this too much, but the brand lengthened it into a J zipper, so I can splay the whole pack open and more easily see and access what鈥檚听inside. A small change, but a smart one. What stays the same (thankfully) is the drawcord cinch top, which adds a bit of capacity to accommodate loads larger than the Stone Garden鈥檚 listed 30 liters, and the rope-securing strap over the top.

As for gripes, I would love a more amply padded hipbelt. I have no problems with the Creek鈥檚, but the Stone Garden鈥檚 is more minimalist鈥�just two lightly padded wings with a thin strip of webbing鈥攁nd it digs uncomfortably into my waist if I鈥檓 carrying a lot. (The hook-and-loop closure, as opposed to buckles, is also a bit fussy.) Load lifters on the shoulder straps would听be nice, though to be fair, the Creek 35 doesn鈥檛 have these either. And a thicker back panel between me and poking听carabiners and other hardware wouldn鈥檛 go unappreciated.

Those are minor inconveniences, and overall the Stone Garden gets a thumbs-up from me, particularly on trips to the crag that involve short to midlength approaches. It鈥檚 much the same as one of my favorite climbing packs, with a few intelligent improvements. Not to mention it costs 60 bucks less than the most comparably sized Creek. 鈥擶ill Egensteiner, senior gear editor

Backcountry and听Edelweiss Echo Climbing Rope ($100 and up)

There have been times on lead routes when I鈥檝e longed for a thinner, slinkier rope that didn鈥檛 feel like I was tugging on a thick jib sheet every time I clipped. Backcountry and Edelweiss found the panacea with , a 9.6-millimeter dry-treated rope that鈥檚 a reliable option for the crag and the gym.

After testing the 60-meter version ($160) of the Echo, it pleasantly surprised me. I fully expected a long break-in period, but it felt send ready听after a couple of top-rope laps at the gym. It weighs in at just under eight pounds, which isn鈥檛 ultralight听but also isn鈥檛 heavy. And I didn鈥檛 run into any problems when packing it. Unlike the stiff ropes that seem to twist and coil on their own terms, the Echo flaked into my burrito bag with ease, and coiling it was never a headache. I love the feel of a broken-in cord (minus the grime that coats your hands after one belay), and after only a handful of sessions, the Echo felt fluid and familiar鈥攍ike a rope I鈥檝e used for months on end.

The Echo also has a dry-treated sheath, which is what you want when Mother Nature throws you a wet curveball. Climbing in foul weather is never ideal, but I鈥檝e gone through my fair share of surprise sufferfest-type conditions, like听belaying my partner from above in a wet storm (in which pulling the soggy听line felt like hauling up concrete bags)听and rainy rappels where a dry-treated rope like the Echo would have been a game changer. I can鈥檛 say I鈥檝e drenched this rope or taken gigantic whippers on it, but I trust that it would handle well in those conditions鈥攁nd better than the standard sport ropes I鈥檝e abused for years on the wall. 鈥擩eremy Rellosa, reviews editor

Backcountry Steort Climbing Pants ($80)

My main requirement with climbing pants is that they don鈥檛 get in the way. And in that regard, succeeds. Backcountry says it built the pair in a regular fit, and the Steort听is definitely a bit looser than my other climbing pants听but not so much that it听swishes around as I鈥檓 making my way up the rock. That looseness may even help the breathability, since the Steort isn鈥檛 Saran Wrap tight around my legs, providing more room for sweat to evaporate. I haven鈥檛 had to use them yet, but there are cinch cords at the cuffs to keep them snug and out of the way.

As for the fabric, it鈥檚 so light that I assumed the Steort听wouldn鈥檛 be very durable. But it鈥檚 actually a burly Cordura-nylon blend, and despite a spring spent pulling myself up over scratchy conglomerate and welded tuff at the crags near 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 home of Santa Fe, the pants have yet to show signs of wear. And that nylon鈥攑lus a touch of spandex鈥攂oosts stretch for high stepping plus gives them a quick dry time, which one of our female editors found out when she unexpectedly had to wade across a river. (She was wearing 听pant, made with the same material.)

Another thing I prize in climbing pants is one zippered pocket. (Call me paranoid, but I like to keep my wallet on me even when I鈥檓 tied in, though others might want to keep their phone there for a glory pic from the chains.) The Steort has one high on the right leg, though it鈥檚 awkwardly positioned, making it somewhat onerous to adjust the leg loop on my harness so it doesn鈥檛 pinch the wallet against my thigh. But once I cinch everything up, both stay put, and I forget about them when climbing.

The best praise I can give is this: these pants are plenty capable but still oh-so comfortable. Even after a day spent baking and sweating in the sun, I don鈥檛 want to take them off. 鈥擶.E.

Backcountry Coral Bells Tech Tank ($50)

The beauty of the is its simplicity. With a听high neck and slight A-frame cut, it hugs my body in all the right places and then flares out at the hips, keeping it both flattering and loose enough for good airflow. Crisscross听straps add a touch of style in the back, but beyond that, this is a听no-frills workhorse that鈥檚听tough enough to stand up to snags on rough conglomerate rock.

The Coral Bells has now become my favorite shirt for the gym, the crag, and everything in between (read: hiking, short runs, the farmers鈥� market, and sometimes even the office), and luckily the Polygiene anti-odor treatment means I can wear it all the time, washed or not. I recently packed this as the lone tank on an unexpectedly warm weekend climbing trip in northern New Mexico. Though I came back covered in sweat and dirt, with hair reeking of campfire smoke, I can confirm that the anti-odor fabric treatment successfully warded off stink.

My only complaint? Although I love the purple hue of the eggplant color (the Coral Bells also comes in basic black and a light sage), the nylon-modal-spandex blend doesn鈥檛 just show sweat stains鈥攊t screams them. But the top听dries quickly, and besides, that鈥檚 a small price to pay for a functional, comfortable, and flattering top that gets me compliments at every crag. 鈥擜bigail Wise, online managing editor

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Chances are, Pa helped instill you with a love for the outdoors when you were little听and maybe even gave you your first piece of gear as a hand-me-down. Show your appreciation with any one of these burly but classy gifts.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill听($1,400)

With double-thick sidewalls and a convection system that speeds up cooking, is a hoss. It鈥檚 also easily tamed, since temperature, smoke, and time can be controlled from the couch using the Traeger WiFire app.

听

Pendleton Yakima Camp Throw Blanket ($100)

Soft enough to not be itchy, but with ruggedness to withstand rocks, branches, and dirt, belongs by a roaring fire.

听

Best Made Footlocker听($298)

Constructed from matte powder-coated steel, is right at home in the garage, at the foot of the bed, or next to the sofa. Which makes sense, considering its almost endless storage utility.

Blundstone 颅Original 500 Boots听($180)

Blundstone is the longtime king of mountain-town casual wear. features supple leather, a cushy insole and midsole, and ample shock absorption.

听

Hults Bruk听Sarek听Ax听($159)

The hefty steel head begs to be driven into logs. When it鈥檚 not out chopping, is pretty enough to rest above the mantel.

听

Vuarnet Cap 1813 Sunglasses听($330)

These aren鈥檛 your grandpa鈥檚 aviators鈥攂ut . The purple flash of the lenses, clean lines of the stainless-steel frames, and clever brim鈥攆or added glare reduction鈥攎ean he鈥檒l look and feel good on the road or in the field.

听

Yeti Rambler Stackable Pint Glasses听($50 for two)

are extremely hardy. Even better, they come in a two-pack, giving Dad the perfect excuse to invite you over for a beer.

Shinola Computer Brief Pack听($795)

The leather of looks even better with age. Gunmetal hardware accentuates its refined styling, while inside pockets and a computer sleeve keep everyday essentials secure.

Pendleton Serape Beach Shirt听($119)

is made with straight-brushed cotton, so it鈥檚 perfect for leisure. And it鈥檚 classic Pendleton, with eye-catching stripes, buttoned chest pockets, and a full-颅coverage curved hem.

Citizen Promaster Diver Watch听($425)

鈥檚 black-on-black housing is stealthy cool, while the red hits on the bezel and second hand add some flair. The watch goes well with everything, and it鈥檚 water-resistant down to 200 meters.

听

Filson Waxed Canvas Work Vest听($195)

hides toasty PrimaLoft Gold synthetic insulation, which Dad will appreciate during early-颅morning adventures.

Carhartt Rugged Flex Straight Fit 颅Tapered Leg Jean听($45)

A comfortable (but not baggy) fit and a touch of stretch will make these his . The handsome dark denim means they also play just fine downtown.

Orvis Recon 8鈥�6鈥澨鼺ive-Weight Fly Rod and Reel听($727)

is a versatile master caster. Its length allows for maneuvering in tight quarters, and stiff graphite construction ensures accurate placement in high winds.

Kershaw Manifold Knife听($31)

A blade worth giving should be both capable and attractive. That aptly describes , with its 3.5-inch edge, easy flip opening, and worn-steel finish, which protects the knife from dings and scratches.

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