GearFlogger

Primus ExpressLander stove

Teeny-friggin-tiny, that's the Primus ExpressLander stove. At 6.2 ounces it's getting into the insectoid weight division. I've seen cockroaches in Hawaii heavier than this thing.

The ExpressLander is built on Primus' Express stove technology, but where the Express sits on top of a canister the ExpressLander hooks up with the ubiquitous white gas. It comes with a carry case, windscreen and fuel canister pump. Everything together weighs in at 11.1 ounces.

The ExpressLander boils a quart of water in under five minutes, and cold weather performance is enhanced by wrapping the fuel feeder tube around the burner. It's a manual lighter, but that's no problem since everything is out in the open. For general backpacking use with white gas, the ExpressLander is a great little stove that won't break your back or your bank account.

$56.72 at Amazon

Mountain Hardwear Pandra Double T shirt

Let's say, for the sake of argument, that you embarrassed the SheFlogger last night at the pub. Something about one too many pints and a passionate and very public claim to being the actual man from Nantucket. Anyway, it's time to pay the piper if you want to get out of the doghouse. May we suggest something from Mountain Hardwear?

The Pandra Double T long sleeve shirt is sure to please as the weather turns cool. It's two shirts in one, a double-layer combination of 85% polyester and 15% antimicrobial wool, with flat seams and attractive contrast stitching that flatter the SheFlogger's goddess-like form.

Act quickly, they're getting hard to find and you don't want to miss out on a sure-fire ticket out of the guest bedroom!

$41.97 (on sale from $69.95) at Mountain Gear

Benchmade 915 Triage knife

Nothing says shiny like a new knife, and no matter what you're looking for Benchmade has you covered. Their new 915 Triage is a beautiful if expensive piece of kit that covers you in multiple safety scenarios.

The Triage is available with black or orange handles, straight or half-serrated 3.5 inch blade with bombproof Axis locking mechanism, and plain or coated blade. We love the combo edge on the sheepsfoot style blade for general all-around duty, the low carry reversible bayonet clip, and the ambidextrous thumb-stud opener.

The other functions on the knife are a safety cutter for cord, clothing or webbing (seat belts), and a carbide glass breaker on the butt end of the handle. All work as advertised, maximizing working efficiency while minimizing danger to a rescue victim of accidental cutting.

Materials are top grade, and craftsmanship is pure Benchmade, which is to say outstanding. Our 915 is permanently mounted to the grab bar on the driver's roof pillar in our car. No sense having one in your vehicle if it's not where you need it in a rollover. The 915 replaces our ERT-1 which doesn't have a blade. Our only complaint: at this price the Triage should come with a sturdy nylon case with Velcro closure, instead of the useless cloth bag that is included.

$140.25 at Amazon

Skirt Sports Sweetest Ever long sleeve shirt

Skirt Sports is a SheFlogger most-favored brand around these parts. The Sweetest Ever long sleeve shirt is just one more greatest hit for them. It's a stretchy, thin-but-not-see-through top that does pretty much everything well.

It's a 75% polyester, 25% lycra piece that can stand on its own or as a base layer, for sport, casual or even dress-up occasions. The Sweetest Ever comes in color patterns and basic black, and the flat seams have just a little bit of contour to them for an hourglass effect. No shoulder seams on the top means you can wear this under a pack, so put it on and get out, where out is... wherever!

$60.00 at Amazon

Leki Diva women's trekking poles

I think Leki originally called these trekking poles the Shiva, but they are now officially the Diva, a more appropriate name than that of a Hindu god whose nickname is The Destroyer.

The Diva poles are at the pinnacle of aluminum three-section trekking pole design. What makes them women-specific are the slightly smaller grips for smaller hands, and while the graphics are light and lively there is nothing that will turn off men or boys who want to use the Diva as well. In fact there's a lot to recommend these poles to anyone.

The Diva design incorporates antishock technology into the lower pole section, giving about 50mm of shock absorber action. The entire pole absorbs energy as well, from the flexible tips to the aluminum shaft to the cork handles. The Aergon grips are extremely comfortable, with a 15 degree cant for optimal hand position, no edges and a broad top platform for palming.

Overall the Diva swings very efficiently, packs down small and carries lightly at less than a pound for the pair. They adjust quickly with a twist, and the grip leashes will keep them attached as well as provide additional support. If you're a serious hiker who hasn't yet discovered the energy savings and speed gains from trekking poles - not to mention the safety aspect - you can't do better than the Divas: four legs are better than two!

$139.95 at REI

Incrediwear Incredisocks hiking socks

Behold, the humble sock. It can be the difference between a blister-filled suck-a-thon and a pleasant excursion. Fondly do I remember taking off my fancy vapor barrier socks after a long day on Denali to find blister lines that looked like steroid-pumping earthworms running up and down my shins. Choose your socks carefully, young Jedi.

Incredisocks by Incrediwear are Incredihyped, probably unavoidable given their invention by a chiropractor. The claims quickly exceeded my rudimentary understanding of things science-y, stuff about anions - different from both ions and onions, it turns out - and materials like germanium, presumably manufactured by grinding up Germans... hell, I don't know, I'm not a scientist, dammit!

Anyway, the point: Incredisocks are incredibly comfortable. I don't know squat about the properties of bamboo charcoal and whatnot, but the Incredisocks fit well, provide superior cushioning, and unlike some socks they actually do get more comfortable with repreated washing. The materials mix is 48% cotton, 30% spandex and 22% bamboo charcoal, and breathability is excellent. No clammy feet here, and no detectable skank-retention either, thanks to the charcoal. Not that my feet ever skank. In fact they smell like rose petals, but better and more manly. Bottom line: all hype aside, Incredisocks makes an awesome sock. Now when do we get the over the calf model?

$18.90 at Amazon

TRTL BOT minimalist iPhone case

Our phones go everywhere with us these days, including into the backcountry. Sometimes you don't need a full-on armored case because you're just going for a light hike or a run, and for those times - and your daily life as well - the TRTL BOT minimalist iPhone case is just the ticket.

This thing arrived in the mail some months ago, and being a long-time wallet minimalist I gravitated to it immediately. The minimalist will take two thick or three thin cards, which is perfect for me because I typically just carry a driver's license and credit card. The cards stay secure in the case, just thumb it out when you need it.

The hard plastic minimalist does not provide much in the way of protection from drops or impacts, and there is not screen protection, but it does give a layer of defense against normal scratches and the like. The point of it is simply to attach a couple of cards to your phone without interfering with the functionality of the phone, and it does that perfectly.

There's a feel-good bonus too: TRTL BOT cases are made from recycled plastic bottles, and they are a member of 1% for the Planet. It's made in the good ole USA too, and even the packaging is minimalist, just a plain white box. Ironically, the only place you'll feel the pain is in your own wallet, as the price is on the steep side.

$29.95 at TRTL BOT

Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour GPS

Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead has been quoted as saying, "Grateful Dead fans are like people who like licorice. Not everyone likes licorice, but the people who like licorice REALLY like licorice." The Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour is the licorice of GPS devices.

The D-Tour does not do much, but what it does it does well and some people will really appreciate that. What it does is store five waypoints and give you an arrow - as in just an arrow, no map, no track, no zoom - showing you the way back to your first waypoint. It also displays time, distance, current speed, average speed and storage available, and it works as a digital compass with lat/long functionality. It captures more information than it will display, including altitude and temperature. You have to upload this info to a computer to display it, and then you can see a complete track displayed on Google Maps.

If you are covering a lot of distance with clear intersections and five or fewer waypoints, and you don't mind the price, and you don't have a full-featured GPS or GPS-enabled smart phone, and you value simplicity, then you will like licorice the Bushnell BackTrack D-Tour. All others likely will not, at least until they increase the number of waypoints and allow you to see your track on-screen. The D-Tour is not designed or intended for rough terrain with frequent route choices and meandering paths, e.g. most serious backcountry travel.

$84.95 at Amazon

Mountain Hardwear Effusion Power jacket

Mountain Hardwear is getting all crazy innovative these days, especially on the materials side. Their latest is Dry.Q, a family of waterproof-breathable fabrics that includes Elite, Active and Core variations. The Effusion Power jacket features Dry.Q Active for high-output activities like running.

We tested the women's Effusion and found it perfect for runners, bikers and cross-country skiers. The Dry.Q Active material is on the front (blue material in picture), where it matters most for velocity freaks, and the back is a breathable single-knit jersey material so all your competitors see is your heat plume.

There is plenty of attention to detail here. Seams are flat, small reflective strips and patches in strategic locations, and the high collar has an effective zipper garage to protect the delicate SheFlogger neck. The single chest pocket is zipped with not just a cord port but a tiny fabric loop at the collar that maintains control of your headphone cord: very cool! The only adjustment point is the hem drawcord, and the overall fit is slim for minimum flappage as you bust a move downtrail.

The cuffs are also a bit different, adding to the thumbhole a flip-over mitten like those found on children's clothing. If you're like the SheFlogger who gets cold fingers just watching snow through the window you'll appreciate this little detail. The cuffs are really three position: mitten, open or stowed, plus thumb in or out. In use it's a very effective design. With the new Dry.Q Active material and a few smart design ideas, the Mountain Hardwear Effusion Power jacket is a title contender.

$150.00 at REI

If you live in Boulder you're a lucky SOB

Ooh, you lucky bastards! The Boulder outdoor industry is having a ginormous sale Friday and Saturday in Boulder, Colorado. We're talking demos, seconds, samples, discontinued stuff and more.

Top brands including Scarpa, Sportiva, BCA, Cassin, CAMP-USA, Deuter, Smartwool, Roxy, oh my Bag, Gibbon Slacklines, Simple, Sherpani, Wallaroo, Bonfire, Salomon, Kombi, Billabong, and Sea to Summit.

Portions of the proceeds go to various worthy groups and causes, so spend like there's no tomorrow! Big mountain season is almost here, so go big or go home! At 3850 Frontier Avenue, Suite 250 (12-6 Fri, 9-4 Sat) and 3550 Frontier Avenue, Unit E (4-7 Fri, 9-5 Sat).

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