GearFlogger

Thule Capstone 32L Women's Backpack

Thule is the George Carlin company: they make stuff to carry your stuff. Recenty they've expanded their stuff that carries stuff from their familiar car racks to child carriers (formerly Cougar and still our absolute favorite gear for anyone with kids and an active outdoor lifestyle) and backpacks. And not just one backpack, but two different lines with both men's and women's specific models.

The Capstone is their more casual pack, as opposed to their Guidepost packs (review coming soon!), and comes in 22, 32, 40 and 50 liter models for both men and women. First, our overall impression: the Capstone is a very nice pack by any standard, and that's a noteworthy accomplishment for a first effort. If you're looking for a pack in this class, make sure you look at this one. Just make sure it fits, because although there is a lot of adjustment - 28 torso positions, seriously? - it only comes in one size. That said, unless you're way off the scale you should be fine.

One really cool thing - literally - is the back suspension, which is curved and allows a generous amount of airflow across your back. With some packs we see a reduction in interior capacity because of the curve, but the Capstone's interior is a constant curve on both front and back, resulting in a lot of room inside. Enough room, in fact, that we would classify it as a multi-day capable pack; it could hold a week's worth of gear for an ultralight hiker. Put heavier items on the top or bottom of the pack, closer to your back, and lighter, bulkier items in the middle where the extra distance from your back won't affect you as much.

Another thing we like to check is the ability of the water bottle pockets to hold a full quart bottle. The Capstone's will do that, unless you've really stuffed the main compartment full, and the openings are canted forward for easy access to boot. Nice. Other compartments include a stuff it outside pocket perfect for layers, a roomy lunch pocket on top, and a hydration sleeve inside. There is an open stretchy mesh pocket on the left waist belt, just big enough for a gel pack or small energy bar. On the right side is a bigger zippered pocket; we did find ourselves wishing there was one of these on the left side too. Last but not least are two loops top and bottom for an ice axe or trekking pole, and the bottom loop has two openings of different sizes appropriate to each.

The waist belt has a small buckle that feels nicely low-profile, and it can be adjusted from both sides at once with a forward pull on the webbing, our favorite adjustment method. Overall the Capstone carries wonderfully at weights up to 30 pounds and probably beyond. Overall weight is 2lb 13oz, a bit heavier than average but not enough to be a concern given how well the Capstone carries. A pleasant surprise was that you also get a rain cover, tucked in it's own pouch at the bottom of the pack. It slips easily over the pack and those venturing into wetter climes will appreciate the convenience. All this and competitively priced too.

$159.99 at Moosejaw

Avex Brazos Water Bottles

Water bottles are a dime a dozen these days. OK, maybe a bit pricier, but the point is there are bunches of them. Avex still manages to stand out with their Brazos bottles, available in 25 and 32 ounce capacities. BPA-free, but of course.

The 32oz is 3.5 inches by 10 inches, tapered at the top to fit any hand, and should fit most modern cup holders made for us supersized Americans. Beyond that basic requirement, we only ask one thing of our bottles: don't leak, and the Brazos is apparently bombproof in that regard. When you do want liquid out, it's entirely a one-handed operation: just flick open the dust cover and press the button with your same-hand finger.

The Brazos is top-rack dishwasher safe, and its tank-tough construction should give many years of service. It doesn't hurt that the price is reasonable to boot.

From $9.99 at Amazon

Elemental Herbs All Good Sunscreen

Summertime means sun, and fun in the sun means it's time to slather on some sunscreen. All sunscreens are definitely not created equal, and if you're looking for something a little kinder to your skin and the environment than the usual suspects, Elemental Herbs has literally got you covered with their All Good products.

We used their sport sunscreen and kid's sunscreen, essentially identical products, and their Coconut Sunstick - basically an oversized chapstick, great for finicky kids and pocket transport - on a recent warm weather gearfest in the Bahamas. I know, tough job. All did a fine job of preventing burns, at least as good as anything else in the SPF 33 class. This in spite of the fact that some of us (OK, me) are notorious under-appliers. In particular, I am morally outraged by having to re-apply sunscreen at any point during the day. Even with my less-than-optimal strategy I managed to avoid burning over the course of a week of exposure.

The All Good products use good ole zinc, 22.5 percent to be exact, with a mix of various all-natural and organic oils, herbs and even veggies (hello avocado!). They are reef safe, and the company participates in 1 percent for the planet so good on them.

The products all go on fairly easily, although keep in mind this is a zinc based product so it takes a bit more effort than non-zinc liquids, but the results are worth it. Likewise it did look a little white immediately after application, but after a few minutes it was clear and we noticed our skin felt noticeably softer. They do have a distinct odor, not necessarily unpleasant, which we admit took a little getting used to, but after a few days we were completely used to it. Overall Elemental Herbs provides a great all-natural socially and environmentally conscious product that will protect even this fish-belly white man in the sun.

$12.49 at Amazon

Hydro Flask True Pint Insulated Glass

Oh glorious day! Hydro Flask has brought its shiny insulated goodness to where it was needed most, the consumption of beer. Here at Gearflogger HQ our preferred drink is IPA. Anything less hoppy - say, IBU of under 50 - is just not worth it. Until now we've used a simple stainless steel pint glass with a thin neoprene cozy to drink from. No longer.

The True Pint glasses hold exactly that: a pint when filled to the absolute top. This is perfect for 12 ounces plus head, and although we were initially disappointed we couldn't down a growler in four glasses we came to appreciate the fact that we now get an extra glass out of it.

The True Pint is sized that way for a reason, to maintain the correct proportion of a traditional conical glass pint glass, as dictated by law in some nations; yeah, we're looking at you UK. Many people are under the impression this is the only kind of pint glass, but there are a lot of variations, and if you really want to polish your beer snob credentials you'll want a glass specifically made for the style of beer you're drinking. For IPA that would be a tulip style glass, in fact even a wine glass will work better than a traditional pint in a pinch, but even better is something like the Spiegelau 19 ounce IPA glass, leaving room for a full pint plus head.

But we digress. If you're having your short pint under adverse conditions - some would say the best way to have it - you'll want something more survivable, like the True Pint. It's really a great addition to your camp kitchen in any case, because being insulated you can put hot or cold liquids in it and they'll stay that way for more than long enough to enjoy. The True Pint has a nice polished rim - and who doesn't like their rim polished? - as well as a grippy body, and even a step machined into the inside for easy stacking.

Bottom line, think of beer glasses the same way you think of skis: build a quiver, and make sure the True Pint is in it.

$21.95 at REI