By my standards, a good bra is really hard to find. This reason alone is why I’ve been holding on to the same old ratty sport bras for years on end. I know they work. Are they cute and functional? Would I be psyched to rip off my shirt on a hot day? Not really. When I discovered the Têra Kaia (formerly known as Arêt Basewear) Toura, all those things changed.
No When I think of perfect, outdoor puffy blankets, I think of Rumpl. I think of fog swirling in the trees, or an artfully framed railroad. They’ve got that image on lock. Then I think of the price of that blanket. I think about how my aesthetic is frantically digging poo holes, ripping holes in clothing, and not showering. Then I realize that Rumpl is not for me. Thankfully Therm-a-Rest introduced their affordable line of tech blankets which includes the Stellar Blanket.
Backpacking weight is a big deal to me. When you’re like a hundred pounds, every pound is a whole percentage of your body weight. Every ounce counts. If I’m going to lug around an enormous camera and tripod, I need to shave off ounces everywhere else. For a tiny backpacking stove, the Snow Peak Litemax Stove is perfect.
This past summer has been the summer of weekend road trips. Friday nights we were tossing our gear in the back of the car and driving for hours. I’m basically the best sleeping road trip partner you can possibly find, and I do it in comfort. The Black Diamond Dawn Wall Hoody was my best friend for those sloth-like hours and hours in the front seat.
Sometime last year I went through a purging spree. Everything I didn’t really use within the last few months had to go. Of the casualties, my REI Flash 18 Pack was the one I missed the most. Worst idea ever. I kept meaning to pick one up but never did, making do with the packs I had at the time (hi, Scrambler 30). When Outdoor Research came out with the Isolation Pack this spring, I knew that it was time for me to pick up a summit pack replacement.