The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoodie Review. 2023 Update

The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody Review (2023 edition)   Patagonia is known for making some legendary gear. Perhaps, the most well known is the R1 Techface Hoody. Our own Monte Johnston reviewed The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody in 2018. He found it to be a fantastic summer alpine layer as it cuts the wind, moves well and isn’t overly warm. Has much, if anything changed? Did … Continue reading The Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoodie Review. 2023 Update

Hillsound BTR Stool Review

Hillsound BTR Stool Review As much as we at BSAS love getting after it in the hills we eventually need to take a rest. The Hillsound BTR Stool is light and compact and goes unnoticed on the outside of a pack. If you pack light enough it can even go inside your pack as it’s not much bigger than a Nalgene. It unfolds quickly and … Continue reading Hillsound BTR Stool Review

DB Journey Roamer Review

DB Journey Roamer Split Duffel Review The DB Journey Roamer Split Duffel continues DB Journey’s innovative line of luggage. Duffel-shaped, the Roamer wears like a backpack, goes in hand like a duffel, and organizes as well as your favorite wheeled luggage. All that and it’s built to take a beating just like your favorite camp bag.    Overview Main fabric: 100% Recycled Nylon 840D Ballistic with … Continue reading DB Journey Roamer Review

fjallraven keb trouser trekking in bush

Review: Fjällräven Keb Trousers

A Guide’s Review of the Fjällräven Keb Trousers There is a plethora of trekking trousers on the market. They tend to be designed to be light and fast using every modern material possible or strong enough to work on a construction site with burly more traditional materials. The Fjällräven Keb trousers blend strong waxed canvas with modern stretch materials, combining the best of both worlds … Continue reading Review: Fjällräven Keb Trousers

Review: Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket

A Guide’s Review of the Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. It’s a rare day that you are in the mountains and there is no wind. That means at a minimum you should be carrying a wind jacket anytime you head into the hills. The lightweight, quick-drying, and stylish Fjällräven High Coast Wind jacket may be the answer you are … Continue reading Review: Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket

shows two men wearing patagonia r1 fleece pullover

Review: Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody

Patagonia continues to diversify the R1 line with the fantastic R1 Fleece Pullover. Stretchable, breathable, and Adaptable. This pullover is a great piece to add to any mid-layer collection for all four seasons. As long as you like pullovers that is.  Overview Material: 6.9-oz Polartec® Power Grid® 93% recycled polyester/7% spandex with HeiQ® Pure odor control Sizes Tested: XL  Weight: 312 grams Stuff: Fair Trade … Continue reading Review: Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody

Review: Rab Calient Pants

Review: Rab Calient Pants  Rab, known for their down, is truly a mountain company. This year they introduced the Calient pant.  We found them to be a lightweight breathable pair of hiking pants that look as good on the trail as they do in the dining room. Overview Material: Lightweight Matrix™ plain weave fabric with DWR Sun Protection: UPF 30+ Pockets: 3 Weight: 265 grams … Continue reading Review: Rab Calient Pants

Review: Db Hugger Backpack

Db Hugger 30L At BlackSheep we’re on the road a lot. We do a lot of traveling and to do that technical packs aren’t always the best. One of the best packs we’ve found for business meetings and international travel is the DB Hugger. It’s a cavernous 30L pack that holds anything and everything you want it to.       Overview Material: Outer: Polyester 600D Lining: … Continue reading Review: Db Hugger Backpack

Review: Patagonia Macro Puff

The bigger burlier cousin to the Micro Puff, the Patagonia Macro Puff is designed with cold weather activities in mind.  Filled with more than twice the insulation of a Micro Puff, the Patagonia Macro Puff adds warmth without sacrificing weight to make this a good midweight insulation piece. Think gusty ski tour transitions, belaying in the fall or early spring and mild winter camping.  Specs … Continue reading Review: Patagonia Macro Puff

Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2

We ran the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 tent through its paces this year on the Great Divide Trail and were glad we had it. The tent is lightweight, simple to setup and offers a roomy design was a boon the evenings when we had to set up camp amongst hordes of mosquitoes (read: almost all of them!). Spec’s & Features: Weight: 1.42 Kg … Continue reading Review: Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2