Trailspace Blog July 2007
More Climbing Gear
Just a quick note to let everyone know that we've launched a whole slew of climbing gear categories, including protection, biners and draws, ice gear, big wall gear and more.
What other gear categories would you like to see?
Trailspace Hats
At long last, Trailspace hats are available for purchase! If you enjoy being a member of the Trailspace community, show your support by hitting the trail with a Trailspace lid on your head.
We currently have three models available:
For summer heat and humidity, our favorite is the Trailspace Trail Runner Cap, a five-panel hat with vented sides. Great for long trail runs.
For those of you in the Pacific Northwest and other perpetually rainy locales, check out the waterproof-breathable Trailspace Rain Cap.
If you're looking for something you can wear on the trail and still look good around town, check out the Trailspace Tactel Cap, a collegiate-fit cap made of water-resistant and quick-drying Tactel nylon.
All three models can be purchased from our friends at Gear for Adventure.
Trailspace Joins the Access Fund
If you’re a climber who wants to keep your climbing areas open and conserve the climbing environment (and why wouldn’t you be?) you should know about the Access Fund.
The 1.6 million-member Access Fund supports and represents climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing: rock, ice, mountaineering, and bouldering. To help preserve and protect climbing areas and promote responsible climbing, Trailspace recently became an Access Fund partner. You may have already noticed the Access Fund banners in the Trailspace climbing forum and climbing gear reviews.
The Access Fund works through public policy, stewardship and conservation, grassroots activism, climber education, and land acquisition to support climbing access and conservation at the national and local levels. If you're a climber the Access Fund has your interests at heart.
Want to help preserve and protect your favorite climbing areas? Become an Access Fund member, adopt a crag, get involved with your local climbing organization, or start one of your own.
Q&A: How to Find Discontinued Gear
Occasionally we receive outdoor gear questions from readers. Since we figured others would find them useful too, we’ll share some of those Q&A’s here. If you think we missed the mark, let us know by leaving a comment.
Q:
Five years ago I bought an Arc’Teryx Volt for my boyfriend in the States. He dearly appreciated it, yet a few weeks ago it was stolen and I have not been able to find a substitute for him here in Germany. Can you help me find this special rucksack again? It would be a wonderful surprise for him.
Andrea S.
A:
Hi, Andrea. I’m sorry to hear your boyfriend lost his favorite backpack. Unfortunately the Arc’Teryx Volt has been discontinued, but there are a few possibilities for finding specific models of discontinued gear.
If you’re set on finding a particular item, like the Volt, you can search gear closeouts online at REI Outlet, Backcountry Outlet, and Sierra Trading Post. Individuals on eBay and GearTrade sell used and new gear. You also can post a "Want To Buy" message in Trailspace’s Classifieds, a free forum that matches individual buyers and sellers of used gear.
If none of those options turn up a new or used Volt, I’d take a look at Arc’Teryx's current daypacks. Find out specifically what features your boyfriend liked about his old Volt and see if any of Arc’Teryx’s current urban daypacks (such as the Arro 16 or 22 or the Spear 20 or 24) offer the same features and capacity and are designed for the same use and conditions. According to one reviewer, Arc’Teryx recommended the Spear 24 as most similar to the Volt.
If your boyfriend was happy with the fit, features, and quality of his previous Arc’Teryx pack he’s likely to be happy with a similar new one. However, since proper fit and personal preference is so important, it’s always good to buy from a shop with an excellent return policy if you’re buying a pack or any outdoor gear as a gift.
Good luck!
Q&A: How to Buy Green Gear
Occasionally we receive outdoor gear questions from readers. Since we figured others would find them useful too, we’ll share some of those Q&A’s here. If you think we missed the mark, let us know by leaving a comment.
Q:
I want to buy some professional outdoor wear and gear. I’m preparing for my mountain guide certification, so I do need serious pieces of equipment. I not only want to work in nature, but also for it. So for me it’s basic that for a big investment I want to buy green, environmentally-friendly gear, and support those companies that make it. Is it possible to get a very complete list of companies that produce “green” gear and wear?
Paul S.
A:
Paul, it’s great that you’re considering your environmental impact on the outdoors. For many people it’s inconvenient to consider that our outdoor activities and gear have negative impacts on the very places we love. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to create a definitive list of green gear and clothing.
While green outdoor offerings continue to expand, especially with clothing, green equipment is much harder to find. As concerned consumers like you demand and choose more environmentally-friendly options I hope those offerings will grow. Just as important, I hope verifiable or certifiable standards will be established so consumers won't have the full burden of making environmentally-friendly choices. The outdoor industry is leading the way in developing these types of standards, but they're still in early discussions.
In the meantime, here are a few things you and all hikers, backpackers, and climbers can consider to make your outdoor activities and gear choices greener:
Travel Wisely
The biggest environmental impact from most people’s outdoor activities is getting to the trailhead. Airplanes are the worst offenders, so consider sticking closer to home for your adventures to reduce your fuel consumption. Drive or rent a hybrid. Don’t forget to carpool. Whenever possible (and we know this one is difficult to impossible depending on where you live) use public transportation for all or part of your travel.
While somewhat controversial, you also can reduce your carbon footprint by buying carbon offsets, which offset other greenhouse gas emissions through tree plantings and purchases of renewable energy. Carbon offsets should not be used as a guilt-free way to indulge a jet-set lifestyle though. You still need to find ways to reduce your own emissions.
Buy Wisely
The easiest and most effective way to be a greener consumer is to buy less stuff. Yes, many of us are gear junkies who love to try out the newest equipment and clothing, but before making any gear choice (green or not) you should consider whether you really need an item or if you already have something that does the job safely and effectively.
When you do need a piece of clothing or gear, look for items that contain environmentally-friendly materials, like recycled polyester and plastic and natural fibers such as bamboo, modal, hemp, coconut (Cocona), and organic cotton and wool. Some environmentally-friendly outdoor clothing brands to consider include Patagonia, which has pledged to close its recycling loop by 2010, Ibex, Prana, Nau, and Teko. GoLite, Marmot, and Sierra Designs also use natural and recycled materials in some of their clothing and outerwear.
Finding environmentally-friendly technical gear is still very difficult, but inroads are being made (read Green Hiking and Backpacking Gear). As with clothing, look for products that use recycled materials and fewer chemicals. The outdoor industry is just starting to talk collectively about eco issues and I hope they will soon develop product standards and ratings for the benefit of concerned consumers like you.
If you can’t find a green version of the clothing or gear you need, remember that buying a high quality, dependable item that will fit you and your needs for years to come is preferable to buying a low quality piece that you’d need to repair or replace sooner. So consult gear reviews and consider your specific needs and preferences, along with your budget.
Lastly, consider how you buy gear. If buying at a local shop, try to do your shopping errands in one fell swoop, rather than making lots of little runs in the car (or better yet park the car and use public transportation or foot or pedal power). Consider pieces with less packaging. If buying online, try to bundle multiple items together from one retailer and choose ground shipping instead of expedited air delivery.
Reuse and Recycle
Whenever safely possible, have gear professionally repaired rather than buying a brand new version. Tents, backpacks, clothing, and footwear can often be repaired, altered, or resoled by experienced specialists.
Still usable gear, clothing, and footwear also can be bought and sold secondhand (Trailspace's Classifieds, GearTrade, eBay), donated to a charity or thrift store, or passed on to a friend or family member.
Some companies will take back old garments. Patagonia’s Common Threads Garment Recycling program recycles worn out Capilene, Patagonia fleece, Polartec fleece, and Patagonia organic cotton T-shirts. Nau’s Product Afterlife Program accepts worn out clothing for recycling or composting. And parents can return outgrown children's clothing to Molehill to be donated to homeless shelters and safe houses and get a coupon for 10% off their next purchase.
Practice LNT
Lastly, once on the trail, rock, or water, understand and practice Leave No Trace principles. Even the best-intentioned hikers, backpackers, and climbers can cause significant impact on land, water, vegetation, and wildlife through ignorance or neglect.
In short, reduce your fuel and resource consumption, repair and reuse clothing and gear whenever safely possible, and recycle old gear and clothing.
Calling Chris Ryan
Hey, Chris Ryan, one of the winners of our tagline contest with "Gear Up and Get Out." I have Trailspace hats with your tagline for you, but your e-mail address doesn't work. Please send me an e-mail with your mailing address, because I'd love to send these hats your way.
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