Accessories

Featured review by Twig

A hiking umbrella may not be for everyone but it has certainly earned its place in my pack over the course of several long thru-hikes. The Swing Trek Liteflex is a multi-use piece of gear and has contributed greatly to my enjoyment of the outdoors. I recommend this particular umbrella for anyone seeking a durable, lightweight, and easily-deployed shelter from the sun, rain, hail, and wind. You’ll likely find that it has many other uses, too.

Conditions: The excellent review by JRinGeorgia pretty much covers everything there is to say about the Swing Trek Liteflex umbrella, but I will try to add a few more insights, given my extensive use of it. The Liteflex has now been with me on the Florida Trail, Colorado Trail, Appalachian Trail (first 270 miles), New Zealand’s Te Araroa, and will again be my companion on a thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail summer, 2018. It has seen a lot of use and a lot of different conditions. Perhaps more remarkable that I haven’t lost it by now, it is still fully functional.

Read more: Swing Trek Liteflex Umbrella reviews (3)

Featured review by G00se

SafeRingz is a great, low-cost investment that can protect the hands of rock climbers, cavers, and anyone working/playing at height. In the months that I have been wearing it, it has already saved me from one close call. Additionally, it makes the use of trekking poles more comfortable.

Some Background: I have worn my gold wedding band everyday for nearly 24 years. I feel naked without it, and I only take it off when...wait, I never take it off. A few months ago I was reading a blog by Dave Prowitz about “Finger Degloving,” and a chill ran down my spine. Like Dave, I am a high ropes challenge course manager, spending my days at height. As I read the blog and googled the images, I was reminded of all the near misses I have had over the past 14 years. These were times, when my wedding band caught on a cable, a rope, or some part of my course.

Read more: SafeRingz reviews (5)

Reviewed by Twig

The Silver Shadow Carbon Trekking Umbrella is a versatile, durable and lightweight accessory. It's an easily-deployed shelter from the sun and precipitation. I especially found it useful on the AT when it was too hot to wear a rain jacket but too consistently rainy to suffer days being wet. I've worked out a pretty good system for attaching the umbrella to my pack, leaving my hands free. It also doubles as a pack cover, tent pole, privacy screen, and large animal deterrent. .

The most classic of AT scenes atop McAfee Knob, ready to Mary Poppins my way into oblivion. Since I've carried a trekking umbrella for all my thru-hikes thus far, I thought I'd do a rehash review of one of my favorite pieces of gear, albeit a different model and brand to that of my original trekking umbrella, the SwingTrek Liteflex. My main reason for the switch to the SMD Silver Shadow Carbon umbrella was simply the weight savings of a few ounces...and also the fact that after 5,000 miles, it was about time to retire my first umbrella (actually, I gave it to a friend on the CDT and as far as I know, he's still using it).

Read more: Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon Trekking Umbrella review (1)

Reviewed by LoneStranger

The SMD Silver Shadow is a trail umbrella designed to protect rain or shine. Light and easy to carry it pops up fast and stows easily. Not very functional for bushwhacking, but great for use on open trails, ridges, and road walks where trees don't get in the way.

Specs: Weight - 8.9oz/252g Length - 25"/63.5cm Open Width - 37"/94cm Features & Construction: The Silver Shadow takes its name from the reflective surface of the exterior of the dome. SMD doesn't list the specifics of this material, but it is a single layer with the interior side a non-reflective black matte finish. There is a small strap with velcro patches which is used to secure the umbrella when furled. There are eight fiberglass spines that support the umbrella dome. Each is fitted into caps which are sewn into the dome material.

Read more: Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Ultralight Umbrella review (1)

Reviewed by KiwiKlimber

A sleek and sturdy little wallet that easily carries 6-8 cards and a few folded bills. Makes for a great wallet on backcountry trips where weight is a concern, and with RFID-blocking technology, it’s a great wallet for everyday use too.

Conditions: I’ve used the Flowfold RFID Blocking Minimalist wallet for 7 months now as my everyday wallet. I’ve carried some form of a slim wallet for about 10 years and this is without hesitation the best one I’ve found.    Specs: Capacity: 6-8 credit cards and few folded bills Card Slots: 1 Dimensions: 4.2″ H x 2.75″ W x 0.06″ D Weight: 0.4 oz / 12g   Construction and Durability:The manufacturer uses something called X-Pac Fabric or Lite Skin Composite Fabric, and features an ultra-thin, high-density layer of pure copper for RFID blocking (meaning someone can’t skim your RFID chip-enabled credit card).

Read more: Flowfold RFID Blocking Minimalist - Card Holder Wallet review (1)

Featured review by Luke

The Operator Band takes the traditional paracord survival band to the next level. It has items hidden throughout that make it a TRUE survival band rather than the traditional one sold in stores, made by some Chinese sweatshop kid.

I purchased the RE Factor Tactical Operator Band about a month ago and couldn't be happier. The bracelet looks like most other paracord bands that are the craze these days but has a number of hidden items that are essential for every survival situation.   The band comes with 12' of paracord, 30' of fishing line, 18" of snare wire, a fishing hook, a handcuff key buckle, a flint fire starter and a P51 can opener.   The band itself was designed by a Green Beret after attending the Special Forces Survival, Escape, Resistance and Evasion course and spending years down range.

Read more: RE Factor Tactical Operator Band reviews (2)

Reviewed by Teri Anderson

Incredibly light, easy to carry. Keeps me cool and provides UV protection, which is a necessity for backpacking in Arizona.

Backpacking and hiking in Arizona provides a variety of terrain, and many miles of trail are in the direct sunlight with no trees for a break from the sun. A trekking umbrella serves many purposes — portable shade, protection from the sun, reduce sweating to consume less water, and rain protection if needed.  After some research, I purchased the EuroSchirm Swing trekking with the silver metallic UV 50 protection factor. This umbrella is essential for my hikes now. It has a fiberglass shaft and a foam grip.

Read more: Swing Trek Swing Umbrella review (1)

Reviewed by Dr. Bryan Ryles

Super lightweight and fits almost anywhere and guaranteed to stick to most things. Unlike any other sticker (well, unless you get two, then they are probably the same).

An unusual  and unique sticker that is Non-GMO, vegan, easy to use and low carb, low calorie, and low on taste. I have years of experience in using stickers and this is one of the best! Yep, here it is on a WildIdeas bear can—even the bears enjoy it.   

Read more: Trailspace Sticker review (1)

Reviewed by Jennifer T.

A couple weeks ago I received the new teleScope umbrella (trekking umbrella with length adjustable shaft) for my birthday. As an avid off-trail hiker I always was looking for an umbrella I can easily hold even when I'm carrying my 80-pack or my child carrier with my 2-year old son on my back. The shaft of this hiking umbrella expands up to 22.5 inches and allows me + my 80-backpack or child carrier (I'm only 5ft6) to fit comfortable underneath the ca. 42 inch canopy without having to hold the umbrella awkwardly high.

Read more: Birdiepal teleScope umbrella review (1)

Featured review by Bentbrook

A lightweight wallet that will hold cash, an ID, and a few credit cards. Low profile and easy to use, this wallet has the added perk of being able to float if you get clumsy crossing a creek or paddling a kayak.

I won this product in a contest on Brian's Backpacking Blog. For years I have toted about my leather wallet. It has grown shaped to its contents and to my own body, a smooth lump of well-used leather. Inside I have cash (well, when there are no gear sales happening and I haven't just paid my boys their allowances), credit cards, customer VIP cards, insurance cards, etc.--the usual junk. And the bottom line is that I have carried a 166g/5.86 oz mini-behemoth in my rear pocket (that's the weight sans cash).

Read more: Wojo Wallet reviews (2)