Safety Gear

Recent Safety Gear Reviews

BearVault BV450 Solo

A necessary evil...well, not so much evil as a minor inconvenience. I've been using this one, the BV450, and the BV500 for longer trips, for something like ten years now. I love it. Sort of. Hanging a bag full of food can be difficult at the best of times, and is obviously entirely impossible in alpine locations. Many of my trips take place in Washington state's National Parks, where bear canisters are required, even if trees appropriate for hanging are actually available. And even with a fully,… Full review

Outdoor Element Firebiner

Well made carabiner with fire wheel that sparked pretty much every time. Also has a sharp cutting tool, bottle cap opener, etc. Enjoyed trying out the fire wheel to get a fire started. With the tinder from Outdoor Element or other homemade ones, we were able to get a fire started in a couple of seconds each time. We got a couple of these for a recent camping trip since I thought they’d be fun to try out with the family. Having never used anything other than a lighter or matches to start a fire,… Full review

UCO Sweetfire Strikable Fire Starter

I started using the UCO Sweetfire fire starter sticks this season. They have become my primary go-to for starting fires. I've used them in wet conditions and in winter without fail. I've used them in alpine conditions and in the damp Smokie Mountains in the springtime. One stick is all that you will need to get the job done. This has become an essential fire tool for me. Check out my video featuring the UCO Sweetfire:  Full review

Foot Kinetics RunGoo

Great at preventing blisters, chafing, and hot spots for runners or hikers. I bought this product because I often get blisters between my toes when hiking and running long distances. I was training for a half marathon in the spring and had a hard time preventing blisters.  A friend of mine recommended this to me, which was recommended to her by a triathlete. It costs about 10 dollars for just 3 ounces. However, the tube seems to last awhile.  The cream itself has the consistency of whipped butter… Full review

TheTentLab Deuce of Spades #3

An essential tool for backcountry camping, where strength, durability, light weight and effectiveness are critical! Tentlab's Deuce #3 HD Trowel meets and exceeds on all counts!                                              The Deuce #3 HD Trowel  by TentLab One cannot really wax eloquent on a poop shovel, but if you could...it would be about TentLab's Deuce #3 HD Trowel. I have owned and used other shovels but when an extended trip where weight and durability was really a… Full review

SOL Emergency Bivvy

The SOL emergency bivvy is a potential death trap under freezing conditions on multi-day trips, as condensation will wet out a sleeping bag, which if there is no way to dry it will become useless. This review is a warning which is not given by the manufacturers, but needs to be considered by those planning to use it in these conditions. I used it at -13 C and it created so much condensation inside that it had to be abandoned. In a survival situation where no heat source is available to dry out the… Full review

Coleman Fire Starter Magnesium

The Coleman Fire Starter Magnesium is another option to get a fire started. It requires patience and persistence, but does work. It’s not the best option, but it’s never a bad idea to have alternatives to start a fire. This fire starter is my last resort. It’s not the greatest, but it works. The way that you operate this product is you take the serrated end and use that to shave pieces of magnesium off of the giant block you have. You need to get a lot off. It takes a long time because you… Full review

UCO Stormproof Matches

The UCO Stormproof Matches are great for all types of weather. No matter the conditions, you can count on getting a fire started with these matches. These matches are amazing. They are definitely stormproof. I’ve taken these matches with me in all seasons in all sorts of weather conditions. They haven’t failed me once. I live in Washington where it’s wet and cold seven months out of the year. I’ve started a fire with these in the rain and snow as well as in the humid summer air. These matches… Full review

ClickHeat Hand/Pocket Warmer

Bought at a convention—pretty darn happy with them! I was skeptical at first, but I went ahead and bought the shoulder pack, larger rectangle pack, and two hand packs. I had a friend who bought one as well since she had run a marathon and was sore. I loved the instant heat (too bad they don’t have an insta-cold for summer for the mechanics I work with). She loved hers and it gave me hope. As soon as I went home I put them in the freezer (whoops! It’s supposed to be fridge!) so I ended up boiling… Full review