Safety Gear

Recent Safety Gear Reviews

GoGirl Female Urination Device

Transgender male-to-female. I live in upstate New York and I’m transgender male-to-female and getting gender reassignment surgery to become a woman. Right now I’m wearing a prosthetic vagina and with it learning to pee uout method. So when hiking I have been having to squat behind a tree to pee. Not the most pleasant experience but part of being a lady. Having to expose butt to bugs and plants to relieve bladder. Then in recent cold having to remove layers of clothing and squat in the snow was… Full review

Futuro Dual Strap Knee Support

Tendon supporter for the knee that is easy to get on and off as it is a strap rather than a sleeve. Adjustable pressure is applied gently with materials that don't cause friction. Added gel pads above and below the patella provide front support without covering the knee cap. This review is not intended as medical advice and I can't tell you if this brace will work for you. A doctor is the place to go if you have an injury, not the internet! I'm aiming this at folks who are already using a brace… Full review

Stoked Goods Stoke Lip & Face Balm

A really good option to avoid or deal with chapped lips and face. I like that it's a particularly fat lip balm. Bonus for putting in a paper (can be recycled) container. A bit pricy, and no sunblock. A very good lip balm (fine for face too) for cold, nasty weather that can chap and dry you out.  Five ingredients: cocoa butter, shea butter, cocoanut oil, beeswax, and vitamin E. The manufacturer says it's all organic, if you care. It has a fairly thick consistency but still smears on nicely. It smells… Full review

Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap

It provides maximum support above and below the kneecap without restricting movement. The authentic, patented Cho-Pat Dual Action Knee Strap provides full mobility and maximum benefits of relief from painful and weak knees. Full review

Thinx Classic Undies

Dealing with periods in the backcountry can be incredibly frustrating. But Thinx unswear just might offer a solution. Periods are a regular part of most women's life. And yet they're still taboo to talk about. Instead of weighing all of our options, we pace along the period aisle in the grocery store, opting to use the most popular products (pads and tampons). But what other options are there? And how do you begin to handle periods in the backcountry? As someone who spends a lot of time in the wilderness,… Full review

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