Recently in the Gear Category

While athletic footwear sales are down 2.4 percent from a year ago, hiking boot sales are up almost ten percent. “Why? Hiking boots are popular with young adults and during a recession, folks are more likely to go on a camping trip or a day-trip hike in the White Mountains than spend big bucks on a fancy vacation, said Marshal Cohen, NPD’s chief industry analyst.” From The Boston Globe.

“Never have I been more tempted to kick a polar bear and see what happens. I’m sure there are a few pairs out there already, amateury ones where you rest your feets on habaneros, but these are freaking official.” Mark Lorenz writes about the new Columbia Bugathermo hiking boots on Manolith.com.

Outside magazine suggests some lightweight personal headlamps for running at night. “Your next step is to enter the world of cycling lights. Which might not be a bad idea. NiteRider’s Minewt 200 ($199) throws out 200 lumens, enough to bike with, so certainly enough to run with.”

I have a good friend who hikes many “technical’ trails in his sandals, and while my 200-plus-pound frame may put a bit too much compression on flimsy soles, there are many others who find sandals just fine for medium-difficulty hikes. Steven Regenold talks about three different sandal-style hiking footwear offerings currently on the market. “Sole’s high-end Platinums are hands down most comfortable. They also look the best, in my opinion, with a handsome design appropriate in the outdoors or for patio dining.”

On the Ars Technica Web site, Chris Foresman discusses what is undoubtedly the beginning of a trend: the growth of iPhone applications for hikers, birders, and outdoors people of all ilks. “One ad, cleverly called ‘Itchy,’ shows three apps that might be handy for an outdoors type (well, a geeky, tech-obsessed outdoors type). It features a virtual GPS compass, a birding guide, and Howcast showing a guide to avoiding poison ivy.”

From the 15-pound, $795 Marine 3000 to the $10 Travel Medic, Adventure Medical Kits makes an emergency medical kit for just about any purpose. Steve Regenold reviews the lineup on GearJunkie.com. “The company’s Travel Series (www.adventuremedicalkits.com/travel) is significantly pared-down from the case Mapes takes out to sea. But the four kits — including the $10 Travel Medic on up to the $70 World Travel package — include most of the necessities the average Lonely-Planet-toting traveler will need.”

In The New York Times, Ian Austin comments on the arrival of Shimano’s new battery-powered derailleur on the pro cyclists tour and notes that some cycling purists are not happy with even the smallest addition of energy in the human-powered equation: “‘People choose bicycles precisely because a bicycle’s motion requires only human effort, and nothing could be more simple, independent and autonomous’ Raymond Henry, a cycling historian in St. Etienne, France, wrote in an e-mail message. ‘Any source of external energy, however weak, runs counter to this philosophy.’”

Benjamin Roman reviews the Rec’Repair Emergency kit from CRG Industries ($14.99), which he calls a convenient — if not cosmetically appealing — solution for emergency repairs of mangled gear. “The heart of the kit is a rigid, heavyweight plastic patch with adhesive backing. When heated to about 200 degrees, it becomes rubbery and moldable, so it can be cut to size and formed around your broken gear. As soon as it cools, the adhesive sets and the patch hardens.” On GearJunkie.com.

On GearJunkie.com, Steven Regenold tests the upcoming wool version of the Buff, a fabric tube that has become a favorite accoutrement of fly fishers, hikers and outdoors enthusiasts in general. “The product is about 6 inches longer than the Original Buff, making it extra cozy when bunched up on your head or neck. The fabric is not silky smooth. Indeed, the wool had a noticeable texture when I first pulled the piece on. But on an eight-mile run on a 10-degree night — my Wool Buff’s maiden voyage — I never noticed an itch.”

Jamie Shortt looks at his progression from a “standard-issue” backpacker to “lightweight” to “ultralightweight” and ends up with some highly specific lists of gear. “The daily temperatures dropped to below freezing as we prepared to camp. We set up our poncho tarps, heated our freeze-dried dinners, and warmed ourselves by a small fire before going to bed shortly after 8:00 p.m. to fend off the cold. Scott was in my Marmot Hydrogen (30 F bag) and me in my GoLite Ultra 20 Quilt. My new gear included a MLD Ultralight Bivy and an Integral Designs Silponcho.” On BackpackerLight.com.