Questions relating to any physical gear for engaging in those activities discussed in The Great Outdoors. Examples include packs, knives, bikes, kayaks, and climbing harnesses.
9
votes
6answers
151 views
How to avoid the layer of ice inside a water bottle during winter activities?
Is there a special way to avoid the layer of ice that forms inside a water bottle during winter activities?
7
votes
3answers
95 views
Packing delicate equipment for a hike
I always try to avoid taking much delicate on a hike, but sometimes it either can't be helped or I decide I want to take it anyway (camera would be the prime example!)
How can I best pack such ...
6
votes
1answer
84 views
Difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard
This is just a climbing terminology question:
What is the difference between a Fingerboard and a Hangboard?
Maybe there is no difference at all? Maybe it's subtle? I have been Googling around and ...
10
votes
6answers
199 views
What can I do to keep my hands warm while using touchscreens in the winter?
Now that it is starting to get cold it is more difficult to use touchscreens while outdoors. I use both an iPhone and a Garmin GPS to geocache and both have touchscreens that require me to take my ...
12
votes
2answers
261 views
How to carry dslr camera when rock-climbing
I am interested in hearing how people take their dslrs onto multi-pitch-rock-climbs. I have carried mine up in a small pack, but I end up taking hardly any pictures, since it is so cumbersome to get ...
5
votes
1answer
81 views
Repairing a North Face Tent rain cover
I have bought a North Face RoadRunner 3 tent 10 years ago. It is a great tent, and it served me well during a 9-month trip to South America.
The problem is that the transparent part of the rain ...
7
votes
2answers
196 views
What is the difference between single and double wall tents?
Tents are described being either single or double wall.
What is the difference and when is one preferred over the other?
12
votes
1answer
116 views
What is a good material to patch holes in backpack?
I have a backpack with rip-stop material that is quite beaten up from scrambling over granite boulders. What are some good materials for patching the holes, what kind of thread should I use, and how ...
5
votes
2answers
71 views
Snowshoes for hilly terrain
What are the snowshoes criteria that I should look for if I want to snowshoe on a hilly terrain ?
13
votes
2answers
205 views
How can I prevent my sun glasses from fogging up when skiing?
When I'm cross-country skiing, I usually wear glacier glasses to protect from the intense glare off the snow. When I'm moving, they usually stay clear . Whenever I stop though, my glasses seem to fog ...
12
votes
5answers
177 views
Are Ice grips worth buying
The cold weather has finally hit the UK and once again I am tempted to buy something like https://www.yaktrax.co.uk/shop/yaktrax-pro. For those of you not in the UK we get some snow each year (enough ...
7
votes
2answers
200 views
What makes nylon an effective material for hiking pants?
I often see 100% nylon pants a lot in stores. What properties does it have that make it effective when hiking? Is it effective in all seasons or just under certain conditions?
8
votes
4answers
213 views
How can rope/cordage be packed to minimize tangles?
I generally pack my cordage in little bundles like
Unfortunately for any significant length (100' for instance) it just turns into a wadded mess when I try and use it.
How can I pack this stuff ...
11
votes
2answers
283 views
What is a buff?
What is a "buff", how is it used, and why should I have one?
I've seen them advocated in numerous places, but I'm not sure why a tube of cloth is better around my neck than a scarf, etc.
9
votes
1answer
175 views
What are the tradeoffs for a Tomahawk over an Axe
I've watched a few videos on cutting tools and the use of axes. However I'm not clear on what the advantage (or disadvantage) is of a tomahawk style axe over a typical belt or hand axe, such as this ...
14
votes
3answers
495 views
What are some ways/devices that I can use to charge my batteries in the wilderness?
When backpacking, I might carry a MagLite flashlight or something similar that requires two AA batteries. I tend to favor rechargeable batteries for a variety of reasons.
How can I recharge my ...
12
votes
2answers
504 views
Why don't we apply the principles of layering when it comes to pants?
Whenever I see clothing articles geared toward hiking and backpacking that discuss layering (base layer for wicking, mid layer for insulation, etc.), they always seem to discuss these things in terms ...
11
votes
2answers
71 views
Apart from down, is there any outdoor material that should not be stored stuffed?
Down sleeping bags and down jackets should not be stored in the stuffbag, but as loose as possible. Tents, as far as I know, can be stored stuffed as long as they are dry. Are there any other ...
13
votes
4answers
508 views
What equipment do I need as a beginner outdoor rock climber?
What are the bare essentials that I need in terms of equipment when it comes to rock climbing? I've done indoor rock climbing but always rented my equipment from the rock-climbing gym.
(For the ...
3
votes
1answer
121 views
Can a PVC rain jacket also be used as a windbreaker?
I have a Columbia 100% PVC rain jacket. It has a nylon lining.
Can PVC material be used as an effective windbreaker? Are there any side effects (such as making me sweat a lot more) that could ...
4
votes
3answers
125 views
How do I light a spirit (ethanol) stove when it's cold?
I am very happy with my storm-proof spirit stove. When others are struggling to find a place outside the wind, I can cook wherever I like — provided I can lighten my ethanol fuel.
Trangia stove in ...
6
votes
3answers
208 views
What characteristics should I look for in a good torch/flashlight?
I'm looking to buy a flashlight/torch (or build my own even if that works out cheaper), and am looking to take the following into consideration:
Good battery life (LEDs would probably suit best in ...
8
votes
3answers
120 views
How do you know if smaller brands of climbing equipment are safe?
There is a local shop that sells small brand name gear for pretty good prices. I am looking at their harnesses and quickdraws and would like to know:
1) Whether the equipment is safe - say compared ...
14
votes
2answers
2k views
Climbing rope is rated to X UIAA falls. What is a UIAA fall?
When looking at buying climbing ropes, they are rated to a number of "UIAA falls".
What does that mean?
9
votes
2answers
120 views
How should I correctly use poles and other equipment to avoid back pain on long hikes?
3 of my lower vertebra have irreparable damage, so I have various workarounds to minimise pain and swelling at home and in the office, and even on short term hikes (ibuprofen FTW) but on a longer hike ...
12
votes
1answer
140 views
Will Iodine Tablets Ruin My CamelBak?
In the past, I have gone backpacking with some fairly expensive, heavy water purification tools. But the more I read about water safety in California's Sierras (here and here), the less I think these ...
7
votes
2answers
165 views
Does a groover have to stink?
I have used several different products and none of them work that well. Bottom line, is there a product that will subdue the offending groover?
So a groover is a river toilet. On multiple day river ...
6
votes
1answer
354 views
What are “Aggressive” climbing Shoes?
This question was borrowed from a comment on this question. But what is meant by an "aggressive" climbing shoe? What is the difference in a non-aggressive shoe? And when would you use one over the ...
6
votes
2answers
108 views
Does anyone have an account of someone using a survival tin in a survival situation
I have read several books about survival and outdoor field craft skills. Many of these books suggest building a survival kit out of an Altoids tin or something similar. These kits include very basic ...
9
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I use these “guy line runners” to adjust the tension on my tent's lines?
I was given my current tent and I have to admit to being pretty ignorant of tents, having not done much camping since I was a kid some decades ago.
Now when it came time to use the guy ropes I ...
7
votes
2answers
72 views
How do I make a fin selection for various surfing conditions
There are many surfing fin designs available for modern surf boards. What are the criteria for selecting:
Tri-fin
Bi-fin
Mono-fin
No fins
And why would I want to have larger or smaller surfing ...
10
votes
2answers
132 views
Features to look for when buying a stove (for car camping)
We (wife, 5 year old and me) are planning to go camping next summer (UK). It will be car camping - i.e. drive, set up tent and, knowing the UK, sit in the tent as it rains.
I'm looking at equipment ...
6
votes
5answers
181 views
What should I do if I break a shoelace in the wilderness?
If I'm hiking in the wilderness and my shoelace breaks, what's the best way to go about fixing it assuming I have no spare?
13
votes
3answers
177 views
What are the key features to look for in mobile device apps for hiking/camping?
I've used EveryTrail and was satisfied but am looking for something better... What are the features I should focus on for selecting an app? What bells and whistles are really useful on the trail?
14
votes
5answers
528 views
What is the difference between external and internal-frame packs?
I am starting backpacking and there are both internal and external-frame packs. What is the difference, and is one recommended over the other?
22
votes
5answers
2k views
How does one dry clothes in humid weather?
What are some quick ways to dry clothes in moist weather?
9
votes
2answers
80 views
What to look out for when buying used backpacks
I'm looking to buy a used backpack in the near future. What are the key things I should look out for/avoid when inspecting used paks?
3
votes
1answer
70 views
How to get started with packrafts?
I love hiking and I'm starting to love longer cycling trips too. I've done combined cycling/hiking trips (cycling to the trailhead of a hike). Last summer I met someone who carried an inflatable raft ...
6
votes
2answers
133 views
Is there a portable / comfortable pillow suitable for camping / backpacking?
I quite like my pillows to give a lot of lift - I usually sleep with two relatively beefy ones. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a good equivalent whilst camping, with the normal pillows ...
8
votes
1answer
79 views
What qualities should I look for in a good walking pole?
I've seen walking poles range from <£10 to >£100 - and to a casual observer there doesn't often seem to be much to distinguish them, with both having good grips and shock relief / suspension. What ...
13
votes
3answers
492 views
The best solution for carrying a D-SLR when hiking
I am planning a multi-day hike in the Drakensberg area of South Africa. This is a beautiful landscape with interesting flora and fauna. Consequently I want to have my Digital SLR close to hand. I ...
3
votes
1answer
28 views
What pre/post season maintenance is recommended for a 2 cycle outboard motor?
I just acquired a used Yamaha 50TLR.
I'd like to know what kind of routine maintenance I should preform to keep it in good working order.
5
votes
2answers
369 views
Avoiding compression when packing synthetic sleeping bag
I came across the following comment (From durable 3-season bag.):
don't forget that synthetic doesn't last nearly as long even if you take extremely good care of it (i.e. never compress it) – ...
5
votes
2answers
163 views
Does a red headscarf or hat provide better protection from the sun?
I read in an old tourist guide (from the beginning of the 20th century) that during mountain walks on sunny days one should wear a red headscarf or a hat with red lining to avoid heat stroke, because ...
10
votes
3answers
219 views
What to look for in a quality tarp?
I'd like to purchase a tarp as some point, both to put up over a small camp at some point, and to use over a hammock.
When I've camped with my uncle he's used a folded over builders tarp, which has ...
12
votes
4answers
186 views
Taking care of hiking backpack
I've had a 60 L backpack for almost seven years now. Nothing on it is broken and it fits my needs, so right now I don't have any thoughts about replacing it (Getting a light pack might be the only ...
22
votes
1answer
264 views
How are sleeping bag temperature ratings determined?
One things that has always troubled me when buying a sleeping bag is the temperature rating. When looking at a bag that claims to be a +15°F bag (for example) how do I know that it is really good ...
7
votes
2answers
166 views
How do I check paracord to determine if it's genuine?
Given some paracord, is there a simple check that I can make to check that it's genuine and not the cheaper knock off stuff? Number of strands seems like the most obvious point, but is there anything ...
8
votes
3answers
850 views
How do I remove mildew from a tent?
Similar to this question, but mildew tends to be very resistant to removal. I sadly failed to keep my tent dry enough, and now it has a couple of mildew spots. They're not bad, but I would rather ...
5
votes
2answers
524 views
How to select paracord
What important features should I pay attention to when buying paracord for hiking (such as different types, load limit, etc)?
I just use it for bear bags, tarp lines, etc.
