New for the Med Kit

Along with my REGA card, I’ve just added two new products from Rising to my med kit.

The 90’ tweezers allow for more light and better angles on tricky jobs. And the Stellar Scissors 2.0 can be dialed in—much more precise than any other lightweight scissors I own. They also keep the blades up and clean when resting on the ground or on a rock.

The hemostat-inspired pliers are still by far the best for field use. As every fisherman knows, there’s nothing like having your pliers ready to hand, securely attached to your chest pocket.

Winter is coming, so get out there!

Best Adventure Wallet

What’s in your wallet?

After a couple years of field testing, my Bellroy All-Conditions leather gear is hard to beat. Good looks, durability, security, weatherproofness and packability: this stuff has it all.

I’ve switched from black to orange because the Bellroy is so unobtrusive, it takes stealth too far in black. The burnt orange leather is easier to find—and surprisingly attractive.

So what’s inside mine?

A slim Tile on every trip. Spare keys when I need them. ID, bank card, medical insurance, roadside assistance, credit card, and a couple folded bills. Zip, stash and you’re done.

When traveling in Europe, you may want a separate wallet for coins.

On or off grid, Bellroy kit gives me a great sense of security on all my trips. Always stylish, good value for the money, and you can usually find their products at Patagonia base camps. What’s not to like? Five stars.

Long Winter’s Nap 2019

Happy New Year!

I’ll use my 30-degree Revelation as a summer bag. Or maybe a spare opera cloak?

Quick update on the quilt front. When we last spoke, I was telling you about my new 0-degree, ultralight quilt from Enlightened Equipment. Yep, it’s awesome. This post is designed to be a data point for those of you ready to take the plunge and custom-order a Revelation. 

(1) Don’t delay! I notice that EE is having trouble keeping up with growth, and so it’s taking longer for them to produce quilts. If you plan a thru-bike in 2019, order now.

(2) Buy two “steps” colder than you think you’ll need. EE exagggerates their temperature ratings.

(3) The colors from the web site don’t run true. Just so you can’t say I didn’t tell you. I think this may have to do with the fabrics. IMO, ultralight fabrics by Nemo and Western are better quality. There’s something slightly second class about EE’s fabrics and colors. Hard to put my finger on it. My tangerine bag looks dull in the 20D, and the yellow is too yolkey in 10D—compared with Nemo’s yello, which is fabulous. The EE graphite looks brown in 7D. All of this is slightly disappointing. I’d stick with black, which is handsome in 10D on my new 30-degree quilt. Reverso: maybe red? I like the blue inside my “graphite” booties.

The booties are the bomb.

(4) 0-degree, extra-wide quilt delivers a toasty November night’s sleep for somebody like me who turns in the night, tested down to about freezing, even beside the New River. Plus: suitable for rushing theater tickets on Broadway in the dead of winter too, according to my intrepid thespian child!

(5) Magically light! Packs down small—but please don’t keep it stuffed for long periods when not in use. It’s too fragile.

So get out there 2019!