Best Kept Secret

Gear hounds and backcountry types keep a lot of good secrets.  I know a man, for instance, whose lifelong dream is to build solar-powered luxury loos with the best wilderness views in the British Isles. How’s that project going? Can’t tell you.

One of the best secrets I can tell you about is the Patagonia Outlet shop in Dillon, Montana. 


That’s the place where Patagonia offers seconds, overruns and discounted items year-round. They run weekly specials, too. You can find these on Patagonia's web site.

If you’re in Montana and anywhere nearby, it’s worth stopping in to browse. Here you’ll find basic items we always need to stock up on in my household, like children’s clothing, socks, hats and underwear, not to mention the diamonds in the rough. That's the deeply discounted apparel you’ve been waiting patiently for at your price range in your size, like down jackets, technical shells, a new pair of waders or the DAS parka.

Everything is sold as is. But still comes with the famous lifetime warranty. What could be better?

The Patagonia Outlet fulfills orders by phone or fax.

The Patagonia Outlet

16 South Idaho

Dillon, Mt 59725

Phone (406) 683-2580

Fax (406) 683-2619

Wool: take the plunge

“New Wool” has been cool for a few years now. So what’s the big deal with Icebreaker? And why am I posting this with mercury rising in the Northern hemisphere?

Because if you're into natural fibers against your skin, the time to switch to wool is in the spring, when it will truly amaze you. Unless you’re heading to the tropics, you’ll get more wear out of your wool t-shirts this summer than you ever dreamed of. This wool performs great as a base layer when you need it, and offers insulation when you need that. Great for travel too: the stuff always looks fresh.

Overpriced merino wool base layers and insulation from New Zealand? At twice the cost of Smartwool? Am I kidding?

Super thin, great fit, quick-dry:
totally worth the sticker shock

Nope. It really is the bomb. I am no wool specialist. But I can say from experience that whatever they’re doing out there down under, this is now my underwear of choice. By far. 

I’ve never had better-wearing, faster-wicking, sweeter-smelling or warmer socks for their thickness (VERY thin) than these. And I've done head-to-head tests against Patagonia and Smartwool. The feel of this specific wool against my skin is much softer than comparable garments. So I’ve replaced all my silkweight Capilene t-shirts with Icebreaker ultralights.

Here's a sneak peak of the new
styling for the GT series

There’s no stink. No itch. The temperature range far exceeds competitors. I work out in my ultralite GT on all but the hottest days. It's even got mesh side panels for breathability, 3M reflectors and a GU pocket. Very simply the coolest technical shirt ever made. On cold mornings, pulling on one of these is like adding a radiator to your core. The ¾ length tights go with me everywhere. Yep, I much prefer wool to silk now.

Stick with weights in the 150 range. The midlayers (240-weight and up) take on too much water when you sweat. They’re warm when wet and handsome but slow-drying. My backcountry skiing pal did a parallel test and he agrees.

The big bonus is how easy it is to launder this stuff. On the road, hand wash with Woolite, roll it up in a towel then lay it out to dry. At home, throw it in your front-loading washer and set it on wool or delicates. Don’t put in in the dryer. At room temperature, the thinnest layers will be ready to go in a matter of hours. You’re done. Now get out there.

When in doubt, Woolite

Gear Loft Basics

It’s hard enough to find great gear that carries its weight and stands the test of time. It’s a total loss when I do something idiotic that shortens the life of a piece of equipment I rely on.

Experience has taught me not to cut costs or corners in the design phase.

Want (most of) your adventure stuff to last a lifetime or similar?

Here are the top 5 things you absolutely must have before you splurge on pricey merino base layers, a new tent, a rack and a rope or a primo down puffy or sleeping bag.

1. Front-loading, best quality, large capacity washer with “handwash” and “delicates” settings. 
2. Dryer: key for reproofing apparel. You must be able to control the heat. 
3. Well-lit, climate controlled, walk-in space low in humidity. Limit direct sunlight. 
4. Ample shelving with high clearances for loosely folded tents and sleeping bags stored in cotton bags. Air must circulate freely among all items. Air mattresses (70” plus in length) must be shelved (or hung) open and inflated. 
5. Room to hang gear including all ropes, runners and jackets (no wire hangars). NEVER store climbing ropes or runners on the ground. Ever. 

And if you dive, you can’t do without a garden hose, spigot attachments and an extra large rubber trash can (100-gallon plus, with lid) for rinsing gear in fresh water.