Gear Review

I am more fanatical about gear than maybe anyone realizes. In my down time, I don't watch movies or TV, I spend it studying maps, consuming trip reports and videos, and learning about gear through reviews, educational articles, and videos. Sometimes there is more of an emphasis on the latter than I care to admit. But my strongest opinions on gear are forged through hundreds of days per year outside, with a ruthless attention to detail.  I like gear that is high performance, reliable, versatile, and in most cases, light. Performance and reliability are critical for fun, safety, and reducing environmental impact. I seek versatility because I am a compulisve minimalist; I want to own few items in order to simplify the process of leaving and returning. Lightness is essential for keeping joy on complicated or extended trips in the backcountry.