alpine journal 4 rocky Peak 50+10l—EUrEkA

alpine journal
Summer Gear Reviews
1 Towpath Convertible Pants—ARBORWEAR
When you spend as much time around Montana’s rivers,
streams, and lakes as I do, it’s pretty damn hard to beat the comfort
and convenience of convertible pants. Maybe that’s why
the Towpath Convertible Pants from Arborwear have quickly
become my new favorite article of outdoor apparel. These
comfy pants can quickly convert to shorts, are comprised of
a stretchy poly/spandex fabric and feature full side-zip/zip-off
legs, articulated knees, and convenient front and rear zippered
pockets to keep your belongings safe. During long days on the
water, the Towpath’s UPF 50+ rating keeps my pasty white
legs from getting torched by the sun, while the durable, waterrepellent
finish helps keep me dry. Available at Grizzly Outfitters,
and Timber Trails. $120; arborwear.com. —DAVID HOWLETT
2 Tundra 65—YETI
The Yeti Tundra 65 now has a permanent spot on my raft.
Built by outdoorsmen, it’s constructed to fit perfectly in the
frame, and the 65-quart size is great for a one or two-day float.
There’s plenty of room for cans of malted goodness, pop for
the kids, as well as lunch and snacks in the dry compartment
above the ice. With other coolers, I typically end up adding
more ice by the end of the day—but with the Yeti, extra ice
runs are a thing of the past. The Yeti is also certified bear
proof, so planning for food storage on overnight trips won’t
be a concern. The Yeti is heavier than a cooler of comparable
size, but as we all learned in grade-school health, muscle
weighs more than fat. The price might scare you, but remember,
the only other cooler you’ll ever purchase will be a different
sized Yeti. Available at River’s Edge, Northern Lights,
Grizzly Outfitters, Gallatin River Guides, and Owenhouse Ace
Hardware. $390; yeticoolers.com. —Chris McCarthy
3 Bravo Quickdraw—METOLIUS
When you’re as bad at climbing as me, every single variable
can make a difference. That’s why I’m glad I found the
Bravo Quickdraw from Metolius. The wide 20-millimeter
gate opening will swallow hangers of any size, the
color-coded biners help you rack the draws correctly at a
glance, and the wire-gates make for easy clipping. Plus,
at a breezy weight of 2.4 ounces per draw, even a whole
rack of them won’t stop you from reaching the top of that
tricky sport route. Available at REI and Northern Lights. $19;
metoliusclimbing.com. —DAVE REUSS
4 Rocky Peak 50+10L—EUREKA
Summer in Montana means multiday backpacking trips—
but not everyone wants to drop a few hundo on a fancy
pack. One affordable alternative is Eureka’s Rocky Peak
50+10L. All the standard features—padded hip belt, sternum
strap, hydration sleeve, top lid that doubles as a day
pack, et al—combine with a few extras to make the Rocky
Peak a solid pack for the beginner and intermediate backpacker
alike. The 50-liter size (10 more in the top flap) hold
everything needed for up to a week in the backcountry. I
liked the side pockets for quick access to smaller items and
the mesh flap for stashing a raincoat or fleece. The side tunnel
pockets held my fishing rod secure and accessible at
the same time, and the built-in rain cover was pretty handy
during afternoon thundershowers. I found the Rocky Peak
surprisingly comfortable and more than adequate for all my
backcountry trips—and even more satisfying was the extra
$200 in my pocket. $130; eurekatent.com. —MIKE ENGLAND
40 | OUTSIDE BOZEMAN summer 2013