Gear Closet: Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro – 2018 Edition.

A couple of years back I took a look at a product from Hillsound called the Trail Crampon Pro and found it to be an excellent add on to our hiking boots and shoes for use on icy and snowy trails. True to its name, the Trail Crampon acted much like traditional mountaineering crampons, attaching to your boot in a quick and efficient manner. But, since that time the company has updates its design, making it a lot more convenient and easy to use than the previous generation.

Unlike the previous generation, the updated model of the Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro uses a ratchet and buckle system to securely attach the spikes to your shoes. Previously hikers had to adjust the sizing of the crampon using a tool, which required setting it up ahead of time and made it challenging to adjust in the field. This latest iteration is about as simple as it gets however, and having used both models extensively, I haven’t noticed any change in performance whatsoever. Essentially, this product now offers the same level of grip as a mountaineering crampon, with the ease of something that is far less technical.

Designed for low and medium grade ascents – as opposed to ice climbing or truly taxing alpine pursuits – the Trail Crampon Pro features ten individual 1 inch spikes, with six found on the front and four at the rear. This allows hikers to not only get a solid grip on the ascents, but make descents with more control as well. I’ve used them over snow, ice, and slush on trails and over rocks, and have found them to be an excellent option for use in the backcountry during high impact winter pursuits.

The latest version of the Trail Crampon seems more comfortable on my foot as well, although I can’t tell if that is due to any change in design on Hillsound’s part or if it is the result of using them with different pairs of boots. Either way, they aren’t overly constraining or restrictive, even when ratchet on tightly, making it a breeze to wear them for long hikes and alpine approaches. And when you no longer need them, they slip right off and can be stashed inside or hung from a lashing point on your backpack until you need them again.

It is important to point out that these crampons tip the scales at 23.5 ounces (667 gram) per pair. That isn’t especially heavy, but its not the lightest we’ve seen either. But, the good news is that I feel that Hillsound has found an excellent middle ground in terms of weight, durability, and convenience, making these a good all around option for those who need a bit of extra traction on slick surfaces.

The Trail Crampon Pro is also fairly budget friendly, carrying a price tag of just $79. That makes them less expensive than most technical crampons that you’ll find, but also more expensive than some of the less technical options from competitors. Indeed, I feel like this product has found an excellent middle ground that offers a more durable and stable product for those who need it, without forcing them to purchase higher price crampons that exceed their needs. Chances are, they’ll like what they find in Trail Crampon Pro, and love the price and convenience that they bring.

Autor : Kraig Becker

* source: –  Gear Closet: Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro – 2018 Edition

** see also: – https://himalman.wordpress.com/category/video/

– Trekking – posts on my site :

– Trekking in Nepal Himalaya : GOKYO, KALA PATTAR and EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK (19 days).

– Everest Base Camp – CLASSIC treks. / Version polish and english /

– Trekking in Nepal Himalaya : EVEREST HIGH VALLEY – Travel Guide. /Version english/

Adventure Tech: Suaoki G500 Portable Power Station.

Yesterday we took a look at a new portable power bank designed specifically with drone users in mind. Today, we have a more traditional model of personal power station that delivers even more energy to your base camp, while offering pretty much all of the outlets you could possibly need to keep your expedition powered up for days at time.

The new Suaoki G500 Portable Power Station recently launched on Indiegogo and has garnered a lot of attention thanks to its massive battery, relatively light weight, and high level of versatility. This device features a 500 watt-hour lithium-ion battery, which translates to roughly 137,700 mAh. That’s enough to power your smartphone for up to 90 hours or a laptop for as much as 45 hours. The G500 is even strong enough to recharge drone batteries, run a mini-refrigerator, or power an LCD projector too. In short, it is a powerful and useful tool for mobile professionals, family camping, or expedition teams heading into remote areas.

The G500 is equipped with two AC wall outlets, 2 quick-charging USB-A ports, a single quick-charging USB-C port, two 12-volt DC ports, a 12-volt car port, and an Anderson Powerpole connector. That should cover just about any kind of device you might bring with you when you hit the road, including phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, GPS devices, and headlamps.

The power station itself ships with an AC adapter to recharge it via a wall outlet and a DC charger for plugging into the cigarette lighter in your car. The G500 can be recharged in the field using a solar panel as well, allowing it to serve as a solar generator on extended expeditions. Recharging at home or in your car takes about 8-10 hours, while the time required using the sun varies depending on the solar panel, how much direct sunlight it receives, and so on.

Video: How Climbers Sleep on a Big Wall.

On more than one occasion I’ve been asked by non-climbers how rock climbers sleep on a big wall when they are doing a multi-day ascent. I’ve tried to describe to them the process to varying degrees of success, with most looking horrified just at the thought. In this video, we’ll see just how this is done, as we join Sasha DiGiulian as she takes on a massive climb, and elects to set up camp that night 1200 feet above the ground.

Autor : Kraig Becker

* source: – Video: How Climbers Sleep on a Big Wall

** see also: – https://himalman.wordpress.com/category/video/

Backapcker Gives Us 13 Great Last Minute Holiday Gifts for Hikers.

The clock is ticking on the 2017 holiday season, and Christmas is only a few days away now. If you’re still scrambling to find the perfect gift for the outdoor lover in your life, Backpacker magazine is here to help with its picks for the 13 best last-minute gifts for the hikers.

The list is a good one, offering all kinds of suggestions. And with prices ranging from just $13, all the way up to $450, there truly is something for everyone here. Amongst the gear that makes the cut are an inflatable camping pillow from Klymit, a daypack from The North Face, and a solar charger from Revel. You’ll also find jackets, socks, and other apparel, as well as a backpack for your dog.

Backpacker has put together an eclectic list here, with some really thoughtful items that many hikers wouldn’t consider getting for themselves, but would love to have as a gift. Each of the items that made he cut are high quality and really useful in a variety of outdoor settings. They also come from top brands that we all know and love, making them easy to recommend as well.

If you’re still wondering what you should buy the hiker on your list, don’t panic. You still have a bit of time. But you might want to click here to see what Backpacker recommends just in case.

Autor : Kraig Becker

* source: – Backapcker Gives Us 13 Great Last Minute Holiday Gifts for Hikers

** see also: – Best Xmas presents.