Gear Closet: Ahnu Ridgecrest Hiking Shoes

I'm lucky enough to get to test a wide variety of outdoor gear here at The Adventure Blog, including a lot of different types of footwear. In the past, I've had the opportunity to test some shoes from some of the biggest names in the outdoor industry, with some performing incredibly well, while others have left me completely disappointed. Recently, I had the chance to test a pair of hiking shoes from Ahnu for the very first time, and while it isn't a brand the is as well known as some of the others I've hiked in in the past, I came away completely impressed by the style, comfort, and quality of their products.

The new Ahnu Ridgecrest light hiking shoe is a waterproof, low-cut boot designed to take on rugged terrain and long distance trails. Unlike some other light hiking footwear that is available on the market today, this shoe is completely capable of taking on a monumental trek such as the Appalachian Trail or something similar. Rugged and durable, I have no doubt that you'll be able to walk hundreds of miles in these shoes before you'd ever need to think about replacing them.

The Ridgecrest features an eVent liner that helps to provide the waterproofing you need to keep your feet warm and dry in damp conditions. That same membrane is also breathable however, which allows heat and moisture to vent out as well. As a result, I found these shoes to be quite comfortable to wear in all but the warmest of conditions. Because they are a low-cut boot however, I'd recommend wearing gaiters with them when hiking in snow or very wet weather, as it will help to keep debris and water from seeping in over the top.


In terms of comfort for your feet, the Ridgecrest delivers as well. Out of the box, I found them to be a bit stiff, but after wearing them for a bit around the house, they soon started to break in nicely. After you've put a few miles on them, you're likely to find that they loosen up nicely, and are easy to walk in. The shoes provide a lot of support for the arch of your foot, and give you a nice sense of balance and control while wearing them. The inner padding helps feels great too, and when combined with an integrated shock-dispersal plate, they do a good job of protecting the foot from wear and tear too.

In terms of traction, the Ridgecrest performed well on a wide variety of terrains. I've worn them on dry trails, through mud, across slippery rocks, and even while fording shallow streams, all without any issues. These boots provide a nice sense of confidence and sure-footedness no matter where you go, and while I haven't had the chance to test them on snow and ice as of yet, I feel fairly confident that they would do fine on those surfaces too, provided it wasn't under extreme circumstances.

Lightweight and form fitting, the Ridgecrest at times feels more like a trail running shoe than a light hiker. That's pretty impressive considering they are made for thru-hiking on rough trails. But their level of performance is outstanding in all areas, which makes them easy to recommend for anyone looking for a low-cut boot that can be used to trek tough routes, or as an approach shoe for mountaineering expeditions. In fact, the versatility that the Ridgecrest offers is one of its strong points, making it a good all around option for adventure travelers, backpackers, and city dwellers alike.

Priced at $150, these boots feel like a real bargain. I've spent more than that on shoes that delivered less. If you're in the market for a new show that can safely and comfortably see you through a lot of outdoor adventures, it is easy to recommend Ahnu's Ridgecrest. They give you everything you could ask for in an outdoor shoe, and more.

Gear Closet: Eddie Bauer Kara Koram 0º Sleeping Bag

We're living in a golden age of sleeping bag technology. Not only have our bags gotten lighter, warmer, and more packable, they now come with a wide variety of insulation types designed to perform better in difficult situations. Case in point, is the 0º Kara Koram sleeping bag from Eddie Bauer, a comfortable, well made product that is designed for cold weather expeditions where space is at a premium and getting a good night's sleep is crucial.

The Kara Koram line of sleeping bags continues Eddie Bauer's recent trend of creating high quality outdoor gear designed for use in the mountains. The company originally made a name for itself back in the 1940's and 50's by making great outdoor gear that was made for use on expeditions to remote places. But over the years the brand became more consumer focused, moving away from the rich heritage that it had in exploration and adventure. However, a few years back, the company launched its First Ascent line of gear, which was an attempt to get back to its roots. That gear was extremely well received, and got rave reviews from those who used it. In fact, some of my favorite pieces of gear that I own are from the First Ascent line, and I have loved everything that I've used. This sleeping bag is a continuation of Eddie Bauer refocusing on the outdoor market, and it delivers on the promise of high quality gear that is built to perform well in demanding conditions.

One of the first things that struck me about the Kara Koram bag was just how well it is built. Every aspect of the sleeping bag screams high quality, from the fabrics used on the outer shell, to the zippers, inner lining, and even the stitching that holds it all together. This feels like a product that can accompany you on many adventures, and come back in perfect shape. That kind of confidence is difficult to find in a lot of outdoor gear, but you'll feel it here.


Packed with 850 fill down, the Kara Koram is incredibly warm and comfortable, while still maintaining the ability to pack down to a surprisingly small size. That means it won't take up much room in your pack, but will still provide plenty of warmth on those cold nights in a tent. I haven't been able to test it at temperatures approaching its 0ºF (-17ºC) rating just yet, but I can attest to the fact that it has exceeded my expectations at every temperature range that I've used it in so far. I have every confidence that it would perform very well at the stated temperature rating, and possibly even lower should the need arise.

We all know that down is warm and provides great packability, but that it becomes all but useless when it it gets wet. That's why the Kara Koram features StormDown, which is Eddie Bauer's name for the water resistant insulation that comes from DownTek, the company that pioneered the hydrophobic down movement. Essentially, the down that is included in this sleeping bag has been treated with a water resistant coating that allows it to repel moisture, while maintaining its loft and ability to keep us warm. It is truly a revolutionary product, and I'm happy to say that it is put to good use here. For this bag to fail in the same manner as older down sleeping bags, conditions would have to be incredibly bad.

Getting a good night's sleep is imperative to enjoying your time in the backcountry, and this bag will help you to do jus that. Its interior is very comfortable, and while it does feature a mummy-cut design, I never felt cramped or claustrophobic inside. The designer at Eddie Bauer were even thoughtful enough to include an interior pocket for storing your electronic devices. This has the two-fold benefit of keeping those items close at hand for when you need them, as well as keeping them warm in cold conditions – something that can help with maintaining battery life and protecting LCD screens.

As with any mummy bag, the hood plays an important role in keeping you warm throughout the night, and the Kara Koram is no different. Fortunately, I found it easy to cinch up the hood, and still sleep very comfortably. But if you're the kind of person who finds this style of sleeping bag confining, you may have issues here.

For those who are concerned about how much their packs weigh when setting out on an adventure, the Kara Koram tips the scales at 2 lbs. 12 oz for the regular version, and 2 lbs. 15 oz for the long. While that doesn't make it the lightest sleeping bag on the market of course, those are still impressive numbers for bag that is rated for 0ºF. Winter gear is always heavier and bulkier than what we can get away with during the warmer months, but all things considered, this sleeping bag provides excellent performance for its weight and size.

Of course, any piece of gear that offers this level of performance tends to come with a steep price tag, and the Kara Koram 0º is no different. MSRP for this sleeping bag is $549, although it can be found online for less if you search hard enough. That price will probably be enough to put some people off, but good winter gear always costs more, and you'll be hard pressed to find a bag that performs this well for less.

As you can tell, I'm highly impressed with this bag. If you need something for cold weather adventures, I'd recommend it highly.

Nat Geo Presents Holiday Gifts for the Adventurer in Your Life

Now that December is here, the holidays are just around the corner, which probably means that you're searching for the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast or adventurer in your life. Why not let National Geographic help you find just the right thing to put under their tree this year?

Nat Geo has just published it's holiday shopping guide for 2015, with some great suggestions that are sure to be popular with your outdoor explorer. Some of the products that get the nod include the Pace Norviz Reflective Top from Helly Hansen, which is zip-necked activewear top that becomes highly reflective in low light conditions. The Danner Jag Steel boot is recommended for its retro look, comfort, and lightweight, while the Filson Meridian duffle is a great option for use on those short, weekend escapes. Other gift options include new running shoes from New Balance, a down-insulated pull-over from Patagonia, and an ultralight stuff pack from Osprey.

You'll find items on the list for every budget and lifestyle, ranging from high end watches and cameras, down to simple – but highly useful – items that don't cost much at all. Most of the items on the list will definitely be highly coveted by the outdoorsman or woman in your life, and will provide them with something that will be of use for many years to come.

If Santa is reading this blog post, I'd certainly enjoy finding the new Suunto Traverse under my tree this year. That, and a puppy.

Gear Closet: Jöttnar Fenrir Hydrophobic Down Jacket

One of my favorite advances in the area of outdoor gear over the past few years has been the introduction of water-resistant down. Before the creation of this type of insulation, anytime a down jacket or sleeping bag got wet, it became practically useless. Wet down loses its loft, becomes clumpy, and can even freeze solid. But with this new type of down insulation that isn't the case, and an increasing number of companies are incorporating it into their products, improving the overall performance in the process. Case in point, the Fenrir jacket from Jöttnar, which uses Downtek insulation to create a warm, lightweight outer layer that is built for alpine pursuits.

If you're not familiar with Jöttnar just yet, it is probably because the U.K.-based company is still relatively new on the scene, and hasn't made a big impact on this side of the pond just yet. But they're hoping to change that in the near future, and considering the line-up of outdoor performance gear that they offer, I think you'll probably be hearing a lot more from them in the future.

The Fenrir is one of the company's flagship down jackets, and is a good example of their approach to design gear for use in extreme conditions. Lightweight and highly packable, the jacket weighs a mere 13.2 ounces (380 g), but offers a level of performance that you might find in a heavier, bulkier product. Stuffed with 850 fill power down, Jöttnar has placed its water-repellant insulation in strategic areas throughout the jacket to help make it as efficient and comfortable as possible. As a result, the Fenrir has been designed to provide protection where it is needed most, without becoming overly bulky.

In fact, one of the things that I like the most about this jacket is its athletic cut and design. This is a precut that has been designed with outdoor athletes in mind, and as a result it hugs the body closely, providing a fit that doesn't impede movement in any way, but also ensures that the warmth is kept inside, close to the body where it will do the most good.


The outer fabrics of the Fenrir include rip-stop nylon that has been designed to keep the howling winds at bay. Those same fabrics are also water resistant and treated with a DWR coating that will repel just about anything short of a serious downpour. That helps to keep the Downtek insulation inside the jacket from getting overly wet as well, even though it is capable of staying dry for up to 10 times longer than traditional down as well.

Other features that are much appreciated include an interior pocket large enough to hold a smartphone, two hand-warming pockets on either side of the jacket, and elastic cuffs that were specifically designed to help keep the heat in. Drawcords along the bottom of the Fenrir allow the wearer to dial in just the right fit, and those same cords have been engineered to avoid snagging them on external objects while on the move.

As someone who is a frequent traveler, one of my favorite features of this jacket is its ability to pack down to a very small footprint. Jöttnar even includes a stuff sack along with the Fenrir that allows you to store the jacket until it is needed, without taking up too much room in your backpack. This will come in handy on many future trips where a warm jacket is needed, but you won't want to sacrifice carrying capacity.

When used as part of a layering system – consisting of base layers, a mid-layer, and an outer shell – the Fenrir truly comes alive. This is a warm, comfortable, puffy jacket, without too much of the puffy part. The fact that it also features a classic, simple, but elegant, design makes it easy to wear around town on cold weather days without feeling like you're out of place. But the Fenrir was designed for performance in the mountains, and that is where it truly shines. The jacket will keep you warm on the trail in incredibly bad conditions, allowing you to keep moving without compromise. What more could we possibly ask for out of our gear?

Jöttnar sells the Fenrir for £200, which roughly translates to $300 at the current exchange rate. That's a relative bargain for a jacket that performs at this level, and offers so much versatility. The biggest challenge you're likely to have is tracking one down here in the States or in North America in general. Hopefully that will change soon, as this is certainly a brand to keep an eye on, and their gear is top notch in every way.