Gear Closet: Osprey Atmos 50 Backpack

It is difficult to improve on perfection. Especially in the world of outdoor gear. One of my all-time favorite pieces of gear is my Osprey Atmos 50 backpack. I love it so much that I've taken it with me on trips to six continents and it has always served me well. It is the perfect size to fit in most overhead compartments and yet still carry all the gear you need for an extended trip. My Atmos has been up mountains, across deserts and down rivers, and while it has a few battle scars it remains in great condition and always ready for a new adventure.

Gear Closet: OutThere MS-1 Backpack

Back in October I wrote a review of the AS-1 backpack, calling it the best pack on the market for adventure racing and a damn great pack for backpackers and adventure travelers as well. I was struck with the AS-1's comfort, well thought out design, and multitude of pockets and compartments. In short, it was one of the best pieces of gear that I had used in quite some time and since writing that review, I have only continued to be impressed.

The AS-1 comes to us from a company called OutThere! which was started by adventure athlete Mike Kloser. Mike is a multi-time world champion in mountain biking and adventure racing, and all of that time spent in the field has given him a unique perspective on what outdoor athletes need from their gear. Kloser has now taken that considerable expertise and applied it to a new, smaller pack called the MS-1 which exhibits many of the same attributes as its predecessor but in a much smaller package. In fact, the MS-1 has exactly half the carrying capacity of its bigger sibling, offering 15 liters of internal storage with an additional 5 liters in an external mesh pocket.

Aside from the differences in size however, the packs have a lot in common. Both are made from durable, water resistant fabrics and feature rugged zippers that provide easy access to the packs contents but seal the pack up tight as well. Once again, the MS-1 has plenty of pockets and compartments for carrying your gear. In addition to the large main compartment, there are three additional internal pockets that help keep the small stuff close at hand and well organized. Externally there is a very handy zippered mesh pocket as well and additional storage on the hip belt and shoulder straps. As you would expect, the pack is hydration ready and includes integrated hydration tube sleeves, but also has two large water bottle holsters that can be easily reached even while wearing the pack.

While the larger AS-1 is a fantastic pack for multi-day, expedition length adventure races or backpacking excursions, the MS-1 is better suited for shorter 24 to 48 hour events. I was surprised to find that once I adjusted the pack to fit my body, it was actually even more comfortable to wear than the AS-1, a pack that was already very comfy even while carrying a larger load. The airmesh padded back panel and shoulder straps felt great, even on extended treks and I especially enjoyed the way the MS-1 fit snuggly against my body, but still allowed me to move freely and quickly.

I know I sound like a broken record when comparing these two packs, but once again I am impressed with how versatile the MS-1 can be. The pack can be used for everything from day hikes and overnight camping to mountain bike excursions and cross country ski outings. The size is perfect for just about any kind of outing and works well as a travel pack too. I recently carried the pack on a trip to Michiagan's Upper Peninsula and found that it carried my laptop, DSLR camera, and other travel gear comfortably and easily too.

If you were tempted by the AS-1, but thought it was simply too large for your needs, than you'll definitely want to grab the MS-1 as soon as possible. Designed to be a great pack for adventure racing, its use extends well beyond that and you're likely to find you're using it for all of your outdoor adventures. If you already own the AS-1 and want the same functionality in a smaller pack, you won't be disappointed either.

Mike typically sells the pack for $149, which is a great price for a piece of gear with this kind of quality. But he is currently running a special promotion with the MS-1 on sale for just $135. Check it out on the OutThere! homepage now.

And if you don't want to take my word for how good the MS-1 is,  my friend Randy Ericksen had put together a video review as well. For a second opinion, check out Randy's thoughts below.

Gear Closet: Hydrapak E-Lite Runners Vest

Awhile back, I wrote a review of the new Marathoner hydration vest from Camelbak, which should be hitting stores about now. I found it to be a good option for long distance runners who want to stay hydrated while on the go. Fast forward a few months, and I've now had the opportunity to test out a similar vest from Hydrapak, and while the two products are competitors, I thin they'll appeal to a different audience.

Over the past few weeks, I've been putting the Hydrapak Elite Vest to the test, both on road and trail runs, and I've come to really appreciate what this lightweight, minimalist pack brings to the table. The vest weighs in at a mere 9.9 ounces, and is pretty much stripped down to the bare essentials. It sports a 1 liter water bladder, half that of the Camelbak, and two small zip pockets, which stretch to hold more than you would think at first glance. The Elite Vest also has four holster style pockets for keeping your gels, nutritional bars, and other food items close at hand.

Made from very soft, moisture wicking fabrics, I found the Elite to be very comfortable to wear, particularly over longer distances. In fact, for my tastes, Hydrapak's offering was more comfortable to me than Camelbak's, which is a bit larger, although by no means bulky. Adjusting the fit on the Elite is a quick, and simple affair, and once properly adjusted, it locked into place nicely, something I appreciate greatly when on an extended run.

When Hydrapak says that this is a minimalist pack, they truly mean it. If you are a runner that needs to carry more than a liter of water, or carries a jacket, headlamp, or other items with you, you'll probably appreciate the expanded options available on the Marathoner more. But if you prefer to move fast and light, and don't require much in the way of extra gear, the Elite is a great option, so long as you are aware of the limitations ahead of time. Personally, I felt that the smaller vest was a better option in the warmer weather of Texas, where the larger pack can lead to overheating.

Despite its minimalist design, the Elite Vest is a very high quality product. After numerous runs, mine looks like it is is still brand new, and feels like it will be a great training companion for a long time to come. With a price tag of just $54.99, it also is an inexpensive option for runners on a budget, although there is nothing "budget" about this product.

The Hydrapak Elite Vest gets a big thumbs up here.

Winter Outdoor Retailer Underway!

The 2012 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market is underway in Salt Lake City, Utah, where all the gear companies, great and small, are now showing off their new products. It is an event that is amazing to behold, as aisle after aisle of drool-inducing gear is put on display. We're talking more packs, boots, and apparel than you could ever hope to see, all in one place.

Having attended the summer version of the show last August, I'm lamenting the fact that I'm not there at the moment. Fortunately, there are several great websites that are helping to keep us all in the know and sharing some sneak peeks at what we can expect to be hitting store shelves in the months ahead.

First, the Gear Junkie is always a great resource for any kind of news related to outdoor equipment and he has posted some images and descriptions of a host of new products in his Winter OR article. Some of the items that the GJ spotlights include new boots from Salewa, an amazing looking jacket from Outdoor Research, and a new GPS training watch from Magellan.

Also doing their usual bang-up job of reporting from the show are the team over at TrailSpace.com. You can find their continually updated OR page by clicking here. They've already posted a first-look at new shelters from Brooks-Range and Snow Peak, as well as a second article that looks and a number of new items, including a nice looking climbing helmet from Mammut.

Outside magazine is also posting their picks for the best gear of the show as well. You can take a gander at their selections by clicking here. Some of the items that make their exclusive list include a new vest from North Face and a jacket from Sierra Designs.

I have every intention of being back at OR this coming August, but for now, I'm just going to have to settle for reading this articles as well. Looks like plenty of good stuff on the horizon.

Gear Box: CamelBak Charge LR Hydration Pack

For active, outdoor enthusiasts, the hydration pack just might be the greatest invention ever. The ability to conveniently carry our water with us no matter where we go or what activity we're doing, has made our ability to play and work outside much easier. Over the years, the hydration pack has evolved to the point where they are now lighter, easier to use, and more ergonomically designed to fit our bodies. They've even become specialized to the point that there are now hydration packs built for specific sports. Take for example the new Charge LR from CamelBak, a pack that has been built from the ground-up for mountain bikers.

The Charge LR takes a new approach to the hydration pack design by shifting the water bladder onto the lumbar section of your back. This changes the dynamic of where the weight sits and actually results in a much more comfortable fit, particularly when wearing the pack for extended periods of time. In fact, this change is so dramatic, that I would go so far as to say that the Charge might be the most comfortable ultralight hydration pack I've ever used. The design works especially well while riding too, never impeding movement or restricting your ability to hit the trails hard.

The lumbar-based design isn't the only thing that the Charge LR brings to the table for mountain bikers however. The interior storage compartment provides designated spaces for carrying a multi-tool, spare tubes, a cell phone, keys, and other assorted items. There is even enough room for a lightweight jacket, just in case the weather shifts while you're on your ride. Zippered hip pockets on the belt are a great place to keep energy bars close at hand, while an exterior stretch pocket handles overflow gear with aplomb.

CamelBak went all out on making the Charge easy to adjust and super comfortable to wear as well. The padded belt and shoulder straps carry a full load without missing a beat and the 3D mesh suspension system means that the pack will work well for riders of a variety of sizes. In another nice touch, the pack designers included lumbar compression straps which allow riders to keep the pack snugly in place, even as the water in their hydration bladder  goes down.

With all of those features and design elements combined into this one pack, the question is, how well does it work while mountain biking? Quite honestly, the Charge LR is is even more than the sum of its part and it makes a perfect hydration option. The narrow design of the pack and lumbar based hydration bladder really are a fantastic approach for riders. CamelBak has done a great job of recognizing the needs of mountain bikers, and delivering them a product that fills those needs nicely.

Unfortunately, the Charge LR isn't available until February, when it will hit stores with an MSRP of $100. Trust me, it'll be worth the wait.

Gear Box: AS-1 Backpack

When you want to build a house, you hire an architect. When you want to design an airplane, you get an aeronautical engineer. It only makes sense that if  you want the best backpack possible for adventure racing, you go to the best adventure racer ever.

With three Eco-Challenge wins, five Primal Quest titles, and four world championships to his name, Mike Kloser has an adventure racing resume that few can match. He has years of experience in races of various lengths and in various environments, and he has taken all of that knowledge and channeled it into an amazing backpack that will appeal not only to multi-sport athletes, but hikers and travelers as well.

Mike's AS-1 Pack comes to us from his fledgling company Out There! and it brings with it a host of features that are sure to make it a hit with the AR crowd. As you would expect from a pack designed by an adventure racer, the AS-1 is not only tough and durable, but it is also lightweight and comfortable as well. In fact, after spending hours on the trail with this pack, I can honestly say it is one of the most comfortable packs of its size that I have ever used. The back panel is well padded and offers good ventilation, which aids in keeping you cool while on the move, and well placed hip pouches keep snacks or other small gear items close at hand at all times. Those same pouches can be easily removed if necessary, which only begins to hint at the level of versatility found in this pack.

Made from water resistant materials, the AS-1 provides 30 liters of internal storage with another 10 liters of external capacity. A unique double cinch system helps to keep moisture out of the inside of the pack, keeping gear dry in poor weather conditions. Two hydration bladder pockets, one internal one external, offer versatility for carrying your water supply and four(!) bottle holsters make it easy to expand that capacity further.

The versatility extends to adjusting the pack's fit as well. The shoulder and chest straps are a snap to adjust to match your personal comfort, and the waist belt can be easily slid and modified to fit your needs as well. High quality buckles and clasps hold everything in place, even while carrying a full load, and in my testing of the AS-1, once I locked in the fit, it stayed exactly where I wanted it at all times.

The list of features on the AS-1 goes on and on. plenty of storage pockets in various sizes, ice axe/trekking pole loops, side compression straps that can be used to carry skis or a snowboard, integrated emergency whistle, and more. In short, just about everything that the outdoor enthusiast could possibly want out of a pack, save the kitchen sink.

There were a lot of things that I really liked about the AS-1, but I think the variety of storage options and easy of access to your gear is probably what impressed me the most. For instance, their are two zippered pockets in the pack's hood alone, with a variety of others hidden away throughout the design. There are so many cleverly integrated pockets in fact, that you may use the pack three or four times before you discover them all. It is all of this storage and organization that will make this a popular pack not just with adventure racers, but active travelers as well. Heck, I found at least three places to store my laptop alone.

Built from the ground up for the sport of adventure racing, I believe that this is, without a doubt, the best available pack for that sport. Mike knows full well what is needed – and what isn't – out of a high performance pack on a multi-day race, and the results shine through in the AS-1. Small touches, like quick and easy access to all your gear, at all times, is the kind of detail that you don't get out of a pack designed by someone who has never competed in the sport.

But one word that I've used often in this review is "versatility," and it is the characteristic that will make this bag popular with people who have no intention of ever entering an adventure race. The AS-1 may have been built for AR, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great option for hikers, travelers, backcountry skiers, or just about anyone else who plays in the outdoors. Its versatility will make this pack the first choice on many future adventures for me, with only it's size limiting it for longer term forays into the backcountry.

As you can probably tell, I was highly impressed with the AS-1 and think that you will be too. From its high quality construction to its exceptional comfort, this pack was a delight to use, and whether you're planning your first adventure race or preparing for a trek in the Andes, the AS-1 is a perfect companion on what ever adventures  you have in your future. (MSRP: $189)