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2004 High-performance sport Velcro
Its a golden time to be in the market for shoes. In the past few years, innovative new companies have burst onto the scene, and established manufacturers have stepped up their R&D in response. We now have an unprecedented array of shoes from which to choose, with over 125 models on the market. Its a golden time to be in the market for shoes. In the past few years, innovative new companies have burst onto the scene, and established manufacturers have stepped up their R&D in response. We now have an unprecedented array of shoes from which to choose, with over 125 models on the market. Solid, clean, functional, and lightweight — Wild Things has hit every base in its bid to create a real alpinist’s pack. Germany-based Vaude has recently returned to the U.S. market, and if this pack and its two-figure price tag are any indication, it’s going to give the home crowd a run for the money. Some loved the full-length side zipper that gave them ready access to buried gear without having to unbuckle, unfasten, and unload. Others saw this as a blow-out waiting to happen. Although MontBell is a company dedicated to the principle of “fast and light,” this pack practically forces the user to go heavy. It’s an impressive pack, very comfortable to carry, and very light, but the design has complexities, features, and downright shortcomings that render it less than ideal for the alpine arena. Here’s a state-of-the-art wolf in yesterday’s clothing. The Mountain Attack’s unadorned, retro styling belies the notion that materials and designs must be high-tech to make the grade. As the company’s name implies, Granite Gear makes equipment that will stand up to punishment, and this pack is a good example. Clean, smart, and utilitarian, the Chernobyl is a pack designed for climbing. There is no internal frame and the capacity is on the smallish end of the spectrum — but we didn’t mind a pack that reminds us to keep it light. At first glance, the Shadow’s 210d SilNylon fabric seems woefully lightweight for mountain warfare, but after stepping on it with a crampon and then watching as the fabric self-healed the punctures to nearly invisible pinholes, it made a believer out of me. The workmanship is a thing of beauty and the packbag fabric is bomber, and whenever we had to fish something out, we appreciated the fact that it’s light-colored on the inside. We’ve scrutinized the newest generation of high-tech rucksacks and assembled a choice selection. Western Mountaineering’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the UltraLite, an open-baffle sack filled with conservatively rated 850-fill down. Do you own a digital scale, leave the toothbrush at home, and cut extra straps off your pack? Then the Mountainsmith Whisp could be for you. |
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