![The author starts up Annunaki (5.11+) in Indian Creek, Utah, wearing the redesigned Petzl Sirocco helmet. [Photo] Macie Brendlinger](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/petzl-sirocco-helmet-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
BJ Sbarra reports on his experience with Petzl’s redesigned Sirocco helmet, and reflects on the evolution of climbing’s head protection. The new Sirocco is more durable and lighter than ever, making it one of the best all-around helmets available.
![Mandi Franz explores the high country with Soleil the dog during an overnight trip on Independence Pass, Colorado. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/good-to-go-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz generally avoids the packaged, freeze-dried or dehydrated meals when he goes camping, but he sampled several Good To-Go meal varieties in the backcountry with his wife, and they agreed the recipes were the best they’d ever tried for this type of food. The meals were flavorful and nutritious, replenishing tired bodies after long days of playing in the mountains, but still had the usual drawbacks of dehydrated ingredients, such as texture and digestion. Five stars.
![Mike Lewis sits cross-legged as he pulls out the map on Mt. Rainier. [Photo] Mike Lewis collection](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/patagonia-850-down-sleeping-bag-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Mike Lewis spent 58 nights in the Patagonia 850 Down Sleeping Bag (19°F/-7°C) and slept well enough to award it five stars. He noted that there are some features that could be improved but he is otherwise impressed with the company’s first sleeping bag designs.
![The La Sportiva Kataki shoes were made for routes like Scene of the Crime (5.12d) on Independence Pass, Colorado. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/la-sportiva-kataki-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Derek Franz stepped into the new La Sportiva Kataki rock shoes and is impressed with their performance on “tiny little nothings.” He found that the shoes functioned well for their intended purpose of climbing vertical to moderately overhanging terrain. Five stars.
![Rob Kepley on Dos Equis (5.10b), Cathedral Spires, South Platte, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/five-ten-quantum-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The Five Ten Quantum rock shoes were designed to be an all-around, high performance shoe. Chris Van Leuven tested them on slabs, cracks and steeps, and on a variety of rock types: he scampered up them all, and was so pleased he awarded the redesigned Quantums five stars.
![For illustration purposes only. Actual product may vary in color, specs and corporeal dimension. [Image] Robin Earle](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/emperors-jacket-spoof-1-1.jpg?resize=500%2C620&ssl=1)
Alpinist Fashion Editor Paula Rumpelshorts reviews the latest in alpine outerwear: the Emperor Jacket (so lightweight and breathable, you’ll hardly know it’s there).
![Mike Lewis climbs Hidden Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park with the calf snaps closed on the Dynafit Yotei pants. Lewis reports that he liked the calf snaps because they adapted the fit of the cuffs better for ice climbing after he used the pants for ski touring. [Photo] Eric Stoutenburg](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/dynafit-yotei-pants-1-1-scaled.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The Dynafit Yotei GTX Pants proved to be a versatile piece of outerwear for Mike Lewis, an AMGA-certified alpine guide, who reports that the pants work well for ski-touring and ice climbing while accommodating comfortable space for avalanche beacons and field books. The pants became his go-to option after testing them in Chile, Wyoming’s Grand Tetons and Canada. He awards them five stars.
![The Alpha-SV works well for alpine climbing; the long hem stays tucked under a harness, chest pockets are easy to access, and the long sleeves, ample hood, and high chin provide excellent coverage from the elements. In this photo Drew Thayer (the author) is wearing the jacket on the first ascent of Spearhead Peak (7,140'), Neacola Range, Alaska. [Photo Craig Muderlak]](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/arcteryx-alpha-sv-jacket-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The Arc’teryx Alpha SV Jacket is a specialized piece of clothing built for the harshest climbing situations. Drew Thayer put it to the test on a month-long expedition in Alaska and awarded it five stars.
![Bachelor Party: After a typical Black Canyon approach, the author (right) prepares to climb back to the rim with his buddies Jack Cody (middle) and Todd Preston (left), in June 2015, the day before the author's wedding. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/sportiva-tx2-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The La Sportiva TX2 approach shoes shine brightly on fast-and-light rock missions when you need to carry your approach shoes with you on the climb. Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz awards them five stars.
![The author wears the VOORMI River Run Hoodie while climbing Animal Magnetism (5.11) in Boulder Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Luis Felipe Ossa Rodriguez (aka Lucho Salsa)](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/river-run-hoodie-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
The VOORMI River Run Hoodie keeps Chris Van Leuven comfy in all kinds of conditions, from rainy trails and toothy offwidths to social scenes. He awards it five stars.
![The author said that the CiloGear 30:30 backpack is basically an improved version of the CiloGear 45-liter pack pictured here in Patagonia in 2012, loaded with enough gear to go alpine style on Mate, Porro y Todo lo Demas (6c [5.11b], 900m) on the North Pillar of Fitz Roy (3375m), which looms in the background. Huckaby writes, Troutman aka 'Coleman Blakeslee' and myself climbed up the North Pillar to the summit and descended down the Franco-Argentine route on the other side of Fitz. [Photo] Josh Huckaby](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cilogear3030-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Yosemite Search and Rescue member Josh Huckaby puts the CiloGear 30:30 backpack to the test and is stoked with the product. He plans to use it in Patagonia this January. Five stars!
![Mike Lewis begins the roof pitch on Vertigo (5.11b) in Eldorado Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Slava Lototskyy](https://i0.wp.com/alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/tenaya-ra-1-1.jpg?resize=930%2C620&ssl=1)
Mike Lewis finds that the Tenaya Ra has everything he looks for in a climbing shoe, including a great out-of-the-box fit that doesn’t require a break-in period. Five Stars!
