![The author lounges on the Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mat in Colorado's Elk Range with Mt. Sopris (12,965') in the background. [Photo] Amanda Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xsea-to-summit-ultralight-air-mat-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.dRy7jBTQT9.jpg)
The Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mat is a summer backcountry mattress that can pack down to the size of a large burrito and that… Read More »Sea to Summit Ultralight Air Mat: For a good night’s sleep in the summer backcountry
![The author wears the Ortovox Col Becchei softshell jacket on the trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Wood](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xortovox-col-becchei-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.AxzKumBR3K.jpg)
Mike Lewis finds that the Ortovox Col Becchei softshell jacket is well designed for alpine and rock climbing as well as backcountry skiing, but he… Read More »The Ortovox Col Becchei Jacket: Well-made with top-notch materials
![The author wearing the Patagonia Micro Puff jacket on Prodigal Sun in Zion last October. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xpatagonia-micro-puff-hoody-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.UhwOqyo6Bw.jpg)
Alpinist digital editor Derek Franz tested the Patagonia Micro Puff jacket and found that the lightweight, synthetic garment outperforms those of similar weights with down… Read More »Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody: better than down
![Mike Lewis carrying the Blue Ice Warthog 40L pack in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Wood](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xblue-ice-warthog-backpack-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.0ss6gCKlo7.jpg)
After lugging the Blue Ice Warthog 40L backpack around the mountains for several months, IFMGA/AMGA guide Mike Lewis came to some conclusions: the pack is… Read More »The Blue Ice Warthog 40L Pack: a worthy, alpine-specific workhorse
![Wading across the Virgin River in Zion with the Lowa Approach Pro Los in hand. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xlowa-approach-pro-lo-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.atGaBZzkx1.jpg)
If Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz had to pick just one type of shoe to wear for the rest of his life, there’s no doubt… Read More »Lowa Approach Pro GTX Lo: A go-everywhere shoe
![The author with the Blue Ice Yeti 50L backpack in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Wood](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xblue-ice-yeti-backpack-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.Ij3Tpo-HBv.jpg)
Blue Ice is a small, relatively new company that started in a garage in Europe and now has a presence in North America. IFMGA/AMGA guide… Read More »The Blue Ice Yeti 50L Pack: Small innovations that make an impact
![The Mountain Equipment Citadel Mitts. [Photo] Clint Helander](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xmountain-equipment-citadel-mitt-1-1-930x620.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.YgM213BQcu.jpg)
Alaskan alpinist Clint Helander finds the Mountain Equipment Citadel Mitt to be a lightweight and versatile option for climbs that require cutting down on bulk… Read More »Mountain Equipment Citadel Mitt: A bastion of warmth in a light package
![Hauling the pig with the Sterling WorkPro static rope on Prodigal Sun, Zion National Park. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xsterling-workpro-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.gKo0NKw-xL.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz recently used the Sterling WorkPro static line to haul a 100-pound bag on his first solo big wall. The WorkPro… Read More »Sterling WorkPro: A static rope that is supple with a high strength-to-weight ratio
![Corey Flynn starts the first pitch of Scary Canary (5.12b/c R), Eldorado Canyon, Colorado. [Photo] Chris Van Leuven](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xblack-diamond-atc-pilot-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.M3jh1gbvsC.jpg)
Chris Van Leuven used the Black Diamond ATC Pilot to catch gear-ripping falls and liked its simple design and smooth rope handling so well that… Read More »Black Diamond ATC Pilot: A solid one trick pony
![The author enjoys the comfort of the Mountain Equipment Xeros 800-fill, Russian Goose Down sleeping bag inside his bivy sack on the second morning of his solo ascent of Prodigal Sun (V 5.7 C2, 900') in Zion National Park, October 22. [Photo] Derek Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xmountain-equipment-xeros-sleeping-bag-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.-HBiiR69K-.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz used the Mountain Equipment Xeros 800-fill, Russian Goose Down bag in warm, sweaty conditions as well as cold, wet ones,… Read More »Mountain Equipment Xeros 7-degree F down sleeping bag: Among the best in its class
![Whitney Clark explores unknown terrain on a peak above Sphinx Lake in Kings Canyon, California, this past August. [Photo] Tad McCrea](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xsterling-fusion-nano-ix-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.JkcHlSelYE.jpg)
Whitney Clark takes the Sterling Fusion Nano IX along for some rugged granite adventures in Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains. The 9mm rope can… Read More »Sterling Fusion Nano IX: A versatile rope that is light and dry
![The author starts up Annunaki (5.11+) in Indian Creek, Utah, wearing the redesigned Petzl Sirocco helmet. [Photo] Macie Brendlinger](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xpetzl-sirocco-helmet-1-1-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.9M5A0dDt0Z.jpg)
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… Read More »Petzl Sirocco: The pinnacle of lightweight climbing helmets
