![Derek Franz on Magnetar (5.13d), Rifle Mountain Park, Colorado. The Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw is the first one clipped to the rope above the ground, near the lower right corner of the frame. The carabiner that the Bulletproof draw replaced was severely grooved. [Photo] Karissa Frye](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/edelrid-bulletproof-quickdraw-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor tested the Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw at Rifle Mountain Park, a world-famous sport crag where the volume of traffic frequently destroys carabiners. The… Read More »Edelrid Bulletproof quickdraw: The burliness of steel with the lightness of aluminum
![The author posing with the Sea to Summit Flame sleeping bag, which is made specifically for women. [Photo] Katherine Erwin collection](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xsea-to-summit-flame-iv-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.vLp85Otzkd.jpg)
Kate Erwin used Sea to Summit’s Flame IV women-specific sleeping bag in British Columbia’s Purcell Range last October and found that the mapped-baffle design was… Read More »Sea to Summit Flame IV: A warm ultralight sleeping bag tailored specifically for women
![The author appreciating the sticky rubber of the Salewa Wildfire Edge approach shoes during a log crossing on a backpack trip in western Colorado last June. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xsalewa-wildfire-edge-1-2-930x620.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.dqy4vEV0_K.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz has been wearing the Salewa Wildfire Edge approach shoes everywhere for the last several months. He reports that the shoes… Read More »Salewa Wildfire Edge: Technical approach shoes to keep up with the mountain goats
![The author preparing the Peak Refuel Sweet Pork and Rice entree at Camp 1 on Ama Dablam in Nepal. [Photo] Clint Helander collection](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/peak-refuel-1-2-930x620.jpeg)
Clint Helander recently discovered a new personal standard when it comes to freeze-dried food. In this review he explains why Peak Refuel meals are in… Read More »Peak Refuel Meals: setting a high bar for freeze-dried food
![The Unparallel Up Lace resemble the well-known Five Ten Anasazi Lace in design and performance. [Photo] Chris Kalman](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/unparallel-up-lace-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Chris Kalman checks out a little-known shoe company named Unparallel that makes climbing shoes eerily similar to the well-known designs made by Five Ten. He… Read More »Unparallel Up Lace: A new company presents a new take on a familiar shoe
![The author linking moves on Magnetar (5.13d) at Rifle Mountain Park, Colorado, last May. [Photo] Karissa Frye](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lowa-rocket-1-2-930x620.jpeg)
After extensive testing, Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz reports that the Lowa Rockets are best suited for toe- and heel-hooking, with a secure fit that… Read More »Lowa Rocket: climbing shoes made for heel/toe hooking
![Whitney Clark treks to the Torre Valley in Patagonia with the Mystery Ranch Scepter 50 backpack. [Photo] Rhiannon Klee](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/mystery-ranch-scepter-50-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Whitney Clark tested the Mystery Ranch Scepter 50 backpack in Patagonia and in the Sierra Nevada Range. She reports that the pack provides a comfortable… Read More »Mystery Ranch Scepter 50: a comfortable pack for hauling loads in the mountains
![Chris Kalman climbing Up In Smoke (5.12) at The Peaks Crag in Flagstaff, Arizona. The pitch has a little bit of everything, from thin face, to stemming, to corner crack climbing, and even some delicate toe-tapping through a panel of small shallow pockets. The Scarpa Maestro excelled on all counts. [Photo] James Q Martin](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/scarpa-maestro-mid-1-2-930x620.jpg)
Chris Kalman put the Scarpa Maestro Mid through the paces on different styles of climbs to see how they compared to his La Sportiva TC… Read More »Scarpa Maestro Mid: A worthy all-around shoe that rivals the TC Pro
![Derek Franz enjoying coffee and oatmeal made with the Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset during a backpack trip in western Colorado last June. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xsea-to-summit-alpha-pot-cookset-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.dU3OoXiCmr.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz tested the Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset and awarded it five stars for its “lightweight, compact, self-contained and user… Read More »Sea to Summit Alpha Pot Cookset 2.1: Light, compact, self-contained and user friendly
![Drew Thayer carries the Osprey Mutant 52 backpack loaded with ski mountaineering gear and a large four-season tent for a climb of Mt. Daly, Elk Range, Colorado. Crampons are tied on with cord to the rear daisy chains. [Photo] Lillian Hancock](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xosprey-mutant-52-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.x3cVHrlkq5.jpg)
Drew Thayer tested the Osprey Mutant 52 backpack on ski tours, cragging days and even a three-week packraft trip in the Amazon rainforest. While the… Read More »Osprey Mutant 52: A worthy pack for just about any pursuit in any season
![Derek Franz discovering just how much effort it can take to activate the Beal Escaper after a short rappel from the top of Elephant Rock. [Photo] Mandi Franz](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/beal-escaper-2-2-668x620.jpg)
Alpinist Digital Editor Derek Franz tested the Beal Escaper, which the company describes as a “detachable abseil system” that enables climbers to rappel on a… Read More »Beal Escaper: A scary but handy tool for when you need to rappel with one rope
![Chris Kalman enjoying the comfort of the D4 Octapod portaledge at the top of the third pitch of Moonlight Buttress (V 5.12+), Zion National Park. [Photo] Nelson Klein](https://alpinist.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/xd4-octapod-1-2-930x620.jpg.pagespeed.ic.HsfeLPELjn.jpg)
Chris Kalman details his experience with the D4 Octapod, a unique portaledge designed by the legendary big-wall gear inventor John Middendorf. Kalman tells the story… Read More »D4 Octapod: A unique portaledge that is lightweight, low-profile and easy to set up
