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How to choose a backpacking tent

Freestanding or tensioned? Single wall or double walls? There are a dozen decisions to be made when choosing a new backpacking tent.

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How to choose a rain jacket

Learn the difference between a hard shell and rain shell as well as why you might choose one over the other.

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Gear guide: outdoor jackets

The right jacket will keep you warm and dry. But with so many choices in insulation, shell fabric and features, choosing an outer layer is no easy decision

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Figure 8 vs Bowline

Which is better for tying in – a figure 8 or bowline? Here, I try to answer that question by looking at the pros, cons, and best uses for each.

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Are assisted-braking belay devices safer?

The answer should be obvious, but this misconception about assisted-braking devices still persists. Time to clear things up once and for all

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How to kneebar

Besides allowing you to cop a no-hands rest, a kneebar can also free up a hand to clip or make an otherwise difficult reach. This is how you do it.

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How to rest on route

Whether you climb 5.11 or 5.13, being able to rest on route can make the difference between a send and flail.

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Essential skills needed in trad climbing

When honing their craft, new tradsters usually focus on their gear skills, but there’s more to trad climbing than being able to place nuts and cams.

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How to choose gear for ultralight backpacking

Ultralight gear isn’t cheap. Avoid any post-purchase dissonance by learning how to choose the right gear for going fast and light.