Black Diamond Megalight

I'm going to list all the reasons I love the Megalight tent from Black Diamond.

1) size and weight: This is a four-person tent that matches size and weight specs of most bivy sacks. For a group shelter, you barely even notice it. I would bring it on a day hike if I thought it would rain, just to have shelter for eating lunch. Enough said.



2) dryness: unless you're in a torrential downpour over impermeable soil, the megalight is actually dryer than most tents. You can put it away wet, drop it in a lake, and set it up in the rain. But once you set it up, everything's dry inside and will stay that way. Just don't touch the sides.

3) convenience: It sets up faster than any other tent I've ever used. Put four stakes in the ground, crawl inside, and raise the pole. Job done. Then due to the floorless design, you can hang out inside with your shoes on and not get your sleeping area dirty. You can even set up a chair inside to cook and read.

4) versatility: Another benefit of the floorless design is that you don't need to pitch it on the ground. You can set it up high above a picnic table to cook and relax under. I like to set it up on top of my raft or dory in the summer so I can still sleep on my boat when it rains. I know many people who prefer the megalight when backcountry skiing because you can dig into the snow below it, shaping shelves, sleeping platforms, and a 10' x 10' area of standing room.



The megalight is the dryest, lightest, fastest, and most spacious tent I've ever used. But as a disclaimer, here are some things it is not:

quiet: the sil-nylon material is extremely loud on a windy night, so look for a protected site
bug-proof: use the available mega-bug mosquito net if you're in bug country
airy: it just doesn't breathe. The sides get a lot of condensation at night if you close the door, so be very careful bumping the sides in your down bag.

Follow these guidelines and you're bound to be happy with this tent. Sleep well!



See our selection of Tents here!

Reviewed by: Dan Thurber

Jetboil Personal Cooking System

The Jetboil Personal Cooking System is one of the most convenient, versatile pieces of cookware out there. I thought they were silly and unnecessary until I went on a particular long winter raft trip. Everyday I watched enviously as another rafter cooked up soup, brewed fresh coffee, and warmed up right there on his raft. I picked up my own Jetboil soon thereafter and have been a fan ever since. Being self-contained is one of the Jetboil's nicest features. The stove, fuel, and most accessories fit snugly inside the the cook pot. You don't have to worry about keeping track of all the pieces. And once set-up, the system is equally mobile. The fuel, stove, and mug all lock together and can be moved around without disrupting your cooking, allowing you to heat water in your car, on a raft, or even skydiving if you could figure out a good windscreen....

By itself, the Jetboil is only good for heating water or warming up canned soup, rather than cooking a full meal. But really, that's all most camp cooking consists of. And if you want a more versatile stove, you can add on the pot support and use it like any other gas burner. The french press add-on gives you a great coffee maker and the hanging kit makes it even more versatile when level ground is a luxury. All of these accessories make the system even more dynamic without adding any space or much weight.



One downside to the Jetboil is the dependence on disposable fuel canisters. But with how efficiently it boils water, I only go through a few cans per year. And contrary to popular belief, the cans are recycleable if you punch a hole in the side. I've also found compatible fuels available in foreign countries, so it can travel internationally with you.



My Jetboil lives in my car and comes with me on nearly all backcountry adventures. I've found that the mere convenience of the system makes me use it more often. It's unbeatable for coffee, tea, soup, pasta, and the entire freeze-dried pantry. You won't find one of these used because owners love them. You will too.

View our stove selection here!

Reviewed by: Dan Thurber.