Our Petzl headlamp is one of the few pieces of gear that we would never consider traveling without. With a whole lineup of Tikka lamps to fit your needs,you’re going to want to collect a few.

If you have never owned a headlamp you might think that they are dorky and something you would never consider owning or waisting money on. If you have ever been spelunking, you are already prejudice to the process and have probably already collected headlamps like a kid would collect Star Wars action figures. The fact of the matter is, if you need a good headlamp, it can be as valuable as gold in the right situation.

Comparing a headlamp to a flashlight is like calling a Leatherman tool a pocket knife. A headlamp can be used in a variety of light rendering ways.  When worn on your head, light is shed on a situation with both hands free, unlike a flashlight that is cumbersome to control while engaging both hands. If needed, a headlamp can easily be carried like a flashlight. It can be strapped to a Nalgene bottle and used as a lantern. The strobe function of a headlamp can also be used to make yourself noticeable to people driving at night or as an added directional light for night biking. Imagine how nice it would be to have a headlamp the next time your stranded at night changing a flat tire.

Out of all of the headlamps, the Petzl Tikka XP 2 is the best of all the smaller headlamps we tested. The Tikka line in general was our favorite over all for general use and price point. Petzl does make nicer headlamps, but for the general outdoorsmen the Tikka is a good starting point for the collection. It performed great in every area we used it in, and especially shined in the close proximity tests casting ample light over close up working conditions.

Pros (options vary between modules):

• We have used the Tikka while night climbing and have enjoyed the selections of optional mounting brackets for helmets.
• The lamps have proven to be amazingly durable. We have been testing 4 lamps now for over 3 years each, and they are all still performing like new.
• Some of the Tikka lamps come with a red LED mode that is great for that midnight run to the latrine or digging through your pack while others are sleeping.
• Most of the Tikka line have three brightness settings and an emergency blinking mode.
• Plenty of light for night biking when paired with regular mounted biking lights.
• Amazing battery life when using AAA batteries. In excess of 20 hours of light.
• Optional core rechargeable battery system is a great green addition that works great.
• It transforms anyone into a human lighthouse.

Cons:

• Some of the Tikka line can set you back up to $55 and this is among the most expensive small headlamps out there. (you get what you pay for)
• One of the models tested had a switch instead of a button and it flickers sometimes.

When considering what model to get, the more lumens the better!

Petzl Tikka Headlamps $19  - $55

The North Face Denali Fleece Jacket is hands down a staple item for fraternity and sorority socialites all over the states, but is it really worthy of the name Denali? 

The first thing you notice about the Denali jacket when you try it on is the fit. The Denali is one of the least fitted jackets marketed to the outdoorsmen that we can think of. The extreme relaxed fit is the first warning sign of who this jacket is really marketed to… And it’s not Denali climbers.

The Denali jacket consistently gets alarmingly great reviews from customers while maintaining a considerable amount of Cons vs. Pros. We consider that some of its charm is related to general consumer mis-education, balanced by a bit of brand loyalty. In the past, TNF has enjoyed some of the same brand loyalty in the outdoor market as Apple has seen in the technological market. And yes, TNF customers are loyal but a lot of that has to do with TNF taking care of its greater customer needs.  Now this is where the avid outdoorsman starts to break away from the general jacket consumer. Every cold weather sport needs its own type of jacket to adequately serve your needs. This is where companies like Arc’teryx make their mark on the market by offering the jacket that you need, for the sport you love, at a price that will probably scare off the general consumer. It’s when you stack the Denali up against Arc’teryx that the North Face iconic jacket starts looking like an Old Navy fleece.

Lets start with the cons of this jacket so we can end on a lighter note:

• The extreme relaxed fit makes it really hard for a skinny athlete to properly layer anything.
• The thickness and warmth of the Polartec 300 fleece will probably keep you from wanting to layer with anything.
• It’s not wind resistant at all, so you’re going to want to layer it, but because of the afore mentioned issues, this will be hard.
• It’s not waterproof, so you will need a hardshell to layer when it rains (See afore mentioned issues).
• If you can layer it with a hard shell, while raining you’re going to sweat, so you’re getting wet either way.
• It has zipper compatibility issues with some TNF outer shells.
• It’s the same price as other jackets that are much better.

Now the pros:

• Two chest pockets and two hand-warmer pockets provide plenty of storage for essentials.
• Abrasion patches on chest, shoulders, and arms work really well.
• Underarm vents somewhat help you regulate heat when you’re working up a sweat.
• It is Zip-in compatible with some of TNF Jackets (not all) if you can overcome the afore mentioned issues.
• It’s very trendy and it comes in lots of colors.
• As far as fleece goes, it is pretty well made.
• The jacket will last forever if even marginally taken care of.

Bottom line: We like the jacket, but not for any sport we do on a regular basis. It’s just one of those comfort jackets that we use while riding in the car for long periods of time. It’s your best friend when you go to the movies, or when the wind is still and the night is crisp. There’s actually a really dirty one lying around that is our “go to work jacket” for chopping wood, working on the barn, or whatever other dirty jobs come up. We aren’t going to climb while wearing it, but we do have one for knocking around in. If you are looking for something versatile and performance oriented, we suggest you shop around and try on a few others so that you can find the one that fits you best.

If college trend and blending in is everything to you, this fleece is for you.

 $165.00 – $199.00 TheNorthFace.com

Last Year, Renan Ozturk The North Face sponsored climber and videographer suffered a skull fracture, partially collapsed lung, and fractured vertebrae when he fell off a cliff while backcountry skiing near Jackson, Wyoming.  Now he’s back outside, rocking adventures mere mortals only dream about. 

After Renan suffered some major injuries last year, he had to do an incredible amount of work to even be able to turn his head. This hits home with our ThrashReview team because some of us have been through similar, (though not as severe ) injuries and used the same means to get back on our feet… We are talking about Chiropractics.

Renan released this little piece to give back to his chiropractor Dr. Steve and help tell his story! From our experiences, chiropractors are some of the most loved, (by their patients) and feared (by those who have never been) doctors around. Bottom line, that “back cracking quack” you have never visited and are skeptical about without reason, is an athlete’s best friend and the only preferred way to non-surgical recovery.

Next time someone uses the term ”back cracking quack”, remind them that they are the preferred medical treatment for all major competing athletes in every sport. Just ask Lance Armstrong,  Tiger Woods, New York Yankees (all of them), Venus Williams, every Olympic athlete, and all pro football teams, etc.

If you’re in the Boulder, CO area and need a Chiropractor, check out Dr. Steve at pro-active-chiro.com/

We talked about the Alpin Belge Rock Climbing Team  Xpedition.be last year, but we wanted to give all of you who haven’t watched it yet another chance to enjoy this great little series.

In this five-part series, climbers Nico Favresse, Olivier Favresse, Seán Villanueva and Ben Ditto ship out for the summer with Captain Bob Shepton on his 33-foot sailboat in search of unclimbed big walls rising out of Greenland’s fjords. Video: Seán Villanueva.

Check out the link to the Xpedition.be DVD shop at the bottom of the page!

Ep. 1: The Road to Greenland

Ep. 2: Impossible Wall

Ep. 3: Never Say Never

Ep. 4: Push

Ep. 5: The Atlantic Crossing

Check out the DVD “Vertical Sailing Greenland” Now available for sale!

Forget the fuel? BioLight CampStoves cook your meals with nothing but the twigs you collect on your journey, eliminating the need for heavy, expensive, polluting petroleum gas. It’s quick to light, fast to boil, clean to use, and it’s a mini power station for your gadgets.

Invented by Alexander Drummond and Jonathan Cedar, the BioLite stove technology was inspired by a philosophy of applying efficient design to real world problems. Alec, frustrated that all efficient camping stoves required petroleum fuel or batteries, had the idea of a wood-burning stove able to utilize its own thermal energy. Jonathan, an avid camper, quickly brought his engineering background to the table and the two began the design process. Countless nights, weekends, and prototypes later, the BioLite Camp Stove was born.

The BioLight cooks your meals with nothing but the twigs you collect on your journey, eliminating the need for heavy, expensive, polluting petroleum gas. Wood-burning stoves aren’t very efficient, and their smoke not only contains high carbon emissions, but causes health risks to those who inhale it. The quick to lighting BioLight  is not only an efficient stove, it’s also clean to use. The stove converts heat from the fire into usable electricity that powers a small fan, thus improving the wood’s combustion just like a miniature blacksmithing stove (for all of you history buffs). Beyond this power production, one to two surplus watts are available via a USB port, offering power to recharge your phones, lights, and other gadgets while you cook dinner!

By using renewable resources for fuel instead of petroleum, you’re reducing your carbon footprint. You’ll eliminate the need for the dangerous job of crushing fuel canisters, that if left uncrushed can’t be recycled.

The company has two markets for their stove: Families in developing countries, and avid backpackers and campers. BioLite will release the CampStove version first this year (2012) for the upcoming camping season. They hope profits from this product will help subsidize the cost of the HomeStove model for families in developing countries. Half the planet cooks on open fires, leading to 2 million premature deaths each year. BioLight is using the same technology inside the CampStove to bring clean, safe energy access to families across the developing world.

We think this will be an interesting little addition for an outdoor arsenal, but not a replacement for your JetBoil. There are obvious drawbacks for an open semi-controlled flame.  Climbing is the first thing that comes to mind.  Really wet climates obviously wouldn’t be the BioLights primary target market. We consider that the 2 pound weight is comparable to the weight of the JetBoil Flash considering that you have to carry fuel canisters, but the overall size is a little more than the JetBoil. We would compare it to another stove other than the JetBoil, except to put it bluntly, we really don’t like a lot of other stoves.

Bottom line, we think this product is amazing in concept and the further reaching implications for the developing world is great! We will let you know when we get our hands on one!

Product Specs

• Powers all USB-chargeable devices including smartphones, LED lights, GPS and many others
• Fast to boil
• Lights quickly and easily
• Burns sticks, pine cones, pellets and other biomass
• Folds for easy packing
• Packed size: 8.25 x 5″
• Weight: 2 Lbs 1 oz / 935 grams

BioLightStove.com

The Oakley Gascan sunglasses offer a great fit, sitting snugly against your head without slipping. The Gascan fit is perfect if you have the face for them. With lens quality as sharp as you’re accustomed to with Oakley and the right amount of tint, these glasses are great for bike rides, hikes, and everyday life.

The Oakley Gascan is designed to fit medium to large faces and regardless of how any pair of sunglasses looks, the fit has to be right on your face or all is lost.

Testing: Team member Windsor tested this product and he is a fireman. He uses these glasses on a daily basis and loves them. They are great for biking, hiking, and are also perfect for skiing or responding to a fire. Best of all the Gascans are rugged and will take a beating. You should never plan on dropping you glasses, but if you do the Gascan can handle the abuse.

Construction: The high definition lenses are cut from the curve of a single lens shield, then mounted in the frame to maintain the original, continuous contour. The look is not only unique, but also gives the lenses a continuous contour creating perfect peripheral vision and visual clarity. The frame material is made out of lightweight O Matter, which is also high stress resistant. The Gascan is also available with Oakley prescription lenses (+2.00 through -4.00 combined power), but Windsor rocks contacts under his with no worries of losing them.

Style: We received several compliments on these glasses (Windsor while in uniform and in street clothes).  They go well with most clothing options and make you look like you are serious about your eyes and the quality of gear you purchase.

Cons: The only con was that the lenses were not suited for extremely bright conditions, but that will really depend on the individual’s preference.

Great gear isn’t just an obsession for the avid outdoorsmen, it’s more of an extension of your life.  Just like a new mother protecting her child with a tank SUV, the outdoorsmen wants to adorn himself with gear that will offer up a middle finger in the face of everything mother nature has to throw its way.  When it comes to complementing your rough and rowdy ways, the Smith I/O has your back.

We put more than a full season on the I/O and we have to say, you’re going to like them. We threw everything from damp fog, bluebird skies, 2-foot powder, and blistering blizzard conditions at these goggles. Unlike other goggles, the I/O comes with two lenses for every lighting condition a day light powder chaser will encounter. And for the late nights you might ask?  The I/O has a plethora of add-on lens options to cover you, too.

Let’s dive into our review…

Lens

Out of the box you get two lenses: Ignitor Mirror and Sensor Mirror. Both lenses are designed to increase contrast in various levels of low light, with the Sensor Mirror offering a VLT of 70 percent, good for overcast, low-light conditions. The Ignitor Mirror is more of an all-around orange lens, good for low/medium to bright conditions (35 percent VLT).

On brighter days, the Ignitor does a dashing job of highlighting what you need to see and keeping out the harsh glares.

We used the Sensor Mirror most of the time for low light conditions. The Sensor Mirror gave you better visibility in the snow than even a clear lens could. It increases contrast so that  the user can distinguish lines and features in the snow.

The process for changing the lens is extremely quick. Simply flip the two clips on top and pull out the first lens. Then push the replacement lens into the nose; slide the sides of the lens into the frame; align the notches on the top with the clips on the frame, and lock it into place. We found that changing out the lens was often quicker than removing your gloves, unzipping your jacket, and fumbling around to get the goggles off.

Design

The fit and finish of the I/O is amazing!  The Goggles breathe just enough to keep clear, but not so much as to make your eyes weep. The goggles only fogged once on us and that was due to not keeping the top vents free of ice… Nothing you can really do about that when it happens anyways.

The no frame concept is not only easy on the eyes from a fashion standpoint but also from a field of view consideration. While field of view is different for each individual due to face size, the I/Os does an amazing job for most users. The frameless look is also extremely complimenting for your face… In short, they are going to look as good on your face as they do in the box!

On Your Face

The feel of these goggles is so natural that you’re not going to be able to go back to your old goggles. They not only fit well out of the box, but just as well a year down the road.

Wallet Impact – $165  (We suggest getting them on sale.)

We are usually big Nixon fans, but the Cannon comes up short in a few areas and excels in a few as well.

• CON: Crystal is highly susceptible to scratching.
• PRO: The crystal is inset quite a bit to protect it.

• CON: The band is a cheaper hollow steal construction.
• PRO: The band is light weight for its size.

• CON: Band clasp doesn’t have a lock for surfing.
• PRO: Closure is smooth operating.

• CON: Is not a bomb proof watch.
• PRO: It’s not an expensive watch.

Overall there isn’t a lot to be said about this watch except for its handsome simplicity and reliability when just worn around to work or light play.

It is not the most comfortable watch, lacking in the more exact band sizing variations, but the overall fit will depend on the user.

If you’re new to watches, or just want to expand your collection, this would be an OK watch. We have seen better watches from Nixon when considering quality but that’s an oversight, when considering that the price point is so low for their collection.

NIXON CANNON WATCH – PRICE $90

The most recent masterpiece from the work of the Camp4Collective comes to us with a revived perspective. After suffering a broken vertebrae in his neck, Renan has thankfully recovered and his enthusiasm for his art is ever more compelling.

The Denali Experiment covers Free-ride skier, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, and big mountain snowboarder, Lucas Debari, as they step out of their elements and make an attempt to climb, ski, and snowboard Denali. Sage and Lucas get a helping hand from a huge cast of seasoned and professional climbers and ski mountaineers from the North Face Athlete Team, including Hilaree O’Neill, Conrad Anker, Ingrid Backstrom, Jim Zellers, Emilio Previtali, and Giulia Monego, as the two embark on the hardest expedition of their lives.

This video is hands down the best work of the director, Jimmy Chin, and editor, Renan Ozturk, not to mention all of the guys with Camp4Collective. The real question is where do they go from here? Well let’s hope for all of us, who are not behind the lens, that they keep showing us what it’s all about.

“In a lot of ways, this is the antithesis of the modern ski porn flick. A lot of rock star skiers and not much skiing! Ha! Well, hopefully having a narrative helps the piece along. It was a tough piece to put together with all the different characters. I decided to focus the story on Sage and Lucas and was hoping the piece would give people a sense of who those two characters are besides being rock star skiers/snowboarders. I often feel like the whole process of skiing and who the skiers actually are gets lost in most of the films today.” ~Jimmy Chin

a camp4collective production
Director : Jimmy Chin
Cinematographers : Jimmy Chin, Matt Irving, Adam Clark
Editor: Renan Ozturk
Motion Graphics: Barry Thompson, Eric Bucy, Marty Blumen
Additional Media: Teton Gravity Research, Absinthe Films, Colby Coombs, Renan, Sage and Lucas
Color: Anson Fogel

The Petzl’s Grigri is used by many pros and enthusiasts for good reason: it locks auto-reliably. In the last 20 years no other belay device has been able to compete with the Grigri, until now. Aside from being lighter and smaller and handling thinner ropes, the Grigri 2 just works better.

RECALL ALERT! I have to start by saying Petzl has issued a recall on Grigri 2′s with serial numbers, where the first five digits are, between 10326 and 11136. So if you have a Grigri 2 with a bad serial, send it back!

The Grigri 2 is a real head turner, even for those who have already used the original Grigri. Aside from being lighter and smaller and handling thinner ropes, the Grigri 2 just works smoother. Petzl has taken a great product and made it significantly better in every way.

In the last two decades, the Grigri has been so successful that its name has become synonymous with all auto-locking belay devices. Now that Petzl has released its long awaited rendition, the GriGri is able to accommodate skinnier ropes supporting trends toward lighter, quicker climbing techniques. The more ergonomic design fits in your hand better and just feels right.

So here’s the skinny: The GriGri 2 feeds much easier than its predecessor when using a rope in the recommended range (8.9mm to 11 mm).  Paying out standard amounts of slack on lead is as easy as feeding it out smoothly. Pulling large amounts of slack rapidly involves a simple hand positioning that is early ingrained into your tactile memory. Belaying with the GriGri 2 is more like belaying on an ATC but with all of the advantages of the auto lock.

Most sport climbers don’t climb on line thicker than 9.8 mm, but here at ThrashReview we usually climb with a 10.1mm –  10.5mm rope for reliability while testing gear. Our biggest climber is 6’3″ and 205 lbs,  so you can’t really blame us for erring on the side of caution. That being said, we ran a 7mm and a 9.1mm through the Grigri and the bite was surprisingly just fine.

To say that, the only improvements to the Grigri is rope diameter compatibility, reduced size and weight, and progressive descent control system.  Well, that would be accurate and yet a wild understatement. The Grigri 2 is better in every way. If you’re already a GriGri user, then the II is a great update to your beloved device. If you’re still holding out on an auto-locker, the GriGri 2 may be the very thing to make you reconsider your position.