Nat Geo Picks Gear of the Year for Spring/Summer 2015

The National Geographic Adventure Blog has posted its selection for the best outdoor gear for the spring and summer of 2015, turning a spotlight on the very best equipment that is currently available for our outdoor pursuits. As usual, there are a dizzying array of products as part of this round-up, many of which demonstrate just how much the outdoor industry continues to push the envelope in terms of innovation.

Amongst the products that earn a spot in Nat Geo's line-up are the Atmos and Aura backpacks from Osprey. These packs have been winning universal acclaim on many gear sites this year, which is a clear indication of just how good they truly are. Other items include a new camp cooking set from Sea to Summit, an awesome looking multitool from Leatherman, and a cool lighting system for your camp from BioLite. There is also a nice new synthetic sleeping bag from Mountain Hardwear, a bug-repelling lantern from Thermacell, and an ultra-light two-person tent from MSR.

These products are just the tip of the iceberg however, as there are all kinds of other items for gear hounds to drool over. Everything from the best new mountain bike and kayak, to innovative new trail shoes and a watch designed for surfers made the cut. There is even a backpack designed specifically for carrying a drone on the list. In short, there is just about something for everyone.

If you're looking to expand your gear closet this summer, and have been thinking about adding a few more items to your arsenal, this list will certainly have some suggestions on which products are the very best at the moment. As usual, there is far too much excellent gear available, and not enough money to acquire it all. We can always dream though, right?

Gear Closet: Granite Gear Cross-Trek Travel Duffel

Years ago I came to the conclusion that when I traveled I prefer to carry a backpack. I found the ability to just throw my bag over my shoulder and go was incredibly liberating, and since I don't particularly like to check my bags if I can help it, a backpack has always been the best way to get al of my gear on and off an airplane in an efficient manner. But, carrying a backpack isn't always the best option depending on the type of travel you are embarking on. Sometimes you need something that is a bit more versatile and can carry your gear in a more efficient manner. After all. stuffing a suit into a backpack isn't usually the wisest thing to do, and keeping all of your gear organized can be a challenge too. Enter the Cross-Trek Wheeled Duffels from Granite Gear – a set of luggage that is designed with the outdoor adventurer in mind that manages to provide all of the advantages of both a suitcase and backpack.

I took the 26" Cross-Trek Wheeled Duffel with me on my recent trip to Egypt, and found that it performed marvelously. Not only did it have plenty of room for a 2.5 week trip, it made it very easy to organize the things I carried with me as well. My duffel – which is the second largest that Granite Gear makes – offered 4800 cubic inches of space, which translates to 78.5 liters when comparing it to a backpack. In other words, there was plenty of room to carry lots of things, which is a luxury I don't always have with a pack.

When I first started using the Cross Trek I was immediately impressed with its build quality. Not only is it made from very durable fabrics designed to protect its contents from the elements, the duffel's wheels, zippers, handles, and various other components were all incredibly sturdy too. That was good, because the bag would certainly be put to the test in Egypt, where it would endure three flights just to get there, only to be tossed on and off multiple buses, loaded on top of 4x4's, carried across sand dunes, and up countless flights of stairs in hotels. After all of that, I'm happy to say that my Cross-Trek duffel came home little worse for wear. In fact, it barely looks like it has gone anywhere, other than collecting a bit of sand from the Sahara.


If you've read any of my gear reports in the past you probably already know that I value versatility out of any product that I use. Granite Gear has certainly delivered in that category, as this duffel has multiple handles for lugging it around, including a telescoping stow-away handle that can be used to pull the bag through the airport on its sturdy and dependable wheels. Best of all, the bag can be converted into a backpack in a pinch, as it also has a set of hidden shoulder straps and a hipbelt that can be employed in an emergency. This comes in very handy when you're in a hurry, and you'd rather strap your gear to your back rather than pull it along on wheels or lug it by the various handles.

The interior of the Cross-Trek is no less versatile either. It features multiple compartments for storing your gear, including one that comes in handy for stowing dirty clothes that you no longer want to use. Each of the different pockets and compartments proved useful throughout my trip, and they are so well laid out that I never once got confused as to what items were in which location. There is even an expandable drop bottom compartment that can provide extra storage should you find your bag getting full. Granite Gear says that it will offer up to 18% more space when needed, but it can also be zippered shut to keep the bag as svelte and streamlined as possible when not in use too.

Once you've loaded up the duffel with all of your gear, two large compression straps – with very durable buckles – help to secure the load inside the bag further. In my case, I packed light enough that this wasn't really necessary, but I did use the straps to help keep the duffel as small as possible, and it was a good way to seal up the interior while traveling.

One of the things I like best about the Cross-Trek Duffel is that it deftly mixes the ability to be very civil with the option to get adventurous too. This is a bag that I could take with me on just about any trip, since it can easily survive a weekend getaway with the family, as well as a journey to more remote and demanding areas in far flung corners of the globe. There are still plenty of expeditions that will require the use of a backpack of course, but this duffel is capable of going just about anywhere. And since it is so durable, it can survive just about anything you throw at it.

The version of the Cross-Trek that I carried to Egypt carries a price tag of $189.99. For a trip of that length, it was just about the right size, although it may have actually been larger than I actually needed. I am a notoriously light packer however, so I'm sure most people would appreciate the additional storage that the 26" model affords. The Cross-Trek also comes in a 22" wheeled carry-on version ( $169), a 22" wheeled carry-on with removable 28L pack ($189), and a gigantic 32" model ($209). In other words, there is pretty much a size for just about everyone, with each filling a specific niche.

The Cross-Trek Wheeled Duffel is adventure luggage at its finest. It provides all of the options adventure travelers need, and can be quickly converted into a backpack when necessary as well. If you're in the market for a piece of luggage that is rugged, versatile, and spacious, Granite Gear has just the thing for you. I look forward to carrying my duffel with me on many future journeys, as I know it will be the perfect companion.

Backpacker Picks the Best New Gear of Spring 2015

With spring officially here, it is time to start planning some outdoor adventures, with hiking, backpacking, and camping trips on the agenda. It is also a good time to pick up some new gear for those excursions, and Backpacker magazine is here to help in that department.

The outdoor adventure-focused mag has recently published its spring gear guide, providing readers with lots of insights and information on a wide variety of products. For instance, their backpack overview alone covers more than 18 new packs, each of which were put to the test by over 160 different people in the field. Which packs came out on top? The team at Backpacker were especially fond of the new Atmos/Aura packs from Osprey, as well as the Baltoro and Deva from Gregory.

But backpack aren't the only gear items on the slate of products that were tested. The best new hiking boots were also run through the ringer, as were the latest sleeping bags and pads as well. The magazine even took a look at the top shell jackets, as well as the very best tents for the camping season ahead.

If you're in the market for some new backpacking gear this spring, than you'll definitely want to drop by the site and check out what products won the coveted "Editor's Choice" awards. If you're going to be spending your hard-earned dollars on new boots, packs, or tents, you want to ensure that you're selecting the best that your budget allows. As usual, the Backpacker team is very thorough in their methodology, and there is lots of good insight to be gleaned from their testing. Before you head out to your local gear shop, see what they had to say about the products you're considering adding to your gear closet.