At GearJunkie, we test, use, and come to rely on all manner of gear — for every season and all conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!
Favorite Gear We Tested in June
Hawbuck Lean Wallet
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
Made with Dyneema fabric, the Hawbuck Lean Wallet is an ultrathin and ultralight (5g) solution. Designed to be minimal and practical, the wallet design is made for those who would rather not carry a wallet, with the motive to make it as thin as possible while keeping the necessary items you need. The wallet will fit four or five cards on each side, and it will fit narrow and long bills from several currencies.
The Hawbuck Lean wallet was the solution one GearJunkie staffer needed after months of searching for an alternative to his chunky old wallet. This wallet is super-thin, and the design actually encourages him to trim down what he consider necessary to carry daily. The Dyneema fabric is rock solid and doesn’t absorb moisture, so he never has to worry about it getting wet during any outdoor adventures (cash, on the other hand …).
Finally, he was completely sold when he learned that this specific wallet design is dedicated to raising funds for the Save the Boundary Waters organization. For every one of these wallets sold, Hawbuck donates $20. Being from Minnesota, this is extra special icing on the cake.
Mountain Hardwear Camp 4 21 Pack
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
In our fast-paced society, we often find ourselves going from one activity to another and if you’re anything like one of our team members, you always have too many bags. Mountain Hardwear designed a pack that could be your go-to work, gym, hiking, travel, and everywhere-in-between pack.
The Camp 4 21 Pack is designed to go from one activity to the other seamlessly. The pack has a full side zipper to the main compartment for easy loading and unloading. The padded 15-inch laptop compartment will keep your laptop protected and separate from the other items you have packed.
For easy packing, the pack has a flat base that enables it to stand up on its own. Made from 420D nylon with a special carbonate coating, it’s also durable.
Want to find one pack that can do it all, and the Mountain Hardwear Camp 4 21 pack could be it for you.
Split Tote Bag
Tested by: Mary Murphy, Editor
When you find yourself camping as often as one of our editors does, nothing is better than not having to haul wood back and forth from the woodpile or car or truck to camp, in your bare arms. Enter Split Tote Bags.
These burly but lightweight 1,000-denier CORDURA fabric bags are a convenient campfire accessory. Simply chop your wood (or buy some at your end destination) and carry it to the campsite in this bag — which splits on both sides to accommodate long or chunky logs — really firewood of all sizes.
Unzip one side, unzip both, and use the wide carry straps to carry by hand or over your shoulder, however is most convenient for you.
Have a portable grill grate? That’ll fit too. There’s even a handy outside pocket for something small like a lighter or gloves. And, of course, the entire bag is adorned with webbing loops for hooking any other camp or fire essentials you may need.
Merrell MTL Skyfire Undyed Trail Runners
Tested by: Chris Potter, Community Manager
Merrell takes a step toward sustainability with its MTL Skyfire Undyed trail runners. Looking to save water and energy in the manufacturing process, Merrell chose to make these shoes without dye, and with primarily recycled materials — from the insole to the liner to the laces. And with Quantum Grip lugs on the outsole, this is an off-road shoe built to handle whatever you put in front of it.
One GearJunkie team member has tested these trail runners on gravel, singletrack, and pavement so far, and they continue to impress him through each run. As someone with bunions, finding a shoe that doesn’t irritate his feet can be a challenge, but the Skyfire Undyeds have proven continually comfy. Grippy, stable, and exceptionally lightweight — he’s yet to find a surface he wouldn’t want to put in miles with them.
Yes, they get filthy quickly and look dirty even after cleaning, but they’re trail runners. The dirt is a badge of honor. In his opinion, the MTL Skyfire Undyed trail runner is a refreshingly sharp-looking and thoughtfully constructed shoe.
Post Carry Co. Frame Bag
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
Slim, purposeful, and water-resistant, Post Carry Co’.s new Frame Pack provides an option to carry just what you need on endurance rides and light touring. Based in the Bay Area, Post Carry co-designed the frame pack with rigid construction — tapered from wide to narrow — that the brand says provides a stable, sway-free fit. It has a zippered stash pocket, reflective graphics, and more.
Post Carry Co. sweated the details on this frame pack, and it shows. The rigid construction (with minimal straps) makes getting gear or snacks in or out of the bag a snap. It doesn’t bunch up or give when you are pushing a windshell back into the bag or digging for the gloves you packed away.
Along with that, the zippered stash pocket on the left side of the bag is a perfect fit for a phone and keeps it readily available for the next photo op or map check. Reflective graphics and waterproof design complete the package.
The brand also offers a handlebar bag (another favorite of mine) and its Transfer Case to keep your ride safe while you fly to your next cycling destination.
Darn Tough Pacer Micro Crew Ultra-Lightweight Running Sock
Tested by: M.T. Elliott, Contributing Editor
Darn Tough slimmed down its running socks with a new knit and reinforced high-wear zones for more durability. The resulting Pacer Micro Crew Ultra-Lightweight Running Sock mixes nylon and merino wool for a breathable upper and puts terry-loop cushioning underfoot. It has slighter cushioning in the back of the heel, extending up the Achilles.
There’s also a no-cushion counterpart in the Stride crew socks. Both are sleeker in the shoe than the brand’s previous run socks.
One GearJunkie Staffer tested both pairs, but the Pacer is his go-to on most runs. The slight cushioning added comfort and protect his feet from being ground by grit that always gets into his shoes.
They even weighed a smidgen less than his previous Darn Tough socks, which isn’t something he felt so much as it’s a testament to the lighter design. He has made a ritual of pulling on a fresh pair of socks for the first time, especially since they tend to last for years before thinning down.
Finex Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Tested by: Adam Ruggiero, Editor in Chief
If you’re not cooking with cast iron, you’re playing with fire — not making the most out of it. Cast iron cooking has remained unchanged across the centuries and it’s still in use — there’s a reason.
Cast iron is ultradurable, provides consistent, reliable cooking, and only gets better with age. Yes, it’s heavy, so it doesn’t belong in a pack. But for car camp adventures, a cast-iron skillet, griddle, or Dutch oven can make your campfire a Michelin Star destination.
Based in Portland, Ore., Finex makes cast iron cookware here in the U.S. — we tested its 5-quart Dutch Oven. And while the weight and feel of Finex’s cast iron are reminiscent of other high-quality options, the brand separates itself with some clever design hits.
We loved the 5-quart’s octagonal shape, which offers both pour spouts from any angle, and venting options with a simple twist of the lid. Finex also uses coil spring “Speed Cool” handles that take away some of the terror of grabbing hot cast iron.
At $300, it’s an investment, but the Dutch Oven is liable to last forever — and Finex has a lifetime guarantee to back it up.
Patagonia Slope Runner Endurance Vest
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
Running vests are a go-to running accessory when you are heading out for a long run. You need a piece of gear to hold all your extra little things like nutrition, keys, water, and extra layers. But even more than that, you need it to be comfortable and fit your body well. And not all running vests are created equal.
Patagonia’s Slope Runner Endurance Vest is both comfortable and has plenty of storage. The vest is designed like a garment and feels like an extra layer of clothing, rather than a clunky piece of gear.
The vest is unisex with sizing from extra small through large. With an adjustable internal harness, you’ll be able to adjust the fit as needed.
The extra-wide chest pockets in the front of the vest hold two 500mL flasks. You’ll find ample amounts of storage in the vest’s multiple stretch pockets.
Speaking of stretch, the vest’s fabric molds to your body for that comfortable fit. Being a minimal and form-fitting vest, this is a great option for any runner.
What one GearJunkie staffer loves the most about this vest is how well it fits. She tested the small, and she loves how she could easily adjust the vest as she was running.
She can wear this vest with only a sports bra on and have no chafing — which is a big deal! She can confidently go out for a long run and know that she has everything she’ll need.
cbdMD Freeze Pain Relief Gel
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Content Commerce Manager
CBD comes in many forms. This version from cbdMD combines the hot-cold feeling of menthol with CBD to offer better pain relief for sore muscles, body aches, and joint pain. The Freeze Pain Relief Gel comes in a roller (3 ounces) or a squeeze bottle (4 ounces), ranging in strength from 300 mg to 4,000 mg.
I have a bottle of the 300mg strength, and it works very well for me. I’ve used broad-spectrum CBD topicals from several brands, and I keep coming back to cbdMD because it quickly relieves my neck, shoulder, and hip pain.
My shoulders are always sore and tight from climbing, fly fishing, paddling, and the stresses of daily life. I apply a thin layer of Freeze Pain Relief Gel to both shoulders a bit before bedtime. With that pain gone, I fall asleep faster.
I also use it during the day as needed, and I like that it dries quickly so I don’t have that wet or greasy feeling on my skin. This was my CBD roller, and I now opt for a roller versus a squeeze bottle all the time because it keeps my hands clean and it’s easy to apply.
Backseat Bivy
Tested by: Mary Murphy, Editor
Sleep in your car, dirtbag in style with this creative car camping “bivy.” The Backseat Bivy solves the pesky problem of gaps between car rows, which can make for an uncomfortable night’s rest.
Got early morning summits or long endeavors ahead? Planning on sleeping in your car? This bivy is a great solution.
Tested by one of our editors, she says, including moving her belongings and folding down her second row of seats, the Backseat Bivy setup took under 10 minutes. And while she has only used it in the backcountry for 2 nights so far, she has set it up about a dozen times to get a feel for the durability of the product.
So far, the straps are sturdy, the anchor clips work well, and the bivy easily folds up to stash in her car when she is hauling other gear.
The bivy also fits in several different sizes and makes of cars, including Subaru and Honda.
