Gear Review: CamelBak Snowblast

"Hydrate or Die!" my CamelBak Snowblast proclaims, complete with embroidered skull and flames shooting out its ears.

Gear Review: Mountain Hardwear Sortie

I didn't like the Mountain Hardwear Sortie pack at first - but then it grew on me. I immediately recognized the obvious merits of the bag: the Sortie accommodated more than enough supplies for a day or two, had an internal frame that was rigid but comfortable and ensured both even load dispersal and minimum sway.