Gear Articles tagged ‘gear maintenance’
By: Jeffrey Miesbauer | July 1st, 2011
4 Comments »
Hipthongs in the middle of a soapy scrub.
With the return of summer comes the return of our favorite warm-weather essential, the Chaco Sandal. After a winter of toes crammed into ski boots, nothing feels better than to grant our feet freedom while we hike, float, and party outside…. But what is that funky, smelly foot-rot emanating from our beloved platforms to paradise? That is the dreaded Chaco funk, the only downside I know to an otherwise perfect product.
If you’re lucky enough to never smell this nose-wrinkling phenomenon, congratulations; I hate you. Well, not really, but this guide is for all of us who need help dealing with a minor nasal inconvenience that eventually grows into a beast that can’t be ignored.
Read More …
Tags: footwear, gear maintenance, hiking
Posted in How To, Outdoor Articles |
By: Adam Riser | October 18th, 2010
4 Comments »
Andy Anderson trusting his gear while taking a big ride on Isotoner Moaner (5.12 a/b)
Aluminum does not have a lifespan, so aluminum gear can, in theory, last forever. The reality is that gear takes a beating and will need to be replaced from time to time. How often it needs to be replaced depends on how you use your gear. A fixed quickdraw may find the rope-end carabiner worn to the point of being dangerous within a single summer, but the carabiner that you use to rack your stoppers will probably last forever.
In case you missed it, check out Part I:
When To Retire Climbing Gear Part 1: Ropes, Harnesses, Slings, Helmets
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Tags: climbing, climbing gear, gear maintenance, rock climbing, safety, sport climbing, trad climbing
Posted in Gear Guide |
By: Adam Riser | October 15th, 2010
1 Comment »
Dude, they were totally going to throw this out. Free gear, bra!
Skiers often buy a whole new kit every season. Mountain bikers get new frames with surprising regularity. Rock climbers, on the other hand, often use the same cams, carabiners, harnesses, and even ropes year after year after year. This is pretty ironic, considering the fact that of all these groups, the climber are the ones whose lives literally depend on their gear. Nearly every climber out there has at least one piece of gear that would fail an inspection by an industrial rope access technician (the closest thing to climbing that actually has guidelines on retiring gear).
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Tags: climbing, climbing gear, gear maintenance, rock climbing, safety, sport climbing, trad climbing
Posted in Gear Guide |
By: Justin Mool | October 14th, 2010
2 Comments »
Bike Stand = Easy Tuning
When it came to making minor adjustments on my bike, for years I had been using my creativity to keep the damn thing upright. I’d strap my mountain bike into my car rack for cleaning, but if it was raining that option was out. I’d turn my road bike upside down to twiddle with a derailleur, but everything seemed to go to hell when I flipped it back over. And I’ve paid my fair share of security deposits for apartment walls that were marked with dirt stains, nicks and dents from leaning an unstable bike. Read More …
Tags: bike repair, biking, gear maintenance, mountain biking, road cycling
Posted in Cycling |
By: Justin Mool | July 15th, 2010
No Comments »
Last weekend my girlfriend borrowed my Giro Ionos Cycling Helmet that I wear when I’m getting rad in spandex, so she could take a bike ride around town. Like a douche I said, “Don’t lose it! It’s worth more than your bike.”
What a stupid thing to say.
It made me wonder, “why on earth did that thing cost so much in the first place?” … And then, “why on earth did I just say that?”
Luckily HucknRoll.com bike specialist Dan Hall created a bike helmet 101 guide to help explain the first conundrum. Sadly, he can’t help with the second. Read More …
Tags: bike helmets, cycling gear, gear maintenance, mountain biking, road cycling
Posted in Cycling |
By: staff | June 3rd, 2010
No Comments »
It’s a conundrum that has plagued many a backpacker: should I roll my tent neatly, or stuff it in any which way? First and foremost, we’d say to go with what the manufacturer suggests. But anyone who has bought a tent lately knows that they rarely offer specific advice. Read More …
Tags: backpacking, camping, gear maintenance, tents
Posted in Gear Guide, How To |
By: Adam Riser | May 27th, 2010
No Comments »
Last week we got you dialed on the different types of ropes; read on to learn about rope ratings, how to choose the right rope length, and how to properly care for your rope. Read More …
Tags: climbing, gear maintenance, safety
Posted in Gear Guide |
By: Adam Riser | April 26th, 2010
1 Comment »
The snow is melting, it’s T-shirt weather for the first time in months, and you heard that friend of a friend of a guy who knows a person rode a smooth, tacky trail yesterday, and it was great. Well, it’s time to brush the dust off your mountain bike and get that aluminum steed running smoothly for the upcoming season. Read More …
Tags: DIY, do-it-yourself, gear, gear maintenance, mountain bike cleaning, mountain bike maintenance
Posted in Cycling, How To |
By: Rocky Thompson | April 15th, 2010
1 Comment »
Friends don't let friends sniff seam sealer
There are worse things than having to seam seal your tent. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable. Set up your tent in the backyard, grab a couple beers and go to town. Read More …
Tags: camping, do-it-yourself, gear maintenance, gear repair
Posted in How To |
By: Rocky Thompson | April 14th, 2010
1 Comment »
Oiling the pump cup
If your stove has ever turned into a massive fireball, read closely. Basically, there are two things you can do that will help prevent stove problems in a major way, according to Steve Anderson, who runs Thrifty Outfitters, a Minneapolis, Minn., shop specializing in gear repairs and secondhand gear.
“People leave old fuel in their stoves that breaks down with oxygen, and they don’t oil their pumps,” he said.
Any stove with a remote fuel canister that has a pump needs to have the pump cup oiled. Pull the plunger out of your MSR pump and simply add light machine oil. Coleman stoves have an oil port, but they work much better if you remove the plunger and put oil directly on the pump cup. Read More …
Tags: camping, cooking, gear maintenance
Posted in How To |
By: Rocky Thompson | March 31st, 2010
1 Comment »
It’s time to quit driving around with your skis on the top of the car. Before you head for your first camping trip or bike ride, spend a few minutes putting your gear away so your expensive pair of skis or snowboard is still rideable next year. Read More …
Tags: gear maintenance, gear repair, skiing, snowboarding
Posted in How To |
