Gear : Reviews
Reviews by keinangst (12)
Stomp Crash Pad (Manufacturer link)
Average Rating : 4.00/5
In: Gear: Essential Equipment: Crash Pads
Best of the "budget pads"
Review by: keinangst, 2009-01-20
After 4 years with the Mad Pad, I was ready for something newer and stiffer. Although the Stomp is technically an inch thinner overall, it actually has a half-inch more closed-cell foam than the Mad Pad (very few pads have more than the one basic inch of closed-cell). Bonus: It's much lighter, has Metolius' classic angled hinge, and a few more straps on it. Although it doesn't have pockets or any of the fancy bits found on more pricey pads, this thing is about as good as it gets at this price point. Highly recommended.
32oz Wide Mouth Bottle (Manufacturer link)
popular
Average Rating : 4.34/5
In: Gear: Training & Accessories: Water Bottles and Bags
Best in class for what it does
Review by: keinangst, 2006-12-28
Pros:
1. Environmentally sound (refillable, no waste)
2. Longevity/durability
3. Dishwasher safe (sort of)
Cons:
1. Claims of HDPE leaching carcinogens (don't store anything in them long-term)
2. Relatively heavy compared to Nalgene's collapsible canteen product, which is also cheaper.
3. Lids are expendable, go ahead and buy some extras. If they don't fall below the D/W rack and melt, they strike a rock and split, or they just loosen and come off.
Verdict: Perfect for drinking water at the office and for weekend cragging. There are better options for alpine/lightweight applications.
1. Environmentally sound (refillable, no waste)
2. Longevity/durability
3. Dishwasher safe (sort of)
Cons:
1. Claims of HDPE leaching carcinogens (don't store anything in them long-term)
2. Relatively heavy compared to Nalgene's collapsible canteen product, which is also cheaper.
3. Lids are expendable, go ahead and buy some extras. If they don't fall below the D/W rack and melt, they strike a rock and split, or they just loosen and come off.
Verdict: Perfect for drinking water at the office and for weekend cragging. There are better options for alpine/lightweight applications.
Hemisphere (Manufacturer link)
Average Rating : 3.00/5
In: Gear: Essential Equipment: Helmets
Great for large heads
Review by: keinangst, 2006-12-06
I tried on about a half dozen helmets, and this one was by far the best fit. The style is okay, the size is pretty bulky, but for a cragging helmet it's great. Protection against both falling objects and head-first strikes. Obviously if you don't care about the second one, any shell-type helmet will do the job. With cragging, I'm more concerned about taking an upside-down fall, so I appreciate the extra sense of security of the bulkier foam helmets. Hot in the summer.
Super Chalk Sock - Refillable (Manufacturer link)
Average Rating : 3.00/5
In: Gear: Essential Equipment: Chalk Bags: Chalk
Does the job
Review by: keinangst, 2006-12-01
Great for indoors and days when you just don't need to slather your hands in chalk. It starts out as a solid lump--which combined with Metolius' clumpy chalk can be frustrating to work with. My advice is just dump half the chalk out so you have a soft little hackey sack of chalk. Refill as needed. Also works well when loose inside chalk bag--it's much easier to grab something than to just sift through loose chalk.
Cobra Shoe (Manufacturer link)
popular
Average Rating : 4.46/5
In: Gear: Shoes: Climbing Shoes: Slippers
Durable, decent, but painful
Review by: keinangst, 2006-11-21
I've worn this pair for two bouldering seasons. I like to climb a combination of overhangs and thin slabs, so I need something versatile. My second toe is the longest, so the fit had always been a little awkward. This was made worse when I smeared on a sit-start, heard a POP, and was left in a lot of pain for several weeks. The pain finally subsided after 8-9 months, to the point where I could finally climb again.
Yes, these shoes dislocated my big toe and hurt the surrounding tendons. I would be very careful with the fit, because too tight can get you into trouble. I've since moved on to Evolv after two pair of Sportivas, and I will never go back. THREE STARS assumes they don't mess up your toe ;)
Yes, these shoes dislocated my big toe and hurt the surrounding tendons. I would be very careful with the fit, because too tight can get you into trouble. I've since moved on to Evolv after two pair of Sportivas, and I will never go back. THREE STARS assumes they don't mess up your toe ;)
