Jack Cramer
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Articles by Jack Cramer
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2026
By Arthur McMahon ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated October 19, 2026 Contributions From: Ian McEleney & Jack Cramer You can't put a price on a great night's sleep. Staying warm and comfortable in the backcountry isn't just an important safety precaution; it helps you enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. Choosing a sleeping bag that balances warmth with weight is key for backpacking. The best overall backpacking sleeping bag is the .
The Best Climbing Shoes for Men
By Dom Rickicki ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated July 9, 2026 Contributions From: Jack Cramer & Matt Bento Whether you're just starting out climbing in the gym, progressing into roped climbing outdoors, or you need to replace an old, tattered pair, every climber needs a quality pair of shoes. For the beginner, we'll point you toward the best bang for your buck – a durable pair of shoes that will help you progress.
Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2026
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated May 16, 2026 Contributions From: Arthur McMahon & Jack Cramer You can't put a price on a great night's sleep. Staying warm and comfortable in the backcountry is not just an important safety precaution; it helps you enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. Choosing a sleeping bag that balances warmth with weight is key for backpacking. Our favorite overall backpacking sleeping bag is the .
The Best Climbing Shoes for Men
We purchased and tested 17 pairs of the best climbing shoes for men, with award winners from La Sportiva, Scarpa, Unparallel, and Ocun By Dom Rickicki ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated November 24, 2025 Contributions From: Jack Cramer & Matt Bento For over a decade, we have purchased and tested the best climbing shoes to test side-by-side.
The 6 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated July 2, 2025 Contributions From: Andy Wellman, Ethan Newman & Jack Cramer When you plan to travel far and carry everything you'll need for your adventure on your back, you want the lightest, most efficient, and effective gear you can find stowed in your pack. That's where a high-performing ultralight sleeping bag or quilt comes into play, and we've done the hard work to vet the many options so you don't have to.
The 5 Best Backpacking Sleeping Bags of 2025
By Ian McEleney ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated May 14, 2025 You can't put a price on a great night's sleep, and staying warm and comfortable in the backcountry is not just an important safety precaution; it also helps set you up for maximum enjoyment when outdoors. Choosing a sleeping bag that balances warmth with weight is key for backpacking. We've been testing backpacking sleeping bags since 2011, having now purchased and rigorously tested upwards of 100 of the top models available.
Best Climbing Belay Device
We tested 17 belay devices from Petzl, Black Diamond, Camp, and more to find the best model for your adventures. By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Updated May 5, 2025 Contributions From: Andy Wellman & Jack Cramer A belay device is essential for catching falls anytime you're climbing on a rope. But which one is the best?
The Best 5 Climbing Belay Devices of 2024
By Jeff Dobronyi, Andy Wellman & Jack Cramer ⋅ Dec 5, 2024 The Best Belay Devices for 2024 Belay devices come in three different categories — tube-style, auto-blocking devices, and assisted braking devices — and our expert climbing testers have put in hundreds of hours belaying and testing all three kinds.
The 10 Best Sleeping Bags of 2024
By Jack Cramer, Ian McEleney, Jessica Haist, and Jason Wanlass ⋅ Oct 30, 2024 The Best Sleeping Bags for 2024 Our testers are always on the hunt for the best sleeping bags for making outdoor overnights more comfortable, more fun, and hopefully more affordable. Sleeping bag designs, however, can be as complicated and varied as the people who snuggle up inside them.
The 5 Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags of 2024
Best Ultralight Hooded Mummy Bag Warmth 9.0 Weight 6.5 Comfort 8.0 Versatility 6.0 Features 8.0 Weight: 21.4 oz.
Trango Agility Duo Dry 9.1 Review
The Trango Agility 9.1 is available in two color options: yellow or green. Both choices feature the same permanent obvious red markings on the last 5m of either end. The middle mark, however, features a usual pair of dyed black marks that are not permanent. You can expect these to wear off as quickly as they do on most other ropes. Performance Comparison Handling From a handling perspective the most distinctive characteristic of the Trango Agility 9.1 is the 1-over-1 weave on the sheath.
Bluewater Xenon 9.2 Review
Bluewater offers the Xenon 9.2 in 60m, 70m, and 80m lengths. Each length is available as standard or double-dry treated, and each length is also offered with a single or bi-pattern color configuration. For this review, we tested a 70m double-dry-treated model with the green/black single-pattern color. Performance Comparison Handling The sheath on the Bluewater Xenon 9.2 features the normal 2-over-2 weave that's common on most climbing ropes and preferred by most of our testers.
Mammut Crag We Care Classic 9.5 Review
The Mammut Crag We Care Classic 9.5 is a fantastic rope at a good price. It is available in 60m, 70m, and 80m lengths. It has outstanding handling, great durability, and you can feel a (little) good that you are using a rope with partially recycled materials. Performance Comparison Handling Although this rope doesn't receive absolute top scores in areas, it offers solid performance in most of them. Handling is one of those areas. Our testers praised the supple feel from day one.
How We Tested Climbing Ropes
In typical OutdoorGearLab style, we begin our climbing rope test with detailed market research to determine which are the top climbing ropes on the market. We whittle down a very long list to eleven promising contenders and then ordered them up, just like any other customer would. To begin our testing process, we record the specs of all of the ropes and research the options for each product.
How We Tested Budget Backpacking Sleeping Bags
By Jack Cramer & Ross Robinson Wednesday September 7, 2022 It wasn't as easy to find testers for budget sleeping bags as it was for the premium models. Our friends were practically beating down the door to try some of the best 900+ fill power down bags. Far fewer were interested in getting their hands on an affordable, 3.5-pound, synthetic model.
Five Ten NIAD VCS Review
The "NIAD" in Five Ten NIAD VCS stands for "Nose In A Day" which is a reference to a sub-24-hour ascent of the famous Nose route on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. That benchmark serves as a goal for many experienced wall climbers because it demands speed, endurance, and crack climbing competency. Unfortunately, the NIAD VCS seems ill-suited for this purpose because its velcro buckles make foot jamming rather painful.
How We Tested Climbing Shoes
By Jack Cramer & Matt Bento Wednesday June 22, 2022 The rock climbing shoe review began like any other review at OutdoorGearLab, with extensive online research. We examined sales at online retailers, perused customer comments, and read formal reviews from our competitors to select the top 30+ models that are currently available. Unlike many other review sites, we then purchased the top shoes we selected to undergo full hands-on testing.
Patagonia Ascensionist Review
When you're shopping for outdoor gear you often face a tough choice between lightweight designs and heavier fully-featured models. The Patagonia Ascensionist is a rare exception that offers both minimal weight and an impressive feature set. We are thoroughly impressed with this combination because you aren't forced to make any sacrifices. Instead, you get a hardshell that's equally great for human-powered adventures or laidback chairlift riding.
The North Face Cat's Meow 20 Review
The North Face Cat's Meow has been a popular budget backpacking sleeping bag for many years and was a past favorite among some testers. The latest version, however, utilizes a fragile main zipper that has eliminated it from any award consideration. Performance Comparison Warmth The Cat's Meow contains 36 ounces of synthetic HeatSeeker Guide insulation. Our testers believe its EN lower limit temperature rating, 22°F, is accurate compared to other bags.
Big Agnes Husted 20 Review
Although the Big Agnes Husted 20 is heavy and doesn't pack as small as we would like, there are still a lot of things that we love about it. Its comfort and warmth are notable just two reasons why our testers think it's one of the best budget backpacking sleeping bags. Big Agnes also offers the Husted 20 with the zipper on the right or left side which gives you the option of zipping two bags together for a shared outdoor evening.
Ortovox 3L Ortler Review
This model is a slim-fitting hardshell that's designed for backcountry skiing and offers ample stretch Price: $490 List Pros: Athletic fit, good packability, plenty of venting options, decent weather protection Cons: Pricey, relatively heavy, limited durability, fabric seemed to get dirty quickly Manufacturer: Ortovox By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Jun 1, 2022 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Black Crows Ventus 3L Gore-Tex Light Review
A stylish ski hardshell with plenty of features but some extra bulk Price: $600 List Pros: Full-featured, lots of pockets, optimized for skiing, stylish design Cons: Heavy, bulky, expensive, zippers aren't water tight, some durability concerns Manufacturer: Black Crows By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Jun 1, 2022 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Arc'teryx Alpha SL Anorak Review
Our favorite ultralight shell to leave in our packs for unexpected storms Price: $375 List Pros: Ultralight, less expensive, excellent packability, decent weather protection Cons: Limited feature set, questionable durability, high waist hemline, few venting possibilities Manufacturer: Arc'teryx By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Jun 1, 2022 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
How We Tested Hardshell Jackets
By Jack Cramer, Matt Bento, & Andy Wellman Wednesday June 1, 2022 This year marks the eighth straight year that OutdoorGearLab has tested hardshell jackets. The information found in this review is not one season's worth of testing, but rather a culmination of all of the testing and knowledge that we have gained over the years. We have now tested over 40 different jackets and have been on top of all the changes in design and materials that have taken place during that time.
Outdoor Vitals Summit 15 Review
Outdoor Vitals is one of a few companies promising high-performance sleeping bags at bargain prices. During testing, we were pleasantly surprised to find the Summit 15 was a capable sleeping bag for backpacking, but we were somewhat disappointed with its overall value. Performance Comparison Warmth The Outdoors Vital Summit 15 is advertised with 20 ounces of 800FP premium down.
Marmot Helium 15 Review
Marmot is experimenting with adding a secondary zipper to several sleeping bag designs to allow new venting possibilities. The location of the secondary zipper on the side of the Marmot Helium 15 is one of the more perplexing of these experiments, causing us to downgrade an otherwise stellar sleeping bag. Performance Comparison Warmth The Marmot Helium utilizes 20 ounces of 800FP down, a pretty sizeable amount for a 3-season backpacking sleeping bag.
Rab Neutrino 400 Review
The Rab Neutrino 400 is a great all-around sleeping bag with recycled materials, an effective draft collar, and good ventilation, but its 800FP down insulation can't quite keep up with the 850FP and 900FP down found on other high-end bags. Performance Comparison Warmth The 400 in the name Rab Neutrino 400 signifies the 400 grams of down insulation it contains. In English units that translates to 14.1 ounces and that quantity is actually a little less than average for a bag with this warmth.
How We Tested Backpacking Sleeping Bags
Over the lifetime of our backpacking sleeping bag review, the team at GearLab has tested more than 100 different backpacking-specific bags hands-on. All the expertise gleaned from that considerable experience is directed into this, the latest addition. For this update bags were loaned out to certified mountain guides, Appalachian and Pacific Crest Trail veterans, Yosemite Search and Rescue personnel, and novice backpacking friends to gather a wide variety of perspectives and feedback.
How We Tested Belay Devices
By Jeff Dobronyi, Andy Wellman & Jack Cramer Wednesday May 11, 2022 This review is based on months of testing with 17 of today's most popular belay devices, but it rests on a 12-year foundation that goes back to when we first started examining the product category. While the belay device market has changed considerably in that time, the results haven't so much: the GriGri (with updates) remains our favorite.
La Sportiva Tarantulace Review
Product Update Note — May 2022 The Tarantulace is largely unchanged from the model we tested, but it has some new aesthetics, which can be compared above. The previous Tarantulace we tested is on the left, with the new version on the right. We suspect the performance of this award winner still holds up, though we have yet to test the updated version. La Sportiva offers a few different bargain shoe options.
La Sportiva Finale Review
Product Update Note — May 2022 La Sportiva updated the Finale with a new look and some eco-friendly materials. They have also utilized a heavy metal-free tanning process in the leather production of this shoe. The photos above show the previous Finale we tested (left), followed by the new version (right). For a niche sport, rock climbing has attracted a surprising array of shoe manufacturers.
How We Tested Ultralight Sleeping Bags
We test and write these reviews trying to be as objective and specific as possible, and try to cover the bases of how anyone might use these products. However, your goals may differ from ours, so be sure to take a look at the performance metrics that you consider most important for your needs. Below we show you how we tested each product so that you can better understand the ratings we've given.
Norrona Falketind Gore-Tex Review
A excellent jacket that boasts great weather protection, though it has a couple of slight flaws that detract from its overall score Price: $469 List | $328.30 at Backcountry Pros: Sturdy weather protection, extended wrist cuffs, supple fabric Cons: Super short zipper tabs, average weight, mediocre DWR finish Manufacturer: Norrona By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 30, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Black Diamond 9.4 Dry Review
A satisfactory climbing rope that does little to set itself apart from the competition 1 2 3 4 5 Price: $270 List | $187.46 at Backcountry Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Reasonable price, decent all-around performance Cons: Subpar handling, middle mark wears quickly, no bi-pattern option Manufacturer: Black Diamond Equipment By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 24, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Edelrid Tommy Caldwell Eco Dry ColorTec 9.3 Review
A top-of-the-line climbing rope with the most distinct bi-pattern on the market 1 2 3 4 5 Price: $340 List | $339.95 at REI Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Distinct bi-pattern colors, dense weave inspires confidence, excellent handling when broken in Cons: Expensive, slippery at first, not available without dry treatment Manufacturer: Edelrid By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 24, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
La Sportiva TC Pro Review
Designed for big days on El Cap, this shoe is nearly perfect for long traditional climbs 1 2 3 4 5 Price: $200 List | $152.00 at Backcountry Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Great edging, solid crack climbing, good all-around shoe Cons: Expensive, limited sport/bouldering use Manufacturer: La Sportiva By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 18, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Dynafit Radical Review
Price: $500 List Pros: Awesome weather protection, fits great, very mobile Cons: Skin pockets a bit too narrow, small ventilation zips, unreliable wrist cuffs Manufacturer: Dynafit By Jack Cramer & Andy Wellman ⋅ Nov 8, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Mammut Nordwand Advanced Review
Price: $625 List | $625.00 at Backcountry Pros: Unrivaled weather protection, decent venting options, perfect fit Cons: Expensive, not ultralight, mediocre breathability Manufacturer: Mammut By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 8, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
Best Budget Sleeping Bag for Adults of 2021
Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more 1 Best Overall REDCAMP Cotton Flannel Temp Rating: 32°F | Stash Pocket: Yes Affordable Soft flannel lining Simple rectangle design Zip together a second bag Mediocre zipper Short-ish length The Redcamp Cotton Flannel is a gem in the field of affordable sleeping bags.
Men's Rock Climbing Shoe Buying Guide
Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more So you've spent a few nights climbing in the gym, and now you're ready to jump in the car for a marathon drive to Yosemite to climb its hallowed walls. But first, you have the unenviable task of selecting the right climbing shoes.
Scarpa Chimera Review
An ultra-premium shoe for ultra-hard climbing routes with a bold color scheme Price: $210 List | $180.89 at Amazon Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Extremely sensitive, comfortable right out of the box, solid edging performance Cons: Really expensive, limited support, low versatility Manufacturer: Scarpa By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 5, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Patagonia Lightweight Sleeping Bag Review
A feather-light mummy sleeping bag that hardly supplies enough warmth to be useful 1 2 3 4 5 Price: $200 List Pros: Reasonable price, rock-bottom weight, simple design Cons: Disappointing warmth, cramped dimensions, limited versatility Manufacturer: Patagonia By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 5, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.
La Sportiva Genius Review
People seem to either love or hate the rounded edges on this innovative shoe Price: $219 List | $194.95 at Amazon Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Secure lacing system, precise fit and enhanced sensitivity from the No-Edge technology Cons: Expensive, adjust period to the No-Edge sole Manufacturer: La Sportiva By Jack Cramer & Matt Bento ⋅ May 4, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Butora Acro Review
This shoe features high-quality construction and is a great choice for sport climbing and bouldering Price: $175 List | $128.61 at Amazon Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Stiff yet sensitive, availible in wide and narrow versions, great edging ability Cons: Lots of extra space in the heel cup, Achilles pain for some Manufacturer: Butora By Jack Cramer & Matt Bento ⋅ May 4, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Black Diamond Aspect Review
Black Diamond's entrance into the climbing shoe marketplace includes a large selection of affordable, beginner shoes. And with their super low prices, you've likely seen a pair or two of these kicks at your local gym. The Aspect represents the less conspicuous side of the companies entry into the market—a premium shoe with the performance and price to match.
La Sportiva Solution Comp Review
The original La Sportiva Solution is a tried and true favorite among those that seek out steep terrain. The latest version, the Solution Comp, includes a couple of small changes to help you hang on even longer when things get strenuous. The biggest changes are a softer heel cup, a more flexible midsole, and extra rubber across the top of the toe. We think all of these changes are great improvements to an already great shoe.
La Sportiva Solution Review
This shoe is a favorite of many veteran climbers and still feels cutting edge over ten years after its first release Price: $189 List | $189.00 at REI Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Great precision, aggressive/down turned toe tip, sensitive, great toe and heel hooking, precise fit, comfortable, easy on/off Cons: Not comfortable for all-day climbing, expensive, not the most versatile, hard to fit, single strap broke prematurely Manufacturer: La Sportiva By Jack Cramer & Matt Bento ⋅ May...
Evolv Oracle Review
An ultra-premium shoe with a solid all-around performance at a reasonable price Price: $180 List | $107.97 at Backcountry Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Exceptional edging, quick lace closure, comfortable for its sharp downturn, great at toe hooking Cons: Big toe volume, painful in cracks Manufacturer: Evolv By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 2, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
Feathered Friends Spoonbill UL Review
The top of the line two-person sleeping bag for dedicated backcountry couples who want to really trim trail weight Price: $999 List Manufacturer: Feathered Friends By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 1, 2021 77 OVERALL SCORE RANKED #3 of 19 Warmth - 20% 9.0 Weight - 20% 10.0 Comfort - 20% 8.0 Packed Size - 15% 8.0 Versatility - 15% 3.0 Features & Design - 10% 6.0 Our Verdict Two-person sleeping bags theoretically provide an array of performance benefits.
Marmot Phase 20 Review
An ultra-premium bag that's spoiled by a less-than-premium zipper Price: $486 List | $378.94 at Amazon Pros: Great loft, high warmth-to-weight ratio, cozy hood, convenient interior stash pocket Cons: Expensive, frustrating zipper, narrow fit, limited ventilation options Manufacturer: Marmot By Jack Cramer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Apr 30, 2021 Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products.
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