GOA Testimonial with Rock/Creek Outfitters from Grassroots Outdoor Alliance on Vimeo.

  “This pack rose to the top of a crowded- and very competitive- category due to its total load transfer, comfort, and conveniently laid-out packbag.” -Backpacker Magazine, 2010 Gear Guide

It sort of feels like snagging first place in the fourth grade science fair. Only this time, we don’t run the risk of being beat up at recess, and the judges, well, let’s just say they’re not meandering around a gym scrutinizing Styrofoam balls and foaming Coke bottles. No, all jokes aside, these judges have put our packs through it all, rigorously testing every feature in environments they’re meant to handle. So to us, there is no higher compliment than to receive ‘best all around’ packs of 2010 from the good folks at Backpacker Magazine who really do put our packs through the paces. Beyond the Z55 and the Jade 50 being named winner of ‘best all-around’ packs, a number of other packs were called out in the gear guide with notable comments. Here’s what they had to say: Miwok – “Testers loved this soft-backed day pack for the way it shifts seamlessly from hiking to biking to running.” Z35 – “Here’s a load hauler for day hikers who chronically overpack. The tubular steel stays and nylon framesheet can handle up to 30 pounds, and weight is effectively distributed to the hips.” Baltoro 70 – “With a perfect capacity for longer trips, this stable, comfortable top-loader cruised to a 2008 Editor’s Choice Award. And those test packs from two years ago are still going strong today; our staff regularly bickers over them for weeklong trips with heavy loads.” Denali Pro 105 – “ ‘I’ve carried a person in this pack,’ writes an editor who’s used it for almost 10 years. ‘That’s how big and supportive it is … Indestructible too.’ ” ShareThis

Mountain Hardwear earned several positive category distinctions in the Backpacker 2010 Gear Guide which is a valuable source for serious mountaineers, campers, day backpackers and hikers. Visit Backpacker online, Backpacker.com

Tough Stuff is a new category in the issue.The editors picked 30 products that have endured over the last two decades of hardcore field testing. They called out Mountain Hardwear's Transition, the toughest, most versatile windshirt around. Click here to view Backpacker Magazine clipping. The following are a few pages where Mountain Hardwear products are mentioned. Flip through the issue to find several more Mountain Hardwear products written about.

| Skyledge 2.1

| Boy's Epic & Girl's Epic	| Drifter 3
| Fluid 32	| ExtraLamina 0°
| Torsion Glove & Women's Torsion Glove, Seta Strapless Running Gaiter and Quasar Running Cap	| Wiki 65 / Women's Nalu 60

 

Come on out and enjoy a slideshow and question & answer session  about thru-hiking the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail.  John Pugh spent six months on the AT, and has over 6,000 miles of long-distance  backpacking and paddling experience. His trips include hiking the Appalachian Trail (2000), paddling the Mississippi River (2005), Cape Fear River (2006), and Neuse River (2009). Come on out and learn all the tips and tricks to having a successful thru-hike.

All talks begin @ 7pm

• Greenville - Thu, Feb 25
• Chapel Hill - Wed, Mar 3
• Greensboro - Tue, Mar 9
• Raleigh - Tue, Mar 23
• Wilmington - Thu, Mar 25
• Charlotte - Tue, April 6
  

Midwest Mountaineering owner, Rod Johnson, visited the Lowa boot factory near Munich, Germany while at the international trade show, ISPO. The trip to Europe was a result of Midwest Mountaineering winning the SNEWS/Backpacker Retailer of the Year Best-in-Class award for community involvement.

 

While over there, Peter Sachs, General Manager of Lowa North America, invited Rod to come visit the factory. Rod commented, “I didn’t realize all the work that goes into making a pair of boots. The factory was very impressive.” 

Here’s some pictures of what he saw.