DOWN BOOTIES

It's getting to be Down Bootie season out east, and though I find myself wearing these around the apartment more than I do at a campsite, they really are good for both. Weighing next to nada, there are several brands that make these ugly things. Clockwise from top left: Sierra Designs, Western Mountaineering (that's what I've got), REI, and Feathered Friends.Anyone have an opinion about these thangs? Other than the fact that they'd sell better/be more acceptable if they weren't called "booties?"

POLER NAPSACK

It was a few years back when Benji Wagner first sent me a box of his hand warmers to my office in Columbus Circle, NY. I was working for American Park Network, writing and collecting information for a collection of 25+ guidebooks to our beautiful public lands. Benji and the Poler team have since become great friends, so it's pretty spectacular to see what waves they've been making since they branched out into backpacks, tents, headlamps and of course, their famous Napsack. Check out their latest video above and help support two majorly lovely guys working their ass off in the Pacific Northwest.

Key Log Rolling

I met the Sisters Hoeschler at Outdoor Retailer this summer, and after a few minutes of chatting about their company, Key Log, we realized we had a laundry list of common friends from the northern regions of Vermont. Small world, I suppose. In any case, Abby, Lizzie and the rest of the Hoeschler family are all log rolling champions (amazing) and have developed a lighter, more portable synthetic log rolling log that you can use to spar while out on the water. I've never set foot on a log to do something like this, but after watching the video above, it sure does make you wanna try. Maybe.

Biolite CampStove

A few weeks back, I spent some time at the BioLite offices in Brooklyn, talking to their team about the camping stove they've developed and the bigger picture goals they have in the coming years. And it certainly isn't all camping...I've taken the BioLite CampStove on the trail a few times now, and a proper review of the stove is-a-comin, but I can tell you now that Cold Splinters and fellow hiking companions have been wildly impressed.Any users out there? What do you think?

Smokey Branch Chore Coat

It's been many years since I first purchased the Hickory Striped Pointer Chore Coat, and while it might not be the most "technical" coat to put in your pack, it still finds its way into mine more often than not.For the past few weeks, the hickory's been replaced by the Buckshot Sonny's version of the classic (Thanks, Max), and while it's no lighter or warmer than the blue and white stripe version, it is camouflage, which just makes a little more sense when you're out and about on the AT. Sorta.Pick one up here. They're as handsome as you want them to be. Promise.MP3: Loudon Wainwright - I Am the Way (New York Town) [Live]

CS and Woolrich

Over the past couple of weeks, Cold Splinters, with the help of superstar Justin Thomas Kay (who gets an average of two to three messages from me a week asking about a font I found on some old thrift store book), worked with Woolrich to create a series of 12 posters that will be used at the PA-based company's OR booth. The images will highlight Woolrich's Spring 2013 collection.Read more about the collaboration here and see the rest in Salt Lake City this weekend.