Poor Mans Heli » Reviews

First look: Rockymounts Pitchfork car rack

Justin — Wed, 11 May 2011 01:27:35 +0000

Convinced the world’s slowest mountain biker that since I shuttle us to all our rides that she should use our REI F&F coupon to pick up bike racks for the roof of the blackhawk. Hate Thule with a passion after they refused to honor their warranty on a faulty product years ago (in fact

REVIEW: Wusthof Grand Prix knives

Justin — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:31:55 +0000

(This review is only snow/outdoors related in that it will keep me from riding the next few days)

Sharper than Charlie Sheen’s wit. They cut garlic lightning quick.

Lightsaber sharp. I don’t mean that in a ‘cut your dead tauntaun guts/smells bad inside’ way

I’m talking more like Darth Vader to your

Down sweater battle: Mountain Hardwear Nitrous v. Patagonia Down Sweater

Justin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:08:24 +0000

I’ve been refining and updating my gear lately (which is a bit odd given the lack of income), and recently acquired both the ever popular Patagonia Down Sweater and the Mountain Hardwear Nitrous down sweater. Let’s get these two into the ring and see who is left standing!

Quick overview:

Current champ: Patagonia Down

First look: Stoic Bombshell jacket

Justin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:23:03 +0000

Been doing some serious gear whoring the past week or so as biz locally was going good for a bit. Was. Ahh well, at least I’ve got some new gear to show for it.

First up, the Stoic Bombshell jacket. Stoic is the new name for the house brand gear from backcountry.com, and from

Mini Review: 2009 Subaru Outback (and Wentworth Subaru)

Justin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:05:30 +0000

As for the review, I’ll summarize it as: 2009 Subaru Outback – decent car, LOTS of little issues. Not even remotely up to the legacy (no pun intended) of my 1988 wagon. Wentworth Subaru – two thumbs down, one middle finger up

Long story short, when moving to Portland from CA I had my

Review: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 32 sleeping bag

Justin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:26:34 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve done any gear reviews. Between a move back to the Pacific Northwest, working on getting a startup off the ground and enjoying the local beer scene I haven’t been outdoors as much as I’d like outside of daytrips v. last summer when I spent every weekend somewhere in the

First Look: Mountain Hardwear Koa 55 pack

Justin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 20:10:53 +0000

In an odd stroke of timing I was talking about wanting to try the Mountain Hardwear Koa 55 early last week. It really seems like a good mix of light (though not ultralight by any stretch) and feature filled. Fast forward to Friday and I discovered MH was doing their semi-annual warehouse sale, which

Review: Westcomb Mirage jacket

Justin — Thu, 28 May 2009 18:23:00 +0000

It’s been awhile since I’ve fired up a review, and I’ve been sleeping on this one for awhile. Took the pics a few weeks back and just haven’t set aside the time to fire up some thoughts on the jacket.

Marketing speak The Westcomb Mirage jacket is part of the Hardshell AX line of

Photo sneak preview: Osprey Kode 38 pack

Justin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:27:07 +0000

Dying tonight in our heatwave (RIP snow) and melting on the couch figured I’d snap a few pics of the Osprey Kode 38 that recently came into my possession. I’ve only got two days on the pack so want to hold off giving any real review yet as I’m still getting used to the

Backcountry (or Mex surf trip) coffee paradigm shift

Justin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 18:33:58 +0000

OK, paradigm shift may be a bit overstating it, but depending on your current BC coffee configuration maybe not. Like most that grew up in the Northwest I’ve got love for a few things – the outdoors, good beer and good coffee. Hell, I’ll settle for marginal coffee as long as I’m getting some.