Andrew Skurka's Blog, page 33

Yosemite High Route: A route overview || Its general track, challenges, and highlights

The core of the Yosemite High Route spans 95 miles between Grace Meadow in Falls Creek near park’s northern boundary, and Quartzite Peak at the tip of the Clark Range. Per mile, the best route to Grace Meadow starts at Sonora Pass, and follows the Pacific Crest Trail south. The approach from Hetch Hetchy also looks very good — it’s a similar distance, and it follows endless granite slabs through the Emigrant Wilderness.

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How to choose: Jetboil backpacking stoves || Zip v. Flash v. -Mo v. Joule

The FluxRing is one of several features that help make Jetboils fast and efficient.

Yesterday I attended a Jetboil press event in Boulder. It was an opportunity to examine the product line and to speak with Jetboil reps in a less time-crunched setting than Outdoor Retailer.

Stove system overview

To simplify decision-making for its dealers and customers, Jetboil seems to have worked hard to keep its product line tight. It sells just seven backpacking-worthy stove systems:

Fast Boil: for boil-only meals and hot drinks

Zip ($80, 12 oz, 0.8 liters, soloist): the most economical option; and,
Flash ($100, 13.1 oz, 1.0 liters, 1-2 people): the original Jetboil with signature speed and efficiency, and still the best-selling unit.

Precision Cooking (gas feed): for simmering and colder temperatures

MicroMo ($130, 12 oz, 0.8 liters, soloist): smallest and lightest system with a regulated burner;
MiniMo ($135, 14.6 oz, 1.0 liters, 1-2 people): identical to the MicroMo, but with a bigger pot;
SUMO ($140, 16.0 oz, 1.8 liters, 2-4 people): a MicroMo for groups;

Precision Cooking (liquid feed): the most winter-worthy

milliJoule ($180, 19.3 oz, 1.5 liters, winter soloist): smallest and lightest winter system; and,
Joule ($200, 28 oz, 2.5 liters, 2-3 winter campers): like the milliJoule, but with more volume.

With a single purchase, the Jetboil gives you nearly a complete stove system: pot, burner, and windscreen. Simply add a fuel canister and utensil.

Universal pros and cons

Across its line, all Jetboil stoves have the same advantages and liabilities:

Pro: Simplicity

With the purchase of a single Jetboil system, you get an effective and nearly complete kitchen setup. Just add a fuel canister, utensil, a lighter (as a backup, even if it has push-button ignition), and separate eating & drinking vessels for each person of the group (if applicable). In comparison, a la carte stove systems require more research and thought.

Pro: Speed & efficiency

A Jetboil system includes an integrated burner, pot, and windscreen. By designing these components to work together, Jetboil achieves excellent boil times and fuel efficiency.

Pro: Compactness

When not in use, the components of a Jetboil system nest together and become very compact. Inside the pot of the Flash and Zip, for example, you can neatly fit the burner, fuel canister stabilizer (which clips into the burner), optional pot/pan support, and a 240-gram fuel canister. The pot lid secures everything in place.

All Jetboil systems nest neatly together, minimizing space when not in use. Inside the MiniMo, you can fit the burner, canister stabilizer, and 240-gram canister.

Con: Weight

The lightest Jetboil system weighs 12 oz. In comparison, my go-to gas stove system weighs one-third less — just 8.1 oz — in a similar configuration: stove, pot, and coffee mug. The extra weight of a Jetboil is attributable to its materials (e.g. aluminum, not titanium) and to extra features that increase efficiency, such as the FluxRing and pot cozy.

Con: Canister gas

Since Jetboil first launched in 2004, its stoves have been compatible with canister gas only. It has never wandered into alcohol or liquid fuels, which are more widely available and more economical. It’s difficult to find gas canisters outside of outdoor retail stores, and you cannot mail or fly with them.

Jetboil Fast Boil vs. Precision Cooking Systems

Jetboil stoves fall into three categories:

Fast Boil,
Precision Cooking, and,
Basecamp

The Basecamp systems are slick, but impractical for backpacking: the lightest model, the Halfgen, tips the scales at 3.5 pounds; and its propane gas canister (which must be made of steel, instead of lighter weight aluminum) adds even more weight.

Fast Boil and Precision Cooking stoves are differentiated in just one respect: fuel regulation. The Precision Cooking burners have a regulator, which governs the fuel pressure out of the canister, specifically to 12 psi. This component adds expense and marginal weight, but allows the stove to:

Simmer, and
Operate reliably in colder temperatures, down to a canister temperature of 20* F.

The Fast Boil stoves are unregulated. Simmering is difficult — if the stove is on, it’s basically a flame-thrower. And stove performance varies more with the canister pressure, which is a function of its temperature, fullness, altitude, and gas blend.

The regulated MightMo stove is available as a standalone stove, and is the centerpiece of the MiniMo, MicroMo, and SUMO systems.

Jetboil Zip vs Flash

The Zip and Flash use the same unregulated burner, making them most suitable for boil-only meals and drinks.

The Zip ($80, 12 oz) is barebones and best for soloists. The Flash ($100, 13.1 oz), with 25 percent more pot volume (1.0 liters versus 0.8 liters), can be more easily stretched to hungry soloists and 2-person groups. In addition, it has a push-button ignition, which is convenient so long as it works.

Jetboil MicroMo vs. MiniMo vs. SUMO

The centerpiece of the MicroMo ($130, 12 oz), MiniMo ($135, 14.6 oz), and SUMO ($140, 16.0 oz) is the MightyMo burner, which is regulated and available as a standalone product ($50, 3.3 oz).

These Mo-based systems vary only in their pot volumes and shapes. Differences in boil times and fuel efficiency are negligible or non-existent. The tall-and-skinny MicroMo is the lightest and most compact, but meals can be more easily eaten directly out of the wide-and-short MiniMo. The SUMO is suitable for groups.

Jetboil Joule vs -Mo stoves

The milliJoule ($180, 19.3 oz) and Joule ($200, 28 oz) are more winter-worthy than the -Mo stoves, due to the burner.

The milliJoule/Joule can operate on a liquid feed (i.e. an inverted canister), which makes them more reliable on cold, wintertime outings. The burner’s distinguishing feature is the pre-heat tube, in which the liquid fuel emerging from the canister is vaporized before reaching the burner jets.

Questions about Jetboil stoves, including how they compare to each other and to stoves from other brands? Leave a comment.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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Brand intro: Norrøna || Premium & technical, ubiquitous in Norway

The Lyngen Down 850 Parka, with 850-fill down and 10d face fabric. It weighs 12 oz (M’s Large) and retails for $419.

Outdoor Retailer is an opportunity to learn about brands I’ve never heard and brands about which I know little. So when I was invited into the Norrøna booth, I said yes.

Norrøna is a 90 year-old Norwegian company that is still owned and managed by the original family. The intended application, materials and construction quality, and prices of its products remind me most of Arc’Tyrx, or premium lines from Patagonia or TNF. The product line is expansive, covering all four seasons and multiple outdoor sports, including hiking, alpine climbing, mountain biking, running, skiing and snowboarding, and even surfing and hunting.

In Norway, where Norrøna is apparently as ubiquitous as LL Bean, there are lower-priced products, too, but for now the US will only see its premium goods. And the products will be focused on hike, run, and the snow sports.

Current US distribution includes:

Direct, at www.norrona.com;
Backcountry.com;
REI.com and some REI flagship stores; and,
Some premium outdoor specialty stores.

Norrøna is also exploring possible retail locations in the U.S., and it’s likely to open a branded retail location in 2019.

Can Norrøna break into the US? Personally, I find the price points difficult to swallow (e.g. $420 for a 3+ season parka, or $250 for a 20d Pertex windshirt), but I know there’s a market for them — other brands successfully play in this space. The product quality is excellent. It has a novelty/up-and-coming element. And it seems genuinely committed to corporate social responsibility.

At OR earlier this month their product line was skewed towards winter activities. But I’ll swing by again in future shows to see what products might be more applicable to backpacking and trail running.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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Preview: Hoka Challenger ATR 5 || Multiple changes, wide sizes

On easy and moderate singletrack, and on mixed runs with pavement and dirt, the Challenger ATR 5 should excel.

The intended use of the next generation Challenger ATR remains the same: easy and moderate trails, and runs with mixed pavement and dirt. But multiple changes have been made to its construction and features.

The Hoka One One Challenger ATR 5 retails for $130 and will be available exclusively from REI on December 1, 2018. Distribution will be more widespread after the New Year.

Historically, the Challenger ATR was a trail version of the popular Clifton road trainer: it had the same chassis as the Clifton 1, 2, and 3 (my review of the Clifton 2), but featured a firmer midsole, trail-worthy outsole, and more durable and secure upper.

Starting with the fifth generation, the Challenger will have its own fit system. The standard fit will be similar to the Challenger ATR 4 (my review). It will also be available in wide sizes: EE for men’s, and D for women’s. With some “wide” models, the manufacturer simply increases the interior volume. But Hoka had to create dedicated lasts for the standard and wide sizes, so that the foot sits properly in the cradle-like Active Frame.

The outsole has been redesigned, with more and larger lugs. This should result in improved wear-resistance and grip. The proprietary rubber is unchanged.

The outsole has more rubber and larger lugs.

To offset the increased stiffness of the new outsole and to preserve smoothness from landing to toe-off, Hoka reduced the density of the midsole foam. It also dropped the shoe by 2 mm, so stack heights are now 29 mm and 24 mm at the heel and forefoot, respectively, for a 5 mm drop. The Challenger ATR 4 was 31/26.

The upper is still made of a two-layer mesh, for a combination of breathability and debris-resistance, and overlays still wrap around the midfoot. Some rigidity has been extracted from the upper: the U-bar (i.e. lace eyelets) is more flexible, and the TPU toe cap no longer has a “point” that created an unnatural crease across the toebox of the Challenger ATR 4.

The Challenger ATR 5 appears to have slightly more padding in the heel cup and tongue.

Its weight is now 9.4 oz (266 g) for men’s 9, and 7.7 oz (218 g) for women’s size 7.

Have questions about the Challenger ATR 5? Leave a comment.

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Preview: Hoka Clifton 6 || Mix of old & new generations

The new Clifton 6 is a mix of old and new: it’s lighter and softer than recent generations, but keeps the improved fit and durability.

The first three generations of the Hoka One One Clifton (my review of the Clifton 2) were wonderfully plush and lightweight. They were widely adored, to the degree that Hoka recently re-released the Clifton 1 for a limited time.

But v1, v2, and v3 were not flawless. Specifically, the fit was too narrow and low-volume for most; the uppers and outsole didn’t hold up; and the midsole foam lacked resiliency.

With the Clifton 4 (my review) and similar Clifton 5 (my review), Hoka went in a different direction. These versions worked for more runners, because of the wider last, higher-volume interior, and more accommodating upper; and the midsole was firmer and more durable. They’re less fun, but they’re more suitable for everyday use.

The upcoming Clifton 6 is a mix of the old and new generations. It’s lighter and softer than the Clifton 4 and 5, but better fitting and more durable than the Clifton 1, 2, and 3.

The Clifton 6 will be released in June 2019, with an unchanged MSRP of $130. It weighs 9 oz (255 g) for men’s size 9, and 7.4 oz (209 g) for women’s size 7, which is a reduction of 0.3 and 0.4 oz over the Clifton 4 and 5, respectively, but still more than an ounce heavier than the earliest iterations. At this price and weight, few other shoes match the Clifton 6’s cushioning and durability.

TPU overlays have been entirely removed from the upper. The engineered mesh locks down the foot in some areas, and accommodates it in others.

The upper is made exclusively of breathable tech mesh, which is deliberately knit to lock down some areas of the foot (like the arch) and to accommodate it in others (like across the crease). Hoka hopes it is the perfect combination of control and comfort. The TPU overlays have been removed entirely.

The outsole has been re-mapped, with more coverage for improved wear-resistance.

The Clifton 6 has more and more widespread outsole rubber.

The Clifton 6 rides 2 mm lower than earlier generations. Its stack height is 27 mm and 22 mm at the heel and forefoot, respectively, for a drop of 5 mm. The midsole is softer than the Clifton 4 and 5, although not as soft as the Clifton 1, 2, and 3. Resiliency should be more similar to the Clifton 4 and 5, preserving it for everyday use.

The last, midsole, and outsole have been widened under the arch by a few millimeters in order to improve stability and to fit more feet. I’m uncertain how this will affect those with narrower feet. Hoka says that the upper should provide sufficient lock down, but I wonder if some control will be lost.

Questions about the Clifton 6? Leave a comment.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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Preview: Hoka Speedgoat 3 || Tweaks to a top-seller

Why mess with success? The Speedgoat 3 has been tweaked, but mostly remains the same.

For two years the Hoka One One Speedgoat 2 (my review) has been the brand’s top-selling trail shoe. So in developing the third generation, it was understandably reluctant to mess with success.

The most significant change to the Speedgoat is the midfoot lockdown. The TPU overlays have been re-mapped, and a yoke-like collar has been added inside. These are welcome additions, and should reduce the shifting and lifting on steep downhills and uphills experienced with the Speedgoat 2.

Otherwise the Speedgoat 3 is mostly the same, retaining the previous generation’s:

Outsole rubber and mapping, using Vibram MegaGrip and 5-mm lugs;
Stack heights of 32 and 28 mm at the heel and forefoot, respectively; and,
Soft, generously cushioned EVA midsole.

The outsole rubber and mapping remains the same, with Vibram MegaGrip and 5 mm lugs.

Its weight has increased to 10.4 oz in men’s size 9, versus 9.8 oz for the Speedgoat 2.

I was told that the last and volume are identical. This means, unfortunately from the perspective of many, that the Speedgoat 3 will keep the conical-shaped toebox. A wider toebox is being considered for G4, but at this point that’s only speculative. That all said, official product info speaks of a “wider midsole and toebox.” So maybe it will fit more generously after all.

The MSRP is unchanged at $140. It will be available in March 2019.

The TPU overlays (black) have been re-mapped to better lock down the arch and heel.

Questions about the Speedgoat 3? Leave a comment.

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Preview: Salomon X Alpine Pro || For scrambly runs, maybe high routes

The new Salomon X Alpine Pro is designed for techy mountain trails and scrambles, and maybe high routes.

When running and racing on trails, I normally wear Salomon Sense or Salomon Ultra shoes.

But for hiking and backpacking, I currently have to look elsewhere. For two years my go-to has been the La Sportiva Bushido (my review; and my preview of the Bushido II), which is perfectly suited for high routes: they’re securely fitting, durable, grippy, protective, moderately stiff, lightweight, and low to the ground.

Will the new Salomon X Alpine Pro be another option for this niche application?

The X Alpine Pro is best considered a toned-down variant of the S/Lab XA Alpine (or a beefed-up variant of the X Elevate). Salomon carried over the outsole, narrow fit, and midsole construction; removed the integrated water- and debris-resistant gaiter; and reinforced the now-exposed mesh upper.

The X Alpine Pro weighs 10.4 oz (295 g, for men’s 9; 9.5 oz, 270 g for women’s 7), and will retail for $160. It will be available in August 2019.

A Salomon rep described the X Alpine Pro to me as “the perfect 14’ers shoe.” It’s light and nimble enough to comfortably run the lower sections. But it’s sturdy, grippy, and protective enough to scramble through the techy alpine bits up top.

The outsole is made of Salomon’s proven Premium Wet Traction Contagrip, which Salomon may rebrand simply as Contagrip . The lugs are 5 mm tall, and are larger than those on the Sense Pro 2, Sense Ultra, and S/Lab Ultra. In the interest of durability and grip, I’d love to see a few more lugs. The “climbing zone” lug across the toes should be excellent for talus-hopping and scrambling.

The outsole is made of Premium Wet Traction Contagrip, a proprietary rubber that has been proven on other Salomon models.

To increase lateral stability and control, Salomon stiffened the midsole, or perhaps just the heel. It’s branded as a Carbon Edging Chassis, but details on the exact construction were unclear. Stack height is 24/18 mm at heel/forefoot, for a drop of 6 mm.

The upper is reminiscent of other Salomon Sense shoes: breathable mesh with TPU film overlays, an elasticized mid-foot yoke (“Endofit”), and Quick Laces. The extra reinforcement is notable, however — the TPU film is thicker and more widespread. I hope it will be enough defense against brush and mineral-infused granite, we’ll see.

The upper looks like other Sense shoes: mesh with TPU overlays, elasticized tongue, and Quick Lace. The TPU film is thicker and more widespread, however.

Questions about the X Alpine Pro? Leave a comment.

Disclosure. This website is supported mostly through affiliate marketing, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors, at no cost to the reader. This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for your support.

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Preview: Altra Tusher || Hiking boot with zero drop & foot shape

My coverage of Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2018 starts with Altra, which has developed a cult-like following among hikers and runners for its zero drop shoes, wide lasts, and gender-specific fits.

Altra revealed three new shoes at the show: the Tusher, Grafton, and Wahweap. They will be available in July 2019. Availability is uncertain at this time.

Teaser: Altra Lone Peak 4.5 or 5.0

Before previewing Altra’s new models, I would like to tease the next-generation Lone Peak.

Historically, the Lone Peak has been updated every six months, but going forward it will be on an 18-month cycle. If you love or hate the Lone Peak 4.0 (my preview), you’ll be stuck with it until Spring 2020, when we’ll finally see a Lone Peak 4.5 or 5.0.

Preview: Altra Tusher Hiking Boot

The Altra Tusher will be released in July 2019. It is a conventional hiking boot but with Altra’s famed zero drop and wide foot-shaped last.

The Altra Lone Peak is said to be the single most popular shoe on long-distance trails like the Pacific Crest, Appalachian, and Continental Divide Trails. Clearly, there’s demand for zero drop and wide lasts among hikers.

But does this demand run deeper than backpackers who are willing to hike in running shoes, and to backpackers who prefer to wear traditional hiking or backpacking boots? With the Tusher, Altra will find out.

This hiking boot will retail for $200 (or maybe $180), have a 27-mm stack height, and weigh 19.8 oz (or a bit less, for men’s size 9). It will only be available in a “waterproof” version.

Aggressive carbon rubber outsole

The Tusher retains the features that put Altra on the map:

Zero drop between heel and forefoot,
A wide (“Foot Shape”) last, and
Gender-specific builds.

But otherwise the Tusher has the looks and features of a conventional hiking boot:

Upper exterior made of 1000-denier ballistic nylon and rubberized overlays;
Seam-sealed waterproof/breathable eVent bootie;
Compression-resistant polyurethane midsole (not EVA); and,
Aggressive carbon rubber outsole.

The Tusher is built on Altra’s HFS last, which is higher-volume than the Standard last used in the Lone Peak. However, the Tusher’s eVent bootie and stiff upper materials should negate some of this extra volume, keeping the fit reasonably secure.

The Tusher is compatible with traditional and Dirty Girl-style gaiters. The outsole has an artificial instep, and the upper is equipped with Altra’s popular GaiterTrap.

Production will begin in a few months, but the Tusher remains a work in progress. Altra hopes to increase its midsole flexibility (which is atypically stiff for an Altra shoe) and to scale down its overbuilt toe cap. Wear-testing also needs to be completed, though to me the timeline seems too tight to address any fundamental issues that are discovered.

The Tusher has a traditionally constructed waterproof upper: an eVent bootie surrounded by more durable 1000d nylon and rubberized overlays.

Preview: Altra Grafton

The Grafton looks like an approach shoe, with its Vibram circle outsole, rugged toe cap, long lacing system, and minimally padded suede upper. But Altra described it only as an “all-purpose outdoor shoe with approach qualities and characteristics.” Its relatively wide last (specifically, the XC last, which is one of Altra’s narrowest) will not provide the lateral stability and edging performance of a true approach shoe.

The Altra Grafton, new for July 2019, has the looks of an approach shoe but is more of an outdoor generalist.

Preview: Altra Wahweap

Among the three new models, the Wahweap is the most well suited for everyday casual wear. It has a simple lined upper made of 75 percent hemp and 25 percent nylon, a big rubber toecap and heel, and a low-profile outsole that is laterally scored to increase flexibility.

The Altra Wahweap, new for July 2019, suitable for everyday casual use.

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Pre-trip backpack hunt checklist: To do before you go

Glassing in the Flattops

This weekend is the start of Third Season for elk and deer. Steve and I liked what we saw last year in the Flattop Mountains in northwestern Colorado, and will be going back, along with Noel, my partner on my first successful hunt four years ago.

This is my sixth backpack hunt now, and each year I further refine my pre-trip to-do list. It’s not perfectly applicable to all locations, seasons, or hunting styles, but this checklist will get you most of the way there.

Game licenses

Choose a hunting zone, season, and species.
Apply for the draw (April) and/or purchase an over-the-counter tag (August+).
Read or re-read regulations that are specific to the location, season, species, and license.
Identify several specific areas to hunt, ideally under a range of conditions (e.g. severe fall, stormy forecast).

Travel

Finalize trip dates.
Coordinate travel plans with hunting partners.
Book airfare.
Book ground transportation.
Book pre-trip, intra-trip, and/or post-trip lodging.

Gear

Research likely environmental and route conditions.
Create gear lists (tip: for templates, use my 3-season backpacking gear list and my backpack hunt gear lists).
Acquire all gear.
Wash, renew, and repair gear, fabrics, and insulations.

Hunting gear

Sight-in rifle.
Practice with rifle to determine ethical shot distance.
Lightly clean rifle and optics, and sharpen cutting tools.
Place electrical tape over the muzzle to keep out debris.

Electronics

Insert an empty memory card into camera.
Load data (e.g. topo map tiles, management boundaries) onto GPS or smartphone.
Top off batteries for all electronic devices by recharging or replacement; pack spare batteries, if appropriate.

Supplies

Calculate food needs.
Purchase, prepare, and package shelf-stable food.
Purchase stove fuel.
Assemble first aid, foot care, and repair kits.
Create and print topographic maps.

For outside the field

Casual clothes and footwear
Travel food and drinks
Toiletries
Phone, tablet, e-reader, laptop (with chargers)

Emergency

Leave itinerary information with an emergency contact.
Update settings on satellite messenger and satellite phone.

Last-minute

Refresh on field dressing technique (I like this video best, and this one and this one, too).
Pack up gear
Purchase perishable food.
Pack up supplies.
Get a forecast for the hunting area(s).
Settle on a starting hunting area based on last-minute forecast.
Close up the house, e.g. set up email auto-reply, backup files.

What is this list missing? Leave a comment.

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Review: SPOT X Satellite Messenger || I’ll keep my inReach, thanks

The SPOT X retails for $250, weighs 6.7 oz, and features a 2.7-inch dot matrix illuminated screen and physical QWERTY keyboard. It looks like an orange Blackberry with an over-sized antenna.

Exactly one week after Garmin announced the inReach Mini in May, SPOT released its first new device in five years and its first device with two-way satellite messaging.

The SPOT X retails for $250, weighs 6.7 oz, and features a 2.7-inch dot matrix illuminated screen and physical QWERTY keyboard. It looks like an orange Blackberry with an over-sized antenna.

I used the SPOT X for over a month this summer while guiding trips in the Colorado Rockies and High Sierra. The unit was loaned to me by Backbone Media, the professionalism and helpfulness of which was greatly appreciated but (unfortunately, for them and SPOT) did not affect my overall conclusion.

Review: SPOT X

To break into the two-way messaging market, the SPOT X needed to be somehow better than the category leading inReach units. In some respects, it is:

It’s simpler, designed to be fully functional as a standalone device.
Each unit has a dedicated mobile U.S. phone number, which makes sending messages to it easier from standard mobile phones or other two-way satellite messengers.
It has twice the battery life of the inReach SE+ and Explorer+, at least when in 10-minute tracking mode. And,
It’s less expensive to own and operate, costing less for the unit and for comparable service plans.

Since it’s initial launch, SPOT has released several firmware updates to eliminate coding bugs and improve the user-interface. SPOT is listening to customers and seems to be invested in the X.

But currently the SPOT X still falls short:

The keyboard and control pad generally suck, lacking touch-sensitivity and responsiveness.
It’s twice as heavy as the inReach Mini.
No smartphone connectivity, which could allow allow sharing of contacts, wireless setting syncs, and use of the phone’s keyboard and touchscreen.
Navigation features are minimal, and it has no weather reporting. And,
The online portal needs to be aesthetically refreshed and more user-friendly.

Barring significant improvements to the SPOT X and its platform, the two-way satellite messenger that I recommend for most users remains the Garmin inReach Mini, which is slightly more expensive but which is more pleasant to use, more featured, and lighter weight. That said, I can think of two scenarios in which the SPOT X would be the better device:

If your budget does not include an extra $50 to buy the Mini; or,
If you don’t have a smartphone or don’t carry one into the backcountry, in which case messages can be more efficiently sent with the SPOT X.

The SPOT X (right) competes directly with Garmin inReach devices like the (left to right) SE, Explorer+, and Mini.

Key product specs

6.7 oz (verified)
2.7-inch dot matrix display
Integrated physical QWERTY keyboard
Optional illumination of the display and keyboard
Non-replaceable lithium battery, chargeable via USB
Resistant to impact, dust, and water (IP67)
$250 MSRP
More information

The screen and keyboard can be illuminated, for easy nighttime use.

The damn keyboard

The SPOT X has a major, perhaps irrecoverable, flaw: its physical keyboard. Even if the SPOT X was perfect in every other way, the keyboard makes me not want to use it.

In fairness, the “virtual keyboards” on the inReach units are annoyingly tedious. But at least there’s a workaround: using the Earthmate app on my smartphone.

The keyboard has three problems:

The keys are small and flat-topped, so it’s difficult to feel individual keys and to press a single key without also pressing adjacent keys.
The lowermost three keys — ALT, SPACE, and uppercase — do not work properly, requiring excessive force and/or crackling when pressed. And,
The Select button should be taller than the surrounding directional keys so that it’s easier to press.

The physical keyboard has problems. The keys are small and flat-topped, and the lowest column of keys are not responsive or smooth.

If you can get beyond the keyboard, here’s the rest of what you need to know…

What does the SPOT X do?

The SPOT X has four capabilities:

1. Messaging

The SPOT X can both send and receive text messages and short emails. This makes it fundamentally different than other SPOT devices like the Gen3, which can only send messages. Messages can be predefined, custom, or posted to social media (Facebook, Twitter, or both).

Each SPOT X has a personal U.S. mobile number, which makes sending messages to the device much easier. The process of sending messages to an inReach device is less straightforward.

2. Tracking

The SPOT X can broadcast its location at 2.5-, 5-, 10-, 30-, and 60-minute intervals. The more basic service plans do not include the 2.5- and/or 5-minute intervals.

3. Emergency

If life or limb are in danger, the SPOT X can send an S.O.S message directly to the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center (IERCC), which will notify the appropriate emergency responders. More info.

4. Navigation

The SPOT X has a digital compass; and can create and go-to waypoints. (Waypoints can be created more efficiently in the online portal, but still only one at a time.) It does not support maps, neither a simple grid map nor image-based maps (e.g. USGS 7.5-minute tiles, or proprietary data).

The navigation capabilities of the SPOT X are comparable to those of a standalone inReach Mini. However, the Mini is designed to be paired with Earthmate, a navigation app that gives a smartphone similar (or even greater) functionality to a conventional handheld GPS unit.

The SPOX X has rudiumentary navigation capabilities. It has a digital compass, and can create and go-to waypoints.

What does the SPOT X not do?

Compared to existing two-way messaging devices, what functionality and features are lacking in the SPOT X?

1. Phone connectivity

The SPOX is a standalone unit, and cannot be connected with or controlled by a phone. This would be useful:

Contacts could be shared with the SPOT X, instead of needing to enter them beforehand in the online portal.
The phone’s touchscreen could be used to navigate the user-interface and to type messages, which would be preferable to the crappy keyboard on the SPOT X.
Settings on the SPOT X (e.g. recipient list for check-in and predefined messages, predefined message text, social media passwords, etc.) could be updated without a hard-wire sync to a computer with the SPOT X Device Updater software.

2. Weather

Before I leave for a trip, I always check the backcountry weather forecast. But on longer trips, receiving an updated forecast can be extremely helpful. Unlike the inReach, the SPOT X cannot pull down a forecast for a current or user-specified location.

Cost of ownership

The long-term cost of a SPOT X has two components: its initial purchase price, and its service plan.

Initial purchase

The SPOT X retails for $250, which is $50 to $100 less than competing units.

Service

In addition to the initial purchase price, a service plan is required to use the SPOT X. Initially, SPOT offered only two annual plans, but they subsequently created a third tier, and made each plan available as an annual or month-to-month subscription.

Basic ($12/$15 per month)
Advanced ($20/$30 per month)
Unlimited ($30/$40 per month)

The annual plans are charged a one-time $20 activation fee. The month-to-month plans are charged $25 annually.

The plans all provide unlimited check-in and SOS messages, but vary in the included number of included custom messages and frequency of the shortest tracking intervals (10, 5, or 2.5 minutes).

SPOT vs Garmin subscription costs

The service plans for the SPOT X and the inReach devices do not match up perfectly. But overall SPOT charges less for service. For example:

For $15 per month, SPOT includes 20 custom messages, while Garmin’s plan includes only 10.
For $30 per month, SPOT includes 100 custom messages, while Garmin charges $35 for only 40.
SPOT charges $.25 per overage, whereas Garmin charges $1.00.

Due to the lower retail price and the lower subscription plans, the SPOT X should be more attractive to those who are on a tight budget and willing to overlook its other shortcomings.

Have questions about the SPOT X, or an experience with it? Leave a comment.

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