Behind the Gear: MSR Explore™ Snowshoes & Paradigm™ Binding

If choosing the right snowshoe has seemed a bit daunting in the past, things just got a lot easier with the updated MSR Explore series of snowshoes. Thanks to the all-new Paradigm binding, the Explore series hits the sweet spot for most users, delivering comfort, reliability and performance for intermediate to advanced snowshoers.  Let’s take a look at how the Paradigm binding, when paired with one of our three frame options, can offer the ideal performance characteristics for such a wide swath of snowshoers. What Hasn’t Changed: MSR Snowshoe Decks & Frames The first thing you should notice when shopping for MSR snowshoes is that each series of snowshoes (Trail, Explore and Ascent) is built with a unique binding. Within each series, that binding is matched with three deck/frame options–the…

Read More

MSR Water Products & Treatment Systems Guide

Perhaps nothing is more important to a good time outdoors than having a handy supply of fresh, clean water. In fact, MSR’s very first stove—the Model 9—was built explicitly to improve the hydration, and thus the performance, of high-altitude mountaineers. No matter what your goals are, we know that hydration is a key element in reaching them. Over the years, MSR has built the most comprehensive and reliable assortment of water treatment and storage products available. From ultralight and portable solutions for trail ultras to basecamp and emergency purifiers for demanding, high-capacity needs, we’ve got you covered. Of course, with many options come many choices, and that’s why you’re here. So, let’s dive in with a comprehensive overview of what each water filter and water purifier was built for, so…

Read More

In Terms of Backcountry Water Treatment, When is Water Considered Safe to Drink?

Brown, silty streams, tea-colored rivulets, even clear, ice-cold lakes—any backcountry water source can serve up a cocktail of contaminants. But not everything that’s present in an undeveloped water source is necessarily harmful, and only some things pose an immediate threat to your health. In fact, it’s impractical and unnecessary to remove everything, all the time. So in terms of backcountry water treatment, when is water considered safe to drink? First, what’s commonly in backcountry water? The types of contaminants that make water “dirty” depend a lot on that source’s surrounding environment. But most contaminants can be placed into these categories: Microorganisms: Simply put, tiny bugs or germs. Microbes are the primary focus of treatment devices because of their immediate and potentially serious risk to your health. The pathogenic ones include bacteria…

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to MSR Cookware

It’s often said that the best gear in the world is gear you don’t notice. It’s the stuff that works so remarkably well, it’s unremarkable. It just does its thing, and you get to focus solely on the task at hand, whether that’s having a ball with friends or pushing for a summit. Camp cookware falls squarely into this category. It’s not the coolest gear you’ll ever acquire, but since it will play a key role in keeping you fueled up for your adventure, choosing the right cookware for each style of trip is essential to making the most of the experience. Some trips demand the lightest and most packable option to keep you moving, while on others, you might choose a bit more luxury for cooking like you’re at…

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to MSR Fuel

You’re psyched. You just bought an MSR® camp stove—the undisputed gold standard for everything from expeditions and extended road trips to casual backpacks and a weekend of family camping. In that process, you likely considered what type of fuel you wanted your new stove to use: liquid fuel or canister fuel. Now that you’ve made that primary choice, you may find yourself wondering a host of questions, like how to find compatible fuel away from home and make the most of your stove or stove system. Thus, we’ve put together a soup-to-nuts compendium of the most common questions we receive about MSR fuel to keep you going no matter where you are. What is MSR IsoPro™ Fuel? MSR IsoPro fuel is the magic sauce inside our fuel canisters. IsoPro is…

Read More