GEAR Archives - Semi-Rad.com

A New, Almost Completely Unrealistic Multi-tool Design

by brendan on March 12, 2020

With all due respect to the makers of real and useful multi-tools, and with no…

8 Adventure Gift Ideas Over $35,000

by brendan on November 21, 2018

Here you are again: Holiday shopping season is upon us, and you’re wondering, “How will…

12 Types Of Nightmare Outdoor Shop Customers

by brendan on September 27, 2018

No one wants to be the person who leaves a store and becomes the subject…

When Crappy Gear Is OK

by brendan on May 3, 2018

In 2004, my friend Nick and I went on a 10-day road trip from Montana…

The Joy Of Wearing Out A Piece Of Gear

by brendan on February 22, 2018

A lot of things felt like they were on the verge of breaking down in…

Why Your Smartphone Is A Great Adventure Tool

by brendan on February 1, 2018

Every once in a while at a book signing or during an interview, someone asks…

For Sale: Skis And Ski Poles — $5

by brendan on November 16, 2017

ARE YOU READY for another ski season? These skis and poles sure are! And they…

10 Basic Rules For Adventure

by brendan on October 19, 2017

Earlier this year, my book Surviving the Great Outdoors came out, representing about 12 years’…

10 Tips For Buying Skis

by brendan on September 28, 2017

Fact: ski season is just around the corner. Another fact: it’s hard to participate in…

Gear Of The Year: The Wheel

by brendan on August 10, 2017

In “the outdoor industry,” people have thrown around the term “game-changing” for several years, using…

Introducing The First Backpacking Dutch Oven

by brendan on April 20, 2017

Remember your last backpacking trip? What was missing? Come on, think about it. That’s right,…

Announcing A New Book: The Great Outdoors: A User’s Guide

by brendan on March 30, 2017

Today, I get to share something that some wonderful people and I have been working…

7 Must-Have Gear Picks For Your Summer Adventures

by brendan on March 23, 2017

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Just kidding. You probably have most of the…

Now Available: These Things I Made For You

by brendan on February 2, 2017

I’ve been having fun drawing diagrams and cartoons for Instagram lately, because some jokes (and…

Review: Water Bottle

by brendan on September 1, 2016

About 12 years ago, I bought a water bottle with no water in it. I…

Dear Foam Roller:

by brendan on August 18, 2016

Dear Foam Roller: I think— Oh, you thought I was just going to say “fuck…

Celebrating 5 Years Of Semi-Rad: 25 Favorite Quotes

by brendan on February 4, 2016

Five years ago this week, I started this blog, hoping a few people might read…

Some Of My Best Friends Have Been Bicycles

by brendan on September 24, 2015

I walked up the stairs at my apartment building last Friday morning, five $20 bills…

13 Pieces of Gear Every All-Around Adventurer Should Have

by brendan on August 20, 2015

Normally I use this space to talk about not buying a bunch of shiny new…

Professional Gear Review: Spoon

by brendan on August 13, 2015

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is…

Shout Out To Old Bikes

by brendan on July 16, 2015

A couple Saturdays ago, I got this e-mail from my friend Lee: Would you or…

10 Tips To Help Lighten Your Backpack

by brendan on July 2, 2015

A heavy backpack can make a backpacking trip no fun at all. Here are a…

The Best Backpack For You

by brendan on July 10, 2014

If you walk any distance over one mile in the out-of-doors, you should think about…

Announcing A Revolutionary New MTB Wheel Size

by brendan on February 13, 2014

THIS SUMMER. A REVOLUTIONARY NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE WHEEL SIZE. WILL TAKE THE WORLD BY STORM.…

What’s The Best Rain Jacket?

by brendan on October 17, 2013

When you’re buying a rain jacket, you probably have lots of questions, none of which…

You Wonder Why We Don’t Have Nice Things

by brendan on June 27, 2013

I sat down exhausted last Tuesday night next to my friends Chris and Forest in…

The Best Shoes In Life Are Not Shoes

by brendan on October 11, 2012

I walked onto the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder last Friday and a Denver Voice…