This is a good, lightweight, mid-size pack that’s comfortable enough to wear while riding all day long.

Bauer designed their new First Ascent line with help from top mountaineers including Ed Viesturs and Peter Whittaker. The expert input shows. What they’ve built is a far cry from the watered-down yuppie-wear we’ve grown used to seeing from this brand. It’s good to see the company get back to its roots.

I love dry bags. You can stuff everything from sleeping bags to helmets into one, seal up the top, and be sure that no matter how wet the conditions get, your stuff will stay free of moisture. On a trip like ours, where you’re driving through mud all ...