Ready, Set, GEAR! - Expert Reviews from Local Gear Gurus

The La Sportiva Bushido III Wide excels on technical trails, talus, and alpine terrain. Field-tested in the Eastern Sierra and Death Valley, it provides stable support, precise control, and comfortable fit for hikers and trail runners seeking performance footwear across rugged terrain.

Choosing the right backpack matters in the Sierra Nevada. After multiple multi-day trips on alpine routes, passes, and long approaches, the Osprey Exos 58 proved to be a standout lightweight backpacking pack—balancing durability, comfort, and efficiency for Eastern Sierra adventures and major thru-hikes.

These new trail runners by La Sportiva intrigued our staff right out of the box, from the unique upper to the bouncy midsole and rock-blocking cuffs. Eastside Sports put the Prodigio Pro to the test across the Eastern Sierra and desert terrain, breaking down comfort, stability, traction, durability, and real-world performance.

After four months of near daily use, long miles, and rugged Sierra terrain, our staff review the La Sportiva Bushido III trail runners. Lightweight, stable, highly responsive, and impressively durable, these shoes shine on steep descents, rocky trails, and multi-pitch climbs. Here’s Chris’s honest take after real-world testing.

After ripping holes into yet another pair of trail runners, I felt the need to get something different. Enter the La Sportiva Akyra. Made for rugged terrain and long miles, this shoe is just what I needed. Did it live up to the promise?

The Mountain Hardwear Up First Hoody excels as a lightweight, durable mid-layer for hiking, climbing, and everyday wear. With a built-in neck warmer, thumb loops, and athletic fit, it moves with you, keeps you warm, and looks great from the High Sierra to town adventures.

Staff member Jonathan put the La Sportiva Aequilibrium Hike GTX boots to the test on a 14-mile summit push in the Eastern Sierra. From steep trails to scrambling and snow travel, he found these boots to be lightweight yet supportive—ideal for hikers seeking comfort, durability, and performance.

We put the Mountain Hardwear UL 20 to the test on rugged Sierra peak-bagging missions—and it delivered. Ultralight, surprisingly tough, and highly packable, this Cordura daypack is ideal for travel, hiking, and scrambling. Read our hands-on review from the Whitney Zone and Palisades in the mighty High Sierra.

Eastside Sports staff tested the Danner Mountain 600 boots on a multi-day trip in the rugged Eastern Sierra. This real-use review covers comfort, grip, durability, fit, and trail performance. If you’re looking for modern leather hiking boots that balance support with comfort, this post is for you.

Looking for a trail shoe that combines cushion, support, and durability? Former owner Chris Iversen reviews the Topo Athletic Vista—her new favorite for hiking Bishop-area trails and beyond. This lightweight shoe handles Sierra terrain like a pro. Two thumbs up!

We put the Black Diamond Aspect Pro climbing shoes to the test across 75+ climbing days and a range of rock types and grades. The result? A surprisingly excellent, durable trad shoe with standout features and fit—especially for wide feet. A worthy rival to the La Sportiva TC Pro that comes with real performance chops.

Looking for the perfect shoe for hiking or trail running in the Eastern Sierra? Staffer Marion tested the Topo Traverse on Bishop's rugged Druid Stones trail—read her in-depth review to see how this lightweight, breathable shoe holds up in tough terrain and why it’s ideal for hikers and runners alike.