STRAP IN
Where We’re Going, You’re Gonna Need Ropes!
TEXT BY RYAN GIBBONS | IMAGES BY BRETT SIEGEL AND COURTESY OF STEP 22 GEAR
If safety is not a concern, knowledge about what you’re buying is immaterial, and you just want really cool-looking gear at cheap prices, stop reading and proceed to the nearest five and dime. However, if you’re someone who cares about what you buy, how and where it’s made, how best to use your gear, and about the safety of you and your fellow wheelers on the trail, continue reading.
Let’s be honest; you’ve probably invested a lot of time and money to outfit your rig for nature’s great adventures. Don’t you want the best recovery gear to protect you and your baby? Don’t be tempted by the sponsored ads on Instagram unless you know what you’re buying. As the saying goes, good ain’t cheap and cheap ain’t good!
So, what should you buy? It starts with knowing what your needs are, the industry terminology and standards (or lack thereof), and how to properly care for your gear. After all, if you’re going to buy a quality product and put it to the test, you need to give it some TLC.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR GEAR NEEDS
We can’t stress enough how important it is to understand not only the gear you already have, but also the gear you might still need for your specific recovery situations. The last thing you want is to put your rig (and potentially your life) into someone else’s hands who isn’t knowledgeable with proper recovery gear. It also goes without saying, they care less about your rig than you do. So be prepared to get yourself out of any jam and know what you have and what you need for your specific situation.