I brought the 70AR Travis to a Gateway Off-Road Cyclists (GORC) trail build and got lots of positive feedback. The pick end and sturdy ash handle helped leverage out stubborn rocks, while to 7-inch-wide sharp hoe on the bottom easily cleaved hard surfaces and tree roots. The two sides consist of a beveled scraper and a rake. The 70AR is heavy, which makes it a powerful tool and great for tamping — and it’s still lighter than carrying both a McLeod and a Pulaski, the two firefighting implements it emulates. The versatility and durability are what really impressed me, on the trail and at home, where it outperformed every tool in our garden shed and several in my landscaping arsenal. It takes a beating and can really do it all. Choose between a 48- or 54-inch handle. $87. roguehoe.com

Author: Brad Kovach is the editor/publisher of Terrain Magazine.