Mike M.

Mike M. is the hands-on owner behind Iron Mako Media, the independent publisher of Ounce & Outlook. Every ranking here is built from manufacturer-published weights and specs with the math shown: grams saved per dollar, base-weight totals, and the source for every number. No lab, no free gear, no sponsored placements.

What Mike does on this site

Every ranking, comparison, build and guide on Ounce & Outlook carries Mike's byline. The work behind each page is the same: find the real, currently sold products a budget-minded backpacker is choosing between; read the weight, list price and specs off each maker's own page; measure every product against a named mainstream reference; and compute grams saved per dollar. The formula and the reference products are published on How we rank, so you can redo any number yourself.

What he doesn't claim

Mike doesn't claim to have tested, carried or owned the gear on this site, and the site never says he did. There are no invented trail miles, thru-hikes, certifications or “expert panels” here. When a figure is the maker's claim (a boil time, a flow rate, a temperature rating) it is labeled that way. If Mike ever adds his own experience with a specific product, it will be marked clearly on that product and nowhere else.

Why the site exists

Most ultralight gear advice assumes you'll pay cottage-brand prices to save weight. Most budget advice assumes you don't care about weight. This site is for the hiker in between: the one who wants most of the weight savings for a fraction of the cost, and wants to see the math before spending. Start with the $500 ultralight kit or what base weight actually counts.

Reach Mike

Corrections, questions and product suggestions go to mike@blackironathletics.com or the contact form. Who publishes the site, and how it's funded, is on the About page.