Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024

Once a niche segment of backpacking, ultralight (UL) gear is gaining traction among outdoor enthusiasts who want to travel faster and farther with less weight on their back.

Best Ski Apparel Brands of 2024

It’s no secret that skiing is an expensive and gear-intensive sport. And whether you’re doing laps at your local resort or skinning deep into the backcountry, you’ll need a quality jacket and pant combo to keep you comfortable.

Best Women’s Hiking Shirts of 2024

When it comes to hiking, having the right gear is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable outdoor experience. As the year 2024 brings new advancements in outdoor apparel, women’s hiking shirts have evolved to provide excellent performance, breathability, and style.

Backpack Reviews

Osprey Atmos 65 AG Review

Comfort/FitThe Atmos 65 AG is as comfortable as any pack I have ever tested. It takes a few extra minutes to dial in all the adjustments on the hip belt...

Millet Torong 52 Backpack Review

Comfort/FitThe Torong 52 provides good overall comfort, especially in the hip belt. The pack performed well while carrying loads in the 30-40 pound range, but not above that.  The Torong...

Apparel Reviews

Smartwool Corbet 120 Review

Weather-resistance The Smartwool Corbet 120 is constructed with 120 grams of SmartLoft insulation and heavyweight merino wool. On rides in the high-twenties to mid-thirties it did well at blocking cold gusty wind....

Patagonia Middle Fork Packable Wader Review

The Patagonia Middle Fork Packable Wader sets a new high-water mark in lightweight, packable design. The Middle Fork waders earned unanimous praise from our test team for packability and weight....

Footwear Reviews

Topo Athletic Runventure 2 Review

The Runventure is built on Topo Athletic’s successful anatomic last, with a three-density EVA midsole, and a full-length TPU flex plate for underfoot protection without compromising ground feel or flexibility....

Merrell Moab FST Waterproof Review

Stability For having one of the thinner outsoles in the test group, the Moab FST made up for it with a wide option for fit and superior traction (hence the...

Hiking & Camping Reviews

Osprey Exos 58 Backpack Review

Comfort/FitThe Exos 58 provides good overall comfort for an ultra-light pack and performs well when carrying loads under 30 pounds. The padding on the Exos 58 is much better than...

Granite Gear Virga 2 Backpack Review

Fit/ComfortThe Virga 2 has good overall comfort, provided loads stay below 25 pounds. I found no reference for a recommended load weight for this pack, but based on my experience...

Best Women’s Down Jackets of 2024

As the temperature drops, having a reliable down jacket becomes essential for staying warm and comfortable during outdoor activities. In 2024, women’s down jackets have seen significant advancements in insulation...

Salomon X ULTRA 2 GTX Review

Stability  The X Ultra has found the perfect mix of fast and sleek with phenomenal stability and performance. The Contagrip outsole outperformed the Vibram sole and gave added confidence while...

Salewa Wander Hiker Review

Stability The Michelin rubber had arguably the best grip in its class, and the outsole was slightly wider than the rest of the shoe, providing added stability and ground contact....

La Sportiva Genesis Low GTX Review

Stability  La Sportiva had been producing stable, high quality trail runners for years and finally rolled out a low top traditional hiker in the Genesis. Referred to as STB Technology,...

Climbing Reviews

Camp Speed 2.0 Review

ComfortThe Speed 2.0 is the latest update of C.A.M.P.’s popular Speed helmet. When the original Speed helmet came out it was the lightest helmet on the market but the new...

Mammut Wall Rider Review

ComfortThe Wall Rider offers great comfort in large part to its extremely low weight but also thanks to soft padding in the right spots, the brow and top of the...

Biking Reviews

Louis Garneau Torrent RTR Review

WeathersheddingThe Extenz membrane, reinforced sealed seams, and waterproof zippers on the Torrent, provided acceptable protection against wet conditions. Some small drawbacks were its ability to resist wind and protect against...

Smartwool Corbet 120 Review

Weather-resistance The Smartwool Corbet 120 is constructed with 120 grams of SmartLoft insulation and heavyweight merino wool. On rides in the high-twenties to mid-thirties it did well at blocking cold gusty wind....

Turner Flux 4.0 Review

Ride Quality Turner’s Flux Version 4 is an all carbon ride with an XC pedigree which shows up in the ride quality of this bike. The DW Link suspension seeks to...

Hunting & Fishing Reviews

L.L. Bean Kennebec Switch Pack Review

Sling packs are fine for short walks, but the imbalanced load becomes cumbersome over rough terrain and on longer distances. That’s when the balanced carrying capacity of the Kennebec Switch...

Simms Headwaters Large Sling Pack Review

OrganizationThis is far from a pocketless sack. Whereas some slings minimize the number of compartments for a more streamlined carry, the Large Headwaters is divided into three zippered sections, each...

Ski & Snow Reviews

Stio Figment Jacket and Bib Review

As the snow blankets the Rockies and ski season kicks into high gear, my anticipation for those first exhilarating powder days matches my excitement to put the Stio Figment Jacket...

KUIU Ultra Merino 120 LT Zip Off Bottom Review

In the chilly backcountry, ascending steep uphills always has me sweating, even in sub-zero temperatures. My body just seems to run hot when I’m pushing hard. But here’s the catch:...

Best Women’s Ski Jackets of 2024

When hitting the slopes, having a high-quality ski jacket is essential for staying warm, dry, and protected from the elements. In 2024, women’s ski jackets have seen remarkable advancements in...

Travel Reviews