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.

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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.

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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.

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Backpack Reviews

The North Face Cragaconda Review

Comfort/FitThe North Face Cragaconda is available in two sizes with the L/XL best for six-foot-tall users. The suspension is comprised of a HDPE frame sheet and two aluminum vertical stays,...

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...

Metolius Crag Station Review

Comfort/FitThe Metolius Crag Station is only available in one size, fitting 6-foot users of average climbing build. The dense foam in the back panel is the only suspension component, but...

Apparel Reviews

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...

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:...

Orvis Men’s Ultralight Convertible Wader Review

The Orvis Ultralight Waders fill an important niche of the market — lightweight waders suitable for travel and summer conditions in cold-water environments. The Ultralights cover both bases admirably. The...

Footwear Reviews

La Sportiva VK Review

The La Sportiva VK is a very unique shoe, with a  very specific purpose. By calling it the VK (Vertical Kilometer), La Sportiva isn’t hiding their intentions. This shoe is...

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....

Hiking & Camping Reviews

Arcteryx Bora AR 50 Review

Comfort/FitWith the Bora AR 50, Arc’teryx employs shoulder straps that are adjustable along two dimensions, which is easy by pulling the Velcro back and adjusting the strap to choose a...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Thule Guidepost 65 Backpack Review

StorageThe Thule Guidepost 65 has a large lid that has plenty of storage and can be removed to utilize as a 24 liter day pack. This was great for setting...

Climbing Reviews

The North Face Cragaconda Review

Comfort/FitThe North Face Cragaconda is available in two sizes with the L/XL best for six-foot-tall users. The suspension is comprised of a HDPE frame sheet and two aluminum vertical stays,...

Singing Rock Penta Review

ComfortThe Penta was one of the most comfortable helmets tested and became a big hit with testers. The lightweight and lack of a plastic suspension system allow the Penta to...

Black Diamond Pipe Dream 45 Backpack Review

Comfort/FitThe Black Diamond Pipe Dream 45 lacks any type of frame sheet or suspension stays, but the ¾” thick foam provides enough structure and cushion to remain comfortable with one...

Biking Reviews

Patagonia Adze Review

Weather-resistance The Patagonia Adze is constructed with a DWR-treated softshell exterior that is ninety percent Polyester and ten percent Spandex. Unsurprisingly, of all the jackets in the test, the Adze...

Bulls Wild Edge Review

Ride Quality The monocoque carbon framed Wild Edge utilizes Bulls’ Endurance Lite Concept (ELC), which is a light and snappy frame resulting in a comfortable ride that also manifested stiffness when...

Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 770 MSL Review

Ride Quality Whether ripping through windy, flowy singletrack or descending a rock garden the Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt 770 MSL is smooth as silk and very well balanced – especially when the...

Hunting & Fishing Reviews

Umpqua Tongass 650 Waterproof Waist Pack Review

OrganizationThe Umpqua Tongass 650 Waterproof Waist Pack is a straightforward pack with no mysterious pouches or lash points. Instead, there’s a big roll-top main compartment and a secondary zipped pocket...

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:...

Travel Reviews