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

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...

Arc’teryx Altra 65 Review

Comfort/FitThis bag is the most comfortable pack this tester has ever worn. The two dimensional shoulder strap adjustment allows the user to quickly tune the Altra to their body’s unique...

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. Nowadays, there...

Apparel Reviews

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....

Montec Arch Ski/Snowboard Pants Review

Over the last few years, there is one skiwear brand I’ve been noticing more and more all over the mountain. Montec, a relative newcomer from Sweden to the snow sports industry, has...

Pearl Izumi MTB WRX Review

WeathersheddingThe Pearl Izumi WxB fabric of the MTB WRX Jacket stood up on par with others in the test admirably. In a ride with a steady rain of over an...

Footwear Reviews

La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Review

Overall this is one of the best and one of my favorite shoes in this category for the season. Sometimes your choice in a shoe may be driven by fit,...

Vasque Inhaler Low GTX Review

In my opinion, Vasque really stepped up its game in the light hiker category with the introduction of the Inhaler Low GTX, while still remaining true to its roots. It’s...

Hoka One One Evo Mafate Review

The Hoka One One Evo Mafate keeps what trail runners liked about the model it’s replacing (the Mafate Speed 2), but gets a revamped upper and responsive new midsole material....

Hiking & Camping Reviews

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. Nowadays, there...

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...

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...

Bergans Trollhetta 55 Backpack Review

StorageThe Bergans Trollhetta 55 backpack provides flexible storage options. The lid contains two large zippered pockets, one on top and one underneath. There is a large mesh pocket on the...

La Sportiva Synthesis Mid GTX Review

Overall this is one of the best and one of my favorite shoes in this category for the season. Sometimes your choice in a shoe may be driven by fit,...

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...

Climbing Reviews

Trango Crag Pack Review

Comfort/FitThe Trango Crag pack comes in two sizes, regular and short. The regular size fits this 6-foot-tall tester with medium build well. The double aluminum vertical stays (can be bent...

DMM Flight 45L Review

Comfort/FitThe DMM Flight is only available in one size, and it fit this 6-foot-tall tester well. The back panel is supported by an HDPE frame sheet and padded via mesh...

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Biking Reviews

Specialized S-Works 6 Review

Stiffness-to-Weight/Power Transfer The Specialized S-Works 6 is among the stiffest shoes we tested. It is also light at 222 grams for a size 42 (7.3 ounces 10.5 U.S. size). Specialized’s...

Pearl Izumi Versa Quilted Hoodie Review

Weather-resistance The Pearl Izumi Versa Quilted Hoodie is constructed with breathable softshell panels down the sides and arms making it very good at blocking cold gusty wind and repelling snow...

Bontrager XXX Mountain Shoe Review

STIFFNESS/POWER TRANSFER This is a very stiff shoe. Bontrager rates it as a 14 out of 14 on their own “Stiffness Index,” and it shows. This was one of the...

Hunting & Fishing Reviews

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...

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...

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...

Travel Reviews