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...

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...

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

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...

Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Shell Review

Materials The Black Diamond Recon Stretch is constructed out of BD.Dry 3 layer material that is fully waterproof, windproof and breathable. Its highly waterproof rating of 20,000 mm is equivalent...

Footwear Reviews

Best Women’s Hiking Shoes of 2024

Whether you’re setting out on a casual day hike or hitting the trail with overnight gear, there’s a hiking shoe up for the task. Compared to traditional hiking boots, hiking...

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,...

Hiking & Camping 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,...

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...

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....

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...

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...

Mystery Ranch Sphinx 65 Backpack Review

StorageThe Mystery Ranch Sphinx has some of the best storage options I have tested in a backpack. The lid contained a large wraparound zipper that enabled great access and lots...

Climbing Reviews

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...

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...

Biking Reviews

Niner RKT 9 RDO Review

Ride QualityBalance is the first word that comes to mind here, as it is with other Niner XC machines. The Niner RKT 9 RDO feels perfectly balance on the trail—weight...

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...

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....

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...

Patagonia Vest Front Sling Review

Slings are great—unless you’re constantly swinging them around to access what you need. The Patagonia Vest Front Sling puts a few pockets right where you need them, and stashes lesser-used...

Fishpond Delta Sling Pack Review

The Fishpond Delta Sling Pack is a large-capacity bag that combines the features of a sling and a waist pack with a unique (and very comfortable) storage solution. OrganizationShaped like...

Ski & Snow Reviews

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...

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