Review: Outdoor Research Shadow Wind Hoodie
Ultralight Wind Shell Outdoor Research Shadow Wind Hoodie $129, 5.8 oz./164.4g (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XXL backcountry.com We ask a lot of ultralight wind shells, these wispy...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie
Water-Resistant Down Jacket Outdoor Research Helium Down Hoodie $299, 15.4 oz./437g (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-3XL, women’s XS-XL, plus sizes 1X-4X backcountry.com The wind blew strong and steady...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants
Soft-Shell Hiking Pants Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants $99, 11.5 oz. (men’s 30×30) Sizes: men’s 28-42, women’s 0-18 backcountry.com I lived in the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket
All-Season Shell Jacket Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell Jacket $399, 11.5 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL moosejaw.com Heading to Iceland for a couple weeks of...
View ArticleThe Best Base Layers, Shorts and Socks for Hiking and Running
By Michael Lanza Let’s admit it: We don’t always take our base layers as seriously and we do our outerwear and insulation—or packs, tents, boots and other gear, for that matter. But this...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Helium Wind Hoodie
Ultralight Wind Shell Outdoor Research Helium Wind Hoodie $119, 5 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com If, besides very low weight, versatility counts for everything...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket and Bibs
Winter Shell Jacket and Bibs Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Jacket $349, 1 lb. 5.5 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com Outdoor Research Skytour AscentShell Bibs...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie
Breathable Insulated Jacket Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie $199, 11 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com On a late-September backpacking trip in Yosemite,...
View ArticleThe Best Backpacking Gear for the John Muir Trail
By Michael Lanza So you’re planning to thru-hike the John Muir Trail and making all of the necessary preparations, and now you’re wondering: What’s the best gear for a JMT hike? Having thru-hiked the...
View ArticleThe Best Backpacking Gear of 2021
By Michael Lanza The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park. The Wonderland Trail. The Teton Crest Trail. Yosemite. The Grand Canyon. Glacier National Park. The Ruby Crest Trail. Yellowstone. The...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket
All-Season Shell Jacket Outdoor Research Microgravity AscentShell Jacket $249, 14 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com Whether hiking steep hills in steady rain in temps...
View ArticleThe Best Mittens for Winter 2021
By Michael Lanza Let’s start with two truths about mittens: 1. We know they’re warmer than gloves. 2. We often choose gloves over mittens, anyway, for some reasons that make sense and some reasons...
View ArticleThe Best Clothing Layers for Winter in the Backcountry
By Michael Lanza There’s one certainty about the clothing layers we use in winter: We get our money’s worth out of them. While a rain shell or puffy jacket may rarely (or even never) come out of our...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket
Ultralight Rain Jacket Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket $159, 6 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com When the cool mist got heavy enough that I needed more than a base...
View ArticleThe Best Sun Shirts of 2020
By Michael Lanza Whether backpacking, dayhiking, climbing, trail running, fishing, paddling, or active outdoors in myriad other ways, sun protection becomes critical not only for preventing skin...
View ArticleReview: Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket
Breathable Insulated Jacket Outdoor Research Refuge Air Hooded Jacket $229, 15 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com On a ski tour in blowing snow in Idaho’s Boise...
View ArticleThe Best New Hiking, Backpacking, and Other Gear of 2019
By Michael Lanza Every year, I field test a lot of new gear and clothing for three-season hiking, backpacking, climbing, and year-round backcountry activities. Much of it’s pretty good. But to be...
View ArticleThe Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets of 2019
By Michael Lanza You’re out on an all-day hike in the mountains, or a long climb or trail run, or backpacking. The weather forecast looked pretty good before you set out—but no one shared that memo...
View ArticleThe 10 Best Down Jackets of 2019
By Michael Lanza Whatever you need an insulated jacket for, there’s a down or synthetic puffy for your needs, within your budget. And whether you want a puffy jacket for outdoor activities like...
View ArticleReview: 22 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories of 2019
By Michael Lanza Sure, your backpack, boots, tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, and other backpacking gear matter a lot, and you should put serious thought into your choices when buying any of them....
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