Clik here to view.
Holiday Gift Guide 2017: 35 Great Outdoors Gifts
By Michael Lanza If you’re shopping for a gift for someone who loves the outdoors—or even for yourself—look no further. This list covers the top-performing products and best values I’ve found among...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review: Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody
Wearing the Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody while backcountry skiing. Breathable Insulated Jacket Outdoor Research Ascendant Hoody $249, 12 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review: The Best Winter Hats of 2019
By Michael Lanza Do you love getting outdoors in winter? If so, then you know that, just like the rest of your body, your noggin needs protection from cold temperatures, wind, and precipitation at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review: Outdoor Research Interstellar Jacket
Rain JacketOutdoor Research Interstellar Jacket$299, 11 oz. (men’s medium)Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XLbackcountry.com Anyone who’s spent enough hours in waterproof-breathable jackets while on the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review: Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket
Breathable Insulated Jacket Outdoor Research Refuge Hooded Jacket $220, 1 lb. 2 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s S-XL, women’s XS-XL Moosejaw.com Puffy jackets stuffed with breathable synthetic...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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....
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
The 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 ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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 ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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 ArticleClik here to view.
Review: 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 Article