A major key to enjoying a comfortable mountain bike ride is owning a good hydration pack. It needs to be balanced, snug, and have a plethora of pockets to carry all kinds of gear from bike tubes to energy bars to water reservoirs. Unfortunately, most hydration packs are made for a variety of activities...
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If you’re like me, then you can’t stand to go on a run without your tunes. Hell, some people even bring their music with them skiing, mountain biking and maybe even while naked unicorn riding in the woods. Whatever your persuasion, a quality set of earphones will make or break any outdoor jam sessions....
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Merino wool isn’t just for the chilly months of the year. Icebreaker also offers light weight shirts for summer, and they’re giving them away in May. This may sound strange as wool is associated with warmth, and you’d wear it while throwing snowballs, not throwing yourself off jumps while mountain biking. Intrigued, I tested...
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The brand Patagonia is synonymous with hardcore rock climbing and mountaineering, but whenever I get a catalog in the mail, my attention is usually drawn to the relaxed, leisure side of Patagonia. They make hanging out riverside, on the beach, or drinking a beer on the back porch look like an outdoor sport in...
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No matter what your adventure, chances are you have a few precious pieces of gear or food that need to be protected from the elements. Backpackers especially know the value of a good storage bag, as wet snacks and dinner equal a rough time in the backcountry. SealLine is a company that specializes in...
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When you’re outdoors, camp chairs are a luxury. I’m not talking about car camping where you can take everything from grills to tables and chairs to six-person tents. No, I’m talking about true outdoor adventure when you are trekking into the great wild, far from any parking area, miles from civilization. On those adventures,...
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Last summer, I reviewed a pair of sunglasses with a unique twist. The Switch Eyewear Tioga sunglasses with a Magnetic Interchange System seemed to solve the problem of hard-to-install, interchangeable lenses. I really liked the system, but the frames felt heavy and lacked any rubberized parts for staying-on-yer-noggin. Enter the Switch Eyewear Lynx. The...
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I’ve owned a lot of Keens in my day, from the original closed-toe sandals to hiking shoes. But one thing that always bothered me about them is the weight. Sure, Keens were beefy and had that huge toe bumper, but that came at a heavy cost in the weight division. Well, I’m happy to...
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In my opinion, a backcountry touring jacket needs a few things: simplicity of style, a large hood, light weight, moisture resistance and excellent breathability. So when I found out that Salomon made a jacket called the “Tour” my ears perked up like a German Shepherd who’s owner just said the “W” word. When I...
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Easton Mountain Products showcased their 2013/14 snowshoes and trekking poles at a media event this past weekend, and I was lucky enough to be there. The day started with a meet-up in the parking area near Grizzly Gulch at Alta, where the EMS reps greeted us with fresh bagels slathered in cream cheese; a...
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