In many of the hiking and climbing articles here on UtahOutside.com, you may read about “Class.” Class is used to describe the level of difficulty encountered on any given trail or mountain. But what does “Class 2, 3, 4 or even 5” hiking really mean? I thought it was time for a breakdown, as many…
Author: Ryan Malavolta
Helly Hansen Covert HT Glove review
There are plenty of reasons to love leather, and it’s no surprise that skiers and boarders have embraced it as the glove shell du jor. As Ricardo Montalban once quipped “Cornithian leather? Of course, why not the best?”. The Fantasy Island host had a good point; leather is water repellent, abrasion resistant, and damn if…
Backcountry Touring in Utah’s Hoodoo Country
If you close your eyes and imagine Southern Utah’s red rock canyon terrain, what do you see? Painted cliffs of yellow, orange and red, crumbling rock spires, groves of juniper and… backcountry skiers and snowboarders? Perhaps that last one seems out of place, and rightly so. Hoodoo country isn’t your typical ski touring terrain, and…
Helly Hansen Sogn Cargo Pant review
When it comes to ski/snowboard pants, the slew of choices borders on overkill. The good news is that with so many options comes the ability to find the perfect pant for any situation: whether it be resort riding or backcountry touring. A balance of comfort, style, performance and price is ideal, and the Helly Hansen…
Hi-Tec socks review
Socks are not very exciting pieces in the gamut of outdoor gear. But while they come up way short in “cool factor”, they are vital to any good day of adventuring. Socks are the first line of defense against a long day of roughing it. Great boots + crappy socks= unhappy feet. It’s just science….
More Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017 gear highlights
This year’s Outdoor Retailers Winter Market wrapped up nearly two weeks ago, but there are still plenty of highlights to share from my day at the show. With so many companies showcasing new and improved goods, it can be tough to get them all covered. Here is a look at some more highlights from the…
Craghoppers is ready for the cold at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017
You might not be familiar with the Craghoppers brand, but it’s not because they are a newcomer to the outdoor adventure gear arena. For fifty years, they have been creating apparel to stand up to the elements, and at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, Craghoppers was ready to welcome the chill of winter. These are a…
Helly Hansen upgrades winter gear at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017
Helly Hansen is in the business of making bomber gear for any and all weather conditions. It is only appropriate that at OR Winter Market, they were showcasing an upgraded and revamped lineup of winter-specific outerwear. I got to scope the new gear firsthand, and here are some of the highlights: POINTNORTH JACKET A modern…
Superfeet 3D Technology at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017
Superfeet makes insoles for just about any activity out there: casual, hunting, running, snow sports and more. That won’t be changing in 2017, but plenty of other things will. For starters, Superfeet now offer a full lineup of men’s and women’s shoes and light boot styles. These are geared more toward daily life, not outdoor…
Granite Gear is trail and street ready at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2017
If your company just passed the three decade mark, was internationally respected, and had a somewhat cult following among backpackers, would you rest on your duff? Neither would Granite Gear! At this year’s Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, the pack company was excited to introduce a completely revamped backpack series, as well as bring some new…