The perfect ski… does such a thing exist? In my never ending search for the ultimate one-ski-quiver, I’ve currently landed on the Salomon QST 106 skis. New for the 2016/17 ski season, these boards have gotten a lot of press, ending up in most ski publications gear guides’ top 5. I’ve been shredding the QST…
Category: Gear Reviews
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…
Hanz Waterproof Tap-Knit Touchscreen Gloves review
Electronic devices, especially touchscreens, are basically a part of life now. Even us outdoorsy folks who tend to askew such things while recreating, still rely on our phones to take photos of landscapes and friends. But between choosing the shot or keeping those fingers warm on a cold day, the phone tends to stay in…
Vasque Lost 40 winter boots review
Living in northern Utah, a good pair of winter boots is a requirement. We can get a ton of snow and bitter-cold temperatures, and there’s no way you’ll have a good time outside if your feet are freezing. But I got to test out the Vasque Lost 40 boots (available in men’s and women’s versions)…
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….
Mountain Hardwear 32 Degree Insulated 1/2 Zip review
Finding the right mid-layer for backcountry skiing, or an outer layer to wear while running or fat biking in cold weather can be tough. Too much insulation and warmth and you’ll overheat. Not enough and you’ll get too cold. I’ve tested and reviewed many of these sorts of technical layers, and the new Mountain Hardwear…
Mountain Hardwear Dragon Hooded Jacket review
The Mountain Hardwear Dragon Hooded Jacket is described by the company as an “alpine softshell workhorse.” To me, that means this jacket ought to be able to do it all – from skinning up mountains on ski tours, to descending open faces in high winds. It should keep out the elements while remaining breathable, yet…
Utah Outside’s Gear of the Year 2016
Here at UtahOutside.com, we test a lot of outdoor gear. From skis to jackets, shoes and more, the whole gamut is covered summer through winter. While some of the gear we test is pretty run-of-the-mill, a select few is so good, so innovative, and so high-quality, it becomes stuff we fell like we couldn’t live…
Top Utah Outside Stories of the Year 2016
2016, by many accounts, has been a bad year. From the… unprecedented presidential election, to natural disasters, and the long list of beloved musicians and actors dying, there’s a lot people want to forget and leave 2016 behind. But as far as outdoor recreation in Utah is concerned, there was much to celebrate. Lots of…
Oboz Big Sky Insulated BDry Boots review
Utah is in a deep freeze and you pretty much need warm, waterproof boots to do anything outside. From walking the dog, to shoveling the driveway and hauling your ski gear across the Wildcat lot at Alta, what you wear on your feet can make or break your day. This winter I’ve been putting the…