Gear Reviews

Summertime Backcountry Gear: Montbell Superior Down Jacket

Tucked into a corner of every alpine-seeking backpacker or climber’s rucksack should be a well-made, ultra-light and highly compressible down puffy like this one. Made ...

Derrick Knowles August 20, 2016

Summertime Gear: Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike

What is a balance bike? I had never given this question a moment of thought until a few months after I came home from a ...

Derrick Knowles July 24, 2016

Summertime Gear: Hydrapak Stash 1-Liter Collapsible Water Bottle

Traditional 1-liter water bottles have been a backcountry staple for decades, but the Hydrapak upgrade is a welcome improvement. Durable, flexible and leak proof, the ...

Jon Jonckers July 23, 2016

Summertime Gear: Montbell Down Hugger 800 Sleeping Bag

I became a Montbell sleeping bag convert after buying my first stretchy baffle bag nearly a decade ago. I simply love sleeping outside and would ...

Derrick Knowles July 22, 2016

Summertime Gear: Chaco Outcross Free (Women’s) and Outcross 1 (Men’s) Water Sports Shoes

This summer we tested what might be the coolest and most functional water shoes we’ve ever worn on several amphibious outings. The Chaco OutCross Free ...

Out There Outdoors July 21, 2016