Category: Gear
Rock climbing can be an exhilarating adventure into the vertical realm. It can also be intimidating, given all of the gear and lingo that comes with it. Just as you’ll want to learn climbing skills from the ground up, it’s helpful to get acquainted with the basic equipment you’ll need. Most climbing gyms rent the essentials—shoes, […]
The outdoor gear industry has used PFC-based coatings for decades, but only in recent years have the associated risks brought increased scrutiny. Most notably, in 2012 Greenpeace launched its Toxic Threads campaign, which tested gear from a range of manufacturers for PFCs and then called out companies with the chemicals in their products. In response […]
They could’ve joined the Peace Corps, launched a nonprofit, or run for office. Instead, they founded outdoor brands in which social and ecological stewardship permeates every product line and business decision, and where serious profits convert to social progress. Consider them next-generation enviropreneurs, taking up the charge led by their godfather, Yvon Chouinard. In […]
Ripped tent? Don’t trash it! Give your old tent a second life with our step-by-step instructions. Repurposing gear is a fun and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and to show off your upcycling skills. So dig out those busted tents, grab your sewing kit, and learn how to make a stuff sack! MATERIALS: […]
Winter camping usually means sleeping on snow, which means you’re going to need a winter sleeping pad setup that blocks the cold beneath you from stealing away precious body heat. To accomplish this, you have two options. The first is to combine two summer-weight sleeping pads to create a double-layer of insulation. The second is […]
A pair of trekking poles can transform you into a sure-footed, four-legged hiking machine—or a brush-snagging, hand-encumbered trail beast. Here’s what to consider as you evaluate the options for trekking pole use, features, and functionality. POLES OR NO? IT DEPENDS Trekking poles are a boon in many hiking situations. By adding two additional points of […]
Extensive use of trekking poles on popular trails can tear up soft soil, damage trailside vegetation, and scar rocks. The good news is, you can reduce those damaging effects by following a few best practices. Be mindful of the potential environmental and visual impacts where you plant your poles. Don’t use trekking poles when you […]
One of the bigger challenges in winter hiking is keeping your feet warm and comfortable, especially if you’re out in the chill for prolonged periods of time. Proper winter footwear is essential, of course, to keeping warm, but there’s another challenge that you may not be considering: foot sweat. Your feet are the second sweatiest part […]
If you’re out winter camping or backcountry skiing, you need to carry a snow shovel. Among other uses, it’s essential for setting up camp, constructing a snow cave, excavating snow pits to evaluate avalanche hazard, and digging out an avalanche victim should the worst come to pass. When it comes to choosing an option, there are […]
You can strap a lot of different gear to your feet for winter adventure. But do you really need to? There are obvious benefits to avoiding the hassle and weight of equipment like snowshoes, gaiters, and crampons—so here’s my advice for evaluating whether you need them in the first place. For this exercise, I’m going to […]
The climbing rope my husband, Pete, purchased in 1993 never saw a harness after 1998, but we still have several pieces of it around the house. It has kept kayaks fastened to car roofs, held drying laundry on camping trips, and even towed a stuck car. In the warm months, it is a makeshift tree […]
This summer I introduced my two boys, age 4 and 6, to the fun and excitement of backpacking. After several long and squiggly nights over the course of two trips, here is one of the most important things I learned. Based on my highly unscientific sample size of two, it’s clear that young sleepers move […]
Tent footprints are cut to precisely match a tent’s floor dimensions. When placed underneath the tent, they provide protection from abrasion, moisture, and general wear-and-tear and are generally recommended when a few extra ounces aren’t a big deal. (It’s a different story when you are counting ounces, however. More on this below.) Nearly every gear […]
Got a bike? What about the right tires for your ride? Understanding the basics of tire sizing, tread selection, and a few other common features will help you choose wisely when it comes time to shop for replacement tires. Measure Twice Bike tire dimensions are indicated by two numbers, such as 26 x 2.0 or […]
Spoiler alert. Strapping on a pair of snowshoes does not give you the power to skim magically across the surface of the snow like you’re walking on frozen water. Snowshoes just reduce how deep you sink, a feature known (somewhat misleadingly) as “flotation.” The exact equation for how much you sink—er, float—depends on three basic […]
Cold fingers are no fun. So I avoid them by wearing the right pair of winter gloves for the conditions at hand (ha). Over the years, I’ve accumulated quite an array of winter hand wear, which I detail below. But before we get there, it’s important to keep in mind that proper fit is one […]
“Sharp crampons are like sharp knives: They are safer and work best when sharp,” says Steve House, a climber and the author of Training for the New Alpinism. Trekking on ice, snow, and especially rock will eventually dull crampons and make them less effective— particularly early in the season, when ice and snow are light. […]
Don’t wait for the first snowfall. Trek down into the basement, out into the garage, or deep into the closet and pull out all of your winter gear—tonight. A thorough preseason evaluation of everything from clothes to skis to crampons will help preserve your gear, keep you safe, and prevent problems once you do head […]
Hot food. Hot drinks. Hot coffee. Yum. To enjoy any of these in the backcountry, you’re going to need a stove, of which there are three fundamental types: canister, alcohol, and liquid fuel. Which one is right for you? Your backpacking style and needs will help you decide. CANISTER STOVES A solid choice for most […]
The price of goose down has soared over the past few years, a trend clearly evident in the world of sleeping bags and puffy jackets. And, while exact numbers are hard to come by, I’ve noticed that many gear manufacturers have begun to use duck down instead of goose down in some of their sleeping […]