Backcountry skiing rewards you with untouched powder and long descents away from the crowds. But it also demands gear that breathes on the climb and protects on the way down. A good backcountry ski bib does exactly that. The best ski bibs for backcountry touring combine lightweight, waterproof shells with thigh vents, articulated knees, and … Read more
I have packed for two cross-country flights and one transatlantic trip in the last month alone, and I can tell you from experience that the right carry-on backpack changes how you travel. No baggage carousel. No checked-bag fees. No waiting at the carousel after a red-eye. Just zip, go, and roll. But picking the best … Read more
I thru-hiked the PCT in 2019 with a pack that bruised my hip bones by mile 800 and forced a $200 emergency replacement in Kennedy Meadows. I learned more about backpacks in those five months than in any gear shop, and our team has spent the past 18 months rebuilding this guide from that lesson. … Read more
I have spent the last several months testing backpacks on weekend trips into the Sierra, five-day loops in Olympic National Park, and one brutally hot section of the John Muir Trail. The difference between a pack that disappears on your back and one that drags you off the trail almost always comes down to suspension, … Read more
A backpacking boot is a mid- to high-cut hiking boot built to carry a loaded pack (typically 25 to 50 lb) over multiple days, pairing a stiffer midsole and shank for torsional support with a tall ankle collar and durable upper for protection on rugged terrain. The best hiking boots for backpacking should feel like … Read more
If you have ever stood on a frozen lift line while the wind rips across your chest, you already know why the right ski jacket matters more than any other piece of gear. A cold-weather ski jacket is an outerwear piece combining a waterproof-breathable membrane and 60–160 grams of insulation, engineered to keep skiers warm … Read more
After three months of testing on everything from Sierra sections of the PCT to shoulder-season hikes in the Cascades, our team landed on this list of the best down jackets for backpacking in . We focused on what backpackers actually care about: warmth-to-weight ratio, packability, weather resistance, and how each jacket holds up over hundreds … Read more
A basement is the perfect spot for a shuffleboard table, but it’s also the most demanding place to install one. After testing ten models side by side in our own basement game room over six weeks, we can tell you exactly which ones survive moisture swings, fit down a narrow staircase, and play smooth on … Read more
I have spent more weekends than I can count loading coolers, duffel bags, and folding chairs into a packed SUV, then driving 800 miles to a campsite with a child asking “are we there yet” from the back seat. The moment I bolted a hitch cargo carrier onto my 2-inch receiver, my entire road trip … Read more
The best portable tire inflator for off-roaders is a 12V direct-to-battery air compressor built to air down tires for traction on sand, rocks, or snow and air them back up to highway pressure before pavement – far more capable than emergency car-tire inflators. After 90 days of testing on a 4Runner, a Wrangler, and a … Read more