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Ultralight backpacking gadgets are everywhere these days, constantly vying for your attention and begging you to spend on more innovative new gear that promises to make your time on the trail better! We love perusing pages of these items, dreaming of how we might use them all on our next adventure. But are they actually worth it? Especially for ultralight backpackers whose goal is to carry less? We put 10 ultralight backpacking gadgets we found on Garage Grown Gear, our favorite website for all things ultralight, to the test to see which ones are actually worth the weight, and which ones are a waste of space.

Spring and summer are everyone’s favorite times to play outside. And for good reason. But just because the sun’s out and temps are rising doesn’t mean every inch of your delicate epidermis should be on display. On the contrary, the best way to protect yourself from damaging UVA and UVB rays, sunburn and early aging (without having to slather on sunscreen every hour) is to don a breathable sun shirt. A sustainable one, of course. But not all long sleeve sun shirts are designed with hot weather in mind. Fortunately, we found five comfortable, breathable sun shirts for women and men to keep you cool and happy on every type of adventure.

Crested Butte, Colorado is a truly lovely destination year-round, especially for outdoorists. There are trails galore, a well-known ski resort, and a poppin’ small town filled with locally-owned shops and restaurants. It’s a destination renowned for mountain biking and wildflowers in the summer (including an annual wildflower festival) and world-renowned ski resorts in the winter. But if you’re not a downhill skier, you may be left looking for other things to do in Crested Butte in winter besides ski. We got you. Here are some other ways to stay active and play outside when there’s snow on the ground.

Hammock Camping? In the cold? Is that even possible?! Turns out, yeah. Yeah it is. We’ve done it. So have plenty of other intrepid outdoorists who don’t let a little cold stop them from sleeping outside. But here’s the thing: hammock camping in cold weather is a lot different than hammock camping when it’s hot. It’s also different than tent camping in cold weather. We’re gonna break down exactly why and how that’s the case, plus share a few tips for comfortable winter hammock camping so you can sleep comfortably any time of year.

Wondering what the mass national park layoffs and cuts mean for you? We describe what’s happening and what to expect at parks this summer.

Looking for a barefoot boot that will keep you warm this winter? Try out one of these boots on for size: The Vivobarefoot Gobi Hiber vs Xero Alpine. Which one is right for you? We break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide.

The latest unique brand to hit the market in the U.S. is Páramo, an outdoor apparel brand that’s been operating in the U.K. for years now, but just broke into the States with a small collection of interesting outerwear designed with what they call directional waterproofing. But what the heck is directional waterproofing? And how is this jacket waterproof without the use of a Gore-Tex or a similar membrane, the type you almost always find in rain jackets and hardshells? But just as importantly, is this Páramo jacket better than Gore-Tex? Read on to find out why we say yes in this waterproof jacket review!

Are you a beginner snowboarder? Not sure where to start when it comes to gear and apparel? We get it. Here’s some of our favorite clothing and accessories for when we hit the slopes.

It’s a debate as old as time itself (OK, maybe just as old as the sport of skiing): Ski pants or bibs? After all, they each bring something different to the table. And often, folks who love one hate the other (though we’ve been known to be fans of both). So if you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, it’s important to get this right. After all, the right pair of bottoms can result in hours of fun on the slopes while the wrong pair can result in frustration and discomfort. But which is right for you? We’ll break down the pros and cons of both bibs and pants to help you decide, plus tips on choosing the perfect pair.

When it’s time to layer up for winter adventures on the slopes, no layer may be more important than the one that goes on last: your ski jacket and ski pants. A quality set keeps you dry, warm, and frankly, looking pretty dang fly. It’s a definite upgrade from a hoody and jeans, which, no shade if that’s what you’ve got, but we fall way too often and get cold way too fast to wear clothing that’s not waterproof. But we also know a good ski kit (made up of a jacket and pants) is important to get right in the name of mobility, comfort, and convenience. Plus, we want gear that lasts, fits our riding style, and comes from brands that care about the environment as much as we do. If that’s you, too, then check out these 5 sustainable ski wear that’ll have you stoked to hit the slopes.