Gear

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.

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.

Grid fleece: it’s all the rage these days. And for good reason. It’s cozy, lightweight, comfortable, wicks sweat, and is perfect for active outdoor pursuits. And yes, it can even be part of a good winter layering strategy. And if you love outdoor apparel, especially grid fleece, chances are you’ve heard of Melanzana, the small Colorado brand that’s based in Leadville. Do they make fun and functional grid fleece? Absolutely. But are they easy to get? Absolutely not. Fortunately, there are excellent alternatives and, guess what? You can buy them online! We rounded up some of our faves to help you decide which grid fleece is right for you.

We’re big fans of snowshoeing. We love hitting quiet, powdery trails no one else is on, layering up, and hiking to enjoy a snack and a hot beverage with a view (and we always bring a hot beverage). Do empty trails, wildlife sightings, and stunning scenery sound good to you, too? Then gear up! ‘Cause snowshoeing offers it all. But if you’re not sure what to wear snowshoeing or what gear you need, allow us to recommend some of our favorite clothing and gear for the task. Bonus: it’s all more sustainable than your average tech shirt.

We’ve always loved hiking and backpacking here at Terradrift. In fact, those activities were our first loves when it comes to outdoor adventure. But we love to try new things and explore, challenge ourselves and learn new skills. So when we finally moved to the mountains in Utah, we knew it was time to add one more outdoor sport to our repertoire: snowboarding. But being a beginner snowboarder can feel daunting. There’s so much to learn and so much specialized gear required! Here’s all the snowboard gear you need and why and how to pick out the best beginner gear so you can kick the season off right.