Gear Reviews

Down is often considered the superior insulator when it comes to sleeping bags for backpacking or camping. But it’s not the best choice for every adventure or every adventurer. If you’re vegan, down isn’t since it’s harvested from dead animals. If you’re on a budget, down is prohibitively expensive. Or if you want a versatile bag that’s suitable for all types of weather, down doesn’t insulate at all when it’s wet. The alternative? Synthetic insulation. But synthetic ultralight sleeping bags are often few and far between since the material is a bit heavier than down. So what’s an ultralighter to do? Try one of these synthetic ultralight bags on for size, of course!

There are plenty of ultralight tents available these days, and all of them claim to be the best. So we tested the iconic Zpacks Duplex two-person tent to see if it stands up to the other UL backpacking tent options available (and whether we’ll pack it in our UL setup again and again). Here’s what makes it unique and what we thought of it and its functionality.

A reliable pair of trekking poles is a beautiful thing. They make uphill hikes seem less strenuous, ease pressure on your knees on the downhill, and are a beautifully multi-functional piece of gear. What’s more, a good pair from a sustainably-minded brand will also be repairable. That means you can invest in a quality pair, fix them if small parts or pieces like clips or sections break, and keep using them for years to come (compared to cheap poles that break and you’ll probably have to replace in a few seasons if you’re an avid hiker). So if you’re in the market for an ultralight pair of trekking poles you’re ready to love for the foreseeable future, try one of these on for size and hike happy.

Can a backpack make hiking and backpacking with moderately heavy loads more comfortable, help you move more freely, maintain good posture and keep you balanced? Aarn Packs thinks they can. So we tested an Aarn Featherlite Freedom 50L backpack from this new-to-the-USA brand that offers truly original backpacks that challenge conventional backpack design. It is, without question, one of the quirkiest—and most highly engineered—backpacks we’ve ever tested with its intriguing “balance pockets,” web of cords and toggles, and highly adjustable suspension system. ut did all this radical pack engineering and design live up to the claims? Read on.

If you’re a frequent traveler, especially one who lugs around camera gear or tech equipment, you know the value of good luggage. And when I say “good,” I mean something that doesn’t just survive baggage claim but actually makes travel easier. That, friends, is the Peak Design Roller Pro Carry-On. We got our hands on this sleek, high-end carry-on before it officially launched, and after putting it through the paces on a few trips, we figured it was time to tell you all about it now that it’s officially available for purchase.

These packable, sustainable windbreakers are perfect for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and so much more. They keep out the chill, keep you from bailing on the summit early because you’re too cold, and pack up small enough you don’t need to think twice about whether to take them along. So whether you’re planning adventures near home or traveling farther afield, one of these packable windbreakers will keep you sheltered on cool mornings, breezy hikes, sunset summits, beach walks, windy downhill rides and so much more.

Love ultralight backpacking? If you’re looking for the best ultralight backpack, one of these might be your perfect match!

Ask anyone who spends a significant amount of time hiking, trail running, kayaking or walking their dog and they’ll tell you: a hat is an essential piece of outdoor gear. A good one keeps the sun out of your eyes (especially in conjunction with a good pair of sustainable sunglasses), protects the delicate skin around your face and neck from harmful UV rays (pair it with a long-sleeve sun shirt and sunscreen for even more protection), and keeps sweat and hair out of your eyeballs on high-output adventures. A good hat is indispensable. But not all hiking hats are created equal. So we tested out the best hiking hats for men and women across a range of styles to see which are the best of the best and which ones are ideal for specific types of adventure.

If safety is a concern while sharing the trail but you want to listen to your tunes, these might just be the perfect headphones for you.

We love ultralight backpacking here at Terradrift. In fact, it’s the only backpacking we ever want to do. But finding the perfect ultralight backpack can be tricky. So we tested out the new Gossamer Gear Skala 38 to see how it performed, what features were valuable (or not) and whether we’d carry it again. Let’s dive in.