Gear Reviews

Winter is coming (cue Game of Thrones theme). And winter means it’s time for fair-weather campers and backpackers to put away their gear for the winter. But why? Winter camping offers months of quality outdoor time during a season when far fewer people are clogging trails and booking campsites. It’s the perfect time to get outside! But most folks are reticent for the sole reason that they’re afraid they’re going to turn into a popsicle while they’re trying to sleep (yours truly not excepted). Fortunately, there’s a solution: insulated sleeping pads (together with an appropriately cozy sleeping bag). And lucky you, we recently reviewed four insulated inflatable sleep pads for backpacking that will keep you cozy all night long, no matter what the mercury says. Read (or watch) to find the one that’s right for you.

Looking for a fun, spacious, comfortable tent so you can really kick back and relax on your next camping trip? We got you. Well, UST’s got you. With the fun, easy, totally kick-back-and-relaxable UST House Party 4-person tent. And we’ve got all the deets to help you decide if this tent is right for you.

No one wants to hike or backpack in the rain. At least, no one I know. But occasionally, that’s just what happens. Sometimes it can’t be avoided. And when that happens, especially if you’re deep in the backcountry, it’s important that you stay dry and warm so you don’t succumb to hypothermia or some such nonsense. Fortunately, the Rab Downpour Eco Jacket is just the thing: a quality, robust rain jacket that’s sustainable but won’t break the bank.

A quality cooler, whether you’re on a road trip or weekend camping trip, is a beautiful thing. After all, there’s nothing worse than opening your cooler after gathering a team to lug it to the campsite, just to find out your ice has melted and your beer/hard cider/Topo Chico is warm and your hummus has already started growing green fuzz. We wouldn’t wish that on anyone. So allow us to introduce you to the RovR cooler: the coolest, uh…cooler…for all manner of travel and outdoor adventure. Wanna know more? Read (or watch) to learn all about what makes the RovR RollR Cooler so rad.

We’re always on the lookout for a quality pair of kicks here at Terradrift. Usually, that means vegan hiking boots or shoes. But we don’t live our lives in hiking books. In fact, we very frequently slip on a pair of sneaks for travel or just wandering around town. And when we do, we like those shoes to be sustainable and versatile. Enter the Astral Hemp Loyak. One sustainable, stylish, and yes, comfy, shoe. Because what else would you expect from us?

If you spend much time pitching a tent in the backcountry, heck, if you’ve ever spent a single night sleeping in a tent, you know what a wondrous thing a good night’s sleep can be. But sleep can often be an elusive thing when you’re sleeping on the ground outdoors (or in a hammock, for that matter). You know what can make it more achievable? A comfortable pillow, that’s what. But that’s easier said than found. So we went ahead and tested a whole slew of packable pillows to help you find the right one for you. I know. You’re welcome. So here ya go: the 8 best backpacking pillows we could find so you can sleep soundly during your next night under the stars.

Completely undyed AND made of recycled materials inside and out?! Could the Mountain Hardwear Lamina Eco AF be the world’s most sustainable sleeping bag? We think it’s entirely possible. But is it cozy? Comfortable? Packable? Read on (or watch) to find out what we think of this bright white bag.

Noisy zippers, restrictive mummy bags, crinkly fabric…let’s be honest, sleeping outside just isn’t the same as sleeping in your bed at home. But with the new zipper less, comforter-like, silky soft Sierra Designs Night Cap sleeping bag, you can get pretty dang close.

I recently tested the brand-spanking-new Altra Lone Peak Hiker, the latest incarnation of Altra’s best-selling, award-winning, Lone Peak line of trail shoes. And they may be the most comfortable backpacking boots ever. Ever! So pull up a chair (or a bus seat or a couch or a bar stool) and I’ll tell you all about them.

Looking for a minimalist hiking boot that offers support where you want it and a barefoot feel where you don’t? We got you. This is the newly updated Xero Shoes Xcursion Fusion and it’s a barefoot-style hiking boot that’s built for adventure.