Gear

Maybe you’re one of those backpackers who’s intrigued by the concept of ultralight but you’re not quite ready to make the plunge. Maybe you want something with a bit more support that’s able to carry slightly heavier loads more comfortably than, say, a frameless ultralight pack. After all, if you have more traditional gear, it probably weighs quite a bit more than a slimmed down UL kit. Well we’ve got good news. We tested what might just be the perfect pack for backpackers who want to reduce weight without fully committing to going ultralight, who want comfort and functionality without sacrificing anything, and who might be considering transitioning to ultralight over time: The Deuter Aircontact Ultra 40+5, which excels at fit, function, and comfort and does it all at a lower base weight. Here’s what we thought of it.

Barefoot hiking sandals! We love ‘em! So you know we had to get our hands (feet?) on a whole bunch of barefoot hiking sandals to test this season. We wore them hiking, camping, trail running, even cycling, all to find out which ones are the absolute bomb. Here are some of our faves.

You know I love a good daypack. Bonus points if it also looks as good as it is functional. Fortunately, the newly updated Loris 25 daypack from Gossamer Gear, which is more sustainable than ever thanks to a recent materials upgrade, is just that. Is it the perfect daypack? Well, I dunno about that. But it might be pretty dang close. And who am I to say whether or not it’s perfect for you? So check out our review to see what makes this ultralight daypack tick.

Stop getting your mom cheesy mugs, crappy candy, and flowers that are just gonna die in a surprisingly short 2.5 days. She doesn’t want that crap. She told us. She wants to play outside instead. So snag her one of these gifts for outdoorsy moms instead this Mother’s Day and make her (or them) a truly happy camper.

If there’s one piece of gear we’ve come to appreciate most in the last couple of years, it’s the not-so-humble duffel bag. Versatile, durable, and endlessly useful, duffels have become essential companions for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at four rad, more sustainable duffel bags that are designed for travel and adventure.

Ever wanted to travel with your bike to a cool mountain bike (or gravel bike, or road bike) destination, but didn’t because you looked at the cost of renting a decent steed for the week and had a low-grade heart attack? Fortunately, road trips aren’t the only option if you want to travel with a bike: you can absolutely fly with a bike, too. Yes, fly with your bike. As in, check it as luggage when you’re jetting from one destination to another on a commercial airline. Exciting stuff, right? So we’re gonna break down how to do it, what to expect, and then compare two excellent bike travel bags so you can take your bike with you the next time you fly to a place with gnarly single track to shred!

You know what they say about April showers (don’t make me repeat the rhyme…)! But if you love the outdoors, you can’t let a little precipitation ruin your plans. Heck no! Just don a rugged rain jacket and get out there to play (whether that involves walking your dog around the park or summiting the nearest fourteener. But not all rain jackets are created equal, when it comes to performance, but also sustainability. So ditch the rain gear with PFAS, and if it’s time to replace your tattered old jacket, choose one of these more sustainable rain jackets instead.

It’s fun, it’s funky, it’s ultralight! It’s the LiteAF ECOPACK 40L Curve ultralight backpack! But we test a lot of ultralight gear here at Terradrift, so what makes THIS pack so special? It’s super durable and functional.

I’m very particular about my backpacks. I want the perfect balance of exterior pockets, interior organizational space, packability, and comfort. And I want to to not weigh much. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. And yeah, I want it to be sustainable as well. So, I was pretty stoked when I got to test the Deuter Speed Lite CV. Specifically the 23L SL version, which is the women’s-specific model. There’s also a 25 L unisex version. And frankly, I’m pretty impressed. Honestly, this backpack might just be my new favorite daypack.

I freaking love a good travel bag. Especially one that prioritizes organization. I travel too often to use luggage that doesn’t keep all my stuff together and in its place. So when I got a look at the Matador SEG28 travel backpack, I had to try it. Here’s what I thought.