Search results for: travel

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.

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 expedition cruises destroying Antarctica? Depending on who you ask, yes. But also, no. The debate is a legitimate one. After all, most massive cruise ships are often unsustainable and environmentally irresponsible. And Antarctica is home to a delicate ecosystem that affects the weather of the entire world. So yeah, it’s a fair question. But like most complicated questions, the answer to whether an Antarctica cruise is a responsible choice isn’t a simple “yes” or “no,” it’s more nuanced than that.
After all, the concerns posed by folks who don’t think Antarctica tourism should be a thing are legitimate. But modern expedition cruises are also doing lots to mitigate those concerns. So what gives? And is there a clear answer? We sailed to Antarctica on the Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Explorer to see what we could learn about sustainability on the southernmost continent and what tour operators are doing to protect it. Also, if an Antarctica cruise is a responsible choice.

Antarctica is a magical wonderland. It looms large as a dream destination for so many exploratory travelers. That includes us. So when we got the opportunity to go on the first ever Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Antarctica Direct Sail and Fly expedition, we were over the moon. We couldn’t wait to see penguins, whales, learn plenty about science and conservation and climate change on board, and marvel at this vast wilderness. If that’s you, whether you’ve already booked your trip or are currently in the dreaming and planning phase, it may be helpful to know what to pack for an Antarctica cruise. Specifically an expedition cruise. Here’s what we brought along.

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 love Gnara’s Go There Hiking Pants with the brilliant extra pee zipper designed for people who squat to pee. But do the new leggings also impress? We put them to the test to see if they fly or fail.

‘Tis the season to shove goodies into oversized socks hanging from a mantle that hopefully won’t result in a house fire! (By which I mean it’s the holiday season; time to stuff some stockings…) But Outdoorsy folks can be hard to shop for, especially because we definitely don’t need ANOTHER spork or pocket-sized multi-tool (please don’t get us another spork…). Fortunately, being avid outdoorists ourselves, we know a little something about what hikers, campers, cyclists and kayakers WOULD love to find in a stocking hung by the chimney with care, so we made this handy list of outdoor stocking stuffers for outdoor enthusiasts. You’re bound to find something they’ll love.

It’s that time again, folks! (Yeah, yeah, I know, don’t remind us…) ‘Tis the season of consumerism! Personally, this time of year isn’t our favorite, and we could do without all the obsessive shopping and buying crap just because you think you have to (you totally don’t), but there is something to be said about a thoughtful, useful gift passed along to someone you love that shows them how much they mean to you and that you know them well enough to gift them something they’ll love. But that’s easier said than done! Especially if the people you love are outdoorsy (we tend to be fairly particular about our gear). So if you need some ides to get you started, here are 10 of the best gifts for outdoorsy folks this year. And yes, we’ve tested all of them and they get the Terradrift stamp of approval. Just shop responsibly, and spend some time outdoors with friends and loved ones this season.

You know we love us some barefoot shoes here at Terradrift, from barefoot sandals to barefoot hiking shoes to barefoot boots for winter. We’re seriously all about it. But for those of you who aren’t quite fully committed to the whole barefoot shoe experience, but still want shoes that emphasize healthy posture and plenty of space for your toes to spread, zero drop wide toe box shoes are just the thing. Here are 7 of our favorite more sustainable options.

We love to travel here at Terradrift. And we’ve spent enough time exploring Europe now to definitely have our favorite spots for outdoor adventure. So if you’re headed to (or located in) mainland Europe, definitely check out these routes, which might just be some of the best hiking trails in Europe (they’re at least some of our faves so far).