Gear Reviews Archives – Terradrift

Camping with a Double Sleeping Bag & Mattress: Nemo vs EXPED

Alisha McDarris — Tue, 20 May 2025 21:32:25 +0000

Whether you're planning an extended road trip full of nights spent under the stars or you're just looking for the ultimate comfy sleep setup for you and your partner/dog/best bud/just you, there may be no better option than a cushy self-inflating sleeping pad and a big ol' roomy sleeping bag. Especially if you plan to get cozy with a camp buddy 😉. Heck, even if you're on your own and you just love to sprawl when you sleep, a double sleeping bag and mattress are a stellar addition to your car camping setup.

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The 6 Best Waterproof Barefoot Hiking Boots

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 08 May 2025 14:57:54 +0000

We're all about barefoot and minimalist shoes here at Terradrift. We love them for all seasons: summer, winter, in snow, sun and rain. And while we tend to prefer more breathable barefoot hiking boots when it's warm, sometimes waterproof barefoot hiking boots are required. Fortunately, we've tested plenty over the years and these are some of our favorite minimalist, zero-drop waterproof boots designed for hiking and outdoor adventure.

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Merrell Vapor Glove 6 Boa Review: Barefoot Trail Runners That Just Work

Josh McDarris — Thu, 01 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000

If you're ready to ditch traditional laces and step into the world of minimalist shoes, the Merrell Vapor Glove 6 Boa is a solid choice. With a lightweight build, excellent traction, and a micro-adjustable Boa Fit System, it blends barefoot freedom with everyday comfort—perfect for trail runners, barefoot-curious walkers, and anyone who hates tying shoes.

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The 9 Best Barefoot Hiking Sandals of 2025

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 23:36:03 +0000

Come summer, we're all about barefoot sandals. We explore in them, travel in them, wander in them, and definitely hike in them. Yes, we hike in sandals (but only purpose-built sandals designed for the task). So just like last year, we got our hands on a bunch of different brands and styles, tested them all on dirty, rocky, uneven trails in Utah, plus on gravel and asphalt, and sized them up to determine which ones are best for what activities, which are most comfortable, durable, have the best groundfeel, you name it. So if you're ready for a new pair of barefoot hiking sandals, here are some of the best money can buy.

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One Bottle Hydration System: A Hiking Hydration System that’s Better than a Bottle AND a Bladder

Alisha McDarris — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:06:26 +0000

Are you team water bottle or hydration reservoir? Sound off! Well we tested a hydration system that's truly the best of both worlds: It has the functionality of a bladder with the ease-of-use of a water bottle. It's the One Bottle Hydration system, essentially a hydration tube for a water bottle, and it may be our new favorite way to stay hydrated on long hikes and backpacking trips. Read on for our full review.

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Vivobarefoot vs Xero Shoes: Waterproof Barefoot Hiking Boot Edition!

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:23:59 +0000

Barefoot hiking boots! We can’t get enough of them here at Terradrift. In fact, we’re at the point where we don’t hike in anything else. But not all barefoot boots are created equal. So we tested two pairs from some of our favorite brands to see how they compared in this Vivobarefoot vs Xero Shoes showdown: The Xero Scrambler Trail Mid WP and the Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT. And because we want you to find your perfect shoe the first time, we’re gonna break down how they’re different, where they excelled–or didn’t–and what type of hiker we think is gonna like each one best.

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The 7 Best Sustainable Hiking Pants for Women

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:42:00 +0000

Hiking requires clothing. Often, pants. Like when it's cold or trails are covered in brush that threatens to tear up your legs or when ticks abound. We don't have to tell you why pants are often necessary when hitting the trail. But the perfect pair of hiking pants can be hard to find. So we put several pairs to the test (which are all PFAS-free) to see which sustainable hiking pants for women are the perfect combination of technical performance, trail style, and functionality.

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The 5 Best Sustainable Hiking Pants for Men

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:29:00 +0000

Hiking requires clothing. Often, pants. Like when it's cold or trails are covered in brush that threatens to tear up your legs or when ticks abound. We don't have to tell you why pants are often necessary when hitting the trail. But the perfect pair of hiking pants can be hard to find. So we put several pairs to the test to see which sustainable hiking pants for men are the perfect combination of technical performance, trail style, and functionality.

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Burton and Gnara Ski Bibs First Look: Designed So Women Shredders Can Pee Anywhere!

Alisha McDarris — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 21:25:11 +0000

The Burton x Gnara Ski Bibs offer a functional solution thanks to Gnara's patented GoFly pee zipper technology. We put them to the test!

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The 3 Best Grid Fleece From Small Brands: Microgrid Fleece That’s NOT Melanzana

Alisha McDarris — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:15:42 +0000

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.

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