Gear

If there’s one piece of gear or article of clothing that’s universally necessary come wintertime whether you’re hiking, skiing, or building a snowman in the backyard, it’s winter gloves or mittens. After all, fingers are delicate little appendages and need to be protected! But not all hand coverings are created equal, especially if you’re looking for options that are sustainable, vegan, and PFAS-free (read more about PFAS here). Fortunately, we found a bunch of delightfully cozy, sustainable winter gloves and mittens that are all of the above and more so you can gear up responsibly.

Merrell recently released the new Merrell Trail Glove 7. But is it an improvement on the Merrell Trail Glove 6, which we reviewed a while back? We tested a pair to find out.

It’s a debate as old as time itself (ok, maybe just as old as modern DWR technology, but still, the debate rages): Shell vs insulated ski jacket. Which is better when it comes to winter sports? An insulated ski jacket? Or a non-insulated shell jacket? We break down the pros and cons of both and what each is best for (and which one is superior).

Not all day packs are created equal. But some daypacks are so similar to their competitors that when it comes time to purchase a new one, you’re not really sure …

A sturdy, dependable duffle is a beautiful thing. We compare two–the Patagonia Black Hole and the Cotopaxi Allpa–to see which is tops.

Barefoot shoes. We freaking love them here at Terradrift. And when it comes to barefoot shoes, we’ve tested a lot because I’m all in on the whole barefoot/minimalist shoe movement. …

There’s no better way to keep your toes toasty around the campground, in a hut after a long day of backcountry skiing, or in your tent on a winter night than a cozy pair of camp slippers. In fact, we can’t believe we went as long as we did without owning a pair (or three)! But now that we do we can say for certain: camp booties are a game-changer. Dying to own a pair? Check out these sustainable options!

I love hiking in leggings. The freedom of movement they offer, the comfort, the ease of use…it’s all unparalleled. But typical yoga-style leggings aren’t always the best for outdoor adventures. They snag easily, sometimes don’t dry fast enough, and often don’t have pockets–or at least secure ones (btw, ask me how I feel about women’s clothing without pockets…). Hiking tights, on the other hand–also known as trekking tights or hiking leggings–are designed to stand up to the rigors of the outdoors. And as we know, durability is a cornerstone of sustainability. So if you love leggings but are looking for something more durable, read on.

Have the wheels on your rolling carry-on luggage gotten totally shredded? (Happened to me last year, alas.) The zipper broken to pieces? A giant hole ripped in the front of your soft-sided luggage? It happens. And if it’s time to replace your well-worn and no longer repairable rolling luggage with something altogether better, more sustainable, functional, and organizational so you have one less thing to worry about when you board that plane, consider one of our two new faves: the 38 liter Cotopaxi Allpa Roller Bag and the 44 liter Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller. We put them to the test and break down their pros and cons to help you decide which is right for you.

Hybrid jackets. They’re a beautiful thing. You’ve got nice cozy insulation in the front, sometimes the back, exactly where you need it to keep you warm plus plenty of stretch on the sides or under the arms to aid in breathability and flexibility. It’s the best of both worlds: warmth and freedom of motion. We reviewed 4 more sustainable jackets that are not only vegan, but also PFC-free. Check them all out here.