The North Face Vectiv Enduris 3 is a maximum cushion trail runner with a highly rockered (curved) sole that is designed to channel your momentum forward and make walking or running easier. They have a wide toe box that provides plenty of …
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Railriders Bone Flat Pants Review
Railriders Bone Flat Pants are thin lightweight long pants with mesh vents running down the inside and outside of the leg. I discovered them last summer when we had record heat and humidity in New England and I wanted long pants that …
Read More »Osprey Talon Velocity 30 Backpack Review
The Osprey Talon Velocity 30 is a frameless backpack with a running vest-style suspension that’s great for day hiking, fastpacking, multi-sport adventures, and travel. It’s loaded with all the features you’d expect on a premium daypack and comes with an adjustable torso …
Read More »Altra Timp 5 Trail Runner Review
The Altra Timp 5 is a highly-cushioned zero-drop trail running shoe with a wide toe box that’s popular with hikers and backpackers. They have thick Vibram soles made with Megagrip rubber (new) that provide excellent traction on dry and wet surfaces with …
Read More »La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Runner Review
The La Sportiva Wildcat is a moderately cushioned trail runner that provides excellent stability for hiking and trail running in rugged terrain. It has a mesh upper that drains water and dries quickly with nylon molded shanks and external thermoplastic stabilizers for …
Read More »SlingFin Portal 1 Tent Review
The SlingFin Portal 1 is a freestanding double-wall tent that’s a one-person version of their bomber Portal 2-person tent, which we first used several years ago and recommend highly. The freestanding Portal 1 tent is superbly made, and suitable for 3+ season …
Read More »REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket Review
The REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket is a reasonably priced ($169) 2.5 layer waterproof/breathable raincoat loaded with features that hikers will appreciate, particularly for winter hiking an shoulder-season use. It has a two-way adjustable hood with a front bill, pit zips, zippered …
Read More »REI Flash Air 50 Backpack Review
The REI Flash Air 50 Backpack is an ultralight, roll-top backpack that weighs 1 lbs 14 oz. Available in men’s and women’s sizes, it’s quite similar to the REI Flash 55 Backpack (link to our review) with its reconfigurable pack-mod accessory pocket …
Read More »Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review
The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L is a moderately priced, 3-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that’s surprisingly affordable with premium features important to hikers and backpackers. It has a two-way adjustable hood with a front brim, pit-zips, zippered handwarmer pockets, rip-and-stick velcro-style cuffs, and is …
Read More »Mammut Trion Norwand 38 Backpack Review
The Mammut Trion Norwand 38 is an alpine pack that’s great for winter hiking, mountaineering, climbing, and ski touring. It has a vest-style harness, a rolltop closure with a removable floating lid pocket, dual side-compression straps, side ski straps, dual ice axe/trekking …
Read More »Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Backpack Review
The Gossamer Gear Gorilla 50 Ultralight Backpack is a multi-day backpack that’s optimized for lightweight backpacking and thru-hiking. It’s a great backpack for people who want to transition from carrying a much heavier back to a lighter weight one, without having to …
Read More »Nashville Packs Cutaway Frameless Backpack Review
The Nashville Packs Cutaway Backpack is a 40L frameless rolltop pack that’s a dream to carry for ultralight backpacking, thru-hiking, and even day hiking. While it’s loaded with external pockets so you can reach everything you need during the day without having …
Read More »Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 55 Backpack Review
The Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 55 Backpack is an ultralight backpack made with an extremely durable outer fabric called Woven Dyneema that is significantly more abrasion resistant than the Dyneema Fiber/Polyester laminate used to make Hyperlite’s regular ultralight backpacks. While it’s priced …
Read More »Osprey Eja Pro 55 Backpack Review
The Osprey Eja Pro 55 Backpack is a women’s-specific lightweight backpack that has an adjustable torso length and a ventilated, tensioned back panel. New for 2023, it’s a cut-down version of the popular Osprey Eja 58 that’s 12 oz lighter in weight …
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