The Osprey Stratos 36 is a ventilated and adjustable length backpack that is suitable for long day hikes, multi-sport adventures, and even lightweight backpacking trips. It has a suspended mesh back panel and seamless wrap-around hip belt that make it cool and …

There’s an art to winter water hydration and creating an insulation system that keeps your water from freezing, but still maintains it at a drinkable temperature. Like any art form, there are many different systems and gear combinations that you could use …

If you’re researching double-wall backpacking tents, you’re likely to see the terms “semi freestanding tent” and “freestanding tent.” These describe the architecture of a tent and how the poles are configured to set it up. A semi-freestanding tent has one or more …

The forest service road (Haystack Road, also called FR #304)  that leads to the North Twin Trail trailhead is gated in winter. While you can hike 2.5 miles along Haystack Rd to the trailhead from Rt 3, it’s much shorter to park …

Crescent Moon’s EVA All Foam Snowshoes are high flotation snowshoes that are made of foam without any metal crampons or heel lifts. Highly rockered, (curved like a banana), they’re good for walking and running on well-packed trails and groomed cross-country tracks. They …

The biggest mistake that new winter hikers make is overdressing by wearing heavy or medium-weight baselayers that are hard to remove if you start to sweat. You’ll be much better off wearing a very thin crew or quarter-zip shirt and adding additional …

Lightheart Gear has started making Polartec Alpha Direct hoodies that are great for hiking, backpacking, and lounging around at home. There’s an incredible demand for hoodies made with fleecy and warm Polartec Alpha Direct because it is such a good insulator and …

The REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie Jacket strikes an excellent balance between warmth, features, cost, and durability. Insulated with highly compressible premium goose down, it’s an ideal insulation layer for cold-weather camping and hiking when you need a warm jacket to enjoy …

Here are 10 winter hiking and backpacking gear maintenance tasks to put on your to-do list this December. With the winter hiking and backpacking season starting, it’s worthwhile to repair your existing hiking gear and switch to a few winter-specific items. Winter …

The Montbell Down Balaclava is insulated with 800 fill power down and can be used to augment an insulated jacket or as a part of a backpacking quilt sleep system. Weighing 3.1 oz (87 grams) it is a highly adjustable piece of …

Most MSR Snowshoes have a rear binding that closes with a stretchy ski-style strap. It’s designed that way so that the snowshoes lay flat when lashed to a backpack, making them easier than snowshoes with bulky ratchet-style bindings. They’re also compatible with …

Leukotape is a sticky medical tape used by hikers and backpackers to prevent blisters before they occur. It is breathable and will stay on even if it gets wet, so it can stay on your feet for up to a week at …

Kahtoola Microspikes and the more aggressive Hillsound Trail Crampons are the most popular forms of winter traction used by winter hikers today. Their popularity is based on the fact that they: Require no training to use like crampons Provide traction on pretty …

The Portland Designs Works Bindle Rack lets you use a waterproof stuff sack to carry camping gear behind your seat on bikepacking trips. I like the Bindle Rack because it’s a reasonably economical way to get into the sport of bikepacking without …