The Gregory Jade 33 is a ventilated women’s backpack with an adjustable length frame that has enough volume for lengthy day hikes.  It has a women’s specific hip belt and shoulder harness.  It weighs 43 oz and has comfort features common to larger packs. Specs at a Glance Volume: 33L …

The Gregory Amber 44 is an adjustable-length women’s backpack that’s large enough for overnight backpacking trips but also suitable for more technical hikes when you need to carry extra gear or layers, such as winter hiking. Weighing just 2 lbs 11 oz, the Amber 44 is sized for a smaller …

ULA Equipment’s Rain Kilt is a lightweight and breathable alternative to rain pants that will keep your lower half dry in rain without overheating you. It’s great for use in the summertime when hiking on brushy trails with wet ferns, leafy shrubs, and tall grasses that would quickly soak a …

The Gregory Deva 60 is a women’s internal-frame backpack that’s specially designed to carry heavy loads up to 50 pounds in comfort. It’s ideal for long backpacking trips, multi-sport adventures, and international travel when you want a backpack that’s loaded with features, but can be easily modified and adapted for …

The Sierra Designs Nitro Quilt 800 (35 degree) is a down quilt with a unique hideaway hood system that you can use to insulate your head in cooler weather if you’re sleeping on the ground on a sleeping pad or in a hammock. It’s the most compelling feature of the …

The Granite Gear Crown2 60 Backpack is one of the lightest weight multi-day backpacks available that is specifically designed for women with gender-specific shoulder straps and a hip belt. It’s one of the main reasons I bought this backpack, in addition to its light weight. I’ve never been impressed with …

Have you bought a backpack, only to discover that the shoulder straps made your shoulders sore or rub you the wrong way? I’ve certainly owned a few backpacks that needed some extra padding on the shoulder straps. While you can stuff socks or clothing under your straps for temporary relief …

The Double Black Diamond Down Throw is a 60″ x 70″ down comforter with a nylon cover that weighs 15 oz. It’s insulated with 700 fill power down and you can usually buy them on Amazon for under $40. I bought two when I saw them on sale at Bed …

Arm warmers are usually sold as cycling gear, but many winter hikers also use them for insulation because they’re easy to take off when you warm up or put back on when you get cold. Frequent stopping, unpacking, and repacking isn’t good form when you’re hiking with others because no …

The Ambient Weather WM-2 is a handheld wind and weather meter that measures wind speed, temperature, wind chill, wind gust, and something called the Beaufort Scale, which is a way to estimate wind speed based on observable phenomena. A wind meter can be a handy weather forecasting and safety tool for …

Icebreaker’s 200 Oasis Legless base layer bottoms are a 100% Merino Capri-length pant.  The below-the-knee design reduces bulk around your lower legs.  They feature a brushed elastic waistband and flatlock seams for comfort.  The Merino wool offers great warmth, breathability and odor resistance.  The Oasis is made of light 200 …

The Mountain Hardwear Down Hooded Ghost Whisperer Jacket is an ultralight 800 fill power hooded down jacket that’s a great addition to your pack as part of your layering system, especially for winter adventures.  Weighing only 7.3 ounces for the women’s and 7.8 ounces for the men’s, it’s hard to …

When I started winter hiking I had problems with cold feet. As a newbie, I’d bought Merrell winter boots with 200 grams of insulation.  I tried some tricks like putting aluminum foil and mylar under my insoles in the hope of reflecting more heat back to my feet, but that didn’t …

A wet rib is a high volume accessory pocket that hangs from your backpack’s shoulder straps, below the padded part, in front of your ribcage. It’s super handy for carrying extra hiking gear, like a map, compass, gps, extra gloves, or hats, especially in winter, because it doesn’t interfere with …