The Hillsound Trail Crampon Ultra is a winter traction device that has 18 half-inch stainless spikes connected to an elastomer harness compatible with all hiking boots, shoes, and trail runners. They’re essentially tire chains for your feet, designed to give you better traction for …
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Rab Vapor Barrier Socks Review
Rab Vapor Barrier Socks take a radically different approach to layering than what you’re probably used to. Vapor barrier clothing is not breathable and is normally worn next to the skin or over a thin wicking layer. It’s designed to prevent perspiration from …
Read More »Insulated Skirts for Winter Hiking
An insulated skirt? Could that possibly be an idea that has any merit at all? A few years back, I started to ask myself this question and I thought the answer would be “no”. I’d seen a couple of women on the …
Read More »Kahtoola Microspikes Review
Kahtoohla Microspikes are ideal for mixed rock, ice, and snow outings for a number of reasons. Unlike crampons, microspikes can be used by anyone without any special training. Put them on and go. You don’t need to learn how to drive if …
Read More »Can You Use a 3-Season Tent in Winter?
Many three-season tents can be used for winter camping or backpacking if you set them up below treeline, they have strong aluminum or carbon fiber tent poles, and you bring sufficient sleeping insulation and warm clothing to remain comfortable in cold weather. …
Read More »How to Melt Snow…Without Burning a Hole in Your Cooking Pot
Winter backpacking requires the development of many new skills, particularly in the area of hydration and stove use. Chief amongst these is melting snow for drinking water since most of the streams you encounter will be frozen over and you can’t ingest …
Read More »Winter Hiking in Trail Runners
If you use trail runners for hiking and backpacking in three-season weather, it is possible to keep using them in winter instead of insulated winter hiking boots or mountaineering boots. There are some advantages to doing this. Trail runners are substantially lighter …
Read More »KEEN Targhee High Lace Winter Hiking Boots Review
KEEN’s Targhee High Lace Winter Hiking Boots are full-height (not mids) waterproof/breathable insulated boots rated to -25F/-32C. They are amazingly comfortable for a winter boot, with soft leather uppers that require virtually no break-in period to wear. Specs at a Glance Temperature …
Read More »Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro Review
While the small spikes on Kahtoola Microspikes and Hillsound Trail Crampons can provide extra winter traction on icy trails, there are times where you want a more aggressive crampon for winter hiking and light scrambling. While you can use heavy-duty mountaineering or …
Read More »Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoe Review
The Tubbs Flex VRT is a plastic decked snowshoe with an aggressive crampon setup that’s ideal for snowshoeing in steep and mountainous terrain. It has an easy-to-use Boa binding system that clamps down around your boots and won’t slip in use, along …
Read More »The North Face Chilkat 400 II Winter Hiking Boots Review
The North Face Chilkat 400 II is an insulated waterproof/breathable winter hiking boot rated to -40F/-40C. Available for both men and women, these boots come up to mid-calf for maximum heat retention and feature metal lacing hardware for durability, a gaiter ring …
Read More »How Breathable are Waterproof/Breathable Winter Hiking Boots?
I’ve been a serious winter hiker for close to 15 years and I’ve never owned a pair of single-layer, insulated waterproof/breathable winter hiking boots that didn’t leave my socks damp or wet from foot perspiration. I’ve used 400g and 200g insulated winter …
Read More »Winter Hiking Blister Prevention and Footcare
I go the extra mile to avoid blisters when winter day hiking and backpacking because I don’t want to sit on the bench for 2-3 weeks while they heal. Everyone has a different system for winter blister prevention because everyone has different …
Read More »Camp XLC 490 Aluminum Crampons Review
CAMP XLC 490 Crampons are lightweight aluminum crampons with a universal binding that are compatible with most mountaineering and hiking boots. They’re designed for low-angle hiking on ice and packed snow, often called glacier travel. While aluminum crampons aren’t as durable as …
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