Gear Reviews

Osprey Talon Velocity 30 Backpack Review

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 …

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REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket Review

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 …

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REI Flash Air 50 Backpack Review

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 …

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Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket Review

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 …

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Mammut Trion Norwand 38 Backpack Review

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 …

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Hyperlite Mountain Gear NorthRim 55 Backpack Review

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 …

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Dion 164 Modular Snowshoe Review

Dion Modular Snowshoes Review

Dion Snowshoes is a Vermont-based company that’s gaining traction (and flotation) with their lightweight and modular backcountry and racing snowshoes. While you can buy their snowshoes fully assembled, you can also customize and switch between different frames bindings, and cleats, depending on …

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