The REI Rainier Rain Jacket is an inexpensive but well-featured waterproof/breathable rain jacket that can be used year-round for hiking and backpacking. Priced at $99.95 dollars, but often discounted, the Rainier is virtually identical to the Marmot Precip Eco Rain Jacket and …
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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 »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 »A Detailed Review of the REI Flash Stretch Rain Jacket
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 »Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody Review
The Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody is a lightweight windshirt (wind shell or windbreaker) that can be used for multiple sports from hiking and mountaineering to climbing and trail running. It’s very barebones, with a one-way adjustable hood, stretch cuffs, a zippered chest pocket, …
Read More »Rab Downpour ECO Rain Jacket Review
The Rab Downpour Eco Rain Jacket is an affordable waterproof/breathable rain jacket with many features that will appeal to environmentally conscious hikers. It has an excellent human-sized (non-helmet compatible) hood, pit zips, hipbelt compatible pockets, and velcro wrist cuffs. The entire jacket …
Read More »Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket: A Detailed Review
The Enlightened Equipment Visp is an ultralight 3-layer waterproof breathable rain jacket with a fully adjustable hood, velcro wrist cuffs, a waterproof zipper, and a drop tail, that’s fully seam-taped seam taped. The Visp is lightweight and breathable enough that it can …
Read More »Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket Review
The Enlightened Equipment Torrid Jacket (Stock Model) is a very warm and lightweight synthetic insulated jacket that’s optimized for use by hikers and backpackers. It is not much to look at style-wise (if you get the “stock model”) so it’s not going …
Read More »Janji Tech Transit Pants Review
Janji Tech Transit Pants are great for hiking and backpacking in cooler weather, light rain, and snow. Made of lightweight DWR-treated polyester with four-way stretch, Runner’s World rated them as one of the Best Running Pants for Colder Weather because they’re wind-blocking, …
Read More »Montbell Tachyon Hooded Wind Jacket Review
The Montbell Tachyon Hooded Wind Jacket is a gossamer thin 7-denier nylon wind jacket with a 1-way adjustable hood, a full-length front zipper, two handwarmer pockets, underarm vents, and a stow pocket. This is the second Montbell Tachyon wind shirt I’ve owned: …
Read More »Senchi Designs Lark Polartec Alpha Hoodie Review
The Senchi Designs Lark is an ultralight Polartec Alpha Direct Hoodie that is quite warm when worn in a sleeping bag or under a rain shell or wind shirt. Weighing just 5.1 oz, it’s half the weight of other types of gridded …
Read More »KUIU Ultra Merino 145 Zip-Off Bottom Long Underwear Review
Have you ever wanted to wear long underwear on a cold winter day, but decided not to because you know you’ll sweat too much? Imagine having long underwear with side zippers that you could vent if you get too warm, or even …
Read More »Rab Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket Review
The Rab Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket is a synthetic insulated jacket with a hood, chest pocket, and hand warmer pockets. It has body-mapped insulation: more on the torso and less along the sides for better thermo-regulation when active. I’ve been using …
Read More »Montbell Mirage Down Parka Review
The Montbell Mirage Parka is an ultralight 900 fill power hooded down jacket, perfect for winter hiking or backpacking trips when you want to get warm fast and stay warm. Weighing just 14.4 oz in a size men’s XL, this jacket is …
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