Clothing Reviews

REI’s Lightweight Base Layer Bottoms are long johns that have many uses on a backpacking trip. They can be used as sleeping clothes to keep your quilt/sleeping bag free of salt, body oils, and bug dope; as a base layer under rain …

The KUIU Peloton 97 Fleece Zip-T Hoodie is a versatile and ultralight fleece hoodie that can be worn as an active outer clothing layer down to about 20 degrees but also works well as a mid-layer in colder conditions. It’s amazingly warm …

REI Flash Gaiters are lightweight softshell gaiters designed for use with trail runners, trail shoes and hiking boots. They have an elastic cord that runs under the soles of your shoes and a velcro front closure, so you can put them on …

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

The REI Flash Insulated Hybrid Hoodie is a synthetic insulated hooded jacket that packs down small but provides an impressive amount of warmth in cool weather. It’s loaded with storage and performance features including five pockets including a stuffable chest pocket, an …

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 …

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 …

Backpacking rain pants are designed to keep you warm when you’re hiking in rain, snow, or a cold breeze. They do this by trapping your body heat and preventing cold precipitation, rain, or wind from stripping it away. While it’d be great …

Black Diamond Stormline Stretch Rain Shell is a moderately priced, 2.5-layer waterproof/breathable rain jacket that’s lightweight enough for year-round use and for multiple sports from skiing and climbing to hiking and backpacking. It has most of the functionality that hikers and backpackers …

Dachstein Extreme Warm Wool Mittens are very warm boiled wool mittens popular with mountaineers. Made with very dense boiled wool (more on this below), they’re windproof and virtually waterproof. When the mercury drops to near zero or below, these are the mittens …

The REI Active Pursuits Long-Sleeve T-Shirt is a high-performance synthetic baselayer shirt that is surprisingly affordable, even when it’s not on sale. It’s also available in a wide range of sizes for men, even big men. I prefer wearing sheer synthetic shirts …

Vidda Pro Pants are tough hiking pants made by Fjallraven, a Swedish company that makes technical expedition clothing and gear. They are constructed from Fjallraven’s G-1000 fabric, which is a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. While cotton is taboo for …

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 …

Outdoor Research Phosphor Down Mitts are warm down-insulated mittens for people who get very cold hands during winter hikes or when downhill skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling. They’re insulated with 600 fill power goose down and made with Goretex Infinium with Windstopper. While …