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 …
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Marmot Precip Rain Jacket Review
The Marmot PreCip Rain Jacket is the most popular rain jacket today with good reason: it’s a fully-featured waterproof breathable rain jacket that provides excellent performance at a reasonable price, usually available under $100. (See: Top 10 Backpacker Rain Jackets) Besides the …
Read More »Montbell Versalite Rain Jacket Review
The Montbell Versalite is an ultralight waterproof/breathable rain jacket that weighs 7.0 oz in a men’s XL. It’s by far the best backpacking rain jacket in my gear closet in terms of the features important to hikers. It has pit zips, a …
Read More »REI Flash Gaiters Review
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 …
Read More »Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat Review
The Outdoor Research Seattle Rain Hat is a waterproof/breathable Gore-Tex rain hat with a wide brim. While it’s billed as a rain hat, it can do double duty as a UPF 50+ sun hat, especially for water sports where its floating brim …
Read More »Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Spectrum Gloves Review
Outdoor Research ActiveIce Sun Spectrum Gloves are lightweight fingerless gloves that protect your hands from the sun’s harmful rays. They’re great for hiking, backpacking, paddling, running, or fishing because they eliminate the need to carry suntan lotion while protecting your hands from …
Read More »The Darn Tough Sock Guarantee
Hikers swear by Darn Tough’s wool socks because they last forever. Darn Tough even warrantees them for life (click for warranty form), and will send you a replacement pair if you wear them out. For example, I sent in 8 worn-out pairs …
Read More »REI Active Pursuits Long Sleeve Baselayer Shirt Review
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 …
Read More »Warbonnet Stash Rain Jacket Review
The Warbonnet Stash Jacket is available as a rain jacket or a non-waterproof windbreaker (see review), depending on the fabric you order. This is a review of the rain jacket made with the 30 Denier siliconized nylon which Warbonnet uses to make …
Read More »Hiking Clothes for Hikers: Rethinking Rain Jackets
The vast majority of hiking clothes, including rain jackets, used by hikers and backpackers aren’t actually made for hiking or by people familiar with hikers’ needs, but for skiers, climbers, runners, and suburban dads and moms. So it’s no wonder that most …
Read More »Patagonia Houdini Jacket Review
The Patagonia Houdini Jacket is an ultralight jacket designed to help you stay warm in cool windy weather. It’s not waterproof or insulated but provides a windproof layer to prevent the cold air from stripping away the heat trapped in your baselayer …
Read More »REI Lightweight Base Layer Bottoms Review
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 …
Read More »Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket Review
The Montbell Rain Trekker Jacket is a 2-layer Gore-Tex Infinium rain shell that’s loaded with features but still exceptionally lightweight and affordable. Weighing just 7.8 oz in a men’s XL (6.9 oz in a size medium), it’s a great seam-taped jacket for …
Read More »Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Pants Review
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Convertible Hiking Pants are lightweight quick-drying hiking pants with a lot more stretch (14% spandex) than most hiking pants. They’ve quickly become my go-to pants on and off the trail because they are comfortable and look so good. Available …
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