The Zpacks Ventum Wind Shell is a gossamer-thin wind shell jacket that weighs 1.6 oz in a size medium. It’s a perfect garment to wear over a fleece sweater on windy mountain hikes or cold mornings to stay warm without the bulk …
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The Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie Review
The Outdoor Research Helium Insulated Hoodie is a lightweight synthetic insulated hooded jacket that’s great for sweater season hiking and backpacking in the spring and autumn. While you can use it as a mid-layer under a waterproof shell, I like wearing jackets …
Read More »Hiking Bug Suit
Bug season can be unpleasant, but it’s no reason to give up hiking and backpacking. You just need to cover up with insect-proof clothing and wear bug dope. If you never hike when insects are active, you’re not going to get much …
Read More »Artilect Boulder 125 Crew Jersey and Leggings Review
Artilect’s Boulder 125 Crew Long Sleeve Jersey and Leggings are made with Nuyarn, an engineered blend of merino wool and nylon fiber that is more durable than straight merino wool, dries faster, and is more elastic without requiring the use of stretch …
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 »Western Mountaineering Hooded Flash Jacket Review
The Western Mountaineering Hooded Flash Jacket has been a constant favorite in my pack since 2010. It is a lightweight down jacket made for moderate temperatures where a high performance/low weight insulation layer is required. Western Mountaineering is a USA based company …
Read More »REI Flash Jacket Review
The REI Flash Jacket is a very thin nylon jacket that traps your body heat and prevents the wind from stripping it away. Also called a windbreaker or wind shirt, it’s much more breathable than a raincoat or a hardshell jacket, it …
Read More »Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat Review
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat is a sun hat with a wide brim and a neck cape to protect your neck from the sun and a UPF rating of 50+. It has many great features to recommend including a unique sunglasses holder, …
Read More »Warbonnet Stash Jacket (WindBreaker) Review
The Warbonnet Stash Jacket is available as a rain jacket or a non-waterproof windbreaker, depending on the fabric you order. This is a review of the windbreaker made with the 20 Denier high-thread count nylon which Warbonnet uses to make their backpacking …
Read More »Fjallraven Abisko Lite Trekking Zip-Off Trouser Review
Fjallraven Abisko Lite Zip-Off Trekking Trousers are lightweight, ventilated pants for use in warm climates or during the hotter summer months. Zipping off just above the knee and with two front-thigh cargo pockets, these pants are versatile enough for extended use when …
Read More »OR Bugout Brim Hiking Hat w/Insect Shield
The Outdoor Research Bugout Brim Hat (formerly called the Sentinel Brim Hat) is well suited for summer hiking and backpacking, rain or shine. It has a wide brim to protect your face from the sun, a UPF 50 rating, mesh side vents, …
Read More »Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket Review
The Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket is a minimalist waterproof/breathable rain jacket and a long-time favorite with thru-hikers and section hikers because it is so lightweight. Weighing a mere 6.8 ounces in a men’s size X-Large, it is best used in warm …
Read More »Sitka Fanatic Hoody Review
The Sitka Fanatic Hoody is a versatile hooded grid fleece mid-layer that’s great for on-trail hiking and off. It has an integrated face mask which is good for wind and sun protection, mittens sewn onto the end of its sleeves, a kangaroo …
Read More »Brynje Wool Thermo Mesh “Fishnet” Base Layers Review
Baselayer tops and bottoms are supposed to transport perspiration from your skin into your midlayer clothing so that you stay drier and warmer when you’re working hard in cold weather. That’s the theory behind layering. But how many times have you pulled …
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