As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
No matter your ability level, a comfortable boot is an absolute necessity. Nothing ruins a good groomer or powder day faster than cold or painful feet, and poor-fitting boots also run the risk of not properly transferring energy to your skis and...
Winter weather calls for capable footwear, whether you're working outdoors, snowshoeing, or commuting to work. The good news is there's no shortage of women's-specific designs to keep your feet warm and dry no matter the conditions. Our team of female...
Intermediate-level skis hit a sweet spot in the market: strong enough for carving but reasonably light and easy to control. They’re a great match for a wide swath of skiers, from those with a few seasons’ experience who can confidently link turns on...
Whether you're setting off on a three-month foray around South America or visiting family a state away, wheeled duffel bags are versatile pieces of luggage for any itinerary. In addition to offering unmatched portability, wheeled duffels make it easy...
Whether you’re a park rat, resort ripper, or like to earn your turns in the backcountry, a quality helmet is a key addition to any snowboarder’s arsenal. The lids here range from sub-$100 entry-level models to...
As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
No matter your ability level, a comfortable boot is an absolute necessity. Nothing ruins a good groomer or powder day faster than cold or painful feet, and poor-fitting boots also run the risk of not properly transferring energy to your skis and...
Winter weather calls for capable footwear, whether you're working outdoors, snowshoeing, or commuting to work. The good news is there's no shortage of women's-specific designs to keep your feet warm and dry no matter the conditions. Our team of female...
Intermediate-level skis hit a sweet spot in the market: strong enough for carving but reasonably light and easy to control. They’re a great match for a wide swath of skiers, from those with a few seasons’ experience who can confidently link turns on...
Whether you're setting off on a three-month foray around South America or visiting family a state away, wheeled duffel bags are versatile pieces of luggage for any itinerary. In addition to offering unmatched portability, wheeled duffels make it easy...
Whether you’re a park rat, resort ripper, or like to earn your turns in the backcountry, a quality helmet is a key addition to any snowboarder’s arsenal. The lids here range from sub-$100 entry-level models to...
As the cold weather approaches, that doesn't necessarily mean it's time to stay indoors and shut down for the winter. Instead, with the proper gear, you can get outside and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful snowy landscapes. Below we...
No matter your ability level, a comfortable boot is an absolute necessity. Nothing ruins a good groomer or powder day faster than cold or painful feet, and poor-fitting boots also run the risk of not properly transferring energy to your skis and...
Winter weather calls for capable footwear, whether you're working outdoors, snowshoeing, or commuting to work. The good news is there's no shortage of women's-specific designs to keep your feet warm and dry no matter the conditions. Our team of female...
Intermediate-level skis hit a sweet spot in the market: strong enough for carving but reasonably light and easy to control. They’re a great match for a wide swath of skiers, from those with a few seasons’ experience who can confidently link turns on...
Whether you're setting off on a three-month foray around South America or visiting family a state away, wheeled duffel bags are versatile pieces of luggage for any itinerary. In addition to offering unmatched portability, wheeled duffels make it easy...
Whether you’re a park rat, resort ripper, or like to earn your turns in the backcountry, a quality helmet is a key addition to any snowboarder’s arsenal. The lids here range from sub-$100 entry-level models to...
Fjallraven is known for expertly blending style and functionality, and their Nuuk Parka is no exception. The Nuuk has been a staple in Fjallraven's winter lineup for many years and is ideal for work trips, urban strolls in frigid temperatures, or cozy...
After testing Patagonia's SnowDrifter Bibs throughout a full season of backcountry and resort days in central Oregon, we came away impressed with how well they toe the line between weatherproof and breathable. Though not as premium as Gore-Tex...
Mittens offer the ultimate in warmth for cold hands and cold climates alike, and Black Diamond’s Mercury Mitts are a perennial favorite. The design features a protective outer shell with a removable liner, which is insulated with lofty synthetic fill...
Oregon-based Trew Gear often strikes a nice balance between performance and style, and their Astoria Jacket is a case in point. This women’s-specific ski shell has been our go-to companion this past winter, accompanying us on over a dozen days at...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium is legendary in the performance down jacket market, and for good reason. With a mix of premium down and synthetic fill in moisture-prone areas, the jacket is both impressively warm for the weight and more protective than most...
Patagonia is a consistent leader in the alpine apparel market, and their Triolet shell slots in as a burly and highly protective option at a reasonable price. The thick, 75-denier face fabric is excellent for use around sharp equipment, the 3-layer...
Fjallraven is known for expertly blending style and functionality, and their Nuuk Parka is no exception. The Nuuk has been a staple in Fjallraven's winter lineup for many years and is ideal for work trips, urban strolls in frigid temperatures, or cozy...
After testing Patagonia's SnowDrifter Bibs throughout a full season of backcountry and resort days in central Oregon, we came away impressed with how well they toe the line between weatherproof and breathable. Though not as premium as Gore-Tex...
Mittens offer the ultimate in warmth for cold hands and cold climates alike, and Black Diamond’s Mercury Mitts are a perennial favorite. The design features a protective outer shell with a removable liner, which is insulated with lofty synthetic fill...
Oregon-based Trew Gear often strikes a nice balance between performance and style, and their Astoria Jacket is a case in point. This women’s-specific ski shell has been our go-to companion this past winter, accompanying us on over a dozen days at...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium is legendary in the performance down jacket market, and for good reason. With a mix of premium down and synthetic fill in moisture-prone areas, the jacket is both impressively warm for the weight and more protective than most...
Patagonia is a consistent leader in the alpine apparel market, and their Triolet shell slots in as a burly and highly protective option at a reasonable price. The thick, 75-denier face fabric is excellent for use around sharp equipment, the 3-layer...
Fjallraven is known for expertly blending style and functionality, and their Nuuk Parka is no exception. The Nuuk has been a staple in Fjallraven's winter lineup for many years and is ideal for work trips, urban strolls in frigid temperatures, or cozy...
After testing Patagonia's SnowDrifter Bibs throughout a full season of backcountry and resort days in central Oregon, we came away impressed with how well they toe the line between weatherproof and breathable. Though not as premium as Gore-Tex...
Mittens offer the ultimate in warmth for cold hands and cold climates alike, and Black Diamond’s Mercury Mitts are a perennial favorite. The design features a protective outer shell with a removable liner, which is insulated with lofty synthetic fill...
Oregon-based Trew Gear often strikes a nice balance between performance and style, and their Astoria Jacket is a case in point. This women’s-specific ski shell has been our go-to companion this past winter, accompanying us on over a dozen days at...
Arc’teryx’s Cerium is legendary in the performance down jacket market, and for good reason. With a mix of premium down and synthetic fill in moisture-prone areas, the jacket is both impressively warm for the weight and more protective than most...
Patagonia is a consistent leader in the alpine apparel market, and their Triolet shell slots in as a burly and highly protective option at a reasonable price. The thick, 75-denier face fabric is excellent for use around sharp equipment, the 3-layer...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can take to avoid this frustrating...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the face...
Down is perhaps the most effective insulator on Earth: Its warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility are unbeatable, and it’s extremely soft and cozy to boot. To better understand the world of down, below we break down considerations like fill power...
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns. But the conflicting demands of uphill and downhill travel can make dialing...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can take to avoid this frustrating...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the face...
Down is perhaps the most effective insulator on Earth: Its warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility are unbeatable, and it’s extremely soft and cozy to boot. To better understand the world of down, below we break down considerations like fill power...
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns. But the conflicting demands of uphill and downhill travel can make dialing...
A quality pair of ski goggles can do a lot to improve visibility on the slopes, but if they get all fogged up, it doesn’t really matter what you’re wearing. The good news is that there are a number of steps you can take to avoid this frustrating...
Whether you've been skiing since the '70s or are about to buy your first setup, your selection of skis, boots, and bindings—what we call "hard goods"—is the foundation for both performance and safety. This is especially true when it comes to boots and...
Whether you're planning a week-long expedition or camping for a single night, having the right camping equipment for winter is crucial. Snow-covered landscapes can be magically enticing, but trips quickly can turn dangerous—or uncomfortable at the very...
If you’ve ever shopped around for a ski jacket (or pants), you’re bound to have seen the terms 2L and 3L (short for 2-layer and 3-layer) again and again. These refer to the style of construction used in a waterproof jacket’s shell, including the face...
Down is perhaps the most effective insulator on Earth: Its warmth-to-weight ratio and compressibility are unbeatable, and it’s extremely soft and cozy to boot. To better understand the world of down, below we break down considerations like fill power...
Backcountry skiing can be an incredibly rewarding way to spend your time outdoors—no crowds, untouched snow, and a skin-track workout to compliment your knee-deep powder turns. But the conflicting demands of uphill and downhill travel can make dialing...
“No!” I groan, a wince breaking across my face. I’m in the middle of a swiftly flowing river, but my raft sits immobile as water rushes past me on both sides...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
“No!” I groan, a wince breaking across my face. I’m in the middle of a swiftly flowing river, but my raft sits immobile as water rushes past me on both sides...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
“No!” I groan, a wince breaking across my face. I’m in the middle of a swiftly flowing river, but my raft sits immobile as water rushes past me on both sides...
It’s the early ‘20s (2020s, that is), and van life has never been more ubiquitous. Everyone from climbing dirtbags and festival-goers to digital nomads and your father-in-law is living in a van, and you’ve probably thought about it too...
Brian and I were less than a week into our adventure north when, during a brief phone call, my dear friend’s children insisted I read their favorite poem, "the Yukon Song." Though written for children extolling the virtues of leaving civilization and...
All good plans start with a wild idea, but this one might just take the cake. Back in the spring, Kaytlyn—who I’d never met at the time—approached me with an ambitious proposal. She wanted to link up a series of North Cascades high routes on foot...
The arctic landscape has an allure that is difficult to describe; not only is it reminiscent of being in the alpine—stunted trees, big skies, and unimpeded vistas—but the utter remoteness and rawness is palpable...
Exhausted and oxygen-deprived, we high-fived as frigid winds took our already limited breath away and whipped at the prayer flags that marked the summit. We were about an hour early for sunset, and the extra time allowed us to bundle up, look around...
If you're in the market for travel and storage accessories for your vehicle, you've probably come across Thule's vast collection. From bags and racks to platforms and cargo boxes, the brand has something to offer for practically any kind of rig. The...
Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicle’s rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate your gear (including...
Helly Hansen is a leader in the ski apparel market, and their Ridge Infinity kit was quick to impress us throughout a full season of testing last winter. Along with the jacket, we put the bibs through their paces in eastern Washington and came away...
Thanks to a considerable rise in backcountry adventuring of late, splitboarding is having a moment. With the ability to separate your board on the way up and secure the halves together for a true snowboarding experience on the way down, splitboards...
REI Co-op’s in-house gear often strikes a nice balance between price and performance, and their Trail daypack is a shining example. Offered in 25- and 40-liter capacities, we took the larger model to southern Patagonia for testing and thoroughly...
Synthetic insulation might not offer quite the warmth-to-weight ratio of down, but it resists moisture, breathes better, and is more cost-efficient. With the choice of both types of jackets in our gear closet, we find ourselves consistently reaching...
Built to carve, float, and bring the fun, all-mountain skis are all about versatility. Unsurprisingly, it’s a vast market that can be broken down into several subcategories, from narrower designs that...
Combining the features of hiking shoes, climbing slippers, and even mountaineering boots, approach shoes are in a category of their own. For climbers, they’re an essential piece of footwear that provides stability and traction on rock in addition to...
Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material and construction technologies are...
If you're in the market for travel and storage accessories for your vehicle, you've probably come across Thule's vast collection. From bags and racks to platforms and cargo boxes, the brand has something to offer for practically any kind of rig. The...
Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicle’s rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate your gear (including...
Helly Hansen is a leader in the ski apparel market, and their Ridge Infinity kit was quick to impress us throughout a full season of testing last winter. Along with the jacket, we put the bibs through their paces in eastern Washington and came away...
Thanks to a considerable rise in backcountry adventuring of late, splitboarding is having a moment. With the ability to separate your board on the way up and secure the halves together for a true snowboarding experience on the way down, splitboards...
REI Co-op’s in-house gear often strikes a nice balance between price and performance, and their Trail daypack is a shining example. Offered in 25- and 40-liter capacities, we took the larger model to southern Patagonia for testing and thoroughly...
Synthetic insulation might not offer quite the warmth-to-weight ratio of down, but it resists moisture, breathes better, and is more cost-efficient. With the choice of both types of jackets in our gear closet, we find ourselves consistently reaching...
Built to carve, float, and bring the fun, all-mountain skis are all about versatility. Unsurprisingly, it’s a vast market that can be broken down into several subcategories, from narrower designs that...
Combining the features of hiking shoes, climbing slippers, and even mountaineering boots, approach shoes are in a category of their own. For climbers, they’re an essential piece of footwear that provides stability and traction on rock in addition to...
Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material and construction technologies are...
If you're in the market for travel and storage accessories for your vehicle, you've probably come across Thule's vast collection. From bags and racks to platforms and cargo boxes, the brand has something to offer for practically any kind of rig. The...
Whether you drive a small hatchback or a large SUV, adding a cargo box to your vehicle’s rooftop can go a long way toward improving organization, carrying capacity, and comfort. These boxes come in a range of sizes to accommodate your gear (including...
Helly Hansen is a leader in the ski apparel market, and their Ridge Infinity kit was quick to impress us throughout a full season of testing last winter. Along with the jacket, we put the bibs through their paces in eastern Washington and came away...
Thanks to a considerable rise in backcountry adventuring of late, splitboarding is having a moment. With the ability to separate your board on the way up and secure the halves together for a true snowboarding experience on the way down, splitboards...
REI Co-op’s in-house gear often strikes a nice balance between price and performance, and their Trail daypack is a shining example. Offered in 25- and 40-liter capacities, we took the larger model to southern Patagonia for testing and thoroughly...
Synthetic insulation might not offer quite the warmth-to-weight ratio of down, but it resists moisture, breathes better, and is more cost-efficient. With the choice of both types of jackets in our gear closet, we find ourselves consistently reaching...
Built to carve, float, and bring the fun, all-mountain skis are all about versatility. Unsurprisingly, it’s a vast market that can be broken down into several subcategories, from narrower designs that...
Combining the features of hiking shoes, climbing slippers, and even mountaineering boots, approach shoes are in a category of their own. For climbers, they’re an essential piece of footwear that provides stability and traction on rock in addition to...
Unlike their lift-assisted alpine cousins, backcountry skis have two jobs: getting you uphill efficiently while retaining enough power to make the downhill worth the effort (and fun). The good news is that material and construction technologies are...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
Jason Hummel is a leading adventure photographer and ski mountaineer based in Tacoma, Washington. He authored Alpine State of Mind, a beautifully presented book of adventure stories and...
Misty Mountain's headquarters in the hills of Western North Carolina is not the kind of place you just stumble upon. It's the kind of place you set off to find. And when you arrive...
America’s Top 10 Conservation Heroes is a series honoring the individuals and organizations that have made the biggest mark on conservation, environmental protection, and awareness of the outdoors...
Sarah Uhl calls herself an artist, activist, and joy evangelist. That's quite the job description, and yet she’s pulling it off, brush stroke by brush stroke. A plein air painter from Carbondale, CO...
At Switchback Travel, we love stories. Nothing moves or motivates us quite like artfully written and insightful accounts of the world. And while the online format is great, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t have a soft spot for books...
The time could have been 9pm or 5am, and we wouldn’t have known the difference. It was a clear, mid-June day in the land of the midnight sun. The warm orb hung high in the sky as I pulled onto the summit block...
