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...
When the seasons change and the snow starts to fall, it's time to grab a serious jacket. Below you'll find our picks for the best men's winter jackets and parkas for 2025, which include super warm down puffies and expertly insulated synthetic and...
Ski goggles are a specialty of ours: We’ve tested, reviewed, and all-around debated the merits of more than 50 designs over the years. It’s a dynamic market, but the good news is that no matter your experience level or budget, there is a great ski...
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...
Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers...
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...
When the seasons change and the snow starts to fall, it's time to grab a serious jacket. Below you'll find our picks for the best men's winter jackets and parkas for 2025, which include super warm down puffies and expertly insulated synthetic and...
Ski goggles are a specialty of ours: We’ve tested, reviewed, and all-around debated the merits of more than 50 designs over the years. It’s a dynamic market, but the good news is that no matter your experience level or budget, there is a great ski...
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...
Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers...
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...
When the seasons change and the snow starts to fall, it's time to grab a serious jacket. Below you'll find our picks for the best men's winter jackets and parkas for 2025, which include super warm down puffies and expertly insulated synthetic and...
Ski goggles are a specialty of ours: We’ve tested, reviewed, and all-around debated the merits of more than 50 designs over the years. It’s a dynamic market, but the good news is that no matter your experience level or budget, there is a great ski...
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...
Whether you’re traveling by air, driving up to a cabin for the weekend, or venturing across the world on an expedition, you’ll likely be using a duffel bag to get your gear from one place to the next. Duffels are popular among all kinds of travelers...
Patagonia is well known for their thoughtfully built and sustainably minded outdoor apparel, and their Untracked ski jacket proved to be yet another high performer. The latest version of the jacket uses Gore's expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane...
Kühl is known for their no-nonsense, stylish outerwear that toes the line between casual and performance. Their women's-specific Crossfire Parka follows this trend in a knee-length, high-coverage design that leaves plenty of room for layering. I have...
From Arc’teryx’s formidable hardshell lineup, the Beta AR slots in as the all-around workhorse. The jacket has been a flagship piece since its release back in 2000, and it’s a favorite for everything from hiking and backpacking in rough conditions to...
Put simply, Outdoor Research’s Skytour AscentShell is one of the most breathable hardshell jackets we’ve ever tested. Using OR’s proprietary AscentShell fabric, the jacket fills a niche for backcountry skiers looking to maximize comfort, mobility, and...
Since its debut, Patagonia’s R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody has been a popular layer among backpackers, backcountry skiers, and rock climbers. Part of the brand's Regulator (R) series, the R1 Air excels in temperature regulation for active pursuits: Its...
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...
Patagonia is well known for their thoughtfully built and sustainably minded outdoor apparel, and their Untracked ski jacket proved to be yet another high performer. The latest version of the jacket uses Gore's expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane...
Kühl is known for their no-nonsense, stylish outerwear that toes the line between casual and performance. Their women's-specific Crossfire Parka follows this trend in a knee-length, high-coverage design that leaves plenty of room for layering. I have...
From Arc’teryx’s formidable hardshell lineup, the Beta AR slots in as the all-around workhorse. The jacket has been a flagship piece since its release back in 2000, and it’s a favorite for everything from hiking and backpacking in rough conditions to...
Put simply, Outdoor Research’s Skytour AscentShell is one of the most breathable hardshell jackets we’ve ever tested. Using OR’s proprietary AscentShell fabric, the jacket fills a niche for backcountry skiers looking to maximize comfort, mobility, and...
Since its debut, Patagonia’s R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody has been a popular layer among backpackers, backcountry skiers, and rock climbers. Part of the brand's Regulator (R) series, the R1 Air excels in temperature regulation for active pursuits: Its...
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...
Patagonia is well known for their thoughtfully built and sustainably minded outdoor apparel, and their Untracked ski jacket proved to be yet another high performer. The latest version of the jacket uses Gore's expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane...
Kühl is known for their no-nonsense, stylish outerwear that toes the line between casual and performance. Their women's-specific Crossfire Parka follows this trend in a knee-length, high-coverage design that leaves plenty of room for layering. I have...
From Arc’teryx’s formidable hardshell lineup, the Beta AR slots in as the all-around workhorse. The jacket has been a flagship piece since its release back in 2000, and it’s a favorite for everything from hiking and backpacking in rough conditions to...
Put simply, Outdoor Research’s Skytour AscentShell is one of the most breathable hardshell jackets we’ve ever tested. Using OR’s proprietary AscentShell fabric, the jacket fills a niche for backcountry skiers looking to maximize comfort, mobility, and...
Since its debut, Patagonia’s R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody has been a popular layer among backpackers, backcountry skiers, and rock climbers. Part of the brand's Regulator (R) series, the R1 Air excels in temperature regulation for active pursuits: Its...
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...
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...
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...
Adding backcountry skiing to your repertoire, your bindings will inevitably become lighter than a resort setup, but also more complex. Many AT (alpine touring) bindings prioritize travel and uphill performance by keeping weight low and allowing a more...
Today’s ski jackets are well made and built to handle many seasons of use in foul weather. They can also be big investments, with even entry-level jackets often setting you back a couple hundred dollars or more. With so many styles to choose from, it...
There’s something truly satisfying about skiing in bounds, despite the potential for crowds. Maybe it’s the fact that you can accomplish thousands of feet in a day, or just the convenience of a warm lodge nearby to thaw cold hands and feet. But when...
A common debate amongst backcountry-goers is whether to wear a hardshell or softshell jacket as an outer layer. Both types have areas in which they shine: Hardshells excel in extreme conditions, while softshells are generally breathable, stretchy, 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...
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...
Adding backcountry skiing to your repertoire, your bindings will inevitably become lighter than a resort setup, but also more complex. Many AT (alpine touring) bindings prioritize travel and uphill performance by keeping weight low and allowing a more...
Today’s ski jackets are well made and built to handle many seasons of use in foul weather. They can also be big investments, with even entry-level jackets often setting you back a couple hundred dollars or more. With so many styles to choose from, it...
There’s something truly satisfying about skiing in bounds, despite the potential for crowds. Maybe it’s the fact that you can accomplish thousands of feet in a day, or just the convenience of a warm lodge nearby to thaw cold hands and feet. But when...
A common debate amongst backcountry-goers is whether to wear a hardshell or softshell jacket as an outer layer. Both types have areas in which they shine: Hardshells excel in extreme conditions, while softshells are generally breathable, stretchy, 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...
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...
Adding backcountry skiing to your repertoire, your bindings will inevitably become lighter than a resort setup, but also more complex. Many AT (alpine touring) bindings prioritize travel and uphill performance by keeping weight low and allowing a more...
Today’s ski jackets are well made and built to handle many seasons of use in foul weather. They can also be big investments, with even entry-level jackets often setting you back a couple hundred dollars or more. With so many styles to choose from, it...
There’s something truly satisfying about skiing in bounds, despite the potential for crowds. Maybe it’s the fact that you can accomplish thousands of feet in a day, or just the convenience of a warm lodge nearby to thaw cold hands and feet. But when...
A common debate amongst backcountry-goers is whether to wear a hardshell or softshell jacket as an outer layer. Both types have areas in which they shine: Hardshells excel in extreme conditions, while softshells are generally breathable, stretchy, and...
"I guess I just really want to do something different—something I'm not comfortable doing. Something aside from hiking." I quickly threw "Imja Tse" into Google, gripping the phone between my shoulder and ear as details unfolded. "It'd be about a month...
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...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
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...
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...
"I guess I just really want to do something different—something I'm not comfortable doing. Something aside from hiking." I quickly threw "Imja Tse" into Google, gripping the phone between my shoulder and ear as details unfolded. "It'd be about a month...
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...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
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...
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...
"I guess I just really want to do something different—something I'm not comfortable doing. Something aside from hiking." I quickly threw "Imja Tse" into Google, gripping the phone between my shoulder and ear as details unfolded. "It'd be about a month...
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...
With the Stewart-Cassiar Highway in our rearview mirror, we had finally reached the Yukon. This was our third trip to Canada’s westernmost territory in a calendar year, and we knew that it would feel incomplete without...
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...
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...
Let’s face it: It rains, and sometimes it pours. Thankfully, a good rain jacket can provide a solid layer of defense against the elements. Our female editors have tested dozens of designs on trails near and far to bring you our 18 favorites below...
For decades, Patagonia has been churning out hardwearing, sustainably minded, and good-looking apparel for a range of outdoor pursuits. The Untracked Bibs are part of their backcountry ski collection, providing reliable weatherproofing for harsh...
While jackets are certainly a flashier and more exciting layer to shop for, staying comfortable outdoors starts with a quality baselayer. These next-to-skin pieces play a fundamental role in temperature regulation by pulling moisture away from your...
Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...
Outdoor gear has come a long way in the past several decades, and tents in particular have seen a lot of innovation. Nemo’s Kunai 3P is a nice reflection of this progress: Billed as a 3- to 4-season tent, the Kunai offers dependable protection for...
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt...
When the skies open up and Thor's Hammer strikes, sometimes your trusty ol' rain jacket just won't offer the full-body protection you need. Enter the rain pant. Whether you're punching in pickets on the slopes of Denali, or setting off on a...
Black Diamond has assembled a solid lineup of quality rain jackets and hardshells over the last several years, and the Fineline (formerly called the StormLine) is yet another standout. By adding stretch into the jacket’s face fabric, BD created an...
Let’s face it: It rains, and sometimes it pours. Thankfully, a good rain jacket can provide a solid layer of defense against the elements. Our female editors have tested dozens of designs on trails near and far to bring you our 18 favorites below...
For decades, Patagonia has been churning out hardwearing, sustainably minded, and good-looking apparel for a range of outdoor pursuits. The Untracked Bibs are part of their backcountry ski collection, providing reliable weatherproofing for harsh...
While jackets are certainly a flashier and more exciting layer to shop for, staying comfortable outdoors starts with a quality baselayer. These next-to-skin pieces play a fundamental role in temperature regulation by pulling moisture away from your...
Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...
Outdoor gear has come a long way in the past several decades, and tents in particular have seen a lot of innovation. Nemo’s Kunai 3P is a nice reflection of this progress: Billed as a 3- to 4-season tent, the Kunai offers dependable protection for...
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt...
When the skies open up and Thor's Hammer strikes, sometimes your trusty ol' rain jacket just won't offer the full-body protection you need. Enter the rain pant. Whether you're punching in pickets on the slopes of Denali, or setting off on a...
Black Diamond has assembled a solid lineup of quality rain jackets and hardshells over the last several years, and the Fineline (formerly called the StormLine) is yet another standout. By adding stretch into the jacket’s face fabric, BD created an...
Let’s face it: It rains, and sometimes it pours. Thankfully, a good rain jacket can provide a solid layer of defense against the elements. Our female editors have tested dozens of designs on trails near and far to bring you our 18 favorites below...
For decades, Patagonia has been churning out hardwearing, sustainably minded, and good-looking apparel for a range of outdoor pursuits. The Untracked Bibs are part of their backcountry ski collection, providing reliable weatherproofing for harsh...
While jackets are certainly a flashier and more exciting layer to shop for, staying comfortable outdoors starts with a quality baselayer. These next-to-skin pieces play a fundamental role in temperature regulation by pulling moisture away from your...
Ski pants are a critical barrier between you and the elements, and there’s a pair to fit every type of skier and budget. Resort-goers typically opt for a classic hardshell design with some light insulation to stay warm on the lift rides up. Backcountry...
Outdoor gear has come a long way in the past several decades, and tents in particular have seen a lot of innovation. Nemo’s Kunai 3P is a nice reflection of this progress: Billed as a 3- to 4-season tent, the Kunai offers dependable protection for...
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from the body and regulating core temperature. It’s far easier to justify purchasing a nice down jacket, but a baselayer can be just as important...
For backpackers who tend to sleep hot or value keeping their pack weight to a minimum, a quilt is an excellent alternative to a fully enclosed sleeping bag. Hyperlite Mountain Gear specializes in the ultralight space, and their 20-Degree Quilt...
When the skies open up and Thor's Hammer strikes, sometimes your trusty ol' rain jacket just won't offer the full-body protection you need. Enter the rain pant. Whether you're punching in pickets on the slopes of Denali, or setting off on a...
Black Diamond has assembled a solid lineup of quality rain jackets and hardshells over the last several years, and the Fineline (formerly called the StormLine) is yet another standout. By adding stretch into the jacket’s face fabric, BD created an...
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...
