Patagonia 3-in-1 Snowshot ski jacket (standing with snowboard)

Patagonia 3-in-1 Snowshot Jacket Review

Last Updated: July 1, 2020

Patagonia’s Snowshot (and women’s Snowbelle) is the company’s leading resort offering and comes in a number of variations, from a standard hardshell to a 3-in-1 jacket. In testing the...
Patagonia Powder Bowl ski jacket (looking uphill)

Patagonia Powder Bowl Jacket Review

Last Updated: June 25, 2020

Patagonia’s leading resort jacket is their Snowshot (and women’s Snowbelle), but their pricier Powder Bowl line offers a notable step up in performance. We put the uninsulated men’s Powder Bowl to the test in Washington state and along B.C.’s aptly...
Patagonia Primo Puff Ski Snowboard Jacket (skiing in mountains)

Patagonia Primo Puff Ski Jacket Review

Last Updated: June 25, 2020

Patagonia’s ski lineup runs the gamut from technical, backcountry-ready hardshells to insulated resort options. Sitting at the top of their inbounds collection in both warmth and price is the Primo Puff, which...
Norrona Trollveggen hardshell jacket (turning in powder)

Norrøna Trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Jacket Review

Last Updated: June 24, 2020

Norway-based Norrøna isn’t a household name in the U.S. like Arc’teryx or Patagonia, but they offer a quality lineup of serious hardshells built for demanding backcountry pursuits. We brought the...
Tecnica Plasma S GTX hiking shoe (standing in mountains in Peru)

Tecnica Plasma S GTX Hiking Shoe Review

Last Updated: June 24, 2020

Standout innovations in hiking footwear are few and far between, but Italy-based Tecnica is onto something with their new heat-moldable shoes. Released last spring, the Plasma lineup offers a customizable fit...
Great Ocean Walk (hiking along bluff above ocean)

Australia's Great Ocean Walk

In a rolling grassy landscape reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands, I stop and let out a startled gasp. Just 20 feet in front of me, a kangaroo stands on the trail and looks casually at my hiking partner and me. Then, as if slowly transposed upon...
Vasque Grand Traverse (in Utah)

Vasque Grand Traverse Review

Last Updated: June 2, 2020

The Vasque Grand Traverse isn’t your Swiss Army Knife outdoor shoe, but it is one of the most fun pairs we’ve tested this year. With a lightweight and flexible build that is great for desert scrambling, this hybrid hiking and approach shoe is about as...
Arc'teryx Alpha FL jacket (mountain backdrop)

Arc'teryx Alpha FL Jacket Review

Last Updated: May 20, 2020

Arc’teryx's Alpha series is designed for top-notch climbing and alpine performance, and their “FL” represents fast and light. True to its name, the Alpha FL jacket is minimalist and lightweight, yet meticulously designed and highly protective. We took...
Cannondale Topstone 105 gravel bike (pedalling hard)

Cannondale Topstone Review

Last Updated: April 30, 2020

Taking the place of the unique and innovative Slate gravel bike is Cannondale's latest all-road creation: the Topstone. Released last year, the mid-range Topstone 105 features a sturdy aluminum frame...
The North Face Ventrix Hoodie synthetic insulated jacket (holding coffee cup in camp)

The North Face Ventrix Hoodie Review

Last Updated: April 28, 2020

Now in its second generation, The North Face’s Ventrix Hoodie is a synthetic jacket designed for use during activity. Changes with the retooled model include less insulation and a lighter overall build...
Arc'teryx Nuclei FL synthetic jacket (zipping up)

Arc’teryx Nuclei FL Jacket Review

Last Updated: April 23, 2020

After a short hiatus, Arc’teryx has brought back their alpine-centric ultralight synthetic jacket. This past winter, I tested the Nuclei FL while backpacking and ski touring and was surprised with how well...
Rain Jacket (hiking along beach)

Jacket Reviews

Last Updated: April 22, 2020

We love a good jacket, whether it’s a cozy and warm down piece, a hardshell that keeps you protected in a winter storm, or an everyday rain shell. Below you’ll find our jacket buying guides and in-depth reviews...