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...
Whether you’re setting out on a casual day hike or hitting the trail with overnight gear, there’s a hiking shoe up for the task. Compared to traditional hiking boots, hiking shoes are characterized...
Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...
Choosing the right ski jacket is all about managing the conditions that you might encounter on the mountain. This depends on the specific kinds of skiing you enjoy most—skinning up a sunny ridgeline in the North Cascades is far different than bracing...
Whether you’re traveling across the globe or headed out on a quick weekend getaway, a thoughtfully designed travel pack can make all the difference in helping you stay comfortable and organized while on the move. Key considerations include carry-on...
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...
Whether you’re setting out on a casual day hike or hitting the trail with overnight gear, there’s a hiking shoe up for the task. Compared to traditional hiking boots, hiking shoes are characterized...
Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...
Choosing the right ski jacket is all about managing the conditions that you might encounter on the mountain. This depends on the specific kinds of skiing you enjoy most—skinning up a sunny ridgeline in the North Cascades is far different than bracing...
Whether you’re traveling across the globe or headed out on a quick weekend getaway, a thoughtfully designed travel pack can make all the difference in helping you stay comfortable and organized while on the move. Key considerations include carry-on...
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...
Whether you’re setting out on a casual day hike or hitting the trail with overnight gear, there’s a hiking shoe up for the task. Compared to traditional hiking boots, hiking shoes are characterized...
Rooftop tents have never been more popular, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than having to meticulously stake out and assemble your tent and sleep system once you arrive at camp, rooftop designs pop up...
A great pair of hiking pants provides comfort, freedom of movement, the versatility to perform well in a range of environments, and durability over the long haul. Many of today’s top hiking pants are made from lightweight nylon...
Choosing the right ski jacket is all about managing the conditions that you might encounter on the mountain. This depends on the specific kinds of skiing you enjoy most—skinning up a sunny ridgeline in the North Cascades is far different than bracing...
Whether you’re traveling across the globe or headed out on a quick weekend getaway, a thoughtfully designed travel pack can make all the difference in helping you stay comfortable and organized while on the move. Key considerations include carry-on...
The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
Altra’s Lone Peak collection has long kept feet happy on the trail, thanks to signature features like a roomy toe box, zero-drop footbed, and lightweight construction. The recently updated Lone Peak Hiker 2 puts a stylish yet functional spin on the...
Merrell’s Moab series has been an uber-popular choice for hikers since the mid-aughts, with new iterations appearing periodically since then—including the new Moab Speed Low. I took the Moab Speed...
Beloved by backpackers for years, REI Co-op’s Half Dome was updated a couple seasons ago with a significant drop in weight. But despite using thinner fabrics (they’re still tough by modern standards)...
Osprey’s Atmos AG is an incredibly popular pack—and our current top-rated design—and they’ve added a trimmed-down “LT” model for 2023. In short, the new Atmos AG LT cuts away a half pound in weight by...
The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
Altra’s Lone Peak collection has long kept feet happy on the trail, thanks to signature features like a roomy toe box, zero-drop footbed, and lightweight construction. The recently updated Lone Peak Hiker 2 puts a stylish yet functional spin on the...
Merrell’s Moab series has been an uber-popular choice for hikers since the mid-aughts, with new iterations appearing periodically since then—including the new Moab Speed Low. I took the Moab Speed...
Beloved by backpackers for years, REI Co-op’s Half Dome was updated a couple seasons ago with a significant drop in weight. But despite using thinner fabrics (they’re still tough by modern standards)...
Osprey’s Atmos AG is an incredibly popular pack—and our current top-rated design—and they’ve added a trimmed-down “LT” model for 2023. In short, the new Atmos AG LT cuts away a half pound in weight by...
The Kaha 2 GTX is Hoka’s top-of-the-line hiking boot, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, a leather upper, and Vibram tread. We’ve had largely positive experiences with Hokas, but the Kaha 2 underwhelmed on a challenging backpacking trip in Southern Patagonia.
In a surprising move, REI replaced their popular Kingdom series with the Wonderland line last year. We’ve had a chance to test both the four- and six-person versions (note: The photos below are of the Wonderland 4), and we have to admit that the new...
Altra’s Lone Peak collection has long kept feet happy on the trail, thanks to signature features like a roomy toe box, zero-drop footbed, and lightweight construction. The recently updated Lone Peak Hiker 2 puts a stylish yet functional spin on the...
Merrell’s Moab series has been an uber-popular choice for hikers since the mid-aughts, with new iterations appearing periodically since then—including the new Moab Speed Low. I took the Moab Speed...
Beloved by backpackers for years, REI Co-op’s Half Dome was updated a couple seasons ago with a significant drop in weight. But despite using thinner fabrics (they’re still tough by modern standards)...
Osprey’s Atmos AG is an incredibly popular pack—and our current top-rated design—and they’ve added a trimmed-down “LT” model for 2023. In short, the new Atmos AG LT cuts away a half pound in weight by...
As lightweight gear gains popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, above-the-ankle hiking boots are quickly becoming obsolete. For a major bump in comfort and weight savings, hikers and backpackers are now...
There’s nothing quite like getting first tracks at the resort, nailing a new trick in the terrain park, or finding fresh pow in the backcountry, but skiers need the right tool for the job. The industry is vast and expanding by the year, making...
A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home, or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness. The items you bring may vary slightly depending...
Ski straps are fiercely tough yet lightweight bands made from UV-resistant polyurethane, with perforated holes and a buckle. They’re the unsung hero that lives inside your ski pack or wrapped around your ski pole...
As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...
As lightweight gear gains popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, above-the-ankle hiking boots are quickly becoming obsolete. For a major bump in comfort and weight savings, hikers and backpackers are now...
There’s nothing quite like getting first tracks at the resort, nailing a new trick in the terrain park, or finding fresh pow in the backcountry, but skiers need the right tool for the job. The industry is vast and expanding by the year, making...
A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home, or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness. The items you bring may vary slightly depending...
Ski straps are fiercely tough yet lightweight bands made from UV-resistant polyurethane, with perforated holes and a buckle. They’re the unsung hero that lives inside your ski pack or wrapped around your ski pole...
As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...
As lightweight gear gains popularity among outdoor enthusiasts, above-the-ankle hiking boots are quickly becoming obsolete. For a major bump in comfort and weight savings, hikers and backpackers are now...
There’s nothing quite like getting first tracks at the resort, nailing a new trick in the terrain park, or finding fresh pow in the backcountry, but skiers need the right tool for the job. The industry is vast and expanding by the year, making...
A day hike can be as simple as walking a well-maintained trail near your home, or as complex as a dawn-to-dusk journey through a remote wilderness. The items you bring may vary slightly depending...
Ski straps are fiercely tough yet lightweight bands made from UV-resistant polyurethane, with perforated holes and a buckle. They’re the unsung hero that lives inside your ski pack or wrapped around your ski pole...
As the weather cools down each year, the great down-versus-synthetic insulation debate heats up. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight...
Shopping for camping gear is no small feat, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned veteran. But once you set up your tent, lay out your sleeping bag, and settle in by the campfire, the effort is well worth it. After researching and testing ...
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...
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...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
Peru’s Ausangate Trek is epic, and we aren’t throwing that term around lightly. The region is loaded with glacier-capped peaks that reach over 20,000 feet in elevation, yet despite good infrastructure...
We wake at 6am to the faint jingle of Lorna’s watch muffled by her sleeping bag. My body creaks as I pull my sore arms from my sides, grab my headlamp, and light the JetBoil that I had carefully placed outside our tent the night before...
Brian and I had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
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...
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...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
Peru’s Ausangate Trek is epic, and we aren’t throwing that term around lightly. The region is loaded with glacier-capped peaks that reach over 20,000 feet in elevation, yet despite good infrastructure...
We wake at 6am to the faint jingle of Lorna’s watch muffled by her sleeping bag. My body creaks as I pull my sore arms from my sides, grab my headlamp, and light the JetBoil that I had carefully placed outside our tent the night before...
Brian and I had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
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...
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...
“Do you think that rain is coming our way?” We pedal under the bright sun, constantly glancing nervously over our shoulders as if being chased by a predator...
Peru’s Ausangate Trek is epic, and we aren’t throwing that term around lightly. The region is loaded with glacier-capped peaks that reach over 20,000 feet in elevation, yet despite good infrastructure...
We wake at 6am to the faint jingle of Lorna’s watch muffled by her sleeping bag. My body creaks as I pull my sore arms from my sides, grab my headlamp, and light the JetBoil that I had carefully placed outside our tent the night before...
Brian and I had spent four days hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park the previous summer on a trip that just scratched the surface and whet our appetites for more. Throughout the past year, we dreamed of returning to see the classic spires and tundra...
Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is about as popular and well liked as it gets in the outdoor apparel space. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers excellent protection and durability, you get a wide...
A good night’s sleep on a backpacking trip used to be a rarity, but today’s sleeping pads are much improved over their predecessors. Comfort is better than ever with advanced baffling and cell designs, weight and packed size continue to drop, and you...
Most hikers know Merrell by their popular Moab hiking shoe and boot, which are on the feet of many a casual trail-goer. But while the Moab is decidedly classic, it’s not a particularly technically savvy offering. Enter Merrell’s MQM series—short for...
NEMO’s Dragonfly fills a nice niche in their backpacking tent lineup, offering better livability than the ultralight Hornet at a lower weight than their popular Dagger. I recently brought the latest two-person version to southern Patagonia for testing...
Most hikers know the value of a quality pair of hiking pants, but for midsummer conditions or particularly active days on the trail, we turn to hiking shorts. In addition to being more breathable and quicker to dry, most of our favorite modern hiking...
Originally released in 2004, the Breeze is Vasque’s flagship hiking boot and recently got a modest revamp. Notable changes include the use of sustainable materials, a new in-house waterproof membrane, and a revamped outsole. After testing the women’s...
At $100 for the non-waterproof shoe, the Adidas AX4 offers a surprisingly grippy outsole, sufficient cushioning and support for long trail days, a secure lacing system, and clean-looking design.
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. The women’s options here range from $60 to $399 and run the gamut...
KEEN’s Targhee has been a favorite among backpackers for years, and the NXIS EVO is a fast-and-light rethink of the legendary design. I was happy to find that KEEN retained key features like their signature wide toe box and good all-around...
Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is about as popular and well liked as it gets in the outdoor apparel space. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers excellent protection and durability, you get a wide...
A good night’s sleep on a backpacking trip used to be a rarity, but today’s sleeping pads are much improved over their predecessors. Comfort is better than ever with advanced baffling and cell designs, weight and packed size continue to drop, and you...
Most hikers know Merrell by their popular Moab hiking shoe and boot, which are on the feet of many a casual trail-goer. But while the Moab is decidedly classic, it’s not a particularly technically savvy offering. Enter Merrell’s MQM series—short for...
NEMO’s Dragonfly fills a nice niche in their backpacking tent lineup, offering better livability than the ultralight Hornet at a lower weight than their popular Dagger. I recently brought the latest two-person version to southern Patagonia for testing...
Most hikers know the value of a quality pair of hiking pants, but for midsummer conditions or particularly active days on the trail, we turn to hiking shorts. In addition to being more breathable and quicker to dry, most of our favorite modern hiking...
Originally released in 2004, the Breeze is Vasque’s flagship hiking boot and recently got a modest revamp. Notable changes include the use of sustainable materials, a new in-house waterproof membrane, and a revamped outsole. After testing the women’s...
At $100 for the non-waterproof shoe, the Adidas AX4 offers a surprisingly grippy outsole, sufficient cushioning and support for long trail days, a secure lacing system, and clean-looking design.
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. The women’s options here range from $60 to $399 and run the gamut...
KEEN’s Targhee has been a favorite among backpackers for years, and the NXIS EVO is a fast-and-light rethink of the legendary design. I was happy to find that KEEN retained key features like their signature wide toe box and good all-around...
Patagonia’s Torrentshell 3L rain jacket is about as popular and well liked as it gets in the outdoor apparel space. The hardwearing 3-layer build offers excellent protection and durability, you get a wide...
A good night’s sleep on a backpacking trip used to be a rarity, but today’s sleeping pads are much improved over their predecessors. Comfort is better than ever with advanced baffling and cell designs, weight and packed size continue to drop, and you...
Most hikers know Merrell by their popular Moab hiking shoe and boot, which are on the feet of many a casual trail-goer. But while the Moab is decidedly classic, it’s not a particularly technically savvy offering. Enter Merrell’s MQM series—short for...
NEMO’s Dragonfly fills a nice niche in their backpacking tent lineup, offering better livability than the ultralight Hornet at a lower weight than their popular Dagger. I recently brought the latest two-person version to southern Patagonia for testing...
Most hikers know the value of a quality pair of hiking pants, but for midsummer conditions or particularly active days on the trail, we turn to hiking shorts. In addition to being more breathable and quicker to dry, most of our favorite modern hiking...
Originally released in 2004, the Breeze is Vasque’s flagship hiking boot and recently got a modest revamp. Notable changes include the use of sustainable materials, a new in-house waterproof membrane, and a revamped outsole. After testing the women’s...
At $100 for the non-waterproof shoe, the Adidas AX4 offers a surprisingly grippy outsole, sufficient cushioning and support for long trail days, a secure lacing system, and clean-looking design.
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. The women’s options here range from $60 to $399 and run the gamut...
KEEN’s Targhee has been a favorite among backpackers for years, and the NXIS EVO is a fast-and-light rethink of the legendary design. I was happy to find that KEEN retained key features like their signature wide toe box and good all-around...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...