Are there any hiking boot-friendly cross-country ski bindings? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I use snow-shoes for winter backpacking and I love it; but I think I could cover more ground and enjoy it more if I used skis. Can you recommend a cross-country ski binding that will accept my perfect fitting Asolo TPS 535 hiking boots?... more Comment >> |
Is there one soft-shell jacket that can do it all? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I've been searching for an elusive jacket for more than six months. My ideal selection would be a soft shell for fall/winter/early spring activities. The jacket would need a detachable/stowable hood, armpit zips, and two or more pockets for stowing g... more Comment >> |
What are the best boots for climbing Matterhorn? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews What boots do you suggest for climbing Matterhorn in July? Is La Sportiva's Nepal perfect or is something else more suitable? Way too many choices to sift through and comprehend. Plus all the arguments online about leather versus synthetic. Hopi... more Comment >> |
What are the best waterproof hiking pants for touring Patagonia? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I'm going to Patagonia soon, and I'd like to add some waterproof hiking pants to my gear. I'm not looking for over pants but an everyday pant that just happens to be water repellent. I bought some Frogg Toggs. but they are too bulky. Any suggestions?... more Comment >> |
What's the best pack for both summer and winter? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews Is there a backpack that can function as a winter pack for carrying my snowboard but also be used in the summer for hauling climbing gear on day trips?... more Comment >> |
When's the right time to buy a fashion-forward warmer-weather soft shell? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I need a soft-shell jacket with high breathability that I can also use for casual wear most of the time. I'm going to use it on spring and cool summer nights. Basically something I can wear with a T-shirt after hiking or rock climbing, something high... more Comment >> |
What are the best boots for a professional dog hiker? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I am trying to find the best boot setup for my job. I am a professional dog hiker. My job entails hiking five to six miles a day three days a week with 13 dogs throughout the winter in mountainous terrain. Generally I am moving so much that I am s... more Comment >> |
Can I use an emergency blanket as an ultra-light alternative to a sleeping bag? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews Do emergency blankets make a good alternative for a sleeping bag, in terms of ultra-light backpacking? Would they be good for repetitive use?... more Comment >> |
What's the best clothing for cold-weather paddling? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews Hi, I want to get my husband some cold-weather gear for paddling (wet suit, paddle jacket) so he can kayak year round. What products would you suggest to keep him warm?... more Comment >> |
I'm an aspiring cycling racer... on a budget. What kind of wheels should I get? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I'm convinced there's no objective info out there about bike wheels anymore. I want a set of lightweight aero road-bike wheels for racing, but do real people actually pay $2,000 bucks for carbon deep-dish wheels? In other words, are carbon wheels dis... more Comment >> |
What's the best midlayer jacket for winter backpacking? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews Hi! I'm trying to decide on a jacket to use as an insulating midlayer for backpacking this winter. I want one that's warm while sedentary, but really breathable while doing aerobic activity. I'm not sure what to go with: fleece, soft shell, or... more Comment >> |
The temperature ratings on sleeping bags confuse me. Can you help? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I?m looking to invest in a sleeping bag and want to know how to choose the proper temperature rating. You?ve said that it must be rated ten degrees warmer than the coldest temperatures expected. Why is that? And is that in degrees Celsius? Also, I w... more Comment >> |
What's the best old-style boot that's rugged and repairable? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews A few years ago, I bought a pair of hiking boots with a molded sole. Spent $250 for the things. I have to admit that they were comfy. They lasted less than a year; the sole came off both boots, and because of the way the sole was attached there was n... more Comment >> |
What do you think of the Patagonia Hibernation Parka? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews What do you think of the Patagonia Hibernation Parka?... more Comment >> |
What's the best do-it-all heart rate monitor? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews Can you recommend a heart rate monitor? I'm looking for a do-it-all model, that a ten year old or adult can use. I want a model that constantly monitors heart rate, downloads to a computer, and doesn't cost a mint.... more Comment >> |
What's the best boot for hiking in the winter? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I do a lot of winter hiking and would love to know what boot will provide the warmth I need that is also very light. I'm only 101 pounds and the ones I have now are not working for me!... more Comment >> |
How can I save my old Cannondale mountain bike? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I have an old Cannondale mountain bike that I purchased in 1996 or '97. The F500 is an aluminum frame that I think would make a great bike if I overhaul all of the components, including an upgrade to nine-speed. Where do I start in choosing my driv... more Comment >> |
How can you tell when it's time to change your trail running shoes? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews How can you tell when it's time to change your trail running shoes?... more Comment >> |
Can you help me find a pair of good, ol' fashioned leather hiking boots? Outside Magazine Gear Reviews I'm in the market for some good ol' fashioned, single-leather-upper hiking boots. Nothing against the space age looks of most boots today; I just long for the time when boots looked like, well, boots! Aside from the Vasque Sundowners, do you have a... more Comment >> |
PBP Episode 44 - RailRiders Practical Backpacking™ Podcast This episode features my conversation with John d'Arbeloff - the President and Founder of RailRiders. Our talk focuses primarily on the company's popular VersaTac pants and Eco-Mesh shirt. However, there's a generous overview of several other RailRiders products. John tells us about the fabric, features, and function of his tough and practical outdoor clothing line. more Comment >> |