Ski Sock Roundup — 2018
The wrong pair of ski socks can screw up your day. So we’ve rounded up 17 pairs — from ultra-thin to thickly cushioned — and noted what sets each apart, and which will likely work best for you.
Apparel
The North Face Morph Vest
Down vests have been around forever, but The North Face Morph Vest brings some interesting new tech to this classic insulation piece.
Flylow Cooper Jacket
The Cooper is a brand-new shell from Flylow that uses their new air-permeable waterproof fabric. It also offers a rare combination of traits that make it a great shell for both inbounds and backcountry use.
Open Wear Open One 3L Shell Jacket & Pants
Open Wear is a new Swiss outerwear brand focused on sustainability, transparency, and moderate prices, and we were so impressed with their Open One 3L jacket that it earned one of our “Best Of” awards.
Petzl Boreo Helmet
Climbing helmet standards have typically been focused on protecting against impacts from above (e.g. rockfall). But Petzl’s new Boreo helmet is also tested against the front, side, and rear impacts that are common in actual falls. The idea certainly makes sense, but how well is that idea executed here? Check out our review.
Black Diamond Vector Helmet
Once upon a time, climbing helmets were pretty much all the same. Not anymore. There are ultralight helmets on one end, and durable but heavy options on the other. The Black Diamond Vector falls in between, making it a versatile option. Check out our full review, with comparisons to several helmets from Black Diamond, Petzl, and Mammut.
Outdoor Retailer Summer 2018 Highlights
We just wrapped up a few days at the Outdoor Retailer summer trade show where we took a look at a ton of brand-new 2019 products. Check out the highlights.
Running Shorts Roundup — 2018
There are too many running shorts in the world, so we’ve rounded up seven of our favorites (for everything from quick jogs to long trail runs) and laid out which ones might work best for you.
Sweet Protection Dissenter Helmet
Budget-oriented bike helmets tend to all be pretty similar. But the Sweet Protection Dissenter has a few key features that make it stand out, and you won’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford it.
The North Face Summit L2 FuseForm Fleece ½ Zip Hoodie
The Summit L2 FuseForm Fleece ½ Zip Hoodie is one of The North Face’s most technical, breathable fleeces. So how does it compare to the reference piece in this category, the Patagonia R1 Hoody?
Patagonia Houdini Vest
A lot of our reviewers love the Patagonia Houdini Jacket. But when you ditch the sleeves, how much versatility do you lose? Or gain? Check out our review of the Patagonia Houdini Vest.
Women’s Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody
We called the men’s version of the Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody, “just about perfect.” Now we weigh in on the women’s R1 Tech Face Hoody — how well it works across a broad range of activities, and how it compares to the original R1 Hoody.
Stio Ralston Canvas Jacket
The Stio Ralston Canvas Jacket. Good for baling hay, building railroads, and a bunch of other less cool stuff, too. And it's more comfortable than stiff, heavy canvas jackets of the past.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Summit Hooded Jacket
Lots of our reviewers love the original Outdoor Research Ferrosi Jacket, and now there’s a new, burlier version called the Ferrosi Summit. So how much of the original Ferrosi’s versatility does the Summit version maintain, and just how much burlier is it?
Mammut Eisfeld Light SO Hoody and Pants
The Mammut Eisfeld Light Hoody and Pants’ new fabric technology makes them stand out from the competition, and when combined with the rest of their design, this makes the Eisfeld Light kit a solid soft shell option for alpine climbing.
Patagonia Storm Racer Jacket
The Patagonia Storm Racer is an ultralight, minimal running shell that we’ve found to be very impressive far beyond the running trails. Check out our review.
Glade Optics Challenger Goggle
High-quality goggles have become quite expensive, but Glade Optics is aiming to change that with their Challenger goggle. We spent much of this season testing the Challenger, and have come away very impressed. Check out our review and our Glade lens comparisons.
Men’s Casual Boot Roundup — Spring, 2018
Since it’s shoulder season, we wanted to share some of our favorite spring / summer casual boots that can handle some mud, rain, and time on the trail.
Patagonia Snowdrifter pant
The Patagonia Snowdrifter pant blends very good breathability with a useful feature set, making it a great option for days of high-output touring.
Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody
When we asked our outerwear editor what he thought of the new Patagonia R1 TechFace Hoody, he started saying things like “perfect,” “dialed,” and “my new favorite piece of apparel.” Check out his review to find out why.