first look
Warmth-to-Weight Sweet Spot (for Your Feet): Danner Raptor 650 First Look
Danner says its Raptor 650 boots are ‘inspired by life in mountain towns.’ So I beat the crap out of a pair in the frozen fields of South Dakota for this review. Here’s how they performed.
2019 Honda Passport Relaunch Aims for Mountain Town Market
The crossover/SUV market is super hot right now, and Honda is taking full advantage. It will resurrect the adventurous Honda Passport for 2019, a vehicle we haven’t seen since 2002.
Small Engine, Big Truck: 2019 Silverado 4-Cylinder Turbo Review
Chevy launches a 2.7L turbo four-cylinder engine for its 2019 Silverado. We got behind the wheel of this impressive truck for a first look review.
Marmot Castle Peak Jacket Review: Fend Off Moisture Inside and Out
Marmot employs the latest tech from Polartec to create a full-featured backcountry ski jacket. With it, the brand hopes to raise the level of comfort and mobility to match the Castle Peak’s warmth and waterproofing.
Comfortable Portage Pack First Look: SealLine Updates Dry Bags for 2019
The longtime dry bag developer revamps its line of portage packs for everyone from the urban traveler to the serious paddler.
Camping Sale: This Sub-$150 Tent Gets the Job Done
I’ve slept in the Backcountry Lodgepole roughly 10 times this summer and fall and have been impressed. The Lodgepole isn’t flashy, but it’s exactly what many people need in a tent: shelter from the elements at an incredibly low price point.
Hard Charging: Jaybird Releases Tarah Pro Wireless Headphones
Jaybird releases its most elite sport headphone to date: the Tarah Pro. The rugged yet lightweight Tarah Pro is the first in the company’s new professional series. We tested them for this first look review.
First Look: BioLite ‘No-Bounce’ Ultralight HeadLamp
BioLite says its first headlamp gives users a unique experience thanks to its super-light, comfortable design. We gave it a brief test and found it a capable camp companion during this first look.
First Look: Sitka Early Season Whitetail System
Our contributor, a Kansas whitetail enthusiast, takes a first look at the Sitka Early Season Whitetail system.
Reebok’s Sports Bra ‘Senses’ Motion, Reacts With More Support
Reebok, a brand known for shoes, spent two years refining the new PureMove Bra. It’s available to the public in three days for $60. But will it live up to its billing as the solution to our sports bra woes?
Patagonia Running Vest Blurs Line Between Shirt & Pack: Review
The Slope Runner Vest 4L feels like another piece of clothing. But it fits jackets, water bottles, filters, and food no problem. We went on a run with Patagonia to learn more about its revamped trail running line.
Sensitive and Steep: Scarpa Furia S First Look
Scarpa adds a sensitive, soft, aggressive shoe to its high-performance lineup. We tested the Furia S both outdoors and in for this first look review.
Trad Shoe Evolution: Scarpa Maestro Mid First Look
Twist into cracks, smear with precision: The Maestro Mid Eco makes bold claims as a supportive and soft climbing shoe for long routes. We reviewed the latest release from the brand to see how it holds up on the rock.
‘Goldilocks’ Trail Shoe: HOKA ONE ONE Torrent First Look
Chug uphill, glide down, and cut through rocky switchbacks – the HOKA ONE ONE Torrent touts the best of everything a trail runner wants: agility, ground feel, cushion, breathability, and minimal weight. We tested them for a month on Colorado trails.
Sitka Sights Past Hunting: Nimbus Jacket Review
Sitka branched outside of its hunting market with the Train, Travel, and Work line. We reviewed the Nimbus Jacket, a lightweight and windproof option for travelers and outdoors people.
Fast & Clean: Katadyn BeFree 3L Gravity Filter First Look
Katadyn’s newest gravity filter is easy to set up, filters water quickly, and collapses so you hardly notice it in your pack. We tested it in rocky mountain streams for this first look review.
Awesome Hiking Boot: The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX
The Salomon X Ultra 3 Mid GTX is a very comfortable, fairly light, waterproof boot that fit my foot well right out of the box. Three big days on and off trail left me looking forward to more miles in these boots.
First Look: SPOT X 2-Way Satellite Messenger
The SPOT X can send and receive messages through satellites from nearly anywhere in the world. We got a beta version in our hands for this first look at the SPOT’s newest satellite communicator.