firstlook

First Look: 2015 Columbia Sportswear Line

It won’t come to market for a full year. But the line, which includes multiple pieces influenced by freestyle ski uniforms, has some tech that…

Written by Stephen Regenold November 04, 2014

Review: Patagonia Nano-Air Jacket

Super breathable, warm and quick drying, the Patagonia Nano-Air is one of the best all-around insulating jackets we have reviewed.

Written by Sean McCoy October 27, 2014

First Look: Whistler Freeride Bike Backpack

Need to haul copious gear on a mountain bike? This pack is for you.

Written by Stephen Regenold October 23, 2014

First Look: OR Heated Gloves

Push a button and feel the heat surround your fingers. A first test of the Outdoor Research Lucent Heated Gloves gives us hope for toasty…

Written by Sean McCoy October 15, 2014

First Look: Big Water Tenkara Rod

Tenkara fishing rods have boomed in popularity during the last year as an ultralight, simple rig to tuck into backpacks and fish small water. The…

Written by Sean McCoy October 07, 2014

First Look: 'Checkered' Fleece Wind Shell

A Brooks-Range jacket raises eyebrows with a radical checkered micro-fleece design.

Written by Sean McCoy October 06, 2014

2015: First Look At ‘Future’ Bike Gear

We hit the country’s biggest bike trade show to snoop the latest in bike gear for next year.

Written by Stephen Regenold September 25, 2014

First Look: ‘Tacky’ Silicone Fly Box

The Tacky Fly Box was heaped with praise at the International Fly Tackle Dealer Show this summer. Our contributor puts the exciting new fly box…

Written by Sean McCoy September 18, 2014

First Look: ‘Swiss Army’ Delemont Collection

For decades, the Swiss companies Wenger and Victorinox both made knives. This changed last year when the companies merged, and the result is a new…

Written by Stephen Regenold September 17, 2014

First Look: 'Transalper' Among Lightest Waterproof Jackets Ever Made

At just 4.5 ounces, this jacket provides complete protection from wind and rain. Our editor tests the Dynafit Transalper women’s jacket.

Written by Sean McCoy September 03, 2014

First Look: Vulture Equipment ‘Cholera’ Knife

Survival knives need to be strong, reliable tools that can do anything. Our editor puts the harshly-named Vulture Equipment Works Cholera to the test from…

Written by Sean McCoy August 31, 2014

First Look: Big Agnes 'Two Room' Family Tent

This tent has two separate sleeping quarters connected by a large covered vestibule. The design provides a little privacy. Our editor reviews the Wyoming Trail…

Written by Sean McCoy August 25, 2014

First Look: 2015 Outdoor Gear

We unveil two-dozen pieces of gear you NEED to watch for coming to market next year.

Written by Sean McCoy August 20, 2014

First Look: 'Carbon Alaskan' Fat Bike

GearJunkie got an exclusive test of this carbon-frame fatty. It’s the most affordable carbon fat bike we’ve ever seen, and so far we like the…

Written by Stephen Regenold August 14, 2014

First Look: Dynafit Apparel, Footwear 2015

Dynafit is best known for its backcountry ski gear. But the company has amazing summer gear, too, including apparel, outerwear, and shoes. We got a…

Written by Tom Puzak August 11, 2014

First Look: Under Armour 'MagZip'

Magnets and tiny hooks on the zipper base make MagZip from Under Armour stand out. You can initiate this “zipper of the future” with one…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 31, 2014

First Look: Ultra-Light 'Yama' Tent Tested On Pacific Northwest Trail

From the trail contributing editor Jeff Kish submitted this review. The whole tent, made of Cuben material, weighs an incredibly feather-light 17.5 ounces.

Written by Stephen Regenold July 31, 2014

First Look: Mountainsmith 'Mountain Dome'

The to-be-released Mountainsmith Mountain Dome 2 is a mid-priced, all-around backpacking tent. Our editor reviews it after a night in the Rockies.

Written by Sean McCoy July 21, 2014

First Look: Activated Carbon Keeps Redington Waders Dry Inside

The Redington SonicDry Wader we has a waterproof breathable membrane and activated carbon to transport moisture away from skin. We review the high-end wading tool.

Written by Sean McCoy July 18, 2014

First Look: Ticla Car Camping Kit

The cush car camping equipment from Ticla was “nothing like we have ever experienced before.” Our contributor Chelsey Magness tests the company’s camping gear on…

Written by Sean McCoy July 16, 2014

First Look: Super Wide, Cushy And Packable Sleeping Pad

The Static V Luxe sleeping pad by Klymit unrolls to remarkable proportions and still packs small enough to ride easily in a backpack. Our editor…

Written by Sean McCoy July 15, 2014

First Look: Katadyn ‘Gravity Filter’

Why not let gravity do the work as opposed to pumping or other methods of purifying water? We test a new water filter from Katadyn.

Written by Stephen Regenold July 15, 2014

First Look: Yeti Soft-Side Cooler

A just-announced cooler from Yeti is made of the same tough material as whitewater rafts. The zipper is the “toughest kind of zipper in world,”…

Written by Stephen Regenold July 09, 2014

First Look: Montane Minimus Jacket Packs To 'Size Of Apple'

Fully waterproof and breathable, the Montane Minimus Jacket packs down tiny and weighs less than half a pound. We review this ultralight storm shell.

Written by Sean McCoy July 07, 2014

First Look: Big Agnes Super Scout UL2

This year, Big Agnes pitched two “vestibular” variations of the popular, lightweight Scout backpacking tent. We review the Super Scout UL2 tested on a bike/packrafting…

Written by Sean McCoy July 02, 2014

First Look: ‘Airbender’ Sleep System Combines Down Bag, Pad

Eddie Bauer pulled out all the stops with the Airbender, a 20-degree sleeping bag with integrated, inflatable sleeping pad. Steve Graepel put this unique and…

Written by Sean McCoy June 27, 2014