Reviews

First Look: Hultafors Knife Brings Utility, Value

The 140-year-old Swedish brand now imports knives to the U.S. and brings a lot of performance for little money.

Written by Sean McCoy March 01, 2017

Six Super Fun Skis For Winter 2017-18

If you like to smile, you’ll love these skis. We put six top planks for 2017-2018 to the test.

Written by Sean McCoy February 28, 2017

Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight: Ultimate, Essential Climbing Pro

BD claims the ‘most significant’ advancement in its cam technology since the 1980s. We put the Camalot Ultralight to a test.

Written by Sean McCoy February 24, 2017

Ultimate Visibility: ‘Torch’ Cycling Jacket Shines At Night

Shine bright on dark rides wearing an ultra-high-vis jacket with lights and all-over reflectivity.

Written by Adam Ruggiero February 24, 2017

Cubed Coffee: Jiva Camping Coffee Review

A mini brick of coffee that fits in your pocket sounds great for hikers, but how does it taste? We tried it.

Written by Adam Ruggiero February 23, 2017

First Look: Polartec ‘Naked’ Jacket By Rab

Alpha Direct is made of post-consumer recycled polyester. In its naked form, it is essentially a synthetic fleece on steroids and it works alone or…

Written by Stephen Regenold February 22, 2017

First Look: Eureka Gonzo Grill Aims for All-in-One Cooking

Pancakes for breakfast. Steak and veggies for dinner. The Gonzo aims to be a single cook set that can cook everything so we had to…

Written by Adam Ruggiero February 22, 2017

Big Wall Warmth: Arc’teryx Proton AR Hoody Review

Arc’teryx’s ‘active insulation’ helps mountain athletes regulate body temps in varying conditions, like our tester’s two-day solo aid climb in Zion National Park.

Written by GJ Staff February 21, 2017

2,000-Mile Test: Granite Gear Crown2 Backpack

We packed, hefted, and hiked with the Granite Gear Crown2 for a five-month test along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Written by Sean McCoy February 17, 2017

First Look: Petzl ‘Anti-Panic’ GRIGRI+ Belay Device

Petzl Introduces the newest member of the GRIGRI family, the GRIGRI+. We got a chance to try it at one of the world’s foremost climbing…

Written by Aaron Bible February 16, 2017

First Look: Altra ‘Toothy’ King MT Trail-Running Shoe

Traction is not for want on a new shoe from Altra. The King MT is the brand’s toothiest trail shoe to date.

Written by Stephen Regenold February 14, 2017

No Trees, No Problem: ENO Roadie Hammock Stand Review

Great news dirtbags, with the ENO Roadie hammock life no longer requires trees.

Written by Jake Ferguson February 10, 2017

‘Performance Aviators’ Are Made for Sport

A new brand, ROKA, launched with aviator sunglasses you can wear for running or other fast-moving sports.

Written by Sean McCoy February 09, 2017

First Look: Inflatable Solar Lantern Charges Your Phone

Charge it with the sun, throw it in water, light up your camp with LuminAID’s 200 sq ft. solar charged inflatable light.

Written by Nate Mitka February 09, 2017

Tested: Burly Outdoor Speaker Delivers Massive Sound

The EcoBoulder Bluetooth speaker is entirely waterproof, dustproof, and ready for just about anything your wild outdoor party can throw at it.

Written by Nate Mitka February 08, 2017

First Look: Sea To Summit ‘World’s Lightest Hammock’

At 4.9 ounces, Sea to Summit’s Ultralight Hammock is so airy you’ll forget it’s there. We tested it for our first-look review.

Written by Stephen Regenold February 08, 2017

First Look: Crescent Moon EVA Foam Snowshoes

Run through snow on lightweight, curved foam snowshoes.

Written by Adam Ruggiero February 07, 2017

Super Friction: Edelrid ‘Mega Jul’ Belay Device Review

Durable and multifunctional, Edelrid’s Mega Jul belay device makes belaying rock climbers safer and more efficient.

Written by GJ Staff February 01, 2017

First Look: ‘Continuum’ Is New Breed Of Made-For-Winter Bike

A new kind of winter bike? Look close and you’ll notice this one has no chain, no gears, and its tires come set with hundreds…

Written by Stephen Regenold January 31, 2017

First Look: Outdoor Research ‘Skyward’ Ski Jacket

Air-permeable fabric and massive vents in the Outdoor Research Skyward Jacket help backcountry skiers stay dry while earning turns.

Written by Sean McCoy January 30, 2017

Hammock Head-To-Head: ENO TechNest Vs. DoubleNest

This review breaks down the differences between ENO’s DoubleNest and TechNest hammocks to help you decide which is better for you.

Written by Jake Ferguson January 27, 2017

5.11 Reinvents The Cargo Pant

They look like a normal pair of khakis or blue jeans, but the Defender-Flex pants have more storage space than you’d imagine possible.

Written by Sean McCoy January 24, 2017

Review: Mukluks Made For Coldest Places On Planet

We tested Steger Designs’ Yukon Jack mukluks this month in the dank cold of a Minnesota winter. The boots are modeled after footwear worn long…

Written by Stephen Regenold January 24, 2017

First Look: Vasque Lost 40 Boot Is ‘Modern Mukluk’

A hybrid mukluk, these boots have a Vibram sole and modern add-ons like softshell synthetic material and aerogel insulation in the sole.

Written by Stephen Regenold January 24, 2017

5-Year Test: Leatherman ‘Style CS’ Doesn’t Fail

Carrying the Leatherman Style CS everywhere for five years, including on two trans-national trails, the only problem I experienced was solved by a drop of…

Written by Sean McCoy January 23, 2017

First Look: Stylish & Tech Women’s Down Jacket

‘One jacket to get you through the winter, on the ski hill and off.’ – That’s the promise behind the down-insulated Durrance from Stio.

Written by Sean McCoy January 09, 2017

Head to Head: In Search Of ‘Perfect’ Lightweight Puffy Jacket

The Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer and LL Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket are pinnacle light-puffy pieces work alone or as a mid-layer. We tested them…

Written by Stephen Regenold January 06, 2017

Love At First Send: Butora Acro Climbing Shoe Review

The Acro rock climbing shoes from Butora have become my new favorite shoe for hard boulder problems and short, steep sport climbing routes. Here’s why.

Written by Jake Ferguson December 30, 2016