Reviews

GearJunkie ‘Top Gear’ Of The Year 2015

Of the hundreds of products GearJunkie staff and testers put through the paces in 2015, these products stood out as some of the best.

Written by Sean McCoy December 21, 2015

Breathable Hype: The North Face HyperAir GTX

Can a new type of Gore-Tex fabric revolutionize shell jackets? We test the HyperAir GTX Jacket from The North Face to find out.

Written by Stephen Regenold December 14, 2015

‘Windshirt’ Jacket A Secret Weapon For Warmth

Tested for two months in the BWCA, our reviewer finds the durable, versatile windshirt made in Ely, Minnesota, to be a perfect companion for cold…

Written by Sean McCoy December 10, 2015

Extreme Test: Gear For AR World Championships

Nothing punishes gear like adventure racing, and this race is the pinnacle event of the year. This is the gear that excelled over seven rough…

Written by Stephen Regenold December 08, 2015

Barrel-Hauling Backpack: Granite Gear Vapor Flatbed

This system replaces traditional backpack design with 60-liter barrels perfect for use in canoe camping and travel.

Written by Sean McCoy December 01, 2015

Waterproof Backpack For Fly Fishing Put To Test

This simple backpack is billed as a waterproof option for fly fishing. We put it, and the waterproof claims, to the test for the review…

Written by Steve Graepel December 01, 2015

900 Lumens: Fenix Headlamp Packs Bright Beam Into Small Package

Tough, waterproof, and bright, the HL55 headlamp by Fenix is a workhorse of a light.

Written by Stephen Regenold November 30, 2015

Wild Fixed-Blade: Spyderco ‘Schempp Rock’ Knife Review

The Spyderco Schempp Rock is a wild looking survival knife that works exceptionally well in the field.

Written by Anthony Sculimbrene November 24, 2015

Camera Kit: Dakine ‘Reload’ Backpack Review

Battle-hardened shooters looking to carry a ‘run and gun’ camera setup into the wilds should consider the Reload from Dakine.

Written by Stephen Regenold November 23, 2015

‘Modular’ Sleeping: Kammok Thylacine Sleeping Bag

Three sleeping bags in one. That’s the promise of the new Thylacine sleeping bag from Kammok. This review finds its modular sleeping bag system is…

Written by Eric Lemke November 20, 2015

First Look: Vibram Wrap-On ‘Winter Furoshiki’ Footwear

No laces, no tongue, a shearling wool interior, and an innovative wrap-on design… the Winter Furoshiki footwear from Vibram stands out as perhaps the most…

Written by Stephen Regenold November 19, 2015

Review: ‘Lumen Beast’ Bike Light Has Integrated Display

The Fenix BC30R has a new killer feature good enough to push it to the top of the pile in this fall’s light comparison tests.

Written by Tom Puzak November 18, 2015

Waterproof, Inflatable Adventure Backpack

Dubbed an ‘ultimate water adventure pack,’ the Klymit Splash 25 is the lovechild of a waterproof dry bag and a daypack.

Written by Kyle Nossaman November 17, 2015

BWCA Dispatch: 50-Night Sleeping Bag Test

After 50 days of sleeping in the Sea To Summit Talus Ts II our reviewer has found her favorite sleeping bag.

Written by Sean McCoy November 17, 2015

Titanium Bike Lock: Ultra-Light ‘TiGr Mini’ Review

The new titanium TiGr Mini bike lock weighs less than a pound and will deter thieves. We put it to the test against a hacksaw…

Written by Stephen Regenold November 16, 2015

Bike Safe: Tips To Ride At Night

As the hours of daylight get shorter, it’s time for bike commuters to increase visibility and safety.

Written by Sean McCoy November 13, 2015

Torch Test: 5 Cutting-Edge LED Flashlights

EDC Flashlight Review: These pocket-size flashlights are barely known outside the flashlight-nut world, but they’re some of the best you can buy and priced to…

Written by Anthony Sculimbrene November 12, 2015

BWCA Dispatch: ‘Silky Big Boy’ Folding Camp Saw

During a year in the wilderness, the Silky Big Boy saw is one of Dave and Amy Freeman’s most important tools.

Written by Sean McCoy November 10, 2015

Extra Cush All-Terrain: Hoka ‘Tor’ Boot Reviewed

These ‘fat tire boots’ are big and cushioned, but they still roll fast. We review the Hoka Tor Ultra hiking boots.

Written by Stephen Regenold November 09, 2015

The Pickup Truck Of Bikes: Yuba Spicy Curry

This electric-assist ‘cargo bike’ can haul as much as you can fit in the trunk of a small car.

Written by Stephen Regenold November 09, 2015

Affordable, Custom Fixed-Blade: Jarosz JFS

Handmade knives tend to be crazy expensive. But the Jarosz JFS everyday carry fixed blade is super useful and at a price well within reach…

Written by Anthony Sculimbrene November 03, 2015

Unorthodox Gear: Would You Pedal An ‘Oval’ Chainring?

Generally, the gears on a bike are round, but is that the best shape? Probably not, says our editor. Oval-shape chainrings offer advantages for road…

Written by Tom Puzak November 03, 2015

Titanium Hardtail: Advocate Cycles’ 27.5+ Hayduke

A do-it-all hardtail, the Advocate Cycles Hayduke can run multiple wheel sizes and is a supreme ride that inspires confidence on all terrain.

Written by Eric Lemke November 03, 2015

Cotopaxi ‘Llama Fleece’ Jacket Review

The Kusa jacket line from Cotopaxi is stuffed with an insulation made by combining polyester with wool trimmed from the long-neck domestic beasts.

Written by Stephen Regenold November 02, 2015

First Look: 2016 KEEN Versatrail Hiking Shoe

KEEN takes aim at the ‘light hiker’ category with its 2016 flagship footwear, the Versatrail. We laced up for a 10-mile hike last week in…

Written by Sean McCoy November 02, 2015

Tech Multitool: ‘Buckshot Pro’ Speaker, Light, Charger

Bluetooth speaker reviewed: Buckshot Pro includes a multi-functional light and a power bank for biking and camping needs.

Written by Sean McCoy October 30, 2015

Liquid Test: YETI Rambler ‘Personal Drink Cooler’

The YETI Rambler Tumblers are tough glasses that can do double duty all day long. We review the insulated drinkware at home and in the…

Written by Eric Lemke October 28, 2015

Rugged Power: ‘Dark Energy’ Battery Survives Torture Test

A new power pack option, the Poseidon from Utah-based brand Dark Energy, is sold as a battery that’s rugged, destruction-tested, and waterproof. We reviewed it…

Written by Stephen Regenold October 27, 2015