Petzl Swift LT Review: The Ultralight Headlamp With the Best Headband

The Petzl Swift LT is our favorite backpacking headlamp: 1.5 oz, 380 lumens, and the best ultralight headband we tested. See where its battery life falls short.

Eagle Creek Packable Backpack Review: Our Best Overall Packable Pack

We tested the Eagle Creek Packable Backpack to evaluate packed size, carry comfort, durability, and real-world performance for travel, hiking, and everyday use.

travel, Single Product Review, single product reviews, single product, Travel, backpackKarthika GuptaOctober 19, 2026karthika gupta, eagle creek packable backpack, packable backpack, day packs, travel packs

BRANWYN Essential Supreme Bra Review: A Merino Sports Bra With Breathing Room

Tested on Sierra backpacking trips and through triple-digit heat waves, the BRANWYN Essential Supreme is a comfortable, odor-resistant merino bra for low-impact days.

apparel, Apparel and Footwear, Single Product Review, single product reviews, single product, Gear ReviewsShawnté SalabertOctober 8, 2026shawnte salabert, branwyn essential supreme bra, sports bra, single product review, single product, women's

Smith Hardline Mips MTB Helmet Review: Burly Protection for Lift-Served Laps

A burly, downhill-certified full-face helmet for lift-served riding. Our review of the Smith Hardline Mips covers fit, protection, venting, and weight.

mountain biking, cycling, Bicycle, Single Product Review, single product reviews, single productStasia StockwellSeptember 29, 2026stasia stockwell, smith hardline mips full-face mtb helmet, mtb, mountain biking

Smith Optics Engage Mips Review: Comfort, Coverage, and Mips Without the Premium Price

Smith's Engage packs Mips, KOROYD, and 21 vents into a $150 trail helmet. We tested it in Utah and Colorado to see if it's worth your money.

single product, Single Product Review, single product reviews, mountain bikingStasia StockwellJuly 17, 2026mountain biking, mtb, stasia stockwell, single product review, single product, smith optics engage mips, smith optics, smith optics engage mips mtb helmet, mtb helmet, helmet

REI Co-op Flash Shade Hoodie Review

The REI Flash Shade Hoodie is lighter and faster-drying than the beloved REI Sahara. We tested both to help you pick the right UPF 50 sun hoodie for the trail.

apparel, backpacking, gear reviews, liz thomas, hiking, thru-hiking, Hiking and Backpacking, single product reviewsLiz ThomasJune 24, 2026liz thomas, rei flash shade hoodie, apparel, sun shirts, sun hoodies

Outdoor Research Helium UL Rain Pants Review

We tested the ultralight, breathable Outdoor Research Helium UL Rain Pants in the Northeast and Scotland to assess waterproofness, durability, and suitability for different wet conditions

apparel, rain pants, single product reviewsElliot KoeppelMay 23, 2026elliot koeppel, outdoor research helium ul rain pants, rain gear

Lems Switchback Sandal Knit Is Among the Most Comfortable Hiking Sandals I've Tested

We tested the Lems Women's Switchback Sandal Knit on trail and in town. Here's what the knit upper actually changes—and who it's right for.

Footwear, footwear, single product reviews, Single Product ReviewLiz ThomasMay 15, 2026minimalist sandal women, wide toebox sandal, barefoot adventure sandal, Lems sandal knit

Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody Softshell Jacket Kept Up Through Every Season We Tested It

After multiple seasons in the Rockies and Utah, here's our honest take on whether the $300 Arc'teryx Gamma Hoody softshell is worth the price.

apparel, single product reviewsStasia StockwellMay 4, 2026stasia stockwell, arc’teryx gamma hoody, softshell jackets

The North Face Alta Vista Rain Jacket Is a Reliable Pick for Non-Ultralight Hikers

We tested The North Face Alta Rain Jacket on hikes, commutes, travels, and backpacking trips to assess its packability, weatherproofness, breathability, comfort, and more.

apparel, single product reviewsBecca DownsApril 28, 2026becca downs, the north face alta vista, rain jacket

Smith Optics Forefront 3 MTB Helmet Review: A Worthy Upgrade from the Forefront 2

Is the Smith Forefront 3 worth upgrading from the Forefront 2? We tested both. It's lighter, cooler, and sleeker—with the same high-tech safety tech.

cycling, mountain biking, single product reviewsStasia StockwellApril 27, 2026stasia stockwell, smith optics forefront 3, helmets, mountain bike helmets, mtb

The Garmin Enduro 3 GPS Watch Is the Longest-Lasting GPS Watch I've Tested

Hands-on Garmin Enduro 3 review from a double Triple Crown thru-hiker. Solar charging, multi-week battery life, training tools, and how it stacks up in 2026.

We Ran 200 Miles in the REI Co-op Swiftland 5 Hydration Vest. It Barely Bounced.

We tested the REI Co-op Swiftland 5 hydration vest to evaluate comfort, storage layout, stability, and hydration performance for trail running and fast hiking.

hiking, single product reviews, trail runningSam SchildApril 6, 2026sam schild, rei co-op swiftland 5 hydration vest, hydration vest

Our Skeptical Testers Were Thoroughly Impressed by the Goodr Snow G Ski Goggles

We tested the Goodr Snow G ski and snowboard goggles on the slopes and in the backcountry, and loved the easy magnetic lens swap system and value for the price.

ski & snow, single product reviewsStasia StockwellApril 3, 2026stasia stockwell, goodr snow g goggles, ski goggles

We Tested the Zeal Lookout Ski Goggles in Bluebirds, Storms, and Whiteouts

We tested the Zeal Lookout ski and snowboard goggles on the slopes and in the backcountry, and loved their excellent field of view, lens swap system, and style.

ski & snow, single product reviewsStasia StockwellApril 3, 2026stasia stockwell, zeal lookout goggles, ski goggles

I tested the Outdoor Research Foray 3L Rain Pants in freezing rain—here’s what held up

The Outdoor Research Foray and Aspire rain pants are ideal for cool and cold-weather activities, and are the first outdoor technical gear to be certified carbon neutral.

apparel, single product reviews, single productElliot KoeppelJanuary 6, 2026elliot koeppel, outdoor research foray rain pants

Brewery floors, travel days, and recovery walks: My test of the HOKA Bondi SR

In-depth review of the HOKA Bondi SR shoes tested for fit and comfort, support, and style for walking, jobs on your feet like medical and food service, fitness, and all-day wear.