Best Life Jackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) of 2026

A rafting guide tested the best life jackets and PFDs for kayaking, rafting, fishing, rescue use, women, and budget buyers.

Gossamer Gear DCF Whisper Tent Review: Sub-10 Ounces With Room for Tall Hikers

We tested the Gossamer Gear The DCF Whisper to see if its ultralight 0.51-oz DCF construction, floorless design, and trekking-pole setup deliver real-world performance for ultralight backpackers.

Hollywood Racks CrossTrack Hitch Bike Rack Review: Stable Without the Premium Price

We tested the Hollywood Racks CrossTrack Hitch Bike Rack on paved and dirt roads in Colorado to assess its security, stability, capacity, accessibility, setup, stowability, and value.

Bicycle, cyclingStasia StockwellSeptember 10, 2026stasia stockwell, hollywood racks crosstrack hitch bike rack

Best Camping Hammocks of 2026

After a year of field testing, these six camping hammocks stood out for comfort, portability, value, bug protection, and treeless campsites.

Best Bike Water Bottles of 2026

Stay hydrated on every ride with our guide to the best bike water bottles—covering top options for fit, function, and ease of use.

Bicycle, Bikepacking, mountain bikingSam SchildSeptember 9, 2026sam schild, bike water bottles, water bottles

Best Lightweight Rain Jackets of 2026

We tested lightweight rain jackets for six years to find the best waterproof shells for hiking, backpacking, running, commuting, and travel.

I used the Yakima RoadShower to stay clean while traveling across Colorado all summer

We tested the Yakima RoadShower, a roof-mounted pressurized water tank for camp showers and washing off gear on the road.

camping, camp hygieneSam SchildSeptember 9, 2026schild, yakima roadshower, pressurized water tank, camp shower

Best Bike Saddle Bags and Seat Packs of 2026

We tested 20+ small seat-mounted bags for road biking, and full-size saddlebags for bikepacking, mountain biking, and gravel riding to find the best bike bags for all kinds of riding.

Bikepacking, BicycleSam SchildSeptember 9, 2026bike, bicycle, bike bags, bikepacking, bikepack, sam schild, bike seat bag, bike saddle bag, seat bag, saddle bag

Best Bike Cargo Racks of 2026

Sixteen front and rear bike cargo racks tested for commuting, touring, mountain biking, and bikepacking—these are the eight best for 2026.

BicycleSam SchildSeptember 5, 2026bike cargo, bike cargo racks, bike racks, bike rear racks, cargo rack, front rear rack, sam schild

Nathan VaporAir/VaporAiress 4.0 Hydration Vest Review: Hundreds of Miles With Minimal Bounce

Nathan VaporAir 4.0 review: hundreds of trail miles in the men's and women's (VaporAiress) 8L vest. Fit, pockets, bounce, sizing, and the one flaw.

runningBecca DownsSeptember 3, 2026becca downs, nathan vaporair 4.0, nathan vaporairess 4.0, hydration vest

I Hauled My Bikes Across Colorado All Summer With the Yakima EXO DoubleUp 2-Bike Hitch Rack

We tested the Yakima EXO DoubleUp 2-bike hitch rack, which attaches to the EXO SwingBase or TopShelf for modular bike transport.

Bicycle, cyclingSam SchildSeptember 3, 2026sam schild, yakima exo doubleup 2-bike hitch rack, bike cargo rack

Gossamer Gear Aero Jet Travel Backpack Review: Tested on Long Sightseeing Days in Japan

We tested the Goassamer Gear Aero Jet adventure travel pack on flights, roadtrips, and during outdoor festivals. It’s lightweight, spacious, and comfortable for long days.

travelMike UngerSeptember 3, 2026mike unger, gossamer gear aero jet, adventure travel packs

Best Camping Mattresses of 2026

We tested the most comfortable sleeping pads to find the best mattresses for camping. From the best self-inflating to the best for couples, see our top picks.

CampingMicah LeinbachSeptember 2, 2026camping, camping mattresses, camping mattress, camping pad, sleeping pad, micah leinbach

Best Running Shirts for Women of 2026

A former D1 runner and coach tested women’s running shirts on roads and trails to find the best tees, tanks, sun hoodies, and long sleeves of 2026.

Best Hiking Sandals of 2026

We tested hiking sandals across mountain trails, rivers, and rocky approaches. These are the best options for grip, comfort, support, and value.

Best Bikepacking Bikes of 2026

We researched and tested bikepacking bicycles for muddy dirt tracks, fast-rolling gravel roads, and occasional technical singletrack. Our criteria included price, comfort, and versatility.

BicycleGraham HodgeAugust 31, 2026bicycle, bikepacking, graham hodge

Alpacka Raft Mage Review: A Playful Packraft Built to Respond Fast in Whitewater

The Alpacka Raft Mage is a fun, quick-responding whitewater packraft for intermediate to advanced paddlers. Our tested review covers all the details.

water sportsChris MeehanAugust 31, 2026chris meehan, alpacka mage, packraft

Alpacka Raft Chinook Review: A Packraft That Moves Faster and Tracks Straighter on Flatwater

We tested the Alpacka Raft Chinook on the Colorado River and Colorado lakes. Here’s how this $1,700 flatwater packraft handles multiday trips and portages.

water sports, Water SportsChris MeehanAugust 31, 2026chris meehan, alpacka raft chinook, packraft

Best Climbing Chalks of 2026

Discover the top contenders for the best climbing chalk! We've researched and tested the leading brands to help you make an informed choice.

ClimbingMary Beth SkylisAugust 30, 2026climbing, climbing chalk, climbing gear, chalk, mary beth skylis

NRS Neutron Review: The Widest Whitewater Packraft We’ve Tested Still Handles Rapids Well

After taking the NRS Neutron on numerous adventures, we found it’s a dependable whitewater packraft for intermediate and novice packrafters on multiday adventures.

water sportsChris MeehanAugust 28, 2026chris meehan, nrs neutron packraft, whitewater, packrafting

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