Hiking Gear Reviews

Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof boots

Review: Oboz Bridger Mid and Low Waterproof Boots and Shoes

by

Hiking and Backpacking Boots Oboz Bridger Mid Waterproof $180, 2 lbs. 6 oz. (men’s size 9) Sizes: men’s 7-15, women’s 6-11 backcountry.com Hiking and Backpacking Shoes Oboz Bridger Low Waterproof $140, 2 lbs. 3 oz. (men’s size 9) Sizes: men’s 8-14, women’s 6-11 backcountry.com As someone who makes his living walking on- and off-trail a lot, I’m very selective about …

Read on

Review: Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Jacket

by

Down Jacket
Feathered Friends Helios Hooded Jacket
$519, 1 lb. 1 oz./482g (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s XS-XXL
featheredfriends.com

As I stood outside yurts on December evenings on separate trips in the backcountry of Idaho’s Boise Mountains and Boulder Mountains, enjoying an inky-black sky riddled with stars as the temperature plunged into the low teens and single digits Fahrenheit, this fat down jacket felt like an impenetrable force field keeping all of my body’s warmth inside and the frigid cold outside. My companions who tried it out agreed: The Helios Hooded Jacket is just crazy warm—especially for its weight and packability. Those qualities define it as one of the best high-quality down jackets for winter that you’ll find today, but also a puffy jacket that’s light and packable enough for cooler, three-season trips.

Read on

Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series trekking poles.

Review: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series Trekking Poles

by

Trekking Poles Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series $250, 15 oz./pair (with trekking baskets) One unisex size, adjustable backcountry.com List all the qualities you’d want in the perfect trekking poles and you may find yourself describing the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series. From a three-day, 36-mile backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail to a steep, eight-mile, 5,200-vertical-foot dayhike …

Read on

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles.

Review: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

by

All-Season Trekking Poles Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Poles $230, 1 lb. 1.5 oz./496.1g (per pair, with trekking baskets) Two sizes, adjustable: men’s 100-130cm/39-51 ins., women’s 95-125cm/37-49 ins. blackdiamondequipment.com For backcountry users who need poles that can handle hard use and any and all activities around the calendar, from backpacking on good trails to scrambling off-trail up mountains and backcountry …

Read on

Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 trail-running shoes.

Review: Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 Trail Running Shoes

by

Trail Running/Hiking Shoes Hoka One One Speedgoat 3 $140, 1 lb. 4 oz. (US men’s 9) Sizes: US men’s 7-14, women’s 5-11 backcountry.com Note: See my newer review of the Hoka One One Speedgoat 4. Trail running and hiking can be hard on feet. Beyond the possibility of blisters, miles of pounding can sometimes leave your feet feeling beat up …

Read on