America’s Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures
By Michael Lanza You’re out on an all-day hike in the mountains, or a long climb or trail run, or backpacking. The weather forecast looked pretty good before you set out—but no one shared that memo with the wind that just started hammering your summit ridge, or the spitting rain and hail now pelting you as you contemplate the sudden …
Read onThe Best Ultralight Hiking and Running Jackets of 2021
Ultralight Rain Jacket Outdoor Research Helium II Jacket $159, 6 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com When the cool mist got heavy enough that I needed more than a base layer on the first morning of a five-day backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, I pulled on my Helium II Jacket and …
By Michael Lanza Shop for a rain jacket for dayhiking, backpacking, trail running, or climbing in the backcountry and you’ll see shells for adults ranging in price from under $100 to over $500 and in weight from less than half a pound to over a pound—with just as huge and confusing a range of opinions on them from reviewers and …
Ultralight Rain Jacket The North Face Flight FutureLight Jacket $280, 8.5 oz. (men’s medium) Sizes: men’s XS-XXL, women’s XS-XL backcountry.com When The North Face billed its Flight FutureLight Jacket as the most breathable rain shell the brand has ever brought to market, that naturally caused a stir in the outdoor industry—and made me eager to put it to the test. …
By Michael Lanza Choosing a waterproof-breathable rain shell for hiking, backpacking, climbing, or other outdoor activities can seem daunting. Prices range from under $100 to over $500, and weights from less than half a pound to over a pound. Some are loaded with features, others so minimalist they seem like a glorified trash bag. You’ll also find the full gamut …