Reviews

Earlier this year, SNEWS launched a new series of gear reviews written by retailers, for retailers. Our team covered almost every category, from Nite Ize's new dry bags to United By Blue's multi-sport shorts.  Now we're taking Retailer Reviews to the next level. Along with our ...read more

When Mother Nature shows us who’s boss, having a layer that can stash away, but do battle when needed, gives us confidence to get outside year round. I enjoyed a number of hikes this spring in South Dakota’s Black Hills. But outdoor enthusiasts in the area know that storms ...read more

Raise your hand if the only downfall to summer is finding that faultless pair of shorts? United By Blue’s new Anywhere Short is truly for anywhere, anytime, any activity, and any body, that being the operative word. I often feel self-conscious in shorts because they aren’t ...read more

Not long ago, a backpack was doomed to look like the Clampett mobile, with bulky gear hanging everywhere. Among the biggest offenders: the closed-cell sleeping pad. But when Cascade Designs came up with the inflatable Therm-a-Rest, the sleeping pad began to slowly shrink in size ...read more

Nothing ruins a backpacking or hiking trip faster than wet gear. But having everything in your pack organized and easily accessible in durable, waterproof bags makes that freak rainstorm way more manageable. That’s why the Nite Ize RunOff waterproof cubes, pouches, and bags ...read more

With a moniker deriving from the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, I was equally stoked and skeptical to test the Danner Trail 2650s. These low-cut trail trainers target light and fast hikers, yet still offer stability to tackle the rugged and drastically changing terrain of the ...read more

Let's face it. First impressions are hard to counter. As a backpacker, my first impression of the Grayl Geopress ($90) was, “Wow. It’s big. And heavy.” This filter is nearly equivalent to the size of a 32-ounce Nalgene, weighing about a pound. So next to my Sawyer— measuring the ...read more

Some snowshoers work up a sweat just by adjusting their bindings at the trailhead. MSR’s new Paragon binding system—launching September 2019—re-engineers and simplifies the task by introducing a pull tab for easier strap adjustments for the perfect fit. After sliding my boot ...read more

adidas’s new Polartec PowerAir Fleece Jacket’s sustainability story scores major points. Five years in the making, Polartec developed a new textile process that encases the insulating lofted fibers during the knitting stage of production. The continuous yarn sheds and pills five ...read more

Gear reviews for retailers by retailers. Sound interesting? Starting next year, we're launching a completely new way of reviewing gear. While there are plenty of consumer-facing publications writing about the latest and greatest tools to elevate the outdoor experience, there ...read more

Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights  As I descended the loose rock of a 13,000-foot mountain in Telluride, Colorado, my foot slipped. Feet first, I took the bumpy ride on my bum down a few feet of choss until I was stopped by a grassy patch. Expecting searing pain when I stood up, ...read more

The Mammut Trion Nordwand 20L was made for extreme alpinist pursuits, but I found that it's just as useful for aspiring mountaineers because it's made to last. Mainly, the tougher-than-steel Dyneema ripstop nylon material will hold up through training climbs and stay in tact in ...read more

We're all on the hunt for outdoor products that are going to enhance our experiences, and beer gear is no exception. On a recent 90-degree day in sunny Colorado, I drank beer from eight different vessels (with help from a few friends) designed to keep my beer ice-cold and ...read more

The Sherpa Adventure Gear Yatra Pack is the backpack I didn’t need, but absolutely had to have. While it isn’t the most technical pack I own, it has all the bells and whistles essential for a day around town, or even for a short, cool day hike. And it's the perfect mix of trendy ...read more

When my boyfriend splurged on a fancy new camp stove to complete our ever-growing glamping kit, he made me a promise—that he’d serve up stacks and stacks of pancakes for everyone at the campsite. I wasn't going to let him get away without making good. During our Memorial Day ...read more

When I’m hiking a trail with serious vert or one that involves scrambling over rocks, oftentimes I grab my old pair of Brooks running shoes and leave my mid-rise boots behind. I’d rather have a shoe that’s light, unrestrictive, and easy to slip on and throw in the wash, and also ...read more

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked and double checked that all the leg loops and straps of my harness were untangled and untwisted, only to pull it on and realize that was not the case. Yeah, I’m that climber. For me, simplicity is as important as comfort. I’ve been ...read more

Crazy good. I could end this review right here. But I won’t. It’s fair to say that I’ve sampled hundreds of energy bars and trail snacks in my day, but these are in a whole new league. Cracker N’ Nut Butter Bars are crunchy, savory, chocolate-covered slabs of heaven, and way too ...read more

First, I must confess. I'm a cheapskate when it comes to sunglasses and for years I've been wearing cheapies when I climb out of fear of dinging up my nice pair. Two weekends ago, I was halfway up a route when my grip started to loosen on a precarious pinch and the last thing I ...read more

Jamaicans often make the 7-hour round-trip hike of Blue Mountain Peak (7,402 feet) in no-name gym shoes or even rubber flip-flops, but I was sure glad to have LOWA’s Aerox GTX Lo Surround on my feet. At first blush, the Aerox looks like the dozen or so other low-cut trail shoes ...read more

Since early June, I’ve logged well over 300 miles with the Osprey Eja 38 on my back. (The men's equivalent is the Exos, which my 15-year old son tested in the same timeframe.) Throughout the summer I hiked almost daily with the Eja, which weighs a scant 2 pounds 8 ounces on my ...read more

For 9 straight days in August, I wore the Native Distillers in the high alpine sunshine from sunup to sundown on my 110-mile Tour du Mont Blanc hike. Here’s what I love most about these glasses: The coverage. I have super-sensitive eyes. I’m one of those dorks who wears ...read more

For years now, we’ve been hearing how synthetic fills are becoming more and more down-like: lighter, more packable, warmer. It’s become somewhat of a tired refrain, and one that many of us quickly write off as marketing hype. Enter the Patagonia Micro Puff. It fooled me, and I ...read more

At Salomon headquarters in Annecy, France, designers and engineers have been working on a groundbreaking manufacturing process that could be game-changing in the world of custom gear.  In September, the design center’s doors will open to the public, so that anyone can use its new ...read more