We Tried It

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

I absolutely love the outdoors, but you haven’t seen my byline in many outdoor publications before I started working for SNEWS. Instead, you may have seen it in Beer Advocate, All About Beer, DRAFT, on CraftBeer.com, or other beer-centric publications. So, needless to say when ...read more

The Kusa Hybrid first caught my eye for its funky, casual good looks. But as winter settles in around the Rockies, I care less about looking cool and more about staying comfortable, and the Kusa Hybrid has proven that it's more than just a pretty face. Fun fact: VP of Product ...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