Measure twice. Buy once. Ski Boot Fitting Tips Whether you’re shopping for ski boots at your local ski shop or buying them online, knowing how to measure and size your foot, plus understanding how a boot should feel, are the first steps to getting the best boot fit. Buy boots that are too small, and you’re guaranteed cramped, sore feet…. Read More
Scarpa Launches New TX Pro Telemark Ski Boot Once a thriving sector in the ski market with a host of brands competing to push gear design and the sport, telemark skiing has taken a back seat to the rise of and innovation around lightweight alpine touring gear. Telemark binding innovation has slowed to a crawl, and the telemark ski boot… Read More
As mountain bike season and summer trail days wind down, it’s easy to put fire season in the rearview mirror, but for those of us who live in the West, the impact of wildfire is omnipresent. In northern California, climate change and 150 years of forest mismanagement have led to some of the most catastrophic wildfires in the state’s history—including… Read More
Ski and Outdoor Industry News Blown-In — A semi-regular look at the latest ski, outdoor and sometimes bike industry news bits is a collection of press releases, new products, and interesting stuff circulating on the interweb that catches our attention. This week’s edition of Blown-In features AAC grants, Fjällräven, Peak Performance, La Niña, POW, Arc’teryx and leaf skiing. Fall 2024… Read More
Winter 2024-25 It’s never too early to start obsessing about winter weather forecasts and thinking about ski season. While tracking squirrel eating habits and noting the height of the Beargrass in your local ski stash may well be time-tested winter weather indicators, the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), commonly known by its two opposing influences, El Niño and La Niña,… Read More
Climbing skins are required equipment for backcountry skiing cause you gotta get up to get down. While all climbing skins work on the same principle, skins vary by material (plush) type, tip and tail connection systems and also the depth or thickness of the plush. Choosing the best climbing skins for your ski touring needs depends on snow conditions, type… Read More
2024 Ski Movie Trailers Here’s your one-stop page for tracking all of the best 2024 ski movie trailers. Circle of Madness from TNF Circle of Madness is getting a lot of positive press, with many saying it is the best ski movie of the year and vying for the best of all time. Circle of Madness, a film by Christoph… Read More
Whether you’re in the market for a new ride or just love the culture that surrounds the craft bike world, MADE — a handmade bike show — should be on your radar. It’s coming to Portland, Oregon August 23-25, 2024. Tickets are $22 but you can save $10 by using code HookUp at checkout. Buy now; the code will expire… Read More
It’s summer in the Pacific Northwest, and the Van Life crowd is everywhere. From bike races to remote trailheads and grocery store parking lots, you can’t escape them. And I’ll admit it. I suffer from van envy. Half of me wonders how so many people can afford $100,000+ vans, and my other half covets one. I’ve owned multiple vans over… Read More
Voile – Made in the USA Voile has been quietly designing and manufacturing backcountry ski and snowboard gear in Utah since 1980. That’s 44 years of hands-on backcountry know-how. Their product line is extensive and functional. From the humble but oh-so-useful Voile strap and bomber avalanche shovels to bindings, boards, skis and skins, they make a lot of products. More… Read More
Make Dinner a Priority Part of the fun and challenge of a multi-day bikepacking trip is planning the meals. Some routes let you indulge in small-town food stops where you can resupply or simply eat at a restaurant every few days. But what about more remote routes and the days when you need to be self-sufficient with your food? Packing… Read More
Pack Light, But Not Too Light Carrying a compact multi-tool or a limited collection of bike tools is essential on extended bikepacking trips and remote gravel rides, but the minimalist in me is always looking for ways to carry less. Roadside repairs fit into two categories: bike adjustments/fixes and flat tire repairs. Few tools cover both scenarios, though there are… Read More
Raise the Bar on Backcountry Communication with Rocky Talkie 5-Watt Radios Good communication makes for a good day and safe travel protocol in the backcountry. On the most basic level, good communication is about staying in touch with your ski partner(s) while climbing and skiing. When the terrain splits your group or different paces cause separation, two-way radios let you… Read More
Ortlieb, Osprey and Deuter Seat Pack Reviews The seat pack is one of the largest volume bags in most bikepacking setups. They are also arguably the most finicky to set up and fit to your bike. They require careful packing, correct positioning, snug attachment and enough clearance above your tire to avoid problems down the road. We tested a number… Read More
Bikepacking Route Craft 101 “All that is gold does not glitter. Not all those who wander are lost.” — JR Tolkien. Gandolf’s words to Frodo as the Hobbit departs in search of Aragorn are equally sage advice for those looking to learn the art of creating bikepacking and adventure gravel routes. Route craft is equal parts map reading skills, curiosity… Read More
