PFC-Free GORE-TEX GORE-TEX has been setting the standard for waterproof, breathable outerwear for more than 30 years. Now, they’re shaping the future of waterproof, breathable outerwear, and it’s PFC-free. The GORE-TEX fabrics we all know feature a combination of materials laminated to a thin membrane called ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) — read more about the different types of GORE-TEX. PTFE is… Read More
Archive | Features
Check out our feature stories about backcountry skiing.
Preseason Backcountry Skiing Checklist – Dial in Your Gear
Skis, boots, skins, poles, goggles, beacon, pack, shovel . . . It’s time to scour your garage, search the basement and rummage through the closet. Winter has returned, so wherever you stash your ski gear for the off-season, it’s time to dig through the boxes and round up your backcountry kit.But is your backcountry ski gear ready to roll? Check… Read More
Skier Gift Guide
Gift ideas for the skiers on your holiday list ‘Tis the season. We’ve compiled some of our favorite skier gift ideas to help seed your holiday shopping plan with fresh ideas. Black Hole Gear Tote Bag – $69+ A tote bag, you say? Don’t laugh; totes are awesome for hauling gear to and from the car on day trips. The… Read More
Ski Boot Fitting 101 – 10 Tips for the Best Ski Boot Fit
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
Mountain Bike Helmet Tech – Smith Engage Helmet Hits the Sweetspot
How much should you spend on a mountain bike helmet? $100, $200 or even $300? No one wants to put a price on their head. But price still plays a role for most of us when shopping for a bike helmet. So, what’s the difference between a $100 mountain bike helmet and a $250 one? Aside from obvious design features… Read More
Ultralight Bikepacking Tents – MSR FreeLight, Marmot Superalloy
How Light is Right for a Bikepacking Tent? My first bikepacking tent was an REI Half Dome—a roomy two-person tent with two doors and a bomber build that handles rainy nights and gusty thunderstorms with ease. But at 4.75 pounds, it’s not exactly ultralight. Nonetheless, I packed it for several multi-day bikepacking trips, including the Oregon Outback, and always appreciated… Read More
Gravel Bike Tires – How Wide Should You Go?
As the adventure cycling category grows, gravel bikes continue to evolve. One of the best evolutions in gravel bikes is improved tire clearance. Tire clearance is important for a variety of reasons. Clearance translates to versatility, making a gravel bike a quiver-of-one bike. Run 30mm tires for all-purpose road rides. Run 40mm for all-purpose gravel riding. And run 50mm for… Read More
MADE – Handmade Bike Show in Portland, Oregon
Whether you’re in the market for a new ride or just love the culture that surrounds the craft bike world, you should put MADE — a handmade bike show — on your radar. It’s coming to Portland, Oregon August 25-27, 2023. MADE is a multi-day trade event dedicated to spotlighting custom and boutique frame builders and domestic bike production. Celebrate… Read More
Defunkify Detergent Review – Get the Funk Out of Your Baselayers
Defunkify Enzyme-Based Laundry Detergent Review You know the drill. Pull a shirt out of your bag, drawer or off the pile on the floor, and see if it passes the sniff test to wear another day. It seems like the older the layer, the lower the chance it will pass the test. Nothing develops its own special funk quite like… Read More
What is a DWR and How to Renew the DWR on your Jacket?
Ever feel like your waterproof jacket looks like it’s getting wet? Well, that’s because it is likely getting wet — on the outside anyway. Here’s why: Your jacket’s DWR (durable water-repellent) finish is worn out. All waterproof, breathable jackets (and pants) include a DWR treatment, even with a waterproof, breathable membrane like GORE-TEX.First, it’s essential to understand that there are… Read More
Down vs. Synthetic Insulated Jackets
Insulated Puffy Jackets – Down v. Synthetic A warm, puffy jacket is required equipment for backcountry skiing (read our backcountry ski packing list). It’s your ticket to comfortable transitions, warm summit breaks and lightweight insurance for staying warm in the case of an emergency. I usually carry two insulated jackets in my backcountry ski pack—one light-to-midweight synthetic puffy jacket (that… Read More
Smith Bobcat Sunglasses – Almost as Good as Goggles
What if you could wear the same glasses on the up and the down? Ski goggles are great. They let you see and ski with precision when it’s snowing, blowing and deep. But, as a backcountry skier, goggles are only good for skiing down. Try and wear them on the uptrack, and you’ll quickly learn why it’s a bad idea… Read More
What’s the Best Ski Mid Layer for Backcountry Skiing?
Dressing for a day of backcountry skiing takes a little practice. Getting it right for the downhill part is easy, but it’s common to overdress for the uphill. Layering is the key to temperature regulation. And layers that let your body breathe are critical to regulating your temperature when ski touring. If you dress too warm or without good breathability,… Read More
How to Pack for the Backcountry – Five Tips for Packing Light
Pack Light. Go Far. It’s the rare day that look at a fellow backcountry skier’s pack and think, “Wow, that pack looks light and efficient.” More often than not, I wonder why a pack looks so big or full. Packing light, or packing smart as I like to think of it, is about more than just having the lightest weight… Read More
Made-to-Order Ski Jacket and Pants – MADE Custom Technical Apparel
I’ve worn a lot of different ski jackets over the years—waterproof, breathable shells from the biggest names in outdoor technical apparel—Patagonia, Arc’teryx, Outdoor Research, Norrøna, Dynafit, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Stio, etc. For the most part, they’ve all done a great job keeping me dry and protected in stormy weather, but very few have fit the way I wanted them… Read More