Gear Reviews

Time for Spring Cleaning   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here and the companion blogs here   There are many things to love about spring: warmer temperatures, longer days and the sweet promise of another hiking season just around the corner. But before you hit the trail, it’s time for some good old-fashioned spring cleaning. Don’t know where to start? It’s as easy as one, two, three. One: Reorganize | Two: Refresh | Three: Restock Reorganize Your Gear Small Items Don’t let your matches or your toothbrush get lost in your pack—give them a home. Here are some of our favorite organizers for everything from toiletries to odds and ends. Toiletries: Tired of trying to squeeze the last bit of ecofriendly shampoo out...

Winter Warm Wear   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   Just because the days are shorter and the temperature plummets doesn’t mean you need to hole up and hibernate through winter. Just bundle up and get outside. Some of the latest offerings in winter outerwear will keep you warm and cozy on your favorite snowy trails, from casual snowshoe strolls to more challenging winter hikes—and even zipping down the ski slopes. Big Agnes Pyramid DownTek Jacket For the ultimate in trail warmth, look no further than the women’s Pyramid Jacket. (Sorry guys, this one is for the ladies.) Its ultra-warmth comes from 850-fill hydrophobic down under a wind- and water-resistant shell specially designed to keep...

Lightweight Hiking Shoes for Autumn   Written for the Washington Trails Association blog   Visit the published article here   The days may be getting shorter and wetter, but that’s no reason not to hit some of your favorite local trails—just dress appropriately for the weather and wear good shoes. WTA’s gear review team has been sampling some of the latest light hiking shoes, looking for the best in comfort, water repellency and beefy tread to keep you sure-footed on the trails this fall. Here are some notable contenders. Chaco Women’s Zora One of our testers’ favorites, these lightweight hikers fit well straight out of the box and didn’t require any break-in thanks to the unique LUVSEAT footbed—so comfy! They’re perfect for people who love giving...

When it Rains . . .   Written for Washington Trails magazine   Visit the published article here   Choosing rain gear doesn’t have to be hard. Check out our recommendations below.     Editor’s Choice: Sierra Designs Stretch Rain You wouldn’t think there was much further to go with rain shell innovation, but Sierra Designs has discovered the way—and it’s so obvious you’ll wonder why it’s never been done before: backpack hipbelt accommodation. The Stretch Rain jacket (1) features zippered sides that allow you to buckle your pack’s hipbelt under the front of the jacket, eliminating that annoying bulking we’re all too familiar with. On top of that, the stretchy fabric—which sheds moisture like nobody’s business—is buttery-soft and...

Kelty’s TraiLogic Collection Makes Gear Shopping Easy   Written for the Washington Trail Association blog   Visit the published article here   For backpacking beginners, purchasing the big items needed for a night in the wilderness —backpack, tent, sleeping bag, etc.—can be a daunting task. Kelty is trying to change that with the release of its new TraiLogic Collection, an integrated, three-season backpacking system that promises to make gear shopping as simple as grab-and-go. Does the system make good on its promise? We tested it—in rain and sun, on trail and in camp—to see. Here’s what we found. TraiLogic Pack The TraiLogic pack boasts 50L of space from both the 35L main compartment and a 15L detachable pocket—not the roomiest available, but...

Backpack Review: Pack Picks from Hydration to Trekking   Written for the Washington Trails Association blog   Visit the published article here   From hydration pack to day pack to ultralight and backpacking, WTA’s gear team field-tested and rated ten new packs: the Osprey Rev 12, Outdoor Research Levitator 16, Outdoor Products Amphibian 20, Osprey Stratos 34, Gregory Z40, REI Crestrail 48, Gregory J53, GoLite Quest 65, Granite Gear Nimbus Trace Access 70. Whether you are looking for a light pack to hold your water during a run, a daypack or a full-on backpacking pack, below are ten field-tested options that WTA has put through the ringer. DAYPACK: Outdoor Research Levitator 16 Outdoor Research created the Outdoor Research Levitator 16 for...