Product Reviews
It may be getting brown in town, but the high country's still covered in white—so when you set out for an early-spring scramble up a steep mountainside, it pays to pack along some snowshoes. Read more >>
The Mammut Barryvox S is hands-down the best avalanche beacon I’ve used. A redesign of the popular Pulse, the Barryvox S maintains supreme reliability while adding major enhancements in terms of usability and performance. Read more >>
If you're in the market for a practical, warm, windproof, weather-resistant hat that is also lightweight and highly compressable, look no further than the Patagonia Read more >>
The latest gear company to set up shop in Bozeman, VOORMI has come out swinging with a swanky new shop downtown and a suite of premium garments for the upscale outdoor crowd. Read more >>
Backpack weight matters a lot more in the fall, whether you’re scampering up a soggy peak or hauling out an 80-pound elk quarter—and the MSR PocketRocket Read more >>
Whether you’re running rapids or just getting your puppy out on the water early, Ruff Wear’s Float Coat Read more >>
If you've booked a ski trip to a Forest Service cabin this winter, odds are you're planning to eat well. Read more >>
Not often do you stumble across socks that can be worn six times without producing a stench to kill a small child. Read more >>
The minimalist craze may have settled somewhat (good riddance, Five Fingers), but one profound principle remains: our bodies need to connect to the earth, not be insulated from it. And that’s what footwear manufacturer Xero advocates, even to the point of not wearing shoes at all. Read more >>
The enduring appeal of tactical gear.“Most of our movement pursuits originated in basic survival skills, and fighting sits in the heart of it.” —Ido Portal, kinesiology coach, movement guru, and human monkey Read more >>
Ever notice how the item you want always seems to be at the bottom of the dry bag, so you have to pull everything out, then stuff everything back in again? If you're sick of this inordinate susceptibility to Murphy's Law, pick up a WideMouth Duffel from Seal Line. Read more >>
Based in Missoula, Brodin Nets has been constructing high-quality, classic landing nets since 1978, and they’ve just released a new line of products for the 2003 fishing season. Read more >>
Skiing
Whether it's a daily workout, an upcoming race, or just an occasional foray into the winter woods, good ski gear makes all the difference. Read more >>Hunting
When tramping around the mountains in search of game, a hunter often goes from vigorously hiking to being absolutely still and back again, all day long. Read more >>
I wanted a chest pack to carry my .410 pistol while trail running—not for protection, but for mountain grouse my dog and I stumble across. Read more >>Apparel
In recent years, I moved away from jeans; unless they were loose-fitting, they were just too restricting. Then I found Gravity Jeans from Meridian Line. Read more >>
The Salewa Ortles Hybrid Tirolwool Celliant women’s jacket is designed for warmth, breathabil Read more >>
Sitka's Territory Shorts comfortably tackle all alpine environments, plus they’ll look good at the bar when you return t Read more >>
Merino wool is the best thing to happen to baselayers since thumb loops, and while loops are handy for avoiding bunched up sleeves and cold wrists, merino's next-to-skin comfort is a real game-changer. Leading the charge is the Norweigian brand Kari Traa. Read more >>Footwear
When I shop for footwear, I look for something that can do it all. I want shoes that are comfy, can handle the outdoors, and are fashionable for when I need to clean up. Read more >>
After several recommendations from friends and family, and the sudden demise of my trusty trail shoes, I finally picked up my first pair of Oboz. Read more >>
Not all socks are created equal. From ultra-thin liners that double for running and skiing to cushy wool hikers that almost always prevent blisters, a well-rounded quiver of socks ensures that your feet will stay comfy and dry during any activity. Read more >>
I had minor ankle surgery back in December, so when I read that the FLITE XT Five socks from Swiftwick provided ankle support, I was intrigued. Read more >>
The first thing I noticed about my new Arete Mid Waterproof hiking boots from Oboz was the color—they lo Read more >>Packs
Gregory’s Swift 20 H2O women’s daypack includes a three-liter water bladder that fits in a s Read more >>
Designed for use on the water, but an excellent weatherproof addition to your hiking kit or skiing set-up, the Skylake Dry Daypack Read more >>
Before hitting the road for a powder-chasing road-trip, grab a Ranger 60L duffle from Dakine. Read more >>
Whether you’re going home for a weekend, traveling abroad for a month, or taking a road trip across the country, you’re going to need a pack that is functional and efficient. Read more >>Climbing
Whether you’re travelling across glacial crevasses or kicking ice in Hyalite Canyon, the La Sportiva Read more >>
While designed with climbing approaches in mind, Scarpa’s Mescalito GTX works for any out Read more >>
I was skeptical about safety on a 9mm rope, as I’m used to thick, stiff ropes for outdoor use. Read more >>
“There is no way these are going to survive a weekend.” That was my initial thought when I slipped on a demo pair of Comici Pants Read more >>
For as long as most climbers can remember, if you wanted crampons for multiple purposes, you bought several pairs—and dropped loads of cash on them. Read more >>Fishing
Like other frugal fishermen, I refused to replace my beloved wading boots, instead modifying them with sheet-metal screws, duct tape, and other jury-rigging, season after slippery season. Read more >>
New gear from HT Enterprises.This winter, I decided to up my ice-fishing-gear game, and with the help of HT Enterprises' latest and greatest, I was able to do just that. Here's the stuff that's made it into my every-day rotation. Read more >>
With all the doodads and thingamajigs dangling from fly vests these days, it can be difficult to know where necessity stops and excess begins. Read more >>Boating
Every cold-water paddler, at some point, realizes the necessity of a drysuit—whether it's for safety in frigid snowmelt, security on remote river runs, or just consistent, all-day comfort. Read more >>
The idea of packrafting a river deep in the wilderness is exciting. Doing so with a couple hundred pounds of fresh elk meat—now that’s an adventure. The PR-49 from Pristine Ventures makes this type of epic Montana outing possible. Read more >>Camping
Nothing beats chasing elk through the high country—and nothing’s worse than being caught in a nasty squall five miles from camp. Read more >>
When I opened Zenbivy’s ultralight sleep system and saw instructions for a video tutorial, I was skeptical. Why do I need instructions to sleep? Read more >>
MSR’s Hubba Hubba is a backpacker favorite. But what if you want to go light, fast, and long without sacrificing features? Read more >>
With the compact and efficient Rainier two-burner stove from Camp Chef, a hot beverage on a chilly morning i Read more >>Nutrition
In this age of infinite information and unlimited choices, curation is paramount—and food is no exception. Read more >>
Easily prepared food for the backcountry. Some folks love to make elaborate and decadent meals when they're out in the field. For the less ambitious among you, here are some easily prepared options for your next outing. Read more >>
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it—this maxim is why I’ve never drunk vitamin water. Pop a pill, down it with a glass of agua—is that so hard? It’s certainly cheaper, healthier, and less wasteful. Read more >>Dog Gear
In this crazy, mixed-up world, not all dogs are created equal. If mom and dad left the mutt a little short in the fur department, what better way to show some love to your best friend than a fitted overcoat for those frosty days? Read more >>
Hands-on training requires, well, hands, and cumbersome plastic packages can get in the way. Read more >>
Hot and dry—that’s summer in Montana. On those long hikes where water’s scarce, keep your hound hydrated with the Collaps-a-Bowl by Kurgo. Strong and sturdy, it holds a whopping 24 ounces and flattens for easy storage after the break. Read more >>
We all need a leg up once in a while, especially dogs rock-hopping behind us high up in the mountains. Read more >>
When running rapids or initiating a young pup, Ruffwear’s Float Coat puts the mind at ease—even as it disquiets the dog Read more >>Miscellaneous
On multi-day hunts in low-elevation, treeless terrain, one must be creative to keep animals cool—jury-rigged tarps, suspended in the shade beneath bridges, etc.—but nothing quite eases the meat-conscious mind. Read more >>
Now that GoPro has dropped the Hero 8, I thought it was high time to review the Hero 7. Read more >>
Two products to ease the inconveniences of summer. With the high alpine finally clear of snow, it's time to head for the hills. In order to get the most out of your summer backpack, stash these two products along for the trek. Read more >>
From dawn patrol to post-work dog walks, the Bindi from Petzl hasn’t left my pocket since I got it. And why would it? Read more >>
