Month: May 2024

I get it. Sometimes, it’s hard to justify packing a camp chair on a backpacking trip. It seems like a luxury item we might not have space for, choosing to sit uncomfortably on a slanting log, awkward boulder, or in the dirt hunched over our camp stove. But these days, it becomes easier and easier

A patent-pending trad climbing cam that streamlines gear placement; a high-end triathlon bike frame with modular storage options; hip urban commuter bags made with repurposed elements — these are just a few of the products that have come out of Utah State University’s (USU) Outdoor Product Design and Development (OPDD) program since it started almost 10

Did someone cut the fixed rope used by hundreds of climbers to ascend Mount Everest? That’s the claim made by Nirmal “Nims” Purja, an expedition leader who said his team members discovered the sliced rope during a summit push on Monday. Later that day, another team successfully reached the summit using the fixed ropes, leading

Our first taste in North America of both an Arctic Truck and a KRUG Expedition camper product was just revealed at Overland Expo West. The two companies are hopping into the consumer market on this side of the world with the Bedrock XT2 expedition camper. Let’s dive into what this huge off-grid home on wheels

I am pretty obsessive when it comes to hats. I love them in all their forms — cowboy hats, bucket hats, baseball caps, fedoras, tricorns. You name it, and I probably own at least one of them. But the one kind of hat I’ve never loved for its fit, feel, or style is the typical running,

The bling vehicles are usually the star attractions at the annual Overland Expo events. The original event of the now four-a-year series across the country is Overland Expo West, which I’ve been attending every year since 2012. As usual, I scoured both the vendor area — this year with 415 vendors — and the campgrounds,

We’ve always been steadfast about three things when it comes to auto maintenance: Learn how to change a flat tire before the real thing, keep your fluids topped off, and you ought to be changing your windshield wipers regularly. Thankfully, our gearheads have cycled through just about every wiper on the market, so your next

A climber was found dead Monday after falling from the upper reaches of North America’s highest mountain. Denali National Park and Preserve rangers located the deceased climber on Monday after family members reported them missing, Alaska officials said. The climber was attempting a solo ascent of Denali’s 20,310-foot summit, and kept in touch with family

The bodies of an American climber and her Sherpa guide were recovered from a Himalayan mountain last week. A team of rescuers led by Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja spent several grueling days retrieving the bodies from Mount Shishapangma, a mountain in the Chinese region of Tibet that rises to 26,335 feet. Anna Gutu, 33,

Named after Ecuador’s second-highest volcano, Cotopaxi is known for sustainable, functional, and colorful outdoor apparel. The Cotopaxi Teca Fleece Full-Zip Jacket fits right into that lineup: bright and cozy.  This women’s fleece jacket is a fun twist on a classic midweight layer. The brand’s signature vibrant colors are used across the collection, giving your boring

“Grip it and rip it!” My crew mates cheerfully egged me on after I cleared the last “No Wake Zone” and gingerly bobbed into the vast, open Atlantic Ocean. Ordinarily, a command like that would sound sarcastic on a pontoon. But they were very much serious — this was no ordinary pontoon, after all. And up

In 1909, a long-forgotten American explorer named Matthew Henson became the first person to stand on the top of the world. Henson had traveled for months across Greenland’s frozen landscape to reach the North Pole with Commander Robert Edwin Peary. Most members of the expedition turned back during the arduous journey, but Henson — born

Despite living through six brutal Colorado winters, I didn’t realize that my closet needed a solid winter parka until wearing this coat. Sure, I’ve had my fair share of down jackets, vests, and merino wool sweaters. But this longer waterproof jacket may have actually changed my life — for the better.  I donned the Arc’teryx

It’s no secret that staying in shape throughout middle age and later years is tough. For those of us who hunt, that reality hits home even more. The inability to keep your body active also means the inability to get up the mountain. MTNTOUGH’s Preseason Prep 50+ aims to keep you capable in the field.

For 50 years, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) has taught over 10 million riders safe riding skills on and off road. Just in time for summer, it offers an incredible opportunity to learn to ride, free of charge! Learning to ride a motorcycle is a daunting task. Not only do you need access to a

Are you searching for the best rain boots to weather any storm while maintaining function and style? Well, we slid our feet into some of the best rain boots on the market to produce our definitive buyer’s guide, a lighthouse in the storm to guide you through the turbulent waters and rocky outcroppings as you

Born out of necessity and refined over the ages, a fine kayak is as much a tool as a watercraft. But settling on the right tool for the job isn’t always as clear cut, and with kayaks for everything from raucous whitewater to extended jaunts between islands, the options can be dizzying. Tapping our most

If you’re trying to go faster in the water or just get a little exercise, you need a quality pair of swim goggles that don’t leak or fog and stay comfortably in place during your workout. Research has found that ill-fitting goggles aren’t just uncomfortable; they can also increase fluid pressure in the eye (yuck).

Unless you only ride off-road or race tracks, every motorcycle boot has a compromise. Walkability and comfort don’t mesh with maximum protection. But it’s possible to find footwear for riding that’s protective, relatively walkable, and doesn’t look outlandish. That trifecta is the bull’s-eye of this list. Beyond that focus, we wanted to find moto boots that

It’s a campervan with a pop-top roof, two sliding doors and a kitchen, plug-in hybrid power, and all-wheel drive. Of course, you can’t have one. It’s the latest version of the Volkswagen California, and Volkswagen will never actually sell it in California. The VW California is an iconic campervan, at least in Europe. The California