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, Noronna, Dynafit, Black Diamond, Helly Hansen, Stio, etc. For the most part, they’ve all done a great job of keeping me dry and protected in stormy weather, but very few have really fit the way I ..read more

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 ..read more

Measure twice. Buy once. Whether you’re shopping for ski boots at your local retailer 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. Buy boots that are too ..read more

Winter 2022-23 Ski Season Forecast It’s that time of year! Time to start dreaming about winter. And what better way to fuel your backcountry powder skiing dreams than to obsess about long range weather forecasts, La Niña vs. El Niño and the latest temperature trends in the equatorial Pacific that directly influence the El Niño Southern Oscillation or ENSO—La Niña and ..read more

Extend Your Riding Season with the Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Pants You might recognize Showers Pass as the brand that makes bomber rain gear for cycling that’s born and proven in the damp climate of Portland, Oregon. Turns out their bike-know-how extends beyond rain gear. Back in the spring, I tested the Showers Pass Apex Mountain Bike Shorts and ..read more

Ready. Set. Pack. Salsa EXP Handlebar Bag Review Choosing the best bikepacking gear is a lesson in weight, space, function and durability. Salsa Cycles strikes a nice balance in their bikepacking handlebar bag – the Salsa EXP Series Anything Cradle Handlebar Kit. The three-part set-up includes the EXP Anything Cradle, the EXP Dry Bag and an Anything Cradle Accessory Pouch. The set ..read more

Waterproof. Durable. Secure. Ortlieb Handlebar Bag Review Well know for their bike panniers, Ortlieb has been making bomber-grade, waterproof bike packs since 1982. So, it’s no surprise that the Orlieb bikepacking handlebar bag serves up secure, waterproof storage in a durable and easy-to-use design. Clean and simple describes the bag well. But it’s far from basic. It’s a minimalists dream ..read more

Eco-Friendly Bike Chain Lube, Maintenance and Cleaning Supplies from Mountainflow A clean, lubed bike is a happy bike. It’s a simple concept, but even basic bike maintenance takes time and the right supplies. You can clean with traditional dish soap and water, but why not do it right and use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and bike chain lube. The innovative folks at ..read more

Fork Mount Storage – Salsa EXP Anything Cage HD Options. That’s what the Salsa Anything Cage is all about. As the name suggests, these fork mounted bikepacking cages let you carry just about anything. They expand your carrying capacity on the bike while maintaining a low profile and secure attachment for handling rough off-road travel. The Salsa Anything Cage has ..read more

For those of us old enough to remember the 90s, it’s hard to believe that fanny packs have made a comeback. Sure, they’re called hip packs or waist packs now, and they’ve evolved on the features front. Nonetheless, I’ve been slow to embrace the waist pack trend until recently. Turns out they’re actually pretty functional for mountain biking and adventure ..read more