Henry

After spending three winters guiding alpine expeditions across the Rockies and Cascades, I have learned that your backpack can make or break a winter mountaineering trip. The difference between a pack that carries well with 45 pounds of winter gear and one that digs into your shoulders during a technical ice climb is night and … Read more

Last winter, I learned the hard way that not all beanies are created equal. After suffering through three months of itchy acrylic, beanies that rode up my forehead, and one particularly disastrous slouchy hat that made me look like I was wearing a sack, I decided to find the best winter beanies for women once … Read more

I learned the hard way that not all daypacks marketed for winter use actually work when temperatures drop below freezing. Last season, I strapped an ice axe to a pack that looked the part but lacked proper attachment points. Halfway up a gully, my tool came loose and nearly took out my partner. That experience … Read more

When I moved to Minnesota three winters ago, I learned a harsh truth: not all beanies are created equal. My first winter here, I went through four different hats before finding one that actually kept my head warm during those brutal January mornings when the wind chill hit 20 below. That experience taught me what … Read more

I still remember the first time a crampon spike tore through my pants on a winter ascent. A $30 pair of gaiters would have saved me from destroying $200 worth of gear. That lesson stuck with me through 15 years of alpine climbing and mountaineering expeditions across three continents. Mountaineering gaiters for crampons are specialized … Read more

Working with cold hands is miserable. I spent three winters on construction sites in Minnesota where temperatures regularly hit -15°F, and I learned quickly that the wrong gloves can ruin an entire workday. Numb fingers don’t just slow you down, they create safety hazards when you can’t feel your tools or grip properly. Our team … Read more

Winter transforms familiar trails into untouched wonderlands. I have spent over 15 years exploring snowy backcountry, and I can tell you that the right pair of snowshoes makes the difference between a magical trek and a miserable slog. Finding the best snowshoes under $200 does not mean settling for cheap gear that falls apart after … Read more

Nothing ruins a winter walk faster than fumbling with frozen fingers to answer a text message. I learned this the hard way during a December hike when I had to choose between numb hands and missing an important call. That experience sent me on a three-month journey testing dozens of touchscreen winter gloves to find … Read more

After spending three winters testing ice fishing shelters across Minnesota and Wisconsin, I’ve learned that the difference between a miserable day and a memorable one comes down to your tent. The best hot tents for ice fishing aren’t just about staying warm. They’re about managing condensation, blocking wind, and setting up quickly when your fingers … Read more

Winter camping alone used to mean shivering through the night, counting the minutes until dawn. That all changed when I discovered hot tents. After three seasons of testing various shelters in conditions ranging from crisp autumn evenings to sub-zero blizzards, I have learned that the right hot tent transforms solo winter trips from survival exercises … Read more