When I first stepped onto a frozen waterfall in Colorado a few winters back, I had no idea what I was doing with my gear. I borrowed a pair of mismatched tools from a friend, and within the first hour I realized why having the right ice tools matters so much for safety and confidence … Read more
When you are standing at 14,000 feet with wind whipping snow across your face, the right gear makes all the difference. I have spent years testing hardshell bib pants in conditions that push both the fabric and my resolve to their limits. From alpine climbs in the Rockies to backcountry ski touring in the Cascades, … Read more
Winter kayaking is not for the faint of heart. When water temperatures drop below 50 degrees and the wind cuts across the lake, the difference between a good paddle and a miserable one often comes down to one piece of gear: your spray skirt. After testing dozens of models over three cold-weather seasons, our team … Read more
When you are standing at 7,000 meters with the wind howling at 40 mph and the temperature plunging past -30C, your hands are the difference between summiting and turning back. I learned this the hard way on my first Denali attempt when my supposedly warm gloves failed me above 5,500 meters. My fingers went numb, … Read more
Cold water diving pushes your body to its limits, and the right thermal protection can mean the difference between a comfortable 45-minute dive and a miserable 10-minute one. I have spent years testing various drysuit undergarments across different water temperatures, and I can tell you that what you wear under your suit matters just as … Read more
When you are standing at 5,000 meters in freezing wind, your boots are the one piece of gear you cannot afford to get wrong. I have spent years climbing alpine routes and testing the best double mountaineering boots on the market, from weekend glacier walks to multi-day expedition pushes. The right pair keeps your feet … Read more
Cold water swimming has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and finding the best cold water swimming wetsuits can make the difference between a miserable shivering session and an invigorating, comfortable swim. Whether you are training for a triathlon, enjoying winter lake dips, or just want to extend your open water season, the … Read more
When I first started mountaineering, I wasted money on boots that looked the part but could not hold a crampon to save my life. Literally. If you are searching for the best crampon compatible boots for beginners, you already know that not every stiff-looking hiking boot works with crampons. The wrong pairing can pop off … Read more
My feet used to go numb every winter session. I would paddle out in 48-degree water with cheap booties that leaked within minutes, and my surf sessions would end after 30 minutes of pure misery. That experience sent me on a mission to find the best surf booties for cold water that actually keep your … Read more
When the water drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, a standard wetsuit just does not cut it anymore. I have spent the last three winters testing thick hooded wetsuits along the Northern California and Oregon coasts, where water temps regularly sit in the low 40s. After logging hundreds of hours in freezing conditions, I can tell … Read more