Last winter, I took a hard fall on an icy sidewalk while walking my Golden Retriever. One minute I was holding the leash, the next I was flat on my back with a bruised tailbone and a very confused dog standing over me. That incident cost me $1,200 in medical bills and six weeks of … Read more
Last winter, I took a nasty fall on an icy road that left me with a bruised hip and a bruised ego. That moment changed how I approach winter running. I spent the next three months testing 15 different traction devices on frozen roads, packed snow, and mixed terrain across Minnesota’s harshest conditions. The result … Read more
Winter walks should not feel like navigating a minefield. For seniors with balance issues, a simple trip to the mailbox can become genuinely frightening when sidewalks turn icy. I have spent the last three months testing traction devices with my 74-year-old aunt who uses a cane, and what I discovered completely changed how I view … Read more
Every winter, thousands of outdoor workers face the risk of serious injury from slips and falls on ice. I have spent over three months testing and comparing heavy duty ice cleats with our team of construction professionals, landscapers, and delivery drivers. Our goal was simple: find the most reliable traction devices that can handle daily … Read more
Last winter, I nearly broke my ankle on a supposedly “easy” trail run. The path had been clear at the trailhead, but 2 miles in, I hit a patch of black ice that sent me sliding toward a rocky gully. That was the day I learned why finding the best microspikes for trail running isn’t … Read more
I learned the hard way that ice cleats aren’t optional for winter hiking. Three years ago, I slipped on a frozen trail in Colorado and sprained my ankle badly enough to end my season early. Since then, I’ve tested over 20 different traction devices across 200+ miles of icy trails, frozen lakes, and packed snow. … Read more
After spending 23 days in the Norwegian Arctic testing expedition gear, I learned one brutal truth. Your hands will freeze first, and standard winter gloves simply will not cut it when temperatures drop below -20°F. We tested 15 different mitten models across Svalbard and Tromso during January , logging over 200 hours of field use. … Read more
Standing at the base of a frozen waterfall with wind chill hitting -30F, I learned the hard way that regular winter gloves won’t cut it for ice climbing. Your hands are your most critical tools on the ice, and when they go numb, your climb ends right there. That is why finding the best expedition … Read more
Ice climbing demands complete focus on every swing and placement, but there’s one piece of gear that works silently in the background until you need it most. I learned this the hard way last winter when a dinner plate-sized chunk of ice detached from a pillar and whistled past my ear. That moment changed how … Read more
When you are staring up at a technical alpine route with a heavy pack on your back, every single gram matters. I learned this the hard way during a 14-hour push on the Grand Teton, where my standard sport climbing harness felt like a lead weight around my waist by the end of the day. … Read more