Explore & Learn
Merino wool has a way of making more sense the longer you use it. It is soft, naturally odor-resistant, comfortable through changing weather, and useful for everything from cool trail runs to long travel days. It is not the fastest-drying or toughest fabric out there, but for hiking, running, camping, and packing light, merino still earns its spot.
We put gear through mud, mountains, and midnight mishaps so you know if it’ll survive the trip
Recent Reviews
I tested the KETL RLT Merino Thermal Grid Hoodie through nine months of backcountry ski tours, cold hikes, and near-daily wear. It handled changing effort and repeated wear better than my lighter Patagonia R1 Air, but its 455-gram weight, poor wind resistance, and saggy hand pockets keep it from being the right fleece for everyone.
After a few months with the Osprey Farpoint 40, I found it works best as a backpack-style replacement for a small duffel. It packs simply, carries comfortably when loaded, and suits long travel days. Once the trip ends, though, it is not a backpack I would reach for.
I tested five sun hoodies through 75 to 100-degree days in the Sierra Nevada. Here is which one stayed coolest, dried fastest, and earned the top spot.
The best sun hoodie balances enough protection for the exposure with the airflow and comfort to stay on when the heat climbs.
Editor’s Choice: Apparel
Tested on trail runs, mountain bike rides, hikes, and lazy laundry cycles, the KETL Lost Boys Merino Sun Hoodie is a useful layer when synthetic sun hoodies are too light.
Norda has made a big splash in the trail running community for their durability. We put a ton of time in the shoes, see what we think about the 001.
In this review, we’ll go look at the KETL Vent Lightweight pants and comb through the features with a fine tooth brush and why it should be on your radar for those long and hot days outside.
Editor’s Choice: Gear
After a year of using the Peak Design Travel Backpack 30L for work, weekend trips, and daily camera carry, it has proven to be one of the better do-it-all bags I’ve used. It’s durable, comfortable, and especially good for someone who likes Peak Design’s ecosystem, even if the interior mesh pockets require a little more thought when packing.
In this review, we put a lot of time in the Raide LF 2L running belt. We go over our genuine thoughts on the belt after 300+ miles
In this review, we get our hands on the Ombraz Armless Sunglasses to see if they’re adventure worthy.
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