For outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking and mountaineering, high‑quality rainwear is essential. You want a shell that keeps rain, wind and snow out without making you sweat. Although numerous waterproof/breathable fabrics exist, Gore‑Tex is still the benchmark because it combines reliable weather protection with durability. Here we selected the best five Gore-Tex rain jackets….
Winter hiking requires additional gear which keeps you going safe and steady on snowy or icy trails. Gaiters, crampons and an ice axe are the three most often used items of winter hiking gear. Gaiters prevent snow from entering your boots while crampons provide you with traction on icy surfaces. An ice axe allows you…
Hiking boots are one of the most important outdoor purchases you’ll ever make. Choosing the right pair isn’t easy—boots vary greatly in quality, weight, traction, and breathability. To help, we’ve selected six of the best hiking boot brands known for high-quality materials, decades of experience, and reliable performance. While these boots are not inexpensive, they’re…
For aerobic activities such as mountaineering and alpine climbing you need highly breathable rainwear so you don’t soak in your own sweat during exhausting ascents. Polartec NeoShell is by all accounts the most breathable waterproof fabric currently available. Polartec launched the NeoShell fabric in 2011 and soon it became clear that it offers better air…
If you are buying a new rain jacket or any other waterproof garment, you may have come across terms like hydrostatic head and MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate). While clothing brands and online shops are usually great at listing the values of these two parameters for their products, they rarely explain what MVTR and hydrostatic…
A jacket keeps you warm in cold weather by trapping body-warmed air within its fibers. Insulated jackets typically use either down or synthetic insulation. While both insulations can provide good warmth, they do differ in weather resistance, drying time, durability, price and more. In the following we will explain what the differences between down and…
If you are into hiking, you have probably already heard about GPS tracks also known as GPS routes, GPS trails etc. GPS tracks are very useful for hiking because they make it simple and hassle-free to navigate on trails. A GPS track contains information about the trail such as geographical coordinates, altitude and distance. You…
Hiking and backpacking are demanding activities that require high-quality gear. However, not all outdoor brands produce gear that stands up to the challenge. To help you narrow down the best of the best, we’ve selected 10 top outdoor brands that stand out through innovation, durability, and value. Keep in mind: no single brand excels in…
Here we selected and reviewed the best water bottles for hiking and backpacking. We only listed insulated water bottles as these keep your beverages cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather. Insulated water bottles are typically made of stainless steel and therefore very durable. Furthermore, as stainless steel doesn’t absorb flavors, they can…
Stenar is a 2501 meters high mountain in the heart of the Julian Alps in Slovenia. Unlike many other mountains in this area, Stenar is not well-known among hikers and mountaineers and therefore the trail is typically not very busy. This is indeed an advantage as it allows you to set your own tempo without the…
