Rainwear: Hydrostatic Head and Breathability (MVTR)

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…

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Rainwear - Hydrostatic Head and Breathability

Down vs Synthetic Jackets – Which jacket is right for you?

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…

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Down vs Synthetic Jackets

What are GPS tracks and how to use them for hiking?

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…

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Best Outdoor Brands for Hikers and Backpackers in 2026

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…

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Best Outdoor Brands

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Best Water Bottles for Hiking and Backpacking in 2026

A good hiking water bottle should be easy to carry, simple to drink from and large enough for the stretch between refills. In this guide, we focus on insulated stainless steel bottles. They keep drinks cold in summer and warm in winter. We would choose the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth for easy filling and cleaning,…

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Stenar Trail – Hiking the Alps

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…

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Stenar Trail - View on the surrounding peaks

Polyester vs. Merino Wool: Which material is better for sportswear?

Polyester is the most widely used material for sportswear. However, Merino wool is due to its multiple benefits also becoming increasingly popular for sports apparel. Therefore, many outdoor enthusiasts and athletes are in doubt which material to choose. It’s indeed hard to say which one is better because both materials have advantages and disadvantages. For…

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Polyester Vs. Merino Wool: Left Icebreaker Merino t-shirt, right Under Armour polyester t-shirt

Vrh nad Skrbino Trail – Hiking the Alps

After climbing the 2236 meters high Stol peak on the border between Austria and Slovenia, I decided to continue my “Hiking the Alps” tour by ascending the 2054 meters high mountain Vrh nad Skrbino in the southern Julian Alps. Vrh nad Skrbino is a quite popular mountain because it offers a great…

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Vrh nad Skrbino Trail - View towards the west

Stol Hochstuhl Trail – Hiking the Alps

After hiking in the French and Austrian Alps, I continued my “Hiking the Alps” tour by climbing the 2236 meters high mountain Stol (Hochstuhl in German) in the northwestern corner of Slovenia, close to the Austrian border. Stol is the highest mountain of the 120 kilometers long Karawanke mountain range which is a section…

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Stol Hochstuhl Trail - View towards west

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Best Expedition Backpacks of 2026 – 70+ liters

When you’re heading deep into the wilderness for five days or more, space and support matter. A 70-liter or larger backpack gives you room for several days of food, water, extra clothing, sleeping equipment and cooking gear. Winter trips can require even more space for insulated clothing, a bulky sleeping bag, crampons and other equipment….

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Best Expedition Backpacks - Gregory Baltoro