In the beginning of 2019 we got in touch with French brand CimAlp because we were interested in testing their winter gear. While my boyfriend received the CimAlp PrimaLoft jacket (reviewed here), I got the CimAlp Quebec 2 F softshell pants. I’m pretty excited over these pants as I always have a problem getting cold,…
Several months ago, we got in touch with the French company CimAlp which makes apparel for hiking, skiing, trail running and other outdoor sports. I was especially impressed with their jackets because they utilize high-quality materials and are lightweight. Therefore, I asked them for a sample of CimAlp PrimaLoft jacket. I had been wanting such…
Several months ago, I purchased the new Suunto 9 GPS watch and since then I’ve been wearing and testing it on a daily basis. I’ve been wearing the watch for activities such as hiking, running, cycling, walking and more. I decided to switch to Suunto 9 from my old Suunto Ambit 2 because I was…
A couple of months ago, I got into contact with the German company Solestar which manufactures insoles for different types of sports. They have just launched a new hiking-specific insole and I was eager to test it – not least because the original insoles in my Lowa Innox shoes started showing signs of wear and…
Several months ago, I bought the Lowa Innox GTX Lo TF shoes and since then I’ve been regularly wearing them on my hiking trips and for everyday activities. The Lowa Innox GTX Lo TF shoes belong in the Task Force Tactical line of the Lowa shoes (hence the TF in the name), but they are…
A couple of weeks ago, I received the Kogalla RA Adventure Light and since then I’ve been regularly testing it on my hikes, while running and in everyday life. The Kogalla RA light is supposed to be an alternative for a headlamp/flashlight or as the Kogalla team describes it, “a radical new approach to portable…
When we at Nail the Trail found out that the well-renowned Swedish outdoor brand Klattermusen is making base layers made of a blend of Merino wool and silk, we didn’t hesitate a second to contact them for samples. Fortunately, the Klattermusen team agreed and we have now been testing the Eir t-shirt (for men and…
A high-impact sports bra is necessary for running and trail running in particular as the uneven terrain and steep hill sides can add even more bounce to your step. For each running stride you take without a supportive sports bra, your breasts will bounce in a horizontal 8-figure motion, moving as much as one inch…
Approximately half of a year ago, I purchased the Montane Minimus jacket and since then I’ve been regularly using it as a shell layer on my hiking trips. The Montane Minimus jacket is a hardshell jacket which means that it’s made of a waterproof/breathable fabric. Hardshell jackets are typically lighter than softshell jackets and offer better…
A couple of months ago I received the Woolly Ultralight Crew Neck Merino t-shirt and since then I’ve been regularly using it as a base layer for hiking. The Woolly Ultralight Crew Neck Merino t-shirt is made of 100% Merino wool. Base layers made of Merino wool have certain advantages in comparison to the more…
A fleece jackets is a very useful garment for hiking because it provides light-weight insulation and can be worn as a mid-layer in cold and/or rainy weather conditions or as an outer layer in dry and moderate weather conditions. Towards the end of 2016 my old fleece jacket, made of Polartec Stretch fabric, started to…
In January 2017 I decided that it was finally time for me to get a pair of proper hiking boots and I ended up purchasing a pair of Scarpa Marmolada Trek hiking boots. I tested them on the Bodenhaus-Ammererhof and Grubereck trails in the Austrian Alps and on minor hikes since then and this is…
A tank top in a sophisticated material with a built-in bra is great for low to medium impact activities like hiking, climbing and mountaineering. It can be used on its own when hiking in warm weather or under insulating layers in colder conditions. You can read more about the qualities of tank tops versus cropped…
Merino wool base layers are becoming increasingly popular among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts due to the softness, great odor-control and superb temperature regulation of the fabric. For long it has been believed that all wool clothing is too warm for anything but winter use, itchy and offers inferior performance to synthetics, but this…
When hiking, it is your legs which do the majority of the work. Therefore high-quality hiking pants are highly appreciated among hikers, trekkers and mountaineers as they offer some basic protection against the surroundings (rocks, vegetation) and weather (wind, rain, sun radiation etc.). Hiking pants should also provide great freedom of movement so that you…
When it comes to short hiking trips, a daypack is one of the most useful pieces of hiking gear as it allows you to easily and comfortably carry additional clothing, water, food and accessories. Many hikers use relatively big backpacks (+ 40l) also for short trips, but this is not efficient as these backpacks do…
Base layers made of Merino wool are very popular among hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts as they offer superb temperature regulation, breathability, odor-control, UV protection and moisture-wicking properties. Unlike regular wool, Merino wool is really soft and pleasant to the touch and thus doesn’t cause any itching or other discomfort. Many hikers face a…
As winter is approaching, the days are getting shorter and there are less light hours to spend outdoors. However, short days should not limit your outdoor activities. The first step towards enjoyable hiking, mountaineering or trekking in darkness is a high-quality headlamp. A headlamp illuminates the area around you while allowing you to use both…
