When it comes to hiking, most people wear either hiking pants or shorts. Both garment types can be great for outdoor activities. Hiking pants are very versatile because they protect your legs against vegetation, terrain, insects and sun. Since they completely cover your legs, they are a great option for hiking year-round, although in winter…
I got my first neck gaiter in 2008 as a part of the promotional stuff you get in marathon bags. At first, I didn’t know what the tube-shaped piece of fabric was supposed to be used for but after a little bit of research I figured out that it’s a neck gaiter. I checked how…
It is nothing short of wonderful to take your kids, big or small, with you out in nature for a hiking trip. All children are different, but there are still some common traits and needs for the different age groups when venturing out in the blue. Previously I wrote the article Hiking with a Baby:…
If you need a jacket for protection against rain and wind, you can choose between a hardshell or a softshell jacket. While there are many similarities between hardshell and softshell jackets, the two garment types are ultimately made for different weather conditions. They also differ by breathability, weight, drying time, price and more. I own…
I’ve been a big fan of Suunto watches ever since I bought the Suunto Core watch in 2011. I replaced the Suunto Core with a Suunto Ambit 2 in 2014 and currently I’m using the Suunto 9 Baro. When I bought the Suunto 9 watch I also purchased the Suunto Smart heart rate monitor. I…
Outdoor clothing is performance wear, which is made to make you perform better in the great outdoors whether it is in the form of a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer or a shielding shell layer. However, as all other apparel, outdoor clothing will get dirty eventually – from within as well as from without….
Wearing sunglasses on a regular basis is crucial for the long-term health of your eyes, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors in the sun. Not only can the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun make your eyes feel tired and sore after a long day outside, but in the long-term too much…
Hydration bladders are convenient because they enable you to easily drink on the go. However, when it comes to cleaning them, few things are more annoying. It is not easy to get a hydration bladder look like new again. Now, you might ask why does a hydration bladder even need cleaning? You only put clean…
No pair of hiking boots lasts forever, and since high-quality boots are an expensive hiking essential, you’re probably wondering how long they’ll last for the money you spend. Many online articles on this topic suggest that robust hiking boots last from 600 to 700 miles (900-1200 km) and their lightweight counterparts from 400 to 500…
Rain jackets differ by layering construction and before purchasing a new rain jacket you should definitely check which layering construction it utilizes. Why? Well, the thing is that there is a big difference between 2.5-layer and 3-layer rain jackets in terms of weight, protection against the elements, durability packability and price. Both types of jackets…
