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…
High quality hiking base layers are these days made either of polyester or Merino wool and online you will find a lot of information about these two materials, especially pros and cons. Polyester is labeled as quick-drying, durable, light and cheap while Merino wool is considered breathable, pleasant to the touch and extremely moisture-wicking. Many…
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…
Garments for hiking are often labeled as quick-drying. But what are the benefits of quick-drying clothing?. In the following I’ll explain why you should wear quick-drying clothes for hiking and factors that influence the drying time of different garments. Because the drying time of garments depends on the materials out of which they are made,…
Durability is often considered as the Achilles heel of Merino wool products. Nevertheless, Merino wool clothing is becoming increasingly popular among hikers, trekkers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts as it offers superb breathability and odor-control (Merino wool is naturally antimicrobial). Furthermore, it is also very comfortable to the touch and doesn’t cause any itching. Due…
A sleeping bag liner is a thin and lightweight cloth sack designed to be slipped inside a sleeping bag. It keeps your sleeping bag clean and free of body oils and thus increases its thermal efficiency. Note that body oils decrease the loft and warmth of a sleeping bag. It can also be used without…
Hiking is the quintessential outdoor activity and even if the sun does not shine brightly from a clear blue sky, the majority of its harmful UV-radiation will still reach through the cloud cover. Besides weather conditions and cloud cover, UV-radiation levels are influenced by sun height (depends on time of day and season), latitude, ground…
Hiking requires good clothing so you are comfortable on trails, no matter the weather. Many beginners are in doubt about what garments to use and how to properly layer them. Therefore, we made this hiking clothing guide where we explain the concept of layering and give you information about different garments and how to best…
Mid-layer is an important part of a layered clothing system because it provides insulation and thus keeps your warm in cold conditions. The term “mid-layer” is often confusing to those who are new to hiking because it can apply to various garments. Fleece jackets, woollen sweaters, down jackets and jackets with synthetic insulation are all…
Hiking, mountaineering and trekking are physically demanding activities that require high-performance clothing which keeps you comfortable, no matter the conditions. A hiking shirt is one of the most vital pieces of hiking clothing because it is in direct contact with your skin. Therefore, it should be breathable, moisture-wicking and quick-drying. For long hiking trips, it…
