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We put 26 pants and bibs through the wringer last winter. These six impressed us the most.
Whether you're looking for insulated or not, steezy or muted, you'll find something that fits the bill on this list.
23 testers snoozed on nineteen pads. These are the very best of the year.
16 testers tried 40 hikers. These ones came out on top.
Eight testers tried seven new car-camping tents. These three came out on top.
From weighing every binding to throwing ski-club parties, here's how the country's top winter retailers rule the snowy season
The Bowhead Reach is designed to help those who can’t walk access mountain-bike trails
These haulers can handle any winter mission
Barriers for whatever the atmosphere dishes out
Drifting off under the stars has never been this easy
Base lodge closed? No problem. Turn your car into a private post-ski lounge.
Dialed and ready for big loads, these bags will help you keep the pace
Tim Fish talks about gaining design inspiration from unexpected places
Comfortable, technical, light—sleep systems for every season
Superior lodgings for weekend jaunts and extended outings
Keep moving in all conditions
It's not good enough to simply keep one with you while you're on the water. You've got to know how to work it.
There’s no painful mortgage, but a few key factors should guide your decision when shopping for a tent
Designed for hut trips to sidecountry adventures and everything in between, here are our favorite snow-sports packs
From plush to ultralight, there's something here for everyone
10 testers. 20 sleeping bags. 6 months. Here are the results.
Sleeping in a tent doesn’t have to mean roughing it
When to wash your shell, how to apply a DWR, and whether to choose a spray-on or wash-in
Sack out in something snug, breathable, and packable
Here’s our comprehensive guide for how to choose the right backcountry shelter
Eleven companies making apparel and equipment just the way you like it
Traveling far and wide for powder doesn't have to be an awkward nightmare, thanks to this cleverly designed carry-on
Hopefully after reading this, you'll never buy luggage without two shoulder straps again
Running dead is not an option—at least not one we want to contemplate
We put together this list of seven essentials for keeping the groove going no matter where you are
Why settle for crappy hotel-room java when you can bring your own?
Load them up, kick them through the snow—these haulers will serve you well no matter what.
Sacks for a comfortable night’s sleep, wherever you lay your head.
Your sleeping bag is arguably your most important piece of backcountry gear.
For diehard gear geeks, there’s no more exciting category right now than jackets.
We tested the Canadian company's new backcountry ski boot and avalanche airbag for a week in B.C. Here's what we learned.
On Monday, we got a sneak peek of the two new backcountry products at the company's Canadian headquarters
Square footage and height matter. But a new group of companies is advocating for adding another metric to the spec list: volume.
Not long ago, there were three clearly defined categories for jackets: waterproof hard shells, stretchy and breathable soft shells, and wind shells.
Choosing the right tent requires finding the perfect balance of price, weight, and space.
The rising cost of down is spurring insulation alternatives that will have us all sleeping soundly.
A top-tier down sleeping bag that handles rain for only $230?!? We’ll take it!
Staying dry doesn’t have to mean looking like you’re on a mountaineering expedition. Case in point, the waxed-canvas Fjallraven Abisko.
There’s good reason for the shocking $700 price tag: comfortable in temps from 55 degrees down to 5 degrees and able to fend off moisture, it’s the only bag you’ll need year-round.
Transceivers work well, but are costly. Apps may offer a cheaper alternative.
With ice-ax retention you can release with the pack on, gear loops for ’biners and belay devices, and an integrated crampon pocket, the Matrix is purpose-built for ski mountaineering. But you don’t have to rope up to appreciate how light, roomy, and useful the Matrix is.
The Ignite DriDown offers water-resistant down filling at a great price
Outside reviews the best gear in the Summer 2013 Buyer’s Guide, including the Rab Maverick.
According to Mountain Hardwear, the Ghost Whisperer (hooded) is the world's lightest down jacket—seven ounces, 850-fill down, two pockets, and a ripstop shell that's down- and wind-proof and water repellant
After air bags saved lives in several high-profile slides last year, demand (and curiosity) has never been higher. In 2011, there were five manufacturers making air-bag packs. This winter there are at least 10, and an increasing number of cat- and heli-ski operations are outfitting their clients with them.
Think of your pack as a closet on your back. And just as there’s no right way to fold your clothes, there’s no single pack that’s suited to everyone. But allow us to offer some advice.
In the past 12 months, Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, Polartec, Gore-Tex, and Stoic have introduced new waterproof-breathable membranes. We won’t bore you with the wonky details of their lofty claims; all you need to know is that each is more breathable than many of the jackets we’ve been raving about for years.
An avalanche in Washington State killed three skiers but spared a fourth who was wearing an avalanche air bag. For years, experts have warned skiers never to travel in the backcountry without beacons, rescue shovels, and probes. Is it time to add one more piece of gear to the list?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the K2 Rescue Shovel Plus.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Salomon Quest 30 pack
Avalanche air bags are gaining in popularity. And for good reason—they can increase survival rates by 98 percent.