The Sierra Designs Nitro 800 packed down small into my pack for multi-day and overnight ski traverses in the Cascades of Washington. It was the warm, cozy hug I needed at the end of a long day to get me…
Sleeping poorly while camping is an all too common fact for people when they camp. A lot of times it has to do with either A: not camping enough to get used to it or B: having poor equipment. The…
The Sierra Designs Cloud 35 is a game-changer when it comes to weight and packability. Clocking in at just 1lb 7oz (1lb 9oz for the long bag) you almost forget it is in your pack. It takes up just about…
When your home away from home is a tent you end up spreading out, moving in, and generally just spending a lot of time (sometimes more than you want) in the tent. The Sierra Designs Meteor Lite 2 tent is…
Spring SkiMo! With clear skies and longer days, I took the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor along on alpine objectives to test out its versatility at handling different types of trips: overnights, long day trips, technical trips, you name it. Spring…
I’ll admit it here first, I’m a sleeping pad addict. I save sad, punctured sleeping pads from lonely REI Garage Sale bins like some people save abandoned kittens they find on the street. That’s why when I found out that Therm-a-Rest…
As a backpacker and mountaineer, finding gear that can adapt to rapidly changing conditions is always a challenge, especially when it comes to pants. Normal “softshell” pants can be too bulky for summer conditions, while lightweight and breathable alternatives may…
Finding the perfect gift for the backcountry camper on your list can be a daunting task. We’ve made the process simple with a comprehensive look at this year’s best gifts for backpackers and backcountry campers. These gifts offer the best…
In August of 2017, I was headed to Iceland for a two-week trip camping and backpacking trip. I didn’t have a pack large enough for the trip and ended up borrowing a bright red Osprey Ariel 65 L from a…
I’ve always loved following the creek as far as it would take me as a child, but my true connection with nature didn’t surface until I moved to Colorado. The aggressive crags, unexplored valleys, and thousands of miles of hiking…