Recently, my partner (fellow OPL gear tester Patrick) and I went on a 6-week journey to the Balkans in Eastern Europe. We wanted to do it all: climb, hike, camp, sightsee, learn, explore, and eat delicious food. That meant we…
I love puffy jackets. And so I was stoked to get the chance to review the Outdoor Research Floodlight Down Parka. This jacket is touted as being totally waterproof and windproof with 650 fill down. I put this jacket to…
As someone who typically spends every weekend in the mountains, once the snow falls and the lakes freeze over, I don’t want that to keep me from adventuring high above the tree line. I’ve been looking for a pair of…
Preseason skiing is never easy. Erratic visibility, weather, and lack of coverage, plague the motivated early-season skier. Fortunately, the Native Tenmile Goggle is there to help you make the best of the worst days. Each year, when the snow begins…
The Mira 1 HL, an ultralight 3-season tent, faced high winds in the Enchantments, unanticipated snow in the Sierras, and a high alpine night on Mount Adams. It passed each test with flying colors and has become my go-to shelter…
The Evolv Supra is high-performance shoe for delicate footwork and aggressive climbing. While they’re not the most severely down-turned shoe in the product line, the Supra is designed to hold up in the face of your toughest climbs. Fit I…
Typically you will find me on multiple day backpacking trips, but I also love doing some quick overnighters just to satisfy my adventure itch. I have been needing a bag that is tactful enough to hold up through all the…
When the winter snows melt and the days get longer, mountain ranges formerly inaccessible due to snow suddenly open up to those willing to hike miles to see their beauty. I’m talking places like the High Uintas of Utah and…
I have a love/hate relationship with the cold. Don’t get me wrong – I love to be out in the cold; I just don’t want to be cold. Layering, whether in the backcountry or inbounds, is always running through…
The Petzl Reactik+ headlamp is a Bluetooth enabled 300 (max) lumen headlamp that makes illuminating camp a breeze and regulating the light you need a snap. I exclusively used this headlamp while traveling to The Balkans in Eastern Europe for…