Review: RecPak Ultralight Meal Replacement
RecPak is a high-calorie meal replacement powder. Just add water, shake, and drink — an easy, portable, no-cook solution for fueling long days outdoors.
Your Guide to Hiking, Backpacking & Camping in the Pacific Northwest
Hats, Gloves and Neck Gaiters for Cold Weather Hiking
For hiking in the winter, and on overnights the rest of the year, keeping your head and hands warm is essential. These are my favorite hats, gloves and neck gaiters.
Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Adventurers
Need gift ideas for the outdoor enthusiast in your life? Here are the high-quality gear items I’ve personally tested in 2025 and recommend.
Review: Gregory Facet 55 Women’s Backpack
For backpackers wanting a lighter pack that doesn’t feel ultralight-minimal, the Gregory Facet 55 balances a streamlined design with solid support, cushioning, and useful on-trail features.
Giving Back: How Hikers Can Support Public Lands
Hikers and backpackers share a deep connection to the land. But preserving our trails takes collective effort. Here’s how you can support organizations working to protect the places we love.
Review: Zenbivy Pack Liner
Shaving weight usually means sacrificing comfort, but smart packing systems can help. I tested the Zenbivy Pack Liner to find out if it would allow me to carry a smaller, lighter pack.
Review: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad
Known for its exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT offers ultralight comfort and reliable insulation for three-season backpacking trips.
Review: Sea to Summit Boab Sleeping Bag
An affordable option for car campers, the Sea to Summit Boab sleeping bag combines synthetic insulation, recycled materials, and a roomy fit for a comfortable night outdoors.
Review: Himali Ascent Stretch Hoodie
With synthetic insulation and a soft, stretchy shell, the Ascent Hoodie is designed for alpine use, but it’s become one of my most useful layers for all types of cooler weather adventures in the Pacific Northwest.
Review: Himali Eclipse Sun Hoodie
Lightweight and highly breathable, the Himali Eclipse Sun Hoodie combines UPF 20 sun protection with excellent moisture management, making it ideal for hot-weather hiking and backpacking.
Review: Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad
With a thickness of 4.6 inches and a soft stretchy knit fabric, the NeoLoft is easily the most comfortable backpacking pad I’ve used – and it's impressively compact when packed.
Best Camping Gear of 2024
As an outdoor gear tester and reviewer, I spend a lot of time trying out new gear. These are my favorite items for camping that I used in 2024.
Gifts Under $40 for Hikers, Backpackers, and Campers
Looking for low cost and useful gifts for outdoor adventurers? I curated this gift list from gear that I regularly use.
Backpacking Gear Checklist (FREE download)
There are many approaches to backpacking gear checklists – and most contain extra gear that can weigh down a backpack. This is my minimalist approach to what I take on three-season trips.
Review: Platypus QuickDraw Filter
The Platypus QuickDraw stands out for its fast flow, smart design details, and added safety features — all in a compact, easy-to-use filter that’s ideal for both hiking and backpacking.
Best Day Hikes in Southwest Washington
This selected list of Southwest Washington hikes includes trails through old-growth forests, subalpine lakes, volcanic blast zones, and summits with panoramic views.
Review: Zenbivy Ultralight Bed
Combining quilt flexibility and sleeping bag warmth, the Zenbivy Ultralight Bed is a lightweight, luxurious choice for ultralight backpackers who want maximum comfort and premium materials.
Silver Star Mountain via Ed’s Trail Loop Hike
Featuring expansive mountain views and rugged terrain, this loop to Silver Star Mountain via Ed’s Trail included rocky scrambles, fall color, and panoramic vistas of five Cascade volcanoes.
Best Mount Hood Day Hikes
With nearly 1,000 miles of trails in the region, hikes in the Mount Hood area range from lower elevation rambles in temperate rain forest with waterfalls and streams, to high altitude trails with alpine meadows and rocky ridges.
Twin Lakes Loop Hike – Mount Hood
The Twin Lakes loop is a moderate 8.3-mile hike near Mount Hood, passing Lower and Upper Twin Lakes and following sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, popular year-round for hikers and snowshoers.
Review: Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
At 4.9 ounces per pole, the LT5 trekking poles offer a fully adjustable, minimal design that makes them a favorite for ultralighters and those prioritizing light, efficient gear.
Devils Half Acre & Palmateer Point Loop Hike
A foggy morning on Mount Hood’s south side highlighted the fall colors of vine maples and huckleberry shrubs as we hiked through historic Devils Half Acre and up to Palmateer Point.
Review: REI Half Dome 2+ Tent (2025 version)
The 2025 REI Half Dome 2+ offers a durable, spacious, and affordable option for campers and backpackers alike — building on a long history as a trusted favorite since 1980.
Review: Gossamer Gear The One Backpacking Tent
Gossamer Gear's The One is a single-wall, trekking pole-supported tent that offers excellent value without stepping up to the steep cost of similar ultralight backpacking shelters.