I go through trail running phases. It all depends on the snowpack and the time of the year. For the most part, it seems like spring and fall are my personal trail running seasons. The weather is still cool and the lower trails are free of snow. For the most part, I like to trail run to scout out new mountain bike trails or do trail maintenance. It's much easier to remove deadfall and stray branches when you're not on your bike. So, this spring, I've been doing just that--trail running on new trails and doing maintenance along the way. My shoe of choice has been the all-new Vasque Aether Tech SS trail shoes. About the Vasque Aether Tech SS Trail Runners A cousin to the ...

Springtime in Utah calls for cool mornings and beat-down sunny afternoons followed by an inch of snow on your lawn the next day. It's the good and bad about living along the Wasatch. Because of that, it's always nice to have a variety of jackets on hand for just the right conditions for that morning trail run or mountain bike ride. Critical to jackets for trail running or mountain biking is its ability to block the wind and its ability to breathe. On top of that, having just the right fit is also something I look for--you don't want to have the sleeves flapping in the wind, catching on a passing branch or interfering with the fit of your hydration pack. Fortunately, Outdoor Research seems to have all of this nailed with the new Avido Jacket....

There's no doubt that I love singletrack trails. There are few things that compare to that winding ribbon of dirt fading in the distance or twisting though a beautiful aspen grove. It's spring (even though it snowed at my house yesterday) and that means the waiting game is on for the really good singletrack to thaw from a long winter's slumber.Winter snowfall along the Wasatch has been above normal and spring temps have been slow to warm up, so chances are that the good stuff won't thaw for at least another couple months. Luckily, there are plenty of low-lying singletrack trails along the foothills around Salt Lake City. As it turns out, I've been exploring the myriad of trails near Draper on the north side of the Point of the Mountain. With all the development in the area, ...

As I drive around town, I can't help but gasp when I see the current gas prices. It's $3.44 at my local Chevron and there's no sign that it's going to stop anytime soon. With gas at all-time highs, it's no wonder why small cars like the Honda Civic or hybrids like the Toyota Prius are in such high demand. But, how do outdoorsy people with lots of gear and some of us with 3+ kids haul all the bikes, backpacks, coolers, skis, food and clothes in small, gas-friendly vehicles? One option is to add extra on-demand storage with a rooftop cargo box. Yakima has many great solutions that will work on just about every vehicle. Not only can you carry just as much gear in a smaller vehicle, you can pop them on or off in a matter of ...

When it comes down to it, I'm a vest guy. They are one of the most versatile pieces of outdoor clothing there are. As a lightweight and unobtrusive layering piece, they are always tops on my list. On backcountry ski trips, I always carry one in the bottom of my pack just in case. A nice, lightweight vest is an awesome piece to have in the car just in case the temps on an early-morning trail run are a tad chilly. Several years ago, I lost my Marmot DriClime Vest somewhere between couch surfing or mountain biking trips to Moab. I'm still bummed that I don't have that vest. It was the perfect vest for spring or fall and provided just enough insulation and plenty of wind protection. I've been on the lookout for a replacement ever since. ...

I've long been a fan of Gordini's Lavawool® fabric. This proprietary blend of wool and synthetic fibers represents the best in both thermal properties and quick drying attributes. I tested a pair of the Gordini Vertigo gloves a few years back and that was my first taste of Lavawool fabrics. I was impressed by the feel and function of the fabric--very warm and quick to dry, which are both highly-desirable qualities for gloves. As Lavawool as gotten more and more acclaim, Gordini has been expanding the Lavawool lineup in recent years--utilizing it in other applications aside from their glove line, such as socks, hats and face protection. The latest application of this fabric is in the new Gordini Lavawool base layers. About the Gordini Lavawool Midweight Base Layers The ...

Not only is Backcountry.com one of the top online gear retailers, they are also coming on the scene in a big way with their own house-brand gear. Since these guys have schlepped high-end outerwear and gear for years, they know a thing or two about the little things that make a great jacket. This season represents the best collection of Backcountry.com Goat gear to date with stellar merino wool base layers, funky T's, beanies and softshell jackets. There's no doubt their clothing line is for real and their pricepoints are extremely competitive for what you're getting. Backed by their 100% no-nonsense guarantee, you can be sure your Goat gear will last a lifetime. About the Backcountry.com Wool Hooded Jacket Built from a wool-blend exterior with a bonded fleece lining to keep ...

Highgear is a relative newcomer to the altimeter watch market. While industry heavyweights like Suunto were creating more and more complicated devices with higher and higher pricetags, Highgear was quietly plugging along with the mantra of providing top-notch altimeters and navigational equipment at an affordable price. I've seen and used many of their altimeter watches in the past and have found them to be highly functional and feature-rich for their $130-$160 price range, which is half the cost of those from other top brands. The entire line of Highgear products spans from pedometers to altimeters to portable mp3 players and other handheld tools commonly used in the backcountry. About the Highgear Altis Ti Altimeter Watch The new Highgear Altis Ti was introduced late last year as the new top-of-the-line altimeter watch ...

Participate in a once-in-a-lifetime guided climb of your choice up one of 24 classic North American peaks. Join Backpacker Magazine's annual "Summit for Someone" charity fundraiser to benefit the at-risk youth of Big City Mountaineers. Some of the country's top accredited guides are ready to challenge your skill level on one of three types of exciting ascents. Just for participating, you could also take home a mountain of free gear as a thank-you from our sponsors. Don't miss this awesome world-class event. The only thing more uplifting than a view at the summit is knowing you've helped teens who need it most. What summits can be climbed? Mt. Rainier, Mt. Shasta, Gannet Peak, Mt. Olympus, Mt. Moran and Mt. Hood are just a few of the 24 most sought after ...

Portland, Oregon-based Nau Clothing is committed to building environmentally-sustainable clothing and outerwear. This commitment is one that isn't especially easy when it comes to outerwear technology, which is dominated by many petroleum-based laminate materials. In spite of that challenge, Nau is leading the charge in sustainable materials and manufacturing while others are merely dabbling in it. Nau's full line of technical outerwear is subtly-styled, but filled with enough technical goodies to keep even the biggest gear junkie satisfied. With retail outlets in Portland, Seattle, Denver and Chicago and a solid online retail presence, Nau services outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Built on the philosophy that companies don't merely exist for profit alone, Nau is committed to philanthropy, corporate responsibility, employee and customer satisfaction, open customer feedback and honest dialog about products and design. I'm very impressed by their core principles ...