What is a neck gaiter and what is it useful for?

I got my first neck gaiter in 2008 as a part of the promotional stuff you get in marathon bags. At first, I didn’t know what the tube-shaped piece of fabric was supposed to be used for but after a little bit of research I figured out that it’s a neck gaiter. I checked how…

Continue Reading »
Neck gaiters laid out flat

Softshell vs Hardshell Jackets – What to choose?

If you need a jacket for protection against rain and wind, you can choose between a hardshell or a softshell jacket. While there are many similarities between hardshell and softshell jackets, the two garment types are ultimately made for different weather conditions. They also differ by breathability, weight, drying time, price and more. I own…

Continue Reading »
Softshell vs Hardshell Jackets: Left a Hardshell jacket and right a Softshell jacket

How to Wash Outdoor Clothing?

Outdoor clothing is performance wear, which is made to make you perform better in the great outdoors whether it is in the form of a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer or a shielding shell layer. However, as all other apparel, outdoor clothing will get dirty eventually – from within as well as from without….

Continue Reading »
How to Wash Outdoor Clothing - washing tags can be annoying and confusing, but are vital for taking proper care.

How long does hiking footwear last?

No pair of hiking boots lasts forever, and since high-quality boots are an expensive hiking essential, you’re probably wondering how long they’ll last for the money you spend. Many online articles on this topic suggest that robust hiking boots last from 600 to 700 miles (900-1200 km) and their lightweight counterparts from 400 to 500…

Continue Reading »
How long does hiking footwear last?

2.5-Layer VS. 3-Layer Rain Jackets: What is a better option?

Rain jackets differ by layering construction and before purchasing a new rain jacket you should definitely check which layering construction it utilizes. Why? Well, the thing is that there is a big difference between 2.5-layer and 3-layer rain jackets in terms of weight, protection against the elements, durability packability and price. Both types of jackets…

Continue Reading »
2.5-Layer VS. 3-Layer Rain Jackets: Left Montane Minimus 2.5L jacket and right Sherpa Makalu 3L jacket

How to Repair a Down Jacket

Outdoor adventures can be hard on your gear, as both cliffs and vegetation expose it to abrasion and tears. We always recommend that you repair your current gear and apparel rather than buying new products incessantly. We have previously made articles about how to repair holes and tears in Merino clothing and how you can…

Continue Reading »
How to Repair a Down Jacket - down is fleeing

Windbreaker VS Rain Jacket – What is a better option?

Windbreakers have become increasingly popular in the last years and many hikers have switched from rain jackets to these minimalistic shell layers. Windbreakers are lighter and pack smaller than rain jackets and are thus perfect for lightweight hiking. Nevertheless, it’s important to know that a windbreaker performs quite differently than a rain jacket. A rain…

Continue Reading »
Windbreaker VS Rain Jacket – What is a better option?

The use of PFCs in Outdoor Clothing

Functional outdoor apparel is much less affected by passing fashion trends than casual wear. This in itself makes outdoor apparel much more sustainable, as such garments are often of a higher quality and thus both lasting and being used longer than ‘fast fashion’ items. There is, however, one area where the outdoor apparel industry has…

Continue Reading »
Beading effect on DWR-treated rain jacket

Sustainable outdoor clothing materials?

As hikers we all get to experience the negative impact of humans in the landscapes we spend our time in – whether it is the pollution of a local lake, an abundance of trash in nature, excessive logging or witnessing how the glacier in a national park gets smaller and smaller over the years. According…

Continue Reading »
Sustainable outdoor clothing materials

Fleece VS Synthetic Fill Jackets: What to choose?

Over the last couple of years, the popularity of fleece jackets has decreased, and many hikers have replaced their fleece apparel with jackets insulated with synthetic fill. While synthetic fill jackets are indeed warmer for the weight and pack smaller, fleece does have certain advantages over synthetic fill. I own a fleece jacket (Mountain Hardwear…

Continue Reading »
Fleece VS Synthetic Fill Jackets