Apparel Gear Reviews

The Enlightened Equipment Visp (men’s / women’s) is among the best value ultralight jackets on the market for its price, protection, and adjustability. We’ve worn this jacket for hundreds of miles, including stints in Colorado’s monsoon season and the first snow of the year in the Pacific Northwest. We hope our experience helps you decide if the Visp is the right jacket for you.

The Zpacks Vertice (men’s / women’s) is one of the lightest rain jackets available. This featherweight shell provides excellent coverage, is incredibly breathable, and is surprisingly durable for how light it is.

The Helium line from Outdoor Research has set the standard in lightweight and packable rain shells for backcountry adventures and…

Arc’teryx recently released the Proton LT Hoody (men’s and women’s), which is their most durable, insulated climbing jacket to date. The Proton provides lightweight synthetic insulation for a range of activities from climbing to snow sports to backpacking.

One of the newest jackets introduced by Arc’teryx for the 2019 hiking season, the Zeta SL (men’s & women’s), is an excellent balance between quality, durability, and weight. The highly packable and versatile design of the SL is a great option for hikers looking to push through wet weather in rugged conditions.

Arc’teryx has introduced two new ultralight shells to their already strong line of rain gear. For those in need of a lightweight and packable jacket that will keep you dry and moving through nasty conditions, the new Zeta FL (available in both men’s & women’s) is an excellent choice.

The Patagonia M10 Jacket is a fantastic rain shell for any lightweight adventurer. It has quickly become my all-time favorite backpacking jacket, and I expect you’ll feel the same. 

I recently had the pleasure of testing merino wool products from a company called Woolx based out of upstate New York. So….