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13 results for 'Black Diamond Trail'

Best Headlamp of 2024

Gabe Richards

Written by Gabe Richards

Gabe has tackled peaks throughout BC and Alaska, amassing over 15 years of mountaineering and backcountry experience.

A good headlamp is one of those pieces of gear that you might never pull out of your backpack, but when you need it you sure are glad that it's in there. From emergency situations to finding the outhouse at night, a headlamp is a key piece of camping and backpacking gear.

To test out headlamps we've gone on multi-day backpacking trips and multi-day backcountry skiing trips. We've been caught out...

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Best Trekking Poles of 2024

Maya Rivera

Written by Maya Rivera

From Utah canyons to Thailand cliffs, Maya is a rock climbing aficionado who enjoys a bit of camping and hiking in the off-season.

Every avid trekker knows that a good pair of trekking poles are a must-have for any serious hike. They enhance your stability, allow for better balance, and reduce the workload on your knees. But all trekking poles are not created equal! There are a multitude of factors to consider such as durability, weight, packability, and more, but it doesn’t have to be a daunting task of finding the right...

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Best Women's Hiking Daypack of 2024

Maya Rivera

Written by Maya Rivera

From Utah canyons to Thailand cliffs, Maya is a rock climbing aficionado who enjoys a bit of camping and hiking in the off-season.

A lot of people might just use whatever backpack they have laying around for a hike, but if that's you, you're missing out on just how great a dedicated hiking daypack can be.

To test out women's hiking daypacks we've gone on 14 hour epics. We've been caught out in rain storms and gone snowshoeing in snow storms. We've done it all, and the backpacks below are the ones we think are worthy of your...

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Best Fleece Jacket of 2024

Owen Mitchell

Written by Owen Mitchell

Owen's outdoor pursuits range from bouldering to backpacking to backcountry skiing and everything in between.

Fleece jackets really are the versatile, do everything piece of gear that anyone should own. One good fleece jacket can do everything from look respectable at the bar to provide just the right amount of warmth and breathability to make it to the top of the mountain.

We've worn fleece jackets on sunny walks around the neighborhood to multi-day trips where we never took them off. We've stuffed...

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Best Women's Fleece Jacket of 2024

Sophie Anderson

Written by Sophie Anderson

A lifelong adventurer, Sophie has treaded every terrain from rocky cliffs to forest trails. She aims to spark a love for the outdoors in every reader.

If you're after a fleece jacket that is the perfect combo of cozy, technical, and stylish, look no further than the Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody. Ladies, this is hands down our top pick and we reckon it's the ultimate companion for your outdoor adventures. Whether you're strolling around town, tackling chilly mountain climbs, camping under the stars, or just need something warm and...

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Best Non-Locking Carabiner of 2024

Owen Mitchell

Written by Owen Mitchell

Owen's outdoor pursuits range from bouldering to backpacking to backcountry skiing and everything in between.

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you know that having the right gear is essential. Among these, a top-quality, non-locking carabiner can be your best ally when facing treacherous paths or attempting risky climbs. We've done loads of testing to find out which non-locking carabiners really rise to the top, and we're here to offer a comprehensive guide to help you pick your new climbing mate.

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Best Mountaineering Backpack of 2024

Owen Mitchell

Written by Owen Mitchell

Owen's outdoor pursuits range from bouldering to backpacking to backcountry skiing and everything in between.

Whether you're setting out for a day trip to your favorite local crag, or preparing for a multi-day expedition in the remote wilderness, your backpack can be your most trusted companion. Among the dizzying array of options available, the Osprey Mutant 38 stands out as a firm favorite. Combining excellent carrying comfort with impressive load transfer, it sneaks ahead of the rest when it comes...

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Best Women's Windbreaker of 2024

Sophie Anderson

Written by Sophie Anderson

A lifelong adventurer, Sophie has treaded every terrain from rocky cliffs to forest trails. She aims to spark a love for the outdoors in every reader.

Ready to level up your outdoor adventures? Seeking that sweet blend of weather protection and moveability? Say hello to windbreakers. With all the choices out there, it can be challenging to find the perfect one. Well, we've got your back. Our pick of the litter? The Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket, a trusted companion designed for women who dare to venture outdoors. The Houdini Air has your needs...

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Best Rain Jacket of 2024

Gabe Richards

Written by Gabe Richards

Gabe has tackled peaks throughout BC and Alaska, amassing over 15 years of mountaineering and backcountry experience.

A rain jacket is not something you want to skimp on. Being dry in a rain storm makes you feel great, and wearing a sopping wet 'rain jacket' is not so much fun.

We've tested a whole lot of rain jackets from a variety of manufacturers. We've worn them in jungle showers and on sleeting multi-day trips. After a whole lot of misery (and a lot of fun too) here is what we think are the best rain...

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Best Hydration Pack of 2024

Sophie Anderson

Written by Sophie Anderson

A lifelong adventurer, Sophie has treaded every terrain from rocky cliffs to forest trails. She aims to spark a love for the outdoors in every reader.

A hydration pack is a great piece of gear to have on those days when you want to really streamline your outdoor adventure and you need a piece of gear that can keep up with you.

To test out hydration packs we've gone on some 12 hour epics and plenty of quick and fast outings too. We've filled our packs in creeks and rivers and lakes and been rained on enough that we probably could have filled...

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Best Gaiters of 2024

Gabe Richards

Written by Gabe Richards

Gabe has tackled peaks throughout BC and Alaska, amassing over 15 years of mountaineering and backcountry experience.

Gaiters can look a little silly but really are worth their weight in gold in the right situation. There is nothing worse than soaking wet feet, or endless rocks and twigs down your boots. Gaiters to the rescue.

To test out gaiters, we trudged through the worst mud that the rainy, pacific northwest has to offer. We did multi-day backpacking trips through dense forests, went off trail, and bashed...

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Best Approach Shoes of 2024

Owen Mitchell

Written by Owen Mitchell

Owen's outdoor pursuits range from bouldering to backpacking to backcountry skiing and everything in between.

They're not quite hiking shoes and they're not quite climbing shoes. They're something in between. When you leave the trail behind and head in to the mountains, the right pair of approach shoes can make all the difference.

To test out approach shoes, we scrambled up many different chimneys, stood on top of some pointy peaks, and filled our shoes with pebbles sliding down scree fields. We also...

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Best Women's Approach Shoes of 2024

Maya Rivera

Written by Maya Rivera

From Utah canyons to Thailand cliffs, Maya is a rock climbing aficionado who enjoys a bit of camping and hiking in the off-season.

If the idea of leaving the trail and heading in to the mountains really excites you, then a good pair of approach shoes might be essential for you. They're that extra bit of grip and traction that can make all the difference in those difficult scramble spots.

To test out these approach shoes we did a lot of approaching on trails, through boulder fields and up scree slopes. We also scrambled up a...

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