Andy Wellman

Dec 5, 2024 | outdoorgearlab.com | Jeff Dobronyi |Andy Wellman |Jack Cramer

By Jeff Dobronyi, Andy Wellman & Jack Cramer  ⋅  Dec 5, 2024 The Best Belay Devices for 2024Belay devices come in three different categories — tube-style, auto-blocking devices, and assisted braking devices — and our expert climbing testers have put in hundreds of hours belaying and testing all three kinds.

Nov 21, 2024 | outdoorgearlab.com | Jeff Dobronyi |Andy Wellman

By Jeff Dobronyi & Andy Wellman  ⋅  Nov 21, 2024 The Best Energy Bars for 2024We bought 17 top energy bars and meal replacements and had our food experts conduct blind texture and taste tests with friends, and assessed them for caloric efficiency and healthy ingredients. Next we scrambled up mountains, run ultras, and spent whole winters skiing while eating these bars. Our favorite energy bar is Kate's Real Food because of the high-quality ingredients and great flavors.

Nov 2, 2024 | outdoorgearlab.com | Andy Wellman |Matt Bento |Jane Jackson

By Andy Wellman, Cam McKenzie Ring, Matt Bento, Jane Jackson  ⋅  Nov 2, 2024 Welcome to the Holy Grail of climbing gear lists! Here you will find our top picks: the gear our climber-testers would recommend to their best friends. We buy every item at the store, just like you, then we test it… for months. Below, we recommend the top two items in each category. We start off with the best climbing shoes, arguably the most important item in your pack.

Oct 4, 2024 | outdoorgearlab.com | Justin Simoni |Andy Wellman |Ethan Newman |Jack Cramer

Best Ultralight Hooded Mummy Bag Warmth 9.0 Weight 6.5 Comfort 8.0 Versatility 6.0 Features 8.0 Weight: 21.4 oz. | Fill: 900 Fill-Power GooseDown REASONS TO BUY Great warmth-to-weight ratio High-quality goose down Built-in pad straps REASONS TO AVOID Not for the budget-minded Heavier than some options Not as versatile as a quilt With our lab and field testing finished and metrics tabulated, one bag was head and shoulders above all the others. The Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 20 takes the crown —...

Jan 23, 2024 | outdoorgearlab.com | Sam Schild |Adam Paashaus |Matt Bento |Andy Wellman

Starting the hunt for a new down jacket is, without a doubt, one of the most overwhelming endeavors you can experience when it comes to shopping for outerwear. Down jackets are one of the more expensive parts of any layering system and typically will last you for many years. This makes choosing the right one all the more important. Down is the lightest and warmest insulator you can find, but not all down jackets are created equal.