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Oct 30, 2024 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Trish Matheny |Buck Yedor |Chris McNamara
By Trish Matheny, Buck Yedor and Chris McNamara Wednesday October 30, 2024 OutdoorGearLab Founder, Editor-and-Chief and avid rock climber Chris McNamara personally tested the vast majority of these haul bags over 110 Big Wall ascents in beautiful and remote locations such as Yosemite Valley, Zion National Park, and Norway. The remainder of our testing team determined 4 key testing metrics in order to assess the overall performance of each individual haul bag.
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Jan 23, 2024 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Sam Schild |James Lucas |Buck Yedor
As one of the best lightweight down jackets on the market, the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 takes a technical approach to ultralight warmth. It's stuffed with high-quality down and made of lightweight yet durable recycled ripstop nylon. This jacket is the lightest jacket we've seen but is surprisingly warm considering the weight. It's simple yet effective, fits well, and moves even better. This is a no-brainer when considering what to pack for your next lightweight backcountry adventure.
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Jan 23, 2024 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Sam Schild |James Lucas |Buck Yedor |Adam Paashaus
By Sam Schild, James Lucas, Buck Yedor, and Adam Paashaus Tuesday January 23, 2024 Searching for the best down and puffy jackets? Since 2010, we've tested more than 75 down coats to bring you these 16 most promising options. We've worn them up mountains and around campfires, on morning commutes and dog walks. We layered them over sweatshirts and under hardshell jackets and wore them down ski hills and picking out Christmas trees.
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Dec 19, 2023 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Buck Yedor
More often than not, new pads coming to market look like carbon copies of pads from decades past. These days it seems like most companies are more interested in slapping a big logo on a piece of foam rather than focusing on innovation or improving the bouldering experience. Unlike other new pads hitting the scene, The Kinetik Newton 4.0 seeks to do more.
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Nov 15, 2023 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Ben Applebaum-Bauch |James Lucas |Buck Yedor
Updated Version AvailableWe've tested this fleece over several seasons and in multiple colorways. This year, Outdoor Research tweaked the design a bit and renamed it the Vigor Grid Full Zip Hoodie. The materials and design features remain largely the same, but there are some revised seamlines, as noted in the comparison photos above. The price has also bumped ten bucks. We're linking to the updated version in our affiliate links and plan to get our hands on one to test for our next update cycle.
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Jul 7, 2023 | 
techgearlab.com | Buck Yedor
Best Overall Lightning Cable Anker Powerline + II 6 ft Lightning Durability 8.0 Connectability 10.0 Charging Speed 10.0 Storability 7.0 Length: 6 ft | Type of USB Attachment: USB-A REASONS TO BUY Durable braided nylon sheath Includes a carrying case REASONS TO AVOID Expensive Bulky The Anker Powerline+ II is incredibly durable and a highly efficient charger. The most common point of failure on charging cables seems to be where the cable meets the plug-in point for the device. This connection...
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May 9, 2023 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Ben Applebaum-Bauch |James Lucas |Buck Yedor
The unique fabric pattern and thermos-regulating ActiveTemp of the Vigor work together to make a breathable garment that wicks away moisture when you're battling up steep hills or working hard. It comes with two handwarmer pockets and a chest pocket for ample storage, and thumbholes keep the sleeves in place while layering up. The 7% spandex in the fabric keeps the jacket highly mobile.
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May 9, 2023 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | James Lucas |Buck Yedor
The Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip takes a fashion approach to fleece. The Alfpaca Gold fabric adds significant warmth to this midweight fleece which works to transition from the streets to casual hiking and outdoor adventures. The slim, athletic cut moves well with the body, but the fleece has a general bulky feel making it better suited for evening strolls than for hard hikes or back-country ski missions. Still, the style of this fleece makes it an attractive option.
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May 9, 2023 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | James Lucas |Buck Yedor
The Arc'teryx Kyanite AR hits the summit of fleece comfort with the brushed line interior and Polartec Power Stretch Pro material. The stretchy material of the Polartec and the softness of the fleece create an incredibly cozy feeling jacket that falls into the midweight level of warmth. The jacket has a fitted, low-profile hood that blocks wind while allowing movement. The articulated patterning, as well as the no-lift gusseted underarms, create an amazing level of mobility in this jacket.
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May 9, 2023 | 
outdoorgearlab.com | Ben Applebaum-Bauch |James Lucas |Adam Paashaus |Buck Yedor
By Ben Applebaum-Bauch, James Lucas, Adam Paashaus, Buck Yedor Tuesday May 9, 2023 After extensive research, we select the best fleece jackets from the top manufacturers to test them in the wild. Each model went through the wringer, getting worn in everyday environments and extreme conditions. From skiing to backpacking to walking the dog, our testers wore and evaluated each jacket from the Rockies to the Sierra to New England to determine the best for various use cases.
