Baselayers are the hidden workhorses of winter apparel. But out of sight doesn’t mean they should be out of mind—getting them right is important. A bad baselayer can ruin what would otherwise be a great adventure due to scratchy materials, a subpar fit, or an inability to dry out quickly. A perfect layer, meanwhile, can keep you warm, dry, and happy all day long. After copious testing, our team of testers has assembled a list of favorite men’s base layers for every winter condition and activity, from casual resort laps to frigid weeklong epics.

At a Glance

• Editor’s Choice: and
• Best for Winter Camping:
• Best Budget Merino: and
• Most Breathable:
• Best for Cold Hikes and Hunts:
• Most Versatile:
• Products to Avoid
• How to Choose Base Layers
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Editor’s Choice

Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Crew and Bottom

Sizes: S-XXL
Fit: Tight
Key Material: Merino wool/nylon Nuyarn blend
Breathability: 9/10
Warmth: 6/10
Wicking: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Forget-you’re-wearing-it comfort
⊕ Excellent wicking and moisture control
⊕ Odor resistant
⊗ Not super warm

The true sign of a great baselayer is that you’re still wearing it on the car ride home. That means it’s breathable rather than clammy, snug instead of constricting, and comfy enough that you forget you’re even wearing it. According to our testers, one base layer set checked those boxes every time they wore it: the Ibex Woolies Pro Tech Top and Bottom. From powder days in Tahoe to damp training runs, the Woolies became “the baselayer against which all others will henceforth be judged,” one tester declared.

In western Canada, the Woolies survived a gauntlet of winter smokejumper firefighter training sessions (including rainy runs, weighted hikes, and infrequent launderings) with little fuss—or stink. That’s thanks to the Nuyarn construction, which wraps odor-repelling merino wool around a nylon core, creating a lofty yarn that resists the stretching and tearing that can plague 100 percent merino garments.

In terms of design, one tester summed it up well, as “simple and highly functional.” Raglan sleeves on the crew top meant no seams to interfere with pack straps. Flatlock stitching throughout the top and bottoms boosted comfort, and generously sized thumbholes played well with gloves and mittens.

Despite all that we loved about the Woolies, they weren’t ideal in every condition. As Ibex’s lightest set of baselayers, they are by definition not the warmest. Testers found the Woolies sufficient to about 15 degrees, but too airy to sit still in during really cold conditions.

Best for Winter Camping

Seirus Reflective Heatwave Top and Bottom

ĚýComing Soon

Sizes: XS – XXL
Fit: Snug but not skin-tight
Key Materials: Polyester with reflective coating
Breathability: 4/10
Warmth: 9/10
Wicking: 6/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Excellent comfort as a sleep layer
⊕ Affordable
⊕ Very warm
⊗ A bit restrictive for active use

Winter camping is all about overall warmth rather than the combination of warmth and breathability that we look for while skiing or snowshoeing. That’s why, even though they weren’t our favorites during active days, the Reflective Heatwave layers topped our list once the sun went down.

These layers from Seirus take a three-pronged approach to heat retention: a reassuringly thick polyester fabric, a shiny surface designed to reflect heat, and a soft fleece backing to trap that heat next to the skin. Combined, this equaled a top and bottom layer that were up to the coldest temperatures we experienced, which dropped into the negatives on one tester’s winter adventures in New Hampshire.

In frigid conditions like that, the Reflective Heatwave layers do serve as passable active layers as well. Still, other items we tested offered better stretch and comfort while in motion, and testers agreed that these very insulative layers are best reserved for campsite duty.

Best Budget Merino

Minus33 Ticonderoga Lightweight Crew and Saratoga Lightweight Bottom

Sizes: XS – XXXL, plus tall sizes
Fit: Snug, but not skin-tight
Key Material: 100 percent Merino
Breathability: 8/10
Warmth: 7/10
Wicking: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Great value for merino
⊕ No-nonsense design
⊗ No thumb holes in sleeves
⊗ Runs small

In 2025, 100 percent merino wool garments are a dying breed, often replaced by wool/nylon blends that boost durability. But the lightweight base layers from Minus33 are proof that all-natural layers still deserve a place in your gear closet. The reasons why start with price. These layers aren’t exactly cheap compared to run-of-the-mill synthetics, but at $75, they won’t break the bank, either.

Then there’s odor control. Any merino blend helps keep clothing from getting stinky, but pure merino does the best job. One tester said he couldn’t determine how often to wash his layers, because they never developed that telltale smell. Finally, they’re versatile. The crew top’s snug fit and lightweight material allows it to serve double duty as a standalone layer in spring and fall, although testers found it a bit too warm for summer hiking. One ding: The top has no thumbholes, a feature we look for to keep sleeves pulled down around our wrists.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY ARMS OF ANDES
Arms of Andes Alpaca Wool Base Layer: 300 Lightweight Half-Zip ($135)

Learn More

Everything you’ve heard is true: 100 percent Alpaca Wool outperforms Merino in all ways. And it’s essential your base layer, the foundation of your layering kit, is made from only the best material available. The lightweight, smooth, and highly-insulated fabric is perfect for any cold-weather adventure with moisture-wicking and oder resistant properties. The best part? Arms of Andes products, including the 300 Lightweight Half-Zip Base Layer, are made in Peru, right where the Alpaca Wool is sourced.

Most Breathable

FarPointe Alpha Cruiser Hoodie

Sizes: XS-XXL
Fit: Slim
Key Material: Polartec Alpha Direct
Breathability: 10/10
Warmth: 7/10
Wicking: 9/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Next-level breathability
⊕ Works as base layer or ultralight midlayer
⊗ Prone to snagging and pulling
⊗ No wind resistance

The Cruiser Hoodie’s breathability magic comes down to materials, namely, Polartec Alpha Direct, a wispy-thin fleece that offers an unexpected blend of warmth and air flow. In calm conditions, our testers marveled at how warm this fuzzy, nearly see-through fabric was. But it’s also very fragile, and more than one of our testers reported snagging and tearing the Cruiser (one on a brushy trail, the other thanks to a pet cat).

That fragility led to mixed reviews. Our Alaskan tester, whose winter trips inevitably involve bushwhacking, found it far too delicate. But on the well-manicured trails in the high desert of southern Idaho, I found a use for the multifunctional Cruiser on nearly every hiking and Nordic skiing trip I took: it served as a super-plush sleep layer year-’round, a cozy base layer in cold-weather, and a highly breathable midlayer in shoulder seasons, especially when paired with a thin windshirt. Best of all, it’s incredibly light: At 4.4 ounces, it weighs less than most sun hoodies.

Best for Cold Hikes and Hunts

Sitka Core Merino 330 Zip-Off Bottom

Sizes: M-XXL
Fit: Loose
Key Materials: Merino wool/nylon blend
Breathability: 5/10
Warmth: 10/10
Wicking: 6/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy on and off
⊕ Mid-calf length works well with boots
⊗ Pricey
⊗ Baggy on skinny frames

Zip-off long johns belong to an exclusive category of gear that we didn’t know we needed but can’t go without now that we’ve seen the light. The appeal is simple: you can remove your leggings without taking off your pants or boots. Does that sound like a small upgrade? Don’t tell our testers that. “On multi-day winter trips when it feels like your whole day is spent managing layers, these really are a game-changer,” one reported after a late fall hunting trip in Utah.

Rather than opting for a lightweight legging that’s too cold in camp and too warm while moving, the 330 bottoms (named for the 330 grams per square meter merino-and-nylon blend that Sitka uses) do away with trying for versatility. Instead, they’re properly warm and thick, and easy to strip off when you inevitably overheat. One ding: This set sports a looser fit, so those with slimmer builds might find them too baggy, especially at the leg opening.

Most Versatile

Rab Conduit Crew

Sizes: S-XXL
Fit: Tight
Key Material: Recycled polyester
Breathability: 8/10
Warmth: 7/10
Wicking: 8/10

Pros and Cons
⊕ Performs well in a range of temps and conditions
⊕ Great wicking capabilities
⊕ Soft and cozy
⊗ A little on the heavy side

Despite the widely different range of tester expectations, sports, and geography, the Conduit was a unanimous favorite thanks to its extreme comfort and versatility across a wide range of temperatures. After months spent skiing at Sugarbush and mountain biking around Burlington, Vt., one tester’s notes on the Conduit were simple: “Rab just seems to have the best materials.”

All agreed that there must be some form of alchemy in the 92-percent recycled polyester, eight-percent elastane weave that manifested in a lightly gridded fleece backer. Testers praised the comfort in a variety of conditions and uses: One wore it beneath a couple layers in temps around the tens during heavy sideways snow in central Oregon; another wore it alone during a 40-degree overcast run in the Ashland watershed. At 6.9 ounces, it was on the heavy side for the top end of our temperature range, but the micro-channeled gridded fleece moved excess heat with aplomb. “It was great at wicking moisture,” remarked a tester after taking it on a long run in 45-degree temps while wearing a pack. All agreed this top will serve as a reliable, go-to layer, all winter long.

Products to Avoid

It might be tempting to equate base layers with any long underwear, but steer clear of the inexpensive “waffle” thermals from brands like Hanes or Fruit of the Loom: these are generally cotton, which dries slowly and doesn’t retain heat when wet. In winter conditions, wet cotton is downright dangerous and can lead to hypothermia.

How to Choose Base Layers

Comfort is paramount when purchasing base layers. Every body and every skin type is different so dialing in the materials that feel the best on your skin is the most important part of the base layer buying journey. In general, quality baselayers will be constructed of either polyester or merino wool, with spandex, elastane, or nylon spun into the fabric to increase stretch or durability. Polyester layers are usually cheaper and quicker to dry, while merino is more expensive, dries slower (but retains heat while wet), and is more odor-resistant. Which is better comes down to personal preference: some love the soft hand of natural fibers, but even the most advanced, small-micron merino wool material can make someone with a wool intolerance miserable.

Once you have landed on a material that works for your skin, start looking into moisture movement. If you sweat a ton, as many of the testers for this category do, look into lightweight synthetic base layers, as they have an excellent track record for moving moisture efficiently. If you do not sweat much, then you can get away with thicker next-to-skin layers that will also be warmer when you’re not in motion.

In terms of design, base layers are pretty straightforward. To maximize comfort, look for upgrades like flatlock seams and raglan sleeves, which can prevent chafing, especially when wearing a pack.

How We Test

• Number of Products: 34
• Number of Testers: 11
• States Tested In: 10
• Temperature Range: -5 to 60 F

While the communication process varied from detailed descriptions on Google documents to handwritten notes over giggles and beers, the testing process itself was uniformly all business. Our team racked up hundreds of miles run, ridden, and skied in conditions ranging from sub-zero mid-mountain whiteouts to mild seaside runs.

Meet Our Testers

Category manager Nathan Pipenberg has been testing men’s apparel for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř for three years and also serves as µţ˛ął¦°ě±č˛ął¦°ě±đ°ů’s ultralight columnist. This year, he put gear to the test on winter hikes, resort laps, and late-season trail work missions.

Ultra Running Coach, Trails and Tarmac owner, running shoe reviewer, and podcaster Brett Hornig put down well over 100 running miles testing layers in wintry conditions.

Greg Durso, Program Director for The Kelly Brush Foundation, is one of the hardest charging, most prolific, adaptive ski and mountain bike athletes on the East Coast.

The post The Best Men’s Base Layers for Winter Activities (2025) appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

The U.S. Forest Service is a federal agency that manages 193 million acres of land, an area about the size of Texas. Next year, the agency will have to manage that land without its seasonal workforce. In September, that it would be suspending all seasonal hiring for the 2025 season, a decision that will cut about 2,400 jobs. Nearly all of those positions are field-based jobs, ranging from biologists and timber workers to trail technicians and recreation staff. In addition, the agency is freezing all external hiring for permanent positions. The only exception to the hiring freeze are the roughly 11,300 firefighters hired by the agency every year.

According to the agency and its partners, the effects of these staffing cuts will be far-ranging and severe. In the September 17 all-employee call where he announced the hiring freeze, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said “We just can’t get the same work done with fewer employees.” Though the Forest Service has been shedding jobs for decades—about 8,000 jobs in the last 20 years, Moore said—this will be the largest single-year staff cut in recent memory.

Seasonal employees perform vital fieldwork and research that extends beyond what many Americans consider the jurisdiction of the Forest Service. Rangers patrol whitewater rivers, rock climbing crags, and dangerous alpine summits. Biologists staff critical salmon fisheries. and clean camp latrines. Employees of all types chip in as emergency firefighters when required. According to the American Avalanche Association, the staff cuts could leave some avalanche centers, which rely on the Forest Service for funding, understaffed this winter.

And then there are trails. According to the Government Accountability Office, the Forest Service has had a maintenance backlog for more than a decade, and oversees more miles of trail than it can maintain. Cutting the majority of its field-going trail staff will only make the issue worse.

“This policy will result in a burgeoning of the , both through lack of Forest Service staff attention to trail maintenance, but also through the loss of connection and relationships with partner organizations,” Mike Passo, the executive director of American Trails, a non-profit Forest Service partner, said in an email.

Backpacker spoke to , most on condition of anonymity, about their experiences with the staffing cuts. Several expressed concern that trail crews would simply be unable to operate. They described crews of six seasonal employees disappearing, leaving one or two permanent crew leaders left trying to make things work. One intern in the National Pathways program, designed to automatically place successful interns into a full-time position with the agency, said she’s been told her job offer will likely be revoked. Other trail workers at conservation corps and non-profits who saw Forest Service positions as a step up the career ladder are rethinking their priorities.

Danica Mooney-Jones, a trail crew leader who’s been with the Forest Service since 2021, is among those out of a job next year. Where she works, the trail crew staff will go from five to two, and the broader recreation program is being cut from 13 employees to just four.

“I moved across the country to work here, for a seasonal job,” she says. “We have people who have worked here for 10 years as seasonals, and made a career out of these positions. They trusted that the jobs wouldn’t go away.”

Now, she and her former co-workers have a tough choice to make: leave their communities to find a job in trails somewhere else, or stay put and find a new career. Mooney Jones considers herself lucky; armed with , she found a local winter job as a ski patroller. Still, the idea of leaving the Forest Service behind for good is sobering.

“I’d be really sad if this was the end of my trail career,” says Mooney-Jones. “I really love doing the work, I love seeing the product, and I’m very proud of the work that we do.”

Trail maintenance is important every season, but 2025 may prove an especially difficult year to cut down on the workers who make it happen. After Hurricane Helene, southern portions of the Appalachian Trail are closed due to blowdowns, landslides, and washed out bridges. According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, there are more than 2,000 trees to clear from the AT in Tennessee alone, and many Forest Service access roads from Georgia to Virginia are closed due to erosion and rockfall.

That’s just on the AT—a popular long-distance trail supported by a non-profit organization and hundreds of trained volunteers. Elsewhere in the southern US, lesser-known trails face similar conditions but rely solely on Forest Service staff in order to re-open.

The cuts also left employees and partners wondering how the budget shortfall became so dire after several promising years of funding increases.

In 2021, the Biden administration mandated a $15 per hour minimum wage for all federal employees, which raised wages for some entry-level Forest Service jobs. Over the past several years, the agency also converted about 1,300 seasonal non-fire positions into permanent jobs. , who now make up about half of the Forest Service’s workforce, received bonuses of up to $20,000 per year, which were temporarily funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act. Several Forest Service employees said there was hope that pay raises for firefighters would eventually translate into raises for other field-going employees, as well.

But those short-term gains have all but disappeared, replaced by a sudden budget shortfall.

In March, the Forest Service requested $8.9 billion in funding, a $500 million jump from 2024’s $8.37 billion. By the summer, it was clear the agency was unlikely to receive it. In August, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore released a statement preparing the USFS for a reduced budget. With little evidence that Congress would pass a bill funding the government by the end of the year, Moore said in the September 17 all-employee call that “[the Forest Service] has an obligation to plan for the most conservative funding possibility.” A week later, Congress passed a continuing resolution that extended the 2024 funding levels through December 20.

The lowest number Moore referred to comes from the proposal from the House Interior Appropriations Committee, which sets spending limits for all federal land management agencies, including the Forest Service and National Park Service. This year’s proposal includes $8.43 billion for the Forest Service—technically a modest increase compared to 2024. But last year’s budget was boosted by an additional $945 million through pandemic-era stimulus bills, a funding source that has since dried up. And while the House proposal fully funds the firefighter pay raises, the proposed budget would still necessitate cuts elsewhere at the agency. All of these details muddy the financial picture, but compared to total funding in 2024, the agency could face a budget hole of nearly a billion dollars next year.

Because the Forest Service’s budget for next year is still not finalized, there is a chance the agency will fill some seasonal positions in the near future. “We are working closely with individual partners to explore creative solutions to fill gaps where we can. And we hope to have more hiring options in the coming year if additional funding becomes available,” Scott Owen, national press officer for the Forest Service, wrote in an email.

Even with these sobering financial details, it’s clear that the agency’s decision to balance the books by cutting seasonal jobs came as a shock to many employees.

“My trust has definitely taken a hit,” says Mooney-Jones. “I’d consider coming back to the Forest Service, but I’m not sure I could. It’s a balancing act between how I feel about how we’ve been treated and how much I love the forest.”

The post The Forest Service Is Losing 2,400 Jobs—Including Most of Its Trail Workers appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Fifteen years ago, ultralight hiking gear was truly edgy. Every cottage brand had a 12-ounce silnylon pack. Half-length pads and body mapped designs were a compromise between full-on misery and smart packing. (or better yet, ) instantly marked you as a hardcore ounce-cutter. Critically, these experimental kits allowed thru-hikers astonishingly low baseweights.

. Ultralight hiking gear is still at the bleeding edge of the industry, featuring fancy new fabrics, bold innovations, and plenty of carbon and titanium bling. For the most part, it’s more durable, easier to use, and more comfortable. But is it actually lighter?

Those silnylon packs, so popular in the early 2000s with brands like Gossamer Gear, Six Moon Designs, and Mountain Laurel Designs, have been wholly replaced by heavier, more durable fabrics like (though a few products like are keeping the tradition alive). Minimalist pads are a rarity these days, with Therm-a-Rest cutting production of its lightest inflatable pad, the Uberlite. (Dedicated tinkerers sometimes cut and resealed the 8.8-ounce pad to save further weight.) The brand’s NeoAir Xlite weighs 4 ounces more, but is far more durable and warm enough for fall backpacking. Ultralighters have spent decades slowly boiling water with , but the best “light-enough” canister stoves now perform so well that methenamine cubes are little more than a sideshow.

Does that mean we’ve moved beyond the uberlight experiment? I think so. The industry has shifted in a way that mirrors the average ultralight hiker’s own experience dialing in their kit. I know my own experiments with gear followed a similar path. When I first decided to “go ultralight,” I focused on a 10-pound baseweight as an easy-to-track goal. Once I achieved that, I set my sights lower. Could I swap out a lighter sleeping bag? Yes, but some nights I would get too cold. A lighter pack? Sure, but it wasn’t as comfortable. A lighter pad? No—I slept terribly. After a few years of trial and error, I had cut weight in a few places and added it back in others, and ended up roughly where I started. For me, more experience didn’t mean a lighter kit, after all.

Writ large, we’ve all cast our votes for what is worth going ultralight for, and it turns out many of us have the same preferences. For most of us, it’s not silnylon packs. It’s not sleeping pads with cutouts to save weight. It’s not rain gear that can unfold into a tarp.

With the ultralight industry more competitive than ever, it seems like fewer brands are willing to experiment out on the fringes. A likely culprit is the growing size of the average ultralight gear company. When you’re a one-person operation making gear for a handful of dedicated customers, taking chances isn’t that risky. But if you have a dozen people on the payroll and a well-honed production line, a product that doesn’t land is a serious misstep. A bigger customer base comes with less patience for gear that breaks—and more warranty claims.

To be clear, this is largely a good thing. The fact is, today’s ultralight gear is so good that most attempts to reinvent the wheel are going to fail. But that also means that in a decade’s time, we might see an industry that’s mostly unchanged outside of newer, even more expensive fabrics and materials.

As a longtime ultralight gearhead, I’ll be disappointed if that future comes to pass. I grew to love the ultralight community for its bold personalities who were more comfortable charting their own path than following trends, even if some of those paths were dead-ends.

Maybe it’s inevitable that there’s less room for wild ideas as the community matures. But if the door to technical innovation is closing, that could mean other doors are opening. Maybe the way for a modern ultralight company to take risks isn’t with featherweight fabrics, but with , an ambitious sustainability goal, or engaging the community in a new way. Personally, I trust that the cottage ultralight community is creative enough to figure it out.

The post Is the Uberlight Gear Experiment Over? appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Backpacking in winter takes practice. Between , , and frozen water bottles, a successful winter outing does come with a learning curve. But embarking on a cold-weather trip doesn’t mean you need to throw out everything you’ve learned (or all the gear you’ve accumulated) for fair-weather backpacking. To help you plan your next—or first—winter trip, we’re separating truth and fiction in four common cold-weather backpacking tips.

Myth: You need a dedicated winter sleeping pad.

Verdict: False

Let’s be clear, it’s absolutely true that you need more insulation underneath your body when you’re camping in the winter. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go out and buy an expensive sleeping pad that you’ll only use a few times each year. comes down to a number known as R-value, which tracks how well a pad resists heat loss. In the summer, an R-value of 2 can keep you comfy, but most people will want to boost that number above 5 in the winter. Yes, one way to do that is to buy a winter pad, which often have reflective surfaces or insulation packed inside to trap your body heat. But you can also just stack two pads on top of each other. Calculating the R-value of two pads is simple—just add the numbers together. If you already have a pad with an R-value of 3, adding a foam pad with an R-value of 2 will get you to 5, and that supplemental foam pad will be a lot cheaper than buying a specialized winter pad.Ěý

Myth: Canister stoves don’t work in the winter.

Verdict: Partly True

It is true that , but the temperature has to get pretty icy before your JetBoil stops boiling. If the mercury hovers around 20 or 30 degrees, you’ll probably be fine. But if it dips below 11 degrees for an extended period of time, you’ll likely be in trouble. Here’s why: canister fuels like butane, isobutane, and propane rely on vapor pressure to deliver fuel to the stove. As temperatures drop, these fuels begin to fall below their boiling points and turn from gas to liquid. Without those fuel gases, your stove stops working. Each fuel has a different boiling point. Butane’s is at 31 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why older fuel canisters were truly awful in any temps below freezing. Isobutane, which is in modern canisters, boils at 11 degrees. Finally, propane is good down to -44 degrees, which is why “all-season” canisters often include 25 percent propane—it drops the boiling point and gives you some extra cold-weather usability.Ěý

It’s worth noting a few things. First, if you flip over a fuel canister, it can deliver liquid gas to a stove—but you’ll need a camp stove that’s designed for that specific use. Secondly, while the temperatures above are a good guideline, canister stove performance isn’t simply good or bad. Instead, it continues to decrease as temperatures get colder. So even if you don’t hit that dreaded-11 degree mark, your stove will be less efficient in temperatures in the teens. Our advice? If you have one or two quick trips planned this winter, it might be worth trying to make a canister stove work using all-season fuel. For more serious endevors like melting snow or cooking for a group, a white gas stove is a better option.Ěý

Myth: Thicker socks are just as good as insulated boots.

Verdict: False

Keeping your feet—and the rest of your body, for that matter—warm in winter is . Ideally, that means that both your socks and your footwear are contributing warmth and comfort. Wearing two pairs of socks is great, but if you’re still slipping into a pair of mostly mesh trail runners, you can probably count on cold feet. Wearing a single set of merino socks in an insulated leather boot will almost certainly be warmer. Another thing to keep in mind is sizing: Just like any form of insulation, socks and boots will work best when there’s space to trap air. If you pull on two pairs of thick socks and cram your feet into a pair of shoes or boots that you normally wear in the summer, the tight fit will almost certainly equal cold feet due to a combination of squashed insulation and lack of circulation.

To truly stay warm, make sure your entire footwear system is working together. Wear one or two pairs of socks (one thin pair under a thicker wool sock is a good wicking combo) and a pair of boots with some wiggle room, and consider extras like a wool insole and wind-blocking gaiters.Ěý

Myth: You don’t really need a pee bottle.

Verdict: Maybe, maybe not.Ěý

The real myth here is that it’s a good idea to hold your pee when you’re camping in the winter. The opposite is actually true. A full bladder might sound warm, but is redirecting energy that could be heating youĚý instead. That means the best thing to do during a cold night in your tent is to relieve yourself as soon as you get the urge. If you’re happy to get out of the tent to go pee, more power to you (another myth to debunk: a few minutes outside of your sleeping bag will not affect your body temperature much, even if it feels uncomfortable). But for many people, making the process easier means you’ll be less likely to lie to yourself about how bad you have to go. A pee bottle—particularly one with a sturdy screw top—in the tent is totally valid. In addition, a pee funnel can make it possible for anyone to pee while standing or kneeling, and improves your aim to boot. If that sounds like something that would make winter camping easier and more comfortable, give it a shot

The post Get the Facts and Ignore These Four Winter Hiking Myths appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

If you’ve felt lately that the world of lightweight rain gear has gotten more confusing than ever, you’re not alone. There have been a lot of shakeups in the industry lately, including stricter environmental standards, supply-chain woes, and substandard performance. One brand manager told me point-blank that rain jackets have become less durable and breathable over the past decade. With increased scrutiny of the chemicals used in high-tech fabrics, it can feel like you need a chemical engineering degree to understand modern raingear and make an informed purchase. We dug into the subject, talking with designers from brands big and small, to get a handle on the state of ultralight raingear.Ěý

The PFC Question

In the past several years, chemicals called PFCs or PFAS have been under scrutiny—in the outdoor industry and beyond—for their potential harmful health effects, ranging from liver damage, increased cancer rates, or risk of birth defects. PFCs, or perfluorinated chemicals, are a group of chemicals that are used in many industries as a water-resistant coating. They’re also often referred to as PFAS (or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and in the context of outdoor apparel, the two terms are basically interchangeable. These chemicals are considered harmful because they break down very slowly, and can accumulate in water, soil, air, and our own bloodstreams. Research suggests that PFAS are mainly a public health hazard as they accumulate in the world; a person wearing a garment made with PFAS is not at a higher risk of harm. The strongest research shows that PFAS act as in both humans and wildlife, which can cause alarming biological disfunction. It’s safe to say that decreasing our reliance on PFAS is a crucial goal, especially in non-essential goods like hiking gear.Ěý

In waterproof gear, PFAS show up in two main applications: durable water-repellant (DWR) coatings and breathable membranes. As these coatings and membranes break down, from abrasion, repeated washing, or just old age, they shed PFAS chemicals. In the past decade or so, much of the outdoor industry has moved away from what are called “long-chain” PFAS (“long” because they contain more carbon atoms), to shorter chain chemicals. It’s hypothesized that these shorter chain PFAS may be more environmentally friendly because they break down faster and not accumulate in the environment as quickly. (Although research has shown that .) But shorter chain coatings are also not as effective and long-lasting as the older coatings: If you’ve noticed that a recent rain jacket purchase doesn’t bead water as well as a jacket made in 2010, you’re probably right. That difference comes down to the adoption of short-chain chemicals.Ěý

Increasingly, the outdoor industry is moving away from PFAS altogether: In February 2023, REI, a financial and cultural trend-driver for the industry, announced that by Fall 2024, it will no longer sell any products that contain PFAS. And bans on PFAS will soon go far beyond the outdoor industry. New York is banning the sale of any apparel containing PFAS by the end of the year, and other states have enacted bans on PFAS in apparel, food packaging, upholstery, and other products.

How Has the Ultralight Market Responded?

Unlike many items in an ultralighter’s gear closet, most rainwear comes from major brands, not cottage companies. That’s because those brands often have exclusive access to the best technology from companies like Gore-Tex or Toray. After a Gore-Tex Paclite shell? You might be heading to REI instead of .

And those big brands have—so far—shown a concerted effort to move to PFAS-free. There are a few reasons for this. REI’s PFAS-free ultimatum surely adds to the pressure for major brands, who are reliant on retail sales. Last year, Gore-Tex announced it would discontinue its ShakeDry line, the lightest and most enticing option for ultralighters, only six years after it hit the market. Last fall, Gore-Tex also replaced its standard three-layer shell with a PFAS-free alternative made of expanded polyethylene, or ePE. According to Gore, the new fabric is not only PFAS-free, but lighter in weight and has a smaller carbon footprint. When it comes to lighter Gore-Tex fabrics like Paclite and Paclite Plus, Gore hasn’t been as forthcoming, stating that “a growing number of Gore‑tex Paclite garments come with a durable water repellent treatment free of PFCs of environmental concern.” In other words, Paclite is moving toward PFAS-free, but for now you should check individual product specifications to be sure.ĚýĚý

The ePE shells available to date are far from ultralight and only available from a few brands. Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, Arc’teryx all began to offer ePE shells last year, but most come in at 14 ounces or above. Prices are steep as well: even a more affordable option like Salomon’s , is $350. Then there’s the breathability ratings. By the numbers, ePE is the least breathable fabric that Gore-Tex offers, with a Thermal Evaporative Resistance (RET) rating of <13. In comparison, Gore-Tex Pro has a RET of <6, while Shakedry comes in at <3.Ěý

The other big player in the game is Columbia’s Outdry Extreme fabric line. , Outdry does away with the need for DWR coatings by putting the membrane layer on the outside (Gore-Tex’s ill-fated Shakedry fabric also had an outer-layer membrane). Outdry Extreme and Extreme Eco are now both PFAS-free (Eco goes a step further and also uses recycled materials). The stats are fairly promising: the Outdry Ex Eco Tech Shell weighs about 10 ounces and has a waterproof rating of about 20,000 mm (making it 100% waterproof in real-world scenarios. M own experience? Breathability is good but not extraordinary. The big drawback for consumers here is that Outdry is exclusive to Columbia, which means there are only a few different jackets to choose from. So far, Outdry jackets aren’t even available from other Columbia-owned brands like Mountain Hardwear.Ěý

For those willing to spend the cash, cycling gear is another good place to find the latest tech. POC recently unveiled a with some eye-popping stats: PFAS-free, 3 ounces, and $500. The featherlight construction (it uses 10-denier polyester and a super-thin polyurethane membrane) almost certainly comes with durability concerns, though, especially since cycling apparel isn’t designed with rubbing pack straps in mind.Ěý

Cottage brands, which are mostly direct-to-consumer, aren’t beholden to PFAS bans from retailers. As a result, some are continuing to offer jackets with short chain DWR coatings, while others have moved to PFAS-free coatings. A chief reason? Performance. On its website, Katabatic Gear says it has found PFAS-free coating to be about 10 percent as effective and far less durable than the short-chain alternative.Ěý

Some cottage brands are dropping “forever chemicals” from their lineups, even without industry regulations and regardless of performance concerns. One brand that has already adopted PFAS-free standards in Enlightened Equipment. CEO Chris Schabow says that since 2021, the brand has made the transition for its full line of sleeping bags and apparel, including the Visp rain jacket, a 5-ounce three-layer shell.

Breathable Rainwear: Just a Gimmick?

In the cottage world, a few brands are taking a novel approach—abandoning the waterproof-breathable idea entirely. At Lightheart Gear, customers can find a 20-denier silicone-polyester rain jacket that’s 100 percent waterproof and non-breathable. “In my somewhat unscientific opinion, [waterproof-breathable fabrics] are just an expensive gimmick,” says founder Judy Gross. “Yes, I get a lot of questions from people asking about chemicals in the material for the jackets and our tents. And yes, it’s a selling point. But mostly, people complain that waterproof-breathable jackets just don’t work.” Instead of breathable fabric, Gross relies on mechanical venting to dump heat, in the form of two-way pit zips that extend down to the elbow.

Another brand that takes a similar approach is Timmermade, which offers silpoly and Dyneema jackets that weigh as little as three ounces. “Environmental impact is always at the front of my mind when considering anything, and siliconized fabrics and DCF look a lot more friendly than the membranes,” says founder Dan Timmerman. “However, I don’t think these reasons are responsible for the current popularity of impermeable rainwear. These products are trending because membrane technology has failed a lot of people and those people are looking back to reliability.” Once a waterproof-breathable jacket wets out, Timmerman says the drawbacks start to become apparent: they are usually heavier, offer less abrasion resistance, and absorb water.Ěý

What’s Next?

It remains to be seen if PFAS-free raingear can offer the same performance and durability as its predecessors. But as more regulations and bans come into effect, PFAS-free gear is likely to become the standard within a few years. That means performance may continue to dip, but new technologies are sure to hit the market. For gearheads, the shift to PFAS-free is an opportunity to try novel products and anxiously wait for new releases. For other ultralighters, there will always a tried-and-true option to fall back on: the humble silnylon poncho.

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Big news in the ultralight backpacking world: Challenge Sailcloth, the fabric-maker that produces , is releasing an even lighter-weight fabric designed for shelters. UltraTNT (for tarps and tents), is a high-tech composite fabric designed to rival Dyneema, . And while UltraTNT tarps are only available from a single brand right now, shelters from other big name ultralight brands will be available by the end of summer.Ěý

Let’s be clear: UltraTNT is neither a Dyneema or a silnylon killer. Instead, it’s poised to occupy its own niche: a durable, lightweight option that won’t break the bank. The new fabric is substantially heavier than the version of Dyneema most often used in shelters at 0.94 ounces per square yard, compared to Dyneema’s 0.51 ounces per square yard. That means it can’t compete when it comes to building the absolute lightest shelters possible. In terms of price, it’s much cheaper than Dyneema, but about twice the price of silnylon per yard—which means it won’t become the de facto budget choice either. My guess is that it will become a top choice for four season shelters (where the extra strength is especially importantl) and small tarps (where slightly heavier fabrics only add an ounce or two of total weight).Ěý

Like Dyneema, UltraTNT is what is known as a composite fabric. While silnylon and silpoly are traditional woven fabrics coated in liquid silicone, UltraTNT and Dyneema are laminated. In the case of UltraTNT, that looks like two polyester films sandwiching a grid of Ultra (or ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene) fibers. This method of construction gives the fabric some unusual characteristics: Like Dyneema, it’s 100 percent waterproof. Brand new, it’s stiff and a bit crinkly. Over time, it becomes softer and more pliable. According to Challenge Outdoor managing director Hale Walcoff, UltraTNT actually becomes more resistant to tears and punctures as it breaks in. “As the fabric gets used, it develops many small wrinkles, which improves tear strength and makes it easier to pack” explains Walcoff.Ěý

The Ultra fibers are what give the material its strength, and the layout of the fibers is where UltraTNT and Dyneema differ drastically. Dyneema uses a sheet of similar fibers, and arranges them in a close grid that looks almost like a woven material. In contrast, UltraTNT is essentially a polyester sheet embedded with long strands of Ultra yarn, which form a wide grid that looks a lot like other ripstop fabrics.Ěý

One technical feature unique to UltraTNT is that the Ultra grid crosses in three directions instead of two. Walcoff says that this diagonal layout helps to increase its strength and reduce the chances that the fabric will deform under load. Since the grid of Dyneema is all at right angles, it’s not well-suited to tension in other directions. In real world scenarios (think stakes at the corners of a tent) that means Dyneema will eventually deform when under tension at odd angles.Ěý

“A Dyneema tent used in the field for multiple days will never again set up as well as it did the first time,” says Henry Shires, founder of . “UltraTNT is far better able to resist deformation because of the extra diagonal weave. That alone makes it a better tent material.”

Tarptent is one of several brands to experiment with UltraTNT, but one of the only to state definitively that it plans to use the fabric going forward. Shires says tents using UltraTNT will be for sale by the end of the summer. The only drawback he noted is that the wide Ultra grid makes the fabric more susceptible to punctures. For that reason, he’s not planning to use it as a tent floor fabric.Ěý

One brand already has an Ultra TNT tent on the market: , a longtime cottage brand based in Georgia, helped develop the fabric and, as a result, is first to get a product out the door. Etowah has UltraTNT flat tarps for sale, starting at $100 for a five-by-eight-foot tarp (prices rise quickly from there—an eight-by-ten costs $220).

“It doesn’t happen very often for a product like this to come along,” says Paul Fitzner, founder of Etowah Outfitters. “UltraTNT is the rare case of a new, cool fabric that’s actually cheaper than what’s currently available.” He says UltraTNT’s advantages are many. Aesthetically, the fabric’s color is more consistent and less transparent than Dyneema. The unique grid pattern prevents tears and running in the fabric, and it’s easy to patch with Challenge’s proprietary repair tape or simple masking tape. Fitzner also says he hasn’t experienced any issues with delamination, a major cause for concern with any composite fabric. And though it is heavier, Fitzner says it’s not a big deal: an eight-by-ten UltraTNT tarp weighs about three ounces more than the lightest Dyneema option.

In the end, even if UltraTNT doesn’t take over the ultralight shelter market on its own, it could be the beginning of the end of Dyneema’s dominance as the only composite fabric worth using. Challenge is likely to continue to innovate with new fabrics, and Walcoff has said that a slightly lighter iteration of UltraTNT is on the horizon.Ěý Meanwhile, other competitors, like , have teased their own upcoming innovations. For consumers, the end result will be better gear, more choices, and cheaper prices.

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Some still debate the merits of using trekking poles, but nowadays, most hikers won’t leave home without them. Poles can help you power up steep climbs, support your weight on downhills, and provide extra points of contact on loose or uneven terrain. The best trekking poles are comfortable in hand, stiff under load, easy to stow away in your pack, and can help you tackle challenging terrain and hike pain-free.

The Winners at a Glance

Diorite Gear Telescopic Carbon Fiber

Leki Makalu FX

TSL Carbon Connect 5

How We Test

Number of Testers: 6

Number of Products Tested: 8

Distance Covered: 250+ miles

Elevation Gained: 45,000+ feet

To test the latest trekking poles, we employed a team of hikers who headed out on trips ranging from simple day hikes to epic cross-country expeditions. The poles accompanied testers in multiple states and countries, including California, New Hampshire, and the Italian Dolomites. Our testers used poles to climb steep trails, set up tarp shelters in sustained winds, and save their ankles on sketchy, rocky descents. Along the way, we tasked the team with recording every detail, from ergonomics and comfort to ease of use and packability. Here are our top picks for 2023.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Nathan Pipenberg is a freelance writer based in Boise, Idaho, who writes Backpacker magazine’s ultralight hiking column. Over the course of his hiking career, he has broken three pairs of ultralight carbon poles, set up a Tarptent using bent ski poles, and hiked 200 miles with a pair of cheap trekking poles bought during a last-minute Walmart stop. A 2011 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, he’s always scanning his calendar for a six-month gap in deadlines to fit in another long-distance hike.

The Reviews: The Best Trekking Poles of 2023

Editors’ Choice: Diorite Gear Telescopic Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles ($180)

Weight: 7.4 oz (per pole)
Size: One size (71-158 cm length)
Pros: Best-in-class versatility and durability
Cons: On the expensive side

The Diorite Telescopic Carbon Fiber is a rare no-compromises trekking pole: it’s the burliest all-carbon construction we’ve ever tested, with a formidable telescoping length that’s a godsend for tarp-oriented thru-hikers. The first thing testers noted was that even though the Diorite looks and feels like an overbuilt aluminum pole, it tips the scales below 8 ounces—a weight limit normally reserved for folding fast-packing poles. Most ultralight carbon poles in that weight class require babying. In contrast, the Diorite inspired confidence even when several testers slid down steep, sandy descents in Idaho’s Salmon River Mountains. The extra-long EVA foam (also available in cork) grips were comfortable in-hand and made it easy to choke down on steep climbs without stopping to readjust the length of the poles. The beefy locking mechanisms are replaceable, along with the individual pole sections and pole tips. As a bonus for in-field repairs, the Diorite uses a self-threading aluminum adapter that will accept replacement tips from other brands, even if they’re unthreaded.

Best of all, the Diorite poles come with an unusual perk: they extend all the way to 158 cm. While that extra length isn’t necessary for on-trail use (even our 6’5” tester rarely exceeds 135 cm), it does provide a few advantages. For one, all that extra carbon reinforces the poles, making them extra stiff and sturdy. For another, the generous telescoping range means that they can be used to set up nearly any tarp or tent that requires trekking poles. “It’s nice to know that no matter what shelter I bring, these poles will work—even if I opt for my pyramid tarp with a high center height,” said New Hampshire-based tester Dan Huntington. Between its weight, comfort, and durability, the Diorite is one of the few trekking pole quiver-killers on the market.

Bottom Line: A do-it-all pole built to withstand the rigors of daily use.

Leki Makalu FX Carbon ($230)

Weight: 8.9 ounces (per pole)
Size: One size (110 – 130cm)
Pros: Durable, excellent grip comfort
Cons: Very expensive, not especially light

Rather than chasing an ultralight weight goal, the Makalu—a modern iteration of the first-ever trekking pole—sets itself apart thanks to durability and comfort. The grips on the Makalu were among our favorites in the test, with EVA foam that one hiker described as “velvety” and easy to clean. The extra-long grip extension made it effortless to bear down on climbs without stopping to adjust pole length. One California-based tester said the Makalu was the most well-balanced pole he tested, thanks to the weight distribution between the pole and the grip. The Makalu has an adjustment system that combines folding and a quick-lock mechanism (similar to Black Diamond FLZ models) which means it boasts the shorter packed length of folding poles, and 20 cm of adjustment. The carbon poles were also impressively durable. Having survived a 170-mile trek in the Dolomites, another tester resorted to tossing them from boulders and ledges to test their mettle. (Spoiler alert: they never broke).

Bottom Line: A highly ergonomic model that combines the best of adjustable and folding pole styles.

TSL Outdoors Connect Carbon 5 ($180)

Weight: 8.4 ounces (per pole)
Size: One size (110 – 130 cm)
Pros: Lightning-quick set-up and break-down
Cons: Feel a bit flimsy

The TSL Connect Carbon 5 brings one of the best features of trail-running-specific poles to the hiking world: glove-style straps that attach and detach via a magnetic quick-release button. Though testers took some time warming up to the idea, a few miles on the trail using the Connect Carbon 5 won them over. “The secure glove attachment made it easier to flick the poles exactly where I wanted them,” said Boise-based tester Matt Tock. The quick-release also made switching from using the poles to carrying them that much easier. Testers reported the nylon and mesh gloves to be snug but comfortable, though they do get sweaty faster than standard straps since the fabric isn’t particularly breathable. Like the Leki Makalu, the Connect Carbon 5 has both a telescoping and folding design, with a packed length of 42 cm (16.5 inches) and 20 cm of adjustment. The poles, which have pivoting baskets that help them adapt to changing terrain, held up fine to sustained use. Testers remarked, however, that the full-carbon design felt flimsier in the hand—although it never failed on the trail—owing to the plastic construction of the quick-release and locking mechanisms, which wasn’t confidence-inspiring.

Bottom Line: Techy poles with unique features prized by fastpackers and other high mileage types.

How to Buy

The most important feature of any trekking pole is length. This is especially important for fixed-length poles, but even with adjustable poles, you want to make sure your preferred length is within the range of adjustment, especially if you are particularly short or tall. Measure your pole length by standing on flat ground with your arms held in front of you, elbows at a 90-degree angle. Your ideal pole length is the distance from your hands to the ground. Adjustable poles help give you some wiggle room depending on your hiking style—many people prefer to shorten their poles during sustained climbs and elongate them during descents.

Pole material is an important consideration as well. Aluminum is generally less expensive and heavier, while carbon is stiffer and lighter. Consider that an aluminum pole will likely bend under strong lateral forces (like getting pinched between rocks) while a carbon pole is more likely to break and become unusable.

Finally, telescopic poles will generally have a larger range of adjustment but a longer packed length, while folding poles will pack down shorter but offer less length adjustment. Some poles offer a fusion of styles. If you plan to use your poles to set up your shelter, double check the length required for an optimal pitch. You’ll want to ensure that your poles can adjust to accommodate both your hiking length and your shelter set-up length.

When it’s time to upgrade your gear, don’t let the old stuff go to waste–donate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items,Ěý, and send them off. We’ll donate 100 percent of the proceeds toĚý.

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Few things will end a hike faster than an ill-planned layering system. Smart apparel choices will keep you warm in the cold, cool in the heat, and dry when it’s raining. For technical hiking, next-to-skin layers need to be highly breathable and moisture-wicking, while midlayers should be warm and protective in cold or windy conditions and stow away easily in your pack when the weather is cooperating. Here are our top picks for the year.

The Winners at a Glance

LĂ© Bent 160 SS Tee

Alpine Fit Treeline Baselayer

Rab Nexus Fleece

KĂĽhl Response Lite Long Sleeve

Cotopaxi Vuelta Performance Windbreaker Jacket

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie

How We Test

Number of Testers: 14

Number of Products Tested: 22

Distance Covered: 350+ miles

Hottest Temperature: 105 F

With 14 testers from around the country, our apparel testing team was exposed to a variety of conditions for the full 2022 hiking season. Temperatures ranged from the mid-30s in Alaska to over 100 degrees in the foothills near Boise, Idaho, and everything in between at testing locations in California, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. Testers wore apparel on hikes and trips of varying difficulties, from easy, after-work strolls to demanding multi-day adventures in rain and sleet. Our testers ranged in size, body type, and experience level, with both casual day hikers and experienced thru-hikers. Over the course of the summer, testers rated every aspect of the apparel, from comfort and breathability to durability and water resistance.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Our category manager, Nathan Pipenberg, is a Boise-based freelance writer who covers ultralight hiking for Backpacker. The team of 14 testers also included Alan Verona, a wildland firefighter who works in Idaho’s Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

The Reviews: The Best Men’s Hiking Tops of 2023

LĂ© Bent 160 SS Tee ($85)

Weight: 5.6 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: As soft and stretchy as a merino shirt gets
Cons: Average durability

There’s no shortage of merino tees on the market, but Lé Bent’s 160 SS landed above the rest in terms of breathability and comfort. Thanks to its 53-percent organic bamboo rayon composition, it has significant stretch and a buttery-smooth feel, with none of the itchiness of some 100-percent merino shirts. Though the shirt is only 37-percent merino, we still found that it had wool’s all-important odor-resistant qualities. Testers also raved about the top’s extra length, which made it less likely to ride up while wearing a pack with a hipbelt. One ding: merino isn’t known for its durability, and this tee is no exception. Though the shirt’s merino/rayon blend is spun around a nylon core to add strength, our testers still noticed fraying and pilling around hems on par with other merino options.

Bottom Line: An uber-comfortable choice for day hikers and thru-hikers alike.

Alpine Fit Treeline Long Sleeve ($129)

Weight: 6.9 oz
Size: S-XXL
Pros: Great fit, lightweight, and warmer than expected
Cons: Too warm for truly hot days

Most baselayers get swapped out as the seasons change, but multiple testers found themselves keeping the long-sleeved Treeline in their pack regardless of conditions. The reason? The weight of the polyester-Tencel-elastane fabric splits the gap between hot and cold weather, while the slim—but not tight—fit means it works well as a baselayer or stand-alone shirt. Alan Verona, a wildland firefighter and avid peak-bagger, wore the Treeline nearly every day for a season—it served him as a baselayer on work assignments and an ultralight midlayer during an ascent of Idaho’s Blodgett Peak. One small design choice with a big impact: a graphic pattern only on the right sleeve. “That means I don’t need to check the tag to see if I’m putting it on backwards,” Verona said. Thanks to its silver content, we also found the top impressively odor-resistant for a synthetic layer. Bonus: It’s available in two different fits, one looser and one tighter.

Bottom Line: A dependable baselayer that’s versatile enough for all four seasons.

Rab Nexus Jacket ($120)

Weight: 11.3 ounces
Size: S – XXL
Pros: Super stretchy and breathable
Cons: No thumb loops

The Rab Nexus is a lightweight, technical fleece that sets itself apart thanks to its excellent stretch and freedom of movement. Like other tech fleeces, the Nexus has little in common with the plush, fuzzy layers of old. It’s essentially a polyester jacket backed with a patterned fleece lining, and it’s among the stretchiest and most breathable that we’ve tested. It’s an ideal midlayer in cool-to-moderate conditions—one tester named the Nexus their new favorite piece for shoulder-season trips. “Usually I regret taking a fleece on a trip if I’m already carrying a puffy, but I find myself wearing the Nexus when other fleeces would have me overheating,” he said. It has a slim fit that’s great for layering, but may feel too snug on larger bodies. One ding: with fairly tight sleeves and no thumb loops, the sleeves tend to ride up.

Bottom Line: An insulating midlayer that’s designed to stretch and breathe

KĂĽhl Response Lite Long Sleeve ($89)

Weight: 6.4 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: Slim-fitting and highly breathable
Cons: Limited two-way stretch can feel a bit constricting

The Response Lite is an updated take on the classic button-up sun shirt. Unlike many hiking-oriented button-ups, the Response Lite doesn’t feature any back or underarm vents; it relies instead on the thin, 100-percent polyester fabric to do the work of keeping you cool. Testers found it up to the challenge on all but the hottest days when temps crested 100 degrees. Thanks to the tight weave of the fabric, the shirt resisted rips and abrasions better than many of the knits found on T-shirts and sun hoodies. Testers reported little of the telltale stink that can plague some polyester shirts; there’s no silver content, so we attribute its odor-resistance to the material’s breathable and quick-drying nature. One tall, skinny tester was especially fond of the slim fit, since so many button-up hiking shirts are boxy and oversized on his frame. He also appreciated the lack of extra pockets, buttons, and vents that typically signify a trail shirt. “It’s understated and stylish enough that I can wear it to work, as well.”

Bottom Line: A trail-worthy button-up that doesn’t look out of place around town.

Cotopaxi Vuelta Performance Windbreaker Jacket ($130)

Weight: 7.5 ounce
Size: XS-XXXL
Pros: Stretchy, versatile
Cons: Not as lightweight as some ultralight windshirts

The Cotopaxi Vuelta walks a middle-ground in the world of outerwear. For a windshirt, it’s fairly substantial, made of softshell-like DWR-coated polyester that’s more insulating and durable than your run-of-the-mill ultralight breeze-blocker. But it’s still lighter and more packable (about the size of a grapefruit) than a standard softshell. The result is a do-it-all layer that performs best in moderate, 40–60 degree temperatures. The Vuelta’s stretch fabric was also a welcome change: “Some wind jackets feel so snug that you’re afraid you could hulk out at the seams,” said one tester. “Not this one.” It also features an adjustable hood, two hand pockets, and a smaller “stash pocket” within the right hand pocket, perfect for headphones, a credit card, or small headlamp.

Bottom Line: A lightweight but substantial windbreaker for moderate weather

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Hoodie ($89)

Weight: 7.2 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: Supersoft fabric with excellent sun coverage
Cons: Not the lightest sun hoodie

A sun hoodie is quickly becoming an essential piece of gear (especially in the sun-drenched West) and the ActiveIce Spectrum is a top choice. It’s not the lightest (Outdoor Research also makes the 4-ounce Echo Hoodie), but it features a UPF 50+ rating and something that Outdoor Research calls ActiveIce technology, which promises a cool-to-the-touch feel. Testers found it hard to quantify if the polyester-spandex fabric truly felt cooler than comparable techy fabrics, but they did find it remarkably refreshing and breathable, even in Arizona’s summer heat. Testers loved the three-panel hood, which fit snugly and had a cowl-style neckline for extra sun protection. It stood up to wear from a pack, but the knit fabric snagged easily during thorny bushwhacking, leading to holes. And after a 5-day trip in the Sierras, it retained some funk, but nothing out of the ordinary. What really set this hoodie apart? Its comfort. It stayed soft and smooth on the skin, even after absorbing multiple days worth of sweat and copious amounts of sunscreen around its neckline.

Bottom Line: Top-tier sun protection in a cool, breathable package

How to Buy

Baselayers and midlayers need to be breathable and effectively wick moisture, especially in the summer. Merino wool is a common baselayer material thanks to its odor-resistance, temperature regulation, and wicking ability, which makes it ideal in both warm and cold climates. Synthetic garments, like those made of polyester, are less expensive, dry faster, and are more durable than merino wool, but get stinkier much faster. The downsides of merino? It wears more quickly, is more costly, and can be itchy on sensitive skin. Merino blends often offer the best of both worlds.

Opting for multiple layers instead of a single, bulkier piece of clothing makes it easier to regulate your body temperature, and therefore avoid sweat-induced hypothermia. For baselayers and midlayers, look for items that fit snugly to fit under other pieces, but still allow freedom of movement while hiking. Check for the features that are most important to you, like pocket and zipper placement, hoods, and thumb loops.

When it’s time to upgrade your gear, don’t let the old stuff go to waste–donate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items,Ěý, and send them off. We’ll donate 100 percent of the proceeds toĚý.

The post The Best Men’s Hiking Tops of 2023 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

After hiking boots, your pants take the brunt of the abuse on the trail. From scrambling through dew-soaked brush and thorny shrubs to boulder-top rest breaks and bathroom squats, your bottoms need to do a whole lot more than simply keep you presentable. These five are the very best of the year, with breathability, durability, and comfort at the forefront.

The Winners at a Glance

Fjällräven Abisko Hike Trousers

Outdoor Research Cirque Lite

Cotopaxi Brinco Shorts

Helly Hansen Tech Trail Shorts

ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Briefs

How We Test

Number of Testers: 14

Number of Products Tested: 18

Number of Miles: 300+

Hottest Temperature: 105 F

With 14 testers from around the country, the team was able to test pants and shorts in a wide range of conditions. Temperatures ranged from the mid-30s in Alaska to over 100 degrees in the foothills near Boise, Idaho. Testers took these pants on treks of varying difficulties, from easy, after-work strolls to demanding multi-day adventures in rain and sleet. Our testers ranged in clothing size (S to XL) and experience level (casual day hikers to seasoned thru-hikers) and reported on everything from comfort and breathability to durability and water resistance.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Our men’s hiking apparel category manager is Nathan Pipenberg, an AT-thru hiker and freelance writer who covers ultralight hiking for Backpacker. Other testers include Bruce Etter, a two-time thru-hiker who works and hikes in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and Dorn Van Dommelen, a professor from Anchorage, Alaska.

The Reviews: The Best Men’s Hiking Bottoms of 2023

Fjällräven Abisko Hike Trousers ($150)

Weight: 11.1 ounces
Size: 29-40
Pros: Excellent fit and durability, great waistband
Cons: The 35-percent cotton blend dries slightly slowly

The Fjällräven Abisko trouser is our pick for a lightweight pair of pants that’s durable enough for anything you throw at them, from bushwhacking to splitting firewood. The pants feature Fjällräven’s lightest and most breathable fabric, a recycled polyester/organic cotton blend known as G-1000 Air Stretch. Our testers were apprehensive about cotton in hiking apparel, but were soon won over. “These feel like the perfect mix of work and hiking pants,” said one, adding that they stood up to long days of cross-country travel through sagebrush and prairie grass. A gusseted crotch and articulated knees improve comfort and durability, and testers didn’t report any seam blowouts. Despite the cotton blend, the Abisko pants were fairly quick-drying (a matter of minutes, rather than hours, but slower than thin, synthetic options like the Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants). They don’t have a DWR finish, and although Fjällräven does offer a waterproofing wax that can be applied to G-1000 fabrics, we found wax unhelpful in conditions other than wet and freezing, since it compromises breathability. Testers raved about the fit and features, with a tapered leg, three zipped pockets (two hand pockets and one on the right thigh) and a locking adjustable waistband that, once set, never needed to be readjusted. A zippered air vent on each leg allowed us to shed heat in hot weather.

Bottom Line: The Fjällräven Abisko Hike Trousers are hard-wearing pants that fit like a glove—a solid choice for off-trail adventures.

Outdoor Research Cirque Lite Pants ($139)

Weight: 12.7 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: Very durable, reinforced leg cuffs
Cons: The aggressively technical appearance is too much for some

The Cirque Lite pants are all about versatility, with the technical specs to withstand inclement weather while remaining light and airy enough for casual hiking. Our resident Alaskan tester, Dorn van Dommelen, wore the Cirque Lite on numerous backpacking and hiking trips across the state throughout the summer and fall. His conclusion? These pants will keep you comfortable from the dog days of summer to when the snow starts falling, thanks to a robust, softshell-esque, 90-denier nylon-spandex blend and DWR finish. Van Dommelen gave the Cirque Lite high marks for durability as well. On a trail run outside Anchorage, he suffered a fairly serious dog bite that left puncture wounds in his leg. The pants emerged unscathed. Convenient features include an adjustable waistband, two standard hand pockets, and a right thigh pocket big enough to house a phone or headlamp. They’re also well-suited to mountaineering use, with reinforced fabric on the leg cuffs meant to stand up to wear from crampons. His one critique: With such a technical look, the Cirque Lite pants are wholly out of place for everyday jaunts around town.

Bottom Line: An all-rounder that shines in tough conditions.

Cotopaxi Brinco Shorts ($70)

Weight: 7.1 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: Durable and stylish
Cons: The thick fabric and rear pocket are bulky for minimalists

Cotopaxi is ushering in the ’90s again with the Brinco shorts, replete with a short inseam (five inches) and bold, colorful patterns. But even if these look like cotton workout shorts from a bygone era, their construction is thoroughly modern. First, there’s the thick nylon-spandex blend, which is both stretchy and surprisingly abrasion-resistant. There’s also nylon webbing backing up seams on the thighs, which decreases the chances of blowout. Our testers’ favorite feature? A mesh liner so thin that even the liner-hating members of the testing group became converts. “Typically, I absolutely despise built-in liners in shorts,” said Bruce Etter, a New Hampshire-based tester. “With these, the mesh is stretchy and the seams are very thin. I was surprised how quickly I came to like them.”

Bottom Line: The Cotopaxi Brinco Shorts are a vintage-inspired short with modern performance.

Helly Hansen Tech Trail Shorts ($85)

Weight: 5.5 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: Quick-drying and comfy, minimalist
Cons: Steep price tag for a fairly simple pair of shorts

A great pair of trail shorts is often the result of what’s left out, rather than what’s included. The Tech Trail shorts are the perfect example, with a minimalistic design that’s sure to please ultralighters, fastpackers, and anyone who likes their clothing streamlined. The shorts combine a super-stretchy and quick-drying woven polyester (with 11-percent elastane) with just a few well-designed features, like a comfy elastic waistband and drawstring, two hand pockets, and a zippered rear pocket. Despite the light and minimal design, testers found the shorts durable enough to survive overgrown trails in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The eight-inch inseam also hit a sweet spot for our testers, who by and large prefer their shorts to land just above the knee.

Bottom Line: The Helly Hansen Tech Trail Shorts are a lightweight trail short with great performance and comfort

ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Brief ($30)

Weight: 4 ounces
Size: S-XXL
Pros: The fastest-drying and most odor-resistant underwear we’ve found
Cons: No compression or support

ExOfficio’s Give-N-Go underwear has always been well-loved among travelers and hikers, and the 2.0 brings only improvements to the line. The updated version is softer, more breathable, and just as odor-resistant as the original model, and several testers swore they could keep the funk at bay, even wearing the same pair for an entire backpacking trip. After extensive use, we also saw little in the way of unraveling seams or waistband stretching. Lastly, the nylon/elastane fabric is unmatched when it comes to drying time. “These boxers are the only pair I can wash in a sink at night and be 100-percent sure they’ll be dry the next morning,” said one tester.

Bottom Line: The ExOfficio Give-N-Go 2.0 Boxer Brief is a funk-proof, fast-drying undies for both city and trail.

How to Buy

Good hiking pants and shorts are breathable, comfortable, and allow a wide range of movement. In general, look for synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon that wick moisture and dry quickly. Cotton blends can boost comfort and durability, but take longer to dry and aren’t the best choice for wet or cold conditions. Reinforced stitching and fabrics are key for avoiding blowouts, especially if you also plan on using your pants for mountaineering, climbing, or skiing. Small details can make or break your favorite hiking attire, so look for pants with well-placed pockets and zippers for easy access to gear while you’re on the move.

The post The Best Men’s Hiking Bottoms of 2023 appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

In recent years, there’s been a long overdue push for more inclusive sizing in outdoor apparel and equipment. Today, the results of that effort are obvious. Brands like Outdoor Research and Eddie Bauer now offer apparel in XXL and 3XL sizes. Big Agnes and Nemo are making wider and taller sleeping bags. Osprey and Gregory both offer a line of extended size backpacks, ranging from lightweight day packs to multi-day load-haulers. And more seem to be following suit every day.Ěý

One segment of the industry that hasn’t seen the same kind of shift towards inclusive sizing is the ultralight space. While there are exceptions—take Senchi Designs’ apparel or Enlightened Equipment’s sleeping quilts—there hasn’t been the same level of innovation. One reason for that is the economic reality that holding inventory of uncommonly sized gear—tall, short, wide, or narrow—is expensive, especially for small companies. But there’s also a cultural dissonance: The ultralight cottage industry is dominated with brands targeting hyperfit thru-hikers in their 20s and 30s. at all costs, ultralight gear often seems to be designed with a single type of customer in mind.Ěý

But one trailblazing company stands out: longtime Minnesota-based brand, Granite Gear. Its latest ultralight backpack, , is a top-to-bottom rethink of the previous Virga, with more inclusive sizing at the center of the new design.

“Ultralight gear is alive and well, and I think the past few years really have proven that,” says Granite Gear’s design director, David Eisenberg. “Everyone is trying to get outdoors, and that includes more people than ever. The ultralight world needs to be able to provide those different options for different body types.”

The Virga 3 isn’t the first size-inclusive backpack, but it’s among the first explicitly made for an ultralight audience. It’s frameless, designed to carry 25 pounds or less, and weighs in at 27 ounces for the 55-liter version (the 26-liter pack totals 20 ounces). Eisenberg says that Granite Gear’s unique position in the industry—larger than the cottage brands but smaller than the major players—helped them turn the size-inclusive concept into a reality. “We have the means to come out with multiple sizes and multiple options, and cottage companies may not have that access.”

The Virga 3 inclusive design comes down to adjustability. It features shoulder straps and hip belts that are widely customizable. The standard hip belt—called the ReFit belt—accommodates waists from 28 – 42 inches (26 – 40 inches for the women’s model), and is exchangeable for a larger ReFit belt that fits waist sizes from 36 – 52 inches for no additional cost. The shoulder straps, meanwhile, can be adjusted up or down (to adjust the torso length by up to four inches), as well as horizontally, to accommodate narrower or wider shoulders.

Eisenberg says he focused on real solutions rather than quick fixes to sizing concerns. “If you take a one-size-fits-most approach, you run the risk of getting a watered down product,” he says. One example he cites is lengthening a hip belt by simply making the webbing longer. “If that’s the solution, now you just have webbing cutting into your stomach. That’s not actually increasing comfort or the ability to carry a load.”Ěý

The extra adjustability should increase comfort across the board, not only for people who consider themselves plus-size. Most backpackers are familiar with the concept of “dialing in” the way a backpack fits, and Eisenberg says the Virga design is, at its core, a way to expand the number of points that can be adjusted. “We’re just including more people who can be “dialed in” to our packs,” he says.Ěý

During testing, Granite Gear consulted with plus-size hiking advocates like Ashley Manning (), a professional hiking guide who leads trips on the Appalachian Trail.

“As a person living with a plus body, there have never been a lot of lightweight or ultralight options,” says Manning. “I actually used to make fun of people that were obsessed with ultralight, but it was honestly because there were never really any options for me.”

For Manning, the success of the Virga 3 comes down to a simple truth: Granite Gear prioritized that plus-size-friendlyĚý design, rather than treating it like a secondary concern.

“Plus-size people are often an afterthought in creating functional designs, so even offering a lightweight, plus-size option is important,” she says.

The Virga 3 is the second pack that Granite Gear has designed around this revamped suspension system. The more traditional, weightier Perimeter series came first, and Eisenberg says the entire lineup will soon adopt the size-inclusive changes. And while he’s proud that Granite Gear is among the first brands to offer inclusive ultralight gear, he hopes that they won’t be an outlier for long.

“The ultimate goal is that we don’t look different,” Eisenberg says. “It shouldn’t be a shock that we’re doing this, in the ultralight world or the regular backpacking world.”

The post Granite Gear’s Size-Inclusive Ultralight Pack Is a Step in the Right Direction appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.