mattv The hiking in Boulder Colorado is incredible. There are so many hiking trails accessible within minutes of downtown Boulder. Boulder is truly a hiker’s paradise. You can wander the Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks for days. In this guide, you will learn how to navigate all the best hikes in Boulder. After a decade … Read more
In 2024, I hiked over 1,000 miles and climbed more than 250,000 feet of elevation in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. These adventures were challenging but transformative. I discovered the many benefits of hiking steep trails up mountains in Colorado. Along the way, I experienced profound physical changes, including a 25-pound weight loss and significantly stronger … Read more
The Owyhee Backpacking Tarp is as Cozy as a Tent and as Lightweight as a Tarp Nestled beneath my Six Moon Designs Owyhee backpacking tarp, thunder and lightning unleash in the high Sierra. Rain and hail batter my shelter in the limestone cirque below Red and White mountain, deep in the range. Inside, dry and … Read more
Water makes up approximately 60% of the human body and every biological system depends on it. Maintaining this fluid balance is essential to your cognitive and physical functioning. Even light hiking can drain your body’s water supply – leaving you feeling tired, achy, and ready to turn back to the trailhead. Fortunately, the solution is … Read more
Featherlight Insulation Made for the Mountains A great down jacket is essential to my kit any time I head out into the mountains. I wanted to see if the Accelerator Down Jacket met my need for a versatile, lightweight down jacket that could keep me comfortable from mountaintops to evenings at camp. Over the course … Read more
Hats do much more than protect facial skin from sun damage – they make being outside more comfortable. Air temperature is only a few degrees different between sun and shade but the shade can feel up to 20 degrees cooler. Many people just wear their favorite baseball or sun hat hiking. However, there are strong … Read more
This sun hoodie is the silky-softest ultralight layer for hiking, running, and skiing Wearing the Himali Eclipse Sun Hoodie while touring in Crested Butte, CO. Photo Credit: Jordan Herbert No matter the season, when I’m out in the mountains, you’ll find me wearing a sun hoodie to protect my skin from the relentless UV rays … Read more
Often times while hiking, our boots and hiking pants are just not enough to protect us from the elements. Snow, mud, branches, and rocks can be a nuisance while hiking. This debris can get into our boots or shoes, making the hiking experience uncomfortable. Hiking for hours with cold, wet, and muddy legs is just … Read more
Hiking in snow and ice can be slow, frustrating, and dangerous without proper winter traction devices. This is why microspikes, ice cleats, and crampons exist. The grip of these traction devices on rock-hard ice and in deep snow is phenomenal. They make hiking in Winter super fun. For most hikers, microspikes and ice cleats are … Read more
These aren’t your typical New Year’s resolutions! As outdoor enthusiasts, our goals often involve a mixture of consistency, exploration of new terrain, and pushing past our perceived limits. With a new year right around the corner, try adding some of these hiking challenges to your bucket list. They will surely test your limits and help … Read more
Aftermarket insoles are a magical and transformative experience. When I get new shoes or boots I immediately remove the floppy non-functional manufacturer’s insoles and replace them with high-quality protective and supportive insoles. If you experience plantar fasciitis, or sore, bruised, tired feet after your hikes you need to get some insoles. Once you try real … Read more
The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is the ultimate car camping quilt. Snuggled in the back of my Jeep Wrangler at the Grays and Torreys Peak trailhead in Colorado this September, I feel warm and cozy, nestled in my Rumpl quilt. Parked at 11,000 feet, the mountain air is chilly against my skin, but burrowed in … Read more
For many of us, the mountains are our home away from home. It’s where we go to clear our minds and appreciate the simplicity and comfort that the trails often provide. The trails can supply us with beautiful experiences that allow us to feel more connected to ourselves, and nature while benefiting our mental and … Read more
Men’s hiking shoes are better than ever. It is truly remarkable how much hiking footwear is improving each season and year. The newest hiking shoes of this current season are more comfortable, durable, supportive, and protective. At the same time, they are lighter than ever which helps to be nimble on the trails and conserve … Read more
The Helly Hansen Verglas Infinity shell jacket is a pro shell that is super versatile (I use it for hiking and skiing), 100% waterproof and windproof, quick-drying, extremely breathable (amazing long open wide pit zips), eco-responsible (no harsh chemicals), lightweight (500 grams), and packable. What is really awesome is that the fabric is not noisy … Read more
This year I have had the pleasant experience of testing out some new Maui Jim prescription sunglasses courtesy of SportRX for my hiking and backpacking adventures. Are Maui Jim prescription sunglasses worth the money? Yes, they are. These sunglasses are a dream come true! Crystal clear vision. The value that these sunglasses deliver is unbeatable. … Read more
First and foremost, men can wear skirts too. In fact, the extra breeze for those special sweaty areas makes hiking skirts a great choice for both male and female hikers – including me! Though not a common sight on the trails, here are some reasons and recommendations on hiking skirts for your next outdoor adventure. … Read more
If you have ever been on a trail and thought, “why am I wearing these big clunky hiking boots” or “I miss my trainers,” you may want to invest in a pair of trail running shoes for hiking! Here is an ultimate guide to trail runners to help make your next hike faster, lighter, and … Read more