River & Trail Talk

You know that expression when you know something well enough that you know it like the back of your hand? Well, in Hestra’s case, they know the backs of all hands. Hestra is a family-owned company that designs and manufactures gloves. Keeping hands warm and protected are their specialty.The company was founded as a family business in 1936 by Martin Magnusson from his workshop in a small Swedi …

There can be a fair bit to consider when choosing a puffer jacket. It lives high on the decisions list titled “I didn’t know it would be complicated”. Particularly since it can be a significant investment among your outdoor clothing. Beyond the fit and style, you’ll want to consider the fill power, fill weight, durability and more. Ultimately, the jacket you choose depends on how and where you pla …

Listen, there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to outdoor gear. There are a lot of nuances involved and it’s a topic that you can keep as simple as you want or as complicated as you’d like. “Waterproof” footwear is a perfect example of this.Simply put, waterproof footwear will keep your feet dry when wearing them. Sometimes, waterproof is in fact referring to water resistant or …

Since 2008, an event like no other has occurred annually as part of the UTMB events in Chamonix, France. It is an alpine adventure that takes participants through the Mont-Blanc range in France, Italy and Switzerland. The event brings 100 teams of 2-3 from around the world and is called La Petite Trotte à Léon (PTL) which translates to “Léon’s Little Walk” but that name is filled with ir …

Ah, the world of hiking packs.It is yet another category of gear that seems simple until you start doing some research. There are different categories, multiple sizes available, body type specific packs and much more.This blog isn’t covering one-size fits all day packs. This is about packs suited for multi-day adventures with custom fits and features that you didn’t realize were importan …