Product Reviews
O/B staff and contributors review apparel, backpacks, food, tents, sleeping bags, dog gear, and climbing, biking, paddling, fishing, and hunting gear, so you can find what works for you in your outdoor adventures.
The Ridge at Bridger Bowl demands respect. Pointing your skis down any old run can and will put you in way over your head, or cliffed out crying for your mother. Read more >>
Apparel
When you spend as much time around Montana’s rivers, streams, and lakes as I do, it’s pretty damn hard to beat the comfort and convenience of convertible pants. Read more >>
I’ve gotta be honest: I’m one of those girls who loves the outdoors—but hates looking like a marshmallow while I’m out there getting my hike on. Enter Eddie Bauer’s Mountain Guide Lite Pants. Read more >>
Timeless and functional, flannel is a hard fabric to beat. The Feedback Flannel by Outdoor Research is both tough and comfortable. Read more >>
Like that annoying friend who wears different outfits for every outdoor activity, I’m an incorrigible rainshell geek. One for the river, one for hiking, one for fishing, one for trail-running… you get the idea. Read more >>
If you’ve ever woken up an hour before your alarm and snoozed contentedly while heaped in warm blankets, then you know what wearing the Stand Hunter 1/2 Zip Top feels like. Read more >>Footwear
Barefoot running had always seemed to me like a way for companies to sell us creepy hybrid glove-shoes, so I stayed loyal to my cushy sneakers… until I slipped into a pair of Merrell’s Bare Access Arc 2. Read more >>
Let’s face it: a girl can never have too many socks. And if you’re an avid trail runner like me, the Hike/Trek 1/4socks from Darn Tough are sure to stand out as you rummage through your overflowing sock drawer. Read more >>
Just because you like to climb mountains, your athletic capabilities don’t necessarily carry over to solid footfalls on a steep, scree-heavy descent. Thankfully, Lowa’s Mauria GTX mid-rise hiking boots have your back—and your ankles. Read more >>
On a hot summer day, there’s nothing like slipping off one’s shoes to air out those fetid feet—and having a good pair of flip-flops is key to remaining both active and refreshed after a long day outside. For some super sturdy flips, check out the new Fontas from Chaco. Read more >>
Need boots meant to cross some serious terrain? Lace up the Transalpina LTR GTX from AKU and feel yourself grow in stature as the mid-outsole combination shoots you up an extra inch. Read more >>Packs
“We are what we repeatedly do,” said Aristotle—and unless you like being a pre-pubescent pansy-ass, ditch that glorified purse of yours and start hauling around a GO Bag by Gerber. Read more >>
Have you ever purchased a new piece of gear, and after using it, wondered how you ever got along without it? This is exactly how I feel about the Duthie AM 17.0 hydration pack from Platypus. Read more >>
Dry bags will always be standard on the river, but gone are the days of being stuck with the standard blue tube. Read more >>
Summer in Montana means multiday backpacking trips—but not everyone wants to drop a few hundo on a fancy pack. One affordable alternative is Eureka’s Rocky Peak 50+10L. Read more >>
I love fishing, but I won’t wear a fanny pack—it’s not the ‘90s. Thankfully, the Westwater Chest Pack from Fishpond provides a great option to the more fashion-conscience fly fishers among us. Read more >>Skiing
The G3 Alpinist High Traction Skins are an excellent choice for skiers looking for an option that provides supreme uphill traction. Though they were a little less smooth on the glide than some skins, they had far more grip than any other skins I have used. Read more >>
Going from skiing with sunglasses to hitting the slopes with the Julbo Orbiter goggles is akin to switching from Ten High whiskey to Jameson—they’ll both do the job, but Jameson is actually enjoyable. Read more >>
If you want to keep up with your little shredder, you’re going to need a good pair of skis. The Flair is a new ski in the women’s line, aimed at advanced to expert skiers. It’s a mid-fat ski with all-mountain potential. Read more >>
The Scarpa Wasatch is what telemark boots used to be before everything got huge and plastic and sick, bro. Read more >>Fishing
Over the years, many attempts have been made to keep rods fishin’-ready, while still safe from common catastrophes. PVC, rubber-snubbers, magnets, and all other manner of safe-keeping have been contrived to protect these pricey pieces of equipment. Read more >>
After 11 years in a 13.5-foot, standard-floor raft, I had a good idea of what I wanted in a new boat. It had to be a self-bailer, have removable thwarts, and since my family was bigger, it needed to be longer and wider. Read more >>Dry bags will always be standard on the river, but gone are the days of being stuck with the standard blue tube. Read more >>
The Yeti Tundra 65 now has a permanent spot on my raft. Built by outdoorsmen, it’s constructed to fit perfectly in the frame, and the 65-quart size is great for a one or two-day float. Read more >>
When the water’s warm, it’s hard to beat wading out into the river and feeling the water rushing around your legs. But in the spring, the brisk temps require a little more protection from the elements. Read more >>Climbing
When you’re as bad at climbing as me, every single variable can make a difference. That’s why I’m glad I found the Bravo Quickdraw from Metolius. Read more >>
Halfway up a 19,000-foot peak, watching one’s ropemates struggle for solid footing on near-vertical ice, a guy naturally starts wondering how good his gear really is. Read more >>
The Mammut Superflash is the Sherman tank of climbing ropes. At 70m long, 10.5mm thick, and able to withstand up to 14 UIAA-rated falls, this thing is bombproof. Read more >>
The economy is still in the toilet, so a quiver of ice tools just isn’t an option for most ice junkies. Read more >>
I went climbing about 90 days last year—and almost every time, I’d wriggle out of my harness whenever there was a lull in the action. I just figured cramping was a necessary evil. But as soon as I slipped on the bright green Black Diamond Ozone sport harness, I was stunned. Read more >>Camping
When the Eureka Taron 2 arrived at my doorstep, I thought there’d been a mistake. This two-person backpacking tent is impossibly small and light as a feather. Read more >>
Brought to you by the same folks who make the Swiss Army knife, the Rothorn 2 is a beefy four-season tent that’s ready for anything. Read more >>
I found the idea of an A-frame tent moderately intimidating when recalling father-son campouts in the ‘90s with my dad’s puke-green, 20-pound “portable” behemoth. Nevertheless, I rose to the challenge and tested out the Eureka Timberline SQ 4XT. The result? Read more >>
With no weight restrictions, car-camping should involve some creature comforts—and no sleep pad I’ve used is as comfortable as the ThermaRest DreamTime. Read more >>
I’ve never kept up with gear trends too well. I blame my college and post-grad budget—or maybe I’m just cheap. Nevertheless, I’m quickly learning the importance of quality products. Take the North Face Gold Kazoo, an ideal candidate for backpacking excursions. Read more >>Hunting
For bird hunters on a budget, the PetSafe Big Dog Remote Trainer is a great alternative to those fancy-schmancy collars that shock your bank account more than your insubordinate canine. Read more >>
Bird hunters need both insulation and mobility, making a vest the ideal outerwear option. If you’re willing to spend a few bucks, there’s no better choice than Eddie Bauer’s old-school 1936 Skyliner Vest. Read more >>
It’s a common situation for hunters: you finally find the game you’re looking for, but you’re just not sure if you’re still on public land. Well, fret no more thanks to the Montana Landowners’ Names Topo overlay. Read more >>
One of the hardest things on guns is getting banged around during transport. The best thing for your valuable firearms, then, is a sturdy case—and you won’t find anything tougher than the Pelican 1720 Long Case. Read more >>
When fall rolls around, there are a few things every Montanan needs. One of those is a good pair of boots, and that’s where the Blaze MT Realtree AP comes in. Read more >>Biking
Short of letting them ride on my shoulders or directly on the handlebars, I’ve tried just about every method of toting a child by bicycle. For my wee ones and me, front riders are where it’s at. Read more >>
After switching to platform pedals, I realized that I had to find out what Five Ten Baron shoes were all about. These super-sticky-soled kicks are an alternative to clipless pedals—once you set your foot down on a pedal, it doesn’t move (until you move your feet yourself). Read more >>
Nothing’s more fundamental to bike commuting than a good light. Sure, you can sling a headlamp on your skull and call it good; but for more stability, safety, and a MaxBright LED that slashes darkness like a wizard’s staff, check out the Princeton Tec Push. Read more >>
Montana weather is nothing if not mercurial, and even at the peak of a hot, dry summer, you’re bound to get caught in the occasional afternoon thundershower. To keep your valuables dry, pick up a Vancouver Messenger Bag by Pacific Outdoor Equipment. Read more >>Boating
When hitting the rapids of the Mad Mile or tumbling over the waves in Yankee Jim Canyon, you need to rely on your oars handling the force of the water and the occasional rock. The Carlisle EX HD Oar shaft and blade meet the challenge. Read more >>
Once a paddle unavailable for purchase, the AT2 Superduty by Adventure Technologies is now on the market and has been designed with nothing left out. Read more >>
I live on your feet. I keep your toes warm in the chilly springtime flows and I feed you beer when you fail. I protect you from rocks and sticks and I allow you to move freely along riverbanks and bottoms. I am the Scout bootie by Kokatat and I am your new best friend. Read more >>
For a good all-around solo boat that’s friendly to beginners yet still satisfies the seasoned river rat, try the Mad River Outrage (blue). Read more >>
From the leader in ergonomically advanced paddles, the Adventure Technologies AT4 River offers a natural wrist position, improved control, and larger blades on this new piece to maximize stroke and reduce flutter each time you pull it through the water. Read more >>Nutrition
After a hard day in the mountains, there’s little better than sitting down to an ice-cold beer. And while a fancy, dark microbrew might hit the spot, sometimes you need something a little lighter and more refreshing—and that’s where Montucky Cold Snacks comes in. Read more >>
I’ve never been a fan of standard trail bars, but I do like small energy snacks I can easily stash in my backpack—so I was happy to discover Honey Stinger Organic Waffles. These handy treats are based off the energy waffles eaten by professional cyclists all across Europe. Read more >>
When packing up for a long day on the trail or river, throw in a Kate’s Bar, a scrumptious blend of all-natural, organic ingredients guaranteed to fill your gut and please your palate at the same time. Read more >>
As a nutritionist, I’ve had my share of granola bars. So when an online bakery, Bakery on Main, recently unveiled its newest granola bars, I just had to try them out. Read more >>
After watching a few unsettling documentaries about how disgustingly overprocessed our food has become, it became clear that I ought to start paying attention to what I put in my mouth. Read more >>Just for Chicks
Barefoot running had always seemed to me like a way for companies to sell us creepy hybrid glove-shoes, so I stayed loyal to my cushy sneakers… until I slipped into a pair of Merrell’s Bare Access Arc 2. Read more >>Let’s face it: a girl can never have too many socks. And if you’re an avid trail runner like me, the Hike/Trek 1/4socks from Darn Tough are sure to stand out as you rummage through your overflowing sock drawer. Read more >>Just because you like to climb mountains, your athletic capabilities don’t necessarily carry over to solid footfalls on a steep, scree-heavy descent. Thankfully, Lowa’s Mauria GTX mid-rise hiking boots have your back—and your ankles. Read more >>
When the snow is melting and rain fills the gutters, Keen’s Willamette boots are on my feet nearly every day. They’re part of the company’s BLVD collection, meaning you’re meant to wear them on streets around town and not on the trail—a lesson I learned the hard way. Read more >>
Comfort and function are the most important qualities I look for in my shoe choices, and the Chaco PedShed Shoe delivers on both. With the trademark Chaco LUVSEAT platform, these shoes provide great arch support and all-day comfort. Read more >>Dog Gear
You’re on a hike with your canine buddy and you bust out an energy bar. Buster stares at your snack, eyes begging for a bite. But it’s people food, and you down it despite the desperate gaze of your hungry pup. Read more >>
Dogs love it when you pull off their collars and let them run light and free, as nature intended—especially when said collars are sopping from a dunk in the river. Alas, those pesky leash laws necessitate a quick return to collared control. Read more >>For bird hunters on a budget, the PetSafe Big Dog Remote Trainer is a great alternative to those fancy-schmancy collars that shock your bank account more than your insubordinate canine. Read more >>
The Organic Bumper Bed by West Paw was a great treat for my kitty, and it’s nice to the environment too. The zip-off, machine-washable cover is made with organic cotton, and the inside is stuffed with recycled water bottles—which is actually really soft. Read more >>
Nothing beats a collapsible dog bowl for hikes and camping trips, and Mountainsmith’s K-9 Backbowl is the latest portable innovation for your canine counterpart. Read more >>Miscellaneous
After 11 years in a 13.5-foot, standard-floor raft, I had a good idea of what I wanted in a new boat. It had to be a self-bailer, have removable thwarts, and since my family was bigger, it needed to be longer and wider. Read more >>
Summer means sunshine and vigorous physical activity—and if it’s a well-made but no-frills pair of shades you’re after, check out the Revo Harness. Read more >>The Yeti Tundra 65 now has a permanent spot on my raft. Built by outdoorsmen, it’s constructed to fit perfectly in the frame, and the 65-quart size is great for a one or two-day float. Read more >>
The necessity of having a dependable knife on hand hit me like a blunt edge after a wilderness survival workshop last spring (see Outside Bozeman Summer 2012), and the Gerber LMF II Survival could be the key to luxury in the wild. Read more >>
Modern cell phones may have rendered two-way radios rare, but certainly not obsolete—when’s the last time you whipped out your $400 iPhone in a rainstorm? For harsh weather, remote locations, and emergency situations, the Motorola Talkabout is what you need. Read more >>
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