Sturdy Slippers from Salomon

Past protocol for introducing a new running shoe to my feet: Wear them at the store before purchasing. Wear them around the house for an hour (last chance to return them) Wear them for a miles-long walk Finally, wear them for a run Protocol for […]

Everything You’d Want in a Boot, nothing more, thankfully

There are lots of advantages to living in the mountains. One is this: you can get aerobic and strong by simply heading up one ridge or another. Road running is arguably more impactful on the body. And if you have a history of knee injuries […]

Patagonia’s Double Knee Hemp Pants Perfect in PNW

Editor’s Note: For this review of Patagonia WorkWear’s new hemp pants, we turned to outdoors woman, Natalie Lord. Lord is a Maine gal and St. Lawrence University graduate who spends nearly every weekend outside or in the backcountry. Now living in the Pacific Northwest, she’s […]

Outdoor Retailer Bestuvs

Imagine you’re at a mall on the weekend before Christmas and all the crowds around you are fit, driven, and over-caffeinated. That’s pretty much the scene at the Outdoor Retailer at the Salt Palace convention center. Thousands of vendors and tens of thousands of buyers, […]

The Perfect Shoe for Back Country Wanderlust

Editor’s Note: We hear this week from guest columnist Aidan Gaughran. The ColoradoOutsider played four seasons of NCAA soccer at Dickinson College before joining the Peace Corps and heading to Panama. Now back in the States, he’s busy catching up on hikes and treks in […]

Sturdy Salomons Make for Happier Hiking

I live at about 7,500 feet elevation. If I’m not walking north and south on a flat gravel road, I’m heading up steep climbs to the east and west. The ridges rise quickly to 8,500 feet and the terrain is variant, with plenty of sandstone […]

Review: Cotopaxi’s Toliman Hoodie

For this review of Cotopaxi’s Toliman Wool Hoodie, we sought out WashingtonOutsider, Natalie Lord. The Toliman is made in Portland, Oregon, just 170 miles south of Lord’s home base. The 20-something spends more time outdoors than most of us even hope for. The talented skier […]

Glamping in Patagonia Baselayer

Don’t get me wrong. I love camping of all sorts. But truck camping, one form of glamping, is what I’m doing lately. In a truck camper, you can: Sleep on a real mattress Overnight at highway rest stops with a locked door Carry and cook […]

Alpine Houdini Review

“Weather permitting…” Real trekkers hardly acknowledge a phrase like this one. It rains. We’re either prepared and comfortable or unprepared and grin through it. I prefer the former. During the lovely monsoon season here in Colorado, it might rain every day for a few months. […]

A worthwhile inVESTment

When it comes to gear, I veer towards minimalism. I like products that look good, fit brilliantly, and last for years. I also like to feel good about my purchases. Maybe that’s why our connection with Cotopaxi, a young Utah company, has been so fortuitous. […]