Reviews

Royal Robbins Men’s Wilder Zip-Off Pants These hiking pants have all the bases covered. Whether you are looking for protection from the sun, from the rain, or from bugs, the Wilder Zip-Offs deliver the goods. Royal Robbins’ UPF 40+ sun protection keeps you cool; the lightweight, stretch fabric sheds moisture and blocks wind; and the chemical-free Mosquito Protection Technology™  (MPT) …

Long Lost by Tami Asars; Palmetto Publishing, 2026 Some of us who live in the West may feel a little superior about our long-distance trails, and may view the Appalachian Trail (AT) as a low-elevation jaunt. North Bend hiking guide author Tami Asars had already completed the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails before her hiking partner invited her to …

Out of all the gear I own, the Benchmade Bugout Knife is the one item I consistently carry and use every single day. Its simple design is exactly what makes it such a great EDC (Every Day Carry) for me. The blade opens smoothly with one hand, the grip is comfortable in just about any position, and the overall size …

Geology of the North Cascades:  A Mountain Mosaic by Rowland Tabor and Ralph Haugerud, drawings by Anne Crowder,  Mountaineers Books   When hiking through the North Cascades, have you ever wondered about the rocks underfoot and the peaks you’re climbing? Hikers curious about the geology of our region but new to the subject, as well as geologists who want to …

For 20+ years, my backpacking sleep system looked pretty much the same: pitch the tent, inflate the pad, then shove a few layers into a stuff sack and call it a pillow. If you’ve done the same, you already know how that usually goes. It works in theory, but after a long day on the trail, a lumpy bundle of …

Therm-A-Rest NeoLoft Sleeping Pad  The Therm-A-Rest® NeoLoft pad has too many features to cover here, but the two that stand out for me are the side rails and the super soft surface material. The side rails keep you in place if you twist and turn in the night, like I do, so that you stay right where you want to be: on …

Positively Uncivilized                             By Rena Priest, Raven Chronicle Press, 2025 Studying the epigraph to 2021-2023 Washington poet laureate Rena Priest’s new essay collection, “Positively Uncivilized,” is a worthy endeavor. 19th-century journalist Ambrose Bierce expands the definition of “positive” to mean “mistaken at the top of one’s voice.” …

This winter I’ve spent a lot of time running. The Chuckanuts have been their usual mix of wet roots and mud—a good test for any trail shoe. If you’ve spent time in an Altra Lone Peak (and plenty of folks have), the Topo Ultraventure 4 compares nicely. Both offer a roomy toe box that lets your toes spread out, but …

  Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles Guest review by Gary Malick I started using hiking poles years back when I was having a little knee issue. Ever since then, they have always been with me on a hike or backpacking trip. The Gossamer Gear LT5 3-piece trekking poles are as light as a feather (only 4.9 oz per pole!). …

The Black Diamond Cirque 35 ski pack makes a strong case that simplicity doesn’t mean compromise. In a world full of feature-packed gear, its biggest strength is knowing what to leave out. At 35 liters, the roll-top main compartment gives you flexible storage; roomy enough for a long day touring but stripped of unnecessary bulk, so it stays planted on …