Fjällräven Abisko Trail T-Shirt Purchased September 2017, reviewed August 2018 The Abisko Trail T-Shirt is a “lightweight trekking” lyocell-blend base layer from Swedish company Fjällräven. At $60 retail this is about as expensive as a short-sleeved base layer top gets, … Read More
Fjällräven Greenland No. 1 Special Edition Purchased February 2018, reviewed August 2018, last updated December 2018 According to Fjällräven, the original Greenland jacket was introduced by Åke Nordin in 1968. Fjällräven (pronounced “fee-ahl-rah-ven”) has produced various versions of their “most … Read More
Patagonia R3 Hoody Purchased May 2016 and replaced August 2017, reviewed November 2017, last updated December 2017 One of my rules on Winterbear is that before reviewing a product, I’ll use it outside many times in a variety of conditions. … Read More
MSR Windburner Purchased January 2016, reviewed October 2017 In August 2008, a friend and I set off a three-day backcountry traverse of Chugach State Park. Our kit included some older gear (how can my back ever forget that 10-pound dome … Read More
Osprey Variant 37 Purchased January 2016, reviewed October 2017 Most people start with two basic backpacks: a day pack in the 15-30 liter range and an overnight pack in the 55-80 liter range. Packs in the 35-50 liter range always … Read More
DMOS Stealth Shovel Purchased March 2017, reviewed September 2017, last updated May 2022 The DMOS Stealth is a blingy backcountry shovel introduced as the ideal tool to build ski and snowboard jumps (called “kickers”). The Stealth’s serrated blade is made … Read More
Valandre Shocking Blue Purchased December 2016, reviewed September 2017, last updated November 2017 The Shocking Blue (aka Shocking Blue Neo) is the namesake sleeping bag in France-based Valandre’s “Shocking Blue Series” of cold-weather sleeping bags. Many winter sleeping bags are … Read More
Hilleberg Nammatj 2 Purchased July 2015, reviewed August 2017, last updated May 2020 The Nammatj 2 is a four-season Swiss Army Knife of a tent from Swedish tentmaker Hilleberg. Weighing in at between 5 and 6.5 pounds depending on setup, … Read More
Arc’teryx Alpha FL Purchased March 2016, reviewed March 2017 This four-season three-layer alpine shell is light. At less than twelve ounces for a large the Alpha FL is actually lighter than most three-season two-layer rain jackets on the market, including … Read More
Hestra Heli Purchased winter 2016, reviewed March 2017 The Hestra Heli is the flagship ski glove from Swedish glovemaker Hestra, which calls it “a modern classic with many uses.” Look around at any ski resort and you’ll spot the distinctive … Read More