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What Gear Do I Need to Crash Camp in a Ski Area Parking Lot?
There are several ways to chase powder. You can get up at 4 a.m. and drive to the ski area to make sure you’re first in line. Or, even better, you can car camp overnight at the ski area (if it allows...
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What Are the Best Valentine's Day Gifts for Outdoor Lovers?
If your sweetheart loves the outdoors, get her or him gear to chase that PR or blow up that Instagram feed. For buying advice, I tracked down five pro athletes and asked them what they want most this...
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What Are the Best Lip Balms for Winter?
To test the best all-natural lip balms, I went until late January without applying anything to my lips. The result: lots of cracking, bleeding, and pain. As you can guess, I was happy to finally uncap...
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What Are the Best Shaving Products for Men?
High-quality gear can make playing outside even more fun. The same goes for shaving tools. If you look beyond drugstore razors and invest in better equipment, your skin will be a lot happier. Here’s a...
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Should I Ditch My Regular Climbing Skins for Fischer’s New Profoils?
Most climbing skins are made with nylon or mohair fibers (or a blend of both) that are angled so you can glide forward but not slide backward when going uphill. It’s a standard construction that works...
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How Should I Clean My Waterproof Shell and Down Jacket?
Down jackets and waterproof-breathable shells are essential pieces of winter kit, but you have to keep them clean and store them well to keep them working properly. Here are nine care tips to extend...
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Do I Need to Spend $450 to Get a Good Pair of Ski Pants?
Good ski pants typically cost anywhere from $100 to $450. To find out if the more expensive models are worth the investment, we tested several types in that price range. After three months, here’s what...
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What’s the Perfect Daypack Travel Kit?
Whether you’re on a road trip with friends or venturing into a foreign city on an eight-hour layover, there are some essential items you always want in your daypack. Here’s a starter list that should...
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How Do I Layer for a Backpacking Trip?
I have a simple formula for what to wear during backpacking season (typically spring through fall): three layers up top, two on my legs, and one for my feet. This system regulates temperature extremely...
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What Gear Should I Carry in My Car at All Times?
You might assume that, as Outside’s Gear Guy, I drive a Tacoma or Outback. You’d be mistaken. My ride is a 2000 Toyota Camry that my grandma bequeathed me when she turned 90. While it doesn’t have...
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What Are Some Useful Tricks for Flying with Outdoor Gear?
Flying with your gear sucks. In addition to schlepping heavy bags and worrying about careless baggage handlers, it can be expensive. So I called a few pros to get their useful tricks. Here’s what they...
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What Should I Carry in My Backpacking Repair Kit?
The best part of backpacking is getting away. But when you’re deep in the wilderness, you’ll need to be prepared if your gear fails. For a list of repair tools, I turned to my friend Sam Theule, who...
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What Are Some Backpacking Gear Hacks?
Backpacking is expensive. You’ll likely shell out at least $600 by the time you invest in a decent pack, stove, sleeping bag, and tent. Thankfully, there are affordable ways to solve some of your...
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What Gear Do I Need to Hike with My Dog?
Heath Smith is the program director for Conservation Canines, a University of Washington program that trains rescue dogs to track endangered species. His dogs are out in the field every day, either...
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How Do I Take Care of My Hiking Boots?
Dave Page knows a thing or two about boot care. He’s owned a boot repair shop in Seattle for the past 40 years (aptly named Dave Page, Cobbler). Dave and his employees have worked on thousands of...
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What's the Best Waterproof iPhone Case?
I destroyed two iPhones this year. They died not of trauma, but of drowning. The first iPhone 6 shorted out after plunging into a rest-stop toilet in Ohio. The second iPhone 6 met its maker thanks to a...
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What Are the Best Beard Oils?
Just like the hair on your head, the hair on your face needs proper care. Beard oils tame, moisturize, and soften your unruly scruff. Here are our five favorite products. Clyde Oak Beard Oil ($12 )...
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What Are the Best Insulated Growlers?
Beer is great. Cold, carbonated beer is even better. That's why we go for insulated growlers, which keep your brews tap-fresh for hours. The only problem: there are dozens of growlers to chose from. To...
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How Do I Shave Weight While Backpacking?
Light is right when you’re backpacking, even if you’re just out for the weekend. You’ll be more comfortable on the trail and less fatigued when you get to camp. But don’t worry. I’m not going to...
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What Are the Best Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers?
Bluetooth speakers are a no-no in the wilderness. But there’s nothing wrong with jamming out when you’re car camping by the lake. To find out which ones have the best sound, and can handle the...
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