Trailspace Blog
Meet Joseph Renow, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations, Joseph, Trailspace's newest Reviewer of the Month! An avid paddler whose gear reviews were among the highest rated in August, Joseph wins a goodie pack from Kind, Klymit, and Trailspace.
Patti Wins Spot Global Phone for Reviewing Her Gear
Congratulations, Patti LePoidevin! For sharing a review of your Deuter Aircontact backpack, you've won a SPOT Global Satellite Phone and two months of free airtime ($500 value).
Q&A with Kerry McClay, SnowSchool Director for Winter Wildlands Alliance
Kerry McClay has a passion for outdoor experiences, and as director of Winter Wildlands Alliance's SnowSchool he gets kids outdoors and on snowshoes to learn about winter ecology and snow-science.
Meet HornRimmedHiker, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to Eric, July Reviewer of the Month! Thanks to the Trailspace community, Eric's gone from car camper to solo backpacker in three months and given back by publishing 18 reviews in July alone. He wins a goodie pack of gear from A3, Ibex, Innate, ProBar, and Trailspace.
David Baker Wins $300 Gear Spree from Tahoe Mountain Sports
Congratulations, David Baker! For sharing a review of your Keen Men's Newport H2 sandals, you've won a $300 shopping spree from Tahoe Mountain Sports.
Ach Wins $250 Shopping Spree to Isis
Congratulations, Ach! For sharing a review of your Lowa Renegade boots, you've won a $250 shopping spree on outdoor performance clothing from Isis.
A $2K Tent, Self-Motivated Headlamp, More Gear News
A $2,000 Cuben tent from Easton, a headlamp with "optic motility" from Snow Peak, plus final gear highlights from brands exhibiting at summer Outdoor Retailer.
Fuel Cells, Titanium Frames, and Waterproof Sleeping Bags
PowerTrekk turns water into electricity. Vargo revives the external frame pack with titanium. Montane makes a totally waterproof sleeping bag. Day three of Outdoor Retailer was a parade of technological innovation.
Outdoor Innovators Speak
Outdoor Retailer always promises unique innovations — and plenty enthusiastic product designers, brand managers, and PR reps eager to show them off. Here are just a few of them, in their own words.
Keeping it Light with NEMO, Patagonia, and Sea to Summit
Gear gets lighter every year, but NEMO, Patagonia, and Sea to Summit strike the balance between lightweight performance and comfort with these new products.
OR Day One: Around the Foot, Side, and Kitchen
Day One on the Outdoor Retailer show floor turned up a number of innovations, from breathable footwear to stable hydration and a slick cook system.
2650-Mile Socks, Shapeshifting Shoes, and Packs that Adjust on the Fly
A pack whose torso length can be adjusted without taking it off, a shoe with a unique body, and socks built to endure 2,650 miles of pounding. Day one of Outdoor Retailer brought a parade of wonders.
Outdoor Retailer: You Recognize Trailspace's Top Gear
We're scouting Outdoor Retailer in search of the most interesting outdoor gear for testing, reviews, and giveaways. But you'll already find real-world proven, top gear right here on Trailspace, thanks to you!
OR Demo Day: Scorching Stoves, Thermoelectric Power, and Rapid Inflation Pads
Jetboil introduces a scorching 10,000 BTU stove. FlameStower offers another thermoelectric power-generating stove. And Windcatcher promises "rapid inflation technology" with its air pad.
Outdoor Retailer: The Start of a Gear Relationship
Outdoor Retailer Summer Market opens this week with 1,300 brands exhibiting outdoor gear, apparel, footwear, and accessories. It's a heady gear experience. Follow along with our show coverage.
HornRimmedHiker Wins AAC Membership and Mountainsmith Pack
Congratulations, HornRimmedHiker! For sharing a review of your Light My Fire Spork, you've won an American Alpine Club membership and Mountainsmith Mountainlight Scream 25 backpack for your backcountry adventures ($150 total value).
Q&A with American Alpine Club's Whitney Orban
Meet Whitney Orban, climber, writer, advocate, and Content Manager for the American Alpine Club, and learn what it's like to work for the nation's oldest and most prominent climbing organization.
Your Gear Reviews Are Focus of Updated Product Pages
We've redesigned the product pages on Trailspace, putting the focus of each product where it belongs—on your first-hand, real-world reviews and ratings. We've also added some new features, to help you find the outdoor gear info you want faster.
Gear Reviews & Outdoor Stewardship: Why We're 1% for the Planet Members
Ever notice that 1% for the Planet logo at the bottom of every Trailspace page and wonder what it means? Learn why we're member of 1% FTP and what outdoor nonprofits we support.
Meet PNW John, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to PNW John, our June Reviewer of the Month! John's recent gear reviews have been among the highest-rated by the Trailspace community. He wins a goodie pack of gear from Innate, A3, Kind, ProBar, Headsweats, and Trailspace.
Bojib Wins Big Agnes Air Core Pad and Pumphouse
Congratulations, Bojib! For sharing your review of your Coleman SunDome 4 tent, you've won an Insulated Air Core sleeping pad and a Pumphouse dry sack/pad pump, thanks to Big Agnes (up to $150 total value).
James McEnaney Wins Kelty Gunnison 3.2 Tent
Congratulations, James McEnaney! For sharing your review of your Lowe Alpine Airzone 35, you've won a Gunnison 3.2 tent, thanks to Kelty (worth $250).
To Write the Best Backpack Reviews Answer 3 Questions
When buying a backpack, people want to know how it will fit, feel, and hold their gear. Give those details, and you'll help other hikers, backpackers, climbers, skiers, trail runners, and paddlers find the right pack for their next backcountry adventures.
Meet Bill Heiser, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to Bill Heiser, Trailspace's May Reviewer of the Month! The community rated Bill's gear reviews (and Bill's reputation score) the highest in May. He wins a goodie pack of gear from A3, Ibex, Injinji, Kind, ProBar, and Trailspace.
Leave No Trace Helps Kids Reach the P.E.A.K.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people of all ages how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. In classrooms and online, its PEAK program reaches elementary students and teaches them how to minimize impacts.
Chaos in Motion Wins a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Pack
Congratulations, chaos in motion! For sharing your review of your Leatherman Skeletool, you've won a lightweight 2400 Southwest Pack, thanks to Hyperlite Mountain Gear (worth $260).
11 Tips for the Best Outdoor Gear Reviews
Whether you're reviewing your 20-year-old backpack, the latest solid fuel stove, or any other outdoor equipment, clothing, or footwear, follow these tips to write the best outdoor gear reviews.
Bill S Wins a Montane Mountain Star Jacket
Congratulations, Bill S! For sharing your review of your Platypus GravityWorks Filter System, you've won a lightweight Mountain Star windshirt, thanks to Montane (worth $84).
Meet FromSagetoSnow, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to FromSagetoSnow (aka Jeff), our latest reviewer of the month. For his Review Corps review of the insulated Rab Strata Hoodie, Jeff wins a goodie pack from GU, ProBar, A3 Action Snax, and Trailspace.
HikesWithHendrix Wins Clikstand Sierra Cookset Combo
Congratulations, HikesWithHendrix! For sharing your review of your K2 Panoramic Splitboard Kit, you've won a Sierra Combo cookset, thanks to Clikstand (worth $69.95).
Introducing Reviewer Reputation
Today we're introducing reviewer reputation: a rough measurement of each member's standing within the Trailspace community, based on the quantity and quality of their contributions.
Jason Ruff Wins Sierra Designs DriDown Zissou
Congratulations, Jason! For sharing your review of your Asolo TPS 535 hiking boots, you've won a DriDown Zissou 12 sleeping bag, thanks to Sierra Designs ($270 value!).
Move from Gym to Crag with the Access Fund
Want to make the transition from rock gym to crag? The Access Fund offers up advice for responsible outdoor climbing practices that help preserve climbing access.
Meet Bigger Al, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to Bigger Al, our latest reviewer of the month. For his review of the Starbucks VIA Ready Brew, Al wins a goodie pack of gear from Innate, ProBar, Nature's Coffee Kettle, and Trailspace.
Black Diamond Brings Apparel Line for 2013
Iconic equipment manufacturer Black Diamond is launching a new line of technical mountain apparel with high-end fabrics, built-in RECCO reflectors, and classic style.
Trailspace Community Publishes 25,000th Gear Review
The Trailspace community has published 25,000 outdoor gear reviews! Congratulations to Kkpro. For writing the 25,000th (of his Black Diamond Cosmo) he wins a $400 gear prize pack. Plus, everyone gets special discounts from CampSaver, Massey’s Outfitters, Rock/Creek, and Tahoe Mountain Sports.
Trailspace Community Nears 25,000 Outdoor Gear Reviews
We’re about to reach 25,000 outdoor gear reviews, thanks to our amazing community members! The author of the 25,000th review will win a Trailspace prize pack, so share your review today.
Inov-8 Adds Apparel to Off-Road Running Lines
Off-road running brand inov-8 launches its first line of trail running apparel for fall-winter 2013. Pair with its minimalist, lightweight shoes and packs for inov-8 from foot to hood.
Jiynx Wins Mountain Travel Sobek Gear Prize
Congratulations, Jiynx! For sharing your review of your Mountainsmith Maverick backpack, you've won a sweet selection of travel gear, including new Leki trekking poles, thanks to Mountain Travel Sobek ($200+ value)!
Meet Jake, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to Jake, our latest Reviewer of the Month, plus all-around February gear winner! Jake wrote a Killer Review of the Wild Things Custom Insulight Jacket, and wins a goodie pack of gear from Innate, GU, ProBar, and Trailspace.
Jake Wins Light & Motion Solite 250 Headlamp
Congratulations, Jake! For sharing your review of your custom Wild Things jacket, you've won a modular Solite 250 headlamp, thanks to Light and Motion ($149.99 value!).
Munro Baggs Wins Head-to-Toe Terramar Layers
Congratulations, Munro Baggs! For sharing your review of your Arc'teryx jacket, you've won a complete set of baselayers from Terramar Sports to cover you from top to bottom this winter ($191 total value)!
Meet Pillowthread, Trailspace's Reviewer of the Month
Congratulations to Pillowthread (aka Vince), our latest reviewer of the month. Vince wrote a Killer Review of the Vargo Titanium BOT Bottle Pot, and wins a goodie pack of gear from ProBar, Rocky, Nature's Coffee Kettle, and Ibex and Trailspace.
SteriPen's Ultra UV Water Purifier is All Smiles
SteriPen has expanded its 2013 lineup with the Ultra, which it calls "the most advanced UV water purifer in the world."
Industrial Revolution Lights Camps for 40 Years
Industrial Revolution had its first gear hit with the ever-popular Original Candle Lantern. Forty years later, it's still offering camping lanterns, both candle and LED, under its UCO brand.
Swap Your Vibram Soles with Korkers OmniTrax
Not sure which boots to wear on your next winter hike, or rather, which soles? Swap out your Vibram soles mid-hike for just the right traction with the OmniTrax adaptable system from Korkers.
Terra Nova Offers Cuben Fiber Ultra Glove
Terra Nova takes its Guinness World Record lightweight Laser Ultra 1 tent and makes a Cuben Fiber glove version: the Extremities Ultra Glo winter running glove.
Black Diamond Expands 2013 Ski Offerings
Black Diamond has been busy revamping and expanding its ski offerings for 2013-14 with 11 new skis, two new boots and packs, plus a new beacon from Pieps.
