Blogs

Trekking in the Slovenian Karawanks

Trekking in the Karawank mountains in Slovenia is a fantastic alternative to the busier Julian Alps if you’re looking for a hidden gem. You’ll have the trails to yourself, quiet huts, and lots of views as you hike on this range on the Austrian border. The area is easily accessible from Bled, Bohinj and Ljubljana and has a well-connected hut network throughout the region. You’ll be literally walking on the border of the two countries and will feel the cultural influences in the huts.

Cortazu AR Hardshell 12M-SS Beige Review

I took the Cortazu AR Hardshell with me while thru-hiking Santa Maria in the Azores this spring and loved it. We were hiking the GR-SM01, where the weather is constantly changing and you’re outside all day, so I had the chance to enjoy the quality and performance of this jacket in different conditions. I’ll be honest, upon arrival, it felt a bit stiff and heavy compared to other hardshells I’ve owned, but it made the appearance impeccable even after repeatedly stuffing it in the backpack.

Osprey Kestrel LT Review

I recently took the Osprey Kestrel LT on a long-distance hike around Santa Maria Island in the Azores. This was my first time using an Osprey pack, and I really enjoyed the experience. After reading reviews of the Kestrel and the Kestrel LT, I decided to go with the newer LT for the simple reason of wanting to keep my pack weight lower.

Hiking in the Julian Alps

It’s no secret that the Julian Alps are Slovenia’s most beloved mountain range. Home of Triglav, the country’s highest peak (2864m), it is a string of limestone and dolomite ridges with alpine lakes and meadows dotting its valleys. The Julian Alps are hands down one of Europe’s most special regions. My boyfriend hiked the Slovenian Mountain Trail a few years ago, so whenever we return to Slovenia (our favorite country), he designs tours for us in the most beautiful places from his longer thru-hike.

LEKI Skyterra FX Carbon Poles Review

The LEKI Skyterra FX Carbon SL poles are something of dreams. I’ve been a big trekking pole user for the last five years since I’ve gotten into thru-hiking on more technical and demanding trails, and these poles make me actually excited about throwing another piece of gear into my bag as I pack. They’re light, they’re durable and reliable, and they look cool. I don’t make my purchasing decisions based on aesthetics normally, but it helps.

MSR Hubba Hubba LT 2-Person Review

We’ve been big MSR tent users for the past few years, and when the Hubba Hubba LT released, I knew I wanted to try it out. Even after trying the FreeLite and Hubba NX Solo, my favorite tent from them over the years has been the Hubba Hubba 2, so a lighter-weight version was the dream.

Gregory Arrio Review

The Arrio from Gregory is a really great day pack. For a long time, I’ve been wanting a ventilated day pack, but found that most brands stop ventilating as the pack volume decreases. The Arrio solves this problem! With a VaporSpan back panel, the mesh means breathing easy even on tough hikes. I especially appreciated the springy back and shoulder straps when it was rainy and I was sweaty, because that is a combo that never feels nice with a backpack on.

LOWA SKYTERRA Review

The LOWA SKYTERRA’s are evolving LOWA’s trail running shoes line with a more cushioned midsole, and 4.5mm treads that are setting a new standard within the brand for what trail-ready means.

Osprey Kyte LT Review

I was lucky enough to be invited by my friends to hike around Santa Maria, a small island in the Azores, this March, where I was using the Osprey Kyte LT pack. It was a great trip, where we had beautiful weather, and it was made all the better with having good gear with me. Bringing the Kyte LT was a good test of Osprey’s newest line, and I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience.

Het Ziltepad: Walking the salt-worn edge of the North

Coastal dunes until the horizon, old forts, lighthouse-boats to guide the sailors of old, Het Ziltepad has it all. One moment you are surrounded by lush vegetation at the edge of the dunes, another moment you’ll only hear the wind and you’ll see almost nothing around you except for a big open sky. The ‘Kop van Noord Holland’ is an interesting place with lots of history.

Innsbruck: Europe’s Outdoor Hub

We finally found it: the best outdoor hub city in Europe. Innsbruck is a city built for people who love to be outside. The Tyrolean capital has every outdoor activity imaginable, and each is only a few minutes away.

HOKA Speedgoat 7 Review

HOKA is back with the Speedgoat 7’s! The newest in this line from the iconic running brand, the Speedgoat 7’s have some aesthetic updates to the 6’s as well as a change in the midsole and some new colorways. But what remains the same is the super comfort and not needing to break them in.