Our Best Gear, According to Hyperenthusiastic Reviewers Aer Parris|July 12, 2018 Here at the co-op, we review tons of products. Some of our reviews are produced by in-house teams and subject-matter experts. Other times, we turn to you—the customer—to provide feedback. Here's a roundup of some summer 2018 customer favorites, based on extra enthusiastic reviews.
What’s the Difference Between an External Frame Pack and an Internal Frame Pack? Ken Knapp|July 2, 2018 External frame packs look very different from internal frame packs. Learn the pros and cons of each design so you can decide which is right for you.
Get Schooled in Outdoor Product Design Morgan Tilton|June 26, 2018 Universities across the West are launching college degree programs to help train the next generation of outdoor leaders and product developers with sustainability at the helm.
New Garmin Fenix 5 Plus Introduces Music, Topo Maps and Contactless Payments Yitka Winn|June 18, 2018 Compare the original Garmin Fenix 5 with the new Fenix 5 Plus series—three all-new GPS watches that let you train unencumbered thanks to color maps, onboard music storage, contactless payments and more.
Gear Review: Osprey Eja 58 Pack Shelby Carpenter|May 29, 2018 Backpackers looking to enjoy their time in the wilderness face a perennial question: What’s more important, having comfortable gear or lightweight gear? Osprey has finally created a lightweight, women-specific pack that maintains comfort for a range of load weights: the Osprey Eja 58.
The History of the Backpack Aer Parris|May 17, 2018 This year marks our 80th anniversary. We’re celebrating by going back in time, to trace the history of the modern-day backpack, a history slightly older than we are.
Full-Suspension vs. Hardtail Mountain Bikes Joe Pasteris|May 16, 2018 When shopping for a mountain bike, should you go with a full-suspension bike or a hardtail? We examine the key differences to help you decide which one is right for you.
Sun and Singletrack: Test Riding the Salsa Timberjack NX1 27.5+ Bike Ashley Brown|May 7, 2018 Far from overcast Seattle, east of the Columbia River, sits the community of Ephrata. And just outside the small town, 20 miles of singletrack at Beezley Hills Preserve beckon, making the area a mountain biking destination. Our riders explored the trails on the Salsa Timberjack NX1 27.5+ hardtail.
Everything You Need for Your First Backpacking Trip Aer Parris|April 23, 2018 Backpacking for the first time can feel daunting. What tent should you get? How many pairs of socks should you bring? Which water filter is the best for the job? We have quite a bit of experience, and thought we should tell you what we’ve learned the hard way. This is everything you need for your first trip.
Introducing the ZipAll Aer Parris|April 1, 2018 For the first time ever, REI has designed a piece of apparel so versatile and customizable it almost defies common sense: the REI Co-op ZipAll.
The 8 Best Hiking Apps You Need to Download Now REI Staff|March 15, 2018 We believe in the power of the outdoors—which usually means putting your phone down and getting out there. But sometimes, apps can help.
And the Winners Are: Backpacker Editors’ Choice Awards 2018 Ashley Brown|March 13, 2018 With decades of outdoor experience, the editors of Backpacker magazine pick the best and most reliable gear.
