Real mountain adventurers. Honest, in-depth gear reviews.

Patagonia Stormstride Jacket. No-frills & purpose built: One of the best ski touring jackets we've tested. Click here to read the review.

Latest Reviews

Patagonia Stormstride | Testing the backcountry ski pant

The Patagonia Stormstride series is designed for backcountry touring but capable of pulling double-duty at the resort. This waterproof and breathable ski pant offers plenty of stretch for movement. Patagonia Stormstride pants. Size: Medium. Color: Smolder Blue. ...

Patagonia Stormstride | Testing the backcountry ski pant

Arc’teryx Serratus Hoody review: First look at the new technical softshell

The Serratus Hoody, and its women's counterpart, feature two different softshell fabrics to maximize durability and breathability. Arc'teryx's midwinter 2025 release of the Serratus Hoody adds a new technical softshell to the brand's ever-expanding jacket lineup. The ...

Arc’teryx Serratus Hoody review: First look at the new technical softshell

Stio Environ Jacket review: A full-featured ski shell to slay resort days

Rocking the full Stio Environ kit during a cold January day at Copper Mountain, Colorado. I expect three things from a full-featured ski shell: weatherproof performance for whatever Mother Nature throws my way, dependable durability for harsh ...

Stio Environ Jacket review: A full-featured ski shell to slay resort days

Patagonia Stormstride Jacket review: Testing the backcountry-focused ski shell

Ski touring with the Patagonia Stromstride men's backcountry ski jacket

The Patagonia Stormstride is a backcountry ski jacket made for high-output ski touring. The Patagonia Stormstride series is the brand's most breathable jacket and pants for ski touring. The Stormstride jacket offers a three-layer waterproof fabric that ...

Patagonia Stormstride Jacket review: Testing the backcountry-focused ski shell

Arc’teryx Cerium vs Cerium SV | How to choose

The Cerium Hoody in Rune (left) and the Cerium SV Hoody in Black Sapphire (right) may come from the same product collection, but they're distinct jackets in almost every way. Arc’teryx’s Cerium line of jackets and vests ...

Arc’teryx Cerium vs Cerium SV | How to choose

Mammut Stoney HS Ski Pant Review

Mammut Stoney HS ski pant

The Mammut Stoney HS Pant is a premium ski and snowboard pant. It has a uniquely soft fabric and specific features for hitting the slopes.The Mammut Stoney HS Pant. Size: Medium. Color: Marine. I'm 5'9" and ...

Mammut Stoney HS Ski Pant Review

RTIC 20 vs 30 vs 40: How to choose a Soft Pack Cooler

The RTIC Soft Pack Cooler 20 Cans (see image) is the better value. It's more portable, compact, and lower priced. If you're looking for a day trip cooler for water play, the RTIC Soft Pack Coolers ...

RTIC 20 vs 30 vs 40: How to choose a Soft Pack Cooler

Yeti Hopper Flip 8 vs 12: How to choose

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 soft-sided cooler in snow

If you’re worried about ice, the YETI Hopper Flip 12 (see image) holds up to 16 pounds. So, you can pack in all your goods along with enough ice to keep everything cold for a long day.The YETI Hopper ...

Yeti Hopper Flip 8 vs 12: How to choose

Yeti Tundra 35 vs 45 Review: Is bigger always better?

Yeti Tundra 35 hard-sided cooler on a standup paddleboard

The portability and performance of the YETI Tundra 35 are a perfect combo for a 2 day camping trip.Looking for a portable companion to fuel your adventures?The YETI Tundra 35 and Tundra 45 hard coolers are ...

Yeti Tundra 35 vs 45 Review: Is bigger always better?

RTIC 45 vs 65: How to choose

RTIC 65 quart cooler on sand with ice and drinks

If you have a larger group size, upgrade to the RTIC 65 QT (see image). The 65 quart capacity breaks down to 70 pounds of ice or 64 cans. That’s roughly 2.7 cases of beer. In the ...

RTIC 45 vs 65: How to choose

Yeti Hopper M30 vs Backflip 24

The Yeti Hopper M30 soft cooler tote in navy being carried off a boat

The YETI Hopper M30 (see image) is not your average tote bag. This soft cooler has enough storage capacity to hold up to 28 lbs of ice. It also features exceptional durability that won’t begin to fray ...

Yeti Hopper M30 vs Backflip 24

Arc’teryx Shoes | Sylan, Sylan Pro, and Sylan GTX Review

Runner on a trail with the Arcteryx Sylan Pro shoe

Trail testing the Sylan Pro, the Arc'teryx shoes built for fast mountain running. The Arc'teryx Sylan Pro is part of the new for 2024 Sylan series, released from the brand's dedicated shoe design center in Portland, OR. ...

Arc’teryx Shoes | Sylan, Sylan Pro, and Sylan GTX Review

Altra Timp vs Lone Peak

Altra Lone Peak 4.5's in their natural habitat.A short answer first:The most important difference is the extra cushioning the Timp 2.0 offers over the Lone Peak 4.5's.A summary around the cushioning:The Lone Peak is the closest you ...

Altra Timp vs Lone Peak

Altra Superior vs Lone Peak

Altra 4.5 trail running show on a leafy trail.

Altra's new Lone Peak 4.5's (released on 1st of Nov 2019) in action. According to Altra's website, Lone Peak 4.0's are discontinued now (duh) and are also even almost sold out.I made an extensive research and ...

Altra Superior vs Lone Peak

Osprey Farpoint 40 Review

I've literally been to everywhere with my Farpoint 40 (camping, festivals, backpacking US/Europe, etc) and shared all my opinions here in this post.2.5 year update & Quick summaryI recently went to Budapest (Sziget Festival) and then ...

Osprey Farpoint 40 Review

Osprey Talon vs Stratos

Osprey Talon 22 backpack

If I were to day-hike with my pack 80% of the time or more, then I'd prefer the Stratos 24 [read my review]. DEAL ALERT: The Osprey Stratos and Sirrus packs in sizes 24, 34 and 36 are ...

Osprey Talon vs Stratos

Versatility Show-off: Kelty Redwing 50 Review

Kelty Redwing 50 | is an excellent do-it-all lightweight backpack.Its innovative design offers plenty of pockets and decent tool attachment capability. Adjustable harness allows you to dial in the right fit after you wear the pack. ...

Versatility Show-off: Kelty Redwing 50 Review

About Outdoor Crunch

At its core, Outdoor Crunch is about helping fellow adventurers find and choose the best gear for your pursuits. We prefer to be outdoors and in the backcountry as opposed to our desks. So while we juggle day jobs and family life from our home bases in Colorado mountain towns, our real passion is using, testing and reviewing the gear we rely on to perform well in critical situations. Head to the About Us page to learn more about Outdoor Crunch, including why we do it and how we sometimes make money from it (spoiler: we're 100% reader supported, and it doesn't cost you a thing).