It is fairly terrifying to trust a strip of fuzzy fabric to keep you from careening backwards down a steep, snowy ski hill while trying to climb up it. That fuzz’s friction is all I could think about the first time I splitboarded up Steamboat, Colorado’s blue runs at seven a.m. while my family was still nestled in their beds...

　　Water is heavy—one liter weighs 2.2 pounds, and four liters weighs almost nine pounds. Even the best-designed hydration packs or vests, waistbelts, or handheld carrying systems don’t make water any less heavy than it is. A good system does, however, distribute that weight effectively and allows you to carry what you need comfortably. 　　Figuring out what amount of fluid you...

　　Spring is right around the proverbial corner: the bend in the river, the arête on the cliff, the switchback on the trail. Outdoor adventure soon turns from sliding on snow to playing on water, rock, and dirt. So, go ahead and daydream. Get out and get active, but don’t let your desires overlook the need to gear up smartly and...