UpNorthica

Mountain Hardwear interviews Martin Zemitis, one of the most prolific tent designers in the field. In addition to having innumerable, top-notch outdoor experiences under his belt, this guy owns enough gear to fully equip the A-Team on a mission to the moon. But he owns no tents, as, “Mountain Hardwear keeps me stocked with tents; [...]

For adrenaline junkies in Minnesota, the prospects for winter fun may seem…flat. Few ski hills to choose from. Just thousands of desolate frozen lakes, silent in their winter sleep. Hectares of snow-shrouded steppes laying fallow ’til spring thaw, right? Enter the Snowfer. Sails—no, flies!—over ice and even over snow alone. Looks wayyy cooler than snowmobiling [...]

I’m crying as I write this, Garmin. You must know that someday, perhaps our love could work… but today is not that day. No, please, let me explain… I adore the good looks of your Colorado 400i model, with its color display and uber-cool Rock ‘n’ Roller controls. And I love your brilliant mind too—all [...]

A longtime supplier of aluminum to snowshoe companies like Tubbs and Atlas will soon be producing its own line of 80% recyclable snowshoes. While Easton Snowshoes will sport handy features like asymmetrical frames and independently-pivoting crampons, their sense of environmental responsibility impresses me most. They will even take the snowshoes back for recycling if none [...]

When bread-bag booties stuffed inside the ol’ moon boots just don’t cut it, go by this primer for layering in winter, by OutdoorReview.

Meet the Vibram FiveFingers.
Promising just enough protection, without sacrificing “that same physical and visceral sensation” of going shoe-less, FiveFingers are recommended for “barefooting sports” such as bouldering, paddling, and yoga. Oh! and also for running barefoot.
Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, and I was quick to ridicule too. Shoes with toe inserts seem a little [...]