Unofficial Outdoor Gear Reviews

For all season adventuring it is key to have a headlamp. I seem to use mine a lot more in the Summer than in the Winter, but that is most … Read More

The guy that started Reef is most definitely a genius. He combined two of every beach bums favorite things, Flip Flops and Hot Chicks, to create a very successful company. … Read More

Photo from skibusiness.com Due to potential head injury hazzard from insufficient shock absorbing and resistance to penetration, Uvex Funride ski helmets are now being voluntarily recalled. It is illegal to sell … Read More

For me, backpacking and eating usually goes one of two ways: I take the time before hand, shop diligently, and prepare each meal meticulously for my trip, or, five minutes … Read More

Photo Credit: Christophe Ena/Associated Press From the New York Times, by Greg Bishop: PARIS — Cadel Evans became the first Australian and, at 34, the oldest man in 88 years … Read More

I love my coffee. Actually, let me correct that- I love good coffee. Call me a coffee snob but, for me, instant coffee just doesn’t cut it. Wherever possible, I … Read More

This week’s review of the Mountain Safety Research (MSR) Reactor Stove System continues the Alpenglow Sports “Light is Right” thread for summer 2011. The third topic in a summer-long series … Read More

So you dun gots yerself a heapin’ pile o’ wood an wanna git rich splittin it all up and such? The ol’ axe just ain’t gunna cut it though, is … Read More

If there’s a better tent out there than the VE 25, I’m yet to come across it. The North Face VE 25 tent is, essentially, the end-all tent for any … Read More

Not every backcountry mission has to be an epic. Sometimes, the most fun missions are those last minute ones where you just throw a bunch of crap in the car … Read More

The second installment of the Alpenglow Sports “Light is Right” gear review series brings focus to Jetboil’s new Sol Advanced Cooking System. A new stove for summer 2011, the Sol … Read More

    I have always kinda figured that a pack is a pack. This is not the case with Gregory’s new Z 65 pack. I have been living out of … Read More

I recently purchased the Voile Light Rail Snowboard Binding along with a build-it-yourself Voile hardware kit. The Light Rail bindings have proven to be effective in both performance and durability. The … Read More

A few days back, Trevor Hall asked me if I wanted to go check out Tioga Pass and maybe make a little day edit,  and of course I was down. … Read More

Backcountry gear is constantly getting lighter, more user friendly and idiot proof every year, and the Jetboil Flash might take the cake for all of these. The compact system ensures … Read More

In a market flooded with overweight, out of control multi-tools, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is a breath of fresh air. Rather than packing as much useless crap that you will … Read More

If you have ever had the pleasure of riding Unity Snowboards‘ Dominion you are aware of the greatness that can come from splitting this board.  It is the same cut, … Read More

For the next several weeks Unofficial is stoked to have the knowledgeable gals and guys from Tahoe City’s Alpen Glow Sports share some beta with us to get us all … Read More

What can I really say about The North Face Diez Jacket- it pretty much has it all. It’s light, it’s warm, and it’s compressible. At only 10.9 ounces, with 800 … Read More

If you need to get your bike worked on in Satl Lake City there are loads of shops you can go to. If you ride a DH bike your selection … Read More

Steph Davis (pictured above) has been crushing it climbing since 1990. She likes Five Ten products and so do I. The Newton is one of Five Ten’s newest creations and … Read More

As a video guy in the ski industry, I have come to have a particular set of gear that optimizes efficiency yet still allows for getting great footage. Upon getting … Read More

Some of you have rafted, some have kayaked, more have camped, but I stake my reputation on the assumption that EVERYONE HAS TRIED TO DO SOMETHING IN THE DARK BEFORE. … Read More

I recently got to check out some new bikes from Santa Cruz and Giant. Here is my XC racer biased take on what I had a chance to try. Santa … Read More

  Looking for a new surf board this summer? Wanna support a local coastal shaper? Talk to Nef at Home Grown Surf Shop and chances are you’ll be able to … Read More

Even though the snow is far from melted people are starting to get the itch for bike season. I got the itch real bad two weeks ago and went out … Read More