It virtually eliminates shifting and bouncing as you shred your way down a mountain or groomed trail. This innovation makes it a great pack choice for backcountry skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, or fat biking.

Other features that got me to let go of my old backcountry pack include a built-in, Thermo Cell pocket in one of the shoulder straps for your hydration bag hose and valve. The Thermo Cell pocket uses your body heat to help keep your water hose and valve from freezing.

It also has two large pack compartments, including one with a sleeve for your hydration pack and the other for a shovel and probe, although the handle on my old Life-Link shovel is too long to fit in the shovel/probe compartment. Guess it’s time for a shovel upgrade.

Plus there are several other small pockets for snacks and other sundries, including a separate, scratch-protective goggle compartment. The pack has a removable external helmet storage pocket, straps for carrying a snowboard or skis, and a removable CE-Certified full back protector.

MSRP: $200-220. Uswe-sports.echoscomm.com

Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise stated, product for these reviews was provided by the brand at no cost to the reviewer. Out There strives to only review quality products and provide honest, thoughtful, and entertaining gear reviews, but readers should always do their own research before making a purchase.

Find more product reviews in the Gear Room department.

The post Gear Review: USWE Backcountry Hydration Pack appeared first on Out There Venture.

Its warmth comes from the responsibly-sourced 700-fill duck down that gives the jacket’s wide baffles their puff. On a recent shoulder-season road trip, it was the only cold-weather jacket I brought, and I had no regrets.

MSRP: $199.95. Available in sizes for all genders. Us.jackwolfskin.com

Editor’s Note: Unless otherwise stated, product for these reviews was provided by the brand at no cost to the reviewer. Out There strives to only review quality products and provide honest, thoughtful, and entertaining gear reviews, but readers should always do their own research before making a purchase.

Find more product reviews in the Gear Room department.

The post Gear Review: Jack Wolfskin DNA Tundra Jacket appeared first on Out There Venture.

Using this simple yet highly effective, re-usable and scent-free/hypoallergenic product is easy. Put one FurZapper per each pet in your household into your washer and dryer and wash/dry your gear and other clothing as usual.

Clean any hair clinging to them after removing your laundry and enjoy pet-free outdoor apparel.

MSRP: $10.99. Furzapper.com

Find more product reviews in the Gear Room department.

The post Gear Review: FurZapper For Pet Hair Removal appeared first on Out There Venture.

The more I learned about Flyshacker, the more I liked the company too. Flyshacker Clothing Company started out as a small family business 25 years ago and is based in Spokane. The Flyshacker name (pronounced fly like a bird, shack like a house, plus er) has a cool story too. The name comes from Mortimer Flyshacker, the great uncle of owner Cynthia Hathaway’s husband who lived in Minnesota and gave up everything to move up north away from the city to follow his passions: fishing, hiking, hunting, and being outside.

And finally, Flyshacker warmed my heart even more when Hathaway told me she has opted to not play the Amazon game. She only sells her flannels and other clothing directly from its website or at select small retailers like Outdoor Experience in Sandpoint.

Look for their spring clothing line coming out hopefully in March. MSRP: $59. Flyshacker.com

The post Gear Room: Flyshacker Grindle Plaid appeared first on Out There Venture.