Markus

If you’ve ever watched your dog stare longingly at the water while you kayak past, you already know the answer to the question on every dog owner’s mind: yes, your dog needs a life jacket. After three months of testing 8 popular dog life vests across lakes, pools, and the open bay near our office … Read more

If you have ever stood at the top of a mogul field with numb toes, you already know why we put this guide together. After three winters of testing every pair we could get our hands on (in sub-freezing temperatures, lift lines, and full ski days at resorts across Colorado and Utah), our team ranked … Read more

I’ve spent the past two winters testing heated gloves in conditions that would make most people head back inside: 8°F mornings on the ski lift, 14-hour days clearing driveways in Montana, and three back-to-back ice fishing weekends in North Dakota. After putting 9 different pairs through real-world punishment, I can confidently tell you which best … Read more

Cold fingers have ended more ski days than I can count. After 8 years of testing winter gear on the slopes, I learned the hard way that no amount of layering fixes numb hands once circulation drops. That’s why the best heated gloves for skiing in are no longer a luxury — they’re standard kit … Read more

I spent the last six weeks testing 12 battery-powered heated hoodies in temperatures ranging from 15F to 40F. I wore them on morning dog walks, on a buddy’s job site, and during three hours of cold-weather yard work. I checked battery life, heating zone coverage, fit, and how they hold up after a wash cycle. … Read more

Heated base layers are battery-powered garments with thin heating elements woven into the fabric, and they sit closest to your skin under your regular winter layers. A rechargeable lithium battery, usually 5V, 7V, or 12V, powers carbon fiber or metal wire panels that warm your core, and most models let you cycle through three heat … Read more

When winter arrives and the mountains call, having the right roof ski rack for your SUV transforms weekend ski trips from a gear-hauling headache into a seamless adventure. Our team tested 15 different ski racks over three months, mounting them on various SUVs from compact crossovers to full-size family haulers. We loaded them with everything … Read more

I spent three winter seasons testing snow tubes on hills across New England and the Midwest, and I can tell you straight: the difference between a $20 tube and a $100 tube is night and day. Cheap tubes pop within weeks. The sonic snow tube territory L.L.Bean occupies has dominated for decades, but the market … Read more

Head injuries account for roughly 20% of all skiing-related emergency room visits, and wearing a helmet can reduce your risk of severe traumatic brain injury by 30% to 50%. After 60+ days of on-snow testing across three ski seasons, our team narrowed down the best ski helmets for adults in based on protection, comfort, ventilation, … Read more

I learned the hard way why the best snowboard helmets for adults matter. Two winters ago, I caught an edge on a blue run, faceplanted into hardpack, and walked away with a concussion because my old “fashion” helmet had zero rotational protection. That crash sent me down a three-month rabbit hole of research, comparing ASTM … Read more