Gear reviews for backcountry skiing and splitboarding, tested from people who are out there pushing boundaries.
Arc’teryx just came out with news that could quite possibly change the outdoor apparel industry going forward. I come from the same town as its headquarters, North Vancouver, BC. So I have seen the company grow from a niche brand offering technical climbing and outdoor gear to a billion dollar mega corporation owned by an […]
Arc’teryx Announces A New System Of Circularity With the Sperro SV Jacket Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only write about gear we’ve actually tested in the field. Read more about the Gear Review Policy here. I’ve had the Vivobarefoot Tracker Forest ESC on my feet for about
VivoBarefoot Tracker Forest ESC Barefoot Hiking Boots Review Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we’ve actually used, and no brand pays for placement or a favourable review. It took me a long time to get in the habit of using a
Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio Review: Tested In The Coast Mountains And Howe Sound, BC Read More »
This page uses affiliate links to help pay the bills. We only recommend products we’ve tested in the field and actually enjoy. Read our Gear Review Policy for more info. Glacier glasses are one of those pieces of kit where the gap between adequate and excellent is easy to ignore right up until the moment
Vuarnet Glacier 01 Sunglasses Review Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, I may earn a small affiliate commission — at no extra cost to you. It never changes which gear earns a spot. Exploring nature with nothing but your feet and a pack on your back is one of life’s great privileges. Hiking is
The Best Hiking Backpacks We’ve Tested In The Field Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only write about gear we’ve actually tested in the field. Read more about the Gear Review Policy here. There are a multitude of hiking boots out there claiming they are
The Best Hiking Boots of This Decade (Updated in 2026) Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only write about gear I’ve actually put to use. I once heard Merrell’s Moab 3 Mid called “The Ultimate Dad Shoe”. Now that I’m a dad, I really do see
Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Mid Hiking Boots Review Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’ve actually put on my feet. Zamberlan sent me this pair to test; my take is my own. New shoes are a dime a dozen. But
Zamberlan Exotrail GTX Hiking Shoes Review Read More »
Alpine Islands is reader-supported. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small affiliate commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I’ve actually put through its paces in the field. See the full disclosure for details. Hiking boots are a very broad topic. What is one
After Four Summers of Testing Boots, The Lowa Renegade Stands Above The Rest Read More »
Backpacking is a bit of a funny world. It’s not really a sport, but the gear associated with it is very technical. There are some people who haven’t upgraded their year in decades, and others who buy a new setup each year. The advancements in gear go through plateaus and spurts. Recently, the Ultralight trend
Outdoor Vitals Shadowlight 60 Backpack Review Read More »