Travel video news

It's Thanksgiving here in the U.S., which is a time for us to gather with families, relax, eat a meal we all look forward to all year long, and collectively give thanks for all of the things we've been blessed with. Today is also the calm before the storm, as tomorrow is Black Friday, the official start of the holiday shopping season and one of the busiest days of the year for online stores and retail. That can translate into big savings for those ready to start shopping. Each year, the outdoor industry offers some big saving on Black Friday too. Here are some of the best deals you'll be able to get starting today, running through tomorrow, and in some cases, all the way through the weekend. REI Opts Outside Once Again:  Outdoor gear retailer REI is once again choosing to close its stores on Black Friday and is giving all of their employees the day off. But, the store and website will be back online for orders on Saturday, As usual, when the company returns to operation th...

There is no question that Will Gadd has been known to push the limits when it comes to ice climbing, but in this video he may have gone a step too far. In the clip below we join Gadd as he sets out to climb the challenging Helmcken Falls in British Colombia using nothing but natural gear. Along the way, we also get a look at some prototype gear coming our way from Black Diamond . Fun stuff.

We all know that buying outdoor and adventure travel gear can be expensive, but that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of great products that remain affordable too. Today's holiday gift guide offers suggestions for outstanding products that we all can appreciate that are available for less than $50. If you're on a tight budget this holiday season, or simply don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a single gift, here are some great alternatives that your favorite adventurer is sure to love. Jackery Armor Portable Battery Pack ($28) We've shared some other charging solutions as part of our holiday gift guides, but they were all priced more than $50. For a durable, lightweight, and feature-packed option that won't cost an arm and a leg, check the Jackery Armor portable charger, which comes with a 9000 mAh battery, a single USB port for charging smartphones and other devices, a built-in LED flashlight, and even a compass. The battery pack is even snow, dirt, ...

Yesterday I posted a gift guide for holiday shoppers looking to buy the right item for the outdoor enthusiast on their list. Today, I'm offering suggestions for adventure travelers too. While many of the products on these two lists will suit the needs of both types of people, there are also some specific demands that don't necessarily cross over. The products on this list are definitely aimed more at travelers than outdoorsy folks, although they'd probably be happy to receive some of these gifts too. Eagle Creek National Geographic Guide Travel Pack 65L ($349) The Guide Travel Pack from Eagle Creek is my go-to option when I'm heading out on an adventure. Not only is this bag extremely durable and rugged, but it looks amazing too. Inside, travelers will find 65 liters of carrying capacity, with access to the main compartment through the top or back panel of the bag. The Guide Travel Pack features several smaller organizational pockets for helping keep your important ite...

If you've ever wondered how a piece of gear gets rated for its ability to resist a bear, this video is for you. It takes us to a testing facility located in Montana where products like bear canisters, coolers, and other items are handed over to grizzly bears to play with. How well those items survive this rigorous testing method indicates just how bear-proof they actually are. The short clip is very interesting, and of course it has the added benefit of having lots of bears in it too. The Wildest Product Testers in the Biz from Great Big Story on Vimeo .

This week we'll celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., which also marks the start of the holiday shopping frenzy. Over the course of the next few weeks leading up to Christmas we'll all be going in search of that perfect gift for the loved ones in our lives. Over the next couple of days, I'll be putting together a series of gift guides for those who have outdoor enthusiasts, adventure travelers,  and would-be explorers on their shopping list. Each day this week I'll be offering a few suggestions under a different category for items that just might make a great gift this holiday seasons. Today, that category is for the general outdoorsman or woman who loves to do just about anything outdoors. Keen Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Boots ($150) Keen's Targhee hiking boot has been a staple in the company's line-up for years, but with each iteration it keeps getting better. Built for day hikers and light-duty backpacking use, the Targhee is comfortable, ...

Next week we'll mark the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., which also kicks off the official start to the holiday shopping season as well. I plan on writing several gift guides to mark the occasion, but the editorial team over at Backpacker  magazine have already beat me to the punch, producing an outstanding list of 40 great gifts for the outdoor lover in your life . Here, you'll find everything that your gear-obsessed friends and family members could ever want to see them safely and comfortably through any adventure. With 40 unique items to sift through I couldn't possibly give away everything that makes the cut. I will say however that their are gift suggestions for pretty much every budget. For instance, the list begins by suggesting Kate's Real Food energy bars , which are a tasty and affordable option that most hikers, trail runners, mountain bikers, and climbers will love. From there, the options expand dramatically with suggestions on water bottles, campin...

If you like outdoor gear then you're going to love this week's Adventure Podcast. My co-host Dave Adlard and I are back from Denver, Colorado where we attended the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and saw lots and lots of new products that will be heading our way in the near future. With so many backpacks, boots, jackets, and other products to sift through, it is tough to pick our favorites, but we did manage to narrow our list down to six items that became the first winners of our "Best of Show" awards. Which pieces of gear impressed us? You'll just have to listen to find out. Because we spent the majority of the episode talking outdoor gear we skipped our regular gear segment this week. But, we did start the show as we usually do by talking about the biggest stories in adventure and exploration from the past week. Those stories include an attempt at the speed record for skiing to the South Pole, a record-setting swim around the United Kingdom, and a potentia...

Last week I attended the 2018 Winter Outdoor Retailer gear show in Denver, and while the event was smaller and quieter than most other OR shows, there was still plenty of good equipment and new products on display. In fact, my podcast partner Dave Adlard and I gave out the very first Adventure Podcast "Best of Show" awards. Who won? We'll be sharing the results in our episode that comes out a bit later today. But, we weren't the only ones handing out awards and giving accolades, as some other great media outlets also offered their picks for the best new gear as well. First up, Gear Junkie handed out their awards as well, spotlighting ten different items that they felt stood out from the crowd. We agreed with them on a couple of those products too, so you'll see a bit of overlap when our winners are announced. Some of the highlights from Gear Junkie's list include a new mountaineering boot that can be used to ski as well, waterproof blue jeans from Duer , a...

There is no question that Arc'teryx makes some of the best outdoor gear on the planet, but if you've ever shopped for any of the company's products, you know that they tend to be on the pricer side. That has left many to wonder why Arc'teryx gear costs so much and whether or not it is worth the money. This video attempt to answer that question by taking an in-depth look at the design and materials that goes into making our gear. While Arc'teryx is certainly the subject of the clip, it is a good overview of the outdoor industry as a whole, which now spends a lot of time and money researching and developing new materials, fabrics, insulators and other items that not only perform well but are eco-friendly too. Pretty fascinating stuff.

With cooler weather upon us, and even colder temperatures coming soon, more than a few of you are probably on the look out for a new jacket to keep you warm on your winter outdoor excursions. Recently I've been testing the new Microtherm Stretch Down Jacket from Eddie Bauer , the company that practically invented the down jacket in the first place. I've found it to not only be warm and comfortable, but stylish too, making it a great option for use on the trail, while traveling, or just exploring around town.  Designed to be a lightweight insulation layer, the Microtherm Stretch Down Jacket is built for use in cool weather when your activity level is low and cold weather when you're really working up a sweat. Eddie Bauer says that it is rated for use at 45�F (7�C) when you're not being particularly active and -5�F (-20�C) when you're on the move. That's a very broad range of temperatures to say the least, so knowing if this jacket is the one for you depends on y...

It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another episode of The Adventure Podcast . After flying solo last week, my partner in crime David Adlard returns, which makes for a better show all around. No one wants to hear me drone on by myself for too long, so I'm happy to have my partner back. As usual, we start the show off with adventure news, but since there were so many interesting stories to talk about we decide to do away with our usual format of including a main topic to give plenty of time to everything that is happening in the world of outdoor adventure and exploration that is happening around the globe. Those stories include the start of the expedition season in Antarctica, an impressive new first ascent in the Himalaya, the discovery of a historic shipwreck in the Black Sea, and a case of attempted murder at a research station on the Antarctic Peninsula. We do wrap up the show with some gear picks for the week, with both Dave and I sharing some thoughts on a new pr...

It may seem like we were just at the 2018 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market held in Denver but it is time once again for the outdoor industry to convene in Colorado to unveil the latest gear for use in our favorite pursuits. I'm flying out tomorrow for Denver and will be preoccupied with the show for the next few days before flying back home on Saturday. The good news is, at this point I only have one other trip scheduled �� for early next week no less �� for the rest of the year, which means I should get back to some sense of normalcy and a regular schedule around here. Most of us in the outdoor industry aren't really sure what to make of this November Outdoor Retailer show. In the past, there have only been two shows a year, summer and winter. But now we have both of those shows, plus an additional winter OR in January. This has put a lot of stress on the exhibitors and attendees alike, as we now have to pay for three trips to Denver when two seemed to suffice just fine in the ...

Every once in awhile I come across a new product that is so cool and useful, and yet so simple, you wonder why no one has thought if it before. Such is the case with the Heroclip , a unique and clever spin on the tried and true carabiner that will leave you scrambling to replace all of the older carabiners that you have in your outdoor gear closet. On the surface, the Heroclip looks a lot like most other carabiners on the market. It has the classic "C" shaped design and includes a sturdy gate that quickly and easily opens with the push of finger or thumb. That gate smoothly snaps back into place as well, allowing you to connect the Heroclip to just about anything, including belt loops, backpacks, zippers, and so on. As far as carabiners go, this one behaves exactly as you would expect, which is kind of the point. But what separates the Heroclip from most other carabiners is the hidden functionality that it offers. You see, this carabiner has a built-in hook attached to its fr...

Just in time for the arrival of cooler weather, the team at Backpacker magazine have revealed their selections for the best new gear for winter 2018-2019 . As usual, the list consists of some of the best new jackets, packs, boots, and sleeping bags to keep us comfortable in the colder months ahead, when the weather doesn't dissuade us from going outside but just presents some new opportunities to enjoy our favorite activities.  All told, there are 16 different pieces of gear that make the cut this year, including the new Ortovox Swisswool Tec Stretch Zebru Jacket and the Therm-A-Rest Polar Ranger -20�F sleeping bag. Both products are perfect for those winter outings where temperatures could take a serious plunge. You'll also find Backpacker's  picks for the best ski bindings and boots, as well as a set of gloves from Outdoor Research and boots from Merrell.   I won't spoil the rest of the list because half the fun of these kinds of gear awards is discovering what th...

Road runners listen up! Salomon has a new running shoe headed our way that is as comfortable and well-designed as any that I've ever used, offering up a new level of support and protection for our feet. The new Predict RA is lightweight and features some impressive new technology that promises to reduce stress on the hips and knees, but unfortunately most of us are going to have to wait a few months to get our hands on them.  If you're like me, the first thing you'll probably notice when you take the new Predict RA out of their box is just how soft and light they are. Tipping the scales at 9.4 ounces, these shoes fall squarely into the medium range in weight however, neither sliding into the minimalist category, nor seeming bulky in any way. They do have plenty of cushion however, which may conjure up images of some of the shoes offered by the team over at Hoka One One . That said however, I've always felt that Hoka's offerings were a bit too overly cushioned, red...

When Mountain Hardwear went looking for someone to partner with for testing its gear, it found the Jackson Hole Mountain Guides . What followed has been a 15 year collaboration between the two companies that has resulted in some of the most stringent testing of outdoor gear in a real-world environment. In this video, we learn more about that connection as the JHMG team puts the latest Mountain Hardwear gear to the test in the backcountry. Jackson Hole Mountain Guides from Mountain Hardwear on Vimeo .

In a few weeks time, some very adventurous explorers will begin the annual ski season in the Antarctic, with many traveling from the coast at Hercules Inlet to the South Pole itself. If you've ever wondered what kind of gear they need to take with them for an 800+ mile (1200+ km) journey, this video will help give you an idea. It was filmed polar explorer Mark Wood, who made that journey a few years back. In the clip, he shares the ten most important pieces of kit that an Antarctic skier has with them.

We don't dip our toe into the political waters too often here at The Adventure Blog �� other than the occasional mention of government activity as related to climate change. But last week one of the most prominent members of the outdoor industry took the unprecedented step of endorsing two candidates for the U.S. Senate, leaving little doubt as to where its priorities and loyalties lie. For years, outdoor gear manufacturer Patagonia has been an outspoken advocate of protecting the environment and public lands. But in a bold move, the company has officially endorsed two Democratic candidates running for election this fall. Those two candidates include Jacky Rosen and Jon Tester, who are campaigning in Nevada and Montana respectively. In a press release announcing the endorsements last week, Patagonia officials indicated that Rosen and Tester's commitment to protecting public lands helped earn the company's support. Patagonia's founder and CEO Yvon Chouinard is a dedicate...

I get asked all the time whether I prefer trail running shoes or hiking boots when heading out for the trail. It turns out, the answer to that question isn't easy, as it depends on the trail, the length of the trip, the terrain and weather conditions, and so on. There are advantages to both types of shoes, although I'd say that for the most part I prefer lightweight hikers that bring a bit of extra protection and support. The video below comes our way courtesy of REI and attempt to help sort out the differences in these types of shoes. As you'll see, it often comes down to personal preference, although there are some good arguments in both directions.