Garrett Vance is the senior outdoor gear and tech editor at Nations Trails. Based in Bellingham, Washington, between the North Cascades and the coast, he covers hiking footwear, backpacks, trekking poles, rain shells and layers, cycling and snow sports gear, and outdoor electronics such as GPS watches and headlamps. He compares products on fit, weight, materials, and battery life so readers can pick gear that suits their own trips.
I compared 6 best cycling jackets for rain from baleaf, COOFANDY, Bikewa and more to find which ones seal seams, breathe on…
I compared 8 avalanche shovels from Voile, K2, CRESCENT MOON and more and others to find models that deploy fast and dig…
I compared 7 Best Lightweight Rain Jackets Under $100 from Helly Hansen, Under Armour, Columbia and more to find shells that pack…
I compared 8 Schrader valve bike tubes from BELL, Slime, YunSCM and more to find the ones that hold air and fit…
I compared 6 backcountry ski poles from Atomic, G3, LEKI and more and other brands for October 2026. The picks below balance…
