Skip to main content
Amanda Ellis

Amanda Ellis

Former Contributor
Author/Co-Author of 225 articles

Amanda is an outdoor junkie and digital nomad with an insatiable hunger for gear. Based out of Raleigh, NC she travels to rock climb in remote alpine destinations all over the world. As a full time freelance writer and outdoor brand manager, she relishes in all of the technology needed to take you there. Learn more about her at investinginadventure.net

bsr surf ranch perfectswell technology feat

With PerfectSwell technology, American Wave Machines revolutionized surfing

American Wave Machines is a name synonymous with artificial wave technology and the company's most advanced wave pool creation to date is prepared to take center stage at the upcoming BSR Surf Ranch in Waco, Texas -- one of the largest inland installations in the world.
snowpulse highmark avalanche airbags lifestyle 121322 feat

Snowpulse Highmark’s avalanche airbags help save lives of snowmobilers

Snowpulse Highmark incorporates cutting edge technology into their snowmobile-specific avalanche airbags -- serving for added margins of avalanche safety. The new 3.0 technology is its latest and greatest to date.
Patagonia Hybrid Sleeping Bag

Wake up in your jacket with Patagonia’s brilliant hybrid sleep system

Patagonia’s Hybrid Sleeping Bag is a half-bag system that combines a baffled down bottom with the top layers that the adventurer is already wearing.
kelty reva backpack

This women’s backpack has hip belts that self adjust with every step

Kelty's Reva backpack for women encompasses revolutionary hip belt technology that adjusts to fit your body better with every step you take.
mountaineering gear guide mountaineeringheader

Get ready for your first summit with our beginner’s guide to mountaineering gear

When you're ready to take your skills from the crag to the mountainside, have a look at some of the best gear to get started mountaineering.
best winter jackets

Conquer whatever the cold months throw at you with one of the best winter jackets

You’re only as good as what you're wearing, especially once winter hits. Here are our picks for the best winter jackets.
best climbing shoes

The best climbing shoes

Whether you enjoy pulling on plastic or ascending granite faces in wild places, here are our picks for the best climbing shoes you can buy. We've included options for all different types of climbing, experience levels, and a wide variety of brands highlighted by La Sportiva, Evolv, and Five Ten.
Impossible to get lost with a smartphone? We’re not out the woods yet

The best hiking GPS devices of 2018

It's easy to get lost in the wilderness and often hard to find your way back. Make those trips a literal walk in the woods by packing along a GPS device capable of allowing you to leave a digital breadcrumb trail. To help sift through what's available, here are the best hiking GPS devices you can buy.
best mountain bikes under $500

The best mountain bikes under $500

The best mountain bikes under $500 pair functionality with affordability. Here are some of our favorite models currently on the market, whether you're a fan of lofty suspension or prefer something more rigid.
best running apps

The best running apps for iOS and Android

Running isn't always easy, especially if you lack motivation. Luckily, these best running apps offer GPS tracking, leaderboards, achievements, sharing capabilities, and a host of other encouraging tools to help keep you on track.
ice rock idol idol2

Ice Rock introduces the carbon-fiber Idol, the world’s lightest climbing ice ax

Innovative climbing equipment company Ice Rock releases the Idol, the lightest ice ax ever made for technical climbing
lifesaver liberty portable water bottle filter liberty2

The LifeSaver Liberty is the first portable water bottle with an inline pump

The LifeSaver Liberty filters 99.99 percent of all viruses, bacteria, and cysts -- making for a revolutionary backcountry experience. This is the first portable water bottle that includes an inline pump -- ensuring your hands stay dry -- and an activated carbon disc that removes chlorine, taste, and odor.
best hiking backpacks osprey stratos 24 lifestyle

The best hiking backpacks

If you don't want to jump into full-on backpacking but still enjoy getting out into nature, day hiking might be the perfect activity for you. Here are our picks for the best hiking backpacks available, capable of taking you from trailhead to summit without breaking the bank -- or your back.
burton casio g shock mudmaster watch mudmaster1

The limited-edition Mudmaster watch is ideal for backcountry ski expeditions

Whether you're skinning up or carving lines through the backcountry, the Mudmaster's weather resistance makes for a perfect winter companion.

The best backpacking backpacks

Whether you're headed out on an overnighter or a month-long trip, a proper backpacking backpack helps you go the distance, offering comfort, support, and enough room for all your gear. To help narrow the available options, these are our picks for the best backpacking backpacks you can buy.
rhone celliant running shirt celliant1

Rhone’s new running shirt increases blood flow to improve performance

Rhone turned to Celliant technology to create a running shirt that enhances performance by temporarily increasing blood flow, harnessing the wearer's own body heat to make their body's oxygen use more efficient.
la sportiva mythos eco mythoseco

Save the environment while you rock climb with La Sportiva’s Mythos Eco

La Sportiva's Mythos Eco are made from recycled materials for a climbing shoe that is great for your feet and better for the environment.
black diamond climbing ropes hands on bdrope 2b

Black Diamond returns to its roots with a new set of dynamic climbing ropes

Climbing company Black Diamond returns to its roots, introducing a new set of dynamic climbing ropes suitable for climbers of every type.
alizeti 300c conversion system alizeti1

Turn any bike into an ebike in minutes with the lightweight Alizeti system

Transform any standard road bike into an ebike in just minutes with the Alizeti 300C conversion system. It's one of the lightest conversion kits on the market, fully featured, and easy to install -- no special tools required. The system boasts a 40-mile range and a top speed of 20 miles per hour.
nixon base tide pro btpmain

Surfers can check the tide on their wrist with Nixon’s Base Tide Pro

Whether you're an amateur or a pro, the Base Tide Pro is designed to provide you with accurate tide height, tide time, sunrise, and sunset information so that you can spend less time searching for waves and more time out on the water. The watch includes information for 550 beaches around the world.

The best mountain bikes

Whether you're a novice or experienced at navigating the singletrack, here are our picks of the best mountain bikes.
lifestraw universal for every water bottle lifestraw1

LifeStraw Universal turns any water bottle into a powerful water filter

This isn't just any LifeStraw filter -- LifeStraw Universal comes with two caps and mouthpieces for use with any standard water bottle.
hammocraft 1

The Hammocraft introduces a new way to enjoy and relax out on the open water

The innovative Hammocraft is designed to take traditional hammocking to new heights. The frame can hold five people over land, snow, or sea.
The North Face Alpine 50L pack

The North Face Alpine 50L pack review

The first outdoor gear product in the North Face Summit Series is the Summit Alpine 50L Pack. FuseForm technology makes for the lightest weight, most durable, and most comfortable hiking, climbing, alpine, and mountaineering backpack.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shell review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shell hands-on review

A hands-on review of The Shell, Hyperlite Mountain Gear's ultralight, tough, and technical jacket. Made with Dyneema and eVent technology, this jacket performs excellently in rain or shine.
MSR Windburner review

MSR Windburner review

Already an expert in the camp stove industry, Mountain Safety Research just released its Windburner Stove System Combo, which comes standard with a remote-canister design, a ceramic sauce pot, and 8-inch skillet. After taking it on a recent backcountry ski trip, we never want to leave home without it.
showers pass crosspoint line showerspass1

Say goodbye to cold, wet hands and feet with the Showers Pass Crosspoint line

If you're an avid hiker or cyclist, encountering rainy weather is a fact of nature. Stay dry with Showers Pass Crosspoint waterproof socks and gloves.
showers pass summer riding collection showerspass1

Keep cool and comfortable in the Showers Pass Summer Riding Collection

It's time to start thinking about summer riding, and the Showers Pass Summer Riding Collection has you covered from head to toe. The company blended merino wool with synthetic fibers to create technical apparel to take you comfortably riding around the town and out on the trail.
Fitbit Ionic Review

Fitbit Versa vs. Fitbit Ionic: A battle of the wearable maker’s flagships

Fitbit's latest smartwatch, the Versa, is an impressive wearable but without built-in GPS, does it have what it takes to supplant the Ionic as the brand's signature smart fitness tracker? Its updated operating system (for now), sleeker design, and cheaper price tag suggest it has what it takes.
how to tune a bike riding

Get your road or mountain bike ride-ready with our top-notch tuning guide

It's never a bad time to tune your bike. To help we've included the best methods for cleaning and evaluating moving parts, as well as how to apply a new layer of grease. Get your road bike or mountain bike ready for riding -- just in time for spring.
best climbing harnesses harness feat getty

The best climbing harnesses

Whether you're projecting on a hard sport route, tackling steep water ice, or making a push for the summit, these are the best climbing harnesses you can buy. Our picks include sport, trad, and ice climbing options.
fitbit versa review version 1522045407 full 22

How to sync a Fitbit tracker or smartwatch

Fitbit's fitness tracker and smartwatch lineups are huge and continue to grow. The devices are made for use with Apple, Android, and Windows but if you lack tech savvy, you might not know how to get started. Here's how to sync your Fitbit tracker or smartwatch.
Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20 review

Therm-a-Rest Parsec 20 sleeping bag hands-on review

We tested the Parsec 20 from Therm-a-Rest's new line of Fast & Light sleeping bags on a two-week foray into the backcountry. A combination of warmth, light weight, and unique features make the Parsec 20 an ideal three-season sleeping bag that is perfect for alpine endeavors.
blix new sol electric bike sol2

Cruise the streets in style and comfort on Blix’s new Sol electric bike

Whether you're just testing out the ebike waters or getting back into riding, you want a bike that is simple, stylish, and comfortable. Blix's new Sol ebike is designed like a beach cruiser meant for your daily commute -- with a low step-through style that makes for easy mounting and dismounting.