Latest news with #LokeJacket2.0
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Boston Globe
7 top pieces of gear, gadgets, and apps for hiking adventures
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up REI's new Traverse Modular Bear Canister has three different sections — a bottom chamber, mid-section, and lid — that can be configured in different ways to adjust its volume so it can work for weekend to weeklong adventures. REI Co-op Advertisement A multi-size — and multi-use — bear canister If you're backpacking in a place where bears or other critters may try to infiltrate your food (meaning most wilderness areas), you'll want a bear-proof canister. REI's new Traverse Modular Bear Canister has been certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee and offers something no other canisters do: the ability to adjust its volume to suit weekend to weeklong adventures. This modular canister has a bottom chamber, mid-section, and lid. Use all three sections to create a large 11.25-liter container or attach the lid to the bottom chamber and you'll have a smaller 6.75-liter canister. An even bigger bonus: Once your supplies shrink on a longer trip, you can remove the midsection and pack the 6.75-liter container inside of it to save pack space (the adjustable nylon carrying case holds the sections together). The rugged canister, made of hard PVC-free plastic, makes a great seat while camping and its transparent orange coloring lets you see inside. Divots in the lid make it easy to twist while opening/closing. The Traverse Bear Canister isn't fully waterproof, so make sure you pack food inside watertight baggies or the entire canister in a dry bag. $79.95. Advertisement Helly Hansen's new Loke Jacket 2.0 is a comfy and affordable summer-weight rain jacket that has built-in RECCO Reflector technology, typically only found in high-end (and more expensive) outdoor gear. Helly Hansen A high-tech yet affordable rain jacket For a great summer-weight rain jacket with all the features you need, check out Helly Hansen's new Loke Jacket 2.0. This comfy (not too stiff or crunchy) waterproof shell has pit zips, handwarmer pockets, adjustable Velcro wrists, a drawstring hem, and a spacious hood with an adjustable brim. It's windproof yet breathable so it allows moisture to escape — and prevents you from feeling clammy while hiking and adventuring. Its key feature: a RECCO Reflector, which is built into the hood (and usually found in pricier outdoor gear). This passive safety device, which doesn't require a power source, enables search-and-rescue crew to find you in case of an emergency. The new Loke jacket is made of 100 percent recycled ripstop fabric. It's available in men's (S-3XL), women's (XS-2XL), women's plus (1X-3X), and junior sizes (8-16; junior sizes don't come with RECCO technology). $120. Advertisement Mountain Equipment's new Xenith bags all have 900-fill goose down; a proprietary PLASMA fabric, meaning super lightweight and breathable with a weatherproof coating; and a mix of horizontal, vertical, and wedge-shaped baffles carefully integrated to maximize warmth. Mountain Equipment Super-light and lofty sleeping bags It's easy to question the warmth of a sleeping bag that weighs so little, but Mountain Equipment's new Xenith bags achieve the perfect blend of featherlight and toasty. The UK-based company — a pioneer of high-alpine gear — has introduced three Xenith bags this year, all with 900-fill goose down; a proprietary PLASMA fabric, meaning super lightweight and breathable with a weatherproof coating; and a mix of horizontal, vertical, and wedge-shaped baffles carefully integrated to maximize warmth. The Xenith 1, rated to 41 degrees (the company's 'good night's sleep guaranteed' temperature), weighs just 12.7 ounces and saves precious weight by shedding the hood and offering a three-quarter zip — ideal for warmer climates. The more-versatile Xenith II, rated to 34 degrees, weighs 17 ounces and has a drawstring hood, a neck collar, and a three-quarter zip. The 19-degree Xenith III weighs 1.5 pounds and has twice the goose fill as the Xenith 1 for extra warmth in high-alpine and colder zones. They're not cheap — $419.95-$679.95 — but they're guaranteed to keep you warm to the rated temp or you can upgrade within 30 days (restrictions apply). The GPS app onX Backcountry has a Trail Mode that lets you plan hiking and backpacking routes, locate points of interest such as national monuments and campgrounds, and track current weather conditions. onX Backcountry Plan your trips with this app Navigate through the wilderness with onX Backcountry, an invaluable GPS app. Under Trail Mode, you can plan hiking and backpacking routes, even avoiding active wildfires and monitoring air quality and smoke forecasts if you're out west. Choose satellite, topo, or hybrid view (hybrid view includes topo lines overlaid real images of the ground satellite view), and then select 3-D to get a good look at the terrain features. The maps show you points of interest such as trailheads, national monuments, and campgrounds, while a weather feature lets you track current conditions — from temperature and wind speed to barometric changes — and upcoming weekly forecasts. New this year, the app provides guidebook-quality info from local experts on 40 regions in seven western states, offering descriptions, route details, and even trail reports. It's also added HD Topo, displaying real-time detail of ridgelines, drainages, and other elevation and terrain features with precision to help with navigating. $34.99-$99.99 annually; free trial available. Advertisement Sea to Summit's new self-inflating Pursuit camping mattress blends lightweight and luxury feel. It comes in four different sizes or shapes, all of which offer horizontal foam-supported air channels that make for a more stable and comfortable mattress. Sea to Summit A mattress for added comfort on the trail Make a little extra room for this cozy sleeping mattress that will make trail nights more enjoyable. Sea to Summit's new self-inflating Pursuit camping mattress blends lightweight and luxury feel. The mattress comes in four variations: 'regular' length and width (72-by-22 inches) or 'large' length and width (78-by-25.2 inches) — in both contour or rectangular shapes — so you can choose what suits your size and comfort level. The Pursuit measures 2 inches thick, has an R-value (warmth rating) of 3 — perfect for summer adventures — and comes with horizontal foam-supported air channels that make for a more stable and comfortable mattress (choose the Pursuit Plus, with its 4.2 R-value and 3 inches of thickness, for colder temps or added comfort). The XPEL Multi-Function Valve makes it easy to inflate/deflate the mattress, while the side-loading stuff sack with drawstring cord makes it a cinch to pack. Base weights start at 1.3 pounds for the Pursuit and 1.75 pounds for the Pursuit Plus. $139-$209. Advertisement Big Agnes now makes an XL version of its Copper Spur UL2 tent so you have room for gear storage in wet weather. Big Agnes A top tent that's home on the trail It's nice to have extra wiggle room in your tent — for gear storage in wet weather, to spread out those 25-inch-wide camp mattresses, to fit in a furry trail companion, or to simply have a little distance from your tent-mate (it happens). Big Agnes now makes XL backpacking tents for just that: a little extra elbow room. One of our top picks — the Copper Spur UL2 XL — adds 6 inches of length, 2 inches of width, and 3 inches of height over the regular UL2 so you have some room to stretch or sprawl (it comes in a three-person XL version, too, that adds 8 inches of length, 2 inches of width, and 4 inches of height). The updated Copper Spur has a new HyperBead fabric that's lighter, stronger, and more waterproof than previous years' materials. It sets up quickly and easily with a main (four-way) tent pole and a cross pole, and has color-coded buckles that help with orienting the rainfly. The tent has two large and two small mesh gear pockets inside, and two doors and 9-square-foot vestibules. A top feature: Unzip the two zippers at the head end of the fly and use your upside-down hiking poles and extra guy lines to set up an awning. The tent offers 36 square feet of floor space — and is noticeably roomy for those used to a traditional two-person space — and weighs just 2.8 pounds (minus stuff sacks). $579.95. Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at . Kari Bodnarchuk can be reached at
Vancouver Sun
04-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Testing Helly Hansen's latest hiking gear in the wild
Whether you're a first-time hiker or a highly-trained search and rescue professional, having quality, reliable outdoor gear can mean the difference between life and death. People across the outdoor spectrum have turned to Helly Hansen to outfit them for adventures big and small, for almost 150 years. Founded in 1877 by Norwegian sea captain Helly Juell Hansen, the brand got its start by keeping sailors dry in the relentless North Sea. Today, it's technical outerwear outfits professional search and rescue teams around the world — from its home in the fjords of Scandinavia to the rugged backcountry outside of Squamish, B.C. — where lives depend on waterproof, breathable gear designed for the extremes. Many Helly Hansen jackets and pants are built on RECCO Rescue Technology , a tiny reflector embedded into the fabric that's invisible to the eye but detectable by specialized radar used by avalanche and wilderness rescue crews. That little silver chip can mean the difference between a quick recovery and an hours-long search in deep snow or dense forests. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. All June long, Helly Hansen has invited adventurers to gear up for Open Mountain Month , offering a series of accessible outdoor events across the globe. Think avalanche and glacier-travel clinics, mountain clean-ups, trail runs and guided backcountry hikes — a great way to test the brand's rigorously lab-tested technical layers before your next big adventure. In celebration of Open Mountain Month, I had the opportunity to test several of the brand's latest layers and accessories on a hiking and camping trip in the fjords of Norway. Read on for the standout products. Shell: Odin 9 Worlds 3.0 Jacket Shell (Budget pick): Loke Jacket 2.0 Baselayer: LIFA Merino Midweight 2-In-1 Base Layer Pants Midlayer : Versalite Hooded Fleece Jacket Insulated Midlayer: Odin Stretch Hood Insulator 2.0 Hiking pants: Brona Softshell Pants T-shirt : Shine Solen T-Shirt Backpack: Relay Backpack Hiking boots: Cascade HELLY TECH Waterproof Mid Cut Hiking Boots Why buy: No matter the weather conditions — slush, hail, heavy snow or rain — this award-winning three-layer hardshell will keep you completely dry without weighing you down. It's cut for climbing and ski-touring — both helmet- and pack-compatible, fully seam-sealed with YKK zippers and a RECCO reflector for peace of mind in the backcountry. Price: $450-$600 Where to buy: Women's: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Helly Hansen | Amazon Why buy: This accessibly priced, packable shell will keep you warm and dry in wind and rain, thanks to the Helly Tech Performance fabric. It rolls into its own pocket for easy stowage. Under-arm vents help expel heat when you're going hard, while a repairable front zip and RECCO chip extend its lifespan well past one season. And all for under $200. Price: $112-$160 Where to buy : Women's: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Amazon Why buy: Crafted with a pure merino-wool exterior and moisture-wicking LIFA fibres inside, these pants trap radiant heat next to your skin and push sweat to the outside — no itch or clamminess, just cozy warmth whether you're camping or backcountry skiing. These layers kept my temperature just right on our overnight camp — toasty without overheating. Price: $77-$110 Where to buy: Women's: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Helly Hansen | Amazon Why buy: Built from breathable grid fleece that warms when it's cold and ventilates when it's not, this snug, hooded midlayer features thumb-hole cuffs, a ponytail opening and durable zip pockets. Throw it on for a brisk seaside stroll, then layer it under a shell for alpine laps. It's surprisingly slim for how warm it kept me at the summit of our hike and during our overnight by the water. Price: $98-$130 Where to buy: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Helly Hansen | Amazon Why buy: When the wind picks up, this stretchy, recycled-nylon ripstop jacket with PrimaLoft Gold Active+ insulation locks in just the right amount of warmth. Flat-brim hood, elastic cuffs and hem and articulated elbows mean no bulk — a perfect jacket for an outdoor adventure or just wandering around town. This became my most-worn item of the trip, thanks to its versatility. Price: $160-$320 Where to buy: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Helly Hansen | Amazon Why buy: Designed specifically for hiking, these pants have four-way stretch that allows for intense uphills, scrambles and even an unexpected climb. The water-repellent treatment keeps you dry in unpredictable mountain weather. I loved the adjustability of the leg at the bottom of the pants — I found myself drawing the pants up over muddy sections of the hike. Price: $140 Where to buy: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Helly Hansen | Amazon Why buy: This sun-safe tee (UPF 50+) pulls moisture off your skin, helping to keep you cool. Lightweight and quick-drying, it packs into a race vest or daypack, and an internal loop helps it air out overnight. Stylish enough for post-hike drinks, this tee was the perfect base layer for our hike and dried out before I reached the bottom of the mountain. Price: $49-$65 Where to buy: Helly Hansen — Men's: Helly Hansen Why buy: Built for fast-packing and day hikes, this 42L backpack sits higher on the back for women's frames, with foam-filled straps and a hip belt that perfectly hugs the curves. Top-load your gear, drop in a hydration bladder, and let the RECCO reflector do its rescue magic if you find yourself off-trail. Price : $280 Where to buy: Helly Hansen — Men's: Helly Hansen Why buy: These lightweight, mid-cut hikers deliver stability and breathability with a Swift-Frame stabilizer and strategic vents. A grippy outsole, cushy midsole and Pro-Guard toe and heel caps combine to keep you safe and sure-footed after many kilometres. I didn't wear these at all before my hike (rookie error) and shockingly came out of the weekend completely unscathed and unblistered. Price: $90-$190 Where to buy: Helly Hansen | Amazon — Men's: Helly Hansen | Amazon Shopping Essentials , a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on Canoe . Explore in-depth product reviews, expert recommendations and exciting collaborations — plus get behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and trending products — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter . Want a deal? We may have a coupon code for that coveted item in your basket. ltaveroff@
