Amanda Ellis

Former Contributor

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

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.

Features         April 25, 2023

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.

Features         April 25, 2023

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.

Features         April 25, 2023

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.

News         June 15, 2022

The best trekking poles

An essential tool for day hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and mountaineering, here are our picks for the best trekking poles including options from Black Diamond, Leki, and Gossamer Gear. Whether you're looking for yourself, your kid, comfort, or shock absorption -- we've got you covered.

Trash         June 14, 2022

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.

Guides         April 26, 2022

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.

Products         April 26, 2022

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.

Products         April 26, 2022

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.

Products         April 26, 2022

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.

Products         April 26, 2022

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.

Android         April 26, 2022

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

News         April 21, 2022

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.

News         April 21, 2022

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.

Products         April 21, 2022

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.

News         April 21, 2022

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.

Products         April 21, 2022

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.

News         March 28, 2022

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.

News         October 5, 2021

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.

News         October 5, 2021

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.

News         September 28, 2021

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.

News         August 9, 2021

The best mountain bikes

Whether you're a novice or experienced at navigating the singletrack, here are our picks of the best mountain bikes.

Products         May 10, 2021

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.

News         April 27, 2021

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.

News         April 27, 2021

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.

Trash         August 3, 2020

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.

Trash         July 27, 2020

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.

Trash         July 15, 2020

The best bicycle lights

Going cycling at night? Here are our picks for the best bicycle lights, from the likes of CatEye, Blitzu, and NiteRider. Whether you're commuting home from work or tearing down a rugged mountain bike trail, bike lights reduce your risk of injury and allow you to keep riding long after sunset.

Trash         November 7, 2019

The best trail running shoes you can buy right now

Whether you're a pavement pounder looking to spend more time in the woods or new to running altogether, trail running can be a rewarding past time and provide excellent exercise. All you need are a quality pair of shoes -- so we've compiled a list of our picks for the best trail running shoes.

Trash         October 15, 2019

The best backpacking sleeping pads

Do you want to sleep as well in the backcountry as you do at home? Here are our picks for the best backpacking sleeping pads on the market.

Trash         October 14, 2019

The best hiking GPS devices

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.

Trash         October 14, 2019

The best trekking poles

An essential tool for day hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and mountaineering, here are our picks for the best trekking poles including options from Black Diamond, Leki, and Gossamer Gear. Whether you're looking for yourself, your kid, comfort, or shock absorption -- we've got you covered.

Trash         October 7, 2019

The best ski bags you can buy

Protect your gear on the journey to the slopes with the best ski bags you can buy, whether you're transporting one or many.

Trash         September 23, 2019

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.

Trash         September 20, 2019