Patagonia may be the most famous outdoor fleece provider, so when they say they have a new model you know the team at BlackSheep is interested. The R1 Ultralight is part of Patagonia’s Free Wall kit, a collection of gear meant to meet the demands of changing weather on the mountain. The Patagonia R1 Ultralight was my go to Fleece for summer 2026 and I … Continue reading The Patagonia R1 Ultralight Review
Simplification is the way forward, and to do that, I need a hat I can put on and leave on all day long, even under a helmet on both the ascent and descent. Enter Passage Hat Co.: technical hats designed specifically for the skin track, sewn in Vancouver, and built to be worn on the skintrack or under a helmet on the descent, on the … Continue reading The Passage Hat Company Review
The “little brother” to the legendary PowSlayer, the Patagonia Untracked Bibs might actually be the more talented sibling. Built with quieter materials and offering near-equal waterproofing, these bibs feature a high-cut design specifically engineered to keep out the deepest powder. Over the course of a heavy season, they’ve taken a fair amount of abuse from me and still look nearly as good as they did … Continue reading The Patagonia Untracked Bib Review
The Guide’s Choice XL is the quintessential Smith frame. While Smith markets them heavily toward the fishing community, these glasses have found their way much further afield. Hayden took them trekking and splitboarding through the Coast Mountains and across Japan while Matt took them for a different adventure, fishing for steelhead in Northern BC and bright Chinook in the ocean. Their combination of world-class optics … Continue reading The Smith Guide’s Choice XL Review
The Rab Mythic G epitomizes lightweight down warmth. With 1000fp of European goose down and svelte 7D outer and inner layers, it is hard to imagine a jacket being both this lightweight and warm. Not only is there the lightweight jacket, but the shorts don’t disappoint either. The Rab Mythic G jacket has accompanied me around the world and has proven itself to be a … Continue reading Rab Mythic G Down Jacket and Shorts Review
The Haute Route is Mammut’s ISPO Award-winning first-ever triple-certified helmet. Engineered to be lightweight yet exceptionally strong, it is purpose-built for the rigors of skiing, climbing, and biking. Now updated with Mips® and twiceme® technology, it has solidified its place as one of the best ski helmets I have ever used. The Mammut Haute Route Helmet review Outer Shell: ABS Inner: EPP and EPS foam … Continue reading The Mammut Haute Route Helmet Review
The Rab Cirrus Alpine Insulated Jacket is a versatile, eco-friendly synthetic puffy tailor-made for damp, cold-weather grit. It is a budget-friendly, durable, and warm alternative to traditional down, designed to handle moisture just as well as it handles the cold. The Rab Cirrus Alpine Insulated Jacket: Down Power without the Down Shell: Pertex Quantum Ripstop Nylon 30D Insulation: 100% Recycled PrimaLoft Silver Rise Liner: 20D … Continue reading Rab Cirrus Alpine Jacket Review
The BlackSheep Canadian Holiday Wish List 2025 Autumn arrives with changing leaves and a rush of new gear. As the flakes start flying, the lifts begin spinning, and the holidays creep closer, you head to your gear closet, shed, garage, or that plastic tote you’ve been digging into for the last half-century—and realize it’s all spent. Time to re-up on new gear for you and … Continue reading The BlackSheep Canadian Wish list 2025
I’ve gotten my boot into all but one of the current breed of hard boot bindings available on the market, but there is only one pair I have used religiously for two solid seasons without wondering what life was like with my older binders. That’s the Plum Sok. The Plum Sok’s hallmark is a solid aluminum baseplate, a ton of adjustability and reliability. My pair … Continue reading The Plum Sok Review
The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 Sunglasses The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 sunglasses are no fuss speed glasses. Easily adjusted, rugged and light, they excel moving fast in variable conditions and have handled multiple ski tours, short distance hikes and a dozen mountain bike rides with ease. Overview Lens Tested: LST VARio purple M Light Transmission: 62-13% Color Tested: Black Matt Frame Material: PPX (Polypropylene X) … Continue reading The Evil Eye Trailsense 2 Review
