Our Testers Followed Our Own Gear Recommendations. Here’s What Happened…
Treeline writers thank other Treeline writers for great gear suggestions
Author Kate Hoch learned about Paradis underwear from a Treeline Review article. Now, it’s the only underwear she uses for climbing mountains.
We love hearing from readers when they tell us the outdoor gear they read about on Treeline Review changed their life.
So we asked Treeline Review writers if they'd picked up a piece of gear based on what another Treeline writer had recommended. And boy, were we surprised by the results!
It's our birthday week so we're thanking each other and reflecting on what it means to be a team. It has been fun to see the impact of our gear reviews and how they are making the outdoors more enjoyable for others.
Here's what we read about on Treeline Review, bought ourselves, and liked it so much, we want to share with others.
Have you got a Treeline Review-recommended piece of gear you love? Let us know! Share your gear experience with us for a chance to be featured on the website or on social media!
We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Paradis Sport Underwear
Originally reviewed in Best Women's Underwear for Hiking by Liz Thomas
I was admittedly a bit miffed at my pal Liz “Snorkel” Thomas when I found out she’d discovered a clear winner for the best women’s hiking underwear and had been holding out on telling me for a year because she wanted to do a thorough testing! That’s a whole year I could’ve been wearing Paradis!
Once the Best Women's Underwear for Hiking article was published, I picked up a pair each of the natural fiber bikini and the synthetic bikini.
From the moment I put them on, I felt optimistic. The fit was perfect: a mid-rise cut with full ass coverage. But how would do with movement and sweat? I vividly remember my first hike in the synthetic bikini: a steep ascent of Mt Washington in the Olympics requiring lots of high stepping and profuse sweating. I couldn’t believe the Paradis actually doing as advertised: staying in place as I contorted my body and breathing enough to keep the sweat from soaking through.
I now have 5 pairs of Paradis Sport underwear and would like to get a few more to get me through a full laundry cycle! The super soft natural fiber version is the first pair I reach for after laundry day, and I find myself carefully planning out my week to make sure I have a clean pair of Paradis available for weekend activities.
–Kate Hoch, contributing writer
Bikini
Thong
Originally reviewed in Best Collagen Powder by from Katie Gerber
I have been using the Further Food Premium Marine Collagen Peptides for several years thanks to Katie Gerber’s recommendation in the 7 Best Collagen Powders story. I’d wanted to add collagen to my diet, but didn’t want a bovine source. When I read Katie’s article I decided to give the marine version a try. It really has improved my nails and hair and hopefully helped preserve my connective tissues as I age as well. I trust her knowledge of nutrition and supplements and really appreciated her thorough evaluation process and inclusion of pescatarian sources rather than just bovine and chicken. Thanks, Katie!
-Heather Anderson, contributing writer
Originally reviewed in Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Backpack Review by Amanda Jameson
Having found in recent years that dragging a rolling suitcase pulls my shoulders out of place, I’d been on the hunt for a new carry-on sized piece of luggage. I’d already checked out the Cotopaxi Allpa Travel Pack, but when I read Amanda Jameson's review, the decision was made. The pack interior has plenty of room for a little over a week’s worth of clothes, toiletries, and art supplies.
An elaborate system of easily-accessible pockets within the pack ensures that everything has its place, stays in its place, and can be reached quickly. As a pocket fanatic, I was super hyped to see this in the review and then in the pack itself. And even fully packed, the Allpa Travel Pack was still easy to open and close. I always appreciate how in-depth the reviews of products at Treeline are, and this one not only answered every question I had about this pack but showed so practically how it could be used for a variety of purposes.
- Elliot Koeppel, contributing writer
Author Sam Schild thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with the Nitecore NU25 headlamp.
Nitecore NU 25 Headlamp
Originally reviewed in Best (and Brightest) headlamps and recommended by Mike Unger, Liz Thomas, and Naomi Hudetz
I lost the headlamp I used for the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail at a trailhead after completing the Wind River High Route. I was devastated when I realized the next day that I’d lost it (if you found an old Petzl outside of Lander, enjoy it–that thing has seen a lot).
Well, I needed a new ultralight headlamp for the Appalachian Trail, so I checked what Treeline recommends. I bought the Nitecore NU 25 for my thru-hike. After 1,200 miles of using it every day, I can confirm this headlamp is super reliable. And, it's one of the most affordable headlamps you can buy. It barely weighs an ounce, and is USB-C rechargeable. As the days get shorter, I'm using this headlamp more and more, and it continues to impress me.
-Sam Schild, contributing writer
Ridge Merino Solstice Hoodie
Originally reviewed in the Best Sun Shirts by Liz Thomas
This summer I was looking for a new sun hoodie but specifically wanted something with merino wool for its natural resistance to odor. After reading the Sun Shirt Story by Liz Thomas, I decided I had to get a Ridge Merino Solstice Hoody.
I love this wool sun shirt so much and it has held up well to a summer of wear and smells great even after a few days of hiking or running without washing. This hoodie is also cute enough for a stop at a brewery or coffee shop on the drive home from the trailhead and with its odor resistance I don’t have to feel like I need to change first. I would not have discovered this shirt without the help of Treeline Review. Ridge was a new to me brand and I felt confident trying something totally new after Liz’s review. Thank you, Liz!
- Sara Kruglinski, operations coordinator and contributing writer
Men's
Women's
Originally reviewed in Best Water Bottles for Hiking guide by Gabi Reyes-Acosta
I'd been using a Hydro Flask for years, occasionally getting dents in it and often spilling water all over the front of my shirt while taking big gulps. Gabi Reyes-Acosta’s Best Water Bottles for Hiking guide convinced me to switch to their recommended overall winner, the Yeti Rambler. Wow! The smaller mouthpiece is way easier to drink from. The outside doesn’t dent when I accidentally drop it on the sidewalk. And it keeps drinks just as cold while being as easy to clean (including the ability to put it in the dishwasher). Thanks, Gabi!
-Liz Thomas, editor-in-chief
Getting Skinny with Pomoca’s Climb Pro S-Glide Skins, Thanks to Stasia.
After years with my old climbing skins, I was slipping more than I’d like going up particularly on fresh powder. When researching new ski skins I turned to Stasia Stockwell’s: “Best Climbing Skins for Skis” and after doing other research, I ended up opting for her Best Overall pick, the Pomoca Climb Pro S-Glide Ski Skins.
The Pro S-Glide skins were so great on my original pair of backcountry skis that when it came time to get skins for a new pair of skis, I knew I could only go with Pro S-Glide Skins again. Now, after years of using them on multiple pairs of skis, I can tell you they offer better climbing capabilities, and I’ve had little to no problems with delamination. I’ve also recommended Pomoca’s skins to my backcountry buddies and at least a few have moved on to Pomoca skins for their skis and snowboards.
-Contributing writer, Chris Meehan
Originally reviewed in Best Women's Winter Boots and Joan of Arctic Boots Review by Josette Deschambeault
When I needed a new pair of winter boots, I knew I could count on Josette Deschambeault’s recommendations in her Best Winter’s Winter Boots guide. I opted for her overall pick, the Sorel Joan of Arc waterproof winter boots, and they have not disappointed! The traction is incredible, and they’re so warm and cozy. While they unfortunately don’t fit in my snowshoes, they have been great for winter walks and hikes. As Josette says, they’re like work boots that are stylish — perfect for shoveling the driveway and for a nice casual look around town. -Becca Downs, contributing editor and writer
Mammut Ultimate VII SO Softshell Jacket
Originally reviewed in Best Softshell Jackets by Stasia Stockwell
I've always been softshell curious, but I never quite understood what they were for. What, exactly, is a softshell? What's the use case?
Stasia's article answered these questions and finally convinced me to try one – and I'm so happy I did! I absolutely love the Mammut Ultimate VII SO Softshell – so far, I've used it for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and shoulder season hiking and gravel bike rides. I also just wear it around town because it's pretty stylish too.
It's stretchy, breathable, comfortable, and weather-resistant enough that I rarely have to use a hardshell with it. You get weather protection that you don't get with other insulating layers, but you also get breathability for high-output activities.
So thank you, Stasia, for converting me into a softshell wearer!
– Naomi Hudetz, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer
Men's
Women's
