Salomon Quest 5 GTX Review
This April, I tested the Salomon Quest 5 GTX for the full from Altendorf to Neumannmühle, with a pack and enough climbing and descending to make fit, support, and heat show up properly. By the later descents, I had a…
Melvin Claassen
Based in the Netherlands, and an avid outdoorsman, mountain addict, and hiking enthusiast. When he isn’t hiking, Melvin is passionate about running, trail running, hitting the dirt on his mountain bike, and scaling rock faces.
He has successfully climbed several peaks around the world, including Mt Taranaki and Pico Duarte. His deep-rooted passion for the outdoors and mountaineering helps inspire numerous people to hit the trails and fulfill their own adventurous spirit.
Multi-Day Hiking Nutrition: Expert Tips by Nancy Clark
The first time I tried a five-day hut-to-hut traverse, I carried what everyone said I needed: energy gels, a pile of protein bars, and three dehydrated dinners. By the end of day one I was flying. By the middle of…
Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX Review 2026 (Low & Mid Compared)
I still remember the first pair of Salomons I hiked in, back when the X Ultra 2 came out. The fit was narrow even then, but the shoe had a grip-and-go feel that made me stay with the line through…
Altra Timp 6 Review: Trail Running & Hiking Test (2026)
The Altra Timp 6 is built as a trail runner, but I had a hunch it would also do well as a hiking shoe. So I put that to the test over two days in the Netherlands. The run was…
Essential Rope Skills & Knots for Mountaineering
Just as you would never hit the slopes without the right boots, crampons, or your helmet, no mountaineer would ever dream of heading out without a climbing rope. (Sure, you can wear a climbing harness without one, but good luck…
Altitude Sickness Guide: Symptoms & Prevention
You might have heard of it, or even seen a video or two about it featuring climbers in the Alps or the Himalayas, and yet, not really know what altitude sickness is. But what every responsible mountaineer needs to know…