After falling in love with mountains in New England, Ian traveled all over the country making ascents of everything from short roadside rock climbs to big walls to big peaks in the wilderness. Now he lives, plays, and guides in the Sierra Nevada, one of North America’s best mountain playgrounds. He rounds the year out with forays to Red Rocks, Moab, Washington’s Cascades, and Alaska. He likes ice cream, jackets with hoods, and well-earned rest days.
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Ian McEleney
Review Editor
Showing 1-15 of 90 by Ian McEleney
Best Backpacking Stoves of 2024
We've been testing the best backpacking stoves for over a decade, and this current review has our 20 favorites. We...Best Snowshoes of 2024
Finding the best pair of snowshoes for your adventure from the ever-growing crop of choices can be worse than...Best Backpacking Sleeping Bag of 2024
A sleeping bag is a cornerstone of your overnight kit. Picking the best one isn't easy. To ease the confusion we...10 Best Sleeping Bags of 2024
Our never-ending hunt continues for the perfect sleeping bag in this update. Within this review, we highlight our...How to Choose Snowshoes For Trails and Deep Snow
This guide will help point you toward the perfect pair of snowshoes for a variety of snow depths and terrain. From...Editors' Choice
MSR Lightning Ascent Review
This snowshoe has everything you've come to expect from the best on the market with a new binding design that...Best Buy
MSR Evo Trail Review
While this snowshoe may be simple, the versatility and friendly price point make it a good option.Top Pick
TSL Symbioz Hyperflex Elite Review
Unique and highly comfortable, this easy to walk-in snowshoe is ideal for packed, firm, and groomed trails. The flip...Best Climbing Backpack
Looking for a climbing backpack for your multi-pitch adventures? We tested the top climbing packs to determine which...Top Pick
Crescent Moon Big Sky 32 Review
If your entire motivation for snowshoeing is getting into deep fresh powder, this is a great model to consider. A...Editors' Choice
Western Mountaineering MegaLite Review
In the close contest for the best backpacking sleeping bag, this primo bag takes home the taco. It is extremely...Best Buy
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15 Review
Though this model is lower quality and heavy, it's other features are well done and the price is right. We stayed cozy...Best Mountaineering Boots
Trying to find the best mountaineering boot? We've got you covered. Our testers reviewed 9 of the top products on the...Best Buy
REI Co-op Trailmade 20 Review
This bag's solid performance and surprisingly low price make it a great value for the infrequent backpacker. If you've...Top Pick
Western Mountaineering UltraLite Review
This is one of the few bags we've seen that's potentially up for 4-season use. Its got premium high-loft down for...
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