James Lucas is a long-time writer, editor, and photographer. As an avid climber of 20 years with first ascents of big walls in Yosemite, boulder problems in the Rocky Mountains, and sport climbs in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, James spends hundreds of days outside every year documenting the outdoors and testing gear while traveling around his home in Boulder, Colorado, and out on the road in the Western United States. After he finished his undergraduate degree at the University of Santa Cruz, James began his writing career, documenting his travels and the lives of his nomadic friends. From writing Yosemite Valley Bouldering, a comprehensive guide to the thousands of granite boulder problems in Yosemite, to working as a Senior Associate Editor at Climbing Magazine for four years, James developed a strong grasp of immersing himself in an area and topic, disseminating that information, and explaining it to an audience. As his ability to write expanded, he grasped a camera to further document the people, places, and products of the outdoors. His work has appeared in dozens of outdoor magazines, books, and websites. From working out of his van in the Rockies to the top of sunny El Capitan in Yosemite, James uses the skills he learned as a writer to learn about products, test them, and then articulate the reasons how each product works and why you should or shouldn't buy it.
Showing 1-15 of 45 by James Lucas

Best Portable Solar Charger of 2023
Are you in the market for a new solar setup? Perhaps the hundreds of options available online are a bit overwhelming...
Best Fleece Jackets of 2023
Looking for a new fleece for the colder months? We purchased the top 11 fleece jackets and rigorously tested them to...
Editors' Choice
Patagonia R1 Air Full-Zip Hoody Review
Threading a perfect line between technical ability and comfortable fashion, the R1 Air provides a fleece with...
Best Buy
Outdoor Research Vigor Full Zip Hoodie Review
A functional lightweight fleece ideal for fast and light missions. Warm enough to use as a stand-alone piece for cool...
Top Pick
Arc'teryx Kyanite AR Hoody Review
This high-quality fleece combines simplicity with function to create an incredibly comfortable jacket that performs in...
Best Down Jackets of 2023
Our experts reviewed twelve mid and lightweight down jackets to find the best fitting, the warmest, and the most...
Top Pick
Arc'teryx Cerium SL Hoody Review
A go-to piece for cold weather missions when you are going light, this high-end down hoody is top-notch and our first...
Best Insulated Jackets of 2023
In the market for the best synthetic insulated jacket? We've tested and compared 10 of the best choices side-by-side...
Editors' Choice
Patagonia DAS Light Hoody Review
Its light weight, warmth, water and wind resistance, and high level of packability make this a stand-out synthetic...
Best Buy
Rab Xenon 2.0 Review
This jacket comes at a fantastic value due to its high performance and low price tag. It works best as an insulated...
Top Pick
Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody Review
Comfortable, lightweight, and breathable, this jacket excels as a standalone active insulating layer or as a light...
The North Face Denali Review
This classic fleece offers warmth and a stylish look but is heavy with poor layering ability and breathability.
Columbia Steens Mountain 2.0 Full Zip Review
Keeping our testers warm at a reasonable price, this jacket fits basic needs without a heavy cost.
Kuhl Interceptr 1/4 Zip Review
A stylish piece that combines fashion with a bit of function to create a piece that can move from the streets to...
Top Pick
Mountain Hardwear Compressor Hoody Review
This mid-weight layer provides ample warmth and the features of a great alpine layer, but also works as an around-town...
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