Ryan lives and plays in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California with his wife. Happily rooted in Mammoth Lakes, they spend as little time inside as possible. When he's not fighting fires, patrolling the ski slopes, or testing gear and writing articles for GearLab, Ryan likes to ski, climb, bike, and hike. He is notorious for breaking things, plays the banjo, and enjoys painting mountainscapes when he’s not actively playing in them. He tries to keep his priorities on the people and activities he loves in the mountains he adores.
Author Profile
Ryan Baker
Review Editor
Showing 1-15 of 20 by Ryan Baker
Best Bike Helmet of 2022
After testing the top bike helmets on the market, we evaluated comfort, weight, ventilation, durability, all-around value, and performance to find the top-scoring models. We tested each...
Top Pick
POC Ventral Air MIPS
Riders expecting blistering heat or the hot sun will appreciate the evaporative cooling and robust air movement offered by this helmet. The steep price tag is justified by the comfort and...
Best Winter Down Sleeping Bags of 2022
With a plethora of sleeping bags to choose from, it can be hard to know how best to turn your hard-earned dollars into comfortable winter warmth. Fear not, we've researched over 55 of the...
Best Ski Boots of 2022
Are you ready for a new men's ski boot? Our industry experts rigorously tested 9 of the top products of 2022 to bring you our favorite models for any ability and budget.
Best Buy
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 0
This bag is perfect for the weekend warrior, car camper, or aspiring mountaineer who wants to explore the winter wonderland, but is not ready to throw down the cash for a more expensive bag.
Best Bike Saddles
After spending countless hours grinding away the miles in the top road bike saddles on the market, we identified the best models to meet your specific riding needs, in order to help you...
How to Choose the Best Ski Boots
To help you find the best pair of ski boots for your abilities and budget, we're here to help you cut through the confusing marketing jargon and understand
Editors' Choice
Tecnica Mach1 MV 130
This stiff race-inspired ski boot provides consistent progressive flex and drives through any snow condition.
Top Pick
Tecnica Cochise 130 DYN GW
While heavier than other true touring boots, this model offers excellent performance with sturdier materials and multiple flexes for a range of skiers.
Best Buy
Dalbello Panterra 130 ID GW
This versatile, softer flex boot makes up in comfort and convenience what it lacks in overall power and downhill performance.
Marmot Never Summer 0
Extra features like the zipper stash pocket and offside vent zipper make for a comfortable night’s sleep but add weight. Warm loft and soft liner material were appreciated but a smaller...
Best Buy
Atomic Hawx Prime 130S GW
This boot has excellent out-of-the-box comfort that initiates aspiring skiers to a stiffer more challenging boot for a moderate price.
Top Pick
Nordica Speedmachine 3 130 S
If comfort is your number one priority, this boot pleases with a cork and EVA foam liner that makes this the comfiest model in our test
Fischer Ranger 130 Walk Dyn
This lightweight touring boot will rip the resort or hike the backcountry with tech binding and Grip Walk compatibility.
Specialized S-Works Prevail II Vent + ANGi MIPS
Fast riders who spend a lot of hours on roads worried about crashes or getting hit should consider the Prevail which links to your phone with patented ANGi technology and alerts loved ones...
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