Aaron Rose
Articles by Aaron Rose
Aaron’s reviews lean heavily on his splitboarding and backcountry gear expertise, with occasional forays into water sports and technical apparel. Here are 20 of his articles for Engearment.
RAIDE LF 40L Backpack – Gear Destroyer Approved
October 15, 2024 — Aaron reviews Raide Research’s $399 ultralight pack, tracing it back to a 2023 pre-order he placed with founder Kyle Siegel.
Red Paddle Co Compact 12′ MSL Inflatable Paddle Board Review – High End, Compact Fun
August 8, 2022 — A review of Red Paddle Co’s Compact 12′ MSL inflatable SUP, first spotted at Outdoor Retailer Summer 2022 and tested in variable conditions.
Splitboarding – Twenty Years of Evolution in Split Tech
July 1, 2022 — Aaron traces splitboarding’s slow progression from heavy-duty prototypes in the pre-1990s backcountry to modern production tech, including thoughts from pioneer Brett “Cowboy” Kobernik.
TSL Outdoors Connect Carbon 5 Poles – Adjustable Carbon Poles for All Seasons
May 25, 2022 — A review of TSL’s collapsible, adjustable carbon poles with removable wrist straps and swappable winter and summer baskets.
Disrupting SplitTech with the Disruptive Splitboard Boot
December 21, 2021 — Aaron interviews Hampus Cederholm and Christophe “Tal” Etallaz of France’s Key Equipment on their new Disruptive splitboard boot.
Skida Nordic Hat – Effective for the Backcountry
November 3, 2021 — A review of Skida’s Vermont-made Nordic hat, Aaron’s go-to splitboarding headcover for its breathability and moisture-wicking poly-spandex blend.
Flylow Tannen Bibs – Thumbs Up from the Gear Destroyer
November 1, 2021 — Aaron reviews Flylow’s $400 three-layer softshell stretch bibs for backcountry and lift-served riding, praising their waterproofness and comfort.
Phantom Splitboarding Slipper, Phantom M6 Binding Review – Awesome Hard Boot Splitboarding Set Up
May 20, 2021 — A deep-dive on Phantom’s Colorado-made Slipper boot and M6 binding system for hardboot splitboarders.
Bollé Lightshifter with Phantom Lens for the Backcountry
February 3, 2021 — Aaron reports on 8 tours and 25k+ earned turns in the Colorado backcountry using the $200 Bollé Lightshifters with Phantom lens tech.
Bolle Nevada Neo Phantom+ Goggles – Category 1-3 Optical Greatness
January 26, 2021 — A review of Bolle’s Nevada Neo Phantom+ goggles with a photochromic, partially polarized lens tested in flat light and bright alpine conditions.
Hoka One One Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX – Lightweight and Good on Trails
September 2, 2020 — A review of Hoka’s Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX, which offers neutral support and balanced cushion for quick movement across varied terrain.
Gregory Targhee 45 – A Solid Guide Pack
July 5, 2020 — Aaron reviews the Targhee 45 as a versatile guide pack with stability, mountaineering functionality, and easy access for overnighters and longer tours.
Patagonia Men’s Iron Forge Hemp Canvas 5-Pocket Pants – Gear Destroyer Approved!
May 4, 2020 — Aaron reviews Patagonia’s 55% hemp blend 5-pocket pants, which felt broken-in from day one.
Patagonia Ascensionist Jacket (Mens) – A Great, Light Technical Shell
December 30, 2019 — A Gear Destroyer–approved review of Patagonia’s lightest technical shell, built for fast-and-light mountain movement.
Spark R&D Hardboot Setup Review
July 9, 2019 — Co-authored with Evan Green, an in-depth look at Spark R&D’s hardboot setup as split-hardbooting moves from niche to more mainstream.
G3 AXLE Splitboard – Responsive New Splitboard from G3
January 29, 2019 — A collaborative Engearment review of G3’s AXLE splitboard shape, tested over multiple days in the Colorado backcountry.
Patagonia Descensionist Jacket and Pant – Backcountry Touring Covered
January 8, 2019 — A year-long test of Patagonia’s Descensionist jacket and pant, a quiet, waterproof, stretchy system built for ski touring.
Karakoram Prime Interface 2.0 and Light Ride – Improved Splitboard Interface
December 19, 2018 — A review of Karakoram’s updated Prime 2.0 interface and the ultralight custom Light Ride system for discerning splitboarders.
Karakoram vs Spark R&D Splitboard Bindings 2018
November 26, 2018 — The annual flagship splitboard binding showdown, pitting Karakoram’s Prime X Carbon against Spark R&D’s Pro Surge.
Salomon Sonic Aero – Pound the Pavement
October 7, 2018 — Aaron’s guest review of Salomon’s Sonic Aero road shoe, drawing on his background in meteorology, media, and backcountry athletics.