Hey @ilexaxel  Finding a balance between high-impact and built in can be a bit of a challenge, most of what you find with built in is going to be low-impact. It's been a couple of years since my last half marathon, but I also am a big fan of the high-impact sports bra. Since support is so crucial to running comfort, I have found works best for me is to find a bra that suits my needs and then layer with an unlined running tank. Here are a couple of bras that I've had a lot of success with; https://www.rei.com/product/157391/brooks-rebound-racer-sports-bra https://www.rei.com/product/144144/patagonia-wild-trails-sports-bra-womens Hope that helps! Happy Running! Katie K. ... View more

Hi @Trina  Thanks for reaching out! When it comes to youth bike sizing, figuring out the dimensions is all about the child's height and the length of their inseam. Our expert advice article How to Choose a Kids Bike  has some really handy tips for determining sizing. If he's outgrown a 24 inch, you're likely about at the point of getting him his first adult bike! Which is also pretty exciting! We have plenty of great resources to get you started on finding him a new bike based on the type of riding he's doing. Those resources can be found at https://www.rei.com/learn/c/cycling. Best of luck in your bike search! Let us know if we can be of any further assistance. Katie K. ... View more

Hey @Kelly1  Trekking poles are my best friend when hiking and backpacking! I use them all the time. You're absolutely right, there are a ton of choices when it comes to poles, a really great place to start is by reviewing our Expert Advice article How to Choose Trekking Poles & Hiking Staffs. I personally use trekking poles with the anti-shock spring, I spend a lot of time hiking in the rocky terrain of Southern California and I find the little bit of spring action really helps on the downhill on the rocky surfaces.  In terms of ability to stow them away, the folding trekking poles will always pack down the smallest. However, if you choose an option with other features, many packs have a loop on the outside of them meant to store your trekking poles when not in use, which comes in super handy! Good luck with your search! Happy Adventuring! Katie K. ... View more

Hey There @sedoyle  Sounds like a pretty amazing adventure! I studied abroad in Ireland at University College Dublin, one of the best experiences of my life! While I was there, my study abroad group had planned a trip out to Wicklow National park, but unfortunately we got pretty epically rained out and end up spending our time exploring Glendalough in close proximity to our bus. Only one person from the group attempted the hike, and he said it was beautiful, but he was pretty saturated. I will say, if you get the chance to check out the Ruins of the Glendalough Cathedral, it's a pretty cool site! In terms of gear, there's no trees in the area so there's no roots to absorb the water. Everything is generally pretty saturated, so waterproof hiking boots are a must. It also rains most mornings and clears out in the afternoon as they day warms up, so a rain jacket and sunscreen are both essential for a day spent outside. Hope that helps with gear decisions! Driving through that area was insanely beautiful, I wish we'd had more time than just the day trip we did, but there's so much to do and see In Ireland so we didn’t linger too long in one spot in our time off. I'd go back in a heartbeat! Happy Adventuring Katie ... View more

Hi @DrewB  we can absolutely help you out with that! When it comes to cold weather sleeping bags, we have lots to offer! There's a few options to consider when making a selection; weight, compress-ability, and comfort. Generally speaking, the more wiggle room you have to toss and turn in your sleep, the larger and less compressible the bag will be. If you don't mind a little extra weight and like to be able to kick your legs around a little bit, I would consider looking at Nemo Sonic bag. If space saving and minimalism is what your searching for the Big Agnes Crosho and the Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger are great options. All of these bags are lower limit rated to -20. Meaning that they'll keep you comfortable down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit and safe, albeit chilly, down to -20 degrees.  Hope these start you off in the right direction, have an amazing adventure! Katie  ... View more

Hi @SaintNick413  John Krakauer is a personal favorite of mine. And while Into the Wild is excellent, for me his best book is Into Thin Air. His personal account of his expedition to Everest during a massive storm in 1996. It's a heavy read, but the writing is beautiful. I'm also a big fan of Barbara Kingsolver. While her novels aren't specifically about nature, her time spent traveling the Southwest and growing up in the Appalachia region heavily influences her narrative and the journeys of her characters. Often her stories contain characters who are either scientists or naturalists. My personal favorite is Prodigal Summer.  Happy Reading! Katie  ... View more

@SaintNick413 , what a fun question! Lord Huron is also in heavy rotation for me. Also in heavy rotation are Wye Oak, Mt. Joy, and San Fermin. I'll also never say "no" to Bowie, with Diamond Dogs being a particular favorite. I hope you find some musical inspiration from this thread! Happy Adventuring! ... View more

@nteaver Hey Nick, Tanzania sounds like an awesome trip! REI does carry a small selection of both travel adapters and converters. Here's a great article with lots of details on travel & electricity! A travel adapter allows you to plug your device directly into the wall, which is the first step in powering your devices. Adding a travel converter takes that power and converts the voltage so you don't overwhelm the connection, potentially damaging your electronics. Note that many devices can run on dual voltage, so you will only need a converter if your devices don't have dual-voltage capability.  Happy Adventuring! Katie ... View more