After months of research and countless meetings and back-and-forth emails between Outside's editors, writers, and gear testers, we've assembled our first-ever list of the most important gear ever created. These are the products and innovations that have made it possible for those who inspire us and those who read us to live a more active life.
We're sure this top 100, which is presented in chronological order and goes all the way back to 860 B.C., won't be without controversy. We're hoping you'll chime in with your own additions and changes—in the comments section, over email, with old-fashioned letters, through Twitter and Facebook, and all of the other ways in which you're used to contacting us. We'll be watching and collecting notes for when we revisit this list in the months and years to come.
- Personal Flotation Device
- Friction Matches
- Rubber Raft
- Spork
- Safety Bikes
- First Slalom Skis
- Primus No. 1 Stove
- Victorinox Swiss Army Knife
- Grivel 10-Point Crampon
- Bergans of Norway Rucksack
- Carabiner
- L.L. Bean Maine Hunting Shoe
- Stanley Insulated Bottle
- Adidas Sprint Shoe
- Metal-Edge Skis
- Campagnolo Bicycle Components
- DuPont Nylon
- Ray Ban Aviator
- Eddie Bauer Blizzard-Proof Down Jacket
- Vibram Soles
- Sun Protection Cream
- Jeep SUV
- Thule Roof Rack
- Grumman Aluminum Canoe
- Dr. Bronner's Liquid Soap
- LOOK Nevada Releasable Ski Bindings
- Neoprene Wetsuit
- Hobie Alter Foam Surfboard
- DuPont Spandex
- Lange Plastic Ski Boots
- Makaha Skateboards
- Indoor Climbing Wall
- Gatorade Sports Drink
- Snurfer
- Chouinard Clean Climbing Protection
- Skadi Avalanche Transceiver
- Lowe Alpine Systems Expedition Internal Frame Pack
- Mountain House Freeze-Dried Camp Food
- Helly Hansen Lifa
- SK8 Windsurfer
- Trak Waxless Nordic Skis
- Kryptonite U-Lock
- Thermarest Sleeping Pad
- Sorel Caribou
- Nalgene Plastic Waterbottle
- Hummingbird Modular Ice Axe
- Sherpa Aluminum Showshoes
- Petzl Headlamp
- Leki Makalu Adjustable Trekking Poles
- Bell Biker Cycling Helmet
- Kodak Digital Camera
- Brooks EVA Midsole Sneaker
- Hilleberg Keb Silicone-Coated Fabric Tent
- Snow Lion Polarguard Mummy Sleeping Bag
- Schwinn Stingray BMX Bike
- Early Winters Gore-Tex Rainwear
- MSR Pit Zips
- Wild Country Friends
- Burton Snowboard
- Gary Fisher Mountain Bikes
- Champion Jogbra
- Boreal Fire Sticky Rubber Climbing Shoe
- Rollerblades
- Eskimo Topolino Playboat
- Malden Mills/Patagonia Fleece
- Specialized Stumpjumper
- Gramicci G Short
- Polar Sport Tester PE 2000 Wireless Heart Rate Monitor
- Manhattan Portage Messenger Bag
- Leatherman Multitool
- Powerbar
- Vasque Sundowner
- Latok Diamond Softshell Pullover
- Advil
- Lock PP 65 Clipless Pedal
- MSR Whisperlite Stove
- ABS Pack
- Plastech Welded-Seam Dry Bag
- The Helmet Cam
- Teva Hurricane
- Latok Tuber Tubular Belay Device
- MSR Isopropane Fuel
- Handheld GPS Magellan
- Rock Shox RS1
- Camelbak Hydration Pack
- Elan Knissel SCX Shaped Ski
- Smartwool Merino Socks
- Black Diamond Hotwire Wiregate Carabiner
- GoLite Breeze Pack
- Salomon 1080 Twin Tip
- Isis Women-Specific Technical Apparel
- Petzl Tikka Headlamp
- Apple iPod
- Volant Spatula Rockered Ski
- Gary Fisher 29er
- Jetboil Personal Cooking System
- Vibram Five Fingers
- Spot Personal Locator Beacon
- Apple iPhone
- Waterman SUP
Once on any of the above pages, scroll through the list using the navigation bars to read more about the history and development of each product and, in many cases, see original images we've obtained directly from the patent holders. Tell us about your favorites and which you couldn't possibly live without.
