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This shoe was one of our favorite pieces of men’s cycling gear in our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide. The AM7s don’t get major points for style, but the comfortable fit more than made up for it. With a moderately still midsole, we found the shoe ideal for a few hours of riding.
For long days on a bike, this is the helmet you want. When we reviewed it back in 2015, our tester Aaron Gulley wrote: “The Z1 has 31 gaping vents, breathes better than André Greipel in a sprint, and kept us cool on even the muggiest afternoons.”
Wild Rye makes some of our favorite women's MTB apparel. “Wild Rye nailed the stretchy-durable balance here: the Freel moves just right in the saddle, but the fabric isn’t so thin that an errant piñon will shred it,” our tester wrote in our 2019 Summer Buyer's Guide.
Breathability and grip are the focus of the Air, both of which are key when you’re shredding singletrack. The upper is designed from a Lycra mesh that keeps things cool, while the palm benefits from sticky synthetic leather. Just don’t buy a pair expecting extra cushion, because there’s no padding in the palm.
This is the jacket you want for cold-weather cycling. Packing smaller than a soda can, the Barrier Lite provides wind protection and water resistance. The jacket is ideal for “when temperatures fluctuate 20 degrees,” said triathlete, Jesse Thomas.
The Ardent tires have aggressive, block-style knobs for superior traction on rocky terrain. They’re tubeless ready, so you can use them with or without an inner tube. Also available in a 29-inch diameter.
This shoe is stylish enough for around town but has the technical chops for charging down singletrack. The dot-rubber Stealth Phantom outsole is key for gripping flat pedals even on bumpy rides and is non-marking, so you don’t have to worry about them messing up floors inside. Plus, the shoes make a great gift for avid mountain bikers.
At 14 ounces, the Carlito is among the lightest U-locks on the market. Is lighter safer? Absolutely not. But this Rocky Mounts model is small enough to stow in a pocket, fits around most frames and racks, and has an alloy frame that provides protection against casual would-be used-bike owners.
We included this mountain-bike shoe in our roundup of the best gifts for cyclists because it’s stylish, functional, and comfortable. We especially like the grippy Stealth S1 rubber for sticking to flat pedals while on rough trails. Plus, the suede-and-mesh upper looks good enough around town during off-the-bike adventures.
The TC Pro is the best shoe for big walls and cracks, hands down. “The toe box is pointier than a lot of trad shoes, so it not only fits into small splitters but also holds onto some overhung features, making it uniquely versatile,” wrote our testers. (20 percent off with the code 20CLIMBSALE)
We gave this jacket a Gear of the Year award in 2017. “Think of it as a Nano-Air on steroids: a stretchy, waterproof-breathable fabric wraps the synthetic fill, while the interior is made from the same plush liner as the original. Add pit zips and you have a bombproof jacket that wears and breathes like a sweatshirt,” wrote our tester.
The Storm is a perfect example of how far headlamps have come. It’s moderately priced but pumps out 370 lumens from a proximity beam—ideal for working in close quarters or as a spotlight when you’re on the trail. We really like the battery meter, which shows how much juice you have left in your AAAs. Oh, and it’s fully waterproof.
“The MIPS liner is separate from the shell, allowing the helmet to rotate, which can reduce the chance of a concussion in the event of an angled impact,” wrote our Buyer’s Guide tester. “We didn’t go out of our way to take a header, but we were able to confirm that the Wall Rider vents well for the coverage it provides.”
We included this rope in our roundup of the best gym climbing gear of 2020. “The Gym Cuts offers Trango’s trademark light weight and durability, but in 30- and 40-meter lengths—perfect for indoor lead walls. No more dragging a full-length rope across the pads,” wrote tester Jenny Earnest.
We have yet to find a better starter climbing kit at this price. Mad Rock’s package has the all the essentials for a session at the climbing gym or crag: an adjustable harness with four gear loops, a chalk ball, chalk bag, Wingman belay device, and a locking carabiner.
Our Gear Guy tested five lightweight soft shells, and the Keele was his favorite. “I was most impressed with how [it] almost completely repelled water during the shower test, leaving very little moisture on the interior after 30 seconds,” he wrote. This is the jacket you should grab for chilly runs.
The First Light’s stretchy face fabric adds durability and breathability while a DWR treatment repels water, dirt, and oil. Testers like what’s inside: PrimaLoft Silver synthetic insulation provides consistent warmth, even through the start and stop cycle of alpine climbing and backcountry skiing. When the snow begins to fall, pull the adjustable hood over your helmet for extra weather protection.
Contributor Jakob Schiller included these pants in his holiday style guide. Schiller found the slim fit flattering and said the spandex-cotton blend “means they’re great on the bike if you commute to work.” They’re also stylish enough to wear at both the office and dinner parties.
These rock rings are a solid budget option for training at home. In our roundup of the best fitness accessories of 2018, we wrote, “These portable climbing holds take [pull-ups] to the next level, turning the standard move into a feat of grip strength.” (20 percent off with the code 20CLIMBSALE)
The I/O Mags were a highlight of our 2019 Winter Buyer's Guide. Testers particularly loved the easy-to-use lens-swap tech, which relies on sturdy, hassle-free magnets to lock the glass in place.