Everything
How long should you hold onto a sleeping bag? When cleaning out our attic, we ce across some sleeping bags that are from our college days (we’re 35 now). Is it time to retire them? Sarah Frisco, Texas
What do you suggest for a cheap winter trip to Baja, Mexico? Bix F. Milwaukee, WI
Out on the far edge of the Alaska frontier, a man can hide his sins. Robert Allen Hale—a.k.a. Papa Pilgrim—bought a homestead outside the remote town of McCarthy where he imprisoned his family and conned the world with tales of a simpler life. But for the 15 children living the nightmare, the only choice was escape.
My wife and I are trekking in Chile and Argentina next summer, so we’ve decided to exploit the circumstances and replace most of our equipment with newer and lighter items. Can you build the ideal shopping list for us? Yonathan Tel Aviv, Israel
My work frequently takes me to developing-world destinations where streets are unpaved and sidewalks nonexistent. Yet I'm generally expected to maintain business casual attire. Is there a shoe that acts like a hiking shoe but doesn't look out of place with a pair of khakis in the office? Christopher Washington, D.C.
"Ninety percent of people do nothing to take care of their skis from the day they buy them to the day they throw them in the trash," says Peter Boyer, of Boulder, Colorado's Alpine Base & Edge. Don't follow suit. We asked Boyer for a few tips to keep your skis and boards running fast and true.
Dont’t want to lug around a large camera? Carrying the 14.5-megapixal Nikon Coolpix S710 is like having a full-size DSLR in your chest pocket ($380; nikonusa.com) Nikon Coolpix S710 …
The key to staying warm and stuck to the ice? The right stuff.
If I'm still sore from a workout two days later, is it ok to work that muscle group again, or should I wait until the soreness has subsided? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I keep reading about the benefits of periodized training. But it seems awfully time consuming. As a recreational athlete, would I get enough benefit to make it worthwhile? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
For the past five years I've been unable to crack a five-minute mile. I run up to 30 miles a week, but don't have a regular workout besides running. Are there strength workouts I can do to improve my speed? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm training to run my first half-marathon. How much strength training should I be doing? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I constantly sprain my ankle playing basketball. Do you have any suggestions on how to improve my ankle strength and balance to prevent this?
I've just started running again after a long lay off, and I don't want to lose momentum over the winter. What's the best shell I can get to keep me dry and warm without blowing the thermostat? KT London, England
Is there a DEET-alternative I can really trust when I go hiking in the Costa Rican jungle? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Why do you drive a grease-powered car, and should I do it too? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Okay, so 90 percent of the world's large fish are gone, says Sylvia Earle. Do I need to stop eating sushi? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What's really happening when I offset my travel at a website or with an airline? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What one equipment change can I make in my home to reduce my water usage most? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
We're looking for a reader to take on the role of Chief Inspiration Officer.
to Your Lady According to Tracy Tuten, a professor at Virginia’s Longwood University who studies the psychology of gift giving, most people drop gift hints unconsciously. Write them down (or call them in; Tuten uses the online dictation service Jott.com). For example, when your…
This holiday season we not only show you what to “gift”like the coolest new swag for skiing/boarding, traveling, training, trekking, timekeeping, shooting/filming, and rocking out. We also tell you how to bestow intelligently when the circumstances are bafflinglike with your mother-in-law or your enemy (or is that the same thing?)…
Not a Tom Cruise fan? Don’t fret: The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition Top Gun is named after the real deal, the elite U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School. And, yes, it can handle some serious G’s: The ceramic case and titanium movement are ultra-tough, and the reinforced crystal won’t dislodge…
The Epson P-7000 Multimedia Photo Viewer packs 160GB of storage and a four-inch, hi-def LCD screen for easy field vetting ($800; epson.com). Leica D-Lux 4 …
Waterproof (to five feet) and shock-resistant, Panasonic‘s SDR-SW20S can capture footage in conditions that would ruin other camcorders ($400; panasonic.com). Olympus Stylus 1050SW …
The waterproof TX 770 Fly-Back Chronograph is even more functional than it appears, with an electronic compass and old-school features like a tachymeter and a fly-back chronograph, which resets at the press of a button and marks time from a fifth of a second to four hours ($425;…
Olympus‘s waterproof and shock-proof 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1050 SW can take a beating. And a dunking. And a freezing. Plus all major functions can be accessed by tapping the housing, even with gloves on ($300; olympusamerica.com). Epson P-7000 Multimedia Photo Viewer…
Thanks to its upgraded f/2–2.8 aperture, 10.1-megapixel sensor, and mount for both flashes and a viewfinder, the D-Lux 4 puts a pro-quality Leica in the palm of your hand ($800; leica-camera.com). Panasonic SDR-SW205 Video Camera…
Most adventure-sport watches look out of place anywhere but in the wild. Not so the rugged Sector Mountain Master, which features abundant gadgetry—a digital compass, altimeter, thermometer, and barometer—but is stylish enough for everyday wear ($595; sectornolimits.eu). Sector Mountain Master …
Rado first introduced its oblong-cased Original line in 1962, and the new Split-Second Chronograph stays true to its Mod Squad style. A crystal back allows you to view the automatic movement, and its steel-and-titanium bracelet and sapphire crystal will withstand years of abuse ($6,200; rado.com). Rado…
The self-winding automatic movement of the 300-meter-rated limited-edition Omega Seamaster James Bond 007 ensures perfect timekeeping up to two days after you last wore it. Plus it’s a “certified chronometer,” i.e., it’s undergone 15 days of rigorous independent testing, in temperatures from zero to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, to ensure unmatched…
Luminescent hands on TAG Heuer‘s F1 Chronograph sweep over three traditional chrono functions and an easy-to-read date window. And being forged almost entirely from scratch-resistant titanium carbide and brushed stainless steel, this one’s as tough as it is sleek ($1,350; tagheuer.com). TAG Heuer F1 Chronograph …
It may look like a classic chronograph, but Breitling‘s Avenger Seawolf Chrono is a revolutionary dive watch. Even at the max depth of 1,000 meters, you can use the chrono functions without risking a breach, via a magnetic system engaged with the push of a button ($4,380;…
Crush it, roll it, or stuff it in your bag: The Orvis Packable Felt Hat will pop right back into shape ($39; orvis.com). Orvis Packable Felt Hat …
Room for only one jacket in your luggage? Merrell‘s lightly insulated and water-resistant Uniform Parka is the perfect choice ($189; merrell.com). Merrell Uniform Parka Jacket …
El Naturalista‘s Messenger Bag is old-school cool ($420; elnaturalista.com).
Problem: No time to properly clean up before dinner. Solution: A dab of Davidoff Adventure cologne ($48; macys.com). Davidoff Adventure Cologne …
Merrell‘s Gore-Tex Chameleon Trek shoes are understated enough for a night on the town but tough enough for the trail ($145).
Top-tier lenses and a moisture-repellent coating mean Leica‘s 8×50 Ultravid HD binoculars provide greater clarity in low light and poor weather ($2,525; us.leica-camera.com). …
Solio‘s Magnesium Edition solar charger can store enough juice to recharge your cell phone three times ($170; solio.com).
Headlamps are for when you’ve got to have your hands free. When traveling, though, carry a tiny, ultrabright flashlight like Surefire‘s T1A Titan ($239; surefire.com). Surefire TIA Titan…
Survivorman LES STROUD talks about venturing into the world's harshest environments alone, and the importance of a good harmonica.
Outdoor Research's Primovolta gloves contain a rechargeable heating element that keeps fingers warm for up to six hours ($259; outdoorresearch.com). Outdoor Research Primovolta Gloves …
The rooster. That’s what makes Rossignol‘s Mike sweater cooler than all the vintage ski apparel out there ($150; rossignol.com). Rossignol Mike Sweater …
Wear Nobis‘s hyper-cool Teabag and all other beanies will start feeling a little insecure ($45; nobis.ca). Nobis Teabag Hat …
Scott‘s Witness goggles are some of the best all-conditions spherical shields we’ve tested ($90; scottusa.com).
For winter, classic is always in style. Eddie Bauer’s down High Mesa vest is retro without trying too hard ($99; eddiebauer.com). Eddie Bauer High Mesa Down Vest …
With their slightly duck-footed stance, Nordica‘s Sportmachine 14 boots make carving the perfect turn that much easier ($655; nordicausa.com). Nordica Sportmachine 14 Ski Boot …
Catch more air: Burton‘s Vapor is the lightest snowboard they’ve ever made ($1,000; burton.com). Burton Vapor Snowboard …
Is a women's bike fre always the best fit? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm going surfing in Hawaii. Can you recommend a bikini that will stay on? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm going sea kayaking in the Bahas. What sunglasses would you recommend? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What's the best stinkfighter: merino, bboo, or synthetic fiber? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What's the best designer bag for an outdoor girl? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I’m planning to run a marathon. What shoe should I get for training? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What's the best sports bra for running? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What is the best pair of yoga pants? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Can you recommend a warm, but cute ski jacket for my next trip to Aspen? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Why do some women trash women's specific skis as being too soft? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What’s the latest scoop on a very good pair of compact binoculars that can handle rough weather and hiking conditions? Jes Kailua, Hawaii
My son is cycling the Lower 48 starting on January 1, and I would like some way to keep up with him. Is there a GPS unit that can accomplish this? Karen Atlanta, Georgia
When collapsed, Black Diamond‘s ultrabright Orbit Lantern is the size of a cell phone ($30; bdel.com). Black Diamond Orbit Lantern Train: Oakley Radar Sunglasses Oakley Radar SunglassesBecause the Oakley Radar‘s photochromic lenses quickly adapt to changing light conditions and repel almost…
Where in the United States can I stay overnight in a tree? Alice Massillon, OH
A few inches of fresh snow doesn’t mean it’s time to hit the treadmill. The lightweight, stride-friendly Atlas Run snowshoes will keep you running through winter ($179; atlassnowshoe.com). Atlas Run Snowshoe …
Like nearly everything Crank Brothers makes, the new Cobalt XC mountain-biking wheels are as beautiful as they are high-performance. You’ll want to wash off the mud before you even hit the finish line ($1,000; crankbrothers.com).
Ice axes are dead weight, until you need them. CAMP‘s aluminum-alloy Corsa is just seven ounces—and worth every one ($110; camp-usa.com).
The Bell Volt, featuring a removable visor, will keep you up to speed on-road or off-. Proof: Carlos Sastre won this year’s Tour de France wearing one ($175; bellbikehelmets.com).
They might be cute, but Guyot Design‘s silicone Squishy Bowls are also packable, tough, and practical ($16; guyotdesigns.com). Guyot Design Squishy Bowls …
The narrower nose and arrowhead shape of Selle San Marco‘s Mantra saddle were designed to minimize chafing ($260; sellesanmarco.com). Sella San Marco Mantra Bike Seat…
Think flash drive but with a headphone jack. Philips‘s matchbook-size 2GB GoGear player plugs right into your USB port ($50; philips.com). Philips GoGear …
Sigg‘s aluminum 100 Year Bottle is a modern update of a design from the thirties ($30; mysigg.com). Sigg 100 Year Bottle …
Your audiophile brother who spent twice as much on his home theater system as you did on your bike? Ultrasone‘s velvet-lined, seventies-inspired HFI-2200 headphones—the first cans to minimize eardrum pressure—are for him ($299; ultrasone.com). Untrasone HFI-2200 Headphones …
Whereas most midsoles take a thousand years to decompose, the biodegradable ones in Brooks‘s Trance 8 stability trainer turn into plant food in about 20 ($140; brooksrunning.com).