Accessories

Dear Gear Guy, I looking to replace my trusty Asolo AFX 535 backpacking boots after they got chewed on by marmots in the Tetons. I kid you not! I considering the Asolo Forclaz, but are there any other good leather boots out there that don't have a Gore-Tex liner? Joshua Baltimore, Maryland

Now that my children are getting bigger, our three-man tent just isn't big enough after several days on the river. Can you recommend a good family tent? I'm looking for roominess, easy setup, and something that's not too heavy. What about those tents with inflatable bottoms—do they work? Michelle Steamboat Springs, Colorado

I'm looking for the perfect 24-hour pack. I need it for my commute to work, a 25-mile bike ride plus hour's train ride, and want space to stow my laptop, pens, wallet, energy bars, cell phone, and so forth. I'd also want a hydration bladder. After work I'll either head to the local bouldering rocks, stop by the gym to pump some iron, or go on an evening hike. So for that I'll need somewhere to stash my gear, as I'd rather not transfer over the common supplies to a second pack. Greg Simi Valley, California

I getting back into backpacking and hiking after a 12-year hiatus, and I'm appalled at some people's apparent need for technology like cell phones and two-way radios out in the backcountry. Is this stuff necessary and desirable in the wilderness? Gary Denver, Colorado

I have a Yashica T4, bought new in 2001. It no longer works (not a battery problem). What should I do with it? It's a great little point-and-shoot. Hate just to toss it. Nick Santa Fe, New Mexico

Optics/Accessories

How does lap swimming compare with other aerobic workouts? Does a mile of swimming equate at all with a mile of running?

Would there be any advantage in having a small two-way radio system attached to your rock-climbing helmet? Basically so you and your partner can talk to each other easily while climbing. Tim Dunedin, New Zealand

What mountain bike can you recommend for off-road touring in East Africa? It should be robust, low maintenance, and able to carry tent, food, and the rest of the clobber I'll need on this trip. Lars Antibes, France

I'm thinking about lightening my load with a titanium cookset from MSR. But, when I'm camping where fires are allowed, I like to save fuel and cook on the fire. Can titanium take the heat? Is there any reason why I shouldn't use a titanium pot on an open fire? Karen Portland, Oregon

I'm about to go to the Alps for a ten-day snowboarding trip. What would be the best use of my time to ensure I don’t lose too much bike fitness? Rob London, England

Camping Accessories

Optics/Swim Goggles

What is the best-value hydro pack for day hikes in places like Bryce and/or the Grand Canyon? Ronald Grand Ledge, Michigan

I'm planning some two- to three-day hikes on the Ouachita Trail and would appreciate your recommendations on trekking poles. Friends tell me I should get a pair, so what's the word? Do poles really provide support or are they just one more thing to carry? Greg Denton, Texas

I'm looking to purchase a digital camera for a road trip that my girlfriend and I will be taking this summer. Apart from being able to take nice photos (five megapixels, three-power zoom), I'd like something durable as I an avid hiker and climber. Can you recommend something for no more than $300? William Rancho Cuconga, California

The insurance industry amps up with specialized policies for thrill seekers

Dr. Claudio Stampi teaches endurance sailors how to perform better on minimal sleep. The secret, he says, is learning how to power-nap.

THIS SUMMER, CLIMBERS Jared Ogden, 33, and Ryan Nelson, 25, hope to complete a new route up the 3,000-foot east face of Alaska’s Mount Barrille. Although the Durango, Colorado, residents are expecting only dry rock, they’re packing ice axes to “dry-tool” over any mirror-smooth granite pitches. Translation: They’ll use the…

LIKE HIS DAD, EVEL, 42-year-old “Kaptain” Robbie Knievel has a thing for hucking…well, just about anything. A veteran of more than 250 professional motorcycle jumps and twenty-something broken bones, he’s cleared the fountains at Caesars Palace, a 231-foot section of the Grand Canyon, and, for a 2003 Dawn dishwashing-soap commercial,…

This exotic archipelago used to be the sole domain of Darwin fanatics. Not anymore.

James Dean, Liz Taylor, and Rock Hudson had a "Giant" time in this high-desert corner of Texas—and so have generations of on-the-road seekers and, more recently, art-world hipsters. Whether you roll on down to the Rio Grande or stick around town, Marfa is the perfect place to shake off winter and look good doing it.

Four young climbers hit the road in search of big rock, girl power, and a heavenly interlude of physical bliss

Footloose Scots will tell you there's no such thing as trespassing in the Highlands. And no one is more passionate about possessing these craggy, heather-painted mountains than the "compleaters" who summit the Munros—all 284 of them.

What's the fastest way to bring power and stamina to your sport? Start moving very, very slowly. (No, even slower than that.)

Two guys, ten days, 500 miles by bike through gorgeous Norway. The only rule? No suffering.

Earth-friendly cool is everywhere, from Hollywood and innovative building design to hybrid cars and candy bars. You live, breathe, and play green already—so why not come full circle by bringing it all back home?

When an avalanche killed an out-of-bounds snowboarder in Utah, many assumed he was a reckless novice. The scary truth? Experts make most of the lethal mistakes.

IF YOU THOUGHT PAUL GIAMATTI’S CHARACTER in Sideways was obsessed, consider the growing cult of American oenophiles for whom only ultranatural “biodynamic” wine will do. Biodynamic Wine Vintners producing this exalted juice concoct compost by burying cow dung packed in cow horns in the fall, unearthing them in…

Water Bottles/Hydration Systems/Accessories

Footwear

I currently running but I also want the ability to hop on a bike and keep up. How hard is it to switch between biking and running? Phillip Escondido, California

I'm going on a two-month trip to Micronesia, where I'll be taking weeklong trips away from the main islands to some outer islands. I'm after a suitable daypack that can withstand the salt-spray environment. We don't need tents or sleeping bags as we will be in thatched huts, but still want ple storage for food, water, fishing gear, and the like. Christian Mishawaka, Indiana

What kind of headlp is better for hiking in the dark: LED or halogen? Are lights that combine both LED and halogen bulbs worth buying? Art Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I'd like to do some lightweight backpacking without a tent. What type of sleeping system/setup would you recommend to keep me warm and dry? Matt Orem, Utah

Earphones / Adventure Electronics

What gear is required for heli-skiing? What works best, from a pack to shovel and survival equipment? Colton Chaska, Minnesota

I buying my first mountain bike and trying to decide between a couple of bikes and bike shops. Is it true you should pick your bike shop first and then the bike? I trying to decide between the Trek 4500 WSD and the Gary Fisher Marlin. I like the 4500's women-specific fre, but the Marlin has disc brakes (should I have those?). Also I liked the staff at the shop that had the Marlin better. Laura Napa, California

Can lifting weights help someone who is trying to lose weight? If so, how? A.N. Chicago, Illinois

I've looked for a year now to find a sturdy watch for my smokejumper. Money isn't the object. I'm looking for simplicity in functions: time, waterproofness, stopwatch (and, made in this decade!). A date display is OK, too. Sounds easier to find than it is, so I come to you. Kary Boise, Idaho

What kinds of tents are there other than freestanding, and what is the difference between them all? I keep hearing "freestanding tent" and I don't know what that means, much less what the other kinds are. Charlie Easley, South Carolina

I blew out a pair of much-loved, ten-year-old Asolo AFX 530 boots this past weekend. While hiking, the soles fell off and upon inspection I found dry rot. Contacted the company and they explained that there was something wrong with the engineering of that boot, so they offered to replace it at wholesale cost. I love hiking (schlepping about 40-pound loads) but finding that I'm not hiking the strenuous trails as much as I'd hoped to. Should I switch brands or look for a more moderate boot? Is the wholesale cost replacement a fair deal? Jack Nashville, Tennessee

What's the best excuse to keep my wife from borrowing my expensive backpacking tent when she takes a group of teenagers to a four-day music festival this summer? Nick Maryville, Missouri

I'm seeking a recommendation for backpacking boots that will provide support when carrying 60- to 80-pound loads in backcountry conditions. I'm after something that is not completely stiff like a mountaineering boot, but that promises comfort on multi-day trips, is waterproof, and is stiff enough to support strap-on crampons. Gary Seattle, Washington

I just moved to Paris and want to buy a road bicycle. Do you know of any good brands in Europe? Megan Paris, France

Gear Wizard, what's the best backpacking water filter on the market these days? If reliability, ease of use, speed, and size trump price, what's the best? Josh Denver, Colorado

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I love working out, but not in a gym. Is there anything I can do to tone up and better define my muscles without stepping foot inside one? I currently run, bike, swim, and do yoga. Mary Kay Reston, VA

I'm a news photographer headed to Iraq this summer. I need some long pants (for protection), but they need to be very light, breathable, and quick-drying. Further, good-sized cargo pockets and belt loops that will allow me to wear a sturdy belt would be helpful. I can't seem to find a good combination of the above. J. Lee Washington, D.C.

What is the best camping stove to take while trekking in Patagonia? I'm thinking in particular about size, fuel, and reliability. Glenn Melbourne, Australia

Do you think The North Face Pivotal Suspension Pack is worth the extra weight? Ryan Leawood, Kansas

This 37,280-square-mile archipelago gave birth to one of nature's most revolutionary theories. Best part is, hardly anything's changed since Darwin's time on these volcanic isles... except their popularity.

Read “Babes on Belay” in the April issue of Outside, including an exclusive Exposure photo gallery of cover girl Sara Carlson, then look through the lens of featured North Conway, New Hampshire-climber Anne Skidmore in our exclusive online photo gallery. Here, see Skidmore, Sheyna Button, Sarah Garlick, Janet Bergman,…

If elliptical machines and treadmills supposedly give you the se workout, why can I "run" on an elliptical machine for 45 minutes with no trouble when I struggle to run 10 minutes on a treadmill? Seth Mountain View, CA

Which is better, an insulated inflatable sleeping pad (such as the Big Agnes Insulated Air Core) or a self-inflating pad? I want to pack light, but I also want something durable and warm enough for three-season camping. Rick St. Louis, Missouri

I'm taking a trip to Moab in the spring, so I in the market for a one- or two-person three-season tent, around five pounds or so. I’m surprised by the number of tents comprised mostly of micro-mesh, like the MSR Hubba Hubba. As nice and ventilated as these tents are, I can't see them being well situated for use in a dusty, dry climate like Moab’s. I’ve also looked at Mountain Hardwear’s Hmerhead 2, which looks to have lots of ventilation, plus the ability to seal out dirt and dust. Is micro-mesh better at keeping dust and dirt out than one would think, or can you recommend some other tents to look at? Heather Dallas, Texas

Are there hiking boots or shoes for the occasional hiker that do not require a break-in period? John Phoenix, Arizona

I plan to carry an ice ax on my Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) trek through the Sierras this summer. Where can I find a tutorial or other guidance on the proper use of the ax? Robert Tehachapi, California

No one denies that our 50th state is Paradise, USA. But anyone who's ever been to this lush chain knows a simple truth: Not all the islands are created equal. So which is best? Welcome to the Great Hawaiian Island-Off. Read on, and pick your perfection.

Let Cancún have the crowds. Four spots that lend style to spring debauchery.

Wherever you're going, today's digital audio players have the memory and muscle to keep the tunes coming

Boom-shaka-laka: Explore the old-school landscape of retro runners and seventies sneakers cool enough to take you back to the future

Tour or no, Lance sets out to prove he's still the man to beat

FOR TODAY’S SURFERS, knowing where the planet’s best waves are hitting is as easy as tapping the Web for weather and buoy data. The challenge is getting there before the swell subsides. Enter surfwear mega-labels Billabong and Quiksilver, which are sponsoring the ultimate rapid-transit system for their pros: 1950s-era Grumman…

Sore and suffering after a long day? Flush away the pain and restore your mojo with these eight feel-better tools.

How best to describe Jack Johnson? Surfer? Filmmaker? Multi-platinum rock star? How about the luckiest friggin’ guy on the planet? Raised on Oahu’s fabled North Shore, Johnson, 29, began competing in pro surfing events in 1992, at age 17. He quit to study filmmaking at UC Santa Barbara, and his…

Michael Crichton debunks global warming in his latest thriller. Bill McKibben says the book's bunk.

Will Dirk Pitt's creator sink the fictional adventurer's Hollywood career?

An 812-mile effort to revive the spirit, if not the tactics, of the West's most notorious monkey-wrencher

While carbon fiber and titanium are today’s much-hyped materials of choice for everything from sunglasses to F1 race cars, bamboo is emerging as nature’s own sustainable performance material. The supergrass is nearly as strong as steel and can be woven as soft as silk for one-twentieth the cost. It also…

HARDY IF NOT HEFTY, the 125cc, two-stroke, Soviet-era Minsk motorcycle is the vehicle of choice on the intermittently paved roads between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Put one to the test on this 18-day Easy Rider–meets–The Motorcycle Diaries tour, which parallels the route of the historic 1,500-mile…

Flush with tech-boom cash and answering to no one, 'Alpinist' chronicles the exploits of a loosely aligned group of climbers known as the Brotherhood, who devote themselves to difficult routes, minimal gear, and big-time pain and suffering. Are these guys just a holier-than-thou elite—or the salvation of mountaineering?

For regular guys, slam-dunking seems like an impossible dream. But the quest to soar is a fitness jackpot.

The catastrophic Christmas tsunami hit Thailand's climbing meccas hard. Railae Beach resident SAM LIGHTNER JR. reports on the nightmares and miracles of the aftermath—and on the Thais and expats rebuilding their slice of paradise.

It's steamy! It's seminude! It's Scandinavian! It's Finland's Sauna World Championships—and it's totally uncool.

With an anti-environmental backlash inflicting one defeat after another on conservationists, a band of maverick economists is riding to the rescue with a startling revelation about the true value of our natural resources: Follow the money, and you end up in a very green place.

I going to a three-day concert and will be sleeping in a tent. I have heard stories of people breaking into tents, so how can I protect mine from burglars? Are there lockable tents that are stab-proof? Chase Oxford, Georgia

I going on a backpacking trip in mid-March to Buckskin Gulch, which is a slot canyon on the Utah-Arizona border. What type of footwear do I need? Zach Littleton, Colorado

What is the best handheld GPS on the market for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing? Harlan Olympia, Washington