Everything
LEFT: From left, Maui surfer Victoria Praver wears a bikini ($78) by OAKLEY and halter top ($42) by JET. Hawaii surf-film maker Mike McClellan wears boardshorts ($54) by RIP CURL and shirt ($60) by POLO JEANS CO. RALPH LAUREN. On Blake, boardshorts ($45) by PATAGONIA. On Ryan, boardshorts ($56) by…
Three months of pure freedom. You're loving it—and we are, too. From big water to big walls, from oyster stands to dune shacks, fifty-one sunny ways to dive in when the mercury rises.
Embrace the summer sun with an intelligent skin-protection strategy
A shamelessly hedonistic celebration of the movies that feed our fantasies, explore the DNA of adventure and wild fun, and nourish our rambling, freewheeling, risk-loving souls
Protect your baby blues with sunglasses designed for a summer's worth of action and adventure
Climb aboard for the ultimate ride with the ultimate boat buddy: Martin Litton, the Colorado River legend and conservation warrior who, as much as any other single person, shaped the Grand Canyon float trip into an American classic
In the name of science, a veteran skier braves darkness, claustrophobia, and deadly cold to find out what it's like to be trapped under the snow
Is it more effective to run and then lift or to lift first? I keep hearing different answers. Jenn Doantelli Mahwah, New Jersey
While camping near Havasu Falls, a rock fell from the side of the canyon, shattered, and bounced through my tent fly and the tent itself (and then bounced out), putting an eight-inch tear in each. My sleeping sister and I fortunately both escaped unharmed! Can the tent be repaired or shall I take my friends advice and frame it—and go buy a new one? If repaired, will the fly ever be truly waterproof? Meg Covington, Kentucky
I'm heading out on an extended canoe trip and I'm not really looking forward to jumping into freezing cold water to wash. Can you recommend a good solar shower? Space and weight are a major issue. Tim New Jersey
I'll be on a 28-day outdoor survival course in southern Utah shortly and I looking for a pair of light, quick-drying shoes that can last over 500 miles of rough terrain and provide good traction. My current choice is a pair of Salomon XA Raid 3D's, but I'm having second thoughts as the ordeal approaches. Pierre Ardeche, France
I looking to buy Patagonia's Ready Mix as my first soft shell. What's your opinion on this shell? Will it repel light to moderate rain showers as advertised? Dan Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Do you have a solution for sweat getting in your eyes while hiking? I have tried wearing a visor but I like to get sun on my face. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
The makers of adventure gear and apparel had utility dialed long ago. Now R&D types are zeroing in on style.
What are the best parka and boots for Aconcagua? Eugenia Sunnyvale, California
What's the best way to train for getting in and out of clipless bike pedals? New to the road bike, I'm also living in a chaotic city and terrified of falls. Thanks a million!
This summer I'm taking my family of five to Alaska for three weeks of mostly car camping. Is there any way I can sufficiently clean my Coleman two-burner Powermax stove to fly with it? Is it easier to clean/travel with a propane canister stove? Is it worth trying to cook for the family with my two-burner expedition Powermax backpacking stove? Rayne Metairie, Louisiana
I recently bought a pair of Vasque Zephyr boots (not the Gore-Tex model) from an outdoor store, but the boot salesman was, shall we say, underwhelming. They were very comfortable, but I think he might have overestimated the weight limit on them. I regularly backpack with 40-pound loads. How do you think these boots will hold up? Frank Wayland, Iowa
What does the Gear Guy think about a hammock tent, such as the Hennessy, for New England summer solo camping? Rob Cambridge, Massachusetts
I want to get a six pack within a week and keep it there. Is it possible? If so then how?
I planning a week-long sea-kayaking trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands, so I need a paddling jacket that ideally could double as raingear around cp. Most jackets I have tried are clmy and hot. Does such a beast exist in Gore-Tex or some such "breathable" cloth? Tim Toronto, Ontario
Please explain flashlights to me. Bigger used to mean brighter but heavier, though all were mechanically pretty much the se. Nowadays you have candlepower, lumens, watts; LED, xenon, and krypton bulbs; plastic to aircraft-grade aluminum materials... How do you compare them? Jon Hunt Centreville, Virginia
I'll be camping in Yosemite this summer and curious about bear-proof canisters. Any reviews or suggestions on what to buy? Stuart Houston, Texas
My girlfriend and I would like to purchase kayaks, but I have no clue where to start. I want to get into some whitewater, she is more interested in backwater touring. Is there a boat out there that can mesh our interests? Brian Gainesville, Florida
Help me, Obi-Wan-Gear-Nobi! My three-year-old Zberlan GT's tore me a new one (heel blister, that is) while hiking the Ouachita Trail this weekend. I haven't worn them since a canoe trip last summer when they got waterlogged during most portages. Question: After serious saturation do boots need to be broken in again? What would cause my friendly Zberlans to turn on me? Yours, Blistered in Dallas. Greg Dallas, Texas
Trophy trought and salmon are only part of the catch at these luxe western lodges.
If you want to chase tornadoes and the thunderheads that spawn them, you need adventure-tested tech and gear that can weather any tempest
With "the death of environmentalism" being debated across the land—and with the mainstream movement under siege from without and within—it's time to meet the winning side in America's new green wars. Here they come, ready or not: the 20 most powerful voices leading the environmental counterrevolution.
ADDED SUGARS—the myriad sweeteners that sneak into everything from ice cream to salad dressing—pile up in the diet of the average American to the tune of more than 95 pounds a year. And that’s not counting the naturally occurring sugars in things like fruit and milk. Without taking sides in…
Think outside the cubicle. Ditch your desk and soak up the sun courtesy of the nation's best alfresco Wi-Fi unplug-ins.
If you decide to drop out and start surfing full-time, there's no place like Mexico's Pacific coast. When Peter Heller heads south and signs on with a tough-as-nails board guru, he discovers a wave-riding scene of world-class barrels, hard-grooving kids, and guardian angels.
For the U.S. military, there are no priorities higher than troop readiness and efficiency of field medical treatment. A remarkable new tool for improving both could be new combat T-shirts that allow commanders and medics to assess soldiers’ fit-to-fight status and perform rapid triage miles from the fray. The lightweight,…
A determined cadre of femme filmmakers launches skateboarding's next revolution
Got the whole make-fitness-fun thing? Now let's talk about that mortal coil of yours. You think you know it, but you don't know Jack.
Andrew McLean is a shaggy-haired, left-brained industrial designer whose inventions are revolutionizing the world of adventure skiing. He's also found the perfect guinea pig to take his gear to outrageous new heights: himself.
For the relentlessly adventurous, learning the deeper lessons of injury starts with a tough rule: You break it, you own it.
Fit should be synonymous with fun. So stop working out and start acting like a kid again. With help from fitness experts, pro athletes, and groundbreaking coaches, we'll show you how playing your favorite games leads to a lifetime of high-energy health.
What reasonably priced, lightweight two-person tent would you recommend for backpacking on the AT? We usually hike during the off-peak months and rely heavily on the shelters, but this year we will be hiking during the peak season. Chris Anderson, Indiana
Many high-tech products from jackets to sleeping bags ask that they be washed in a "mild soap." Some say a "pure soap." But none ever give an explanation of what that means, nor a recommendation of any actual brands or nes. Can you share some wisdom? Tad Urumqi, China
I'm going to the Amazon and Machu Picchu in June. What pack would you recommend to carry cameras, binocs, books, and other personal items while sightseeing? John Santa Fe, New Mexico
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
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
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
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