Everything
This holiday season we're following the birds—heading south for the winter for some snorkeling in Belize. What gear (fins, mask, snorkel) should I try to stuff in the wife's stocking before we go? Marcus Long Island, New York
Pound for pound and dollar for dollar, what is the lightest, warmest winter sleeping bag available? Brian Reno, Nevada
My husband and I will be climbing in Patagonia this Christmas. As a pre-trip, pre-holiday present, I'd like to buy him a ccorder. Can you recommend a good model, one that's compact and burly enough for a week in the outdoors? Margaret Chattanooga, Tennessee
I'm looking for recommendations on the best tropical rainforest boots and raingear (read: wet, hot, stey jungle in Costa Rica). Maurice Greenfield, Indiana
We do a reasonable amount of winter camping in both Adirondack lean-tos and in tents. Typically I use some combination of an emergency space blanket, a closed-cell pad, and an inflatable Therm-a-Rest pad. A couple years ago I had a hip replacement so padding comfort is a big factor. My question, then: Are the pricier down-filled sleeping pads like those from Exped really that much warmer? Jim Holland Patent, New York
I enjoy cross-country skiing and snow camping in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota. I would like to buy my own skis as opposed to renting. I over 250 pounds and find that many of the skis I've used have had little or no glide. It ends up feeling like I walking on plywood boards. Do I need a stiff ski? Or a wide ski? I would also be using a Berwin binding with this ski. Tim Appleton, Wisconsin
In a move to allow it to compete globally with other full-line equipment companies, Star Trac has entered into an agreement to buy the assets of long-time strength supplier Flex Fitness Inc. The announcement was made quietly public at the Athletic Business show on Nov. 12 in Orlando, Fla., relying…
I'm just starting to get back into road cycling and in the process of building a bike. One of my last items to buy is shoes, which I'm holding off on because I have a really wide foot. Are there brands that I should try or stay away from? When I last had a road bike I had some Sidi's, and I remember that they were close to torture. Ron Cincinnati, Ohio
Last winter I blew out my knee pretty badly because I couldn't read the different lines in the snow; I guess I basically bece color blind. I've heard that different lens colors are better in different conditions, but I don't know which color suits which condition (i.e., snow, fog, sun). If you could give me a hand on this that would be awesome. Devin Edmonton, Alberta
I want a pair of sunglass lenses that will take me from bright and snowy skiing conditions to sailing on the ocean and inland lakes. What is the best color for a broad array of activities, and are polarized lenses worth the extra expense over regular sunglass lenses? Laura Evans, Georgia
Telluride-based Outside correspondent Rob Story is the author of Outside Adventure Travel: Mountain Biking. When he isn’t looking for new singletrack or hitting the mountain-Story averages 50 days on the slopes per winter-he’s writing for magazines. An editor-at-large at Bike, Story has also written for Powder and Skiing. He received…
With a swell of rebel violence this past summer and a fresh attack in early November, climbers and trekkers are weighing the risks of travel to Nepal. How real is the danger?
Where can I find a decent-sized conversion pack (those backpacks with the flap that covers the hip belt and shoulder straps)? Eagle Creek's packs are too small, and they have the largest on the market, at least in the U.S. I'm looking for something between 80 and 90 liters; a panel-loader with a sleeping-bag compartment and a zip-off daypack. Bill Atlanta, Georgia
My husband and I would like to purchase snowshoes for some exercise and fun, but we have no idea where to begin. What brand, size, and so forth do we look for? Carol Frisco, Colorado
I can't find boots that allow me to do it all. What lightweight options are there that allow me to hike in on a long approach, climb with crampons, and carve home smoothly wearing a loaded pack? I suppose a good example would be something suitable for the Sierra Haute backcountry route. Pavle Redding, California
Discover the wild, sandy stretch between Sydney and Melbourne, the next idyllic beach paradise Down Under
Gear Dude, I going crazy. I'm considering buying my soon-to-be ten-year-old son a $300 mountain bike—Specialized or a Trek; he likes the Specialized. He wanted a bike with gears on it and I plan to have him do some riding with me in the future. The reasonably priced department store bikes I looked at were simply junk. Are there any other similar-quality, yet less expensive bikes in other brands that I'm missing? I don't want to drop for a $300 garage ornent. Steve Arlington, Texas
I often ski in both the east, mostly Vermont, and the west at mountains in Colorado, Utah, and sometimes California. I've heard a soft shell, specifically Mountain Hardwear's Alchemy, is perfect for out west where it's fairly warm and wind is the only real concern. I was wondering if it would also work in the east where it can get much colder, wetter, and windier. If not, would a simple waterproof shell worn over it be enough? Brett Westchester, New York
I'm giving up my old straight skis for the newer shape of skis. How do I decide what length to get, since I understand that you can drop back on length with a shaped ski. I'm an advanced intermediate with bitions to push my ability, currently skiing on 165-centimeter planks. Ann Bedford, Virginia
For an injury-free season on the slopes, limber up before you go
The Four Seasons Jackson Hole, which opened last year and is the chain’s first hotel in snow country, does everything for its guests except ski: Attendants bring complimentary heated robes and towels, hot chocolate, and s’mores to the outdoor, geothermal-style Jacuzzis and heated swimming pools. The ski concierge provides custom…
What happens when you take two people with passionately opposing views, put them on a river in the middle of nowhere, and tell them to go at it? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Christine Todd Whitman debate the issue that no one's talking about.
On a madcap lap of the planet, Ewan McGregor and his wingman, Charley Boorman, burned rubber for 20,000 bumpy miles
Having a parasite hitch a ride under your skin is bad enough. Evicting the little bugger is even worse.
Road Trips skiing road trip Snowshoe Break: on the road in Colorado High-Speed Ski Safari Why choose between Summit County’s bounty, Jackson’s steeps, Steamboat’s trees, and Big Sky’s big sky? On this nine-day, Denver-to-Bozeman Rockies odyssey, they’re all yours. Day One: Rent a car for the 90-minute drive west…
Urban pollution can undo your fitness plans. To avoid the big wheeze, check out our guide to finding the freshest outdoor oxygen in cities across the country.
Come along for a wild ride with Warren Miller, the man who invented the art of extreme-ski filmmaking. Even at 80, he can still out-rip you on any slope in the world.
How to see your stomping grounds as a concrete jungle.
I have flat feet. I find most Burton snowboarding boots are too narrow, so my feet get tired and sore very quickly. Do you have any recommendations for a good pair of boots for my flat feet? Chao New York City
I looking for some really good cold/freezing-weather cycling gear. All the gear makers have clothing that is supposed to be super warm, but which one's garments are the warmest and most affordable? I heard Pearl Izumi makes some of the best cold-weather gear. Is that true? What actual bib/tights and jacket would you suggest? Ian Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I need a pair of solid backpacking boots. Is there really that much difference between a Lowa that sells for $200 and a Hi-Tec that sells for $100? I'll be hiking on occasionally rocky, steep terrain. Pela Pickens, South Carolina
Jon Krakauer survives Everest; Sebastian Junger gets lost in the desert, Hampton Sides has a chat with Lance Armstrong; Ian Frazier profiles the world's wiliest mushroom hunter; Mark Jenkins does it The Hard Way; Tim Cahill travels with bandits; Bruce Barcott tracks a Native American artifacts smuggler, Kevin Fedarko spends…
I looking for a good pair of durable pants for hiking in cold weather (late fall to early spring). I see construction workers out in their Carharrts year round. Aren't they made of cotton? Would I be better off buying wool pants from L.L. Bean or Woolrich? Or is there a better option? Matt Albuquerque, New Mexico
I'm a woman with an athletic build. For years I have purchased and used gear for men (including ski boots and inline skates), thinking that it is better made. But is there really a performance edge in gender-specific gear? Think I can rp it up by making the switch? Diane Highland Park, New Jersey
As an all-over-the-place sleeper, I have a hard time sleeping in mummy-style bags. The stretchiness and light weight of the MontBell bags look great, but I also think I would like the NightCap feature on the Sierra Designs Flex bags, though these are much heavier. Do you think these "stretch" bags are just hype? Jeanette Tucson, Arizona
I'm planning on climbing Argentina's Aconcagua in January '05 and could do with some advice on gear, particularly what sleeping bag and boots I will need. I've been considering getting a Superlight zero-degree down bag from The North Face, to be combined with a Thermalite sleeping pad. As for boots, I'm looking at the Scarpa Freney Pro GTX. (I'd like to stay away from the plastics unless absolutely necessary, as I unlikely to get much use of them again). Do you know how suitable this proposed gear setup will be for Aconcagua? Ciaran Dublin, Ireland
On a recent backpacking trip, the igniter on my otherwise trusty Snow Peak GigaPower stove stopped working. Luckily I had a lighter as a backup, but I thought that the igniter was essentially a mechanical device and shouldn't be affected by altitude (we were cped around 10,000 feet). What gives? Bill Columbus, Ohio
What is the best road bike for under $1,500—I 70 years old and ride about 150 miles a week on secondary roads. I currently own a 15-year-old Trek. Jack Wisconsin
Can you help me, Gear Guy? I'm looking for a light, compact three-season down sleeping bag (rated between 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit). I've looked at the EMS Mountain Light 20 ($160 on sale), but I don't really know much about EMS bags. I've also been considering Feathered Friends bags, and like the idea of a foot vent. I'm a side sleeper so like to have a little extra legroom. My hope is to spend $200, but I would go higher in the pursuit of good gear. Josh Royalston, Massachusetts
My sister Teri is running her first marathon in Florence, Italy, this November, and the Adidas Twin Strike shoes I bought her for a semi-marathon four months ago have already had their day. She has flat feet, a low arch, and needs support plus extra cushioning on her forefoot. This is vital here, and I have been doing research for her because she has little knowledge of computers and the world of online resources. Help! Tina Languedoc-Roussillon, France
For the first time in history, both major presidential candidates are serious about action sports. President George W. Bush rides singletrack and runs. Senator John Kerry snowboards, windsurfs, and pedals a high-end road bike. This month, in an online exclusive, we take a look at the prospective Dudes in Chief…
I looking for a lightweight solo tent that is particularly well-suited for wet conditions. My budget extends to $150. Aaron South Shore, Kentucky
I live in the wet and mild Northwest, where I cycle to work five days a week, preferring to be in the rain than inside on a stationary bike! Here's my dilemma, though: My ass gets wet from the rain or my own sweat if I wear rain pants. I've been told by sales folk in cycle shops that most clothing manufacturers are based in places that aren't even particularly wet. How do you pedal at 15+ mph on your road bike and keep your rear end dry? Steven Portland, Oregon
A former CIA agent is on his strangest mission yet: giving Iraqi kids a scouting chance
Can extreme pleasure and adventure coexist? Yeah, baby! Hop on a bike for a long, winding tour through the gourmet sweet spots of southern France.
The thriving criminal trade in Native American archaeological artifacts always seems to be one step ahead of law enforcement. But when cops learned that a notorious Oregon antiquities collector had graduated from grave robbing to ordering up a contract murder, their macabre sting operation exposed the dark side of digging up the past.
Lately, more and more indie beers—with their mad hops and big barley—are sporting names cribbed from the lexicon of the stoked. But are the brewers of these imbibables just appropriating the cachet of adventure sports to sell a few six-packs? Or do they live and love the wild life? We…
“Fall line” has become a loaded term in the fashion world, thanks to the Vertical Catwalk, a bizarre confluence of couture and climbing that’s turning the runway on its head. The shows, set to techno, symphonies, and other tunes, send roped-in models sashaying straight down building facades. ¶ The brainchild…
Americans like to keep score. What better way to keep track of who’s good, better, and best than by casting bronze busts and collecting premium castoffs, then sticking them all in one place? Baseball may have Cooperstown, but surfing gets Lihue, Hawaii. Here’s what else you’ll find in our favorite…
The latest in waterproof shoes will surprise you—the same protective qualities you’d expect in your rugged hikers are now popping up in casual boots and even dress loafers. The result is dry-foot comfort in the face of the season’s first cold rains. Dr. Martens's Waterproof Rigger Dr. Martens’s Waterproof Rigger…
Welcome to the sneaker showdown of the 21st century. This year, industry behemoths Nike and Adidas unveiled revolutionary new designs—at diametric ends of the spectrum. It’s as if the Book of Genesis and The Origin of Species had hit stands simultaneously. » The high-tech ADIDAS 1, due out in December,…
Looking to rachet up your mojo, sans synthetics? University of Massachusetts explorer in residence Chris Kilham, 52, has spent 25 years traveling the world to study native uses of medicinal plants. Despite having zero formal training in botany, the plucky adventurer and author—known to fans of his herbal guides and…
You train almost every other part of your body, so why not your eyes? Sharpen your vision with these techniques; we guarantee your athletic performance will improve.
The Outside lifestyle is all about positive adventure and good, healthy fun—but not this month. Grab a six-pack and rev your engines as we celebrate those wild and sinful guilty pleasures we aren't supposed to like but do! Because sometimes you just gotta cut loose.
Leave it to Bhutan—the Switzerland-size Buddhist kingdom wedged between Tibet and India that’s become the pinnacle of exclusive adventure travel—to be the new home of two ultra-indulgent lodges. Opening this month, Uma Paro, owned by Como Hotels and Resorts, is a 20-room, nine-villa mountain getaway set on 38 forested acres…
Do you lie awake at night worrying that everything you know is wrong? You need what this guy is selling!
My boyfriend has paddled a couple of rivers solo and is planning a third this fall. Typically gone for a week, he tries to call me each night to give me his location and coordinates, but sometimes ends up in places that don't have cell-phone coverage. His parents and I are afraid of "sounding the alarm" too soon after not hearing from him for 24 to 48 hours. I can see him peacefully eating his granola as the cavalry rides in to save the day. Therefore, we have decided to buy him a personal locator beacon (PLB) for his birthday for peace of mind! Which one, then, do you recommend? Marisa Charlotte, North Carolina
I'm wondering what type of setup I'll need for a through-hike of the Arizona Trail. The toughest things I can envisage are the varied climatic zones and terrain, plus the issue of no water for long stretches. It sounds like I will need two or three different gear setups to execute the trip successfully. But then I only have the dinero for one. Any ideas? Todd Scottsdale, Arizona
This theoretical question was inspired by the incredible courage of Aron Ralston. In his account of his ordeal, he mentions thinking that maybe he should save his urine for possible consumption when all his water had run out. My question, then: In the event of a life-threatening situation, could one use a water filter to filter the impurities out of one's urine, thereby rendering it fit to drink? I realize this is kind of a gross question, but the theoretical alternative (dying of thirst in the wilderness) is even grosser... Bill Charlottesville, Virginia
Can you suggest a few jackets that can multitask for snow sports, short hikes, and the commute to work? I like the hard-shell feel but don't need expensive Gore-Tex; I'd like adjustable cuffs and a removable hood; I would prefer something without a powder skirt but with a zip-out style that's not parka length; I like a simple jacket in solid colors without oodles of pockets and zippers. Hope I didn't overload you. Suggestions? Jim Ann Arbor, Michigan
Is there a manufacturer of backpacks, boots, and tents (probably three separate manufacturers) that offer acceptable quality without the "post-20's mid yuppie" price tags that have made so much good equipment unaffordable? Robert Walnut Creek, California
The Olympics have inspired me to step into the ring of triathlons and I’m in desperate need of your help. I got the swimsuit and goggles, I’ve fallen in love with my running shoes, but where can I find a solid bike that’ll perform in ideal tri-conditions without sapping both my energy and my bank account? Alan Washington, DC
Help me sort out the confusing world of sports sunglasses! I've recently started biking to work every day, and I need a pair of prescription sunglasses that work for cycling and for casual wear. I'm thinking that sunglasses with interchangeable lenses (some for the trail, some for around town) are the way to go. Are there any cost-effective ways to do this for prescription wearers? And what's the deal with all these multi-colored lenses: what color lenses should I use for which conditions? Josh Boston, MA
What is the best camera for new photographers wanting to get into wildlife photography? Pela Monroe, LA
I have had a dratic increase in activity recently, going from a 10-mile round-trip bike commute to 22 miles, along with running three to four days a week and playing Ultimate Disk once or twice a week. I have been getting really sleepy at work in the afternoon and have also had a hard time mustering the energy to really sprint on the frisbee field. I have been making an effort to eat more, but was wondering if there were certain types of foods I could eat to help maintain high energy levels and speed my recovery after activities. Liz Llewellyn Minneapolis, MN
My wife keeps bugging me about getting a phone so I can keep in touch with her when I'm out backpacking for several days. Is there something light and somewhat affordable available? Peter San Carlos, CA
Oh, wise gear guru, what are the best gloves for winter hike in the Adirondacks? Lorne Brooklyn, New York
Is there such a thing as a battery-powered water-filtration system on the market? If you have ever spent long ounts of time and huge ounts of energy pumping water out of a lake or stre, you can see how carrying some small batteries to run such a system would be advantageous. Right now I use an MSR hand pump, which I just find is too labor-intensive. Carl Ellerslie, Georgia
Would you be seen dead wearing a fanny pack on a day hike? Pack makers like JanSport do model bigger backpacks with detachable waist packs, but I'm not convinced that this would do my trail cred much good. However, I after some sort of compact, light daypack that will cover me for short yomps where my load isn't all that big. Any ideas? Aaron Salt Lake City, Utah
Boy, I sick of granola and power bars. What do you, O great gear one, pack to make your days on the trail a little more delectable? Does Mrs. Gear bake you up some tasty morsels, or is there something I can pack in to make that meal at the end of the day more than just a function of ingestion? Rochelle San Francisco, California