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The Cimarron might look a little aggro, but it’s virtually indestructible, thanks to its beefy molded-EVA exoskeleton and Keen’s patented toe-stubbing protection. Bonus: A full-length mesh-upper lining keeps feet secure and small pebbles out. keenfootwear.com…
The Big Easy More than 30 inches wide, with a pontoon-style hull, the open-decked Commander is the perfect stable platform for gear-intensive outings—even if that gear is a good book and a well-stocked cooler in the gaping stern tank well. As a canoe/kayak hybrid, it's not quite stable enough to…
JETBOIL‘s ultra-efficient GROUP COOKING SYSTEM has a 1.5-liter pot for melting snow.
Good for Backcountry Because both the head and shaft are made out of aluminum (with steel tips), the Corsa weighs half as much as normal axes (just 8.8 ounces). Of course, that lack of heft also makes getting purchase in blue ice more difficult. Think of it…
Yowza, this one’s thinner than Mary-Kate Olsen! To achieve a sub-one-inch cross section, Toshiba stripped the Portégé R100 down to the basics and offers a separate docking station and a readable DVD and read/write CD drive. While its competitors obsess over silvery Mac-style aluminum, Toshiba—en route to an impressive three-pound-two-ounce…
At 13 ounces, the featherweight of the bunch is for freeskiers who don’t want to feel like they’re wearing a helmet at all. Trim padding makes this a good-looking helmet for narrow faces. markerusa.com…
Good for Backcountry Along with the system of beeps, arrows, and measurements that traditional avalanche beacons produce to help you find your buried friends, the S1 also draws you an easy-to-read picture, with precise distances and locations. It’s quick on the draw, too: When you open it,…
Light and Tough The 13-foot Revolution is part of NRS's new series of urethane boats. With ample rocker and sporty tubes, the Revolution doubles as a high-performance whitewater paddle raft and, as an oar rig, a stable deck for fishing and lounging. We put the 13-footer pictured here to the…
Little Big Gun If Leica’s method is to strip a camera down to its beautifully crafted essentials (and then charge a lot for what’s left), Olympus is doing just the opposite—packing features and even a hefty interchangeable lens onto a true point-and-shoot body and then charging fairly little. That combination…
The God Bless America entry in this group, HP plays to our bigger-is-better leanings with this tote-bag equivalent of Imax. Multiple headphone jacks, Harmon Kardon speakers, BrightView widescreen, and a handheld remote (obviating the long reach from your first-class seat to the tray table) re-create the cinema experience. And because…
Julia Mancuso took hers to Olympic gold. On you, foam insulation, a honeycomb Aramid air layer, and multiple pad configurations make for a snugger (and slimmer) alter-native to the traditional bobblehead-style racing helmets. pocski.com…
Good for Backcountry It’s the tips and tails that most often give you trouble, which is why we’re loving BD’s new nylon-and-mohair skins. In addition to being a bit lighter, faster, and more packable than previous generations, this model has riveted top loops to latch cleanly onto…
Patagonia's Cotton Steersman Shirt (Inga Hendrickson) On your bod Patagonia's cotton Steersman shirt, because, seriously, technical wear for a fishing shirt? patagonia.com Fishpond San Juan Vertical Chest Pack (Courtesy of Fishpond) For day trips, Fishpond's San Juan Vertical Chest Pack fits two fly boxes and a flask—more…
Cameras haven’t been this cool since Nikon brought on the digital era in 1999 with the D1. Now it’s all about the convergence of still and motion photography. Cameras from the simplest point-and-shoots to pro-level DSLRs can now shoot HD video. So stop worrying about megapixels and figure out…
You can’t really consider a Dell a single piece of equipment. Each made-to-order notebook is like a rack of climbing protection you’ve customized for a specific big-wall route. The basic vanilla version—40GB hard drive, 1.6GHz processor, and 256MB of RAM—will get you safely up your backyard crag. When you’re ready…
What started as a utilitarian whitewater helmet has crossed over to snow sports. With alternating layers of plastic and energy-absorbing foam, the Fresh Roy is the safest helmet for the money. Wear it as is with a thin beanie or Velcro in the included fleece liner with ear…
Good for Backcountry We’ve never really liked previous integrated probe-shovel combos—they’ve been either short (the probe), cumbersome (getting it out of the shaft of the shovel), or both. The Arsenal is different. The ten-inch-wide blade and sturdy aluminum construction can move serious snow. And the seven-foot-ten-inch 240…
Most snow saws rely on puny teeth better suited for cutting crusty bread. This 14-inch (seven when folded) igloo saw uses quarter-inch shark teeth to rip through even the most consolidated snow. Use it for pit work or carving the perfect shelter blocks. Attaches easily to just about anything—ski…
This play vest takes a quantum leap forward in comfort and range of motion by splitting the bulky front flotation into two independent panels and adding neoprene shoulder straps. It’s like paddling naked—but safer. www.astralbuoyancy.com…
When you finally decide to give up the dirtbag lifestyle and finish that degree, you’ll want an M210X riding shotgun. The Ultrabright widescreen supports ideal viewing of your digital scrapbook from the life nomadic or the latest huck-doll videos from your friends still livin’ it. When homework calls, the dazzlingly…
Unlike most park-and-pipe helmets, the Mutiny has a hidden, adjustable vent system and a removable, two-position goggle clip. Remove the ear pads and wear it all spring. burton.com…
The two big things to take into consideration when choosing a kayak: the kind of water you will be paddling and for how long. Some boats, like the Emotion Comet (seen here) and the Necky Rip, are great for day trips, while some, like the Current Designs Infinity, are better…
Use this 8.5-foot electronic probe when trying to pinpoint someone beneath the snow. As you probe closer to the mark, it chirps, beeps, and, once you’re within eight inches, emits a solid tone. Used in conjunction with an avalanche beacon—BCA’s Tracker2 ($335) is a tester favorite—it should help eliminate…
Three-layer Gore-Tex, articulated arms, and neoprene-protected latex gaskets make the Rogue the most durable, breathable drytop around. www.kokatat.com…
Aimed squarely at the Gen Xbox crowd, the Sidekick looks and feels like a game controller. If you’re all thumbs, you’ll be all right with the more than 30 downloadable games from T-Mobile.com, e-mail sync, contact manager, and instant messenger. And should you find yourself locked up in a Turkish…
For those who can’t disconnect, the waterproof speakers in the Multy Lynk work with any Bluetooth-enabled device. Best application: Use the boom microphone to call for help from your cell phone. vozsports.com…
Shots in the Dark It’s no secret that Nikon’s 12.3MP D300s (an HD-video-enabled update on their popular D300) and the Canon 7D go head to head in the prosumer DSLR category, but the two companies took different tacks in their designs. The D300s favors the still photographer, with a zippy…
Snap these aluminum grabbers onto any pair of Dynafit bindings and you can ski-climb slopes up to 25 degrees before having to de-skin and boot-pack. Available in three widths (82, 92, and 100 mm). 8.3 oz; TAGS: steep slopes, security…
Priced for entry level but tuned for the long haul, the Desperado combines sturdy no-flutter carbon-reinforced nylon blades with Werner’s classic heavy-duty fiberglass oval shaft. www.wernerpaddles.com…
The original Rolodex killer will now call the office about your, um, plumbing emergency, check the online snow forecast, provide a soundtrack for your climb (via an onboard MP3 player), video your epic descent, and then e-mail your friends to brag about it. Beat that, three-by-five index card! Off the…
The Willis freestyle vest employs Astral’s split-panel design with two independent foam sections. An inner panel hugs your ribs, while the outer panel moves with your shoulders. astralbuoyancy.com…
Ansel in Your Pocket The design-conscious Germans didn’t invent the category of full-featured, full-sensor compact (that honor probably goes to Sigma, for last year’s DP2). But they do it better than anyone. The 12.2MP X1 uses a top-of-the-line CMOS sensor and a fixed 36mm f/2.8 lens of the first order,…
To cut about a half-pound out of their widest skins—they’re designed specifically for skis 110 millimeters or wider underfoot—Black Diamond has stitched a tough, waterproof nylon panel between strips of skin material. Other benefits we liked: It makes them easier to peel off and reduces a bit of drag…
This 4mm skirt features an extra flap of neoprene around the cockpit to keep you drier than the competition. www.snapdragondesign.com…
Research in Motion wraps all of the classic BlackBerry features—e-mail, Web browser, personal organizer, phone/QWERTY keypad, and more—into a sleek, palm-size package that doesn’t make you look like you’re using a butter dish to make calls. Should your trekking porters turn tail on you, odds are your worldwide-roaming BlackBerry will…
Improving on its top-of-the-line bent-shaft freestyle paddle, Adventure Technology shaved an ounce off its standard (30-degree offset) AT2 by switching to full-carbon construction. atpaddle.com…
Less Is More The war for more megapixels is over. In the G11, Canon actually drops to a 10MP sensor from the 14.7MP sensor in this camera’s predecessor, the G10. But don’t call it a retreat. No quality is lost—the new sensor presents a clearer picture, even in low light.
Depress a button and the Griz’s handle folds open. Push another and the handle lengthens to twice the length. Now you’re digging. We like how quick and easy it is. And the solid D-shaped handle. And how the big, gently serrated blade bites into rock-hard snow. 28 oz;…
With a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and neoprene-lined closures, these waterproof pants are as comfortable as your old pair of Levi’s. www.lotusdesigns.com…
When used within earshot of civilization, the iPaq bridges the gap between handheld and notebook PC. On offer: 64MB of real computing power—think miniature versions of Microsoft Excel and Word—and integrated support for wireless local area networks for lightning-fast downloads anywhere you can pick up a Wi-Fi signal. Farther afield,…
It’s not a gimmick. You really can toss WRSI’s football-themed throw bag farther and more accurately. When your buddy’s trapped in a recirculating eddy, drill him in the head. Trust us, he’ll thank you. whitewaterhelmet.com…
Giant Killer The long-awaited prosumer follow-up to last year’s GOY-winning EOS 5D Mark II, the 7D is $1,000 cheaper than that top-shelf DSLR but in many respects a better camera. While it lacks the pro version’s full-frame sensor, the 18MP 7D more than makes up for it with a responsive…
When the slope rips out beneath you, your beacon will help friends find you, but how deep you’re buried will likely determine whether you survive. The BCA Float 30 (with an insulated hydration sleeve; shovel and probe pockets; and, new for this year, a diagonal-ski-carry system) deploys a 150-liter…
Graham Bowley rehashes August 2008's tragic events on Pakistan's K2.
Because the heat of summer is upon us, we scoured the globe for the greatest sailing, fishing, paddling, diving, floating, surfing—you get the idea—trips out there. And since you can't always pop over to Indonesia, we picked a few close-to-home adventures, too.
These cutting-edge hybrid, tandem, and ultra-portable boats make it easy to hit the water.
A group of hyper-energized twenty-somethings want to form a community of the country's brightest young CEOs by skiing, kayaking, and getting tattoos together. Crazy, right? The CEOs don't think so.
Lottery fever has taken over the adventure world, which suddenly makes us miss waiting in line.
WHERE TO USE IT: Cold water and stiff currents make Washington’s San Juan Islands a serious destination for kayakers. But with good forecasts and maps from Anacortes’s Sea Kayak Shop (seakayakshop.com), they can also be the most rewarding, with frequent orca and humpback sightings. Take a lap…
“Not just different. Better.” That tester’s observation sums up this 15-degree bag from Montbell, whose major tech innovation—spiraled baffles—made it the most comfortable and best-functioning bag we tested this year. Far from a gimmick, the spiral baffles drape more evenly over the body, creating…
It's not enough to be at the forefront. In an era when everything has supposedly been done, these adventure icons ignore convention, court risk, and let their passion lead the way.
This ode to cutting loose could make you quit your job.
Kick Kennedy The dynastic brothers are gone, but up comes the next generation. Kick, 21, a senior at Stanford, has quietly built a résumé fighting for water conservation. In 2006, she joined an Imax crew filming Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk and became…
Julia Mancuso The first time we heard about Julia Mancuso, she was winning gold in the 2006 giant slalom, in Turin, after top U.S. contender Lindsey Vonn was injured in practice. The Lake Tahoe native went on to have a career-best season, but in the years that…
It’s hard to call an Olympic silver medal a defeat, but that’s what Gretchen Bleiler’s 2006 halfpipe loss to Vermont native Hannah Teter seemed like. Bleiler, the 28-year-old from Aspen, Colorado, has been the dominant woman in snowboarding for the past half-decade, but she’s entering this Olympic year as an…
BEST: SEPTEMBEROCTOBER, WHEN THE SAND IS COOL FIRST ENCOUNTER: Sun Spots I can’t tell you if we saw the sun set on the North Rim and rise on the South Rim or if the order was reversed. It doesn’t matter. What I remember is that I was seven…
Whether you’re looking for a compact point-and-shoot or a high-end SLR, we’ve selected a sharp shooter for every photographer and budget. : Sony DSC-HX1 $500 (Photograph by Shana Novak) The cake: Ten frames per second, with a 28560mm optical zoom and HD video. The icing? A sweep modefor automatically spliced,…
Putting off med school to train for the English Channel swimming record? Now that's a gap year. San Francisco-based Laurin Weisenthal, 25, who helped her Harvard swim team win an Ivy League championship and break into the NCAA's top 25, plans to make her attempt at the 25-mile, 58-degree crossing…
Whitewater's brightest stars are launching bigger drops than ever. But it'll take more than sweet photos to right this fading sport.
There's no better place to escape your own success than on a river in Texas Hill Country. Just ask Taylor Kitsch.
What kind of masochist does it take to swim alongside the man who conquered the Arctic in a Speedo? Our kind.
Times are tough, but growing and killing your own food isn't the answer.
No, you haven't met her somewhere before, and neither had we. Fletcher, a 33-year-old triathlete from Red Deer, Alberta, has spent the last five years coming up through the amateur-triathlon ranks, consistently winning her age group, and is poised to go pro in 2009. How does she practice jockeying against other hard-bodied type-A women who occasionally kick
The West’s desperate water shortage may get a year’s reprieve. Last winter’s epic snowpack—in some places the biggest since the 1960s— is fueling the best whitewater season since the invention of self-bailing rafts. The timing couldn’t be better: 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Life in Chile’s Atacama Desert is hot, dry, and tough. That is, unless you’re lying poolside at Tierra Atacama, the latest luxury hotel to open in the unlikely tourist boomtown of San Pedro. Just blocks down the street from Explora’s iconic Hotel de Larache, 32-room Tierra Atacama is run by…
How did Billy Poole, an aspiring big-mountain skier, die during his first Warren Miller shoot?
Chile’s Peel Inlet has a long history of turning back experienced explorers. Maybe what they needed was a golf umbrella, four wheels of Dutch cheese, and a better way to brew coffee.
Classic or skate? Either way you'll go fast with the latest—and best—Nordic gear.
“We wanted to take one of the gnarliest mountains in the world and make it look like your local backcountry ski area,” says Aspen-based freeskier Chris Davenport of his 22-day June expedition to 20,320-foot Mount McKinley. And they did. Along with Clark Fyans, Nick DeVore, Kirsten Kremer, and Adam Clark,…
If you’ve got a pickup, you’ve got the ultimate portable camp. Compared with a tent, it provides a less conspicuous (and more secure) shelter at the put-in, by the trailhead, and near the breakor at the rest area. Some new trucks, like the 2007 Toyota Tacoma, have notches in their…
For more than 150 years, sophisticated anglers have lusted after bamboo fly rodsspecifically, those made of Chinese Tonkin canebut they’ve always faced the same drawback: The nodes between segments, like hinges, cause weak points. Now, Colorado rod builder Bernard Ramanauskas, 36, has developed a chemical treatment that stiffens the wood’s…