Stephanie Pearson is a contributing editor to Outside, a 2023 National Geographic Explorer, and the author of 100 Great American Parks, published by National Geographic. Three of her Outside stories have been anthologized in The Best American Travel Writing, and she’s won numerous Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. She’s also a former travel editor at Outside.
Published
Is there a good reason to buy a women’s-specific sleeping bag?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Moving Comfort Rebound Racer Bra.
I'm a runner and a breast cancer survivor. What's the best breast-cancer-awareness-branded running gear?
How do professional triathletes negotiate international travel with three sports worth of gear?
Good news: Some cotton no longer kills. Like any good gear girl, I’ve avoided wearing cotton for outdoor activities—it’s comfortable, but when it gets wet it tends to stay that way, and wet clothing chaffes, saps body heat, and can induce hypothermia, even in mild conditions. Hence the saying. PolarMax…
I'm running a marathon this fall, and I want to bring my toddler with me while I train. What stroller should I buy?
I need a comfortable pair of multi-purpose shorts. What do you recommend?
What's the best canoe for a week-long Boundary Waters trip?
Once you’ve been waylaid by a painful blister or hypothermic toes, you’ll never again settle for a six pack of discount cotton socks. Synthetic socks can literally save a trip. I’ve had success with Dahlgren’s “Dri-Stride” technology, a system that transfers and evaporates moisture through wicking rings and channels. The…
I have too many helmets—one for mountain biking, one for skiing, and one for skateboarding. Is there any way I can simplify?
What are the top 10 women's products from Outdoor Retailer?
What new gear are you most excited to see revealed at Outdoor Retailer this weekend?
My wife and I are headed to Beijing for two weeks in September. She needs a pack for the city but can switch gears for short backpacking trips once we get home. What brand and size would you recommend?
I’ve just sworn off disposable coffee cups and need a new mug. Suggestions?
I want to learn a new skill. Do you know any fun summer (and beyond) camps?
Anything with nuts and chocolate, as far as I’m concerned. Here are my three favorites—but be warned that I use the word “energy” loosely. Halo ($1.59 per 1.7 oz bar; theprobar.com) is a new offering from the makers of ProBar. Designed more as a between-meal snack than…
I'm looking for an easy-to-use app that will help me track my exercise mileage and food intake. Got any suggestions?
Whether you’re surfing, river rafting, wakeskating, or running on the beach, the right apparel can make or break your day. Here are eight excellent watersport wardrobe options: Athleta Surfabout Halter Tankini Athleta Mix Match Surfabout Halter TankiniHorny Toad Chaka Skirt Horny Toad Chaka Skirt Athleta Mix Match Surfabout Halter…
The first thing you need to know is that the world of SPF products is tangled, and you should do a little sunscreen research on your own. As a general rule, I try to go by the Environmental Working Group’s Sunscreen Database, which ranks products on a…
I’ve been a slow convert to the barefoot-running phenomenon. What’s holding me back: jarring a body part, the cave-woman aesthetic, and my attachment to traditional running-shoe cush. But I have friends who swear by barefoot shoes and run trails in Vibram FiveFingers (vibramfivefingers.com). The benefits, they say, are that…
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lucy Power Lift Knee Pants.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Patagonia Crossover Bra.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the REI Sariska Strappy Tank.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the ZEMgear Zem Ninja Low Booties.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nau Stylus Wrap Jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Rudy Project Ability Sunglasses.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Garmin Forerunner 210 Watch.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mountain Hardwear Geist Running Cap.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lululemon The Mat.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lilypond Sundown Weekender/Gym Bag.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nuun U Tablet.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Waterbox Water Bottle.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Sole Dual Anti-Blister Socks.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'Teryx Cita Bra.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Helly Hansen Pace Singlet.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Merrell Atalaya Skirt.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nathan Trail Mix.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the The North Face Krakatoa Half Zip Hoodie.
What is the benefit of compression clothing? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What's the best tent for backpacking with my 75-pound dog who likes his space? Kelly Boulder, Colorado
What are the best travel apps? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm hiking the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland. What's the best lightweight camp stove to bring? Adrian Plymouth UK
What carry-on do you suggest for a week-long trip to New Zealand? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Most sunglass frames give me a headache. What’s your recommendation for an ultralight, ultra-comfortable frame? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What jacket do you recommend for a great backpacking experience? I am looking for something synthetic (I'm allergic to down) that stuffs into a small bag, and keeps me warm. —Austin Burlington, North Carolina
South America contains the Amazon, the Andes, 19,000 miles of coastline, and arguably more adventure than any other continent. So where to start? These ten perfect trips, from exploratory rafting in Peru to skiing in Chile to beach-hopping Brazil.
Is there such a thing as a bike-compatible leash? — Patricia Schneiderjohn St. Louis, Missouri
What's the best technical soft shell? — Laura Baltimore, Maryland
What's the best women's all-mountain snowboard? — Annie San Francisco, California
Are there any good technical pieces for pregnant women? —The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
After camping in the Florida Keys, my tent poles were seriously weathered. Are some tent poles tougher than others? —Dean Larson East Grand Forks, Michigan
My girlfriend wants a functional snow boot that will keep her warm, dry, and pretty. Help! —Dave Ostmann Chicago, Illinois
I'm new to mountain biking and can't decide whether to buy a standard 26-inch wheel or a 29er. The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Your Challenge: Choosing the right adventure in New Zealand, a place that offers the best of everything. Your Solution: Our heavily researched, carefully formulated, and totally brilliant ten-step plan.
What's the best stand-up paddleboard for a beginner? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What are the best snowshoes for deep snow? What are the best goggles for snowshoeing? Jennifer from Helena, Montana Judy from Portland, Oregon
Does any company make a cool one-piece ski suit? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
What are the best shoes for winter running? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Triathlon is one of the most gear-intensive sports there is, so try a few tris before you invest in a top-of-the line wetsuit or bike. In the meantime, here are a few great buys that will shave seconds off your time and get you amped for an Ironman. Specialized Women's…
What's the ultimate telemark setup this year? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
I'm on a tight budget. What are some quality, practical holiday gifts for my wife that won't require a second mortgage? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
What are your top three cross-country ski destinations in the U.S.? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
How much does a bad mountain bike tire affect your riding? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
I need a cool, new commuter bag. What do you recommend? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
I travel a lot and freeze on airplanes. I am looking for a comfortable, classy, warm, wrinkle-free outfit. The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Trail Cheetah Training on rocky, technical terrain? This shoe is your superstable running partner. One-pull Kevlar laces lock down tight, securing the cradle around your foot and creating lateral stability and even tension throughout for an agile feel. Cushioning is on the firm side, which we thought was just fine…
Think of your winter workout gear, like SALOMON‘s lightweight, breathable MOMENTUM II SOFTSHELL JACKET, as a vacation investment—your ticket to transcending the slop and sleet to a warmer, sunnier plane (in your head, anyway).
All-Terrain Rambler With a sticky rubber outsole, the light and flexible Tsali performs best on rolling, rocky trails. We especially loved the lacing system, which provides a snug, arch-supporting fit. And there's more than just a gender-specific last here: To accommodate a women's lighter weight, the Tsali's midsole and a…
Navigate the sunrise in real life with the USB-chargeable LED lights on SAUCONY‘s windproof PROTECTION GLOVES.
Aigle Shems – Midweight Jackets: Reviews With a soft fleece interior and warm, durable merino wool/nylon exterior, this jacket combines our favorite fabrics in one versatile top. 1.9 lbs; aigleusa.com Patagonia Pau – Footwear: Reviews (Terry Heffernan) The coolest mocs we’ve ever laid eyes…
If the temps dip into the teens, throw on a fleece-lined POLAR REVERSIBLE BUFF, an odor-resistant, two-layer tube that can be worn 12 ways.
Down Economic stimulus in the form of a 650-fill down jacket with a soft, shaggy hood and a feminine cut. llbean.com…
Pavement Pounder The Glide 2 is the Tempur-Pedic bed of the road-running world. Case in point: Soft, moldable foam conforms around your heel and the top of your foot, making this one of the most comfortable runners we've ever stepped into. It's a breezy, mesh neutral trainer with ample cushioning, ready…
The 100 percent merino-wool jersey knit in SMARTWOOL‘s moisture-wicking MICROWEIGHT TANK is so comfortable, you’ll likely have rolled out of bed in it.
Resort Roomier than most resortwear, this waterproof jacket has a brushed-polyester lining, fuzzy collar, and removable hood. patagonia.com…
Burly Day Hiker Whether for a dog walk or an eight-hour peak assault, testers came back to this shoe again and again—even if the forecast called for rain. The waterproof Gore-Tex lining in this nubuck hiker kept our feet dry but never steamy. Want something sturdier for multi-day excursions? Opt…