Apparel
ArchiveBy Stephen RegenoldIt packs to the size of a hockey puck. It weighs just 3.5 ounces, as scant as a single Clif bar. But unfurl the Leggero Jacket from Castelli and you get a significant layer to protect against inclement weather…
What is the benefit of compression clothing? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
—Stephanie Pearson writes the Gear Girl column for Outsideonline.com As a general rule, moms rule. A great way to show your love and appreciation for the woman who likely nurtured you through pimples, proms, and pre-marriage jitters is…
Oakley Inc. is known for its iconic (and often iconoclastic!) sports-oriented sunglasses, including innovative as well as simply strange frame and optics designs. Recently, I got a pair of relatively “normal” glasses from the company. Oakley's Deringer frame now serves as my “wear-everyday” prescription glasses for work and home life.
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
I'm looking for a good hiking shirt to wear this summer. I live in a country where temperatures can reach over 95 degrees. I would like something that is cool and quick-drying and will protect me from the sun. Karl Cape Town, South Africa
By Stephen Regenold It weighs about 3 ounces and packs in a tiny stuff sack smaller than a fist. But the Cirrus Pull-On from Rab can add enough warmth to save the day on a hike or a remote climb. I have kept the thin shirt, which is made of…
By Stephen Regenold It weighs about 3 ounces and packs in a tiny stuff sack smaller than a fist. But the Cirrus Pull-On from Rab can add enough warmth to save the day on a hike or a remote climb. I have kept the thin shirt, which is made of…
Most sunglass frames give me a headache. What’s your recommendation for an ultralight, ultra-comfortable frame? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
Mention the term “fleece” in an outdoors setting and people automatically think of a synthetic fabric. For 30 years, since Malden Mills created its Polarfleece fabric, high-loft “fleece” jackets made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other synthetic fibers have dominated the market. This year a New Zealand company has gone…
Mention the term “fleece” in an outdoors setting and people automatically think of a synthetic fabric. For 30 years, since Malden Mills created its Polarfleece fabric, high-loft “fleece” jackets made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and other synthetic fibers have dominated the market. This year a New Zealand company has gone…
What is your recommendation for a windproof soft shell woman's jacket with good breathability and water resistance? I will be operating Zodiacs in 20- to 40-degree weather in the Russian Far East and need a good range of movement. Thank you.LaurieGaylord, MI
By Stephen Regenold With its distinctive “three-stripes” logo, an internationally-known name brand, and connections to top athletes in almost every sport played on the planet — not to mention a global workforce of nearly 40,000 people and billions…
A man in skin-close, anatomically-contouring athletic tights is a man with his priorities in the right place. I am going to stake that claim. There are haters of the body-hugging look, no doubt. But I say vanity and self consciousness about style — decency even! — must at times be…
If you're getting ready for a spring break adventure now, you don't have a lot of time left for shopping. Here's a quick packing list that will allow you to maximize fun and minimize hot-weather maladies.—Stephanie Pearson writes the Gear Girl column for…
Is there such a thing as a bike-compatible leash? — Patricia Schneiderjohn St. Louis, Missouri
By Stephen RegenoldThey come in black and black only. They cost $188 a pair. These pants are made for men, no women's models available, and they are sewn one by one in a facility in Oregon. Thunderbolt Sportswear's…
What's the best technical soft shell? — Laura Baltimore, Maryland
Last summer, the Outdoor Industry Association, through its Eco Working Group, released a beta version of the Eco Index, a tool by which apparel and gear makers could measure the environmental impacts created by their products. The tool quickly attracted the attention of many firms…
The most painful part of winter is that few-minute stretch between shedding your down layer and getting enough blood flow going to warm up your core and appendages when you begin to exercise. Conversely, the best part of winter is when the workout is over and you can cocoon once…
I'm looking for a lightly-insulated jacket to ski in and use for general winter wear. I would love something that is waterproof, stretchy, layerable, and versatile. The big thing is, I need it to FIT. I'm a short guy (5'6") with an athletic build. Seems like whenever I try on jackets at a retailer, the sleeve cuffs are dragging on the floor. Any advice for us shorties who are in search of the magic shell? Jon Cleveland, OH
On August 9, after 28 months and more than 4,000 miles, Britain’s Ed Stafford became the first human to walk the length of the Amazon—not a place for the roughshod. Plus, 10 stylish shoes for spring.
Are there any good technical pieces for pregnant women? —The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What's a great men's down jacket that's extremely warm (waterproof would be nice) in the $250 range? I'm looking to wear this alone in the middle of winter without the need for layering. Peter New York, NY
By Stephen Regenold In the realm of the winter boot, a rare and advantageous phenomenon has come to light for women in recent years. After decades of lingering in the back alleys of fashion—and most prominently demonstrated with Deckers Outdoor Corp. and its skyrocketing Ugg…
 Our sheriff once told me stranded climbers survive longer on Mount Hood nowadays. The reason: clothing rocks. So, whether you’re out for a half-day snowshoe junket or a peak-bagging ski mountaineering tour, here’s four wardrobe ingredients to that could save your life. SAR on Hood: No place for…
Bob Marley's daughter Cedella Marley will design the Jamaican track and field team's uniforms for the 2012 Olympics in London, according to ESPN.com. Members of the team, including Usain Bolt, will wear versions of the uniforms throughout the games. Cedella Marley is a singer, author…
Yes, Outdoor Retailer is packed with 515,000 square feet of cool stuff to covet, but what’s even better about OR is that you meet the Stanford PhDs, MIT scientists, corporate execs turned entrepreneurs, and world-class athletes behind all the new innovations that make you go higher, faster, stronger, and longer…
Can you recommend a few options for sunglasses that will not fog up while running and cross-country skiing? Thank you very much!EricMilwaukee, Wi
By Stephen Regenold “Yak wool from the heart of the Himalayas.” That's the promise, and a company tag line of sorts, for Khunu USA, a Glenwood Springs, Colo., company that sells men's and women's sweaters made out of yak fur. Technically, it's wool, not fur.
I'm going on a mountaineering expedition in Peru's Cordillera Blanca next summer. Being a college student, I don't have tons of money to shell out, so what is the best hard shell jacket for the best price?BryanBoone, NC
My son has requested a soft shell jacket as a gift. He seeks something similar to his Columbia shell with internal fleece jackets (3-in-1) of his youth. I think he wants the shell and doesn't care if it zips into a liner. Your suggestions? Susan Cedar Rapids, MI
I am looking at replacing my Marmot shell after ten years of use. As was the challenge last time, I am having a hard time with fit. I am 6'3" and most sizes that fit are XL, which means I have the proper arm length; however, it is too big around the torso. The misconception is that tall is big when tall is often fit. Do you have any recommendations for a shell that will give proper fit without sacrificing performance and durability? Daniel Ottawa, Ontario
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
I've decided to go big and invest in a quality down jacket, one that I'm going to wear for the next decade. I may be using it when I'm shoveling snow, snowshoeing in the mountains, or just around town. Which jacket do you recommend? Lindsay Durango, CO
Gert Boyle, the 86-year-old leader of Columbia Sportswear, thwarted an armed robbery attempt at her home by setting off a silent alarm. After the robber held her up at gunpoint outside and then led her inside, she told him she had to turn off…
I travel a lot and freeze on airplanes. I am looking for a comfortable, classy, warm, wrinkle-free outfit. The Editors Santa Fe, NM
By Stephen Regenold With strong words and pointed language aimed at the outdoors industry, big promises on new technology, and theatrical skaters twirling amid spotlights on synthetic ice at an events center in the meatpacking district of New York City,…
Lance Armstrong’s preferred eyewear during his return to racing, the new Jawbone uses a hinged frame for easy lens changes. Small bumpers inside the tops of the frame secure the smudge-free, hydrophobic lenses without distorting them. oakley.com…
Angle away with these optical wonders. Though they’re great for wearing out and about, the Baysides sport glass lenses in a greenish tint that’s perfect for fishing streams and saltwater flats in low light, yet the polarization knocks out surface glare to reveal the water’s wily inhabitants in any…
DIAD stands for “done in a day,” but even testers who didn’t speed-climb El Cap appreciated this wispy storm shell. It’s perfect for windy summits and surprise squalls—and so light we never debated packing it. Designing a seven-ounce jacket requires cutting a few corners, which in this case means…
Sidi has long made bombproof shoes for mountain bikers and the Blaze is no exception. With two sturdy Velcro straps and a rugged plastic sole, these synthetic leather cleats will simply not succumb to trail abuse. 12 oz; www.sidiusa.com…
Cross a rubber tire with a sandal and you get this cool beast. A pull-through cord snugs each “rib” (actually made with EVA plastic foam) down like a clamp for great stability. www.mionfootwear.com…
This compact road-racing machine offers the best of both material worlds: The aluminum main frame makes for a snappy ride (and keeps the price reasonable), while the carbon seatstays, seatpost, and flat-bladed monocoque fork smooth out road chatter to keep your body fresh. The combination makes the Finest light…
Split the difference between superlight and full-featured: This packable polyester shell has a fleece-lined collar, hem drawcord, and chest pocket that doubles as a stuffsack. 5.8 oz; cloudveil.com…
Why They’re CoolThis handsome three-lens wrap may be all you’ll ever need—from above treeline to surfaces hard, soft, and man-made. » The darkest of the swap-out poly lenses are polarized gray. For less searing conditions, there’s brown. My fave is an almost-clear orange that pops details out of the murk.
VERSATILE PERFORMER “It’s super-comfortable, looks cool, and beat back steady rain for hours,” said one tester, summing up the Virtual’s virtues. In a category that has never been known for sleek style, Ground has elevated the game by creating an all-purpose storm shell you won’t mind wearing when it’s not…
Yak leather and a direct-injected outsole combine to make this shoe lightweight, yet tough for the long haul. With every stride, air is pumped through the insole to help reduce foot funk. eccousa.com…
Butter. That’s the best way to describe the feel of these socks, which blend soft merino and alpaca fibers. Wicking channels at the forefoot move moisture up to the ankle, where it evaporates more easily. dahlgrenfootwear.com…
Made of Peruvian alpaca wool, this antistink base layer is even softer than the finest merino we tested. Plus it won’t shrink in the wash like some wool base layers. powderhorn-world.com…
Need something warm enough for Wisconsin or Wyoming? Thanks to a Thinsulate lining and an inch-thick, insulated footbed, the waterproof Bota Bags are the warmest boots here. sorel.com…
Get these soft-shell pants for classic winter conditions: more cold, snowy, and windy than wet, slushy, and rainy. The Gore Windstopper fabric is tough on the outside, but has a soft fleece lining. cloudveil.com…
An angler’s dream, these high-definition, polarized amber lenses cut the glare coming off the water, plus the removable rubber side shields ensure you won’t have to worry about wind, dust, sand, or spray. costadelmar.com…
Bring this 650-fill-down puffy on your next hut trip. At just 19 ounces, it stuffs into a sack the size of a small melon. It’s cut just above the hip, which means it’s perfect for wearing with a backcountry pack. isisforwomen.com…
SIMPLE BUT VERSATILE First impression: generic name, not many features. But we decided to give it a chance thanks to its comfy fit, good looks, and the fact that it costs half as much as the most technical jackets here. Final impression: It’s a solid jacket for the money.
GOING DOWN? For speed and control on the descent, the aluminum BMC took top honors, with our riders reporting significant increases in their downhill speed, so much so that they were catching other bikers they normally wouldn’t even see. On a ripping descent of Vermont’s Cliff Trail, turns were quick,…
LIGHT BUT TOUGH Like a clever fighter capable of KO’ing guys with considerably more heft, the Thunderhead offers protection that belies its light weight. That’s because it’s cut from Gore’s best stuff, Pro Shell, with lighter, thinner (but more abrasion-resistant) material in the shoulders. The hood is beautifully designed—easy to…
Good for Backcountry Problem: Snowy lifts are cold. Solution: the Hoback. Cloudveil took a two-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell and shot it up with PrimaLoft insulation. Too toasty? Unzip the thigh vents. cloudveil.com…
EURO CORE Good for Resort The Formula is the Porsche of this test—damned pricey, just as flashy, but worth every cent. Kjus’s designers tossed in everything from an integrated balaclava to a dedicated cell-phone pocket with a keeper leash. So plentiful are the hidden accessories that…
RAIN While the ultralight, compressible Kulshan repels snow and rain as well as a fully featured rain jacket, the eVent hard-shell material, a waterproof laminate, is still miraculously breathable. Wear it when you plan to bust ass on a wet day. rei.com…
Crocs’ take on the boat shoe, the Cove has a quick-drying suede upper paired with the classic Croslite foam-like midsole. White and blue too Nantucket for you? It’s also available in brown. No socks allowed. crocs.com…
Soft ShellsWe barely noticed this five-ounce piece in our packs. But when conditions changed, we appreciated every feature, from its chest pocket to its stashable hood. The cut is just generous enough to fit over a fleece, while the DWR-coated ripstop nylon is water-resistant enough to fend off a…
Good for Backcountry The trim-fitting Lobuche is every bit as breathable and snow- and rainproof as any hard shell we’ve ever tested. But it’s got something else up its sleeves. Because glues and seams can interfere with breathability, Mammut uses electrical current to bond the Lobuche’s…
Good for Backcountry Don’t let the slim-cut vintage looks fool you; these Icelandic pants are thoroughly modern—and great for ski touring and boot-packing as well as days spent sculpting bumps. Wind-cutting Polartec Power Shield keeps you cozy and dry no matter your agenda. 66north.com…
With the sheepskin-lined Brantling, the winterized duck boot continues to evolve, but now it breathes. Waterproof leather in the upper keeps your dogs toasty but not sweaty, and rubber bumpers and layered leather provide serious durability. uggaustralia.com…
Ignore the Forecast All-purpose windbreakers like the nonstretchy Shadowland have been around for a while—and with good reason. More lined than insulated, the Shadowland is essentially what you’d get if you fused your softest, fastest-wicking base layer with your favorite wind shell. Translation: It’s a remarkably versatile and highly wind-…
Driver/Hiker Hit the highway, then hit the trail. Serengeti brings its signature superfine optics for driving into the realm of outdoor exertion with these sporty poly Polar PhD lenses in a wide wrap design that looks upmarket and uptown. Gray-tint polarized lenses showed the world sharp and bright. A big…
A snap-out chamois liner hides under a pair of stylish plaid shorts, perfect for heading from the trail to the pub. pearlizumi.com…
The beauty of this crushable, natural raffia hat: You can stuff it in an overhead bin and it won’t look worse for wear. Testers also liked the inner sweatband for its soft touch. pistildesigns.com…
GIRO‘s BLAZE GLOVES have just enough insulation to keep your fingers warm without impairing dexterity.
The folks up in Vancouver have created an Armani suit for your hands. With the dexterity of a spring glove and the warmth of a mitten (there’s a removable fleece liner), the Gore-Tex-and-leather-palmed Alpha SV is as impressive and unbelievably precise-fitting as it is pricey. Best full-gauntlet glove we’ve…