Gear News
ArchiveNever worry about being stuck in the wilderness with nothing to eat again—as long as there is a healthy river nearby. Last year, Washington State-based Fikkes introduced the world’s first fishing pole/trekking pole. The contraption houses a fishing rod blank inside a hollow aluminum trekking pole. With just…
Climbers have a lot to look forward to in spring 2013. Check out the gear you’ll be taking to the crag or cliff next year in this, our first preview post leading up to the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. Gram-counting purists will be elated by…
Next spring, when you go to replace your favorite lightweight running jacket, biking shell or rainwear, there'll be a new waterproof breathable on the racks. eVent's DVL (short for Direct Venting Lite), incorporates a new membrane, pictured above, that is light and breathable and allows an imperceptible amount of air…
Therm-a-Rest made the first self inflating mattress in 1971. Sleeping in the backcountry suddenly became way more comfortable and pleasurable for most campers. Next spring, the brand, which is part of Cascade Designs, claims it will radically improve your sleep again with a new…
Ali Carr Troxell reviews Outside’s Gear of the Year-winning sunglasses, the Oakley Radar Lock.
Ali Carr Troxell reviews Outside’s Gear of the Year-winning backpack, Eddie Bauer First Ascent Alchemist 40L.
After months of torture-testing the latest crop of outdoor gear, we've compiled a list of our 14 favorite items, from the REI Igneo sleeping bag to the Blue AC1 road bike
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon 29.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Blue AC1.
Reviewing shoes used to be straightforward. Lightweight shoes were meant for racing, heavily cushioned shoes were meant for efficient runners who racked up lots of miles, and stability shoes—with a section of dense rubber under the arch, a.k.a. a medial post—were meant for people whose feet collapse inward.
There was a time when shoe companies took their bestselling road models, slapped some dark colors on them, toughened up their outsoles, made them uncomfortably stiff, and marketed them as trail shoes. And guess what. Hardly anyone bought ’em. Thank goodness that those days have finally come to an end.
From GoPros to iPhones, cameras are everywhere. But that doesn’t mean the demise of “real” cameras, as some have predicted. Instead, manufacturers have responded to the proliferation of do-everything smartphones by continuing to improve image quality while simultaneously piling on the best features that can dream up.
Where carry-ons are concerned, thin is in, and you’ll do well to avoid the wide-body rollers that can be cumbersome on smaller planes. If you’re looking for a larger bag to check, look for a balance of durability and weight: every pound off the bag means another pound of stuff you can squeeze in and still meet the 50-pound rule.
Two truths: First, we need sunglasses for protection against malign solar wavelengths that cause eyestrain, burning, itching, headaches, and much worse. (And the corollary, that inadequate protection from inferior shades is worse than nothing at all.) Second, buy up for downright delicious visuals. But don’t panic too much over price.
You may have noticed a slight absence from the blog over the last couple of weeks. That's because I was busy checking out the best winter gear from Outdoor Retailer and SIA—and writing reviews of the ten best products for winter 2013. Here…
Black Diamond's new Carbon Megawatt is light enough for touring and fat enough to float atop soft snow.
Scott's Off-Grid Goggle allow you to adjust the shape of the frame to fit your face.
Atomic and Salomon have collaborated to create a powerful alpine touring ski binding.
Sierra Designs DriDown technology, unveiled at Outdoor Retailer, allows down to retain its insulating properties even while wet.
Do you ever get tired of fiddling with your headlamp in an attempt to get just the right amount of light? You need more, but not so much that you drain your battery before your adventure is over? Now your headlamp can do that for you. Petzl,…
Outside Presents the 2012 Gear of the Show awards for OR Winter Market, including The North Face Powder Guide ABS Vest.
The outdoor industry has practically perfected technical fabrics and fillings—they breath, they keep you warm, and they defend you from rain, sleet, wind, and snow. But only recently have companies created technical clothing that inspire compliments when you're out on the town. Here's some of the apparel we'll be testing…
The Outdoor Retailer show is next week! We'll be onsite to see the latest gear for fall 2012 and we'll be handing out awards for Gear of the Show. Here are some attention grabbing early releases for backcountry skiers that just hit our…
On November 25, when most retailers were pushing their flashiest Black Friday deals, Patagonia took out a full-page ad in The New York Times urging people not to buy one of its most popular jackets. Reactions ranged from adulation to contempt. Was this a hypocritical marketing ploy or an honest call to reduce consumption?
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Canada Goose HyBridge Lite jacket
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Helly Hansen Odin Mountain jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Saucony PowerGrid Cortana running shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Salomon Quest 30 pack
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Atlas Aspect snowshoes.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Rossignol Super 7 Skis.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Volkl Nunataq skis
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Rossignol Krypto Magtek snowboard.
The new roll top Crown VC 60, $200, granitegear.com The company that gained traction on the backs of hikers on the Appalachian Trail and paddlers in the Boundary Waters is now producing packs for Navy SEALS special ops in Afghanistan and beyond.
The American Alpine Institute (AAI) is a 35-year old mountain school best know for its advanced trainings, expeditions, and exceptional instruction, as well as its committment to protecting public lands. Of course, they also know a thing or two about gear, and this summer at the…
The Brooks John Boultbee Criterion Jacket was one of our editor’s five picks for Gear of the Show at the 2011 Interbike show.
The Ibis Ripley 29er was one of our editor’s five picks for Gear of the Show at the 2011 Interbike show.
The Giro Reverb was one of our editor’s five picks for Gear of the Show at the 2011 Interbike show.
The Garmin Vector was one of our editor’s five picks for Gear of the Show at the 2011 Interbike show.
Outside's editors are excited to announce the launch of our all-new Gear of the Show awards program at this year's Interbike Show, September 14-16, in Las Vegas.
The Outdoor Retailer Show just wrapped, and as per usual, it was epic. Over the next week or so, we'll continue to highlight some of the favorite new products we saw, starting with these three. 1. Columbia Baselayer Light Shortsleeve Top: Columbia’s new Omni-Freeze ICE…
Carabiners that use magnetic forces, not springs, to open and close
A satellite-based text-messaging and tracking device
A lightweight, foldable bike that let’s you access the inaccessible
A limited-edition carbon fiber stand-up paddleboard designed by the best in ocean sailing
Buy the September Issue—on Newsstands Soon Well, a few of them, anyway—just to start off with. As part of Outdoor Retailer, taking place right now in Salt Lake City, we’re handing out certificates to the companies that made our list…
We've landed in Salt Lake City, and today we're headed to the Outdoor Retailer on-water demo, where we'll get our first glimpse of kayakas, SUPs, and all the goodies and gadgets that go with them. Then the show officially kicks off tomorrow, and here are a…
Twice a year, all the companies that make camping, climbing, hiking, paddling gear, clothes, shoes, and gadgets get together in one cement bunker in Salt Lake City to hock their wares. It's called the Outdoor Retailer Show, and it's the biggest gearapalooza in the…
These new shoes are toeing the line between trail and road runner. One reason the North Face Double Track won our 2011 Gear of the Year award.
It’s sticky sole and lightweight helped, but it was the perfect fit that won the Garmont Zenith Mid our Gear of the Year award.
Light, fast, and comfortable: Three reasons the Bolle Vortex is our Gear of the Year winning sunglass.
Four-season performance with three-season weight: Introducing our Gear of the Year winning jacket, Columbia’s Peak 2 Peak.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Deuter ACT Zero 50+15 pack.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Scott Genius LT 20 mountain bike.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Fondriest TF3 road bike.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Bollé Vortex sunglasses.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nikon D7000 camera.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Elie Strait 140 XE kayak.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the New Balance 890 running shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including The North Face Double Track running shoe.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Marmot Plasma 15 sleeping bag.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Thule TCRU-2 60 Liter Upright rolling luggage.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Apple iPad 2 tablet.
January was a fascinating month on the blog. It was full of top gear trends (spyed by our gear experts at multiple trade shows last month), interviews with all-star writers and athletes, health and fitness tips (for keeping those New Years resolutions), and, of course, advice for intrepid travelers. Check…
Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton stops by the Marmot booth at Outdoor Retailer to check out their stylish new hard shell. Outdoor Retailer: Marmot Silverton Jacket from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring …
Once Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton saw the diagram for K2's new rescue shovel, he made a bee-line for the company's booth at Outdoor Retailer. Outdoor Retailer: K2 Rescue Shovel from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring …
Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton's takes a look at K2's new ski pole, which has an inclinometer built into the handle. Outdoor Retailer: K2 Lock Jaw from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring …
This year we featured Core Concepts in our Winter Buyer's Guide. To see what cool new designs they have set for their 2012 line, we stopped by their booth at Outdoor Retailer. Outdoor Retailer: Core Concepts Apparel from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring…
You know Polartec's fabrics from many of the jackets and fleeces you wear everyday. In 2012, the company will release a proprietary new fabric that is both waterproof and highly breathable. Outdoor Retailer: Polartec Neoshell from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. — Joe Spring …
Outdoor Retailer: Smith Helmets and Goggles from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. Alicia Carr checks in with the Smith booth to see what new innovations they have planned for 2012. It turns out they have one of the coolest new technologies at Outdoor Retailer. –Joe Spring …