Gear
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Many sunglasses are designed for specific sports. How can I buy a pair that works in all different conditions?
Field testing gear in real-world conditions is the only way to know which pieces are exceptional and which are run of the mill. So, immediately after the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt lake City wrapped, I hopped on a plane bound for Anchorage, Alaska, with Helly Hansen,…
Two design students spent seven years crafting a new cycling safety device that's been dubbed the invisible bike helmet. They raised $10 million and spent years studying crash data in order to make their dream a reality. I won't ruin the surprise. Watch the video above to see the result…
Mountain bikers tend to get short shrift when it comes to high-quality apparel, especially shorts. While many companies make solid outers, the accompanying chamois is often thin and insufficient. We used to lament baggies that don't ship with pads but have recently changed our tune: Not only are they cheaper…
I like barefoot and minimalist running shoes, but the ones I’ve tried feel too constrictive. What’s the very least I can get away with?
I'm going on a long backpacking trip and am looking for a good, healthy snack that won't weigh down my pack or my stomach.
We’ve already published a couple of reviews from Andrew Forsthoefel, our gear tester who is walking all the way from his home in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, to the West Coast. Andrew has now made it past Santa Fe—a full 2,400 miles from his starting point. He’s walked the equivalent of…
I’ve been back in the high desert for a week, and I’ve still got water on the brain. All last month at Stony Lake, my two daughters and I went everywhere by boat: our family’s old beat-up Boston Whaler, my mother’s 1957 cedar strip canoe, and her spiffy new…
Bug spray seems messy and outdated. Do the apps for Android phones and iPhones really work? What about bug-repellent clothing?
Unlike with road jerseys, where trim and minimal is ideal, mountain biking tops are generally looser and burlier, for coping with errant branches and the occasional trip over the bars. There's a lot more variety in styles and applications as well, so gear up according to your locale, needs, and…
There are more iPhone accessories on the market than we can count, but we've weeded through some of the newest ones and found three that you'll want to add to your quiver. KOGETO DOT Do you wish you had seen the backside view on your last sky dive? The…
The annual Outdoor Retailer Summer Market wrapped up yesterday in Salt Lake City, and Raising Rippers prowled the aisles to find the best new adventure gear for active families and kids. Here are six wow-worthy goodies. BURLEY MYKICKThe company that made its name making bike trailers is launching its…
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Old Town Heron Junior Kayak.
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Fjallraven Kajka.
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the New Balance Minimus Hi-Rez.
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Columbia Omni-Freeze ZERO Freeze Degree Short Sleeve Crew.
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Pieps Global Finder.
What’s the best way to haul water when running long distances?
There are probably very few cycling ideas that seem more suited for the scrapheap than a cardboard bike. Naysayers told designer Izhar Gafni of Israel to forget about such a dream. He took their incredulous responses and used them as motivation to craft a bike that is strong and durable…
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Nemo Spoon Series Sleeping Bag.
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Big Agnes Fishhook SL 2 Tent.
Outside reviews the the best gear of Outdoor Retailer, including the Petzl Sirocco helmet.
I’m looking to step up to a better personal flotation device (PFD) for whitewater. What are the big differences between models?
Sitting for three or more hours a day can take years off of your life. When you're active, you won't lose years, but an occasional bump, bruise or sprain can keep you off your bike, out of your running shoes or off the slopes.
In 2002, Philip Curry, the designer behind Patagonia's now-discontinued Lotus line of lifejackets, decided to get back into the PFD business. He founded Astral Buoyancy to create the highest-quality product possible with cutting-edge design and the least environmental impact.
In 2002, Philip Curry, the designer behind Patagonia's now-discontinued Lotus line of lifejackets, decided to get back into the PFD business. He founded Astral Buoyancy to create the highest-quality product possible with cutting-edge design…
Whether you’re catching a wave, splashing in the nearest stream, or chilling at the beach, if you’re a Patagonia fan, you’ll soon have eight new styles of board shorts in 45 different color combinations to wear for the occasion
The best way to beat record high temperatures: spend as much time in the water as possible. Here are a few items to be showcased at the Outdoor Retailer show meant to help enhance your ocean experience.
Your body is 98 percent water. Keep your cells happy and hydrated with these new water-replenishing packs for cyclists and runners that will debut at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City.
Never worry about being stuck in the wilderness with nothing to eat again—as long as there is a healthy river nearby
Your body is 98 percent water. Keep your cells happy and hydrated with these new water-replenishing packs for cyclists and runners that will debut at the Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City. GEIGERRIG BIKE RIG Geigerrig Hydration Packs made a splash last year with the introduction of their air pressure-powered…
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.
I'm gearing up for an upcoming trip to the Himalayas, but my family isn’t so psyched for me to go. Should I invest in a satellite phone?
The latest gadgets collect reams of training data. Here are the metrics that matter.
The latest addition to Metolius's SafeTech line, the Patriot is a lightweight, minimalist harness that weighs in at just 14 oz.
The best way to beat record high temperatures: spend as much time in the water as possible. Here are a few items to be showcased at the Outdoor Retailer show meant to help enhance your ocean experience. BELLYAK FREQUENCY A speedy rotomolded plastic bodyboat designed for joyriding rivers, oceans…
I've heard conflicting things about synthetics and their ability to keep me cool. What should I wear while running in this brutal heat?
Pushing the new Genius hard in Sun Valley, Idaho. We've been saying for awhile that one of the big stories in cycling for 2013 will be the rise of the 650B wheel in mountain bikes. Of course this 'tweener wheel size that splits the difference between…
Whether you’re catching a wave, splashing in the nearest stream, or chilling at the beach, if you’re a Patagonia fan, you’ll soon have eight new styles of board shorts in 45 different color combinations to wear for the occasion. Athlete-approved from the barrels of Hawaii to the…
This year's Tour de France has been anemic, at best. I mean, the most fascinating story line was the rivalry between Sky's leader Bradley Wiggins and his first lieutenant—and likely the stronger rider—Chris Froome, and in the end it was a drama…
Wiggins has been road testing the new Shimano Dura-Ace 9000—seems to work okay. Photo. Cor Vos One of the best things about this year's Tour has been all the new toys the teams have been showing off. But while $10,000 bikes are great eye candy, given…
I heard about the BioLite stove, which supposedly makes electricity from wood. Does it work?
Light-is-right fanatics take heed: don’t bother cutting the handle off of your toothbrush just yet. If you’re going on a multi-day trip, look to your sleeping system to shave some serious weight. After 2,700 miles on the road, our cross-country walking tester Andrew Forsthoefel gave us the scoop on his…
This summer in London, Trek will debut the lightest mountain-bike frame ever built.
London is being called the Twitter Olympics—there were more Olympics-related tweets on one day in May than there were during the entire Beijing Games. Here are the Twitter accounts, sites, and apps that matter.
From magic coatings that repel water to wired ski poles, these are the four innovations of tomorrow
This September, Specialized Bicycles will release a limited edition Source Two WBR. It’s not a bike for winning high speed road races or for hurling yourself down rocky outcroppings. It’s a metro-styled urban cruiser that won a host of design awards in Europe last year. But the best thing…
Can I transform my smartphone into a more functional piece of gear?
Never 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…
You are, no doubt, already familiar with the mini power plants known as camp stoves. The ReadySet is a different kind of mobile energy source that generates and stores electrical power generated by the sun or pedal power. While it wasn't originally designed for outdoor recreation, it…
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…
It's easy to make a road jersey: Just tack on three pockets and a zipper to a t-shirt, and presto. It's not easy to make a good road jersey. A good jersey has to hang right in a drop position, compress but not constrict, hold plenty of gear in back…
I'm in the market for a new cell phone that will stand up to some rugged adventuring. Is it possible to find a device that will replace my GPS unit?
Put some wheels on this thing and you've got your ideal adventure home
Alberto Rosselli's Expandable Living Container. Photo: SHFT on Facebook In May of 1972, MOMA put on a five-month show highlighting some of the world's best new mobile environments. It was called “ITALY: THE NEW DOMESTIC LANDSCAPE” and featured a…
You could wear any old pair of glasses to ride in, but more likely than not they'll fog up, get spattered with sweat, pinch uncomfortably beneath your helmet, and, when it's all through, your eyes will likely sting anyway. I'm ambivalent about how expensive sunglasses have gotten (all cycling gear…
The folks at 718 Cyclery in Brooklyn, New York, offer the ultimate lesson in bike maintenance. They will teach you how to build your dream bike. Everything starts with an initial meeting at the shop where the customer lays out what they want and how…
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…
You don't need to spend a fortune to get a solid road bike. Aaron Gulley picks out the best inexpensive models for your next group ride.
A titanium bike with swooping lines and parallel triangles for added flex and greater shock absorption.
Since 2011, when Specialized unveiled its Epic 29er, which became the benchmark for cross-country 29ers by notching the first big-wheeled wins on the World Cup circuit, the other major brands have been playing catch-up. To that end, this year has been a good one for consumers with the launch of…
The Nikon Monarch 8x42 is the best buy for glassing birds, fireworks, or the people in the building across the street
A running monitor that turns any workout into a game and collects information on your every move
The perfect riding jacket is tiny enough to tuck into a jersey pocket, but it's also able to stave off a chill on ripping descents or when clouds unexpectedly obscure the sun. Louis Garneau's Super Lite Jacket is not only packable but light as air…
Races like the Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash are exploding in popularity. We asked two of the sport's top athletes about the gear that helps them get onto the podium.
I am looking for a reasonably priced heart rate monitor/watch that tracks calories burned. It should also be able survive water sports, like stand-up paddling, swimming, and flatwater kayaking.
It’s summer, and time to run. What are some good trail runners for warm summer days?
At this week's first keynote at Google I/O 2012, Sergey Brin unveiled a live adventure-packed demo of Project Glass. J.T. Holmes and crew wingsuited out of a plane, pulled their chutes, and…
The ShedRain WindJammer is the best umbrella for your money
You asked for affordable rides, we listened. Aaron Gulley reviews the best mountain bikes for value-minded buyers.
Since Cadel Evans won the 2011 Tour de France, BMC has unveiled a pair of pro-level bikes, including the classics-oriented GrandFondo GF01 and a yet-to-be-publicized TMR01 aero bike. And while those bikes—in addition…
We're going for an epic, cross-country road trip. Weight isn’t an issue, so we're excited to load up on gear that we normally wouldn't have in the backcountry. What are three pieces of gear that you think really make for a great car-camping trip?
Last week in Park City, Utah, two dozen bike manufacturers rolled out their 2013 product lines to a handful of journalists. We already showed you a smattering of the coolest bikes, but there were even more interesting accessories. There were no quantifiable trends—sure, lighter, faster, and stronger,…
Outside reviews the best triathlon gear of 2012, including the Felt B12 triathlon bike.
This week, on the unseasonably dry slopes of Park City, Utah, two dozen bike manufacturers rolled out their 2013 product lines to a handful of journalists. The biggest talk in bikes was of 650B, the (re)new(ed) ‘tweener wheel size—it’s approximately halfway between a 26 and a 29—that’s set to flood…
I'm ready to start paddling more seriously. What boat should I buy?
Outside reviews the best adventure gear for man’s best friend.
Bid to win this S.I.R. 9 IMBA edition and support trail advocacy with your entry. Yesterday at Bike Press Camp in Park City, Utah, Niner Bikes launched a fully revised edition of it's venerable S.I.R. 9 mountain bike. That's Steel Is Real for you acronym-impaired. This…
I'm upping my distance, but every additional mile seems to make it harder to bounce back. What tools will help speed my recovery from a hard run?