Gear
ArchiveWiggins 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…
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.
This summer in London, Trek will debut the lightest mountain-bike frame ever built.
From magic coatings that repel water to wired ski poles, these are the four innovations of tomorrow
Can I transform my smartphone into a more functional piece of gear?
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…
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…
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?
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…
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…
Put some wheels on this thing and you've got your ideal adventure home
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 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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
It’s summer, and time to run. What are some good trail runners for warm summer days?
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?
There are dozens of hydration packs out there. Which ones are best for specific activities, such as mountain biking, running marathons, or a weekend hike?
Outside picks the best woodsy sunglasses of July 2012, including Oakley Jupiter Squared.
I'm in the market for a small, light backpacking tent that won't break the bank.
I’ve already sung the praises of digital distractions—in moderation—when traveling with young children. But even the best kids’ apps are useless if your toddler keeps pushing the home button and navigating away. Not only is it annoying, but it’s also dangerous for your data. The last thing…
This past Sunday I forewent a gorgeous afternoon in the sun, opting for the headquarters of frog, a global innovation firm (they design/re-design products and experiences for major companies). Frog and LRN, a consultancy, were hosting a weekend “hackathon.” Unless you're a computer programmer…
I bike a lot. Between my sweat and the sun, I wonder—how long does a helmet last? Is there something I can do to extend its life? If it is time for a new lid, what do I buy?
Up this week in our series of head-to-head reviews are helmets. With more and more manufacturers jumping into the head-protection fray, the options are enormous and often overwhelming. And with top models going for $250 and up, it's easy to wonder whether you need to spend a…
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…
In October 2011, Andrew Forsthoefel walked out of his back door in Pennsylvania and started walking west, taking only what he could carry on his back. His project, called “Walking to Listen,” is to see the country at a walking pace, taking in the sights, the sounds and the stories.
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.
Outside picks the best watches of July 2012, including the Luminox Navy Seal Colormark 3067.
Outside reviews the 6 best running shoes of the season, including the Saucony Kinvara 3.
What if you are backpacking or camping, and are confronted by a fast-moving wildfire? What should you do? What should you carry?
There's been a lot of coverage of the this year's climbing season on Everest, and I'm curious as to what day-to-day life is like at the roof of the world. What are the basic necessities?
The titanium masters prove they can do carbon just as well as they do metal. American bike manufacturer Litespeed built its reputation on high-end titanium. The company still sells plenty of metal—over half its bikes are titanium—but in recent years it has bowed to market pressures and launched into carbon…
Alite Designs cofounder Tae Kim at the Ranger Station library. Photo: Mary Catherine O'Connor Tae Kim grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where, he says, “your crazy uncle teaches you how to go camping.” (His crazy uncle really did teach him how to go camping.) But…
Five ten makes shoes for all pursuits. It's latest and greatest are a new trail-building shoe, the Diddie, and a stunt riding shoe, the Danny. Diddie Schneider has built more than 300 bike tracks from Germany to Malaysia to Dubai, and has been a stunt rider in more than 700…
The Garmin GPSMAP 62s is a must-have item for outdoorsy men and women
You can now control up to 50 GoPro cameras via a remote. That's what skateboarder Ryan Sheckler did—with a little help from four other people—to record his journey from the Manhattan Bridge to a Lower East Side skate park for a short called…
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including 2XU's 3/4-length compression tights.
Trail shoes still fall into two basic categories: (1) heavier-duty, backpacking-boot-inspired high-tops that can handle off-trail travel and have serious ankle support, and (2) lighter-weight low and mid cuts that are designed to be worn either on less technical terrain or when you’re shouldering a lighter pack.
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.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Oakley carry-on roller bag.
Ease your load with these packs, including the Gregory Sage 45, which testers loved for its back panel, which perfectly fits the lumbar spine; the North Face Minera 30, a simple daypack with a widely adjustable chest strap and lightweight hipbelt; and the Black Diamond Onyx 75, a no-frills, long-haul, remarkably light pack.
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.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Cannondale Ryker bike helmet.
Of the dozens of poles, stoves, multitools, and other essentials we tested this year, we kept reaching for these six, from the Brunton Get-Back GPS, which stores up to three waypoints and steers you to the trailhead, to MSR SureLock TR-3s, which, at 20 ounces a pair, aren't ultralight, but they are quite sturdy and strong.
The wonky tech talk can get pretty heavy around here. Personally, I can go on for hours about air permeability, fabric denier, and how the number of lumens in a headlamp isn't the whole story. But it's not just me. There's so much geeking out in the halls of our…
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.
I'm a proud owner of a new 800-fill down sleeping bag. I want to make sure it stays clean and warm for years to come. What should I do?
Think of them as smartphones for your wrist. The latest sport-specific watches will do practically everything but plan your next adventure for you. We review six of the best, including the Wenger Aerograph Cockpit Chrono and the Timex Intelligence Quartz Tide-Temp-Compass, which brings digital functionality to classic analog design.
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.
The performance gap between mid-tier and high-end optics is closing. Here are our favorite pairs of binocs to see you through any situation, including the Leupold Hawthorne 7x42, with its roof-prism design to cut size and weight, and the Bushnell Legend Ultra-HD, which are impressively bright and sharp—especially in low light.
Whether you’re talking sea kayaks or canoes or whitewater crafts—boat technology has reached a plateau where small advances, design tweaks, and material innovations make a big difference to enthusiasts. This year we see evolution in all categories, with the lightest, most progressive sea kayak in some time.
Five Ten’s Guide Tennie Canvas is a few ounces lighter than the original but every bit as capable on talus and techy trails.
These six gadgets, from the AT&T Pantech Element, a waterproof, Android-based 8.3-inch tablet, to the Mophie Juice Pack Outdoor Edition, which doubles the battery life of your iPhone 4 or 4S, to the Steripen Freedom, a tiny water purifier, won't revolutionize your life on the road. But we promise they'll make it a lot easier.