Gear
Archive
We’ve scoured the gear archives and the history of sport across continents and eras to compile our first attempt at an authoritative list of the 100 most important outdoor inventions ever
British Council Film recently posted the following 17-minute video on how a 1945 Raleigh bike was made. It's a pretty detailed period piece on the step-by-step assembly of a steel stag, complete with corny transition scenes.
Outside picks the best hiking gear of June 2012, including the Helly Hansen Odin Fastpack.
For centuries, Sherpas wore layers of heavy wool to handle the harsh Himalayan weather. Now, Sherpa Adventure Gear is bringing back Himalayan styles from the 1950s, but making them with modern materials. Tashi Sherpa, founder of Sherpa Adventure Gear, had two uncles involved in the first climb of…
In general, sunscreen is “water-resistant” if it continues reducing SPF exposure after 40 minutes in the water. To be considered “waterproof,” the bar goes up. The product has to retain its rated SPF factor for 80 minutes in the water. So you could go to the beach or river, hop…
We all hate that guy—the one who shatters your outdoor serenity by watching iPad movies on the beach and texting from a chairlift. Well, Montana-based novelist and technophile WALTER KIRN is that guy, and he says you’re missing out.
Outside reviews the best SUP gear of June 2012, including the Naish Mana Wood SUP.
I'm looking for good mixed-use rain pants for hiking, camping, and occasional cycling. I'm size large, but I can't find anything with a short-enough inseam. What do you recommend?
Tuff Shed, in conjunction with bike manufacturer Orbea, just announced that not only will they co-sponsor a mountain bike team, the Orbea-Tuff Shed Team, but also a modular shed designed for bikers and other outdoor athletes and enthusiasts. Tuff Shed's new Pro Sports Edition…
The fiberglass mashup is stable, fast, and light, and thanks to the unique seating system, you can pilot it kayak style (double bladed) or with a canoe paddle.
Aquapac’s waterproof case barely interferes with your beloved touchscreen’s functionality and has a jack for your headphones.
I'm moving to Puerto Rico and I need hiking boots to match the climate and terrain. Since I've got narrow feet, I've been considering the Vasque Breeze or Wasatch. What do you think?
Immagini 2319 Brooks England has been crafting leather bicycles saddles since 1866 for Olympians and long-distance cycle tourists alike. This year, cyclists participating in the inaugural WCR Grand Tour, a competitive circumnavigation of Earth by bicycle and possibly the ultimate highspeed tour,…
Rhode Island School of Design student Cam Brensinger came up with the idea for NEMO (New England Mountain Equipment) and his college senior project, high on the flanks of New Hampshire's Mount Washington. One weekend Cam went camping and got caught in gale force winds. Cam recalls:…
What's cooler than wearing a tee from your favorite bike shop, or one with some eco, hipster or access oriented message? Having a shirt that you won't see on anybody else in the neighborhood. Twin Six, purveyor of coveted bike jerseys and tees, helps you achieve that exclusivity…
This German race machine is plenty fast and light but still left us wanting. It’s not often that a brand new suspension design shows up, so as soon as we saw the Focus FSL, we knew we had to ride it. The German bike…
Project Transport+: We don't need no stinkin' car, even for shuttling two test bikes to the bike shop. National Bike Month began yesterday. It's an annual push by the League of American Bicyclists to celebrate and promote all things…
I’m looking for new binoculars for hiking and climbing. I want some optical power, but they can't be too big or heavy. What do you suggest?
Are you looking for the ultimate in-between camera, more than you get with your iPhone but without the weight and bulk of a manual shooting SLR? Sony's new ultra-slim, credit-card-sized, AA-battery-thick shooter may be just the ticket. The Cyber-Shot DSC-TX66, while not a model name that is…
The first in a series of videos created by O'Neill to chronicle the history of a company that started with Jack O'Neill's invention of the wetsuit back in 1952.
I work outdoors in some serious deer tick habitat. I saw that Outdoor Research makes the pre-treated BugOut gaiters. Do your recommend them, or do you have any other suggestions for staying tick free?
You won't have to worry about stinky flip flops this summer if you order yourself some Oka-Bs and have a dishwasher. Oka-B flips and slides are made from Microplast, a kind of anti-microbial PVC that you can hose clean or toss in the dishwasher for a low labor scrub…
You can extend or collapse the Kialoa Pupu according to your height and whether you’re surfing or touring, so if you need one paddle to do double-duty, this is it.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=zdYWyY4zuGs Shimano unveiled two new gravity-oriented groupos at Sea Otter, a completely revamped version of the existing Saint components and a new, budget-minded groupset called Zee. The overhauled Saint group was apparently developed in conjunction with Aaron Gwin, and Shimano enlisted Anthill Films for the…
My wife and I are taking our two teenage kids on a trip to Europe. We'll be traveling for 15 days and to avoid hassle, we’ve decided to carry only backpacks. How do I choose the right packs?
Cycling apparel manufacturer Search and State was established in 2010, built on the belief that what you wear for the ride should motivate, inspire and do everything it can to keep you moving forward. It’s a company committed to American manufacturing and original pieces handmade in small runs. The…
Tommeke wins Roubaix. Photographer: Courtesy of Roxanne King on Flickr. With Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday, the 2012 Spring Classics season drew to a close, and there were two big winners this year. Tom Boonen,…
I recently purchased a pair of hiking boots online, only to discover that they make my feet blister and hurt. How can I make sure my hiking boots fit well?
Cycling season is upon us and as soon as the legs are shaved and oiled, its time to don this season's kit. Whether or not you are fast, these kits will make you look and feel fast, which is half the battle. Hincapie Gran Premio Jersey and Bib Shorts: The kit…
I live in Chicago and want to start carrying water with me on runs this summer. Any suggestions?
Because it’s durable, insulates when wet, and is naturally stink-free, wool has long been a favorite material of outdoorsy folks of every stripe. If you’re reading this, chances are high you own at least a few pairs of merino wool base or midlayers. Over the last decade, companies have also…
I’ve always used panniers for bike touring in California, Montana, and Wyoming, but I'm beginning to wonder if a trailer is a better option. What do you suggest?
First, assume an Australian accent. It'll help when you pronounce the name of this snazzy bike trailer setup: Midget Bushtrekka. This pimped out bike trailer has “duallies” (kind of) and is designed to pivot and absorb shock. It can be adjusted to fit on a range of bike…
Most camp slippers are shapeless insulated muppet feet—warm enough, and acceptable fashion at a remote hut, but mal-suited to prolonged exposure to snow and nothing you'd want to wear in public. Holden's first entree into the footwear category, new sneaker-styled slippers, not only take camp shoes to a…
The Minnow has landed! Texas is so vast it makes New Mexico feel as crowded as wall-to-wall suburbs back in Jersey. Two hours after leaving Truth or Consequences, we crossed the state line north of El Paso and saw a sign: “Beaumont: 831 miles.”…
Fluorescent colors and reflective stripes certainly make you more visible to drivers when you're running at dusk or in the dark. But a new study by Brooks Running shows that low light perception is more scientific than just throwing some glare at oncoming traffic. Brooks Running product…
One of the most common questions I get about bikepacking and endurance races like the Arizona Trail 300 is how you can carry everything you need. The answer, which I've come to after…
The Silver Minnow, in repose We were barreling south on I-25 doing 70 when we felt it: a weird shuffling sensation in the tires. The truck hitched slightly to the right and began to decelerate. I looked over at Steve to see…
Pinnacle Camper: Gourmet Kitchen on the Go According to the company, the specially-designed Radiance nonstick Teflon pots heat up 25% faster than regular nonstick pots “while withstanding absurd levels of abuse.” I can’t say that I tested either claim, but I was impressed with…
Beat the bulk of hard plastic, metal, and glass with a water carrying device that rolls up small enough to fit in your pocket when it’s empty. Vapur’s Element is high capacity (23oz-32oz) and high flow. The non-leaking, locking integrated carabiner cap flips open to let you…
It’s “the perfect fourteener shoe,” one Colorado-based tester proclaimed, which is perhaps the best compliment a running-hiking hybrid like the PeakFreak can receive.
Let’s just say you’ve pitched your tent at a campsite neighboring a crew of rambunctious teenagers. They have Theophilus London blaring out of their mom’s SUV, and who knows what else going on. The Kelty lantern will not only illuminate your tent…
I need a tent that will protect me from dust storms while I'm camping in the high desert. (I admit it—I'm a long-time burner). Should I go for a single-wall tent? My mesh tent with a rain fly doesn't keep the dust out.
Winter is waning, but summer is not here yet. Keep mud season muck at bay without cooking your feet with new weather resistant shoes and boots from manufacturers you already know and love. Blundstone Stout: Blundstone has been making sturdy and unique boots since 1870. This season, the brand…
When society breaks down, it’ll be every man for himself alone in the wilds fighting for food and survival. Whether it’s Zombieland, a nuclear holocaust, the 2012 presidential elections, or another day when you might need to fillet small mammals to survive, be prepared with Gerber’s Apocalypse…
As the winter sun starts to climb higher and the trails and roads dry out, it’s time to think about riding again. That probably means full service for bikes that have been neglected in the garage all winter. (Don’t you dare say you left them in the snow). Time to…
I've got a confession to make. During my lifetime, I've purchased a fair amount of crappy gear that I found, for one reason or another, appealing. And because it was cheap. These days, I've got less stuff and I'm more selective about what I buy. I try to only spend…
What are the best trail running shoes for handling spring mud and rain?
After 1,700 miles of testing and 27 flat tires, we bring you the must-have extras for bike commuting this year, including the Brooks Team professional saddle with a supple leather shell; DZR's Minna, a pimped-out black leather-and-canvas sneaker with lots of bike-friendly features; and the Club Ride Go West jersey.
Outside picks the best mountain bikes of spring 2012, including the Salsa Horsethief.
Outside picks the best utility bikes of spring 2012, including the Raleigh Furley.
Eight pieces of Outside-endorsed gear for your mountain or road bike, including the Shimano SH-M315s, complete with synthetic uppers that feel as supple as suede house shoes; Pearl Izumi Launch Kicker shorts, loaded with trail-savvy technology; and Castelli BodyPaint 2.0, the plushest bibs we've ever worn.
Outside picks the best road bikes of spring 2012, including the BH Zaphire/Tiagra.
Go behind the scenes with Aaron Gulley and co. as they test more than 50 bikes for the 2012 Summer Buyer’s Guide and the Spring Cycling Issue. Video by Jen Judge.
Heat is a major problem for electronics. Even after you're computer is off, you want it to cool quickly. Two new protective devices help prevent overheating while buffering your gadgets against bumps. Sea to Summit Padded Soft Cases: Cameras, helmet cams, and other plug in devices can always use protection…
With the Sea Otter Classic just around the corner, the flood of new products is on. A few of the most compelling things we've heard about are Shimano's interesting new Alfine Di2 electric internal-hub shifting system and rumors of a gran…
Remember the days when all the kids in the neighborhood would gather in someone’s yard for massive games of Man Hunt, Kick the Can, and SPUD? This was back before play dates and carpooling soccer moms, before parents decided it was insane to let their kids ride bikes home…
A low price tag and a quality build make this among the best wetsuits for newbies.
What's the best lightweight gear for a weekend backpacking trip?
I am looking for a convertible jacket with a 7-in-1 system. I can't find any. Do they exist?
I love the outdoors, but I'm at risk of developing melanoma (my mom passed away a few years ago from it) which limits my ability to be outside. What can I wear to reduce my risk of melanoma and remain comfortable?
Yesterday was the first day of spring and, to my chagrin, Ski Santa Fe reported 10 inches of powder and it it was cold, windy, and flurrying in town. After the last few weeks of shorts and short sleeves thanks to unseasonably warm conditions, I simply couldn't bring myself to…
I need a pair of gloves for springtime hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and maybe even some late-season ice climbing. What do you recommend?
Photo: Fraunhofer IZM There was a time when the ski resort experience was not punctuated by the sound of ringtones and “hey, is my GoPro on?” But those days are gone forever. You may or may not lament this. But our desire to take technology with us…
Betabrand, manufacturer of quirky menswear with playful names, like pants called Sons of Britches, now offers formal sweatpants. At first glance, you might think that these high-end heathered gray French terry pants are in fact wool trousers. The front slash pockets and…
Bike season is upon us, and we've been testing lots of 2012 product. From our test trip in Arizona to endurance races across the southwest, we've been beating up on lots of gear. Here are a few of our favorite new mountain bike products hitting the market.
Climber Freddie Wilkinson demonstrates what it takes to get a shower when living in a 12×12 New Hampshire cabin without running water.
If you're currently on the Outside Blog reading this, then it's more than likely that at one point in your life you've happened upon Dick Proenneke's Alone In The Wilderness on PBS. (Or you've seen it on all those blogs and Tumblrs on the ol' Internets.) My…
I'm in the market for a new chair for car camping. I'm open to anything from a Crazy Creek to a folding frame, as long as it's comfortable and durable.
Two new shirts that can handle double duty fall, winter or spring. Dakine Chuck Plaid: Made from two layers of no-stink, non-bulky, polyester fabric that trap warm air in between, Dakine's button front baselayer easily swings from slope to aprés, but you won't get double takes when…
The beginnings of Jeffrey Smith's EV for the Baja 1000 Photo: Strategic Recovery Institute In its 44-year history, the Baja 1000 off-road race has been about speed, sand and full throttle. This coming November, the legendary race will also be about instant torque and low or zero…
What to do with old airbags? It’s a question the designers at Keen were asking themselves when they came up with the Harvest III, a new limited edition series of bags for 2012. Keen “harvested” pre-consumer automobile airbags for its new Harvest III tote, backpack, and wallet. Here's a quick…
As we prepare to ship our Spring Bike Special and Summer Buyer's Guide to press, I'm finishing up last-minute test rides on the top contenders and boxing up stacks of bikes to ship back. Of course we never stop testing (bikes trickle…