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If you’re going to bring a multitool traveling or backpacking, this is the classic choice, thanks to an array of saws, pliers, blades, and screw-drivers.
My first reaction to SylvanSport’s Go was… meh. I’m not really a trailer guy, and the Go seemed a bit overpriced and gimmicky. Then the company loaned me one.
Two-way radios might seem absurdly retro, but having an open channel of communication can be priceless on a multipitch climb or when trekking through rainforest in Costa Rica.
I'm planning a late spring or early summer canoe trip in southern Ontario and I need a new personal flotation device. The trip involves several portages per day, and the trip will take a week, so my new PFD needs to be light and comfortable. What should I get?
In honor of blues rocker Garrett Dutton, a.k.a. G.Love, Kaenon Sunglasses took their classic Burnet shades and blinged them up. The Burnet Special Sauce shades have a tortoise/matte black finish and a white inlaid logo with Kaenon's proprietary SR-91 polarized lenses, for maximum glare reduction and smoky…
The North Face and skate shop Supreme have teamed up on hip-hop meets safari Nuptse down jackets and Rolling Thunder bags in Kenyan camo animal prints. These limited edition jackets have not yet been seen on the worlds highest peaks–maybe because…
The iconic brand Gore-Tex is under siege from newcomers who want a piece of the billion-dollar market for waterproof-breathable fabrics. The battle is both wonky and intense, complete with arcane science, trade secrets, industry flame wars, and confidential government-run investigations on two continents. MIKE KESSLER steps into the wet room.
If you are wearing wool socks or long underwear, it’s likely that they’re made from sheep fleece shipped from half way around the world. New Zealand and Australia have been breeding Merino sheep—with long-staple, non-itchy wool—for a long time. Now, Montana ranchers have become adept at raising merino sheep. And…
I just got back from a soggy week on the East Coast with my kids. New York hasn’t had much of a winter, and we arrived to overcast skies, milder-than-normal temps, and lots of rain. Not that we minded. Where we live, moisture falling…
I'm putting a ski/bike rack on my new Subaru, and I'm wondering what to get: Thule, Yakima, or factory?
Clothes make the man, as the old adage goes. In the case of clothing that uses Schoeller energear fabric, in fact it's certified to be true by scientific researchers, and claimed better than your average tee by race car drivers. How it works: Energear, according to Schoeller, “is…
A cardio and resistance trainer inspired by surfing motions
I spend a lot of time exercising outdoors and I need a new heart rate monitor. What should I look for?
Nordic skiers and cold-climate runners will love this aerobic-oriented jacket, which has a wind-blocking front face and a thin, breathable back.
Goal Zero Yeti 1250: Here’s the scenario: a freak ice storm hits during the Super Bowl or March Madness. The TV goes black. Your Bud Lite is in danger of getting warm. How do you respond? With Goal Zeros’ Yeti 1250, you’ll not only be prepared–you'll…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=I-_pAVNwfT8%C2%A0 I was a little bit stir crazy last night, so around 9:30 I took our Salsa Mukluk 2 test bike out onto the state trust land behind my house. It’s a big swath of land, but I don’t ride out there much because…
What are the best running pants to wear in the dead of winter when the wind is blowing and the snow is flying?
Even if you dad chucked his old wafflestompers and canvas backpack before you were born, you can still have legit heritage gear that’s as functional as it is cool looking. Here are four of our favorite old-is-new pieces: LL Bean Maine Snowshoe: To celebrate its 100th birthday, LL…
A year ago, Boreas was started by Tae Kim, the Creative Director behind Alite Designs. Kim showed he wasn’t afraid to take design risks, creating the two-legged balancing Monarch Butterfly Camp Chair and the zip-crotch Sexy Hotness sleeping bag. With Boreas,…
Rollerblade Fusion 84 GM: Rollerblading was a 1990s phenomenon that is safely in the grave—except in France. Right? Apparently, for some, the verdict is still out. This month, the company is releasing a new urban skate, and marketing…
Okay guys: It's time to stop procrastinating, and start shopping. Stuck on what to get the outdoorsy lady in your life? Here's what we recommend: Kelty Supernova 30 Three-In-One Sleeping Bag: Zipping in together makes camping more fun. The Supenova 30° is made for spring and summer outtings.
Last night, at a small bar in Marfa, Texas, I sat down at a table with a friend who was already talking to the two sun-soaked gentlemen pictured above. A few minutes of conversation and a half of Lone Star later, I found out that they were brothers Tim and…
Snow is finally falling in the Rockies and on the West Coast, and snow-starved skiers and snowboarder are chasing untracked lines like hunters searching for deer. Now, a new free app makes the hunt easier. Freshy Map, in beta, tells you which resorts and backcountry areas…
I’ve been reading about a lot of avalanche fatalities recently. What do I need to stay reasonably safe in avalanche country?
Duct Tape Then Beer shoots the best of ice climbing in the White Mountains. Here’s how you can repeat the trip.
Duct Tape Then Beer ticks off an ultra-classic mountaineering route in the Bugaboos. Here’s how you can repeat the trip.
Duct Tape Then Beer tackles a big wall in Nevada’s Red Rocks. Here’s how you can repeat the trip.
At the Outdoor Retailer and SIA shows last month, one thing was clear: more and more people are venturing into the backcountry on skis and snowboards. Whether you're dipping out of bounds at your local ski hill, or boot packing from the road to the summit, these done in a…
Outside picks the best gear for your alpine-touring setup, including the K2 WayBack skis.
I'm planning a snow-cave camping trip with some friends. What gear do I need to build the cave?
Let's cut to the chase. Here are a few of the most eye-catching new survival tools we saw at the Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City. Wenger Hypex Jewelry: Having a multitool on hand at all times is ideal. But with airline restrictions and general paranoia about people carrying…
My reliable (but old) headlamp just quit, and I need to find a good replacement for nighttime runs. What do you suggest?
Outside picks the best watches of March, including the Bulova Precisionist Champlain Collection.
Ever since I got an iPad for Christmas, job one has been figuring out how to keep it out of my daughters’ clawing, desperate hands. (There should be an app for that.) But no sooner had I read The New York Times’ top travel apps for kids…
Outside picks the essentials for March, including the Salomon XR Mission.
Outside picks the essentials for March, including the New Balance Minimus Trail Zero.
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…
Outside picks the essentials for March, including the Arc'teryx Motus Crew.
Yes, there are many old outdoor companies that flourished in the 70s and 80s but unfortunately failed to make it to 2012. One of those companies is the infamous Wilderness Experience, which, to this author, is the best of the lot. Fans of the…
Things were going well for Ed Warren and his ice-climbing partner until they got hit with an avalanche. Read True Tales Behind the Web’s Best (Worst) Moments for the behind the scenes story.
Wearable cameras aren’t just changing the way we watch sports—they’re changing the way we play.
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.
I need a new ski pack for resort and backcountry skiing. I'm looking for something that can carry skis, water, and my gear on day trips out of bounds, but won't get in the way on chairlifts.
Sport climber Emily Harrington sends a 5.14b in Rifle, Colorado. See what it took in Andy Mann‘s short film. …
Veteran alpinists Mark Richey and Steve Swenson attempt Saser Kangri II, the second highest unclimbed mountain in the world. More at theoldbreedmovie.com.
Conrad Anker and Ali Carr talk about the new jackets in The North Face’s latest lineup. Read Anker’s story of the failed ascent that inspired the new gear.
A barefoot running shoe for winter. Ali Carr talks footwear at 2012’s Outdoor Retail Show. Read more here.
A smartphone compatible goggle that lets you pick your tunes while riding.
In 2005, I bought a Mountain Equipment Co-Op Composite 2 softshell jacket. It's the best purchase I have ever made. Unfortunately, seven years later it's starting to pile. I need a replacement. What do you recommend? Blair Turner, Saskatoon, SK
Gates Pass, trip number seven. Photo by Jen Judge. The 2012 Outside Bike Test ended on Saturday, and thank goodness. After seven days of straight riding, I needed a rest day. But we had plenty of fun. Between a total…
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.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a handful of charities that give bicycles to those without. Now I've just learned that CrankBrothers is in the midst of a charity auction for Wheels For Life (WFL),…
Top 10 Winter Bike Commuting Essentials
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…
Beat up. That’s how I feel after the mountain bike phase of our 2012 bike tests. Here are the numbers: 76.5 miles of singletrack over 14 laps, 15 hours of ride time, 18 testers, 28 bikes, and 27 tubes. The latter is frustrating: Though every single tester rides tubeless…
Outside picks the most fuel efficient cars, including the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid.
Outside picks the essentials for February, including the Yamaha Super Ténéré.
Outside picks the style essentials for February, including the Timberland Earthkeepers 2.0 Cupsole Moc Toe boots.
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…
A combined heart-rate monitor and GPS watch will supercharge your training. Motorola's Motoactv is one of the best on the market.
I received a zero-degree down sleeping bag over the holidays and I'm eager to do some winter camping in Colorado later this month. I've been on plenty of warm-weather trips, but this will be my first winter camp. What else do I need to stay warm?
A look at how managers at Ouray, Colorado’s Ice Park prepped the walls for their 17th annual ice-climbing competition. A film by Allison Otto and Sam Bricker.
While staying in touch is mandatory and part of an expedition for me, some people want to get away from it all and escape the modern noise that comes with 24 by 7 communications. If that is your case, then take a sat phone for safety but don’t use it…
The Penske, loaded with 56 bikes, en route to the 2012 testing grounds. Ever wonder how we decide what bikes to cover in the magazine? The short answer: We ride the bejeezus out of a lot of bicycles. And we’re riding this week. Finding the best…