Gear
ArchiveTwice 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…
Even if you're not a professional climber or cyclist, there are ways to get in on the action.
I'm going on a multi-country, 10-month, round-the-world trip, from Patagonia to the Himalayas. What lightweight, 10- to 15-degree sleeping bag should I bring?
The race is over, and I'm experiencing my inevitable, annual Tour withdrawal. (What fun are mornings without Cadel's awkward-but-effective mutton-busting riding style, a couple of whingeing Schlecks, and the Contador keep-us-guessing feint and dodge?) So this morning, in lieu of Stage 22, I contemplated a few of the new bikes…
Ian, a lot depends on how you plan to use the knife, what blade length best suits you, and even which knife feels good in your hand. But you’ve got plenty of options. A good example of a folding knife that’s right for travel is the Kershaw Shallot Serrated…
Outside editors are excited to announce the launch of our all-new Gear of the Show awards program at this year's Summer Outdoor Retailer Show, August 4-7, in Salt Lake City.
I'm planning to hike the Long Range Traverse at Gros Morne National Park, which is a four- to five-day trek without trails. I have Arc'teryx Alpha SL pants, but I'm wondering if I should to bring gaiters, too.
Two days of riding 150 kilometers through Spain’s Basque country on Specialized’s 2012 S-Works Amira high-performance racing bike has convinced me that when a company invests almost ten years of R&D into developing a line of women’s-specific bikes, women might want to pay attention.
I'm looking for polarized prescription sunglasses, ideally with interchangeable lenses. I fly fish, paddle, sail, cycle, and ski, and I have a big melon, so smaller-fitting frames won't work. Am I asking for too much in a single pair of sunglasses?
I've been indoor climbing in my Vibram Five Fingers and I can't seem to move onto harder routes. Are my toes holding me back? Could you suggest a beginner climbing shoe for me?
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Wenger Nomad LED Compass watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Suunto Elementum Terra All-Black watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including Nixon's The Axe watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Momentum Aeromax Ti watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Fossil Sport Collection CH2726 watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Bertucci A-3T Vintage watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Timex Expedition Military Classic watch.
High Caliber: Military-inspired watches that make us stand at attention, including the Victorinox Original Timepiece watch.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Salomon XR Crossmax Neutral trail running shoe.
A stylish single-speed commuter that's as functional as it is indestructible: the Globe Bikes Roll 2 bicycle.
Cooling Agents: Our favorite ultralight gear for sweltering summer runs, including the Oakley Fast Jacket sunglasses.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Pearl Izumi Streak II running shoe.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Adidas Response Cushion Twenty M running shoe.
Cooling Agents: Our favorite ultralight gear for sweltering summer runs, including the Garmin Forerunner 610 watch.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Asics Gel-Kinsei 4 running shoe.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Montrail Rogue Racer trail running shoe.
Best Foot Forward: From marathon trainers to minimalist trail runners, we've got the right shoe for you, including the Brooks Cascadia 6 trail running shoe.
I'm looking for an inexpensive rain shell. I'd prefer something waterproof and breathable, with a hood and pit zips. Thoughts?
Last year, Asics released a special version of its up-market, heavily cushioned Kayano training shoe that the company says will tune itself to accommodate changes in a woman's menstrual cycle. If that strikes you as an absurd idea, it should. The shoe is both silly and expensive. But it is…
By Stephen Regenold Designed to be one of the most minimal sport sandals ever made, the Zilch from Teva is flexible enough to fold in half. A thin sole, a footbed, and Velcro straps are the…
Electric bikes are for schmucks, right? Nah. The newest models are stylish, useful machines that will put a lot more riders on the road.
What's the best shoe for a half marathon or marathon? Do I need lots of cushioning, or should I go minimalist?
By Stephen Regenold As a company that sells shin guards and gel inserts for bike shoes, you'd think cases for Apple iPads would be a stretch. But new to the product line at G-Form LLC, a…
My fiance and I have never been backpacking or camping. We'll be doing day hikes and an occasional overnight. Our budget is important, but I also want to know that our gear will last. What do we need? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Whether you're cooling off during a weekly swim in the local outdoor pool or training daily for a triathlon in a state-of-the-art aquatics center, you'll want to outfit yourself with gear made for the pool. Presenting the 10 best summer swimming products for 2011, from suits to shampoo. Right before…
For the Buyer's Guide and Spring Bike Special, we test bikes extensively (think 20-some testers and dozens of rides per bike), but it can feel like speed dating, with not enough time to really get to know a…
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Dockers Convertible Mobile men's button-down.
By Stephen Regenold The sailboat bobbed in swells, our view to land obscured by a thick fog. It was early one morning this spring, and I was sailing along the Californian coastline en route from San Francisco to LA. Beyond cell-phone range, and out of…
I need a multi-function barometer-altimeter-compass watch for trekking. I was looking at the Suunto Core watch (which I like) but I also found the Tech4o TrailLeader Pro. Is it a good watch, too? Do you have any other suggestions?
Casual-but-sharp button-downs and lace-ups for the summer season, including the Merrell Primed Moc.
By Stephen Regenold In a column last year, “Belt Drive Mountain Bike,” I covered the bike-chain-replacing Carbon Drive System from Gates, writing that “the humble bike chain — greasy, gunk-prone, finicky if not lubed and maintained — has been standard equipment…
We had a food question a few weeks ago from someone embarking on a long canoe trip, and my answer was pretty much “learn to cook.”’ Maybe that was snarky. But it’s true: With the right ingredients and tools you can make just about anything you want. Backpacking is a…
Our favorite ultralight tent weighs less than four pounds.
I know many readers are self proclaimed Gear Junkies so I thought a brief review of my gear I used to summit Everest would be of interest. As usual, these are not endorsements and I always paid for my gear unless noted otherwise. Overall, I used the same items…
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.
These two-in-one mitts have a highly durable buckskin exterior and a warm wool interior.
A champ on powder that doesn’t need to sit in the closet until the big snows come.
Yes, Thule makes luggage, and it’s just as tough as their roof racks. Presenting our 2011 Gear of the Year winner.
Sticky rubber keeps these lightweight trail runners glued to the dirt, especially excelling on mellow, rolling trails. $100…
This “comfort-performance” road bike is designed to keep your spine happy, while keeping you moving fast. $3,000…
Red co-founder Ted Schilowitz discusses the ways in which his camera is redefining the photo and film industries.
A jacket that releases heat when you're cold, and stores it when you're hot.
Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton presents the GOY award to Cloudveil for the FirsTurn Hooded jacket.
A 15-degree bag made from completely recycled material.
A durable approach shoe built for scrambling over rough terrain.
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.
Masked in a proprietary waterproofing nano-technology, the multi-sport V-Lite Thunder can handle any weather condition. $90…
A stiff, all-mountain board that's solid at high speeds..
Buyer’s Guide managing editor Alicia Carr picks some of her favorite new gear from the SIA snow show.
With an extra 15 liters of expandable space, our Gear of the Year winning pack, the Deuter ACT Zero 50+15, works for day hikes and multiday trips.
The most barebones training shoe in our line-up–our testers only wanted to run fast in this featherweight runner. $110…
The Gear of the Year winning Saucony ProGrid Triumph 5.
Designed like a pro racer's bike but with a less-expensive weave of carbon fiber making it peloton- and wallet-friendly. $3,750…
The Gear of the Year winner combines Italian design and racing DNA.
An ultralight, 250 gram carbon fiber trekking pole, that made our jaws drop.
Joby's new malleable tripod. Built to hold your iPhone or other mobile device.
This year's Gear of the Year winner is light, waterproof, and supportive.