Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Nike's + SportWatch GPS.

Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Icebreaker's Realfleece Sierra Hood.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Benchmade Mini-Onslaught knife.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Princeton Tec Byte headlamp.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brunton RL 6 headlamp.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Surefire G2X Tactical flashlight.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Rab Fusion Pants.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Light and Motion Solite 150 headlamp.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Bear Grylls/Gerber Ultimate Kit.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Energizer Triple Beam LED.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Jetboil Sol Ti stove.

The freeskier has earned the right not to be called Julia’s little sister.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Poles.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Storm headlamp.

Swi of gear, I finally bought my first road bike since I was a kid: a nice carbon-fiber Specialized that is kind to my back. What I need is some advice on a good set of wheels to replace the original Alex wheels. My budget is around $500. What do you think of Neuvation M28 Aeros or Ksyrium Elites? Ideally they would be available at Performance as I have some points to burn. Tim Mountain View, California

I like to backpack with my iPod when I alone in the wilderness. After setting cp it would be ideal to have speakers instead of headphones to enjoy my music. Are there any lightweight, portable speakers good for backpacking? David Vancouver, Washington

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lucy Power Lift Knee Pants.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Patagonia Crossover Bra.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the REI Sariska Strappy Tank.

I having trouble finding a skillet that is lightweight yet will not burn. I using a Primus canister stove and able to adjust the heat low enough. I use my equipment for bike touring, backpacking, and canoeing, so I looking for something that is both small and light. Brad Rantoul, Illinois

I planning a hike through the Narrows in Zion National Park, which involves wading up the Virgin River. What do you recommend to keep warm? Dry is obviously not possible. How about footwear? Connie New Haven, Connecticut

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the ZEMgear Zem Ninja Low Booties.

I do most of my backpacking when the bugs (mainly mosquitoes) are out. Last year, CNN said that there were two alternatives to deet, including lemon eucalyptus. But is there anything that comes close to deet's performance, without the plastic-destroying quality? Chuck Mount Morris, Michigan

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nau Stylus Wrap Jacket.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lafuma Xmotion Leather Low hiking shoe.

By Stephen Regenold In the summertime, high-end sunglasses are a luxury, albeit a justifiable one for anyone who spends a lot of time outside. This month, I have been testing a pair of said lux glasses with a prescription lens from Costa Del Mar. The company,…

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Teva Forge Pro Event hiking shoe.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Scarpa Terra GTX hiking boot.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Keen Red Rock Low hiking shoe.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Merrell Covert shoe.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Montrail Mountain Masochist Mid GTX boot.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Vasque Taku GTX boot.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Outdoor Research Cirque Windshirt.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'teryx Epsilon SV Hoody.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Patagonia Torrentshell Pullover.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the First Ascent Sandstone Jacket.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Garmont Zenith Mid boot.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Columbia Master of Faster Low hiking shoe.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Helly Hansen Barrier Stretch 3L Jacket.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Marmot Nano.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Horny Toad Bivalent Dress.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Gridlock Screwgate Carabiner.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Easton Kilo tent.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Osprey Hornet 32 pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the CamelBak Charge 450 Pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Giro XAR Helmet.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brooks Colt Saddle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Pearl Izumi Impact Gloves.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Cielo Sportif by Chris King road bike.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nuun U Tablet.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the O'Neill Vex shorts.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Athleta Scratch Windbreak jacket.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Shimano SH-WR61 Shoes.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'teryx S-220 LT Harness.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mountainsmith Morrison 2 tent.

By Stephen Regenold Grab onto the foam grip atop the latest ultra-light trekking pole from Black Diamond Equipment and you might wonder where the rest of the pole went. But look down, it’s all there. At an insane 5 ounces per pole, these modern-day walking…

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Arc'teryx Aerios 14 pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Osprey Viper 4 Pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Shimano XTR PD-M985 Pedals.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Ortlieb Bike-Tourer Panniers.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Look Keo Blade Chromoly Pedals.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Five Ten Karver Shoes.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Waterbox Water Bottle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lole Mojito swimsuit bottom and Bermude swimsuit top.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brooks Trance 10 running shoes.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Sheila Moon Alice Shimmel Top.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mammut 9.6 Climax Rope.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Skylight tent.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the JanSport Versteeg pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Jett Raptor Shorts.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Dromarti La Grande Mitts.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the G-Form Bike Shoe Insoles.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Timex Global Trainer GPS Watch.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including The North Face Better Than Naked shirt.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Adidas Adistar Raven running shoes.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Outlier Blazed Cotton Pivot Sleeve Shirt.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Hoodwire quickdraws.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the MSR Hoop 2 tent.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Osprey Verve 13 backpack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Specialized S-Works MTB Shoes.