Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Nalini's Cotone base layer.

Design and Technology Special: The world's most streamlined and innovative new gear, gadgets, tools and toys, including Arc'teryx's Veilance Partition Coat.

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

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 Jetboil Sol Ti stove.

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.

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 Rab Fusion Pants.

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 Bear Grylls/Gerber Ultimate Kit.

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 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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 Saris Bike Porter Trunk 3 bike rack.

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

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Tomac Supermatic 120 mountain bike.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Linus Roadster Classic bicycle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the DZ Nuts Bliss Cream.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Enve Mountain XC Carbon Wheels.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Salomon XR Shorts.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Cohesion rain jacket.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Rudy Project Ability Sunglasses.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Isis Brighton Bay Tank.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mountain Hardware Fluid 48 pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Yakima SkyBox Pro 12 Onyx rocket box.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Oakley Miss Conduct Sunglasses.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Spot Rocker SS mountain bike.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Velo Orange Polyvalent bicycle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Selle EMP Evolution Saddle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Specialized Women's Trail Top.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Pistel Aster Visor.

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

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Garmin Forerunner 210 Watch.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Nike Lunar Elite + 2 running shoes.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Five Ten Hornet shoe.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Gregory Z40 pack.

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 Yeti 575 Enduro mountain bike.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Raleigh Port Townsend bicycle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Pearl Izumi Veer Shorts.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Adidas Adilibria Shield S Sunglasses.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Smith Optics Skyline sunglasses.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lululemon The Mat.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Specialized Echelon Helmet.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the La Sportiva Python Slipper.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Black Diamond Epic 45 pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Gravis Travel Duffle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Hydrapak E-Lite Hydration Vest.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Salsa Spearfish mountain bike.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Terry FLX Gel Saddle.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Icebreaker SS Circuit Jersey.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Dakine Girls Amp 8L Pack.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the PowerSox APF Lo-Cut Socks.