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What's a good headlamp for mountain biking on singletrack at night? Brightness is obviously important but battery life (especially in freezing temperatures) is my priority. Ian Hayward, WI
What's the best technical soft shell? — Laura Baltimore, Maryland
Last summer, the Outdoor Industry Association, through its Eco Working Group, released a beta version of the Eco Index, a tool by which apparel and gear makers could measure the environmental impacts created by their products. The tool quickly attracted the attention of many firms…
By Stephen Regenold Traveling the world with a bike in tow is a challenge. But for cycling enthusiasts who need their wheels on site for a trip, most major airlines have policies in…
What is the most compact one-man tent that can be used for winter camping in Vermont? I'm looking for something to mainly keep the elements out. I would need to fit it into a carry-on. Also, I am looking into a sleeping bag that can handle cold winter nights in the Green Mountains that I can also fit with my carry-on bag. Alex Columbia, MO
I'm trying to find lightweight hiking boots. I'm used to trail running shoes but want something more sturdy. But every hiking shoe I've tried forces my foot to pronate. Running shoes are neutral or they correct for pronation, but hiking boots encourage it, and it hurts my feet and knees. The stores sell expensive inserts, but those don't work for me, they leave my foot pronating with some arch support. Thoughts? Mark Seattle, WA
What's the best women's all-mountain snowboard? — Annie San Francisco, California
This column is part of a series of gear reviews based on tests in the 2011 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, a weeklong competitive event in southern Chile. The race stretched 300+ miles and included trekking, kayaking, climbing, mountain biking, and wilderness navigation. Team…
The most painful part of winter is that few-minute stretch between shedding your down layer and getting enough blood flow going to warm up your core and appendages when you begin to exercise. Conversely, the best part of winter is when the workout is over and you can cocoon once…
I'm looking for a lightly-insulated jacket to ski in and use for general winter wear. I would love something that is waterproof, stretchy, layerable, and versatile. The big thing is, I need it to FIT. I'm a short guy (5'6") with an athletic build. Seems like whenever I try on jackets at a retailer, the sleeve cuffs are dragging on the floor. Any advice for us shorties who are in search of the magic shell? Jon Cleveland, OH
In our March 2011 issue, writer Tom Vanderbilt analyzes the hostile relationship between cyclists and drivers. If you're a year-round city rider, you know it's hard enough to navigate erratic cars, deceiving potholes, and zoned-out pedestrians without worrying about what you're…
I am about to embark on a three-week backpack adventure across the European continent. I am looking to only take one pair of shoes with me, so I need something that can withstand a wide range of terrain and conditions. What is the best all-around shoe for walking through cities, hiking, climbing, backpacking, etc.? I have considered the North Face Single-Track, the Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra GTX, and several different models from Inov-8. Am I on the right path? Robby Cleveland, TN
On August 9, after 28 months and more than 4,000 miles, Britain’s Ed Stafford became the first human to walk the length of the Amazon—not a place for the roughshod. Plus, 10 stylish shoes for spring.
What is the best backpack for both fishing and photography? It needs to carry four or five fly boxes, two reels, and miscellaneous accessories, plus be able to carry camera equipment safely. Robert West Chester, PA
Are there any good technical pieces for pregnant women? —The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
I'm looking for a GPS unit for the backcountry but it would also be nice if I can use it on the roads sometimes. Does such a combo exist? What are the top three? MJ Arvada, CO
Whether you need to capture, connect, or just sit back and relax, the newest portable gadgets are ready to serve.
What's the best multi-tool for hiking? Josh Omaha, NE
Serious toys to get the newest members of your clan addicted to winter fun
What's a great men's down jacket that's extremely warm (waterproof would be nice) in the $250 range? I'm looking to wear this alone in the middle of winter without the need for layering. Peter New York, NY
January was a fascinating month on the blog. It was full of top gear trends (spyed by our gear experts at multiple trade shows last month), interviews with all-star writers and athletes, health and fitness tips (for keeping those New Years resolutions), and, of course, advice for intrepid travelers. Check…
By Stephen Regenold In the realm of the winter boot, a rare and advantageous phenomenon has come to light for women in recent years. After decades of lingering in the back alleys of fashion—and most prominently demonstrated with Deckers Outdoor Corp. and its skyrocketing Ugg…
After camping in the Florida Keys, my tent poles were seriously weathered. Are some tent poles tougher than others? —Dean Larson East Grand Forks, Michigan
Our sheriff once told me stranded climbers survive longer on Mount Hood nowadays. The reason: clothing rocks. So, whether you’re out for a half-day snowshoe junket or a peak-bagging ski mountaineering tour, here’s four wardrobe ingredients to that could save your life. SAR on Hood: No place for…
Last week's SnowSports Industries America trade show (SIA) made its second debut in Denver, Colorado, exhibiting a lot of new cold-weather product set to hit stores for the 2011/2012 winter season. I spent a couple of days there, getting the skinny on new snowboards for next year…
Bob Marley's daughter Cedella Marley will design the Jamaican track and field team's uniforms for the 2012 Olympics in London, according to ESPN.com. Members of the team, including Usain Bolt, will wear versions of the uniforms throughout the games. Cedella Marley is a singer, author…
Would love you to recommend good shoe or boot for snowshoeing. I like to run in my snow shoes but need good shoe. Cindy Santa Fe, NM
My girlfriend wants a functional snow boot that will keep her warm, dry, and pretty. Help! —Dave Ostmann Chicago, Illinois
Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton stops by the Marmot booth at Outdoor Retailer to check out their stylish new hard shell. Outdoor Retailer: Marmot Silverton Jacket from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring …
Once Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton saw the diagram for K2's new rescue shovel, he made a bee-line for the company's booth at Outdoor Retailer. Outdoor Retailer: K2 Rescue Shovel from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring …
Buyer's Guide editor Sam Moulton's takes a look at K2's new ski pole, which has an inclinometer built into the handle. Outdoor Retailer: K2 Lock Jaw from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring …
This year we featured Core Concepts in our Winter Buyer's Guide. To see what cool new designs they have set for their 2012 line, we stopped by their booth at Outdoor Retailer. Outdoor Retailer: Core Concepts Apparel from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. –Joe Spring…
You know Polartec's fabrics from many of the jackets and fleeces you wear everyday. In 2012, the company will release a proprietary new fabric that is both waterproof and highly breathable. Outdoor Retailer: Polartec Neoshell from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. — Joe Spring …
After four weeks camping in the Florida Keys, my tent poles have suffered from some serious weathering of its ends (the ends that are on the ground). Is there a way to prevent this? Are some tent poles more resistant to weathering than others?Dean East Grand Forks, MN
Outdoor Retailer: Smith Helmets and Goggles from Outside Magazine on Vimeo. Alicia Carr checks in with the Smith booth to see what new innovations they have planned for 2012. It turns out they have one of the coolest new technologies at Outdoor Retailer. –Joe Spring …
The twice-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show, held in Salt Lake City, is an exhibition of to-be-released outdoors apparel and gear from manufacturers around the world. After six days in Utah last week — demoing new gear, skiing powder, walking the trade show floor — a few items began to surface…
My son wants a bivy tent. He likes to hike for couple of days at a time on his own, usually in a moderate climate but sometimes in the snow. What do I need to look for? Specific models if possible. Sue Kingwood, TX
Automakers are back with a vengeance—serving up the most advanced, fuel-efficient, and intelligent crop of new cars and SUVs we've ever seen. Additional reporting by Roman Mica and Michael Sheena.
Yes, Outdoor Retailer is packed with 515,000 square feet of cool stuff to covet, but what’s even better about OR is that you meet the Stanford PhDs, MIT scientists, corporate execs turned entrepreneurs, and world-class athletes behind all the new innovations that make you go higher, faster, stronger, and longer…
I'm new to mountain biking and can't decide whether to buy a standard 26-inch wheel or a 29er. The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
You know the problem: Your boss calls your smartphone on the chairlift. Your iPod player starts cranking late-issue Rod Stewart way too loudly. You need to operate your touchscreen immediately. On a cold day, that usually means taking off your gloves. Unless you have one of…
Photo courtesy of Flickr The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market began Wednesday in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Winter Market, which is a five-day trade show of outdoor products, events and…
Adidas has been making outdoor gear (hiking boots, shells) in Europe for a while, but the Euro sports giant is coming to the U.S. in a big way. Expect more of the triple stripes on everything from hiking boots to storm shells, all…
Like hucking cliffs taller than the lift chairs? May you stick your landings. To help, check out Marker’s new Jester Pro (new for Fall ’11). It’s reinforced with an aluminum strut to stiffen the toe piece for more power than most mortals could ever possibly need from their skis. “You…
Ever wonder where your dog goes once he gets out into the neighborhood? Curious where your kids end up going after school? GPS maker Garmin has developed a low-profile tracking device you can use to keep tabs on where the people, pets, and stuff you love are in real time.
Patagonia says its Down Shirt, which it unveiled last summer, is the “lightest piece of insulation on the market.” That’s a bold claim, but it could well be true: The 800-fill “shirt” weighs less than six ounces (and costs $250,…
If you secretly hope your child’s first steps might happen, say, on a muddy stretch of the Appalachian Trail, these shoes are for you. Adidas Outdoor is coming out with what we think might be the first Gore-Tex hiking shoe…for toddlers. It’s called…
Mammut/Barryvox makes some very fancy avalanche transceivers—one even can tell if the victim beneath the snow has a heartbeat. But for 99 percent of the casual backcountry users out there, it’s most important to just have a basic beacon that they won’t…
Avalanche airbags are showing up all over the trade floor at the Outdoor Retailer convention, if not yet all over the backcountry (though stories of skiers and snowmobilers who credit them for getting them through big slides are certainly becoming more common). A number…
Really into packing light? Check out Outdoor Research's new take on the standard beanie—it’s more like a down jacket for your head. It’s really light, insanely packable, and looks really warm. I’ve never felt like my hat was too bulky to fit in my bag,…
Can you recommend a few options for sunglasses that will not fog up while running and cross-country skiing? Thank you very much!EricMilwaukee, Wi
By Stephen Regenold “Yak wool from the heart of the Himalayas.” That's the promise, and a company tag line of sorts, for Khunu USA, a Glenwood Springs, Colo., company that sells men's and women's sweaters made out of yak fur. Technically, it's wool, not fur.
What's the best stand-up paddleboard for a beginner? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What is the best winter cycling glove?TonyLong Beach, CA
By Stephen Regenold Mike Kloser, a Vail, Colo., athlete and a former world-champion mountain biker, is something of a god in the sport of adventure racing. As the captain of Team Nike, Kloser dominated AR for years, including multiple world-champ titles and victories at banner events…
I'm going on a mountaineering expedition in Peru's Cordillera Blanca next summer. Being a college student, I don't have tons of money to shell out, so what is the best hard shell jacket for the best price?BryanBoone, NC
What are the best snowshoes for deep snow? What are the best goggles for snowshoeing? Jennifer from Helena, Montana Judy from Portland, Oregon
I'm going to Peru for a week-long hike to Machu Picchu. I think the tour guides carry the large gear (tents, food). What backpack should I get? My local store suggested an Osprey 40 but I really have no idea what to get. Help! Thanks.ChrisLouisville, KY
By Stephen Regenold The International CES trade show, the world’s largest gathering of consumer-technology companies, took place last week in Las Vegas. Here are five new products for the outdoors market that caught my eye on the show floor. GPS ‘Bug’ — The…
I am trying to find a good, durable approach shoe for both lightweight packing and climbing/canyoneering without have to change shoes. I am a minimalist when it comes to gear. I have read good things about the Five Ten Guide Tennies. Any thoughts or recommendations?FredSanta Monica, CA
By Stephen Regenold The annual International CES (Consumer Electronics Show), held this week in Las Vegas, is the world's largest gathering of consumer technology companies, geeks, and technophiles of all types. But hidden in the halls of technology are outdoor brands and dozens of gadgets that…
Does any company make a cool one-piece ski suit? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
I am looking to buy a new snowboard. I only use it six to ten times a year but I still want a good board. I'm looking for a mid-level board for any sort of condition. What are your suggestions? David Detroit, MI
Which sporty watch would you recommend for someone that bikes, snowboards, hikes, and surfs? I am not so concerned with tide info, but I do want something that would keep him from getting lost when snowboarding or mountain biking in the backcountry! Shannon Temecula, CA
What are the best shoes for winter running? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
My son has requested a soft shell jacket as a gift. He seeks something similar to his Columbia shell with internal fleece jackets (3-in-1) of his youth. I think he wants the shell and doesn't care if it zips into a liner. Your suggestions? Susan Cedar Rapids, MI
What camera tripod would you recommend for backpacking travel through Europe? Haven't decided on taking the Canon Powershot or the Rebel. Robin Tucson, AZ
Triathlon is one of the most gear-intensive sports there is, so try a few tris before you invest in a top-of-the line wetsuit or bike. In the meantime, here are a few great buys that will shave seconds off your time and get you amped for an Ironman. Specialized Women's…
Looking for one last sub-$100 gift? Sneak a pair of sneakers under the tree. My son's newest pair of shoes are Converse All-Stars. The same kind Eddie Haskell wore on Leave It to Beaver. The same kind hipsters have favored for years, from Brooklyn to Venice Beach. They're an American icon, and…
I am looking at replacing my Marmot shell after ten years of use. As was the challenge last time, I am having a hard time with fit. I am 6'3" and most sizes that fit are XL, which means I have the proper arm length; however, it is too big around the torso. The misconception is that tall is big when tall is often fit. Do you have any recommendations for a shell that will give proper fit without sacrificing performance and durability? Daniel Ottawa, Ontario
By Stephen Regenold Running long distances with water is a pain. A backpack with a hydration bladder can significantly slow you down. Holding a water bottle in the hand is a hassle. And those fanny packs that secure a bike bottle for hydration on the hips?…
An old, non-electric classic. Photo courtesy of Flickr. The U.S. Marine Corps recently purchased two electric Newton trucks from Smith Electric, TreeHugger.com reports. The trucks will be used at Camp Pendleton, CA, the largest training facility on…
What's the ultimate telemark setup this year? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
More than any season, winter demands good gear. Keeping comfortable while staying active in the cold months is a challenge, as is staying upright on a bike or in running shoes on icy winter trails. Here are a half-dozen winter products for runners and winter bikers to improve…