Gear
Archive
What's the best stand-up paddleboard for a beginner? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
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 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
I've used knives for various outdoor activities for years but realized I don't know how to effectively sharpen a knife (aside from tossing it and buying a new one). Can you recommend a sharpener or good resources to learn to sharpen a knife? -Doug Minneapolis, MN
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…
What is the best multipurpose digital camera that can take a beating and can be mounted on a helmet. BryanMedford, NY
Is global positioning contributing to our general sense of lostness? One British navigation nerd thinks so.
By Stephen Regenold Snow is on the ground. The temps are dropping. Winter has set in true and full in Minnesota, my home state, where the natives try not to let the dreary days of December get them down. One solution: Winter running! Indeed, endorphins are…
I need the perfect present for my boyfriend's birthday! He's a cyclocross racer, mountain biker, skier, rock climber, and camper, and loves all outdoor gear and tools. Any great ideas within the $150 range?? -Sara Las Vegas, NV
The steel head of my new hatchet was pounded out old-school style by a blacksmith in Sweden. His name is Mattias Mattsson, and beside a crown insignia stamped on the axe head, Mattsson marked his creation with a signature “MM” to personalize and claim the work as his…
I'm on a tight budget. What are some quality, practical holiday gifts for my wife that won't require a second mortgage? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
What's the difference between synthetic insulation and down insulation in terms of staying warm? For example, how does 700 or 800 fill down compare to synthetics? PaulChicago, IL
By Stephen RegenoldPhotos by Tommy Chandler/Backcountry.com. Last time I checked, the live countdown clicker read “1,749,615.” That was the current readout on www.Backcountry.com/greghill2mil, a number that represents vertical feet skied in the backcountry this year by Greg Hill, a 34-year-old Revelstoke, B.C., man on…
I would like to get my husband a pair of snowshoes for the holidays. I know nothing about them. Can you suggest a few pairs worth looking into? Thank you! KatieMilford, NH
The insanity of “Black Friday” is mercifully past. “Cyber Monday” was this week. Still in need of something for an outdoors lover on your list? Here are a half-dozen holiday gift ideas, ready to wrap and Gear Junkie approved. Seasonal Energy Food, $1 and up Energize for the…
Nothing new on race day. That is the cardinal rule of triathlon. Don't scarf down a breakfast burrito race morning when you've been training on oatmeal. Don't wear compression socks if you've never put them on before. And don't swim in a wetsuit you haven't taken for a considerable test…
What are your top three cross-country ski destinations in the U.S.? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
What gear should I use while biking with my dog running alongside? BrettShaker Heights, OH
Wind, waves, rushing rivers, deep snow, vast woods, and towering mountain peaks — these were but a few of the obstacles encountered on my adventures around the world in 2010. Indeed, with trips and expeditions to Nepal, Iceland, Patagonia, and the Alps, the past 12 months can go on record…
As a recent transplant to Colorado, I realized I should be in the market for a decent winter boot (that could optionally be used year round). There are so many options out there with so many mixed reviews. I'd like to keep the purchase below $200. Any suggestions? JohnDurango, CO
By Stephen Regenold Will 2011 mark the rebirth of the waterproof-breathable hardshell jacket? A slew of recent news points to significant effort to upgrade the category, which has long been lacking on the “breathability” side of the equation. Today on GearJunkie.com, I…
Famed explorer Alan Arnette gives us the inside scoop on what he wears to stay warm in the South Pole
How and where we tested the skis to determine our favorites.
How much does a bad mountain bike tire affect your riding? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
The bike weighs about 29 pounds. It folds up suitcase-small — to about 36 x 38 x 12 inches — and it was initially developed in 1997 for the military with seed money from a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) grant. It's called the Paratrooper, and…
I've decided to go big and invest in a quality down jacket, one that I'm going to wear for the next decade. I may be using it when I'm shoveling snow, snowshoeing in the mountains, or just around town. Which jacket do you recommend? Lindsay Durango, CO
Gert Boyle, the 86-year-old leader of Columbia Sportswear, thwarted an armed robbery attempt at her home by setting off a silent alarm. After the robber held her up at gunpoint outside and then led her inside, she told him she had to turn off…
By Stephen Regenold Snow piles deep each winter on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a region of vast forests, rivers, small mountains, and the immense body of Lake Superior to the north. Not many people live on the U.P. But those who do, like David Ollila,…
I need a cool, new commuter bag. What do you recommend? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
I run on trails in the Virgin Islands because it's the only safe place to run, but I don't have trail running shoes. I have been tearing through shoes because they can't handle the rough terrain. What is the best warm-weather trail running shoes? Imagine a rocky gravel trail that gets muddy due to frequent tropical downpours. —Greg
I travel a lot and freeze on airplanes. I am looking for a comfortable, classy, warm, wrinkle-free outfit. The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Like untold thousands of American inventors before him, Dan Martinson created something new after a bit of frustration at the limitations of a standard product he had sitting around the house. In Martinson's case, it was bungee cords. “I found it very difficult to keep anything on the front of…
By Stephen Regenold With strong words and pointed language aimed at the outdoors industry, big promises on new technology, and theatrical skaters twirling amid spotlights on synthetic ice at an events center in the meatpacking district of New York City,…
How do you remove mildew from backpacks, waders, and other outdoor gear. I recently brought out my gear for a weekend trip and discovered a lot of mildew on my gear. I looked at the Nikwax website, but do not see any products for mildew.
LOWA ALBULA GTX LADY, $280 Ah, November. That brief time of year when the air is crisp, the forest a carnival of color and the last of the Lady Frankenstein face paint has finally scrubbed off behind your ears. There couldn't be a better time to…
If you were only going to take one pair of shoes or boots to Belize to hike in the jungle, visit some ruins, and screw around on some zipline and cave tubing tours, what would you take? I'd love both a male and female option (for my companion).-AdamBoulder, CO
TELEMARK Good for Telemark While a few hard-chargers preferred the slightly heavier Scarpa T1 Lady for in-bounds turns, they raved about the flyweight Elektra off track. It's a good boot for a short-calved, aggressive woman and, as one tester said, “has consistent flex.” 7 lbs; garmont.com…
Like old-school Jordans, the One has an air chamber in the heel, which, along with a shock-absorbing insole, helps take some sting out of big landings. Best for narrow feet. flow.com…
Good for Telemark With the same cut and rockered tip as the Coomback, the Gotback was our favorite all-mountain tele-ski. But if you ski mostly groomers, you might want something with more edge grip: Although testers loved the way the early-rise tip plowed effortlessly over crud, some wished it…
Good for Resort The inner lacing system helps keep your forefoot exceptionally snug, but testers were most impressed with how light this Boa-laced boot is. Thanks to an ultralight outsole (made from blown EVA foam), your feet won’t feel like cement blocks at the end of the…
Good for Frontside K2 increased the width of this longtime favorite by four millimeters this winter and added a forgiving wide-footprint Marker binding to match. The result? One of the easiest-skiing high-performance front-side skis just got easier to ski and more powerful (since the binding transfers energy…
This bike-helmet-esque lid has a barrel ratchet adjuster that fine-tunes to head size with a quick turn. Another quick flip of a lever on the top opens and closes ten vents, and we love how your goggles nestle into the short brim, which has a fog-eliminating vent.
TELEMARK Good for Touring The overhauled Switchback won many converts with its new bomber 410 heat-treated stainless-steel toe bar. “A perfect match with lighter two- or three-buckle boots for touring,” said one Wasatch-based tester. It is the lightest telemark-touring binding on the market, but hard-and-heavy chargers preferred the beefier,…
Big Mountain In 2008, NTN turned a thousand years of freeheel thinking on its head. No more duckbilled boot toe. Instead, NTN added a safety-release system, step-in convenience, unprecedented downhill power, and free-pivot touring function. Rottefella lives up to its name, which means “rat trap” in Norwegian. But Americans have been…
Top it off with an ultralight lid like CAMP‘s SPEED HELMET.
Good for Backcountry Scrap—not Trash—would be more accurate: This 2,196-cubic-inch daypack is made out of leftover bits of sailcloth. It’s a cool story, but it also makes sense: The fabric is remarkably weatherproof and durable. The rest of this streamlined pack is equally clever. Aluminum stays lend…
Rome’s new lacing system lets you adjust four different areas—the inner liner, forefoot, ankle, and upper cuff. Sounds complicated, but two cords are all it takes. And it works. The Libertine received the highest score for out-of-the-box comfort and chutes-to-kickers credibility. TAGS: customizable fit, supportive…