Gear
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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
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 are the best shoes for winter running? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
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…
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
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…
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?…
What's the ultimate telemark setup this year? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
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…
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…
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'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…
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…
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.
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,…
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
GREAT ANKLE SUPPORT In a world of Honda Elements and Subaru Outbacks, the Ranger is a Ford Bronco: old-school and well-built but certainly not flashy. The crux of this classically designed boot is the collar. Leather strips on the outer surface offer stiff resistance to ankle rolls, while the inner…
Hard on your gear??If the answer is yes, the Deva is your friend. The rubberized bottom and 210-denier ripstop nylon were the burliest of the packs we tested. While the top compartment of this massive bag transforms into an over-the-shoulder daypack in seconds, the waist belt’s ratcheting system isn’t…
Made from recycled plastic bottles, this backpack keeps your surf stuff organized with thoughtful features like a seam-sealed wetsuit pocket, tarp-lined surf-wax keeper, and insulated cooler pocket. dakine.com…
With flat lace loops that don’t interfere with cinching snowshoe bindings, ample insulation, and a waterproof-breathable membrane, the Lynx can handle the wet and cold as well as any boot here. And with its trim and understated style, it blends nicely for urban use. 3.1 lbs;…
Simple and Smart Although they’re best known for making school bags, JanSport also has a long track record making technical performance packs—like the 2,074-cubic-inch Salish. From long day hikes to more gear-intensive scrambles to local crags, it consistently received high marks as a comfy, versatile pack. An externally accessed hydration…
This is the warmest boot we tested this year (rated to 60 below zero). The key is a removable, quick-dry felt liner, with an inner heat-reflective layer that also helps draws moisture out of the boot, plus the mid-calf height keeps the snow out with the pull of a…
Size, Price: 64 oz, $21Flow Rate: 3*Funk Fighter? NoFilter-Compatible?: YesValve Shutoff?: NoGotta Love: Hang loop for easy dryingBummer: Fills from bottom; bite valve requires big biteSplat Test: Survived *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…
Why They’re CoolIf you’ve had double ACL repairs or are minus some meniscus, you could be a candidate for the ultrasupportive 3D Grid Hurricanes. » On a day when my knees verged on mutiny and I detected squawking from strange little muscles that had never made their presence known, I…
LONG-HAUL COMFORT Most runners will either love or hate these flashy kicks on looks alone. But please, don’t be so superficial; there’s grit beneath the glam. Testers loved this shoe’s shock-absorbing heel pad, snug fit, and even flow through toe-off. The Triumph excelled on long, slow, base-building runs; several testers…
SMOOTH OPERATORS Testers loved this shoe’s comfort and smooth heel-to-toe transition. Credit a combination of silicone-based cushioning pads, a stable heel, and a springy midsole compound called MoGo, which we found responsive and highly shock-absorbing. Best for neutral runners to mild pronators. 9.1 oz; brooksrunning.com Bonus: The eco-friendly…
SPEED AND SOUND The Pegasus is like your favorite pair of jeans—soft, comfortable, and versatile enough to wear just about anywhere. And by anywhere, we mean both pavement and slushy trails. Like a true road shoe, its narrow shape and flexy construction inspire speed, especially on flat trails, dirt roads,…
FASTER THAN IT LOOKS “Much livelier than I was expecting” is how one tester described the Manifesto Beater. Sure, this beast features a firm, no-roll heel and rocks-be-damned protection, but it also boasts relatively soft forefoot flexibility, a generously padded tongue, and a responsive fit. “It feels very light given…
If you already have a hydration reservoir and just need a more versatile pack to put it in, go for the Razor and its interchangeable hipbelts. Use the minimalist strap for running with a light load; swap in the padded belt when you cram the pack full for a day…
DIRTMONGER The Wildwoods are designed to work equally well on dirt as on pavement. And while we found the Wildwood isn’t fluid enough for the road, it shined in hilly, rugged terrain. The outsole feels secure in the steeps, while an underfoot protection plate defends against sharp jabs. Ultra freaks,…
Technical Terrain Cross a race flat with a pair of crampons and the resulting mash-up might resemble the X-Talon. Tipping the scale at less than eight ounces, it’s like a slipper with cleats, with a snug fit and low-to-the-ground heel. Although its widely spaced, sticky rubber lugs…
Good for the Road If you’re like the vast majority of runners, you’re looking for a shoe that offers a touch of stability and ample cushioning but don’t want to pay the price in extra weight. Voilà: We give you the Ravenna. Its lean construction (10.1 ounces)…
Flat and Fast If you’re running dry, flat dirt trails, you might as well enjoy road-shoe-like comfort. Here the SyncroFuel XC delivers with a seamless upper and even cushioning—pillowy enough for long, slow miles but light enough to feel fluid at a lung-busting pace. The upper’s secure midfoot wrap held…