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WINTER TRAINER A stainless-steel insert in this shoe’s Vibram sole allows you to click directly into the TSL snowshoe. Testers liked it for training but, despite the name, deemed it a bit bulky for racing. tslsport.com…
VERSATILITY CHAMP “Exactly what a daypack should be,” said one tester—and that’s the best way to describe the Laguna. With the ability to expand from 500 to 800 cubic inches, the Laguna’s just big enough to fit a shell, snacks, and a few extras. The airflow system’s mesh padding doesn’t…
Good for SnowshoeingThe waterproof and insulated Summit County will keep your toes warm and your feet supported as you click off the miles. Bonus: The sole hardens as temps plunge. Rated to -35F. keenfootwear.com…
Mountain-Ready Can’t decide if the day calls for scramble or ramble? Vasque’s Equalizer is ready for either. There’s just enough cushioning for long slogs on the trail, but its lasting board makes the Equalizer’s midsole extra stiff and helps it excel on rocky moraine. The outsole is…
Why It’s CoolA pickup is great for hauling many kinds of things—kayaks, lumber, muddy mountain bikers—but is surprisingly ill-suited to bicycles. Even trucks with pre-drilled fork mounts in the bed leave you with a wheel to tie down and no storage room. The Rec-Rac changes all that. Twin C-shaped clamps,…
Good for Backcountry The Free Rider is not so much a backpack as an armored hydration pack, perfect for ducking in and out of the resort. The back panel is actually a protective foam-and-plastic plate—similar to those worn by motocross riders—that flexes with you while you ski…
Daypack We’re suckers for chamois-lined sunglass pockets, but what really endeared this pack to us was the easy-to-pull straps that cinch it down into a neat bundle for the times your hike turns into a trail run. The externally loading sleeve makes refilling a hydration bladder (not included) a breeze.
The high-cut, deeply lugged BugaTech not only excels at ankle support and traction, it’s also toasty, thanks to a proprietary space-blanket-like lining. Plus, flat lower lacing makes it a perfect mate for snowshoes.
Size, Price: 68 oz, $24; 96 oz, $26Flow Rate: 3*Funk Fighter?: Roll-top opening for easy cleaningFilter-Compatible?: YesValve Shutoff?: YesGotta Love: DoubleShot valve doubles the flowBummer: Dual rubber valves are slick, hard to biteSplat Test: Survived *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…
This shoe packs in technology like a NASA experiment, delivering the year’s fastest and most comfortable ride. Independent gel units in the rear foot absorb impact by adapting to individual strides; the midsole material, called Solyte, is about half the weight of ASICS’s standard-density EVA; and the new polyester…
AN IPOD-READY STABILITY SHOE If rock and roll is integral to your running—and we mean either the Flaming Lips or the instability caused by pronation—then you’ll want a pair of iPod-compatible, supportive Equalons. Testers raved about this shoe’s stability and heel-to-toe cushioning. But the real genius of this soft-flexing shoe…
SOFT YET NIMBLE These low-profile, highly flexible shoes employ a new midsole compound called eBound that provides great cushion and a lively, responsive feel. The updated last is sleek and stream-lined, and it perfectly cradles narrow feet (even though the slimmest width they come in is B). A great choice…
LIGHT AND NIMBLE If you crossed a mountain goat with a ballet dancer, the offspring would wear these shoes. The lightweight and easy-flexing 800 is especially nimble for a trail runner, delivering a smooth heel-to-toe transition on flat terrain. It has plenty of cushion for long runs, and the aggressively…
SPEED DEMON “My initial response after trying these on was ‘Wanna race?’ ” one tester said of the aptly named Streak. With a flyweight construction, socklike fit, and soft yet energetic midsole, it’s basically a racing flat with just enough guts for daily training. The relatively generous heel cushioning and…
Not every run is a race. For long-distance training at a slow pace, this stability shoe delivers a surprisingly smooth ride for runners seeking firm support. All testers—even those who don’t pronate—scored the 857 high for protection, cushioning, and durability. Stability is enhanced by stiff support under the arch and…
A running shoe without foam? Nothing but air here. That’s what the flashy Air Max 360 brings to the table 27 years after Nike first began using air in running shoes. The full-length air cushion and integrated outsole combine to create supple heel-to-toe transitions and a smooth overall ride. Choose…
Heartily cushioned, especially in the heel, this stability shoe is customized for women, with a narrower last, lower heel height, and more flexible forefoot than the men’s version. 9 oz; reebok.com…
Like a restaurant with an “Under New Management” sign out front, Etonic deserves a fresh look. After licensing out its running-shoe division for several years, the company has brought the brand back inside and created the ultra-comfy Jepara SC. The midsole’s dual-density EVA cushioning and proprietary rubber results in a…
Mountain Maniac Can a shoe give you superpowers? With the amount of confidence the Raptor inspired in our testers, it came pretty close. The most protective and stable—but still fairly lightweight—shoe in our test, the Raptor let us ignore the terrain and just run. The extremely grippy proprietary rubber and…
Trail The Cabrakan is low and responsive and offers good feel for the trail. The flexy forefoot runs smoothly on gravel roads, the aggressive tread stuck to everything, and the water-resistant upper kept our feet reasonably dry in the muck. 9.1 oz. TAGS: all-terrain, moderate stability…
We expected the Epic to be fast—it's the same full-carbon bike that Swiss Christoph Sauser rode to the 2008 XC world championship—but not this fast. The Shimano XTR components and carbon cranks certainly help, but really it's all about the gray matter. The front and rear shocks feature Specialized's Brain…
Why pack 27 gears when you can crush your friends with just one? The Diesel’s list of features reads like a single-speed mantra: slick Formula Oro Puro disc brakes, dual rear cogs (16 and 18) on back for gearing options if the terrain turns testy, and Paragon’s trick slider…
SWITCH-HITTEROne of the best longer-travel climbing bikes I’ve ridden, Cannondale’s new Prophet is stiffer, lighter, and simpler than the company’s popular JeKyll. With five and a half inches of suspension at each end, this one’s perfect for all-mountain hammering. That said, the Prophet is happiest on technical trails, where its…
ALL-MOUNTAIN LIGHTWEIGHT Maverick is to the mountain bike what Apple is to the personal computer: the underdog that insists it knows a better way. And we’re not arguing with a Mac Pro, or the Durance. Designed by Paul Turner, creator of the suspension fork, the Durance combines Maverick’s brilliantly simple…
BIG-WHEELED HARDTAIL In the age of compression rates and leverage ratios, Bianchi continues to produce refreshingly simple bikes. This aluminum hardtail is tough enough for the roughest trails but doesn’t need the constant tweaking of a full-suspension rig. The 29-inch wheels roll so smoothly, you can forget you don’t have…
These nimble, pocket-friendly field glasses delivered surprisingly crisp images for their size (and bargain-basement price), and they also performed well in the wet. 8×26; carsonoptical.com…
The Slinger isn’t as breathable as more ventilated, higher-priced lids. But the one-handed dial adjuster in the back gives the helmet a secure, confident fit, making it without a doubt the most comfortable $100 helmet we’ve worn. e-rudy.com…
This classy timepiece, which pairs well with both suit and parka, steps beyond the usual analog chronograph with an altimeter. www.st-moritz.com…
Kudos to Diamondback for producing an affordable five-inch trail bike. “One of the better balanced rides of the day,” said one tester. “It corners smoothly, it's a nimble climber, and it descends like a free-ride bike.” Granted, you have to lock out the rear shock to hang with lighter bikes…
Finally, an excuse to have a bottle opener on your key chain without having to go back to college. www.buckknives.com…
Flexible Flier With race models like the Orca and Opal, this small Basque company has a well-deserved reputation as a maker of elite-level bikes. In an effort to get similar performance at a more attractive price for everyday riders, Orbea simply laid less-expensive carbon fiber into the same molds it…
SEASONED PROBy relocating the bulky GPS antenna to a separate arm-mounted pod, Timex kept the watch relatively svelte and undeniably light on the wrist. For gram-shaving racers, this is big; they can train with the GPS and the chest strap, then leave both at home when they step up to…
SHIMANO‘s redesigned XTR PD-M980 RACE PEDAL is lighter than its predecessor yet has three times the platform area.
TRES HERMESSpice up your morning five-miler with 125 of your favorite songs. With its pack-of-gum-size wireless sensor clipped to your laces, the MP3 Run tracks your speed, distance, and pace. Hit a button and the unit will cut into “Eye of the Tiger” with a progress report (“Time, three minutes;…
Is it safe to skip that water break? The ACUMEN EON-202TRT PYR ($269), a heart-rate monitor with an internal dehydration calculator, will let you know. Before you head out, program the outside temperature and humidity into the wrist unit via a key-chain gauge, then follow its advice on how much…
Wait, you’re not using those earbuds that came attached like a crummy little toady to another device, right? Good. But you should still upgrade to the deep, rich sound of these noise-isolating, dual-driver numbers. ultimateears.com…
Ditch the tool belt; just stick this crafty gizmo in your back pocket and roll. And if you’re not drinking wine, the hammer opens beer bottles. (No joke; look closely.) spyderco.com…
CASIO packed the SOLAR TRIPLE SENSOR ($250) with a compass, a barometer, a thermometer, a depth gauge, five alarms, and a rotating bezel—then tucked in a solar cell. Not only will the battery stay juiced on the power of daylight, but big digits and the included backlight make it your…
Thanks to the popularity of two-way radios, it’s getting harder to find a quiet channel in some of our nation’s more popular national parks. MOTOROLA solves this chatter glut by offering 99 subcodes in its TALKABOUT T6500 ($79 per pair). The rechargeable NiCad-powered handsets have one watt of power, good…
A pivot fin along the back, assisted by an internal tension rod, lets you open this utility knife like a switchblade, fast and with a flick of the finger. kershawknives.com…
CREATIVE’s 3.1-ounce NOMAD MUVO² X-TRAINER 512MB ($269) is built for rough handling, with a half-gig of fixed flash memory wrapped in a protective rubbery case. The rugged X-Trainer gets about twice the battery life (16 hours) of most hard-drive-based spinners.
This compass weighs just 1.2 ounces, and its smash-proof housing also contains an inclinometer. brunton.com…
When it first emerged last year, face-recognition technology seemed hokey and didn’t even work that well. The F60fd changes all that. When we passed it around among amateurs and pros alike, it easily recognized multiple faces, even in full profile, nailing exposure, focus, and color balance every time.
The single-hinge design makes for a comfortable grip on these backcountry-ready binocs. And with a wide field of view and excellent clarity at dawn or dusk, they’re ideal for viewing wildlife. 10.5×45; leupold.com…
Lance Armstrong’s preferred eyewear during his return to racing, the new Jawbone uses a hinged frame for easy lens changes. Small bumpers inside the tops of the frame secure the smudge-free, hydrophobic lenses without distorting them. oakley.com…
This relatively svelte, Windows-based smartphone is a pure traveler, with a great navigation system (geotagging and U.S. maps built in), a 2.8-inch touchscreen, an intuitive interface, and a 3.2-meg camera that delivered decent shots in a variety of conditions. htc.com…
Angle away with these optical wonders. Though they’re great for wearing out and about, the Baysides sport glass lenses in a greenish tint that’s perfect for fishing streams and saltwater flats in low light, yet the polarization knocks out surface glare to reveal the water’s wily inhabitants in any…
General Scoping Acquired by elite optics company Leupold & Stevens in 2009, Redfield is back this year with the Rebel, an ergonomic and economical binocular that’s a great all-around choice. The fully multiÂcoated lenses stood up well to repeated stream drops and didn’t fog up in cold-weather testing, plus an…
Swimming Elegance We can’t get enough of Suunto’s Elementum line. The dive version, a.k.a. Aqua, automatically logs depth, dive time, max depth, surface time, and water temp—and stores it all for up to 14 dives. But it’s the superclear, handsome reverse-LCD display on this iF Design Award–winning model that we…
DIAD stands for “done in a day,” but even testers who didn’t speed-climb El Cap appreciated this wispy storm shell. It’s perfect for windy summits and surprise squalls—and so light we never debated packing it. Designing a seven-ounce jacket requires cutting a few corners, which in this case means…
Freestyle takes a step back from its usual designer impulses, leaving in the 100-meter water resistance, stainless-steel case, and fumble-proof nylon strap. Best of all, though, is the popsicle-blue backlight, like something you’d see in a sea cave at dusk. TAGS: simple, casual…
Sidi has long made bombproof shoes for mountain bikers and the Blaze is no exception. With two sturdy Velcro straps and a rugged plastic sole, these synthetic leather cleats will simply not succumb to trail abuse. 12 oz; www.sidiusa.com…
These bargain binos are priced to move but still tough enough for hard use. They’re protected against falls and klutzy friends and come with a lifetime prism-alignment guarantee. 10×25; www.carson-optical.com…
Cross a rubber tire with a sandal and you get this cool beast. A pull-through cord snugs each “rib” (actually made with EVA plastic foam) down like a clamp for great stability. www.mionfootwear.com…
This compact road-racing machine offers the best of both material worlds: The aluminum main frame makes for a snappy ride (and keeps the price reasonable), while the carbon seatstays, seatpost, and flat-bladed monocoque fork smooth out road chatter to keep your body fresh. The combination makes the Finest light…
Split the difference between superlight and full-featured: This packable polyester shell has a fleece-lined collar, hem drawcord, and chest pocket that doubles as a stuffsack. 5.8 oz; cloudveil.com…
Why They’re CoolThis handsome three-lens wrap may be all you’ll ever need—from above treeline to surfaces hard, soft, and man-made. » The darkest of the swap-out poly lenses are polarized gray. For less searing conditions, there’s brown. My fave is an almost-clear orange that pops details out of the murk.
VERSATILE PERFORMER “It’s super-comfortable, looks cool, and beat back steady rain for hours,” said one tester, summing up the Virtual’s virtues. In a category that has never been known for sleek style, Ground has elevated the game by creating an all-purpose storm shell you won’t mind wearing when it’s not…
Yak leather and a direct-injected outsole combine to make this shoe lightweight, yet tough for the long haul. With every stride, air is pumped through the insole to help reduce foot funk. eccousa.com…
Butter. That’s the best way to describe the feel of these socks, which blend soft merino and alpaca fibers. Wicking channels at the forefoot move moisture up to the ankle, where it evaporates more easily. dahlgrenfootwear.com…
Made of Peruvian alpaca wool, this antistink base layer is even softer than the finest merino we tested. Plus it won’t shrink in the wash like some wool base layers. powderhorn-world.com…
Need something warm enough for Wisconsin or Wyoming? Thanks to a Thinsulate lining and an inch-thick, insulated footbed, the waterproof Bota Bags are the warmest boots here. sorel.com…
Get these soft-shell pants for classic winter conditions: more cold, snowy, and windy than wet, slushy, and rainy. The Gore Windstopper fabric is tough on the outside, but has a soft fleece lining. cloudveil.com…
An angler’s dream, these high-definition, polarized amber lenses cut the glare coming off the water, plus the removable rubber side shields ensure you won’t have to worry about wind, dust, sand, or spray. costadelmar.com…
Bring this 650-fill-down puffy on your next hut trip. At just 19 ounces, it stuffs into a sack the size of a small melon. It’s cut just above the hip, which means it’s perfect for wearing with a backcountry pack. isisforwomen.com…
SIMPLE BUT VERSATILE First impression: generic name, not many features. But we decided to give it a chance thanks to its comfy fit, good looks, and the fact that it costs half as much as the most technical jackets here. Final impression: It’s a solid jacket for the money.
GOING DOWN? For speed and control on the descent, the aluminum BMC took top honors, with our riders reporting significant increases in their downhill speed, so much so that they were catching other bikers they normally wouldn’t even see. On a ripping descent of Vermont’s Cliff Trail, turns were quick,…
LIGHT BUT TOUGH Like a clever fighter capable of KO’ing guys with considerably more heft, the Thunderhead offers protection that belies its light weight. That’s because it’s cut from Gore’s best stuff, Pro Shell, with lighter, thinner (but more abrasion-resistant) material in the shoulders. The hood is beautifully designed—easy to…
Good for Backcountry Problem: Snowy lifts are cold. Solution: the Hoback. Cloudveil took a two-layer Gore-Tex Pro Shell and shot it up with PrimaLoft insulation. Too toasty? Unzip the thigh vents. cloudveil.com…
EURO CORE Good for Resort The Formula is the Porsche of this test—damned pricey, just as flashy, but worth every cent. Kjus’s designers tossed in everything from an integrated balaclava to a dedicated cell-phone pocket with a keeper leash. So plentiful are the hidden accessories that…
RAIN While the ultralight, compressible Kulshan repels snow and rain as well as a fully featured rain jacket, the eVent hard-shell material, a waterproof laminate, is still miraculously breathable. Wear it when you plan to bust ass on a wet day. rei.com…
Crocs’ take on the boat shoe, the Cove has a quick-drying suede upper paired with the classic Croslite foam-like midsole. White and blue too Nantucket for you? It’s also available in brown. No socks allowed. crocs.com…
Soft ShellsWe barely noticed this five-ounce piece in our packs. But when conditions changed, we appreciated every feature, from its chest pocket to its stashable hood. The cut is just generous enough to fit over a fleece, while the DWR-coated ripstop nylon is water-resistant enough to fend off a…
Good for Backcountry The trim-fitting Lobuche is every bit as breathable and snow- and rainproof as any hard shell we’ve ever tested. But it’s got something else up its sleeves. Because glues and seams can interfere with breathability, Mammut uses electrical current to bond the Lobuche’s…
Good for Backcountry Don’t let the slim-cut vintage looks fool you; these Icelandic pants are thoroughly modern—and great for ski touring and boot-packing as well as days spent sculpting bumps. Wind-cutting Polartec Power Shield keeps you cozy and dry no matter your agenda. 66north.com…
With the sheepskin-lined Brantling, the winterized duck boot continues to evolve, but now it breathes. Waterproof leather in the upper keeps your dogs toasty but not sweaty, and rubber bumpers and layered leather provide serious durability. uggaustralia.com…
Ignore the Forecast All-purpose windbreakers like the nonstretchy Shadowland have been around for a while—and with good reason. More lined than insulated, the Shadowland is essentially what you’d get if you fused your softest, fastest-wicking base layer with your favorite wind shell. Translation: It’s a remarkably versatile and highly wind-…
Driver/Hiker Hit the highway, then hit the trail. Serengeti brings its signature superfine optics for driving into the realm of outdoor exertion with these sporty poly Polar PhD lenses in a wide wrap design that looks upmarket and uptown. Gray-tint polarized lenses showed the world sharp and bright. A big…