Gear
Archive
ALL-PURPOSE This crossover shoe performs well on a variety of surfaces. On technical trails, it’s stable and comfortably cushioned, thanks to high-rebound foam in the midsole and a solid plastic protection plate in the forefoot; on hard surfaces, the cushion almost makes this shoe feel like it was made for…
If you’re one of the lucky ones who can trot out the front door and weave together a perfect run on a mix of trail and pavement, stop gloating and buy a pair of Odysseys. At first glance the toothy tread appears to be trails-only, but the low-profile lugs, four-density…
TRIATHLON-READY With a pronounced heel tab, quick-pull laces, and sole drain holes, the Tempo is designed to speed up your switches from bike to run. But the first-ever road shoe from the triathlon-apparel company Zoot is also a highly advanced, lightweight trainer for everyday roadies. The midsole’s dual-density foam and…
Thanks to a full-length TPU Flexion Plate that instigates forward motion, we simply felt fastest in these light stability shoes. In other words, they’re pricey but worth it. And you can run them hot: The breathable mesh is treated with temperature-regulating material that actually seems to work. 10 oz;…
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” may work as a guiding principle for, say, can openers, but not running shoes. Brooks took a popular, high-quality cushioning shoe and went back to the drawing board, producing the new and improved Radius 06. It’s a lighter and more generously padded runner…
The most gender-specific shoe in our test, the Wave Rider accommodates a woman’s unique biomechanics. The result is a nimble, comfortable, impressively breathable, neutral trainer that’s also ready to race. 8 oz; mizunousa.com…
Motion-control shoes have a rep for feeling big and clunky, but this agile cruiser defies the stereotype. The key component is the detached heel-strike pad, which moves independently of the rest of the midsole. The design isolates shock absorption from the rest of the shoe and stops mild pronation in…
Cool Runner We have to admit, the Ravenous surprised us. Columbia is new to the running market and debuts with this breathable, lightweight, perfectly competent trail shoe. It’s best on rocky terrain and—with its particularly breezy open mesh—begs to be unleashed in humid climes. The traction ranked high on dry…
Road Think classic American sedan: plush interior, soft in the shocks, and ready to cruise. The updated Ghost is a comfort-minded neutral trainer, ready for high-mileage days and moderate paces, though it was too spongy for our speedsters. 8.8 oz. TAGS: neutral, generous cushioning…
Produced by a Basque collective in the heart of Spain’s Pyrenees and raced by Iban Mayo’s Euskaltel-Euskadi team, Orbea bikes are like cask-aged single-malt: They’re all about small-batch quality. With the Mitis you get classic European geometry — a stretched-out cockpit and a glute-engaging position — freshened up with…
LIGHT AND STIFF “The 595 is less yielding than Dick Cheney on Meet the Press,” quipped one tester. It’s true: The naked-carbon tubes might appear a bit thin, but the integrated seat-tube/seatpost system takes out lateral flex under the saddle. And where stiffness counts—at the bottom bracket, in the head…
This cleat stays cool on the hottest days. It has all the performance features you’d expect—rigid carbon midsole, removable mud cleats—combined with an upper that’s supercooled with swaths of mesh venting. northwave.it…
Surprisingly inexpensive despite its radical design, the fin-like Zuma cuts through the air but not your budget. rudyprojectusa.com…
Heat-moldable sections in the upper give the M230 a custom-fit feel, while the carbon-reinforced nylon soles nail the balance between efficient pedaling stiffness and hike-a-bike walkability. shimano.com…
A Classic Reinvented In an effort to lower the price of admission, Ellsworth offers up the Glimpse, its first-ever non- commuter bike not entirely made in the USA. The aluminum tubes are still produced here, but the shaping, welding, and assembly happen in Taiwan. (You probably wouldn’t have known had…
Utility Multi-Purpose Marvel A water-resistant, breathable, seamless soft-shell upper, rubberized toe box, and an aggressive ride/hike sole made this a favorite multi-condition shoe, and testers loved that its runner-like profile meant it was inconspicuous and comfortable for walking around (quietly) off the bike. 15.4 oz; pearlizumi.com…
Good for Backcountry Because both the head and shaft are made out of aluminum (with steel tips), the Corsa weighs half as much as normal axes (just 8.8 ounces). Of course, that lack of heft also makes getting purchase in blue ice more difficult. Think of it…
This genius watch measures your resting heart rate (collected while you take a five-minute break) and automatically builds a weekly training regimen. Then it tracks your progress and updates your workouts accordingly. www.polarusa.com…
Updated with an elegant new ergonomic case, the classic traveler’s tool kit still includes nearly every widget you could wish for—even a wrench. www.wengerna.com…
GEEK’S DELIGHTPaging all data whores! The S625X, which ships with a wireless speed sensor that mounts on a shoe, lets you program and track a seemingly infinite combination of complex workouts. (Wireless bike cadence and speed sensors are sold separately, $40 each.) Forty bucks also buys you an infrared PC…
BOLD STATEMENTIt felt good to be the only guy running the trails of Boulder, Colorado, sans flapping headphone wires. In a wild science project, Oakley pimped out a pair of its Half Jacket sunglasses by tucking a 256MB flash-memory-based player in the stems and adding flip-up lenses. Phones slide directly…
You know your VO2 max and resting heart rate, but what about your “excess post-exercise oxygen consumption” value? Maybe it’s time to spring for SUUNTO’s new T6 ($449). After measuring millisecond differences between your individual heartbeats, the wrist computer will indicate how quickly you bounce back from a tough training…
Whether you’re playing preloaded tunes or the radio, that built-in speaker sounds a helluva lot better than you might expect. And when you’re ready to plug in earbuds, just slide the speaker back behind and watch the display shift from horizontal to vertical. PC only; samsung.com…
There’s nothing quite like a beautiful, badass blade, especially when it’s a one-handed, mechanism-assisted opener like this pocket sword. $382 with pictured handle inlays; benchmade.com…
TIMEX took the heavy metal out of its Ironman. Sure, the MEGA-LAP SLEEK ($70) has an ultraslim design and svelte resin band. But with its 200-workout memory and calendar reminder with text memos (“Get ass in gear for half-marathon!”), the features are as phat as ever.
Want rugged portability? Then this sound system in a suitcase is a no-brainer. The weather-resistant i-F3 features iPod charging and storage, auxiliary input, FM, and alarm and puts out respectable sound for 20 hours per charge. si5.com…
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…
For optical clarity, glass is best in class; it’s naturally much clearer, plus it doesn’t scratch. The only downside for casual use? It costs a lot more than poly. But here the modern yet classic design and wire build are equally high-end, so it would be a shame to…
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.
Why They’re CoolThis is polymer haiku, spoken in slender curves, that works like an optical Clydesdale. » Featherweight, borderless poly lenses beat back light with double-gradient mirroring; polarizing cuts glare and bronze tint pumps up contrast. There’s rubber at the nose and ears for gonzo security. » They ain’t art;…
This compass weighs just 1.2 ounces, and its smash-proof housing also contains an inclinometer. brunton.com…
Aigle Shems – Midweight Jackets: Reviews With a soft fleece interior and warm, durable merino wool/nylon exterior, this jacket combines our favorite fabrics in one versatile top. 1.9 lbs; aigleusa.com Patagonia Pau – Footwear: Reviews (Terry Heffernan) The coolest mocs we’ve ever laid eyes…
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…
For club rides and racing, this shoe’s thin carbon sole is stiff yet sensitive, and the flashy graphics make you look speedy—even when you’re standing still. 10 oz; www.trialtir-usa.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…
You’ll barely notice these shades—but others will. The wrap style delivers uncompromising peripheral vision. A springy rubber nosepiece holds them securely in place. www.arnette.com…
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 multicoated lenses stood up well to repeated stream drops and didn’t fog up in cold-weather testing, plus an…
Pull the insole out of this boot and—voilà—you’ve got a flip-flop. www.teva.com…
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…
FLYWEIGHT CONTENDERThe seven-ounce Essence is no sissy, thanks to a tough ripstop nylon fabric. The tapered cut keeps excess fabric from flapping—but a little extra material under the arms keeps the jacket from sneaking up your torso when you go for that just-out-of-reach bolt. This two-layer, welded-seam shell is armed…
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…
After vanishing for a few years, Swobo is back and producing the same lust-worthy merino gear that built its reputation. These jerseys are cut generously, feel great on the skin, and, thanks to natural anti-stink properties, don’t need to be washed after every ride. swobo.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…
ULTRALIGHT INSURANCE Does it make sense to buy a jacket for times when you don’t actually want a jacket? In a word, yes. When you’re going light, the forecast is decent, and you’re tempted to leave your storm shell behind, pack the Isotope. At five ounces, it vanishes until you…
BEST FOR BOATERS The near-extinct single-piece shield lens, once a staple of performance eyewear, survived in exile on Rodeo Drive, a prisoner of designer-label fashion. Now Maui Jim springs it free with this hingeless, frameless model. Coverage couldn’t be better, nor could the view. The Breakwater’s polarized rosy-tinted lenses slay…
Although they look feminine enough for drinks on the patio, the Cubic Lush stayed put even on a windy road ride. Lightweight and rimless, they’re best suited for women with small features. adidas.com…
BARGAIN PUFFY Good luck finding an equally tricked-out, ski-specific soft shell at this price. In addition to a removable powder skirt and helmet-compatible hood, the Wildcard has everything you need—hidden pass clip, dedicated goggle pocket, and audio-player compartment with earbud port—for an organized day sans backpack. Its low-profile layer of…
THE CLASSIC If Toyota made a jacket, it would be a lot like the Escape: solid performance, great value. Made of Gore-Tex Performance Shell (the new name for the classic two-layer waterproof-breathable fabric), the Escape shucked off the elements in the nastiest Northwest storms. It’s not as light as comparably…
Thanks to a breeze-busting layer of fleece-lined Gore Windstopper, this is the warmest hat here. dakine.com…
Like their namesake, these shades are made for performance on the road. Everything about them screams cool, from the unbreakable blue-green polycarbonate lenses to the slim, squarish frames. porsche-design.com…
Credit Dansko’s signature contoured insole and roomy toe box for making these boots the most comfortable we tested. The shearling lining was cozy but not suffocating, even for testers with sweat-prone feet. dansko.com…
SWAP FEAT Beautiful. Smith’s ingenious Interlock system (which thankfully comes in several cool frame options) lets you change out lenses with heretofore unknown ease. Simply rotate the temples laterally to loosen the frames’ grip on the lenses, which easily pop out, then pick your next tint, pop ’em in, and…
LOVES TO CLIMB With its relaxed geometry, vibration-damping elastomer inserts, and highly engineered full-carbon frame, the Ruby is the most comfortable bike in our lineup. That was especially true during rides through the rolling terrain of Tuscany and on a climb to the top of Vermont’s Ap Gap, which includes…
The hiking-boot mainstay built its classic arch support into these shoes. Tiny perforations in the toe allow water to escape, while the mesh blocks grit. hi-tec.com…
Removable wool liner. Remarkably supple. And the leather is made without any synthetic dyes or harmful metals. hestrausa.com…
AEROBIC MASTER Good for Resort Hesitant about wearing a soft shell to the resort? Relax. In drier climates, the fleece-and-soft-shell Gamma SV is the perfect choice for hard-charging lift-lappers. Built with cozy, high-loft Polartec Power Shield fleece in the chest and a lighter version of the…
This ultralight 700-fill down jacket is comfortable down to the low 20s, and it’s reversible: black to soak up extra solar rays, white to reflect them and keep you cooler. 11 oz; columbia.com…
Two reasons we rarely took these off: One, the bamboo-lined uppers are extremely fast-drying and comfy. Two, thanks to the collapsible heel and quick-lace system, you can wear them as slides or true stay-on-your-feet water shoes. salomonsports.com…
The WeatherEdge was this year’s biggest surprise. Less than $120, pit zips, a fully functioning hood? There really isn’t a catch, though. It’s every bit as waterproof as jackets that cost twice as much and, while it’s not quite as breathable as the pricier jackets here, all you have…
The faux-fur lining of these water-resistant cuties will keep your toes cozy when the mercury takes a dive. The toggles are just for show—an inside zipper makes the boots easy to take off. keenfootwear.com…
Good for Backcountry This mostly wool-and-nylon button- front was a midlayer before the term “midlayer” existed. Ski with it over a base layer, then wear it with a T-shirt to the bar. smartwool.com…
Good for Resort “It’s like you’re wearing a Muppet,” one tester said of the Flow’s ridiculously plush fleece lining. This jacket—the warmest here—is what you want if you’re heading somewhere frigid, like Wyoming or Alaska. But because all that insulation is wrapped in a waterproof-breathable eVent membrane,…
Fast and Light In a word: dense. That’s the best way to describe this thin but surprisingly tough and weatherproof jacket. Because its fabric is much more tightly woven than most soft shells’, it was, according to one tester, “way more windproof and burly than I would have thought.” Even…
At night, the blinking rear light on Brooks’s Nightlife Hat is a little peace of mind. brooksrunning.com…
On a hot day, you’ll feel speedy as the breeze swooshes into the mesh vents along the sides of this quick-dry polyester running tee. It’s so silky, in fact, that you’ll forget it’s there—especially because of its flat seams. marmot.com…
Remove the plastic side shields from these mountaineering-specific shades and you’ll resemble any Boulderite. But once you reach the high country, evade sunburned eyeballs by snapping them back on: Studies show they’ll block about 85 percent more light than going without. julbousa.com…
These full-wrap shades with interchangeable smoke lenses won’t fog on climbs but will protect eyes on fast descents. e-rudy.com…
Keen started out as a summer-shoe specialist; now they go to the other extreme with a nubuck leather sneaker-boot thing—with faux-shearling flourishes at the ankles—that, surprisingly, works. Warm as your fireside, grippy on wet surfaces, waterproof-breathable, and rugged enough (though a bit clompy) for real work. TAGS: solid,…
Soft Touch “It just feels right,” said one tester. That pretty much sums up the Welder, and after we added up all the comments, it was clear that it was the most breathable, stretchy, supple, and comfortable insulated soft shell we saw this year. The Welder delivers enough water and…
Patagonia redesigned its flagship line of base layers, and it claims the new fabric wicks and dries faster than ever. We couldn’t confirm that, but one thing’s for certain: Thanks to an antimicrobial treatment, this slim-fitting layer did a much better job of fighting funk than our decade-old Capilene.
Nothing beat the uninsulated Snowbelle on bluebird spring ski days. Patagonia’s proprietary fabric is completely waterproof but didn’t suffocate, even when we wore it on a steep, snowy hike up 9,111-foot Atalaya Mountain in Santa Fe. Our taller testers applauded its extra length (which kept snow out), and everyone…
SAUCONY‘s wind-resistant, hunter-orange PROTECTION GLOVES have great features (terry snot wipe, big reflective patch, breathable palm panel, and nifty USB-rechargeable, clip-on light).
Why It’s CoolOnly Riot could build a six-foot-eight kayak and call it anything other than a dedicated playboat. The Turbo’s speed and quick-curve abilities will please big-wave adrenaline junkies, while a high bow rocker and forgiving hull design provide downstream stability in rowdy rough stretches. » Riot deserves a most-innovative-outfitting…
WILD STALLIONDig in your paddle and the Fish will instantly respond. But this one isn’t for newbies: With sharp edges and cavernous volume, this DragoRossi will toss those who don’t fully commit to their tricks. That said, the Fish is packed with nifty design elements, like raised bumps on the…
A REC BOAT WITH MOJO With its behind-the-seat gear hammock and adjustable, ergonomic seat, the Bliss looks like your run-of-the-mill beginner boat. But because of its shapely lines and dual hull channels, it handles and tracks better than any other rec model we tested. I kept pace with boats twice…
The Willis freestyle vest employs Astral’s split-panel design with two independent foam sections. An inner panel hugs your ribs, while the outer panel moves with your shoulders. astralbuoyancy.com…
An Updated Classic With its fully adjustable pull-through straps, comfy (and burly) footbed, and impressive grip on slippery surfaces, the Z2 has been a perennial favorite of boatmen. This updated version has a slightly beefier outsole and is made from a more durable rubber mixture. chacousa.com…