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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…
A side-mounted Boa lacing system equalizes the tension between the upper and lower boot, and an oversize Velcro power strap seals the deal. The result: exceptional heel hold and a soft, responsive flex for everything from pillow lines to the park. TAGS: versatile, Boa…
Why It’s CoolWe’re huge fans of Osprey’s compression scheme—pack sidewalls wrap tortilla-style around your stuff. Not only is the setup exceptionally stable for hauling ropes and other heavy gear; it cinches down nicely on small loads, too. » The mountaineering features are so cleanly designed, they’re barely noticeable: ax loops,…
FAT AND FURIOUS The Atlas was designed for guys who charge down 50-degree faces at downhill racing speeds. And what does that mean to you? Only this: The Atlas is fat enough for the deepest snow, but it handles like a traditional ski. So you can load it up and…
Why They’re CoolThe Torques are so sprightly, they encouraged me to jump across rocky chasms that perhaps should have been safely admired from the brink. I blame the shock-absorbing EVA midsole, bolstered by a resilient nylon shank and insole. Of course, if they cushion so well when thusly abused, you…
The XCELERATOR SKATE NIS BINDING lets you microadjust your position on the ski to locate your personal sweet spot.
Don’t let the discount-store price fool you: This nimble, sticky-soled shoe is a standout on performance alone. The breathable upper is slipper comfortable out of the box. And when one tester leaped across a creek, the grippy tread helped her stick the landing—and avoid a butt-plant. Choose the Multiterra…
All Mountain With a lower cuff, a super-comfortable walk mode, and a grippy sole, the intermediate, all-mountain Delight was a tester favorite. While it’s not quite as stiff as the Inferno (above), it delivers an impressive balance of power transfer and all-day comfort. Plus, quilted down in the lower liner…
This standout in Deuter’s new women’s line is the pack equivalent of 1,000-thread-count sheets. Like other models here, it has female-specific features—curved shoulder straps, a shorter torso, and a contoured hipbelt. And it hugged our bodies with just-right padding. Plus you can fine-tune fit with the ladderlike Vari-Quick harness.
The instrument of choice for the Austrian national ski team, this basic carbon-fiber pole has a Velcro strap for easy adjustment. Light, simple, and inspiring. Just knowing that the world’s best ski team uses them makes you feel fast. komperdell.com …
TOUGH BUT LIGHT Purists will love the Needle: It's an alpine pack that's been stripped of everything but the essentials. What's left is a supremely tough sack capable of handling your most epic days, but still weighing less than three pounds. The trick is putting the weight where it counts.
MINIMALIST This featherweight was designed for rando racers—think running uphill on skis, and then bombing back down—but easy access and minimalist design also made the 290 (as in grams) our testers’ choice for the resort. It easily fits under a jacket, but at 1,098 cubic inches, it’s big enough for…
LIGHT BUT SUPPORTIVE Take a closer look and you can see it: One solid, continuous piece of polyurethane forms the midsole and sidewall supports on the awkwardly named AL-T. Because fewer materials are needed to brace the shoe, it’s very light but still sturdy enough to wear on technical trails—or…
Not only is it made without any animal products, the Gore-Tex-lined Kiowa Vegan also has plenty of ankle support and cushioning, making it ideal for overnight or light multi-day hikes. Even so, testers reported that the soft soles and synthetic-suede uppers made for blister-free day hikes, too. 15 oz;…
Give the air pump on the hip a few squeezes and the Summit’s already cushy hipbelt and back panel get even more luxurious. It’s a touch heavy but brimming with handy features like a detachable top panel that transforms into a lumbar pack. 7 lbs, 4,900 cu in;…
Cross a whitewater drybag with a technical backpack, and you might get something like the 4,393-cubic-inch Arrakis, this year’s burliest—and priciest—offering. Built with a tough, waterproof, washable nylon fabric, this roll-top beast was unfazed during a torrential rain that eventually saturated other packs. Three exterior pockets let you get…
Old-School Cool A 1,950-cubic-inch daypack made out of merino wool? Yup. And it’s not a greenwashed gimmick, either. For starters, the merino wool here bears little resemblance to your favorite sweater; the yarn is worsted and given a ripstop treatment so it’s durable yet light. While the overall design is…
This super-low-profile pack holds 50 ounces of water and 150 cubic inches of tools, lunch, and doodads in two organizer pockets. camelbak.com…
If a moon boot gave birth to a trail runner, it would look like the Ochoco. But we doubt it would run as well. The padded ankle, soft tongue, and firm arch support gave us blissful feet after long hours pounding the trail. The just-right midsole has enough cushioning…
Why They’re CoolThe treads—made of softer tacky carbon and resembling mini-cleats—behave like knobbies, plowing through gunk instead of caking up, while a perimeter ring of harder carbon-rubber lugs gives good grip. » After a stretch of riverbed mudflats, I sprinted up an embankment, yet didn’t end up falling on my…
LONG-HAULERThe X stands for ten—the number of revisions Asics has made to this lightweight standard bearer. Serious racers will still find Asics’s proprietary gel cushioning and the firm arch post they’ve come to depend on. But with an open-air mesh upper, this year’s DS offers a more stable ride, a…
DO YOUR RUNS BECOME CLIMBS? La Sportiva’s heritage is in climbing shoes and mountaineering boots, and you can see the alpine influence in nearly every aspect of the Fireblade: the impeccable fit, the sticky rubber outsole, the double-stitched seams on high-wear areas of the upper, the reinforced toe bumper and…
HARD CHARGER Aggressive, all-conditions runners will love these stable, protective, and well-cushioned shoes. Rocks, logs, unstable sand, and even snow gave us no trouble, thanks to a lug pattern that grips in all directions. The gel cushioning absorbs impact on hardpacked trails, and the forefoot flexes easily for a comfortable…
Live in a mild climate? These breathable mesh trail shoes (read: not winterized) are light and nimble, yet the grippy outsole allowed us to run confi-dently on loose terrain and packed dirt. The solid external heel counter adds stability, as does the no-slip fit. The feather-weight cushioning is best…
MOTION CONTROL LITE Runners whose mild or moderate heel rolling doesn’t warrant a fat, heavy heel brace will find smooth striding in the new Gel-3000. The wide, stable heel features a moderately cushy foam—offering the softness and sprightliness of a neutral-cushioning shoe at heel strike. But as the shoe rolls…
Runners seeking structure that can stand up to long training runs and marathon-distance races will appreciate this stability shoe. This tried-and-true model got some major updates this season, including better rear-foot stability and new women-specific support in the midfoot. 11 oz; asics.com…
CushioningCan’t stand the squishy feeling of your current running shoes? The Glycerin 7, by far the firmest shoe of our picks this year, might be more your style—especially if you’re a heavier runner or a slow-and-steady type. Of the neutral shoes on this page, the no-frills Glycerin…
Stable and protective, the all-terrain Release, with its women-specific fit, cushioning, and outsole, was our top pick for rocky trails and all-day hike-and-run epics. 11 oz; patagonia.com…
All-Terrain Rambler With a sticky rubber outsole, the light and flexible Tsali performs best on rolling, rocky trails. We especially loved the lacing system, which provides a snug, arch-supporting fit. And there's more than just a gender-specific last here: To accommodate a women's lighter weight, the Tsali's midsole and a…
Trail Newton’s first trail shoe still uses the company’s trademark set of prominent, extra-springy lugs under the forefoot to encourage mid- and forefoot running, but it adds tight mesh to the upper to keep debris out and grippier rubber for traction. It’s good for working on form and running fast,…
Road The Haxial’s mesh liner conforms to every head shape, and you get Italian panache to boot. www.trialtir-usa.com Bonus: The aerator plate blows cool air onto your noggin.
Why It’s CoolWith their straight-gauge tubes and bruiser metal forks, bargain-priced aluminum bikes deliver a harsh ride. But Schwinn’s aluminum pipes are butted and shaped to balance stiffness with compliance—the Fastback quietly hummed down ratty pavement. » Check the bump-damping carbon-fiber fork—yeah, on a triple-digit-price bike. » Pedaling this racy…
BIKE TO WORK Modeled after classic Dutch commuter bikes, the Amsterdam gives you everything you need for jetting around a city—and strips away everything you don’t. Its steel frame can handle the bumps and grinds of crowded bike racks and won’t buck you off when you hit potholes. And its…
With help from the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, Specialized has overhauled this shoe with a newly contoured last, orthopedic footbeds, and a foot-hugging closure. “The most comfortable cleat I’ve ever worn,” raved one tester. specialized.com…
The beefy visor and netted vents can handle the worst gunk, while its snug retention system and padded chin strap keep everything in place. uvexsports.com…
Mountain Stalking Rugged, comfortable in-hand, and damn near hurricane-proof, the Legend Ultra is a mountain man’s binocular. The glasses are outfitted with Bushnell’s ED Prime Glass, which offers impeccable light transmission and color resolution, allowing them to excel in low-light conditions. That, combined with their ample field of view for…
While not as stiff as a race shoe, the Springwater is an impressive blend of comfort and performance. A full-length TPU plate provides the power transfer, and the lugged rubber outsole makes for sure footing even on the sketchiest scree. keenfootwear.com…
This wrist-top GPS manages a knife-edge feat: It’s equal parts cool and geeky. Sporting the X9i, I launched out on a run from my hotel room in downtown Buenos Aires. Within minutes, the 12-channel GPS receiver had locked on to satellites and was displaying my speed and distance. When…
Up You Go “Rolled up the hills almost on its own,” wrote one tester. While that’s obviously an exaggeration, everyone agreed that the hardtailed, big-wheeled Stumpy was one of the most efficient climbers this year. But even more impressive was how it handled on the way down. Whereas most hardtails…
If you think catch-and-release is too prissy, unholster this seven-inch stainless-steel blade. With a retractable blade guard (which means less handle to get in the way when you’re slicing), this scalpel would make a sushi chef proud. www.benchmade.com…
Road Race-Ready The first iteration of this remarkably light and stiff shoe had just one Boa dial to adjust the fit. Now it has two. The result? One tester put on a pair out of the box and rode, blister-free, the long way from San Francisco to Las Vegas—over…
DAY TRIPPERCanon engineered this 7.1-megapixel, brushed-aluminum jobbie for road warriors. Why? Its retractable, extra-wide, 28–100mm (film equivalent) zoom lens nails broad outdoor landscapes. In Punta de Mita, Mexico, I immortalized sweeping beach vistas—from the locals slicing open fresh coconuts under palapas to the surfers riding the point break—that…
When portability is paramount, Sony’s Vaio T is the ultimate machine. I’ve road-tripped mine across the United States and Canada. It’s survived a kayaking expedition to Madagascar, where it happily chugged a steady diet of digital photos. On my “recovery” days, it’s a coffee-shop conversation starter: “Is that a real…
WEATHERPROOF POCKET CAM Thanks to internal gaskets, the slim Stylus easily fended off steady rain while I was shooting in a storm on the west coast of Vancouver Island—conditions that would have fizzled non-water-resistant cameras in less than a minute. My other favorite feature is its image-stabilized 5x zoom lens…
Big, clear sound, 24 hours of playback, universal iPod docking/charging, an auxiliary jack, and a shock- and splash-resistant body spell the best portable system out there for active types. alteclansing.com…
With titanium handles and a veritable panoply of smart, multifunctional utensils, this thing is the RoboCop of all-in-one tools. leatherman.com…
We hope you’ll never have to search for a victim, but if you do, this ultralight (7.6 oz) and long (91 inches) probe assembles instantly and is sturdy enough to break through cementlike snow. bdel.com…
Satellite-telephone time ain’t cheap, which is why the handset of the GLOBALSTAR GSP-1600 ($599, plus monthly subscription fee) switches over to a regular cell network whenever you roam within range of one. In the backcountry, the 13-ounce phone patches in to the company’s fleet of birds for direct-dial via outer…
Lightweight aluminum sheathes both standard and serrated blades. A perfect pocketknife. gerbergear.com…
The MAGELLAN SPORTRAK TOPO ($269) is the first GPS sold with pre-installed elevation maps of the entire country. The six-ounce waterproof unit holds 108 megabytes of contours and elevations (along with 16 megs of memory for personalized mapping), and renders them sharply on the gray-scale screen.
A safe bet for ocean adventurers, LOWRANCE’S IFINDER PRO ($209) accepts marine charts made by market leader Navionics. The huge three-inch diagonal gray-scale screen looks sharp—even when viewed in bright sunlight. Minor bummer: It’s waterproof, but only when stuffed into the included plastic pouch.
The LCD digits look like they did circa 1981, but the no-nonsense Road Trainer’s functions are all 2009. With included heart-rate-monitor strap, it spits out maxes, averages, calories burned, six zones, split times for 50 laps, and so on. timexironman.com…
The G1 is the first phone loaded with Google’s Android operating system. And as you’d expect, it’s all about integration: Android promises to bring the same level of multifunction- ality you expect from Google—search, mail, maps, documents, etc.—to multimedia mobile devices. The interface isn’t quite there yet, but we’ve…
Although it was designed for ice climbing, the Minus One proved ideal for everything from backcountry skiing to cold-weather mountain biking. It’s waterproof, light and supple, reinforced in all the right places, and surprisingly warm. It fits snugly; consider upsizing. TAGS: versatile, warmer than it looks…
Feature-fanatic Timex does an about-face with the simple, analog Rugged Field series. The shock-resistant housing (smaller than most), water-resistant leather-and-canvas strap, and daiquiri-green Indiglo light make it a sweet deal for unfussy explorers. timexexpedition.com…
The Vapor’s lightweight plastic upper protects your feet from all things pokey or prickly, but thanks to a foldable heel, it also converts to slipper mode. The only downside: The plastic isn’t very breathable. merrell.com …
Ansel in Your Pocket The design-conscious Germans didn’t invent the category of full-featured, full-sensor compact (that honor probably goes to Sigma, for last year’s DP2). But they do it better than anyone. The 12.2MP X1 uses a top-of-the-line CMOS sensor and a fixed 36mm f/2.8 lens of the first order,…
With black lace and stretchy microfleece that mimics cashmere, the FLEUR D’HIVER LUCY camisole is flirty and functional. (208-726-2263, www.fleurdhiver.com)…
Maverick Most of us won’t need a watch that’ll withstand 12 G’s, but it’s nice to know it will keep ticking through an inverted flat spin. Add Casio’s antishock technology, 200-meter water resistance, atomic timekeeping, and solar power backup and you’ve got a high-performance, well-priced workhorse. Bummer: Learning to operate…
If God is in the details, the Zorro is heaven-sent. The hood, which adjusts behind the head and below the chin, cinches out of view with or without a helmet—making it the best we tested. The gaping chest pockets easily accept backcountry skins or salami, and the solid pocket…
Understated black-faced analog watch by weekday, sturdy digital sports watch by weekend: This triathlon tool gives a new meaning to “transition” by letting you hide all the digital readouts with the push of a button. When you need them, they’re all there: three interval timers, 24-hour chronograph, 42-lap memory,…
The ultimate summer jersey: The soft MicroSensor fabric wicked sweat well, and the mesh panels kept air circulating—even at high noon in Tucson. www.pearlizumi.com…
Why They’re CoolThis petite sports wrap loves things strenuous and sweaty, while remaining—dare we say it?—a lady. The design slenderizes the familiar wrap by squeezing the lens into a pleasing feline shape. On a small face, nothing is lost in coverage. » The view is pretty, too, through poly lenses…
Why They’re CoolThe temples are made of bendable nylon—think Gumby—that remembers the shape you give it. » Glare is no match for the polarized copper-tint lenses, which yield a brilliantly high-res, high-contrast view. » The look is plenty smart, too, with wide temples plus wide, boxy lenses. » All is…
The poly/nylon Synapse scores a near-perfect balance between breathability and weather resistance. Despite the bantam weight, it includes a stowable hood, hem drawstring, and stash pocket. 4.1 oz; orgear.com…
With their Teflon-coated, water-resistant face fabric and fleecy liner, the Lodges are perfect for cool-weather hiking or camping. But unlike with most technical pants, the jean styling just needs a belt and you’re ready for dinner. royalrobbins.com…
A WATERPROOF SOFT SHELL, FOR PEANUTS In the future you’ll be able to get the perfect jacket: soft-shell performance, storm-shell protection, and windbreaker economy. Until then, we have the Gamut, a bargain-priced waterproof-breathable soft shell that has taped seams for real-weather protection. It’s not quite the future—the proprietary fabric wets…
BEST ALL-AROUND From lunch-hour sprints to a Sunday century, the Cannondale Synapse does it all. It’s as responsive, stiff, and zippy as high-end machines twice the price, but thanks to its relaxed geometry, it’s also comfortable on the longest days. Credit the full-carbon frame, which absorbed bumps even on Vermont’s…
At six bucks a pair, these synthetic, well-padded ergonomic socks are a bargain. powersox.com…
This two-in-one combo conceals a zip-in fleece track pant that serves as a midlayer on cold days and an instant lounger back at the condo. Also hidden within: a binding wrench that doubles as a bottle opener. 686.com…
Lounging around the condo? The Chill’s sheepskin lining and wool-fleece footbed are as slipperlike as a shoe gets. Have to shovel out the car? They’re also available in a mid-height boot version, the Encore Trek, for $130. merrell.com…
Perfect for spring days at the resort: not as quick-drying as the Stormtracker (below), but much more stylish. dakine.com…
The PrimaLoft-insulated 4 Pines is a full-featured ski jacket in disguise, complete with goggle pocket, powder skirt, and smart fleece patches that enhance wicking in the back and underarms. 2.6 lbs; cloudveil.com…
Most coated nylon shells are windproof saunas. Here, moisture buildup is minor in cool weather, and two front vents control airflow so you don’t have to unzip every five minutes. 3.8 oz; nike.com…
SUMMER-WEIGHT CHAMP Meet our new warm-weather favorite. The track-suit-inspired Avido was a godsend in the middle of summer when we didn’t want to stuff a full-on rain shell in our packs but then got blasted by cold winds up in the hills. The reason, as one tester pointed out, is…
Just twist the Whisper’s arms and insert your lens color of choice. It comes with three polarized options: clear, rose, and brown. smithoptics.com…
Whether the name applies or not, you’ll definitely be well-heeled in these office-worthy but street-tough oxfords, which prove that handcrafted high style and all-day comfort can collide. bornshoes.com…
Good for BackcountrySkiing in this soft shell is as close as you can come to doing sports in your jammies. But with a raised back waist, reinforced knee patches, and kick patches at the ankles, the water-resistant Randonee is worthy of fair-weather resort skiing or a backcountry hike.
MR. VERSATILITY Good for Backcountry Looking for something you can backpack in all summer and then ski in come winter? The Troll Wall is your jacket. Simply detach its powder skirt and you’ve got a lightweight—just 19 ounces—and easy-to-pack rain shell you can wear year-round. The…