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The Kirus have the best traction here—they gripped icy sidewalks like the company’s staple andals handle wet river rock. The feminine webbing accent near the top makes them skirt-worthy. teva.com…
Good for Backcountry Sugoi consistently churns out some of the best running apparel, and this midweight synthetic base layer—with built-in hood, integrated mitts, and half-zip for venting—is no exception. Plus the athletic fit and thumb loops mean it also works as an underlayer for slower pursuits.
Leather mid-tops that offer not only a funk factor (Polynesian tattoo design!) but also a generous anatomical footbed, minimalist rubber-and-leather outsole, and secure ankle fit.olukai.com…
Simple Security Talk to any jacket designer and he’ll tell you the same thing: The more pockets and doodads a waterproof jacket has, the more seams it requires, and thus the more opportunities water has to seep through. That’s why the Stash, part of online gear retailer…
Talks You Through It This small device delivers basic speed-up/slow-down instructions (based on your heart rate, pace, and a workout you select at micoach.com) through an earbud to help maximize your workouts—best for those who are new to training programs. Drawbacks: lots to fumble with, and no…
Need a place to stash important medical information on a long run? A personalized number printed on the inside of this bracelet-style “dog tag” leads EMTs to your medical records online or by phone. Requires a $20 annual subscription; first year included in price. vitaband.net…
Set yourself up for success with full suspension and you’ll be riding more trails with less fear. This aluminum bike has a 100-millimeter-travel front shock which locks out for maximum climbing efficiency. Lower-profile women-specific tubing and hollow saddle rails keep it light. specialized.com/women…
These shades are stylish and technical. Peripheral vision is great, and they stay firmly in place when running around on the beach. Go for the polarized version ($220) if you’re heading for water. oakley.com…
Doc Marten meets Blundstone in this supple leather boot equally suited for city sidewalks and making hay in the back forty. Named for the first man, per the Norse creation myth, the Ask boot, while less toasty than the rest, has bomber Helly Wear soles and construction that will…
An inner lining of reflective material—think space blanket for your hands—bounces your body heat back at you. It’s a smart idea, and it works: They’re toastier than they look. Breathability is so-so. Great chairlift-riding gloves. TAGS: silver lining, great price…
After testing half a dozen merino-wool midlayers last winter, this was the one we reached for most often, whether we were going skiing or to the bar. A high collar helps seal out the cold. TAGS: merino wool, shoulder patch…
This lightly insulated, water-resistant soft shell is perfect for nordic skiing or snowshoeing on winter’s coldest days. It’s got a plethora of pockets, activity-friendly four-way stretch, and a helmet-compatible hood. Why we didn’t want to take it off: The quilted lining is like wearing your softest sleeping bag all…
Few running caps can come close to the quality of PATAGONIA‘s slim, stretchy CAPILENE 4 EXPEDITION WEIGHT BEANIE, which is made with the same microfleece-lined stuff as your favorite soft shell.
This stick is so light (six pounds for the seven-footer), a stiff offshore breeze nearly ripped it from my hands. Made from Salomon’s S-Core epoxy blank, it has a hollow core with a layer of carbon fiber and three triple stringers for a corky, lively feel. In junky, blown-out…
There’s no debate: This is one of the best touring boats on the water. We took the Brittany out in the stormy Atlantic and on glassy Lake Champlain, loaded down and completely empty, and in all conditions she turned like she knew what we were thinking. With the skeg…
A LIGHTWEIGHT, AGILE LONGBOARD You may recognize the Bear logo from the 1978 classic surf film Big Wednesday, but rest assured this longboard oozes modern performance. At nine feet one inch long and three inches thick, it felt like it could glide into anything. With a width of 22.5 inches,…
A PERFORMANCE SIT-ON-TOP In addition to being the fastest undecked boat on the market, it’s also remarkably stable—one tester had to try several times to capsize it. The open cockpit lets air circulate on hot summer days but is protected enough to keep you dry when it’s cold. And who…
The PsychoFreak introduces a new three-layer neoprene sandwich—two thin, solid layers around a perforated middle layer that traps air like a double-pane window—to keep you warmer with less fabric. It works: This super-stretchy, 3.5-milli-meter suit kept us as warm as a five-mil suit while affording tons more flexibility.
Expert Fisherman Using the underwater pedal-powered flippers and knob-controlled rudder, you can propel the Mirage across the lake hands-free so you can fish, shoot pics, sip a drink. Prefer to paddle? The flippers remove in a snap (OK, the press of a button) and you're free to paddle it like…
We also like Black Diamond HotWire Quickdraws. The key-lock gate on the top ‘biner won’t catch on bolt hangers, while the wire gate saves weight. bdel.com…
1. Thanks to the 690-cubic-inch Bandit’s low profile, we barely noticed it while riding lifts. And when we wanted to leave the gates or head out for a quick backcountry tour, this pack was the perfect size. 2. The Bandit’s sleek look belies its utilitarian nature. Inside, you’ve got…
Why It RulesBeing on top isn’t always best. Here’s a rugged, functional, and—dare we say it?—elegant rack that totes gear behind your vehicle. » Finally, a hitch-mounted rack that doesn’t ask you to correctly sequence a half-dozen knobs when you want to get inside your car. Forget a water bottle…
Leave it to the GPS pros at Garmin to thoroughly idiot-proof heart-rate training: The company’s new Forerunner 301—our pick for Gear of the Year—is a no-brainer digital coach. It’s ideal for runners, trekkers, cyclists, paddlers, and anyone else who wants to collect satellite-enhanced workout data in the field and crunch…
1. Can you imagine a tent from the 1970s making it into these pages now? Not a chance. But a good surfboard is a good surfboard, and the retro shape of the single-fin MR, which was designed by surf icon Mark Richards, was hands-down this year’s most stable, predictable,…
Why It’s CoolThis three-poler can easily muscle most of the fourth season—it brushed aside 40-mile-per-hour winds, sleet, and a wet two-inch snow load. » Pitch it with a headlamp, thanks to color-coded fly straps and a combo of pole sleeves and clips. The side twin-door design and seven-square-foot vestibules offer…
1. Most shoes are either racers or trainers. The lightweight SpeedCross 2 manages to be both: Shock-absorbing rubber outsole lugs compensate for the minimal midsole cushioning. And because it’s soft-flexing, with a low-to-the-ground profile, it “hugs” all types of terrain. 2. Salomon designers took inspiration from the legendary…
Why It’s CoolThe loft of the 900-fill down in the Helium EQ is simply amazing. This is one plush, comfortable bag—all the way down to the mid-teens. » It tips the scales at two pounds three ounces, largely because of a Pertex Quantum nylon shell that is waterproof, windproof, and…
1. The problem with most waterproof trail runners is that they don’t breathe very well. So instead of using a Gore-Tex-like membrane in the Syncroseeks, Pearl Izumi opted for a tightly woven, DWR-treated soft-shell upper, which kept our feet almost as dry as with waterproof shoes, without any clamminess.
Why It’s CoolThe well-engineered OmniFuel has all the reassuring stability of a good marriage, thanks to an impressive wingspan (three arms form a pot landing pad some six inches across) and a stainless-steel-sheathed fuel line long enough to lift and pump the bottle without reprisal. » Twist the glove-friendly flame…
Good for the Road It started with 45 new shoes and 20 testers. Three months and 5,000 miles later, it ended with the seven best road and trail shoes of the season. One shoe broke so far away from the pack, impressing us on so many levels—comfort,…
The perfect workhorse, this do-it-all two-person shelter is light enough for summer, sturdy enough for shoulder-season storms, and big enough for a pair of tall strangers to share. The stable pitch is drum-tight and condensation-free, and two doors and vestibules make for easy living. While its 40-inch peak height…
Because of the repetitive pounding of road running, you need a shoe designed for your particular foot strike. (Consult a specialty running store to diagnose your type.) If you overpronate, with your foot and ankle tending to roll inward, you need a “light stability” or “stability” shoe to help…
The L5 is smart and bright. It automatically switches to power-save mode when 15 percent of its rechargeable 4.5-volt battery remains. And its five-watt bulb can throw an intense beam of light 203 feet. 10 oz; brunton.com…
THRASHERS WELCOME If traditional mummy bags make you feel straitjacketed, you’ll get relief with this stretchy bag. MontBell sews this sack with elasticized thread and extra shell material, so you can bend your knees, sit comfortably with your legs crossed, and generally toss and turn uninhibitedly all night long. And…
AN ELEGANT BRUISER Imagine the offspring of a Ferrari Testarossa and a Toyota Land Cruiser: precise handling, hard-duty construction. That's the essence of the Alpine Pack 50. It's a no-nonsense, climber-oriented pack with zero bells and whistles to create weak points. The 420-denier nylon—reinforced with 1,000-denier fabric on the bottom—should…
USER-FRIENDLY AND PACKED WITH FEATURES How many cup holders does your tent have? The Electron RC comes with two spill-saving coffee slings, part of an accessory package that also includes a clip-on ground cloth and gear loft. Those throw-ins made the tent’s $260 price tag all the more amazing for…
The 15-degree EcoPro is made with a new 80 percent recycled synthetic insulation and 100 percent recycled polyester shell fabric. But it compresses and insulates as well as comparable synthetics and comes with a microfleece-lined collar and a stash pocket. 15°F, 3 lbs; marmot.com…
Yeah, it’s just a beach chair—a beach chair that’s made of ash and stainless steel, has big and small cargo pockets, and can be carried hands-free, like a backpack. Most important, this baby reclines like you’re in business class, so you can tap in to the perfect nap angle.
This is the only synthetic-insulated bag we’ve found that matches the loft, weight, and compressibility of a comparably rated down sack. The key is Mountain Hardwear’s proprietary Thermic Micro insulation, which testers found both more compressible and loftier than other synthetics. Plus, the baffles are welded rather than sewn,…
Backcountry Headquarters There are plenty of sturdy and roomy four-person base-camping tents on the market. What makes the Hideaway our favorite is that, while it’s downright cavernous it’s still light enough (nine pounds) to take into the backcountry. And once there, it’s a comfy base of operations, with two huge…
Night Hiker You can preset your favorite three brightness levels from a menu of ten. And, thanks to an internal regulator, the Myo RXP burns bright right up until its indicator light says it’s time to change the batteries. But the reason we took it to Rainier? Whiz-bang features aside,…
GRAND SHELTERS’ lightweight (five-pound), sturdy, and easy-to-use ICEBOX forms perfect blocks.
Besides exposing your naïveté, gaper gap—the bit of exposed forehead between your goggles and helmet—also exposes your forehead to ice-cream-headacheinducing cold. Scott’s new Fix, with its strap routed through the goggle’s frame (instead of bolted to it), eliminates that gap. scottusa.com…
Good for All Mountain If powder days are a rare treat, then how your utility ski handles hardpack is your number-one consideration. With its 20-meter turn radius and aluminum-alloy damping layers around a core of ash and silver fir, the MX88 lives for ice. True, all that…
ULTRA-RESPONSIVE In the X8, Burton brings the baseless binding back—with major improvements. Thanks to a cushioned platform, you get the main benefit (incredible feel) without the usual drawback (it has unlimited stance options). The deck’s negative core profile—thin underfoot for more flex, thick everywhere else—enhances the hair-trigger response, while its…
The micro-brimmed, crash-helmet styling of the Holt—often worn with goggle straps on the inside—is the choice for the park-and-pipe set. Come summer, the winter pads are removable for a warm-weather skate setup. smithoptics.com…
With four buckles and a dual-density shell, Scarpa's top-of-the-line T-Race is basically an alpine boot with a bellow. This year, it's been upgraded to include Scarpa's signature Intuition custom thermo liners, which are lighter, easier to mold, and have fewer pressure-point-creating seams. 8.6 lbs; scarpa.com Bonus: The heavy-duty cam-lock…
Designed by pro freeskier Alison Gannett, this lightweight twin-tipped big-mountain ski satisfied even our most aggressive testers. 134/100/125, 7.2 lbs; karhu.com …
THE CHANGELING Good for Groomed Runs Twist the Power Switch on the tail 90 degrees from “dynamic” to “power” mode and the Tigershark morphs from a damp, stable cruiser to an unrelenting high-energy carver. The switch engages two slender carbon-fiber rods inside the ski that load up…
Giro’s new Pop Top design is quick and easy. Flip the main switch, lift the double lens out of the frame, and replace it with the included low-light lenses. giro.com…
Good for Touring Extremely light for its width, the wood-core Manaslu impressed testers most when the snow got funky. While the tip is slightly rockered, the back third of the ski has more sidecut, which allows for quick turns in steep and tight terrain. Note: The pre-cut inserts are…
Fatter underfoot than the K2 (below) by 7mm, the Aurora delivers off-piste versatility without sacrificing edge control. Credit goes to the Aurora’s beefy wood core and titanium construction, and Marker’s new iPT WideRide binding design, which sends more power to the edges of fatter skis. “It held, even on…
A SOFTY WITH GUTS This true twin spins like a top with incredible control, but thanks to its predictable flex and soft feel, it’s an extremely forgiving board—and a great choice for intermediates looking to take it to the next level. It won’t let you down: Testers were surprised by…
Testers loved everything about the women-specific Molotov, from the way the winged highback wrapped around their calves to the gel cushioning under the ball of the foot. The downside: This binding is compatible only with Burton’s new (and super easy and quick-to-adjust) EST mounting system.
Good for Resort Whereas most of the boards here have either traditional or reverse camber, the Travis Rice is a combo. The mixed camber—reverse between the bindings; traditional at either end—of this super- aggressive board makes for a remarkably stable and smooth ride that’s quick to…
Good for All Mountain If the Watea 94 were ten millimeters wider, you’d call it a big-mountain ski. From the “powder hull” tip—it’s shaped like the prow of a ship—to the loose and playful feel, this ski was built with the resort powder skier in mind. On…
Would you buy your teenage son a $200 goggle? We wouldn’t either. Optic Nerve’s Antero has a clarity-boosting spherical lens, the likes of which could once be found only on high-dollar units. nerveusa.com…
TELEMARK Good for Touring Finally, a fatter offering from Ski Trab. The handmade Stelvio Light XL outskied every other superlight entry in our test. “A ski mountaineer's dream,” said one of our peak-seeking purists. “It's like it's not even there,” said another, noting how surprisingly powerful the carbon-wrapped, honeycomb…
The Vantage is a freak for climate control, with no fewer than 14 sealable vents; the front four independently close for more or less A/C on the descent. Its slim profile, good interior air channels, and easily adjustable fit made this our favorite helmet of the test. TAGS:…
Telemark Downhill power and touring prowess can coexist. “The best balance of the bigger NTN boots,” said one tester. The Prophet’s muscle comes from its alpine-boot-inspired overlap cuff, while the silky bellows provides an even and predictable flex. Best for bigger-volume feet. 8 lbs; TAGS: big mountain, NTN…
The Elevate has everything we’ve come to expect from Oakley. Helmet-compatible outriggers. A wide-view spherical lens. An internal skeleton that evenly distributes pressure to your entire face (not just your nose). But also something new at this price: polarization. The effect is a near-total elimination of glare.
Nubuck leather, a Gore-Tex XCR liner, and midcut ankle support for $125? Snap this up before the bean counters at Aku snatch it back. You get an all-purpose hiker with aggressive traction, a near-perfect blend of cushion and stiffness, and a durable, instant-break-in upper. The tread bit into ice…
RACE CARVER If you spend 80 percent of your time wailing high-speed carved turns on groomers, the AC50’s are for you. The most powerful and dynamic carvers we tested this year, they’ll track unwaveringly back across the fall line when you lay them over. Despite the ample width underfoot,…
Why It’s CoolThe frame has all the components of a big-beast carrier—a framesheet, an aluminum stay, and twin fiberglass rods—but each element is designed for medium duty, neatly hauling 35 pounds. The framesheet is punched full of holes to save weight and preserve flex. » It’s superlight (three pounds three…
The Quest likes to ski the resort, boot-pack, and occasionally go on tours. Sound familiar? While it weighs about 30 percent less than your average alpine boot and has a walk mode, it’s no softie on the way down. “This is truly a go-anywhere boot for better skiers,” said…
This climber-friendly pack has a removable hipbelt—a plus when wearing it with a harness—and a weight-shaving detachable lid. Brilliant: Tool attachments double as bottle openers. 2.9 lbs, 2,150 cu in; www.mountainhardwear.com…
Rome’s new lacing system allows you to tighten down four different zones—the liner, forefoot, ankle, and upper cuff—with just two lace pulls. It’s ridiculously easy, and it works. Plus these boots had the best out-of-the-box feel of any we tested. TAGS: great laces, no break-in…
Though it’s not billed as a trail runner, the Kota is constructed on a running-shoe last, and it shows. Racing to beat sunset, I sped down north Georgia’s Hemp Top Trail in these shoes and reached the car with no foot fatigue. Underfoot, the cleatlike tread bites the ground, while…
Aluminum poles are heavier, stiffer, and (usually) not as pricey as carbon-fiber sticks. But style don’t come cheap, and if you want the retro day-glo paint job and pimpin’ straps, well, you’re going to have to pay for it. scottusa.com …
Why They’re CoolThe Mizars’ radically low weight (two pounds four ounces) arrives courtesy of a feathery midsole-insole combination made of polyurethane and nylon. » Tough nubuck leather covers about 95 percent of the uppers, affording these lightweight boots heavyweight durability. Rubber toe and heel guards helps too. » The dual-density…
This is the stiffest of the Italian company’s new freeride boots. Made for experts looking for gnarly terrain, the low-volume Agent contains shock-absorbing rubber to cushion hard impacts. tecnicausa.com …
MOST VERSATILE The Lite-Speed is the triathlete of packs: This panel-loader seamlessly transitioned from an overnight in the Adirondacks to a three-day trek in the Tetons, and it’s light enough for day trips. An external stuff compartment holds lunch and layers, and oversize side and hipbelt pockets keep smaller items…
LIGHT AND FAST These winterized trail runners are perfect for cruising fast through sloppy conditions, thanks to waterproof-breathable XCR liners and clip-on ankle gaiters (included). lasportiva.com…
MOVES WITH YOU Built with a light plastic frame and hipbelt system and an Allen-wrench-adjustable pivot point that attaches a separate shoulder harness to the pack, the BA1 offers independent hip and torso motion. Testers were skeptical at first: The BA1 seems like a lot of money for a lot…
The faux-shearling collar and fleece lining are cozy. The Vibram outsole and air-cushioned midsole add traction and comfort. And the specially treated synthetic insulation fights stink. Rated to -40F. merrell.com…
Fast and Light We love that the Stumptown LT is made mostly from recycled materials. The only thing that impressed us more was its performance. At a wispy 11 ounces, it’s the lightest trail shoe that made the cut this year, and it quickly became a favorite…
Why It’s CoolFully a third of new vehicles sold today come with factory-installed roof rails. This is good. But far fewer come with bars. Not so good. Happily, there’s now the Crossroad system, for adding crossbars to any existing rails. » The installation is straightforward—if you can’t work one of…
If glacier travel or some winter peak bagging is on the docket, the M-Possible is the ticket. This carbon-lasted, fully rigid mountaineering boot is step-in-crampon-compatible and, thanks to a layer of insulation, a heat-reflective layer, and a NASA-approved Aerogel footbed, warmer than the inside of a tauntaun. Soft-shell…
Stowaway Because it packs down to the size of a grapefruit, this sling always made its way into our suitcase. We liked it as much for what it lacks (superfluous straps, extra weight) as for what it has (a phone pocket and comfy shoulder strap). 7.7 oz, 427 cu in;…
VAUDE‘s ROCK 45+10 PACK. Its front crampon pocket keeps sharp points away from your jacket and rope, and its single-clip holsters fit everything from mountaineering tools to leashless axes with and without grips.