Gear
Archive
If you care about visual perfection (price be damned!), move up to this deluxe unit. The Golden Ring offers superior crispness, images brighter than those in other models, and a smart focus lock that keeps sharpness immune to clumsy fingers so that you can, well, focus. 8×32; www.leupold.com…
How good is the Stumpjumper FSR? One tester’s guy friend threatened to steal it and hock his own titanium hardtail on eBay. In short, this bike took best-in-show on technical singletrack. With a Shimano XT/XTR/LX drivetrain and Avid Juicy hydraulic brakes, Specialized spared no expense. You get almost five…
Here’s the ultimate in trickle-down. Crisp but still forgiving, the Pilot’s frame is built from OCLV Carbon, the same material Lance rode. And the new s.p.a. elastomer rear shock—Discovery’s George Hincapie rode it to second place in the 2005 Paris-Roubaix race—yields a half-inch of rear give for the plushest…
This luxe jacket has a mesh-lined back vent, three pockets, and an MP3 pouch. It’s heavy, but the wind- and water-resistant polyester fabric is breathable enough for a cool-weather run. 10.8 oz; brooksrunning.com…
The price promises a lot, and these shorts deliver. The bib is cut away in front to reduce binding and overheating, the fabric is impeccably sculpted to a riding position, and the chamois feels custom-fit. castelli-us.com…
EXCELS IN ALL CONDITIONS From paddling in Wisconsin to backpacking in New Mexico to skiing in British Columbia, the Stormlight was a tester favorite everywhere we took it, in wind, rain, and snow. The key is a smart blend of Gore-Tex’s most durable fabric (XCR) on the high-wear and high-motion…
They should have called this the Yosemite polo: It travels well from the high country to the Ahwahnee dining room. The fabric’s weave gives the moisture-wicking poly/cotton number just enough stretch for mobility. arcteryx.com…
Don’t settle for socks that go flat. The X-Hale Trailhead has double loops of thread at the ball, heel, and ankle, so high-impact areas won’t get crushed by miles of impact. bridgedaleusa.com…
Thanks to a wicking finish and a tall collar for trapping warmth, this waffle-knit pullover is an ideal midlayer on a cold day. With a deep 12-inch front zipper, it comes on and off over your helmet. mountainhardwear.com…
HARD CHARGER Consider this category-defying hybrid a soft storm shell. Waterproof-breathable eVent on the shoulders, arms, and hood keeps you dry, while the seam-taped and NanoSphere-treated Schoeller Dynamic soft shell breathes well and is incredibly water-resistant (and impervious to après beer and wine, which we also tested). Westcomb dared us…
Crappy out? These no-nonsense Gore-Tex Pro Shell pants were simply the best bad-weather trousers we tested. Added bonus: They come with a built-in Recco avalanche rescue system. thenorthface.com…
These chunky numbers hark back to the Buddy Holly frames of the fifties, but they’re lighter than they look. And when you’re riding the trail, the side-vented photochromic lenses quickly adjust from bright to dark yellow, ensuring clarity in changing light conditions. specialized.com…
On stormy, wet days in the Sierra Nevada, testers swore by the Stingray. It’s made of waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex Soft Shell, which is both supple and tough. arcteryx.com Bonus: It’s equipped with a Recco avalanche-rescue reflector.
CAN TAKE A BEATING This past fall, we sent three Boulder-based climbers to Moab’s Castleton Tower with half a dozen soft shells to test. And after a week of shimmying up tight sandstone chimneys and off-widths, the stretchy Current emerged as the sturdiest and most waterproof of the bunch. The…
BIG-AIR MAGNET The HiFi is like having two bikes in one: You can huck huge lines without sacrificing the light weight of your cross-country ride. With five inches of travel (compared with four in most new women’s bikes), it’s an invitation to step it up. The Fox F120 fork is…
STYLE AND PERFORMANCE Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but our testers were unanimous: Thanks to its sleek design and refreshing lack of logos, the Shelter is the best-looking shell in the bunch. And, like nearly everything the eco-conscious, Portland, Oregon–based Nau makes, much of the Shelter…
This highly breathable spring glove is insulated with recycled wool and Thinsulate. gordini.com…
TOWN AND COUNTRY Good for Backcountry Don’t worry, it’s also available in black and UPS brown. We were surprised that what looks like a soft-shell sweatshirt on acid could perform so well in nasty conditions. But this hoodie felt as at home riding the lifts on…
SPRING Made of Polartec Windbloc, the Reyna stopped the wind like a mesh soccer jersey, which is to say, not so much. Still, we loved this soft shell for its fleece interior, cozy lined pockets, and stretchy shoulders that allow freedom of movement. marmot.com…
It’s a sandal or a shoe. Four large teardrop-shaped openings and 12 drain holes keep them free of water, and a slimmed-down quick-lace system holds them firm. Step on the heels to turn them into sporty clogs. newbalance.com…
With the hood stowed away in the collar, the Carbon is sleek and stylish enough to blend in downtown (there’s even a subtle honeycomb pattern on one side of the back of the jacket for added evening flair). But it made the grade here because it’s also built to…
Good for Backcountry No bell, whistle, or expense was spared in making this uninsulated jacket: Two-way pit zips. Padded cell-phone compartment. Seven pockets. Reinforced shoulders. Removable powder skirt with belt loops. A Recco avalanche reflector. The list goes on, and you might ask yourself: Do I really…
Good for Backcountry The waffle-grid backing inside this stretchy fleece zip-T dramatically boosts surface area, speeding sweat evaporation. The smooth exterior lets it slip easily into midlayer sleeves. Our only gripe: The neck hole is too large. (You lose heat.) corelayers.com…
After a long day in overcranked ski boots—or at the beginning of a lazy, chilly morning—we slip into the faux-fur-lined OLR. They’re like wearing bunny slippers, except you can leave the house without getting high-fives from strangers. sanuk.com…
Mountain-Ready Eddie Bauer went all out to create its new line of high-end outerwear, packs, and accessories, enlisting the help of an A-Team of mountain guides like Ed Viesturs and Dave Hahn. You can tell. The Rainier Storm has everything we look for in a versatile shell: easy-to-adjust pit zips,…
Stylish Jock Split the difference between performance eye gear and streetwear—and between too cheap and too pricey. There’s lots to like here for less than $100. Brown-tint poly lenses, by optics meister Zeiss, revealed detail and depth and were exactly as big and wrapped-back as they needed to be for…
In Santa Fe, summer monsoons sweep through on an every-afternoon basis. I prepare by bringing this waterproof, breathable eVent jacket—it’s windproof up to 60 miles per hour. rei.com…
No other helmet in its price range will fit you as well. Our testers loved the Sierra’s superb airflow, removable visor, and adjustable harness that snugs the helmet to your head, all at a killer price. specialized.com/women…
Thanks to ripstop, quick-dry fabric with a bit of stretch, you can rock-climb happily in these pants. But a flattering flared leg means not having to change before dinner. lucy.com…
Strike a balance between cold weather and the heat you’ll be generating with RAPHA‘s CROSS 3/4 BIB SHORTS—long enough for cool temps but made of a thin, tough fabric.
Yup, these lightly insulated work gloves are basically the same ones you’ll find at the local hardware store. The difference is, this Denver company bakes them in beeswax, a natural water repellent. They received high marks for dexterity but are only so-so breathers. TAGS: tough, hardware store…
This compression top is supposed to improve posture and make breathing easier. Does it? Hard to say, but most testers loved the snug and supportive fit for cool-weather running or skate-skiing. Hard-faced fabric makes it impressively windproof. TAGS: synthetic, supportive, trim-fitting…
The styley exterior of this hearty resort jacket hides thumb gaskets, a waterproof membrane, a storm collar with a mesh vent for breathability, and other wonkish details. When it starts to get warm, snap out the liner to make the jacket a hard shell. TAGS: resort, three-in-one.
Up top, the goal is moderate warmth in a tight-fitting piece that won’t snag, something like GORE BIKE WEAR‘s XENON THERMO JERSEY.
Forget funeral black: O’Neill lets you customize your wetsuit online, choosing from 15 colors, plus logo options. You can deck out one of two wetsuits, but we recommend the Psycho II 4/3 cold-water suit (48 to 56 degrees). Though it’s built from toasty 4mm/3mm neoprene, the Psycho is still…
Wide-set cups and full-coverage bottoms make this suit best for women with broad shoulders and muscular frames. $90; www.eddiebauer.com…
PARTY BOAT The Dirigo’s supersized rear cockpit has room for a pony keg, a well-behaved Lab, or, because it comes with a removable child-size jump seat, a water-ready grom. Primary paddlers have adjustable foot pedals, swaths of gunwale padding for your knees, and a “dashboard” complete with a cup holder…
For those who can’t disconnect, the waterproof speakers in the Multy Lynk work with any Bluetooth-enabled device. Best application: Use the boom microphone to call for help from your cell phone. vozsports.com…
Sail Away The Ventus was designed in collaboration with the U.S. Sailing Team. And while it certainly looks the part, it’s no one-trick pony. The siped outsoles and mesh-protected drain ports performed nicely kayaking around the lake, and just as well beachcombing in Florida. sperrytopsider.com…
Throw this sporty bathing suit on for surfing or volleyball. Then, to thwart tan lines, swap the top out for the Bali Bandeau ($40; not shown) in the matching print. carvedesigns.com…
Sterling’s 70-meter, 10.1-millimeter Marathon Pro rope strikes a good balance between lightness and durability. sterlingrope.com…
1. It’s a friendly monster. Our advanced-intermediate testers felt like heroes, our former U.S. pro said it “laid a nice rail,” and everyone in between praised its ability to stick on hardpack, plow through crud, and provide the overall smoothest ride of any of the skis we tested. 2.
Why It RulesThe Blur gets its boing from a new system that keeps the shock from being activated by the up-and-down motion of pedaling. Released last year, the so-called virtual pivot-point design still tops anything new for 2004. » The suspension point between this bike’s rear swingarms isn’t fixed to…
You could pay more than twice as much for a bike and not have this much fun. With a one-piece carbon frame, competition-worthy components, and intuitive handling, this Gear of the Year winner is an entry-level racer that moves “entry level” into the same neighborhood as “elite.” 1. For…
No cranking required to loosen and tighten the super-secure twist locks on these aluminum poles. And, as with the others, long foam grips let you instantly adjust to frequently changing terrain. 18 oz per pair; leki.com…
1. Last year, Mountain Hardwear wowed the sleeping-bag world (OK, us gearheads) with its welded-insulation Lamina series. Even non-sleeping-bag geeks will appreciate this upgrade: The UltraLamina 32 is lighter (2.1 pounds) and compresses down to almost two-thirds the size of its predecessor. 2. Hardwear chopped up its synthetic…
Why It’s CoolThis freestanding creation is fast, sleek, and comfy. The quick-pitch canopy is suspended beneath the fly, so it hoists in a single maneuver. » The main pole threads through a one-way sleeve. Easy-peasy. » The 33-square-foot floor is roomy, and I could guy out the walls a respectable…
1. Black Diamond rolled out an impressive 11 new models this year. But our tele and alpine testers agreed: Of all the new skis we reviewed, the redesigned Verdict was the most versatile, wide enough for the deepest days and stable on hardpack yet still lightweight enough for touring. 2.
Unfurl the Kelty Silk Sleeping Bag Liner for instant camping luxury. It feels sweet against the skin, lengthens the life of your sack by reducing the frequency of launderings, and lowers your bag’s temperature rating by five degrees. To make extra room in your pack for your pad, liner, or…
1. Most frontside skis are too precise and exhausting for freeskiing. Not the pared-down CX 80, which does away with heavy add-ons like complex binding plates for a more responsive feel. It’s ten millimeters fatter than most, but its World Cupinspired laminate construction and vertical sidewalls still deliver impressive…
The Summerlite vanishes into a stuffsack too puny to accommodate a few hoagies I’ve eaten. Yet it’s not claustrophobic like some ultralights. Designers achieved the feat by stuffing a gossamer 20-denier nylon shell with 850-fill down and paring back everything else—except warmth. It proved itself a choice summer-plus bag…
1. Thanks to its top-of-the-line 800-fill down, light fabrics, half-length zipper, and trim cut, the Adrenaline 20 packs down to the size of a loaf of bread. Even more impressive, at less than two pounds, the Adrenaline is about a half-pound lighter than the average 20-degree down bag. Add…
You: A girl who’s not afraid to admit you’d like camping better if it came with satin sheets. Your bag: The Sub Kilo +15, with its buttery polyester lining. Stuffed with 750-fill down—with extra insulation in the footbox and hood—this is the warmest bag tested, but still a cinch…
The two big things to take into consideration when choosing a kayak: the kind of water you will be paddling and for how long. Some boats, like the Emotion Comet (seen here) and the Necky Rip, are great for day trips, while some, like the Current Designs Infinity, are better…
SMALL FOOTPRINT, BIG PROTECTION If high winds—or cramped tent sites—are in the cards, the aerodynamic Viperine is your very sturdy ace in the hole. Thanks to its compact, narrow footprint, we were able to pitch the Viperine in spots too tight for a traditional dome-shaped tent. And when the wind…
Ultimate versatility: The Stella+ is light enough for long-distance trips and stable enough for a big group (it'll hold a four-liter pot), plus the remote-canister design allows you to use it with an Outback Oven. Smart: The automatic-ignition switch is located far from the burner, where fingers won't get singed.
VERSATILE With nearly three inches of cushion, this sub-two-pound mattress is the choice for ultralight and ultracomfortable. The synthetic fill kept us warm even in the single digits. 20′ x 70′ x 2.8′, 1.8 lbs; orgear.com…
ROOMY AND WELL-PRICED Like all of Mountain Hardwear’s tents, the three-season Sojourn is packed with user-friendly touches. The fly’s two clear windows make for sleeping-bag weather checks, while the reflective material on the guylines prevents late-night headers. And after a week of stormy weather, testers reported “zero condensation,” thanks to…
TOWN AND COUNTRY The perfect travel backpack needs to be versatile, compact, and sturdy. On all three counts, the panel-loading Instinct nails it. If you travel light, it’s just big enough for weekend trips. Out on the trail, the lightly padded back didn’t vent body heat as well as other…
“Big enough for comfy car camping but light enough for backpacking.” That tester comment pretty much sums up the Gore Pass. Although our team praised its four gear pockets, huge doors, and generous 33-square-foot floor plan, our favorite detail was the dual-zippered vestibule door. Using your trekking poles as…
As light on your wallet as it is in your pocket, this tiny headlamp still delivers two beams (spot or wide), a comfortable strap, and six-angle adjustability. 2 oz; bdel.com…
Mountaineering Master The second tent by pole maker Easton, the two-man, single-wall Si2 features the company’s proprietary carbon poles, which it claims are stronger than any aluminum pole on the market. We couldn’t verify that in the field, but thanks to a plastic bumper on each pole—where it crosses atop…
Nemo’s Asashi is a spacious four-person tent that’s easy to set up. nemoequipment.com…
Fast and Light Designed to tackle the steepest Wasatch skin tracks and the deepest Utah powder, the three-year-old Switchback is still the lightest and least expensive free-pivot tele binding around. Testers gave props for its icing-resistant toe piece and its easy-to-operate, spring-loaded mode switch. “It’s not for driving big sidecountry…
NO SNOW TOO DEEP, NO ICE TOO HARD You’ll see old Gotamas, one of our favorite big-mountain skis of all time, with hundreds of days of abuse, still in liftlines everywhere from Taos to Fernie, but the current Gotama (new last year) is a worthy upgrade. Rocker (tip and tail)…
It’s true: Testers were first attracted to the Feenom simply because they look hot. But we also loved their ultra-wide peripheral vision and anti-fog vents. vonzipper.com…
Building off its success in mountain-bike helmets, Giro incorporates ample, switch-closable vents and a style-conscious but functional visor on this freeskiing lid. For $30 more get speakers built into the ear pads. giro.com…
A high cuff and fixed spine make the Shaman every bit as stiff as the best alpine freeride boots on the market. But because it comes with two soles—one ISO alpine and one rockered, ski-mountaineering sole—it's perfect for resort skiers who occasionally tour or boot-pack in search of better snow.
Women-specific gear should never be a softer, pinker version of the men's. That's why we love the four-buckle T1 Lady, which is as robust as the men's T1 but with a narrower heel fit and Scarpa's custom-moldable Intuition liner. 7.4 lbs; scarpa.com …
TAKE IT EVERYWHERE Good for Groomed Runs The most versatile frontside ski we tested, the brand-new 777 is less of a pure carver than the other skis on this page, making it an ideal choice for advanced skiers looking to step it up. Built to similar specs…
Obvious beer-goggle jokes notwithstanding, Scott’s new spherical, all-conditions Natural Light lens might be the most versatile in our test. Instead of a gray or vermilion field of vision, Natural Light shows the world pretty much as it is. scottusa.com…
Good for Big Mountain With features like a free-pivot touring mechanism, a reliable safety release, brakes, and the closest thing to step-in convenience in the freeheel world, the NTN (New Telemark Norm) binding represents a significant departure from conventional tele bindings. While it can be overpowering when matched with…
Although K2 calls the Lotta Luv an expert ski, it accommodates a wide range of advanced skiers. The wood core, topped by a layer of metal, makes for a quiet ride, while the integrated Marker system binding allows the ski to arc naturally through the turn. If that all…
STIFF AND STABLE On paper, the 154 demo model we were sent should’ve been too short for most of our testers. But this true twin proved to be surprisingly stable at speed. “It felt longer and stronger than it should have at top speed,” said one of our larger riders.
Instead of two straps, the new Essence has one big flap with four mini-ratchets. It’s a time-tested design, and testers loved this binding’s unparalleled feeling of security. flow.com…
Good for Resort Beginners, take note: This is the most forgiving board in our lineup. If you’re wondering whether rockered boards are really all that (and they are), know that the Angus is the most predictable and easygoing reverse-camber board here. This all-mountain, directional twin took on…
Good for All Mountain Are you rather large? Do wimpy skis piss you off? Go to Helldiver! Here’s an all-mountain ski with a big platform underfoot—90 millimeters—and no speed limit. While our biggest and fastest testers loved bombing groomers on it, our lightest testers found it a…
With its fog-cutting yellow-based tint, the Revolution has the most effective photochromic lens we’ve seen, capable of going from a milk-bottle day to bright sun. julbousa.com…
The tour mode still lacks the flexibility of traditional bindings, but the wide range of variously stiff, color-coded cables makes the NTN a good choice for skiers of all abilities. “This binding truly brings telemark skiing to a new level,” said one neophyte. 5.4 lbs; rottefella.com …
It doesn’t get much simpler than this. The low-profile Riot has a few small air vents, fleece-lined earflaps, a molded (read sturdier) brim, and that’s about it. The earflaps detach too easily. A nonadjustable liner means it either fits your head or doesn’t. TAGS: no frills, low-profile…