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VERSATILE THREE-SEASON SACK The EcoPro costs a bit more than Marmot’s other synthetic 15-degree-rated models (like the Trestles 15, $90). But this bag has good karma. Its insulation and shell are spun almost entirely out of recycled plastic bottles. In fact, the only unrecycled things on this roomy bag are…
For such a light and warm bag, the 800-fill Peggy is packed with such thoughtful features as a built-in pillowcase. Like all of Big Agnes’s bags, there’s no insulation on the underside, but it’s compatible with any 20-inch-wide sleeping pad. 15°, 2.5 lbs; bigagnes.com…
EMS’s 20-degree Boreal is the first sack to use a new synthetic insulation from PrimaLoft called Infinity, which EMS claims is “18 percent warmer and 25 percent more compressible” than comparable fill. Although it was impossible to test that boast, the Boreal squashes down to the size of a…
Thrashers Welcome The 725-fill Tumble Mountain features recycled fabric, zipper, drawcords, and cordlocks, making it the most sustainable bag here. It’s also the most tricked out. Big Agnes shaves a few ounces by eliminating the unnecessary insulation under the half-length pad sleeve on the back. Slide any standard-width (20-inch) pad…
New-School Lantern Your old propane-powered lantern might have sentimental value. But it’s also fragile and high-maintenance. That’s why we like the Titan. It runs on four D batteries, is bright enough to illuminate an entire cooking area (45 feet in diameter), and has a power meter to let you know…
Not that you’d need it, with SIERRA DESIGNS’ BTU -5 SLEEPING BAG—an 800-fill down heat factory with one of the best heat-sealing hoods we’ve ever tested and a waterproof-breathable fabric.
Birding on the Cheap Perfect for the neophyte birder who wants quality glass without blowing his inheritance. The DCF NV’s semi-compact design was fast on the draw, and the rubberized exterior helped protect them from inclement weather—and more than one clumsy drop. Their 16mm eye relief allowed for comfortable, strain-free…
Training in unfamiliar terrain? This watch wirelessly connects to a heart-rate strap and a belt-or arm-mounted GPS unit for altitude and navigation coordinates. www.timex.com…
Weighing little more than half an ounce, the Two Can is either the lightest little knife we’ve seen this year or the smallest pair of scissors. www.kershawknives.com…
ESSENTIALISTSuunto stepped back and asked, “What do athletes really need?” then answered with the t6, which charts heart rate, time, and elevation gain and shares it all with a PC. The bundled Training Manager software is easy to use. An optional wireless speed sensor ($109) attaches to your shoelaces and,…
FLYWEIGHTCountless ambles down to the local java joint validated the TrailAudio’s always-at-hand design. I stocked this two-ouncer with 11 Led Zeppelin albums and clipped it to my belt loop. With a water-resistant casing, this 256MB memory-card-based player is ready for the rain and the rough. Plug it into a USB…
A LIGHTWEIGHT, WALLET-FRIENDLY DSLR A full-featured DSLR can be an awkward load when you’re traveling, especially in cities. Not the D40. I had no problem toting it through the streets of London and Barcelona. At just over a pound, the D40 is one of the lightest interchangeable-lens DSLRs around. But…
This Henry Kloss–inspired beauty, which takes auxiliary input from any player, features a high-precision AM/FM tuning dial, water resistance, rechargeable batteries, and a surprisingly beefy 2.5-inch speaker. tivoliaudio.com…
Find your way in the dark, or signal extraterrestrials, with this limited-edition titanium, true-variable-output, 70-lumen LED torch; it’s the size of your finger, weighs 1.9 ounces, and burns for 50 hours. surefire.com…
Because they stay sticky in a variety of snow conditions and temperatures, G3 skins have long been a tester favorite. This year, thanks to an extra coat of waterproofing and a redesigned tip attachment (which now fits any ski shape), they’re even better. genuineguidegear.com…
Made for music phones—note the mike on the wire— these little hi-fi numbers snug comfortably and stay put. v-moda.com…
Tweeze the unibrow, pick your teeth, drive screws, and, in case you’re trapped in a vehicle as it sinks to the bottom of a river, punch out the windows and slash your seatbelt. swissarmy.com…
The most full-featured of the key-chain strongboxes, SAMSUNG’S YEPP YP-55V ($199) holds 256 megabytes of music in bump-proof flash memory. It plays FM when your mixes get moldy, and records digital files from radio, voice, or aftermarket mike. To fill it up, plug the 1.2-ounce unit into your PC’s USB…
With a new third antenna that delivers more accurate distance-to-victim measurements, a pull-tab-activated search mode, and a directional display, this is the simplest and most intuitive beacon on the market. 8.8 oz; backcountryaccess.com…
Making the switch from point-and-shoot to DSLR? The 10.2-meg K2000 comes with a 27.5–85mm (35mm-equivalent) zoom lens and a flash for the price of some digicams. Plus, at 20.8 ounces with batteries, it’s one of the lightest and smallest DSLRs on the market. Beginner-friendly features include built-in image stabilization…
Looking for something more sophisticated than your basic cell phone but not crazy about stuffing a mini-computer into your pocket? This slim unit is a perfect middle ground. Because the touchscreen provides feedback—clicking and vibrating with each touch—we found texting, especially when multitasking, easier than with most phones. The…
We love the actual physical control dial and gas-gauge-style memory and battery indicators up top of this 12.2-meg digicam, but its wide 24mm lens, ultrabright, three-inch active-matrix OLED display, and HD video are the real sells. samsung.com…
Why It’s CoolCanon clearly gets feedback from pros; their cameras are better balanced and easier to hold while scrambling up trails. » The metering system measures focal distance and light from 35 locations within the frame. I captured perfectly balanced images, whether I was using close focus to secure shots…
Time Trialer If this black-on-black piece from Spanish company Festina were a movie character, it would be one of the Nihilists from The Big Lebowski. In a very good way. With a scratch-resistant mineral crystal, 100-meter water resistance, and ultrasmooth movement in its three-dial chronograph, it’s all you’d expect from…
Like Suunto’s Extreme Edition Silver ($329), this watch has an altimeter, barometer, compass, storm alarm, sunrise/sunset times, etc. It’s also engraved with the signature of Apa Sherpa, who this year made his record 20th summit of the big peak. (It’s an edition of 8,848—the mountain’s elevation in meters.) Plus…
Why They’re CoolThe 10×25 configuration is tricky—it’s a lot of magnification in a small package—but Brunton gives the XC10 the most solid, ergonomic, tactilely pleasing body in the field. The rubber-clad housing grips just right, with flat spots on the underside for the thumbs. The barrels stay just where you…
The Weekender “This is the Chuck Norris of hiking shoes!” proclaimed one tester. Even if we couldn’t see the resemblance, we certainly agree that the Col packs an impressive punch. Bolstered by a waterproof liner, the mostly full-grain leather upper—the toughest breathable material—proved itself on weekend after weekend of wet…
Why It’s CoolThe least expensive pack in this lineup is also one of the few with adjustable torso length, which nails the fit for a comfortable carry. » Precisely tuned for a 35-pound load, the framesheet and the U-shaped stay transfer weight to a hipbelt with moderate padding. » Kudos…
Paper-thin silicone-treated nylon, compact size, and a frameless suspension make the Iso superlight—and a good choice for speed hikes. The tradeoff is decreased abrasion resistance and minimalist support. 1.6 lbs, 1,200 cu in; www.gregorypacks.com…
Some low-cut shoes beg for mercy under the weight of a 40-pound pack. But the Passage Ventilator can bear a load, thanks to a muscled chassis that includes an injection-molded plastic plate in the midsole and a broad outsole that provides a stable platform for every step. Molded plastic…
SPEEDY HYBRIDVector charts a course that’s swift, stable, and true. The reason? Hi-Tec injected the shoe with a hypodermic needle full of running-shoe DNA—it’s very flexible and weighs only 13 ounces. But like a heavy-duty hiking boot, the Vector proved surpris-ingly water-resistant. Bonus: A closed-mesh upper and tongue let my…
TAKE IT ANYWHERE Small enough for short jaunts, cool enough for the heat of the desert, and tough enough for the mountains. The Direct 28 does it all, and for a sweet price. The abrasion-resistant 210-denier nylon body—and doubly reinforced bottom—is made for alpine abuse, while an aggressively arched frame…
FEATHERWEIGHT At just two pounds, the Light Speed makes good on its name while delivering ample space (915 cubic inches) for a day of sidecountry stashes and booter building. Plus, it withstood a beating during tight glade runs at Colorado’s Beaver Creek, thanks to poke-proof 600-denier polyester fabric. There are…
BEST FOR BIG LOADS Looking for something that isn’t a clodhopper but can handle a three-day back-packing trip? The Kayland’s waterproof eVent membrane lets sweat out, while the shoe’s plastic stabilizers and EVA foam form a lightweight support structure that allowed us to carry 40-pound packs without wincing. And if…
Mountainsmith’s Modular Hauler storage system is built around cubes that measure 15 inches to a side. In that space, the Bike Cube Deluxe holds (and organizes) tools, a changing mat, clothing, eyewear, shoes, and a helmet. mountainsmith.com…
Fast and Light Somewhere in your closet, there’s a pair of shoes you reach for more than any other, be it for hiking, knocking around town, or traveling. In this year’s test, that shoe was the Redmond. It’s easy to achieve a perfect fit, thanks to the…
With five layers of protection from the elements in a soft removable liner, this is the warmest boot here (it’s rated to 75 below zero). Traction is pretty damn good too, thanks to a proprietary outsole with specially formulated, grippy pads. 4.4 lbs; baffin.com…
Minimalist Nomad The beauty of the 3,050-cubic-inch Backtrack is its versatility—it’s a shoulder bag, a suitcase-style hauler, and a backpack with a detachable daypack—which we enjoyed on backroad rambles in Colorado. Deploy the adjustable suspension and head out with a week’s worth of goods bundled with dual compression straps. The…
Nothing flashy or newfangled here. Rather, the fully insulated Beluha impressed testers the old-fashioned way. It received high marks for ankle support, traction, and, thanks to the fleece-lined cuff and tongue, comfort. TAGS: high cut, tough nubuck leather uppers…
Why They’re CoolThese resilient and abrasion-resistant runners feel like breezy track shoes. Thank the wire-mesh box under the arch and instep. Adidas calls it the ClimaCool, a.k.a. the CC, but you can call it an underfoot airshaft that vents and drains. » A flexible plate of TPU saved my feet…
CROSSOVER ARTISTTo save weight and increase comfort, Pearl installed a urethane crash pad in the heel-strike zone at the rear of the Float’s midsole, while bolstering the instep with lighter expanded-vinyl-acetate foam. The result is a great compromise between cush and stability, offering even overpronators an excellent all-around ride. Go…
CUSTOM FIT We were on high gimmick alert when testing the Paris Trainers, which use a pneumatic pump to create a custom rear-foot fit. Not all testers felt the benefit (those who did liked the snugness), but we downgraded the alert to low when, even without the pump, the shoe…
LIGHT AND FAST These shoes are as close as you’ll come to sprouting a layer of tread on your feet. The minimalist 790’s are extremely light and low to the ground, providing a nimble feel that’s almost like a racing flat. 6.6 oz; newbalance.com Bonus: These kicks look…
This versatile shoe goes from road to trail—and October to April—with ease. Midsole cushion is pillow-like on rocky trails and flexy enough for roads, and the upper breathes well and resists minor weather (but isn’t waterproof). It’s best for narrow-footed mild pronators. 10 oz; brooksrunning.com…
MID-MILEAGE WORKHORSE If the true test of a stability shoe is how comfortable it is during your last month of marathon training, then the heavily cushioned Kendari is the champ. “It felt great out of the box,” remarked one tester, “and just as good 100 miles later.” The comfort stems…
This futuristic, iPod-compatible shoe—put the wireless chip in the sole and go—is chock-full of women-specific features. Most noticeable are flex grooves that are aligned relative to a woman’s lower center of gravity, resulting in a more efficient gait. 10 oz; nikerunning.com…
Cushioning The light, flexible Fast puts a twist on minimalist speed shoes. Designers placed a block of stiff foam in the front of the heel, with softer foam fore and aft, that encourages runners to land lightly on their midfoot, as opposed to riding their heel. It…
The women-only PDQ is a minimalist shoe that’s great for agile runners with good biomechanics. We love the use of partially recycled materials and reduced use of glues and parts overall, though we did notice some early wear and tear. 5 oz; endfootwear.com…
Boing, boing, boing . . . I couldn’t quite hear the springs in this shoe as I bounced down Boulder Creek Path, but I could feel their bounce. Spira sneaks metal springs into the EVA midsoles, and it’s no gimmick. The lively two-inch-diameter coil in the heel puts a noticeable…
Looking to set a new personal best? The Redemption can help with a less-is-more approach reminiscent of a racing flat. Plus midsole thickness descends dramatically from heel to toe—putting you in a forward-leaning position and encouraging quick leg turnover. The effect? I ran the Rock ‘n Roll Arizona Half Marathon…
Trail If you want the rock-solid side-to-side stability of a mountain runner, Gore-Tex for mud stomping, and extra armor for nasty trails, you’re going to pay a slight weight penalty. But we still loved the snug heel and arch (for good agility) and wide forefoot (to accommodate swelling on descents).
One tester spirited away the Apache as soon as it arrived and only returned it a few weeks later, after we threatened to withhold his pay—and even then it took a few days. The Apache is simply one of the most fun cross-country bikes we’ve ridden, especially for the…
If the thought of spending more for a quality bike than a decent used car makes you want to take up jogging, the Dakar will keep you on two wheels. The aluminum frame is stiff and responsive, and can take a lot of abuse. (We crashed ours into both…
STEALTH RACERScott checks in with one of the lightest competition frames on the planet—a blend of custom tubes and carbon welding that weighs a feathery one pound 15 ounces. For a frame this light, it’s surprisingly solid. When it was decked with Campagnolo’s midrange Centaur group, our test bike came…
Keep your cool without losing your teeth. This comfortable full-face helmet is almost as airy as most XC buckets (21 vents) and delivers a superb fit with its highly adjustable retention system. specialized.com…
CHEAP THRILLS With so many astronomically expensive bikes on the market, it’s easy to get the impression that entry-level bikes perform too poorly to warrant consideration. The Xenith Comp proves that’s not the case. The full-carbon frame offers about as stiff a platform as you’ll find at this price, and…
A great entry-level race shoe for high-volume feet, the MX170 has a heel-mounted Boa lacing system that cinches the shoe around the ankle to prevent heel lift. lakecycling.com…
We have to break out the superlatives for this out-of-the-box racer. It's the lightest and stiffest frame that Giant has ever produced—the same one (albeit without the integrated seat mast) that was ridden to more pro wins last year than any other bike. Granted, the SL 2 is hung with…
Road Comfortable Crossover In many ways, the Sterling is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Prolight. There’s a removable (and padded) bug-net lining, a Boa-like knob that dials in the perfect fit with a few clicks, and a visor for mountain biking. All that, and it’s…
Easy Rider Using the Ritchey Breakaway system, this chromoly touring bike’s frame splits, and the whole thing packs down beautifully into one checkable suitcase in about ten minutes. Upon reaching your destination, you’ve got a sprightly ride that takes full racks and fenders, comes with fat 35-millimeter Schwalbe rubber…
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…
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 …
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)…
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…
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…
Thanks to a smart combination of wool and synthetic insulation, the leather-palmed and waterproof Vector kept our fingers toasty in single-digit temps. gordini.com…
When you start gearing up to cling to walls of ice in the dead of winter, it’s no time to skimp, and PETZL‘s versatile and redesigned QUARK ICE TOOLS are a good place to start.
During blizzard conditions on a 40-mile backcountry ski race, this 800-fill-down, highly water-resistant shell kept our tester’s core “warm without the bulk of a traditional Michelin Man coat.” Also available in a hooded version called the Catalyst for $20 more. 1 lb; thenorthface.com…
A harness is more than just something to hang by. You’ll want it to be durable with plenty of gear loops for carabiners, like the featherweight (only 11.2-ounce) R-280. Sure, it might look paper-thin, but its strength-dispersing technology uniformly distributes your body weight for maximum comfort.
To trim grams, the Hydrogen forgoes everything but a small key pocket and full zip. The nylon breathes moderately well without the help of vents yet still shrugs off a light drizzle. 3 oz; thenorthface.com…
PRACTICALLY WATERPROOF If you took your favorite base layer, hard shell, and soft shell and threw them all in a blender, it would be a terrible mess. But Westcomb’s mash-up makes terrific sense. A thin layer of merino wool on the inside wicks away moisture (like a base layer),…