How can you tell when it's time to change your trail running shoes? Carlos Mexico City, Mexico

I'm in the market for some good ol' fashioned, single-leather-upper hiking boots. Nothing against the space age looks of most boots today; I just long for the time when boots looked like, well, boots! Aside from the Vasque Sundowners, do you have any recommendations? I liked the Zberlan Panthers, and the Made in Italy nostalgia is a plus. Price being on the back burner, I'm looking for that old-school Sundowner, Panther, Banff style boot; ideally of high quality. Thoughts? Ben Bern, NC

The first thing out of my mouth when I set up this beast was, “This thing's freakin' huge!” MSR’s latest addition to its fast-and-light series of tents, the Skinny Too ($250), is a lightweight yet…

By Stephen Regenold Rod Johnson, owner and founder of Midwest Mountaineering, took a multi-month journey on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) this past summer to push the limits of ultra-light gear. His experiment in minimalism for the great outdoors included more than 1,000 miles…

By Mary Catherine O'Connor When Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard wanted to have a confab about gear, Ernest Capbert knew that he and his cohorts at the outdoor clothing startup Finisterre were doing something right. The company is the dreamchild of…

I tried to get the Salomon Quest 4D GTX hiking boots ($200) a couple of weeks in advance. With a rim-to-rim backpacking trip in the Grand Canyon on the horizon, I wanted to have some time to break them in. As it turns…

Can you comment on Lands' End as a source of backpacking outerwear? For exple, they sell the 700 SnowPack Down Jacket, which is similar to down sweaters by Patagonia and Mountain Hardwear—save that Lands End’s version weigh 14 oz for men's medium, which is heavier than the higher-end brands. They also market the Marinac Jacket, which is Polartec fleece with Windcheck barrier. Have you used any of these or other Lands' End gear? David Columbia, MO

I planning a weeklong hut-to-hut ski trip in the Gaspe this winter. Food and heavier gear will be transported by sled but a day pack with essentials must still be carried, of course. Any suggestions for pack and gear? Tim Toronto, Ontario

Hello, I'm looking to make a winter ascent of Mount Rainier. I need an altimeter. I'm not sure if I should get an altimeter watch (like the Casio Pathfinder) or a GPS (Garmin Oregon 400T, Oregon 300, or Dakota 20). I don't have to worry about the battery problem with the watch. Then again, it's nice to have a GPS, but they only get 14 hours of battery life. The Dakota gets 20. In sub-zero temps, I would need to carry everything in my pockets. Any ideas? Brett Highland Lakes, NJ

Ask any serious runner about their favorite piece of running gear and they will likely tell you about their super-technical shoes, lightweight polarized sunglasses, or distance/calorie/pace tracking-stopwatch system. And their running shorts? Shorts are probably the last piece of gear runners think about. The funny thing is you spend…

What do you bring up the northwest face of Yosemite's Half Dome in early October? Answer: not much. It’s a 1.5-mile approach gaining 3000-feet in elevation with multiple class 4-5 scrambles, followed by a 2000-foot wall of sheer granite. My climbing partner cut his toothbrush in half to shed weight.

If you're not in the military, driving a Humvee can be considered a waste of gas, but lovers of the all-terrain vehicle can soon start thinking green. EnerDel is teaming up with the U.S. Army to develop four possible lithium-ion battery systems to power the Humvee.

Simply put, the Aquapac Waterproof Backpack ($85) is a gem: it’s compartments are easily-accessible, using it takes no frills, and it's craftsmanship is sturdy. My first impression was that this drybag-like pack would be a raft guide's nightmare. It's material felt surprisingly lightweight (read: snaggable) and…

By Stephen Regenold It ain't a technical top. Some people think its prairie-dog-with-wings motif is silly or childish. But the Topo T-Shirt, an organic-cotton, casual short-sleeve, has been an unlikely wear-everywhere jersey for me over the past few years. I am on my second one. The $36…

Not exactly. But your iPhone can get you halfway there. Mariah Power, which creates residential wind turbines, has teamed up with the software developer Create with Context for an app that will measure…

TheYakima Holdup bike carrier has a built-in bottle opener. Yeah, I know, sodo flip-flops these days, but still. Butfirst, why the hitch-mounted tray-style bike carrier? Hitch-mounted racks maketransporting bicycles easier because you don’t have to be Yao Ming or…

Lance Armstrong sold 7 of his old bikes at a Sotheby's auction on Sunday, raising about $1.3 million for his his foundation, LIVESTRONG, according to the examiner. Here's a list of the bikes and their auction sale price: Hirst Bike (ridden by Armstrong at…

By Stephen Regenold Touted to be a “storm fortress” with a pedal-specific cut, the Cyclical Shell offers a solid waterproof/breathable top with a svelte look tailored for commuters and the urban single-speed set. It employseVent fabric, which is commonly used in outdoors- and mountain-oriented…

 DC Co-founder and Rally Team Driver, Ken Block, has partnered with Subaru to make the world's fastest cat track setup for backcountry access. You can check out the test run in the video above. Via Transworld Snowboarding. –Dave Costello…

Audi has partnered with MIT to design a robotic GPS with a head and facial expressions called AIDA (Affective Intelligent Driving Agent), New Scientist reports. The robot will do more than just give you directions. It will also give…

For a runner, is any piece of gear more important than the shoe? Conrad Stoltz doesn’t think so. That’s why the three-time Xterra world champion co-developed and tested the Avia Avi-Stoltz ($114), Avia’s first line of Xterra…

This sounds like something Ian Fleming would've dreamed up: a vehicle that's both a surface watercraft and a self-contained submersible. It may look like a yellow submarine, but it's technically a Scubacraft with an internal-combustion engine, electric thrusters, and the capability of diving down to 100…

An electric bus has made its debut in D.C., where it is expected to be a new form of emissions-free public transportation, Treehugger.com reports. Proterra and Altair Nanotechnologies are behind the new vehicle, and they…

What is the best way to carry water into a hike? I have been using a regular gallon jug and it's just a bad choice, but I don't want to carry a bunch of Sigg or Nalgene bottles. Is there any lightweight system to carry water that is a little more...packable? Daniel Powell, OH

I was wondering if you knew of any high-def cameras that can zoom in to a six-foot-by-six-foot square on earth's surface from 60,000 feet and attached to a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)? Paul Long Beach, CA

I'm looking for the lightest breatheable bivy sack out there, any suggestions? Gabe Lander, WY

I live in Chicago and would like to keep up my running this winter. Can you recommend good winter running shoes? Zac Chicago, IL

With the approaching winter solstice, my evening outdoor runs require illumination. This activity takes place in an unlit park laced with footpaths that can be hazardous to aging ankles. My headlp, though fine for cp chores and reading, just doesn't provide enough light, particularly when moving at speed. Can you suggest a lightweight personal torch that would do the trick? I not as concerned with burn time as I might be if I’m on a wilderness excursion. Diana Westmount, Quebec

Think of Julbo's new glacier sunglasses, The Bivouak ($120), like a Transformer. At the base level, they're a wraparound frame with a stylish shape for moseying around town. Now, attach the fire engine red side shields and you have a glass that is…

By Stephen Regenold I'm not sure exactly when humble “long underwear” became “next-to-skin technical base layers,” but somewhere over the past decade designers in the outdoors industry switched up the nomenclature and cut words like “skivvies” and “long johns” out of the conversation. It…

A new trend in the outdoors world is the overuse of locator beacons, according to an article published by Edge Philadelphia. Nowadays, the technology of these beacons allows hikers and adventurers to transmit help messages from practically anywhere. Unfortunately, this include novices…

My dad always said the family that skis together...spends a helluva lot of dough. Here are some ways to trim the fat.

By Stephen Regenold At $180, the Outlier 4Season OG Pants are a specialty productcreated for a small, affluent market niche. Essentially, these are “performancedress pants,” a unique hybrid for office workers who bike commute or activetypes who want a comfortable pair of pants to do double duty…

Yes, there's a world-class ski resort in Steamboat Springs. But as the careers (and hobbies) of these five guys demonstrate, that's just one part of this relaxed Colorado town's allure.

We've narrowed the field to the six best of the year. Now, use our Terrain Meter to choose a pair based on the conditions you ski the most.

The Merrell Siren rain jacket ($230) makes travel more comfortable. Not only does it hold up in light rain and torrential downpours, it fits easily into a small bag or purse. Made of Gore-Tex Paclite, the jacket is extremely lightweight so…

I?ve never liked camping trailers but saw the SylvanSport Go and thought it looked pretty good. My wife and I camp with a couple of large dogs and thought this might be the ticket. Do you have any experience with this trailer or this company? Jay Dana Point, CA

I would like to do some long-distance fast hiking with about a 25- to 35-pound pack. What shoes or boots would be supportive enough for rough trails, but light and flexible enough to go fast? Ben Milledgeville, GA

The New York Times has a nice slideshow-slash-gear review segment up on wetsuits. It follows two surgeons, who are also surfing buddies, as they test a variety of suits, from Patagonia to O'Neill. The Times also has other gear reviews for…

Prince Edward Island is a good place to drive a wind-powered car, according to TreeHugger.com. Harold Smith lives there and owns a 20 Kilowatt wind turbine, which powers his Toyota. Prince Edward is flat and windy, and it has to import fuel, so wind-powered cars…

By Stephen Regenold The deer hunter comments started coming the first time Iput the jacket on. Indeed, the obscene-orange ViZi-PRO Collection — a line ofapparel from Saucony to be released this month — is made with “thebrightest, most…

Interesting story from CNN today about the booming market for electric bikes. There were 200,000 of them sold in the U.S. alone last year. We still haven't caught up to Europe, where e-bikes are reportedly the fastest selling category in bike shops, or China, where there are…

Stunt man, X Games Gold Medalist and Rally America champion Travis Pastrana will attempt the unthinkable this coming New Years; setting the world record for the longest distance jump in a rally car.  Pastrana will attempt the jump at this years New…

By now, you may have heard the ruckus about how Hybrid cars are too quiet, which has safety experts worried that people won't hear them coming. The good news (uh, maybe), reports the New York Times, is that Hybrid automakers are…

I'm looking for solid backpacking boots that come in wide sizes and that will work for someone with thick feet and high insteps. The Asolo TPS 520 looked/felt good but has stitching and folds on the liner booty that seem to chafe quickly. I also looked into the Meindl Perfekt 7, which does not have a liner booty but seems to be indefinitely back-ordered from its sole U.S. distributor, Cabela's. Any other suggestions? Do you think the liner stitches and folds will smooth out over time? Barr Albuquerque, NM

I will be spending time hiking in Patagonia, climbing Mt. Vinson, and cross-country skiing in Antarctica. It seems a valuable piece of gear would be a satellite phone, but I don't see any reviews on Outside Online. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Chuck Sonoma, CA

I have been trying to find a good pack for packing camera gear. Although there are camera backpacks out there, they do not allow me to carry personal stuff, and they don't seem to be that well made. My question is...without hiring a sherpa, what company makes a "real" backpack that would allow me to carry both. I have looked at the Deuter Futura Pro 42, and would make the bottom compartment into the camera storage. I will go out for a day, maybe a day and night. Thanks a lot! Daryl Wheat Ridge, CO

By Stephen Regenold New Balance enlisted top ultra runners Kyle Skaggs andAnton Krupicka for assistance in designing the MT100, a trail-running race shoenew this month. As such, the company touts the shoe as “designed for themost dedicated ultra-trail runners.” After three weeks of…

I'm heading to Nepal (November through December) for a one-month trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp. Can you recommend a glove and gaiter that would suffice for trekking, scrambling, cold temps, etc. Nathan Los Angeles, CA

Summer cycling season is ending. What would you recommend for winter riding clothes? Matt Clinton, CT

2010 Buyer’s Guide Videos Summer Outside Winter Buyer's Guide 2009/2010 Winter Buyer's Guide Trail Shoes Sleeping Bags Women’s Gear Road Bikes…

The athletic equipment that made the cut for our second annual celebration of the best in design and technology.

The tools and gadgets that made the cut for our second annual celebration of the best in design and technology.

The outdoor accoutrements that made the cut for our second annual celebration of the best in design and technology.

The clothes that made the cut for our second annual celebration of the best in design and technology.

Outside's guide to the best new concepts in gear, garb, human performance, and green.

Electric cars may be good for the environment, but they might not be so good for pedestrians. The Washington Post reports that the cars are so quiet that they have become a potential hazard for people who don't hear them coming as they're walking…

The iPhone as all-knowing, all-seeing guide to adventure.

At 160/130/120 underfoot, the Shane McConkey–inspired K2 Tribute Ski is wide enough to float over any powder; features a collage and quotes from McConkey, who died ski-BASE jumping in Italy last spring; and is perfect for channeling your inner Saucer Boy. Net proceeds go to McConkey’s wife and daughter. $699;…

Sudden leaps in technology. Breakthrough products. Stunningly transformed landscapes. These things don't happen on their own—they require the vision and dedication of exceptional designers. Meet seven minds that are radically changing your world for the better.

When I agreed to accompany my friend on an epic bicycle tripfrom Canada to Mexico on the popular Pacific Coast Route,my previous biking experience consisted of a 1.2 mile commute to work. Suddenly, I’d be goingfrom nada to 60-plus miles a day for almost two…

This video posted by the Adventure Blog demonstrates the functions of a new backpack that generates electricity as you walk.  The pack collects energy as it bounces up and down with your body, allowing the wearer to recharge batteries, iPods, satellite phones,…

As a gear editor, and a runner, I see a lot of running products. Some are so-so. Some are awesome. Here are some of my absolute favorites for this season. In no particular order: 1. ASICS Favorite shirt 2. Adidas adizero 3. Garmin 310 XT 4. That one white…

By Stephen Regenold The world's warmest balaclava. Goose-down booties. A ski goggle that changes tint with available light. These are the products to look for while gearing up for the outdoors this winter. Here is a quick preview of a few hot items. ColdAvenger Expedition…

How do you evenly redistribute the down in a sleeping bag? I was cold while backpacking recently and noticed that the down was not well distributed. It was clumped in some areas and bare in others. Sherry Parker, CO

What is the lightest two-person three-season tent? I define a tent as something that is big enough to lie down or sit in, and keeps the rain and bugs out. All the manufacturers are trying to confuse me by listing minimum weight, packaged weight, trail weight, fastpack weight, packed weight... Erik Rochester, NY

What portable solar panels will work best on the Greenland icecap? I plan to ski across Greenland for two to three weeks this May (west to East on the Nansen route). I need to charge a small laptop for work, and preferably a couple of iPods for mental hygiene. Bjorn Aune Oslo

CARRY-ON Ortlieb Back-Roller Classic Courtesy of Ortlieb Like to haul bigger loads, like a laptop, on a rear rack? Get ORTLIEB's grab-and-go BACK-ROLLER CLASSIC (pair, $165; ortliebusa.com), one of the toughest, and best-looking, waterproof panniers available. Check out 2009's best commuter bikes and our bike…

The easiest way to build fun and adventure into every day? Lose the car keys and ride your bike to work—and everywhere else. Here's how to pull it off in style. Saddle up!

Is there one singular multi-sport, multi-purpose helmet out there? I like to participate in most outdoor sports, kayaking, biking, ski/snowboarding, climbing, etc. Are there any multi-sport helmets that would work for all those sports? Having four different helmets seems like a waste. Ad Hood River, OR

When packing for a trip, do you ever think “But what if I spontaneously want to go kayaking?” This is for you. The folks at Vagabondish give a first look at the Citibot, a kayak that weighs 24…

A glimpse into the mind of a man who has spent 26 years in pursuit of the ultimate gizmo.

Associate editor Justin Nyberg shows off some radical new products.

I looking for the best backpack type child carrier. Any suggestions? Rudi Gardiner, NY

Hi, I want to purchase a water filter or water purifier to turn my day hikes into some overnight trips. I have been doing a lot of research but can't seem to figure out which one I need. I'll primarily be hiking in the Northeast and only in North erica, so is there a need for an actual water "purifier"? Thanks in advance. Kane Red Bank, NJ

I just got back from a backpacking trip and used my CelBak bladder in the pouch included in my backpack. I liked using this system instead of reaching back for a water bottle, but the bladder is hard to refill when buried in the pack and also takes up pack space. Is there another kind of bladder out there? Maybe a square one that can sit on top my gear, near the top of the pack? This would keep it out of the way and make it easy to access. Joseph Moraga, CA

I still use cages on the pedals of my Bianchi. I find it easier to get in and out of the pedals than clips. However, I cannot find shoes that are designed for cages. Do such shoes exist? Andy St. Paul, MN

I have freakish feet. I a size 13 with AA width. I can't seem to find a boot that will fit. Any ideas? Bill Burlington, VT

For hiking in the Andes, what four-season tent would you recommend? Looking for one that'll give me the best weight-to-strength ratio with least condensation and a proper vestibule? Christien Pretoria, South Africa

The big breathability issue is making buying a jacket confusing. eVent has thrown a cat ong the pigeons and waterproof soft shells also change my options. Is there any clear thinking on this subject? I have the new Aegis jacket and that's just a proprietary fabric but seems to work fine. In other words, what are the "real" facts and how do you choose the "best" jacket for various applications? Ian South Africa