Gear
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What is the lightest solo tent, one that also offers serious protection in storms? Peggy San Jose, CA
Don't let the dark of winter slow you down. We tested two dozen next-gen lights to bring you the six best and brightest.
What are the best boots for climbing Matterhorn?
Does anyone make cross-country ski boots in wide widths? Margaret Madison, Wisconsin
Before she on-sighted the 2,000-foot Northwest Face of Half Dome, in October, the 28-year-old sylph from Kentucky was already hailed as one of the world’s best sport climbers winning both the X Games and the World Cup earlier this decade. On-sighting free-climbing on her first try, without…
Whether you're looking for an all-conditions ski shell or an insulated winter coat, we've got you covered
Why don’t more people use a blanket to sleep in the backcountry? They seem more temperature adaptable with a lighter weight for a given size. There just aren't a lot of options offered. Josh Vallejo, California
What is the minimum recommended thickness for a backpacking-tent floor? Big Agnes’s Seedhouse SL2 tent has a trail weight of two pounds, 14 ounces, with a 1,200mm polyurethane floor coating. Should I instead opt for the similar Seedhouse 2, which has a 1,500mm floor coating but weighs three pounds, 14 ounces? Marshall Atlanta, Georgia
Brit Eaton is the best of a curious breed of fortune hunters combing old mine shafts and barns across the West for vintage denim. He's discovered $50,000 worth of clothes in a single day, and his clients include Ralph Lauren and Levi's. STEVEN RINELLA joins him on a search for the blues.
I've been using a Gregory Palisade backpack for week-long trips, usually on the AT or in the Whites. But I’d like to purchase a pack made specifically for women. Which pack will provide similar size and features as the Palisade? Kate Boston, Massachusetts
From hard shells to soft shells, associate editor Justin Nyberg reviews his favorite jackets of 2009.
When a company like Specialized dreams up a new ride, design teams are deployed, test frames are destroyed, and the stakes are huge. With the 2009 Epic, the goal was suitably grandiose: to create the fastest, most responsive mountain bike around—and earn a world championship to prove it.
Can you recommend some good winter backpacking boots? Most of the time, I’d be around 4,000 feet, though I do spend some time around treeline as well. Bill Billerica, Massachusetts
I ride my bike to class every morning, and as the temperature drops, I have a jacket problem that is two fold. 1) My fleece does little to stop the piercing cold winds. 2) My hard shell retains too much body heat, and I feel like I’m in a furnace. What do you recommend? Bary Charlottesville, Virginia
I’m an avid day-hiker, and now I want to do weekend and longer hikes. I have thought about doing the Appalachian Trail but need tips on light-weight gear. I was in the infantry in the army and spent time in the mountains of Afghanistan, so I know weight is crucial. Any help? Jeremy Carrollton, Georgia
How long should you hold onto a sleeping bag? When cleaning out our attic, we ce across some sleeping bags that are from our college days (we’re 35 now). Is it time to retire them? Sarah Frisco, Texas
My wife and I are trekking in Chile and Argentina next summer, so we’ve decided to exploit the circumstances and replace most of our equipment with newer and lighter items. Can you build the ideal shopping list for us? Yonathan Tel Aviv, Israel
My work frequently takes me to developing-world destinations where streets are unpaved and sidewalks nonexistent. Yet I'm generally expected to maintain business casual attire. Is there a shoe that acts like a hiking shoe but doesn't look out of place with a pair of khakis in the office? Christopher Washington, D.C.
Dont’t want to lug around a large camera? Carrying the 14.5-megapixal Nikon Coolpix S710 is like having a full-size DSLR in your chest pocket ($380; nikonusa.com) Nikon Coolpix S710 …
Not a Tom Cruise fan? Don’t fret: The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition Top Gun is named after the real deal, the elite U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School. And, yes, it can handle some serious G’s: The ceramic case and titanium movement are ultra-tough, and the reinforced crystal won’t dislodge…
The Epson P-7000 Multimedia Photo Viewer packs 160GB of storage and a four-inch, hi-def LCD screen for easy field vetting ($800; epson.com). Leica D-Lux 4 …
Waterproof (to five feet) and shock-resistant, Panasonic‘s SDR-SW20S can capture footage in conditions that would ruin other camcorders ($400; panasonic.com). Olympus Stylus 1050SW …
The waterproof TX 770 Fly-Back Chronograph is even more functional than it appears, with an electronic compass and old-school features like a tachymeter and a fly-back chronograph, which resets at the press of a button and marks time from a fifth of a second to four hours ($425;…
Olympus‘s waterproof and shock-proof 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1050 SW can take a beating. And a dunking. And a freezing. Plus all major functions can be accessed by tapping the housing, even with gloves on ($300; olympusamerica.com). Epson P-7000 Multimedia Photo Viewer…
Thanks to its upgraded f/2–2.8 aperture, 10.1-megapixel sensor, and mount for both flashes and a viewfinder, the D-Lux 4 puts a pro-quality Leica in the palm of your hand ($800; leica-camera.com). Panasonic SDR-SW205 Video Camera…
Most adventure-sport watches look out of place anywhere but in the wild. Not so the rugged Sector Mountain Master, which features abundant gadgetry—a digital compass, altimeter, thermometer, and barometer—but is stylish enough for everyday wear ($595; sectornolimits.eu). Sector Mountain Master …
to Your Lady According to Tracy Tuten, a professor at Virginia’s Longwood University who studies the psychology of gift giving, most people drop gift hints unconsciously. Write them down (or call them in; Tuten uses the online dictation service Jott.com). For example, when your…
Rado first introduced its oblong-cased Original line in 1962, and the new Split-Second Chronograph stays true to its Mod Squad style. A crystal back allows you to view the automatic movement, and its steel-and-titanium bracelet and sapphire crystal will withstand years of abuse ($6,200; rado.com). Rado…
This holiday season we not only show you what to “gift”like the coolest new swag for skiing/boarding, traveling, training, trekking, timekeeping, shooting/filming, and rocking out. We also tell you how to bestow intelligently when the circumstances are bafflinglike with your mother-in-law or your enemy (or is that the same thing?)…
The self-winding automatic movement of the 300-meter-rated limited-edition Omega Seamaster James Bond 007 ensures perfect timekeeping up to two days after you last wore it. Plus it’s a “certified chronometer,” i.e., it’s undergone 15 days of rigorous independent testing, in temperatures from zero to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, to ensure unmatched…
Luminescent hands on TAG Heuer‘s F1 Chronograph sweep over three traditional chrono functions and an easy-to-read date window. And being forged almost entirely from scratch-resistant titanium carbide and brushed stainless steel, this one’s as tough as it is sleek ($1,350; tagheuer.com). TAG Heuer F1 Chronograph …
It may look like a classic chronograph, but Breitling‘s Avenger Seawolf Chrono is a revolutionary dive watch. Even at the max depth of 1,000 meters, you can use the chrono functions without risking a breach, via a magnetic system engaged with the push of a button ($4,380;…
Top-tier lenses and a moisture-repellent coating mean Leica‘s 8×50 Ultravid HD binoculars provide greater clarity in low light and poor weather ($2,525; us.leica-camera.com). …
Solio‘s Magnesium Edition solar charger can store enough juice to recharge your cell phone three times ($170; solio.com).
Headlamps are for when you’ve got to have your hands free. When traveling, though, carry a tiny, ultrabright flashlight like Surefire‘s T1A Titan ($239; surefire.com). Surefire TIA Titan…
El Naturalista‘s Messenger Bag is old-school cool ($420; elnaturalista.com).
Crush it, roll it, or stuff it in your bag: The Orvis Packable Felt Hat will pop right back into shape ($39; orvis.com). Orvis Packable Felt Hat …
Room for only one jacket in your luggage? Merrell‘s lightly insulated and water-resistant Uniform Parka is the perfect choice ($189; merrell.com). Merrell Uniform Parka Jacket …
Problem: No time to properly clean up before dinner. Solution: A dab of Davidoff Adventure cologne ($48; macys.com). Davidoff Adventure Cologne …
Merrell‘s Gore-Tex Chameleon Trek shoes are understated enough for a night on the town but tough enough for the trail ($145).
Outdoor Research's Primovolta gloves contain a rechargeable heating element that keeps fingers warm for up to six hours ($259; outdoorresearch.com). Outdoor Research Primovolta Gloves …
With their slightly duck-footed stance, Nordica‘s Sportmachine 14 boots make carving the perfect turn that much easier ($655; nordicausa.com). Nordica Sportmachine 14 Ski Boot …
Catch more air: Burton‘s Vapor is the lightest snowboard they’ve ever made ($1,000; burton.com). Burton Vapor Snowboard …
My son is cycling the Lower 48 starting on January 1, and I would like some way to keep up with him. Is there a GPS unit that can accomplish this? Karen Atlanta, Georgia
Odometer, altimeter, barometer, compass—the water-resistant Suunto X10 watch (with improved GPS and battery life) is an instrument panel for your wrist ($600; suunto.com). Suunto X10 Watch …
Like nearly everything Crank Brothers makes, the new Cobalt XC mountain-biking wheels are as beautiful as they are high-performance. You’ll want to wash off the mud before you even hit the finish line ($1,000; crankbrothers.com).
When collapsed, Black Diamond‘s ultrabright Orbit Lantern is the size of a cell phone ($30; bdel.com). Black Diamond Orbit Lantern Train: Oakley Radar Sunglasses Oakley Radar SunglassesBecause the Oakley Radar‘s photochromic lenses quickly adapt to changing light conditions and repel almost…
The Bell Volt, featuring a removable visor, will keep you up to speed on-road or off-. Proof: Carlos Sastre won this year’s Tour de France wearing one ($175; bellbikehelmets.com).
They might be cute, but Guyot Design‘s silicone Squishy Bowls are also packable, tough, and practical ($16; guyotdesigns.com). Guyot Design Squishy Bowls …
The narrower nose and arrowhead shape of Selle San Marco‘s Mantra saddle were designed to minimize chafing ($260; sellesanmarco.com). Sella San Marco Mantra Bike Seat…
Why do some women trash women's specific skis as being too soft? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What’s the latest scoop on a very good pair of compact binoculars that can handle rough weather and hiking conditions? Jes Kailua, Hawaii
A few inches of fresh snow doesn’t mean it’s time to hit the treadmill. The lightweight, stride-friendly Atlas Run snowshoes will keep you running through winter ($179; atlassnowshoe.com). Atlas Run Snowshoe …
Think flash drive but with a headphone jack. Philips‘s matchbook-size 2GB GoGear player plugs right into your USB port ($50; philips.com). Philips GoGear …
Sigg‘s aluminum 100 Year Bottle is a modern update of a design from the thirties ($30; mysigg.com). Sigg 100 Year Bottle …
Your audiophile brother who spent twice as much on his home theater system as you did on your bike? Ultrasone‘s velvet-lined, seventies-inspired HFI-2200 headphones—the first cans to minimize eardrum pressure—are for him ($299; ultrasone.com). Untrasone HFI-2200 Headphones …
Whereas most midsoles take a thousand years to decompose, the biodegradable ones in Brooks‘s Trance 8 stability trainer turn into plant food in about 20 ($140; brooksrunning.com).
Looking for more information than just your weight? Transparent electrodes on Tanita‘s BC573 Body Composition Monitor also measure body fat, water retention, and muscle mass ($109; thecompetitiveedge.com).
Half approach shoe, half hiker, SCARPA‘s Zen keeps you confident on any angle of terrain ($120; scarpa.com).
Armed with rust-proof everything (brackets, grille, hardware), Polk‘s outdoor-ready Atrium 45 speakers can weather salt water, rain, and sandstorms. And, yes, even your buddy’s homemade recordings ($240; polkaudio.com). Polk Atrium 45 …
Thanks to bendable rubber clips, the Airdrives Interactive Stereo Earphones stay put even when things get bumpy. And, because the buds rest just outside your ear canal, you can hear oncoming cars while you’re riding or running ($80; airdrives.com). Airdrives Interactive Stereo Earphones …
Not only is Motorola‘s Talkabout EM1000 two-way radio the first with features like an emergency-alert siren and NOAA weather channels; it also has a range of 20 miles and a hands-free function ($70; hellomoto.com). Motorola Talkabout EM1000 Radio …
Pick one frontside ski (1, 4, or 5) and one fat powder board (2, 3, or 6) and you'll be set for the season
Whether you're the all-mountain type or a park-and-pipe specialist, your new ride awaits
Two years ago, Arc’teryx gave lead designer Carl Moriarty a dream mandate: Build the best mountaineering jacket in the world, cost be damned. It needed to be warm enough for nasty conditions, so he stuffed it with the company’s top-of-the-line ThermaTekinsulation, which, in addition to being more hydrophobic than other…
My nine-year-old son informed me that my helmet fits him. I wear an adult medium helmet. Do I really have to go with one that’s youth specific? Dave Sierra Vista, Arizona
Fresh Loot Get the daily dish on the newest outdoor gear and industry trends from our stable of experts. If you’re looking for something a little more specific, check out the individual pages below. The Gear…
I work outside year-round (at the flightline of an airport), and in the winter the cold wind really gets me. I need a jacket that is comfy, warm, and tough, and that blocks wind. With all of the shells out there, I'm overwhelmed. What do you suggest? What about pants? Mike Apalachicola, Florida
The 37-year-old Victor, Idaho, resident spends over 100 days a year in the field, often chasing the world's best skiers around in snowy ranges from Bolivia to Morocco. Here's what he usually takes along.
My 12-year-old daughter gets very cold at night when we’re camping. We are backpackers and tend to camp just under treeline between May and October. She currently uses a junior polyfill bag with an inflatable pad and some good long underwear. What could we do to keep her warm and give us a peaceful night’s sleep? Lori Lakewood, Colorado
Could you recommend a good freestanding, lightweight two-person tent? My husband and I often take multi-day kayaking trips and cp on rocky islands (e.g., in Sweden or Canada) where pegs can be difficult to use. We’d also like to take it on hiking trips of up to a week. We tend to go places that aren't particularly warm and can be wet. Katrina Cbridge, United Kingdom
You answered a question in 2004 about the best gear for cycling in freezing temps. What's changed since then? John Alexandria, Virginia
I have the chance to purchase an old, never-used Dana Design Bomb pack to replace my Dana Sluiskin 30, which has proven to be a bit small. I do a lot of peak bagging and some light overnights in Colorado and occasionally take friends who don't have packs. What do you think? Mark Topeka, Kansas
I have always stored my sleeping bag loose in a large plastic bin or a pillow case. But what about long-term storage of nylon tents? Should I be concerned about storing them rolled up in the original bags? Sadly, it could be a year or so before they get used again. Jay Fredericksburg, Virginia