Gear
Archive
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?)…
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 …
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…
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;…
El Naturalista‘s Messenger Bag is old-school cool ($420; elnaturalista.com).
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…
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 …
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 …
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 …
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…
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
They might be cute, but Guyot Design‘s silicone Squishy Bowls are also packable, tough, and practical ($16; guyotdesigns.com). Guyot Design Squishy Bowls …
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).
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).
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…
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 …
Why do some women trash women's specific skis as being too soft? The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
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).
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
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
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…
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.
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
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
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
SUVs are shrinking, hybrids are everywhere, and diesel is suddenly back, with true eco-credentials. The adventure fleet has never had so much variety. Let us get you up to speed.
We go to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival every year in mid-June, when temperatures reach mid-80s in the day but can dip into the 20s at night. We need a tent that’s large enough for a double bed, duffel bags with 10 days of clothes, guitars, and headroom to stand up in without tripping over the bed. And, of course, the tent should hold in warmth. We were thinking a 10’x18’ cabin-style tent would work. Any suggestions? Bill Colorado
Who makes quality comfortable backpacks for kids, ages 8 to 12? My grandsons love our weekend camping trips, but the best packs we can find, extra-small women’s packs, still have harness systems too large for them. S Fairbanks, Alaska
I hike with a hydration bladder, but I have a couple of issues with the system. When hiking with my friends, I quickly run out of water much faster than they do. Plus, it’s very difficult to gauge how much water remains without pulling out the bladder and then reloading it. Also, when my pack is full, it requires a lot of effort to insert the full bladder. Do bladder-style hydration systems exist with a method to gauge how much water remains? Toby Brussels, Belgium
Forget theory. You want results. Our tutorial lays bare the tricks, techniques, and gear of our favorite photographers.
Office-worthy? Yes. Street tough? You bet. You just found your new favorite pair of shoes.
I have a massive backpack, and thus my hiking buddies load me up with everything (last year the record was 70 pounds). I need a much smaller pack that I can use on ultra-light weekends and leaning toward an Osprey Talon 44. Thoughts? John Pleasanton, California
My wife and I want to take our two dogs, a miniature poodle and a 70-pound lab, kayaking with us while we fish the marsh and inlet creeks of South Carolina. I dreing, or is there a single kayak that would accommodate us? Jeffrey Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
I have a new pair of Scarpa Trek Pro hiking boots and wore them for a week inside for up to four hours. They seemed great, so I went out in the bush for 2.5 hours and ended up with huge blisters on my heels. Was I too hasty or bitious in my first outing? And what is the best way to treat blisters? Alison Victoria, Australia
The tricks, techniques, and gear of our favorite photographers. PLUS: Your Best Shots!
I'm looking for a backpack for commuting (note: I’m not interested in panniers). The ideal pack would have a ventilated back and expandable volume—some days it's just for work clothes, but some days I’ll throw in a book or my computer. Internal pockets would be good, and water resistance is a plus. I'd also like my Eagle Creek clothes organizer to fit inside. Is this too much to ask for? Dave Sierra Vista, Arizona
I pretty filiar with the Outback Oven, in which you have to bake in a pot or a frying pan. But I recently saw the new Backpacker Oven and wondering if you have used this or if you think this might be something to look into. Dave Lancaster, California
Climashield is increasingly being used in sleeping bags and insulated apparel these days. How does its performance and weight compare with other synthetics such as Polarguard Delta and the Primalofts? Steve Olympia, Washington
What weight of fleece (for a jacket) would you recommend for late-summer backpacking in the Pacific Northwest? I’m hiking the Wonderland Trail in early September and don’t know if 100 will be warm enough or if 200 will be overkill. Steve Puyallup, Washington
I just returned from Mt. Rainier where we experienced rainy, cold weather (not unexpected). I noticed my Marmot Couloir sleeping bag felt dp around the feet in the morning. Is there anything I can do to prevent this in the future?
Designer Thomas Meyerhoffer has reinvented everything from computers to snowboards to cell phones to helmets—while surfing every day. His secret formula? Ignore IKEA, listen to the ocean, and make work and play one and the same.
Two dream vehicles for the modern explorer—because real adventure happens beyond the road
Any suggestions for a travel jacket that can also hack it as a weather-protection piece and meeting wear? It doesn't have to look like a three-piece suit, but it should up the ante on standard backpacking gear. Rick Edmonton, Alberta
Have you tested the SPOT satellite messenger, specifically the tracking function that adds extra cost? Do you think it’s worth it? Stephanie Providence, Utah
Outside senior editor Sam Moulton reviews the lightest, fastest, and sleekest new products on the market.
How do you feel about trail-runners versus hiking boots for light backpacking and day summits? Also, can you put crampons on trail-runners if you encounter snow? Phong Seattle, Washington