Gear
Archive
Ditch the lycra. It's time for fuss-free duds—think t-shirts, jeans, and flip-flops—expressly engineered for kicking back.
Serious engineering shields your feet from the scree beneath. Here's the layman's version.
Sure, it fits. But will your new shell perform? Know your options, and choose with care.
I was recently looking at an altimeter for climbing fourteeners. My concern is that it works on barometric pressure, so changes in the weather could give me a false reading. First, was the salesman right in saying that the impact from weather would be miniscule, and if not, are there altimeters (other than those with expensive GPS) that would not be impacted by weather? John Colorado Springs, Colorado
Bound for an exotic adventure? These concourse-ready clothes offer round-the-world comfort in non-turista style.
Meet this year's model: tack-sharp digital pictures, cheap storage, and painless printing.
You can tug on laces and lugs, but to really tell how a shoe pulls it all together, just run.
Ride the tide or hit the holes—the right boat, with the right options, will triple your fun.
Where can I find the perfect combination of shoe and lock-in-pedal for the best price? I have tried to look on the net, but it seems like I can only get one or the other, not both. Jeremy Port Orchard, Washington
I recently purchased a new pair of leather hiking boots and, after a ten-mile break-in hike, cleaned them and treated them with mink oil (I couldn't find Sno-Seal anywhere locally). Despite all my years of backpacking, I didn't realize this oil can over-soften the leather and affect the support. Have I ruined my boots for good or is there something I can do to save them? Mark Indianapolis, Indiana
When I went to Europe I took along a $30 point-and-shoot camera. While the pictures ce out fine, the camera itself got trashed, returning home held together with tape. I was wondering if there's a durable camera out there, one that can be dropped and beaten. Water-resistant or waterproof would also be a plus. I don't really need something that focuses, but something that can take a beating outdoors. Jared Boise, Idaho
I have been debating a question with my buddies: Some of the hardcores we have seen wear their waterproof-breathable shell on the inside of a heavy fleece or down jacket. Is this a good idea for maintaining warmth on wet days? Spencer Thunder Bay, Ontario
I'm having only moderate success finding a daypack designed for women. I tested a JanSport at EMS and confirmed that the women's cut really is more comfortable (collarbone bruising has been an issue for me when carrying heavy loads in standard packs), but the capacity was a little small and it had no compression straps. I thought Kelty might be good, but their lumbar supports are unforgiving and aggravate a lower back problem of mine. Do you have any recommendations, either with or without internal fres? Diane Cortlandt Manor, New York
I will be leading groups of teens backpacking this summer and worried about keeping contact with base cp and being able to call for help, should the need arise. Any ideas for effective, durable communication devices? Is there a difference between satellite phones and walkie-talkies? Etan Los Angeles, California
I'm in the market for a summer hiking shoe. I've previously bought and returned pairs that felt comfortable in the store but not on a long hike. How will I know if a pair fits correctly?
Are waterproof hiking boots hotter to wear than non-waterproof hiking boots? And are they less breathable than regular boots? If I'm hiking through the desert, would waterproof, leather hiking boots be too hot? Suzie Johannesburg, South Africa
Gear Guru, over the last two years I've taken up two new sports: snorkeling and kayaking. Several times while snorkeling I have rented "shorties," or partial wetsuits. I have also been told that I should buy a similar wetsuit for spring kayaking. Can you use the se suit for both sports? If so, can you make some recommendations? Steve Delmar, New York
What's the ultimate car-camping tent for a family of four? The wife and kids aren't really up to the deprivation (wife's word) of experiencing (my word) the glories (my word again) of the backcountry through backpacking. Appropriate models, size-wise, from Sierra Designs and The North Face seem more like base-camp tents—stoop to enter and exit, no standing room for adults. L.L. Bean and Eureka!, on the other hand, have real mammoth numbers with standing room and porches. If the 4Runner is doing the carrying, what does the weight matter, right? Kirk San Diego, California
I have a sleeping bag that's supposedly a zero-degree bag, but I'm a cold sleeper and get cold in 20-degree temps. I'm thinking of buying a liner but don't want to spend a ton of money, so what kind of liner should I buy? Or is there a better solution for adding warmth? Kira Missoula, Montana
When I was rafting in Alaska, I noticed some outfitters using a folding canoe called an Ally. It had an aluminum fre and was covered by what looked like the se material used for rafts. They must withstand wear and tear fairly well if they're used up there. Any experience with them? Herman Portland, Oregon
One of the principles of down sleeping bags is that they must breathe. So, how practical is it to use eVENT fabric in a down sleeping bag to make it waterproof and breathable? Or is it better to go with a water-resistant shell instead, which may be more breathable? Peter Würzburg, Germany
I have a sleeping bag that's supposedly a zero-degree bag, but I'm a cold sleeper and get cold in 20-degree temps. I'm thinking of buying a liner but don't want to spend a ton of money, so what kind of liner should I buy? Or is there a better solution for adding warmth? Kira Missoula, Montana
I'm after some shades to use while hiking, skiing, running, and biking in Colorado. I would also like something that brightens my view, not darkens it, if that makes sense. I'd like to stay under $100, but as quality is very important to me, you can recommend more expensive ones, too. Gust Lakewood, Colorado
Outside magazine, April 2001 Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Digital Cameras Nikon Coolpix 880 $700 TECHNOBABBLE: 3.3 megapixels…
Outside magazine, April 2001 Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Digital Camcorders Canon Optura Pi $1,500 TECHNOBABBLE:A 12x-to-48x zoom…
Swivel chair to summit Logistics: Be prepared Getting to the top means getting in shape beforehand When first pondering the idea of mountain climbing, it is easy to be…
Virtual adventure: Telluride to Moab Logistics: What to take Living comfortably deep in the backcountry Gear-wise, you’ll never have an easier week in the backcountry than a hut-to-hut mountain…
I would like to camp at some walk-in campsites but can't carry a heavy pack, having a history of back problems. Does someone make carts for camping that can be wheeled on a trail? Andy San Francisco, California
Andean Adventure New gear and customs headaches March 13, 1998 Tuesday, March 10. A fateful day. Our long-awaited packages have arrived in Ecuador. I call the shipping company, but now they can’t find…
Help! I have just registered myself in a mini triathlon this July and have no bike. The 12-mile bike section is over trails, and I don't know the first thing about what size of bike is right for me, or even what kind of bike. I don't want to pay over $300 for something I won't use that often, so can you help? Thanks—please don't laugh at me. Leigh Libertyville, Illinois
Cycling Special, March 1997 The Real National Pastime A springtime guide to the latest gear, essential skills, and the countless ways Americans bond with their bikes It seems fitting that baseball and bicycling both click into gear this time of year. What could…
Outside magazine, January 1996 Snowboarding: Nitro Tour By Eric Blehm If there’s one thing guaranteed to blow a snowboarder’s good time, it’s a stretch of flat terrain. Snowboards can handle any steeps that skis can, but once gravity stops pulling, even the most advanced…
Gear Up: All the right stuff for camping MED KITS | WATER FILTERS | TENTS | BAGS AND PADS | BACKPACKS | KIDS’ BOOTS | STOVES | …
Outside magazine, February 1996 Fine Print: Higher-Fat Energy Bars, Unwrapped By Andrew Tilin Claims of meal-replacement value and hours of hunger deterrent notwithstanding, the new generation of higher fat, lower carbohydrate energy bars–or nutrition bars, a term the makers…
Outside Magazine, 1999 Annual Travel Guide Gear to Go Snowboarding Essentials From helmets to boards, performance and comfort are high on this year’s list By Sean O’Brien HELMETS AND HATS ———————— With in-the-trees riding the rage,…
Outside magazine, Travel Guide 1997-1998 Light-Tackle Fishing NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA Fishing with fly rod or light conventional tackle on the rivers and billabongs and seacoast off Darwin, Australia, is, in the lexicon of guides and other facilitators of sport, “A bastard of…
Outside magazine, August 1996 Review: Sport Utility Sneakers Running Shoes stable enough for trial, cushy enough for pavement By Andrew Tilin Attribute it to our increasingly paved-over world: Most trail runners’ internal odometers start spinning well before their knobby soles reach singletrack.
Outside magazine, January 1996 A Lung in Men’s Clothing By Todd Balf and Paul Kvinta (with Brooke DeNisco, Martin Forstenzer, and Eileen Hansen) Matt Carpenter pitched his usual psych job at his mountain-running rivals before last October’s Everest Skymarathon–he wears an air filter that…
Outside magazine, March 1995 Buying Right: Technical Day-Packs for Neophyte Climbers By Duane Raleigh Well, it seems the climbing bug has bitten you, and now you’ve got a growing pile of equipment and a yearning to get out on the rock. The question is,…
Outside magazine, July 1996 The Fine Art of Trail Java “Don’t skimp on great coffee in the place where you just may need it most,” demands Flagstaff river cook Blake Spalding. “Get the best beans and grind them just before your trip.” When it’s time…
Outside magazine, March 1996 Equipment: The CompuTrainer By Oliver Starr Preseason rites such as indoor training have led many a cyclist to consider February and March the cruelest of months. The monotony of spinning to the drone of rollers can make vacuuming the…
Outside’s Annual Travel Guide, 1999/2000 GEAR TO GO LIGHT…ACTION…CAMERAS! Sure shooters for gear abusers Rule number one about travel-friendly cameras: The camera that captures the most memories is the one that’s easiest to use and easiest…
Outside magazine, September 1996 In-Line Roll Controller By Glenn Randall Cities aren’t designed with in-line skaters in mind. Hills, traffic, and stairs–not to mention prohibition in some establishments–can make your roll about town a rigmarole of switches from skates to shoes and back…
Cycling Special, March 1997 The Best New Road Bikes By John Lehrer Could it be that road-bike manufacturers are finally catching on? After spending years bemoaning their ever-worsening sales figures, they’re now touting two bits of news that seem far from coincidental.
Winter Travel Guide 1996 The Well-Outfitted Snowboarder The Outfits With more than 400 companies offering everything a snowboarder needs to hit the slopes, it’s tough to choose. Here are some solid products we’ve discovered, along with tips on what to…
The Tenderfoot’s Almanac Gear: All the Right Stuff for Backpacking By Douglas Gantenbein Sleeping bags and pads When buying a sleeping bag, your main choice is whether to go with down or synthetic insulation. Down is generally warmer for its weight and…
Outside magazine, February 1996 Fly Fishing: Hooked on Fly Tying By Donovan Webster For truly hardened fly fishermen, winter is interminable. Confronted by streams stopped with ice and snow–and left to such pale diversions as scotch, skiing, and sled-dog races–it’s no wonder they seek…
Outside magazine, May 1996 Cooking: Everet-Fresh Bags By Michael Mcrae A pint of raspberries or a bunch of spinach–even if sealed in a plastic bag, chilled in a cooler, and shielded from physical abuse–will look pretty wan (or worse) ten days into a raft…
Outside magazine, Travel Guide 1997-1998 Gearing Up For the Backcountry By Sean O’Brien BORED? BOARD! | DETAILS, DETAILS | GEARING UP | ESSENTIAL GEAR The siren…
Outside magazine, August 1996 Watercraft: A Sailboat for Beginners By Dan Dickison Sailing’s nuances–the physics of wind and water, the web of lines, cleats, and sails, and yacht club etiquette–spell intimidation for the beginner. The Escape, an innovative sailboat from Sunfish Laser, helps the…
Outside magazine, January 1996 Intake: The Latest Hydration Helper By Dana Sullivan Staying hydrated during a long workout can lead the human athlete to believe that a couple of water-storing humps might be a superior evolutionary trait. Camel envy aside, a substance called glycerol–a…
Outside magazine, April 1996 Where to See It Through April 16 at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art September 1 to December 29 at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota January 1997 at the Museum of Canadian Art and Design in Toronto…
Outside magazine, September 1995 Equipment: The Ultratherm Massager By Steve Ilg Modern therapy for inflamed or sore muscles includes consecutive 15-minute sessions alternating between hot and cold applications, ideally done throughout the day. But filling this prescription, until recently, has meant nothing less awkward…
Outside magazine, March 1995 Beginning Climbing Equipment By Greg Child Like many proud mothers, mine saved the mementos of her son’s teenage years. She kept my report cards, my class photos, even my first collection of climbing gear. Vintage 1970, it’s a primitive rack…
A mile beneath the churning Atlantic lay the Central America and in its rotting hold a cache of wealth unimaginable: thousands of priceless gold coins, bags of gold dust, bars of solid gold. A fortune for the taking, as Tommy Thompson saw it. His taking.
Cycling Special, March 1997 The Best New Mountain Bikes By Reid Flemming When it comes to buying a mountain bike, an old aphorism gets turned on its ear. He who hesitates gains. With innovation focused exclusively on the high end, last year’s…
Outside magazine, January 1998 Review The Other Stuff Leedom Limit Snowboard Helmet THE STREAMLINED HOME GYM | ESSENTIALS | THE OTHER STUFF | BOOKS Leedom…
Family Vacations, Summer 1997 The Tenderfoot’s Almanac Tents and trails, guides and grub, and everything else you need to put one foot in front of the other by Peter Shelton Walk This Way Backpack…
Outside magazine, February 1996 Buying Right: Something Extra for the Road By Bob Howells Once you’ve got your travel bag, you’re just a few gizmotchies away from becoming a well-honed traveling machine. Start with something to hold your shampoo et al. in style.
Outside magazine, May 1996 Backpacking: McHale Inex By Mike Randolph An expedition backpack is the thing for hauling gear to and from base camp, but what about the day hikes you want to take from there? The big pack is overkill, and an extra…
Outside Magazine, 1999 Annual Travel Guide Gear to Go Skiing Essentials Barriers against the chill and sticks to make you fly By Stuart Craig HATS AND HELMETS ———————— Skiing is the ultimate head game, and how…
Review, August 1997 Buying Right: The Maximum Surfer Surfing may seem the most minimalist of sports, but a few extras are worth considering, if only to ensure you do it safely — and stylishly. By John Stein Surfboard…
Outside magazine, February 1998 Review: Getting Your Feet Wet Scuba essentials to serve aquatic novices and deep-sea experts alike By John L. Stein SCUBA ESSENTIALS | BUYING RIGHT | THE OTHER…
Outside magazine, April 1996 Essentials: Boot Gear Basics By Douglas Gantenbein Leather, alone or combined with synthetic fabric, remains the best footwear material known–durable, breathable, and comfortable. But it absorbs water, and water dries leather out and leaves damaging salt and grit behind. So…
Outside magazine, October 1996 Equipage: Lead Us Not Into Titanium Grant Petersen, messiah to cycling Luddites, unveils his latest low-tech creation By Weston Kosova In May 1995, Grant Petersen scrawled three words in his diary: “Time to panic.” For six months,…
Outside magazine, March 1996 Prescriptions: Sniffing Out Nose Strips By Sara Corbett When a handful of NFL players started sporting adhesive strips across their noses a couple of years ago, it seemed like little more than a football-field fad. Today Breathe Right nasal…
Outside’s Annual Travel Guide, 1999/2000 GEAR TO GO PACK IT UP, MOVE IT OUT CONVERTIBLES There’s really just one reason to get a convertible—a bag that morphs from suitcase to backpack: to save your body on long-haul carries.
Cycling Special, March 1997 The Best New City Bikes By Alan Coté You could use your mountain bike to ride to work, but then why take a local bus when you can hop the express? Frankly, a fat-tire machine just isn’t designed,…
Outside Magazine, November 1994 Buying Right: Alpine Extremity-Warmers By Bob Woodward Check in with any eight-person ski-school class: Two students’ extremities are warm and limber, those of two others are stiff with cold, and four pupils are wiggling their fingers and toes thanks to…