Gear
ArchiveOutside magazine, December 1995 Gearing Up: Extra Sidecut, Hold the Stiffness Equipment for the entry-level rider By Susanna Levin To warp an old axiom, good snowboards come to those who wait. If you’ve held out until this season to take up the…
Review, July 1997 Running Shoes for the Happy Median Do-it-all trainers that don’t skimp on performance By Roseann Hanson Aside from a few delusional moments, perhaps, the average runner isn’t training for the Eco-Challenge or intending to…
Outside’s Annual Travel Guide, 1999/2000 GEAR TO GO BACKCOUNTRY WARES For the snowy yonder APPAREL Learn this name: Schoeller. This fabric company’s blends are water-repellent, quick-drying, breathable, wind-resistant, and amazingly durable. Built from Schoeller’s Dryskin Extreme, a…
Review: Hardware and Software, January 1997 Buying Right: Wraparound Ski Shades By Andrew Tilin No ski sunglasses will liberate you from wearing goggles, but wraparounds get close. Now it really has to be dumping before I exchange a pair of cool specs for…
Gear Up: All the right stuff for watersports Some things are meant to be taken littorally: Part of putting together the perfect aquatic adventure is keeping the family safe, dry, and happily occupied. Here are our…
Home Bases, Summer 1998 Why Own When You Can Rent? Your own front porch, space to spread out — everything you need except for room service Nantucket, Massachusetts Nantucket, with its rose-covered saltbox cottages and cobblestone streets,…
Are We There Yet? Gear: All the Right Stuff for Car-Camping By Douglas Gantenbein Cots and sleeping bags Forget sleeping on the ground: set up a couple of L.L. Bean’s Allagash folding cots ($42), made by Byer of Maine. These have…
Review, May 1997 Buying Right: A Few Essentials for the Well-Prepared Paddler By Jonathan Hanson Since sea kayak accessories don’t change fashion with the seasons, you’ll be owning your gear for a good long time. Choose wisely. Paddles The paddle…
Outside magazine, May 1996 Fishing: Vagabond Travel Fly Rod By Jerry Gibbs It’s inevitable: you’re biking beside a mountain stream or visiting the in-laws on Flathead Lake when a monstrous trout–the Hulk Hogan of salmonids–ghosts to the surface right in front of you.
Outside magazine, February 1996 Travel Luggage That Can Take It–All Rugged duffels, gear bags, and convertible packs that hold everything you think you might need By Bob Howells No one is more obnoxious than the travel geek who shows up for a…
Outside magazine, October 1995 Buying Right: World Bands on the Run By Manrico Delcore (with Mary Beth Debicki) If the one top 40 station your AM radio will pick up in the middle of nowhere has soured you on audio entertainment in the hinterlands,…
Outside magazine, February 1999 Review: Camcorder? What Camcorder? Palm-size digital video cameras let you play tourista without looking the part By Brent Hurtig BAGGAGE | BUYING RIGHT |…
Outside magazine, April 1996 Buying Right: Satellite Navigation for Civilian Budgets By Jerry Gibbs Even when your hiking trips don’t call for serious orienteering, it can be comforting to have a guide with area-specific savvy. But then, a handheld global positioning system (GPS)…
Outside magazine, December 1995 Stocking Stuffers By Amy Goldwasser and Andrew Tilin Grivel G10 Finally, a crampon that won’t complicate your climb. The Grivel G10 is as friendly to gloved fingers as they get. Fully adjustable without tools, the ten-point G10 attaches…
Outside magazine, September 1996 Accessories: Mental Training Wheels Michael Kessler Too busy or too shy to narrate your own visualization tape? Try a prerecorded version from the Monroe Institute in Faber, Virginia. The nonprofit company offers nine Fitness and Sports tapes ($13, 800-541-2488) that…
Outside magazine, June 1994 Technology: It’s a Bike and You Row It. RowBike. Get it? By Laura Billings “You can see the countryside on a regular bike, but you can’t get a total-body workout,” shouts inventor Scott Olson, 35, as he loads…
Outside Magazine, November 1994 The Shape of Ski Gear to Come High-performance skis, boots, and bindings that set a new precedent By Seth Masia Skiers seem to buy their gear in some sort of time warp. Consider what can happen in five…
Gear Up: All the right stuff for tots To learn what it’s like to travel with a toddler, try fiddling first with a time bomb. It’s thrilling. Then…boom! “Will.” “Won’t.” “Yes.” “No.” “Take me!” “Go away!”…
Family Vacations, Summer 1996 Plug In and Turn On Electronics that will add some serious voltage to your summer vacation By Lisa Twyman Bessone You’ve packed the sportsgear. Sunscreen and bug goo? Check. So what’s missing? Well, cameras that capture those…
Camp Outs, Family Vacations 1998 Backpacks To Grow On By Jonathan Hanson 1. Little hikers from three to six can walk farther if they feel they’re part of the team. Give them an L.L. Bear rucksack…
Family Vacations, Summer 1996 Staying Safe: Eye Protection Fat-tire trails teem with pebbles, dirt, and low-hanging tree branches-all of which can wind up in your eyes. Invest in a good pair of sport sunglasses to protect you and yours from these trail hazards, and specify…
Destinations, May 1997 The Truth About Hats and Togs Where to get great deals on misnamed chapeaux By Bob Payne Keep this one under your hat: panama hats aren’t made in Panama. They acquired that name because most are exported…
Hardware and Software, February 1997 Buying Right: Saltwater Fly-Fishing Tackle By Donovan Webster As I gear up for prime saltwater fly-fishing season–when tarpon begin rustling from murky depths and migrate inland, making themselves all too available–I’m reminded of my grandfather. He was among…
Outside magazine, August 2000 Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 NEXT STOP, MURDER LAKE Beating…
Outside magazine, September 1994 Paddling: NE14 Kayaks? By Todd Balf (with Martin Dugard and John Alderman) The Bankoh Kayak Challenge, the 32-mile open-water paddle from Molokai to Oahu, can’t be called a kayak race. Of the 81 entrants last May, all but four chose surf skis,…
Review, April 1997 Solo Shelters: Tents for the Compulsive Weight-Watcher By Doug Gantenbein Despite its dramaturgic lonely-guy feel, there are a few advantages to camping solo. First, you don’t have to bathe as often. And you can travel much more lightly; solo…
Outside magazine, July 1996 Extras: Battery of Choices Michael Kessler Disposable or rechargeable, no battery is particularly nurturing to the environment. For stereos and shortwave radios, you’ll need typical cylindrical cells. Disposable alkalines are most cost efficient, and since they no longer contain hazardous…
Outside magazine, October 1996 Simply Sophisticated Cameras Single-lens reflex cameras give photograhers of all abilities the power to choose By Glenn Randall In this age of drive-thru espresso stands and the world news minute on local TV, it’s no surprise that…
Outside magazine, November 1995 Skis That Take a Turn for the Better Between hourglass, fat, and all-mountain boards, there’s an easy way down every run By Glenn Randall I’m not sure whether you can peg it to a dip on the growth…
Outside magazine, June 1999 THE OTHER STUFF Garmin NavTalk From all-in-one survival tools to in-line skates that turn into around-town boots, combination devices are the over-burdened outdoorsman’s newest friend. One of the most clever…
Outside magazine, Travel Guide 1997-1998 Sea Kayaking LONG CAYE, BELIZE There’s a certain queasy feeling that comes from bobbing up and down in three-foot swells while ensconced in a slightly wobbly sea kayak. It’s not quite seasickness, but it’s close enough to…
Camp Outs, Family Vacations 1998 These Boots Were Made For Mileage By Jonathan Hanson CAMP OUTS Happy Trails From an all-day jaunt to a weeklong…
Family Vacations, Summer 1996 Essential Gear: Dry Bags There’s nothing quite like shimmying into your sleeping bag after a hard day of paddling, only to find (yech!) that it’s damp. Whether the vessel is a raft, canoe, or kayak, whatever you pack-clothes, cameras, food, tent…
Outside magazine, July 1994 Buying Right: No-Hands Hydrators By John Lehrer Drinking plenty of fluids during prolonged exercise is essential to performance and safety, but toting a sufficient supply can be inconvenient: Scout canteens or a couple of water bottles just don’t carry well on an…
Hardware and Software, February 1997 Essentials: Piscine Temptations By Donovan Webster Ah, the allure of saltwater fly-fishing: Whether you’re hitting a reedy inland tide pool or throwing shooting taper lines into the deep blue, you can cast all day without a bite, content…
Outside Magazine, 1999 Annual Travel Guide Gear to Go Travel Clothes Pack only fabrics that wick, dry fast, and refuse to wrinkle By Robert Earle Howells SHIRTS ——— Three great and distinct achievements in polyester coolness:…
Outside magazine, December 1995 Boots That Fight Cool-Guy Conformity A new pair of Sorels is for clomping and surviving and kicking stupid people, says our man from Minnesota By Garrison Keillor In my youth in Minnesota, it was definitely not cool to…
Camping Special, April 1997 The Right Duff Are you sure you know what it takes to pick the perfect campsite? By Brad Wetzler In Plato’s realm of ideals, you’d find the perfect campsite floating in the ether, next to a…
Outside magazine, July 1996 Pack Up, Head Out, Zoom In Camcorders, CD players, even boom boxes built for the wilds By Andrew Tilin Forgive me, o Thoreau, Abbey, fellow hikers and campers, for I have navigated the wilderness with Walkman and camcorder…
Outside magazine, October 1996 Technology: Advanced Photo System By Glenn Randall If you want to avoid the mystery in the trip to pick up your prints, consider a completely new photographic format: the Advanced Photo System. Developed by the Big Five–Canon, Fuji, Kodak,…
Outside magazine, March 1996 Buying Right: Pavement Protection By Andrew Tilin The potential for skin to mix with pavement when you’re skating is worth a few ounces of prevention. And nowadays, we really are talking ounces: Wrist guards no longer…
Outside magazine, January 1996 Buying Right: Winter-Wise Boots By Glenn Randall Insulated hiking boots are more expensive than rubber-bottomed, felt-lined pac boots, and they’re not quite as warm. But pac boots aren’t made for walking; for anything a step more vigorous than ice fishing…
With these intelligent devices, going digital is the fastest way to hotwire that great big analog world outside
Give your barking dogs some luxe love with the new generation of super socks
I'm a teacher looking for a 100-percent waterproof backpack to use while ferrying from lesson to lesson in Japan. It needs to have a capacity of up to 30 liters, be strong, and be completely waterproof to survive the downpours we get out here. I'm thinking about an Ortlieb Messenger-style bag, but do you have any other possible alternatives? Daniel Hiroshima, Japan
I pretty new to hiking and wondering about clothing. Is there a list of recommended clothing to take on a three-day hike up a mountain (e.g., Washington's Mount St. Helens or Mount Ads?). Mike Marysville, Washington
My son loves his waterproof shell, my rickety knees love my hiking poles, my feet love my boots, and we eat well using our stove, all of which you've helped educate us about... Now what about tarps for two? We mostly do cool-weather camping along the AT, so bugs aren't too big a problem. Are there any moderately priced models that you recommend? One other question: Back in the Middle Ages, when tarps were called pup tents, we trenched them to stay dry in the rain. Is this still standard practice in these enlightened times? J.P. Raleigh, North Carolina
I need some advice about personal flotation devices for sea kayaking. Are they compatible with CelBak hydration systems? I'm also told that U.S.-certified PFDs may not be appropriate for Canadian use. How come, eh? Charles Montreal, Quebec
How do I know when it's time to change the filter in my PUR water filter? I haven't used it much but have had it for several years. Can they go bad or expire? Adrienne Moab, Utah
In January 2004, top female kayakers from all over the globe joined medical doctor and expedition leader Jessie Stone in Uganda, to form the world’s first all-woman White Nile expedition. But this team’s goal was unique: Not only did they plan to conquer the river’s gnarly whitewater, they also hoped…
I'm trekking to Everest Base Camp in October and want to buy a new camera for the trip, probably the Yashica T4 Zoom. As I can't find any advice on photography at high altitudes, would you recommend this camera or go with a digital? Thanks, Gear God. Adam Bethesda, Maryland
I'm planning to hike the Grand Canyon in June. Do I need a high-top hiking boot? I have very comfortable, worn-in low-tops but have read that high-top shoes are recommended. What do you think? Danielle Peoria, Illinois
I recently bought a Talus tent from The North Face for camping in the Shenandoah and Blue Ridge Mountains this summer. Afterwards, though, it occurred to me that thunderstorms can be vicious in the region at that time of year. Will I be safe and dry in the Talus if a T-storm suddenly hits, or did I make a poor choice? Also, are aluminum tent poles dangerous if lightning strikes? Marshall McLean, Virginia
Last year I completed the 340-mile-long Trondheim-Oslo bike ride. I was in great shape but broke no less than four spokes on my fairly new Trek 1200 road bike. This left me concerned about weight and now I'm considering dropping the rear rack and rack-top bag in favor of a lighter hydration system like the CelBak M.U.L.E. I think I'll also switch to 28-millimeter tires to spare the rims, but is this worth the extra weight and drag? Jarle Bergen, Norway
I really like canister stoves but concerned about the throwaway nature of the fuel containers. Other than the Coleman Xtreme stove, most seem to use canisters that are non-recyclable, including all the new ultralight stoves. Is any manufacturer currently working on the recycling issue? Jeff Shoreview, Minnesota
A lot of training guides I consult for my running and cycling training talk of heart-rate "zones." I have been looking at the wide range of heart-rate monitors and wondering if you could suggest one that's reasonably priced and good for running and cycling? Michael Providence, Rhode Island
My wife and I love snow-camping in the Teanaway in spring, and would like to reduce the bulk and weight of packing both a self-inflated and closed-cell mattress. I have heard about new, Primaloft-equipped products from the likes of Therm-a-Rest, Big Agnes, and InsulMat that insulate with Primaloft, and they all seem much lighter and less bulky. But would they do the job without also having to carry closed-cell foam? Scott Maple Valley, Washington
I'm 42 years old and need to get back into regular exercise since a lower back problem curtailed my jogging career. I was thinking about biking the five miles to my workplace, as well as maybe some longer weekend rides over hard-dirt trails. What should I be riding, and with the back problem, should I sit more upright than hunched over? Mark Bethesda, Maryland
Does the sun protection in clothing deteriorate with washing? I referring to Columbia Sportswear's sun-shielding gear. Is there any information on how long it remains effective? Regina Boise, Idaho
I plan on doing a sea-kayaking expedition, so in the market for a durable, easily compactable single- or two-person tent to take with me. Something that stashes away and sets up easily. Any ideas? Arthur Spartanburg, South Carolina
Go fast and furious in the (1) TAG HEUER FORMULA 1 dive watch ($595; 866-260-0460, www.tagheuer.com). The (2) OAKLEY GMT watch ($650; 800-403-7449, www.oakley.com) has two dials—one for your present location, the other for where you’d rather be. The Swiss-made (3) ORIS XXL FULL…
Want to go from day tripper to trail ripper? Lose the weight, hit the throttle, and have a 21st-century blast.
We are going to climb Mount Whitney in preparation for a Mount Kilimanjaro bid next year. I'm five-foot-nine and 140 pounds, my husband's six-foot-five and 240 pounds. We're wondering if we'd be happier with internal- or external-fre backpacks, and what sizes we should be looking at. We were planning on going to REI and then I read your column and decided to ask you. Jan Federal Way, Washington
Gear Guy, I badly need your advice before I drop $200 on a new pair of boots for hiking Rainier's Wonderland Trail. Though the trip is in August, I will also use the boots throughout the spring/summer hiking season. I'm probably looking for something tailored to a low-volume foot, with or without Gore-Tex. Will Richmond, Missouri
I love the athletic look of soft shells and would love to buy one. The only problem is I've heard they're just that: shells, meant more for layering than for providing a single layer of protection. In your opinion, are there any soft shells that can provide both heavy-duty warmth and stand up to the rain and snow? I'll use this shell more for "getting around town" than I would for aerobic activities, so I want something that would keep me very warm in cold temperatures. Megan Spokane, Washington
I will be traveling through a number of countries next fall and every guidebook I've read suggests traveling with just one small, carry-on bag. What's a good bag, then? And any ideas on what kind of clothes to pack? All synthetic, or is cotton OK? Jake Surprise, Arizona
My son and I went backpacking with our brand-new down sleeping bags over the weekend to help us get in shape for a longer trip this spring. It had rained for several days earlier, so things were pretty wet and humid. During the day we stuffed our down bags into plastic zip-type bags in case it rained more, but I guess the bags were a little dp from all the moisture in the air. Anyway, when we got home and unpacked, our bags stank of mildew. I can't imagine what they would smell like after ten-days on the trail. Is this common for down bags, and is there a way to prevent this? Kevin Omaha, Nebraska
Over the winter I've been commuting to work on my bike and using a set of CatEye headlights. The light they throw out, though, is pretty weak. What headlight system would you recommend for biking at dusk and in the dark? Rob San Francisco, California
Last month I purchased an older Climb Light rainjacket from The North Face, but the fabric "wets-out" as soon as rain or snow hits the surface. I treated it with Nikwax TX-Direct wash-in solution, but to no avail. It's not the first time I've had such a problem with a TNF jacket, either. What can I do?
Will the new ultralight, freestanding tents hold up to the abuse of heavy winds à la the kind of conditions one might face in Patagonia? Troy Ogden, Utah
I've been looking at sports watches and recently read a review of Suunto's S6. Do you think it's worth spending $350 for a watch? Can you think of other timepieces that are cheaper but have some of the se bells and whistles? You know, altimeter, rate of ascent/descent, that sort of thing. Helen Boulder, Colorado
What's your take on carbon-dioxide canisters versus mini-pumps for carrying while road cycling? Erik Chanhassen, Minnesota
I've always wondered what goes into a first-aid kit for backcountry expeditions. What are the essentials for staying alive in case of an accident? Alf Chapel Hill, North Carolina
I hike with an ankle brace and just read about a new system called Biomex from Lowa Boots, which is essentially a built-in ankle support system. Do you know anything about this? Joe Santa Barbara, California
I have a place in Vermont's Green Mountains and wondering what full metal-edged skis would work for skiing in the New England woods? I currently use the 170-centimeter Fischer E99, but is there a shorter ski that I can use for skiing logging roads, snowmobile tracks, and general rough in the woods? I don't think telemarks are the ticket as I'll be skiing on the flat, and I can use my E99's for any cross-country trails. Nigel New York City
I have yet to find a definitive answer on how well some of the higher-end single-wall tent materials work, products like Bibler's ToddTex, three-layer Gore-Tex, and Integral Designs' Tegraltex. Some say these fabrics are great, very tough, and result in little or no condensation, others the opposite. But no one seems willing to crown a king of the single-walls. Is it too tough to call? I like the simplicity of a single-wall design, but tents like the Sierra Designs Hyperlite AST look to be very good and compete well on weight and packability. What's your take? Luke Minneapolis, Minnesota
Can you recommend a mid-sized backpack? I have been looking at the new Arc'Teryx Bora 65, which is nice but really expensive! Is there a comparable backpack for less? Petter Boulder, Colorado
Since airlines ban gas containers, even empty ones (a display of banned items at the San Jose airport includes the burner element, too), how do expeditions transport their stoves overseas? More to the point, how can I? Mark San Jose, California