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This is always a tricky question. There’s plenty of room for debate when it comes to choosing the “right” ski length, and a useful answer should entail a lot of research. Take the rocker revolution, which had people arguing about how the effective edge—or the length of metal…
With it’s new 26+ semi-fat bike, Surly is carving out a whole new category of bikes
The 2014 Consumer Electronics Show, a tech orgy that draws hundreds of thousands of people every year, wrapped up Friday in Las Vegas. And as usual, there was some pretty weird technology on the floor. Sensoria Fitness Sock A tattoo that measures your pH. A glove…
Exercise caution when you look for an inexpensive mountaineering pack. Remember, a well-built pack is going to last a lot longer than a cheap one, and you want to make sure it won’t fail at a crucial moment. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good options out there that cost…
The country's national parks aren't bastions of wild serenity. After all, there were more than 3,700 violent crimes in 2013 alone. But how much protection is too much?
The Outside bike test begins today. More than 60 bikes, a week of riding, and 20 testers to help you find your perfect bike in 2014.
How good is the Trek Boone? On its first day in the pro ranks, this new bicycle racked up two World Cup wins.
The fact is, most gear these days is pretty darn good. But every year there are a handful of products that stand out because they transform a category or simply because they are better than anything else we’ve tried.
There are some things you just can't leave home without. We're not just talking about your smartphone—there are more important things in life, especially if you're headed outside.
Woolrich’s Civil War blanket was a favorite in the mid-1800s and is still beloved today.
Editors at Outside test socks perhaps more frequently than any other gear. If an employee finds himself sockless while prepping for a lunch run in the Santa Fe headquarters, he can always find a fresh pair that’s ready to be put through the grind. With a staff of year-round…
Outside staff members are always busy testing gear—we reviewed more than 600 items for the summer and winter Buyer’s Guides alone. We can’t cover everything in the magazine, so we asked 11 Outsiders to name their favorite piece of gear from 2013. And because our staff ranges from elk hunters to ultramarathoners,…
An Oregon mechanic and electric-vehicle rock star wants to turn his iconic Franken-van into the ultimate earth-friendly camper.
Presenting the strangest piece of cycling apparel you’ll ever wear
With a sublime mix of comfort and speed, this bump-silencing road bike could very well be the model that makes endurance bikes cool and pervasive
The best person to explain sit skiing is Josh Dueck, who was paralyzed from the waist down in March of 2004 when he severely overshot a ski jump and injured his spinal cord. Dueck, now 32 and a paraplegic, has triumphantly returned to freeskiing—via a sit ski,…
Outside's Gear Guy, Joe Jackson, puts a Yeti cooler through the ringer, including a cliff drop, a falling tree, and even hitting it with an axe. The result? Cold beer.
Horny Toad's knit sweatshirt is perfect for hanging around the fireplace this holiday season.
Limited-edition cargo storage from Thule means a stylish, smooth ride for both you and your gear.
Whether you’re running or skiing, learn the optimal combination of cold-weather gear with our guide to winter layering
Want to learn how ski but don't want to spend all your wages on expensive ski gear and rentals? Here are some tips for saving on gear from a life-long budget-savvy skier.
Laugh all you want, but the Castelli Sanremo Thermosuit one-piece might be the warmest winter cycling outfit we’ve tried
I ran my first ultra, The North Face Endurance Challenge 50-Mile on December 7. Save two missing toenails and a pinky toe that looks like it belongs on a cadaver, I think I am far enough away from the pain to write about the gear that helped…
When the world's third-largest bike company threatened to sue a small bike shop over a trademark, the cycling community went ballistic, calling Specialized "a bully" and "a bunch of idiots." Was the outrage justified?
Turn your garage into a shop that even pros will be jealous of with Park Tool’s electric lift repair stand.
The days of jamming your gloves with disposable hand warmers are over.
And it’s the safer, easier way to improve your performance this winter
I'm having trouble figuring out what gear to give my loved ones for the holidays.
For more tips, see “A Rider’s Bucket List.” A film by Filme von Draussen.
Recharge dead batteries off the grid with these portable power plants
Hey, why shouldn't sweet holiday swag help save the planet? Here are 5 gifts that give back.
Sure, bike gear is expensive. But there’s also plenty of stocking stuffer–priced goodies for that cyclist in your life.
If you think stars and stripes are only for Fourth of July, think again.
In an effort to prevent yet another extinction, DODOcase has teamed up with Ink-dwell, artist Jane Kim’s project to bring endangered species into the public eye, to publicize the plight of the Nevada Big Horn Sheep.
How a cushy clown shoe is upending the minimalist-running revolution by Gordy Megroz
With the first snow of the season on the ground, we’ve turned to our favorite cold-weather pieces to keep us in the saddle.
Proof that big wheels and big travel are not mutually exclusive
My family has a rule that stocking stuffers must to be sub-$25 and fit inside a stocking. Help!
Deep Wood Press releases limited-edition prints of Mike Delp's poem.
With the industry pushing 27.5-inch wheels for 2014, we reflect on a year’s worth of testing aboard the Scott Genius—in 26, 27.5, and 29
You might not find a brand-name puffy, but keep an eye out for these six items.
Three tips from expert bootfitter Ari Goosen.
Is the new Dimond Bike just a buffed-up version of an old cult classic, a truly groundbreaking superbike, or both?
No matter how strange or far-off your destination, a bicycle can connect you in strange and inspiring ways
An endorsement—and a eulogy—for the Saucony Xodus 4.0.
Save money by using things around the house to outfit your next adventure (at least partially).
For travelers and adventurers, this cross between a road bike and an ATV might just be the perfect all-in-one solution.
We asked five top guides share their favorite—and least expensive—gear. Add these items to your must-have list.
REI makes a big investment in one of their adventure destinations
Gear Guy Bob Parks shows you how to winterize your old kicks with dirt-cheap househod materials.
How the Coupounases sold their brand without selling their souls
After a long period of stasis, helmet design is about to get much better
I've been kayaking before and want to start it as a hobby. I would like to be able to use it on flat water and the ocean (calm, that is), but also for medium fast-water. What kayak would you suggest?
The 411 for planning your ski trip around the weather
The polar explorer talks about the gear, prep, and mental conditioning necessary to undertake what he hopes will be longest unsupported polar journey in history
Freeskiing is, by far, the olympic sport I am most excited to watch during this winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Freeskiing is brand new to the Olympics for 2014, and the three disciplines involved, half-pipe, slope style, and skicross, are going to be a thrill to watch. I get downright…
If you’re in the market for a do-it-all mountain bike, the hardtail Trek Stache is less expensive than a comparable full-suspension model and, for the most part, keeps up just fine.
At the annual Adventure Travel World Summit in Namibia, a bicycle proves the best way to experience your surroundings.