Tools & Tech
Archive
Planning to ride your bike across the country? Leave the traditional tent at home.
The sun's shining, the days are long, the crowds are hungry—is there any reason every meal shouldn't be prepared and enjoyed outdoors?
A made-in-America longboard to keep you rolling proud
You're overworked, overstressed, and overconnected. But don't worry. We're here to help.
Brew your own craft beer with the click of a mouse.
Virtual reality is just for gamers. But augmented reality—a new wearable technology—could revolutionize how we train for sports, making athletes faster, better, and more precise.
Guess what? The grid is expanding and we predict in the next five years, you won't be able to unplug—even in the backcountry.
From smart grills to high-tech camping toys, these gadgets are designed for dads who get after it outside.
Architectural firm Bureau Bernaskoni went against the grain when it designed this no-frills Russian getaway.
Seven men want to share a few thousand pieces of gear with the world. And they need your help.
Nearly unlimited transit and trail data is coming to an app near you. And whether you're seeking singletrack or chasing a commuter train, that's a very big deal.
How to design an energy-efficient getaway in the most remote places on the planet.
That’s right. The future of adventure filmmaking lies in 360-degree video footage, at least according to a handful of ambitious inventors.
From camping expeditions to solo summit attempts, these six items could save your life in the backcountry. At the very least, they’ll make you sleep better at night.
This new cycling GPS is so powerful and fully featured that it’s almost ahead of its time.
We’re as excited about the proposal to develop solar roadways as anyone. The only problem? They won’t work.
The tech company introduced new operating systems for its computers and mobile devices Monday—and we think it’s been taking notes from us.
Tech haters like to claim that our devices are making us more solitary and stationary. So what's Google doing about it?
Three panes of glass separate you from a 1,000-foot fall. And they start cracking, which is what happened to Willis Tower visitors Wednesday. Terrifying, yes. But dangerous? Not exactly.
The City Cottage steals design elements from ships, making it one of the most efficient cabins we've ever seen.
Three entrepreneurs envision a future of shared outdoor equipment. And while the project is barely off the ground, their idea could change how we buy and sell gear.
New running tech to help you score a personal best—or just make your jog more fun.
It's not easy building a home along Norway's outer coast. But the views are well worth the effort.
Athletes keep breaking records, but improved fitness is only part of the equation. So before we start congratulating ourselves, let’s take a look at the tech that’s made us faster—and the next records our gear will allow us to break.
When it comes to rebuilding humans, we're kicking ass, and that's good news for injured athletes.
The avalanche of data generated by fitness tech has science zeroing in on some surprising performance recommendations.
It’s tough to tell how trustworthy a piece of gear is going to be when you first buy it. In fact, the only way to actually test your equipment’s longevity is to, well, test it. Thoroughly. So instead of having you, dear reader, put your gear through the ringer in…
An environmentally-friendly cabin perched above the water
Alex Honnold and Cedar Wright load up the Goal Zero van with panels, power packs and lights and hit the road. This project was part of a larger ongoing operation run by Elephant Energy, known as Eagle Energy to the Navajo. They are a non-profit dedicated to resolving the energy…
A wilderness retreat overlooking one of the largest lakes in the country
Would your mother or wife prefer to be climbing, boating, or running rather than brunching this Sunday? If the answer is yes, read on.
Yes, I write about gear for a living, I have access to the most sophisticated toys and tools in the outdoor world, and I’m constantly geeking out over tech details. But I’m keenly aware of the fact that the gear does not make the athlete. I was a much better…
Yes, the devices can be valuable training aids when properly employed, but they’re hardly the essential tools some athletes make them out to be.
Blame the late introduction of the Under Armour suits, plus other crucial mistakes
From ultrathin condoms to high-tech women's skis, the world's strongest and lightest material has almost limitless possibilities. But the real breakthroughs so far have come in the world of sports.
From terminator-style cycling shades to earphones that track your every move, wearable technology promises to change the way we train. But I had to ask, is it wearable?
The present, future, and far-out prospects of wearable technology.
All your technology—from GoPro to GPS—is useless in the backcountry once the batteries die. And that’s when these six sun-powered chargers come into play.
Despite their ubiquity, fitness trackers have yet to earn their place in the professional ranks—or deserve a spot on your wrist.
Cotopaxi isn’t the first outdoor company built around philanthropy, but the two-week-old water bottle and backpack manufacturer is the most exciting to watch right now. Cotopaxi’s founder, Davis Smith, has a vision to change the world through business. And thanks to a brilliant marketing launch, a direct-to-consumer…
Google Glass and World Wildlife Fund team up to save the rhino
A new era of super-fast charging is on the horizon, and that could mean outdoor tech that lasts longer and goes farther.
Mountains Plus helps usher in new era of digital currency
This fitness tracker could change everything—as long as the company marketing it actually exists.
The Stacked Cabin, nestled in a forest near Muscoda, Wisconsin, is the perfect Midwestern retreat.
Using 6 Go Pro cameras and a custom sqaure (ish) shaped mount, Jonas Ginter was able to create a trippy effect for a timelapse around town. Ginter esentially took the distorted look we’ve come to love from action cams and completely maxed it out.
The computer company plans to revolutionize how we work out, and it has the hardware (or at least the patents) to prove it.
Bikes, boats, and boards have started coming off a printer rather than an assembly line. And that could mean better, less expensive gear for you.
Are you ready to watch this week's "Game of Thrones" season premier surrounded by nature?
What’s the best avalanche airbag technology on the market?