Tools & Tech
Archive
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?
A personal robotic lawn mower that runs on the grass it cuts
A new breed of adventure-ready cameras make capturing your journeys easier than ever, no matter where you're headed.
Don’t let giardiasis turn you into a weak, dehydrated mess
We reviewed three top-of-the-line action cameras to answer that question.
A short clip from Outside’s annual Ski Test comparing real-world test footage from three of today’s leading action cams, the GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition, the JVC Adixxion GC-XA2 and the iON Air Pro 3. Read the full review here. *Note – testing skis and action cameras at the…
If you believe the rumors, Apple plans to launch into the health and fitness world later this year with a software upgrade—and potentially some killer hardware. But it seems like Google might have beat the company to the punch.
New technology lets people go adventuring with a tablet at their side.
Jawbone makes its excellent fitness tracker Android-compatible.
A behind the scenes look at how the guys at Brain Farm Digital Cinema get some of their shots. This clip features one of Brain Farm’s latest toys, the MoVi M10 stabalized camera platform, and pro snowboarder Travis Rice.
The best pet-monitoring device on the market—and one that could save your pooch’s life.
Stop sputtering along in your Rent-a-Wreck. These new touring rigs will outfit your next road trip with style, power, and surprising economy.
If you’re asking, “What the heck is a bug out bag?” you clearly have some work to do before the four horsemen arrive. A bug out bag is basically a fully stocked survival kit that’s ready to grab in the event of a zombie attack or other emergency. While…
In 2012, Brent Sass won Rookie of the Year at the Iditarod, one of the planet’s most extreme competitions. The dog musher, who's run almost a dozen 1,000-mile races, knows the right gear can mean the difference between life and death. These are the items he deems worthy of going on his sled.
From a treadmill that forces users into a classic mid-foot stride to a device that tells you when to ditch your shoes, this is the gear you need to prepare for next season.
Earlier this week, The North Face launched a clothing line that includes free web training. It’s shaping up to be a pretty great fitness ally.
There’s a ferocious battle for snowsports business being waged right now between these two western states. So who’s going to win the Wasatch-Front-versus-Front-Range wintry gear smackdown? Marc Peruzzi weighs in.
Professional whitewater kayak photographer Darin McQuiod is tougher on camera equipment than anyone else I’ve met. The Dagger-sponsored kayaker built his career by boating into some of the most remote, terrifying rivers in the world with a camera in tow. Think Tank Streetwalker…
Camera-equipped flying robots have quickly become a staple of the adventure world, filming first ascents and nailing poachers. But that’s just the beginning. As Eric Hansen found out during a cross-country test drive, affordable consumer drones will revolutionize how we experience the outdoors.
Questionable use of wearable cams is causing a surge in accidents
