Reviewing shoes used to be straightforward. Lightweight shoes were meant for racing, heavily cushioned shoes were meant for efficient runners who racked up lots of miles, and stability shoes—with a section of dense rubber under the arch, a.k.a. a medial post—were meant for people whose feet collapse inward.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Linus Gaston 3.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Saucony ProGrid Outlaw.

We know, there are a lot of gimmicks out there promising to effortlessly burn off the blubber, change your game, lead you to greatness, yada, yada. Stop wasting your time. Our crack research team (not to be confused with our research team on crack) has travelled the country, ferreting out…

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Rossignol Krypto Magtek snowboard.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Tecnica Cochise Ski Boot

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Line Celebrity 100 skis.

Outside reviews the best gear in the 2012 Winter Buyer's Guide, including the Marker Duke bindings

Kicks designed specifically for the female foot, including The North Face Single Track Hayasa, best for mixed road and trail runs; the Salomon XR Mission, best for long trail runs in rough terrain; the New Balance 890V2, best for a cushy on up-tempo runs; and the Pearl Izumi Kissaki, best for high-mileage marathon training and racing.

Outside reviews the best gear for the 2012 Summer Buyer's Guide, including the Arc'teryx Incendo.