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The G1 is the first phone loaded with Google’s Android operating system. And as you’d expect, it’s all about integration: Android promises to bring the same level of multifunction- ality you expect from Google—search, mail, maps, documents, etc.—to multimedia mobile devices. The interface isn’t quite there yet, but we’ve…
Not only is this the fastest filter we’ve ever tested; it’s also the smallest. This hot-dog-size baby easily gushes out two Nalgenes per minute. Plus, the HyperFlow attaches to almost every water bottle, and you can clean it without tools. 7.4 oz; msrgear.com…
In years past, a freestanding two-person shelter this light (sub-four pounds) would have been either as cramped as an MRI machine or as flimsy as a $5 umbrella. Or both. Sierra Designs keeps the Vapor Light sturdy and saves weight by using Jake’s Foot pole anchors along with superlight…
The light-yet-stable Vapor Flash bridges the gap between an overnighter and a multi-day hauler. At 3,200 cubic inches, this traditional top-loader is just big enough for several days’ worth of gear (one tester even hauled a six-pack in it). But at a waifish three and a half pounds, it…
Good for the Road No one likes to stand corrected; fewer still like to feel corrected while they run. Among stability shoes, the updated Sequence plays the part of the gentle guide, offering noticeable pronation correction followed by such a smooth transition to toe-off that the support…
The pounds you carry on your feet tax your body more than the pounds you carry on your back. That’s why our testers were such big fans of the Backcountry. At under three pounds a pair, they’re the lightest 30-inch snowshoes we’ve ever seen. To achieve such a low…
Good for Frontside Last year’s Gear of the Year award winner comes back this season with an updated look, but the same explosive turn shape and no-nonsense edge hold. Essentially a World Cup race ski—wood core and sandwich construction—with a bit more girth, the Classic 80 is…
A small pump on the right side of the chin strap inflates eight EVA-foam pads spread out along the helmet’s interior; a release valve on the other side deflates the helmet. A bit gimmicky, sure, but it works: This lid will not wobble on your head regardless of how…
ALPINE TOURING Good for Touring The 2010 ST uses a chromoly-steel toepiece that improves strength while shaving nearly two ounces of weight. And the interface between pins and inserts is now more precise, which increases downhill control: “Surprisingly solid,” said one tester. We love the pivot-point efficiency, kick-turn ease,…
Good for Backcountry No bell, whistle, or expense was spared in making this uninsulated jacket: Two-way pit zips. Padded cell-phone compartment. Seven pockets. Reinforced shoulders. Removable powder skirt with belt loops. A Recco avalanche reflector. The list goes on, and you might ask yourself: Do I really…
Good for Backcountry Sugoi consistently churns out some of the best running apparel, and this midweight synthetic base layer—with built-in hood, integrated mitts, and half-zip for venting—is no exception. Plus the athletic fit and thumb loops mean it also works as an underlayer for slower pursuits.
For pushing big sound around outside, the rugged Tailgater is a solid value. A 16-watt amp powers a six-inch woofer and one-inch tweeter; it’s not stereophonic, but it’ll get the party started. Just dock your iPod (or use one of several other auxiliary jacks) for 12 hours of audio…
With the sheepskin-lined Brantling, the winterized duck boot continues to evolve, but now it breathes. Waterproof leather in the upper keeps your dogs toasty but not sweaty, and rubber bumpers and layered leather provide serious durability. uggaustralia.com…
Downhill Dream Trek’s redesigned aluminum Remedy pedals surprisingly well for an all-mountain, 5.9-inch-travel bike—especially with the Fox Float Rp2 rear shock in its firm Pro Pedal setting. And while it’s a decent climber, the point here is rolling past big obstacles on the climb and then flying over them on…
Best for Scramble-Hikes Most approach shoes are either too slipperlike for hiking or too rigid for scrambling. But SCARPA’s Epic hits the sweet spot with its combination of a thick, shock-absorbing EVA foam midsole (for the hike in) and a sticky, smear-ready outsole (for the assault on the top). The…
Simple and Smart Although they’re best known for making school bags, JanSport also has a long track record making technical performance packs—like the 2,074-cubic-inch Salish. From long day hikes to more gear-intensive scrambles to local crags, it consistently received high marks as a comfy, versatile pack. An externally accessed hydration…
Fast and Light In a word: dense. That’s the best way to describe this thin but surprisingly tough and weatherproof jacket. Because its fabric is much more tightly woven than most soft shells’, it was, according to one tester, “way more windproof and burly than I would have thought.” Even…
Because it’s two inches wide and has grippy rubber strips for added traction, Gibbon’s Jibline is the perfect slackline for beginners and kids. gibbonslacklines.com…
Utility Warm early in the a.m., cool at noon, and itch- and stink-free, highly breathable, and water-repellent at all times, the merino-wool Giro impressed the hell out of us. There are also three rear pockets and a full zip for the hottest climbs. ibexwear.com …
An Updated Classic With its fully adjustable pull-through straps, comfy (and burly) footbed, and impressive grip on slippery surfaces, the Z2 has been a perennial favorite of boatmen. This updated version has a slightly beefier outsole and is made from a more durable rubber mixture. chacousa.com…
At night, the blinking rear light on Brooks’s Nightlife Hat is a little peace of mind. brooksrunning.com…
Road Race-Ready The first iteration of this remarkably light and stiff shoe had just one Boa dial to adjust the fit. Now it has two. The result? One tester put on a pair out of the box and rode, blister-free, the long way from San Francisco to Las Vegas—over…
Multisport Mixer An active type in casual-shoe clothing (and with sustainability cred), the comfy Sight Hemp features the tough eponymous fiber, a scrappy lugged sole, and an antimicrobial lining. If it weren’t such a great all-terrain traveler, it’d be in our mix of light hikers. merrell.com…
Less Is More The war for more megapixels is over. In the G11, Canon actually drops to a 10MP sensor from the 14.7MP sensor in this camera’s predecessor, the G10. But don’t call it a retreat. No quality is lost—the new sensor presents a clearer picture, even in low light.
Top Touring Boat Paddle the nearly 18-foot-long Infinity as a day boat and it's fun if a bit cumbersome. Load it and head out for a week or more and it really shines. Serious paddlers looking for a comfy boat will love the Infinity's large cockpit and raised foredeck, which…
Billabong partnered with Sony on the design of this special-edition, boardshort-inspired, pick-up-and-go notebook that weighs in at less than three pounds. Under its lime-green hood is a 250GB hard drive, 1.83GHz processor, and vivid 10.1-inch LED display. TAGS: vibrant, travel-ready…
Keen started out as a summer-shoe specialist; now they go to the other extreme with a nubuck leather sneaker-boot thing—with faux-shearling flourishes at the ankles—that, surprisingly, works. Warm as your fireside, grippy on wet surfaces, waterproof-breathable, and rugged enough (though a bit clompy) for real work. TAGS: solid,…
This is the warmest boot we tested this year (rated to 60 below zero). The key is a removable, quick-dry felt liner, with an inner heat-reflective layer that also helps draws moisture out of the boot, plus the mid-calf height keeps the snow out with the pull of a…
Big Mountain In 2008, NTN turned a thousand years of freeheel thinking on its head. No more duckbilled boot toe. Instead, NTN added a safety-release system, step-in convenience, unprecedented downhill power, and free-pivot touring function. Rottefella lives up to its name, which means “rat trap” in Norwegian. But Americans have been…
This is the warmest glove here. The outer is a beefy, Gore-Tex-lined and insulated glove with goatskin fingers and a full over-the-jacket-cuff gauntlet. But testers especially loved the inner glove, which has a Windstopper liner and tacky palm that make it perfect for nordic or spring skiing.
WESTCOMB‘s SKEENA HOODY. It’s extremely water-resistant, stretchy, and lined with a warm, wicking merino layer.
The Custom’s been a staple board in Burton’s line for 15 years, setting the standard for how a snowboard should ride. Every year, Burton refines it just a little more—and this year’s is the best yet thanks to its mixed-camber profile, a snappy carbon backbone, strands of strategically woven…
At our annual ski test, 12 hard-charging testers put the Kendo through its paces at Snowbird (see page 37), and every tester wrote something to this effect: “You can make every turn shape at every speed on every style of terrain.” That’s the ultimate goal of an all-mountain ski,…
Want no-compromise magnification without a weight penalty? At 19 ounces, the Echo is the lightest full-size model we tested. 10×32; www.brunton.com…
We were equally smitten with ATOMIC‘s top-end SNS setup: THE WORLDCUP SKATE FL SKIS made long climbs a little less painful.
THE NORTH FACE‘s slim-fitting APEX CLIMATEBLOCK FULL ZIP JACKET, is all wind- and slushproof panels except the stretchy sides and forearms.
When things get mucky, throw on PEARL IZUMI‘s microfleece-backed neoprene BARRIER SHOE COVERS.
Workhorse The 29-liter Mazama doesn’t have any whiz-bang features. Rather, words like “solid,” “sturdy,” and “intuitive” kept popping up on tester cards. Plush padding on the hipbelt and shoulder straps made it comfortable for long hauls, it’s reinforced in all the right places (including the waterresistant zippers), and multiple side…
Stiffer plastic in the upper cuff and lower shell make the Impact Pro beefy in all the right places. But it also has a soft side: Low-density plastic over the instep makes the boot easy to get on and off. salomonsports.com …
You could plan a vacation around the Passage: hours on sundecks, strolls in bucolic settings, long drives with the top down. Just mind the drool when you first gaze through these state-of-the-art photochromic polarized ground-glass lenses. The classic look (not stodgy!) is sexed up with metallic mirroring, and the…
Good for SnowshoeingFor fast-and-light excursions in cold temps, the waterproof, lightweight Multiterra Ultra is our favorite. Its Vibram sole afforded best-in-class traction on frost-covered trails, and when the snow fell, the insulation was just enough for aerobic snowshoeing. hi-tec.com…
Size, Price: 70 oz, $23Flow Rate: 2*Funk Fighter?: Zip top opening for easy cleaningFilter-Compatible?: Yes, with $4 adapterValve Shutoff?: NoGotta Love: Dump an ice try in the zip topBummer: Pre-hike test of zip seal is criticalSplat Test: Splatted *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…
ITALIAN FLAIR FOR THE MASSES Before carbon took over cycling, aluminum was the racer’s material of choice. And before Trek took over the Tour de France, Pinarello owned that event. While the Italians’ top offerings can cost more than college, the aluminum FP2—which comes with a vibration-damping carbon fork and…
The Weekender “This is the Chuck Norris of hiking shoes!” proclaimed one tester. Even if we couldn’t see the resemblance, we certainly agree that the Col packs an impressive punch. Bolstered by a waterproof liner, the mostly full-grain leather upper—the toughest breathable material—proved itself on weekend after weekend of wet…
Why It’s CoolNot everyone can reach a rooftop storage box, and even those who can might not be in the mood to clean-and-jerk gear into place after an epic outing. Enter this hard-shell hatchback add-on. » Mounting is easy—the Terrapin connects with your trailer hitch and has its own taillights.
LIFT SERVANT One tester described this pack as “a wallet on your back with water.” The 275-cubic-inch Scorpion’s two-liter bladder kept testers hydrated both on quick tours before work and skiing all day at the resort. Lunch, a spare pair of goggles, and an extra layer fit in the main…
Slick Packaholic Scads of apparel, triathlon gear, souvenirs for the family…this wide-body, 6,447-cube roller rocked for weekend warrioring. A shiny vinyl sheath gives this tank a clean urban aesthetic that also toughens its skin, all wrapped in external load-cinching straps. We loved the voluminous, 18-inch-wide main compartment and mesh compression…
SOPHISTICATED STYLE Don’t let supreme aptness for driving and upmarket fashion blind you to the fact that these are also terrific sports shades. The Celcio’s polarized photochromic lenses are so spectacularly good it’s hard to believe they’re polycarbonate, not glass. Self-adjusting light transmission accommodates all the day’s bright hours, and…
Why they rule“Biomex” sounds like genetically engineered food from El Paso, but it’s really just Lowa’s name for an external ankle support. The hinged, rigid-plastic cuff locked my ankles in place on loose, off-camber talus—even as I teetered under a 35-pound backpack. Indeed, they aced the hairiest stability test I…
This svelte wonder is eminently forgettable—high praise for sports shades, which should be neither seen nor felt. Light weight is only part of the disappearing act. The rimless design means there’s no frame to impede your view. The wrap lens shape covers eyes so well, you barely notice the…
Size, Price: 70 oz, $28; 100 oz, $30Flow Rate: 3*Funk Figher?: Antimicrobial treatmentFilter-Compatible?: Yes, with $7 adapterValve Shutoff?: YesGotta Love: Angled mouthpiece puts bite valve where you need itBummer: Tricky to drySplat Test: Survived *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…
Training in unfamiliar terrain? This watch wirelessly connects to a heart-rate strap and a belt-or arm-mounted GPS unit for altitude and navigation coordinates. www.timex.com…
Why It’s CoolThe Venus is heavenly, with its side-opening stuffsack that easily swallows and compresses the tent—no carefully choreographed roll-ups here. The fly and suspended canopy go up in one move, thanks to the one-way exterior pole sleeves and twin-hoop architecture. » A large main door and rear half-door have…
Finally, an excuse to have a bottle opener on your key chain without having to go back to college. www.buckknives.com…
The Big Agnes Air Core, with its nylon laminate and seven lengthwise air chambers, looks like an inflatable pool toy and feels as springy as one—it blows up to a cushy 2.5 inches thick—but weighs an astounding 22 ounces and is rated to 35 degrees.
Why It’s CoolThe well-engineered OmniFuel has all the reassuring stability of a good marriage, thanks to an impressive wingspan (three arms form a pot landing pad some six inches across) and a stainless-steel-sheathed fuel line long enough to lift and pump the bottle without reprisal. » Twist the glove-friendly flame…
The Hooah!’s claim to fame? It was developed by the U.S. military, which found that it improved stamina. The Chocolate Crisp is like eating a flavored Rice Krispie treat. www.hooahbar.com…
DIAD stands for “done in a day,” but even testers who didn’t speed-climb El Cap appreciated this wispy storm shell. It’s perfect for windy summits and surprise squalls—and so light we never debated packing it. Designing a seven-ounce jacket requires cutting a few corners, which in this case means…
Why They’re CoolEvery pavement pounder knows the drill: Just when your feet and shoes start feeling like old friends, a variety of joint ailments emerge to tell you your midsoles are fresh out of sproing. » New Balance rebels against such obsolescence with a proprietary midsole material called Acteva, which…
This fabric accordion expands at the knees, which gave me—a sleeper with restless-legs syndrome—a welcome night of unrestricted tossing and turning. The elastic keeps the Exceloft synthetic insulation close to the body for efficient warmth, though some cold sleepers found the rating a tad optimistic. 32°F, 2.7 lbs; www.montbell.com…
Your wish—sturdy backpack, civilized wheelie, suitcase-style interior—is this bag’s command. The versatility of this carry-on-compliant hybrid was welcome during a couple of weeks of Greek-island hopping. Pack the 3,060-cubic-inch Cross Roads in your sleep; its undivided main compartment and front-panel pockets make the procedure blessedly simple. When cobblestone gave…
Why It RulesThe Red Oxx guys, former military parachute riggers, are as intolerant of weakness in their duffels as they were with their chutes. To wit, this 2,400-cubic-inch bag is built to extreme specs—the fabric is 1,000-denier Cordura, the titanium of the bag biz. The oversize webbed-nylon handles aren’t just…
Never miss a shot again. With virtually no shutter lag—a luxury previously found only on high-end SLRs—and an almost instantaneous startup, the 6.3-megapixel F10 is ready before you can say “cheese.” This lightning-fast responsiveness, combined with the F10’s small size (slightly larger than a deck of cards, it’s perfect…
You wouldn’t expect Guinness to make anything but stout, and you shouldn’t expect Five Ten to make a shoe that can’t climb. The Prodigy has obvious rock-shoe features: sticky Stealth C4 rubber on the outsole and a profile that allows tight-quarters foot placement without pinching wide feet. The Prodigy…
You don’t need to attempt an unclimbed summit in Tibet to appreciate this tent, but that’s what our tester did. After weathering 50-mph winds while hunkered down at 16,600 feet, he says, “The Spire is one of the best tight-quarters, two-man mountain tents available.” The secret? A top-strut pole…
There’s no debate: This is one of the best touring boats on the water. We took the Brittany out in the stormy Atlantic and on glassy Lake Champlain, loaded down and completely empty, and in all conditions she turned like she knew what we were thinking. With the skeg…
This high-performance tee fights odor, wicks sweat, and will outlast your passport. www.prana.com…
Here’s a cleanly designed multitasker with the right goods for road tripping, globe-trotting, or anything in between. Trundle this 2005 Gear of the Year fave up to the reception desk at the W Hotel without looking like you’re fresh off the mountain, then zip off the bomber backpack to launch…
MR. BIG ‘N’ TALLWith its X-pole design and meshy walls, the Alcove 2 looks unremarkable at first. Then you notice the scoop built into the door frame, which helps create a 14-square-foot vestibule—double the size of those found on many packable tents. I worried about the mesh near the top…
Why They’re CoolPoly lenses hang from nylon frames and temples clad in sticky rubber. » Lenses snap in and out, and you can order other tints, though I can’t imagine improving on the polarized gold-iridium, an omnisport winner that pumps up contrast and depth. » The close fit at the…
ALL-WEATHER, ALL-TERRAIN Finally, a forecast-be-damned trail shoe that doesn’t make your feet feel like they’re in a sauna. The Trail Sensor’s water-resistant, breathable upper—a synthetic fabric with Nano-Tech treatment—kept our feet warm and dry even on sloppy fall runs in Boulder, while the fully gusseted tongue kept out grit and…
This luxe jacket has a mesh-lined back vent, three pockets, and an MP3 pouch. It’s heavy, but the wind- and water-resistant polyester fabric is breathable enough for a cool-weather run. 10.8 oz; brooksrunning.com…
Ready to go pro? Then you already know that tricks are for kids—and success hinges on huge air. Enter Dagger’s Crazy 88, our Gear of the Year selection. This boat is a masterly equation of length, width, weight, and volume distribution, all of which pull together when the time comes…
BOLD STATEMENTIt felt good to be the only guy running the trails of Boulder, Colorado, sans flapping headphone wires. In a wild science project, Oakley pimped out a pair of its Half Jacket sunglasses by tucking a 256MB flash-memory-based player in the stems and adding flip-up lenses. Phones slide directly…
When you finally decide to give up the dirtbag lifestyle and finish that degree, you’ll want an M210X riding shotgun. The Ultrabright widescreen supports ideal viewing of your digital scrapbook from the life nomadic or the latest huck-doll videos from your friends still livin’ it. When homework calls, the dazzlingly…
With a buckle closure and carbon sole, these have all the features of a top-end cleat—except the staggering price tag. bike.shimano.com…
The L5 is smart and bright. It automatically switches to power-save mode when 15 percent of its rechargeable 4.5-volt battery remains. And its five-watt bulb can throw an intense beam of light 203 feet. 10 oz; brunton.com…
BARGAIN BASE CAMPER We packed a family of five into this spacious dome, and no one had to jostle for room. Its 65 square feet of floor space and five-foot eight-inch ceiling height feel castlelike if you’re used to Lilliputian backpacking tents. Two huge doors and 12 organizing pockets make…
1. Jackson Kayak rolled out 11 models this year—more than all the other domestic boatmakers combined. But our favorite was the completely redesigned 54-gallon Fun, which somehow manages to be a comfy, low-maintenance playboat that’s no slouch on performance: It won last year’s World Cup. 2.
With an adjustable strap across the arch, this flip-flop won’t fall off when you have to motor. And the multidirectional tread helps prevent slick-deck spills. sperrytopsider.com…