Women’s
Archive
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Mountain Hardwear Stretch Cohesion rain jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Rudy Project Ability Sunglasses.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Pearl Izumi Impact Gloves.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Pistel Aster Visor.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Marmot Rom jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Garmin Forerunner 210 Watch.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Quiksilver Women's Sandblaster Pants.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Smith Optics Skyline sunglasses.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lululemon The Mat.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Terry FLX Gel Saddle.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Horny Toad Bivalent Dress.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the O'Neill Vex shorts.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lilypond Sundown Weekender/Gym Bag.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Specialized Echelon Helmet.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Rusty Entwine Fedora.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Lole Mojito swimsuit bottom and Bermude swimsuit top.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Athleta Scratch Windbreak jacket.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Louis Garneau Women's Pro Knickers.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Gravis Travel Duffle.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Roxy Hot Chip rash guard.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Brooks Trance 10 running shoes.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Shimano SH-WR61 Shoes.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the OluKai Kukuna Sandals.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Merrell Avian Light Sport Hikers.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the First Ascent by Point 6 Lightweight Hiking Socks.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Outdoor Research Echo Duo Tee.
Outside reviews the best gear in the 2011 Summer Buyers Guide, including the Ibex Shak Lite Half Zip Long-Sleeve.
South Africa native Ursula Grobler is out to prove she is the best lightweight rower on the planet.
Freeskier Sarah Burke is ready to return to her winning ways and convince the world the halfpipe skiing is worthy of the Olympics.
A 58-year-old Aspen socialite is forcing the world to grapple with just what it means to swim across the ocean.
Last spring, Christy Mahon became the first woman to ski all 54 Colorado fourteeners. And she didn't brag about it.
The X-Games gold medalist shares her top five tips to make the most of your ski trip.
Don’t let the faux-fur detailing fool you. The winter-specific sole held well on snow and ice, and the suede is 100 percent waterproof. www.hi-tec.com…
Get the body and sole of a traditional boot in a stylish, wear-anywhere package. The upper is more leather than mesh, for superior support and long life, and glove leather on the inside molds to your foot. The stiff Vibram sole held firm on Adirondack rocks and rubble, and…
How do you make the Pacific Crest Trail feel like the Pacific Coast Highway? Let this pack smooth out and speed up the miles. I literally ran the San Juan Mountains’ nine-mile Hope Lake Trail with the Arreba stuffed full. Credit the pre-curved harness, narrow back panel, and Wraptor…
Wide-set cups and full-coverage bottoms make this suit best for women with broad shoulders and muscular frames. $90; www.eddiebauer.com…
This sturdy hiker was our top choice when mixed terrain called for everything from cruising trails to scampering up summits. The uppers are nearly indestructible, thanks to a mix of leather and tightly woven mesh, and the stiff midsole can handle heavy loads and rocky footing. lasportiva.com…
Off the stair rail or the gap box, this binding is a top performer that's ergonomically shaped for women. The UnderWrap.2 Heel Hoop is slimmed down and cored out in the toe region for a super-responsive feel. Choose among several strap positions (capped or regular). romesnowboards.com …
Wear these wool-and-suede boots with a skirt to show off the Scandinavian-influenced knit collars, which can be rolled down (as pictured) to create warmer-weather ankle boots. salomon-sports.com…
ROCKET LAUNCHER This lively, full-carbon ride has about as much zip and stiffness as anyone could hope for, thanks to a true monocoque build and high-grade carbon fiber throughout. By mixing Shimano’s top-shelf Dura-Ace and midrange Ultegra components, Felt delivers true race-worthy performance while keeping the price down. The cutout…
Thanks to beefy waterproof-breathable uppers and grippy lugs, the Alby Low is our top pick for inclement weather. Ultra-cushy soles pad finicky feet on long walks, and on a snowy day hike, one tester reported perfectly warm and dry toes. 13 oz; hellyhansen.com…
SPRING Made of Polartec Windbloc, the Reyna stopped the wind like a mesh soccer jersey, which is to say, not so much. Still, we loved this soft shell for its fleece interior, cozy lined pockets, and stretchy shoulders that allow freedom of movement. marmot.com…
BREATHES EASY Biggest surprise of the test: In light rain and on moist trails, the Chinscraper’s soft-shell upper blocked out water just a well as Gore-Tex but breathed considerably better. Plus it felt smooth on moderate terrain and in snow, even paired with snowshoes, though not as much on rocky,…
Marmot knows how to mold a harness to a woman’s body. The Diva’s hipbelt and shoulder straps conformed to multiple testers’ torsos, and we loved this pared-down pack for long but still fast-and-light hikes. 3.1 lbs, 2,150 cu in; marmot.com…
Good for Alpine Touring All-around mid-fat dimensions make the Shazam our favorite go-to gun for resort-based adventures—it's just plump enough to keep afloat in a foot of powder. On firmer snow, testers found that the wood core provided dampness and torsional rigidity for quick, edge-to-edge responsiveness. 120/90/113, 6.8 lbs;…
If cushioning shoes are mattresses, the Cruise is a futon. “It’s firm, but good firm,” said one tester. The Cruise has Pearl Izumi’s trademark seamless upper, fabric eyelets that allow fine-tuning of the laces, and unique cushioning pads under the forefoot and heel that deliver a responsive ride. Best…
In Santa Fe, summer monsoons sweep through on an every-afternoon basis. I prepare by bringing this waterproof, breathable eVent jacket—it’s windproof up to 60 miles per hour. rei.com…
Layers are key when it comes to summiting peaks. You can drop 20 degrees and gain as much as 6,000 feet in elevation from trailhead to summit. This quick-dry, breathable, mostly nylon top wicks away sweat as you get moving but will also keep you warm when the mercury…
No other helmet in its price range will fit you as well. Our testers loved the Sierra’s superb airflow, removable visor, and adjustable harness that snugs the helmet to your head, all at a killer price. specialized.com/women…
Protect your noggin with this first-ever women-specific (read: ponytail-compatible) ten-ounce helmet. Ten vents release steam on hot days and the removable foam is washable when it starts to stink. petzl.com…
Throw on this 540-fill faux-down jacket (our warmest here), insulated side in, when you’re at the resort. The waterproof, breathable, neon-sunshine hard shell will keep you safe from the elements (and from getting lost). Afterwards, turn it inside out for a street-smart lime puffy. TAGS: reversible, neon, technical…
Rome’s new lacing system allows you to tighten down four different zones—the liner, forefoot, ankle, and upper cuff—with just two lace pulls. It’s ridiculously easy, and it works. Plus these boots had the best out-of-the-box feel of any we tested. TAGS: great laces, no break-in…
The synthetic fur on the inside of the Kirus is so soft, you’ll want to go sockless. Don’t; they’ll stink. But do wear them in a blizzard. They’re waterproof, and they can stand up to slippery sidewalks (thanks to sticky rubber) and your dressiest ski-town dinner date (the silhouette…
Thanks to a luxurious shearling lining, this is the warmest dress boot we’ve seen. It’s ideal for dressy dates in the dead of winter in places like Chicago and Jackson Hole. Be careful on ice—the smooth soles aren’t that grippy. johnstonmurphy.com…
Take the collective experience of a century of Italian bootmakers, add Gore-Tex, and subtract most of the leather and you get this Old World/New World mash-up. It’s a hiking boot with the support to carry a heavy load, and it feels much lighter than its weight suggests. Our feet…
Can’t bear to leave anything behind, even on a weekend trip? This sleek pack has the biggest capacity of the bunch, with a suspension that can handle 40-plus pounds and a height that didn’t cause instability when I hiked Colorado’s steep Liberty Bell Trail. The pack is on the…
SMOOTH OPERATORS Testers loved this shoe’s comfort and smooth heel-to-toe transition. Credit a combination of silicone-based cushioning pads, a stable heel, and a springy midsole compound called MoGo, which we found responsive and highly shock-absorbing. Best for neutral runners to mild pronators. 9.1 oz; brooksrunning.com Bonus: The eco-friendly…
The Phenom’s rubber outsole stuck to anything we dared to climb, and the midcut collar delivered solid ankle support without a stiff or clunky feel. And, in wet weather, a waterproof-breathable eVent liner kept our feet dry. fiveten.com…
This lightweight, composite-baseplated binding reacts instantly to commands. With the new Speed Zone strap technology, one pull and the ankle strap cinches tight. Custom-fit the Escapade with tool-free adjustments for strap length and forward lean. burton.com …
The inner shearling couldn’t be softer and the tread couldn’t be steadier on icy sidewalks. Aspen-bound? Do like the celebs and tuck in your jeans. tecnicausa.com…
THE MINIMALIST Agile and responsive, the cross-country Scalpel Fem was the most efficient climber in our test and the top performer in tight, rocky terrain. The classic cross-country geometry lowers the rider’s center of gravity for total control even on steep or tricky descents. The carbon-and-aluminum Fem has a 4.3-inch…
Not only is it made without any animal products, the Gore-Tex-lined Kiowa Vegan also has plenty of ankle support and cushioning, making it ideal for overnight or light multi-day hikes. Even so, testers reported that the soft soles and synthetic-suede uppers made for blister-free day hikes, too. 15 oz;…
RAIN While the ultralight, compressible Kulshan repels snow and rain as well as a fully featured rain jacket, the eVent hard-shell material, a waterproof laminate, is still miraculously breathable. Wear it when you plan to bust ass on a wet day. rei.com…
STORM CHASER Messy technical trails and foul weather are no longer deterrents for this major update. The new seam-sealed Gore-Tex upper kept testers’ feet warm and dry in cold slop (but it’s muggier in warm temps than its soft-shell counterparts), while the grippy outsole, underfoot protection, and torsional stiffness added…
Good for All Mountain A new take on a classic all-mountain board. With a wider shape, more forgiving flex, and rocker both between the feet and just outside them, the revamped Feelgood impressed testers with its edge-to-edge response. The only (minor) drawback: It’s a bit chattery…
Good for Telemark With the same cut and rockered tip as the Coomback, the Gotback was our favorite all-mountain tele-ski. But if you ski mostly groomers, you might want something with more edge grip: Although testers loved the way the early-rise tip plowed effortlessly over crud, some wished it…
The Stature was our favorite shoe for mellower trails, serving up ample cushioning, a medial post for pronation control, and a comfy, debris-thwarting neoprene ankle cuff. Traction was great on uphills, but our feet slipped too much inside the shoe on the downs. Testers loved the female-specific fit and…
If you’re in training mode, try this low-profile, watch-style monitor, which can track up to nine runs. Moving on up to a triathlon? It’s water-resistant down to 50 meters. Plus the sleek interface is so intuitive that I wore it—and got it—right out of the box.
You’ll often leave before sunrise to make a summit push. Pack this small, light LED headlamp, which has two settings: a floodlight for illuminating the trail and a beam for long-distance (150 feet) spotting. princetontec.com…
A snap-out chamois liner hides under a pair of stylish plaid shorts, perfect for heading from the trail to the pub. pearlizumi.com…
Throw this sporty bathing suit on for surfing or volleyball. Then, to thwart tan lines, swap the top out for the Bali Bandeau ($40; not shown) in the matching print. carvedesigns.com…
Nothing beat the uninsulated Snowbelle on bluebird spring ski days. Patagonia’s proprietary fabric is completely waterproof but didn’t suffocate, even when we wore it on a steep, snowy hike up 9,111-foot Atalaya Mountain in Santa Fe. Our taller testers applauded its extra length (which kept snow out), and everyone…
Big Mountain Our women testers praised the Nemesis as “the go-to ski for anyone who seeks powder at all costs.” But, while the 98-millimeter waist says soft snow, when you hit the hardpack you can hang it way out there with the carvers. New this year, a “slow rise” in…
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR‘s 100 percent wool ARA DOME HAT lets hot air escape out the top, while its recycled-polyester fleece ear band adds extra warmth.
Necessary addition to your starter kit: a chalk bag. Keeping your hands dry is essential for better grip. This bag offers easy access—and is available in feminine prints. metoliusclimbing.com…
While all the shoes here are made specifically for women, we found that the Terrastryder’s lower- volume forefoot, cushioned ankle, deep Achilles cutout, and sloping collar combined for the best fit of the bunch. It feels more like a sandal than a boot but still has bootlike stability,…
This standout in Deuter’s new women’s line is the pack equivalent of 1,000-thread-count sheets. Like other models here, it has female-specific features—curved shoulder straps, a shorter torso, and a contoured hipbelt. And it hugged our bodies with just-right padding. Plus you can fine-tune fit with the ladderlike Vari-Quick harness.
DELUXE RIDE Cushy, comfy, and extremely breathable, these shoes are like a Mercedes convertible for your feet. The midsole offers good stability and major cushion that, combined with a seamless transition, had me on cruise control during long runs. Best for neutral runners. 10.3 oz; saucony.com Bonus: Moisture-wicking liners…