For over a decade now, the conventional wisdom has been听that excessive sitting is a lethal activity and we should be moving regularly throughout the day. Cue the stand-up desk revolution, and a wave of guilt for those of us who want to be fit but are still tied to our computers for 40 hours a week.听 Some studies have questioned whether endurance training can mitigate how constant sitting affects vascular health, specifically鈥�with mixed results.

Now new research has emerged with a clearer bottom line, and encouraging news for anyone who tends to cram their exercise in over the weekend.

An investigation by an international group of researchers,听 this summer,听found that when it comes to longevity, exercising only on the weekend is enough to compensate for a sedentary lifestyle during the rest of the week as long as you meet the recommended guidelines for level of physical activity鈥攁 minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. This confirms research conducted in the UK in that came to a similar conclusion about weekend warriors, albeit in a smaller study.

The new study analyzed data from 350,978 adults in the U.S. who self-reported their physical activity on an annual basis听from 1997 to 2013. Based on the frequency, intensity, and duration of their exercise, individuals were classified as physically inactive or physically active, 听and those in the active group were either dubbed 鈥渨eekend warriors鈥� or 鈥渞egularly active.鈥� Researchers cross-referenced the National Death Index through December 31, 2015 to track participant mortality.

There was not a statistically significant difference in mortality rates between weekend warriors and regularly active participants, and both those groups had lower mortality rates than the inactive participants (even when broken down between all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality). 鈥淲e showed that weekend warriors can get comparable health benefits to regularly active people when a similar amount of overall activity is done,鈥� Donghoon Lee, a co-author of the study and a research associate at Harvard鈥檚 school of public health, told the . 鈥淚deally, it would be good to spread exercise over the week, but in the real world that may not be possible and our findings have important implications for people who don鈥檛 find this convenient.鈥�

鈥淚n my opinion, the bottom line here is that the total amount or dose of physical activity completed remains more important than any of the individual components, including pattern of physical activity such as weekend warrior versus regular weekly activity,鈥� said Jonathan Stine, a medical professor at Penn State, who was not associated with the study.

Still, there are some caveats to the new findings. One obvious limitation of the study is that it relied on听self-reported activity levels, which may or may not be accurate. But a smaller looked at data from 3,438 people using accelerometers to objectively assess physical activity patterns and reached the same basic conclusion: people who exercise throughout the week don鈥檛 live any longer than weekend warriors.

The optimal combination of physical activity frequency, intensity, and duration in order to reduce mortality risk remains poorly understood, but this research is a helpful step. 鈥淢uch of the evidence that we have [about the health benefits of exercise] is still tied to the overall number of minutes throughout the week versus breaking it down by the number of sessions,鈥� said Brad Prigge, a wellness assessment and activity specialist at the Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Program.

Prigge adds that although this latest study is encouraging, it鈥檚 important to look at more than just mortality risk. The new research doesn鈥檛 tell us whether weekend-only exercisers can achieve the same fitness improvements as people who work out more frequently, or whether they are more prone to injury.

Ultimately, no one disputes that if you want to feel your best and get fitter, moving more is smart. 鈥淪omething is always better than nothing,鈥� Prigge says, adding听that we should ask ourselves what he asks his patients: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 important to you and how do you feel?鈥�

If sitting at a desk for eight听hours a day most of the week isn鈥檛 affecting your ability to do other things you love, like hiking with your kids, running local 10Ks, or keeping up with your friends on weekend bike rides, then don鈥檛 beat yourself up about it.

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Hiking pants are an essential piece of any outdoor kit: they听defend your legs against weather, UV rays, and听many听natural hazards. Some can even serve double duty as acceptable business-casual wear (at least听in some offices). But a good pair can be hard to find. This is especially true for women, since there are so many variables at play: leg length, hip width, thigh-muscle circumference, butt size. Whether you are short or tall, petite or plus-size, you probably have a very specific list of criteria听when听you look for听pants.

So we set out to find the best hiking pants for women, for a variety of weather conditions and body types. Over three months, six women and I tested more than 30 pairs from 24 brands. In the process, we logged close to a thousand miles on trails spanning the globe from South America to Asia.

How We Tested the Best Hiking Pants for Women

Our testers were all avid hikers, running the gamut of body shapes and sizes鈥攖all, petite, lean, muscular, curvy. We ranged in age from 25 to 59 years old. Among us were several gear writers, a photographer, an actor, and a couple professional guides. We weathered storms and waded through knee-deep mud puddles in Patagonia, climbed through waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada, baked under the Jordanian sun, biked and hiked our way across the Mongolian steppe, and soaked up rainforest humidity in Peru.

• Do-It-All Pants
• Lightweight Pants
• Wet-Weather Pants
• Pants for Tall and Short People

Best Do-It-All Pants

Eddie Bauer Guide Pro听($80)

Pros: They鈥檙e water- and dirt-resistant and come in many inseam lengths.
Cons: The logo is prominent, and the color fades over time.

These are not only great for hiking听but also for climbing, bike riding, lounging next to听a campfire, and even听wandering around听town. They鈥檙e made from a stretchy nylon-spandex fabric that鈥檚 super lightweight, won鈥檛 turn frumpy after days of continual wear, and offers听UPF 50+ sun protection.

A durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment means they shed rain as well as dirt and slop. Case in point: one tester accidentally dumped an entire plate of hummus all over her lap in Jordan. It washed right out with a hotel-bathtub laundry session, and the pants were dry again soon after.

Another thing the Guide Pro gets right is pockets. Hip and cargo pockets can drastically alter the fit or aesthetics of hiking pants; while they鈥檙e useful for carrying such essentials as lip balm, money, or your phone, they can ruin a flattering, trim silhouette. The Guide Pro听features laser-cut seams that lay flat against your leg for a more streamlined look. (Though听we wish the pockets听were deep enough to fit an iPhone.)听If it weren鈥檛 for the prominent First Ascent logo on the thigh, which screams 鈥渙utdoors only,鈥� we鈥檇 give these a ten out of ten for aesthetics.

But these pants didn鈥檛 seize the top spot because of looks and performance alone: Eddie Bauer makes them in a crazy amount of sizes (0 to 24W) and inseam lengths (29 to 35 inches). Nearly everyone will be able to find a great听fit. For this reason, the Guide Pro beat out our runner-up, the stylish ($80). We loved the Ferrosi鈥檚 lightweight ripstop fabric and seven neutral color choices, but the 31-inch inseam came up short for our long-legged testers.

Best Lightweight Pants

Columbia Featherweight Hike ($80)

Pros: They鈥檙e lightweight, quick drying, and have an elastic waistband.
Cons:听The ultralight fabric abrades听more readily.

These are so feathery听that听wearing them feels like wearing nothing at all鈥攑erfect for hot, humid weather, when you still want coverage and SPF 50+ protection without sweating uncontrollably. Our testers wore them on multiple sweltering, muddy hikes to explore听the Incan ruins of Peru and were thankful that they dry in a flash.

In terms of features, everything about these pants is designed with simplicity and clean听lines in mind. To achieve a trim aesthetic, Columbia opted to forgo the cargo pockets that are so common on hiking pants. Instead, two unobtrusive zippered hand pockets offer enough storage for small essentials like lip balm while lying flat against the thigh for minimal bulk.

That design approach extends to the waistband. In place of the standard button fly and belt loops, Columbia used wide, flat elastic that听avoids the need for a belt altogether (and eliminates the muffin top that so often results from ill-fitting pants). This affords听all-day comfort, especially when wearing a heavy pack. Our only gripe: we would love to see the Featherweight available in different inseam lengths and more colors.

The barely there feel and super stretch of the fabric gave them a notch听over the ($130),听our runner-up in this听category. We loved the Creston鈥檚 lightweight fabric and minimalist look听but found it听slightly less stretchy. Those seeking a lightweight pant with features like belt loops and side pockets should look here, while those who prize simplicity and freedom of movement should turn听to the Featherweight.

Best Wet-Weather Pants

Bight Gear NeoShell Nuker ($299)

Pros:听They have an integrated waist adjustment, a minimalist aesthetic, and are extremely breathable while offering full-weather protection.
Cons: They have no pockets, and the DWR needs to be reapplied over time.听They鈥檙e also pricey.

Sideways rain, hail, snow, relentless wind, knee-deep mud: these pants can handle it all. Normally, locations with consistently variable weather, like the Pacific Northwest, require raingear that you constantly take on and off to avoid marinating yourself from the inside out. The 听does away with that annoyance. They鈥檙e听made from Polartec NeoShell, an air-permeable fabric that鈥檚 extremely breathable yet fully waterproof.

Traditional waterproof-breathable fabrics require high temperature and humidity to actually allow moisture vapor to escape through the membrane. But Polartec claims that its NeoShell fabric听allows a small amount of air through the membrane in order for your body鈥檚 heat and sweat to escape before it鈥檚 turned to vapor. Put simply,听it鈥檚 better at regulating your body temperature. And best of all, the soft-shell-like fabric is quiet.

As a result, these pants are incredibly versatile. Throw on a base layer听for alpine climbing or cold-weather hiking, and ditch it when the temperatures听climb (we found them听comfortable up to around 65 degrees).听The slimness of the pant legs听means there鈥檚 no听extra fabric in which听mud, rain, or snow might听pool. Bight also added grommets at the cuff for do-it-yourself elastic-cord stirrups that听keep the pants in place over your boot laces, which is great if, like me, you hate wearing gaiters.

With no pockets, the Nuker听caters to minimalists. One feature that does make a difference is听a low-profile elastic waist belt for hassle-free adjustment.

The seven-eighths-length side zips are useful for removing the pants over boots, but we鈥檇 love to see two-way zippers instead, for more adjustable venting. As a comparison, we appreciated the hidden vent zips on the water-resistant ($159), the runner-up in this category. If you plan to hike in more temperate climes that see only occasional rainfall, these would make a fantastic听alternative.

Best Pants for Tall and Short People

Prana Halle Straight听($89)

Pros: They鈥檙e extremely stretchy,听quick drying, and have an integrated waist adjustment. They also come in multiple inseam lengths.
Cons: The pockets are shallow, and the waist runs loose.

When you鈥檙e shorter or taller than average, finding a pair of hiking pants that fit听properly can be difficult. Thankfully, a few brands let you choose from a variety of lengths. Our favorite in this category is the , which comes in inseams ranging from 28 to 36 inches.

All of our testers agreed that one of the Halle鈥檚 best features is the adjustable drawcord, which helped avoid the dreaded waist gap. (This is especially key听in stretchy hiking pants, since fit can change听from day to day, and even听hour to hour, when you鈥檙e on the trail.) The pants also roll up to the knee and secure with a snap closure, ideal for听river crossings, warm-weather days, and biking around town.

They鈥檙e made from Prana鈥檚 Stretch Zion fabric, a nylon-spandex blend that鈥檚 treated with a DWR finish to help fend off moisture and dirt. From a wet spring hike to Vernal Falls in Yosemite to a rainy outing in the UK鈥檚 Lake District National Park, our testers were impressed with how quickly the pants dried out on the trail. This is what gave the Halle an edge over our runner-up, the听 ($90), which also comes in a variety of inseam lengths. While crazy comfortable, the soft cotton-elastane fabric is not water-resistant and takes longer to dry. The North Dome is ideally suited for climbing, fair-weather hiking, or even travel and office life.

What to Look For in Hiking Pants

The models we tested are all marketed as hiking pants, but these days we expect a little more versatility from our apparel. Choosing the right pair starts with identifying how you鈥檙e going to use them. If you are planning a thru-hike, you may want pants that dry quickly and can convert into shorts on hot days. If you do a lot of traveling, climbing, or biking, you might want a pair that serves double duty. Here are some general things to consider.

Fabric

As a rule, you want fabric that鈥檚 highly breathable, quick drying, and water-resistant, as well as something听that听sheds dirt easily. The pants should be light enough so you don鈥檛 overheat when working hard, but they should also protect you听if the weather turns south or you鈥檙e听hiking through rough terrain. If you鈥檙e听headed to cold, snowy, or particularly windy and rainy climes, you鈥檒l want to consider soft-shell pants, which are more protective than simple DWR-treated nylon.

Features

At their most basic, pants are supposed听to protect your legs. But there are plenty of details that can change how a pair functions. The feature听that varies听most widely between pants is听pockets, in particular the听number, size, and placement of them. Some have large cargo pockets, some have small and听slim pockets, and some forgo storage altogether in favor of a minimalist design. You鈥檒l also want to decide how stretchy you like your pants, what kind of waistband you prefer听(elastic? something with a听built-in, adjustable belt? or belt loops?), and whether you want a pair听that鈥檒l convert into shorts or cross over into other sports.

Fit

Perhaps the most difficult thing to assess is fit. But there are a few objective measures that can help you narrow things down. Built-in waist belts or drawstrings听or elasticized听waistbands听can all help you fine-tune fit.听If you鈥檙e tall or short, look for pants that come with听multiple inseam-length options. The ability to adjust the cuffs with a drawstring cinch is an added bonus for short hikers. Fortunately, most companies have begun to give women a wider variety of options to suit preference and body type.

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Grayl GeoPress Water Purifier ($90)

This two-part device purifies 24 ounces of water in seconds (four to five liters per minute) like a French press, while the inner bottle serves as water storage.

Garmin Edge 830 Computer ($500)

With the map, address, and a point-of-interest database, the touchscreen Edge 830 allows you to navigate to destinations or search for nearby resupply points while you鈥檙e rolling. There鈥檚 even a bike alarm for when you duck into the supermarket for a supply run.

Topeak Mountain TT G Tire Pump ($45)

Compressed air on the Mountain TT鈥檚 up and down strokes efficiently fills mountain- or fat-bike tires without overly exhausting you, while an analog gauge lets you know when听 your PSI is just right.

Tailfin AeroPack X Rigid Seat Pack ($375)

The 20-liter AeroPack X eliminates dreaded saddle-bag sway. It plays nice with dropper posts via an integrated carbon rack that connects anywhere along the seat post and to the rear hub. Bonus: you can add panniers for extra hauling.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir UberLite Sleeping Pad ($195)

This 8.8-ounce pad fits into your pocket but doesn鈥檛 skimp on comfort: it offers 2.5 inches of cushion and enough insulation for chilly summer nights. A new valve inflates听 it three times faster than previous generations.

Therm-a-rest Vesper 20F Quilt ($370)

At 19 ounces, the Vesper cuts down weight, but not variable-weather chops. An insulated foot box and neck snap closure worked wonders in freezing temperatures.

Park Tool MTC-40 Multitool ($40)

Fourteen essential implements in this compact gadget will help you straighten bent rotors, repair a broken chain, inflate a tube, and open that post-ride beer.

Big Agnes Fly Creek HV UL1 Bikepack Tent ($360)

Short pole segments mean this one-person tent straps to handlebars or fits inside panniers. It weighs under two pounds but has 19-square-feet of space with enough height to stand up and change.

Hydro Flask 14L Down Shift Hydration Pack ($145)

Applying its insulation expertise to hydration packs, Hydro Flask put the Downshift鈥檚 two-liter reservoir inside a reflective-lined neoprene sleeve to keep water cold for up to four hours.

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Carlisle Predator Angler ($110)

A snagged hook befalls even the most skilled angler on occasion. Instead of yarding on your rod or risking a plunge into the drink, use the hook-retrieval cutout on the Predator Angler鈥檚 blade to gently free your line. It can also help land a catch or grab an anchor.

Werner Zen 85 Coral SUP ($229)

For those who frequently spend all day on the water, this lightweight yet stiff paddle is gentle on the body. The blade is offset from the shaft by ten degrees to aid your forward stroke, while the 85-square-inch surface lets you increase your cadence without tiring you out.

Sanborn SUP ($285)

This made-to-order wooden SUP paddle is durable and will turn heads with its artisanal good looks. The generous eight-inch fiberglass-reinforced blade and ten-degree bend in the shaft will help you move serious water with every stroke.

Shaw and Tenney Curly Maple Penobscot ($229)

In canoe country, nothing beats the feel of traditional wood. Handcrafted from a single piece of rough-sawn lumber, the one-of-a-kind Penobscot is true performance art both on and off the water. Take good care of this paddle and your grandkids will be fighting over it long after you鈥檙e gone.

Perception Hi Life ($75)

Try your hand at both paddleboarding and kayaking without shelling out for two different paddles. The three-piece design converts from kayak to SUP mode, and four length settings accommodate everyone in the family.

Mitchell Horizon ($120)

The long, thin blades of this Greenland-style paddle may be less powerful than others, but with reduced arm stress you鈥檒l be able to stay out longer. The beautiful hardwood lamination will earn you style points and prevent warping over time.

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There are lots of benefits of wearing bib shorts: you get a sleek, aerodynamic fit听minus the uncomfortable and restrictive waistband; a chamois that stays in place to cut down on chafing issues; and shorts that won鈥檛听ride down on you when you鈥檙e in the drops or climbing hard.

But when I first tried bibs, I hated them. The reason? I had to get fully undressed every time I needed to pee, which meant I was usually stripping in a Porta-Potty听(where on earth do you hang your jersey in one of those?) or worse yet, behind a bush on the side of the road. So unless I was going out for a quick no-pit-stop lunch loop, I refused to wear them鈥攗ntil cycling apparel manufacturers stepped it up. Now听many women鈥檚 cycling bibs come with some form of pee-friendly听drop-tail design.

I put the following bibs to the test over hundreds of miles and countless bathroom stops. Here are my favorites.

Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Escape Bib Short ($170)

Best For: Everything from racing to touring to training
Pee-Friendliness Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Pearl Izumi ditches all the fiddly buckles, zippers, and clips in favor of super stretchy fabric in the bib straps. Overlapping in a V-shape at the back with a bridge across the top, the straps move out of the way without falling off your shoulders as you pull and crouch down. I had no problems taking bathroom breaks in tight Porta-Potties听on my regular long-distance pastry-run ride to Point Reyes, California. I also appreciate the minimalist, seamless aesthetic of with laser-cut edges that eliminate the dreaded sausage-leg effect and simple, low-profile silicone grippers that听keep everything in place.

7Mesh WK2 Women鈥檚 Bib Short ($150)

Best For: Long weekend road rides
Pee-Friendliness听Rating: 3

applies the same stretchy-strap principle in their aptly named Pull2P technology. Crossed at the back and attached to the outside edge at the rear rather than at center, the straps give you the length and clearance you need to get things done. (Though I sometimes felt I was going to rip the thin straps when stretched too far.)听A wide, yoga-style waistband gently supports your stomach, and laser-cut hems with bonded grippers keep the legs secure without digging in. I found the bibs give a nice little butt lift minus the expensive surgery, and the completely seamless chamois cut听down on saddle-sore potential.

Club Ride Quick Drop Bib ($90)

Best For: All-day mountain bike rides
Pee-Friendliness听Rating: 4

Just because you鈥檙e wearing baggy shorts over top doesn鈥檛 mean you can skip on the mountain bike鈥攖he same principles apply. As your lady bits tend to see a lot more jolts and vibrations on the trail than on the road, Club Ride added some strategically placed gel inserts to their chamois, something I appreciated after sitting on the saddle five to six听hours a day for听six days in a row听while racing the . The drop seat works much like the access hatch on onesies鈥攝ippers running three-quarters of听the length of each side unzip for more than enough clearance. Just be sure to tuck the flap under when you go, so you don鈥檛 hit the inside of your shorts.

Assos T.Laalalaishorts_S7 ($229)

Best For:听Summer races听
Pee-Friendliness听Rating: 2

While technically not intended to be used for nature breaks, the monostrap on these sleek听 can be unhooked at the front and slipped over your head in an emergency. The trick is shimmying the strap back up underneath your jersey without having to get undressed鈥攊t鈥檚 possible, but requires a few yoga moves. Women with longer torsos might find the monostrap a little tight when standing or sitting upright (I did) but all should be well when you lean into the riding position. The chamois is unique in that it moves with you, so it鈥檚听never in a position听where it could cause pressure points or chafing, and the waffle-pattern foam helps with breathability.

Giro Chrono Expert Halter Bib Short ($150)

Best For: Hot days
Pee-Friendliness听Rating: 4

You can ditch the base layer with , as the sides come all the way up to your armpits鈥攁lmost like a pair of Spanx gently holding everything in place without being restrictive. Instead of of shoulder straps, Giro uses a halter-style design that you simply slip over your head and pull down when nature calls. And scooching everything back up under your jersey without unzipping doesn鈥檛 take much effort. On warmer days, I really appreciate Giro鈥檚 Chrono chamois, which听uses multidensity padding to give support only where you need it and employs air channels听to help keep things dry. A听small pocket at the听back of the bib shorts comes in handy for storing stuff you don鈥檛 need access to while on your ride like keys, spare tube, or CO2 canister.

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Storing gear in a city is like trying to complete an elaborate puzzle with half its pieces missing. Staying organized takes some creativity, especially if you鈥檙e like me and have way more gear than the average person. I checked in with a handful of living-space-challenged people, including tiny house and big-city apartment dwellers, for their tips, tricks, and hacks when it comes to storing and decluttering.

Storage Hacks

1. Storage bins: Almost everyone I spoke with immediately replied enthusiastically with 鈥淎ctionPackers!鈥� These from Rubbermaid make it easy to organize all your gear by category (kitchen, climbing, tents, running clothes, ski jackets, etc.) and help keep your collection in check鈥攚hen the bin fills up, for example, you can鈥檛 get any more climbing gear without giving something away. Once consolidated and labeled, the storage bins are easy to hide away in a closet, corner of the room, or even covered with a blanket and used as a nightstand. When you鈥檙e ready to hit the road for your outdoor adventure, simply grab the appropriate bin and throw it in the back of your car. One tiny-house owner in Alaska has even been known to reuse her ActionPacker as an outdoor bathtub.
2. Rollout shelves: Standard closets are an inefficient use of space. By installing rollout shelves, you can pack much more into a small area and gain better access to all your gear at once. Most rollout units are versatile, allowing you to set the divider where needed to create shelves of different depths. Plus, your closet looks neater and tidier when the shelves are pushed back in. Add a deep top shelf above the rollouts to hold all your big storage bins.
3. Make use of dead space: Take a look around and notice all the unused space in your apartment鈥攍ike under your bed and couch. Long, low-profile items such as skis, backpacks, and trekking poles can live there. But don鈥檛 forget to look up. Sling your hammocks across the ceiling to create a Moroccan souk vibe that also serves as a storage place for sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and other lightweight gear. Run a climbing rope high across the room and rack up all your climbing hardware. One outdoor-loving Brooklynite has been known to store a ton of gear in his oven. Who has the time or need to cook when you live in the big city anyway?
4. Shoe hangers: Use an over-the-door shoe organizer for wrangling everything from camp cooking gear to headlamps to hats and gloves. The back of any door is a great spot for storage, especially if you have a lot of small things looking for a home.
5. Gear as art: Why spends hundreds or thousands of dollars decorating your walls when you can use your outdoor gear as art? Hang your bike, stand-up paddleboard, snowboard, or skis above the couch. Install some pegboard on an empty wall and artfully hang your backpacks, tools, and other gear.

Embrace Efficiency

Scrutinize your inventory to get rid of the excess (you don鈥檛 need 18 pairs of running shorts) and the extravagant (portable hot tub, anyone?). Also, swap out multiple items for one high-quality multipurpose tool. Here are a few of our favorite versatile products.

Nemo Concerto Sleeping Bag: There is no need to own a sleeping bag for all four seasons when you can buy one sleep system that covers a wide range of temperatures and conditions. Whether you鈥檙e camping in the fall or the height of summer, this single sleep system keeps you comfortable from 20 degrees up to 60-plus degrees. Simply unsnap the top quilt and use the integrated bedsheet when it鈥檚 hot, or add the quilted mattress top for extra warmth on colder nights. Throw in a comfy sleeping pad and the Concerto makes the perfect spare bed when you have company. ()

Cotopaxi Inti 2 Tent: Designed as a tent that adapts to your chosen adventure鈥攚hether you鈥檙e camping alone, with a friend, or in a party of four鈥攖he Inti 2 comes with a snap-in alcove that seamlessly integrates with the tent and doubles the sleeping and storage space. ()

Arc鈥檛eryx Indisce Blazer: Made from the same technical fabric as your cycling jacket, these blazers offer wind and rain protection during your bike commute or walk to the subway yet are dressed-up enough for date night. ()

Columbia Cityside Fold Waterproof Boot: From mucky trails to snowy city streets, this versatile women鈥檚 boot oozes city style along with full waterproof protection for wherever your day takes you. ()

Diamondback Haanjo Trail Carbon: This go-everywhere adventure bike replaces all your other bikes. Use it as a commuter during the week, then seek out dirt road adventures on the weekend. An affordable price tag makes this the perfect one-bike quiver for adventurous riders. As a bonus, it looks great hung on the wall. ()

Offload the Excess

Now that you鈥檝e pared down to the essentials, what should you do with all that extra stuff piling up in your spare bedroom?

1. Sell it online: Sites such as eBay, Craigslist, or serve as the perfect platform for selling gently used gear, especially high-value items like bike parts, tents, or GPS watches, which have much better resale value than things like apparel and footwear. Regardless of what you鈥檙e selling, keep your expectations in check and don鈥檛 try to get back exactly what you paid for each item.
2. Garage sale: Throw a huge garage sale to celebrate your new minimalist approach to life. Plus, you can get rid of that bread maker, waffle iron, and juicer gathering dust in your kitchen at the same time. Convince your friends to downsize as well and make it a full-on community sale.
3. Gear swaps: Normally held between October and November, ski and snowsport swaps are a great way to offload winter gear you don鈥檛 use anymore. A simple Google search with your city plus 鈥渟ki swap鈥� or 鈥渟nowsports swap鈥� is a great place to start. Drop off your gear the first morning of the swap for maximum exposure, and price it competitively to ensure that it moves. For all other types of outdoor gear, REI regularly holds community swaps where a small entry fee gets you access to the event, free beer, and a table to hawk all your lightly used gear.
4. Donate: If you can鈥檛 or don鈥檛 want to bother selling your gear, or if you鈥檙e in search for a few karma points, donate it to local charity shops or youth groups. Chances are you鈥檒l get a tax deduction in the process.
5. Consignment stores: Most mountain towns have consignment stores where you can offload used gear. With all the pro athletes that live and train in Salt Lake City, 2nd Tracks is one of the more popular shops. Consignment stores will do all the hard work of selling your gear, and then cut you a check once your item sells. To stay in business, the store takes a commission on all sales. If your gear doesn鈥檛 sell, you can pick it up or let the store donate it to its charity organization of choice.

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The first time I ever took a stand-up paddleboard on the open water was eight years ago in Clearwater, Florida. The idea was to paddle a quick mile from the coast to the white sand beaches of . The way out was a relaxing paddle, but by the time I needed to head back in the tide had changed and the offshore winds picked up. It took me hours of prone paddling鈥攍ying on my stomach and paddling with both arms鈥攖o make it back to the beach. When I did, I flopped over, panting and exhausted.

Don't repeat my mistake.听Before you hit the open ocean, hone your skills on flat, calm water such as a lake or marina. Make sure you select a stable board that is at least 30听inches听wide and 11听feet听long. If you start with a board too small, you鈥檒l fall a lot and spend most of your time in the water, disheartened.

Here are some tips to help you perfect your balance and form. Once you have that down, everything else will follow.听

1. Stand in the middle of the board with your feet parallel and spread shoulder width apart.听
2. Paddle with your whole body, not just your arms. Straighten your arms, bend your knees, twist your core, and engage your back. Always grip the paddle with one hand on the top and the other on the center of the shaft.
3. Get the stroke right. Once the paddle passes your feet, you're essentially just shovelling water. The most power is attained by having a long forward reach, then finishing the stroke just past your feet.
4. Focus on the horizon in the direction of where you want to go. Your body, and in turn the board, follows where you look.听
5. When you鈥檙e standing on your SUP, you act like a sail. If the winds pick up and the water starts to get choppy, simply drop to your knees, sit, or even lie down on your board and paddle with your arms.

The Kit

Have the basics covered?听听The Yeti Hopper 20 ($299.99) soft-sided cooler easily transports up to 12 cans with sturdy carrying straps and tie down points to secure it to your board. Unlike other soft-sided coolers, the Hopper is puncture-resistant, leak proof, and sports an anti-microbial liner that resists mildew. Plus. it keeps your beverages cold for days thanks to an inch of closed-cell foam insulation on the sides and 1.5 inches of on the bottom.

Make the most of those cold ones with听the ($25), a removable koozie for cans and bottles. Suction cups and rip-and-stick straps make for easy mounting to the front of a stand up paddleboard. And finally, turn your lake paddle into a party with the ($59.99) waterproof Bluetooth speaker that pumps out up to听seven听hours of tunes, can be strapped to your board or pack, and, best of all, floats.听

听

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My first major kayak fail occurred during a summer trip in Northern Wisconsin. I figured I didn鈥檛 need any sort of instruction before heading out on Big Round Lake鈥擨 grew up paddling a canoe, so I strapped on a life vest and shoved off. I was paddling along enjoying the serene surroundings when, suddenly, out of nowhere, a big speedboat flashed by, tipping my kayak right over. I wasn鈥檛 in any danger of drowning, but I had no idea how to right my kayak or pull myself back inside, let alone remove water from the boat. Cue the boat rescue.

While more experienced paddlers regularly navigate river rapids and ocean waves successfully, inexperienced ones should stick to flat water like lakes, ponds, and protected ocean bays. A smooth kayaking experience听takes some practice, so here are a few tips for entering your boat and getting going:

From the Dock

If you鈥檙e launching from a dock, start by positioning the kayak parallel to the dock. Place one end of your paddle on the boat and the other on the dock to keep the kayak from shifting. Sit down on the ledge of the dock and put your feet in the kayak. Turn your body towards the bow (front) while holding on to the dock, then quickly lower yourself into the kayak seat. The key is to get your backside into the seat as quickly as possible. To get out, simply reverse these steps.

From the Shore

Launching from a sandy lakeside is a little easier. Simply hop into the boat as it rests at the edge of the water and push yourself out with your hands. If you don鈥檛 want to scrape the bottom of your boat along the sand, walk it out into a few inches of water, straddle the cockpit, drop your butt down in the seat, and pull your legs inside.

Paddle Practice

By first mastering the forward stroke, you can build a strong foundation for learning all other paddling strokes. The key to a good forward stroke is to use your torso in addition to your arms鈥攔otating your body with each paddle stroke will help you paddle longer and with less fatigue. To better understand the concept of using torso rotation to your advantage, practice this rotation drill: Holding the paddle, fully extend your arms and lock your elbows. Without ever bending your elbows, begin paddling. The only thing your arms can now do is raise or lower the paddle blades in the water, which forces you to rotate your torso back and forth, using your core muscles to propel you forward.

The Kit

Some accessories to ensure you have a fun day out on the water? Regardless of your swimming ability, know the importance of wearing a PFD鈥攚e like the ($120). The waterproof ($48) means you can safely bring along your phone, camera, some snacks, and other essentials without fear of ruin. Highly functional yet comfortable for long days on the water, the ($59.95) will withstand the most serious of adventures. Emanate those endless summer vibes while wearing the retro ($48).听

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Get the most from your time on the water.
鈥�Amy Jurries

Bic ACE-Tec Performer SUP

The 26-pound ($1,150) is happy cruising lakes, running river rapids, and paddling into an overhead set. The 31.5-inch width and refined rocker deliver glide in flatwater, and the three-fin thruster setup surfs well in a range of conditions. 10’6″ and 11’6″;

Spy Allure sunglasses

The lenses on these polarized ($130) maximize the transmission of good rays, boosting clarity and color contrast while (Spy claims) improving your mood and alertness.

Chaco OutCross Evo 2 shoes

The breathable, quick-drying mesh upper keeps your feet cool and blister-free, while the grippy rubber outsole won鈥檛 slip on even the wettest surfaces. $110,

Patagonia Reversible Cutback top

Patagonia鈥檚 nylon-spandex ($55) has a generous band under the bust that prevents gape, and the halter fit and adjustable ties hold everything in place.

Mi Ola Striped boy shorts

Surf, swim, paddle, or soak up the sun鈥攖hese ($120) provide the right amount of stay-in-place coverage. A side drawstring adjusts the waist so there鈥檚 no sag.

Dakine Emalia leggings

The ($84) feature a comfortably wide elastic waistband, to ensure they won鈥檛 come flying off in a wipeout, and are versatile enough to go from board to beachfront bar.

Torch SUP Paddle

A ($250) seems like a gimmick, until you want to extend a perfect day on the water. LEDs run the length of the nylon blade and put out 720 lumens to keep your surroundings visible after the sun goes down.

Aquapac TrailProof duffel bag

This roll-top ($90) safeguards 90 liters鈥� worth of gear at the beach or on top of your board for overnight SUP missions.

MTI Fluid 2.0 PFD

A Coast Guard鈥揳pproved flotation device is mandatory unless you鈥檙e surfing. The ($135) has a zippered pocket on the top lid for necessities, plus attachment points for bringing a water bottle on long excursions.

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