Gear
ArchiveBy Stephen Regenold A million little needles work a million strands of yarn. Gears shift. Machine arms adjust and spin, the mechanized anatomy of a knitting machine pulls raw yarn on one side and spits out a sock on the other. It is a…
I have an older tent, it's still in great condition... except it leaks. I was in a rainstorm and the whole tent leaked, not just the seams but the actual roof fabric. After the tent dried I sprayed sealer I found at the local department store and let it cure, but the next rain it did the same thing. Can you recommend a great spray sealer and seam sealer? Or am I wasting my time and need another tent? The tent is a large two-room tent with an enclosed screen area in the front and we love it, just want to try to save it. — Ramon Elgin, IL
By Stephen Regenold The twice-annual Outdoor Retailer trade show, which will take place this summer in Salt Lake City from August 3 to 6, is a peek at the future of gear. The items displayed on the trade-show floor are…
THE ALL-NEW ROUBAIX As expected, the mystery bike Fabian Cancellara rode to victory over the brutal cobbles of Paris-Roubaix in April was a teaser for Specialized鈥檚 all-new S-Works Roubaix SL3. The company unveiled the bike鈥攁long with several other new models and accessories鈥攆or about international 100 journalists two weeks ago…
The Solar Impulse completed its first night flight at 7:00 A.M. GMT, Reuters reports. Andre Borschberg, the pilot, kept the solar-powered aircraft aloft for just over 26 hours before landing at an air base in Vaud, Switzerland.
By Stephen Regenold It was more than 20 years ago when an enterprising endurance athlete stuffed a medical IV bag into a tube sock and sewed it onto his cycling jersey. CamelBak, the self-proclaimed inventor of the “hands-free hydration…
A Solar Impulse model HB-SIA聽 airplane took off from Switzerland Wednesday morning in an attempt to be the first solar-powered plane to fly for 24 hours, according to CNET news. The plane is designed to fly at night with solar power stored…
A few weeks ago, my friend Aileen and I made a rookie mistake, despite being inveterate outdoorsy types. We hiked 12 miles through Santa Fe National Forest equipped with only an 18-oz water bottle between the both of us. Not the smartest move, especially in high desert. Luckily, just when…
By Stephen Regenold This year, I took two watches around the world. On international trips from Iceland to Nepal, watches from Suunto and Timex served as ever-ready, wrist-mounted gauges. Time, weather, direction, heart rate, and altitude were among the read-outs on my…
I have a 2003 Cannondale Mountain Bike which I would love to convert into a "City Slicker" to ride around town on errands. It's got Ritchey rims, Shimano shifters, brakes, Crank, and front and rear derailleur. In addition, I have some old Continental fat slick tires on it, and a super-old Rock Shock fork. It weighs a ton. What's you best advice to put it on a "diet" to reduce some weight? — Robert Charleston, WV
Trek gathered about 30 international cycling journalists in Rotterdam on Friday to introduce the 2011 Madone line of road bikes. Speaking in a meeting hall just off the route of Saturday鈥檚 Tour de France Prologue, Trek road product manager Tyler Pilger unveiled a Madone line that involves…
By Stephen Regenold A big backpack is an option. Many people bet on rack-mounted panniers. But to really haul a lot of cargo while on two wheels, bike trailers rule. Burley Design of Eugene, Oregon, (burley.com) debuted a smart new offering in the…
It all started back in 2005 when my college roommates and I opened our first Pabst Blue Ribbon of the night. Luke, Will, and I shared a fondness for PBR and dreaming big. The subject of the night was a circumnavigation of the world's largest freshwater lake:…
PRESS CAMP PART 2 Now in its second year, Press Camp is a four-day gathering of journalists and companies from the bike industry. Mornings are filled with one-on-one informational meetings, while the afternoons are reserved for product testing. This year Press Camp was…
By Stephen Regenold Pump it up. Cinch the seat in place. Now, push off into the rapids. That's what it takes to start a whitewater adventure with Zoik Inflatables's AlterEgo kayak (zoikinflatables.com). The pump-up boat, made for…
PRESS CAMP PART 1Now in its second year, Press Camp is a four-day gathering of journalists and companies from the bike industry. Mornings are filled with one-on-one informational meetings, while the afternoons are reserved for product testing. This year Press Camp was…
By Stephen Regenold The Gear Junkie is also a bit of a bike junkie. As of this moment, my one-car city garage is crammed with six bikes, two pull-behind kid trailers, a tag-along attachment, and various child bike seats. Our van is parked on the street.
If you're familiar with the online shopping website Gilt Groupe, then you probably know that it mostly survives on the likes of Gucci, Missoni, Marc Jacobs, and other designers that grace the floors of Neiman…
The One-Bike Quiver This is quite a bike. The 2011 Jekyll鈥攁 name that Cannondale has returned to its lineup after a seven-year hiatus鈥攊s a six-inch all-mountain bike with a rear shock that is literally two shocks in one. A handlebar-mounted remote toggles…
By Stephen Regenold Last July, when Greg Martin rolled across the finish line to win the 2009 Singlespeed World Championships bike race in Canmore, Alberta, one thing was missing from the rig he'd pedaled for 24 hours straight: a bike chain. Martin…
I'm a big believer in using gear for new purposes (i.e., something for which it wasn't originally intended). With that in mind, I took two pieces of cycling apparel and have been logging my running miles in them for the past few weeks. I must say, they've adapted well. Here's…
After trail racing for fifteen years I've had the opportunity to make plenty of mistakes. But more importantly, I've also…
I’m going to be in Syria this summer, and want to find a good pair of non-convertible desert pants that aren’t too tight around the ankles. Any ideas? Tyler Arcata, CA
My wife and I are traveling to Nepal soon for a friend鈥檚 wedding. We are looking for luggage to travel with. My preference is an expedition duffel that I can easily carry on my back and my wife prefers something she can roll. We also both need a carry-on that can double as a bag to carry items in around town, including a Nikon D40 camera. We will be doing significant sightseeing in and around Pokhara, but nothing overnight. What are the best pieces to suit our needs for this trip? Roy Louisville, KY
Your old Gary Fisher mountain bike might become even more of a collector's item. The legendary Fisher bike brand is simultaneously going away and expanding. That鈥檚 the word from Trek, which has owned the Fisher brand since 1996. Trek…
When I was a kid, I don't remember every buying my dad a gift that wasn't a fanciful tie bought at a department store under fluorescent lights or a shiny pen that costs somewhere in the double-digits. I wasn't even sure why someone needed a pen like that–my BIC pens…
When I was a kid, I don't remember every buying my dad a gift that wasn't a fanciful tie bought at a department store under fluorescent lights or a shiny pen that cost somewhere in the double-digits. I wasn't even sure why someone needed a pen like that–my BIC pens…
I’m searching for a great multi-purpose backpack for graduate school. I'd like to use it while biking to carry my laptop, books, and some dog accessories. In addition, I'd love to be able to throw a bladder in there along with some hiking gear. Any suggestions for me as to what route to go for a super sweet new pack?—LizDenver, CO
I sweat a lot when I mountain bike, and when I wear sunglasses they usually fog up, or the lens gets covered in dripping sweat. I've tried to wear a headband, but that doesn't work. Do you have a recommendation for sunglasses with lenses that won't fog up or get covered with beads of sweat?Todd Jenkintown, PA
Electra鈥檚 spirited exploration of the city/cruiser/commuter category continues with its new Ticino line of retro-styled city bikes. I spent the winter and spring commuting around Boulder, Colorado, on the top-of the line Ticino 20D and had a hard time giving it back. Though not always the…
In November, Budweiser tapped Jackson Kayaks founder Eric Jackson, a perennial favorite at TMG’s freestyle kayaking contest, as the face of its American Ale, ordering 8,300 kayaks to display in liquor stores across the country. (Only 11,000 were sold in the U.S. in all of 2009.) Bud’s $20,000 sponsorship will…
By Stephen Regenold It may look like an inflatable pool toy, but the pack raft, a personal watercraft with roots in aviator survival boats from World War II, is a serious tool for some backcountry explorers. Lightweight and durable, the blow-up boats…
WHERE TO USE IT: One glimpse of Longs Peak’s 1,500-foot vertical east face and you’ll know why you came: This 14,259-foot Colorado mountain is no mellow slag heap. The 15-mile round-trip hike gains 5,000 feet and demands an alpine start; afternoon lightning storms are a given. You can also tackle…
WHERE TO USE IT: Lake Winni颅pesaukee, near New Hampshire’s White Mountains, is 72 square miles of tree-lined coves and some 300 sprawling islands聴not to mentionwaterfront cabins with long wooden docks. Rent one on the quieter northor east side of the lake (from $1,000 per week; preferredrentals.com), then…
Trek has announced a huge push into the exploding triathlon market with its new Speed Concept frame, which it calls 鈥渢he fastest bike in the world.鈥 Part of what makes the Speed Concept so fast, Trek CEO John Burke told a gathering of journalists and…
By Stephen Regenold Headlamps have become de rigueur in the outdoors world for light at night. But the handheld flashlight still has a place for camping and other activities. This spring I put three flashlight models head to head, including a penlight, a super-bright model, and one…
I would like to find a pair of clipless cycling shoes that are suited for adventure cycling with conditions that demand you have to hike while carry the bike. I have some old Sidi shoes but they don’t do the job when walking. Suggestions?—TonyLima, Peru
I was just reading about pepper spray repelling a mountain lion...what about using one of those very loud boating/marine fog horns? These horns are quite small but can be very loud.
By Stephen Regenold A part of the mission of Cyclelogical, a small bike-products company based in Ogden, Utah, is to keep “the world we live in safe for bicycle commuting everywhere.” The company's Chopspokes cost just $7 and…
Think fast: Name three personal items you can鈥檛 live without while on the road. Running shoes? iPod? Journal or camera? What makes the cut? How do you decide? I鈥檓 not suggesting the Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Ultrasoft Shell Jacket ($160) bump anything off your list. But…
By Stephen Regenold Over the past few years, reviewing equipment for camping, hiking, biking, and other pursuits, a few products and a few ideas have stood out. These five innovations in gear have literally changed the way I do things outside.
By Stephen Regenold Marketed as “the Swiss Army knife of prescription eyewear,” Smith Optics' PivLock V90 glasses offer a new type of system for anyone in need of vision enhancement in the outdoors. In short, glasses wearers can purchase a prescription lens…
“Not just different. Better.” That tester’s observation sums up this 15-degree bag from Montbell, whose major tech innovation—spiraled baffles—made it the most comfortable and best-functioning bag we tested this year. Far from a gimmick, the spiral baffles drape more evenly over the body, creating…
Karhu鈥檚 Strong Fulcrum Ride ($140) seems different out of the box than other road running shoes. Perhaps, it鈥檚 the styling with its nod to fashionable casual footwear. The stark white shoe has but a few touches…
Advice on finding the best gear—and tried-n-true methods for maintaining your gear for years to come.
By Stephen Regenold In the running as the priciest underwear on the outdoor market, Ibex Outdoor Clothing touts its Balance Boxer Shorts as a body-mapped “second skin.” They cost $45 and are made of an itch-free wool that in my test did indeed take…
Sleeping Bags Twenty-seven testers fanned out across the Pacific Northwest, bedding down for an accumulated 88 nights in 25 different sleeping bags. Trail Shoes Over five months, Jason Stevenson and his team of three testers evaluated 70 pairs of light hikers in six states—from Arizona…
By Stephen Regenold Invented during the Great Depression, and seen as a small icon of American design for more than 75 years since, Zippo brand lighters package fuel, spark, and flame in a portable, durable metal case. Flip…
Years ago I wrote in and you recommended a Gregory Forester pack for my separated shoulder. It has served me well. I have lost too much weight for the large belt to keep the pack on my hips and getting a new belt has been difficult. I am headed to Philmont and am looking at the Gregory Baltoro 70, Osprey Aether 70, Deuter Act lite 60 +10, and the REI Flash 65. Could I go wrong with the REI Flash? Very light on the back and wallet. Mike Spory, VA
By Stephen Regenold “Free of bisphenol-A. Free of polycarbonate. Free of phthalates. Free of cadmium. Free of lead. Free of PVC.” Thus read the bullet points dissecting the makeup of Thinksport's 350 Silver water bottle. The $15.99 stainless-steel bottle comes from…
Today, a guest post from 国产吃瓜黑料 senior executive editor Michael Roberts. During a recent trip to Santa Fe, I got a chance to test a Jackal MC-1, a hardtail carbon-fiber mountain bike…
I'm graduating from a Masters program in May, and planning, possibly, my last great summer get-away before becoming a hard-working stiff in September. My itinerary from mid-May through August includes a hiking/camping cross-country road trip to Sedona, two weeks of camping and hiking in Alaska, volunteering as a fly-fishing instructor in Alaska, and traveling in Asia for three weeks. If you were putting together a recommended gear list (particularly lightweight waterproof jacket, backpack, tent, and sleeping bag) from scratch where would you start?—JosephPittsburgh, PA
By Stephen Regenold A pair of international trips this year have netted me multiple bouts of stomach sickness, but I can't say I haven't tried to allude the little bugs that cause ill will to so many travelers. One weapon I've employed, the 国产吃瓜黑料rOpti…
I woke up this morning to fresh, white snow. Snow! I know! It's totally shocking, right? Only it's not. I live in Jackson, WY, and it's only April 30th. We get snowstorms in early June, hailstorms in July and snowstorms in late August. It's normal for a 6,237-foot-high mountain town.
By Stephen Regenold “Climb efficiently, and descend like a champ.” That was the line from a Giant Bicycle sales rep when describing the theme of the company's Anthem line of mountain bikes.聽 For the past few months, including three competitive events and hundreds of…
Wow, it's been nearly a decade I've been stopping in and asking you questions for my Army sponsored jaunts around the globe. It's Afghanistan this time and I need a stiff mountaineering boot that is still light and won't cook my feet to death in the 110 degree heat this summer. Our issue boots are getting better, but still aren't quite there for the really steep, rocky stuff. My average load is around 40 to 60 pounds with the body armor. Don't worry about colors or "military looking" stuff. Just let me know what will get the job done. BTW: The Suunto altimeter you turned me onto back in '02 is still going strong and hard at work over here. Nice job.—LarryFirebase Vulcan, Afghanistan
Stylish sport coat or performance cycling apparel? Actually, it’s both. I first rode around town in Rapha’s Tailored Jacket on a roasting summer day—and, believe it or not, was comfortable, unconstrained, and even cool. Rapha joined forces with famed London tailor Timothy Everest (no relation to that other one) for…
In the last few years I have really taken to trail running long distances. My long runs can last over eight hours and are often big loops or out-and-backs in the mountains. Stream water is abundant on the trails in Cascades where I run but unsafe to drink untreated. When I hike or backpack I can take my water purifier. While trail running I try and travel light. It looks like some of the treatment tablets take up to four hours and are not effective against all the nasties in the water. What do recommend for water treatment?—TomSeattle, WA
This year, U.S. Soccer finally fields a team worthy of competing—and making a serious run—at the world's greatest tournament. Heard that one before? Presenting a few reasons June in South Africa could be a whole different story.
By Stephen Regenold Mike Horn is a South African explorer known for his solo sailing expeditions and extreme feats, such as circumnavigating a route along the Arctic Circle via kayak, ski, and on foot. It was a solo trek that took more…
It started with sneakers (Prada) and moved on to bikes (Gucci). Now designer brands have hit the outdoor industry head-on with Chanel’s new line of $4,000 surfboards, debuting this spring. Go ahead and paddle out on one; we’re sure the locals will respect you for it. High fashion co-opts surfboards…
The new canvas for artistic expression? Bike racks. San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, among other cities, have instituted design competitions for their sidewalk bike racks. And in New York this spring, workers will begin replacing 225 outdated parking meters with winning rack designs—which, presumably, will not look like parking…
When we first contemplated the idea of stand-up paddling across the Hawaiian islandchain, it sounded so simple: All we would need would be a boat, a willing and able captain, and some boards and paddles. What we've learned is that planning a trip like this requires a…
1. If there’s one thing you need, it’s a nice pair of bibs. Whether or not the contoured fit of Sugoi‘s RSE bibs ($200; sugoi.ca) helped lessen muscle fatigue, as advertised, was hard to gauge. But both the moisture-wicking interior and quick-drying chamois received rave reviews.
1. Zoic‘s Black Market ($69; zoic.com) quickly became our go-to shorts. The reasons: plenty of pockets, a loose but not baggy fit, and, most important, an inner short with a super-comfy chamois. Mountain biking apparel MTB style 2. Thanks to its street-smart style and semi-fitted…
By Stephen Regenold It won't be in stores until this summer, but at $199, the Nano Puff Hoody from Patagonia is worth putting on your gear radar right now. I have been wearing an early-release version of the lightweight hooded…
Give me a well-crafted paddle, and I鈥檒l take a grocery cart down a Class V. Give me a clunky, over-weighted paddle, and you couldn’t pay me to roll in a kiddie pool. A poor paddle equals poor paddling. It’s that simple.聽As a general rule, a good creeking…
On first glance, the black grips on the Wenger EvoGrip S18 look gimmicky and the Big Bird-yellow color is a bit loud for my taste. But, after a few test runs, I realized that the non-slip rubber allowed me to cut with more confidence and the…
By Stephen Regenold Loved to death. That was the case with my first pair of Inov-8 Roclite 285s, a shoe that I destroyed after a year of use and a couple hundred collective miles of trail traveled underfoot. The shoe–lightweight…