Men's
Archive
LOVES BIG LOADS Can’t decide whether to pack the pinot noir or the grigio? Bring ’em both—and the cast-iron skillet. On a multi-day trip in the Cascades, the Argon’s burly suspension system and memory-foam hipbelt and shoulder straps didn’t flinch at 60-plus pounds. It’s also crammed with tons of user-friendly…
Tiny but powerful: In mild weather at 9,500 feet, we easily boiled a liter of water in less than five minutes. 2.4 oz; optimus.se…
It’s not a gimmick. You really can toss WRSI’s football-themed throw bag farther and more accurately. When your buddy’s trapped in a recirculating eddy, drill him in the head. Trust us, he’ll thank you. whitewaterhelmet.com…
NO MORE OVERHEATING Breathability can be a bugger to gauge. But of the 30-odd hard shells we tested, the Pinnacle, from British newcomer Rab, let the moisture out better than the rest. Credit the jacket’s two-layer eVent fabric, which, like most waterproof-breathable fabrics, uses a porous membrane that vents…
SMALLER AND SMARTER This is BlackBerry’s finest model to date. Svelte and ultralight, it’s more like a cell phone—and less like a paperweight—than its predecessors. But despite the diminutive scale, the Curve is endowed with a full qwerty keyboard we found to be unbeatable among smartphones for fast, accurate typing.
SMOOTH OPERATOR Good for Big Mountain The Monster 102 is only a millimeter slimmer than Head’s pro-model ski, the plank-stiff 103, but the performance is a world apart. Thanks to its softer tip and a powerful tail, it’s easier to move through tight trees and…
One of the best all-mountain boots this year, the expert-level Blower “feels like an F1 car with monster-truck suspension,” said one tester. And while we don’t normally condone manfur, it’s what makes this twitchy, race-inspired boot so comfy. nordicausa.com…
The upper vents are lined with mesh, while the two in front create good airflow—our goggles never fogged up. But our favorite thing about the Vigilante is the Boa fit system. Just spin a knob at the back of the helmet to dial in the perfect fit.
Good for Touring If you spend as much time going up as coming down, the new Dynafits are the way to go. They're unbelievably light but tougher than they look. “You really can charge on these,” maintained one tester. The Vertical FT12 is fundamentally the same as the previous…
The PrimaLoft-insulated and waterproof/breathable Ripped has a moisture-wicking liner made of odor-resistant bamboo charcoal. kombisports.com…
The inner layer is 100 percent bamboo charcoal, which is naturally antimicrobial, while the outer layer is a poly-and-merino blend. Upshot: It’s surprisingly warm for its weight, and I couldn’t stink it up no matter how hard I tried. kombisports.com…
THE CRUISER Good for Backcountry The Burnside is neither the lightest nor the most technical jacket here, but that’s not this crossover shell’s point. The two-ply waterproof-breathable polyester shell repels precipitation well enough for a full day on the slopes or a long hike or walk…
1. From backyard strolls to backwoods epics, the Back颅country was our favorite all-purpose snowshoe. Its frame is really two pieces of aluminum alloy held together at the toe and heel by sturdy, flexible plastic, so the deck self-adjusts to tricky terrain. The inner tail is streamlined to allow a…
SAFE AT ANY SPEED With its cap sidewall construction, the Timeless dishes up supersmooth, chatter-free turns at any speed. But it likes to rip, too. At higher velocity, Palmer’s FLF technology (which earned the company a Gear of the Year award last year) slightly lifts the nose and tail, to…
Testers loved the tagless, adjustable waistband and removable chamois. And because most dirt jerseys are too baggy to secure an iPod, the MP3 pocket and headphone port make sense on these shorts. zoic.com…
This green-minded company’s solvents, lubes, and polishes are all biodegradable, and the reusable bucket comes with a paper-based cellulose sponge and horsehair brushes. And, yes, all of it works as well as—if not better than—the traditional stuff. pedros.com…
Why It’s CoolIt’s tough, for one thing, owing to its magnesium body. But it’s also smart, with a 28-200mm SLR-equivalent Carl Zeiss zoom that’s very bright and supersharp. 禄 You can start firing within a second of powering up—and we’re talking full-size eight-megapixel shots at a screaming 2.6 frames a…
Technical Terrain Do your runs tend to involve alpine passes and rocky scrambles? Let us point you to the Wildcat, a supportive, moderately stiff shoe that can handle all-day outings or even adventure races. With solid underfoot and toe protection, a grippy outsole that excels on rock,…
Yeah, it’s just a beach chair—a beach chair that’s made of ash and stainless steel, has big and small cargo pockets, and can be carried hands-free, like a backpack. Most important, this baby reclines like you’re in business class, so you can tap in to the perfect nap angle.
With 75 preprogrammed beaches around the world, the 100-meter-depth-rated Tide 3.0 churns out high and low tide, direction, and wave height for any day in the next 15 years and features stopwatch, alarm, and dual zones. freestyleusa.com…
The single-hinge design makes for a comfortable grip on these backcountry-ready binocs. And with a wide field of view and excellent clarity at dawn or dusk, they’re ideal for viewing wildlife. 10.5×45; leupold.com…
Why It’s CoolTo support one-handed shooting, Fuji glued soft rubber where the heel of your mitt meets the camera’s body, and finger grooves up front on the “handle” below the shutter housing. 禄 The 3.1-megapixel FinePix will shoot almost five frames a second, for five seconds. That fast mode, combined…
This is what happens when you get one of the world’s toughest adventurers to help design a multitool. You can open the tool’s two knives with one gloved hand, and there’s a sturdy needle-nose pliers and even a reamer that can bore holes through wood. 8.8 oz;…
If you need a shelter that can handle the nastiest weather year-round, Hilleberg’s flagship model, the Kaitum, is the best non-freestanding tent we’ve ever tested. Setup, even in high winds, is a snap, and the tube-style design sheds snow easily. Because the body and fly are linked, you can…
The svelte, 2,150-cubic-inch Koa 35 was ideal for light, fast overnight trips. Testers loved the breezy mesh back panel and the cram-friendly roll-top closure. And although it looks minimalist, the Koa is actually bedecked with a bunch of clever features. There’s a stretchy zip-away pocket on the front of the…
Good for the Road This affordable neutral shoe had testers raving about its plush cushioning. It was easily the softest of our test but somehow found a way to impress everyone, from our heavier, slower runners to our faster, svelter ones. The reason: For all the shock…
Like to move fast? This lightweight snowshoe took top honors among runners and speedier testers on even terrain. The binding’s crisscrossed webbing cinches tight with an easy tug, and the heel strap fits everything from low-profile running shoes to bulky snow boots. On icy days when you…
Good for Frontside Got fresh legs and a belly full of breakfast burrito? Rotate the knob on the Tigershark’s tail to dynamic mode and feel this damp and stable cruiser morph into a hyper-energized beer-league racer. Already had that beer? Switch it back to cruise control mode…
Because of its high-cut shell and 11 metal-screened vents that channel air in but keep snow out, I could feel the air rushing around my head, making this the perfect lid for those warm spring days. Available in ten different graphic options. nutcasehelmets.com…
ALPINE TOURING Good for All Mountain With unrivaled downhill performance, the DIN-16 Duke does anything a resort binding can鈥攈uck air, carve rails, hammer bump lines. Just don't think of it as an AT binding. It's an alpine binding with a walk mode. Yes, the Duke will tour when you…
Good for Backcountry We’re not too nuts about the term “all-purpose” either, but we hope you understand our point: Whatever you do, from resort skiing to snowshoeing, we’ve got the perfect jacket for you. Some, like the North Face Free Thinker II, are bedecked with nearly a…
Good for Backcountry Stretch is right. This super-soft bamboo-and-poly shirt moves like second skin. Bamboo complements the speedy wicking of polyester with natural anti-stink properties. kombisports.com…
We love the actual physical control dial and gas-gauge-style memory and battery indicators up top of this 12.2-meg digicam, but its wide 24mm lens, ultrabright, three-inch active-matrix OLED display, and HD video are the real sells. samsung.com…
After a long day in overcranked ski boots—or at the beginning of a lazy, chilly morning—we slip into the faux-fur-lined OLR. They’re like wearing bunny slippers, except you can leave the house without getting high-fives from strangers. sanuk.com…
Up You Go “Rolled up the hills almost on its own,” wrote one tester. While that’s obviously an exaggeration, everyone agreed that the hardtailed, big-wheeled Stumpy was one of the most efficient climbers this year. But even more impressive was how it handled on the way down. Whereas most hardtails…
Most Versatile You can certainly find less expensive day hikers out there, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any as versatile and sturdy as the Thunder. Testers reported this lightweight hiker was comfy and reliable during every stage of the review process—right out of the box, on day hikes, and…
Urban Hiker Half messenger bag, half backpack: That’s the easiest way to describe this 1,500-cubic-inch urban hauler. With a well-cushioned 15.4-inch laptop pocket and a DWR-coated, splash-resistant flap closure, it’s the perfect pack for biking to work or walking to the coffee shop. Thanks to the same breathable mesh padding…
Streamlined Protection Martinis. Lobster rolls. Jackets. At the end of the day, each is only as good as its main ingredient. And that’s why the Brisk was so universally lauded this year—it’s cut from Gore’s Windstopper fabric, a perennial tester favorite that strikes a good balance between protecting you from…
Serve up good, strong, and hot coffee courtesy of GSI Outdoors’ double-walled and insulated 30-oz Java Press. gsioutdoors.com…
Road Our bib tester, “the Sharkman,” rode 3,653 miles in roughly half a dozen bibs over the past 12 months. These are his favorites. Pearl Izumi will tell you it's the sculpted and seamless chamois and breathable fabric; the Sharkman reported “no hot spots, no bunching,'' and an overall “outstanding”…
Sail Away The Ventus was designed in collaboration with the U.S. Sailing Team. And while it certainly looks the part, it’s no one-trick pony. The siped outsoles and mesh-protected drain ports performed nicely kayaking around the lake, and just as well beachcombing in Florida. sperrytopsider.com…
In cool weather, Marmot’s Trail Wind Jacket rarely feels clammy, thanks to its moisture-wicking fabric and underarm vents. marmot.com…
Utility For Town or Country Need a tour-ready, highly walkable shoe that delivers stiffness and a grabby tread pattern鈥攁nd is also pretty styling? Here you go. The tough leather upper took a beating and easily brushed clean, the roomy toe box was comfortable on long rides, and the reflective…
Rambler The renowned comfort of Dansko doesn’t just come in a clog. This looks like a leather hiking boot but is actually a walking machine (especially suited for the high-arched), up for lower-impact trail forays, with four plush layers underfoot. dansko.com…
Ansel in Your Pocket The design-conscious Germans didn’t invent the category of full-featured, full-sensor compact (that honor probably goes to Sigma, for last year’s DP2). But they do it better than anyone. The 12.2MP X1 uses a top-of-the-line CMOS sensor and a fixed 36mm f/2.8 lens of the first order,…
Prints from the EPSON STYLUS PHOTO 900 ($199) use a special quick-drying ink, so they come out smudge-proof. You can also print on plastic: Fire up the enclosed software, insert a CD into a special holder, slide that into the printer, and you’re ready to immortalize an image directly onto…
We didn’t expect the first hybrid Android smartphone/GPS device to do both jobs so competently. Preloaded with maps for North America—with worldwide ones downloadable from Garmin’s store—it uses cell towers and satellites, for better, faster mapping (especially in rural areas) than any other phone can offer. The camera, music player,…
This mid-height snow boot is stuffed full of that patented Ugg sheepskin lining to shield you from the harshest temperatures, but it’s also a better overall performer better than their other models. That’s thanks to a waterproof ballistic-nylon upper, wet-and-snow-resistant Vibram outsole, and waterproof-breathable eVent lining. It’s solid underfoot,…
Like the Sorels and Patagonias, these boots have a metallic lining—aluminum in this case—that reflects heat back to your foot and boosts warmth by about 20 percent. Its lower cut and sneaker-like comfort make it great for day hikes, but you’ll need gaiters if you’re going snowshoeing in powder.
Big Mountain With plenty of snow to push around during testing at Utah’s Powder Mountain, people didn’t wait long to dig in with Scott’s fattest ski. The general consensus: Most felt its name is somewhat misleading. “Lively … Stay forward and let the rockered tips plow over anything,” said one…
Alpine Touring Game-changer alert! The price tag is no joke, but the TLT, with its full carbon-fiber upper cuff, boasts the best stiffness-to-weight ratio we’ve ever seen. It weighs less than five pounds, and it rips: The two-buckle lockdown system yields solid ski-to-boot power. Shave off a quarter of the…
Top it off with an ultralight lid like CAMP‘s SPEED HELMET.
You have to hand it to big-mountain legend Jeremy Jones for launching a successful board line during the recession. Straight out of the gate, Jones’s boards won over our testers. In the end, though, it was the versatile Mountain Twin that had them wishing we could extend our test…
Rome’s new lacing system lets you adjust four different areas—the inner liner, forefoot, ankle, and upper cuff. Sounds complicated, but two cords are all it takes. And it works. The Libertine received the highest score for out-of-the-box comfort and chutes-to-kickers credibility. TAGS: customizable fit, supportive…
POWDER SPECIALIST The Gambit—by Boulder, Colorado–based custom ski builder Folsom—is part of a new generation of fat skis that are serviceable on groomers, too. Here, the aggressively rockered tip and tail are tapered for a loose feel in deep snow, but the traditional camber and sidecut let you edge with…
MADSHUS‘s NANO SKC BOOT is a no-frills carbon-cuffed racer.
CW-X‘s REVOLUTION TIGHTS will serve you well. Through a miraculous feat of fabric engineering, they combine light, stretchy CoolMax sections with firm muscle-supporting panels without a tangle of seams.
SHIMANO‘s redesigned XTR PD-M980 RACE PEDAL is lighter than its predecessor yet has three times the platform area.
Board Sport Unbuckle the Blade’s padded back flap, place your snowboard across the pack horizontally, rebuckle, and you’re off. Not only is the process as quick and easy as it sounds, but testers liked the way this design balances the board’s weight, even if it’s not ideal in every situation…
MOST VERSATILE During a week of testing at Copper Mountain, the Mythic Rider’s composite-and-titanal core delivered a smooth, consistent flex on bulletproof groomers, soft bumps, and even manky, wind-scoured snow. And thanks to its thinned-down center and beefed-up edges, it has tenacious grip. Which is a good thing, because this…
TAKES IT EASY Good for Packed Trails If cushion is king for high-mileage training or heavier runners, then the Supernova reigns supreme. Its pillowy crash pad is perfect for cruising on mellow trails. And despite its speedy geometry—the shoe is tilted slightly forward—the forefoot foam doesn’t feel gutted.
Size, Price: 64 oz, $23; 100 oz, $25Flow Rate: 2*Funk Figher?: Yes, with cleaning tablets, sold separatelyFilter-Compatible?: YesValve Shutoff?: YesGotta Love: Big Bore wide opening: Throw in the ice!Bummer: Rigid valve can be tough on teethSplat Test: Survived *Ratings: 1=Average, 3=Excellent…
1. Atlas’s signature Spring-Loaded Suspension helps underfoot crampons bite into hard snow and ice for maximum traction. Offset rows of aggressive teeth have exceptional lateral stability and grip to keep you from sliding sideways while traversing. During a heinous descent of Vermont’s exposed Sunset Ridge Trail—a mix of rock,…
Good for Resort Just like the turquoise-and-hot-pink, three-in-one Columbia you skied in as a kid—only much better. The inner jacket, a trim-fitting, polyester-lined down puffy with pit zips and three internal pockets, is practically worth the price of admission on its own. Ditto the waterproof-breathable shell, with…
Why It’s CoolYou can paddle it, sail it, and fold it up to take with you wherever you go, making this the definitive kayak for adventure travelers. 禄 A beefy hull and keel strip protect against tears on coral or ice. 禄 You can change the hull shape from a…
1. Thanks to the 690-cubic-inch Bandit’s low profile, we barely noticed it while riding lifts. And when we wanted to leave the gates or head out for a quick backcountry tour, this pack was the perfect size. 2. The Bandit’s sleek look belies its utilitarian nature. Inside, you’ve got…
Sportsman These brown-tint polarized lenses had us fooled; so super颅fine are the optics, we were sure we were looking through glass. Nope, it’s Maui’s proprietary Evolution material. The company won’t say much about the stuff except that it’s some new kind of plastic. Indeed, in a quietly stylish, manly wrap…
VERSATILE, AFFORDABLE Lose your glasses every other month? Don’t be embarrassed. Just buy these bargain shades and stop losing your money too. You get pink/red photochromic lenses that are good to go all day, and detailing like an adjustable metal nosepiece, sticky rubber where you need it, and antifog vents…
聽 London, Rio, L.A., and Tokyo on the itinerary? With 24 cities ringing the crystal, all you need to do is dial in the appropriate metropolis and you’re in the (time) zone. txwatches.com 聽 聽 聽 聽…
Why It’s CoolThis old-school panel-access pack reminds me how much I miss that architecture. No need for multiple pockets when you can zip a stretchy front panel up or down and nab necessities at will. 禄 Internal compression panels and external straps keep the contents hypersecure—no load shift. 禄 Superb…
Why They’re CoolThere’s a 20-foot-long slab of slick rhyolite near my house, inclined at about 55 degrees. Maybe one out of ten pairs of hikers I try will cling to it at all, but the sticky-soled Ventures just walked right on up. 禄 Surprisingly, the sharp lugs also performed perfectly…
This genius watch measures your resting heart rate (collected while you take a five-minute break) and automatically builds a weekly training regimen. Then it tracks your progress and updates your workouts accordingly. www.polarusa.com…
Why It’s CoolThe Hubba Hubba beguiled me right away with its prismatic fly and seductive space-pod look. 禄 This radiant four-pound freestander sets up in a jiffy, with a single arching pole, short pole, hub connector, and clip-in mesh canopy. 禄 The 40-inch ceiling and 30-square-foot floor afford two adults…
Fancy yourself a Mr. Fixit? You’ll never lack for the right screwdriver with this foldout tool and its six interchangeable bits (Phillips, flat, and Torx). Fix failed? The ‘biner clip can pop open a cold bottle of consolation. www.leatherman.com…
Why They’re CoolDefying their given name, the two-pound-12-ounce Alpine Trails are great warm-weather boots, with breathable all-leather construction and no waterproof lining. 禄 The high-topped uppers fended off whistling-thorn acacia in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve, while protecting my ankles from rocks and (I hoped) mamba bites. Support was excellent for…
Why It’s CoolThe Eagle has landed! This one bears a retro-chic likeness to the 1969 Apollo landing craft, down to the folding footpads. 禄 Dock fuel line to fuel bottle with a gratifying click, commence pumping, and—presto—the Apex II is chugging away with a whof-whof—and no need to prime it…
Clif’s first 100 percent organic bar contains two servings of fruit—and no more than five ingredients total. Our fave: Dark Chocolate & Walnut. www.clifbar.com…
Why It’s CoolJake welded all the seams together, eliminating 26 feet of tape and a spool or so worth of thread. 禄 This construction, along with the choice of fabric— Burton’s own Storm-Lite waterproof-breathable, which has a soft nylon outer shell—makes the Continuum Fuse noticeably more pliable than a sewn…
Get howitzer-like bang for your buck with the Logic. Its functional midweight fabric—a stretchy nylon water-repellent face woven to a soft fleece lining—works for almost any activity from early spring to late fall. The high versatility is married to clean detailing (such as laser-cut zipper openings) normally reserved for…