To those who have already hung up their skis for the season now that winter is officially over鈥攜ou鈥檙e missing the good stuff. April is a great time to hit the resort and enjoy soft turns in spring corn, short lift lines, and end-of-season closing festivities.

Watch: How to Choose a Line in the Bumps

That said, hitting the sweet spot with springtime conditions can be a challenge when the snowpack enters a melt-freeze cycle. Too early in the day, and those slushy bumps are glazed over and filled with death cookies. Too late, and you might as well be skiing through real mashed potatoes. When it comes to spring skiing, timing is everything.

Luke Toritto, a fully-certified PSIA ski instructor at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, is well acquainted with the mixed bag of snow conditions that spring skiing can hold. 鈥淏ut when you can time it right and ski soft groomers in the morning and slushy, playful bumps in the afternoon, that鈥檚 the best,鈥� he says.

Working as a ski instructor for over a decade, Toritto has fine-tuned his strategy for optimizing soft, forgiving turns in the spring. Here, he shares his tips for how to make the most out of the end of the season.

Come in with a different mindset

While winter resort days are usually about sniffing out the best powder stashes on the hill, springtime is a good time to be more strategic. According to Toritto, step one of spring resort skiing is changing your mindset. 鈥淢idwinter, you can sometimes come to the resort and bank on getting good skiing the whole day in cold snow. But in the spring you have to look for a window here and a window there,鈥� he says. 鈥淪pring skiing is less about charging hard all day and more about having fun and celebrating the season.鈥� For Toritto, spring turns are like a bonus, icing on the cake to a successful season. It鈥檚 a time to relax, enjoy a sunny lunch on the deck, and wrap up the day with live music.

Know your aspects

Slope aspect is everything with spring skiing, and getting familiar with the aspects of some of your favorite runs will help you time them. In the northern hemisphere, north-facing slopes are the most shaded, often holding dry, cold snow when the rest of the solar aspects are heating up. South and east aspects get the most sun, and will be most susceptible to big temperature fluctuations. Toritto says in the spring he鈥檒l often stick to north-facing aspects earlier in the day, until the sun softens the south and east aspects. Midday, south and east slopes can ski really well, until they鈥檝e gotten too blasted by the sun by late afternoon.

Related:

Work your way up the mountain

Elevation can play another key role in choosing terrain. At most resorts, where temperatures are higher at the base and colder up high, starting low and working up higher throughout the day as it warms can be a good strategy. When the corn gets slushy and grabby down low, head to the upper mountain for cooler temps. It鈥檚 worth checking your local resort for temperatures at different elevation bands (often the resort website will list a base and summit temperature) to check if that鈥檚 the case. Resorts like Jackson Hole often have temperature inversions, so some days it pays to start up high where it鈥檚 warmer.

Check the grooming report

Many resorts put out a daily grooming report, a trick that Toritto uses to determine where to start his day in the morning. 鈥淚t鈥檚 worth checking what got groomed overnight and what was groomed in the morning,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nything groomed in the morning tends to be softer and smoother than the snow that was groomed overnight, which can set up to be weird and chunky.鈥�

Quit early

Yeah, you read that right. When temps are rising into the 40s throughout the day, don鈥檛 get lured into skiing until last chair. Grabby and sloppy conditions at the end of the day can be challenging, but also dangerous. Toritto says he鈥檒l often call it at 2 p.m. if it鈥檚 getting too warm. 鈥淎 lot of injuries happen late in the day in sloppy, heavy snow. Keeping an eye on the snow and how your body feels can keep you from getting hurt,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat might be the best time to enjoy some beers in the sun and catch live music at the base.鈥�

Ski the East

Again, you read that right. While it鈥檚 hard to compare the midwinter skiing in the Rockies to anything out east, Toritto firmly believes the East Coast corn skiing rivals the West. Toritto has noticed that man-made snow, which is prevalent at , corns up more easily and he鈥檚 found East Coast corn snow to be more smooth and consistent compared to the West鈥檚 more complex snow conditions. 鈥淒on鈥檛 underestimate the East Coast, especially in the spring,鈥� Toritto concludes.

The post 6 Tips For Finding and Skiing the Best Spring Snow appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The flat fields of the Mississippi Delta seem endless, and they can magically transport a traveler into the past. Sometimes when I鈥檓 driving through a stretch of this crescent-shaped part of northwest Mississippi鈥攏ot to be confused with the region hundreds of miles south of here where the Mississippi River flows into the Gulf of Mexico鈥擨 look at the landscape and feel like I鈥檓 in one of those classic shots taken by a Depression-era photographer like . I know those photos intimately from the pages of books, but when I鈥檓 here, I鈥檓 also wandering through the early pages of my life.

My family once lived in the Delta, and I鈥檝e been visiting it since I was a child. But if I鈥檓 being honest, I didn鈥檛 fully appreciate the richness of this place until I was well into middle age, when I came back to Mississippi to teach after decades of living in the Northeast.

I鈥檝e always been fascinated by the dramatic you experience just north of Yazoo City鈥攏ear the southern end of the Delta鈥攚hen your car goes down a hill and, suddenly, the land looks tabletop flat for as far as you can see. In my mid-forties, to connect with the memory of my younger self, I began driving Delta roads as a pastime. Later I began to wander from them and ramble through towns with a litany of colorful names鈥擬idnight, Alligator, Panther Burn, Egypt鈥攗nsure what I was searching for. Now, at age 65, I鈥檓 still driving around, with a new and profound sense of wonder.

The post Mississippi Delta: Returning Home to Its Haunted Past appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 that time of year again: springtime. And with the blooming flowers and occasional rain showers, comes watery eyes, itchy throats, and lots of sneezing. Allergy season is upon us.

Like me, you may have had the same exchange with your friends, coworkers, or even your barista: 鈥淭his allergy season is brutal!鈥� But is it really more unpleasant than previous years?

Is This Year鈥檚 Allergy Season Worse Than Usual?

You may think that your area of the country has been hit the hardest by this year鈥檚 allergy season. And while you may not be wrong, you鈥檙e not exactly right either. 鈥淚 think this is a common issue across all of the U.S.,鈥� says , an allergist and immunologist at Indiana University School of Medicine. However, in certain areas of the country, weather pattern changes may promote more pollination in our trees and grasses than a typical season, he says.

鈥淏ased on what my patients are telling me, it does seem to be a little bit worse than perhaps some of the more recent ones,鈥� Jin says. 鈥淏ut I will say, overall, there鈥檚 a lot of variability from season to season.鈥� It鈥檚 not unusual to have a season with higher pollen counts, followed by one with lower levels, he says, according to historical data. Pollen counts

You also may be dealing with those symptoms for a longer period of time. by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America found that recent pollen seasons are almost a month longer than they were 30 years ago.

Can Allergy Medications Become Ineffective?

If you鈥檙e anything like me, during the springtime months, you take your daily dose of an antihistamine, such as Zyrtec or Claritin, right as your morning alarm goes off. But if you鈥檙e still in a fog, you may wonder: Is this medication even making a dent?

鈥淚f a person鈥檚 been taking an antihistamine for a long time, they can seem to get less effective,鈥� Jin says. In that case, he recommends switching to a different antihistamine. If you鈥檝e identified as a Zyrtec person for years, you may want to switch to Claritin for a week or two鈥攐r vice versa.

When tablet medications don鈥檛 seem to do the trick at subduing your itchy eyes, Jin says you can discuss the option of adding on more medication with your doctor, such as a steroid-based nasal spray.

However, if the antihistamine and nasal spray treatments aren鈥檛 cutting it, Jin recommends meeting with an allergist to find out what you鈥檙e specifically allergic to. After completing those tests, you and your allergist can design a plan for desensitization, which may include allergy shots. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a big way we help people manage the allergy symptoms,鈥� he says.

I鈥檝e Never Had Allergies Before. Why Am I Suddenly Being Walloped?

I鈥檒l never forget my first time鈥� developing seasonal allergies. It was the spring of 2020 and along with dealing with the start of the pandemic, I was also confronted with itchy and watery eyes. Developing seasonal allergies later in life isn鈥檛 unusual, according to Jin.

鈥淭he development of environmental allergies can occur at almost any time point in a person鈥檚 life,鈥� he explains. Even if it鈥檚 not well understood why that happens, Jin says he鈥檚 observed that in countless patients. You鈥攁nd I鈥攁re not alone in our late-stage seasonal allergy development. And while that may not be much of a consolation, here鈥檚 to hoping for lower pollen counts next season.

The post What You Need to Know About This Year鈥檚 Allergy Season, According to an Allergist appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The first full month of spring is always a relief. There is still a lot of temperamental weather, but no matter how harsh the winter has been鈥攐r continues to be鈥攖here are signs of the impending shift. The sun spends longer in the sky, buds emerge, and the birds begin to sing. 国产吃瓜黑料 editors and contributors shed layers, and doubled down on our time out of doors. This is the gear that helped us do it.

SunGod Ultras Sunglasses ($180)

April threw every kind of weather at those of us living on the high plains, from blizzards to high-80s heat waves. The only thing guaranteed on my runs was wind. So I was glad to have these full coverage glasses to keep out the blowing snow and grit. But I didn鈥檛 fall in love with the coverage alone. The lens clarity is remarkable, particularly in a flexible nylon that’s tough enough that they’re guaranteed for life. The fit is comfortable and secure鈥攚ith grippy temple tips and a choice of four easy-to-swap nose pieces. Given their light weight and frameless, wrap-around design that stays out of my peripheral vision, I often forget I’m wearing them. I also appreciate that the company is carbon neutral, a certified B corp, and gives one percent of its revenue to sustainably-focused non-profits. Bonus: they sponsor beloved ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter, too. 鈥擩onathan Beverly, senior editor

Bior茅 UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen 50 SPF ($18)

I spent most of my life not wearing sunscreen, and I’m now at the age where I regret it. My aversion was primarily due to the greasy or filmy feeling most sunscreens left on my skin. This offering by Japanese beauty brand Bior茅 is the first one I’ve tried that doesn’t leave that residue, and I鈥檓 finally wearing sunscreen regularly. It absorbs quickly, smells nice, and doesn’t leave a white cast. It’s not advertised as water- or sweatproof, but I wear it for hot summer mountain bike rides and warm spring skiing days, and it keeps me protected. I love it so much I’ve given it to other sunscreen-resistant friends. 鈥擥loria Liu, contributing writer

Hudski Doggler City Bike ($2,220)

Finding the just-right commuter bike has been hard for me. At first I rode a piece-of-shit road bike that was unreliable and sometimes left me stranded. After I became a gear reviewer at 国产吃瓜黑料, I started using high-end gravel bikes that were amazing, but also made me anxious because I never wanted to leave them locked up outdoors. So I was very happy to discover Hudski, a brand which has worked hard to design a smart city (you can also buy it in gravel or mountain configurations; the difference is mostly in the tire and wheel sizes). The frame is made from aluminum but to spice things up they鈥檝e included a carbon fork, high-quality tires, mid-range components, ultra-comfy handlebars, and a dropper post. The result is a not-too-heavy, plenty reliable, fairly cushy, and fun commuter bike that I left locked outside several times this month. Even better: if I were to slap some knobby tires on this bike (there’s plenty of clearance) it would immediately be a capable gravel bike that could handle forest roads all day long. And thanks to a ton of mounting points on the frame, I could sling it with bags and also use it for a milder bike packing trip. 鈥擩akob Schiller, contributing writer

Epiphany Outdoor Gear Pocket Bellows ($15)

Want to up your fire-building game? This featherweight, collapsible fire straw has been my best friend all winter long, making fire-building in my wood-burning stove 100 times easier and faster. Just extend the metal sections and blow. The straw laser-directs your breath into a mighty gust that gets even punky wood and tinder crackling in no time. I keep one near the stove and one in my car-camping kit. 鈥擪ristin Hostetter, head of sustainability

Ron鈥檚 Bikes Fabio鈥檚 Fanny ($170)

This exceedingly handsome bag lives on the front of my do-it-all rigid mountain-commuter-bikepacking bike and carries my essentials on every ride. The main body (12.5 by 8 x 4.5 inches) houses a repair kit with plenty of room for layers, snacks, and a camera. Two slim side pockets are large enough to hold wallets or cell phones. It secures tightly to the handlebars, thanks to two six-inch Voile straps and a drawcord cinch that wraps around the headtube. But my favorite features are its two transforming tricks. As you may have gathered from the name, it is also a fanny pack. There鈥檚 a wool sleeve at the back of the bag that houses a waist strap that you simply slide out when you need it. (That wool panel also pads your bike and your waist.) The second trick is that the top of the Fanny is expandable: when you have it in normal mode, the spare fabric folds into the body of the bag. When you need to carry a half dozen burritos on top of your normal gear, simply pull the fabric upwards, load it up, and fold the top flap over to one of three magnetic clasps to secure your cargo. And there鈥檚 no need to worry about it busting at the seams: it鈥檚 made by hand in Connecticut with burly, waterproof聽 X50 X-Pac (500-denier Cordura) that is very light and durable. I鈥檝e been using this thing for nine months, and besides a little dust, there aren鈥檛 any signs of wear. It鈥檚 going to last for years and just look better as it ages. 鈥擶ill Taylor, gear director

Sunday Afternoons Ultra Trail Cap ($36)

This is my go-top hat for running, hiking, and traveling. It weighs just 1.7 ounces, features UPF-50 sun protection, and is made of a Bluesign-approved nylon-polyester blend that dries extremely quickly. I love the soft, crushable brim, which lets me stuff it in a pocket or a bag without worrying about it losing its shape. The top breathes well on hot days and is great for dipping in the water at a creek crossing for a quick cool down. I very often forget I have it on my head and that, in my mind, is what makes for a good cap. 鈥擶.T.

The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in April appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Hikers in Colorado鈥檚 high country keep losing their shoes in the spring snowpack鈥攁nd it鈥檚 putting them in danger, one search and rescue group has warned.

In a Facebook post on Friday titled 鈥�,鈥� Summit County Rescue Group (SCRG) said it had performed three rescues on Quandary Peak, a popular fourteener, in less than a week. All of them involved hikers who had lost their shoes while postholing through the soft spring snowpack.

On Tuesday, a hiker lost a shoe on the mountain; while she managed to dig it out, she then found herself postholing in snow up to her chest and had to call for rescue. On Wednesday, a solo hiker lost his shoe permanently, leaving him unable to descend. Finally, on Thursday, a group of three hikers required rescue when one of them lost their footwear.

Colorado is in the midst of a spring warm-up, with the snowpack in many parts of the mountains freezing solid overnight and softening into wet, heavy snow during the day. SCRG noted that the variable conditions may be tricking some hikers into venturing out without flotation, only to get into trouble when the snowpack begins to melt out.

鈥淪ome areas are well packed down and [there are] other areas where it has been a warm day but overnight, it got cold and that froze that upper layer of snow,鈥� SCRG member Aaron Parmet told . 鈥淭hat upper layer of snow may be supportive allowing people to get off trail fairly easily, but that thin layer may be underlined by completely unsupportive snow. When it warms up during the day, and that layer softens up, instead of sinking in [a little] you can go all the way in.鈥�

In its Facebook post, SCRG offered some blunt advice to spring-hungry hikers: Find somewhere already melted out to hike, bring the proper gear, or don鈥檛 go out at all.

鈥淭his is not a great time to go hiking, period,鈥� the group noted. 鈥業f you鈥檙e going anyway, make sure you have skis or snowshoes. If you鈥檙e an experienced backcountry skier, choose your skis. If you鈥檙e not experienced with skis, choose snowshoes; otherwise you may have a whole new problem set. If you鈥檙e on snowshoes, do your best to stay on the trail. You will certainly posthole, even with your snowshoes, if you get off trail. You may posthole with snowshoes even on the trail.鈥�

As for those who do end up leaving their footwear above treeline, SCRG has an unorthodox idea on how to fund their rescue.

鈥淲e will be auctioning off all shoes and boots found on Quandary this summer after the snow melts,鈥� the group joked.

The post Hikers Beware: Spring Snowpack May Eat Your Shoes appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Welcome to 翱耻迟蝉颈诲别鈥�s Deals of the Week, where we find and share fresh gear deals that are so good that we would recommend them to our friends and family. We’ll post updates regularly with more curated deals to help you get outside without hurting your wallet.

Patagonia

Deals: Up to 60 percent off past-season styles

Just in time to add some high quality spring and summer staples to your wardrobe, Patagonia added tons of new styles to their . Sizes are limited for many products, so stock up while you can!

Dirt Craft Mountain Bike Shorts | $169 Now $84

触听

Baggies Shorts 5-Inch | $65听狈辞飞 $29-$32

触听

Check out the rest of the sale .

Sea to Summit

Deals: 20 percent off new storage line

Sea to Summit just launched their new and improved line of dry bags and packs, compression sacks, and stuff sacks, all revamped using improved materials, innovative engineering, and a lower environmental footprint. Take 20 percent off any item from the new 聽with exclusive code OUTSIDE20, now through April 25.

Big River Dry Bag (5L – 65L) | $40-$80 Now $32-$64

Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack (50L – 100L) | $399-$499 Now $319-$399

the entire new storage line collection.

Charge E-bikes

Deal: $800 off any e-bike

“We like e-bikes, and think you will too. Take聽$800 off any e-bike from Charge Bikes with the exclusive code OUTSIDEDOW800, now through the end of the month.

XC Electric Mountain Bike | $2699 Now $1899

City Ebike | $1799听狈辞飞 $999

all the Charge e-bike models.

Want more deals in your inbox? Sign up for our Deals of the Week newsletter!

The post Exclusive and Curated Deals on Some of Our Favorite Outdoor Gear appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

March marks the official start of spring, but we all know what that means: the weather will do absolutely whatever it wants to. Historic amounts of snow? Why not? Seventy degrees and sunny? Sure. It鈥檚 a challenging time of year, when we鈥檙e stuck between the yearning for warmer weather and the last gasps of winter. Here鈥檚 what 国产吃瓜黑料 editors and contributors are using to charge the shoulder season.

Bubba Goose Large Duffel Bag ($160)

Originally intended for the sails of America’s Cup racing boats, VX21 is a white nylon triple laminate reinforced with Kevlar. When veteran soft good designer Delian Scudder discovered a forgotten supply of the stuff in a warehouse, he knew he had to give the fabric a second life as something awesome. The result is these handmade duffel bags. Featuring zero stretch and incredibly high tear strength, the material works as well for a bag as a sail. Scudder reinforced the floor with two layers of 1,000 denier Cordura to add some structure, which helps hold the bag open while empty. I’ve been carrying a 34-liter size, which works for a weekend carry on鈥攂ig enough to hold several changes of clothes, a laptop, and a second pair of shoes, but small enough to easily fit under a seat, or potentially scrape by as a personal item on top of a wheeled carry-on. The material might be rugged and technical, but it also turns heads at the airport. 鈥� Wes Siler, contributing editor

Dip Sun Shield: Conditioner Bar & After Swim Detangler ($32)

In my quest to banish plastic packaging from my life, I’ve started using shampoo and conditioner bars, instead of buying watered down bottles. But finding a conditioner bar that actually detangled my long hair has been a struggle鈥攗ntil I stumbled upon Dip. It works just as well as the bottled stuff, and one bar replaces up to six bottles of store-bought conditioner, provided you store it properly (use a draining soap dish). My hair and I are hooked. 鈥擪ristin Hostetter, head of sustainability

Mystery Ranch D-Route, $109

I鈥檓 not much of a backcountry skier. I go maybe once a year鈥攂ecause resort skiing is so fun, and you can go in, warm up, and have hot chocolate. But our local mountain, Aspen Highlands, has a super awesome above-lift area called Highland Bowl, and I try to hit it every time I go. The hike, about three-quarters of a mile and gaining 800 feet to a 12,392-foot summit, takes about 30 to 45 minutes. You can throw your skis over your shoulder, a simple but uncomfortable solution. One day, when we reached the top, my husband asked if I wanted a drink. He had on a light pack with water鈥攁nd left-over Christmas chocolate! Sold. After that I got the Mystery Ranch D-8. It鈥檚 slim and low-profile, letting you sit back on a lift, but allows provisions. It easily has space for a snack, sandwich, and water bottle. I like to keep it that empty, but you could certainly put in extra gloves or goggles, and the top flap holds sunglasses for the uphill. The diagonal carry system keeps skis from hitting the back of my head; and the molded back panel is comfortable when you peel off a layer. Although minimalist, the pack could even suffice for spring backcountry missions, since it has room for avalanche equipment. I鈥檓 skiing with a friend tomorrow who never brings food. I鈥檒l have chocolate. 鈥擜lison Osius, senior editor

Voormi Diversion Hoody ($269)

I love a good hoody, and I’ve found my new favorite. The Voormi Diversion has been my go-to layer over the last few months, and it鈥檚 absolutely awesome for everything from working around the farm to layering under a ski shell. The Diversion features an outer that鈥檚 reinforced with nylon. As a result, this thing is both soft and cozy on the inside, and seemingly indestructible on the outside, which is not something I can say for many other wool pieces I’ve tested over the years. And because it’s wool, it鈥檚 breathable while you’re working hard, but keeps you plenty warm on chilly mornings. 鈥擝ryan Rogala, contributing writer

Blizzard Hustle 10 ($799)

I’ve been looking for the perfect “Santa Fe ski” since I moved here in 2014. You see, our local resort, , has a generous uphill policy that lets you skin up within the ski area boundary anytime, for free. It鈥檚 obviously best to do this in the morning before lifts start spinning on a powder day鈥攜ou get fresh tracks, and a killer workout before most folks get out of bed. On really good days, my friends and I will often skin up early and then ride lifts once the resort opens. So a good “Santa Fe ski” is really just a good 50/50 ski that works as well inbounds as it does in the backcountry. It needs to be light on the climb, yet still damp enough to be fun inbounds on groomers or hardpack snow. For years now, my go-to alpine setup has been a pair of Blizzard Rustler 10s, so when they came out with the Hustle 10 in 2022 (which is basically a lightened version of the Rustler) I was intrigued. After finally getting to try it out this spring, I’ve finally found the one. To me, it skis damn near as well as my Rustlers on the descents, while remaining light enough for fitness laps or longer backcountry tours. That’s thanks to the ski’s core, which blends wood, carbon fiber, and fiberglass to keep it lightweight, yet stable. If you’re looking for a do-it-all ski that’s suited to, say, a trip to Salt Lake where you ski a few days at Alta or Snowbird and then tour in Little Cottonwood Canyon, this is it. 鈥擝.R.

Rawlogy OG Cork Massage Ball ($14)

I hurt my upper back while I was skiing last weekend. I don’t know how I did it鈥擨 didn’t fall, crash, or even twist more than normal. I just dropped in, nailed what I thought was a solid run, and then realized I couldn’t raise my arm above my shoulder without clenching my teeth. I’m slowly coming around to the idea that, as I get older, this may just be the kind of thing that happens to me more often. Fortunately, I have a pretty good collection of rehab equipment at home, and this cork massage ball is ready and able to help me roll out knots, strains, and uncooperative vertebrae. The pliable texture is more comfortable than a lacrosse ball, and the small-but-not-too-small size lets me get at pressure points without pressing too hard. A couple of sessions with this, a little ibuprofen, a little ice, and I’ll be ready to get back out there and hurt myself in some brand new way next weekend. 鈥擜dam Roy, executive editor

Janji Transit Tech Pant ($94)

I ran in this thin jogger more than anything else last month. The polyester-spandex blend is light and breathable yet effectively cuts chilly winds, so you can wear it when it鈥檚 cold but also when it warms up鈥攁 solid combo for spring. The fit is also loose enough so you can easily wear a thermal layer or shorts underneath, expanding the temperature range even further. And three zip pockets secure valuables from bouncing out during trail runs or in the airport. Best of all? The polyester is recycled and the DWR is PFC-free. 鈥擶ill Taylor, gear director

Blackstrap Expedition Hood Balaclava ($40)

The Expedition is Blackstrap鈥檚 burliest balaclava, rated for skiing and boarding in low temperatures and cold wind. But I found that it鈥檚 breathable enough to work in temps up to 35 degrees, so this thing covers most resort riding in my book. My ear canals are super sensitive to the icy gusts from years of cold-water surfing, so I appreciate the wind-blocking prowess of the double layer nylon-polyester-elastane fabric, and love the hinged face cover for covering up when it鈥檚 blustery or dropping heat when it鈥檚 warm. It also dries fast, features UPF 50 sun protection, and is made in Bend, Oregon. 鈥擶.T.

The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in March appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

doesn鈥檛 remember the name of the documentary he saw in late 2019 about Uttarayan, an annual kite festival in western India. But he vividly recalls being awed by the YouTube video playing on his laptop screen. 鈥淭he shape of the kites, the lines of thread, all these beautiful things flying in the sky鈥攊t really intrigued me,鈥� says Coedel, who lives in Paris. Three weeks later, in January of 2020, the photographer flew to the state of Gujarat and then traveled around the region to witness the celebration himself. During the weeklong Uttarayan, people parade brightly colored kites through the streets of Ahmedabad and Vadodara and Mumbai from dawn to dusk, reveling in the end of winter and anticipating the spring harvest season. As Coedel snapped pictures and spoke with locals, he was moved by the sight of Hindus and Muslims of all ages eating and playing together. 鈥淎t the beginning, I just wanted to make images that were compositionally appealing, because I didn鈥檛 know much about the culture before I arrived,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t evolved into not only creating images that capture the abstract shapes of the kites, but also documenting this magical time that people were enjoying.鈥� The trip took place just months before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, and he hopes to return this winter to photograph the festival again. 鈥淲hen I look at these pictures, I can鈥檛 help thinking that some of these children鈥檚 lives must have completely changed,鈥� Coedel says.

The post Let鈥檚 Go Fly a Kite appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The coming of the warm season is hard not to love: no matter how frozen a winter soul someone has, we can all鈥� at least in in theory鈥攁ppreciate having more sun. This year, it feels particularly bright. This is the gear 国产吃瓜黑料 and company used this month to revel in it.

Ripton Women鈥檚 Smoke Jorts ($79)

I have been living in Ripton jorts this month. I鈥檝e always just worn an old pair of cut-off Levi鈥檚 when it鈥檚 time for spring resort hot laps, but I鈥檒l never go back after sampling this pair’s stretchy recycled cotton, polyester, and elastane blend. The waist never feels like it鈥檚 digging into my midriff in the way rigid denim can, which is key when I鈥檓 going hard. I love the worn-in look that the raw hem has, and the cut is super flattering鈥攖he 5.5-inch inseam looks way better when I鈥檓 on a bike than other mountain bike offerings. And even though they feel super supple and breathable compared to regular denim, they didn鈥檛 rip when I took a fall onto my right hip. My only quibble is that the gray color isn鈥檛 the best for hiding the inevitable butt sweat. 鈥擪elly Klein, associate editor

Smith Bobcat Sunglasses ($209)

I have a little head, which is why I was hyped to see Smith come out with of retro sporty shield-style sunglasses with a smaller fit. Usually this kind of shade swallows the entire upper part of my face and looks a little ridiculous, but that鈥檚 not the case with the Bobcats. This smaller lens (compared to the OG Wildcats this pair is based on) is actually proportional to my head, so now I can revel in the excellent lightweight coverage on bright days in the backcountry. I鈥檒l be wearing these for many adventures ahead. 鈥擪.K.

DUER Live Lite Pant Slim ($135)

I put five years of daily bike commuting into my last pair of Duer jeans, but breathability was always an issue in the summer months. On a recent, unseasonably warm spring trip to Moab, Utah, I tried out a pair of Duer鈥檚 new lightweight . They look great, with a slim fit, casual five-pocket design, and classic dark blue color. Most importantly, they breathe like a champ, even when hauling firewood and loaded coolers to a hard-to-reach campground in Utah鈥檚 Canyonlands National Park with mid-day temps in the low 80s. The cotton-lyocell-polyester-spandex blend is exceptionally stretchy and soft next to skin, while a gusseted crotch, triple-stitched inseams, and double-layered back pockets held up to scooting across slickrock and squatting over a campfire without drama. 鈥擝enjamin Tepler, assistant gear editor

Women’s Kyrgies Molded Sole鈥擫ow Back Slippers聽($89)

Though the weather is warming up, I鈥檓 still padding around the house in cozy, simple wool slippers from . While these lightweight slip-ons became a daily staple for me at home, they stand out on ski trips, whether you鈥檙e posted up at a lodge or toured into a hut. I like the low back version with the molded sole, which are easy to get on and off and offer just enough grip in slippery conditions. 鈥擜bigail Barronian, senior editor

Hex Laundry Detergent ($12)

Shoulder season is a bittersweet time: putting a storage wax on my skis and packing away my helmet and goggles always makes me a little nostalgic for the laps of winters鈥� past. But doing right by my gear and storing it properly ensures that it鈥檒l be in top shape when I鈥檓 ready to pull it out in six-to-nine months. And yes, that means washing your kit, and not just your base and mid layers. Your bibs and jacket need regular cleaning (and drying) to preserve their performance and waterproofing over time, which requires a performance fabric-specific detergent like from Hex. I love it because it leaves my kit smelling fresh and has the added bonus of erasing any beer and blood stains accumulated on closing day. 鈥擬aren Larsen, podcast producer

Wild Rye Lucy Party Shirt ($89)

I have a cheap Hawaiian shirt I ride in sometimes, and I have no idea what material it鈥檚 made of, but it might be the least breathable stuff on earth. party shirt made by women-led mountain bike brand Wild Rye is a big upgrade: its polyester-spandex blend is lightweight and quick-wicking so that I can ride in it on warm days. My favorite feature (besides the fun, eye-catching design) is that it ripples in the wind like a superhero cape when I鈥檓 going off of jumps. 鈥擥loria Liu, contributing writer

Adidas Ultraboost 22 Shoes ($190)

I took a break from running after I completed my first trail ultramarathon in November 2021. Just last month, I started running shorter distances on the road to build strength, prevent injury, focus on form, and get my legs back. The road kicks provide ample cushioning for pavement workouts. They form-fit my narrow feet, deliver arch support through my entire stride to prevent overpronation, and their soft, sock-like upper makes them comfortable as I work into higher mileage. Road running isn鈥檛 my favorite, but this pair helps make it more bearable. 鈥擯atty Hodapp, interim digital director

Patagonia R1 Fleece Pullover Hoody ($129)

Before 鈥渁ctive insulation鈥� became a buzzword in the outdoor industry, there was the . This is the light, thin, grid fleece that inspired an entire genre of lightweight midlayers. But the one I鈥檝e recently been wearing nonstop is not just any R1. It鈥檚 the R1 that I鈥檝e had since roughly 2006. At this point, it鈥檚 been stretched out from years of abuse and the wicking properties of its synthetic material have been compromised from too many trips through the drier. It鈥檚 basically just a technical sweatshirt. But that doesn鈥檛 matter for low-key climbing and yard work, or for pulling on after a run. In fact, I prefer it. Sometimes, it鈥檚 nice to return to something un-flashy and familiar. Plus: after a few years relegated to a bottom drawer, this old fleece has reminded me of just how long a piece of gear can remain useful. 鈥擜riella Gintzler, associate gear director

Stages SC2 Stationary Bicycle ($2,246)

A common judgement about bike racers is that we look down our noses at indoor cycling classes. In truth, we often rely on indoor cycling for a quick fitness boost when we鈥檙e traveling, or when it鈥檚 nuking snow outside. Plus, many of us have discovered amid the growing popularity of virtual racing platforms like Zwift that you can actually push your body harder on a stationary bicycle than on an outdoor bike. (Veering off the road due to exhaustion simply cannot happen on a spin bike.) A few years ago I got my hands on a as a way to stay fit during the winter. This stationary bike is the workhorse of Stages鈥� line, and you can find them in hundreds of gyms and indoor cycling studios across the country, which is why they鈥檙e also frequently for sale for good prices on secondary marketplace sites like Ebay and Craigslist. I love the SC2 because it is bombproof and simple. This bike is wonderfully no-frills鈥攊t lacks the 鈥渟mart鈥� capabilities of newer bicycles that can be used on Zwift or other virtual racing platforms, but it does have a crank arm-mounted power meter that is similarly reliable and indestructible. There鈥檚 something enjoyable about locking in, tuning out, and just blasting away for a short and intense sweat session. 鈥擣rederick Dreier, articles editor

Hoka All Gender Performance Hat ($30)

My wife and I are training for the same 50K together this summer and it is making our shared custody of a beloved running hat untenable. I switched to bright hat from Hoka because it marries the style of a five-panel hat with performance features like a highly breathable crown and a fantastically comfortable stretch-cord adjustment. It is now my long run hat of choice due to how quickly it pulls moisture from my noggin. I was scared I couldn鈥檛 pull off the color on my first run, but received a compliment on the hat from a young gas-station attendant while I was fueling up on my way home. I have barely taken it off, running or not, since. 鈥擩oe Jackson, Gear Guy

DemerBox DB2 Speaker ($399)

As a video creator, I practically live out of Pelican cases, which are the versatile and burly waterproof cases that can be customized to protect all sorts of gadgets. I鈥檓 also a bit of an audiophile, so when I came across the it felt like destiny. It鈥檚 basically your trusty Pelican case but with built-in Bluetooth, battery, and speakers that are all sleekly tucked into the lid, while still being bombproof. I highly recommend the DB2 model, which has a larger box cavity for better low note reproduction. And yes, you can play music while it floats! 鈥擩ackson Buscher, video producer

Lightforce Striker LED Driving Light Twin Pack ($475)

My wife and I recently went on an overlanding trip and our first camping spot was nine hours away from home. We ended up driving the last 20 miles on a dirt road in the pitch black, including two miles of fairly technical rock-crawling terrain. My wife was not happy about the bumpy ride, but we were able to navigate just fine because I have four of Lightforce lights attached to the rack on my Tacoma. All together they produce about 14,000 lumens of light and were able to clearly and spectacularly illuminate the road up to a quarter mile in front of us. All that light made the late-night driving safer and easier, and it also helped us find a bad-ass camping spot. I chose the Strikers instead of the , which Wes Siler prefers, because they fit better on my build. Drivers with smaller cars like Subarus should look at the Strikers as well. 鈥擩akob Schiller, contributing writer

100% Hypercraft Sunglasses ($155)

April is always windy on the high plains of western Nebraska, but this year was insane. Day after day the wind howled relentlessly over the sandhills, making it impossible to avoid getting blown around if you went outside at all. Eye protection became more essential than usual, and I quickly started looking for sunglasses that offered maximal coverage without adding bulk or heat. The are so light and skeletal they initially felt fragile, but they have held up to a month of steady wear, plus being tossed around my vehicle and occasionally dropped while running, biking and coaching. More importantly, they hold securely, disappear when on, don鈥檛 fog or trap heat, and make it possible to keep my eyes open when leaning into 40 mile per hour winds. 鈥擩onathan Beverly, senior running editor

Oiselle Sport Sandals ($48)

Things warmed up in New Mexico last month, and as sad as I was to see ski season end, it wasn鈥檛 at all bittersweet to tuck my cozy apr茅s boots and fuzzy socks into a storage bin and slip back into my . They鈥檙e as easy to slip on as Crocs but the soft EVA foam is far cushier, and the heel strap combined with the little bumps on the inside of the sole and foot straps keep the shoe snug without rubbing or restricting air flow. They鈥檙e a dream for trail-sore feet, and versatile enough to be the only non-athletic shoe I need now that I鈥檝e moved back into my van full-time. Besides being super comfy, the bright color and simple, functional design makes them great backcountry camp shoes and easy to slip on to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. But they still clean up well enough (just scrub 鈥榚m with soap and a sponge) to wear with a sundress into town and not stand out as the dirtbag that I am. 鈥擬iyo McGinn, editorial assistant

New Balance Impact Run 5-Inch Short ($55)

I鈥檝e tried a lot of running shorts, and I almost always have something to gripe about in each pair. But not . It鈥檚 like New Balance compiled all my complaints about others鈥攖hey ride up, there aren鈥檛 enough pockets, the waistband is uncomfortable鈥攁nd made the Impact Run in response. The shorts鈥� low, stretchy waist hits right below the belly button, helping me avoid any stomach issues mid-run but never falling too low to make me insecure. The five-inch inseam is just long enough to provide full coverage, but never gets caught in my thighs (there are also three and seven-inch inseam options). And the pockets are discrete yet large, big enough to hold both my phone and keys.鈥擪elsey Lindsey, senior editor

Yakima StageTwo Tray Hitch Bike Rack ($849)

I鈥檝e tested a handful of racks while hauling my gravel bikes to trails around New Mexico and New York. They all worked well, but I love the StageTwo鈥檚 staggered tray system that allows you to increase the space between each bike鈥攖hat way, handlebars and other bike components don鈥檛 bump up against each other. Trunk access is easy, too: it has a tilt lever that dips the tray down toward the ground, so your hatch can swing open. In terms of security, the StageTwo has a built-in bike lock cable system and spin knob, which secures the whole thing to your hitch and locks/unlocks with a key. I found it easy to assemble, too. It all came together in less than 20 minutes. All in all, I鈥檓 really content with this rack. I envision that this will be my main bike hauler for years to come. 鈥擩eremy Rellosa, reviews editor

REI Co-op Outdoor Blanket ($50)

After many a car camping trip sitting on sleeping pads and getting them wet or dusty, I splurged on a for picnicking. REI’s offering ticks all the boxes: it鈥檚 got a polyester bottom that鈥檚 water resistant and can take on cactus needles or rocks, and the top layer is a super soft fleece. It now lives in our car camping box and is ready anytime we need to sit or lay down for a meal or nap. 鈥擫uke Whelan, senior editor

The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in April appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The end of winter can be terrible. Snowmelt causes mud, which greedily clings to dogs, bikes, shoes, and tires, creating a mess in your car and house. At the same time, warming air temperatures cause wind, which blows dust into your eyes and makes the days feel colder than they should be. To help mitigate the spring suck, I鈥檝e assembled a whole list of gear that makes this season a bit more tolerable.

Orvis Grid Recycled Water Trapper Mat ($170)

I have young kids and two rascally dogs, so the only way I keep my house even remotely clean during spring is to forcefully insist that everyone wipe their muddy, wet feet on as they come in the front door. The tough fibers always knock the dirt off, and even after a year of hard use, there isn鈥檛 any fraying. A waterproof construction has kept snow from seeping through and ruining my wood floors, and its rubber backing ensures the mat doesn鈥檛 slip. I like that you can choose from nine different colors. Bonus points to Orvis for building the mat out of recycled materials.

WeatherTec Floor Mats ($60 and Up)

If you track mud on the normal fabric floor mats that come stocked on most cars, you have to wait for that mud to dry, then bang it off, then rinse the mats, and then wait for the mats to dry鈥攁ll a total pain in the ass. That鈥檚 why I invested in plastic floor mats from . Even if these are caked in mud, it rinses right off with a quick hose spray, and the mats dry in a matter of minutes. WeatherTec makes perfectly measured models for most newer cars. If you鈥檙e like me and drive an older car (I have a 2002 Tacoma), you can get the , which isn鈥檛 quite as nice but still gets the job done.

Buff EcoStretch ($20)

Temperatures are all over the place come spring. It鈥檚 unnaturally hot one day, then some version of winter returns the next. That鈥檚 why I always wear , whether I鈥檓 skiing, running, hiking, or just out watching my kids play soccer. When it gets chilly, I pull it up over my ears and around the bottom of my chin and wear it under my trucker hat. When the weather heats up, I slide it back down around my neck. I go for the regular, non-merino version, because I鈥檝e found the material retains it stretch longer and doesn鈥檛 wear out quite as quickly.

Julbo Fury Reactiv 0-3 Sunglasses ($220)

Large-lens sunglasses seem like overkill, until they鈥檙e not. Try riding your bike into the wind on a dusty day with regular sunglasses and you鈥檒l quickly understand the benefit of shades that shield your entire field of vision and keep debris from flying in. The is my go-to pair in this style, because the lens darkness changes depending on the brightness of the sun. I can wear these to run when it鈥檚 cloudy and they鈥檙e not too dark, and I can also wear them on a bluebird backcountry ski day and end the afternoon without eye fatigue.

Ruffwear Dirtbag Seat Cover ($90)

My 20-year-old Toyota has leather seats that are already beat-up and wash off pretty easily. Still, there are times during spring when my dogs get so muddy at the dog park that I want an extra layer of protection. is quick to install (just a couple minutes), and the waterproof fabric never leaks, even when the dogs are sopping wet. After a big adventure, I take it out, shake off the mud, and let it dry in the sun, which is usually enough to keep it spick-and-span. It鈥檚 also machine washable if you think it merits a deep clean.

Soap in Seconds ($19)

I鈥檓 new to but am now obsessed. It鈥檚 the perfect way to wash my hands after loading muddy dogs into the car or trying to clean my mountain bike. If you鈥檙e not familiar, Soap in Seconds is like hand sanitizer, but does a better job of removing any grime from my fingers and isn鈥檛 full of hand-drying alcohol.

Snow Brush ($10)

I have in all my cars at all times, and I mostly use them to brush off snow. But they鈥檙e also great for scraping mud from my kids鈥� shoes and brushing dry grass and mud off my dogs. If used gently, the brush will also clean muck off a bike before it鈥檚 sprayed down.

Free Fly Men鈥檚 Breeze Jacket ($128)

Traditional old-school windbreakers are great for spring gusts, but the nylon doesn鈥檛 breathe well and lacks stretch. Built with 14 percent spandex, changes that: it鈥檚 stretchy, comfy, and never inhibits my movement. Made from a more air-permeable polyester, it cuts the chill of a cold wind but doesn鈥檛 cause me to immediately overheat when I鈥檓 huffing up the trail or commuting on my bike.

Astorflex Bitflex Boots ($215)

Chelsea boots are having a style moment, but they鈥檙e also a great utilitarian option for spring because the ankle-high build is ideal for walking through rain showers or down muddy trails. They wash off easily, and all the abuse adds a nice patina to the exterior. I鈥檝e tested many different pairs but love 聽for two main reasons: the environmentally friendly, aged Italian leather has a zero-day break-in period, and the rubber soles don鈥檛 track mud but still provide plenty of grip.

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