In July, when I reviewed the new version of Patagonia鈥檚 R1 wetsuits, I talked about how there is often a compromise between a product鈥檚 eco-friendliness and its performance, but Patagonia鈥檚 suit finally managed to score high marks in both. A month later, Billabong said, 鈥淗old my beer.鈥� The company鈥檚 new wetsuit performs even better on both fronts. Not only is it the most sustainable wetsuit currently available, but it鈥檚 also the most comfortable one I鈥檝e ever worn. Plus, it cost less, too.

Billabong 惭别苍鈥檚 3/2mm Furnace Natural Upcycler Chest Zip Wetsuit

Sizing: S-XXL (men鈥檚), XS-XXL (women鈥檚)
Materials: 85% Natural Rubber and 15% synthetic ingredients, including Bolder Black, Oyster shell powder and Soybean oil
Models: 2/2, 3/2, 4/3, 5/4, and 6/5 millimeter thicknesses, some with optional hoods, some sleeveless

Pros and Cons
鈯� Excellent flexibility
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Easy entry/exit
鈯� Extremely eco-friendly
鈯� Materials dry quickly
鈯� Lack of silicone inside wrist and ankle cuffs allows some water to get in
鈯� Not quite as warm as the slightly thicker Patagonia R1

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Unparalleled Sustainability

The most notable change that Billabong makes from traditional wetsuit construction is switching from neoprene to natural rubber for the foam material that makes up the bulk of the wetsuit. Unlike traditional neoprene, which uses rubber derived from fossil fuels or limestone, this rubber comes from sustainable, FSC-certified, organic hevea rubber trees in Guatemala, grown in a plantation that has existed since the 1940s. The rubber it produces is of exceptionally high quality, and it meets , , and compliance for environmental standards.

The rubber foam (think 鈥渘eoprene,鈥� but a natural version) contains 85 percent natural rubber, with the other 15 percent stabilizers typically called carbon black. While most companies still use petroleum-based carbon-black stabilizers, Billabong has partnered with Colorado-based Bolder Industries to incorporate its flagship product . Bolder Black is a very high-quality carbon black, but it鈥檚 made entirely of post-consumer recycled wetsuits (supplied by Billabong) and other used rubber products like tires. These stabilizers give the rubber its strength, increase elasticity, add pigment for UV resistance, and allow it to be blown into the stretchy foam that we know and love.

To make the other major components of wetsuits, the jerseys, and liners that cover the outside, Billabong has now switched to 100 percent post-consumer recycled textiles, keeping a lot of unwanted clothes out of landfills. Graphene panels, which are made of a combination of recycled textiles infused with Graphene, are added to keep you warmer, and Billabong claims that all of this feel-good eco-friendly stuff doesn鈥檛 sacrifice performance. Much to my surprise, I agree.

How It Tested

I spent the last couple of months testing the Furnace Natural Upcycler ($380), and can attest that the suit is sublimely comfortable. Thanks to the incredibly soft and flexible rubber, it鈥檚 easier to get on and off than any other suit I鈥檝e worn. It鈥檚 so stretchy that I feel effectively no resistance when paddling, and I move about as freely as I do in boardshorts. The kneepads (made from natural rubber laminated with an abrasion-resistant recycled nylon jersey called Supratex) are resilient, providing ample protection when duck diving, and the inner seams haven鈥檛 chafed me at all. The liner has a nice cozy loft to it also. The zipper is high-quality: I haven鈥檛 had any issues with snagging like I did in the Patagonia wetsuit.

I鈥檝e experienced no paddle fatigue in the suit, even during long sessions. It dries at least as quickly as any of my other suits, and it鈥檚 held up well, surviving the odd encounter with a rock or a fin without showing a scratch.

How It Compares to the Patagonia R1

The Furnace Natural is noticeably more comfortable than the fall 2023 (the next version of the R1 will likely be out in 2025). It feels lighter, it has more stretch, and it doesn鈥檛 have any zipper issues. It isn鈥檛 quite as warm as the R1, but that makes sense, considering the R1 is a 3/2.5-millimeter suit, not a 3/2-millimeter (Patagonia is one of the rare manufacturers that uses half-millimeter sizes).

The Furnace is also significantly cheaper, coming in at $380 versus $479 for the R1. You can even get a 3/2 Absolute Natural Upcycler (Billabong鈥檚 mid-range version) for as little as $269. This cheaper version has all the same eco updates, though it loses some of the higher-end bells and whistles (like the Airlite 4D jersey, the graphene lining, and the improved seam sealing). Patagonia doesn鈥檛 have a cheaper version, unfortunately.

While the Patagonia suit is very sustainable, Billabong has edged it out here by being the first company to produce a fully-functioning wetsuit available to the public with Bolder Black stabilizers, making the Natural Upcycler wetsuits derived by a vast majority from natural rubber or post-consumer recycled products. Patagonia won鈥檛 disclose where the stabilizers in its current suits come from, which, like in the Billabong, make up 15 percent of the foam rubber. Patagonia has announced, however, that it will also be using Bolder Black in its next iteration of wetsuits.

Downsides

The only ding on the Furnace Natural Upcycler is that I wish it had a silicone seal on the inside of the wrist and ankle cuffs. Because the rubber is so soft and malleable, I鈥檝e had the sleeves or legs roll up on me a bit when wiping out (and once when paddling hard to get over a large approaching set). It鈥檚 a minor gripe, but it would be nice if that could be prevented.

Final Thoughts

The 3/2 Furnace Natural is fantastic for Southern California in the late spring, summer, and fall, but having spent time in it, I might opt for a 4/3 instead. This suit breathes well, and I鈥檇 like to be able to wear it during the colder months. Also, I prefer to be a little too warm than a little too cold. That said, I know plenty of people that feel the opposite.

At the end of the day, this is my new favorite wetsuit. All of the eco-forward features give me peace of mind, and I like that I鈥檓 not covering my entire epidermis in potentially cancer-causing materials. Apart from that, I wouldn鈥檛 know that it was an eco-forward suit if you didn鈥檛 tell me: this is a full-on performance wetsuit without sacrifice.

The Billabong Furnace Natural Upcycler suits are now available in and and in a variety of thicknesses and styles.

The post Billabong鈥檚 Newest Wetsuit Is the Most Sustainable and Comfortable on the Market appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The main reason to buy a custom surfboard is because you can鈥檛 find the board you want on a shelf. A custom surfboard is a big step in a surfer鈥檚 journey, and it can bring noticeable, tangible benefits to the way you surf and how much fun you have. Ideally, you鈥檒l end up with a board that is a sublime match for your body, style, goals, and the waves you frequent. But it can also be an overwhelming experience (and a not-insignificant investment in time and money), so you want to get it right.

Luckily for you, we鈥檝e got it covered. I worked with two legendary shapers鈥擝ritt Merrick and Guy Okazaki鈥攁nd went through the custom shaping process (twice), in order to bring you this comprehensive guide to ordering a custom surfboard鈥攃omplete with what to expect, the questions to ask, the information you鈥檒l need, and the pitfalls to avoid.

Step One: Do Your Research

The first step is to try as many different boards as you can. Your local surf shop, OfferUp, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace are all great resources for this. I spent $350 on a used surfboard from Craigslist, rode it for a little while, then sold it to someone else for $350, and bought something else to play with. Used boards can hold their value well if you don鈥檛 damage them. Also, look for demo days at your local surf shop.

鈥淚 have a friend who’s a really good surfer, and for the last few years, he’s just been buying the most random boards off Craigslist,鈥� up-and-coming Venice pro surfer told me. 鈥淏ut now he’s in this phase where he knows exactly what he wants because he’s tried so many boards. So now when he goes to a shaper, he has all this knowledge to pull from.”

The next phase of your research should be to talk to other surfers. Look for surfers right around your size and ability level at your local breaks and ask them what they鈥檙e on and how they like it. If you can afford it, hire an experienced coach for a session or two, and see what suggestions they might have for your next surfboard. The web is also a great resource. Both the Pyzel and Channel Islands websites have live chats with actual humans on the other end, and they are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. They can help you get a better handle on what might, and what might not work for you (just be respectful of their time).

Step Two: Pick Your Surfboard Shaper

Find a shaper who will take the time to understand where you鈥檙e at and where you want to go and ensure they have the skills to make the right board for the job. A good shaper carries a wealth of knowledge about surfboard design and surfing in general. It may also give you an opportunity to work with a local who has deep insights about the waves you鈥檒l be surfing the most, and you get to support the local surf economy.

I went into this quest knowing that I wanted two boards: A point-break specialist for some of my favorite spots in Malibu and Ventura, and a hyper-local board for the beach break I surf in Venice 80 percent of the time. After months of research, I found my two dream shapers.

Britt Merrick,

Britt was literally raised in a surfboard factory, as the son of world renown shaper and founder of Channel Islands Surfboards, Al Merrick. He would grow up to become an iconic shaper in his own right, making award-winning surfboards (including several winners) for WSL Championship Tour event winners and average joes alike. Channel Islands is based in Santa Barbara, home to legendary point breaks like Rincon, and considering how many boards he鈥檚 made for people who compete at places Jeffreys Bay and Snapper Rocks, I figured he鈥檇 be the perfect person to make my point break killer. Note: anyone can request a board from Britt, but it will most likely take months longer than usual because he has a massive queue.

Surfboard shaper Guy Okazaki at work (Photo: Courtesy Guy Okazaki)

Guy Okazaki,

When it came to finding a shaper for my Venice beach break board, I knew exactly who I hoped would make it. It seemed like 20 percent of the boards I would see at my favorite spot had a big 鈥淕OS鈥� stamped on the deck. Plus, Okazaki has been surfing here since the 1950s, so not many people know the wave better. Okazaki was born in Hawaii, where he first learned to shape surfboards from his dad and legends of the sport, including Rabbit Kekai. He would go on to travel and surf with world champions, and he’s been shaping boards in his garage in Venice for more than 30 years. For my usual spot, Guy is as local as it gets, and every surfer I talked to raved about his boards.

This brings up an important point: You want to pick your shaper based on their strengths and based on what you鈥檙e looking for. I determined that Merrick and Okazaki were likely the best fit for my specific criteria, but if I wanted a surfboard for Hawaii, then maybe Wade Tokoro or John Pyzel would be the move.

Step 3: Talk with Your Shaper

Set up a phone call (or an in-person meeting if you can) with the shaper to discuss the board. You should familiarize yourself with the boards they make because chances are high that they will be using one of those models as a starting point.

Typically, shapers will first ask about your height and weight. Then they鈥檒l likely ask your age and how often you surf to determine how much board you need. Next, all that time you spent trying different boards will come in handy when they ask you what you have been riding and how they worked (or didn鈥檛 work) for you.

When I asked Merrick and Okazaki what the most important factor is for determining the right board, they had the same answer: it depends on where and how you surf now, and where and how you鈥檙e hoping to in the near future.

The 鈥渨here鈥� questions to ask yourself: Are you mostly going to be surfing beach breaks, point breaks, or reef breaks? This is where a shaper with knowledge of your preferred breaks can come in handy. And what size waves will you be on, realistically?

The 鈥渉ow鈥� is a bit harder to quantify. What do you want to do on the wave? What do you enjoy now, and where would you like to get in in the next few years? For example, I told the shapers that I really want to improve my carving, work on speed generation, and build confidence in steeper barreling waves. For me, these are modest but realistic goals for where I am in my evolution as a surfer.

Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Don鈥檛 let your ego get in the way. I get it鈥攏obody wants to seem like a kook, but you have to avoid over-inflating your skills. “That’s the most common mistake people make,鈥� Merrick told me. 鈥淚f they don’t have realistic expectations and goals, then they tend to get the wrong board altogether. Usually, that means not getting enough surfboard. Especially with beginners, they get small boards like the pros, and they don’t have the paddling power, so they miss a ton of waves. You’ve also got to start making adjustments for your physicality, and age.”
2. Don’t forget to be specific. Terms like Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and Expert, are extremely nebulous. Tell your shaper the things you feel like you鈥檙e doing well, and tell them the things you鈥檙e struggling with. Video clips can tell a shaper a lot about where you鈥檙e at, and their experienced eyes will likely spot things in your surfing that you don鈥檛 even know to look for. Get a friend to film you from shore, and show them a mix of your best and worst waves to give them the most accurate picture.
3. Don’t fall into the current obsession with surfboard volume. It鈥檚 not that volume isn鈥檛 important, but it鈥檚 not that helpful on its own. Okazaki broke it down: 鈥淥ver the last few years, the first metric out of someone’s mouth has been volume, and I always chuckle, ‘Well, where do you want that volume? Do you want it in the middle, in the nose, in the tail, distributed uniformly? Do you want it on the rails or more in the center?’ And they realize that they hadn’t given that a thought. Where that volume is is really more important than what the volume is.”

Step 4: Finishing Touches

While you and your shaper talk, they鈥檒l be taking down your decisions in an order form. This is also where you鈥檒l make choices about which type of fin-boxes you want, and how many. You鈥檒l decide whether you want a traditional foam or EPS, what type of fiberglass (or carbon fiber), how heavy, and whether you鈥檇 like to use polyurethane resin or epoxy. Each of these things will affect the way your board performs to different degrees, and while whole articles have been written about each of those categories, again, talk to your shaper about what they think would work best for the design you鈥檝e agreed on.

This is also where you鈥檒l make a decision about art. Do you want to leave the board white, or add a tint to the resin? Or a swirl? Do you have some art you would like laminated onto the deck? These things are a personal touch that make the board feel more uniquely yours, but each one of them will add to the overall cost.

Once everything is agreed on, you will plunk down a deposit (typically $100-200, though some want full payment upfront), and they will get to work making your board. Your shaper will give you a rough timeline when you finalize the details. It could be just a few weeks if they鈥檙e not too busy, or it could be three months. Resist the urge to bug them until after the due date has passed. There is no question a shaper hates more than, 鈥淚s it ready yet?鈥�

My Custom Boards

For my Channel Islands point-break board, Merrick steered me toward his 聽a board that was designed to paddle and catch waves like a much longer board, but surf more like a shortboard. My only reservation was that I wanted something that could handle bigger, steeper, barreling waves (dare to dream). He said no problem and borrowed the thinner rails from his , which are a bit more refined and would also help with my turns.

Merrick recommended a 6-foot, 8-inch board, which would be my biggest board in years, but promised it wouldn鈥檛 surf that way. I had him add five fin-boxes instead of the standard three, so I could ride it as a thruster, a quad, or a twin (i.e. a three-fin, a four-fin, or a two-fin configuration), depending on the day. I also had the board made with (Varial just recently, tragically, went out of business due to a supply-chain interruption, when they were priced out of their foam by the aerospace industry), glassed with epoxy resin tinted Creamsicle orange, and I had a rose emblazoned on the deck.

For my Venice board, I came to Okazaki with a laundry list of what I wanted the board to do. After hearing my thoughts and watching my flailing surf videos, he thought would be a good place to start, or the as he would come to call this latest iteration of a board he鈥檚 been evolving for 22 years.

Okazaki planned to throw in a fairly moderate double concave through the tail, and a single concave around where my front foot would be. That should enhance rail-to-rail transitions, give it a little more pop, and hopefully increase speed out of turns. Guy advocated for a swallow-tail with a prominent double-wing just ahead of it, which would allow for very straight rails for speed, but then give it a nice break to pivot off of for turns. He suggested we go with a 6-foot, 2-inch, with standard polyurethane (PU) foam blank and lightweight four-ounce PU glassing. I had him throw on the same rose I put on my CI board, plus a five-fin-box setup, and picked a Pantone color that looked like bubblegum.

The Results

A few months later, both boards have exceeded my wildest expectations.

I鈥檝e taken my Merrick CI board to point breaks up and down the California coast, in everything from waist-high waves to well overhead. The board has allowed me to get into waves early, then pump down the line, and really sink into my carves like I鈥檇 hoped. In the few months that I鈥檝e had it, I鈥檝e probably caught four of the top five longest and most memorable waves of my life.

For my Okazaki board, I gave Guy such a long list of things I wanted it to do鈥攕ome of which seemed at odds with each other鈥攁nd somehow he did it. It has great paddle power, but I can still duck-dive it. The board can make steep, late drops, but it also has great speed down the line. Trimming around flat sections is easy, but then it turns on a dime with very little effort and takes off again. I鈥檓 riding this board at the local spot I鈥檝e been walking to several times a week for the last three years, and I鈥檓 having more fun out there than I ever have. What鈥檚 more important than that?

Last Advice from the Shapers

“I recommend trying to stay as local as you can,” Okazaki told me. 鈥淎nd that’s more than just for the shaper.鈥� One of Okazaki鈥檚 greatest concerns is the increasing acidification of our oceans. That鈥檚 one of the reasons he uses U.S. Blanks for his foam, because they operate in Los Angeles, and because of that they’re subject to the most stringent environmental standards in the nation. It’s just a 20-minute drive from Okazaki鈥檚 shop to their factory, so the carbon footprint to get a blank from them is as minimal as it gets, and they’re fully solar-powered, too. Okazaki also works with local glassers (which most shapers usually do), which again requires minimal transport, and feeds money directly into the local surf economy.

鈥淚t’s rare these days that you get a product that’s all hand-made by skilled craftsmen and women,鈥� Merrick mused. 鈥淚t’s not your tennis racket, golf club, snowboard, or basketball that just gets pumped out by machines. People should approach it with an appreciation for the art and the craftsmanship. Once people start to appreciate that they’ll appreciate surfing as a whole even more.”

The post Can鈥檛 Find the Right Surfboard? Here鈥檚 How to Order a Custom One. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

It鈥檚 the most wonderful time of the year…OK, Prime Day isn鈥檛 Christmas, but it鈥檚 a pretty great fake holiday if you鈥檙e a sucker for a good deal. And I am indeed that kind of sucker, especially when it comes to outdoor gear. So I stayed up late (most Prime Day deals were announced at midnight Pacific time this morning) and combed through the scores of products on deep discounts. Note: you have to be a to take advantage of the sale.

Here are some of the best outdoor Prime Day deals I found that you can get from now until the end of the day July 17.

Updated July 17: We鈥檝e added six deals to the list, including the Skratch Labs Energy Chews, Tailwind Nutrition Recovery Chocolate powder, Vssl G25 Java Coffee Grinder,聽 Adidas Men’s Terrex Free Hiker 2.0, Kelty Cosmic 0 Down Mummy Sleeping Bag, and the Osprey Poco Plus Child Carrier. We also checked all links and removed the Oru Kayak Lake and the Yeti Tundra 35 cooler.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.聽Learn more.

Ready for a pro tip? Prime Day is a smart time to stock up on adventure snacks. High-quality trail treats like these Skratch Labs Energy Chews aren鈥檛 cheap, but they can have a decent shelf life, so it makes sense to load your larder now. More importantly, if you haven鈥檛 tried Skratch鈥檚 sour-sugar-dusted raspberry gumdrops, do yourself a favor and indulge. Not only do these athlete-approved, easy-to-digest energy chews contain an adventure-fueling formula of simple carbs, sugars, and sodium, but they鈥檙e downright delicious and taste mind-bogglingly like real raspberries.

Recovery Mix is Tailwind Nutrition鈥檚 delicious and nutritious apr猫s adventure powder. Whether you鈥檝e been hitting the gym, crushing singletrack, or battling a complicated climbing project, the drink mix is a perfect way to reset and replenish your body. Unlike many post-workout powders that are almost exclusively packed with protein, Tailwind鈥檚 formula also includes carbs and electrolytes for holistic recovery and rehydration. If you鈥檙e looking for a post-workout pick-me-up, check out the coffee flavor, which includes 80 milligrams of caffeine per serving. Otherwise, you can鈥檛 go wrong with chocolate.

How smooth is VSSL鈥檚 carabiner-topped, 30-gram-capacity G25 Java Manual Coffee Grinder? Smooth as the best cup of coffee you鈥檝e ever had thanks to high-carbon stainless steel conical burrs and a dual-bearing design. VSSL outfitted the G25 with 50 grind settings, allowing you to fine-tune grind consistency to pair with your preferred method of coffee preparation. And while the sleek, two-toned colorway looks sharp in any home kitchen, the G25 is crafted from ultra-durable machined aluminum, making it ideal for car camping, road tripping, surf missions鈥攜ou name it.

If you love the feel of a high-top hiker but hate the heft, check out Adidas鈥� now heavily discounted, lightweight Free Hiker 2.0. The hybrid hiker sports tech typical of Adidas鈥� Terrex line, including aggressively lugged, granite-gripping Continental rubber outsoles, rebound-enhancing midsoles, and a reliable, well-built heel cup. However, what sets the Free Hiker apart is an integrated sock-like gaiter that simultaneously keeps sand and scree from sneaking into the shoe, providing hikers with a touch of compression and more support. Plus, if you like a little street-style with your singletrack, these three stripes have your name on 鈥榚m.

At four and a half pounds, the Kelty Cosmic 0 Down Sleeping Bag isn鈥檛 winning any awards for weight. In fact, we definitely don鈥檛 recommend this sleeping bag if you鈥檙e planning on putting in serious, or even moderate, mileage on the trail. But if you鈥檙e not counting grams and you鈥檙e counting dollars instead, this budget option from Kelty is virtually unbeatable. Kelty keeps the price low (and volume and weight high) by stuffing the 20D nylon mummy鈥檚 trapezoidal baffles with cost-effective 550-fill hydrophobic DriDown. Again, the result isn鈥檛 ultralight, but it is ultra-warm, ultra-comfy, and ultra-affordable.

Parent or packhorse? With Osprey鈥檚 Poco Plus Child Carrier, you can be both! Osprey鈥檚 backpacking DNA is evident as soon as you shoulder the Poco Plus. The toddler-toting pack comes equipped with a padded harness, aluminum-framed suspension, and ample ventilation for easy carrying, ensuring parents don鈥檛 tap out early on the trail. It also comfortably accommodates a petite passenger in the kiddie cockpit (replete with stirrups and a retractable sunshade), as well as plenty of toys, treats, and other essentials spread across 26 liters of ingeniously compartmentalized gear storage.

If you don鈥檛 have a Solo Stove yet, now is the time to pull the trigger. Their super popular Bonfire 2.0 is 30 percent off right now, knocking over $100 off the typical price. And this deal comes with the stand, which raises the fire pit off the ground, helping to increase the airflow while allowing you to use the stainless still fire pit on a deck. This is the same family-sized fire pit I have in my backyard and I鈥檝e become completely addicted to the smokeless aspect of this product. Honestly, I have a hard time sitting around a regular fire after using the Bonfire for so long.

This is, hands down, the best water bottle I own. And I have a lot of bottles in my cabinets. It holds 40 ounces, has a wide-mouth opening, and keeps water cold for up to 24 hours. All of that is great, but I carry this bottle because it鈥檚 absolutely leak-proof and dishwasher safe, which means I don鈥檛 have to hand wash it every night. The pro-grade stainless steel lining also means you鈥檙e only tasting water鈥攏ot leftover flavors from previous drinks. Buy it now for about $14 less than the sticker price.

Osprey makes some of my favorite packs, and their quality carries over to the Duro, a vest that鈥檚 built for running. A rear sleeve holds a 1.5-liter reservoir with a tube that routes around and secures to your chest so you can have hydration on the move, while the front vest panels are strategically designed with pockets that will hold all your snacks, phone, and keys. There鈥檚 even an attachment point for a trekking pole or ice axe if you鈥檙e getting really wild during your trail runs. I鈥檝e done some long runs and races with this pack, and I love it. It鈥檚 34 percent off right now.

You don鈥檛 always need the LifeStraw water filter, but when you do, you鈥檒l be glad it鈥檚 in your pack. This personal water filter acts as a straw that removes 99.9999 percent of waterborne bacteria and parasites from creeks and ponds. It only weighs 1.6 ounces and a single LifeStraw will filter 1,000 gallons of water, so you can keep this in your pack and have peace of mind for years to come. It鈥檚 50 percent off on Prime Day.

The Headout is an aggressive hiker designed to tackle difficult terrain, with an upper that blends breathable mesh with durable leather and Keen鈥檚 patented multi-directional lugged outsole that provides traction and stability when the trail gets rowdy. There鈥檚 a layer of squishy cushion that bounces back when you鈥檙e moving fast and the whole thing is waterproof, so feel free to tromp through those puddles. It鈥檚 a steal at 29 percent off for Prime Day.

Coleman makes some of the most iconic car camping stoves, and for this two-in-one Tabletop, they took their streamlined two-burner design and gave it a miniature grill. One side has a standard stove burner, and the other has a 130-inch grill. You can grill steaks and cook pasta on the same appliance at the same time. It offers 20,000 BTUs of cooking power spread between the two cook surfaces. The lid turns into a wind shield (flaps fold out from the side), and you can remove the grates from the grill and burner to wipe the system clean after the grill cools down. It鈥檚 19 percent off, so if you need a car camping grill, hop to it.

It鈥檚 hard to remember life before CamelBaks, but I can tell you, it wasn鈥檛 great. You had to carry a lot of water bottles and stop pedaling to pull those bottles out of your pack. The Hydrobak takes CamelBak鈥檚 winning platform and reduces it to the essentials: This small pack holds a 50-ounce bladder and has a small pocket big enough for your essentials, making it perfect for a two-hour ride. It鈥檚 a minimalist design that鈥檚 perfect for cyclists who just want to stay hydrated without all of the frills.

Do you need an over-engineered coffee mug? If you鈥檝e ever taken a sip of lukewarm coffee at 11 am from a standard mug, then you know the answer to that question is 鈥測es.鈥� The Rambler鈥檚 double-wall insulated design keeps 14 ounces of java hot for hours, and the lock-tight lid is a joy to sip from. I have a few. I love them, and they鈥檙e 30 percent off, so I might get a couple more.

If you haven鈥檛 dabbled in the 鈥渃ot life鈥� while car camping, do yourself a favor and make the leap. Getting off the ground and into a cot while sleeping in a tent makes the whole situation feel more civilized. Coleman鈥檚 Camping Cot is a queen sized bed with a plush air mattress topper for ultimate frontcountry comfort. There are even two side tables with cup holders. You鈥檙e basically glamping when you use this thing.

Okay, technically this isn鈥檛 a Prime Day deal. This is a 鈥淟imited Time鈥� deal on Amazon, but right now the latest model of GoPro is $100, making it only slightly more expensive than the GoPro Hero11 that鈥檚 on sale for Prime Day. So I feel like it鈥檚 a no-brainer to go for the Hero12, which is their most advanced camera to date boasting new NDR 5.3K and 4K video and an upgraded video stabilization that makes video shot in even the shakiest situations look like it was shot on a gimbal. It has twice the run time than previous models and has Bluetooth audio support for headphones and microphones. It鈥檚 25 percent off right now, taking $100 off the regular sticker price.

More Amazon Prime Day Deals from Our Sites:

The post Our 16 Favorite Deals on Outdoor Gear for Prime Day appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If a surfboard is a paintbrush and a wave is a canvas, then surfers today have thousands of different tools to make art. Are you a traditionalist, like the Old Masters? Take out a classic longboard. Are you more keen on surrealist style, channeling your inner Salvador Dali? Go for an asymmetrical shape. What about contemporary, akin to Yayoi Kusama? You can鈥檛 go wrong with a high-performance shortboard.

But with endless options on the market, all perfectly catered to different surfing styles, abilities, and conditions, deciding which surfboard to ride takes work. Luckily for you, we grabbed seven seasoned surfers last season, set them loose with a variety of currently available boards, and narrowed down the field for a comprehensive report on today鈥檚 best of the best.

Be sure to check out our favorite board shorts and women鈥檚 swimsuits as well.

At a Glance

• Best Quiver Killer Small-Wave Board:
• Best Classic Long Board:
• Best in Good Surf:
• Best Softboard:
• Best Reliable Shortboard:
• Best Board to Push Your Limits:
• How to Choose a Surfboard
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Small-Wave Boards

Best Quiver-Killer

Album Surf Twinsman

Stock Dimensions: 5’0″ x 18.75″ x 2″ – 6’4″ x 21.5″ x 2.75″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Paddles well for its size
鈯� Needs a good-sized wave to get going

Twin-fin surfboards aren鈥檛 what they used to be. What was once a go-to design for cruise-y, mellow surfing, this shape doesn鈥檛 sacrifice when it comes to high-performance. It can turn a small-wave session into something much more. Just look at Josh Kerr 鈥� he鈥檚 pulling massive airs on these boards. And the Twinsman is the pinnacle of that balance between user-friendly and high-performance.

Speaking to that blend of high-performance and classic fish style, tester Charlie Hough noted: 鈥淚t feels like a responsive fish. Once you get going, it has the performance of a thruster and the speed of a retro fish.鈥� What鈥檚 more, Hough added, 鈥淚f you are looking for a board with X-factor, this is the one. You ride it 4-5 inches shorter than your normal board which gives you more control under your feet. It will bring an extra spark to your day-to-day sessions and will allow you to do surfing you have never done before.鈥�

Best Classic Longboard

Channel Islands CI Log

Dimensions: 9’0鈥� x 22 5/8鈥� x 3鈥� (70.4L) to 10’0″ x 23 1/4鈥� x 3 3/16鈥� (85.5L)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Maneuverability with a classic style
鈯� Not the best board for anything too high-performance

This is the modern longboarder鈥檚 longboard. It has all the staples of a classic style, while allowing for contemporary surfing, too. Wanna walk the nose? Go for it. Wanna put it on rail and do some turns? Be our guest. This board was a longtime passion-project from the best minds at Channel Islands, resulting in a longboard that can do it all.

鈥淭he funny thing about a good traditional log is that is can work for a beginner to intermediate really well,鈥� said Malibu-based tester Devon Howard. 鈥淏ut if a high-level pro gets on this board, they will be able to unlock features of the design that allow them to tap in and do their best surfing in and around to pocket.鈥� Howard said that that wasn鈥檛 a common feature for most of the other boards he tested.

Overall, this board has all the modern perks, but comes in a timeless package. This is the longboard for everyone, from beginners to pros.

Best Alternative Boards

Best in Good Surf

JS Industries Big Baron

Dimensions: 5’10” x 19″ x 2 7/16″ (29L) to 6’4″ x 20 3/4″ x 2 3/4″ (38.7L)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Good for pointbreaks and open-face
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 do well in smaller surf

Amongst hardcore rippers, the mid-length gets a bad rap. But the Big Baron is different. It鈥檚 not just for beginners. This board is inspired by mid-lengths of generations鈥� past, and the ones that were ripped to bits on the Gold Coast of Australia鈥檚 infamous pointbreaks. The flat rocker holds speed through weaker sections, while a double concave through the fins allows for maximum maneuverability. Plus, it can hold in a variety of wave size.

Laguna Beach-based tester Eli Viszolay said, 鈥淚 took the board out at Cloudbreak on a stormy day when nobody was around. It was low tide and the waves were head high鈥攂arreling down the point. I had finally started to get used to the board and the thing worked like magic. It鈥檚 a lot different than a shortboard but when you adapt to it, your speed and flow increases a lot.鈥�

With a flatter rocker, and drawn-out rails, it might just even improve your style. 鈥淧robably in between cruise-y and high performance,鈥� Viszolay continued. 鈥淭he board reminds you to smooth out your turns using the rail.鈥�

Best Softboard

Catch Surf 54 Special

Dimensions: 4鈥�6鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durability; don鈥檛 worry about dinging it
鈯� A bit chunky

Although you might not see John John Florence or Carissa Moore riding them on the Championship Tour, softboards have come a long way in the last decade or so. No longer are they just for beginners at Waikiki or Doheny. Just ask Blair Conklin. The stylish skimboarder and softie surfer enthusiast is doing more progressive surfing on foam boards than many pros on traditional foam and fiberglass. And these days, they work in pretty much all conditions鈥攅specially the 54 Special.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the Swiss Army knife of surfboards,鈥� Conklin said. 鈥淕roms love 鈥榚m, experts love 鈥榚m, and they even work great finless. I think I have had the best surf sessions of my life on this board.鈥�

Conklin said that he especially loved the 54 Special鈥檚 durability: he didn鈥檛 have to worry about dings, and found the board could take a look of abuse. 鈥淚 have never been able to snap one of these things and I have been in plenty of conditions that probably should have. It has three stringers which makes it rigid, fast, and impossible to break.”

The one downside? Conklin says after riding the 54 Special, you might never want to ride a high-performance shortboard again.

High-Performance Boards

Best Reliable Shortboard

Chili Surfboards Shortie

Dimensions: 5鈥�10鈥� x 18 5/8鈥� x 2 5/16鈥� (26.5L) to 6鈥�2鈥� x 19 3/8鈥� x 2 3/4鈥� (33.9L)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Reliable, responsive, forgiving
鈯� Needs solid surf to really show its strengths

During his final year on the Championship Tour, World Champion Adriano de Souza helped James 鈥淐hilli鈥� Cheal develop the Shortie. So, yeah, you could say this board was built for high-performance. But it鈥檚 also got a forgiving nature, too; meaning you don鈥檛 need to be a World Champ to shred on it. With extra foam in the stringer line, it鈥檚 got paddle power and holds speed through flat sections, making it ideal for anyone from pros to average joes.

鈥淚t鈥檚 high performance,鈥� remarked tester Dane Zaun, a Los Angeles local, 鈥渂ut forgiving enough for anyone looking to ride a shortboard to have fun and improve. That big sweet spot makes it so fun and forgiving.鈥� According to Zaun, some high-performance boards are good when you鈥檙e surfing well, but really bad if you mess up. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always nice to click in with a board and feel like it鈥檚 an extension of you鈥攖hat鈥檚 what the Shortie does,鈥� said Zaun. 鈥淚t clicks in good surf, while accentuating your own strengths as a surfer.鈥�

The bottom line? If you want to rip, this board is for you; if you want to learn how to rip, this board is forgiving enough and a good place to start.

Best Board to Push Your Limits

Pyzel Red Tiger

Dimensions: 5鈥�4鈥� x 18 3/8鈥� x 2 1/16鈥� (22.2L) to 6鈥�4鈥� x 20鈥� x 2 3/4鈥� (36.9L)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast, extra hold, good turning radius
鈯� Requires a wave with push

Described as their 鈥渇astest board yet鈥� with a 鈥渇un-formance鈥� philosophy, and a favorite of John John Florence, the Pyzel Red Tiger is a board that moves. Need a little pep in your surfing? Give this board a try. Testers found that the flattened-out rocker allows for extra speed in those slow sections, without compromising for high-performance in steeper waves either. This board works well in gutless waves to pumping, overhead surf alike.

Tester Kevin Meza, a surfer known as the 鈥淏aja Koala,鈥� said he loved how well this board did when he was going fast. 鈥淚 think one of the standout differences I felt on this board, when compared to other popular models on the market today is how well the board responds with so much speed, without losing control due to all that double concave it has in the back-foot area.鈥� According to Meza, the pulled-in tail gives the Red Tiger release and more of a skateboard-like feel. That said, Meza said that his favorite part was that the board didn鈥檛 skid out while hitting a powerful section with speed.

All in all, the Pyzel Red Tiger is a high-performance shortboard that doesn鈥檛 give out when it鈥檚 pushed to its limits.

How to Choose a Surfboard

Go to Your Local Surf Shop

Support your local watering hole by purchasing a board鈥攚hether off the rack in standard stock sizes or by submitting a custom order. The shop owner or manager can help you dial in the best dimensions for your height, weight, and experience, and also talk you through the best fin options for your new sled.

And speaking of experience, be honest鈥攚ith the shop employees and yourself. What level of surfer are you? What kind of waves will you truly be riding on this board? Being humble and speaking truthfully will go a long way toward getting the right equipment so you can catch more waves and have more fun.

Go Straight to the Shaper

If you鈥檙e having trouble ordering a specific board through your local surf shop, most of the shapers mentioned above accept direct orders through their websites. You can tinker around with their volume calculators online and decide which board shapes and specs are right for you. If you鈥檙e still having trouble, give them a call.

Buy Used

Buying a new surfboard can be a big investment. If you鈥檙e not ready to drop a chunk of change on a freshie, or want to try a new shape but aren鈥檛 sure if you鈥檒l like it, take some time to peruse Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and OfferUp. Reputable resellers like also have a great inventory of used boards.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 7
• Number of Products Tested: 21
• Number of Waves Ridden: Countless
• Number of Wipeouts: At least a couple dozen
• Number of Dings Acquired: More than a few

Surfers, for better or worse, have long been associated with exaggerated youth. And give a surfer a bunch of the best surfboards in the world to test ride, well, you might鈥檝e guessed it鈥攖hey鈥檙e like a kid in a candy store. But for this test, the sugar-high of surfboard testing was suppressed and testers thought carefully while documenting data, one wave, one board at a time.

The testers employed in this surfboard survey included a wide array of surfers鈥攆rom current professionals in the free surf realm, to former professionals on the competitive circuit, to seasoned surf travelers, to average surfers with an above-average knowledge of surfboards. And so, each tester rode a variety of boards, and documented their findings with quantitative results on which ones worked best in specific conditions and for specific surfing styles. We tested waves all over the country鈥攆rom Laguna Beach in California to Pipeline at Hawaii.

Meet Our Testers

Category Manager: Dashel Pierson

• Age: 32
• Stance: Goofy
• Height: 5鈥�11鈥�
• Weight: 160 lbs

Dashel Pierson is the Associate Editor of Surfer Magazine. When he鈥檚 not writing about surfing, he鈥檚 in the water, either locally in southern California, or traveling in search of waves in far-flung locations.

Dane Zaun

• Age: 32
• Stance: Goofy
• Height: 5鈥�11鈥�
• Weight: 185 lbs

Hailing from the South Bay of Los Angeles, Dane Zaun is a staple in the City of Angels surf scene. Once a competitor, now a free-surfer and father, Dane can be found in and around LA whenever the waves are good and putting on a clinic for the countless crowds the area is known for.

Elijah Viszolay

• Age: 32
• Stance: Goofy
• Height: 6鈥�0鈥�
• Weight: 185 lbs

A surf nomad, Eli Viszolay is a tough guy to nail down. When he鈥檚 not hunting waves in Indonesia, Chile, Hawaii, New Zealand, or any other surf hotspot, he鈥檚 at home in Laguna Beach, California. But don鈥檛 expect him to stick around long.

Nate Zoller

• Age: 35
• Stance: Regular
• Height: 5鈥�8鈥�
• Weight: 164 lbs

One of the most well-traveled free-surfers in the game, Nate Zoller has scored waves in India, Alaska, Fiji, and more. Not a lot of folks can boast that鈥r add those stamps to their passports.

Blair Conklin

• Age: 28
• Stance: Regular
• Height: 6鈥�0鈥�
• Weight: 160 lbs

More known as a skimboarder than a surfer, per se, Blair Conklin鈥檚 finless finesse has made him one of the best in the world. However, he鈥檚 no slouch on a regular surfboard either. And many consider him one of the most stylish in the biz 鈥� especially in the air.

Charlie Hough

• Age: 33
• Stance: Regular
• Height: 5鈥�10鈥�
• Weight: 180 lbs

A precious metals salesman by trade, Charlie Hough owns more surfboards than the average wave-riding fanatic. (Perhaps to the dismay of his wife.) So, when a new board comes onto the market, you can guarantee Hough will get his mitts on it. Or, at the very least, know all about it.

Devon Howard

• Age: 49
• Stance: Regular
• Height: 6鈥�1鈥�
• Weight: 195 lbs

One of the most stylish longboarders to ever cross-step, Devon Howard can often be found at Malibu 鈥� weaving through the crowd, and blending both classic style with modern progression.

Kevin Meza

• Age: 30
• Stance: Regular
• Height: 5鈥�11鈥�
• Weight: 183.5 lbs

Known by some as the 鈥淏aja Koala,鈥� Kevin Meza is a force of nature when it comes to shortboard innovation. From pop shuv-its, to fingerflips, Meza鈥檚 creative bag of tricks is deeper than a spitting tube at Pipeline.

The post Our Favorite Small-Wave, Alternative, and High-Performance Surfboards appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

From lightweight packrafts that weigh less than some tents to whitewater rigs that can take on the gnarliest rapids, there are hundreds of different types of boats on the market these days. Last year, we tested canoes, kayaks, rafts, and everything in between from Colorado鈥檚 rivers to Florida鈥檚 estuaries. Below you鈥檒l find a sampling of some of the best paddle craft for hitting the water in 2024.

Be sure to check out our favorite boardshorts and women鈥檚 swimsuits as well.

At a Glance

• Best Raft:
• Best Canoe:
• Best Packraft:
• Best Whitewater Kayak:
• Best Recreational Kayak:
• Best Fishing Kayak:
• How to Choose a Boat
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Raft

Sotar Rogue Argo

Length: 12 ft
Exterior Width: 68 in
Tube Diameter: 21 to 17 in
Air Chambers: 4 (including thwarts)
Capacity: 675 lbs
Weight: 60 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Nimble enough to get through creeks while also big enough for the biggest rapids
鈯� Diminishing tubes makes it extremely responsive
鈯� The guide position is hard to get used to if you have three people paddling

Taking advantage of the growing small inflatable market, Sotar set out to make the ultimate R2/R3 raft (which means it can carry two or three paddlers) and came up with its new Rogue Argo, a 12-footer that paddles like a paddle cat but has a floor like a raft. The result is a craft that鈥檚 small and nimble enough to charge creeks while beefy enough to run meaty Class IV-V rapids, like on the Gauley River in West Virginia. Diminishing tubes in the front (but not the stern), two thwarts, and a weight of only 60 pounds鈥攍ighter than some of the 10-footers on the market鈥攁re just a few of the features that had our testers sold. It’s so light that it turns your strokes into speed when you need it most and lets you cartop or shoulder-carry it single-handedly. All these features make for a craft that dishes up the same fun as a paddle cat but with a raft鈥檚 space and buoyancy.

That said, don鈥檛 assume the Rogue Argo is just a shrunken-down expedition raft. The durable RF-welded urethane construction and new design features are built specifically for the category. Perhaps the raft鈥檚 most noticeable feature is its diminishing tubes, whose diameters are smaller up front and larger in the stern (17 inches to 21 inches). 鈥淚t creates additional rocker which lets you go up and over oncoming features while keeping the back buoyant,鈥� said tester Aaron Ball, a Swiftwater Rescue instructor for Colorado鈥檚 Southwest Rescue. 鈥淚t was super responsive for two people, tracked well, and took hits with ease. The Reverse Mullet might have been a better name for it.鈥�

A mesh floor keeps the weight down while draining water quickly, maintaining buoyancy. While water can enter it in wave trains, it sits up high and out of the water most of the time thanks to cam straps securing the mash to the thwarts. It also drains fast鈥攐ur testers on Colorado鈥檚 Animas River found it dryer than expected. 鈥淚ts mesh was great鈥攊t didn鈥檛 let much water through and made the boat lighter for an already small craft,鈥� Ball said. His only concern: 鈥淲ith frigid water temps, it could lead to cold feet.鈥�

The two thwarts and grab handles were ideal for holding on when the going got rough. The thwart spacing is adjustable, which made it easier for testers to lock their feet in. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice that two thwarts are included,鈥� said tester and former international guide Miles DeFeyter. 鈥淎 lot of rafts don鈥檛 have that. And the grab handles are awesome鈥擨 held onto them several times鈥攖his thing was made to run the gnar.鈥�

The only knock? Paddling it as an R3. 鈥淭he guide position takes a little getting used to,鈥� added Ball. 鈥淪itting on top of the 21-inch tube feels a bit different than the standard 19-inch of a classic raft. It takes a while to figure out what position feels most comfortable to guide from.鈥�

Best Canoe

Esquif Huron 15

Length: 15 ft.
Width: 35 in.
Weight: 55 lbs.

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable material so it doesn’t get dings easily
鈯� Can’t be loaded with too much gear, or it becomes sluggish

It鈥檚 rare for a new canoe to hit the shelves, but Esquif鈥檚 new Huron 15 impressed testers enough last fall to make this year鈥檚 cut. It can be paddled solo or in tandem and has a hull based on its popular Prospector design, but trimmed slightly lower from 14.5 inches to 12.5 inches鈥攎aking it more sporty and less susceptible to wind. It鈥檚 designed for cottagers and recreational paddlers who want a solid canoe for calm water and small rivers but don鈥檛 need the depth and capacity of the Prospector.

Tester Nick Hinds took it out with his son, Finn, on Washington鈥檚 Cottage Lake, putting it through its paces on a quiet morning with glassy water and moody skis. 鈥淚 could load it by myself鈥攚hich is hard with most canoes鈥攁nd I could paddle it solo or with my son,鈥� he said, calling it agile and forgiving. 鈥淚t seemed like the hull knew where I wanted it to go.鈥� Hinds also prized its efficiency. 鈥淓ach stroke was felt instantly,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t carved turns right when needed and tracked when we needed to go straight. And while limiting its use on whitewater, its low sidewall prevents it from being blown off course.鈥�

The only drawback Hind noted was its carrying capacity. 鈥淧erfect for mild moving water鈥攁s long as it鈥檚 not loaded too heavily,鈥� he said, explaining that it was best for two lighter people or one heavy person, and not too much gear. As for outfitting, the webbing seats 鈥渨ere comfortable鈥� and the ash yoke 鈥渇ormed well for one-person carrying.鈥�

Tester Alan Schmidt, who owns eight canoes and has been paddling for 40 years, put it through its paces on Washington鈥檚 low-water Class I-II Skykomish with not a child, but his 80-pound Labrador, who had no trouble centering his weight. Schmidt said that despite the Esquif 15鈥檚 rock and log dodging, the canoe tracked well, requiring 鈥渕inimal correction strokes,鈥� and was responsive to sharp turns. He also appreciated the seat height and tumblehome (the inward curve of the hull above the waterline), which 鈥渁llows for easy and efficient solo paddling.鈥�

Best of all, testers don鈥檛 need to worry about dings. It鈥檚 made from T-Formex a layered plastic with flotation and abrasion resistance, which has supplanted Royalex. Schmidt loved the material, especially on the unavoidable submerged rocks. 鈥淚t slid over them easily instead of sticking, as some composite materials do.鈥�

Still, Schmift did manage to flip the Esquif 15 in the tight confines of the canyon, putting him and his dog into the drink. Luckily, they had no trouble getting back in. 鈥淭he recovery was simple and easy due to the positive buoyancy and the handles on each end,鈥� he said.

Best Pack Raft

Alpacka Refuge

Length: 87 in. (medium)
Width: 34.5 in. (medium)
Weight: 6.7 lbs (medium)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Super lightweight but very river-worthy as well
鈯� Re-rigging time takes just five minutes
鈯� Might replace all your other rafts

Devotees of uber-lightweight backcountry craft with whitewater chops, rejoice: Alpacka鈥檚 new 2024 Refuge will have you re-thinking where you can paddle, whether you鈥檙e shouldering it to a high-alpine fishing lake, accessing remote rivers, or even bikepacking with it as part of your shuttle.

This packraft combines features of its earlier Refuge and whitewater version into one model, checking all the boxes for exploring wilderness waterways. Already known for its material鈥檚 bombproofness, Alpacka upgraded the new version to a beefier 840-denier nylon, along with a 210-denier high-count nylon hull. Now available in medium (7 feet 3 inches long) and large models (7 and a half feet and 5 inches long), it also comes standard with a backband, inflatable whitewater foot brace, and two-point thigh straps to hold you in when the going gets rough.

We tested it on the rivers and lakes of Northwest Colorado, assessing its whitewater mettle and its packability. First off, the weight comes to just 6.7 pounds for the medium (barely more than a three-person tent), making it easy to carry. It鈥檚 also fit onto the outside of our daypack easily, with plenty of weight to spare for beer, bread, and Brie. After carrying it into Jonah, Whale, and Martha lakes, we were also impressed with its game-changing cargo fly and airtight zipper that lets you stash gear inside the tubes, keeping it out of the way and your center of gravity low for added stability. 鈥淵ou just have to make sure you load it evenly so it鈥檚 not lopsided,鈥� said one tester. Deflating it between lakes, we had the re-rigging time down to just five minutes. Simply roll it out, insert the nozzle of the micro-weight bellows bag, fill 鈥榚r up with a pump, and top it off by blowing.

Another tester took it on the nearby Class II+ Colorado River, sussing out its whitewater cred by assessing the thigh straps, backband, footbrace, and sprayskirt, which attaches to a PVC rim. In the Eye of the Needle rapid, it slipped into the scouting eddy effortlessly and easily punched through the wave train. 鈥淚t rode up and over the waves like a raft,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd the skirt kept all the splashes out.鈥� The beefier floor shrugged off all abrasions, including a bottom-dragging landing.

Tester Dan Ransom, a 6鈥�1鈥� packrafter who paddles 60 days a year, took it out on Oregon鈥檚 Class II-III Rogue River and appreciated its river worthiness and roominess. 鈥淭he whitewater rigging makes it a super capable boat for the size and weight,鈥� he said, adding it packs down smaller than comparable whitewater models. 鈥淚 was impressed by how stable, fast, and nimble it is. A fun little playboat for go-karting around on rivers with easier features. And it’s the easiest-rolling boat Alpacka makes.鈥� Its biggest strength: 鈥淎 capable boat that鈥檚 very light when it’s on your back. Ideal for trips that require a lengthy approach or exit, moderate whitewater, and where weight is at a premium.鈥�

Best Whitewater Kayak

Pyranha Firecracker

Length: 7鈥�11鈥�
Width: 26 in
Weight: 41 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great for every skill level
鈯� Higher knee placement provides comfortable paddling position
鈯� None

Pyranha鈥檚 new Firecracker is plain, well鈥xplosive. With its volume loaded up front for river running and a slicey stern for more playful paddles, the new half-slice lets you whip into micro eddies, snap onto waves, and get vertical wherever you want, all while retaining river runnability, Our testers put it to the task on various sections of Washington鈥檚 Skykomish River and the East Coast鈥檚 Nolichucky River, and found it extremely capable in both settings.

Whether you鈥檙e a pro or an average Joe, you鈥檒l be comfortable running rapids on the Firecracker. The boat鈥檚 planing hull keeps it stable, spinnable, and surfable, while its rockered but short bow keeps you dry and relaxed. 鈥淎 nice balance of playfulness and forgiveness,鈥� said 145-pound tester Judah Harms, who put the medium through its paces on Washington鈥檚 Skykomish. 鈥淎nd the volume up front keeps the bow dry when surfing.鈥� He added that playboaters will like how it sprays water away when its surfing.

Wider than many of Pyranha鈥檚 other kayaks, the Firecracker鈥檚 planing hull also eases into a gentle edge for carving. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just enough to work with but novices won鈥檛 find it too aggressive,鈥� said Harms. And the stern, he said, 鈥渋s super fun鈥攚hat little volume it has is distributed nicely, which helps it engage.鈥� He found it did really well when he got vertical on rapids, too.

Tester Nick Hinds took it on Washington鈥檚 Class III Teton River at low water, ripping up three surf waves and stern squirting eddylines (stern squirting is the kayak-equivalent of doing a wheelie on a bike). 鈥淚t carves great on a wave, without kicking out from too much rocker,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t sits in the wave鈥檚 sweet spot. I was able to surf until I was sore.鈥� Calling it an 鈥渁gile little kayak鈥攆ast on a wave for its length,鈥� he added that it鈥檚 great for catching waves on the fly, making hard cutbacks, and splatting rocks and stern squirting. One demerit: 鈥淭here鈥檚 no drain plug, so don’t forget your sponge.鈥�

Our testers also liked its higher knee placement, providing a comfortable paddling position while freeing up foot room. In particular, Harms calls out the boat鈥檚 forgiveness, which lets it accommodate a wide variety of paddlers. 鈥淚鈥檇 put a beginner in it and recommend it to intermediates wanting to get more playful on their hometown runs, while experts will love it to up their freestyle game.鈥�

Best Recreational Kayak

Old Town Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL

Length: 13 ft
Width: 35 in
Weight: 90 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� High weight capacity
鈯� Not for windy conditions

You鈥檒l look at lakes, bays, and easy-flowing rivers in a new light while paddling the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL recreational kayak. Perfect for heading out with your kid, spouse, pooch, or friend, it鈥檚 the ultimate family machine that can be paddled solo or tandem, with 491 pounds of weight capacity.

Our testers took it throughout the bays and inland waterways of Florida and found it perfect for the Sunshine State and beyond. 鈥淰ery dry with a well-planned out deck,鈥� said tester Tony Lai of St. Petersburg, who paddled it in wind with a little chop and touted its built-in seats with backrests, storage hatches, cup holders, molded footwells and cooler spot, and front and rear tank wells. 鈥淧lenty of space for whatever you want to bring.鈥� He also relished its higher sitting frame seat (an upgrade) and center deck space for fishing. 鈥淪uper easy to stand up on and get back down,鈥� he said. 鈥淎 great poling platform for sight fishing.鈥�

Sarasota鈥檚 Ryan Nowakowski took it out with his 70-pound son Jackson,10, on a calm bay with an outgoing tide and winds around seven knots. 鈥淩oomy, comfortable, stable and versatile,鈥� he said, acknowledging its tracking ability and AirComfort seats, which have an adjustable backrest and position your knees at a natural bend. 鈥淐an handle family beach days, lazy bay paddling, and wind, waves and chop. Not for super long distances, but great for shorter jaunts with stability and comfort.鈥�

Testament came when they were drifting in about three feet of water, and out of nowhere the bow beneath Jackson was hit and launched up in the air by a very startled manatee. 鈥淛ackson was scared but the kayak didn鈥檛 capsize,鈥� he said.

Nowakowski also applauded the waterproof hatches in front of each seat, which are deeper than those on other models and able to carry phones, wallets, keys, and more, as well as improved scupper locations so any water that gets in drains back out quickly. 鈥淵ou can stuff your accessories right in front of you for easy access, which frees up the tank well for coolers or other items,鈥� he says. 鈥淯nfortunately, we couldn鈥檛 grab our phone quick enough for the manatee.鈥�

Noting it didn鈥檛 want to track as well in windy or up current conditions, we wouldn鈥檛 recommend the Malibu Two XL for more serious expeditions.

Best Fishing Kayak

Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132

Length: 13鈥�2鈥�
Width: 36 in
Weight: 143 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� E-bike technology makes it easy to go against ocean tides while fishing
鈯� Lifetime hull warranty
鈯� Have to cut off the power to go into reverse, which can waste precious seconds with a fish on the line

The BigWater ePDL+ is Old Town鈥檚 most innovative pedal kayak, essentially using what is best described as e-bike technology. In short, its battery-powered pedal-drive lets anglers switch between manual paddle, pedal, power-assist pedal, or fully motorized cruise control, upping the versatility for kayak fishing. The LED screen shows you the mode, speed/assist level, and battery consumption level.

鈥淰ery intuitive, not much of a learning curve,鈥� said tester Christi Holmes, who paddled it on lakes and tidal bays in Maine and Florida. 鈥淓xcelled going against ocean surf and tides when trying to get to my fishing grounds.鈥� She loved that she could take breaks for snacks, photos, and changing lures while the kayak kept cruising. 鈥淟iked knowing that if my battery died, I could just pedal back,鈥� she said, adding it was great for trolling and heading against Maine鈥檚 powerful tidal rivers. 鈥淚t works best in tidal areas or areas with strong currents and you need to get somewhere. Less work meant I could go farther and fish longer.鈥�

Tester Bill Sikora used it on the fresh and saltwater of the South Florida canal. 鈥淪table hull and lower speed great for trolling for gamefish and against the tide,鈥� he said, adding that while trolling a small blade bait he hooked into a peacock bass. 鈥淚 locked the rudder in place and just enjoyed the ride. The drive never felt glitchy and maintained speed even during extended use鈥攁nd never felt it would die thanks to the power indicator.鈥� The only weakness he noted was that you had to cut the power off to go into reverse. If a hooked fish turns toward a structure on a bank, he said, pedaling backward lets you pull it back out into open water. 鈥淲ith the power-assist engaged, you have to pedal a few times before it kicks off and the drive goes back into manual mode,鈥� he said, which takes up precious seconds when you have a fish on the line.

Other features include a lifetime hull warranty (two years for the ePDL+ drive), a 36-volt lithium-ion battery, EVA foam floor pads for standing, rod and cup holders, a tackle box, full-length accessory tracks for customization, a wide stern tank well, and an offset shallow water anchor mount.

How to Choose a Boat

Generally, there are canoes and sea kayaks for touring lakes and bays, hardshell recreational and inflatable kayaks for user-friendly flatwater paddling (and also inflatable kayaks for Class I-III whitewater), and whitewater rafts and kayaks designed for running rivers. It鈥檚 important to decide what kind of paddling you鈥檙e most interested in before making any decisions about which boat to buy. Factors should include your proximity to water (and what type of water that is), skill level, and storage access. Below is a quick rundown on the types of crafts you can choose from.

Sit-Inside Kayaks

These are good for folks paddling in cooler climates or taking longer trips, since sitting inside a closed cockpit keeps you drier and more out of the wind. They also offer better in-hull storage for gear, making them better for extended jaunts. Touring models such as sea kayaks are generally longer and narrower, making them faster and better suited for bigger crossings and multi-day trips (most come with a nylon spray skirt to keep splashes at bay). Recreational kayaks cater more to entry-level paddlers and are shorter, wider, and more stable, plus they usually have larger cockpits. The tradeoff is they鈥檙e a bit slower and require more effort to paddle long distances.

Sit-on-Top Kayaks

These are touring and recreational kayaks that let you sit outside in a self-draining depression in the hull rather than inside a cockpit. They鈥檙e great for entry-level paddlers since you can climb back on if you tip over, and are well-suited for warmer climates. In general, wider means more stable, and longer means faster, even though they鈥檙e generally slower than their sit-inside brethren.

Inflatable Kayaks

Let鈥檚 call them IKs instead of duckies; it sounds better and is more in line with their performance. As with rafts, abrasion-resistant rubber makes inflatable kayaks well-suited for rivers and other rocky environments. What inflatable kayaks lack in hull speed they make up for in stability, durability, and portability鈥攚hen you鈥檙e through paddling, simply roll them up for transport and storage back at home. Available in both single and double models, most also have inflatable self-bailing floors.

Fishing Kayaks

Fishing kayaks are the same as sit-on-tops, but with options to add accessories such as rod holders, bait platforms, anchors, tackle compartments, electronics, and more. They鈥檙e generally wider, heavier, and more stable (some let you cast while standing), with large maximum capacities for gear鈥攁nd fish. Pedal kayaks are propelled via a removable system that drops through the hull in front of your seat (note: you can also use a paddle). They can reach speeds of five miles per hour (faster than you can paddle) and are steered with a hand-operated rudder. While their origins stem from fishing (i.e. they keep your hands free for casting), they鈥檙e becoming popular for general recreational use as well, and are good options for birding, sightseeing, exploring, and other uses. Most also come with a forward and reverse mode, which can be handy for retrieving a snagged lure.

Whitewater Kayaks

Whitewater kayaks run the gamut from tiny playboats built specifically for surfing waves to more bulbous creek boats for charging through hydraulics, to well-rounded river runners, built for easy paddling downstream. Determine what kind of water you鈥檒l be paddling before making your decision. 鈥淗alf-slice鈥� boats are becoming increasingly popular, with a forgiving bow for river running and a flat stern for playing, squirting, and surfing.

Pack Rafts

This burgeoning category consists of uber-lightweight, bathtub-shaped inflatable rafts that are easy to carry into hard-to-reach lakes and other waterways. They come in a variety of shapes, weights, and sizes, from super light (under four pounds) for easy portaging, to more robust models complete with sprayskirts and thigh straps for whitewater.

Whitewater Rafts

These durable boats are generally made for carrying gear and passengers down whitewater rivers. They range from heavy-duty haulers for multi-day trips to light and fast fishing vessels complete with raised seats and casting platforms.

Other Considerations to Ask Yourself

There are a lot of choices when it comes to design and materials. Ask yourself a few questions to narrow your search to the best craft for your needs, such as:

What kind of paddling do I want to do?

The water conditions will greatly affect the type of boat that is right for you. Will you be sticking to flatwater lakes and rivers or tackling whitewater?

How much space do I need?

For longer day trips and overnights, you鈥檒l need room for extra gear, so consider slightly larger, or even tandem models.

What鈥檚 my budget?

There鈥檚 a wide range of prices depending on size, design, and material, for everything from rec to whitewater kayaks. Decide how high-performance you want to go and what your budget constraints are before narrowing it down.

Do I want a tandem or single?

Many rec and touring kayaks are made in single- and two-person versions. While it is possible to paddle a tandem kayak solo, it鈥檚 more difficult, so only get a tandem kayak if you鈥檒l be using it mostly with someone else.

What type of material should I choose?

As with most things, you get what you pay for. Weight and durability are the big variables to watch for. Some higher-end boats are made of fiberglass and composite, making them lighter but more expensive and less durable. The majority of recreational and whitewater kayaks are made from plastic, which is affordable and durable.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 14
• Number of products tested: 19
• Miles paddled: 136
• Cumulative put-ins reached: 24
• Post-paddle PBRs: 36 (minus the one that exploded)
• Cups of coffee: 25
• Hull bumps by manatees: 1

To test boats this season, we assembled a team of expert paddlers from around the country who took some of the newest paddle craft on the market everywhere from the manatee-filled estuaries of Florida to the Rockies and rivers of Washington. The group consisted of guides, retailers, whitewater junkies, fishing aficionados, and more, all sharing a love for being on the water as often as possible. Overall, we got our feet wet on 19 different tester boats, whittling the list down to the above five based on performance, weight, and durability.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Testing manager Eugene Buchanan is the 14-year publisher and editor-in-chief of Paddler magazine and founder of PaddlingLife.com. He鈥檚 written about the outdoors for more than 30 years. He鈥檚 a former ski patroller, raft, and kayak guide whose passion for paddling has taken him to more than 30 countries on six continents. A Fellow member of the , he was also the recipient of W.L. Gore & Associates鈥檚 prestigious Shipton-Tillman grant for a 27-day, white-knuckle whitewater trip down Siberia鈥檚 Bashkaus River, a trip he chronicled in one of his five books, .

The post The Best Canoes, Kayaks, and Rafts on the Market appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Dear Sundog: A few years ago I bought a groover for river trips, thinking it a necessary bit of group gear. My river friends didn鈥檛 own one, and we always had to scramble to borrow/rent/steal one for each trip. It was expensive, like $400, once I got the accompanying seat and rocket boxes that fit into my rowing frame, but I didn鈥檛 mind as I thought it would make me the 鈥済ood guy鈥� who supplied something essential for our trips.

But now that I鈥檓 the proud owner of a self-contained portable toilet, I find that I鈥檓 just expected to carry it on my raft, unload and set it up each night, then break it down and load it back onto my boat each morning. In the past, when we rented a groover, we all took turns setting it up and carrying it. It鈥檚 not that big of a deal, but then, they start to stink after a few days, and now it鈥檚 a feature of EVERY trip I do.

What鈥檚 more, at the end of the trips, no one has ever offered to empty/clean it for me, so now I鈥檓 always stuck with that delightful bit of scrubbery at the Maverick truck stop. The thing feels like an albatross and I鈥檓 tired of hauling all my friends鈥� shit. Should I just tell them I don鈥檛 have it anymore and let them figure it out on their own? 鈥擜ntagonized Shit Servant聽

Dear A.S.S.: As a retired Water Sports Team Associate (aka 鈥渞iver guide鈥�) I can see at least two sides of this conundrum. On the one, having dumped and scrubbed dozens of boxes of human excrement in my day, I can attest that it鈥檚 really not as bad as it sounds. As with most jobs, once you accept it as your lot in life, it becomes kind of … normal. On the other hand, any chore done with the esprit de corps of an expedition, with everyone pulling their own weight, devolves to a bummer when you鈥檙e the one stuck doing it every time. Your generous purchase for your friends鈥� enjoyment seems to prove the adage that no good deed goes unpunished.

You鈥檒l have to take a hard line with your buds: request some volunteers to deal with the mess before the trip begins. If no one steps up, then your groover can call in sick, and the group can scramble to rent something. In this heady age of technological wonders one after the next gleefully promising to make your life easier, there is not yet, to Sundog鈥檚 knowledge an app or a bot that solves the age-old dilemma of disposing of feces. However with the surge of COVID-era newcomers to the sport of rafting (if you can call all-day bouts of beer drinking a 鈥渟port鈥�) there has emerged a new service that Sundog has sampled and hardily recommend: toilet rentals which include the cleaning. In this new-fangled scenario, all party members pitch in 20 bucks or so, people share the duties, and at the end you just drop the hot pot on someone else鈥檚 doorstep.

Readers respond: Should a woman go on a river trip with a guy she didn’t want to sleep with?

As one of the early female outdoor adventurers, I would tell her this: If you are not already sleeping with a fellow adventurer, always bring your own tent and make it clear from the beginning that is where you are sleeping alone. Always. It sends a clear signal from the beginning. It鈥檚 easier to move in if you become interested than it is to move out. If it鈥檚 an adventure worth going on, you need the sleep. And if you are competent to go on an adventure, you can carry your own damn tent.

Maybe it is just where I live. It’s expected here to have sex after meeting for a hot tea at White Castle fast food restaurant. I can’t imagine being with a guy for 14 nights without sex being demanded. To watch football at friend鈥檚 house, I had to bring my own drink or have sex. Another guy would not make eye contact at Starbucks because he was mad I would not leave and have sex. I have not tried dating anywhere else.

Readers respond: Should a father teach his son to knock down cairns?

Hey Sundog, that guy who goes around destroying cairns is a selfish asshole! What if he kicks down a cairn, and someone gets lost and dies. You need to gow some balls and call that idiot exactly what he is, a totally self absorbed asshole!!

I so appreciated your comments on the wilderness fantasy in your cairn piece. I literally went to grad school to study history of the American West (after reading Mark David Spence’s ) just to wrap my smooth brain around the quagmire of myth and reality that is nature in America. In just a few sentences, you explained the whole sitch so聽clearly and purposefully. I have always been a fan of your column and now am even more so!

Truth over purity.

We have thousands of Cairns here in PA and there purpose is not 100% clear. Some speculate they are some form of native American marker or maybe placed by our first settlers, or both. If it is not your property, you likely shouldn’t be modifying it one way or the other, or as little as possible with the allowed use of it.

I volunteer on an officially sanctioned trail crew in the Gila National Forest, including in the Gila wilderness along the Gila River alternate of the Continental Divide Trail. I must say that there are marked trails in the National Forest, including in wilderness areas, and in some cases we use rock cairns because traditional signs won’t work in some spots due to terrain.

In your article it sounded like you were saying it is OK to knock down cairns in National Forest or wilderness areas. I disagree. These cairns may serve the same purpose as they do in a National Park and can really help to keep people on the main trail.

In fact, in our area, where I hike extensively, I don’t recall ever seeing cairns that were not intended to mark a main trail or trail junction.

Sometimes they are a spiritual expression of presence.

Got a question of your own? Send it to聽sundogsalmanac@hotmail.com

The post My Friends Won鈥檛 Clean My Groover. Should I Stop Bringing It? appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

How We Tested

A great water toy provides endless hours of fun and last through many summer adventures. Twelve kids (aged four to 14) and six adults put more than a dozen water toys to the test in three pools, two lakes, and one river to find the most fun and durable of the lot. After testing all kinds of water blasters, reusable water balloons, pool floaties, rideable toys, diving toys, and more, these seven ranked as the best water toys.

Best Overall Water Blaster

Supersoaker Nerf DinoSquad Water Blaster ($10)

Of the handful of water blasters tested, the DinoSquad Supersoaker was the overall kid favorite. It was the easiest to pump (kids as young as four were able to operate it) and it had a range of around 30 feet, which we found to be average for a toy this size. The kids loved the bright dinosaur design, and parents preferred it because it looked less like an actual gun and more like a fun water-blasting toy. It holds 20 ounces of water, enough for plenty of play time before refilling, and it鈥檚 not too heavy for smaller kids to carry. And kids could refill without any help from adults through the cap on top by dunking it or using the tap.

Quickest Refill Water Blaster

Zuru X-Shot Fast-Fill Water Blaster ($12)

The biggest advantage of the X-Shot Fast-Fill is that it only takes about a second to fill with water鈥攐pen the entire back of the blaster and dunk. While the X-Shot wasn鈥檛 a hit among the younger kids who didn鈥檛 have the arm strength to undo the latch (or pump it once it was full), the older kids and adults gravitated towards it because it was accurate, shot a little further than the rest (it has a 34-foot range), and held a few more ounces of water than the Nerf DinoSquad.

Best Single Shot Water Blaster

Max Liquidator Water Blaster Set ($20 for six)

There are many pool noodle water blasters out there, and while they all look roughly the same, some are far more durable than others. We鈥檝e had the same Max Liquidator water blasters floating in the pool for two summers, and they haven鈥檛 broken yet. We added two rival brands this summer鈥攐ne snapped on the first day, and the other didn鈥檛 make it through the end of testing. The Max Liquidator water blasters are just plain fun. They shoot really high, are bright (read: easy to spot), and are lightweight and user-friendly, so even the youngest kids can use them. (The padded foam exterior also makes them more suitable for smaller children.)

Best Water Balloon Alternative

Soppycid Reusable Water Balloons ($20-$40)

Reusable water balloons replace environmentally harmful single-use balloons that leave a huge mess of tiny plastic fragments to clean up after water fights. There are two main types of reusable balloons: ones that fill from self-sealing holes on the ends and others that split in the middle and shut with lightweight magnetic closures. In testing, the self-sealing types were hard to fill and were quickly abandoned by the kids. The magnetic ones are much easier to fill (you dip the balloon in water, and it quickly fills and self-seals), and they make a bigger splash. We left them sitting out in the direct sun, threw them hundreds of times, and they鈥檙e still going strong.

Note: there is a slew of brands that sell reusable water balloons that all look the same, but some have exposed magnets that were to fall out and pose an ingestion hazard for children. Keep your kids safe by buying ones that cover the magnets with a protective silicone rubber ring (like our recommendation) and by doing frequent inspections of the balloons. The protective rings are in great shape on the Soppycids after months of hard use.

Best Pool Floatie

Big Joe Pool Petz ($48)

are rideable stuffed animals for the water. They鈥檙e filled with lightweight, floating foam pellets, much like a bean bag chair for the water, and come in a variety of differently-sized animals (manta ray, hippo, clam). Each one has a mesh bottom that drains quickly when you remove them from the pool. The design is much more durable than blow-up plastic pool floaties, which can pop at the seams. After severe thrashings over several months by both kids and adults, none of the stitching on the Big Joe Petz has come loose. The penguin we tested wasn鈥檛 the most stable shape for bigger kids and smaller adults, but part of the fun was trying to wrangle it and stay on.

Best Dive Toys

Prime Time Toys Sharkpedo Diving Masters Underwater Gliders ($15)

There are certainly more exciting-looking dive toys that we tested (like a ), but none are as durable and long-lasting as the simple torpedo sharks that have been used in my home for three years. Throw them like a dart, and they take off like underwater rockets to different areas of the pool. Then, kids can race to find them, or use them to practice their diving skills. The bright colors are easy to spot underwater, except for the blue ones, which are more camouflaged, which adds to the challenge of finding them. Because of the simple design, there are no parts to break or lose, so they鈥檙e pretty tough. They also double as great beach toys because they take up very little room and dry with a quick wipe.

Best Floating Seat

O鈥橞rien Foam Water Saddle ($30)

If you enjoy floating in a pool or lake partially submerged, a water saddle keeps you buoyant and upright while relaxing. This one from O鈥橞rien is made of thick poly foam and feels similar to swimming flutter board material, only more flexible. They鈥檙e plenty comfortable to sit in for short stints, but for a day spent floating on the lake, the material can start to rub exposed skin (there are water saddles with a smoother and softer texture, but they cost quite a bit more). They don鈥檛 need inflating or deflating, are easy to dry off, and take up little storage space. The standard seat has ten-inch diameter leg openings and is suitable for big kids and smaller adults, keeping most people floating in the water between their chest and chin. There鈥檚 also that鈥檚 longer, wider, and has bigger leg openings. Smaller kids aren鈥檛 heavy enough to adequately stabilize themselves in the seat, but it鈥檚 still fun for them as they try and balance before getting bucked off.

The post The 7 Best Water Toys for Summer appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Many swimsuits of years past looked good on land but weren鈥檛 practical in the water. With today鈥檚 range of styles, patterns, and silhouettes鈥攆rom tankini to one-piece鈥攊t鈥檚 easier to find a suit that鈥檚 functional and flattering. Plus, features like built-in shelf bras and back closures help keep everything in one place while you鈥檙e out having fun. We dove in with various styles and came up with the four best contestants鈥攐n the beach and off.

The Winners at a Glance

Patagonia Sunny Tide

Carve Camari

Prana Tulum

Body Glove Mylene

How We Test

Number of Testers: 3

Number of Products Tested: 8

Number of Bodies of Water in Which We Tested: 5

Number of Wardrobe Malfunctions: 3

For those who dream of watery adventures, flattering swimsuits designed to perform well in water (where they belong) shouldn鈥檛 be hard to find. This crew of three testers with different ages and backgrounds鈥攆rom an open-water swimmer to a surfing and SUP fan鈥攖ested swimwear in a variety of conditions, from the swimming pool to large saltwater bodies, stillwater to surfable waves, and even hot springs. We evaluated each suit for comfort, coverage, durability, support, and performance.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jill K. Robinson is a California-based freelance journalist who writes about travel and adventure for National Geographic, AFAR, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Hemispheres, and more. She鈥檚 often more comfortable on and in water than she is on land.

The Reviews: The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Swimwear of 2023

Patagonia Sunny Tide One Piece ($129)

Type: One-piece
Size Range: XS-XXL
Comfort on Scale of 10: 9

This simple, strappy tank suit is luxuriously comfortable for paddling, swimming, chasing waves, body surfing, and just hanging out at the beach thanks to its form-fitting style and soft material. Its stretchy fabric (sewn according to Fair-Trade Certified practices) is composed of a recycled nylon and spandex jersey blend, which makes it one of the softer swimsuits we tested. Fully lined, the lightweight suit dries relatively quickly (it should dry within an hour in a dry climate with 80-degree temps), and has a mid-hip fit and moderate backside coverage, so we didn鈥檛 have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. Flat, non-adjustable straps rest away from the neck for comfort and freedom of movement, which testers especially appreciated while paddling a SUP.

Bottom Line: Flat straps and low bulk make this suit ideal for wearing under a wetsuit.

Carve Camari One Piece ($98)

Type: One-piece
Size Range: 34C, 34D, 34DD, 36C, 36D, 36DD, 38C, 38D, 38DD
Comfort on Scale of 10: 6

Multiple straps on a swimsuit often look like they would offer excellent support, but just end up being unnecessarily complicated, especially for sporty endeavors. That鈥檚 not the case here. The crossover back strap provides solid support and is also fairly easy to tie without help because the tie point is mid-back鈥攁n area where your hands can comfortably reach. The fabric is 82 percent recycled polyester (from plastic bottles) and 18 percent spandex, which was stretchy enough to move with us while surfing and kayaking in Tahiti. We liked the modest cut because it provided solid coverage and looks flattering. Hidden underwire and removable chest pads contribute to support and coverage for water nymphs (when they don鈥檛 fold over during occasional wipeouts). Plus, it鈥檚 rated UPF 50-plus.

Bottom Line: This suit offers great support and provides solid coverage for water-based activities.

Prana Tulum Bikini ($65 Top, $60 Bottom)

Type: Bikini
Size Range: XS-XL
Comfort on Scale of 10: 7

This color-blocked two-piece suit (top and bottom sold separately) features a good amount of coverage for semi-sporty pursuits. (Consider sizing down in the bottoms for a true sport fit, however.) Made from Prana鈥檚 Vita fabric (recycled nylon and lycra elastane), the suit has UPF 50-plus coverage and is salt and chlorine resistant, which adds to its longevity. 鈥淭he crisscross straps offered good stability and support in general, but over time the looseness/tautness dynamic would redistribute, so I had to be more deliberate about making sure all the parts of the straps were tight for serious activity,鈥� said one tester, a surfer and paddler.

Bottom Line: Overall comfort and good coverage ideal for a beach vacation

Body Glove Mylene One-Piece ($98)

Type: One-piece
Size Range: XS-XL
Comfort on Scale of 10: 10

Sometimes you run across a Goldilocks swimsuit鈥攐ne that鈥檚 comfortable, supports you across multiple activities, and even looks good. The Mylene is that suit. 鈥淚 just didn鈥檛 have to mess with it or adjust it ever鈥攁 rarity for a swimsuit,鈥� commented one tester, who wore it while swimming in a freshwater pool as well as surfing in California. The one-piece tank provides full coverage and includes a sliding racer back, a shelf bra, and removable soft cups. Made with Body Glove鈥檚 soft fabric (80 percent nylon and 20 percent spandex), the suit has a high neck with no gaping or opening at the chest area. 鈥淭his suit is optimal for lap swimming and surfing with or without a wetsuit. It stayed put and didn鈥檛 leave any body part unexpectedly exposed,鈥� said our tester.

Bottom Line: A suit that works on all levels鈥攊t鈥檚 comfortable, durable, supportive, and flattering.

How to Buy

Consider your prime activities when you鈥檙e choosing a swimsuit. If you鈥檙e surfing, for example, you鈥檒l want good sun coverage and straps that will keep the suit secure. If you鈥檙e swimming, you may want a streamlined suit designed for minimal drag in the water. Most active-style one-piece suits tend to stay in place better than two-piece suits. But it鈥檚 easier to customize two-piece suits, and when it comes time for a bathroom break, they鈥檙e more convenient. Quick-drying fabrics are ideal if you want the flexibility to go from the water to lounging in the sun or to the poolside bar. It鈥檚 best to try a suit on and move around in it to make sure it鈥檚 a good fit. Because swimsuit liners can be easily removed and swimsuits can be worn by more than one person, it鈥檚 also best to keep your underwear on when doing so. Then, wash your new suit when you get home. Aside from buying directly from each brand, great discount online retailers are The Clymb, Steep and Cheap, REI Outlet, Sierra Trading Post, and Backcountry.

The post The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Swimwear of 2023 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

We demand a lot of our swimwear: it needs to look good, dry fast, stay put, and perform when the waves are big or the beach games heat up. These fresh pieces鈥攖he best swimsuits and boardshorts鈥攌ept us covered after countless pool laps, bridge jumps, raft days, and lazy paddles.

Nike HydraLock Fusion Racerback One Piece ($90)

If you want to feel fast, Nike鈥檚 Fusion is your pick. Its quick-drying polyester-spandex blend has a firm stretch for maximum support (鈥淚t locks everything in,鈥� said one DD-cup tester), and its grippy, triangular interior pattern prevents fabric creep during activity. All this performance comes in a Baywatch-esque silhouette with high-cut legs and a scoop neck. (XS鈥揦L)

Patagonia Hydrolock Boardshorts ($129)

When the waves are big, testers reach for this pair of stretchy poly-spandex trunks. The key is the drawstrings, which attach to strips of beefy recycled nylon that run through the waistband and are sewn into the rear. It鈥檚 one of the most secure and chafe-free fits on the market. (28-40)

Saxx Betawave Boardshorts ($80)

Most boardies with built-in underwear have seams that chafe, mesh that irritates, or a cut that鈥檚 too baggy. Enter Saxx鈥檚 first pair of boardshorts, which feature the brand鈥檚 signature pouch for the tender bits. The tight fit and flat seams yield all-day comfort, wet or dry. And the stretchy poly-elastane fabric and liner provide exceptional range of motion, whether we were running, swimming, or doing beachside yoga. (28鈥�40)

Prana Seleina Top, Willow Falls Reversible Top, and Gemma Reversible Bottom ($69, $70, and $55)

Together, this reversible bikini set and cropped long-sleeved rash guard can take you from casual beach hangs to adventurous paddlesport outings. The chlorine-resistant bikini set held up to repeated pool use, and the long-sleeve鈥檚 thumb loops and wide bottom band keep your sun protection in place. (XS鈥揦L)

TomboyX Swim Racerback Zip Top and Swim 4.5-inch Shorts ($69 and $49)

TomboyX offers swimwear in androgynous athleisure cuts, with an impressive size range that鈥檚 actually been tested on plus-size bodies. Both pieces are made from a UPF 50 poly-spandex blend. The top鈥檚 front zipper has a protective fabric flap and hook-and-loop closure for added comfort and security, while the bike-style shorts boast a wide and flat waistband. (XS鈥�4X)

Quiksilver Original Arch 18-inch Boardshorts ($60)

We love the Original鈥檚 throwback 18-inch length, ultradurable polyester-hemp-spandex blend, and iconic checkerboard pattern, which is synonymous with the rise of professional surfing. We also dig the polyester fabric, made out of recycled bottles. Of all the swim shorts on this list, these ones will last the longest. (28鈥�40)

The post The Best Swimsuits and Boardshorts of 2022 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I have a love/hate relationship with Costco. On the one hand, the big box wholesaler has a crate of mac 鈥榥 cheese on sale for around $19. On the other hand, do I really need 18 boxes of Kraft dinners in my life? This is the paradox of buying in bulk.

Fortunately, Costco is good for more than large tubs of animal crackers. It鈥檚 also a place where you can get sneaky good deals on gear from reputable brands. We ordered some of the best you can get this summer, from sleeping bags to a recreational kayak that would be a welcome addition to any boater鈥檚 quiver, and put it all in the field through a month of car camping, lake lounging, and river paddling. Here are four gear deals you should pay attention to.

Klymit Double Klymaloft ($180)

Is it fair to call the a 鈥渟leeping pad?鈥� It might be classified as a pad, but at 5-inches thick and 78- by 53-inches across, we鈥檙e in full 鈥渕attress鈥� territory here. That鈥檚 part of the charm鈥攊t鈥檚 so comfortable, it鈥檚 borderline opulent. The Double Klymaloft combines inflatable air chambers with a thin foam mattress topper that helps absorb the bony parts of your body while reducing the 鈥減artner bounce鈥� you can experience with other plush, double air mattresses. (You know what I鈥檓 talking about鈥攜ou lay down on the mattress and your partner rides a wave of air to the tent floor.) There鈥檚 also plenty of real estate for two adults without eating up the entire tent floor, unlike some other plush mattresses. The only bummer: it takes time and effort to get all of the air out of this mattress when you鈥檙e putting it away. Plan accordingly. It also doesn鈥檛 come with an air pump when you buy it through Costco鈥攁nd you鈥檙e definitely not blowing this thing up with your lungs.

Body Glove Performer ($400)

High-end SUP technology has trickled down to the point where you can now get a fully featured board, something that would鈥檝e cost you $1500 a few years ago, for about $500. Case in point: the Body Glove Performer, an 11-foot paddleboard built to handle everything from flat water cruising to river surfing. I like the svelte shape, which is reminiscent of old-school 鈥済un鈥� surfboards but has a wide platform for your feet that beginners will appreciate. The combination is both stable and fast in flat water and incredibly surfable on river waves. Three built-in fins at the back are long enough to help the board track but short enough to not get in the way on shallow rivers where rocks have the tendency to snag longer fins. It鈥檚 5.4 inches thick, which is a little thinner than some whitewater-specific boards, so I have to make sure I inflate it to the max PSI to keep my 200-pound frame from creating sag in the middle of the board.

A few other cool features of note: a built-in GoPro mount at the front of the board, a handle that also secures water bottles, and a tow point at the nose so you can hitch a ride from a boat across the lake. It also comes with two pumps鈥攁 traditional hand pump and a small electric one (I couldn鈥檛 get the latter to work). Still, out of the many SUPs in my quiver, the Performer has quickly become the first I grab on most occasions because it is both fast and stable. Body Glove also plants a tree for every board sold.

Buy Now

Bote Zeppelin 10 ($900)

Typically, I don鈥檛 like inflatable kayaks because they鈥檙e too 鈥渟quishy鈥� to paddle well and uncomfortable to sit in for long periods of time. In most duckies, you鈥檙e sitting in the hull of the boat, soaking your rear in cold water. The Zeppelin is not like most duckies. The three-chamber design combines a base deck that inflates to a rigid 10PSI, surrounded by separate inflatable pontoons. The result: a cruiser of a boat that tracks well while keeping your butt out of the water below (a detachable, inflatable seat also helps avoid this). You can also ditch the seat entirely and paddle the thing like a SUP.

Two small, permanent fins sandwich a six-inch detachable fin on the rear of the boat, while a rigid keel guard helps protect the bottom against rocks. I also dig the Velcro straps that can hold your paddle, and the slide-in rack system (sold separately) that can hold a cooler. It鈥檚 not a fast boat, and it鈥檚 not meant for hard whitewater, but it鈥檚 a comfortable cruiser that I could fish from or tool around in all day.

Buy Now

Wavestorm 5鈥�8鈥� Retro Fish ($120)

This was the one piece of gear I couldn鈥檛 test out personally because I live a few hours from the nearest beach break. But Wavestorm鈥檚 foamies are low-key icons among surfers who don鈥檛 care about their ego鈥攑ro surfers have even ridden Pipeline and Mavericks on Wavestorm鈥檚 foam boards. Their Classic is a must-have longboard that marries performance with a crazy budget-friendly price, and applies the same sensibility to a snappier, more performance-oriented ride. At just 5鈥�8鈥� long, it doesn鈥檛 have the security-blanket vibe of a longboard, but the wide build adds stability and the 49-liter volume makes the board incredibly buoyant and easy to paddle. The question is, are you cool enough to paddle a foamie from Costco into your favorite lineup?

The post Our Favorite Summer Gear at Costco appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.