Summer Buyer's Guide
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Unfold the top of this flowy skirt and you have a dress. Testers gussied up this beachy item with espadrilles for dinners in Sayu颅lita, Mexico. patagonia.com…
Thanks to hydrophilic rubber pads and swappable lenses, the Dea鈥坈an handle the sweat and variable light conditions of an aggressive mountain-bike session. But the fashionisto style is all about riding a cruiser to Sunday-afternoon beers. tifosioptics.com…
Before you start looking, know exactly what you’ll use your shades for: Generalist sporty street designs get you around town and through low-impact pursuits; bigger challenges call for sports-specific numbers. When it comes to superfine optics, glass is unparalleled, but chances are you’ll want lighter polycarbonate (plastic) lenses if…
DOUBLE-DUTY HAULER Mountaineering boots, crampons, ice ax, backpack, and so much more gear for a climb on Mexico’s El Pico de Orizaba were gobbled up by this simple yet ingenious two-for-one luggage solution. Fully loaded, the 7,300-cube monster rig rolls like a stalwart SUV with a cargo box up top.
ROUGH AND STABLE Meet the grizzly bear of trail runners. The XT Wings are tough, unstoppable in rugged terrain, and, best of all, faster than their heft suggests. A broad heel base and medial pronation support provide stability on both flats and descents, while the pull-cord lacing delivers a snug…
Most coated nylon shells are windproof saunas. Here, moisture buildup is minor in cool weather, and two front vents control airflow so you don’t have to unzip every five minutes. 3.8 oz; nike.com…
RACE-READY CARBON If you place speed above all else, consider this hardtail. The 986 may be Look’s first foray into the off-road world, but as their road bikes have proven, they know their way around carbon. With dramatically shaped tubing—faintly hexagonal in the top and seat tubes and broad in…
CLASSIC LONGBOARD Bob McTavish shaped the original Fireball in 1994. Since then, his 9’1″ performance longboard has become a hard-to-find classic—until late 2007, when Global Surf Industries started mass-producing it. Our GSI model rode well in a variety of conditions, from crisp East Coast beach rollers to a point break…
A PERFORMANCE SIT-ON-TOP In addition to being the fastest undecked boat on the market, it’s also remarkably stable—one tester had to try several times to capsize it. The open cockpit lets air circulate on hot summer days but is protected enough to keep you dry when it’s cold. And who…
CAN TAKE A BEATING This past fall, we sent three Boulder-based climbers to Moab’s Castleton Tower with half a dozen soft shells to test. And after a week of shimmying up tight sandstone chimneys and off-widths, the stretchy Current emerged as the sturdiest and most waterproof of the bunch. The…
BEST IN BAD WEATHER The Touring Hoodie is fashioned completely from Polartec Powershield, a time-tested fabric that still provides one of the best combinations of stretchiness, breathability, and protection from the elements. Its sleek, understated design makes it a great choice for everything from day hiking to walking the dog,…
ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE MINIMALIST This 3,150-cube carry-on’s built like a wolverine: compact, rugged, and toothy—colossal five-inch wheels bite into most any surface and prevent payload rollovers. During a rain-racked week in Chiapas, Mexico, the water-resistant boot bin sequestered dank footwear while the muck-shirking polyurethane exterior was easy to wipe off. Inside, uncomplicated…
Of all the headlamps we tested, the Lucido TX-1 sends light the farthest (a whopping 345 feet), and its beam never wavered, even over a weeklong back-packing trip, thanks to three AAs. 5.8 oz; mammut.ch…
1. It’s partly recycled, yes. But the Verde won this year’s award because of how it performed in the field. It’s all about the fill: The Verde’s insulation (Climashield Green) is “continuous filament,” meaning it won’t clump or shift—and create cold spots—as old-school synthetics do. 2. The insulation…
Not only did the Octopus lens stay streak-free on a drenching Class IV rapid; it actually repelled water. Caution: Of the two sizes available, the small is small—really, really small. julbousa.com…
Hard on your gear??If the answer is yes, the Deva is your friend. The rubberized bottom and 210-denier ripstop nylon were the burliest of the packs we tested. While the top com颅partment of this massive bag transforms into an over-the-shoulder daypack in seconds, the waist belt’s ratch颅eting system isn’t…
SUPER-PACKABLE On those days when the forecast is for full sun, take the Triumph. Extremely packable and weighing in at an obscene five ounces (a bit more than a bag of potato chips), the Triumph is as spartan as they come—there’s one tiny front pocket and a basic but slightly…
Gore-Tex, supertough yak leather, and rubber have never looked, nor felt, so good together, and the springy footbeds and grippy soles let you tromp trails and tour town with equal ease. eccousa.com…
We found it nearly impossible not to get a wedgie when walking in Assos’s top-of-the-line long-distance/training bibs. But on the bike, the anatomical chamois was as comfortable as any we’ve ridden, and the mesh straps seemed to disappear. assos.com…
Expensive? Yes. But this easy-to-use torque wrench is cheaper than the high-end components you’ll destroy if you tighten them past the recommended torque—or your hospital bills if those components fail while you’re riding. syntace.com…
CushioningCombine a lightweight race shoe with a long-distance trainer, and you’ve got the Praya 2. Although it has more cushioning than the Karhu—and more than enough padding for ten-plus-mile runs—the midsole is light and snappy and had no trouble on shorter, faster-tempo runs. “It’s one of those…
The women-only PDQ is a minimalist shoe that’s great for agile runners with good biomechanics. We love the use of partially recycled materials and reduced use of glues and parts overall, though we did notice some early wear and tear. 5 oz; endfootwear.com…
Two reasons we rarely took these off: One, the bamboo-lined uppers are extremely fast-drying and comfy. Two, thanks to the collapsible heel and quick-lace system, you can wear them as slides or true stay-on-your-feet water shoes. salomonsports.com…
Missed lunch? Don’t also miss your workout. These heavy-duty meal-replacement bars have 280 calories—38 g of carbs, 20 g of protein, and 6 g of fat—and taste pretty darn good. promaxnutrition.com BonusSome flavors have no high-fructose corn syrup.
Good God, these things are plaid! Hell, yeah, they are, and that’s not even the most awesome thing about them. Dark-gray polarized lenses kill glare while showing scalpel-sharp detail plus surprising depth and contrast for gray tinting—a testament to Oakley’s superior plastic. Throw in the adventurous but classic looks,…
Smart organization, cush protection, lightweight but durable construction, agile road manners, and a mod aesthetic—this one’s a greatest-hits compilation. We love its over-and-under footlocker design: fancy duds and unmentionables in the basement; in the roomy loft, footwear, bulky outdoor apparel, and camera gear (secured with a zippered mesh divider…
Fast and Light Somewhere in your closet, there’s a pair of shoes you reach for more than any other, be it for hiking, knocking around town, or traveling. In this year’s test, that shoe was the Redmond. It’s easy to achieve a perfect fit, thanks to the…
With the hood stowed away in the collar, the Carbon is sleek and stylish enough to blend in downtown (there’s even a subtle honeycomb pattern on one side of the back of the jacket for added evening flair). But it made the grade here because it’s also built to…
Need a three-season and a summer-weight bag but can’t afford both? Sidestep the decision with the Chasseral. If conditions are too warm, simply zip off the topsheet, which folds into its own stash pocket, creating a ready-made camping-size pillow. And although the Chasseral is the roomiest bag here, it…
A secure clip let testers affix this waterproof flashlight to the brim of a baseball hat without it sagging. Though tiny—not much larger than a roll of Life Savers—the Serac is remarkably powerful for a light that runs on just one CR123 battery. 3 oz; leatherman.com…
Durable and Well-Priced With beefy draft tubes around the hood and along the full-length zipper, glow-in-the dark zipper pulls, and 600-fill goose down, the 15-degree Hotlum is built to the same general specs as fancier (and more expensive) bags in the North Face’s line. The only difference is that the…
While pack makers continue to experiment with new suspension and ventilation systems, fit is still the most important factor. Go to an outdoor specialty store and try on several. Load up with at least 20 pounds, adjust them, and walk around. Take time to fiddle with all the straps…
New-School Lantern Your old propane-powered lantern might have sentimental value. But it’s also fragile and high-maintenance. That’s why we like the Titan. It runs on four D batteries, is bright enough to illuminate an entire cooking area (45 feet in diameter), and has a power meter to let you know…
Kelty’s queen-size Sleep Well Airbed has a soft top, comes with a six-volt rechargeable pump, and can double as a bed for guests at the house, too. kelty.com…
You can cram all your climbing gear in Mountain Hardwear’s Trad pack. The alloy-reinforced framesheet gives plenty of support for a 30-some-pound load, and the full-length daisy chain makes lashing on extra gear easy. mountainhardwear.com…
Climb Any Mountain The only difference between this frame and the one Cannondale’s pros are racing in Europe is the carbon fiber. The SuperSix 3, built up with Shimano Ultegra components, uses a less expensive weave, but the molds are the same. Given that, we were expecting it to handle…
The Best Energy Blobs Of the many of chews we’ve tested over the years, these are our favorites. They come in great flavors (like fruit smoothie and pomegranate), are easy to digest, and are made almost entirely from natural, non-GMO ingredients (like tapioca syrup and honey). honeystinger.com…
Band Aider New to running tech? Start here. A foot pod and waterproof wristband measure time, total distance (90 to 95 percent accurate), and speed (ballpark), then uploads the info into basic Web-based tracking software. nikerunning.nike.com…
Racy Sailor A featherweight sports wrap, tricked out with Boll茅’s nautical Offshore Blue poly lenses, the Kicker played against type for watersports shades, which tend to be massive Mac Daddy numbers. But the combo of sharp optics and blue tint, with antiglare polarizing—plus a lens coating to make water sheet…
Top Box It’s pricey, yes, but it’s also the Rolls-Royce of rocket boxes. The sleek design helps decrease wind drag and preserve gas mileage, yet its 15 cubic feet of storage still easily fits five pairs of skis. And the solar-powered internal light that automatically comes on when you open…
Need a place to stash important medical information on a long run? A personalized number printed on the inside of this bracelet-style “dog tag” leads EMTs to your medical records online or by phone. Requires a $20 annual subscription; first year included in price. vitaband.net…
Trail Cheetah Training on rocky, technical terrain? This shoe is your superstable running partner. One-pull Kevlar laces lock down tight, securing the cradle around your foot and creating lateral stability and even tension throughout for an agile feel. Cushioning is on the firm side, which we thought was just fine…
Hiking up may be hard, but it’s the downhill that your joints will really feel. Bring along a pair of trekking poles so they can take the brunt of the impact instead of your knees. The thermofoam-handled Aergons are lightweight and easy to adjust on the fly.
This slim-fitting merino-wool jersey won’t stink as quickly as most, and thinner merino panels under the arms and along the sides helped it dry better than other jerseys we’ve tried. smartwool.com…
Packable Sailboat “I can hardly believe it,” remarked one tester, “but it really does sail like a legit boat.” That pretty much sums up our take on the inflatable Smartkat. It took testers about an hour to assemble, but once on the water this 15'7″ masted catamaran, which is capable…
Breathable mesh-and-foam midsoles make these sporty Mary Janes perfect for roaming around a foreign city. An EVA footbed provides support, while a toe bumper ensures no stubs. keenfootwear.com…
Arguably the most anticipated bike of 2009 (it was kept behind glass at bike industry trade shows last fall), the triathlon/time-trial-specific P4 hosts several radical advancements. To hide the rear brake from the wind, engineers tucked it inside the frame, behind a removable panel. They also designed a wing-shaped bottle…
Birding on the Cheap Perfect for the neophyte birder who wants quality glass without blowing his inheritance. The DCF NV’s semi-compact design was fast on the draw, and the rubberized exterior helped protect them from inclement weather—and more than one clumsy drop. Their 16mm eye relief allowed for comfortable, strain-free…
1. When the Flyer shape was first introduced, in 1999, it was as a performance board for small waves. But it worked so well that it became Channel Islands’ bestselling board of all time. Like the Flyer, the Helix is versatile on a wide range of waves. It’s lively…
G2 has the same sodium-to-water ratio as regular Gatorade, for optimum hydration, but half the calories (25) per serving, so you can drink it when you’re not working out. drinkg2.com Bummer: Tastes like candy, and not in a good way.
To trim grams, the Hydrogen forgoes everything but a small key pocket and full zip. The nylon breathes moderately well without the help of vents yet still shrugs off a light drizzle. 3 oz; thenorthface.com…
Worn by legends like Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong, Giro has long been a preferred brand of top pros. And the new 21-vent Ionos is the company’s coolest lid yet, in terms of both looks and breathability. giro.com…
GIGGLES FOR ALL Funboards are often overlooked because they don’t have the sexy lines of a shortboard. But for most casual surfers, this WRV Fun Fish is just right—and the 7’6″ model we tested is the most user-friendly board here. Its flat bottom made for easy paddling and acceleration, allowing…
A PLAYBOAT FOR THE WHOLE RIVER We love the kayak industry’s renewed focus on floating down rivers, but that doesn’t mean play-boating is out. The Fuse brings a river runner’s sensibility to freestyle: “Its edges were aggressive enough that moves didn’t feel mushy but soft enough that boiling eddies were…
Tweeze the unibrow, pick your teeth, drive screws, and, in case you’re trapped in a vehicle as it sinks to the bottom of a river, punch out the windows and slash your seatbelt. swissarmy.com…
SUMMER-WEIGHT CHAMP Meet our new warm-weather favorite. The track-suit-inspired Avido was a godsend in the middle of summer when we didn’t want to stuff a full-on rain shell in our packs but then got blasted by cold winds up in the hills. The reason, as one tester pointed out, is…
SLICK AND UTILITARIAN Fully rotating handle for ergonomic towing; adjustable, ventilated, zip-away backpack suspension for off-road jaunts; detachable day bag with shoulder strap for town tours? Check. This carry-on-legal, 3,200-cube convertible provided all and more during five days in Belize. Sliding the surprisingly svelte main bag—compressed via four straps—into overhead…
Don’t worry about dropping it in the drink—this three-mode light (spot, wide, and red for night) is waterproof up to 33 feet. 3.9 oz; uwkinetics.com…
PLENTY OF ELBOW ROOM With elastic in each baffle, this bag expands as you toss, turn, and even sit up cross-legged to cook or play cards. When you finally stop thrashing, the bag’s elastic keeps the thick sheets of MontBell’s house-brand synthetic insulation close to your body, so you won’t…
Specialized’s first-ever women’s-specific design has rose-colored lenses that dim bright road conditions, lighten shadows, and enhance contrast. specialized.com…
For those who can’t disconnect, the waterproof speakers in the Multy Lynk work with any Bluetooth-enabled device. Best application: Use the boom microphone to call for help from your cell phone. vozsports.com…
STYLE AND PERFORMANCE Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but our testers were unanimous: Thanks to its sleek design and refreshing lack of logos, the Shelter is the best-looking shell in the bunch. And, like nearly everything the eco-conscious, Portland, Oregon–based Nau makes, much of the Shelter…
1. Introducing the rare smartphone that earns the title. Most do-it-all devices compromise one system for another, but the N95 shines as both multimedia and communication device, with Wi-Fi, GPS, and FM to boot. And the intuitive setup makes operation a snap: Slide the panel up for the keypad…
Visible channels woven into the chest and back are designed to wick sweat (check) and, in cooler temperatures, create an insulating air layer (harder to tell). We loved the close fit, but the cut is oddly long in the torso. x-bionic.com…
This 63-piece collection has all the basics (hex wrenches, chain cleaner, cable cutter), plus enough advanced equipment (derailleur-alignment gauge, threadless saw guide, bearing-cup press) to open your own bike shop.
CushioningCan’t stand the squishy feeling of your current running shoes? The Glycerin 7, by far the firmest shoe of our picks this year, might be more your style—especially if you’re a heavier runner or a slow-and-steady type. Of the neutral shoes on this page, the no-frills Glycerin…
No shoe is perfect for road and trail, but this one comes close. Gel cushioning in the heel and a flexible forefoot make the 2140 pavement-friendly, while traction (beefier than last year’s model) and good side-to-side stability help it perform off-road. 10 oz; asics.com…
OK, so they cost five times more than gas-station flip-flops. They’re worth it. The Chaco Flip uses a low-profile, ergonomic footbed that gives you just as much arch support as a good pair of running shoes. Plus, the sole is made out of 25 percent recycled rubber.
These oat-and-chocolate-covered cookie-dough balls are savory and satisfying, with 11 g of protein and the same carb blend as regular PowerBars. But even with water, they’re a bit dry for midworkout fueling. powerbar.com…
This turbocharged iPod is our favorite multimedia device ever. It’s all here: music, video, Wi-Fi, maps, and the option of 15,000-plus games and apps. Plus the interface is still unmatched. Mac or PC; 8–32GB; apple.com…
The 6,700-cube Black Hole is the U-Haul of travel packs, aimed at itinerant gear junkies and purists who don’t need no stinkin’ wheels. Ski boots, collapsible poles, climbing rope, tent, football, 12-pack—go ahead, load ‘er up. Packing and unloading the cavernous gullet is blissfully simple. And the bag’s padded…
Fast and Light With all its various fabrics and plastic overlays, the Riot looks as if it was designed by committee. Even the “we want camo” guys were appeased; the outsole’s toe and heel are made with camouflage-patterned rubber. Thankfully, none of the aesthetics interferes with the…
Soft ShellsWe barely noticed this five-ounce piece in our packs. But when conditions changed, we appreciated every feature, from its chest pocket to its stashable hood. The cut is just generous enough to fit over a fleece, while the DWR-coated ripstop nylon is water-resistant enough to fend off a…
EMS’s 20-degree Boreal is the first sack to use a new synthetic insulation from Prima颅Loft called Infinity, which EMS claims is “18 percent warmer and 25 percent more compressible” than comparable fill. Although it was impossible to test that boast, the Boreal squashes down to the size of a…
We initially scoffed at the funky shape, but the ergonomic handle and soft rubber really helped us keep a grip on this impressively bright two-mode flashlight. It’s a tad heavy for backpacking but great to keep in the glove box for car camping. 7 oz; princetontec.com…
Thrashers Welcome The 725-fill Tumble Mountain features recycled fabric, zipper, drawcords, and cordlocks, making it the most sustainable bag here. It’s also the most tricked out. Big Agnes shaves a few ounces by eliminating the unnecessary insulation under the half-length pad sleeve on the back. Slide any standard-width (20-inch) pad…
All-Season Workhorse The Lookout 45 was designed with winter in mind—there are ski-, snowboard-, and snowshoe-specific straps. But our testers liked it so much, they kept grabbing this 2,870-cubic-inch bag for weekend adventures all summer. That’s because everything—from maps to hydration tubes to camera cases—has its place on this tricked-out…
Rainbow Bright The Multi Color’s main LED has three light-level settings and four smaller, colored bulbs (two red, two blue) that are more useful than you’d think. Their muted glow preserves your night vision, whether you’re up late stargazing or tying on a predawn fly. 4 oz;…
Kelty’s 30-degree Supernova 3-in-1 sleeping bag works as a comforter for two. It can also be converted to a down sleeping bag for one. kelty.com…
Utility Single Player If you’re just looking for one generalist and well-priced helmet, the Align’s your lid. It’s not as light, ventilated, or loaded with cool little features as helmets three or more times the price, but it’s easy to adjust, comes with a removable visor, and fit every…