Icebug SPIRIT OLX
Low-to-the-ground fit and carbide-tip studs make these shoes among the coolest footwear introductions seen in 2010.

SCAPE Sunscreen
Outside Labs touts its SCAPE product line as the "most advanced sunblock on the planet." Gear Junkie gives it a test.

Top 5 Fruits
Today in health news. . . Author Iva Young says eating the wrong fruits can be worse than eating none at all.

Via Ferrata Climbing Gear
A bonafide sport in the Alps, but almost unknown in America, Gear Junkie tests equipment for the climbing discipline of via ferrata.

Kid Bike Upgrade
Kids deserve nice bikes, too! Writer T.C. Worley declined "department-store" bikes and instead found used racing bicycles for his two sons.

Mad River Malecite Canoe
Mad River built its first Malecite canoe in 1971. For 2011, the classic canoe design gets an update and a new hull.

'First Ascent' Trailer
After two years crisscrossing the planet to follow some of the world's best climbers, Sender Films will release "First Ascent: The Series." Here's a sneak peek at the trailer.

Barefoot Craze
Among the more unexpected recreational trends of our time, "barefoot-style" shoes have obtained critical mass.

Quiksilver Heat Vest
New "infra-red" heated vest from Quiksilver fits under a wetsuit to lend surfers extra warmth in cold water.

Gear Tips for Burning Man
The weeklong festival of art, community and hedonism known as Burning Man is next week. Here are eight tips on gear and equipment for camping out and living happily through the desert event.

Wicked Little Buds
These "edgy" earbuds have blue metal stubs, a fiber-like cord, and rubbery tips. Gear Junkie goes trail running with 'em for a test.

Helmet Test: Bern v. Nutcase
Writer T.C. Worley and his two young sons test multi-purpose helmets from Bern and Nutcase.

Kilimanjaro Sweepstakes
Polarmax contest gives chance to win a trip to climb Kilimanjaro this winter.

Ultimate Gear Test
A single photo illustrates what Gear Junkie calls his most "ultimate gear test" of the past five years.

Bush rides a 29er
In politics today, Former President George W. Bush was seen in Maine riding a Niner full-suspension rig.

Vintage Backpacks
Two major outdoors-products companies will unveil packs in 2011 that look like they were made in the 1960s. No gimmick intended.

Outside 'Reader of Year'
Contest is seeking reader who "exemplifies the spirit of Outside magazine."

OtterBox iPad Case
Apple iPad in the outdoors? OtterBox offers two protective cases for iPad owners on the go.

Jupiter Peak Steeplechase
On Aug. 7, I woke around sunrise, laced up my trail-running shoes, and got to the start line for one of the more challenging events I'll do this summer. Now in its third year of existence, the La Sportiva Mountain Cup combines. . .

Fly Fishing Idaho's Salmon River
Hemingway he ain't. But writer Stephen Krcmar goes fly fishing for the first time and channels "Old Man and The Sea" while trying to pull in the big one.

'Best in Show' awards
GearJunkie.com's inaugural "Best in Show" awards highlight a dozen innovative new products seen at the Outdoor Retailer trade show this month.

New Belgium Urban Assault
Part scavenger hunt, part party, New Belgium's Urban Assault is touted as two-wheeled entertainment from start to finish. Our writer raced this year to see what the buzz was about.

Wenger Patagonian Video!
From helmet cams to helicopter shots, the new DVD on the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is an epic tour of one of the world's most iconic adventure events.

Timbuk2 Tool Shed
At $35, the Tool Shed is a portable case made for commuters and ad hoc bike mechanics who want a full tool kit on the road.

Hot Weather Running Tips
Summer heat waves are zapping the country this week. Here are a few hot-weather running tips from ultra athlete Pam Reed.

Smith vs. Native
This summer, our tester pitted a pair of sunglasses from Native and Smith Optics against each other to see if one could outperform and stand out.

Vibram Disc Golf
The company has conquered barefoot running. Now Vibram takes on a new market: Disc golf.

TNF 'Karma' Pack
New pack from The North Face touted to have "good karma" as an attribute alongside a hydration pocket and compression straps. Bonus: It's made out of wool!

Sponsored Canines
Sponsorship has gone to the dogs. Pet-treat purveyor Zuke's now sponsors a dozen "dog athletes" around the country.

Future Gear: 2011
'Foot-pod' shoes. A crank-arm water purifier. A Bear Grylls knife. These are a few of the products to be seen at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Utah this week.

World's Scariest Hikes
Shoulder a pack. Lace up your boots. Now, don’t look down. My recent article for Travel+Leisure covers 10 of the planet's scariest hikes.

Keen Trail-Running Flat
Flashy and lightweight, Keen's A86 is a major diversion from its usual stock. Gear Junkie takes an early test run.

Review: Rawland Drakkar
From a river-valley town in southern Minnesota comes a bicycle frame that is marketed as "do-it-all." We test the Rawland Drakkar to see how it stacks up.

Gear Junkie on Public Radio
An interview on Minnesota Public Radio today includes insight on trekking to Mount Everest, the Wenger Patagonian Race, and balancing international travel with family life.

Giant Waterproof Backpack
The SealLine Pro Pack is like a roll-top dry bag on steroids. It has a backpack harness and a hip belt, too. Gear Junkie puts it to the test.

OR Show: Gear Preview 2011
Ultra-light tents. An argon-gas-filled camp pad. 'Human-grade' dog chow. These are a few of the innovations to be seen at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Utah next week.

Treasure Hunt in Roanoke, VA
300+ participants. Nine race heats. Hours of backcountry exploration. And a big pile of gear at the end. That was the Gear Junkie's "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event on July 11, in Roanoke, Va.

SPOT Channel Launched!
From Iceland to Nepal, follow Gear Junkie around the planet this year on our new SPOT Adventures Channel, an interactive map-based section of the site.

Gear Made in the USA
The outdoors industry has no shortage of goods that come from overseas. But a surprising number of brands tout products originated in the USA. Gear Junkie investigates.

The Swiss Trip
Climbing, mountain biking, and factory tours were part of the experience this week in Switzerland, where I went to research an upcoming story on the origins of the Swiss Army Knife.

Tech Watch Review
In a chronological showdown, it's digital versus analog in a test to see which watch is better suited for the job outdoors.

Review: Eggbeater 3
Crankbrothers has revamped its popular Eggbeater clipless pedal line. Ryan Dionne reviews the Eggbeater 3 model during a summer of riding on Colorado trails.

Giro Filter Sunglasses
Sunglasses with interchangeable lenses are nothing new. But the race to create a fast, functional and elegant execution has yet to be won. Here is Giro's latest take.

Engelberg, Switzerland
Today, I climbed the Furenwand wall in Engelberg, a 2,000-foot limestone face. The goal was to test some via ferrata gear from Petzl and Black Diamond as well as film an episode of the new “Gear Junkie Show” for Demand Media and Trails.com.

Equipster: Bargain Hunter
A new web-search service is "hell bent" on finding the best gear deals for you.

CamelBak Antidote
Hydration stalwart CamelBak touts a "redefinition" of the water reservoir with its to-be-released Antidote line.

Gear Junkie AWOL in Switzerland
A quick trip to the Alps this week includes climbing, mountain biking, and -- appropriately -- a meeting with Victorinox, the gear company that makes the original Swiss Army Knife.

Review: 2010 Kona King Kahuna
Light, fast, responsive and great at everything but big-hit action, the Kona King Kahuna is our writer's new favorite steed.

Vibram FiveFingers 2011
The "barefoot revolution" sprints on! Gear Junkie gets a sneak peek at Vibram FiveFingers' 2011 line.

JanSport Rainier Climb
T.C. Worley ropes up on JanSport's annual Mount Rainier Seminar, a mountaineering clinic and ascent of Washington's highest peak.

Pearl Izumi Syncro Fuel
Contributor Stephen Krcmar puts Pearl Izumi's Syncro Fuel XC running shoes to the test on Mammoth's pumice trails.

Kigo Minimalist Footwear
Kigo, a new company, brings more options to those looking to embrace the barefoot-style shoe.

The Gear Junkie Video Show
In collaboration with Demand Media and Trails.com, Gear Junkie Stephen Regenold hosts a new video series. Episode No. 1 was shot in April at Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

Grand Prize Winner!
Gear Junkie's "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" grand prize winner nabbed a $6,995 SylvanSport GO camper trailer! And the winner is. . .

Salewa Raven Combi GTX
Italian gear maker Salewa brings some of its footwear line to the North American market. Writer T.C. Worley put a pair to the test on Mount Rainier.

Treasure Hunt Success!
300+ participants. Nine race heats. Hours of backcountry exploration. And a big pile of gear at the end. That was the Gear Junkie's "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event today, July 11, in Roanoke, Va.

Night Cycling Vest
Meet the solar-chargeable, red- and white-light-equipped British biking vest.

Sun-Reflecting Bike Kit
A new cycling kit has a fabric called "coldblack" made to keep you cool in the sun. We tested the theory with a cooking thermometer and a lawn chair!

Treasure Hunt: Final Gear Peek!
Just three days to go! Here's a look into the stash of gear accompanying our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event this Sunday, July 11.

'Gear of the Half-Year'
Gear Junkie picks six products that have stood out so far in 2010.

Continental Mountain King
Writer Stephen Krcmar puts the Continental Mountain King 2.4 tires to the test on his 29er bike.

Iceland's Highest Peak
Hvannadalshnúkur, a massive volcano and Iceland’s highest peak, was a climb that required more than 6,000 feet of ascent and a roundtrip hike/climb that totaled nearly 20 miles of mountain distance traveled.

Treasure Hunt: Grand Prize!
You've been waiting to hear. Today, it's official: Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event will award a $7,000 SylvanSport GO trailer as the Grand Prize!

Ultra-light Backpacking Tips
Gear Junkie offers a few bullet points from an ultra-light trip last summer in the Catskill Mountains of New York.

Review: Burley Trailer
The Travoy trailer is a two-wheel cart that attaches to a bike's seat post. It can carry up to 60 pounds in tow.

Star Trek Wetsuit
"Beam me up, Scotty!" To the surf break, that is.

Coleman SkinSmart
Coleman launched a new line of DEET-free insect repellents. Our writer tested the "spray pen" dispenser product on mosquitos in Minnesota.

ZOIK Inflatable Kayak
On calm water and through rapids, Gear Junkie tests the inflatable kayak/raft hybrid that is the ZOIK AlterEgo.

Treasure Hunt Gear Stash!
8 days to go! Here's a deeper look into the stash of gear accompanying our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event next weekend.

Race Face Women's Bike Shorts
Tester Adrienne Schofhauser wore the Race Face DIY shorts for "a month of rigorous riding." Here is her review.

Jackson Kayak All Star
Ryan Stuart, the gear editor at Canada's Explore magazine, tests the All Star whitewater kayak for Gear Junkie.

Timbuk2 Commute 2.0
Our reviewer calls this a "messenger-style" bag for folks who plan on traveling with their laptop, but not cycling with it.

Bike Stand Test
Gear Junkie tests a new $239 bike repair stand for tweaking components, swapping pedals, and adjusting brakes in his garage.

Patagonia Messenger Bag
Two former bike messengers test one of the least expensive and best bike bags on the market.

'Weatherproof' Socks
From Patagonia to winter bike commutes in Minneapolis, Gear Junkie reviewer T.C. Worley put Seirus' "weatherproof" socks to the test.

Online Treasure Hunt: Roanoke
As part of our summer event, <a href="http://gearjunkie.com/treasure-hunt-roanoke", target="_blank">Gear Junkie's Treasure Hunt: Roanoke</a>, we are hosting a second "online mini treasure hunt." The prize is the $175 Arc'teryx Strato Jacket.

Gear of the Day: Evolv Shoes
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Volcano Climb in Iceland
Gear Junkie tests "fast and light" mountaineering gear while on the ascent of Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest volcano in Iceland.

Treasure Hunt Countdown
11 days to go! Gear Junkie's "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event is fast approaching, and the gear prizes are pouring in. . .

Review: Yakima Skybox
Need more room for cargo? Yakima's Skybox 18 is a quick way to increase your vehicle's luggage space.

Prize of the Day: Wilderness Survival School
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Belt Drive Mountain Bike
Bike chains have been standard equipment for decades. Belt drives, which employ polyurethane embedded with carbon-fiber cords, give bikers a new choice.

Mind of an Adventure Racer
Stephen Regenold looks back on an "unedited and raw" moment from his experience in the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

Gear of the Day: Wigwam Trail Trax
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize. . .

iPhone 4 Rugged Case
Protect that shiny new iPhone 4 with a "four-layer" case from Ballistic.

Winner! 'Mini Treasure Hunt'
We have a winner! As part of our Mini Treasure Hunt contest last week, we received hundreds of correct responses from readers around the country. Our randomly-drawn winner is. . .

Mini Treasure Hunt: Roanoke - Winner
We have a winner! As part of our Mini Treasure Hunt we received hundreds of correct responses and our random winner is Danny Garcia-Velez of St. Paul, MN.

Taste Test: Honey Stinger
Lance Armstrong recently bought in to become part of the ownership team at this small Colorado-based company. Gear Junkie taste tests the Honey Stinger line to see what all the, er, buzz is about.

Gear of the Day: Platy SoftBottle
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Baileyworks Messenger Bag
Best bike bag on the market? Our reviewer makes his case.

TNF Mountain-Biking Shorts
The North Face has a new DH bike short named after one of the coolest downhill races in the world.

Gear of the Day: Helly Hansen Ekolab
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Gear of the Day: Gerber Octane
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Review: Pack Rafts
They may look like inflatable pool toys. But pack rafts can be serious tools for backcountry exploration.

Countdown to Treasure Hunt!
19 days to go! Gear Junkie's "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event is fast approaching, and the field is filling up. . .

Gear of the Day: JanSport Salish
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Cyclelogical Chopspokes
Be better seen at night with. . . glow-in-the-dark bike spoke attachments!

Mini Treasure Hunt: Roanoke
As part of our summer event, <a href="http://gearjunkie.com/treasure-hunt-roanoke", target="_blank">Gear Junkie's Treasure Hunt: Roanoke</a>, and in celebration of Father's Day, we are hosting a mini treasure hunt with an excellent prize for the Dad in your life.

Smith Touchstone Sunglasses
These do-all sunglasses have performance and style. They also worked for our tester at "high noon and high altitude."

Gear of the Day: Columbia Mobex
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Review: Flashlights
Gear Junkie gets to a roundup review of three new flashlight models, from a pen light to an LED torch so bright it can literally blind.

Gear of the Day: High Sierra
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Treasure Hunt Gear: Ultra-Light Knife
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Merrell goes Barefoot
Merrell and Vibram have partnered to make a barefoot-style shoe line for 2011.

Clean Bike Bottle
The dual-cap Clean Bottle is almost the perfect bike water bottle. Stephen Krcmar gave it a month-long test.

Movie Review: '180 Degrees South'
A new film follows Jeff Johnson's sailing, surfing, and climbing adventure from California to Chile's Patagonia region. He finds the adventure he was after, but also a wild place in need.

Team GJ on cover of Wend
Team GearJunkie.com is on the cover of Wend Magazine this month! A feature story on the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race was written by Team GJ's Chelsey Gribbon.

Gear for Trekking Nepal
After a two-week trek in Nepal earlier this year, Gear Junkie steps back to examine the clothing and equipment that worked en route to Base Camp at Mount Everest.

Treasure Hunt Gear: LL Bean Tents
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Treasure Hunt Gear: Atayne
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

North Face Convertible Pants
Tried and true, the Paramount convertible pants from The North Face get an upgrade. Steve Hitchcock gave them a multi-month test.

Five Gear Innovations
Gear Junkie picks "Five Innovations in Gear" that have made significant impact over the past five years.

Treasure Hunt Gear: DeLorme Earthmate PN-60
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Potter's 'Falling to Fly'
Humbled. Wowed. Flabbergasted. Scared a little bit. A new production sponsored by Prana, "Dean Potter: Falling To Fly," is a serious trip.

Monkey Bed 'Blanket Bag'
Monkey Bed sells messenger-style bags with built-in blankets. Our writer gave it the full picnic and park test this month.

Treasure Hunt Gear: ENO Hammocks
Our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event takes place on July 11th. The goal: To give away $40,000+ in gear! Here's a preview of a prize from the event.

Topeak Toolstick 11
Small, handy and inexpensive, the Topeak Toolstick 11 is a great addition to any biker's toolbox.

Teva Games Wrap-Up
Four full days of gear, music, sun, and two-dozen competitions defined this year's Teva Mountain Games.

North Face Chatter Backpack
At $105, The North Face's Chatter backpack is a good looking, functional pack -- for work or play.

DeLorme/SPOT test
At the Teva Mountain Games this weekend, I tested the SPOT/DeLorme lovechild that is the "DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator."

Winner! "Just Add Bike" contest
We have drawn a winner's name from the mini treasure hunt hosted online last week. . .

'Nice Ride' in Mpls.
Nice Ride, a bike-share program, launches this month in America's No. 1 biking city, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Teva Mountain Games begin
With an expected 2,000 athletes, 24 events, and 40,000 spectators, the Teva Mountain Games kick off this week in Vail, Colo. Gear Junkie's Ryan Dionne reports live from the event.

Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt
In Roanoke, Va., this July, Gear Junkie will host a gear treasure hunt the likes of which have never before been seen!

Smith Rx Eyewear
Smith's high-end sports glasses are marketed as "the Swiss Army knife of prescription eyewear."

Highpoint in Iceland
Gear Junkie gives report No. 2 and a series of photos from Iceland and his ascent on Hvannadalshnúkur, the country's highest peak.

Darn Tough Socks
Writer T.C. Worley tested Darn Tough's Coolmax socks running and cycling this summer.

Canon Photo Contest
Canon is conducting its annual "Photography in the Parks" contest. Winners get gear and a trip to a National Park.

Keen Coronado Cruiser
Keen has a new cycling-specific shoe. Writer Stephen Krcmar gave it a multi-month wear test.

Summit in Iceland!
Gear Junkie makes the summit on Hvannadalshnúkur, Iceland's tallest peak.

Zippo Emergency Fire Starter
It's not a normal lighter. Gear Junkie tests a new fire-starting product from Zippo.

Pedalr bike store
Pedalr, a new site, brings buyers and sellers together online in a unique, Etsy-inspired format.

AWOL in Iceland
Gear Junkie is headed to the land of glaciers and volcanoes. The goal: Climb the highest volcano on the entire island nation.

Novara Commuter Pannier
REI's Novara brand saddlebag is made for daily commutes and any riding short of fully-loaded touring. Our writer gives it a multi-month test.

Ekolab Recycler Jacket
Fashionable, functional and eco-friendly, the Helly Hansen Ekolab Recycler Jacket is ideal for almost all outdoor pursuits.

Grand Finale: Trailer Treasure Hunt
SylvanSport's "Cache Me If You Can" treasure hunt contest wraps up this week. Watch for the final clue and a live video stream of the winner beginning tonight. . .

Balance Boxer Shorts
Ibex's "priciest underwear on the outdoors market" also among the most versatile and best. GJ gives a review after four months of wear.

Nano Elite Tent
For adventure racers and the "fast and light" among us, Nemo makes the Nano Elite single-wall racing tent, a 3.3-pound portable home.

Dominion Riverrock: 10k
Gear Junkie's Pat Petschel reported from this year's Dominion Riverrock festival, including running a 10K race along the city's James River.

'Just Add Bike' Contest
In celebration of Bike to Work Month, and to help kick off our "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" event, we are hosting a mini treasure hunt online!

Merino Wool Base Layers
Drum roll, please . . . Item No. 1 on my list of "Five Gear Innovations" is Merino Wool Base Layers!

Hip pockets on Backpacks
Hip pockets on backpacks takes the slot for item No. 2 on my list of "Five Gear Innovations."

Energy Food that Tastes Good
Item No. 3 on my list of "Five Gear Innovations" is. . . Energy Food that Tastes Good!

Single-Speed and Fixed-Gear Bikes
Item No. 4 on my list of "Five Gear Innovations" is Single-Speed and Fixed-Gear Bikes!

Barefoot-style Running Shoes
Item No. 5 on my list of "Five Gear Innovations" is. . . Barefoot-style Running Shoes!

Suspension System for Skis
This skis' suspension mechanism resembles an automotive leaf spring, only inverted and with a ski binding perched on top.

Adventure Hat
Headsweats' "performance hat" is made of fabric derived from discarded coconut husks. Our writer reviewed it running this spring.

Department of Goods
New Backcountry.com discount store promises "top-notch gear at dirt bag prices."

Thinksport Steel Bottles
These double-walled water bottles are made of stainless steel and touted as addressing "the growing concern of toxic chemicals leaching from consumer products."

Bike Coffee Cup Holder
When everyday is bike-to-work day, it's good to have a place to put your coffee. Meet Portland Design Works' Bar-ista cup holder.

Gear Junkie Treasure Hunt!
Our new live event for this summer -- Gear Junkie's "Treasure Hunt: Roanoke" -- will give away $40,000+ worth of equipment. First details up today!

Interview: Ultra Runner Dean Karnazes
Gear Junkie interviewed runner Dean Karnazes, currently between an ultra race in Patagonia and a marathon in Fargo, N.D.

Idaho on a Splitboard
As a first-time backcountry 'boarder, T.C. Worley trudged into Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest last month with a guided group. This is his trip report.

Expedition Hanesbrands: "Summit!"
Jamie Clarke, Scott Simper, and the rest of Expedition Hanesbrands today made the summit of Mount Everest!

Eton Scorpion
Charge your electronic devices in the backcountry with the Eton Scorpion, a "Multi-Purpose Solar Powered Digital Weather Radio."

Heated Mountain Bike Grips
Hot hands on the bike -- no matter the weather outside. That's the promise from A'ME, a bike-grip company in Nevada.

Nau 3/4 Pant
For cycling and daily use, Nau's Trajectory 3/4 Pant may be the only pair of knickers you will need.

First Ascent BC-200 Shell
T.C. Worley tests the First Ascent BC-200, the lightest and "least rain-jacket-feeling" waterproof shell he has used to date.

SteriPEN AdventurerOpti
Purify your water with UV light. The AdventurerOpti zaps viruses, bacteria and other microscopic bad boys to make questionable drinking water clean.

'Face Level' on a Riverboard
Become one with the rapids on a riverboard, a whitewater craft on which participants swim half-submerged to navigate chutes and drops.

Profile: Ang Temba Sherpa
This article is an inside peek at the life and career path of Ang Temba Sherpa, a leader with Expedition Hanesbrands at Mount Everest.

Outside 'Gear of Year'
Outside magazine this week announced its twice annual "Gear of the Year" award recipients.

BD and Gregory to Merge
Black Diamond Equipment Ltd. and Gregory Mountain Products Inc. have both been bought out and will soon be merged into a single outdoors entity.

Figfour Dry Tools
Train for mixed climbing and dry tooling indoors with the new Figfour Dry Tools from Alpkit.

Review: Ryders Throttle Sunglasses
Ryders sells performance sunglasses at a reasonable price. Stephen Krcmar tests the Throttle model.

Therm-A-Rest Haven Top Bag
Climbers, adventure racers and ultra-light backpackers (who are already used to giving up a little convenience for weight savings) are going to love this unique new sleeping bag.

Walmart 29er Mountain Bike
Big-box behemoth Walmart recently released a 29-inch mountain bike. The price? A low, low $199!

$1,000 Swag Bag Contest
Submit a photo for your chance to win a schwag bag worth up to 1000 bucks. . .

Rapha Cycling Club
The Rapha Cycling Club, a combination of fashion boutique, eatery and art gallery, opens in London on May 8 and soon in New York City.

Platypus CleanStream Gravity Filter
No pumping needed. A new way of filtering water from a river or lake, Platypus' CleanStream Gravity Filter uses its namesake natural force -- gravity! -- to do the work for you.

Review: Giant Anthem X1
Gear Junkie gives this $3,700 speed demon a thorough, multi-month test. 200 miles of testing in Patagonia included.

Nat Geo 'Global Action' Atlas
A new website from National Geographic is essentially a map showing where needs are and pointing you to ways you can get involved.

Volkswagen 'E-Bike'
Car maker Volkswagen has debuted a bike. It runs on a battery and folds into a disc shape to fit in a car's spare tire compartment.

Zune Pass Music Service
The Zune Pass offers access to a huge catalog of music and is only $14.99 a month. It's a great option for folks not married to iTunes.

Review: Zune 120
The underdog of the mp3 player market, Microsoft's Zune, is a good choice for iPod-averse music fans. A music subscription service makes it a fair bargain, too.

Wenger Mike Horn Knife
Wenger consulted with South African explorer Mike Horn to create an uber Swiss Army Knife -- pliers, two blades, and screwdrivers included.

Lance Armstrong: Honey Man
The celebrity cyclist's latest business foray includes involvement with Honey Stinger, a Colorado manufacturer of "honey-based nutritional foods."

'Come &amp; Gone' by Joe Parkin
Joe Parkin's new book "Come and Gone" provides an interesting and fun insider perspective to the '90s American bike-racing scene.

'Adventure Journalism'
What does it mean to be an outdoors-adventure writer? Stephen Regenold, a.k.a. "Gear Junkie," wrote last month on his work life and hybrid career as an "adventurer journalist."

Walmart's $149 Fixie
Last month, Walmart made waves by introducing a $150 single-speed bike. Is the cheap ride good or bad for cycling? Stephen Krcmar digs in for a closer look.

Teva Life Agent Program
The Teva Life Agent program awards $10,000 "to help support anyone with a dream for big adventure." This week the company announced one winner.

Review: Otterbox Phone Case
This slim-fitting, rubbery case has saved my "smartphone" from several hard knocks.

'Mind, Body and Bike'
At the Fix Studio in Minneapolis, an exercise boutique, athletic consultations range from bike fittings to neuromuscular massage. Gear Junkie gives it a try.

Inov-8 Roclite 285 test
Best trail runners on the market? Gear Junkie is on his fourth pair of Roclite 285s. This column distills why they are among his favorite shoes ever made.

Fringe Fitness: 6 Trends
Tweet a workout. Go 'caveman.' Ride a Rowbike. These trends may affect your exercise life in the year ahead.

Thin Air: Essay on Everest Base Camp
In Nepal, Stephen Regenold wrote on his experience with altitude and adaptation to the thin air at Mount Everest's Base Camp, a tent city at 17,500 feet.

Sports Helmet Holy Grail?
A long-awaited idea, the Scarab is a multisport helmet certified as safe for a half-dozen sports, rock climbing, cycling, kayaking, and equestrian activities included.

Bike Sharing in the USA
A public bike-sharing program kicked off in Denver yesterday, on Earth Day 2010. Will these kind of programs help get more Americans on bikes?

Wend Magazine for Free
Wend magazine is now free! (At least the digital version online.)

The Lukla Airport Experience
For decades, the Lukla Airport has been the gateway to Nepal's Khumbu Region and Mount Everest. It's also often cited as one of the world's most dangerous places to fly.

Pearl Izumi P.R.O. WxB jacket
Our writer tested this new cycling jacket for several months in weather ranging from blowing snow to sunny and 50 degrees.

Endurance Racing Food Plan (part II)
Whether it is truly better, I may never know, but I can say that I will hone my packaging methods and research even better ways to eat whole foods while racing. I'm hooked and so is my stomach.

Clean Bike Bottle
Funk is for your iPod, not your water bottle. The Clean Bottle opens from the bottom to make cleaning it out easy and quick.

Bike Polo Feature Story
With homemade mallets and single-speed bikes, hardcourt polo is a growing game in the urban cycling scene. Horses not required.

Review: Ibex Balance Sports Top
A wool-based sports bra? When it's fine merino wool, even that is possible. Our writer put the Ibex Balance Sports Top through a variety of outdoors tests.

Review: Zeo Sleep Coach
Better sleep for better athletic performance? Our writer goes to bed with a "brain-wave reading headband" on.

Review: Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
The versatile Nano Puff jacket packs small and keeps you insulated in a time of need. Caveat: It won't be in stores until this summer.

I/O Bio Merino Pilot Suit
At $159.99, the Pilot Suit from I/O Bio Merino is in the running as the coziest base-layer piece on the outdoors market. Gear Junkie gave it a winter wear test.

$399 Custom Fixie
Urban Outfitters' fixed-gear bike runs just $399. A website lets you customize its look.

How to Spot (and Treat) Altitude Sickness
HAPE and HACE. These are four-letter words no mountaineer wants to hear. As forms of altitude sickness, HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary edema) and HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema) respectively equal fluid in the lungs and swelling of the brain. Both are caused by the mal effects thin air has on the body.

Under Armour Performance Mouthpiece
A new category of sports accessory, "performance mouthpieces" are touted to increase strength, endurance, and speed up reaction time. Gear Junkie gave it a test.

Welcome to Everest Base Camp
A subterranean stream gurgles in the glacial ice beneath my feet. An avalanche crashes, ice pillars tumbling down, in the Khumbu Icefall above. Welcome to Base Camp at Mount Everest, a tent city at 17,500 feet and home to more than 1,200 seasonal residents clad in down jackets and mountain boots.

Gear Junkie Treks to Gorak Shep
The trek to Mount Everest Base Camp is almost complete. The first wave of the Expedition Hanesbrands team, including lead climber Jamie Clarke and myself, are scheduled to be at Everest's tent city Saturday, April 10.

Gear Check: Expedition Infrastructure
Stephen Regenold explores the equipment used to communicate from the Khumbu valley to base camp and beyond.

The Long Strange Trip of Jones Snowboards First Splitboard
Months after disappearing from the SIA tradeshow, a one-of-a-kind snowboard reappears.

Travis Rice Crowned King of the Hill
Travis Rice wins Alaska's "King of the Hill" contest.

Endurace Racing with a Happier Stomach
The route climbed and descended 105 miles of beautiful, rural farmland. Jacked up 4x4's, chickens in the road and an almost constant smell of cow manure were all endearing charms of the race.

Interview: Photographer Scott Simper
Gear Junkie Stephen Regenold interviews climbing photographer and videographer Scott Simper.

Gear Junkie Treks to Pangboche
The Gear Junkie meets expedition leader Jamie Clarke at 13,000 feet in the village of Pangboche.

The South Butt Vs. The North Face
The legal battle between parody brand The South Butt and The North Face is a draw and both brands can now coexist.

Click Espresso Protein Drink
Like a fancy coffee drink made with Muscle Milk, Click is a "liquid meal" with caffeine added in.

Trek to Namche Bazaar
It’s been a little more than two days since my last update. But in that short time, the trajectory I am on from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp has brought me hundreds of miles and thousands of feet into the sky.

Kathmandu, Part II
Holy sites, markets and temples -- as well as the procurement of one oxygen mask -- made up my second day on the Expedition HanesBrands trip in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Adventure Racing Gear from Brooks Range


Pearl Izumi: Project Uranus
Pearl Izumi claims the 4-D was "tested in the most hostile environment: Uranus".

Gear Night in Kathmandu
GJ is in Kathmandu! First night: A gear shopping excursion to the city’s Thamel District. Live chickens, speeding motorbikes, and counterfeit outdoors gear included.

Zero Hour for Gear Junkie
It's time to head out. Time to double-check my list, kiss the kids goodbye, and get on a plane to Kathmandu!

'Road ID' Bracelet
Road ID is a stylish identification bracelet made for athletes. It can give you and your loved ones peace of mind.

PowerSox
If the shoe fits, wear it. But what about a well-fitting sock?

Yakima 'Foam Blocks' Rack
A kayak rack for $35? Yep. Meet the old-school solution, Yakima's Foam Blocks.

How to: Pack for an Expedition
En route to Nepal this week, Gear Junkie talks about his unique -- and admittedly messy! -- method to getting packed and prepared before an expedition begins.

Everest: The Expedition Begins!
Nepal is calling. In three days, Gear Junkie departs for the Himalayas with Mount Everest-bound Expedition Hanesbrands. The trek to Base Camp begins next week!

Electrolyte Tablets
Electrolyte tablets from ZYM, nuun, and CamelBak fizz and dissolve in water. The result is a vitamin-fortified, electrolyte-rich sports drink that Gear Junkie says offers a "superior solution."

Bike Hoodies
These bike-specific hooded sweatshirts, made of merino wool, could appeal to gritty urban fixie types as well as pretty hipster boys (and girls) hoping to borrow the look.

Electrolyte-infused Bikewear!
Hydrate without drinking? New cycling apparel from Nalini is infused with electrolyte nutrients and vitamins that absorb into your skin!

'Best Internship on Earth'
Up for grabs, an eight-week paid internship with the Sierra Club that includes backpacking, rafting, hiking and more.

Review: Kaenon Sunglasses
Are polarized lenses overpriced marketing rhetoric or a fast track to superior vision in the outdoors? Contributor Stephen Krcmar tests a pair of Kaenon sunglasses for a first-person look.

Geocaching GPS
Meet Magellan's geocaching GPS, a unit pre-loaded with coordinates for "the most popular geocaches in the world."

Backpack Sofa
Applause to Belgian designers Quinze & Milan. A prototype couch mash-up includes zippers, labels, and straps from classic Eastpak backpacks.

Ski Dog Knee Surgery
News of the Weird, Gear Junkie style: "Ski patrol dog undergoes knee surgery for torn ACLs."

New Product: Click Up Belay Device
The Italian-made Click Up is an auto-locking belay device that employs an HMS carabiner to do the hard work.

Taste Test: Mojo Bar
Sugar takes a back seat. With Clif Bar & Company's Mojo Bar, the "salty" part of the equation is key.

Review: CW-X Pro Tights
With its tights, CW-X promises a "suspension system for the hamstrings and quadriceps." Our new writer and reviewer, Chelsey Gribbon, gave the tights a test on a three-day trek.

Foam Shoes
Ugly, awesome or ugly-awesome? You make the call on Native's new sneaker, the Jefferson, a shoe made of EVA foam.

New Product: Electric-Assist Bikes
The category of electric-assist bikes (read: bikes with motors) continues to grow. Here are two new ones from OHM Cycles.

Outside's Online Fitness Plan
Outside magazine now offers online fitness plans. For a fee, you can get a comprehensive fitness regimen designed by "some of the world's leading coaches and fitness experts."

Review: Canon G11
T.C. Worley, a professional photographer, gives an in-depth review of the Canon G11, a "point-and-shoot" camera that even a pro can love. (For the most part.)

Modulus Bike Lock
Double cables get it done! If you don't need maximum security, but want maximum versatility, check out the Kryptonite Modulus 1010S.

'Sacred To Many People' charity
Wyoming climbing guide Frank Sanders once scaled Devils Tower 365 times in one year. Now, he's promoting a charity to help Native Americans. The name: "Sacred To Many People."

Gear Manifesto: Patagonia Race
What it takes to do an expedition-length race. This is my four-page, 3,500-word manifesto to gear from last month's Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

'Flea' Bike Lights
The new Flea bike lights are among the smallest and most convenient commuting lights available.

Trailer Treasure Hunt!
Finders keepers! Win an ultimate swag package from SylvanSport. The company has stocked one of its Go camp trailers with $14,000 worth of gear.

New Product: Silva Headlamp
Silva is known for its compasses. But a new headlamp promises better light distribution for clearer vision in the night.

Review: Suunto T3c Sports Watch
Gear Junkie's John Peacock calls on technology to help motivate a new running routine. This is his test of the Suunto T3c sports watch and software.

'Cycling to Mars' bike shoes
If you like Kanye West and his accompanying flash, heavy with multi-hues and European styling, Puma's new Cycling to Mars shoes are the only game in town.

Full-Screen Photo Glory!
Big pictures! Our latest site upgrade: Full-screen photo slideshows.

Google Maps 'Bike There'
Go spokes! Google Maps has a new 'Bike There' option for best routes and fast directions on two wheels.

Bike Test in Patagonia
As part of Team GearJunkie.com in the Wenger Patagonian Race, Jason Magness tested the Ellsworth Truth mountain bike for almost 200 miles in the arid wilds of Tierra del Fuego.

'Anti-Energy' Drink
"Unwind from the Grind" with an alcohol-free relaxation drink. Reviewer Stephen Krcmar finds out if there is better sleep through chemistry.

Review: Ridley Bikes Phaeton R
Clive de Sousa, a former pro bike racer from South Africa, reviews the 2010 Phaeton R, a "do-it-all" road bike for less than $2,500.

Review: Burton Driver X
Stiff, stylish, light and high-tech, Burton's Driver X is a solid freeride boot. Stephen Krcmar offers a review after a season of use in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

Review: Battalion Diver Titanium
Wenger's Battalion Diver Titanium is a handsome timepiece, including classic dive-watch looks combined with a sturdy build.

Future Gear 2010
Glowing Sandals. A Swiss Army Knife with a laser. Here's a peek at a few out-there gear items coming soon to an outdoors store near you.

Review: Venture Splitboard
"Earn your turns" with a splitboard. Reviewer Stephen Krcmar looks at Venture's Storm splitboard, an $895 model.

Patagonia: Race Report #1
My first post-event column on the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, including some highlights and a summary of the six days straight Team Gear Junkie raced last month.

Patagonian Race Maps
Check out the full cartographical spread from the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, a topographical extravaganza that includes a dozen maps from the race "at the end of the Earth."

Review: Stoic Bombshell Jacket
Tech, stylish and versatile, the Stoic Bombshell jacket is, well, the bomb. Stephen Krcmar offers a review after a season of use in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.

New Product: Gnat Stove
At a mere 1.6 ounces, Monatauk Outdoors' Gnat is touted as the "world's lightest production camp stove."

Feature Story: 7 Summits
Troy Aupperle, founder of a nutrition products company, climbed the tallest mountains in the world. Ice axes and enzyme capsules helped along the way.

Sorel Snow Sneakers
A replacement to winter boots these are not. Sorel's "arctic slip-ons" fail to impress Gear Junkie.

Earthquake Shock
The tragic news of the earthquake in Chile hit hard with the Gear Junkie crew, which just returned from the country last week.

The Race in Numbers
344 miles, 500 chocolate bars, 25 supermarket cart-fulls of food. . . check out these fun facts and numbers from this year's Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

Two-Wheeled Mutant Superheroes
Our writer Stephen Krcmar worked for Breakaway Courier Systems in New York City in the early '90s. The "Klingons" in this video were some of his bike heroes at the time.

Lange Girls 2010
Lange has been making posters ripe with sex appeal -- and ski boots! -- since 1970. Here's the company's latest foray.

Excerpt: "Falling Uphill"
This excerpt from Scott Stoll's book, "Falling Uphill," features existential thoughts, musings on Goran Kropp, and a narrative on a tour up the Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand.

Vail Renames Ski Run After Vonn
Vail Mountain renamed a ski run after U.S. Olympian, and Vail resident, Lindsey Vonn.

Review: Saucony ProGrid Razor
A lot of good -- and some bad -- come with the ProGrid Razors, Saucony's much talked about winterized trail-running shoe. This is the Gear Junkie review.

Bern Watts Carbon
The Bern Watts Carbon weighs a mere 15 ounces with its winter liner giving a new meaning to the phrase "light headed."

Super-Cush Trail Shoes
Cushioning underfoot to the Nth degree differentiates the HOKA "super-cushioned trail shoes."

Rossignol Harness Pant
The Rossignol Harness Pant hides a built-in certified climbing harness in its seat. Our Whistler, B.C., based correspondent put them to the test on ski tours this winter.

Heated Boots Fail To Impress
Columbia's heated boots, powered by lithium-polymer batteries, are touted to provide the "warmth of a furnace." Our test found this to be far from the case.

Gear Junkie back in USA
After almost three weeks away -- and hundreds of kilometers raced through the wilds of Patagonia -- Team Gear Junkie is back home. Here's a photo wrap-up from the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

Strap Pad
When you add a strap to a snowboard stomp pad you get Strap Pad, a new snow sports company ironically out of Huntington Beach, Calif.

GoLite Flash Lite
With features that model your foot’s tendons and ligaments, the GoLite Flash Lite neutral trail runners are said to give support where you need it.

Venture Snowboards Sells Direct
Venture snowboards joined the growing number of companies that are selling products directly to customers.

Final Patagonian Race Report
While the goal of every race is to win, most teams came just for the opportunity to race in what most see as the toughest, most beautiful, most demanding race on the planet.

Garmont Masterlite
Garmont created a minimalist AT boot with a rockered outsole that eliminates a forefoot flex point.

Deuter Spectro 38
In an attempt to go light and keep the air moving around your back and shoulders, Deuter launched its Spectro line that contains packs ranging from 24 liters to 38 liters.

Patagonia Race Report #8
The race and all scheduled events are now over. This morning a large chunk of the teams are already on their long journey home. The rest of us are in town for 24 hours or less. It is hard to believe that the whole thing is finished. Last night we met at a restaurant and conducted the closing ceremonies.

Cannondale Simon
Cannondale is pushing the limits of suspension technology with Simon, an electronic suspension system that senses the terrain and instantly adjusts the damping.

Winter Camping Gear Test - Part 1
Any winter camping trip is an exercise in gear choices. Snowshoes, skis, what will you do for shelter, what temperature should you prepare for? When heading to the <a href="http://www.bwca.com", target="_blank">BWCA</a> on a gear test trip it simply means you load up the car and bring everything!

Firm Buys Cloudveil From Spyder
After owning it for only two years, Spyder sold Cloudveil to a private equity firm for an undisclosed amount.

Patagonian Race Update
I'm writing from a hostel that faces the Bay of Beagle in Puerto Williams, Chile. I just had a breakfast of cheese and avacado on handmade bread with a side of yogurt. At my table, the members of Team Gear Junkie were enjoying their first real breakfast since completing the race. They all have swollen hands, feet or legs, but are in good spirits and happy with a 4th place finish!

Winter Camping Trip Report - Boundary Waters Canoe Area
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota is an idyllic place to canoe, hike, camp and fish in the Spring, Summer and Fall. For hardy souls it can be just as idyllic in the Winter.

Patagonian Race Report #7
I am currently sitting in Puerto WIlliams, Chile. The race is almost over. Team Japan is still on the course, but all other teams have either finished, or dropped out. The only placing we know for sure right now is Team Helly-Hanso, who handily won, finishing a few days ago.

Patagonian Race Report #6
The rushing white noise of the creek beside my tent was drowned by the thumping of an approaching helicopter. I unzipped the door just in time to see it settling into a furious cloud of dust. An hour later the video crew was on board and banking over distant mountain passes, filming racers on their way to distance checkpoints.

Aether High-end Outerwear
Two film producers launched a high-end outerwear company targeted at people who want high fashion and high function and aren’t afraid to pay for it.

Patagonian Race Report #5
The rushing white noise of the creek beside my tent was drowned by the thumping of an approaching helicopter. I unzipped the door just in time to see it settling into a furious cloud of dust. An hour later the video crew was on board and banking over distant mountain passes, filming racers on their way to distance checkpoints.

Patagonian Race Report #4
This morning as I awoke from a hard sleep, I stepped from my tent home next to a rushing creek, stretched arms wide and squinted into the sun. Another perfect day for a race in Patagonia! I could see several teams in the transition area, preparing to climb out of the valley and towards a booming waterfall 200 meters (more than 600 ft) above the valley.

Patagonian Race Report #3
So far, the pace of the race is faster than expected. During the night, all teams, except one, made it through checkpoint #3. CP #3 was set up in a sheep shearing facility built in 1906. It was very rustic - in a beautiful, if slightly gross way.

Q&amp;A: Gretchen Bleiler
With countless medals and accolades to her name, professional snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler heads to the Olympics as one of the athletes expected to rip in the halfpipe. She took some time before the Games to shed some light on her life.

Niner Air 9 Carbon
As its second foray into carbon fiber, Niner's Air 9 Carbon is a 2.8-pound 29er with completely original components.

Primus PowerLighter
Designed as a pocket-sized torch, the Primus PowerLighter spits a flame that’s as hot as lava.

GoLite Lime Lites
Disguised as a semi-formal set of kicks, the GoLite Lime Lites can easily transport you from work, to the trail and then to the bar.

Patagonian Race Report #2
To say that today has been an eventful day does not nearly begin to hint at what has gone down.

Q&amp;A: Naturally Bamboo
In light of the recent FTC warnings, we asked April Femrite, owner of Minnesota-based Naturally Bamboo, a few questions about the bamboo industry and how it relates to outdoor gear.

Greenwashing hits outdoor apparel
The Federal Trade Commission warned 78 companies that they must stop falsely advertising apparel as being bamboo or risk being sued. After all, mislabeling clothes as bamboo when they’re really made from rayon is greenwashing at its finest.

Race Report #1: Gearing Up and Heading Out
The race preparations are complete and it is time to do this!

Gear Junkie AWOL in Patagonia!
Wish Team Gear Junkie luck! The four-person squad heads south to Tierra del Fuego and the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race this week.

Boba Kid Carrier
Boba carriers, manufactured by an outdoor-gear company in Boulder, let you hike or even slowly run with a kid on back.

Down Puffy Jackets
The Flex Jacket from Sierra Designs and the Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket are puffys of different types, though both equally cozy in the snow. This is our review.

Patagonian Race Video
Here is the official preview video for the 2010 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, a nine-day event that Team Gear Junkie begins in one week!

Craft Winter Apparel
This winter, for running and skiing, I have been testing two Craft products. This is my review on the Swedish-made tights and top.

Unconventional Gear
This "Top Five" list features quirky and cool new items from the Outdoor Retailer trade show last week.

Tents for Haiti
Haiti’s homeless are in desperate need of shelter. Outdoors organizations are creating tent drives to get used tarps and tents to thousands in need.

OR Show: Wrap-Up 2010
Six days. Five Gear Junkie partners and contributors. A ski day. Thousands of products to look over and investigate. Here is our wrap of the show.

Patagonian Race Team Roster
Two weeks to go! Team GJ is home from Salt Lake City. Now, it's time to focus on getting ready for the big race ahead.

Outdoor Retailer - Explore It report #3
My third and final day at the OR show was just as packed as the others and had great gear to boot.

Outdoor Retailer - Explore It report #2
The lights have gone out on the second day of the Outdoor Retailer winter show in Salt Lake City. Between food and drinks were constant meetings with outdoor manufacturers to find out what’s going to hit shelves later this year.

2010 Winter OR - Show Floor Report #2
I am back at the hotel, finally, after a long day of meetings and playing with some new gear, including a gear test that involved setting up a tent in a hotel room! Here are a few highlights of items I saw today.

Outdoor Retailer - Explore It report #1
After the first day at the Outdoor Retailer winter show in Salt Lake City, I’ve pinpointed a couple pieces of gear that I’m looking forward to checking out later this year.

2010 Winter OR - Show Floor Report 1
Back at the hotel from a full day of meetings at the Winter OR show in Salt Lake City. I saw new products from companies like The North Face, Timberland, Granite Gear and others. Here are a few that stood out.

2010 Winter OR Gear Test
The Gear Junkie crew is in Salt Lake City for the Winter Outdoor Retailer tradeshow this week. Today we spent the day trying out brand new gear from a number of manufacturers at the All Mountain Demo at Snowbasin resort. Snow was falling all day and the combination of the cloudy sky along with some light fog made the visibility around the mountain tough. Among other items, a new pair of Dynafit skis really stood out.

OR Show: Gear Preview 2010
Breathable cotton. Nano-tech jackets. Dog vests. The Outdoor Retailer Winter Market starts this week. Here is a product preview from the show.

Champion Supersuit Unveiled!
Champion unveils its long-anticipated "Supersuit" this week. The high-tech outerwear is being touted to have "the potential to change the entire outdoor apparel industry."

Energy from Chocolate
Salazon Chocolate Co. touts its bars as an energy food, not a candy.

Helmet Vibration Speaker
Sound waves reverberate from the Tunebug Shake device, turning a sports helmet shell into a speaker of sorts.

Arrowhead 135 Ultramarathon
Minnesota's Arrowhead 135 is one of the country's most extreme winter endurance races. This is Gear Junkie's personal account.

Core Concepts' Stashable Top
The “Zip, Flip and Stash” system lets you stash a shirt and clip it around your waist in a manageable pouch.

Winter Kayak Gear Test
It's January 17, white and cold in Minneapolis. But I've got a race to prepare for. Here are a couple shots from my icy training day.

Gearing up for Patagonia
Gear Junkie prepares for the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, a weeklong endurance event next month through Tierra del Fuego, Chile.

GPS/SPOT Device
Send a Tweet from the backcountry -- or blip out an SOS signal. A to-be-released GPS communicator product does both.

Ultra-Sil Day Pack
This strange, crinkly "siliconized" Cordura nylon backpack stuffs down to a size smaller than a baseball.

Interview: Patagonian Race Preview
Back from a two-week scouting expedition, Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race Director Stjepan Pavicic gives a sneak peek on some details of the upcoming 2010 race.

Patagonian Edu Page
Our new Edu page was made for teens, kids and anyone else interested in the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race and the vast wilderness in which the event takes place. Oh, and there's a contest for kids, too.

In-Goggle Camera
The to-be-released Summit Series Snow Camera Goggle embeds a small camera above a goggle lens to enable a skiers'-eye-view for captured images and video.

Case Logic Car Organizers
A quick review of the not-super-exciting (but important!) product category of in-car "stuff" organizers.

CrossFit Workout
Touted as an ultimate workout -- and popular with police forces and military teams -- the CrossFit regimen is being embraced by average exercisers. The Gear Junkie gives it a try.

Quiksilver Action Pants
Get your action pants on! For skateboarding and casual cycling, Quiksilver's CoolMax jeans are a solid choice.

Yuba Mundo Cargo Bike
It measures 6 feet 9 inches long. Its stock weight is a staggering 55 pounds. Meet the Yuba Mundo cargo bike.

Carbon-Fiber Swim Goggles
Blueseventy's CarbonRZR employ carbon-fiber to create a featherweight goggle made for competitive swimmers.

Outdoor Kids Book
Eugene Buchanan, a father and outdoorsman, wrote a book to help parents get their kids excited about the outdoors.

Gretchen Bleiler Collection
Launched in 2008, but revamped every year, Oakley's Gretchen Bleiler collection includes goggles, jackets, sunglasses, and apparel.

Snow Density Gauge
Small enough to fit in a jacket pocket, the Brooks-Range Pocket Snow Density Gauge can help determine if snow is avalanche prone.

Strata Multi-Tool
Gerber's new tool includes a saw, scissors, file, knife and the unlikely addition of a "retail package opener."

Boy Scout Tent
In honor of the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary, Eureka revamped a long-time Boy Scout favorite tent.

Year's Best Gear
Behold the Gear Junkie's "Top 10 Gear Picks," a best-of-the-best list culled from the dozens of products reviewed on the site each year!

Sled with Skis
An Austrian company touts a different type of downhill experience with its ski-quipped sled.

Topo Ranch Topo T-Shirt
This comfy, non-technical T-shirt with a prairie-dog-with-wings motif has been a Gear Junkie favorite for years.

Trail Running in 2010
iRunFar.com, a blog that covers trail running and ultra events, asked athletes and industry insiders "What are you most looking forward to in 2010?"

Weird Two-Wheelers
Like a two-wheeled jackalope, these mechanical platypuses put the "loco" in locomotion. Oh, and Happy New Year, all!

Ergon Bike Grips
Can you gain on-bike performance from handlebar grips? Writer Jason Magness says Ergon grips changed his mountain biking life.

1% For the Planet CD
This compilation CD features more than 40 artists. It costs $10 and raises money for environmental nonprofits around the world.

Polartec Blanket Drive
For every 10 people that fan Polartec on Facebook, the company will give a blanket to the homeless.

SRS Hammer Paddle
Writer Jason Magness put the Simon River Sports Hammer paddle to the test on multiple expeditions this past year. Here is his verdict.

Nat Geo Archive
National Geographic digitized 120 years of magazines on a 160-gigabyte hard drive that's available to anyone.

POC Cornea Goggles
New this winter, POC's Cornea goggles use a lens attached to the outside to increase field of view.

'Telemark Tips' Book
"Allen & Mike’s Really Cool Telemark Tips" is a book for tele skiers looking to refine their skills.

Snowboard Training Board
New snowboarders can take some pain out of the learning curve with Vew-Do’s Progression board.

Ipath Shearling
Part boot, part sneaker, Ipath's Shearling is perfect for tromping around, skateboarding or just hanging out in the cold.

Eco Gloves
Swany America created a recyclable glove made from windproof and waterproof polyester.

JakPak
JakPak is updating its integrated jacket/bivy product for spring 2010 to add features geared toward the avid adventurer.

Hands-Free Camera Harness
Backcountry Solutions' hands-free camera mount attaches to a backpack harness to keep your SLR at the ready.

Deadline: "What's Your Everest"
Three days to deadline! Submit your entry for the $10,000 "What's Your Everest" contest today!

Kayak Training Machine
Paddle all winter long. The Ergometer is an exercise machine that mimics the kayaking experience. I am using it to train for a race in Patagonia.

Clik Elite Photo Pack
TC Worley, a photojournalist for New York Times and other publications, reviews the Clik Elite Medium Nature, a "performance pack for adventure photographers."

GSI Camp Cook Set
Never forget the basics again. GSI's Pinnacle Dualist is a self-contained cook system that nestles two bowls, two mugs and two spoons ready for backcountry use.

'Digital Ski Coach'
Can ski boot sensors and pattern-recognition software provide tips on technique while you ski? A German company has invented a system it says enables exactly that.

Review: Roclite 288 GTX
Inov-8 stakes a claim with its Roclite 288 GTX: It is touted as being "the world's lightest waterproof boot."

Mega Earth Atlas
This limited-edition mega atlas weighs 40 pounds and costs $4,800. (In January, the price tag leaps to $5,800!)

Ibex Hooded Indie
Can you say cozy? This hard-to-categorize wool top includes a tight-fitting hood and sleeves with thumb-hole cuffs.

Outlier OG Pants
These bike-oriented "performance dress pants" are a specialty product created for a small, affluent market niche.

Gerber Grappler
Flick it to open: The Gerber Grappler offers one-handed opening of a multi-tool with a locking pliers.

Columbia Mobex Backpack
Columbia's lightweight Mobex packs, new this winter, are designed with the sport of adventure racing and other "fast and light" pursuits in mind.

TentPak
TentPak created a tent-integrated backpack designed as an emergency grab-and-go pack.

Chrome Bike Shoes
A new option for cyclists who use platform pedals: Cycling-specific sneakers from Chrome.

Xtreme Sports Insurance
Xtreme Sports Insurance offers affordable accident insurance for extreme and action sports athletes.

Ski Trip: 10 Tips
Writer Stephen Krcmar offers these guidelines for families and travelers preparing for their first ski trip of the year.

Ocean Wave Skiing
Take an ocean wave. Add skis and a tow-in with a jet ski. That's what pro skier Cody Townsend did for a recent ski stunt in Maui.

New Clipless Pedal Concept
No more fumbling to clip in. Infinity Pedals are a new clipless concept that will offer 360-degree entry.

New Balance 910
Our reviewer calls the New Balance 910s "solid and versatile trail-running shoes."

Patagonia Race Map Preview
For all the maps geeks out there like me, here are two big, beautiful satellite map samples from last year's Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

Gucci Ski Goggles
Looking chic on the slopes has a new meaning now that Gucci is a player in the snowsports space.

Last-Minute Gift Guide
It's just over one week to go! Here's a last-minute guide to holiday shopping for the gear junkie on your list.

Carbon Multisport Helmet
Scheduled to launch in Spring 2010, a French company produced one of the lightest four-season lids imaginable.

LightLane Bike Light
Too cool: The prototype LightLane shines a 5-foot-wide laser behind a rider to create a moving virtual bike lane.

Himalayan Gear Test
Outside Magazine's Stephanie Pearson sat down with a Hanesbrands product designer to talk about a recent Himalayan expedition and gear tests that took place on the mountain.

Wing Blade Kayak Paddle
The FastKayak Flyer wing-blade paddle lives up to its name. Our tester proved the point on a recent adventure race in Abu Dhabi.

Team USA Sweepstakes
Marketing ploy? Yes. But you have a chance to win a five-day trip to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.

Custom Skis, Made Cheap
Custom skis for $333? That's the promise with 333 Skis, a small company with an off-the-grid mobile factory.

Free Bike Camp
If you're in the LA area this week, check out the “Don’t Get Fat! Training Camp," a free five-day event with rides around the town.

SPOT Messenger Return
Spot LLC has issued a return of its second-generation device. Company cites "battery and messaging" problems.

Pearl Izumi Winter Bike Shoes
Using a shoe built for cold weather, like Pearl Izumi's Barrier GTX, is one of the best upgrades a winter pedaler can make.

R.I.P. NGA
Writer Steven Threndyle offers his thoughts on the demise of National Geographic Adventure magazine -- as well as a polemic on the state of magazine journalism in the outdoors world today.

Alleghenies Wrap-Up Video
The big trip wrap-up. Check out our new video from the "Choose-Your-Adventure" sweepstakes trip last month.

Alleghenies Video Wrap-Up
Cliff jumping, cold-water swimming, mountain biking, trout fishing. . . all featured in our new Alleghenies video from the "Choose-Your-Adventure" sweepstakes trip last month.

Major Taylor Clean Living
Boston-based graphic designer and artist Chris Piascik just finished a series of drawings depicting Major Taylor’s "guidelines for clean living."

Wine Cork Sandals
Sole created a flip-flop made from upcycled wine corks. It cost $70 and doesn't come out until the spring.

Giro Section Helmet
The Giro Section is an option for cyclists looking for a low-cost helmet or for riders who want to do some cold weather commuting.

Brooklyn Battle Over Bike Lanes
New York cyclists have angered the Hasidic community for repainting some bike lanes. Vandalism or justified vigilantism?

Kelty cuts Middleman
Kelty is falling in line with other gear manufacturers that sell directly to the customer and cut out the middleman.

Outside Magazine TV
Next June, the Resort Sports Network will switch gears to become the Outside Television Network.

Cycloc bike holder
Cycloc mixes form and function to make an artsy bike holder.

Chariot Skates
With carbon fiber “wheel skates” and inline-like boots, Chariot Skates enter the market next summer in the who-would've-thunk-it category of gear.

Red Bull Energy Shot
A boost in the guise of a beverage is an accepted performance-enhancing procedure in the outdoors world. Red Bull offers another option with its new Energy Shot.

Two-Wheeled Delivery
One huge company, and one small one, now utilize bicycles for holiday season delivery and transportation.

Jruiter Concept Bike
Jruiter Studio may grab the concept bike crowd with its new rig, an urban bike that’s lean, pared down and includes hydraulic stoppers but no chain.

U.S. Snowboarding Team Uniforms
What happens when grunge, "The Boss" and the look of Tommy Hilfiger collide? You get Burton's just-released Olympic uniform for the U.S. Snowboarding Team.

TripCase travel app
The TripCase travel application, now available for BlackBerry devices, lets you manage travel plans and share photos while on the go.

Tall Bike Jousting App
The to-be-released Tall Bike Jousting app brings urban bike culture to your iPhone.

Newton Trail Runners
After more than two years in development, Newton Running will launch its first trail-running shoe in July.

Makboard Snowboard
Makboard built a see-through snowboard deck made from the same material used in fighter jet cockpit canopies.

GearPods
Take a watertight polycarbonate container and cram it full with gear. That's the gist of a GearPod premade kit.

Custom Swiss Skis
Heidiskis, a Switzerland-based ski maker, revamped its 2010 line to include an ash-Titanal core that gives rigidity and flex.

Injinji Compression Toe Socks
Individual toe slots and an over-the-calf compression fit is what you get with Injinji's new $38 EX-Celerator socks.

GORE-TEX launches MyExperienceMore.com
W.L. Gore & Associates has launched an online community project and accompanying “Experience More Challenge” contest.

What's Your Ski Patrol Name?
Create your on-slope nickname in two clicks with Copper Mountain's new widget.

Twin Six T-Shirt of the Month
The coolest T-shirts in cycling are made by Twin Six. And their coolest shirts belong to their limited run, T-shirt of the Month club.

Nat Geo 'Adventure' Folds
A sad day: National Geographic Adventure Magazine announced it has published its final issue.

PureBot Water Bottle
The great BPA (Bisphenol-A) debate is raging right now. But fewer people are aware of another plastic unpleasantry known as EA.

MSR Kids Snowshoes
The Shift snowshoes, based on the company's Denali Evo model, are aimed at preteens who want to keep up with mom and dad.

2010 GJ Media Kit
Gear Junkie has just released its 2010 Media Kit.

QA with Adventure Race Champ
Nicola MacLeod, an army doctor from Edinburgh, is among the world's best adventure racers. This is an exclusive GJ interview.

Interview with Nicola MacLeod
Nicola MacLeod, an army doctor from Edinburgh, is among the world's best adventure racers. This is a Q&A interview with the 30-year-old AR dynamo.

The North Face Animagi Jacket
The Animagi is a specialized product, a hybrid option made for aerobic activity in cold weather that insulates where needed but also breathes.

Rapha Bomber Jacket
Like Swobo with an English accent, Rapha's new Bomber Jacket is stylish, classic and tech. But cheap it is not.

In-Goggle Display
Project a tiny trail map and on-slope metrics inside your goggle lens. That's the promise with Recon Instruments' to-be-released ski/snowboard goggle.

Review: Sound Disk Beanie
Do you worry that you look like the Terminator with your Bluetooth headset? Check out Aerial 7's new speaker-equipped beanie.

Swift. Silent. Deep.
“Swift. Silent. Deep." is a new documentary on a piece of ski history set in Jackson, Wyo. Writer Stephen Krcmar offer his review.

Cyber Monday Gear Deals
It's one of the busiest days of the year for retail electronic commerce in the United States. Here are a few options for gear junkies shopping online today.

Review: "In Deep"
Stephen Krcmar reviews Matchstick Productions' new ski film, "In Deep."

Xtensor Exerciser
It looks like a robotic aid. But the Xtensor Exerciser device works a muscle group in your forearm often underworked and ignored.

Mission Workshop Vandal
San Francisco’s Mission Workshop just released a new $225 bike bag. It's waterproof and has a special fold-open pocket design to accommodate large loads.

'Black Friday' at REI
In the spirit of 'Black Friday,' REI is giving away gift cards this Friday to the first 300 customers at each store. Go get in line.

Trek Project One
For a hefty price, Trek's Project One site allows you to customize a road bike to suit your style.

Mountain Meteor Tents
Sierra Designs created two mountaineering tents, new this winter, that incorporate the company's unique Eye Pole design.

Snow Angel Base Layers
Many women who play outdoors want the first layer next to their skin to be comfortable, functional and maybe even fashionable.

Potter, 'Adventurer of Year'
Dean Potter has been named an "Adventurer of the Year" by National Geographic Adventure magazine for his BASE jumping and wingsuit flying feats.

Brev M. Components
Urban riders often wax poetic about the minimalism of their rigs. Brev M. is an outfit made for these folks.

Stormy Kromer Wool Pants
Army-Surplus wool pants were long a stalwart piece in my winter outerwear getup. This winter, wool pants are back.

Lake CX236 Cycling Shoe
Lake's to-be-released road biking shoe, the CX236, has high-end features like a Boa cable lacing system.

'PublicEarth' Travel Guide
When a travel guidebook doesn't dish the details you need, try PublicEarth.com, a new site that gives insider info on millions of places around the planet.

Odor-Eating Sleeping Bag
Sierra Designs' BTU line is touted to eliminate the "I’ve-slept-in-this-sleeping-bag-too-many-times-without-washing-it" odor.

Bike Culture vs. Pop Culture
Popular culture more than ever embraces bike culture. At least on the 'small screen.'

Serengeti Polar PhD
Serengeti introduces a lens technology that incorporates a material used in fighter jet cockpits and for skyscraper windows.

Origo Rendezvous Peak
The Rendezvous Peak watch was designed for mountain-going athletes who want a meteorological gauge on their wrist.

Winter Base Layers
'Long johns' are no longer. Instead, outdoors companies now sell "next-to-skin technical base layers." Here are three sets of skivvies for winter 2010.

Sony Camera Phone
A phone with an 8.1-megapixel camera inside. Meet the Sony Ericsson c905, a phone that allows for "quick and easy" access for uploading high-res shots direct to the Web.

Pumori Exped Wrap-Up
In October, Expedition Hanesbrands made an attempt on Mount Pumori, a 23,494-foot in Nepal. Here is a wrap-up from the three-week trip.

Mount Pumori Expedition
In October, Expedition Hanesbrands made an attempt on Mount Pumori, a 23,494-foot peak in Nepal. Here is a wrap-up from the three-week effort.

17-Pocket Windbreaker
The 17-pocket ScotteVest Pack Windbreaker has unchallenged gear-stashing ability.

Budget-Friendly Solar Charger
Highgear designed its new $50 SolarPod pocket-size solar charger for backcountry techies on a budget.

Inner Tube Messenger Bags
Made with "upcycled" bike inner tubes, Green Guru Gear's Recycler and Vulcar messenger bags have an urban look and commuter functionality.

Gear Junkie Cartoon Movie
Check out "Who Is GJ?" The new animated feature.

Palin's Icebreaker Pose
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin poses in Icebreaker’s Long Sleeve Chase Zip on the recent Newsweek magazine cover.

Team GJ to Race in Patagonia
The Gear Junkie is heading to Patagonia! The job: To captain a team in the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, one of "the toughest ultra-endurance events on the planet."

Course Map 2009
A look at the overview race course map from the 2009 edition of the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race.

Q&amp;A with 'RockClimberGirl'
Sara Lingafelter, a writer and rock climber from Seattle, talks about Expedition Hanesbrands and her trip to Mount Pumori, a 23,494-foot peak on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Review: Helly Hansen Patrol Jacket
A $600 shell made with input from ski patrollers from Colorado to Norway. After 50 days of use, Stephen Krcmar offers this review.

Q&amp;A with 'RockClimberGirl'
Sara Lingafelter, a writer and rock climber from Seattle, talks about Expedition Hanesbrands and her trip to Mount Pumori, a 23,494-foot peak on the Nepal-Tibet border.

Meet Team GearJunkie
Quick intros to Team GearJunkie, a four-person squad including Stephen Regenold (a.k.a. "Gear Junkie") and three members of the YogaSlackers group.

Review: Cutter Cyclical Jacket
The waterproof Cyclical Jacket from Cutter is touted to be a "storm fortress" with a pedal-specific cut. This is the Gear Junkie review.

New concept: GearSlash Store
One-deal-at-a-time (ODAT) websites like Whiskey Militia and Bonktown are nothing new. But GearSlash.com adds an interesting new tweak to the mix.

Patagonian Channel Launch!
Welcome to Gear Junkie's "Patagonian Race" channel! This new section includes info on the Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race, photo galleries, and, in February, live coverage of the event.

9-Pound Pack: Ultralight on the PCT
Rod Johnson's multi-month wilderness journey on the Pacific Crest Trail was an experiment in minimalism for the great outdoors. Bubble wrap and camp food for a pillow helped him along the way.

Review: Jones Wares Skull Cap
At only $22, the merino wool Jones Wares skull cap is one of the least expensive ways to stay toasty as temps drop.

Anti-Bonk Elixir
For active outdoors people looking to avoid the dreaded bonk, our writer recommends Proendorphin, a supplement made by Saint Louis, Mo., based Nutraceutics Corp.

2010 DFL Calendar
Featuring women that are more roller derby girls than swimsuit models, meet the 2010 DFL calendar.

Alleghenies Trip Highlights
Cliff jumping, mountain biking, trout fishing, and even a slab of Pennsylvania Dutch scrapple wrapped up the "Choose-Your-Adventure" sweepstakes trip. Here are the highlights.

Giveaway: $200,000 in free gear!
Soon to open for business, Backcountry.com’s Department of Goods site will launch this winter by giving away a purported $200,000 worth in free gear!

Alleghenies Trip Report
Cliff jumping, mountain biking, trout fishing, and even a slab of Pennsylvania Dutch scrapple wrapped up the "Choose-Your-Adventure" sweepstakes trip. Here are the highlights.

Red, White and Chew Dog Toy
With My Good Dog's red, white and blue Chew Shoe, your pooch can play with American pride.

Rab 2-in-1 Technical Mitt
For less than $100, Rab offers a new mitt for this winter with an eVent shell and an insulated glove liner.

Sheldon Brown T-shirt
For those who want to tip their proverbial hat (or helmet?) to the master mechanic: the Sheldon Brown t-shirt.

Urban Velo Magazine
Meet the new Bible of urban cycling: Urban Velo magazine.

IMBA Puts Out a Distress Call
Mountain bikers who don't ride private trails seldom have to pay to pedal. But IMBA believes hundreds of miles of prime trails may soon be closed.

Review: Matuse Hoplite Wetsuit
A wetsuit made with rubber produced from limestone (as opposed to petroleum byproducts) was a hit during a cold-water surf session with our reviewer.

ENGO Blister Relief
Like moleskin for your shoe, ENGO created a Teflon-coated patch that reduces friction and eliminates blisters.

Kayaking in the Alleghenies
Wrap-up from day four of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" trip. Kayaking Raystown Lake!

Alleghenies Adventure: Report 4
Wrap-up from day four of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" trip. Kayaking Raystown Lake!

Ski-Inspired Guitars
For real: Marker Volkl USA, the distributor of Marker bindings and Volkl skis, teamed up with Gibson Guitars to design two mind-boggling axes this winter.

Snowsports Socks
Wigwam, a Wisconsin-based sock manufacturer, developed three new snow-oriented socks for this winter.

Alleghenies Mountain Biking
Wrap-up from day three of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" trip. Mountain biking the Allegrippis Trail!

Alleghenies Adventure: Report 3
Wrap-up from day three of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" trip. Mountain biking the Allegrippis Trail!

Alleghenies Fly Fishing
Wrap-up from day two of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" sweepstakes trip! Fly Fishing on the Little Juniata River.

Alleghenies Adventure: Report 2
Wrap-up from day two of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" sweepstakes trip! Fly Fishing on the Little Juniata River.

Free USGS Topo Maps
Your guide to the free downloading of 1:24,000-scale USGS topo maps. Go forth taxpayer! Enter into the public domain. And download at will.

Alleghenies Adventure: Report 1
Wrap-up from day one of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" sweepstakes trip! Hike up Tussey Mountain.

Alleghenies Adventure: Day 1
Wrap-up from day one of the "Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure" sweepstakes trip! Hike up Tussey Mountain.

Swobo Merino Bike Jersey
The Merino 753 Jersey is a wool/poly amalgam that passed our reviewer's initial "dirtbag decathlon" test.

Backcountry Stoic Line
Backcountry.com unveiled its new apparel brand Stoic this week.

REI Stores Become LEED Certified
REI stores in Illinois and Texas recently received LEED gold certification for commercial interiors, reinforcing the company's quest to become more sustainable.

Alleghenies Trip Kick-Off!
The Alleghenies/GearJunkie.com Sweepstakes Trip begins tomorrow! Follow the choose-your-adventure action on the blog this week.

Alleghenies Trip Kick-Off!
The Alleghenies/GearJunkie.com Sweepstakes Trip begins tomorrow! Follow the choose-your-adventure action on the blog this week.

Ear-Piercing Emergency Whistle
With a screech more ear-piercing than a 5-year-old girl's, the Fox 40 Sharx whistle is said to be heard for miles over ambient sounds.

Free Giveaway-a-Day
Today only, Gear Junkie is sponsoring the newly-launched "Free Giveaway-a-Day" contest on Facebook! Sign up now.

GoBe Solar Briefcase
While not designed for backcountry travelers, the GoBe portable solar power station can charge nearly any small electronic device.

Pyramid's 'Steep &amp; Deep Adventure' contest
Win a choice backcountry ski trip -- or one of 30+ additional substantial prizes -- this winter with Pyramid Breweries' new contest.

Icebreaker Baacode
Trace your merino base layer back to its farm in New Zealand. Icebreaker offers a transparent peek at the wool-making process with its Baacode system.

Profile Article about 'Gear Junkie'
Outside magazine contributing editor Stephanie Pearson interviewed Stephen Regenold last week. The result is this profile, "The Genetically Engineered Gear Junkie."

Gear Junkie Profile Story
Outside magazine contributing editor Stephanie Pearson interviewed Stephen Regenold last week. The result is this profile, "The Genetically Engineered Gear Junkie."

Backpack, Wallet Made From Scraps
Nemo Equipment repurposes and upcycles its old tents and scraps to create the Ditto line, which includes a wallet and a backpack.

Ahnu All-Terrain Shoe
Ahnu's Firetrail Winter four-season shoe has a mesh outer that's said to repel nearly every drop of water you encounter on the trail.

Aquapac Waterproof Backpack
A watertight backpack that has the right features for use as a commuter pack and an adventure-oriented waterproof bag.

Relaunch: GJ Video Page
The Video page on Gear Junkie has been re-launched! New viewer and more videos to pick from.

Gear Test: Orienteering Race
Last summer, Gear Junkie raced in a six-hour rogaine orienteering race. It included about 20 miles of running on trails and in the woods of northern Minnesota. This column dissects key products that helped along the way.

Paul Component Eng. Brakes
For cyclocross racers and touring cyclists who don’t want disc brakes -- but want more braking power -- there's a solution that wasn’t just released at last year’s Interbike.

The Road Bananas Built
Last week, Mervin Manufacturing, the parent company of Lib and Gnu, was recognized by the community of Carlsborg, Wash., with its own road, "Banana Way."

Ogilvy &amp; Mather Bike Share
Most bike commuters would be happy with a shower at work and a safe space to store their steed. Ogilvy & Mather upped the ante with New York City's first corporate bike-sharing program.

Topeak D Torq Wrench
For folks who have a penchant for carbon-fiber components or tool precision, check out the Topeak D-torq wrenches.

Blaze 2w Bike Light
The Blaze 2w provides enough light for nighttime mountain roads that are "as dark as an Edgar Allen Poe poem," according to our reviewer.

Petzl Tikka2 Contest
Win your weight in Petzl gear! That's the prize with this new video contest.

Spyder Speed Suit
This nameless speed suit will debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is to be worn by the U.S. and Canadian Ski Teams, Spyder says.

Winter Olympics Torch Relay
Continuing a 74-year-long tradition, the Olympic Torch Relay starts this Friday from Victoria, British Columbia, on what will be a 106-day journey through Canada.

Billabong XXL Surf Competition
Billabong's XXL Global Big Wave Awards, a contest where surfers attempt to surf the biggest waves in the world, gives web surfers all over the globe a front row seat.

Contest: 'What's Your Everest?'
"What's Your Everest?" That's the question with Expedition Hanesbrands' contest, where you can win $10,000 to apply toward the fulfillment of a personal life goal.

'What's Your Everest?' Contest
"What's Your Everest?" That's the question with Expedition Hanesbrands' contest, where you can win $10,000 to apply toward the fulfillment of a personal life goal.

$20 Ski Rack
Penny-pinching ski bums will embrace Raxstars' new $20 ski carrier, which attaches to a vehicle's luggage rack and is small enough to store in a glove compartment.

BD's 'Everyman' Ski
BD's Justice skis are powder-hungry but touted as an all-mountain ski built for the "everyman."

K2 Ski Descent
Dave Watson, a climber and mountain guide, skidded into the record books this year with a daring ski descent on K2, a 28,251-foot "pyramid of ice and stone."

Review: Tune Up Portable Speaker
This built-for-the-outdoors speaker unit has a swivel bracket that secures an iPod Touch or iPhone.

Gaia GPS iPhone app
TrailBehind has created a $2.99 application aimed at hikers that turns an iPhone into a GPS receiver.

Saucony ViZi-PRO line
Be seen. Saucony introduces "high chroma-fluorescent orange-red" running wear. So bright it almost hurts to look at.

Never Summer Summit Custom Split
Snowshoes and snowboards go together like peanut butter and jelly in the backcountry. But to get where you're going quicker there's nothing like a splitboard.

Arbor Wasteland
If Lemmy from Motorhead rode a snowboard, the man known for playing at deafening volumes and lightning speed would chose the Arbor Wasteland.

Smith Maze Helmet
The Maze helmet weighs only 11.5 ounces, making it the lightest snow helmet in the snowsports world, according to Smith.

Adventure Racing Redux
In an effort to "turn a page in the sport of adventure racing," a new program offers an alternative to the long-standard USARA rankings and a new National Championship race in 2010.

Mount Pumori Gear Test story
Expedition Hanesbrands' climb this month in Nepal is a gear test and a "warm up" before Mount Everest this spring.

Stuffits Shoe Savers
Everyone has at least one riding buddy who has a pair of kicks that clear a room. Three words for those folks: Stuffits Shoe Savers.

Mount Everest Expedition Channel
Introducing the Mount Everest Expedition Channel, a substantial new section on Gear Junkie launched today to cover a spring 2010 attempt on the mountain.

Ibis "Phlegm"-Color 'Cross Bike
In homage to the Flemish tradition of kicking rear in the sport of cyclocross, Ibis offers its Hakkalügi bike. (Pronounced: "hock-a-loogie.")

Armstrong-Approved Stationary Bike
The Livestrong indoor cycle trainer is a feature-rich stationary bike approved by Lance Armstrong himself.

Mount Pumori Gear Test
Expedition Hanesbrands heads this month to Nepal and Mount Pumori for a gear test and a "warm up" climb before Everest.

Backcountry-Oriented Camera Pack
The Mountainsmith Borealis AT pack has enough room to store essential backcountry gear as well as a full camera kit.

Black Diamond Powder Ski Skins
BD's Ascension Nylon Split STS skins are designed to fit fat planks up to 160mm underfoot.

Pack Rafting Video
This video is from a two-day packrafting trip I did with the YogaSlackers group this past summer.

Viking Edition Beard Head
Stay warm this winter with a ski mask that keeps you toasty and amuses with, get this, an add-on mustache feature.

Compression Leg Sleeves
The Zensah Compression Leg Sleeves are recovery wear for athletes, yogis and, apparently, Cirque de Soleil acrobats.

Win 3-Month Vacation to Colo.
First-time snow bunnies get a chance to win a three-MONTH vacation to Colorado this winter to "fall in love with snow."

P.R.O. Lobster Wind Mitt
Pearl Izumi's new mitts convert from full-finger biking gloves to windproof lobsters via fabric stashed under a back-of-the-hand pocket.

Justin’s Chocolate Nut Butters
Justin's Nut Butter is making a series of chocolate-flavor nut butters that will soon be available in jars and squeeze packs.

Review: New Balance MT100
The feathery MT100 shoes, New Balance's latest trail flat, weigh half what "lightweight" shoes from other companies might measure on a scale. This is the Gear Junkie test.

NYT: Pack Raft story
Pack rafting, an outdoors activity with roots in aviator survival boats from World War II, is the topic of my travel article in today's New York Times.

Jeans for Biking
Jeans for pedaling are back! This is thanks to casual looking but well-designed pants like Osloh’s Pedal.

‘Save the Poles’ Expedition
Next month, Eric Larsen will begin the ‘Save the Poles’ Expedition, which includes climbing Mount Everest as well as skiing to the North and South Poles.

Shower in a Spray Bottle
For bike commuters who don't have access or time for a proper shower: Rocket Shower.

Novara Transfer Bike
The 2010 Novara Transfer may be the Honda Civic of bikes. At $649, it comes with an internally-geared 7-speed hub, fenders, a rear rack, and other commuter-friendly features.

Alleycat Bike Racing
Step into cycling's urban underground, where Alleycat racing pits clandestine competitors against the clock on an ad hoc bike course through the city.

Trek's Belt-Driven Single Speed
Trek's District Carbon single-speed bike will undoubtedly make eyes blur if not for its stealthy look, then for its carbon-composite belt drive.

High-End Arc’teryx Menswear
A fashion line that's equal parts Superman and Don Draper, the Arc’teryx Veilance collection offers high fashion and high performance. If you can afford it.

Shock-Absorbing Ski Boots
Tecnica claims its new shock-absorbing inserts, like those in the Agent 130, will reduce below-the-knee fatigue to help huckers and jibbers stay out longer.

$1,000+ Ski Boots
The era of the $1,000+ ski boot is officially upon us. For better or worse, here are three new boots that cost a grand or more.

Athlete's Pocket Guide to Yoga
For time-crunched yogis or jocks who don’t even identify with the term “yogi” (but want a good stretch workout), open up "The Athlete's Pocket Guide to Yoga."

Joint-stress Relieving Snowshoes
Tubbs' FLEX series incorporate a tail design said to absorb shock and help you keep a natural gait to reduce stress on knees and joints.

Scott Stunt big-mountain skis
Scott's new Stunt freeride ski uses a technology that's said to increase airflow from tip to tail, helping it track better in all type of snow.

Review: Swingline Pannier
The Swingline is a one-piece waterproof pannier that functions sort of like a garment-bag-meets-laptop-bag product.

Review: Thule K Summit Chains
You can be prepared for any winter storm with Thule’s K Summit chains. But are they worth $450? This is the Gear Junkie review.

IPATH All-Weather Shoes
IPATH's soon-to-be-released Kenny Reed All Weather sneaker looks set for winter days when you want warmth and style.

Winter Gear Preview
Winter is almost here. Gear up this season with heated boots, a $700 down jacket, and a backpack with a built-in emergency avalanche airbag.

Ski Gear Giveaway
The "60 Days of Giveaways" contest requires you to answer a trivia question to be entered to win lift tickets, goggles, skis, and 57 additional items.

Avalanche Airbag Backpack
Pull the rip-cord to inflate the airbag on this backpack -- and potentially save your life.

La Sportiva Baruntse Boots
A serious alpine butt-kicker. The Baruntse double-boot does duty from glaciers to high Himalaya peaks.

Drizone Down Bootie
Toasty toes are guaranteed with the updated Drizone Bootie, which are made of recycled polyester and stuffed with 650-fill down.

Kelty Gunnison Pro Tent
An affordable option in the category of four-season shelters: Kelty's $249 Gunnison Pro tent.

Julbo Revolution Goggle
Variable light requires special eyewear. Julbo's lens changes tint in seconds on the slopes.

Osprey Kode 30 Backpack
The claim has been staked: Osprey says the Kode packs are "the ultimate packs made for all snow-play activities."

BD Agent AvaLung
Breathe while buried in snow. Black Diamond's Agent AvaLung Pack is touted as an avalanche insurance policy.

POC Receptor BUG Helmet
A Rasta yellow-green-red color motif and protection from snowsports-induced injuries? That's the deal with the POC Receptor BUG.

ColdAvenger Expedition Balaclava
Warmest winter headwear ever? The ColdAvenger Expedition Balaclava is in the running.

Mountain Hardwear Heated Jackets
Battery-powered heat in your inside pocket. That's the promise from Mountain Hardwear with its new men’s Refugium and women’s Radiance jackets.

Columbia Heated Boots
Heated boots have long been a Holy Grail. Columbia continues on the quest with its heated men's and women's boot models.

Kahtoola TS snowshoes
Removable snowshoe bindings click into a deck that's stowed away when the snow is not so deep.

Helly Hansen Atlas Flow Down
Luxuriously warm. Luxuriously priced. The $700 Atlas Flow Down is laced with goose-down "pillows" to make for an ensconcing embrace.

Timex Watch with TapScreen
With iPhone-like tap technology, Timex's new Ironman Sleek 150-Lap TapScreen watch helps keep you on pace without having to look at your wrist.

Brooks-Range Carbon Avy Probe
Brooks-Range's 240+ Carbon Pro avalanche probe is in that hope-you-never-need-it catagory of gear.

Eddie Bauer launches First Ascent
”Everything you need and nothing you don't." That's the tagline with Eddie Bauer's new First Ascent line of outerwear and apparel.

Bite-size Protein Balls
Clif created Shot Roks to be bite-size protein balls made to help with post-workout recovery.

Review: Bike-Commute Briefcase
For bike commuters who want to travel sure that their computer will arrive in one piece, Arkel's Briefcase pannier is a $215 solution.

Do-All Bike: Kona Sutra
Want a bike that's good at doing a little bit of everything? The 2010 Kona Sutra could be your ride.

Review: Urbanize N'Light Helmet
Lazer's Urbanize N'Light is a bike helmet with built-in safety lights. This is the Gear Junkie review.

Gear Junkie on Public Radio
Hear Gear Junkie on Minnesota Public Radio's MIDDAY program. Stephen Regenold will talk about outdoors adventure and gear on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Minimalist Multi-Tool
At just 5 ounces, Gerber's bare-bones Crucial tool is the lightest butterfly-opening multi-tool in its line.

Review: NBx Burnout Tee
My quest to find the perfect fitness training T-shirt? Pretty much over.

Gear Junkie Jr.
An addition to the Gear Junkie family. . . Welcome our new baby boy, born Oct. 1, in Minneapolis.

Merrell Chill jacket
The Merrell Chill combines an old-school look with new-school features to make a jacket that can go nearly anywhere.

Urban Awareness Jacket
Most cycling gear leans towards either fashion or function. Cordarounds' new reversible jacket does both.

Thule Raceway Rack
Critics of trunk racks often site their lack of security. Thule’s Raceway racks eliminate this concern with a cable system.

Wenger Nomad Compass Watch
You’ll be the best-looking navigator in the city with Wenger’s high-end Nomad Compass, a $375 timepiece enclosed in a stainless steel case with black and red accents.

High-Def Helmet Cam
VholdR's ContourHD 1080p will not only shoot high-definition video, it will allow you to manipulate various settings to get a better-looking clip of your sickest line.

Tahoe Rim Trail Run Record
Ski mountaineer and ultra-marathoner Kilian Jornet made his first trip to the United States this month to challenge Tim Twietmeyer’s record circumnavigation of the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail.

Burton Malavita EST Bindings
Elevating snowboard-industry marketing hype to within earshot of honesty: Burton's new Malavita EST bindings.

Review: Quantum Camera Backpack
While not rigged out for pro photogs, the Mountainsmith Quantum is a camera backpack good for everyday shooters.

Review: Burton Custom V-Rocker
Getting used to the Custom V-Rocker is about as difficult as getting used to "a warm bath filled with nymphs," according to our writer.

Review: Leki Trekking Poles
Leki's ergonomic hand grips, like what's found on the Thermolite AERGON Antishock model, help set the trekking poles apart from the competition.

SPOT launches 'Social Hub'
Like Facebook for GPS geeks, SPOT has launched an online "social hub" to share adventures, link photos and ogle waypoints on a Google map.

North Pole Gear Test
Last April, John Huston and Tyler Fish reached the North Pole by ski -- the first Americans to pull off the unsupported feat. This column dissects the gear crucial to their success.

Recycled Bike Messenger Bags
Constructed of vinyl sheeting from old billboards, Defy Bags have a raw, artsy aesthetic. Bonus: They are sourced, cut, stitched and designed in the United States.

Review: North Face Cat’s Meow
The Cat’s Meow is touted as a "classic bag for three-season mountaineering treks." Our tester tried it out below its temp rating last month in the Tetons.

NYT: 'Devil's Path' Article
My story in today's New York Times covers the Devil’s Path, a route along the spine of the Catskill Mountains that is often cited as the toughest hiking trail in the East.

Helly Hansen Trail Lizard HT
The Helly Hansen Trail Lizard HT is a cold-blooded beast built for bipeds. It is touted to be capable of "maintaining comfort while pounding out the hours on rough terrain."

Recharger Device on a Bike
Charge your iPhone on the go. Dahon facilitates "user-generated electricity" via bike riding with its to-be-released BioLogic ReeCharge device.

Camelbak Freeride Pack
At $120, Camelbak's Don is the boss of the family of three new all-mountain freeride bike packs.

GoMotion LiteVests
Safer trail and street running at night. That's the promise of GoMotion's LiteVest products.

Wenger Creates Expedition Knife
South African explorer Mike Horn teamed with Wenger to create an expedition-oriented knife that now bears his name.

Twitter at 17,700 Feet
As reported in the Minneapolis City Pages newspaper this morning, "Minneapolis climber plans to tweet from Mt. Everest." (That would be me.)

'Expedition Champion' Mount Everest Climb
"Expedition Champion," a multi-month expedition to climb Mount Everest in spring 2010, was officially launched this morning.

Osprey/Nalgene Backpacks
Osprey and Nalgene joined forces to make a bike-specific pack that has an exclusive Nalgene hydration bladder.

Gear Junkie joins Everest Expedition!
This April, as a part of the Expedition Champion team, Gear Junkie will shoulder a backpack and begin a weeklong trek to Base Camp at 17,700 feet on Mount Everest.

Sport Beans Go All Natural
When you're craving junk food during a long ride or workout, nothing is better than junk food without the junk: Sport Beans recently transitioned to an all-natural formula.

88 Bikes Foundation
Give children freed from slavery or human trafficking a bike and you’re helping them move closer and closer to autonomy and independence. That's what the 88bikes Foundation is all about.

David Byrne's Bicycle Diaries
Former Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has a new book that balances travelogue, meditation, and musings on urban policy culled from his decades looking at the world from the seat of a bike.

Ride Machete Snowboard
With a price tag of $430, the Ride Machete is a great value and has similar characteristics of more expensive category leaders including. . .

Review: Cy.Fi Wireless Speaker
The Cy.Fi Wireless Speaker lets you crank tunes on your bike -- headphone-free. Contributor Benjamin Roman takes it outdoors for a ride with his iPod for a test.

Cycling Apparel 'Makes Riders Faster'
It's unlikely Pearl Izumi's new jersey and bibs will make you the next Alberto Contador or Lance Armstrong. But these high-tech cycling clothes could just make you more aerodynamic on a weekend ride.

Crumpler does Hydration
Crumpler has entered the hydration pack market with its Bumper Issue messenger-style backpack. It is intended for day hikes and bike trips around town.

Review: Eureka Tundraline Tent
The Tundraline tent is touted as warm, waterproof, and easy to set up. It also has a feature rare in modern tents: The rain fly is stitched to the tent body.

Review: Thule Boxster 611
Our writer takes the Thule Boxster 611 -- a lux gear box that costs $799 -- on a 2,600-mile road trip test.

2010 Kona Paddy Wagon
Pity the non-track riding, fixed-gear buyer who ponies up his pennies without doing research, for he may come home with a bike with a crap wheel set, straight gauge tubes or no-name specs. Unless he buys a 2010 Kona Paddy Wagon.

Dahon Midtown Mini
Mopeds, Segways and even some foldable bikes are fun to ride, but a little goofy to be seen on. To make the latter a little less so: Dahon’s new Midtown Mini.

Avalanche Airbag
Backcountry Access’ Float 30 acts like a life preserver, helping the skier/rider/snowmobiler stay near the top of the snow in an avalanche.

Urban Adventure: 'Amazing Race'
Public transit, problem-solving, and urban challenges define citywide scavenger hunt races, which are based partly on "The Amazing Race" television series. Team Gear Junkie took 3rd place in a recent event.

Sweeps Winner Chosen!
And the winner of our Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes is. . .

Sweepstakes Winner!
And the winner of our Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes is. . .

Thule Foot Redesign
The Traverse foot, Thule's first major base-rack component upgrade in years, makes a rack install easier and quicker, the company says.

Backpack on a Budget
Backpack on a budget with High Sierra's 75-liter pack, which retails for as little as $120.

Personal Locator Beacon
It's a gadget you don't "need" until you really do need it. But in an emergency, the SARLink personal locator beacon can alert search-and-rescue squads to your pinpoint location on the globe.

'High-Voltage' Shell Jackets
The making of Mammut's latest jackets employs a production process with "high-volt electric fields." The result: "80 percent better" breathability, according to the company.

Confirming a Winner!
The sign-up period for the Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes is now over! We pick a name this morning.

Review: Mountainsmith 'Man Purse'
You can call the Tour a man-purse or a fanny pack. You can sneer. But for our tester, it served as a capable bag in all kinds of conditions.

Ski Boots made with Plant Oil
Scarpa’s new ski boots are the first boots in the world built with plant-based oil.

Heated Jackets from Mountain Hardwear
Subdued on the outside, wired on the inside, Mountain Hardwear’s new jackets offer three on-demand heat settings and the capability to charge electronics devices.

The Bike that went Around the World
An ultimate gear test: 25,742 miles on a bike. Meet Scott Stoll, the man who biked around the world.

Final Day! Sweepstakes Sign-Up
Tomorrow, Sept. 15, GearJunkie.com wraps up its Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes, where one lucky reader and a guest will win an all-expenses-paid adventure vacation this autumn.

Teva Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Teva produced a men's and women's hiking shoe that looks great but has many of the features you expect in quality, hiking-oriented footwear.

Water Pouch for Runners
Whether a 5K or a marathon, it’s hard to keep a race pace while drinking from the small paper cups typically found at aid stations. HydraPouch's new product is making it easier.

REI updates Half Dome Tents
The REI Half Dome 2 tent has been redesigned to have more interior room. Bonus: It's lighter, too.

Axis Gear Orienteering Tights
Axis Gear touts its Atak 2 tights as "the ultimate orienteering pant." After more than 20 races, Stephen Regenold gives the good and the bad.

Shane McConkey Memorials at Burning Man 2009
Skier Shane McConkey, who died earlier this year, was remembered at Burning Man 2009.

Scott's race-ready cyclocross steed
The Scott Addict CX RC is a race-ready cyclocross bike that goes for a sky-high $6,200.

Vasque trail runner with FootSync
With an on-road body and an off-road soul, the Vasque Transistor FS is the company’s first trail-running shoe designed with its insole-less FootSync system.

Duofold Base Layer Giveaway
Our Duofold Base Layer Giveaway starts today. Sign up to try and win one of eight wool-based tops.

The $1,295 Ski Boot
A sneak peek at the self-proclaimed "most expensive ski boot on the market."

Review: MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoes
Get ready for winter. Contributor Steve Hitchcock writes on the MSR Denali Evo Ascent Snowshoes after three years of backcountry use.

Silver and Wool: The Anti-Smell Sock Formula
Wigwam made its latest "anti-smell" sock with a combination of a silver-based treatment and merino wool.

Vibe Hybrid Commuter Pack
Gregory morphed the best of a messenger bag and a backpack to concoct the Vibe messenger pack.

Mountain Hardwear in Tokyo
Mountain Hardwear is scheduled to open a company store in Tokyo on Sept. 10, making it the company’s third store in the world.

Lowe Alpine goes lightweight
The company’s new Zepton and Nanon packs are designed for people trying to transition into lightweight backpacking.

Upcycled: Looptworks Clothing
A new company, Looptworks is manufacturing repurposed clothes made from scraps of fabric discarded at factories around the world. They are designed for urban lifestyles and outdoor pursuits.

Waterproof Trail Shoe: Saucony ProGrid Razor
Marketed as a trail running shoe that works for snow or dirt, the Saucony ProGrid Razor has a waterproof eVent treatment and light neoprene gaiters.

Bouldering: A Primer
More molehill than mountain, bouldering routes rarely top 20 feet tall. But the sport of bouldering can require raw strength and gymnastic prowess beyond what's seen on regular rock climbs.

Burning Man 2009
Roll up the tents. Pack your sun hats away. Burning Man 2009 -- an encampment of art and anarchy in the Nevada desert -- comes to a close today.

TNF Paramount Convertible Pant
Versatile legs: The North Face Paramount Convertible Pants zip apart to switch to shorts. Steve Hitchcock, a new contributor, puts the pants to the test.

Scott's $6,500 Genius 10
Scott designed a full-suspension mountain bike, the Genius 10, that costs as much as a used car but seems so much better.

Beer Cooler Messenger Bag
The Timbuk2 Dolores Cooler looks like the company’s Classic messenger bag. But a waterproof interior and insulation throughout transform the bag into a cunning cooler.

Gregory Muir 24 Pack
Made for the mountains or the city, the Muir 24 is Gregory’s version of the go-anywhere, do-anything daypack.

CamelBak All Clear Water Purifier
CamelBak designed a bug-zapper-like water purifier that kills bacteria with a dose of UV light.

Metolius FS Mini carabiners
Metolius developed a full-strength, mini carabiner that can help climbers shed weight from their rack.

Injinji Outdoor Series toe socks
Toe socks are no longer for modern middle schoolers. Now, with the help of Injinji, which designed an outdoor series sock, toe socks are pushing into the outdoors market.

Gibbon Jibline slackline
Gibbon, a company helping transform slacklining into a mainstream activity, produced the Jibline to make it easier for slackers to do tricks.

Puzzle Book for Map Geeks
Drills on compass bearings, UTM coordinate plotting, tests on the principles of declination -- these are the puzzles you solve in the new "Table Top Adventure Race and Navigation Challenge" book.

Teva Sandal and Shoe Giveaway
Sign up to win a pair of hikers each day this week in our Teva Giveaway contest!

Funny Toe: Evolv Demorto Climbing Shoes
Morton’s Toe is when the second toe is longer than the big toe. The Evolv Demorto shoes were built for climbers with this condition.

Q&amp;A: Ryan Dionne
Ryan Dionne is a new contributor to GearJunkie.com. This Q&A is an introduction to the Boulder, Colo., journalist, outdoorsman, and gear tester.

New Product: The Helmet Lock
The Helmet Lock is a small vinyl-wrapped cable that loops through a bike helmet vent and around a lock to secure the helmet to the bike.

La Sportiva Mountain Cup
The 10-race La Sportiva Mountain Cup mountain running series ended its second year in which it awarded $25,000 in prize money.

Fixed-Gear Bike: Wabi Cycles Lightning
Fixed-gear bikes are painfully en vogue at the present moment. And I am no innocent in perpetuating the trend. This is my review of Wabi Cycles' excellent new line of fixies.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest (Part Five), We Have Winners
Thanks to everyone that responded! The correct answer is. . .

Chaco 'Go-Anywhere' Sandal
Chaco created a sandal that's designed to go nearly anywhere -- whether hiking to a favorite swimming hole or hitting the bar after a long day at the lake.

Common Soles
Common Soles, which recently launched a line of women's flip-flops made by factory workers in India, donates 4 percent of sales to buy school books for the workers' kids.

Sustainably-Harvested Surfboard
The eco surfboard has arrived. Hess Surfboards touts recycled foam and sustainably-harvested wood as materials used in the making of its eco-conscious boards.

Dragon Alliance Sunglasses
These shades feature frames manufactured with a secret "plant-based material."

Billabong Sonic Boom Boardshorts
Surfwear made of recycled plastic bottles. That's the story with the new Billabong Sonic Boom Boardshorts.

Zero MX Electric Motorcycle
Electricity -- not gas -- powers this quiet new battery-based dirt bike.

Solio Magnesium Solar Charger
Throw-away batteries can be a thing of the past on wilderness trips with a device like the Solio.

JanSport Reclaimed Series Backpacks
Scraps from old backpacks stitched together. That's what makes a JanSport Reclaimed Series Backpack.

Loaded Dervish Longboard
A unique longboard from Loaded has its trucks mounted on the top. Plus, it's eco-friendly and made of bamboo.

Primus EtaPackLite Stove
Primus promotes the EtaPackLite as a carbon-neutral camp stove.

Merrell NADA Jackets
"Not Any Dye Applied." That's the code for Merrell's new NADA jacket line.

Movement Source Ski
The Source is a ski with a wood core originating from certified sustainable forests.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest, Part Five
And now it is time for the fifth installment in our Alleghenies Trivia Contest series, a part of the new Adventure Sweepstakes (<a href="http://gearjunkie.com/sweeps09", target="_blank">www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09</a>). Today we will have multiple prizes.

Patagonia's R2 wetsuit
Meet Patagonia's "Greener Neoprene" wetsuit, a surf-friendly suit made by incorporating limestone instead of oil as its base.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest (Part Four) We have Winners
Thanks to all that submitted the correct response to last night's trivia question. The Tom Cruise movie filmed in the Johnstown Region of The Alleghenies was All The Right Moves.

Conservation Alliance raises nearly $30,000 at OR Show
With the help of nearly a dozen outdoors companies at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show in Salt Lake City, which took place in July, nearly $30,000 was collected on behalf of the Conservation Alliance.

Expedition Sponsorship Planning Book
A new book -- "You Want To Go Where?: How to Get Someone to Pay for the Trip of Your Dreams" -- explores the behind-the-scenes of procuring corporate sponsors and promoting expeditions.

"The Naturist" Video Series
"The Naturist" -- a three-part webisode series produced for Teva -- launches today.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest, Part Four
Another night and another opportunity to win prizes in our Alleghenies Trivia Contest series, a part of the new Adventure Sweepstakes (<a href="http://gearjunkie.com/sweeps09", target="_blank">www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09</a>). Tonight we will have one grand prize in addition to two other excellent prizes.

Review: POE's Biking Bags
Tote tons of gear via pedal power with Pacific Outdoor Equipment's new line of bike bags. This is the Gear Junkie review.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest (Part Three), We have a winner
Congratulations go out to Jeremy Clark of Ohio, winner of the K-Swiss shoes. The correct answer to the question of the eight regions of The Alleghenies is Johnstown, Altoona, Raystown Lake, Laurel Highlands, Bedford/Breezewood. McConnellsburg, State College and Juniata River.

Canoe made of Hemp and Corn
Hemp, corn, and fiberglass -- these are the ingredients for the Mad River Malecite ECO, a "green" concept canoe made with sustainable resources (but not for sale).

Hobie Cat Pedal Kayaks
The Hobie Cat i9S is the newest boat in a line of kayaks that can be paddled or pedaled with your feet to move on the water.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest, Part Three
So far there have been three winners in our Alleghenies Trivia Contest series, a part of the new Adventure Sweepstakes (<a href="http://gearjunkie.com/sweeps09", target="_blank">www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09</a>) and two winners received a pair of K-Swiss Run One miSOUL shoes while one is being shipped a bunch of Justin's Nut Butter.

Primal Quest Underdog Champions
Gear Junkie favorite Team WEDALI takes 5th place at the Primal Quest, probably the biggest upset victors on the course this year!

Mountainsmith Lariat 65
When one pack isn’t enough to carry, you can haul two with the Mountainsmith Lariat 65, which has a detachable 7.5-liter "summit pack" riding piggyback.

Karhu Strong Fulcrum Ride
The Karhu Strong Fulcrum Ride offers runners maximum stability and makes it easier to achieve a neutral heel-to-toe gait.

Sweat-Free: Gregory JetStream LTS suspension
The Gregory JetStream LTS suspension system increases airflow without using a trampoline-style suspension system to help backpackers stay cooler when on the trail.

SIGG bottles contain BPA
The aluminum water bottles many of us have been using over the past couple years may NOT be free of the chemical BPA after all.

Primal Quest Badlands Winners!
As of this morning, four teams have completed the Primal Quest Badlands' 550+ mile course, and the race winners have been crowned.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest (Part Two) Winners
This one took a little longer but we have our two winners. Congratulations go out to Mary Shiely, winner of the K-Swiss shoes and Christian Champagne, winner of the Justin's Nut Butter.

Sweepstakes Trivia Contest
As a part of the new Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes, we are launching another promotion related to the Alleghenies: A trivia contest!

Alleghenies Trivia Contest, Part Two
Last night, we posted the first question in our Alleghenies Trivia Contest series, a part of the new Adventure Sweepstakes (<a href="http://gearjunkie.com/sweeps09", target="_blank">www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09</a>) and a lucky winner received a pair of K-Swiss Run One miSOUL shoes. Tonight we will have two winners.

Newton Sir Isaac Guidance Trainers
Newton Running says its new Sir Isaac and Lady Isaac shoes help runners "embrace their natural running form." Gear Junkie took a test run with the $149 shoes this week.

Brooks Range Rocket Tent
The Brooks Range Rocket tent is a four-season, two-person tent that weighs less than 2.5 pounds in the summer and 1.5 pounds in the winter.

Ruff Wear Climate Changer
The Ruff Wear Climate Changer fleece fits well, breathes and dries quickly to keep dogs warm in all types of cold-weather pursuits.

North Dakota Adventure Race
Next month, the Yogaslackers organization and Northern Heights Rock Gym will be hosting their second adventure race. . . in North Dakota.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest (Part One) Winner
Wow, that was fast. Congratulations to Greg Blasko of Robbinsdale, Minn., for correctly identifying that The Alleghenies has 20,000 acres of lakes. He wins a pair of K-Swiss Run One miSOUL shoes.

Alleghenies Trivia Contest, Part One
As part of our Alleghenies Adventure Sweepstakes (<a href="http://gearjunkie.com/sweeps09", target="_blank">www.gearjunkie.com/sweeps09</a>) we are launching another promotion related to The Alleghenies. A Trivia Contest!

Review: MontBell Thermawrap
Contributor Jason Magness writes on his 10+ years of experience with the MontBell Thermawrap line, outerwear that weighs almost nothing and insulates even when wet.

An Outside Education: TrekNorth High School
Back to school is not so bad at TrekNorth, a unique public charter school in northern Minnesota where rock climbing and math class pull equal weight.

Review: Urban messenger bags
In hopes of capturing a bigger piece of the outdoors market, Kelty and Osprey designed messenger bags that are more suited for urban commuting via bus than via bike.

Wigwam Sock Giveaway!
As part of our new Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes, we're launching a Weekly Gear Giveaway contest today. This week's prize: 20 pair of Wigwam Socks!

Launch of Weekly Gear Giveaway
As part of our new Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes, we're launching a Weekly Gear Giveaway contest today. This week's prize: 20 pair of Wigwam Socks!

Team GearJunkie.com Wins Rogaine Race!
After 5 hours and 39 minutes of effort, Team Gear Junkie won the 2009 MNOC Rogaine Orienteering Race. (No, this event has nothing to do with hair loss.)

Primal Quest Badlands
The life-altering adventure that is the Primal Quest -- touted as “The World’s Most Challenging Human Endurance Competition” -- kicks off today in the Badlands of South Dakota.

Waterproof: Mammut Shield Sleeping Bag
Using a tent and sleeping bag or sleeping bag and bivy sack is so old school now that the Shield is on the market.

Mountain Khakis Does Nylon
Designed by a company that knows the true meaning of "durable," the Mountain Khakis Snake River collection is made of nylon that will dry quickly during any adventure.

Wilderness Systems Commander 120 Fishing Kayak
Targeting the athlete inside anglers, Wilderness Systems produced the Commander 120 designed specifically for fishing.

GoLite Peak Backpack
Designed with the minimalist in mind, the 1-pound, 11-ounce GoLite Peak pack sheds weight and optional features.

The North Face Skareb 50 Backpack
The North Face touts its Skareb 50 as the "ultimate pack for fast-packing." After a 25-mile trek last month, this is the Gear Junkie review.

Smith Pivlock Sunglasses
Swapping lenses with the Smith Pivlock Sunglasses is as easy as removing the nosepiece and tilting the earpieces at a 45-degree angle to detach them.

GoPro HD Helmet HERO
GoPro is setting the tone for wearable video cameras with the launch of its HD option featuring 1080p resolution.

CamelBak Flow Meter
Think of it like a fuel gauge for human-powered sports. The CamelBak Flow Meter could be a savior for athletes who can’t tell if their hydration bladder is running on empty.

Dagger Axis Kayaks
The indecisive paddler will love the Dagger Axis kayak series -- as it can’t make up its mind either.

Anatomy of an Adventure Race
Deep woods, on-the-run problem solving, and aerobic output via foot, bike and boat define adventure racing, a map-based wilderness sport.

SanDisk slotRadio player
The slotRadio player has a solid, durable case made of die-cast aluminum. A built-in clip lets you attach it to your bike jersey or trail-running shorts and go.

100 sign-ups Promo Winner Announced
Winner! Congratulations to Michael Shea of Boston, Mass., who won the "100 sign-ups Promo" contest this week. . .

100 sign-ups Promo Winner
Winner! Congratulations to Michael Shea of Boston, Mass., who won the "100 sign-ups Promo" contest this week. . .

Review: Ace SW 2 Tent
REI's new Ace SW 2 tent is a single-wall design that uses breathable and coated fabrics to create a two-vestibule shelter with ample space inside. This is the Gear Junkie Field Test by Ryan Dionne.

Wood-Burning Camp Stove
The StoveTec GreenFire is a simple wood-burning camp stove created by an organization that regularly deals with humanitarian efforts from rural Asia to slums in South Africa.

100 sign-ups Promo
The first 100 people to sign up today for our Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes will be entered into a separate drawing for a surprise gear grab bag valued at $300.

Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes, part II
Today, GearJunkie.com launched the second iteration of its Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes, where one lucky winner and a guest will win an all-expenses-paid adventure vacation this autumn to the Alleghenies.

Outdoors Caps
This spring and summer, I have been wearing and testing three unique hats for outdoors activities, including a wool cycling cap, a headband-adjustable model, and a retro hat made with waxed cotton.

Alleghenies Adventure Sweepstakes
Welcome to the Choose-Your-Alleghenies-Adventure Sweepstakes! This summer, Gear Junkie has launched a new sweepstakes where readers can sign up for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid adventure-travel vacation to The Alleghenies.

Gear Junkie Gear Shop Open for Business
We're open for business! GearJunkie.com now has a Gear Shop, launched officially this morning at www.gearjunkie.com/store. . .

Saris T-Bones Bike Rack
The Saris T-Bones is a dual-function car rack/bike stand: A quick transition with the flip of a lever frees the rack from your car to convert it to a bike stand in your living room.

Cutter Tech Knickerbockers
Cycling knickers can be divided into three camps: mountain bike, urban, and lycra. Cutter Tech's Knickerbockers are designed for the urban cyclist but hold up well on the trail, too.

SylvanSport GO Camper Trailer Review
Upon its release a couple years back, the SylvanSport GO was marketed at $8,999 fully loaded. A recent price cut has made the newfangled pop-up tent trailer more approachable.

Ernest Hemingway on Bikes
I can relate. . .

OR Show Highlights
From full-strength mini carabiners to a "rip-stop merino wool" backpack, this year's Outdoor Retailer trade show revealed an impressive lineup of new product innovations. This is the Gear Junkie wrap-up.

New SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger
SPOT LLC has announced an upgrade to its popular satellite messenger device. The new version is touted to have usability upgrades and a new smaller size at 3.7 x 2.6 x 1 inches.

Kid Biking Trailers and Seats
From kid bike trailers to tag-along attachments, this roundup covers new products for cyclists looking to take a kid along for the ride.

Swedish FireSteel
The FireSteel lighter, originally developed for the Swedish Department of Defense, is marketed to "make fire building easy in any weather." Hardly the case, says Gear Junkie.

Wales Sweepstakes
Win gear and an adventure trip to. . . the United Kingdom! Wales, that is. Indeed, the 2009 Wales Adventure Sweepstakes includes round-trip airfare, two nights lodging in a "luxury yurt," and gear from Sierra Designs, the contest sponsor.

Kona King Kahuna Bike
29er or the traditional 26er? The debate continues in the world of mountain biking. This week, contributor Stephen Krcmar reviews the Kona King Kahuna Bike with 29-inch wheels.

K-Swiss Run One miSOUL Shoe
In seconds, a runner can switch between the K-Swiss Run One's included insoles to alter the shoe's performance on the road. They are touted to be the most versatile running shoes on the market today.

Team GearJunkie.com Race Report
Team GearJunkie.com took 3rd place in the four-person division at this weekend’s MNOC Adventure Race, an annual competition that’s one of my personal favorite events of the year.

Lazer Time Trial Bike Helmet
Lazer's new helmet is built for maximum aerodynamics in bike time-trial events. It also has a vent where a rider can squeeze water from a bike bottle through a port for cooling off on the ride.

Family Camping Tents
This article highlights new tents for families of four or more. Be it in the backcountry or car camping, one of these tents is sure to fit your family's preference for sleeping outside under the summer stars.

Yakima QuickBack 3 Rack
The Quickback, which holds one to three bikes, is the premium trunk mount in Yakima’s line. Gear Junkie contributor Stephen Krcmar takes it for a 300-mile test drive hooked to his Honda hatchback.

Team GearJunkie.com (Softball)
We're actually more adept at mountain biking. . . but this year, GearJunkie.com formed a softball team.

Kona Ute Bike
The Kona Ute -- a "utility bike" with an extended frame and a wooden platform on back -- is made to be loaded up with groceries or gear. This is the Gear Junkie test.

Best Biking Cities
Two wheels, a chain, and some gears -- the humble bicycle has seen a resurgence with commuters and city dwellers in the United States and beyond. This article highlights 10 top biking cities around the globe.

Ribz Frontpack
In the world of backpacks, there is a niche category of products that positions compartments and pouches over the chest. The RIBZ Frontpack is a new entry into this esoteric product realm.

Running Gait Analysis
A gait-analysis test dissects stride and form to unlock a runner's anatomical potential -- or at least tell you which type of shoe to wear.

UK Gear PT-03 Desert Shoe
Made for the "hottest and most arid of environments" on the planet, UK Gear's Desert Shoes are a unique entry into the genre of outdoors-oriented footwear.

Team Garmin-Slipstream Race Food - Healthy Energy Foods for Cyclists
To fuel a squad of bike racers like Team Garmin-Slipstream during the Tour de France and other events it can take upward of 7,000 calories per rider per day. Here's a peek into the team's recipe box.

Single-Speed Bike: Raleigh Rush Hour
Raleigh offers the full fixie experience with its Rush Hour, a single-speed road bike built for speed and maneuverability on city streets.

"Run for Life" Book
If you want to stay fit for your whole life -- even run into your 80s or 90s -- Roy M. Wallack's latest book, "Run for Life," provides a blueprint to do just that.

YogaSlackers Y.E.S. Tour of Colorado
It is day No. 7 for Team YogaSlackers' Y.E.S. tour, an unsupported bike trip of Colorado to promote "awareness through adventure."

Whitewater Creek Boating
Waterfalls, tight turns, fast-flowing rivers and boat-sucking currents are all part of the allure in a whitewater discipline called creek boating.

Garmin 405 Review
The Garmin 405 is well suited for all runners, even gear-phobics and running purists. A new Gear Junkie writer, Mackenzie Lobby, offers her field-tested review.

Will Lyons, Teva Games Super Racer
Will Lyons, a 24-year-old from Asheville, N.C., went to the 2009 Teva Mountain Games wanting to experience everything he could. And he did, participating in six events in four days.

GJ Interview on Wicked Outdoorsy
All you ever wanted to know. Well, at least a few things. Drew Simmons at Wicked Outdoorsy grabs an exclusive interview with the Gear Junkie.

Ultimate Mountain Challenge: Race Reports
Last weekend at the Teva Mountain Games, I competed in the Ultimate Mountain Challenge, a competition with kayaking, a 10K footrace, a mountain bike course, and a road bike time trial. I ended up taking 5th place overall in the amateur division. Here are my four reports from the field.

Race Report: 10k at the Teva Mountain Games
Humbled and awed are two words to describe my experience running the Native Eyewear 10K at the Teva Mountain Games this past weekend.

Swrve Jeans, Cordaround Bike to Work pants
The very idea of pants made for cycling begs a simple question: Why? Indeed, why not just go with regular jeans? The answer is likely sitting folded in your closet.

The Gear Junkie vs. The World’s 2nd Fittest Man. . . the conclusion
It started with fun banter over dinner and turned into what some hoped would be a heated competition at the Teva Mountain Games in Vail. Now, the results are in.

Castelli Sottile Cycling Jacket
At first touch, this jacket feels like reinforced plastic sheeting. It weighs a mere 3.3 ounces on my scale. But the Sottile Jacket, new from Castelli this spring, can add a significant layer of protection against the elements.

Race Report: Teva X-1 Mud Fun Run
Doing a somersault into the 10-foot-long mud pit, crawling on hands and knees through it, and slipping and sliding on the way out was just as fun as encouraging onlookers to give me a high five with filthy hands.

Ultimate Mountain Challenge: Race Report 4
The Fetzer Vineyards Road Bike Hill Climb included about 10 miles of distance and almost 2,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. I clipped into my Giant TCR Advanced SL, a top-tier road bike, and pedaled hard out of the gate.

Ultimate Mountain Challenge: Race Report 3
The Native Eyewear 10K Spring Runoff is touted as one of the most challenging footraces in the nation. Indeed, the course up Vail Mountain includes 6.5 miles of trail that climbs and climbs for 1,800 vertical feet.

Ultimate Mountain Challenge: Race Report 2
My legs are still sore. My lungs are searching for more air. Stage No. 2 of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge was the Sobe XC Mountain Bike race. . .

Interview with kayaker Pat Keller
Pat Keller took 17 minutes and 22 seconds (for 6th place overall) in today's Bud Light Lime Class II Down River Sprint, a kayak race down Gore Creek in Vail.

Ultimate Mountain Challenge: Race Report 1
This is the first of four reports from Stephen Regenold on his experience racing in the Ultimate Mountain Challenge.

A Friendly Competition, The Gear Junkie vs. The World's 2nd Fittest Man
Part one of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge is complete and Stephen Regenold has completed the Bud Light Lime Class II Down River Sprint. The winner of the Ultimate Mountain Challenge must have the lowest combined time through all four events.

Interview with Jeff Lenosky
At age 38, Jeff Lenosky of Sparta, New Jersey, is still a serious threat in competitions like the Freeride Dual, a head-to-head race. . .

Teva Footwear 2010 Sneak Peek
Most of these shoes and sandals will not be to market until 2010. But at an event today at the Teva Mountain Games, GearJunkie.com got a sneak peek. . .

Ready to race
Despite living slightly more than a mile above sea level and spending (only) the last month training for the Teva Mountain Games, I'm slightly nervous for the 5K Mud "Fun" Run and the roughly 6-mile mountain bike race Saturday afternoon.

Respecting white water
Professional and amateur kayakers doing flips and rolls in the bone-chilling waters running through Vail Village make it look easy. Today, I had the chance to learn to roll in a kayak. . .

Altitude, Altitude, Altitude
As one of the members of the GearJunkie.com crew at the Teva Mountain Games I had my choice of events in which to participate and decided on the Native Eyewear 10k Runoff. This is billed as the hardest 10k in the nation and after spending two days running around the mountain I can see why.

Live at the Teva Mountain Games
The GearJunkie.com crew is in Vail, Colo., this weekend to cover the Teva Mountain Games. For athlete interviews, reports on races, and updated photo and video coverage, monitor our new TMG channel. . .

Costa Del Mar Corbina Sunglasses
Whether you’re crossing a glacier or just biking to the grocery store, the right pair of sunglasses can protect your eyes. This review covers Costa Del Mar's Corbina model.

Bike Race Gear Report
Last month, in a nine-hour effort, I completed the Ragnarök 105 bike race, which is fully self-supported and primarily on gravel roads. This is the gear report.

Loaded Dervish Longboard
The Loaded Dervish is a longboard cambered from tip to tail and with wheels completely visible when standing on the deck. It looks different -- and performs different -- than any board you've ever seen.

Kids and the Outdoors: 10 Tips
Parents take note: While children can slow you down, they hardly have to end an adventurous lifestyle. Here are 10 tips to keep your kids safe, interested, happy, comfortable and always amazed in the world outdoors.

GoPro Helmet HERO Wide
Pack a tiny digital-video camera in a watertight polycarbonate case, add mounts for helmets, bike handlebars, or a Velcro bracelet for your wrist, and you have the GoPro.

Teva B1-G Air contest
To launch its new B-1 multi-sport shoe, Teva is organizing the Teva B1-G Air contest.

Rand McNally fabMAP
Take a microfiber lens cloth and print a map on it. That's essentially what Rand McNally did with its fabMAP products, a cartographical collection featuring cities and parks around America printed on a soft fabric.

Athlete Interview: Eric Jackson
Owner and cofounder of his namesake Jackson Kayaks, Eric Jackson, a resident of Rock Island, Tenn., is an Olympian and a multiple times kayaking world champion.

E-Bike Review: OHM Cycles XU700
OHM Cycles' XU700 e-bike comes standard with a lithium-ion cell to enable extra oomph with each pedal stroke. This is my review.

Athlete Interview: Mike Kloser
At age 49, Mike Kloser, a former world champion mountain biker, still ranks among the best endurance-sports athletes in the country.

Opedix Performance Apparel
Can apparel add support to the skeletal structure? Yes, according to Smart Fitness Products, maker of Opedix tops and tights. . .

Athlete Interview: Adam Craig
A resident of Bend, Ore., Adam Craig, has collected 12 national championships titles in various disciplines of bike racing and ridden in the Beijing Olympic Games. Here's a quick interview with Craig on his gear, training, and preparation for an upcoming Teva Games event.

Ragnarök 105 Bike Race
The Ragnarök 105 is a bike race in Minnesota named after a Norse era of mythological doom and war. For cyclists, the daylong course is a fight of both muscle and mind.

Teva Gnar Shoe Review
Out of the box, the Gnar appears to be a sneaker. But take a close look and you’ll see drain vents throughout the upper and a perforated insole. . .

Training for the Teva Games, part II
Over the years, I have competed in dozens of events, from sprints to a 10-day adventure race through the deserts of Utah. For training, in general, I am unusual in that most of my preparation for a big event involves a string of smaller events and/or activities like mountain bike races, orienteering meets, XC skiing, and local adventure races.

Enervit Enervitene Cheerpack
This ain't no average energy gel. Each Enervitene Cheerpack costs $4 a pop and is marketed to be "so effective, it's almost like cheating."

Test Drive: Toyota Venza
The Toyota Venza is a new all-wheel-drive crossover sedan aiming to take market share from cars like the Subaru Outback. This is our review after a test drive in the desert.

Dragon Rogue Goggles
A full day on the mountain means goggles on your face for hours at a stretch, so they have to be comfortable. The Rogue delivers with a triple layer foam skirt and a comfy microfleece lining.

Gregory Diablo Backpack
Gregory Mountain Products' latest backpacks incorporate elasticized attachment points purported to move with and mimic your body during activity. . .

Outside's Top 10 Adventure Twitters
Outside Magazine's recent rundown of top Twitter "publishers" included The Gear Junkie. Read on for the full list of the "Top 10 Adventure Twitters". . .

Luxury Lite UltraLite Cot
As an alternative to a sleeping pad, the Luxury Lite UltraLite Cot weighs in at less than 3 pounds and keeps a camper "floating above rocks, sticks, roots, water and snow."

Backpacks for Biking
The classic bike-messenger bag has been adopted the world over as requisite equipment for two-wheel transit with goods in tow. But for me a messenger bag's single-strap setup -- weight on one shoulder, the bag balanced on the arch of my back -- has never felt comfortable or secure.

New York Times: North Country Trail article
The trail goes through more than 100 state parks and state forests as well as areas managed by the National Park Service. It brings millions of day hikers each year into some of the finest natural places that New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota have to offer.

Teva Mountain Games Intro
In 2006, I traveled to the Teva Mountain Games for a weekend of rafting, racing, and running in the mountains over Vail, Colo. This June, GearJunkie.com is heading back for more. . .

Gear Review: CamelBak ShredBak
CamelBak's ShredBak vest is a category-defying piece of apparel made with a polyester outer shell and a mesh "suspension vest" inside, which holds a 72-ounce water reservoir. . .

Dragon E.C.O. Experience Sunglasses
E.C.O. (Environmentally Conscious Optics) is the initiative of surfer and environmental activist Rob Machado, and his old-school style is instantly evident in the Experience glasses. They're a throwback, and these babies are big. The Grilamid nylon frame is supposed to be proportionate to Machado's ever-expanding 'fro (seriously, I'm not making that up), so the sheer size of the frames could be a drawback for some.

Pearl Izumi Infini T Long Sleeve
You know that t-shirt you love so much because it fits just right? This top manages to channel some of that mojo. The fabric is silky smooth, and the fit is streamlined but not restrictive. And the Infini T wins extra design points for the angle-cut cuffs that keep your hands bunch-free, plus a soft baffle inside the neck zip that prevents chafing.

Gear Review: Esbit Stove
The Esbit stove was invented in 1936, and in the decades since its chemical-based flame has heated untold millions of meals for campers and backpackers in search of the simplest form of fire on the trail. . .

New York Times: Belize Birding Adventure
I'm on a roll with the New York Times. Sunday's Travel section featured my story on birding adventures in Belize, including a wilderness canoe trip I took in January to search for the scarlet macaw parrot. . .

New York Times: 50th Published Story
My story in today's New York Times is a personal milestone: It is my 50th reported and published piece for the paper since 2006. . .

Gear Review: AMK World Travel First Aid
Adventure Medical Kits' new first-aid product line is made for international travelers, including one kit dubbed as "the cheapest life insurance policy you'll ever buy". . .

Gear Junkie on Twitter
The Gear Junkie is now micro-blogging daily on Twitter about all things gear and outdoors, in 140 characters or less. . .

Seattle Sports On the Go Audio
Seattle Sports On the Go Audio is a self-powered iPod player that lets you bring tunes along on wilderness trips. . .

Welcome to GearJunkie.com's Teva Mountain Games
In 2006, as a penultimate training weekend before embarking on the 10-day-long Primal Quest Utah Adventure Race, I traveled to Vail, Colo., for the Teva Mountain Games, a premier outdoors festival for pro and amateur athletes. My team raced in a 5k mountain run, whitewater rafted on the Eagle River, and then trekked, climbed, biked, and boated for eight hours through an adventure race course that traced in the mountains over Vail.

New York Times -- Harney Peak story
My story this week for the New York Times covers Harney Peak, a 7,242-foot mountain that marks the highest point of elevation between the Rocky Mountains and the French Pyrenees. . .

Slacklining Feature Story
Long a fringe activity, slacklining has grown to become almost mainstream in the outdoors world. This story highlights my experience learning to slack last year with two pros. . .

Gear Review: Polartec Jackets
My test of these three jackets spanned a wide geography and several winter weather conditions, from 20-below-zero to above freezing and drizzly. . .

Field Test on Helmet Cams
Contributor Ryan Dionne reviews two popular helmet cameras in his latest Field Test column. . .

Gear Review: VholdR and V.I.O. Helmet Cameras
In the world of athlete-driven, portable video cameras -- a.k.a. "helmet cams" -- the VholdR and the V.I.O. POV.1 are at different ends of the spectrum. Sure, both cameras can be mounted nearly anywhere on an athlete in motion. They are similarly durable and made to

Lutsen story in New York Times
Lutsen Mountains, a resort overlooking Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, is the topic of my travel story in today's New York Times. . .

World's Top Nighttime Adventures
My story this week on Travel+Leisure.com covers the "World's Top Nighttime Adventures," from night orienteering to kayaking in bioluminescent life in Washington's San Juan Islands. . .

10 Tips for Action Photography
Photojournalist T.C. Worley climbs mountains and treks to deep unknowns -- with camera always in tow. We picked his brain for tips on how to get the best shots, in any outdoors situation. . .

Gear Review: REI Cirque ASL 2 Tent
REI's Cirque ASL 2 tent, a two-pole design, sets up quickly and provides the bare bones essentials needed in a backpacking model. This is my test. . .

New York Times -- Powder Mountain, Utah
My travel story in today's New York Times covers Powder Mountain in Utah, an immense and old-school resort I skied in January. . .

Somnio Custom Running Shoes
Somnio touts its footwear as the world’s first "truly customizable" running shoes. The shoes come in 648 anatomically-unique configurations to ostensibly fit your foot like a glove. . .

Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover
Scrunch and squeeze the Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover and it will compress inside its own chest pocket to create a grapefruit-size package that weighs less than a pound. . .

New Field Test Reviews (3-09)
We posted three new Field Test gear reviews today from Gear Junkie contributors, including a snow tire, a trail running shoe, and a balance board trainer made for the outdoors set. . .

Gear Review: Indo Board Balance
The original Indo Board comes with a roller so you swivel back and forth. That device was beyond my realm. But this model, which has a mouth-inflatable cushion instead of the roller, was made to help beginners condition their core and build balance without the danger of rolling off the edge of the board. I brought the board home, determined to conquer the swishy demon.

Blizzak DM-Z3 Snow Tires
Studded snow tires have long been a staple in my home state of Utah. In other places, where you go off to the mountains once a week at the most, you carry chains, torture yourself on the side of the road in whipping wind and finger-freezing snow while you try to wrap those clunky links around your tires.

Pearl Izumi SyncroSeek III WRX
Trail-running shoes perform a tricky balancing act. They need to be light, agile, and cushioned for miles of fast trails, so they can't simply be sporty hiking shoes. But to deliver real stability and protection, they have to be more than road runners with extra tread.

World's Greatest Diving Spots
For a story this week on Travel+Leisure's web site I polled 10 veteran scuba divers to compile a list of the "World's Greatest Diving Spots". . .

Gear Review -- SIGG Retro Heritage Bottle
Its design has roots in a water bottle made almost 80 years ago. But the SIGG Retro Heritage bottle, available next month, is strangely similar to aluminum water bottles made today. . .

Mountaineering Gear Test
Alta Peak, an 11,204-foot pyramid of rock in California's Sierra Nevada Range, served as a proving ground last month for me with several new pieces of outdoors gear. . .

Leatherman Freestyle
A march toward making the world's most minimal multi-tool has led Leatherman to the Freestyle, a bare bones blade-and-pliers product coming out in May. . .

Boa Technology - The Boa Lacing System
Boa Technology's namesake twist-to-tighten knob "renders shoelaces obsolete," according to the company. This year Boa is branching out, from tents to hydration packs. . .

Wenger Patagonian Race 2009
The Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race is dubbed 'the toughest and wildest race on Earth.' A Gear Junkie correspondent reported from Patagonia during the 2009 race to find out why. . .

Winter Running: 10 Tips
Too cold and snowy to go on a jog? Running outdoors year-round is possible with the right apparel and gear. Here are 10 tips on technique and the essential items. . .

"Choose-Your-Adventure" contest: Trip Report
The "Choose-Your-Adventure" sweepstakes trip concluded last weekend on the summit of 11,204-foot Alta Peak. Here's a report with highlights from the adventure . . .

Gear Review -- The Sqivvy
No, this is not an outhouse. The Sqivvy, a "portable pop-up privacy shelter," is a 4 x 4-foot tent that's about 7 feet tall. It packs to the size of a bike tire and unfolds to pop into form. . .

"Choose-Your-Adventure" Post-Trip Wrap
Gear Junkie is back after a three-day getaway in Sequoia National Park, where the "Choose-Your-Adventure" trip with REI Adventures -- as well as the summit bid on Alta Peak -- was a success. . .

"Choose-Your-Adventure" trip: The Send-Off
Gear Junkie is signing off from the blog for a few days and heading out on the "Choose-Your-Adventure" trip with REI Adventures in Sequoia National Park. . .

Gear Review -- Coghlan's Survival Kit-in-a-Can


Dreaming in High-Def
YouTube has perpetuated a generation of amateur videographers. But rarely do hobbyists make the transition from online to primetime. . .

Karhu XCD ski gear
Karhu's XCD line touts a "marriage of downhill and cross-country qualities," including metal edges, Nordic builds, and a sidecut and camber capable of touring as well as turning on the slopes. . .

Field Test on Rec'Repair Kit
Cracked your kayak on a rock? No problem with the Rec'Repair Emergency Patch Kit. Ben Roman, a Gear Junkie Field Test contributor, this week put the kit to the test. . .

Rec' Repair Emergency Patch Kit
The heart of the kit is a rigid, heavyweight plastic patch with adhesive backing. When heated to about 200 degrees, it becomes rubbery and moldable, so it can be cut to size and formed around your broken gear. As soon as it cools, the adhesive sets and the patch hardens.

Gear Junkie in "The Week" magazine
In the latest issue of "The Week," a popular magazine on politics and news, Obama is on the cover, and the Gear Junkie is inside. . .

Snowkiting
Snowkiting harnesses wind to propel skiers and snowboarders over frozen lakes and other snow-covered terrain. A Minnesota company promises you can learn the sport in just one day. Here's my account of the lesson. .

New York Times -- Crested Butte, Colo.
My story in today's New York Times looks at professionals who have eluded the traditional constraints of geography to foster white-collar careers essentially based in the wilderness. . .

Wool Buff - The Gear Junkie Scoop
Coming soon to a store near you: The Wool Buff -- just like the original hard-to-categorize headwear, but this time made of merino wool. . .

Top 10 Gear Giveaway Winners
The Top 10 Gear Giveaway winners have been drawn. . .

Winter Photography: 10 Tips
Ten quick tips on how to shoot better outdoors- and action-photography in the winter months. . .

Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL
Cold, harsh environments can offer great opportunities for adventure -- and some of nature's most stunning beauty. Now imagine enjoying the cold without the bulk and hassle of Michelin-Man clothing layers. A recent winter trip to Vermont was the perfect test for the sleek Mountain Hardwear Compressor PL jacket...

Canada Goose Snow Mantra Parka
Gear Junkie tests Canada Goose's Snow Mantra Parka, the "World's Warmest Winter Coat". . .

Arc'teryx Covert Cardigan
The Covert Cardigan by Arc'teryx, a pricey mid-layer top, is as comfortable as putting on your favorite hoody but without the weight. Plus, it's not made of cotton so you can use it for active pursuits. Made with Polartec Thermal Pro fabric, this sweater is one of those tops you can wear skiing, and then wear downtown afterwards -- and then still wear while lounging around the house the next day.

2009 Winter OR Show Wrap-up - Timex Expedition WS4, Mountain Hardwear Refugium Trifecta, Cloudveil Koven Plus Down


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #13
Products as seen by the Gear Junkie at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009: New REI shell jackets and pants. . .

OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #12
Products as seen by the Gear Junkie at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009: EverLite EL9 Solar Clip Light. . .

OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #11
Products as seen by the Gear Junkie at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009: Patagonia Nano Puff Pullover. . .

Osprey Talon 44
The perfect backpack is like a well-trained butler -- it stays out of the way so well that you practically forget it's there, but it anticipates and delivers what you need. The Osprey Talon 44 achieves this blend with an ergonomic design and minimal weight.

Timex Expedition WS4 - OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #10
Products as seen by the Gear Junkie at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009: Timex Expedition WS4. . .

OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #9


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #8


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #7


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #6


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #5


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #4


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #3
Products as seen by the Gear Junkie at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2009: Mountain Hardwear Refugium Trifecta jacket. . .

OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #2


OR Winter Market 2009 -- GJ Report #1


2009 Winter OR Show -- The Petschel Report #4
In this fourth and final report from the OR trade show floor, we cover a Swiss Army Knife backpack, a vest with a built in water reservoir, and a first aid kit made for women. . .

2009 Winter OR Show -- The Petschel Report #3
In his third report, Gear Junkie correspondent Pat Petschel writes on new products from the show floor at Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City. . .

2009 Winter OR Show -- The Petschel Report #2
Gear Junkie correspondent Pat Petschel reports on new products from the show floor at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. . .

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show
The Gear Junkie crew is on site at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City. Watch here for reports on the latest gear for 2009. . .

2009 Winter OR Show -- The Petschel Report #1


New Gear Giveaway Contest Launched!
Our new contest, launched this week, will feature a total of 34 winners to receive gear packages from GJ's Top 10 products of 2008. . .

Gear Review -- KOR ONE Hydration Vessel
Don't call the KOR ONE a water bottle. This one-foot-tall elliptical flask is indeed a "hydration vessel". . .

Kuru Chicane women's shoes
It's not every day I wear "tennis shoes" in the winter. That's like wearing white pants after Labor Day, right? But when you throw a softshell upper onto a wrap-around sole that has little rubber stumps on the bottom for grip and traction, you turn a tennis shoe into a kind of winter glove for your foot.

Metolius Master Cams
Many rock climbers love Aliens. Not creatures from space that burst out of your belly, but the cams made by Colorado Custom Hardware. Technically called spring-loaded camming devices (SLCDs), this category of gear is used to build anchors and protect a climber while on lead, as they cam inside a crack to create a solid anchor point.

New York Times -- Surf Superior story
My story in today's New York Times covers one of the world’s most unlikely surf scenes: Winter surfing on Lake Superior. . .

Gear Review -- La Sportiva A.T. Grip Hobnail Kit
Got ice? La Sportiva's A.T. Grip Hobnail kit allows runners to add industrial-strength traction to their soles via the application of 20 screw-in spikes. . .

Norway Trip in Skiing Magazine
Skiing Magazine ran a story last month by my friend and Norway trip mate, Berne Broudy, on the trip we took to ski the country's Romsdal Alps last March. . .

Gear Review -- JanSport Reclaimed Series backpacks
JanSport's Reclaimed Series backpacks are hand-stitched day packs made from the remnants of well-used backpacks returned over the years to the company's warranty department in Everett, Wash.

Back from Belize
I'm back home after a week away in the tropics of Belize, where I explored the cayes offshore and the Cayo District inland. . .

Gear Junkie AWOL in Belize
Signing off from the blog, and life in general, for a few days to head south seeking tropical air and mountain adventures in the interior of Belize. . .

SOG PowerAssist Multi-tool
The SOG PowerAssist is stocked with esoteric and useful implements, including a V-shape blade to use as a seatbelt cutter and switchblade-like action to fling open a knife at the touch of a finger. . .

New Gear Junkie Field Tester: Bryon Powell
This week we welcome Bryon Powell to the Gear Junkie Field Test. Powell, a Washington D.C. area ultra runner, publishes iRunFar.com and competes in foot races around the country. . .

Gear Review: GU Roctane
You may have recently noticed GU Roctane at your local outdoor retailer. You may also have noticed that this energy gel costs 50 to 100 percent more than its competitors. What you can't learn from reading the label, or the price tag, is that both Roctane flavors -- Blueberry Pomegranate and Vanilla Orange -- have a taste that's worth the hefty price.

Gear Review: La Sportiva Fireblade Trail Running Shoe
Earlier this year, I did something that an experienced trail runner should know better than to do: On a Friday afternoon, the day before a race, I bought a trail shoe made by a company whose shoes I'd never worn, and then I raced the 40-mile Mount Mitchell Challenge in it the following day.

Gear Review: Atayne POV Tech Shirt
The idea for Atayne, a new sports-apparel company in Arlington, Va., was sparked when red dye from a brand name running shirt unexpectedly bled onto company co-founder Jeremy Litchfield's skin. Since then, Litchfield and his business partner Michael Hall have developed short- and long-sleeve technical shirts made from recycled plastic bottles that are free of toxic chemicals. They use natural Cocona (activated carbon from coconut shells) as a microbial inhibitor.

North Pole Ski Expedition
John Huston and Tyler Fish, respectively of Chicago and Ely, Minn., form a two-man team trying this March to become the first Americans to ski unsupported to the North Pole. . .

Pearl Izumi Amfib Lobster gloves
Want to turn heads while biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or running to the grocery store on a chilly day? Slip on a pair of Pearl Izumi Amfib Lobster gloves and you'll be sure to get a few perplexed looks. But who cares! You don't put on lobster gloves to look cool -- err. . . different. You put them on to stay warm.

Review: Sugoi Majik shell jacket
This svelte new winter running shell jacket from Sugoi, the $170 Majik, looks nice and fits fine. Too bad it failed the breathability test by a long shot. . .

Top 10 Adventures of 2008
From the Romsdal Alps of Norway to a scuba dive in a spring near the Great Salt Lake, 2008 proved to be a year of high adventure for the Gear Junkie. Here are my top 10 trips of the year. . .

Ski Report from Crested Butte, Colo.
A big weekend for snow in Crested Butte, Colo., where the Gear Junkie is currently holed up for a few days of pre-Christmas powder skiing in the trees. . .

Gear Junkie AWOL in Colorado
Heading west tomorrow morning for some early season snow. It's been dumping at Crested Butte, Colo., and I have some new gear to test. . .

We have a winner!
We have a winner! Matt Eder of Portland, Ore., has been drawn from among the thousands who signed up for the Gear Junkie's Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes to win an REI Adventures trip. . .

Sweepstakes Winner Drawing
Note to Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes entrants: We have drawn a sweepstakes winner and will soon announce the name. . .

Gear Junkie Sweepstakes -- Final Day!
It's the final day to sign up for our contest, the Gear Junkie's Choose Your Adventure Sweepstakes. We'll draw a winner at midnight tonight to go on one of five REI Adventures in early 2009. . .

Skiing and Snowboarding Gear 2009
In this column on gear trends in skiing and snowboarding for the '08/'09 season, I highlight a jacket with embedded electronics, self-tinting goggles, and a customizable ski boot with a moldable outer plastic shell. . .

Newton Running Motion All-Weather Shoe
Newton Running has unveiled a shoe for cold temps and damp days. The Motion All-Weather Shoe, released this week, has a water-repellent upper and a sticky-rubber sole designed for grip in cooler temps. . .

Gear Review: Wilderness Wear Merino Wool Base Layer
I've never given an I.Q. test to a ram, or an ewe for that matter, but those who have agree that sheep are a notch or two dumber than cows and pigs, and certainly far below dogs. How is it then that sheep are so absolutely astute when it comes to high-performance fabrics?

Vew-Do Flow balance board
The best training for an outdoor sport or activity -- say snowboarding, as one example -- is to simply get outside and do it. But that's not always possible, and sometimes an indoor-training alternative is in order.

R.E.D. Skycap II Snowsports Helmet
Winter sports are upon us, and to help stay safe when snow meets the law of gravity, you need a helmet to protect your noggin. A nice all-around pick is R.E.D.'s new Skycap II, an updated and upgraded version of the company's classic helmet design. Its simple style packs numerous features into a lightweight model, and it's certified for skiing or snowboarding.

Redwood Creek Wine Greater Outdoors Project
What would you do with $50,000? Redwood Creek wines wants to pay it forward in an effort to help better America’s great outdoors. The company established the Greater Outdoors Project to recognize and support nonprofit organizations that . . .

Gear Junkie's Holiday Gift Guide
Click here for the Gear Junkie's Holiday Gift Guide, a 12-product spread of outdoors-oriented gift suggestions, from ski bags and knives to a carbon-fiber travel guitar made to take the bumps of a backpacking trip. . .

Forbes story on Travel Gear
My story this week on ForbesTraveler.com highlights a dozen new outdoors- and travel-oriented products, including a helmet cam, a $459 sports watch, and a desktop weather station that receives wireless data on ski conditions around the country. . .

Race Report: Ford Ironman Arizona 2008
Someone once told me that races are nothing more than an event where you can show off how hard you have trained, and I think that an Ironman triathlon represents this more than any other type of event. The more I am involved in endurance sports -- my past is in soccer and more traditional sports -- the more I appreciate the work ethic it takes to be good at these events. You can't fake it, and you can't walk up to the start line and gut it out. It may not be your day even if you are well trained, but it will never be your day if you are not.

Sender Films -- THE SHARP END
Sender Films' latest, "The Sharp End," is a vividly-filmed and heart-pounding hour of rock climbing, alpine and ice ascents, slack-lining and BASE jumping at crags and mountain ranges around the planet. Click here to see the trailer. . .

Top 10 Gear List - 2008
Dozens of trips, hundreds of hours of training, and a year of product testing has led to these conclusions, my Top 10 Gear of the Year Awards for 2008. . .

Top 10 Gear List 2008 -- Under $30 Picks


Gear Junkie 'Field Test' section Launched
A new site feature, the Gear Junkie Field Test, puts outdoors equipment into the hands of hard-core users -- from professional mountain guides to outdoors writers. . .

Longboard Innovations
The sport of longboarding is a rising trend with active adults. No longer is this sport limited to the realm of the teenager, and no longer do the boards simply mimic a skateboard with a stretched deck. . .

Osprey Talon 11 backpack
When a hydration pack isn’t quite enough and a full day pack is a skosh too big, the Osprey Talon 11 is jumping up and down yelling, “Pick me! Pick me!” At first glance, it’s hard not to fall in love with the little acid green pack that has reflective flames on the front. After all, it’s light-weight, flashy and reasonably priced.

New Clif Bar Flavors
I’m a self-proclaimed skeptic of most things -- especially if it’s food that “tastes like cardboard,” which is a saying some people ascribe to the category of energy bars. After sampling a few Clif Bars years ago, and not finding a flavor I liked, I hadn't touched the product until recently.

Jetboil Group Cooking System Review
When you’re starving and don’t have much time to cook a meal, the Jetboil Group Cooking System is a good choice. It’s a stove ideal for a small group of backpackers who need an easy-to-use system that heats up fast, breaks down easily and requires minimal extra supplies.

Turn your iPhone into a GPS unit
Navionics, a Wareham, Mass.-based electronic cartography and navigation company, launched an iPhone app that turns your phone into a charting tool. The Navionics Mobile lets you view in-depth charts using your GPS position, and allows you to pan and zoom, query chart objects and more. The app also has outdoor and ski trail data so you can navigate while skiing, hiking or biking.

North Face, Kelty, Mt. Hardwear sleeping bag review
For most conditions in most areas of the country a three-season sleeping bag is a no-brainer. There are times when you need more warmth and insulation, and there are times when you need less, but usually the three-season setup -- those three seasons meaning spring, summer and fall, but not winter -- is just about right.

Gear Review: Sierra Designs Meteor Light 2 Tent
In the world of outdoor adventure, weight can make the difference between a good time and an 'I-wish-I-was-sitting-at-home-watching-college-football' time. And Sierra Designs, a Boulder, Colo.-based company that specializes in tents, sleeping bags and clothes, knows that. So in the off-season (which, in the outdoors world, doesn't exist) the company revamped its tents.

Gear Review: Leatherman Squirt P4
Many outdoor adventurers have a favorite piece of gear they always have with them. For me, it's my Leatherman Squirt P4. Like MacGyver and his trusty Swiss Army knife, I rarely leave home without my Squirt.

BELA-Olhao sardines
It's a little strange popping open a small tin filled with oily fish that still have bones and scales intact. Sure, the heads and tails are missing, but the potent stench of fish billows from the small metal container as soon as you open it. If that's not too much for you, then you've picked the right nutrient-rich trail snack. BELA-Olhao sardines are reportedly packed fresh within eight hours after they are caught off the coast of Portugal.

Pearl Izumi Microsensor Skull Cap
Winter athletes know it can be difficult to find a hat that fits under a bike helmet and stays put for running. But Pearl Izumi has done just that with its Microsensor Skull Cap, an upgrade to a design that's been around for years.

New York Times -- Bonneville Seabase story
Sharks dwell in a natural warm spring basin south of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Seriously, they do. My story in today's New York Times covers a scuba dive I did to Bonneville Seabase, an unlikely facility that has coaxed sea life to live 600 miles from the nearest coast. . .

Review -- Merrell Men's Rove Tech Jacket
Remember those suave Members Only jackets from the '80s? Well, Merrell might hate me for saying it but the Rove Tech Jacket, something I've been wearing all fall, is reminding me of that Reagan-era fashion staple. . .

Book Review -- A Hard-Water World
To the uninitiated, ice fishing seems improbable, wacky, and dangerous. But every winter, more than 2 million hardy northerners go to their place on the lake. This book highlights the experience. . .

Outdoorzy.com's Gearzy Awards


Forbes -- Rock Formations Story
From Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick to the famous chalk arches of Etretat in Normandy, France, my story today on ForbesTraveler.com -- "20 STUNNING ROCK FORMATIONS" -- covers geologic oddities from around the planet. . .

Gear Review -- Black Diamond Orbit Lantern
Made for backcountry skiers, climbers and backpackers, the Orbit Lantern is a pocket-size, collapsible mini lantern that shines enough light to prepare dinner, organize gear, read or play checkers while storm-bound in a tent. . .

Gear Junkie Forum, Week 2 Giveaway
In case you didn't see last week. . . Gear Junkie now has a forums section! Sign in and start contributing, asking questions, swapping stories, or writing your own gear review. BONUS: The next 50 forum contributors will win a prize, including. . .

Gear Giveaway at TrustyPony
Prizes like a LowePro laptop/camera backpack and Guyot Designs backpacking dinnerwear are up for grabs this week at TrustyPony. Just make a comment and you'll be entered into a (very small) pool of potential winners. . .

The Runner's Heart
Common cardiovascular wisdom says running can do only good for the heart. But a study at a German clinic has linked marathon runners to the phenomenon of artery-clogging plaques that can cause a heart attack. . .

Tech4O TraiLeader, Quark Jacket, AMK, GlacierGel - Gear Field Test -- Kings Peak, Utah
Last month, on a quick two-day ascent, I climbed Utah's Kings Peak, the state's highest mountain at 13,528 feet. Here's a run down on the gear I used on the way up, some of which worked much better than the rest. . .

Bear Naked Survey
Click on the home page here (up and to the right) to take Bear Naked's trail mix survey. It's easy and quick, and the company will select 50 random respondents to win a grab bag of Bear Naked prizes. . .

Gear Junkie Forum Launched
Gear Junkie now has a forums section! Sign in and start contributing, asking questions, swapping stories, or writing your own gear review. BONUS: The first 50 forum contributors will win a grab bag of prizes. . .

New York Times -- Utah's Kings Peak story
My story in the New York Times for Friday, November 14, covers the climb on Kings Peak I completed last month with three friends during a quick two-day ascent. At 13,528 feet, Kings is the highest point in the state of Utah. . .

Mila PLS 100 headlamp - The Gear Junkie Scoop
Developed for nighttime skiing, running, climbing and other activities, the Mila produces a wide-angle bubble of light that stretches hundreds of feet into dark night. . .

Horny Toad's "WE can solve it" sale


Ski Norway Video


Mountain Hardwear Quark Jacket
The Quark Jacket from Mountain Hardwear is described as "mosquito netting with a waterproof and breathable laminate." It is indeed light weight, though it does its job to keep rain out while granting a noticeable amount of breathability. . .

New York Times -- Muzzleloading story
And now for something completely different, check out my story in today's New York Times. . .

REI's "Bike Your Drive" site
As a longtime city bike commuter -- and an advocate for cycling on several recreational, economic and societal fronts -- I was happy to see this news on REI's new online cycling resource. . .

Terra Nova Laser 20L Review - The Gear Junkie Scoop
Developed for sports like adventure racing and mountain marathons where you might run for hours with a backpack on, the to-be-released Laser 20L is marketed as the "best in class for weight, features and fit." This is my test. . .

Leatherman Skeletool
The 5-ounce Leatherman Skeletool promises all the basic functions you need -- but not a toothpick more. . .

Gear Review -- Hi-Tec V-Lite Altitude Ultra
Waterproof-breathable boots are nothing new in the outdoors industry. But Hi-Tec has partnered with a U.K.-based defense company on its latest leather boots to incorporate a technology developed for military clothing worn in a chemical attack. . .

Gear Review -- Buddy-Board
"Is your life worth 30 seconds?" That's the question posed by Buddy-Board LLC on the packaging of its namesake product, a dry-erase board made for recording information about your backcountry adventure. . .

Utah's Kings Peak Trip Report
The Gear Junkie is back from Utah, where a weekend of crazy adventures climaxed at the summit of Utah's Kings Peak, the state's high point. Here's a quick trip report. . .

Gear Junkie AWOL in Utah
Signing off for a few days to catch a plane to SLC and head into the mountains, where I'll make an attempt at Kings Peak, the highest point in the state of Utah at 13,528 feet. . .

Night Orienteering Feature Story
Night orienteering requires racers to read a map and compass while tracking vegetation boundaries, bouncing along lakeshores, hiking gullies -- all by the paltry glow of a headlamp beam. This is a short feature story on the nocturnal Nordic sport. . .

Light and Motion Seca 700 Race
Want to cut a clean, white beam ahead more than 100 feet on a trail for nighttime mountain biking? Got an extra $550 to spare? The Seca 700 Race may be your next bike light. . .

Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Review - The Gear Junkie Scoop
The Olympus Stylus 1050 SW is a rough-and-tumble ruggedized camera, taking bumps and drops from shoulder-height onto solid stone. I know this to be true, having dropped the camera a few times while testing. . .

How to Write a Gear Review
Ever dreamed of writing gear reviews for a living? Or at least scribbling your thoughts for the chance to play with a lot of cool new outdoors toys? In this column I offer eight quick tips for the aspiring gear writer. . .

Freeride Mountain Biking
Dirt jumps, ladder bridges, wall rides -- and all the consequences associated with such stunts -- define the discipline of freeride, one of mountain biking's biggest trends. . .

Turin Bike Trainer
With a base price tag of $12,500, and configurations that will sell for more than $20,000, the Turin bike training system encapsulates a rider in a bubble of technology and is touted as the "ultimate in indoor training". . .

Maori Bone Necklaces for Boaters
Boaters take note: Wanderer Imports LLC of Asheville, N.C., now offers cow bone Maori necklaces carved with symbols purported to help guarantee safe passage over water for kayakers. . .

Gear Review -- Skeeter Beater
The Skeeter Beater is a product made for people -- and I'm included in this wayward group -- who like to sleep inside their cars on occasion. . .

Marathon Running: 12 Unorthodox Tips
From foot lubrication to a (legal) performance-enhancing drug, here are 12 unorthodox tips I've gathered on the gear, nutrition and technique for completing a 26.2-mile marathon run. . .

Project 7 water bottles


Goldsprints
Goldsprint racing, a rising offseason cycling activity, melds a stationary bike trainer with a videogame. Riders put their pedals to the metal to spin in front of a crowd. . .

Castelli Insolito Radiation Jacket
Extreme adaptability to outside temperatures during the autumn, winter and spring cycling seasons is the Insolito Radiation Jacket's primary claim to fame. Made by Castelli, this hybrid outerwear is touted to regulate ambient outside temps for cyclists from 25 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. . .

Choose-Your-Adventure Sweepstakes


Gear Preview: Wenger Footwear Line
Touting Swiss Army Knife attributes, Wenger has launched a footwear line with several innovative and adaptable touches, including a rubber sole that adjusts stiffness and traction depending on outside temperature. . .

Fastest Grandpa on the Planet
Jim Hammond was born in 1914. He's aiming for a world running record at the Senior Olympics in 2009. . .

Specialized BG S-WORKS MTB Shoe
The top-of-the-line BG S-WORKS MTB shoes from Specialized provide a gain in comfort and performance that might give a competitive edge. But are they worth the $300 price tag. . .

Justin's Nut Butter
Justin's Nut Butter makes the salty sustenance and nutritional boost of good ol' fashioned nut butter now available in tear-and-squeeze packages for carrying in a pocket or bike jersey to eat in the outdoors or on the go. . .

REI's Prototype Green Store
For a peek at what outdoor retail might look like in the near future, head to Round Rock, Texas, where REI just opened its second prototype "green" store, a LEED-standardized building that incorporates roof-mounted light tubes and recycled sunflower seed husks. . .

Critical Mass Bike Ride
The monthly Critical Mass ride blocks traffic and emboldens bikers who might otherwise stay off city streets. But does it hurt or harm the cause for workaday bike commuters? This is my first-person account on the social phenomenon. . .

Cosmas Hercules - The Gear Junkie Scoop
The Hercules is the "first true mountaineering boot certified for wildland fire fighting," according to manufacturer Cosmas, an Italian boot maker. It's made to cater to young firefighters who now eschew traditional logger boots in favor of something with more performance and style. . .

Bear Naked Trail Mixes
After a long hiatus from trail mix, I am back into the nutty/fruity energy-food concoctions. Specifically, Bear Naked Inc. of La Jolla, Calif., makes a mean trail mix with its Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trail blends. . .

Gear Review -- Do-All Bike Shoes
The do-all shoe concept has long been a pipe dream for footwear designers, and a couple companies have pushed shoe products to market advertised as hybrids that'll clip to a bike pedal and grip on a trail. This is my review of three run-hike-bike hybrid models. . .

"Do-It-Yourself Digs"
Sifting through the antiseptic dirt of Chile’s Atacama Desert, Carl Schweser, a traveler on an Earthwatch expedition, once came face to face with a mummy. “It was right out of the pages of National Geographic," he said. My story this week for Travel+Leisure covers the Atacama adventure plus nine additional "Do-It-Yourself Digs" . . .

Cyclocross
Cyclocross is an up and coming discipline where off-road courses with tight turns, muddy slopes, steep banks, sand pits and manmade obstacles make up the medium of the sport. This is my feature story on a CX event last fall. .

Bamboo Tent Poles - The Gear Junkie Scoop
In a "quest for innovation and environmentally conscious design," NEMO Equipment Inc. of Nashua, N.H., recently unveiled plans to manufacture thin tent poles made of bamboo for a pair of its lightweight tent models beginning in late 2009. . .

Men Who Shave Their Legs
Beyond aerobic sports, in no other part of mainstream Western society does the male species commonly take wax or blade to leg hair. But among the Lycra set smooth legs are touted as a rite of passage and a performance-enhancing procedure. This feature story investigates the clean-shaven phenomenon . . .

Gear Review -- Gerber Omnivore flashlight
The Omnivore, a new cigar-size flashlight from Gerber, is battery agnostic, meaning it will take power from any of the varying combinations of AA, AAA or CR123 batteries you can drop in its chamber. . .

La Sportiva Gandalf Review - Gear Junkie Scoop
La Sportiva's to-be-released climbing shoe -- a $215 magic boot that can purportedly endure a decade of alpine action -- is named after the Tolkien wizard who guided Frodo and his entourage through the mountains of Middle Earth. . .

Forbes story on "High-Tech Travel Gear"
My story this week on ForbesTraveler -- "High-Tech Travel Gear" -- covers a subgenre of gear that's emerged from the outdoors, technology and travel-goods industries to serve globetrotters who go far away and deep into new cultures on their own. . .

Petzl's MYO RXP - The Gear Junkie Scoop
Petzl's latest headlamp offering, a $100 LED model due out in January, offers light-level customization to let users tweak and finely tune the brightness setting of their own personal window of artificial daylight. . .

Forbes story on Travel Writers' Top Escapes
In a story this week for ForbesTraveler I polled nine adventure-travel writers to discover destinations not often featured in print. Read on to discover where the people who travel for a living choose to go when an editorial board is out of the picture and a deadline for the story does not exist.

Gear Review -- Energizer e2 Lithium Headlamp
That famous pink bunny powered by batteries has rolled into the outdoors arena with a headlamp offering -- the Energizer e2 Lithium -- that has several new and unique features for the category and surprisingly solid performance in my initial tests. . .

Barefoot Believers: Running Without Shoes
A growing subset of runners are shedding their shoes and putting bare feet to the ground -- and footwear companies are starting to take note. This is my profile on a 30-year veteran of the barefoot movement and his attempt to drag me along for a shoe-less run. . .

Ardica Technologies - The Gear Junkie Scoop
No black helicopters yet in sight, but this column covers a new DARPA-funded energy-density technology now trickling to the outdoors industry in the guise of four soon-to-be-released electrically-heated shell jackets from Mountain Hardwear. . .

New York Times -- Tour de Trempealeau story
Road riders in Wisconsin's Trempealeau County see an average of only three cars per hour, creating a virtual car-less bike paradise for riders in the region. This is my story on the municipality, a 20-mile-wide wedge of bluffs, farms fields, deep tributary ravines, and 382 miles of paved roads perfect for the skinny tires of a road bike. . .

Giro Sports Glasses
Helmet maker Giro Sport Design has jumped into the sport-eyewear category, and innovation goes by the name of the patent-pending Pop Top system in the company's most intriguing new optical offering: A lens-switchable sunglass that fires out its polycarbonate tint via a small cam lever. . .

Stand-Up Paddling
Stand-up paddling, or SUP, is among the biggest trends this year in board sports, even in landlocked locales like Minnesota. This feature story highlights the burgeoning SUP scene near downtown Minneapolis, where surfers stand up and dig in on the City of Lakes' most famous body of water. . .

'Technical' Flip-Flops
Can performance features be added onto the blank slate of a flip-flop sandal sole? Keen, Sole and Teva say 'Yes.' Here's my review of three open-toe offerings touted to stay on the foot and perform in outdoors settings beyond the beach. . .

Gear Review -- PUR Purifier of Water
PUR markets its latest water-purification product as a "mini water treatment plant in a packet." Indeed, I turned a bucket of brown river water from nasty to clear by following the company's step-by-step chemical process. . .

Gear Reviews Update (Aug. 2008)
This week we've updated the Gear Reviews section of the site, adding links to more than 25 product reviews from the past four months. You may have seen some of these grace the Daily Dose blog. But now in the Gear Reviews "archive" they're cataloged in chronological order starting from last week heading back.

Heidiskis
Say it with me: "3,800 Euros for a pair of skis." That's about $5,913 as per this week's currency exchange. But Heidiskis, a Montreux, Switzerland, boutique ski brand touts its custom winter sticks as being worthy of their Matterhorn-high price tags. . .

OR Show -- 2009 Product Preview, part IV
In this fourth and final look at new gear from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show I cover a collapsible kayak, a Schoeller-ensconced mountaineering boot, and an REI backpack made for the Hannah Montana demographic. . .

TheStreet.com covers OR Show
The news fallout from the Outdoor Retailer trade show -- which I covered extensively last week -- has garnered mentioned on TheStreet.com, a popular business site that covers the financial markets, economic and industry trends and financial planning. . .

OR Trade Show -- 2009 Product Preview, part III
In this third look at the latest gear from the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show I have uncovered stylish sunglasses made for fishermen, water shoes that look like skate shoes, and a luxury rooftop cargo box from Thule that will sell for $800. . .

OR Trade Show -- 2009 Product Preview, part II
The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show has come to a close. Here's the first peek this week at new and to-be-released gear, gadgets and apparel from the convention center show floor, bike shoes, 1-gram tent stakes and carbon-fiber kayaks included. . .

OR Trade Show -- 2009 Product Preview, part I
The Gear Junkie is on site at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show in Salt Lake City. This is an initial report on the to-be-released gear, gadgets and apparel that'll be seen in outdoors shops circa 2009. . .

New York Times -- Rendezvous story
Not your typical Stephen Regenold adventure-journalism fare here, but in today's New York Times I wrote about the hobby of rendezvous re-enactment, a gig where grown men and women dress in fur-trade period outfits, sleep in tepees or canvas tents, and turn their backs on modern civilization for a couple of days. . .

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir
Touted as the "world’s lightest, most advanced three-season air mattress" the to-be-released Therm-a-Rest NeoAir insulates with a grid of welded-nylon air chambers and compacts to the size of a 1-liter Nalgene bottle. . .

Critical Mass, The Inside View
I rode in my first Critical Mass last month, a 200-rider strong showing in downtown Minneapolis on July 25. We rode with 28 police on bicycles and squad cars circling the entire time. At least that was until the whole event evolved into a benign parade of sorts through the city. . .

World's Scariest Roads
Since the dawn of motorized transit, deep jungle and high mountains haven't stopped humans from trying to lay roads through the planet's most treacherous terrain. This article on Travel+Leisure.com highlights 10 top dangerous roads around the globe, including the likes of Bolivia's North Yungas Road, a mountain-hugging lane lined by 1,000-foot drops. . .

Gear Review: Look Quartz Carbon Pedals
Tour de France types need not apply. Look's latest "p�dales automatiques" are made for the mountain biking crowd. This is my review of the Quartz Carbon line, a clipless series touted to have several simple innovations for performance underfoot on singletrack and beyond. . .

Wired's High-Tech Olympic Gear
This short article features five over-the-top athletics products that'll purportedly be employed by Olympians next week in Beijing. My favorite is the Nike track shoe made with the same liquid-crystal polymer threads as used in the airbags on NASA's Mars rover. . .

Inc. magazine on Newton Running
Interesting story this week on Inc. magazine's website. It's a profile of Newton Running, the shoe company out of Boulder, Colo. Great background and all on the innovative business and its unlikely trajectory to success. But then I got to page No. 4 where the writer sideswipes the ol' Gear Junkie here. . .

Mind over Mountain: Profile of Andy Knapp
This feature story profiles Andy Knapp of Minneapolis, a 59-year-old adventurer who's climbed Denali, biked solo to Alaska, kayaked alone across Lake Superior, and is now fighting kidney cancer with the same resolve he's applied to challenges in the outdoors his whole life. . .

Gear Review -- Coghlan's LED Micro Lantern
Coghlan's LED Micro Lantern looks like a trinket or a keychain toy. But this tiny light, bolstered by a 5mm LED, shines enough ambient illumination to stand in for a much larger source of light inside a tent. . .

The Gear Junkie goes 'Outside'
Introducing "The Gear Junkie Scoop," a new weekly column on OutsideMag.com that will cover news, hot products, and to-be-released gear and apparel from all corners of the outdoors industry. The column launched this week with the review of a 9-ounce sleeping pad purported to pack down to the size of a Nalgene bottle. . .

Forbes story on "Extraterrestrial Escapes"
This story is about a different type of adventure travel. Namely, "extraterrestrial tourism" is a broad term for any type of travel involving the weird, whacky and the unknown. In a story this week on ForbesTraveler.com, I highlight 10 top alien destinations, including a handful I have visited in person over the years. . .

Gear Review -- Luxury Camping Equipment, part II
A solar-charging messenger bag, a food box for Fido, and a watch that predicts when the fish will be biting. These products round out my coverage of luxury camp items this week. Oh, and don't forget the motorized margarita blender with motorcycle handlebar grips. . .

Gear Review -- Luxury Camping Equipment, part I
From portable hot-water spigots to tent pegs topped with pink flamingos, this is the first in a two-part column on luxury-oriented camping gear. None of this gear is essential, and roughin' it this is not. . .

Arc'teryx going Aerobic in '09
Arc'teryx will release multiple collections of aerobic-oriented apparel and outerwear with its spring 2009 line. This is a sneak peek, from tights and running tops to a "skort" designed for mountain marathons. . .

Invent-a-Sport Contest
Horny Toad and Instructables.com have introduced the "Invent-a-Sport" Contest, a competition seeking descriptions, photos and video clips of real or imagined fringe sports or outdoors activities. . .

Miles Per Gallon


Cord Lock Light
It's a cord lock. It's a light. It's the Cord Lock Light, a regular spring-loaded cincher as found on backpacks and sleeping bags, just with a built-in tiny LED light source. . .

Gear Review -- The Jimi Wallet
I blogged on the Jimi last month, the so-called “wallet for people who hate wallets.” But here is my full review of the credit-card-size clamshell case, which comes in nine colors and has a removable money clip in case you want to go even more minimal. . .

Pole Positions
In one of my more strange assignments ever, last week I covered a rising form of aerobic workout that takes its cues from erotic dancing. "Strip Fitness," as the class was called, is advertised as a way to "tone your booty, legs, arms and abs with style."

New York Times -- Devils Tower story
Devils Tower is a 1,000-foot-high thumb of rock in northeastern Wyoming, a geologic wonder and one of nature’s most ultimate works of art. It's also a mecca for rock climbers. Today, in New York Times, I chronicle my recent ascent of the Tower, a four-hour evening climb timed to allow us to see a sunset at the top of the world. . .

Hash House Harriers
The Hash House Harriers are a "drinking club with a running problem." This tradition, started nearly 70 years ago in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has its roots in a group of British expatriates who wanted to exercise and imbibe after work once a week. This is my story of a run with a local HHH club, exercise, competition and imbibing included. . .

Hydration Bladder Test
Hydration in the great outdoors for me now rarely involves a water bottle. Instead, the hose-sucking efficiency of a water bladder in a backpack gets me the H2O I need -- and fast. Here's a roundup review of three bladders I've been testing as of late, a standoff to see which reservoir best performs on the mountain, trail and on the bike. . .

Feature Story: Canicross
Run with your dog. Let him pull. That's the premise behind canicross, a dog-sledding derivative that milks maximum propulsion via a canine-connected cord to rocket human-dog teams down the trail. . .

Gear on the Wall
Car racks can get your gear from home to any given adventure destination. But what about keeping things straight and racked up at home? Here are two quick options for easy at-home gear organization. . .

Fresh Bath Travel Wipes
Fresh Bath Travel Wipes are a "sponge-bath solution for the adventure set." Clean your dirtbag body dreads to toes with these aloe vera/potassium sorbate-infused towelettes, made to cleanse and "moisturize" skin while you're traveling or deep in the woods along with taking care of the de-stink. . .

11-year-old Climbs Denali
Jordan Romero. Age 11. On his way to becoming the youngest person ever to climb the Seven Summits. Last week: Denali. Five summits down, two to go. That's right, and he's not even yet in junior high school. . .

Shaman in an Office Park
I went in for a physical assessment. I got crystals and magic instead. This is my story on Chris Frykman, a chiropractor who cracks backs, wields crystals and sends thought energy in his customized version of an alternative medicine called applied kinesiology. . .

Horny Toad Acquires Nau
Apparel maker Nau Inc., which went out of business last month, has been resurrected with the help of a certain other apparel maker in Santa Barbara, Calif. They're calling the new brand, to be launched Aug. 1, "Nau 2.0" . . .

Adventure Kid Club


MSNBC / Forbes Summer Gear Story
From gas-powered margarita blenders (no joke) to watches that predict the weather, my story today on MSNBC and ForbesTraveler.com, "The Ultimate Summer Gadget Guide," is as over-the-top as it comes. And that's not to mention the tent from Eureka with fans, lights and outlet plugs. . .

Gear Review: Petzl SiGNAL light
The bottle-cap-size SiGNAL light from Petzl is a "multidirectional performance safety light," according to the company. It's a backup light source and blinker made for keeping in a backpack or stored stuffed away in the seat bag on a bike. This is my review of the product, a tiny, triple-bulb L.E.D. that may well have saved my life last week. . .

Handlebar-Mounted Map Holder
Handlebar-mounted map holders are one of those esoteric outdoors items that only complete cartographic nerds and adventure racers can wax silly about. Since I fit both molds, the Rotating Map Holder from Adventure Racing Navigation Supplies caught my eye. . .

Shop5 Rates Gear Junkie No. 1


Jetboil Helios Review
In my test of the Helios High-Performance Cook System -- Jetboil's latest camp stove creation -- the burner produced a "10-inch-tall dancing blue genie" of a flame. It also boiled a liter of water quicker than almost any stove I've ever seen. This is my full review. . .

New York Times -- Big Bog Story
In today's New York Times I write about northern Minnesota's Big Bog, a spongy, hard-to-access wilderness on the bed of the long-gone glacial Lake Agassiz. This is a story on my trip to the bog last month, a place where "wolves and moose roam on soft earth, plants eat bugs and otters live in rivers thick with ooze. . ."

Rogaine Orienteering Race
In this feature story on the Minnesota Orienteering Club's annual Rogaine event, I chronicle a six-hour backwoods race involving swamp swimming, flag finding, brush crashing and constant map and compass utilization in the thick and buggy Chequamegon National Forest of northwest Wisconsin. . .

Cargo Box on a Small Car
My goal was singular and precise: To outfit a small stationwagon with maximum equipment-carrying capacity. This included a rack, bike mounts and a cargo box on a car that can often qualify for "compact" spaces in a parking garage. . .

Case Study: PLB in Action
A mountaineering accident last week prompted Bill Becher, a writer friend of mine from southern California, to deploy a personal locator beacon (PLB) in hopes of rescue. This is a Q&A with Becher on the incident. . .

Testing Blood Lactate Threshold
This feature story details my experience undergoing a blood lactate threshold test, where a fitness trainer put me on a treadmill and pricked my fingertip repeatedly for blood samples. The goal was to determine my lactic acid threshold, the point at which I start to "feel the burn". . .

Gear Review -- Corsair Inc. Flash Survivor
Need to protect those secret GPS coordinates? This USB flash drive saves data in a CNC-milled, anodized aircraft-grade aluminum case that's waterproof to 600 feet under the sea. . .

Spyder D3O Armored Suit
This is my review of a $620 mountain biking suit from Spyder. The D3O Armored Crew and the D3O Ultimate Chamois Bike Short both employ their namesake d30 gel -- a top-secret material made with "intelligent molecules" that flex under normal situations then lock together to absorb energy once a force is imposed. Say a crash on your mountain bike, for example. . .

Gear Review -- Adventure Lights Inc.
I blogged on Adventure Lights Inc. of Beaconsfield, Quebec, earlier this year. Now, after a couple months of playing with the company's line of esoteric emergency lighting products, this is my full review. . .

'Green' Gear Roundup
Going green is not a new phenomenon in the world of outdoors gear. But today's eco-friendly gear is a far cry from the hemp hoodies and low-tech "earth gear" of yore. This is the first in a three-part blog on gear that touts a good eco story plus performance for use in the field. . .

Trip Report -- Harney Peak, South Dakota
Unbeknownst to many American mountaineers, the highest point of elevation east of the Rocky Mountains is not in New Hampshire. That title belongs to Harney Peak in South Dakota, a 7,242-foot mountain I hiked last weekend . . .

Trip Report -- Big Bog, Minn.
Just got back from an odd one. This weekend I traveled to northern Minnesota and the Red Lake Peatlands, a spongy, hard-to-access wilderness that is the lower 48 states' largest bog.

Gear Review -- Crazy Creek HexaLite camp chairs
I blogged on the HexaLite camp chairs from Crazy Creek a couple weeks back. Now, after some more in-depth testing 'round the campfire, here is my full review of the two roll-able, stash-able HexaLite models made for the ultra-light backpacking crowd. . .

Trip Report -- Devils Tower
Just got back from Wyoming and Devils Tower, a 1,000-foot-high thumb of rock in the northeastern part of the state and my favorite rock climbing area in the country. Here's a quick trip report on the route we went up, "El Cracko Diablo," and a few images from our climb. . .

Gear Review -- BPA-free Water Bottles
BPA is dead. After years of dragging its feet, Nalgene Nunc International has dropped the controversial chemical from its entire line of water bottles. Oh, and CamelBak did, too . . .

Gear Junkie AWOL in Wyoming
Signing off from the Daily Dose blog -- and life in general -- for a few days here as I pack my bags and jump in the car to drive to Wyoming, where Devils Tower awaits. The plan is simple: climb the sheer-sided 5,112-foot monolith using an arsenal of new gear. . .

The Jimi Wallet
After riding a self-proclaimed "Frankenbike" around the streets of San Francisco for several years, Mike O’Neill designed a new take on the stodgy old "Costanza" wallet. Indeed, the company slogan is "The Wallet for People Who Hate Wallets" . . .

Reclaimed and Recyled Messenger Bags
In a world often bogged down by waste, outfits like FREITAG, Relan LLP and Recycling is Rad have created a cottage industry of designing messenger bags out of reclaimed materials, including sources as diverse as vinyl sheeting from billboards, highway signs, old clothes and animal feed bags from the Philippines. . .

Track Bike Racing at the NSC Velodrome
The NSC Velodrome is a 250-meter bike track made with wood planks from African afzelia trees. Its banks provide a medium where riders pedal laps at the natural lean of a bike, eliminating skidding and defying gravity in the process. This is my story about trust, inertia, speed, centrifugal force and faith in physics the first time I rolled onto the track. . .

Lux Eco Resorts Story


Field Test -- Norway's Romsdal Alps (part II)
The Norway gear hash-out continues. In this column yesterday I covered the hard goods employed on a ski touring trip last month in Norway. For today's review, the focus is on apparel, specifically the outerwear and base layers I wore on a mountain called Kvitfjellet . . .

Field Test -- Norway's Romsdal Alps (part I)
In this blog last month I wrote trip reports on my journey to Norway's Romsdal Alps, where I skied the peaks above the fjords near the city of Molde. Today's column, the first in a series of two, digs into the gear I used while touring said epic peaks in the alpine bliss of fjordland. . .

'Large Fella on a Bike'
In 2004, Scott Cutshall was a freelance jazz drummer, a husband and a father. He was 38 years old, though not sure if he'd live to see 40. He wore size XXXXXXXXXXL pants and could not tie his own shoes. Breathing was sometimes difficult. That was before he started riding a bike. . .

Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat
Function definitely trumps form for this outdoors hat, a wide-brimmed cap with 360 degrees of solar coverage and some sort of Asian peasant aesthetic thing going on. . .

Gear Review -- Dream Island Sleeping Bag
The Dream Island sleeping bag from Big Agnes -- when used in tandem with the company's unique pad system -- can feel like the simulacrum of a mattress and quilt in your tent. Plus, it's a double-wide, meaning two bodies fit side by side to keep the Island extra cozy and warm. . .

Life, Death and Altitude
A death on a high peak -- plus personal failures in performance at altitude -- prompted Mike Farris, a 52-year-old college professor, to write a book, "The Altitude Experience," due in May from Globe Pequot Press. This is my profile on Farris' life in the mountains and a peek at the 80,000 words he wrote to answer some of his own hardest questions on performance, sanity and risk in high-altitude mountaineering. . .

Gear Review -- CamelBak Podium Bottle
I wrote a preview blog on this product last month. Now here's the official Gear Junkie review, a full testing of a bike bottle CamelBak is touting as an update to technology that's been around since the 1950s. . .

Jason Magness, Zen Action Vagabond
As Zen vagabond types go, Jason Magness -- a climber, adventure racer, yogi and slack-liner from North Dakota -- is the real deal. And this weekend no less than the Wall Street Journal chronicled Magness' life in a 2,000-word story featuring quotes from climbing legends, images of Virabhadrasana poses on inch-thin lines, and . . .

SteriPEN JourneyLCD Review
I spent part of last evening zapping helpless microorganisms swimming in tepid water. But it's ok, the little suckers were trying to make me sick. The SteriPEN JourneyLCD, a UV-light-emitting water purification device, eliminates common threatening microbes, viruses and bacteria that might otherwise make one ill if sipping tainted water. . .

I-gliti Roller Skiing Apparel
Warning: Snark alert. I don't do this very often. But a press release just came over the wire too difficult to resist: Behold! The I-gliti apparel line, the first clothing and accessories collection designed exclusively for, um, roller skiers . . .

Workout Wear
Preparing for outdoor adventure, be it backpacking, biking or mountain climbing, can require ample time training indoors. Here are a few pieces of apparel -- for men and women -- that make the sweaty work (maybe) somewhat easier. . .

The World's Weirdest Footraces
A 5K for nudists, an Antarctic marathon, and a race that cumulates at a giant pit of mud round out my Top 10 picks for the oddest footraces on the planet. One event here features -- no joke -- paramilitary obstacles and electrically-charged whips. If you're into this type of gig, this story is your guide. . .

Book Review -- "Backcountry Skiing"
This 344-page textbook is a guide to all things backcountry and skiing. It covers topics from avalanche safety and navigation to gear, ski-mountaineering, fitness information and nutrition for the high peaks. . .

iPod and iPhone Trail Maps
I think this is a cool idea. Saw reference to it on GoBlog this morning. Podpro.ca now offers download-able trail maps for your iPod or iPhone, letting you click and scroll on the chairlift to pick your route of descent from a tiny backlit screen (instead of an unfolded map flapping in your face). . .

Gear Review -- J.L. Darling Rite in the Rain paper
Rite in the Rain paper has roots in water-resistant paper first developed for the Pacific Northwest logging industry in the 1920s. Today, you can write, draw and record in the great outdoors on these acrylic-coated pages with no real regard to the elements overhead and passing by. . .

Review: SPOT Satellite Messenger
The much-talked-about SPOT satellite messenger is a first for outdoors users: The GPS-based locator beacon blips text-message data and lat/long coordinates to emergency services, friends and family. What makes it so special is that it can be employed in emergency situations and for NON-emergencies alike. This is my review. . .

International Adventure Girl -- Bria Schurke
Bria Schurke, a 22-year-old woman from Ely, Minn., has led a life straight from the pages of National Geographic. As the first-born child of explorer Paul Schurke, Bria went to the North Pole in first grade and picked through mammoth bones on Russia's Wrangel Island while still in junior high. Oh, and she's now an ultra racer as well. This is my profile of Bria's life so far, dog sleds, Greenlandic pack ice, raw seal meat, and all. . .

Redwood Creek Cooking Contest
Calling all campfire cooks. Redwood Creek Wines is sponsoring a unique cooking contest with a $10,000 prize. Last year's winner, Leah Lyon of Oklahoma, pulled off victory with her "Coal Roasted Chuckbox Pozole Stuffed Onions," a recipe (pictured left) that includes poblano chiles, an avocado, cornbread stuffing mix, and four sweet onions. . .

Water Bottle Cartoon


Gear Review -- Timberland Rime Ridge
The Timberland Rime Ridge boot pulls characteristics from technical wintertime footwear as well as from the realm of the snow boot. At $190, they are not something most people will buy for tromping around the yard. But for snowshoeing, hiking and even easy mountaineering these pseudo Moon Boots offer an interesting option. . .

Norway Ski Trip -- Report #3
This final trip report about my Norwegian escape last week is photo-heavy, with Kvitfjellet and Smorbottentin, two magnificent mountains of the Romsdal Alps, grabbing most of the limelight. The skiers -- skinning up, summiting the mountains, and then (some) dropping knees to burn perfect tele turns -- don't hurt either. Makes me want to get back on that plane and do this trip all over again. . .

Norway Ski Trip -- Report #2
Last week while on a ski-touring trip to Norway's Romsdal Alps I sailed the long and narrow seas of a fjord. This is the second post in a three-part report on my trip, where we "sailed" (powered by a 250hp Volvo diesel) a ship called the Anne Margrethe to ports like Andalsnes and Eresfjord, hulking mountains towering above, icy water below sloshing by. . .

Norway Ski Trip -- Report #1
I'm back from Valhalla, jet-lagged and mind swimming (and legs aching) from a week of adventures in the high peaks of central Norway. This is my first trip report, a hash out on a mountain climb and ski tour my group did last Saturday in the Romsdal Alps, thousands of meters high over yonder fjords on a peak called Kirketaket. . .

Gear Review -- AT Ski Setup


Gear Junkie AWOL in Norway
Signing off from the Daily Dose blog -- and life in general -- for a few days here as I pack my bags and jump on a plane, skis in tow and headed to Norway. Specifically, I'll be ski-touring in the Romsdalfjorden region, where fjords snake as long slate passageways around mountain peaks with names like Ytstetinden, Skjervan and (my favorite) Trolltinden. . .

The Ski Journal
Just received issue No. 2 of The Ski Journal, the self-appointed "world’s highest quality ski publication." But indeed this glossy magazine is pretty, a bright catalogue of deep snow, mountainscapes at sunset, weird ski people, and cliff-hucking fools. . .

Dog Power -- Skijoring for Speed
Skijoring is a cousin sport to dog sledding in which Nordic skis, harnesses and a short length of bungee cord form a system that can power interspecies teams to speeds heretofore unseen on flat snow. This is my story on a skijoring trip last month, where my 90-pound Weimaraner rocketed 15 miles down the trail, yours truly in tow. . .

Kahtoola MICROSpikes
Getting a good grip on packed snow and ice is a perpetual challenge for hikers and trail runners who brave the winter months. Kahtoola Inc. offers a frozen-ground gripping solution with its new MICROSpikes, lightweight crampons made for speed. . .

Crazy Creek HexaLites
The new HexaLite camp chairs from Crazy Creek offer a campfire seating option for backpackers starting at less than 1 pound. By employing hexagonal-cored closed cell foam and polyester mesh, these foldable, rollable seats provide the clamshell comfort and back support the company is known for but in a more minimal package. . .

CamelBak Podium Bottle
Coming your way in March, next week that is, CamelBak will release the Podium Bottle, a squeezable bike bottle aiming to replace a technology that's been around since the 1950's. . .

Gear Review -- Arc'teryx Alpha LT Jacket
The Alpha LT by Arc'teryx is a pricey and top-end shell jacket made for mission-critical mountain situations where a thin sheen of nylon could literally separate a climber from life and death. At $499, the elements-eschewing piece employs GORE-TEX's fancy Pro Shell treatment, keeping it light and lean for fast alpine attempts. . .

'Sailing Across the Prairie'
Wind howls unfettered for hundreds of empty miles across the great plains of North Dakota, where this week three athletes are finishing up an attempt to traverse the entire state via the nonmotorized sport of snowkiting. This is my feature story on the group, "Sailing Across the Prairie". . .

The Gear Junkie Giveaway is back!
Want a half-year supply of Clif Bars? How about a new Thule bike mount? Or a $249 REI tent? The Gear Junkie Giveaway is back. Click here for details on how to sign up. . .

Gear Preview -- Novara Bikes 2008
The impressive spread that is Novara's 2008 bike lineup includes cyclocross rides, full-suspension mountain bikes for women and men, a foldable travel model, a "safari" bike for touring (pictured at left), and fender-equipped urban commuters ready to go. . .

Big Donation to B4BC


Gear Review -- Nau Go-More-Pile Jacket
The Go-More-Pile jacket from Nau Inc. rides an increasingly popular aesthetic of clean design and subtle detail that works to similar effect in an outdoors or an urban setting. . .

Kelty Adventure Sweepstake 2008, Destination: Iceland


Adventure Lights
Adventure Lights of Beaconsfield, Quebec, makes lights for all type of flashing, signaling, attention-getting needs, including lights and L.E.D. models for law enforcement, search-and-rescue, the military, and public safety. This is a quick look at three outdoors-oriented models I've been testing as of late. . .

New Kelty Packs A'Comin' This Spring
It's been 55 years since Dick Kelty first put a backpack on the market, welding aluminum tubes together in his garage while his wife, Nena, sewed and fit the fabric onto the frame. The result was an innovation for its time and place, and at $24 a pop Kelty's packs sold like proverbial hotcakes. . .

New York Times -- Ski The Fabled Banana Chute
My story today in New York Times covers a 5,000-foot ski descent I did with a group of locals last month in Ogden, Utah. The backcountry line -- which begins near the summit of Mt. Ogden -- courses downhill through the narrow Banana Chute, then into valleys and powder fields before scooting into a riverbed where you ski to the residential grid of a mid-size American town. . .

Enforcer Ice Glove (with magic gel!)
Many a foul face was generated in my ice climbing days from knuckle bashing against the hard white sheen of a frozen fall. Swing the ax the wrong way over a protrusion and -- BAM! -- you're in for some hurt. But Black Diamond, working with d3o lab, a U.K.-based chemical engineering company, has introduced a handwear innovation that might just alleviate this knuckle-crushing phenomenon altogether. . .

Snowkiting Crusade -- 2XtM 2008
And they're off! The 2XtM Expedition kicked off Monday of this week, three athletes snowkiting south from the Canadian border on a three-week-long journey in an attempt to traverse the entire state of North Dakota via the non-motorized sport of snowkiting. . .

Gear Review -- Wintertime Trail Runners (2008)
Deep snow and icy trails are upon me here in Minnesota, my home state and an ideal proving ground for footwear made to take on winter. This is my test of three winterized trail-running shoes, namely new models from Salomon, La Sportiva and Vasque. . .

Primal Quest, Seven Summits Edition
Just got off the phone with Don Mann, the CEO of Primal Quest. He's ramping up for Primal Quest Montana, the 5th edition of the world's toughest adventure race, to be held June 21 to July 2 this year. But my conversation with Mann was about next year's event, the 2009 race, where Mann's company plans to take the PQ international, potentially with a race that climbs one of the Seven Summits as part of its course. . .

BPA in the News
BPA is in the news again. That's short for bisphenol A, a controversial compound that mimics the hormone estrogen and is found in polycarbonate containers, notably in those ubiquitous cylindrical water bottles from Nalgene. But this time around the news, which was picked up yesterday by every major network, revolves around a study about baby bottles and the presence of this chemical, which some researchers say has been linked to obesity, diabetes and developmental problems in lab animals. . .

Gear Junkie Archive -- Major Update
QUESTION: What do products like Zinetic Pocket Slippers, Brave Soldier athletic lube, the Alpha LT Jacket from Arc’teryx, and Guyot's Squishy camp bowl have in common? ANSWER: They are all featured items among the nearly three-dozen new gear reviews added to the Gear Junkie Archive today. . .

Spyder's $2,000 Ski Suit
What do 2,000 clams get you from Spyder in the realm of high-end ski outerwear? How about a shell jacket with RECCO avalanche-transceiver reflectors? Included. GORE-tex Pro-Shell fabric with 3M Thinsulate insulation? You bet. Morse code printed on the jacket lining? Check. A whistle. . .

Gear Review -- Glacier Gloves
It's been 25 years since Glacier Glove of Reno, Nev., started selling its line of stretchy, spongy, hand-molding gloves that have the same water-tolerating qualities as a wetsuit. To be sure, the company founder incorporated neoprene into his handwear design, a first at its time, creating a glove that could get wet and still provide warmth and enough dexterity for swinging an ice ax or spinning a fishing reel. This is my test of one of the company's original standby models. . .

Arrowhead 135 Ultramarathon (2008)
As ultra races go, the Arrowhead 135 is an odd fish, more akin to an Alaskan sled dog epic than the Ironman. The race, which kicks off for its fourth running today, requires competitors to combine athletic strength with survivalism, sending cyclists, trekkers and skiers solo and unsupported on the race's namesake 135-mile course through the frozen North Woods of Minnesota. . .

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2008 (update No. 3)
In this final blog on gear from this year's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show in Salt Lake City I look at recycled backpacks, heated gloves, "sock-less" shoes made for the sport of triathlon, a wool sports bra (!), a Swiss Army Knife of a backpack, and a sleeping bag system that you can wear around the campground. . .

Trip Report -- Skiing Mt. Ogden's Banana Chute
Last weekend, after two days at the Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City, I snuck off into the mountains to try out some new ski gear on a big descent. Indeed, at more than 5,000 vertical feet, the Banana Chute off the west side of Mt. Ogden is among the largest sustained ski descents in the region. . .

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2008 (update No. 2)
I meant to lay down this blog on Friday after two days of snooping the halls of this year's Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show in Salt Lake City. But skiing, in the guise of big backcountry descents in the Wasatch Range, got in the way this weekend of me doing much of anything productive. So now, without further ado, here are a few more hot items from the show floor, backpacks, water booties, jackets, electrolyte-laced hot cocoa and all. . .

Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2008 (update No. 1)
Today begins the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show in Salt Lake City, where hundreds of companies announce thousands of new products for the $289 billion outdoor industry. The Gear Junkie crew is on the ground in Utah, walking the show floor in search of the best and most intriguing new equipment and apparel. Here's update No. 1, direct from the halls of the Salt Palace convention center to you. . .

World's 10 Most Dangerous Mountains
Take it or leave it, this morbid article on the climbing world's most dangerous mountains has a few interesting nuggets. Did you know that K2 is a misogynistic mountain with an apparent curse against women? Or that Mt. Washington in New Hampshire is more dangerous, stats-wise, than Denali? Weird stuff. . .

Scarpa Spirit 4 ski boots
And the final piece of my new alpine setup is. . . the Scarpa Spirit 4. These high-performance touring boots handle demanding downhill terrain with a rigid build, but they convert to a touring mode for skinning high faces or long ridgelines in search of perfect backcountry snow. . .

Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus bindings
Yesterday I drooled onscreen about the Black Diamond Kilowatt skis sitting here in my office ready to cut deep snow in Utah's Wasatch Mountains next week. But what about my bindings? For this trip I'll be testing the Fritschi Diamir Freeride Plus, which are essentially alpine bindings with a touring mode. They are solid in any type of terrain going down, but then with the flick of a switch you can enable a free-heel mode for climbing up-mountain with skins. . .

Black Diamond Kilowatt Ski
The deep snows of Utah beckon. Next week I head west to Salt Lake City for some business, and then a weekend of pleasure, skiing the fluffy white at Alta Ski Area in Little Cottonwood Canyon. My skis of choice? Oh, let me now drool. Black Diamond just shipped me a demo pair of its Kilowatt skis, which are stable and wide-bodied sticks perfect for. . .

OR Show Winter Market -- Last Year's Gear
In one week I head west to the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market, a trade fair in Salt Lake City for apparel and gear buyers + journalists like me. The problem with reporting this show for a web site is that most of the gear featured on the show floor is for next season, i.e., autumn of 2008 or later. Little of it is available for testing or purchasing for months out. But what about looking at last year's digs? The following story highlights 10 product picks that should be on the store shelves now. . .

From the Archives -- Winter Camping Gear
Few outdoor pursuits draw such strong reaction as winter camping. The idea of laying down in the snow, closing your eyes and going to sleep is a ridiculous concept for most of the population. But modern equipment for winter camping, including puffy sleeping bags, pads, shelters and bivy sacks, makes the task more bearable. From the Gear Junkie Archives, here's my review of several winter camping products to keep you warm sleeping outdoors any time of the year. . .

Cache Lake Dehydrated Camping Food
For winter camping, summer canoe trips, car camping, or leisurely backpacking trips, quality dehydrated food can add hugely to the experience. For this review, I looked at NPO Foods' Cache Lake brand, "Camp food so good you'll want to eat it at home!" Or so the company says. . .

'Rivering'
Of all my esoteric outdoors pursuits, skiing frozen rivers -- a sport called "rivering" in Minnesota -- might be my most unusual. It's a hybrid game that involves skis or snowshoes, ropes, climbing equipment, and some canyoneering savvy. The goal is to weasel your way upstream on frozen rivers, preferably through narrow canyons and up and over icefalls, where climbs up to 100 feet high might guard the upper reaches of a particular river in Ontario, Minnesota, or other places in the Lake Superior basin. . .

Eleven-Year-Old Summits Aconcagua
On December 30, Jordan Romero of California became the youngest person to stand atop Aconcagua, a 22,841-foot peak in Argentina that's the highest in all of the Americas. Jordan, along with his father and stepmother, endured a 9-hour push to the summit, at times trudging through three-foot-deep snow in temps as low as minus-30 Fahrenheit. Remember, this kid is 11. . .

Free Skiing This Weekend!
The annual Winter Trails day is being held this upcoming weekend, on Saturday, Jan. 12th. This is a program that offers free snowshoe and XC ski equipment for the day. It's happening all over the country at more than 100 locations. Visit the Winter Trails website (www.wintertrails.org) to find a participating resort near you. . .

The Ultimate Fight


Vibram FiveFingers Running Shoes
OK, clear your throat. Now let out a hearty laugh. Yes, these are gloves for your feet, and they look silly. Now listen: Vibram USA is onto something here. I have run close to 100 miles in a pair of FiveFingers, and darn if I'm not becoming a convert. . .

New Gear Junkie Newspaper -- Twin Falls Times-News


GearFlogger Blog
Came across the GearFlogger blog last week. Good stuff here. It's put up by two guys in Alaska, Denali veterans and all, who review "equipment for human-powered backcountry adventure." Just two AK wanderers waxing poetic about gear they love, and venting their "collective spleen about gear that failed in the moment of need. . . "

Winter Bike Commuting: 10 Tips to Ride Safe
Bike tires hum on snow, and they buzz on ice. But they rarely slip when you’re going straight. Gears click and shift the same in almost any weather. Just remember the lube. And the cold wind? With the right clothing it’s not an issue, according to regular wintertime riders. This article offers 10 tips to get you riding fast and safe on the winter road. . .

Primal Quest Adventure Race, the Sprint Series
The Primal Quest brand is synonymous with week-long, kill-me-now adventure races through some of the wildest terrain on the planet. (I know: I saw God several times while doing the race in Utah during July of 2006.) But what about applying the Primal Quest structure to shorter races, indeed "sprints" that last just three to five hours? In a conversation yesterday with Primal Quest CEO Don Mann, I was given some details on a developing new series of races that. . .

2XtM (To-Cross-The-Moon) 2008
Continuing the snowkiting story line, today's post -- the first of 2008! -- will tell the story of Sam Salwei and Jason Magness, two adventuring friends of mine from North Dakota who next month will set out on a three-week trip to traverse their home state self-supported and entirely powered by the wind blowing them over snow. . .

Kiteskiing, Demystified
I went kiteskiing last weekend for the first time. A blast. And easier than I expected. Indeed, after two hours of kite instruction, I was cruising across a frozen lake, dipping my nylon sail into gusts for power, edging hard with the skis to turn, and flying down- and up-wind with fairly simple manipulation of the lines. . .

Top 10 Gear List: 2007
After training for hundreds of hours and competing in a dozen ultra-endurance adventures around the country over the past 12 months, I picked 10 products that stood out, my annual "Top 10 Gear of the Year Awards." The gear — which includes running shoes, a backpack, snowshoes, skis, a bike, a training watch, and a sleeping bag system — represents the best of the best from the hundreds of products I reviewed last year. . .

Gear Review -- Brave Soldier LLC skin care products
Take some tea tree oil, add jojoba, mix in some lavender and neem leaf extract and you have the base formula for Brave Soldier skin care products, a line of natural ointments, salves, creams, gels, and lubricants developed a decade back by a dermatologist and his mountain biking buddy. . .

GoldSprints
Goldsprint racing is a rising offseason cycling activity that melds a stationary bike trainer with a video game. Riders pedal to move wheels on a computer-connected roller system, transferring power output to its virtual equivalent onscreen, where an animated biker ticks along. I tried this strange -- and physically taxing -- activity last month while on assignment for the local newspaper in Minneapolis . . .

The Gear Junkie's Top 10 Adventures of 2007
Yesterday was a teaser blog to my annual "Top 10 Adventures of the Year" article. But today I'm unveiling the whole list, starting in Utah's Wasatch Mountains where I skied 15,000 vertical feet of powder turns last January; heading south to a karst abyss called Cenote Dzitnup in Quintana Roo, Mexico; then going back to more traditional adventure pursuits, like dodging avalanches and 80mph winds on the flanks of a 14,162-foot stratovolcano in northern California. . .

Top 10 Adventures of 2007 (part I)
From caves in Quintana Roo, Mexico, to the Nevada desert, to a 14,000-foot volcano in California, 2007 proved to be a year of high adventure for the Gear Junkie. Avalanches, mountain climbs, whitewater, crocodiles and even errant gunfire were all part of the fun. Here's the first in a two-part blog, highlighting my adventures Nos. 6 through 10 for this year. . .

Forbes Interactive Ski Gadget Man
In a story last week for Forbes, I virtually equipped the "Ski Gadget Man," a hypothetical downhiller outfitted head to toe with the latest and greatest in this season's ski gear. The clickable graphic of the man is essentially a neat way to do a gear guide: Scroll over the helmet, goggles, gloves, poles, boots, etc., and a pop-up window details each of the nine choice products I picked. Altogether the assemblage comprises a near-$4,000 fantasy package for the aspiring alpinist. . .

K2 Climb on TV
On Sunday December 16th, at 2 p.m. EST, NBC will broadcast a one-hour television special about the 2007 Shared Summits K2 Expedition. On July 20th, 18 people, from eight countries, fought their way to the summit of K2. It was the most successful day in the history of the mountain, but it was not without tragedy. Two climbers lost their lives, reinforcing K2's reputation as the most dangerous mountain in the world. . .

Holiday Season Gear
Of all seasons, the holidays are the easiest time of year to drop cash on gear and goodies for the great outdoors. Here's a quick look at eight Gear-Junkie-approved items, all under $55, to consider for someone special on your list. . .

Andy Knapp -- Survivor
Can perseverance and fortitude forged from a lifetime in the outdoors boost your strength in other parts of life? For Andy Knapp, a 60-year-old retail buyer at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis, the answer is a big Yes. For the past five years Knapp -- a lifelong adventurer -- has fought kidney cancer, and he's tried to approach the sickness with the same type of strategy he'd apply to a tough mountain climb: Each painful therapy, each new experimental drug is a pitch to scale on a steep face. Kick one foot into the snow, rest, breathe, then step up and kick again. . .

Book Review -- "White Heat"
Novelist and Pulitzer-Prize nominee Wayne Johnson has written a book about skiing. "White Heat" debuted last week, and it covers the lifestyle that is skiing -- in all its forms. Johnson, a 51-year-old native of Minnesota and now a resident of Utah, is a writer as well as a mountain patroller at Park City Resort outside Salt Lake City. His 352-page tome includes. . .

Gracie's Gear Sports Bra
The inspiration for Gracie's Gear Inc.'s debut product came two years ago when founder Lauren Grace Updyke was training for her first marathon. She had tucked energy gel packs under the strap of her sports bra, an easy-access point, though not without some chafing consequences. And then it hit her: Why not incorporate a pouch on the front of the bra. . .

Top 20 Snowiest Ski Resorts
In the winter of 1998, while living in Washington state for a few months, I drove north from Seattle to Mount Baker for a weekend of skiing. Unbeknownst to me, the area was experiencing a freakishly deep winter, with snow piling house-high by early December. I skied with my brother, pushing through hip-deep drifts, jumping cliffs, and exploding downhill in big balls of white. It was to be Baker's deepest season ever, a jaw-dropping 1,140 inches of snowfall over the winter months. My story on ForbesTraveler.com today honors the snow gods of Baker and 19 other snowy resorts around the planet. . .

Polar RS800G3 System Review
The stratospherically priced RS800G3, a $499.95 sports watch system from Polar USA, is a product designed for a growing demographic of obsessive exercisers and fitness-gadget freaks with disposable cash. Remember that neighbor who bought a custom frame carbon-fiber bike for $9,000? This is his watch. . .

Gear Review -- Rick Steves Travel Gear
Rick Steves, a travel writer and television host, has spent one-third of his adult life living out of a suitcase in Europe. This review looks at three pieces of travel gear he's developed from that experience on the road, including a suitcase, a travel bag/backpack + a pickpocket-deriding billfold made to perturb the proverbial thief. . .

New York Times -- Cyclocross Story
In today's New York Times, I write about Cyclocross, a growing off-road discipline that might first appear to be an amalgam of BMX bike racing and road riding. The sport’s short, looped courses include obstacles, ramps, bumps, sand pits, sharp turns and lots of mud -- all navigated on a road-bike-like cycle that has drop-bar handles, skinny tires and no suspension. . .

Patagonia Synchilla Marsupial: An "Icon"?
Among the most jaunty and bourgeoisie of gear reviews I wrote this year was a short piece for Travel + Leisure magazine on Patagonia’s Synchilla Marsupial fleece top. It appeared in the publication's November edition. The blurb turned out fine. But it was the context that struck me, as it ran in the magazine's "Icon" section, a column that highlights -- as its name implies -- iconic products in the realm of Converse Chuck Taylors and the VW Bug. . .

Slope Style 2008
The new ski season is here -- and so is the new gear. For a story in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, I polled industry buyers, ski magazine editors and professional snow-sliders to create a list of innovative skiing and snowboarding products for the '07-'08 season. Here are my top picks. . .

Gear Review -- Chariot Cougar 2
Chariot Carriers Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, calls its exercise stroller products "Child Transport Systems," alluding to the fact that each one has the ability to move a kid around in multiple fitness-oriented manners. Indeed, by switching out components, you can hike, run, bike, ski and stroll with kid -- or kids -- in tow. A neat idea for sure. But it will cost you: The full Cougar 2 setup runs a cool $1,001. Here's the dirt from my test run of the Cougar 2 last month. . .

Gear Preview -- Atomic Hawx 110 Ski Boot
The superlative-heavy press release for Atomic's new Hawx boot line touts claims like "the most significant innovation to downhill boot technology in 25 years" and "The Next Revolution in Skiing is not a Ski." (It's a boot.) But what the Hawx does is significant: This boot promotes natural forefoot flexibility and movement by incorporating a shell that bends in unison with the metatarsal zone of the foot. . .

K2 HellBent skis
The fattest of the fat in this year's lineup from K2 is the HellBent, a deep-snow defying reverse-camber plank that touts fast planning on powder without requiring the "speed or effort" associated with traditional fat skis. . .

Jamie Pierre -- Huckmeister Extraordinaire
What does it take to leap a 255-foot cliff on skis? Ask Jamie Pierre, a Minnesota-born extreme skier who I profile in a story for today's Minneapolis Star Tribune. Pierre, now a 34-year-old Utah resident, made his leap into ski history in January 2006, when he skied off the abysmal backside of Fred's Mountain at Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming. He dropped for four long seconds in a roar of wind, granite wall racing by, before landing on his helmet-less head in an explosion of white.

Outdoors Clothing Coming of Age, part II
Yesterday I mused on function versus form in the apparel industry, where beauty in design often comes at the cost of versatility, performance or comfort. My argument -- that a niche of young, energetic outdoors-industry companies are the only ones getting clothing right -- might bump up weird with an editor at Glamour or Vogue. But I'm sticking to my guns, and here are a handful of additional apparel products I feel make my point:

Outdoors Clothing Coming of Age, part I
I have a weird theory that the outdoors industry is ahead of the game in the world of clothing and apparel. My logic is that there are companies in this industry that now make nice-looking -- trendy even -- duds that are also -- and this is the kicker -- FUNCTIONAL. Form and function. That old maxim. Yes, my Icebreaker zip turtleneck -- as an example -- looks nice and wicks; and keeps me warm; and has eco advantages; and doesn't need to be washed very often; and . . .

Volkl's Tigershark
Turn it on. Turn it off. The new Tigershark ski from Volkl has spring-loaded carbon rods that engage off and on at the flip of a switch. Volkl calls the Tigershark "the ultimate cruising ski with two speeds, " as you can change the feel and response of the ski to match mountain conditions at will. . .

Bridgedale Precision Fit Ski Socks


Kästle Skis Are Back!
I had a pair of neon green Kästle GS skis back in the day. Long ones, 210 or 215 cm, I think. Great, fast skis. Then, in the late '90s, Kästle shut shop. But the Austrian ski company is back, debuting four models for the '07/'08 season, including the top-end MX88, which I get into here. . .

The Odd Sway of Gyrotonic
Last week, I stepped outside of my fitness box to take two private sessions in Gyrotonic, an obscure yoga-influenced workout technique developed by a Hungarian dancer in the 1980s. Often compared to Pilates, the Gyrotonic methodology employs specialized and strange-looking exercise equipment to guide and position participants through a series of circular and spinning moves.

Marker Duke Ski Bindings
Marker is touting its Duke Binding as "the first significant ski binding breakthrough in years." A big claim for sure. But what the Duke does is cool: These hearty alpine bindings have a free-heel mode, letting skiers experiment with skins, adjustable poles, avalanche transceivers and all other gear associated with backcountry travel. . .

Outdoorzy.com
Outdoorzy.com is like MySpace or Facebook but for the outdoors crowd, with free member pages where you can post photos, write trip reports, read gear reviews, and -- most importantly -- connect with other "outdoorzy" types who share your interests. Bonus: Outdoorzy.com users now get several free member benefits just for signing on. . .

Fungus Hunt
Late last month I went hunting. We brought no guns, only knives. But my prey was not deer or grouse or elk. Mushrooms -- the fruit of fungus -- in the guise of oysters, puffballs, sulphur shelf, shaggy mane, and hen-of-the-woods were the objective on this outing, which I cover in a travel article for today's New York Times. . .

Fitness in the Blood
What on earth is a blood lactate threshold? I had no idea before last week, when I got on a treadmill to undergo a fitness test. But knowing your blood lactate threshold -- a point where lactic acid floods muscle cells too fast for the body to metabolize the excess -- can help trainers prescribe personalized fitness regimens that maximize your time outdoors (or indoors) running, biking, hiking, etc., in preparation for that next big event. . .

New 'Adventures' Page Posted!
Behold! We've re-launched the feature-story section of the site. The Gear Junkie Adventures page has a new look and feel + a handful of new stories. Topics range from our current top story on "adventure eating," to a primer on orienteering, to a piece on the sport of riverboarding in Utah. In total, there are 21 feature stories plus a dozen ancillary slideshows accessible by clicking on any image within the text. . .

Arc'teryx Alpha LT Jacket
Arc'teryx designs and manufactures outerwear that's pricey, high-performing, and highly modern. According to company press materials, its design team doesn't focus on incremental advancements, but on "radical improvements that heighten the user experience and affect the landscape of the outdoor industry." The Alpha LT Jacket, a $499 shell I put to the test this month, so far has held up to that criteria. . .

First-Time Cyclocross Race
I pedaled my maiden voyage into the sport of cyclocross this weekend at Grumpy's CX on Sunday in Blaine, Minn. The race, a 30-minute-long lap event, featured mud pits, barriers, and switchbacks on slick grassy side-hills. Each 2-kilometer lap was relentless, forcing riders to pedal, turn, brake, jump on and off the bike to negotiate barriers, and then pedal off again, with no downhills or long straightaways at all for a rest. . .

Q-and-A with The Gear Junkie
In this tell-all Q&A interview, Stephen Regenold (a.k.a. The Gear Junkie) talks with author Bill Katovsky about cycling 135 miles on snow, "existential realignment" via ultra-endurance athletics, and watching a friend rag-doll over talus on a particularly horrid ski biff in the backcountry north of Bozeman, Montana. . .

2007 Adventure Race National Championships
No, those aren't swamp monsters. I know this is Halloween. But those mud-wallowing figures to the left there are actually adventure racers, and they're headed this weekend to the United States Adventure Racing Association’s National Championships, which kicks off on Friday in Potosi, Missouri. Seventy-six teams will race for 30 hours in a multisport melee that will determine an overall U.S. Champ. . .

Good coffee in the Great Outdoors
Brewing up a good cup of coffee in the outdoors often requires a French press or a portable -- but always bulky -- camp-stove-compatible espresso maker. But Java Juice Inc., a Los Angeles brewer (www.javajuiceextract.com), distills the process to its utmost simplicity: Pour a packet of extract into a cup of hot or cold water, and drink. . .

REI's "Rx in a Box"
Procuring a pair of prescription sunglasses no longer needs to involve a trip to the eye doctor. With its new "Rx in a Box" program, REI has teamed with Smith Optics to give customers a two-step, $250 solution to getting their outdoors-oriented prescription eyewear in, well, the blink of an eye. . .

Vibram Bike Shoes
I wrote about Vibram's entry into bike saddles yesterday. Well, the company has also jumped into bike shoes, including clip-less and platform-pedal-compatible models from Gaerne, LAKE, Northwave, Shimano, and Timberland. Here's a sum up. . .

Rubber Meets the Road
Vibram is a brand synonymous with the deep-rutted rubber tread of hiking boots. But this month the company announced its entry into the world of bike seats. The Yutaak Genuine Gel and Yutaak Gel Flow, made by Selle Italia, feature patterned Vibram rubber for grip and comfort as you roll down the road. . .

King Lines, the movie
This movie -- "King Lines: Chris Sharma’s Search for the Planet’s Greatest Climbs" -- is a trippy, forearms-tingling feast for the eyes. (Yes, I did just say that.) But come on, this is the world's best climber (Sharma) hanging on and leaping to tiny holds while deep-water soling high and (as said) rope-less far above the Mediterranean Sea. . .

Bike for Life, the book
In his book, "Bike for Life: How to Ride to 100" (Avalon Press, $16.95), my SoCal buddy and fellow fitness/outdoors writer Roy Wallack lays out a premise that says cycling -- with its combination of fun, ease of use, travel, social interaction, joint-gentleness, and physical challenge -- is the ideal sport for longevity. Now I'm just a young chick at 30 years of age. But for me this book was still relevant and interesting, not to mention hilarious, informative and even juicy at times. . .

'O,' The Defeat
Can you say 'spanked'? Out of my league, maybe. This weekend I raced in the Big Blues Ramble orienteering meet outside Chicago, where a hundred or so top orienteers from around the country gathered to sprint like deer through the woods. But I felt far more the tortoise this weekend than the hare. . .

Orienteering Gear for A-Meet
Tonight I head south from Minneapolis on the long drive to Chicago, where the Big Blues Ramble orienteering meet is taking place in the woods west of town. This is a United States Orienteering Federation sanctioned A-Meet, with people coming in from around the country to hunt and sprint for flags. Here's the gear I plan to use to (hopefully) make a good showing. . .

Marathon Meltdown
Participation in marathon running continues to soar in the U.S., where last year about 410,000 people completed the 26.2-mile challenge. But is this populist tilt a good thing? Big marathons involve planning akin to a military operation, with thousands of workers moving small cities of 20,000 or more people through elaborate urban courses. Managing so many people at their physical and mental limits can be daunting, and, some argue, dangerous. . .

New Gear Review Columns Posted!
For those who don't know, The Gear Junkie began life -- and remains -- a nationally-syndicated newspaper column that runs once per week around the country, Seattle to Minneapolis to Greensboro, N.C. After the columns run in newsprint, we store them online in The Gear Junkie Archive. Today, we posted six new columns, including reviews of a jog stroller, a fixie bike, gaiter-socks from Inov-8, a daypack, Mylar bivy sacks, and a pair of center-mounted child bike seats. . .

BOB Ironman Sport Utility Stroller Review
If you're going to run with your child -- and I mean really run, with serious training sessions, multiple times per week -- then you want to put the cash down on a serious jogging stroller. You need it to track straight. It should roll almost effortlessly along with the slightest of nudging. And your kid should be cozy and safe inside.

Center-Mounted Child Bike Seats Review - iBert Safe-T-Seat, Kangaroo WeeRide
There are few things my two-year-old daughter loves more than a bike ride. So this summer I've been testing two child bike seats, the iBert Safe-T-Seat and the Kangaroo WeeRide from Kent International Inc., both of which mount above the top bar of the bike's frame.

Gregory Z22 Backpack Review
Designed for day-long excursions including mountain trekking, hiking, peak bagging, adventure racing, and the like, Gregory's Z22 manages up to 25 pounds of cargo in its 1,300 cubic inches of capacity.

Inov-8 Debrisoc Column
Walk a mile through any woods, run down a ragged trail, and the chance of collecting a twig or pebble in your shoe is fairly high. For backpackers and hikers, a tiny intrusion -- say a small stone wedged under your sock -- can easily sprout a hot spot or blister.

Adventure Medical Kits (Thermo-Lite 2 Bivvy; Heatsheets Bivvy)
A bivy sack is a sleeping-bag-like product, a large shell to slip inside and lie down, though without lofting insulation. They repel rain, wind and snow and are used in lieu of tents or tarps by mountaineers, minimalist backpackers, and other hard core adventure types who sacrifice comfort, and some protection, for weight savings.

Single-Speed Bike Trend
Single-speed bikes are the cycling trend from left field, the impossibly illogical populist fad that has in the past couple years put hundreds of thousands of people on bikes with just one steady, often slow, speed.

Blog Action Day
What would happen if 12,000 blogs published posts discussing the same issue, on the same day? That's the idea behind Blog Action Day (www.blogactionday.org), which has organized thousands of bloggers -- The Gear Junkie included -- to write about a single topic today, October 15. Thus, here is my Blog Action Day post on "The Environment" . . .

New York Times -- Trek To Tundra
In a story for today's New York Times, "A Pocket of Alpine Tundra Nestled Atop New England," I investigate the weird world of alpine tundra, where life adapts to cold stone and thin soil, and snow, ice, wind, water and sunlight mix in rare and intense proportions to mimic conditions not widely seen since the end of the last ice age. . .

Gear Test -- END-AR (part II)
This is the second part of my recap on last weekend's END-AR, a 12-hour adventure race in North Dakota. My team, Covert Loons, took first place, pushing hard for 75 miles and 10+ hours straight on the bikes, feet, and in a canoe. Here's a summary of some gear that worked, and some that did not. . .

Blind Hiker To Take On Appalachian Trail
Mike Hanson, a 42-year-old attorney from St. Louis Park, Minn., has plans to take a multi-month hiatus this coming spring to hike the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail. He'll go from Georgia to Maine, solo and unsupported, a journey Hanson anticipates will entail eight months of travel at about 10 miles of trekking per day. Oh, did I mention that Hanson is blind. . .

Gear Test -- END-AR (part I)
Last weekend I competed in the END-AR, a 12-hour adventure race in North Dakota. My team, Covert Loons, took first place, pushing hard for 75 miles and 10+ hours straight on the bikes, feet, and in a canoe. This blog is the first in a short series about the gear that worked (and some that did not) on our race to the finish line. . .

12-hour AR + 26.2 miles = :)
Well, I lived. My epic weekend -- a 12-hour adventure race on Saturday, then a marathon on Sunday -- went pretty much as planned. Both events went well. Except for almost getting shot. That's right, during the adventure race errant bullets whizzed by my head at one point, ricocheting off the ground then zinging by my partner and I as we pedaled through the desolation west of Grand Forks, N.D. . . .

12 hours + 26.2 miles = ?
I'm likely in over my head this weekend: At 1 p.m. this afternoon I'm heading to North Dakota to race in the state's first-ever adventure race, the 12-hour Extreme North Dakota Adventure Race. (It's an event being put together by my Great Plains yoga buddies, Jason Magnus and Sam Salwei of YogaSlackers.com fame.) Then, on Sunday morning, I'll toe the line at the Twin Cities Marathon to run 26.2 miles through my home town of Minneapolis. Ouch.

SteriPEN Adventurer Review
This review is about pills, underwear, an ultra-violet-light-emitting device, and most of all clean water. Indeed, if you don't wanna get Legionnaires’ Disease (or diarrhea, dysentery, hepatitis, smallpox or typhoid fever), then read on to see my take on the SteriPEN Adventurer, a portable purifying magic wand of sorts that destroys the DNA of microorganisms, making them unable to reproduce and cause illness in your tenderfoot belly. . .

Gear Junkie Fashion Week, part II
In this second, brief -- and final! -- installment of my "High style in the great outdoors" coverage, I look at a so-called "windshirt" jacket from Cloudveil, cargo shorts from Horney Toad, and a Nau item that looks transported from the set of Star Wars' Cloud City, with Lando Calrissian as the model. (Sorry for that geek reference there. . . .)

MSNBC -- Big Game Fishing
I rarely write about fishing. But Forbes approached me last month wanting a story on a niche within the fishing world -- so-called big game fishing -- and after a day of researching and interviewing I was, well, hooked. Take the tale of the 396-pound giant catfish, for example. When Larry Dahlberg hooked this beast -- found on the Courantyne River in Suriname -- it was so strong that it spun his boat, towing the crew and loaded craft several meters against the current. When he landed the beast the fight was far from over: Dahlberg's partner, attempting to steady the flailing creature, suffered a dislocated shoulder at the shake of the fish's head. Now that is a fish tale!

Gear Junkie Fashion Week, part I
High style in the great outdoors used to entail a flannel shirt and some stout leather boots. Now you're as likely to see The North Face on the back of an urban "explorer" flagging a cab in Manhattan as on the summit of K2. I take responsibility as a provocateur of this trend, wearing my Cloudveil and Arborwear and Icebreaker apparel not only in the outdoors, but now maybe just to dinner at the place around the corner. . .

Gear Giveaway is Back!
It was one year ago this month that we launched TheGearJunkie.com. To celebrate, we're starting up a new weekly gear giveaway contest where you can win the likes of a Jetboil PCS Camp Stove; a GoPro Digital HERO 3 camera; the Kelty Lightyear 15 Sleeping Bag; Gregory's Z22 backpack; Osprey's Talon 11 pack; and much more. . .

Happy 30th, CORDURA!
Ah, CORDURA. For outdoorsy folks, this is the fabric of our lives. A tough nylon hybrid used in everything from caving suits (see image at left) to backpacks and duffle bags. It's a commodity material used by hundreds of outdoors gear companies, and this month the fabric is celebrating its 30th birthday. So, I thought a little tribute to CORDURA might be in order, as well as a bit of deep-diggin' information on all you wanted to ever know about this mainstay miracle fabric. . .

Terrasoles "Après Anything" Footwear
I don't actually know what "après anything" means, but with its new Terrasoles line of shoes R.G. Barry Corp. "targets the void many people face when transitioning from active footwear into something that is more comfortable and casual, yet remains functional." Right. . . like when I get done climbing a mountain, remove my boots, and think "dang, if there wasn't just a shoe perfect for this pub and the muddy lot I need to negotiate on my way inside. . . ."

Clip-Shot Camera Holder
Lyndon Wilson, a machinist from Noxon, Mont., rang me up last week to introduce his Clip-Shot camera holder. The product is essentially a small clamp on a tiny stainless steel post, threaded to attach to a camera via its tripod mount. To use it, attach a camera, clamp the Clip-Shot to a treebranch, ski pole, ice ax, etc., then set the camera's self-timer, and never miss a shot again. . .

Preview -- TrailFlex Modular Pack System
There are three steps to building a custom TrailFlex Modular Pack System: 1) Pick a base harness; 2) Add backpack; 3) Select your components. This build-a-pack design lets you customize a backpack for your body type and your sport, from bird watching to adventure racing to geocaching. The company, RMK Accessories of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, offers more than 20 attachable accessories that snap on and off via little knobs. . .

Newton Running Shoe Review
Innovation in the realm of running shoes often comes in the form of new colors, added padding, or subtle -- sometimes gimmicky -- design tweaks that do little to increase performance on the run.

Zinetic Pocket Slippers
"Boots off. Happy on." That's Zinetic Inc.'s slogan for its line of unisex pocket slippers for the outdoors. Kind of (somehow) sexy sounding I thought at first. But the product is fairly straight laced, just a flappy hard rubber sole and a meshy top. They're made to wear in lieu of the heavy and clunky footwear often accompanying outdoors types to hostels, backcountry campsites, ski lodges, and yurts deep in the San Juans. . .

Beer Run
The Hash House Harriers are a drinking club with a running problem. That's according to a man known as Bob-Shiggy-Bob, who I met last month while on assignment to cover the strange international phenomenon of hashing, an athletic drinking game of sorts involving ad hoc urban courses, clues chalked on sidewalks, hidden coolers of beer, and grown men running wild while dressed in bunny suits.

Piezoelectric Pack
In a recently-published academic paper titled “Energy harvesting from a backpack instrumented with piezoelectric shoulder straps," mechanical engineers from Michigan Technological University and Arizona State demonstrate the potential of a backpack that makes its own energy via piezoelectric straps. Apparently, the rubbing of backpack straps on shoulders creates enough movement, heat and energy to create electric power that can be transferred to charge GPS devices, L.E.D. headlamps, a cell phone, or an iPod Nano while on the go. . .

The Stick
The Stick has been around for a while. I've seen guys hawking it at those trade-fair venues set up before marathons and tris for years. Now I finally got one. Been training for another marathon, and for the first time I have a hamstring issue. Thus, I ordered The Stick. The company touts it as an athletic panacea, making "muscles feel better, work harder, last longer and recover faster." In reality, it's more or less a therapeutic rolling pin for your legs. . .

Kenton Athletics -- Soap for the Outdoors Crowd
I don't usually review soap, but Kenton Athletics, a Providence, Rhode Island, company sent me a couple bottles of its 2-in-1 Body & Hair Wash, a blend that goes for $7.49 a bottle and is marketed toward two underserved (and maybe much in need) demographics: men and outdoorsy types. . .

Slacklining on the Rise
A story I wrote for yesterday's Minneapolis Star Tribune focuses on slacklining and its rising star with athletes beyond the climber mold. Indeed, Joe Kuster of Slackline Express LLC has now sold slackline kits to the U.S. gymnastics team, physical rehabilitation clinics and the New Orleans Saints football team. "It's been taking off," he said. Read on to see my full spread on the slackline phenomenon. . .

MSNBC -- "10 Best Climbs"
My story on "10 Best Rock Climbs in the U.S." got picked up today by MSNBC. For this story, originally written for ForbesTraveler.com, I interviewed 11 top climbers, including the likes of Lynn Hill, Jack Tackle, Will Gadd, Timmy O'Neill, and Michael Kennedy. These guys (and gals) are legends in their sport. The routes, which range from classic beginner climbs to experts-only epics, represent some of the best vertical lines this country has to offer. Tie in, rope up, and read on to see all the airy details. . .

New Reviews -- Highgear Alterra; Wenger Deep Diver
A timepiece with added outdoorsy features -- say an altimeter or a built-in compass -- is mandatory gear on most adventures. My latest column covers the Highgear Alterra and the Wenger Deep Diver, two adventure wristwatches. One is stocked with digital gauges like an altimeter, thermometer, and a built-in compass. The other watch, a stainless-steel analog ticker, is less business in the great outdoors, but more bling-bling. . .

The Adventure Wristwatch (Highgear, Wenger)
A timepiece with added outdoorsy features -- say an altimeter or a built-in compass -- is mandatory gear on most adventures. I swear by the Suunto t6, a standby performer that's clicking strong for me after a year-and-a-half of hard labor and outdoors abuse.

Digital HERO 3 column
The Digital HERO 3 from GoPro (www.goprocamera.com) was created to take the hassle out of capturing Kodak moments -- as well as video -- in times of high action. Essentially a large wristwatch-type device, the $139.99 camera straps on via a neoprene-and-Velcro bracelet, ready to flip up and shoot from the hip, er, wrist, at all times. This is my review.

Digital HERO 3 camera review
A camera is a requisite piece of equipment for me on any outdoor adventure. But my main shooter, a big Canon digital SLR, while good at soaking in scenes, is a huge pain to haul down the trail.

Newton Running Gravity Shoes Review
The long-awaited Gear Junkie column on Newton Running's Gravity Shoes debuts today in the Billings Gazette, one of my syndicate newspapers. The initial blog and review of the shoes on this site created more buzz than any other write-up this year. Now three months later -- and a couple hundred running miles down the road -- I'm ready to offer some opinions and conclusions on these $175 shoes. Do the promises live up to the hype? Not to mention the price tag? Read on to see my take. . .

Rogaine!
Rogaining, an Australian offshoot of orienteering invented in the 1970s, puts teams of two to four people on a choose-your-own-adventure course in wilderness dotted with flags. (No, this isn't about a baldness medication.) I wrote about a recent rogaine race I ran in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune. Details on my swamp-swimming, thorn-crashing, multi-hour backwoods brawl are here. . .

Inov-8 Race Pro 12 Pack
Inov-8's new Race Pro 12 is an "elite lightweight hydration pack" made for trail running, cycling, adventure racing, and other off-trail excursions where speed is goal No. 1. Indeed, this pack weighs less than a pound when empty (15.5 ounces), and includes a minimal feature set: There's about 12 liters of capacity in the main compartment; a large stretch mesh pocket on back; hip-belt pockets; reflective piping for nighttime visibility; and a nice harness system that hugs when you run. Oh, and did I mention the horizontal hydration bladder. . .

New York Times -- Natural Water Slides
It was late July when I joined Dave Hajdasz, a contributor to www.swimmingholes.info, to tour some natural water-slide sites around Vermont on a travel assignment for New York Times. (Tough gig, I know.) Natural water slides -- essentially whitewater chutes navigable on your rear end -- flank rivers and streams in places like Vermont, where tumbling water and time have worn smooth paths over stone.

Velodrome Track-Bike Racing
"My bike has no brakes and just one gear. But I'm pedaling with all I've got, tucked and spinning, breathing hard. Hands clenched on drop bars. Wheels humming. Thighs screaming. Knuckles literally white." Thus starts my story in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, where I investigate track-bike racing at the Velodrome, a 250-meter oval of weathered wood . . .

SPOT Satellite Messenger
I blogged on this last week in my OR Show wrap-up, but the PLB-like device deserves a bit more attention. Indeed, the SPOT Satellite Messenger is a new type of personal locator beacon, one that gives you options as to which kind of emergency (or non-emergency) communiqué you want to blip out from the wilderness to the world at large. . .

America's Baddest Rapids
My story on "America's Baddest Rapids," which got picked up by MSNBC, polls whitewater guides, pro boaters, and product designers to establish a list of the best whitewater rivers in the United States. Rivers ranged from the woodsy, 150-mile Kennebec in Maine, to the Mokelumne River in northern California, which flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range as a boulder-strewn creek suited for advanced and expert paddlers only. . .

Adventure Medical Kits S.O.L. Survival Pak
The S.O.L. survival kit goes with a silly pun and a stretch of an acronym -- "survive outdoors longer" -- but the tiny package is a nice upgrade from the company's previous ultra-light survival pack. Namely, the new S.O.L. Survival Pak comes in a roll-top waterproof bag + it includes a Heatsheets Survival blanket that doubles as a tarp in times of foul weather and wilderness distress. . .

GoLite Footwear Carbon Fyre trail runners
These to-be-released trail runners -- the Carbon Fyre from GoLite Footwear -- will be among the priciest ever made when they debut in March 2008. Indeed, at $160 the shoes go at twice the price of a good pair from Vasque or Inov-8. But GoLite always has some tricks up its sleeves, including. . .

Kahtoola MICROSpikes
Yes, these are crampons. Well, sort of. Pedestrian crampons. But with 10 spikes, each one 3/8-inch long, and made of stainless steel, the Kahtoola MICROSpikes could do real work paired with hiking boots or running shoes to provide traction on snow and ice. A "shoe harness" made of a stretchy rubber flexes as you step in, then cinches tight. And they're so packable and light that people (me, for example) will be tempted to try and employ them for easy mountaineering. My pair arrived in the mail yesterday, and I can say I am intrigued. . .

Aerobie's AeroPress
Unbeknownst to me, Aerobie, Inc. -- maker of those ring-shape discs that fly about a mile -- also dabbles in coffee. Indeed, the AeroPress is a new coffee/espresso maker portable enough to take backpacking, and its design is, well, kind of cool. I've been testing it out for the past several mornings, employing fine fresh grounds, some hot water, and the easy-to-use AeroPress plunger to pressure brew some good-tasting joe with very little effort. Clean up is quick and easy, too . . .

Wakesurfing in the New York Times
In last Friday's New York Times I wrote about wakesurfing, a behind-the-boat sport that employs five-foot (or shorter) surfboards and specially weighted boats that create wakes that mimic an ocean wave. Unlike its cousin sport of wakeboarding, wakesurfing avoids towropes once a rider is standing, relying instead on the hydrodynamics of an artificially created wave. . .

What does it take to run Badwater?
The bitter pill that is the sport of ultramarathon -- footraces of 50 miles or more -- is unusually hard to swallow in Death Valley National Park, where each July the Badwater Ultramarathon attracts 85 men and women to run 135 miles through the desert sands and to the mountains beyond. What does it take to run the Badwater? Ask Blake Benke, a 30-year-old athlete and ex-Marine from New York City who finished in eighth place during this year's event. This story is a profile of his race. . .

New York Times -- Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula
Last Friday the New York Times ran my story on Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, a remote finger of land that pokes 75 miles into Lake Superior. It's a wilderness of stunted stone mountains, mossy forests and sparse settlements born in a mining boom. I toured a copper mine and trekked into the piney hills, where the mossy/rocky/boreal theme kept me thinking a gnome just might skitter on by. . .

Outdoor Retailer Trade Show Wrap-Up
I'm back from the Outdoor Retailer trade show, dizzy and tired from four days on the go, four days of snooping through convention center hallways, testing new products on site, and getting quick, pull-back-the-curtain glimpses of what's to come in the outdoors industry in spring 2008 and beyond. Here's a peek at some highlights. . .

The OR Summer Market Scoop, part II
Crazy times this week in Salt Lake City. Product demos, P.R. meetings, and nonstop press engagements on the floor of the Salt Palace convention center, where the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market trade show is now launching into its third day. Here are a few more items that have caught my eye, live from the show floor. . .

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Scoop
My plane leaves tonight for the 2007 Outdoor Retailer show in Salt Lake City, where hundreds of companies announce products for 2008. This show is the Sundance Film Fest for outdoorsy types, with parties, press conferences, media appearances, and endless swag. What'll be hot and cool this season in Salt Lake? Here's what caught my eye so far. . .

Samsonite OutLab
In 2008, Samsonite, the "world’s leader in travel" will launch a new outdoor bags collection, including hard-shell packs, duffels, daypacks, and a slash-resistant piece called the Sloth made for rolling through dicey neighborhoods at night. . .

Sneak Peek -- Sugoi Helium Jacket
Helium is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, inert element, and it exists only as a noble gas except in extreme conditions. What that has to do with the new Helium jacket from Sugoi is hard to say. But this jacket -- which will block wind, breathe, and keep you warm enough when needed -- is nearly as light as air. Indeed, did I mention its weight? See this scale? 90 grams, or just 3 ounces!

KEEN Inc. -- The Trailhead Collection
Sandal-maker KEEN (o.k., the company makes lots of shoes now, too) has just announced an expansion into two new footwear categories, climbing and cycling. You'll have to wait a few months, but when these shoes debut the company promises some unique performance and comfort features, including. . .

Numa Tactical -- The Unbreakable Shades
Yes, these are sunglasses. Folded up into a knot. Done on purpose for demonstration sake. But they'll pop back into shape the moment they're untangled. Then insert the lenses, and go. Numa Tactical, “the toughest eyewear out there,” or so the company promoters now say. . .

Gear Review -- Adventure Medical Kits Bivy Sacks
Adventure Medical Kits' two new bivy sacks -- the Thermo-Lite 2 Bivvy and Heatsheets Emergency Bivvy -- are essentially improvements on the decades-old concept of the Space Blanket. Indeed, these ultralight mummy bags, which are made mainly for emergency use, can repel rain, wind and snow + offer some noticeable warmth on nights down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Or employ these bags -- like I do -- during fast-and-light adventures and you're talking significant weight savings. . .

Sailing on Lake Sakakawea
Yesterday in this blog I reminisced about a trip I took through hell one year back, the 110-mile mountain bike epic that is North Dakota's Maah Daah Hey Trail. But the days before this bike trip, at the start of the long weekend in North Dakota last July, I experienced a different type of adventure: Sailing on Lake Sakakawea. And this one was pure heaven. . .

The Maah Daah Hey Trail
It was about one year ago this week that I biked the Maah Daah Hey Trail, an epic 105-mile singletrack through the remote Badlands of western North Dakota that ranked among my most harrowing adventures during all of 2006. That's right, big adventure in North Dakota of all places. I pictured wheat fields and cows. Instead we got temps up to 112 degrees and endless, desolate track. . .

Foot Care for the Ultra Crowd
In endurance sports like adventure racing and ultra running, keeping your feet happy and healthy for hours or days on the go has always been difficult. Lord knows I've learned the hard way. This story outlines a few tried-and-true foot strategies I've employed for keeping things feeling good and functional down there in the land of blisters and chafe. . .

Center-Mounted Child Bike Seats
There are few things my two-year-old daughter loves more than a bike ride. So this summer I've been testing two child bike seats, the iBert Safe-T-Seat and the Kangaroo WeeRide from Kent International Inc., both of which mount above the top bar of the bike's frame, letting you pedal with your kid essentially cradled between your arms. Though these contraptions are not without their (major) flaws. . .

Guyot Designs' Splashguard
Sometimes the simplest solutions are among the best. Take Guyot Designs' Splashguard Universal, a $3.25 cap designed to fit all wide-mouth water bottles from Nalgene, GSI, and the like. As the name portends, the SplashGuard's purpose is to prevent that splashing, sloshing effect that comes when trying to drink while on the move.

Gear Preview -- Buck 731 X-Tract LED
Buck Knives' X-Tract multitool has been upgraded to include a small L.E.D. light, adding illumination to the list of tasks this small foldable doodad can accomplish. The X-Tract's original claim to fame was its one-handed operation, allowing users to flip open a pliers, the blade, or. . .

Gear Review -- Messenger Bags 2007
I've been testing three messenger-style bags as of late, including an outdoorsy model from Gregory; the techy Ruckus by Pacific Design; and a large and strange orange waterproof sack from Cascade Designs, part of the company's Urban line, which the press material says were created for "the performance-first bike messenger, or the young professional who isn’t quite the leather-briefcase type.” Indeed, I thought about lugging one along on a canoe trip. . .

24-hour Mountain Bike Races
I've started writing for New York Times' new sports magazine, PLAY, including a recent blurb on 24-hour mtb races. The following talks about 24 Hours of 9 Mile and 24 Hours of Killington, two upcoming pedal-'til-you-puke comps. . .

Gear Review -- Guyot Designs Squishy Bowl
Backpackers can fold, cram and stuff these silicon bowls in the bottom of their rucksack. They weigh almost nothing and pop back to retain their shape like magic. They cradle camp food on a smooth, food-grade silicone palette that cleans easy with some scrubbing in a stream, or with your tongue. . .

Gear Review -- Inov-8 Debrisoc
6 hours, 59 minutes, 55 seconds. That was Team Gear Junkie's time at Saturday's MNOC Adventure Race, a run/bike/paddle competition in east-central Minnesota, where some requisite gear hashing included a maiden test of Inov-8's new Debrisoc gaiter. . .

Art of the Lure: ICAST's Best
This week in Vegas, the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) hosts its 50th annual show. This is fishing's premier trade event, and with it comes the year's biggest announcements. The following items -- from lures to sonar screens -- were awarded Best in Show. . .

Gear Review -- Brooks T5 Racer
In an attempt to run as unencumbered as possible, I've been testing a pair of Brooks' T5 Racers, which are flyweight road runners nearly unnoticeable on the foot. They're essentially a soft meshy shell with an EVA midsole, though very little support. Indeed, at 5.9 ounces per shoe, these sprinters are literally half the weight of some comparable shoes I own, which can be good and bad. . .

Thule Echelon Bike Rack
Thule is calling its new Echelon bike rack "the ultimate in fork mounts," proving that superlatives can be applied to just about anything. But enough rib-poking, the Echelon is a nice new rack with notable upgrades, from an easier-turning adjustment knob to an improved clamping system. The company also guarantees compatibility with all disc-brake/suspension fork combinations. . .

Buzz Off in the News
Buzz Off Insect Shield LLC, makers of a bug-eschewing treatment applied to clothing from companies like Ex Officio, recently issued a press notice regarding the increased longevity of its formula. Essentially, Buzz Off Insect Shield is now guaranteed to last through 70 clothes washings before its effectiveness wears off. I'm a believer in this stuff, having tested Ex Officio's Buzz Off line two years back while tromping through a swamp in. . .

New Columns Up!
We loaded five new columns this morning to the Gear Junkie Archive, which now includes about 200 in-depth gear reviews from the past four years. All reviews were written by Stephen Regenold; they originally appeared in his nationally-syndicated newspaper column, The Gear Junkie. This week's batch has something for everyone, from shoes made for river walking to a camp stove, to a tent that just wouldn't die.

River Shoes (Keen and Mion)
The esoteric nature of water sports like canyoneering, rafting, riverboarding, and whitewater swimming calls for equally esoteric footwear. Indeed, to acquiesce with eddies and tumbling submerged stones and nasty currents, companies have designed shoes that guard toes, give grip underwater, and generally protect your feet once they're submerged.

Eagles Nest Outfitters Hammocks Review
Summertime is made for lounging outdoors, which is exactly what I did for much of last weekend. Specifically, I chilled in a hammock from Eagles Nest Outfitters Inc., a company from Asheville, N.C., that makes hammocks for backpackers, bike touring groups, canoeists, and the like.

Quick Sight LLC Tandem Spotter
The age-old technique of pointing to yonder distant object with an extended arm and outstretched finger -- "Right there, right there!" -- is an inane and inefficient means of directing someone's line of sight.

eVent fabrics overview
Gore-Tex may have the name. But the new kid in town is eVent, a waterproof/breathable laminate manufactured and marketed by the BHA Group Inc., a subsidiary of General Electric Company.

Field Test -- Mount Shasta Climb
In early May, on a trip to climb the 14,179-foot stratovolcano of Mount Shasta in northern California, I spent what has been my most harrowing night ever at altitude, with winds gusting to 80 miles per hour and an avalanche sliding a quarter mile from camp.

Adventure Eating - High Energy Foods
In outdoor sports like trail running, mountain biking, adventure racing, and climbing, getting the right mix -- and the right amount -- of carbs, fats, proteins and nutrients can be literally tough to swallow. But your body cannot function without food. You need to eat -- and eat a lot -- to excel at any intense outdoors activity. This is my article on how to do it.

Gear Review -- Gregory Z22 backpack
Designed for day-long excursions -- mountain trekking, peak bagging, adventure racing, and the like -- the Z22 can manage up to 25 pounds of cargo in its 1,300 cubic inches of capacity. But what makes the little pack unique is its new suspension system, which allows air to circulate behind the back panel, between the pack body and your back, thus keeping you cooler. Or so the theory goes. . .

Gear Preview -- HangTimer
I have yet to huck with this thing, but once I'm ready with skis or a mountain bike, the HangTimer from DropZone Corporation, with its built-in accelerometer, is set to measure my precise time in the air. It measures the time you are airborne, starting from the moment you leave the ground, and then saving a time the instant it senses you land, er, I mean crash.

Salomon Space Boot
The Aspen Boot from Salomon employs a material that's been used in space suits and is approved by NASA. Called Spaceloft, the fabric permits thinner boot uppers at the same level of thermal protection as a thicker pair. Kind of like a pair of Sorels, only svelte and lighter like oversize trail-running shoes. Salomon is calling its Aspen Boot the "first ever nanotechnology application to outdoor footwear."

Pop-Up for Adventure
From a new company, SylvanSport, based in Transylvania County, North Carolina, comes a new concept in the age-old category of the pop-up tent trailer: One designed for the adventure and outdoors crowd. “This is distinctly not a traditional RV or pop-up and will be marketed and distributed differently," said Thomas Dempsey, founder of SylvanSport. Indeed, the company is dubbing the to-be-released trailer a "backpack on wheels". . .

Sneak Peek -- Salomon Speedcross 2
Salomon has shipped me an early test pair of its latest trail runner, the Speedcross 2, which comes out in the fall and is built for cool weather and snow. It looks like an upgraded XA Pro, the company's flagship off-trail/adventure shoe. But the Speedcross 2 is tweaked with a new "knee-saving" cushioning system that I noticed within the first few feet of my test run last night. . .

Primal Quest Registration
If you're one of the elite, a wilderness athlete who can hack deserts and mountains and fast whitewater streams day upon day during a race, then this is your weekend. Registration for the Primal Quest, a 10-day adventure race to be held next June, opens on Sunday. Oh, you also need about $12,500 on hand. . .

Meet Dr. Feet
Diagnosing the likes of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, and shin splints, Dr. Paul Langer is a podiatrist as well as a running expert. As a runner, Langer has two dozen marathons, several triathlons and the Ironman under his belt. As a doc, he treats patients based on medical knowledge as well as his personal familiarity with the human body in motion. This is my profile.

Gear Review -- Highgear Alterra
Don't call this a wristwatch. It's an altimeter that you wear on your wrist. It has a built-in barometer, compass, thermometer, and other tools. It's got a watch function in there, too, making the Alterra a bonafide timepiece for high adventure. For this review I put the Highgear Alterra up against my favorite adventure wristwatch, the t6 from Suunto, which has similar functionality, but costs about $100 more. . .

Cloggens Shoe Review
No, these foam-based, clog-type, slip-on sandals aren't Crocs. Just very similar. Some would say rip-off-level similar. In business-speak, though, Cloggens LLC is simply a "fast-follower," which is a company that jumps into the slipstream of another enterprise with a similar -- and sometimes better -- iteration of the same idea. . .

Gear Review -- Trek Talonz
I like this idea. Pole baskets with an attitude! Indeed, I thought of something similar once about 10 years back. But it looks like DG Industries beat me to the punch. . .

BOB Ironman Sport Utility Stroller Review
At $349, the BOB Ironman Sport Utility Stroller is about as much as I can imagine ever spending on a child-pushing device. But this little chariot is nice to run along with, as it tracks straight and rolls effortlessly down the paved path. Little pushing is required once momentum takes over, just a steady hand on the grip bar. However, I do have a few gripes. . .

Buck/Mayo Kaala knife
Knife geeks call this new blade from Buck "light, fast, agile and elegant." Seriously, they do. Those adjectives are front and center on the press release. Light and fast, ok. But elegant? Anyway, this is a 1.9-ounce straight blade that can be worn around the neck commando style. It caught my eye for its simplicity of design, which looks perfect for. . .

Racing Across America
Forget about Lance and Landis. Let's not talk about the Tour. The world's toughest bicycle race -- the Race Across America (RAAM) -- kicked off June 10, and most solo riders are still going strong -- now a week and two days later. They've ridden nearly nonstop for sleepless days on end, and this year's solo winner has just come in. . .

Gear Review -- Rugged Laptop Carrying Case
Otter Products' Rugged Laptop Carrying Case is waterproof, crush-proof, pressure sensitive, and lockable. At $170, the case essentially converts a workaday laptop computer into a “ruggedized” model for use in the outdoors. As a svelte black briefcase, the Rugged Laptop Carrying Case can swing a James Bond aesthetic, too, making it passable in formal business settings.

Inov-8 F-Lite 250 Review
In a quest that's stretching now beyond the two-year mark to find the perfect trail-running shoe, I've discovered only one real thing: There is no perfect trail-running shoe. For every situation and every trail, for every person, for every foot, a different shoe will work better or worse. I'm happy now, finally, with that conclusion.

The Bedroll Protector Review
In the realm of mediocre product ideas, Blackstone Outdoor Gear's new Bedroll Protector wins a top prize. To be fair, this water-resistant sleeping bag cover isn't a bad idea. It's just not a really good one, either.

BigFoot Gear Bag
"It's a tarp! It's a ground cloth! It's the Ultimate Carry Anything Bag!" Thus screams the headline on www.bigfootbag.com, where PortaQuip LLC of Loveland, Colo., promotes its new gear-transport product, a giant cargo bag of sorts that appears akin to the world's largest bean burrito.

Otter Products Rugged Laptop Carrying Case
Otter Products LLC markets its Rugged Laptop Carrying Case as the ultimate computer tote, with a virtually indestructible polypropylene shell and a design that's waterproof, crush-proof, pressure sensitive, and lockable.

New York Times -- The Mount Shasta Story
My saga on ice tornadoes, the jet stream, an avalanche and, well, not quite making it to the top of a mountain is in today's New York Times. The story, "On Mt. Shasta, Winter’s Wrath Knows No Calendar," describes a climb I did last month, where weather played its ultimate trump card and nearly blew me and a climbing partner clean off the peak.

Gear Review - BigFoot Gear Bag
"It's a tarp! It's a ground cloth! It's the Ultimate Carry Anything Bag!" Thus screams the headline on www.bigfootbag.com, where PortaQuip LLC promotes its new gear-transport product, a giant cargo bag of sorts that appears akin to the WORLD'S LARGEST BEAN BURRITO. . .

Gear Review - The Bedroll Protector
In the realm of mediocre product ideas, Blackstone Outdoor Gear's new Bedroll Protector wins a top prize. Essentially a body bag, the Bedroll Protector is made of a thin plastic material that crinkles when you lie down. Campers slip a sleeping bag and pad inside, and the bag's bathtub-style floor does duty as a waterproof ground cloth. BONUS: It's also a suffocation hazard!

Rite in the Rain
According to the J.L.Darling Corporation, soggy and illegible paperwork has plagued outdoor writers for decades. As an outdoor writer myself, I concur. Regular paper often falls flat trying to perform outdoors and in the elements. But Rite in the Rain offers a solution. . .

Professional Bike Fitting
A professional bike fitter can adjust a bicycle to match a rider’s precise body dimensions to the degree of millimeter increments. And this procedure is not just for experts. Even once-in-a-while cyclists can gain from a better-fitting bike. The result is increased comfort, performance, and -- in some cases -- the elimination of sore backs, over-extended knees, and other common pedal-cranking maladies.

Biologic ZorinPump
It's a bike seat. It's a pump. It's the Biologic ZorinPump, a seat-post/bike-pump combo product from U.K.-based Dahon Incorporated. You stand while you pump and use the saddle as a handle. All tire-inflating innerworkings are concealed in the post. Kind of dorky. But, then again, kind of cool. . .

Probar Superfood Slam
There really is nothing like a brown-rice-syrup-acai-berry-shelled-hemp- seed-peanut-butter-rolled-rye-flax-seed- cashew-almond-evaporated-cane-liquified- alfalfa-wheat-grass-juice-rice-flour energy bar. Nothing. Nothing but the Probar Superfood Slam bar, that is. . .

Kona Paddy Wagon
Sweet and single -- single-speed, that is -- the Kona Paddy Wagon is an affordable track-bike-like option for urban riding or mid-distance commuting where hills play little into the route. I got one shipped out direct from Kona last month, and I'm now cranking it daily on urban errands and night-rides with friends. And darn if I'm not enjoying the ride. . .

Junior Gear Junkie


Wenger Deep Diver Watch
In the newly-announced category of SCUBA bling, Wenger has unveiled the oh-so-aptly named Deep Diver watch, which is safe to ocean plunges up to 1,000 meters down. Yep, that's 3,300 feet under the sea. Plus, it's handsome enough to pass muster at that coast-side 5-star dinner joint after the dive.

Survival Gear Feature Article - How To Survive
I've long kept a cache of lightweight emergency equipment in the bottom of my backpack, including a space blanket, matches, a compass, fire-starters, water purification, duct tape, and the like. For a new story -- "Survival Gear" -- I polled three survival experts, one a graduate of the United States Air Force Survival School. This is their take on what you should not leave behind when heading out into the woods.

Teva Mountain Games
I attended the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colo., last year, running in the 5K and doing the adventure race, which included 12,000-foot summits, endless uphill biking, and a wild river ride. A blast, actually. Unfortunately, there's no adventure race this year. I'm not there either, alas. But the Teva Mountain Games goes on, and here are the details. . .

Oat-O-Life Lunchtime Oatmeal
In the realm of oddball outdoors food, Command Foods' line of lunchtime oatmeals -- including Broccoli Cheese, Tangy Lemon Chick'n, and Vegetable -- takes some kind of cake. These "rolled baby oats"-based packages come ready to cook in one minute in the woods with a bit of hot water, and the taste is, well, unique. . .

Survival Gear: 10 Items To Survive


Primal Quest Adventure Race 2008
The news is out on Primal Quest 2008: it's going to take place. But the info on PQ's site is a bit vague, and as an intrepid journalist -- as well as a racer in the 2006 event -- I wanted more. Thus I went to the source, Mr. Don Mann, for this exclusive interview. . .

Wakesurfing
In the guess-what-I-did-last-night file, here's a kicker: I went surfing behind a speedboat. No, this isn't wakeboarding. Look close. This is surfing. On a wake. There's no rope connecting the surfer to the boat. The wake mimics the look and feel of an actual ocean wave, except here you can keep going forever. . .

Eagles Nest Outfitters' camping hammocks
Summertime is for lounging outdoors, which is exactly what I did for much of last weekend. Specifically, I chilled in a hammock from Eagles Nest Outfitters Inc., a company from Asheville, N.C., that makes some of the finest hammocks for backpackers, bike touring groups, canoeists, and the like.

Kampp Tales
I met JJ Reich last week. He's the "Senior Field Test Coordinator" at North American Hunter and North American Fisherman magazines, where he oversees dozens of in-depth product reviews each year. In other words, he's a Gear Junkie of utmost renown. Reich is an author, too, and his Kampp Tales series of children’s books address the topics of . . .

Vibram FiveFingers
OK, clear your throat. Now let out a hearty laugh. Yes, these are gloves for your feet, and they look silly. Now listen: Vibram is onto something here. I ran 7 miles last night in a pair of the FiveFingers Sprint, and darn if I'm not becoming a convert.

Dog Tag Sharpener
Klawhorn Industries' Redi-Edge Dog Tag P38 is a skimmed-down knife sharpener shaped like a -- you guessed it -- military dog tag. It weighs essentially nothing, yet sharpens fairly quickly with its "ceramitized" cutters that scrap knife blades to a (partially) fine new edge.

Quick Sight LLC
Made for birders, hunters, photographers, star gazers, and maybe rock climbers trying to point out holds high on a face, the IC-UC handheld spotting sight allows one person to direct a second person's line of sight to a particular pinpoint location. It works by positioning two sights, one on either end of the Plexiglas harmonica-shape device, over the same point in the distance. What you see through your hole, is what I'm seeing through mine. Simple.

Knife of the Year
At a trade fair in Nürnberg, Germany, called IWA & OutdoorClassics 2008, the Victorinox Rescue Tool has been awarded "Knife of the Year 2007." The IWA International Knife Award, as the designation is apparently also called, went to the Victorinox hand piece for its innovative design, which included. . .

Gear Review -- eVent fabrics
Gore-Tex may have the name. But the new kid in town is eVent fabrics. While, sort of new. Though the brand debuted more than five years back, eVent fabrics is still unknown to many outdoors consumers. But the formula -- which is used in everything from jackets to shoes to sleeping bag stuff sacks -- is reaching a critical mass.

AR in New York Times
In my story for New York Times today I wrote about this season's upcoming ARs, which include multiday races in Michigan, sprints in Wisconsin, and daylong (read: 24 hours straight) duals in the deepest Appalachia.

How To: Orienteering


Bike Helmets Do Save Lives!
This one's from The Goat, via the Capital Times newspaper in Madison, Wis., where 26-year-old Ryan Lipscomb has performed the ultimate gear test of GETTING HIS HEAD RUN OVER BY A TRUCK!

Newton Running
Made to mimic the feel and technique of running barefoot, Newton Running's new line of high-end shoes have lugs that extend from the base of the forefoot region on the sole. These rubber lugs -- made to strike the pavement and rebound you into the next stride -- promote a more efficient and natural running technique, according to the company. But for $175 a pair the question is: Are they worth it?

Gorilla Tape from Gorilla Glue Company
Duct tape has long been a personal panacea for me in the outdoors, patching torn Gore-Tex, padding blisters, and performing a litany of ad hoc operations on the trail. So last fall when a new adhesive product called Gorilla Tape came on my radar claiming superiority to duct tape, I was immediately game to put it to the test.

River Shoes
Keen and Mion have each sent me a pair of water/canyon/river shoes, respectively the Hood River II sandals and the Fast Canyon hybrid-frogfoot-sandal-thingy. Cool designs both, with sticky rubber on the sole, drainage, and protection for "amphibious athletes," as Mion calls river walkers, canyoneers, and other odd water-loving types like me.

Jetboil Review Redux
In my blog last week about a field test high on Mount Shasta, I revealed some gear performance inadequacies, including a mention of the Jetboil stove. Well, two Jetboil insiders jumped on my problem, simulating the conditions I faced on the mountain, and offering an explanation as to what went wrong.

Field Test -- Mount Shasta
If nothing else, my attempt to climb the 14,179-foot stratovolcano of Mount Shasta last weekend in northern California was a great opportunity to test gear. Here's my report on six key items that did -- and did not -- perform during the climb.

Mount Shasta Report
Can you say crap storm? I just got back from Mount Shasta, and I have a good story to tell. Winds reached 100mph on top, and an estimated 80mph where we camped. A large avalanche slid less than a quarter mile from our camp. Our tent survived, though other climbers' shelters did not: poles snapped, nylon ripped, some tents literally blew away, gear flying down the mountainside.

Company Profile -- Mandatory Gear
This is my profile of Mandatory Gear, a Minneapolis company that makes some of the lightest-weight backpacking and adventure racing gear available. Indeed, the company's Puppy Pile tent is touted as the lightest freestanding, four-person tent ever made, registering on the scale at a mere 1 pound 9 ounces.

Gone Climbin'
This week, on assignment for New York Times, I'm high up on California's Mount Shasta, a 14,179-foot stratovolcano that's the second-highest peak in the Cascade Range. My assignment is to climb and glissade off from the summit. I'll (obviously) be sneaking in a bit of gear testing on the side during this trip.

Perfect Trail Runner
In a quest that's stretching now beyond the two-year mark to find the perfect trail-running shoe, I've discovered only one real thing: There is no perfect trail-running shoe.

Gorilla Tape
Like duct tape, Gorilla Tape is marketed as a universal salve for quick fix-ups. In the outdoors this means repairing broken poles, patching punctured tarps, mending backpacks, and serving as surrogate first-aid in times of dire need. This is my review.

New York Times -- Urban Mountain Biking
In a story last Friday for New York Times, I covered the rising trend of urban mountain biking. In cities from Philadelphia to Santa Fe, mountain biking is gaining momentum as a viable urban activity. Extensive trail networks designated for the knobby-tire crowd now wind through parks like Theodore Wirth in Minneapolis and Powhite Park in Richmond, Va., or under freeway viaducts in places like Seattle.

Greatest Gear of 5 Years
And the winner is. . . the Buff! Yes, a strange choice for my favorite outdoors product from the past five years, but nothing else I've tested has stuck with me as much as the Original Buff, a hat of sorts, but oh so much more! Read on to see my review of the Buff + the complete list of 10 best-of-the-best gear items -- my Greatest Gear of 5 Years -- that have earned my trust on dozens of adventures around the globe.

Greatest Gear of 5 Years, part IV
Continuing the countdown of my top gear picks from the past five years, Granite Gear's Virga backpack and the Kona Jake the Snake cyclocross bike come in respectively at Nos. 4 and 3 on my list.

Greatest Gear of 5 Years, part III
Continuing the countdown of my top gear picks from the past five years, the Genesis Pharmaceutical Hydropel body lube and Rail Riders Weatherpants come in respectively at Nos. 6 and 5 on my list of 10 best-of-the-best gear items that have earned my stamp of approval -- and then some.

Greatest Gear of 5 Years, part II
Continuing the countdown of my top gear picks from the past five years, the Pacsafe TravelSafe 100 security pouch and Montrail's Susitna XCR super trail runners come in respectively at Nos. 8 and 7 on my list of 10 best of the best gear items that have earned my stamp of approval -- and then some.

Greatest Gear of 5 Years Part I
Counting down from 10, over the next couple days, I'm going to reveal my Top 10 Favorite Gear Picks from the past five years. Indeed, it was five years ago this month, in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that I penned the first Gear Junkie column. Here are picks Nos. 10 and 9, starting with some Zip-lock bags made for the outdoors set. . .

PhotoMap
New government-issue color aerial photographs taken between 2003 and 2006 have enabled MyTopo.com to create a new cartographic product, the TopoPhoto map. This hybrid feat blends traditional United States Geological Survey (USGS) style with the on-high vantage of a detailed aerial shot.

Letter from Quintana Roo -- Dirty Water
This is my report on the efforts of a dozen disconnected groups -- from area NGOs and independent academic researchers, to international organizations as large as UNESCO -- that are creating a critical mass to promote sustainable development on a macro scale in Mexico's eastern Yucatan, where a fragile ecosystem could suffer under the crush of the government's development plans.

Backcountry.com Cairn Fleece Jacket
Fleece jackets hover in a mushy middle ground between waterproof-and-breathable shells and sturdy workaday wool sweaters. They're warm enough for nice sunny winter days, but too airy when the wind really blows.

DIY Energy Bars
Matisse & Jacks is a small San Francisco company that makes boxed mixes for bake-at-home energy bars, competing against the likes of Clif and PowerBar in a market saturated with energy-food solutions. So why would anyone want to spend the time baking an energy bar?

Low-Top Hikers
Heavy hiking boots are a thing of the past for any informed outdoors wanderer. Indeed, the clunky boots of yore -- some weighing more than 3 pounds apiece -- have been cast aside by most every footwear company now in favor of lightweight shoes and low-top hikers.

The Extraterrestrial Highway
In a story last week for the New York Times, I wrote about a recent odd trip I took to Nevada to cover the Extraterrestrial Highway. This concept, launched 11 years ago this month, was an attempt by the Nevada Tourism Department to attract travelers to south-central Nevada, where old atom bomb test sites, secret Department of Defense airstrips, and sequestered tracts of military land create a marketable mystic.

Salomon S-Lab XA Pro 3
Can you say cream of the crop? The Salomon S-Lab XA Pro 3 shoes were developed for elite adventure racers, top trail runners, and mountain marathoners who might tick off a 40-mile backcountry session on any given Saturday.

Eds Wilderness Systems Ski Pulk
As long as humans have lived in winter environments they have been designing devices for dragging or pulling loads across the snow and ice. At least that's according to Ed Bouffard, a former instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School who runs Eds Wilderness Systems LLC out of his home in St. Cloud, Minn.

"K2," The Play
"K2" is a play by Patrick Meyers that opened earlier this month at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. Written nearly three decades ago, K2 has seen runs around the world, including Broadway. A 1992 motion picture of the same name is loosely based on Meyers' play. This is my review of the performance, focusing on the philosophical/existential dialogue as much as the high Himalayan drama.

True Eco Resorts
In a recent story for ForbesTraveler.com on ecologically-friendly lodges, I attempted to look beyond the promotional green-washing that's becoming common in the tourism trade. Instead, I spoke with lodge owners, activists, and people like Martha Honey, executive director of The International Ecotourism Society to formulate a Top 10 list of places doing it right for the planet.

Backcountry Cairn Fleece
Backcountry.com, an online retailer of outdoors equipment, launched an in-house line of technical outerwear earlier this year, including the Cairn Fleece Jacket, a $110 model I've been testing for two months. Made of Polartec Thermal Pro fleece, the Cairn has a unique look and feel, its exterior face a rough weave of lines and micro corrugation.

The Cyclist's Tight Spot
In 1997, a urologist and professor at Boston University School of Medicine named Irwin Goldstein declared: "There are only two kinds of male cyclists — those who are impotent and those who will be impotent." Thus begins a story in yesterday's LA Times by my writer friend and fellow gear junkie Bill Becher, who dove deep into the most current data available on the connection between cycling and sexual dysfunction.

GORE-TEX TransRockies Run
A new ultra/trail-running race, the GORE-TEX TransRockies Run, goes through the White River and San Isabel National Forests, through the town of Leadville, and finally on to a finish in Aspen. The cumulative course is 125 miles long, with mountainous trails that ascend for 25,000 feet over the length of the run. Look for me (maybe) at the start line this fall.

Wall of Wave
This image has apparently been all over the Internet/blogosphere, but, well. . . wow, worth putting here as well. This is Tahiti’s Teahupoo break, apparently one of the steepest (and most dangerous) waves on the planet. You fall, you die. That sort of thing.

Digital HERO 3
I met Nicholas Woodman of GoPro in Munich, Germany, two years back, when his innovative wrist-hugging camera was nominated for an ISPO Brand New award. At the time, the Digital HERO was the coolest sports-camera idea I'd seen in a long while. The theory was: Hook this camera to your wrist and go surfing, or B.A.S.E. jumping, or skiing, or whatever, and the little shooter is always there, ready to fire off and capture the moment. . .

Send It!
If you've already seen Dean Potter essentially solo El Cap, and are not too hopped up on builderers like me, you might get into this new film I saw the other night, called First Ascent, which covers, as the name implies, FA climbs around the globe, from deep-water solo feats in Thailand to frigid Himalayan granite. Here's my take on the new film, produced by Sender Films and Peter Mortimer.

Q-and-A with The Gear Junkie
Rail Riders recently interviewed The Gear Junkie, and here's the full Q&A, complete with ramblings on existential exhaustion, emotional breakdown and enlightenment. Questions in the interview range from discussions on outdoors sports to my opinion on ways to treat waterborne parasites. Oh, and there's a bit about gear in there somewhere as well.

The Mike Curiak Syndrome
Mike is back, and things did not go quite as planned, though he put up a courageous effort. As reported by Craig Medred in the Anchorage Daily News, Curiak ran into 30-below-zero weather combined with 70 mph winds.

&#36;800 Fishing Waders
Before today, I had no idea that $800 fishing waders were in the realm of the possible. But Simms Fishing Products of Bozeman, Mont., can get you just that...

Meet the Aquaskipper


Potato Guns and Projectile Shooters


El Cap Solo Video


Buildering


The Bicycle Commuter Act


Cold Consequences


Harvard Studies Adventure Racing


Ahnu Footwear


Utah's Epic Ride -- Skiing Six Resorts in One Day


New York Times -- Trail-running races


New York Times -- Michigan's Extreme Anomaly


Gear Review: Eds Wilderness Systems Ski Pulk


Primal Quest on hold


Mountains To Climb Before You Die


Winter Running


North America's Toughest Ski Runs


Subterranean Snooping on the Yucatán Peninsula


Atomic Snoop Daddy ski
In late January, high up in the sunny Wasatch Mountains above Salt Lake City, I put a pair of new skis to an ultimate alpine test of sorts called the Ski Utah Interconnect Adventure Tour.

Gear Review: Atomic Snoop Daddy ski


Backcountry Skiing, Michigan Style


Margarita flavor Clif Shot Bloks
Among all the oddball energy-food products I've tested in the past year -- from organic health goo to a bar developed by the U.S. military -- Clif Bar & Co.'s new margarita-flavor gummy chews struck me as most absurd.

Custom footbeds
Custom molded footbeds used to be available only through retailers like ski shops, where fitting your foot to an anatomically-unique insole was managed by professionals. Now two companies make products that let you mold a custom insole at home.

Self Reliance Defined (on a bike in Alaska)


Metal Water Bottles - Sigg &amp; Klean Kanteen
Translucent polycarbonate water bottles made by companies like Nalgene and GSI Outdoors used to be the only thing going for hydration in the outdoors. Now metal is moving in.

Ice Biking


Kahtoola FLIGHTsystem
Kahtoola Inc.'s new FLIGHTsystem -- an innovative overboot-snowshoe package that costs $334 -- was made for wintertime runners and outdoorsy types who need to go fast and light through the snow.

Lake Cycling Winter Biking Boots
Lake Cycling touts its new MXZ301 bike shoes as the "ultimate in cold weather cycling footwear." But these aren’t truly bike shoes. The MXZ301 model -- insulated leather high-tops with neoprene cuff closures -- are indeed full-on winter biking boots.

Winter Biking Tops
Riding a bike through cold, sleet and snow requires a litany of specialized equipment, not least the jacket and top you wear against the wind. Over the past two months, in temps ranging from 40 degrees down to near zero, I tested two new tops made to provide warmth, comfort, freedom of movement, and breathability while pedaling fast through cold weather.

What is a frontpack?
In a story last month for New York Times, I wrote about the trend of "frontpacks," which are packs with mesh pouches, zipper pockets, and compartments positioned up front on hip belts and over the chest. Companies like Salomon, Aarn Designs and syncpack claim moving weight forward on the body acts to counterbalance the heavy load on back.

Puffy Down Jackets
Before hip-hop stars started wearing them climbers, skiers and other hard cores depended on these quilted coats in the outdoors.

Stanley Outdoor 20oz. Food Jar
The drab-green torpedo that is the classic Stanley thermal bottle has been keeping coffee hot in the outdoors since 1913. Now, the company has decided to dabble in soup. Just in time for ice-fishing season -- or any winter-weather outdoors activity -- the company has a new product made to keep semisolids like soup, chili, pasta and stew warm and palatable for hours on end in the great outdoors.

Füritechnics - knife sharpener
I'm no knife junkie. But I know a sharp blade from a dull one. And I know how to work a blade on a whetstone, but like many neglectful knife owners I often don't do it.

Petzl E+LITE survival headlamp
Wilderness survival gear is often reduced to a Mylar blanket, matches, a compass and maybe a signal mirror. But what about a light source during times of distress and disorientation?

OR Show: Top 10 Product slideshow


Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2007 - Top 10 Product Picks


Ice Bike Racing


The Pilgrimage


Daily Dose: Aquapac International Limited


Daily Dose: Red OXX Carry-On baggage


Daily Dose: Mora Knives


SureFire Flashlights Review


Daily Dose: Adventure Medical Kits Survival Pak


Daily Dose: The Adventure Eating Diet


Daily Dose: Minimalist tents


Daily Dose: Bic Sport fold-in-half Yakka kayak


Daily Dose: Co-Motion Streaker &#38; Fixed-Gear Bikes


Daily Dose: Thule Load &#38; Go gear organizers


Daily Dose: Kid-carrier backpacks


Daily Dose: Gregory Mountain Products, Traction series


Daily Dose: Primal Quest Gear


Daily Dose: Adventure Bikes


Daily Dose: HOOAH! bars (and others)


Daily Dose: Buck's pseudo-switchblade


Daily Dose: Map extravaganza 2006


Daily Dose: Riverboarding


Kayaking in the land of the Maya


Beatific Biking on Vancouver's North Shore


Skiin' New Skool


The Gear Junkie's Top 10 Adventures of 2006


Daily Dose: C.A.M.P. lightweight climbing gear


Daily Dose: Holistic Fitness Gear


Daily Dose: Teva Shoes (not sandals!)


Daily Dose: Heart-rate Monitor Watches


Daily Dose: Inov-8 Mudclaw


ISPO BrandNew Award


New sport combines skiing and flying (!)


Adventure Bike season is a'comin'!


Schoeller's "c_change"


Daily Dose: REI Adventure Luggage


nuun hyrdation tablets review


Daily Dose: Original Energy Drinks


Daily Dose: Prescription Action Eyewear


Bike-Jor, or how to wear down your hyper dog


Daily Dose: WeatherNow console


Ultra Cycling's New World Order


Top 10 Gear Awards


Top 10 Gear List - 2006


The "aero-slippery" bike jersey, from Castelli


Back from the Mexico Adventure. . .


The Gear Junkie in Backpacker magazine


Dryland Dog Sports


Mexico Adventure; Sian Ka'an preserve


Ski Utah Launches "Greatest Ski Blog on Earth"


Gel-Bot


Frontpacks


Heart-rate Monitor Watches
On the crest of a hill, running full steam ahead under a pale summer sky, my heart rate ticked up to 180 beats per minute. Huge gulps of air. Burning thighs. A twinge of lightheadedness overtaking. My very being was redlining on a training run just three blocks from home.

C.A.M.P. lightweight climbing gear
The philosophy of going fast and light through the mountains has been universally embraced by climbers. In lieu of fixed ropes, heavy packs and pound-in anchors, climbers from California to Katmandu now stress speed and agility in the vertical world.

Holiday Gift Guide 2006
Built for skiers and snowboarders looking to access the backcountry, the Fall Line pack comes with a Nalgene hydration bladder that's insulated from freezing.

Competitive Backcountry Skiing in Colo.


PCT yo-yo man


Highgear to build New Balance Monitors


U.S. Cross-Country Ski Team picks top resorts


Prescription Action Eyewear
Eyewear is annoying in the outdoors. Foggy lenses, sweaty frames, mud splats on glass -- all are common complications of wearing glasses in the great outdoors. But companies like Smith Optics and Julbo Inc. -- sunglasses makers who dip a toe into the Rx pond -- now have products that make eyewear easier to get along with while cycling, climbing, skiing, backpacking and trail running.

Teva Shoes (not sandals!)
Since 1984, when a Grand Canyon river guide invented a unique sport-oriented sandal with over-the-foot nylon straps, the Teva brand has been synonymous with open-toe footwear of all kind. But the company, a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, dabbles in shoes as well.

Holistic Fitness Gear
Metaphysics rarely intertwines with physical fitness. But the mixing of magic, muscle and mind is encouraged by a tiny subgenre of companies in the outdoors and fitness worlds.

Original Energy Drinks/Java Juice, Yerba Mate
Two of the world's original energy drinks have been accompanying me on the adventure circuit as of late. Indeed, the proverbial quick picker-uppers of coffee and tea now reside next to the energy gels and electrolyte tablets that populate my pack.

nuun Hydration Tablets review
Pop a pill in your water bottle, let it dissolve for a few seconds, and drink. That's the simple concept behind nuun tablets, a unique new idea in the category of hydration and electrolyte-replacement products. Essentially a fast-dissolving pill, nuun tablets fizz and disappear like Alka-Seltzer when dropped in water, resulting in a mildly-flavored electrolyte drink to help athletes stay hydrated and cramp-free.

REI Wheeled Adventure Luggage
Rolling wheel-equipped luggage, once a leathery genre of the business class, hit the mainstream years ago as airline travelers realized its ease and efficiency. I was admittedly a late and skeptical adopter, lugging duffels and gear-stuffed backpacks through airports year after backbreaking year.

Gel-Bot water/gel bottle
Energy gel and water are the preferred fuels for untold millions of aerobic athletes. Gel provides quick calories. Water hydrates. The two work well together. The Gel-Bot, a new-age water bottle developed by ventureDESIGNworks of Menlo Park, Calif., integrates a gel-dispensing flask with a traditional plastic bike bottle. Essentially, the Gel-Bot has a multi-position valve that lets you suck water or gel from the same container.

Off-trail running/Inov-8 Mudclaw
For a moment, forget about Nike and New Balance. Take pavement and trail out of the picture. Imagine running on rocks, jumping stumps, stomping in mud, and bushwhacking at high speed.

WeatherNow console
Happy clouds and sunshine danced upon the big blue digital face of the WeatherNow console in my living room one fine morning. It was to be partly cloudy, with a mild breeze and a high temperature for the day of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Self-Contained/Solar-Powered Tent


Outdoor Industry Executives Pick Top Travel Destinations


Snowkite Across North Dakota to Promote Wind Energy


GoLite USARA Adventure Race National Championships


Hikin' the Ice Age Trail


World's Strongest Dad


Rogaine, it's not just for baldness anymore!


The Gear Junkie, TV star?


The Gear Junkie Live!


Too much gear?


Xstream Expedition Race Begins this week


Humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apua’a


Sailing the High Seas of. . . North Dakota!


ForbesTraveler.com -- 21st-Century Camping


Black Diamond Rechargeable Uber-Headlamp


New York Times


Trail runners 2004 -- Montrail, La Sportiva, Vasque
The amalgamation of hiking boot and athletic running shoe about a decade ago produced a new shoe category called trail runners. Today, that niche is splintering into even narrower divisions as athletes begin to use trail runners for more than just running down paths in the woods. I recently tested three unique new designs...

Highpointing -- Silva, Maptech, Mountaineers Books
Each of the 50 U.S. states has a high point of elevation, be it a towering mountain peak or a nondescript knoll in a cornfield. To a small group of climbers who call themselves highpointers, every one of these summits is geographically significant.

ACR Survival Gear
ACR Electronics, a 48-year-old company based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., likes to credit itself with saving more than 10,000 lives over the years. Indeed, its line of survival products has been used by soldiers, sailors, Apollo 13 astronauts and outdoor athletes since the days of the Eisenhower administration.

Portable Camp Tables
In the wilderness, a simple thing like a table can be luxurious. Just having a sturdy, flat surface to cook, eat and play cards on truly makes a campsite feel complete.

Metolius Safe Climbing Gear
Metolius recently debuted several rock-climbing products with safety features that exceed the industry standard. The company built redundancies into its harnesses, beefed up its ropes, added instructional markings to carabiners and tweaked several other product lines to make its gear as safe as possible.

RailRiders Eco-Mesh Shirt
Morocco's annual Marathon des Sables is a six-day, 150-mile solo race through the Sahara Desert. It's among the world's most extreme endurance events. Temperatures have reached 125 degrees some years, and it's an unsupported race so you have to carry all water and supplies in a backpack.

Watchful Eye Designs ALOKSAK bags
When a waterproof bag has been used by the U.S. government for Anthrax containment, you can probably trust it to keep your map dry on a canoe trip. Watchful Eye Designs' line of ALOKSAK bags were originally developed for hazardous waste storage. Only recently did athletes begin using them to keep gear dry in the woods.

Best Bike accessories - REI, Blackurn, Pedro's, Kryptonite
After pumping up the tires on my new mountain bike and tweaking the brakes, I set about adding the obligatory and essential accessories. In addition to a water-bottle holder and a rear flashing red light, I added a pack, a toolkit, a pump and a lock to make the bike ready for the road and the trail. Here are the details...

Kona bikes: Jake the Snake, Unit
Kona Bicycle Company designs and manufactures bikes made for such esoteric cycling categories as dirt jumping, urban cruising, single speed and cyclocross. The company's philosophy eschews all-around bike models, instead focusing on specific niche designs made to perfectly match a rider's given style or terrain.

Mandatory Gear - Adventure Racing gear
Mandatory Gear's slogan is "ounces equal minutes," meaning the lighter you are the faster you'll be on the trail. The company, which focuses on gear for adventure racing and ultra-light backpacking, has some of the lightest-weight products on the market.

Best Small or Specialty Backpacks - Indigo, Gregory, Mountainsmith
Indigo's Rox 18 is a pack made with climbers in mind. It has a unique bottom compartment the company calls a Café Pocket that lets you access food and water with one hand without removing the pack. The design is streamlined and unobtrusive; a plastic-sheet frame adds rigidity to comfortably let you carry loads up to 20 pounds.

Monoculars -- Bushnell, Minox
The monocular has a unique slide-focus switch to let you easily and precisely adjust focus while sighting a distant object. Its sharp, clear lens provides a wide field of view while also granting a minimum focus distance of 4.5 feet to accommodate people who want to view wildlife without causing a disturbance.

Cross Country ski gear - Fischer, Toko
It was to be my biggest ski year to date -- three weekend trips, a 51-kilometer race and tons of training. In preparation, I researched ski gear before the snow fell and picked up a new pair of sticks a week after Thanksgiving.

Kahtoola KTS crampons
Brian Cannon from Kahtoola Inc. touts his company's KTS crampons as being good for wintertime trail running or simply shoveling the snow off an icy sidewalk. Then, almost as an afterthought, he mentions the crampons have been used to climb Mt. Everest.

Welcome to THEGEARJUNKIE.com!


REI Winter Ridge Nordic Jacket
It's 10 AM on a Saturday morning in early December. My skis are on the snow, and it's time to get serious. The Birkebeiner, a 51-kilometer ski race held annually each February in northern Wisconsin, is looming on my calendar.

Snowshoe reviews - Atlas, Grivel, MSR
Snowshoe manufacturers like to call snowshoeing the fastest-growing winter sport in the United States. Personally, I've relied on snowshoes more and more in the past five years, especially for tough mountain approaches where skis would be too cumbersome.

World's Best Winter Mitts
When it's too cold for gloves, a good pair of mittens is crucial to enjoying any wintertime adventure.

Life-Link -- Guide Ultra-Light trek/ski pole
Moses had his staff. John Muir, I am sure, had a stout wooden walking stick. But I have what Life-Link calls the lightest and most dependable trekking poles on Earth.

Downhill Skateboarding - Freebord X-80
Freebord Manufacturing's singular goal is to simulate the feel of snowboarding on pavement. The company's three skateboard models, which have unique six-wheel setups and secure bindings, let riders carve and slide on asphalt while cruising downhill.

Child Bike Trailer - Bob Ibex
Long bike trips into the backcountry are often limited by the amount of food, water and gear you can haul in panniers or a backpack. The Ibex from Bob Trailers was made to nix that dilemma, letting you tow 15 to 70 pounds of tents, tarps, granola and Gatorade over off-road terrain.

Rocky Mounts Noose - Bike Rack
Vehicles like the Saturn Vue or Jeep Cherokee come with factory-mounted racks to tote gear. But adding a bike rack to these vehicles' crossbars often does not work unless you get mounting hardware specifically made for the car.

Wenonah canoe review
Wenonah's Spirit II, a sleek all-purpose canoe made for multi-day trips, is available in several configurations. The Kevlar version weighs a miniscule 42 pounds and costs $2,099; the base model, a 68-pound boat made of a plastic material called Royalex, costs just $1,199. They are the exact same canoe, just made with different materials.

Marin Rocky Ridge mountain bike
These bikers, which Marin Bikes says are generally in the 15- to 21-year-old age group, have brought BMX-type tricks and aggressiveness to the sport of mountain biking. Jumping dirt cliffs, riding down stairs and airing off industrial loading docks are all in a day's ride.

Sherpak Elite - Car-top carrier
The trunk space in my mid-size sedan rarely accommodates my weekend adventure gear requirements. To add some capacity, the Sherpak Elite from Seattle Sports Company attaches to the car's rack and provides up to 15-cubic-feet of space in a water-tight container.

Garmin Geko 301 GPS device
The Geko line of GPS devices has gained popularity for their small size, ease of use and relatively feature-rich capabilities. The Geko 301 -- the top-end model in a line of three -- measures a scant 1.9 x 3.9 x .96 inches and weighs 3.4 ounces, including its two AAA batteries. Basic features include, a digital compass, an altimeter all standard GPS navigational tools and several built-in GPS games.

Gerber LED lights
Gerber, a renowned knife manufacturer, has stepped into the camp-accessories market with the introduction of two unique lighting products. Based on L.E.D. lighting technology, the Inferno Flexi-Light and Hornet Flashlantern provide campers with a convenient light source that can each last up to 40 hours on three AAA batteries.

Shimano M120 bike shoe review
Riding a bike without your feet clipped to the pedals can be compared to skiing without poles. Both sports work either way, but like ski poles, clipped-in bike shoes provide a higher level of performance and efficiency.

Personal Oxygen System -- BetterThanAir
BetterThanAir, an Evergreen, Colo.-based company that makes a line of oxygen-consumption products including the oxygen bars popular in airports and nightclubs, has entered the outdoor market with its PO24U Personal Oxygen System. Basically a portable oxygen tank, the product was designed to be stashed in a backpack by athletes for a quick hit of oxygen when the need arises.

Performance Wool, Synthetic T-shirts - Duofold, Ex Officio, Prana
The old standby cotton T-shirt doesn't have much of a place in the outdoors. Even beyond the "cotton kills" adage, the average cotton shirt is clammy, heavy and generally not terribly comfortable for athletes.

Princeton Tec Corona headlamp
Princeton Tec calls its new Corona the brightest and most efficient headlamp on the market. That's a claim so lofty that after reading it once I felt obligated to give the headlamp a full test.

MyTopo.com
MyTopo.com is Web site made for people like me. Run by Montana-based AOHunt LLC, MyTopo.com offers an immense, searchable online database of United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps and satellite photos.

Trail Blazer Camp Saws
The saw, made of anodized aluminum and stainless steel, has a 14-inch blade that is adjusted taut with the twist of a wing nut. When ready, the saw's design lets you lean down with one hand on the end and push and pull your way through solid pine or oak with little trouble.

Business shoe hybrids -- Timberland, Birkenstock, Merrell
Timberland is a company that realizes business trips are not all work. At the very least, most business travelers have free time at night to explore town. Some -- like me -- even sneak off on quick day trips to check out nearby canyons or mountain trails when the chance arises.

Riverboarding Video


World's Best Wool Socks
The Thorlo sock pulls up to the knee and fits well all over.

Montrail Bivouac Booties -- "Technical Slippers"
It was early January and I'd been lured into a three-day winter camping trip in Ontario's Quetico Provincial Park. This was no walk in the woods, as they say. Temps were below zero and we had 22 kilometers of backcountry terrain to ski before setting up camp.

Outdoor Industry Trends


World's Best Winter Hat
Three months ago I set out to find the world's best winter hat for skiers, snowshoers, climbers and general outdoor enthusiasts. I collected and reviewed a dozen new and classic designs, testing the hats on outings from Chicago to northern Ontario and in temps as low as 25 below zero.

Free Spirit Outfitter -- Deluxe Skijor Package
Scandinavians long have combined skis and dogs for efficient wintertime travel. Skijoring, which translates literally to "ski-driving" in Norwegian, borrows techniques and equipment from dog sledding and Nordic skiing to create a unique sport that is currently seeing a renaissance in the United States.

Outdoors Luggage -- Eagle Creek, Patagonia, Victorinox
My requisite adventure gear -- mountain boots, trekking poles, ice axes, snowshoes, crampons, climbing rope, tent, stove and all else -- demand capacious luggage that can take a beating on the road.

Multi tool review - Buck, Leatherman, Victorinox
There are fabled stories and epic survival tales built completely on the transpiration of a multi-tool in a time of dire need. Whether it's the climber high on a mountain who repaired his stove just before freezing or skiers who needed to jigger a binding back to life 14 miles from the car, the multi-tool has saved a legion of outdoor athletes from great misery or much worse.

Mares diving equipment -- snorkeling, SCUBA
To the outside observer, the foundational equipment from any sport -- be it a bike tire, a canoe paddle or a snorkeling mask -- appear unchanged from year to year. But anyone close to the sport sees the new designs, the incremental gains and every subtle product improvement manufacturers make.

Zip It Gear -- Socks with zippers!
First, there was the decoy wallet. Then, the money belt came along. Now, Zip It Gear claims to have a better way to keep your cash, keys and credit cards safe while traveling abroad.

Best Outdoor Hats -- OR Gear, EMS, Dr. Shade
Sun, rain or snow, I'm rarely outdoors without a hat of some sort on my head. I recently put a batch of hats to the test on adventures as far afield as the Utah desert and the rainy Pacific Coast near Tofino, British Colombia. Here are my quick reviews and recommendations.

Oakley Prescription Glasses
Despite a dependency on corrective lenses, I'd never considered sports-oriented prescription glasses to be germane for the active genre of outdoor sports I favor. When people mentioned "performance" eyewear, the one thing that came to mind were the thick-framed plastic goggles seemingly favored by high-school wrestling teams.

Indigo SlipNot ski poles
In steep backcountry terrain, ski poles must be absolutely solid and failsafe. A hop-turn above a cliff band, for example, is a tenuous move that depends almost as much on a stable pole plant as it does a good ski edge in the snow.

Hydropel sports ointment
My feet may never forgive me for the past two years. Three marathons, ten adventure races, a triathlon, several mountain climbs and hundreds of hours of training have left my dogs beat up, ragged and just plain ugly.

Bushnell NightHawk Review - See-in-the-dark device
Night-vision devices, popularized in suspense movies like The Silence of the Lambs and grainy war footage on CNN, were until recently expensive and not optimized for general use in the outdoors.

National Geographic Road Atlas
The National Geographic Road Atlas: Adventure Edition takes everything Rand McNally does right and adds even more pertinent information for fellow vagabonds and weekend warriors.

Volkl Supersport Superspeed &amp; Tecnica Diablo Fire Reviews
This year, in preparation for an early-season ski trip, I decided to step into 2005 with some new, high-end alpine skis and boots. Both the Volkl Supersport Superspeed ski and Tecnica Diablo Fire boot came with high recommendations from my more in-the-know skiing friends. Both also have price tags that forced some high expectations on my end.

Riverboarding
Just off Interstate Highway 70 in eastern Utah, in the steep topography north of its namesake town, the snaking Green River cuts a deep gorge through a backdrop of desert monoliths and thousand-foot cliffs. My view of this gorge last month on a visit to the area was from a riverboard, soaking wet and half submerged at face level with the whitewater.

Ibex wool clothing - Best Wool Base Layers
In a world of Lycra, nylon, Spandex and polypropylene, a fabric as age-old as wool can seem obsolete. But sheep fuzz is making a comeback in outdoor circles as its natural characteristics are seeing new appreciation from outerwear designers.

Minimalist tents -- Nemo, Mandatory Gear, Big Sky Intl.
Newtonian physics and fussy things like the inherent mass of matter may one day stymie the progress of lightweight tent design. But until then, a handful of companies will pursue the Holy Grail of creating a shelter so feathery and ephemeral as to be perfectly unnoticeable in a backpack.

The Adventure Eating Diet
Over the years, traipsing around the globe, a pack on my back and a map in my hand, I've honed the art of something I like to call adventure eating. In the woods, in the mountains, or even on a train from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the Bavarian Alps, this style of eating -- which involves quick and convenient calorie consumption, no cooking required -- has saved me time and money, and it has alleviated the headache of constant food preparation at times when I could be doing something much more fun.

Squeaky Cheeks body lube powder
The unmentionable and embarrassing bodily effects of repetitious exercise -- chafed thighs, armpit rash, butt burn -- traditionally have been managed with greasy lubricants. Petroleum-based salves or sport-specific rub-on products help eliminate the painful skin-against-skin chafing and chapping common in running, cycling, hiking and other outdoor sports.

Best Wool Base Layers - Icebreaker, Ibex, DuoFold &amp; Louis Garneau
I give myself the right to be particularly picky about products as close and intimate as base layer clothing. Long johns, skivvies, union suits, long underwear -- whatever you want to call them -- must be well-fitting and comfortable. For outdoor athletes, they must also strike a perfect balance of breathability and insulation.

Ski Goggle Review - Julbo Excel &amp; Zeal Detonator
Many a ski day was ruined during my younger years while wearing the wrong eyewear on the slopes. A procession of cheap sunglasses and second-hand goggles left me with foggy vision and wind-battered, teary eyes whenever the weather turned foul.

Best and Worst Sports headphones
While the popularity boom of digital-audio devices like the Apple iPod has allowed people to easily take music with them for training sessions and outdoor adventures, earbud-type earphones are usually less than optimal for athletes. In addition to mediocre sound quality, standard earbuds may fall out during rigorous activity or in cold weather.

The Inka pen
In a former life, Greg Adelman designed optical instrumentation for Scripps Institution of Oceanography and worked on engineering projects for the U.S. military and NATO.

Brunton GreenHeat flammable canisters
Brunton has taken the decades-old concept of canned heat and added a couple crucial modern twists. The company's new line of GreenHeat fuel canisters, which are being marketed to backpackers, climbers and anyone else who needs to pack as light as possible, are filled with a special concoction of gelled and highly-flammable vegetable oil.

Yakima PowderHound SE ski rack
Most companies would celebrate a 25th anniversary with some cake and a few bottles of champagne. Yakima chose to commemorate its 25th year in the vehicle-rack business with a special-edition ski rack.

Backpacking, Adventure Racing &amp; Orienteering Map Tools - UTM, Silva Distance Gauge
As I prepare for a long season of backpacking, orienteering, adventure racing and general outdoors exploration, maps are on my mind. They're also sprawled out on my dining room table, marked up, highlighted, drooled on and sitting ready for action. Here are four new products I've been using with the maps at home and in the field.

Surly Singulator - Single-Speed Bike Conversion
There comes a time in the lifecycle of a bike when the cost to replace certain components becomes unjustifiable. New derailleurs, chainrings, cranks, bottom brackets, cassette gears and other parts can quickly add up to several hundred dollars in expenses.

Water and Hydration Bottle Health -- polycarbonate polemics
The ubiquitous polycarbonate water bottle is the canteen of the 21rst century. But these colorful plastic vessels, made by companies like Nalgene and GSI Outdoors, have been embroiled in a controversy for the past two years, ever since a researcher at Case Western Reserve University said they may pose health risks.

Nordic Walking
Perhaps you've seen them walking through the park, striding earnestly, poles pumping at their sides, skiers without any snow. Perhaps you've snickered or offered a smart whispered aside. I have, too.

REI Flash Review -- Ultra-Light Backpack
This minimalist day pack, which weighs 10 ounces and costs only $25, is made of lightweight and water resistant silicone-infused nylon. It has no frame, an un-padded mesh harness, and only one large compartment with a hydration sleeve and small mesh pockets inside. There isn't a zipper or tab of Velcro on the product, and it's actually more of a sack than a pack.

Mountainsmith Road Trippin’ Series
Mountainsmith is a company founded on the thought that frustration may be just as much a mother to invention as necessity ever was. In the late 1970s, Patrick Smith founded the Golden, Colo., company after repeated disappointment with the backpack designs of the day.

Performance apparel -- CW-X, Under Armour
Clothing of the future will do much more for athletes than simply protect from the elements and regulate body temperature. Precise fit, ergonomic alignment, muscle support and other anatomical advantages will be default features in new breeds of performance-enhancing apparel.

The Gear Junkie Ubercycle - Single Speed Bike Conversion
It was to be an art project, a labor of love, an aesthetic expression on two wheels. Exorbitant expenses and common sense be darned. This was to be a svelte, solid, ultra-light, from-the-ground-up, custom-made Gear Junkie ubercycle.

Adventure Clothing - Rail Riders, Mountain Hardware, Arborwear, Mountain Khakis
Most of my outdoors cohorts wear athletics tights for sports like mountain biking, backpacking and adventure racing. Though you'll catch me in tights on occasion, I'm more comfortable -- physically and narcissistically -- in looser-fitting pants.

Schoeller NanoSphere magic fabric
The stretchy, nylon-based fabric used in the making of the Cloudveil Switchback jacket is designed to mimic the smooth shell of a beetle. It also takes cues from cabbage leaves and insect wings, and it is coated with millions upon millions of infinitesimal grains of silicon.

Defeet custom socks
In the early '90s, Shane Cooper brought together the unlikely bedfellows of bike racing and sock knitting to create Defeet International. Cooper, who was a semi-pro cyclist at the time, grew up fascinated with his father’s knitting machine parts distributor business, and he decided to try a hand at making a better bike sock.

Canon EOS 20D digital camera
Whether it’s the requisite summit shot on top of a mountain or a picture of an amazing sunrise over the ocean, photography has become a default part of any big adventure for me. When going fast and light, I carry a small Pentax Optio digital camera with 3-megapixel resolution. It fits in a pouch no larger than a cigarette pack and does a fine job for photo album snapshots.

National Geographic Maps, TOPO! State Series
National Geographic Maps employs 60 full-time cartographers to produce publication supplements, atlases, globes, recreational maps and maps used for the society's video and television productions. This division also produces TOPO! State Series software, a collection of digitized United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps packaged by state or region.

Bike Helmet Reviews - Bell Sweep XC, Uvex Supersonic RS, Louis Garneau Aki
I ride roads and trails, pavement and dirt, mud and snow, and one good bike helmet is enough for me. So, this spring when it came time to replace my long-used and abused Trek helmet, I decided to test out models from three companies in a search of a new chief noggin bonnet.

Pacsafe Daysafe security backpack
Talk to any group of well-traveled people and the stories of surreptitiously lifted purses, picked pockets and swiped backpacks will eventually start to propagate the conversation. Passports, cash, credit cards, plane tickets, camera and hotel key can be lifted quiet and clean in an instant, forcing a woebegone trek to the American Embassy for identity reclamation, phone calls and money wired in from mom and dad.

Eco friendly fabrics - Hemp, Organic Cotton, Wool, Bamboo
Until the early '90s, Styrofoam cups and food containers were the norm in the restaurant business. Now, recycled paper products dominate, being pushed into popular use by consumer demand for corporate environmental responsibility.

Princeton Tec Bike Light Reviews
On the very periphery of the outdoors genus, there exists a group of bike heads and gear junkies who will not think twice about putting down $500 on a high-power bike light system. Granted, the light cannons manufactured by companies like NiteRider and Light & Motion -- which create...

Adventure racing shoes (Salomon, Nike, Adidas, Montrail)
A typical adventure race includes steep uphill climbs, river crossings, long treks off trail and miles upon miles of fast running on gravel roads and trails. As such, the footwear built for the sport must drain water quickly when submerged, protect the foot from roots and rocks, run fast when the trail opens up and offer enough comfort and support for the long haul.

Best Luxury Camping Accoutrements
Poking at coals and roasting marshmallows -- requisite campfire idleness and tomfoolery -- are as integral to the outdoors experience as any epic hike in the woods. Here's a quick look at three camp items I've been using as of late to enhance my 'round-the-fire-ring time...

Car Camping Tents (Kelty, Paha Que, Hilleberg)
A small tent really has no place at the common drive-up campsite. For car camping, you want a cavernous, feature-full, stand-up-and-stretch-out nylon lodge with pockets, vestibules and all the bells and whistles. Here's my quick review on three such outsized tent models...

Ispo show highlights
As one of the world's largest outdoors and fitness-sports exhibitions, Ispo brings together a diverse group of international companies to provide a peek at worldwide recreational trends. Indeed, at this year's summer show, held July 3 - 5, exhibitors from 46 countries were present, and only a small percentage of companies on the show floor were American.

Aquapac - waterproof gear containers
In total, Aquapac makes 40 products, with designs to accommodate cell phones, GPS devices, MP3 players, radios and PDAs. The polymer cases are flexible like plastic bags. The sealer on top is a bulky plastic trim that covers the case opening. It locks down and closes airtight with the twist of two or more tiny levers.

Winter camping equipment -- sleep gear - Exped, Mandatory Gear, Outdoor Research Lighthaven
Few outdoor pursuits draw such strong reaction as winter camping. The idea of laying down in the snow, closing your eyes and going to sleep is a ridiculous and foreign concept for most of the population.

Outdoor Retailer trade show Winter Market 2006, gear highlights
The Outdoor Retailer trade show is a twice-annual gathering of product designers, salespeople, retail buyers, athletes and other forms of outdoors cognoscenti. The Gear Junkie was there, too. Here's a peek at new products and test prototypes from the show to watch for over the coming months.

Riverboarding : Green River, Utah


Sea to Summit waterproof gear bags
In 1990, an Australian named Tim Macartney-Snape took a swim in India's Bay of Bengal, and then he shouldered a backpack to start a long hike uphill. Four months later, hiking from the ocean, through the foothills of the Himalayas, and eventually climbing to base camp on Mt. Everest and up the mountain itself, Macartney-Snape stood on the summit of the world's highest peak.

Summertime kid gear - Outdoor Gear for Kids
Forget video games. Turn off the TV. It's summertime, and kids need to be outside under the blue sky running wild. Here are a few toys for the tikes and gadgets for the older girls and boys. Gnarly gear. Outdoorsy accoutrements. Material motivation, perhaps, to help nudge your kids off the couch, into the backyard and beyond.

Sandals Summer Review - Keen, Chaco
There are myths and hearsay in backpacking circles of hardy trekkers who go days and weeks on the trail in only a pair of sandals. Now, these are not flip-flops, mind you. Over the past decade, companies starting with Teva and Chaco, and now Bite, Keen and others, have refined the traditional sandal into something with support, grip, comfort and durability.

Best Merino Wool Base Layers
Just a couple years back, it was hard to find quality winter-weather base layers made of anything but polypropylene. But the tide has turned, and this year wool is the fabric of choice for more than a dozen outdoors apparel companies.

Ice climbing equipment
The obscure, some would say insane, sport of climbing frozen waterfalls is not so obscure anymore. At least according to a new report compiled by the Outdoor Industry Association, a Boulder, Colo., organization that tracks outdoor-recreation trends. The Outdoor Recreation Participation Study, Seventh Edition, cites ice climbing as a sport that 1.1 million people tried last year in the United States alone.

Cold-weather cycling jackets
Wintertime bike riding is not for the meek. Numb hands, slippery sidewalks and unplowed trails, windburn, road spray and endless dark evenings can make even the heartiest two-wheeler surrender to a stationary bike indoors at a health club.

Cold weather and Winter Cycling Apparel
Keeping toes warm and legs dry is a continual challenge for wintertime bike enthusiasts. Road spray on your seat, numb ankles exposed to cold wind, loose pant legs snagging in the chain -- all are annoyances and safety hazards on the snowy road or trail.

Surly Bikes' Pugsley
Review and article on Surly Pugsley Bike.

50 State Highpoint Quest


Primal Quest Adventure Race


Canyoneering in Grand Staircase


Yurt Ski Trip


Via Ferrata in Ogden


OR Show, gear highlights


Yes, you can surf in Wyoming...


Urban-skid-out-biker-kid-extraordinaire


Inov-8 mountain running shoes
These aren’t trail runners. They aren’t shoes you’d wear for a jog on the street, either. U.K.-based Inoveight Ltd. makes shoes for the oddball sport of mountain running. Indeed, the company’s promotional literature says the shoes are designed for the complex, undulating terrain found in the mountains. Rocks, scree, talus, streambeds, icy goats trails, slabs and mountain meadows are all fair game.

Wenger Uber-Knife


Davis Instruments Knot-a-Bag
The humble plastic bag is an indispensable item for anyone who spends time in the outdoors. Whether stowing food for an overnight backpacking trip, transporting a wet swimsuit or wrapping up a cell phone to keep it dry in the rain, the ubiquitous plastic bag is a simple, inexpensive and low-tech solution.

Professional Bike Fitting
Fine tuning a bike to fit a rider’s precise body dimensions -- down to millimeter increments -- is a regimen often associated with serious road bikers and Tour de France athletes. But there is a movement in the cycling industry to push professional fittings to bike commuters and recreational road riders, and proponents tout performance and comfort gains that will benefit even the once-in-a-while biker buff.

Hydracare water bladder cleaning kits
You know it’s time to clean your hydration bladder when: A) Live algae has sprouted in a crease; B) Water that goes in pure comes out tasting literally fishy; or, C) That strange and swampy odor seeping from your CamelBak is eliciting vocal complaints from your hiking buddies.

Seattle Sports Company CrossBreed Dry Pack 1500
The rubbery roll-top dry bags popularized by river rafters and whitewater kayakers several years ago are gaining favor with hikers, hunters, backpackers and adventure racers. If 100 percent dry gear is an absolute necessity -- as it's increasingly becoming with cell phones, digital cameras, walkie talkies and GPS systems -- these PVC, urethane or treated-nylon bags are pretty much the only thing going.

ProBar Energy Bar Review
Art Eggertsen worked as a congressional lobbyist representing nutrition-education interests before switching to a career in energy foods. As founder of ProBar LLC, a small company based in Park City, Utah, Eggertsen leaned on his knowledge of health and nutrition to create a unique new energy-bar product.

Ironman wrap-up, or The Gear Junkie gets the flu
To borrow an old line, the best-laid plans of mice and (Iron)men often go awry. Thus was my case with Ironman Wisconsin, an event for which I'd committed hundreds of hours of training over the past six months, only to be struck down with the stomach flu three days before the race.

Ironman Swim
In mid-September, the Gear Junkie is signed up to compete in Ironman Wisconsin, a full-scale Ironman triathlon event that includes a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile marathon run. In addition to some serious training and mental commitment, several key pieces of gear will help me swim, pedal and limp my way through the course.

Jetboil Review - Personal Cooking System
The Jetboil Personal Cooking System (PCS) has been called a total rethink of the traditional camp stove. The all-in-one $80 product, which debuted two years ago to much fanfare in the outdoors press, integrates a small butane burner with a special heat-transfer ring and a 1-liter metal cup. The end result is a cooking system that is about twice as fuel efficient as competing stove models, according to the company's tests.

Ironman Run
The final leg of an Ironman triathlon -- a painful 26.2-mile marathon run -- is undoubtedly the most loathsome and horrific portion of the race. After the swim and several hours of biking, most athletes are beat up and physically drained at the start of the run, and the end is only then just barely in sight.

Outdoor Research Zealot jacket
For warm summer rains, the Zealot will feel clammy. And for the coldest winter days, the thin shell may feel a bit paltry, no matter how much fleece and polypro you’ve layered underneath. But for most conditions, the jacket nails a nice middle ground of being light, breathable, wind-proof and capable of keeping all the elements at bay.

Mora knives
More than 100 years ago, in the rural Swedish village of Ostnor, just outside of the well-known town of Mora, a knifesmith named Erik Frost founded Frosts Knivfabrik. The Mora region was renowned for its high-quality blades, and Frost built his company on knife making principles and practices that had been handed down for many generations.

Ex Officio Buzz Off clothing
I have a friend who has suffered the ill effects of Lyme disease. It's a long, horrible and draining sickness that I would not wish on an enemy, and since this person's diagnosis I've been doubly conscious of the small dangers in the woods.

Johnson Outdoors, boat review roundup
Johnson Outdoors Inc. is a recreational conglomerate that oversees such well-known water sports brands as Old Town, Ocean Kayak, Carlisle, Escape, Extrasport and Necky. Over the course of the past four months, I've had the chance to test three Johnson Outdoors boat models at locations as far flung as the Mississippi River in central Minnesota and the Pacific Ocean just south of California's Big Sur.

The Thumb Compass Review
The thumb compass is a funny little esoteric piece of gear that's slowly earned my respect over the past few months. I was first introduced to the concept by an orienteering acquaintance who could run through the woods like a deer, jumping logs, dodging branches, skirting swamps, all while reading a detailed map and taking quick glances at the small thumb-mounted dial.

Ironman Bike section
The second leg of an Ironman triathlon is a grueling bike segment that stretches on and on for 112 miles. Top-end cycling equipment is a must, as competitors strive to finish with a good time while exerting as little energy as possible before the final running segment of the race.

Brunton SolarRoll Review
Brunton's SolarRoll products are flexible plastic sheets with embedded solar paneling made for powering electronic equipment deep in the wilderness. The rolls weigh less than the average camp stove but output up to 14 Watts of power, which in my tests was enough juice to recharge a laptop computer.

Quechua 2-Second Tent
Last week I reviewed three high-end tents made for minimalist hikers who need to go fast and light through the wilds. This week's featured shelter, an 8-pound igloo of fabric called the Quechua 2-Second Tent, is a flip opposite design, both in form and function.

'Performance' Flip-Flops
The proverbial flip-flop sandal just barely passes for a shoe. It offers little support and no toe protection. It's made to be worn casually, for comfort, convenience and little else.

Primal Quest


Primal Quest gear, part III: Water sports
Down-river transit during the Primal Quest adventure race will be accomplished in two ways: In a traditional tandem kayak as well as on a not-so-traditional riverboard. As such, the race requires an odd mix of aquatic gear, including knee and shin guards, fins, booties, a climbing helmet and, of course, the riverboard itself.

Primal Quest gear, part II: Biking
To prepare for a long haul, I've outfitted my mountain bike with lights, bags and components that will -- hopefully -- get me through the many saddle-sore days and nights I'll spend in the desert.

Primal Quest gear, part I: Trekking
Say a prayer for the Gear Junkie. By the time many of you read this, I will be off into the wild yonder of the Primal Quest adventure race, a 10-day, 500-mile multidisciplinary event taking place in late June this year in the Utah desert. As a member of a four-person squad called Team Bulleit, I'll go nonstop, day and night, through mountains and canyons, desert plains and deep forests. A map and compass will be our only guide through a vast and unmarked wilderness course.

Gregory Mountain Products, Traction series
New this year, the Traction series, which includes five products geared toward students, travelers and businesspeople, is in the catalog alongside packs made to withstand an ascent of the North Face of Mount Everest.

Kid carrier backpacks - REI Piggyback, Kelty Tour
Our baby daughter turns one-year-old next month, and in the ongoing challenge to keep active with the little one backpack child carriers have been a godsend. In the past six months, my wife and I have hiked in Sweden, trotted along in local orienteering races, walked unencumbered with the dog on a leash through our neighborhood, and even shoveled snow with a content baby in the carriers we’ve been using.

Thule Load &amp; Go gear organizers
Load & Go products range in price from $15 to $75 and break down into three categories. The Go Packs, which are the Load & Go items made for hardshell rooftop cargo carriers, are essentially large nylon duffle bags. They are boxy and big -- with 3,800 cubic inches of capacity -- but shaped to fit the curves inside cargo carriers from Thule (though they work in similar boxes from Yakima and other companies as well).

Co-Motion Streaker
An hour into a long bike ride last week, I had an epiphany. Though I'd ridden through the city, on streets and sidewalks, and then turned south on a fast paved trail to ride for several miles, I had not once touched the brakes.

New knives! (Buck Sirus; Wenger Evolution S)
Indeed, Buck markets the Sirus ($93) and its other assisted-opening knives to campers, hunters and hikers, touting quick access to the blade as well as built-in safety measures to make sure it does not pop open unexpectedly.

Energy bars, the quantitative view
This week I'm taking the opposite tack on the selfsame subject, relaying pure information and straight objectivity on the five types of energy bars I ran past my tongue last week. Not a single pesky opinion of my own here. Just the nutritional nitty-gritty, and all things quantitative on the carbs and sugars and fats and secret ingredients that make these bars what they each individually are.

Best Energy bars
My current obsession with adventure racing has me eating a lot of energy bars. Out in the woods, running and biking and bushwhacking for hours on end, I may consume eight or 10 bars in a day. Cashew cookie, carrot cake, lemon, chocolate brownie, cherry pie and cocoa mole. All the flavors of the rainbow in my pack. Field testing, as it were.

Bic Yakka Review - Fold-In-Half Kayak
The company's Yakka kayaks, which include three models, are nearly identical boats with rigid plastic hulls and inflatable sidewalls. For storing and transporting the Yakka kayaks, Bic Sport added hinges to the middle of the hull, letting you fold the boat in half and tuck it away in the bed of a pickup or, perhaps, your closet in a cramped city apartment.

Adventure bikes - Surly Pugsley, Evingson Cycle Voyageur
Essentially beefed-up mountain bikes with massive tires, adventure bikes have been manufactured by custom shops since the late 1990s. Surly Bikes, a company based in Bloomington, Minn., debuted the category's first mass-produced model when it shipped its Pugsley frame in mid 2005.

Gear Review : Map extravaganza 2006
In preparation for a trip to Utah last month, I went purposefully overboard on the procurement of maps. To scout new wilderness I'll often purchase a few United States Geological Survey (USGS) quad maps and maybe buy a guidebook or two. But for my Utah trip I needed more.

Red OXX Carry-Ons
United Airlines allowed me to bring two pieces of luggage -- each with a max weight of 50 pounds -- plus two carry-on bags. After packing in snowshoes, helmets, a wetsuit, climbing gear and ropes, a paddle, shoes, inline skates, trekking poles, and a few other mandatory adventure items, I was nearing the airline's prescribed stowaway limit.

Adventure Medical Kits Survival Pak
Wilderness survival is a lost art. Cell phones, GPS systems, emergency radio beacons, on-call helicopter rescues and other modern introductions have softened society's stance on the importance of knowing how to survive alone in the deep woods.

SureFire flashlights Review
The U2 Ultra, indeed, has luminosity enough to rival the surface of the sun. The United States Military uses it during battle. Cops wield this beam to spot creeping criminals in dark alleys. Some Web sites actually classify it as a weapon, the flashlight's bright white beacon capable of temporarily blinding and discombobulating a perpetrator.

Mora Knives
More than 100 years ago, in the rural Swedish village of Ostnor, just outside of the well-known town of Mora, a knifesmith named Erik Frost founded Frosts Knivfabrik. The Mora region was renowned for its high-quality blades, and Frost built his company on knife making principles and practices that had been handed down for many generations.