Tallboy Test: Santa Cruz’s New Aluminum MTB

Santa Cruz dropped into the 29er market two years ago with its carbon Tallboy, a premium frame with a premium price tag to match. This summer, the company delivered a lower-cost aluminum version. We rode it for three months on a comparison test.

September 15th, 2011

Tire Test: Michelin ‘Wild Race’R’

Dual rubber types offer variable densities in the Wild Race’R tire, Michelin’s latest mtb tread. Our writer tests the tires while mountain biking this summer on singletrack around the USA.

July 13th, 2011

Debut: Michelin Square Bike Tube

Tire giant Michelin didn’t reinvent the wheel with its latest innovation. But the company may have reinvented the inner tube with a square design touted to be “twice as flat-resistant” as regular tubes.

April 8th, 2011

Heli Skiing Nevada

Epic heli skiing in a state most known for its casinos and desert sand? Ruby Mountain Helicopter Skiing offers 11,000-foot peaks and far-from-anything terrain.

April 5th, 2011

‘FindTheGO’ Contest Kick Off!

One of the most exciting and unique events this spring in the outdoors world is SylvanSport’s “FindTheGO contest,” a two-month online event and live treasure hunt that begins this week.

April 5th, 2011

‘Realfleece’ Wool Apparel

Mention the term “fleece” in an outdoors setting and people think of a synthetic fabric. Icebreaker steps back to the origins of fleece with a new line made of wool.

April 4th, 2011

First Place at ‘Badger Rogaine’

It took more than five hours — and about 22 miles of wilderness travel on the feet — to squeak in for first place in the annual Badger orienteering event.

April 3rd, 2011

Tiny Bikeshop Concert Series

Promising “free live music shows held in the world’s best bike shops,” Banjo Brothers’ Tiny Bikeshop Concert Series kicks off in Minneapolis tomorrow night.

March 30th, 2011

Timbuk2 Bike Backpack

The Lightbrite Swig is made with a thick waterproof nylon fabric and has a simple, streamlined design. Gear Junkie gave it a three-month test.

March 29th, 2011

‘Save the Poles’ Gear

Eric Larsen’s year-long expedition reached the world’s three “poles” — the North and South Poles and the top of Mount Everest. This column dissects some of the unique gear that helped along the way.

March 28th, 2011

Adidas Enters U.S. Outdoor Market

Athletics behemoth adidas AG is entering the U.S. outdoor marketplace with footwear, apparel, outerwear, and optics. Gear Junkie gets a Q&A with an adidas managing director for a peek at the company’s ambitious plans.

March 24th, 2011

The Odd World of Icebreaker

Mix the Brothers Grimm, international fashion photography, a hint of Salvador Dali, and a crew of New Zealanders obsessed with merino wool and you get Icebreaker and its odd, mystical motif.

March 23rd, 2011

‘Birdseed’ Energy Bar

A compressed block of nuts and seeds — flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower — make Raw Crunch bars appear to be made for the birds. Gear Junkie takes a taste test.

March 20th, 2011

Video: ‘Ultimate Gear Test’

Raw and unembellished, this video provides a rare peek into the Wenger Patagonian Exped Race, where Team GearJunkie pushed their bodies and their gear to utter ends. Swamp trekking and fjord swimming included!

March 17th, 2011

Test: Salomon Athletic Tights

Gear Junkie reports on two pair of outdoor-oriented tights from Salomon after more than a year of use. They are now his “de facto pants in the outdoors.”

March 16th, 2011