As an outdoorswoman and veteran of multi-day, multi-sport adventure races, long mountain runs, and hundreds of competitive events of all sorts, let me tell you: There is no difference between a successful adventure and mastering a Disney park. They both require research, planning, strategizing, rising before dawn, navigating smart routes, moving fast and light, competitiveness, problem-solving, outwitting competitors, on-the-go fueling, sheer endurance, knowing when to rest and when to push, and critical gear choices. Lacking any of these skills at a busy amusement park can result in hours of ..read more

We tried 34 pads at campsites, under the stars, and even on some backpacking trips. These had us sleeping soundly. The post The Best Sleeping Pads to Guarantee a Good Night’s Rest appeared first on Outside Online ..read more

If you’re an active, outdoorsy adult with children, there’s a solid chance you spend a good amount of time as a doting spectator of youth sports. (The offspring of active people tend to be active young people.) And if you’re an adventurer of any sort, you know that conserving energy is key to success. (If someone in your expedition needs to stop for a bathroom break, for example, you lie down on the ground and put your feet up.) So when you find something that helps maximize both, like the Crazy Creek Hex 2.0 Original Chair, which I dropped $65 on at my local REI store last summer, you get a ..read more

If backpacking is a minimalistic pursuit, car camping is a celebration of excess. Thanks to trunk space and truck beds, racks and rails, campers have room for all the essentials—plus the extras. For outdoor enthusiasts with outsized toy collections, there’s no better way to travel. Whether you’re chasing swell, singletrack, steelhead, or some other white rabbit, this top-rated, thoroughly-tested gear will ensure home is where you park it—and that you’re comfortable and ready to play when you do. At a Glance Editors’ Choice: Nemo Duffel and Tote ($170+) Rux Waterproof Bag ($150) Radius Outfit ..read more

Ever since Nike introduced the Vaporfly 4% in 2017, brands have competed fiercly to craft the ultimate road racing shoe. Commonly referred to as “supershoes,” this innovative footwear employs high-rebound foams and curved, rigid plates to enhance running efficiency while minimizing muscle damage. Simply put, these high-performance shoes are engineered to make you run faster with greater ease. And they work, as proven in labs and on roads around the world. Designers have struggled, however, to harness the performance-enhancing benefits of road-running supershoes for the trail. The Challenge of ..read more

Stooping in a lightweight, minimalist, backpacking tent while camping out of your car isn’t much fun. Neither is getting blown over in a flimsy, big-box-store mega shelter. With that in mind, we tested seven new larger camping tents this past year in a quest to find the most luxurious, well-designed, and storm-worthy camping tents for lounging in style, no matter what the forecast looks like. Be sure to also check out our picks for the best backpacking tents and our favorite camping cooking gear. At a Glance Best Overall: Big Agnes Bunk House 4 ($433) Most Durable: Snowpeak Alpha Breeze ($50 ..read more

There are a few things you learn right away when you start cycling “seriously.” Carbon fiber is the best material for a bicycle. (False.)  You need to use clipless pedals for maximum efficiency. (Double false.)  And of course you should avoid wearing cotton, since it’s a very poor choice when it comes to cycling attire. (Wildly, ridiculously false.) So what are you supposed to wear to partake in “serious” cycling?  Generally, the answer is one of the various branded forms of spandex, the most widely known being Lycra—the Band-Aid of stretchy clothes in that it has become a bywo ..read more

Everything tastes better when you’re camping—that’s just a fact. Unless, of course, you char the pancakes over an overenthusiastic stove, or the milk curdles in a cut-rate cooler, or you impale yourself on some flimsy, dull excuse for knives, cutting your trip short (not to mention your precious fingers). You get the picture—hazards abound. Luckily, our fearless team of 13 testers put 40 pieces of camp kitchen gear on the chopping block to bring you the seven best accessories we could find. At a Glance Aeropress XL Coffee Press ($70) Radius Outfitters Large Kitchen Organizer ($139) Sea To Su ..read more

Whether you’re joining the e-bike revolution for the first time or upgrading your ride to the latest technology, it’s a great time to shop for an electric bicycle. That’s because e-bikes are still relatively new, and innovations and improvements are being made in leaps and bounds with every passing season. Exhibit A: Troxus has unveiled the newest, most refined cargo e-bike yet with the Lynx Cargo. Whatever kind of riding you have in mind, this e-bike will get it done. The team at Troxus packed the Lynx Cargo with smart features to enhance its durability, longevity, ridability, and, most impo ..read more

Dear Gear, I’ve been a confident skier, mountain biker, and climber for over three decades. I’m also a woman. For some reason, most of the guys in my life seem to think it’s OK to mansplain how to use my gear to me, and it makes me want to scream. What’s the best way to handle this situation so I don’t blow a gasket? —Frustrated Feminist Dear Frustrated, First of all, do you know what blowing a gasket actually means? I’d be happy to explain it to you—I’m kidding! All of us gals have been in your shoes at one time or another. And while the outdoors are far less biased than they used to be, the ..read more