A total solar eclipse is one of those moments when the seen and unseen forces of nature converge to create an event that stupefies the senses. It’s something that feels as though it shouldn’t be happening, and yet it is. On April 8, a total eclipse will be visible across a large swath of North America, and it will be the last chance that most people in the US will have to experience one until 2044. Dismiss ..read more

REI is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and fitness fanatics alike—and if you regularly buy gear for camping, hiking, running, or travel, an REI membership may be right for you. REI Co-op members qualify for additional perks such as free shipping, an annual reward totaling 10% cash back on full-price purchases, a one-year return policy, and access to exclusives like REI’s annual Member Moment Sale—which is happening right now. Dismiss ..read more

One of the most exciting milestones for a child is the moment they learn to ride a bike. It’s a skill they’ll have for life, after all, and you can set them up for success by providing them with a comfortable, easy-to-ride first pedal bike. Everybody learns at their own pace, but most kids are ready to start pedaling on their own between the ages of 4 and 6, so we focused on bikes with 16-inch wheels. Whether your kid will be tearing up the local pump track or cruising city sidewalks, a great first “big kid” bike will keep them safe, build their confidence, and bring lots of joy to the learni ..read more

Filtered water bottles let you create better-tasting water almost anywhere you go. After we tested five of them, our pick is the Brita Premium Filtering Water Bottle. Its activated carbon filter removes chlorine compounds, which are used as a disinfectant in most public water supplies and are the cause of the off-flavor that many people dislike about tap water. But we have reservations about filter bottles in general. Most of them make you suck the water through the filter, and that’s not exactly easy—it’s like drinking a thick milkshake through a straw. And most bottle filters remove only ch ..read more

Ill-fitting boots can ruin an otherwise great hike. Boots that fit properly protect your feet, stabilize your ankles, and minimize the chance of blisters—not to mention prevent injury and unsightly bruised toenails. If you’re shopping for your first pair of boots, or if it’s been a while since you last took a spin through an outdoor retailer’s footwear section, these 10 tips our writers gathered while testing hiking boots can help you get the perfect fit. Dismiss ..read more

Arch pain. Shin splints. Heel spurs. Corns. Insoles you slip into your shoes aren't a cure-all for such ailments, but they can promote proper alignment, reduce strain, and provide relief from minor foot pain. And you don't necessarily need custom insoles to find your fit. Since 2016, we’ve researched and tested 40 different sets of insoles, involving people who regularly experience foot and leg pain, as well as folks who simply find wearing insoles more comfortable than not. We’ve determined that the Enertor Running Insoles offer the best support for people with neutral arches, whether for wo ..read more

A stroller wagon can make family jaunts easier and more fun. If you’re looking for a social way to transport one or two children, if you want an alternative to strollers to use for camping or beach trips, or if you need more storage space than a traditional stroller can provide, a stroller wagon may be for you. Unlike simpler collapsible wagons (which are designed for hauling cargo, though many people do use them for children), stroller wagons are equipped with safety features, such as 3- or 5-point harnesses. And many offer comfortable seating, footwells, canopies, and snack trays. We tested ..read more

Chainsaws can be large, heavy, and difficult to handle, and after years of experience using and researching them, we have no doubt that they can be very dangerous. That’s why we were pleasantly surprised to find that the compact and user-friendly DeWalt DCCS623L1 20V Max 8 in. Brushless Cordless Pruning Chainsaw Kit had plenty of cutting power, excellent battery life, and the capability to manage all kinds of brush clearing, seasonal pruning, and storm cleanup. After testing four cordless pruning saws alongside eight full-size cordless chainsaws, we advise anyone shopping for a chainsaw to st ..read more

Solar eclipses certainly aren’t a regular occurrence in North America. So it’s truly remarkable that we’ll get an opportunity to see two different types of such astronomical events in the span of only six months. Dismiss ..read more

As a clumsy hiker, I’m no stranger to scraped palms, bruised knees, and ripped pants. Hitting the ground at least once an outing is almost always guaranteed, even when I’m on the easiest trails. Over the last few years, these frequent falls and stumbles have resulted in a graveyard of torn, battered yoga pants. So on a recent hike, as I started my trek to the bottom of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado, down a steep trail composed mostly of loose gravel and rocks, I had already made peace with the likelihood that my cheap leggings would be reduced to tatters. Dismiss ..read more