All posts in “Outdoors”

Help Save the First Black-Owned Outdoor Gear Shop in America

It’s no secret that the outdoor industry could be a lot more diverse. According to a survey by the National Park Service taken in conjunction with the 2010 census, only 22 percent of park visitors came from ethnic minorities. More recent data from the Outdoor Industry Association found that only 26.3 percent of those who participated in outdoor activities in 2018 were non-white.

The participation picture is changing, but slowly. One way to speed it up is from the inside. Jahmicah Dawes knows this well. His Stephenville, Texas store, Slim Pickins Outfitters, is the first Black-owned outdoor gear shop in America — and he started it in 2017.

Dawes and his wife, Heather, have worked to make it a fixture in the community and to introduce its residents to fly fishing, cycling and more through events and, of course, the gear he puveys. Brands on offer include mainstays like Patagonia and Osprey and those from Texas, like Kammok and Howler Bros.

Like many brick-and-mortar operations, Slim Pickins Outfitters has been hit hard hard by the side effects of COVID-19. The store’s revenue is down by 50 percent, which is why the Outbound Collective has started a GoFundMe to ensure that it recovers that lost income and also has enough to continue to push its goal of diversifying the outdoors. The initiative is more than one-third of way toward its $142,000 goal but can use more support.

For more info on Dawes and Slim Pickins Outfitters, check out this wonderful Outbound x Wondercamp short film about the shop, and click this link to help.

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Need New Skis? Check out These 3 New Companies

Skiing is old. Like, really old: Some scholars believe the earliest skis come from the Altai Mountains and date back to 8,000 B.C. The people who skied them secured horsehair to the bottom for climbing, much like modern mohair skins, and descended with a long pole they used to turn — a far cry from the metal and plastic planks we slide over snow on today (though it’s hard to tell, there’s still wood in there too).

Nevertheless, ask a parent about the skis they grew up on, and they’ll happily launch into an effusion about straight skis, skinny skis, two-tens and rope tows. Even in the past few decades, never mind a few thousand years, skis have changed a lot. They’re lighter, stronger and shapelier than ever before, catering to the whims of every kind of skier and the terrain of any mountain.

And the evolution continues. Heritage brands like Rossignol, Fischer and Elan remain among the top ski producers, with histories that date back to 1907, 1924 and 1945, respectively. But new brands are popping up, and they’re aiming to reshape the industry — and the skis beneath your feet.

Renoun

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Officially founded in 2011, Renoun is the eldest of this trio. Still, it wasn’t until the end of 2014 that it released its first ski, and it wasn’t until 2018 that founder Cyrus Schenck was finally able to quit the window washing gig that had supported his endeavors up to that point.

The intervening years saw Renoun earn patents for Hyper Damping Technology, or HDT, which puts the company in a lane apart from traditional ski makers. HDT — and a distaste for a future of mundanity in corporate engineering — is what compelled Schenck to drop out of Clarkson University and start a ski company. It’s a non-Newtonian polymer, meaning its viscosity changes depending on the stress applied to it. You can squeeze and mold the stuff with your hands like Silly Putty, but if you smack it, it’s astonishingly firm.

ski

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Renoun calls its HDT VibeStop. As an ingredient in the layered recipe of a ski, it does just that: stop vibrations. As a skier skis faster and harder, the channels of VibeStop that Renoun builds into the core of its skis become firmer, thereby stiffening the ski and making it more stable at moments when those characteristics are most crucial. Because it’s far lighter than other materials that might reduce ski vibrations (called “chatter” in ski parlance), Renoun can produce a ski that’s simultaneously — and paradoxically — lightweight and strong.

The other component of Renoun’s atypical approach is a direct-to-consumer business model. You won’t see its skis on shop walls, but you will get a generous money-back guarantee that offers a full refund if you decide you don’t like them after a few days on snow.

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WNDR Alpine

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Not unlike what happened with Renoun, a novel if not downright futuristic material inspired the creation of WNDR (pronounced “wonder”). In this case it’s microalgae-sourced polyurethane produced by the biotech company Checkerspot. Based in Berkeley, California and with a design lab in Salt Lake City, Checkerspot has been developing bio-based alternatives to petroleum products since 2016. To prove its concept, the company enlisted ski industry veteran Matt Sterbenz in 2019 to helm WNDR.

ski

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Currently, WNDR uses algae-derived polyurethane in the cores and sidewalls of its two ski models. In both cases, the bio-based material exhibits superior damping and durability compared to traditional materials, making skis that are both lighter and stronger than those made with carbon fiber and ABS. Sustainability aside, WNDR’s skis are impressive (and it’s probably the only company to draw press attention from both Freeskier Magazine and Bioplastics News).

WNDR launched with one ski, the Intention 110, and released the Vital 100 for winter 20/21 — the latter recently won a sustainability award at ISPO, the largest sporting goods trade show in the world. Both models are geared for backcountry use and are available in reverse or traditional camber profiles, depending on the skier’s preference.

In a recent interview with ski pub Forecast, Sterbenz hinted that a third model would round out the fleet — and expressed optimism that the algae tech could work in snowboards too.

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Season Eqpt

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Season’s approach is based more on culture than science. Skiing and snowboarding aren’t so different, the brand believes, so it’s making both skis and snowboards. It’s one of the few brands to put both on a level slope; when big companies do this, the feeling is often that snowboards are a ski maker’s side gig, or vice versa. Not so with Season.

Once you know that pro skier Eric Pollard and pro snowboarder Austin Smith co-founded the company, the duality seems like a given. Both left long careers working hand-in-hand with well-known companies to make real their vision with Season.

ski

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A side effect of that vision, somewhat ironically, is that ski and board releases needn’t be so seasonal. The industry has trained us to expect new and updated models every autumn, but Pollard and Smith want riders to ride Season’s gear for as many years as they can. Every one of its models — three each of skis and boards for carving, all-mountain and powder — is mostly black with small hits of color, ensuring the graphics don’t get outdated.

Season also teamed up with retailer Evo to provide free waxing and one full tune-up every year for as long as the product lasts. Evo has stores in Denver, Portland, Seattle, Whistler and one opening in Salt Lake City soon — all pretty good base camps from which to try any of this stuff, really.

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When Did E-Bikes Get So Damn Sexy?

To the snobbier amongst us, the notion of an urban e-bike has long felt like an exercise in compromise. Sure, you can get something that powers up your pedaling, allowing you to speed to a destination several miles away without becoming a sweat-soaked mess in the process. But the tradeoff was that the actual steed you arrived on didn’t look so… cool.

Even really well designed ones had one glaring aesthetic flaw: that unmistakable battery bulge. For practical people, that’s probably not a big hangup. But for those of us used to a streamlined commuter, it’s a borderline dealbreaker.

Breaking news, however: this perception is no longer reality. A number of brands have figured out clever ways to sneak the battery into the top or down tube so that it’s barely perceptible at all. The result is some seriously sexy bikes that have us reconsidering our silly preconceptions. Here are five that’ll turn heads — in a good way — wherever you roll.

Cannondale Quick Neo SL2

well designed e bikes

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This sleek 9-speed boasts a 250-watt rear motor, plus subtle shock absorption in the form of upsized tires and SAVE micro-suspension (Cannondale’s method of manipulating geometry and materials to optimize comfort). Three levels of pedal assistance top out at 20 miles per hour, while a 250 watt-hour battery in the down tube provides a punchy 47 miles of range.

Price: $2,550

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Gogoro Eeyo 1s

well designed e bikes

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Last year we called this Taiwanese release “one of the least e-bikey e-bikes ever.” That’s what happens when a bunch of carbon components drops your weight under 27 pounds and a grease-free Gates Carbon Belt Drive keeps your pedals turning smoothly. Oh, there’s also up to 55 miles of range in eco mode, plus assistance topping out at 19 mph.

Price: $4,599

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LeMond Prolog

well designed e bikes

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Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond knows a little something about performance. No wonder this 26-pound carbon-fiber stallion comes complete with arresting good looks, an 11-speed drivetrain, 20 mph of pedal assist and 45 miles of range. Feeling fancy? You can upgrade to seamless Shimano Di2 electronic shifting too.

Price: $4,500

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Schindelhauer Arthur VI/IX

well designed e bikes

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Straight out of Berlin comes perhaps the most classically gorgeous bike of the bunch. Yet it’s packed with modern features, most notably a Pinion C-line transmission unit designed by former Porsche engineers for effortless shifting. A belt drive, nearly 16 mph of pedal assistance and jaw-dropping integrated lighting round out this wunderbar package.

Price: $5,569

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VanMoof S3

well designed e bikes

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This Dutch bicycle snagged a vaunted Red Dot design award last summer. An unconventional approach places a 504 watt-hour battery in the top tube; it powers not only the 250-watt motor but also lights, electronic shifting and an anti-theft system. While the top pedal assistance level is the lowest — 15 mph — the maximum range is by far the highest, an impressive 93 miles.

Price: $1,998

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5 New Winter Sports Products with Outside-of-the-Box Designs

Last week, we shared the most innovative outdoor products coming out of Winter OR (Outdoor Retailer), America’s biggest trade show for the Mother Nature-loving set. This week we jump across the pond to ISPO, which is essentially the European version. ISPO stands for Internationale Fachmesse für Sportartikel und Sportmode, if you’re curious.

ISPO’s judges just anointed a bunch of new and upcoming snow sports, outdoor, fitness and urban products as Gold Winners, more than 40 in total. But even amongst that noteworthy group, a select few really stand out for creative thinking, the kind of stuff that could make your next trip to the mountains more epic than ever before. We culled the honorees and curated these five to throw on your own personal shortlist.

Elan Voyager

ispo

Courtesy ISPO

Whether you are driving or flying, one of skiing’s biggest headaches is lugging a giant bag around. Imagine how much easier things would be if your skis were literally half the size. That’s the thinking behind the new Elan Voyager, the first-ever foldable all-mountain ski. Double it over to pack efficiently alongside its binding and poles in the travel-size transport bag. When you get to the slopes, unfold and get out there: a four-axis system joins the ski at the middle, enabling it to perform, Elan claims, just as precisely and playfully as a traditional ski.

The whole setup launches this month for about $1,800.

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Ortovox Diract Voice

Courtesy ISPO

Avalanche transceivers, or beacons, are crucial safety tools for navigating backcountry terrain in the winter. If a group member gets buried in an avalanche, beacons allow others to locate them as quickly as possible. The way they do that is remarkably straightforward, typically with loud beeps and an arrow or numbers on a small screen. Ortovox’s Diract Voice adds verbal instructions — as one searches, the beacon guides the process with commands like “keep left,” “keep right” and “go down to the snow surface.” The commands are in line with avalanche rescue training techniques but having a little machine remind you what to do when has the potential to make searches easier and save lives. Here’s hoping it comes with settings for different accents.

The beacon comes out in September for $380. A voiceless version will also be available for $320.

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Out of Electra Goggles

Courtesy ISPO

Out of’s Electra goggles make a case for never swapping your lenses on the mountain, regardless of light conditions. They do it with a solar-sensitive chip embedded in the forehead that senses whether it’s sunny or overcast and adjusts the lens tint accordingly. Only one other goggle has this capability, POC’s Cornea Solar Switch. Hopefully, a little competition will push the tech into more frames and lenses — and maybe bring the price down.

The Electra clocks in at €429, or roughly $516 as of this writing.

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Advenate MyONE

ispo

Courtesy ISPO

People come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and a lot of us don’t fit the arbitrary measurements. Addressing that problem in the winter sports space is Advenate. Not unlike getting a custom suit from a brand like Indochino, this online product configurator lets you choose your winter kit’s pockets, length, equipment, color and cut. It’s then made to measure using high-performance Schoeller fabrics, and your one-of-a-kind apparel arrives in a couple of weeks.

The service launches in October, with the jacket costing around $700 and the pants going for a bit under $600.

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Salewa Ortles Couloir Boot

Courtesy ISPO

Mountaineering boots are hefty. They have to be, to provide the support, warmth and grip needed for venturing above 20,000 feet. Salewa is moving the baseline with the Ortles Couloir, though. The boot weighs 725 grams (roughly 26 ounces), while others start in the 800s. To de-bulk, Salewa uses a 30 percent lighter outsole and a pivoting carbon fiber exoskeleton that gives the fabric upper support while remaining as minimal as possible. The design is strikingly sleek and not a little futuristic — we wouldn’t be surprised to see Timothée Chalamet rocking a pair in the upcoming Dune movie.

Coming in September 2021, the boot will go for $1,000.

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The North Face’s New Running Shoe Is the First of Its Kind

When Eliud Kipchoge ran 26.2 miles in one hour, 59 minutes and 40 seconds in October 2019, it was big news. Not since 1954, when Roger Bannister ran a mile in under four minutes for the first time in recorded history, had a seemingly impossible athletic feat been reeled down to human capacity. Some debated whether Kipchoge’s feat was as impressive as it seemed — his record is considered unofficial because he ran on a closed course, with pacers — while others speculated about the shoes he wore to do it.

They were a prototype of Nike’s since-released Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%, and the culmination of proprietary running shoe tech that’s proven to actually do what it says: make runners faster. As debates about gear doping came to a head, World Athletics, the governing body of international track and field events, devised new rules to level the footwear playing field.

It’s hard to imagine such a saga taking place in the world of trail running. For whatever reason — its shorter history, its exclusion from the Olympics, its triumphs occurring off-grid, far from the cameras and crowds — trail running hasn’t gained the mass appeal that the road and track variant has. And neither has any one trail running shoe.

The North Face is intent on changing that. Its first major launch of 2021 is Vectiv, a new trail footwear system that relies on the same plate-propelled design idea that’s swept over the premium road running shoe category. With the shoe dropping this week, here’s everything you need to know — including my own test impressions.

What Is Vectiv?

In a press release, The North Face describes Vectiv as “revolutionary soling architecture.” That is, the layers of shoe stuff underneath your feet. It’s not so much a single thing, like a type of foam or tread, but a few things working together: a plate, a rockered (curved) midsole and an outsole.

the heel of a white and black trail running shoe

Ivey Photograhy Studio

If we had to pull just one of these layers out to explain the tech, though, it’d be the plate. Unlike the carbon fiber plates buried in Nike’s shoes, TNF’s patented 3D Vectiv Plate sits directly underfoot and wraps up around the edges to help lock the foot in as it propels it forward. According to The North Face, this position bolsters shoe longevity — the plate helps dissipate the impact on the layers of foam beneath it.

Michael Thompson, senior product director of footwear at the company, says that some testers have put 500 to 600 miles on a single pair without them breaking down. During a recent Zoom briefing, Dylan Bowman, who’s been an athlete for The North Face for seven years, admitted to trash canning shoes after a single long effort wrecked them but said he continued to train in his Vectiv shoes for months after running 93 miles around Mount Rainier last summer.

What does Vectiv do?

Trail running is more concerned with distance than road running. If there’s a premier race to match the Boston or Berlin marathons, it’s the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, or UTMB, a single-stage, 106-mile circumnavigation of the Mont Blanc massif. It begins and ends in France, crossing through Italy and Switzerland along the way, and it has a total elevation gain of nearly 33,000 feet. For context, Mt. Everest is 29,032 feet tall, though the climb from base camp is somewhere around 11,450 feet.

This kind of challenge is what The North Face made Vectiv for. The propulsion, stability and durability of the system are for really, really, really long trail runs. Noting that roughly 40 percent of UTMB competitors don’t finish the race and that the same percentage who do come out with severe leg muscle fatigue, the company spent two years working on a way to mitigate the strain of ultrarunning. The efforts seem to have paid off: results from a third-party lab test of 12 runners and four different shoes revealed that Vectiv reduces downhill tibial impact by 10 percent.

Who Is Vectiv For?

Don’t write off Vectiv just because a 100-plus mile run around a mountain range isn’t your ideal Saturday. Though you may not need all the tech in the top-end Flight Vectiv shoe, which goes for $199, for your three-mile woods loop, you wouldn’t necessarily be hurting yourself by wearing it for shorter runs like that.

a person hiking in black boots
The North Face is building Vectiv into hiking footwear in addition to running shoes.

Will Saunders

But you should also know that The North Face is gluing Vectiv into a full suite of trail footwear. In addition to the previously mentioned Flight Vectiv, there’s the Vectiv Infinite and Vectiv Enduris. A significant differentiator is the 3D plate; the Flight’s is carbon fiber, the Infinite’s is a thermoplastic elastomer called Pebax, while the Enduris has one made of TPU. The uppers also vary in material and features, as does each shoe’s weight.

In a show of Vectiv’s versatility (and the company’s hopes for it), The North Face is also releasing a collection of five hiking shoes, bringing the sole tech to a far wider group of trail goers. As it does within the trail running line, Vectiv changes slightly from model to model. The plate inside the Vectiv Exploris Futurelight, for example, has higher sidewalls for increased support.

First Impressions

The North Face recently sent me a pair of Flight Vectivs to check out for myself. I’ve put somewhere around 100 kilometers on them, a classic ultra distance, but I certainly didn’t do it in a single run. I didn’t take them up and over a mountain or to the bottom and up the opposing side of a canyon. (We don’t have canyons in Vermont, and the only way up the mountains at this time of year is by snowshoes, skis or chairlift.) No, I accumulated those kilometers slowly over a smattering of runs on the snow and dirt and gravel and salt that covers the rutty, up-and-down roads and trails in my neck of the woods, and that’s been enough to get a good feel for them.

It’s lightweight and lookin’ good.

More than any other trail shoe, the Flight Vectiv’s appearance reminds me of a road shoe. It’s sleek and minimal, with welded overlays and not a stitch in sight. It’s tongueless, and its lace eyelets are woven directly into the upper. Hell, you can see through its Kevlar-polyamide siding.

a pair of white and black trail running shoes
The Flight Vectiv’s upper is reinforced with Kevlar.

Tanner Bowden

Like many high-end road shoes, these elements are a function of saving weight. Surviving endless hours of running comes down to efficiency, in the body’s internal processes and external motions, and equipment. An extra ounce on each foot might not feel like much over six miles, but over 60, it can turn into a ball of lead. In a men’s size 9, the Flight Vectiv weighs 10.05 ounces per shoe, squarely on the low end for a trail running shoe.

The cost, as far as I can tell, isn’t much beyond the dollar signs. One feature I miss is a heel loop to help get the shoe on, but not having one is far from a deal-breaker, and it certainly wouldn’t be during a race, which, let’s remember, is what this shoe is for. The upper also doesn’t have any cushioning, except for a molded heel counter. (The Infinite and Enduris models have both of these features and more substantial tongues.)

The plate plus Kevlar make it stable.

Despite the minimalism, The North Face made the Flight Vectiv as supportive as possible. The upper has enough stretch in its tongueless tongue portion to slide into, but the Kevlar-reinforced aft section has little to no give at all. That, combined with the carbon fiber plate’s up-curled edges, makes it plenty stable on uneven ground. It contrasts starkly with shoe uppers that lack such reinforcements, which make each footfall feel like having to balance on a squishy platform.

a pair of white and black running shoes
The author’s dirty pair of Flight Vectiv trail running shoes.

Tanner Bowden

It’s speed under control.

Serving as guardrails is an innovative secondary function that The North Face gave to the carbon fiber plate. In road running shoes, this component is a springboard that works in tandem with a rockered (curved) sole to propel runners from one stride to the next. The same one-two combo is at play here, though it’s not as obvious a feeling as it is in those types of shoes. The foam is less bouncy, the plate less springy. It allows for the controlled speed necessary for trails, and it begs the question, why hasn’t this tech come to trail running before?

Verdict

All this is to say that the Flight Vectiv is a lot more shoe than it appears to be. It might be too much shoe — or rather, too little — for sub-elite trail runners, but minimalists might find it fits their needs just right. And the rest of the Vectiv line is there to suit the needs of those who want a bit more.

In its Vectiv press release, The North Face makes it explicit that it saw a carbon fiber-shaped gap in trail footwear that’s remained vacant even as seemingly every shoe brand adopted the tech for the road. It’s also filling a space in its collection — despite massive success in climbing and mountaineering, the company hasn’t made much of a name for itself in trail running. Previously, The North Face didn’t even require sponsored trail running athletes to wear its footwear. It can probably amend that part of its contracts now. Even without doing so, pro trail runners would likely run on Vectiv anyway.

After all, if records are a measure and forecast of a shoe’s success, then the Vectiv line is looking at clear skies. In 2020, The North Face’s trail running athletes set the fastest known times on 17 trails around the world, all wearing Vectiv shoes.

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The 7 Best Ski Bags for Winter 2021

This guide to the best ski bags for travel provides information on the seven best ski bags available, with information on each model’s key features such as capacity, pockets, the material they’re made of and how durable they are. We also provide tips on how to pack a ski bag and how to make traveling with one as seamless as possible.

More Great Ski Bags

    Anyone who’s traveled with ski gear knows this: it sucks. Schlepping one or two pairs of skis, poles, boots, a helmet, goggles, gloves, jackets, ski pants along with everyday clothing and travel needs (not to mention après ski attire) in and out of cabs and airports almost dulls the allure of foreign snow and untraveled terrain. Almost. Successful navigation of the portion of the journey that exists between your front doorstep and that of the ski chalet relies on a key item: the ski bag.

    Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Bag

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    Best Overall

    Dakine’s most popular ski roller bag is also its most versatile. The sleek, lightweight hauler boasts enough room for multiple pairs of skis and all the gear you need for everything from a weekend jaunt to a weeklong mountain adventure, and it’s available in two lengths, 175cm and 190cm, to accommodate just about any length of skis. Smart design features include 360-degree padded ski protection, a lockable main zipper, a removable boot bag, a tow handle that pairs with a rolling luggage bag for easy cruising through the airport and a handy external pocket for stashing key items like travel documents, reading material, keys and cookies.

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus one pair of boots, poles and outerwear
    Weight: 6 pounds 3 ounces
    Material: 600D polyester ripstop with water repellent finish, Bluesign-approved material

    Price: $145

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    Db The Db Ski Bag

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    Best Designed Ski Bag

    The Douchebag doesn’t win any points for its questionable name, but it makes up for that with a highly adaptable design. The foundation of this bag is an array of ABS “rib cages” and internal rails that, when it’s packed with skis, provide rigidity and protection while maintaining a reduced weight. A pair of hook-equipped straps let you adjust the total length to accommodate skis as long as 200 centimeters. Internally, there’s enough space for two pairs of skis and pretty much everything else you’ll need except boots (you should pack those as a carry-on anyways). But the best part about the bag might be that when it’s empty, you can roll it up into a compact wad that’ll fit under your bed or in the top of your closet.

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
    Weight: 8 pounds 6 ounces
    Material: 900D PU-coated polyester, ABS

    Price: $249

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    Salomon Extend 2P

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    Best Affordable Ski Bag

    Salomon’s Extend 2P ski bag offers space for two skis plus gear and convenient adjustability at a remarkably low price. One end has a spiral of a zipper that adjusts the bag’s length from 175 to 195 centimeters, making it adaptable to a wide range of ski sizes, and compression straps cinch everything secure for easier carrying. The tradeoff in price is that the Extend doesn’t have wheels, so it can get unwieldy when fully packed, and only it’s bottom is padded (the top is a rugged polyester fabric).

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
    Weight: 2 pounds 10 ounces
    Material: waterproof 450-denier (top) and 600-denier (bottom) polyester

    Price: $95

    Evo Roller Ski Bag

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    Best Ski Bag for Organizing Your Gear

    Evo is more known as a gear retailer than a producer, but it’s likely that selling so many ski bags made by other companies gave it a pretty good idea of how to make one. The Roller’s standout feature is organization — an interior pocket spacious enough for boots as well as an exterior one for other small items, a divider for pole protection and a main compartment that fits two pairs of skis. Compression straps keep everything in place, and two handles allow for multiple haul methods. When it’s empty, a nifty strap keeps it folded in half, making it easier to shove under a bed or into a closet.

    For even more organization, Evo makes a Deluxe Snow Roller that has more pockets as well as more durable fabric and other protective features. It goes for $200.

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
    Weight: not specified
    Material: 600-denier PU-coated polyester

    Price: $140

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    Backcountry Double Ski & Snowboard Rolling Bag

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    Ski Bag with the Best Feature Set

    Like Evo, Backcountry combined its years of experience selling ski travel bags (and amassing consumer reviews on what works and what doesn’t) with the knowledge of its in-house gear nerds to create the best one it can imagine. The Backcountry Double is full-featured, with room for two skis plus gear, a length that adjusts from 154 to 200 centimeters, lots of padding, sturdy wheels and a waterproof lining. There’s also an exterior zip pocket and two interior zip pockets on the lid.

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
    Weight: 7 pounds 10 ounces
    Material: tarpaulin (exterior), nylon, polyester, Spandex (interior)

    Price: $200

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    Sportube Series 2

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    Best Hard Case Ski Bag

    If maximum protection is what you’re after, Sportube’s hard-sided ski carriers are the way to go. It’s made of polyethylene with padding at both ends to protect tips and tails and uses a design that’s both adjustable and lockable. There aren’t any pockets for compartments for small things, but you can still stuff plenty of clothing and gear down between the two pairs of skis that this thing holds. Additionally, if you think you might opt to ship your skis rather than carry them on an airplane, this hard case is the way to go.

    Sportube also makes a version for traveling with one pair of skis for $170.

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
    Weight: 12 pounds
    Material: polyethylene

    Price: $230

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    Db Slim Jim Ski Bag

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    Best Single Ski Bag

    When a single pair of skis is all you’re carrying, and simplicity is what you’re after, look to Db’s Slim Jim Ski Bag. Like the two-ski Db Ski Bag, it has a collapsible ABS construction that, combined with a hook-and-loop system, lets you adjust the bag’s length from 108 to 210 centimeters. That makes it perfect for any length of ski, and the whole thing rolls up for easy storage when you aren’t using it. There’s a decent amount of space for clothing and accessories, but not boots, and rugged wheels make it easy to haul through baggage claim.

    Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
    Weight: 3 pounds 11 ounces
    Material: 500-denier tarpaulin, 900-denier polyester (exterior), 600-denier polyester (lining)

    Price: $129

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    What to Know About Ski Travel Bags

    Beyond having the right bag, there are a few key things to know about traveling with skis.

    Choosing and Packing a Ski Bag

    Ski bags are unwieldy pieces of luggage that typically hold one or two pairs of skis with bindings, but some hold three. The size of the bag you choose will depend on the type of ski trip you’re going on, how often you travel with skis and how you prefer to pack. Unless you’re a travel minimalist, we recommend that in most cases you pack into a bag that can hold two pairs of skis. Bringing two pairs to your destination — a narrow-waisted pair for hardpack and a wider pair for powder, for instance — will give you options in case the weather doesn’t behave as predicted. But even if you only own one pair of skis, a two-ski bag is a good option because the extra space can be used for all the rest of your gear, plus clothing, so you won’t have to bring another bag and can save money on airline baggage fees.

    There are also a few handy things to remember when packing your ski bag. Use Voile or Velcro straps to keep each pair of skis secure and help prevent them from getting damaged. Pack them tip-to-tail inside the bag to maximize use of space. And again, ski bags aren’t only for skis — you can likely fit all of your ski clothing in the remaining space, which will provide additional cushioning for your bindings, brakes, tips and tails.

    Tips for Navigating the Airport with a Ski Bag

    Unless you plan to rent equipment at your destination, resign yourself to the fact that the carry-on-only ski trip doesn’t exist. You can still save yourself from getting gouged at the airport though. First, pack as much clothing and gear in with your skis as possible. Second, on most airlines, you’re allotted one carry-on, and one personal item in the airplane cabin — your ski boots are that second item. This will not only save a ton of space in your luggage but also, in the case that anything gets lost or delayed, means that you’ll still have your boots if you need to buy a pair of rentals for a day while you wait for your luggage to arrive. (The airline might even cover that fee for you.)

    Lastly, know your airline’s baggage policy — most of them, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue count a ski bag and a boot bag as one piece of checked luggage. Some airlines are more strict than others as to what a “boot bag” is, but it’s not implausible that you can get away with checking an extra bag of clothing this way (it more than likely depends on the mood of the attendant checking you in). Typically, the combined weight of the two bags will count towards that of a single bag’s maximum weight allotment, which is usually 50 pounds.

    Now all you need is the bag.

Experts Say This Is the Most Innovative Outdoor Gear of the Year

Every January, hundreds of brands gather to showcase all the new outdoor gear and apparel they’ve been working on at Outdoor Retailer, the largest outdoor trade show in North America. Not this year, though. As #pandemiclife continues, the winter 2021 edition went online.

Nevertheless, the show’s organizers assembled a panel of judges to determine the most innovative products among the thousands on display. Thirty-four finalists made the cut, but only 16 took home a win, including one that earned the designation as Product of the Year. Here’s the scoop on the winners.

ZOLEO Satellite Communicator

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What if your smartphone had service literally everywhere? That’s the promise of this adventurer’s dream device, which seamlessly extends your coverage all over the globe and automatically routes messages using the lowest cost network available. No wonder it claimed Product of the Year honors.

Price: $199

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Ascend Performance Materials Acteev Protect

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Meet what might be the ultimate face mask material. Lab tests have shown that, when added to polyamide 66 textile fabric, germ-fighting Acteev technology deactivates SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and other pathogens including H1N1.

Price: $15

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Bern Hudson

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This safe and stylish helmet is designed for urban commuters. It boasts MIPS, an integrated LED light, U-lock-friendly reinforced vents and a lower price point than Thousand’s similar Chapter.

Price: $120

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Decathlon/Quechua 2-Seconds Easy Tent

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We were stoked about this tent the second we heard about it, and it only takes twice that long to set up. Thanks to a clever design, all you must do is tug two pull cords to bring it life.

Price: $199

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Dovetail Workwear Maven Maternity

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Thanks to durable stretch denim and Beyond Bellyband tech, the first ever American maternity workpant is comfortable, functional, flexible and versatile. In other words, it’s perfect for women who garden, hike, ride trails and so much more.

Price: $99

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Extreme Motus Emma X3

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This all-terrain wheelchair features large, low-pressure tires that can tackle grass, gravel, rocks, sand, snow, mud and even float in the water. One of the most inclusive products on this list opens up access to National Parks and so much more for wheelchair users.

Price: $4,049+

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Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station

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Kiss gas generators goodbye with this lithium-ion battery-powered solution. An all-new 2000W AC inverter and seven different port options enables you to fuel damn near anything — and even recharge with Goal Zero’s portable solar panels.

Price: $2,000

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Helly Hansen Odin Infinity Insulated Jacket

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As we noted in a recent piece on Helly Hansen’s Elevation Infinity Shell Jacket, the brand’s latest breakthrough is Lifa Infinity Pro, a waterproof-breathable membrane and exterior fabric without any chemical additives. This jacket boasts that tech too, along with the second-to-none performance pedigree of every Odin-emblazoned release.

Elevation Jacket Price: $750

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Houdini Mono Air Houdi

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A simple zip-up fleece in appearance, the Mono Air Houdi uses a new fabric from Polartec called Power Air Light to keep microfibers from shedding during wear and washing. The little pockets that trap them in place also trap warm air, providing real warmth in addition to the feel-good kind you get knowing that wearing it is helping mitigate a severe environmental problem.

Price: $200

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JP Outdoor Co. CoPilot Carrier Pak

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JP Outdoor’s idea of a hiking pack-baby carrier combo includes a built-in changing station, a cooler compartment, removable food and clothing bags, a place for diapers and a 15-inch laptop sleeve.

Price: $135

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Optimus Gemini

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Dedicated cooks want dual burners, even while camping. That’s the promise of the Gemini, though it separates itself from other high-output stoves with its uniquely compact form. The setup swaps the typical briefcase design for collapsible legs that also serve as cooking platforms.

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Mammut 9.5 Crag We Care Classic Rope

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Mammut, the Swiss company that pioneered climbing rope innovation, is adding a layer of protection to the critical safety gear. It comes in the form of a sheath made of yarn leftovers from rope production, and it aims to reduce waste and environmental harm. As a bonus, the recycled sheath looks pretty damn cool.

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NexTex TurboDry

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Moisture-wicking is a key component in all active apparel. NexTex’s new TurboDry fabric tech aims to make it better by mimicking tree roots’ moisture management systems. TurboDry doesn’t use chemical coatings to do it either and can function with recycled and natural fibers, the use of which is now prevalent in outdoor apparel.

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Sawyer Tap Filtration System

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Sawyer brings its wilderness-tested filtration to the tap in a compact cylinder that removes nasty things like bacteria, protozoa, cysts and microplastics from water. It’ll be perfect for overseas travel, once we’re all doing that again.

Price: $39

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Scarpa Mojito Bio

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Scarpa’s rugged footwear is typically known for standing up to all imaginable abuse, but it built the Mojito Bio specifically to break down. The entire shoe is biodegradable with a bamboo-based upper and laces, a sugarcane-derived midsole and a natural rubber outsole. The box it comes in is made of recycled cardboard, too.

Price: $179

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United By Blue COVID-19 Grocery Delivery Program

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When the pandemic forced United By Blue to shutter its cafe-equipped stores, the brand pivoted to turn them into grocery distribution centers. Leveraging its relationships with local farms, co-ops and restaurant suppliers, it created a new business model that worked for both it and the surrounding community. A health insurance company even got on board to get the system to work for high-risk individuals, bringing them PPE and home goods in addition to food.

LEARN MORE

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16 of the Best Made in America Outdoor Brands

There’s a special pride we take in learning about craftspeople who have found a way to continue producing and making gear in America. As more and more companies move out to keep prices down, there are a few that have continued to produce as much as they can here in the US.

The outdoor space is no different. Whether it’s a line of sneakers or a specific type of tent that is put together from start to finish, there are brands spread across the country making high-quality gear stateside — from as far west as Seattle to as far east as Biddeford, Maine.

We pulled together a list of outdoor brands that are tried and tested, with much of their gear made right here in America. With any of these brands, you can feel proud about supporting them in your outdoor pursuits.

Outdoor Research


Started by Ron Gregg in 1980, Outdoor Research’s first product was a pair of insulated gaiters designed to help mountaineers climb in some of the coldest temperatures on earth. Gregg didn’t stop there, and continued innovating, designing products that anyone who spends time in the backcountry can appreciate. Since the brand’s inception, the manufacturing facility in Seattle has been a beacon of American-made quality.

Learn More: Here

Thule


Thule makes everything from hard goods to soft goods, and while not all its products are made in the USA, all of its cargo boxes sold in the US are made stateside in Chicago. Back in May 2016, Thule opened a new center for all cargo box production. Thanks to this facility, Thule is more efficient and flexible when creating the boxes that help Americans everywhere travel with more gear for their adventures.

Learn More: Here

GoRuck


Jason McCarthy, founder and CEO of GoRuck, creates gear and apparel that serves troops at home and abroad. Pulling from his military background, McCarthy designs rucksacks, apparel and boots. All the gear is durable, compact and tough enough to survive special forces missions. The brand name pulls meaning from movement — literally go and ruck — whether you’re moving with a rucksack or backpack. The bags are hand-made in Bozeman, Montana or Colorado.

Learn More: Here

Darn Tough


Darn Tough has been making high-quality and durable socks in its Northfield, Vermont mill since 2004. Merino wool is the magic fabric that keeps these socks running for years.

Learn More: Here

Filson


Filson makes some of the most handsome jackets, bags and clothing for the outdoor market in Seattle. Its luggage has caught our attention, but we’re also big fans of its rain jackets and rugged outerwear. Since 1897, C.C. Filson sold entire outfits to west-bound pioneers during the gold rush. The rugged aesthetic continues to guide the brand as it crafts durable and comfortable gear well into its 123rd year.

Learn More: Here

Topo Designs


While not everything Topo Designs makes is born in the USA, the brand’s classic packs are built in Colorado. Day packs, quick packs and mountain packs are available in Topo’s signature bright colorways (and understated ones, too). One of our favorite Topo Designs products is the Accessory Bag with 1000D Cordura fabric and a sturdy YKK zipper.

Learn More: Here

Keen


Keen’s EVOFIT One sandal is born and bred in the USA — more specifically, in Portland, Oregon. The sneaker/sandal hybrid is built for use in the water or on the trail, and feels like a second skin. The shoe takes its cues from nature and its technology from the Keen Innovation Lab, making it versatile and comfortable.

Learn More: Here

Danner


Since 1932, Danner has crafted boots to help you conquer your next adventure — whether that’s trekking through the snow to work, hiking along tree-lined Adirondack trails, or navigating the switchback trails of the Grand Canyon. The Portland Select line of boots includes city to mountain hikers and dress boots, all made in the USA.

Learn More: Here

FITS


Made in Chattanooga, Tennessee, FITS socks are built by third and fourth generation textile manufacturers. The brand’s staff-favorite socks are great for hiking, running, skiing and tactical pursuits.

Learn More: Here

Western Mountaineering


Western Mountaineering, a San Jose, California-based brand that specializes in top-notch sleeping bags, has been around for more than 30 years. No matter what temperature you’re sleeping in, the bags will keep you warm from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Learn More: Here

Smartwool


All of Smartwool’s performance and lifestyle socks are made in the USA. The process starts in Tennessee at the brand’s research and development lab, and then continues as the socks are knit from merino wool in both Tennessee and North Carolina. For more than 25 years, Smartwool has been making some of our favorite running socks.

Learn More: Here

Duckworth


Duckworth’s wool comes from Merino sheep that live in the high elevations of the Montana Rockies. The process begins at Helle ranch in Dillon, Montana where the sheep are shorn, the fibers are graded and then sent to the Carolinas for textile production. The fleece is selected for its specific style used in everything from tees to sweatshirts.

Learn More: Here

ZPacks


If you want ultra-lightweight gear that still performs at the highest level while out on the trail, head to Zpacks. Its shelters, backpacks and sleeping bags have been made in America since 2005. Joe Valesko, the founder, thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail and more. If you’re heading out on a long trip, Zpacks gear is a good place to start.

Learn More: Here

Hyperlite Mountain Gear


Between Kennebunkport and Portland, Maine, you’ll find the town of Biddeford. There, in an old mill building, Hyperlite Mountain Gear designs and manufactures all of its outdoor gear — including shelters, tents, stuff sacks and outerwear. You’ll find lots of Dyneema — a fabric and fiber that’s 15 times stronger than steel, yet still light and waterproof and durable, especially through Maine’s winters.

Learn More: Here

Mystery Ranch


In 2000, Mystery Ranch began crafting backpacks for the hunting enthusiasts, wildland fire and mountaineering folks in Bozeman, Montana. Just four years later, Mystery Ranch was approached by the Navy SEALS to create a line of custom packs for them, and thus began a long partnership. To this day, Mystery Ranch creates some of the most durable and intense packs for military and civilians alike.

Learn More: Here

Nalgene


BPA-free plastic water bottles are some of the least-expensive, yet high-performing bottles on the market. Born in Rochester, New York in the 1940s, these leak-proof and lightweight bottles are still hard to beat, even after all these years.

Learn More: Here

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The First Batch of New Outdoor Gear of the Year Is Here

Before the end of 2020, the popular fitness app Strava released data findings from the 73 million people who track activities with its app. Within that report is an easy-to-overlook nugget: nearly twice as many people went hiking between April and June as in the same period the year before. A separate report by KOA estimates that a quarter of all campers in North America went camping for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic.

In retrospect, it isn’t difficult to believe, as it seemed like every month there were new stories about gear shortages; first, it was bikes, then it was kayaks and tents, now it’s snowshoes and nordic skis. With the virus raging on, we shouldn’t expect things to change — the outdoors will still be our best recreational refuge for many months, and gear will remain in short supply to anyone who doesn’t think ahead and stay up to date with the latest releases. Get it while it’s hot, so they say.

Hoka One One Kaha Low GTX

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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Hoka used one of its best full-sized hiking boots, the Kaha, as a template to make a lighter, faster pair that bears the same name. The Kaha Low has the same materials (nubuck leather, a Vibram rubber sole, Gore-Tex waterproofing) and comes in the same cushy build as its sibling. Is it too early to be thinking about spring hiking?

Price: $200

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Burton x Polartec Collection

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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When Burton recently released its epic snowboard flick, One World, it complimented the movie magic with an impressive collection of gear. The lineup includes plenty of apparel and a fluffy fleece tote, all made with Polartec fabrics, as well as this tempting invitation to try boarding without bindings.

Price: $350

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Cotopaxi Liso Baselayers

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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Cotopaxi understands that proper layering is all about the base because its new Liso collection is stretchy, wicking and odor-resistant. More importantly, it aims for comfort: a flat, wide waistband on the Liso bottoms are proof.

Price: $60

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Outdoor Research Protective Essential Bandana

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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Outdoor Research continues to adapt its Essential Face Mask — which we’ve found to be one of the most comfortable and adjustable available — into new forms. The latest is the Essential Bandana, which includes a nose bridge and earloops but offers a shape ideal for winter activities like snowboarding and skiing.

Price: $40

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Anon Merak Helmet

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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There are only a few helmet technologies available that protect your noggin from oblique, rotational falls, even though this is how most falls happen. MIPS is a widely used one. WaveCel is another — it debuted in 2019 and hasn’t been available in anything but Bontrager bike helmets since. Now Anon is using the tech in two new ski and snowboard helmets. In addition to WaveCel, the all-mountain Merak has 19 vents, an adjustable fit and a liner made of Polartec fleece.

Price: $320

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Kelty CBD

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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Kelty makes tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, camp chairs, trekking poles and even military equipment. Now CBD is on that list too. It’s not a departure from outdoor gear, though — Kelty’s CBD line includes topicals for itch-relief (think bug bites) and sunburns.

Price: $30-$50

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MountainFlow Eco-Wax Race Wax

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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Every year, millions of pounds of ski wax flakes off skis and snowboards onto the snow and eventually winds up in waterways once it melts. MountainFlow’s mission is to lessen that seemingly invisible impact with a line of plant-based waxes that biodegrade. Eco-friendliness didn’t come at the cost of speed either — its recently released Race Wax tested just as fast as the toxic stuff.

Price: $28-$60

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Snow Peak Takibi Tarp Hexa Set M

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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Snow Peak’s newest camping tarp is completely waterproof but also has an included liner that makes it safe to light up a campfire beneath it. It does not, however, come with excuses not to hang out outside this winter.

Price: $500

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Lululemon Huckberry Navigation Down Jacket

best new outdoor gear january 2021

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To their detriment, many people still don’t know that Lululemon’s collection of men’s clothing is really, really nice. Or that the brand doesn’t only make yoga gear. Huckberry isn’t included in that group, though — the retailer recently recruited Lululemon to create a unique version of its Navigation Down Jacket in a limited sage color. The jacket is stretchy, has an invisible hem and cuffs and is plenty warm with 700-fill down.

Price: $248

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Can Better Coffee Help Save The World?

Alex Yoder spent his twenties chasing snow around the world. A sponsored snowboarder for Patagonia, he grew apathetic to token acts of environmental activism, like social posts and climate marches.

“They felt hollow,” he recalls. “I wanted a tangible role in actual impact and became interested in regenerative organic farming. Starting a coffee company was a rogue move, but something I needed to do.”

Such was the genesis of Overview Coffee, an upstart coffee roaster based in Portland, Oregon.

“To be honest, I didn’t drink coffee before I started the company,” he reveals. “I just saw it as an opportunity to bring business and agriculture together and learned to love coffee in the process. The world has a food insecurity problem and a climate crisis. Fixing farming will curb both.”

overview coffee
Overview Coffee founder Alex Yoder

Overview

But Yoder didn’t decide to start a coffee business by randomly picking it out of a hat. “Millions of people have an emotional connection to coffee. It tugs at our heartstrings. It’s a daily ritual. A shared religious experience.” Yoder hopes these emotions encourage more people to invest their daily cup of coffee towards a climate solution.

“I don’t want to be a billion dollar company. I’d rather grow just big enough to pressure bigger brands like Starbucks to change their supply chains. We want to be a thorn in their side.”

The issue, Yoder stresses, comes down to certifications. Agriculture is a massive industry driven by its bottom line. As it has grown, certifications have been diluted in favor of bigger business and making more money. Big companies have found loopholes to grow certified crops in similar ways to the rest of their crops, raising the price through workarounds. This creates confusion with consumers, makes it harder for small farms to enter the market, and continues to harm the planet.

The seed was planted in his work with Patagonia, where Yoder learned a great deal about certifications like the Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, and USDA Organic. Feeling like the bar could be raised higher, he followed the lead of Rodale Institute, Patagonia, and Dr. Bronners, who recently came together to form the Regenerative Organic Certification.

“Regenerative Organic basically takes the best parts of each of the other certs and rolls it into one. It considers farmers’ livelihoods, making sure they earn a living wage. It eliminates the use of pesticides and insecticides, which deplete the health of the soil. And it does away with tilling and monocropping, which allow the soil to regenerate needed nutrients.”

overview coffee

Overview

Founded in April, 2020, Overview is an eCommerce coffee roaster, shipping to customers across the country with one-time or recurring subscription orders. The team sources from small farms in Africa and South America, imports, tests, roasts, bags and ships, all from their Portland headquarters. Yoder says the biggest challenge has been finding the right coffee farms.

“A lot of farms that are truly organic or regenerative aren’t certified because it costs a lot of money, sometimes up to $10,000. Many of these small farmers only make a few grand each year.”

Because many small farmers lack certifications, Overview targeted agroforestry coffee farms instead, which integrate trees and shrubs to create similar environmental benefits like better soil quality. They are often small farmers who planted coffee in the existing ecosystem instead of logging it first. Of the hundreds of farms in his supplier network, just two fit the bill. Thus, Overview was launched with just two types of coffee, Ethiopia and Honduras. (There are now seven varieties, including the Ethiopia Pocket Coffee pictured at the top of this page.)

“The best case scenario is that we’re roasting beans from coffee that’s grown in the forest,” says Yoder, who has become a self-proclaimed agriculture nerd. “Total homeostasis with the ecosystem. This is better than regenerative organic agriculture, but it’s hard to scale. Regenerative organic is the best industrialized approach and in many ways tries to mimic agroforestry. It’s a mix of plants and other species, making it more resilient to climate change and natural hazards.”

Yet, Overview faces an uphill battle. Most major coffee farms already employ a single crop style, the worst form of farming. Using a lot of chemicals, single crop farmers may yield more in the short run, but in doing so wreck the ecosystem and deplete the soil health, making their farms far prone to natural disasters.

“All coffee is grown in the developing world and is consumed in the developed world. We want to be the bridge. We want to create a connection between the farmers to the coffee drinkers.”

Having maxed a handful of credit cards to get Overview off the ground, Yoder now has the company in the black, less than a year after it launched its first beans. Growth has been linear, increasing volume and spreading the brand’s message. Today Overview offers six different types of environmentally friendly coffee and is available in a handful of coffee shops across the western US.

“Our plan isn’t to be the next Blue Bottle. We don’t want to be the next specialty coffee darling with dozens of brick and mortar locations that’s bought by a big company like Nestle. We want to help people align their values to the coffee they drink every day. It’s simple.”

Unlike many startup founders, Yoder has set pragmatic goals for the next few years.

“I don’t want to become a billion dollar company. I’d rather grow just big enough to pressure bigger brands like Starbucks to change their supply chains. We want to be a thorn in their side and analogous to the climate crisis, we don’t have a lot of time.”

overview coffee

Overview

Yoder hopes Overview will grow large enough to impact both the coffee supply chain and the way people buy coffee.

“All coffee is grown in the developing world and is consumed in the developed world. Most people don’t know that coffee is grown on a bush in the mountains and is a cherry with seeds inside that come in a pair. We want to be the bridge. We want to create a connection between the farmers to the coffee drinkers. We started with a subscription because it allows people to turn their values into a routine.”

The numbers in front of Overview are daunting. By some estimates worldwide coffee farming could see a 50% yield decrease by 2050. With this crop scarcity looming and coffee demand booming, prices are likely to skyrocket. Yoder’s solution is to start small and local.

“Instead of trying to explain the complexities of climate change and the global coffee trade to people, I try to help people understand the power of their dollar. In a globalized economy, every purchase we make contributes to the future we create.”

Espresso Blend, $15

Overview Coffee

Earthrise, $16

Overview Coffee

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9 New Bikes and Accessories So Hot You’ll Forget It’s Freezing

If January chills have you hesitating to head out on two wheels, we feel your pain. But we also have good news.

Brands continue to launch exciting new bikes and gear for braving wind, rain and cold — not to mention great products for getting your sweat on from the comfort of your home.

Recently, LeMond’s first ebikes got off the ground, Garmin made an affordable indoor cycling option and Pedaled released a whole collection of apparel to help you take Mother Nature’s worst and keep on, well, pedaling.

Bikes

Equal Bike

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Watch out, VanMoof — a slick startup out of Finland has your number. Weighing less than 32 pounds, with electronics and battery integrated into the top tube, the Equal Bike is competitively light and streamlined. A 250-watt motor supplies up to 16 miles per hour of pedal assist and and a 31-mile range, but alas, deliveries are limited to the EU and a few other countries.

Price: $1,811

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Canyon Strive

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A series of three updated enduro bikes boast a revolutionary feature: flick the Shapeshifter switch on the handlebar and the ride’s whole geometry and suspension change in a flash. Uphill mode means steeper angles and a firmer feel for climbing, while Downhill mode lowers your center of gravity and taps into 6 inches of rear suspension for gnarly descents.

Price: $3,599+

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LeMond Prolog

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The first of LeMond’s sexy new ebikes looks to be worth the wait. This carbon fiber AF ride is sleek, fast and surprisingly light at 26 pounds. A 250-watt motor boosts you to 20 miles per hour, with a range of 45 miles, teaming with an 11-speed Shimano drivetrain to tackle all kinds of ups and downs. The Prolog starts shipping next month, with another bike called Dutch coming in March.

Price: $4,500

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Echelon Connect Bike EX-7S

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The longtime maker of affordable indoor bikes takes its best shot at the king (Peloton) with its latest model. That’s a tall order, but it is $455 cheaper, offers several workout modalities and has a screen that rotates a full 180 degrees (as opposed to the 90 degrees of Peloton Bike+). So it’s got that going for it, which is nice.

Price: $2,040

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Accessories

Garmin Tacx Boost Trainer

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Speaking of affordable indoor cycling, this new release from Garmin has that proposition on lock. The low-profile Tacx Boost offers a simple setup, an actual flywheel for a realistic pedal stroke and a handlebar level that lets you toggle through 10 levels of resistance, up to 1,050 watts. The only catch, of course: bike not included.

Price: $300

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Selle Repente Quasar

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Our in-house weight weenie raved about the small Italian saddle specialist’s last big release, the Latus CL, and this new model looks gorgeous. The brand’s first seat to feature a steel rather than carbon-fiber rail, the Quasar does weigh 25 grams more than the Latus. But it also costs half as much, meaning your wallet’s not so light, either.

Price: $133

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Chrome x Brooklyn Cycling Cap

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Nothing to see here, just an update of the Brooklyn Cycling Team’s circa 1973 cap, later made famous by Spike Lee and Michael Jordan, that happens to look pretty badass thanks to a murdered-out colorway and safety-first reflective hits.

Price: $30

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Rhone Basic Cycling Short

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With women’s bike shorts becoming a hot ticket during the pandemic, it was only a matter of time till a traditional men’s fitness brand tackled the trend. Rhone’s well-made offering boasts recycled nylon Italian lightweight knit fabric, a molded chamois and flatlock stitching to reduce chafing.

    Price: $98

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    Pedaled Odyssey Long Distance Jersey

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    With long-distance off-road riding and racing gaining popularity, Pedaled has introduced the six-piece Odyssey Winter Kit for tackling inclement weather in style. Along with some excellent waterproof and insulated items, we love this full-featured jersey. Its polyamide fibers are warm yet breathable, and its generous pockets provide plenty of protected storage to stash what you need for extended adventures.

    Price: $216

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The Best Accessories to Have On Hand This Winter

hestra gloves

Ming Poon

It’s easy to take a good pair of gloves for granted. When they’re working well you can almost forget you’re wearing them — but the minute they fail it’s nearly impossible to think about anything other than your freezing fingers. It’s not so surprising, then, that some of the best gloves you can get your hands on (or in) are coming from Scandinavia. Hestra has been mastering the glove game for years now, so whether you’re looking for a pair of technical, snowboard-specific gloves or a premium pair of classic black leather gloves, the guide below has something for you.

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Hestra Freeride CZone

The Freeride CZone is Hestra’s first snowboarder-inspired design — which isn’t to say it won’t work great for skiers too. But the glove was co-designed with Chris Rogers of the Vail Ski and Ride School and features internal seams to prevent wear, reinforcements for board carry, an internal waterproof membrane and even a shortened cuff for smartwatch access.

Price: $165

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Hestra Leather Pull Over Mitt

If your best pair of gloves still doesn’t quite keep you warm or dry enough in wet and/or windy conditions, Hestra’s Leather Pull Over Mitts are the perfect thing to have on hand (or in pocket). The ultra-packable and lightweight mitts pull easily over other gloves, adding a layer of warmth as well as GORE-TEX Windstopper protection. After all, you layer your outerwear — why not double glove?

Price: $65

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Hestra Ergo Grip Active

Bulky gloves are great for low temperatures and leisure skiing, but clumsy hands can be costly in a pinch. The Ergo Grip Active Gloves from Hestra use unique stitching at each knuckle to eliminate bunching and provide maximum dexterity. Made from supple, durable goat leather with a windproof GORE-TEX back, these gloves are perfect for warmer weather, high output days or anyone who needs to “get a grip.”

Price: $110

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Hestra John Gloves

If your primary concern while keeping warm is looking cool, then Hestra’s John Gloves are about as good as it gets. A perennial favorite among Hestra’s master glove cutters, the John is made from a thin, soft leather with high gloss and lined with Primaloft Gold insulation in addition to brushed polyester for warmth. The fingers are subtly pre-curved for dexterity and with touchscreen compatibility on the thumb and forefinger, you’ll basically never have to take them off.

Price: $150

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What the Hell Is a Napoleon Pocket?

Welcome to Further Details, a series dedicated to ubiquitous but overlooked elements hidden on your favorite products. This week: a jacket pocket named after a legendary conqueror.

As great as it must be to have a monument or statue erected in your honor, one of the cooler ways to make a mark on history is having an object bear your name. You may not know anything about Adolphe Sax or the Jacuzzi brothers, but it’s pretty easy to associate them with iconic inventions.

Ironically, a much more famous gentleman is inseparable from a comparatively humble but incredibly handy innovation. I’m talking about France’s greatest conqueror — and the outdoor industry’s not-so-secret name for that zippered compartment on the left chest of so much outerwear: the Napoleon pocket.

When I started researching this term, I had no idea the rabbit hole into which I was descending. But having conferred with a coterie of experts, here’s what I’ve learned about this staple of just about any fleece, mid-layer or ski jacket you come across these days. Thoughts and theories abound.

“It’s a nod to the portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte, and is actually a bit of a misnomer, considering he’s not actually reaching into a pocket at all, but just reaching into his unbuttoned jacket,” explains Kyle Parker, senior category manager at The North Face. “Some say it was a way of looking more distinguished, while others have speculated it’s actually due to a skin irritation caused by the fibers of his clothes.”

“I remember referring to it in the late nineties as a Napoleon pocket and people would look at me with a blank stare,” adds Michael Collin, account director at Pale Morning Media, which counts Flylow, Oboz and SOG among its clients. “I also had one client ask that I not refer to it that way as he felt it had bad connotations. Instead he preferred… chest utility pocket.”

Veteran outdoorswoman Diane Vukovic, creator of the website Mom Goes Camping, has more insight. “The term got its start on the Appalachian trail,” she shares. “People would call it that because hikers looked like Napoleon while using the pocket to warm their hands.”

Vukovic cites uses of the term from the year 2000, and my research uncovered a formal reference just a bit earlier, around the time Collin was getting funny looks. “Dress for Duress” a review of rugged jackets by Jonathan Dorn in the February 1998 issue of Backpacker, includes a “Features To Look For” sidebar. “Napoleon Pocket: Named after the diminutive French autocrat, this breast pocket keeps snacks and maps at the ready, especially if it’s located outside the main zipper.”

(Here it’s worth noting that Napoleon wasn’t technically French. A descendant of minor Italian nobility, he was born in Corsica a few months before that island was annexed by the Kingdom of France. But I digress.)

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Henry Phillips

So the nomenclature dates back more than two decades, at least, and clearly emerged from the portrait, which raises another pertinent question: where did that pose originate?

To find out, I consulted a source far outside the outdoor industry. Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, Ph.D., is a fashion historian and author of Fashion Victims: Dress at the Court of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, among other books. “The hand-in-waistcoat pose in male portraiture actually dates back to the seventeenth century, when waistcoats started being worn as part of the three-piece suit, and it remained in use through the nineteenth century,” she reveals. “But it has its roots in the many examples of ancient statuary showing the arm resting in the folds of a man’s himation (cloak).”

She’s talking about sculptures from ancient Greece and Rome, meaning this posing style has been around for centuries upon centuries.

Author and consultant J. Mark Powell, the man behind the Holy Cow! History column, has researched the reasons. “Believe it or not, it was considered a sign of good breeding,” he reports. “In 1738, Francois Nivelon, the 18th Century’s Emily Post for all things etiquette, wrote in A Book of Genteel Behavior that the hand-inside-coat pose signified ‘manly boldness tempered with modesty.’ It expressed a firm leader who was also calm, cool and collected.”

Powell adds that the pose became associated with Napoleon when the Scottish artist Jacques-Louis David was commissioned to paint the man’s portrait in 1812 and, working from memory, revived the pose for “Napoleon in His Study.” Napoleon himself loved the painting, and other artists incorporated the pose into other images of the leader, cementing its connection with him. Google around and you can find loads of historical figures from before and after this time rocking the pose.

In another bit of irony, however, Chrisman-Campbell theorizes that Napoleon’s link with the pose did it no favors. “He actually helped to unpopularize it, since it became so associated with him and his regime,” she says. “After Waterloo, it was perceived as a gesture of dangerous hubris rather than modesty and calm leadership.”

Thankfully for us, there’s no shame in using the pocket to store items we want to have within easy reach whether we’re on hiking a mountain trail, riding a ski lift or hanging at the bar. After all, the Napoleon pocket just happens to be the perfect size for stashing a device the man could hardly have conceived of in his time: your smartphone.

Editor’s note: We’ve received numerous inquiries about the jacket pictured in this story. It’s a mid-2000s Patagonia Dimensions jacket that is no longer available, so we asked the brand for a couple alternate recommendations from its current lines. The Dimensions jacket was a 3-layer softshell, not unlike the Snowdrifter. Or for a spring/summer option, try the Houdini Air. Both jackets are available in a black colorway and — as if there were any doubt — feature Napoleon pockets.

patagonia snowdrifter jacket
SnowDrifter: $399

Patagonia

patagonia houdini air jacket
Houdini Air: $169

Patagonia

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6 Weird Knives That Are New for 2021

The knife industry typically kicks off the new year at SHOT Show, the largest annual trade show for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry. Unsurprisingly, the event is canceled for 2021, but blade producers haven’t been idle, and they aren’t holding onto their cards either. CRKT is the first major brand to reveal what it’s been working on, showing off over 50 new pocket knives, multi-tools and accessories. Standing out from the release are some of the company’s weirdest and most creative knives yet.

Compano

CRKT

The Compano calls to mind a video game prop, but it’s real and surprisingly practical too. The tool consists of a keychain carabiner and a folding 1.42-inch blade. It’s small, but an integrated finger loop makes it possible to maintain a solid grip.

Price: $50

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Provoke Zap

CRKT

The Provoke, a morphing karambit that garnered over $350,000 on Kickstarter before CRKT began producing it en masse, isn’t new. But the slime green handle is, making its unique construction even more shocking.

Price: $100

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Septimo Multi-Tool

CRKT

Through its Forged by War program, CRKT works with military veterans to design knives and tools and then donates a portion of their sales to charities of the vet-designer’s choice. The Septimo Multi-Tool is the latest. Jeremy Valdez, a former Green Beret, drew on his experience in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2009 to create a knife with an integrated strap cutter, screwdriver and adjustable wrench.

Price: $60

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Ritual

CRKT

If the Ritual looks like something Indiana Jones would drag out of a snake-filled temple, that’s because designer Alan Folts imagined what a Persian Empire blade might look like if made today. It isn’t all show, though, with an assisted-opening mechanism the functions quickly and smoothly on ball bearings.

Price: $125

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Nirk Tighe

CRKT

While many of CRKT’s new knives draw inspiration from past eras and events, the Nirk Tighe seems to imagine a blade from the future. Its skeletonized frame includes a unique locking mechanism called the Klecker Lock, which functions similarly to a lockback, though leverage comes from the linear cutouts that run the handle’s length.

Price: $60

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Scribe

CRKT

The subtlest new knife in CRKT’s 2021 lineup is secretly unique. The Scribe is small with a 1.74-inch fixed blade and simple in form. But it includes a cap that, once on, makes it look more like a USB device than anything you might cut open a package with.

Price: $25

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How to Bike in the Winter, According to a World-Class Cyclist

Earlier this year Lachlan Morton rode the 500-mile Colorado Trail, finishing in less than four days, two hours shy of the record. The remote and high altitude route runs from Durango to Denver, through the San Juan, Sawatch and Front Range mountains. In his own words, “it was absolutely brutal.”

“I rode it during the summer, but it still was some of my coldest memories on a bike,” says the man who’s gained a reputation of riding a fine line between world-class cyclist and professional masochist. “One night I had to emergency bivy at 13,000 feet. I have quite a bit of nerve damage in my fingers from that ride. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done, by a significant amount. The elevation, rough trail, weather, and wear and tear on your body adds up.”

A strong statement for someone who in the same year set records on the 2,000-kilometer GBDuro and Kokopelli Trail, and broke the Everesting record twice in one week.

Now residing in Boulder, Colorado, the Australia native admits that riding in the cold didn’t come naturally: “I had a steep learning curve. When I first moved here it was January. I was determined to get up in the mountains every day and didn’t understand why other riders weren’t doing the same. I wasn’t accustomed to checking the weather and on the third or fourth day out I got caught in a storm, my gears stopped working, everything was iced up, and I was in a bad situation, quickly.”

Since then, Morton has learned systems for staying warm and safe, which help him ride outside for most of winter. Check out his favorite tips and gear and you might start thinking like he does: “Winter riding is really enjoyable because it’s different. It feels epic no matter what.”

1. Manage Your Layers

lachlan morton winter riding tips
Rapha Pro Team Thermal Base Layer: $100

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Classic Winter Tights With Pad: $275

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Pro Team Winter Jacket: $250

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Pearl Izumi Elevate Insulated AMFIB Jacket: $200

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Fresh off the Giro d’Italia, Morton says that wearing the right layers is the most important thing you can do to stay warm: “Most of the race was in the mid 30s with consistent rain. We were soaked and cold. The key to riding in the rain, snow and cold during winter is staying dry. I always have a waterproof jacket on when it’s raining, and especially when it’s cold, I try to avoid sweat. For longer training rides, sweat is the ultimate enemy.”


103rd giro d'italia 2020 stage nineteen

Stuart FranklinGetty Images


Morton suggests adding and removing layers frequently, even if you find it annoying: “That’s the only way you’re sure to stay warm for the full ride. Strip off layers when you’re starting a climb to a point you’re borderline cold. Then add them before you make your way down.”

Morton will wear up to four layers for his longest training rides, starting with a Rapha long sleeve thermal baselayer and a pair of winter bibs with full tights. He’ll wear a winter riding jacket on top, and as needed, add a few more layers, too. “The mistake I see a lot is people wearing their puffy jackets on the outside, instead of a windproof layer. Even if it has to come on and off a lot, always wear a shell on the outside.”

2. Store More on the Bike

lachlan morton winter riding tips
Rapha Waterproof Frame Pack: $115

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Route Werks Handebar Bag: $179

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To carry a few extra things, Morton suggests a frame bag or handlebar bag so that swapping layers isn’t as big of a hassle. “This allows me to carry extra gloves and an extra base layer, just in case I get really wet and need to swap them out. I always bring a warm pair of gloves and stuff them inside the frame bag. Even if I don’t use them every ride it’s more than worth it.”

3. Turn on the Lights

lachlan morton winter riding tips
Garmin Varia RTL510: $200

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Varia UT800: $100

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As a kid, Morton would wake up at 4:30 a.m. to ride for three hours before school. “No one was making me do it, I wanted to ride. I’ve always enjoyed the discomfort of it.” While Morton admits he rarely used lights when he was young, today he wouldn’t ride without them. “I feel vulnerable when I don’t have my rear light. I use a Garmin Varia that detects when cars are coming and gives me an alert. It’s also really bright. I pair that with a Garmin front light that uses the same mount as my computer. This makes everything simple and lets me charge them all with the same cord. It’s become a routine before I ride.”

4. Increase Your Visibility

lachlan morton winter riding tips
EF Long Sleeve Technical T-shirt: $90 $54

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Rapha Brevet Gilet With Pockets: $125

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With considerably less daylight and many trails and sidewalks shut down, it’s important to also consider reflective and bright clothing. “We’re lucky the EF Pro Cycling kit is bright pink and naturally high vis. I do have a Rapha reflective vest that I add in really low vis days, like in snow.”

5. Beef Up Those Tires

lachlan morton winter riding tips
Schwalbe X-One Allround: $39+

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Rapha Festive 500 Ass Saver: $20

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In the winter Morton suggests doing more dirt riding, where there’s often more traction than on icy paved roads. “I also ride 33cm cyclocross tires with a little lower pressure, to get more grip, while leaving a little clearance for mud and dirt. Larger tires are a bit slower but that means you’re warmer because you have less wind. And on really bad days I’ll ride my mountain bike with larger, knobbier tires. I don’t add full fenders in the winter but do like a simple ass saver.

6. Mind Your Extremities

lachlan morton winter riding tips
Rapha Merino Liner: $55

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Hestra Ergo Grip Active: $110

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Toe Cover: $40

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lachlan morton winter riding tips
Pro Team Winter Hat: $65

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“In the winter I often double up on gloves. I’ll wear a liner underneath and something warm on top, often a pair of ski gloves for steep downhills,” explains Morton. Not a fan of thick booties, Morton will wear a lighter shoe cover and sometimes add a smaller toe warmer on the coldest days. “Having waterproof covers is really important in wet and snowy conditions. They need to be able to keep water out or you’re in real trouble. They should also sit under your tights, so water doesn’t drain into them. Morton often wears a winter cycling cap that covers his ears and keeps in the heat.

7. Know When to Stay In

Morton will search out bike paths or flatter trails that he can ride slower and safer when it is snowing, but he’s also prepared to take what Mother Nature gives him.I only ride inside if I think it’s actually dangerous out. Usually that’s very low visibility in a blizzard. If it’s too icy on the roads I’ll think about riding a trainer. The more important thing is to plan ahead. I’ll look at the weather a week out and figure out when I’m going to do my long ride, picking a warmer day to be out for more hours. You need to be pretty flexible with training if you live in a cold place in the winter.”

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The Best New Knives and EDC of January 2021

Whew! We made it through 2020. That’s what the calendar says anyway. But what’s the point of a new year if don’t we carry over some lessons from the one that came before?

Here’s a wildly general takeaway from last year: be more prepared. Not in the doomsday bunker sort of way, or the buy all the toilet paper way either. Think about it practically; a burly knife that’ll still fit on a keychain and a notebook that’s small enough to fit in your pocket for when you need them most are good places to start.

SOG Kiku XR LTE

best new knives and edc january 2021

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Ever since SOG collaborated with Japanese knife designer Kiku Matsuda on the Kiku, it has re-released the knife in diverse variations. The latest is the Light Edition, which features a carbon fiber liner, a 3.02-inch blade and a highlighter-orange composite handle that weighs roughly four ounces.

Price: $250

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CRKT Bona Fide

best new knives and edc january 2021

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The Bona Fide is the first pocket knife in CRKT’s lineup to feature the second generation of its Field Strip tech. Field Strip lets users disassemble a knife down to its base elements for cleaning, and the new version, which uses a sliding lever, is far simpler than its predecessor. For its part, the Bona Fide is a drop-point everyday folder with a 3.55-inch blade and will be available in various builds.

Price: $125+

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Field Notes Snowy Evening

best new knives and edc january 2021

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Field Notes’s latest quarterly EDC notebook release is all about winter. Drawing inspiration from the coldest season’s base element, snow, the company made 99,999 3.5-by-5.5-inch notebooks, each with a unique snowflake decorating its navy cover.

Price: $13

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Terrain 365 DTK-AT

best new knives and edc january 2021

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Terrain 365 created the DTK-AT with the idea that it can serve as a backup knife, something that’s easy to carry all the time but still capable in a pinch. That’s why this little cutting tool, when closed, weighs roughly an ounce and a half and is about the same size as a US military dog tag. It’s durable, too, with titanium handles and a rust-proof blade.

Price: $179

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GiantMouse Ace Riv

best new knives and edc january 2021

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The Riv truly is a product of its makers. Danish designers Jens Anso and Jesper Voxnaes modeled it after the folding pocket knives they used to carry into the Scandinavian wilderness as backups to the fixed blades that handled most of the work. (Its blade is 2.44 inches and made of super-strong Elmax steel, and its handle is brass and titanium.) However, its name comes from a dive bar in East Lansing, Michigan, that GiantMouse CEO Jim Wirth frequented when he was a student at Michigan State.

Price: $195

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Billie Eilish Decorated a Yeti Cooler and You Can Buy It

What do Billie Eilish, Brittany Howard, Phoebe Bridgers and Jeff Tweedy have in common? Sure, they all have a shot to take home a Grammy Award in March. But they also recently scribbled, painted and stickered on Yeti coolers that are all up for sale in an auction in support of the roadies, techs, riggers and other crew members who work on live music shows and have been out of the job since the start of the pandemic.

The above artists join an impressive list of others that includes Jon Batiste, The Beastie Boys, Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats and many more. The designs range from simple sketches to full-cooler art wraps — Billie Eilish, for example, affixed the logo of her brand Blohsh to the lid next to her signature — and most of them come stuffed with schwag like t-shirts, records and more. At the time of this writing, Social Distortion’s cooler has the highest bid at $6,000.

Phoebe Bridgers

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Jon Batiste

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Brittany Howard

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Shepard Fairey

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Every artist received the same cooler, the Roadie 24, which Yeti recently updated with more volume, a new strap and a lighter construction, making it one of the most practical ice boxes in its line. The auction is live until January 12.

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Everything You Need to Go Skiing

Before you let your mind schuss straight to double-blacks and deep powder, there’s one thing you need to know about skiing: it calls for a shitload of gear. Lots of it is technical, most of it is expensive, and nearly all of it is essential (you can ski in jeans, weather permitting, but that doesn’t mean you should). Here, we melt all the key hard goods down into a core offering so that you can spend less time in the shop (online or otherwise) and more time on the slopes.

Skis

With more variety than ever, there truly is a ski for every type of person, every kind of condition, and every aesthetic preference too. The first thing you need to decide when looking into purchasing skis is what type of skiing you do and what type of skier you are. Chances are one of today’s wildly versatile all-mountain models will do the trick, though if you’re building a backcountry kit, you might look at something more specialized.

You might also save buying skis for last. Ski rental shops abound and provide the opportunity to test lots of different types before shelling out hundreds on a pair of your own. (Most shops will apply the cost of a demo to the price of a new ski if you buy it off their wall, too.)

Ski Boots

If you can only afford to invest in either skis or boots, make it the boots. They’re much easier to travel with, and having a pair that fits your feet well is essential to controlling the skis beneath them and to becoming a better skier. A pair pulled off the rental rack will never provide that. Ever. Plus, they’ll be all sweaty and stinky.

Bindings

Ski bindings are technical, essential and often an afterthought. Whether a binding “fits” a skier results from an equation involving height, weight, skier type and the length of your ski boot. Ski shop staff will figure all this out for you, and here are a few models you might inquire about when you’re there.

Essentials

Ski poles shouldn’t be an afterthought — compare a nice set with a rental pair, and you’ll see why — but you don’t have to buy the most expensive ones on the rack. Backcountry-curious skiers also need to think about purchasing climbing skins.

Accessories

Here’s where a lot of new skiers cut corners. Sure, you might be able to get away with warm work gloves on the mountain, but we wouldn’t rely on a knit pair that isn’t waterproof. You should consider a helmet required (not all shops rent them), and remember that goggles not only help you see but also protect your face from the elements. Pro tip: get your helmet and goggles from the same brand and you’ll spend less time worrying about the dreaded gaper gap.

Backcountry Gear

If you’re going to head out beyond the resort boundary, there are three other things you have to bring. We’ll repeat it: you have to have these things. They are a shovel, probe and avalanche beacon. But you also need proper training on how to use them — you can check AIARE’s list of providers to find an Avy 1 course — and you need a ski partner who’s equipped and trained too.

Bags

We warned you at the start of all this: skiing involves a lot of gear. Enough to demand specialized bags for carrying it all — on the mountain, from the house to the car and in the airport. Here are a few toting options we love.

The 10 Best Rugged Travel Duffels of 2021

This definitive guide to the best durable duffel bags for travel and adventure provides information on the 12 top duffels based on rigorous testing. In it, we break down each bag’s key features, covering elements such as volume, durability, support, features, weight and more.

More Great Travel Duffels

    Features have gotten out of hand. No matter what the product is — be it as simple as a knife or as complex as a camera — we’ve come to expect that it’s jammed with as many bells and whistles (sometimes literally) as possible. Outdoor products are among the most egregious culprits here, fooling would-be adventurers into thinking that they simply cannot embark on a trip without bringing the multifunctional-jacket-pant-parachute-vest complete with eighteen camp-stove-dongle-ready removable pocket pouches (and it packs into its own hood!). It’s maddening.

    Thankfully, the duffel has remained immune to the feature-packing epidemic. The design hasn’t deviated too far from the canvas sacks travelers used to throw over their shoulders before heading off to lands unknown. Improvements like weatherproof zippers and padded backpack straps are utilitarian, not gimmicky. Materials technology has made duffels all but bomb-proof, which is ideal for poor-weather adventures, but canvas has not been forgotten. Oftentimes the only feature is an interior pocket. And that’s the way it should be. You already have enough stuff to bring with you; you shouldn’t have to worry about the bag that carries it all.

    These duffels run the gamut of sizes and materials, but one thing is uniform in every case: resiliency is favored over contrivance. These are bags capable of withstanding countless well-planned weekends to a favorite hideaway, as well as expeditions to corners of the map that still contain question marks.

    Patagonia Black Hole Duffel

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    Best Overall

    Patagonia hit the nail on the head with the name of its line of heavy-duty carry-alls: Black Hole. That’s what a duffel should be — a bottomless pit into which you can toss anything and everything you might need for a day at the crag or an entire week in the opposite hemisphere. The bag’s D-shaped zipper opening makes it easier to see all of what’s inside than end-to-end designs, and the lid includes a large mesh pocket for stashing odds and ends you don’t want to dig for.

    To that end, there’s another small essentials pocket that you can access from inside or out. Daisy chains and removable backpack straps count for the rest of the bag’s features, but it’s the durability of Patagonia’s Black Hole fabric, which it makes using a water-repellant, TPU-laminated 100-percent recycled polyester ripstop, that makes this duffel great for any imaginable itinerary.

    Available Volumes: 40L, 55L, 70L, 100L
    Weight: 2 lbs 9.09 oz (55L)

    Price: $129+

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    Peak Design Travel Duffelpack

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    Best Full-Featured Duffel

    The main element that sets Peak Design’s Duffelpack apart from the rest is its opening. Its zipper is straight instead of D-shaped, but because it’s extra-long and complimented by internal aluminum stays that help it open fully. But thoughtful design is present in every element of this bag: its backpack and waist straps tuck neatly behind magnetic flaps, its 600-denier fabric is waterproof but doesn’t necessarily look like it, and an extra zipper can expand its volume from 45 to 65 liters. It integrates perfectly with Peak Design’s packing cubes — which Gear Patrol highly recommends — and is one of the most comfortable duffels we’ve tested.

    Available Volumes: flexible 45-65L
    Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz

    Price: $220

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    Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler

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    Best Affordable Duffel

    Perhaps $109 isn’t your idea of “budget-friendly.” There are cheaper duffels available, but none that are water-repellent, super-durable or have features like stow-away backpack straps or a padded bottom. Eagle Creek didn’t stop there, though. It gave this duffel an internal removable divider and end pockets — one of which you can pack the whole bag into — for gear organization. Compared to the other bags on this list, the Cargo Hauler is cheaper, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less rich in features.

    Available Volumes: 40L, 60L
    Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz (60L)

    Price: $99+

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    Black Diamond StoneHauler

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    Best Alternative to Our Top Pick

    It’s easy to compare the StoneHauler Duffel to Patagonia’s Black Hole. The bags share features like backpack straps and a perimeter of lash loops, as well as a D-shaped opening. There are, however, a few key differences. First is a padding layer that adds to the StoneHauler’s durability and comfort when holding pointy gear (like climbing equipment). The second is an internal compression system that prevents contents from moving around. But the most notable feature is something Black Diamond calls DirtBag Internal Storage, which refers to a sack with a cinch closure that’s integrated into its interior. It’s perfect for keeping dirty hiking boots or laundry away from clean items, and you can smush it to the side when you don’t need it.

    Available Volumes: 30L, 45L, 60L, 90L, 120L
    Weight: 2 lbs 12 oz

    Price: $160+

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    Yeti Panga


    Best Waterproof Duffel

    Drawing on the success of its soft-sided coolers, Yeti stripped out the insulation and used the thick, laminated nylon skin to create a highly puncture- and abrasion-resistant duffel called the Panga. Like many Yeti products, what appears run-of-the-mill is actually innovation genius. The Panga has easily removable backpack straps, lash points on all sides and haul handles on either end. Speaking of those ends, they’re sturdy enough to keep this bag standing upright, and the bottom is padded with EVA foam, similar to the stuff in running shoes, to keep things protected when you decide to give the bag a toss. The Panga is also fully submersible thanks to a TIZIP airtight zipper (it’s super-tough, don’t let your sweater get caught in it). One way to test it? Close it up when the bag is empty and stand on it — not even a gasp will escape.

    Available Volumes: 50L, 75L, 100L
    Weight: 5 lbs 3 oz (50L)

    Price: $300+

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    Thule Chasm Wheeled Duffel

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    Best Durable Duffel with Wheels

    Even backpack straps can’t make carrying the biggest bags comfortable, and that’s when wheels come in. Thule’s are oversized to roll over rough terrain and have a sturdy telescoping handle to keep them going. The bag itself opens like other duffels on this list: wide, thanks to a D-shaped zipper, so you can easily access everything inside its cavernous 110-liter compartment. For essentials, its lid has two zippered mesh pockets, and there’s a small exterior pocket too. A laminated weather-resistant fabric protects everything, and Thule included a molded polycarbonate shell on the bottom.

    Available Volumes: 110L
    Weight: 12 lbs 3 oz

    Price: $330

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    Matador Seg42

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    Best Duffel for Organization

    Instead of the single large opening that defines most duffels, Matador’s Seg42 has six. Five of them are on its lid, each opening into separate variably sized compartments that call to mind packing cubes that add up to the bag’s 42-liter capacity. When such organization isn’t necessary, these tuck away behind a zippered panel, leaving the Seg42’s full volume available as a sixth option for dump-it-all-in packing. Alternatively, you can use a few of those pockets and collapse the others, making it easy to separate clean stuff from dirty stuff.

    The Seg42 also has backpack straps that tuck away when you don’t need them, two end pockets for small items and a separate zippered laptop pocket. All are protected by durable and water-repellent ripstop fabric.

    Available Volumes: 30L, 42L
    Weight: 2 lbs 4 oz (42L)

    Price: $190

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    SDR Traveller D3 Traveller


    Best Discreet Duffel

    The D3 Traveller is made to take a beating and go unnoticed. Why? Because when you’re traveling across borders where officers are more likely to request a bribe than a visa application, discretion is as important as durability. To the untrained eye, there’s nothing special about the unbranded black carry-all, but that’s the point. The bag is made from two layers of ultra-strong Dyneema composite fabric, allowing it to maintain a slackened look even when packed full. The D3’s detailing is in the same vein; the shoulder strap slider is machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum, YKK zips are reinforced with water-resistant Uretrek. And, just to underline the brand’s thesis, the D3’s zipper pulls are accented with river stones from the Pamir Mountains, a vast and remote range located in a region where borders and laws are less tangible.

    Of course, $745 is remarkably pricey for a duffel. If you’re looking for something similar but cheaper, Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Approach Bag comes in a similar volume (33.5 liters) and is also made of Dyneema composite fabric for $159.

    Available Volumes: 39L
    Weight: 1 lb 2 oz

    Price: $745

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    Mystery Ranch Mission Duffel


    Best Backpack Carry System

    The Mission Duffel sits firmly in between backpack and duffel. As such, its shoulder straps aren’t an afterthought but a fully fleshed-out component that draws on the brand’s success with everyday and expedition packs. The straps are padded for comfort and equipped with a sternum harness. They also stow away neatly into a flap on the bottom of the bag. In addition to that, the Mission contains a main compartment that feels bigger than it looks and is home to multiple mesh organizing pockets. Like the Base Camp duffel, the Mission offers a separate section at one end for wet, dirty, or bulky items.

    Available Volumes: 40L, 55L, 90L
    Weight: 4 lbs 3 oz (55L)

    Price: $150+

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    Ortlieb Atrack


    Best Adventure Duffel

    Of all the strap-equipped bags on this list, Ortlieb’s Atrack is the only one that’s a backpack first. Ortlieb previously made waterproof and rugged duffels with backpack straps on them, and it pulled many of those features over to the Atrack — including a tear-resistant fabric and an impregnable TIZIP zipper — which is designed less for hauling huge loads than for facilitating lots of different adventures. Its pack straps are padded, and they have an accompanying hipbelt. Plus, it uses a simple modular strap system that allows for the carrying of skis, snowboards, snowshoes, trekking poles, helmets and whatever else you might think to strap to it.

    Available Volumes: 25L, 35L, 45L
    Weight: 3 lbs 2.4 oz (25L)

    Price: $265+

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    Fjällräven Duffel No.6


    Best Canvas Duffel

    Fjällräven’s Duffel No.6 looks a lot like the standard-issue bag you might find hanging on the wall at a military surplus store. It’s not. The Swedish outdoor brand started with its proprietary G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco fabric, a canvas-like blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton that’s incredibly tough, windproof and water-resistant (especially after treatment with Greenland Wax ($10)). Then the bottom was reinforced with padded waterproof, PU-coated, polyamide fabric, and double handles were added at the ends along with stowaway backpack straps on top. There’s also a nice padded top panel, to cushion your back from the bag’s contents when you’re carrying it backpack-style.

    Available Volumes: 70L, 110L
    Weight: 3 lbs 5 oz (70L)

    Price: $225 $143

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    Hyperlite Mountain Gear Duffel Bag


    Best Ultralight Bag for Big Loads

    To say that Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Dyneema Duffel is massive and indestructible borders on understatement. The narrow profile was designed specifically for harmonious integration with the Paris Expedition Sled, commonly used during longer trips to the world’s unreachable peaks. The primary material is right in the name. Dyneema, when taken at its strength-to-weight ratio, is the strongest fiber in the world — stronger than steel and Kevlar. It’s also waterproof and UV resistant. You could say the Dyneema Duffel is ultra-everything: ultralight, ultra large, ultra durable, ultra minimal.

    Available Volumes: 140L
    Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz

    Price: $525

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The 19 Most Interesting Bikes and Bike Accessories of the Year

This story is part of our end-of-year series This Year in Gear rounding up the most notable releases of 2020. For more stories like this, click here.

As we’ve noted many times, 2020 was a big year for bikes. As a preternaturally great option for socially distanced outdoor fitness, bicycles saw huge spikes in sales — and corresponding issues with shortages — beginning in spring and rolling on through summer and fall. But just because the very nature of bikes makes them a hot commodity doesn’t mean brands themselves do not continue to iterate and innovate. Just check out the most interesting releases of the past 12 months to see what we mean.

Evil Bikes Chamois Hagar

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We’ve taken this fun, funky gravel bike across every type of terrain imaginable and it’s crushed them all. The lightweight carbon frame, fat-but-fast 700×50 tires, sleek internal cable routing triggering the 1×12 drivetrain and a handy dropper post combine to let you nimbly navigate or powerfully plow uneven ground, both uphill and down. Oh, and it’s pretty quick on flats too.

Price: $4,799+

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Canyon Spectral:ON CF 7.0

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A Red Dot Design Award winner, this German-engineered bike boasts a carbon-fiber front triangle that sneaks the weight under 50 pounds and three incredibly smooth levels pedal assistance powered by a streamlined, in-tube Shimano battery. Bonus: a USB-C socket lets you charge lights, smartphones, GPS units or cameras to document your offroad adventures.

Price: $4,999

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Apidura Packable Backpack

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In its condensed, muffin-sized form, this clever 4-ounce vessel easily attaches to your top tube with a Velcro strap, so you can forget all about it during a long, streamlined road ride. Then, on the way home, it unfurls into a spacious, 13-liter backpack, perfect for picking up groceries or some Dale’s Pale Ale to reward yourself for that high-wattage half-century.

Price: $46.50

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VanMoof S3

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A battery seamlessly integrated into the top tube is the coolest innovation of the second Red Dot award winner on this list. But there are other winning features too, including built-in lights, seamless electronic gear shifting, some of the best theft protection we’ve ever seen — and stunning good looks, of course.

Price: $2,440

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Castelli Say Their Names Jersey

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Castelli teamed up with an unlikely cycling enthusiast, 6’7″ former NBA star Reggie Miller, and Team BOOMBABY to release a jersey festooned with powerful phrases from the Black Lives Matter movement. Those phrases include I CAN’T BREATHE, WE WON’T BE SILENT and SAY THEIR NAMES, with all proceeds going to the Equal Justice Initiative.

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Lumos Ultra Bike Helmet

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This helmet has absolutely crushed the crowdfunding game, raising more than $6 million on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. It doesn’t hurt that Lumos has a rep for delivering quality brain buckets. The Ultra boasts front and rear lights, turn signals, Apple Watch compatibility and a MIPS option for ultimate protection.

Price: $84+

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Specialized Tarmac

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“They essentially combined two bikes into one, which is an interesting commentary on the direction road bikes have gone,” observes GP cycling expert AJ Powell. “There used to be ‘climbing bikes’ and ‘aero bikes,’ but now all road bikes are basically aero, and the tech has gotten so good that you don’t really take a weight penalty anymore by going more aero.” The result: a unicorn roadie that weighs less than 15 pounds and can go anywhere, fast.

Price: $5,000+

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Wahoo Kickr Axis

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With unmatched accuracy, controlled resistance that can simulate 20 percent climbs and compatibility with Zwift and other apps, the carbon-and-steel-bodied Kickr Smart Trainer has long battled boredom, but its latest update truly leans in, so to speak. A new Axis platform adds five degrees of lateral movement, enabling you to shift left and right as though you’re rolling over, yes, an actual road.

Price: $1,200

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Specialized Align II

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A game-changing safety innovation, the Multidirectional Impact Protection System (MIPS) is a helmet liner that creates a slip plane, handling angled collisions at least 10 percent better than a similar helmet without it. And while it used to be a pricey feature, Specialized has made MIPS super affordable in a dial-adjustable, commuter-friendly helmet that looks good, too.

Price: $50

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Lumenus ioLight

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When paired with the GPS-connected Lumenus app, this light can be programmed to respond to movements, such as strobe as you enter high-traffic areas, blink yellow to point out impending turns and blinker red to indicate braking. You can actually queue up a number of patterns and colors, our favorite of which is an eye-popping rainbow.

Price: $100 (1-pack), $180 (2-pack)

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Cervelo x Lamborghini Limited-Edition R5

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This ultra-rare release is stravagante in the best possible way. Honoring Automobili Lamborghini’s founding year, just 63 of these bikes rolled out with the finest Campagnolo, Deda, Fizik and Vittoria components. Oh, that paint job? It echoes that of the Aventador SVJ that burned a record-breaking lap at Nürburgring in 2018.

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Peloton Bike+

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This update to the hit home exercise bike is truly revolutionary. See, that 24-inch HD touchscreen from which your workouts emanate now rotates, allowing you to dismount the bike to more seamlessly tackle other types of Peloton routines, like strength, yoga, stretching and meditation.

Price: $2,495

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The Handlebar Bag by Routewerks

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This project got fully funded on Kickstarter within six hours, and it’s not hard to see why. We love the universal mount on top that accepts a cycling computer, GPS device, GoPro or smartphone, the spring-loaded lid for smooth one-handed access while riding and the handy little lever that makes it easy to detach, grab and go.

Price: $179

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Hudski Doggler

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The brainchild of a couple designer buddies, one a Specialized vet, the Doggler is out to prove that modern mountain bike geometry, a 1×12 drivetrain and a dropper post can take you just about anywhere. Three distinct builds (city, gravel and mountain) emerge from a single aluminum frame/carbon fork combo — and we can’t wait to take the city version we’ve been testing out on some gravel and dirt.

Price: $1,999

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Bike Flights Bike Boxes

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These new boxes make shipping a bike simple and relatively cheap. Included clips, axle covers, tube spacers and bungees make packing and securing your wheels a snap. The boxes are designed for multiple trips and to disassemble flat for easy storage. They’re earth-friendly too: Bike Flights just ships you the box, efficiently folded with all the packing accessories inside.

Price: $119.95+

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Greyp G6

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The pet project of the Croatian Elon Musk, the G6 is the most technologically advanced pedal-able bike we’ve ever encountered. It comes complete with a T-Mobile-powered 4G eSIM card for continuous internet connectivity, a GPS chip, front- and rear-facing 1080p cameras and a USB-charged handlebar mount that turns your smartphone into a next-level dashboard. Oh yeah, it’s pretty dang fun to ride, too.

Price: $7,999+

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State Bicycle Co. X Free & Easy OG Klunker

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This recently released laidback joy ride has us dreaming of (vaccinated? maskless??) summer fun in 2021. BMX bars and wheels, mountain bike pedals and tires and old-school coaster brakes will have you cruising the neighborhood and boardwalk in a beforetimes state of mind.

Price: $499.99

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Wolf Tooth 8-Bit Pack Pliers

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Like most bike multi-tools, Wolf Tooth’s latest boasts a bunch of screwdriver and hex and Torx-compatible bits. But this 17-function wonder also incorporates a spoke wrench, a valve core wrench, a tool for clearing tire sealant clogs from a valve stem and the ability to install and remove master links. It also happens to be one of the most haptically satisfying gadgets we’ve held in a long time.

Price: $69.95

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Cannondale x Rapha x Palace SystemSix

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Cool: Rapha, Palace, Cannondale, POC and Giro joining forces to style EF Pro Cycling in the swaggiest Giro d’Italia kits ever. Cooler: Cannondale and EF Pro Cycling teaming up with USA Cycling to sponsor new co-ed cycling teams at HBCUs and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Best way to raise money? Raffling off two Giro-ridden bikes and related swag, of course. Thousands of entries later, the raffle has ended, but the good vibes roll on.

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