Is necessity really the mother of invention? Or does invention sometimes create the necessity? Here at GearJunkie, we dont have time for those kinds of existential questions —were too busy getting stoked about new stuff to use outside! 　　Thats why the Emerging Gear column is one of our favorite stories all week. When we get to explore high-tech swim goggles,...

　　Vortex Optics has taken a confident leap into the sunglasses market. Today, the brand launched Vortex eyewear, and I can tell you firsthand that this isnt a gimmick product. These shades are rad. 　　Ive had the Jackal and the Banshee frames for a few weeks now, and though I was skeptical, I am impressed. I think brands often take the...

　　Theres nothing like having $400 in cash in your pocket to help you understand the importance of studying self-defense. Id just withdrawn more $20 bills than Id ever held at one time and was now pedaling a public Nice Ride bike through Minneapolis, doing my best impression of someone who was totally not carrying $400 in their pants pocket. 　　It...

　　Helly Hansen has become a top name in outdoor technical apparel thanks to its emphasis on keeping people dry and warm in harsh, wet conditions. 　　Over the years, the brand has made its mark by developing in-house technologies like Helly Tech Professional, a waterproof outer layer that can withstand harsh weather conditions and rigorous abuse. The pinnacle of its apparel,...

　　The box arrived at our office with nothing more than a fragile sticker to betray the remarkable product within. But once I cracked the tape and pulled aside some hastily packed bubble wrap, there it was. Glinting silver and black in the dim office light was a geometric, no-nonsense shape. Emblazoned with a red dot front and center, and the...

　　Across the 429 parks, monuments and historic sites managed by the National Park Service, only 76 are named after women, or otherwise center women’s history. This is a problem, because women have—and this should be obvious—played vital roles not only in the preservation and study of nature, and our nation’s history, but also because women are essential to the operation of...

　　When Mike Call started his third documentary for Black Diamond, he knew he needed to make a tribute to Maria Cranor. 　　Though shes not well-known outside of the climbing community, its impossible to understate the impact she made on the sport. For most, Cranor is remembered as the creative genius who helped co-found Black Diamond. When Yvon Chouinards climbing hardware...

　　Kayaking has been a part of the human story for thousands of years. And if youre looking to jump into the sport, the options can seem overwhelming. Luckily, weve taken the plunge and dipped our paddles in the best the market has to offer, testing more than 20 kayaks for three years now with an eye toward beginner-friendly models. 　　There...

　　Narrowing in on that elusive 5-pound base weight? Youre probably fastidiously scouring the web for the lightest ultralight tent, backpack, and sleeping bag, but beware — these flimsy, unassuming pieces of gear need to be chosen with care. The lightest model on the market may not be the best, or the safest, move. Theres a lot to consider when buying...

　　My headlamp illuminated yet another snow patch, this one close to 30 feet across, looming out of the shadows to completely swallow the trail. Even on a path this narrow, contouring along the side of the valley at night should have been easy, but these intermittent snow fields were killing me. Ollie, my hiking partner, barely slowed, stamping footprints into...

　　For the first time on the U.S. market, the M5 sedan will be joined by the Touring (station wagon) variant. U.S. enthusiasts have been asking for hot wagons forever, and until just recently have had very few options. While we still have few options, the 2025 BMW M5 Touring joins the Mercedes AMG E 63 S Wagon and Audi RS...

　　A dream vacation nearly turned into a logistical nightmare this week when eight passengers on a Norwegian cruise line were stranded on São Tomé and Príncipe after they were delayed returning from a tour of the island. 　　Despite being flummoxed and uneasy at being left behind, however, the eight tourists did quite well in their short stint being grounded on São...