I hit my fourth dive nearly perfectly, sluicing into the water at an angle so ideal that the speed nearly popped my contact out. As I emerged from the sun-warmed (but still chilly) waters of Lake Michigan, much farther from the boat than I had imagined, the nautically tattooed captain let out a holler: “You had some speed there!” 　　I’m...

　　We slept in an RV parked in my friend’s yard. He keeps it there, stowed permanently, for people needing to crash when coming through town. It was Labor Day weekend, sunny and 70 degrees, a perfect day in a port city known for fickle weather on the edge of the world’s largest lake. 　　I was up to visit for a...

　　Zwift just turned 10, and other virtual cycling apps have existed for nearly as long. These apps provide training motivation, digital camaraderie, and opportunities to race online. But they all require the cyclist to have a vivid imagination. The graphics by video game standards arent the best, and users cannot recreate their favorite routes. 　　ROUVY Route Creator aims to improve...

　　Ive relied on an inReach for years to ensure I had some kind of backup plan when things went south, and its saved me more than a few times. With this months launch of the Messenger Plus ($500), Garmin brings that connectivity to a whole new level with the capacity to send voice messages, images, and a huge leap in...

　　Find the best dog harness for your canine companion — whether for daily strolls around town, intensive training sessions or adventurous hiking excursions. 　　A dog harness can safely restrain your pooch and give you better control. It also allows for a great connection between you and your canine buddy. While necessary for some circumstances, collars can cause uncomfortable pressure on...

　　One of Americas most storied outdoor brands is making some big changes. In an internal letter, Orvis President Simon Perkins laid out a new plan for the future of the company, which has been making and selling fishing rods in Vermont since 1856. While Perkins acknowledged that Orvis has weathered many changes in its long history, he said its time...

　　Smells like somethings cooking in the outdoor gear industry lately. You might have seen the burly Brio Camp Kitchen from last weeks Emerging Gear. As that Kickstarter continues, we have two other approaches to a mobile camp kitchen in this weeks column, from Daylodges Kickstarter for mobile kitchen workspaces to Snow Peaks minimalist camping table. 　　But if camp cooking isnt...

　　My old bike rack was starting to get pretty beat up before someone backed their truck into it and drove off. I still used it for another year after that (probably at great liability), and it worked. But it wasnt ideal. It was bent askew. It wobbled no matter how much I tightened it in the hitch; it creaked and...

　　I have pretty high standards when it comes to down jackets, which is why I was ultimately blown away by this synthetic coat from Mammut. Made almost entirely of recycled materials, the Albula is among the most sustainable down jackets I have tested in my day.  　　For the past 7 years, I’ve lived on the western slope of Colorado, enduring...

　　The view from Margys Hut looks south into the Elk Mountains near Aspen, Colo. I sipped a beer from the porch, watching the alpenglow shine pink on the alpine slopes of Ashcroft Mountain, Mount Shirmer, Green Mountain, and some others I couldnt name. Inside, I could hear happy hour sounds: people laughing, conversations, and exclamations over the appetizers. I soaked...

　　Offering convenient on-the-go charging when we’re traveling or there’s no wall outlet available, the best power banks help keep us out on our adventures longer. From expanded battery capacities to faster and even wireless charging, power banks have never been more viable and efficient. 　　To compile this list of the best power banks, we combed the market for the most...

　　Few skiers besides actual racers want to spend their ski day in a true race boot. But the most aggressive expert skiers can push through the stiffest recreational ski boots. So Fischer serves up its RC4 PRO line, which comes close to the power of a plug boot in a more approachable package. 　　New for 2024-25, the Fischer RC4 PRO...