Table of contents for Spring - Summer 2016 in Outside

MSR Guardian water purifier $350 Backcountry water pumps are easy to use and durable. Trouble is, most strip out only protozoa and bacteria, not tiny viruses. Enter the Guardian: the filter’s pores are ten times smaller than the competition’s, stopping even the smallest bugs. Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus charger $100 Solar panels can be finicky, draining the device you’re trying to charge when daylight wanes. Not so the netbook-size Nomad 7. A light sensor keeps tabs on how much sun’s available. If clouds roll in mid-charge, the unit powers down and then resumes when skies clear. Gerber 39 Series Micarta knife $170 A good knife is as important as a good tent. We used the Micarta for everything from collecting kindling to slicing ripe tomatoes to powering through heavy…

In the West, following a delightfully wet winter, forests are lusher than they’ve been in years, and hillsides are overflowing with wildflowers and berries. Across the country, the National Park Service is celebrating its 100th birthday with a series of centennial events in our most beautiful outdoor spaces. All of which is to say that it’s a big year for hiking. Fortunately, the latest crop of trail shoes is up to the task. Diverse new models are entering the market: featherweight low-cut hikers, multipurpose boots that perform equally well on afternoon romps and weekend backpacking adventures, and supremely sturdy but silly- comfortable high-tops that are the ideal choice if this is your year to tackle the Pacific Crest Trail. GEAR OF THE YEAR Under Armour Verge Mid GTX $170 In…

a. Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini Lantern $60 Toss this eight-ounce, 210-lumen unit in your pack for the next time you get caught out in the dark. Don’t let the diminutive size fool you: the Lighthouse has some nice features, including a miniature hook, a built-in magnet, and a dimmer. b. Black Diamond Cosmo $30 The three LEDs on this compact three-ounce headlamp combine into a single 160-lumen beam that can light up the trail for more than 50 yards. Even on full blast, it gets 200 hours of run time. But the best part? The price—it’s the lowest on this page. c. LED Lenser Seo 7R $90 This is the light you want on big backpacking trips. The Seo 7R weighs less than 3.5 ounces and boasts a 220-lumen beam.…

a. Petzl Arial 9.5 mm rope $230 and up The Arial is a flowy rope that stretches just enough to provide a nice soft catch. It’s pricier than its closest competitors, but it’ll last seasons, courtesy of a Duratec Dry treatment that resists water, dirt, and abrasions. b. Black Diamond Vapor helmet $140 With 23 vents, the Vapor is the most breathable lid we tested. The foam is surrounded by a polycarbonate shell, keeping it light enough (just 6.6 ounces) for all-day use. c. Black Diamond Camalot Ultralight cam $90 and up Black Diamond took its standard cam, slimmed down the sling and lobes, and swapped the steel cable for one made from Dyneema. Result: the new Camalot Ultralight weighs 25 percent less than its predecessor. d. Scarpa Vapor shoes…

a. Filson Scout $700 Traditionalist outfitter Filson combines mountain rugged with urban modern in this sturdy aviator watch with Shinola Argonite quartz move ment. A scratchresistant crystal with antireflective coating adds practicality, Super-LumiNova hands stay bright all night, and the thick bridle-leather strap lends an Old West feel to this hefty but handsome timepiece. b. Seiko Prospex Solar Flight Computer Chronograph $475 “Flight Computer” refers to a series of bezel markings that help calculate your fuel consumption, speed, and distance— nothing you need in the age of onboard GPS, but fun in a retro way. It’s part of an aeronautical look that, unlike other chronographs, stops short of gaudy. Solar cells provide power, and a 100-meter water-resistant steel case adds to this ticker’s great value. c. MTM Black Warrior $650…

a. Sitka Mountain pants $189 Made from stretch polyester with a dWr treatment, these pants shrug off rain and brush. the cargo pockets swallow essentials, and the removable foam knee pads make crouching almost comfortable. b. Maven B.2 binoculars $1,000 With its direct-toconsumer strategy, Maven sells exceptional optics at a fraction of the price of its competitors. Choose from three magnifications and customize the colors of lens rings and other pieces. c. Icebreaker Tech Lite Long Sleeve Crewe Real Tree shirt $100 This lightweight merino top repelled body odors even after wearing it for a week straight in the backcountry. d. Smith Frontman Elite sunglasses $119 Not only do these shades provide crisp optics and UV protection, but they’re also shatterproof, in case your rifle misfires. e. Leatherman Charge Tti…

This arizona enclave might conjure visions of crystal-toting retirees chasing spiritual vortices, but lately most of the energy here revolves around mountain biking. “it’s really going crazy,” says Michael Raney, co-owner of over the edge sports, a shop that’s helping this town of 10,000 become a legitimate alternative to Moab. the transformation is happening at warp speed. “it’s only since 2009,” says Jennifer Burns, 60, who worked for the surrounding national forest until her retirement earlier this year. “there was a lot of illegal trail construction going on, and we made the decision that we needed to build relationships with mountain bikers instead of battling them.” now there are brand-new cometo-Jesus steeps on trails like Hiline, complete with stomach-inyour-mouth drop-offs, plus moderate terrain including quiet slick -rock mesas like Mescal…

a. Jack Black Dry Down Friction-Free powder $20 Dust this on prior to exercising and the mix of friction-busting silica, moisture-absorbent cornstarch, antimicrobial zinc oxide, and soothing plant extracts will help keep skin smooth and dry. b. Konjac Sponge Company Exfoliating loofah $21 This biodegradable scrubber is made from skin-coddling plant fibers, and bamboo charcoal deters microbe growth. Toss it in with the compost at the end of its three-month life span. c. Sun Bum Beach Formula 3 in 1 Leave In conditioner $15 UV rays don’t just fry skin—they also weaken your hair’s protein structure. Sun Bum’s leave-in protects and fortifies with coconut oil and quinoa protein. d. All Good Lips Organic SPF 15 Chai lip balm $3.50 Zinc oxide provides broadspectrum sun defense, while organic calendula, beeswax, vitamin…

Sperry Shock Light Boat $85 BEST FOR: Doing It All With a slipper-like fit, the Shock Light happily squeezes into the bow of a whitewater boat, while the grippy, nonmarking sole won’t scuff the teak deck on your buddy’s yacht. The shock-cord lacing keeps it snug should you fall into the drink, and it dries in less than half an hour. Chaco Z/Cloud $110 BEST FOR: Raft Trips How to improve an iconic, river-guidetrusted sandal? Very carefully. Chaco’s upgrades on the new Z/Cloud are minimal and smart: a soft antimicrobial topsheet molds to your foot, and a rubber compound on the outsole boosts grip. Bonus points for the new webbing colors. Five Ten Eddy $100 BEST FOR: Sticking Like a Salamander Built with climbing brand Five Ten’s famously sticky rubber…

a. Lululemon Tidal Flow one-piece $118 BEST FOR: Understated elegance The Tidal Flow is the Audrey Hepburn of sporty swimsuits. It’s classy yet playful— simple, clean lines with an overlapping stringy back are paired with a band of transparent mesh running across the torso. Think of it as a little black dress that does everything— from sunning to swimming—well. b. Patagonia Nanogrip top and Nanogrip Side Tie bottom $59 and $55 BEST FOR: surfing Bikinis this cute tend to fall off during your first wipeout. not so the nanogrip. With a sticky liner that clings like a gecko, this suit stayed on whether we were surfing or waterskiing. The adjustable crossback also helped keep things in place, though the fixed halter could have been a hair tighter. c. Helly Hansen…

Mountain biking in the southwest is the best. Maybe i’m just a sucker for the Abbey-esque romance of the desert, but i can’t get enough of the loose, rocky trails and dramatic scenery. that’s why i didn’t need any convincing when bike czar Aaron Gulley suggested we once again hold our annual bike test in sedona, Arizona. (We tested bikes there back in the early aughts.) sedona may be best known for its mystics and crystals, but that’s starting to change. As Aaron makes clear in the destinations special on page 90, it also has some of the region’s best biking. (sorry, Moab and Fruita.) the town is surrounded by a dense network of trails that move from flowy single track to wide-open slickrock in mere feet, and that, thanks…

For diehard gear geeks, there’s no more exciting category right now than jackets. Experimentation is the name of the game, with companies trying out new cuts, materials, and construction techniques. Weights are in free fall—the lightest shell in our test came in under three ounces— while just about everything has built-in stretch, boosting freedom of movement and comfort. Designers are mixing and matching fabrics in novel ways, using biomapping to create jackets that are thicker where they need to be and thinner where they don’t. Even bedrock concepts of how waterproof-breathable shells should be pieced together are being upended. (Exhibit A: our Gear of the Year winner.) The result is a drier, warmer, happier you. We tested dozens of new jackets over five months. These ten were our favorites. GEAR…

a. The North Face Cesium anorak $199 BEST FOR: Affordable Tech The Cesium has the soul of a poncho but the smart detailing of a performance shell. We threw it over our other layers in a rainstorm— it has a huge helmet-compatible hood and is made of surprisingly stretchy fabric—and stayed bone dry. It sheds ounces by forgoing extra pockets (there’s one) and an inner liner. b. Helly Hansen Enroute Shelter $200 BEST FOR: Ditching Your Yellow slicker This is the workhorse of the rain-jacket world. It’s dependable (the 2.5-layer fabric kept us dry during a squall), smartly cut (we like the extra-long cuffs), and breathable (the front pockets double as mesh-backed vents). But what really sets it apart are the fun details, like the bright, splotchy print and pink…

a. Lanston Cutout V Maxi dress $158 This long cotton dress has a touch of modesty, while side slits add some sass. Take it out to dinner or on a mellow trail. b. Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Quick Trip bag $25 Buy a bunch of these superlight (just one ounce!), tough organizers to store everything from toiletries to dirty laundry. c. Filson Bucket bag $160 This twill and leather 21.5-liter tote makes the perfect carry-on, easily holding a book and an extra layer. d. Seea Solimar top and bottom $45 and $40 See a swimsuits are designed by surfers, which means you never have to worry about losing your top in a big wipeout. e. Toad&Co Wayfarer sleeveless shirt $69 This top pairs with just about everything, and the light…

a. DannyShane Red Tornado Plaid $139 Cut from 50 percent bambooblend fabric, this dapper soft top has a network of airy channels that spirited away moisture and kept us cool in the arizona heat. b. Sombrio Grappler $70 We broke out the grappler on big days in the mountains when we’d be encountering variable temperatures. the performance mesh-poly fabric kept us cool in the foothills, while the sleeves provided warmth when the storms rolled in up high. c. Twin Six NWRC $85 This durable jersey has all the features you want—full zip, large rear pockets, soft wicking fabric, and catchy style— without the eye-watering price tag. d. Babici Nishikigoi $142 No doubt, the nishikigoi is stunning, but looks aren’t the whole story with this aussie label. nearly transparent mesh sides,…

a. Merrell All Out Crush Light shoes $90 For burly trail kicks, these are surpris ingly light, thanks to an airy mesh upper and zero bells and whistles. Five-millimeter lugs and a thick toe cap offer protection in rough stuff, but we flew along buffed-out forest roads, too. b. Tracksmith Harrier tank $65 This top, made from silky merino wool and cut like a vintage gym tee, works just as well for intervals as it does with jeans. Break it out on the hottest days and enjoy the breeze. c. Bkr Madly 250-ml bottle $28 We wouldn’t run with it, but Bkr’s teeny glass bottle is perfect for stashing in your car for post-workout hydration. Plus, it’s as cute as a button and comes in a bunch of colors. d.…

If 2015 was the year wearables took off, 2016 is the year they reach cruising altitude. Products are rapidly evolving. Build, design, and battery life have improved. Thankfully, prices are coming down at the same time—all the gadgets included here offer more and better data analysis for your money than what was available last year. Choosing which one is right for you begins with deciding what you want to track—day to day stats or professional-caliber metrics?— and knowing how finely you want to sift your data. Just remember: a wearable won’t change everything. The very best of the category complement your fitness routine and subtly improve your habits. GEAR OF THE YEAR Fitbit Blaze $200 With the Blaze, Fitbit combines its topflight daily tracking bona fides with highend biometrics. It’s…

Gibson Trainer $250 The most visible attribute on the Trainer is the stabilizing second headband. And while it does help a little when running, what sold us were all the other features: an LED that alerts after-dusk drivers to your presence, ten hours of battery life, and a muting button for when you need to hear the world around you. Optoma NuForce BE6 $129 Optoma’s cylinder-shaped monitors have always been good for everyday use—they’re lighter than they look and sit firmly in your ear canals. Now, with the BE6, Optoma goes wireless, offering up to six hours of play on a charge. Red flag: there’s no fit kit included, so the tips are one size fits all. Koss FitClips KSC32i $20 Sub-$25 earbuds this well made are a rarity. The…

a. Fishpond Nomad Mid-Length net $160 With a carbonfiberglass frame and a massive lunkerready rubber basket, the Nomad almost makes landing the big ones easy. b. Meow Meow Tweet herbal bug repellent $18 Bottled by a boutique skin-care company in New York’s Hudson Valley and made from organic lavender and apple cider vinegar, this elixir smells a helluva lot better than deet. c. Nautilus XM reel $275 Nautilus builds reliable saltwater reels designed for catching fast, powerful fish. The XM brings that same toughness and precision to the river, with a balanced, open-frame setup. d. Finn Utility Essex bag $230 The essex would have been at home on the river 50 years ago, with its waxed canvas, english bridle leather, and brass hardware. It’s a study in minimalism, with three…

Let’s start with a basic truth: no single pack does it all. Going backcountry camping with all your toys requires a big ol’ bag. Athletes moving fast and light will be happiest with a trimmeddown thoroughbred. Day hikers will appreciate a sack with utilitarian features. But none of this means you need to own a closetful of backpacks. Thanks to design evolution, there are more multi-use options to choose from than ever before. We tested daypacks that can eke out an overnight (like the Osprey Manta on page 56) and relatively lightweight big-load haulers (like the Granite Gear Lutsen on page 52). Versatility is achievable if you’re willing to make some trade-offs—and a multitalented pack is worth the price of two or three specialty models. GEAR OF THE YEAR The…

Pelican Elite Vacationer $575 At more than $500 and weighing nearly 20 pounds, the 47-liter Elite Vacationer stops just short of being a rolling safe. Made of double-walled, high-impact plastic with hardresin latches, it’ll withstand loads up to 1,500 pounds. Thanks to O-ring seals, it can be submerged for a half-hour in three feet of water; a waterproof valve maintains inner pressure. High Sierra RS Series 21.5" Hardside Spinner $120 High Sierra’s well-priced carry-on ticks two essential frequent-flier needs: four wheels that spin 360 degrees, and a hard but pliable polycarbonate shell that won’t get crushed in the overhead or down below. It weighs a feathery eight pounds and features a combo lock and hardy zipper, should you overstuff. Aether Apparel Welded Duffel Large $250 No stitches to rip or…

The realm of sunglasses runs deep. They obscure the eyes, the windows of the soul. Concealment was, indeed, the whole point for 12th-century Chinese judges, who wore darkened lenses to hide their emotions. Today’s poker pros don them for the same reason. And admit it: you lurk behind your lenses and secretly scope out others. Cloaking devices and facial pheromones are what we’re talking about. That, plus performance and safety—seeing the world more clearly in the sunshine, so you can play better while protecting your eyes from discomfort and even permanent damage. Eyeballs are precious and irreplaceable. They deserve primo shades like the ones in our mix. GEAR OF THE YEAR Electric Stacker $260 Compromise is overrated. The Stacker avoids the bland middle ground between fashion and sport, managing to…

a. Fjällräven Gear duffel $130 Your gym bag should be organized, well appointed, and just big enough for everything you need. This 23-liter duffel delivers, and it includes an internal zip pocket to hold the small stuff. b. Ten Thousand Foundation shirt $48 Ten Thousand eschews loud and gimmicky in favor of high quality and understated design. The proof is in the detailing, like the sleek underarm vents and tailored fit. c. Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats2 Wireless earphones $200 The well-rounded sound and bouncelimiting ear hooks helped motivate us through grueling weight sessions. and six hours of battery life kept them bumping long after we’d left the gym. d. Brooks City Chariot shoes $90 Two years ago, Brooks resurrected its classic Chariot running shoe. Now the company expands the…

Paddleboarding is flourishing. Though the initial sales boom has slowed, innovation continues. The newest boards are better made and more smartly tailored to specific pursuits like surfing, fishing, and whitewater adventures. Meanwhile, prices for many categories keep coming down, thanks to all the competition and increased efficiencies in production. Our picks highlight a variety of boards designed to excel at focused activities and a couple that are good at pretty much everything. Honestly, though, with all the new options out there, we’re finding it hard not to want a garageful. GEAR OF THE YEAR Boardworks Kraken 10'3" $1,299 There’s much to like about a board that’s fun to ride in all conditions. The Kraken is stable and quick whether you’re paddling over glassy water, churning through wind chop, or riding…