The best workout pieces are the ones you donā€™t notice. When theyā€™re not on your mind, you can concentrate on the next rep, set, or lapā€”unrestricted by damp, clingy clothes. This kit kept us on point during our most intense sessions, at the gym and in the sun.Ā 

Hoka Performance 3/4 Sleeve Shirt ($58)

Made of Polartec Power Dry fabric, this top kept our body temperature even during long aerobic sessions. Testers also appreciated the UPF 50-plus sun protection; the wide collar that let our necks breathe on sweltering summer days; and the three-quarter-length sleeves, which were perfect for when the temps started out chilly and heated up by the afternoon. (XS-XL)

Reigning Champ Polartec Delta Tee ($80)

Breathable and soft, but with a heavier weight that exudes quality, the Delta shirt was our most-used tee this summerā€”both on and off the track. Credit its Polartec Delta fabric, made with hydrophobic yarn that prevented the shirt from clinging to our sweaty skin, thus cooling it with more airflow. ā€œItā€™s meant to be worked out in, but Iā€™d be hard-pressed to say itā€™s not the best-looking black T-shirt I own,ā€ said one tester. (XS-XXL)

Outdoor Voices High Stride Pants ($88)

These superlight, soft 100 percent recycled polyester joggers make a stellar pair of warm-up pants, but we also wore them around town and while running errands thanks to their sleek, tapered cut. They have everything you need in a simple pair of sweats and nothing extra. Just ankle zippers, elastic at the waistband, one discreet back zippered pocket for your keys and an ID, and two hand pockets. (XS-XL)

Sponsor Content
2XU Aero Long Sleeve ($39.99)

The Aero Long Sleeve combines a double-knit sweat-wicking body with a lightweight and breathable mesh back to keep you dry and cool and performing at your best. Plus with reflective logos and trims throughout, you have 360 degree visibility when you need it most.

Sidekick Swerve Muscle Scraper Massage Tool ($95)

After years of using a plastic myofascial massage tool to work on our forearms, upgrading to a firmer, stainless-steel muscle scraper like the Swerve allowed us to knead out bigger muscle areas (like thighs and shoulders) more effectively. The dual-beveled treatment edge felt gentle enough that we werenā€™t afraid to really dig in. Testers also found that the Swerve pairs well with a topical gel lubricant to make it easier on the skin.

ProMix Protein Puff Bar Snack ($30 for 12)

Say goodbye to your humdrum protein snacks (which, letā€™s be honest, often taste like cardboard). Each of Promixā€™s bars has 15 grams of whey protein, contains only five grams or fewer of sugar, and is soft and chewy but not overly sweet. It comes in four delicious flavors: vanilla, chocolate, mint chocolate, and snickerdoodle. We like to think of it as a healthier, more adult Rice Krispies Treat.

Nike Metcon 7 Training Shoes ($130)

The newest version of the Metcon features a rubber sole that wraps upward around the arch for added grip on the weight-room floorā€”crucial when we were maxing out. The wide, flat heel offered stability during heavy Olympic lifts, which require a solid base, and a clever hook-and-loop closure on the tongue kept our laces locked in. (menā€™s 3.5-22)

Ten Thousand Tactical shorts 5″ ($78)

The Tactical shorts handled our testersā€™ most brutal HIIT sessions, with an abrasion-resistant spandex blend shell that withstood a barrage of friction from gym mats and barbells. Plus, these bottoms are available with a supportive compression liner that has a pocket big enough to fit a smartphone. (XS-XXL)

The post The Best Menā€™s Workout Apparel of 2022 appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Most approach shoes are uncomfortable to walk in for long distances. And that makes sense, given their typical construction: a thick upper designed for extreme abrasion resistance, and a tight toe box and flat, stiff sole intended for climbing precision on fourth- and fifth-class terrain. The design is effective on small foot holds but clunky, heavy, and hot the rest of the timeā€”not ideal for casual hikes or outdoor hangs.

Scarpaā€™s new ($159) offers a solution. Itā€™s light (10.4 ounces per shoe), airy, conducive to fast hiking or even running, and flexible enough to lend confidence on slabby, smeary rockā€”a situation when stiffer approach shoes can actually feel less secure. In fact, we loved the Rapid not just for climbing but for hiking as well.

Thatā€™s because it looksā€”and stridesā€”like a trail-running shoe, with a rockered, dual-density EVA midsole, a slightly roomy toe box, and a thin mesh upper and tongue that breathe well and avoid the excess material that can make other approach shoes feel cumbersome. The Rapidā€™s shock-absorbing midsole and airy upper held up well and dried quickly on a steep, wet four-night backpacking trip in the jungle of northern Panama. ā€œI packed a whole blister-care kit and never had to break it out,ā€ said a tester. Note: that light build is most at home on fast-and-light missions and day hikes.

But the Rapid also boasts a sticky Vibram Megagrip outsole, which kept testersā€™ feet planted on low-angle rock, and a TPU insert at the toe to increase edging stiffness without compromising underfoot flexibility or toe-box breathing room. ā€œWe were pulling moves in our approach shoes that I would not ever want to do again,ā€ said one tester after a hairy, fifth-class approach to 12,195-foot North Peak in the Sierra. ā€œBut I was surprised that the Rapid performed so well on edges.ā€ We love this shoe because it simplifies our decision-making process when gearing up for the mountains. Itā€™s a quiver of one thatā€™s perfect for trips that will have running, hiking, and climbing on the menu.

The post Editorā€™s Choice: Scarpa Rapid Approach Shoes appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

This article is part ofĀ ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųā€™s Sandal Battle. View the full field of contestants here. Hereā€™s our recap of the Final Four, and our recap of the Elite Eight. Below is our breakdown of the championship round.

Itā€™s been a month since we started the Sandal Battle, and yet no amount of polling or voting analysis could capture how heated (or how passionately) people felt while seeing their favorite sandals duke it out. I realized that some of the most revealing information about this tournamentā€”about how readers really felt about these matchupsā€”came in the form of text messages from my friends in the past week.

ā€œYour report is CONTROVERSIAL,ā€ one friend wrote me about the final round between Chaco and Birkenstock. ā€œChaconians UNITE.ā€ She also sent a screenshot of a text exchange with her partner. ā€œThis is fucking outrageous,ā€ their partner said. ā€œIā€™ve been following this for weeks and wanted to send you the link for the final round cause I swore it was gonna be Chaco v Tevas.ā€ (We did, too.) ā€œBirks are def gonna win,ā€ one friend texted the group chat. ā€œNot saying I agree. Iā€™m a Keen Canteen kinda guy.ā€ Another friend replied to him: ā€œMy vote was tevas. Ngl.ā€

The Bracket

Last week, I scrolled °æ³Ü³Ł²õ¾±»å±šā€™s Instagram account, where we posted about . One commenter expressed the stalemate nature of this relaxation-versus-performance bout between the two brands: ā€œI mean, letā€™s be honest, no one actually wins in this tournament.ā€

Well, sorry to burst your bubble, reader. But after 26,113 total votes, you all spoke and have indeed crowned a winner. And that winner is…

The Champion: Chaco

(1) Chaco Versus (5) Birkenstock

Congratulations, fanatics! Chaco stormed its way to the championship and blew through the Elite Eight, Final Four, and the final round. And the results arenā€™t really surprising: Chaco was the tournament favorite. Chaco remained unflappable in the face of heavyweights, handing easy losses to Adidas, Keen, and Birkenstock. Considering that there were more than 26,000 total votes over the course of the entire Sandal Battle, 1,700 votes could feel like small potatoes. But thatā€™s all it took for Chaco to be crowned champion.

While has a hardcore cadre of supporters as evidenced by its run through the draw, the slip-ons were always going to have their hands full with the ultimate mountain-town staple. Birks are simply not up for the outdoor adventures that Chacos are and that was reflected in the drubbing handed out in the championship. ā€œIn the end, the best adventure sandal won,ā€ writes podcast producer Maren Larsen. ā€œEven this Birken-stan has a pair of Chacos in her closet.ā€

And thatā€™s it, folks. It was a clean tournament, hard fought, that led to what some may say was an inevitable victory. But weā€™ll leave you with this message: all feet are different; you do you.

The post The People Have Spoken. Here Is Your Sandal Battle Winner. appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

This article is part ofĀ ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųā€™s Sandal Battle. View theĀ full field of contestants here. Hereā€™s our recap of the Elite Eight. Below is our breakdown of the Final Four action. Plus, we preview the championship round.

Here it is, folks. The final matchup. After more than 20,000 votes across two previous rounds, youā€™ve picked your favorites. Hearts have been broken, hopes have been sent down the drain, and rallying cries have been shouted out (some turning to whimpers after early-round exits and upsets). But what else would you expect in such an intense tournament? This is the championship round of the Sandal Battle. Vote below!

The Bracket

The Final Four: Results

(1) Chaco Versus (3) Keen

Winner: Chaco

My college-basketball analogies from the Final Four turned out to be semi accurate. Keen simply couldnā€™t compete with Chaco and its army of rabid supporters, who wolfed down more than 72 percent of the vote, while Keen struggled to round up 800 votes in this penultimate battle. Take heart, Keen, and your devoted camp of close-toed enthusiasts. This matchup is an important reminder about the nature of the Sandal Battle. The point is not to pick the ²ś±š²õ³ŁĢżsandal, because that can vary, depending on the activity. Instead, itā€™s to go with your gut and pick your favorite. So donā€™t sweat it, Keen. Youā€™re a sandal that will forever be loved by dads and river rats alike. Chaco just shined a bit brighter today.

(2) Teva Versus (5) Birkenstock

Winner: Birkenstock

Itā€™s a sad day for Teva fans. And given the brandā€™s huge fan base, that means itā€™s a sad time for a lot of people: hikers, bikers, climbers, walkers, city dwellersā€”you name it. Second-seeded Teva triumphed over Rainbow in the first roundĀ but couldnā€™t withstand the Birkenstock wave in the Final Four. It was a close contest, though, with Teva netting just under 44 percent of the vote.

Articles editor Frederick Dreier expressed his discontent with the result. ā€œShame on you, voters, for your very wrong take that Birkenstocks are superior to Tevas. While Birks may win the comfort battle, Tevas have that strong nostalgic connection to all the 90s kids out there, myself included. I can remember a time in this country (in the mid 90s, to be precise) when every man, woman, and child who identified as an outdoor enthusiast proudly sported a pair of Tevas,ā€ he wrote. ā€œSure, the sandals were flawed, but we Teva aficionados didnā€™t care. We displayed our goofy tan lines and leathery foot calluses like badges of honor. And at night, we happily plugged our noses to ward off the stink that emanated from every seasoned pair of Tevas. That is, until our moms wisely tossed them outside. I will always stan for Tevas.ā€

We all have a sports friend who will brag after correctly predicting the outcome of a game, especially if itā€™s an upset. Yes, very good, Scott, you called it. Well, now you know one more person like that. Not to tell you ā€œI called it!ā€ but I called it. A number-five seed taking down a number-two seed makes this the biggest upset of the tournament. Might you call it the biggest upset of the century? I wonā€™t put words in your mouth. Joking aside, Teva had a good run. The sandal will continue to bridge streetwear and casual recreation with outdoor adventures for years to come. Cheers to you, Teva.

The Championship: Voting

(1) Chaco Versus (5) Birkenstock

How do you preview a heavyweight bout like this one? The vote comes down to what both sandals represent. ā€œChaco is the shoe you fasten on for any active summer adventureā€”rafting, rock scrambling, running away from scary sounds in the night, and pretty much anything that happens in between,ā€ writes associate managing editor Tasha Zemke. ā€œBirks are the shoes you slip on after the day is done and youā€™re kicking back to unwind. Both equally exceptional in their regards, but distinct, too.ā€ What makes this vote so hard is that Chaco and Birkenstock represent the purest duality: sweaty activities in the sun, and chill time for relaxation afterward. You need both experiences to have a complete day.

Iā€™m not really sure how this one will go down, but there can only be one winner. Birkenstock devotee and podcast producer Maren Larsen expressed a bit of worry going intoĀ the championship round: ā€œI just think the Chaco stans are powerful,ā€ she wrote me. She might be onto something, because it seems like Chaco is gaining converts. Outdoor gear group director Will Taylor, perhaps a bit sore from Tevaā€™s exitĀ from the running, is all in on Chaco: ā€œIf Birkenstock wins the championship in an outdoor-sandal contest, all hope is lost,ā€ he writes.

Now is the time to make your voice heard, reader. Cast your final vote below to crown the ultimate sandal. No pressure.

The post The Sandal-Battle Championship: Chaco Versus Birkenstock appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

This article is part of ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųā€™s Sandal Battle. View the full field of contestants here.

Welcome back to the Sandal Battle, ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųā€™s March Madnessā€“style tournament that will crown the ultimate outdoor sandal. Weā€™ve finished one round of this three-round contest. With half the field eliminated, we head into the Final Four. Our sandal-obsessed editors have weighed in on the Elite Eight action, below, plus weā€™ve previewed the penultimate showdown. Voting is open!

The Bracket

The Elite Eight: Results

(1) Chaco Versus (8) Adidas

Winner: Chaco

When I asked a few editors to break down the first-round action, articles editor Frederick Dreier hit me back with a spot-on analysis. Iā€™ll just leave this here:

ā€œThrow in the towel, folks, because this sandal battle ended just a few seconds into round one, with Chaco quickly handing a knockout to Adidas,ā€ he writes. ā€œWhatā€™s the proper sports metaphor for this utterly lopsided contest? Hmm. Think: the U.S. womenā€™s World Cup soccer team versus your local middle school squad, or Usain Bolt versus an actual tortoise. I chalk Chacoā€™s 85.5 percent approval rate up to its comfortable soles and bombproof construction. As for Adidasā€™s lackluster performance, I can vouch for how easy it is to slip into a pair of the brandā€™s famed slides, but Iā€™d never go anywhere near a trail while wearing them.ā€

(2) Teva Versus (7) Rainbow

Winner: Teva

Second-seeded Teva cruised into the next round with a decisive victory over Rainbow. Tevaā€™s wide-ranging fan base came through with a healthy 68.7 percent of the vote, while supporters of the casual flip-flop put up a decent fight with 31.3 percent (maybe they wereĀ too lax). In the end, features editor Matt Skenazy thinks there was some foul play. ā€œClearly this was a rigged sandal election, and I will be holding a rally in front of the REI to #stopthesandalsteal,ā€ he writes.

(3) Keen Versus (6) Bedrock

Winner: Keen

When I wrote that I was most excited for this first-round matchup in particular, I did not expect it to be this close.

It is very close right now.

— Jeremy Rellosa (@jrello9)

In just a few hours, Bedrock jumped ahead with a narrow lead and maintained it for a few days. Then Keen surged and held on to the lead with a tight graspā€”just as grippy as the traction of its lugged sole. A few °æ³Ü³Ł²õ¾±»å±šĢżstaffer Bedrock stans were heartbroken when I shared the results. ā€œThis is terrible news,ā€ one colleague wrote me. ā€œNo way,ā€ another exclaimed in disbelief. ā€œAre these the final results?ā€ I could feel their pain through my screen. But this was expected. In a field of new competitors trying to find their footing, Keenā€™s veteran experience paid off. It is the third seed, after all.

(4) Crocs Versus (5) Birkenstock

Winner: Birkenstock

Upset alert! The Birkenstock supporters delivered a dizzying blow to Camp Crocs, sending the rubbery clog home packing. ā€œHouse Stock has rightfully triumphed over the trypophobia-inducing Crocs, proving once and for all that this classic is king,ā€ writes podcast producer Maren Larsen. I incorrectly predicted that this would be a close contest. What happened to the Crocsā€™ fan base? ā€œThat which is misunderstood is often maligned, and there is no better proof than Crocsā€™ early loss,ā€ associate editor Daniella Byck writes. ā€œCrocs were always going to be the underdog in the bracket, let alone this matchup. After all, Birkenstocks are textbook sandals: what you see is what you get. But Crocs dare us to imagine a world where a shoe can be so much more, thanks to adaptable straps, amphibious materials, and Jibbitz, the ultimate form of creative expression. Alas, in all their visionary boldness, Crocs were always simply too avant-garde to clinch the popular vote.ā€ Onward.

The Final Four: Voting

(1) Chaco Versus (3) Keen

The Sandal Battle is probably the only time Iā€™ll be able to use this many basketball analogies without breaking some rule in ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųā€™s style guide,Ā so Iā€™m just going to lean into it. If weā€™re being consistent with my previous comparisons, Chaco versus Keen is indeed like Kentucky versus Gonzaga: two powerhouse teams, each with a long history of success and name recognition. This round has toss-up potential. You could bet the house on Chacoā€™s popularity alone, but how can you underestimate the sneaky, unassuming dad-sandals energy that Keen is riding from round one? Fun fact: Kentucky and Gonzaga have , way back in 2002. The Wildcats won.

(2) Teva Versus (5) Birkenstock

Iā€™m not normally known for hot takes, but I highly suspect that Birkenstock will pull off another upset this round against Teva. I think the proof is in the pudding, yes, but also in this line of podcast producer Maren Larsenā€™s ode to her Birks: ā€œNot only are they incredibly versatile, but they also have supreme staying power: the two-buckle style my mom wore in the nineties is nearly identical to the pair I wear today.ā€ According to a peer-reviewed study from the Sandal Bracketology Center for Applied Sciences, this stamina that Larsen references should translate to a deep, deep tournament run. Teva fans, prove me wrong. House Birk, vote your hearts out.

The post Sandal Battle, Round Two: Vote for the Final Four appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Welcome to Ask a Gear Editor, our monthly column where we answer readersā€™ most puzzling gear questions. Have a burning question of your own? Become an Ģż³Ł“ĒĢżask an ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų expert for advice.

Dear Gear Team,Ā 

What is the point of a soft-shell jacket? Most of the options Iā€™ve seen at stores arenā€™t really waterproof like a rain shell, or as warm as a fleece or sweaterā€¦When or why would you use a jacket like this?Ā 

– Sincerely,
Confused HikerĀ 

I remember the first time I asked this exact question, Confused Hiker. Sadly, it was also the first time I was severely disappointed by a soft-shell jacket. It happened to be my second day on the job at ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų, and I, a giddy editorial assistant, just received my first-ever gear sample. It was an unreleased soft-shell jacket from a big-name brand. Brand-spankinā€™ newā€”so new, that the jacketā€™s color wasnā€™t even finalized, the PR rep told me. I couldnā€™t believe I had something this rare in my hands. Surely it possessed the latest tech: an ultra-waterproofing, quick-drying, mega-stretchy fabric that could stand up to any abuseā€”a force field in the mountains. I threw it on, and walked to the menā€™s bathroom to see just how waterproof it was. I turned on the sink, and splashed some water on my sleeve. The water instantly painted a dark puddle, which soaked through to the skin on my wrist. I was surprised, but mostly confusedā€”like you, Hiker. Whatā€™s the point of a jacket like this, and who is its intended user?

As I continued to test the jacket on hikes and climbs around northern New Mexico, I quickly learned that no amount of optimism or delusion can change the fact that soft-shell jackets simply wonā€™t offer the same amount of waterproofing or wind protection that a traditional hard shell can. The membranes used in hard shells allow less liquid and air to pass through. But with that comes an important trade-off: soft-shell jacketsā€”most of which forego the membraneā€”provides more breathability on the whole, which opens up its uses to way more activitiesā€”especially aerobic ones.

ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų video producer and former ski patroller Jackson Buscher prefers wearing a soft-shell when skiing: ā€œI used to ski patrol in a soft-shell 98 percent of the time,ā€ he tells me. ā€œTheir soft stretch is often more forgiving, which means Iā€™m not afraid to thrash through the trees in them and beat them up. This type of jacket is no doubt my preferred ski touring layer, since you can regulate your temp much easier on the go without having to de-layer as frequently, which makes me less susceptible to sweating out and then being cold on the descent.ā€

I donā€™t ski tour like Jackson, but I now wear one on winter hikes, when the temps dip into the 30s or low 40s. Other ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų staffers use them to trail run, ride bikes, or just wear around town. Theyā€™re especially useful in more arid climates, like Santa Fe, where the magazineā€™s headquarters are located, becauseĀ rains tend to be short lived, and the sun is intense. In places like the Pacific Northwest, a better bet is the hard shell.

ā€“ Jeremy Rellosa, reviews editor

The post Whatā€™s the Point of a Soft-Shell Jacket? appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Nothing tells us that warm weather has arrived quite like the sight of a pair of sandals.

But boy, do we have opinions about which sandals are the best. We all know people who are true brand loyalists. Iā€™m thinking of your pal who swears by their decades-old, raggedy shoes, still worn only because theyā€™re reinforced with duct tape. Or the buddy who seems to always have a new pair of the same sandal every month, just with straps in a slightly different shade of green. Those same friends are the ones who have strap tans so permanently stamped onto their feet that they might as well be tattoos. And when talking to them, you canā€™t help but shake the feeling that if youā€™re not rocking their brand, youā€™re doing something wrong.

Outdoor-sandal loyalty can be as tenuous as pulling for a random school to win your March Madness bracket, yet as rock-solid as your coffee preference. When people ask you what your favorite sandal is, you have one in mind, and you stand by it.

Thatā€™s why we thought it would be interesting to pose this question to our readers. You might be wondering: Favorite sandal for what, exactly? Arenā€™t these sandals made for specific activities? True, true. As gear editors who test products and write reviews about them for a living, we know thereā€™s no one right answer. But the goal for this project, reader, is to go with your gut. Throw out any knowledge you have about strap mechanics, sole grip, and nascent rubber technology. Which sandal would you pledge your sword to?

Youā€™ll have a week to vote for eight fan favorites in three rounds: the elite eight, the final four, and the championship. Check out our bracket, below, where youā€™ll see how weā€™ve seeded each brand of sandal, noted in parentheses in the following matchup descriptions. (Also, check out our collections page, where you can find our editorsā€™ essays and odes about their favorites.) Weā€™ll recap each round, dissecting the winners and losers, the sleeper picks and the upsets. When the voting is doneā€”check back regularly for updates and for the outcomeā€”all of those beer-fueled debates around the campfire about lugs and waterproofness and versatility will be pointless, because there will be an undisputed winner. So cast your vote. If not for yourself, for your feet, and for bragging rights.

We wish you good fortune in the wars to come.

The Bracket

The Elite Eight

(1) Chaco Versus (8) Adidas

. The clear tournament favorite. That chunky sole and zigzag strap pattern are undeniable. Their dominance, like the Kentucky Wildcats menā€™s basketball team, lies in consistent top-notch performance. As associate group gear director Ariella Gintzler wrote in an ode to her Chacos, ā€œSwim, wade, hike, haulā€”I could put my Chacos on in the morning and not take them off until it was time to rinse away the salt and sand at the end of the day.ā€

Yet perhaps the same typical hiker who takes off their Chacos after a long day will also slip into a pair of Adidas slides, which offer an unmatched level of post-adventure comfort. Ever since Adidas unveiled the in 1970 as a shower slide for the German national soccer team, theyā€™ve become the gold standard for athletes. Given the sheer number of Chaco stans, Adidas fans will have a tough road ahead of them with this first-round matchup. But as 15-seeded St. Peterā€™s showed us in this yearā€™s March Madness, (against top-ranked Kentucky, nonetheless).

(2) Teva Versus (7) Rainbow

are like the Subaru Outbacks of the sandal world. Theyā€™re reliable, not flashy, and last forever. Plus, you can take them pretty much anywhere. GroupĀ gear director Will Taylor put it perfectly when he pledged his loyalty to #TeamTeva: ā€œTheyā€™re simple, not overbuilt, andā€”against all oddsā€”currently considered stylish by some wonderful tear in the time-space continuum of the fashion industry.ā€

, on the other hand, are akin to Toyota pickups. ā€œTheyā€™re like the pre-Tacoma version of the Toyota truck,ā€ features editor Matt Skenazy says. A surfer and Santa Cruz, California, native, Skenazy included two other words in this comparison: ā€œDurable, classic.ā€ It checks out. Just donā€™t tell him what happens when leather gets wet.

(3) Keen Versus (6) Bedrock

As the cruel orchestrator of this tournament, Iā€™m most excited for this first-round contest in particular. is the veteran from dad-sandals fame; , the hotshot rookie. To keep this college-basketball analogy going, Keen is like the Gonzaga of this bracket. Your dad knows the brand and probably has an opinion about it. Keenā€™s signature toe protection lends an upper hand in this field of open-toed competitors.

Bedrockā€™s minimal design, however, is the ying to Keenā€™s yang. Senior editor Abigail Barronian put it this way: ā€œBedrocks are a happy medium between a flip-flop and a Chaco: just enough strap and sole, but not too much.ā€ Like Keens, Bedrocks ā€œhave not yet been dubbed cool,ā€ Barronian writes. ā€œBut let me tell you, they are the best sandals you can buy.ā€

(4) Crocs Versus (5) Birkenstock

Now this is where I expect the sandal battle to be the bloodiest. What two other factions have as fervent supporters as and ? Both competitors brandish a similar strategy: be casual, be versatile, be stylishā€”all at once. And quite honestly, reader, Iā€™m not sure which camp will come out on top.

ā€œIā€™ve chosen my side in the sandal battle, and I will passionately defend the ā€˜earthyā€™ looks of the Birkenstock to the last,ā€ wrote podcast producer Maren Larsen. ā€œFor me, other sandals just donā€™t cut it. I want something comfortable and functional that I can slip on at a momentā€™s notice and be ready for almost anything a summer day has to offer.ā€

In his ode to Crocs, contributor Kevin Koczwara wrote: ā€œDespite how ugly they are, Crocs serve a vital purpose during these times: Theyā€™re perfect for the outdoors. Theyā€™re waterproof and easy to clean. They float. Theyā€™re cushy and bright.ā€ Need we say more about the iconic shoe? What about their goofy silhouette? Koczwara isnā€™t holding back his love: ā€œI wonā€™t be afraid of the hideous clown shoes. Iā€™ve embraced them.ā€

The post The Sandal Bracket Is Here. Vote for Your Favorite in °æ³Ü³Ł²õ¾±»å±šā€™s Sandal Battle. appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

When editor Jeremy Rellosa isnā€™t reviewing gear for us, heā€™s usually climbing up something. For this episode of the Gear Shed, he shows off his favorite climbing pack, Mountain Hardwearā€™s 45-liter Crag Wagon, and shares why itā€™s his ideal bag for a day at the crag.

The post Our Gear Editor Loves His Crag Wagon Climbing Pack. Hereā€™s Why. appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Thereā€™s a steam room tucked away in the back corner of the menā€™s bathroom at °æ³Ü³Ł²õ¾±»å±šā€™s offices, a product of a vanished time when the magazine had a fully equipped gym. The latter perk is long gone (itā€™s a photo studio now), and the tiled enclosure, while still functional, has fallen into disuse. ā€œWe used to have an IT guy who used it, but that was years ago,ā€ a colleague told me. ā€œHeā€™d walk down the hall in his robe at midday like he was at a spa.ā€

Iā€™d always been intrigued by this abandoned luxury. Then, on a gloomy day last winter, I did some research about how to cure my seasonal blues. I was burned out at work, navigating relationship troubles, and weathering the lonely pandemic. I learned that hot-cold therapyā€”heating your body up, then submerging yourself in cold water soon afterā€”Ā­triggers the release of the so-called happy hormones: endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. You can accomplish this in many ways, but a sauna session followed by a cold plunge is the classic pairing. The combination is popular in Finland, where a sauna is central to everyday life, as is the concept of sisu, or confronting tough situations with courage and fortitude.

So I decided to take a cue from the Finnsā€”and that IT guyā€”and hack my winter doldrums. I fired up the steam room and turned on the cold water in one of the adjacent showers, squirming under the freezing flow for 15 seconds before scurrying back to my warm cocoon. On subsequent days, I increased the time spent in each extreme. After a couple of weeks, Iā€™d solidified a regimen: every weekday at 6 P.M., Iā€™d do three cycles of eight-minute steams interspersed with two-minute showers. It became my favorite part of the day.

Turns out there really are health benefits to this routine. found that sauna bathing can ā€œimprove the overall health of individuals serving in a high-stress occupation,ā€ such as firefighters, first responders, and military personnel. , researchers concluded that one or two sessions per week were linked to a significant decrease in sudden cardiac death, coronary heart disease, and overall mortality. Finally, while inconclusive, thereā€™s evidence that cold exposure encourages cardiovascular health and reduces inflammation.

A few months into my experiment, life got busy and I dropped my ritual. My journey mirrored the routine Iā€™d abandoned: hot and cold, on and off. Then one afternoon I spotted a man with SISU tattooed on his calf. Could it be the same sisu Iā€™d tried to live by, 5,000 miles from Helsinki? ā€œThis was my high school cross-country teamā€™s motto,ā€ he said. ā€œTo run with guts.ā€

The next day I fired up the steam room once again. The heat felt restorative, the cold water electric. Was I living like a Finn? Would this make me happy? I didnā€™t care. I stood embracing the cold, humming a tune as I rinsed.

The post What the Office Steam Room Taught Me About Finnish Wellness appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

°æ³Ü³Ł²õ¾±»å±šĢżreviews editor Jeremy Rellosa is the king of weekend adventures. As such, youā€™ll never find him without everything anyone might need for a last-minute camping setup. In this episode of the Gear Shed, Jeremy digs through his beloved camping box and explains why these items are essential to his outdoor lifestyle.Ā 

Jeremy recommends:

($20)

($15)

($160)

($12)

($50)

($62)

($6)

($2)

($6)

($7)

($150)

($5)

($30)

($190)

($9)

The post The Essential Camping Gear That Lives in My Car appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.