One of the best parts of being aneditor at ϳԹ istesting new gear. Frombiking, skiing, and technical climbinggear to everyday lifestyle apparel, our desks are home to a rotating collection of adventure toys to test and consider for review. Here are just a few products that have come through the office recently.
SOGTerminus XR Knife ($80, above)
Witha four-inch handle and nearly three-inch blade, SOG’s latest everyday-carry knife, the , is a little bigger than my normal EDC. But itsnarrow profile and sleek carbon-fiber handle make it feel surprisingly compact in my pocket. The coolest feature is the assisted opening; unlike other knives with springs that fling open the blade,the Terminus XR does it with just the weight of the blade and a flick of the wrist. It’s fast, simple, and effective, and after a week of cutting open packages and slicing up kindling I don’t have any complaints. —Ben Fox, affiliate reviews manager
Sierra Designs Nitro 0 Degree Sleeping Bag ($380)
Winter sleeping bags are notoriously expensive, especially ones stuffed with ultra-compressible, high-fill-power down. So I did a double take when I sawthis new , which costs just $380—hundreds less than similar models from competing brands. I recently got oneand have been struck by its thoughtful design features, like a bottom vent for poking out your feet, which is ingenious for folks whose body temperaturefluctuates in the night. (Your body weight seals the gap when your feet are tucked in, to keep out cold air.) —Ariella Gintzler, assistant gear editor
BLDGActive Skin Repair Spray ($25) and Gel ($30)
As a climber withskin as soft as a newborn baby’s, I’ve started searching for products to help my fingersheal faster so I don’t have to take days offwhen the rock wears down my skin or leaves me with cuts, called flappers. LatelyI’ve been usingBLDG’swound care formula (available as a or a ), which uses hypochlorous acid—the same molecule our bodies produce in response to injury—to kill bacteria, lessen inflammation, and promote speedier wound healing. The jury is still out on whether this helps my skin recover more quickly after climbing, but at the very least the placebo effect sure makes me think it does. —Emily Reed, assistant reviews editor
Sherpa Yatra Everyday Pack ($60)
Sherpa ϳԹ Gear’snew is quickly proving an indispensable part of my, well, everyday. The Cordura fabric is abrasion-resistant, and DWR lends a touch of water repellency. But it’s the smart touches—like the daisy-chain closure for the main compartment, two slim accessory pockets, and side water-bottle pockets that automatically cinch shut when empty—that help the Yatra adjust to whatever size load it’s carrying. And the padding on the back panel is surprisingly cushy for a ten-liter commuter bag. —Will Egensteiner, senior gear editor
Olukai NalukaiShoes ($120)
In the week I’ve been wearing them, these have become my go-to footwear. I wear them around the office, out to dinner, and while traveling. The wider toe box makes for a relaxed, comfortable fit, and the full-grain leather upper looks classy. But what really has me sold is the foldable heel that tucksdown over the sole, transforming the shoes into comfy slip-ons, greatfor airport travel. —Jeremy Rellosa, editorial assistant