Iā€™ve been testing and writing about GoProā€™s small action cameras since the first one was launched in 2004, watching as those cameras evolved from cumbersome chunks of plastic worn on your wrist to the content-capturing machines that they are today.

The two newest versions from GoPro, the Hero13, and the original Hero, continue that evolution. One is the most versatile camera GoPro has ever produced. The other might be the easiest to use. But which is the best option for you?

I spent the last month testing both in a variety of situations, from an epic ski trip to Palisades in Tahoe to a surf trip to Costa Rica to tame adventures on local trails in the Southern Appalachians. Throughout that period, I alternated between the two cameras on bike rides, golf rounds, ski days, and surf sessions, trying to determine which camera was the best.

The result is an enigma: The camera that I like the most personally is not the camera that I would recommend to most people. Here are my thoughts on the Hero13 and the Hero.

The Hero13Ģż

The GoPro Hero13 Built-In Features

Letā€™s start with the Hero13, which is GoProā€™s most versatile camera to date, ideal for serious photographers and content creators who need to get a variety of footage. The new camera uses the same sensor and processor as the previous ($288) but adds a few key upgrades that make it far more capable. That includes interchangeable lenses, a magnetic mount, and a suite of built-in features that allow you to customize the footage you capture by adjusting the resolution, aspect ratio, and even sound before you start shooting.

The Hero13 shoots professional-grade 5.3K video, which is rendered incredibly smooth thanks to the in-camera HyperSmooth 6.0 video stabilization. I shot some shaky ski videos recently that were so silky youā€™d think they were shot on a gimbal. The fact that this stabilization happens inside the camera means youā€™re not forced to edit your video in GoProā€™s Quik app (more on that below).

Itā€™s waterproof down to 33 feet, but even better is the hydrophobic lens, which sheds water, giving you crystal-clear shots when you bring the camera back up above the surface. I have a lot of useless footage from past surf trips when I used older GoPros that didnā€™t have this water-shedding lens; instead of epic footage, all I got were videos of blurry water drops. Thatā€™s less of an issue with this new lens. I used this camera during a week-long surf trip to Costa Rica, and probably 95 percent of the videos I took while in the surf were crystal clear. On previous surf trips with older models of the GoPro, Iā€™d say that ratio was probably 50/50.

My favorite aspect of the new Hero13 is the tall image sensor, which allows you to shoot wide, vertical, or square videos and images without having to adjust the cameraā€™s settings or lenses. I take a lot of videos for Instagram, which requires a vertical frame, but I also do some scenic and gear videos for this magazine and YouTube, both of which require a horizontal frame. I can switch back and forth from those two perspectives on the touch screen with the swipe of a finger before I start the video, or even better, I can shoot everything in Full Frame and decide later if I want to edit and publish vertically or horizontally in the GoPro Quik app.

This versatility means you can shoot footage with or without GoProā€™s signature fisheye perspective, which is handy if youā€™re vlogging, getting scenic landscapes or closeups, or even if you just want a more straightforward first-person perspective. It also makes it easier to pair footage from the Hero13 with footage from other cameras, like your iPhone.

Hero 13 Add-Ons

And thatā€™s just whatā€™s built into the Hero13. You can also purchase add-on HB Series Lenses, like a Macro that gives you 4x zoom or an ultra-wide that offers a 36 percent wider field of view than the standard GoPro lens. Clip these lenses onto the Hero13, and the camera automatically recognizes which lens youā€™re using without the need to manually adjust the settings.

Most casual photographers wonā€™t need to purchase these extra lenses, but everyone will appreciate the new Enduro Battery that comes with the camera, which is an absolute game changer. One of my biggest complaints with every GoPro Iā€™ve ever used is the subpar battery life, especially in cold temps. This new battery is a beast with a reported 2.5-hour constant run time. I filmed with the Hero13 over several hours, from cold ski days to hot beach days, and never once ran out of battery.

Another fun tool in the Hero13 is the built-in Burst Slo-Mo, which offers three slow-motion options with different levels of quality. This is key if you ever want to throw your videos up onto a big screen; slow motion video from a low-quality camera blown up on a TVā€™s big screen can look blurry, but the Hero13 gives you five seconds of slow motion in crystal clear 5.3k quality.

The Hero13’s Downsides

Some professional photographers complained that the Hero13 didnā€™t get an upgraded sensor from the Hero12. While I do publish videos and photos on a variety of platforms, I donā€™t consider myself a pro photographer, so GoProā€™s decision to stick with their previous sensor doesnā€™t bother me. I will say that the versatility of the Hero13 comes with a price; thereā€™s a learning curve to the system, and it has taken some trial and error to figure out exactly which features I need. Itā€™s like ordering from a menu thatā€™s five pages longā€”with so many options, itā€™s hard to settle on a single choice.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Iā€™m blown away by the Hero13’s capabilities. Straight out of the box, it drastically broadens the kind of footage I can capture. Considering all of the potential add-ons, from the new lenses to external lights and microphones, the Hero13 is out of the action camera category altogether. It is a powerhouse that can be my primary content-capturing tool, whether Iā€™m standing in front of the camera for a vlog, attaching it to my handlebars for action footage, or just capturing a photo to support an article.

The HeroĢż

Ģż

The Heroā€™s Upsides

Take the Hero13, cut it in half, and you have the Hero. Itā€™s half the weight (86 grams to the Hero13ā€™s 159 grams), roughly half the size, about half the price, and is even waterproof to about half the depth (16 feet to the Hero13ā€™s 33 feet). That said, the tiny size is one of this cameraā€™s selling points, especially if you like to mount a camera on your helmet.

Just like the Hero13, it has flip down mounting fingers, a removable hydrophobic lens cover, and a large touch screen on the back of the camera that you use to adjust the settings. It even has voice-activated controls, just like the Hero13, so you can tell this GoPro what to do without touching any buttons. Very cool.

The Heroā€™s Downsides

Thatā€™s where the similarities end, though, as the Hero is a straightforward, easy-to-use action camera without the bells and whistles of the full-featured Hero13.

For instance, you canā€™t change the resolution on the Hero (4K is the only option). It doesnā€™t shoot as well in low-light situations, and if you zoom in on the 4K footage, itā€™s a little blurry compared to the 5.3K Hero13 footage. You also canā€™t change the frame ratio; like older GoPros, it only shoots ultra-wide lens, fish-eye type footage, which might be a deal breaker for some users. Another limitation to note is that the HyperSmooth stabilization doesnā€™t happen in the camera. Instead, you have to upload your footage to GoProā€™s Quik app before the video stabilizes. Thatā€™s not a big deal for most of us, but if youā€™re editing in a different software and bypassing the Quik app, youā€™ll be dealing with shaky footage.

The battery life is roughly half as good as the Hero13, and thatā€™s being generous. The Hero repeatedly died halfway through each day on a recent ski trip. Granted, I was filming heavily, and it was cold, but Iā€™ve been able to get through full days with the Hero13 under similar conditions. The Heroā€™s battery is within the camera, which eliminates the option of swapping out an extra battery.

Personally, my main issue with the Hero is that it only shoots ultra-wide lens footage. Thatā€™s a handy viewpoint for some shots, but I donā€™t want all of my videos to have a fish-eye view. You also have to mount or hold the Hero vertically in order to shoot vertical videos, which sounds like a silly thing to complain about, except most mounts hold GoPros horizontally. This kept me from getting vertical video during my Palisades ski trip, which makes for an awkward transition if Iā€™m trying to match that footage with a vertical-oriented camera, like my phone.

Which Is the Better Camera For You?Ģż

It sounds like the Hero13 is the camera Iā€™m going to recommend, right? Not so fast.

I love the Hero13, and I think itā€™s the best GoPro Iā€™ve ever tested. Itā€™s the right camera for me, and Iā€™m excited to keep using it for the various ways I capture photos and videos. But I think many of those features that get me excited arenā€™t necessary for the majority of users out there. While I mentioned many of the Heroā€™s limitations, I think itā€™s a great action camera, especially when you consider the budget-friendly $199 price tag.

The question you have to ask yourself is, what kind of photographer are you? If you just want to get the occasional clip of a surf session or a POV of you sending it on a gap jump at the park, then the Hero is probably the right camera for you. The tiny size means you can bring it almost anywhere and get some really beautiful footage that you might not be able to capture with your phone. But if youā€™re looking for a single camera that can capture a variety of styles of content in a small package, the Hero13 is the obvious answer.

Or maybe youā€™re like me, and youā€™ve convinced yourself you need both cameras: the Hero13 for its versatility and everyday capabilities and the Hero for its diminutive size, which makes it the ideal shooter for POV angles on a helmet mount.

Yeah, maybe thatā€™s the answer here. Both cameras are the best cameras.

The post Is the GoPro Hero13 Black Better Than the GoPro Hero? appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

As a professional photographer and filmmaker, relies on his versatile collection of gear to meet the demands of his work. In the past, he often turned to Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to find used cameras and lenses. But numerous last-minute meetup cancellations and alarming stories of friends getting scammed pushed him to seek out a more reliable option.

Thatā€™s when he decided to give a try.

He began trading some gear that was collecting dust in his closet and found the process easy and smooth: no need to coordinate in-person swaps with strangers from the internet. Plus, the option to trade took some pressure off his wallet. Creatives can save up to 40 percent on retail prices, which is a big boost whether youā€™re on a budget or want to allocate the savings toward other business expenses like travel, accessories, or more camera gear.

ā€œOne of the biggest hurdles for me in photography has always been how expensive gear can get,ā€ Shainblum explained. ā€œIā€™d often delay buying lenses because of the steep price tags. But trading and buying used gear changed everythingā€”it opened the door to experimenting with new lenses and exploring different styles of photography.ā€

Shainblum also got the buying confidence he wanted from MPB. As the leading reseller of used digital cameras and lenses* in the United States, MPBā€™s online platform is a trusted resource for photographers and videographers to buy, sell, and trade equipment. Every item on the platform has a free six-month warranty and is 100 percent MPB Approved, meaning product specialists thoroughly inspect and photograph each piece and document any imperfections before itā€™s listed. Creatives can explore a , read in-depth reviews of popular models, access valuable how-to guides, and directly on the site, starting with a free quote.

A hallmark of MPB is its commitment to making visual storytelling accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level or budget. By offering trust and consistency in what has traditionally been a fragmented market, MPB is fostering a circular resale economy within creative communities. This approach not only supports sustainability but also strengthens the sense of connection and community.

Tammy Oler, vice president of marketing at MPB, describes a circular economy as one that works to minimize waste and pollution by circulating products and materials for reuse. Oler explains that MPB puts this model to work by buying, selling, and trading used gear. In addition, MPB was the first camera reseller to transparently , while also publishing its goals and progress.

ā€œOur sustainability efforts are linked directly to our purpose: to open up the world of visual storytelling in a way thatā€™s good for people and the planet,ā€ Oler said. ā€œWe make it easy and worthwhile to give unwanted gear a new life, which puts affordable used gear into the hands of more creatives.ā€

is the largest global platform to buy, sell, and trade used photo and video equipment. MPB provides a simple, safe, and circular wayā€”for amateurs to pros, with any budgetā€”to trade, upgrade, and get paid for gear.

*MPB is currently not buying or selling film or analog cameras, with occasional exceptions.

The post The Best Platform for Buying, Selling, and Trading Used Camera Gear appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

When we put together a pool of reviewers, we want people who adventure big but also live normal livesā€”because thatā€™s our true audience (very few readers are running 100-mile races or summiting Everest). Enter lead watch tester Meg Healy. Thereā€™s no one better suited to deliver real-world reviews of a watch that can track all of your workouts while integrating into your 9-5. As a runner, dancer, cyclist, and world traveler, sheā€™s as active as you can get without being sponsored, but she also lives in the real world as a mom, PTA volunteer, and soccer coach.

Healy has tested a batch of watches for ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų over the past several years and says that the , at the moment, is her clear favorite. Sheā€™s now lived with it on her wrist nearly 24/7 for six months and found that, for her, the watch strikes the perfect balance of training coach and everyday companion.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Suunto Race

Testing Stats

• Test Locations:
  • New Mexico and Brazil
• Six months of continuous testing in a wide variety of activities:
  • 450+ miles of running and hiking with more than 40,000 feet of elevation gain
  • 100+ hours of yoga
  • 60+ hours of martial arts training
  • Hours of rollerblading, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, horseback riding, swimming, and more

Suunto Race Training Tracking Performance

Healy said the Race became her favorite workout companion for a number of reasons. First, the watch, which works with all the major satellite systemsā€”GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU, and on both L1 and L5 GPS frequenciesā€”grabs a GPS signal faster than any watch sheā€™s tested. That was important for Healy who’s always busy and wants her workout to start as soon as possible.

ā€œAs you can imagine, people like me who like to run donā€™t like to wait,ā€ she said. ā€œItā€™s a pain to be waiting around on your doorstep, or at a trailhead in the wilderness of the Brazilian jungle before you can head out. But I never had that problem with the Race.ā€

She also loved the watchā€™s ability to track a wide range of activities. With other watches, Healy couldnā€™t always find the appropriate activity tracker for what she was doing, given her interests are as diverse as horseback riding, yoga, and martial arts. But the Race, which tracks nearly 100 activities, never left her hanging. Plus, on a day when she might do three or four different workouts, or a month where she does eight or 10 different activities, the watch kept up and, via the Suunto app, succinctly reported her overall fitness and provided useful feedback.

ā€œI loved seeing that no matter what I was doing, there was clearly a time during my day when I felt best and had the best pace, no matter what,ā€ she said.

Most of the time Healy knew where she was going on her runs, but she still appreciated the Raceā€™s ability to download offline topo maps specific to where she was adventuring. Using the app, you can set a route that the watch will follow on screen and offer turn-by-turn instructions. If you get lost, the watch will point you back to wherever you started.

The battery on the Race is so good that Healy pretty much forgot about it. She estimates that she only charged it once every 10 days. According to official stats, Suunto says the watch will last up to 26 days if just used as a regular watch and give you up to 40 hours of continuous use with every tracking metric turned on. Or you can go for five days in ā€œTourā€ mode in which the GPS is tracking with lower accuracy.

Healy wore the watch at all times (except for the rare occasions when it was charging). She used the watch to track her sleep and said integrating that data into her overall fitness picture proved to be useful, helping her identify which days she was ready for a bigger and more taxing workout. (She did, however, say that the sleep tracking was not as accurate as some other watches sheā€™s used, noting that the data occasionally said she was awake during times when she knew she was asleep.)

The only other problem Healy ran into with the watch was when she tried to track her blood oxygen. Itā€™s not a metric she regularly monitors, but her dad had to check his for medical reasons so she decided to try the feature on the Race. Too often, however, an error code popped up saying it couldnā€™t provide any info.

Suunto Race Everyday Performance

Healy is 5 foot, 5 inches tall, and fit, so the 1.43-inch high-definition AMOLED screen sat a little big on her wrist (she might be more comfortable with the ā€œSā€ version that has a smaller face). Nonetheless, she was glad to have all that real estate to display useful stats sheā€™d check while working out. And over time she got used to the size and said it never got in the way when she was moving.

At night, Healy, who is light sensitive, liked that the watch could be set accordingly. When she raised her wrist to look at the screen, just a dim display of the time appeared rather than the full, bright screen. She also enjoyed using the watch as an alarm so that she didnā€™t have to sleep with her phone next to her bed, and found the flashlight feature helpful to navigate around the house in the dark.

Healy had nothing but praise for the watchā€™s durability. After months of using the watch hard without a care, she said it still looked almost new. ā€œAfter looking this thing over I canā€™t see a single scratch on the face or a single mark on the body,ā€ she said. One minor complaint: Healy prefers lighter colors, so she wished the titanium version she tested came in a white instead of just a metallic or purple colorway. Suunto does, however, offer a number of bright wristbands to liven things up.

Finally, she appreciated the Suunto Raceā€™s price point. The titanium version Healy tested costs $549, significantly less than the $839 youā€™ll pay for the titanium and solar-charging top-of-the-line Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar or other comparable watches. For that extra money, the Vertical gets you a better battery life (up to 85 hours of continuous GPS use with solar recharging) and itā€™s made in Finland instead of China. Those differences are important, and will matter to some folks, but for many other everyday users, including Healy, theyā€™re not worth the extra $300.

ā€œThe Race was everything I needed and itā€™s been an incredible training partner no matter where Iā€™ve been,ā€ Healy said.

See our full guide to the best sports watches we’ve tested.

The post The Best Sports Watch for Everyday, Do-Everything Athletes appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

When we started tallying up how many miles our group covered while testing watches, we ended somewhere around 4,000 miles. Thatā€™s like running and cycling from New York to San Francisco, then turning around and making it back to Nebraska. Throughout all those miles, a diverse group of testersā€”from everyday moms and dads to former Olympic Trials athletesā€”obsessed over the features of a big batch of watches to find the very best.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best for Runners:
• Best for Weekend Warriors:
• Best for Small Wrists:
• Best for Everyday Use:
• Best for a Budget:
• How to Choose a Sports Watch
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Overall

Garmin Enduro 3

Weight: 2.2 oz with elastic nylon strap
Face Diameter: 51 mm

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Big but light
āŠ• Phenomenal battery life
āŠ• Feature rich
āŠ• Strap is the most comfortable on the market
āŠ— Pricey

After months of running and skiing, the Garmin Enduro 3 rose to the top of the test group and is possibly the best sports watch weā€™ve ever tested, thanks to the feature-rich setup and a huge 51-millimeter screen.

The screen isnā€™t AMOLED, but while bright AMOLED screens beam workout info at you in ultra high-def, over years of testing weā€™ve come to love non-AMOLED screens both for their less-glaring brightness and because they have a much smaller energy draw and allow for mind-boggling battery life.

Case in point: The Enduro 3 allows for up to 36 days of smartwatch use (where youā€™re just using the watch for notifications and other non-workout features) and up to 120 hours of GPS use. Throw in some solar charging and the watch will keep ticking for a reported 90 days of general smartwatch use (up from 46 days for the Enduro 2), and a staggering 320 hours (thatā€™s 13+ days) of GPS tracking. One tester said he went over a month between charges (longer during the abundant summer sun) with 24/7 daily use and about an hour of activity tracking per day.

In addition to tracking nearly every sport or exercise imaginable (as diverse as wakesurfing and rugby), the Enduro 3 also comes with plenty of space for downloaded maps plus turn-by-turn directions so backcountry skiers or trail runners will never get lost. I have several hundred songs downloaded, which has helped me stay motivated on long, grueling road runs. Plus, the elastic nylon strap is the most comfortable weā€™ve ever used; not once did testers get a rash and they raved that the adjustability created the perfect fit.

A 10 percent reduction in weight between the Enduro 2 and Enduro 3ā€”or about seven gramsā€”does not seem like a lot. But damn if I didnā€™t notice that it was the lightest 51-millimeter watch Iā€™ve ever worn, which made a big difference, even if just mentally, when covering a lot of miles.

Like other top-end Garmin watches, the Enduro 3 comes with an ultra-bright flashlight that was equally helpful when peeing at night as it was one evening when I had to navigate a dark section of trail and didnā€™t have a headlamp.

Garminā€™s software interface is not as good as Appleā€™sā€”and likely never will beā€”but itā€™s way better than what weā€™ve seen from other competitors. Tester Jonathan Beverly found the mobile appā€™s daily dashboard that tracked both fitness progress and training readiness to be intuitive, accurate, and valuable. ā€œWhenever I ignored its recommendations to rest, Iā€™d pay for it on subsequent days,ā€ he said.

Best for Runners

Coros Pace Pro

Weight: 1.7 oz with silicone band, 1.3 oz with nylon band
Face Diameter: 33 mm

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Small but mighty
āŠ• The screen is beautiful
āŠ• Fairly priced
āŠ• Ultra-quick GPS location
āŠ— Wake time isnā€™t immediate with arm rise

Back in college, Jesse Armijo ran the USA Olympic Marathon Trials. More recently he had a streak of winning the Duke City Half Marathon four times in a row. Heā€™s currently training for the Black Canyon 100k Ultra in Arizona, and he organizes a youth running club for kids in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In other words, heā€™s a talented and dedicated runner and was the perfect tester for the Pace Pro, which bills itself as the smart choice for serious athletes (especially those who pound the pavement or trails).

Jesse put hundreds of running miles on the watch and found that it was an excellent training partner during every one of them. It picked up a GPS signal almost as soon as he stepped out of his house so that he could get up and go, and he liked the small 1.3-inch face that gave him all the info he neededā€”in a bright, beautiful AMOLED displayā€” without looking ostentatious (heā€™s a humble guy).

In high-quality GPS mode, the watch lasts up to 38 hours, which Jesse said was more than plenty, even for an athlete of his caliber whoā€™s often out training 10 or 20 hours per week. He found the software reasonably easy to navigate and liked built-in features like the effort-pace screen. This feature allowed him to see an adjusted pace that factored in hills and compared how hard he was working to his historical performances with similar conditions and terrain.

Jesse is a new dad, so affordability is important, and at just half the price of the Enduro 3, the Pace Pro is something heā€™s happy to invest in. Our only niggle: Jesse wished the watch lit up its screen more quickly when he raised his wrist.

Best for Weekend Warriors

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Weight: 2.2 oz
Face Diameter: 49 mm

Pros and Cons
āŠ• The best interface on the market
āŠ• Intuitive lifestyle functions
āŠ— Lousy battery life

Category manager Jakob Schiller is not as hardcore an athlete as the other testers in this yearā€™s group and found that the Ultra 2 was perfect for a weekend warrior like him. He loved how the watch integrated into his everyday life, allowing him to quickly answer texts with Siri, easily control his AirPods, and answer a call on the watch just by double-tapping his pointer finger and thumb. But he was also impressed with the bright screen, detailed stats for every activity from skiing to swimming, and the well-designed watch faces that presented data and info in smart, easy-to-read displays. ā€œThe watch faces that launched with the Ultra 2 are not only a pleasure to look at but are also damn good at presenting both everyday and workout informationā€”plus theyā€™re easily customizable,ā€ he said.

This version of the Ultra is also carbon-neutral, and Apple is sharing the environmentally-friendly manufacturing technology it developed to help other companies build better products. Jakob, like everyone else, was disappointed, however, with the 36-hour battery life (with regular use, up to 72 hours in low power mode) but says heā€™s rarely away from a charger for that long, so it isnā€™t a deal-breaker.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY AMAZFIT
Amazfit T-Rex 3 ($279.99)

With 170+ built-in workout modes and AI-generated personalized training plans, the T-Rex 3 smartwatch from Amazfit is the perfect partner for the gym, pool, road, or trail. Track reps, sets, and rest time in strength training mode, and easily see all your workout data and sleep recovery information on the big, bright face. Plus, stay focused on your workout by fully controlling your watch with your voice and sending speech-to-text messages. With more than 3 weeks of battery life and a rugged body, the T-Rex 3 is always ready to go.

Best for Small Wrists

Suunto Race S Titanium Courtney

Weight: 1.87 oz with silicone band
Face Diameter: 33.5 mm

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Versatile functionality
āŠ• Tough as nails
āŠ• Perfect for small wrists
āŠ— Heart rate takes time to settle in

Weā€™ll be honest: Wearing a pro-model watch from Courtney Dauwalter is its own form of motivation. Just like wearing a pair of Jordans and being inspired by the GOAT himself, wearing Dauwalterā€™s watch always gave us a little extra motivation, channeling the strength that she used to become the first person, man or woman, to win the Western States 100, Hardrock 100, and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc trail running races all in the same year.

Meg Healy was the principal tester, and as an ultra-fit woman whoā€™s just about five-feet tall, she said the 45 millimeter form factor was perfect for her smaller wrists but never once lacked info thanks to the 1.32-inch screen that broadcast all the info she needed, no matter the workout. Healy, who loves to pack in multiple sports every day, said she also appreciated the wide variety of activity trackers built into the software that allowed her to keep track of everything from running to martial arts to horseback riding.

Healyā€™s favorite part, however, was that the watch restarted her workout when she resumed after a pause, even if she didnā€™t remember to manually do it herself. ā€œThis saved me from not tracking large chunks of many bike rides, hikes, and runs after I’d stopped for traffic or to pick up after the dog,ā€ she said. The battery on the Race S is respectable, lasting up to 30 hours when talking to multiple satellites. You can get a less expensive steel Race S, but we loved the feathery weight of the nearly indestructible titanium.

One potential ding: Healy noticed that the heart rate monitor wasnā€™t accurate at times and had trouble settling in, especially at the beginning of a workout. I didnā€™t put as many miles in with the Race S as Healy, but had much better luck and found the heart rate to be as accurate as those of other watches.

See our extended review of the full-size Suunto Race.

Best for Everyday Use

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Weight: 2.1 oz for just the watch
Face Diameter: 37.3 mm

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Battery lasts multiple days
āŠ• Delivers tons of information
āŠ• Pretty on the eye
āŠ— Just for Android users
āŠ— Watch strap is sub-par

Ever since Apple and Samsung launched beefed up sports watches weā€™ve been waiting for these companies to put other sports watch manufacturers out of business. It hasnā€™t happened because both Apple and Samsung have focused more on ultra bright screens, phone connectivity, and information delivery and less on battery life. That means everyone whoā€™s running ultras or exploring for multiple days at a time is still very loyal to the likes of Garmin, Suunto, and Coros.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra, however, gives us a glimpse of what could be coming because itā€™s a big, flashy, daily watch that lets you track your workouts (from running and cycling to table tennis and orienteering), play music, control your thermostatā€”and its battery actually lasts a couple days. Tester Andy Dean, who used the watch for over 1,000 miles, said he could track his bike commute to work in the morning, his run at lunch, and his bike commute home for two days without running out of battery. Samsungā€™s Galaxy Watch 7 couldnā€™t do that, nor could the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (which didnā€™t get an update this year).

Those of you who can handle information displayed in your face all day will love the Ultraā€™s sharp 37.3-millimeter AMOLED screen with 480 x 480 resolution that beams your calendar appointments, bank info, and a wide array of workouts at you in high-def.

We recommend buyinga third-party watch band for the Ultra because the one that comes with the watch is, frankly, junk. Dean found it to be highly uncomfortable when it was synched down, even just slightly to get accurate heart-rate readings. The bandā€™s silicone material also irritated his skin so much it forced him to leave the watch off for hours at a time, sometimes a full day.

Best for a Budget

Garmin Forerunner 165 Music

Weight: 1.4 oz with the silicone band
Face Diameter: 30.4 mm

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Feature-rich for the price
āŠ• Large music storage capacity
āŠ• Bright, easy-to-read screen
āŠ• Small and light
āŠ— Battery life limited

For those of us who need a playlist to keep ourselves going when things stretch past 30 minutes, and can attest that Run the Jewels and Avicii sound great at the 45-minute mark, the Forerunner 165 Music stands out as a top training companion. Lower on the price spectrum at $300, it still comes with 4GB of music storage so we can jam for an entire workout. For that price you also get a bright AMOLED screen, accurate GPS and multi-band connection, great phone connectivity, and a comfy strap that didnā€™t chafe.

Meg Healy used the watch for multiple sports every day, putting in well over 1,000 miles. For her, the running metrics and coaching suggestions that Garmin provided were especially useful. Information about vertical ratio, stride length, and ground contact time helped her monitor her running form, and as a busybody she liked that the watch was not shy about recommending recovery days. ā€œThis watch is like having an opinionated but indulgent nanny who thinks you are very talented and dedicated but always working too hard. Honestly, it feels kind of nice to have that support and feedback as an adult.ā€

Garmin says the watch should give users 19 hours of GPS use, and Healy said she was able to get several days of use at a time before charging. But on one multi-day backpacking trip, she said the watch died, leaving her without metrics, and firming up her opinion that the watch is designed for everyday runners and cyclists and not multi-day adventurers. She also wished the activity menu included recreational sports like soccer.

How to Choose a Sports Watch

When buying a sports watch you need to decide who you really are. That sounds like some kind of spiritual question youā€™d ponder at a retreat, but itā€™s absolutely the best way to sort out what you need. Can you admit to yourself that youā€™re a weekend warrior because you have a job and family? Or are you totally in and going to the top as an athlete? Maybe you disappear into the backcountry for a week whenever you get the chance.

Itā€™s necessary to categorize yourself because this will help you pick the watch that meets your goals. If your workouts are squeezed into lunch-hour work breaks, you donā€™t need a watch that lasts for weeks on end without charging. If youā€™re dedicated to really improving in your chosen sport, a higher-end watch with complex training options can be a real aid in achieving your goal. If you dabble in a variety of sports, youā€™ll need a watch with a robust workout menu. And if youā€™re an adventurer who regularly returns from trips with torn apparel and broken equipment, you need to prioritize a bullet-proof build.

Next, make sure you play with the watch you think you wantā€”at a local retailer, if possible, or borrow one from a friendā€”before making a purchase. Spend time pressing buttons, and see how much effort it takes to find features and customize the watch to your preferences. All the top-end sports watches have menus that are fairly well organized, but each one is different. Little tweaks in how a watch allows you to access a workout or track data can be big motivatorsā€”or frustrationsā€”when youā€™re using the thing all day every day. Note: The menus used across a specific watch brandā€™s line tend to be similar, so even if you donā€™t find the exact model you want at your local retailer, you can still get a sense of how a brand organizes its software by playing with a different watch.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 9
• Number of Products Tested: 12
• Number of Miles: 4,000+

Over the years weā€™ve discovered that the best sports watch testers are adventurers who are absolutely obsessed with being outside, but come at their chosen sport without much of an ego. They love sport for sport and arenā€™t trying to prove anything. This balance is important because mild-mannered testers are great at digging into the features of a watch and providing in-depth feedback, but also know how to keep an everyday user in mind. Thereā€™s no mansplaining, or sportsplaining, in our tester group.

In terms of breadth, the watches we tested for this round traveled the country and saw the tops of peaks, spent hot days in the desert, and were with us during the day as our testers did everything from training troops and teaching kids to counting fish and coaching sports.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Category manager Jakob Schiller was a gear editor at ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų and is now a columnist. The father of four kids and two dogs, heā€™s a bit pinned down but still manages to run, ski, or bike every day and loves a good weekend-long adventure in the woods chasing elk, peak tops, or fresh turns.

One of the routes Jakob used when testing sports watches:

Jesse Armijo is a PE coach and also founded the Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Dukes Track Club, an all-ages organization that coaches kids and organizes a variety of races. Heā€™s the most unassuming runner youā€™ll ever meet and is more than happy to sit in the group but can put everyone in the ground if he turns on the burners.

Meghan Healy does data management for the publishing industry and is also one of New Mexicoā€™s most high-energy athletes. She runs races, is passionate about martial arts, rides horses, cycles around town with her kids, helps coach soccer, and is the true definition of someone who benefits from a trusted, function-rich sports watch.

The post The Best Sports Watches (2025) appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Giving the perfect present can be stressful, but thereā€™s one sure bet: gifts that entertain. Whether you have a list full of movie-lovers, audiophiles, or even content creators, you canā€™t go wrong with a gift that enhances the viewing and listening experience. This array of offerings and entertaining extras feature cutting-edge tech and design features to elevate your favorite gathering, helping you create settings both indoor and out. Thereā€™s something for everyone on your list, whether youā€™re shopping for a loyal TV series fan or a friend who lives to host big-game celebrations. The gift of entertainment is the gift that keeps on giving.

The Freestyle 2nd Gen with Gaming Hub

$599

Drive-in movies are always a vibe, and now you can recreate that experience anywhere thanks to a compact portable projector that allows you to take your favorite movies, TV shows, or even video games outdoorsĀ¹. The Freestyle projects media up to 100 inchesā€”against walls, blankets, or even the side of a tent. Itā€™s easy to set up, with a point-and-play design that automatically calibrates the picture and integrates a powerful built-in speaker, sending sound 360 degrees for an immersive audio experience. Thereā€™s also a built-in Gaming Hub that allows you to stream games from leading services like Xbox, without even needing a consoleĀ². This complete entertainment system is ready for new spaces, ideal for both backyard parties and road trips (like the recent cross-country adventures launched for a unique geo-guessing challenge).

Breeo X SeriesĢż

$399

A backyard fire instantly adds warmth and a bit of light to an outdoor movie night, and Breeoā€™s offer a striking center piece for the gathering, with a heavy-duty stainless steel construction and a design that enhances airflow to the flames for fast lighting and a smokeless fire. Choose your size, from 22 to 46 inches in diameter, and add a Sear Plate Griddle ($180), which turns that open fire into a cook top for steaks and veggies.

ParkIt Voyager LTE

$169ĢżĢż

Comfortable seating can make or break an outdoor movie night, so stack the party with the , a foldable lawn chair with an ergonomic design that puts a premium on comfort. The aerospace aluminum construction is both light and durable, while the retro design, complete with wooden armrests, adds a touch of whimsy. Each chair comes with double-padded backpack straps, making it easy to carry hands-free. Bonus: thereā€™s an integrated cup holder, so nobody spills their beverage during the show.

The TerraceĢż

From $2,499

From $3,499

Game day is sacred in some households, as family and friends gather around the TV to root for their favorite team. Whatā€™s even better? on the patio or porch, or even from the comfort of your pool. That versatility between spaces is offered by , a Neo QLED 4K TV built for outdoor entertainment, with a specially designed screen that delivers a vivid, 4K picture without glare. Choose from the Terrace Full Sun or Partial Sun, depending on where youā€™re planning to hang this TV. Worried about the elements? Donā€™t be. Samsung has outdoor durability in mind with The Terrace as this TV is water- and dust-resistantĀ³.

BioLite AlpenGlowĢż

$209Ģż

Lighting can make or break a gathering, and this four-pack of (two 500-lumen and two 400-lumen) gives you the freedom to customize the illumination based on the situation. Each cord-free, USB rechargeable lantern features a variety of settings so you can customize the outpuā€”from a bright white to more mellow, warmer colors well suited to low light illumination during movie night.

Oyster Tempo CoolerĢż

$495

Most coolers require a 2:1 ice-to-can ratio to keep those beverages cold, but the features a superior core insulation system and thin ice packs to reduce the amount of heat transferred into the cooler and, ultimately, to eliminate the need for ice. The result is a small cooler that gives you three times more space than similarly sized options (it fits 36 cans) while getting three times colderā€”and staying cold for longer.

Music FrameĢż

$399

Fitting bulky speakers seamlessly into a tight or well-designed space can be a challenge. Everyone loves a framed picture, however, to cover walls and customize rooms. by Samsung does double duty as a personalized picture frame that also provides high-quality sound thanks to built-in Dolby Atmos. The 8ā€x8ā€ matted frame displays printed photos or artwork. Set it on a desk or side table, tee up your favorite playlist using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and enjoy 3D spatial technology that envelopes you in rich sound. Music Frame is also compatible with your Samsung TV and Samsung soundbar, so it can be used as a way to enhance the sound of the movies youā€™re watching while blending seamlessly with your room and styleā€”and not taking up any extra space.

Neo QLED 8KĢż

From $3,499

You think watching a film in 4K is great? Try 8K. The Samsung is a TV like no other, upscaling your content to brilliant 8K resolution. The engine behind the magic is an AI-powered processorā“ that uses neural networks to optimize the picture on the TV scene by scene for with brilliant clarity and depth of visuals. And that picture quality is tailored specifically to the type of content youā€™re watching, whether itā€™s a football game or a nature documentary. Beyond the immersive visuals, the Neo QLED 8Kā€™s speakers blanket the room in quality Dolby Atmos sound while isolating dialogue from background sounds, so you never miss a line. Quite simply, this is the smartest TV Samsung has ever made.

RovR KeepR

$149

Bring your favorite cocktails into the wild (or even just the backyard) with the , a picnic basket designed for carrying spirits. The tote features several compartments that are built to hold and secure bottles and bar tools, with a double-wall ice bucket in the center. Itā€™s like a cocktail bar on the go, the perfect companion for watching a game or film outdoors.

Portable SSD T7 ShieldĢż

From $169

Have a creator on your list? Whether itā€™s music, video, digital art, or a podcast, all of those projects have to live somewhere, which is where the comes in handy. This fast, compact, and durable external (solid state) drive offers up to 4TB of storage capacity, and is designed for active creators who need plenty of storage and instant access to their material on the go, with the security of a water/dust-resistant buildāµ that matches their lifestyle. The T7 Shield can read and write data at speeds up to 1,000MBs a secondā¶, so they can load, edit, and transfer content confidently from the field. The rugged, thermal-guarded drive is compatible with smartphones, desktops, gaming consoles, cameras, laptopsā€¦whatever hardware fuels your project. Creators can even record 4K videos directly onto the T7 Shield with their compatible camera or smartphone. This gift says, ā€œI love what you create, let me help you make more!ā€

JBL Flip 6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

$129

Any adventure-ready audiophile will appreciate the versatility and performance of the . Sure, thereā€™s the excellent sound quality from this endlessly portable, pill-shaped speaker that, at seven inches and just over a pound, packs easier than an additional water bottle. And the IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating means your soundtrackā€™s ensured in any outdoor setting. But donā€™t overlook the Flip 6ā€™s PartyBoost setting, which can pair multiple Bluetooth-enabled speakers into a fuller network. That more-the-merrier adaptability means you can extend your musicā€™s reach into additional exterior spaces, or enhance a smaller indoor space with stereo soundā€”and that youā€™re safe to gift this speaker multiple times.

Ā¹ Power source required for operation. High-speed internet connection and additional subscriptions required streaming content.

Ā² High-speed internet connection, additional subscriptions, and compatible controller required for cloud gaming.

Ā³ The Terrace LST9C, LST7D, and LST9D are rated IP56. The Terrace LST7T and LST9T are rated IP55.

ā“ Upscaling utilizes AI-based algorithms. Viewing experience may vary according to type of content and format.

āµ Consistent with IP65 rating, tested under controlled conditions: 2kg/mĀ³ of active dust with a pressure under 2kPa for 8 hours. Dust resistant capabilities may vary depending on the actual conditions; water flow of 100kPa for 3 minutes. Water resistant capabilities may vary depending on the actual conditions.

ā¶ Performance may vary depending on host configuration. To reach maximum read/write speeds of up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s, respectively, the host device and connection cables must support USB 3.2 Gen 2 and the UASP mode must be enabled. Test system configuration: ASUS Z270 ROG MAXIMUS IX HERO (USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C), Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz, OS- Windows 10 19H2.

See Samsung Screens in Action

Join the geo-guessing challenge that captured and inspired a whole new type of storytelling experience

The post The Most Entertaining Gifts appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

ā€œDammit Wes,ā€ a friend of mine shouted after I handed him my Swarovski binoculars for the first time. On my recommendation, heā€™d just splashed out $1,200 on some from another brand, and was so happy with them that he couldnā€™t believe mine would be noticeably better. But they were.

The phrase “the best” gets overused in gear reviews, but thatā€™s exactly what these are: the best binoculars ever made. Theyā€™d better be, since they cost $2,999.

The Best Binoculars Ever Made Have a Price Tag to Match

NL Pure 10×42

How can Swarovski possibly justify that price for a piece of equipment that can costĢżas little as $70? There are a bunch of jargony technical reasons, but letā€™s start with the emotional one that’s most important to me: I love animals. The time, travel, and equipment it takes to spot, hunt, and admire wildlife accounts for a huge amount of my spending each year. I dedicate large parts of my time to slogging up and down mountains, paddling rivers, waking up before dawn, and going to bed wet, sore, and exhausted just for the opportunity of a fleeting glimpse of fauna in the wild. These Swarovski binoculars help me make the most of each sighting.

The optical quality of the lensesā€”glass that is free of distortion andĢżtransmits light equally across its entire surface. The Swarovski family, which also owns both a luxury crystal company and one that specializes in precision machine tools, has all the infrastructure in place to make high-quality glass. Swarovski treats the glass with coatings that protect it and amplify its performance in low light. Swarovski’s coatings eliminate reflection, directing as much light through the glass as possible. The protective layer prevents scratches and repels water and dirt, keeping the lenses clean.ĢżThen, on the prism (which corrects the image orientation from upside down to right side up), thereā€™s a phase coating which ensures light passing through the Swarovski binoculars is directed perfectly toward your eye.

I’m particularly impressed by the NL Pure 10×42’s eyepiece lenses, which are designed to flatten the image reaching your eyes. Many lenses create a rolling ballĢżeffect, where objects appear larger in the center of the lens than they do near the edges. Not only does that effect distort the image, but it can create sort of a fun-house mirror sensation, causing dizziness and nausea over long periods of viewing. But the NL Pures display a perfectly flat field of view.

Then there’s the matter of what you can see through the lenses. As magnification increases, your field of view typically decreases. The purpose of binoculars is often simplified into image magnification. The ā€œ10ā€ in the name NL Pure 10×42 represents how much magnification they provide. But even at ten-times magnification, these NL Pures display as broad a swath of the landscape as older eight-times Swarovski designs. Flying birds stay in the frame longer than on conventional ten-times magnified binoculars, making them easier to track. That field of view is so broad that you can often lose sight of it beyond your peripheral vision, so looking through the Swarovski binoculars doesn’t feel like looking through a toilet-paper tube.

The ā€œ42ā€ in the name refers to the size of the objective lensesā€”the ones farthest away from your eyes. The more magnification an optic has, the less light reaches your eyes through it. However, the larger an objective lens is the more light reaches your eye. More light allowance into the binoculars improves the details you can see and the enhances the color resolution.

Every set of binoculars is a compromise between magnification, objective size, and overall size and weight. 10x42s are the ideal compromise for travel-size binoculars. You get plenty of magnification and light gathering, in a package thatā€™s reasonably compact and lightweight.

Plus, these binoculars are incredibly svelte. Not only do the Swarovski NL Pures weigh less than 30 ounces, but the typical double bridge design of roof-prism binoculars has been replaced by a unified bridge. Their ergonomic shapeā€”the tubes flatten into ovals halfway along, right where your hands want to grip the bodyā€”positions the focus wheel directly under your index finger. Typical of Swarovskis, a thick rubber armor adorns the entire body, offering a sure grip even in wet conditions or while wearing gloves.

That shape, the iconic Swarovski green, and the Northern Goshawk logo sets the NL Pures apart, visually, from lesser binoculars. And, I wonā€™t lie, thatā€™s also part of the appeal. Soon after I brought this pair home, my wife asked me why I wouldnā€™t put them down. ā€œThis is my Rolex,ā€ I explained. Carrying these, in my mind, signals that I’m someone who takes wildlife seriously and is dedicated to enjoying time with the creatures of the forest. But unlike a fancy watch, these binoculars actually do something my phone canā€™t.

Unlike the larger, heavier, $5,330, animal-identifying, artificial intelligence-equipped Swarovski AX Visios, or other models equipped with laser rangefinders, these NL Pures are a simple, robust, purely mechanical device. Thereā€™s really nothing that can go wrong with them. In the two years Iā€™ve had them, Iā€™ve dropped them in the mud, banged them on trees and rocks, and dragged them everywhere from coastal Alaska to rural France to beaches in Baja, Mexico. In that time the only maintenance I’ve had to do was occasionally wipe the lenses with a cloth.

Whatā€™s it like to look through them? The crazy thing here is I canā€™t show you. No monitor, television, or printer in the world is capable of producing as crystal clear an image as is achieved by looking through this pair of Swarovski NL Pure binoculars. And no words describing how it feels like youā€™re standing ten times closer to whatever youā€™re looking at will ever do the experience justice. You just need to try a pair for yourself. But be warned: like my buddy found out, picking up a pair of Swarovskis will forever ruin your perception of all other binoculars.

The post What Itā€™s Like to Look Through the Best Binoculars Ever Made appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Thereā€™s a whole lotta hubbub about Black Friday in the outdoor industry. If youā€™re on one side of the issueā€”i.e., hating Black Friday and the capitalist excess it stands forā€”you are unlikely to get pumped about the rest of this article. But if youā€™re like me and you do research beforehand and hold out on purchases until they are on sale, then Black Friday is a great way to save on things you were planning to buy anyway. Below are six items I have either tested for this publication in the past or use on the regular in my day-to-day life. I swear by every single one, even in normal times. But this week, you can snag up to 30 percent off, making now a great time to strike. This is the stuff that’s worth waiting around all year for.

Swiftwick National Park Socks

The Product: Blister-proof socks with flair
The Deal:Ģż11/25 to 12/2, you can get 25% off sitewide

By my best calculation, I have put more than 500 miles into my pair of Swiftwick Yosemite National Park Socks and they are still the first pair I grab from my drawer when Iā€™m headed out for a run. They were my sock of choice for a 50-mile race I ran back in 2021 because the six-inch cuff helped keep rocks out of my socks, and the Yosemite print added a little flair to my kit. In my opinion, Swiftwick socks are the best at blister mitigation, which is why this pair remains my favorite a few years and hundreds of miles later.

DUER Performance Denim Slim

The Product: The highest performing slim-fit jeans I have tested
The Deal: 11/25 to 12/1, up to 50% off sitewide

Back in the summer of 2018, we published an article boldly titled, ā€œDuer Makes the Best Jeans. Here Are Our Favorites,ā€ based on the fact that an inordinate number of people putting this publication together at the time were all wearing DUER jeans as our daily drivers. While I did not contribute any writing to that article, I was one of the louder voices suggesting we write about the Canadian brand due to the fact that I was wearing a pair of slim-fit performance-denim jeans at least three days a week for everything from work meetings to re-working the irrigation in my garden. Ten months later I wrote about how their fleece lined jeans ā€œchanged my life. Superlative headlines asideā€”I am still wearing a pair of the slim-fit performance-denim jeans the DUER sent me back in 2018. They continue to fit in such a tailored fashion that I can pull them off when business casual is the expected attire and stretch like the dickens thanks to the two-percent spandex, 28-percent polyester, and 70-percent cotton weave. So yeah, after six years, I can say that they are indeed the best jeans.

Buff Tech Fleece Hat

The Product: The ultralight, ultrawarm hat of your dreams
The Deal: 11/25 to 12/3, up to 40% off select styles sitewide

Back in 2018, I did a comprehensive test of cold weather running hats and absolutely gushed over Buffā€™s extraordinarily comfortable fleece option. At the time, I wrote: ā€œthe Tech Fleece elicited notes like ā€˜LUXURIOUS!!ā€™ and even an ā€˜ooh la la!!!!ā€™ā€ Embarrassing number of exclamation points aside, the brushed polyamide interior was so supple on my ears and forehead that I forgot I was wearing it while running. This beanie is still a go-to six years later. Buffā€™s current technical fleece hat looks a little different from its predecessor, but is still extremely comfortable thanks to the four-way stretch DryFlx material it was built from (this, by the way, is an upgrade from the hat I have held on to all these years.) Forgive the brand’s intentional misspelling and credit DryFlxā€™s 71-percent recycled material and hearty four-percent dose of elastane for a build that doesnā€™t pin down your ears and provides a similar, wildly soft feel.

ARMRA Immune Revival

The Product: Stomach-settling superfood supplement
The Deal: 11/28 to 12/2, get 20% off jars and bundles with promo code MYREVIVAL20, and 10% off sitewide with code MYREVIVAL10

My wife and I are definitely planning to buy this colostrum from ARMRA when it goes on sale because we typically pay full priceā€”and itā€™s always worth every penny. I am always skeptical of superfoods that use as many superlatives as ARMRA does, but we have been using this stuff daily in our household for months and have noticed serious benefits to our guts and digestive systems. I will spare you details, but can say with confidence that Immune Revival helps keep our stomachs feeling good and settledā€”something Iā€™m grateful for both while running and during everyday life.

KT Tape Pro

The Product: Stretchy support tape for muscles and joints
The Deal: 11/19 to 11/30, get 25% off sitewide

I am falling apart at 41 as a result of treating my body like it was invincible in my 20s (and most of my 30s). In the past six months, Iā€™ve watched a massage therapist, chiropractor, and physical therapist all wrap up different parts of this breaking body using KT tape, and every time, Iā€™ve walked out of their offices feeling like I had a little hug supporting my injuries. Itā€™s a great way to help relieve pain and speed up recovery. I even have a roll of KT Tape at home that I bought to treat my own plantar fasciitis. KT Tape is comfortable going on, stretchy as hell so it doesnā€™t feel too binding, and comes off without much hassle.

Kane Footwear Active Recovery Shoe

The Product: Cloud-like slip-ons for post-workout recovery
The Deal: 11/20 to 12/2, BOGO 25% off

I named the Kane Revive Active the most versatile recovery shoe in a recent footwear test because it helped me cushion and support hammered legs but still wore like a regular shoe in all the ways I wanted it to. The footbed texture and smooth ride made the Kanes feel like a recovery shoe, while plentiful heel support, decent breathability, and a more streamlined silhouette made them functional enough for running errands. This is actually my second pair of these funky-looking recovery kicksā€”and likely wonā€™t be my last.

The post The 6 Sales Gear Guy Is Shopping This Black Friday appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

When it comes to planning your next big adventure, buying luggage is probably not high on your priority list. But take it from us: a well-designed carry-on suitcase, waterproof tote, or rugged bag that can morph from duffel to backpack at the drop of a shoulder strap can go a long way toward mitigating travel woes.

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 duffels, suitcases, drybags, and backpacks to see which bags were best-suited the adventurerā€™s needs. Whether youā€™re a frequent flyer, a weekend warrior, a full-time vanlifer, or a sponsored explorer planning your next big expedition, thereā€™s something on this list for you.

Editorā€™s note: This guide was updated in November, 2024 to include four new products. We’ve also checked details and pricing throughout.Ģż

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best Checked-Size Roller Bag:
• Best Carry-On Roller Bag:
• Most Rugged:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Watersports:
• Best Gear Tote:Ģż
• Best Value Roller Bag:
• Best Value Duffel:
• Best Travel Backpack:Ģż
• Best For Camping:
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Weight: 2.6 lbs
Dimensions: 22.8ā€ x 13.3ā€ x 9.5ā€
Available Sizes: 40 L, 55 L, 70 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Large opening
āŠ• Lightweight
āŠ• Stash pocket to separate shoes or laundry
āŠ• Backpack carries well
āŠ— Lacks internal organization

Patagoniaā€™s Black Hole has been the gold standard for adventure travel luggage for a long time, and with this newest iteration featuring 100 percent recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, the brand continues to lead the way in sustainability.

One of the best features of this duffel is how comfortable it is to carry as a backpack thanks to cushy, removable pack straps. An innovative, recycled TPU-film laminate also makes the bag lightweight and exceptionally abrasion- and weather-resistant. Itā€™s rugged enough for major expeditions, yet convenient for the casual traveler, which makes it our top choice for 2024.

ā€œIn the rain, water beaded right off the bag, and it proved durable for outdoor adventures,ā€ said one tester after taking the bag on a canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks and a camping trip to Moab, Utah.

The signature feature of the Black Hole, besides its pack straps, is its large main compartment that accommodates more gear than youā€™d think and makes finding said gear at a glance easy. The downside to this design is that the Black Hole doesnā€™t include a ton of internal organizational features found in other duffels, like zippered compartments to keep gear separated. The Black Hole has just one internal pocket on the zip-top lid to keep smaller items like toiletries organized.

However, it does include a surprisingly spacious external pocket for things you donā€™t want mingling with your other stuff (like wet or dirty items). That compartment also serves as the pocket you can stuff the entire bag into for compact storage when not in use.

Best Checked-Size Roller Bag

Ģż

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 16ā€ x 34ā€ x 13ā€ (125L)
Available Sizes:Ģż125 L

Pros and Cons:

āŠ• Excellent customizable and removable organization system
āŠ• Heavy-duty, replaceable wheels
āŠ• Well-built
āŠ— Fabric can fray if you use the skateboard carry system

When category manager Drew Zieff lived out of the Evoc World Traveller 125 during a three-week road trip through New England this summer, it quickly stood out for its best-in-test combo of organization and durability. ā€œThe wheels were on the larger side for a roller bag, and combined with that heavy-duty handle, the World Traveller cruises over uneven brick or packed dirt and gravel with ease,ā€ he reported. He also appreciated the taller, narrower profile of the World Traveller, which was easy to maneuver through tighter gaps at airport terminals and campgrounds alike.

Dan Schwartz, an ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų contributor and endurance athlete, tested the World Traveller on a trip to Vermont to a) ride some singletrack, and b) get married. Despite being a self-proclaimed ā€œminimalist bag guy,ā€ Schwartz fell in love with the World Travellerā€™s organizational layout. The bag features two access points: an upper zipper reveals a small compartment, while a lower zip gives way to the main compartment. Both feature removable, adjustable dividers. Schwartz divided clothes between the two larger compartments and used the smaller ones for everything from socks and underwear to toiletries, a headlamp, and his derailleur and chain. He even left it packed once he got to his destinationā€”the perfect portable dresser.

The bag sports two external pockets, too: a larger square one on the bottom, and a smaller semi-circle pocket on top. ā€œTheyā€™re perfect for stashing gear youā€™ll need in transit,ā€ said Zieff. ā€œI used them for sunglasses, sunscreen, and snacks while driving from Vermont to Cape Cod.ā€ The two external straps can be used for carrying a skateboard, which Zieff did on his East Coast adventure. Testsers were impressed by the overall durability, reporting no baggage handler-related damage (despite Schwartz loading the World Traveller with 62 pounds of marital and mountain bike gear). However, Zieff did note that his skateboardā€™s gritty grip tape started to wear on the otherwise tough fabric. Still, weā€™d recommend the World Traveller as the perfect closet on wheels for all kinds of four-season adventures.

Best Carry-On Roller Bag

DB Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On

Ģż

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 21ā€ x 16ā€ x 9ā€
Available Sizes:ĢżCarry-On, Front-Access Carry On, Check-In M, Check-In L

Pros and Cons:Ģż

āŠ• Sleek, Scandinavian design
āŠ• Front panel provides easy access
āŠ• Durable build
āŠ— Really expensive
āŠ— Heavy

DBā€™s Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On is everything we love (and one thing we hate) about Scandinavian design. The Norwegian outfitterā€™s premium roller is clean, minimalistic, functional, and built to lastā€”a masterful blend of elegant aesthetic and rugged utilitarianism. So whatā€™s not to love? A price tag thatā€™ll have you cursing the kroner.

If the skyā€™s the limit for your carry-on budget, though, the Ramverk Pro is as good as it gets for frequent flyers. The roller features a tough, polycarbonate shell built around an aluminum frame.Ģż A stiff-yet-flexible, padded polyester front-access panel unzips to reveal a laptop sleeve, a few organizational pockets, and a spacious main compartment. Jed Doane, a Seattle doctor who moonlights as an ultra-discerning, multi-sport gear tester, loved the durability and construction. ā€œThe frame is strong and this bag is quite durableā€“it feels like a lifetime piece,ā€ he reported after a summer of testing.

Doane dug the 360-degree-spinning, 50-millimeter Hinomoto wheels and the telescoping handle, too. The resulting maneuverability was so impressive that he said he “felt like Lewis Hamilton whipping an F1 racecar while swerving through the crowds of SeaTac.”

Most Rugged

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack 75L

Weight: 3.8 lbs
Dimensions: 26.8ā€ x 14.2ā€ x 12.2ā€
Available Sizes: 50 L, 75 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Includes backpack straps for ease of transport
āŠ• 100% waterproof
āŠ• Small profile for large carrying capacity
āŠ— Price

Testers found this 100-percent waterproof bag featuring a pressure-tested waterproof zipper, fully welded seams, and 100-denier Hydraulic fabric to be nearly indestructible, making it an ideal travel companion to wet and rugged environments. From bouncing around in the back of one testerā€™s pickup truck, to getting tossed around airports across the country on another testerā€™s month-long travels, this bag withstood it all.

But letā€™s talk about the elephant in the room: the exceptionally steep price tag. The price point is comparable to other rugged, waterproof duffels of the same caliber, like the , but what sets the Hydraulic Pro Pack apart is its design that makes it so easy to carry.

We tested the 75-liter version, and even when packed to the gills, it proved to be one of the most comfortable bags to carry in our test thanks to form-fitting shoulder straps and extended foam back panels that provide protection and cushioning when carrying it as a pack. This bag has only one external pocket, but testers didnā€™t mind the lack of internal organization, as this pack is really best suited for major expeditions.

Itā€™s pricey, and generally over-engineered for the average traveler. But for those who rely and depend on a rugged, waterproof, and easy-to-carry duffel bag for overland motorcycle touring, paddling, or rafting adventures, itā€™s worth every penny for its durability and practicality.

Most Versatile

Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel & Tote

Ģż

Weight: 3 lbs
Dimensions: 63.5ā€ x 86ā€ x 147ā€
Available Sizes: 55 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Wide compartment opening
āŠ• Many ways to carry and organize the bag
āŠ• Folds up small into carrying case when not in use
āŠ— Too bulky and uncomfortable to carry for long distances
āŠ— On the heavier side

Out of all of the duffels and luggage we tested this season, the Nemo Double Haul proved to be the most ingenious. Itā€™s a combination of a duffel bag and tote bag, with a huge opening designed to stay wide open while you pack thanks to the stiff trusses that give the bag structure.

Astonishingly, considering its size, the bag also folds down neatly into a carrying case, making it easy to travel with or keep in your car. The shell is made from urethane-coated, bluesign approved 100 percent recycled nylon, while the liner is made from bluesign approved, solution-dyed 100-percent recycled polyester with PFAS-free DWR.

This bag is meant for hauling. ā€œItā€™s best for car camping, when you have dozens of items that may not have a home,ā€ said tester Troy Tetreault after a climbing trip in Kentuckyā€™s Red River Gorge. ā€œIt also holds up well when tossed around amongst other gear.ā€

However, our testers wouldnā€™t recommend this bag for extended airline travel. The bag itself weighs 3 pounds, and testers found it awkward to carry because of the multiple ways the straps are set up for carryingā€”backpack carry, over the shoulder single arm carry, and suitcase carry.

Best for Watersports

Watershed Largo Tote

Weight: 1.7 lbs
Dimensions: 12.5ā€ x 14.5ā€ x 6ā€
Available Sizes: 19.5 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Large, tapered opening allows for easy access to contents
āŠ• Waterproof
āŠ• Sleek design
āŠ• Durable
āŠ— Opening/closure system can be finicky

The smallest bag on the list, this waterproof tote is perfect for day trips on the water, with plenty of space for all of the essentials and a guarantee that gear will stay dry.

ā€œI took this bag canoe camping in November in the Adirondacks, and used it to carry camera gear while it was snowing during the canoe to our campsite. All of my stuff stayed dry,ā€ said one tester.

Watershed bags have somewhat of a cult-like following in the paddling community, and testers in the know were keen to put the brandā€™s new Kyrptothane Plus material to the test. This material, made of 840-denier nylon base fabric, is thicker and more resistant to UV rays, making it more durable and less prone to breaking down from extended exposure in the sun.

Testers appreciated the large, tapered opening that makes it easy to access items inside. One gripe: It takes some elbow grease to open the two pull tabs on either side of the bagā€™s opening to pry it open. After a couple times of using this opening and closing system, testers got the hang of it, and felt thankful for such an indestructible system that kept their things dry.

Best Gear Tote

Evo XL Utility Tote 95

Dimensions: 28ā€ x 19ā€ x 15ā€ (95L)
Available Sizes:Ģż50 L, 95 L

Pros and Cons:

āŠ• Durable
āŠ• Versatile
āŠ• Internal and external pockets
āŠ• Affordable
āŠ— No shoulder strap
āŠ— Bulky when fully loaded

The biggest thing Evoā€™s XL Utility Tote 95 has going for it? Itā€™s big. Really big. With a volume of 95 litersā€”a size typically reserved for expedition duffels and checked baggageā€”the Utility Tote is a massive gear hauler our testers quickly fell for. ā€œI love this thing,ā€ gushed veteran gear tester and Tahoe SportsHub bootfitter John Lauer, who reported the tote handled everything from wake-surf days on Lake Tahoe to rowdy mountain bike shuttles in the High Sierra. ā€œI travel with bulky gear all the time, and this makes it so much easier to keep those items together. It fits my entire bike or snowboard kit.”

That said, the Utility Tote isnā€™t a one-trick pony. The exterior is a thick, water-resistant, polyurethane-coated PET ripstop that hasnā€™t yet shown any signs of wear, while the tarp lining is both easy to clean and difficult to damage.

Evo managed to add a few organization features without sacrificing the cavernous main compartment, too. Dustin Stiffler, an Arizona-based gear tester and cyclist, appreciated the toteā€™s padded interior pockets. ā€œItā€™s nice to have designated spots for bike tools, gloves and cycling caps, and an extra pair of sunglasses,ā€ he said. Testers also dug the exterior pockets, which were perfect for separating wet or smelly gear, and the burly exterior loops, which were ideal for lashing wet towels, bike helmets, and shoes to the outside.

While Lauer claimed heā€™ll be using the Utility Tote year-round for years to come, he did wish Evo included a shoulder strap; hefting the fully loaded bag by the grab handlesĢż was cumbersome over longer distances.

Best Value Roller Bag

Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On 40L/21.5ā€

Ģż

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 10ā€ x 14ā€ X 21.5ā€
Available Sizes: 40 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Lightweight
āŠ• Large wheels and high clearance
āŠ— Seemed to hold less than other bags the same size
āŠ— On the pricier side

The Ozone line from Osprey, featuring five pieces ranging from four-wheeled suitcases to smaller backpacks and boarding bags, was designed for frequent flyers and travelers who value ease of transport. Of those, the Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On is perhaps the most convenient on-board option.

Made from an ultralight yet durable aluminum frame and nanofly recycled nylon fabric, it offers just enough organizational capabilities to make packing for a trip a little easier. This suitcase (like all pieces in this line) features a buttonless trolley handle and a YKK reverse coil coated zipper for improved water resistanceā€”both industry firsts. The Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On also has a high clearance High Road LT frame, and oversized 90 millimeter wheels, making it rugged enough to handle terrain beyond concourse floors.

One tester takeaway: Despite this bagā€™s advertised 40-liter capacity, it didnā€™t seem to hold as much as softer duffel-style bags of the same size. That said, the sleek design combined with the function of this bag made it an obvious choice for our testers who needed a transport-friendly yet durable carry-on.

Best Value Duffel

Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L

Ģż

Weight: 2.9 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5ā€ x 25.5ā€ x 12.25ā€ (90 L)
Available Sizes: 40 L, 60 L, 90 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Wide-mouth opening for easy access to gear
āŠ• Uses 100% recycled fabric
āŠ• Good value
āŠ— Top zipper isnā€™t stiff enough

The Migrate duffel was a tester favorite for its holding capacityā€”you can fit a lot in here. The ā€œdoctor bagā€ style zip-top allows for easier access and full visibility of all your gear and an additional five liters of packing space.

Good news for those who tend to overpack and end up schlepping heavy duffels: Tuck-away backpack straps allow for multiple carry options. The added pocketsā€”internal and front zippered pocketā€”set it apart from many other duffels in this category.

But perhaps the biggest pro of this bag: it incorporates 100-percent recycled 900-denier Polyester TPU and fully recycled 1680-denier ballistic Polyester RPVB that reuses windshield plastics from landfills and makes the bag abrasion- and weather-resistant.

Testers had just one complaint: the top zipper isnā€™t very stiff, so testers found the opening closing in on itself while they were packing the bag.

Best Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

Ģż

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 22ā€ x 13ā€ x 11ā€
Available Sizes: 30L, 40L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Adjustable volume system
āŠ• Clean aesthetic
āŠ• Good durability
āŠ• Great organizational features
āŠ— Heavy for a backpack
āŠ— Expensive

ā€œIf you hate talking to strangers in the airport, then this pack might not be for you,ā€ joked Tyler Macleod, a Denver-based tester who took the Travel Backpack on both a mountain biking trip to North Carolina and a sightseeing sojourn to Scotland this year. ā€œI’ve never received so many compliments from strangers.ā€ And while it’s true that the Travel Backpackā€™s aesthetic is undeniably sleek, this bag doesnā€™t just look dapper in transit: it also impressed with its user-friendly feature set and surprising ruggedness.

Features include a padded, 16-inch laptop sleeve and easy-access stash spots for passports, sunglasses, keys, and other odds and ends. Macleodā€™s favorite pockets, though, were the massive, stretchy water bottle sleeves that Peak Design engineered to double as tripod storage; each fit a Nalgene easily.

Testers also praised the comfy, stowable hip belt and shoulder straps, as well as multiple zippered access points. A set of snaps and expansion panels lets the Travel Backpack 45 slim down to a more manageable 35-liter or 30-liter pack. When compressed, it could fit under an airline seat. We weren’t worried about shoving it under there, either:ĢżPeak Design used a polyurethane-coated, DWR-treated, 400-denier nylon thatā€™s seriously durable and water-resistant, and the bottom of the pack is armored with an even beefier 900D waterproof nylon. ā€œI honestly tried to beat the shit out of this bag, and it looks brand new,ā€ reported Tyler Macleod. ā€œI chucked the backpack from a third-story balcony into the bed of our pickup truck. It proceeded to hang with the mountain bikes for more than three hours driving through the rain.ā€ All his gear strayed dry, and the pack was no worse for wear.

Demerits were few and far between, but if weā€™ve got to nitpick, itā€™s on the heavy side for daily use. It’s also pretty pricey.

Best for Camping

The North Face Base Camp Gear Box

Ģż

Weight: 4.2 lbs
Dimensions: 16” x 22.2” x 12ā€
Available Sizes: 65 L

Pros and Cons
āŠ• Lots of space and organizational options
āŠ• Folds down flat for storage
āŠ— Specific use cases (mainly cars, vans, and home storage)

The North Face Camp Gear Box is made from the same material as the brandā€™s durable Base Camp duffelā€”300-denier recycled polyester and 840-denier recycled ballistic nylon. However, unlike a traditional duffel, this hold-all is equipped with internal metal ā€œkickstandsā€ that fold up for rigid support and down for storage, which makes this piece of luggage ideal for the road.

One tester used the 90-liter Base Camp Gear Box (large) to schlep all of her gear to a mountain bike race and was able to fit the whole kit and caboodle: chest protector, two full face helmets, one half shell, two tires, and two pairs of bike shoes within the box itself. She stashed three pairs of sunglasses, two pairs of goggles, and other bike maintenance tools in the added internal pouches. Extra brake pads, grips, and bike tools fit snugly in the lid-zippered pockets.

Even with all of that, the lid closed with ease. Plus, the outer handles on the box make it easy to transport in and out of vehicles. For someone who is on the road often, this box is a must-have for organization and travel.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 21
• Number of Products Tested: 35
• Number of Miles Traveled: 18,500

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 pieces of luggage designed for the adventurous traveler who hauls their gear through more rugged environments than airport concourses. Think rafting adventures, camping getaways, climbing trips, and cross-country roadtrips.

As such, we primarily considered soft shell luggage between 20 and 100 liters made with abrasion- and weather-resistant materials to withstand plenty of use and abuse. We then rounded up 21 individuals who travel extensivelyā€”including a professional photographer, an outdoor educator, a professional skier and mountain biker, a forest ranger, and mapping technology specialistā€”and tasked them with schlepping these bags around the country to assess the best picks for adventure travel.

We asked them to home in on overall performance, feature-set, ease of transport, and durability, among other qualities. The bags on this list rose to the top of the pile after impressing testers in all categories.

Meet our Testers

Caitlin Kelly

Originally from the Coast of Maine, Caitlin Kelly studied creative writing and environmental studies at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. She has called the Adirondack Mountains home since, building community through her work with Women of the Adirondacks and The Adirondack Community Avalanche Project. She currently resides in Lake Placid, NY, and is the social and digital media specialist for North Country Public Radio. She is an avid backcountry skier and a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. Her writing has appeared in Powder Magazine, Adirondack Life Magazine, Freeskier, The Ski Journal, ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Magazine, and Ski Magazine, among other publications. If you sit too close to her on a chairlift, you may get some glitter on you.

Drew Zieff

Ģżis a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes forĢżBackcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regularĢżŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųĢżcontributor, he heads ourĢżsnowboardĢżgear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into theirĢżdream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when thereā€™s swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time nomads, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories, travel luggage, and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

The post The Best Duffels, Backpacks, and Carry-Ons for ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Travel appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

Shaun Whiteā€™s snowboarding bona fides are unmatched. Over the course of his career, he racked up three Olympic gold medals on top of 13 X Games victories and forged a legacy as arguably the most well-known and decorated rider of all time. But competitive success is only the beginning of Whiteā€™s journey. Having pushed board-riding boundaries for more than 20 years, heā€™s now pouring that experience, knowledge, and vision into his own brand.

WHITESPACE, founded in 2021 with Shaunā€™s brother, Jesse White, makes world-class snowboards and snow apparel for riders who want to max out both their performance and style. Thanks to a design process that incorporates on-snow rider testing, as well as Shaunā€™s insights into what makes a perfect piece of gear, WHITESPACE is doing what Shaun does best: reshaping the snowboard and winter sports scene.

ā€œā€‹ā€‹The brand embodies Shaunā€™s unique point of view, his ability to see opportunities for creative expression, and his competitive excellence,ā€ says Jesse White, chief creative officer for WHITESPACE. ā€œWith WHITESPACE, he wants to encourage athletes to express their own unique point of view. Thatā€™s what brings excitement and individuality back into the sport.ā€

For winter 2024ā€“2025, WHITESPACE is offering a newly dialed lineup of snowboards and apparel. Here are the highlights.

Snowboards

Every great snowboard brand has a flagship model, and the is the embodiment of WHITESPACE design expertise. Shaun dreamed up and tested this board, and his signature versatility is its calling card. Whether youā€™re carving down groomers, gliding through untracked powder, or spinning park laps, the Freestyle responds to your every move with pop and personality. Tip-to-tail carbon construction keeps this board light and snappy, while its directional twin shape, sintered base, and responsive camber profile make this a true do-it-all machine.

New for this season is the Freestyleā€™s hard-charging companion, the . This womenā€™s-specific board is designed and sized for female riders and features all of the cutting-edge tech that makes WHITESPACE models so playful. A poplar-paulownia core blends the right amount of weight, stability, and flex with a dense fiberglass weave across the board that maximizes lively response for nailing park tricks. Its camber profile lets riders rocket through turns, adding to this boardā€™s well-deserved reputation as an all-mountain performer.

Menā€™s Outerwear

The brandā€™s apparel benefits from the same rider-focused approach as its boards. Shaun wore plenty of jackets during his competitive years, and the incorporates the must-have elements of the best of them. A two-layer waterproof-breathable shell keeps snow and moisture out, while 40-gram insulation fights off the cold. This jacket is packed with thoughtful features: Side vents dump heat if the weather warms, and plentiful low-profile pockets stash everything you need for a day on the mountain. And, of course, thereā€™s the aesthetic: a sleek, military-inspired look that effortlessly blends progressive styling with uncompromising performance.

The matching replicates the magic, incorporating the same waterproof-breathable fabric, PFC-free DWR, and insulation as the jacket. Articulated knees and a mobility-enhancing fit let riders freely slash, spin, and air out. The bib portion and cargo pockets provide even more storage, and like the jacket, side vents help regulate temps. Reinforced Kevlar kick pads, ripstop boot gaiters, and sealed seams boost durability, making this piece ready to last season after season for riders of all abilities.

Womenā€™s Outerwear

Effortlessly blending fashion and on-snow function, the will turn heads. Its eye-catching monochrome colorways, oversized silhouette, and modern cropped fit create a look that stands out on any mountain. That style is backed by plenty of tech: a two-layer waterproof-breathable membrane, PFC-free DWR, and cozy synthetic insulation provide warmth, protection, and a luxurious feel. Zippered hand pockets and an internal stash pocket hold the essentials, while adjustable everythingā€”hood, hem, and cuffsā€”allow riders to dial in the perfect fit.

Complementing the puffer, the brings even more durability and waterproofing to the party thanks to its three-layer twill material. The technical fabric is still soft and supple, and its brushed-fleece backer means you wonā€™t peel off this bib even when itā€™s time to aprĆØs. A high-waisted fit, articulated knees, and adjustable suspenders make all-day comfort a cinch. The bibā€™s smooth zipper, boot gaiters, and zippered hand pockets round out its thoughtful feature set. And as with all WHITESPACE products, this piece is created for riders, by riders.

is a performance snow brand created to inspire riders to forge their unique path, transcend boundaries, and write their own story. Headquartered in California and established in 2021.

The post Shaun White Is Changing the Snowboarding Landscape Once Again appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.

I usually mourn the end of Daylight Savings Time. I donā€™t think Iā€™m alone. After a summer and fall of long days, allowing us to run, ride, hike, and garden under the sunā€™s glow after regular working hours, having darkness descend upon our lives as early as 4:45 p.m. is a massive shock to the system. In short, it sucks.

But does it have to?

Thereā€™s no way around the fact that itā€™s harder to do all the things we love in the great outdoors in the dark. Plus, the colder weather that accompanies the change of the clocks makes it doubly difficult to adapt to the changing reality. Weā€™re suddenly left with a lot of waking hours of cold darkness when we just came off months of evenings where we could still get out and do our thing beforeā€”or even afterā€”dinner.

But thereā€™s something to be said for embracing adventure, and nothing feels more adventurous than getting outside in conditions that suggest we stay indoors. Being outside in the dark is fun, and makes me feel like a rebelā€”other people may be in their houses eating a civilized meal, watching TV, or sleeping, but Iā€™m out there. Doing stuff.

I used to compete in multi-day adventure races, where I enjoyed the experience of running, hiking, mountain biking, and even kayaking with the help of good lights. And as a pacer of ultramarathons (), Iā€™ve loved running under the light of the moon on singletrack trails with a headlamp and waist-mounted light illuminating a rocky trail.

But Iā€™ve learned that you donā€™t have to be on an epic adventure to enjoy the magic of night-time activities. Lights meant for adventure can help us embrace the dark when the time changes. They can help keep us safeā€”from tripping, from wildlife, from cars, and maybe even depression that can come from being holed up inside until spring.

The clocks are, inevitably, rolling back soon: November 3 looms. Instead of kicking rocks, muttering profanities, drinking wine, watching TV at 5 p.m., and waiting for bedtime, Iā€™m vowing to head outside with one of the following lighting systems to have an adventure in the dark at least once a week until longer days begin again on March 9, 2025.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.ĢżLearn more.

Light Up ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų

Headlamp

A headlamp is the ultimate adventure-enabling device. Put on a comfortable, capable headlamp like the , and it delivers hands-free illumination wherever you look, lighting up the trail, the skin track, or the neighborhood path for pre-dawn or post-dusk adventures of all sorts. This waterproof light beams up to 400 lumens of brightness, and changes output power with the tap of a finger (no futzing with gloves). The light can run on batteries, but I plan on using the recharge mode by plugging it in between bouts of heading out in the dark to hike, walk the dog, splitboard, or do yard work (yes, after sundown wearing a headlamp).

Waist-mounted light

For certain activities like trail running, I like having a light at waist level. Because itā€™s lower to the ground than a headlamp and on my torso, it stays aimed forward and down instead of illuminating wherever I turn my head (like a headlamp). The waist-mounted light is similar to a discontinued one Iā€™ve used for various adventures, like pacing friends during night sections of 100-mile trail races. The 150 lumens, the ability to focus or broaden the beam with a simple adjustment, and the easy-swivel mount combine to do a great job lighting up the trail. Flashing red LEDs on the backside help with visibility.Ģż Plus, itā€™s USB rechargeable.

Bike light

Itā€™s been a while since Iā€™ve gone on a mountain bike ride at night, so Iā€™m relying on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶųā€™s sister publication, , for their pick for front-mounted bike lights. Their Editorā€™s Choice winner for current lights is the . Aside from a clunky product name, this light earned high marks. It features three settings: high, medium, and low, with a display that tells the rider exactly how much burn time (battery life) is left in the mode in use. Itā€™s also reportedly easy to mount to handlebars, easy to change modes on the fly, and waterproof. While I havenā€™t personally tested the light, these are the types of features Iā€™d look for in a bike lamp.

Cozy Up and Be Prepared

Backyard fire

During COVID, I bought aĢż for its compact size, real-wood burning ability, and rechargeable smoke-sucking attachment. My family and I lit fires and sat around it during the winter of 2020 with friends while remaining six feet apart. Weā€™ve used it a little since, but Iā€™m planning to use it more this coming winter and am going to bribe my sons with sā€™mores so theyā€™ll join me. I love sitting outside and strumming a guitar or playing gamesā€”itā€™s a bit like camping, just colder in the winter, but the warmth of the fire helps. Building a contained campfire within this backyard stove when darkness descends before 5 p.m. is a great way to satisfy my need to be outdoors when Iā€™m relaxing.

Flashlight

Being stuck on the side of the road for any reason is only more treacherous in the winter, and with more hours of darkness coming soon, Iā€™m making sure I have a powerful light handy just in case. Iā€™ve been testing this flashlight for a few months now, mostly by keeping it in the back of my car for safety. With 5,000 whopping lumens, this thing is ridiculously bright, like its own super moon bottled up in a tube. Thankfully, I havenā€™t had to pull it out to solve any problems on the road in the dark, but I know itā€™s there in my car if need be, which gives me more confidence to drive to adventures in the cold darkness.

So bring it on, November 3. Thanks to good lights and a sense of adventure, Iā€™ll be ready.

The post Bring On the (Early) Nights, Weā€™ve Got Lights appeared first on ŗŚĮĻ³Ō¹ĻĶų Online.