For decades, American alpinist Kitty Calhoun made a name topping out on some of the world’s highest peaks, including the West Pillar of 27,766-foot Makalu in the Himalayas. But what stayed with her more than any summit view were the alarming effects of climate change.

At such elevations, she often noticed melting ice, a hindrance to her ascents. But in the high deserts of Utah, the repercussions were causing real daily struggles for those living on the Navajo Nation, something she became aware of while mentoring an Indigenous climber who’d grown up there.

For over a century, natural resources like oil, coal, and uranium extracted from Navajo land have powered the American West, yet approximately one-third of the Navajo Nation, roughly 13,500 families, live without power. That indignity on its own is hard to fathom, but climate change has also exacerbated the aridity and seasonal heat in this region, forcing families to endure more triple-digit days without respite.

With that in mind, last year Calhoun persuaded Utah-based Lion Energy to donate 35 solar-powered kits—lunch-box-size generators that can be charged in as little as four hours—and raised $32,500 to buy an additional 65 for families in one of the reservation’s most disadvantaged areas, remote Navajo Mountain. Equipped with 100-watt solar panels, a single kit can run a mini fridge for 16 hours, charge a laptop 11 times over, and last up to 20 years.

Calhoun then reached out to Norman Lameman, the Native founder of , a nonprofit devoted to preserving tribal values, to lead the distribution efforts. “I didn’t want to force kits on people,” Calhoun says. “If they were interested, Norman could explain how the technology worked in their language.”

Angelo Baca, a Navajo-Hopi distance runner and filmmaker, and Sahar Khadjenoury, a Navajo-Persian producer and director, documented the project using a grant Calhoun received from Protect Our Winters for a film called Navajo Solar Sunrise.

“It’s important for us to take care of people. From an Indigenous perspective, the people are part of the land,” Baca said. “It’s important to step away from extractive resources—our people are still dealing with the effects of uranium contamination on the reservation. And solar isn’t the end-all solution, but it’s an important first step.”

In October of 2023, the trio traveled with Lameman to oversee installation and document the myriad ways the kits can improve lives. Families were able to run fans when temperatures soared and refrigerate food, medication, and breast milk. They could rely on electric blankets and small space heaters to keep them warm in winter, and access the internet to apply for jobs, government programs, and educational opportunities. They could charge their phones. Before the kits, Calhoun says, many residents relied on car batteries to power such necessities.

“Living simply should not mean living in poverty,” she says.

To donate for more solar generators in the Four Corners region, .Ìę

The post Many in This Navajo Community Didn’t Have Electricity. An Unlikely Foursome Collaborated to Make a Difference. appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

1. BSW Wealth Partners

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 31
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start, up to 27 days after 10 years

Perks: Paid volunteer days, work from home and hybrid work schedules, home-office/workstation stipend, early Fridays for weekend adventures, annual ski trips, paid sabbatical after a decade, summer and winter fun days, custom branded gear, dinner and babysitter stipend to celebrate work anniversary, matching 401k, paid parental leave, kids’ first day of school off, plus a fully stocked breakroom, Thursday catered lunches, craft beer and unlimited seltzer, and an office located near local mountain trails

What makes it great: “We prioritize work-life balance and flexibility, allowing our team members the freedom to work independently while fostering trust and accountability. Meaningful work is at the heart of what we do. We solve impactful problems, genuinely help people, and continuously evolve to make life better for our clients. Additionally, our vibrant culture of fun and connectivity sets us apart. We believe that a workplace should inspire, support, and uplift its employees, and at BSW Wealth, we do just that.”

2. Workshop Digital

Location: Richmond, Virginia
Focus:
Number of Employees: 28
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 12 days of PTO

Perks: A four-day work week, your birthday off, fully remote work, hybrid work option if located near Richmond headquarters, quarterly team recreation events, and two company-wide annual offsite events

What makes it great: “At Workshop, we’re all about staying connected in our remote/hybrid world, finding creative ways to build relationships from virtual coffee dates to in-person pickleball meetups and company-wide retreats. We celebrate each other’s lives through active Slack channels, sharing everything from travel stories to pet pics. We’re passionate about our work, and we’re just as passionate about getting outside—hiking, running, cycling, or training for marathons and triathlons.”

3. Landmark Consultants, Inc.

Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 18
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start, up to 30 days of PTO

Perks: Full coverage of health insurance costs for employees and their dependents, a physical health benefit equivalent to a full Ikon ski pass, flexible, hybrid work schedules to encourage outdoor activities, team sponsorship for the STARS Mountain Challenge fundraiser, an annual summer camping trip, and a company ski day

What makes it great: “Landmark offers professional careers with excellent benefits in the heart of Ski Town U.S.A. Our office is just 1,000 feet from Howelsen Hill Ski Area and its summer trail network, half a mile from the Spring Creek Trailhead, which connects to the Continental Divide, and only three miles from the Steamboat Springs Ski Resort. We believe that a flexible schedule to enjoy powder days, sunshine, and fresh air are vital for a healthy, fulfilling lifestyle, which in turn allows us to consistently deliver high-quality work for our clients.”

4. Tilting Futures

Location: San Francisco, California
Focus:
Number of Employees: 20
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: A $750 annual stipend for professional and personal development courses, an international trip to one of the company’s program countries after two years, and a month-long paid sabbatical after three years

What makes it great: “Ours is a culture where authenticity triumphs and self-care prevails. We invest in our people personally and professionally with the tools, flexibility, and support to thrive. As a team, we bring our full human selves to the work and have a lot of fun in the process.”

5. GFM|CenterTable

Location: Denver, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 35
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO after one year

Perks: Flexible schedules, an on-site meditation room, quarterly mental health days to unplug, a monthly “Happiness Allowance” to pursue personal passions, paid volunteer time, a vacation day for the Colorado Rockies home opener, an annual Groundhog Day party, and a paid sabbatical every five years

What makes it great: “We don’t just talk about work-life blend—we live it with flexible schedules, meaningful benefits, and a deep commitment to community impact. From sabbaticals every five years to volunteer days, Beverage Club celebrations, and onsite yoga, we create space for growth, connection and laughter. Our shared passion for making a positive impact fuels not only our work but the meaningful relationships we build with each other and our clients.”

6. WorkBright

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 45
Average Salary: $100,000
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Work from anywhere, health benefits, an annual professional development plan supported by a company stipend, an annual personal development grant for one employee, monthly wellness challenges, two offsite company trips per year, rewards like AirPod Pros or $100 to take your family out to eat for important revenue milestones

What makes it great: “As a B-Corp, we consider people and culture part of our bottom line and invest time and dollars accordingly. We incorporate our core values into hiring, recognition, and performance management. We invest in the heart, head, and briefcase of our managers with annual upskilling trainings to ensure that managers have the tools to support their teams both as people and as coworkers.”

7. Gunpowder Inc.

Location: Delafield, Wisconsin
Focus:
Number of Employees: 24
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Remote work opportunities and flexible schedules, comprehensive health benefits and 401(k) match, an annual team summit, professional development opportunities, company-paid cell phone and internet, paid parental leave, a dog-friendly office, holiday and anniversary gifts, winter break between Christmas and New Years Day, and annual performance bonuses

What makes it great: “Gunpowder encourages and enables its team to enjoy their interests, whether those be fishing, hunting, camping, or other activities, while working on meaningful projects for leading outdoor brands in the categories they’re passionate about. With a focus on authentic storytelling and impactful media strategies, Gunpowder empowers its employees to thrive in a creative, purpose-driven environment, helping brands connect with people on a deeper level.”

8. Global Glimpse

Location: Fully Remote/Oakland, California
Focus:
Number of Employees: 19
Average Salary: $94,000
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: An annual international team retreat, bi-weekly half-day “Wellness Fridays,” 100-percent employer-paid healthcare, fully remote work, 12 weeks parental leave for all employees, a “Workiversary” Milestone Program that includes flight vouchers, swag, and sabbaticals, plus a week off for winter holiday and another for summer holiday

What makes it great: “At Global Glimpse, we combine passion with joy, hard work with play, and growth with gratitude. We are redefining what it means to be a great place to work through a deep commitment to both our mission and the people who make that mission possible. Global Glimpse is a culture-centered organization that seeks to foster an inclusive workplace that enables our diverse team to be connected, feel supported, and thrive.”

9. TDA_Boulder

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 28
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: An annual fitness stipend for sports-related expenses, year-round half-day Fridays, 100-percent health care coverage, employee milestone anniversaries with a travel stipend, $1,000 donation to an employee-chosen charity for every fourteener ascent, and an annual outdoor company adventure

What makes it great: “We feel incredibly lucky to be building a vibrant work culture that makes it possible for our people to enjoy what they do. Our Boulder location and proximity to the outdoors has always contributed to a happy workplace, but as more of our people work remote, this recognition means that much more.”

10. C1S Group, Inc.

Location: Dallas, Texas
Focus:
Number of Employees: 53
Average Salary: $119,460
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO, plus one day for each year with the company

Perks: Flexible work-from-home policy, catered lunch one day a week, breakfast tacos every Friday, regular happy hours, kickball, Top-Golf, and running teams, and a stocked beer fridge

What makes it great: “C1S understands that rewarding work is just one part of a rewarding life. We fiercely protect personal time spent doing all the other things that make life great, like travel, coaching a soccer team, volunteering, or checking things off your bucket list. You shouldn’t wait for retirement to start living life to the fullest.”

11. Western Environmental Law Center

Location: Eugene, Oregon
Focus:
Number of Employees: 28
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 20 days PTO and a three-month sabbatical after five years

Perks: Flex Fridays, 100-percent employer-paid health care, $100 monthly office stipend for remote workers, dog-friendly offices, a three-month sabbatical after five years, and two annual retreats—one on Oregon’s coast, and one near Yellowstone in Montana

What makes it great: “WELC is a powerhouse of environmental advocacy, and each staff member is a high-performing luminary in their own way. We challenge one another, help one another, and camaraderie is through the roof in part because we’re all rowing hard in the same direction—to protect the places, communities, and creatures we love in the Western U.S.”

12. GetUWired

Location: Dahlonega, Georgia
Focus:
Number of Employees: 37
Average Salary: $58,000
Vacation Time: 10 days of PTO to start, 15 days of PTO after two years, and unlimited PTO after three years

Perks: A variety of personal and professional growth training opportunities, weekly guided meditations, anniversary and additional appreciation gifts, paid parental leave, flexible scheduling, 401(k) matching, and quarterly team building events that regularly take place outdoors (lake days, tubing, low ropes courses)

What makes it great: “We’re 100-percent remote, but we still try to make sure to create those watercooler-type moments in a virtual setting so that we don’t lose that personal touch with one another. Our company’s mission, purpose, and core values are key to who we are, how we make decisions every day, and how we grow as a company. We’re passionate about helping small businesses succeed.”

13. Cheley Colorado Camps

Location: Estes Park and Denver, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 15 year-round/210 seasonal
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO for year-round staff

Perks: Employer-paid healthcare, a generous retirement plan and profit sharing, flexible work hours during the off season, paid training for industry conferences, pro-deal access to many outdoor companies, paid volunteer hours, and company-supplied housing for some staff

What makes it great: “Working for a youth-development organization that is committed to building character and resiliency in a challenging and nurturing natural environment makes it rewarding to show up every day. Spending your days in the Colorado Rockies around amazing people is also a plus. It is also amazing to work for a fourth-generation family business where our average year-round employee has worked here for over 13 years.”

14. Cocona Labs

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 19
Average salary: Unspecified
Vacation time: 10 days of PTO to start, up to 20 days of PTO

Perks: Flexible work schedule, support of volunteer work, and great benefits

What makes it great: “Cocona Labs supports a dynamic, engaging, and exciting culture with team members across the world. We foster an atmosphere of trust and collaboration, where employees feel valued and heard. The company prioritizes professional growth, offers flexibility, and promotes a healthy work-life balance, creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to shared goals.”

15. Tenacious Holdings, Inc. (Ergodyne)

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Focus:
Number of Employees: 85
Average salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Flexible PTO

Perks: Half-day Fridays in the summer, team 5K runs, a fully equipped gym with a Peloton machine, weekly workout classes, two work-from-home days per week, and an employee wellness program

What makes it great: “We are a high-performing, passionate bunch who take the work we do and our results seriously. We like to say: Come for the cause; stay for the people. Most folks who dig our vibe are passionate about helping workers and making a difference.”

16. Inntopia

Location: Stowe, Vermont
Focus:
Number of Employees: 72
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start

Perks: Flexible work arrangements, random days off throughout the year, professional development program, employee service awards, lodging and activity comps at North American resorts, company-sponsored events and competitions, paid volunteer hours, medical, dental, vision and pet insurance, employee assistance program, and wellness reimbursements

What makes it great: “Somehow Inntopia always finds good people. And when you have passionate, innovative, and hard-working people, it’s a recipe for success. When a company knows the work gets done, and it gets done well, it’s easy to offer flexible schedules, encourage community involvement, and support life outside of the office.”

17. Creative Alignments

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 18
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start

Perks: Flexible work schedule, an annual retreat, virtual and in-person events throughout the year, versatile health coverage options that are 75 percent employer-paid, reproductive healthcare, employer-sponsored long-term disability, employer 401(k) match, and access to a free financial advisor

What makes it great: “We believe that work should be additive in people’s lives and that happiness created through work makes the world a better place. Our reason for being is to create a great workplace and to help scaling companies that have a similar commitment hire great employees, creating a cycle of good that inspires a sense of purpose, belonging and positivity in people’s lives.”

18. CampMinder

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus: Number of Employees: 83
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: On-site retreats with yoga, cooking classes, escape rooms, and a hike with goats, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, employer-funded wellness savings accounts, employee resource groups, and flexible work-from-anywhere options

What makes it great: “If you were to ask any Minder what makes this company great, their answer would include some variation of ‘the smart, caring, authentic, fun people I get to work with.’ Many of our team members are former camp counselors or directors. Their camp experience enables them to empathize with our clients and bring the spirit of camp into the workplace. Employee engagement is the company’s top priority, and we regularly review employee feedback and implement changes based on team members’ input.”

19. Turner

Location: Denver, Colorado, with offices in New York, Chicago, and Miami
Focus:
Number of Employees: 55
Average Salary: $114,200
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Paid volunteer days, a free ClassPass membership for all full-time associates, flexible and hybrid work schedules, early Fridays for weekend adventures, discounts on client apparel, gear, and hotels, dog-friendly offices, mental health speakers, zen rooms, and Calm App subscriptions paid for by the company, stocked wine fridges and a local brew kegerator, a “recess” committee that organizes games, happy hours, and outings, a professional development program, and a committee that leads engaging activities

What makes it great: “We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to make lifelong memories on an epic scale and call it work—sunrise hot balloon rides over Albuquerque, New Mexico, wear-testing experiences for our brands that take us to summit views in Colorado, rock climbing gyms in Midtown Manhattan, New York, being on-set for Top Chef in Wisconsin, taking over an entire Texas resort to disconnect with Airstream. And that’s just the last six months.”

20. șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűSmith Explorations

Location: Truckee, California
Focus:
Number of Employees: 16
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Up to 26 days of PTO

Perks: Remote/hybrid/flexible work environment, near-annual, all-expenses-paid trips on company expedition cruises and wilderness adventures, 100-percent employer-paid healthcare, 401(k) matching, discounted personal travel, a powder day clause, gear discounts, team events, and a dog-friendly office located in the heart of an outdoor adventure mecca

What makes it great: “Passport stamps to far-flung destinations—check! A team that feels like family—check! How lucky we are to transform our shared love for outdoor adventure into such an inspiring workplace. It’s thrilling to craft (and experience) trips of a lifetime, and we revel in the excitement of our clients’ and colleagues’ travel stories and new experiences—whether it’s hiking near glaciers in Alaska, kayaking among icebergs in Antarctica, or snorkeling with penguins in the Galápagos. I couldn’t imagine a better group of passionate and knowledgeable individuals to surround myself with—both at work and beyond.”

21. Evotek

Location: Solana Beach, California
Focus:
Number of Employees: 202
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Flexible work location, premium employee medical, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) with employer match, and an annual company overnight retreat to destinations like Napa Valley, Austin, or a private yacht in Miami

What makes it great: “The Evotek team is comprised of people with unique backgrounds and experiences who are always happy to give a helping hand. We are not only given the opportunity to learn but are encouraged to expand our knowledge and expertise through continual learning. Our many events allow us to make solid connections with each other as well as with our valued partners and customers.”

22. Obviouslee

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Focus:
Number of Employees: 26
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO, with a minimum of 15 days per year

Perks: End-of-year weekly closure, paid volunteer days, an annual wellness day, flexible working arrangements, yearly anniversary gifts for team members, a yearly company retreat, year-round early Fridays to get a head start on the weekend, a dog-friendly office, and access to outdoor gear and discounts

What makes it great: “Obviouslee truly values its employees’ well-being and fosters a strong work-life balance, enabling them to pursue their passions, especially in the outdoors. As a certified B Corp, Obviouslee demonstrates its commitment to social and environmental responsibility, which resonates with employees who care about making a positive impact. The company offers great benefits, all while working with purpose-driven brands that value sustainability and protecting the environment. This creates a positive and fulfilling work experience for employees who love marketing and the outdoors.”

23. Geocaching HQ

Location: Seattle, Washington
Focus:
Number of Employees: 90
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start, up to 25 days of PTO

Perks: Comprehensive health benefits, 401(k) matching, free geocaching premium membership (including an extra buddy membership), time to geocache, free gear to rent on-site for adventures, unlimited free lift tickets anywhere in the world, reimbursements toward outdoor activities, a lunch subsidy, learning and development budgets, monthly social events, a sabbatical every seven years, and a special geocaching travel award every ten years

What makes it great: “At Geocaching HQ, kindness and community are at the heart of everything we do. Our leadership genuinely cares about the team, the exciting game of geocaching that brings people together, and the vibrant community who plays it. Whether we’re collaborating on projects or heading outside for a geocaching adventure, we thrive on connection and shared passion.”

24. Fortnight Collective

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus: Number of employees: 21
Average salary: Unspecified
Vacation time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Winter Fridays off, professional development stipend to attend training and/or professional conferences, wellness benefit stipend to use toward personal passion or travel, an annual mountain resort retreat, and 14 weeks of paid family leave

What makes it great: “Fortnight Collective intentionally ensures all employees enjoy the perks of living in Colorado, like getting outside. That is why, from day one, we implemented Winter Fridays. It is designed to get people out and about to take advantage of whatever passion suits them. In addition to our annual mountain resort retreat at resorts like Keystone or Steamboat, we also kicked off our Boulder Beach Day (at a lake). Our office is in the heart of downtown Boulder, with a bustling town to the north and the famous Flatirons to the west. Lunchtime hikes are not out of the question.”

25. Shine United

Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Focus:
Number of Employees: 45
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 10 days of PTO to start, up to 20 days of PTO

Perks: Full healthcare and dental benefits, summer Fridays, weekly company-wide gatherings, outdoor adventure stipend, flexible work environment, company-sponsored community activities, quarterly Re-Energize Days (days off), and unlimited family, personal, and sick leave

What makes it great: “We may be a business, but the ethos of Shine has always been simple: Work hard, play hard, do good work for good people, and try to change the world for the better. When you see that belief in action, when the work culture, hiring guidelines, as well as life-work balance echo and demonstrate this belief, it turns out to be a pretty great place to work.”

26. Charles Cunniffe Architects

Location: Aspen, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 20
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 25 days of PTO to start, up to 35 days of PTO after five years

Perks: An annual ski pass or equivalent wellness stipend, weekly flex hours for outdoor recreation or personal commitments, paid month-long sabbaticals after 10 and 20 years, 100-percent paid medical and dental, FSA, 401(k) matching, paid monthly volunteer hours, paid birthday off, free bus passes and company car, hybrid work schedules, free snacks, and a stocked fridge

What makes it great: “We believe in working hard and playing harder—whether that’s on a mountain trail or a project site! Our flexible schedules, paid sabbaticals, generous benefits package and perks like a free ski pass and outdoor group outings keep our team happy, healthy, and motivated. And with paid volunteer time and ongoing community service initiatives, we’re not just building great projects, we’re making a meaningful impact every day.”

27. Workstand

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 70
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 14 days of PTO to start, up to 24 days of PTO after 6 years

Perks: Fully remote work, flexible work hours, Get șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Friday, outdoor industry discounts, new parent leave, paid time off to volunteer, monthly game hour, and weekly coffee/snack chats with company president

What makes it great: “We are proud to have a shared purpose of helping local bike shops because we believe bicycles make the world a better place. Bike shops are an important part of enriching the cycling experience for people and communities. Workstand is a company that values each employee by embracing our individuality and leaning on a bottom-up decision-making philosophy. We love getting outside, supporting one another and our families, and sharing the best pics of our pets.”

28. BrainStorm, Inc.

Location: American Fork, Utah
Focus:
Number of Employees: 61
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 12 days of PTO to start

Perks: Outdoor equipment, three paid volunteer days, corporate ski passes, ping pong tables, organized out-of-office activities, paid volunteer days, and annual company trips

What makes it great: “BrainStorm is exceptional because of its culture, which starts at the top. We focus on people, continuous learning, community involvement, personal growth, and creating tangible value for our customers and partners. The company prioritizes hiring individuals who exemplify its character-building values and fosters an environment where employees are encouraged and inspired to live life in bold.”

29. Duft Watterson

Location: Boise, Idaho
Focus:
Number of Employees: 23
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start, up to 20 days of PTO after five years

Perks: Work-from-home Wednesdays, half-day Fridays, a Linus commuter bike for each new employee, employee contributions for self-directed charity donations, a dog-friendly office, and an annual all-agency (plus families) mountain weekend getaway

What makes it great: “We believe that an outdoor lifestyle leads to happier employees and better ideas, design, and motivation. Our team works together and plays together, given single track trails, a Sawtooth Mountain-fed river, fly fishing, a surf park, skiing, and an alive downtown are all a few steps or a short ride away. Every year, we take the entire team and their families for a weekend at places like Sun Valley and Tamarack, either for summer fun or skiing.”

30. Toad&Co

Location: Santa Barbara, California
Focus:
Number of Employees: 53
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 20 days of PTO to start, 25 days of PTO after 5 years

Perks: Every other Friday off, a hybrid work-from-home schedule, a dog-friendly office, outdoor wifi, lunchtime yoga classes, birthday donations to a non-profit of employee’s choice, company adventure days for time outside, a paid sabbatical after 10 years, and an annual employee campout on the Channel Islands

What makes it great: “We’re a mission-driven company full of people who truly believe in doing good (and having a good time while we’re at it). We’re super involved in our community, taking advantage of paid days off to volunteer and hosting events with other local businesses. We make a point to celebrate our wins – big or small – and keep things light hearted and fun, from our annual ‘Grilled Cheese Smackdown’ to a costume party at the holidays to our Channel Islands campout, where our CEO dusts off his secret margarita recipe each year.”

31. The Brand Leader

Location: Greenville, South Carolina (HQ); New York City; and Boulder, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 32
Average Salary: $74,500
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Bagel Thursdays, spot bonuses, summer picnics, subsidized mental health care, annual retreats, a pet-friendly office, summer hours, extensive parental leave, and adoption subsidies

What makes it great: “By fostering a culture of work-life balance where each person feels valued and supported, we’ve built a company where people are passionate about serving one another and our clients. From helping employees qualify for homes to offering generous parental leave and unlimited PTO, our goal is to create men and women of character who push the limits of what’s possible in and out of the workplace.”

32. Wild Montana

Location: Helena, Montana
Focus:
Number of Employees: 27
Average Salary: $72,571
Vacation Time: 20 days of PTO

Perks: Four-day work week, fully paid health and dental insurance, a three-month paid sabbatical after five years, retirement plan, 15 paid holidays including the last week of the year, flexible work schedules, an office accessible to trail systems, a dog-friendly office, and an annual health stipend

What makes it great: “With a trusting team culture and a strong commitment to work-life balance, Wild Montana empowers employees to drive impactful conservation efforts while staying connected to the landscapes we work to protect. Time off is essential, as we believe personal connection to the outdoors is what inspires and sustains our mission.”

33. Buzz Franchise Brands

Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
Focus:
Number of Employees: 69
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 10 days of PTO to start

Perks: Happy hour Fridays, half day Fridays in the summer, a pool table and ping pong table in the office, monthly company outings, and an annual company trip

What makes us great: “Whether it’s taking a walk to a nearby coffee shop, borrowing an office bike for lunch, or joining our outdoor sports teams, we believe in recharging to fuel high-energy work. Located just minutes from the beach and a couple of hours from the mountains, we take our love of the outdoors even further at our annual company offsite with activities like beachside wild horse tours, hiking, and s’mores around the campfire.”

34. The Pinnacle Companies

Location: Frisco, Colorado
Focus: Number of Employees: 109
Average Salary: $111,724
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start, up to 25 days of PTO after six years

Perks: A family weekend in Denver, monthly social gatherings, a summer picnic, employee interest groups for activities like hiking and biking, outdoor gear access, employer-paid healthcare, paid volunteer hours, work anniversaries with special perks, shareholding opportunities, an annual all-inclusive retreat in Mexico, and an annual ski day at Arapahoe Basin

What makes it great: “Our culture is built on strong friendships, both inside and outside the office, with meaningful connections that extend beyond work. We foster personal and professional success through employer-paid medical plans, opportunities for every team member to become a shareholder, and development programs centered on coaching and feedback. This combination of camaraderie and thoughtful benefits creates a workplace where we grow and succeed together.”

35. Polar Field Services

Location: Littleton, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 68 full-time/ 100+ seasonal
Average Salary: $102,000 (full-time)
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start

Perks: An employee stock ownership plan, 401(k) matching, 100-percent employer-paid healthcare, a $1,000 annual personal development stipend, a dog friendly office, paid cell phone plan, paid Costco or Sams Club membership, annual schwag gifts, wellness challenges, anniversary gifts, and employee recognition programs with rewards like cash or Amazon gift cards

What makes it great: “From planning snowmobile expeditions to collect ice cores on the Greenland ice sheet to supporting the launch of high-altitude balloons that bring connectivity to remote regions, the work at PFS is what draws employees to the company. As an employee-owned organization, everyone has a personal stake in the company’s success, fostering a close-knit, family-like atmosphere and promoting a shared commitment to work ethic and values.”

36. Eagle County Paramedic Services

Location: Edwards, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 100
Average Salary: $96,500
Vacation Time: 15 days of PTO to start, up to 40 days of PTO

Perks: Flexible work schedules, a $1,200 annual stipend for ski passes or other recreational pursuits, a housing assistance program with 10-percent annual loan forgiveness, and employee gifts like Osprey backpacks and Melanzana hoodies

What makes it great: “The people who work here are really fantastic. You get to work with some of your best friends and then get outside and recreate with them when you’re off duty. The schedule really contributes to being able to enjoy the incredible outdoor opportunities where we live—hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, and rafting. Plus, it’s really rewarding to know that we’re helping our community every day.”

37. Stio

Location: Jackson, Wyoming
Focus:
Number of Employees: 185
Average Salary: $87,000
Vacation Time: Accrued vacation time or flexible PTO

Perks: Flexible remote work policy, 401(k) matching, fully paid health insurance, expanded medical coverage for reproductive care, 10 paid holidays, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, paid medical leave, a work-from-home allowance, an annual gear testing stipend, and an annual team summit

What makes it great: “Stio was founded in a mountain town by people who are passionate about mountain life. This perspective serves as the foundation for our company culture. It’s a place where living our values is important. We want balance, we want to do the right thing, we want superior products to get us out into the mountains, and we want to be a part of a community that shares in that vision. When you can start there, good things will come.”

38. Optera

Location: Boulder, Colorado
Focus: Number of Employees: 51
Average Salary: $138,000
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Every other Friday off, 13 paid holidays, fully paid-healthcare, a 401(k) match up to 4 percent with ESG options, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, a sabbatical program, and generous stipends for wellness and professional development

What makes Optera great: “At Optera, we dedicate our skills, talents, time, and passion toward meaningful solutions that will help stop climate change and make the world a sustainable place for future generations. Not only do we work for the planet, but our perks also enable us to get out and enjoy the planet we all love so much. You’ll often find employees using their Recharge Fridays to ski, hike, bike, or relax in nature.”

39. Wilderness Travel

Location: Berkeley, California
Focus: Number of Employees: 50
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Up to 20 days of PTO

Perks: Annual travel opportunities on a Wilderness Travel trip (with a plus one), a $4,000 annual travel stipend, 10 Fridays off annually, a dog-friendly office, birthday celebrations, and fun team outings like kayaking, escape rooms, an Alcatraz tour, or curling

What makes it great: “Wilderness Travel is a family-owned business with a passionate team of adventurous, globally minded travelers. We encourage employees to explore the world with a generous annual travel stipend and access to unique, once-in-a-lifetime trips, from trekking in the Himalayas to snorkeling in Indonesia and tracking pumas in Patagonia. Our home office is a dynamic hub where we collaborate with global partners, bond over happy hours and team outings, and support each other’s personal and professional growth in a welcoming and vibrant environment.”

40. Aspenware

Location: Denver, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 40
Average Salary: $140,000
Vacation Time: 20 days of PTO

Perks: A paid volunteer day, $1,000 annual reimbursement for health and well-being, an annual National Parks Pass, an Ikon Pass, $1,500 annual training reimbursement for professional development, and an annual team summit in Denver with employee ski day at local resort

What makes it great: “At Aspenware, our collaborative culture goes beyond the office through engaging activities like virtual coffee chats, company-wide challenges, and an annual team summit. While we’re focused on developing cutting-edge e-commerce solutions for mountain resorts, our team also enjoys top-notch perks like health stipends, free ski passes, and national parks access. We prioritize innovation and connection, making Aspenware a place where great ideas—and great experiences—thrive.”

41. GoPro

Location: San Mateo and Carlsbad, California
Focus:
Number of Employees: 476
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Hybrid remote work options, offices close to beaches, trails, and world-class cycling, skating, and water sports, monthly reimbursement toward wellness expenses, access to free coaching and therapy sessions and a digital health platform that supports all paths to parenthood, organized hikes and days out for product testing, fireside chats with world-class GoPro athletes and ambassadors, and the latest camera and accessories (along with company challenges) with each product launch

What makes it great: “GoPro empowers employees to live their desired lifestyle while being able to show up to work as the best versions of themselves—whether in a GoPro office, their remote workspace of choice, or a bit of both. We believe that there is strength in numbers and that people do their best work when they can form lasting bonds with their colleagues, associates, and members of the GoPro community.”

42. East West Partners

Location: Avon and Denver, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 60
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: A $1,200 annual wellness bonus, 14 weeks of paid parental leave, a paid month-long sabbatical after 7 years and again every 5 years, outdoor-inspired team outings from trail repair and floating the Yampa river to crawfish boils and pickleball tournaments, dog-friendly offices, ski-in/ski-out locations, exclusive access to Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche games, and a company “Snow Days” holiday

What makes it great: “One of our core values is ‘Live Where We Work,’ so our team members have the rare opportunity to grow thriving careers in stunning mountain locations like Vail, Park City, Steamboat, and Snowmass, or in dynamic urban locations like Denver and Charleston. Our work enables us to make a lasting, positive impact through sustainable, net-zero carbon projects and meaningful civic contributions. And we do it all with a team of creative, hard-working people who know how to have fun along the way!”

43. Superfeet

Location: Ferndale, Washington
Focus:
Number of Employees: 152
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 10 days of PTO to start, up to 25 days of PTO

Perks: Time off to volunteer in the community, $1,000 annual contribution per employee to the non-profit organization of their choice, gym and national park pass reimbursements, 100-percent employer-paid premiums for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long term disability, long term care, and an employee assistance program, 401(k) matching flexible hybrid work schedules, and a dog-friendly office

What makes it great: “People are at the heart of everything Superfeet does, and that very much includes a commitment to creating an empowering and inclusive workplace culture for our team members. Superfeet team members are empowered to participate in cross-departmental committees, engaging all-company meetings and annual strategic planning that involves employees at every level. Superfeet prioritizes flexible work arrangements, from remote employees to state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring every team member has the resources and space to excel.”

44. Cactus

Location: Denver, Colorado
Focus:
Number of Employees: 75
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Ski passes, an annual all-agency ski day at Arapahoe Basin, discounted ski equipment rentals, an employee group that enjoys outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and indoor rock climbing, a paid monthly fitness benefit, agency-funded group registrations for run/walk events around Denver, an annual agency kickball tournament, monthly team happy hour events, free Calm premium membership and access to YOU@Cactus, a customized mental well-being portal

What makes it great: “Cactus is a special place to collaborate with truly amazing people who do meaningful work for clients they believe in and have fun doing it. We share a belief in the power of small agency creativity and innovation to solve some of the world’s biggest problems. We have a workplace culture driven by values like respect, belonging, passion, courage, tenacity, collaboration, well-being, and critical thought.”

45. 85Sixty

Location: Solana Beach, California
Focus: Number of Employees: 88
Average Salary:ÌęUnspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Subsidized Ikon Passes, dog-friendly offices, locations by ocean and mountains, travel experiences around the U.S., gift cards for the company swag store, discounts for travel and outdoor products, and paid industry conference opportunities

What makes it great: “At 85Sixty, we believe in putting our people first! Our fun-loving culture is all about teamwork, flexibility, and empowering everyone to shine, whether they’re hitting the trails or shredding the slopes. We encourage our crew to connect with brands they’re passionate about, making work feel like play. With the right tools and supportive leadership, we ensure our team has everything they need to do their best work while enjoying the journey together!”

46. Pathlabs

Location: Missoula, Montana
Focus:
Number of Employees: 108
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: Unlimited PTO

Perks: Hybrid/remote flexibility; paid civic engagement days, weekly catered lunches, Friday yoga, a casual work environment welcoming shorts, hats, dogs, and long weekend excursions, company-sponsored events like river tubing, pickleball, golf, axe-throwing, and river cleanups, events in Missoula for outdoor activities and team bonding, and charitable donation matching up to $250 annually to qualified 501(c)3 organizations

What makes it great: “We are committed to our core values, with ‘people first’ at the forefront. A laid-back, adventure-driven culture balances our fast-paced, award-winning growth. Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, we are steps away from access to world-class outdoor activities. We foster an atmosphere where we work hard, celebrate wins, and enjoy time together as humans, not just as coworkers.”

47. Arts & Letters Creative Co.

Location: Richmond, Virginia
Focus:
Number of Employees: 150
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 25 days of PTO

Perks: 25 holidays, including one week off to recharge during July 4th week and the holidays in December/January; 401(k) and a 4-percent company match that is 100-percent vested from day one; a suite of wellbeing resources, including an annual wellness reimbursement, two employee assistance programs, access to OneVillage one-on-one coaching, and all-agency in-person events

What makes it great: “Arts & Letters is reimagining what it means to be a creative company by doubling down on a belief that building teams is the best force multiplier for creativity. Keeping people and how they connect at the center of everything, A&L incubates more inclusive talent development programs for both managers and contributors, increases support of employees through concierge services, and launches new programs to connect employees in their local communities. A&L believes firmly that a place should work for its people, and not the other way around.”

48. Young & Laramore, Inc.

Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Focus: Number of employees: 70
Average salary: Unspecified
Vacation time: 10 days of PTO to start, up to 20 days of PTO

Perks: Unlimited paid sick leave, company bikes for riding around downtown, showers and lockers for workday runs and rides, an annual Field Day event, office closed for the last week of the year, a two-day fall retreat at a state park or college campus, and a room for meditation or quiet time

What Makes it Great: “Every day we walk into a 120-year-old schoolhouse with a gymnasium where we can all hang out. We run together. Sometimes it’s a five-miler at lunch, other times it’s a full marathon. We compete against each other every year at our annual Field Day event as well. We love spending time together, and being active is a big part of that. We love having dogs in the office and hitting the Cultural Trail or the canal in downtown Indy for walks at lunch. We also have an annual pumpkin-carving contest and a pretty competitive chili cook off.”

49. Alianza

Location: Pleasant Grove, Utah
Focus:
Number of Employees: 286 (136 U.S. employees)
Average Salary: Unspecified
Vacation Time: 20 days of PTO

Perks: Flexible work schedules and fully remote options, a $500 annual fitness reimbursement for a gym membership or outdoor gear and apparel, in-office yoga, corporate passes for skiing, rock climbing, and golf, a fleet of e-bikes for employee use, a fully stocked kitchen with vegan and paleo options, and 100-percent employer-paid healthcare premiums

What makes it great: “Alianza encourages everyone to be their best self at work, which includes taking advantage of our Utah headquarters location and exploring new outdoor activities and wellness habits. Between the perks and flexible work options—including a collaborative, welcoming, and fully-equipped office space with stunning mountain views and a wellness room, aptly named Zen—it’s easy to balance hard work with fun, growth, and outdoor exploration.”

50. Falling Creek Camp, Inc.

Location: Tuxedo, North Carolina
Focus: Number of Employees: 18
Average Salary:ÌęUnspecified
Vacation Time: 10 days of PTO to start, up to 20 days of PTO

Perks: Access to miles of multi-use trails on 900 private acres, use of camp activity equipment, free meals during summer operations, free on-site housing for seasonal employees (available year-round for some full-time staff), paid-for certifications like Wilderness First Responder and Waterfront Lifeguard, health insurance for full-time employees, 100-percent paid vision insurance and cell phone, and half-day Fridays from September through April

What makes it great: “We exist to shepherd the journey of personal growth through love and adventure. Camp is not just for the camper: the leadership cares about each staff member’s growth and wellbeing. Employees are empowered to get out in camp, join in the activities, and make a positive impact through interacting with the camp community. They develop lifelong relationships with staff and campers and learn ever-important soft skills through managing teams, navigating interpersonal dynamics, and problem-solving day to day situations.”

Honorable Mentions

Backbone

Location: Carbondale, Colorado
Focus:

commonFont

Location: Bozeman, Montana, and Providence, Rhode Island
Focus:

First Descents

Location: Denver, Colorado
Focus:

Geographic Expeditions

Location: San Francisco, California
Focus:

Idea Ranch

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma; Wichita, Kansas; Durango, Colorado
Focus:

Moving Mountains

Location: Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Focus:

Putney Student Travel

Location: Putney, Vermont
Focus:

Yakima Products, Inc.

Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Focus:

The post The 50 Best Places to Work in 2024 appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

We tested hundreds of products earlier this year to round up the best holiday gifts currently on the market—all explicitly curated for your outdoorsy loved ones. From travel gear to tech gifts to fitness products, from $20 to $1,600, we have something for everyone. Be sure to check out the rest of our favorite picks in our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide.

At a Glance

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.

Sonos Ace Headphones

Thanks to lots of plush memory foam in the cups and vegan leather, these are the most comfy over-the-ear headphones we’ve ever worn. Crisp highs and powerful lows help everything from music to phone calls come through in ultra-high-definition. We use them wirelessly on commutes thanks to the noise cancellation, but also love to plug them into a (via USB-C) and then into our laptop for an extra rich listening experience.

Rocky Talkie 5-Watt Radio

Most outdoor walkie-talkies are dead after a day, if not sooner. But thanks to a specialized 1800 mAH battery, this radio lasts up to five days, which is a big leap for hunters, backcountry skiers, and rescue personnel who spend multiple days in the backcountry. The radio also transmits the highest GMRS power permitted under FCC regulations (5 watts), so your loved one will get up to 35 miles of range in clear areas and up to eight miles in mountainous terrain.

Belkin BoostCharge Pro Magnetic Power Bank with Qi2 15W 5K

With enough juice to keep an iPhone running for 16 additional hours, this wireless charger will get the traveler in your life through a long day on the road. We love the small size of this wireless charger because it doesn’t block your phone camera, so you can still snap photos. Bonus: it comes with a kickstand that keeps your phone upright, so you can charge while watching your favorite show.

The Howl R4 Propane Campfire

Thanks to special, radiant heat tubes inside the Howl R4, you can have that same wood-fired coziness from a propane stove.Ìę We love that it’s certified for use during burn bans and will continue to pump out plenty of heat in a downpour or windstorm. With 6.5 hours of run time on a standard 20-pound tank, you’ll stay toasty deep into the night.

PAID ADVERTISEMENT BY SWISS TECH OUTDOORS
Swiss Tech Kumpel Headlamp ($19.98)

This meticulously crafted and ultra-compact headlamp combines versatility and precision, ensuring that you have the perfect light source wherever your journey takes you. Customize how you wear with both a cap clip and headband as options.

Jlab Go Air Sport

If you’re shopping for a fitness enthusiast but on a budget, these smooth-sounding earbuds are just the ticket. Comfortable, bendy ear hooks all but guarantee a secure fit during workouts, and with an IP55 rating, they can handle dust and moderate rain. The 8-hour charge is more than adequate for most workouts and daylong activities, and the case provides another 24 hours of juice.

Turtlebox Gen 2 Speaker

Encased in a super-burly drop-proof case that’s completely waterproof and even floats, this lunchbox-size, 9.5-pound boombox has quickly garnered a following among outdoors enthusiasts for its durability. The bass tones flowed thumbed beautifully and distortion-free from this 120-decibel speaker, thanks to the 6-by-9-inch woofer. An 85Wh Lithium-ion battery lasts for up to 25 hours on just one charge. With five color options, you’re sure to find one to please the adventurous audiofile on your list.

Fujifilm X100VI Digital Camera

The X100VI digital camera is small, stylish, relatively simple, and captures gorgeous images. About the size of three iPhones stacked together, the camera weighs just 1.1 pounds, so backpackers, hikers, or skiers won’t feel weighed down. The sensor is much bigger (40.2 megapixel APS-C X-Trans CMOS 5 HR), than an iPhone’s, so it creates super detailed photos and performs much better in low-light scenarios.

Heat It mosquito device

Everyone has that one friend or family member who mosquitos can’t resist. Luckily for them, this itch-relief product actually works. The device weighs four grams and plugs into the power port of a cell phone. Controlled by a user-friendly app, it delivers a pulse of concentrated heat between 117 and 126 degrees directly to the bite, neutralizing the reaction. It’s about the size of your thumb, so there’s no reason not to bring Heat It on every buggy adventure.

How We Tested Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

• Number of Testers: 6
• Number of Products Tested: 125
• Number of States Tested in: 7
• Tester Age Range: 30-75
• Highest Elevation Reached While Testing: 14,006 ft.

The best holiday gifts often fit in two main categories. The first category is: “A gift that makes my everyday routine that much better. “ The second goes something like: “This is a gift I’d never splurge on, so it’s amazing that I received it from someone else.” With those parameters in mind, we reached out far and wide to find gifts both big and small, expensive and affordable, and obvious and unexpected. A team of six testers put well over 100 products through their paces, and after weeks of testing and comparing, we came up with the final list.

For example, one of the products that made the cut under the “everyday routine” category was the Suunto Race S watch in our fitness category. Running tester Meg Healy loved how it was the perfect training watch that kept her motivated and updated all week long, no matter the length of her workout. Lead tester Jakob Schiller flew all over the country (Alaska, California, Seattle) with the Mystery Ranch Mission Rover 45 pack and was always impressed with how it was perfectly sized for a three-day trip, easily fit in an overhead compartment, and was comfortable to wear while schlepping through airports.

Presents that fell into the “I’d never buy this myself category” included things like Sonos Ace headphones and Howl propane campfire in the tech category. The headphones, which are as much as a car payment, seem excessive, but you understand the appeal once you hear how they truly enrich every piece of music, from John Coltrane to Taylor Swift to Cypress Hill. A $1,300 gas campfire seems absolutely ridiculous until you stand next to one on a chilly fall night and realize that this new piece of technology is actually as warm as a campfire (if not warmer) and does a great job setting the vibe after dark.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jakob Schiller

Over the past decade as an șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű editor and then columnist, Jakob Schiller has gotten to know many UPS drivers by name thanks to the frequent stops at his house for gear drop-offs. He’s opened so many cardboard boxes he could start his own recycling facility, and his garage, as you might suspect, is a mess. But thanks to all that gear, Jakob and his family of six (plus two dogs) have been able to adventure around the world and visit many of the globe’s most beautiful spots. When he and his family are not on the road, they call Albuquerque, New Mexico home.

The post 8 Tech Gifts for Your Favorite Outdoor Nerd appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

The winners of this year’s sport earbuds test came from brands that range from three-year-old startups to longtime audio stalwarts, a testament to how dialed the technology has become. Each year we see more and more bargain models (under $70) on the market that, if you didn’t check the price tag, you might think went for $100, or twice that. And every year brings more new and clever features, like in-ear detection and sound profiles to suit your taste for bass vs. treble. Then there’s active noise cancellation (ANC), which first came to earbuds some five years ago but has become commonplace, perhaps an indicator that the world around us really needs to shut the hell up, and that we all—whether running, doing yoga, or commuting—can best find our sweet spot when alone in our particular sound cave.

One thing șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű readers can appreciate is the increasing ruggedness and water resistance in almost any pair of buds you might acquire—even those that don’t have high are likely able to survive a walk in the rain or a drop into a puddle and still keep doing what they do. With less and less to separate high-end products from low-end, the differentiators are becoming more a question of how much care and attention to detail are put into the product.

Updated October 2024: We’ve added three new picks from Denon, Suunto, and Treblab, and updated the retailers and pricing of all the earbuds.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best High-Fidelity:
• Best Open-Ear:
• Best for Long Hours:
• Best for Runners:
• Best for Smaller Ears:
• Killer Value:
• How to Choose Earbuds
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

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 All-Around

Marshall Motif II ANC

Pros and Cons
⊕ Top-notch, dynamic sound
⊕ Rockin’ design
⊕ Highly grippable stems
⊗ Shorter-than-average battery life

The Motif II ANCs have the same popular stem design as Apple’s beloved AirPods Pro but cling to your ears even better. Like the AirPods Pro, they sound fantastic, with faithful, crystal-clear highs, mids, and lows (and no artificial, random bass boosting), and come with a versatile app that includes a custom equalizer (where, yes, you can add more bass). But unlike the AirPods Pro, the Motif II ANC earbuds carry Marshall’s pedigree classic rock aesthetic, which is actually very useful: the grippy metal stems make them much easier to handle, and the textured vinyl case feels indestructible. They even come in at $50 less than Apple’s counterpart.

In testing, connectivity proved flawless, and their active noise cancellation (ANC) was very effective, though a step below Apple’s model. One tester did find that their robust design meant they needed occasional fit adjustment during runs, and their IPX5 protection means they’re not rated to keep out dust and solids, but they will do fine with heavy rain, sweat, or sea spray. Battery life is the only real downside: They play for just 6 hours with ANC engaged or 9 hours without (similar to the AirPods Pro but 2–3 hours less than competitors like Sony, Sennheiser, and JLabs) and the case holds four extra charges. But with the “best sound quality of all the buds in this test,” according to one tester, and a design that made everyone take notice, the Motif II ANCs take home our top prize for their character and quality.

Read our full review of the Marshall Motif II ANC.

Best High-Fidelity

Denon PerL True Wireless Earbuds

Pros and Cons
⊕ Rich, dynamic sound
⊕ Impressive app
⊕ Customizable sound profile
⊗ Chunky size

“Each product is hand-tuned by our sound master,” Denon says of the PerLs, and while we don’t know exactly what that means, it speaks to the Japanese DNA in these premium-sounding buds. Take the accompanying software, for instance: The first thing you do with these wireless buds is download an app that streams a series of sounds and frequencies into your ears to measure how you hear, then creates a personalized profile that transforms how good music sounds. It’s one of the best uses of a headphone app we’ve seen.

The PerLs came across as lively but not piercing on the high end, with realism and verve. There’s even a high-gain option on the app that boosts volume for quiet recordings, which one tester called “a welcome feature that I would love to see in a lot of sometimes anemic Bluetooth earbuds.” These capabilities are made possible by a series of ultra-sensitive microphones, which probably explains their rather enormous size—one reviewer called them “sharp-edged Alka-Seltzer tablet earbud bodies” and noted, “I had to remove the supplied fin attachment before these felt okay.”

Others liked the fit and found them great for running, where they kept the adrenaline flowing with some of the best full-on rocking-out sound in the test. “St. Vincent and Spoon sounded like I was listening to vinyl,” one tester said. The active noise cancellation is decent, the six hours of battery is average (with two more charges from the case), and an IPX4 rating means they can handle a light rain. Given the quality and attention to detail, we consider these a true bargain at $139 or less.

Best Open-Ear

Suunto Sonic

Pros and Cons
⊕ Safe in traffic
⊕ Secure fit
⊗ Limited, soundwise
⊗ No portable power bank

This year Suunto entered the “open-ear” category that was pioneered by Shokz and has continually improved with brands like H2O Audio. The design uses bone conduction technology to feed music directly to your inner ear, leaving your ear canal wide open to take in the sounds around you. It seems pretty advanced, but for music lovers the tech has severe limitations. And Suunto hasn’t exactly overcome them: The Sonic doesn’t have the power to produce vibrant bass—or even to play loud. If it did, it would vibrate to the point of tickling you to death.

As a runner, however, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this unit for listening to podcasts, which they do admirably while allowing me to hear when someone is passing me on the trail (an increasingly frequent occurrence). For those who want to optimize safety, like runners who need to contend with traffic, and for sports that require hearing other people (skiers, climbers, skaters, cyclists …) they’re a very smart option.

The 10-hour battery life (with no charging case for backup) lets you get your miles in, and a five-minute recharge provides three additional hours. The behind-the-neck band is comfortable and keeps them firmly in place. IP55 sweat and water resistance allows you to wear them through a downpour, and if you’re like me you’ll also love using them indoors: They’re perfect for watching Netflix on my laptop while working in the kitchen, without taking away my wife’s ability to walk in and bug me.

Best for Long Hours

Treblab X3 Pro True Wireless Earbuds

Pros and Cons
⊕ Crazy-long battery life
⊕ Secure fit
⊕ Good sound for the price
⊗ Oversize carrying case

If you are especially averse to earbuds that lose power quickly or slowly start to slide their way out of your ears as you move about, these are the solution for you. With a whopping 145 hours of available playtime (nine hours per charge plus 15 more in the charging case), the X3 Pros are designed for those folks who would rather plug in once a week and not have to think about the battery. The trade-off is a bulky case that doesn’t slide readily into your shorts pocket but does have a handy battery-life readout built into the side.

The IPX5 sweat- and water-resistant buds also come with ear hooks, a basic approach to a secure fit that has stuck around because it works. The sound quality is good if not at the level of the premium models here, and the build seems flimsy but held up throughout testing. Another nice touch is ENC (environmental noise cancellation), which enhances the sound quality, not for you but for the person on the other end of a call. They don’t, however, come with ANC. While the X3 Pros are no-frills, one reviewer found these workhorses “my hands-down favorite for trail running.”

Best for Runners

Beats Studio Buds +

Pros and Cons
⊕ Easy to use
⊕ Secure fit
⊕ Consistently good sound
⊗ Limited grip area makes them easy to drop

The well-engineered Studio Buds + are our top pick for runners because of their light weight and small profile, staying in place well while you bob about. One tester, who even used them while paddleboarding, found that they “fit really well immediately out of the box and never fell out or needed adjusting.” They didn’t, however, boast the lockdown security of the “wingtips” that came built-in on the earlier (and still available) . The Studio Buds + are an improvement over their predecessors (same name sans the +), with upgrades that include better ANC and longer battery life (6 hours with ANC on, 9 hours without). With an IPX4 protection rating, they held up against sweat and light rain. This model put extra oomph in our strides with bassier but nice ‘n’ clear sound, similar to that of the Apple AirPods Pro. ANC on the Studio Buds + is only middle of the pack but did a decent job blocking out the chatter in a crowded coffeehouse, and Beats tripled the size of the microphones for a call quality that impressed testers.

We also liked the push controls on the outside of each bud, which never accidentally paused tracks the way touch controls sometimes do. Similarly, they don’t have in-ear detection, a feature some of our testers find aggravating. Forgot to charge them? A five-minute plug-in adds a quick hour of playback time. While their diminutive size can make them hard to grasp when plucking them out of the magnetic case, we nevertheless found ourselves reaching for them routinely, especially when heading to the trail. And as you’d expect from the brand, the Studio Buds + look sleek and wholly of the moment—we especially approved of the transparent option, but the ivory and black/gold opaque models are also appropriately sporty.

Best for Smaller Ears

Raycon Fitness Earbuds

Pros and Cons
⊕ Extreme portability
⊕ Surprisingly bold sound
⊗ A bit on the fragile side
⊗ More likely to be lost

The magic in the straightforwardly named Fitness Earbuds lies in their barely-there size. Both the lightweight buds and the case—which fits in the palm of your hand and slips discreetly into any pocket—are tiny. This makes it all the more impressive that they can pump out rich, deep sound for 12 hours on a charge (with ANC off) and hold 44 more hours of recharging in the case. One of our testers, a runner with several ear piercings, said “these felt the most comfortable and secure in my ears,” a fact that is helped by the soft stabilizing fins that cleverly slip on and off depending on your preference. Folks with larger ears enjoyed them too but did have occasional trouble with them falling out.

The Fitness Earbuds come with helpful touch controls for volume, ANC, and even three different sound profiles (more bass, etc.), and their multipoint feature lets you connect to both phone and laptop at the same time. IPX7 water-resistance means they can handle rain and even short periods of total immersion. One tester who works as a carpenter wore them at work and “never had any issues with them being affected by sweat or sawdust.”

Killer Value

JLab GO Air Sport

Pros and Cons
⊕ Exceptional value
⊕ Secure fit
⊗ Infrequent pairing issues
⊗ Some tunes can sound tinny

For those who put their buds through hell, there’s nothing to dislike in this smooth-sounding unit, given that they come with a replacement cost that is less than a pizza with all the toppings. Their comfortable, bendy ear hooks all but guarantee a secure fit during workouts, even if your workouts involve handstands. With an IP55 rating, they can handle dust and moderate rain. “These were my go-to earbuds for durability,” said our Anchorage-based tester. “I tested them on trail runs and hikes during misty Alaska rains. They are very durable and did not fall out of my ears or seem to be affected by rain or sweat.”

While one runner on the test crew found the relatively large case a bit cumbersome to carry in a pocket, the 8-hour charge was adequate for most workouts and daylong activities (and the case provides another 24 hours). As for that case: We like that it has its own built-in USB charging cord. The touch controls are nice to have but don’t always perform as expected, and the earbuds do not come with ANC, though at this price that shouldn’t be an expectation. Based on their durability, clear sound, reliable connectivity, and price, they make perfect sense for more rough-and-tumble activities or as a backup to pricier headsets.

How to Choose Earbuds

Earbuds are more like shoes than most other gear categories: so much depends on the right fit. What comfortably fits one person’s ears may not suit another’s, and there’s more to it than size. The internal anatomy of the ear makes certain designs actually sound better to one person than the next. If you can’t try them out at a store or borrow them from a friend, it may be best to buy them from a retailer with a good return policy. Once you have them in hand, do some real-world tests with the different tip sizes, and trade them in if you aren’t in love.

If you want to get serious about the perfect fit, consider aftermarket foam eartips, like . In addition to helping with a more secure fit, they provide passive noise isolation, which can improve the experience with both ANC-equipped and ANC-less earbuds. Should fit issues persist, consider a model with behind-the-ear hooks, like the JLab GO Air Sport reviewed here.

Also give some thought to which features do it for you: Some people like sleek touch controls, others prefer old-school push buttons; some like to tap for quick pausing, others would rather forgo that feature and pull out one bud to ask for directions, so as to avoid the annoyance of unwanted pauses every time your fingers go near them. And if you live in a rainy climate, be sure to choose ones with an IP rating ending in 4 or higher (as all the models here do).

Finally, be aware that there are more specialized designs emerging and getting better each year–like these earbuds for , others for , and for those who want to stay more tuned in to their surroundings.

How We Test

• Number of Miles Run During Testing: 415
• Number of Miles Cycled: 154
• Number of Dogs Walked: 8
• Hours of Podcasts Consumed During Travel: 45
• Coldest Temp: –3, Anchorage, Alaska
• Warmest Temp: 102, Tucson, Arizona
• Highest Elevation: 12,341 feet, Deception Peak, New Mexico
• Most Remote Testing Location: Antarctica
• Most Listened-To Tracks: Aphex Twin: “#3,” Billie Eilish: “Bad Guy,” Biosphere: “Baby Satellite,” Christian McBride and Edgar Meyer: “Barnyard Disturbance,” Fontaines D.C.: “Favourite,” J Dilla: “Last Donut of the Night,” Kendrick Lamar: “Not Like Us,” Orbital and Sleaford Mods: “Dirty Rat,” The Replacements: “Kiss Me On the Bus,” Tyler, The Creator: “New Magic Wand”

The first thing we do with any earbuds, headphones, or speakers is attempt to pair them with our phones without consulting the user manual: the quicker, more intuitive, and easier the Bluetooth setup, the more points scored. Then we put them through rigorous hours of testing doing the kinds of things șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű readers do—from dog walks to HIIT workouts, from fireside listening to our day jobs, which for one of us is at the local woodworking shop. Our testers, who range in location from Alaska to Berkeley to Santa Fe to New York City, spent hours in them, bouncing up and down on trails, treadmills, and trains.

Our team turns in reports on each product tested, providing a score from 1 to 10 for five different measures: sound quality, pairing and connectivity, fit and comfort, rain and drop protection, and user friendliness. Scores are averaged, with more weight given to sound quality and (knowing our audience) how well they stand up to the elements. Note: Battery life estimates in these reviews are based on manufacturer specs; it’s difficult to confirm those numbers, given the time involved and variances among user habits (different volumes, different uses, different functions enabled). Actual results may be 10 to 20 percent lower, judging from averages experienced in general testing.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will Palmer has been testing gear for 20 years for șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű, where he was managing editor and copy chief for nine years. Based in Santa Fe, he has been a runner since 1984, and while the mile counts have decreased over the years, he’s kept motivated to head out the door on the hottest, coldest, and wettest days by the opportunity to test the best new products—and to commune with the junipers and piñons.

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The room has a heartbeat. It’s the first thing I notice when I walk into the lab: the gentle thrum of machinery, the metallic click and stretch of springs, and the rhythmic thud of two boots strapped to a gadget called the Time Machine that cycles above a treadmill.

At least, that’s what Adam Trenkamp tells me it’s called. Trenkamp is the șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű engineer who runs editorial testing at this new gear facility on the campus. The șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Gear Lab is the first of its kind in Colorado and one of just a few in the country. Last spring, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Inc., CU Denver researchers, and Colorado-based outdoor startups began using it to test, study—and break—outdoor gear of all kinds.

I step further into the room, a stark white affair that’s half-classroom, half-science lab, nearly 1900 square feet in size, tucked deep in the campus’s engineering wing. Trenkamp follows me over to the Time Machine, which I later learn is a gold-standard piece of equipment designed and built by footwear test company . There, he pauses, then deftly catches one of the steel arms mid-swing. He holds a boot in his palm, and I peer to take a closer look at the sole.

The machine, which uses a system of weighted plates, shocks, and springs to simulate the impact forces of human legs, has been running on the treadmill for nearly 48 hours straight. That’s the equivalent of 70 miles on each shoe. I finger the tread. You can already see bits of the rubber wearing away. Corners of the sole are in shreds.

“Woah,” I say. I’ve been reviewing gear for ten years, and it usually takes me at least a month to get this kind of durability testing in the field. Trenkamp’s machine has cut that process down to a tiny fraction of the time—and in a way that’s scientific enough to accurately compare the performance of one product against another.

“This could totally change the way we test gear,” I say. Trenkamp smiles, just a little bit.

“EłæČ賊łÙ±ôČâ.”

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The 2022 Tour de France Femmes was decided in the Vosges mountains, during a brutal seventh stage with three category-one climbs. Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten attacked on the second climb, then opened up a four-minute gap on the final push of the day, a grueling 3,163-foot ascent of the Grand Ballon. It was the hardest day of the Tour, and with another mountain stage coming the next day, recovery was crucial. But with their legs fried, their cortisol levels soaring, and their nervous systems cranked in fight-or-flight mode, would the riders actually be able to sleep properly?

Surprisingly, the answer was yes—or at least, mostly. Nine of the Women’s Tour riders were wearing Whoop bands on their wrists; their data, which was published earlier this year in Sports Medicine—Open, showed that the riders got an average of 7.6 hours of sleep that night, compared with an overall average of 7.7 hours both before and after the Tour. They did, however, spend a little more time than usual in light sleep and less in restorative REM sleep. Whether that matters in any practical sense is the fundamental question confronting athletes, coaches, and sports scientists as they enter a new era of sleep tracking. The technology is better than ever; we just have to figure out what to do with it.

Tracking Sleep Stages Is Still a Challenge

Sleep is hardly a new biohack, but it has been a hot topic in performance circles ever since neuroscientist Matthew Walker’s 2017 book Why We Sleep. The problem with first-generation sleep trackers, though, was that they relied on accelerometers and basically assumed that if you weren’t moving, you were asleep. The latest generation of devices is more sophisticated, adding heart-rate measurements and other physiological cues like breathing rate and skin temperature to refine their algorithms, and able to tell the differences between distinct sleep stages. As a result, says Charli Sargent, a sleep scientist at Central Queensland University in Australia and lead author of the Tour de France study, “The whole world is becoming a sleep laboratory.”

Companies like Apple, Garmin, Oura, Polar, and Whoop have gotten very good at detecting sleep. Compared with sleep-lab studies, where subjects are wired up to record brain and muscle activity, the latest consumer wearables were typically 86 to 89 percent accurate at determining whether a wearer was asleep or awake, Sargent and her colleagues found. Detecting individual sleep stages, on the other hand, is still a work in progress: the wearables only got it right 50 to 61 percent of the time.

The picture for athletes is more complex. Many of the new sleep-stage algorithms rely on heart-rate variability, or HRV, the subtle fluctuations in timing from one beat to the next. HRV changes with sleep stage, but it’s also influenced by vigorous exercise. Indeed, Sargent found that HRV was systematically lower after mountain stages in male Tour de France riders. Another new study, led by Marc Poulin of the University of Calgary, had a group of healthy volunteers do a hard interval workout in the early evening, then tracked their sleep with an HRV-based Polar watch as well as collecting gold-standard sleep-lab data. The good news: the accuracy of the sleep tracker was undiminished by the workout.

What Can Athletes Do with the Data?

Overall, then, wearable sleep trackers are already pretty good, and they will likely continue to improve. The next question—the really hard one—is what we should do with the data. If cyclists are getting less REM sleep after mountain stages, what should they do differently? “Ride easier” isn’t useful advice; and it hardly seems like we need a fancy algorithm to give us the usual sleep-hygiene advice about bedtimes, alcohol, and electronics before bed.

For some people, simply having objective data about when to hit the hay and when to wake up might function as a useful reminder to cover these bases, in the same way a step tracker spurs you to get your 10,000 steps. Athletes might also be interested in seeing how their sleep changes at altitude, as an indicator of whether they’ve acclimatized and are ready for hard workouts. And there may eventually be subtler insights: for example, preliminary data from Poulin’s lab in older adults suggests that those who don’t get enough deep sleep are more likely to develop cognitive problems years later. For now, the best approach is to establish a baseline and then look for changes, Sargent says. If you usually get 15 to 20 percent deep sleep and that changes to 10 to 15 percent, you should probably figure out why.

Against these putative benefits, you have to weigh the risks. Poor sleep is not always a problem that can be solved by trying harder and worrying more about it—or by collecting sleep-tracking data. “Anxiety related to sleep can be both a symptom and a cause of some types of sleep problems,” Sargent acknowledges. The study that sticks in my mind, from Oxford University in 2018, involved giving subjects bogus feedback about whether they’d slept well or poorly. Those who were told that they’d slept poorly the night before reported feeling scattered, fatigued, and cranky. A little bit of data can be a dangerous thing, especially if its accuracy is questionable.

As for the mystery behind the surprising finding that Tour cyclists sleep just fine, thank you very much, even after the physiological disruption of brutal mountain stages, Sargent and her colleagues propose a disarmingly simple explanation. The cyclists prioritized sleep: they went to bed early and consistently, and gave themselves plenty of time there; ergo, they slept well. Earlier studies found that super-intense endurance exercise, especially when repeated day after day, led to diminished sleep—but the new generation of athletes are on top of it. There will be plenty to learn in years to come from the new sleep-measurement techniques, combined with robust analytical approaches like machine learning and AI. “I consider sleep to be the next frontier in physiology,” Poulin says. But none of it matters if you’re not putting in your time in the sack.

For more Sweat Science, join me onÌęÌęČčČÔ»ćÌę, sign up for theÌę, and check out my bookÌę.

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I am a total luddite. So when șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű proposed I test the latest artificial-intelligence travel-planning tools, I groaned. When it comes to researching trips, my MO remains steadfastly old-school. I still read books to learn the history of a destination and look to recent magazine and website articles for restaurant and hotel suggestions. I scan local news sites to get a pulse on upcoming events. Mostly, I rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and colleagues in the travel industry.

But around 70 percent of Americans are using AI for travel planning, according to a conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of the personal-finance app Moneylion. That stat convinced me it was time to give AI a try myself. Wouldn’t it be awesome if it could save me hours of research? What if a quick “conversation” with a chatbot could deliver intel on par with what I get from real people and my reporting? I decided to give it a go with an open mind.

My AI Trip-Planning Test

Maui is my part-time home, and because I know it so well, I chose it as the logical destination for this experiment. I honed in on the island’s west side, curious to see if AI would direct travelers to the island’s main tourism hub, the town of Lahaina, which is still recovering from the decimating wildfires of August 2023.ÌęI haven’t visited this area since then, and while some parts of Lahaina remain closed to the public, several restaurants and businesses have reopened, and the tourism board has encouraged visitors to respectfully return.

I tested four free AI tools in mid-August. All were incredibly easy to use, even for a tech-phobe like myself. For most, I simply typed in my vacation wish list: I wanted to take an adventurous weeklong solo trip to west Maui in October, and I wanted to experience ocean sports, cultural activities, great food, and fun hikes. In seconds I was usually presented with a thorough itinerary. I could continue to ask more refined questions (like intel on the best food trucks) to fine-tune the details.

Some AI tools, however, started by asking me a handful of quiz-like questions, which is helpful if you need a bit of travel inspiration. The more specific ones queried where exactly I wanted to travel, approximate dates, with whom, my budget, my interests (the beach, nightlife, shopping) and my travel style (i.e., On a sliding scale between adrenaline rush and peace and quiet, what is your ideal vacation?). The nitty-gritty questions resulted in a more robust itinerary.

Results for these AI trip-planning tools ranged from the comically wrong to the simply outdated. None completely nailed the trip planning. All included what AI users call hallucinations—false facts that this technology makes up when it doesn’t have an answer. But one did seem to stand out among the rest.

Here are how the ones I tested fared.

A Ranking of the AI Trip-Planning Tools I Tested, from Worst to Best

Ìę pitched me the most hilarious hallucination. This trip-planning app provided me with four prompts: Inspire me where to go, find cheap flights, show me amazing hotels, and build me an itinerary. I chose the latter for west Maui, and it generated a chummy reply: “Ah, Hawaii! Aloha vibes all the way.” It then spit out a seven-day itinerary for the entire Caribbean. Day one, for example, suggested I visit the Blue Hole, in Belize. That same afternoon, the itinerary had me sunning on Seven Mile Beach, in the Cayman Islands. When I reached out about my experience, a spokesperson replied that current models are prone to hallucinations.

Ìę asked me several questions up front, in an effort to account for my preferences, but the process never allowed me to specify that I wanted to focus my trip on the west side of Maui. Instead, the tool generated a generic, island-wide itinerary, peppered with Maui’s biggest tourist attractions, such as Haleakala National Park and Wailea Beach. Both are beautiful places, but enjoying them means knowing when to go to avoid the crowds. Day one was entirely devoted to Lahaina, with no mention of the fires. The suggested accommodations were nearly an hour’s drive from the sites the bot wanted me to visit. And when I clicked on specific recommendations, like Lahaina Harbor, I was booted to Viator, an online marketplace for tours and activities, where I was given a selection of island-wide tours to book.

has a dynamic interface that allows users to cross-check suggestions with maps and reviews. I appreciated that. You can view the suggested plan as a printable itinerary or in calendar mode; plus, everything is shareable.

It prompted me with a straightforward: “Where to today?” At first I typed in that I’d like to take a weeklong vacation in Maui, and within seconds I was given a list of attractions, activities, hotels, and restaurants—including the shuttered Lahaina Grill. I mentally docked it a point for that. When I refined my ask to the west side of Maui, I was told: “Unfortunately, due to the heavy damage from the fire in 2023, there are currently no tourist services operating in Lahaina,” which isn’t true. The Royal Lahaina resort is open, as are a handful of businesses, such as Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate.

Company spokesperson Michelle Denogean admitted that this particular aspect needed updating. She said that recommendations Mindtrip users receive are informed by a combination of ChatGPT and the company’s proprietary knowledge base, which contains over 6.5 million frequently updated places. “We are continuously adding new ones, updating important information like opening hours, and flagging ones that are permanently or temporarily closed,” Denogean said.

Ìę,Ìęa chatbot from the media brand Matador Network, is available via Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and has over one million users. It was my favorite. I liked the ease of messaging and that I could ask for more details or tweaks to its initial itinerary. The tool cross-checks its suggestions with content from Matador’s 130,000-plus online articles.

Matador founder Ross Borden told me over a phone call that when the platform launched in spring 2023, it was accurate about 85 percent of the time, meaning the AI would get confused or provide inaccurate information approximately one out of six conversations. GuideGeek has since drastically reduced the occurrence of hallucinations and now boasts 98 percent accuracy. Vigorous human intervention is key to minimizing hallucinations, he told me, and more staff have been hired to follow this issue. The technology has also relied on users flagging misinformation; errors are logged and then addressed before regular updates, he said.

Like other AI tools, GuideGeek produced a broad itinerary of Maui’s greatest hits, including the snorkel spot Turtle Town and the Road to Hana. However, I found that many of its suggestions, particularly tour operators, were spot-on, and I was impressed to see it mentioned newer offerings, like the Mangolani Inn, a recently renovated hotel in the North Shore town of Paia. It also provided booking links to hotels and offered useful tips like, “Heads up bring cash as there isn’t an ATM in this area.”

But when it came to Lahaina, its information wasn’t up-to-date. I queried GuideGeek about cultural activities on the island’s west side, and its two recommendations—the Baldwin Home Museum and Lahaina Heritage Museum—had both burned to the ground in the fires.

When I told Borden about this outdated information, he said it comes down to fielding enough input to create updates. The company receives regular feedback from users, as well as 20 or so tourism boards or destination management companies that pay Matador to create custom versions of GuideGeek’s AI tool.

I shared my suggested GuideGeek itinerary with Lei-Ann Field, a member of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, which does not partner with GuideGeek. “Overall the itinerary is pretty good, but there are other nuances that are missing, like considering guided tours for the Road to Hana and necessary online reservations for Haleakala sunrise,” she said.

Will I Be Using AI Going Forward?

My takeaways: I was impressed by how seamless and fast these AI tools were. And it’s key to remember that the more specific questions you ask, the better the responses will be. Most are a good starting point, offering an overview of a destination, and they create a loose plan way faster than I could have using my traditional methods. That plan is a good enough outline to modify and build upon with further research.

My issues: Every AI tool suggested the same attractions in Maui, which contributes to overtourism. The personal touch is noticeably missing; for example, I’d tell a friend who wanted to visit Maui to opt for lunch instead of dinner at Mama’s Fish House, a North Shore spot where it’s nearly impossible to score reservations; to skip the downhill mountain-bike sunrise Haleakala experience (a recipe for injury); to stay overnight in Hana if you really want to make the most of that drive; and to make a point of engaging with locals and being aware of cultural and environmental sensitivities.

I asked Jack Ezon, founder of the travel agency Embark Beyond, if he thought AI would ever be able to deliver the accuracy of a human travel agent. “Even in its infancy, in just a few seconds AI is able to create itineraries that are about 80 percent of what a true expert can create,” he said. “Soon it will be able to suggest the right place for someone to stay and the best experiences they can consider.”

That said, he doesn’t believe there will ever be an equivalent to best the advice of travel agents or friends. He sees AI as a tool agents will use to deliver even more customized advice for clients, though. To wit, Embark Beyond recently launched an AI-powered “clienteling” tool for advisers that examines all experiences, cultural events, and promotions in the marketplace and then suggests clients that would likely be interested and why.

WIll I be using AI to plan future trips? If I’m heading to a popular place like Paris or London or even Moab, Utah, for the first time and don’t want to miss the star attractions, it’d be a something I’d look to initially. But I like to get off the beaten path when I travel, and I’m not convinced AI would get me to that less-trafficked trail or mom-and-pop breakfast spot that’s only advertised via locals in the know. For now, I’ll remain a luddite and stick to good old word-of-mouth travel planning.

Jen Murphy is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online’s travel advice columnist. She prefers to be off her devices when she adventures and believes a town’s local bartender often has the best recommendations for restaurants.

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I’m getting ready for my first marathon in the fall, and I am trying to dial in my kit. I keep hearing about these “super shoes” people use for racing, but they’re expensive, and I don’t know if I should switch to something new for race day. Do I need to buy a super shoe to run my best? —Newbie Distance Runner

Dear Newbie,

Super shoes are no doubt attractive. The lightweight racers with ultra-bouncy foam and embedded carbon plates have been shown to enable some athletes to reach higher speeds with less effort.

Could a super shoe help you run slightly faster and easier than you would in a standard trainer or racer? Yes. Probably. Maybe. It’s complicated.

If you’re a sub-seven-minute-mile marathoner, you’ve established serious training habits and built a strong, athletic stride. And in that pace range, the research says you’ll likely get a 3 or 4 percent improvement in running economy from the shoes. This is why no elite runner would toe the line in anything but a super shoe.

But as a first-time marathoner, do you need that edge? Will it be impossible for you to accomplish your goals without these shoes’ performance-enhancing benefits? No, absolutely not. And there are some good reasons why you might not want to invest in a super shoe.

Research on the benefits for slower runners is mixed. One data analysis of slower marathoners showed time improvements—even greater than among faster runners—after adopting super shoes. In contrast, a controlled study revealed that the slower the runner, the lower the boost in running economy, with 9:40-mile runners seeing only about 1 percent improvement.

Still, any help is appreciated in the marathon, and some experts believe that the real advantage may have more to do with the shoes’ ability to reduce muscle breakdown and fatigue than with improvements in efficiency. If super shoes make finishing strong more likely, they might be worth the $250-plus price tag.

Be aware, however, that nearly a third of the slower runners in the same study showed a decrease in running economy—the shoes made running harder, not easier. Other studies have found even greater variability in runner response.

This is partially due to the fine-tuned bounce and roll of a super shoe’s midsole and plate. Every runner’s stride is unique and interacts with the shoe differently. When we staged a șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online—with three runners comparing 16 different super shoes head-to-head—we found that a shoe that felt magical to one runner often went clunk on another.

Even if a shoe seems good when you are fresh and running strong, it might not be what you want on your foot when you start to tire. Super shoes exacerbate any stride imbalances because of a trampoline-like action that magnifies all forces and movements, for better or worse. Can you maintain the even posture and powerful push-off that a super shoe requires over 26.2 miles? A tall, wobbly platform isn’t what anyone wants when doing the marathon shuffle. For slower, first-time marathoners, the risk of a super shoe impeding their efforts may not be worth the meager potential reward, especially at these prices.

If you decide to go with a super shoe, be sure to test out multiple models to find one that enhances your natural gait rather than changing it or, worse, fighting against it.

Regardless of what you choose for race day, remember that the first rule of marathoning is to dance with the one who brought you: if in doubt, go with old friends—your favorite tried-and-true trainers. Nothing different. Nothing new. Any change opens you up to the possibility of blisters, an altered stride that causes you to fatigue faster, even injury. If you want to wear a specialty shoe, start using it far enough in advance that you’ve adapted to it by race day. Gradually add miles over eight to twelve weeks, building up to several solid marathon-pace runs and at least one long run.

Marathon success depends far more on factors like how well you trained, how well you hydrate and fuel, and how the weather gods treat you than on which shoes you wear. In the end, the best shoes are the ones that get out of the way and quietly let your fitness shine.

Have a question of your own? Send it to us at deargear@outsideinc.com.

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Earlier this month I hiked Huron Peak outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. Huron is a 14,000-foot peak—and a relatively easy climb—so the trail was crowded, even in the early morning.

In addition to lots of hiking poles and Hoka shoes, the most common piece of gear I saw on the trail was a Garmin inReach hanging off of people’s packs. Hikers and all kinds of other adventurers have made these satellite communication devices standard carry because they’re small and lightweight, but will save your ass in an emergency. With the press of a button and a few satellite-assisted text messages, you can call in the cavalry (emergency responders, including search and rescue) if things go wrong.

Thanks to the Garmin Messenger app, you can also use your inReach to send and receive short (160-character) satellite text messages with friends and family. You have to pay for a subscription, but this feature is another way people call for help, or just stay in touch when they’re off the grid.

Given the inReach’s usefulness, I was excited to hear that the inReach Messenger just got a big update, announced this week, that increases its capability. With the —a new, puck-like device—users can now send and receive photos, voice messages, and much longer 1,600-character text messages. These messages can be exchanged with both Garmin emergency services and friends and family.

Users will now be able to send summit photos to family, hear their comforting voices, or tell them in a detailed text message that the user is running late and that they will be out of the woods at a specific time. As is the case with the current gen inReach Messenger, you’ll need a smartphone and the Messenger app to make it work. Those on the grid or others in the backcountry receiving and responding to the messages will also need to be using the Messenger app, and everything will appear for both users in a text-like chat thread.

Messenger Plus users will also be able to send photos and voice messages to Garmin Response, the company’s emergency nerve center for SOS dispatch efforts, when an SOS is triggered. This means an SOS can be more accurately accessed—a picture of an injury is worth a thousand words, and is far more valuable than 160 characters—and search teams will have as much information as possible when they head out for a rescue.

I reached out to Zack Kline, a long-time șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű gear tester and member of the Albuquerque Mountain Rescue Council (Albuquerque’s local search and rescue team), for some perspective.

“Off the cuff, it’s huge to have more situational awareness about what the person is actually facing when it comes to where they are and what kind of problems they’ve encountered,” he said. “Oftentimes we don’t know how prepared they are and we only have a location, so we have to get there and then make a decision about how to help them medically and how to get them out, be that via helicopter or a trail carry.”

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Apple Enters the Competition

We’re not sure if Garmin’s timing on the release of the Messenger Plus is purely coincidental, or very targeted, but it comes just two days after Apple launched iOS 18, its new operating system for iPhones that also comes with increased satellite communication options. Apple says that thanks to the new software, the satellite capabilities on iPhone 14 or later will allow users to keep texting via satellite whenever they lose cell service. iPhone users will not, however, be able to send photos or voice messages via satellite and will still use the prescribed, text-based Emergency SOS via satellite workflow on the iPhone to contact a rescue agency.

Both companies know their new features will bring peace of mind for people traveling in the backcountry, but both have also spent a lot of time touting the features as general communication tools.

Current inReach users know texting over satellite is clunky and one message can take a while to go through. This made us worry that photos and voice memos would take forever, but Garmin says the Messenger Plus uses a different system called Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) to exchange photos and voice memos (as well as text messages) and that IMT supports messages that are approximately 300 times larger. Garmin says photos and voice memos should go through in about one minute if the device has a clear view of the sky; something we’ll be testing as we get a unit.

Like all Garmin inReach devices, the Messenger Plus requires a subscription plan. For $15 you can send 10 photos and voice memos (that’s total, not 10 of each) per-month. For $30 you get 25 photos and voice memos, and for $50 you can send 50. Apple says texting via satellite will be free for two years after you buy any satellite-capable iPhone.

Should You Invest in the New inReach Messenger Plus?

We love that both Garmin and Apple are making big steps forward in satellite communication. Our assessment is that the iPhone is a great option for staying connected or triggering an SOS—for people who don’t play in the backcountry that often.

However, we’ve found out in our testing that you can’t send satellite messages unless the SOS option engages, which doesn’t happen if you have one or two unreliable bars, or if you’re in airplane mode. And, as many people have pointed out, the iPhone battery is the limiting factor for anyone who’s out in the backcountry for days or weeks at a time. Your phone lasts a couple days at best if you have the cell service turned off. The Messenger Plus has a battery that, according to Garmin, will last up to 600 hundred hours in low power mode and is capable of sending 250 photo and voice messages, which should be plenty, even in a complicated rescue scenario.

While the Messenger Plus works best with your smartphone, it can still send 1,600-character text messages by itself (with a limited keyboard) and trigger SOS services. Plus, you can use the Messenger Plus to charge your phone if necessary.

The Messenger Plus costs $500 and the subscription adds a monthly bill (the cheaper Messenger stays in the line as well). But many backcountry adventurers, like those I saw on my hike up Huron Peak, see their Garmin as a safety investment that’s just as important as a bike helmet or avalanche beacon. The hope is that the Messenger Plus doesn’t embolden people to take risks they otherwise wouldn’t, but instead keeps them in touch and comes in handy if there’s ever an emergency.

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For the past couple years Apple has rolled out big releases at their annual Apple event, including the Ultra Watch and Emergency SOS, that were especially important for people who love to play outside. This year was more muted for us outsiders as the big news focused on Apple’s version of AI, called Apple Intelligence, which is launching on their phones in beta this fall.

We didn’t get an Ultra Watch 3 with a better battery life (which we’re still hoping for), and we didn’t get an announcement about any new satellite features (even though we’re very excited about the previously announced ability to when iOS 18 launches later this month).

What we did get were several big improvements to the iPhone’s cameras and two smart health updates. Plus, AirPods get noise canceling and the new Apple Watch has its largest face ever.

Camera Control Button

We started covering the iPhone in șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű years ago because it’s long been the best pocket camera that you can haul along for backcountry adventures. Every year Apple rolls out new camera features that make it significantly better, and this year we’re most excited about something called the Camera Control button.

The Camera Control button, which comes on all the new iPhones—16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max—sits on the right side of the phone. With one full press, it immediately brings up your camera. Another press takes a photo. More importantly, a soft press gesture on the button brings up a menu that offers a host of manual controls including aperture and exposure adjustment—letting you play with depth of field or optimize the brightness of something in the shadow or highlight—as well as the ability to adjust your zoom range.

A quick demo we watched made the ability to access these features with a button look surprisingly similar to how you might quickly and deftly control a high-end mirrorless camera. Older iPhones offer the ability to change things like exposure, but with a dedicated button you’re able to control these important aspects of your photograph significantly faster, which allows for more creative picture making in fast-moving situations.

Improved Camera Features on the iPhone Pros

Both the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max come with a new in addition to a 48-megapixel standard 24-millimeter camera. This increased resolution for the ultra-wide camera means that when you want to take sweeping landscape shots you’re going to get significantly more detail and resolution. As we pointed out last year in our review of the iPhone 15’s 48mp camera, all that extra detail and resolution is particularly nice when you want to make a print to hang on your wall, or if you want to adjust the color and tone in Adobe Lightroom and not totally ruin your photo.

Last year only the iPhone 15 Pro Max came with a 5x telephoto lens, but both the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max have that higher-powered zoom that allows you to get close to a subject without losing photo quality.

We love to shoot in RAW, but shooting in this uncompressed photo format takes a lot of processing power and caused some earlier iPhones to have a slight shutter lag. Now, thanks to a quad-pixel sensor in the 16 Pro and Pro Max that can read data twice as fast, there’s zero delay between when you press the button and when you take the photo, which is immensely helpful when photographing action.

High-Res Slo-Mo Video

In many music videos, commercials, films, or other pieces of high-end video, you’ll notice that slow-motion video is often used to add drama and intrigue by giving the viewer more of a chance to focus in on the action. To help shooters create this effect, the new 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max now offer the ability to shoot 4K video at 120 frames per second (fps), which is a high-enough frame rate to slow down a mountain biker or skier slashing a turn, or a runner sprinting by on the track. Once the video is shot you can adjust the playback to full-speed, half-speed option, quarter-speed, or one-fifth-speed, which corresponds to 24 fps.

Sleep Apnea and Hearing-Loss Monitoring

Health monitoring has long been a part of Apple devices and for this go-round they introduced two smart and important advances. First, using the accelerometer the new Apple Watch Series 10 (along with the Series 9 and the Ultra 2) can now monitor small movements at the wrist that are associated with interruptions in normal respiratory patterns, something they call breathing disturbances. A new algorithm then analyzes the breathing disturbance data so that the Apple Watch can notify its user if the data indicates consistent signs of sleep apnea. Apple says that this feature was only launched after being validated in a clinical trial that was “unprecedented in size for sleep apnea technology.”

The sleep apnea information that the watch provides is not meant to be a diagnosis, but instead helps a user identify the problem and consult with a physician. According to Apple, more than 1 billion people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea, but most don’t get a diagnosis. If left untreated, sleep apnea can create an increased risk of hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues.

To address hearing loss, which affects 1.5 billion people around the world according to the World Health Organization, Apple, via a software update launching this fall, is going to be able to offer a scientifically validated hearing test via their AirPods Pro 2 headphones. That test will result in a personalized hearing profile that will turn the AirPods Pro into a Apple says that this feature was also validated via a clinical trial.

The Best of the Rest

Two other updates of note are the large screen on the Apple Watch Series 10, and the launch of the AirPods 4 that come with active noise cancelation. The watch screen is important because it’s actually the largest screen of any Apple watch, including the Ultra 2, and it provides even more real estate to see important information. For AirPods, we love that Apple bought incredible noise cancelation to their more affordable headphones so that you can spend less but still get a feature that allows you to hone in while traveling and working.

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