When Mike Call started his third documentary for Black Diamond, he knew he needed to make a tribute to Maria Cranor. 　　Though shes not well-known outside of the climbing community, its impossible to understate the impact she made on the sport. For most, Cranor is remembered as the creative genius who helped co-found Black Diamond. When Yvon Chouinards climbing hardware...

　　Theres nothing like having $400 in cash in your pocket to help you understand the importance of studying self-defense. Id just withdrawn more $20 bills than Id ever held at one time and was now pedaling a public Nice Ride bike through Minneapolis, doing my best impression of someone who was totally not carrying $400 in their pants pocket. 　　It...

　　It was cold and slightly breezy as I ran, but all I needed underneath my Outdoor Research (OR) Deviator Hoodie was a summerweight wool T-shirt. The lightweight jacket kept me warm enough and safe from the occasional chilly gust. But I also knew it would dry out quickly when I stopped, despite having worked up a sweat on my favorite...

　　For the first time on the U.S. market, the M5 sedan will be joined by the Touring (station wagon) variant. U.S. enthusiasts have been asking for hot wagons forever, and until just recently have had very few options. While we still have few options, the 2025 BMW M5 Touring joins the Mercedes AMG E 63 S Wagon and Audi RS...

　　Helly Hansen has become a top name in outdoor technical apparel thanks to its emphasis on keeping people dry and warm in harsh, wet conditions. 　　Over the years, the brand has made its mark by developing in-house technologies like Helly Tech Professional, a waterproof outer layer that can withstand harsh weather conditions and rigorous abuse. The pinnacle of its apparel,...

　　Across the 429 parks, monuments and historic sites managed by the National Park Service, only 76 are named after women, or otherwise center women’s history. This is a problem, because women have—and this should be obvious—played vital roles not only in the preservation and study of nature, and our nation’s history, but also because women are essential to the operation of...

　　Vortex Optics has taken a confident leap into the sunglasses market. Today, the brand launched Vortex eyewear, and I can tell you firsthand that this isnt a gimmick product. These shades are rad. 　　Ive had the Jackal and the Banshee frames for a few weeks now, and though I was skeptical, I am impressed. I think brands often take the...

　　Five miles deep in the backcountry west of Crested Butte, Jeff Banks stopped the group. The 49-year-old IFMGA guide was leading me and five other skiers around Kebler Pass. He had asked us to set the skin track, and we were aiming for a benign-looking rollover. But avalanche danger was “considerable” and the slope in front of us was roughly...

　　Kayaking has been a part of the human story for thousands of years. And if youre looking to jump into the sport, the options can seem overwhelming. Luckily, weve taken the plunge and dipped our paddles in the best the market has to offer, testing more than 20 kayaks for three years now with an eye toward beginner-friendly models. 　　There...

　　Bigger isnt always better. But when it comes to dive watches, they tend to be, well, bigger. But with the introduction of the 39mm SUB 200T, DOXA shrinks its classic SUB 300 model as a nod to modern trends, even if it gives up a little real estate on its face. 　　It also gives up a little less on the...

　　In 1951, Indiana University hosted its first Little 500—a track cycling competition modeled after the Indy 500 and depicted in the 1979 Oscar-nominated film Breaking Away. But the first women’s race wasn’t held until April 22, 1988. The four freshmen riders of the victorious Willkie Sprint team—Kerry Hellmuth, Kirsten Swanson, Amy Tucker, and Louise Elder—were considered underdogs. In the following...

　　Narrowing in on that elusive 5-pound base weight? Youre probably fastidiously scouring the web for the lightest ultralight tent, backpack, and sleeping bag, but beware — these flimsy, unassuming pieces of gear need to be chosen with care. The lightest model on the market may not be the best, or the safest, move. Theres a lot to consider when buying...