OK, I finally get the hype. Ever since I was a kid, I have seen retro-style Fjällräven backpacks everywhere. From classrooms and coffee shops to international airports, I always saw the “hip kids” rocking these colorful cubic packs from the famous Swedish company. 　　I was surprised to learn that the iconic Kånken has been around since its genesis in 1978,...

　　Sometimes comfort trumps weight, and while the Mica Basin Chair from Big Agnes might not be the lightest, it sure beats the hell out of sitting on a stump any day. With a luxurious 22-inch-wide seat, pre-bent poles for superior weight distribution, and a 300-pound capacity, this chair is a great choice for taller and heavier folks or those who just...

　　Combine the likely most well-known overland travelers on the globe, an epic 500-acre property in Montana, and big aspirations. What you get is the XOverland Ranch. This facility will likely develop into one of the epicenters of overland training in North America. 　　I was lucky enough to be there for the grand opening, along with about 300 other overlanders. Heres...

　　As I jogged along the trail, I could hear the sound of gravel beneath my feet and Maynard James Keenan singing clearly in my ear. If my friends (ahead or behind) shouted at me, Id still hear their voices through my chugging metal playlist. But when we stopped and I asked, they couldnt hear my music unless they focused and...

　　There have never been so many choices for seven-seat SUVs. Gas, diesel, hybrid, and electric — you can get real room for seven with rugged capability and more style than any minivan could ever offer. 　　Forget about keeping the best seats for the driver and front passenger. Some of our picks offer even more comfortable and feature-rich rear seating. You...

　　Long before a pro cyclist shreds their way down a mountain, trail builders have spent hundreds of hours preparing the path. That work isnt cheap, either. In fact, creating trails for mountain biking can cost $10,000-45,000 per mile, according to Shimano. 　　The money pays not only for the materials, tools, and labor but also for costly environmental impact studies that...

　　We’ve all been there — you’ve just finished your warmup laps, youre done stretching, and its time to check your laces, turn up the volume on your headphones, and pick up your tempo. Then, 2 minutes into your first lap, tragedy strikes. An earbud has slipped out and gone rolling, and you were so in the zone that you couldnt...

　　Bowtech is celebrating 25 years with a bow that raises eyebrows. The brand has created the Honor, an incredible limited-edition bow, and it has a great cause in its crosshairs. 　　I had the chance to check out the Honor in person at The Rally in Cave City this year. As an arrow-flinging tool, its a fine piece of engineering prowess....

　　Finding a solid puffy for less than 200 bucks is like finding a needle in a haystack. But, Decathlon has made this somewhat daunting task actually quite easy. At less than $99 (sometimes on sale for $40), the Forclaz Womens MT100 Hooded Puffer is a well-made down jacket for women needing something budget-friendly and warm. 　　I wore this jacket while...

　　A free REI vacation never tasted so good. Clif Bar just launched a summer sweepstakes with the chance to win thousands of prizes. That includes two grand prizes of an all-expenses-paid REI Co-op Adventure Travel trip. Launched on July 30, the sweepstakes only requires the purchase of any Clif Bar multi-pack. 　　The event — called Take a Trip with Clif...

　　There was a time when overly cushioned athletic footwear reigned king (I’m looking at you, New Balance). In recent years, footwear trends have seen a shift toward barefoot designs. Out with overly padded, high-arched running and hiking shoes, and in with wide toeboxes, thin soles, and nonexistent arches. But Luna takes the barefoot hiking shoe one step further with its...

　　I rounded the corner, hitting a patch of ice quicker than I’d like. I’m either going to tumble or catch myself — hopefully, the latter. To my elation, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles caught me, with just enough flex to conform to my weight while retaining enough support to keep me upright.  　　I was running around Durango, Colo.,...