It is a great time to be a runner. Today’s smart shoe designers are using advanced materials, new geometries, and creative combinations of foams, plates, fabrics, and soles to create models that are faster and more comfortable than ever before. Many shoes in this roundup are franchise models, in their second, fourth, 17th, or 21st(!) iterations, representing the best of...

　　An estimated 50 million people visit Chicago annually. Precious few of them see the rest of Illinois, however, and they’re missing out. While the most famous city in Illinois always delivers good times, anyone who loves the outdoors will be amazed by what lies beyond the purview of the L. With 64 state parks, 289,000 acres of protected national forest,...

　　From multi-pitch climbing commands to calling your drop in the backcountry, a solid set of walkie talkies can be the difference between a good copy and a garbled transmission. After surveying the field and winnowing down to the most promising, we’ve gathered and tested 11 of the best walkies available. 　　We field-tested these handhelds over months of multi-sport use, challenging...

　　In most states riding without a motorcycle helmet is illegal. Honestly, we also think you should never ride without a cap. Because if you can read this sentence, that’s thanks to your brain: the most crucial tool you own. A brain makes life enjoyable! And full face motorcycle helmets protect your precious cargo. 　　That said, there are a lot of...

　　Whether you’re looking for a sturdy backyard shade structure or a packable sun and rain shield for your next camping trip, canopy tents are a simple and effective way to optimize your time spent outdoors. To help with your future family hangouts, beach days, camping trips, and event hosting, we’ve tested the best canopy tents of 2024. 　　The canopy tents...

　　I was OK with cross-country, trail, and downhill as the three main mountain bike segments. Now, there are downcountry, all-mountain, enduro, and probably other categories I ignore on purpose. When Canyon sent its Spectral 125 CF9 for a long-term test, I wasnt sure where it sat. The 125mm travel shock mated to a 140mm fork on a longish, slack-ish chassis...

　　If you had to pinpoint one thing that makes Breckenridge so awesome in summer, it’d probably be this: choice. As good as the mountain biking, trail running, fly-fishing, and rafting are—and make no mistake, they’re world class—those are just part of what makes the place so special. The town’s culinary and cultural scenes don’t take a back seat to its...

　　If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you already know the importance of protecting your skin from the sun. But despite what you may see in your feed, the best sunblock doesn’t come in a bottle. If you want reliable protection from the sun that you never have to reapply, you need to wear it. As a river-loving father...

　　Two climbers are dead following an incident on 14,505-foot Mount Whitney in California, officials said. 　　On Thursday, May 9, the Inyo County Sheriffs office said that rescuers had received a call on May 7 of two hikers who were overdue on Mount Whitney. According to the report, the two had been hiking the Mount Whitney Mountaineer Route and had intended...

　　If you want to start riding motorcycles off-road but are unsure of your ability, why not try an automatic dirt bike? You can take one hassle out of riding by ditching the clutch in favor of a semi-automatic or completely automatic machine. 　　For many riders, the thought of riding off-road without a clutch is borderline heretical. However, there are times...

　　I climbed Mount Everest on my lunch break yesterday. 　　No, really—I did it from the safety and comfort of the Outside office here in Boulder. I tiptoed across sketchy ladder bridges in the Khumbu Icefall while Dave from accounting microwaved a frozen pizza in the lunchroom. After that, I inched my way up the icy Lhotse Face to the South...

　　Do you feel like everything worth inventing has already been invented? Sometimes I feel the same. But then I see this random guy racing above the water with a doggie friend, and all I can think is: Yeah, I want to do that. 　　The truth is there has never been a better time to explore the world of outdoor gear....