If a surfboard is a paintbrush and a wave is a canvas, then surfers today have thousands of different tools to make art. Are you a traditionalist, like the Old Masters? Take out a classic longboard. Are you more keen on surrealist style, channeling your inner Salvador Dali? Go for an asymmetrical shape. What about contemporary, akin to Yayoi Kusama?...

　　Known for its local wineries, creative culinary scene, quaint towns, and scenic landscapes, the Texas Hill Country makes for a delightful treat-yourself-style getaway. Plus, the rolling terrain lends itself to exploring by bike. Whether you’re into light cycling before a day of vineyard tours and delicious eats or prefer to bikepack from one boutique hotel to the next, the Texas...

　　A recent study about microplastics may make you squirm in your seat. Scientists tested 70 testicles (23 from humans and 47 from dogs) and found the tiny bits of plastic in every single sample. The study, published on May 15, 2024 in Toxicological Sciences, raises concerns about the potential impact of microplastics on the human reproductive system and suggests that the presence...

　　Leading figures in the worlds of international mountaineering and Nepali politics are weighing in on celebrity climber Nirmal “Nims” Purja in the wake of bombshell allegations of sexual assault and harassment. 　　On May 31, the New York Times published the accounts of two women who allege that Purja, 40, sexually harassed and assaulted them on separate occasions. In one account, Finnish...

　　The original version of this story was published on iRunFar. 　　Spring Energy’sAwesome Sauce gel was a product that seemed too good to be true. 　　A staple in many ultrarunners’ nutrition plans, it promised to deliver high carbohydrates and calories in a small package of easy-to-digest applesauce-like gel. The 180-calorie gel offered nearly double that of its competition, with 45 g...

　　The theory that human endurance evolved out of our need to outrun our prey has intrigued runners for four decades. After all, the idea of “persistence hunting” presents a much more romantic explanation for our otherwise pathological obsession with slogging through the Trial of Miles. According to the original endurance hunting theory laid out in a 1984 paper by David...

　　Solo Stove fire pits are known for their nearly smokeless burn, alleviating the age-old issue of smoke blowing in your eyes. 　　Coming in several sizes with a stainless steel build that can withstand fires and weather, the brand has become a staple of backyard get-togethers and lively camp spots. Riding its success, Solo Stove recently expanded its offerings by creating...

　　Few things go together quite so well as Mystery Ranch and SITKA. It only makes sense that the two Bozeman brands would team up, yet again, for the release of a much-needed upgrade to soft bow cases. 　　Ive had a few soft bow cases, and Ive never been impressed with any of them. Theyre oversized, offer odd, inconvenient storage, and...

　　It has been almost 10 years since the REI Co-op first announced that it would close all of its stores on Thanksgiving and Black Friday for its Opt Outside campaign. The brand said it wanted to encourage customers and employees to spend more time in nature doing what they love. 　　In the years since, millions of people have participated, many...

　　Woniya Thibeault, the first female winner of the History Channel’s reality competition show Alone, always wanted to be a mother. But after she turned 46, having already experienced a miscarriage in her late thirties, she accepted the possibility that she may never have children. In June of last year, Thibeault spoke about this difficult realization during a storytelling event hosted by storytelling...

　　A universal oddity of any hobby: justifying the gear prices to those on the outside. Mountain bikers get to explain why their dream downhill bike costs more than a motorcycle. Ultralighters get to explain to casual hikers why a pack that taps out at 15 pounds costs several hundred dollars. For knife aficionados, there’s justifying a sharpener that starts at...

　　While some folks are content listening to whatever the gym is playing during their workouts, I just cant do it — unless somebody is playing Wu-Tang. Ive got to be able to change it up to suit the moment — heavy lifting calls for heavy metal. On cardio days, I like to match the BPM of the music to my...