The first time Brent Firkser, founder of GOSO Cookware, showed up at a communal potluck, I knew we would be friends for life. He loves to cook; I love to eat. It was a match made in heaven. 　　On that rainy December night on the West Coast, Brent had biked over in the freezing rain, never one to let a...

　　The great thing about traveling with a van (we’re still using the term “van life,” right?) is the freedom to live and work out of your vehicle and move from place to place. As long as you’ve got fuel in the tank and food in the fridge, you can keep on going. 　　But, what if your van was powered by...

　　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...

　　Few recent products have had as big an impact on the American car market like the compact Ford Maverick. Now ready for its first midcycle update, Ford is making some welcome changes to the little pickup, among other things, adding a new all-wheel-drive version of the hybrid powertrain, along with a larger touchscreen, and other new features. 　　Ford made a...

　　The best view of Sweetwater Lake is from the tall rock outcrop on its north side. From there, you can see the twinkling water below, the raptors nesting cliffs, the horseback stables of AJ Brink Outfitters, and the adjacent historical buildings that once housed true Western outlaws. You can even make out the trail across the lake that leads back...

　　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...

　　Yusei Ikariyama grew up in the Akaogi village, Tatsugo-cho, Amami, Japan — right next to the Pacific Ocean. He started surfing as a young teen, got into trouble, dropped out of high school, had encounters with the police, and generally lived the true, authentic life of a Japanese punk surfer. Much of his world has revolved around the ocean since...

　　The e-bike craze is reaching a fever pitch. People of all ages use them to get outside and stay active, no matter their skill or fitness level. Now, were seeing the rise of e-hike equipment. It was only a matter of time. 　　Case in point: Arcteryx and wearable robotics startup Skip have teamed up to design and bring to market...

　　Six years later, Ride1Up has established itself with 12 unique bikes, including folders, cruisers, commuters, mopeds, fat-tire bikes, and performance-focused models, all selling for affordable MSRPs ranging from $995 to $2,500. 　　 　　Ride1Up has cut prices on several of its most popular bikes, offering hundreds in savings for a short time; (photo/Ride1Up) Ride1Up says it knows that its bikes are not the...

　　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...

　　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...

　　As a frequent belayer and pretty short lady, I always appreciate a cropped down jacket that doesn’t sacrifice warmth or style. Which is why, when I received the Marmot Guides Down Hoody in the mail, I was stoked at its cushy loftiness and adjustable elements. 　　The Guides Down Hoody is the quintessential puffy — it has massive baffles, a cushioned...