Products You May Like
From spring skiing to sea kayaking, our editors are chasing adventures across the country (and beyond) this spring. This gear is helping us weather everything from changing snow conditions to changing temperatures to changing time zones.
My ski season is—finally—nearing its end, but I’ve had a rewarding run of spring tours lately. My key piece of gear as the weather gets warmer but the snow still beckons has been this glove from Stio. The non-waterproof Uptrack, with softshell material on the back of the hand and the cuff, isn’t too warm for springtime ascents (even with a touch of PrimaLoft insulation that wards off chills if the mercury drops). But with a full Pittards goatskin palm and a burlier construction than many softshell gloves built for the skintrack, it functions just as well as my descent glove, and doesn’t have the flimsy feel of a softshell glove either. With plenty of dexterity and a touchscreen-compatible index finger tip, there isn’t much more I can ask for out of a non-waterproof glove. –Eli Bernstein, Senior Gear Editor
Like Eli, I’ve been milking the last of ski season, and these bibs have been with me through it all. With a roomy cut that doesn’t look too baggy, they fit me better than any ski bibs I’ve tried before. Vents both on the inside of the knees and the outside of the leg keep me cool on the uphills, and while the material isn’t the lightest, I’ve never overheated in these bibs. It’s a perfect tradeoff, as I can close up the vents on colder, windier days and feel well protected. Two generous thigh pockets along with a zippered kangaroo pocket and a drop chest pocket hold all of my snacks (homemade banana bread is the best pocket snack, FYI), phone, and inhaler. The drop seat is also handy for long tours. I’ve tested a handful of bibs this season, but I always come back to my trusty Moxie for its no-fuss comfort and balanced features. —Zoe Gates, Senior Skills Editor
I’ve been going to PT for a while to finally kick a longtime injury that hit a breaking point in February (posterior tibialis muscle strain in both calves, oof). Treating this injury meant I bought a lot of stuff I probably should have had this entire time: supportive insoles, comfortable house shoes, and these Zensah compression sleeves. Once I progressed enough to make my grand return to the trails, my sensitive calves got support with every step. These sleeves reduce muscle soreness and inflammation, so I could get back to my usual weekly running and hiking mileage with no hiccups. Research has borne out some of the benefits of compression sleeves, but even if it was a placebo effect, my calves (and I) would still be happy. —Emma Veidt, Assistant Skills Editor
I’ve been using these shoes for years, through multiple pairs, but have never been more grateful for their mix of comfort and uber-sticky rubber than on my recent first go at multipitch climbing. After five hours straight on the wall my feet had no pressure spots or pinches, and I didn’t lose a single toenail; by the time I finished the half-hour hike out, any soreness had vanished. And I’ve never been more grateful for any gear component than I was for the Vibram XS Edge rubber sole while navigating friction slabs a hundred or a thousand feet off the deck. My conclusion at the end of the trip: multipitch climbing might not be for me, but these shoes definitely are. –Kristin Smith, Destinations Editor
I’ve got a few trips coming up where I’ll be mixing adventure with tourist time—think desert hiking and sightseeing around Las Vegas or sea kayaking and beach-bumming in Florida. Unfortunately, I’m also flying budget, which means that my baggage allowance is as small as my ambitions are large. Space-saving gear that can play multiple roles is a must-have, and these multipurpose dry sacks with one-way air-purging valves help me on the way out by compressing my clothes as small as possible to fit into my personal item. At my destination, they double as dry-sacks, ready to protect my phone, wallet, and dry layers from rain, waves, or even a (brief) accidental dunking. Now if only they could do something about Frontier’s legroom. —Adam Roy, Senior Digital Editor