Design and Tech

Latest Stories

Tools & Tech

Wearing Oakley’s Meta Vanguard Glasses Changed How I See Smart Tech

I tested everything—from hands-free photo capture to Garmin syncing—to see if these performance sunglasses can actually make life easier

Abigail WiseNovember 14, 2025

Running

Is This a Joke or Did Puma Actually Make These Crazy-Looking Shoes?

Behind Puma’s eye-grabbing prototypes lies a calculated strategy that’s pushing running shoe design into new territory

Cory SmithOctober 25, 2025

Adventure

Apple Watch Just Got a Whole Lot More Outdoorsy with the Trailforks App

From proximity alerts to downloadable map options, the app’s new tools keep users in the flow no matter where they are

Madison DapcevichAugust 28, 2025

Water Sports

The Lind Canvas Electric Surfboard Is Just as Thrilling as It Sounds

High speed, high price—and highly enjoyable

Brent RoseJuly 24, 2025

Tools & Tech

From Campfires to Tailgates: The Best Outdoor Bluetooth Speakers of 2025

We put this season’s best outdoor Bluetooth speakers through their paces on road trips and tailgates, boat decks and beaches. These eight emerged as our favorites.

Will PalmerNovember 5, 2025

Tools & Tech

After 700+ Hours of Testing, These Are the Sport Earbuds Still Powering Our Playlists

We tested 55 models on runs, swims, climbs, and commutes to find the best earbuds for every listener and budget

Will PalmerOctober 27, 2025

Gear News

Why Your Favorite Small Gear Brands Might Not Survive This Year

Brands like Youer manufacture their gear exclusively in the United States for environmental, ethical, and practical reasons. Will that be enough in the face of rising costs and potential new tariffs?

Amelia ArvesenJuly 1, 2025

Travel Advice

Forget Every Jet-Lag Trick You’ve Tried. This New Kit Has Yet to Fail Me.

I fly thousands of miles each year and this is the easiest jet-lag remedy that has ever worked for me. Plus, you get to wear these cool glasses.

Tim NevilleJanuary 21, 2025

Environment

A Navajo Community Lacked Electricity. An Unlikely Team Found a Life-Changing Solution.

Meet the change makers who powered—and empowered—a Utah community with solar generators

Jen MurphyJuly 2, 2025

Love & Humor

Protect Your Peace. Buy a Really Big Bike Lock.

For the past 18 years, I’ve used the same hefty lock—even when I’m riding cheap clunkers around town. Here’s why.

Brendan LeonardDecember 2, 2024

Love & Humor

The Many Misadventures of My Absolute Worst Car

Imagine the most impractical road trip vehicle. Now, make it a little worse. You’re getting closer.

Brendan LeonardNovember 23, 2024

Travel Advice

How I Built an Affordable Log Cabin in 7 Weeks

I bought land in rural Vermont, felled trees, and built a simple log structure. This is how I did it.

Tasha ZemkeOctober 28, 2024

Gear News

Vacuum Pumps, Bandsaws, and a Real-Life Time Machine: Welcome to the Outside Gear Lab at CU Denver

Last fall, Outside partnered with University of Colorado Denver to open a state-of-the-art gear-testing lab. Now, it’s finally open for business—and poised to upend the gear-testing world.

Corey BuhayNovember 7, 2025

Essays

The Heist that Nearly Sank a Beloved Outdoor Brand

How a small outdoor footwear company lost 5,000 pairs of shoes and found itself entangled in an international crime saga

Scott YorkoOctober 8, 2024

Biking

Have Mountain Bikes Gotten Too Heavy?

With modern rigs weighed down by high-performance components, two Pinkbike editors square off about whether the industry has taken things too far

Mike Kazimer, Dario DiGiulioSeptember 26, 2024

Essays

Want to Build a Perfect 21st Century Town? Ban Cars.

The community of Culdesac, Arizona, was designed for pedestrians and cyclists. And residents love it.

Andrew ZaleskiOctober 7, 2024

Gear News

The Battle for Swimming’s Suits and Running’s Soul

When a technological breakthrough gives some athletes a major advantage, how should we think about the victories, the medals, the world records?

July 24, 2024

Tools & Tech

Should You Buy Gear from Brands That Don’t Align with Your Values?

Two product testers square off on whether the politics surrounding outdoor equipment and apparel should guide consumers

Wes Siler, Nicole QualtieriJuly 18, 2024

Love & Humor

How I Write and Illustrate My Outdoor Adventure Comics

Brendan Leonard, the author and illustrator behind the beloved Semi-Rad blog, explains his process

Brendan LeonardJune 29, 2024

Love & Humor

For Nick Offerman, the Answer to Any Problem Is Always More Gear

According to the actor, everything can be solved with one more useful piece of outdoor equipment

Nick OffermanJune 13, 2024