Outside 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide

In Search of Perfection I’M NOTORIOUSLY bad at controlling my body temperature. Nine times out of ten I’m either hot or freezing, which has lead to a fixation on layers. Maybe this will be the one, I think as I pull out yet another jacket that promises to keep me warm or cool at exactly the right time. The result is a closet stuffed with fleeces and puffies. But the jacket I come back to most is a seven-year-old Patagonia Nano Air. I bought it before I knew “gear editor” was a job. The cuffs are blotched with mystery stains, the right arm marred with sticky residue from a patch I’ve replaced more than once. Recently, for a time, I resisted the urge to wear it, stubbornly assuming that one of my…

Badfish 10'6" Flyweight $1,199 Inflatable SUPs have become increasingly popular over the past few years because they’re good for so many different kinds of paddling—lake, ocean, surf, whitewater—and are easy to transport, store, and use. But they’ve often lacked rigidity and thus sacrificed performance. Brands are finally addressing that issue. From more advanced materials to smarter fin placement, companies are making changes that translate to better inflatables. This year, none have done it better than Badfish. The Salida, Colorado, brand has strong river DNA, via its roots along the Arkansas River, and has long manufactured solid surf-inspired performance paddling boards. The brand hit paydirt with the Flyweight, which can truly do it all. The star is a new technology that reduces excess PVC along the drop stitching, which creates a lighter,…

Sales of relatively cheap, easy-to-store inflatable boats have blown up (pun intended) in recent years. At long last, that demand has begun to fuel innovations that significantly improve both performance and ease of use while keeping price points low. This year, folding-boat disruptor Oru Kayaks answered the call for accessibility and made its entire line significantly easier to assemble and more water capable. Beefier clipping buckles and a tension strap over the deck give the updated Beach LT ($1,199) some welcome rigidity. This increased tension helps the hull maintain its shape, so the boat tracks better in flatwater. Sturdier footplates enabled testers to really lean into wide turns and crank tight ones with confidence. Getting your craft from the car to the water can be a struggle. Boats featuring Hobie’s industry-defining MirageDrive…

a. Astral TR1 Loop $125 For hikes with lots of stream crossings, protect your feet with this full-coverage shoe. The recycled-polyester mesh upper cradles the foot and dries quickly. It’ll pass for a casual sneaker when you head into town, but the five-millimeter lugged tread is hardcore enough to handle any adventure. b. Teva Hurricane Verge $80 The Verge pairs a robust and rugged EVA foam footbed with an adjustable cross-strap upper to keep your foot locked in. The polyester webbing is lined with lightweight padded mesh to dry fast and prevent chafing. Our favorite part: unclip the buckle to free your feet without undoing the fit. c. Ecco X-Trinsic $100 This is a performance sport sandal you won’t want to take off after the expedition is over. Its shock-absorbent footbed is supportive and prevents…

For a few years prior to 1980, twin fins were the gold standard for performance surfing. But they were left behind for progressive and competitive surfing when the three-fin thruster—which generally offers greater control—debuted that year. There have since been many modern iterations of the twin. But when freesurfer Parker Coffin asked boardmaker Channel Islands to meld two of his favorite designs from the brand, something magical happened. “The FishBeard is all I want to ride,” Coffin says. “Frontside, backside, small waves, big waves, reef breaks, beach break. It makes every other board not as fun.” I tested a stock FishBeard $720 (5'6" by 19" by 25/16") in San Diego and quickly fell in love. The thinner width above the front foot (compared with a traditional twin’s) allows for precision surfing, while…

MEN’S FISHING a. Howler Brothers Shoalwater tech pants $99 With articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, cinchable ankles, and seven pockets, these pants are armor for long, brushy walks. b. Simms Flyweight Stockingfoot waders $550 Stretchy Gore-Tex in the crotch and upper thighs makes the Flyweight perfect for hiking into untouched waters. A 5.11 hex grid on the chest integrates with accessories like mounts for bottles ($30) and fly pods ($80). c. Greys GR80 9-Foot 5-Weight Streamflex fly rod $376 High-modulus graphite rods under $500 are rare. This versatile nine-footer boasts a five-weight line and medium-fast action. d. Airflo Superflo Universal Taper fly line $100 This taper excels on small to medium waters and even launches big drys. A polyurethane coating, thin running line, and low-stretch core let you reach bankside sippers easily. e. Ross Colorado reel $335 Ross’s classic click-and-pawl…