Outside November 2021

The Case for Wanderlust As I write this, it’s late August, the Delta variant is raging through the U.S., and here in New Mexico, another mask mandate has gone into effect, requiring everyone to once again cover their faces in public indoor spaces. Like most of you, I was vaccinated last spring, and afterward I enjoyed a summer in which the world reopened and seemed to return to a blissfully abnormal sense of normalcy. Now it feels like we’re back where we started. In fact, a colleague recently posed a question that gave me an immediate—and depressing—sense of déjà vu: Should we still go ahead with this issue’s annual Best Trips coverage, considering everything that’s happening in the country and around the world? The first time we wrestled with that question, in…

THERE’S NICK Offerman the actor, best known for playing the mustached, hard-ass libertarian Ron Swanson on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. There’s Nick Offerman the woodworker, who runs a shop in East Los Angeles that crafts custom furniture and the occasional canoe. And there’s Nick Offerman the author, whose latest book recounts a number of real-life adventures while making a convincing case that we need to consume less stuff (shoes, fast food, social media), read more environmental literature (Wendell Berry, Aldo Leopold), and spend as much time as possible exploring wilderness (or at least roaming our neighborhoods). This is about what you’d expect, given the book’s title, Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside ($28, Dutton). Offerman, 51,…

A. Buff Merino Lightweight neck gaiter $29 This gauzy neck tube can function as a sweatband on ascents, an ear warmer in windy weather, and a face mask on the downhill—yet it’s small enough to tuck into a pocket. B. Marker Duke PT 12 bindings $700 The first touring binding that skis as well as a dedicated alpine model, the Marker Duke PT is burly enough for hardpack turns, with a no-compromise heel and a lateral toe release to prevent injury. For the uphill, lift the toeplate to reveal a tech binding. C. FW Manifest Tour 3L jacket $550 The Manifest Tour pairs supple waterproof-breathable fabric with features like torso vents that dump heat and provide access to interior drop pockets. The nose-high collar protects your face even if the hood is tucked away. (Men’s…

A. Haglöfs Touring Mid jacket $140 Haglöfs stitched this 14.8-ounce full-zip layer with two kinds of ultra-breathable Polartec insulation and wicking stretch panels in the armpits, resulting in a garment that’s both breezy on short hikes and toasty under a shell on descents. (Men’s S–XXL; women’s XS–XXL) B. Union Travis Rice Falcor bindings $370 Union’s collab with freerider Travis Rice introduced reinforced ratchets and ankle straps, boosting durability and responsiveness. The highback’s Y-shaped carbon strut reduces weight while adding power and pop. C. Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex Insulated pants $449 Ideal for wet and powdery conditions, these warm, weatherproof pants feature PrimaLoft insulation and two layers of Gore-Tex. A pocket on the right thigh keeps devices safe. (Men’s S–XXL; women’s XS–XL) D. Suunto 9 Peak watch $699 This titanium-frame, mountain-ready smartwatch weighs just 1.8 ounces. Its snow-sports setting…

A. Columbia Bugaboot Celsius Plus $150 Columbia’s line of cold-weather classics has a new modern, sporty look. But don’t worry: this Bugaboot hasn’t lost its technical chops. A hefty 400 grams of insulation, coupled with the brand’s heat-reflecting liner, keeps feet toasty, while the wet-surface-specific tread pattern and sole compound lend stability on winter jaunts. With responsive foam in the midsole, it’s our favorite for exploring town, tackling trails, and shoveling the driveway. B. Merrell Cloud Mid Polar $120 Boots billed as winter hikers are often overbuilt, leaving them feeling like cement blocks. Not so with the aptly named Cloud. Weighing only 11 ounces per shoe and designed with 100 grams of insulation and a waterproof-breathable membrane, this is a great pick for cold, wet outings, yet it won’t overheat on milder days.…

A. Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down jacket $250 This 14-ounce, slim-fitting jacket has you covered. A DWR finish shields you from the elements, while 800-fill down keeps you toasty. (Men’s S–XXL; women’s XS–XL) B. Therm-a-Rest Lite seat $25 A self-inflating perch bolstered by hardy foam and 50-denier polyester, this feels like a small luxury when making a repair or waiting for a tow truck. C. Hydro Flask mug $30 This 24-ounce mug will help you nurse your caffeine addiction and avoid single-use waste. Double-wall vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot, and the slide-open lid resists spills. D. Kahtoola Exospikes $60 Tackle icy or muddy terrain with these versatile shoe spikes. Lightweight, durable TPU grips uneven surfaces, and the harness stretches without breaking in temperatures down to minus 22 degrees. E. Maxtrax Mini recovery boards $199 A good set of tire-traction ramps…