REI.com has been one of the most stagnant online presences in the outdoor industry. I’m all for sticking with what works, but REI.com was stuck in ugly land for a long time. I’ve wondered for years why it hasn’t been updated. Honestly, I can’t remember when it was updated last, but it’s been over 5 years, which is an eternity in the online world.

Well, say old and crusty no more because REI.com has entered the modern eCommerce age with a clean and easy-to-use shopping site. I’m not sure if they can keep up with the rampant pace that Backcountry.com keeps to ensure their Web site is clean, fresh and optimized, but I like the changes I’ve seen and we can all hope that they only continue to improve things. (more…)

Every folding bike I’ve seen has been a sorry excuse for a real bike… more like something out of the back pages of Popular Mechanics magazine. Heavy, awkward and questionable durability all come to mind when I think of travel-friendly, folding bikes–not something I would spend money on or even think about actually riding.

Thanks to the engineers at Ritchey (who know a thing or two about bikes), those negative perceptions are about to change. Their Break-Away line of travel bikes are built to match the ride characteristics of non-travel bikes. What’s amazing is that these frames can be disassembled in minutes and stuffed into a 9 x 26 x 29-inch travel bag! At that size, it’s TSA-friendly and also compact rental-car friendly. (more…)

Looking for a lightweight pullover to take the chill off those early-morning trail runs or trail rides? Yeah, you could bust out your 3-layer GoreTex shell and call it good, but that’s kind of like showing up at a BMX track with a Honda CR250 motocross bike. Yeah, you could do it, but it’s not quite the right tool for the job.

There’s no doubt that Arc’teryx is one of the premiere clothing and gear companies for skiers, climbers, mountaineers and backpackers. Their gear is bomber and they aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo in design and materials. Take the Arc’teryx Sidewinder Jacket, for example, the ergonomic zipper location is not only easier to zip up/down, it keeps that pesky hard plastic or metal zipper away from the the soft, fleshy material on my chin that most people call skin. Well, in cold weather, the chin can take a beating with standard zippers. The Sidewinder eliminates that.

Along those same lines is the super-flexible Arc’teryx Accelero Jacket. It’s super simple and lightweight, but it also has a few key features making it much better than the Grateful Dead hoodie you like so much. I know… it’s hard to ditch the hoodie, but trust me, it will be worth it.

Here are a few highlights:

• Dry Web Fabric: Breathable stretch polyester double-weave with bamboo charcoal next to the skin
• Laminated side pocket with headphone port
• Non-locking 3/4 length zipper
• Reflective logo and piping
• Stretch-woven cuffs
• MSRP: $98.95

Quick Review of the Arc’teryx Accelero Jacket

I’ve been able to use this jacket on a few cool-weather trail runs and I really like it. It’s comfortable against the skin and breathes extremely well. Because it breathes so well, it’s not 100% windproof, but will block out the wind in all but gale-force winds. The fabric has just the right amount of stretch with nylon cuffs instead of elastic to reduce the bulk and add to the overall comfort. I think I could have gone with a size medium, but the large still fits nicely without being too baggy. A couple of reflective trim pieces will keep you noticed in the early-morning hours.

A great, lightweight and packable shell that can be stuffed just about anywhere and pulled out in a pinch. The Accelero Jacket is perfect for trail running or mountain biking where breathability is key. I’ve also used it backcountry skiing–it’s great for the uphill slog when there’s just a tad bit of a nip in the air.

The only negative I’ve noticed thus far is that every time I pull it off, the zipper tends to grab my nose. I’ve since learned how to take it off without ripping the end of my schnoz.

Good Accelero

• Extremely soft to the skin
• Dual-fabric sleeve cuffs are comfy
• Material blocks wind while remaining super-breathable
• Non-locking zipper makes for quick ventilation adjustments

Bad Accelero

• I got it too large… Should have gone with Medium (5′11″ – 175 lbs)
• Small key pocket has minimal value

Buy Now: Search for the Arc’teryx Accelero Jacket

As much as we all love the outdoors and outdoor gear, I know that many of you have to work like a regular Joe. Me too. That’s why I love any minute that I can get out on a bike or on my skis to try out some cool outdoor gear. But I also enjoy my work, which happens to involve lots of internet technology and tech gear. So I can’t help but be excited about new tech gear that comes out — like the Microsoft Touchwall (built on Plex) that was announced by Bill Gates today at the Microsoft CEO Summit.

The Microsoft Touchwall is a multi-touch display that reminds me of Minority Report. You know how Tom Cruise has that multi-touch display? Well that’s what the Microsoft Touchwall reminds me of — a drag and drop wall display like Minority Report, but from Microsoft. The best part about it? The Touchwall’s hardware gear only costs a couple hundred dollars. But don’t pull out your wallet yet — it isn’t quite ready to be sold yet. (more…)

Niner Bikes came on the scene a few years ago building nothing but 29-inch wheel mountain bikes. If you haven’t seen the latest crop of 29er bikes, then you must have been hiding under a rock over the past couple of seasons. What was once only a “fad” adopted by fringe mountain bikers and single-speeds is now becoming mainstream and even adopted by most major manufacturers.

But, some dedicated 29er companies, like Niner Bikes, are flourishing and there’s no wonder why. Niner Bikes are built with passion and experience. The founders have tons of experience and drive in the bike industry and have brought that to the table with their stellar lineup. The superstar of that lineup is definitely the Niner RIP 9 full-suspension 29-er mountain bike.

Unlike most 29ers, the RIP 9 boasts 4.5 inches of travel. This is well beyond what’s offered by most manufacturers. With a carefully designed rear triangle and CVA™ suspension design, the RIP 9 gives new meaning to the word plush as it plows over small bumps without flinching, then climbs and descends with the best all-mountain bikes on the market today.

Niner RIP 9 Quick Review

I had a chance to ride the Niner RIP 9 at Interbike last fall and all I can say is WOW! This bike has won accolades from most of the major publications and I add my approval to the mix as this is truly one of the finest mountain bikes on the market today. It climbs extremely well and descends with smoothness not found on other bikes in its class.

If you are considering a new bike and want something different and mind-blowing, consider getting a Niner RIP 9 frameset and building out the new bike of your dreams. 29ers are for real and Niner doesn’t mess around. These guys know their stuff and their bikes show it.

Read my full review of the Niner RIP 9 at FeedTheHabit.com.

Specs on the Niner RIP 9:

• 4.5 inches of travel
• CVA™ suspension design provides smooth ups and downs
• Sealed cartridge bearings at all pivots
• Sizes: 16, 18, 20 , 22
• Shock: Fox RP23
• Weight: 6.51 lbs
• MSRP: $1649

Buy Now: Buy a Niner RIP 9 at WrenchScience.com

So, it’s taken a few months, but I’m starting to really dig the new Subaru Impreza body style for 2008. The old body style with the aggressive “love it or hate it” front end styling has been replaced by a more subdued and perhaps somewhat boring front end. Yeah, it’s got some good and bad attributes, but I think I can appreciate more now.

The wagon-esque style has now been replaced with more of a hatchback look. Overall size has increased and interior room expanded as well. Fuel efficiency isn’t world-class, but it’s still respectable at 27 mpg highway–especially considering the Outback Sport has Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive and weighs much more than comparable front-wheel-drive vehicles. (more…)

I started backpacking as a Boy Scout when I was 11 years old–this was in 1986. At that time, I doubt there was a single high-end backpack in existence that was specifically built for a youth’s frame. I specifically remember everyone giving me a hard time as I hiked around with a huge frame pack. Then, when I upgraded to an internal frame pack in my mid-teens, that pack was still HUGE on me.

It’s been a long time coming, but Osprey seems to have all their ducks in a row to provide high-quality backpacks for kids from 8-16 years old. These aren’t simply scaled down adult models, they are specifically built around a child’s body. In fact, they have engaged with Spine Colorado as an independent contractor to design and test the Sprint Series packs. Spine Colorado currently acts as a regional center of excellence for back and neck problems, and receives the most complex cases of back and neck pain from across the state of Colorado.

Needless to say, the Osprey Sprint Series has been tested and approved by Spine Colorado to be the best-fitting and the safest packs for kids.

The Sprint Series is comprised of three pack sizes best suited for children between the ages of 8 and 16. Each pack offers five inches of torso adjustability. (more…)

Whenever I travel outside of the borders of the good ol’ US of A, I can’t help but notice that most wallets are inadequate to carry all the things you need. That velcro VANS wallet that you usually carry? Won’t carry a Passport very well, will it? How about saving receipts and carrying boarding passes all in one location? Nope. That’s where the REI Travel Wallet and Travel Document Organizer becomes a real cherished piece of gear.

The REI Travel Wallet is about the dimensions of a paperback book, but much thinner. While that won’t fit into your pocket, it is slim enough to slide into your bags quite easily. (more…)

The North Face Gotham jacket is a heater like no other — it is a puffy down jacket from The North Face that will keep even the most anemic girl warm on the coldest of days. I should know — I finally got my wife a gift she is stoked about!

Okay, okay — I’m not terrible but I do admit to sometimes getting her a gift that’s more for me than for her. Like that Flip video camera? I thought she’d love it — which she does, just not as much as she would have loved a spa treatment. Me on the other hand? I’m using that Flip video thing every time I go skiing with my little boy so I can pull it out of my pocket & shoot pics of him.

So this Mother’s Day, get that special mom in your life something that will keep her warm when winter rolls around next year. Heck, with the way it is STILL snowing here in Utah, she may be pulling it out right now! Snowbird is open until June with a 134″ base this year, by the way…. (more…)

I’ve long been a fan of Crank Brothers pedals. the Eggbeater design is far and away the simplest and most consistent clipless pedal platform I’ve used. Just look at the design… 4-sided entry with plenty of float and easily-cleaned design that sheds mud and dirt better than anything on the market.

On the market for a few years now, the Crank Brothers Candy C pedals provide that little extra platform for those “just in case” times when you can’t get completely clipped in. They aren’t as big and beefy as the larger and more DH-friendly Mallet or Acid pedal design, but they are perfect for all-around riding and even road riding.

After using the Crank Brothers Mallet C pedals for two seasons, I switched to the Candy’s because they are lighter and better for all-around riding. The design is small and light enough that I use them on both my mountain and road bikes. I like having the same type of platform regardless of the type of bike I’m riding, so these are a great crossover pedal. (more…)

Look, so we’re not Road and Track or even Consumer Reports, but can’t a guy salivate over a nice new set of wheels? Even more justified if it is a driving machine like a BMW. But, even more than that is when that particular BMW is the all-new BMW X6 xDrive35i Sports Activity Coupe.

Yeah, I know… with gas prices where they are, I shouldn’t even care about the 20 mpg X6, but I can’t keep my eyes off the thing. It’s like someone put a Subaru Outback sedan into the “make me sexy and make me drive like a sports car” machine, then added a much more usable hatchback rear end. Oh yeah, did I mention that it’s a BMW? (more…)

Not particularly known for their road bikes, Kona is more of a staple in freeride films and on the North Shore of Vancouver. Nonetheless, their road bike lineup offers an amazing value for what you’re getting. carbon forks or even full-carbon frames mated to top-notch parts specs at competitive price-points and you’ve got yourself the Kona road bike lineup.

The Kona Zing is the entry-level bike in the 4 bike lineup, which consists of the race-worthy, full-carbon King Zing, the still capable and still full-carbon Zing Deluxe, the competitive Zing and the old-school steel Kapu. Between all 4 bikes in the line, you’ve got full carbon, carbon/aluminum and full steel construction. I don’t know of any other major bike line that has so much variety in their framesets, so there’s something for everyone in this line. (more…)