Last September, as the season’s first snow was beginning to coat Denver, I went down to my basement to start pulling out my winter layers. I had packed away the heavy-duty stuff in a Rubbermaid tub, buried underneath boxes of books and holiday decorations. As soon as I opened the box, the scent hit me […]

There’s nothing quite as freeing as taking a naked hike through nature. Unfortunately, nude hiking is forbidden according to many state and local laws. Inconsistent regulations, coupled with cultural biases against nudity, make naked hiking extremely challenging to navigate, leaving this niche community somewhat lost in the woods.  But Bear Naked Granola believes people should […]

Here are the products that let us stay cool in the heat, get our flow on, and led us to sweet success during a bike race in the month of June. (Photo: Courtesy Velocio) Velocio CONCEPT SE Jersey ($199) and CONCEPT Bib Short ($309) A rule of thumb in competitive cycling is to never use […]

Runners need more help than ever wading through the bewildering array of footwear choices and finding the right shoes for them. Gone are the convenient categories of yore: neutral, stability, and motion control—and good riddance, as science has shown they don’t do what they had promised. But what we’re left with is vague advice: find […]

If you’ve felt lately that the world of lightweight rain gear has gotten more confusing than ever, you’re not alone. There have been a lot of shakeups in the industry lately, including stricter environmental standards, supply-chain woes, and substandard performance. One brand manager told me point-blank that rain jackets have become less durable and breathable […]

Camping is expensive. If you want to be comfortable while sleeping outside, it requires a monetary investment on some level. But how much should you spend? A good car-camping tent can cost several hundred dollars alone, which can be a barrier to entry for some families that want to try the activity for the first […]

When planning your first car camping trip, there are mandatory gear essentials like a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent, that are even doubly important when you have a family. Then, there are the nice-to-have items that elevate the experience, making it easier and more fun to spend time in the Great Outdoors. Whether you […]

In the heat of summer, having apparel that keeps me comfortable helps motivate me to get out the door. I can’t always head to the high country above my home in Boulder, Colorado to run in the cool mountain air and jump in alpine lakes. And since I’m somewhat lazy and work from home, I […]

It’s an absolutely thrilling time to be a runner, if I may say so without sounding too much like a complete shoe geek. We are in a golden era of running shoes. Besides exciting advancements in the foams and carbon-fiber plates of supershoes, there’s been an insurgence of brands entering the trail shoe market. Companies […]

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or fitness enthusiast, recovery after exercise is just as important as your training. Optimizing recovery helps you minimize injuries and train at your highest level—and enjoy being active even more. Yes, rest and sleep contribute to recovery, but what you consume post-workout also has a huge impact. Set yourself up […]