Waxed Cotton—the Original Waterproof-Breathable—Works
> Cotton kills. But the reason why it’s the absolute worst material for outdoor clothing is also what enables it to be one of the best. Here’s why it could replace Gore-Tex in your gear closet. Long story short, cotton…
Climbing to a Better Life for Seattle's Refugees
> On a recent Wednesday afternoon in Seattle, a van stopped before the Vertical World climbing gym, in an industrial part of the city. A group of kids—from elementary schoolers through high schoolers—tumbled from the vehicle and headed inside. It was…
We Can Make Everest Safer. Too Bad No One's Trying.
> Early this winter,the hundreds of climbers making plans for spring-summit attempts on Mount Everest suddenly faced a new set of rules. In December, the Nepalese government decreed that it would no longer issue permits to blind, solo, or double-amputee…
The Best Road-Ready Music Gear
We put together this list of seven essentials for keeping the groove going no matter where you are A little music at just the right moment can take the edge off tedium and improve mood, even just by canceling out an annoying…
9 Seasonal Foods Athletes Should Load Up on This Fall
Everyone loves pumpkins, squash, and apples—but these lower-profile ingredients taste great and boost performance Fall is prime harvest season. Dishes take on a comfort-food feel, your local farmers’ market carries the year’s best bounty, and the produce packs in vitamins…
How Racing for Money Can Mess with Your Head
A cycling study finds that the lure of a reward throws off pacing instincts There’s a classic study from the 1980s in which researchers asked volunteers to hold a wall sit until they collapsed and paid them based on how…
Stop Driving Your Kids to School
Want to change people’s minds about cycling? Start with the school drop-off and go from there. I am the father of a child who's almost three years old, and most mornings, I take him to his preschool by bicycle, just…
Our Favorite Sunglasses for Every Activity
> When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we earn an affiliate commission that helps pay for our work. Read more about Outside’s affiliate policy. No accessory is as essential for summer, especially in sunny New…
The California International Marathon Is Made for PRs
It’s a perfect cocktail of a fast course, good weather, and dedicated runners Last year, I wrote a story about the decline of the competitive amateur marathoner in the U.S. Using the 100th place finisher in the Boston and New…
8 Pieces of Bike Gear to Keep You Safe on Your Commute
> When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we earn an affiliate commission that helps pay for our work. Read more about Outside’s affiliate policy. May weather means it’s time to leave the car at home…