Spadout http://www.spadout.com/spadlab/ Outdoor gear articles, tests and reviews by Spadout.com en-us An enhancement to cycling shorts, bibs are like sleek microfiber suspenders. People either love them... Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/to-bib-or-not-to-bib-that-is-the-question/ Avalanches are the most complex aspect of mountain environments. Knowing when the snowpack is unstab... Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/red-flags-scoping-unstable-snowpack/ Last week you saw Timmy O'Neill as a loud, camera & fanny-pack toting tourist; then wielding a b... Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/timmy/ Many mainstay ice screw models have been refined by their manufacturers to afford today's waterfall ... Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/frozen-geometry-ice-screws/ When bridging the gap between fall and spring, it's important to understand that our bodies respond ... Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/thermoregulation-for-winter-riding/ I've vowed to do more backcountry skiing, but not until I properly educate myself on the necessary s... Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/floating-for-your-life/ Travel to Scotland with Timmy O'Neill in the premiere episode of our new series. Watch as Timmy turn... Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/timmy/ All carabiners designed for climbing have similar safety ratings and aim to simplify systems and saf... Mon, 9 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/forging-why-it-s-hot/ As a writer, I can appreciate that the word embrocation does double duty - it means both the act of ... Fri, 6 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/should-you-embrocate/ Backcountry skiing 10,000 vertical feet in one day requires serious climbing power; thus you'll want... Wed, 4 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/unorthodox-skins/ Avoiding bad experiences requires good judgment. The irony is that good judgment is usually gained t... Mon, 2 Nov 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/a/judgment-day-on-mt-rainier/ At first glance, bicycles with hub gears can look like singlespeeds; however, the magic happens at t... Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/hub-gears-the-rocket-science-of-pedaling/ For all the advances in gear, one clear, "last great problem" remains for the seriou... Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/chasing-the-holy-grail-winter-climbing-s-glove-pro/ Spadout.com and Timmy O'Neill have joined forces to bring you an action-packed weekly series that fo... Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/timmy/ Whether you're a backpacker, skier, climber or runner, being active means being on your feet. And th... Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/biomech-whatics-preventing-pain-with-insoles/ No matter how burly we think we are, sometimes it's just impossible to get outdoors to ride during t... Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/riding-indoors-a-guide-to-trainers/ Succeeding on a big day of skiing summits, passes, and descents in new country doesn't come from ran... Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/office-time-before-play-time-tour-planning/ Ice climbers and alpinists usually take great care of their crampons, ice tools, and other hardware,... Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/gearing-up-for-winter-s-wetness/ Knowing how a shock works lets you choose the right one for your riding style, tune it to your weigh... Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/understanding-mtb-shocks/ The core is the most important part of a ski - so what are the advantages and disadvantages of diffe... Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-heart-and-soul-of-skis/ Each shoe is designed with a different balance for performance. This article, the last in a series, ... Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-climbing-shoe-quiver-part-iv-crack/ When it comes to studded tires for winter biking there are two options: buy or make. Buying is the e... Fri, 9 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/winter-bicycling-how-to-keep-the-rubber-side-down/ Wearing an avalanche beacon increases your odds of surviving an avalanche burial, if you and your pa... Wed, 7 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/staying-safe-with-3-antenna-avalanche-beacons/ Climbing in the cold isn't easy; it requires specific gear, strategy, and most of all, motivation. H... Mon, 5 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/forget-frozen-fingers-ten-tips-to-keep-you-rock-cl/ Fall is upon us, the advent of six months of icky cycling weather. Cleaning your bike becomes critic... Fri, 2 Oct 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/rub-a-dub-dub-get-your-bike-in-the-tub/ Ski construction techniques may sound complicated based on their product descriptions, but if you ca... Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/ski-construction-a-trip-to-the-deli/ The difference between bragging rights and a 30-foot whipper may literally come down to millimeters;... Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/masters-of-wide-extended-range-cams/ Night riding is like skinny dipping; sometimes you just need to spice it up a bit. After dark, off-r... Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/spice-it-up-night-riding/ While most adhere to winter Leave No Trace rules, backcountry skiers venture into atypical terrain w... Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/pure-white-snow/ Each shoe is designed with a different balance for performance. This article, the third in a series,... Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-climbing-shoe-quiver-part-iii-steep/ "In the critical dimensions for cycling, the difference between the average U.S. male and fe... Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/does-gender-matter-when-fitting-a-bike/ Compression apparel manufacturers claim huge benefits, and while I knew a pair of tights wouldn't do... Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/impressions-of-compression-tights/ A Removable Bolt is a temporary anchor with minimal impact that has caught on with savvy sport climb... Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-rbs/ People often equate the term 'ultralight' with suffering. However, backcountry adventures on two whe... Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/bike-packing-human-powered-adventure/ You've probably heard the local gear clerk tossing around the term 'R-value' when talking about slee... Wed, 9 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/pad-to-the-bone/ As long as your normal alpine partner won't get jealous, inviting a third along on your next route c... Mon, 7 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/triple-play-alpine-style/ No one ever talks about brakes unless they're not working, or worse, rubbing. So let's talk about yo... Fri, 4 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/let-s-talk-about-brakes/ At the beginning of each backcountry ski season we get rudely awakened with screaming quad muscles, ... Wed, 2 Sep 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/preparing-for-the-backcountry-ski-season/ Whether learning how to jam cracks or cruising 5.13 testpieces, tape gloves will prevent the back of... Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-world-s-best-tape-glove/ Most know Chris McNamara for his high altitude adventures, but what they don't know of is the stagge... Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/a-conversation-with-mr-supertopo/ Welcome to the singlespeed revolution. In the spirit of reduce, reuse, and recycle, it's time to los... Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/join-the-revolution-build-a-singlespeed/ Each shoe is designed with a different balance for performance. This article, the second in a series... Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-climbing-shoe-quiver-part-ii-slab/ Drop seatposts give you full height to pedal and get out of your way for descents without the need t... Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/a-case-of-drop-seatposts/ For ski mountaineering I began using skinnier, shorter, and lighter cordelette. However, these don't... Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/cordelettes-mini-ropes-for-big-anchors/ After recently returning from Borneo, Mark Synnott took time away from his busy schedule to discuss ... Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/a-conversation-with-mark-synnott/ If only there was something to extend the season, some type of biking that embraced the muddy, snowy... Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/anatomy-of-a-cyclocross-bike/ Don't let your shoes take on a life of their own - with a few steps of prevention, you can avoid the... Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/getting-de-funky/ Three teams in the Engineering Dept. at Northwestern University designed three new hydration bladder... Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/northwestern-university-develops-cold-weather-hydr/ For many, singlespeeds provide a means of transportation and economic development. For the rest of u... Fri, 7 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/singlespeed-pure-and-simple/ Mud riding is messy, hard on your bike, and a whole ton of fun. These homemade goodies take away som... Wed, 5 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/ghetto-fenders/ Back in the day, climbers were lucky if their harness had leg loops, let alone padding. Nowadays, cl... Mon, 3 Aug 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/going-light-developments-in-harness-construction/ Early into my first year of road bike racing, I increased my average speed by 2 mph overnight. That'... Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/it-s-the-shoes-top-5-reasons-why-high-end-cycling-/ Anyone can ride fast through a rock garden and hang on tight, but it takes serious skill to go pinni... Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/railing-the-corners/ Each shoe is designed with a different balance for performance. This article, the first in a series,... Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-climbing-shoe-quiver-part-i-alpine/ Wet chain lube is no less controversial than the dry variety, and everyone has their favorite. Whate... Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/oil-or-grease/ Buying new biking gear is a slippery slope, isn't it? I'm proud to say that the pricey gear skeptic... Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-skinny-on-padded-butts/ Many climbers don't bother with a dedicated personal tether; they just grab a couple of slings off t... Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/a-look-at-individual-anchoring-tethers/ DH and freeride bikes aren't exactly built with easy transport in mind. You can't carry them on stan... Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/racking-up-the-big-bikes/ Photochromatic technology is where lenses in eyewear adjust their tint based upon the given light. O... Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/best-of-both-worlds/ Learning how to climb in low-performance shoes - which is exactly what beginner shoes are - is akin ... Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/starting-off-on-the-right-foot/ Nobody likes a whiner; particularly on rides when you're in it for the long haul. So when Ryan start... Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/getting-a-grip-on-handlebar-hang-ups/ Saddlebags are a common mountain-rappelling technique where the first rappeller carries the rope on ... Wed, 8 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/rappelling-with-big-mountain-saddlebags/ As the number of carabiners in tow easily eclipsed the total quantity of any other single item I had... Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/get-used-to-the-clink/ Chain maintenance is all about experimentation, especially when it comes to 'dry' lubrication. Like ... Fri, 3 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/waxing-chains-the-dry-way/ Andy Hampsten has done just about everything a person can do in the world of cycling ... though he's... Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/a-lifer-andy-hampsten/ Today's rock climbing shoes evolved from mountaineering boots and have, over the last few decades, b... Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/climbing-shoe-news-turning-it-down/ Equipment that reduces drag. Thats a claim with the potential to feed a lot of marketing scams. What... Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/aerodynamics-and-you/ When shopping for your new down sleeping bag keep in mind your end goals - and remember that not all... Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/all-feathers-don-t-flock-together/ While it’s undeniable that cams have made an important contribution to climbing protection... Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/old-school-the-fine-art-of-nutcraft/ One of my first experiences transporting cargo with a BOB trailer ended in disaster. It starts with ... Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/asphalt-sampling-learning-how-to-pack-a-bob-traile/ It's easy to look down at your boards and take them for granted, but where did that design come from... Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/ski-design-from-old-wooden-to-fat-light/ Climbers, for all their obsessions with gear, exhibit uncharacteristic apathy when it comes to their... Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/beneath-the-sheath/ Good pro can mean the difference between getting back on your bike or getting lifted onto a stretche... Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/mtb-armor-how-to-walk-away-from-a-crash/ There are few sounds that I cherish more than the roar of a burning stove. Knowing that the warmth i... Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/canister-stoves-in-the-cold/ A huge proportion of climbing epics happen on the rappel descent. Study the descent in advance -- it... Mon, 8 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/multi-pitch-efficiency-rappel-descents/ From a gear perspective, you don't hear much about saddles. But doesn't the piece of equipment that'... Fri, 5 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/saddle-up-partner/ After crash pad prototypes jumped on the scene in the mid-1990s, they not only made bouldering safer... Wed, 3 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/crash-test-dummy/ When I'm in the shower with a razor and cream I'm an artist, and my legs are the canvas. I'm not muc... Mon, 1 Jun 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-ethics-of-using-a-rubber-kneepad/ With over 350,000 bicycle thefts in the US each year, it would seem only a matter of time before som... Fri, 29 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/zen-and-the-art-of-bike-security/ When going into the backcountry, there are two extremes: taking everything and the kitchen sink, or ... Wed, 27 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/naked-in-the-woods/ While attempting to hack my way up the steep mixed terrain of Pont Rouge, I found myself something o... Mon, 25 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/to-leash-or-not-to-leash/ The combination of cassette and crankset makes up the range of available gears on a bike. Gears beco... Fri, 22 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/cranking-in-the-alps/ There are some obvious, and some not so obvious, differences between tents with one wall or two. Dep... Wed, 20 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/would-you-like-one-wall-or-two/ All sorts of radical speed climbing antics exist, but simul-climbing is a relatively common way to b... Mon, 18 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/simul-climbing-the-upshot-of-downsizing-big-routes/ My experience with solar technology has been an interesting experiment. I thought using a solar pane... Fri, 15 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/solar-powered-people/ Assembling the ultimate winter bouldering kit is the difference between having an enjoyable day vers... Wed, 13 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/conquer-the-cold-when-winter-bouldering/ Training for big climbs shouldn't be stressful -- just be prepared. Moving over thousands of feet of... Mon, 11 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/multi-pitch-efficiency-preparing-for-big-routes/ Long-travel suspension soaks up big bumps and massive drops, but its weight makes your ride slow and... Fri, 8 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/big-bike-diet/ When hunting down the perfect shell, make sure you're comparing like with like. Consider two things ... Wed, 6 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/one-trip-wonder-shell/ Discovering your partner's climbing ignorance is important and usually no problem ... if everyone is... Mon, 4 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/avoiding-death-how-to-size-up-your-new-climbing-pa/ Consider that consumers will never see the inside of their bike frame. Isn't it then possible for ma... Fri, 1 May 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/is-all-carbon-fiber-created-equal/ Long ago, I found "Running Talus" by Doug Robinson in the 1975 Chouinard Equipment c... Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/running-talus-revisited/ There it was again, that gut-wrenching feeling when you realize you're a long way from home and have... Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/do-it-yourself-anti-balling-plates/ Ever since the Germans strode past the step-cutting Austrians en route to the first ascent of the Ei... Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-evolution-of-crampons/ After seven days of climbing in Spain, I was stoked for a rest. As I strode into the local bar and w... Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/protect-your-base/ Mounting and dismounting tires can be a pain whether done in the comfort of your garage or because o... Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/don-t-fear-the-flat/ As I picked up speed on the slopes, I was confronted with every skier's rite of passage: "Wh... Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-revised-skier-scale/ A brief look at some of the major improvements in gear and climbing techniques that have evolved sin... Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/big-wall-gear-then-and-now/ A couple summers ago, I was plagued by flat tires. The solution was obvious: switch to tubeless tire... Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/ghetto-tubeless-say-goodbye-to-pinchflats/ As a financially-challenged (read: cheap) student and outdoor addict, I'm known to take extreme cost... Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/tyvek-getting-creative-with-free-gear/ About 25 feet up the frozen waterfall, I stop to place an ice screw. I grab a screw and try to crank... Wed, 8 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/blunt-talk/ While pedaling my way throughout the world on a 14-month bicycle tour, I came to understand the impo... Mon, 6 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/my-everything-bag/ With a bit of engineering and sacrifice, I spent half a year living out of my tiny car. Try some of ... Fri, 3 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/no-truck-no-van-how-to-turn-your-economy-car-into-/ Just at the top of El Capitan, my partner let out a scream as he came whipping over the horizon. He'... Wed, 1 Apr 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/hauling-ass-with-hans/ There's more than one way to salvage crappy snow days, but the most effective is the mountain grill ... Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/slopeside-grilling-kielbasa-or-skiing-yes/ When you're slopeside in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, avalanche training might not be enough. Learn the ar... Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/safe-and-found/ It's 5:30 on a -3 degree New Hampshire morning. I'm going rock climbing ... in ice gear. It wasn't s... Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/the-right-tool-for-the-wrong-job/ In 2005, when I was part of a team attempting to climb Alaska's Mt. Marcus Baker (13,176 ft), one pi... Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/more-than-just-a-probe/ We had just paid our toll to the pirates of the Andaman Sea near the pristine island Laoliang off th... Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/how-to-get-high-and-stay-dry-while-deep-water-solo/ Soon after I started climbing, a buddy and I threw ourselves at a long alpine rock classic. Armed wi... Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/multi-pitch-efficiency-the-belay-station/ Everyone says that if you race road bikes, sooner or later, youre going to eat pavement. What they n... Mon, 9 Mar 2009 12:01:01 CDT http://www.spadout.com/a/embracing-helmet-head-in-road-racing/ Though today's lightweight backpacking stoves might remind you more of a bunsen burner than what's i... Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/backpacking-stove-test/ Though they won't win a culinary award, dehydrated backpacking meals are staples for most serious ba... Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/backpacking-food-test/ When your insatiable climbing obsession takes you out to ice cold peaks, your numb hands will be gra... Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/ice-screw-test/ Believe it or not, there is a little more to a hydration bladder than whether or not it can be run o... Mon, 5 Jan 2009 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/hydration-bladder-test/ Chalk is like oil for your car. Sure they all work but if you want optimal performance you've got to... Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/climbing-chalk-test/ More than a dozen "tube style" belay devices are on the market. Each device is safe,... Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/belay-device-friction-test/ Climbers love to debate about which rubber is the stickiest. The problem is who really wants to dest... Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/climbing-rubber-test/ Testers from Spadout ski the newest and coolest skis every year so we can give our readers a good id... Mon, 8 Dec 2008 12:01:01 CST http://www.spadout.com/r/ski-test-2009/