I just had fun riding a Brompton. Actual, smile-inducing, adrenalin-fuelled fun, on a fold up bicycle. I’ve ridden many Bromptons and find them to be ingeniously portable feats of commuter engineering, but never especially fun. But here I am, careering along muddy forest paths, flying up hills and bouncing over tree roots … on a Brompton.
My grin comes courtesy of the new Brompton Electric G Line, the most radical redesign in the brand’s 50 year history. It’s still unmistakably a Brompton; it still folds to a third of its size, can be carried (just), and pushed around train stations and subways with ease. But instead of the usual asphalt-friendly, weight-saving 16-inch tires, the G Line has 20-inch cushy Schwalbe G-One tan wall tires. For all intents and purposes, it’s a big wheel folding all-terrain gravel bike.
A first-person view of the handlebars on the Brompton Electric G Line.
Photograph: Chris Haslam
The handlebars are wide, like a regular hybrid bike, and there are disc brakes (the first time on a Brompton) and a Shimano 4- or 8-speed gear system. It is available in electric and non-electric models, in Forest Green, Adventure Orange and Traildust White, both with and without rack and mudguards. There’s also a choice of small, medium and large sizes. With the standard Brompton you can choose the style and height of handlebars, and adjust the seat height accordingly, but with the G Line, the ergonomics are tweaked to offer better balance depending on your height. Just. Like. A. Regular. Bike.
Smooth Operator
I’ve been riding the Electric G Line for two weeks, and it just doesn’t handle like a Brompton. The wibble-wobble steering has gone, as has the bone-shaking ride over anything but smooth tarmac. London streets are not forgiving, but the G Line soaks up every bump with ease.
That’s only enhanced further by the 250-watt rear-mounted hub motor (15.5-mph limit), which pushes hard when needed and removes any effort on the flat. According to Brompton, the new motor was put through its paces on a 24/7 durability rig, with more than 20 motors going through a combined mileage of over 1,000,000 kilometers (62,137 miles).
I didn’t quite manage those numbers, but in real-world conditions, the motor kicks in smoothly and helps glide you along with minimal effort. There are three levels of power assistance, each impacting on the bike’s range, but for me, the mid-power option offers all the help I need, and makes for a fun ride—both on and off road.
The redesigned battery pack clips neatly into the front bracket, and offers 345 kWh of power and a range of 20–40 miles (30–60 kilometers). It ejects easily, and takes around four hours to fully charge. There’s also an app, and while it wasn’t ready for my pre-launch test, it will include over-the-air updates, power mode controls, distance tracking and battery life information.
On the Electric G Line, a nine-watt front light and one-watt rear light do a good job illuminating the road or trail ahead. There are mounting points on the elongated front set and forks for water bottle cages and packs, while the rear rack has ample space for more luggage. There’s also a range of luggage options, including generous satchels with battery storage built in. It will be interesting to see if this bike can carry enough for a bike packing or touring weekend.
Heavy Lifting
Until now, Brompton built bikes for cities. It has sold over a million since 1975, and the combination of teeny wheels and peerless folding mechanism makes them unbeatable for final-mile commuting. They also fold up small enough to be taken with you wherever you go. And they need to, because a Brompton chained up in London won’t stay chained up for long.
But the G Line isn’t designed for commuters; it’s built for trails, and while the ride off road is assured, well balanced, comfortable and stupid amounts of fun, the bike is heavier as a result. A small-frame eight-speed non-electric G Line Brompton weighs from 30.6 pounds (13.9 kilograms), which is six-and-a-half pounds (three kilos) heavier than a standard model (24.2 pounds / 11 kilograms). The standard electric model weighs from 36.6 pounds (16.6 kilograms), and the design I’ve been testing clocks in at 42.9 pounds (19.5 kilograms), including the battery.
Photograph: Chris Haslam
Photograph: Chris Haslam
That means carrying it for any length of time has the potential to be hernia-inducing, and makes the Electric G Line a chunk to carry up and down stairs. The way the folded frame is engineered means the weight is at least evenly distributed, but there’s no doubt that it’s heavy. Sensing this, Brompton has redesigned the rolling wheels to include bearings, making it significantly smoother to push (or pull) than a standard Brompton. If you are going to be taking your Electric G Line on public transport, be prepared to mix up carrying and wheeling to save your arms.
That said, for a folding electric bike, the Brompton’s weight is in line with the competition. The £2,899 Volt Lite weighs a little less (39.6 pounds / 18 kilograms with battery), as does the £1,299 ADO Air 20, although ADO does have a sensationally light Carbon model that weighs just 27.5 pounds (12.5 kilograms). None of these bikes fold as elegantly as the Brompton though, nor offer the same big bike ride experience.
A Blast to Ride
While still champions of the folding bike sector then, Brompton is playing catch up with the electric market. And while I’m not faulting the performance, the battery pack design feels something of an afterthought. I look forward to a purpose-built electric Brompton (in Titanium) when it happens though.
On first impression I thought the G Line was unacceptably bigger than a traditional Brompton. The tires are larger and wider, and the frame is chunkier, but when placed side-by-side (see photos below) there’s not really a huge amount in it—which is remarkable. I was worried about having to store the bike at home and take the G Line into an office or pub (see earlier comment about London) and while it is heavier to lift, I don’t think anyone will really notice much of a difference in small doses.
Photograph: Chris Haslam
Photograph: Chris Haslam
It is unquestionably the most capable Brompton ever built, and an absolute blast to ride, especially off-road. I’m keen to ride the lightest non-electric version too, and see if the eight-speed gearing and smaller wheels do enough for a serious gravel ride. I suspect it might, but whether it’s enough to tempt serious trail riders is another thing entirely.
Which brings us on to who precisely is the Brompton G Line for? It’s certainly a premium proposition, with pricing from £2,395 (my test version costs £3,495), but it is a Brompton, so many people won’t flinch at these prices. For comparison, the cheapest standard Brompton costs from £950, the lightest Titanium option costs from £4,250 and the flagship electric version, the P Line, costs from £3,695. So it’s in good company.
I suspect the all-terrain fun will tempt many existing fold-up riders off their tiny 16-inch wheels. There might be a compromise on weight, size and transportability, but the ride and handling is beyond comparison.
For the first time a fold-up bike has been as enjoyable to ride as a full-sized design, while still being able to fold down and fit in the trunk, or under the stairs. It’s a superb upgrade and should bring the brand to the attention of a whole new audience.
The first thing I noticed when taking the Lowrider out of the storage bag (which is much nicer than Bote’s older bags, more on that below) was the massive rear fin. It’s much longer than the detachable fin on the Breeze Aero, and by far the deepest fin I’ve seen on a paddleboard. A sailor friend of mine quipped, “That paddleboard has a draft.”
That deep fin makes the Lowrider track straighter, which means you aren’t constantly veering and correcting course as you paddle. Relative to the Breeze Aero and other boards I’ve used, there is far less side-to-side movement when paddling. The larger surface area of the fin also makes the board a bit more stable in rough water, especially when combined with the width of this board.
I’ve long wanted to do some multiday paddleboarding trips, and I’ve gone so far as to load up about three-quarters of my gear, only to decide it just wasn’t going to work. The Lowrider, however, is capable of such feats. I did not have time to actually do a trip, but I did load it up and paddle around. As you might expect, it was heavy, sat lower in the water, and was slow to turn, but it wasn’t that bad, especially if you put the seat on so you can switch back and forth between standing and sitting. It’s probably outside most people’s use cases, but if you’re a weirdo like me, know that this is probably your best bet for paddlepacking.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
The Lowrider Is a Little Higher
Speaking of the seats, they’re quite comfortable and stable. They can be attached in a variety of ways. There are three tie-down points on each side of the board, and the seats themselves have a strap that allows you to adjust the amount you’re lying back. They never get quite as upright as you’d be in a kayak, but I paddled several miles and had no back strain or other pain.
One thing to keep in mind if you’re a seasoned kayaker: You’re much higher on the water than you would be in a kayak. You aren’t going to want to paddle anything technical, but it’s still a stable, comfortable experience, and the board is plenty maneuverable. Cruising flat water, it was surprisingly fast and agile (for something this size), and the Lowrider didn’t blink even when I took it out in a 15-knot wind with pretty good chop. To my mind this is one of the best reasons to get a hybrid. On those rough days when you aren’t going to be standing up, you can still get out on the water.
“Besides price, most buyers ask me what makes one bike so much more expensive than another bike,” says Kevin Lau. “My typical answer is the type of drive/motor system and the components on the bike.” High-end bikes are vehicles, the same as high-end cars and motorcycles. They have more expensive components, with lighter, more durable materials, made with tighter tolerances and more precise machining.
$2,000 is about what we’d expect to spend on a durable, high-quality electric bike. However, if you don’t want to spend that much just to see if you can fit an electric bike into your lifestyle, we do have a selection of electric bikes for under $2,000.
Can You Lift an Ebike?
Photograph: SixThreeZero Bike Co.
If you’ve never ridden an ebike, it’s important to know that some ebikes are really heavy, like upwards of 50 pounds. “I’ve had so many people walk through the door who spend $3,000 or $4,000 for an e-bike and they aren’t strong enough to walk it up their apartment stairs or maneuver it around their garage,” says Oseland.
“For some customers, lifting the bike into a car or on a car rack may be a factor,” adds Lau. “Some bike racks aren’t strong enough to hold an e-bike.” Before Oseland will sell a customer an e-bike, he makes sure that they have a way to safely transport it. “If you have to lay your bike down in the car, you can wreck it.” With that said, electric bikes can be a safer way for many people with limited mobility to get around, and older riders can see enormous benefits from more exercise. We have selections for electric bikes for elderly riders here.
How Far Are You Planning to Ride?
The next major priority is addressing customer’s “range anxiety.” Range anxiety is the fear that the bike will run out of battery before the ride is over. Every bike has a stated range, but there are many factors that can increase or decrease it, says Lau, including the terrain, the air temperature, the rider’s weight, the smoothness of the tires, how much assistance the rider uses (most ebikes have at least three levels of assistance), and how large the battery is. When all these factors are considered, a typical ebike range can be anywhere from approximately 30 to 65 miles, Lau says.
Bosch, a premier ebike systems manufacturer, has an online ebike range calculator. Before any ride, cyclists can enter their weight, cadence, average speed, mileage, terrain, wind speed, and other factors to find out a near-exact approximation of how long their Bosch battery will last. Many electric bikes also have the option to add a double battery. This will double your range, but also increase the bike’s weight.
How Are You Going to Charge and Store the Battery?
Photograph: Adrienne So
In 2023, ebike battery fires resulted in 268 incidents, causing 150 injuries and 18 deaths, in New York City. In the early days of ebike manufacturing, many batteries were made overseas and the US did not have strict UL certification requirements. (UL certification is considered the safety gold standard; a third-party organization has independently verified that the battery meets local and federal safety standards.)
Overlanding, off-road touring, four-wheeling—whatever you call it, traveling America’s back roads, the real back roads, the ones that aren’t paved and are rarely maintained, is an almost guaranteed adventure. Overlanding will take you out there, whether it’s Arizona’s famed Senator Highway, remote beaches in Mexico’s Baja peninsula, or rolling across the Australian outback.
However you define it, you’re going to need more than an awesome rig. That’s why we put together this guide to all the overlanding gear you need to make sure you and your vehicle make it back safely. Get what you need and load up your old Jeep, Land Cruiser, tricked-out Tacoma, or full on Unimog and get out there.
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If I’m out and about and I don’t have a bag slung across my body, I feel naked and unprepared. It’s like venturing into a dungeon without any health potions. What if I need ChapStick? Did I bring ChapStick? How can I fit my phone, keys, and face mask all in the truncated pockets of my jeans? Where do I put the cool rock I just found? Extra storage capacity is essential to my everyday carry, and being able to swing the bag around to the front and grab anything I need is crucial. Backpacks are better for heavy loads or all-day trekking, but for lightweight everyday needs, the best messenger bags are hard to beat.
Updated September 2024: We have added a new favorite overall, the Topo Designs Global Briefcase, plus a pick from Filson. We also removed a few older bags and updated prices throughout.
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What Is a Messenger Bag?
A messenger bag … well, it carries messages. It’s the modern descendant of the rectangular satchels with crossbody straps used by early letter carriers and the back-slung bags used by modern bike messengers. That doesn’t mean manufacturers are all going to agree on what constitutes a messenger-style bag. I’ve seen the terms “satchel,” “briefcase bag,” and “laptop bag” all refer to the same style of bag. For our purposes, we’re using “messenger bag” and “crossbody bag” to mean a bag that has at least one strap long enough to carry it over one shoulder or across your body. Generally, these bags rest on your hip.
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Most people thinkI bike with my kids because I like exercise or because I want to combat climate change. Neither is true (or, the entire answer, at any rate). No, it’s just that sitting in pickup or drop-off lines in a car makes me want to yeet myself straight into the path of an oncoming 18-wheeler. Now that my kids are 7 and 9, and old enough to bike with me, it’s also much more fun to watch them hop curbs and swing their legs and shout, “We live in a jungle!” than it is, again, to wait for traffic lights to change.
The WIRED Gear team has many children, and we enlisted many of them to test these kids’ bikes on rides to school, on the trails, or around the park. These are our top picks for every age and size. Don’t see a bike for your kid here? Let us know, as we will continue to test and update these picks. And if you’re looking for a bike for yourself, check out our Best Electric Bikes, Best Cheap Ebikes, and Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Families guides.
Updated September 2024: We added the Early Rider Bella Velio, the Linus Lil Roadster, and the Cleary Meerkat, and added a slide on balance bikes. We also updated links and prices.
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How to Buy a Kids’ Bike
Bikes are expensive. It’s tempting to future-proof your purchase by buying a bike a size or two bigger, for your child to grow into. Do not fall into this trap! Not only is it uncomfortable, it’s unsafe. How would you expect to control a bike that was two sizes too big for you?
Sizing by age range is also risky; for example, my 9-year-old daughter is half the size of some of her peers (sorry, sweetie). To find the correct size, you’ll either have to measure your kid’s height or their minimum inseam length. Children’s bikes are measured by wheel size, so a 12-inch bike refers to a bike with 12-inch wheels, and so forth. When you get the bike, see if your child can stand over the frame with flat feet comfortably on the ground. Make sure your child can get on and off easily and that their hands can reach the brakes and shifters if the bike has them.
One of my greatest disappointments of adulthood is learning just how much hassle is attached to recreation. Everyone loves lounging on the deck of their buddy’s boat on a sunny summer day, but the poor schmuck who owns that boat is currently lubricating his battery terminals and waxing the gel coat. Everybody loves the family cabin until the gutters need to be cleaned. And everyone loves relaxing in an inflatable backyard hot tub until the power bill arrives or a wind storm knocks a big branch off the tree above it.
I’ve enjoyed some wonderful hours in the bubbles of Intex’s PureSpa inflatable hot tub during my testing period, which started last December and ran five months until Missouri’s summer heat arrived. If you’re someone who’s considering a backyard inflatable hot tub, I can promise some great hours looking up at the night sky as the steam lifts your spirits on a chilly Tuesday night. But I also need to warn you that it’s a commitment—hot tubs, even inflatable ones, require some care and feeding—and that you’re going to pay for the privilege on your power bills and some occasional scrubbing.
Slow Burn
The PureSpa is made by Intex, which is best known for its blow-up pool floats and camping mattresses, as well as aboveground pools, inflatable kayaks, and a host of similar products.
An inflatable hot tub is what it sounds like: It’s a tub that blows up using an air pump that’s part of the same unit that heats and filters. The shell of the tub is a three-ply laminated material that’s reassuringly sturdy—you won’t fret collapse while sitting on the edge. Roll out the bubble-wrap ground cover, put the tub on top, and inflate it—I have an automatic air pump that did the job in about 20 minutes. You then (carefully!) thread the inflow and outflow tubes from the heating unit to their counterparts on the tub. From there it took another 20 minutes to fill the tub with a garden hose. (Note that Intex recommends plugging the hot tub directly into an outlet and does not recommend use of an extension cord; something to consider when deciding on placement.)
Photograph: Martin Cizmar
The maker says that to reach the max temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the ambient outdoor temperature must be a minimum of 50 degrees. I didn’t find that to be true—I was able to get the water in the tub up to the max even when it was in the upper 20s. However, the water temp dropped once the insulated cover was off, and my power bill did reflect the challenge.
If you’re using hose water, expect to fill the tub and turn on the heat at least a day before you see yourself relaxing in it. Even when it was in the 60s outdoors I saw the temps rise by only a degree or two per hour. When I refilled in colder weather (colder than the temperature at which the company advertises it should be operated), it took two full days to break 100 degrees. The tub holds 200-plus gallons of water, which weighs 1,668 pounds on its own before adding people, so make sure the hot tub is placed on a surface that can support that weight.
That was before the insulated cover broke, though. This was not the result of any defect in manufacturing. Rather, it was my bad decision to leave the tub set up but not turned on during an especially cold stretch in the winter. A storm blew through and knocked a sharp branch off the tree above my deck, which punctured the insulated cover that had grown brittle from the cold. Water leaked through the hole and was sopped up by the insulation, becoming a soggy, heavy lump that I struggled to pull on and off. As I said, a hot tub is a commitment—if you’re going to use the Intex in winter be prepared to either take it apart or leave the heater running continuously so the cover doesn’t get brittle in the cold. (A replacement insulated cover can now be had for $80, but I instead bought a cheap, off-brand replacement and paid the difference to the power company over several months.)
Video: Martin Cizmar
The other big issue I dealt with was a slow, steady leak from the seals on the heat pump. This started before I pushed the tub into freezing temperatures and continues to this day. A small drip of water every second adds up over the course of several days, so I found myself having to top off the tub with colder hose water, which meant waiting hours for it to heat up again. I worry I may have been too hasty in threading the tubes from the heater to the tub when I first got the tub—take your time and attach them as carefully as you can.
I didn’t have any difficulty with chemicals, because I used a single 1-inch chlorine tablet every week—the hot tub comes with a ball-shaped dispenser—and emptied the tub to clean using dish soap and a sponge at most monthly. (That’s another little chore, of course.) Refilling the tub only costs a couple of bucks where I live, but if you live somewhere where water is precious and expensive, you may want to spend time learning more about treatment regimens.
Tub Time
Once you do settle into the PureSpa, though, you will be delighted. With the cover off for soaking, it will slowly cool but always stayed above 95 degrees for the duration of my 30-minute bubble timer. The bubbles come from 120 little holes running in a circle around the bottom of the tub. They’re far less powerful than Jacuzzi jets but do feel good against aching muscles, and they provide a nice ambiance.
There is plenty of room for four people, and two people can spread out across the tub and stretch their legs and arms. You won’t fret the tub collapsing if you lean over the edge to grab a drink or switch the music. After a couple of months, it became a reliable way to relax on a chilly evening. And once summer heat started, it was easy enough to deflate, clean, and stow away in the garage for the summer. (I was able to get the pool body down to about the size of a very large duffle bag.)
It won’t take many crisp nights before I’m dragging the Intex tub back out. Then, a few days later I’ll be spying on the water level and topping it off. A few weeks after that, I’ll be draining, scrubbing, and refilling. On and on, little chores rising up from the tub like so many bubbles.
When I started reviewing electric cargo bikes years ago, they were expensive, niche vehicles for a specific subset of eccentric people. Today, electric bikes are everywhere. But there’s one demographic for whom an electric bike is especially useful—parents.
Parents, especially moms, travel a lot. I have a full-time remote job and a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old. On any given day, I drop the kids off at school and pedal home to get on the computer. I stop by the store to pick up bananas on the way to drop them off at a playdate or volunteer at an event. Without a motor on my bike, I simply wouldn’t have the muscle power to carry my kids and tote all their stuff. I’d need a car.
An ebike changed everything for me. It turned my endless boring errands into windswept opportunities to simultaneously work out, take my kids on a joyride, and stop and chat with our neighbors. I love my electric cargo bike, probably a little too much. If you’re thinking about taking the plunge, here are a few tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
Updated September 2024: We added new sections on whether an electric bike is right for you and keeping your kids safe. We also updated our gear recommendations and checked links and pricing.
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“Saving the environment!” you thought to yourself. “Getting exercise! Sign me up!” But before you invest in an expensive piece of equipment, I want you to consider: Do you live in a climate where you can expect to spend large amounts of time outside, or is your region frequently plagued with snow, rain, or unsafe heat? Several friends who have bought electric bikes in places like Texas are simply not able to bike children to and from day care when the temperatures are too high.
Summer is winding down, which means it’s time for the annual REI Labor Day Sale. This year’s event kicked off on August 23, and ends on Labor Day, September 2. Many items are up to 40 percent off, and REI Co-op members save up to 20 percent on any REI Outlet item. To get the member discount, add the promo code SAVEOUTLET at checkout.
We’ve highlighted some of our favorite deals on gear we’ve loved over our years of testing. There’s something for nearly all our favorite outdoor activities—tents, stoves, sleeping bags, and plenty of outdoor apparel. Be sure to look at our guides to outdoor gear, like the Best Tents, Best Sleeping Bags, Best Sleeping Pads, Best Rain Jackets, Best Merino Wool, and Best Binoculars.
Updated August 26, 2024: We’ve add a section of paddleboard and kayak deals, along with a Goal Zero power station and some deals on WIRED favorite Darn Tough socks.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
WIRED Featured Deals
The Best Deals on Tents
Camping is intense! Yup, I’m just going to keep putting that joke in any time I write about tents because it never gets old. But your tent will. If you need a new one, there are some good ones on sale now. We’ve spent years testing tents, and these are the best deals on our favorites.
Photograph: REI
REI’s Half Dome tent series is probably the most popular backpacking tent around. I can’t tell you how many of these I’ve seen out on the trail. It’s reasonably priced (especially on sale), rugged, simple to set up, and offers generous living space for two with gear. The tent body is made of 40-denier ripstop nylon for durability at the base and on the floor, with 20-denier nylon mesh (both fabrics are Bluesign approved). It also comes with a footprint, which is a rarity these days. The tent poles are aluminum and interchangeable, which makes it easy to set up and take down. The Copper Spur below is lighter, but with a packed weight just under 4 pounds, 2-person Half Dome isn’t too heavy when split between two people.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur series is the king of ultralight tents. I’ve used both the two-person and four-person models ($560) over the years, and Big Agnes has continually refined the design to the point that I have nothing left to complain about. This is a high-quality, well-designed tent. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and stable even in strong winds. The Copper Spur is also very livable, with steep sidewalls to maximize interior space. The ingenious “awning” design makes getting in and out a snap. The only complaint I have is the price, but on sale it’s a little easier to handle.
The Dagger Osmo 2P (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a stout, low-to-the-ground (peak height is 42 inches), incredibly study tent—it holds up really well in even in high winds (45 mph when I was testing). Pair the sturdiness with large, spacious vestibules and a roomy interior with excellent stargazing potential thanks to the mesh roof, and you have a great backcountry tent. There’s plenty of room for two sleeping pads, and mesh pockets help keep little items from getting lost. The only real downside is the weight. I find 4 pounds fine when split between two people, but the ultralight-obsessed will likely prefer Nemo’s Hornet or Dragonfly tents. If you want something roomier, the 3-person version is also on sale for $450 ($150 off).
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Nemo Equipment’s new Mayfly Osmo (8/10, WIRED Recommends) two- and three-person tents are everything you’d expect from Nemo—solidly built, cleverly designed, with weather resistance and durability in mind. I tested the Mayfly two-person, which has a trail weight of 3 pounds, 8 ounces. A little heavier than our top pick for ultralight hiking (the Big Agnes Copper Spur above) but still pretty light when split between two people. It’s a semi-freestanding design, which means there are fewer poles, but you have to stake out or otherwise secure the foot-end of the tent. Two sewn-in ridged stays help ensure there’s plenty of room by your feet, but the Mayfly is on the tight side. Two sleeping pads fit, and hikers under 6’4″ will be fine, but if you’re not close with your hiking partner, the three-person model for $345 ($115 off) will be a better option.
We have not tested the ultralight Hornet line, but I have camped with someone who was using it and did climb in. It’s surprisingly roomy, with steep sidewalls. They do narrow toward the top, but I could comfortably sit up. The real appeal here is the weight. At just 2 pounds, 4 ounces, this is one of the lightest freestanding solo tents on the market. I was impressed with my ever-so-brief time in the Hornet, and it’s on my list to test later this year.
Photograph: MSR
This is a smokin’ deal on our favorite family tent. The Habitude is strong, relatively light, and easily fits in your trunk or a canoe. The design is simple, and the poles are color-coded. There’s plenty of floor space for sleeping pads and sleeping bags to keep two adults, two toddlers, and a largish dog warm at night. It also has storage pockets, places to hang lights, and a vestibule. The only major downside is that it doesn’t get quite as much airflow as some of the other picks in our best-tents guide. The 4-person version is also on sale for $360 ($240 off).
If you’ve ridden out a rough night with wind-driven rain or sleet and considered whether you might need one of those $6,000 pole-supported fortresses they use at Everest base camps, you might consider the REI Base Camp 6. I probably would not rely on this tent for a group of alpinists summiting Aconcagua, but it hasn’t even made me flinch in the Colorado snow or driving Maine rain. At 20 pounds it’s not a tent you’ll want to lug far, but with overlapping poles and a DWR-coated rainfly it doesn’t drip or rattle. —Martin Cizmar
Our favorite lightweight family tent, the MSR Elixir 4 tent isn’t quite as pricey as the Big Agnes Copper Spur, but it’s not much heavier (just under 8 pounds versus just under 6 for the Copper Spur 4-person). I’ve used this with my three kids on several backpacking trips, and there was plenty of interior space for all of us. That said, three adults will be more comfortable than four. We haven’t tested it, but the 2-person version is also on sale for $192 ($128 off).
The Best Deals on Sleeping Bags and Pads
Whether you’re planning the perfect family camping trip or are trekking in Patagonia, there’s a sleeping bag optimized for that. After years of testing, we’ve found the best sleeping bags for everyone, and some of our favorites are on sale now at REI’s Labor Day sale.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Our top pick for shoulder-season trips (spring and fall), the Magma 15 is an all-around solid sleeping bag. It doesn’t have a lot of frills; it just gets the job done. It’s the bag I most often grab for trips where cold weather may arrive unannounced. It has an excellent draft collar that’s very good at keeping out the chill. Baffles are variably spaced and not stitched through, which helps the fill stay put and minimizes cold spots. I also really like the Magma hood, which is warm and stays on your head throughout the night. The Magma series comes in a bewildering array of sizes and shapes—there are nine sizes to choose from, ranging from Short Narrow, which weighs 2 pounds, to Long Wide, which is nearly 3 pounds. The Magma 30 is also on sale for $265 ($113 off) if you don’t need this warm of a bag.
Currently our top pick for side sleepers, but we’re actually going to remove it; we like Nemo’s Disco 15 ($300) better for side sleepers, but this is still a great bag. Weighing 2 pounds, 3 ounces, it isn’t the lightest bag at this temperature rating, but it is one of the warmest. Therm-a-Rest comfort-rates this bag to 32 degrees, but I used it several nights in Michigan’s Porcupine Mountains in temps down to 25 and found it plenty warm.
The darling of gram-counting backpackers, quilts dispense with the useless half of a sleeping bag (the bottom, which mostly gets squashed down anyway). While we love the cottage industry quiltmakers serving ultralighters and hammockers, Therm-a-Rest’s top-of-the-line Vesper has everything you could ask for in a lightweight quilt. The 32-degree version weighs less than a pound, has 900-fill down (good into the low 40s in our testing), and ratcheting down the included comprehension sack will get it to roughly the size of a Nalgene bottle. If you want a warmer version the 20-degree Vesper is also on sale for $322 ($138 off), though we found the fit a bit tighter.
Photograph: REI
This is our favorite sleeping bag for car camping. You really shouldn’t need to spend a lot of money here. Should your best efforts to cocoon warmth around you fail, there is, after all, a car to retreat to. That’s why we love the REI Siesta Hooded 20—it’s plenty warm and affordable. It’s also not a mummy bag, because you’re not climbing Denali; why cramp yourself if you don’t have to? The Siesta’s rectangular cut makes for a much roomier, more comfortable bag. The Siesta’s 20-degree rating makes it enough for three-season trips, and unlike most rectangular bags, the Siesta has a hood, which helps on those cold nights. Also you can zip two Siestas together.
Once your kids hit about 4 feet, I’d say just put them in an adult bag. Before that they’ll benefit from a kids’ sleeping bag like the Kindercone, which is cut smaller so your little ones don’t have to heat up a huge, adult-size sleeping bag to stay warm. There is no comfort rating here, but if there were, my guess would be around 35 degrees. The Kindercone makes a great car camping bag. You can backpack with it, but it’s awkward. I spent four nights in the Pisgauh Wilderness lugging this thing around for my son. It’s heavy (3 pounds, 3 ounces) and huge, but you can do it in a pinch.
This is the beefy, ultra-luxury pad that started the trend of huge car-camping pads. And for that we thank Exped. The MegaMat is one of our favorite sleeping pads and has slightly better insulation than our top pick in that guide, making it a better choice if you sleep cold or are headed out in the shoulder seasons where colder temps are possible.
Our favorite sleeping pad for couples, the queen-size Kingdom Air Bed is 56 inches wide and 6 inches tall, wide enough to hold Mom and two elementary schoolers and fit inside MSR’s 6-person Habitude tent. (Dad and the dog still had to sleep on the ground.) It comes with a small stuff sack for easy transport that includes a manual air pump, but the universal nozzle means you can ditch the pump and use a battery-powered one for quick and easy inflating. The welded seams kept the mattress taut and bouncy through three days and nights of kids jumping up and down on it. The surface is soft enough to sleep with your face pressed against it if you slide out of your sleeping bag, and it’s insulated, with an R-value of 2.6. —Adrienne So
Photograph: Thermarest
The original and still the best closed-cell foam pad in our testing, the Z Lite comes with me on nearly every trip I take. Why not? It weighs only 10 ounces for the small. It is bulky, but it’s easy to strap to most packs. It can double as a chair, extra padding on cold nights, a table, you name it.
If you’re willing to carry a few extra ounces in exchange for some added comfort, this is our favorite luxurious backpacking pad. At 28 ounces for the regular wide, it’s definitely on the heavy side, but it’s also 3 inches thick, and we promise you don’t feel the pebbles, or even small rocks, under this thing. The 3.7 R-value in the latest version bests the one we originally tested. That makes it a good choice for three-season camping or backpacking. Be aware that this latest version is louder than the previous, according to a friend who bought one. I can’t vouch for that, but online reviews seem to back this up.
Exped’s Ultra 7R is our favorite 4-season sleeping pad. It offers (as the name suggests) an R-value of 7 in a pad that weighs under 2 pounds for the wide version. And I suggest going for the wide version. I found the regular to be a bit on the narrow side, and the weight difference (5 ounces) doesn’t justify the lost sleeping space. I used this pad down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit and was very comfortable (in a 20-degree bag). Exped rates it to –20 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is the best kids’ sleeping pad, but like we said above about the kids’ sleeping bag, its really only an advantage for the under-four-feet crowd. Older kids can get by with an adult pad that will last them even when they outgrow the 60 inches of this one. The Kindercamp sports an R-value of 4.5, which makes it perfect for most car-camping trips (R 4.5 should be enough down to around 30 Fahrenheit). The separate valves for inflation and deflation make it much easier for little kids to not get confused and help set up.
Fitness Tracker and Tech Deals
Photograph: Garmin
Garmin’s Forerunner line has a confusing array of options, from our favorite, the Forerunner 165 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), to the very expensive 956 (below). The 265 on sale here is a good compromise, leaning toward the top end. It has a bright AMOLED display, an altimeter for more accurate mileage, HRV status, training readiness and weather info. We really like Garmin’s Morning Report, which wakes you up with a summary of last night’s stats—how well you slept, the weather, and how ready you are to take on the day.
The Forerunner 965 is the “It slices! It dices! It does everything!” model in the Forerunner lineup. It has everything the 265 has, but adds nice extras like multiband GPS, full-color, built-in maps, race strategy planning with daily suggested workouts, and tons more. If you want the Forerunner that does it (nearly) all, this is the one to get.
Goal Zero’s Labor Day Sale has quite a few good deals, but I think this one is the best. The Yeti 1000X strikes the best balance between power (983 watt-hours), price, and functionality. It’s enough to power all your devices for a week or more, as well as power smaller appliances like a portable fridge. There’s a 60 watt USB-C power delivery port, 2 USB-A ports, a 12V port, and two 120V AC ports (1500W, 3000W surge).
Great Deals on Outdoor Apparel
Photograph: REI
The REI 650 down jacket is one of our favorite puffy jackets. Only a few colors are on sale here, but if you can lives with orange, green or blue, this is a great deal. The 650 down jacket strikes a nice balance between quality and price. It’s lightweight, warm, and an especially great deal at this price.
Like its tents, REI’s rain jackets offer incredible value for the money. The Rainier is a perennial affordable pick in our guide to the Best Rain Jackets. It uses high-quality laminate waterproofing instead of the less expensive coating that many cheaper rain jackets rely on. The Rainier also has many great features that are tough to find in rain jackets at this price: venting pit zips, seam-taping, a weatherproof center zip, and an adjustable, packable hood. The matching pants are also on sale for $70 (men’s/women’s).
This is the same jacket as above, but for kids. The kids’ version is a 2.5-layer shell with a non-fluorinated (read: PFAS-free) durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, taped seams, and an adjustable hood. These will last all year (as long as your kid doesn’t lose theirs).
My favorite of Coleman’s current lineup, the Cascade 3-in-1 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) features heavy-duty cast iron, comes with a cast-iron griddle and grill, and can fit a 12-inch pan and a 10-inch pan side by side. It’s all-around sturdier and more robust than other Coleman stoves, well worth the extra money if you’re serious about camp cooking.
The WhisperLite Universal is a legend for good reason. It’ll burn just about anything (isobutane-propane, white gas, gasoline, kerosene), making it a great choice for traveling internationally or wherever you don’t know what kind of fuel will be available. Flame control is a little tricky, but we have managed to get it to simmer, as long as the wind isn’t too bad.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Our favorite way to avoid the green propane bottles is this gas growler. This model gets you a 4.5-liter propane tank with a nice padded/insulated sleeve and a handy strap for carrying, and it makes your camp setup look much nicer than a bare tank. It also saves your shins during those inevitable run-ins with cold hard steel that come from lugging around a big propane tank. This size is the equivalent of five green propane bottles.
I’m still testing the Sawyer micro squeeze filter, but so far I like it. It’s tiny and weighs just 2.5 ounces. It works with a straw or the included pouch, and there’s an adapter to fill your hydration reservoir directly (provided it uses the semi-standard 28-mm threads). At this size you’re doing to have to back-flush it fairly frequently, but it’s great for short trips. For longer hauls I’d go with the regular size, which is also on sale for $30 ($10 off).
Deals on Paddleboards and Kayaks
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
Bote’s latest paddleboard, I’ve spent the summer testing this one (review coming soon) and it’s the most versatile, beginner-friendly paddleboard I’ve used. It works equally well as a paddleboard or one-seat kayak and the Bote Rac attachment points make this an extremely expandable system. You’ll have to invest in the Rac gear seperately, but you can anchor in everything from fishing poles to motor mounts. The new wheeled bags Bote includes make moving the board around much easier as well.
The Isle Switch 3 is by far my favorite inflatable that I have tested. Do you want to paddle out in glassy, still water and lie on your belly with your dog and watch fish? Then it’s a big, solid, stable paddleboard with a grippy, soft surface perfect for puppy paws. Is there a bit of a breeze and you want to put the full force of your paddling muscles in play? Slip slip the hooks into the eyes and tighten the straps to put on a big, comfy seat and foot brace (I used mine as a seat for kids behind me). Even the paddle converts from a SUP paddle to a kayak paddle. I can’t believe I’ve never tried one of these before. This deal includes a free electric pump.—Adrienne So
No room to store a kayak? Oru’s foldable kayaks are easy to stash even in an apartment and they travel well in a trunk. The Lake Coast is 9 feet long, weighs just 18 pounds, and folds out within a matter of minutes. You’ll probably also need a paddle, which is on sale for $88.
You might not know anything about the Apple Vision Pro, but you probably have at least seen the picture of Cool Hunting founder Josh Rubin wearing an Eyn Vas hoodie while testing it. That’s because it’s how most of us—and by us, we’re including you—look most of the time (or want to look, anyway). A hooded sweatshirt can be a statement piece, but you’re also probably wearing one over your pajamas, while working out at the gym, or pulled over your head on a long flight. Most of us keep our hoodies around for years. There are so many different fabrics, cuts, price points, and styles, that you can never have enough hoodies in your closet.
Do you find yourself overwhelmed? Is it mentally and emotionally difficult to replace the threadbare one in your closet right now? We’re here to help make it easier. The Gear team waded through a ton of hoodies—OK, it wasn’t hard—and picked our favorites at every activity and price point you can imagine. Need to complete the look? Check out the rest of our buying guides, including the Best Barefoot Shoes and the Best Merino Wool Clothes.
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It’s not until the fourth time I fall into the choppy, rolling waves at the mouth of San Francisco Bay, directly below the Golden Gate Bridge, that I realize I probably never should have gone this far out on a motorized surfboard I’ve never ridden before.
I’m zipping around—a foot above the waves most of the time—on an electric hydrofoil board made by the Canadian company Hydroflyer. Jerry McArthur, Hydroflyer’s CEO, is on another of his company’s boards behind me. We started out at a peaceful lagoon inside the bay in Sausalito, but I’ve decided to trek over to the bridge—where the current and waves are the strongest—just to see if the Hydroflyer could handle it. Turns out, it very much can. The question is whether I had the aquatic acumen.
It’s high tide, meaning currents coming in from the ocean are strong and the headwind is ripping, making the approach under the bridge difficult. (McArthur had warned me about these precarious conditions before we left.) At one point I’m gunning the thro
ttle as fast as I can make it go, and the board and I are all but staying in place. I finally cross the threshold to the other side of the bridge, then the wind whips me into the water again. This time, McArthur helps me back up onto the board before the waves can smash me into one of the bridge’s pillars, and finally I can get going.
We head back to the Sausalito lagoon, out of the wind. By the time we are almost home, I’m so exhausted that it’s hard to stay standing on the board. The whole experience was an adrenaline rush—a magnificent scene that I probably never would have experienced without this very expensive electric board. McArthur laughs and says his lawyers probably wouldn’t be very happy to hear that he took me out that far in these conditions. OK cool, I’ll be sure not to tell them.
The author atop the Hydroflyer
Courtesy of Boone Ashworth
Hydroflyer CEO Jerry McArthur (left) with WIRED’s Boone Ashworth.
Courtesy of Boone Ashworth
Floating World
Hydrofoils are growing in popularity, particularly among rich dudes. (Just ask Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who famously takes his hydrofoiling hobby very seriously. They can also be spotted at beaches and on lakes. Around the world, there are already around 1,700 companies in the hydrofoil business. Some are the electric kind, powered by either jet or propeller motors. Others are powered and steered purely by human movements. Both designs achieve the same goal of giving the rider a new and fun way to zip around atop the water. Hydrofoils are quieter and less obnoxious than jet skis, and they can be a thrilling stand-in for windsurfing on days when there’s no breeze.
Courtesy of Hydroflyer
Courtesy of Hydroflyer
Hydroflyer, a Canadian company, has been selling its efoil boards for about a year, and McArthur says the company has sold around 150 of them in total. The Hydroflyer is available in one version for now, called Cruiser. Two more models—the flashier Sport and the more beginner-oriented Inflatable—are coming soon. Prices for the Cruiser start at $15,990.
The craft has attachments that make it more stable, and other attachments that can be removed to reduce drag and make it more nimble.
Professional golfers and celebrities take part in the Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am tournament of BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club in Castle Rock, Colorado on Aug. 21, 2024. Among the celebrities were Peyton Manning, Gabe Landeskog, John Elway and Country singer Luke Bryan. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)
CLEVELAND — National parks in the U.S. share some characteristics with parks in the UK.
What You Need To Know
Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park became sister parks
CVNP developed a farming program in 1999 to preserve the valley’s pastoral landscape
DNP and CVNP are both within urban communities
Dartmoor National Park in Devon, England and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park recently became sister parks because of their similarities.
“It’s really a way for parks to share information, share best practices and become more connected globally,” said Lisa Petit, superintendent of Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
She said Dartmoor reached out to CVNP to form the relationship because of their commonalities, including the fact that both parks have farmland within their boundaries.
CVNP developed a farming program in 1999 to preserve the valley’s pastoral landscape and protect both natural and cultural resources.
“Dartmoor looks very different from Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They are wide open land and have ancient bronze age archaeology on their site. To look at us, it looks very diff but we share similar issues of protection and restoration of natural resources,” Petit said.
“Cuyahoga is restoring a landscape rather than managing a landscape because a lot of your huge national parks are really just managing what they’ve got there rather than trying to restore an ecosystem and a national park,” said Peter Harper, board member of Dartmoor National Park.
In addition to both parks have farming land, the parks are both situated near urban communities and one of the main reasons Dartmoor reached out.
“One of things we really noticed there was no rubbish anywhere. We didn’t see any litter anywhere. People really respect their national parks and we want to try to build on that in Dartmoor, so that people realize this is something very special for them and they need to look after it,” Harper said.
The sister park agreement was signed in June and will last five years with the goal of exchanging ideas.
“They learn a lot from our model, but we can also learn a lot from them. They do thing very differently than we do and, in some cases, do things better,” Petit.
Premier Outdoor Product Manufacturer, Wildland and Cinch, a Leader in Outdoor Gear Innovation, to Transform Campsite Cooking Experience
The Joint Venture’s Campaign Was Launched on Kickstarter, July 31st, 2024.
SHERIDAN, Wyo., August 7, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– Wildland, a premier outdoor product manufacturer, in collaboration with Cinch, a leader in outdoor gear innovation, announces the launch of their latest product, the Kitchen Cruiser. Set to transform campsite cooking, the Kitchen Cruiser will provide a comprehensive kitchen experience in a portable format.
The campaign launched on Kickstarter on July 31, 2024, marking Cinch’s sixth crowdfunding initiative. With a track record of raising over 2 million dollars on the platform, this campaign reached its funding goal in less than 60 minutes. It has also earned the prestigious Kickstarter “Project We Love” badge.
The Kitchen Cruiser, designed by Wildland, addresses the common challenges of campsite cooking. It transforms from a compact, portable box into a full-fledged kitchen, complete with prep areas, cooking stations, cleaning facilities, and storage. The innovative design includes a running water system with a battery-powered sink and a gas stove, making gourmet cooking in the great outdoors not only possible but also easy and enjoyable.
Jake Jackson, the founder of Cinch, established his outdoor gear company in 2009 to address the lack of innovation in the industry. Through crowdfunding, Jackson has successfully launched groundbreaking ideas and has built a global community of outdoor enthusiasts. Cinch’s previous five crowdfunding campaigns have raised over $2 million from thousands of customers in more than 80 countries.
“Camping often means compromising on meals. With the Kitchen Cruiser, we aim to change that,” says Jackson, the founder of Cinch. “Our goal is to make it possible for campers to cook delicious meals anywhere, without needing a truckload of equipment. Everything you need is in one portable box.”
Wildland, known for their innovative rooftop tents and overlanding products, brings their expertise to this collaboration. As one of the world’s leading outdoor product manufacturers, Wildland has a reputation for forward-thinking designs and industry-first innovations.
“Our partnership with Cinch on the Kitchen Cruiser brings together our strengths in design and manufacturing,” says Posy Wu, head of product design from Wildland. “We’re excited to see how this product will enhance the camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.”
About Wildland: Wildland is a leading manufacturer of outdoor products, specializing in rooftop tents and gear for the overlanding community. Renowned for their innovation and award-winning designs, Wildland continues to push the boundaries of outdoor product manufacturing.
About Cinch: Cinch is a pioneering company in outdoor gear, known for its innovative camping equipment. Founded in 2009 by Jake, Cinch has successfully leveraged crowdfunding to launch unique products and build a global community of outdoor enthusiasts.
we love Patagonia for all sorts of reasons. It was founded by legendary dirtbag climber Yvon Chouinard, who ate cat food. The company supports families with great onsite childcare. Famously, in 2022, Chouinard gave the company to a trust and a nonprofit to ensure that all sales would go toward combating climate change.
If all of those weren’t enough reasons to wear only Patagonia, the clothes are also durable, are perennially stylish, and last forever. To help make it easier on your wallet, Patagonia is currently holding a sale on all its past-season styles for up to 40 percent off. Below, we’ve gathered all the best deals on our favorites. You’ll find everything from base layers to duffel bags. Some of the discounts vary based on size and color. For reference, you can also check out our guides to the Best Luggage, Best Rain Jackets, and Best Base Layers for more.
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Clothing Deals
Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody
Photograph: Patagonia
This synthetic-filled hoody is the most useful jacket in the world, especially if you live on the West Coast. So many companies make similar jackets, but none can compare with the original, which is now made from 100 percent recycled polyester. It is lightweight, versatile, and packable. It’s wind- and water-resistant, which means you can take it on hikes and layer it under soft-shell jackets and rain jackets, and brush it off before going out to the bar with jeans. It’s worth noting, however, that while both the women’s and men’s versions are on sale, the discount applies only to certain colors.
The Micro Puff Hoody is our favorite lightweight, synthetic puffy jacket. It has a trim fit that allows you to wear it under a shell jacket but it delivers more warmth than the Nano Puff. These also rarely go on sale. This discount applies only to the Lagom Blue color in women’s and the Nouveau Green color in men’s.
The Torrentshell in our guide to the Best Rain Jackets. This is Patagonia’s basic, no-nonsense, 3-layer rain shell that is now made from a recycled fabric and has a PFC-free DWR finish. Editor Adrienne So says that both she and her spouse have owned the older versions of these jackets for almost a decade. This deal applies to select colors in both women’s and men’s.
Capilene Cool Daily Shirt
Photograph: Patagonia
The Capilene Cool Daily shirt holds the title of the best synthetic top in our guide to Best Winter Base Layers, and we give the merino version an honorary mention in our guide to the Best Climbing Gear. The 100-percent recycled polyester fabric feels luxuriously silky and, while snug, doesn’t feel restricting—even during strenuous activity. We suggest snagging more than one, because we guarantee you’ll be rotating through them. This deal applies only to select colors. We’re also fans of the Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Shirt, which is also on sale for $38 ($17 off) in both men’s and women’s versions.
Patagonia’s R1 hoodies have a distinctive look because they’re made from a thin, synthetic woven material that is tremendously light while also being incredibly warm. These are the iconic mid-layers to wear for intensively aerobic outdoor activities, because they will breathe even when you’re working hard and keep you warm when you stop. However, at this price, it’s just as great as a thin travel layer. This deal applies only to select colors.
This deal applies to the Lagom Blue colorway. As with the Capilene Cool Daily shirt, these midweight bottoms are made of polyester, so they wick away sweat and provide enough stretch that it won’t impact your mobility. Since it’s a midweight fabric, these are a bit thicker than the lightweight shirt. We give Patagonia bonus points for using fabric made of 100 percent recycled material.
Bag Deals
Ultralight Black Hole Mini Hip Pack 1L
Photograph: Patagonia
This is one of our favorite fanny packs in our guide to Best Fanny Packs. Editor Adrienne So uses hers almost every day, whether she’s running or walking the dogs or kids to school. When cinched, it stays tight against the small of your back. It also easily expands to fit a pair of gloves or hat and other items like your phone, lip balm, and wallet. The ultralight ripstop nylon has been treated with a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish that’s 100 percent recycled. It can also be packed down into a small stash pocket when traveling.
This is one of our favorite options in our guide to Best Luggage. It’s made from 100 percent recycled polyester with a TPU film and laminate; editor Adrienne So says she’s been using the 40-liter version for 15 years, and the laminate hasn’t peeled. It fits as a carry-on for flights too. Although it’s available in various colors and sizes, the only model currently on sale is the 100-liter duffel in Matte Pimento Red.
CLEVELAND — Sometimes the hardest part about a hike can be finding the right trail.
What You Need To Know
The Cleveland Metroparks may be able to help with their August “Ten Hikes for Hot Days” list
If you are hiking in the heat, be sure to do so with cation
The National Park Service has several tips for hikers trekking through the warm weather
As the warm weather continues throughout this month, the Cleveland Metroparks may be able to help with their August “Ten Hikes for Hot Days” list.
In this list, they provide a list of 10 locations for hikes, featuring shaded areas that will let you spend time outside away from the harsh rays of the sun.
Here’s where they recommend:
Hemlock Trail at the Brecksville Reservation
Mount Pleasant Loop Trail at the Rocky River Reservation
Waterfall to Overlook Hike at the Bedford Reservation
Cahoon Creek Loop at the Bradley Woods Reservation
Hickory Fox Loop at the North Chagrin Reservation
Worden’s Ledges Trail at the Hinckley Reservation
Ridgetop Trail at the Garfield Park Reservation
Sulphur Springs Loop at the South Chagrin Reservation
Skinner’s Run Trail at the West Creek Reservation
Snow Road Trail at the Big Creek Reservation
If you are hiking in the heat, be sure to do so with cation. The National Park Service has several tips for hikers trekking through the warm weather.
If the weather is hot, they recommend:
Starting before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Wear sunscreen as well as a hat and sunglasses to avoid the sun’s harsh rays
Wear light colored clothes that don’t weigh a lot and that are loose-fitting
Pack water and drink plenty of it
Pack salty snacks to replace the electrolytes you lose as you sweat
If needed, use a wet towel or shirt to cool yourself
Be careful if going into water to cool down, watching for currents and cold temperatures (follow park swimming rules)
Hiking is the most popular summer sport, especially when the temperatures are under 100. It is an easy entry activity just needing good shoes and the right location and off you go. Emerging yourself in nature and seeing waterfalls, meadows, vistas and scenic views are all the big payoff. It can be even better when considering the option of adding in some of cannabis. Here is what to know about hiking with marijuana.
Hiking while drinking alcohol is never a good idea. Alcohol can impair balance, significantly contributes to dehydration, and impair judgement. While you don’t want to get totally stoned while hiking, a little focused consumption or microdosing can enhance nature’s wonders.
While there are many approaches to get high on a hike, vapes and gummies tend to be the easiest. Find a strain which gives you energy and focus and manage the high so you can enjoy the hike. It will unlock parts of your brain and the make the journey better.
Pack all the necessary tools
As you head out, make sure to pack all your necessary items in discreet and convenient places. If you’re taking a vape or pipe, pack one that you wouldn’t mind losing or breaking, since accidents (tripping, falling, etc.) are common while hiking. If you’re planning on smoking, make sure you’ve prepared it ahead of time and stored it somewhere that protects it and keeps the smell contained.
Photo by Denys Nevozhai via Unsplash
Be discreet
No matter the state where you live, cannabis is still considered a Schedule I drug, meaning that if you’re caught with it in a national park, you’re still breaking the law. Also, not everyone enjoys the smell of weed so be considerate of others and smoke in an area that’s secluded and private.
Pack water and snacks
Water is a basic necessity when hiking, but plan to add a bit more if you’re considering bringing weed. Remember to pack your favorite snacks in case you get hit with the munchies and still want to be able to enjoy your hike.
Photo by Eddy Billard via Unsplash
Never travel alone
No matter how experienced you are with marijuana, it’s important to be with someone if you’re planning on consuming somewhere other than your home; you don’t want to get too stoned and then be unable to make your way back home. And you never know if something can go wrong.
If you’re an inexperienced hiker or if you’re trying out a new trail, being with a companion is even more important. It’s also more fun to converse with someone, high or not, while on the trail.
Don’t litter
After you’re done consuming, snacking and hiking, make sure to take the trash with you and leave the space a little better than you found it.
You were born barefoot, and a growing body of evidence suggests you should have stayed that way. The technology and padding of the modern shoe protect your feet, but protection isn’t always what you want. Feet were made to stretch, flex, roll, and bend, and letting them do what they evolved to do can reduce impact injuries and provide a host of other benefits.
That said, please do not buy a pair of these barely-there shoes and start walking or running the way you always have. That won’t work, and it can lead to injuries. You need to ease into all things barefoot-related, and to some degree you need to relearn how to walk and run. In this guide, we’ve got advice on making the transition from padded shoes to “barefoot shoes” (also known as minimalist shoes or zero-drop shoes), and we’ve rounded up our favorites. They’re as close as you can get to achieving that barefoot sensation without running afoul of “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” signs.
Updated July 2024: We’ve added Lem’s Boulder boots, Vivobarefoot’s Tracker FG boot, and Xero’s scrambler mid shoes. We’ve also updated prices and links throughout.
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Lime’s fleets are largely free-floating, which has attracted ire. Undocked rideshare ebikes and escooters have long been scrutinized as they’ve inevitably crowded sidewalks and even ended up in rivers. Lime says it’s “agnostic” to free-floating and parking areas and does both based on what cities require. Some markets have “corrals” where riders park their scooters and bikes, and there are penalties if riders do not park in these areas. Critics say the fines for bad behavior aren’t harsh enough.
Many of the components in the new models are shared across Lime’s other products. For example, the brake levers are the same as the ones on Lime’s scooters, as the company found them to perform well. The batteries are the same as the Gen4 ebike, making swaps faster and cheaper. Lime also says all the screw heads on the bike are the same size, so operators do not need to switch drill bits when making repairs. Parrish says these changes increase the availability of these vehicles and lower Lime’s operating costs.
That’s important, as many other micro-mobility rideshare companies are faltering. Bird filed for bankruptcy last year, and Lyft is exploring a sale of Citi Bike in New York City (the city’s comptroller found decreasing service reliability under Lyft’s tenure, especially in low-income neighborhoods). And in a blow to Lime and its peers in the lead-up to the 2024 Summer Olympics, Paris banned shared scooters last year after a spate of injuries and deaths. The company says no other city has taken a similar step as Paris, which according to Lime’s global communications director, Russell Murphy, “further underscores how the referendum was a blip in the rearview.”
“Lime currently has 15,000 ebikes available in Paris and the surrounding suburbs to help conveniently and sustainably shepherd visitors to venues,” Murphy says. “We’re proud of the support we’ve received from the city to make this possible.”
The LimeGlider.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
The LimeGlider and LimeBike aren’t going to change any of these issues. They’ll still be free-floating and dockless, or corralled in markets that require it. Also, I can’t imagine throttle-powered ebikes being safer than nonthrottle ebikes, especially since you do not need to kick off for the throttle to work like you do on kick escooters. (Lime says the new models’ kickstands disable the throttle when deployed.) But at the very least, a wider range of people may feel more comfortable using these shared ebikes.
The pilot program has already started in Atlanta and Zurich, where riders will see the option to book the LimeBike. The LimeGlider will fully launch in Seattle in mid-August and then in Zurich later in the summer. After two to three months, if reception is positive, they will enter production and join Lime’s global fleets in 2025.
Summer is the time to head outdoors and have fun. Whether swimming, pickle ball, sports, gardening or maintaining your walk/run schedule…the weather is bright, the days are long and you aren’t bundled up in heavy coat. But sometimes the heat can make it daunting…and with more heat waves, you have to take some precautions. Here are teh best tips for outdoor exercise in the heat.
Common sense says be careful and avoid the hottest part of the day. Usually around 4 pm is when the heat peaks, so between 1-5 is the worst time. You shouldn’t exercise with the same intensity and take frequent breaks, which is perfect if you are playing a sport or gardening. Water is essential, so drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration is a key factor in heat illness. Fluids helps your body sweat and cool down by staying well-hydrated with water. In fact, sweating can release endorphins in the brain which make people feel good.
Photo by Tamara Bellis via Unsplash
Manage your day, do activities in the early morning or late afternoon/evening. According a study, during hot days, the best option is to run in the early morning. This is especially true in urban locations which have concrete buildings soak up the sun throughout the day and may make late in the day runs hotter than expected.
In order to acclimatize to the weather successfully, the process must be gradual. Head out for your run earlier than usual, with your water bottle, and complete your a shorter and gentler version of your workout. Check your heart rate and your level of heat and continue to do this until you feel like you’re feeling back to normal.
Photo by Jad Limcaco via Unsplash
In order to acclimatize to the weather successfully, the workout process should be gradual. Start your activities earlier than usual, with your water bottle, and complete your a shorter and gentler version of your sports/workout/ tournament. Consider a “warm up period” where you aren’t keeping score.
An icy drink beforehand, like a slushie or a smoothie, might make your outdoor exercise more pleasant. According to researchers, you should aim to drink 16 ounces of cold fluid 20 minutes before you go out for your run or an activities sport. Avoid alcohol until you are ready to cool down.
Photo by 95839 via Pixabay
While it doesn’t keep you from overheating, wearing sunscreen can help you prevent feeling the heat when you are done. You also want to dress in layers and nothing to tight to give your body a chance to breath.
If you are starting to feel nausea, dizziness or cramps, you could be overheating. Check your heart rate and your level of heat and continue until you feel like you’re feeling back to normal. If you have symptoms, stop the workout and seek shade and some tap water. If possible, work out with a partner.
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