I write about gear, action sports, the outdoors, cycling, snowboarding, cars, motorcycles, and trends.
The Best Snowboards of Winter 2022-2023
Like a lot of American technological innovations, the snowboard was borne of inspired tinkering. An engineer from Michigan, Sherman Poppen, fabricated the first modern board in 1965 by bolting two kids’ skis together and attaching a rope to the unit.
The rope helped riders — initially, his daughters — control the sans-binding board. His wife named the product, conflating “snow” and “surfer” — and just like that the Snurfer was born.
Fast forward more than 50 years, and while you can still get...
The 12 Best Snow Goggles You Can Get Right Now
Have you ever tried to ski without goggles? Generally speaking, it’s a horrendous idea. Snowflakes bombard eyeballs like X-wings did the Death Star. Wind withers peepers into useless prunes. Skewer-sharp branches threaten at every turn. And blinding UV rays, reflecting off obliging snow, scorch retinas to the kind of crisp a steakhouse maître d’ might describe as “well done.”
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Without goggles, even the most proficient of skiers and snowboarders are as blind and helpless as newb...
2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster Review: Lighter on the Road, and Your Wallet
2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster Review:
5 Reasons You Should Try an E-Bike
When I first heard about e-bikes, I was dubious. They seemed not quite as lame as Segways but just as overpriced and superfluous. Why not just pedal and earn your endorphins?
But then somebody loaned me an electric mountain bike, and it changed everything. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever ride a nonelectric bike again. What changed my mind? Five simple things.
1. Pro-Like Speeds
Professional bike racers are genetically gifted and decades younger than us. E-bikes give you the chance to experi...
Zeb Powell's Future Is So Bright, He's Gotta Wear (Heart-Shaped) Shades
Zeb Powell is about to drop in. His first X Games. His fourth run. The nascent Knuckle Huck contest, just about to blow up.
A version of this story first appeared in Gear Patrol Magazine. Subscribe today
It’s late January 2020, a couple months before the world will shut down, and the Aspen crowd waits to watch competitors launch off the knuckle — the tabletop hump beside the Big Air jump. It’s more fun — and less predictable — than a halfpipe or slopestyle event, where the bazillion rotation...
The Best Snowboards of 2021
Like a lot of American technological innovations, the snowboard was borne of inspired tinkering. An engineer from Michigan, Sherman Poppen, fabricated the first modern board in 1965 by bolting two kids’ skis together and attaching a rope to the unit. The rope helped riders — initially, his daughters — control the sans-binding board. His wife named the product, conflating “snow” and “surfer” — and just like that the Snurfer was born.
Fast forward more than 50 years, and while you can still get...
Stromer ST3 Ebike Review
Delivering a one-two punch of luxury and performance, the Stromer ST3 is the Tesla Model X of ebikes. It comes stock with heaps of futuristic elegance, power that’s practically Ducati-adjacent (or, for folks in the emoto know, Zero), and customizable from the get-go.
But there’s one critical difference between the ST3 and Model X or Ducati. And it’s huge. Bigly, even.
ST3 owners can enjoy every bit of this bike’s high performance on every ride.
No trip to the racetrack required. No need for j...
5 Reasons Ebikes Are the Ideal COVID-19 Machine
Before COVID changed our world, the ebike changed mine. Pedal assist made my 60-mile commute manageable, fun, and doable three or four times a week. I saved money at the gas pump and pedaling helped keep me off of the therapist’s couch because Los Angeles commutes are as terrible as you can imagine. But, in this COVID-19 world, the humble ebike continues to assist my mental and physical health.
I’m not the only one. Here are five reasons ebikes are the best way to power through the pandemic.
...
Photochromatic Sunglasses: Internet Cheapies vs. Smith Optics
The good, the bad, and the ugly about $259 shades and $20 shades.
Eye protection is a no-brainer, day or night. Ask anyone who has scratched a cornea just by pedaling around without shades. Your “windows to the soul” can take forever to heal, and even minor injuries can be painful and expensive.
Many states, even states that don’t require mandatory helmet use for motorcyclists, require throttle twisters to protect their peepers. Even the most ardent “freedom lovers” aren’t fighting to undo th...
Ebikes freed my commute from the tyranny of traffic
This ride on a non-electric bike is long for a workday—at least for me. My sweet spot for a commute is 90 minutes or less. A helps me do that—knocking about 30 minutes off of the pedal on an analog bike. One week, I rode those 30 miles to or from work nine times. All but one of those rides was on an ebike. Here’s what I learned.
When you’re commuting 60 miles a day, organization is key. Keep a list of what you need for the commute and keep your kit in one place. Lay out everything in advance ...
Kuat NV 2.0 Car Rack Review
When it comes to gear, bike racks are at the bottom of the lust list. Most of us need them, but they’re so utilitarian that they can be tough to get excited about. And that’s before the frustration of building and installing them, which is as fun as assembling Ikea furniture.
Thank God, Buddha, and Allah for exceptions to this.
The Kuat NV 2.0 is the best rack I’ve ever tested—full stop. The build is easy. Same with the install. In transit, it performs admirably.
From the arrival of the unit ...
Spring Gear 2019: The Complete Guide to Taking a Motorcycle Trip
Whether it’s on a country lane or the Pacific Coast Highway, relishing long hours in the saddle means picking the right ride and motorcycle gear.
Your gear—and your bike—need to be able to stand up to the elements and adapt to changing conditions on long rides, so picking out your kit is important. Here, we’ve highlighted the best motorcycle gear items to keep you comfortable when you hit the road, as well as the best new bikes to make the journey on.
Ready to set out? Check out our guide to ...
The 10 Best Snowboards of 2019
Last Updated December 2018 for winter 2019: We’ve updated our guide of the best snowboards with the 10 best picks for winter 2019. Prices and links have also been updated.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Terms to Know Before You Buy
Understanding the Construction of a Snowboard
How to Pick a Snowboard
The 10 Best Snowboards of 2019
Introduction
Like a lot of American technological innovations, a tinkerer created the modern snowboard in a garage. An engineer from Michigan, Sherman Poppen, fabri...
5 New E-Bikes That Will Help You Go Faster
1. Pinarello Nytro
With the sexy styling for which Pinarello is known, the Nytro takes cues from one of the most coveted race bikes in the world, the Dogma F10. It has three levels of power assist and weighs about 28 pounds (roughly a third less than the other bikes in this test). But you’ll have to wait to try it out: The Nytro isn’t approved for sale in the U.S. yet.
2. Bulls Dail-E Grinder
With fenders, a lighting system, a front shock, and 3 The fastest e-bike we tested, the Race S averag...
The Best Snowboards for Pure Speed, Halfpipe Tricks, and Better Control
In the market for a new snowboard, but don’t really know where to start? We’ve done the research to maximize your thrills on the mountain by testing the newest crop of boards, narrowing down the list to four kickass options that’ll boost your shredding skills.
Whether it’s for pure speed or halfpipe tricks, these snowboards will give you better control.
Bryan Iguchi Pro Camber
Arbor Collective
Inspired by ’80s skateboards, the Guch’s wide nose improves float in powder, and the camber keeps th...