Kiehl Cross-Terrain UV Face Protector SPF 50 Sunscreen

www.kiehls.com
This is best sun protection for a mountain man on the face of the planet. I live with five-o’clock shadow and sunscreen creams just don’t rub in well, they make me look like a grey-haired ghost. Keihl’s Cross-Terrain applies quick and clear and comes in a burly hockey puck-style container that I can leave in my pack or pocket to get smashed around during a tumble or a long travel and won’t leak or burst open make a mess. Its viscosity provides protection from extreme winds and is a worthy lip balm, so I don’t have to carry two items. In a pinch, after weather forced a retreat from Half Dome, I used it to lubricate some extremely chaffed body parts and found some clutch relief. SPF 50 means I put it on once, even at the highest altitudes, during the longest surf sessions and in the most extreme elements.
-JT Holmes

Read our policy on gear reviews by professional athletes

$25

Search for Product on Backcountry.com

Crank Brothers Eggbeater 2 Bike Pedals

www.crankbrothers.com, 10 ounces
Upgrading from traditional pedals or foot baskets to clipless is much like moving into a larger living space–once you’re there, you’ll never go back. The biggest hurdle in that evolution, however, remains the perceived challenge of getting your shoes in (and out) of those damn cleats. For us, the Crank Brothers’ Eggbeater 2 pedal is the cycling equivalent of having someone on the inside to help you out. The pedals boast four entry points, which means it’s nearly impossible to not find purchase when you go to clip in. And getting out is even easier. Twist your foot away from (or toward) the bike, and you’re free; the 15- to 20-degree angle you need (which expands the metal coil enough to release the cleat) isn’t part of standard pedal rotation, so staying in the pedals as just as intuitive as getting out. The Eggbeater 2 pedals each weigh a measly 10 ounces, and are constructed out of stamped and stainless steel. We’ve pedaled on one pair well past its five-year warranty without any issue, save one: the brass cleats (the part you screw into your bike shoes) did wear down after a few years of near-daily use (commuting and riding singletrack), and they slipped until they were replaced. But new cleats only run $22, and are easy to find online or in most bike shops. One bit of advice to the clipless new-comers: practice on a grass field till the experience becomes intuitive. Then hit the trail, path, or street and see how much more speed and control the pedals afford.

$90

Search for Product on Backcountry.com

Club Ride Go Long Bike Jersey

www.clubrideapparel.com
This cycling jersey presented a dilemma for two of our seasoned testers: they liked to wear the shirt when they were off their bikes more than when they were in the saddle. Attribute that impulse to the Go Long’s distinctive styling. The jersey has a cool plaid panel that swoops across the front and back upper section (a pattern that also sneaks in underneath the collar), while the rest of the fitted shirt keeps it subdued with simple black, white, or blue fabric. Pearl snap buttons and a chest pocket round out the shirt’s western flavor. But hidden within all those sartorial details are a slew of cycling-specific features. A two-inch micro-mesh panel lines the inner chest and arms for insta-venting, while the proprietary fabric provides the wick-and-evaporate performance that cyclists need. Underneath the front-snap closure, a full-length zipper closer regulates airflow. On the flip side of the jersey, a zippered pocket sits at the small of the back—a signature included on almost all cycling jerseys and jackets these days, and the one thing that keeps our more fashion-conscious testers anchored to their bikes, even when they’re far from the singletrack.

$100

Search for Product on Backcountry.com

Mission Workshop Sanction Backpack

missionworkshop.com
A subtle—but undeniable—rite of passage for the urban cyclist? The messenger bag. They provide an undeniable touch of courier cred to the commuting bicyclists. But, as the Mission Workshop demonstrates, the over-the-shoulder carrying solution isn’t the end-all, be-all in city-centric pedaling. In fact, one tester who’d used a shoulder bag for over ten years (and also developed a shoulder issue that might related to how he wore said pack) has now converted to the Sanction backpack (and in one month, the shoulder soreness lessened). The svelte pack is made of a variety of water- and weatherproof materials to create one of the toughest cycling bags that we’ve tested. You don’t get the same sort of easy access shoulder bags offer, but you do get poly-coated zips, heavy Velco closures, and elastic clips that collectively reinforce the Sanction’s tough, military identity. Inside, you find a firm internal frame sheet and a wide waterproof zipper compartment that can accommodate 15-inch laptops. The long, five-inch-deep central pocket tapers at the bottom for a comfortable fit while riding (though it also makes it next-to-impossible to stand up on its own), and can swallow a post-work six-pack along with all your commuting supplies. Other internal pockets—one that extends the full length of the pack, and two zippered pockets of various depths—provide isolated organization, all secured by a combo Velcro-and-clip closer. Below the main compartment, a heavily waterproofed, Velcro-secured pocket is ideal for a U-lock. Padding on the back and shoulder straps effectively keep the brunt of the weight from biting into your pressure points, and the elastic sternum strap accommodates deep breaths (hello, quad-burning hill) without sacrificing weight distribution. Its 16-liter storage capacity means it’s not a carry-all ruck sack (for that, upgrade to the Vandal, which has a max volume of 65 liters), but for daily use in all conditions, it’s a winner. Oh, and Mission Workshops—a boutique bag- and apparel-maker out of San Francisco—also makes killer shoulder bags, should your shoulder joints be in better shape than ours.

$179

Search for Product on Backcountry.com

Outlier Storm King Shell Parka

shop.outlier.cc
Every so often, we find ourselves splurging for the best with the hopes that the initial investment will be far outweighed by functionality, durability, and the evergreen style of an item. Outlier’s Storm King Shell Parka is such a piece. With taped seams, pockets galore, and Egyptian cotton fibers, it’s a supremely cut and navigable alternative to synthetics that promises to last. Full-sleeve and invisible pit zips allow for extra ventilation, a clear-view hood gives you an unobstructed view of the road ahead, and a high collar eliminates the need for annoying draw cords. Whether you weather your storms on your morning bike commute, treks through the African savanna, or weekends spent on the water, this Parka reigns supreme. What really makes it stand apart, although curated and produced in New York City, is the unique 100% Supermarine Cotton sourced from Switzerland. Outlier calls the fabric a 21st-century edit on a storied fabric that reaches back to World War 2 pilots. We call it soft, durable, water resistant, and almost completely windproof. If you’ve ever rationalized a technical article of clothing with “price per wear,” the Storm King can weather the elements of regret. An important note is that the sizing runs rather large, I suggest ordering an entire size down.
-Chadwick Crutchfield

$675

Search for Product on Backcountry.com

See More Gear »