The Topo Designs Mountain Briefcase

A three-way carrying system that can go from a climb to a conference call

Creating all kinds of outdoor-focused bags—from ripstop cargos to travel packs—Colorado-based Topo Designs (a CH favorite) is well-known and admired for their simple and efficient design, durability and nature-loving manifesto. Rather than complicate an adventure with too many technical accessories and gadgets, the brand simplifies the experience with logical, quality products—all made in the USA. The Mountain Briefcase, their latest product, allows for a seamless …

Test Ride: Cannondale Trigger Carbon 2

How the all-around mountain bike handled the challenging Sandy Ridge Trail System

by Nick Jaynes At the outset, finding this season’s perfect all-round mountain bike seemed like an easy task, as most modern, high-end bikes claim to be quite adept at tackling anything from rocky incline charges to stump-laden downhill slogs with equal aplomb. After months of sweating, cursing and mud-slinging, the Cannondale Trigger Carbon 2 could very well be it. With its swoopy geometry, burly and …

Bowndling Hiking Apparel and Backpacks

A new quality-focused outdoors brand for women, by women

“We believe hiking deserves better clothing,” says the all-women team from young, UK-based label Bowndling, which launched November of 2014. The outdoors industry seems reluctant to merge function with fashion for fear of detracting from tech specs—and as a result, women customers are often stuck with choosing the lesser of two evils: hyper-feminine pieces in shades of neon and hot pink, or shapeless silhouettes that …