BEST TENT
Sea to Summit Telos TR2 $499
Ultralight backpacking tents aren’t prized for
their livability. Despite manufacturers’ best
efforts, these pint-size shelters can get stuffy fast.
Sea to Summit found another way in the Telos
by rethinking traditional tent architecture. The
V-shaped Tension Ridge pole, which supports the
ceiling and f ly, is a striking contrast to other ridge
poles that curve down. By f lipping the design,
the Australian brand achieves a relatively lofty
43.5-inch peak height that made the two-person,
28-square-foot tent feel less cramped.THE ONE PRODUCT THAT
HELPED ME MOST IN 2021
As travel slowly made a
comeback, I found myself
in need of a reliable
backpack. The Yeti Cross-
roads ($200) turned out to
be just that. Aside from the
brand’s well-known dura-
bility, this pack’s calling
card is organization. While
being ushered through the
TSA line in the Denver air-
port, I was able to quickly
pull my computer out of the
dedicated compartment,
and small electronics lived
in external pockets for easy
access from my plane seat.MEET THE EXPERTS
W i l l E g e n s t e i n e r //
D e p u t y E d i t o r , T e s t i n g
EXPERIENCE A decade of testing gear in
the wild, writing about it, and not needing
search and rescue to save my butt (yet).BEST BIKE HELMET
Specialized Align II
MIPS $50
Being a bit frugal with a hel-
met purchase doesn’t mean
skimping on quality head
protection. This lid from
Specialized comes with the
MIPS lining we know and
love for its added buffer
against angled impacts, and
cyclists with larger domes
will be happy to know it
comes in sizes up to XL.62 January/February 2022