Looking back on 2023, a handful of products stood out to us. Some for being innovative and others for being a great example of building a product the right way. Truthfully, these products are representations of countless hours of product refinement from a variety of brands. All that work has paid off with us as these products remain close at hand and remain in our regular rotation well after the test period has passed.
Patagonia Merino 3/4-Sleeved Merino Bike Jersey
Kevin: "This piece is so simple but so good, and it's going to be at the front of my cycling kit rack for seasons to come. I wore it more this past six months than any other piece of riding gear that I own."
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Ornot Micro Grid Jersey
Jason: "The Micro Grid Jersey is an absolute winner. Everything about this jersey showcases both great fabrics and great design. Ornot knows how to make just the right cut and Polartec Power Grid does the heavy lifting. It really is a great jersey for shoulder season or cool summer mornings across all cycling disciplines."
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Canyon Neruon AL 6
Jason: "I'm absolutely floored by how much I love this bike. I don't just love how it performs, but I love what it means for everyday mountain bikers worldwide who want a do-it-all bike on a budget. I wouldn't hesitate to plunk down $2599 to get one of these for myself -- even though I could easily get something lighter and fancier. If this was my only mountain bike, I'd happily ride it off into the sunset with a big ol' smile on my face."
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Fezzari Veyo SL
Jason: "The Fezzari Veyo SL is the best road bike ever to come out of their Lindon, UT headquarters. Heck, it's among the most capable aero all-rounders on the market today and goes toe-to-toe with bikes from the biggest brands. Available in a variety of builds, you'll find the Veyo SL to be an adept descender and capable on all terrain with a planted, predictable feel. Handling is responsive, but never twitchy and delivers comfort beyond expectations."
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Black Diamond Aspect Pro Climbing Shoes
Nate: "Going into testing, I thought I'd have a longer list in my "The Bad" section, but no. These shoes really surprised me with their consistent performance. They fit comfortably, which is a great first step, but they followed through on the rock. Their rubber compound and general design made them a natural for cracks and edging, but also a surprisingly good choice in the smears. Is it a TC Pro beater? Honestly, I think so."
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Pirelli P Zero Race TLR 30c Tires
Jason: "So far, I've got nothing but praises for these fast-rolling, easy-going tubeless tires. The SmartEVO compound seems to have found the Holy Grail of tire materials for sure. I've found them to be reliable, durable and easy to live with. The extreme comfort offered by the 30c width can't be overlooked either — I'm sold on this tire width as the standard for all my road bikes."
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Kuat Grip 4 Ski Rack
Kevin: "It's easy to recommend the Kuat Grip 4 to people who can afford a premium rack. If you're looking to splurge on a top-dollar quiver hauler, you can't really get better than the Kuat Grip 4. The build alone is singularly good, but the execution of the key features (namely one-touch opening, slide-out lower trays) is spot on. I don't have any major critiques to the design and construction, and I've commented on the unusual shipping issue that I had. I don't think I'm ever going to want another rack after this one."
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Cannondale Dynam MIPS Helmet
Jason: "Not known for high-end road helmets, the Cannondale Dynam MIPS deserves some attention. The MIPS Air Node design simplifies the system while still providing the utmost in head protection. Above all, the Dynam simply fits like a glove and disappears in the saddle. Ventilation is great and sweat management is above average."
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WTB Vulpine Gravel Tires
Jason: "If your goals are to ride among the fastest gravel racers, the WTB Vulpine is an excellent choice. On fast gravel, they zip right along. Only the most loose terrain gives them pause (as it should). Outside of that, these supple tires really transition well from road to gravel as a one-tire solution."
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Patagonia Endless Run Shorts
Jason: "A great pair of running shorts is critical for any trail run. With solid muscle compression and overall comfort, the Patagonia Endless Run Shorts have quickly won me over. Adding to that, you get top-notch breathability and quick dry times once finished. The icing on the cake are the fantastic leg sleeves and the leg pockets to stash your phone or other items along the way."
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Moosejaw Ice Fort 25 Hard Cooler
Nate: "Moosejaw took their time before launching their line of coolers, and their entry is an exceptional one. The Ice Fort is designed with an attention to detail that you can see in each one of its high quality features. It does the job of keeping things cold notably well, and it doesn't break the bank. What's not to love?"
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Hoka Challenger 7
Jason: "Since I wasn't lucky enough to have tried the Challenger 6, I can't compare the two, but the Hoka Challenger 7 by itself is a master class of how to build a versatile trail runner that can also tackle road miles. With tons of cushioning and a smooth, rockered outsole, your body will appreciate every step of along the way. I'm feeling energized after 5-6 mile trail runs and am looking forward to even longer distances."
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Arc'teryx Rush SK 16 Backpack
Kevin: "Like so many Arc'teryx products, this one is pretty 'specialized,' meaning it's designed for a narrow purpose. This is a lightweight no-frills but comfortable 16 liter backcountry touring backpack for people who want to pack light for one day of touring. If you fall into that category of users, you will find that this backpack suits all of your needs and keeps you feeling light and fast. I don't recommend it as a 'first' backpack for new tourers looking for a lightweight setup, because there's not enough room to pack layering options. Lastly, for some users, the lack of a bladder outlet will be a daily annoyance. I don't mean to be negative here: this is a really awesome pack for its intended purpose. It's also built like a tank and will easily last a decade -- if not a lifetime."
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Pearl Izumi Attack Air Bib Shorts
Jason: "These are an absolute steal! I am blown away by the overall quality of materials and liner of the Attack Air Bib Shorts. I would stack these up against the best from Assos, MAAP, Castelli and other top brands without hesitation. In fact, at the $160 price tag, these bib shorts beat all of those brands hands-down. Don't just take my word on these bib shorts — check out the stack of 5-star reviews on the Pearl Izumi web site too! Somehow, Pearl Izumi's designers have made the ultimate bib short for a modest price. Get yourself a pair, you won't be disappointed."
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Trek Domane SLR 9 AXS Gen 4
Jason: "I settled right into the new Domane like an old friend. The geometry and spec delivered a near custom-fit for my body shape and riding style. Above all, this bike is just plain fun to ride -- everywhere. While it shines on all terrain, I love the responsive, race-like handling without any twitchiness that's sometimes associated with a fast-handling bike. It's the right combination of all the things to elevate this bike to the top of the endurance bike class, in my mind. The Domane SLR 9 AXS is expensive, but the same performance can be had at lower price points."
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Velocio Thermal Bib Knickers
Jason: "Bib knickers are the unsung heroes of shoulder season and winter riding. Velocio has delivered with these as I've been keen to ride them above bib tights because they are comfortable, compressive and cozy. The overall cut and fit is spot-on, with just a couple of small nit-picks that don't detract from the great package. On all but the coldest winter rides, these are my choice."
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Pearl Izumi PRO Barrier Jacket
Jason: "Calling this a wind jacket is definitely selling it short. It is way more than just that, and may be one of my favorite jackets ever. Layer it up for cold rides, or bring it along just in case. However you rock it, the Pearl Izumi PRO Barrier Jacket will breathe like a sieve and comfortably stretch with your every move. Plus, the permanent water-resistance ensures you'll be kept dry on everything but a monsoon downpour."
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