As a company that sells shin guards and gel inserts for bike shoes, you'd think cases for Apple iPads would be a stretch. But new to the product line at G-Form LLC, a company based in Providence, R.I., are cases made for computers.

The link from shin guards and knee pads to cases for laptops and Apple iPads is found in G-Form's special impact-resistant foam, a spongy material that's flexible when you push it with a finger. But strike the G-Form material hard and it "freezes up," changing instantly to a protecting shell.

Drop your iPad in this case and the theory is that the G-Form material will shield it from the crash. The company (www.g-form.com) gives little information about the "secret sauce" that makes the foamy material change phases. It says the material "changes its molecular structure on impact."


In a quick test, you can see it work: Press the material in and it's flexible, a finger mark appearing as a depression in the foam. Hit it hard, however, and only a tiny depression forms, the material ostensibly hardening when introduced to power and speed. I tried this out and it worked.

G-Form touts that its gear absorbs 90 percent of the energy from high-speed impact and turns into "shock-absorbing armor." For knee pads and shin guards, the pliable nature of the material is nice. It does not inhibit movement. But in a crash, the pads harden up to protect.

For a laptop case, the pliability of the material at rest is less of a need. But the cases, which come for various laptop sizes as well as for the iPad, are light weight (less than a pound), water resistant, and not as cumbersome in a backpack as a comparable hard-side case would be.

The G-Form Extreme Sleeve product for laptops comes in yellow or black. Both have a funky grid pattern with the magic G-Form foam and a zipper to close them up. Prices start at $69.95. The iPad case, called the iPad Extreme Sleeve, costs $59.95.

Though the company touts "extreme protection" with the case line, there are no guarantees about your goods inside. Says the company literature, "we can’t guarantee your electronics from damage from any specific drop or impact." 

In other words, use the cases as added protection, but still take care. The G-Form sleeves are a backup. Common sense and careful handling remain the No. 1 way to keep your pricey equipment safe.

--Stephen Regenold is founder and editor of www.gearjunkie.com. Connect with Regenold at Facebook.com/TheGearJunkie or on Twitter via @TheGearJunkie.

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Best Outdoor Ski Suite

If, by "cool-looking" you mean you want to look like a Bond girl, then Bogner's Ski Suit Marly ($2,699; bogner.com) is the one-piece for you. Fully waterproof and breathable, the Marly has all the bells and whistles to keep you warm, but enough bling to get the attention of everyone on the mountain. The suit's back, arms, and chest have flower motifs embroidered with silver thread and Swarovski crystals, and the removable fur-compatible hood (fur sold separately, $279) will surely be a conversation starter on the chairlift.

The North Face's Brightlights ($379; thenorthface.com) one piece, has bells and whistles of a different variety: an upper- and lower-body Recco avalanche reflector, a helmet-compatible hood, and seamed-sealed everything. This fully waterproof, breathable suit, in bright, blocky, green, purple, and yellow, will also turn heads, most likely because you'll be leading the charge to the backcountry after a big snow.

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10 Women's Summer Swimming Essentials

Whether you're cooling off during a weekly swim in the local outdoor pool or training daily for a triathlon in a state-of-the-art aquatics center, you'll want to outfit yourself with gear made for the pool. Presenting the 10 best summer swimming products for 2011, from suits to shampoo.

Right before you jump in, rub on some DermaSwim pre-swimming lotion ($14; dermaswimpro.com). The thick, white cream blocks the absorption of chlorine into the skin, which helps prevent drying, itching and that chloriney odor that often lingers after a long workout. You'll feel a little greasy, but only until you start swimming. And don't worry, the lotion doesn't make the pool water gross.

Zoot's Lush suits ($75; zootsports.com) come in funky mosaic patterns. The straps, which aren't sewn together where they cross in the back, tend to twist annoyingly when you put the suit on, but after you straighten them out, the suit is comfortable and flattering—even during super-long training sessions. The Lush, which also comes in a sporty two-piece, is lined and chlorine resistant.

Can't decide between thick or thin straps? Compromise with Barracuda's ASSYM ($55; barracudausa.com), which rocks an asymmetrical style. If you're used to logging laps in a racerback suit, you might find the shoulder openings a little confined at first, but after a few thousand meters, you'll hardly notice a difference. The ASSYM is a high-quality product that fits well and offers good coverage. The suit makes its debut in July.


Sable WaterOptics anti-fog goggles ($45; sablewateroptics.com) will fit any face, thanks to removable nose bridges that come in three sizes. Silicone liners create a watertight seal, and the non-slip strap is easy to adjust. Customizable prescription lenses are available at an extra cost. The 922s (pictured above) are ideal for training sessions, while the sleek 101s ($50) are great for racing.

If you're looking for less expensive eyewear, consider the Barracuda Vision XL goggles ($22; barracudausa.com). The self-adjusting nose bridge means these goggles will sit comfortably on any face, without swapping out parts. The large lenses offer good peripheral views and come in a variety of mirrored and non-mirrored ($20) colors, such as blue, smoke and silver. All styles use the latest anti-fogging technology.

If you don't want to rely on those hard-to-read pool clocks, or if you can't remember if what lap you're on, check out Finis' Lap Track ($75; finisinc.com). This little gizmo attaches to the pool wall via suction cups or mounting brackets and will record your laps, pace, splits, calories burned and more. The numbers are large enough to read on the fly, and all you have to do to record a lap is press down on the face. Powered by two AAA batteries, the device has a memory capacity for up to 50 laps. See how many you can swim.

Italy-based Cressi has been a leader in the diving world since the 1940s. In 2005, the company created a line of swimming specific products, which now includes the impressive Palau light fins ($26; cressi.com). The soft, short blade allows for easy kicks without cramping, and the foot pocket is easy to get into, even in the water.

Swimming might be great for your body, but it's not so great for your hair. Pool chemicals can make your tresses dry and brittle. Put some life back into your locks with UltraSwim's chlorine removal shampoo and conditioner ($5; ultraswim.com), which are formulated to attack chlorine build up in all types of hair. And they smell good, too.

Fuel up after your swim with Kate's Real Food Stash Bar ($2.69 each, $19.14 for a package of six; katesrealfood.com). This dark chocolate and peanut butter tasty treat contains hemp, which means you'll get 9 grams of good post-workout protein. Stash Bars, like all of Kate's products, are made with whole, unprocessed, natural ingredients. Yum.

That's a lot of gear, huh? Well, pack it all up in L.L. Bean's waterproof duffel bag ($119; llbean.com). At first glance, this polyurethane-coated nylon bag appears gigantic, but once you stuff it full of swim gear, a towel, a change of clothes, a hairdryer, toiletries, etc., you won't have much room to spare. Plus, you can leave it on the pool deck without worrying about the insides getting wet -- or leave it in your car and know that moisture from wet items inside won't leak out.

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best lightweight camp stove for cold environments

The 13-ounce Primus Gravity II MF ($144; primuscamping.com) is a great option. Here's why: It burns white gas, kerosene, canister gas, and petrol, so if you run low somewhere along the 120-mile trail, you'll have a better chance of finding a refill from a local. Another handy feature: The stove has a low center of gravity and boils a liter of water in three minutes, which means your pot of pasta primavera won't A) tip over and B) take forever to cook. Just don't set up camp between a musk oxen and her babies.
Go even lighter and faster with Jetboil's Personal Cooking System ($100; jetboil.com). This compact, one-pound system (which includes a one-liter "pot") will boil your ramen noodles in a half-liter of water with a click of a button in two minutes flat. Plus, it all fits into a compact Nalgene-size bottle for storage.

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Sierra Designs Lightning HT 2 Person Backpacking Tent - FREE Footprint

Any person looking for a large backpacking tent for two (or a luxurious solo tent) will want to take a look at the Sierra Designs Lightning HT 2 person ultralight tent as it is a great blend of space and weight. Coming in at just under 4 lbs. this tent can easily be split between two, and with its unique design that creates steep sidewalls you will be impressed by the amount of space you get. Don't get stuck in another claustrophobic tent when you have the Lightning HT at your disposal.

Features:

• PVC-free seam tape
• Superseal Floor
• Reflective door trim and/or guy outs
• Hanging pockets
• Ultralight D-door
• Color-coded main door
• 2 doors, 2 vestibules
• Vent
• Ultralight clips
• Jakes Foot pole attachment
• Ball cap connector
• Swivel Hub (H,C, H/C)

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SPOT Satellite Messenger

SPOT's Personal Tracker device is the world’s first satellite messenger. Utilizing both GPS satellite and SPOT's own network, the device is able to report its location to friends and family even in areas without cellular or wireless coverage.  SPOT's Satellite Messenger has a battery life that lasts up to a year (using 2 AA lithium batteries), global coverage, the ability to track your position using Google Maps, and 9-1-1 alerting for life-threatening emergencies.  The bright orange handheld device is water-, temperature- and shock-proof, and has the ability to send pre-defined "I'm OK" emails or SMS alerts...AND it floats!
SPOT features four key functions that enable users to send messages to friends, family or emergency responders, based upon your needs for a given situation:

• Alert 9-1-1 – Dispatch emergency responders to your exact location
• Ask for Help – Request help from friends and family in your exact location
• Check In – Let contacts know where you are and that you’re OK
• Track Progress – Send and save your location and allow contacts to track your progress using Google Maps

Specifications:

• Satellite coverage works around the world, independently of cellular systems
• 7.37 ounces
• Service Fee: $99.99 USD annual OR $9.99 USD monthly subscription charge. Optional features include automatic tracking service (SPOTcasting) and guaranteed extraction service for countries or regions with non-responsive emergency services.
• Unlimited SPOTcasting Fee: $49.99 annual (OPTIONAL)
• GEOS Search and Rescue Benefit: $7.95 annual (OPTIONAL)
• Coverage: SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of North America, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and Northeastern Asia, and hundreds or thousands of miles offshore of these areas.
• Operating Temperatures: -40°F to +185°F
• Operating Altitude: -300 feet to +21,000 feet
• Floats in water (Waterproof to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes)

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This best selling pack by Gregory Mountain Products, the Deva 60, uses the Response AFS Suspension System to maximize comfort on the trail.  With plenty of pockets to choose from and multiple points of access the Deva 60 makes it easy going for retrieving all your necessities.

Features:

* Response™ AFS Suspension
* Women’s specific fit

* Top, front, side, and bottom access

* Front pocket and twin side pockets with stash pouch

* Hideaway water bottle holder and stash pocket

* Dual waistbelt pockets

* Dual hydration ports and sleeve

* Water-resistant zippers
* Dual layer, wear-resistant bottom panel

* 210d HT double diamond ripstop and broken twill nylon fabrics

Specs:

Size:
Weight: Volume: Torso Length:
XS  5 lb. 3 oz. / 2.35 kg 3,500 cu. in. / 57 L 14" - 16"
S  5 lb. 6 oz. / 2.45 kg 3,600 cu. in. / 59 L 16" - 18"
M  5 lb. 9 oz. / 2.50 kg 3,900 cu. in. / 63 L 18" - 20"

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Best Running shoes: Inov-8 RocLite 295 Trail Running Shoe

Trail running and walking shoe with high levels of comfort, breathability and performance. The patent pending Fascia-band aids propulsion efficiency of the running cycle. Good underfoot cushioning makes the 295 ideal for hard surface tracks and trails.

• Aggressive lugged rubber outsoles deliver superb mixed-terrain performance with durable and flexible traction on a variety of surfaces
• Dual-density Rocshoc™ midsoles provide ample shock absorption and memory retention
• Medial and lateral posting in midsoles helps to control overpronation for a more natural gait and better stability
• Midfoot polymer shanks add torsional rigidity for better stability and protection on rough terrain
• Highly breathable 3D mesh uppers with synthetic leather reinforcements are durable, flexible and super lightweight
• Uppers are treated with a DWR(Durable Water Repellent) and anti-microbial finish for minimal water absorption, quick drying and odor control

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The Best Survival Knife

I like it! That's actually a great skillset. Most of us carry some sort of knife, but I know that I probably tap only a tiny fraction of its potential use. I get a kick out of watching Bear Grylls (Man vs. Wild) devise shelters and spears and various survival items with his knife—even using it as a sort of axe by pounding the back of the blade with a stone or heavy stick to give it more punch.

Anyway, this isn't the place for a multi-tool knife. I don't even think you want a hinged knife, since the hinge simply introduces a bit of mechanical complexity that could fail. You want a really tough fixed-blade knife.

A good example is the SOG Seal Team Knife ($161). It is the official knife of the U.S. Navy Seals, but that is neither here nor there. What matters is that it has a tough seven-inch blade, a little bit of serration toward the base of the blade, and a rugged reinforced handle. You can cut, slash, pound, carve, and shave with this knife.

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Best Minimalist Overnight Backpack

I should think that anything around 2,500 cubic inches will suffice. The wild card is whether you need to carry water, and how much. Otherwise, the load you describe will fit nicely into a typical day pack, with room for food and clothing and Wild Turkey.

A great example would be the Osprey Kestrel 38 ($139). It has 2,300 cubic inches of capacity, plus adequate external stowage for poles, a jacket, that sort of thing. It's a simple top-loader with a fixed flap/pocket, so you can't over-fill it much. But you should be fine. And its suspension will take pretty substantial loads, as it has an internal steel frame that gives it structure and transfers weight to the hip belt.

Gregory's Z40 ($149) is cut from very similar cloth. It's just a little bit bigger (2,440 cubic inches), with a rear "shove-it" pocket that gives you a place to externally store some clothing. And it's designed a bit more as a small overnight pack, so has slightly easier access to things such as a sleeping bag. I have a somewhat larger Z-type pack that I use for trips of two and three nights, and it carries extremely well.

Lastly, REI's Flash 50 ($149) gives you 3,000 cubic inches of space in a pack that still is very light yet has an excellent suspension. That's still a pretty compact pack, and you might find the extra space handy seeing as you really are not paying any weight penalty (it's 2 pounds 10 ounce, while the Gregory is 3 pounds three ounces).

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THE BEST SLEEPING PAD

Far and away, the self-inflating kind. Not so much due to comfort, but because the old-style "air mattress" you're thinking of are co-o-ld. Self-inflating pads have insulation. This is a key factor in almost all conditions, as ground is cold almost everywhere.

The other big factor is weight. In my mind you want about the lightest pad you can find. I really like REI's Lite-Core 1.5 ($75). It's pretty comfy, and weighs only 27 ounces in the full-length version. The Cascade Designs' Therm-a-Rest ProLite Plus ($100) also is an excellent lightweight pad.

Now, as for comfort, probably the best out there is the Exped Downmat 9 ($199 in full-length). That's because it's an air mattress with a down filling. The down offers insulation and some cushioning. Very plush. But...weight is around three pounds.

A good alternative is to combine a very light self-inflating pad (even a ¾-length version) with a light foam pad, such as the Cascade Designs Z-Lite ($40). It's a very light (14 ounces in full-length; 10 in ¾) foam pad that really gives a single pad a comfort boost.

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Best food for a 15-day trekking expedition

• Breakfast. Pretty easy. These days I just tend to take some Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars, dried apricots, and a whole bunch of Starbucks Via instant coffee. Starbucks Via ranks alongside Vibram soles, closed-cell foam pads, Gore-Tex, and the internal-frame pack as one of the Greatest. Backpacking. Things. Ever.

• Lunch. Really hard. I mean, what can you pack for lunch on a long trip? On trips up to four or five days I take bagels, peanut butter, salami, or canned tuna (the small cans). My friend Jake takes pita bread. Maybe try dried fruit.

• Dinner. Pretty easy. I often take dried soups like those from Nile Spice, empty them from their cardboard container, and store in zipper-top plastic bags. Freeze-dried dinners work because they’re light. None are that good, but I’ve found that Italian-themed dinners like Mountain House’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce for Two ($6.50) are at least decent. That’s two servings, though. Not two full meals.

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The BestTravel Pants

Yes and no. There are several decent pants out there that do a pretty good job of taking you from a pilgrimage to the café to the gallery. They also all sort of scream "I am a tourist!!!" That's because they're what tourists wear. Sort of like Americans and baseball caps.

A good example is the Arc'Teryx Palisade Pants ($129). Similar to Arc'Tery'x higher-end soft shell trekking/climbing pants, the Palisades have a nicely low-key look, coupled with a little bit of stretch in the fabric, and a gusseted crotch. They wear well, shed dirt, dry quickly.

Another good all-around travel pant is the Ex Officio Nomad ($65). Not quite as technical as the Arc'Teryx pants—they don't have the Palisade's flat-profile pocket zippers—but they have durable nylon fabric that can take quite a bit of abuse and still look decent. The two color choices (light khaki or cigar—sort of coffee) go well with nearly any shirt and sweater.

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best boots for a long hike

Is it possible to find a comfortable boot for a trip like this?

The boots you have now clearly don’t fit, so pretty much anything will be an upgrade. Still, you're asking a lot for one pair of boots.

The desert part is the most difficult. You'll want boots that are fairly light, breath well, and won’t cook your feet. In the desert, water protection isn’t an issue, but for the East Coast and other areas, getting a waterproof boot is key.

One boot that might work is the Scarpa Kailash ($190). I say that because I just wore a pair for four days of backcountry travel in the Grand Canyon, which is as much of a desert as the Mojave. On a hot day—we had some temps around 90—they were a bit warm, but not bad. Very comfortable. I also wear them up here in the Pacific Northwest, so that’s a testament to their versatility. The Kailash is a mid-weight boot, ideal for tough day hikes or multi-day trips with moderate loads. They got a suede and fabric upper, Gore-Tex booties, and a nylon shank.

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Best lightweight two-person tents

Oh, there are a zillion tents out there. It’s largely a matter of what style you like, and maybe even what the tent looks like.

The Big Agnes Jack Rabbit SL2 ($279) is typical of what should work for you. It’s a well-made, four-pound tent that accommodates two people. The upper section of the canopy is mesh for good ventilation, and it has a full-coverage fly for ample weather protection. It also has twin doors and twin vestibules, which means you can store shoes or boots in one vestibule and leave the other clear. Setup is relatively easy; the five poles join together to create the tent’s exoskeleton and the canopy clips onto the poles.

The Sierra Designs Meteor Light 2 ($290) is a classic tent. It’s heavier than the Jack Rabbit, at about six pounds, but it's also sturdier and larger. It has two doors and two vestibules. Setup is easy with three poles.

There's also the Marmot Limelight 2 ($199), which comes in at five pounds and has a single side door—fine for one person. It has a very simple two-pole setup.

A really good value is REI’s Half Dome 2 ($179), a spacious and light tent at about five pounds. It's well ventilated, sets up easy, and also has two doors. Plus you get light, strong DAC poles that are usually found in pricier tents.

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Timex Global Trainer GPS Watch

It has an absolutely huge face, but Timex's Global Trainer GPS Watch makes checking your vitals (speed, distance, heart rate, elevation, and more) a snap, and it's lighter and less unwieldy than it looks.

If you're a multi-sport athlete, it's nice to have a device that you can use for running, cycling, and swimming, and that describes the Timex Ironman Global Trainer. The Global Trainer's multi-pane display may be configured to show the performance stats that are important to you, and you can select and set up an array of training zone alarms for distance, speed, and heart rate. Serious triathletes or cyclists who have bike power meters will find the Global Trainer to be compatible with a range of ANT+ capable power meters.

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