3 Worthwhile Gear Upgrades for Your Bike, SUP, Running

I may make most of my living writing about shiny, new gear, but I have a soft spot in my heart for old, beater equipment that works “just fine.” I’m a firm believer that equipment that simply does its job—floats, rides, runs—is all a person really needs in order to get outside and enjoy moving in nature.

That said, technological advancements in gear can make a huge difference in comfort and performance, both of which can increase a person’s enjoyment in an activity, getting them out more often and keeping them out longer, doing what they love. But constantly buying the latest, greatest everything simply isn’t feasible for most people—they need to strategically choose what upgrades will make the most difference. With years of experience as a gear tester, and closets and sheds overflowing with all kinds of outdoor sports equipment, I have found that the following glow-ups have improved my experiences in the outdoors the most without breaking my personal bank.

New Tires on an Old Bike

I don’t ride a mountain bike often enough to justify buying the newest bike every year or two, so I ride an old Fisher Paragon 29er from, oh, maybe the mid-2000s. It works. It rolls, it shifts, the front Rock Shox Reba still has some give. For the most part, all my old bike needs is an occasional tune-up to keep the gears changing smoothly and the drivetrain functioning. But two years ago I invested in an upgrade that has made a big difference in both safety and joy of riding: I spent about fifty bucks on new bike tires.

My old tires had worn down to a sketchily smooth surface; Kenda’s knobby Small Block 8 Sport XC tires have given me secure traction on the varied, wickedly dry dirt trails around Boulder, Colorado. The tread pattern—flat center grip and cornering knobs—provides a great combination of a smooth-rolling ride on crushed gravel flats, bite that prevents skidding out on sharp corners, and toothiness on short, steep, rocky climbs I still try to clean (despite not riding very often). The tires help me feel like I can still handle a bike, even if that bike is pretty dang old.

Kenda Small Block 8 Sport Tire

New Paddle for an Old SUP

During COVID, I bought two used, inflatable stand-up paddleboards from a summer day camp and I love them. While they are not the most responsive, and they’re certainly not fast, in my eyes, they work just fine for getting out on the water to paddle. I fold them up and throw them in the back of my Subaru, consider the pump-inflating process part of my workout, and take them out on the Boulder Reservoir and on lakes while camping with my family. They have fins that help them steer straight, but I sometimes paddle without the fin for the challenge.

The one upgrade I’ve added to my beater SUP rig is a stiff, lightweight Kialoa ‘Uhane Adjustable Fiberglass Paddle, and it’s been well worth it. With this high-tech paddle in hand, I have far greater control of my less-than-cutting-edge board on the water. At 27.5 ounces, the swing weight is significantly less than a full-plastic paddle, which can weigh up to 45 ounces, and the stiffness of the fiberglass shaft and blade is far superior. My nice paddle allows a direct, efficient connection to the water that has made using my board smoother and more enjoyable. And the easy adjustability allows my sons (now taller than me) to also use it.

‘Uhane Adjustable Fiberglass Stand Up Paddle

New Running Shoes for Road and Trail

I used to wear my running shoes until they started feeling like Keds (the midsole foam being packed out and done), and I know people who run in their shoes long after feeling that sensation. But running in old shoes that are well past their prime is like driving a car with no oil. It’s just not a good idea. As a lead tester for Outside’s road and trail running shoe guides, I now run in new shoes all the time, and I can attest that upgrading trail or road running shoes does wonders for your experience and is worth the expense. Lacing up a new pair can make the difference between enjoying running or hating it.

If you haven’t upgraded in a while, you’re in for a treat: There are so many good road and trail running shoes on the market right now with secure-fitting uppers, fresh traction, and super lively cushioning. Midsole foams are at an all-time “holy cow, this is fun” level. The cushioning and rebound can actually make a run feel easier, and running is hard enough.

Right now, I’m enjoying the responsive, cushioned-but-not-squishy midsole foam of the Mount to Coast M1 trail running shoe and its dual-lacing system that lets me adjust different tensions on different parts of my foot. I’m also really digging the lively, beaded PEBA-based foam of the Saucony Endorphin Azura supertrainer, which makes me faster without using a carbon fiber plate and keeps me from feeling beat up after a workout. They both have been giving my old gear—my body, in this case—new life.

Mount to Coast M1

Saucony Endorphin Azura