Gear There's more than meets the eye in a new backpack and bouncy athletic shoes

A Little Spring in Your Step

It doesn't look like a pogo stick, but Nike won't mind if you
think that its new Shox athletic shoe ($150) acts like one. Four
springlike columns in the heel absorb impact when your foot hits
the ground. Shox come in basketball, cross-training and running
styles. Go to www.nike.com.

Thirst Quencher

Like all backpacks, the CamelBak Sherpa ($130) can carry whatever
you can cram into its pockets, including your leaking, bulky
water bottle. What sets this pack apart, however, is its
three-liter water reservoir. To drink, simply bite down on the
end of the drinking tube to open the valve. When not compressed,
the valve is airtight, so there's no spilling. An empty pack with
a fully loaded reservoir weighs 8.7 pounds. To find out about
other models and styles, call CamelBak at 800-767-8725 or visit
www.camelbak.com.

TWO COLOR PHOTOS: CAMELBAK (2)

COLOR PHOTO: NIKE