Gallery: The Fast and the Fearless: Athletes Go for the Gold in the X Games
01xgames1-660
*Eight-time World Rally champ Sebastien Loeb cleaned up in his inaugural Summer X Games, besting Ken Block by a blazing 12.23 seconds to take gold in Rally Cross on Sunday.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull
02xgames10-660
*Simone Barraco shows picnic tables aren't just for picnics. He finished fifth overall in the BMX Freestyle Street final on Friday.* Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull
03xgames2-660
*PGA Tour star Rickie Fowler took to the MegaRamp with his wedge, whacking a few balls off a 65-foot ramp into an X-shaped (naturally) sand trap on Wednesday. He landed them within a few feet of the pin.* Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull
04xgames3-660
*Drew Bezanson makes it look so easy during a run in the BMX Park on Saturday. Bezanson was back after a head injury forced him to withdraw from last year's competition. He finished fifth overall.* Photo: Garth Milan/Red Bull
05xgames4-660
*Travis Pastrana and Sebastien Loeb mix it up on the kart track ahead of the Global Rally Cross event. Pastrana had tempted and taunted Loeb to enter the Games, but the two never got to compete in Rally Cross. Pastrana was knocked out in qualifying.* Photo: Chris Tedesco/Red Bull
06xgames5-660
*Alex Sorgente, flying. The 14-year-old made his first appearance at the X Games, competing in Skateboard Big Air on Friday. He was one of 16 kids as young as 11 competing in the Games.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull
07xgames7-660
*Pedro Barros wows some fans during a practice session Wednesday. The Brazilian won his second gold medal in Skateboard Park with a score of 84.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull
08xgames9b-660
*Levi Sherwood goes big in the Moto X Freestyle finals, winning silver on Thursday with a score of 91.66. His run included a kiss of death backflip, a can can backflip and an extended kiss of death backflip. *Christian Pondella/Red Bull**
09xgames9-660
*Ronnie Renner poses for pics after the Moto X Step Up on Friday. His rivalry with Matt Buyten hit a new high — literally — as the two fought for biggest air. Renner ultimately cleared 47 feet to win his third gold medal and unseat the two-time defending champion.* Photo: Christian Pondella/Red Bull [](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/playbook/?attachment_id=13835) *Renner easily clears the bar, set at 43 feet in this pic. Insane.* Christian Pondella/Red Bull
The Best Duffel Bags for Commuters and Chronic Overpackers
Need to schlep some stuff? These field-tested duffels can handle your baggage.
Louryn Strampe
Breathe Easy Thanks to the Best Air Purifier for Every Home
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergies, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
Molly Higgins
The WIRED Guide to Los Angeles for Business Travelers
A tech industry guide to where to stay, eat, work, and play while visiting LA.
Jordan Michelman
The Best Travel Toiletry Bags for Every Trip
Our team evaluated a ton of toiletry bags to find the best storage, organization, and design options for all your essentials.
Kat Merck
Quell the Heat With Our Favorite Window Air Conditioners
These are the AC units we’ve trusted to cool our homes for months, if not years.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Wireless Chargers to Refuel Your Phone (or Watch)
Stop fumbling for cables in the dark. These WIRED-tested stands and pads will take the hassle out of refueling your phone, wireless earbuds, and watch.
Simon Hill
The Best Meal Kits of 2026, Tested by a Former Restaurant Critic
Here are the best meal kits in 2026, including Martha Stewart’s delivery box, a GLP-1–supportive plan, and a budget-friendly option.
Matthew Korfhage
This Year’s Best Father’s Day Gifts for the Man Who Says He Doesn’t Need Anything
Dads are traditionally tough to shop for—let me help with these handpicked gift ideas for fathers with great taste.
Martin Cizmar
The Dyson Vacuums Worth Buying
Feeling the pull of a new clean machine? We’ll help you make sense of Dyson’s whirlwind vacuum lineup.
Nena Farrell
All the Best Vacuum Cleaners We’ve Ever Tried
Looking for all our top recommended vacuums? Here are our favorites in every style we’ve tested, from stick vacs to robot vacuums.
Nena Farrell
The Romance Scammer Who Made a Small Fortune Posing as a WWE Superstar
In this excerpt from WIRED Book Club pick The Yahoo Boys, journalist Carlos Barragán traces one scammer’s journey from flop to fortune.
Carlos Barragán
I Tried 13 of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening Systems
Grow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.
Kat Merck