Gear Picks

One of our favorite camp shoes, the Ember Mocs have a quilted Ripstop upper, which hugs your feet like a slipper, and a rubber sole, which lets you move freely around rocky and dirty campsites.

The Dipseas sunglasses have long been one of our favorites. According to our testers, “the [Dispseas] turns up the style dial with delicious frame colors...and the outlook is cool and clear through polarized emerald lenses that are better than you’d expect at this price.”

The cozy wool upper on these slippers pairs beautifully with a rubber outsole for ultimate convenience when hanging out indoors or running out for a quick coffee. They can be worn with or without socks, and if you choose to do the latter, you won't have to worry about stink, thanks to the odor-resistant nature of the wool.

Want a sneaker that you can throw on for a quick errand or dress up for a night at the water’s edge? There’s no wrong way to wear this minimalist shoe, with its stripped-down style, white piping, and a lightweight, breathable poplin-twill upper. We picked it as one of the best travel shoes of 2018.

The best part about the Wilder is that while it excels at being wet, it feels just as comfortable on land. It features a mesh and neoprene upper on a grippy, lugged outsole. That upper is reinforced for support with a heel cup in the back and rubber vamps toward the front. Dual climbing shoe-inspired tabs make getting in easy, and a speed lace system locks the foot into place.

Made with lightweight, quick-drying polyester ripstop fabric, the Sol Patrol II shirt is a warm-weather staple that also offers UPF 30 sun protection.

The Liddy is one of editor Emily Reed’s most worn items. “It’s extra stretchy, has soft and flexible buttons, and an extra-long hemline for easy layering,” she says.

Designed with surf artist Thomas Campbell as part of Huckberry's Earth Week, 100 percent of the proceeds for this shirt go to Waves For Water, a nonprofit that provides clean drinking water to people around the globe. It's printed on a Flint and Tinder shirt, a brand we love.

It may be so hot and humid outside that your hair feels like it never left the shower, but at least the Short-Sleeve A/C Lightweight Top helps. With a blend of ultralight organic cotton and breathable hemp crafted into a slightly raised texture, this shirt helps cool you down against the sticky heat outside.

Editor Emily Reed, who tested the Yampa 70 last summer, said the bag is “made to endure rocky shorelines and brambly bushwhacks,” citing its TPU-coated nylon and foam cushioning. "You can haul, toss, and drag your gear without fear of damaging it," she wrote.

Springtime means rainstorms, and the Venture 2 is a budget-friendly way to stay dry, whether you’re dodging drops on your way to work or stuck in a torrential downpour miles from the trailhead. Clean lines help it look sharp, while the 2.5-layer DryVent waterproof-breathable laminate and underarm vents dump unwanted heat buildup.

This lightweight, soft-shell hoodie is built for comfort on all-day missions. This jacket has windproof coverage in the hood and arms, but if you're looking for more insulation, layer up with a warm long-sleeve base-layer underneath.

The Borod works great as a midlayer or light jacket for outings in multiple seasons. The lightweight gridded fleece interior keeps your skin cool and dry on high-output days, while maintaining insulation should the weather turn foul.

The Isabella will serve you well on your daily commute, on campus, or as a carry-on. It's outfitted with a laptop sleeve, two side pockets, a compartment for your electronics, and plenty of room for textbooks. And the cushy shoulder straps make this pack a solid option for day hikes after class.

The synthetic insulation in the Ventrix is made to be active, with gill-like vents cut into the underarms to dump heat. The soft face fabric glides easily under your shell for perfect layering when the weather turns.

This award-winning jacket has a permanent home in our editors' closets—and for good reason. The active insulation in the Ventrix is made to work with you, dumping heat as you go. Gill-like vents cut into the synthetic insulation that stretches throughout the whole jacket.

Goodbye, shaky footage. Outside contributor Brent Rose praised the Hero7 Black for its superb image stabilization. “It handles small bumps much better [than the Hero6] and does a killer job of eliminating vibration,” Rose writes. “The footage is certainly smoother and easier on the eyes (and the stomach).”

Hold on to your fitness goal harder than ever before with this data-driven bundle from Garmin. It combines a multisport GPS heart rate monitor watch with an HRM-Tri heart rate chest strap to deliver top-notch results after every workout. The watch is great for everyday use too—smart notifications hit the device as soon as you get a text or call to your smartphone.

This isn’t a luggage tag in the traditional sense. It’s a GPS tag you can attach to anything you don’t want to lose like your camera, keys, or purse. Pair it with your smartphone and you can click a button to sound an alarm on the Tile that can be heard for 300 feet, or use the GPS feature to track the item that’s missing.

If you’re packing bear spray, you want it at the ready. Mystery Ranch’s holster straps to your belt or a pack’s sternum or waist straps, so your deterrent is always within reach.

Make sure your beer and chocolate bars stay yours with this cooler, which, when paired with a locking kit, is certified bear resistant from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. To earn that distinction, the Venture had to survive an hour of being manhandled by a grizzly.

If you want to keep food safe, seal it up. The Insider has a quick-opening locking mechanism that’s easy for humans to figure out but a lock that will frustrate bears. And it’s made of bomber polypropylene, plus has a good amount of storage space (11.86-liters for food) without a ton of weight (3.7 pounds).

Federal regulations limit how much capsaicinoids (the active eye- and nose-stinging ingredient) bear spray can have, and most options on the market hit that maximum. But the Sabre Frontiersman also has a long range (up to 30 feet), and the company makes a training spray so you can safely practice without wasting the real stuff.

Some national parks and forests require the use of bear canisters in the backcountry. But for places where ursine scavengers aren’t as much of a concern, a food bag is a good, lightweight option to keep the critters out. The Ursack is made from an incredibly tough Kevlar-based fabric, and the integrated six-foot-long cord makes it easy to string up in a tree.

Our gear editor praised Patagonia's Nine Trails packs for their clean efficiency: “With a minimalist design and well-considered features, Patagonia has proven that when it comes to daypacks, simpler is better,” he writes. It's available in both men's and women's sizes from 14 liters to 36 liters.

This bag is a staple for summer surf trips, shoulder-season backpacking trips, and overnight forays into the mountains. It’s light and compact enough for taking out on the trail, yet still comfy enough for casual car-camping adventures, and it comes at a price that won’t destroy your summer-wandering budget.

RxBars are made of just a handful of natural ingredients, one of which is egg whites for protein. The result is chewy and delicious. This particular flavor has only a hint of caffeine (five milligrams) for when you need a little pick-me-up.

Chocolate and peanut butter go wonderfully together. And they’re even better when they’re mixed into individual servings—easier to pop on the trail for an instant shot of calories and protein. Plus, ProBar’s blend has 25 milligrams of caffeine derived from yerba maté.

Jelly beans have gotten us through more than one mountain-bike race. They’re fruity, delicious, and packed with electrolytes and B and C vitamins, but mostly they’re straight energy-giving sugar. These also have 50 milligrams of caffeine per bag for even more of a bump.

Shot Bloks are good when you’re craving something (anything) other than another gel or bar. And they’re made from all-organic ingredients. Get the black cherry or chocolate-cherry flavors, which come with 50 milligrams of caffeine per every three pieces.

The Double Expresso energy gel is like mainlining caffeine—100 milligrams of it, to be exact, the same as in your morning coffee. And the pouch makes for easy slurping as a midrace jolt.

A quick hit of goo with 87 calories and 22 grams of carbs, a single Double Espresso gel also has a whopping 150 milligrams of caffeine—more than a 12-ounce can of Red Bull. Consume in moderation.

After testing this new Hydro Flask product, our Gear Guy said it was his favorite cooler-pack hybrid mostly because of how comfortable and easy to carry it is. Credit the padded shoulder straps and sleek design.

Pack right and a 34-liter rucksack is an ideal weekender. But snow camping? That’s where the “+” comes in. With all your avy gear in a dedicated pocket, goggles and other essentials stashed in the brain, and skins in the zippered side sleeves, the Rise's cavernous main compartment is left open for a whole lotta love.

No need to lug weights to get in your strength workout. The lightweight Strong System makes it easy to get stronger right at home or when travelling. Bonus: It comes with a door mount and carry bag.

Stio teamed up with Polartec to create a line of baselayers made with merino wool and synthetic fibers. The result? Breathable, durable pieces that move moisture off the skin. The Power Wool was the only baselayer gear editor Ben Fox wore on a four-day hut trip. “The Basis was completely odorless,” he writes.

Although it’s minimal, this kit contains the most commonly need first aid products, including gauze, scissors, band-aids, and ibuprofen.

Camping with a partner? Our Gear Guy recommends the Apollo, which uses a QuadPower LED light that pumps out 250 lumens, and features a non-glaring case and fold-down legs. It's ideal for lighting up your camp kitchen or tent.

Small, packable, and easy to deploy, this tripod stool makes a great chair at camp. We recommend storing it in the back of your car so it's always on hand.

Gear editor Emily Reed loves the Eldris, which is a staple of her camping box. She finds the oversize handle and fixed blade effective for whittling and chopping kindling. Plus, the affordable price means it's not a devastating loss if she accidentally forgets the knife at a campsite. Read her full review here.

The back panel on this space-efficient pack closely mimics the curve of a woman’s back, making it so comfy that testers almost forgot they had it on. It’s available in five sizes, so you can really dial in the fit.

Part Tupperware, part dinnerware, the MealKit 2.0 combines storage and serving with its system of plates, bowls, cups and lids, making it easy to prep the meal at home and store it in a cooler on the way to the perfect picnic spot. They’re a lot lighter than many other picnic dinnerware options and fairly reasonable to boot.

This practical, sturdy headlamp pumps out 70 lumens of light and only weighs 3.2 ounces. The four-LED lamp is surprisingly feature-rich considering its affordable price tag: it has five different light settings, and can be dimmed or brightened simply by holding a finger down on the button.

With ten LEDs that produce 50 lumens, this lantern has a frosted plastic body that casts prettier light than most fixtures at five-star resorts. It has three settings (low, medium, and high), a separate button to check the remaining power, and a strap for carrying and hanging.

We love the Klettersack for its beautiful, high-quality design. Our tester praised the bag's bomber construction, writing "the 22-liter pack features 1,000-denier Cordura fabric and heavy duty hardware so it'll put up with years of day-hike abuse."

This jacket is as high-tech as it looks. Packed with premium 850-fill down in the torso and synthetic insulation elsewhere, the Cerium LT is constructed to retain warmth where you need it (around your core) and manage moisture everywhere else. You'll barely notice it in your pack (it weighs just 9.7 ounces).

This unassuming little beach chair weighs just 3.2 pounds but it can accommodate up to 320. Nice touch: The legs come with big plastic feet to prevent sinkage into the sand.

Our testers put the Z/Cloud X sandals through the paces and came away impressed. One wrote: l've hiked for miles on end in them, from rocky scrambles in Grand Teton National Park to ruins in the ancient city of Petra, Jordan, and dusty, steep hills along other parts of the Jordan Trail.

This superlight jacket is filled with Patagonia's new PlumaFill insulation, which is made of hydrophobic polyester fibers that mimic the structure of down. Rather than being blown into baffles like other synthetics, the PlumaFill is tacked between sheets of 10-denier nylon in long strands, so it won’t shift and create cold spots.

Keep your digits extra warm this winter with a refillable hand warmer from Zippo. Fill the interior chamber with lighter fluid, light the flame, close the lid, slip it in your pocket, and enjoy heat for up to 12 hours. When the heat runs out, repeat the process for endless warmth all winter long.

The Roo Double camping hammock is optimized for adventure. It's durable, tear resistant, comfortable, and strong enough for two campers—or a baby elephant. Your pick. Diamond ripstop nylon adds reinforcement to protect against tearing and ripping and results in the 500-pound weight capacity.

The Deviator is one of our favorite mid-layers. It uses hydrophobic Polartec Alpha insulation, which moves water away from your body.

Gear editor Ben Fox praised Patagonia's Nine Trails packs for their clean efficiency. “With a minimalist design and well-considered features, Patagonia has proven that when it comes to daypacks, simpler is better,” he writes. It's available in both men's and women's sizes from 14 to 36 liters.

The easy-to-set-up Discovery fits four people and has two vents for airflow. At 10.4 pounds, it's a better fit for car camping than mutli-day backcountry excursions. Still, we love this shelter for its full-coverage rainfly and the well-designed interior pockets.

The Marzen has an interesting feature: its glasses come with two sets of interchangeable arms, one sporty and one casual. More importantly, it’s made with superlight, impact-resistant nylon frames and polarized lenses with 100 percent UV protection.

These glasses were designed specifically for water sports, with gray wraparound polarized lenses that cut through the glare and a buoyant foam frame core that keeps the glasses afloat if you drop them. The lenses are shatterproof and offer 100 percent UV protection.

With a cool-blue lens and tough stainless-steel body, the Salute gives you pilot aesthetics with a polarized carbonic TLT lens. It offers 100 percent UV protection and helps reduce glare from water and snow.

The Marshall blocks 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays with its polarized polycarbonate lenses, which also cut down on glare. The temple pieces are made from bamboo to help minimize their impact on the planet.

Sunski’s version of the classic wayfarer silhouette features polarized triacetate cellulose lenses that offer a full spectrum of UV protection in a frame that weighs just one ounce.

These women’s sunglasses offer 100 percent UV protection in a polarized, polycarbonate injection-molded lens that gives you a high quality of polarization over cheaper lenses.

The Charge 4 is a speaker-and-battery combination, delivering high-quality audio in a portable, waterproof package with 20 hours of playback time. It weighs more than three pounds, so it’s not the lightest speaker on the market, but it also has a 7,500 mAh battery that can charge your phone twice and still leave you with several hours of play time.

This has a battery capacity of 1,425 watt-hours and the ability to power everything from your mini fridge to your laptop to your camera. It’s incredibly easy to use (there’s an app to control it with your phone and a screen that will give you the estimated run time) and has outputs for every form of power you could think of. At 45 pounds, it isn’t light, but true off-the-grid power has its price.

This isn’t much bigger than the palm of your hand, but it puts out 350 lumens of light for up to 250 hours. It also serves as a power bank that can charge your smartphone up to four times. There’s an Android and iOS app that enables you to control the light from your phone.

This battery is just four inches long and weighs less than three ounces. It only has one USB port but carries 3,350 mAh of power that will charge your phone once on the fly.

All you need to charge your phone are some sticks—that’s the beauty of BioLite’s Campstove 2. It features a powerful burner (10,000 BTUs) that runs thermal energy generated by a small fire. The heat produced also feeds the on-board 2,600 mAh battery, which can store a full phone charge. We dig the LED dashboard that offers real-time info on fire strength and battery level.

The River Bank bridges the gap between a small power bank designed to charge your phone and a large portable generator made to power just about everything. It features two USB-C ports and two USB ports as well as a Qi wireless charging pad, so you can charge a laptop, phone, drone, or even jump-start your car. It holds its charge for up to six months and only weighs two pounds.

Our testers picked the Caldera 2 as one of the best trail runners of summer 2018. “This was the shoe we reached for when we wanted to take it easy on our dogs,” they wrote. “On most trails, the Caldera provided ample protection.”

We featured the FXpedition Monopod in our roundup of the best camera accessories of 2017. When you need some stability to get the shot, you can use this foldable monopod. Bonus: it doubles as a hiking pole.

Constructed with 2.5-layer GORE-TEX, the Paclite Stretch is built to brush off rain showers and snow. With vents to dump heat and a drop-tail hem that protects your lower half from downpours, it's a complete waterproof package.

Pair the Kyanite fleece vest with a base layer, or wear it under a shell when you're huffing it on switchbacks. The airy Polartec insulation wicks moisture and breathes well, and the four-way stretch keeps you unrestricted.

Made from a blend of recycled wool, polyester and nylon, this fleece is soft against the skin and works great as a mid layer on cold-weather hikes.

Our tester praised this shirt in his test of the best performance flannels. “The Fjord deserves points for its 100 percent organic cotton, which felt soft and supple, and it had just enough give to never slow me down as I rode the Jabberwocky Trail outside Ashland, Oregon,” he wrote.

We featured the Challenger ATR 4 in our roundup of the best trail running shoes of 2018. Though the ATR 4s are thick-soled, testers described the shoe as “admirably nimble.” They're great all around: “Extra-long days on hardpack? Easygoing efforts? Both felt great,” our testers wrote.

If you’re still rolling up your midlayer to use as a pillow on the trail, it’s time to upgrade. The Premium weighs just 2.8 ounces, but inflates to five inches thick in just a few breaths.

The back panel on this space-efficient pack closely mimics the curve of a woman’s back, making it so comfy that testers almost forgot they had it on. It’s available in five sizes, so you can really dial in the fit.

Why choose between pants and shorts when you can have both? These convertible pants go easily between both by an easy access zipper above the knee. They have two great cargo pockets for maps, keys, or other small essentials.

These gloves are made to do nearly anything, from yard work to working with ropes. They're made from leather and polyester and have a special grip that's contoured to your fingers.

Made for kids, this water bottle filters out bacteria, parasites, and chemicals and improves the overall taste for your little one. It lasts for up to 1,000 gallons of filtering and only weighs 7.9 ounces.

This hoodie is as high-tech as it looks. Packed with high-quality 850-fill down in the core, the Cerium LT Down Hoodie has strategically mapped areas with synthetic insulation to resist moisture. You'll barely notice it in your pack: it weighs just 10.9-ounces.

Don't leave your offspring at home just because they can't hike on their own yet. Pack them up in the Kid Comfort Air and enjoy the outdoors as a family. This carrier adjusts to different body types and has a 14-liter gear compartment for small layers or snacks.

Recommended for beginners, this shoe is not too aggressively down-turned, so your feet won't be screaming after a few climbs at the bouldering wall.

Instead of filtering water, these dissolving tablets purify it with EPA-approved sodium dichloroisocyanurate. Complicated name, but essentially it kills viruses, bacteria, and cysts in a quart of water in 30 minutes. The price ($10 for 30 individually wrapped tablets) and tiny size make Aquatabs the ideal backup on long trips.

Removing 99.99 percent of bacteria and protozoa, the Meta Bottle is a collapsible and BPA-free. Fill it with water, then shake for speedy filtration—up to two liters per minute. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe.

Katadyn took a handy one-liter water bottle, which rolls up small to save space in your pack, and put a 0.1-micron microfilter in its nozzle that removes 99.9 percent of nasties. The BeFree can purify up to 1,000 liters over its lifetime.

Like the LifeStraw, MSR’s TrailShot lets you drink straight from the source, but it’s also good for filling a water bottle. Drop the long straw in the stream and squeeze the hand pump to get the magic started. It works fast, treating a liter of water in 30 seconds.

Collect stream water in one of Sawyer’s 32-ounce pouches, then filter it through the hollow-fiber membrane to remove bacteria and protozoa. The pouches are collapsible (each weighs only three ounces) and reusable, and you can drink straight from the filter’s nozzle or pour the water into a bottle for later.

Who needs a bottle? The LifeStraw has a hollow-fiber filter that removes 99 percent of bacteria and protozoa while allowing you to sip directly from a stream. It weighs only two ounces and takes up almost no space in a pack, so there’s no reason not to bring it along.

This is one of the best starter climbing packs on the market. Besides shoes and a rope, this kit has everything you need to hop on the rock: a comfy Corax harness, a Verso belay-rappel device, carabiner, chalk bag and chalk ball. The kit is also available with a larger harness size.

The 60-meter Ceuze is a solid rope for both indoor climbing and outdoor sport routes. The included rope bag keeps your rope clean when flaking it out and organized for travel to and from the wall.

Salomon got innovative with storage in this vest, giving you the standard front water-bottle pockets and multiple stash pockets for smaller items but also a kangaroo pocket that stretches around the sides. Everything is designed to be accessible without breaking your stride.

A 15-liter backpack built on a running-vest chassis, the Distance is a hybrid hauler with dual front stretch pockets for snacks, a bladder sleeve, and dual side-compression straps that keep the load close. And its water-resistant, 210-denier nylon helps keep gear dry.

We featured this helmet in our nine favorite pieces of peak-bagging gear. Thanks to multiple adjustment straps, you can dial in the Wall Rider to fit your dome perfectly. “Bonus points for the ultralow weight and big vents to keep your noggin cool,” our tester writes.

The Trail Mix 7 is built specifically to better fit around a woman’s bust. Compression straps that bring the load tighter to your back, reflective hits for 360-degree visibility, and seven liters of storage (in addition to the two-liter bladder) are icing on the cake.

The Ultra Pro 2in1 name is appropriate, since this model comes with a ten-liter pocket that completely detaches from the vest. Use the vest solo for fast, short runs, or attach the pocket for longer missions when you’ll need more food and gear. It comes with two long-straw flasks and can handle a two-liter bladder in back.

Osprey blends running-vest performance with backpack capability in the Duro, which has four front pockets—two extra-large stretch-mesh ones for a phone and water, and two smaller ones for food. Six liters of space in the main compartment is enough for a jacket, headlamp, and other accessories, plus the included 1.5-liter water bladder.

The Halo was designed for ultramarathons and all the extra gear they demand. The front bottle pockets keep water at the ready but also have lash points to holster trekking poles, while the pockets on the lower straps hold your phone, gels, or bars. The bladder-compatible Halo also has two pockets on the back, which are reachable without taking off the vest.

Weighing just 1.6 pounds, this chair can hold up to 320 pounds. The secret is a pairing of strong but light aluminum poles and tough 600 denier polyester fabric which creates a package that packs to the size of a Nalgene.

Pitch the roomy, three-season Frying Pan SL3 on backcountry excursions or on laid-back camping trips. It's easy to set up (two poles), and spacious for three compadres (two doors and two vestibules). This package also includes a footprint.

One of Outside columnist Jakob Schiller's favorites, this jacket is made with burly, seven-ounce waxed sailcloth and lined with soft polyester. Like fine leather, it will develop a patina that looks great the more you wear it. “[It] will not only put up with years of chopping wood but will also look better afterward,” he writes.

Made from 100-percent wool, the Walnut Ridge works just as great around the campfire as it does on your couch. Keep this blanket in the trunk of your car—just in case you decide to spread it for an impromptu picnic or lounge sesh.

Thanks to the Prairie Dusk's stretchy, organically grown cotton and polyester-canvas blend, this jacket is a solid choice for unpredictable spring and fall weather. It's prime for layering over a fleece or light shirt, and two big drop pockets on the front are roomy enough to carry your wallet, keys, and other everyday essentials.

Floyd’s of Leadville combines the proven muscle-soothing properties of arnica with the calming power of CBD in this balm. Rub the mixture on your skin after a workout, and let it do its thing. Peppermint and ginger lend a pleasant smell.

If you want a real postworkout stretch without having to ask a gym partner for help, this is your strap. The 58-inch-long elastic band has multiple large loops that you can slip a foot or hand through to get a deeper flex on sore hammies and quads.

Runners have been big fans of these sticks for years, using them to roll out tight quads and calves after long runs. The center is slightly flexible, to allow the foam wrap to contour around your muscles for a wider massage. The whole thing is light, just 18 inches long, and easily packs into a gym bag.

Sometimes you need to dig deep to hit those trouble areas, like your sciatic nerve. Pro-Tec makes three sizes of the Orb, all constructed of dense closed-cell EVA foam, but the Extreme Mini is the smallest and most aggressive of the lot. Place it on the floor or against a wall to work out your back, glutes, and legs.

If all you want is a solid foam roller that will help calm your lower back and legs after a tough workout, look no further than the Grid. It’s nothing fancy—just a hollow core wrapped in ridged EVA foam to release those tight muscles.

Calling all nine-to-five-ers! Built with 1,000-denier Cordura fabric, the Topo Designs 22-liter daypack is a solid, durable daypack with clean, easy-to-use organization in the main compartment.

Biolite's Cookstove has an integrated battery, which powers a fan for efficient cooking. Plus, four fan speeds control flame size, enabling you to boil water fast or just simmer.

It’s amazing how many things you need to carry for a quick session at your local climbing gym: shoes, chalk, harness, and snacks. You can haul them all in this simple messenger-style bag from Metolius. The main compartment has 28 liters of space, and a front zipper pocket keeps your phone and keys safe.

A cross between a duffel and a grocery bag, the Black Hole Gear tote is made from a light nylon ripstop with a DWR finish, all but promising it can handle years of abuse. You get 28 liters of storage space and an interior zipper pocket for your wallet, phone, and keys. Best of all, the bag stuffs into its own pocket when you’re not loading it full of gear.

Don’t worry about quarantining your stinky yoga clothes after your lunch session. Stuff all of them and a bottle of water in the large main compartment of the All Day, and slide your mat through the exterior sleeve. There are also two zipper pockets to keep your phone and accessories organized (and yes, away from the smelly gear).

If you prefer to hit the gym after work, this is your backpack. It has all of the necessary touches, like a separate shoe compartment, water-bottle pockets, and a big interior space, plus a padded laptop sleeve. And its simple black aesthetic means it won’t look out of place at the office.

The Beast is designed for gym rats who obsess about their carb intake as much as their squat max. It has an insulated compartment designed to keep six meals organized and cold, with the help of the included gel ice packs. And even with all that grub and Tupperware, there’s still room for your workout gear in the main compartment and interior pockets.

With a sealed, water-resistant shoe compartment, a separate pocket for a phone and notebook, and another for keys and a wallet, the Jnr Kong appeals to the most organization-obsessed among us. It has 32 liters of storage space in the main compartment and is made from tough 1,000-denier nylon and burly YKK zippers.

Designed to handle a variety of snow-filled excursions, the Environ is made with a three-layer, waterproof polyester shell that can take a beating. While the outer is plenty breathable, Stio added pit zips to dump heat for high-output activities, like those grueling early-morning skins.

This ultralight, all-season insulator is filled with 60-gram Primaloft Gold insulation and features a 15 denier polyester outer with a DWR coating. A secret bonus: the Azura's interior pocket acts as a stuff sack—that means you can convert your jacket into a pillow at camp or when traveling.

We love the Azura LT for its versatile, four-season insulation. Built for fast-and-light ascents, this pullover performs just as well for more casual endeavors, like relaxing around the campfire. It's packed with 40-gram hydrophobic Primaloft insulation, so it will stay toasty if you're caught in a shower.

We’re a big fan of henleys, but most of ours are cotton and don’t work well in the woods or on the river. That’s why we love the Tipton, which is made from a cotton-polyester blend, so it dries four times faster than traditional shirts but still feels like a normal cotton tee. It’s become our go-to weekend shirt.

Everyone should own a lightweight, throw-it-in-your-bag-and-forget-about-it jacket like the Alpha Alpine Pullover. The two-tone design looks good, the ripstop nylon is lightweight but durable, and the thin layer of Polartec Alpha insulation is wonderful on cool summer evenings. The Alpha Alpine is simple, but it works exceptionally well.

On-mountain performance meets street-savvy looks in this parka that extends down to mid-thigh—it’s the more fashion-forward sister to Stio’s Shot 7 resort jacket. The waterproof-breathable outer shell and 800-fill waterproof down insulation mean you won’t be soaked or cold after two hours of sledding.

Made from thin waffle-knit fleece with stretch panels at the cuffs, this top combines the soft feel of your favorite sweatshirt with classic button-up styling. With a collared neck, snap front, tailored fit, subtle drop tail, and muted solid colors, it’s like a mountain-casual spin on the oxford—clean, simple, classic, and practical when sweat is on the day’s agenda.

The ultralight, ultrawarm Pinion Pullover is stuffed with 800-fill water-repellent down and features a ripstop shell, so you can stay toasty while taking a beating from Mother Nature. We also love the Pinion’s zippered kangaroo pocket, which doubles as a sow pouch for the jacket. Stuff it in, then use the whole package as a travel pillow.

We get compliments on our Marmot Precip jackets every time we wear them. It's a simple, streamlined design that works for urban commutes as well as epic hikes. Marmot makes them in solid colors that look good on everybody and you won't find a more reliable, comfortable shell like this at a better price.

Hands-down, the Mega Mat Duo is the most comfortable mattress we've used for car camping—a 10-centimeter-thick air pad with foam insulation and support. It’s pricey, but it’s the closest we've come to feeling like we were in our bed at home while camping.

The “AG” stands for Anti-Gravity, Osprey’s term for the Atmos’s swath of torso-conforming mesh that allows airflow while providing balance and support. The unique design creates contact with your entire back, which, combined with tons of adjustability in the torso and hipbelt and four compression straps, allows you to stabilize loads both large and small.

This tent is a backpacker's dream, made with durable polyurethane-coated ripstop nylon fabric and reinforced seams that are tough as nails but light as a feather. The whole package is just over three pounds.

For less than the cost of most full-price sleeping bags, you get a three-season two-person tent, a two-and-a-half-inch sleeping pad, and a 30-degree sleeping bag. The whole set weighs just over nine pounds and has most of what you need to get into the woods. The Passage 2 has two vestibules, a rain fly, a water-resistant floor, and interior mesh storage pockets for organization.

With you the Half Dome 2 you get an ultra-dependable, two-person, five-pound tent that packs down reasonably well for under $300. The hubbed aluminum pole set up is simple to pitch solo, and the symmetric design means there’s no confusion about how to lay out the fly.

This three-digit combination lock is accepted by TSA, meaning they can unlock it and search your bag without cutting the lock. An indicator light changes from green to red once the lock has been opened so you know if your bag has been tampered with.

Magellan’s takes a lower-tech route to getting your luggage back to you. Instead of microchips and GPS, this tag has instructions written in multiple languages that guide airline agents to use the itinerary inside the tag to forward your bag to you en route. After all, it does no good if you’re going to Fiji, and your lost bag is going back home.

This tag features a variety of different locator technologies (two different microchips, a serial ID number, and QR Code) that airlines use all over the world to help identify lost luggage. It’s like microchipping your dog—if someone finds your luggage, they can scan the chip and get it back to you.

If you have beautiful luggage, it deserves a beautiful tag. This simple leather option has a solid brass buckle that’s designed to hold your business card so if you lose it, your bag can find its way back to you. The adjustable strap makes sure that it fits around any lash point.

Emergency cash—you can never have too much of it. This simple nylon belt has a hidden pocket big enough to stash a few bills, in case you find yourself in a Thailand bar without your wallet and the bartender is looking to you to pay the bill.

This is a larger money belt, big enough to fit your passport, cards, cash, and any other important documents you might be carrying around. It has two zippered pockets that keep everything organized, and it’s made from a soft, washable silk that resists sweat. The waistband is elastic, so it doesn’t bind as you snack your way from café to café.

No, it doesn’t stuff inside your bra. It clips to the side of your bra and hangs down your side, hiding credit cards, keys, and cash beneath your shirt where pickpockets can’t reach. The pouch is made from a supersoft mix of nylon and spandex that feels like lingerie and weighs just 0.4 ounces.

StashBandz is part running belt, part money belt. It’s twice the width of your standard hide-away belt and made from a soft spandex fabric that hugs your waist. Four separate pockets keep your goods organized and decrease bulk, and you can sprint to catch a train without any annoying belt bounce.

Wear this wallet around your neck, and tuck it under your shirt or sweater to keep all your important documents out of sight. The wallet also has an RFID-blocking liner so thieves can’t snag your goods digitally. It’s made from a water-resistant ripstop nylon that will hold up no matter how long you’re traveling.

If you want to travel ultralight, Sea to Summit’s version of the money belt is made from featherweight Ultra-Sil Cordura that weighs just two ounces and has a 3-D mesh back for extra breathability. You also get two zipper pockets for organization, a soft elastic waistband for comfort, and an RFID-blocking liner to keep hackers at bay.

Our testers love the Thorium for its tough outer nylon shell that will resist rips (unlike the paper-thin outers of most puffies.) Bonus points for the DWR finish and water-­resistant synthetic insulation at the spots most likely to get wet (the shoulders, cuffs, and underarms.) It's the complete package.

Many duffels offer a single cavernous space, but the Big Kit is all about gear-specific organization. It has a separate (and ventilated) shoe compartment, a side panel for a water bottle, a molded pocket for sunglasses or goggles, and a tuck-away helmet carry that lets you attach your lid to the outside of the pack. If the Big Kit is too big, look at the 40-liter TrailKit or 45-liter SnowKit.

The 900-denier ripstop polyester body is water-resistant and boasts a padded bottom panel for added structure. Daisy chains make lashing a breeze, the shoulder straps are comfy and removable, and there are side grab handles for extra convenience. We dig the U-shaped lid, which makes for quick packing, and the two mesh pockets on the lid for storing small items.

We love the Base Camp duffel because of the cost-to-space ratio. You get 150 liters of storage for under $200, wrapped in an 840-denier ballistic nylon exterior. Compression straps tighten the load, grab handles and lash points help you secure the bag on top of your car, and the main carry straps work in duffel or backpack mode. It’s not submersible, but a zipper flap helps keep the rain out.

The Panga offers 75 liters of waterproof storage, thanks to the high-density nylon shell and Yeti’s famous Hydrolok zipper, keeping water and dirt out. We like the EVA foam-molded base, which gives you a solid platform when you’re loading gear. The interior has two mesh pockets, while the outside is fitted with side grab handles and burly daisy chains that let you tie the bag down to your boat.

This 56-liter bag is built from tear-resistant 1,050-denier nylon, and it sheds light rain, thanks to the DWR finish. It has all the duffel features you need—compression straps, lashing straps, and grab handles—and can switch from duffel to backpack with ease. We really dig the daisy-chain-style side panels, which allow you to attach canteen carriers and extra storage solutions.

Ortlieb’s duffle has some details that help it stand out from other similar products on the market. The waterproofing is no joke—zip it up tight and the bag can be submerged for 30 minutes without leaking. The shoulder straps are comfortable enough to let you wear this bag as a backpack. You get 60 liters of dry space, with two interior mesh pockets and an exterior pocket for easy access.

If you’re subjecting yourself to serious weather, consider the Blunt, which was built to stand up to 55-mile-per-hour winds, thanks to a tensioning system that helps distribute the force. The canopy offers 40 inches of protection, weighs 12.8 ounces, and closes up to 14 inches. It has a beautiful design if you want something that will look good, too.

Made from a superlight 30-denier siliconized Cordura, this umbrella weighs in at a svelte 8.5 ounces and collapses to less than ten inches but still boasts a canopy size of 38 inches. The umbrella top is supported by an aluminum-grade shaft and a comfy rubber handle. It also comes with a mesh tote that you can hook to the back of your pack or a belt.

The Eez-y keeps the rain off, but this umbrella also works as a legit parasol, with a UV-coated canopy that offers UPF 25 sun protection. We also like the vents in the material, which help move wind through the canopy instead of breaking it or folding it in half. It’s a little on the larger side (with a length of 11 inches and a weight of 15.2 ounces), but reviewers rave about its durability.

At 11.5 inches long and 15 ounces, this isn’t the smallest or lightest umbrella on the list, but it is one of the toughest. Thanks to nine extra ribs made from flexible fiberglass, the Repel can take a beating in a windstorm, and its Teflon coating helps bolster the waterproof abilities of the top fabric.

In countless reviews, this tiny shield has proven itself to be as good as umbrellas twice its price. It truly is an ultralight umbrella, weighing just seven ounces, but still has a nearly 40-inch coverage when open. The coolest feature, though, is that you can attach the umbrella to your backpack, keeping your hands free to use your cell phone or hold your coffee.

Gear editor Ben Fox praised Patagonia's Nine Trails packs for their clean efficiency: “With a minimalist design and well-considered features, Patagonia has proven that when it comes to daypacks, simpler is better,” he writes. It's available in both men's and women's sizes from 14 liters to 36 liters.

One of our favorite pieces of ski gear, this shell is made with bomber three-layer Gore-Tex and fully-sealed seams to brush off nasty snow storms. Our testers called it “an investment in staying dry.” It also has a helmet-compatible hood, powder skirt, and underarm vents to dump heat.

Our columnist Wes Siler tested the Tango Duo Slim in his comprehensive review of couple's backpacking gear. The sleeping bag weighs in at 2.6 pounds and has a 30-degree temperature rating, making it ideal for three-season backpacking.

It’s not a product per se, but in 2018, more readers bought an REI membership than purchased tents, headlamps, or backpacks. The main reason is obvious: for just $20, REI members get special access to REI Garage Sales and 10 percent back on any full-priced items they purchase online or in-store. 

The organizational details on this pack are forthright, with a front zippered panel built for batteries and cords, hidden pockets for your passport and cash, and padded sleeves for a laptop. Plus, there’s an RFID-blocking pocket for your wallet, a crush-resistant pocket for fragile items, and a pass-through panel that attaches to rolling luggage.

If you’re going to wear a money belt, you’ll want it to be as light and comfortable as possible. Sea to Summit uses featherweight Ultra-Sil Cordura fabric and a 3-D mesh back for a minimalist approach. There are two zippered pockets and plenty of room for cards, cash, and a passport—all lined with RFID-blocking material.

This sleek, RFID-blocking clutch was made to fit inside a purse but still have enough carrying capacity to be useful, with six card slots and a dedicated currency sleeve. An interior slot is specifically designed to hold your smartphone so you don’t have to shove it into your back pocket. There’s a polyester version, too, if you don’t dig the leather.

The Sojourn is the one-trick pony of women’s travel bags, with straps that convert it to a backpack, cross-body bag, or tote. It’s made from tough polyester in a herringbone pattern and has anti-theft details like an RFID-protected pocket and a metal locking loop that lets you secure the bag to a table or other stationary objects. There’s also a padded laptop sleeve and tablet slot.

You can keep all of your sensitive goods in one spot with this organizer, designed to hold multiple passports, six credit cards, a notebook, and a pen. There’s even a zippered change purse for heavy foreign currency. Pacsafe is one of the best-known (and trusted) brands in travel-safety gear, so you know this organizer, which is lined with RFID-blocking material, will keep the thieves out.

The Ridge wallet has an exterior cash clip and expandable aluminum plates that can hold up to 12 cards. The wallet keeps them all safe from hackers, thanks to their RFID-blocking lining. It’s superlight at just two ounces, so you won’t feel like you’re carrying a brick in your pocket.

This stainless steel bottle will keep your coffee hot and your iced tea chilly, thanks to its double-wall vacuum insulation. Yeti's TripleHaul cap makes it 100 percent leakproof, so don't be afraid to toss it in your pack with other weekend sundries.

“There are plenty of puffy blankets on the market, but the Rumpl Down Puffy takes the cake,” our tester wrote. This compressible, 600-fill down blanket will keep you warm on your next stargazing outing. It's versatile, too: “The Down Puffy can be your sleeping bag stand-in on a summer backpacking trip,” he writes.

Does your apartment or house have super-tall ceilings? The El Greco ceiling hoist helps you utilize space with a series of pulleys and levers that allows you to raise your bike up and out of the way. Just hook it to the handlebars and seat, and raise any bike that’s less than 50 pounds to the ceiling.

Portland Design Works has a knack for elegant bike solutions, and its wall hook is no exception. The powder-coated steel is built to last and look good for years, while the hook itself is covered in rubber so your rims don’t get scratched. Mount it on the wall and you can store your bike vertically. Just don’t put your heavy rig on it; the weight limit is 33 pounds.

Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. Park Tool’s hook mounts into either a ceiling beam or a wall stud, allowing you to get your bike off the ground by hanging the front tire through the hook. Buy a couple of them and safely store your whole collection in your garage, shed, or living room.

This rack lets you store your bike standing up and can support a variety of frame and wheel sizes—from skinny 20-millimeter road tires to 29-inch mountain-bike ones. The spring-loaded arm can hold the front or back tire, depending on how you like to store your bike. And you can link multiple Rakks together to store your whole fleet.

Have multiple bikes you need to store? This wall-mounted rack works for bikes with straight top tubes, like most road bikes, some cruisers, and old-school mountain bikes. Sandwich them tail to front and you can fit two bikes on the arms, and there’s a small shelf for your helmet. It folds flat against the wall when not in use.

This bike rack takes your standard wall hook mount and adds a hinge plate, so your bike can swing to the side and give you more room in a tight space. There’s also a bumper for the bottom wheel that keeps the bike from swaying. The beauty of this hook mount is that you can use it for any bike, regardless of its frame size and shape.

This superlight jacket is filled with the company’s brand-new PlumaFill insulation, made of hydrophobic polyester fibers that mimic the structure of down—gossamer tendrils radiating from a central spine. Rather than being blown into baffles like other synthetic down, the PlumaFill is tacked between sheets of ten-denier nylon fabric in long strands, so it won’t shift and create cold spots.

We love Topo Designs for their functional, well-designed packs, and the Rover is no exception. Great for both the trail and the commute, the Rover is coated with burly pack cloth and Cordura, and its brightly colored compartments keep your gear easily organized.

The Kinvaras blew us away during testing, so naturally, we picked them as one of the best road runners of 2018. They “accom­modate long, pounding runs and mellow days when you want to go easy on your legs,” our testers wrote.

We featured these zero-drop shoes in our roundup of the best trail runners of 2018. “The shoe takes a centrist’s approach to foam and protection, with a slow, cruisey vibe and a wide, boxy fit best suited for ambling runs on less technical trails,” our tester wrote.

We gave these gloves a nod in our 2018 Winter Buyer's Guide. Our tester wrote: “As dexterous as your hands, just tougher and warmer. When you need precision without going numb, slip on these wool-lined gloves made from soft cow-belly leather. Curved fingers and elastic wrists keep them snug while you clean out the woodstove.”

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a lighter, better-featured rainjacket at this price point. The Essential is a 2.5-layer, fully waterproof shell that weighs just 8.8 ounces and has an adjustable hood, cuffs, and hem.

After months testing 59 models of socks, we think that the PhD Run are the best running socks you can buy. They’re soft, fast wicking, quick drying, durable, and comfortable for a long time, regardless of conditions.

The Unico blends the performance and support of a hiking boot with the style and agility of a trail runner. A one-piece Kevlar upper and seamless construction eliminates potential rubbing areas, which means no hot spot or blisters. Inside, a wool sock liner wicks moisture away from your foot. Plus, it's totally waterproof.

This dress is a great addition to your warm-weather wardrobe. It’s easy to dress up or down, and two hand pockets are a unique but appreciated addition.

Smartly designed features like a split hem, which promotes mobility, a wide-knit waistband that lies flat against skin, and a center-back zippered pocket make these shorts great for running or gym workouts.

The perfect outer layer for climbing, hiking, or anything active, the Alpine Start has a gusseted construction, which allows for complete freedom of movement, and the hood fits over your climbing helmet for added weather protection when the wind picks up in the afternoon. It's highly packable and stows in its own chest pocket when not in use.

Pairing a removable insulation box with an outer shell, the Cooloir was a breeze to hose down and dry out after a trip. It’s large enough to pack lunch for four, but we wouldn’t trust it to keep cheese cold for more than 48 hours.

Iterations of the R1 have been on the market for years, but it’s still the ideal layering piece for a variety of activities, and it’s our favorite overall fleece. The R1 uses Polartec’s Power Grid fabric—tiny squares of thicker fleece arranged in a grid pattern and separated by thinner fleece fabric. The pattern is meant to increase air transfer and reduce the material’s overall weight.

This is a gas-free generator that can power almost anything in your home in an emergency. It stores more than 3,000 watt-hours of power in a lithium battery that also has Wi-Fi. It has every sort of port you could need and can power anything from your phone to a mini fridge or TV. But beware: it does take a full day to charge this beast via a wall outlet.

With 500 watt-hours of power, this lithium battery can power a weekend camping trip for the whole family, enough to run a mini fridge for nine hours or charge your phone 40 times. You get two USB ports as well as AC outlets and 12-volt DC ports. It’s splash-proof, has an LCD power display, and is surprisingly light at just 12 pounds.

What this complete solar-power kit lacks in power, it makes up for in plug-and-play convenience. The kit consists of a six-watt solar panel, a control box that stores 20 watt-hours of power, and three lights with wall-mounting switches. It’s an easy way to dabble with solar power in your van or cabin—everything daisy-chains together for easy fuss-free installation.

The Renogy 100-watt panel is the industry standard for vanlifers. This panel weighs 16.5 pounds and is designed for RVs and boats. It can be used alone, in a series of panels, or as a portable option. With built-in mounting holes and aluminum frame, you can even mount it to the roof of your van. And it’s waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about rain or snow.

You can eschew carrying a power bank with the Nomad 7 Plus, a surprisingly portable set of solar panels with a seven-watt output capacity, making it ideal for extended backcountry trips when tech is necessary. The best feature? An LED indicator that lets you know the strength of the solar conditions. A single USB port allows you to plug a phone or tablet directly into the panels.

If you’re looking for enough power to charge your phone a few times over a weekend, the Anker PowerCore 10,000 is your tool. It has one of the best power-to-size ratios on the market, with 10,000 milliampere-hours of power in a slim package that’s just seven ounces and fits in your pocket. It’ll charge your phone three times and, with Anker’s quick-charge tech, do it in a flash.

Our testers hailed the StretchDown as one of their favorite winter puffies. “A snug hood and 800-fill down retained warmth on 20-degree mornings,” they wrote. It's also a staff favorite.

The Fuego is a good insulator for general around-town or on-the-trail use. It features baffles stuffed with responsibly-sourced 800-fill water-resistant goose down and breathable Polartec Alpha underarm panels.

This earned a spot as one of our favorite coolers in the 2018 Summer Buyer's Guide. “With a slim profile and matte exterior, the Un­bound resembles a top-shelf commuter pack more than a cooler,” a tester wrote. It also helped our Gear Guy keep his drinks chilly for 48 hours.

The SuperFly has served gear editor Jeremy Rellosa for years without fail. “I've taken this stove everywhere from Nepal to Patagonia, and it's kept my trail food warm and my backpack happy because it's easy to use, clean, and stow,” he says.

RxBar takes a whole-food and minimal-ingredient approach to its bars, using pure egg whites for protein along with almonds, cashews, and dates. Each bar has 210 calories and is paleo and Whole30 compliant, with no added sugar, dairy, soy, or gluten. There are at least 12 flavors to choose from, but the most popular is the sea salt and chocolate.

If you’re craving a candy bar but want to pretend you’re being healthy, this protein bar is your best friend. It’s packed with protein (20 grams) but goes heavy on the sugar (29 grams). The plus side? At 350 calories, it’s a legitimate meal-replacement option. If taste and protein are your biggest concern, give it a go.

Rise has two categories of bars—whey protein bars and plant-based protein bars. The almond-honey option only has three ingredients (almonds, honey, and whey isolate), offers 20 grams of protein, 13 grams of sugar, and 16 grams of fat, and boasts just 280 calories. It’s void of grains, preservatives, gluten, soy, and dairy, so it will likely fit your current diet.

Bulletproof originally made its name with coffee but has recently branched out into supplements, enhanced waters, oils, and these collagen protein bars. They claim that the protein, which is sourced from grass-fed cows, is better for your joints and bones. We like the fudge-brownie-flavored bar, which has 11 grams of protein and only two grams of sugar in a 210-calorie serving.

This is probably the most legitimate meal-replacement bar out there, with up to 390 calories per bar depending on the flavor you choose. All options are non-GMO certified and comprised of whole foods (you can pronounce most of the items on the ingredient list). We like the Superfood Slam, which is packed with berries and has ten grams of protein, six grams of fiber, and 370 calories.

With a cavernous 28-liter main compartment and laptop sleeve big enough to hold a 15-inch laptop, the Refugio can easily carry the essentials for work, the gym, or extra layers on long day hikes.

One of our favorite trail running shoes of 2017, the Trailbender impressed testers with its cushioning. “We were pleasantly surprised by how well this shoe bombed full-speed down deeply rutted trails,” they wrote. “It's a confident, cushioned shoe that delivers support, not just stack.”

Contributor Justin Nyberg picked the Caldera 2 as one of the best trail runners of summer 2018. “This was the shoe we reached for when we wanted to take it easy on our dogs,” he wrote. “On most trails, the Caldera provided ample protection.”

We featured the Actik Core in our 2018 Summer Buyer's Guide as one of the best headlamps for running. “We love the simplicity of the Actik, which powers its 350 lumens via a rechargeable lithium battery that’s easy to top off before a run,” our tester wrote. “No outlet? It also runs on three AAA batteries.”

Outside's male staffers love the Retro Pile Pullover for its fuzzy, versatile warmth. Credit the double-sided shearling that's soft on the skin. It works great as a midlayer fleece or over a shirt for spring hikes.

Your new summer do-everything shorts, the Zion is made from super-stretchy nylon and spandex. The abrasion-resistant fabric is naturally UPF 50, and the built-in belt makes sure you always have a snug fit.

Prepare for a winter full of long hikes in the snow with the Revo snowshoes. The DuoFit bindings accommodate a wide range of footwear and operate easily when you have bulky gloves on.

These emerged as the best budget leggings in our editor’s test. “I’m continually delighted,” she concluded, “by these budget-friendly leggings. Sure, they don’t have many bells and whistles, but they get the job done without compromising important features.”

A flashlight and lantern in one, the Orbit is great to have around camp when night hits. The 105-lumen light operates with one button to transition among flashlight, lantern, and dual (lantern and flashlight both illuminated) modes.

Astral has long been our go-to brand for quality life jackets with bang-up features. The Layla is no exception, with a women-specific fit that allows more room in the chest; its slimmer front profile reduces chafing while you’re out on long paddles.

The Turtle Shell can take a beating. It’s waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, and it floats. The sound is boom-box quality, and there are multiple strap and mounting options, so you can put it on your raft, paddleboard, bike, or cooler.

2018 was the year of the reusable straw. Klean Kanteen’s version has removable silicon ends, which are comfortable enough suck on.

Our travel editors have been preaching the good word of the Trtl pillow for years. A unique take on the classic doughnut-shaped neck pillow, the Trtl is far more comfortable because you can adjust it to support your neck in any position.

Outside gear editor Ben Fox bought a Ringer a few months ago and has been raving about it to staff and readers ever since. Made of metal rings similar to chain mail, the tool makes quick work of gunk on cast-iron pans.

A portable battery is a tool that’s often overlooked but incredibly helpful when you have it. The PowerCore 20100 has enough juice to fully charge a MacBook, an iPhone, and an iPad Air 2 on a single charge. It even has three USB ports, so it can charge all three devices simultaneously.

It warms our hearts that so many readers purchased Outside’s most recent book this year. Out There is a collection of the 32 most riveting stories that have graced the pages of our magazine for the past 40 years.

Whether you plan on conquering a 5K, an Ironman, or something in between in 2019, Endure is essential reading. Written by Outside contributor Alex Hutchinson, it blends cutting-edge science and gripping storytelling to prove that the key to succeeding at endurance events is training your mind.

Outside editors (and apparently our readers) are big fans of hammocks. The Sub6 is unique because it weighs just 5.8 ounces, making it one of the lightest hammocks on the market.

Vanlifer Alexandra Lev loves the Camp Roll table, which packs up small but has enough surface room for a two-burner stove and cooking tools.

The Camp X is a no-frills camp chair that’s comfortable, stores relatively small, and has three pockets to hold beer and accessories. It holds up to 300 pounds and weighs just over seven pounds.

This sock won Outside Gear Guy Joe Jackson’s test of the best hiking socks, which is quite the honor. Check out Joe’s full review here.

The tiny Moji can be hung from a tree branch or inside a tent and has a dimming function so you can customize it depending on conditions. 

An essential item for hikers and travelers, this synthetic towel features a waffle texture that helps it absorb up to eight times its weight in water. Yet wring it out and it’ll dry almost instantly.

These lights can be strung up to sort gear, play cards, or hang with friends without blinding them with a headlamp. The durable 100-inch strand of LED lights is encased in lightweight nylon tubing, and six plastic clips let you move your lights around to customize your lighting experience.

Perfect for hiking, climbing, or layering during cold weather pursuits, the Screeline technical pants are made from a mixture of nylon and spandex and are treated with a DWR coating to resist light rain and spills. They have a UPF rating of 50 and a drawcord hem adjustment to tighten over boots or around your ankle.

Last year, we featured the Prolite yoga mat in our best yoga-gear roundup. Testers loved it for its light weight, durability, and grip.

Our tester loved the ability to seamlessly swap between AAA batteries and the rechargeable ones that come with the ReVolt. And the torch has a max output of 300 lumens, which is nearly bright enough to light up an entire campsite.

The Better Sweater hits the sweet spot between warmth, comfort, and style.

For general car camping, cots can make a big difference in your quality of sleep. The Discovery boosts sleepers more than two feet off the ground and has a maximum capacity of 300 pounds, thanks to an aluminum and steel frame and 600-denier ripstop polyester fabric. It folds up for convenient storage and travel in the included roll-tote bag.

The Hydro Flask Wide Mouth bottle is a favorite around the Outside office. The tough, stainless-steel build impressed our Gear Guy, Joe Jackson, during his plastic-versus-insulated water-bottle test.

The LifeStraw's membrane removes 99.9 percent of bacteria and parasites. We like it so much we included a version of the filter in our 2018 roundup of the best men's thru-hiking gear.

The SkyRise 3 has a wall-to-wall, 2.5-inch thick mattress and uses simple but sturdy plastic clamps, making it the easiest-to-install rooftop tent we’ve tested.

Free Solo, the first true climbing film to reach a mainstream audience, chronicled Alex Honnold’s 2017 solo of El Capitan’s Freerider route. It has already earned almost $19 million at the box office, and won best documentary at the British Association of Film and Television Arts several weeks ago. Now you can rent it or own it for yourself.

A good pair of slippers can be a game changer in cold winter months. These ones have a fleece lining to wick moisture and durable sidewalls made of suede. Skid-resistant outsoles mean you can wear them both inside and outside, and don’t worry about keeping them clean: they’re machine washable.

The Fuego is a good insulation layer for general around-town or on-the-trail use, It’s made with responsibly sourced 800-fill water-resistant goose down and breathable Polartec Alpha underarm panels.

One of our female editors' favorite layers to cozy up in after a long day of skiing, the Better Sweater can also be dressed up thanks to the heathered knit face.

Made from water-resistant nylon and stuffed with a few grams of synthetic insulation, the Howser III is perfect for frosty morning walks to the coffee shop or long winter nights in the cabin. A non-marking rubber sole won't mess up your floors if you decide to wear it indoors.

During the running boom of the '80s, the Azura was one of most sought-after running shoes of the time. Updated for 2019, the shoe now focuses on comfort and stability with a padded tongue and collar, a shock-absorbing EVA midsole, and a durable rubber traction outsole, which provides good grip in various conditions.

If it’s truly cold during your night run, you’ll need a layer to keep your ears warm. The Greenlight is a mix of polyester and spandex that wicks moisture, dries fast, and has reflective hits on the front and back for added visibility.

The FlipBelt is designed to enable you to carry your phone and keys on a run without any bouncing or chafing. This version adds a neon green reflective stripe to the mix to boost your visibility. It’s stretchy, moisture wicking, and has room to fit a small water bottle.

Add a bit of reflectivity to any part of your exposed skin with this wax-based spread, which rolls on like deodorant but glows like a club kid at a rave. It’s made from seven natural ingredients, and you can even apply it to your clothing if you’re running in cold weather and don’t have a lot of exposed skin.

These tiny but bright LED strobe lights are better than reflective bands. Clip them to your shirt or shorts and choose from blinking or steady-stream mode to stay visible. They also have an IPX3 water-resistant rating, so you don’t have to worry about rain or heavy sweat.

Strap this 1.5-inch-wide band around your ankle for an easy bit of reflectivity that’s more likely to catch a driver’s eye, thanks to the movement of your legs. The hook and loop closure is simple to use, and you can adjust it to be worn on a bare ankle or over your pants or tights.

Instead of a full vest, the Xinglet gives you neon green shoulder and waist straps for reflective stripes all over your torso that can be seen from 360 degrees. The system clips easily to your body and is made from stretchy nylon for a secure, customizable fit.

It seems like every week one of our writers praises the performance qualities of the Buff. Made from soft polyester microfiber, you can use it as a neck warmer, twist the ends together to make a hat, or even wear it as a bandana.

Regardless of the action camera you own, it comes with accessories. Between cords, batteries, and micro SD cards, there’s a lot to keep track of. Organize it all with the Legend, a crushproof case that holds up to two GoPros and countless extras in padded foam cutaways. There’s even a lid pocket to store all of the little things that typically get lost during a shoot.

Get your finger out of the shot with this small extender handle, which is especially handy on water-based adventures. The bottom of the grip has a flotation device that will keep your camera from sinking to the bottom of the ocean when you get smacked by a rogue wave.

Joby’s flexible joints allow you to secure this tripod to a tree, fence post, car bumper—almost anything you can think of. Fix the camera and use a remote trigger (or app on your phone or watch) so you can be the director and talent in the same shot. You can also use it as a selfie stick, if you’re into that.

Easily the most versatile mount you can buy, this accessory turns your ski pole into a selfie stick for powder-heavy face shots. It also fits multiple positions on your bike: stick it on your bars for head-first action, or turn it backward on your seat post to capture a friend ripping behind you. The base rotates 360 degrees and features multiple secure positions for the perfect angle.

Action cameras don’t have flashes. You can try to rig a headlamp on a tree to get your video in the dark, or you can use this duo of LED lights, which sandwich your action camera via a mounting bar, throwing 3,000 lumens on your subject. They’re just as durable as your camera and waterproof up to 100 feet. And each cube has a wide beam to account for your action camera’s wide-angle view.

The Capture clip was originally designed to allow you to tote a large camera on your backpack strap or belt for hands-free carrying. Add the POV kit and you can use the Capture clip to mount your GoPro to your backpack strap, giving you the same easy access as the chesty mount without having to wear an extra harness.

These gloves were included in our 2018 Winter Buyer's Guide. "Stylish warmth on a budget is the sell on these gloves, which are made of leather stuffed with 60-gram PrimaLoft insulation," wrote editor Axie Navas.

Hestra has been making gloves since 1936 and they know what they’re doing— every single pair of their gloves are made in their own factories and they personally source all materials. The Army Leather Couloir is a classic sport glove that combines leather and a high tech polyester lining to keep your hands warm during cold, damp days.

These gloves raised nearly $225,000 when they debuted on Kickstarter in 2016. Gear editor Jakob Schiller is a big fan writing, "with a waxed and baked leather outer, waterproof-breathable membrane, and Thinsulate insulation, they're great for frigid resort ski days while being breathable enough for long backcountry missions."

Outside contributor Jason Heaton loves the new Huckberry line, saying "Huckberry’s Flint and Tinder line, a new collection made entirely in the U.S., enables lots of mixing and matching right through shoulder season." The Crossback Work shirt is made from midweight indigo denim and is cut, sewn, and washed in El Paso, Texas.

The shirt jacket is an essential layer for anyone living in colder climates. Built from the same cut as Patagonia's iconic Fjord flannel, this shacket ramps up the warmth level thanks to a thin layer of polyester on the inside. Of course, on the outside, it still looks like your favorite flannel.

These slippers are an all-time favorite of gear editor Ben Fox. Each pair is handcrafted from toasty 100 percent pure, natural wool, which naturally wicks moisture from your feet so they're always warm and dry. Plus, the rubber sole means you can wear them outside.

Designed to move with you through the elements in fall and then transition into a trusty midlayer for winter, the Nova Jacket is stuffed with Primaloft Gold insulation and has a stylish, modern cut that's flattering without being restricting.

The design of this jacket is based on the iconic M65 field jacket issued to American troops, but Proof has borrowed smart modern materials for their updated version. We particularly love the outer fabric, which maintains that matte green finish but comes coated with DWR and has four-way stretch for unrestricted movement. Inside, the jacket is packed with 80 grams of cozy synthetic insulation.

The Performance Better Sweater is the perfect mid layer for cold-weather pursuits. The side panels are stretchy for extra mobility and the back hem is lower for better protection against the elements.

Two vests in one, the Bivy is reversible and insulated with 600-fill recycled down. Each side is treated with DWR to resist light rain or snow and the drop in hand pockets have a button closure for extra security.

After testing this new Hydro Flask product, our Gear Guy said that it became his favorite cooler-pack hybrid, mostly because of how comfortable and easy to carry it is. Credit the padded shoulder straps and sleek design.

Go fast and light up the mountain and enjoy the comfort of the Gea's on your way down. Each boot weighs just over two-pounds and the front tongue is designed to open up wide for easy entry. Plus the integrated ski/walk mechanism makes it easy to go from climbing to descending.

A rugged lifestyle demands a rugged knife. The Bear Claw's 2.37-inch blade is full-tang and made from high-quality stainless steel. It weighs just 3.4-ounces and comes with an injection-molded nylon sheath for easy storage and quick access.

One of our favorite camp shoes, the Ember Mocs have a quilted Ripstop upper, which hugs your feet like a slipper, and a rubber sole, which lets you move around rocky and dirty campsites freely.

The Roadrunner is well-styled shirt jacket cut from sturdy cotton chambray with a durable water-repellent coating and loads of pockets. Our editor Ben often sports his around town.

One of the most popular AT boots of the year, the Maestrale RS is built on a wide, 101mm last for super comfort on the ascent. The shell is made from Grilamid, a lightweight plastic that's reinforced with carbon fiber for increased rigidity without extra weight. The entire cuff is vented to let body heat escape and is backed by a waterproof, breathable membrane so snow doesn't work its way in.

This is our favorite mid­winter morning top. It's stuffed with just enough synthetic fill to keep you warm while brushing off the car and driving to the mountain and an extra layer of fabric across the shoulder and on the forearms will tame sharp ski edges.

On top of the traditional crampon-style claws underfoot, MSR serrated the edges of the Lightning Ascent. It looks like a snow saw—and bites like one, too. The extra spikes provide stellar all-over grip and lateral stability on steep, icy traverses.

When it was first released in 2010, we called the Snowshot “one of the least expensive jackets in our test but also a tester favorite.” The three-in-one design lets you wear a waterproof shell or insulated liner—or both together for really cold weather.

Keep your little ripper warm with OR’s full-face-covering balaclava. Its nylon-polyester blend is soft against the skin, so they can forget the cold and stay focused on shredding.

At long last, the holy grail of waterproof jackets. The Interstellar blew our crew away with an uncanny mix of weatherproofing, breathability, and stretch. “It feels softer than a soft shell but as waterproof as any hard shell I’ve used,” said one tester. “Not to mention that it’s the most breathable rain shell imaginable.”

The stretchy face fabric adds durability and breathability and a DWR treatment repels water, dirt, and oil. The PrimaLoft Silver synthetic insulation provides consistent warmth, even through the start and stop cycle of alpine climbing and backcountry skiing. When the snow begins to fall, pull the adjustable hood over your helmet for extra weather protection.

The Traverse is an all-aluminum touring pole that's durable enough for any day of backcountry skiing. Black Diamond's FlickLock system makes adjustability easy and the ergonomically shaped grip and rubber grip extension feel natural when choking up while sidehilling on the skin track.

Quality insulation doesn’t have to be expensive. Case in point: the REI Co-op 650 Down jacket. It weighs just 10.5 ounces and packs into its own pocket when you don’t need it. It’s a perfect midlayer for colder winter pursuits, thanks to the 650-fill down insulation, and it’s lightweight enough to be a good stand-alone piece in milder weather.

The Solstice is a rugged jogging stroller, complete with inflatable tires that roll smoothly over all types of terrain. It’s got plenty of room for snacks and baby gear, but what really impressed testers was its ease of use. “The ability to fold and unfold with one hand is genius,” one wrote.

The Recon BT is a user-friendly avalanche beacon with all the features you need for a quick, efficient search. Its three antenna design reduces signal spikes, which drastically improves accuracy during a search when compared to more traditional two antenna beacons, and the 60-meter circular range allows you to pick up the victim's signal from farther away.

The stretchy face fabric adds durability and breathability and a DWR treatment repels water, dirt, and oil. The PrimaLoft Silver synthetic insulation provides consistent warmth, even through the start and stop cycle of alpine climbing and backcountry skiing. When the snow begins to fall, pull the adjustable hood over your helmet for extra weather protection.

This three-layer jacket a worthy accomplice for fast-moving alpine missions in notoriously fickle conditions and versatile enough for everything from grueling hikes to long-duration travel. Water-resistant underarm zips quickly expel excess heat when you're working up a sweat on fast-moving ascents.

This hat is fully insulated, with fold-down earflaps and a Velcro chin strap. The brushed-microfiber outer fabric offers UPF 40 sun protection.

Trekking poles help keep you stable on sketchy sections of trail, and when you’re wearing a heavy pack they can transfer some of the load to your arms, relieving your back and shoulders. The Trail Backs have low-profile trekking baskets, non-slip EVA foam grips, and nylon webbing straps with woven lining for increased comfort.

The Coffee Flask keeps beverages cold for 16 hours, so you’ll never sip on lukewarm coffee again. The smartly designed flip lid essentially eliminates any spills. Note: the sale price will only appear once the product has been added to your cart.

Multi-tools are great for some but for most, carrying 20-plus tools around can be overkill. The Ellis is the perfect solution for those who want a streamlined everyday carry knife, that can do a little more than just cut. It features a 2.6-inch stainless steel blade, plus a flat head screwdriver, scraper, and bottle opener. It's everything you need and nothing you don't.

The Gurkhali's are one of gear editor Will Egensteiner's favorite pants. They're made with a blend of Dyneema, cotton, and Lycra, so they provide range of motion and durability. For those reasons, they're a great fit for the office and the trail. “Pretty soon I’ll have no reason to change out of them,” Will writes.

The Lowdown Slims are gear editor Ariella Gintzler's go-to shades. “A smaller, skinnier version of Smith’s classic Lowdown frame, the Lowdown Slim has the same sporty yet stylish androgynous shape that fits in equally well on a snowfield, singletrack, or sidewalk,” she writes.

Don't knock them until you try them. Made from down insulation and a DWR-coated nylon shell, the behind-the-head design helps the 180's fit comfortably over your ears and can be worn with other headwear and head protection.

REI’s Flash series of packs takes a minimalist approach. The 22-liter version maintains Flash simplicity while incorporating smart features like external stash pockets big enough for bottles, a bladder sleeve and port, and external tool loops in case you’re bringing trekking poles. The Flash 22 was featured in our roundup of the daypacks we use most.

No frills but packed full of dependability—the Trail trekking poles offer easy-to-use FlickLock adjustment points that promise no slipping while you're hiking. The poles extend from 23 inches to 49 inches and pack easily into suitcases or on the exterior of backpacks.

This is what we wrote about the Black Hole tote in our 2017 Summer Buyer’s Guide: “Two words sum up this bag: tough and simple.”

All-in-one travel backpacks have become ubiquitous in recent years, but we like the CTB 40 because it skews more stylish than outdoorsy. The sleek exterior is completely devoid of branding and the 40-liter interior doesn't look totally out of place in urban environments. But the four interior pockets and two large straps are just as capable of holding climbing gear as they are dress shirts.

One of the top shoes from our 2017 Summer Buyer's Guide, the Trailbender is "a thick, cruisey softy, best for meandering epics over hill and dale. Though it offered a somewhat clunky ride overall, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this shoe bombed full-speed down deeply rutted trails—not a fun prospect in most high-stack maximalist shoes."

The Montrail Enduro is customizable, thanks to a thermo-moldable top layer and thermoplastic shank, which contour to the shape of your foot over time. It has six millimeters of extra cushioning, an impact plate on the bottom, and a top layer designed to wick moisture away from your foot.

Sole is known for its heat-moldable footbeds, but for the Performance, the company collaborated with pro skier Chris Davenport to create a slim insert that provides support without added cushion. It has Polygiene odor-control technology in a moisture-wicking top sheet and a 100 percent recycled-cork base. The footbed promotes natural foot alignment and equalizes pressure through the running shoes.

There isn’t any crazy technology in these insoles. But they fit in just about any pair of shoes and offer an extra layer of cushion and slightly more support than standard insoles. We wouldn’t recommend them for serious runners, but they’re a solid budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a little extra shock absorption in your daily kicks.

The Sof Soles have motion-control heel cups for stability and a bridge that provides support to your arches, but the key to these insoles are the gel pads in the heels, which provide relief from plantar fasciitis. They’re ideal for running and hiking, or just slip them into your work shoes for extra comfort throughout the day.

This insole works for minimalist or cushioned running shoes, adding dynamic arch support that maintains 100 percent contact with the bottom of your foot. It’s a zero-drop insert with a deep heel cup for added support and a heel pad for shock absorption. You can choose the depth of arch support (low, medium, or high) as well.

The Green has become the industry-standard insole for athletes. It features a deep heel cup, a high-density foam layer, and a stabilizer cap through the heel and midfoot for a blanket of comfort and support that enhances running and hiking shoes for people who don’t need corrective shoes. There’s also an organic coating that stifles bacterial growth and cuts down on odor.

The Wide Mouth was selected by our readers—and by our editors—as one of their favorite water bottles. The Nalgene's tough, BPA-free plastic can take a beating; we've slung ours around at crags, banged them against rocks, and generally abused them for years. Yet they still work just as intended—no leaks and only a few scratches, for character.

CEP is known for its compression layers, and this sock has graduated compression features that help enhance circulation through the calf and foot. But you’ll really appreciate the blend of silk, merino wool, and synthetic fibers that maximize the warmth and comfort of these socks. The seamless toe closure doesn’t hurt either, whether you’re running or ski touring.

Arc’teryx relies on Gore-Tex to provide a breathable barrier in this rainjacket built for trail running in cold weather. It has features like a fitted hood with an elastic brim that you can cinch down, pit zips, elastic cuffs and hem, and an internal chest pocket with a media port. We really dig Gore-Tex’s C-Knit fabric, which gives the layer a softness you don’t expect from a hard shell.

These pants were built for ski touring with OR’s lightest, most breathable ski-specific fabric to date. The AscentShell build is waterproof but air permeable, so you can work up a sweat without worrying about becoming a sopping mess. The fabric is surprisingly soft, especially for a hard-shell construction, and built to stretch and move with you during high-endurance pursuits.

This winter-specific Buff has Polartec fleece on the lower half for extra warmth and Buff’s standard polyester-elastane material on the upper half, so you can dial in the exact coverage you need for the conditions. The four-way stretch piece can be used as a bandana or scarf and has UPF 50 protection against the sun.

There’s a lot going on in this midlayer. The Tech Trainer uses merino wool, mixed with 3 percent Lycra for a crazy amount of stretch. You also get 100 percent nylon panels over the chest and shoulders to give you extra warmth where you need it most. Built to move fast in the cold, it has smart details like a high-zip collar and drop-tail hem to keep the frigid air at bay.

The Winter Warm tights are stretchy and snug without being too tight, so many runners find them far more comfortable than standard tights. They’re made from the company’s FlashDry fabric (a mix of poly, nylon, and elastane) for a moisture-wicking, quick-drying first layer. There’s a pocket across the back hip for a phone or pair of gloves. They can also be a base layer for skiers.

The Merino 150 is Smartwool’s lightest base layer. Wear it as a solo piece during warmer months or the first layer for winter pursuits. It’s mostly merino wool with some nylon mixed in for durability, but you get merino’s signature softness and antistink properties. The wicking and quick-dry capabilities of the layer are legendary, which is key when you’re running during cold temperatures.

The 21-liter Urban Assault bag is inspired by military assault rucksacks and is the epitome of clean, functional design. A unique three-zip closure on the front allows you to easily see the contents of your bag without having to dump it out. The face fabric is a super durable 500-denier Cordura, which you'll be hard-pressed to tear.

This bag can be carried like a traditional briefcase, shoulder bag, or backpack and is made from tough 500-denier Cordura fabric to resist abrasions. The internal laptop sleeve is padded and fits computers up to 15-inches and three additional pockets help organize documents and power cords.

This suitcase-style backpack is perfect for keeping everything organized and separated while traveling. The internal padded laptop sleeve keeps devices up to 15-inch safe and a small pocket on the front fits documents, your phone, or a notebook. You can carry the Mission three ways: suitcase, shoulder, or backpack style.

The Vibe boxers have changed the way many men wear boxers, thanks to their BallPark pouch. Soft viscose fabric, supportive construction, and fun patterns are just a few of the reasons Saxx is the unofficial underwear of Outside’s male employees. 

This hammock was one of our favorites in the 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide for good reason: it’s lightweight and packs down to the size of a coffee mug, yet it supports 300 pounds. 

The Vibe was featured on a list of the best affordable bike lights, where our tester appreciated “a sensor, which turns the light on when there’s motion and turns the light off when the bike is parked so you never waste your battery by forgetting to hit the off button.”

The SlimShady made it into our 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide because it attaches to any roof rack and covers 42 square feet—plenty of shelter whether you’re escaping the brutal sun or waiting out a downpour.

These are some of Outside editor Jakob Schiller's favorite pair of approach shoes. "I loved them so much I wore one pair for four years straight through my first couple of photojournalism jobs because the thick all-leather build and highly cushioned soles put up with everything I faced daily—from muddy rodeo fields to long, boring press conferences where I stood still for hours on end."

Go a little faster and a little lighter with the Duro handheld water bottle. It holds 8.5-ounces of your favorite hydration and has a small zippered pocket for small essentials like cash and your driver's license.