Gear Picks is a curated selection of products we’ve tested and heartily recommend. We stand by this gear—and the brands that sell it—and many of our editors and writers use this stuff weekly. Whenever possible, we provide a link to a past review so you can make sure it’s something that suits your lifestyle—ideally at a steeply discounted price. Happy shopping—and gear-picking.
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We named the 40-liter Dakine Terminal Spinner the best carry-on luggage in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide. “Dakine may have read our minds when it designed this smooth four-wheel roller, which addresses some of the biggest pain points of carry-on travel,” our tester wrote.
We gave these buds a Gear of the Year award in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide. “What puts these over the top is the extra bass,” wrote tester Will Palmer. “Without crowding out high and midrange notes, the rich, undistorted low-end sound simply makes your music livelier, like an extra shot of acoustic adrenaline.”
This was our favorite sport climbing pack in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide. “Minimalist looks hide this hauler’s true capabilities,” our testers wrote. “A guidebook sleeve, three external pockets, and a clamshell opening keep you organized.”
A handy sack for gardening, foraging, and holding weekend sundries, the Harvesting and Gathering Bag has a removable waterproof liner, so cleaning it out after a day of heavy use is a breeze.
“The M.U.L.E. carries its share for big adventures,” wrote our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide cycling gear testers. “The 14-liter pack features an included tool roll, a dedicated slot to carry an e-bike battery, and a new ventilated back panel.”
Our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide testers loved the Agility shorts for yoga: “Baggy shorts sag during inversions, but a too-svelte fit can make lunges awkward,” they wrote. “Manduka’s four-way-stretch Agility nails the balance.”
If you’re looking for a new bike commuting bag, check out the Lako—we included it in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide roundup. “Testers loved the Lako’s padded laptop sleeve and separate wet-dry compartments. The tough water-resistant shell fends off the elements,” editor Will Taylor wrote.
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 grueling early-morning skins.
This brushed cotton flannel is one of our go-to tops. The Junction’s medium cut and colorful plaid pattern looks good around any mountain town, and we dig the shirt’s two western-inspired chest pockets.
We included the Eddie in our roundup for the best sun shirts because it’s stretchy, dries fast, and has a UPF 50+ rating. “It’s as performance-minded as your favorite tech tee but good-looking enough to wear about town,” our tester said. Added style points for the pearl snaps.
The TC Pro is the best shoe for big walls and cracks, hands down. “The toe box is pointier than a lot of trad shoes, so it not only fits into small splitters but also holds onto some overhung features, making it uniquely versatile,” wrote our testers.