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 featured the Alpiner jacket in our 2020 Summer Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best women’s hiking gear. “The 10.6-ounce hooded Alpiner is our backcountry security blanket,” wrote tester Stephanie Pearson. It’s currently 20 percent off for Outside readers with the code OUTSIDE-STIO-S21.
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. Its 2.5-layer DryVent waterproof-breathable laminate and underarm vents dump unwanted heat buildup.
This lightweight blanket makes any car camping trip better, plain and simple. “A durable waterproof bottom puts up with wet grass or rocky dirt, and the flannel top is comfy to sit on and easy to clean,” wrote our tester Jakob Schiller.
The Fenix 6 is the ideal companion for folks that are serious about training. That’s why we think it makes a great tech gift. It “has the same bells and whistles as its predecessors, but features a larger display, a pacing mode that’s great for runners, and over 2,000 ski maps,” our tester wrote.
The DoubleNest is a lightweight, space-friendly tent alternative for summer camping. Our tester recommended it for making a car campsite feel like home. While it can technically fit two people, we found it ideal for one person who wants a little extra room.
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.”