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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“The Talon 22 is a highly functional daypack that can carry your gear across multiple disciplines,” wrote our tester. “It’s loaded with thoughtful features, like trekking-pole attachments, a helmet-carry system, and an ice-tool loop.”
Patagonia’s R1 line of fleece layers are well-loved and versatile, and the crew top version is no exception. Its raised grid-style insulation keeps you warm while you’re moving in cold weather.
One of our favorite shackets, the United by Blue Snap is stuffed with a blend of bison fiber and recycled polyester, making it warm for its weight and exceptional at quashing odors. Pro tip: The jacket runs small, so we suggest sizing up.
This stackable pint won our Gear Guy’s test of the best insulated cups. “It had the best insulation of the bunch, and the base fits nicely in a cupholder,” he wrote. “I’ll never complain about a beer mug that can pull double duty for coffee in the mornings.”
Our Gear Guy called the Lowball the only Yeti product you actually need. “I’ve been using this tumbler almost every day since August 2015, and after four and a half years of heavy use, it still works just as well as the day I got it,” he wrote.
We included this rain jacket in our 2017 Summer Buyer’s Guide. “The exterior nylon is tough, wind-resistant, and stretchy, while the interior is lined with a buttery knit that adds warmth for alpine starts and windy ridge walks,” our tester wrote. The lining does make the jacket less breathable, so it’s best for slower-paced activities.
Coffee is significantly better when it’s hot, which is why the Rambler mug is an absolute must-have for camping, travel, or around the house. The double-wall vacuum-insulated mug keeps a 24-ounce cup of joe warm for hours. And it’s dishwasher safe.
The Daylite doesn’t come with a bladder, but there’s storage aplenty: 20 liters in the main compartment plus an exterior pocket. The sleeve in the main compartment can house a reservoir you buy separately, or it’ll accommodate a tablet or small laptop if you’re just using it for commuting. If you’re extra thirsty, two side bottle pockets boost the Daylites water-carrying capacity.
Outside contributor Wes Siler called these the best hiking boots he’s tested. “If you need ankle support and weather protection, then you’ll find more of that in these Altras at less of a weight penalty, and with more comfort, traction, and support, than you will in just about anything else,” he wrote.
Contributor Andrew Skurka tested the Ambit3 Peak for more than 1,500 miles and 300 hours in 2018. For ultra runners and backpackers, the Ambit3 Peak excels in three important ways: its long-lasting battery, its barometer, and price. “It makes the traditional outdoor ABC watch obsolete,” he wrote.
We gave these goggles a Gear of the Year award in our 2019 Winter Buyer’s Guide. “The optics are tack sharp, with (to our eyes) zero refraction or mirroring. We were able to pick up subtleties in the terrain while bombing a groomer at 40 mph,” our tester wrote. “And our best efforts to get them to fog were met with failure.”