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. We often feature gear we’ve included in our bi-annual Buyer’s Guides and online roundups, presented here in an easy-to-scroll format. We only feature deals on gear we’ve tested ourselves and, whenever possible, 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 Coleman Classic stove is one of our Gear Guy’s top choices for car camping. “The two 10,000-BTU burners take a little while to heat things up, but no one should be in a rush when out camping,” he wrote. “If anything ever breaks on a Classic—which rarely happens—replacement parts are easy to find, and the fixes are easy to make.”
The Tufly received big praise in our 2017 Summer Buyer’s Guide test of the best tents: “Might be the best tent I’ve ever used,” wrote one tester. It’s built to withstand three-season temperatures and has two doors and vestibules for easy access. Our testers called it a “tent with every creature comfort you’d want at a drive-in campsite.”
The Performance Better Sweater is the perfect midlayer for cold-weather pursuits. The side panels are stretchy for extra mobility, and the back hem is lower for better protection against the elements. We loved this piece so much, it was our favorite hoodie in 2018.
The Storm is a perfect example of how far headlamps have come. It’s moderately priced but pumps out 375 lumens from a proximity beam—ideal for working in close quarters or as a spotlight when you’re on the trail. We really like the battery meter, which shows how much juice you have left in your AAAs. Oh, and it’s fully waterproof.
If you’re looking for an airy hauler for extended trips, this is it. “It feels like cheating to hoist a 60-liter pack that tips the scales at only two pounds,” we wrote in our Buyer’s Guide test of the best packs. “There are no sideentry zippers or other fancy amenities here, just a simple, cavernous rolltop with a zippered, floating lid.”
In our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide, we featured this jacket in our list of the best men’s hiking gear. “The nylon shell, waterproof zippers, and sealed seams make it completely waterproof,” our tester wrote. It packs into its chest pocket and at just 6.7 ounces, it doesn’t add much weight to your kit.
We included these joggers in our roundup of cozy après-ski sweatpants. Our tester loved the “plush fleece lining, which takes lounging capabilities to another level.” The tapered cuffs add enough style for a quick beer run, but these pants are tailored for top-notch lounging.
We named the Kor the best soft shell of 2019 in our Summer Buyer’s Guide. The jacket is ideal for summit bids, big-wall climbs, and trail runs because it’s incredibly stretchy and breathable, while still providing enough protection from wind and chill. Plus, the pockets are high enough to be compatible with a harness.
These Kinco gloves aren’t anything fancy, but sometimes we think the simplest gear is the best gear. “The reinforced pigskin leather is tough, and the thermal lining is warm enough for most days on the slopes,” we wrote. We recommend adding a layer of Sno-Seal to the outer coating for a waterproof finish.
Here it is: the best eco-shell in our Summer Buyer’s Guide jacket test. “The three-layer construction is more durable than its 2.5-layer predecessor,” our testers wrote. “Still, as with Torrentshells of old, it’s breathable (pit zips help), a high collar and brimmed hood seal out showers, and there are hand pockets for snacks.”
This sleeping pad was our top choice for winter camping in our 2020 Winter Buyer’s Guide. Our tester spent a week in Wyoming’s high country with the Trail Boss and confirmed it’s one of the warmest and toughest pads out there. It’s built with heat-reflecting PrimaLoft Silver insulation wrapped in puncture-resistant, airplane-grade nylon.