Gear Picks
Our Top Gear Picks at Backcountry’s Memorial Day Sale
Backcountry is offering up to 50 percent off gear and apparel during its Memorial Day Sale, now through May 31
Featured
$280
$140
from Backcountry
50% off
The Flight Futurelight is one of our favorite shells for trail runs in any type of weather. “The Futurelight membrane acts like a nano-sieve: it’s permeable to air but not water, so it’s fully weatherproof and remarkably breathable,” wrote tester Martin Fritz Huber in our 2020 Summer Buyer’s Guide.
$80.00
from Backcountry
Instead of hanging a bear bag to store food in the backcountry, columnist Andrew Skurka recommends using a hard-sided bear canister, like the BV500. He called bear hangs “less reliable, less efficient, and less safe than other food-protection techniques, notably hard-sided canisters.”
$150.00
from Backcountry
This shoe won our Gear Guy’s test of the best men’s light hikers. “This pair was so comfortable and capable during both the hike and scree-slide tests that I wore them on a bonus hike,” he wrote. “Credit the cushy midsole, coupled with an OrthoLite insole, the latter of which hugged the bottom of my feet like an old friend.”
$210.00
from Backcountry
In her guide to perfecting a car-camping date, contributor Johanna Flashman called the MondoKing 3D “more comfortable than my mattress at home.” It comes in handy year-round, too: “It also has an R-value of seven, making it perfect for winter camping in below-freezing temperatures.”
$150.00
from Backcountry
The MiniMo is a newer version of the original Flash model: it has a “wider, shorter pot that still holds a liter of water and boils it in just a few minutes,” wrote tester Graham Averill. “Also cool: the stove and pot click together into one apparatus, and the plastic cover that protects the bottom of the system doubles as a bowl.”
$320.00
from Backcountry
In our 2017 Summer Buyer’s Guide, we picked the Disco 15 as the best sleeping bag for “side sleepers who like to sprawl.” The bag widens at the shoulders and knees, so you have plenty of room while on your side. We also like the two zippered chest vents that keep you from overheating on warmer nights.
$199.00
from Backcountry
Contributor Andrew Skurka tested Zoleo’s Satellite Communicator last year, and he liked how it measured up to the competition: “It’s priced, constructed, and engineered well, and it provides a significantly improved messaging experience for both the user and their contacts,” he wrote.
All Gear
$175
$131
from Backcountry
25% off
Outside Business Journal contributor Amelia Arvesen put the Abisko Trekking Tights through the wringer: “I’ve worn them on hikes, on multi-pitch climbs, to my circuit class at the gym, and to keep me warm when hanging around town,” she wrote. “Needless to say, they’ve become my go-to pants.”
$95
$71
from Huckberry
25% off
“It’s easy to spend upward of $500 on field binoculars, but for the beginner or intermittent enthusiast, Nocs makes a solid pair at an affordable price,” our tester wrote. “[The Nocs] are the pair I reach for when I’m scoping out a new face at the birdbath.”
$23.00
$18.00
from Backcountry
22% off
“This sock did everything extremely well, but mostly it was just damn comfy,” wrote our Gear Guy. The Hiker provides a nice cushion for the heel and forefoot without being too bulky, and the fit is super snug. The merino-nylon-spandex blend is odor-resistant and never itchy.
$230.00
$161.00
30% off
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.”
Sponsor Content
HOKA ONE ONE Anacapa Mid-Rise Hiking Boot (Women’s)
$170
from HOKA ONE ONE
Finally, a comfortable hiking boot that’s sustainably crafted and versatile. HOKA ONE ONE took recycled materials, its acclaimed HOKA cushion and Vibram® Megagrip outsole and brought us the next go-to day-hiker: the Anacapa. Plus, it comes in a low or mid-rise, letting you customize your shoe to your comfort.
$25
$22
from Amazon
12% off
“This torturous-looking device is my go-to tool for relieving pain and relaxing stubbornly tight muscles,” wrote tester Aleta Burchyski. “With one or two consecutive daily uses, I feel more mobile and free of discomfort for a few days.”
$70
$50
from Huckberry
29% off
Outside columnist Jakob Schiller penned an ode to these shorts and praised them for their versatility. “Buy two pairs, and I promise that they’ll be all you need from June through October for the next five years,” he wrote.
$65.00
$55.00
from Huckberry
15% off
There’s no better way to aprés than with this set of four hand-blown whiskey glasses. Each glass features a raised topographic map of the Rocky Mountains.
$128
$90
from Huckberry
30% off
Outside contributor Jason Heaton loves this Huckberry line: “Flint and Tinder, a collection made entirely in the U.S., enables lots of mixing and matching right through shoulder season." The Crossback Work shirt is built from a burly looseweave twill flannel.
$130
$98
from Backcountry
25% off
After 315 demanding miles in the Bushido II, tester Andrew Skurka praised it for its “superb traction” and “excellent durability for a 10.5-ounce shoe.” Tip: it does run a little small, so we recommend trying a half-size up.
$89
$71
from Stio
20% off
This is one of our favorite travel totes. “Most totes this big hold too much stuff to be carried comfortably,” wrote our tester. “But this bag’s straps are thickly padded, so they didn’t bite into my shoulder or hand.” It’s currently 20 percent off for Outside readers with the code OUTSIDE-STIO-S21.
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.