Gear Picks
18 Gear Deals to Upgrade Your Summer Camping Kit
It’s warming up, so that means it’s time to stock up on hiking and camping gear for spring and summer adventures. Here are our picks to get the most bang for your buck this season.
$43
$37
from Moosejaw
14% off
If you’re still rolling up your midlayer to use as a pillow on the trail, it’s time to upgrade. The Premium weighs just 2.8 ounces, but inflates to five inches thick in just a few breaths.
$100.00
$56.00
from Amazon
44% off
Outside staffers get compliments on their Marmot PreCip jackets every time they wear them. The simple, streamlined design works well for urban commutes, epic hikes, and high-speed singletrack descents. Plus, Marmot makes them in solid colors that look good on everybody. You won’t find a more reliable, comfortable shell at a better price.
$30.00
$21.00
from Backcountry
30% off
This practical, sturdy headlamp pumps out 250 lumens and weighs 2.9 ounces. The Cosmo is surprisingly feature-rich considering its affordable price tag: it has three different output settings, a red light mode, and can be dimmed or brightened with the touch of a button. It’s one of our Gear Guy’s favorite gifts.
$109.00
from Backcountry
This is one of our go-to bags for summer surf trips, shoulder-season backpacking trips, and overnight forays into the mountains. It’s light and compact enough for taking out on the trail, yet still comfy enough for casual car-camping adventures—and it comes at a price that won’t destroy your budget.
$65.00
$39.00
40% off
The SuperFly has served gear editor Jeremy Rellosa for years without fail. “I've taken this stove everywhere from Nepal to Patagonia, and it's kept my trail food warm and my backpack happy because it's easy to use, clean, and stow,” he says.
$20.00
$17.00
from Amazon
15% off
The LifeStraw's membrane removes 99.9 percent of bacteria and parasites. We like it so much we included a version of the filter in our 2018 roundup of the best men's thru-hiking gear.
$100.00
$75.00
from REI
25% off
The Air Core Insulated sleeping pad offers a 4.1 R-value, with a comfort range down to 15 degrees. Complete with a ripstop nylon outer and stuffed with a thin layer of PrimaLoft insulation, it’s a durable multi-season pad for those chilly nights under the stars.
$69.00
$52.00
from Backcountry
25% off
Your new summer shorts, the Zion is made from super-stretchy nylon and spandex. The abrasion-resistant fabric is naturally UPF 50, and the built-in belt makes sure you always have a snug fit.
$30.00
$21.00
from REI
30% off
Part Tupperware, part dinnerware, the Mealkit 2.0 combines storage and serving with its system of plates, bowls, cups, and lids, making it easy to prep a meal at home and store it in a cooler on the way to a picnic spot. Plus it’s light enough to take into the backcountry.
$129.00
$64.00
from REI
50% off
Our gear editor praised Patagonia's Nine Trails packs for their clean efficiency: “With a minimalist design and well-considered features, Patagonia has proven that when it comes to daypacks, simpler is better,” he writes. It's available in both men's and women's sizes from 14 liters to 36 liters.
$14.00
from REI
Although it’s minimal, this kit contains the most commonly needed first aid products, including gauze, scissors, band-aids, and ibuprofen.
$36.00
$24.00
from Amazon
33% off
Gear editor Emily Reed loves the Eldris, which is a staple of her camping box. She finds the oversize handle and fixed blade effective for whittling and chopping kindling. Plus, the affordable price means it's not a devastating loss if she accidentally forgets the knife at a campsite. Read her full review here.
$140.00
$98.00
from REI
30% off
The back panel on this space-efficient pack closely mimics the curve of a woman’s back, making it so comfy that testers almost forgot they had it on. It’s available in five sizes, so you can really dial in the fit.
$250.00
$175.00
from REI
30% off
Constructed with 2.5-layer GORE-TEX, the Paclite Stretch is built to brush off rain showers and snow. With vents to dump heat and a drop-tail hem that protects your lower half from downpours, it's a complete waterproof package.
All Gear
$89
$67
25% off
Our editor-approved trail pants, now in short form. The nylon blend fabric has a water repellent finish, allowing you to hike in the rain or cross a creek without concern (the hint of stretch especially helps with that last one). They are also available in a women's version. Get 25 percent off sitewide during Stio's summer sale!
$70
$45
36% off
The Trail Runner editor-in-chief claims "this is the best sun-hoody for high-output activity I’ve ever tested." Thoughtful details like the zippered key/card pocket, thumb holes, and scuba hood are the cherry on top of the soft, wicking fabric that allows her to enjoy long alpine runs.
$160
$120
25% off
It is the lug pattern on these shoes that distinguish them from the rest. Our testers note that it feels like wearing crampons or spikes thanks to the shape, spacing, and sharpness of the lugs themselves. Grab a black pair now and your winter self will thank you in a few months.
$7499
$5999
20% off
Intended for marathon mountain bike racing, the new Mach 4 shaved off about 300-400 grams from the frame, making it light and responsive. Check out the first look review on Pinkbike.
Sponsor Content
Revo Descend N
$199
Revo's best-selling Descend N glasses features NASA-based polarized lens technology with a rimless design with panoramic views for when you need to see it all.
$119
$83
30% off
We have been fans of the Give'r 4 Season Leather Gloves since the brand launched them on Kickstarter years ago. The waterproof leather outer paired with the Thinsulate lining makes them warm and durable, great for backcountry ski days or chilly nights around the campfire.
$1599
$1199
25% off
We named the Jackson Gnarvana kayak the best kayak of 2023 in this year's Summer Gear Guide due to its combination of "speed, maneuverability, and boofing chops for everything from creeks to Class V rapids." It is fast, easy to paddle, and delivers clean lines in any water.
$30
$24
20% off
Get your caffeine fix on the go with this double-walled, stainless steel insulated mug. If you don't have a have a Yeti by now,, take your chance while they're on sale. It will soon be your go-to morning companion.
$130
$85
35% off
Named the best all-terrain trail running shoe in last year's Summer Gear Guide, these shoes are light, slim, and flexible, great for responding to all types of terrain. The lug soles provide plenty of traction on a variety of trails.
$600
$500
17% off
Take your BBQ game to the next level. The wood pellets produce a subtly smoky flavor, and it is easy enough for you to set it and forget it with perfect results every time, whether you are smoking, grilling, roasting, or braising veggies or meat.
$750
$600
20% off
The upgraded version of this best-selling ski performs incredibly reliably in any snow condition, earning it a spot in this year's Winter Gear Guide. Testers enjoyed how intuitive and responsive the skis are right out the gate, great for intermediate to advance skiers alike.
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.