Gear Picks
Get in on These Early Memorial Day Hiking Gear Deals
The trails are calling, and this gear is ready for them. Check out our Memorial Day sale guide for more sweet discounts across the web.
Featured
$199
$149
from Zoleo
25% off
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,” he wrote. (Get a free six-month Gaia GPS Premium membership with your purchase, now through November 30.)
$193.00
$97.00
from Backcountry
50% off
We featured the Crossrange in our 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide. Its lenses “pump up detail and depth, even in flat light, while mirroring mitigates glare,” wrote tester Mike Steere. “It comes with swappable temple and nose pieces—one set more heavily rubberized for sport, one toned down for the street.”
$119.00
$83.00
from Backcountry
30% off
One of our editors’ favorite layers to cozy up in after a long day of skiing, the Better Sweater can also be dressed up thanks to the heathered knit face. We also like the zippered pocket on the sleeve, which is handy for keys and cards.
$299.00
$164.00
from Backcountry
45% off
In our 2018 Summer Buyer’s Guide test, the Interstellar blew our crew away with an uncanny mix of weatherproofing, breathability, and stretch. “It feels softer than a soft shell but as waterproof as any hard shell I’ve used,” said one tester. “Not to mention that it’s the most breathable rain shell imaginable.”
$170.00
$119.00
from Backcountry
30% off
Kelty brought back the external frame pack but with a modern twist. The Zyp uses a lightweight steel frame and a suspension system that doesn't suffocate your back. “I found it light and incredibly comfortable despite the water, camera, and food I was carrying,” our gear editor wrote.
$24.00
from Backcountry
“These sweet performance morsels are so delicious (and not filled with creepy additives) that I find myself using them as both run fuel for myself and dessert for my family,” wrote our Gear Guy, Joe Jackson. “Unlike some bars, they’re light, easy to munch on the move, and eminently digestible.”
$40.00
$34.00
from Backcountry
15% off
Black Diamond’s Spot has all of the traits that made the original version so popular (red night vision, multiple power settings, IPX 8 waterproof rating) but in a smaller package that weighs just 3.2 ounces. It’s not rechargeable (it requires 3 AAA batteries), but its 300 lumens at the highest setting are plenty bright for early morning trail runs and evening sends.
All Gear
$44
$21
from REI
52% off
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.
$125
$94
from Huckberry
25% off
Our gear columnist called these shoes “close to perfect.” Their versatile build “sits at the intersection between a runner, a travel slipper, a water shoe, and a low-cut hiking boot,” they wrote. “It’s replaced at least three other pairs I used to rotate through (flip-flops, hiking boots, and work shoes) and looks mostly new even after a couple beatings.”
$128
$99
from Lululemon
23% off
“This sleek 17-liter pack holds more than it looks like it can,” wrote our tester, who included it in our roundup of the best men’s summer workout gear. “Outer mesh pouches swallow socks and shoes, and a big top-loading interior pocket fits a change of clothes and everyday essentials.”
$325
$244
from Backcountry
25% off
The original Ghost Whisperer is our Gear Guy’s favorite lightweight down jacket. The 800-fill-power down is toasty, and the feather treatment helps it stay dry longer, even in wet environments. If you’re concerned about weight, this is the jacket you want—it weighs less than eight ounces.
Sponsor Content
L.L.Bean Waterproof PrimaLoft Packaway Jacket
$249
from L.L.Bean
Now with complete waterproof protection, the L.L.Bean Packaway Jacket will keep you dry. Plus, the PrimaLoft insulation with Cross Core technology utilizes aerogel to keep you warm without weighing you down. An essential this winter season.
$24
$16
from REI
33% off
If you’re a skier who wants less cushioning, these are the socks for you. “Icebreaker’s take on the superthin ski sock features moisture-wicking merino wool, nylon, and Lycra,” wrote associate editor Abigail Barronian. “It has little cushioning to speak of, but it still feels substantial, striking a good balance between weight, warmth, and breathability.”
$430
$360
from REI
16% off
We featured the Recon LT beacon in our Winter Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best snow safety gear. “The device’s ergonomic shape and low-profile harness make it comfortable to wear and easy to forget about until you need it, and the advertised 50-meter range held up during tests in the glades of the Sangre de Cristos and in the Alaskan alpine,” wrote our tester.
$160
from REI
Our Gear Guy considers the Fall Line the best and most reliable pair of ski gloves. “No other piece of gear in my ski kit sees more use than the Fall Line,” he wrote. “After all these years, the reason I love them is simple: they’re the right tool for keeping my hands warm while skiing—and tinkering with my gear—all season long.”
$250
$187
from REI
25% off
Columnist Wes Siler crowned the FirePit the best portable grill ever. It works as both a fire pit and an efficient grill, thanks to the fan that makes the pit run “virtually smokeless,” Siler wrote. “With the fan running on high, the entire thing went from cold to ready-to-sear in under 15 minutes.”
$85
$64
from REI
25% off
The Tarantulace is one of the best climbing shoes for beginners. “Rather than the sharp-angled toe of most climbing shoes, the Tarantulace has more of a squared silhouette that offers a bit more wiggle room,” contributor Olivia Harlow wrote in her roundup of the best gear for those new to the sport.
$50
$37
from REI
26% off
If trail weight is an issue, you can’t beat Hydro Flask’s Trail Series bottles, which are 25 percent lighter than their original versions. They’re still double-wall insulated to keep beverages cold for hours. You can fit two pints in their larger, 32-ounce bottle making it perfect for a happy hour sunset hike.
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.