Gear Picks
5 Items Under $20 to Help You Ditch Single-Use Plastic
Why use a throw-away plastic fork and spoon when you can simply BYOS (spork)? Here are five items that will help you build a zero-waste kit that you can keep in your backpack or car.
Featured
$12.00
There are some fancy, expensive totes out there built by some of our favorite outdoor companies, but if you’re looking for a simple option that can help you use less plastic at the store, keep this one in your trunk. It’s made from unused hammock material and can hold up to 25 pounds.
$10.00
from Backcountry
If straws are wreaking havoc on our wildlife, imagine what all those plastic forks and spoons are doing to our fauna. Yes, the titanium build might be overkill for a to-go lunch, but it won’t rust and it’s so light you won’t even notice it in your pack.
$15.00
Eliminate your personal latte waste with this 12-oz. coffee cup. It has a spill-proof and screw-tight lid that collapses into a tiny disc, so you can keep it in your pack all the time. The best part? It’s made from dishwasher-safe food-grade silicone.
$18.00
from Amazon
Got leftovers? Or maybe you want to take a sandwich on the road? Skip the plastic wrap and containers with this organic option made with beeswax. The reusable wrap seals tight around bowls and containers, keeping food fresh. This starter pack comes with three.
All Gear
$499.00
$276
from Amazon
45% off
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.
$98
$64
from Huckberry
35% off
Marine Layer makes supremely soft clothing that feels buttery on the skin. That’s why our reviews editor likes the men’s yoga joggers for light workouts and lounging around the house.
$129
$97
from Backcountry
25% off
Made with recycled material, the Black Hole is a travel companion that you can feel good about. It’s equipped with an internal sleeve for laptop storage and smaller pockets for a wallet or phone. Our tester noted the Black Hole is also a great option for pure gear hauling.
$125.00
$99.00
from Amazon
21% off
This portable jump starter is the size of a sandwich, but has the juice to single-handedly revive a vehicle. Charge it via the included USB cable, and throw it in the trunk for additional peace of mind wherever you drive.
Sponsor Content
ATG by Wrangler™ Mixed Material Shirt (Women’s)
$40
from ATG by Wrangler™
Bring comfort and style with you on your next outdoor adventure. The Women’s Mixed Material Shirt made with 85 percent recycled materials is quick drying with UPF 50 to keep you cool and protected from the sun. The comfortable stretch and zipper pockets add the functionality you need to play (or work) hard outside.
$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.”
$50
$40
from Moosejaw
20% off
The Storm is a perfect example of how far headlamps have come. It’s moderately priced but pumps out 370 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.
$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
from Huckberry
“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
from Backcountry
“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.
$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.
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.