Gear Picks
Need Go-To Casual Sandals? Start with Our Favorites
It’s summer—your feet yearn to be free. We rounded up the flip flops and slippers we keep coming back to.
Featured
$60.00
Outside columnist Jakob Schiller loves his Lowdown Flips because of their durability and comfort: “I’ve probably put over 400 miles on them,” he wrote. “Now the footbeds bear an imprint of my toes, the soles are slightly worn down, and the webbing is filthy. But they aren’t showing any signs of falling apart.”
$115.00
from Keen
Keen makes some of the most comfortable sandals we’ve tested and the Astoria West is no exception. While we wouldn’t wear these for thru-hiking, we like them as a daily driver and for casual day hikes. The grippy rubber sole kept us confident on wet rock. “Perfect for river hangouts,” one tester said.
$85.00
$45.00
47% off
In our Gear Guy’s test of the best men’s flip flops, he highlighted the Nohona Ulana’s classy vibe: “You could almost wear a pair in the office on a casual summer Friday,” he wrote. “On flat ground, the supple leather toe post and subtly contoured footbed made for the second most comfortable flip on this list.”
$65.00
from Moosejaw
For those who like the freedom of flip-flops but need more orthopedic support, these are the shoes for you. The sandals got top marks in our 2019 Summer Buyer’s Guide for their cushioned, shock-absorbent footbed and deep heel cup. The uppers use recycled PET webbing that’s both stylish and comfortable.
$55.00
$35.00
from Keen
36% off
The Kona Flip-Flops are the perfect do-it-all summer sandal. The EVA-molded footbed gives comfort and structure while the outsole has high-traction reliability. In our review of summer flip flops last year, our tester especially liked “the fuller coverage of the poly webbing” and antimicrobial treatment.
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.