Run

1. HIND P.E. SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT
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This T’s grid pattern minimizes points of contact on the skin for increased airflow, which helps keep you cool. And on long runs, the extra-stretchy underarm panels don’t chafe. $38; hind.com

womens running gear

2. ADIDAS SUPERNOVA RUNNING SKORT
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The best part about running in this high-performance skirt—besides no chafing—is the low-pressure elastic waist that allows easy breathing. $42; shopadidas.com

3. PATAGONIA NINE TRAILS VEST
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The contoured fit, drop back, and stash pocket make this featherweight a go-to piece for cool weather. The shoulders and front are water-resistant, while the back is cut from more breathable stuff. $75; patagonia.com

4. BROOKS HVAC SHORT
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You shouldn’t have to think about your running shorts. And because the HVACs have a stride-friendly, shorter-in-the-front, longer-in-the-back inseam and moisture-wicking liners, you won’t. $44; brooksrunning.com

5. SUGOI SWIFT TANK
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Three reasons we love this tank: The lightweight, quick-drying fabric drapes loosely around your torso, an independent shelf bra provides support, and the open-mesh, tank-style back breathes well. $35; sugoi.com

6. PEARL IZUMI WOMEN’S ULTRA-LITE VISOR
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With a narrower-than-unisex headband and a flower logo that’s cute—not gratuitous—this adjustable sun shield kills the squint with style. $20; pearlizumi.com

Hike

womens hiking gear

1. THE NORTH FACE PHOTON HYBRID JACKET
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This polyester top blocks wind and drizzle, but breathable stretch-woven side panels prevent overheating during aerobic activities. Details are dialed: low-profile chest pocket, hem cinch, and brushed chin-guard liner. $99; thenorthface.com

2. HORNY TOAD ZENI
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Cute, soft, and . . . rugged? The Zeni manages all three. Credit the stretchy Modal fabric (made with recycled wood chips) and pack-friendly cropped cap sleeves. $46; hornytoad.com

3. MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR ELLINOR CAPRI
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Get ultimate mobility with these close-fitting capris, thanks to four-way stretch nylon and a gusseted crotch. The waist tie, front zip, and hidden snaps are comfortable under a pack’s hipbelt. $70; mountainhardwear.com

4. EX OFFICIO GIVE-N-GO SOFTLACE SEAMLESS UNDERWEAR
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These undies got us halfway around the world in 72 hours. Then we rinsed them and wore them again, thanks to the quick-dry, odor-resistant nylon/spandex fabric. The soft waistband doesn’t roll. Available in thong, bikini, and sport-top styles. $18–$34; exofficio.com

5. GOLITE DRIMOVE C/B SLEEVELESS TOP
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This 100 percent recycled poly tank has seamless shoulders for no-rub comfort under pack straps. The CoCoNa fabric, with carbon from coconut husks, dries fast and fights odor. $32; golite.com

6. OUTDOOR RESEARCH CONTOUR PANTS
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These lightweight pants withstood granite scrapes and snow squalls, yet didn’t leave us sweltering in the heat. The contrasting stitching and flared legs help with post-hike versatility. $119; orgear.com

Travel

womens travel gear

1. EXOFFICIO NEXT-TO-NOTHING LATTICE SHIRT
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The perfect top: practical and sexy. Three-quarter sleeves and a security pocket add utility, but we wore the Lattice from plane to poolside because it looks good. Then we rinsed it, dried it, and did it again. $58; exofficio.com

2. AVENTURA ROWAN SHIRT
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These soft, cotton-nylon shorts are low-cut but not lewd. We wore them snorkeling off the Bahamas’ Rose Island and they dried quickly, with no sign of salt residue. $47; sportif.com

3. LOLË WISE-UP SKORT
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This sassy polyester skort has a front zip that reveals a little, or a lot, of the contrasting shorts underneath. A touch of Lycra prevents shorts creep. $60; lolewomen.com

4. MISSION PLAYGROUND HOLDSTER
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A smart update to the travel pouch: The organic canvas Holdster fits passport, pesos, and your phone or shades. An external zip pocket lets you fish out small bills without opening the whole bag. Packrat warning: It’s a tad small for a book or bigger camera. $30; missionplayground.com

5. WATER GIRL BY PATAGONIA GRIDLOCK CAPRIS
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These nylon pants dry fast and won’t wrinkle when rolled. They’re soft and stretchy enough for yoga on the beach, but they do just as well at tapas and salsa dancing. $64; patagonia.com

6. PATAGONIA RIMU
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Breeze through the airport with these leather slip-ons. The elastic tongue expands with your feet on long days, and the playful stitching goes with skirt, pants, or shorts. $110

7. SMARTWOOL WOMEN’S SYNERGY JACKET
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You won’t find a more versatile top: It’s weather-resistant and lightweight, and the wool/nylon fabric didn’t get smelly even after a marathon and several missed connections on a long travel day. $150; smartwool.com

Climb

womens climbing gear

1. VERVE SABRINA HOODY
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The stretchy, abrasion-resistant cotton/Lycra fabric and easy-on, easy-off fit make this the perfect cool-weather climbing top. The heat-trapping hood is a blessing on belays. $68; verveclimbing.com

2. PATAGONIA SLABSTICK CAPRIS
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These organic-cotton knickers have a karate-inspired gusseted crotch for excellent mobility, reinforced fabric at the knees, and a flat, drawcord waistband for a clean fit under a harness. $75; patagonia.com

3. MARMOT WOMEN’S VOGUE TANK
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With help from Beth Rodden, this tank was designed to accommodate a climber’s well-developed lats. It has a flexy crisscross back for mobility and a built-in shelf bra for support. $40; marmot.com

4. SCARPA ROCKETTE
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The new X-shaped support system in this leather slipper means precise performance without pain on steep projects, and the sticky heel hooks the tiniest holds. $125; scarpa.com

5. OSPREY AURA 50
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The Aura wasn’t designed specifically as a climbing pack, but we found it a near-perfect carryall for crag or climbing wall, thanks to its low weight, twin pockets for stashing shoes, and a supportive frame for the inevitable overpacking. $199, 2,800 cu in; ospreypacks.com

6. PETZL SELENA
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This harness is both comfortable—it has a wide, padded hipbelt designed for women—and functional, thanks to well-placed gear loops that can hold any sport or light trad rack. $76; petzl.com

7. ISIS EMPRESS VEST
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When we need a touch more warmth, the slim-fit Empress is our choice. It warms the core, and it’s cut short to sit above a harness. $79; isisforwomen.com

Yoga

womens yoga gear

1. STONEWEAR DESIGNS APEX DRESS
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You could practice yoga in this super-comfortable, moisture-wicking, wrinkle-free, polyester/spandex sundress, but it’s far more fun to save it for knocking around after class. $56; stoneweardesigns.com

2. STONEWEAR DESIGNS FUSE TOTE BAG
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This heavy-duty, flat-bottomed bag has an interior mesh water-bottle carrier, yoga-mat holders inside and out, and space for clothes, shower supplies, and snacks. $46

3. PATAGONIA STEFKA TOP
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Even Adho Mukha Vrksasana (the handstand) feels easier in this top. The formfitting nylon/spandex fabric wicks moisture, dries fast, and doesn’t show sweat. The double-fabric bodice keeps everything in place, even when you’re upside down. $40; patagonia.com

4. PRANA E.C.O. STICK MAT
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With no PVC, this eco-mat will eventually disappear—or at least slowly biodegrade into water and other harmless components. $44; prana.com

5. PRANA PAIGE SHORT
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Free your legs and your mind will follow. The cool and stretchy Paige shorts are perfect for sweaty practitioners of Bikram. $37

6. STONEWEAR DESIGNS LOLA HOODY
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With buttery-soft four-way stretch fabric, the Lola will lull you to sleep during Savasana. $60

Swim

womens swimsuits

1. OAKLEY SWELL TOP AND MYSTO SHORT
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Protect yourself from sun, sand, or your board’s wax with this full-coverage suit. Wear it windsurfing, under your paddling gear, or any time you need extra protection on the water. $72; oakley.com

2. SPEEDO AXCELERATE SCOOP NECK AND HIPSTER
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This isn’t your old swim-team suit: It’s a fully lined, nylon/spandex racerback two-piece. And because you can buy tops and bottoms separately, it’ll fit better than your old suit, too. $94; speedousa.com

3. WATER GIRL BY PATAGONIA MOROCCO BOUCAU HALTER TOP AND SUNAMEE BOTTOMS
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Introducing the ultimate sport-friendly bikini, with a supportive elastic band under the bust and nonskimpy bottoms. $72; patagonia.com

4. BILLABONG KENNELLY
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This low-back one-piece with a bikini-style top is perfect for days when you don’t want to burn—or bare—your belly. $70; billabong.com

5. LIQUID MOUNTAIN AQUALUSCIOUS HALTER TWO-PIECE
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Three different adjustment clasps allow you to achieve the perfect fit. And, just in case, the stretchy fabric blocks 99 percent of all UV rays. $76; liquidmountain.com

6. ROXY SOUL DAISY BRA AND HIPSTER BRIEF
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Don’t be fooled by the string-bikini top and low-rise bottoms. Thanks to a snug fit and secure back clasp, the suit stays put whether you’re swimming or playing Frisbee. $76; roxy.com

Bike

womens cycling gear

1. PEARL IZUMI VAGABOND JACKET
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The versatile Vagabond converts from a weather-resistant jacket to a mild-conditions vest. The close fit never flapped, and the slightly dropped back gave us ample protection even in the drops. $100; pearlizumi.com

2. TERRY PRECISION CYCLING ARM WARMERS
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Take the chill out of cold mornings and fast, shady downhills with these flashy arm warmers. They kept one tester smiling for the entire Vermont 50. $20; terrybicycles.com

3. LUNA APPAREL
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Strange but true: Energy-bar maker Luna has created a line of performance apparel that testers unanimously praised for non-cycle-dork style. Choose from several fashion-forward designs printed on Sugoi shorts, jerseys, and more. $12–$100; lunabar.com

4. PEARL IZUMI WOMEN’S SYMPHONY ULTRASENSOR SHORT
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Ingredients for perfect shorts: a low-profile chamois pad, a fit that flatters many body types, flatlock seams, no pressure points, an external media pocket, and leg grippers that hold without depilating your thighs. All are found here. $95

5. SCOTT SHADOW TANK
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Beat the heat with this CoolMax tank. Mesh side panels prevent overheating, and the supportive shelf bra doesn’t pinch. Two back pockets hold a ride’s worth of snacks. We loved everything but the weird tan lines. $55; scottusa.com

6. TWIN SIX THE BETTY
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This head turner says—in a good way—if you’ve got it, flaunt it. Plus it has a 16-inch invisible zipper and two deep, easy-entry back pockets. $70; twinsix.com