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And it’s made in America by a new company you’ve probably never heard of
Breathable, stink-free, and softer with wear. What's not to love?
“Years ago, I threw out all of my cotton socks and replaced them with three pairs of these lightweight merino items,” wrote columnist Wes Siler. “Aside from skiing (when I wear something taller), and very cold weather activities (where more insulation is needed), that remains my setup…
We’ve sweat in them, worn them on muddy trails, and through countless miles on pavement. Now they’re discounted.
“I’ve tested over 100 pairs of athletic socks during my time working as Outside’s Gear Guy,” wrote columnist Joe Jackson. “The best socks for blister prevention over long distances are Swiftwicks.” These Swiftwick National Parks Print socks held up during Jackson’s most recent 50-mile race.
“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.
The Phd Run Light Elite sock won our test of the best running socks. “It wicked better and dried faster than most of the 58 other socks we tested, seemingly regardless of weather or trail conditions,” wrote tester Cory Smith.
What made our Buyer’s Guide testers fall in love with the Alice? Comfort. “With a wide yoga-style waistband, a buttery Italian chamois, and smart silicone placement to keep the legs from creeping up, the Alice is a good choice for long days in the saddle, with or without shorts…
We featured the Sol Defender in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide roundup of the best climbing gear. “The Sol Defender looks like a normal hoodie, but it’s packed with technical qualities, like its UPF 30+ rating, durable polyester blend, and wicking grid interior,” we wrote.
Gear Director Will Taylor reviewed the Burnt Rock in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide: “Merrell’s no-nonsense, stylish casual shoe can pedal you from the office to the trailhead and then provide the stability you need to hike to the summit. It’s stiff enough for good power transfer, and the…
The AFO-Vent Multi short is one of our favorite pairs for warm-weather runs. “Fashioned from a nylon-spandex blend, these shorts have a stunning five pockets below the waistband,” wrote Buyer’s Guide tester Martin Fritz Huber. “The larger ones at back and side fit gloves, while keys or gels go…
The Flint and Tinder 365 khaki short is our reviews editor’s daily driver. “Its no-frills cut is simple and clean-looking enough to wear to the office, and its stretchy cotton-Spandex fabric facilitates city bike rides and easy hikes,” he wrote.
Stock up for fall adventures with these killer deals on gear we’ve tested in the field
Oh socks, how we love thee. “Socks can make or break your hiking experience,” our tester wrote about the 50 percent merino Women’s Performance Hike Light Cushion Crew. “These Smartwools hug your feet in all the right spots, providing cushioning, compression and ventilation where it’s needed most.”…
We featured the Konseal FL 2 in our 2021 Summer Buyer’s Guide climbing gear roundup. “Most approach shoes are either stiff for climbing or supportive for hiking, but the Konseal does both. A layer of TPU lends a springy feel to the thin midsole, which has a beveled edge…
“Multi-climate trips are a breeze with this lightweight jacket, which boasts 40 grams of synthetic insulation and stretchy, DWR-treated ripstop nylon that sheds water and dumps heat,” we wrote in our 2020 Summer Buyer’s Guide. It performs just as well during post-ride beers as it does on the skin…
Merino wicks moisture, dries quickly, and is comfortable against the skin. These are my favorite pieces to sweat in.
In our long-term test of the best women’s running shorts, our testers picked the Strider Pro as the best low-rise pair. “Aside from the next-to-skin feel, the biggest benefit of the Strider Pro is that it stays out of the way. The generous leg openings and light, stretchy fabric make it feel roomy.”
After testing the R1 Air for a year, our reviews editor might not wear another midlayer. “The R1 breathes and wicks sweat better than any other midlayer I’ve tested,” he wrote. “This is a must-have for the uphill athlete moving in cold weather—especially if you are someone who runs hot.”
Contributor Bryan Rogala summed it up best when he called the Baggies “classic all-arounders” in his roundup of the best summer travel clothing. “The 100-percent recycled, quick-drying nylon construction and DWR finish ensures that they perform as well on land as they do in water without adding weight to your bag,” he wrote.
Two versatile, go-anywhere dresses that are practical before all else
Here it is: the best eco-shell in our Summer Buyer’s Guide jacket test. “The three-layer construction is more durable than its 2.5-layer predecessor,” our testers wrote. “Still, as with Torrentshells of old, it’s breathable (pit zips help), a high collar and brimmed hood seal out showers, and…
Columnist Jakob Schiller picked the Heavy Bag as one of his favorite tees. “Most T-shirts last a year or two if you wear them regularly,” he wrote. “I expect this one to last a full decade, thanks to a design of extra-thick, eight-ounce upcycled cotton and recycled…
This superlight jacket is filled with the company’s PlumaFill insulation, made of hydrophobic polyester fibers that mimic the structure of down—gossamer tendrils radiating from a central spine. Rather than being blown into baffles like other synthetic down, the PlumaFill is tacked between sheets of ten-denier nylon fabric in long strands,…
These pieces have been in heavy rotation for years
Create the ultimate wet-weather defense system with these six waterproof items
Sleeves still play an important role against the elements, even when it’s hot
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…
We’re eyeing these steals at Huckberry’s annual Summer Sale, which lasts now through July 26
Outside columnist Jakob Schiller penned an ode to these shorts and praised them for their versatility. “Buy two pairs, and I promise that they’ll be all you need from June through October for the next five years,” he wrote.
When an oil company targeted the North Face with a tongue-in-cheek marketing campaign accusing the brand of hypocritical climate activism, it served as a reminder of the contentious—yet partially codependent—relationship between the outdoor and fossil fuel industries
Outside contributor Jason Heaton loves this Huckberry line: “Flint and Tinder, a collection made entirely in the U.S., enables lots of mixing and matching right through shoulder season.” The Crossback Work shirt is built from a burly looseweave twill flannel.
It has all the comfort and features you’d expect from a high-end performance shell, but at an affordable price
Made from the same polyester that Patagonia uses in its breathable shirts, this neck gaiter has UPF to protect your skin from the sun. We like to use it as a bandana or face covering to mop up sweat on sweltering days.
Contributor Bryan Rogala tested the Grill Armor gloves in his roundup of grilling accessories. “These gloves are made with a blend of extremely strong, fire-resistant fibers, so they won’t ignite or melt when exposed to an open flame—they’re rated to withstand temperatures up to 932 degrees,” he…
Columnist Jakob Schiller thinks the Readywares apron is a great gift for Dad: “Made from 20-ounce waxed canvas, it’s designed to protect his clothes and keep his most important tools at hand,” he wrote. “I’ve also used the apron for summer grilling.” This tool apron has about…
The Sun Runner might look ridiculous, but it provides a crucial shield from harmful UV rays. In his roundup of sun protection hats, columnist Jakob Schiller wrote: “The Sun Runner is great because it keeps you fully protected but can also be turned into a ‘normal’ hat…
Chickfly’s innovative zipperless fly makes for pee freedom