You never know if your yoga practice will find you sweating during cat-cow or freezing from wintry drafts or overzealous AC blasts. But that unpredictability shouldn’t apply to your yoga gear. The best new tops, bottoms, mats, and accessories will help make sure your focus remains on your practice, not the distractions.

The Winners at a Glance

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Girlfriend Collective Float Ultralight Leggings and Lola V-Neck Bra ($78 and $42)

Sizing: W’s 2XS–6XL
Pros: Ultralight and sweat-wicking without compromising support
Cons: The leggings lack side pockets

Some test days were so hot, we thought about going commando for our home practice—that is, until we slipped into Girlfriend’s Float fabric. The blend of 10 percent spandex and 90 percent RPET (polyester from recycled plastic bottles) is easily the lightest and coolest-feeling fabric we tested this season, yet we didn’t have an issue with it going translucent on the butt during . It has a slight buttery feel (read: may collect a bit of pet fur), yet still provided a gentle compressive hug.

Girlfriend has an entire collection dedicated to Float, but our picks are the Ultralight leggings and Lola V-Neck bra. When temperatures soared, we appreciated how the leggings kept sweat under control and allowed our legs to glide on the mat during and seated poses. And the classic sports-bra cut of the Lola provided medium-impact support without cutting or squeezing, with a decently high neck that’s well suited to inversions.

As always, we’re big fans of Girlfriend for its commitment to inclusive sizing as well as its recycling program—return your worn-out Girlfriend pieces and receive a $10 credit per item.

Janji Women’s Run All Day Tank ($54)

Sizing: W’s XS–2XL
Pros: Delightfully quick-drying and doesn’t fall over the head
Cons: Colors are limited

We were surprised that this year’s favorite women’s top came from a running company, but maybe we shouldn’t have been. Its ultralight polyester fabric is designed to stay comfortable in high heat and humidity, and its loose fit and flat seams are features we appreciate on the mat as well as the trail. The gently scooped cut of the arm holes, meant to prevent chafing during speed work, allowed exceptional freedom of movement during sequences that sent our arms joyfully skyward before cartwheeling to the earth. It’s rare to find a drapey top that covers the butt and manages to stay put during Down Dog, but this one did, much to the delight of our head yoga tester, Aleta, who explains, “I love to do yoga in the park after my run, and this tank lets me do both without sacrificing comfort or falling over my head.” Bonus for sun saluters: the fabric is UPF 25.

Patagonia Men’s Multi Trails Shorts 8” ($79)

Sizing: M’s XS–3XL
Pros: Comfy and packable
Cons: Some may not be a fan of the boxer-brief liner

Patagonia designed these shorts for versatility on the trail, and we found them to be well suited to a range of yoga styles from hatha to vinyasa, as well as therapeutic stretching and Tai Chi. Most of the credit goes to the eight-inch inseam and gently tapered cut of the legs, which allowed freedom during lunges while maintaining coverage. But the thin elastic drawstring waistband is a plus, too, and didn’t dig in during twists and forward folds. The fabric is 90 percent recycled polyester with 10 percent spandex that contributes four-way stretch, finished with a PFC-free DWR finish that will come in handy if your studio class gets out during a summer storm. Yogi travelers and commuters will appreciate that these compress down into the back pocket for tidy packing.

One point of potential contention: the Multi Trail features a boxer-brief liner. “I’m not a fan of lined shorts,” our Portland-based tester Joseph said, although he conceded “this liner is comfortable and fits well. I won’t cut it out.” Another potential quibble is that the back pocket features a small snap, which may bug the butt during Boat Pose and Savasana if you’re using an ultrathin mat. Still, we found the light weight, breathability, and mobility to be worth the couple of minor dings.

Paka Men’s Tee ($55)

Sizing: M’s XS–2XL
Pros: Less itchy than merino.
Cons: Too warm for triple-digit temps.

We love merino fabrics for their moisture management and odor resistance, but even the softest blends can feel a bit itchy as they glide with the body during vinyasa. Paka’s fabric, which uses 15 percent royal alpaca fiber with 85 percent Pima cotton, is a revelation. It’s softer than our usual merino favorites yet feels every bit as durable, and is delightfully airy and lightweight. On the mat, our elder tester with stiff shoulders appreciated the generous cut of the arms, which allowed for excellent ease of motion. “Plus the extra length doesn’t ride up,” he said. Another huge plus: it’s machine washable and suffered no ill effects from being laundered with the rest of our athletic wear.

Quince Men’s Flowknit Breeze Performance Tee ($20)

Sizing: ł§â€“Xł˘
Pros: Comfortable and affordable
Cons: The length runs a bit long for some

For a workhorse of a T-shirt, look no further than this everyday activewear basic from sustainability-minded direct-to-consumer brand Quince. “I love that it’s made of 78 percent recycled polyester—less crap in the landfill,” commented one tester. He also raved about its ability to go from morning coffee to the mat to running or hiking and back to the mat for a cool-down session while staying dry and looking put together. Especially nice: The price point.

Outdoor Research Essential Fleece Hoodie ($125)

Sizing: M’s S–XXL; W’s XS–XXL
Pros: Cozy warmth with light weight
Cons: Expensive for a sweatshirt

On brisk mornings and for trips to AC-blasting studios, every tester fell in love with this hoodie’s deliciously lightweight fleece. “It’s half as thick and heavy as my winter warm-up sweatshirt,” our trail-runner tester Eric said. “So it actually moved really nicely during hip circles, arm raises, and Cat-Cows.” Another tester, Joseph, loved it so much it became a regular part of his practice. “One day I planned to only wear the hoody for warm-up and cool-down. But it was so comfortable I left it on for the whole session,” he reported. It comes in a crewneck version, but our elder tester made a compelling case that the hood made him feel more grounded during breathwork and supremely relaxed during Savasana.

Manduka PRO Yoga Mat 6mm ($138 Standard; $160 Long)

Sizing: standard and long
Pros: Densely cushioned and durable
Cons: Slippery before break-in

Many yoga teachers swear by this mat. The reasons why tend to have something to do with the 6-mm thickness that’s sturdy but not overly cushy, making it, as one yoga therapist tester noted, “favorable to all body types, with consideration to those with injuries.” The no-slip design on the back keeps the mat from sliding during all manner of movement, whether you’re handstanding or transitioning from one side of the mat to the other. The same cannot be said about the initially slippery top surface, which takes considerable time and wear to become grippy. The company likens this process to breaking in a pair of jeans, which is entirely accurate, according to those who’ve practiced on it for years. The closed-cell construction makes the mat a cinch to wipe down. At seven and a half pounds (nine and a half for the long version), it’s best reserved for car commuters or home practicers rather than anyone walking several city blocks to class.

Jade Voyager Mat ($47)

Sizing: one size, 68-inch length
Pros: Lightweight design is rollable and foldable.
Cons: Zero cushioning.

“Minimal and unobtrusive” is how one tester described the Voyager design, which aptly describes everything about the travel mat. Weighing in at only one and a half pounds, it’s literally “the thickness of a flour tortilla,” as someone predisposed to tacos noted. As such, it easily folds to the size of a yoga block or rolls tightly enough to strap to a backpack or slide into a water bottle holder. Only one tester experienced slight wrinkling during a vinyasa practice; everyone else transitioned every which way with ease. As its name implies, the Voyager is not intended for everyday use but rather an impromptu vinyasa practice in a hotel room, airport gate, or camping trip, when size and weight take priority over padding. Those who need cushioning for sore knees might think twice. The natural rubber, tapped from rubber trees, initially emits a noticeable aroma, although that’s easily forgotten considering the company, Jade, plants a tree for each mat sold.

Hitch Bottle and Cup ($68)

Pros: Easy to carry and clean.
Cons: It’s heavy.

Hydration is the foundation, which is why our home practice involves both water and tea or coffee. Now Hitch has found a brilliant way for us to schlep both to the studio. An outer shell houses an 18-ounce vacuum-insulated water bottle with a 12-ounce cup nested at the bottom and a silicone sleeve in between to prevent scratching the powder-coated paint on the exterior. The bottle cap secures the flip-top cup lid with a magnet, and the cup attaches on top of it with an easy twist lock, so you can carry both beverages in one hand with utter ease—even if your hands are on the small side. Disassembly for cleaning is a breeze: The bottle pops free from the shell with a firm push, and all the components are dishwasher safe. The major downside is the heft: empty, the entire system weighs 1.8 pounds. But given that we no longer have to choose which beverage will accompany us to class, we’ll take it.

Avocado Green Organic Pranayama Yoga Pillow ($89)

Pros: Compact and conforming.
Cons: Too small and thin for some.

We’re big fans of Avocado’s meditation pillow, so we were delighted to see the collection recently expand to bolsters. The long and narrow Pranayama supported long-hold chest openers, as the buckwheat-hull filling conformed to the spine. During savasana, it adds just the right amount of support under the ankles for a demi version of legs up the wall. “It doesn’t take up a lot of space the way a full-size bolster does,” noted a tester who lives in a small cabin. After a week of sweaty testing, the woven organic cotton cover went through the wash with ease and came out looking brand new.

How to Buy Yoga Gear

When buying yoga gear, first, consider the type of yoga you practice, and what the priorities are for your favorites. Aim for moisture management if you do toasty studios, excellent range of motion if you’re grooving a vinyasa, and snuggly fabrics if you’re relaxing with yin. Don’t be afraid of the dressing room or a try-before-you-rip-off-tags: a bra or tee that stays put on one person might cut in or fall down on another, and leggings that provide gentle support on one might roll or slide on another. Most of all, your apparel should make you feel good—we give you permission to go for the colors and prints that spark joy.

How We Tested Yoga Gear

Number of testers: 19
Number of items tested: 44
Number of hours on the mat testing: 145
Number of : 280
Number of times we fell asleep during Savasana: 5

Our team of five yogis—from occasional post-run participants to daily practitioners—spent two months putting leggings, bras, tees, and shorts through more than 250 Sun Salutations. By the time we narrowed it down to our favorites, we had swan-dived, twisted, and Triangled for nearly 150 hours. 14 more testers wore out two dozen mats to find the top performers.

Meet Our Yoga Gear Testers

Aleta Burchyski is a longtime yogi and former şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř magazine editor living in Santa Fe. In the past year, her practice included daily postpartum recovery flow, speedy vinyasas at the park while her baby and toddler played, and lots of before-bed for stress management.

Joseph Burchyski, who lives in Portland, Oregon, was coerced into trying his first yoga class two decades ago when his daughter, Aleta, signed him up for a Bikram class. Although that class wasn’t quite to his taste, he started exploring and is now an avid yin practitioner, which helps him stay limber in his eighth decade of life.

Eric Ward uses his avid trail running habit to manage stress, and turns to the yoga mat to stay limber and prevent injury. Though his practice is generally centered around a simple recovery flow, he also loves to invite his toddler onto the mat for early-morning Sun Salutations. His goal is to someday touch his toes.

Svati Narula, an şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř contributing editor, is based in Santa Fe. She’s been a dedicated Yoga with Adrienne participant for half a decade, and has found it’s a great pairing with summer marathon training. She “loves” when her dogs, Cabot and Colby, join her on the mat.

Caty Enders is a writer and Ph.D. candidate who splits her time between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. When she’s not practicing yoga at an outdoor class, she’s in the studio for ecstatic dance and barre, or in the backcountry enjoying angling and hunting.

Yoga mats were by our friends at .

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If you’re not a regular yogi, this is your sign to pull out your mat from the dark, dusty recesses under the couch and put on the clothes and music that make you want to tune in to your body. Even if it’s just for five minutes, give yourself the TLC of hip circles and cat-cow.

If you crush a 60-minute power session daily, slow it down and hone the basics. Are your fingertips clawing into the mat during down dog? Is your jaw relaxed in pigeon? Wherever you are in your practice, the warm months are the time to shake off hibernation mode and move with purpose. Breathe deep, set your intention, and get flowing in the best yoga gear this year.

Yeti Rambler 36 oz Bottle with Chug Cap and Rambler Bottle Sling ($50 and $40)

Proper hydration is key to achieving that deep release. The Rambler’s narrow chug cap is perfect for getting a quick, slosh-free sip of water in the middle of a session, and it screws off to reveal a wide mouth for easy cleaning. Pair it with the Bottle Sling and put an end to awkwardly juggling your stuff in and out of the studio. It even has a pocket for your class pass.

Jungmaven Jung Tee ($50)

Sometimes a highly technical top feels antithetical to yoga’s simplistic spirit. The Jung’s five-ounce hemp-cotton material is similar to your favorite worn-in natural-fiber tee—more comfortable than something you’d wear while running. It stays cool and breezy during hot sessions and doesn’t stink afterward the way synthetics do. (XS–XXL)

Prana Becksa Tank and Becksa 7/8 Leggings ($69 and $89)

This set is built to handle serious flow: the tank features a shelf bra for support, and the leggings have a belly-button-grazing rise that stays put. Side pockets stash your valuables before and after class. We love Prana’s recycled-polyester compression-rib fabric for its smooth, supportive feel, Bluesign eco certification, and UPF 50-plus sun protection. (Xł§â€“Xł˘ / plus sizes XL–3X)

Vuori Kore Men’s Short ($68)

These shorts were so comfy that our tester didn’t want to take them off after his mat session. He loved the 7.5-inch length, which provides mobility and coverage during deep lunges, and the boxer-brief liner, which gives support and security during malasana and inversions. (XS–XXL)

Lolë Pose 2-in-1 mat ($40)

The right surface makes all the difference between stumbling and soaring during your practice. The five-millimeter closed-cell foam in this Lolë mat provides a springy cushion and exceptional grip without tripping you up when you’re pivoting between warriors. As a bonus, it comes with an elastic carry strap that doubles as a stretching band to really get into those final floor poses.

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After a long, hard day on the trail, the body doesn’t just crave fuel. It wants a warm, delicious, and nourishing feast. “Eating well in the backcountry makes such a world of difference,” says John Sims, rations manager for the ’s Rocky Mountain campus in Lander, Wyoming. He’s seen it firsthand: “I remember one day last fall when I was working as an instructor. We had moved for a number of hours to camp, and all the students were tired, hungry, unhappy. The instructor team encouraged people to start making food right away, some instant soups and ramen. As soon as people started getting those calories, their mentality and the whole atmosphere of the camp turned around. We went from a grumpy, unhappy group to a pretty lively one.”

Since it was founded in 1965, NOLS has been known for refining backcountry meals, as evidenced by its cookbook, , now in its seventh edition.ĚýIn addition to field-tested recipes, the book contains advice on on how to pack and ration supplies, as well as nutrition tips for long-distance hiking.ĚýAs rations manager, Sims likes to make sure his programs’ students go out into the fieldĚýwith versatile ingredients. “We don’t send out a specific meal plan or recipes for students,” he says. “Instead we send them out with a bunch of options for food items, and they get to make their own meal plan in the field.” One of his favorite staples is flour. “Working with it in the field is the same as working with it at home,” he says. Another: “We send them out with a dried tomato powder—tomato paste that has been dried and powderized. You can make a lot of things with it.”

“We have a lot of students who come in who don’t really know how to cook,” he says. “Showing them how to make a pizza or cinnamon rolls is cool.” That said, when it comes to his own backcountry cooking, SimsĚýprefers keepingĚýit simple. “For myself, I like things that are on the easier side—things that are pretty quick and don’t require a lot of prep.”

Here are four of his favorite recipes, ranging in difficulty from straightforward, upgraded ramen to chef-worthy buttermilk pancakes.

Potato-Ramen Stew

This recipe is a great way to spruce up a go-to backcountry meal. “My favorite way to do ramen is boil the noodles like normal, add in spices, and add some instant potato pearls or flakes and make a thick stew,” Sims says. “On top of that,Ěýyou can add cheese, summer sausage, a number of salty fatty things, and it transforms ramen from a lighter appetizer meal into a pretty full, thick, filling meal by itself.” This recipe is one of his favoritesĚýif he’s only bringing a Jetboil or another backpacking stove.

Ingredients

1 ramen packet (any flavor works, but Sims likes the best)
3 ounces instant potato flakes
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 packet shelf-stable chicken

Instructions

Follow the directions on the ramen packet,Ěýand cook the noodles untilĚýsoft. Remove from the heat, slowly add the potato flakes, and stir. The consistency should be thick but still thin enough to drag a spoon through. Add the olive oil, chicken, and ramen seasoning, stir, and enjoy.

Vegan “Creamy” Mushroom Polenta

If starting your morning with something sweetĚýleads to bonking, try polenta. “This savory breakfast is delicious whether you’re vegan or not,” Sims says. It also makes for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

3 cups water
8 ounces polenta
8 ounces
1 handful dried mushrooms (SimsĚýorders fromĚý)
3 ounces nutritional yeast
2 packets
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Bring the water to a boil. While stirring, slowly stream in the polenta, cashew milk powder, mushrooms, nutritional yeast, and broth packets, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir continuously for about fiveĚýminutes, or until the mixture is smooth and thick. Turn off the stove. Add the olive oil, cover, and let sit until the mushrooms finish hydrating, about twoĚýto threeĚýminutes.

Backcountry Pizza

If your go-to après meal is a big slice of pie, you’re in for a treat. “This NOLS classic has fed and uplifted the spirits of thousands of students and instructors alike,” Sims says. Pizza is one of the meals taught during every NOLS course, in addition to cinnamon rolls. You’ll need a basic cooking kit as well as aĚýfew specific pieces of gear: a stove with a simmer function (NOLS uses the ), a flat-bottomed pan with a metal lid, and a pile of small twigs—the largest should be about the size of a pencil. Measure, mix, and bag the dry crustĚýingredients (except the cornmeal) ahead of time, so they’re ready to go when you’re in the wild.

Ingredients

For the crust:
6 ounces white flourĚý
3 ounces powdered milk
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butterĚý
1½ cups water
½ ounce coarse ground cornmeal (optional)

For the sauce:
3 ounces
1 ounceĚýdried onion
1 ounceĚýmilk powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder

Toppings:
6 ounces sliced or shredded cheese
Pepperoni
Sliced mushrooms

Instructions

In a bowl, mix all of the crust ingredients (except the cornmeal) together, and roll into a firm ball about the size of the palm of your hand. Use your thumb and fingers to pinch, stretch, and flatten the dough until it’s about the thickness of two quarters. Light the stove and reduce the heat to a simmer—the lower the better. If using cornmeal, sprinkle it onto the bottom of the flat-bottomed pan. This will lift the dough enough toĚýhelp keep it from burning. Place the flattened dough into the pan, and cover with the metal lid. Place some of the small twigs on top of the lid and light them. This is called a twiggy fire, and it simulates the top burner in an oven. Keep adding twigs to keep the fire burning for fiveĚýto sevenĚýminutes. While the dough cooks, mix the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl or mug, and season to taste with salt and garlic powder. Blow out the twiggy fire, and carefully remove the lid. Once the dough starts to turn golden, cover it with the sauce, cheese, and toppings. Cover the pizza with the lid, and restart the twiggy fire. Cook until the cheese is melted, about twoĚýto threeĚýminutes. Slice and enjoy.

Buttermilk Pancakes with Buttermilk Icing

This recipe is one of Sims’s recent discoveries. “Making backcountry buttermilk is well worth the time,” he says. “These pancakes are a delicious twist on a classicĚýand are guaranteed to make your friends envious of your backcountry baking skills.” You can measure, mix, and bag the dry ingredients ahead of time, so they’re ready to go when you’re ready to cook.

Ingredients

For the icing:
1 cup butter
1½ cups buttermilk (recipe below)
2 cups granulated sugarĚý
1 teaspoon baking soda
Âľ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the pancakes:
3 tablespoons egg powder ( works great)
9 tablespoons water
1 cup white flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ cups buttermilk (recipe below)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Butter or oil for pan, plus butter for topping

Instructions

To make the icing: Combine all of the ingredients in a medium saucepan and mixĚýover medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the ingredients have melted, simmer an additional minute or two. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for five to ten minutes before serving.

To make the pancakes: In a mug, combine the egg powder and water, mix until smooth, and set aside. In a bowl, combine all of the remaining dry ingredients; or if you did this step at home, empty your bagged dry-ingredients mix into a bowl. Add the egg mixture, buttermilk, and vanilla, and stirĚýuntil smooth. The pancake mix should be thin and runny enough to pour off a spoon. Turn on your stove and heat up a pan. Once warm, add either butter or oil. Pour roughly half a cup of the batter into the pan, and cook until small bubbles form on the surface. Flip and continue cooking until golden brown. Serve with butter and buttermilk icing. Makes 10 to 12 pancakes.

Backcountry Buttermilk

Ingredients

1 cup water
½ tablespoon vinegar
4 tablespoons powdered milk
1½ ounces lemon-juice powder ( packets work well)

Instructions

Add the water, vinegar, and lemon juice powderĚýto a bowl. Mix to dissolve the lemon juice powder. Slowly add the powdered milk while stirring, breaking apart any clumps. Makes 1½ cups.

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Looking for the best yoga gear for 2021? Here are some of our favorites. Whether you are an experienced yogi or jumping into , our top gear picks will help you on your path to balance.

The Avocado Meditation Pillow ($79)

A comfy, supportive seat can be the difference between fidgeting for ten minutes and getting deep into your breathing for an hour. Avocado’s pillow is stuffed with buckwheat hulls for a beanbag-like firmness that won’t make your butt go numb. Bonus: the tweedy organic-cotton cover repels floor fuzz.

Garmin Venu Sq Smartwatch ($200)

The Venu Sq works with you on the mat. Ayoga-specific interval timer helps you hold poses longer, while guided breathing, heart-rate tracking, and activity logging encourage you to stick with your practice. And unlike traditional circular faces, its sleek square profile doesn’t dig into your wrist during planks and down dogs.

Athleta Elation 7/8 Tights and Warrior Longline Bra ($89 and $54)

Your leggings and bra should stay comfy from morning sun salutations to lunchtime power yoga to bedtime meditation. This set provides the support you need without digging into your skin, and the nylon-Lycra blend is silky, not stifling.

Ěý

Prana Epiquator Tank ($49)

For a little more coverage up top, reach for this dreamy high-neck tank. Its extra-soft Tencel jersey feels cozy during warm-up and breathes when you sweat. Knot the dovetail back hem at the waist or leave it flowing loose.

Bennd Yoga Chakra Ayurvedic Mat ($180)

Bennd’s gorgeous sweat-absorbing, woven-cotton Ayurvedic mat is beautifully dyed with herbs like madder root, indigo, and turmeric. Ridges at the ends provide grip during wheels and warriors. Layer it over a foam or rubber mat for extra cush.

Patagonia Capilene Cool Merino Shirt ($59)

Patagonia’s Capilene Cool tee has long been our favorite for hot practices, and the brand’s new featherlight merino-blend iteration is even better. Like the original, it wicks sweat with ease, but the wool and recycled-polyester fabric means you’ll end your practice without smelling like a studio.

Manduka Agility Shorts ($68)

Baggy shorts sag during inversions, but a too-svelte fit can make lunges awkward. Manduka’s four-way-stretch Agility nails the balance, with a nine-inch inseam and 22- inch leg opening that feel just right. The flat drawstring waistband makes it look polished enough to run errands in.

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It’s been a year since the pandemic erupted into global cataclysm. One whole calendar year of social distancing, wearing masks, and mostly staying home with Netflix and Zoom meetings burning holes into our eyeballs. Seemingly endless purgatory of deferred merriment and lukewarm takeout peppered with incalculable tragedies, great and small.

If there was one small panacea, it was wearing stretch pants, all day, every day. In all its forms—joggers, leggings, bike shorts—the ultra-forgiving embrace of spandex welcomed both bed-bound doom-spiralers and home-gym rats alike.

I know, the Year of Leggings has been great. Freed from the workday shackles of our , it’s never been easier to take a break from the computer with a set of impromptu burpees or sun salutations. ButĚýit has been a year, and we need to move forward with our lives. We lost the sense of mindful intention that comes with changing out of loungewear and into bottoms built not for comfort but for standing up to the rocks and brambles of the outdoors—or for going to an office. Plus, they look and feel put together in a way that leggings can’t.

If we want to truly break out of pandemic life’s emotionally draining slog, we must consider rekindling our relationships with the clothes of the before time. It’s time to start setting dates for socially distanced meetups at the park as the weather warms up. It’s time to start making plans for mask-friendly summer adventures. It’s time to stop putting life on hold indefinitely. It’s time to start wearing real pants again.

Fear not. Denim isn’t necessarily the stiff, abrasive straitjacket for legs you think you remember. Banish all thoughts of waist-digging, back-of-the-knees-pinching discomfort from your mind. These three options are made with a touch of stretch to move with you wherever 2021 leads.

For Working Hard and Hardly Working

Carhartt Straight-Fit Double Front ($60)

are built for doing tough jobs, with knee panels, a hammer loop, and a higher rise in back for coverage while bending. But the blend of cotton and polyester with 2 percent spandex makes for a heavier ten-ounce denim with excellent stretch and just enough softness to feel slouchy-cozy. I wore these for a day of yard cleanup and didn’t feel the need to trade them for sweatpants when it was time to kick back with a beer. In fact, I found myself reaching for them on lazy weekend mornings for lounging on the couch—they’re that comfy.

For Long Walks and Impromptu Picnics

Prana Gram Crop ($119)

Ěýare just as excellent as its yoga pants. A blend of organic cotton and polyester with 1 percent spandex makes for a buttery medium-weight denim that hugs curves without squeezing. The brand offers a number of cuts, but I love the Gram for its navel-grazing rise that doesn’t slip down or dig in while sitting on the ground, as well as for its boyfriend silhouette and crop length that kept me cool on a warm three-mile lunch jaunt at the local trail system.

Ěý

For Beating the Blues

Wrangler Retro Zip-Front Denim Jumpsuit ($99)

The easiest path to getting dressed and feeling put together is a jumpsuit. Utilitarian options abound, but this stands out for its retro tailoring and cheerful western details. Though this isn’t a technical garment, the cotton-Tencel fabric moves nicely when you bend and reach, and deep hip and back pockets swallow your phone, wallet, and keys. On a particularly burned-out morning, I zipped in and walked to the coffee shop. The light, cool denim felt so good that I added a lap around the park and returned home feeling calmer and more focused.

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Maapilim Hand Sanitizer ($10)

The best sanitizer is the one you’ll actually want to use. Maapilim’s gel has the requisite for effective de-germing and includes , but the star of the show is the unisex fragrance. A dime-size blob leaves skin beautifully scented with sunny bergamot and heady jasmine grounded by earthy cedar. When your friends ask about your expensive cologne, whip out the tube and share—clean hands for everyone.

Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil ($53)

Gnarly tangles and crispy ends are no match for Sachajuan’s lightweight treatment: argan oil that , to help prevent breakage, and that can result in split ends. Plus it smells subtly powder clean, which mitigates the funk from a long day of getting after it.

Moon Juice Plump Jelly ($58)

Hyaluronic acid is a moisture powerhouse. This little molecule and absorbs beautifully into skin to provide serious hydration. Moon Juice’sĚýformulationĚýgoes a step further with , which quells irritation from goggles and wind and has antioxidants to . Apply two pumps to clean, damp skin and your parched mug will be as good as new in no time.

Herbivore Lapis Blue TansyĚýFace Oil ($72)

Cold, sun, and wind wreak havoc on sensitive skin. şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř of prescription options, the best remedy we’ve found is blue tansy: this vivid flower from the same family as chamomileĚýis rich in , a soothing extract with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties,Ěýfor intense soothing relief. Herbivore’s Lapis oil blends it with and oils, which won’t leave you greasy and are packed with fatty acids that .

Tatcha the Kissu Lip Mask ($28)

Peeling lips got you down? Slather on Tatcha’s lip mask before bed and you’ll wake up to a flake-free kisser. Instead of petroleum or thick waxes, the pale pink balm uses and to repair skin’s moisture barrier, melting onto skin like honey and smoothing into cracks for effective healing. And should you decide to wear it to après, the scentless and tasteless formula won’t interfere with your IPA.

Natureofthings Fortifying Magnesium SoakĚý($36)

When your legs are feeling the burn, a plain hot bath is good but an hour with these salts is better. Magnesium chloride can , while 60 milligrams of broad-spectrum CBD is purported to —critical for the body’s . French green clay tackles the body acne that can rear its ugly head after a long, sweaty weekend on the mountain.

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March 13, 2020, was the last day I wore real pants. That afternoon I bid goodbye to my office and packed up my computer to work from home. Coincidentally, it was also the start of my pregnancy’s morning-sickness hell, which banished all thoughts of denim from my mind. Tormented by all-day nausea, I sought comfort in bed and . High-waist leggings gave me space to curl up in a ball and never squeezed my growing tummy. But as summer’s heat arrived early and I found myself routinely sweating buckets, a breezy pair of bike shorts proved much better. Even as the days cool down, they’re still the first thing I reach for every morning. I’m never going back.

And who can blame me? Bike shorts have been trending for the past few years—among and as well as hot yogis and SoulCyclers—with good reason. They offer the comfort and mobility of their ankle-length colleagues, but their short stature prevents excessive heat and sweat. That’s exactly what you want when you’re bouncing between your non-air-conditioned home office and your anxiety-reduction activity of choice, whether it’s HIIT in your living room, strolling the neighborhood, or heading for the hills to get some time in nature.

Here are my top three pairs.

The Shape-Shifter

Lululemon Align Super High Rise ($58)

Lulu’s Align leggings have among moms-to-be: the utterly noncompressive, ultrastretchy Lycra-blend fabric accommodates any body type, from baby bump to power booty to mermaid thighs, with zero squeeze. The Align shorts are just as good. They come in a , but my pick is the Super High Rise iteration for its Bermuda shorts–likeĚýten-inch length.

The Cargo Master

Prana Electa ($59)

Two words: side pockets. And if that’s not enough to win you over, consider this pair’s UPF 50+ fabric and moisture-wicking polyester gusset, details that make great for high-intensity pursuits. Prana’s Luxara fabric blends nylon and elastane to hit the sweet spot between soft and compressive, with a smooth feel and gentle support that doesn’t turn thighs into sausages. The high rise and seven-inch inseam are just right, too, providing coverage without smothering your waist.

The Recreationist

Outdoor Voices Warmup ($48)

Buttery, comfortable fabric is great for wearing around the house and the studio, not so much for hiking and camping. Outdoor Voices uses a polyester-spandex blend that’s a little more rugged and compressive than the other picks here, so you can take a seat at a rocky overlook and not worry about scuffing up the bum. Pair with the for a set of basics that will take you from home desk to trail to swimming hole and back again without losing a beat.

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I’ve been in pain since 2003, the year I went to college and became semipermanently fixed in front of a computer. It began as a dull ache in my left shoulder blade, where it sometimes flaredĚýinto the scalene muscles along the sideĚýof my neck. By my senior year, I started to suffer migraines, for which my doctor prescribed muscle relaxants and sick days. The cause of my misery remained a mystery until almost a decade later, when I was finally diagnosed with mild scoliosis—a slight bend at my shoulder blades throws my neck out of alignment, which is exacerbated by the ergonomics of keyboards and monitors.

I soon began a regimen of chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga, and physical therapyĚýthat’s kept me blessedly migraine-free. Still, nothing could fully ease the damned ache in my shoulder blade. Targeted adjustments, elbows, needles, and electrotherapy abated the pain for a day or two at most. Then it was back, wearing away at me until my next appointment, which was sometimes weeks away. I needed an at-home solution, something I could turn to whenever the gnawing made me snap at my husband or lose patience with coworkers.

Last summer, whileĚýhelping my friend move, I noticed her pack aĚýtiny mattress and bolster pillow studded with spiky plastic medallions. “It’s an acupressure mat,” she explained as she jammed it between boxes in the back seatĚýof her car. “It’s great for my neck.ĚýYou need one.” I placed an order—for the ($20)—that same day. NowĚýthis torturous-looking device is my go-to tool for relieving pain and relaxing stubbornly tight muscles.

Acupressure is the same idea as acupunctureĚýbutĚýwithout the needles: in traditional Chinese medicine, activating on the body (in this case with sharp pressure) is thought to fix pain and illness by unblocking the flow of energy.ĚýPhysiologically, this explanation focusesĚýonĚýtheĚý, which delivers the electrical signals that control our muscles and physical functions. A trained acupunctureĚýpractitioner will target to help relieve issues like back pain, headaches, and nausea.

With an acupressure mat, you get acupressure, sans precision.ĚýEachĚýmat goes for a blitzkrieg-like concentration—my model has 7,992 spikes, each one-eighth inch long.ĚýI’m not sure what points I’m hitting every time I recline on its stabby array, but with a few minutes of wiggling and microadjustments, I never fail to find something that feels good.

And it really does feel good—once you get used to it. Immediately after lying down, the sensation is best described as fiery, with a smattering of yikes. I give it another half a minute as myĚýbody settles in; what a great opportunity to practice breathing through the discomfort! Soon enough,Ěýmost of the fireĚýrecedes into a gentle buzzing warmth as blood flow increases. A few agonized spots will remain, and you can choose to embrace them as needy for attention or politely maneuver into something more comfortable. (I inevitably choose the latter.) Around this time, I tend to notice that I’m craving a little more sensation in some places: the rotator cuff,Ěýmy lower back, and the scalenesĚýin the neck, all tight areas I find difficult to ease with self-massage and stretching. Then I settle in, sometimes to the point of falling into a Savasana-like snooze—and I’m someone who never sleeps during Savasana.ĚýThe company recommends that beginnersĚýstay on the mat for up to 20 minutes to avoid taxing the body, but I arise after ten. (Those with poor circulation or thin skinĚýshould avoid using a mat before consulting with a doctor,Ěýthough.)

Has the mat cured my ache for good? No, but with one or two consecutive dailyĚýuses, I feel more mobile andĚýfree of discomfort for a few days—sometimes until my next marathon computer session. And that’s fine. Unlike a physical therapist, it’s available any time I’m hurting.

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Hitting the open road does wonders for the spirit, but it can wreak havoc on skin. Hours spent cruising with the heat or AC blasting and exploring new climates can leave you with itchy dryness or an oily mess, not to mention the perils of sunburn, scrapes, and bug bites. Fear not: here’s a tidy kit of must-haves to keep your skin clean, calm, and protected, no matter where you’re headed.

Simple Micellar Cleansing Wipes ($1.50; prices vary by store)

Where most wipes use oil or soap, are soaked with micellar water: tiny surfactant molecules () suspended in H20, which banish a day’s worth of sweat and grime without leaving a trace of greasy or sticky residue. Keep a pack in the console to freshen up at pit stops.

Pai Lotus and Orange Blossom BioAffinity Skin Tonic ($56)

If you pack one skin treat, make it . Its pH-balanced formula has to help combat inflammation, to strengthen skin’s natural defenses, and to hold in moisture. That combination is extra perfect for calming mask irritation as well as skin freakouts from entering a new climate or spending hours cruising with the heat or AC blasting. Plus it smells like a gorgeous orange grove.

Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Tinted Sunscreen Face Lotion ($18)

Mineral ’screen is the only choice for UV protection that won’t harm waterways should you detour to a beach or swimming hole. disappears on faces and limbs in seconds instead of minutes, and the subtle beige tint won’t leave a chalky cast on darker skin tones—or white smudges all over the steering wheel and door panels.

Lush New! Shampoo Bar and Round Tin ($12 and $4)

Keep showertime simple with a no-fuss two-in-one. clean bodies just as well as hair, dry faster post-shower than a bar of soap, and stow leak-free in your bag. They come in a dozen varieties, but we love New! because we’ve found that it plays nice with hard water. If your locks need extra TLC, pair it with ($14).

Luv Scrub Mesh Washcloth ($18)

A few days spent sweating in a car seat calls for exfoliation. The is a brilliantly straightforward rectangle of nylon mesh that lathers like a dream and stretches long enough to shimmy across the center of your back. Hang it up and it’s completely dry in an hour or less, ready for the next leg of the journey.

Manda Organic Paw Paw Salve ($26)

There’s nothing this unscented can’t do—protect cuts and scrapes, ease chafing and blisters, repair cracked lips and cuticles, soothe dry skin and sunburn, tame unruly beards and hair, you name it. The star ingredient is organic papaya ferment, , and we love how the not-too-greasy blend of plant oils, shea butter, and beeswax melts into skin.

Kinfield Golden Hour Bug Spray ($22)

Happy skin is bite-free skin. repels thirsty insects with an effective all-natural blend of citronella, lemongrass, and clove oils, with a splash of vanilla for a citrus scent that’s pleasantly creamy—not caustic—in the confined space of a vehicle. If you do get bit, a dab of ($4) will fix you right up.

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The campfire takes the art of cooking to its most alchemic form—wood and flame, smoke and heat, transforming humble rawness into a piping-hot feast. While the oven and stovetop are constant in their mechanical functions, a fire is a living thing that must be tended, and so its rewards are greater. Give it fuel and air, stir its coals, arrange its logs just so, and it will bestow elegant caramelization, glorious crispness, and mouthwatering carbonized umami. Best of all, it provides the satisfaction of cooking the most basic ingredients—potatoes and sausage, apples and oats, an egg—with a singular, mindful purpose, an antidote to zombified weekday meals and microwaved sustenance. Unplug and let the cheerful crackling blaze stoke your appetite.

Cast-Iron Skillet

Even the most carefully tended campfireĚýcan be aĚýfickle thing, prone to outbursts of flame and smoke, blazing one minute and barely flickering the next. No cooking medium handles that inconsistency with as much aplomb as a good, heavy piece of cast iron. Lesser pans develop hot spots, scorching and sticking and laying ruin to dinner. But cast iron takes the mercurial heat into its thick-walled embrace and disperses it evenly. When seasoned with oil and heat and time, it proves virtually nonstick, rendering clean-up a breeze. It’s a classic for a reason.

Skillet Potato Mess

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Baby potatoes, preboiled to just shy of done
• Bell pepper, chopped
• Jalapeño pepper, chopped
• Onion, chopped
• Precooked kielbasa, sliced
• Salsa (weĚýlike tomatillo)
• Shredded cheese
• Cilantro or basil, chopped

Generously oil a skillet. Layer the potatoes, peppers, onion, and kielbasa, being careful not to overfill the pan—you’ll want to leave enough room that you can gently stir the ingredients. Top with a little (or a lot) of the salsa and cover. Set the skillet on coals or the fireplace grate (away from direct flame). Stir every ten minutes or so, rotating the skillet as needed. When the salsa is bubbling and the meat is sizzling and cooked through, serve topped with cheese, cilantro or basil, and more salsa.

Foil Pack

After the fire has blazed hard, the flames have died back, and all that remains is a bed of hypnotically glowing coals, reach for the tinfoil. It’s cooking at its most alchemic: embers, metal, and sustenance. Time becomes irrelevant as you keep a weather eye for signs of steam, using intuition to determine when a rotation is needed, observing the foil’s bright silver exterior tarnish and darken in the heat. Is it done yet? Not quite. But soon.

Apple Crisp Packet

Ingredients

• 1 apple
• 1 packet instant oatmeal
• Butter
• Toasted marshmallows

Butter the center of the shiny side of a square piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Core and thin-slice the apple, and arrange in a flat pile on the foil. Sprinkle with instant oatmeal and top with chopped bits of butter. Fold the left and right sides of the foil over the crisp, then fold over the top and bottom ends to create a packet. Place on fire coals (away from direct flame), and rotate the packet about every ten minutes to ensure even cooking. Start checking the apples after 20 minutes; cook until they’re fork-tender. Top with a fire-roasted marshmallow (or four).

Egg Spoon

When you show up to the fire pit brandishing an , you will get looks from your fellow campers. “Are you making soup?” they will ask skeptically, eyeballing the ladle-like cast-iron pan made popular by chef . But then you will use it to fry an egg, turning out a perfect round or crispy, sizzling white and decadent runny yolk—done in half the time it takes to boil water and make oatmeal. Once they eat from the egg spoon, they will go to bed early just to get to breakfast sooner.

Perfect Egg

Ingredients

• ÂĽ tablespoon sweet cream butter
• 1 large organic free-range egg
• seasoning salt to taste

Heat the egg spoon on a bed of coals for three minutes. Add the butter, which should froth and sizzle immediately—if not, return the spoon to the coals. Swirl butter to coat the cooking surface. Add the egg, sprinkle with salt, and returnĚýto the coals. When the white is two-thirds cooked, use a spork to flip the egg. Cook about 30 seconds more, then serve onĚýa grilled tortilla.

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