Ten items to make you a grilling master.

ThodioĢżiBoxĢżXC Speaker ($800)

Two 100-watt amps in Thodioā€™s bamboo speaker pump out 106 decibels of rich sound. Thereā€™s a mini-plug jack to wire in your smartphone, but optional Bluetooth ($85) or Wi-Fi ($105) capability let you play DJ without leaving your post at the grill.Ģż

EcoChic Swell Chair ($389)

The weather-resistant Indonesian teak in EcoChicā€™s low-slung, curvy is reclaimed from fishing boats in Southeast Asia, giving it that comfy, worn-in feel.

SupermechanicalĢżEmber Range Smart Thermometer ($70)Ģż

Supermechanicalā€™s brainy takes the guesswork out of grilling. Tell it what type of meat youā€™re serving, stick it in, and tend to other pressing dutiesā€”like mixing drinks. The Ember will send an alert to your iPhone when the beef, chicken, or pork is done.

Food52ĢżUltimate BBQ Set ($185)Ģż

¹ó“Ē“Ē»å52ā€™s has it all. The stainless-steel tongs, spatula, barbecue mop, marinadeĢżinjector, and chicken roaster make food prep easy, while thick leather gloves ward off burns.Ģż

Goose Island 312 Urban Wheat Ale ($10 for six)

Hot weather calls for a crisp beer. Goose Island is just that, with citrus notes that donā€™t linger too long. The higher carbonation is refreshing when youā€™re cooking up a pile of burgers.

Hydro Flask True Pint Tumbler ($25)

The double-walled Hydro Flask is insulated to keep your drink frosty. Plus, the grippy powder-coat finish helps prevent spillage.

Food52ĢżRechargeable Camp Lantern ($50)

Elegant and understated, the Food52 has a steel cage to protect the bulb from errant elbows and cranks out 325 lumens for four hours on full blast.

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Hardmill Canvas Rugged Apron ($235)

Duck waxed, leather reinforced, copper riveted: this handsome, sloughs off steak juice, errant embers, and the inevitable tipped beer.

Yeti Tank 85 Ice Bucket ($250)

It looks like your average tub, but thick, seamless polyethylene construction keeps up to , even without a lid.

Fuego Element F21CĢżGrill ($300)

Thank former Apple designer Robert Brunner for the ā€™s quirky looks. But it has plenty of grilling chops: it hits 500 degrees in five minutes, and the push-button starter is dummy-proof.

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Teva Riva Peak ($200)

Best For: Maximum Comfort
In the , Teva combined the Mush technology of its classic sandals with the support of a midheight boot to create an exceedingly comfortable trail shoe that doesnā€™t require breaking in. But cush doesnā€™t mean soft. The sturdy nylon shank added arch support, and the thick heel absorbed shock even with a loaded pack. High ankle cuffs and beefy midsoles bolster the armor, albeit at a weight penalty. 2.4 lbs.

OluKai Kiaā€˜i Trainer II ($120)

Best For: Beach to Bar
An upgraded version of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Associationā€™s training shoe, the sports a removable insert and comfortably spongy midsole, with a lightweight mesh upper that kept our piggies cool even when hiking to lava flows on the Big Island. And while it looks great with jeans, itā€™s built to withstand razor-sharp lava rock, with a rubber-reinforced rand across the toe and around the sides to maintain the integrity of the upper through the roughest terrain. 1.3 lbs.

Vasque Grand Traverse ($130)

Best For: Doing Everything
A true multisport shoe, the is just as comfortable bouldering beachside as it is hiking old forest-service roads. Sticky Vibram rubber on the outsole held its grip on slippery logs, while flat rubber edges in the toe box, heel, and instep kept testers anchored on tiny edges and light smears. More impressive, the dual-density footbed and reinforced mesh upper meant it was plush enough for short trail runs. 1.7 lbs.

Merrell All Out Blaze ($130)

Best For: Keeping It Minimal
A more muscular version of Merrellā€™s All Out Fuse running shoe, the sports a six-millimeter heel-to-toe drop and a flatter outsole for a semi-ā€Øminimalist tactility that allowed testers to really feel the trail. An oiled leather upper and waterproof lining kept us dry in slop, while the aggressively lugged (but pleasantly flexible) Vibram outsole held fast in variable terrain. Bonus: the interior is treated with Merrellā€™s proprietary odor control, so you can keep them in the house. 1.3 lbs.

Adidas Terrex Swift R ($135)

Best For: Going Fast
We loved the lightweight for speedy hikes and mid-distance trail runs. The thick midsole, aggressive outsole, and supportive structure were dynamic enough for testers to haul heavy packs deep into the backcountry without ankle strain. And when we dropped the pack for a quick jog, the external heel cup dug in securely on sketchy downhills. Our only complaint? The speed laces needed adjusting every few miles. 1.6 lbs.

La Sportiva Ganda ($250)

Best For: Hybrid Approaches
This is the weā€™ve ever tested. The polyurethane midsole and cushioned tongue provide enough comfort and stability to carry a pack on long hauls, while the toe-to-toe lacing, narrow toe box, and hard-edged Vibram outsole make it possible to crank up a 5.10 limestone face without swapping shoes. Nice touch: a removable sock liner, for a looser fit while hiking or a tighter fit when you hit the crag. 1.9 lbs.

Keen Durand Low ($160)

Best For: Ultra Treks
The Durand sports , which, unlike most boots built with EVA foam, compressed only fractionally even after thousands of steps. The outsole is no slouch, eitherā€”softer rubber on the edges provides killer grip, while harder rubber in the middle adds durability. Bonus: the waterproof-breathable KeenDry membrane lets you puddle-hop without getting your socks wet. 2.2 lbs

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Keen Tunari CNX Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Day Hikers

There are plenty of concessions to minimalism in : a slim four-millimeter drop, deep grooves in the tread for a more flexible outsole, and a pared-down design overall. But we liked the ten-ounce Tunaris for the features Keen didnā€™t cut. A contoured arch provides a touch of midfoot support, and Keenā€™s signature toe bumper took the sting out of the occasional misstep. A good choice if youā€™re leaning toward true barefoot shoes, like the Vibrams, but arenā€™t ready to make the leap.

Merrell Proterra Mid Sport Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Overnighters

Hikers accustomed to next to no padding will love the low-to-the-ground feel and flexible fabric upper. Some testers went so far as wearing the without socks. But these one-pound, 13-ounce shoes arenā€™t high-tops for runners. A plastic arch shank and ten millimeters of foam under the midsole provided serious support even while bushwhacking with light packs. The inverted lugs (think indents) served up solid grip on dry trails, but we could have used a few more teeth in the mud.

Evolv Cruzer Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Scrambling

The thin canvas upper on these 7.7-ounce approach shoes gives less lateral support than the others have, but itā€™s still plenty for long approaches to peaks in the wilderness. The sticky, climbing-shoe-like rubber outsole and tight-fitting toe box make the techy enough to handle long, mellow scrambles and short pitches to the summit. Even better? The low-key styling wonā€™t make you look like a rock jock when you head to the bar after a day of climbing or peak bagging.

Salomon Synapse Mid Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Long Hauls

Salomon added two polyurethane strips to the outsole of these rockered, mesh-uppered kicks, so theyā€™re not only surprisingly airy at 13.8 ounces, but also stiff and supportive enough to carry medium-weight loads. We liked how the ā€™ midheight cuff kept out scree and debris, but the shoes could have used traditional laces. The speed laces tighten via a cord lock and had a habit of loosening on long downhills. Still, these shoes were the testersā€™ choice for hard days on the trail.

Teva TevaSphere Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: CHANGING YOUR STRIDE

These 9.5-ounce feature a rounded heel that encourages hikers (or runners) to land midfoot, forcing a forward-leaning position. Their other unique feature? Three-and-a half-inch-wide, shock-absorbing pods on either side of the arch. Testers either loved the stability the pods added on flat trails or couldnā€™t get used to how conspicuous they felt, especially on rocky, technical terrain. One thing is for sure: if youā€™re serious about hiking more efficiently, the ā€™Spheres are like training wheels that remind you of your form.

Vibram FiveFingers Spyridon LS Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: True minimalists

Basically a muscled-up version of the classic five-toed slip-on, its multidimensional tread looks like a mountain-bike tire (great traction even on wet, leaf-covered trails), and its flexible nylon-mesh sheet in the midsole prevents your feet from the worst rock bruises. But let your soles toughen up before taking the on long hikes or strapping on a heavy pack. At 6.9 ounces, theyā€™re nearly half the weight of the Merrells and Salomons and offer roughly half the protection and support.

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Adidas Terrex Fast X GTX

We put this through its paces on everything from rainy multi-day excursions to sunny day hikes in the Sierras. An all-star in every application, it has a stiff sole with enough support for edging on tricky sidehills. And it never missed a step through creek crossings, scree fields, and sprints down cinder cones in Californiaā€™s Lassen National Park. The main reason: the outsole features rubber from European tire company Continental that Adidas claims is 30 percent grippier than any other outsole material on the market. After months of use, one tester summed it up best: ā€œI have yet to find another shoe that offers this much comfort and support in a package this light.ā€ We also tested (and loved) a midcut version of the shoe, which provided enough support for full-on backpacking. 1 lb.

LIGHTNESS: 3.5ā€…
RUGGEDNESS: 4.5

Salewa Firetail GTX Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Alpine climbing.

THE TEST: Vibram outsole with a dedicated climbing zone? Check. Rough-and-tumble nylon-mesh upper? You bet. Climbing-shoe lacing and narrow toe box? Done and done. Our tester took the waterproof-breathable up to the Grand Tetonā€™s high camp in Wyoming without feeling so much as a hot spot on the way. He expected a comfortable hike, but what he didnā€™t expect was to leave his climbing shoes behind for a summit push that involved 5.8-rated pitches.

THE VERDICT: Itā€™s probably too overbuiltā€”and too stiffā€”to serve as most peopleā€™s everyday hiking shoe, but it blows away the competition on technical terrain. 14.4 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 4.5
RUGGEDNESS: 5

Merrell Proterra Sport Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Those looking for big-time grip in a lightweight package.

THE TEST: ā€œThe sole offered easy forefoot flex and no heel slippage,ā€ one tester reported after a trek through Mount Hood National Forest. The grip is outstanding, thanks to a low-to-the-ground designā€”itā€™s lightly cushioned and nearly flat, like a minimalist running shoeā€”and inverted outsole lug pattern, which kept its hold on rocky and scree-choked trails. As airy as the shoe is, the tight mesh is surprisingly water resistant. Want more ankle support? The Proterra Sport comes in a midheight, too.

THE VERDICT: Incredible trail feel; fits average-to-wide feet best. 13.5 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 5ā€…
RUGGEDNESS: 3.5

Columbia Conspiracy OutDry Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Light trail running; fast-packing trips.

THE TEST: Only comfy shoes made our cut, but if we had an award for extraordinary out-of-the-box comfort, the waterproof-breathable would win it. Much of the cush can be credited to the shoeā€™s multidensity midsole foam: itā€™s stiffer near the outsole for support but softer near the footbed for comfort. Watch out on wet terrain, though. During an overnight 14-mile hike on Kauaiā€™s Na Pali Coast trail, one tester reported that the shoe became slick on creek crossings: ā€œStay the hell off of wet granite.ā€

THE VERDICT: The best-in-test shoe for riding the line between hiking and trail running. 10 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 4.5
RUGGEDNESS: 3

Ahnu Kirkham Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Casual trailwear and crosstown treks.

THE TEST: We came to think of the as the all-wheel-drive wagon of the hiking worldā€”itā€™s as much at home on pavement as it is on dirt. The full-grain leather and suede upper shrugged off scrapes with rocks and other debris on Northern California trails, and the lugged outsole provided solid traction on everything but wet rocks and loose scree. But what our testers really appreciated was how well it worked as their everyday walk-the-dog, kick-the-can, go-to-work shoe.

THE VERDICT: Good looking and sturdily constructed. The Kirkham is virtually indestructible but can also be a bit stuffy on hot days. 14.7 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 4ā€…
RUGGEDNESS: 4

Timberland Earthkeepers Intervale Ventilated Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Short, fast day hikes.

THE TEST: ā€œFelt great out of the box,ā€ wrote one tester. The easy break-in is probably due to the fact that the materials are, in a sense, already broken inā€”the laces and lining are upcycled from plastic bottles, and the outsole is 42 percent recycled rubber. The mostly leather Intervale handled day hikes and light trail runs in Oregonā€™s Columbia River Gorge with ease, providing great trail feel. When mileage hit double digits, though, enthusiasm waned: the soft sole and flexible uppers are better suited to afternoon hikes.

THE VERDICT: Pared-down, go-fast shoe with casual looks. 11.2 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 4.5
RUGGEDNESS: 3.1

Oboz Missoula Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Travel days, mellow trails.

THE TEST: Most of the shoes here look the partā€”they proudly say, Iā€™m going hiking. Which is precisely why we like the skateboarding-inspired so much. Its shallowly lugged outsole is way grippier than it looks and performed especially well on snow-packed and icy trails and roads. The beefy midsole has an appreciable amount of arch support, andā€”Tom Cruise types take noteā€”makes you about an inch taller than you really are. Perforations in the forefoot let some heat escape, but not much: like with the Ahnu, the leather uppers get toasty on hot days.

THE VERDICT: All-season, everyday drivers. 13.6 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 3.5
RUGGEDNESS: 4.5

Scarpa Rapid LT Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Sneaker lovers; rocky, technical trails.

THE TEST: Evolved from Scarpaā€™s trail-running shoes, the is a light hiker with the soul of a sneaker and the performance chops of an approach shoe. We found this lightweight, low-cut jack-of-all-trades perfect for short hikes to the cragsā€”a fold-down heel helps it pack small once itā€™s time to throw it in your bag. But you neednā€™t be an alpine climber to dig the Rapid LT; it was nimble (to-the-toe lacing makes for an ultrasecure fit) and protective enough to handle hiking and trail running on Hawaiiā€™s broken-glass lava beds.

THE VERDICT: One of the most versatile shoes here. Fits narrow feet best. 10.9 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 5
RUGGEDNESS: 3

TrekSta Alta GTX Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Heavy loads; snow and ice.

THE TEST: Two things separate the from all the other tan boots on the shelf. First: the bulbous, lumpy toe box, which looks weird (and feels weird at first). But, as advertised, the anatomical shape makes for a comfier ride, especially downhill. Second: the outsoleā€™s lugs, embedded with micro-glass filaments that, according to TrekSta, create ā€œslip-stopping surface tension.ā€ It sounds like B.S., but testers agreed that the Alta GTX was noticeably grippier than the competition on virtually every slick surface.

THE VERDICT: The pronounced arch takes some getting used to (expect hot spots). Otherwise, best-in-class fit and bite. 21 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 3
RUGGEDNESS: 4

Aku SL Sintesi GTX Trail Shoe

BEST FOR: Backpacking off-trail.

THE TEST: Handcrafted in Romania, this waterproof, breathable, features an internal layer of EVA foam for impact protection and mountaineering-style lacing beginning at the toes. The result is a fit that feels broken in out of the box. We took them for scree-filled scrambles and off-trail bushwhacking in Northern Californiaā€™s Trinity Alpsā€”and couldnā€™t have been happier. ā€œThey felt like steel-toed boots, only lighter,ā€ said one tester, noting that the suede upper and rubber-wrapped toe and heel shrugged off the occasional rock punt.

THE VERDICT: Seriously tough. Great support for a relatively lightweight boot. 22 oz.

LIGHTNESS: 3
RUGGEDNESS: 5

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