When it comes to planning your next big adventure, buying luggage is probably not high on your priority list. But take it from us: a well-designed carry-on suitcase, waterproof tote, or rugged bag that can morph from duffel to backpack at the drop of a shoulder strap can go a long way toward mitigating travel woes.

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 duffels, suitcases, drybags, and backpacks to see which bags were best-suited the adventurer���s needs. Whether you���re a frequent flyer, a weekend warrior, a full-time vanlifer, or a sponsored explorer planning your next big expedition, there���s something on this list for you.

Editor���s note: This guide was updated in November, 2024 to include four new products. We’ve also checked details and pricing throughout.泭

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best Checked-Size Roller Bag:
• Best Carry-On Roller Bag:
• Most Rugged:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Watersports:
• Best Gear Tote:泭
• Best Value Roller Bag:
• Best Value Duffel:
• Best Travel Backpack:泭
• Best For Camping:
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Weight: 2.6 lbs
Dimensions: 22.8��� x 13.3��� x 9.5���
Available Sizes: 40 L, 55 L, 70 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
��� Large opening
��� Lightweight
��� Stash pocket to separate shoes or laundry
��� Backpack carries well
��� Lacks internal organization

Patagonia���s Black Hole has been the gold standard for adventure travel luggage for a long time, and with this newest iteration featuring 100 percent recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, the brand continues to lead the way in sustainability.

One of the best features of this duffel is how comfortable it is to carry as a backpack thanks to cushy, removable pack straps. An innovative, recycled TPU-film laminate also makes the bag lightweight and exceptionally abrasion- and weather-resistant. It���s rugged enough for major expeditions, yet convenient for the casual traveler, which makes it our top choice for 2024.

���In the rain, water beaded right off the bag, and it proved durable for outdoor adventures,��� said one tester after taking the bag on a canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks and a camping trip to Moab, Utah.

The signature feature of the Black Hole, besides its pack straps, is its large main compartment that accommodates more gear than you���d think and makes finding said gear at a glance easy. The downside to this design is that the Black Hole doesn���t include a ton of internal organizational features found in other duffels, like zippered compartments to keep gear separated. The Black Hole has just one internal pocket on the zip-top lid to keep smaller items like toiletries organized.

However, it does include a surprisingly spacious external pocket for things you don���t want mingling with your other stuff (like wet or dirty items). That compartment also serves as the pocket you can stuff the entire bag into for compact storage when not in use.

Best Checked-Size Roller Bag

泭

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 16��� x 34��� x 13��� (125L)
Available Sizes:泭125 L

Pros and Cons:

��� Excellent customizable and removable organization system
��� Heavy-duty, replaceable wheels
��� Well-built
��� Fabric can fray if you use the skateboard carry system

When category manager Drew Zieff lived out of the Evoc World Traveller 125 during a three-week road trip through New England this summer, it quickly stood out for its best-in-test combo of organization and durability. ���The wheels were on the larger side for a roller bag, and combined with that heavy-duty handle, the World Traveller cruises over uneven brick or packed dirt and gravel with ease,��� he reported. He also appreciated the taller, narrower profile of the World Traveller, which was easy to maneuver through tighter gaps at airport terminals and campgrounds alike.

Dan Schwartz, an 窪蹋勛圖厙 contributor and endurance athlete, tested the World Traveller on a trip to Vermont to a) ride some singletrack, and b) get married. Despite being a self-proclaimed ���minimalist bag guy,��� Schwartz fell in love with the World Traveller���s organizational layout. The bag features two access points: an upper zipper reveals a small compartment, while a lower zip gives way to the main compartment. Both feature removable, adjustable dividers. Schwartz divided clothes between the two larger compartments and used the smaller ones for everything from socks and underwear to toiletries, a headlamp, and his derailleur and chain. He even left it packed once he got to his destination���the perfect portable dresser.

The bag sports two external pockets, too: a larger square one on the bottom, and a smaller semi-circle pocket on top. ���They���re perfect for stashing gear you���ll need in transit,��� said Zieff. ���I used them for sunglasses, sunscreen, and snacks while driving from Vermont to Cape Cod.��� The two external straps can be used for carrying a skateboard, which Zieff did on his East Coast adventure. Testsers were impressed by the overall durability, reporting no baggage handler-related damage (despite Schwartz loading the World Traveller with 62 pounds of marital and mountain bike gear). However, Zieff did note that his skateboard���s gritty grip tape started to wear on the otherwise tough fabric. Still, we���d recommend the World Traveller as the perfect closet on wheels for all kinds of four-season adventures.

Best Carry-On Roller Bag

DB Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On

泭

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 21��� x 16��� x 9���
Available Sizes:泭Carry-On, Front-Access Carry On, Check-In M, Check-In L

Pros and Cons:泭

��� Sleek, Scandinavian design
��� Front panel provides easy access
��� Durable build
��� Really expensive
��� Heavy

DB���s Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On is everything we love (and one thing we hate) about Scandinavian design. The Norwegian outfitter���s premium roller is clean, minimalistic, functional, and built to last���a masterful blend of elegant aesthetic and rugged utilitarianism. So what���s not to love? A price tag that���ll have you cursing the kroner.

If the sky���s the limit for your carry-on budget, though, the Ramverk Pro is as good as it gets for frequent flyers. The roller features a tough, polycarbonate shell built around an aluminum frame.泭 A stiff-yet-flexible, padded polyester front-access panel unzips to reveal a laptop sleeve, a few organizational pockets, and a spacious main compartment. Jed Doane, a Seattle doctor who moonlights as an ultra-discerning, multi-sport gear tester, loved the durability and construction. ���The frame is strong and this bag is quite durable���it feels like a lifetime piece,��� he reported after a summer of testing.

Doane dug the 360-degree-spinning, 50-millimeter Hinomoto wheels and the telescoping handle, too. The resulting maneuverability was so impressive that he said he “felt like Lewis Hamilton whipping an F1 racecar while swerving through the crowds of SeaTac.”

Most Rugged

Sea to Summit Hydraulic Pro Dry Pack 75L

Weight: 3.8 lbs
Dimensions: 26.8��� x 14.2��� x 12.2���
Available Sizes: 50 L, 75 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
��� Includes backpack straps for ease of transport
��� 100% waterproof
��� Small profile for large carrying capacity
��� Price

Testers found this 100-percent waterproof bag featuring a pressure-tested waterproof zipper, fully welded seams, and 100-denier Hydraulic fabric to be nearly indestructible, making it an ideal travel companion to wet and rugged environments. From bouncing around in the back of one tester���s pickup truck, to getting tossed around airports across the country on another tester���s month-long travels, this bag withstood it all.

But let���s talk about the elephant in the room: the exceptionally steep price tag. The price point is comparable to other rugged, waterproof duffels of the same caliber, like the , but what sets the Hydraulic Pro Pack apart is its design that makes it so easy to carry.

We tested the 75-liter version, and even when packed to the gills, it proved to be one of the most comfortable bags to carry in our test thanks to form-fitting shoulder straps and extended foam back panels that provide protection and cushioning when carrying it as a pack. This bag has only one external pocket, but testers didn���t mind the lack of internal organization, as this pack is really best suited for major expeditions.

It���s pricey, and generally over-engineered for the average traveler. But for those who rely and depend on a rugged, waterproof, and easy-to-carry duffel bag for overland motorcycle touring, paddling, or rafting adventures, it���s worth every penny for its durability and practicality.

Most Versatile

Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel & Tote

泭

Weight: 3 lbs
Dimensions: 63.5��� x 86��� x 147���
Available Sizes: 55 L

Pros and Cons
��� Wide compartment opening
��� Many ways to carry and organize the bag
��� Folds up small into carrying case when not in use
��� Too bulky and uncomfortable to carry for long distances
��� On the heavier side

Out of all of the duffels and luggage we tested this season, the Nemo Double Haul proved to be the most ingenious. It���s a combination of a duffel bag and tote bag, with a huge opening designed to stay wide open while you pack thanks to the stiff trusses that give the bag structure.

Astonishingly, considering its size, the bag also folds down neatly into a carrying case, making it easy to travel with or keep in your car. The shell is made from urethane-coated, bluesign approved 100 percent recycled nylon, while the liner is made from bluesign approved, solution-dyed 100-percent recycled polyester with PFAS-free DWR.

This bag is meant for hauling. ���It���s best for car camping, when you have dozens of items that may not have a home,��� said tester Troy Tetreault after a climbing trip in Kentucky���s Red River Gorge. ���It also holds up well when tossed around amongst other gear.���

However, our testers wouldn���t recommend this bag for extended airline travel. The bag itself weighs 3 pounds, and testers found it awkward to carry because of the multiple ways the straps are set up for carrying���backpack carry, over the shoulder single arm carry, and suitcase carry.

Best for Watersports

Watershed Largo Tote

Weight: 1.7 lbs
Dimensions: 12.5��� x 14.5��� x 6���
Available Sizes: 19.5 L

Pros and Cons
��� Large, tapered opening allows for easy access to contents
��� Waterproof
��� Sleek design
��� Durable
��� Opening/closure system can be finicky

The smallest bag on the list, this waterproof tote is perfect for day trips on the water, with plenty of space for all of the essentials and a guarantee that gear will stay dry.

���I took this bag canoe camping in November in the Adirondacks, and used it to carry camera gear while it was snowing during the canoe to our campsite. All of my stuff stayed dry,��� said one tester.

Watershed bags have somewhat of a cult-like following in the paddling community, and testers in the know were keen to put the brand���s new Kyrptothane Plus material to the test. This material, made of 840-denier nylon base fabric, is thicker and more resistant to UV rays, making it more durable and less prone to breaking down from extended exposure in the sun.

Testers appreciated the large, tapered opening that makes it easy to access items inside. One gripe: It takes some elbow grease to open the two pull tabs on either side of the bag���s opening to pry it open. After a couple times of using this opening and closing system, testers got the hang of it, and felt thankful for such an indestructible system that kept their things dry.

Best Gear Tote

Evo XL Utility Tote 95

Dimensions: 28��� x 19��� x 15��� (95L)
Available Sizes:泭50 L, 95 L

Pros and Cons:

��� Durable
��� Versatile
��� Internal and external pockets
��� Affordable
��� No shoulder strap
��� Bulky when fully loaded

The biggest thing Evo���s XL Utility Tote 95 has going for it? It���s big. Really big. With a volume of 95 liters���a size typically reserved for expedition duffels and checked baggage���the Utility Tote is a massive gear hauler our testers quickly fell for. ���I love this thing,��� gushed veteran gear tester and Tahoe SportsHub bootfitter John Lauer, who reported the tote handled everything from wake-surf days on Lake Tahoe to rowdy mountain bike shuttles in the High Sierra. ���I travel with bulky gear all the time, and this makes it so much easier to keep those items together. It fits my entire bike or snowboard kit.”

That said, the Utility Tote isn���t a one-trick pony. The exterior is a thick, water-resistant, polyurethane-coated PET ripstop that hasn���t yet shown any signs of wear, while the tarp lining is both easy to clean and difficult to damage.

Evo managed to add a few organization features without sacrificing the cavernous main compartment, too. Dustin Stiffler, an Arizona-based gear tester and cyclist, appreciated the tote���s padded interior pockets. ���It���s nice to have designated spots for bike tools, gloves and cycling caps, and an extra pair of sunglasses,��� he said. Testers also dug the exterior pockets, which were perfect for separating wet or smelly gear, and the burly exterior loops, which were ideal for lashing wet towels, bike helmets, and shoes to the outside.

While Lauer claimed he���ll be using the Utility Tote year-round for years to come, he did wish Evo included a shoulder strap; hefting the fully loaded bag by the grab handles泭 was cumbersome over longer distances.

Best Value Roller Bag

Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On 40L/21.5���

泭

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 10��� x 14��� X 21.5���
Available Sizes: 40 L

Pros and Cons
��� Lightweight
��� Large wheels and high clearance
��� Seemed to hold less than other bags the same size
��� On the pricier side

The Ozone line from Osprey, featuring five pieces ranging from four-wheeled suitcases to smaller backpacks and boarding bags, was designed for frequent flyers and travelers who value ease of transport. Of those, the Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On is perhaps the most convenient on-board option.

Made from an ultralight yet durable aluminum frame and nanofly recycled nylon fabric, it offers just enough organizational capabilities to make packing for a trip a little easier. This suitcase (like all pieces in this line) features a buttonless trolley handle and a YKK reverse coil coated zipper for improved water resistance���both industry firsts. The Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On also has a high clearance High Road LT frame, and oversized 90 millimeter wheels, making it rugged enough to handle terrain beyond concourse floors.

One tester takeaway: Despite this bag���s advertised 40-liter capacity, it didn���t seem to hold as much as softer duffel-style bags of the same size. That said, the sleek design combined with the function of this bag made it an obvious choice for our testers who needed a transport-friendly yet durable carry-on.

Best Value Duffel

Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L

泭

Weight: 2.9 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5��� x 25.5��� x 12.25��� (90 L)
Available Sizes: 40 L, 60 L, 90 L

Pros and Cons
��� Wide-mouth opening for easy access to gear
��� Uses 100% recycled fabric
��� Good value
��� Top zipper isn���t stiff enough

The Migrate duffel was a tester favorite for its holding capacity���you can fit a lot in here. The ���doctor bag��� style zip-top allows for easier access and full visibility of all your gear and an additional five liters of packing space.

Good news for those who tend to overpack and end up schlepping heavy duffels: Tuck-away backpack straps allow for multiple carry options. The added pockets���internal and front zippered pocket���set it apart from many other duffels in this category.

But perhaps the biggest pro of this bag: it incorporates 100-percent recycled 900-denier Polyester TPU and fully recycled 1680-denier ballistic Polyester RPVB that reuses windshield plastics from landfills and makes the bag abrasion- and weather-resistant.

Testers had just one complaint: the top zipper isn���t very stiff, so testers found the opening closing in on itself while they were packing the bag.

Best Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

泭

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 22��� x 13��� x 11���
Available Sizes: 30L, 40L

Pros and Cons
��� Adjustable volume system
��� Clean aesthetic
��� Good durability
��� Great organizational features
��� Heavy for a backpack
��� Expensive

���If you hate talking to strangers in the airport, then this pack might not be for you,��� joked Tyler Macleod, a Denver-based tester who took the Travel Backpack on both a mountain biking trip to North Carolina and a sightseeing sojourn to Scotland this year. ���I’ve never received so many compliments from strangers.��� And while it’s true that the Travel Backpack���s aesthetic is undeniably sleek, this bag doesn���t just look dapper in transit: it also impressed with its user-friendly feature set and surprising ruggedness.

Features include a padded, 16-inch laptop sleeve and easy-access stash spots for passports, sunglasses, keys, and other odds and ends. Macleod���s favorite pockets, though, were the massive, stretchy water bottle sleeves that Peak Design engineered to double as tripod storage; each fit a Nalgene easily.

Testers also praised the comfy, stowable hip belt and shoulder straps, as well as multiple zippered access points. A set of snaps and expansion panels lets the Travel Backpack 45 slim down to a more manageable 35-liter or 30-liter pack. When compressed, it could fit under an airline seat. We weren’t worried about shoving it under there, either:泭Peak Design used a polyurethane-coated, DWR-treated, 400-denier nylon that���s seriously durable and water-resistant, and the bottom of the pack is armored with an even beefier 900D waterproof nylon. ���I honestly tried to beat the shit out of this bag, and it looks brand new,��� reported Tyler Macleod. ���I chucked the backpack from a third-story balcony into the bed of our pickup truck. It proceeded to hang with the mountain bikes for more than three hours driving through the rain.��� All his gear strayed dry, and the pack was no worse for wear.

Demerits were few and far between, but if we���ve got to nitpick, it���s on the heavy side for daily use. It’s also pretty pricey.

Best for Camping

The North Face Base Camp Gear Box

泭

Weight: 4.2 lbs
Dimensions: 16” x 22.2” x 12���
Available Sizes: 65 L

Pros and Cons
��� Lots of space and organizational options
��� Folds down flat for storage
��� Specific use cases (mainly cars, vans, and home storage)

The North Face Camp Gear Box is made from the same material as the brand���s durable Base Camp duffel���300-denier recycled polyester and 840-denier recycled ballistic nylon. However, unlike a traditional duffel, this hold-all is equipped with internal metal ���kickstands��� that fold up for rigid support and down for storage, which makes this piece of luggage ideal for the road.

One tester used the 90-liter Base Camp Gear Box (large) to schlep all of her gear to a mountain bike race and was able to fit the whole kit and caboodle: chest protector, two full face helmets, one half shell, two tires, and two pairs of bike shoes within the box itself. She stashed three pairs of sunglasses, two pairs of goggles, and other bike maintenance tools in the added internal pouches. Extra brake pads, grips, and bike tools fit snugly in the lid-zippered pockets.

Even with all of that, the lid closed with ease. Plus, the outer handles on the box make it easy to transport in and out of vehicles. For someone who is on the road often, this box is a must-have for organization and travel.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 21
• Number of Products Tested: 35
• Number of Miles Traveled: 18,500

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 pieces of luggage designed for the adventurous traveler who hauls their gear through more rugged environments than airport concourses. Think rafting adventures, camping getaways, climbing trips, and cross-country roadtrips.

As such, we primarily considered soft shell luggage between 20 and 100 liters made with abrasion- and weather-resistant materials to withstand plenty of use and abuse. We then rounded up 21 individuals who travel extensively���including a professional photographer, an outdoor educator, a professional skier and mountain biker, a forest ranger, and mapping technology specialist���and tasked them with schlepping these bags around the country to assess the best picks for adventure travel.

We asked them to home in on overall performance, feature-set, ease of transport, and durability, among other qualities. The bags on this list rose to the top of the pile after impressing testers in all categories.

Meet our Testers

Caitlin Kelly

Originally from the Coast of Maine, Caitlin Kelly studied creative writing and environmental studies at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. She has called the Adirondack Mountains home since, building community through her work with Women of the Adirondacks and The Adirondack Community Avalanche Project. She currently resides in Lake Placid, NY, and is the social and digital media specialist for North Country Public Radio. She is an avid backcountry skier and a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. Her writing has appeared in Powder Magazine, Adirondack Life Magazine, Freeskier, The Ski Journal, 窪蹋勛圖厙 Magazine, and Ski Magazine, among other publications. If you sit too close to her on a chairlift, you may get some glitter on you.

Drew Zieff

泭is a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes for泭Backcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regular泭窪蹋勛圖厙泭contributor, he heads our泭snowboard泭gear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into their泭dream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when there���s swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time nomads, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories, travel luggage, and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

The post The Best Duffels, Backpacks, and Carry-Ons for 窪蹋勛圖厙 Travel appeared first on 窪蹋勛圖厙 Online.

The first time I met Robbi Mecus, she told me she liked my skirt. I was 25, working as an interior caretaker in the Adirondack High Peaks, my first job with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). My male supervisor had recently told me the skirt was unprofessional. But Robbi loved it���she lamented the fact that she couldn���t wear one on the job as a ranger. She loved embracing her feminine side.

It was summer 2020, and Robbi, who had been a forest ranger with the DEC for over 20 years, was passing by my backcountry cabin at Marcy Dam, a major trail intersection in the Adirondacks. She had just rescued a pair of hikers from the Trap Dike, a class four climb in a steep, rocky gully on Mt. Colden, where many hikers get in over their heads. Robbi knew this area better than just about anyone, and it took her just a few hours to get the pair safely back on trail.

I had been looking forward to meeting her for a long time. I had heard her calm, unwavering voice on the radio all summer. In the years to come, her voice would become a balm. I’d hear her on the radio and a flood of relief would wash over my body. Thank God Robbi is coming. Everything will be OK.

Later that summer, I would successfully file a claim of discrimination and sexual harassment against that supervisor, citing a long list of incidents that included his distaste for the skirt. The day I met Robbi, I had no idea what was coming. But I was standing for something I believed in���that women belong working in the outdoors���by wearing that skirt. Robbi saw that. We were fast friends, bonded by this common thread that wove our lives together.

Now I���m left wondering how to move forward without her support and passion. On Thursday, April 25, Robbi died in an ice climbing fall on Mount Johnson in Alaska���s Ruth Gorge, at the age of 52. She was on a route called the Escalator, and she and her climbing partner, Melissa Orzechowski, fell about 1,000 feet. Another climbing party on the route witnessed the accident, called for help, and descended to the pair, where they confirmed that Robbi had died. They dug a snow cave and attended to Melissa���s injuries throughout the night. The next morning, Melissa was flown out and transported to a hospital where she still remains in critical condition.

In the wake of her death, Robbi has left many communities grieving. She was an incredible ranger, an accomplished climber, a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, a mother, a mentor, and more. Our relationship was just beginning���I hadn���t yet cashed in on her offer to get out for a climb in Keene Valley, and we���ll never get a chance to go to the Rage Against the Machine concert she invited me to. But in the four short years I knew Robbi, we spent many hours skiing together in the backcountry and at Whiteface, our local mountain, and we were on multiple rescues together. I got to see her shine in the most precarious and stressful situations: in helicopters, doing rope rescues, on carry-outs. I also saw her shine in the most joyous: on the dance floor, with a margarita in hand, or traveling the trails in her favorite mountains.

For someone as tough as Robbi was, she had the softest, kindest face. She was tall and strong with electric blue eyes and long brown hair, often tied back in two braids. From the moment Robbi understood gender as a child, she knew she was a girl, and a girl who loved the mountains. Both felt out of reach: she didn���t have examples of trans people in her immediate community, and living in New York City, the mountains were far away. But early on, she found a climbing community and immediately fell in love with the sport. To her, everybody was equal at the crag.

In 1999, Robbi became a forest ranger in New York. She was in her thirties, working her dream job. She got married and had a daughter. In an interview with , she said she thought that maybe that was enough, maybe she could make her life work in a man���s body.

Then, when Robbi was 44, she came out as a transgender woman. She couldn���t keep hiding. In a place like the Adirondacks���conservative and blue-collar, without a big community of openly trans or queer people���she thought her career as a ranger would be over. She knew the job relied on personal connections within the community and her coworkers, and believed that she would lose those relationships after coming out.

But people who knew her, like her coworkers, ended up supporting and respecting her. Robbi said she felt a wave of relief. It was all coming together. She was finally in the right body, with the right job.

Throughout her career, she relentlessly worked to create a safe and supportive community for LGBTQ+ climbers in the Adirondacks. Back in 2022, she and Melissa started the Adirondack Queer Ice Fest, the first of its kind, and a huge success. She became a role model for people who aren���t always seen or accepted by the outdoor community. She had put up a number of first ascents in the Adirondacks, and was known throughout the region for her climbing prowess.

Unlike a lot of forest rangers, Robbi was very public about her work. She agreed to interviews with the press. She delivered presentations on the complexities of mountain rescues. She conducted Facebook Live Q&A events, wrote for the Alpinist, and was interviewed on their podcast. She performed at live storytelling events. She did it all because she believed it was so important that women like her were visible. Before she transitioned, she didn���t see any queer rangers or trans climbers.

Robbi was a damn good ranger. Once she was called to rescue a man at the Boquet River Lean-to. It was her first rescue in a zone new to her, and she reached him at sunset. The helicopter pilot radioed her and said she had two minutes to harness the patient or they���d turn around, because they couldn���t hoist someone in the dark. Another ranger was brought in to help. With webbing, she tied a full waist and chest harness in under 90 seconds (less than half the time it usually takes). They hoisted the patient, and then the other ranger. Robbi walked out with the rest of the group. No ranger since has been able to beat her record.

Robbi and I were thrilled every time we got to work together. She made me feel seen, respected, and empowered. Soon, our texts shifted from work talk to plans to make dinner together, or get out for an adventure in our free time.泭 She was a ball of fire. In winter 2023, we took an avalanche course together. After our first day in the course she texted me, ���Let���s see how many times the instructors will automatically gender some random made-up rescuer or ski patroller as male today. It was all over the place yesterday. Did you catch it? ���The guy running the probe.��� ���He needs to start shoveling downhill.��� ���What if your wife or girlfriend were caught in the avalanche?��� That last one I loved. I looked around the room at the students and a good 40 percent of them are women. WTF?���

Robbi affirmed the disappointment and anger I often felt as a woman in the outdoors. She was so articulate about it, so precise. She saw it, said something, and carried on proving the world wrong. She supported me in every way. It’s dizzying to imagine how many people she impacted, if in just four short years she could give so much to me.

This spring, she was at the height of her career, as strong as she had ever been. Weeks before she left for Alaska, she and her close friend and coworker Chrissy Raudonis, the Lake Colden caretaker, saved the life of a man who became lost on Mount Marcy, New York���s tallest mountain. They spotted his tracks off trail just hours before a blizzard would have covered them. A few days before she flew out to the Ruth Gorge, I sent her The New York Times article about the rescue. I wrote how proud I was to call her my friend, and how excited I was for her that she was back in Alaska. She responded simply with, ���Chrissy, too!��� That was Robbi. Humble as ever.

A ranger I used to work with called me when he got the news. I���ve tried to find words for what it feels like when someone tells you the unimaginable. I keep falling short. He had the tone of someone who has to deliver bad news all too often. He invited me to a gathering that evening where friends and rangers, some who had worked their entire careers by Robbi���s side, told stories about the rescues they had been on together: the hard, the hilarious, the unforgettable. They all said that they never worried about Robbi. She was so strong and calculated. Something like this would never happen to her. She was one of the best rangers New York has ever seen. Before we knew it, it was four in the morning.

Robbi was magic, someone you became a better person around just by standing in her light. She glowed on her best days and her hardest. Everyone she met could feel the care and passion she brought to her work and her community. I grieve for the people who loved her. I’m more sure than ever that we must tell people we love them, even when it might feel strange or scary. I���m learning that loving hard means that loss hits hard, too. Robbi would tell me that it���s worth it.

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At least half the fun of the Barbie movie is the brilliant costumes and satisfying set designs, featuring every shade of pink (just check out the photo above!). While we might not have Greta Gerwig and her team���s style and expertise when it comes to our wardrobes, fuchsia is the color of the summer and has even seeped泭into the outdoor industry. Many have a love/hate relationship with the color���for a long time, it was the only color women could find in outdoor apparel and gear���but we may be seeing a new era of pink. One that embraces femininity and also strength, one that is fun but also tough. Take a peek at our favorite Barbie-inspired outdoor gear of the summer.泭

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials Eva in Beetroot Purple ($50)

Barbie may have had to choose between high heels and Birkenstocks in the movie, but you don���t have to make the same compromise. Made from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), a high-quality, light, and elastic material with great cushioning, these sandals are waterproof so they���re perfect for the beach, watering your garden, or for sweaty feet post-workout. Plus, they���re modeled after the cork originals, so you get to keep that classic Birkenstock style.

Baggu Fanny Pack in Extra Pink ($52)

Every Barbie needs a bag, so it might as well be durable, sustainable, and���might I even say���fashionable. With two primary compartments and a zippered interior pocket, the Fanny Pack is great for storing your passport and snacks while traveling or keeping your phone and other essentials safe on the trail. Plus, all of Baggu���s nylon styles are made with recycled nylon filament yarn that was produced from pre-consumer waste. Hop on the hands-free bag trend with a company you can feel good about supporting.泭

Youswim Poise High Waist Two Piece in Cosmic ($139)

Youswim has made waves in the swimsuit industry with its luxe, ribbed, and seamless fabric swimsuits that magically fit seven sizes in one. The suit泭adapts to your body, even as it changes and grows. This particular style offers medium coverage in a perfect pink colorway. I���ve owned a Youswim suit for a few years now and it���s the one I keep reaching for consistently. It���s comfortable, versatile, and sustainable. Youswim���s suits are made with European-sourced nylon and elastane and completely produced in England by their team���no sweatshops here.泭

Submission Biodegradable Glitter in Pink ($25)

While you might not think of glitter as outdoor gear, it adds sparkle and silliness to long days in the backcountry and hot laps in the resort with friends. I���m a big-time glitter fan myself, and have been on the search for the best biodegradable and plastic-free option. This pink glitter from Submission may be the winner, with its base made with cellulose from eucalyptus trees instead of plastic. This material creates a beautiful sparkle, without the use of toxic ingredients, and feels softer on the skin than plastic glitter.泭

Beach Sounds Speaker in Candy Pink ($65)

At first glance, you might think the Beach Sounds speaker was taken from the set of the Barbie Movie itself. This candy pink retro-inspired speaker is sand- and water-resistant, and the ideal size for any outdoor adventure (listening respectfully, of course). Take it to the beach, on a raft, or poolside. It���s easily portable, compatible with any smartphone or tablet, and connects to Bluetooth.

Outdoor Voice Exercise Dress in Retro Haze ($80)

You���ve probably heard of the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress and yes, the hype is absolutely real. As a proud owner of one, I do just about anything in it���hike, run, go to the gym, hot girl walks, and more. This Retro Haze color reminds me of my Barbie dolls I played with as a young girl. The Exercise Dress is flattering and also functional, with adjustable straps and a built-in shorts liner with sticky grippers on the inside hem to help them stay in place.泭

Halfdays Nellie Packable Puffer Jacket in Peony ($195)

The Nellie Packable Puffer is the definition of fashionable and functional. The trendy, relaxed and oversized fit looks good year round���wear it alone or with layers underneath in the colder months. Made with a wind-resistant shell and a later of quilted insulation, this puffer cuts the wind while trapping warmth. It also features a back pocket for water bottle storage, and packs into itself once you���ve heated up. Plus, this jacket is made with 45 percent recycled nylon, and insulated by 100 percent recycled PET bottles.泭

Hoka Women���s Speedgoat 5 in Festival Fuchsia / Camellia ($155)

Hoka���s newly-revised Speedgoat is meant for hitting mountainous trails, with Vibram Megagrip rubber and five millimeter lugs for better grip on loose terrain. It���s got the same stack height and rocker profile as the previous version, but with a lighter midsole and a more durable body. You can rest assured that these shoes have been tried and tested���Karl ���Speedgoat��� Meltzer (who has won more 100-miler races than any other runner), launched his signature shoe in 2015, and has won many ultramarathons wearing his Speedgoats. And Hoka must���ve gotten the Barbie memo, because this color fits with just about everything else on this list. Plus, the upper is made from 34 percent recycled materials. Happy Trails!

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I was standing at the top of a line I had skied at least twenty times before: one of my favorites at Whiteface Mountain���pop a little air off the cat track, maneuver through small fir trees, jump off of a cliff and sail through the runout. But then I pushed a little harder than normal, skied a little too fast as I launched over the cliff far past the landing and into a hidden hole in the snow. I heard a pop and felt the rubber band-like ligaments holding my knee together snap. I knew what I had done, but couldn���t yet admit it. I later found out I had torn my ACL, meniscus, and had a hairline fracture at the top of my tibia.泭

For those who have suffered any sort of knee injury, it is absolutely life-changing, as common as the injury is. Depending on the severity, walking normally after surgery is months into the future. And if you love to recreate outside, it���s at least six to nine months to return to those wild spaces you love at full capacity.泭

New Knee Support is Born泭

Fortunately for me, I got to benefit from someone else���s knee injury. The story goes like this. Just before the Grouse Grind Mountain Run in Vancouver, a 1.8-mile trail run up the steep Grouse Mountain, twenty-six-year-old Zack Eberwein was debating whether or not he should wear his bulky knee brace. As a last-minute decision, he left it behind ��� and suffered an acute knee injury as a result, leading him to ask the question: is there a better way to approach knee support? A mechanical engineer by trade, he ultimately co-founded to solve that problem, the world���s first supportive apparel company.泭

Stoko���s inaugural product, the K1, is a compression tight that mimics the body���s natural structures, muscles, and ligaments while using its patented technology to give the knee the support of a traditional brace without the bulk. And the latest iteration, the K1 Breathe, now enhances temperature regulation through knitted ventilation.泭

completely reimagines recovering from knee injuries. Stoko used body mapping to place high-strength cables that are integrated into the fabric so that they mimic your muscles and ligaments, providing extra stability where you need it most. And those cables are adjustable with two dials, one for each leg, embedded in the back of the waistband. It���s a non-assuming garment that looks like any other legging, but with medical-grade technology that provides the same, if not better support than traditional knee braces. Designed by athletes, the K1 is functional: it���s a compression tight for skiing and snowboarding, while also acting as a baselayer. For running and hiking and other sports, it���s all you need.泭

Testing Stoko���s K1 Breathe in the High Peaks Wilderness泭

I���m five years post-surgery and my career and body has allowed me to work outside and protect those wild spaces, but not without weakness and pain in that bad knee. During the months of May through October, I work in the High Peaks Wilderness of the Adirondacks in a remote outpost and act as an educator, first responder, and trail worker, while hiking around in some of the most rugged mountains in the Northeast. On my last hitch out in the High Peaks Wilderness, I packed the K1 Breathe and did a patrol up to Mt. Marcy, the highest point in New York State.泭

I put on the K1 for the descent, the movement that puts the most stress on my reconstructed ACL. I was blown away by how good my knees felt, and how supported I felt, without the volume of a knee brace. An added benefit was the support on my hips, which often compensate for my bad knee. Additionally, the compression of the K1 reminds those muscles around my bad knee to fire, instead of relying on the hips or the other leg. The K1 takes a while to get used to, but after wearing them a few times, they eventually conformed and morphed to my body.泭

As I descended, not only did my knees feel stronger, but so did the entirety of my legs. Although it was a 70-degree day, the integrated breathability kept my legs cool while wearing this supportive apparel. And even with a 40-pound pack on, the dials on the back of the K1 weren���t very noticeable.

Part of Stoko���s philosophy is to help create a strong body that doesn���t rely on a conventional knee brace, a design that hasn���t changed much in 50 years. Perhaps you���re post knee surgery and you don���t want to wear a brace but want that extra support, or you���re a runner or backpacker with chronic knee pain, or a freeride skier that continually pushes the limits and your knees. Stoko���s K1 uses targeted compression and technical knitting for the cables, so you don���t even feel them as they���re supporting you throughout the fabric. An added bonus is the extra hip stability and alignment.

Wearing the K1 Breathe, I felt my legs working as they should���together. All my muscles, joints, and ligaments were working in synergy, a feeling I haven���t had since I got injured. It wasn���t just my knee that felt supported, the entire lower half of my body felt stronger, which is an added bonus, along with improved alignment and pain reduction. Stoko recently did a survey of more than 100 active users of the K1 and found 99 percent of athletes reported an increase in knee stability, 90 percent reported more stability in the hips, and 80 percent in the lower back. Stoko���s K1 is a total game changer. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs the extra stability and support in their knees.

Stoko���s K-Line

Our proprietary supportive tights offer athletes the same high-level joint support offered by a traditional knee brace, integrated directly into the comfort of an ultra-comfortable compression tight.

K1: The supportive tight that started it all���designed as the perfect under or outer layer for hikes in cooler weather, or for those who prefer to wear warmer layers.

K1 BREATHE: Like the K1, but with state-of-the-art targeted knit ventilation for enhanced temperature control.

K1 TEMPO: The 職 length version of the K1, perfect for summer hikes or people who run hot, with side and waistband pockets to secure the essentials.

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