Cash was tight in 2022——and my budget for buying new outdoor gear was nonexistent. Thus, I relied heavily on trusty reliables, some freebies, and stuff I bought used or at a steep discount. I spent way too much time scrolling through listings on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist this year. I lowballed. I bargained. I circled back again and again. But theĚý work paid off, as some of the items I used the most were acquired through shameless haggling.

And that is the thru-line that connects my ten favorite products from the year. This is the stuff that got me through skiing, cycling, and hiking seasons, and helped me enjoy precious outdoor time with my three-year-old daughter. It’s also stuff that I can scrutinize with my inner accountant and feel good about having either purchased or held onto. Because in 2022, I got my money’s worth.

Prana Red Slate Vest ($185)

As you may know, those lucky few of us who work in outdoor media benefit from a freebie piece of gear or apparel from time to time. This past spring I arrived at our headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, to find that an editor from a different title had dropped footwear and apparel from a recent gear test on the “free” table in the cafeteria. I grabbed the stylish , and since then it has become part of my regular repertoire (yep, those stains in the photo are authentic). I’m a vest guy, and I love this one for its versatility. It has vintage Marty McFly puff matched with a contemporary color scheme that make it appropriate outerwear for a night on the town. Plus, its insulation and PFAS-free water repellent coating make the vest great for cold and camp conditions, and there’s plenty of pocket space with six total pockets (two of which are zippered). Yes, I scored this vest for free, but after using it heavilyĚýI would buy it retail.

Thule Yepp Maxi Rack Mounted Child Seat ($249)

Earlier this year I got a Radwagon 4 electric cargo bike for carting my daughter around town, and I started researching which seats to buy. I had been stockpiling gift cards from REI, and in the fall I plunked down the $279 for a new version of the child seat with a rack mount (note: don’t buy the frame mount version if you own a cargo bike). I was bummed when I was unable to get the Maxi Nexxt’s mounting jaws to work with the metal cargo cage on my Radwagon 4—they wouldn’t fit into the square-shaped hole in the bike’s built-in ack. (A Thule rep told me that the seat and its clamping system does work with the Radwagon 4, but I couldn’t figure it out). Luckily, REI has a friendly return policy, and I was able to get a refund. But we still needed a seat.ĚýI found someone on Craigslist selling a 2020 edition of the original seat (not the Maxi Nexxt), and haggled the price down to $150. The mounting system for this seat is a rectangular-shaped box that simply drops into the Radwagon 4 rack and then tightens. It’s been ideal for our trips to and from my daughter’s preschool, and it gives me the presence of mind that my most precious cargo is safe and secure.

Shotgun Child Seat + Handlebars ($135)

My wife bought me the by Kids Ride Shotgun last Christmas—thanks honey!—and it has transformed my life as a parent who craves outdoor adventures with my child. As many parents know, getting your kid to enjoy an outdoor activity is a lesson in patience and frustration. We’ve done hikes with my three-year-old daughter where our turnaround point was well within sight of the car. The Shotgun enabled us to go on long rides that span hours, and take us far away from the parking lot and trailhead. My daughter loves riding in the front of the bicycle due to the vantage point it gives her. The plush seat is cushy enough for small to moderate bumps, and the kid handlebars give her something to grip onto for the twists and turns. Note: It only works with a mountain bike. As with most outdoor kids gear, your results may vary, but my experiences with the Shotgun Child Seat + Handlebars thus far have been extremely positive. Just remember that the seat and handlebars don’t include the most important component of any outdoor adventure with your kids: snacks.

Trek X-Caliber 9 ($1,929)

I’ve bought and sold used bikes online for decades, and am keenly aware of the frustrations that are present on both sides of the exchange. Everyone wants the best price, and few sellers are willing to budge. This year I was looking to purchase a hardtail mountain bike for my daughter’s Shotgun seat. I was shocked by the high asking prices on Facebook Marketplace. After a few whiffs, tried a new buying strategy: I would message a seller, praise their item, and immediately admit that I could not meet the asking price. Instead, I’d tell them the ceiling of my budget, acknowledge that it was below asking, and then simply say that my offer would stand if no buyer met their price. Then, I’d wait. It took a few weeks for this strategy to bear fruit, but I was patient. Eventually it worked, and I purchased this (with a dropper post) for under $1,000. The 100 millimeter fork and tubeless tires offer more than enough cush to enjoy the buffed out trails I ride in Summit County, Colorado. The frame geometry works well with the Shotgun seat, and I’ve taken my daughter on multiple long trail rides deep into the backcountry. Sure, I’ve found myself wanting the forgiving squish of a dual-suspension bike from time to time, but this hardtail works for me—and my pocketbook—right now.

Banjo Brothers Small Handlebar Bag ($20)

Have you ever accidentally left a metal multitool in your jersey pocket and then sent it through the “Heavy Duty” cycle in your tumble dryer? I have, a few times, and it makes your laundry room sound like a gravel quarry. I promised my wife I would stop damaging our home appliances with bike parts. So, earlier this year I purchased the (at $20, the cheapest handlebar bag I could find), as a way to permanently remove the gear from my pockets. I chose this bag because it has a rigid liner that provides the bag its cylindrical shape. I’ve used soft-sided handlebar bags in the past, and on both occasions the rattling of the bag’s metal contents actually chipped paint from the head tube. I’ve had zero problems with rubbing or paint chips with this. More importantly: I have yet to dent the washer or dryer with my bike stuff.

Dynafit Mercury 2 Pants ($199)

For several years, outdoor brands Dynafit and Salewa liquidated their samples and excess inventory at an outdoor garage sale here in Boulder, Colorado. These events were like Christmas for me, and over the years I picked up an entire gear closet’s worth of backpacks, shoes, jackets, and other stuff. In 2015 I purchased a pair of Dynafit skimo pants, and wore them for a wide-range of outdoor activities, from high-altitude hikes, to warm-weather ski sessions. In January, these pants finally blew—one of the welded seams tore apart. I’m part of a Facebook group called SKIMO GEAR SWAP AND FORUM, and sure enough, I found someone selling a lightly used pair of for less than $100. These pants immediately replaced the old ones as a versatile garment that can be comfortable for a wide range of activities. They are my go-to for my sunrise skimo sessions. When I wear an insulated base layer, these pants are more than up for a day of resort skiing as well, so long as temperatures don’t dip below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. After one ski session, I even wore these pants out for an evening in Boulder—and I wasn’t the only one wearing them.

Black Diamond Element Hoody ($230)

LikeĚý many of the other items on my list, I purchased this one on Facebook Marketplace. The tags were still attached, and the buyer said he’d simply bought the wrong size for his torso. My is threadbare and covered in “forever” stains—a testament to how often I have worn it over the last two seasons. Had I kept track of my outfits, this would be my most-worn garment, by a wide margin. It kept me warm and dry during my pre-dawn patrol skimo sessions in the winter, and comfy in those variable shoulder-season conditions in the spring and fall. I even wore it during a 95-degree day in rural Kansas, as the fibers vented my body heat while protecting my neck and arms from the beating sun. And here in Boulder, Colorado, where performance outerwear counts as appropriate evening attire, this hoody has been my outfit of choice for social events as well.

Goodr Mint Julep Electroshocks ($35)

I learned long ago that fancy and expensive sunglasses are not my jam. I lose them, crush them, or scratch the lenses. In recent years, I’ve bought cheap ones from gas stations, or purchased name-brand glasses used. That was before I discovered Goodr, the consumer-direct eyewear brand that makes just-good-enough shades with contemporary styles for bargain prices. The size fit my large noggin perfectly. Are these glasses going to allow me to spot a smallmouth bass in low light from the bank of a river? Probably not. Will they block every ray of ultraviolet light from entering my eyeballs? Who knows? Will I feel bad when I eventually sit on them or back them over with my car? Nope. I’m already on my second pair of them—the first disappeared when I dove into a foam pit during a toddler birthday party. But the glasses are just $35 and they look great. I can tolerate buying another pair.

Shimano XC7 MTB shoes ($230)

I’m infamously finicky when it comes to cycling footwear. My long (size 13) and narrow foot is a tough ask for most brands, so when I find a shoe that fits, I tend to wear it until the sole literally comes off. This is what happened in June to my previous cycling shoes, a pair of size 45 Shimano XC5 lace-up kicks from 2016. These shoes were so blown out that I had cut new eyelets in the upper to accommodate the laces (the original lace holes tore). I was bummed to learn that Shimano discontinued the lace-up version of is XC5, and I also experienced some sticker shock when I saw the price tag for the new lineup. But I found a seller in the midwest liquidating his set of Shimano mountain bike shoes from 2020 on Ebay, and I purchased a pair new for well below MSRP. I like the for its stiff sole, with great power transfer to the pedals. Plus, the bottoms have a Goodyear rubber coating, which gives you plenty of grip on slippery rocks. I have broken plenty of Boa closure systems in my day, but after one year of use, the one on my pair of XC7 shoes is still going strong.

My Local Bike Shop (Priceless)

In December, 2021, my community was devastated by an urban wildfire, which burned more than 1,000 structures and left even more families either homeless or stranded. My local bike shop, , became a hub for the recovery. The shop asked customers to donate used bicycles in any and all conditions, and the mechanics fixed up the rigs and gave them free to anyone who lost a bike in the blaze. I’ve been a regular at the shop for a few years, and throughout the winter and spring I marveled at how the shop became a social hub for cyclists who suffered from the fires. People just hung out at all hours of the day to chat with the sales staff and mechanics. It felt like a clubhouse. This community effort is just one of the many reasons why I love Louisville Cyclery, which has operated since 1980. Greg Jones, the owner, remembers every customer’s name. Doug Nishimura, the service manager, gives clear and straightforward tech advice without any hint of bike-shop-dude attitude. The sales staff are friendly. In a year when I had to pinch pennies, every cent I gave to Louisville Cyclery was money well spent.

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At five feet tall, I face the same struggles as many petite outdoor enthusiasts: I’m swallowed whole by sleeping bags, and constantly on the hunt for a backpack with a frame short enough for my torso and shoes that will fit my size seven feet. So instead of searching for miniature adult sizes, I’ve turned to kids’ gear—especially items marketed for “big kids” or teens—which often costs much less than adult gear and does the job just as well.Ěý

Below, in six categories, are petite-friendly and budget-conscious additions to any vertically-challenged hiker’s gear collection. Plus, they all come in respectable adult colors and designs, so your gear won’t be mistaken for an actual child’s.

Trekking PolesĚý

While descending Mount San Gorgonio, the tallest peak in Southern California, one of my husband’s poles crumpled after a fall—while my kids’ poles ($69.95) stayed intact. The First Strikes and the ($54.95) are both great choices, as they’re sturdy, have a comfortable rubber grip that fits my (albeit small) adult hands, and extend to 43 inches. By comparison, the are $109.95 and the is $109.95.Ěý

Sleeping Bags

Designed for shorter people, youth sleeping bags are a tremendous three-season alternative to adult bags without sacrificing warmth. All the youth mummy-style sleeping bags in the REI brand line are rated to 25 degrees Fahrenheit; the ($69.95) fits people up to 5’0” and the ($129) accommodates heights of up to 5’6” (the , which also fits people up to 5’6”, is $159. Though we should note that women’s bags often get extra insulation in certain spots—if you run cold, you might find a kids’ bag less warm). The bag ($54.95) fits people up to 5 feet tall and is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also nearly identical to the ($69.95) in features and materials: a comfy hood, ample foot box, and offset stitching to keep chilly air out.

Sleeping PadsĚý

Naturally, a shorter sleeping pad deserves a petite sleeping pad. Petite people up to 5 feet tall, or those wanting a shorter pad, can look into the ($49.95), which measures 60 inches long—longer than most kids’ pads. At 1.5 inches thick and 1 pound 13 ounces, it’s thinner and lighter than the 2.5-inch-thick REI Camp Bed adult pad ($125), which weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces and measures 72 inches long—great for backpackers who are watching the weight of their packs. (However, we’d recommend testing it before buying to see if the thickness of the pad is compatible with your weight, as kids’ pads may be more suitable for lighter-weight adults.) With an R-value of 4.5, the self-inflating kids’ pad can withstand cold nights.Ěý

Hiking Boots

Many companies sell youth versions of adult hiking boots in sizes up to a women’s 8 for significantly less than the adult price. The key is to look for “big kids” rather than “little kids” or “toddler” sizing categories. To translate big kids’ into adult sizes, go down one size for women and add one size for men: a big kids’ size 7 is a women’s 8 or a men’s 6.

Brands selling youth versions of trail-tested adult favorites include Keen, which caters to wider feet and high arches, and Merrell. Keen’s Targhee boots come in big kids’ ($80) and ($75) styles; the Merrell are $70 and the is $50. In contrast, the basic model of the is $120 and the is $135; the is $175 and the is $165.Ěý

Backpacking Packs

Adults with short torsos—not necessarily even petite people—would benefit from a kids’ backpacking pack (for me, adult small and even extra-small packs are sometimes too long). Like adult packs, kids’ versions include all the bells and whistles: cushioned hip belts, adjustable frames, and plenty of pockets. To find your best fit, measure your torso from the top of your hip bone to the base of your neck.

The Osprey kids’ ($180) and ($200), as well as the Gregory youth ($179.95) and ($199.95), accommodate torsos between 13 and 19 inches. My torso is 15 inches long, and I prefer the Osprey pack. The REI Tarn pack line combines both quality and lower prices, coming in a youth ($99.95; torso length 12 to 16 inches) and ($165; torso length 14 to 19 inches).

However, all of these prices reflect a steep discount from adult packs: The Osprey women’s pack is $295, the is $199, and the is $199.95.Ěý

Daypacks

Similarly to backpacking packs, youth daypacks are perfect for adults with short torsos and for minimalists out for a quick trek on short trails. The North Face offers the ($50, as opposed to $99 for the ) for kids—though without a chest strap or hip belt. If you’re looking for more support, REI’s Tarn ($39.95, the same price as the ) includes a chest and hip belt, and Osprey’s much-loved Daylite pack comes in aĚý ($40, compared to the at $65) with a chest strap. Before you purchase one, make sure you can get your arms and shoulders through the straps on these pint-sized packs (though once I’ve adjusted the straps, I haven’t had an issue with this).

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Turning a log into kindling might be the single greatest camp task. It’s a straightforward job: take a large piece of wood and reduce it to several smaller pieces of wood. Then burn it. It’s satisfying in the same way that mowing a lawn is satisfying: you can chart your progress and see what you’ve accomplished. But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s easy, and the task requires a specific tool—an ax that’s burly enough to dig into a hardwood log, but not so beefy that you can’t be precise. A mid-size ax is ideal; heavier and with a longer handle than a throwing hatchet so it can produce force, but still nimble enough for close work. Enter CRKT’s new , a “multi-tool” that CRKT claims is “part hammer, part ax, all badass.”

Ok, I made up the “all badass” part, but it’s true. I took the Chogan on a recent camping trip where afternoon thunderstorms soaked my family’s stock of firewood, and I knew I needed to whittle them to pieces in order to find the dry wood inside. To be honest, I didn’t think the Chogan was up to the task. I’ve used a number of ax/hammer combos in the past, from Walmart cheapies to legit tools from respectable brands. They all did a fine job at hammering tent stakes (it ain’t that hard of a job, after all), but failed to bite into proper firewood logs. Inevitably, the problem with these combo axes is their size: they’re typically pint sized, too light weight and too short of handle to create serious striking force. They’re more hammer than ax. But the Chogan is an ax first, and a hammer second, with a 1.78-pound 1055 carbon steel ax head that slides onto an 18-inch Tennessee hickory handle. It looks like a large tomahawk and feels substantial in your hand. The mid-range size of the ax makes it particularly useful, because it’s large enough to wield with two hands if you need to split something sizable, but light enough to work with a single hand if you’re making smaller, more precise chips.

Anyway, on that rainy camping trip, it wasĚý imperative for me to start a roaring fire. We weren’t going to die or anything—we could just sit in the truck with the heat on if we got too cold—but I could tell that morale was at a dangerously low point and mutiny was at hand. We needed S’mores, pronto. The only thing to do was start carving those logs up. The Chogan proved wonderfully capable in this scenario and I quickly reduced them to dry shavings. S’mores were had by all.

I’m particularly fond of the ax’s handle, which is made from a dense hickory that did well under constant abuse. It was dark when I was chopping the firewood, which resulted in a number of mis-swings. I’ve broken many ax handles in similar conditions, but the Chogan’s came away practically unscathed. That bodes well for its future, because I plan to bring this baby on every car camping trip in the future.

My only complaint about the Chogan is that it doesn’t come with a leather sheath. As a hammer, the Chogan made quick work of my six-person family tent’s 72 stakes (maybe a slight exaggeration), but my wife pointed out that it’s not particularly safe to wield an ax like a hammer when little kids are running around the tent site.Ěý She had a point. You can buy a sheath from CRKT for $25, but I would rather it was included with the Chogan for a higher price.

Am I being petty? Probably. Particularly since the Chogan Hammer is priced at a budget-friendly $60. That’s cheap for an ax of this quality. And can you put a price on the joy of reducing big pieces of wood into smaller pieces of wood and setting them alight? Not in my book.

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Depending on how you look at it, October is a mixed bag. Some days feel like full-on winter, while others can make you wonder if summer is really going to end. To şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř staffers, it’s one of the best times of the year to be in mother nature, enjoying whatever she throws at you. Here’s what we used to do just that.

Stone Glacier Chilkoot Zero Degree Sleeping Bag ($600)

On a mid-October rifle hunt I was camped at 11,800 feet in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in northern New Mexico. One morning I woke up to eight inches of snow on the ground and freezing temps. Once the clouds cleared, it got even colder, and one night it dipped to around five degrees. Inside my three-season tent I was thankful to have the four-season Stone Glacier zero-degree sleeping bag. Stuffed with 850 fill power water-resistant down, it weighs just two pounds, ten ounces, and kept every part of me warm— including my feet—on one of the coldest nights I’ve spent outside in recent years. My campmates, who had zero-degree bags from competing brands, said they spent their nights shivering. I also have to credit the Rab Ionosphere 5 insulated sleeping pad ($180). Launching next spring, the Ionosphere weighs just 17 ounces and packs down to the size of a coffee cup, but was a comfortable and reliable shield from the cold air coming off the ground. —Jakob Schiller, contributing writer

Senchi Designs Lark Hoodie ($90)

Whenever I’ve tested insulation it’s been the lining of a jacket and was mated to an outer shell. But the is made entirely of Alpha Direct with nothing covering it up. As a result, this thin hoodie feels a little flimsy, but is surprisingly warm and very breathable—more so than any other fleece I’ve ever tested. Over the past couple weeks it’s been my go-to hiking, cycling, and running layer because it cuts the chill but dissipates sweat incredibly fast. As you might imagine, it also layers well under a windbreaker. The jury is still out on how much abuse the Lark will put up with, but so far it hasn’t shown any signs of falling apart. —J.S.

Montana Knife Company Stonewall ($325)

Processing wild game is about as hard a task you can ask a knife to perform. The hair and hide are abrasive, quickly wearing down a blade’s fine edge. And bones work to make it even duller. Plus, the whole time you’re working, your hands are slick with blood. For both safety, and effectiveness, you need a sharp blade. I’d been using a replaceable blade knife for those reasons, but carrying one of those means carrying another knife to perform camp chores. So, this fall, I switched to the . It’s big enough to split wood, features a generous, comfortable handle, and held its edge through a month of weekend camping trips and two entire deer. Sharpening it afterwards took just minutes. I’m also a fan of MKC’s sheaths, which are light, simple, and strong, and allow you to carry the blade both horizontally, or vertically, on both belts and pack straps. Now this is the only knife that accompanies me into the field. — Wes Siler, contributing editor

Outdoor Research Tundra Aerogel Booties ($89)

For three years, my husband and I fought over a pair of down hut slippers. (I had a different pair, but liked his better.) They’re light and compressible, with a cinchable ankle cuff that seals out drafts and snow. Most importantly, the sole is bolstered by a layer of aerogel, a space-grade material with an unmatched warmth-to-weight ratio. The resulting shoe is light enough to carry cold-weather backpacking, and yet warm enough to stand directly on fresh snow without getting cold feet. So when the forecast for our 2023 Editors’ Choice backpacking trip called for 19-degree lows and several inches of snow, I immediately made sure that the rest of my colleagues could test out the booties’ magic for themselves. Spoiler: they saved the day. We only wish the soles had better traction (beware the midnight bathroom trip on icy snow). —Ariella Gintzler, associate gear director

HydroFlask 12 oz Mug, $28

As a gear editor, I’m inundated with free drinking vessels: plastic water bottles, insulated thermoses, and metal coffee cups adorn every corner of my small office. Hydro Flask’s , however, gets pressed into use almost daily. A gasketed push-in lid and easy-to-slide drinking port keep coffee from splashing and leaking, even on bumpy drives down our local gravel roads. The brand’s vacuum-insulated technology works exceptionally well: at an outdoor gear conference with temps hovering in the 40s, my spiced chai was still piping hot after I forgot about it for at least six hours. My favorite feature? The cork exterior is wonderfully neutral in a cabinet full of bright neon drinking vessels and has a soft, pliant texture that keeps it from slipping off of surfaces. —Benjamin Tepler, gear editor

PAKA Ankle Socks three pack ($46)

With temperatures dropping in October, I found myself slipping warm, fuzzy socks on as soon as I stepped out of bed, and wearing them as slippers around the house mornings and evenings. I’ve worn them daily for up to a week without washing, and haven’t noticed or heard any complaint about odor. When I have cleaned them, the blend (41 percent baby alpaca fiber, eight percent bamboo, 50 percent recycled nylon, and one percent spandex) weathered the washer and dryer well, keeping their shape and softness. Due to sweaty feet, I usually wear ultra-thin socks to run in, so these originally seemed too thick. Then one frosty morning I kept them on when changing into my running kit, and was surprised at how comfortable and dry they kept my feet. I’m going to need more pairs to make sure there’s always a clean one when I need them, whether to temper cold wood floors or morning miles. Bonus: It’s totally cool that they’re woven in Peru and I can trace their origin to the exact coordinates where the wool was sourced. —Jonathan Beverly, senior gear editor

Rapha Women’s Trail Lightweight Pants ($150)

buttery, lightweight, well-cut mountain bike pants have become a major staple in my wardrobe as the weather cools off. The waistband is low-profile and flattering, with a stretchy band at the back and a traditional button-fly at the front. Thoughtful details like a single zippered pocket and reinforced cuffs elevate the performance, but what really makes them stand out is that they’re simple—they look nice enough to wear around town, comfortably double as hiking pants, and they still offer the technical features I need. I do find that they run a bit big compared to other pieces in their line, and could have sized down from my typical Rapha size. —Abigail Barronian, senior editor

Breeo Y Series Portable Fire Pit ($495) with Outpost Grill ($150)

I’ve been testing the new with the for a few months now, and I’ve used it to cook steak and burgers, as a bonfire at my backyard wedding, and even brought it over to my friend’s house for her baby shower. At 31 pounds, with a sturdy handle, it’s easy to take anywhere. The circular, vented design means smoke is minimal and fires are easy to start, and it has retractable legs that allow you to move it to three different heights. My only complaint is that there’s only one handle, which can make it a little awkward to carry. I’m headed up north this weekend, the forecast calls for snow, and the place I booked doesn’t have a fireplace or pit. But it doesn’t matter; my Breeo’s already loaded into the back of my truck. —Abigail Wise, digital managing director

RockyMounts WallRide ($39)

I have a lot of bikes in my garage and all but one are hanging from those “heavy duty” you can buy at any Home Depot. Each one of those is bent and the protective rubber is peeling off, just waiting to scratch or ding expensive wheels or other components. The lone outlier is the , which secures to a stud with two vertically oriented bolts. This is by far the sturdiest of the bunch and has me thinking that I need to replace all the other hooks I have with these instead. It’s rock solid, so I have no fear of it failing, and the TPU peg the wheel hangs on is soft on wheels, but sturdy. It’s a major upgrade from dangling thousands of dollars worth of bike off a $2 hook. —Will Taylor, gear director

Brazyn Life Talon Massager ($269)

I love percussion massagers: they give you all the pain and relief of foam rolling but you can just sit on your couch and watch TV instead of grinding away on the floor. I also love massage canes like the ($40), which let you accurately decimate knots in your back by yourself. So when I heard about the , a love child between percussion massagers and canes, I had to try it. Reader, it did not disappoint. The gun is small, powerful, quiet, and comes with a carrying case with any of the different heads you might prefer. The clincher, though, is the foldable arm that the gun easily clicks into. You can now reach any part of your back yourself with the massager. No more begging for massages from your significant other. —W.T.

The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in October appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Hints of autumn have finally arrived in the form of crisper air and changing leaves, and our editors are loving every moment of it after this summer. Here’s the gear that helped us relish the cooler temps even more.

Filson Hyder Quilted Jac-Shirt ($250)

şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř of mountain towns, there’s a point at which it is no longer acceptable to wear your technical puffy jacket to social gatherings. I’m still trying to figure out where the line is, but the is the perfect fall transition jacket for me. With recycled 100 gram PrimaLoft insulation and a tough, waxed cotton outer, it’ll keep you dry in light rain and remain warm even if you’re caught in a downpour. A super-soft Moleskin collar blocks wind, while two front pockets and two hand pockets offer plenty of storage for keys, gloves, or a hat. With barn coat vibes, trendy diamond stitching, and a trim fit, it’s equally at home chopping wood as it is going out to dinner. —Benjamin Tepler, gear editor

Rad Power Bikes Radwagon 4 ($1,999)

You’ve no doubt seen one of these elongated rigs parked at the playground, the local coffee shop, or at the elementary school in your community. In just a few years, the became ubiquitous in neighborhoods across the country—think of it as the Harley Davidson for suburbanite moms and dads. The bike is a workhorse of affordable e-cargo bikes, and its no-frills construction keeps its price tag low compared to its competition (some models cost four times as much). I joined the ranks of Radwagon 4 owners a few weeks ago, in anticipation of my three-year-old daughter starting preschool. Her Montessori is four miles from our house, and we are privileged to live in a community crisscrossed by bike paths and multi-use trails. My affection for the bicycle sprouted on the first early-morning ride to class. My daughter sat on the wooden platform behind me as we sped along a gravel pathway, grazing cows on one side of us and head-high sunflowers on the other. The journey to drop her off took no more than 15 minutes, as we avoided gridlock on the main streets and instead zipped through the neighborhoods. The wind whipped our hair. The rising sun warmed our cheeks. When we arrived, both of us wore ear-to-ear grins. —Frederick Dreier, articles editor

Osprey Poco Child Carrier ($330)

Last weekend, my husband and I took our seven-month-old on his first backpacking trip. Lugging overnight gear and a baby up a steep trail to an alpine lake wasn’t easy, but the experience was definitely improved by the . The pack has a bunch of pockets and one main trunk that allowed me to jam in a Jet Boil and plenty of extra clothes and diapers‚ so my husband didn’t have to carry all of the gear. A handy sun shade folds out to offer plenty of protection from UV rays and helps ward off low-hanging branches you may brush up against. And the Poco’s baby harness provided peace of mind that our guy wouldn’t take an unexpected tumble off my back. My only complaint: the opening where my baby’s hands pop through is exactly level with my ponytail, so I spent a lot of time asking him to stop pulling my hair. —Abigail Wise, digital managing director

REI Co-op Savanna Trails Pants ($55)

There are a lot of hiking pants on the market with similar designs and features, but what sold me on for an early-fall trekking trip to the French Alps were the price, stretchy fabric, flattering waist fit, and—my favorite part of the pants—drawstring cords at the bottom of the legs. The cords let me cinch them by my ankles when it was cold but then pull the cuffs up to right below my knee so they fit like three-quarter-length pants when the weather warmed. Bonus: I’m short (five foot one) and was happy to have a selection of petite sizes to try. I wore these for nine consecutive days, in wind, rain, and shine, and had no complaints. —Tasha Zemke, associate managing editor

Bubba Growler Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($35)

A September of constant traveling meant that both my budget and hydration levels were low., which I picked up from Walmart at the beginning of a road trip to British Columbia, is $35 and 64 ounces—an ideal combination for a thirsty editor. Though it doesn’t insulate as well as my smaller Yeti and Hydro Flask vessels (which are also at least twice as expensive), it keeps my water cold for a full day. I bought it with the straw lid and a handle, which was great for driving when I couldn’t use both hands to unscrew a wide-mouth lid—the straw also encouraged me to drink more water casually because it’s one less step to open the bottle. On day two of the road trip, I opened my car door and the Bubba rolled out of my too-full back seat and banged loudly on the pavement, something that happened more than a few times throughout my trips. But other than a few small dents on the bottom, the steel is holding up quite well. —Kelly Klein, associate gear editor

Pact Room Service Sateen Sheet Set ($130-$220)

It’s tough to fit in exercise, dad duties, and work into a day. Traditionally I’ve given up sleep to make it all happen. That changed this month when I kicked the booze, started sharing a bedtime with my toddler, and invested in a really comfortable set of from Pact. I find myself miraculously asleep within a half an hour without the normal thoughts of missed deadlines pushed off until morning. They’re supple, without being cloying on my skin, and their temperature range (thin enough to work on hot nights and a nice under a down blanket on cold ones) has this crusty old non-sleeper snoozing the best he has in years. —Joe Jackson, Gear Guy

Peragon Limited HD Retractable Truck Bed Cover ($1499)

My truck is in a constant state of change. Testing overlanding and camping gear for şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř’s Summer Gear Guide and The 101 video series has me bolting and unbolting accessories, attaching racks and shells, loading slide-in campers and towing trailers frequently. My 2018 Tundra has literally had three different bed and roof racks bolted to it since I got the truck in March, and as I’ve reviewed all of these products I’ve also been searching for the right bed solution for a truck that has to wear so many hats. Enter Peragon Truck Bed covers, and their . I needed something that would protect my gear from the elements and theft every day, but would also easily get out of the way when I needed to use the full truck bed or load my camper. Most tonneau covers offer either security or versatility, but not both. Peragon’s folding aluminum panel design provides way more protection than a soft cover, is lockable, and supports up to 300 pounds on top. It also lets you run various bed racks over the top of it. Best of all, the panels can be totally removed from the bed and folded up in about 10 seconds and stored in a truck or garage, so you don’t have a bulky canister taking up bed space. They’re made in Shell Lake, Wisconsin and are a direct-to-consumer company, so get a ton of value and the covers are quickly shipped to your door for free in the continental US (or for just $99 if you live in Hawaii, Alaska, or Canada). I’ve yet to find another bed cover that offers all of that, and looks as good on my truck. —Bryan Rogala, contributing writer

Ibex Springbok Tencel Short Sleeve Tee ($75)

One day in early September average high temps dropped from the 90s to the 60s on the high plains where I live, letting me shelve ultra-thin singlets and start wearing natural-fiber shirts for morning or lunchtime runs. A favorite this year is the , made from a mid-weight (150gsm) blend of 45 percent merino wool, 45 percent Tencel (a fiber made from Eucalyptus), and 10 percent nylon. I don’t know what I like better: the feel of the fabric, which is wool-soft to the touch but also holds its shape; or the fit, with gusseted arms providing comfortable shoulder space and flatlock side seams wrapping around to the front. The fabric absorbs a bit too much sweat for me to run in the tee during the summer, but I still wore it often: hiking in Utah canyons, going out for pizza with my son at his college, and day after day in my remote office. Now that it has cooled off, I appreciate the warmth of the merino against my skin for the first few miles, and later, the way it doesn’t cling when it starts to get soaked. Plus, it dries quickly when I keep wearing it after the run. —Jonathan Beverly, senior editor

Coolman Cold Therapy System ($190)

When my partner Dan had knee surgery last year, his mom, a retired nurse, bought him, which circulates ice water to keep a swollen joint cold for up to 90 minutes at a time. (The machine can run for as long as you want; just press “play” again after the 90-minute limit.) Since then, perhaps unfortunately, the Coolman hasn’t gotten much rest: a friend of ours borrowed it after her knee surgery, in the past couple weeks I’ve been using it for a sprained MCL, and now Dan and I switch off, since he recently tore his labrum. As many of us know, RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is a crucial protocol for recovering from many sport-related injuries, and the Coolman makes it much easier and less messy to keep swelling at bay, which means I certainly ice more than I would otherwise. —Gloria Liu, contributor

Char-Broil 1-Burner Deluxe Portable Propane Gas Table Top Grill ($55)

Twenty years, that’s how long my friend Jim Gilchrist, a climber-backpacker from Western Colorado, has had his portable Oh, it’s had a leg or two break and be replaced, but haven’t most of us? Despite the hard use, the stove is still going strong. Recently four of us drove six or seven hours to go climbing in Maple Canyon, Utah, set up our camp in haste, and did a few pitches before dark. When it came time to start dinner, he volunteered, opened up the grill, screwed on the propane canister, and had a great meal ready in so little time we were amazed. As soon as we got home from that trip, my husband bought one, and we have been using it ever since. —Alison Osius, senior editor

The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in September appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

You may be surprised to learn that the employees of şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř like to be, well, outside. When we’re not working, we’re outdoors, especially in July. Here’s the gear our staff used to bask in peak summer.

Nomadix Festival Blanket ($70)

I’ve taken to every park hang, outdoor concert, and car camping trip over the past three years. The Festival Blanket weighs just over two pounds and packs up small, and the water-resistant base keeps your butt dry on dewy grass. The top fabric is soft and nonslip—I’ve even used it as a yoga mat—and repels pet hair, sand, and dirt. If it does get dirty, it’s machine washable, and the post-consumer recycled polyester dries quickly. Four tie-down loops at the corners help lock it in place with stakes on breezy days and mean you could rig it as a tarp or sunshade in a pinch. —Maren Larsen, podcast producer

Carhartt Kids’ Canvas Bib Overall ($33)

My partner’s a veggie farmer, so we couldn’t resist putting our infant son in a pair of . There’s the cute factor, of course, but they’re also practical. Our five-month-old can mostly sit up on his own, but is still a bit tippy, so we quickly grab the back of his overalls to steady him if we see him starting to lean. I plan to invest in the next size up as soon as he starts crawling and walking for the same reason. Worth noting: we’ve navigated at least two major blowouts without a poop stain in sight. —Abigail Wise, digital managing director

Espresso Forge ($399)

Many of us are familiar with the whimsical joy of making espresso while on a camping trip. Your brew has a certain, um, character to it that’s the byproduct of having been made in the great outdoors by hand, and not by a $3,000 machine in a kitchen. So yeah, sometimes you get grinds in your teeth, and oftentimes, your beverage is either a watery mess, or gluey rocket fuel. Enter the , a stainless steel device that is designed to produce pro-grade espresso, no electricity required. Sure, the apparatus looks like a bong, and it is heavy. But if you’re serious about espresso, and you love the great outdoors, this device may be for you. Other travel espresso machines cut down on size and weight by shrinking the diameter of the perforated cup, which is where pressurized hot water meets the ground coffee. The Espresso Forge, however, uses a 58-milimeter cup, which is the global standard for automatic machines. The company’s founders say that narrower and deeper cups simply cannot reproduce the flavor and crema that is produced by a wider and shallower one. On top of that, the Espresso Forge also lets you modulate pressure. Automatic machines often ramp up the pressure to 130 PSI at the beginning of the pour, and then dramatically reduce it—a process that unlocks more flavor from the beans. You can reproduce this using the Forge by simply adjusting how hard you press the metal piston. Caution: This device is absolutely for persnickety coffee nerds who sweat the details. I bought too coarse an espresso grind and it produced a disaster. If you’re the type-A coffee snob who is still searching for the best cup of camping espresso, this thing may be the answer. —Frederick Dreier, articles editor

Shredly Biker Tank ($48)

I almost always ride in tank tops in the heat of summer here in Colorado, and I love the way the oversized arm holes on allow for extra air flow as well as a cute muscle-tank look. AsĚý a result, this top garners a lot of compliments. The polyester-tencel-lycra fabric is super light and soft, and it wicks moisture well on the sweatiest days. And I commend women-owned mountain bike apparel brand Shredly on its size range—the tank comes in sizes from XS to XXXL. —Gloria Liu, contributing editor

Troy Lee Women’s Luxe Short ($119)

With a yoga-style waistband and stretchy leg panels, pulling on women’s mountain bike shorts feels like the equivalent of putting on a pair of comfy sweatpants. They’re long enough to wear light knee pads with, and the shell fabric is light enough for hot summer rides, while the elastic panels provide extra breathability. —G.L.

Ibex Tranquil Longsleeve ($142)

I run cold, and am notoriously bad at controlling my own body temperature. So in the summer, when it’s 70 degrees out and I’m tempted to reach for a fleece, I grab this instead. It’s made from a heavyweight merino blend that offers warmth equivalent to a thick baselayer top—but in a boxy silhouette that’s naturally airier. The result sits on the border between shirt, sweatshirt, and midlayer, with a stylishly cropped cut and natural wicking properties that make it perfect for everything from overly air-conditioned offices to work hikes to chilly campsites. —Ariella Gintzler, associate gear director

Big Nose Kate Whiskey ($39)

was my go-to over the summer because it’s a well-balanced whiskey that comes in at a reasonable 40 bucks. Good enough in fact that I refused to mix it into a drink and instead insisted on enjoying it straight or maybe on the rocks. Blended in şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Magazine’s home town of Santa Fe, New Mexico, it uses straight ryes and American single malts that are distilled in Virginia, Texas, and Indiana. The company is named after a self-made and fiercely independent woman who kicked around the Southwest in the late 1800s robbing horses, running salons, and hanging with folks like Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp. —Jakob Schiller, contributing editor

Jungmaven Sporty Tank ($44)

This from Jungmaven is well-made, flattering, and ridiculously comfy. Made with a blend of hemp, organic cotton, and just a bit of spandex, it’s been my top choice this summer for everything from lounging to mellow hikes to dinner parties. I’ve been keeping an eye on the website so that I can stock up on different colors as soon as they’re in stock, but they sell out fast! It’s hard to go wrong with anything from Jungmaven, which makes all of its apparel in California with ethically-sourced, natural fibers. —Abigail Barronian, senior editor

Orvis Recon Rod, 4WT 8’6”Ěý($568)

I’ve always fished with a three-piece, nine-foot 5WT that I inherited from my Dad. It’s an incredible rod that is also incredibly annoying to transport. My four-piece is endlessly portable, and has come with me on backcountry hikes, river trips, a mega roadtrip, and a few flights since I got it this summer. It casts beautifully, and has handily landed trout (including a few proper lunkers!) in four states this summer. I’ve been mostly fishing dry flies, but it’s a versatile rod, well-suited to a wide range of water, fish, and flies. —A.B.

Fourlaps Level Tech Tee ($68)

I’d like the for its against-the-skin comfort, smooth drape and durable feel, even if it didn’t have built-in cooling tech. But it does, making it a shirt I reach for when heading out on hot runs and hikes, as well as for times when I want to look and feel good during and after the activity. The fabric blend includes seven percent wool, explaining the soft hand and odor-resistance, and seven percent spandex, which tops off the comfort with just a bit of stretch. The rest is recycled polyester (each shirt removes nine plastic water bottles from the environment), with embedded volcanic sand particles that reportedly use infrared energy to regulate heat and humidity. A 2017 University of Colorado showed that cyclists were able to go 26 percent longer at lactate threshold wearing this compared to wearing the same shirt without the volcanic particles. I didn’t re-create the test, but can report that I stayed cool, dry, and comfortable in the tee on a three-hour mountain hike with temps in the 90s. And, while I have other shirts that wick sweat better, even when the Level Tee got soaked on sweltering runs, I never overheated as much as expected, or felt clammy and sticky. I tend to wear it two or three times before washing—it dries quickly and thoroughly—and still it seems to always be in the laundry basket. —Jonathan Beverly, senior editor

Maloja Trentinom Multi 1/2 Shirt ($79)

During hot July afternoons in Montana, the number one criteria I have for my trail riding clothes are that they keep me cool. I’ve mountain biked in Maloja’s shirt almost every week this summer, and it’s never failed to do the trick. Its polyester and Primaloft Bio fabric is featherlight and super breathable against sweaty skin, and I love the loose cut that doesn’t cling to my body. And, major bonus: it’s biodegradable at the end of its life. —Kelly Klein, associate editor

The post The Gear Our Editors Loved in July appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.

Traveling is difficult. The hustle, the sweat, and the long periods of waiting can feel unbearable. That’s why having the right gear is so critical. We rounded up some of our writers’ favorite travel upgrades to make your next trip not just more bearable, but more enjoyable. Check them out.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Mixed Cube Set ($65)

An organized traveler is a happy traveler. Take your packing to the next level with this set that includes a mesh cube for toiletries, an antimicrobial one for smelly clothes, and one that’s made of burly TPU, so you can safely carry everything from crampons to books. —Joe Jackson

Aether Drive Jacket ($425)

This jacket is like the love child of a hooded soft-shell vest and a cashmere cardigan. The water-resistant polyester outer and synthetic core insulation handled an extended drizzly, 40-degree walk and will suit all sorts of different climates—including that frigid airport lounge. Knit sleeves give it the vibe of a fine sweater. —J.J.

Icebreaker Merino Dowlas Short Sleeve Crew ($90)

A good wool short-sleeve tee is your weapon for looking good and not smelling for multiple days in a row. We’ve tested a lot of them, but this one stood out for its just-right cut—loose but not slouchy—and soft feel. Plus, it mitigated odor enough to go straight from a trail run to an outdoor happy hour. —J.J.

Title Nine Round Trip Wide Leg Pants ($119)

With a simple clip behind the knee, these high-rise pants go from wide-leg to an eye-catching narrow pleated silhouette. That trick, plus a stretchy recycled-polyester-spandex fabric, means you can go from hiking to a night out. That versatility meant we could leave another pair of pants behind. —Alex Temblador

When you’re living out of a suitcase, space is at a premium. But thanks to Citizen’s iconic new watch, you’ll never have to choose between fashion and function when it comes to picking a travel watch. This high-tech, high-design, do-it-all timepiece was designed to evoke both the sleek beauty and elegant precision of the Orca whale. Sustainably powered by any light with Eco-Drive technology that never needs a battery, this ultimate dive watch comes in a unique scuba tank-inspired box for the serious diver and collector. And because it’s anti-magnetic, shock-resistant, and water resistant up to 200 meters, it’s ready for any aquatic adventure on your list.

Dakine Split Roller 110L Luggage ($240)

Wheeled haulers are great for swallowing gear, but they come with some drawbacks: most lack organization, are difficult to store, and tip over when standing up. Not the Split Roller, which has a clamshell opening with a divided interior that makes partitioning layers easy. We also love the interior neoprene stretch panel, which accommodates bulky gear and even the most egregious of overpackers. A collapsible bottom brace, which provides stability even when the bag is stuffed to the brim and folds down for easier storage. —Kaelyn Lynch

Bose QuietComfort Earphones ($279)

We’ve raved about Bose’s noise-canceling headphones for travel before, but until now have failed to find a more portable version. These earphones blew us away with their sound quality and intuitive controls for raising and lowering volume, adjusting noise-canceling levels, and skipping through songs. Our favorite features: the automatic pause when you remove one earbud, and the way they stay put during exercise and under a ski helmet. —K.L.

MLE Dream Eye Mask ($48)

Made from natural fibers, including a silk exterior and hypoallergenic kapok-tree fill, the Dream mask shuts out light and soothes as you sleep, even at 30,000 feet. It’s made to order by craftswomen in New York City. —Gabriela Aoun

Avocado Organic Mini Pillow ($49)

Snoozing on a plane doesn’t have to mean total discomfort. The beloved Avocado Organic pillow now comes in a 20-by-12-inch to-go size, with the same firm feel and organic kapok-fiber fill, plus an optional machine-washable cotton cover ($19). —G.A.

Bandits Bandana ($30)

It’s a face mask, a sweatband, a personal swamp cooler—the bandana is the ultimate utility accessory. And when yours has a stylish artistic print on soft, fair-trade organic cotton, like Bandits bandanas do, you’ll find even more excuses to wear it. —J.J.

Olympus 10×42 Pro Binoculars ($520)

A solid pair of binocs are a smart tool to have in your glove compartment or in your backpack, for anything from spotting wildlife to scouting backcountry ski lines. The Olympus 10×42 Pro is optimized for sporting use, with a glare-reducing coating on the lenses and a waterproof, fog-resistant body. We don’t go anywhere without these. —J.J.

The post Our Top Picks for Traveling in Comfort and Style appeared first on şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Online.