Gear Reviews

Get a winning combination in this hiking boot: sticky Stealth rubber underfoot with a durable, protective upper on top.

Ventilated mesh uppers make these hikers ideal for hot weather.

This is the lightest, toughest, and least expensive trail-running shoe we tested.

This is our one-shoe solution for trail and road running.

These trail runners swallow bumps on rough trails and save your joints on long runs.

The midsole on these trail runners adapts to hard and soft footstrikes.

Like Goldilocks would have said: The cushion on these trail runners is just right.

This sleeping pad offers big-time warmth but packs down almost as small as a beer can.

This sleeping pad has all the appeal of old-school self-inflators—roll it out and watch the pad do all the work—but compresses to half the size of its predecessors, thanks to some new-school tricks.

This three-season bag and integrated pad create a lightweight, toasty sleep system that punches above its weight.

This three-season bag features a combo of down and synthetic insulations and an attractive price tag.

This three-season bag will let you press deep into shoulder season.

Premium materials and efficient design give this three-season bag one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios we’ve seen.

Most ultralight sleeping bags are one-trick ponies. A full-length center zip and other features boost the Flicker’s versatility.

The minimalist design of this two-season bag translates to excellent packability and low weight, all at a reasonable cost.

Bedding down in this rectangular bag is like sleeping with your comforter at home.

Frankly, our reasons for liking this two-person sleeping bag aren’t suitable for a family magazine. Use your imagination.

Jumping into this sleeping bag on a cold night is as cozy as relaxing on a bearskin rug by the fire.

We liked this standard tube-style belay device's auto-blocking mode.

This climbing rope offers top-notch durability, handling, and versatility.

This durable rock shoe is comfortable all day long.

It’s the perfect entry-level climbing harness.

This helmet is so lightweight and sleek you’ll actually want to wear it.

This screw-top bottle will keep you hydrated and on-course.

This softshell is good for hiking, biking, running, and climbing, and even works as a midlayer.

This rain gear gives you the soft, stretchy feel of a softshell with the rain protection of a hardshell.

This stretchy, minimalist softshell is ultracomfortable for all-day wear and allows for unrestricted motion.

A high protection-to-weight ratio makes this softshell hoodie a no-brainer for windy trail runs and fast-and-light summit pushes.

Backpackers who are willing to pay more for added features will find a lot to like in this softshell.

If you're an ultralight obsessives or a fastpacker who wants the absolute lightest shell, this softshell is the one for you.

This unusual trench-and-chaps combo maximizes airflow for comfortable, ultralight rain protection.

This watertight hardshell with all the bells and whistles proved impenetrable in the gnarliest conditions.

One light and breathable jacket gets you four seasons’ worth of protection.

This PFD offers flotation and fit without spendy extras.

This jacket offers burly hardshell protection on the outside and a supple, cozy feel inside.

It’s exactly what an entry-level paddle should be: simple, light, and affordable.

This bargain-priced hardshell performs better than some shells that cost three times as much.

Keep your maps and permits dry and organized in these clear urethane cases.

One-piece construction with fewer seams delivers a hardshell with enhanced breathability and a streamlined aesthetic.

Portages are easier with this giant, tough, leakproof dry bag.

A new three-layer material makes the Journey 167 canoe family-tough and budget-friendly.

You can say goodbye to pounding knee pain on downhills with this brace.

Roll it around or throw it on your back; this monster duffel can handle any load.

Take the chill off while taking a load off with this heated chair.

Comfort comes in a small package with this packable chair.

This hardshell is a souped-up version of the lightweight and breathable Essence, a 2014 Editors’ Choice Award-winner, with better coverage and durability.

We could trail run in this hardshell all day, even in mild weather.

By pairing four expedition-worthy poles with three-season fabric, the four-person Gemini tent delivers rock-solid stability for an attractive weight.

This sturdy, double-wall two-person dome tent offers the protection and space campers need for year-round use—and the durability to do it year after year.

This lightweight two-person dome tent comes with built-in LED lighting.

Shaving tent weight usually means jacking the price or shrinking the dimensions, but the two-person Soul hits a rare trifecta—light, livable, and affordable.

Pack ultralight—but legit—weather protection with this solo bivy.

If you're willing to secure a few stakes and sacrifice some stability, this two-person tent offers roomy quarters.

If you sleep better knowing you're in a fuss-free fortress, this two-person tent is the one for you.

This three-person tent boasts freestanding convenience and luxe headroom at an affordable price.

The six-person version of the 2014 Editors’ Choice Award-winning Optic 2.5 tent, this palace features a rollaway fly and adjoining doors for 180-degree views.

Expansive headroom and an unusually sturdy design make this three-person tent a comfy, affordable choice for car-camping and short-mileage overnights.

This versatile solo tent is a castle for one and an ultralight shelter for two.

Solo tents sometimes feel coffin-tight, but this nonfreestanding, double-wall dome is supremely livable.

Most tents this light skimp on space or durability, but the three-person Dagger saves weight with unusually strong, ultralight fabrics.

We’ve long loved the livability (and affordability) of this iconic double-wall two-person dome tent, which won our 2010 Editors’ Choice Gold Award. This spring, a 10-ounce weight reduction and improved ventilation make a good thing even better.

This two-person tent’s innovative shape provides outstanding headroom and unobstructed views.

This freestanding two-person tent handles the rowdiest three-season storms, making it ideal for hikers who want maximum protection with minimum weight.

Stay comfortable in this long sleeve shirt even when the temps are close to 100°F.

These pants' smartly placed stretch panels and a soft cotton blend mean crazy comfort.

This jacket packs a lot of warmth into a pint glass-size package.

This feels like your favorite five-year-old tee but has the performance chops of a technical hiking shirt.

This is a fully featured sun shirt with clean, casual styling.

These hiking socks' slick fibers thwart blisters.

These performance boxer briefs have the support of a jock strap.

These photochromatic lenses adapt to anything, making them our favorite lenses of 2015.

Go green with these customizable wayfarers, our eco pick for 2015's best sunglasses.