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A collage of six images: top left shows a cooler filled with ice, canned drinks, hot dogs, and a jar labeled "wildbrine"; top center features a blurred hand holding a blue water bottle; top right displays a gray sneaker kicking up dust; bottom left is a blurred close-up of a black object; bottom center captures two hikers standing near a large waterfall; bottom right shows the open trunk of a vehicle packed with outdoor gear including boots, a yellow cooler, a gray cooler, and a green container.Gear Patrol

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The 2025 Gear Patrol Outdoor Awards: Our Favorite Bags, Camp Accessories, Trail Shoes and More

We’ve tested thousands of outdoor products over the years. Here is the gear we recommend across 80 categories.

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By Ben Bowers, Hayley Helms, Steve Mazzucchi, Jack Seemer, and Sean Tirman

Published

·

Updated

Nature is worth preserving. But we’re not ones to get sentimental about our kits. Innovations in tents, jackets, boots and backpacks make outdoor recreation safer, more comfortable and, importantly, easier on the planet.

Over the years, our team has tested thousands of products from just as many brands. We’ve trekked through rain-soaked valleys, scaled rocky ridges, skied backcountry couloirs and spent countless nights under the stars, all to distinguish between the good and great when it comes to outdoor equipment and accessories.

Gear Patrol Outdoor Awards 2025 text overlay on a background split between an orange surface with black threaded inserts and a blurred dark area. The word "Outdoor" features a stylized tree inside the letter "O.Gear Patrol

For the 2025 Gear Patrol Outdoor Awards, we’ve collected our top recommendations across 80 categories, prioritizing durability, value, sustainability and performance.

So whether you’re a seasoned explorer or brand-new to camping, here is the gear to elevate your next adventure, no matter how near or far you’re headed.

Why You Should Trust Us: Covering products is our core mission, not a side hustle. And we use real-world testing to inform our recommendations. Learn more about our methodology.

Bags & Storage

A dark gray Patagonia backpack with a rectangular shape, featuring padded shoulder straps and a vertical Patagonia logo printed in light gray on the front panel. The backpack has a zipper closure and a side webbing detail.Patagonia

Best Travel Pack

Patagonia Black Hole Micro MLC Backpack 22

The perfect travel backpack: tons of functional features, tiny footprint. Designed specifically to meet more stringent carry-on standards but rugged enough for a backcountry day hike.
Black Filson duffel bag with beige handles and straps, featuring a front zippered pocket with a snap button flap and the Filson logo printed in beige on the front.Filson

Best Adventure Duffel

Filson Scout All-Weather 50L Duffle Bag

Filson’s take on a rugged adventure duffel is more stylish than a Black Hole but just as functional and versatile. Yet, it still boasts a comparable price.
A white and black backpack with a large black front pocket featuring a grid pattern and a red zipper pull. The backpack has a vertical black strap running down the center and a diamond-shaped logo on the upper right front. The bottom and sides of the backpack are white, matching the top section.Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Best Backpacking Bag

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest

This popular lightweight backpacking pack is more durable (thanks to a new Dyneema fabric) while maintaining all the same versatility, adaptability and capability.
Black waist bag with a minimalist design, featuring a small gold "pd" logo on the lower right corner and a zipper with a tan pull cord on the right side.Peak Design

Best Crossbody Bag

Peak Design Outdoor Sling

A minimalist, hands-free sling with a weatherproof coating built for just the essentials. Available in three sizes.
Black backpack with a front zippered pocket and an elastic bungee cord crisscrossing over the pocket. The backpack has adjustable side straps and a top zipper closure. The material appears durable and slightly textured.ULA Equipment

Best Daypack

ULA Equipment Ultra 30L Dragonfly

Crafted from fabrics 15 times stronger than steel by weight, twice as abrasion-resistant as same-weight nylons and waterproof to 200 psi, this daypack is literally ready for anything.
Navy blue and gray YETI tote bag with two gray handles and a rectangular YETI logo patch on the front. The bag has a sturdy, structured design with reinforced stitching on the handles.Yeti

Best Gear Hauler

Yeti Camino

An ultra-tough, all-purpose bag built to handle every adventure’s dirty work. Far more versatile and organization-friendly than typical totes … if you can find it in stock. The bag’s popularity has made it a hot-ticket item.
Black mesh pouch partially unzipped, containing a folded gray shirt with orange text and two small green and black bottles.Peak Design

Best Packing Cube

Peak Design Ultralight Packing Cube

Doubles as a crossbody bag after you arrive at your destination. Packs down incredibly small when empty.
A teal and black Ortovox Switchback 32 backpack with padded shoulder straps, a hip belt, and multiple compartments. The front panel features the Ortovox logo and the model name "Switchback 32" in white text. There is a yellow zipper pull on the side.Ortovox

Best Touring Pack

Ortovox Switchback 32

Meet the unrelenting demands of the alpine with this technical, lightweight ski touring pack, which includes quick access features, ergonomic design and a separate safety compartment.
Orange and black hanging toiletry bag with a hook and mirror, featuring The North Face logo. The bag is open, showing a mesh zippered pocket containing small toiletry bottles and a toothbrush.The North Face

Best Dopp Kit

The North Face Base Camp Travel Canister

A durable, 3.5-liter take on the traditional dopp kit, modeled after TNF’s iconic Base Camp Duffel.
Black Salomon Adv Skin 12 running hydration vest with multiple mesh pockets, adjustable elastic cords, and a water bottle in the left shoulder pocket.Salomon

Best Running Vest

Salomon ADV Skin 12

Salomon’s cult classic hydration vest is better than ever, thanks to revamped adjustability, more pockets, better access to redesigned soft flasks and enhanced freedom of movement.

Camp Accessories

Black Helinox portable camping chair with mesh side panels and a metal frame.Amazon

Best Camp Chair

Helinox Chair One High-Back (re)

Helinox’s iconic camp chair now features new weight distribution tech, dispersing weight around the frame for increased comfort and support.
Black squeeze tube labeled "no normal coffee" with a small coffee cup icon and the words "DARK ROAST" near the top.No Normal

Best Camp Coffee

No Normal

Attention ounce counters and coffee aficionados: one tube of this dark roast coffee paste contains 20 cups of coffee. So go ahead and leave the French press at home.
Bright orange and black portable cooler box with sturdy handles and secure latches, branded with the Dometic logo.Dometic

Best Hard Cooler

Dometic Recon Hardside

Stackable, ergonomic and packed with functional features, including a lid that can open from both sides (or come off entirely), this thrives cooler thrives packed in your rig.
Compact, modern outdoor pizza oven with a dark gray and black exterior, featuring a stainless steel side panel and a large front opening with a warm orange interior. The brand name "GOZNEY" is visible on the front edge.Gozney

Best Outdoor Oven

Gozney Tread

The propane-powered Tread might bill itself as the “world’s most portable pizza oven” but that’s selling it short, as it functionally works as an all-around cooking solution for camping, overlanding and any other type of adventure in-between. It features a lateral gas burner that helps the oven reach 950 degrees in 15 minutes, while a tripod stand (sold separately) means it can work in a variety different locations, regardless of whether or not the ground is even.
Two-burner portable camping stove with a red windscreen and black base. The stove has metal grates over the burners and two red control knobs on the front, labeled "Camp Chef Kodiak." The windscreen is embossed with the "Camp Chef" logo.Camp Chef

Best Outdoor Stove

Camp Chef Kodiak

More power than the average home stove, packed into a compact, 11-pound package.
A portable pressure shower labeled "HELIO" by Nemo Equipment. It has a cylindrical blue body with a black base, a handle on top, a hose attached to a black showerhead, and a black foot pump connected by a tube.Nemo

Best Portable Shower

Nemo Helio Portable Pressure Shower

Anyone who has ever camped knows what a godsend 5-7 minutes of continuous, steady spraying power is. Shower in luxury anywhere you roam.
Teal quilted jacket with a chevron pattern, shown from the back with the collar turned up, revealing a light mint green inner lining.Rumpl

Best Sleeping Bag

Rumpl Wrap Sack 20° Sleeping Bag

Wrappable and adaptable, Rumpl’s multi-layered sleep system flips the script on campsite slumber.
Lightweight orange and beige camping tent with a mesh side panel and an extended rainfly supported by two trekking poles at the front.Big Agnes

Best Backpacking Tent

Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 XL

Proprietary HyperBead fabric makes this award-winning tent lighter, stronger and more waterproof than ever before.
Gray and black dome-shaped camping tent with yellow accents, featuring a large open entrance and mesh windows on the sides. The tent has a sturdy frame and reflective guy lines for stability.Zempire Camping

Best Family Tent

Zempire Aerospeed Air Tent

The worst part about camping? The setup. Zempire’s Aerospeed inflates in minutes via airframe, not poles, creating a sleek shelter with standing height, tunnel-like flow and room for the whole crew.
A portable board game set featuring a black rectangular playing mat with white markings and the brand name "Helinox" in the center. The mat has a pink border on the top edge, a blue border on the bottom edge, and a yellow vertical stripe on the right side. On the right side of the mat, there are pink and blue circular game pieces and several yellow and gray dice. To the left of the mat is a black carrying case with blue and yellow handles and a mesh pocket, also branded with "Helinox.Helinox

Best Camp Game

Helinox YutNori

Helinox reimagines a 1,000-year-old Korean board game with ultralight, campfire-ready flair. It’s packable, playful and proof that gear doesn’t always have to be about going far but having fun.
Compact portable stainless steel Firecan stove with foldable black legs and an orange handle, accompanied by a coiled black gas hose with a control valve.Ignik

Best Portable Firepit

Ignik FireCan Deluxe

The FireCan Deluxe brings clean, controlled propane flames to your tailgate, overland rig or beach hang.
Compact portable gray camping toilet with a raised seat and lid, featuring blue locking handles on the sides and front.Joolca

Best Portable Toilet

Joolca GottaGo Toilet

It might seem excessive bringing a toilet to the campground. Until you wake up in the middle of the night. This one seperates solids from liquids, keeping smells at bay, and it’s easier to empty than a standard toilet cassette.

Apparel

Black waterproof hooded jacket with a front zipper, two zippered side pockets, and adjustable wrist cuffs. The jacket features a small logo on the left chest.Arc’teryx

Best All-Around Mountain Jacket

Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket (Revised)

This classic maintains its workhorse mentality and streamlined aesthetic while upping its sustainability and durability.
Long-sleeve crew neck shirt in solid navy blue with a subtle textured pattern and a small logo tag near the bottom hem.Patagonia

Best Base Layer

Patagonia Capilene Thermal Weight Crewneck

This breathable baselayer with built-in odor control is proof basics don’t have to be boring.
A winter cap featuring a textured olive green fabric on the top and sides, combined with a black fabric visor and ear flaps. The ear flaps appear to be insulated and designed for warmth.Ciele

Best Beanie

Ciele VLVBeanie

Over-engineered? Maybe. The most insanely functional and capable beanie ever? Absolutely.
Brown hooded jacket with a front zipper and a vertical zippered chest pocket. The jacket has long sleeves, with the brand name "PÁVLA" printed near the left wrist. The hood features adjustable drawstrings.Paka

Best Winter Parka

Paka Apu Parka

Innovative Pakafill insulation that’s not just warm but thermoregulates, even when wet. Very sustainable and all-around great value.
Dark gray crew sock with a light gray heel, toe, and cuff trim. Features a small red mountain logo near the top and red text on the toe area. The sock has a ribbed texture around the ankle.Darn Tough

Best Hiking Socks

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks

More-than-average amounts of wool in these mid-cushioned outdoor socks means above-average comfort, mositure wicking and temperature regulation.
A pair of black gloves made from a smooth, stretchy fabric. The gloves have a simple, sleek design with individual fingers and a slightly extended cuff. The left glove is shown with the palm facing down, and the right glove with the palm facing up.Icebreaker

Best Glove Liners

Icebreaker Unisex 260 Tech Glove Liners

Never miss a text with these touchscreen compatible, merino wool glove liners.
Black neck gaiter with a contoured top edge and a small white robot logo accompanied by three vertical colored bars (orange, blue, and yellow) near the bottom edge.Smartwool

Best Neck Gaiter

Smartwool Active Fleece Neck Gaiter

Merino and polyester play well together in this cozy, protective and breathable neck gaiter.
nano air hoodyPatagonia

Best Lightweight Insulated Jacket

Patagonia Nano-Air Ultralight Full-Zip Hoody

Perfect for days that call for a heap of breathability and a touch of coziness.
Black straight-leg pants with a button and zipper closure, belt loops, and side pockets. The fabric appears smooth and slightly stretchy.Sitka

Best Trekking Pants

Sitka Traverse Pant

Need pants that are breathable, durable, quiet, stretchy and protective against wind and water? Grab these.
Navy blue men's swim trunks with an elastic waistband and light orange drawstrings. The interior waistband is light gray, and the shorts have side pockets and a relaxed fit.Wellen

Best Board Shorts

Proof Sevens Sport Short

Wellen packed this short with carefully considered details, like a thick secure waistband, an in-pocket phone pouch, zipper plackets and rubber-tipped drawstrings and zipper tabs. That doesn’t even cover the flyweight ripstop fabric or optional compression lining. Available in two inseam lengths and four colors, this is the ultimate does-it-all short for hot-tub season.

Footwear

Low-top sneaker in taupe with a dark brown sole. The shoe features a lace-up design, a small black tag with "CORDURA" text on the side, and a pull tab at the heel and tongue. The sole has "THE NORTH FACE" logo in white near the toe and a yellow "vibram" logo near the heel. The upper material appears to be durable fabric.The North Face

Best Approach Shoe

The North Face Clyffe Shoes

A durable, comfortable sneaker you can rock on easy approaches or city streets.
Olive green and beige HOKA trail running shoe with a thick beige midsole, black and beige laces, and a black Vibram outsole. The shoe features the HOKA logo in large letters on the side near the heel.Hoka

Best Walking Shoes

Hoka Transport

A high-traction Vibram outsole, an abrasion-resistant Cordura upper and stability, security and comfort right where you need them: the Transport has it all, and then some.
Pair of trail running shoes with a rugged design, featuring a combination of black, beige, and olive green colors. The shoes have a sturdy sole with deep treads for traction, a reinforced toe cap, and a quick-lace system. The side of the sole is marked with "X ULTRA 5," and the upper includes mesh and synthetic overlays for durability and breathability. The interior shows "Salomon" branding and "Ortholite" insole technology.Salomon

Best Lightweight Hiking Shoes

Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX

A bulletproof new Matryx upper, deeper lugs on the Contagrip outsole and upgraded construction amplify this beloved hiking shoe.
Light gray athletic sneaker with a mesh upper, lace-up closure, and a thick white cushioned sole. The shoe features subtle branding on a small tag near the laces and has a sleek, modern design.Norda

Best Trail Runner

Norda 005

Norda’s latest trail shoe combines all of the brand’s learnings with modern materials, resulting in a featherlight, incomparably grippy, hell of a good time.
Black slip-on shoe with a sleek, minimalist design, featuring a textured fabric upper and a solid rubber sole with a subtle embossed logo near the heel. The shoe has a pull tab at the back for easy wear.Arc’teryx

Best Travel Shoe

Arc’teryx Kragg

Technically these are approach shoes, but the single layer upper made of breathable, stretchy Spacermesh and collapsible heel scream “comfort on the road”.
Crocs Echo RO Clog profileCrocs

Best Camp Clogs

Crocs Echo RO

A new rubber outsole brings capable traction to these comfy clogs.

Cycling

Mountain bike with a matte dark blue frame, full suspension, and black components including handlebars, seat, and tires. The front fork is branded FOX with "34" visible, and the tires have knobby treads for off-road use. The bike features disc brakes and a Shimano drivetrain.Specialized

Best Value Mountain Bike

Specialized Epic 8 EVO Comp

Light, capable and affordable, this downcountry beast boasts a wide-ranging 1×12 drivetrain, 120mm of suspension travel and updated kinematics that boost bump absorption, reduce pedal bob and help you keep ripping no matter how gnarly the single track gets.
Blue electric bicycle with brown tires, brown seat, and brown handlebar grips, featuring a step-through frame, front and rear fenders, disc brakes, and a belt drive system.Priority

Best Budget E-Bike

Priority Glide E-Bike

Built for simplicity and silence, the Glide ditches chains for a belt, pairs it with a smooth 350W hub motor and delivers pedal-assist bliss with minimal upkeep. It also has up to 60 miles of range, making it ideal for long rides and urban chores, alike.
Light beige road bike with a sleek, aerodynamic frame, black drop handlebars, black saddle, and thin black tires with black rims.Pro Bike Supply

Best Gravel Bike

ENVE MOG

The Mother of Gravel’s light weight, bomber tire clearance, generous downtube storage and numerous mounting points make for a fast, fun ride that can tackle technical terrain and load up for a bikepacking adventure with equal aplomb.
Matte black aerodynamic bicycle helmet with multiple ventilation openings and adjustable black straps. The helmet has a sleek, modern design with a smooth surface and visible internal padding.POC

Best Bike Helmet

POC Cytal

The Cytal blends aerospace-inspired design with big ventilation and one of the most dialed fit systems on the market. It’s also the safest road helmet in the world, according to Virginia Tech’s world-recognized Helmet Lab.
Black and silver dual bike rack with adjustable wheel holders and upright frame clamps, designed for mounting on a vehicle roof. The rack features two parallel rails with straps for securing bike wheels and two vertical arms with handles for stabilizing the bike frames. The brand name "Thule" is visible on the side.Thule

Best Bike Rack

Thule Verse

This burly rack can haul two bikes or e-bikes weighing up to 60 pounds (each), with wheelbases up to 53 inches and tire sizes up to 5 inches. The patented outboard release handle lets you access rear cargo without removing them, too.
Compact black multi-tool with the brand name "Wolf Tooth" printed on the top cover. The tool is open, revealing a set of seven interchangeable bits arranged in a row below it, including hex, Phillips, and Torx bits. A silver keyring attachment is also included. The tool has a sleek, modern design with a red pivot point.Wolf Tooth Components

Best Bike Tool

Wolf Tooth 6-Bit Hex Wrench Multi-Tool

More than just a multi-tool, this clever design nests six essential bits inside an anodized aluminum handle that doubles as a lever.
Tan and black athletic shoe with a textured mesh upper, tan laces, and a black speckled sole with rugged tread. The shoe features a pull tab at the heel and a logo on the tongue.Ride Concepts

Best Mountain Bike Shoes

Ride Concepts Tallac

These flat pedal shoes blend enduro-ready toughness with all-day hikeability. A grippy outsole and breathable upper make them ideal for riders who earn their descents … or don’t mind a push now and then.
Black bicycle saddle with a lattice structure design, featuring a central cutout for ventilation and comfort. The saddle has a sleek, aerodynamic shape with a slightly raised rear and a narrow front. The brand name "Selle Italia" is subtly embossed near the rear edge. The rails underneath are metallic, providing support and attachment points for the bike seat post.Selle Italia

Best Saddle

Selle Italia SLR 3D Carbon

A futuristic take on a classic silhouette, the SLR 3D combines printed lattice cushioning with a full carbon base. It’s ultralight, breathable and firm in all the right places.
Pair of black and silver clipless bicycle pedals with metal cleat retention mechanisms and threaded spindles.Shimano

Best Clipless Pedals

Shimano PD-M520

Unfussy and bulletproof, these SPD pedals are the quiet workhorses of trail, gravel and commuter bikes. They’re also affordable, offering zero-nonsense performance at a zero-nonsense price.

Snow Sports

Beige bib-style snow pants with multiple pockets and black adjustable shoulder straps, worn over a cream-colored fleece pullover with a high neck and a small logo on the chest. The outfit is completed with a brown and black tiger-striped beanie.686

Best Ski Bib

686 Gore-Tex Dispatch Shell Bib

One of the few bibs that feels so well-designed and comfortable, you’ll almost forget you’re wearing it. It just so happens to be perfectly pocketed and pretty much bombproof too.
Blue and black Tecnica ski boot with orange accents, featuring four black and orange buckles, a black strap with "TEC" branding, and an orange padded interior. The boot has "Tecnica," "MV," "Mach 1 MV 120," and "CAS" text on the side.Tecnica

Best Ski Boots

Tecnica Mach1 MV 120

One of the best-selling expert-level ski boots of all time now features a snappy T-Drive rear spine and new, anatomically-shaped performance liner.
Pair of black knee-high socks with gray and blue geometric patterns, featuring a small white logo near the top cuff. The socks have reinforced areas around the heel and toe for added durability.Smartwool

Best Ski Socks

Smartwool Ski Over The Calf Socks

“Dang, these feel really good” is what you will be thinking after pulling on these max cushioned, breathable, body-mapped merino wool ski socks.
Pair of Nordica Enforcer 99 skis with a dark base color featuring blue geometric mountain designs and red accents. The skis have a rounded tip and a slightly tapered tail. The model name "ENFORCER 99" is printed in white on the skis, along with size details "185 cm" and dimensions "133-99-121" in red. The Nordica logo is visible near the tail in white.Nordica

Best Skis

Nordica Enforcer 99

The Enforcer’s 2025 design update injects playfulness into this stable ski. Increased tail rocker and a livelier character result in a more responsive ride.
Black insulated mittens with a quilted exterior and leather palms, featuring adjustable wrist straps and connected by a black and white branded cord.Oyuki

Best Snow Mitts

Oyuki EZO GTX Mitt

Like little down jackets for your hands, these well-made mitts include 750-fill recycled goose down, PrimaLoft insulation and a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane. Plus, they look nice.
Ski goggles with a wide, curved lens featuring a green to blue gradient tint. The frame is black, and the adjustable strap is black with the brand name "SMITH" written in white.Smith

Best Snow Goggles

Smith 4D Mag

Smith’s largest field of view (25-percent more than other lenses) ChromaPop lens and crystal-clear optics come together in one comfy package.
Matte pink and black Salomon ski or snowboard helmet with multiple ventilation slots, a black adjustable chin strap, and a rear adjustment dial. The helmet features a sleek, angular design with active ventilation and a secure fit system.Salomon

Best Snow Helmet

Salomon Husk Pro MIPS

Minimalist design, say hello to meet top-notch safety, ventilation and comfort. The adjustable fit offers instant comfort and better hearing.
A snowboard with two views shown: the top side features a central vertical strip with a mountain and abstract design in shades of red, blue, and black, bordered by solid black edges; the bottom side is mostly black with a gradient of red, blue, and green along the edges and a mountain logo near the top.Jones

Best Snowboard

Jones Mountain Twin

This quiver-killer features a surfy design that will have you bringing high vibes to every turn. Camber in between the bindings and rocker in the tip and tail combine power and playfulness.
Black and dark brown Vans snowboarding boot with a high ankle design, featuring a strap closure at the top and a lace system. The boot has a rugged sole with "Ultracush" branding and a beige Vans side stripe detail. The upper material appears to be a mix of leather and synthetic fabric.Vans

Best Snowboard Boots

Vans Hi-Country

Ride all day and still stay comfortable with this classic boot, redesigned with a superior moisture-wicking liner, supportive PowerCuff strap and an improved thermal retention layer.

Gadgets

A close-up view of a modern streetlight head mounted on a black pole. The streetlight features a transparent casing with visible internal components, including a row of LED lights. The top section is black with heat-dissipating fins, and the front has two black buttons and the brand name "DOVOS" embossed on the transparent part. The background is plain white.Devos

Best Camp Lighting

Devos Lightranger 2000

Forget those fussy string lights. This telescoping lantern is quick to set up, easy to move around and packs down in seconds. It boasts 2,000 lumens (enough for 80 feet of illumination) and four hours of runtime.
Compact black GPS cycling computer with a color touchscreen displaying a navigation map, speed, wind speed, elevation profile, and various control buttons at the bottom. The brand name "Wahoo" is visible at the top.Wahoo

Best Bike Computer

Wahoo Elemnt Bolt 3

Now with dual-band GPS, a sharper color screen and expanded memory, the updated Bolt remains a top-tier bike computer for data-hungry cyclists. It’s aero, intuitive and syncs seamlessly.
Pelican case airtagPelican

Best Bluetooth Tracker

Apple AirTag

Who brings an AirTag into the woods? Smart, savvy campers, that’s who. Keep track of valuables like coolers, bikes and other expensive gear by attaching one of these trackers with a compatible mount.
Gray BioLite headlamp with an adjustable black strap featuring the BioLite logo in white, a rectangular light housing with a clear front lens, a red indicator light, and two buttons on top.BioLite

Best Headlamp

BioLite Range 400

BioLite’s updated headlamp offers 400 lumens of brightness, USB-C fast charging and a comfortable, moisture-wicking band. Its IP67 waterproof rating and one-handed tilt make it a versatile choice for a variety of settings.
Yellow cylindrical outdoor battery with black screw cap and attached loop, labeled "OUTDOOR BATTERY 5000N" with features including IP67 waterproof, dustproof, and shock resistance.NestOut

Best Power Bank

NestOut Power Bank

Small but tough, this 5,000mAh charger is the pocket-sized lifeline for your devices. It’s rugged, splashproof and compatible with a range of add-on accessories, such as lanterns and fans.
Portable power station with a metallic gray body, two wheels, and a retractable handle. The front panel features a digital display, multiple power outlets including AC and USB ports, and a horizontal LED light strip above the display. The brand name "Anker" and model "Solix" are visible on the panel.Anker

Best Power Station

Anker Solix F3000

This power station might look beefy but it’s a silent, surprisingly mobile off-grid solution or at-home fallback. It’s also Anker’s first portable power station with an Anderson port for RV use.
Portable cylindrical Bluetooth speaker with a black mesh exterior and large yellow plus and minus volume control buttons on the front. The top features additional control buttons and a rubberized surface.Ultimate Ears

Best Bluetooth Speaker

Ultimate Ears Everboom

The IP67-rated UE Everboom isn’t just waterproof. It floats. The Bluetooth speaker also comes with a carabiner to attach to a daypack, making it one of the best choices for outdoor tunes.
Garmin inReach Messenger Plus, a compact, rectangular device with rounded edges, featuring a black outer casing and a red front panel. The front panel displays the Garmin logo and the product name "inReach Messenger Plus." Below this, there is a small digital screen showing weather information, including temperature (76°F, feels like 98°F), humidity (20%), and wind direction (NW) with speed (12). The red panel has a diagonal striped texture on the upper half.Garmin

Best Satellite Messenger

Garmin InReach Messenger Plus

The InReach Messenger was already backcountry survival staple, giving users the ability to send short texts without wi-fi or cell service. But addition of photos and voice messages makes the Plus version a true backcountry communication tool.
Compact, rectangular portable projector with a metallic gray body and black top. Features a prominent lens on the front emitting light, labeled "1080P Resolution" and "Auto Focus Lens." The top has control buttons and a black fabric handle with "Nebula" embossed on it. The front also displays a small camera or sensor and a red "NEBULA" logo. The sides have perforated speaker grills.Nebula

Best Portable Projector

Nebula Mars 3 Air

Tiny, mighty and truly portable, the Nebula Mars 3 Air is a bright, battery-powered projector with 1080p HDR and built-in Netflix. Campground movie nights never looked so good.
Compact gray and black portable air conditioner with a digital control panel on top and adjustable vents on the front.Ecoflow

Best Portable AC Unit

EcoFlow Wave 3 Portable Air Conditioner

Camping with dogs or little ones? Keep them cool and comfortable with this portable AC unit that’s easy to set up and a breeze to control, thanks to an intuitive mobile app.
Compact black and dark blue walkie-talkie with a short antenna, an orange carabiner attached at the top, and a black carabiner connected to a coiled cord at the bottom. The front display shows "ROCKY TALKIE" and channel 128 in green digital numbers.Rocky Talkie

Best Walkie Talkie

Rocky Talkie Mountain Radio

Designed with climbers and skiers in mind, this rugged radio has a range of up to 35 miles and a four-day battery that’s cold-rated for -20 degrees Fahrenheit. It also comes with a built-in carabiner and is ready to use right out of the box.
Garmin Fenix smartwatch with a round titanium bezel, black silicone strap, and a digital display showing the time 10:10, date Sat 1, battery at 100%, step count of 15k, and other fitness metrics.Garmin

Best GPS Watch

Garmin Fenix 8 Pro

The Fenix 8 Pro might be the most capable smartwatch across Garmin’s entire roster, now with satellite connectivity to compete with the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra 3. While its AMOLED display already leads the industry in terms of brightness and visibility, the Fenix 8 Pro also comes with a MicroLED option for unparalleled legibility — even on the brightest days.

Tools

Black folding shovel with a serrated edge on one side, compactly folded with a handle at the top.SOG

Best Backcountry Shovel

SOG Entrenching Tool

Stay prepared for anything with SOG’s folding shovel, designed with a tempered steel blade with teeth cut in for cutting and slashing. Folded up, you’ll barely notice it.
A Gerber axe with a tan and black handle, a black axe head, a black sheath with the Gerber logo in white, and a black fire starter rod with a paracord-wrapped handle.Gerber

Best Hatchet

Gerber Bushcraft Hatchet

This ergonomic hatchet’s genius isn’t in its blade; it’s in the hidden, water-resistant storage compartment built to house fire-starting material.
Black triangular carabiner with a built-in lock mechanism, accompanied by two silver keys on a small keyring. The carabiner has the brand name "Matador" printed on it.Matador

Best Carabiner

Matador BetaLock

This nifty, aircraft-grade aluminum carabiner can be locked to deter theft. Just don’t lose the keys.
Yellow plastic safety cover with a black inner component, designed to protect the tip of a small tool or device. The cover has a rounded top and an open section revealing the black inner part, with a small rectangular slot at the bottom. The word "ust blastmatch" is embossed on the front.UST

Best Fire Starter

UST BlastMatch

Start fires with one hand (if necessary) thanks to this unique, flint-based fire starter. Lasts up to 4,000 strikes, and works while wet.
Blue Leatherman Signal multi-tool with pliers, saw, knife, bottle opener, and screwdriver attachments extended.Amazon

Best Muilti-Tool

Leatherman Signal

This has been one of our top picks for the best multi-tools for years. It includes nearly two dozen functional tools, including the first built-in ferro rod, hammer, and emergency whistle, all in a compact multi-tool. In other words: 4.5 inches of pure utility.
Folding knife with a sleek, silver handle featuring diagonal grooves for grip and a bronze-colored blade with a butterfly logo near the base. The knife has a thumb stud for easy opening and a hole near the handle's end, likely for attaching a lanyard.Benchmade

Best Pocket Knife

Benchmade 710

The new 710-25 SEVEN | TEN combines the 710’s classic recurved blade profile with new details, including black 6061-T6 aluminum handle scales and a satin-finished M390 steel blade.
Black tactical knife with a textured handle, partially sheathed in a black protective cover featuring multiple rivet holes and the "SOG" logo printed on the sheath.SOG

Best Survival Knife

SOG Hidaka FX 3V

As elegant as it is effective, this survival knife is styled by Kiku Matsuda with a Japanese design influence, featuring a hybrid drop point and tanto blade shape.
Navy blue RTIC insulated water bottle with a wide mouth, a flip-top lid, and a sturdy handle attached to the lid. The bottle has a silver band near the top and the RTIC logo in white near the bottom.RTIC

Best Water Bottle

RTIC Outback Bottle

The ceramic lining on this leak-proof insulated water bottle maintains fresh taste and smell, so every sip goes down easy.
White flexible water bottle with a gray flip-top cap, a black strap on the side, and a gray water droplet logo on the front. It has a capacity of 3 liters (100 fl oz).HydraPak

Best Water Filter

HydraPak Seeker+ 3L

This almost-weightless backcountry water storage can now be used as a go-to water filtration solution. Collect water, then roll and squeeze to filter. Pack it down to pocket size when your thirst is quenched.
Compact first aid kit with various medical supplies including an emergency blanket, fabric bandages, adhesive bandages, safety pins, wound closure strips, antiseptic wipes, lubricating jelly packets, blister gels, zip ties, and a small pouch containing additional items. The kit is organized neatly on a white background.Uncharted Supply Co.

Uncharted Supply Co. Triage Kit

Designed with expert input, this collection of first aid essentials packs into a water-resistant, pocket-sized pouch.

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