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The Best Outdoor Gear of 2025: Nike, Yeti, Thule and More

A countdown of the year’s most important outdoor releases.

Collage showing a person in black and yellow shorts with hiking shoes, a hand holding a black and white shoe sole, a red and black shoe sole with "PWRPLATE" text, a person pulling a suitcase near a car, and a blurred person drinking from a white cup.Gear Patrol
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By Hayley Helms, Steve Mazzucchi, Jack Seemer, and Sean Tirman

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“Gradually, then suddenly.” Since The Sun Also Rises, Hemingway’s signature quip has been used to describe everything from political upheaval to cultural change — or, for our purposes, industry in flux.

As with any list, our countdown of the year’s most important outdoor releases is sure to ruffle a few feathers, if not for the selections then certainly for their order. Though perhaps it’s for the best.

After all, change is not always smooth nor welcome. But it is always on its way, first slowly before arriving all at once.

GP100: Gear Patrol’s annual roundup of the most important releases collects key watches, cars, outdoor gear and more. Browse the full list or catch up on last year’s winners.

19. A more accessible alternative to RTTs

A compact, elevated two-person tent with a sturdy frame and fabric walls in shades of blue and gray, attached to the back of a white, polygonal, stylized vehicle. The tent has an open side entrance and a black mesh window on the front.Thule

GP100 Winner

Thule Outset

Specs

Seasons All
Sleeping Capacity 3 person
Weight 163 pounds

Initially released in Europe in mid-2024, the Thule Outset made its debut stateside this year. The hitch-mounted, raised-ground shelter avoids many of the frustrations common to rooftop tents. Instead of mounting on the roof, the Outset attaches to a car’s 2-inch receiver hitch and sits only about a foot off the ground, making access easy for kids, pets, and older adults.

A family camping scene with a man sitting on a folding chair near a small campfire, a woman standing with a child on her shoulders, and a car equipped with a rooftop kayak and an attached tent with bedding, set in a grassy area with trees and hills in the background during golden hour.
Keep your tent off the ground without having to climb on top of your car.
Thule

Despite its low height, it offers a roomy sleeping space that comfortably fits up to three people and is rated for all-season camping. At 163 pounds, it’s light enough for one person to install, and when packed, it’s about the size of a rear-mounted bike rack.

A man sits inside a modern, elevated gray tent with an extended canopy, set up on a grassy area near a lake. To the left, a gray SUV is parked with two black bags on the ground beside it. To the right, a woman dressed in black holds a baby and walks barefoot near a stroller. In the background, there are forested mountains partially covered by clouds.
Air flow, moisture management and accessibility are all improved with the Outset’s design.
Thule

The design improves usability with large windows, multiple doors, and solid ventilation and views. Its rear-of-car mounting is more aerodynamic than a roof-mount, helping preserve fuel efficiency while leaving roof space free for additional gear.

A major perk is that once you set up camp, you can detach and lock the tent, allowing you to drive away while leaving your campsite intact.

A woman dressed in black is standing next to a silver-gray Volvo XC40, pulling a large black wheeled suitcase. The scene is set on a cobblestone surface in front of a modern concrete wall and a black metal gate. The woman is smiling and looking down at the suitcase.
The Outset is light enough to be loaded up by one person, increasing its appeal.
Thule

However, the Outset doesn’t come cheap — it retails for about $4,700. Still, for frequent campers or families, its ease of use, comfort, and convenience may justify the premium compared to a standard rooftop tent.

18. A bold super shoe that breaks both rules and records

White Adidas Lightstrike Pro Evo sneaker with black dotted stripes and red heel detail on a silver surface.Adidas

GP100 Winner

Adidas Adizero Prime X Evo

Specs

Foam Lightstrike Pro Evo
Heel-to-Toe Drop 6mm
Stack Height 50mm

Adidas calls the Adizero Prime X Evo the “fastest long distance shoe” in history. It’s certainly the boldest.

As of this year, it is the only shoe to ever run under six hours across 100 kilometers, when South African ultrarunner Sibusiso Khubeka accomplished the feat at an Adidas-sponsored time trial called Chasing 100.

That said, records aren’t the only thing it breaks.

White Adidas running shoe with black dotted stripes and an orange heel detail on a wooden surface.
The shoe’s massive 50mm stack height sits outside of World Athletics regulations, making it a concept shoe designed for one purpose: unprecedented performance.
Adidas

As noted by Adidas, almost proudly, the massive 50mm stack height sits outside of World Athletics regulations. But that’s probably besides the point.

It’s a concept shoe that puts Adidas on the front lines of innovation within running, simultaneously debuting technology bound to trickle down into more accessible trainers.

Person holding a white and black running shoe, showing the sole with grip patterns.
The shoe debuts a couple of new innovations, including an outsole that literally disappears underfoot.
Adidas

These include something the brand calls an Internal Energy Rim, a ring which replaces the EnergyRods found in its plated racers, as well as a dual-compound outsole that, quite literally, disappears underfoot.

It also tests runners’ tolerance for shoes built solely for performance, not scale. Released via lottery, the Adizero Prime X Evo cost $500 at retail, making it one of the sport’s most expensive, and exclusive, shoes … ever.

17. Ski poles that leverage magnets into mountainside miracles

Pair of blue ski poles with adjustable straps and small baskets near the tips.Yardsale

gp100 winner

Yardsale P2 Hybrid Poles

Specs

Shaft Material 7-Series Aluminum
Sizes 5 (110cm to 130cm)
Weight ~1.4 lbs

While Insane Clown Posse once famously wondered how f**kin’ magnets work, we at GP are more interested in the many wonderful things they can do. 

A recent breakthrough here, as the wizards at Yardsale have discovered, is playing a key role in the most innovative ski poles yet.

Pair of black snow shovel handles with "yardsale" branding held by a person wearing a black jacket and tan gloves.
The fundamental, indispensable thing Yardsale poles do is stick together. Parents, take note: Yardsale makes poles for groms too, with adjustable lengths to grow with them.
Yardsale

Powerful magnets tucked inside the handles and baskets help your poles click together in the parking lot or on the chairlift, essentially turning two pieces of unwieldy equipment into a single tidy 7-series aluminum shaft.

While that’s the fundamental game-changing element, they boast a few other smart features too. 

The straps are constructed using a 3D-knitting process that, the brand says, helps them stay open, making it easier for you to get your gloved or mittened hands in and out.

Pair of blue ski poles with ergonomic grips and adjustable wrist straps, featuring wide snow baskets near the tips.
The straps are designed for easier in-and-out, while the baskets are uniquely shaped to better stick together.
Yardsale

The poles are modular, enabling you to mix and match different hues for your shafts, handles, straps and baskets to make them two of a kind.

You can also swap out the stock straps for the quick-release MagStrap system (powered by Fidlock), attach larger Powder Baskets for deeper snow and even mount a GoPro for documenting your own epic yardsales slope stunts.

Person wearing tan leather gloves holding a yellow ski pole handle with a green shaft.
The P2s’ extra long handles are a boon in the backcountry, accommodating hand position shifts during uphilling.
Yardsale

The latest generation, the P2 Hybrid Poles, add one more feature that makes them incredibly versatile. The handles, made of cushy, grippy bio-based Bloom algae foam, measure a full 12 inches. 

While the extra length won’t matter much to resort skiers, it makes a huge difference for backcountry touring types, as it supports the wide variety of hand positions you may use during tricky technical uphilling.   

Sounds like a minor miracle to us.

16. A bikepack-ready gravel rig with a one-of-a-kind cockpit

Light green Canyon gravel bike with black drop handlebars, front and rear racks, and knobby tires.Canyon

GP100 Winner

Canyon Grizl CF 7 Escape

Specs

Gearing 1 x 12
Frame Weight 2.45 lbs
Tire Clearance 54mm

German DTC brand Canyon has never hesitated to experiment with bike geometry and features, even if it means getting a little weird. 

The focus never strays from practical use, even when it comes to the truly funky cockpit on its sneaky fast bikepack-ready gravel bike, the Grizl CF 7 Escape.

canyon grizl escape full mounty load cockpit bag
With storage built right into the bars, the Full Mounty is just waiting to lug a cockpit bag, bike computer and more.
Canyon

Dubbed the Fully Mounty, this unit really thinks outside the box, employing a pentagonal shape that offers surprising benefits over the long haul.

The most obvious is cargo storage, as it perfectly houses Canyon’s LOAD CP0050 Cockpit Bag, which offers nearly a liter of space plus a handy mount for your Garmin or Wahoo bike computer.

canyon grizl escape full mounty hands on
The sides of the cockpit offer additional hand positions. It’s compatible with aero bars too.
Canyon

Alternatively, it can accommodate a more traditional bar bag on the underside and still accept a bike computer and headlight.

A secondary benefit that speaks to long-distance riders is the fact that the Full Mounty’s outer edges feature a bit of textured rubber, giving you an extra spot to place your hands, preventing fatigue on epic journeys.

Proving they thought of everything, the Full Mounty is also compatible with Aero Extensions, helping you split the wind like the gravel jackknife you were always meant to be.

canyon grizl escape fully loaded
The pentagonal cockpit is just one place to stash gear on this mount-festooned bikepacking beast.
Canyon

Canyon didn’t exactly mail in the rest of the bike either.

Other highlights include mullet gearing with mountain bike cassettes for lugging major cargo and undertaking steep climbs, beefy Schwalbe G-One Overlander 45mm tires for tackling all kinds of terrain and tons of mounting points for packing extra gear from tip to tail.

15. The world’s fastest shoe, with receipts

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3Puma

GP100 Winner

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

Specs

Heel-to-Toe Drop 8mm
Stack Height 40mm/32mm
Weight 6 ounces

Based on recent history, one might expect the world’s fastest shoe to be adorned with a certain Swoosh, but Puma is asking runners to think twice before making that assumption.

White athletic shoe with black and red striped Puma logo and bright orange Nitro Elite sole.
Puma used a a data-driven computational process to decide elements like carbon-plate stiffness, optimal foam placement and overall geometry.
Puma

Ahead of this year’s Boston Marathon, the brand boldly claimed that its aptly named Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is the fastest model in the world, and teamed up with the University of Massachusetts Amherst to back up its lofty claim.

In lab tests, Puma’s super shoe was found to improve running efficiency by roughly 3.15 to 3.62 percent, compared with top-tier super-shoes from other brands.

Close-up of a red shoe sole with a black carbon fiber plate labeled "PWRPLATE" and textured grip pads.
Puma’s new nitrogen foam compound, NitroFoam Elite, designed in a decoupled fashion, promises greater energy return, speed and long-distance comfort for race-day.
Puma

While any one of the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3’s notable attributes (including its weight drop of 3.5 ounces, addition of NitroFoam Elite and optimized carbon plate and midsole geometry) could be the basis for its gains, the study’s lead researcher, Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer, says the enhanced performance is more likely due to the way Puma “mixed the ingredients.”

To boot, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 isn’t just faster — it fits more feet.

While it remains to be seen whether’s Puma’s sneaker really is the speediest super shoe on the planet, one thing is clear: thanks to its advanced composition and superb fit, this is a race-day weapon for the masses.

14. A breakthrough, standard-setting outdoor fabric

closeup of wet Big Agnes HyperBead FabricBig Agnes

GP100 Winner

Big Agnes HyperBead Fabric

Specs

Materials 15D nylon with 20D solution dyed ripstop, and 15D polyester mesh
Waterproof? Yes
Water Repellant Coating? No

In recent years, greater attention has been given to PFAS – a class of “forever chemicals” used in outdoor gear that, while useful for waterproofing and overall durability, have been linked to devastating effects on human health and the environment. 

Orange camping tent pitched on rocky terrain with two people, one inside the tent and one sitting outside with a map.
HyperBead aims to eliminate nasty chemicals from the camping experience, one tent at a time.
Big Agnes

While some brands have begun to move away from PFAS, Big Agnes’ new HyperBead fabric was perhaps the biggest step forward in moving away from forever chemicals … forever. 

HyperBead is a new, proprietary waterproofing technology that, according to Big Agnes, is 25 percent more waterproof, 50-100 percent stronger and six percent lighter than traditional tent fabrics.

Close-up of an orange fabric with water droplets and a circular "Big Agnes Steamboat Springs CO" logo in red, white, blue, and black.
That water protection isn’t the result of a gross chemical coating — it’s thanks to the fabric itself.
Big Agnes

It also features “improved dimensional stability” which is a fancy way of saying HyperBead prevents sagging or fabric distortion, even under a heavy load.

Light blue dome tent pitched on rocky ground with a person sitting inside near green shrubs and a mountain.
Eliminating forever chemicals from the wild places we love is a goal all outdoor enthusiasts can get behind.
Big Agnes

HyperBead is special because it achieves all of this innovation without the use of intentionally added PFAS, or any DWR coatings at all. Because it doesn’t rely on a coating to waterproof its material, HyperBead never needs to be re-waterproofed to continue effectively warding off moisture over the long haul.  

As of now, HyperBead has appeared in a collection of camping tents — but if it proves to be as effective as Big Agnes claims, we could be seeing it everywhere from sleeping bags to ski shells in the future.

13. The world’s first “super” training shoe

News of super shoes have dominated running since Nike commanded the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro with its prototype Vaporfly 4% shoes — but gym shoes were left out of the conversation for almost a decade.

Close-up of a black and gray Reebok sneaker with a gold accent and a translucent patterned sole.
A dual-response EVA midsole with SuperFloat foam maximize cushion and responsiveness.
Reebok

That is, until Reebok took the tech that transformed race day shoes and applied it to its best-selling gym shoe. The result is the Nano Pro Training Shoe, which integrates Reebok’s carbon-fiber Graphlite Plate into the midsole, resulting in increased stiffness and energy return, giving athletes more propulsion during short runs, box jumps, HIIT sessions, and explosive lifts.

Close-up of black and gray knit sneaker upper with black laces, white and gold Reebok logos, and black sole edge.
The FlexWeave upper is designed to move and flex with your foot.
Reebok

Reebok paired the plate with its Lift and Chassis system to keep the shoe stable under heavy loads while still feeling responsive, and decoupled the outsole, which separates the forefoot and heel to allow more natural foot movement and smoother transitions during dynamic workouts. 

Transparent rubber outsole with black and orange Reebok logo and carbon fiber detail.
The Reebok Nano Pro’s decoupled outsole enhances runnability.
Reebok

At $225, the Nano Pro is significantly more expensive than the standard Nano line … but for athletes who want one shoe that can handle lifting, HIIT, and short cardio sessions, the added versatility may justify the cost.

12. A return to minimalism on the trails

Norda 005 trail shoeNorda

GP100 Winner

Norda 005

Specs

Heel-to-Toe Drop 7mm
Midsole Material Arnitel (TPEE)
Stack Height 28.5mm

If you need proof of Hoka’s influence in trail running, look no further than the sport’s most prestigious race.

Not only is the Hoka UTMB Mont-Blanc now named after the king of cushion, the brand’s shoes consistently don the feet of its top finishers (including one full-time Hoka employee).

That’s what makes the 005 from Norda so unique.

norda 005 shoe laying flat on a dirt surface
The 005, Norda’s first race-day shoe, has been in the works for two years, says Norda founder Nick Martire.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

While brands both big and small have spent the past few seasons chasing Hoka’s shadow, this Canadian upstart makes its own way with a highly technical racer that proves different can still mean capable.

pair of norda 005 shoes on a dirt surface
The midsole of the 005 measures just 28.5mm.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The 005’s secret weapon is a midsole created entirely from Arnitel, the branded name for thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE). What’s more, it measures just 28.5mm at its thickest point — a small sum compared to today’s trail runners that borrow both massive stack heights and carbon-fiber plates from the road.

pair of norda 005 shoes on a dirt surface
The 005 debuts Vibram’s new race-day outsole, Megagrip Elite.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

“The big brands were bringing that technology from the road to the trail but it’s not as stable on uneven ground and can send a wicked spring in the wrong direction,” says Norda founder Nick Martire.

Elsewhere, the utilizes Bio-Dyneema, deployed in a weave pattern for breathability and rapid water drainage, and debuts Vibram’s new topline outsole rubber: Vibram Megagrip Elite, which the manufacturer claims to be its lightest and grippiest yet.

11. A $225 daily trainer that might actually be worth it

Purple and pink gradient running shoe with black Asics logo on the side, white midsole featuring a red and purple gradient section, and black outsole. The shoe has purple laces and a pull tab at the heel. The midsole is labeled "FF Turbo².Asics

GP100 Winner

Asics Megablast

Specs

Heel-to-Toe Drop 8mm
Stack Height 46mm
Weight 8.1 ounces

Last year, Asics left big shoes to fill with the Superblast 2, a pricey but versatile trainer with no shortage of descriptors. It was smooth, stable, versatile and quick, a robust combination that made it the shoe to beat industry-wide.

The Megablast does.

If the Superblast 2 felt a bit stiff out of the box, the Megablast arrives ready to rip from mile one.

A pair of athletic shoes placed side by side on a concrete surface. The left shoe is predominantly purple with black stripes and a white sole featuring a gradient of blue to red near the heel. The right shoe is mostly black with white accents and a black sole. Both shoes have a sleek, modern design.
The Megablast (left) succeeds the Superblast 2 (right) as the industry’s new ultrapremium trainer to beat.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The secret sauce is a new foam called FF Turbo Squared fashioned from A-TPU, the same compound found in Asics’s topline racer, the Metaspeed Ray.

That gives the shoe a near-addictive amount of bounce, while reducing the overall weight. The Megablast clocks in at 8.1 ounces (men’s size nine), which becomes even more impressive when you consider the 46mm stack height.

Close-up of a shoe midsole with the text "FF Turbo²" embossed on the white foam. The upper part of the shoe features a purple and red striped pattern with black geometric lines.
FF Turbo Squared is made from A-TPU, the same compound found in Asics’s topline racer, the Metaspeed Ray.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

“If there was such a metric as stack-to-weight ratio, I feel like we’re taking the trophy on that one,” says Paul Lang, a senior product manager at Asics who helped oversee the creation of the Megablast.

The upgrade in foam isn’t without a hard cost, however. Pairs of the shoe retail for $225, putting it at the very top end of the market.

Purple and pink running shoe with black accents and a white sole featuring a red and blue gradient design, placed on a textured concrete surface. The shoe has "FF Turbo²" written on the side of the sole.
The Megablast also includes a superthin tongue, serrated laces and ultrabreathable upper.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

That said, the inclusion of a supetthin tongue, ultrabreathable upper and race-inspired serrated laces make it a complete package with no obvious flaws.

If ever a trainer was worthy of a $225 price tag, it’s this one.

10. Your favorite hiker’s favorite hiker leveled up

Salomon X Ultra 5 Hiking Boot on gray backgroundSalomon

Salomon X Ultra 5

Specs

Heel-to-Toe Drop 11mm
Upper PU coated leather/Textile
Weight 16 ounces

The successor to our pick for the best overall hiking boot, 2025’s X Ultra 5 improves on its predecessor in some key ways, while retaining its best qualities. Salomon’s X Ultra 4 already had excellent traction, waterproofing and agility — but the boot also had some blind spots, which have been rectified with Salomon’s update.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Hiking Boots on hiker with dog
A leading boot became more exceptional this year, thanks to meaningful updates.
Salomon

That starts with its new Matryx woven upper, a Kevlar-like material that strengthens the boot where it’s most needed: the toecap and sidewalls, which in previous versions were prone to blowouts.

The X Ultra 5 also has deeper outsole lugs, resulting in even better grip on uneven terrain — and a longer-lasting outsole, which also needed some improvement. Sewing patterns and lace positioning were also improved.

Salomon X Ultra 5 Hiking Boots worn on feet
A Matryx woven upper. Gore-Tex waterproofing and a new stitched upper construction improve durability. Deeper lugs enhance traction.
Salomon

Where an already outstanding hiking boot is concerned, small changes can be incredibly impactful— and with the X Ultra 5, it seems Salomon’s presence on the trail is even more powerful.

9. Crocs morphed its ultra-comfy clogs into the ultimate campground kicks

This year may go down as one of Crocs’ most prolific, ever. And that’s saying a lot, as the brand has had a pretty impressive ascendance over its 23-year history.

One of the reasons this year has been so significant for the brand is its expansion into new spaces, particularly the outdoors. Perhaps the best example of this endeavor is the Crocs Echo Ro Clog.

Pair of black and dark gray rugged Crocs clogs with textured soles and adjustable straps on a green background.
The brand has already launched some variants, like these with a ripstop nylon upper panel.
Crocs

While this bold new design shares some crucial elements in common with the brand’s traditional clogs, it’s also a major departure in others.

As to the former, it retains an upper crafted from the brand’s proprietary Croslite foam and maintains the signature perforations (which support the brand’s Jibbitz charms and act as ventilation and drainage holes). They also retain a soft, cushy LiteRide footbed.

Sole of a camouflage-patterned Crocs shoe with black textured grip and ventilation holes.
The thick, treaded, rubber outsole makes these among Crocs’ most formidable, capable clogs.
Crocs

However, the outsole is unlike those of other Crocs. Instead of a single piece of Croslite for the upper and outsole, this one has a full-length, wraparound, treaded rubber outsole. That grants these clogs a better grip on uneven terrain, even in inclement weather, making them a lot more adept for outdoor usage, like camping and (light) hiking.

They’ve also been given a more sporty, secure nylon back strap. Toe to heel, these are much more athletic, adventurous shoes than the brand has previously offered.

8. A new horizon for pizza ovens

Unless you’re grabbing a single slice on the streets of New York, pizza isn’t a particularly travel-friendly food — especially not if you’re making it from scratch. However, Gozney’s Tread pizza oven could change that, so long as you’re a relatively intrepid sort of person.

Whereas the vast majority of home pizza ovens have a set-it-up-and-leave-it format, this one is explicitly designed to accompany you from place to place, making it ideal for campers, glampers, overlanders and RV enthusiasts. That alone makes it unique in its class, granting it the self-proclaimed title of “world’s most portable pizza oven.”

Outdoor green Gozney portable pizza oven with a pizza peel holding a pizza inside.
Despite its portability, this pizza oven can still accommodate pies of up to 12 inches in diameter.
Gozney

At nearly 30 pounds, it’s hefty, yet manageable. And that size comes with some profound benefits, such as a genuine stone cooking surface for perfectly baked pies of up to 12 inches in diameter (it can also fit cast iron pans in its generous opening for other campground meals) and a ruggedized aluminum and steel construction that can bear the risks of travel.

Since it runs on propane, finding fuel anywhere within spitting distance of civilization is an easy prospect. And, for those worried about that fuel affecting its cooking abilities, worry not; the oven’s revolutionary lateral gas burners recreate the same cooking conditions as wood fire.

Man carrying a green and silver portable grill and woman holding a folded tripod near an open SUV trunk in a desert.
You could travel to the ends of the Earth and still make a perfect pie with this portable oven.
Gozney

The brand even went so far as to craft a bevy of accessories, including a telescoping stand, a modular shelf, a mantel, peels and more. Let’s be honest: who doesn’t want pizza everywhere and all the time?

7. Garmin’s elite outdoor smartwatch lets you leave your phone at home

Even with the introduction of the Apple Watch Ultra several years ago, Garmin’s smartwatches have been favored by true outdoor adventurers. Reasons? Vastly superior battery life, ruggedness, trailing features, better physical buttons, Android compatibility … and that’s to name a few.

But with this year’s Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple introduced a key feature for those same people: satellite messaging. This allows wearers to send texts or an emergency SOS message even when off the grid and without cellular coverage. It’s a game-changer.

Two Garmin Fenix smartwatches with black bands showing emergency response and time display, set against a mountain rescue scene.
The Fenix 8 Pro is Garmin’s first smartwatch with LTE and satellite connectivity.
Garmin

Fortunately, Garmin’s new “best of the best” smartwatch wasn’t too far behind. The Fenix 8 Pro supports both cellular and satellite connectivity, meaning — for an $8/month fee — you can leave your smartphone and still have a way to reach out to the outside world (or have a lifeline if your smartphone dies).

But that’s not the only upgrade Garmin has made to its premium, multi-sport smartwatches.

Man wearing a black smartwatch with a red button on his wrist outdoors near trees and mountains.
If you purchase the MicroLED option, it’s also Garmin’s brightest smartwatch ever.
Garmin

Most notably, in addition to the models with an OLED display, Garmin also introduced a more elite version of the Fenix 8 Pro with a MicroLED display and a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits — according to Garmin, it’s the brightest smartwatch ever.

Of course, these new elite smartwatches come at a premium. Although you can’t really put a price on potentially life-saving tech and an excellent display, can you? (Well, maybe you can put a price on the latter.)

6. The stackable, modular system that reinvents car camping packing

Dometic Recon coolerDometic

GP100 Winner

Dometic Recon

Specs

Hard Cooler Sizes 16, 41, 69 liters
Soft Cooler Sizes 12, 17, 21 liters
Accessories Faucet, Ice Block, Drink Holder, Divider, Drop-In Basket, Tote

Dometic may be known and prized in the overlanding community for its electric coolers, which are reliable and driven by quality, but its most exciting release of 2025 was deceptively simple: a new range of passive coolers, called the Recon collection. 

Dometic Recon cooler
Recon is a new passive-cooling system from Dometic, a brand perhaps best known for its electric coolers.
Dometic

While traditional coolers may seem basic, the Recon collection is anything but. Dometic completely redesigned the cooler from the outside in, including a selection of carefully selected details that elevate this release. 

Dometic Recon cooler
The Recon collection, sitting pretty and showing just how much outer dimensions matter.
Dometic

Rather than prioritize interior measurements, Dometic focused on exterior dimensions first; this reversal resulted in a system where both hard and soft coolers of various sizes are designed to nestle neatly in a garage or vehicle. For anyone who’s packed for a camping trip, this is a much-appreciated update. 

Dometic Recon cooler
The small hardside cooler comes with a spigot that attached to the drain.
Dometic

The fun doesn’t stop there: the lids are multi-directional and completely removable, increasing their accessibility and utility. A full suite of accompanying accessories also launched alongside the Recon collection, including dividers, baskets and a spigot that connects to the drain cap, converting the small hardside cooler into a 16-liter water jug. 

After all, these days, is a cooler ever just a cooler?

5. Non-slip sunnies, stunting on the competition

Sporty wraparound sunglasses with a single red-orange mirrored lens and translucent gray and neon yellow frame.Oakley

Oakley Stunt Wing

Specs

Frame O-Matter injection molded thermoplastic frame
Lenses Prizm Ruby
Weight 41 grams


Non-slip sunglasses that actually stay in place during intense activity are no longer a pipe dream, thanks to Oakley’s innovation in frame technology. This year, the brand released HyperGrip Technology in its new Stunt Collection, headlined by the Stunt Wing. 

Sport sunglasses with yellow-orange lenses and translucent gray and neon yellow frames.
A flexible temple band offers a more secure fit while distributing weight more evenly, which makes these feel even lighter than they are.
Oakley

Secondly, Hypergrip swaps out conventional acetate construction for an injection molded thermoplastic frame, which increases strength and flexibility. 

Sport sunglasses with a single red-orange mirrored lens and black and neon green frame.
Oakley’s proprietary notepad material, Unobtanium, is the material patented by Oakley to deliver max comfort through increased grip with perspiration and non-slip grip.
Oakley

The Stunt Wing, designed to withstand intense movement, uses this to great effect. The sunnies feature a violin bow-inspired frame and silicone straps that hug your head without creating discomfort, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

4. A snowboarding essential that came for the king and didn’t miss

Snowboard binding with a black highback featuring a blue and red snake graphic and the text "thirtytwo" and "FAVA." The baseplate is primarily white with blue and black accents, and it has black ankle and toe straps with ratchet buckles. The heel cup is white with a red lever labeled "FASE." The model name "T32M" is printed in blue on the side.ThirtyTwo

GP100 Winner

FASE Snowboard Binding

Specs

Boot and Board Compatibility Unlimited
Key Elements 3 (AutoBack, FastStrap, Locked-in Toe Strap)
Years of Research and Development 7

For years now, Burton’s revolutionary Step On has been the dominant easy-access binding, with nothing else really coming close. 

Still, it has at least a couple hang-ups: 1. Many boarders simply prefer the classic two-strap set-up. 2. It requires a Burton (or Burton-licensed) Step On boot, at a starting price of $380.

Close-up of black ski boots with colorful snake design and red-white bindings on a snow-covered ski.
One of the best things about FASE bindings is that they work with the boots you already own.
ThirtyTwo

Addressing both issues at once? FASE, short for Fast Entry System, breakthrough binding tech that has been adopted by highly respected brands including Jones Snowboards and ThirtyTwo.

One key ingredient is the AutoBack, which angles the highback outward to make it easy to slip your boot in, complete with a small tab you trigger with your heel as it descends, closing the gate behind you. 

White and blue ThirtyTwo snowboard binding with black and blue straps and red padded highback.
The AutoBack lets you slip your boot in and automatically trigger the closing tab with your heel as it descends.
ThirtyTwo

A long top binding strap, the FastStrap, does not completely detach from the buckle but simply requires tightening and loosening when your boot goes in and out, while you never even touch the “set it and forget it” Locked-In Toe Strap.

It all adds up to a system that meaningfully democratizes easy-access bindings for riders of all levels.

Four-panel collage showing a snowboarder in action. The first three panels focus on close-up shots of the snowboarder's foot securing into the snowboard binding on snow, highlighting the process of stepping in and fastening the boot. The fourth panel shows the snowboarder from behind, gliding down a snowy slope surrounded by trees, wearing black snow gear and a helmet.
As our tester learned first-hand, using FASE-powered bindings is as easy as stepping in, pressing down, tightening the FastStrap and sending it.
Photos by Ed Hui for Gear Patrol

It’s compatible with any boot and board and feels like a traditional binding yet works so much faster once you get the hang, even while in motion or sitting on a lift. 

Starting from scratch, the biggest impact might be on your wallet: ThirtyTwo’s Shifty Boots ($220) plus a pair of entry-level FASE bindings ($330) costs $550, $150 less than the cheapest Step On combo.

3. A leakproof travel mug built for anything

Beige YETI insulated travel mug with handle and spill-resistant lid.Yeti

GP100 Winner

Yeti Travel Straw Mug

Specs

Cup Holder Compatible Yes
Leakproof Yes
Sizes 20, 30 and 40 ounces

According to Yeti’s latest earning reports, drinkware under the Rambler series now makes up the majority of the brand’s sales.

That’s quite a statement when it comes to the brand redefining what a “premium” outdoor experience means, and it explains the significance of Travel Straw Mug, which could go down as the most important Yeti release of the year.

White YETI insulated tumbler with handle and lid on a wooden surface, surrounded by black hex dumbbells.
The ability for the straw to be flipped up and down aids in the leakproof design of the new Travel Straw Mug.
Yeti

Although unassuming upon first glance, the Travel Straw Mug is a totally new design for Yeti.

The handle has been overhauled for increased comfort and a better gripping experience, and it’s designed to fit securely into your vehicle’s cupholder.

Athletic person in blue workout clothes sitting on gym floor drinking from a white insulated tumbler.
The straw lid can be easily flipped up for quick hydration breaks.
Yeti

Most importantly, Yeti’s new release is notable as the brand’s first-ever 100-percent leakproof straw in a Travel Mug format, thanks to its lid, which was designed to allow the straw to be folded away when not in use, ensuring no precious sips escape.

In other words, Yeti hydration is more accessible than ever — and when it comes down to it, being able to trust your drinkware can keep up with travel, commuting and daily use is pretty damn premium.

2. The Swoosh’s max-cushioned Hoka challenger

Nike Vomero PlusNike

GP100 Winner

Nike Vomero Plus

Specs

Heel-to-Toe Drop 10mm
Midsole Full-length ZoomX foam
Weight 10.3 ounces

Sometimes, more is more. Or at least that’s the logic behind Nike’s max cushioned Vomero Plus, the sophomore release in a three-shoe collection that positions a longstanding franchise against competitors like Hoka.

Nike Vomero Plus
Wait, is that a Nike, or a Hoka? Only the Swoosh gives it away.
Nike

In fact, if it weren’t for the iconic logo, at a quick glance one might even mistake this shoe for the Bondi 9, also released in 2025. But there are some key differences beneath the hood.

Nike Vomero Plus
The waffle sole is a modern interpretation of the iconic Nike outsole.
Nike

The Vomero Plus features a midsole made entirely of ZoomX foam — a PEBA-based compound so responsive, it blows the Bondi’s EVA out of the water. Then there’s the outsole, a modern interpretation of Nike’s signature waffle pattern that blends high traction with minimal weight.

Nike Vomero Plus
The engineered mesh upper provides the soft breathability every runner craves.
Nike

The blend of ultra-plush, luxurious cushioning with versatility and responsiveness featured in the Vomero Plus would qualify any shoe as a high-end daily trainer.

But for Nike, it symbolizes something more: the revival of a tired, old franchise and foot back in the game.

1. The new shoe to beat, at an unbeatable price

Released in limited numbers late last year, the Adizero Evo SL is the breakout shoe of 2025. Nothing else in the running comes even remotely close.

Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Soft launched in late 2024, the Adizero Evo SL hits its stride in 2025 with a widespread release that welcomed runners of all stripes.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

The shoe’s headline feature is its midsole manufactured entirely of Lightstrike Pro, a so-called “superfoam” found in several of Adidas’s racing shoes upmarket.

While that alone is not particularly notable — premium materials have been trickling into daily trainers for years — the Adizero Evo SL undercuts the rest of the category with a price that’s damn near impossible to beat.

Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Despite a bargain price tag, the shoe features Lightstrike Pro, a performance-oriented foam found in some of Adidas’s premium racing shoes.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

For just $150, the Adizero Evo SL delivers a fun, nimble ride that swiftly handles whatever pace you want to throw at it, resulting in a versatile trainer that punches well above its weight class.

It also just looks damn good doing so, thanks to a strong arsenal of colorways (including a pair from musician-turned-fashion-designer Pharrell Williams.)

Pair of white athletic shoes with green, blue, and brown stripes on the sides, featuring "LIGHTSTRIKE PRO" text on the midsole and a black outsole, placed on a textured concrete surface.
The Adizero Evo SL even got a cosign from Pharrell Williams, who helped design this variant.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

Diehard fans will hope Adidas addresses some of the shoe’s shortcomings on future updates. Frankly, it could be a bit more stable for everyday running and a gusseted tongue wouldn’t hurt, either.

But more than any shoe in 2025, the Adizero Evo SL set a new pace within the industry. And at that price, everyone’s invited to join in.

The Most Important Product Releases of 2025

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