New Gear We're Testing in Fall 2024
Durston X-Mid Pro 1 set up in Humphreys Basin in the Sierra Nevada. Photo by Shawnté Salabert.
October 3, 2024
We’ve been busy testing gear these last few months and are ready to share some early findings on the new gear we're testing in early fall 2024!
We want to share some of our favorite items we’ve tested so far in the last few months.
As is typical at Treeline Review, we like to get many months of testing in before a piece of gear is worthy of being included in our gear guides. That's why you won't find brand new-looking gear anywhere on our website. Our photos show gear in use, somewhere cool, in multiple climates, being used by different people in different seasons.
That is why in this article, we also share some early successes with you so that if you’re looking for adventure gear in fall, you have some ideas of things we’ve liked so far.
Related: Gear We're Testing in Summer 2024
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Arc'teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket
On the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route this summer, I tested the Arc'teryx Beta SL rain jacket. It's the first PFAS-free GORE-TEX rain jacket I've tested, and I'm impressed. We had monsoon storms almost every afternoon in Colorado and New Mexico, sometimes with hail too, and the Beta SL kept me warm, dry, and never wet out. The hood is big enough to fit over my bike helmet, and stayed on — even on fast descents with a lot of wind in my face.
At 10.6 ounces for the women's version and 12 ounces for the men's, it's not the lightest jacket out there, but I'm willing to carry a few extra ounces for the performance of this jacket. This one was a clear winner and after testing it all summer, you'll see it is the new best premium rain jacket in our Best Lightweight Rain Jackets guide.
- Naomi Hudetz, Co-Founder & Online Editor
Arc'teryx Beta SL Rain Jacket
Men's
Women's
The Arc'teryx Beta SL rain jacket kept us dry on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Photo courtesy Naomi Hudetz.
I’m a light sleeper and out on trail, I can really struggle with getting good quality sleep. I’ve carried disposable earplugs in the past but found them to be uncomfortable, grungy after a single use, difficult to put in, and bad at staying in my ears. Friends recommended Loop earplugs (winner of a Red Dot Design Award) to me,, and after considering all the options, I sprung for a set of their Quiet earplugs.
They’re entirely silicone, providing great softness for us side-sleepers, as well as quick and easy cleaning. They also have interchangeable tips to allow for a custom, comfortable fit. And all Loop earplugs come with a 100-day free return policy and a 2-year warranty.
These earplugs have truly made a difference for me! On my Colorado Trail thru-hike, I put these in and slept well at 12,500’ while a thunderstorm crashed overhead. I’ve used them at a campsite with substantial traffic noise, at a motel with thin walls, and I even enjoyed some peace and quiet while waiting at the airport. I’m happy I found these and will be bringing them with me on all my future overnight hikes.
-Aubri Drake, Contributing Writer
Loop Quiet 2 earplugs
This fall, I'm testing a Nashville Pack Cutaway 30L pack while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail southbound. After testing many fastpacks (lower volume backpacks with running vest straps — check out our Best Running Packs Guide for more) this year, I'm amazed at how comfortable the Cutaway is, even compared to some of the best fastpacks I've tested.
It has replaceable running vest straps that come in different sizes, which you attach to the ideal torso length pack for your body. And Nashville Pack walks you through how to measure your torso and strap size in useful videos on their website. The result is a pack that comfortably hugs your body and doesn't bounce as much as other ultralight backpacking packs.
It has tons of pockets on the shoulder straps, a bottom pocket, and side water bottle pockets that are connected to a rear mesh pocket. It's also made with Aluula Graflyte fabric, a composite fabric with a UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene), and woven face and waterproof backing that doesn't require glue, making it less likely to delaminate. This fabric is also recyclable, which is rare with ultralight fabrics.
Initially, I planned to use the Cutaway for a section or two of the Appalachian Trail, then switch back to my other pack, but after loading the Cutaway and some initial testing, I think I may end up carrying it all the way to Georgia.
-Sam Schild, Contributing Writer
Nashville Pack Cutaway 30
Eno Parkway Adjustable Hammock Stand and Dayloft Hammock
I had been wanting to try out one of the new ENO Parkway Adjustable Hammock Stands for forever to continue testing for my Best Camping Hammocks guide, and eagerly counted down the rainy Pacific Northwest days until I could put it up. I’ve since been enjoying this hammock and stand all summer long.
Initial setup of the stand was surprisingly easy and intuitive; I played photographer while my then 6-year-old assembled it almost entirely herself. This is the only one of ENO’s stands where you can adjust the distance between arms, as well as the placement of the hooks. This means we could fine-tune the hang of different hammocks on one stand. ENO also touts this adjustability as working well for small spaces, but we haven’t tested this aspect.
Once assembled with a hammock on it, said 6-year-old proceeded to practice acrobatics and feats of balance. The stand is surprisingly stable, and has withstood near-daily intense use by her and her friends. I don’t know a better testing method for durability than setting loose a pack of children.
Parkway Adjustable Hammock Stand
This was my first time owning a hammock that is mesh with a crossbar, as opposed to parachute fabric with gathered ends. I love it! It was a pleasantly different experience to lay on the relatively flat Dayloft, as opposed to being cocooned by a gathered-end hammock.
The mesh allows for extra air to cool off on a hot day. The Dayloft is large enough that two adults can lay side by side, though there was a small learning curve for getting in and out. Because the Dayloft is so flat, I found that initially I was off balance after pivoting in, and had to do more quick adjustments than I was used to on a parachute hammock. It only took a few times before I was used to this.
I left this hammock assembled all summer and did not take it camping with me. I’m happy to have the Dayloft semi-permanently set up in my yard throughout the summer!
-Tiffany Searsdodd, Contributing Writer
Dayloft Hammock
I’ve been testing the Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack throughout this summer and into the fall and I absolutely adore it. After taking it around New York City, on several rockhounding expeditions, and on my thru-hike of the Colorado Trail, I can confidently say that it’s my favorite all-purpose fanny pack and will be a new winner in our Best Fanny Packs guide.
Not only does it easily have enough space for the essentials and desired non-essentials, it’s also super comfortable to wear when packed full. This is primarily due to the padded back of the Kapai 3L Hip Pack, which keeps the objects inside the pack from digging into the stomach while hiking.
It’s got a spacious main compartment, as well as a smaller outside zippered pocket with an interior attachment point to keep your wallet or keys from escaping. The main compartment of this fanny pack has a divider, which allows me to store my smaller objects like hand sanitizer, lip balm , and multitool away from my phone in the primary pocket. I used the outer pocket to keep my wallet from falling out, and to keep rocks I collected from scratching up my phone screen.
I used a different 3L fanny pack on my Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and while it had sufficient space, the lack of cushioning and separated pockets meant that my items were all floating loose. But the design and structure of the Kapai bag lent themselves well to my fanny pack needs– it’s super comfortable with more than enough storage space and pockets that make it easy to keep my assortment of small objects organized. For anything from a thru-hike to a day out in the city, the Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack is a solid choice.
-Elliot Koeppel, Contributing Writer
Cotopaxi Kapai 3L Hip Pack
As I put in the work this summer and fall to revise Treeline’s best body sunscreen and best face sunscreen recommendations, one of my standout favorites has been Black Girl Sunscreen SPF30 lotion. While this sunscreen has been around for a few years, the brand has been growing, widening its product line, and earning praise across various media outlets.
Though it’s positioned as a product for melanin-rich skin due to its moisturizing properties and complete lack of white cast, more and more people (including me) are appreciating its user experience, regardless of skin tone. Unlike many other sunscreens on the market, its scent is almost completely neutral (most others have at least a hint of tropical or other noticeable scent). It’s also moisturizing with ingredients like jojoba oil, cacao, and avocado, but without any sticky, tacky, or greasy finish. I use it on my body, not my face, but many reviewers enjoy it as both a face and body sunscreen.
Overall I feel like it’s nourishing and protecting my skin in a way I can completely forget about during the day, which is ideal. I find myself missing it while I’m testing other products — which is the true statement of sunscreen superiority, in my opinion!
-Katie Hawkes, Contributing Writer and data scientist
Black Girl Sunscreen SPF30
Youer, a clothing company founded by Mallory Ottariano and based in Missoula, MT, creates carefully and responsibly-crafted clothing. After publishing our Best Hiking Dresses and Skirts guide, I learned about this company and found their skorts and dresses too cute to pass up for updates of this guide. This fall, I’ll be testing their Get After It Skort and Treasure Dress, both of which are comfortable and pretty. I’m particularly excited for the dip in temps to allow for wearing a cozy fleece dress.
The Treasure Dress, which recently released in new colors, is made from Youer’s “Fresh Corduroy” (a Polartec Thermal Pro 100% recycled polyester fleece). The dress has a kangaroo pocket, thumbholes, an overlapping hood, and cute stretchy side panels that provide ventilation and some flexibility. It’s available in sizes XXS - XXL.
Youer seeks to reduce waste by making durable, quality clothing that people will wear for a long time. By avoiding a trend calendar, these clothes are designed to always look nice. Learn more about their sustainability ethos here.
-Becca Downs, Contributing Writer & Editor
Youer Treasure Dress
My trail name is Socks. I am super picky about what I want to wear on my feet, if I look at the wrong pair of socks I get blisters. These socks from PAKA perform well for running, hiking, and camping and will likely be making an appearance in our Best Hiking Socks or Best Running Socks guides.
The alpaca fibers are softer than most wool socks I own. Alpaca is thermoregulating so your feet stay warm when it is cold, and cool when it is hot. I can go for a long run and my socks still smell pretty good, which is keeping my shoes smelling fresher too. If you don’t have stinky feet I envy you, but if you know what I am talking about you may want to jump on the Alpaca bandwagon and experience this firsthand. I am tempted to see how many days I can wear these without washing them.
PAKA socks are made with traceable alpaca fibers, and when you make a purchase from them you are supporting over 200 women artisans in Peru. For those of you that are gram counters, alpaca weighs less than wool so you can save a few grams if you are backpacking. I am hoping to slowly transition my sock drawer to these socks. They are so soft and durable and I can’t find a reason not to wear them. An added bonus is the message on the toes says “Go Outside, In Nature” — a nice reminder to spend some time outside everyday.
- Sara “Socks” Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator and Contributing Writer
PAKA Trail ¼ Crew Socks
A mountain bike-specific hip pack isn’t novel these days, but few brands are making anything truly unique in the space. That can’t be said about Oveja Negra, a small brand out of Salida, Colorado, making funky, handmade bike bags. While a lot of their lineup is designed for bikepacking, the Royale Hip Pack is probably their most versatile bag.
Every single mountain bike hip pack I’ve used and tested up to this point has a standard zipper design. The Royale breaks that mold with a roll-top, which gives this bag an impressive 4L+ capacity for a hip pack, and means there are no zippers to break or fiddle with. And, much like a roll-top backpack, it’s easy to adjust the size based on how much you’re carrying. The fabric is burly, and the designs are super funky and fun.
The Royale with the aforementioned sausages and cucumber salad inside. Photo courtesy Stasia Stockwell.
Most recently, I used the pack to procure several bratwurst and some German cucumber salad by bike — it all fit seamlessly and the Royale carried the weight well (thanks to the compression straps) for a fast pedal home. But if you want to carry something other than food — perhaps bike tools — it’s ideal for that, too. I’ve carried it on a couple of mountain bike and gravel rides and had everything I needed in that bag, with space to spare. You can add on a hose clip for a bladder, too, if you prefer to carry your water that way. There’s one zippered pocket on the inside, ideal for easily lost items like a small hex wrench, but the rest of the bag is open. I can easily fit CO2 canisters, a spare tube, ample snacks, and more inside. The Royale has proved itself a worthy companion on just about any bike ride, from quick commutes to all-day singletrack adventures.
-Stasia Stockwell, Contributing Editor
Oveja Negra Royale Hip Pack
A few years back I took the trekking-pole-tent plunge and bought Gossamer Gear’s The One, discovering the joys of carrying a lighter, cozier shelter. Still, I wished for more: a second door, more ventilation, and less condensation — despite keeping the pitch high and the fly rolled up in front, I’d often wake inside what felt like my own personal rainforest.
Enter the Durston X-Mid Pro 1, which I’ve so far spent a blissful 45-ish nights inside this summer and fall and is a winner in our Best Ultralight Tents guide. It was love at first pitch—which was shockingly easy, despite the tent’s complex geometry (the attached inner is on a diagonal inside the rectangular fly). The X-Mid sets up taut and strong with only four stakes and two adjustable poles; I usually add two more stakes to the vestibules to max out the storage area and improve tension on the zippers, though. While there are various ways to use guylines to enhance the tent’s resiliency in strong winds, I’ve coasted through several storms (including one boasting 40-50 mph gusts) with just my skeleton crew of stakes.
While I opted for the slightly more affordable silnylon floor (which has the added benefit of reducing bulk), the DCF fabric on the fly has been an absolute revelation. I’ve camped in valleys, in the rain, and in below-freezing temps with the tent completely sealed and I’ve only had two mornings where I’ve woken up to very light, almost imperceptible condensation.
It’s a true joy to roll up the vestibule fly material (a literal snap to do given the magnetic attachments) and feel the air move through as I sleep; pop-out vents at opposite corners improve the flow. And while I haven’t yet tested this feature, it’s also possible to prop up the fly to create a canopy at each vestibule. The X-Mid does have a relatively large footprint, but there is a way to reduce vestibule space. Even above treeline in the Sierra including on the Nüümü Poyo (John Muir Trail), however, I’ve never had to resort to alternate pitches; I simply carry extra guyline so that I can use rocks as an alternative to stakes.
The best thing about the tent, though? It just might be seeing other X-Mid owners on trail and nerding out on how much we love this expertly designed home away from home. Now I understand why they call it the “Durston cult.”
-Shawnté Salabert, Contributing Writer
Durston X-Mid Pro 1 Tent
Mountain Equipment Oreus Jacket
Coming out soon for 2024, the Mountain Equipment Oreus Jacket thoroughly impressed me from the get-go with its high warmth-to-weight ratio and loft. The insulation is also brand new — instead of blowing in down or sewing in sheeted synthetics, the Aetherm insulation uses 100% recycled polyester fibers woven underneath a reflective layer, creating a 3D structure.
Without slicing open my sample, I inspected the sleeves and body visually, and was able to notice the construction within. The loft is amazing, the jacket kept me warm in the alpine on several occasions, and the reflective material does NOT crinkle, or impede its packability.
Aside from the insulation being a unique construction and performing well, I loved the higher pocket placement on this jacket (great for climbers), the interior pocket (for gloves), and the fit of the cuffs and hood (fully adjustable). It even packs down into its own pocket. This jacket is one of the apparel items I'm most excited to continue wearing through fall.
-Mary Murphy, Contributing Writer & Managing Editor
Mountain Equipment Oreus Jacket
Early this spring and throughout the summer, I started testing the new NEMO Tensor All-Season insulated pad and it has now permanently replaced my old stand-by sleeping pad, the Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite.
Previous versions of the Tensor All-Season won our award for Most Comfortable Sleeping pad in our Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads guide. I'll admit the Tensor All-Season is more comfortable with a baffle design that doesn't cause me to slide or roll off the edge. But as a gram-counting ultralighter, comfort wasn't enough of a draw for me to make that switch. Until now.
What did it for me? The huge improvement on the warmth-to-weight ratio. For only 1.1 oz more, the Tensor All-Seasn has a higher R-value than the NeoAir (5.4 vs. the 4.5). It even costs $10 less than the NeoAir (in the mummy version). At half an inch thicker than the NeoAir, I don't bottom out on my hip while side sleeping and can't feel the rocks under my pad, either.
Camp on the Collegiate Loop thru-hike using the Nemo Tensor All-Season sleeping pad in my Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid.
The only thing I don't like is the inflation bag that comes with it. But that problem was quickly solved this August when I started testing the new 0.3 oz Alpenblow Microinflator, which runs off a phone and inflates my pad in three minutes while I go do other camp chores. Together, the NEMO Tensor and Alpenblow have revolutionized my sleeping experience while backpacking, and made my summer.
-Liz Thomas, Editor-in-Chief
NEMO Tensor All-Season Insulated Sleeping Pad
I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about with the Alpha fabrics, and SamBob specifically. I’ve been really pleased with my Alpha 90 Hoodie. It’s extremely light and provides a good bit of warmth for a fabric you can practically see through!
I got the oversized hood which fits nicely over my helmet, making this a great piece to take on summit scrambles when you might need a layer on an otherwise hot day. The hood also has a drawstring closure, so it stays in place even when I’m not wearing it over a hat or helmet. Due to its open weave, the fabric breathes well when you’re active, and while it’s warm, it’s not wind blocking.
Bonus thing to love: SamBob lets you customize your hoodie with a variety of fun colors and trims in an endless set of combinations! Despite being custom made to order, I received my hoodie within 10 days of placing the order. They also stock a few ready made (non-customizable) designs if you want it right away.
-Heather “Anish” Anderson, contributing writer
SamBob Alpha 90 Hoodie
I take my backpack everywhere I go, which means it has to be durable, designed to travel, and capable of carrying a decent load. While I spend all my spare time in the mountains, I also need my bag to fit under an airplane seat or in the hotel room’s boudoir. My latest backpack addition, the Superior Wilderness Designs SL40, leaves little to be desired.
This pack is so lightweight that sometimes I use it for a camera bag instead of a hefty, cushioned bag. It weighs 21.95 ounces, or about a pound and a half (and that’s assuming that I’ll keep the aluminum stays and extra cordage attached).
But what I really love about this pack is its weather resistance. Made out of Ultra fabric, this pack is essentially waterproof. Ever since hiking the Appalachian Trail, I’ve been of the mentality that you can’t let a drizzle of rain stop your forward progress. To this day, I still slug through the rain to tackle summits sometimes, which is why this pack is such a game-changer (plus I often carry fancy camera equipment around, which makes this feature key). After about six months of use, this pack shows little wear, and it’s quickly becoming a staple pack for me.
-Mary Beth Skylis, Contributing Writer
Superior Wilderness Designs SL40
