New Gear we're Testing in Spring 2025
New outdoor gear that has impressed us so far
Ski touring in the Black Diamond Solution Hoody on a cold day in the San Juans. Photo by Blake Gordon.
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 Spring 2025!
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–probably covered in dirt and looking like they've seen some adventures.
That is why in this article, we are giving you a sneak peek at how gear is performing in our testing. Here, we share some early successes with you so that if you’re looking for adventure gear in spring, you have some ideas of things we’ve liked so far.
Each writer was asked to only share one thing they love so far, so we're being choose-y in what we're sharing.
Related: New Gear We're Testing for Fall 2024
We create reader-supported, objective gear reviews independently selected by our editors. This story may contain affiliate links, which help fund our website. When you click on the links to purchase gear, we may get a commission, without costing you an extra cent. Thank you for supporting our work and mission of outdoor coverage for every body! Learn more.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
There's a new version of our favorite hiking watch, the Garmin Instinct.
There are three versions of the latest version (the Instinct 3) – Solar, AMOLED, and E.
The AMOLED has the same high-visibility screen as on the Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED watch that we tested.
However, after much deliberation, I decided to test the Solar version since we think the extended battery life is a crucial part of a hiking watch. I'm stoked to test the Instinct 3's new features (including a flashlight!) for my upcoming full review.
- Treeline Review co-founder Naomi Hudetz
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
Solar
AMOLED
This spring, I upgraded my camping stove to the Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System. For many years, I used a basic propane camp stove to cook while car camping. Frankly, that old-school Coleman stove I had for years did the job. But since I started living full-time in a camper van, I’ve come to realize that good enough isn’t always enough. So, after doing some research, I decided to check out the Jetboil Genesis. This stove is more expensive than many camping cook systems, but it’s more packable and cooks as well as many stovetops I’ve used in houses and apartments I’ve rented.
This stove’s propane control valve allows you to actually simmer food. And when you turn the flame down low, it doesn’t go out after a big gust of wind. The Genesis comes with a windscreen, but the flame control is so consistent I’ve never felt the need to use it. And when you’re not using the stove, it folds away into a very compact size. In true Jetboil form, this stove folds down to fit inside the pot, which I love.
Cooking an evening meal on the Jetboil Genesis after a long day testing gear outside.
The Genesis Stove is sold on its own or with a large pot and ceramic-coated frying pan as the Basecamp System Camp Stove. If you already have camp cookware that you like, getting the Genesis Stove as a standalone cooktop is best. But if you don’t have a camping pot and pan, the entire Basecamp System comes with everything you need other than propane. And the cook pot has a heat exchanger base, which reduces boil time. -Treeline Review contributing writer Sam Schild
Jetboil Genesis Basecamp System Camp Stove
Black Diamond Solution Hoody
Whether it’s at the resort or in the backcountry, a midweight piece of insulation that’s warm but breathability is something I wear almost every single ski day. And the Solution Hoody comes very close to being the ideal ski season midlayer. The baffled Primaloft Gold Eco insulation has an impressive warmth to weight ratio while maintaining surprisingly good breathability for the level of weather resistance it provides.
I first used this layer while ski touring on Red Mountain Pass in Colorado’s San Juan mountains. As someone who runs warm, I very rarely wear more than a wool base layer when skinning uphill. It was quite cold though, with highs lingering in the single digits. I toured a couple laps without taking the Solution off and was surprised I didn’t work up a sweat at all. In these temps a light fleece would normally be my layer choice for the uphill. But, given the Solution’s breathability, I was able to keep it on for the up and then stayed warm on the down, just adding my shell over top. The added advantage of the Solution was the outer shell fabric, which blocked biting wind remarkably well during transitions.
Ski touring in the Solution Hoody on a cold day in the San Juans. Photo by Blake Gordon.
I’ve since used the Solution on additional tours and for dozens of days of resort skiing. It provides the ideal level of warmth for all but the very coldest or warmest days riding chairlifts. The only downside is that the shell fabric is not as soft, stretchy, or supple as other active insulation pieces I’ve used (like The North Face Summit Series Casaval Hybrid or the Patagonia Nano-Air). But, it’s notably more windproof—something especially valuable for backcountry skiing when I often don’t have a shell over top. That feels like a worthy tradeoff. And I have a hunch this layer will be equally useful for spring shoulder season adventures. - Treeline Review contributing writer Stasia Stockwell
Black Diamond Solution Hoody
Men's
Women's
When I fall in love with a pair of new shoes, I fall hard. I discovered Brooks Cascadias on the Appalachian Trail, and they quickly became my go-to shoe for the next seven years even as I continued to test dozens of competitive shoes in the same environments. Then came my three-year romance with the Altra Lone Peaks, which paired nicely with my aging feet and custom orthotics. Now there’s the Astral NoSobo.
Astral’s first version of a thru-hiking shoe, these shoes come with super sticky rubber, which is a dream on those slick, granite faces. The 85% recycled uppers repel water nicely. Yet when they become saturated, they’re also quick-drying, which shouldn’t surprise me, given that Astral is known for accommodating water sports. The structure of the shoes is akin to something you’d find in an Altra shoe: zero-drop footbeds with a wide toe box, which is my preferred shoe style.
So far, I’ve worn these shoes around town, on a handful of semi-technical muddy hikes, and to the gym. I can’t yet vouch for the durability of these shoes, but I can say that I’m both intrigued by the Astral’s ability to combine many of the features of its classic water shoes with qualities that’ll make the NoSobo tough to beat on a long-trail. These kicks are comfortable, grippy on both the interior of the shoe as well as the soles, and they feel like they’ll age nicely. - Treeline Review contributing writer, Mary Beth Skylis
Astral NOSOBO
As gear testers when we’re out in the field we have more charging needs than many. On some trips we have to keep camera and action camera batteries, as well as a smartphone, smartwatches, GPS navigation systems and a headlamp charged.
Heck, sometimes we’re using small electric pumps to inflate mattresses, packrafts or other equipment.
Point is, we like a good backup battery charger and the new BioLite Charge 100 Max is one of the best we’ve seen to charge multiple portable electronics. With 4 USB ports and a wireless charging pad, and the capability to use all at once, the Charge 100 Max gets it done.
BioLite Charge 100 Max
A typical day of charging up in the field with the Charge 100 Max. (I’ll try taking some more pics after the sun is less direct).
We’ve used this Texas-toast sized, 1.27 pound charger in the field, on the plane and in the car to simultaneously charge up everything from a laptop with its 100W USB-C port to our Apple and Suunto smartwatches with the 15W USB-C and USB-A ports. At the same time we’ve used the wireless charging pad to add some juice to our iPhone.
With a 40W charging block we were able to charge the battery in a little over 2 hours (with a 65W charging cable BioLite says it will fully charge in 1.5 hours). With 25,000 milliamp hours of capacity, on a full charge the pack can feasibly charge a laptop about two times, a tablet three times and a smartphone seven times. Usually when we’re using it we’re charging multiple devices at the same time, but we’ve definitely recharged a 5th generation iPad Air 2.5 times, while also charging up an iPhone 13 and earbuds on one charge. -Treeline Review contributing writer Chris Meehan
Huk Rogue Wave Boots
It’s been an unseasonably warm winter in Chicago with minimal snow, especially this past month. That means I’ve been walking and hiking in more rain than usual here in the Midwest. So, I pulled out my rain boots early this year, and thankfully, the Huk Women's Rogue Wave Boots were the boots I’m testing from my closet.
These boots fit like a glove from the day I slipped them on. Drizzly walks around the neighborhood, short hikes on flat forest preserve trails outside of the city, and the occasional trip to the grocery store have all been the perfect use-case for these lightweight and comfortable boots. They’re super squishy and I didn’t deal with any uncomfortable abrasion on my ankle since these boots are lined with a soft and flexible neoprene liner that cuffs around the top of the boot.
These boots were built for slippery boat decks and fly fishing trips, so they’re extremely grippy thanks to Huk’s exclusive Grip-X Slice outsole. Beyond boat decks, they hold a firm grip against everything from mossy rocks to slick wooden stairs to even a rogue patch of ice I found walking on sidewalks this winter.
Best of all, I stomped through massive puddles and walked in complete downpours, and as long as my pant leg covered the opening at the ankle, my feet stayed completely warm and dry. They’re not as insulated as other waterproof boots I’ve worn (like Korker’s Neo Flex Thermo Ankle Boot, which are very warm and cozy) but for warmer weather like spring, that’s okay. The Huk Rogue Wave Boots are easily my favorite rain boots I’ve worn and are now my go-to slip-on boot this time of year. -Treeline Review contributing writer Erica Zazo
Huk Rogue Wave Boots
Men's
Women's
Swany X-Change Mittens
In December, I joined three friends for a 24-mile traverse in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. We knew we’d be in snowshoes breaking trail for at least half of those miles, and the high temperature for the mountains that day was 5 degrees actual, with -20 degree windchill. What we found on the ridges were evergreen trees crushed and bent over the trail by an ice storm the week before, with 2-3’ of snow piled on top. Between the bent and downed trees and thigh-deep powder that would not pack down, we were moving very slowly while also working very hard. After emerging from the trees and traversing a 1.5-mile above treeline segment, I was chilled to the bone and my hands were dangerously cold.
X-Change Mittens in their natural habitat. Photo by Eric Hansen.
I paused to put on more layers and one of my friends offered me a pair of warm, comfortable insulated mittens to wear for the remainder of our snowshoe adventure. I normally dislike insulated gloves or mittens because they’re bulky and severely inhibit my dexterity, even interfering with using trekking poles. But these mittens were perfect - they have separate finger channels within the fleece insert, cuffs to overlap with other insulating layers, wick away sweat, and offer a nose wiping spot on the back of the thumbs. They have a durable shell and reinforced leather palm, and the insert allows moisture to leave the mitt while remaining 100% waterproof.
The X-Change mitts use PrimaLoft Gold insulation with Cross Core technology that provides 30-50% more warmth with the same weight when compared to PrimaLoft Gold only. This insulation also uses 35% recycled content. I bought a pair of these for myself as soon as I got home from the December traverse and have been using them all winter. These mittens balance insulation with dexterity amazingly well, and have kept my hands warm and dry when used in difficult winter environments as cold as 0 degrees actual with -30 windchill. While intense winter conditions are likely behind most of us for this season, consider shopping the winter clearance sales for a pair of these if you’re looking for ski, snowboard, hike, or snowshoe mittens that can handle anything you might throw at them with panache. -Treeline Review contributing writer, Aubri Drake
Swany X-Change Mittens
Men's
Women's
After being diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my feet many years back, I switched to podiatrist-recommended HOKAs for running, walking, hiking, and backpacking. I eventually snuck a cushy pair of Altra Olympus trail runners into my backpacking rotation (don’t tell!), but ultimately settled on the idea that my feet would never again be happy in an athletic shoe with little to no cushion underfoot.
Well, that’s until Flux Footwear’s Adapt Trail Runner proved me wrong. Impossibly light on my feet (roughly 11 oz for a pair), with a wide toe box that allows for a natural toe splay and an integrated sock liner that prevents dirt and debris from getting inside, these have become my go-to shoes for trail running, urban walking, and lifting at the gym.
A wide toe box, integrated sock liner, light weight, and “barefoot”-style footbed makes the Flux Adapt comfortable on- and off-trail.
Like most barefoot-style shoes, the Adapt Trail Runner is zero drop, which helps me feel more connected with the ground, especially crucial when lifting, but also appreciated while navigating trails. What surprised me, however, is that I actually find the shoe to be super comfortable, something I’ve not always felt with other zero drop or barefoot footwear, which tends to aggravate my arthritis.
I love the nubby removable insole, which feels like receiving a little foot massage on the move. The lightweight foam midsole is definitely slim, but helps provide just enough cushion to take the edge off on uneven ground. And the rubber outsole, though not Vibram, is plenty grippy.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of these shoes, however, isn’t any of their techy details, but the fact that they’re light enough, with a slim enough profile, and stylish enough to throw in a tote, pack, or suitcase while traveling, which I’ve done on recent trips to both NYC and Austin…gotta get those steps in! - Treeline Review contributing writer Shawnté Salabert
Flux Footwear Adapt Trail Runner
As a proud ultralight backpacker, I didn't think I'd ever be a "battery-operated pad inflator gadget" kind of person. But last week, I found myself in front of an audience of 100 people saying how excited I am to be carrying the Alpenblow Micro Inflator for inflatable sleeping pads and backpacking pillows on my thru-hikes. So now, after 8 months of testing the older version and now the new version, I'm over the embarrassment and threat to my ultralight street cred: I can say that I'm sold on the Alpenblow.
For one thing, it's 0.3 oz. So that means a machine can do one of my most annoying camp chores for a minimum weight penalty. Second, it doesn't use a ton of battery. Alpenblow claims it will last 19 hours on a single 10,000 mAh battery pack and it only takes about 3 minutes to blow up a standard, 3-season backpacking sleeping pad.
Alpenblow Micro inflator
Blowing up an ExPed sleeping pad while on a section-hike of the Idaho Wilderness Trail.
That 3 minutes is longer to inflate than other, heavier, battery-powered pad inflators I've tested like the FLEXTAIL Zero Pump. But I love multi-tasking so the Alpenblow's longer inflate time isn't a dealbreaker for me. I let my pad inflate while I'm also boiling water and setting up my tent. It's just plain efficient and fits well into my thru-hiking routine. Plus, it's quiet.
The Alpenblow comes with attachment systems that work with my NeoAir, XTherm, Nemo Tensor, as well as ExPed and Big Agnes pads, so I can pop the nozzle off depending on which pad I'm using for a trip.
However, unlike other battery-powered pad inflators, the Alpenblow won't deflate a pad. But I never store my inflatable sleeping pads in a stuff sack–not even at home. So getting my pad as small as possible has never been something I've needed.
Another thing I love? It's bright colors so you won't lose it in camp. -Treeline Review editor-in-chief Liz Thomas
TL:DR This is soft, warm, light and odor free. Most outdoorsy people, myself included, have a couple neck tubes in their gear closet. I almost always wear some sort of neck tube, but I have had a hard time finding a good merino wool option. This Turtle Fur 100% merino wool neck tube is also 100% not itchy, which is a huge win for me. I have tried others that promised to be itch free with little success. I have been wearing this tube on all my late winter outdoor ventures from skiing, to trail running and snowshoeing. It is the perfect little layer to keep my face protected from the sun and wind.
The merino wool is naturally odor resistant. I keep forgetting to wash it because I wear it everyday. It isn't super gross.
It is long enough to wear over my head and ears while still covering my neck when it is super cold on stormy days and it is light enough to fold up like a cute headband over my ears on warmer days.
Turtle Fur Extra Fine Merino Neck Tube
This merino neck tube is probably going to replace my synthetic tube in my summer backpacking gear kit, it is just as light and more versatile. Merino wool is also hydrophobic so in rain or snow storms it doesn’t wet out as quickly and still retains its warming properties when wet. I only wish it came in more colors and designs, but since it is new this year I am sure that more fun colors are on the horizon. - Treeline Review contributing writer and operations coordinator Sara Kruglinski
It’s been a year since a neck injury upended the way I enjoy the outdoors, and although things have drastically improved since then, my PT told me recently that I should not be using backpacks of any kind for the foreseeable future. Well then! Looks like I’m a hip pack gal now.
I’ve been using my Cotopaxi Bataan Del Dia fanny pack (to which I’m devoted for travel and everyday purposes) for short hikes, but it just doesn’t fit enough water for more than a quick walk.
In looking for a hiking waist pack, I wanted one that (1) came with a water pouch (not bottles) for quick & easy hydration, (2) carried at least 2 L of water, and (3) would also hold a snack and an extra layer without being giant.
Cotopaxi Lagos 5L Hiking Hydration Hip Pack
Basically the only one I found that fit my specifications is the Cotopaxi Lagos 5L Hip Pack, and I’m excited to see how it goes! I love the few but well-placed pockets, the external pockets for extra water bottles as needed (I hate carrying bottles, but nice to have the option), and the generous but not TOOOO huge dimensions. One down side is that the water pouch itself isn’t super intuitive to open & fill - I had to look up a YouTube video to figure it out! - but now that I understand I don’t foresee further issues. Cheers to longer hikes this summer!
- Treeline Review contributing writer Katie Hawkes
Montbell Light Shell Vest
I’ve never really had a lot of use for vests aside from aesthetics, but I picked this one up thinking it might be a nice layer for winter running. While it wasn’t, I discovered it’s true potential for the mercurial conditions of the coastal PNW spring.
Temps here hover in the upper 40’s to low 50’s this time of year. Sudden bursts of sunshine overwhelm the rain, but it can still snow and we get some wild winds. This shell vest has actually been the perfect layering piece on my trail runs because it mitigates all of those conditions without causing me to overheat.
Montbell Light Shell Vest
Men's
Women's
The shell itself is windproof and water resistant to keep my core temperature regulated, while the mesh lining and vest design allow for adequate airflow when I’m charging uphill. With a chest pocket for my keys and two zippered hand pockets I can stash snacks, gloves, buff, etc to further enhance versatility. -Treeline Review contributing writer Heather Anderson
Diadora Nucleo 2 Road Running Shoes
While I’ve been testing a lot of shoes this winter for our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes, Best Women’s Road Running Shoes, and Best Recovery Shoes guides, I’ve been most intrigued by the Diadora Nucleo 2 road running shoes. This curiosity doesn’t necessarily stem from any incredible new shoe tech the shoes have to offer, but from nostalgia from my soccer days.
Diadora is an Italian brand founded in 1948 as a sportswear and footwear manufacturer. In the 70s they pressed into the soccer world and developed a reputation for making high-end soccer cleats out of Kangaroo leather. Having grown up in a big soccer house (whose dad had worked at a store literally called The Soccer House before I was born), I have always known Diadora for its cleats and soccer apparel. I was stoked to learn they make road running shoes, too.
Diadora Nucleo 2
Men's
Women's
So far, I’ve been impressed by the Nucleo 2’s responsiveness and stability. They seem durable, too, living up to Diadora’s history of crafting quality footwear. As a result, they also seem to align with Diadora’s history of being a more expensive shoe option. At $160 a pair, I’m wondering how they perform compared to similarly-priced road shoes, like the On Cloudsurfers. I look forward to continuing to test these shoes throughout the spring to see how they hold up.
-Treeline Review contributing editor, Becca Downs
