New Gear We’re Testing: Summer 2024
NEW AND UPDATED GEAR FOR SUMMER 2024
June 22nd, 2024
We’ve been busy this spring testing gear and getting ready for summer with travel and adventures of all sorts! We want to share some of our favorite items we’ve tested so far in the last few months.
Testing isn’t done yet! We like to get many months of data and take the gear to different climates and test in different seasons. But we also wanted to 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.
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Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2)
I've never tested a watch with mapping and navigation capabilities before, and to be honest, I was a little skeptical. Why would I need a watch with GPS and maps when I have my phone? But this spring, I took the Garmin epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition on my thru-hike of the Mogollon Rim Trail, and I'm convinced.
I'm convinced of the utility of using a watch to navigate rather than a phone. I'm convinced that the battery is good enough to use on a thru-hike. And I'm convinced that the watch is durable enough and truly waterproof and dustproof to stand up to the rigors of a thru-hike. I'll have a full long-term review soon. Keep an eye out as it may just take an award in our Best Backpacking Watches guide.
Ridge Merino Pursuit Ultralight Merino Hoodie
I've written before of my love for the Ridge Merino Solstice Sun Hoodie, which is also our winner for Best Merino Sun Shirt in our Best Sun Shirts guide. Ridge is out with a new hoodie that falls somewhere between the base layer/ sun hoodie continuum.
What makes it notable is the thin material and a scuba style hood. This material is awesome: soft, super stretchy, and thin. It's so stretchy the scuba hood stays in place in the wind or throughout the night as you toss and turn–without a drawstring. It weighs 5 oz, which is light enough to be your base layer/sleep clothes/town clothes on a backpacking trip. As with all merino, it breathes well, doesn't smell after a long day or three, and wicks moisture well. Plus, it's got thumb holes. Over the years, I've tested dozens of sun shirts and base layers and the Pursuit is one that is worth writing about. Keep an eye out for it in an update of our Best Baselayers guide, too.
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Garmin Edge 1040 Solar Bike Computer
I'm planning to use the Garmin Edge 1040 bike computer for my upcoming 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route ride from Jasper, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico this summer. I chose the Garmin 1040 because I wanted a GPS-enabled bike computer that could help me navigate the route, provide details of my daily progress (mileage, elevation gain), track my performance metrics (heart rate, calories burned, stamina), and have exceptional battery life. The Garmin 1040 Solar has up to 45 hours of battery life.
The 1040 bike computer is compatible with the Garmin Connect app, which I already use with my Garmin fenix 7X watch. Additionally, I can broadcast my heart rate from my Garmin watch to the bike computer, eliminating the need to wear a separate heart rate monitor while cycling.
I've been using the Garmin 1040 during my training rides for the past few weeks, and I've been very impressed with its features, ease of use, and battery life. I'm looking forward to sharing a more detailed review after my ride.
I have been a Zpacks Duplex fan for a long time, but sharing it with my very tall partner has oftentimes been a bit cramped. The Offset Trio gives my partner more space to spread out head to toe and allows a much more spacious tent sharing experience.
The Duplex was doable but never felt livable for a long thru-hike with the two of us sharing, we would usually each carry our own tent. The Offset Trio adds a few more ounces over the duplex but we can share the tent comfortably and it sets up in the same amount of time.
The Offset series has thoughtful design features and the offset roof makes it easier to sit upright for tent chores, the high point lines up with where you would naturally sit up in your sleeping bag. The tent is directional and requires a little more attention when setting it up and noticing sloped areas. It is easier to find a space for one Trio vs. having to find the space for two Duplex tents. You'll find the Zpacks Offset in our Best Ultralight Tents guide.
FlipFuel
If you’ve ever gone on a backpacking trip with Treeline co-founder Liz “Snorkel” Thomas, you know the importance of knowing how much fuel is left in an iso-butane canister.
All jokes aside, I use a canister stove, so I have the inevitable hoard of partially-used fuel canisters collecting dust in my gear closet.
I certainly don’t want to run out and not be able to cook my dinner after a long day on trail, but I also sure don’t want to carry the weight of a second canister, so the not-quite empties accumulate. The Flip-Fuel is a tiny device that threads onto twoo canisters and allows you to transfer fuel from one canister to another. I’ve been using it to consolidate my fuel this year with good success.
It works best by getting the donor can warm (set it out in the sun for a few minutes) and the recipient can cold (stick it in the freezer). The Flip-Fuel then threads onto both canisters, and you open a little valve to allow the gas to transfer. It’s been so convenient to know I’ll have enough fuel on a trip without having to run to the store and buy a new canister, while also using up my stash of “halfies.”
Icebreaker 125 Cool-Lite Merino Blend Speed Tank
The lightweight, breathable Icebreaker 125 Cool-Lite Merino Blend Speed tank has quickly become a go-to top for warm runs this summer. While merino wool blends may sound like a winter fabric, this tank is loose, breathable, light, and quite comfortable in the heat. The eyelet mesh aids in ventilation, and the merino blend is naturally odor resistant.
I learned about this tank, and the rest of the new Cool-Lite line, at the 2024 Winter Outdoor Market Alliance Show and had been looking forward to warm weather in which to test it. Cool-Lite is made for hot days, as it combines the comfort, breathability, and odor-resistance of merino with TENCEL®, a wood fiber made from sustainably-sourced eucalyptus.
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I’ll continue testing this tank through the warm months to see how it holds up as it gets even hotter. The neck is higher than most tanks I like, so I’ll also be looking out for how comfortable that neckline is over time. I look forward to updating our Best Women’s Running Shirts guide with my review of this promising running tank.
Gossamer Gear Bumster
I bought a Gossamer Gear Bumster fanny pack/crossbody bag back in November, aiming to integrate this into my summer set-up. After many months of winter and shoulder season conditions, the Northeast is finally in summer season. With that change, I’ve begun hiking exclusively with a running vest or vest-style pack, with room on my hips for a cozy fanny pack like this one.
It’s only 3 oz and has a large 1.5L capacity, with two zippered compartments and two pockets within the larger compartment to hold smaller items securely. It easily holds my phone, sunscreen, keys, and half a dozen snacks. I’ve worn it in humid and hot conditions while hiking and trail running, and it hasn’t chaffed me at any point. It molds itself well to my body and doesn’t bounce.
My initial concerns were for capacity and comfort, and this fanny pack has knocked it out of the park on both! I can’t wait to take it with me on my next thru-hike as a companion to my Gossamer Gear Fast Kumo 36.
You'll find the Gossamer Gear Bumster as a winner in Best Hiking Fanny Packs, Waistpacks, and Lumbar Packs guide.
Tifosi Stash
I am notoriously picky about my sunnies, and that’s especially true when I have to wear them under a bike helmet. A balance of comfort, performance, and style is what I typically look for, and that often leaves me dropping a decent chunk of change.
I recently got a pair of Tifosi Stash cycling glasses and have been using them for both mountain bike and road rides, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised. The photochromic lenses are crisp and offer great contrast on the trail and sun protection on the road. I can use them almost any time of day in all light conditions without worrying about a lens swap. They’re comfortable to the point where I forget they’re on my face, and they stay put even on rough downhill trails. And, the arms are adjustable to dial in the fit, which is also ideal for someone with a super small head that often drowns in helmets and sporty sunglasses.
The one thing they lack, in my option, is the sleek style I typically look for. I want my glasses to be technical and perform well, but I don’t want them to scream that with their looks. These aren’t the most aggressively sporty sunglasses out there, but they’re not exactly subtle, either. But, they’re far more affordable than many comparable options from other brands (less than half the price of some), without any noticeable downsides in overall performance. So how much are style points really worth?
Coros APEX 2
In the past two years, I’ve gone from a person who wears no watches to a person who cycles through three watches in any given week. In my defense, I’m not just a gear tester, but also a guidebook author whose GPS tracker of choice is one I can wear around my wrist.
The newest addition to my rotation is a Coros APEX 2, which I’ve been testing since the start of the year on neighborhood walks, trail and road runs, hikes, and backpacking trips. Fresh out of the box, it gave me pause as I wondered if the thin, woven, velcro-backed band would hold up to the rigors of daily use in mixed conditions. I’m pleased to report that not only has it held up with nary a snag or tear, but the velcro is also grippy as heck and extremely easy to adjust on the fly.
That ease of use carries over to the tech side of things. Within a few minutes of opening the box, I’d set my preferences (including a very adorable watch face adorned with a snoozing cartoon cat, one choice out of what felt like an endless array), set up the Coros app, paired the watch with my phone, and mastered its basic functionality. With only three buttons situated on the watch bezel (a backlight, a “back” toggle, and the main button, which also turns to serve as a menu dial) along with a very intuitive menu system, I had no problem customizing and logging activities from the start.
While I’m still testing all of the programs available via the app and the watch itself (you can find individual workouts, training plans, and fitness assessments among the available options), I’m so far thoroughly impressed with the APEX 2 software and its ability to provide detailed feedback on my usage and fitness — no surprise, since Coros watches are known for providing high-quality data output that can be used by professional and casual athletes alike.
I’m also impressed by the APEX 2’s battery life. In my first 10 days of use and without optimizing a single setting for max efficiency, I logged roughly 30 miles of GPS-enabled running and hiking, along with near-daily yoga and strength work and still had almost 10% of battery life left — not too shabby!
Platypus Quick Draw 2L Filter System
I’ve been using a Platypus Quickdraw filter for a couple of years now. In that time, I’ve tried all sorts of ways to rig a water bottle to the clean end to make a gravity filter setup — rubber bands, a reusable zip tie, cord, velcro straps — but none of those worked long-term. Now, Platypus has released a version of their Quick Draw filter with threads on the clean and dirty ends for exactly this purpose.
With the newest Quick Draw, you can attach the filter to a water bladder, hang it from a tree or trekking pole, loosely thread a water bottle onto the other end, and let gravity pull water through the filter.
The Quick Draw Filter System also comes with a 2L water bladder and a hose. I’ll mostly leave the hose at home and simply use the dirty bladder and filter, feeding directly into a #2 threaded water bottle, while I sit back and relax while gravity does the work of filtering for me. You'll find the Platypus Quickdraw in our Best Water Filters for Backpacking guide.
Recommending sunglasses is like recommending shoes. Just like not every shoe is ideal for everyone’s foot, not every pair of sunglasses is ideal for everyone’s face. In fact, I usually shy away from testing sunglasses because of that. Yet I really have to recommend the Zeal Incline sunglasses with their AutoSun lenses.
While I’ve got plenty of great sunglasses, I’m on my second pair of these and would gladly buy a third. I lost my first pair in a foot and a half of powdery snow at night and instantly regretted it. At 10 pm in 25-degree weather I spent a half hour digging in the snow of a Park City Utah hotel parking lot like a mad man looking for them before I finally gave up. Here’s why:
The Incline features a wraparound design that lets almost no side light in so you can focus on the task at handn full sun the polarized lenses provide enough tint to hike across a glacier without needing to squint. The rubber inserts on the nose and earpieces make sure these sunglasses stay in place no matter what, with no annoying jiggle no matter how hard you’re bumping about—they’re about the best at staying in place of any sunglasses I’ve ever tested or used.
I’ve been a huge fan of the AutoSun lenses and technology (as well as Smith’s photochromic lenses) for years, but Zeal really puts it all together with the Incline. The lenses adjust imperceptibly and so quickly you barely notice it, and you don’t know how good you have it until you hear your friends gripe about how they should have brought multiple sunglasses for an adventure. Yes, the lenses add a premium—but they’re worth it, considering they make these great sunglasses ideal for almost any adventure. With AutoSun, a pair of these sunglasses can replace three or more pairs of sunglasses—easy.
Both the lenses and frames are made with plant-based materials, so they’re also a great way to get a highly resilient, flexible plastic frame while getting away from petroleum as well.
Platypus DayCap
The Platypus DayCap is a game changer that I just started testing and can’t wait to test throughout the summer. It’s an in-bottle filter, which means that it’s essentially a filter and a lid that attaches to a bottle that you already own. The DayCap is compatible with three widely popular wide mouth bottles: the wide-mouth Nalgene, the wide-mouth Hydroflask, and the Yeti Yonder. The DayCap works with all capacities of these bottles as well, turning my 32 oz and 48 oz Nalgene bottles into water filters.
I have tested the DayCap with my Nalgene in a creek in the nearby Sawtooth mountain range in Idaho. The creek was running strong and cold with ice melt. It was hot and sunny that day and I was thankful for the clean water that came out of my Nalgene with the DayCap. I trust and have used other Platypus products, including the Quick Draw system described above, and have never had issues with filters failing or breaking before their lifespan is up.
I’m mostly excited about the DayCap because I have never enjoyed lugging around large filters, especially as I typically hike along or near water sources. The DayCap allows me to also practice sustainability, as I don’t need to buy a new bladder or only use parts of the filtration kit, as I often do with larger filters (such as hoses). Instead, I can turn to bottles I already own. I love a product that not only improves my outdoor experience, but makes it easier and helps me forgo having to purchase any new products that might eventually end up in a landfill.
The DayCap is going to be my constant companion this summer and beyond, and I love that my HydroFlasks and my Nalgene bottles are now able to filter for me as well! Keep your eyes out for more on the DayCap in my Best Water Bottles for Hiking guide.
