Gear Guide
We gather and analyze gear reviews so that you buy right the first time. Our team of professional outdoor journalists bring back objectivity, transparency, and authenticity to buying gear. We want you to choose something that won't go to a landfill or hog up space in your garage. We're dedicated to making an inclusive outdoor space where everyone—regardless of how you do the outdoors—can make smart gear decisions.
Buy less junk. Help the planet. Gear for everyone.
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Running
Our in-depth review of the supportive, stable, techincal Salomon Speedcross 6 shoe for trail runners.
Not just for elite athletes – anyone can benefit from the Coros Apex 2's data, feedback, excellent battery life, app, and customizable interface.
A running jacket is an essential piece of gear for weather protection, temperature regulation, moisture management, wind resistance, and visibility, to name a few reasons.
The Salomon Sense Ride 5 trail running shoes offer an excellent balance of lightweight comfort, stability, durability, and responsiveness. With this versatility and price, it’s a great value.
With long battery life, durability, full smartwatch capabilities, and superior mapping capabilities, the fenix 7 Pro is our top pick for endurance activities.
Long-term, in-depth review of the Garmin Forerunner 55 running watch, as written by a smartwatch noob. Spoiler alert – the watch converted her from a technophobe to a believer!
If your feet aren’t happy, you won’t be happy. A comfortable pair of trail running shoes is crucial for a good experience while on the trail. We'll help you find them.
We ran 2,000 miles in 24 of the most popular trail running shoes to find the best trail running shoes for hiking and backpacking, road-to-trail running, narrow feet, wide feet, beginner trail runners, and distance running.
Help tired feet recover with recovery shoes for runners—sandals, slides and slippers. We review passive and active recovery shoes for easing pain or plantar fasciitis
We tested a dozen packs over hundreds of miles to find the best hydration vests for running. We looked at comfort, capacity, hydration system, and more.
Stay safe, stay connected, and stay found in the backcountry with a satellite messenger or personal locator beacon.
With a gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen and too many features to list, Garmin hit it out of the park with the epix Pro (Gen 2) GPS watch.
We test running packs and fast packs for hydration vest style straps, ventilation, ease of use with water bottles and hoses, and more.
Choosing the right pair of running shorts matters. Make sure they're breathable, moisture-wicking, and lightweight and have a good waistband and pockets.
We tested electrolyte powders, tablets, capsules, and drops in hot and harsh conditions hiking, running and biking to bring you this list of the best electrolyte supplements on the market.
We tested and reviewed the best road running shoes for women to help you elevate your running experience with the best cushioning, support, and style.
Water bottles are vital to keeping us hydrated outdoors- whether it’s for a day hike, a camping trip, or backpacking. We tested wide mouth Nalgenes, collapsible, glass, and vacuum insulated bottles from Yeti, Hydro Flask, and Klean Kanteen and more, comparing 17 bottles side-by-side.
Running belts are game changers. You can carry more stuff, or at least a smartphone, and still feel like you're only wearing the clothes on your back.
In-depth review of the Cloudeclipse running shoe, well-balanced neutral stability max cushion shoe for runners with a springy feel and roomy volume for wider feet.
Sun protection is essential when spending time outdoors, so we trail-tested UPF clothing to bring you this review of the six best sun shirts for men and women.
The best men’s running shirts for cool, cold, and hot weather running: t-shirts, long sleeves and merino run shirts that fit well, are lightweight and breathable
We researched 62 of the most-talked about fanny packs in outdoor media and popular news stories. Then we tested the 11 most promising waist packs for hiking. After an estimated 75 miles of hiking, long bike rides, and visits to the farmer’s market, here are the best fanny packs for leisurely strolls, intense hikes, or a ride through town.
To find the best women’s running shirts, we ran in 20 running tanks, long sleeves, and t-shirts shirts. Here are the best women’s running shirts, according to a running coach and trail ultramarathoner).
The best men’s shorts for running on trails, from liner and liner-less options to compression shorts, racing shorts, and shorts for thick thighs
The On Cloudstratus 3 can do it all, and is the most versatile On shoe we’ve tested so far. It handles just about any need you may have as a runner.
A dialed-in fitting system and excellent performance when both empty and full make the Salomon Adv Skin 12 our top choice for running hydration vests.
The Challenger 7 is the Swiss army knife of running shoes. It will do better on roads than a trail-specific shoe, and it will do better on trails than a road shoe.
A good pair of running sunglasses is comfortable, secure on your face, and UV-protective. They also mute glare and help you stay on your feet rather than tripping over obstacles.
The Hoka Speedgoat 5 is one of our favorite shoes for hiking, backpacking, and, of course, trail running. These shoes are suited for everything from long and smooth dirt trails to rock hopping across scree fields with a backpacking backpack or a small running vest.
The perfect running hat is so comfortable that you have to periodically check if it’s still on your head, keeps salty sweat out of your eyes, dries quickly, and is easily adjustable on the fly.