Coolers & Heavy Lifting
The Yeti Tundra Haul is the king of cold. It’s expensive, bulky, and frankly absurd to carry, but nothing beats it. Three inches of insulation, aluminum arm handles, wheels that laugh at punctures. Fill it up? You’ll need help loading it into the truck. I kept ice for five days in humid Florida heat. Five days.
If you value cold beer above comfort, this is your tank.
Apparel & Rain Gear
The Rainier jacket is our pick for budget rain shells, especially at this price. Limited colors, but this is the lowest I’ve seen in five years. It skips PFAS and uses high-quality, three-layer laminate with taped seams. Rare features for this price: pit zips, weatherproof zips, hood that stows away. I wear the 2024 model daily. Wind stays out, moisture stays in, vents run from hem to bicep for airflow (and pocket access).
Women’s Arc’teryx AR jackets are nearly half off in certain sizes. The “AR” means all-round. It’s the heavy hitter in the Beta series. Forty-denier face fabric with reinforced 80-denier zones. Gore-Tex Pro 3l membrane inside. Waterproof. Durable. When the sky looks like it’s about to open, I grab this.
REI’s 650-fill puffer is a steal for summit chills or stargazing nights. Stitched baffles mean it’s not the warmest option, and wind slips through easy enough. But the price is right. Vest version drops another $50.
The Kids Snowballer puffer is arguably better than the adult version. My son wore it all winter through dirt and messes. Machine washable, tumble dry, still going strong. 650-fill down, but it feels overstuffed. Warmer. Cozier. No listed fill weight from REI, but my kid loves it.
Ghost Whisperer Down Jacket remains my backpacking choice. 6.7 ounces. Packs into its own pocket. 1000-fill goose down. The warmth-to-weight ratio is nearly unbeaten. Men’s isn’t on sale right now though. A missed opportunity.
That wool shirt? You need it. Classic ultrawarm wool. Shirt-jacket hybrid? Call it what you want. It’s soft, not itchy, and keeps you warm.
REI Midweight base layers are the value kings here. Soft, quick-dry, flatlock seams that don’t rub under pack straps. Thumb loops are a nice touch. Merino base layers from REI are a better deal even at full price. On sale? Grab them. Pants are $60 now.
Sahara Shade hoodie if the sun is your enemy. Better than sunscreen if you hate the smell. Doesn’t feel stiflingly hot. Good for high altitude sun. Less ideal for humid Florida afternoons, but effective.
Patagonia Capilene Crew. Synthetic. Made from recycled polyester, not polypropylene. Stretchedy, soft, dries fast. Nearly as comfy as merino but lighter. Matching bottoms on sale too.
Darn Tough socks. Specifically the Hiker Micro Crew. Merino wool. Versatile enough for hiking trails and barefoot town walking. Just enough padding, not too much.
Packs & Day Hauling
Read our daypack guide first if you’re unsure. The Nemo Resolve uses low-waste design principles. Solution-dyed fabrics. No buckles, just bungees. Fit takes adjusting, but once dialed, it sits high on the back and feels structured despite being frameless. Two pounds light.
Old Deuter pack. Dirty, sad, but still carries heavy loads comfortably. The updated version I tested last year? Same story. Suspension is great. Ventilation beats most competitors. Back stays dry.
That new UHMWPE pack? Durable, quiet fabric (no annoying crinkling). 22 liters fits day hike needs. Mesh pocket expands capacity. I’m impressed.
Osprey Protium 27 for climbing gear. Holds 20 pounds easily. Fit system slides mesh up or down for any torso length—my 5’4″ daughter and my 5’11” frame both fit fine. Shoulder straps get a bit thin under max load. Comes with rain cover.
Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack. I use it for everything. Bike commuting? Waist mode. City walking? Shoulder mode. Bike handlebar mount? Sure. I have the 9-liter, would probably upgrade to the 13-liter now. Extra space is never bad.
Peak Design Everyday pack. WIRED loves it for a reason. Understated. Adapts from trail to office to bar. Quick-release arm straps let you swing the bag open while moving. Great for grabbing keys on the fly.
Kid’s one-size pack from REI. Head to the store to test the fit. Good for ages 8-12, or roughly 4’9” to 5’3”. Comfortable starter pack for little adventurers.
REI Big Haul duffel. Durable. Water-resistant. Swallows gear. Strap system converts to backpack. Useful.
E-bikes & Tech
Lectric XP. Most popular e-bike globally. Third-most-popular EV overall after Tesla Model 3 and Y. Assembles in 20 minutes. Folds up. Looks decent in green. 750-watt Motor. 225-pound rider test yielded 50+ mile range. Impressive for the price.
TrailRush e-bike hits 28 mph. Class 3 specs. Shimano Deore drivetrain. RockShox Air fork. Quad-piston brakes. Dropper seat. Maxxis tubeless tires. $11k Levo 4 is great, but who has $11k for a bike? This does the job.
Aventon bikes offer high quality at lower prices. Fat-tire option here is versatile for commuters. Accessories beat Lectric’s. Also check out the Abound, on sale.
GoTrax folding bike. Step-through design. Cheap folding bike flaws apply—awkward, heavy. But 20-mile range is solid. Commuter essentials under $1000.
InReach SE? I haven’t taken it into the backcountry yet. I trust people who do. If I had to buy one? This one. Three point five ounces. Stows easy. Uses Iridium satellite network. Sends SOS anywhere. Waypoints, interval tracking. Plays with Garmin watches.
Garmin Venu 4 adds “Sleep Alignment.” New metric tells you when to go to bed based on circadian rhythms. Cool. Weird. Interesting.
Instinct 3 Solar remains my top rugged, affordable pick. Same GPS navigation as the expensive Fenix 8. Stellar battery. Durable body. Cheaper. Lighter. Sun charges it. What else do you want?
Camping Gear
Check the tent guides before you buy. REI Base Camp is my pick for six-person domes. High 150-denier floor. Mesh and nylon walls. Lots of pockets, double doors. Full-length rain fly for three-season use.
Marmot Halo. My favorite four-person tent for storms. Steep walls, full rain fly. Low profile but usable space is huge due to the unique pole structure (poles connect mid-body, not ground). You can’t stand up, but you sleep like a king in the rain.
Campwell line. Budget focused. Keeps you warm, keeps you dry. The Campwell 20 sleeping bag handles summer easily. Zip off the zipper and use it as a double quilt. Packs small.
REI Kindercamp for the kids. Most can fit adult bags if it’s warm, but this saves cash and space. Good starter bag for little campers.
Cascade 3-in-1 Stove. Upgrade over the basic model. Cast iron burners last longer, heat more evenly. Griddle plate for pancakes? Essential. My only complaint? I wish I could buy two griddles. The grill plate rarely gets used.
Standard two-burner camp stoves are everywhere. Reasonable. Easy to use. 10k BTU burners handle cast iron. Electronic ignition saves you from hunting for a lighter.
REI Folding Camp Chair. I don’t carry chairs when backpacking, too much weight. This? Compact camp chair. Sturdy. Well made. Outlasted the $200 Nemo chair, which ripped last year. Value proposition delivered.
My Kelty Loveseat. Because one seat is lonely.
