Awesome Hiking

Proof’s 72-Hour Merino Travel Pant promises to ward off water and odors for up to 3 days, not just when you forget to wash it. Its Merino wool blend fabric and a water-repellent finish will keep you feeling and smelling fresh even in harsh outdoor environments. The gusseted crotch and back zip pocket make them more dependable for traveling light.

We’ve never seen a light quite like the Kogalla UltRA. This outdoor adventure light connects five bright Cree LEDs on a flexible steel strap. Wrap it around your waist or hang it from your backpack for super-wide-area illumination. The light connects to an external battery pack (not included) via USB, and Kogalla also sells kits with a battery and mounts.

Pike Trail’s bestselling Pocket Blanket weighs just 6.9 oz yet expands to a 60″ x 56″ surface. That’s big enough to allow four adults to sit comfortably. It’s made of ripstop polyester and is waterproof, sandproof, puncture-resistant, and tear-resistant. When it’s time to pack up, you can fold it in seconds into its nylon spandex bag.

Outdoor Vitals’ aptly named Shadowlight long trail backpack weighs less than 2 lb, including its frame and hip belt, but it carries up to 35 lb. It’s all thanks to the brand’s proprietary ripstop fabric. Its straps, hip belt, and removable back panel were all designed to be as ergonomic as possible. It’s available in either 45L or 60L capacities.

You might not think a bandana could save your life, but this one could. Colter Co.’s clever Stayin’ Alive survival bandana is printed with tips to help you build shelter, find water, make fire, and hunt and gather food. Its bright orange background and reflective ink help mark your location too. They also make a knot tying and animal track identification bandanas.

Hikers and campers need to maximize space in their backpacks. UCO’s collapsible cup takes up half the space of a regular cup when folded and holds 12 oz. of cold or hot drinks. Its handle has a hole for a carabiner, and it’s made from dishwasher-safe, BPA- and phthalate-free, and food-safe polypropylene.

Merrell and Jeep created these rugged hiking shoes inspired by the terrain-handling ability of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. They offer a high-traction Vibram TC5+ outsole, Merrell Air Cushion tech for shock absorption, and a Kinetic Fit footbed for comfort. They come in Men’s and Women’s sizes in Jeep paint colors: Sting Grey, Sarge Green, and Hydro Blue.

Gerber’s Hike Kit bundle includes the Armbar Cork multitool for opening bottles and quick fixes, the Stowe fixed-blade knife for food prep, and the Devour multi-fork utensil for chowing down. The Around Camp kit replaces the knife with a Tri-Tip mini cleaver and upgrades the utensils to the ComplEat kit.

(PG-13: Language) Inspired by GeoWizard’s treks across Europe, Jack Vincent and his buddy Matt tried to cross an entire American state on foot in a straight line. After plotting a 19-mile route across Delaware, they hiked through fields, forests, creeks, and yards, anxiously avoiding barking dogs and gun-wielding property owners along the way. (Thanks, Rob!)

There’s no dog left behind on hikes with Chums’ Trail Dawg Waist Pack. Made from durable rip-stop nylon with a water-resistant finish, it’s got dual water bottle holders for a dog and a human or two dogs, a collapsible dog bowl, a pocket for treats, and a transparent phone sleeve with touch screen functionality.

Spending time outdoors is one of the best things you can do to clear your mind. Whether you’re camping, hiking, or enjoying other outdoor activities, you need the proper equipment for comfort and protection from the elements. Here’s our list of some of the best camping and outdoor gear you can buy, from camp kitchens to camping tools to backpack coolers.

Taking a hike through the great outdoors can be a relaxing and serene experience. But if you’re squeamish about bugs and other wildlife, you’re better off staying indoors. Thanks to the Molski Brothers’ A Trail Tale, you can experience a hike along the Appalachian Trail without leaving the comfort of your web browser. (Thanks Rob!)

Naglev’s hiking shoes are built for extreme adventuring. They’re made with a one-piece Kevlar upper for durability. A wool liner wicks away moisture, while its midsole and footbed mold to your feet over time for comfort. Last but not least, a rubber lug outsole offers impressive grip on varied terrain.

Teva’s comfy yet capable shoes go from lounging to trekking thanks to their cozy quilted uppers and grippy rubber outsoles. They’re lined with 50% recycled polyester with a thick dual-layer foam footbed. They come in six outdoorsy colors in all-gender sizes and have a built-in loop for hanging from your backpack.

Guide your way through the darkness with this even brighter version of the NEBO Transcend headlamp. This model tops out at 1500 lumens and has four brightness modes plus a strobe. Its body is made from aluminum and has a magnetic base for mounting on metal. It’s also IPX7 waterproof and impact-resistant.

Skiers Sam Cohen and Michelle Parker set out to conquer a hard-to-reach mountain peak in the Cascades. After a long hike and five days of camping, they made it to the Northeast face of the appropriately named Mount Fury. Kudos to director Mike Rogge and the Verb Cabin team for following along on this incredible adventure.

Whether you’re hiking the trails of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, or Crater Lake, you need to keep hydrated. Parks Project’s insulated stainless steel water bottle will quench your thirst, while tracking your travels. The 32oz. bottle lists U.S. National Parks and provides spots for you to check them off your bucket lists with a Sharpie.

Lighten up with Cascade Mountain Tech’s carbon fiber trekking poles. They weigh just 5.6 ounces each – 30% less than standard poles. Their sturdy shafts have a quick-lock mechanism for easy height adjustment and collapse into an easily portable 30” – or 26.4” disassembled. Includes four sets of tips for four seasons of use.

Wherever your travels might take you, these Field Notes journals are great for documenting your journey. The special Summer 2021 quarterly edition is done up in a forest green linen accented with orange foil and orange staples. Each book features one of America’s “Big Three” hiking trails on its back. Sold in a 3-pack.

YouTuber Arjen Hartsuiker has a love for building with LEGO, but he’s also into mountaineering. So he decided to combine his two passions, by taking a 7-hour climb in the Italian Alps to an altitude of about 8300 feet, where he set up a LEGO train set with one of the most epic views ever seen by its minifig passengers.

adidas Outdoor brings ultimate comfort to hikers with the Terrex Free Hiker. It has the company’s extremely light and comfortable Boost midsole, a Primeknit upper for a snug feel and Continental rubber outsole for grip even in wet conditions.

Nike ACG’s upcoming sneaker boot combines modern tech with ’90s color. It has a Flyknit collar for comfort, a speed-lacing system for ease of use, as well as a debris guard on the midsole and an outsole designed to improve traction on various terrain.