From a $58 tee that survived a Wisconsin backpacking trip to the balance bike that turned a toddler into a mini mountain biker, here’s the gear our editors won’t shut up about.
(Photo: Canva)
Published September 30, 2026 08:58AM
Here’s What to Know: After putting fresh gear through its paces across the world—from New Mexico to Maine to Copenhagen—our six editors and contributors found tons of standout items worthy of a permanent place in the gear shed. Some editor faves this season included the grippy Altra Lone Peak 9+ GTX trail running shoes, the warm-but-breathable Ridge Merino Alpha Wool Insulated Jacket, and the featherlight (and budget friendly) Xteink X4 Pro Pocket eReader for backcountry reading.
Arc’teryx Norvan 7 Vest, $160
Tested by Amelia Arvesen, contributing editor
It’s accurate to say I’ve carried this Norvan running vest for miles and miles. But, really, it’s carried me—through a sweaty 11-mile trail run in the Tillamook Forest, two of my three longer Hood to Coast relay legs, and a big loop to five different bakeries in Copenhagen. It has become my go-to vest for every long run since I started testing it in June. Cinches at the tops of the hydration pockets keep the 500ml soft flasks secure, while stretchy mesh pockets stay compressed so my keys and gels don’t fly out. A larger compartment in the back is big enough to hold a wind shell or long sleeve. The cords at the shoulders and back feel a little excessive and flap when I run, but I’ve stopped noticing them and will be glad to have them on a day I bring poles. —Amelia Arvesen, contributing editor
Altra Lone Peak 9+ GTX, $180
Tested by Jonathan Beverly, senior gear editor
I spent the first week of September hiking the trails of Maine’s Acadia National Park in the Altra Lone Peak 9+ GTX, and it solidified my opinion that these are the best hiking shoes on the market today. I’ve been enjoying the Lone Peak 9+ GTX for hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park and western Nebraska’s sandhills where I live, and they have kept me über comfortable and secure on dry rocks and loose gravel and sand, but I wasn’t sure what shoe to take for the wet granite, mud, pine needles, and roots of the northeast—so I brought three different shoes. I ended up only wearing the Altras.
The fit is unsurpassed, with its generous toe space and snug heel and midfoot, keeping me from sliding off the sides on steep granite mountainsides without ever feeling cramped. The traction from the Vibram Megagrip sole never failed me, even on seaweed-covered boulders where others were sliding and falling. The Gore-Tex upper kept me dry during a rainy morning hike splashing through trail puddles, but never felt hot, even on a sunny afternoon summit after a strenuous climb. But what seals the Lone Peak’s superiority for me is its ride: it delivers the balanced stance and ground connectivity of a zero-drop, low-stack midsole combined with just enough lively foam to always feel cushioned and protected regardless of the underfoot terrain. And they felt just as smooth and comfortable on the morning I took them for a run on the gravel road outside our cabin. —Jonathan Beverly, senior gear editor
Ridge Merino Alpha Wool Insulated Jacket, $275
Tested by Jakob Schiller, contributing writer
After suffering through New Mexico’s hottest summer on record, late September brought us two weeks of steady rain and much cooler temps. I headed for the mountains to celebrate and packed the Alpha Wool as my main layer. It’s lined with insulation called Polartec Alpha Direct with Wool, which is a terrible name but a fantastic technology. Like regular Alpha, it’s warm from the instant you put it on, even in temps near freezing, but also highly breathable so you don’t have to rip your jacket off when you’re moving. Because it’s mostly wool, the material is better for the environment and cuts down on any stink. I’ve also used the Alpha Wool as a midlayer for skiing, so it will likely be my go-to insulation piece from now through next spring. —Jakob Schiller, contributing writer
Xtratuf Women’s Legacy Mules, $130
Tested by Jenny Wiegand, associate gear director
As a mom of two toddlers, slip-on shoes are life. Sandals and Birkenstocks get me through summer, but once fall rain moves in, my suede clogs turn into soggy liabilities. The Xtratuf Legacy Mules are the shoe I didn’t know I needed for that gap. They’re 100 percent waterproof with the same rugged, non-slip sole Xtratuf’s fishing boots are known for, so I can step through puddles at pickup without a second thought. I love the neutral colorway—I’ve worn them with sweats for school drop-off and dressed them up with barrel jeans for a concert. One fit note: they run small and only come in full sizes, so size up. —Jenny Wiegand, Associate Gear Director
Early Rider Bigfoot 12 Balance Bike, $239
Tested by Jenny Wiegand and her son
My three-year-old wanted nothing to do with a Strider—he’s small for his age, and the 12″ model felt too heavy and tippy for him to feel steady on. The Early Rider Bigfoot 12 is built on the same frame size, but wider 2.25-inch knobby tires and a broader handlebar give it a lower, more planted feel that made all the difference for him. It doesn’t hurt that it has a real handbrake (like the big kids have!) and looks like a legitimate mini mountain bike instead of a toy. Almost overnight he went from timid to obsessed, and he’s now experimenting with rolling off curbs and bombing around off-road like mom and dad. —JW
Outdoor Voices Waffle Baby Tee, $58
Tested by Kristen Geil, gear & affiliate director
Like many other millennial women, Outdoor Voices had a chokehold on me in the mid-2010s (at one point, I owned six Exercise Dresses). I’d drifted away from them over the past few years while they regrouped, but on a recent backpacking trip in northern Wisconsin, I found myself wearing the deceptively simple Waffle Baby Tee nonstop.
I find most hiking clothes have a disappointing dinosaur hunter aesthetic that doesn’t jive with the rest of my closet, but I fell in love with this tee for both backpacking and regular life. The waffle tee has a pleasant weight to it that prevented my backpack straps from chafing or rubbing against my skin. We were moving quickly in warm weather, and I broke a sweat almost immediately—but the tee seemed to dry almost instantly (probably thanks to the 100% cotton fabric). It even passed the stink test on day 2—it smelled pretty much fine and none of my fellow backpackers told me I stunk. I’ll be wearing this tee nonstop this fall and beyond. —Kristen Geil, Gear & Affiliate Director
Xteink X4 Pro Pocket eReader, $99
Tested by Benjamin Tepler, senior gear editor
For years I’ve searched for a Kindle replacement that was lightweight enough for backpacking. The Xteink X4 Pro hits the sweet spot between screen size, weight, and features. With a 4.3-inch display, it’s just big enough to comfortably read without having to use a tiny font or feel like you’re turning pages every other sentence. At 72 grams, it’s less than half the weight of a standard Kindle. Critically, the X4 Pro has a frontlight (unlike the X4 Classic and X3), meaning I don’t have to drain my headlamp while reading at night. One minor quibble? The magnetic charging port isn’t particularly secure, which means you have to finagle it into a stable position to power up. —Benjamin Tepler, senior gear editor
