Published March 18, 2026 03:28AM
We spend a lot of time hyping up the latest and greatest in the gear world, from bombproof hiking backpacks to highly anticipated EVs. But there’s a certain magic in the tattered, the torn, and the un-trashable gear in our closets. The backpacks we’ve had since our first-ever day hikes, the threadbare fleece that somehow feels warmer than any fancy down jacket, the years-old tent that’s discontinued, so we methodically repair and patch every point of weakness.
This month, we aren’t asking our editors for the best new thing they’ve tested. We’re asking for the oldest, rattiest, most beloved gear in their kits. This is the gear we still use, still swear by, and will only let go of when it’s pried from our cold, dead hands.
The Indestructible Coffee Companion
My partner bought me a single wall titanium mug back in 2016 for our first backpacking trip together in Colorado. It has become an essential piece of my kit and I’ve packed it on every trip since. Propped over a camp stove, I boil water for my coffee, tea, and backpacking meals. After all these years, it’s still indestructible—despite a few dents and its patina.
–Amelia Arvesen, Gear Contributing Editor, Outside
READ: The Best Travel Mugs, According to the Outside Lab
The “Grocery-Run” Slippers
What does it say about me that my favorite piece of gear—the item that I’ve used the most for the longest period of time—is a pair of slippers? Probably something I should work out in therapy, but all you need to know is I’ve been wearing the Teva ReEmber Camp Slip Ons almost daily for maybe a decade. They’re comfortable, warm, have enough sole and grip to wear to the grocery store or on a quick dog walk, and look great with everything from Jams shorts to dress pants (my wife disagrees, but…). I love them so much, I’ve given pairs to friends and family. I love them so much, I refuse to get rid of them even though my dog chewed a large hole in my left slipper when he was a puppy. That hole just adds to the charm.
—Graham Averill, travel and gear columnist, Outside
READ: Our Favorite Camp Shoes
The “Emotional Support” Socks
Twelve years ago I bought my first pair of merino wool hiking socks for my first-ever backpacking trip. These bad boys have kept my feet warm and dry on dozens and dozens of trips since then, and they hardly look worse for wear. All the hiking’s worn down a dime-sized thin spot on the ball of each foot, but other than that, they’re practically good as new. My pair is old enough you can’t find the exact model online anymore. But Smartwool’s closest version—the Second Cut sock—has a much more impressive sustainability story than back when I bought mine. Smartwool gives old socks a new life by collecting, washing, and respinning worn-out wool socks—and turning them into brand new pairs. With my tried and true Smartwools finally showing some wear, I just might have to send them in. I’m just not sure I’m emotionally ready yet.
—Erica Zazo, gear columnist, Outside
READ: An Ode to Smartwool Socks
The Hand-Me-Down Patagonia Fleece
A few weeks ago, I picked up a haul of hand-me-down baby clothes from a friend. Her toddler had outgrown a bunch of onesies, pants, and hoodies, and as any parent of a rapidly growing baby knows, you never turn down free clothes. My favorite of the haul is a bright, Patagonia floral zip-up that’s somewhere around seven years old. Its worn fleece still feels soft and the zipper doesn’t stick at all, even though it’s been washed countless times. Perhaps most impressively, after five-plus Outside editors’ kids have worn it as babies, camping, climbing, hiking, and skiing, there’s not a hole to be found in this midlayer. And despite lacking drawstrings that might get tangled in the wash, its generously-sized hood covers and stays up on my daughter’s big head (99th percentile, thank you very much). In a few months, when my daughter outgrows this beloved fleece, I’ll be ready to pass it on to the next new outdoorsy parent.
—Abigail Wise, brand director, Outside
The “Serious” Runner’s Memento
When I first got into running about six years ago, I purchased a sweat headband. I kind of went a little overboard with all the gear because I wanted to look like an extra *serious* runner. The headband feels sort of like a terry cloth robe, and it’s jet black—my favorite color for gear—and is highly absorbent. I honestly don’t even remember where I purchased it from, but I believe I got it from Target. I wear it on super-hot days to prevent sweat from dripping into my eyes, and I personally think it makes me look super cool. I keep pulling it out of my sock drawer (yes, that’s where I keep it) because it’s a reminder of when I began my running journey. It’s still in good shape, still stretchy but not loose, and doesn’t look frayed even after hundreds of washes. Even when it reaches the end of its life and is tattered, I’ll probably still keep it as a memento.
—Ayana Underwood, senior health editor, Outside
The Jacket I Repaired With a Literal Paperclip
I still remember how utterly bewildered I felt when I first viewed, and then tried on, the Mavic Helium cycling jacket. This was back in 2009, when outerwear for cyclists was heavy, bulky, and decidedly not form-fitting. The Helium looked like it was made from Kleenex, and it weighed about as much as a few sheets of tissue. You could crumple into a ball barely bigger than a Clif Bar and stuff it inside of your jersey pocket. The jacket hugged every contour of your torso and never flapped in the wind. Yet it was a very strong barrier against wind and rain, and it vented heat and dampness away from your body. In total, the jacket completely defied all logic about what a cycling garment should look, act, and feel like.
Here it is, 17 years later, and I still bring my Mavic Helium jacket with me on most spring and summer rides. It’s seen its share of use and abuse: the pull tab on the zipper broke off years ago, and I replaced it with a paperclip. There are too many patches to count. The coat feels as thought it might dissolve into a pile of black dust at any moment. But I’m not giving it up. Because after 17 years, I haven’t found a better lightweight jacket out there.
—Fred Dreier, articles editor, Outside
My “Heirloom” (Or Just Old) Paddle
I may get some flak for this one, but my oldest piece of gear right now is my Werner whitewater kayak paddle. A fellow boater gifted me the paddle when I took my first swiftwater rescue course in 2020, and it had been passed down to her before that. So, I couldn’t tell you how old she actually is. In the years since, I’ve used newer, lighter, more feathered, and technologically advanced sticks, but my tried-and-true girlie fits like a comfort blanket.
—Madison Dapcevich, associate editor, Outside
The Unstoppable Softshell
Some time around 2013 I was looking for a jacket that could handle most weather conditions through the shoulder seasons—light rain, wind, and generally cooler temperatures—while maintaining some breathability. I picked up the Marmot Windstopper hooded softshell and haven’t stopped pulling it out my closet since. It’s seen countless trail miles, been the perfect layer for late season splitboarding, and been worn for numerous casual sightseeing outings. Despite my best careless efforts over the last 13 years to inflict damage, it’s still going strong with only a few stubborn stains to show its age. I put it through the wash once it starts to change colors a bit (pesky dirt), but haven’t had to do any repairs thanks to the durable material and construction. If it ever does get a hole, I’ve got patches and duct tape ready to go; there’s no retirement for reliable gear.
–Adam Trenkamp, Lab Test Editor, Outside
