sleeping pads<\/a> to \u201choly cow, that\u2019s expensive\u201d rooftop tents, we put it all through its paces in our personal and professional lives.<\/p>\nBut with great power comes great responsibility. We\u2019re often testing more gear than we have time to write full articles about. That\u2019s where this roundup comes in: the gear from October that surprised and delighted us and that we think you should check out, too.<\/p>\n\n(Photo: Therabody)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTherabody ThermBack LED<\/h2>\n Tested by Kristen Geil, Gear & Affiliate Director<\/strong><\/p>\nI tweaked my low back at tennis the other week, and I\u2019ve never been so grateful to have the Therabody ThermBack LED, a combination heating pad\/massager, in my back pocket (literally). I now wear it for 15 minutes before any physical activity to loosen the muscles, and honestly, I\u2019m probably wearing it at this exact moment. (Heads up: I\u2019m 5 feet 3 inches, and this takes up a LOT of space on my torso\u2014it feels a little bulky. Worth it anyway.)<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: REI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTeva Hurricane Trailsetter GTX<\/h2>\n Tested by Frederick Dreier, Outside Features Editor<\/strong><\/p>\nThis summer I set out to find the perfect shoe to fit my adventure-dad lifestyle\u2014footwear for trail runs, dog walks, mowing the lawn, short jaunts to the playground, and maybe a family dinner or two. The Teva Hurricane Trailsetter GTX won the competition going away. The cushy HyperComf sole kept my joints from aching, and the Gore-Tex liner meant my feet stayed dry even in a flash rainstorm. The shoe\u2019s real secret sauce is in its drawstring speed laces: an extremely convenient closure system that kept me reaching for them, no matter the activity.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Danner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPrimaLoft Liner Jacket<\/h2>\n Tested by Maddy Dapcevich, Outside Associate Editor<\/strong><\/p>\nThe PrimaLoft Liner Jacket is an ultralight but uber-warm stylish jacket that is my go-to fall staple. Its Primaloft insulation is warm enough to keep Montana\u2019s nippy cold mornings at bay, while still feeling stylish enough to go from the trailhead to happy hour.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: REI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTifosi Moab Lite Sunglasses<\/h2>\n Tested by Jonathan Beverly, Senior Gear Editor<\/strong><\/p>\nWhen heading out for a run or bike ride, I reach for my Tifosi Moab Lite sunglasses more often than any in my pile of sunglasses (many of which cost far more) for one simple reason: they don\u2019t get in the way. The half-rim design is flat across the top\u2014staying clear of my hat or helmet\u2014and open on the bottom\u2014curving close enough to my face to block the wind but not touch my cheekbones. And, thanks to the light weight and grippy rubber nose and temple pads, they never budge.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Craft)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCraft Hypervent Light Wind Jacket Vega<\/h2>\n Tested by Frederick Dreier, Outside Features Editor<\/strong><\/p>\nHave you ever owned a garment that seems to defy logic? When I first tried it on, Craft\u2019s Hypervent Light Wind Jacket Vega appeared far too flimsy to provide meaningful warmth. The Kleenex-thin ripstop coat could crumple down to the size of a wadded napkin. But after several trail runs above treeline this fall, I experienced the jacket\u2019s magic. Not only did the Hypervent Light Vega keep me toasty when the temperature plummeted, but it also blocked the gusting winds from chilling my core. Would a thicker coat have kept me even toastier? Probably. But a thicker coat would have required a pack. The Hypervent Light, meanwhile, fit in the tiny pocket in my running shorts.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Amazon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nManduka eKO Yoga Mat<\/h2>\n Tested by Calin Van Paris, Digital Editor, Yoga Journal<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Manduka eKO Natural Yoga Mat is my forever yoga mat, and I will never stop recommending it. It\u2019s portable, pretty, and supportive, with enough grip for any style of practice (including hot yoga).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Amazon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLifeStraw Personal Water Filter<\/h2>\n Tested by Nick Demarsh, Social Media Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019m a frequent hiker, and sometimes, carrying multiple bottles can add too much weight to my pack. My LifeStraw makes it easy to get fresh water wherever I might find a water source.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: REI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSorel Ambler Waterproof Clogs<\/h2>\n Tested by Kristen Geil, Gear & Affiliate Director<\/strong><\/p>\nEvery year, I\u2019m on a quest to find the perfect winter-slop dog-walking shoe (I live in Chicago without a backyard, so we have to get out in all sorts of conditions). This year, my go-to will be the Sorel Ambler Waterproof Clogs. They\u2019re slip-ons\u2014crucial for mornings when I\u2019m already too bundled up to reach down and touch my toes\u2014with a bit of a rim around the foot opening to prevent said slop from creeping in. The textile lining will keep my feet warm, and I love that there\u2019s a little bit of a platform so my pants don\u2019t drag in slush puddles.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Ridge Merino)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nRidge Merino Convict Canyon Hoodie<\/h2>\n Tested by Sam Berman, Executive Editor, SKI<\/strong><\/p>\nAs a skier, my favorite pieces are the ones that pull double duty. Ridge Merino\u2019s Convict Canyon Hoodie is the perfect example. It\u2019s a cozy grid-fleece half-zip that I consistently reach for on cooler fall-morning runs. It also serves as a great ski layer all winter. As a running top, I appreciate the longer length that covers my butt and the generous zipper that dumps heat as needed; that same length provides a little extra warmth on cold chairlift laps. I love the contrast sleeves, too!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Blumaka)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBlumaka NonSlip Performance Insoles<\/h2>\n Tested by Frederick Dreier, Outside Features Editor<\/strong><\/p>\nI am cursed with strangely shaped feet. They are long, extremely narrow, and of such low volume that when I lace most shoes, excess material folds over onto itself. But recently I discovered a hack that allows each new shoe or boot to fit: Blumaka\u2019s NonSlip Performance Insoles. They are amazingly sturdy. I\u2019ve transferred the same set of insoles across four different running shoes, two hiking boots, and two cycling shoes this year. Whenever I slip the insoles in, the new shoe feels like the perfect fit.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Amazon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWalking Tamales<\/h2>\n Tested by Benjamin Tepler, Senior Gear Editor<\/strong><\/p>\nThere are few trail snacks appropriate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Walking Tamales, a savory envelope of corn masa, pinto beans, and various chile blends hits the spot no matter what time it is. It\u2019s quickly become a thru-hiker favorite for its shelf-stable packaging, filling ingredients, and tantalizing spice level.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Atherton)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAtherton S150<\/h2>\n Tested by Brian Park, Executive Director, Cycling<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019m loving my Atherton S150 right now. Tank-like frame, neutral suspension, good geometry, and great looks\u2014IMO anyway!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Target)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nPacking Cube with Neck Pillow<\/h2>\n Tested by Mattie Friberg, Video Production Coordinator<\/strong><\/p>\nOn my most recent trip, I took along this packing cube that doubles as a neck pillow. On the way there, it packed down to practically nothing, and on the way home, it was discreet extra storage when my bag was overflowing with souvenirs, plus it helped me sleep on my red-eye. Doesn\u2019t hurt that it\u2019s only $10.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n(Photo: Wigwam)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWigwam Alpaca Ultra Mid Crew Lightweight Sock<\/h2>\n Tested by David Gleisner, Community Engagement Editor, Endurance<\/strong><\/p>\nMost of my socks come from Costco and have at least a couple of holes, which is why these alpaca wool lightweight socks have been such an upgrade. This pair from Wigwam is soft, well-fitting, moisture-wicking, warm but not suffocating, and durable (no holes yet!).<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n
Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"These 14 favorites, from a back-soothing heat wrap to trail-ready tamales, impressed editors in October. (Photo: Outside) Published October 28, 2026 03:53AM As gear editors, we get to test dozens of products every month, across the whole spectrum of outdoor recreation. From all-mountain skis to budget-friendly ski jackets, backpacker-approved sleeping pads to \u201choly cow, that\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18558,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wild-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18557"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18557\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/18558"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}