The Gear Our Editors Loved This Fall

This fall, we mountain-biked under golden leaves, cozied up next to fire pits for end-of-season barbecues, and fly-fished in clear, cold rivers. The below gear had us soaking up the last dregs of 2023’s warm days—and kept us prepared for the newfound cold ones.

Smartwool Women’s Merino Plant-Based Dye Short Sleeve Tee ($80)

About ten years ago, someone gifted me two Smartwool t-shirts. I probably wore one of these tee’s over a hundred times, and the other one at least three times a week since then. Unlike many wool baselayer items, this tee hung loose, and it was round-necked, so it looked nicer than other crew-neck options. I am super into clothing that can be worn climbing, hiking, and around town, including out to dinner—at least somewhere casual. This year I saw that the tee was finally, tragically, wearing thin. So I looked at Smartwool’s website and found the closest thing—the Women’s Merino Plant-Based Dye Short Sleeve Tee. Like my original, it is soft and, as I wanted, light. I did have to upsize from medium to large for a loose fit. I mourn the loss of the graceful round neck—though this one qualifies as a deep crew—and so, sadly, it’s not the unicorn I wore out. But this tee, too, is long, which is great, and comfortable for hiking; I could see backpacking in it day after day. Wool is spendy, but since it’s odor-resistant, needs less washing than other layers, which helps it last. I’ll be wearing this tee all year. —Alison Osius, senior editor

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Hyperice Heated Head Attachment ($59)

If you ever wished your heating pad could also be a masseuse, look no further. The heated attachment from Hyperice does just that. The head fits into any Hyperice massage gun and provides immediate heat wherever the gun is applied. The attachment has three heat options so it’s customizable to the user’s preference, and one charge lasts hours. The head is also great if you just need heat sans massage on one part of your body.  The attachment heats up on its own, and it’s almost instantaneous, so you don’t have to wait. With winter well on its way, I know the heated attachment will be joining me after every activity on my ski trips, winter hikes, and frigid runs. —Jamie Aranoff, digital editor, Ski

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FitJoy Pretzels ($22 per 6-pack of 5 oz. bags)

Since cutting gluten out of my diet I’ve struggled to find snacks that I enjoy eating, and finding a solid pretzal option has been difficult. I stumbled upon the FitJoy pretzels on a recent trip to Wegmans, and I’ve been hooked ever since. They taste like regular pretzels and come in a variety of flavors. I love that there are no oils and preservatives and are also allergen-friendly. You can imagine my thrill when I was offered a mini bag on my most recent Delta flight—finally, a crunchy snack I could eat! FitJoy also makes entertainment-style crackers which I also found delicious, and I am on the hunt to try the rest of the flavors. —J.A.

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Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 Electric Mountain Bike ($7,250)

I’ve been testing Cannondale’s Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 electric mountain bike in a size small for the past three months in Bozeman, and to my surprise, I found myself reaching for it more than my regular downhill bike. Though it’s impossible for eMTBs to offer as lively of a downhill experience as regular trail or enduro bikes, the Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 was so smooth and such a blast on the uphill, I didn’t mind the heavier ride on the way back down (although it was heavy, it ate up pretty much everything I put in its path). First of all, this bike comes with a mullet setup, a 76.5 degree seat angle, and a 64-degree head angle. Though it’s a heavy bike, I found this combination made it more maneuverable on tight uphill turns than I was expecting. Second, the Bosch Performance Line CX 20 W motor has four different modes to choose from, including Eco, Tour+, EMTB, and Turbo. On Turbo mode, I was literally catching air off berms on the way up one long ride, and couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face for a full hour of climbing. I also found the Bosch motor exceptionally smooth, with little jerking or unnatural movement from the bike while I transitioned from one mode to another. The bike I tested comes in at $7,250, with a 170mm RockShox Seb Select fork, a beefy RockShox Deluxe Select Coil shock, a Shimano SLX drivetrain with an XT derailleur, and Magura MT5 brakes. With the impressive 750Wh PowerTube battery, I never found myself in a situation where I was close to running low on battery (my typical ride was about 25 miles while switching between all four modes). Like I said, an eMTB isn’t going to replace the maneuverability and feel of a non-electric bike on the downhill, but if you want to go far, feel super stable on the downhill, and prioritize a smoother ride, look to this Moterra.

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Solo Stove Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Cooking Bundle 2.0 ($560)

For me, September was filled with end-of-season barbecues as the summer travel frenzy waned and friends settled back into town. The Solo Stove, particularly with the Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Cooking Bundle 2.0 (which includes the firepit, the bonfire stand, the bonfire cast iron grill, the bonfire hub, and a carry case), was a key player. Set-up is incredibly easy—the fire pit on its own is 23.3 pounds, so I just carry it from my shed to my front yard, stack it on the bonfire stand, place the bonfire hub on top of the pit, and adjust the grill on top of that. I’ve made hamburgers, brats, and grilled veggies in fifteen minutes. The carrying case makes it easy to carry the grill, too—I brought the solo stove to a local lake and had no problem bringing it from my car to the shore. The wide grates on the bonfire hub make adjusting logs and the intensity of the fire easy, so we didn’t have to remove the grill every time we wanted to add logs. The stove and grill set will be an essential piece in my household for many years to come. —Kelly Klein, associate gear editor

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Feetures Trail Max Cushion Mini Crew ($20)

These socks saved me about midway through the 30-mile Art Loeb trail in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. As all Editor’s Choice testing trips go, we tested some of the best new gear of the year, but we also inevitably tested gear that wasn’t the best. I tried a pair of new hikers, and on the first day received blisters about twice the size of a quarter on each of my heels. I slapped moleskine on them, pulled on the Trail Max Cushion Mini crew socks, and expected the worst for the 17-mile day we had ahead of us. But instead, I barely felt a thing on a very technical trail with about 5,000 feet of elevation gain. I tried another pair of socks the next day and immediately felt the blisters again. The polyester, nylon, and spandex blend with strategically placed compression hugged my feet without feeling constricted. Plus, reinforced nylon in the toe, ball of the foot, and heel provide extra durability—I’ve worn these on about five runs and countless walks around town since, and have yet to see any wear. —K.K.

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Topo Athletic Traverse ($150)

In late September, I wore Topo Athletic’s first hiking shoe, the Traverse, on a three-day hike over the 35-mile Art Loeb Trail, and they delivered an ideal balance of comfort and protection. I found the height (30mm heel–25mm forefoot) and density of the Traverse’s elastic, TPU/EVA Zipfoam midsole to be spot-on while hiking a tough trail carrying a 28-pound pack. It provided smooth, bouncy cushioning when striding out on smooth ground, but was firm enough to keep me stable on the trail’s many tricky footplants over jagged rocks and gnarly roots. Those obstacles made the shoe’s forefoot rock plate essential: it blocked all sharp edges and seemed to help me float over the rough trail, yet never impeded my natural foot flex. The beaded TPU insole added another layer of shock-damping comfort and delivered a gentle sole massage that never failed to delight my feet after long hours on the trail. The shoe’s weight was also in the sweet spot: light enough to never feel I was lifting and lugging boots, but substantial enough that I didn’t worry about the shoes getting beat up.

The traction of the Vibram Megagrip sole was superb both on slippery rock faces and dirty or muddy sections. It made me more sure-footed than trail companions wearing hiking shoes from several mountaineering brands. The rugged upper felt a bit stiff for someone used to flexible mesh running shoes, and I had to adjust the lace tightness across my foot a few times every morning. But once dialed in, it held my foot securely (even on steep downhills) while not creating hot spots or squeezing my foot anywhere. The forefoot space from Topo’s signature anatomical last was luxurious and essential: I even wore CorrectToes on one foot (that has a small bunion) without feeling crowded. I found the tightly woven mesh fabric breathable without letting in a lot of dirt, and, most importantly, I didn’t get any blisters throughout the full hike and was well protected from rock scrapes and toe stubs.

Bottom line, I felt both rugged and agile in the Topo Traverse. For most of the hike, I never had to think about the shoes, the terrain or how I was landing. What more could you want from a hiking shoe?—Jonathan Beverly, senior running editor, gear

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Nathan Sports Essential 9″ Shorts ($65)

For my daily runs, I normally wear lighter shorts with less than half the nine-inch inseam of these from Nathan, but I’ve found myself reaching for these more robust shorts on cool mornings or when I know I’m going to hang out in them after a run. That versatility made me choose them to wear for three days straight while hiking 35 mountainous miles of the Art Loeb trail in North Carolina in September. They proved to be an excellent choice, balancing lightweight, breathable mobility with rugged, dependable protection. I appreciated the longer coverage when scraping through thick brush and sitting on rocks and logs, and was glad for the thin, stretchy, quick-drying, polyester/spandex fabric that stayed out of the way when lifting my knees on high step-ups and moving quickly to beat sundown. The stretchier boxer-brief liner (with a seven-inch inseam), provided comfortable control all day and never felt stuffy, even when working hard up slopes in the humid East Coast air. Two handy side-seam pockets held snacks and my iPhone when I wanted quick access to them (although they weren’t secure enough to trust when scrambling or making time). My only complaint was that the liner didn’t dry completely each night after hanging from a tree near my tent, and was cold when I pulled them on the next morning. But to the shorts’ credit, they never felt clammy and I quickly forgot about them as soon as we started moving. —J.B.

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Alpen Outdoors The Ridge Pant ($150)

My husband and I just got back from an epic vacation. We spent two weeks cruising around the Irish countryside climbing west-coast mountains, then jetted up to Iceland where we camped in a rooftop tent to hit hot springs, hunt northern lights, and scramble up volcanos. Day after day, I lived in the Ridge Pant by Alpen Outdoors. I’m a light packer as it is, but all of my other bottoms (save my rain pants) ended up being a waste of space. September weather in both Ireland and Iceland ranged from 30-65 degrees Fahrenheit with gusts topping out at 50-60 miles per hour and a mix of relentless sun and slashing rain. A wicking, water-resistant finish helps them dry fast, the two-way stretch fabric ensures a flexible range of motion, interior drawcords keep them put, and reinforced soft-shell material on the knees and butt forgives any missteps. Deep pockets on the front, side, and back are the perfect place to stash a headlamp or protein bar. The best part? They’re ridiculously lightweight, unlike others in their class. Hands down, these are the most versatile, no-compromise outdoor pants I’ve worn. —Patty Hodapp, contributing editor

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Rux Essentials 70L ($393)

I’ve hauled my bug-out bin around for years. It lives permanently in the back of my mountain rig and has saved my ass in extreme conditions dozens of times. In it, I store essentials I’d need to escape a backcountry pinch: extra layers, sunglasses, tools, a stove, headlamps, freeze-dried food, power bars, matches and lighters, duct tape, H2O filtration, a hatchet and knife, paracord, med kit, sleeping bag, etc tera. That said, I used a dilapidated, disorganized Tupperware to house it all. (Rifling around for a puffy when you’re wet and freezing sucks.) Finally, I scored the Rux Essentials 70L instead. This roomy, waterproof gear-management system is cake to set up and work with. It comes with an attachable 25L divider bag and a 3L grab-and-go pouch, so you can classify stuff in order of importance and use, then load it and forget it until you need it. The Rux’s durable compressed foam base and manipulable nylon webbing straps make it easy to toss around a campsite or cart short distances on your shoulder. Plus, snap bands in the corners allow it to collapse for storage—though, it doesn’t really matter because I’m always using it. —P.H.

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Oboz Katabatic Mid Hiking Boots ($160)

I like the idea of a waterproof membrane in my hiking boots, but I rarely need one because I live in New Mexico and can barely remember the last time I hiked in the rain. In fact, a waterproof membrane can be problematic because it prevents the boots from properly venting sweat, and sweat leads to blisters. So I was excited to get my hands on the Katabatic Mid, a boot that is explicitly membrane-free, so it breathes like a dream. As soon as I got a pair, I took them on a 10-mile hike in temperatures that hovered around 95 degrees, and my feet had never been so dry and happy. The Katabatic is so light that it made me want to run sections of the trail. But don’t worry. Like all Oboz hikers, the Katabatic is designed to last. They’re covered in TPU overlays that protect high-abrasion areas, and even after 80 more miles over rocky, sharp terrain, they barely showed any wear. —Jakob Schiller, correspondent

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Trswyop Small Portable Charger ($26)

I went to Japan two weeks ago in October and was out exploring most days from 8 A.M. until 8 P.M. I relied on my phone to refer to notes I’d made about places to visit, to check opening times and admission, and to navigate the streets with Google Maps. By early afternoon, my cell battery was nearly depleted but I still needed my device; fortunately, my brother was the smart one and brought along this portable charger, which juiced up our iPhones in no time. It has no cables, and its curved design fits nicely in the palm of my hand while I carried it around as it did its job. It’s also offered in more than a dozen colors. I’ve already bought one for my next international trip. —Tasha Zemke, associate managing editor

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Smartwool Women’s Active Ultralite Hoodie ($80)

I’ve been living in the ultra-soft Ultralite Hoodie for the past three months and I can’t say enough about how comfortable and versatile this layer is. Part of Smartwool’s new Active line—which aims to introduce Merino wool to the masses as the ultimate temperature-regulating, sweat-wicking material (one that’s not just an insulator for cold temps)—the Ultralite Hoodie blends Merino with Tencel Lyocell fibers for an unbelievably light and silky feel next to skin. It’s so cozy that it has become my go-to layer to throw on in the morning for lounging around the house. But, as advertised, it shines as an active layer for hikes, runs, and bike rides. I was most impressed with it on a four-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain in early October. The Ultralite Hoodie kept me warm enough when I started with temps in the high 50s, yet cool enough when I started climbing and the sun came out to warm things up. When I reached the summit, I had sweat through the shirt on my back where I was carrying a pack, but it only took 15 minutes for it to dry out. From now on, I’m only wearing workout and hiking shirts with a Merino blend. —Jenny Wiegand, associate gear director

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Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler ($250)

I know I’m probably preaching to the converted, but you just can’t beat a Yeti cooler when it comes to keeping drinks and food chilled. I’m a new mom and needed a reliable way to keep pumped breastmilk cold when I was on the go (attending work functions, or on 5-hour road trips to visit family). Any mom knows that breastmilk is liquid gold and you simply do not mess around when it comes to storing it properly to ensure not a drop goes to waste. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 put me at ease. It reliably kept contents cool even when I left the cooler in a parked, hot car for six hours (the outside temperature was 70 degrees, but the all-black interior of my small Nissan Leaf warmed up to about 80 degrees in the Colorado sun). Advice to other moms: if you just need a soft cooler to store and schlep a few bottles of breastmilk, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is overkill. I’d size down to the Hopper Flip 8, which would be less bulky to tote around. But if you also want to store snacks or potentially even your breast pump and parts in the cooler, the Hopper Flip 12 is a good size. —J.W.

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Lazarus Naturals’ CBD+THC gummies ($60)

These last couple of months have been very chill. I’m recovering from a long bout of COVID, so my days are filled with slower activities like fly-fishing and long walks. I also have more time for my social life, since I’m not waking up at the crack of dawn to get into the alpine. My perfect companion in this newfound slowness? Lazarus Naturals’ CBD+THC gummies. I’m a lightweight with weed—a former stoner who mostly gave it up because I couldn’t reliably achieve a nice, gentle high. I’d end up anxious, my mind racing, overwhelmed by any social situation. Then I found these low-dose gummies, with 25 milligrams of CBD and 2 milligrams of THC. My theory is that the CBD takes the edge off—quiets my nervous system enough that I can actually enjoy the THC. They’re a hit among my friends, too. They make everything feel just a little softer, a little funnier, and a little more interesting, whether that’s a hike or a dinner party. If you’re a lightweight like me, or just looking for a consistently gentle weed experience, I can’t recommend them enough. —Abigail Barronian, senior editor

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CamelBak MultiBev water bottle ($52)

You likely have a few dozen water bottles, like me. When I travel, I often bring several—one for coffee, one for water, and a cup that I use on flights so I can say no to single-use plastic. This one replaces them all. It’s a 22-ounce insulated steel bottle (good for hot or cold bevies) with a very cool feature: the bottom screws off to become a cup that I use for a glass of wine on a flight or a cup of Sleepytime tea at night. For the latter, a nifty silicone sipper lid tucks away into the cap. I’ve even used the cup to keep a can of beer chilled while I watch the sunset over Lake Wanaka in New Zealand. All told, this one vessel replaces a boatload of single-use containers. On a recent business trip, it allowed me to refuse about 34 single-use containers in 72 hours: six coffee cups and lids, at least 20 plastic water bottles, and eight plastic airline cups. That’s a bottle with a serious impact. —Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and contributing editor

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KOO Demo sunglasses ($200)

The unwritten rule of bike racing is to never, under any circumstances, try out new gear, apparel, or nutrition during a race. I’ve violated this law many times before, and this past July I did it again. I plucked my pair of KOO Demo sunglasses from their fancy case just a few minutes before starting the Silver Rush 50, a punishing mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado. Alas, I paid the price for not allowing my eyes to adjust to the shades beforehand. The race sent me through dense tree cover, where the light alternated between eye-burning sunshine and darkened shadows. My eyes struggled to focus with the photochromatic lenses, which feature something called Zeiss Anti-Reflective Technology. I removed the shades during sections of trail in the trees. After the event, I put the Demos on the shelf and vowed never to wear them again. Of course, I violated said promise, and I’m glad I did. Over the past two months, I have worn these shades on many training rides, and they are now officially in my good graces. I appreciate the Demos’ wide face coverage—I have a larger-than-normal melon—and I never have wind flow into my eyes, even on long descents. The elastomer on the temple prevents the shades from slipping. After several months of wear, the temples have lost none of their hugging power—recently I noticed that my budget-friendly shades lose their grip over time. Long story short: the KOO Demos have absolutely redeemed themselves. —Fred Dreier, articles editor

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