11 Best Outdoor Gear Picks for January 2026

Published December 31, 2025 03:00AM

Being a gear contributor at Outside is an always-on, year-round, 24/7 kind of job—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. While our days are often spent head-to-head testing for our deep-dive Gear Guides, our best discoveries often happen in the real-life moments between edit tasks or writing up testing notes. This column is a spotlight for the gear we love, but couldn’t work into a gear guide (yet): the gear that we tested out of season, the long-term tools we’re still breaking in, or the personal discoveries we just can’t stop using. As we kick off 2026, here’s the gear Outside editors are currently obsessed with, heading into January 2026.

Over time, I’ve been paring down my essential carries for day hikes, which led me to downsize to a smaller volume bag. Enter the Rab Nitron 18L pack. Its running vest-style chest harness provides comfort, stability, and most importantly, easy-access pockets for snacks (or a soft flask for water). The main compartment easily fits a 3L bladder with room for my “every hike carry” items—first aid kit, dog rescue harness, dog treats, and rain shell—while a stretchy stuff pocket on the outside handles extra gear. A top zip pocket (with key loop), two small hip pockets, and side mesh bottle pockets round out the storage on this versatile day pack. It even has quick cinch loops on the left shoulder strap for trekking pole storage.

I tested, too literally, Rab’s statement that the Nitron is built to move fast by turning a pleasant hike into a trail run when I underestimated how much time I had before needing to meet my wife for dinner. Squeezing through slot canyons and bushwhacking through scrub oak provided some Outside Lab-style abrasive durability that didn’t even leave a mark on the nylon ripstop material.

I hiked through summer and fall with this pack. Thanks to the unseasonably warm temps and low snow, I’m still reaching for it as I head out the door every weekend to hit the trails instead of the slopes. It even filled in nicely on a few long mountain bike rides when I decided to test the versatility (I left my bike bag, nicely pre-packed with tools and spares, on the counter when leaving for a long multi-sport weekend in the mountains). Even for all-day hikes reaching the 20-mile mark, I never hesitated to grab this pack. It’s versatile and comfortable, has good organization, and is proving to be quite durable. –Adam Trenkamp, Lab Test Editor

I used the Thule Chariot single model religiously for the last few years to bring my son on runs, drag him skiing, and haul him along on bike rides. The stroller comes with a bike trailer attachment, and then you can buy additional kits for cross-country skiing and to turn it into a proper jogger separately. The Chariot features a screen that keeps the bugs out, but lets you see in from the top, and comes with a snap-on shade cloth and waterproof rain protector to shield your kiddo from the elements. There are also safety features, like a flag for biking and reflectors. The best part: a truly massive trunk that can store everything from water bottles to diapers to sunscreen to extra layers.

But when my daughter was born early this year, I was worried those days were behind me. Luckily, Thule makes my beloved stroller in a double that’s mere inches wider than the single but magically has enough room inside for both of my ride-alongs. I upgraded (and invested in the Thule infant sling), and both kids spent 2025 riding side by side on all of my adventures. —Abigail Wise, brand director, Outside

I genuinely don’t know how I lived so long without Manduka’s eKO® Superlite Travel Yoga Mat. I have been a yoga teacher for more than a decade, and I also travel regularly both for work and personal adventures. As any yoga practitioner knows, keeping up with your practice can be difficult when on the road (or in the backcountry). At just two pounds, the mat folds up neatly or rolls up tightly to fit in a variety of luggage, including my Watershed dry bag for rafting trips and my Osprey backpack for hiking. Even more impressive is how the quality was not compromised for its compact size. The mat features an orange-peel top surface in natural rubber that offers a comfortable grip even in the most humid places—Cook Islands and Peru approved! This is the perfect item for any adventuresome yogi looking to maintain their mat practice while traveling the world. —Madison Dapcevich, associate editor, Outside

I’m not a hardcore runner, so Ciele Athletics was new territory for me—but the VLVHalfzip put this brand on my radar for good. It’s become a daily staple, living on my body from daycare drop-offs to chilly dog walks, and it’s polished enough to work with leggings or jeans. But where this layer truly shines is on cold runs and hikes. The grid-fleece lining hits a sweet spot: warm yet incredibly breathable, and the polyester outer is surprisingly effective at blocking wind. I love the boxy, relaxed fit for freedom of movement (note: it’s cropped, so high-waisted bottoms are best), plus the integrated finger-covering cuffs, two-way half zip, and discreet stash pocket for snacks, phone, or keys. If you refuse to be bold and start cold, this layer’s for you. —Jenny Wiegand, Outside associate gear director

No matter how hard I ski, I’m always cold. For years, that meant doubling up base layer bottoms—until I found heavyweight options like this one from Le Bent. The grid-fleece interior is the real magic: insanely warm without feeling bulky, sweaty, or restrictive thanks to heat-trapping air pockets. Even better is the fit: compressive and body-hugging in a way that feels supportive, not suffocating. They move like a second skin (if that skin belonged to a polar bear). The three-quarter cut seals the deal (I won’t wear anything else for skiing), eliminating boot overlap and bunching. If being cold regularly cuts your ski days short, these are a game changer. —J.W.

The Sidekick from No Reception Club was hands-down my most essential piece of “gear” this year. With two kids under two, I need to be ready for a diaper change at a moment’s notice—and keep my hands free while doing it. This crossbody makes that possible. It’s smartly sized to hold the included change pad and wipes, plus my keys, wallet, phone, and emergency snacks, without feeling bulky. The standout feature is the magnetic flap pocket on the back designed for one-handed wipe access—pure genius when things get urgent. This bag is so functional I’ve ended up using it as my everyday purse, whether I have kids in tow or not. —J.W.

Working from home leads to bad habits—specifically, wearing the same outfit every day for weeks on end. I’m especially guilty of this routine in the fall and winter, when I simply reach for the most versatile mid-layer I can find and live in it for several months. This year, my garment of choice has been my Futurefleece Full-Zip Hoodie by The North Face. It’s pillow-soft on the inside, so I can wear it over a t-shirt and never worry about itchiness or bunching. It’s cozy on cold days but breathes when it gets warm. It’s so lightweight that it boggles the brain. It’s my ideal layer for skinning at the resort, or for tossing over a shirt before a meeting or a night out with friends. I honestly wish I had two hoodies, so I could wear one while the other is in the laundry. —Frederick Dreier, articles editor, Outside

This beefy battery from Jackery was a splurge that has now saved my butt. I originally bought it to power lights in a shed that doesn’t have electricity, and it does that perfectly. But after a recent wind storm in Colorado caused a mass power outage, it became the one thing keeping me connected with the outside world by powering my Starlink router—for more than 12 hours straight. When it came time to charge the Jackery back up, it look a little less than 2 hours plugged into a typical wall outlet. It’s got multiple plug options and six output ports so you can charge devices and power lower-wattage must-haves, like a lamp and WiFi router. If you like to be connected while camping, it can do that, too (espresso in the tent, anyone?). I’ll be happy using it to power my shed and feel comfortable knowing it’s there for me the next time the grid goes down. —Jessica Campbell-Salley, deputy editor, Outside

Of course, in the last few years I’ve heard all about the running shoe that everyone’s obsessed with. Hoka has a cult-like following after all, and you can’t miss its signature big cushy silhouette on feet everywhere you go. So when I started experiencing plantar fasciitis heel pain for the first time this fall—right before I was about to set off on a multi-day trek in Nepal—I did my research. Hoka’s beloved Anacapa Low GTX was rising to the top with reviews for those with plantar fasciitis who needed a supportive and cushioned light-weight hiking sneaker. Not only did my plantar fasciitis not flare up after a few days of hiking with these Hokas, but I didn’t experience any trouble with traction on the varied terrain throughout Nepals’s Annapurna region. The GORE-TEX kept my feet dry going through small streams and frost-covered paths, too. While these Hokas will get plenty of use on day hikes on my travels, my only regret was not getting the Anacapa 2 Mid GTX which would have given me more ankle support on more challenging stretches. —Kathleen Rellihan, senior travel and culture editor, Outside

I was at Walmart a few weeks ago looking for workout clothes. I was in the market for cotton shirts with long sleeves, and I’ve always liked the George brand: their clothes are comfortable, super soft, and breathable. Plus, men’s underclothes tend to be thicker and more durable than women’s, which is unfortunate. This means I purchase men’s clothes as a workaround.

Alas, I initially bought two of these shirts. I loved them so much that I then went back for four more. I have two in black, one in green, two in brown, and one in grey. I wear them on my strength-training days at the gym and on light cardio days. Because they’re 100 percent cotton, my clothes aren’t drenched in sweat. I had bragged about them so much that both my Dad and uncle wanted some. So, I picked up two for each of them. The thickness of these shirts keeps me warm—warm enough—on colder days, and my fleece jacket fits over these without it looking or feeling lumpy. —Ayana Underwood, senior health editor, Outside

I fell in love with the Chillum at first sight, wowed by its rugged yet refined looks. That love deepened the moment I put them on and they disappeared. This minimalist casual shoe has a flexible, 10-millimeter-thick, zero-drop sole and a thin cork sockliner that mold to the shape of my foot and move with me with no interference of my natural stride. A wide toe box provides comfortable space and lets my toes flex and splay. But the shoe doesn’t scream “minimalist” with its lightly pointed toe and suede rand that surrounds and accents the canvas and wool upper. I took these on two trips in the past month and wore them continuously. Whether on a nine-mile walk at a Michelin-star restaurant, spending hours on my feet at an expo or tramping through airports, I always felt comfortable and appropriately dressed. They’ve instantly taken over as my favorite casual shoe and I anticipate wearing them until I wear them out, which promises not to be anytime soon. —Jonathan Beverly, senior running gear editor

What Outside Editors Are Loving Heading Into 2026

Rab Nitron 18 Backpack

Thule Chariot Cross 2 Double Multisport

Manduka’s eKO Superlite Travel Yoga Mat

Ciele Athletics VLVHalfzip Sweatshirt

Le Bent Women’s Heavyweight Grid Fleece 3/4 Bottom

No Reception Club The Sidekick Cross-Body Bag

The North Face Summit Series Futurefleece Full Zip Hoodie

Jackery Explorer 1000

Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX

George Men’s Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt with Long Sleeves

Lems Chillum Minimalist Lace-Up Shoes