The Outdoor Gear Our Editors Loved This May

Published June 4, 2024 01:01PM

Our editors enjoyed the much-deserved sunshine this May. We shredded spring corn, took our pups on hiking adventures, and biked the streets of New York City. Here’s the outdoor gear that we loved the most.

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Atomic Backland 102 skis

Ski season ain’t over yet. In fact, May was prime time in some high-country areas because the steeper backcountry shots up there had finally solidified and created safe conditions. To make sure we didn’t miss out, a couple buddies and I climbed up to a secret spot in the Truchas Peaks north of Santa Fe and skied perfect corn down a chute called “The Shaft.”

It’s a three-mile slog to get there with lots of hiking, eight river crossings, and a final push of skinning, so I was very happy to have the new 2024/25 Atomic Backland 102s that weigh a scant three pounds. At the top of the chute while staring down a 45-degree run and feeling slightly puckered, I was also happy to have the Backlands because the poplar and caruba core mixed with a healthy dose of camber created a super stable ski that helped me feel totally confident. They were solid while jump turning to begin, linking turns in the middle, and then ripping big GS turns once the chute opened into an apron. —Jakob Schiller, contributing writer.

Gunner G1 Dog Kennel

As a dad of four kids, I’ve spent more than a decade carefully strapping kids into car seats or firmly reminding them that they need to buckle their seat belts. But then, in some sort of lapse, I let my two dogs roam freely in the cab or bed of my truck and I’ve watched several times as they went flying when I had to slam on the brakes. After a recent face-to-dashboard incident with my smaller dog, I reached out to Gunner to test a couple G1 kennels and I now feel much better about traveling with my pups.

The kennels, which are made in America and built from double-walled rotomolded plastic, are all crash rated, have protected many a dog in a car accident, and are so tough that a 12-gauge shotgun can’t get through (according to Gunner tests). I strapped my kennels to the bed of my truck using the included tie-down straps, and it’s easy to get the dogs in and out via the well-designed kennel doors. Because the kennels are made of plastic, they’re significantly cooler than any metal version, and Gunner also offers a strap-on fan to keep the dogs cool in the hottest time of the summer. —J.S.

Gramicci Voyager pants

I have worn my Gramicci Voyager Pants at least three times a week since I got them. They have that casual, baggy swagger Gramicci is known for, but with ever-so-slightly more flattering tailoring that their classic pants. The barrel-cut leg leaves plenty of room for movement and they have giant, subtle pockets—as in, big enough to carry a bottle of wine each—which feels like a win for women. They’re a mid-weight 100% cotton twill, and they’re the perfect in camp, climbing, and even hiking in cooler temps. They’re one of only a few items of clothing I own in two colors. They’re just that good. —Abigail Barronian, senior editor

Arc’teryx Vertex Alpine shoe

The new Vertex Alpine shoe is shaping up to be my one-shoe-wonder this summer. Why? Because it can tackle all of my favorite summer activities in comfort: trail running, alpine scrambling, and scree bashing. I’ve already logged 50 miles in my sleek matte black pair since receiving them last month, on everything from snowy single tracks and dusty roads, to blocky climbing approaches and pitches of 5.7. Then, after scrubbing the mud off of them, they served me well interviewing a famous climber on stage in front of a crowd of 200.

The Vertex Alpine (also available with Gore-Tex) nails the tricky balance between lightweight runner and heavy-duty scrambler: its sturdy shank and toe cap feel protective while stumbling through talus, yet its grippy Vibram tread and superlight 336 grams feels like the domain of feathery trail runners. If I was going on a scrambling and trail-running trip this summer, the Vertex Alpine would be the only shoe I need. —Anthony Walsh, digital editor, Climbing

Path Projects Wheeler FT Pant

These are easily the most versatile pants I own: I’ve comfortably worn them in settings as diverse as hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and attending the New York Metropolitan Opera. Made from a polyester “FlexTwill,” they have a slim, classic fit, a smooth, wrinkle-free drape, and just enough stretch to allow unimpeded movement when climbing over tall boulders or breaking into a run.

They are cool and breathable enough to not feel overdressed on a 70-degree Fahrenheit day, but warm enough, with a DWR coating, to protect during an unexpected spring snow squall at 9,000 feet. The 5 pockets are deep and have hidden, high-quality zippers. My only gripe is they’re slightly too long, but that may be because I tend to wear more minimalist hiking shoes and outdoor gear. —Jonathan Beverly, senior gear editor, running and fitness

Tifosi Salto sunglasses

Tifosi makes some of my favorite, inexpensive cycling glasses, but the Salto give me that same quality build in a lifestyle frame. There’s nothing groundbreaking about these sunglasses (they don’t have Wifi or check your blood pressure or anything), but the square aviator shades are built well for adventure with shatter-proof, scratch resistant lenses that offer 100 percent UV protection, and integrated hinges on the arms, on a featherweight 22-gram frame. And at such a great price point, the Salto can’t be ignored. You can choose your lens shade and frame color for a semi-custom look. I went with the classic—black frame, dark gray lenses. —Graham Averill, regular gear and travel columnist

Born Outdoor Mud Mat

A mud mat? Yeah, a mud mat. This 33”x 27’ lives in my truck. It folds down to a small square and weighs just .25 pounds, so it’s one of those easy-to-keep-around pieces of gear that has multiple uses. It’s a practical welcome mat when I’m camping; I set it on the ground outside my tent and it gives me a place to take my shoes off before stepping into my home away from home. Having a clean tent with no shoe funk or gunk is priceless. I also throw the Mud Mat down when I’m at the trailhead and I have to change shoes, and in a pinch I’ve used it as a pseudo blanket to sit in the grass and watch the sunset. I’ve only had it for a couple of months, but It’s made from recycled 600 denier poly ripstop with a DWR coating, so I think it’ll last a while. —G.A.

Bandit Stamina Shorts and Stamina Scoop Neck Bra

After months of watching the Bandit Running website for restocks, I finally got my hands on two of their cult favorite running styles, the stamina shorts and matching sports bra. The wait was worth it because the running kit has quickly become my favorite. Starting with the shorts, these were clearly designed by and for runners with ample slim pockets, a drawstring waist, and “Italian Grip Tape” at the seams so the shorts stay in place for long and sweaty runs. The bra is just as intuitive, with a back pocket for your phone and two additional pockets for snacks or a credit card. —Jamie Aranoff, Editor, SKI

Freefly Bamboo Lightweight Hoodie

I’ve got a lot of sun hoodies in my closet. The problem with most of them? They’re synthetic, which makes for a sticky—and stinky—experience when I’m sweating in a tropical climate. Freefly makes a bamboo version that’s as lightweight as some of the best technical hoodies, with a cool, silky-smooth feel that I can fall asleep in. I wore it for a weeklong trip in Yucatán, Mexico and scarcely took it off. The UPF 20+ rating kept me from getting burnt during long days on a dive boat, and I never felt clammy or uncomfortable, even on 102-degree days in Mérida. —Benjamin Tepler, Senior Gear Editor