Outdoors

Looking for outdoor gear to get lost with? We’ve researched and tested the best outdoor accessories to help make any excursion more enjoyable. Explore new trails with our pick for the best hiking boots, head for the shore with our favorite beach towel and umbrella, or light up your campsite with the brightest inflatable lantern.

Apparel

See all Apparel reviews
  • Our pick for best hiking boots, the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex, next to a headlamp and insect repellent spray.

    The Best Hiking Boots

    by Jenni Gritters and Ebony Roberts

    The Salomon Quest Gore-Tex boots (in men’s and women’s) are our top pick due to their solid traction, support, and comfort for many foot shapes.

  • two people standing side by side wearing our pick for the best leggings, the Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging.

    The Best Leggings

    by Ingrid Skjong

    We assessed the fabric, fit, performance, and style of an array of workout leggings to find six excellent pairs for whatever moves you.

  • Two people wearing Patagonia Down Sweater Vests, in front of a grey backgroud.

    The Best Insulated Vest

    by Liz Thomas and Jenni Gritters

    On cold and windy days, the Patagonia Down Sweater Vest (men’s and women’s) is the vest we choose to stay warm.

Camping

See all Camping reviews
  • Four portable generators side-by-side on a grassy lawn

    The Best Portable Generators

    by Doug Mahoney

    Ride out a power outage or elevate a camping trip with a portable inverter generator. The Honda EU2200i is our favorite.

  • Our four picks for best headlamp placed next to each other with their lamps turned on, in front of a sand-colored background.

    The Best Headlamp

    by Jenni Gritters

    For late-night hikes, evening runs, and stargazing sessions, we think the comfortable and durable Black Diamond Spot 400 is the best headlamp.

  • A gray camping tent outside on top of a wooden platform.

    The Best Camping Tents

    by Claire Wilcox, Kit Dillon, and Kalee Thompson

    After sleeping in 51 tents, we think the Mountain Hardwear Mineral King 3 is the best for two people and Kelty’s Wireless 6 is best for most families.

Hiking

See all Hiking reviews
  • A person wearing our pick for best sun hat for hikers.

    The Best Sun Hat

    by Kyle Fitzgerald and Liz Thomas

    The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat is the most protective and comfy sun hat for most hiking scenarios.

  • A selection of our picks for the best winter boots, lined up side-by-side.

    The Best Winter Boots

    by Trey French and Eve O'Neill

    After trudging through snow and ice in 36 pairs of boots, we’ve chosen 11 that will keep you warm, dry, and stable all winter long.

  • The Best Thermal Underwear

    by Trey French

    We sent 13 testers out to hike, ski, shovel snow, and run. And we found base layers, in a variety of styles and fabrics, that will keep all types of bodies warm.

Outdoor gear

See all Outdoor gear reviews

Snow

See all Snow reviews
  • The Best Ski Socks

    by Colin Rosemont

    We spent 50 hours researching and testing 12 pairs of ski socks, and chose the Smartwool Ski Over the Calf Socks as the best for most people.

  • A pair of hiking boots with ice cleats attached to them and three other pairs of cleats next to them.

    The Best Ice Cleats for Shoes

    by Trey French

    After slipping and sliding on roads and trails in Alaska and the Sierra Nevada, we’ve found the best ways to stay upright while walking, hiking, or running.

  • One of our kid testers trying out the the L.L. Bean Sonic Snow Tube.

    The Best Sleds

    by Doug Mahoney

    Looking for a fast-flying snow tube? A plastic toboggan that’ll hold up for years? A minivan-like sled capable of holding the whole clan? We have suggestions.

Swim

See all Swim reviews

More Outdoors Posts

  • A selection of rain boots, in different styles and colors, that we tested to find the best rain boots.

    The Best Rain Boots for Women and Men

    by Eve O'Neill

    We’ve found 7 pairs of rain boots that’ll do more than just keep your feet dry—they’ll match your style and environment no matter what you need.

  • An assortment of sandals, in a wide variety of colors and styles, that we tested to find the best sandals.

    The Best Sandals

    by Dorie Chevlen and Zoe Vanderweide

    Whether you’re hitting the beach or heading out for a night on the town, we found six pairs of comfy, well-made sandals to suit a range of styles and budgets.

  • Two trail cameras pictures with greenery.

    The Best Trail Cameras

    by Kyle Fitzgerald

    The Bushnell Core S-4K No Glow Trail Camera is the best trail camera to photograph wild animals, in your backyard or in the backcountry.

  • Two people in Montbell Alpine Light Down Jackets.

    The Best Down Jacket

    by Catherine Harnden and Jenni Gritters

    The Montbell Alpine Light Down Jacket (in women’s and men’s sizes) has a lightweight yet toasty fit to keep you cozy in snow, rain, and cold.

  • All five of our picks for the best bike handlebar bag posed together in a group.

    The Best Bike Handlebar Bag

    by Sam Schild

    After testing dozens of bike handlebar bags, we’ve chosen six that can carry all your riding essentials, no matter where you’re headed.

  • Six fishing rods laid out next to three hooks and two lures.

    The Best Fishing Rod for Most Anglers

    by Owen James Burke

    We tested 18 fishing rods in waters near and far, and the tough, affordable Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore Spinning Rod emerged the best for most casual anglers.

  • Black collapsible wagon with its front wheels on a pile of sand, with children's multicolor plastic beach toys.

    The Best Collapsible Folding Wagons

    by Katharine Gammon

    ​​Whether you’re headed to the beach or hauling groceries, we’ve found the folding wagons to best help you lug your gear.

  • A Solo Stove smokeless fire pit, shown burning a log.

    The Best Smokeless Fire Pits

    by Kit Dillon

    On a chilly evening, we like to cluster around the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 (for smaller yards) or the Tiki Fire Pit (for larger yards).

  • Our top pick for the best pellet smoker grill, the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24.

    The Best Pellet Smoker Grill

    by Ben Keough

    After smoking hundreds of pounds of meat, we think the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 is worth the cost. It helps even beginners make great barbecue.

  • A person wearing jogging equipment, stretching their leg in a park as they get ready to run.

    The Best Running Gear

    by Ingrid Skjong and Seth Berkman

    The right running gear can help you make the most of your training. After extensive research and testing with passionate runners, here’s what we recommend.

  • Two smart bird feeders containing birdseed next to each other.

    The Best Smart Bird Feeders

    by Rachel Cericola

    Delight the bird-watcher in your life with a smart feeder that captures close-up videos and photos and can even identify what species visit.

  • The Best Packable Camp Towels

    The Best Packable Travel Towels

    by Ebony Roberts

    We spent 60 hours testing packable towels and are convinced the odor-controlled PackTowl Personal microfiber towel is the best option for drying off just about anywhere.

  • A bike resting against a street sign on a rainy day.

    Gear for Foul-Weather Bike Commuting

    by Wirecutter Staff

    Hard-core bike commuters share seven items—from storm-worthy gloves to rugged tires—that keep them (and their stuff) safe and dry in the winter.

  • The Best Bike Racks for Small Homes and Apartments

    The Best Bike Storage Ideas

    by Christine Ryan

    After 30-plus hours of research and testing, we think the Delta Cycle Michelangelo Gravity Stand is the best bike rack for storing bikes in limited-space homes.