Outdoors
Apparel
See all Apparel reviewsThe 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.
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.
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 reviewsThe 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.
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.
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 reviewsThe 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.
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 reviewsThe Best Tailgating Gear, According to The Athletic’s Tailgating Expert
by Alexander Aciman
All the gear you’ll need for a successful tailgate this football season, according to a seasoned tailgater.
The Best Electric Scooter
by Nick Guy
If you’re looking for a fun way to commute or do light errands, we recommend Segway Ninebot’s KickScooter Max G30LP electric scooter.
The Best Binoculars for Birds, Nature, and the Outdoors
by Daniel S. Cooper
A professional ornithologist tested 25 field-ready binoculars against his $2,500 Leica Ultravids and picked the Athlon Optics Midas ED pair as the best.
Snow
See all Snow reviewsThe 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.
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.
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 reviewsBeach Umbrellas Are Dangerous and Inconvenient. I Love This Majestic (and Safe) Alternative.
by Kit Dillon
The Shibumi Shade is a lightweight, nimble beach shelter that works better than most umbrellas.
The Best Beach and Pool Toys for Kids and Adults
by Wirecutter Staff
Looking for fun in the sun? Whether you're headed for the beach or the pool this summer, we've picked out the best toys to keep kids (and adults) entertained.
The Best Sunscreen
by Nancy Redd
It takes a shot glass’s worth of sunscreen to adequately cover a body in a swimsuit. Look for broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher and a scent and feel you like.
More Outdoors Posts
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.
The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies
by Doug Mahoney and Ellen Airhart
How to plan and protect yourself in areas at risk of hurricanes.
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.
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.
The Best Gear for Cornhole, Bags, Sack Toss, or Whatever Y’all Call It Where You’re From
by James Austin
After surveying professionals and tossing their recommendations around ourselves, we chose the GameChanger Steady 2.0 Cornhole Bags for our own backyard games.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Winter Can Ruin Your Grill. Here’s How to Keep It Safe and Make It Last.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Winterizing a gas, charcoal, or pellet grill takes just a few steps and helps it perform better for longer. Here’s what you need to know.
The Best Splitting Axes for Firewood
by Doug Mahoney
Bust wood apart with rhythm and ease using a hefty, well-balanced splitting axe.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.