I live in the high desert of western Colorado. Temperatures frequently reach the mid-to-upper 90s during the day in summer. But mornings and post-sundown evenings remain cool, even when the days are long and scorching. I’ve preached from the high summits about the best practices for layering, but the new Paka Summer Sweater stopped me in my tracks this year. Rather than adding another piece of clothing to my repertoire, the COOLPLUS® fabric technology woven into the Peruvian alpaca wool means I can wear a sweater while REMOVING layering. All day, even – as long as the temps don’t hit triple digits.

This Paka sweater has traveled with me to the city, the coast, and even on a reporting trip to the mountains of West Virginia this summer, and I’ve never felt uncomfortable or awkward wearing long sleeves in the heat. — Tim Wenger

You know something’s good when you try it on and immediately order more from the same brand. That’s exactly what happened with this hoodie from Paka. Made from alpaca wool, it’s incredibly soft, so much so that I didn’t want to take it off, and surprisingly versatile. It kept me warm before sunrise in Lake Tahoe, but was still breathable enough for a sunny July hike. It packs down to nothing, dries quickly, and works well as a layering piece for variable weather. After one wear, I bought another sweater, plus their shorts and socks. That’s how good it is. — Kelsey Wilking

I spend most of my time all summer outside, and in Lake Tahoe, that can easily mean temperatures in the 80s and 90s (with no air-conditioning inside). This makes it important to stay cool outdoors, which is why I’m currently loving the ultra lightweight jersey-style tees from Norrøna. I’ve been wearing the feather-light Fjørå Equaliser Lightweight T-Shirt for a few days in a row of heavy, sweaty cardio, and I love it. It has slightly longer (but still short) sleeves for extra sun protection (and to ensure it doesn’t get bunched up in your armpits) and is so good at managing moisture that it goes from soaked to dry in a matter of minutes. It’s super sustainable, and though it’s made for mountain biking, it’s equally suited to activities like hiking or general outdoor exploration. — Suzie Dundas

At least 15 years ago, I had a quilted jacket from the English brand Barbour. I wore it to death, until it was nearly see-through in some of the higher use areas. It stayed warm the entire time, and has that “I just came from a polo match at the country house” vibe, which helps my otherwise casual jeans and hoodies look a little more chic. Now, Barbour is partnered with Orvis to make a very similar item, called the Annandale Jacket. If it’s anything like the other jacket I had from Barbour (and Orvis, actually), it may be the next big item I buy for my outdoor wardrobe.

— SD

I’ve been wearing sun hoodies from Free Fly Apparel for years, and doubt I’ll stop wearing them anytime soon. WIth clean lines, straight cuts, and useful features like thumb holes and sun hoodies, they’re a super-soft, sustainable way to keep the sun off your skin without slathering chemicals and sunscreen on. The fabrics have anywhere between UPF 20 to 50 sun protection, depending on your choice of hoodie, Sizing can be a little inconsistent, but with free returns and exchanges, it’s kind of a non-issue. My favorite style is the Bamboo Shade Hoodie II – in fact, I have two. — SD

I used to stream shows on my laptop propped on a duffel while camping, but this projector changed all that. It auto-focuses on any flat surface (like the side of a tent), doesn’t need a screen, and streams through Google TV. It has surprisingly good built-in sound and works with wireless headphones, which is perfect if you’re in a tent with someone who wants an early night. I recommend getting the package with the power base — with it, you have enough battery for a full movie without plugging in. This might feel like a luxury item that’s not necessary for camping, but it’s been the best addition to my gear this year.

— Katie Gavin

I’ve flown around the world with this stroller to carry my toddler for long walks, naps, and everything in between (unless there’s a lot of loose gravel involved). Weighing just 10.4 lbs, its ultra-compact folding design is fully compliant with airplane hand luggage rules, meaning it can fit in the overhead compartment instead of the rough handling of a gate-check. — Nickolaus Hines

I haven’t yet been pulled into the realm of “30-somethings getting really into birdwatching,” but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. Fortunately, I have my super lightweight and portable Nocs standard issue binoculars at the ready. I first got them for a trip to Yellowstone National Park, but have since used them on safari vacations, in Oregon while trying to spot whales off the coast, and even in British Columbia to watch rock climbers while I hung out at the bottom. They’re easy to pack, weigh very little, and have clear, easy-to-adjust viewing, allowing you to hold them with one hand. With other binoculars, there’s a lot of blur around the edges, and I find it hard to stay focused. But these feel like binoculars for beginners, when you’re ready to have a nice pair you actually enjoy using. — SD

Satechi makes travel tech that genuinely makes life on the road easier. I first picked up the Qi2 car charger after testing the passport cover. It locks onto the dash vent, charges fast, and doesn’t drop your phone when you go off-road. The On-the-Go 2-in-1 charger is just as good — it folds into a neat little square and opens up to charge both your phone and Apple Watch in one spot. Both are compact and well-built, and although Satechi devices come at a higher price point, they’re made to last.

— KG

This press has earned a spot in my pack. It’s compact, lightweight, and brews a great cup of coffee or loose-leaf tea. If you mentally prepare yourself for French press rather than espresso (and bring freshly ground beans), it’s one of the best travel coffee setups out there. The double micro-filter makes it easy to clean, the insulated body keeps your drink hot for hours, and it doubles as a mug.

— KG

I happened upon the Slow & Co shop in Kyoto in 2023, and fell in love with the Pueblo Card Case. It’s fully taken the place of any other wallet for a handful of reasons: premium leather feel, slim profile, and a patina that’s only made it look better after daily use since I bought it. The size is just right for my pocket tripod, five cards, my ID, and my health insurance card, plus a couple bills. (It does admittedly get a little tight if I need to keep receipts for work.) I was delighted to find the brand ships to the US, as great as it was to stumble upon the shop while traveling.

— NH

Last year, I was on assignment in Turkey, and the other writers had these fancy leather notebook covers that left me feeling underprofessional. When I got home, I ordered one from DMleather on Etsy and it’s come with me everywhere I’ve been since. It holds one Moleskin notebook or two thinner notebooks comfortably, with additional room for a small notepad, pens, and a passport on the left interior. There’s also a card slot for an ID or Global Entry card. — TW

When I’m exploring my home state of Colorado, I like to keep my Vessel Cone with me. It’s faster than rolling a joint, more discreet than a pipe, and fits a little less than a half-gram — perfect for a quick walk. The pull is smooth as well, thanks to the internal design that helps cool the smoke. It takes frequent cleaning, but worth it. — NH

Packing a family for a big international trip is much easier when the entire family’s stuff goes into one suitcase. The July Checked Plus solved that problem for my family, and we rolled it with us on a two-week trip across central Mexico with no issues. Its zippered compartments make it easy to organize and find items, and as a bonus, my young daughter can sit on top of it while we wheel through the airport. — TW

My now-wife got me Away’s smallest rolling luggage available for my birthday in 2019. I’ve since put it through miles of cobblestone streets and stairs in Istanbul, saw it topple off a sprinter van in Paris, and rolled through puddles in Jamaica. I’ve fit everything I need for a two-week trip without a single zipper issue. When my wheels felt a little slower, I emailed the company and they sent me an easy-to-install new set five years after my purchase, no questions asked. Away bags are ubiquitous (as are look-alikes), but I have yet to own any other piece of luggage with the longevity and durability as The Carry-On. — NH

My carry-on-only lifestyle ended abruptly with the birth of my first kid. Almost three years (and one more kid) later, and I’m still constantly surprised by just how much has to be packed for even a short trip. Yet run-of-the-mill diaper bag design is still dominated by large, ugly cavernous sacks that wear as well as they look. The Getaway Bag is not run-of-the-mill. It’s compartmentalized design has saved me more than once on long flights where snacks and distractions were needed five minutes before I realized. Blowouts have been dealt with and hidden away efficiently with confidence that the mess won’t touch anything else. Plus it’s simply comfortable to wear and looks as sleek as a weekender bag you’d carry even if there wasn’t a single diaper inside. — NH

Whether heading to my coworking space, the airport, or a trail, I rarely leave home with the Patagonia Refugio on my back. The detachable laptop sleeve and its compartment hold all my work stuff, gear, clothing, and food go in the main compartment, and important must-haves like a spork and pen live in the small front pouch. It’s the perfect backpack for the traveling remote worker. — TW

For someone whose job requires frequent travel (and has for the past decade), I have long had a pretty lackluster packing solution on work trips. I’d bring my Away Carry-On for clothes along with a backpack for my work gear — regardless if the trip was only for a few days. That changed after getting this NEMO bag last year. The top pouch is more than big enough to fit up to four days of clothes (when packed right), while the many compartments in the back compartment hold everything I need and more to get my job done on the road. Sometimes that’s a trip to Mexico City, others it’s hopping from remote hotel to remote hotel. — NH

I do a lot of work from my phone, and this portable keyboard makes writing everything from an email to a story easy. This ultra-slim, compact keyboard folds neatly to slip into your pocket or bag without taking up precious space. Ideal for the on-the-go worker.

— NH

One of the perks of being a freelancer is that I can set my only schedule – but the flip side of that is I need to make my writing and editing deadlines, even when I’m traveling. Most hotels today have WiFi, but unless I want to burn through my cell phone’s international plan, it’s still hard to get full internet access when on the road outside of the US. That’s why I use the Solis Lite Wifi Hot Spot. I won’t lie, it isn’t perfect, as it only works when you’re within cell range for at least one cell phone network. That makes it not as reliable as a satellite internet device. However, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper at about $150 for the device, and $10-$20 for 24 hours of unlimited data transfer. I’ve used it on long bus rides through Bavaria, early morning safari drives in Kenya, and even from the world’s northernmost brewery in Svalbard Norway. It’s the next best thing to having unlimited satellite internet (or spending hundreds on your cell phone bill). — SD

Yes, $60 is a lot for a laptop case – until you look at what it would cost to replace your laptop in a hurry. As a frequent adventure traveler, I’ve dealt with all kinds of laptop-related travel issues, ranging from dirt stuck in the charging port that blocks the cord to humidity and water damage from leaving my laptop too close to the edge of a pool. But when my laptop is in the Laptop Base Layer, it’s fully protected from the elements, including wind, rain, and snow – which comes in handy, if you like working outside on vacation but don’t like paying attention to weather forecasts. I use the small pocket for the charger and devices like USB ports, and the slim design allows me to use it within my travel backpack’s padded laptop sleeve.

— SD

I’ve been taking this lightweight wind jacket with me everywhere I go this summer, from hikes to bike rides to throwing in my bag in case it’s windy at the beach. It’s an extremely lightweight jacket that packs down roughly the size of a coffee cup, with stretchy loops that allow you to clip it to your backpack (or even wear it around your wrist). There are four large pockets, plus a simple but ingenious feature: a clip on the chest so you can keep it from blowing off, even without zipping it. It’s been very helpful on bike rides when I don’t want to zip it, but don’t want gusts of wind blowing it off my shoulders over and over. It comes in men’s and women’s and has been a heavily-used addition to my outdoor kit this summer. — SD

The Expedition X-Lätt Jacket is my go-to when I need an everyday jacket. I’ve worn it to outdoor concerts in San Francisco, while camping in Oregon, or out to dinner in Vancouver. It has straight lines, a classic design, and an unbeatable repair program so you don’t need to replace it in five years. I have it in black, which maximizes its versatility, but it comes in a host of solid color designs. This is usually my go-to travel jacket, since it packs roughly into the size of a Nalgene water bottle by stuffing it into the chest pocket. I can whip it out on cold flights without feeling like my whole backpack is filled with a bulky jacket. — SD