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

Bear canisters are required in a growing number of wilderness areas, but they’ve always come with a frustrating tradeoff: by day three, you’re rattling around a half-empty cylinder that’s throwing off your pack balance. The BV ONE solves that with a telescoping design that compresses as your food supply shrinks — 8.3 liters fully expanded, 4.65 liters collapsed. The center-access opening splits the canister in two for easy organization, and soft-touch buttons mean no more fumbling with a coin at 11,000 feet. At under two pounds, it’s lighter than BearVault’s fixed BV450 despite offering more volume. — TW

A new and frankly genius camping tool: a teabag, but for coffee. Drop one in a mug for a quick, delicious hot cup​ brewed in five minutes. Or let it steep overnight in a jar and wake up to smooth cold brew​ with no boiling water ​required before your caffeine fix. The brew bag is non-GMO and commercially compostable, so it tosses in with the rest of your scraps. It’s such an easy way to have good coffee on the go, and a great thing to keep on hand for the morning you realize you’re out at home (guilty). For travel, I add one to a container of water and stash it in the hotel fridge for the next day. Beats the free hotel coffee any day. — KW

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

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Pro Travel Pack is quite possibly the best-looking bag the brand has ever made, and I say that as a lifelong loyalist. It arrived at my door like a sexy out-of-towner in a shiny truck, threatening my marriage. It’s as sturdy as a well-made army-issued bag but looks expensive with it, which is a rare combination. The New Taupe Green color is genuinely classy. It even stands up on its own when empty and holds its shape, which I find unreasonably attractive in a 36L carry-on.The Voyager Pro is also a modular system. The 36L Travel Pack ($270) is the base, and onto it you can hook a Lightweight Pack ($80) for a daypack, a Crossbody ($75) for your passport, and a 1L Travel Pouch ($30) that doubles as a tiny sling. Each piece works alone, or they clip into one unit so you carry a single bag, and the whole thing slides onto the handle of a rolling suitcase. The modular idea isn’t new, but The North Face has done a sterling job here. It all fits together, I have no complaints, and it’s one of the best-looking products on the market today. Now in my 40s, I’ve come a long way with this brand since my school bag days, and this grown-up, head-turning pack fits this chapter of my life, and hopefully points to more of the same from the design team at The North Face. — KG

A lot of us on the editorial team loved Peak Design’s 45L Travel Backpack. It carried a week of clothes, a laptop, and a camera in one carry-on. Its one drawback was that you needed a second bag for day outings, so on city breaks I’d leave it at the hotel and take a tote out to museums and shops. The new 2-in-1 version solves that. It splits in two: a 34L main pack and a 16L daypack that zips off and comes out with you for the day.It’s also the best-looking version they’ve made, sleeker and less boxy than the old one, and the straps are wider and more comfortable than the old bag’s, snapping flat against the back panel with magnets when you carry it by the handle. Peak Design is a company of backpack nerds, every thread thought through, and the original Travel Backpack won numerous awards. But the designers are not holed up in a lab; they are out (well, online) listening to the people who carry the bags, so reworking its award-winner means they heard something worth acting on. I will say, though, they’ve kinda fixed a problem I’d already sorted myself: the old bag was too big for a day out, but I was at peace with it. Now I have this two-in-one dreamy pack, and I’m actually thrilled. It’s like an unexpected tech upgrade that fixed a niggle you’d got used to. — KG

Eleven and a half ounces. That’s the whole pack, including the removable foam back pad that doubles as a sit pad at camp. The Minimalist 19 is Gossamer Gear at its best, stripping a category down to its essentials without sacrificing function. Nineteen liters is plenty for a long day hike or day trip, and the stretch back pocket, dual side bottle pockets, and internal zip stash give you enough room for food, beverages, an extra layer, or whatever you need. There’s also a laptop pouch. The drawstring top loads fast and the air-mesh shoulder straps are super soft. But what really sold me on this pack is that the whole thing compresses or folds easily into a larger pack or suitcase for travel days. At this weight and this price, it’s hard to justify carrying anything heavier. — TW

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

My husband and I recently hauled this whopper of a camera to Fiji to try our hand at a mirrorless. But the real joy has been falling for our own local park through the lens. We’ve spent our evenings traveling slowly, waiting on the wildlife, and being still in the kind of moments we’d usually walk right through. This camera makes that easy. It’s a full-frame mirrorless body, and my first interchangeable-lens camera, so there’s a learning curve, but a​n easier one than​ with a DSLR.

With a DSLR​, you look through an optical viewfinder at the real scene and don’t know how the photo turned out until after you press the shutter. With the Z5II, you see exactly what you’re going to get before you shoot: lighting, shadows, fuzzy focus, and all. That live view lets you fine-tune and watch the image change in real time. The in-body stabilization and smart subject-detection autofocus do a lot of the heavy lifting for anyone who thinks it’s all just “point and shoot,” and there’s no shortage of YouTube tutorials to get you going. For a first “real” camera you won’t outgrow in a year, it’s a lot of camera for the money. — KW

The Osmo Mobile 8 has become a constant presence in my gear bag. The magnetic phone clamp and intuitive design allow you to start shooting in seconds. It delivers the same smooth 3-axis stabilization and intelligent shooting modes found in DJI’s dedicated cameras, while also featuring a built-in extension rod that is useful for selfies, vlogging, and tricky low-angle shots. The easily attachable multifunctional module adds subject tracking, adjustable fill lighting, and can even charge your phone. My favorite feature is Direct Phone Connection, which allows ActiveTrack and other intelligent functions to work directly within the iPhone’s native Camera app. This results in a seamless shooting experience that lets you benefit from DJI’s stabilization and tracking technology without being tied to a separate app — unless you want to be.

I’m always hesitant to add extra pieces of gear to my photo and video setup. The hassle of learning a new device and integrating yet another app into my workflow often outweighs the potential benefits. In the case of the Osmo Mobile 8, however, the opposite proved true. After months of use, I can confidently recommend it to anyone looking to elevate their smartphone videography. It delivers a meaningful upgrade without adding bulk, a steep learning curve, or a dependency on DJI’s app. — Rulo Luna

My camper van has no fixed charging socket, so everything runs off an external battery, and every night turns into a scramble over which device gets a port. Between the two of us, there’s always a lot to charge, and as my husband paraglides, his radio and his Insta360 are in the queue too. The Satechi 3-in-1 Foldable Wireless Charging Stand with Qi2 25W takes three of those devices off the pile at once. One USB-C cable goes from the battery to the stand, and the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all charge together. The phone snaps onto a magnetic pad that charges fast, the watch charges on a small fold-out arm behind the phone, and the AirPods case charges flat on the base. It adds about half a charge to my phone in the half hour it takes me to cook dinner. It also folds completely flat, about as thick as a slim paperback, and fits in the same packing cube as my cables. At $129.99, it isn’t cheap, but it’s the materials that make it feel worth it; it’s machined aluminum, not the cheap plastic you replace every year. — KG

Travelers have no shortage of options for global travel adaptors. What I’ve always found lacking, however, was an adapter that works both at home and abroad, charges multiple accessories through various port sizes, and fits in the front pocket of my travel backpack. The Global Travel Adaptor from Matador Equipment solves these issues, able to charge up to six devices at once in more than 170 countries worldwide. All plugs collapse into the adaptor so they aren’t damaged in transit, and I opted for the bright orange color so I’d be sure to see it when doing a final room check before departing a hotel. — TW

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 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

Most brands out there make some type of product they market as a travel hoodie, but so far, I’ve found that the Travel Hoodie from Unbound Merino is one of the best out there.

The first and most obvious selling point is that it’s made with merino wool. Lots of people love merino because it both insulates and cools, making it ideal for a wide range of temperatures, but my favorite feature is more directly travel related: it takes weeks for it to get dirty (or at least many days). As long as you wear a shirt under it, you can wear it for an extremely long time without any worries about it getting stinky or looking worn out. It’s on the thinner side and doesn’t take much space in a carry-on bag, but it keeps me warmer than I thought it would be the first time I wore it. It also has a very clean, basic design, making it the perfect normcore travel hoodie for chilly flights and unexpectedly overcast days. — SD

Temperatures swing a lot in the South, where chilly spring mornings are followed by hot, humid afternoons. My first-ever pair of zip-offs, the Cotopaxi Losdos, made that transition easier and quicker. Hiking in Tennessee is no joke, but these​ pants stayed manageable even before I removed the legs. The zippers are color-coded, so you match the colors when you zip the legs back on, which makes it foolproof. When the afternoon sun hits, you’re in 4″ shorts in seconds. The material is durable, quick-drying, and more water-resistant than I expected. Best part: each pant leg packs down into its own cargo pocket, and there’s a carabiner hook on the waistband to clip them to. Easy and great for both camping and hiking. One heads-up for curvier body types: the zipper section runs tight with less give, even though the rest of the pant is nice and stretchy. — KW

I do a lot of hiking in a lot of shoes, but the first time I wore the North Face Fastpack Shoes, I knew I was onto something. They made it feel like I was hiking in slippers – and I mean that literally. They’re cushioned, soft, and warm, and fit my foot without any squeezing or tight spots. They definitely have a look, with a big, rounded, and semi-bulky style. But it’s a look that’s becoming cool thanks to brands like Hoka. And while I probably wouldn’t wear them out to dinner, I actually think they look pretty low-key cool when paired with tapered sweatpants, a hoodless sweatshirt, and an old-school baseball cap – sort of a Beastie Boys in their prime type of style, and one that certainly works for me after a long day of hiking or sightseeing.They’ve become my go-to walking shoe to absorb impact and help minimize low back pain, and I seriously regretted not bringing them on a recent international trip when I was walking a few miles a day. They may be a little too insulated for seriously hot-weather hiking, but they served me well on 10+ mile hiking days in California (including one where I unexpectedly had to hike through snow). They also come in a boot, in case you prefer a little more protection and support. — 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

I’m in the process of optimizing my splitboard touring kit for the coming winter, primarily by filling in some holes that I’d noted over the past year. One aspect I’ve committed to doubling down on is layering. For this, I just acquired the Access down and Solution jackets from Black Diamond to fill two big gaps:

• What to wear on the ascent: For many reasons, I’ve never been a fan of fleece in the high alpine (it’s never the right conditions for it, for one thing – always too windy or too sweaty). As such, I’ve historically gone with a lightweight midlayer or simply started the climb in my full downhill getup and shed layers as I heated up. Whenever I have to stop to remove a layer I’m always envious of the person who doesn’t – so I acquired the Solution shell to solve this problem. Its 20d, recycled nylon Micro Rip Stop is PFC free and the jacket promises to be both functional and comfortable from the trailhead to the summit.
• A down jacket that’s enough for hut trips and descents.

  The key to a successful hut trip is efficient packing – most everything should serve more than one purpose, because you don’t want to carry up more than you need. The Black Diamond Access Down will fit my kit by allowing me to wear the same jacket at the hut that I wore on the ride down to it. If hitting the trail early in the AM, as is typical, I can wear the Access Down from the trailhead and not even have to worry about a jacket taking up space in my pack (if the climb gets warm, I’ll simply take it off and tie it by the sleeves to the top of the pack until I get to the transition point).

I chose Black Diamond for two reasons. First, the brand’s gear is tough and tested. I already have Black Diamond’s ski touring poles, mountaineering gear, and harness, and the stuff has never let me down. Second, Black Diamond has taken great strides towards making its gear more eco-friendly and circular, and has advocated for recreation- and conservation-friendly legislation like the PARC Act. The company partners with factories that prioritize solar energy, water conservation, and recycled materials, and is pioneering end-of-life recycling programs like an expanded repair ecosystem and the industry’s first independently certified aluminum recycling program. — TW