Published on July 9, 2026 09:45 am
There are media outlets that publish “buyers guides” to the best coolers without trying said coolers in real life, or don’t time how long each cooler retains ice in the boiling sun, or throwing a cooler off a cliff To see how durable it really is. Outside Not one of those outlets. Here, we don’t recommend a single piece of gear without rigorous testing in the field and outdoor labs.
This summer, our editors, category managers, and testers drove more than 600 products over mountains, into forests, through washing machines, and yes, sometimes off a cliff—for months on end. We’re talking real miles, real sweat, and real gear failures that never made it into print. Along the way we kept score, compared notes, argued in Slack threads, and arrived at 15 standouts across five categories. This list is right here: the best summer gear of 2026.
Gear that not only impresses, but also surprises our testers gets our Editors’ Choice award, which is the highest bar we set. This year, only four of those more than 600 products crossed that threshold. These pieces either demonstrate best-in-class performance, showcase exciting new technology, or improve upon a tried-and-true classic.
Gear isn’t cheap, and we know it. Each pick here has already made its mark in the field – so rest assured when you spend, you’re not gambling.
Editors’ Choice Winners: At a Glance
Best Summer Gear of 2026
Camping
Editor’s Choice Camping Mattress
Nemo Roamer
The NEMO Roamer is the closest thing to a real bed in the camping world. The four-inch open-cell foam construction had one tester declare that it was “the closest I’ve ever had to a bed at home while camping.” A major change for 2026 increased the R-value to 7 and switched to a durable PU stretch polyester that survived in the Rockies without complaints. Setup is easy due to the self-inflating valve, although you may want to top it off with a stuff sack pump. Getting back into the bag is a bit of a wrestling match, but not so much trouble that such comfort would be sacrificed.
best cooler
yeti tundra 65
Yeti Tundras have been the cooler of choice for our testers for fifteen years, and the 65 is the best cooler they’ve tested. The rotomolded body endured weeks of abuse in truck beds and raft frames. Pressure-injected insulation kept the ice frozen for three days on the river trip with temperatures in the high 80s and constant La Croix retrieval. At about 30 pounds empty, it’s not worth carrying alone, but the straight walls and no dead zones make it easy to pack. Expensive, yes. Worth every penny, yes too.
Best Camping Chair
NEMO Satellite Reclining Camp Chair
Most lightweight camp chairs force you to choose between packability and comfort. Nemo is not a satellite. A suspended recline system – no heavy hinges, no locking hardware – lets you lean back and truly settle in with a controlled, hammock-like feel that won’t let you fall. The recycled mesh keeps things breezy on hot afternoons and dries fast after a wet night of camping. At 11 inches off the ground, getting in and out after a long day on the trail was never a chore. It’s not the most luxurious seat at camp, but it’s the seat that fits in your daypack.
hiking
Best Women’s Hiking Boots
la sportiva equilibrium hike gtx
Since 2024, the Equilibrium Hike GTX has quietly become the go-to boot testers have access to for any mission. It’s built for three-season alpine trips and a 40-pound pack, but it proves just as at home for a quick afternoon trip. It’s light, low-profile, and so comfortable that testers stopped reaching for their trail runners. The PU foam midsole lasts longer than the typical EVA, and the abrasion-resistant toe and heel look pristine after more than 100 miles. a wisconsin examiner Wore them without wear through mud, sand and water. The Gore-Tex-lined upper stays dry, and the high, stretchy ankle collar—more neoprene sock than rigid leather—fits like a hug right out of the box, no break-in required.
Best Hiking Backpack
Osprey Talon/Tempest 33
The Talon/Tempest 33 feels like a full-suspension multiday pack that was thrown in the dryer, yet somehow all the cushioning and structure escaped shrinkage. A heavily padded hipbelt and shoulder straps, a deep feature set, and serious adjustability earned it our best-in-test nod for this season’s daypack. The backpanel adjusts a full five inches, allowing testers to dial in the perfect fit. The framesheet contours the spine and locks into the hipbelt for actual weight transfer. And it withstood serious abuse: The 100-denier recycled nylon bounced off rocks, cactus, and airplane overhead bins in three states and two countries tested.
backpacking
Best Backpacking Pad
Exped Ultra 6.5R
In the race for best warmth-to-weight ratio, the EXPED Ultra 6.5R won the gold medal. With an R-value of 6.9 and weighing only 12.5 ounces, it’s the new benchmark inflatable pad. Those impressive numbers are limited to a synthetic microfiber-reflective Mylar sandwich and 3.5-inch loft. In practice, the Ultra 6.5R doesn’t get any warmer than its closest competitors, but testers preferred its vertical baffle and slightly raised guardrail over the less comfortable horizontal design common on many ultralight pads. The cherry on top? All sizes of pads, from long to wide, are priced the same.
best sleeping bag
Argali Alpine 20
Top marks in sleeping bag category Check out this relatively new hunting brand that focuses on ultralight gear. For starters, the Alpine 20 is exceptionally warm. This is thanks to top-flight materials, like 850-fill down and a 15-denier Pertex Quantum nylon shell. Warmth from 20 ounces of Allied down is enhanced by a draft collar that extends around the entire length of the large, cinchable hood and zipper. Besides its accurate temperature rating, the beauty of the Alpine 20 is in the details. It features a sweeping mummy shape that envelops without feeling claustrophobic, an oversized, two-way zipper, and an extra tough, durable strip of fabric running along the zipper that prevents fraying.
best backpacking pack
Gregory Paragon 60/Maven 58
For six years, Gregory has been Paragon 60/Maven 58 Our Favorite Backpacking Pack For the best tested combination of comfort, weight and organizational features. A seamless wraparound harness with plush EVA foam padding makes friction and hotspots a thing of the past. A sturdy steel perimeter frame barely breaks a sweat at under 45 pounds, and the free-floating hipbelt design moves independently of the backpanel, keeping us in place over uneven terrain. The pockets are generous and cleverly placed, and a Velcro backpanel adjustment system let us extend the back length by up to three inches.
running/fitness
Editor’s Choice Trail Running Shoe
sacony peregrine 16
The lightweight Saucony Peregrine has long made us feel fast and agile over rough terrain. The Edition 16 features a Vibram MegaGrip outsole that grips rocky slabs with confidence, while the four-millimeter lugs excel at digging into softer terrain. The well-balanced midsole provides a strong connection with the trail while feeling responsive and shock-absorbing. Testers praised the comfort and protection of the flexible, breathable mesh upper, which kept trail debris out and blockages at bay.
best road running shoe
asics superblast 3
With ample cushioning, comfortable fit, minimal weight, and energetic ride, the Asics Superblast 3 is a shoe that you can use for any type of running. The third version features a thick layer of Asics’ softest, bounciest Super Foam on top of a slightly firmer, more stable base. Its exceptional weight-to-cushion ratio makes it a long-time favorite of people where energy saving and reducing impact are at a premium.
The most versatile sports sunglasses
warby parker sierra
We crowned the Warby Parker Sierra sunglasses the most versatile sunglasses we tested, giving us the win for performance on the trail and style at the bar. The soft rubber temples and nose pads kept the Sierra firmly on our faces as we walked on bike paths, walked on rocky trails, and even bounced on the neighbor’s trampoline. The Italian-made nylon frames are exceptionally lightweight, yet durable, and the extended lens curve provides an impressive field of view.
Mountain biking
Editor’s Choice Mountain Bike
Revel Rascal X0
The Revel Rascal took the top spot in Pinkbike’s 2026 Trail Bike Field Test. This 130-millimeter-travel bike is fast, efficient, and really fun. Revell’s CBF suspension provides excellent traction and converts pedal strokes into forward motion without any drama, although it rewards riders who push the pace, not those hoping to escape. The geometry is size-specific, a thoughtful touch. At $7,199 for the X0 build, it’s a serious investment – but with the SRAM X0 transmission, carbon DT Swiss wheels, and RockShox Ultimate suspension, it’s hard to argue the value.
Editor’s Choice Electric Mountain Bike
yeti lte
The Yeti LTE is our favorite electric mountain bike of the year, and it earns that title on the strength of one thing: suspension performance. It provides a level of quietness and bump removal that is difficult to overstate. Traction and predictability come easily, and the full 29-inch construction delivers speed through rough, scenic trails that is better than any long-travel eMTB we’ve ridden recently. Despite the Bosch motor’s lower output on paper, the LTE kept easy pace with the Avinox-powered bike, combined with the practical, usable power of the CX motor and Yeti’s Sixfinity suspension. This isn’t a bike for pumping and popping – but that’s not the point.
best mountain bike shoe
SHIMANO GE900HS
We’ve tested shoes from Five Ten, Fox, and Pearl Izumi, and the Dalmatian GE9 Hot Seat is our favorite mountain bike shoe yet. The GE9’s slim form factor, with a lightweight profile and tough sole, makes it built for everything from trail to DH riding. Featuring a BOA Li2 dial, Velcro ankle strap and a stretchy gaiter that keeps debris out, it’s tough enough to climb on the bike, but comfortable enough to wear all day.
Best Mountain Bike Shorts
Patagonia Dirt Craft Bike Shorts
Our testers’ favorite mountain bike shorts come as no surprise—Patagonia’s Dirt Craft shorts have been a staple for a while. A highly adjustable hook-and-webbing waistband, two front drop-in pockets and two zippered thigh pockets cover the basics, while the recycled four-way stretch fabric with a DWR finish handled everything from the hot desert of Baja to the cold high desert of Sedona to the Pacific Northwest without complaint. The fit was true to size and was comfortable in the saddle all day. The price is high, but the removable liner adds value.
