A near-perfect sunscreen, a versatile wind layer, and a monocular that made us feel like pirates: Here’s the gear that helped Backpacker’s editors set out in June.
Published June 30, 2026 at 10:00 pm
Sometimes the little things make the biggest difference down the road. Case in point: When we tried to pick the best gear we used in June, two out of three of us chose items small enough to fit in the palms of our hands.
The gear we’re carrying may be small, but the adventures we’re having are larger than life: This June, we explored the peaks of our home on Colorado’s Western Slope, braved a pop-up hailstorm in a lean-to, and watched whales from camp on the misty beaches of Washington state. This is the tool that has helped us chase adventures so far this summer.
Freaks of Nature Peak Performance Sun Stick SPF50
I like to be protected from the sun. I don’t like the ghost-white cast that most mineral sunscreens give me, or the chalky residue they leave on my skin. The Freaks of Nature Peak Performance Sun Stick is one of the more comfortable high-test sunscreens I’ve used. Unlike most zinc-based formulas, they rub in easily and feel light on the skin. The Peak Performance Stick is the perfect size for most activities, small enough to fit in a hipbelt pocket but large enough to cover my face, neck, and the back of my hands in a couple of swipes. The plant-based formula is water-resistant, reef-safe, vegan and packaged in 100 percent recycled plastic for 80 minutes at a time. The long days of summer have made playing in the sun a must. -Adam Roy, Editor in Chief
NOC Provisions Zero Tube 10×25 Monocular
As I get older, the more I strain my eyes to see things far away. Sitting at my computer, it’s no big deal, but when I’m in the backcountry, and a moose crosses my path at 250 yards, or my partner points out an arch over a rock halfway up a canyon, I find myself getting caught up in deciphering shapes and colors. Maybe that means I need glasses, but in the meantime, I’ve been using the Knox Zero Tube Monocular, and it’s changed the game for me. This rugged, compact little Looker lens offers a 10×25 magnification, which means it makes things appear ten times their size. The clarity of the image is so good that you can easily and clearly see details that would otherwise escape you. It is also waterproof and impact resistant up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
I bought this gadget for backcountry skiing, but I’ve started using it more for backpacking. I started keeping the monocular in the shoulder strap of my backpack, and I was really surprised by how often I found myself reaching for it. In addition to the ability to see further and more clearly, it also feels good to pop out a monocular to increase the scope of a view. Every time I do this I can’t help but imagine myself on the bow of a ship at sea. This has not only enhanced my vision on the trail, but also my experience.
For $180 it’s worth the price, especially since I don’t have to worry about tossing it in my backpack or dropping it in a puddle. This is a sturdy, compact, trail tool that makes a great gift (for yourself, or another backpacker in your life). -Will Brendza, Associate Editor
Freelite Polartec Alpha Insulated Hood Jacket
Until quite recently, the windbreakers in my wardrobe were reserved for downhill mountain bike rides or particularly stormy peaks. But when I wore this windjacket on a recent camping trip, I didn’t take it off. Equipped with Alpha Direct insulation, the windproof outer shell retains a surprising amount of warmth while remaining breathable.
While camping along the beach on Orcas Island, Washington, I wore the Freelight on a cool evening at sunset. Since temperatures dropped into the low 50s after sunset, I never needed to add an extra layer. Last week, I camped in Olympic National Park; The weather oscillated between muggy, misty cold and the hot sunshine of June. I left the Freelight on most of the trip, walking on the beach, cooking dinner at camp, and relaxing on the shore amid strong winds. Without insulation under the arms, the jacket remains breathable when needed. My one complaint is about the stretch-mesh drop pocket on the front of the jacket: Peak Performance claims it’s for hiding wet gloves or a sweaty beanie, but I’d prefer to have regular hand pockets. -Zoe Gates, Senior Editor
