Table of contents for Buyer's Guide Spring - Summer 2018 in Outside

EDITOR’S LETTER Money Talks As much as I love gear, it’s supposed to be a vehicle for getting people outside, not an end in itself. Same goes for the companies that make that gear. Many of them were founded by people who truly love being outdoors, and that means they have a stake in the issues affecting that world. The Bureau of Economic Analysis recently crunched the numbers, and in 2016, the outdoor industry accounted for 2 percent of U.S. GDP, with nearly 4 percent annual growth. Brands are using that economic clout to raise their voices. Arc’teryx, Ibex, Patagonia, and others refused to participate in last summer’s Outdoor Retailer trade show in Salt Lake City, because of what many consider to be an anti-public-lands stance by the Utah legislature.…

a. Full Windsor Muncher spork $50 The 22-gram titanium Muncher is a versatile backpacking companion. Full Windsor took the much maligned camping spork and beefed it up, adding ten functions and a ferro rod. Testers’ only gripe: having the knife and spork at opposite ends makes it difficult to keep food steady when cutting. b. Morakniv Kansbol knife $40 Made in Sweden, the Kansbol delivers the simplicity, quality, and feel we expect from Scandinavian blades, without the brutal price tag. The symmetrical polymer handle offers a five-finger grip and balances the knife for comfort in-hand. Translation: pure whittling pleasure. c. Gerber Empower Automatic knife $140 Gerber has been making automatic knives for the military for decades, and that experience shows in the Empower. Push the button and the blade swings…

THE PRO a. Sony a7r III $3,200 Sony is the new tornado of the industry, tearing professional photographers away from their Canons and Nikons. Astonishingly, small cameras like this one are how the company has managed it. The a7r III captures massive RAW images (up to 42.4 mega pixels) at blistering speeds (ten frames per second)—stats never before seen in such a small package. Add niceties like 425 autofocus points, dual SD-card slots, 4K video, and days-long battery life, and you’ve got a finely tuned picture-making machine. THE OBSESSIVE b. Fujifilm X-E3 $900 The midlevel mirrorless market is a competitive one. Most of the cameras are light, fast, and capable of producing noticeably better images than your smartphone. The three-quarter-pound Fuji X-E3 rose to the top of the heap for…

a. Voke Tabs $7 Don’t have time for coffee but need a pick-me-up? These chewable tablets offer a fruity (if somewhat bitter), naturally caffeinated boost to get you through a long day of shuttling between gates and hailing rickshaws. If you find them habit forming, don’t fret: Voke offers a monthly subscription service (from $28). b. Sea to Summit Travelling Light eyeshade $15 Some luxuries are worth carving out carryon space for, especially if it means squeezing in a few more hours of sleep. This mask’s quilted padding is more comfortable than whatever thin airline freebie you’re currently using, and it’s plenty wide, so light won’t creep in around the edges. c. Tiger Balm Pain Relieving patches $6 for five The magic of Tiger Balm in a stretchy hydro-gel patch?…

The modern fish isn’t new—credit the 1997 film 5'5" x 19¼" with reinvigorating the quick and stubby design. But it could be hard to surf if your name wasn’t Wardo, AI, or Corey Lopez. Enter the Superbrand Siamese Twin (right; $705), which blends a fishy outline with high-performance rails and a four-channel bottom. The result catches waves easily and skips down the line, but won’t bog or slide out through bottom turns or mid-face wraps. It’s a playful small-wave board for the masses. When the surf picks up, you’ll want something more aggressive, like the Slater Designs Gamma ($770). The Gamma is Kelly Slater’s go-to shortboard. But since none of us surf like Slater, it comes in two versions: high performance, and something mere mortals can appreciate. Whatever the specs,…

a. Hari Mari Dune $45 Softer and more flexible than many of its rivals, the Dune babies your feet with cushy rubber and a memory-foam post that won’t dig between toes. But don’t let the creature comforts fool you: thanks to a heavily siped outsole, footing was steady atop paddleboards and slippery rocks. b. Astral Loyak $85 The handsome canvas upper may give the Loyak a shot of street style, but there are performance chops here, too. The stretchy mesh tongue and forefoot expedite evaporation, should water rise above the low cuff. The removable insole means your feet can rest directly on the cushy, grippy EVA midsole if full immersion is on the menu. c. Helly Hansen HP Foil F-1 $100 Helly Hansen’s maritime heritage is on full display in…

Pearl Izumi Versa $70 We love the Versa’s casual polo style and contrasting front pocket. So much so that we wear it not only when we ride, but also to the beach, on the boat, and to the bar on warm evenings. The lightweight polyester is buttery against your skin and wicks away moisture. It also tends to absorb odors, so we suggest keeping it to a single wear between washes. Café du Cycliste Zahira Diamant $163 This bold jersey drew us in immediately. The West African print provides excellent visibility, but the Zahira Diamant is more than just a fashion statement. The featherweight fabric is airy enough for blazing desert days, the full-length zipper makes venting a breeze, and the fit is more generous than many road designs, so…

a. Wolf Tooth Pack pliers $30 Fixing a busted chain with your bare hands is a nonstarter. These pliers open and close the master link, store a handful of replacement links, and have a tire lever and valve-core remover built in. b. Lizard Skins DSP 3.2 mm bar tape $46 A must for anyone prone to numb hands, this tape is cushy, stays tacky when wet, and comes in a variety of colors. c. Silca T-Ratchet and Ti-Torque kit $99 You have to carry a tool, so make it this one from Silca. It has all the usual fitments, weighs only a fraction more than other tools, and adds a torque gauge. d. Revolution Cycle Beer Bottle Cap badge $95 Does your whip have a head badge? Swap it out…

Hoka One One Mach $140 Since Hoka hit the running-shoe scene in 2009, not one of its lightweight megafoam constructions has managed to earn our Gear of the Year honors. This year the curse is broken. The superfast, midfat Mach was the top pick of about half our team, and it earned strong marks from everyone else—a rare instance of something approaching unanimity. Built atop a snappy midsole that’s firmly energetic but easy on the legs, the Mach is thick, quick, and easy to love. “The responsiveness allowed me to get some energy back when I took these on a tempo run,” a tester said. One downside: the thin upper has almost no padding. Another: the soft outsole wears fast and is a little slippery on wet pavement. While there’s…

a. Hoka One One Ora Recovery sandals $50 Whether you just busted out a personal best at a race or slogged through another training session, Hoka’s Ora Recovery sandals provide maximum post-run comfort for your beat feet. It takes the brand’s signature oversize midsole and enhanced rocker and applies them to a slip-on. b. Buff Reflective headwear $25 Everyone loves the versatility of a Buff, but runners in particular should be snapping these up in droves. Buff’s headwear wicks moisture and provides UV protection on long, sunny sessions. Reflective hits add visibility during night runs. c. Black Diamond Spot headlamp $40 Staying with the after-hours theme: we don’t always manage to knock out our miles during day light. That’s where a headlamp comes in handy. This one weighs a svelte…

a. KuaiFit earphones $160 Possibly the smartest stand-alone earphones we’ve ever used, the KuaiFit packs in a workout coach for running, cycling, and gym training without requiring you to pair it with your phone. It also monitors heart rate, speed, cadence, laps completed, and calories burned, and it can even pair with a cycling sensor to deliver more granular bike data. b. Garmin Forerunner 645 Music watch $450 Garmin finally made a running watch that plays music, beaming tunes to wireless headphones via Bluetooth. You can store up to 500 songs (cool) and sync playlists from Spotify and other streaming sites for offline playback (cooler). The 645 also has Garmin’s advanced running metrics, a built-in heart-rate monitor, and GPS. c. Spire Health Tags $49 Don’t like the look of a…

a. Icebreaker Cool-Lite Meld Zone Long sports bra $75 The Meld Zone wears like a crop top, with enough coverage to be worn on its own. It was the most stylish sports bra we tested, and well-placed seams and soft merino wool made it one of the most comfortable, too. Best for smaller-busted women, and not for high-impact pursuits. b. Oiselle Brilliance bra $56 This was large-busted reviewers’ favorite running bra by a long shot, thanks to highly supportive polyester-spandex fabric and brilliant details like padding on the shoulder straps. Ample coverage and mesh panels provide the best of both worlds in terms of support and breathability. c. Saxx Platinum boxer-briefs $35 Without a doubt, the 95 percent modal (a type of rayon), 5 percent spandex fabric in these shorts…

Tecnica Forge GTX $250 You’re looking at the most comfortable hiking boot we’ve ever tested. The Forge GTX is also the first heat-moldable hiker on the market, using the same technology that gave us the custom-fit ski boot. But there’s more going on here than just luxe interiors. Tecnica gave the Forge a Gore-Tex layer to shrug off weather, a thick wrap cuff for support, and a burly build that offers plenty of stability and traction for serious backpacking. The rock plate stood up to hours of bushwhacking with a 60-pound pack in Colorado’s Park Range, and the fat lugs on the Vibram outsole gave us confidence on slick roots and gravelly paths. The waterproof layer kept feet dry and toasty when conditions turned slushy, even if the Forge tended…

Marmot Ultra Elite 20 $199 We’d never guess that the Ultra Elite 20 is filled with anything but down—it’s that warm and compressible. But Marmot stuffed the bag with a mix of three cutting-edge synthetic fibers layered together in strips: one thin for thermal efficiency, another thicker for durability, and a third less compressible to preserve loft. Near the top of the bag, the insulation overlaps like shingles to optimize warmth and puffiness. On the bottom, it’s in one big sheet, which minimizes seams and boosts comfort. The Ultra Elite packed down as small (and weighed about the same) as a down bag, but unstuffed it expanded into a pile of fluffy warmth that inspired gear envy in our tent mates. Zipping into it on a near freezing night—the bag…

a. Black Diamond Solution harness $70 Whether you’re hanging on a bolt and working out beta or whipping from the crux, padding is premium. The Solution’s waist belt and fixed leg loops have it in spades. b. Mammut 9.5 Infinity Dry rope $240 Supremely supple and easy to tie from the get-go, the Infinity plays much thinner than its 9.5-millimeter diameter suggests. c. Prana Continuum pants $99 A gusseted crotch and seams at the knees lend the Continuum an impressive range of movement for such a tough pair of pants. Made from stretchy canvas, they feature a built-in belt that lies flat under your harness. d. Metolius Bravo Keylock quickdraw $20 The Double Wrap slings in the Keylock are made of, well, double-wrapped webbing that’s slightly stiff, helping you reach…

Gregory Baltoro 65 and Deva 60 $329 We like our packs one of two ways: stripped-down minimalists that excel at specific tasks, or blinged-out haulers that do everything we need and more. The Gregory Baltoro 65 (men’s) and Deva 60 (women’s) represent the very best of the latter. Both offer a full buffet of features along with excellent load-carrying comfort and very low weight, considering that they include just about every bell and whistle you could possibly hope for. Backpackers will love the U-shaped front panel, which allows you to peel open the pack like a suitcase and access the gear you’ve stuffed into the middle. There are zippered compartments and pouches for everything, including a waterproof hipbelt pocket that fits an oversize smartphone. The hydration sleeve converts to a…

a. Ruffwear Trail Runner System $70 Ruffwear’s system is a leash, fanny pack, and hydration pouch in one. The lead is stretchy and attaches directly to the wide hipbelt, so you can keep your attention on the trail ahead. b. Fishpond Bow Wow Travel bowls $23 The secret to never leaving your companion’s food and water bowls in the car? Keep them in your pack. These fabric containers collapse flat and cinch tight. c. L.L.Bean Ultraplush inflatable bed $70 Share the car-camping luxuries. This dog bed rolls up and straps tight via built-in belts, then self-inflates to a comfy two inches of cushion. The fleece cover zips off for washing. d. Kurgo Wapple balls and Tossing discs $8 and $10 each Dog-park entertainment gets a colorful upgrade with Kurgo’s Frisbee-worthy…

Gossamer Gear Liteflex hiking umbrella $39 At the risk of inviting Mary Poppins jokes, some through-hikers use umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun and thin out their rain gear. This one uses ultralight fiberglass to cut weight and Teflon-coated polyester for water repellency. Epic Wipes Shower On the Go wet wipes $2 and up Short of bathing in a wilderness spring, there’s no fresher feeling after a few days on the trail than a wipe-down with one of these large eucalyptus-infused towelettes. Epic Wipes’ detergent is all-natural, and each cloth is big enough to clean your whole body. EnZees Foot Soother $15 for 15 Duct tape is good for preventing blisters, but foot sweat tends to break down the adhesive. Use this wool instead—it reduces friction just as effectively…

a. Orvis Adventure Chronograph $129 The first thing you notice is this watch’s sporty combination of blue and orange. But the mineral-crystal Adventure packs more than just good looks at a handsome price. It’s water-resistant to 100 meters, and the three-dial design lets you mark time zones, 24-hour cycles, and days of the week. b. Bulova Special Edition Lunar Pilot Chronograph $595 The Lunar Pilot re-creates a Bulova watch worn by Apollo 15 astronauts. It uses one of the most precise quartz movements available, reducing second-hand lag for more accurate timekeeping. What most evokes space here is the all-black color scheme, which would make Darth Vader proud. c. Oris ChronOris Date $1,750 This handsome throwback features a nostalgia-inducing seventies design in a restrained 21st-century package. Other pieces on this page…

Surftech Aleka 11'2" $1,349 Surftech’s Aleka takes home our Gear of the Year award for one deceptively simple reason: in nearly all conditions, it shone. Designed for SUPers focused on fitness, it’s lightweight, it’s durable, and it held its own on distance outings, through choppy short trips, and in small waves off the Northern California coast. The Aleka was shaped by legendary board designer Joe Bark and built with Surftech’s combination of interior foam and exterior fiberglass and bamboo layers. With a 29-inch waist, it’s not as stable as some river-focused boards or the multi-person designs we tested, but it achieved a near perfect balance of steadiness, glide, and responsiveness. It doesn’t hurt that it’s poppy and fun to paddle. In surf at the mouth of the Eel River on…

a. Columbia Blue Magic $40 These shorts are fun and functional. The fabric is a solid color when dry, but get it wet and a pattern appears. Gimmicks aside, Columbia’s shorts were the lightest we tested. They’re also exceptionally versatile, offering excellent mobility and UPF 50 protection—a good choice for long days on the river or at the beach. b. United by Blue Seabed Scallop $68 Three pockets give these shorts the most carrying options of the bunch. The ladder-lock drawstring keeps the waistband snug, and the eight-inch inseam hits above the knee for unrestrained movement. Sleek styling makes them ideal for hopping between the waves and the bar. c. Needessentials Premium Straight Leg $45 Minimalists take note: Needessentials never puts logos or graphics on its apparel, focusing on technical…

a. Buff UV neck tube $20 Get wet and wild without worrying about sun-damaged skin. Buff’s simple tube-shaped designs are popular for a few good reasons: they’re versatile, they’re unobtrusive, and they shield your head and neck from getting burned. Plus, the graphics are flashy and totally on-theme. b. H20 Audio Surge+ Bluetooth Waterproof headphones $100 Water and electronics don’t mix—most of the time. H20’s Surge+ Bluetooth headphones are an exception. Select the ear-tip size for a snug fit, then play hooky and use the built-in waterproof microphone to field business calls while fly-casting or shredding waves. Just remember to bring a sealed case for your phone, too. c. SealLine Baja 20L drybag $29 Getting a jacket or sleeping bag damp can turn a fun trip miserable fast. SealLine’s Baja…

Evil The Following MB $6,900 as tested Pretty much every mountain bike we tested this year was tight and close to the ground for better descending, had wide bars and a short stem for improved handling, and came with big, tough rubber for added traction. The plus-size craze spurred many of these improvements, but performance has improved without weight gain for a ride that’s more versatile and forgiving than ever. That’s certainly the case with Evil’s The Following MB, though this 120-millimeter 29er managed to get “more betterer” (in the company’s parlance) without increasing travel. Instead, Evil added boost spacing and room for a piggyback shock—the RockShox Super Deluxe RCT DebonAir—while trimming carbon from the rear triangle, changes that allow the proprietary suspension to deliver an open, supported feel in…

Remember when a sock was just a sock? Gone are the days when your most pressing decisions were cotton or polyester, above the ankle or below. And if your dogs aren’t equipped with the latest in sock technology (it exists!), you won’t be at your PR-busting best, whether you’re running an ultra or banging out burpees in the gym. To wit: the a. Feetures Elite Light Cushion Quarter ($16) has a compression zone to stimulate blood flow in the most important areas and nixes the toe seam to boost comfort. Meanwhile, the b. Bombas Marls ($12) uses a special honeycomb design to help support your arch. Others take a decidedly mini-malist approach, like the c. Darn Tough Vertex Quarter Ultra Light ($17), which is the company’s slightest option and feels…

a. Vans Slide On sandals $3 Molded footbeds provide ample arch support for all-day comfort, but who are we kidding? Vans’ classic checkerboard pattern is the real draw here, and a source of street cred as you stroll to and from a lap-pool workout. b. FitDeck cards $15 Talk about oblique strategies. Each of the 56 cards included here illustrate a different body-weight exercise, from burpees to bicycle crunches, and there are rep suggestions for a range of fitness levels. After mastering the body-weight pack, deal in others focused on plyometrics or kettlebell exercises. c. Metolius Rock Rings 3D holds $30 Pull-ups are the ultimate exercise for working the upper body. These portable climbing holds take it to the next level, turning the standard move into a feat of grip…

a. BioLite CampStove 2 $130 We’re always nervous when a company opts to upgrade a favorite piece of gear, but the second generation of the CampStove 2, BioLite’s electricity-generating wood-burning stove, features some outstanding improvements, including an integrated battery and increased efficiency—it generates 50 percent more power while still boiling a liter of water in under five minutes. b. Eureka Gonzo Grill $190 The versatile Gonzo shone during more than half a dozen rafting trips last summer. The ingenious cast-iron cooking surface—grill on one side, griddle on the other—evenly distributed heat for flawless golden pancakes in the morning and perfectly seared steaks at night. In fact, the Gonzo excels at so many tasks, it doubled as one tester’s full-time backyard grill. c. Coleman FyreSergeant $180 Coleman hasn’t brought out a…

a. SeaVees Legend $78 Want a sneaker that you can throw on for a quick errand or dress up for a night at the water’s edge? There’s no wrong way to wear this minimalist, with its stripped-down style, white piping reminiscent of eighties running shorts, and lightweight, breathable poplin-twill upper. b. Nisolo Alejandro $178 Hand-woven in León, Mexico, this classic leather espadrille has been a staple of experienced travelers since the days when Ernest Hemingway chased toreadors through Europe. It’s snug at first but breaks in nicely and feels tailor-made after only about a week of wear. c. Wolverine Kaden $240 This Michigan heritage brand has been making durable footwear for 135 years. Thanks to a stacked leather heel and textured Goodyear outsole, the Kaden is perfect for tromping around…

PLUS: RUNNER-UP PRIZES featuring some of the best gear from the 2018 Buyer’s Guide Our annual Summer Buyer’s Guide Gear Giveaway has been totally revamped. As a grand prize, we’ll be giving away a 2018 4-door Jeep® Wrangler Sport packed with tons of the award-winning Gear of the Year products featured in this issue. With updated design and materials, the All-New 2018 Wrangler is the most capable Wrangler ever made, making it an essential piece of adventure gear. TO ENTER, VISIT OUTSIDE’S FACEBOOK PAGE AT FACEBOOK.COM/OUTSIDEMAGAZINE…

Victorinox Swiss Army Lexicon Hardside Global Carry-On $460 VSA’s 34-liter carry-on is the ultimate hard-sided, four-wheel roller. For those who value their belongings (and who doesn’t?), the 100 percent polycarbonate shell is virtually indestructible. The Lexicon is slim, so it fits easily in overhead storage, yet it doesn’t sacrifice interior space, thanks to efficiently designed handles and wheel wells. Compression straps and mesh pockets keep toiletries and other small items secure, and a waterproof divider pocket is useful for damp bathing suits and yesterday’s skivvies. The Lexicon has plenty of bells and whistles, including a hardy lock and a USB port you can connect to a third-party battery pack for recharging devices on the go. Not to mention that your purchase includes free registration in VSA’s bag-tracking program, which assigns…

Hammocks have come a long way since that crocheted thing hung from a metal stand in your weird aunt’s backyard. These days they’re lightweight, they pack down to the size of a beer can, and you can set one up in a couple of minutes. All of which makes the humble hammock the most underrated piece of gear we own, serving as both camp chair and elevated shelter. The best designs—like the Sea to Summit Ultralight XL (above; $100)—offer both portability and ease of use. The XL is made with burly nylon, tips the scales at only 7.2 ounces while supporting up to 300 pounds, and measures just over four inches tall when packed up. If the perfect blend of capability and ease of use is achievable in a hammock,…

Hobie dropped the first pedal-driven kayak back in 1997, but it was 15 years before we took the technology seriously. When we finally placed one of the boats in our test rotation, we were blown away by how capable it turned out to be compared with most recreational craft. Hobie’s patent ran out last year, and competing designs have started to enter the market. Jackson Kayak’s Cruise FD ($2,399) rips on Class I and II whitewater, thanks to a sharply cut, rockered bow and best-in-category turning radius. The budget-friendly Wilderness Systems Radar 115 ($2,449 with pedal system) was stable enough for testers to stand up and fish on lakes. The propeller is spring loaded and can be raised from the cockpit, making shore landings drama-free. Ocean Kayak released the Malibu…

a. Patagonia Women’s Nanogrip Nireta top and bottom $75 and $69 The Nanogrip offers support for athletes who like to be on the move, whether it’s playing beach volleyball or paddleboarding rapids. The high-neck top and bikini bottom have a slip-resistant lining that keeps each piece in place no matter what you throw at it, and the red print really pops. b. Seafolly Jagged Geo Action-Back tri top and Multi-Strap Hipster bottom $92 each This company, based in Sydney, Australia, knows what it’s doing. The suit’s bold geometric design has attitude, the fabric feels knit-like in its softness, and the top’s tri-back design clips securely into place—perfect for morning open-water swims at Bondi. c. J.Crew Harley tie-back top and string bottom $56 and $44 For those days when you want…

a. POC Raceday Enduro shorts $130 These are meant for going fast downhill, but the Raceday has become our go-to on big-mountain outings. The massive side-zip front pocket is a handy place to stash a phone, bar, and tool, and the stitched-in elastic-Velcro belt makes fit a cinch. Over-the-knee scalloped tailoring adds a touch more protection. b. Gore C7 Pro 2in1 bib shorts $200 The C7 Pro’s materials and economy of fit won us over. The design is genius, combining well-made bibs with built-in baggies so you don’t have to, and eliminating spandex creep below the hem of your shorts. The pad is also a highlight—better quality than you typically find at this price. c. Assos T.équipe Evo bibs $220 Assos bibs are the plushest on the market, but the…

Think back to your first runs, when you still huffed and puffed through a 5K, glancing at your watch every minute and wishing it would stop. You’d reach down and touch your shirt—soft, a little damp, and almost certainly made of cotton. These days low-tech, plain-Jane cotton is something of a has-been, replaced by new-fangled synthetics and resurgent natural fibers like merino. But despite cotton’s drawbacks, there’s still a lot to love. Some of our favorites, like a. Patagonia’s Flying Fish Organic Cotton ($35), are as simple as running itself. It’s printed with quirky, beautiful, outdoors-inspired graphics. If blending in is more your speed, the soft-touch, made-in-the-USA b. American Giant Premium V-Neck ($37) is a solid option. Its heavier fabric, double-stitched neckline, and reinforced seams help it stand up to…

a. Spyder Vintage Waffle Raglan hoodie $79 The cotton-poly blend moves moisture and dries fast, yet feels as soft as your favorite gym sweats. b. Strongbody Apparel Pulse Elite shirt $88 Sure, you can wear an old tee to the gym. Or you can upgrade to the anti-odor-treated Pulse Elite. Mesh in back dumps heat as well as a zippered vent. c. Outdoor Voices Printed Runner’s High 7-Inch shorts $65 These shorts—made from 100 percent recycled bottles—wick sweat, dry fast, and come with a comfortable, not-too-tight compression lining. d. Rollga Dynasty foam roller $40 Think of the Dynasty’s grooves as massage beds for your legs, designed to stretch calves and Achilles tendons. e. Aer Duffel Pack 2 $170 We like this bag for its heathered exterior, plus two cavernous interior…

a. The New Primal Sea Salt Beef Thins $4 Made with just five ingredients—grass-fed beef, organic coconut amino acids, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt—these bites make a delicious post-run snack, helping to replenish depleted salt and protein stores. One bag has 13 grams of protein and only a single gram of fat. b. Picky Oats Performance Oatmeal $3 It’s possible we love this Bend, Oregon, company’s oatmeal even more than its signature energy bars. The single-portion pouches are high in fiber, low in sugar, and filled with organic, gluten-free ingredients like beetroot powder, matcha green tea, and chia seeds. c. Skratch Labs Anytime Energy Ginger Miso bar $3 Burned out on energy “food”? Let Skratch Labs set you straight. These pre-workout ginger miso bars are refreshingly light, featuring…

a. Monoprice Pure Outdoor Select Series headlamp $10 The Select Series is a killer value that deserves a double take. The 215-lumen lamp weighs just 2.2 ounces, and its rechargeable battery is good for 2.5 hours. It has everything a headlamp needs—red and white settings, water resistance, three brightness levels—and nothing it doesn’t. b. VSSL Mini Cache Suunto Edition flashlight $120 We already loved VSSL’s cache lights—LED flashlights with a hollow space for storing snacks, tools, and even whiskey. Now VSSL trims down its survival edition and adds a superaccurate Suunto compass to create the ultimate emergency kit housed in a six-inch, military-grade aluminum cylinder. c. 5.11 Tactical XBT D3 flashlight $130 The indestructible XBT D3 uses a trio of LEDs for efficiency, redundancy, and a monstrous 1,231 lumens. It’ll…