The Shoes We’re Most Excited for in 2019

At The Running Event in Austin, Texas this year, we saw all of the upcoming launches from top footwear brands all over the country. There were a few things we couldn’t be more excited about as well as a few things we’re shaking our heads at. Below are some of the genuine innovations that we can’t wait to test.

361 Strata 3

A bunch of former Asics employees all got together to try and re-create a sneaker that filled the gaps for them, which is where 361 was born. For 2019, the brand is pushing out the Strata 3, which will retail for $155. It has an upper that locks in your foot so the outsole, midsole and upper all move in one motion with your foot. You should never feel any separation or antagonist movements there, which is what 361 is aiming to solve.

Saucony Mad River TR

A variety of legacy and well-liked shoes from Saucony are getting updates in 2019. There’s going to be the Liberty ISO 2, the Hurricane ISO 5 and more. The shoe we couldn’t stop obsessing over is the new Mad River TR. It’s a trail running shoe, but it’s built with an outsole that comes with instructions on how to personalize. There are circles with drill bit numbers on the bottom of the shoe, so you can add a metal stud, drainage and even spikes. It’s one of the first fully customizable shoes we’ve seen in the market and we can’t wait to test this out.

Salomon Speed Cross 5

The Speed Cross is already the best selling trail running shoe in the world, so when we heard Salomon wanted to tweak it, we weren’t sure what to make of that. Enter the Speed Cross 5: it has a wider base, but not wider fit than previous models, and an added heel piece so it’ll keep you more stable as you leap and sprint over rocks, puddles, mud, etc. This is the shoe you’ll have confidence in as you head out for any type of trail run.

Reebok Forever Floatride Energy

The Reebok Floatride was one of our Best Running Shoes of 2018, and Reebok brings that award-winning technology into a lower price point sneaker. The Forever Floatride Energy launches in March for just $100. It’s a more approachable Floatride Run. With the same technology as the Floatride 2.0, it just features a slightly more dense midsole.

Skechers Go Run 7

Touted by many as a lightweight trainer that’s loved on every surface, the Skechers Go Run gets an update for 2019. As the brand’s heritage shoe, it’s built so you feel like you have nothing on your feet, and nothing in your way to crush any 2019 running goals. With a Hyperburst midsole, removable insole and a compression knit upper, this runner is extremely flexible. It’ll be $125, dropping in the spring of 2019.

Brooks Cascadia 14

As the flagship sneaker of the trail running collection, the Cascadia has gone through many iterations to get to where it is for 2019. The goal for the new year was to make a light and fast shoe, that’s more runnable, yet has aggressive traction. To cut weight, Brooks eliminated the overlays and pieces in the sneakers, choosing to use a Cordura mesh as a mudguard and throughout the upper. It’ll be out in June of 2019.

Altra Vanish XC

These sneakers are practically nothing — hold them up to the light and you can see right through them. The theory behind this goes along with why Golden Harper started Altra: the stronger your feet are, the less material (and support) you need between you and the ground. For runners interested, this is something you would test out first as your go-to short run day sneaker and eventually work your way up to longer runs. It’s just 4.9 ounces and will retail for $80.

Hoka One One Rincon

At just 7.5 ounces, this totally new model from Hoka One One is here to help you fly through 5K races. It’s built on the same chassis as the Clifton but with a slightly softer foam so you can go faster.

Asics Gel DS Trainer

These launch in early February and are the first Asics Gel DS sneakers with a knit upper. This Asics runner is no different than the others: the same stability features are there. You’ll find the Duomax support system, a dual-density midsole system, and a new underlay system in the upper so that the knit doesn’t collapse on itself when your feet aren’t in there, providing a bit more support. These will retail for $130.

New Balance Fuel Cell

The original New Balance Fuel Cells were a little small and slightly confusing. So, New Balance totally re-did them. These are fast, aggressive and tough to get you through speed workouts, harsh days and everything else that stands between you and your running goals.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Handmade Steel Bike Makers

In the gian–trek–alized world of performance bicycles, it can be hard to stand out from the crowd. Cookie-cutter framesets are produced overseas en masse, and it can be difficult to find something unique that fits your personality. A handful of independent bike makers are setting out to break that mold. In virtually every corner of the country, bike-smiths are crafting custom frames by hand from steel. From color to size to parts spec, you can design and tweak from stem to tires to create the bike of your dreams. In many cases, you can even have the geometry custom tailored to your body to fit your size and riding style like a slipper.

While the custom-tailored aspect is important to each of these manufacturers, these bikes also feel significantly different from others on the market. Some would even say that they have soul. The feeling that you get when riding these bikes is a far cry from the Strava slaves, constantly trying to one-up the best time (though they can do that, too). These bikes are more about enjoying the time spent on the bike, outside in the open air — sucking wind on your favorite climb and feeling the breeze in your face on the way down. Some of the frames may carry a premium, but rest assured knowing that they are durable, custom-fit and built by hand.

Independent Fabrication

Newmarket, NH

Independent Fabrication is one of the most respected steel bike makers in the industry. It was born out of the shuttering of Fat City Cycles in 1994. When Fat City closed, a handful of former employees bought the building and founded Independent Fabrication in 1995. Since then, the brand has created bikes respected for their ride quality like the Deluxe and Crown Jewel. While Indy Fab offers some stock sizing options, its custom-made frames are still the way to go.

Sklar

Bozeman, MT

Adam Sklar first crossed our radar at the North American Handmade Bike Show, where his split-pea green rigid mountain bike took home a best in show award. Sklar, 25, is based in Bozeman, Montana, where he has quite the following. But even outside Bozeman, Sklar is making a name for himself in the custom bike industry. His bikes have a distinct silhouette and aesthetic that is instantly recognizable. He specializes in steel hardtail mountain bikes, but has recently been making a lot of “monstercross” bikes — a hybrid between a cross bike and a hardtail mountain bike.

Hunter Cycles

Santa Cruz, CA

Hunter is based just outside of Santa Cruz, CA, where Rick Hunter crafts each customers’ frame by hand. Most of Hunter’s bikes feature TIG welded construction and chromoly steel tubes. In addition to making gorgeous steel bicycles, Rick Hunter also makes custom forks, racks and stems (his hip packs are well-known in cult cycling circles as well).

Breismeister Bicycles

Queens, New York

Breismeister Bicycles are immediately recognizable. They are often characterized by bright and vibrant colors as well as a contrasting logo on the downtube. They also share a similar seatstay wishbone design with many Hunter Cycles road and cyclocross bikes. Bresimeister is one of the few frame builders based in New York City and specializes in cyclocross and road bikes, but also builds mountain and touring bikes.

Yamaguchi Bikes

Rifle, CO

Chances are, you have not heard of Koichi Yamaguchi. Which is too bad, because he is, unquestionably, one of the best frame builders in the US. Based in Rifle, CO, Yamaguchi has been building steel bicycle frames for the better part of the past 40 years. He spent time as a master frame builder in Japan and has built bikes for a number of professional cyclists — including a time trial bike built for Lance Armstrong that features a unique bottom bracket foil banned by the UCI, a feature that you can have on your custom Yamaguchi if you desire.

Breadwinner

Portland, OR

If nothing else, Breadwinner’s aesthetic when it comes to road bike design is second to none. Thankfully, there’s a lot more to Breadwinner’s bikes than just good looks. Back in 2017 when we first rode the Lolo, Breadwinner’s performance road bike, our tester had this to say: “I’m not one to care a great deal about how aero my bike is or how fast I can sprint off the line. The thing that matters most to me is comfort sprinkled with a bit of performance, and the Lolo delivers. The workmanship on the frame is incredible — the weld seams on the Columbus Life tubing are nearly invisible.” Those comments still ring true over a year later.

Rex Cycles

Sacramento, CA

If you’re in the market for a classic touring bike with ornate lugs and timeless design, Rex Cycles should be your first stop. Steve Rex has been building gorgeous steel road bikes in the same Sacramento, CA shop for over 28 years. Rex has the skills and knowledge to build you pretty much any bike you want — even a fillet brazed tandem bike if that’s your speed.

Rock Lobster

Santa Cruz, CA

Paul Sadoff, the frame builder behind Rock Lobster, started building steel bicycle frames professionally in 1988. Since then, his frames have been ridden in both the Olympics and World Championships. As for his philosophy on building bike frames, Sadoff has this to say, “My aim is to build frames that do not hold the rider back from the highest level of performance and enjoyment.” It’s a fairly straightforward ethos, and one that has yielded some of the finest steel road bikes in the US.

Horse Cycles

Brooklyn, NY

Thomas Callahan’s Horse Cycles is the perfect blend of artisanship and technical bike-building knowhow. Each bike is hand assembled by Callahan in his small Williamsburg shop. Whether you want a stately commuter or a racy all-road slayer, Callahan can build one custom-fit to your body type and riding style. He uses tubes from a variety of suppliers, including Columbus.

Fat Chance

Marin County, California

Fat Chance started out life as Fat City Cycles in 1982, founded by Chris Chance. The brand closed in 1999, but is now being brought back with frames like the Yo Eddy and the Slim Chance. The brand has a cult following all around the world, with original frames bringing high price tags on the secondhand market. If you need proof of the bikes’ quality, dig into the forums.

Baum Cycles

North Shore VIC, Australia

Though Baum is known mostly for its titanium bikes, its steel bikes are also worth seeking out. The brand’s website reads, “We present the answer to a unique prayer: a perfect 21st-century race bike, in steel.” Baum makes two steel bikes, the Ristretto and the Cortado; the former has more race bike geometry, the latter more fondo genetics.

Pegoretti

Caldonazzo, Italy

Editor’s Note: Dario Pegoretti passed away in August of 2018. He was 62.

Dario Pegoretti was (and still is) one of the most revered steel frame builders in the world. According to Above Category, Pegoretti has built more Grand Tour–winning bikes than anyone else. Pegoretti worked exclusively in Columbus steel; if the frames themselves weren’t beautiful enough already, the paint jobs easily put them over the top.

Ritte Cycles

Santa Monica, CA

While Ritte also makes alloy and carbon frames, its handmade stainless steel frames are top-notch. As a smaller bike manufacturer, it ignores marketing trends, resulting in bikes that look and ride great. The Snob is Ritte’s flagship stainless steel model and comes in both a cantilever brake version as well as a disc. While the fit, finish and design of the brand’s bikes are of the highest quality (all of the welds are superb), the brand also has a great sense of humor and enjoys poking fun at the UCI and professional cycling (see this UCI press conference parody).

Speedvagen

Portland, Oregon

Speedvagen is the Skunk Works–esque project of the Vanilla Bicycle Workshop. Each frame is a limited-production run that is unlike anything else on the market. Recently, the brand built a 650b urban track bike with swept-back handlebars designed to put you in an aggressive riding position to attack the streets. The brand also collaborated with our friends over at Manual For Speed on a custom bike that captures the unique MFS spirit.

Black Cat Bicycles

Aptos, California

The current waiting time for a bike from Todd Ingermanson’s Black Cat Bicycles is over a year. That waiting list is a testament to the quality of the bikes that Ingermanson is building. Any frame your heart desires, from road to mountain to cyclocross, is available. If you’re a mountain biker, Black Cat has started producing 27.5+ hardtail frames that look absolutely next-level.

Wraith Fabrication

Columbus, Ohio

Wraith Fabrication started building steel frames in Columbus, Ohio, in 2009. Its frames are well built from full Columbus Life tubing, some of the best steel available. The Hustle is its understated road bike that’s performance-oriented but still comfortable.

Cinelli

Caleppio, Italy

Cinelli has a long cycling history in Italy dating all the way back to 1947. Since 1978, it has been producing quality handmade steel frames for cycling enthusiasts and racers alike. It sponsors a professional cycling team with Chrome that has a history of success, including wins at the Red Hook Crit. It produces a number of steel-framed bikes including its urban racer called the “Mystic Rats.”

Stinner Frameworks

Santa Barbara, California

Stinner frameworks consists of five people lead by Aaron Stinner. Everything is done in-house, from the frame to the paint: ground-up custom steel frames tailored to your riding specifications. Stinner builds everything from high-performance road racers to mud-crushing mountain bikes.

Kelson Custom Cycles

Ashton, Idaho

Brian Williams has crafted Kelson frames for a number of notable cyclists, including Clinton Mortley, who won the 2013 LoToJa Classic — a challenging race over 200 miles long from Logan City, Utah to Teton Village, Wyoming. His frames are durable and comfortable, yet it performs at a high enough level to take on any of the big names. Each frame is hand built and has impeccable attention to detail.

Hampsten Cycles

Seattle, Washington

In 1985, Andy Hampsten placed second to none other than Greg Lemond at the Coors Classic Tahoe-Reno Road Race. In 1988, Hapmsten won the Giro d’Italia. He is the only American to ever win the race and is also the mind behind Hampsten Cycles. One of Hampsten’s most popular frames, the Maglia Rossa, is an ode to the win; it translates to “pink jersey,” which is historically worn by the leader of the Giro.

Cielo Cycles

Portland, Oregon

From 1978 to 1982 Chris King operated a custom frame company called Cielo Cycles. However, he realized that there wasn’t any money in the project, and instead focused on his machined headsets. (Good thing he did.) In 2008, King picked up the project again and the business immediately took off. King builds custom steel frames for everything from road riding to mountain biking — all by hand.

Mosaic Bespoke Bicycles

Boulder, Colorado

Mosaic Bespoke Bicycles was founded in 2009 by Aaron Barcheck. After working at Dean Bicycles, a titanium bicycle specialist, for about six or seven years, he set out to start his own brand. Barcheck created Mosaic to be competitive with larger companies and bring handmade bikes to the masses. Its bikes cover everything from gravel grinders to thoroughbred race bikes, and each of them has a performance lean to it.

The 15 Best Gifts for Entrepreneurs

There’s something infinitely admirable about entrepreneurs — those intrepid businesspeople who take big risks in the service of bringing the world new and innovative products and services. The gifts you get for the high-achieving founders in your life this year should share in the spirit of that admiration. Instead of nice, run-of-the-mill things that they might not use, get them things that will help them on the road to success. A look at 15 well-made gifts that will do just that, below.

Saddleback Leather Co. Flight Bag

Entrepreneurs have the fortune of representing their business at all times. And a quality leather bag like the Flight Bag from Saddleback Leather Co. certainly gives the right impression. With plenty of room for a laptop and everything else, it’s an elevated option that’s ideal for travel or everyday use.

Best Self Co. Project Action Pad

To help keep an entrepreneur’s straight, there’s nothing quite like a notebook designed to keep all of their various projects on track. Best Self Co.’s Project Action Pad does just by keeping crucial assignments — and their deadlines — available at a glance.

Crane Custom Note Cards

Email is a perfectly fine way to communicate — but to send a message that potential partners and prospective clients actually remember, it helps if it’s handwritten. Which makes custom correspondence cards like these from Crane a great way to help an entrepreneur leave a lasting impression.

Drake’s Navy Solid Stripe Grenadine Silk Tie

A well-suited entrepreneur doesn’t to waste time sifting through a million ties when he gets dressed in the morning. Instead, get him one that’ll go with everything and looks interesting enough to become part of his signature look.

Montblanc M Fountain Pen

A standard rollerball is a perfectly fine tool to sign a contract with. But what’s even better is a well-designed fountain pen. The M series from Montblanc, created by legendary designer Marc Newson, boasts modern looks, but still has the gravitas of one of the world’s oldest ways to sign a document.

Indochino Hemsworth Midnight Suit

Regardless of their industry, there are always moments when an entrepreneur needs to look like the sharpest person in the room. And for those occasions, there are few things better-suited than, well, a classic navy suit.

Kreis Black Cordovan Card Case

No one needs to get weighed down with things they don’t need. Keep your entreprener streamlined with a sleek card case whose materials and construction will ensure it’s the only wallet he’ll need for years to come.

Miir × Gear Patrol Vacuum Insulated Bottle

Everyone needs to stay hydrated — especially people who expect to get a lot done in a day. Miir’s sleek insulated water bottle looks like it has thin walls, but it’s excellent construction can keep water cold, crisp and refeshing for hours on end.

Allen Edmonds Park Avenue Cap-Toe Oxford

These American-made classic shoes are so timeless and well made that the entrepreneur in your life will be able to wear them from the bank to the boardroom and back again.

The Tie Bar Lean Slide Clasp

A tie bar is an easy way to help a guy elevate his look — and, in a pinch, it makes a great money clip. It’s the perfect gift for someone who has to suit up often, and who believes his bright ideas will rake in a lot of cash.

This Is Ground Cordito Cord & Plug Rollup

Being an entrepreneur can mean having to keep a variety of devices — from a phone to a smartwatch to an external hard drive — charged and ready for action. If your business-minded frequently friend finds himself on the go, this cord and plug organizer should never leave his side.

Aesop Balance: Classic Skin Care Kit

Aesop’s excellent In Two Minds range, which was developed to treat combination skin, is a great end-to-end skin care system no matter what kind of skin you have. Its travel-sized version is a great way to help an entrepreneur put his best face forward when he’s on the road.

Club Monaco Wool Twill Topcoat

There’s no reason you can’t stay warm and look sharp at the same time. This topcoat from Club Monaco will help an entrepreneur beat the chill while still looking presentable.

Killspencer Card Carrier 3.0

Fumbling around for a credit card when it’s time to pick up the bill isn’t a great look. Help an entrepreneur keep the important cards close at hand with an iPhone case designed to look as slick as the rest of his well-chosen gear.

Bang & Olufsen E4 Earphones

There’s no better tool for focusing and blocking out the rest of the world than a great pair of earphones. This set from Bang & Olufsen will prevent your entrepreneur from getting distracted — no matter where he calls the office.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Best Gifts for Foodies in 2018

There’s a prevailing idea that the best food gifts are limited to a nice pot or chef’s knife. And while those things are good — hell, they’re both on our list — the truth of the matter is that there’s a full range of options to consider for the cook in your family. From a popcorn bowl made by the grandchildren of Henri Matisse to a cast-iron skillet designed with pro-level omelets in mind, here are our picks for the best food gifts of 2018.

Row 7 Seeds

Cofounded by the one and only Dan Barber, the Chef’s Table-starring chef behind Blue Hill Farm, Row 7 Seeds is an extension of Barber’s ingredient-first ethos. The company is a collaborative effort between chefs, plant breeders and enthusiasts. Seeds start at $4, and they’re bred for a singular purpose: peak flavor.

Ganji Kankiri Can Opener

Sometimes the best gifts are the ones that come out of left field. This can opener is incredibly satisfying to use and comes recommended by pro chefs due to some clever design traits — for example, it’s all one piece, so no moving parts for moisture to creep in and corrode. And it’s less than $10.

Stasher Food Storage Bags

For the plastic-conscious, plastic bags and containers are a real bummer. Also for the plastic-conscious: Stasher reusable silicone food storage bags. Stasher’s bags act as sandwich bags, sous vide bags, leftover holders and whatever other job you use plastic for. They’re also dishwasher safe.

Ottolenghi Simple

Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbooks are among the most read and bought cookbooks of the decade. His newest, Ottolenghi Simple, takes what made his original book so successful and boils it down into vegetarian meals that can be made in 30 minutes or less.

Material Three Tool Set

Big-box stores will try to sell you a basket with 25 different tools for flipping, stirring and the task of pushing food around the pan. You don’t need them all, you just need these three from Material Kitchen — a new direct-to-consumer brand aimed at giving home cooks what they actually need, and nothing they don’t.

East Fork Popcorn Bowl

Based in Asheville, North Carolina, East Fork makes all its goods from materials it pulls form the earth right around town. Other than being plainly beautiful and made by human hands, the brand is notable for its founder, Alex Matisse, who shares a last name and lineage with another rather famous creative.

Brightland Olive Oils

Brightland’s olive oil expressions are more about the flavor of the oil than acting as a means to an end. Heirloom olives are picked and pressed in California with quality in mind. As a result, these oils sport tasting notes that read more like something you’d find on a wine label.

Made In Chef’s Knife

Made In’s new 8-inch chef’s knife is made of the kind of steel typically used in blades nearly twice the price. It is balanced, keeps its edge well and sports a handle that should satisfy both Western- and Japanese-style knife enthusiasts.

Milo Dutch Oven

Since the moment we tested the Milo Dutch oven we’ve been in love with its blend of performance, price and looks. For one-third what you’ll pay for a Le Creuset or Staub, you get a pot that cooks almost identifically and looks as elegant as either. You also get to support entrepreneurship instead of mega corporations.

Five Two Double-Side Cutting Board

Five Two is Food52’s brand new homegoods private label and its first product is this cutting board. It’s made of American maple and has extra-deep grooves around the edges to catch juice more effectively on one side and a slot to stand up your phone for recipe-following on the other. The cutting board isn’t a category that needed much innovation, but a few thoughtful new features are always nice.

Anova Culinary Precision Cooker Nano

Anova is one of two companies (the other being ChefSteps) making a serious effort to make sous vide cooking more accessible to people who aren’t professional cooks, and its Nano circulator encapsulates that perfectly. It’s the first legimately good circulator that retails below $100 and compact enough to be used in the pots home cooks have in stock.

Smithey Ironware 8-Inch Cast-Iron Skillet

Isaac Morton’s Smithey Ironware is a brand born out of and into nostalgia. His love of vintage iron led to his development of it in its modern form, and his most recent offering is a tiny, smooth skillet perfect for Sunday omelets.

Smart Garden 9

Smart Garden pitches its smart gardens as the Keurig of plant growing (except without the underlying quality issues). This little countertop garden accepts a capsule (tomato, basil, lettuce and many more) and begins the process of sunning and watering itself until the plants have reached ideal growth for picking. Having fresh green in the house does not get simpler.

Forge de Laguiole Table Knives

Did you know the ubiqitous Laguiole-style steak knives are almost all inauthentic? Only two forges in the world make legimate Laguiole knives, and Forge de Laguiole is one of them. Made in the traditional method and with traditional materials (the handle is made from a bull’s horn), this set of knives is as much a collector’s item as it is something to use at the dinner table.

Uuni 3 Wood-Fired Pizza Oven

There are few substitutes for pizza made by a large Italian man wearing a sweat-stained white shirt in a flour-covered diner, but this is one of them. Uuni’s compact, portable wood pellet oven reaches temperatures just under 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and cooks pizza start to finish in 60 seconds flat.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 7 Best Coffee Makers of 2019

This definitive guide to the best coffee makers of 2019 covers everything you need to know before you buy your next morning companion. We tested what most experts consider the world’s best coffee makers, comparing size, speed, price and performance, to identify which machines to buy (and avoid) in 2019.

In the world of coffee brewing, pour-over, cold brew, French press and Aeropress get all the buzz. Yet, for the vast majority of people, these methods of making coffee are not ideal — at least not for those grueling minutes between sleep and getting out the door every morning. Much to the chagrin of coffee purists, the mighty drip coffee maker is still most coffee drinkers’ preferred choice due to speed and convenience.

In the past decade or so, a thousand and one companies have pushed their way into market, though very few have the intention (let alone the ability) to manufacture coffee brewers that make truly good coffee. After testing what most experts consider the world’s best machines, we narrowed our list down to just seven: here are the best coffee makers you can buy in 2019.

The 7 Best Coffee Makers

Best Overall Coffee Maker: Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup

Bonavita makes one thing: specialty coffee equipment. This model earned the mark of approval of the Specialty Coffee Association — specialty coffee’s most important trade organization — and it brews quickly and evenly. It’s also dead simple to operate. It makes coffee that’s well-bodied but not overbearing, and it’s small and cheap enough to work for almost everybody.

Read our full review here.

Best Upgrade Coffee Maker: Moccamaster 59616 KBG

Technivorm’s Moccamaster has remained among the absolute best coffee makers in the world since it was invented in 1969. Thanks to a special copper heating system, it’s one of the fastest brewers, and it is lauded for its consistently outstanding pots of coffee. It’s uniquely disassemblable, meaning you can pull it apart for cleaning or troubleshooting yourself (Technivorm’s customer service is one of the best we’ve encountered).

Read our full review here.

Best Affordable Coffee Maker: KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer

This KitchenAid coffee maker isnt’s as cheap as some might wish it were, but it’s the most affordable machine we’ve found that still makes great coffee. It’s also currently the most inexpensive machine with the Specialty Coffee Association’s certification you can buy and happens to look pretty good on a countertop, too.

Read our full review here.

Best Small Coffee Maker: Bunn 10-Cup Velocity Brewer

If you’re looking for a coffee maker to take up less space, you want one that’s designed to be deeper than it is wide. Bunn made its name over the years designing utilitarian coffee makers that are compact, easy-to-use and just plain work. This model is only seven inches wide, goes on sale often and pumps out a very good 10-cup pot of coffee in just over three minutes.

Read our full review here.

Most Advanced Coffee Maker: Breville Precision Brewer

Breville’s prime directive is to make the most powerful, versatile, impressive version of whatever it decides to put together. Its coffee maker, though somewhat large, is as customizable as coffee makers get. The build quality is exceptional, standing out in a space filled with mostly plastic components.

Read our full review here.

Best Programmable Coffee Maker: OXO Barista Brain 9-Cup

Though buying coffee pre-ground or leaving grounds in the machine overnight isn’t ideal for freshness (more on that here), it is convenient. We found many programmable coffee makers leaned too hard into “smart” tech in lieu of making good coffee. OXO’s 9-Cup Barista Brain didn’t. Other than its one-button brew timer, it’s a high-performing, nice-looking machine, made with better materials than most of its competition.

Read our full review here.

Best Designed Coffee Maker: Ratio Eight

Though a subjective trait, it’s hard to dispute how good its walnut arms and matte black tower look on a countertop. The automatic pour-over brewer is basically a Chemex that you don’t have to fiddle with (it uses Chemex filters, too). And yes, it is expensive, but it also might be the last coffee maker you ever have to buy.

Read our full review here.

What Makes a Good Coffee Maker?

Speed

Speedy coffee makers make batch-brewed joe more convenient, but there’s more to it than that. The SCA’s rigorous certification program, which has long separated the best coffee brewers from those that cut corners, only accepts brew times of four to eight minutes, and those aren’t made-up numbers. Coffee brewed any quicker than four minutes will be under-extracted (weak) and over eight minutes will be over-extracted (bitter).

Temperature

Because the higher water temperature is the agent that extracts and dissolves coffee solids and oils from coffee grounds, brewing temperature is one of the best indicators of a machine that could make a decent cup of coffee. According to the Gold Cup standard, coffee should be brewed between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Brew at a lower temperature and coffee and risk under extraction (weak, sour coffee), or brew above 205 and you’re bumping up against boiling water, which will dissolve more coffee than is preferable (heavy, extra-bitter).

Maintenance

Often ignored when considering a new purchase is how simple the upkeep is. Because coffee makers are working with hot water, an ideal breeding ground for mold and limescale, it’s doubly important. Making sure the machine and as many components as possible can be disassembled and cleaned is of the utmost importance to both performance and health.

Price

This guide might look different if we completely ignored the role cost plays in the buying equation. But, seeing as not everyone is willing to spend multiple hundreds of dollars on a machine, excluding price as a primary factor is a fantasy. At the same time, the quality of the machine can’t be sacrificed to save $30, because extra-cheap machines will catch up to you in the form of leaky brew baskets, worn-out buttons, inconsistent extraction and so on.

Read Our Reviews

Bonavita BV1900TS 8-Cup

What We Like: Our best overall brewer makes pots of coffee that are excellent for the vast majority of coffee drinkers, and it offers a gateway into more complex brewing ideas. The coffee it makes isn’t as light as most of the higher end machines, but it’s not as oppressively dark as with cheaper models. An identical coffee maker is available as a programmable version for a few dollars more, but programmable coffee makers (unless they have built-in grinders) can’t account for the loss of freshness.

This one is a nicely balanced size that is short enough to open when positioned under cabinets and not so wide as to take up enormous tracts of the countertop. We also like that it brews a full pot in about four minutes, and maintains consistency no matter how many cups it’s brewing. On top of this, Bonavita’s customer service is exceptional, and the price is tough to beat.

What We Don’t Like: Like most coffee makers we tested, the shower head will drip water onto the machine after use. The thermal carafe and its lid could also be better (it helps to pre-heat the carafe by filling it with hot water prior to brewing) at maintaining high temperatures.

Verdict: Highly recommended

Moccamaster 59616 KBG

What We Like: There are many Moccamaster models, but this is the one that we recommend most. This model uses a glass carafe and electric hot plate instead of the typical steel carafe. The glass makes it simpler to tell how much coffee is left and is much easier to clean (it’s difficult to see inside steel carafes). Thanks to a copper-based heating element, all Moccamasters are lightning quick to heat and brew coffee — we clocked in a full 10 cups of brewing in just over five minutes.

Additionally, this model features a manually adjustable brew basket, which is a fancy way of saying you can control pre-infusion of the grounds and you can seal the brew head when you pull the carafe away from the machine. This pretty much eliminates the annoying water drip most coffee makers are plagued with. It’s also more disassemblable than most coffee machines, making it simple to clean and troubleshoot other potential issues.

What We Don’t Like: The price isn’t very friendly. Also, the brew basket itself feels cheap for an otherwise super-premium coffee maker.

Verdict: Highly recommended

KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer

What We Like: KitchenAid’s quasi-retro pour-over machine looks good and brews stellar coffee. Its final cup leans more toward a fuller-bodied, classic cup of coffee than others on this list, but it doesn’t completely drown out lighter flavors, either. It also allows you to change brewing cycles for dark or light roast levels.

It’s not exceptionally fast at brewing like the Moccamaster or the Breville Precision Brewer, but, at about eight minutes for eight cups, it’s quicker than some pricier options.

What We Don’t Like: The water reservoir is narrow and was prone to splashing on the counter. The way in which the lid snaps onto the carafe, which snaps into the brewer, is bound to be problematic over time (customer reviews of the product tell a similar story). The machine’s shiny plastic finish was also highly susceptible to fingerprints.

Verdict: Recommended

Bunn Velocity Brew 10-Cup Brewer

What We Like: We chose this Bunn brewer because it was small and it didn’t compromise on brewing performance
What We Don’t Like: Some may take issue with the brewer keeping water at or near brew temperature at all times. This is the trade-off for the quickest button-press-to-cup time we’ve ever tested (that’s all 10 cups, mind you). Some reviews noted the coffee it brews isn’t as hot or strong as preferred, but the coffee we brewed was consistently around 190 degrees post-brewing, and was stronger than expected for such a quick brew cycle.

Verdict: Recommended

Breville Precision Brewer

What We Like: Lightning fast brew times, presets that are actually useful and unmatched versatility, for starters. The Precision Pro can brew with flat-bottom filters, cone filters and it even has a pour-over attachment (you can literally put your pour-over device under the shower head). It can brew cold brew coffee, brew coffee to the exacting Gold Cup standard and it’s the only coffee maker we know of that allows you to customize options like flow rate and bloom time. If you or someone you know if keen on experimenting with coffee, there is no better coffee maker.

What We Don’t Like: It’s kind of enormous in comparison to other coffee makers. You will have to pull the whole thing from under the cabinets to load coffee and water into it. The price is high but, compared to what you get, it’s not a problem of value.

Verdict: Recommended

OXO Barista Brain 9-Cup

What We Like: Instead of offering dozens of programmable settings and options, the Barista Brain gives you one — a 24-hour timer to set before you go to bed. Most importantly, this simple addition to the machine is secondary to how good the machine is at its primary duty (making pots of coffee). The coffee maker heats and brew quickly (about 6-and-a-half minutes for a full pot) and carries with it the SCA’s brewer certification. It’s also simple to use — one button controls pretty much everything the machine does — and looks good enough to leave on your countertop.

What We Don’t Like: $200 isn’t cheap and the everlasting issue of water dripping from the brew basket onto the base below is present. The water tank will often fog up after brewing, too, which is slightly bothersome at most.

Verdict: Recommended

Ratio Eight

What We Like: Its black aluminum body and walnut frame give the Ratio Eight a look that is unique unto itself. Its coffee brewing style is essentially an automated version of a Chemex brew (pre-infusion included), and produces similarly light-bodied and super floral cups of coffee. As we’ve noted before, the glass carafe is a nice departure from steel, as you always know how much coffee remains and can see the brew process in action.

What We Don’t Like: It’s a pretty luxurious buy, and as such there’s no escaping the price associated with such things. Apart from that, condensation tends to build up around the top of the machine during brewing.

Verdict: Recommended, with reservations

Behmor Connected Customizable Coffee Maker

What We Like: Behmor’s connected brewer uses an app for complete customization of your pot of coffee — adjustable options include water temperature, brew speed, pre-infusion, programmable timers and so on (it even adjusts temperature with the altitude the machine lives in). It was the runner up for “Best All-Out Coffee Maker” to the Breville because of this. Also because of this, it doesn’t brew just one type of coffee, so coffee drinkers of all types should be satisfied with the final pot. It’s also takes very little space on a countertop.

What We Don’t Like: The app works for the most part, but, as is the nature of apps, it occasionally had trouble connecting to smartphones.

Verdict: Recommended, with reservations

Mr. Coffee 12-Cup Programmable Coffee Maker

What We Like: $80 retail is an excellent price for a coffee maker, especially one that goes on sale so regularly. It also comes with a helpful “Clean” button that alerts you when the machine needs to be de-scaled or have a cleaning solution run through it. It’s very simple and easily programmable, too. The Mr. Coffee also receives good reviews fairly frequently (like a recommendation from Consumer Reports).

What We Don’t Like: The coffee this machine brews is regularly over-extracted — this means every pot is aggressively bitter, even when using fresh, specialty-grade coffee grounds. There were also problems with the connection between the lid and the brew basket, and there was a pretty regular need to wipe down the surrounding countertop after brewing because of it. Finally, it frequently didn’t use the entirety of the water needed for whatever cup amount was selected, leaving hot, standing water in the chamber overnight. The water reservoir in the back was also had a very small pouring area.

Verdict: Not recommended

Hamilton Beach Programmable Coffee Maker

What We Like: Hamilton Beach’s coffee maker is inexpensive (and goes on sale often) and its programmable function works consistently and is easy enough to set up. It’s also got an automatic drip stop when you pull the carafe from the machine, which means you’re able to pour a cup before it’s completely finished brewing and coffee won’t drip onto the base below. The detachable water reservoir is also a nice touch.

What We Don’t Like: As Wirecutter notes in its positive review of the machine, it’s really not for people who want above average coffee. The pots it brews are, like the Mr. Coffee, over-extracted, bitter and quell much of coffee’s natural flavor. The machine also over soaked the grounds to the point that the filter bent over and into the grounds, which caused some water to fall through to the carafe having not touched any coffee.

Verdict: Not recommended

The 5 Best Winter Running Pants and Tights

When I first started working in New York City, one of the first things I noticed was just how windy it was. Under such conditions, it can be slightly tricky to dress in enough layers to keep the wind out and simultaneously stay warm. It’s not uncommon for running brands to organize runs to outfit writers and editors in their latest and greatest gear when something new comes out. One of the first events like this that I attended was a run in Central Park with Sugoi. Back when the brand was making running gear, they had some toasty stuff. The fleece-lined tights were a part of my winter running kit for years — they were just tight enough (most winter tights are seemingly for super skinny runners), the fleece never washed weird and the waistband stayed put after hundreds of miles.

Unfortunately, Sugoi isn’t making as much running gear anymore, but the major point to take from all of this is that fleece-lined tights are non-negotiable when the temperatures drop below 30, even 40. My rule of thumb is to dress for 20 degrees warmer than the real feel (don’t ask where I’ve heard it, it’s runner lore at this point). With that in mind, here are a variety of the top-performing tights that you can pull on before your next outdoor winter run.

Under Armour UA ColdGear Armour Compression

Despite what you may initially think, Under Armour’s HeatGear technology is built to keep you cool and dry, while the ColdGear fabrics work to keep you warm. No matter how many degrees the temperatures drop overnight, you can pull these out of your drawer with confidence. A brushed interior means they’re smooth to the touch and soft once on. The exterior wicks away sweat to dry so you won’t freeze. Throw these on for your long run, then zip over to your kids’ soccer game, throw on some sweats, and you’ll be good to cheer from the sidelines for the entire game.

New Balance Challenge Thermal Tight

Take your long johns, make them fit like a glove and then eliminate any and all seams and you’ve found the Challenge Thermal tight. The elastic waistband is soft and easy to adjust, so you don’t have to worry about constantly pulling on the tights. Again, the brushed interior comes into to play with a few select spots of mesh paneling. We’d recommend you stick with these on the above zero days, especially with the mesh.

Nike Shield Tech Running Tights

For all of January through May (when it started warming up in New York City), I ran in a pair of Nike Shield tights and top weekly. Each piece has recently begun to make a new appearance this year, and I expect to have to update it sometime this winter. Nike’s shield technology features weather-resistant fabric (AKA snow and ice and rain-resistant) with zippers alongside your ankles so you can unzip if you heat up too quickly.

Asics Lite-Show Brushed Knit Tight

In recent years, Asics has upped the visibility in its winter running products, helping to make you seen when you head out after work for a run. These tights feature three stripes across the top of your thighs, knees and ankles to help you be noticed by motorists. A pull-tight waist cord means these will stay up long after they stretch out. You can feel confident when you head out for an early morning or evening run.

The North Face Winter Warm Tights

Highly stretchy tights are a must-have when heading out into sub-zero temperatures. You don’t want something too tight, with seams that rub the wrong way as the chill will exacerbate that problem. These are moisture-wicking as well thanks to FlashDry fibers, so they stay breathable, too. These can also double as a base layer for skiers and snowboarders as well.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

13 Best Gifts for Vinyl Lovers

There was a cartoon in The New Yorker that recently made me chuckle: two guys are staring at a vinyl system with dumbfounded looks on their faces. One guy says to the other: “The two things that really drew me to vinyl were the expense and the inconvenience.”

The New Yorker were spot on. Vinyl isn’t easy, nor does it necessarily sound better than high-res streaming. But vinyl lovers love the process. They love the warm sound, having to flip the record and place the needle, and even the fuzziness caused by the needle scratching audio off the record. It’s a beautiful addiction, and however impractical it may seem, we can’t help but support it.

Audio-Technica LP120

In the $300-ish price range, there are quite a few entry-level turntables from which you can choose. I like the Audio-Technica LP120. It sounds great, runs quiet and looks cool. Plus it has a USB output so you can connect it to your computer and digitize your records, which is great for those who have a large collection.

Sonos Connect:Amp

If you turn the passive bookshelf speakers that you already own into wireless speakers that you can stream to, or you want to integrate them with your Sonos speakers, you want to get the Sonos Connect:Amp. You just wire your passive speakers into it and it acts as a receiver. It can also power a subwoofer, which the Sonos Connect cannot. (Note: the Sonos Connect works similarly to the Connect:Amp but it needs to use your existing receiver.)

Rega Fono Mini A2D

It’s not uncommon for some older or entry-level turntables to not come with built-in phono stage, which is a problem because you really need one to amplify the signal from your turntable so that it sounds good on your sound system. And this is one of the best phono stages you can get, on a budget or otherwise. It also comes with a USB output so you can digitize your records.

Winchester Craft Floating Record Shelf

Winchester Craft makes all kinds of neat shelving options to records and hold record sleeves. They’re elegent yet simple, built with real oak and handmade in Oregon.

Onzow Zerodust Stylus Cleaner

You want to periodically clean your turntable’s stylus needle so that your system sounds best. This small plastic box does just that. It has a gelatinous plastic inside that, when pressed against the needle, it removes build-up and other contaminants.

Isoacoustics Iso-Puck Isolation Pucks

Place these isolation pucks underneath your bookshelf speakers turntables and amps, and they eliminate unwanted vibrations. Basically they’re an effective way to ensure that the placement of your set-up isn’t adding any unwanted distortion to the audio.

Symbol Audio Modern Record Player

For anybody who wants an all-in-one solution to play their records, this is one of our favorites. The Modern Record Player has an integrated turntable, amplifier and speaker, plus you can stream music to it via Bluetooth, Airplay, Chromecast. Heck, you can even have it outfitted with a Sonos Connect so it can be integrated into your exisiting Sonos set-up.

Record Props V2

This is another neat way to show off the records that you love. It’s a mount that hangs both the record and its sleeve on the wall. The record isn’t bound by a frame or glass display, allowing you to take it off the wall and play on your turntable whenever you want.

Q Acoustics Concept 20

Even though they’ve been around for few years, the Concept 20 passive bookshelf speakers are still considered some of the best bookshelf speakers you can buy. They have a special cabinet design that almost completely eliminates distortion, meaning the only sound you are getting is from the drivers themselves.

Corner Store Vinyl Storage Rack

This three-tiered metal storage rack is a great way to house a bunch of records without taking up a lot of space. Plus, it’s inexpensive and matches the “vintage vibe” that a lot of collectors like.

Definitive Technology BP9080x

For those looking for bigger and more dynamic speakers, and that are willing to spend a little more for them, Definitive Technology’s BP9080x are some of the best floor-standing speakers you can buy (that aren’t ludicrously expensive). Not only do they look stunning, but nearly every hi-fi publication has given them near perfect marks.

Way Basics Vinyl Record Storage Cube

Symbol Audio makes some of the nicest record crates — here — I’ve seen, but they’re also $225 each. If you want something similar at a fraction of the price, go with these.

Grado SR60e Headphones

For anybody looking for affordable, audiophile-grade headphones, these are among our favorites. The SR60e headphones are comfortable, sound great, and they have Grado’s famed look and open-back design. And since they’re wired, you can easily plug them into any turntable with a headphone jack.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

50+ Holiday Gifts Under $50

One can’t break the bank for every gift they give during the holidays. So to help you make the right purchase for the right price, we pulled together a list of over 50 holiday gifts for under $50 from across all types of categories. Whether you’re on the hunt for something specific or need a last minute shopping idea, we’re sure this rundown of great products will help you pick a present they won’t forget this year. Don’t want to search by price? Check out our breakdown of holiday gifts by category in our holiday gift guide roundup.

Silca Italian Army Knife

Until your time trial is fast enough to get you a sponsored support van, Silca’s classic multi-tool for cyclists is your reliable sidekick when your mechanics fail halfway through a weekend century ride. It has all the drivers and wrenches that you might need for a quick adjustment, and it’ll fit easily in a jersey pocket.

Vibrapod Isolators

These little rubber feet come in a bunch of different sizes, to match the size of your speakers, and aren’t complicated. They simply lift the speakers off the horizontal plane (aka a table or desk) and enhance isolation so there’s less distoration. They are a cheap way for people who have bookshelf speakers to make them sound even better. And stuff into a stocking nicely.

Way Basics Vinyl Record Storage Cube

Symbol Audio makes some of the nicest record crates — here — I’ve seen, but they’re also $225 each. If you want something similar at a fraction of the price, go with these.

ProSource Multi-Grip Chin-Up/Pull-Up Bar

This easy-to-install pull-up bar is a great addition to any home gym. Pop it in any doorway and get moving on your pull-up or chin-up challenge. If New Year’s resolutions are looming, this steel bar can help you work everything from your shoulders to biceps, core and back. It’s built to hold up to 300 pounds, and will be your new visual reminder to workout.

SKLZ Quick Ladder

It’s time to think about dexterity and speed. A ladder helps every athlete progress their explosive power and acceleration. Run through with quick feet, double step in and out or play a little old school hopscotch with it.

Rab Merino+ Gloves

Keeping your extremities warm when running is of utmost importance. These merino and polyester blend gloves are lightweight and work double duty as base gloves for skiing, snowboarding and ice climbing.

Ergon GE1 Evo Factory Grip

Handlebar grips can make all of the difference between an enjoyable ride and one full of pain and frustration. Ergon’s GE1 Evo Factory grips feature Gravity Control rubber that is just soft enough where it provides comfort while avoiding the “I’m holding a damp sponge” feeling.

Manda Organic Sun Paste

If you spend a lot of time outside, especially near a body of water, you need to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays. This SPF 50 all natural and organic paste leaves a visible mark of lotion, so when you’re riding a wave, you have a visual reminder that you covered your face and shoulders.

Picky Bars

Hikers who still buy the same old energy bars that have been on shelves for decades are missing out on the current golden age of trail food. Picky Bars, which were dreamed up by a group of athletes and come in flavors like “Chai and Catch Me” and “Cookie Doughpness,” are crafted with real food ingredients to provide clean energy before and during long jaunts.

Western Rise Icon Camp Hat

Any ballcap will help provide that bit of much-needed shade from the sun during a full day outside, but the Icon Camp Hat goes a step further. It’s constructed with a durable cotton ripstop fabric in a five-panel profile that functions on the trail but looks good in town too.

Winchester Craft Floating Record Shelf

Winchester Craft makes all kinds of neat shelving options to records and hold record sleeves. They’re elegent yet simple, built with real oak and handmade in Oregon.

Black Diamond Spot Headlamp

The Spot is excellent because it’s simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s basic. The headlamp uses three AAA batteries, and it’s fully waterproof. The main light is 300 lumens, which emits a beam to a claimed range of 80 meters (about 262 feet) and is easily dimmable. There’s also a red night vision setting.

Buff Lightweight Merino Wool

Wear it as a helmet liner, a neck gaiter, a headband or a scarf. The options are virtually endless and the highly breathable and moisture-wicking merino wool material makes this piece invaluable.

UnTapped Organic Maple Waffles

Snacks for outdoor adventures should be easy to handle and pack energy to keep you going. UnTapped’s Organic Maple Waffles achieve both those sticking points while also providing a delicious alternative to bland energy bars. Flavored with real maple syrup and maple sugar, the waffles keep the sticky substance secluded and off your hands which means you can eat them on the go and have no issues with messy hands.

Science in Sport Energy Bundle

During longer bouts of exercise it’s imperative that you fuel your body. After a certain point, your body depletes its stores of carbohydrates, and you need to top it off, so you can continue pushing yourself. SiS Go Isotonic energy gels provide 22 grams of carbs per gel and they don’t need to be washed down with water. The energy bundle lets you pick from ten flavors with and without caffeine. Go harder for longer with a quick hit of carbs and see what limits your body can push past.

Bialetti Moka Percolator

Bialetti created its now-iconic percolator in the ’50s, and since then it’s become a household staple in Italy and across Europe. Its rugged aluminum construction is handsome enough to leave out in the open on your counter and also makes it suitable for campsite use too.

Anker PowerPort Atom PD 1

This is 27-watt USB-C wall charger that’s roughly the same size as the 5-watt puck that comes with your iPhone, but it can charge your MacBook Pro or new MacBook Air.

Petzl Tikka

Sunsets and sunrises are best viewed from mountaintops, with a companion and a warm beverage. Hiking in the dark is no excuse to miss one with a headlamp as affordable and powerful as Petzl’s classic Tikka. It boasts 200 lumens of light that can be utilized in separate modes for proximity, movement and distance vision.

Howler Brothers Men’s Bruja Stretch Boardshorts

The cotton-polyester-spandex combination in these boardshorts is comfortable with just the right amount of stretch so you can focus on your surfing performance and not worry about your boardshorts. The front and back pockets keep your belongings safe and secure.

Burton AK Endurance Sock

When you’re out on the hill all day, having a merino wool sock that will keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable is of the utmost importance. But fit is not to be overlooked as well. Burton’s AK Endurance sock is among the best in its class and will help you squeeze in those last few laps before calling it a day.

Nomad Rugged Case for AirPods

One the issues with AirPods is that Apple only sells white models and the only way to get non-white models is to customize through a third-party company, which is expensive. This sleeve for your AirPods charging case is relatively inexpensive and adds a bit of scratch and drop protection, too.

Blackstrap Hood Balaclava

In cold weather, a balaclava is essential. But it can also be cumbersome beneath a helmet and goggles. Blackstrap makes its Hood as low-profile as possible with a fabric blend that protects from the sun (and unwanted odors). But the best part is the articulating design that lets you pull it down off your face without scrunching up everything else.

Kitsbow 5in V File Socks

In all types of cycling, socks need to be more than just functional. Style plays a big factor as well. Kitsbow’s V File socks bring both style and function thanks to a construction that utilizes 60% Meryl Skinlife (a material that has silver embedded for anti-odor) and a sleek pattern.

Hydro Flask 18 oz Standard Mouth

Everybody needs a insulated bottle. At least, that’s what we believe. This one by Hydro Flask is one of our favorites. It protects its content’s temperature for up to 24 hours. And it’s made of durable stainless steel, so it’s not going to get punctured or crap out on you mid-adventure.

Wyze Cam Pan

Wyze Cam has made waves in the smart security camera market by offering a product with virtually the same features as something that costs 10x as. The Wyze Cam Pan, for example, only costs $30 and produces a 1080p picture and it can send you motion alerts. It also works with Alexa and IFTTT. It’s a wonderful gadget for anybody who wants to stay connected to their home, or just keep a watchful eye over their dog.

Arcade YOSAR Guide Belt

The fearless members of Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR) save an average of 236 lives every year in Yosemite National Park. They rappel, climb or just plain run into dangerous situations without a second thought, in the name of saving the lives of others. To commemorate their bravery and continued service, Huckberry teamed up with Arcade Belts on an exclusive collection to help fund YOSAR’s rescue and safety efforts in the park (10-percent of each sale goes to YOSAR).

BalanceFrom GoFit All-Purpose Weights

Pick up this rubber-wrapped kettlebell in weights ranging from five- to 100-pounds. The solid cast base and color-coated vinyl protect your floor and feet. A wide handle means deadlifts and catches have a wider room for error than some smaller kettlebells. And the non-slip grip comes standard. Kettlebells increase the intensity on a variety of arm, leg, chest and back movements, so you can fit in a tougher workout in less time.

Boneshaker Mag Mega Bundle

Self-described as a “sideways look at cycling,” UK-based Boneshaker Magazine offers unique features and design that stands in contrast to the old guard of mountain bike magazines. While not mountain bike-specific, even the most diehard of mountain bikers will find something to enjoy in these pages.

Topeak Mini 20 Pro Tool

Every cyclist needs a tool in their pack. Topeak’s bantamweight Mini 20 Pro provides everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Parks Project National Parks Candle

The experience of being in the woods and hills shouldn’t have to end when you get back to the parking lot. Parks Projects’ collection of National Parks-themed candles bring the scents of cedar forests and Rocky Mountain lavender into the home, so the hiker in your life can at least pretend to be out in the trail, even when napping on the couch.

PR Lotion by Amp Human Performance

Cyclists know that recovery is crucial. Aiding that process can result in getting back on the bike quicker. PR Lotion by Amp Human Performance delivers more of the bicarbonate your body naturally produces to neutralize acid, battle fatigue and reduce soreness. More bicarb means faster recovery times, more rides and more miles.

Nordic Naturals Omega 3 Pet

There’s a great deal of misinformation on the internet about many things, and for whatever reason, fish oil is one of them. Nordic Naturals fish oil, which is made using the same stuff as its human fish oil supplements, makes an outsized impact for a pretty simple addition to a dog’s diet.

TriggerPoint Foam Roller

The pros know that even 10 minutes a day of foam rolling can help ease sore muscles and stretch out muscle fibers. When you think of recovery and the tools you need to ease any tension, TriggerPoint is the brand for you. The hollow core means it’s lightweight enough to throw in a gym bag, but still provides enough pressure to help you really dig into those IT bands.

Adidas Numbers Edition Hat

A five-panel cap in all black with an adjustable back makes for a gym-friendly style. The reflective details shine during nighttime runs, so your noggin lights up in the darkness.

Art of Sport Essentials Kit With Deodorant

The essentials kit includes deodorant, hair and body wash, a body bar and sunscreen and comes in two fresh scents: Compete and Rise. While we’re partial to the Rise smell, both are formulated with ingredients to help you stay fresh and clean all day long.

Snow Peak Titanium Silverware Set

Nobody should be using plastic utensils anymore, but especially not self-proclaimed outdoorsmen. This set from Snow Peak is light enough to stash in any backpack — whether it’s for hiking or commuting around town — and isn’t overly outdoorsy.

Amazon Echo Input

This little gadget is an Echo Dot, just without the speaker part. It’s designed to plug into a Bluetooth or passive speaker (via a 3.5mm jack), and it’ll essentially then turn it into a smart speaker that you can summonds songs to with your voice. It’s brilliant for anybody who wants to breath new life into their old speakers (Note: doesn’t work with stereo audio.)

UnTapped Organic Maple Waffles

No skier will ever opt for a frozen energy bar when UnTapped’s delicious maple-infused stroopwafel is available as an alternative. It’s made with organic flour, pure Vermont maple syrup and sugar, and sustainably-produced palm fruit oil.

Coal The Rowan Beanie

Whether you wear this beanie around town or up on the slopes, it’ll keep your head warm without sacrificing on style. Coal has been ingrained in the snowboard culture since the early aughts, and owning one of its hats is requisite for any serious snowboarder.

Lifts&Bounds Resort Series Poster

Take the slopes home with these graphic posters from Lifts&Bounds. A handful of the most prominent resorts in the country are available in graphic form and include an outline of the resorts’ trail systems as well of some of their most famous trail names.

Vega Sport Protein Powder

Finding the perfect protein for post-workout nutrition needs can be a minefield to navigate. Sometimes ingredient labels can be tricky to read. Vega makes it simple with its chocolate plant-based vegan protein powders. Thanks to pea-protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, organic sunflower seed and alfalfa, you get 30 grams of protein per scoop. It’s easy to throw this into your smoothie, muffins or shake. And don’t worry, if you prefer vanilla, there’s a flavor for you, too.

Ciele Athletics GoCap Whitaker Edition

Ciele Athletics make some of the most stylish, well-performing athletic caps around. Mesh panels and the moisture-wicking fabric provide extra breathability for hot days. And it also offers UPF +40 protection on the brim and front panel for keeping you guarded from the sun. A pliable brim makes it easy packing for any weekend excursion.

Brooks Sherpa 5-Inch Shorts

Winter brings a lot of cold days and many hours of treadmill time for runners. The Brooks Sherpa shorts will help make that transition easier. The five-inch shorts come with a Dri-Layer fabric to wick away sweat, so you don’t walk out the doors of your local gym and freeze in the current temperatures. Store your cash, keys and gym card in the sweat-resistant gym pocket in the back or the side pockets.

SKLZ Pro Band

These bands have the power to make every move harder. Place above your knees to work laterally and feel the burn in your glutes. You can also work with a partner to wrap around your waist and have them hold the opposite end of the band as you sprint forward. Nothing like a little power play to keep your competitive spirit up.

Slowtide Lau Beach Towel

When water is far away, this 100-percent cotton beach towel will transport you to your dream destination. The vibrant patterns can easily be displayed thanks to a hanging loop. We recommend you buy in bulk for the beach cabin of your dreams. All of your guests will want one.

Hydro Flask Sports Water Bottle Wide Mouth

If you need water to stay cold for the entire time you’re out fishing or surfing, a Hydro Flask wide mouth is the way to go. Add a BPA-free straw lid to the stainless steel double-wall, vacuum-insulated bottle and you can flip, sip and go. Sizes range from 32 to 40-ounces.

Pelican Go G40 Case

Protecting valuables from the elements isn’t always the easiest while camping. Thankfully, the legendary protective case company Pelican has built the Go G40 Case to do just that. The waterproof, crushproof, impact-proof and dustproof container is the ideal size for your smartphone, wallet and other essentials you want to keep secure and organized. A built-in pressure valve balances out air pressure as well. There’s not a more convenient protector case for the camper.

Belkin Fitness Armband

For those who still take their smartphone running, as they rely on it for GPS or streaming, these armbands are super helpful. There’s nothing innovative about them, but there doesn’t have to be — these armbands simply ensure you don’t have to carry or fit the smartphone in your pocket. (Belkin offers a variety of armbands that fit all smartphones. Check out the full catalog, here.)

Onzow Zerodust Stylus Cleaner

You want to periodically clean your turntable’s stylus needle so that your system sounds best. This small plastic box does just that. It has a gelatinous plastic inside that, when pressed against the needle, it removes build-up and other contaminants.

The Solo First Aid Kit

MyMedic was born from a simple question: “What if the tools required to save a life were made to be simple, accessible and affordable?” MyMedic first aid kits are specifically designed to help everyday people save lives in specific situations in the outdoors. Each one comes packed in a super durable carrying case that’s built to take a beating, keep first aid supplies safe from the elements and make everything accessible at a moment’s notice.

Four Roses Single Barrel

The Fallback: Four Roses caters to all budgets, including people on one. This bottle, however, is an upgrade to the brand’s “Yellow Label” and Small Batch expressions. It’s a little more complex, too, with notes of cinnamon, caramel and vanilla.
Suggested Retail Price: $40

Katin Seaside 5 Panel Cap

Whether you’re in a landlocked state or along the coasts, water-lovers everywhere will appreciate this rugged as the sea five-panel navy cap.

Barton 1792 Single Barrel Bourbon

An offshoot of Sazerac, Barton 1792 cleaned up at the most-recent San Francisco World Spirits Competition, one of the most prestigious spirits competitions in the world. And this bourbon won a Double Gold, the highest honor there is. In layman’s terms, it’s one of the best bourbons you can buy. And it costs all of $40.
Suggested Retail Price: $40

Kitsbow Kitchel Lightweight Gloves

Kitsbow’s latest glove release, the Kitchel, was designed in collaboration with Mechanix Wear, whose gloves are renowned for their comfort. Kitsbow noticed that mountain bikers were wearing Mechanix gloves to ride, and figured that they, together with Mechanix, could optimize a glove for mountain biking. It’s about as close to a perfect mountain biking glove as you can get.

Trusox Sock

Soccer fans might recognize this nylon-cotton-spandex blended sock. It’s built to help prevent blisters in both old and new shoes, as well as providing your toes with a more sturdy grip inside the toebox.

Twelve South AirFly

How many times have you wanted to use your AirPods to listen to in-flight movies, only to realize that those small TVs don’t support Bluetooth? This little reciever solves that. No more purchasing those $2 wired earbuds from the flight attendant.

Master & Dynamic MP1000B Headphone Stand

If you want a really nice and clean headphone stand, we recommend this guy. It’s easy on the eyes and bespoke enough that when you’re actually working and listening to your headphones, it doesn’t add clutter or ugly-up the desk.

Salomon Trail Gaiters High

Trail gaiters are a simple way to add a bit more warmth and protection to your ankles and legs. If you find yourself running through rocky patches or sandy roads, these protect you from cuts and scrapes along the way. Velcro secures the gaiters in place, so you don’t have to fiddle with them during your run.

Hari Mari Dunes Flip Flops

A good pair of shower shoes will keep bacteria from creeping up off the tile floor and onto your feet. These water-friendly nylon sandals are plush to the touch thanks to a memory foam toe post and a foam insole with a firm arch. If light blue isn’t your color, try a navy, black or brown.

Mizu 360 M9 Everyday Kit

The stainless steel design on this Mizu water bottle is BPA free and 100 percent recyclable, so you can feel good while drinking. A wide-mouth opening makes it easy to swap out the straw for the filter and vice versa, plus adding ice to your drink is a breeze. The everyday filter blocks 99.99 percent of contaminants, catching them in the micropores before they enter your body. Plus, the silver, black and spearmint colors are sure to please everyone on your list.

Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey

Michter’s makes great bourbon and excellent rye. This whiskey is neither. It’s aged in whiskey-soaked barrels and free from grain neutral spirits, which means it’s “unblended.” Expect notes of butterscotch and vanilla with a fruity finish.
Suggested Retail Price: $45

Silca Seat Roll Premio

Silca’s Seat Roll uses Boa, the wheel-fastening system commonly found on cycling shoes, to keep your on-road tool collection compact and secure beneath the saddle. It’s durable, waterproof and has enough volume for whatever you might need (including spare tubes).

The Lifetime Leash

Cheap leashes will burden dogs and their owners. Which is why Atlas Pet Co. built a better one in the Lifetime Leash. The Lifetime Leash is handmade in the U.S. with premium-grade climbing rope and the woven structure provides greater resistance to chewing. But if a pup does somehow destroy it, Atlas will replace it for life. All that makes it a perfect gift for the dog lover (and their best friend).

Kahtoola NanoSpikes

When the snow falls, your grip underfoot can get a little sketchy. Prevent any slips or spills with these easy-to-attach Kahtoola spikes. Loop them over the front of your toe and your heel cup, and they’ll stay in place while you get after those winter running goals. The tungsten carbide spikes also help protect you against ice — especially when it’s hard to see.

Favorite Portable Carrier

Most people don’t need the enormous, bulky, hard-topped dog carriers of yesteryear. What most people need is a dog carrier that can be broken down quickly and doesn’t weigh 50 pounds. That’s what Favorite’s carrier is — simple, easy to tow around when in-use and in between uses and reasonably affordable.

SOG PowerAccess Deluxe MultiTool

Having a capable multitool that can handle anything when out in the wild is extremely important. And SOG’s PowerAccess MultiTool is one of the most comprehensive ones you can have. The 21 tools come complete with compound leverage gripping power to ensure you’ll be able to tackle any task wherever you find yourself.

Amazon Echo Dot (3rd Generation)

The Echo Dot continues to look and sound better with each new iteration — and it also continues to cost just $50 (although you’ll be able to get it for even less during holidays). As with every Echo Dot, it continues to be the easiest and cheapest way to voice control all your smart home devices.

iFrogz Second Hub Sync

If you have a pair of wired headphones that you love — they’re comfortable and sound great — you can plug them into a wireless receiver and then stream music to them. It’s a fairly simple and liberating way to not be tethered to your smartphone or tablet. This wireless receiver also comes with a pair of earbuds.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

8 Trainers Share Their Home Gym Essentials

Personal trainers make their living working with clients at gyms, but many of them also train clients in their own homes, meaning they have to think on their feet — depending on the tools and machines available. A talented certified trainer can take one look at the gear you have on hand and craft a unique workout that’ll push you to your max. Whether a trainer walks into a full-on basement kitted out with the best gear possible, or just a cleared out corner of your apartment, the key is making do with what you have — creating a challenging workout with what’s available.

To help you get your home gym ready for any trainer (not to mention help you prep for summer), we talked with eight experts to hear about what you need in a home gym. We asked how each of them works out, what tools they always keep on hand and what a perfect home gym looks like. Here are the gear items you need to stock your gym and work your body to the max.

Lindsey Clayton

Barry’s Bootcamp Trainer

Clayton teaches coaches at Barry’s Bootcamp — the intense weights and treadmill workout that has a cult-like following. She also coaches Brave Body Project classes and still finds time to exercise on her own while training for the New York City Marathon. “For me, a home workout needs to be something that I can do with virtually no equipment (hello tiny NYC apartment), and it needs to be fun, quick and have an element of stretch/restorative movement to it as well,” Clayton says. Here are her top five picks.

Woodway Treadmill

“This is hands down the best treadmill on the market. The slatted belt reduces impact and provides more cushion when you land. It feels like you’re running on a cloud. I’m a runner, so on days when the weather isn’t cooperating, it’s perfect to hop on and log your miles that way.”

TRX Trainer

“The TRX trainer and suspension system is the perfect addition to any home gym. TRX uses gravity as your resistance, so you can get an amazing full-body workout and make it as easy or as hard as you want. Because you’re working against gravity on all of the exercises, you’ll automatically get in extra credit work. It’s easy to set up — all you need is a door for the anchor.”

Power Systems Gliding Discs

“[Gliders are] another one of my favorite tools that weigh nothing and takes up virtually no space. They are a great way to mimic moves you’d see on a Megaformer,” Clayton says.

B-Force Bands

“I love resistance bands, especially for glute activation before my run, but they are so versatile you can essentially do an entire workout with just one band.” Check out some exercises using resistance bands here.

Rep Fitness Heavy Weight

“If you don’t want to take up a lot of space, but still want to lift heavy, get one weight or heavy kettlebell that you can use for a unilateral work. Unilateral exercises have been shown to increase muscle mass and solve strength weaknesses between the right and left side of the body,” Clayton says.

George Foreman III

Owner of Everybody Fights

In 2013 George Foreman III opened up The Club in Boston to help share his methodologies. Foreman III finished his boxing career with a perfect record of 16-0 back in 2012, and continues to train to this day. Foreman III’s gym EverybodyFights has expanded since then to include five locations across New York and Boston, with a sixth studio in Philadelphia in the works.

“The key to a great workout at home is to have the ability and space. Treat it like a gym: buy a great mat, maybe set up a rubber floor. A big part of the being consistent and enjoying a workout is the atmosphere,” Foreman III says.

Aquabag

True to his roots, Foreman III recommends a punching bag — and a double-ended bag. “A double ended bag is filled with air, has bands on top and bottom, and helps you work on precision. The more you learn how to box, you can throw fast, powerful and precise punches, and the double-ended bag will give you a great workout without hurting your hands,” he says.

For beginners, Foreman III recommends the Aquabag. “The beauty of an Aquabag is that for a person who doesn’t know how to box, it’s hard to hurt your hand because it bounces back off the bag,” he says.

Concept 2 Rower

“I would not have a gym without one. Especially as a boxer, most of boxing is pushing out and you have to do the recall, pulling the punches to balance it out.”

Sonos

“For music, I stream a playlist on Spotify through my Sonos,” Foreman III says.

Bianca Vesco

Personal trainer and coach at NYSC Lab

Bianca Vesco teaches some of the toughest classes at New York Sports Club Labs. For her perfect home workout routine, Vesco has a winning combination: “a cardio burst, balance and stability training, and strength training,” she says. “I usually have clients do strength and stability together and cardio on its own. There are a million ways to train the human body, and there’s no right or wrong here. You will find a routine that your body responds to through trial and error, so continue to mix it up.”

NordicTrack Treadmill

“A treadmill is necessary for cardio purposes,” Vesco says. “Especially if you live somewhere with a cold winter and can’t run inside, there are no excuses when you have cardio equipment inside.”

Bosu Ball

“This piece is an absolute must. When I take on a new client, I make sure they have a Bosu as part of their home gym. It is one of the most beneficial, versatile pieces of equipment and doesn’t take up much space. Balance and stability work should be part of everyone’s routine. It doesn’t matter how strong you are if you can’t stabilize your movements at the same time,” Vesco says.

Dumbbells

“Having free weights is a no-brainer when it comes to strength training. Not everyone has the room or money to put an entire cable system or barbell rack in their home gym, but there are a few options. Most people I train have a few sets of weights — usually 7, 12.5 and 15 or 20-pounds — however, Bowflex makes an incredible adjustable set that I love.”

David Reavy

Founder of React Physical Therapy

If you’re lucky enough to have a session with David Reavy, he’ll evaluate you from head to toe and tell you what’s working and what’s not. He’s the founder of React Physical Therapy in Chicago and has worked with athletes like Jerome Randle, Mike Magee, Alshon Jeffrey and Paul Davis, among others.

Lululemon Yoga Mat

“[A yoga mat is] great for body weight movements. I enjoy doing exercises barefoot whenever I can to make sure my foot muscles are working,” Reavy says.

Indoor Cycling Bike

“When my time is limited, I can hop on this bike for a quick ride. I typically do 45 minutes for cardio,” Reavy says. “You don’t need much of a warm up since it’s not as high impact as running.”

Lacrosse Ball

“Ideal for self-releases, it’s easier to get at hard-to-hit areas such as hip flexors,” Reavy says.

Jess Sims

Peloton Trainer

Jess Sims is a newly dubbed Peloton Trainer teaching Tread classes with an on and off the mat component. The former Shadowbox instructor played basketball in college and pulls inspiration from both of those experiences to create HIIT and hill workouts for the Peloton family. As for her own home gym, “Luckily I have a basic gym in my apartment, so I have dumbbells. Sometimes I add them to my workouts like in the above, and other times I just choose bodyweight,” Sims says. “I don’t love the elliptical, but I will use the treadmill to do interval work. I will walk for 3 minutes on 10 incline to warm up, then do 10 minutes of sprinting 0:35 on, 0:25 recover, then a 5-minute walk on an incline to cool down.”

Perfect Fitness Ab Carver Pro Roller

“This is so good for your core – do three sets of 10 for a huge burn!”

Tribe 11-Piece Premium Resistance Bands Set

Sims is another trainer who is a big fan of resistance bands. “This will allow you to have a full body workout anywhere – it also comes with a free guide.” Beyond these, she also recommends the Perform Better mini resistance band to help you warm up or give you a full body workout.

Mat Forzaglia

Creator of In Time Bootcamp at NEOU

NEOU is the latest streaming workout app (that’s available now through January 1 at no cost) and Mat Forzaglia is one of its lead trainers. A former coach at Fhitting Room, and now coach at CrossFit Fifth Ave, he’s a motivating trainer for the app. He’s the creator of In Time, a HIIT class that streams on the app and is available to play anytime throughout the day as well. To check out NEOU simply download the app, sign up and scroll through classes to find one you’d like to try out. Class times range from 15 to 60 minutes with plenty of variety.

MB Slingshot Hip Circle

“Hip Circle is a must in a home gym or even just my backpack because I use it to activate my hips (i.e. glutes, hamstrings, hip flexors). When sitting for periods of time or getting ready to work out, doing some lateral walks or monster walks will wake your hips right up!” Forzaglia says.

RPM Jump Rope

“Always have a jump rope on hand! I like the RPM jump rope because it is a speed rope. It’s lightweight and thin, allowing me to jump rope faster for a great cardio/endurance workout. Any jump rope will do, but for me, RPM is the way to go.” Forzaglia says.

Rogue Ohio Power Barbell

“A barbell is extremely universal, no matter what exercise you are performing. With a creative mind, the barbell is actually the only piece of equipment you need! I specifically like this barbell a lot because it has very little whip or bend in the bar making it great for building strength no mater what movements you are performing. Also, it will last a long time!” Forzaglia says.

Charlee Atkins

Le Sweat Trainer and Master SoulCycle Instructor

Charlee Atkins has been with SoulCylce since 2011 and loves everything about movement and mobility. She’s a certified strength and conditioning coach who also runs Le Sweat, wihch focuses on stretching classes as well as full-body classes. She also plans retreats centered around fitness. Here are a few of her at-home gym picks.

Yoga Blocks

“Every at-home gyms needs a recovery section. Yoga blocks double as props used in yoga/stretching routines, but also add the option of adding elevation or imbalance to your workout – creating the ability to manipulate the intensity of your workouts.”

Pull-Up Assistance Band

“These resistance bands are a step-up from the traditional exercise band. By adding the door anchor (must have!) you can do pull exercises (targeting your back muscles) and these also double as a mobility/recovery tool. The real gem is the door anchor!”

Julian Chua

Master Trainer at CruBox

Crubox has quickly become the go-to boxing gym in West Hollywood. When you walk into a class, you can expect a mix of heavy bag work, HIIT, shadowboxing and core work all with the lights off paired to music. Chua is one of two master instructors at the gym. In addition to the below items, he also recommends dumbbells, a TRX system and a cable machine — “it takes up most of the room in my home gym, but with all the attachments it is the most versatile piece of equipment in my gym.”

Stability Ball

“Workouts with a stability ball are important for a good fundamental base in fitness. If your stability muscles are weak, you’re much more prone to injury.”

Heavy Bag

“The heavy bag is the perfect form of cardio — it can provide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise. It will build total body strength and explosiveness to put the icing on the cake for your fitness. Grab a pair of gloves and a heavy bag — there’s no better way to release your stress than smashing a heavy bag.”

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

8 Winter Outdoor Products All City Dwellers Should Own

If there’s any season that calls for the everyday use of technical outdoor gear, it’s winter. Winter is cold, windy and wet. It forces you into the extreme conditions you might encounter on the flanks of high peaks — when you’re walking around your neighborhood. In the backcountry, outfitting yourself with the appropriate cold-weather apparel and equipment is vital to survival. When your exposure to the elements lasts only as long as it takes to walk from your home to your car, matters seem far less dire. But that doesn’t mean you should go unprepared.

All of the gear made to take on freezing conditions in the wilderness will also avail those who live in cities. Sure, highly-specific items like ice axes and avalanche beacons might not be of much use, but down jackets designed for climbing and slippers created for camping will. Outdoor gear is highly functional and versatile by design — its use isn’t predicated on setting, and living in a city shouldn’t mean hindering yourself by not taking advantage of that.

Insulated Water Bottle: Yeti Rambler 26oz

An insulated water bottle will keep water cold in the summer but it can do the opposite in winter, and that makes it perfect for transporting your hot beverage of choice from home to the office, or wherever your destination is.

Crampons: Yaktrax

These aren’t quite the same as the steel claws that mountaineers use to walk on glaciers, but they’ll provide enough traction for walking on frozen sidewalks in the winter.

Baselayers: Patagonia Capilene Air Bottoms

You wear long johns to keep you warm on ski slopes, so why not on your commute to and from work? Your boss keeps the thermostat set too low anyway, and besides, layer them underneath a pair of chinos or jeans and nobody will know the difference.

Down Jacket: Super/DS StretchDown Hooded Jacket

Lightweight, packable and durable are qualities to admire in any jacket, regardless of where you live. Down jackets made for adventuring dial these traits to the max, and none have balanced them as well as Mountain Hardwear’s Super/DS StretchDown.

Snow Shovel: DMOS Stealth Packable Shovel

When the plow truck locks your car into a frozen tomb on the side of the street, you’ll need a tool to get it back out. The Stealth Shovel is burlier than anything you’ll find at the hardware store but is still car- and closet-friendly.

Camp Slippers: Teva Ember Moc

For a pair of indoor shoes that can function outside too — whether it’s to walk out and collect the paper or make a trip to the corner store for breakfast supplies — look to Teva’s Ember Moc. They’re designed for base camp comfort with a sleeping bag-like upper and a grippy rubber sole that can handle snow and dirt.

Ultralight Mittens: Rab Xenon Mitt

These ultralight mittens are stuffed with the same insulation that’s in some of the best synthetic jackets. They may have been designed for mountain use, but they’re perfect for bike commuting, and they pack down small enough to fit in your coat pocket.

Headlamp: BioLite HeadLamp

Winter means shorter days, but that shouldn’t impact your training regimen. The same companies that make headlamps for camping and hiking also make lights for running, so you don’t lose any momentum, even when the sun goes down at 4:30 pm.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Definitive Holiday Gift Guide of 2018

Get the right gift this year with our comprehensive holiday gift guides. From the outdoorsy uncle to stocking stuffers for the whole family, aim to impress with our top gifts of 2018 for everyone on your list. Use the categories and prices below to find the perfect gift this holiday season. Or take a look at our collection of the best gifts for men if you can’t decide what to get.

Outdoor Gifts

Give the gift of adventure to the outdoor-enthusiast on your list. We’ve got gifts for you and all your adventure-ready pals, whether your next trip involves mountain biking, SCUBA diving or a nice leisurely day hike. Check out some of the best gear from 2018 that’s perfect for hitting the great outdoors

The 14 Best Gifts for Trail Runners

Over the river and through the woods, these gifts for runners will go the distance.

The 15 Best Gifts for Snowboarders

If you need to find the perfect gift for the snowboarder on your list, look no further. We’ve found some of the most innovative products in snowboarding for 2018 and beyond.

The 17 Best Camping Gifts

These camping gifts are sure to please the outdoor lover in your life. If you can’t get them the great outdoors, these will have to do.

The 17 Best Gifts for Skiers

When looking for a gift for a ski buddy, this list includes one of the year’s best new skis, the ultimate baselayer for on-mountain warmth, tasty snacks for the chairlift and more.

Best Gifts for the Weekend Warrior

Weekend warriors don’t mess around. Neither should their gear. Take a look at our roundup of the best and most reliable stuff out there for those who live for the end of the week.

The Best Gifts for the Urban Outdoorsman

You don’t have to live out in the boonies in order to appreciate great outdoor gear. For those city-dwelling hikers in your life, check out our roundup of the best gifts for the urban outdoorsman.

The Best Gifts for SCUBA Divers

Anything as specialized as shopping for SCUBA divers can be difficult. Thankfully for you, we’ve put together a gift guide just on the subject.

The 11 Best Gifts for Mountain Bikers

Whether you’re a gravity-focused rider or live for the climbs, this list of mountain biker gifts has something for everyone.

The Best Gifts for the Waterman

Whether your sport of choice is fishing, surfing or swimming, there’s a water-inspired gift for you.

The Best Gifts for Hikers

If you are looking for handmade hiking shoes, backpacks and trail food that actually tastes good, these hiker gifts are for you.

The Best Gifts for Adventurers

The holidays are nearly here, and Huckberry has all the best gifts for your favorite adventurer.

The Best Gifts for Cyclists

Lotion for faster muscle recovery, a refined waterbottle cage, the safest helmet available are just some of the things you can get for the cyclist in your life this holiday season.

Best Tech & Audio Gifts

Know someone who can’t live without their favorite pieces of tech? Of course you do, it’s 2018. Whether they’re in need of true-wireless earbuds, the best portable power banks available or just an upgraded home speaker, you’ll find a recommendation here that does the trick.

The Best Gifts for Music Lovers

Whether it’s a comfortable pair of headphones or a full desktop system, or even a desktop accessory, these gifts are perfect for the music lover in your family.

13 Best Gifts for Vinyl Lovers

These are the best gift ideas for anybody just getting into vinyl or wanting to add to their entry-level setup.

The Best Home Speakers to Gift

From the smart speaker that can control your lights to the portable speakers that can join you out at the pool, these home speaker gifts will give you ideas for any family or friend looking to up their music game.

Gifts for the On-The-Go Creative

Shopping for a photographer, videographer or musician? We’ve got you covered. These are the best gift for the on-the-go creative professional.

The Best Smart Home Gifts of 2018

From smart lights to smart thermostats, smart cameras and smart speakers – these are the smart home gadgets that make the best gifts for the new homeowner.

The Best Gifts for the Techie

Having a hard time finding gifts for the techie in your life? We’ve rounded up the latest and greatest tech, from speakers to computers to cameras, as well as the accessories that work with them all.

Best Health & Fitness Gifts

We all have at least one friend who practically lives at the gym, or who has a separate saving account for all those steep marathon entry fees. Whether you count yourself among their ranks or are trying desperately to get them something that’ll make their workouts that much better, you’ll find something great in our gifts for athletes, gadgets for your running partner, or just gear for the gym lover.

The Best Fitness Gifts for Men

Having a hard time finding great fitness gifts for men? We’ve pulled together some great picks ranging from kettlebells to jump ropes.

The Best True Wireless Earbuds to Gift

AirPods might be the most well-known true wireless earbuds, but if they don’t fit in your ears then there are plenty of other options.

The 10 Best Gadgets to Give Your Running Partner

We’ve rounded up the must-have running gadgets for all runners, whether they’re just trying to set a PR or training for a full-on marathon.

The Best Gifts for Gym Lovers

When it comes to shopping for your favorite gym rat, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by all the different gear out there. Thankfully for you, dear reader, we’ve found the best gifts for gym lovers and compiled them all here to make holiday shopping a bit easier.

The Best Gifts for Athletes

Whether you’re elite or training for that level, our list of the best gifts for athletes is sure to hold some great gifts for this holiday season.

Best Home, Food & Drink Gifts

Because nothing says “happy holidays” quite like a well-designed item that makes your life at home a bit better. And that could be anything from better whiskey to upgraded cooking tools to whatever the family dog loves the most (after all, it’s their house too).

The 15 Best Gifts for Dog Lovers

This guide to the best gifts for the dog lover aims to improve the lives of both dog and parent. Call it a win-win.

The 15 Best Gifts for Beer Lovers

So you need a gift and your drinking buddy loves beer? You’re in luck — there’s plenty of great gear to accent their favorite brews.

The Best Gifts for Foodies in 2018

The best food gifts for the chef in your life include more than pots and pans.

The 18 Best Gifts for Coffee Lovers

If you’re gifting to a coffee lover, you’re in luck — there’s perhaps no hobby that requires more awesome gear.

The Best Gifts for Whiskey Lovers

Though a popular at this time of year, gifting whiskey actually runs the risk of being thoughtless. These picks are anything but.

The 12 Best Gilling Gifts of 2018

The best grilling gifts don’t have to connect to the nearest smart device. They just solve problems and make grilling easier.

Best Style & Grooming Gifts

Maybe they would’ve bought it for themselves, anyway, but you can spare the stylish men in your life the pain of wintertime shopping in a department store by browsing through any of these lists. Whether it’s for the man who has everything, the most stylish guy you know or even the entrepreneur in your life you’ll surely come across something worth gifting here.

The 16 Best Men’s Grooming Gifts That’ll Improve His Morning

If you’re shopping for someone who likes to spend a little extra time grooming himself for the day, we’ve got you covered.

16 Awesome Gifts for Guys Who Have Everything

Looking for a holiday gift for a guy who’s hard to shop for? We’ve got you covered.

Gifts for Stylish Men

From can’t-miss accessories to handy clothing-care tools and luxurious staples, these gifts for stylish men show you’re as invested in his look as he is.

The 15 Best Gifts for Entrepreneurs

The best gifts for entrepreneurs are the kinds of things that help him move his business forward.

The 17 Best Gifts for Business Travelers

Those always on the move deserve a great year-end gift as much as the rest of us. That’s why we pulled together a list of gifts for business travelers. Whether it’s a watch, a new wallet or a briefcase you’re looking for – we have it all here.

The 13 Best Men’s Style Books

From patching denim to understanding streetwear, this baker’s dozen of men’s style books deserves serious real estate on the well-dressed man’s shelf.

Best Watch Gifts

The world of watches is surprisingly varied. There are timepieces designed specifically to be durable, while others are more suited to show up to the office or simply show off. If you’re set on picking something that ticks and tocks this holiday season, you’ll be well served to look through our lists of the best watches to gift for every category.

15 Durable Watches that Make Great Gifts

Some guys just need a watch they can beat the hell out of, but that doesn’t mean it needs be cheap. Here are 15 of the best durable watches to gift holiday season.

The 15 Best Affordable Mechanical Watches

A great watch doesn’t have to break the bank — here are 15 of the best inexpensive mechanical watches, from field watches to divers to dress watches.

The 14 Best Travel Watches for the Holidays

This holiday season we’ve curated some of the best travel watches ranging from GMTs to 12-hour bezels and digital travel watches. Whatever your budget, we have timepieces ranging from the ultra-cheap to the ultra-premium.

The 15 Best Luxury Watches of 2018

We picked 15 of our favorite first luxury watches with the help of StockX, a leader in the world of pre-owned timepieces.

The 15 Best Watches for Office Wear in 2018

Finding the right watch to wear to the office can be difficult, but only because you’re spoiled for choice. Here are 15 of the best options.

The 15 Most Over-The-Top Watches of 2018

An outsized personality calls for an outsized timepiece — here are 15 of the most over-the-top watches for those who demand nothing but the finest.

Best Car & Motorcycle Gifts

Unless you’re shooting a car commercial, the likelihood of that you’ll be giving a new car with a bow on it this holiday season is low. Thankfully, there are plenty of things to give the motorcycle and car lovers in your life. Whether they’re an at-home mechanic, motorcycle rider, road trip lover or just a car guy – you’ll find lots to choose from in our collection of guides below.

The Best Gifts for the Commuter

Finding a gift for a commuter is incredibly straightforward — it just has to make the daily back and forth a little less hellish.

The Best Gifts For Motorcycle Riders

Motorcycle riders are a different breed and the gear they need goes above and beyond the usual and mundane.

The 15 Best Gift Ideas for Car Guys

Buying a gift for a car guy doesn’t have to be as daunting as getting caught in a conversation about the differences between horsepower and torque.

Road Trip Gifts: For Those Who Love the Open Road

We all know someone who loves the open road. Give them the tools they need to make their next road trip the best one yet.

The Best Gifts for the At-Home Mechanic

Anything that makes life and work easier for the at-home mechanic is a surefire holiday-gift win.

The Best Family Gifts

What are the holidays really, if not a celebration of family. But sometimes, those you know the best are the hardest to shop for. To help, we wrote a series of gift guides for kids, dudes, the woman in your life and even the crafty DIY Dad. Whatever the budget whatever the taste, we’re positive you’ll find something here.

The Best Gifts for the Dudes in Your Family

Searching for the best gifts for the dudes in your life? We have a slew of gift and present ideas for the brother, uncle, father or other male members of your family, selected by Gear Patrol experts.

The Best Gifts for Kids

While this guide is primarily made up of gifts specifically for kids, some of these are for parents, too — which also makes this a great guide for the new parent in your life.

The 22 Best Gifts for Her

The best gifts aren’t the ones your better half asks you to buy. But, hey, it’s almost December and there are only so many hours in the day. To help out, we pulled together a list of the best gifts for her.

The 17 Best Gifts for DIY Dads

Contrary to popular belief, DIY-ers could use more than a few new power drills year in, year out. So to help you on your search, we’ve whipped up a list of the best gifts for DIY dads.

The Best Stocking Stuffers for Everyone You Know

Stocking stuffers are a kind of weird tradition when you think about it. Of all the things in the world where you’re going to put gifts, a majority of Americans decided at one point that it’d be a big, festive sock. But we aren’t here to judge, though, just to recommend what to stuff in there. Whether it be something for the techie, fitness freak, or aspiring chef – we’ve got all the affordable and fun picks you could hope for below.

15 Stocking Stuffers Stylish Guys Will Love

From a kit that’ll keep his sneakers clean to a few things that will help winterize his suit, these are the best stocking stuffers for the stylish guy in your life.

Best Stocking Stuffers for Watch Enthusiasts

While a watch itself can be expensive, half the fun is in the accessories, many of which can make great, inexpensive gifts. To help you track some down, we’ve pulled together a list of the best stocking stuffers for watch enthusiasts.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Fitness Junkie

Hand grips, proper face wash, water bottles, massage tools and more made it onto our list of the best stocking stuffers for the fitness junkie.

The Best Gifts for Car Lovers

Great gifts $50 and under can still strike a chord with the motoring enthusiast in your life. Just check this list of the best stocking stuffers for car lovers and see for yourself.

14 of the Best Gifts for Outdoorsmen

A trusty Leatherman sidekick, dry bags for your gear, a light that never dies and more made it onto our list of affordable stocking stuffers for the outdoorsy guy.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

100+ Holiday Gifts Under $25

Looking for a handful of last-minute presents or quality stocking stuffers? Shop these inexpensive finds and pick up the perfect gift for whoever’s left on your list.

Sufferfest FKT Beer

After an intense workout, you’re going to want a drink. Sufferfest is the beer made by athletes, for athletes. It’s gluten-removed with black currant and salt added into the brew, so you’re getting some much-needed electrolytes after a sweat. While we can’t attest to any gains you’ll see after this, we can totally agree that a good can of beer is much needed after a Tough Mudder, Ragnar Relay and many other activities.

GSI Outdoors Essential Travel Spoon

Forks don’t exist in the backcountry. Seriously, you can eat anything with a spoon, and tiny-tined sporks never really work anyways.

Worn & Wound Microfiber Cloth

Yeah, yeah, we get it — it’s just a cloth. But a microfiber cleaning cloth is a watch enthusiast’s best friend; use it to get those pesky smudges off your beautiful vintage Carrera, or you know, your $100 Timex — it’s all the same. This Worn & Wound microfiber cloth measures 7.5″ x 7.5″ and is chemical-free, washable and reusable.

Blue Plant Based Poop Bags

If there were ever a time to use clap emojis, this would be it. Pick. Up. That. Poo. And do it with these bags from Blue — they’re made with eco-friendly plastic, won’t leak and come with a nice message printed on them.

Allagash Beer Soap

There’s a good chance your drinking buddy has heard of Allagash Brewing Company, the Maine producer largely responsible for introducing Americans to Belgian-style beer back in the ’90s. But they probably didn’t know Allagash also makes soap that features its beer as a core ingredient. Put a bar in their stocking and pair it with a couple bottles of White, the brewery’s famous flagship Witbier.

Natrapel Bug Spray

Throw this 3.4-ounce bug spray in your pack before heading out into the dense woods or fields. It’s DEET-free, but comes recommended by the CDC. Spritz once and you’re good for up to eight hours.

Allagash Beer Soap

There’s a good chance your drinking buddy has heard of Allagash Brewing Company, the Maine producer largely responsible for introducing Americans to Belgian-style beer back in the ’90s. But they probably didn’t know Allagash also makes soap that features its beer as a core ingredient. Put a bar in their stocking and pair it with a couple bottles of White, the brewery’s famous flagship Witbier.

Strava Premium

If you’re a runner or cyclist, Strava is the legit way to document your miles. Whether you’re competing against a team or signing up for another virtual 5K race, Strava provides you with all the tools you need to explore more, train better and share your data easily. The premium version also includes real-time location so you can go off on a trail run and ping your important contacts while you’re safely being tracked.

Reefsafe Mask Defogger

If the old spit and rub tactic isn’t appealing to your SCUBA diver, try this mask defogger and cleaner. It’s biodegradable and non-toxic to the animals and plants under the ocean surface, so you don’t have to worry about adding to any pollution or harming anything. As an added side benefit, it also works on swim and ski goggles, so you can truly use for all eyewear-needing adventures.

Nite Ize SpotLit

Anyone who has owned a dog and lived near a treeline knows the dog will inevitably sprint into the woods at night. This is where Nite Ize’s handy, cheap collar light comes in. The $6 waterproof LED bulb is about as low-maintenance as useful dog gear gets.

Sipwell Stainless Steel Drinking Straws

An easy way to save the earth’s oceans and make everyone happy is to invest in a reusable straw. Starbucks, American Airlines, Hyatt and more have already pledged to phase out plastic straws, so now is a good time to hop on board. SipWell stainless steel straws come in a set of four and include a free cleaning brush, which is very useful in case you try a smoothie one morning and iced green tea the next.

Friction Ball Case Back Opener

If you have a watch with a screw-down case back, sometimes you can twist the back off using this simple friction ball rather than a specialized wrench. While we wouldn’t recommend doing this yourself without good reason (it lets in tiny dust particles and other grime), if you need to open a screw-back, this cheap tool is essential.

Spring Bar Set

Changing straps on your watch is a fun and easy way to change its personality, but do this enough and you begin losing spring bars. This set has 360 spring bars in 18 different sizes to help you feed your strap hobby. Keep this thing in your desk to stave off frustration when a 19mm spring bar goes flying off under a piece of furniture.

K&H Pet Products Crate Pad

Out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, K&H Pet Products is most known for making versatile, vet-recommended pet gear that doesn’t break the bank. Its crate beds embody this to a tee — they start at $8, you can get them in self-warming or odor control varieties and they come in a few different colors.

Polywatch

Perhaps the greatest gift to mankind after Yodels and business class seating on long-haul flights, Polywatch is a mild abrasive paste that you use to clean acrylic watch crystals. Simply squirt some on a polishing cloth, work it into the crystal for a couple minutes, and voila! Bye-bye, scratches.

Gear Aid Tenacious Tape Mini Patches

You’ve used the same puffy down coat for years when all of a sudden you catch it on a crag and it rips. If you can’t part with it, but it needs a second life, Gear Aid tape will hold it together. Tack these on tents, rain jackets and snow gear to extend the life of some of your favorite items. It sticks to everything: nylon, polyester, vinyl, even Gore-Tex. To make each patch last longer, cut to the exact size you need and save the rest.

UnTapped Lemon Tea Mapleaid

Pro cyclist Ted King’s take on endurance fuel is to keep it simple and natural. That’s why he relies on maple, which is fortified with minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, and is the key ingredient in UnTapped’s performance drink mix.

Tiger Balm

Whether you’re just starting a new workout routine or hit the gym five days a week, it’s likely that you need a quick fix to muscle aches and pains. Rub the non-staining Tiger Balm on your skin and feel a warm tingle. The herbal blend contains camphor and menthol to elicit that “ahh” feeling.

Camelbak Podium 24oz Bottle

You’d think that any old water bottle would do in cycling. You would think. CamelBak’s Podium, through its shape, squeezability and comfortable valve, outperforms any other in the bottle cage and it’s wildly cheap, too.

Wild One Tennis Balls

Wild One is a new brand with cutesy branding and cutesy products — like this these tennis balls. As it turns out, most match-ready tennis balls are not great for a dog’s mouth since they’re made of an abrasive felt that can damage gums and teeth. These aren’t, and they’ve got a rubber core for extra bounciness — because why not.

Runner’s High Chill AF Plus+ Muscle Rub

This all-natural muscle rub acts like IcyHot but features hemp extract, sunflower oil, menthol crystals, essential oils of wintergreen and beeswax. After a tough gym session, rubbing this onto sore arms, legs and back muscles is a good idea. The pinon, arnica flowers and peppermint essential oil are said to be anti-inflammatory, which athletes can always use.

Snow Peak Titanium Spork

While this might feel like a bit of a splurge for a spork, Snow Peak’s titanium utensil looks great and does it all. The prongs, scooped middle and crisp edges mean this is a knife, spoon and fork all in one. It’s made in Japan and built with perfection in mind, so you’ll never rebuy another spork.

Kent Sawcut Grooming Comb

Your hair deserves the best, so snag something that’s easier on your scalp and hair — and will last longer than that $3 plastic comb you snagged at Walgreens.

Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life

Even if you’re not interested in surfing, this adventure memoir by William Finnegan is worth a read. It provides insight on what happens when surfing becomes a way of life. Finnegan learned how to surf as a child and traveled to surf some of the most famous waves throughout his life. If you need more convincing, the book is also a Pulitzer Prize winner.

TriggerPoint MobiPoint Textured Massage Ball

If you love the gym, you know how important recovery is to your training. TriggerPoint is the name of the game for all things mobility related, and this massage ball works to roll out any tight spots in your feet and hands. It’s just two inches by two inches by two inches, making it easy to throw in a gym bag or briefcase.

The Surfer’s Journal

Since 1992, this beautiful magazine has dedicated itself to telling unique and unusual stories around surf culture. Throughout the 132-pages of each edition, you’ll experience everything that runs parallel to a surfer’s vein. Each issue will catapult you to far away lands and waves.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid Pole Straps

These flexible rubber straps are great for everything from lashing extra gear to your pack to stepping in as a toe strap in the event of a failure.

Loksak Aloksak Drybag

Let’s face it, sometimes the weather changes unexpectedly, and our sunny camp setup gets soaked by a passing rainstorm. The Aloksak bags are certified to keep your phones, tablets and all other technology dry, even when submerged (up to 200 feet). Never worry about humidity, sand, snow or water affecting your gear again.

Clockwork Synergy Perlon Watch Strap

A “perlon” is a type of braided nylon, pull-through strap that can completely change the look of a watch, and works great during the summer when it’s just too damn hot to wear leather. This option from Clockwork Synergy comes in tons of colors and will spruce up just about any watch.

Pintrill × Gear Patrol Air-Cooled Coupe Pin

There’s more than one way to show your love for cars. You can always go the overt route with flags and banners. Or, you can employ a dose of subtle class with a Pintrill × Gear Patrol Pin.

TriggerPoint Massage Ball

Recovery is the name of the game in sports these days. If you’re not getting enough sleep, stretching and eating right, your body might revolt. TriggerPoint’s deep tissue massage ball helps you get at any tension points in your body to release muscles and promote blood flow to tight areas. Roll out your glutes, pecs, traps and more with this little ball.

Swrve Topo Map Mug

When you’re stuck at the office, Swrve’s Topo Map mug will help you envision loamy forests and berms made of hero dirt that you’ll be ripping come the weekend.

Good To-Go Mexican Quinoa Bowl

Just because you’re in the woods doesn’t mean you have to eat like a barbarian. Avoid the rehydrated slop and reach for something made with ingredients like raw organic cacao powder and ancho chiles.

Field Notes Expedition 3 Pack

Ever try writing on paper when it’s raining? Field Notes took aim to solve that problem in its Expedition Notebook. Printed on Yupo Synthetic paper, it’s an amazing tearproof and waterproof paper extruded from polypropylene pellets that is made to withstand the elements of Antartica. Add in the high-visilibity Antarctic Survey Orange cover and you’ve got a notebook that won’t ever fail you.

Casio World Time AE1200WH-1A

As much as we all love beautiful luxury timepieces, a watch that’s pure function — like this $14 Casio — has some special appeal. But that’s not to say this is a featureless or boring watch. Even at under $20 it manages to pack in a world-time function, 5 separate alarms, and a backlight for the entire screen. One of our staffers ended up buying this watch to wear while riding motorcycles, dirt bikes and ATVs, so as not to damage his expensive mechanical watches, and he loved the Casio so much he bought another one to keep in reserve. Trust us, that’s a ringing endorsement.

Malin+Goetz Mojito Lip Balm

Never ride without lip balm in your pocket. This Mojito lip balm from Malin+Goetz is some of the best out there.

KT Tape

When you’re an athlete, staying injury-free can be a tricky thing to do. Sometimes we push ourselves a little too hard and end up nursing a hurt hamstring or calf for longer than we’d like. KT Tape provides support and mobility for your muscles while reducing tissue pressure to help you recover faster. Most athletic trainers or physical therapists can help teach you how to properly apply KT tape so that you can get back to normal, sooner.

Lululemon City Trek Crew Socks

If you’re looking for a sharp pair of socks that can go with you on urban commutes and keep your ankles looking good during squats and lunges, these soft and stretchy socks are ideal. The foot-specific design and seamless construction mean no chafing and some much-needed arch support for however many miles it takes for you to get into work and to the gym.

Voke Tabs

There are few things worse than bonking when you’re still a handful of miles from the trailhead. Keeping a few Voke Tabs in your pack will save you on just such an occasion. Voke Tabs are all natural energy chews designed to give you that extra boost of energy. If you need more convincing, they’re endorsed by world class mountaineer Conrad Anker.

Sea To Summit 20L Lightweight Dry Sack

The Sea To Summit Lightweight Dry Sack is the outdoor company’s most versatile dry sack. It’s made from a lightweight 70D waterproof, durable nylon fabric that is sturdy enough for water sports yet light enough for backpacking. It utilizes a waterproof hypalon roll-top closure with a D-ring attachment point at the buckle. In addition to keeping your gear dry, a white interior lining means you’ll never have to waste time searching for items packed deep in your bag.

Fisher Space Pen Cap-O-Matic

Fisher Space Pens can write underwater and in space. Maybe that seems unnecessary for the city-based outdoorsman you know, but it’ll also write just as well in a neighborhood cafe (and it works well with Field Notes’ waterproof paper).

Red Wing Natural Leather Conditioner

Preserve the life of your favorite pair of leather boots with this conditioner, from one of the most trusted boot brands in the world.

CamelBak Quick Stow Flask

This time of year, it might be worth it to mix up your fitness routine, lest you get bored lifting the same weights in the same corner of your gym. Head outside for a run, hike or bike and the fresh air will do you good. One accessory you must pack is a water bottle. The bulky non-collapsible kind might work indoors, but outside, you want something sleeker. CamelBak’s Quick Stow Flask holds 17-ounces of water, fits in hydration vests and has a self-sealing valve, so it doesn’t leak all over.

Smartwool Hike Medium Crew Sock

Smartwool Socks and hiking boots go together like peanut butter and jelly. Designed for rugged day hikes and moderate backpacking, the Hike Medium Crew Sock uses a merino wool blend that optimizes thermal regulation to warm up and wick moisture depending on your foot’s temperature. Moderate cushioning underfoot absorbs impacts for thousands of steps you plan on taking on trails.

GSI Outdoor Boulder Flask

GSI’s Boulder Flask is the perfect vessel to transport said whiskey because it’s lightweight and nearly unbreakable. Plus, it’s one of the few flasks that’s clear, so you can see when you’re starting to run low.

Antidot

While the gym you visit now likely smells fresh and clean, your gym bag might be in sad shape. How often do you sweat through your clothes and shoes, then toss them in your pack to take home and wash later? That sweat seeps into your gym bag, and it can be hard to get rid of. This fragrance footwear freshener spray can extend the life of both your sneakers and your gym bag. A two-ounce bottle lasts up to three months even with daily use. Spritz, spray and go.

BrainWavz Truss Headphone Stand

But, if you don’t have enough desktop space to have a traditional headphone stand, get this. It sticks to the underside of your desk — incognito — and has two hands to hold two pairs of headphones.

Well & Good Oatmeal Dog Wash

Yes, oatmeal. This one moisturizes dry skin, alleviates itchiness, softens dogs’ coats and smells pretty decent (for dog shampoo). It’s ideal for dogs with sensitive, itchy or dry skin, but works just like any other vet-recommended wash on dogs without skin issues.

The New Power Eating

Nutrition is a key piece in the fitness puzzle, and when you workout regularly, it’s likely that you’re pretty hungry. There’s a lot of information about what to eat and when to eat it, but that can be a lot to try and get through yourself. Dr. Sue Kleiner, a PhD and registered dietician, has worked with professional athletes, teams and Olympians for years, helping them to eat and drink for peak performance. Bring her knowledge into your kitchen with The New Power Eating. If your workout routine calls for a rest day or a sprint day, you can eat to power through each session.

Smartwool Hike Medium Crew Sock

When you think of tough socks built to bolster your feet and keep blisters at bay, Smartwool’s merino wool construction should be top of mind. The added cushioning underfoot helps each step feel better than the last, and the mid-calf height works for both trail runners and hiking boots. Plus, the sweat-wicking properties of wool are unmatched: they’ll keep your feet dry and warm no matter the temperature inside your boot.

Zwift Membership

Indoor trainers are the cure for winter blues, but the experience lacks the views of the journey and the camaraderie of the group. Zwift is an app that recreates these aspects of the ride through a video game-like platform that includes virtual roads and races and a multiplayer interface that’ll turn your fitness regimen into a competitive battle against your other cabin-fevered friends.

Clif Shot Bloks

While everyone’s stomach prefers different types of bars and gels during a run, these Clif Shot Bloks were what worked for me during my last marathon. This sample pack allows you to test out the different flavors to see what you like best. You’ll get orange, mountain berry, black cherry, citrus, strawberry, margarita, cran-razz and tropical punch — each of which stores 33 calories per block, made from 95 percent organic ingredients. When the wall hits, you’ll reach for these.

Jason Markk Shoe Cleaner Foam

This cleaner will get rid of unwanted marks that may have inadvertently graced whatever grail your sneakerhead friend accidentally wore out to the bar last weekend.

Stance Athletic Icon 2 Sock

With more cushioning underfoot, you’ll be feeling great after 10, 20 or 30-plus miles. These crew-height socks, made from a blend of nylon, polyester, elastic and cotton, are comfortable and breathe well. No matter if you’re out during the spring, summer, fall or winter, these work.

Jerky Snob Crate Joy

Sustenance on the go is a must on any commute, but shoving the same snacks in your face day in, day out can wear thin just as quickly as a commute. Jerky Snob is a jerky of the month club subscription which delivers tasty, high-quality jerky to your door each month. Perfect for keeping the pre- and post-work hangry fits at bay.

North: Finding My Way While Running the Appalachian Trail

When you think of trail runners, Scott Jurek is one of the best and most well known. With over two decades of running on his resume, he’s a powerhouse. In 2015, Jurek ran the Appalachian trail (all 2,189-miles of it) in 46-days. This story tells the tale of just how hard it was and how he made it through.

Watch Repair Kit

While we don’t necessarily condone performing the equivalent of open-heart surgury on your vintage Rolex (rather, we say leave it to a watchmaker), sometimes you just need to open a case back or size a bracelet. If this is the case, we do recommend picking up one of these handy watch repair kits — probably the best $17 you can spend in watches.

Honest Kitchen Beams Treats

When buying dog treats, or just processed foods in general, less is more. The Honest Kitchen’s Beams treat has one item on the ingredients list: dried salmon skin, which are naturally packed with Omega-3s, high in protein and good for dogs of any age.

Topo Designs Small Accessory Bag

Topo Designs’ pouch comes in a style that’s suitably retro-outdoor, and it has enough space for the things needed around town and in the woods; stuff like cash, a credit card, a small notebook and a tiny roll of duct tape (you never know).

Beeswrap Assorted 3-Pack

Beeswrap makes environmentally friendly food wraps that will keep your food fresh without contributing more plastic to overstuffed landfills. They’re perfect for on-trail lunches.

Outerknown Sections Camp Socks

Break from typical black and gray socks in a colorway way that’s a perfect fit for a wide variety of outfits. Added bonus: These are made from a blend of 70 percent upcycled cotton, so they do as much good as they feel.

Record Props V2

This is another neat way to show off the records that you love. It’s a mount that hangs both the record and its sleeve on the wall. The record isn’t bound by a frame or glass display, allowing you to take it off the wall and play on your turntable whenever you want.

Drive Coffee

If you commute by car, first you have to love your car — you spend hundreds of hours in it each year just getting to and from work. Second, coffee is a must to stay awake, alert, sane. Drive Coffee combines the love of cars and coffee with themed single-origin and blended roasts like Imola, Targa and Le Mans. If you don’t know what to get the car-coffee-loving commuter in your life, look no further.

Rapha Beginner’s Guide to Road Cycling

Road cycling can be intimidating, and not just because of the elite racing, the complicated equipment and the skin-tight clothing. Rapha’s “Getting Started In Road Cycling” addresses questions about bike culture in addition to providing useful information about gear and tips on how to ride correctly.

Hydrapak Ultraflask Soft Flask

Lightweight and easy to carry flasks are the best way to hydrate on the run. This soft flask is packable and compresses down as you drink it, so it’s not adding bulk to your pack. Hydrapak also offers a lifetime warranty on this water bottle.

Metolius Portable Power Grips

If you like to rock climb, your cross-training likely includes some pull-ups. You’ll need both powerful legs and arms to get yourself up anything from a 5.2 to 5.12 and higher. These custom-carved wooden power grips will challenge you to keep going up. The two holds can hang anywhere you want to do a little-added training.

Nuun Vitamins

Stay healthy and never miss a day at the gym with Nuun vitamins. You’ll find these all over Gear Patrol staffer’s desks in a variety of flavors. Try the ginger lemonade, blackberry citrus, blueberry pomegranate or tangerine lime and fill your body up with Vitamins A, C, D, E, and B6, plus folic acid, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Each tab dissolves in water, so you’re also upping your hydration levels.

Leather Honey

When it comes to the car lover’s leather interior, you can bet they want it staying as supple and soft as possible throughout their ownership. Conditioning all sorts of leather since 1968, Leather Honey is one of the best conditioners available, especially since it rings in under $20.

Kinco 901 Pigskin Ski Gloves

Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, chopping wood or hiking, these waterproof leather gloves are sure to become your new staple. The durable pigskin leather will outlast your typical cowhide and fabric gloves and will keep the feeling in your fingers all day long thanks to a thermal lining.

Velomacchi Tool Pouch

Whether you’re on a bike or in your car, a full tool box isn’t exactly the most practical way to carry your essential tools. The Velomacchi Tool Pouch lets you keep your most used and critical sockets, ratchets or extra bolts and washers in a compact pouch under your seat, in the trunk or even in the glove box.

Yeti Rambler 10oz Lowball

Yeti’s version of the lowball is unbreakable, which truly makes it a go-anywhere vessel that’s ready for whiskey by the campfire or coffee at the office.

Soto Pocket Torch

This pocket torch weighs just 2.4-ounces so it won’t add much to your pack and total weight of the trip, but it will give you the power to light camp stoves quickly, fires and more. While a lighter is functional, this pencil torch is an easy stocking stuffer that every guy is sure to find integral to his new outdoor EDC.

UA x Stance SLK Crew

Stance makes some of the most fun performance socks out there. Under Armour makes some of the best performance tech gear that you’ve likely been wearing since middle school. The two joined forces to create a sleek sock with plenty of Fusion fibers, mesh panels and targeted compression to help you power through all your upcoming workouts.

Barton Bands Elite Silicone Watch Band

While certain professional rubber straps meant for scuba diving can be quite expensive, this Elite Silicone Watch Band from Barton Bands is affordable, comes in a variety of colors and features quick-release spring bars. What’s more, each strap ships with both a short and long lower half, meaning you should be able to find one for any-sized wrist.

Bow Wow Travel Food Bowl

There are only a few things you really need from a travel bowl — durability, affordability, water resistance and a lightweight build. This one from Fish Pond USA is just that. It’s made with a waterproof nylon interior, a jacquard mesh exterior, a heavy-set base to stay upright and priced at only $20.

Heritage Lensatic Compass

One look at the Heritage Lensatic Compass and you might think, although it looks incredibly classy and well made, it’s a bit archaic. Consider being out on the trail with no service or, worse yet, with a dead smartphone battery. Suddenly that handsome, archaic piece of brass is your best chance of getting home.

Wetsox

Wetsox are designed in the USA to make your life easier when trying to wiggle into a wetsuit. Slip on these calf-height socks then “slide” into your gear. The Wetsox diminish the amount of friction between your legs and the suit so it’s not as sticky getting it up over your waist. Just as it helps to get the suit on, it works just as well to quickly get the wetsuit off your body.

Haeckel’s Seaweed and Geranium Hand Balm

Protect or restore dried-out hands with this ocean-inspired lotion. We recommend pairing it with a listen of “Sloop John B” or a nice reading of Moby Dick.

The Original Goughnut

This circular chew toy has no weak points. It also floats in water and bounces on the ground. But the best part is that if your dog somehow manages to chew through the durable outside layer, Goughnuts will replace it. It’s about as safe as chew toys get.

Bikevibe

The bicycle is a universal machine; it transcends borders and culture. But as with anything, the way in which different groups of people interact with particular items varies from place to place, and Bikevibe has made it its mission to document how people in cities as diverse as Portland, Oregon and Milan, Italy approach life on two wheels.

Picturing America’s National Parks

For the days when the mountains feel too far away, the camper in your life will find inspiration in a book full of inspirational photos of America’s National Parks.

Beyond Coastal Active Sunscreen

Sunscreen should be an essential part of your everyday skin routine, especially if you’re outside. Beyond Coastal’s SPF 34 sunscreen protects your skin for up to 80 minutes during activity. Whether you’re hopping in the ocean for a late-season surf or heading out on a trail run, this non-greasy lotion quickly dries so you can smear and go.

Run Gum

While a runner’s high is a real thing, getting yourself to that point often takes a bit of effort. To give yourself an added boost of energy, Run Gum is the way to go. It has taurine and caffeine as well as B6 and B12. Chew for a few minutes to feel the effects before heading out to keep them high all day long. Nick Symmonds, a former pro-middle-distance track athlete, developed it to help up his energy levels without drinking a ton of energy drinks.

Darn Tough ATC Socks

Proper hiking socks are as essential as boots, but they can also be expensive. Thankfully, Darn Tough backs up its peds with a lifetime guarantee, so no matter how many miles are put on them you know that they’ll be good for just as many more.

iClever Himbox Bluetooth Car Adapter Kit

Vintage and analog cars have a worthy place in the modern world, but when it comes to commuting a few modern creature comforts can go a long way. The iClever Himbox Bluetooth Car Adapter Kit simply plugs into the car’s 12V outlet and immediately gives you Bluetooth functionality. Stream music, take calls and use Siri just like you would at home or, you know, in a brand new car.

Path Projects Muir Cap

A trucker hat is the ultimate sign of a true trail runner, but if that’s not quite your style, this charcoal hat will help you still blend in. Laser cut holes mean loads of breathability. It’s quick drying and SPF 50, so no matter where you choose to run your next ultra, you’re covered.

Portland Design Works Tiny Object CO2 Inflator

When a flat disrupts your ride, the solution shouldn’t be cranking away at a tiny frame-mounted pump. Portland Design Works created the Tiny Object CO2 inflator as a fast and efficient alternative. It works on all Presta valves and includes a leather sleeve so that your fingers don’t get frosty while inflating. All of these things will fit neatly in a saddlebag, too.

Rogue SR-1 Speed Rope

Sign up for a jump rope class at Equinox or other boutique gyms and you’ll quickly be reminded just how exhausting jump roping is. It challenges your cardiovascular system as well as increases endurance. Other gyms, like CrossFit, use jump ropes before and during class to keep your blood flowing between high pressure weight exercises. The Rogue SR-1 is an adjustable speed cable in eight colors that doesn’t weigh much, but packs a serious fitness punch.

Le Labo Hinoki Shower Gel

A refreshing, natural, and vegan (!) shower gel that evokes the smell of Hinoki trees, which grow in what is called one of the most holy places in all of Japan.

Leatherman Surf Pocket Multitool

The everyday surfer needs a streamlined EDC tool, and this stainless steel surf tool fits the bill. It’s TSA friendly, so go wherever the waves take you. It’s also adapted for a lanyard, meaning it’ll be less likely to go missing after a day in the water.

Good Candle x Gear Patrol Campfire Candle

For the days when it’s just not possible to get outside, strike a match and let the scent of a campfire fill your home. Each candle is hand-poured into a brown glass container that’ll burn for up to 25 hours. Close your eyes, breathe deep and imagine you’re sitting in front of a campfire — there’s no better way to relax.

Claus Porto Soap on a Rope

With notes of patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, ylang-ylang and vetiver, this soap smells great; the rope makes it so you’ll never lose track of it in the shower.

QALO Mountain Silicone Tags

The solution to dogs with jingly collars is here, and it looks better than any jingly collar ever did. QALO’s 100 percent silicone tags come in more than ten designs and can be engraved with dog names, parents’ names, phone numbers, addresses and more.

Adventure Medical Kits Mountain Series

Accidents happen. It’s best to be prepared, and wilderness wanderers don’t need an entire backpack’s worth of supplies to do so. Adventure Medical Kits makes carefully-considered medkits for all types of outings — from a day hike to a 28-day expedition.

Amazon Smart Plug

As long as they have some Alexa-enabled speaker in their home, this little plug (which Amazon just announced this fall) will turn any home appliance or light fixture that plugs into an outlet into something that can controlled with their voice. Get them a few.

Zipcar Account

Not all commutes were created equal. If you live in the city or just outside of one, chances are public transportation plays a big part in your life and negates the need for a car altogether, but every so often it’s incredibly convenient to own your own wheels. Skip the headaches of full-time ownership and use Zipcar, an on-demand car sharing program that lets you have your own car when you need it.

Philips Hue Smart Dimmer Switch

This smart switch is basically a remote control for your lights. It works with existing Philips Hue smart lights and lets you adjust the brightness of a specific light or a scene of multiple lights with the press of a button. You can also turn them on and off as well. It’s a simple gadget but lets you control all your smart lights without having to talk to your smart assistant.

BioLite SunLight

BioLite’s SunLight charges in seven hours while outdoors, or just two via a micro USB, and then you can enjoy up to 50 hours of light inside your tent, next to the fire or anywhere else you could use a bit of light. The hanging clip is ideal for use in a tent, and the built-in kickstand works great on picnic tables or the ground.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

Snow Removal Tools Every Car Owner Needs

A general lack of traction and the ravishes of snow and salt on your car’s undercarriage can make driving in winter unpleasant. But walking out to your car first thing in the morning only to find it buried under a layer of snow and ice is one of winter driving’s most underrated annoyances. Though you already know all the tricks for getting your car out of a snow-and-ice-caked hell, the job itself takes serious elbow grease (read: digging, chipping and scraping) to get free. To make life easier when it comes to that harrowing winter-morning task, keep a set of tools handy in your car. You don’t need everything on this list, but having just a few will make breaking free from the tyranny of snow and ice just that little bit more bearable.

Halite RS25 Premium Ice Melting Rock Salt

Rock salt is the most widely used go-to for getting unstuck. It will melt ice and snow relatively quickly, while its gritty texture provides momentary traction.

MAXTRAX MKII

The MAXTRAX is a common tool used among overlanders because its the most reliable way to provide temporary traction in case you get stuck. The principle works just as well in snow as it does in mud, dirt and sand and in a pinch the MAXTRAX can also be used as a shovel. If rock salt isn’t cutting it, this will do nicely.

AAA 4004 Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel

A sturdy, full-length aluminum shovel for easily digging your way out of trouble that only weighs 1.3 pounds and can be disassembled to fit in small trunk spaces.

Carhartt Cold Snap Gloves

Made with Carhartt’s breathable and waterproof “Storm Defender” textile these insulated gloves will keep your fingers from feeling like they’re falling off, while letting sweat escape through a breathable membrane so you won’t feel too uncomfortable during rigorous digging. Still not warm enough? Pack a few hand warmers, just in case.

Hopkins 80037 Subzero 60-Inch Snowbroom

Forego the small, handheld ice-scraper (especially if you have a SUV or truck) so you aren’t stuck reaching to get every last bit of ice off your windshield. The Hopkins comes with a brush for getting extra bits of snow and ice off, and can be collapsed to 38 inches for storage.

ARB ARB505 E-Z Deflator

If you aren’t packing something like MAXTRAX, and rock salt just isn’t cutting it, a last-resort option for getting traction is to let some air out of your tires to increase your contact patch.

VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor

Because after you deflate your tires, it’s a really bad idea to drive without re-inflating them, this 12V air compressor can use power from your car’s cigarette lighter and will refill most tires in less than two minutes.

The Best Smart Home Gifts of 2018

The smart home market is thriving. There are smart lights, smart plugs, smart switches, smart thermostats, smart locks, smart cameras, smart speakers – and that’s just scratching the surface. To the new homeowner, it can all be very intimidating. My advice would be to start with a smart speaker, like something that works with Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or the Google Assistant, and then gradually invest in the smart devices that work with that ecosystem. Once you start controlling your music, lights or home appliances, I’ll bet you’ll catch the bug and look into what else you can control with your voice in your home.

The Depict Frame

A new home means empty walls, and the Depict Frame is a clever way to fill them. The 49-inch 4K UHD digital frame delivers a totally unique art-viewing experience with more than 700 exclusively curated works of art displayable with the app. For the smart home, it’s a must.

Sonos One

The Sonos One might be the perfect smart speaker to gift. If the person has other Sonos speakers, they’ll be able to integrate it into their existing system. And if they don’t, the Sonos One works perfectly by itself. It has Alexa built-in, too, so it can work essentially like an elevated, better sounding Amazon Echo. It’s also worth noting that if you don’t care about the Alexa integration, you can get a Play:1 speaker ($149), which is essentially the same speaker sans Alexa, for less.

Google Chromecast Ultra

This is arguably the best streaming device for anybody who wants to watch their favorite shows and movies in beautiful 4K HDR. (Note: they must have a 4K HDR, too.) And it syncs seamless with a Google Home smart speaker, so they’ll be able to summon their favorite photos and the weather on the big screen.

Amazon Smart Plug

As long as they have some Alexa-enabled speaker in their home, this little plug (which Amazon just announced this fall) will turn any home appliance or light fixture that plugs into an outlet into something that can controlled with their voice. Get them a few.

Apple HomePod

The HomePod is different from other smart speakers. Not only does have a superior music intelliect – it can answer specific questions about the song playing, such as when it was recorded and who played a specific instrament – but the speaker actually sounds better over time; it uses Apple’s EQ calibrating technology so that the audio is optimized for the specific room the speaker is in. (Note: must be an Apple Music subscriber to get most out of HomePod.)

Wyze Cam Pan

Wyze Cam has made waves in the smart security camera market by offering a product with virtually the same features as something that costs 10x as. The Wyze Cam Pan, for example, only costs $30 and produces a 1080p picture and it can send you motion alerts. It also works with Alexa and IFTTT. It’s a wonderful gadget for anybody who wants to stay connected to their home, or just keep a watchful eye over their dog.

Amazon Echo Input

This little gadget is an Echo Dot, just without the speaker part. It’s designed to plug into a Bluetooth or passive speaker (via a 3.5mm jack), and it’ll essentially then turn it into a smart speaker that you can summonds songs to with your voice. It’s brilliant for anybody who wants to breath new life into their old speakers (Note: doesn’t work with stereo audio.)

UE MegaBoom 3

This is probably the best-sounding portable Bluetooth speaker you can buy. And it’s more affordable than equally-sized options by Bose and JBL. This new model adds a “magic” button right on the speaker, which older models lacked, so you don’t have to get out your phone to play/pause and skip tracks.

Nest Thermostat E

Nest makes the best and smartest thermostats you can buy. This one, the Nest Thermostat E, isn’t as new and pretty as Nest Learning Thermostat (3rd Generation), but it’s more affordable and it has basically the same exact skill sets. And since it’s compatible with all the major voice assistants, it doesn’t matter if your household talks to Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa.

Logitech K600 TV Keyboard

Smart TVs are more computers than they are TVs, let’s face it, so to navigate them best you really should have a keyboard and trackpad – and that’s exactly what the Logitech K600 TV Keyboard is. It lets you use the keys to search for shows, movies and apps, as well as traditional TV stuff like adjusting the volume. Best of all, it can be programmed to work with your other devices, such as a tablet and your computer, so you can switch between them by just tapping a button. (It works with most Smart TVs, Windows or Mac PCs, and Android and iOS smartphones and tablets.)

Nest Cam IQ Indoor

The Nest Cam IQ Indoor is a more serious home security camera. It has a 4K sensor and a 12x digital zoom, both of which allow the camera to zoom in and track people as they move in and out of the frame. It also has Google Assistant built directly into it, so that it essentially works as a Google Home smart speaker; it responds to “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google” and it’ll answer most questions (although it won’t be able to play music or make calls).

August Smart Lock Pro

This smart lock fits directly on your door’s existing deadbolt – you can still use your old keys to unlock the door if you want – and it’ll automatically unlock the door as you approach and then lock behind you (so long as your phone is on your person). If you also buy the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge ($70), you’ll be able to lock and unlock the door remotely, say if you’re at the office and your wife or kids can’t get in. And since it works with all the popular voice assistants – including Siri (HomeKit), Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa – you’ll be able to lock and unlock the door with your voice (if you have Bridge).

Philips Hue Smart Dimmer Switch

This smart switch is basically a remote control for your lights. It works with existing Philips Hue smart lights and lets you adjust the brightness of a specific light or a scene of multiple lights with the press of a button. You can also turn them on and off as well. It’s a simple gadget but lets you control all your smart lights without having to talk to your smart assistant.

Brilliant Two Switch Panel

This is a more sophisticated smart switch that is capable of controlling everything. It works will a ton of smart home ecosystems, including Alexa, Nest, Google Assitant, SmartThings, Honeywell and Sonos, and can control your lights, music, temperature and more – all in one location. It also acts as a smart display, able to show you things like weather as well as a live feed from your smart security camera or smart doorbell. There’s a lot to unpack with the Brilliant Two Switch Panel, but it’s an excellent gift for those who already have a bunch smart home devices.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The Books All Runners Should Read

If you’re a runner, you’ve likely heard of Shoe Dog, the memoir by Phil Knight about creating Nike, and Born to Run. But these two books are far from the only required readings for runners and aspiring runners. If you check out Amazon right now (as of publish), there’s even a special section of books on the topics of running and jogging (under the health, fitness and dieting section). A handful of the books listed in the top 100 are in our list below. We asked a group of runners to share the books that they are reading about running, as well as books they want to read to help jump-start some running inspiration this winter. It also helps that it’s gifting season, so if there’s a runner in your life, consider your gifting complete.

Let Your Mind Run, Deena Kastor and Michelle Hamilton

“If you’re interested in the power of positive thinking, give this a read. It’s an intimate look inside the mind of an elite runner, Deena Kastor, as she transforms her running career by transforming her mind and her way of thinking. Simple examples like ‘So I decided to approach the hill playfully. Hill, today, you’re mine’ made each practice more positive and made Deena a stronger person and athlete. I think every runner, from beginner to elite, can find a positive takeaway from Deena to incorporate into their daily practice.” — Jes Woods, Nike Run Coach

How Bad Do You Want It?, Matt Fitzgerald

“Continuing the theme of mental training, [this book] is all about mental toughness. We all have different coping styles and not one method is the ideal recipe to greatness, so Matt explores a dozen pivotal races and what gives these elite athletes an edge, mentally. There are countless quotable moments in this book, but the following is my favorite and helped me through my last race: ‘Sweet disgust is really the opposite of defeat. It is the determination to fight back, something that is hard to do effectively without anger.’ I think it’s fascinating to learn how mental fortitude can help you win over physically stronger competitors and [can be] used as your secret weapon out on the course.” — Jes Woods, Nike Run Coach

Finding Ultra, Rich Roll

“I love Rich’s podcast, and I think his story is so interesting. Finding Ultra follows his life: from all-star swimmer, turned lawyer, turned raging alcoholic to what he is now, an ultra runner, podcaster, dad, vegan advocate and so much more. I loved reading Finding Ultra, particularly in the height of my marathon training where the humidity was 1000% and runs felt like crap. Even though an ultra is much harder than anything I could imagine, hearing him talk about the ‘pain cave’ that is running was helpful for me.” — Lindsey Clayton, Barry’s Bootcamp Instructor

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, Haruki Murakami

“I love this book because it’s a beautiful account of one man’s love and obsession with his two favorite things: running and writing. It’s vivid, and it brings the reader into his world. The way he writes about running is so eloquent; it’s almost like he writes about running the way you wish you could explain it, but can’t find the words.” — Lindsey Clayton, ran this year’s NYC Marathon

Essentialism, Greg McKeown

“This is the quintessential burnout survival book. In my experience, runners are often the Type-A, overly-ambitious, competitive types who are far more likely to take on more than they can chew at work and in relationships. This book really helped me slow down and create strict guidelines about how I choose to spend my time.” — Gabriella Kelly, Head of Brand at Satisfy Running

A Race Like No Other, Liz Robbins

“This is an epic book that I am so glad I read before my first marathon. It gave me an understanding of what to expect as I ran the NYC marathon: the crowds, what you’ll be seeing. And despite all this, it still didn’t prepare me fully for the day ahead!” — Dan Churchill, Chef of Under Armour and Co-Founder of Charley St

Two Hours, Ed Caesar

“Part history lesson, part compelling narrative, part discussion of physiology, geography and culture, and part commentary on the current challenges the sport of running is facing, this is the compelling true story of Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai, one of the most dominating marathoners of our modern time and his pursuit of the 2-hour marathon. It’s educational, inspirational, aspirational and a must-read, whether you’re a passionate fan of the sport or not.” — Mario Fraioli, Running Coach and Founder of The Morning Shakeout

Hypoventilation Training, Push Your Limits, Xavier Woorons

“The one for the nerds. The first thing we do in life is breathe and the last thing we do is breathe. Don’t tell me that how we are breathing is not important. One of the things I concentrate the most on when I am running races is to get the air all the way down my stomach and not just in my lungs.” — Lars C. Pedersen, founder of Saysky

Endure, Alex Hutchinson

“Why — and how — do we keep going when every fiber of our being is telling us to stop? This is the great paradox of endurance sports and a question any runner, regardless of experience or ability level, is forced to confront. In short: Read it.” — Mario Fraioli, Running Coach and Founder of The Morning Shakeout

Born to Run, Christopher McDougall

“This provides a firsthand insight into the natural state of running. It takes into account the runners of a native Mexican tribe and how their ancestors have been running epic distances for years, yet don’t get injured like we see today. This goes along with my own philosophy on minimizing, both when it comes to food, your routine and your lifestyle.” — Dan Churchill, Chef of Under Armour and Co-Founder of Charley St

Meditations From the Breakdown Lane: Running Across America, James E. Shapiro

“[This is] for the ‘Burningman’ runner. Shapiro’s account of running across the US in the 1980’s is kind of like the running biography version of Tim Wolf’s The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, capturing the ‘zen’ of long distance running with interjections of the weirdness that comes along with it.” — Gabriella Kelly, Head of Brand at Satisfy Running

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 5 Best Ski Bags for Winter 2019

Anyone who’s traveled with ski gear knows this: it sucks. Schlepping one or two pairs of skis, poles, boots, a helmet, goggles, gloves, jackets, ski pants along with everyday clothing and travel needs (not to mention après ski attire) in and out of cabs and airports almost dulls the allure of foreign snow and untraveled terrain. Almost. Successful navigation of the portion of the journey that exists between your front doorstep and that of the ski chalet relies on a key item: the ski bag. But beyond having the right bag, there are a few key things to know about traveling with skis.

Choosing and Packing a Ski Bag

Ski bags are unwieldy pieces of luggage that typically hold one or two pairs of skis with bindings, but some hold three. The size of the bag you choose will depend on the type of ski trip you’re going on, how often you travel with skis and how you prefer to pack. Unless you’re a travel minimalist, we recommend that in most cases you pack into a bag that can hold two pairs of skis. Bringing two pairs to your destination — a narrow-waisted pair for hardpack and a wider pair for powder, for instance — will give you options in case the weather doesn’t behave as predicted. Even if you only own one pair of skis, a two-ski bag is a good option because the extra space can be used for all the rest of your gear and clothing and save you money on airline baggage fees.

There are also a few handy things to remember when packing your ski bag. Use Voile or Velcro straps to keep each pair of skis secure and help prevent them from getting damaged. Pack them tip-to-tail inside the bag to maximize use of space. Remember that ski bags aren’t only for skis — you can likely fit all of your ski clothing in the remaining space, and it will provide additional cushioning for your bindings, brakes, tips and tails.

At the Airport

Unless you plan to rent equipment at your destination, resign yourself to the fact that the carry-on-only ski trip doesn’t exist. You can still save yourself from getting gouged at the airport though. First, pack as much clothing and gear in with your skis as possible. Second, on most airlines, you’re allotted one carry-on, and one personal item in the airplane cabin — your ski boots are that second item. This will not only save a ton of space in your luggage, but also, in the case that anything gets lost or delayed, you’ll still have your boots if you need to buy a pair of rentals for a day.

Lastly, know your airline’s baggage policy — most of them, including American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue count a ski bag and a boot bag as one piece of checked luggage. Some airlines are stricter than others as to what a “boot bag” means, but it’s not implausible that you can get away with checking an extra bag of clothing this way (it more than likely depends on the mood of the attendant checking you in). Typically, the combined weight of the two bags will count towards that of a single bag’s maximum weight allotment.

Now all you need is the bag.

The 5 Best Ski Bags of Winter 2019

Best Design: Db Equipment Douchebag

The Douchebag doesn’t win any points for its questionable name, but it makes up for that with a highly adaptable design. The foundation of this bag is an array of ABS “rib cages” and internal rails that, when it’s packed with skis, provide rigidity and protection while maintaining a reduced weight. A pair of hook-equipped straps let you adjust the total length to accommodate skis as long as 200 centimeters. Internally, there’s enough space for two pairs of skis and pretty much everything else you’ll need except boots (you should pack those in your carry-on anyways). But the best part about the bag might be that when it’s empty, you can roll it up into a compact wad that’ll fit under your bed or in the top of your closet.

Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
Weight: 8lb 6oz
Material: 900D PU-coated polyester, ABS

Best for Gear Organization: Evo Roller Ski Bag

Evo is more known as a gear retailer than a producer, but it’s likely that selling so many ski bags made by other companies gave it a pretty good idea of how to make one. The Roller’s standout feature is organization — an interior pocket spacious enough for boots as well as an exterior one for other small items, a divider for pole protection and a main compartment that fits two pairs of skis. Compression straps keep everything in place, and two handles allow for multiple haul methods.

Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
Weight: n/a
Material: 600D PU-coated polyester

Best Basic: The North Face Base Camp Ski Bag

When all you need is a vacuous tube to toss your skis into, it might as well be burly. The North Face used similar materials to those that bolster its popular line of expedition duffel bags to make it as durable as possible. Beyond that, extraneous features are kept to a minimum; it has an adjustable length, compression straps and a small interior mesh pocket.

Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
Weight: 9lbs 4oz
Material: 900D polyester with TPE PVC coating

Best Hard Case: Sportube Series 2

If maximum protection is what you’re after, Sportube’s hard-sided ski carriers are the way to go. It’s made of polyethylene with padding at both ends to protect tips and tails and uses a design that’s both adjustable and lockable. There aren’t any pockets for compartments for small things, but you can still stuff plenty of clothing and gear down between the two pairs of skis that this thing holds. Additionally, if you think you might opt to ship your skis rather than carry them on an airplane, this hard case is the way to go.

Capacity: two pairs of skis plus gear
Weight: 12lbs
Material: polyethylene

Best Single Ski Bag: Salomon Extend 1P

When a single pair of skis is all you’ll need and simplicity is what you’re after, look to Salomon’s Extend 1P ski bag. One end is equipped with a spiral of a zipper that adjusts the bag’s length from 165 to 185 centimeters, making it adaptable to a wide range of ski sizes. There’s plenty of room for clothing and accessories (but not boots), and its shoulder strap automatically cinches everything secure when you pick it up to carry it.

Capacity: one pairs of skis plus gear
Weight: 1lb 7oz
Material: 450D ripstop, 600D polyester

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 11 Best Whiskey, Beer and Wine Subscriptions of 2019

Alcohol shipment by mail isn’t available to everyone. Check the laws in your state before buying — the National Conference of State Legislatures has a pretty solid round-up.

Several years ago, Dollar Shave Club exploded onto the internet in a supernova of affordable, delivered-monthly razors for men. Because of this and others like it, everyone wanted to put what they sold in a box and send it to you on a similar cadence. Truthfully, this model isn’t so great for everything — most people don’t need a box of literal bones delivered to their homes.

But, in the world of alcohol, where rarity and availability exclude hoards of would-be enthusiasts, there is promise. Thanks to a select few outlets, the discerning whiskey, beer and wine drinker need not work through second-hand salesmen that drive prices through the roof.

The trick is identifying those outlets and managing expectations — there isn’t anybody carrying flats of Pappy or Hill Farmstead, but there are unique bottles to be found across the internet.

Our guide to the best whiskey, beer and wine subscriptions features picks for exclusivity, quality and every budget.

Best Whiskey Subscriptions

Photo: Scotch Malt Whiskey Society

Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Not new by any means, membership into the 35-year-old club grants, among other things, access to some of the most award-winning scotch in the world of late. Earlier this year, SCWS took home a whopping six Double Golds at the San Francisco Spirits Competition, including the Director’s Award for Excellence, Best in Show Whisky and Best Blended Malted Scotch.

The catch? SMWS doesn’t actually make its own whisky; rather, it acquires casks from other distilleries in the UK and sells them in limited runs on its website. The $99 a year membership grants you access to these sales (which inevitably sell out rather quickly), various social tasting events, a quarterly magazine and other scotch-drinking resources.

Craft Whisky Club

CWC is not for the volume whiskey drinker (you know who you are). Starting at $50 a month, the folks at CWC spend more time sourcing out rare and sometimes unheard of bottles from smaller distillers than any other option on our list. It’s pricey, but there aren’t a lot of options for a whiskey drinker who wants to try something outside the norm. There’s also a small, curated selection of snacks sent with every bottle.

Flaviar

For starters, you’re required to join an email waiting list — so it pays to drop your name in there even if you’re unsure if you want to commit your money to it (it took me a couple weeks to be “accepted”). Once accepted, you’ll find one of the largest spirit collections on the internet — bourbon, scotch, ryes and everything in between making up a large part of it. Pricing differs from state to state, but most people can expect to pay about $20 monthly. Its offerings (as with every other provider on this list) change seasonally, but names like Michter’s, Old Forester, Balvenie, the Glenlivet and 1792 all pop up with regularity.

Taster’s Club

For $69 a month ($79 for Scotch), Taster’s Club allows you to choose what type of hard-to-find whiskey (or whisky) you want to be delivered to your house. This means you’re not disappointed to find a peaty Scotch in the mail when all you wanted was a mellow old bourbon. Most of what Taster’s Club ships out leans regional and craft, with an emphasis on slightly more idiosyncratic distillers. This is a good choice for whiskey drinkers who like surprises.

Best Beer Subscriptions

Photo: Belgi Beer

The Original Craft Beer Club

The Original Craft Beer Club keeps it pretty simple — every delivery includes 12 or 24 beers in different styles and from different breweries. It only sources beer from independent American microbreweries, and, rather uniquely, offers delivery monthly, every other month or even quarterly. As basic as that sounds, most alcohol subscriptions don’t offer that flexibility. Its beer curation is varied and widespread, and there’s always enough styles available to avoid IPA-fatigue.

Tavour

Tavour is an app-based beer subscription that allows you to add beers to your “cellar” to be shipped to you whenever you want. Beers are taken off the list when Tavour’s lot has been fully claimed by subscribers, and typically two new beers pop up each day. Each claimable beer comes with a lengthy description and insights into the brewery it was made in. The selection is decisively undecisive, which is to say Tavour stocks what feels like the most diverse and far-ranging selections of any beer subscription out there — barleywine, sour, gose, kolsch, märzen and virtually every type of ale you could want all make regular appearances.

Microbrewed Beer of the Month Club

An old dog in the beer subscription world, the Beer of the Month Club has been delivering curated collections of the world’s best beer for more than two decades. The family-owned business takes the word “curation” seriously, too, as all beers that make the cut are vetted via blind tasting by a panel of professional brewmasters and beer judges. They even keep a historical catalog of previously approved beers, complete with tasting notes from the pros. Starting at $28 per month, this subscription is what you get if you care about the flavor behind the buzz.

Belgi Beer

Belgium is undoubtedly one of the most important beer nations in the world. The home of the dubbel, tripel, lambic, witbier and a few hundred variations thereof makes a whole lot more than that. Belgi Beer’s sole purpose is getting more interesting Belgian beer into the hands of those who can’t make it for a trip. One-time purchase boxes of beer and monthly subscriptions are available, though it’s worth noting that shipping cost is going to be a pain in the ass (it was near twice the price of the beer itself from Belgium to New York City).

Best Wine Subscriptions

Photo: Plonk Wine Club

The Grand Tour Wine Club

Curated by the wine director at New York City’s Eleven Madison Park’s, recently named the world’s fourth best restaurant, Grand Tour Wine Club is for the would-be wine head. The steep $95 a month tag gets you four wines, each part of collections highlighting regions, wine-making techniques and wine history. These are somm-approved wines that won’t be easy finds at your local bottle shop.

K&L Best Buy Wine Club

The website is antiquated and slow, but that only adds to the allure. Just $20 for two bottles a month, K&L is the sleeper of the wine-subscription world. The company has been sourcing and importing wines stateside for over 40 years and promises the single bottle cost of the wines you receive are far greater than the cost of the subscription. There’s nothing fanciful or verbose about it.

Plonk Wine Club

Plonk only sources and delivers organic wines. That may not sound like a big deal, but there isn’t another large-scale wine subscription that can claim something similar. You can choose red, white or mixed selections and pricing starts at $110 for four bottles a month. You can also cancel anytime, a relative rarity in the weird world of alcohol subscriptions. Also unlike most other subscription services, you can re-order bottles you like from past deliveries to have again and again.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 22 Best Gifts for Her

The best gifts aren’t the ones your better half asks you to buy — they’re the ones you put some thought into. But, hey, it’s almost December and there are only so many hours in the day. So if you need a helping hand, we’re here to do some of the heavy lifting.

Our guide to the best gifts for your significant other includes everything she needs to tackle the trails or just cozy up by a roaring fire. And if nothing seems quite right, feel free to peruse our dozens of other gift guides to find even more inspiration for what to buy that special person in your life.

YogaGlo Subscription

This subscription is akin to having a good friend you can always rely on in your back pocket. From 45-minute deep hip- and heart-openers to 5-minute meditations, YogaGlo is widely versatile yet always consistent, meaning it’s rare she’ll be disappointed. And, it’s only $18 per month — pretty much the cost of one drop-in class.

Wildsam Field Guides – Road Trip Desert Southwest

Whether she actually heads to the Southwest or not, it’s more about inspiring wanderlust than nailing down the trip. And Wildsam’s guides — complete with where to buy Navajo rugs and scenic backroad suggestion — will certainly do that. Psychology shows that remaining curious together strengthens the bond, so pick somewhere neither of you has been and let the open road take it from there.

Running Home

Not many memoirs can decorate bookshelves like Wild and Eat, Pray, Love, but Running Home by Katie Arnold, a former Outside editor, will be a contender when it comes out in March. Facing the loss of her father shortly after the birth of her second child, Arnold begins running long distances (like, really long distances) through the woods to confront her grief and, ultimately, save her own life. The book is an inspiration for anyone — not just runners — who has ever felt unsteady and struggled to find their own path in life.

OSEA for Parachute Sleep Time Bath Salts

Parachute teamed up with OSEA, the all-natural skincare company based in Malibu, California, to concoct up the most relaxing bath salts we’ve smelled in a long time. Made from lavender (a sleep-promoting scent) and essential oils, these will be a sure hit with any bath lover.

Paddywax Parks Collection Candle

Everything about these candles will speak to her: the natural sandstone look, scents that are actually powerful enough to linger in your home, a wood wick that crackles like a campfire and the fact that proceeds support the National Parks Foundation. The Grand Canyon’s Cactus Flower + Fern scent is the standout — each candle’s smell is derived from the park for which it’s named — but they are all good.

Rifle Paper 17 Month 2018-2019 Spiral Planner

No matter how efficient this digital age has made us, there’s nothing more satisfying than putting pen to paper — especially when it comes to schedules and planning. Rifle’s spiral planner gives her options on how she prefers to plan: weekly, monthly, yearly or all of the above. And it’s plenty pretty to boot.

Lail Designs Utility Vase

Speaking of pretty, there’s nothing more joyful on the eyes than coming home to a table with fresh flowers. Surprise her with a bouquet in an equally beautiful vase she can re-use again and again.

REI Co-op Wallace Lake Leggings

A good pair of leggings is everything to a woman. No, really, it is. REI’s new Wallace Lake Collection has plenty of stylish items, but none fit better than the Leggings — especially for petite figures. The texture makes them just as suitable to wear under dresses as on their own.

Farmhouse Pottery Breton Striped Slippers

Slippers are a practical gift. And that’s very okay. These add a little bit of style to an otherwise frumpy item. If she already has a pair, don’t fret: we’re pretty sure almost anything from Farmhouse Pottery—like this simple Vermont-made forged bangle or set of new mugs is likely to make her smile.

Stowaway Pack An Overnight Bag

We’re not sure why it took so long for a cosmetic company to brand itself on the idea of travel friendly-size makeup. But, it makes so much sense. Nobody likes carrying around a makeup bag busting in all directions with full-size bottles of foundation and long lip glosses. This particular set comes with all of the basic essentials: powder, blush, mascara, eyeshadow, liner and lipstick.

Nudo Olive Oil Adoption

Adopting an olive tree in Italy is a romantic notion. She’ll think so, too, especially if the long play is to visit your plot together one day. In the meantime, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your, well, non-labor in quarterly shipment of olive oil. Buy a good loaf of bread once it arrives.

Saje Aroma Om Essential Oil Diffuser

Diffusing oil has its wellness benefits: better sleep, respiratory health, increased focus and resistance against illness. And, we love the clean, organic look of this diffuser’s ceramic sheath. It’ll add a sense of calm and peace to her bedroom, office or living space. Stuff her stocking with some of our favorite essential oils.

The Grand Tour Wine Club

Does she have wanderlust and a love for wine? This is gift is for her. The Grand Tour Wine Club, by the sommeliers behind Verve Wine, focuses on a different region of the world each month. They sip and curate and determine what the story is for each location before delivering four bottles to your door. It’s a fun way to learn about which varietals thrive in certain areas and get nostalgic about places you may have visited together (or plan to someday).

Lotta from Stockholm Clogs

She’ll love these leather Mary Jane-style clogs for their ease and put together-ness. They’re comfortable, can handle a couple of miles on New York City concrete, and go perfectly with a business casual environment.

Kiehl’s Brighten Up & Glow Set

The great thing about Kiehl’s is that its products work for most skin types. This set comes with all the basic essentials for a good skincare regimen — face wash, moisturizer, eye cream (new parents, listen up: it de-puffs) and a couple other goodies. The moisturizer is especially good at fighting winter dryness. Want to round out her routine? Add their Amino Acid Shampoo and Conditioner to her stocking — it cleans and hydrates without adding waxiness or weight to the hair.

Everlane The Cashmere Turtleneck

Timeless. Relaxed. Cozy. Soft. And manufactured with ethics in mind. It’s hard not to love this sweater.

Ecuadane Large Southwestern Artisan Blanket

Alpaca can be incredibly itchy, but that’s not the case with this soft blanket — it’s mostly made of recycled materials, combined with wool and alpaca. Its bold pattern makes it a statement piece (so, make sure she’s not print-averse), and its large size (82 x 93 inches) delivers all the coziness needed for a cold winter night by the fire.

Parachute Merino Travel Kit

For more compact coziness, opt for the Travel Merino Kit from Parachute, a 38- by 52-inch blanket and eye mask combo. It’s just about the best way to improve long-haul flights in coach class. Once she gets her fingers on this, she may want to use these items at home, too.

Understands Planet 6 Ash Computer Stand

It’s easy to whiz through work prioritizing speed and efficiency over more slow, methodical approaches. Understands’ Planet 6 Ash computer stand is a great reminder that some things take time and time-tested skills to master. So, clean up her workspace — no more stack of books to prop up her screen — with this beautiful piece of furniture. Having an organizer on her desk won’t only declutter what’s around her.

Burrow Armchair

Buying her furniture is one thing but sprucing up her reading nook encourages self-growth and nourishment. Burrow’s armchair is stylish, comfortable, affordable and customizable to some extent — and it ships straight to her door.

Baume Custom Timepiece

Baume’s Custom Timepiece is truly beautiful with a swooping case and clean, simplistic face. The main selling point is the fact you can customize so many things— the colors of the face, hands and case, the strap materials — so that it reflects her style. At 35mm, it’s not dainty, but it’s so, so stunning. The one part she can keep private is your engraved message on the back.

Shinola Small Signet Rotating Pendant with Diamonds

Shinola’s jewelry is always a sure bet: it’s dainty, with the same nod to classic design as the brand’s stylish bikes and watches. Surprise her with this diamond-inlaid necklace — a play on signet rings, which are trending right now in fashion.

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.

The 8 Best Outdoor Vests You Can Buy

Vests are the ultimate shoulder season layer. Like spring and fall, they bridge a contrast; they’re neither jacket nor mid layer, but something in between. It’s in those transitional seasons that vests function best — they can act as outer-layer or mid-layer in response to what the weather decides to do — but they shouldn’t be discounted for year-round wear, particularly not in winter.

Staying warm during the colder months is best accomplished by insulating the body’s core, a task that vests are explicitly designed to perform. Even when temperatures drop below zero, if you get your muscles moving — on a hike, ski tour or snowshoe trek for example — your body will heat up to the point where full coverage becomes overkill, unnecessary even. Outdoor companies know this — it’s why body-mapped jackets and layers that place all their insulation around the core and little or none around the arms and back exist.

Vests accomplish the same goal. But even when you aren’t getting active, a vest will act as a low-profile layer to provide additional warmth beneath a jacket. Wear one for an alpine ascent, on a lap of your local 5k loop or during your commute to work.

Best Down Vest: Cerium LT Down Vest by Arc’teryx $249

Best Wool Vest: Mackinaw Vest by Filson $150

Best for Cycling: Recon Vest by Velocio $259

Best for Running: PhD Ultra Light Sport Vest by Smartwool $100

Best for Ski Touring: Ventrix Vest by The North Face $179

Best Ultralight Vest: Micro Puff Vest by Patagonia $199

Best for Outdoor Work: Sherpa Lined Rugged Vest by Carhartt $60

Best Hooded Vest: Lyngen Alpha90 Vest by Norrona $239

Note: Purchasing products through our links may earn us a portion of the sale, which supports our editorial team’s mission. Learn more here.