One of the perks of having an outdoor website, is that a lot of gear comes our way for testing and review. Between myself, and Utah Outside contributors Callista Pearson and Ryan Malavolta, we have dozens and dozens of new stuff that arrives at our doorsteps. We then take it all into the Utah mountains and deserts and abuse the hell out of everything. So as we near the end of 2013, we’re taking a look back at the equipment that really caught our attention. Whether it’s because the gear is innovative, comfortable, or just flat-out works beyond expectations, the best of the best is honored here. So below is our Editor’s Choice Outdoor Gear of 2013.
The Term-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm is a very warm, comfortable, and lightweight backpacking pad that packs enough features to please just about any backpacker out there. While we found the fabric to be a bit noisy when we move around on it during the night, it overall proved to be the ideal four-season mattress that is plenty warm, even for “cold sleepers.” Read full review.
We were very impressed by the Vasque Breeze 2.0 GTX hiking boots. Light, comfortable, waterproof, breathable, grippy and good looking? Yup, these are the boots. Oh, and these boots are priced well below $200! It’s hard coming to terms with loving an all time best seller, but the fact that these Breeze 2.0 GTXs kick mucho ass definitely makes it easier. Read full review.
When we think of Keen, we imagine burly sandals or hiking boots with those trademark toe-bumpers. While that is still the company’s bread-and-butter, Keen has also wandered into other realms and dimensions with the CNX collection of styles. The CNX shoes and sandals are lighter weight versions of their classic kicks, like the new Mercer MJ CNX, a Mary Jane style slip-on with funky style. The Mercer MJs are the perfect shoe for light hiking, riding a cruiser bike, or checking out shops in a tourist town. Read full review.
Elemental Herbs sunblock/skin care
After a full summer of use, we gave Elemental Herbs a big thumbs up. The products protected and healed our pasty pelts like a charm, and without any of the harsh chemicals often associated with sun/skin care. If you’re an organic product junkie, or simply looking for an alternative to big name brands, give Elemental Herbs a look. Chances are they have a product in their line that can provide the healing your skin needs. Read full review.
After almost four months of biking with the Platypus Tokul XC 8, we can confidently say this is one heck of a great bike pack. Well designed, lightweight and very functional, the XC 8 was the perfect companion for our days on the trail. You won’t be able to fit more than you really need, which is a good thing. With three liters of water at your disposal and no bulk to weigh you down, the only reason you’ll stop is because your legs have had enough. Read full review.
MSR SureLock TR-3 Trekking Poles
If you are looking for a trekking pole for year-round activities, give the MSR TR-3 a glance. At around $125, they are a bit pricey, but trust us, you will notice the quality on your first trip with them. Ultra-lightweight, bomber build, and ease of use make the MSR TR-3 trekking poles worth the extra cash you’ll spend for them. Read full review.
The Park City Jacket is perfect on its own or layered with a puffy vest underneath. This modern day pea coat is a flattering cut for any size. It can look dressy with a cute scarf or be worn while walking the dogs. For us, the sign of a good jacket is one that repels water, and dog fur doesn’t get stuck in the fabric. This jacket excelled in both areas. The Park City is a cute, winter worthy jacket looks great no matter what the season or occasion. Read full review.
Bergans of Norway Microlight Jacket
The Bergans of Norway Microlight Jacket is a very light, windproof shell that seems ideal for the warmer months, or heavy aerobic activity like backcountry skiing in the winter. tThis light-weight shell stuffs down small and is light enough to keep in a pack for chilly morning hikes or windy scrambles on high-alpine ridge tops. This shell can do it all and it looks good doing it. Read full review.
Osprey Raptor 10 Mountain Biking Pack
The Osprey Raptor 10 is a mountain biking hydration pack packed with cool features like a tool pouch, helmet carry, excellent hydration system, magnetic sternum clip, and hip-belt pockets. It’s very comfortable even after spending miles on the trail, and it has enough pockets to fit anything you need on a day trip.Throughout testing, we never found anything to dislike about this pack! Read full review.
Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 LS Crew
The Icebreaker Bodyfit 260 Long Sleeve Crewe is the ultimate shirt. Merino wool is like some sort of wonder fabric that fell from heaven, and there probably isn’t any outdoor activity you couldn’t do while wearing it. Owning one of these is a no-brainer for anyone who lives and plays in cold climates. Read full review.
The Backcountry Access Float 32 is probably the most user friendly airbag pack in the market, and is one of the most affordable. If you’re looking to purchase one, I don’t think you’ll find a more functional avalanche pack at a better price. Read full review.
The Salomon Q-105 skis are perfect for most days at Alta thanks to utility rocker, hook-free taper, honeycomb tips, full wood core and semi-sandwich construction. The slimmer waist and flatter tail makes them versatile as a one-quiver resort ski that are more than capable to float on deep days. Read full review.