This hardware is the real deal. We asked our core contributors to pick the gear they use the most and performs the best for them to determine who wins these bi-annual awards. So, without further ado, we present the outdoor products that make our lives better.
CONTRIBUTORS: Joshua Berman, Aaron Bible, Berne Broudy, Hannah Cooper, Amanda Liverette, Radha Marcum, Cameron Martindell, Ariella Nardizzi, Helen Olsson, Tracy Ross, Ryan Scavo, Doug Schnitzspahn
Symbiosis Gear
Aspen Ultralight Backpack
$299; symbiosisgear.com
Why It Won: Our women backpackers were ecstatic to find Symbiosis Gear’s Aspen pack, “designed for people with boobs.” Rather than take the “shrink it and pink it” approach many companies do, this pack actually combines comfort with versatility. Symbiosis Gear is a new company based right here in Colorado, and we always love to see local brands make quality gear.
Where We Took It: Backpacking trips in the red slot canyons of Canyonlands in terrain that required a lot of mobility, as well as on trails around the Front Range
Leki
Makalu Cork Light
$150;lekiusa.com
Why It Won: This sturdy but light pole can do it all—from backpacking to ski mountaineering to day jaunts up talus slopes. Reliable and easy to adjust, these poles weigh just 9 ounces each, telescope from 110–130 cm and feature a comfy cork grip, much appreciated on days with long approaches. Quite simply they are one set of poles to own for both trekking and backcountry skiing.
Where We Took It: Absolutely everywhere from skiing the glacier on the highest point in Iceland to wading The Narrows in Zion National Park
Salsa
Warbird
$3,399–$7,699;
salsacycles.com
Why It Won: This bike simply eats up hills. It’s nimble and can take on singletrack, packed dirt, loose gravel, pavement—all with utter confidence and comfort. The recipe Salsa has created in this high-performance gravel ride makes it perfect for speed, distance, fun, or an escape. It was the perfect bike for a tester who thought she’d given up pedaling long distances—until she hopped on.
Where We Took It: Singletrack, fire roads, dirt roads, gravel roads, and pavement in and around Nederland and the Indian Peaks
Osprey
Talon Velocity 20
$135; osprey.com
Why It Won: This hauler inspires speed and efficiency. Melding a running pack/vest with a small backpack, it provides the best of both worlds for peak bagging, long runs, and long hikes (even ski touring). The running-vest-inspired harness, flexible back panel, and lightweight design offe the bare minimum for a big day if you know how to pack.
Where We Took It: Hikes and peakbagging around Colorado Springs and across the Front Range
La Sportiva
Miura
$199; lasportivausa.com
Why It Won: Simple: This is the most comfortable and versatile climbing shoe we have owned. Our tester said she “replaced them with a different model to try something new and regretted it.”
Where We Took It: Multi-pitch routes along the Spanish coast, top roping (mostly) in the gym, and bouldering in the gym
Arc’teryx
Kragg
$160; arcteryx.com
Why It Won: One word: comfort. These slip-ons are the type of shoe you want to wear anywhere, from belaying at the crags to shuffling around town. And we especially loved them as travel shoes—ease them on and off on the plane or at security. The solid, slightly sticky sole means they can even tackle casual hikes.
Where We Took It: Trips to Iceland and Reno. Everywhere we wandered in Boulder in town and on the trails.
Shefit
Ultimate Sports Bra
$69; shefit.com
Why It Won: This sports bra is supportive enough to comfortably get you through a 20-mile training run but flexible enough to adjust as your body changes so you don’t need to buy new sports bras for every stage of life/time of month. Bonus: Thanks to the Velcro straps you can breastfeed in it!
Where We Took It: Our adventure mom tester wore this bra while pregnant, and while breastfeeding, and while training for/running in the Colfax Marathon.
Norrøna
Fjørå Flex Shorts
$159; norrona.com
Why It Won: These shorts look great when you put them on, they’re long enough to cover your knees (rare in a women’s short), and they’re tough enough to withstand the rigors of enduro riding. Also, they don’t bag out after multiple days of riding, have good pockets, and feel great when you’re pedaling a bike—never restrictive, just comfortable and protective.
Where We Took It: Singletrack riding in Vermont and on road trips across the U.S.
Cotopaxi
Allpa 42L
$165–$220; cotopaxi.com
Why It Won: Beyond its use as a solid overnight bag ideally for car camping or short hikes into lodging, this is the best carry-in bag you will ever find. It fits perfectly (and legally) in the overhead, carries a ton in smart organization pockets, and feels comfy on your back. Extra points for the fun colors and Cotopaxi’s strong sustainability initiatives.
Where We Took It: Trips everywhere from Europe to New Mexico to the East Coast
Dagger
Indra
$1,649; confluenceoutdoor.com
Why It Won: This boat is smooth, fast, and predictable. It’s also extremely versatile—stable for the hard stuff and sporty and playful for fun on the way down. It inspires confidence in bigger water, but is still lively and fast for surfing. Too many creek-specific boats are just that: good for creeking, not much fun for surfing. With its tapered stern, wide planing hull, and step-out sidewall, this one is a ton of fun.
Where We Took It: The Class III town run of Yampa and Elk rivers in northwest Colorado, as well as the upper Class IV section of the Elk
Insta 360
GO 3S
$400; insta360.com
Why It Won: This teeny tiny action camera delivers 4K resolution and can be mounted nearly anywhere without being noticed. It also comes in a charge pod which gives it a little more body similar to a more traditional action camera. But the beauty is the little version is unobtrusive and subtle.
Where We Took It: Family trips across Colorado and Utah. Hikes and bike rides in the Front Range.
FreeFly
Elevate Hoodie
$88; freeflyapparel.com
Why It Won: Soft, cool, and comfortable, this hoodie kept our teste protected while guiding padlding trips.
Where We Took It: Hiking in Colorado and guiding a five-day sea kayaking trip off the coast of Maine
Suunto
9 Peak Pro
$349; suunto.com
Why It Won: Sure, all the menfolk with giant wrists can wear big clunky wearable tech watches, but for women with a very slight wrist, this Suunto is the perfect size. By day it tracks steps, fitness, calories, heart rate, and the rest. At night, it gives you a percent score on how your sleep went. Bonus: It gives you a fitness age that’s less than your real age.
Where We Took It: Long hikes in the Front Range
Solo Stove
Mesa Torch
$180; solostove.com
Why It Won: The ultimate backyard and basecamp torches throw beautiful light and keep the bugs away. We love how packable they are (breaking down into several sections), durable (metal construction) and how you can modify the height easily for a customized lighting experience.
Where We Took It: It has become a staple in our backyard and basecamps.
SHOKX
OpenRun
$130; shokz.com
Why It Won: These open-ear, bone-conducting headphones are designed for sweaty, jostling activities. They’re a great alternative to small buds, which are so easy to lose and probably worse for your ears.
Where We Took It: The design keeps the tech out of your ear holes, which gives better situational awareness when jamming during a run or hike.
PARKIT
Vintage Camo Voyager Chair
$200; freeflyapparel.com
Why It Won: This frontcountry captain’s throne is ideal for car camping or the barbecue. This is a limited-edition item by PARKIT and Free Fly—a sturdy, updated take on the classic lawn chair. It has a retro camo print, under-chair insulated cooler (!), utility storage, carry strap, and cup holders.
Where We Took It: This is a glamping accessory that you may just bring into the living room.
