The heat of summer may still be on, but fall is imminent and with it a slate of brand new fall outdoors gear for every pursuit. Here’s a roundup of the stuff that got our attention.
Looking Good
Rheos x Southern Tide Edisto
Summer casual apparel brand Southern Tide collaborated with floating sunglass manufacturer Rheos to craft this slick series of shades that prove their worth paddling, fishing, or just chilling on the docks. The polarized, anti-scratch lenses cut glare and can handle lots of use, and the styles exude that South Carolina beach vibe wherever you may roam. $78; rheosgear.com / southerntide.com
Slinging Back
ENO TechNest Hammock
Eagles Nest Outfitters revamped its popular uber-light, simple-to-set-up double hammock with an eye on sustainability—the material is 100% recycled nylon and Bluesign certified, meaning it complies to one of the world’s most stringent standards taking into account everything from water use to fair working conditions. $100; eaglesnestoutfitters.com
Catching Fish
Redington Field Kit Trout
Redington’s new Field Kits make it simple to get out and catch fish, giving you all you need to get on the water in one inexpensive package that features medium-fast action for versatility. The Trout option features a trusty four-piece, 9-foot, 5-weight rod and one of the brand’s smooth 5/6 Run reels. Add in the Rio Premier Gold 5-weight line and a Rio PowerFlex leader and you have all you need to pick up the right flies for your local water. All that rings up at a price lower than many rods on their own. $350; redington.com
Hitting the Trail
Salomon Predict Hike
Salomon has been perfecting trail running and adventure racing shoes for decades. Now, the brand, which tests its gear in a high-tech complex near Chamonoix, France, put that performance know-how into a new, comfy hiker. This shoe boasts plenty of cushioning and a Gore-Tex membrane and deep lug pattern to handle the sloppy stuff on the trails in fall. $180; salomon.com
Keeping Warm
Gordini Front Line GTX & LT Mitts
This handy (ha, ha) system of gloves and mitts works in tandem or can be worn individually on the slopes. PrimaLoft Gold insulation keeps things warm; moisture-wicking linings protect in wet conditions; and Schoeller Keprotec, a protective fabric that utilizes Kevlar fibers on the palm, can handle the abuse of adjusting bindings. Plus all of the materials meet stringent Bluesign approval. $50–$120; gordini.com
Staying Cozy
Arc’teryx Motus AR Hoodie
This technical hoodie is the kind of thing you will wear everywhere, all autumn long. The brand’s proprietary Phasic AR II material both wicks moisture and provides plenty of stretch, making it the perfect piece for chilly hikes, trail runs, and bike rides—but it’s sleek and classy enough to toss on for a trip to the bakery. $99; arcteryx.com
Cooking Grub
Optimus Gemini
Optimus wowed us with this compact double-burner stove that takes inspiration from fast-and-light backpacking but proves just the ticket for fall camping and stashing in a vehicle where space is at a premium. Weighing in at just 1 pound, 12 ounces and measuring roughly 15″x3″x4″, it’s small enough to haul out into the backcountry but still pumps out the power to boil water in four minutes. $149.95; katadyngroup.com
Dressing Upcycle
Good Somerville Transformative Tee
This active tee does everything you demand from performance apparel—dries in a jiff, wicks moisture, prevents stink—but it’s made from 100% recycled polyester, so it’s not gaining those qualities through nefarious means. Is it from another planet? We will let you read the comic book origin story on the brand’s website and be the judge. $40; goodsomerville.com
Throwing Shade
Helinox Royal Box
Few things beat fall days on the beach or lakeside, and this simple shelter pops up to keep you out of the sun while you kick it in the sand (or anywhere really). Weighing just 4 pounds, 15 ounces and simple to pack in the trunk of your car, the shade pops up in seconds and can be blown out to provide even more cover with expandable wings. $225; helinox.com
Chowing Down
Rigwa Life 1.5
This clever camp bowl has the superpowers of an insulated bottle, keeping food warm for up to four hours and cold for eight. Vacuum insulated and built with double-wall, food-grade stainless steel, it’s extremely light and includes a lid. $40; rigwalife.com
Sipping Better
Vayska Bottle Hydration Pack
A family business based in Virginia, Vayska employs a 2-liter silicone bottle to provide hydration in this trail-ready pack instead of the standard plastic bladder—that makes all the difference, eliminating the nasty taste (sometimes from mold) and slime of plastic and allowing you to use flavored drink mixes. It’s also dishwasher safe and can be frozen or filled with boiling water. $60; vayska.com
Seeing the Forest
Fjällräven Tree-Kånken
Fjällräven used a fabric called Pine Weave in the latest version of its ever-popular (and hipster approved) Kånken backpack. The fabric consists of fibers from spruce and pine trees grown in Forest Stewardship Council-managed forests in northern Sweden via a process that cuts down on water use and sticks to Bluesign-certified dyes and chemicals. Plus, that tree-based fabric has the durability of, well, wood. $115; fjallraven.com
Looking the Part
Outdoor Research Men’s Feedback Shirt Jacket
The shacket is our garment of choice when cool temps roll in, and this sturdy version with a sherpa fleece lining is ideal for everything from walking the dog to belaying to quick hikes to chopping wood (if you want to fully embrace the vibe). $149; outdoorresearch.com
Packing It Away
Hillsound PackStacks
Backpack organization is a tricky undertaking, but this new stacking system makes it both easier to stow stuff away and access it. The weatherproof, modular containers come in tall and short sizes that can fit 40-liter or 60-liter packs. You can use them on their own or build them up inside that pack. We even started using them as travel kits. $17–$32; hillsound.com
