2026 Gear Reviews

Latest Stories

Running

We've Tested Dozens of New Shoes in 2026. Here Are the 8 Worth Buying.

From major upgrades to classic trainers to high-tech trail shoes, these top road and trail models stand out from the rest this year.

The Editors of Outside RunAugust 22, 2026

Running

Are Waistbelts Better than Hydration Vests for Trail Running? I Wore Them Both to Find Out.

Trail runners have long relied on vests to carry water and essentials. But a new generation of waistbelts is entering the scene, proving that taking the weight off your shoulders could completely change how you move.

Lisa JhungAugust 19, 20262

Gear News

REI, Backcountry, and Patagonia Are All Having Sales at Once. Here's What to Buy.

Stock up on backpacking and hiking gear for less with these late-summer sales.

Drew ZieffAugust 18, 2026

Camping

From Yeti to Igloo, These 15 Coolers Are Seriously on Sale Right Now

Hunting for a cooler? Check out these 15 radical bargains and make the most of end-of-summer sales.

Drew ZieffAugust 14, 2026

Cars & Trucks

Most Tire Repair Kits Can't Fix a Sidewall Tear—We Tested This One to See If It Actually Does.

Gluetread’s sidewall kit patches tire gashes that would otherwise leave you stranded.

Jakob SchillerAugust 12, 2026

Running

The 8 Best Podiatrist-Recommended Minimalist Running Shoes, Tested By a Shoe Expert

Our senior running editor recommends eight low-cushion road and trail running shoes that will set you free and strengthen your feet.

Jonathan BeverlyAugust 10, 2026

Biking

What You Need to Know Before Buying MTB Tires—And Our Top Picks for 2026

Wheel size is just one factor of many. Here's what else to weigh, and what we'd buy.

Nikki RohanAugust 7, 20263

Water Sports

I Have Permanent Tan Lines From Testing River Shoes All Summer. Here's What Made the Cut.

Whether you're floating a desert canyon or a cold mountain river, these five river-tested shoes solve every river trip need, from rowing and side hikes to relaxing around camp.

Sierra ShaferAugust 4, 2026

Running

This Waitlist-Only Running Vest Is Back In Stock—Here's Why We Loved It

Thanks to innovative features and sturdy construction, the Raide LF 5L Vest is becoming my new go-to for racing and long days on the trail.

Will PorterAugust 19, 20261

Camping

This Camping Table Wants to Be the Yeti Cooler of Tables. At $650, Does It Deliver?

It sounded like overkill—until I stood on it, leveled it on uneven ground, and used it as my office desk.

Graham AverillJuly 31, 2026

Biking

These 5 Commuter E-Bikes Make Driving Almost Obsolete

Gas is expensive. Ditch your car and ride one of these e-bikes to work or run errands.

Josh PattersonJuly 31, 2026

Water Sports

I Tested a $5,500 E-Kayak to See If It's Worth the Money

I paddled down the Chicago River to see if this $5,500 e-kayak is worth the splurge. Here’s my take, along with several cheaper alternatives.

Erica ZazoAugust 6, 2026

Running

We Tested $100 Versions of Top Running Shoes. Here's What We Found Out.

Not all good running shoes have to put a huge dent in your wallet.

Lisa JhungJuly 30, 2026

Tools & Tech

My Secret to Never Serving Dry Chicken? The Traeger Pro 575.

From 15-pound turkeys to overnight brisket, this Wi-Fi-enabled pellet grill remains the most reliable piece of gear in my backyard.

Abigail WiseJuly 29, 2026

Water Sports

I Inflated This Fishing Kayak in 8 Minutes—And It Surprisingly Paddles Like a Hard-Shell Boat

The Argo Aero is compact, lightweight, and easy to inflate but feels more like a hardshell boat in more ways than one.

Francesca KrempaJuly 24, 2026

Camping

I Tried a $400 Camping Cot to Prevent Hip Pain. It Was Worth Every Penny.

One person called it "the Rolls Royce of cots."

Sierra ShaferJuly 20, 2026

Camping

We Test So Much Gear We're Immune to Hype. These 15 Pieces Cut Through the Marketing Noise.

Outside's editors and testers spent months pressure-testing hundreds of products in the field before naming this summer's best gear.

The EditorsJuly 9, 20262

Biking

Hip Pack or Full Pack? We Tested Every Style to Find the Best Mountain Bike Packs of 2026.

We spent two seasons testing ten options to find the hip packs, backpacks, and vests that carry your gear without killing your ride.

Nikki RohanJuly 8, 20261

Gear

I Used to Live Out of My Backpack as an Adventure Racer. These Are the Versatile Daypacks I Recommend Now.

Comfortable, lightweight, and multi-pocketed, these good-looking backpacks do it all.

Lisa JhungJuly 7, 2026

Hiking

No, You Probably Don't Need Really Expensive Hiking Boots

The difference between a $155 multi-sport shoe and $390 specialized boot comes down to just one thing.

Amelia ArvesenJuly 7, 2026

2026 Gear Reviews

Latest Stories

We've Tested Dozens of New Shoes in 2026. Here Are the 8 Worth Buying.

Are Waistbelts Better than Hydration Vests for Trail Running? I Wore Them Both to Find Out.

REI, Backcountry, and Patagonia Are All Having Sales at Once. Here's What to Buy.

From Yeti to Igloo, These 15 Coolers Are Seriously on Sale Right Now

Most Tire Repair Kits Can't Fix a Sidewall Tear—We Tested This One to See If It Actually Does.

The 8 Best Podiatrist-Recommended Minimalist Running Shoes, Tested By a Shoe Expert

What You Need to Know Before Buying MTB Tires—And Our Top Picks for 2026

I Have Permanent Tan Lines From Testing River Shoes All Summer. Here's What Made the Cut.

This Waitlist-Only Running Vest Is Back In Stock—Here's Why We Loved It

This Camping Table Wants to Be the Yeti Cooler of Tables. At $650, Does It Deliver?

These 5 Commuter E-Bikes Make Driving Almost Obsolete

I Tested a $5,500 E-Kayak to See If It's Worth the Money

We Tested $100 Versions of Top Running Shoes. Here's What We Found Out.

My Secret to Never Serving Dry Chicken? The Traeger Pro 575.

I Inflated This Fishing Kayak in 8 Minutes—And It Surprisingly Paddles Like a Hard-Shell Boat

I Tried a $400 Camping Cot to Prevent Hip Pain. It Was Worth Every Penny.

We Test So Much Gear We're Immune to Hype. These 15 Pieces Cut Through the Marketing Noise.

Hip Pack or Full Pack? We Tested Every Style to Find the Best Mountain Bike Packs of 2026.

I Used to Live Out of My Backpack as an Adventure Racer. These Are the Versatile Daypacks I Recommend Now.

No, You Probably Don't Need Really Expensive Hiking Boots

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