Outdoors

Looking for outdoor gear to get lost with? We’ve researched and tested the best outdoor accessories to help make any excursion more enjoyable. Explore new trails with our pick for the best hiking boots, head for the shore with our favorite beach towel and umbrella, or light up your campsite with the brightest inflatable lantern.

Apparel

See all Apparel reviews
  • Two of our testers walk on a trail while wearing rain pants.

    The Best Rain Pants

    by Jenni Gritters

    The Marmot PreCip Eco Pants, which come in men’s and women’s sizes and multiple lengths, are the pants that kept us comfortable and dry through wet weather.

  • sun-hat-our-pick-sunday-adventure

    The Best Sun Hat for Hikers

    by Liz Thomas

    Our testers hiked 200 hours to find an effective sun hat for outdoor activities. The Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat is their unanimous favorite.

  • Five of our picks for best water shoes, in a variety of styles.

    The Best Water Shoes

    by Zoe Vanderweide

    Water shoes keep your feet safe when you’re splashing around. But they can be stylish, too. We’ve found five great pairs to suit a range of tastes and needs.

Camping

See all Camping reviews
  • The Best Portable Hammock

    by Colin Rosemont

    We spent 35 hours testing 10 packable camping hammocks on hikes and in the park, and found that ENO’s SingleNest Hammock is the best choice for most people.

Hiking

See all Hiking reviews

Outdoor gear

See all Outdoor gear reviews
  • A person looking through a telescope in a field.

    The Best Telescopes for Beginners

    by Signe Brewster and Colin Rosemont

    We’ve tested 14 top-rated telescopes over the years, and we’re certain the Celestron NexStar 5SE provides the best functionality for a dedicated beginner.

  • Food and drink arranged on a striped blanket laid on the grass.

    The Best Picnic Blanket

    by Kit Dillon and Dorie Chevlen

    After lounging on 19 top-rated picnic blankets, we found that the Nemo Victory Picnic Blanket offers the best combination of comfort, durability, and easy cleaning.

  • Different bottles of bug repellent.

    The Best Bug Repellents

    by Doug Mahoney

    Our repellent recommendations are EPA approved, backed by experts, and tested by us.

Snow

See all Snow reviews
  • One of our kid testers trying out the the L.L. Bean Sonic Snow Tube.

    The Best Sleds

    by Doug Mahoney

    Looking for a fast-flying snow tube? A plastic toboggan that’ll hold up for years? A minivan-like sled capable of holding the whole clan? We have suggestions.

  • Two pairs of winter boots shown side by side.

    How to Shop for Warm, Waterproof Boots

    by Elissa Sanci

    Here’s how to find a pair of winter boots that’ll keep you warm, dry, and on your feet even in the most treacherous weather.

Swim

See all Swim reviews
  • A tube of Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 sunscreen pictured with a tube of Thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+.

    The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreen

    by Nancy Redd

    Thrive Bodyshield SPF 50 is our favorite reef-safe sunscreen. It’s also a great option for anyone who prefers sunscreens without chemical UV filters.

  • Our four picks for the best sunscreens, shown with a pair of sunglasses and a towel.

    The Best Sunscreen

    by Nancy Redd

    It takes a shot glass’s worth of sunscreen to adequately cover a body in a swimsuit. Look for broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher and a scent and feel you like.

  • A selection of our picks for best swim goggles for adults and kids displayed on a yellow background alongside a colorful beach towel.

    The Best Swim Goggles for Adults and Kids

    by Seth Berkman

    A great pair of swim goggles can make your time in the water safer and more enjoyable. Our picks include effective, highly adjustable pairs for adults and kids.

More Outdoors Posts

  • The best outdoor speaker, the OSD Audio AP650, shown mounted to a wooden post outdoors.

    The Best Outdoor Speakers

    by Brent Butterworth

    The OSD Audio AP650 is the best all-around choice in a passive outdoor speaker because it sounds great and has a rugged, sealed design with a versatile mount.

  • The contents of a bike patch kit spread on a work table.

    Build a Bike Patch and Flat Kit

    by Eve O'Neill

    If you own a bike, you need a patch kit. After 96 hours of testing, here are our picks for the best levers, patches, hand pumps, and more for most bike owners.

  • The Best Bike Repair Stand

    The Best Bike Repair Stand

    by Christine Ryan

    If you want to repair your bike at home, a sturdy, easy-to-use stand helps. After testing 12 stands, we recommend the Feedback Sports Sport Mechanic Bike Repair Stand.

  • The Away The Packable Backpack, one of our picks for best packable daypacks for travel.

    The Best Packable Daypack for Travel

    by Kit Dillon

    We chose four packable daypacks that you can keep on hand, whether you’re trekking across the globe or just on your daily commute.

  • Five different dry bags that we tested to find the best, shown with a water bottle, flashlight, and sneakers.

    The Best Roll-Top Dry Bag

    by Nicole Gull McElroy

    After we tested 15 models on land and water, the durable and watertight Ortlieb Dry-Bag emerged as the standout winner.

  • A selection of our picks for best camping chairs on a yellow background.

    The Best Camping Chairs

    by Kyle Fitzgerald and Kalee Thompson

    The Coleman Cooler Quad Chair is a classic camping chair to keep you comfortable in most situations. But we recommend other seating options too.

  • An assortment of sandals, in a wide variety of colors and styles, that we tested to find the best sandals.

    The Best Sandals

    by Dorie Chevlen and Zoe Vanderweide

    Whether you’re hitting the beach or heading out for a night on the town, we found nine pairs of comfy, well-made sandals to suit a range of styles and budgets.

  • A white hard cooler full of cans of soda, bottles of beer, and ice.

    The Best Coolers

    by Kit Dillon

    After years of research and gallons upon gallons of melted ice, we have picks for hard and soft coolers, plus backpack and high-end roto-molded options.

  • The Best Multi-Tool

    by Doug Mahoney

    Here’s our advice on all-in-one problem solvers.

  • Two people stand under the stars next to two camping tents.

    What to Pack for Camping Trips With Kids

    by Kalee Thompson

    Investing in some high-quality basics can get kids excited about camping out—and help you avoid a mid-trip detour to the nearest big-box store.

  • Four people linger outside around a table and chairs on a gravel patio at the edge of a woodland.

    How to Stop Mosquitoes From Multiplying

    by Rose Maura Lorre

    To keep mosquitoes at bay, you have to take away their preferred breeding grounds. Here are several Wirecutter-approved ways to do just that.

  • two people standing side by side wearing our pick for the best leggings, the Girlfriend Collective Compressive High-Rise Legging.

    The Best Leggings

    by Ingrid Skjong

    We assessed the fabric, fit, performance, and style of an array of workout leggings to find six excellent pairs for whatever moves you.

  • The Best Bike Racks for Small Homes and Apartments

    The Best Bike Storage Ideas

    by Christine Ryan

    After 30-plus hours of research and testing, we think the Delta Cycle Michelangelo Gravity Stand is the best bike rack for storing bikes in limited-space homes.

  • The Guardian Ethos 16 Inch Bike, our top pick first pedal bike, shown leaning on its kickstand with a water bottle and bucket of chalk next to it.

    The Best First Pedal Bike

    by Laura Motley

    Learning to ride a bike is a rite of passage. Depending on the bike, the process can be either unnecessarily frustrating or, well, like a ride in the park.

  • A trail camera strapped to the trunk of a tree

    The Best Trail Camera Under $100

    by Sarah Witman

    We think the Wildgame Innovations Mirage 18 is the best trail camera if you want something to monitor wild critters and game.

Dismiss