The buying guide is a core part of what we do at Gear Patrol. We test thousands of products every year while researching buying guides so that we bring you only the best products available in a given category. This year, our outdoors and fitness team covered everything from jackets to packing cubes and coolers to GPS running watches. We put marketing claims to the test. We used and abused products in the environments they were designed for. We braved frigid temps and sweltering conditions — all in the name of product journalism.
Best Made in America Outdoor Brands
Some of the best outdoor gear is designed and hand-made right here in the USA. To save you time, we pulled together a list of the best ones.
The Best Road Bike for Every Budget
Whether you’re looking for an entry-level bike, or a top of the line purebred cycling machine, we’ve got you covered.
The 10 Best Multi-Tools of 2018
Today, there are so many types of multi-tools available that one can easily find an option with a toolset to serve the needs and tasks that you encounter most often. We did the research and…
7 Pocket Knife Designers You Need to Know About
A look at the pocketknife industry through the lens of its designers.
The 14 Best Coolers of 2018
Looking to hide some sandwiches and 85 cans of beer from a bear? One of these will do the trick.
All the Knives We’re Loving Now
Gear Patrol staff members use knives to open boxes and prep food on a daily basis. Here, we share the blades that have earned a permanent home at our desks.
7 Great Pairs of Running Shoes Under $100
Buying new running shoes doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. These top-rated sneakers are all $100 or less.
Your Favorite Outdoor Brands Offer Better Products in Japan, Here’s How to Get Them
It’s a little-known secret that your favorite outdoor brands like The North Face, Snow Peak, Montbell and Columbia, all make products that are only available in Japan.
The 8 Best Packing Cubes for All Trips
Streamline your pre-trip preparations with these time-saving packing accessories.
The Ultimate Guide to Ski and Snowboard Gear
From baselayers, goggles, helmets and outerwear to the burly, four-wheel capable truck that’ll get you there in one piece during a full-on blizzard.
The EDC Items We Can’t Live Without
Some favor flair, others prefer practical. The collection of things that gets us through the day-to-day is a mini representation of who we are and how we move through life. Here are the everyday carry…
The Best Summer Cycling Kits for Men
There’s a reason why cyclists kit up in stretchy skin tight fabrics, and it’s not just to look good. Here’s the best new apparel for warm weather riding.
The Best Rain Jackets of 2018
A lot has changed since heavy, unbreathable plastic rain slickers were standard all-weather apparel; today’s rain jackets are lighter, softer, more breathable, stretchy and more waterproof than ever.
The 12 Best Down Jackets of Winter 2019
These top picks for lightweight, innovative down jackets will keep you warm from when the leaves fly until the snow melts next spring.
The Best Winter Running Kits of 2018
Let no temperatures dissuade you from logging your miles outside this winter.