Outdoors
Apparel
See all Apparel reviewsThe Best Cheap Sunglasses
by Zoe Vanderweide
The right pair of sunglasses will protect your eyes while broadcasting your own personal style. We found seven high-quality pairs that won’t break the bank.
40+ Wirecutter-Recommended Sun Protection Picks
by Gabriella DePinho and Wirecutter Staff
A robust selection of gear we like that’ll help stave off sun damage all summer, including sunscreens, sunglasses, children’s beachwear, and UPF clothing.
The Best Hiking Boots
by Ebony Roberts and Jenni Gritters
The Salomon Quest Gore-Tex boots (in men’s and women’s) are our top pick due to their solid traction, support, and comfort for many foot shapes.
Camping
See all Camping reviewsThe Best Headlamp
by Jenni Gritters
For late-night hikes, evening runs, and stargazing sessions, we think the comfortable and durable Black Diamond Spot 400 is the best headlamp.
The Best Sleeping Bag
by Claire Wilcox and Sam Schild
The plush, cozy REI Co-op Siesta Hooded 20 Sleeping Bag is our pick for car campers. We also have picks for backpackers, couples, and more.
What to Pack for Summer Camp
by Kalee Thompson
Summer-camp packing lists can be long—and sometimes intimidating. Here’s how to choose fun but practical gear that’ll last for many seasons to come.
Hiking
See all Hiking reviewsAfter a 46-Mile Hike, Everything Hurt. Except My Feet in These Boots.
by Jason Chen
After I hiked 46 miles of canyons, riverbeds, valleys, and hills in the Salomon Quest 4 Gore-Tex Hiking Boots, everything hurt. Except my feet.
The Best Trekking Poles
by Ryan Bradley
After 40 hours of testing on trails, streets, beaches, and more, we’re determined that the Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles are the best for nearly everyone.
The Best Kids Hiking Backpacks
by Jenni Gritters and Kalee Thompson
A great outdoor pack should be comfortable to carry, durable, and designed to offer easy access to hydration. Here are five backpacks we think kids will love.
Outdoor gear
See all Outdoor gear reviewsThe Best Kids Water Bottles
by Ellen Lee
Our picks include metal and plastic water bottles that are easy to use, a cinch to clean, and the least likely to leak.
The Best Beach Umbrella Is Not Actually an Umbrella
by Kit Dillon
A sunshade can give you a lot more shade than an umbrella, with a lot less drama. We like the four-person Sun Ninja shade best, but we have other options, too.
How to Pack a Cooler So You Don’t End Up With Soggy, Spoiled Food
by Rose Maura Lorre
Easily pack food and drinks in a cooler so that everything stays chilled as long as possible, no matter how hot it is at your campsite or cookout.
Snow
See all Snow reviewsThe Best Thermal Underwear
by Trey French
We sent 13 testers out to hike, ski, shovel snow, and run. And we found base layers, in a variety of styles and fabrics, that will keep all types of bodies warm.
The Best Winter Boots
by Trey French and Eve O'Neill
After trudging through snow and ice in 30 pairs of boots, we’ve chosen 11 that will keep you warm, dry, and stable all winter long.
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.
Swim
See all Swim reviewsThe Best Basic Snorkel Set
by Paulette Perhach
After testing eight snorkel sets in Central Florida and Key West, we think the Cressi Palau LAF Set is the best snorkel set for most people.
The Best Beach Towel
by Kit Dillon
After testing beach towels all over the country, we have four great options—plus a towel alternative that’s ideal for families with babies.
4 Simple Tips to Keep Your Tech Safe and Dry This Summer
by Rose Maura Lorre
Here’s how to make sure your phone, tablet, smartwatch, or portable speaker don’t get ruined this summer, no matter how wet they get.
More Outdoors Posts
The Best Sunscreens for Your Face
by Caira Blackwell
Sunscreen is personal, and the one you choose to slather on your face is even more so. Here are 10 options to suit different preferences and budgets.
The Best Hurricane Preparedness Supplies and Strategies
by Doug Mahoney and Ellen Airhart
How to plan and protect yourself in areas at risk of hurricanes.
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.
Ask Wirecutter: I’m So Bad At Drinking Enough Water. Help!
by Annemarie Conte
Make drinking water fun! Or at least less of a drag.
The Best Beach Bag
by Kit Dillon
After testing beach bags in Northern California and Hawaii, we’re convinced that the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote is a classic for very good reasons.
The Best Bike Handlebar Bag
by Sam Schild
After testing dozens of bike handlebar bags, we’ve chosen six that can carry all your riding essentials, no matter where you’re headed.
The Pizzas I Made When I Lived in Italy Were the Best I Ever Had. This Outdoor Oven Transports Me Back.
by Katie Quinn
The Ooni Koda 16 Gas Powered Pizza Oven lets me cook pizza that tastes like the brick oven pies I made with locals in Puglia.
The Best Thermos
by Trey French and Jordan McMahon
The Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle 2.5 QT is the most comfortable thermos to carry and pour from, and it keeps your drinks hot over a long workday.
The Best Bike Lock
by Duncan Niederlitz and Eve O'Neill
We tested 35 bike locks, and the Kryptonite Evolution Mini-7 is the most affordable lock that will most likely need a power tool to be defeated.
The Best Bug Repellents
by Doug Mahoney
Our repellent recommendations are EPA approved, backed by experts, and tested by us.
The Best Kids Scooters
by Katharine Gammon
We’ve compared 19 kids scooters over the past six years, and we’re confident that the popular Micro Maxi is a worthwhile investment in longtime fun.
The Best Pocket Knife
by Doug Mahoney
After testing 28 pocket knives in over 60 hours of research, we found the Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) Drifter is the best for most people.
The Best Binoculars for Birds, Nature, and the Outdoors
by Daniel S. Cooper
A professional ornithologist tested 25 field-ready binoculars against his $2,500 Leica Ultravids and picked the Athlon Optics Midas ED pair as the best.
I Hate Hats. But I Love Wearing This $20 Sun Visor All Summer Long.
by Rose Maura Lorre
Hats are one of the best forms of sun protection—but if you can’t stand wearing one, here’s why you may prefer this roll-up hat-visor hybrid instead.
The Best Umbrellas for Wind and Rain
by James Austin, Daniel Varghese, and Sarah J. Robbins
Through rain, wind, and snow, we tested 48 umbrellas until we found the six best.
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.
Sun-Protective Clothing Is a Reliable UV-Blocker. Here Are Some Options We Love.
by Sarah Gannett
Covering up is a great way to protect yourself from the sun. But you can do better than a white linen shirt.