A Year of Outdoor Gear

2025: Twelve months of action. A nation of adventure. We planned a dozen trips into the great outdoors with the best gear to get you there. It’s going to be a very big year.

January

The Trip

A Nordic adventure in Methow Valley, WA. Tucked into the North Cascades, the nation’s largest network of cross-country ski trails loops through 130 miles of groomed ski tracks and hut-to-hut routes. Add on snowshoeing, fat-biking and downhill skiing at Loup Loup Bowl.

The Gear

Madshus Active Skin Ski
The Active Skin is a classic all-around choice for Nordic newbies or racers who need a training setup. The mohair and nylon base doesn’t require waxing before heading out, and remains grippy and stable, making short work of any inclines—and they come with pre-mounted bindings.

Bliz Breeze Nano
Hand it to the Swedes. The Bliz Breeze Nano offers UV protection with shatterproof, scratch-resistant, polycarbonate interchangeable lenses designed to minimize any distortion.

Kavu Herschel Beanie
Do we lose heat through our heads? Maybe a myth. But only a dope walks around hatless in the cold. The Kavu Herschel beanie comes in a variety of patterns—skiers, hiking Sasquatch, salmon, ‘shrooms. Fashionistas should check out their Moonwalk socks, too.

Garmin Panoptix PS22-IF
Camaraderie and the catch are the keys to any good ice-fishing trip. Once the invites go out, the Panoptix PS22-IF portable fishing bundle from Garmin helps assure success. The easy-to-carry sonar system can detect fish 100 feet in any direction.

February

The Trip

Birding the Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX. Caressed by subtropical breezes and mild weather all winter, the border region’s biodiversity makes it a global birding hotspot, attracting more than half the birds counted in the U.S. State parks and community sites comprise the World Birding Center; federal refuges such as Santa Ana and Laguna Atascosa add thousands of acres.

The Gear

Optik AX Visio
Superior lenscraft has long made Swarovski an outdoor optics leader. The new AI-enhanced Optik AX Visio marks a forward leap. Besides razor-sharp magnification, the real innovation comes from the 9,000 species of birds and other wildlife loaded into these ’nocs’ software. Plus, they double as a camera.

Walkabout Foxfire Safari Vest
Wildlife watchers and photographers can wander with everything. The mesh back and sleeveless design keeps travelers cool; zippered and Velcro front pockets keep smartphones, Snickers or fishing tackle close at hand.

Yeti Roadie 15 Cooler
Yeti’s new Roadie 15 is smaller, cheaper and more portable than the iconic brand’s other hard-sided offerings. It’s still bomb-proof, and keeps drinks just as cold.

Lives of North American Birds
Kenn Kaufmann broke the mold with Lives of North American Birds. With lovely shots of more than 900 known species found in the United States, Kaufmann’s compendium covers nesting, feeding and migratory behaviors.

March

The Trip

Off-road ruggedness on Virginia’s Bald Mountain, a.k.a. “Big Levels.” Known for challenging obstacles and occasional mud sloughs, this famed 10-mile route leads to sweeping Blue Ridge Parkway views. You’ll be taking it slow—plenty of time to look around.

The Gear

Gladiator X Comp M/T Tires
Looking for a tire that smoothly transitions from tarmac to mud snow, and sand? The Gladiator X Comp M/T has you covered. An aggressive tread pattern provides outstanding traction on many surfaces, making it a favorite with off-roaders and overlanders alike.

Warn VR EVO 10-S Winch
Designed for half-ton pickup trucks, mid-size SUVs and Jeeps, this will get you out of a jam on the trail.

Viair 400P EF Portable Air Compressor
Proper tire inflation is essential to any off-road adventure. This 12-volt unit comes with a 6-foot power cord and 30-foot air hose for added convenience.

Maxtrax MKII Recovery Boards
Even the most experienced off-roaders get stuck from time to time. Just place these durable plastic planks under your tires for extra traction, and you’ll be off.

April

The Trip

Kiteboarding along the Outer Banks, NC. Wind-powered watersports are all the rage in the OBX. Some 40 miles offshore, surrounded by water on two sides and reachable by road and ferry, Cape Hatteras National Seashore is a great place to check out the scene. Beginning riders can also find lessons at Kitty Hawk and Nags Head.

The Gear

Ozone Infinity V3
It may sound like a “duh,” but choosing the right kiteboarding kit depends on when and where the wind blows. This board is designed to get the most out of light winds, but with versatility for when things crank up a bit. Paired with the Ozone Zephyr V8 Ultra-X kite, likewise designed to help freeriders take the guesswork out of the equation, the entire set-up is highly maneuverable.

Pyzel Phantom
Pro surfer John John Florence rode to the podium of the World Surf League this fall on a surfboard shaped by John Pyzel. For us civilians: The Pyzel Phantom; a 6-foot-6, high-volume stick for small-to-medium waves.

Watermen Elite Short Sleeve Rashguard
Designed with lifeguards in mind, with ultraviolet protection and flat seams to ensure comfort. In men’s, women’s and even kids’ sizes.

Paddlesmash
Get ready for Paddlesmash, a 2-on-2 kind of reverse volleyball that combines pickleball with the more beach-friendly sport
Spikeball. Fast-paced fun.

May

The Trip

Hike Coyote Buttes North in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, AZ. It sounds hyperbolic to call the Wave, a sandstone formation near the Arizona-Utah border, the most breathtaking day hike in the Southwest. But anybody lucky enough to draw one of just 64 daily BLM permits will attest it’s one of the best. Shut out of the lottery? Hike Paria Canyon or the nearby North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The Gear

Hoka Trail Code GTX
Hikers can enjoy the superior stability and cushioned comfort that make Hoka the go-to for runners and gym rats. Available in men’s and women’s versions, these lightweight boots offer major support, with ankle-high uppers and dependable water resistance in face of gully washers. The grippy sole and outsized heel provide great traction.

Leica M11
Does a smartphone-toting modern traveler need a Leica M11 series camera Here’s the argument: No shooting through a screen, an ISO dial for analog vibes … and way better pictures.

Leki Legacy Lite AS Trekking Poles
Nearly featherweight at 18.2 ounces per pair, these are sturdy enough to support a backpacker carrying a heavy load.

Outfitter Canvas Bedroll
This may seem like a throwback. That’s part of its appeal. The rugged 15-ounce gauge fabric protects from the elements; at over three feet wide, it easily fits a bulky sleeping bag as well as a full-size sleeping pad.

June

The Trip

Find the singletrack flow in Fruita, CO. Among mountain bikers, this old farming town on the Eastern Colorado Plateau is no secret. In early 2024, city planners, local cycling groups and the Bureau of Land Management unveiled a plan to nearly double the trail system here, adding 32 miles of singletrack in the North Fruita Desert, improving local campgrounds and providing new e-bike options.

The Gear

Canyon Spectral: ON CFR
When it comes to electric mountain bikes, Canyon—a Germany-based direct-to-consumer company making inroads into America sets a higher standard. The 50-pound carbon-fiber Spectral:ON is a “mullet,” meaning the rear wheel has a diameter of 27.5 inches while the front wheel is a 29-incher. With a full charge on the 900Wh motor, it will travel 60-plus miles and climb 7,000 feet.

Smith Payroll Helmet
Designed to meet newer e-bike safety standards, the Smith Payroll helmet is packed with features to help riders withstand high-speed wipe outs without sacrificing comfort. Innovations include an integrated sensor capable of sending an SOS and energy-dissipating technologies to prevent head injuries.

Stio OPR Short
The Stio OPR Short for men and women lets riders go from trail to town without looking like dorks. Named for Old Pass Road in Jackson Hole (where Stio is based), lightly padded and stylishly tapered, these ventilated shorts excel in warm weather.

Yakima GateKeeper Black
If you’re hauling rides in a pick-up, take precautions with the Yakima GateKeeper Black tailgate pad— protecting both your bikes and vehicle paint job.

July

The Trip

Legendary trout fishing on the Madison River, MT. Wildlife, spectacular scenery and trophy trout make the Madison a pilgrimage for fly  fishers worldwide. The river flows from high in Yellowstone National Park along the Wyoming-Montana border down through one of the grandest valleys in the Rockies.

The Gear

Trailblazer 529-6
Staying versatile is the key to any successful trip—fishing is no different. That’s why this six-piece, nine-foot fl y rod wins out in a fi eld of great offerings. Not many “travel rods” (the Trailblazer, which will fit in a carry-on, is definitely that) are as pleasing to cast as this slick 5-weight, equally at home on high alpine lakes as it is nymphing bigger Western rivers.

Fatties Proper Box
Texan Ben Tabor and his crew dial in the perfect batch of flies every time. Chasing rainbows on the Madison? Brook trout in New England? Southern largemouth bass? The Fatties customize the selection for any season.

Celestron Nexstar 6SE
Amateurs and experts alike will appreciate how the integrated SkyAlign software simplifies the process of tracking comets, nebulae and planets and syncs with the handheld controller.

Simms G3 Guide Waders
In 2022, Simms upgraded its acclaimed G3 Guide Waders. The pros agree that the latest are the most durable and most comfortable version yet. Available in women’s sizes.

August

The Trip

Paddle the 375-mile Maine Island Trail (or, hey, part of it). Across the Gulf of Maine, surveyors count some 4,000 islands, ranging from tiny rock outcroppings to primordial forests covering hundreds of acres. Since the late 1980s, the Maine Island Trail Association has maintained an “Appalachian Trail on water.” Explore the whole archipelago, or try an easy day-trip to Jewell Island.

The Gear

ORU Kayak Bay ST Explorer Bundle
Like bicycles, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits all kayak, but the origami-inspired Oru— once featured on Shark Tank—comes very close. Made from corrugated plastic and weighing a mere 26 pounds, the Bay ST can carry paddlers up to 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds. Folded into its pack, the Oru is a breeze to shoulder through the woods or stow in the backseat.

Duck Camp Crushable Flats Hat
When it comes to the Texas-made Duck Camp Crushable Flats Hat, Mainers may complain they invented the crusher. But this sharp lid, crafted from sustainable palm straw in styles for both men and women, is a worthy successor to those classic felt chapeaux.

Mustang Survival Khimera Dual Flotation PFD
The Mustang Survival Khimera Dual Flotation PFD combines foam and inflatable air bladders to ensure that cold shock or a knock to the noggin doesn’t lead to tragedy. Considering that the Corps of Engineers says 87 percent of drowning victims were not wearing a PFD, the comfortable and low-profile Khimera voids all excuses.

Sea Eagle LongBoard 11
Stand-up paddleboarding continues to flourish, with good reason: models such as the inflatable Sea Eagle LongBoard 11 are a blast to ride, and don’t require a lot of learning to get good. This model is a fine candidate for both flowing and flatwater.

September

The Trip

Overlanding on the Trans Wisconsin Trail. Originally plotted out for motorcycles, this epic 600+ mile thread has increasingly
become an overlanding favorite. The route stretches from the Dubuque area to the far, pointy tip of Wisconsin’s Lake Superior shore. Along the way, roam remote, wildlife-rich swathes of backcountry Midwest.

The Gear

Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack
Adding a roof rack to your overlanding rig is a great way to expand carrying capacity without hindering performance. Lightweight and incredibly durable, the Slimline series from Front Runner installs without any drilling and is available for just about any kind of off-road vehicle.

Guzzle H2O Overland Bundle
Keep your rig’s freshwater tanks full on the trail with the Guzzle H2O Overland Bundle, a fast and efficient water filtration system that
includes the Stream water filter, an outlet hose and one carbon block filter replacement cartridge.

Yoke Outdoors Chuck Box Camp Kitchen
Keep all of your essential cooking gear organized and ready for use. Compact and rugged, the box includes five storage compartments, a fold-down workspace and a slide-out utility drawer.

NEMO Helio Pressure Shower
Perfect for washing the dishes, hosing down mountain bikes or just cleaning up after a day on the trail, the ingenious Nemo Helio Pressure Shower brings 2.9 gallons of pressurized water wherever you wander.

October

The Trip

Fall colors in the Upper Peninsula, MI. Boasting 7 million acres of woodlands bounded by three Great Lakes (Superior, Huron and Michigan), “da Yoop” unfurls a psychedelic leafy spectacle. As chlorophyll levels drop, a wave of yellow, scarlet, orange and red sweeps across this landscape.

The Gear

Patagonia Hose-Down Slicker Jacket
Spring showers lead to summer flowers. But fall weather often brings nothing but cold and wet. Designed for farmers and commercial fishing crews, this 2024 release combines a lightweight shell of 100%-recycled nylon with gender-inclusive sizing.

Mystery Ranch Coulee 20
When it comes to a day-hike carryall, bigger is not always better. Men’s and women’s models both offer 1,220-cubic inches of interior space to pack treats, electronics, extra layers and plenty of hydration.

Benchmade Bugout
Phone, keys, glasses…. knife. The customizable Benchmade Bugout is an unbeatable choice for what enthusiasts call EDC (“everyday
carry”). Less than 3 ounces in weight, with a 3.24-inch stainless-steel blade, the Bugout shrinks to a pocket-friendly 4.22 inches when folded closed.

Winsor & Newton Watercolour Field Set
Fourteen colors and a sable brush outfit the aspiring plein air artist for an aesthetic expedition. The British maker (hence the u-enhanced spelling) dates to 1832.

November

The Trip

Boondock in the deserts of Southern California. Joshua Tree rightly gets most of the attention, but the Colorado Desert—encompassing 7 million acres near the U.S. border with Mexico—offers vast and stunning terrain. Late autumn is an ideal time to explore canyons and log sandy overland miles. With four-wheel drive and off-grid essentials, you can travel deep into the remote areas beyond the national park’s boundary.

The Gear

Roofnest Sparrow 2 Rooftop Tent
A pop-up rooftop tent with a spacious interior, excellent ventilation, and 360º views, the Sparrow 2 sets the standard by which all other models are measured. This cozy little nest has room for two, with optional upgrades that include LED lighting, a high-density foam mattress, and HVAC ports for integrated climate control.

Big Agnes Echo Park 20º Sleeping Bag
The Big Agnes Echo Park 20º Sleeping Bag will save you on chilly desert nights. A generous cut provides plenty of room for larger campers, with synthetic insulation keeping it cozy.

Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot
There is a reason the Merrell Moab 3 Mid Hiking Boot is the best-selling boot in the world. Lightweight, breathable, and comfortable, this takes on just about any trail. Women’s and men’s sizes.

Hydro Flask 40 oz. Wide Mouth Water Bottle
Stay hydrated on the trail or at the campsite with the classic Hydro Flask 40 oz. Wide Mouth Water Bottle. Made from durable stainless steel—and available in a dozen colors—the leak-proof container will keep your water cold for up to 24 hours.

December

The Trip

Christmas-tree cutting in Mount Hood National Forest, OR. What better way to observe the yuletide, solstice or what you will than harvesting a Christmas tree and carrying it back home? On Mount Hood, families can head to the “snow zone” above 3,200 feet and hunt for the perfect Noble fir. This forest thinning is good for the environment—and permits only cost $5.

The Gear

Fiskars Norden N10 Chopping Axe
You don’t have to be Paul Bunyan to find joy in the sweet, simple satisfaction of wielding a perfectly balanced axe when in the woods. Weighing just 2.6 pounds with a fine hickory handle, the Norden N10 is a pleasure to carry—and plenty sharp to get the job done.

The North Face Chilkat 400 Boots
Would-be lumberjacks can keep their toes warm and dry with the North Face Chilkat 400 boots. Bonus points for the gaiter rings and superior traction to conquer deep snow drifts.

Black Diamond Crew Gloves
Assembled with goat leather and stretchable fabric, articulated fingers, and patented PrimaLoft insulation Black Diamond Crew Gloves are great for work and play.

High Camp Firelight Flask 750
The very aesthetic High Camp Firelight Flask 750 raises the standard for backcountry barware. Carry an entire fifth of booze, hot chocolate or your drink of choice.

Enjoy all the adventures of 2025 and beyond.

This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.

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