Nothing compares to visiting , North Carolina, in person, but visitors to the inaugural in Denver, which took place June 1鈥�2, were treated to the next best thing. Asheville brought some of the season鈥檚 best outdoor gear direct to Denver. Between the brands that make products right in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the award-winning gear tested by 国产吃瓜黑料 and Backpacker editors, the Asheville booth was stocked with equipment to learn about, try, and even win. It鈥檚 not too late to get some of that gear yourself鈥攁nd if you鈥檙e smart, take it to Asheville for a test spin.
That鈥檚 exactly what the editors from 国产吃瓜黑料 and Backpacker did. Every year, they head into the field for a final shakedown of the finalists for the , given to the season鈥檚 best and most innovative gear. For this year鈥檚 awards, they traveled to Asheville (the Editors鈥� Choice testing location partner) to backpack the Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest and put the products to the test in some of the country鈥檚 roughest鈥攁nd most beautiful鈥攎ountains. It was the perfect setting for the Editors鈥� Choice trip: On the 30-mile Art Loeb Trail, testers gained 9,000 feet of elevation and traversed rocky, rooty, brushy, hard-on-gear terrain. They also enjoyed spectacular mountaintop views from some of the highest peaks in the East. Afterward, Asheville proved to be the perfect place for post-trip recovery, with amazing food, drink, and lodging options for hungry, thirsty, and tired gear testers.
Want to follow in their footsteps? Check out all of the winning products, and then make your way to the , with a base camp stay in Asheville on either side.
Made in Asheville
Over the past two decades, Asheville鈥檚 reputation as one of the country鈥檚 premier adventure hubs has been built on its unique combination of terrain and culture. Where else can you find nature, art, and food so perfectly blended? Whether you favor hiking, biking, fly-fishing, or paddling, you can find them all in the heart of Appalachia, conveniently located alongside world-class breweries and restaurants. Asheville is also a leading incubator for outdoor gear manufacturers like the ones on display at the 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival. Here are some of the standouts.
Eagles Nest Outfitters
From little kids to college kids to retired kids, everyone loves a hammock. Especially hammocks made by (ENO). More than two decades ago, ENO moved its business to Asheville because of the city鈥檚 laid-back vibe and access to the outdoors. Today, it鈥檚 a thriving brand that makes colorful (and comfortable) hammocks and camp chairs. You鈥檒l see ENO鈥檚 products all over the world鈥攊n camp, at festivals, on campuses鈥攚herever relaxing in style is on the agenda. At the 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival, a dozen ENO hammocks and chairs turned the Asheville booth into a popular shady lounge.
Hellbender Paddleboards
When Asheville resident Danny Daniels fell in love with stand-up paddleboarding but not the available boards, he decided to make his own. In 2020, Daniels founded to make paddleboards that better combined stability and maneuverability. Today, Hellbender makes four styles of paddleboards, including a new fishing-specific model, that you can find on rivers all over the Southeast. At the 国产吃瓜黑料 Festival, Explore Asheville hosted a paddleboard inflation contest for would-be paddlers. The fastest to blow up a Hellbender SUP (in men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 divisions) walked away with a brand-new board.
Trekroll
Sleeping outdoors should be easy and comfortable. That鈥檚 the premise behind , an Asheville brand that makes an ultra-cushy sleeping bag/sleeping pad combo. The key features: a spacious bag made with a cotton-poly blend, a four-inch-thick pad with an integrated foot pump, and a design that lets you combine the two so you don鈥檛 fall off. The 40-degree bag also has two full-length side zips for the ultimate in ventilation options. Bonus: the system packs into a weatherproof duffel for easy carrying as well as easy sleeping.
Diamond Brand Gear
Since 1881, this homegrown brand has been sewing innovative, durable outdoor gear in Asheville and the surrounding mountains. got its start in a small defunct hosiery mill and today crafts tents, packs, and bags for all adventurers. The company鈥檚 mission is simple and admirable: create high-quality, hand-sewn products that will last for years and are made with sustainability, adventure, and versatility in mind. Diamond Brand has been manufacturing in Asheville for more than 100 years and plans to keep doing so for the next 100.
Bellyak
Kayaking? Fun. Kayaking on your belly? Very, very fun. That鈥檚 what Asheville local Adam Masters discovered when he improvised belly kayaking on an overgrown river. He subsequently launched so everyone could enjoy the hybrid sport. 鈥淧addling a Bellyak gives you freedom,鈥� Masters says. 鈥淣o straps, no skirts, no being trapped. It makes easy, familiar rivers completely new again.鈥� The learning curve on the Bellyak is quick, and there鈥檚 no better place to try it than the French Broad River, which runs right through Asheville.
American Backcountry
Everyone needs a good T-shirt鈥攐ne that鈥檚 sustainably made, good-fitting, and sends a worthy message. T-shirts check all the boxes. The shirts pay homage to public lands and are made right here in the United States using recycled material, taking 500,000 plastic water bottles out of the landfill every year. Established three decades ago, American Backcountry originally made shirts specifically for Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and now supplies shirts to 100 national and state parks.
Start Planning
Summer is prime time in Asheville for every type of adventure. Fall is amazing for hiking and biking. In fact, is great all year. The temperate climate is perfect for exploring the outdoors all day and enjoying the city鈥檚 lively nightlife in the evenings. Find info on activities, guides, lodging, restaurants, events, and more .
Surrounding the vibrant city center of Asheville, North Carolina, are miles of off-the-beaten-path adventures. Step outside and discover your own pace through natural wonders that draw you in and call you. Start planning your adventures now by visiting and downloading the Explore Asheville .