When it comes to planning your next big adventure, buying luggage is probably not high on your priority list. But take it from us: a well-designed carry-on suitcase, adventure-ready duffel, or rugged roller bag can go a long way toward mitigating travel woes.

We鈥檙e always testing new duffels, suitcases, gear totes, and backpacks to see which bags are best suited to an adventurer鈥檚 needs. Whether you鈥檙e a frequent flyer, a weekend warrior, or a full-time vanlifer, there鈥檚 something on this list for you.

Updated March 2025: We’ve added three new picks. Prices and info have also been updated for 2025.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Most Rugged Roller:
• Best Value Duffel:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Weekend Duffel:
• Best Checked-Size Roller:
• Best Carry-On Roller Bag:
• Best Value Roller Bag:
• Best Travel Backpack:听
• Best for Parents:
• Best Gear Tote:
• Best for Camping:
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 55L

Weight: 2.6 lbs
Dimensions: 22.8鈥� x 13.3鈥� x 9.5鈥�
Available Sizes: 40 L, 55 L, 70 L, 100 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Large opening
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Stash pocket to separate shoes or laundry
鈯� Backpack carries well
鈯� Lacks internal organization

Patagonia鈥檚 Black Hole has been the gold standard for adventure travel luggage for a long time, and with this newest iteration featuring 100 percent recycled body fabric, lining, and webbing, the brand continues to lead the way in sustainability.

One of the best features of this duffel is how comfortable it is to carry as a backpack thanks to cushy, removable pack straps. An innovative, recycled TPU-film laminate also makes the bag lightweight and exceptionally abrasion- and weather-resistant. It鈥檚 rugged enough for major expeditions, yet convenient for the casual traveler, which makes it our top choice for 2024.

鈥淚n the rain, water beaded right off the bag, and it proved durable for outdoor adventures,鈥� said one tester after taking the bag on a canoe camping trip in the Adirondacks and a camping trip to Moab, Utah.

The signature feature of the Black Hole, besides its pack straps, is its large main compartment that accommodates more gear than you鈥檇 think and makes finding said gear at a glance easy. The downside to this design is that the Black Hole doesn鈥檛 include a ton of internal organizational features found in other duffels, like zippered compartments to keep gear separated. The Black Hole has just one internal pocket on the zip-top lid to keep smaller items like toiletries organized.

However, it does include a surprisingly spacious external pocket for things you don鈥檛 want mingling with your other stuff (like wet or dirty items). That compartment also serves as the pocket you can stuff the entire bag into for compact storage when not in use.

Most Rugged Roller

Kuiu Waypoint 3000 Roller

Weight: 7 lb 11.8 oz
Dimensions: 22鈥� x 14鈥� x 11鈥�
Volume: 49 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Rugged
鈯� Solid internal organization
鈯� Big, all-terrain wheels
鈯� Reliable handle
鈯� Not as protective as a hardside case

Ready to be crammed in overhead bins and overlanding rigs alike, the Kuiu Waypoint 3000 is the most rugged roller we鈥檝e tested as of late. It鈥檚 a hybrid of soft- and hardside luggage, pairing a molded polycarbonate bottom frame with an expandable, hard-wearing, TPU-coated nylon upper. This hybrid design gives travelers the benefits of a protective hard case on wheels and the packability and versatility of a duffel.

One tester was especially impressed by the bag鈥檚 durability after a stint of testing that included a cross-country work trip and a weeklong overlanding trip in Colorado. He called the waterproof, 420-denier, TPU-coated nylon upper and 840-denier nylon-wrapped polycarbonate frame robust. On his trip, he forcibly crammed the Waypoint into the passenger footwell of his vehicle, accidentally left it outside in the rain one night (everything inside was dry come morning), and used it as a stool. Even after all of that, it showed no visible signs of wear.

While the Kuiu鈥檚 rugged fabric and frame are its best features, our tester was similarly pleased by the smooth-rolling XL 3.5-inch-diameter wheels, collapsible handle, and burly, built-in grab handles.

Internal organization features also earned the Kuiu kudos, particularly the clamshell zip, integrated dividers (what our tester called critical for 鈥渉is and hers鈥� adventures), and a slew of sleeves and pockets perfect for tools and toiletries. Factor in the price, and the Waypoint isn鈥檛 just rugged鈥攊t鈥檚 a good buy.

Best Value Duffel

Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L

听

Weight: 2.9 lbs
Dimensions: 13.5鈥� x 25.5鈥� x 12.25鈥� (90 L)
Available Sizes: 40 L, 60 L, 90 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide-mouth opening for easy access to gear
鈯� Uses 100% recycled fabric
鈯� Good value
鈯� Top zipper isn鈥檛 stiff enough

The Migrate duffel was a tester favorite for its holding capacity鈥攜ou can fit a lot in here. The 鈥渄octor bag鈥� style zip-top allows for easier access and full visibility of all your gear and an additional five liters of packing space.

Good news for those who tend to overpack and end up schlepping heavy duffels: Tuck-away backpack straps allow for multiple carry options. The added pockets鈥攊nternal and front zippered pocket鈥攕et it apart from many other duffels in this category.

But perhaps the biggest pro of this bag: it incorporates 100-percent recycled 900-denier Polyester TPU and fully recycled 1680-denier ballistic Polyester RPVB that reuses windshield plastics from landfills and makes the bag abrasion- and weather-resistant.

Testers had just one complaint: the top zipper isn鈥檛 very stiff, so testers found the opening closing in on itself while they were packing the bag.

Most Versatile

Nemo Double Haul 55L Convertible Duffel & Tote

听

Weight: 3 lbs
Dimensions: 63.5鈥� x 86鈥� x 147鈥�
Available Sizes: 55 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide compartment opening
鈯� Many ways to carry and organize the bag
鈯� Folds up small into carrying case when not in use
鈯� Too bulky and uncomfortable to carry for long distances
鈯� On the heavier side

Out of all of the duffels and luggage we tested this season, the Nemo Double Haul proved to be the most ingenious. It鈥檚 a combination of a duffel bag and tote bag, with a huge opening designed to stay wide open while you pack thanks to the stiff trusses that give the bag structure.

Astonishingly, considering its size, the bag also folds down neatly into a carrying case, making it easy to travel with or keep in your car. The shell is made from urethane-coated, bluesign approved 100 percent recycled nylon, while the liner is made from bluesign approved, solution-dyed 100-percent recycled polyester with PFAS-free DWR.

This bag is meant for hauling. 鈥淚t鈥檚 best for car camping, when you have dozens of items that may not have a home,鈥� said tester Troy Tetreault after a climbing trip in Kentucky鈥檚 Red River Gorge. 鈥淚t also holds up well when tossed around amongst other gear.鈥�

However, our testers wouldn鈥檛 recommend this bag for extended airline travel. The bag itself weighs 3 pounds, and testers found it awkward to carry because of the multiple ways the straps are set up for carrying鈥攂ackpack carry, over the shoulder single arm carry, and suitcase carry.

Best Weekend Duffel

Finisterre Nautilus 45L Duffel Bag

Weight: 2.2 lbs
Dimensions: 21鈥� x 12鈥� x 10鈥�
Volume: 45 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Low-profile
鈯� Durable
鈯� Goldilocks organization
鈯� Backpack carry straps
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Laptop sleeve can鈥檛 fit bigger laptops

A British B Corp that鈥檚 been crafting gear for devotees of sea and surf for over two decades, Finisterre impressed our test team with the Nautilus 45. This dynamic duffel doubles as a backpack, meets most airline carry-on requirements, and has a simple, streamlined design.

One tester, a San Francisco-based surfer, called the Nautilus 45L the perfect weekend duffel. He loved that the velcro grip of the duffel-style handle unfurls to padded backpack straps. 鈥淭hey made carrying the bag a breeze, especially while also carrying a couple of surfboards,鈥� he reported. He also commended the waxed, DWR-treated exterior fabric that proved reliably water-resistant.

We took the Finisterre on trips to the mountains of Northern California and Nevada and appreciated the padded, TPU-coated bottom panel that protected the bag from moisture and grime. We also liked the black colorway, as it hides dirt well and is more subtle for travelers who want to fly under the radar.

All testers dug the cavernous main compartment, which features stretchy crisscrossing straps that helped lash clothes down, keeping contents organized on the road. They judged the array of pockets sufficient, not superfluous: The duffel features a pair of external zips, a single internal zip, and a padded laptop sleeve integrated into the opening flap.

We had just two dings: The laptop sleeve accommodated a 13.1-inch Macbook, but it doesn鈥檛 easily fit 15-plus-inch machines. The Nautilus is also relatively pricey compared to the Patagonia Black Hole 55L ($169), Nemo Double-Haul 55L ($180), and our top value pick, the Eagle Creek Migrate Duffel 90L ($139).

But between the subtle style, simple yet efficient organization, and durability that suggests this duffel will last for eons of adventures to come, our testers still gave the nod to the Nautilus as a worthy weekender, despite the higher price tag.

Best Checked-Size Roller Bag

Evoc World Traveller 125

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 16鈥� x 34鈥� x 13鈥� (125L)
Available Sizes:听125 L

Pros and Cons

鈯� Excellent customizable and removable organization system
鈯� Heavy-duty, replaceable wheels
鈯� Well-built
鈯� Fabric can fray if you use the skateboard carry system

When category manager Drew Zieff lived out of the Evoc World Traveller 125 during a three-week road trip through New England this summer, it quickly stood out for its best-in-test combo of organization and durability.

鈥淭he wheels were on the larger side for a roller bag, and combined with that heavy-duty handle, the World Traveller cruises over uneven brick or packed dirt and gravel with ease,鈥� he reported. He also appreciated the taller, narrower profile of the World Traveller, which was easy to maneuver through tighter gaps at airport terminals and campgrounds alike.

The bag features two access points: an upper zipper reveals a small compartment, while a lower zip gives way to the main compartment. Both feature removable, adjustable dividers. One tester divided clothes between the two larger compartments and used the smaller ones for everything from socks and underwear to toiletries, a headlamp, and his derailleur and chain. He even left it packed once he got to his destination鈥攖he perfect portable dresser.

The bag sports two external pockets, too: a larger square one on the bottom, and a smaller semi-circle pocket on top. The two external straps can be used for carrying a skateboard, which Zieff did on one of his adventures. Testers were impressed by the overall durability, reporting no baggage handler-related damage (despite one loading the World Traveller with 62 pounds of mountain bike gear). However, Zieff did note that his skateboard鈥檚 gritty grip tape started to wear on the otherwise tough fabric. Still, we鈥檇 recommend the World Traveller as the perfect closet on wheels for all kinds of four-season adventures.

Best Carry-On Roller Bag

DB Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 21鈥� x 16鈥� x 9鈥�
Available Sizes:听Carry-On, Front-Access Carry On, Check-In M, Check-In L

Pros and Cons:听

鈯� Sleek, Scandinavian design
鈯� Front panel provides easy access
鈯� Durable build
鈯� Really expensive
鈯� Heavy

DB鈥檚 Ramverk Pro Front Access Carry-On is everything we love (and one thing we hate) about Scandinavian design. The Norwegian outfitter鈥檚 premium roller is clean, minimalistic, functional, and built to last鈥攁 masterful blend of elegant aesthetic and rugged utilitarianism. So what鈥檚 not to love? A price tag that鈥檒l have you cursing the kroner.

If the sky鈥檚 the limit for your carry-on budget, though, the Ramverk Pro is as good as it gets for frequent flyers. The roller features a tough, polycarbonate shell built around an aluminum frame.听 A stiff-yet-flexible, padded polyester front-access panel unzips to reveal a laptop sleeve, a few organizational pockets, and a spacious main compartment.

One tester, a Seattle doctor who moonlights as an ultra-discerning, multi-sport gear tester, loved the durability and construction. 鈥淭he frame is strong and this bag is quite durable鈥搃t feels like a lifetime piece,鈥� he reported after a summer of testing. He dug the 360-degree-spinning, 50-millimeter Hinomoto wheels and the telescoping handle, too. The resulting maneuverability was so impressive that he said he “felt like Lewis Hamilton whipping an F1 racecar while swerving through the crowds of SeaTac.”

Best Value Roller Bag

Osprey Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On

听

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 10鈥� x 14鈥� X 21.5鈥�
Available Sizes: 40 L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Large wheels and high clearance
鈯� Seemed to hold less than other bags the same size
鈯� On the pricier side

The Ozone line from Osprey, featuring five pieces ranging from four-wheeled suitcases to smaller backpacks and boarding bags, was designed for frequent flyers and travelers who value ease of transport. Of those, the Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On is perhaps the most convenient on-board option.

Made from an ultralight yet durable aluminum frame and nanofly recycled nylon fabric, it offers just enough organizational capabilities to make packing for a trip a little easier. This suitcase (like all pieces in this line) features a buttonless trolley handle and a YKK reverse coil coated zipper for improved water resistance鈥攂oth industry firsts. The Ozone 2-Wheel Carry-On also has a high clearance High Road LT frame, and oversized 90 millimeter wheels, making it rugged enough to handle terrain beyond concourse floors.

One tester takeaway: Despite this bag鈥檚 advertised 40-liter capacity, it didn鈥檛 seem to hold as much as softer duffel-style bags of the same size. That said, the sleek design combined with the function of this bag made it an obvious choice for our testers who needed a transport-friendly yet durable carry-on.

Best Travel Backpack

Peak Design Travel Backpack 45L

听

Weight: 4.5 lbs
Dimensions: 22鈥� x 13鈥� x 11鈥�
Available Sizes: 30L, 40L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Adjustable volume system
鈯� Clean aesthetic
鈯� Good durability
鈯� Great organizational features
鈯� Heavy for a backpack
鈯� Expensive

鈥淚f you hate talking to strangers in the airport, then this pack might not be for you,鈥� joked a Denver-based tester who took the Travel Backpack on both a mountain biking trip to North Carolina and a sightseeing sojourn to Scotland this year. 鈥淚’ve never received so many compliments from strangers.鈥� And while it’s true that the Travel Backpack鈥檚 aesthetic is undeniably sleek, this bag doesn鈥檛 just look dapper in transit: it also impressed with its user-friendly feature set and surprising ruggedness.

Features include a padded, 16-inch laptop sleeve and easy-access stash spots for passports, sunglasses, keys, and other odds and ends. Macleod鈥檚 favorite pockets, though, were the massive, stretchy water bottle sleeves that Peak Design engineered to double as tripod storage; each fit a Nalgene easily.

Testers also praised the comfy, stowable hip belt and shoulder straps, as well as multiple zippered access points. A set of snaps and expansion panels lets the Travel Backpack 45 slim down to a more manageable 35-liter or 30-liter pack. When compressed, it could fit under an airline seat.

We weren’t worried about shoving it under there, either: Peak Design used a polyurethane-coated, DWR-treated, 400-denier nylon that鈥檚 seriously durable and water-resistant, and the bottom of the pack is armored with an even beefier 900D waterproof nylon.

Demerits were few and far between, but if we鈥檝e got to nitpick, it鈥檚 on the heavy side for daily use. It’s also pretty pricey.

Best For Parents

No Reception Club Hideaway Carry-on Duffel 国产吃瓜黑料 Bundle

Weight: 3.3 lbs when empty, 5 lbs w/ shoulder straps, removable cubby, and included laundry sack
Dimensions: 22鈥� x 13鈥� x 9鈥�
Volume: 42L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Smart organization
鈯� Multiple carry options
鈯� Thoughtful features
鈯� Almost too many organizational options

Staying organized on the road is challenging enough when you鈥檙e traveling solo. Throw a kiddo (or more) into the mix, and difficulty skyrockets exponentially. No Reception Club鈥檚 Hideaway Duffel solves lots of problems for parents with its many thoughtful design features.

It includes a removable cubby (with adjustable dividers) that drops into the main compartment, a smattering of internal and external pockets, and an easy-to-clean, water and odor-resistant laundry compartment for quarantining dirty duds. It even has an insulated pocket purpose-built for safeguarding milk, formula, or other perishable baby food鈥攁 feature one tester traveling cross-country with his infant daughter especially appreciated.

The carry-on boasts a multitude of carry options, including removable backpack straps, grab handles, and a luggage pass-through sleeve. 鈥淚t鈥檚 very versatile,鈥� commented another tester, a frequent flyer and dad of two, who appreciated the ability to use the Hideaway as a backpack between airport gates or pop it on top of his roller bag for longer slogs. He dug the debonair styling and overall aesthetic, too. However, he did find the sheer abundance of pockets and organizational features a tad overwhelming, recommending Hideaway haulers adopt a systematic packing style so little odds and ends don鈥檛 get lost.

You can scoop the duffel solo for $295, but our testers recommend the adventure bundle ($320), which comes with a hangable toiletries case. The ($45) has a hook for hanging and transparent windows that make it easy to keep stock of items.

Best Gear Tote

Evo XL Utility Tote 95

Dimensions: 28鈥� x 19鈥� x 15鈥� (95L)
Available Sizes:听50 L, 95 L

Pros and Cons:

鈯� Durable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Internal and external pockets
鈯� Affordable
鈯� No shoulder strap
鈯� Bulky when fully loaded

The biggest thing Evo鈥檚 XL Utility Tote 95 has going for it? It鈥檚 big. Really big. With a volume of 95 liters鈥攁 size typically reserved for expedition duffels and checked baggage鈥攖he Utility Tote is a massive gear hauler our testers quickly fell for. 鈥淚 travel with bulky gear all the time, and this makes it so much easier to keep those items together,” reported one tester. “It fits my entire bike or snowboard kit.”

That said, the Utility Tote isn鈥檛 a one-trick pony. The exterior is a thick, water-resistant, polyurethane-coated PET ripstop that hasn鈥檛 yet shown any signs of wear, while the tarp lining is both easy to clean and difficult to damage.

Evo managed to add a few organization features without sacrificing the cavernous main compartment, too. Another tester, an Arizona-based cyclist, appreciated the tote鈥檚 padded interior pockets. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to have designated spots for bike tools, gloves and cycling caps, and an extra pair of sunglasses,鈥� he said. Testers also dug the exterior pockets, which were perfect for separating wet or smelly gear, and the burly exterior loops, which were ideal for lashing wet towels, bike helmets, and shoes to the outside.

We just wish Evo had included a shoulder strap; hefting the fully loaded bag by the grab handles proved cumbersome over longer distances.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 21
• Number of Products Tested: 35
• Number of Miles Traveled: 18,500

Over the course of three years, we tested 35 pieces of luggage designed for the adventurous traveler who hauls their gear through more rugged environments than airport concourses. Think rafting adventures, camping getaways, climbing trips, and cross-country roadtrips.

As such, we primarily considered soft shell luggage between 20 and 100 liters made with abrasion- and weather-resistant materials to withstand plenty of use and abuse. We then rounded up 21 individuals who travel extensively鈥攊ncluding a professional photographer, an outdoor educator, a professional skier and mountain biker, a forest ranger, and mapping technology specialist鈥攁nd tasked them with schlepping these bags around the country to assess the best picks for adventure travel.

We asked them to home in on overall performance, feature-set, ease of transport, and durability, among other qualities. The bags on this list rose to the top of the pile after impressing testers in all categories.

Meet our Testers

Drew Zieff

听is a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes for听Backcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regular听国产吃瓜黑料听contributor, he heads our听snowboard听gear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into their听dream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when there鈥檚 swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time nomads, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories, travel luggage, and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

Caitlin Kelly

Originally from the Coast of Maine, Caitlin Kelly studied creative writing and environmental studies at St. Lawrence University in Upstate New York. She has called the Adirondack Mountains home since, building community through her work with Women of the Adirondacks and The Adirondack Community Avalanche Project. She currently resides in Lake Placid, NY, and is the social and digital media specialist for North Country Public Radio. She is an avid backcountry skier and a ski patroller at Whiteface Mountain. Her writing has appeared in Powder Magazine, Adirondack Life Magazine, Freeskier, The Ski Journal, 国产吃瓜黑料 Magazine, and Ski Magazine, among other publications. If you sit too close to her on a chairlift, you may get some glitter on you.

The post The Best Backpacks, Duffels, and Roller Bags for 国产吃瓜黑料 Travel appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The first time I met Robbi Mecus, she told me she liked my skirt. I was 25, working as an interior caretaker in the Adirondack High Peaks, my first job with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). My male supervisor had recently told me the skirt was unprofessional. But Robbi loved it鈥攕he lamented the fact that she couldn鈥檛 wear one on the job as a ranger. She loved embracing her feminine side.

It was summer 2020, and Robbi, who had been a forest ranger with the DEC for over 20 years, was passing by my backcountry cabin at Marcy Dam, a major trail intersection in the Adirondacks. She had just rescued a pair of hikers from the Trap Dike, a class four climb in a steep, rocky gully on Mt. Colden, where many hikers get in over their heads. Robbi knew this area better than just about anyone, and it took her just a few hours to get the pair safely back on trail.

I had been looking forward to meeting her for a long time. I had heard her calm, unwavering voice on the radio all summer. In the years to come, her voice would become a balm. I’d hear her on the radio and a flood of relief would wash over my body. Thank God Robbi is coming. Everything will be OK.

Later that summer, I would successfully file a claim of discrimination and sexual harassment against that supervisor, citing a long list of incidents that included his distaste for the skirt. The day I met Robbi, I had no idea what was coming. But I was standing for something I believed in鈥攖hat women belong working in the outdoors鈥攂y wearing that skirt. Robbi saw that. We were fast friends, bonded by this common thread that wove our lives together.

Now I鈥檓 left wondering how to move forward without her support and passion. On Thursday, April 25, Robbi died in an ice climbing fall on Mount Johnson in Alaska鈥檚 Ruth Gorge, at the age of 52. She was on a route called the Escalator, and she and her climbing partner, Melissa Orzechowski, fell about 1,000 feet. Another climbing party on the route witnessed the accident, called for help, and descended to the pair, where they confirmed that Robbi had died. They dug a snow cave and attended to Melissa鈥檚 injuries throughout the night. The next morning, Melissa was flown out and transported to a hospital where she still remains in critical condition.

In the wake of her death, Robbi has left many communities grieving. She was an incredible ranger, an accomplished climber, a powerful advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, a mother, a mentor, and more. Our relationship was just beginning鈥擨 hadn鈥檛 yet cashed in on her offer to get out for a climb in Keene Valley, and we鈥檒l never get a chance to go to the Rage Against the Machine concert she invited me to. But in the four short years I knew Robbi, we spent many hours skiing together in the backcountry and at Whiteface, our local mountain, and we were on multiple rescues together. I got to see her shine in the most precarious and stressful situations: in helicopters, doing rope rescues, on carry-outs. I also saw her shine in the most joyous: on the dance floor, with a margarita in hand, or traveling the trails in her favorite mountains.

For someone as tough as Robbi was, she had the softest, kindest face. She was tall and strong with electric blue eyes and long brown hair, often tied back in two braids. From the moment Robbi understood gender as a child, she knew she was a girl, and a girl who loved the mountains. Both felt out of reach: she didn鈥檛 have examples of trans people in her immediate community, and living in New York City, the mountains were far away. But early on, she found a climbing community and immediately fell in love with the sport. To her, everybody was equal at the crag.

In 1999, Robbi became a forest ranger in New York. She was in her thirties, working her dream job. She got married and had a daughter. In an interview with , she said she thought that maybe that was enough, maybe she could make her life work in a man鈥檚 body.

Then, when Robbi was 44, she came out as a transgender woman. She couldn鈥檛 keep hiding. In a place like the Adirondacks鈥攃onservative and blue-collar, without a big community of openly trans or queer people鈥攕he thought her career as a ranger would be over. She knew the job relied on personal connections within the community and her coworkers, and believed that she would lose those relationships after coming out.

But people who knew her, like her coworkers, ended up supporting and respecting her. Robbi said she felt a wave of relief. It was all coming together. She was finally in the right body, with the right job.

Throughout her career, she relentlessly worked to create a safe and supportive community for LGBTQ+ climbers in the Adirondacks. Back in 2022, she and Melissa started the Adirondack Queer Ice Fest, the first of its kind, and a huge success. She became a role model for people who aren鈥檛 always seen or accepted by the outdoor community. She had put up a number of first ascents in the Adirondacks, and was known throughout the region for her climbing prowess.

Unlike a lot of forest rangers, Robbi was very public about her work. She agreed to interviews with the press. She delivered presentations on the complexities of mountain rescues. She conducted Facebook Live Q&A events, wrote for the Alpinist, and was interviewed on their podcast. She performed at live storytelling events. She did it all because she believed it was so important that women like her were visible. Before she transitioned, she didn鈥檛 see any queer rangers or trans climbers.

Robbi was a damn good ranger. Once she was called to rescue a man at the Boquet River Lean-to. It was her first rescue in a zone new to her, and she reached him at sunset. The helicopter pilot radioed her and said she had two minutes to harness the patient or they鈥檇 turn around, because they couldn鈥檛 hoist someone in the dark. Another ranger was brought in to help. With webbing, she tied a full waist and chest harness in under 90 seconds (less than half the time it usually takes). They hoisted the patient, and then the other ranger. Robbi walked out with the rest of the group. No ranger since has been able to beat her record.

Robbi and I were thrilled every time we got to work together. She made me feel seen, respected, and empowered. Soon, our texts shifted from work talk to plans to make dinner together, or get out for an adventure in our free time.听 She was a ball of fire. In winter 2023, we took an avalanche course together. After our first day in the course she texted me, 鈥淟et鈥檚 see how many times the instructors will automatically gender some random made-up rescuer or ski patroller as male today. It was all over the place yesterday. Did you catch it? 鈥楾he guy running the probe.鈥� 鈥楬e needs to start shoveling downhill.鈥� 鈥榃hat if your wife or girlfriend were caught in the avalanche?鈥� That last one I loved. I looked around the room at the students and a good 40 percent of them are women. WTF?鈥�

Robbi affirmed the disappointment and anger I often felt as a woman in the outdoors. She was so articulate about it, so precise. She saw it, said something, and carried on proving the world wrong. She supported me in every way. It’s dizzying to imagine how many people she impacted, if in just four short years she could give so much to me.

This spring, she was at the height of her career, as strong as she had ever been. Weeks before she left for Alaska, she and her close friend and coworker Chrissy Raudonis, the Lake Colden caretaker, saved the life of a man who became lost on Mount Marcy, New York鈥檚 tallest mountain. They spotted his tracks off trail just hours before a blizzard would have covered them. A few days before she flew out to the Ruth Gorge, I sent her The New York Times article about the rescue. I wrote how proud I was to call her my friend, and how excited I was for her that she was back in Alaska. She responded simply with, 鈥淐hrissy, too!鈥� That was Robbi. Humble as ever.

A ranger I used to work with called me when he got the news. I鈥檝e tried to find words for what it feels like when someone tells you the unimaginable. I keep falling short. He had the tone of someone who has to deliver bad news all too often. He invited me to a gathering that evening where friends and rangers, some who had worked their entire careers by Robbi鈥檚 side, told stories about the rescues they had been on together: the hard, the hilarious, the unforgettable. They all said that they never worried about Robbi. She was so strong and calculated. Something like this would never happen to her. She was one of the best rangers New York has ever seen. Before we knew it, it was four in the morning.

Robbi was magic, someone you became a better person around just by standing in her light. She glowed on her best days and her hardest. Everyone she met could feel the care and passion she brought to her work and her community. I grieve for the people who loved her. I’m more sure than ever that we must tell people we love them, even when it might feel strange or scary. I鈥檓 learning that loving hard means that loss hits hard, too. Robbi would tell me that it鈥檚 worth it.

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At least half the fun of the Barbie movie is the brilliant costumes and satisfying set designs, featuring every shade of pink (just check out the photo above!). While we might not have Greta Gerwig and her team鈥檚 style and expertise when it comes to our wardrobes, fuchsia is the color of the summer and has even seeped听into the outdoor industry. Many have a love/hate relationship with the color鈥攆or a long time, it was the only color women could find in outdoor apparel and gear鈥攂ut we may be seeing a new era of pink. One that embraces femininity and also strength, one that is fun but also tough. Take a peek at our favorite Barbie-inspired outdoor gear of the summer.听

Birkenstock Arizona Essentials Eva in Beetroot Purple ($50)

Barbie may have had to choose between high heels and Birkenstocks in the movie, but you don鈥檛 have to make the same compromise. Made from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), a high-quality, light, and elastic material with great cushioning, these sandals are waterproof so they鈥檙e perfect for the beach, watering your garden, or for sweaty feet post-workout. Plus, they鈥檙e modeled after the cork originals, so you get to keep that classic Birkenstock style.

Baggu Fanny Pack in Extra Pink ($52)

Every Barbie needs a bag, so it might as well be durable, sustainable, and鈥攎ight I even say鈥攆ashionable. With two primary compartments and a zippered interior pocket, the Fanny Pack is great for storing your passport and snacks while traveling or keeping your phone and other essentials safe on the trail. Plus, all of Baggu鈥檚 nylon styles are made with recycled nylon filament yarn that was produced from pre-consumer waste. Hop on the hands-free bag trend with a company you can feel good about supporting.听

Youswim Poise High Waist Two Piece in Cosmic ($139)

Youswim has made waves in the swimsuit industry with its luxe, ribbed, and seamless fabric swimsuits that magically fit seven sizes in one. The suit听adapts to your body, even as it changes and grows. This particular style offers medium coverage in a perfect pink colorway. I鈥檝e owned a Youswim suit for a few years now and it鈥檚 the one I keep reaching for consistently. It鈥檚 comfortable, versatile, and sustainable. Youswim鈥檚 suits are made with European-sourced nylon and elastane and completely produced in England by their team鈥攏o sweatshops here.听

Submission Biodegradable Glitter in Pink ($25)

While you might not think of glitter as outdoor gear, it adds sparkle and silliness to long days in the backcountry and hot laps in the resort with friends. I鈥檓 a big-time glitter fan myself, and have been on the search for the best biodegradable and plastic-free option. This pink glitter from Submission may be the winner, with its base made with cellulose from eucalyptus trees instead of plastic. This material creates a beautiful sparkle, without the use of toxic ingredients, and feels softer on the skin than plastic glitter.听

Beach Sounds Speaker in Candy Pink ($65)

At first glance, you might think the Beach Sounds speaker was taken from the set of the Barbie Movie itself. This candy pink retro-inspired speaker is sand- and water-resistant, and the ideal size for any outdoor adventure (listening respectfully, of course). Take it to the beach, on a raft, or poolside. It鈥檚 easily portable, compatible with any smartphone or tablet, and connects to Bluetooth.

Outdoor Voice Exercise Dress in Retro Haze ($80)

You鈥檝e probably heard of the Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress and yes, the hype is absolutely real. As a proud owner of one, I do just about anything in it鈥攈ike, run, go to the gym, hot girl walks, and more. This Retro Haze color reminds me of my Barbie dolls I played with as a young girl. The Exercise Dress is flattering and also functional, with adjustable straps and a built-in shorts liner with sticky grippers on the inside hem to help them stay in place.听

Halfdays Nellie Packable Puffer Jacket in Peony ($195)

The Nellie Packable Puffer is the definition of fashionable and functional. The trendy, relaxed and oversized fit looks good year round鈥攚ear it alone or with layers underneath in the colder months. Made with a wind-resistant shell and a later of quilted insulation, this puffer cuts the wind while trapping warmth. It also features a back pocket for water bottle storage, and packs into itself once you鈥檝e heated up. Plus, this jacket is made with 45 percent recycled nylon, and insulated by 100 percent recycled PET bottles.听

Hoka Women鈥檚 Speedgoat 5 in Festival Fuchsia / Camellia ($155)

Hoka鈥檚 newly-revised Speedgoat is meant for hitting mountainous trails, with Vibram Megagrip rubber and five millimeter lugs for better grip on loose terrain. It鈥檚 got the same stack height and rocker profile as the previous version, but with a lighter midsole and a more durable body. You can rest assured that these shoes have been tried and tested鈥擪arl 鈥淪peedgoat鈥� Meltzer (who has won more 100-miler races than any other runner), launched his signature shoe in 2015, and has won many ultramarathons wearing his Speedgoats. And Hoka must鈥檝e gotten the Barbie memo, because this color fits with just about everything else on this list. Plus, the upper is made from 34 percent recycled materials. Happy Trails!

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I was standing at the top of a line I had skied at least twenty times before: one of my favorites at Whiteface Mountain鈥攑op a little air off the cat track, maneuver through small fir trees, jump off of a cliff and sail through the runout. But then I pushed a little harder than normal, skied a little too fast as I launched over the cliff far past the landing and into a hidden hole in the snow. I heard a pop and felt the rubber band-like ligaments holding my knee together snap. I knew what I had done, but couldn鈥檛 yet admit it. I later found out I had torn my ACL, meniscus, and had a hairline fracture at the top of my tibia.听

For those who have suffered any sort of knee injury, it is absolutely life-changing, as common as the injury is. Depending on the severity, walking normally after surgery is months into the future. And if you love to recreate outside, it鈥檚 at least six to nine months to return to those wild spaces you love at full capacity.听

New Knee Support is Born听

Fortunately for me, I got to benefit from someone else鈥檚 knee injury. The story goes like this. Just before the Grouse Grind Mountain Run in Vancouver, a 1.8-mile trail run up the steep Grouse Mountain, twenty-six-year-old Zack Eberwein was debating whether or not he should wear his bulky knee brace. As a last-minute decision, he left it behind 鈥� and suffered an acute knee injury as a result, leading him to ask the question: is there a better way to approach knee support? A mechanical engineer by trade, he ultimately co-founded to solve that problem, the world鈥檚 first supportive apparel company.听

Stoko鈥檚 inaugural product, the K1, is a compression tight that mimics the body鈥檚 natural structures, muscles, and ligaments while using its patented technology to give the knee the support of a traditional brace without the bulk. And the latest iteration, the K1 Breathe, now enhances temperature regulation through knitted ventilation.听

completely reimagines recovering from knee injuries. Stoko used body mapping to place high-strength cables that are integrated into the fabric so that they mimic your muscles and ligaments, providing extra stability where you need it most. And those cables are adjustable with two dials, one for each leg, embedded in the back of the waistband. It鈥檚 a non-assuming garment that looks like any other legging, but with medical-grade technology that provides the same, if not better support than traditional knee braces. Designed by athletes, the K1 is functional: it鈥檚 a compression tight for skiing and snowboarding, while also acting as a baselayer. For running and hiking and other sports, it鈥檚 all you need.听

Testing Stoko鈥檚 K1 Breathe in the High Peaks Wilderness听

I鈥檓 five years post-surgery and my career and body has allowed me to work outside and protect those wild spaces, but not without weakness and pain in that bad knee. During the months of May through October, I work in the High Peaks Wilderness of the Adirondacks in a remote outpost and act as an educator, first responder, and trail worker, while hiking around in some of the most rugged mountains in the Northeast. On my last hitch out in the High Peaks Wilderness, I packed the K1 Breathe and did a patrol up to Mt. Marcy, the highest point in New York State.听

I put on the K1 for the descent, the movement that puts the most stress on my reconstructed ACL. I was blown away by how good my knees felt, and how supported I felt, without the volume of a knee brace. An added benefit was the support on my hips, which often compensate for my bad knee. Additionally, the compression of the K1 reminds those muscles around my bad knee to fire, instead of relying on the hips or the other leg. The K1 takes a while to get used to, but after wearing them a few times, they eventually conformed and morphed to my body.听

As I descended, not only did my knees feel stronger, but so did the entirety of my legs. Although it was a 70-degree day, the integrated breathability kept my legs cool while wearing this supportive apparel. And even with a 40-pound pack on, the dials on the back of the K1 weren鈥檛 very noticeable.

Part of Stoko鈥檚 philosophy is to help create a strong body that doesn鈥檛 rely on a conventional knee brace, a design that hasn鈥檛 changed much in 50 years. Perhaps you鈥檙e post knee surgery and you don鈥檛 want to wear a brace but want that extra support, or you鈥檙e a runner or backpacker with chronic knee pain, or a freeride skier that continually pushes the limits and your knees. Stoko鈥檚 K1 uses targeted compression and technical knitting for the cables, so you don鈥檛 even feel them as they鈥檙e supporting you throughout the fabric. An added bonus is the extra hip stability and alignment.

Wearing the K1 Breathe, I felt my legs working as they should鈥攖ogether. All my muscles, joints, and ligaments were working in synergy, a feeling I haven鈥檛 had since I got injured. It wasn鈥檛 just my knee that felt supported, the entire lower half of my body felt stronger, which is an added bonus, along with improved alignment and pain reduction. Stoko recently did a survey of more than 100 active users of the K1 and found 99 percent of athletes reported an increase in knee stability, 90 percent reported more stability in the hips, and 80 percent in the lower back. Stoko鈥檚 K1 is a total game changer. I highly recommend it to anyone who needs the extra stability and support in their knees.

Stoko鈥檚 K-Line

Our proprietary supportive tights offer athletes the same high-level joint support offered by a traditional knee brace, integrated directly into the comfort of an ultra-comfortable compression tight.

K1: The supportive tight that started it all鈥攄esigned as the perfect under or outer layer for hikes in cooler weather, or for those who prefer to wear warmer layers.

K1 BREATHE: Like the K1, but with state-of-the-art targeted knit ventilation for enhanced temperature control.

K1 TEMPO: The 戮 length version of the K1, perfect for summer hikes or people who run hot, with side and waistband pockets to secure the essentials.

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