Dads are notoriously hard to buy gifts for. They鈥檙e usually not great about communicating what they want, and anything they know they want they just buy for themselves when the urge strikes. To help those scratching their heads about what to get dad for Father鈥檚 Day, we badgered the dads at 国产吃瓜黑料 to tell us what鈥檚 on their wish list, great gifts they鈥檝e received and really appreciated, and dad essentials they swear by.

If the dad in your life isn鈥檛 into 鈥渟tuff,鈥� consider non-physical gifts like race entries, Airbnb credits for weekend getaways, or activity punch cards. After all, what outdoorsy dads likely want most for Father鈥檚 day is to spend the day doing what they love, whether that鈥檚 going for a bike ride, a trail run, or hitting the links (especially if they can share their passion with their kids).

If all else fails, you can never go wrong with a pair of socks.

Watch: Thank God for Weird, Wild, Outdoorsy Dads

Free Fly Pinnacle Rash Guard

As a dad, I spend a lot of time outside (watching a variety of sporting events, dragging kids on hikes, etc.) so I鈥檝e come to love Free Fly鈥檚 line of hooded sun shirts, which I wear almost constantly through summer. I was excited when they released the Pinnacle, a hooded rash guard that takes the sun shirt concept and applies it to water-based activities. It has chafe-free seams, and a built-in visor in the hood to help protect your face from the sun. I鈥檝e already worn it on paddle board trips on the French Broad River near my home, and I can鈥檛 wait to break it out during our annual family surf trip later in the summer. Just be sure to order a size up鈥攖he Pinnacle is tight fitting and gets tighter when it鈥檚 wet, so give yourself a little extra breathing room. 鈥�Graham Averill, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear and travel columnist听

Lumi HD Smart Projector

Movie night is a staple in our house, and the addition of the Lumi HD Smart Projector means we can take our favorite media outside, whether I鈥檓 throwing up binge-worthy shows in the backyard or screening horror films at the campsite. The projector weighs under 3 pounds, and has wifi and built-in apps (from Prime to Netflix), so you can log into your streaming account and watch your favorite shows and movies on the big screen.

Or use the HDMI or USB ports to play content from your phone, streaming stick, or GoPro. It shoots a clear 1080P HD picture up to 200 inches big, and is Bluetooth compatible so you can hook up an auxiliary speaker if you want big sound. It doesn鈥檛 have its own battery, but it works well with portable systems like the Goal Zero 500. Add the 100鈥� roll up screen ($19), which is easy to hang in front of your garage door, or from the roof rack on your car. 鈥�G.A.

Hydro Flask 12oz Cooler Cup

The HydroFlask 12oz Cooler Cup is my go-to beverage holder whether I’m in the backyard, at a concert in the park, or floating on an inflatable unicorn at the lake. The removable silicone bottom locks in a 12-ounce beverage can or bottle, and if you invest in a lid, the cup pulls triple duty as a coffee mug in the morning and a wine or marg holder at night. Just give it a quick wash and nobody鈥檚 the wiser. 鈥擱yan Dionne, 国产吃瓜黑料 digital video producer

Igloo ECOCOOL Latitude 52-Qt Cooler

听

The ECOCOOL Latitude 52-Qt cooler proves that there is still space for a low-tech cooler in a market dominated by $400 options. For $60, the ECOCOOL keeps snacks and drinks reliably cold for weekend camping trips. It’s also solidly built, with sturdy plastic handles that don’t bend under 50-pound loads and robust clasps and hinges to secure the lid. As a bonus, the ECOCOOL is made from post-consumer recycled resin. While it won鈥檛 keep contents cold for as long as some of the more premium coolers out there, it鈥檚 a good value compromise. 鈥擩oe Jackson, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear columnist

Read more: The 6 Best Coolers of 2025

Gregory Alpaca Gear Garage Envy听

If there鈥檚 a dad on your list who needs to organize the garage or implement order to a chaotic gear closet, give a gift that might nudge him in the right direction. Gregory鈥檚 brawny Alpaca Gear Box 45L is perfect for both at-home organization and hauling camp supplies on the road. It features dual-sided hinges, allowing you to open it from either side or remove the lid entirely. The lid is see-through, too, so you can easily take stock of the contents. Last but not least, a gasket seal helps keep your gear dry and dust-free at camp.

I’ve been testing the Gear Box for a couple of years now on van life adventures and car camping trips. I’ve even used it to tame a (hypocritically) messy gear room. In that time, I鈥檝e definitely thought to myself, 鈥淗uh, we could use another four or five of these.鈥� Enter the aptly named 鈥淕arage Envy鈥� bundle鈥攁 collection of six of these mighty gear tubs. That adds up to 270 liters of packable volume. Just imagine the possibilities. (If one or two tubs is enough for you, .) 鈥�Drew Zieff, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear contributor

Big Agnes Big Six Armchair

The Big Six Armchair beats other camp chairs out there because it checks all the boxes: it鈥檚 comfortable, stable, and very packable for a high-backed chair. Credit the 20-inch seat height, generous 20-inch back height, and the high-tenacity Robic nylon upper that stretches tightly against six connection points on the chair to provide firm upper back support. Bonus: the two-piece, sub-four-pound chair packs down small enough to fit into a 25-liter daypack. This would be a great chair even if it never left camp, but the beauty of the Big Six is that you can easily pack it up and hike short distances with it. 鈥擩.闯.

Read more: The Best Camp Chairs of 2025

Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe

I鈥檝e tested a variety of recovery slides and sandals, but the Kane Revive shoes are one of my top picks for how versatile they are. While the footbed texture and smooth ride make them feel like a recovery shoe, plentiful heel support and a more streamlined silhouette make them my favorite for running errands and pretending to be the Loch Ness Monster at my kid鈥檚 playground without worrying about rolling my ankle. I highly recommend this shoe for active dads who have grown tired of using a lacrosse ball to treat their aching feet. 鈥擩.闯.

Simple Modern Kona Travel Mug with Locking Flip Lid

When I’m heading out for a long drive (with my son or going to visit my son), I like nothing better than a cup of hot coffee to sip on as the miles go by. What I don’t like is when it goes cold in 15 minutes and I’m left drinking a tepid, tasteless brew, or I spill it getting it to the vehicle, or I have to wrestle with a travel mug that’s too big or requires two hands to open. The Kona Travel Mug with Locking Flip Lid solves all these issues.

It’s seriously leak-proof when closed (I’ve turned it upside-down and not spilled a drop), the lid flips open with vigor at the push of a button, it’s just the right size (16 ounces, or a Starbucks 听grande)听for my three-shot, mocha pot-brewed “au lait” and it fits securely in about any cup holder as well as in my hand. Best of all, it keeps my coffee hot for hours鈥攗p to eight hours, according to the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab, and for six hours even when out in 39 degree weather. 鈥�Jonathan Beverly, 国产吃瓜黑料 senior gear editor

Minus 33 Lightweight Algonquin Men’s T-Shirt Crew

As their name suggests, Minus 33 apparel is usually associated with frigid outings. But this lightweight short sleeve is ideal for high-output activities on cooler summer days, and for casual wear at any temps. Given the uber-soft feel and classy drape of the 100-percent merino jersey knit, I tend to reach for it first when I want to look good and feel comfortable in social settings, but have been impressed with its wicking, dry-time, and mobility on runs and hikes as well. And its odor-resistance is unparalleled: I wore it for three consecutive days on a road trip, then for a morning run on the fourth day, and it still smelled so fresh I felt funny putting it in the laundry. It also has proved more durable than other all-merino fabric, holding its new-like shape and texture after multiple washes. Comfortable, stylish, and low-maintenance鈥攚hat dad wouldn’t want that? 鈥擩.B.听

Insta 360 Ace Pro 2 Action Camera

GoPro and DJI have long dominated the action camera market, but Insta360 is making its mark with the Ace Pro 2. Co-engineered with Leica, the camera shoots ultra high-resolution footage, rich 4K slow-mo, and captures high-quality audio. It also has a laundry list of amazing features, including a dedicated chip to help with low-light shooting, a back screen that flips up for great selfie footage, and industry-leading stabilization. The total package makes it nearly impossible to shoot bad footage. If the dad in your life likes to shoot footie of his biking, skiing, or overlanding adventures, he鈥檒l love this camera. 鈥�Jakob Schiller, 国产吃瓜黑料 gear columnist

42 Birds Cork Lightweight Yoga Mat And Massage Balls Bundle听

This Cork Yoga Mat from 42 Birds is a game-changer for yoga and home workout routines. Not only does the cushioned cork material grip well under sweaty hands and feet, but it鈥檚 also more sustainably sourced than conventional mat materials and free of harmful chemicals and compounds. Regardless, the tactile experience during a downward dog is downright lovely, to the point I won鈥檛 be returning to rubber anytime soon. This bundle comes with three cork-wrapped, fascia-blasting massage balls (two are the size of tennis balls, the other closer to a cherry tomato). Whether the dad on your list is a greenhorn yogi or a seasoned guru, this gift will have him saying 鈥渘amaste.鈥� 鈥挤.窜.

Ombraz Viale Sunglasses听

If you鈥檙e unfamiliar with Ombraz鈥檚 armless sunglasses, they ditch the otherwise standard-issue, breakage-prone folding arms you see on every other pair of shades on the market. Instead, the shades utilize adjustable cords to cinch the sunglasses in place, resulting in a tighter, customizable fit that won鈥檛 fall off or snap mid-adventure. When you鈥檙e not wearing the shades, the cord acts like a retention strap, keeping the Ombraz safely around the neck and reducing the chances of losing your precious sunnies.

I’ve been testing the Viale this spring and digging it. It sports a gently curved, rounded frame, with a classic, notched keyhole nose bridge. The model offers outdoor dads both exceptional style and enough performance for hiking, camping, and daily life. Inset in the claimed 鈥渋ndestructible鈥� frame are top-tier polarized lenses from Zeiss, one of the sunglasses industry鈥檚 biggest names, and Ombraz鈥檚 optics are unsurprisingly solid. 鈥挤.窜.听

Paid Advertisement by Monument Grills

Monument Grills Eminence 405

Searching for that perfect Father鈥檚 Day gift? Level up dad鈥檚 outdoor cooking game with the heavy-duty, high-end Eminence 405 from Monument Grills. The ClearView庐️ lid makes it easy to see inside without lifting the lid, and everything from temperature and propane gas capacity to alerts and timer settings sync from the touch-panel LED screen right to the app. With side searing station, this smart grill brings the heat.

Coleman 8-Person Darkroom Skydome Tent

The Darkroom Skydome is a no-brainer for families who car camp. At $230, this eight-person tent costs less than half what other popular eight-person tents cost (like The North Face Wawona 8 and Big Agnes Bunk House 8). It also uses light-blocking fabric to keep the interior darker (and cooler) during the day, making it a great option for families with little kids who still take naps. Its massive interior (12鈥� by 9鈥�) mean there鈥檚 also plenty of room for plush camping mattresses, pack-n-plays, and other family gear. 鈥擩.闯.

Don’t miss: The Best Tents for Car Camping

Nestout Power Bank 15000mAh听

Nestout鈥檚 Power Bank 15000 mAh looks a bit like a military canteen, and it鈥檚 as tough as one, too. The portable power source鈥檚 lithium battery is wrapped in a shock-absorbent liner, which is then encased in an overbuilt hard shell. Sealed screw top caps protect the input and output ports, resulting in a dust-, water-, and adventure-proof device. The bank features two USB-A ports and a faster USB-C PD port, so you can charge up your outdoor tech as quickly as possible. From empty, the Power Bank charges up in three and a half hours, and can charge an average smartphone three or four times before it needs to be topped up again. As if that weren鈥檛 enough, the bank boasts an integrated tripod mount and is compatible with Nestout鈥檚 line of camp lights. This is a gift that will be used day in and day out, especially for frequent travelers, outdoor photographers, and digital nomads. 鈥挤.窜.听

Kids Ride Shotgun Seat

My wife and I learned early on that my daughter was not a big fan of long outdoor activities. The one outdoor activity she would tolerate, I eventually discovered, was bike rides with the Kids Ride Shotgun bicycle seat. My wife bought me the basic Shotgun seat attachment when my daughter was two-and-a-half, and the apparatus quickly revolutionized our relationship with the outdoors.

My daughter had a short tolerance for bike rides in the rear third-wheel seat, but came alive when she was allowed to sit up front. She could see the road, path, and trail ahead, and the fresh perspective produced a love of bike rides. Suddenly, biking became our favorite father-daughter activity. My daughter is almost five now, and she’s added a few inches since we got the seat, but she still fits on the bike (just barely). 鈥�Frederick Dreier, 国产吃瓜黑料 Articles Editor

Paka Trail Socks

Unwrapping a fresh pair of socks for Father鈥檚 Day will never get old, and that鈥檚 especially true when it comes to these Paka Trail Socks. I’ve been loving everything I鈥檝e tested from Peru-based Paka over the last year or two. As the brand name suggests, Paka focuses on the magic of the alpaca fiber, a lightweight yet resilient material with natural quick-drying, temperature-managing, and odor-combating properties. 鈥挤.窜.听

Outerknown Apex Evolution Boardshorts听

The Apex has been one of my favorite boardshorts for years now, so I was pleased when a heavily updated version, the Apex Evolution, debuted a couple of months ago. While the original Apex was a damn-near perfect boardie, the shorts’ stretchy fabric鈥攖hough thin, soft, and lightweight鈥攚asn’t the most durable.

The new Evolution isn鈥檛 quite as light or soft, but the new fabric, a four-way stretch material sourced from retired fishing nets, is much more rugged. An updated cut also makes it easier to sit comfortably while waiting for waves. The gusseted fly is less revealing than that of the previous model, and the braided drawcord and broad waistband ensure a comfortable, secure fit in heavy surf. Long story (board)short, if it鈥檚 good enough for Kelly Slater, it鈥檚 good enough for the wave-chasing dad on your list. 鈥挤.窜.听

More Gear Reviews

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The post 17 Father’s Day Gift Ideas for Active, Outdoorsy Dads appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Whether your hot beverage of choice is coffee, tea, or matcha, you鈥檝e likely adopted a favorite travel mug to carry your magical morning elixir to the office or the trailhead. But do you know how its performance stacks up against the competition? Instead of relying on haphazard observations and product claims, the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab @ CU Denver set up an experiment to find out which travel mugs are the best at keeping beverages warm.

In the lab鈥攁 new test facility in the university鈥檚 engineering department鈥攚e used professional lab thermometers to determine which insulated travel mugs and bottles kept drinks hot at room temperature and in a cold setting the longest. We rounded up 38 of the most popular products available, divided them into three categories (tumblers, travel mugs, and thermoses), and got to work.

We tested the products in each category identically and compared only the results from our objective tests. Below are the products that performed best in each category.

Updated May 2025: We added six new tumblers, six new travel mugs, and three new thermoses to the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab testing groups, and highlighted some new top performers based on results. We also updated info and pricing on previously included mugs/bottles.

At a Glance

• What the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab Tested
• How We Tested Mugs at the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab
• Spill-Proof Tumblers
  • Top Performer:
  • Runner Up:听
  • Honorable Mentions
  • Rest of the Test
• Leak-Proof Travel Mugs
  • Top Performer:
  • Runner Up:
  • Honorable Mentions
  • Rest of the Test
• Large Thermoses
  • Top Performer:
  • Runner Up:
  • Honorable Mentions
  • Rest of the Test
• Final Thoughts

What the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab Tested

We selected popular models of the three most common types of insulated travel mugs and bottles specific to hot drinks.

1. Spill-Proof Tumblers: Mugs with lids that typically slide or flip open
2. Leak-Proof Travel Mugs: Bottles with a fully sealed 鈥渄rink through鈥� lid that can be thrown in a bag without leaking
3. Traditional Thermoses: Large bottles that keep drinks warm all day

Note: Several brands use lead soldering to seal their products in manufacturing, a process still approved by the FDA. Though the lead never touches the inside drink surface, and rigorous testing is done to ensure no lead exposure to customers, this is a potential health concern if the product is damaged. We focused our efforts on heat retention performance, and did not test for lead. Check with the brand for their current process.

How We Tested Coffee Mugs at the 国产吃瓜黑料 Lab

To test the heat retention of each container, we filled them with hot water and used a lab grade digital thermometer with wire thermistor probes (thin temperature-sensitive wires) to take the temperature of each travel mug or bottle every hour and each large thermos every six hours. This lets us get a quick, accurate temperature reading without fully removing the lid, preserving an accurate representation of real-world use. At the beginning of each test, we used an infrared camera to look for any noticeable heat leaks, but failed to find any significant enough to point out.

We set the start and end points for what constitutes 鈥渉ot鈥� in our testing based on common brewing, serving, and drinking temperatures for coffee. Start temperatures were different depending on the category of travel mugs being tested. Tumbler and leak-proof mugs started the tests at 165 degrees Fahrenheit, considered the standard serving temperature for coffee which needs to cool slightly before drinking. Large thermos bottles were started at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, the low end of brewing temperature (found at the finish of brewing), but too hot to safely drink. A higher start temperature was used for this category since it鈥檚 typically filled with the intent to pour the beverage into a cup later and let cool before drinking. We stopped all tests once the water inside the bottle reached 125 degrees Fahrenheit, which, according to brewers, is on the low end of the accepted drinking temperature for coffee that is still considered warm/hot.

The lab setting lets us control key variables like environmental temperature, allowing us to create conditions for each category that simulated their typical use environment and remained stable for the full length of each test. During each test we used a second thermometer to track temperature and humidity over long periods of time, verifying the environment remained stable. All samples were first tested in a controlled room temperature environment (70 degrees Fahrenheit) with their lids fully sealed to set a performance baseline.

Since tumblers aren鈥檛 often exposed to cold temperatures for very long during commutes and at the office, we only tested them at room temperature. Samples were also tested with the drink mouth left open to add another data point to the performance and help sort those that had similar results when closed.

Travel and thermos bottles, however, are often exposed to cold environments for hours at a time, such as when thrown in a pack or set on the ground while we鈥檙e out exploring. These two groups were placed in a controlled refrigerator set to 39 degrees Fahrenheit to mimic the cold environment and stress their performance limit.

At the end of the temperature test we closed the lid on each sample and tested for leaks. Prepared to get wet, luckily no longer by hot water, we shook each sample and then turned them upside down for one minute. All of the leak-proof labeled bottles passed without a drop, making our lab tech happily dry.

Best Spill-Proof Tumblers

The term 鈥渢umbler鈥� is used to describe a lot of products, so we stuck to those that hold 16 to 20 ounces and are specifically marketed for use with hot drinks. These are the most common travel mugs, often with quick flip or slide lock lids over the drink opening to protect from basic spills and splash black.

This convenient drink lid is often left open between sips, letting heat escape. To simulate real-world use we evaluated heat retention both with the lid closed (results reflected in the performance graph) and with the drink mouth left open (results not displayed in the graph but used as a second test to investigate the full performance). The size and design of the drink mouth can allow more or less heat to escape and affect the overall insulation performance.

Best in Test

Zojirushi Stainless Tumbler SX-FSE45

Heat retention shined on this tumbler that kept drinks hot for five and half hours with the spill-proof lid closed. Performance did suffer when the lid was left open, but the beverage still stayed warm for more than three hours. The twist-close lid is easy to use, protects from spills, and comes with a removable stainless steel tea leaf strainer that attaches to the underside for those who want to brew their leaves on the go. The Zojirushi鈥檚 relatively small package and classic shape works well with cup holders.

Runner Up

Contigo Streeterville Stainless Steel Mug

Hot: 5.25 hours

This tumbler delivered good heat retention with its slide lid closed, and was equally impressive when the lid was left open in the drink position. Keeping drinks hot for at least five hours in both scenarios gives confidence when using this Contigo mug during long mornings. The slide lid doesn鈥檛 lock but is easy to use one handed, and the mug has a non-slip rubber base for added desk security.

Honorable Mentions

All of the mugs offered enough insulation to get you through normal commutes to the ski hill, trailhead, or office without letting your coffee go cold. A few tumblers surprised by performing just as well with the lid open as closed. We chalk this up to the size of the drink opening and thickness of the lid, but did not dig deeper to find out.

Thermos Alta Series Stainless Tumbler

Hot: 5 hours

Delivering consistent performance, the Thermos Alta Series impressively recorded the same failure time in both the closed- and open-lid tests. Based on our lab results you can rely on it to keep your drink hot for five hours even if you leave the lid open for constant sipping.

Ello Campy

Hot: 5 hours

Our testing showed that the Ello Campy can be trusted to keep your drink hot for up to five hours, matching other top performers in the category. It has the added benefit of a cork inlay handle that is comfortable to hold and is set higher on the mug to fit most cup holders, which gives it a classic look. The slide lock lid opens and snaps closed easily with one finger to keep spills at bay.

Yeti Rambler Travel Mug

Hot: 5 hours

The Yeti Rambler offered five hours of heat retention with the MagSlider magnetic lid closed. This above-average performance, however, was cut in half when the slider was left open, only staying hot for two and a half hours. The MagSlider lid locks in place and does not move unless intentionally pushed, which helps prevent spills and heat loss. Based on our testing, this well-built mug is a great option when used properly.

Rest of the Test

• 
  Hot: 4.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 4.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 4.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 4 hours
• 
  Hot: 4 hours
• 
  Hot: 3.75 hours
• 
  Hot: 3.5 hours
• 
  Hot: 3 hours

Leak-Proof Travel Mugs

When you鈥檙e headed further afield it鈥檚 key to ensure your coffee stays secure and hot under more extreme circumstances. These bottles/mugs are purpose-built with leak-proof, drink-through lids that offer access without the need to remove the top.

To replicate a cold morning spent outdoors exploring, we set the mugs in a refrigerator with a controlled temp of 39 degrees Fahrenheit. While not extreme, this is a good representation of the average exposure when considering residual insulation from being in a pack.

Best in Test

Zojirushi Stainless Mug SM-SF48

With category-leading heat retention performance, the Zojirushi Stainless Mug SM-SF48 proved that it can keep your drink hot during long adventures no matter the environment. You can trust your coffee or tea to still be hot after half a day when in pleasant temperatures, and up to nine hours when out in the winter cold. The flip-top lid is easy to open with the push of a button. A small slide lever next to the push-button allows you to lock the lid closed to prevent accidents when on the go. The size is surprisingly svelte for the 16-ounce capacity and this level of insulation performance. Combined with the locking lid, this bottle is perfect for throwing in a pack and hitting the trail (or skintrack).

Runner Up

Thermos Stainless Steel Direct Drink

The Thermos Stainless Steel Direct Drink bottle was a close second in the category. When indoors or out in milder temps you can expect your drink to stay hot for up to 11 hours. If venturing out in the cold, you can trust the Thermos to keep beverages warm for eight hours, matching the room temperature performance of the next best options. The bottle has a flip lid that locks in place with a small clip to keep it securely closed without fear of accidentally opening, making it a great option to throw in a pack and forget until you need a pick-me-up on those all-day outings.

Honorable Mentions

The remaining products provided good, if not quite as long, insulation performance and all passed the leak-proof test, letting you travel without worry.

Yeti Rambler Hot Shot

With heat-retention performance ranging from eight hours at room temperature to six and a half hours in the refrigerated cold environment, this bottle is a great choice for on-the-go needs. The unique twist-lock drink lid conveniently allows sipping from all sides (though it doesn鈥檛 offer any visual clues for when open or closed). The mug鈥檚 sturdy feel inspires confidence for outdoor adventures.

Miir 360 Traveler

Keeping drinks hot for eight hours when at room temperature, and six hours in the cold, the 360 Traveler from Miir earns an honorable mention. Adding to its appeal is a unique lid design that uses a top 鈥減ush-button鈥� to provide, as the name states, 360 degrees of drink access. We suggest carrying this bottle in its own pocket, like the side mesh on your pack, to keep the push top from being accidentally opened.

Simple Modern Kona w/ Locking Flip Lid

Budget-friendly Simple Modern鈥檚 Kona travel mug tested equally as well in both environments as the Miir mug, and nearly as well as the Yeti. The mug delivers this impressive performance鈥攄rinks stay hot for six to eight hours鈥攁t a cost $10 below the competition. An easy-to-use lockable flip lid ensures your drink stays secure no matter where the mug is stored or how much it gets tossed.

Rest of the Test

• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7 hours hot
  Cold Test: 6 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7 hours hot
  Cold Test: 6 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7.25 hours hot
  Cold Test: 5.5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 7 hours hot
  Cold Test: 5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 6 hours hot
  Cold Test: 4.5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 6 hours hot
  Cold Test: 4.5 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 3.5 hours hot
  Cold Test: 4 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 4.25 hours hot
  Cold Test: 3.25 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 4 hours hot
  Cold Test: 3 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 4 hours hot
  Cold Test: 3 hours hot

Large Thermoses

The classic thermos has a large capacity (25+ ounces) with an extended insulation time rating and typically comes with a cup lid, so the liquid inside is meant to be poured out before being consumed. These bottles are great for carrying drinks (or other hot liquids like soups) to base camp to share, on long hikes that end with a picnic, and during overnights where you want to reduce early morning tasks by brewing in advance.

Large thermoses during testing. All bottles were marked with their start time and had an individual alarm set for each temperature recording. Thermometer used to monitor the room temperature for the duration of the test can be seen at the top of the image. (Photo: Adam Trenkamp)

Since thermoses are used similarly to leak-proof travel mugs鈥攌eeping what鈥檚 inside hot while the surrounding environment is cold鈥攚e tested them in the same controlled refrigerator. The tests differed, however, in the starting temperature. We started the liquid in the thermoses at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the low end of finished brewing temp, since these bottles are designed for transporting but not direct drinking.

Best in Test

Thermos Stainless King Beverage Bottle

The long-lasting performance of the Thermos Stainless King Beverage Bottle stood out as the most impressive result of all our testing. This bottle kept the beverage warm for 33 hours in the cold environment and for 40 hours when at room temperature.

We initially took temperature readings every six hours, and then checked it more frequently as the water cooled and approached the end of the test. When the Thermos brand bottle was still going strong at the end of day two, there came the harsh realization that a very early morning was in store for the lab techs. In the end, a 2:00 am wake-up call was required to record the final hours.

The Thermos Stainless King鈥檚 top-tier insulation is accompanied by classic thermos styling, with a side carry handle, twist and pour stopper, and cup lid to enjoy each serving without bringing a separate mug鈥攑ure camping nostalgia.

Runner Up

Zojirushi Stainless Bottle SJ-JS10

With a 35-ounce capacity and all-day performance, you can take the Zojirushi JS-10 vacuum insulated thermos on overnighters to help kickstart morning camp for two to four people鈥攐r keep it to yourself to pour fresh cups from it all day. Heat retention was recorded as over 24 hours, even in the cold. In warmer climes, you can expect liquids to stay hot for up to 31 and a half hours.

The bottle comes with a cup lid and a unique pour-through stopper that opens with a simple one-touch button that鈥檚 different from any design we鈥檝e seen previously. This setup reduces heat loss when open and helps to control the flow when pouring. Removing the screw-on stopper reveals a wide opening that makes cleaning and refilling easy.

Honorable Mentions

Our results showed that every large thermos on test provided enough heat retention to keep their contents hot until the end of a long day (or night) but not all are as capable of making it to day two. The remaining are great options if you鈥檙e more confident in the weather conditions and length of your adventure. Equally important, as soup spilled in your bag can quickly ruin a trip, every bottle was leak-proof no matter how hard we shook them.

Stanley Classic Legendary Bottle

Room Temperature Test: 30 hours hot
Cold Test: 24.5 hours hot

Test results are impressive considering how long Stanley has been making this product鈥攖hough it has had some modern updates through the years, the style has remained relatively the same since 1913. This classic bottle (as the name implies) comes with a twist and pour stopper, side carry handle, and cup lid to help you transport and enjoy any drink with ease.

Ello Therma Insulated Thermos

Room Temperature Test: 31.5 hours hot
Cold Test: 24 hours hot

This thermos provides top-notch performance in a simple, convenient design regardless of the weather on your outdoor excursion. Drinks will still be hot even after 24 hours of the bottle being exposed to the cold. The aesthetic is classic, but the pour-through stopper with magnetic slider is a nice upgrade to the user experience that makes pouring into a cup easier, reduces spills, and improves heat retention.

Klean Kanteen TK Pro Insulated Bottle

Room Temperature Test: 26 hours hot
Cold Test: 24 hours hot

With impressively consistent performance in all environments you can trust this bottle for a true full-day outing, sunrise to sunrise, no matter the season. A pour-through stopper and double-wall cup lid are included to make enjoying a drink easy whenever you鈥檙e ready.

Rest of the Test

• 
  Room Temperature Test: 26 hours hot
  Cold Test: 19 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 22 hours hot
  Cold Test: 18 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 21 hours hot
  Cold Test: 15 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 18 hours hot
  Cold Test: 12 hours hot
• 
  Room Temperature Test: 13 hours hot
  Cold Test: 9.5 hours hot

Final Thoughts

Across all three categories, one of the longest-running names in the insulated mug space, Thermos, consistently performed at or near the top, despite the significant growth in competition over the last decade. It’s an impressive run for a brand that has been around since the beginning; they produced their first stainless steel vacuum insulated bottle in 1966. Another standout brand in every category was Zojirushi, a Japanese manufacturer with a history as deep as Thermos and Stanley. Over the last decade, their products have become more widely available and immediately emerged as fan favorites for performance, quality, and clever design features.

Klean Kanteen, a newer brand in the space, offers products with solid heat retention performance while also being environmentally responsible: they鈥檙e climate neutral, a Certified B Corporation, and a member of 1% for the Planet.

Budget-friendly options can be seen popping up at big box stores like Walmart and online retailers. Two of these brands, Simple Modern and Contigo, offered good insulation performance and unique designs to rival the big brands at more affordable prices. We found a noticeable decline anytime the products were introduced to a cold environment, but the overall performance, especially if you spend most of your time in milder climes, makes them worth considering.

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The post The Best Insulated Coffee Mugs and Thermoses: Lab Tested appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Overlanders are arguably the most intense gearheads in the outdoor community. They鈥檙e willing to spend months (if not years) and thousands (if not tens of thousands) of dollars dialing in their perfect setup. As such, the overland product market is usually a rich place to find new and innovative gear. Some of it is way too specific and not much use to the general public, but a handful of items have a much broader appeal, and that鈥檚 what we鈥檝e rounded up below. Over three days, we scoured dozens of booths at Overland Expo West to find the gear that will help recreational campers enjoy summer camping trips that much more.

Watch: Our Favorite Rig at Overland Expo West

($269)

Air conditioning and adventure rigs have never really gone hand in hand. Usually, the AC units you see sitting atop travel trailers and RVs require a lot of electricity to run, meaning your rig needs to be plugged into a standard, household 120v outlet (or 鈥渟hore power鈥�). Twelve-volt AC units, like the or portable , are capable of running off your rig鈥檚 house battery, but they鈥檙e very expensive and run times are usually limited to a few hours without a massive battery bank. The Transcool E3, on the other hand, can run for up to 157 hours on a 100ah battery. It鈥檚 an Australian-made, portable evaporative cooler that holds a half gallon of water and only weighs 4.2 pounds. While it won鈥檛 cool down an entire rig or room the way a true air conditioner will, it could be the perfect solution for anyone looking to add a little cool air to their rig鈥攅specially since it costs just a fraction of a 12V AC unit.

($3,299)

, which until recently was called , makes these nifty little camper boxes that are meant to be mounted in a truck bed or on a flatbed trailer. At 180 to 190 pounds depending on the size you choose, they’re lightweight and designed to be easily removed from your truck or trailer when not in use. They鈥檙e also very well insulated鈥攖he two-inch, rigid foam walls have an R12-15 rating, which is incredibly high for a camper and means it won鈥檛 take much to heat or cool this thing. You can pick from either a truck mounting or during purchase, or you can simply strap the box down via ratchet straps.

($175)

Camping lanterns have been around forever, but Devos is changing the market with their LightRanger series of lights. The LightRanger 1200 is a USB-C rechargeable LED lantern that puts out 1200 lumens and comes with an adjustable light stand capable of telescoping the lantern up to 9 feet in the air. Raising the lantern that far overhead means it’s capable of lighting up a 60-foot area, and it鈥檒l keep the bugs up above you rather than buzzing around your camp table. It can run for up to 80 hours on its lowest setting (60 lumens), and nearly four hours on max.

(From $30)

We love it when someone finds a problem with an existing product and decides to make it better. Case in point, the Rollercam L Track Kit. The founder of Rollercam got sick of using traditional cam straps on river trips, which become difficult to tighten when friction builds between the cam and webbing. He designed a strap with a brass roller (hence the name Rollercam) integrated into it, which alleviates the friction problem problem and makes it easier to tighten the straps securely. Rollercam鈥檚 latest innovation is the L Track kit, which lets you pair different-length straps that come with L-Track fittings attached to the ends. As a result, you easily secure all sorts of gear to L-track systems commonly used in van builds, trailers, truck beds, and more.

While Koni has a long history in the automotive world, the brand is still somewhat unknown in the overland space. This was Koni鈥檚 first year at Overland Expo West, and they were showing off their current line of shocks along with the new , which is the company鈥檚 first overland-specific shock. The Explorer is a 2-inch aluminum, monotube design that features the brand鈥檚 ACTIVE FSD, or Frequency Selective Damping, technology. Basically, it uses mechanical components to automatically switch between low and high damping forces depending on whether you鈥檙e driving on the highway or off pavement. In other words, these shocks will likely be perfect for the vast majority of overlanders out there.

($549)

It can be a little spooky to drive your overland rig out into the middle of nowhere, set up camp, and just hope that nothing goes wrong. Some people bring firearms for protection, but if that makes you uncomfortable, the Byrna is a great alternative. The device, which looks exactly like a traditional gun, fires less-lethal projectiles that are powered by a CO2 canister. Those projectiles, which are round and not designed to penetrate, come out at 400 feet per-second and will deter most humans and many animals within a 60-foot range. If you want added protection, you can also load the Byrna with rounds that are full of a chemical irritant that sprays out when the projectile makes impact. The CL is not classified as a firearm so you don鈥檛 need a permit or background check, but you do have to be 18 years old to buy one.

($122)

When we first walked up to the Kama booth, we were confused by the product on display but drawn in by the beautiful colors and designs. Owner and founder Rachel Dobronyi explained that what we were looking at were high-quality mats made from a 1000-denier nylon shell and lined with marine-grade foam. These mats spreadsout quickly but also pack up into a tight and easy-to-transport bundle. When we asked about their intended use, she gave us a laundry list. She said people use them as changing mats during ski, surf, and bike days, put them outside their vans as a place to hold their shoes, and even drape them over the back of their truck tailgate so they can transport mountain bikes without scratching any paint. We photographed the medium-sized offering but there鈥檚 also a larger mat that would be great for gatherings in the park, and a smaller version that people can use as a place to sit when backpacking or hunting.

($100)

When you head out camping, there鈥檚 always a question about how to transport and store the little stuff. We鈥檙e talking headlamps, walkie talkies, extra cords, flashlights, etc. The best place, based on lots of experience, is in a headrest bag like this one from Onwrd. With two big storage pockets, it will hold a family鈥檚 worth of headlamps, help you keep your cords organized and tangle-free, and also comes with a padded sunglasses pocket so you have a safe space to store your sunnies overnight. There are other companies out there that make headrest bags, but we think Onwrd’s design is the best because it slips over any headrest on the market via elastic bands and then can be tightened down with straps so it doesn鈥檛 rattle around on rough roads.

($699)

We鈥檝e been going to Overland Expos for a decade now and noticed that there鈥檚 a new trend in the market. Some people still want big campers and plush rooftop tents, but lots of other folks want to keep their camping setup as simple as possible. Enter sleeping platforms like the Hideaway, which slides into the back of your SUV or truck and creates a comfortable but ultra-simple way to sleep in your car when you鈥檙e adventuring off the grid. Similar to an extra-large cot designed for vehicles, the Hideaway come in three sizes (single, double, and XL) and is made in the U.S. from durable materials, including 500-denier cordura fabric for the cover and anodized aluminum for the legs. The legs are also adjustable so you get storage underneath, and when not in use, the Hideaway packs away and roll up into a similarly-sized package as a ground tent.

($400)

The Bugout is a wildly popular model from Benchmade because it鈥檚 the perfect size for everyday carry. At just 4.22 inches when folded up, it fits nicely in your pocket and never interferes when you need to grab your phone or keys. But at a respectable 7.46 inches when open, it鈥檚 enough knife for any everyday task鈥攃utting salami at the campsite, gutting a fish, opening a box, etc. This version of the Bugout recently launched and ups the ante by using a higher quality blade (CPM-S90V stainless steel) and by including the red richlite material on the handle that鈥檚 designed to come away with its own unique patina over time. The Bugout is not the knife you want for a hunting trip, or a survival outing, but you鈥檇 be hard pressed to find a nicer knife for everyday use.

($1,719)

Well-known as the premier bike rack company on the market, 1Up just expanded its offerings with a rack specifically designed for motorcycles. The Moto Rack borrows a similar design from the company鈥檚 original bike racks with two arms that clamp down on the wheels but don鈥檛 rub any of the frame compartments. It also comes with included wheel chocks that fit in the trays and sit snugly against the tires to cut down on wobble. If you want even more security, the rack has a mechanism to hold and tighten down ratchet straps that go over the arms (or any part of the bike) to create one more layer of assurance. Rated to carry motos up to 500 pounds with tires up to seven inches wide, the Moto Rack is not designed for big road motorcycles but instead for dirt and enduro bikes or other smaller, two-wheel motorized devices. An included ramp that pulls out of the tray makes loading and unloading a cinch.

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Elite athletes have a remarkable ability to focus on what they can control and let go of what they can鈥檛. They are process obsessives, honing in on the manifold factors鈥攍ike diet, exercise, and recovery鈥攖hat can make the difference between being first and being a footnote. Nutrition, weight lifting, and mental performance have all taken turns revolutionizing training, yet aside from a few rogue proselytizers, sleep has often been perceived as something one must begrudgingly succumb to rather than make the time for. Sleep is the cousin of death, after all.

In , an exploration of circadian rhythms, journalist Lynne Peeples describes how scientists, doctors, and athletes alike are awakening to the power of sleep. Peeples cited research that found that travel, crossed time zones, and recovery are up to 78 percent predictive of who will win an NBA game, and that MLB teams with a three-hour time-zone advantage win 62 percent of games.

A few brands have capitalized on this newfound appreciation for slumber by releasing products aimed at helping athletes rest and recover. The latest sleep aid is from performance eyewear brand ROKA and created in partnership with Andrew Huberman, PhD, a Stanford University neuroscientist and professor behind the popular . The ($125-$195 non-prescription, $195-$300 for prescription) is designed to block blue and green light to鈥攁llegedly鈥攈elp lower stress, sync circadian rhythms, improve sleep, and boost mood. Is it the latest cash cow in a or the next edge in recovery?

Evolutionary Reasons to Embrace the Dark Side

To know whether something is a gimmick or game changer, it鈥檚 useful to understand the science behind it. Light plays the most crucial role in balancing our inner clock. The human eye perceives electromagnetic radiation (i.e. light) as different colors, depending on the length of the wave. Blue light has the shortest wavelength.

Exposure to blue light in the morning energizes us and sets our clocks in motion so that we鈥檒l start to feel tired roughly 14 hours later, says Kristen Holmes, a psychophysiologist and the vice president of performance at Whoop, a wearable brand credited for its comprehensive sleep data. Getting enough blue light during the day keeps us balanced and alert. However, too much blue light at night from artificial sources鈥攍ike overhead lights or screens鈥攌eeps us wired past our natural bedtimes.

For most of human history, receiving healthy doses of light was not an issue. People spent the bulk of the day outside and didn鈥檛 receive any excess light once the sun set, allowing melatonin levels to rise and sleep to take hold. But our biology has not caught up to our beeping, blinking, blazing world. 鈥淢odernity is not making us healthier,鈥� explains Holmes. 鈥淲e have not adapted to blue light after the sun goes down.鈥�

Blue light blockers offer a literal barrier between our eyes and the brightness of modern evenings and glowing screens. The Wind Down lens also blocks green wavelengths in addition to blue. Raj Dasgupta, MD, an expert in sleep medicine at University of Southern California, explained, 鈥淕reen light, while not as strong as blue light, is still considered to be disruptive to our circadian rhythm due to its impact on melatonin levels.鈥�

According to data recorded by Whoop users, after dimming lights, blue light blockers were the second most important factor in optimizing sleep consistency. 鈥淲e鈥檙e able to see without a shadow of a doubt that these are helping people,鈥� said Holmes. 鈥淪o it stands to reason that the ability to block both of these spectrums of light is probably better than just blue light alone.鈥�

Use Cases for Light-Blocking Lenses听

My own experience with the Wind Down lens was brief but instructive. As someone who frequently uses melatonin as a supplement to trigger sleepiness, I鈥檒l take all the help I can get. Having never tried light-blocking lenses before, I found the orange tint jarring at first. Yet according to Peeples, it can be hard to trust blue light blockers if they are not tinted.

鈥淚f you have a blue light blocking glass that is tinted yellow, orange, or red, then you can be fairly confident that it is going to block blue wavelengths of light,鈥� she says. She points out that there is nothing standardized about this product category, and some clear glasses marketed as blue light blockers might not be as effective.

When I was putting my two-year-old son to bed, he asked, 鈥淒ada, why are you wearing your sunglasses?鈥� As I explained that they were nighttime glasses, he started rubbing his own eyes, a sign that his own biology was working just right (or that Dada explaining things is boring).

Truth be told, I found wearing light blockers clunky. Unlike , I guess I鈥檓 just not used to wearing my sunglasses at night. My Whoop, however, recorded my best sleep efficiency score of the week after wearing them. The Roka x Huberman collection sold out in three days, so clearly there are plenty of folks other than me needing help winding down. The premium nature of the sunglasses鈥攃ombined with Huberman鈥檚 popularity鈥攊s no doubt also a factor.

The Wind Down lens adds to Roka鈥檚 existing performance frames, so the marriage of lightweight glasses with no-slip grips might also appeal to the modern athlete archetype interested in optimal recovery. Yet according to the experts, there are simpler鈥攁nd less expensive鈥攚ays to achieve the same result.

鈥淚t鈥檚 probably more important to just think about the environment you鈥檙e in,鈥� Peeples says. 鈥淒imming or turning off overhead lights, using warmer light bulbs, and not putting your face right in front of a screen are more powerful and less annoying than wearing light blockers.鈥�

Dasgupta and Holmes emphasized the importance of improving circadian health by getting early doses of sunshine, seeking out natural light during the day, and cultivating a stable sleep and wake time.

But Peeples wears light blockers when she works at her computer late at night, and sees other potential use cases for them, particularly when one is in an environment out of their control. 鈥淭hese could provide a real benefit if you are traveling, or in a grocery store, or at a friend鈥檚 house who doesn鈥檛 quite understand the importance of turning down the lights at night,鈥� she says. Or, perhaps, if you are an athlete who needs to wind down the night before a race.

Ultimately, your sleep habits are highly personal, as are the sleep aids that will work for you. We could all probably benefit from a little more sleep, and if wearing Wind Down lenses helps you open your eyes to the power of shut eye, it could be worth the investment. Sleep, as it turns out, is the cousin of performance, and that is intel you shouldn鈥檛 sleep on.

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Cameras present a unique challenge in the backcountry or on an adventure. They鈥檙e often heavier, always more expensive, and usually more fragile than any other outdoor gear you鈥檙e hauling around (including your phone). That means you need a trustworthy camera bag that carries exceptionally well, is easy to access, protects your gear from drops, falls, and the elements, and is designed well so you can keep everything organized.

That鈥檚 a high bar to clear, so the list below of my favorite camera bags for adventure and travel is a long time coming. It鈥檚 the result of my work as a photographer over the past 20 years, where I鈥檝e shot assignments in a wide variety of locations鈥攅verywhere from the Middle East to the summit of several 14ers across Colorado. As a gear tester for 国产吃瓜黑料 over the past 10-plus years I鈥檝e made a point to get my hands on every camera bag I could in search of the best. Here are my favorite camera bags for photographers on the go.

At a Glance

• Best Photo Backpack: with
• Best Photo Sling: with
• Best Old-School Camera Bag: with
• Best Lightweight Backpack: with
• How to Choose a Camera Bag
• How I Tested

Best Photo Backpack

Shimoda Action X50 v2 with Medium Mirrorless V2 Core Unit

国产吃瓜黑料 dimensions: 22鈥� x 11.8鈥� x 7.9鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Carries well when loaded down
鈯� Nearly indestructible
鈯� Feature-rich
鈯� Heavy
鈯� Expensive

Designed specifically for backcountry photographers who spend a lot of time outside, the X50 v2 comes with all the features you鈥檒l want while off the grid and trying to lug around a bunch of heavy and expensive cameras and lenses. Most important: The bag carries exceptionally well thanks to an adjustable shoulder harness that you can dial to your exact torso height. That鈥檚 matched with a sturdy, padded, and breathable hipbelt that takes most of the weight off your shoulders and makes it possible to carry 30 to 40 pounds of gear for extended periods of time on long trails.

A photographer friend turned me onto Shimoda about five years ago after I spent a miserable day carrying cameras for 15 miles without the right pack and walked away with a sore and tired back. I鈥檝e been a big fan of their carry system ever since and was excited to see them launch the v2 that improved on an already bomber design.

Inside, the bag can carry two mirrorless/DSLR bodies and two pro-quality lenses via the medium camera cube or 鈥渃ore unit.鈥� You can access your cameras two ways: a backpanel that splays open to provide a full view of your gear, or a side zipper that you can reach when you still have the bag slung over one shoulder. The core unit comes with a little padding so nothing will get damaged when you鈥檙e bouncing around on skis or a bike, and like all camera cubes, it鈥檚 infinitely adjustable so you can carry your exact camera setup. Two padded laptop sleeves each fit up a 16-inch MacBook Pro.

What I love most, however, is the rolltop pocket on top of the X50. Out on the trail, or when you鈥檙e chasing skiers in the snow, you have to carry all your outdoor gear in addition to cameras. This pocket is perfect for stashing extra layers, lunch, and anything else you鈥檒l need to spend the day outside. Most other photo bags forget this pocket, forcing you to squeeze jackets, gloves, inReach devices, and more wherever they鈥檒l fit.

Straps on the outside allow you to carry skis, ice axes, and tripods, and the bag also comes standard with a mesh helmet-carry strap, a water bottle holder, and a pocket on the front strap where you can store your phone. A waterproof cover deploys easily when it鈥檚 dumping rain or snow and gives you peace of mind that your very expensive cameras and laptop will stay dry鈥攅ven if you have several hours to go before you鈥檙e back at the car.

Unfortunately, all these features come with a bit of a weight penalty鈥攖he bag comes in at 4.6 pounds on its own. I can attest to the fact that nearly five pounds makes a difference during a daylong slog and have often wished for a more feathery build. Add on a $425 price tag (with the camera cube included) and you definitely narrow the customer field. But even with those penalties, the X50 v2 is still the best bag, by far, for those of us who have to carry lots of camera weight and outdoor gear for long periods of time.

Best Photo Sling

Peak Design Outdoor Sling with X-Small Camera Cube

国产吃瓜黑料 dimensions: 13.58″ x 8.46″ x 4.13″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 scream 鈥渃amera bag鈥�
鈯� Great on a bike
鈯� Light
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 come with a camera cube included

If you鈥檙e just carrying one camera and one lens and want to move fast, this is your bag. It鈥檚 big enough to fit a mirrorless/DSLR and a smaller lens like a 35mm f1.4, but is even better suited to smaller cameras like the or the splurge-worthy . You鈥檒l need to buy a Peak Design Camera Cube as well ($50, not included), but the bag and cube work perfectly together and create a snug and protective spot for your pricey camera.

I like the Photo Sling for when I鈥檓 trying to move fast and follow athletes, either on bike or on foot. I鈥檝e ridden with it and loved how easily I can bring it around from my back to my chest, unzip it, and access the camera, all with only one hand. I also appreciated how snug it fit to my back while chasing my daughter around a cross-country meet.

The bag weighs a feathery .74 pounds but is still feature-rich, with a quick-adjust shoulder strap that can be worked with one hand, several internal pockets that hold a large phone, keys, camera cards, and other knickknacks, and a burly 210-denier ripstop nylon exterior that comes with a PFAS-free water resistance treatment and is matched with weatherproof zippers. The bag is not water tight, but it effectively shrugs off light rain and snow.

Two elastic and adjustable gear cords at the bottom of the pack hold a small tripod, a jacket, or a water bottle so that you can bring the accessories you need to stay out for several hours of shooting.

Best Old-School Camera Bag

Mountainsmith Day Lumbar Pack with Peak Design Camera Cube V2 Size Small

国产吃瓜黑料 dimensions: 13鈥� x 12鈥� x 6鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Bombproof
鈯� Sits well on your hips and your stomach
鈯� Well featured
鈯� The top zipper doesn鈥檛 splay open wide enough

Next time you鈥檙e at an event where there鈥檚 a pack of photojournalists鈥攁 football game, ribbon cutting, graduation鈥攍ook at what bag those photographers are using. I bet you鈥檒l spot at least one Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack in the crowd that shows the patina of hundreds of assignments and years of abuse.

The Lumbar Pack is not an actual camera bag, but it became a thing with photojournalists (photographers who work at newspapers and magazines) some 20 or so years ago. Back then, the camera bag market was much smaller鈥攖here weren鈥檛 many options if you didn鈥檛 want to haul around a full backpack.

By combining a camera cube with the Lumbar Pack, you have a bag that鈥檚 big enough to carry a body and at least two lenses, can swing around to your stomach for easy access, comes with a comfy shoulder strap, and is stacked with important accessories like two huge pockets on the sides for things like a water bottle, extra layer, or reporter notebooks.

I realized the Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack was a great camera bag all the way back in 2005, when I was a photo intern at a paper in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was trying to copy all the staff photographers who already had one. I found that it was the perfect grab-and-go option for running from assignment to assignment. One ding: If I鈥檓 trying to wrench a camera out in just a few seconds, a wider opening on the zippered top would be nice.

Today, several companies make a number of well-designed photo bags that are a similar size, but I鈥檓 still a fan of this old-school favorite because it鈥檚 such a proven workhorse. It鈥檚 made from 420-denier ripstop nylon and comes with bombproof YKK zippers, making it burly enough to survive years of hard abuse. I鈥檝e had several Lumbar Packs over the years, but my current one, which I鈥檝e had for more than five years, barely looks like it鈥檚 broken in.

Best Lightweight Backpack

F-Stop Loka 37L – Ultra Light with Slope Medium Interchangeable Camera Unit

国产吃瓜黑料 dimensions: 22鈥� x 12.5鈥� x 11鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Light
鈯� Sleek design
鈯� Not as comfortable for heavy loads
鈯� Flashy colorway

When you鈥檙e trying to climb 5,000 feet of vert or hike 20 miles with camera gear on your back, every pound matters. And at just 2.7 pounds, the Loka is light yet packed with features and comfortable to carry even when loaded down with electronics.

Like the Shimoda bag, the Loka is big enough to haul two mirrorless/DSLR bodies and two pro-quality lenses. You access your gear through a back panel that splays open, or you can pull the entire camera cube insert out through the top zip pocket. An external pocket on the front and two on the sides will hold a water bottle, a small rain jacket, and other daily items. An internal sleeve stores a large laptop, but it鈥檚 not padded, so you鈥檒l need to cover your computer with its own protection.

The Loka is not as feature-rich as the Shimoda pack (no roll top for example), and the harness system is not quite as robust, but I鈥檝e carried 30 pounds in the Loka for an entire day and never had any major problems. You can strap skis on the Loka, but I鈥檇 be hesitant to carry a full load of cameras plus outdoor gear because the harness is not designed for an extra heavy load. I鈥檝e come to think of the Loka as a bag that I use for big day trips that don鈥檛 last more than 12 hours. If I鈥檓 traveling or on a multi-day trip, I reach for the Shimoda.

Style-wise, I鈥檓 a fan of the clean lines on the Loka because there aren鈥檛 many straps or doodads that will get stuck on trees or ripped off if I鈥檓 trying to squeeze through a slot canyon. But the baby blue straps are annoying out in public and scream 鈥渓ook at me,鈥� which is not something I want when traveling with cameras.

How to Choose a Camera Bag

Don鈥檛 put the cart before the horse when it comes to camera bags. And by that I mean: Don鈥檛 buy a camera bag until you鈥檝e figured out your ideal camera setup. Do you need two mirrorless cameras so that you can easily switch between a wide-angle and zoom lens during high-octane shoots? Do you only use one mirrorless camera and a 24-70mm lens? Are you a Leica fan? Once you鈥檝e determined what gear you鈥檒l haul most often, then you can get the bag.

Camera Backpacks vs. Smaller Camera Bags vs. Camera Slings

If you want to haul two cameras, look for bigger bags, like the offerings from Shimoda and F-stop. The companies also make larger bags that fit three cameras or a giant 300mm f/2.8 lens.

If you just have one mirrorless camera and a couple lenses, you may still want to shop for a backpack because it will always carry better than a sling or waist pack, and mirrorless cameras and lenses get heavy, quick. There are smaller 20- and 30-liter options from and that are well-liked by many photographers. If you鈥檙e just shooting with a Leica, or a smaller camera, then you don鈥檛 need a fully-featured backpack and will be fine with a sling.

If you can afford it, I would recommend that all mirrorless/DSLR shooters get a sling or hip bag in addition to a backpack. There are going to be instances where you just want to haul one camera and one lens so that you can move as quickly as possible, and these smaller bags will be much less cumbersome and easier to access on the go.

What to Look for in a Camera Bag

Start by choosing a bag that鈥檚 the right size for your current setup plus a little extra space, so you can haul a few more lenses or bodies when you invest in new gear. Next, look at how the bag is designed for access. Some bags, like a hip pack, allow for access on the go but won鈥檛 carry as much gear as a backpack. Most backpacks have to come off your body if you want to really dig through your gear. An included camera cube is nice but not a dealbreaker, as you can always add your own.

Extra pockets are more important than you think because your bag has to carry more than just cameras. If you鈥檙e going out for long periods of time, you鈥檒l need a bag that comfortably carries water, food, extra layers, and a first-aid kit. Even bags that are just meant for a quick assignment need well-thought-out pockets because you鈥檒l still need access to water, snacks, and your everyday carry.

If you plan to shoot photos in remote places where it rains or snows a lot, make sure the bag comes with a waterproof cover. Larger backpacks like the Shimoda come with a rainfly that鈥檚 easy to deploy and covers the entire bag, so you can hike out in a total downpour and be confident that $10,000 worth of gear won鈥檛 get ruined.

How I Tested

Camera people tend to be gear geeks. We love dialing in our setup and chasing down the newest and best thing that will help us capture a stunning image. That means it鈥檚 easy to also be obsessed with camera bags. If we鈥檙e going to spend lots of time figuring out what cameras to use, we鈥檒l gladly spend a similar amount of time figuring out how to carry everything around.

I鈥檝e probably touched, tested, and trashed well over 40 camera bags to find the ideal setup over the past two decades. Testing highlights include several trips to the Middle East where I was loaded down with cameras and audio gear, events like Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona, where I walked 20 miles chasing down a gallery of the most creative rigs, many days in the Sangre de Cristo mountains north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I took cameras backpacking and skiing, and long bike rides around Albuquerque where I was constantly trying to find the best way to carry a camera on a bike.

After testing so many different bags, engineering has become my number one priority. Is it obvious that the company built the bag with a real photographer in mind, and can I tell that the designers wanted to find smart and helpful ways to allow photographers to carry their gear鈥攏o matter the terrain? Is the bag designed so that it will carry anything comfortably? This usually comes down to a great harness that can handle weight, durable materials that can take a beating, an easy-to-access main compartment, and accessory straps and pockets that will carry extra gear.

If a bag didn鈥檛 meet my needs, it immediately got rejected. That鈥檚 a privilege I have as a gear tester, but also a commitment to the work of testing. I knew the camera bags were constantly evolving as photography exploded in popularity and I wanted to work through the pile in order to find the bags that worked best for those of us who love to travel and explore.

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Consider gifting Dad a watch for Father鈥檚 Day鈥攁 real banger he won鈥檛 just pretend to love. Choosing a timeless gift will nail the right sentiment, but picking the perfect timepiece out of a few (gazillion) options can present a quandary. That鈥檚 where Citizen comes in.

鈥淎 watch isn鈥檛 just a watch,鈥� says pilot and proud father Jeff Shapiro, who relies on a Citizen Promaster 40-millimeter Navihawk to help him every day. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a complement to my profession as a pilot.鈥� The watch keeps him on time for important dates and while in flight. Shapiro notes that it also 鈥渒eeps batteries out of the landfill,鈥� given the Eco-Drive technology that sustainably powers the watch using any form of light, natural or artificial. 鈥淲hether I鈥檓 in work attire or jeans and a T-shirt,鈥� he adds, 鈥渕y Promaster Navihawk always feels right.鈥�

For style, sustainability, innovation, craftsmanship, comfort, and durability all at the right price, there鈥檚 no beating a watch brand that has repeatedly revolutionized the industry. Citizen launched the first titanium timepiece 55 years ago and pioneered battery-free technology nearly 50 years ago. The company continues to perfect its craft with incredibly light yet strong timepieces made from Super Titanium, a next-generation material strengthened with the brand鈥檚 proprietary DURATECT surface-hardening technology, setting new industry standards in both resilience and elegance. Super Titanium, which is five times harder and 40% lighter than stainless steel, delivers exceptional scratch resistance and all-day comfort without compromise. Plus, each watch features GPS satellite鈥揹erived timekeeping that autocorrects time and date across the globe. And when it comes to finding the watch within the full Citizen trove, there鈥檚 no shortage of Dad-worthy contenders.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very hard to pick a single favorite Citizen Promaster watch,鈥� says Shapiro, who鈥檒l be donning his Promaster 40mm Navihawk this Father鈥檚 Day. 鈥淭he brand offers so many diverse styles and such full functionality in each model at a price point that gives you so many choices.鈥�

Here are seven standout Citizen watches to celebrate Father鈥檚 Day for every kind of watch-wearing dad who values his time, appreciates a stunning timepiece, and treasures the thoughtful person who just nailed it.

Fearless-Flyer Dad

The latest, leanest model in the iconic Navihawk lineage proves that bold personalities can soar even higher in trimmed-down packages. A feast of functions is neatly packed inside this aviation staple without looking or feeling oversized: three chronograph dials. rotating slide rule bezel for added flight utility, and luminous hour/minute hands that鈥檒l show up on the darkest flight. All that and more come in a sleek 40mm stainless-steel case with a dignified copper-toned dial powered by Citizen鈥檚 B620 Eco-Drive technology. The price: equally slender and pragmatic.

Deep-Sea Dad

The most plunge-worthy addition yet to Citizen鈥檚 flagship Promaster Sea collection will make a serious splash long before Dad鈥檚 next wreck dive in the Caymans. Tough and terrific-looking, this 46mm stainless-steel workhorse with its luminous indices, bold red dial, and easy-grip bezel has all the horological chops of its vaunted class鈥攊ncluding 300 meters of water resistance fastened to a badass BENEBiOL PU strap made from plants. The watch鈥檚 light-powered Caliber E365 Eco-Drive movement can run for an entire year on a single full charge鈥攅ven in 365 days of pitch black.

World-Traveling Dad

ATTESA (anticipation in Italian) is one of Citizen鈥檚 most progressive power moves in its pioneering use of titanium in lustrous modern designs paired with cutting-edge technology. Cut to the current Citizen era of Super Titanium meets Eco-Drive meets precision timekeeping with Satellite GPS and atomic timekeeping, the latest luxury ATTESA ups the wow factor with sleek aesthetics, dual time-zone display, and world time access that will make Dad鈥檚 day anywhere.

No-Nonsense Dad

You鈥檒l want to avoid unnerving bells and whistles for the stoic character who lives an uncomplicated life. It makes stunningly straightforward sense to go with this rock-solid, sandblast-smooth, gravity-defying Super Titanium timepiece with sturdy hands, clean numerals, handy three o鈥檆lock date, and triple-link bracelet. Reminiscent of a classic field watch and powered by Citizen鈥檚 Eco-Drive technology, Promaster Tough never needs a battery鈥攐r any overthinking whatsoever.

Dapper Dad

The latest vintage-inspired Rolan has dad-caliber deference dialed with this instant classic featuring a 40mm gold-hued stainless-steel case paired with a deep-black dial textured in three gold-encircled subdials. A perfect brown leather strap completes this fatherly yet free-spirited timepiece that works in a tux or on his next big adventure.

Digital-Ditching Dad

Providing Dad鈥檚 favorite digi-functions in an analog showstopper that could convert the most devout Casio man is the kind of challenge Citizen lives for any day鈥攍et alone the third Sunday in June. Featuring atomic timekeeping technology and fully loaded with multiple chronographs, bezels, perpetual calendar, 12/24-hour time, and more, the PCAT offers serious play for the most watch-fiddling father鈥攁nd looks way better than the plastic behemoth he was sporting last Father鈥檚 Day.

One-Quiver-Watch Dad

You鈥檒l be hard-pressed to find a more prototypically elegant one鈥檚-all-you-need design than this retro yet timeless class act spun from the recently launched Zenshin collection. Crafted with Citizen鈥檚 proprietary Super Titanium and Eco-Drive light power, the Three-Hand鈥檚 soft, secure, weightless feel was described by one gushing wearer as a 鈥渇eather-light warm touch.鈥� The watch鈥檚 textured white dial, classic day-date window, and scratch-resistant integrated bracelet appear right at home in a suit or on a hang-glider. Anywhere, anytime, this watch exudes quiet confidence and character鈥攍ike that one cool and discerning customer.

A pioneer in watchmaking and innovation since 1918, promotes excellence and creativity with deep-rooted respect for craftsmanship. CITIZEN advocates 鈥淏etter Starts Now,鈥� searching for and accomplishing goals that cultivate positive change. An early pioneer in advocating for the environment, CITIZEN launched the first light-powered watches with proprietary Eco-Drive technology.

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If you鈥檙e looking for one stroller to rule them all, let me spare you the wild goose chase. There鈥檚 no such thing鈥攁t least, not for adventurous families.

When I became a parent two years ago, I swore our garage would not be full of specialty kid gear that would only see occasional or specific use, i.e. a jogging stroller for running and gravel use; a compact stroller for everyday errands and travel; and a wagon for kid and gear schlepping. Lo and behold, we now have every one of these kid conveyors in our garage.

While each is in steady rotation, there鈥檚 one that has seen a surprising amount of use: our Veer All-Terrain wagon.

Veer All-Terrain Wagon Specifications

Open dimensions: 37鈥� L x 20鈥� W x 23鈥� H
Folded dimensions: 37鈥� L x 20鈥� W x 14鈥� H
Capacity: 55 lbs per seat (2 seats)
Weight: 32.6 lbs (with wheels); 24.6 lbs (wheels removed)

Pros and Cons

鈯� Pushes and handles like a stroller
鈯� Rugged, durable design
鈯� Burly wheels can navigate off-road terrain
鈯� Sleek design for compact storage
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Most helpful accessories not included in base price
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 fit as much gear as some other wagons

I first learned about this wagon through my local mom group鈥檚 Facebook page. One mom鈥檚 post about it racked up at least 50 comments from other women. Most posted glowing reviews, a few criticized it for being overpriced, but the majority were moms who were eager to get their hands on one but were striking out finding used options on second-hand marketplaces.

I hadn鈥檛 seen this level of discourse in this mom group since someone posted about turning their leftover breast milk into jewelry, so I decided to try the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser for myself to see what all the fuss was about.

We originally got this wagon to take on a beach vacation, where we knew we鈥檇 need something to haul our one-year-old and all of our gear from our condo to the beach each day. There are lots of affordable kid wagons out there; most are fine for toting kiddos and gear short distances on smooth surfaces, but many of them are a pain to pull when fully loaded down, and uncomfortable for the little ones riding in them.

Our son was barely 30 inches tall at the time, too little to comfortably sit up in a hold-all wagon without getting tossed around. We wanted a wagon that would pull double-duty as a stroller and gear hauler on vacation, and that鈥檚 exactly what the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser is: a wagon that you can push and steer like a stroller, and securely seats two kids.

What I Love About the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser

Smooth Steering and Handling

The Veer鈥攕tuffed to the gills with beach towels, toys, soft cooler, sun shade, diaper bag, and our son鈥攈andled the 0.2-mile trek (a mix of pavement, gravel, and sand) right onto the beach with aplomb. The wagon can鈥檛 navigate loose sand with just the stock polyurethane foam tires鈥攜ou鈥檒l need to purchase Veer鈥檚 beach wheel kit ($250) for that. But the stock tires did fine on packed sand when not fully loaded down, allowing us to take our son, who wasn鈥檛 yet walking, along for beach strolls.

In the months since that beach vacation, the Veer also became our go-to for walks around our neighborhood and trips to our local pool and parks because our son preferred it over our regular stroller. He liked being able to see more of his environment and sit more upright on the wagon鈥檚 built-in bench, made cozier with Veer鈥檚 comfort seat for toddlers ($89). This seat also includes a five-point-harness, which added extra support for our little guy, who needed more than just the three-point-buckle that鈥檚 included to comfortably stay upright on rugged terrain.

On those outings, the All-Terrain Cruiser handled cracked pavement, wonky curbs, gravel, grass, dirt, and even snow with ease. Like all wagons, it doesn’t have the tightest turning radius and smoothly navigating around corners takes some practice. My husband and I both decided we prefer pushing the wagon like a stroller versus pulling it like a traditional wagon. Ergonomically, the height-adjustable handle is designed primarily for pushing the wagon; the extra wide handlebar, while nice for hanging bags off of to accommodate more gear, makes pulling the Veer like a wagon awkward.

That said, having the ability to choose how you steer the Veer is clutch. We inevitably found ourselves pushing it along as a wagon for stretches of our walks because the retractable canopy ($59) doesn鈥檛 provide enough coverage to block out low-angle sun. In early morning or late afternoon, the sun鈥檚 low angle dictated whether we pushed or pulled the Veer to keep glaring rays out of our son鈥檚 eyes.

Sleek Design for Easy Storage

The smart design of this wagon is what sets it apart from similar wagons on the market. For how rugged and bombproof it is, it鈥檚 sleek and incredibly streamlined, making it super simple to fold up into a relatively small package and stash on a shelf in the garage, in the trunk or roof box of a car, or even in a gate-check bag for flying.

Simply unlock the handlebar with the push of a button and fold down the four sides of the wagon like a box to collapse the wagon onto itself; you can also pop off the wheels by clicking the buttons in the center of each wheel to get the wagon to lay completely flat. The whole process takes 30 seconds, and unfolding it is just as quick and easy. Even without being fully collapsed and with the wheels still on, the wagon easily fits into the back of our Chevy Equinox. And at 33 pounds with the wheels on, it鈥檚 not back-breaking to lift it.

You do need to remove the optional accessories鈥攍ike the sun canopy and toddler comfort seat鈥攖o get the wagon to pack all the way down; this adds a few steps and a little extra time to the pack-down process, which is why we got lazy and usually just loaded the wagon into our trunk not fully collapsed.

Downsides to the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser

Limited Gear-Hauling Capacity

The Veer All-Terrain may bill itself as a wagon, but it鈥檚 really a stroller. By design, it鈥檚 better at conveying kids than hauling a pile of gear. Its two built-in benches (that don鈥檛 collapse) and short sidewalls mean this wagon can鈥檛 hold the amount of gear that other, more basic wagons can (like the affordable ones you see at Target and Walmart).

When our little guy was in the wagon, we could fit a couple of towels, a large beach bag, and a bucket of beach toys in the wagon with him. With two kids in there, there鈥檚 not a lot of room for anything else. With one kiddo seated on a bench and an infant car seat attached over the second bench (a compatibility feature that鈥檚 a huge plus of this wagon), there鈥檚 room for even less extra stuff (and what you do shove under the car seat is hard to access).

Veer鈥檚 foldable storage basket ($79) helps to increase the wagon鈥檚 gear-hauling capacity and easily attaches to the back of the wagon, but in my opinion doesn鈥檛 offer enough extra storage to justify the additional purchase.

Expensive, Best Accessories Aren鈥檛 Included听

This brings me to the biggest downside of the Veer wagon: It comes with a hefty price tag, and that doesn鈥檛 even include some of the most helpful accessories (like the comfort seat insert, the storage basket, or the canopy). Heck, Veer even sells a sun visor ($19) for the canopy separately.

The stock wagon only comes with two cupholders that attach to the handlebar, and a snack tray with two cup holders that can click anywhere onto the sidewalls so kids can snack on the go. These accessories are nice, but they鈥檙e not as essential and don鈥檛 add as much as some of the other optional accessories (like a sun canopy).

Is the Veer All-Terrain Wagon Worth the Price?

So, is this wagon worth the price? The answer depends entirely on what you鈥檙e looking for from a wagon, and how much extra cash you have lying around. If you鈥檙e in need of a wagon that can haul a lot鈥攌ids and gear鈥攍ook elsewhere. Similar stroller-wagons like the Wonderfold W2 Elite ($479) have more capacity.

But what has impressed me about the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser is its smooth handling over all sorts of terrain, and its smart and rugged design that makes it so easy to fold, unfold, and travel with. We now have two kids (a baby and a toddler), so anytime we go anywhere we have to cart around a stroller that can carry two. Because the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser is much more compact and packable than our Thule Urban Glide 3 double stroller, this wagon accompanies us on more road trips and outings that require us to hop in the car first. So for our family, this wagon is totally worth it.

At $699, it鈥檚 expensive and double the price of similar hybrid stroller-wagons like the . But like a Yeti cooler, the Veer is over-engineered to be extremely rugged and durable, making it a piece of gear that will stand up to kid abuse, travel, and years of family adventures. There鈥檚 a reason they鈥檙e so hard to come by on second-hand marketplaces.

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Creating high-quality video content has never been easier. Small action cameras now feature powerful sensors that capture stunning footage day or night, mind-boggling stabilization, and easy integration with quality wireless mics. But remember that your video is only as good as your adventure, so get out and get after it.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best GoPro Update:
• Best for Beginners:
• How to Choose an Action Camera
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Overall

Insta360 Ace Pro 2

Sensor Size: 1/1.3″
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Battery Capacity: 1800mAh

Pros and Cons
鈯� Buttery stabilization
鈯� Nice low-light footage
鈯� Great color profile
鈯� No need for 8K video

GoPro and DJI have long dominated the action camera market, but Insta360 takes over this year with the Ace Pro 2. Co-engineered with Leica, the camera shoots ultra high-resolution footage, rich 4K slow-mo, and captures high-quality audio. It also has a laundry list of amazing features, including a dedicated chip to help with low-light shooting, a back screen that flips up for great selfie footage, and industry-leading stabilization.

The total package makes it nearly impossible to shoot bad footage. No matter what we were doing鈥攕kiing, cycling, overlanding, etc.鈥攖he Ace Pro 2 produced video that we were always excited to edit and share. Shooters with more experience will find it easy to dial in custom settings, but the camera鈥檚 user interface was also easy to navigate for testers who had less experience.

Insta360鈥檚 accessory ecosystem is not as big as GoPro鈥檚, but there is still plenty to choose from, including chest and handle-bar mounts, tripods, fast-charge battery packs, and ND filter sets. The company is not pushing integration with wireless mics, but it鈥檚 easy to pair a mic from a company like DJI to improve the quality of interviews or narration.

We were hard-pressed to come up with any critiques of the Ace Pro 2. Just one comment: No one really needs 8K footage on an action cam. That kind of resolution is overkill for social media (even YouTube), which is where most action-cam footage ultimately ends up.

Best GoPro Update

Hero13 Black

Sensor Size: 1/1.9″
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Battery Capacity: 1900mAh

Pros and Cons
鈯� Better battery life than previous model
鈯� Class-leading accessories
鈯� Great color profile
鈯� No upgrade to the sensor

The new Hero13 comes with two big upgrades. First, it includes a higher capacity 1900mAh battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours (depending on settings) and is now the standard for all of GoPros flagship cameras (we can hear videographers cheering from here). And second, GoPro has expanded its already robust accessories ecosystem by adding a suite of lenses you can slap on the new camera.

Related: Is the GoPro Hero13 Black Better Than the GoPro Hero?

These include an ultra-wide lens ($100) to increase the field of view, making it 36 percent wider and 48 percent taller, and a macro lens ($130) that lets you get up close and personal with small things like tiny animals or flowers. GoPro also just released its new Anamorphic lens ($130), which allows shooters to capture pro-level cinematic-quality footage. When you affix any of these lenses, the GoPro automatically recognizes it and adjusts its settings accordingly.

We鈥檙e fans of accessory lenses because they provide different perspectives: a new way of seeing and of capturing content. These days, all action cameras offer amazing resolution and stabilization; if you want to capture unique footage, different lenses open up new avenues for creativity. We hope that other action camera companies follow GoPros lead in this department.

GoPro plopped the same sensor from the Hero12 into the Hero13, so there鈥檚 no bump in resolution or low-light video quality. GoPro has been criticized for this, butit doesn鈥檛 bother us much because the lens integration is what you鈥檙e buying with the Hero13.

The biggest downside to the Hero13 is that the new lenses have to be purchased separate from the camera and its included standard lens. As a bundle, all three lenses cost $360. But we think that鈥檚 a smart, long-term investment since these lenses will likely be used with, and outlive, the 13, 14, and other GoPros to come.

Best for Beginners

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

Sensor Size: 1″
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Battery Capacity: 1300 mAh

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy to use
鈯� Great stabilization
鈯� Best for social
鈯� Lower quality footage

It鈥檚 not lost on us that the most expensive action cam on this list is one we recommend for beginners. It would be cheaper to get a GoPro, but we think this camera鈥檚 user-friendly design makes it a worthwhile investment for novices.

Most action cams are designed to be attached to accessories like tripods, monopods, and various grips to capture footage on the go. The Osmo Pocket 3, on the other hand, is an all-in-one unit with an easy-grip handle and built-in three-axis stabilizer, which allows you to grab the camera at a moment鈥檚 notice, hit the power switch, and start recording silky smooth 4K footage almost immediately. We also love the two-inch screen that you can flip vertically to record social footage and keep horizontal to record wide-angle footage that鈥檚 great for YouTube.

DJI makes the best wireless mics on the market and they seamlessly plug and play with the Osmo Pocket 3 so you can record interviews or film yourself with high-quality sound. If you鈥檙e vlogging, you can also set the camera down and tell it to lock onto your face so you stay in focus while walking around within the frame.

While this camera isn鈥檛 designed to be strapped to a mountain bike (the built-in handle gets in the way), we have reliably used it to capture decent action footage while skiing. It can鈥檛 compete with the likes of GoPro or Insta360 in this department, but it鈥檚 a great option for traveling and hiking.

One note: the Osmo 3 has been around for a while. While it鈥檚 still available for sale, we鈥檇 be willing to bet that DJI is working on an update.

How to Choose an Action Camera

Purchasing an action cam is just like buying a bike or a set of skis in that you need to think first and foremost about how you will use it. Invest in a GoPro if you want a huge ecosystem of accessories, go for the Insta360 if quality footage is what matters most, and we suggest the Osmo Pocket 3 if social is where most of your videos will land.

You鈥檒l need to look elsewhere if you plan to produce full-length documentaries. Action cams are best for gathering shorter videos that go on social platforms or that get spliced into longer edits. Take Cody Townsend鈥檚 鈥淭he Fifty鈥� for example: He had a full-time videographer, , who used pro cameras to capture most of the footage. Townsend was also filming with a GoPro so that we could see his first-person perspective, but the editors would only include his footage when it made sense.

Storing and Editing Video Footage

It鈥檚 easy to shoot fun footy, but without proper organization and equipment, it can be a pain in the ass to store and edit. Make sure you have a hard drive that鈥檚 big enough to store video footage (we suggest you start with something that鈥檚 at least 10 or 12 terabyes), and use a naming convention that鈥檚 easy to search so you can go back and find the footage you shot last month, or last year.

On the editing side, there are lots of apps such as that will help you splice your best clips together to create a short Instagram reel, but they can鈥檛 help you produce a thoughtful three-minute mini documentary. If you want to create something longer, you鈥檒l need to learn how to use video editing software such as Adobe Premier Pro.

Battery Life

Always invest in extra batteries. Companies say their batteries will last hours, but they never do, so it鈥檚 important to have at least two extra batteries on hand if you鈥檙e on an all-day adventure.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 5
• Number of Products Tested: 10
• Hours of footage captured: 20+
• Number of times we jokingly said 鈥渇ooty鈥� and 鈥済nar鈥�: 100+
• Highest elevation while testing: 10,500
• Coldest temp while testing: 0掳贵

Camera geeks are the best testers because they鈥檙e geeks. While most people just want to start shooting, the geeks also want to dig into the minutia and spend hours debating the merits of one camera versus the other. Thankfully our camera geeks have gotten good at digging into the details but then backing out and putting themselves in the shoes of the regular consumer so they can make recommendations based on general use.

For this year鈥檚 test we sent cameras on a wide variety of adventures and told testers to push the limits to find out where they failed. One tester took his camera on a full-moon skin to see how well the low-light option worked. While you could make out what was happening, the footage was not pretty to look at, letting us know that while action cams have come a long way, they鈥檙e still not as good as a bigger pro-level camera.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Category manager Jakob Schiller was a gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 and is now a columnist. The father of four kids and two dogs, he鈥檚 a bit pinned down but still manages to run, ski, or bike every day and often brings a camera with him. Sometimes he nails the footage. Sometimes it鈥檚 total junk.

can鈥檛 sit still so he鈥檚 always thinking up an adventure like driving all the way to Alaska, raving in the Nevada desert, or riding his motorcycle up mountain roads. It鈥檚 easy to hand him a camera and tell him to push record.

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This year, there have been some nice trends in Bluetooth speakers: 鈥淭rue stereo,鈥� which lets you pair two speakers at once and play the left channel in one and the right in the other, is available in more and more models. While it may be a clever way of selling you two speakers instead of one, it makes the experience more like sitting in front of your home hi-fi system. Meanwhile, battery life keeps on improving across the board, and it鈥檚 kind of stunning how water-resistant these devices have become: All of the speakers below have an ingress rating of at least IP67, which means they can be submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. If you鈥檝e ever combined a swimming hole and a large dog in the same outing, you know why this matters. All of which makes the new speakers highlighted here some of the best ever for outdoor adventures.

Update March 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new Bluetooth speakers in five categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Beats Pill.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best for Parties:
• Best Value:
• Most Portable:
• Most Rugged:
• Best for Audiophiles:
• Best for Travel:
• How to Choose
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Better Beach Afternoons

A few years ago I visited an old high school friend in L.A. This was a friend you want to model yourself after: He鈥檇 founded his own company and designed his life so that work was done by 1 p.m. Then he鈥檇 pack up a self-designed and professionally fabricated 鈥渇un cart鈥� that rides on fat wheels. He鈥檇 trundle over to the beach and unfurl the built-in umbrella, roll out a cushy beach blanket, unpack a cooler full of cured meats and olives and a bottle of rioja, and tune his FM radio to a local station.

The whole ritual made me think of the last line from James Wright鈥檚 poem 鈥淟ying in a Hammock at William Duffy鈥檚 Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota:鈥� 鈥淚 have wasted my life.鈥�

The next time I visit Miguel, however, we are going to up his audio game. Today鈥檚 Bluetooth speakers are lighter than ever, and built to laugh off the ravages of water, sand, and accidental drops onto the pavement. No beach afternoon should be absent some smooth-sounding melodies: We鈥檒l take anything with a .

Here are reviews of seven of our current favorite Bluetooth speakers, depending on your needs and budget. We鈥檒l be updating the list over the course of the year. In the meantime, maybe you want to think about taking a 鈥渟ick day,鈥� shutting down the laptop, and finding some tasty waves.

Bluetooth Speaker Reviews

Best All-Around

Beats Pill

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Fun size and shape
鈯�听Impressive sound
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Not omnidirectional

It鈥檚 not hard to figure out what makes a speaker stand out. It鈥檚 the sound, stupid. Yes, I know, but what I love most about the Pill is the way I can grasp it in my hand like a tallboy of Rolling Rock or, going back to junior high memories, like a baton I鈥檓 passing to the anchor sprinter in the 400 relay. The design, which comes in five pleasing colors, might be the best of the year.

And the sound is, in fact, pristine鈥攚hat one tester described as 鈥渕ore open and detailed鈥� than the others in this test. That may be owing to what鈥檚 called a racetrack woofer on the inside, an oblong shape that makes the best use of a small space to produce big sound with less distortion. Gone are the days when a little two-pound unit like this was reserved for travel; this sucker sounds good enough to be your mainstay indoors and out.

The Pill was easy to connect, served brilliantly as a speakerphone, and, as one tester opined, gets 鈥渆xtra credit for aesthetics and a lack of any glitchy issues.鈥� If you get worn out swiping through your Bluetooth settings, you can use the USB-C cable to play music directly from your phone; Beats bills this as high-resolution audio, and we detected a slight improvement.

The speaker runs for an impressive 24 hours at medium volume, has a 鈥淔ast Fuel鈥� function to get two hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, and, if lost, can be located via the 鈥淔ind My鈥� apps on both Apple and Android devices. The soft silicone backing gives it a cushion against falls, and a lanyard lets you strap it around your wrist. One drawback: It鈥檚 not omnidirectional. While it stands securely on a flat base, it has to be pointed toward you to deliver the best sound.

In the end, facing off against an assortment of stellar-sounding speakers, the Pill edged out the others because, no surprise, it sounded the most crystal clear and mellifluous.

Best For Parties

Treblab HD-Max

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Loud volume when wanted
鈯�听Great value
鈯�听One-dimensional sound
鈯�听Confusing LED modes

When you need more volume and more bass, the HD-Max delivers. The sound is not as detailed or three-dimensional as the others in this guide, but that matters less when it鈥檚 about a crowd and, as the evening wears on, they鈥檙e getting down and boogying. Treblab鈥檚 newest offering has the power to fill a sizable outdoor space, and if you want to go a notch higher, a bass-boosting feature adds even more thump. 鈥淚t makes you feel like dancing,鈥� said one reviewer.

Two other fiesta-friendly novelties are a pair of multicolor lights on either end that can be turned off and on, and a bottle opener on the removable carry strap. It鈥檒l get 20 hours of play time if you keep it at 10 percent volume, but at 100 percent it鈥檚 certified for only 6.5 hours鈥攕till, enough to get you through the night, or, if not, you can always plug it in. (And the power goes both ways: If your phone is running out of juice, the HD-Max can charge it.) One thing that could use improvement: It鈥檚 hard to tell when you鈥檙e in indoor, outdoor, or bass mode; they鈥檙e indicated by a clunky system that involves deciphering a series of blinking LED lights.

These are small trade-offs when you consider that the HD-Max is a tough-built, five-pound, foot-wide boom box that retails for $200鈥攂ut can be found for 33 percent less than that. Others in its class, like Ultimate Ears鈥� , usually set you back $350 or $400. When the fun is over and it鈥檚 back-to-work time, the speaker has a built-in mic that works well for conference calls, with an average range of 33 feet. One tester said the HD-Max had 鈥渢he best combination of sound quality, volume, and portability鈥� in the test.

Best Value

Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Sound fills the room
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Controls not all in same place

The German audio engineers at Teuful got together with the American guitar and amp brand Fender to make this thing of beauty. The sleekly designed Rockster Go 2 is smaller than a hardcover airport novel, at eight by four inches, but it pumps out some of the best, bassiest sound in this size range. Much like Bose鈥檚 鈥攚hose latest version weighs in at 1.3 pounds and costs $149鈥攖he 1.6-pound Rockster Go 2 amazed us with its 鈥渟traight-ahead sound quality and musical vividness,鈥� as one tester put it. It goes one step further than Bose with a button that engages what鈥檚 called Dynamore virtual stereo sound, an impressive, non-gimmicky feature that seems to magically move the music to the corners of the room. (Like the Beats Pill, this speaker is unidirectional, but the Dynamore feature does a lot to make it sound good from the front or the back.)

The speaker is supposed to last for up to a whopping 28 hours in Eco Mode (which reduces the bass), though you鈥檒l probably get more like the 15 hours it promises in regular mode at medium volume. Quick charging, however, gets you out the door faster if you forgot to plug it in the night before. A short carry strap enables easier toting, and GoPro users will appreciate the quarter-inch threading on the base, which is compatible with camera mounts. Although its range is only 30 feet, one reviewer remarked that 鈥渨ith a design that鈥檚 worthy of residing on your bookcase plus its rugged build, this may be the ideal indoor/outdoor speaker in the midsize range.鈥�

Note: The Rockster line includes two other, larger sizes: the $180 and the monster $480 .

Most Portable

Ultimate Ears Miniroll

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Very compact
鈯�听Impressive sound for its size
鈯�听Bungee strap is useful
鈯�听Can get only so loud

Over the past decade, the 鈥渕ini speaker鈥� category has been trying and trying to achieve a level of sonic quality that sounds so much better than your laptop speaker that it warrants a purchase. With the Miniroll, we may have achieved the singularity. At less than 10 ounces and a fits-in-your-hand, five-inch diameter, this grab-and-go disc produced some moments of startling loudness for its size. Physics wouldn鈥檛 allow it to be in the same acoustic class as the others in this test, but testers were impressed by what it can do.

Think of the places it can go: With its eminently handy built-in rubber strap, the Miniroll can bungee right over your bike handlebars, onto your belt loop, or鈥攁 habit I鈥檝e acquired solely on account of this speaker鈥攐ver the shower curtain rod, so I can keep clean while keeping up with the news. As secure as the strap is, a bouncy bike ride might eventually dislodge it, but with its sturdy build, we wouldn鈥檛 be too concerned about damage鈥攁nd its crazy-long range of 131 feet means you won鈥檛 lose connection when you turn around to retrieve it. A PartyUp feature lets you pair multiple Minirolls together for more power or a stereo effect.

Anyone debating whether to pack a speaker for an overseas flight can be confident that the Miniroll鈥攚ith its 鈥渞oad-friendly size and shape鈥� and at 1.25 percent of an airline鈥檚 50-pound weight limit鈥攊s well worth the consideration.

Most Rugged

Turtlebox Gen 2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Extremely tough
鈯�听Easy to tote
鈯�听Smooth sound
鈯�听Not cheap

Like Pelican and Otter, Turtlebox thinks in terms of durability that will see you through any terrain on earth, if not other planets. Case in point: The company claims that they were able to park a six-ton monster truck on this speaker, to no ill effect. Encased in super-hard plastic and completely waterproof (even floatable), the Gen 2 has quickly garnered a following among fishermen and watersports enthusiasts for more than being tough. The 120-decibel speaker is 鈥渂oth incredibly loud and impressively refined,鈥� one tester observed. Indeed, our team was hard-pressed to find many differences in audio quality between the Turtlebox 2 and the other top scorers in this year鈥檚 test. The unit also plays for 25 hours at lower volumes and about six hours at max volume, such as what you鈥檇 need for a big party.

During LCD Soundsystem鈥檚 鈥淭ribulations,鈥� the bass tones flowed smooth as silk and distortion-free, thanks to the 6-by-9-inch woofer, and, to our surprise, the high and midrange sounds also came across with great clarity. With five color options and an ideal form factor鈥攁 lunchbox-size 9.5-pound boombox with a hard nylon handle coated in rubber, plus rubber bumpers on the undercarriage鈥攖he Turtlebox Gen 2 gets just about everything right, and its fairly high price tag is less scary when you consider its durability.

Best for Audiophiles

Bose SoundLink Max

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Very rich, loud sound
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Easy to pair
鈯�听Needs 5-volt charger; standard USB-C is slow

For those who were wowed by Bose鈥檚 1.3-pound SoundLink Flex (our 2022听Editor鈥檚 Choice winner), this larger and far more powerful 4.9-pound edition of the SoundLink will be true love. It punches above its weight, with rich bass and perfect balance in the higher registers. While the addition of a rubber-coated rope handle is both convenient and cute, the sticking-to-basics features from this classic brand made it a bit less fun than other party-ready units in this test. Where Bose beats them, though, is with more subtle orchestral and ambient tracks. Max Richter鈥檚听The New Four Seasons听came through with a dynamism and presence that was a notch above.

Battery life is 20 hours, range is a passable 30 feet, and Bose鈥檚 app is more versatile than those that accompany most speakers, with EQ settings to suit your tastes and listening environment. IP67 water and dust resistance means it鈥檚 fine being dropped in the pool for up to 30 minutes. The SoundLink Max does cost a lot for its size, but for those among us who like to just sit and focus on great music, it may be the most ideal鈥攁nd ideally sized鈥攑ortable speaker to date.

Best for Travel

Klipsch Nashville

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Great sound in small package
鈯�听Nice design
鈯�听Bass can get distorted

Ten years ago, it would鈥檝e been inconceivable to hear sound this deep and loud coming from a speaker so small. Such are the advances of science. Klipsch鈥檚 Nashville is the Goldilocks among a new trio of IP67 water- and dust-resistant speakers from the brand (alongside the larger Detroit and the smaller Austin). All of them sound great, but the Nashville won us over because it overdelivers for its size, a mere 2.4 pounds and seven inches wide. A pair of 2.25-inch full-range drivers鈥攐ne on the front and another on the back鈥攃reate what the company calls 360-degree sound, so it works nicely in the center of a room as opposed to a bookshelf.

The tough build鈥攚ith cushy rubber cladding all around鈥攊nstills confidence in its durability, and its 24-hour battery life makes it even better for carrying through remote places without power. The Nashville has a 40-foot range and can be wirelessly linked together with up to 10 other compatible Klipsch units. We also like the built-in mic, which allows it to work as a speakerphone, courteously pausing your music on its own. 鈥淭he cool retro looks don鈥檛 prepare you for how thoroughly modern this speaker sounds,鈥� one tester said.

How to Choose

When shopping for a new Bluetooth speaker, first consider whether you鈥檒l be using it indoors, outdoors, or both. Check its to get an idea of how much water and dust resistance it offers; these are typically reliable. Next, think about how much you鈥檒l be carrying it around鈥攂etween house and backyard, say, or moving from campsite to campsite鈥攁nd whether you鈥檒l be on foot (carrying a pack or duffel, or not) or on wheels. Then consider what makes sense in terms of weight and dimensions. As a general rule, the heavier a speaker is, the more volume you鈥檒l get out of it, but playing it loud isn鈥檛 always a necessity鈥攕ome of you will be entertaining large groups, but others will just be setting it up for mellow creekside cocktail-hour listening with your partner.

If you鈥檙e someone who moves around a lot, a speaker with long battery life might also make a difference. These days most new models will play for a good 10 hours or more even at high volume, but some are longer-lasting than others, as detailed in the models reviewed here. Finally, more and more models offer 鈥渢rue stereo鈥� linking, where two or more speakers can be paired to play at once but in stereo; this makes smaller models with this option a little more attractive than before, because if you later decide to invest more, you can give your soundscape an appreciable boost.

Finally, don鈥檛 assume that if one of the speakers in this list doesn鈥檛 sound great to you, it鈥檚 your fault. Different folks have different tastes, and some types of music sound better鈥攐r worse鈥攐n certain speakers. If you make a purchase and are feeling lukewarm afterwards, keep an eye on your return window and don鈥檛 feel guilty if you have to exchange it.

How We Test Audio Equipment

• Hours of Testing: 246
• Test Environments: Running, hiking, dog walking, cycling, windsurfing, skiing, rock climbing, yardwork, car camping, conference calls, video streaming, noisy coffee shops
• Highest Elevation: 10,152 feet, Leadville, Colorado
• Lowest Elevation: 5 feet underwater in Lake Pleasant, Arizona
• Most Listened-To Tracks: Childish Gambino: 鈥淟ithonia,鈥� The Cure: 鈥淎lone,鈥� Drugdealer and Kim Bollinger: 鈥淧ictures of You,鈥� Fontaines D.C.: 鈥淔avourite,鈥� J Dilla: 鈥淲orkinonit,鈥� Kenya Grace: 鈥淪trangers,鈥� Magdalena Bay: 鈥淚mage,鈥� Slowthai ft. James Blake and Mount Kimbie: 鈥淔eel Away,鈥� Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: 鈥淐hallengers鈥�

The first thing we do with any Bluetooth speakers is attempt to pair them with our phones without consulting the user manual: The quicker, more intuitive, and easier the sync, the more points scored. Then we put them through hours of testing doing the kinds of things 国产吃瓜黑料 readers do鈥攕oaking in remote hot springs, inviting friends over for outdoor dance parties, playing audiobooks while riding a bike, etc.

Our team turns in reports on each product tested, providing a score of 1 to 10 for five different measures: sound quality, pairing and connectivity, fit and comfort, rain and drop protection, and user friendliness. Scores are averaged, with more weight given to sound quality and (knowing our audience) how well they stand up to the elements. Note: Battery life estimates in these reviews are based on manufacturer specs; it鈥檚 difficult to confirm those numbers, given the time involved and variances among user habits (different volumes, different uses, different functions enabled). Actual results may be 10 to 20 percent lower, judging from averages experienced in general testing.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will Palmer has been testing gear for 21 years for 国产吃瓜黑料, where he was managing editor and copy chief for nine years. Based in Santa Fe, he has been a runner since 1984, and while the mile counts have decreased over the years, he鈥檚 kept motivated to head out the door on the hottest, coldest, and wettest days by the opportunity to test the best new products鈥攁nd to commune with the junipers and pi帽ons.

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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

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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

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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.