We have hundreds of reviewers test thousands of products to select our Editor’s Choice nominees. Which, of course, warrants even more testing. For our Hike and Camp category, this means one last trip into the backcountry to help pick our winners. For this season’s expeditions聽翱耻迟蝉颈诲别听staff and some of our top writers took to the San Mateo Mountains in northern New Mexico with . 聽Although it was supposed to be a summer testing trip, Mount Taylor, which the Navajo also sometimes refer to as Turquoise Mountain, threw us some curveballs, with snow, high winds, and well-below-freezing nights. Needless to say, conditions were ideal for separating the wheat from the chaff鈥攊f a little colder than desired.聽

Explore the the 2023 Summer Gear Guide.

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Last fall we invited 28 brands from across the hike and camp space to come to New Mexico to share their latest and greatest products with our editors and lead testers at our inaugural Gear Summit. The state’s beauty鈥攁nd it’s sometimes erratic weather鈥攚ere on full display for the group, as we hiked, ate, and learned about gear under the wide-open skies. Here, we talk about the products that most caught our eyes during the event.

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Climbing helmets were once cumbersome and uncool, and it was thought that with proper technique, you could avoid having to wear one if you climbed carefully enough and avoided an upside-down lead fall (newsflash: even careful climbers have found themselves dangling heels over head). With today鈥檚 helmets, however, there really aren鈥檛 any excuses for not wearing one. They鈥檙e so lightweight and low-profile that you often forget there鈥檚 one on your head. 鈥淔or me, a good helmet is like a safety blanket,鈥� one of our testers noted. 鈥淚t gives me the confidence I need to rip the heck out of a climb without soiling my diaper.鈥� We put seven of the year鈥檚 newest climbing helmets through their paces鈥攖hese are the three that stood out as the best of the batch.

Winners at a Glance

Black Diamond Vapor

Edelrid Zodiac 3R

Trango Halo

How We Test

Number of Helmets: 7

Number of Testers: 7

Total Number of Pitches Climbed: 119

Total Vertical Feet Climbed: 10,760

Range of Temps Climbed In: 40-80潞贵

Range of Head Circumferences: 54-60cm

Number of Times We Were Grateful for Head Protection: No major incidents; but we鈥檙e happy to be protected every time we go out.

We recruited climbers in Reno, Nevada as well as Climbing magazine staff in Boulder, Colorado to put the newest climbing helmets on the market through their paces. Our test crew included climbers with varying head shapes and sizes鈥攐ne tester even wears kids helmets sometimes. Testers hopped on routes of all types, from single pitch sport to multi-pitch trad in Lake Tahoe, the Eastern Sierra, Boulder, and Yosemite. They tracked how many pitches they spent wearing the helmets, while keeping notes on how breathable, comfortable, adjustable, and functional each helmet proved to be.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Our category manager is Ula Chrobak, a freelance journalist and climber of 12 years. Based in Reno, Nevada, she has access to some of the country鈥檚 best granite鈥攆rom Donner Summit to Tuolumne Meadows. She鈥檚 also part of a network of multi-sport adventurers, which she tapped into to take the helmets out on their journeys. That means the helmets went through the wringer鈥攐ne tester, Peter Throckmorton, managed to rack up 33 pitches in two weekends.

The Reviews: The Best Climbing Helmets of 2023

Black Diamond Vapor ($140)

Weight: 186 g (S/M) / 199 g (M/L)
Size: 53-59 cm (S/M)/ 58-63 cm (M/L)
Construction: Softshell
Pros: Lightweight; Breathable
Cons: Strap system irritated ears of one tester; One tester with a 54-centimeter head circumference found the S/M too big

Black Diamond鈥檚 updated Vapor is one of the lightest helmets on the market, which takes away the biggest excuse climbers have to not protect their noggins. The 18 triangular cutouts provide superior breathability, with one tester, Anthony Walsh of Climbing magazine, finding it comfortable enough to wear on 12-mile glacial approaches in British Columbia. Despite it being an ultra lightweight foam construction helmet鈥攁nd thus generally more fragile鈥攁nother tester, Nathaniel Dray, noted that after tripping and falling backwards onto the helmet attached to his backpack, it only had a small dent in the polycarbonate crown. Walsh liked that the bright red color option stood out in photos, and both testers thought it was stylish. No trade-offs between good looks and safety here.

Bottom Line: A lightweight helmet for any climbing adventure, though, as with any foam helmet, extra care is needed to keep it in good shape.

Eldrid Zodiac 3R ($85)

Weight: 370 g
Size: One size, 55-61 cm
Construction: Hybrid
Pros: Durable; Comfortable; Easy to adjust
Cons: Only comes in one size; Our tester with a 54-centimeter head said it fit her head awkwardly

The new 3R looks surprisingly sporty for a hardshell helmet, with black and green colors, angular design, and a lower-profile fit to the previous Zodiac. It鈥檚 also ten grams lighter. One tester noted that the wheel adjustment at the back is intuitive and the buckles are nice and snappy. But what鈥檚 most unique about the 3R is that it鈥檚 made entirely of recycled materials鈥攊n fact, the polyamide shell is sourced from rope production leftovers. Overall, it鈥檚 easy to wear, easy on the eyes, and easy on the environment. That said, the one size might not fit everyone.

Bottom Line: A solid option for a durable, long-lasting helmet that gets extra points for its impressive sustainability chops.

Trango Halo ($100)

Weight: 220 g (S/M), 225 g (L/XL)
Size: 48-56 cm (S/M), 54-62 cm (L/XL)
Construction: Hardshell
Pros: New S/M option accommodates smaller heads; Comfortable; Good ventilation
Cons: Magnetic buckle can be fussy

This season, Trango added another size option to the Halo lineup. The new small-medium comes in a trendy lavender color and was a hit with our tester, Natalie Bladis, who thought it was the best fit she鈥檚 ever found for her small, 54-centimeter head. 鈥淚 loved it, it鈥檚 the only helmet I鈥檝e tried that is more comfy than my Smith cycling helmet.鈥� However, she found that the magnetic chin clasp was tricky to undo one-handed. Still, the hardshell helmet performed well on the wall, providing Bladis peace of mind on a traverse pitch directly below a roof on the Jelly Roll Arch at Donner Summit. 鈥淚 was super grateful to have a well-fitting, lower-profile helmet as I crouched below the roof traversing,鈥� she said.

Bottom Line: A lighter-weight hardshell helmet that鈥檚 comfortable, yet more durable than soft foam helmets. The new S/M offers smaller sizing than some other helmets.

How to Buy

Hardshell vs. Softshell

The main two categories of climbing helmets are hardshells鈥攚ith a foam core that鈥檚 fully wrapped in a layer of hard plastic鈥攁nd softshells鈥攚hich are mostly foam to shed ounces. While they can weigh about half that of hardshells, softshells tend to be more sensitive to abuse. Meanwhile, a hardshell is tougher and generally lasts longer, but can feel heavier and may get sweaty on hot days if the venting system isn鈥檛 well designed..

Budget and Weight

The main buying considerations are your budget and how you intend to use the helmet. Hardshells start around $60 and can be thrown around the crag, while softshells are generally more expensive and require some extra care. While you can use either type for your preferred style of climbing, softshells really shine where weight matters鈥攍ong alpine days or projecting sport routes at your limit.

Feature Set and Fit

Other aspects to keep in mind: the presence of headlamp clips for climbers that start early or stay out late, how the helmet fits over a beanie for climbing in cold temps, and of course, whether it鈥檚 the right shape and size for your head.

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Some still debate the merits of using trekking poles, but nowadays, most hikers won鈥檛 leave home without them. Poles can help you power up steep climbs, support your weight on downhills, and provide extra points of contact on loose or uneven terrain. The best trekking poles are comfortable in hand, stiff under load, easy to stow away in your pack, and can help you tackle challenging terrain and hike pain-free.

The Winners at a Glance

Diorite Gear Telescopic Carbon Fiber

Leki Makalu FX

TSL Carbon Connect 5

How We Test

Number of Testers: 6

Number of Products Tested: 8

Distance Covered: 250+ miles

Elevation Gained: 45,000+ feet

To test the latest trekking poles, we employed a team of hikers who headed out on trips ranging from simple day hikes to epic cross-country expeditions. The poles accompanied testers in multiple states and countries, including California, New Hampshire, and the Italian Dolomites. Our testers used poles to climb steep trails, set up tarp shelters in sustained winds, and save their ankles on sketchy, rocky descents. Along the way, we tasked the team with recording every detail, from ergonomics and comfort to ease of use and packability. Here are our top picks for 2023.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Nathan Pipenberg is a freelance writer based in Boise, Idaho, who writes Backpacker magazine鈥檚 ultralight hiking column. Over the course of his hiking career, he has broken three pairs of ultralight carbon poles, set up a Tarptent using bent ski poles, and hiked 200 miles with a pair of cheap trekking poles bought during a last-minute Walmart stop. A 2011 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, he鈥檚 always scanning his calendar for a six-month gap in deadlines to fit in another long-distance hike.

The Reviews: The Best Trekking Poles of 2023

Editors鈥� Choice: Diorite Gear Telescopic Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles ($180)

Weight: 7.4 oz (per pole)
Size: One size (71-158 cm length)
Pros: Best-in-class versatility and durability
Cons: On the expensive side

The Diorite Telescopic Carbon Fiber is a rare no-compromises trekking pole: it鈥檚 the burliest all-carbon construction we鈥檝e ever tested, with a formidable telescoping length that鈥檚 a godsend for tarp-oriented thru-hikers. The first thing testers noted was that even though the Diorite looks and feels like an overbuilt aluminum pole, it tips the scales below 8 ounces鈥攁 weight limit normally reserved for folding fast-packing poles. Most ultralight carbon poles in that weight class require babying. In contrast, the Diorite inspired confidence even when several testers slid down steep, sandy descents in Idaho鈥檚 Salmon River Mountains. The extra-long EVA foam (also available in cork) grips were comfortable in-hand and made it easy to choke down on steep climbs without stopping to readjust the length of the poles. The beefy locking mechanisms are replaceable, along with the individual pole sections and pole tips. As a bonus for in-field repairs, the Diorite uses a self-threading aluminum adapter that will accept replacement tips from other brands, even if they鈥檙e unthreaded.

Best of all, the Diorite poles come with an unusual perk: they extend all the way to 158 cm. While that extra length isn鈥檛 necessary for on-trail use (even our 6鈥�5鈥� tester rarely exceeds 135 cm), it does provide a few advantages. For one, all that extra carbon reinforces the poles, making them extra stiff and sturdy. For another, the generous telescoping range means that they can be used to set up nearly any tarp or tent that requires trekking poles. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to know that no matter what shelter I bring, these poles will work鈥攅ven if I opt for my pyramid tarp with a high center height,鈥� said New Hampshire-based tester Dan Huntington. Between its weight, comfort, and durability, the Diorite is one of the few trekking pole quiver-killers on the market.

Bottom Line: A do-it-all pole built to withstand the rigors of daily use.

Leki Makalu FX Carbon ($230)

Weight: 8.9 ounces (per pole)
Size: One size (110 鈥� 130cm)
Pros: Durable, excellent grip comfort
Cons: Very expensive, not especially light

Rather than chasing an ultralight weight goal, the Makalu鈥攁 modern iteration of the first-ever trekking pole鈥攕ets itself apart thanks to durability and comfort. The grips on the Makalu were among our favorites in the test, with EVA foam that one hiker described as 鈥渧elvety鈥� and easy to clean. The extra-long grip extension made it effortless to bear down on climbs without stopping to adjust pole length. One California-based tester said the Makalu was the most well-balanced pole he tested, thanks to the weight distribution between the pole and the grip. The Makalu has an adjustment system that combines folding and a quick-lock mechanism (similar to Black Diamond FLZ models) which means it boasts the shorter packed length of folding poles, and 20 cm of adjustment. The carbon poles were also impressively durable. Having survived a 170-mile trek in the Dolomites, another tester resorted to tossing them from boulders and ledges to test their mettle. (Spoiler alert: they never broke).

Bottom Line: A highly ergonomic model that combines the best of adjustable and folding pole styles.

TSL Outdoors Connect Carbon 5 ($180)

Weight: 8.4 ounces (per pole)
Size: One size (110 鈥� 130 cm)
Pros: Lightning-quick set-up and break-down
Cons: Feel a bit flimsy

The TSL Connect Carbon 5 brings one of the best features of trail-running-specific poles to the hiking world: glove-style straps that attach and detach via a magnetic quick-release button. Though testers took some time warming up to the idea, a few miles on the trail using the Connect Carbon 5 won them over. 鈥淭he secure glove attachment made it easier to flick the poles exactly where I wanted them,鈥� said Boise-based tester Matt Tock. The quick-release also made switching from using the poles to carrying them that much easier. Testers reported the nylon and mesh gloves to be snug but comfortable, though they do get sweaty faster than standard straps since the fabric isn鈥檛 particularly breathable. Like the Leki Makalu, the Connect Carbon 5 has both a telescoping and folding design, with a packed length of 42 cm (16.5 inches) and 20 cm of adjustment. The poles, which have pivoting baskets that help them adapt to changing terrain, held up fine to sustained use. Testers remarked, however, that the full-carbon design felt flimsier in the hand鈥攁lthough it never failed on the trail鈥攐wing to the plastic construction of the quick-release and locking mechanisms, which wasn鈥檛 confidence-inspiring.

Bottom Line: Techy poles with unique features prized by fastpackers and other high mileage types.

How to Buy

The most important feature of any trekking pole is length. This is especially important for fixed-length poles, but even with adjustable poles, you want to make sure your preferred length is within the range of adjustment, especially if you are particularly short or tall. Measure your pole length by standing on flat ground with your arms held in front of you, elbows at a 90-degree angle. Your ideal pole length is the distance from your hands to the ground. Adjustable poles help give you some wiggle room depending on your hiking style鈥攎any people prefer to shorten their poles during sustained climbs and elongate them during descents.

Pole material is an important consideration as well. Aluminum is generally less expensive and heavier, while carbon is stiffer and lighter. Consider that an aluminum pole will likely bend under strong lateral forces (like getting pinched between rocks) while a carbon pole is more likely to break and become unusable.

Finally, telescopic poles will generally have a larger range of adjustment but a longer packed length, while folding poles will pack down shorter but offer less length adjustment. Some poles offer a fusion of styles. If you plan to use your poles to set up your shelter, double check the length required for an optimal pitch. You鈥檒l want to ensure that your poles can adjust to accommodate both your hiking length and your shelter set-up length.

When it鈥檚 time to upgrade your gear, don鈥檛 let the old stuff go to waste鈥揹onate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items,聽, and send them off. We鈥檒l donate 100 percent of the proceeds to聽.

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Sleeping pads might seem like glorified pool toys, but modern backpacking and car camping mattresses are packed full of impressive tech. From hollowed-out cores to reflective coatings to graduated baffles that act like bumpers on a crib, these hyper-engineered pieces of gear are all but guaranteed to win the war on backcountry insomnia.

The Winners at a Glance

Best Backpacking Pads

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Therm-a-Rest Neo Air XTherm NXT

Best Comfort-to-Packability Ratio: Rab Stratosphere 5.5

Most Sustainable: NEMO Flyer

Most Versatile: Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe

Coziest: Zenbivy Light Mattress

Best Car Camping Pads

Best for Literal Car Campers: Exped MegaMat Auto

Best Guest Room Mattress: Big Agnes Captain Comfort

Best Value: REI Camp Dreamer Double Bed

How We Test

Number of Testers: 23

Number of Nights Slept 国产吃瓜黑料: 60

Coldest Night: 18 degrees with three inches of snow

Warmest Night: 102 degrees

Highest Elevation Tested: 9,000 feet

Sleeping bags get all the glory, but in reality, pads are just as important. Without a warm enough sleeping surface, even a top-of-the-line down bag will do little to insulate you from the cold ground. To that end, we took 19 sleeping pads into freezing shoulder season conditions, like the snow-covered high-alpine desert in New Mexico, to push the limits of their warmth ratings. We tested durability in all manner of climates, from the boreal forest of Minnesota to the Canadian Rockies of British Columbia, to make sure the test models weren鈥檛 prone to puncture while dragging them in and out of tents and setting them up over stick-laden, rock-strewn campsites. Compressibility, ease-of-inflation, and durability of valves were also major factors when putting together our final list.

We chose 14 testers with varied interests and outdoor experience, ranging in age from 18 to 60. One is a recent high school graduate on his way to U.S. Army combat medic training. Others are veteran ultra-hikers, runners, and cyclists whose priority is to pack light. Two more are longtime paddlers who care less about weight and more about staying warm and dry in a wet environment.

When each tester finished using their test pad, they filled out a feedback form gathering thoughts, critiques, and opinions related to the warmth, support, comfort, and durability of each. Then we compared notes and picked the winners.

By far the best part of the process: We slept outside on days we otherwise would have been tucked into our own cozy beds, which led to plenty of Milky Way encounters and at least one night of shimmering Northern Lights.

Meet Our Testers

Stephanie Pearson

Backpacking sleeping pad category manager Stephanie Pearson has slept in a cave in Tasmania, in a tent at Mount Everest Base Camp, and under the stars while lost in the Australian Outback. She鈥檚 a fitful sleeper.

Ryan Stuart

Car camping sleeping pad category manager Ryan Stuart usually sleeps better on a sleeping pad than on his bed at home. After innumerable nights spent beach camping for surf, mountain bike road-tripping, and bumming around crags across the West, Stuart has become a discerning connoisseur of luxurious car camp mattresses. For this category he tapped a team of avid campers all based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Patrick Greehan

Greehan is a coach for the Duluth Devo Mountain Bike Program. He currently races gravel, mountain, and fat bikes with a focus on long distance and ultra events. He is an avid bikepacker who takes trips year-round in Northern Minnesota.

Tim Pearson

Tim Pearson is a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant based in San Antonio, Texas, with 22-plus years of experience sleeping outdoors in the field, including austere environments like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Joshua Pearson

Joshua Pearson lives in San Antonio, but recently enlisted as a combat medic for the U.S. Army. After basic training, he鈥檒l spend four years stationed in Alaska. He spends his summers outdoors hiking and solo camping.

Best Backpacking Sleeping Pads

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT ($240)

Weight: 1 lb (regular)
Sizes: Regular, Regular Wide, Large
R-value: 7.3
Pros: Off-the-charts warmth-to-weight ratio; very packable
Cons: Mummy dimensions are too slim for some; still a bit crinkly

Therm-a-Rest鈥檚 NeoAir XTherm was already a bit of a unicorn in the backpacking world when it came out in 2012: crazy warm, packable, and lightweight. The new XTherm NXT must be a flying unicorn, then, since it鈥檚 better in nearly every way. For starters, this pad sports an impressive bump up in R-value from an already winter-ready 6.9 to 7.3, which is unheard of for a one-pound pad. At the crux of this extreme warmth-to-weight ratio is an additional layer鈥攖he pad now has five鈥攐f Therm-a-Rest鈥檚 proprietary coating, a thin metalized film woven into the pad鈥檚 interior that reflects heat back at your body and minimizes heat loss. Surprising bonus: the fifth layer also minimizes the notorious crinkly 鈥減otato chip鈥� noise this pad鈥檚 predecessor was known for. Therm-a-Rest uses the same construction pattern in the NXT as in the last version (two triangular baffles stacked on top of each other) to create a stable surface with minimal heat loss, but increased the pad鈥檚 thickness by a half-inch to a plush three inches. The bottom of the pad is wrapped in tough 70-denier nylon, which is more than twice as durable as the standard 20-30-denier nylon seen in comparable pads. And yet, the NXT is only a single ounce heavier than its predecessor. 鈥淭he first thing I noticed was how much less bulky it was than my older version,鈥� says Patrick Greehan, a longtime user of the original NeoAir XTherm for ultra bikepacking races like the Arrowhead 135, a frigid late January event in northern Minnesota. The new XTherm is a half-inch shorter than outgoing version鈥攁nd a full two inches shorter than Greehan鈥檚 5-year-old XTherm鈥攑acking down to a tiny nine-inch-by-four-and-a-half-inch package, roughly the size of an overstuffed business envelope. Blowing up the pad is a cinch with the accompanying pump sack, which inserts into a new easy-to-grasp 鈥渨inglock鈥� valve that keeps the air in all night. Greehan reported that the pad held air remarkably well鈥攏ot just for one, but two nights in a row. If we have one complaint, it鈥檚 that some of our testers found the mummy-shaped pad to be too narrow. But that didn鈥檛 dissuade Greehan, who intends to use the XTherm NXT as his go-to pad for all ultralight pursuits, summer through winter.

Bottom Line: Therm-a-Rest鈥檚 NeoAir XTherm NXT offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad, ever.

Best Comfort-to-Packability Ratio: Rab Stratosphere 5.5 ($140)

Weight: 1.7 lbs (regular)
Sizes: Regular, Large
R-value: 5.5
Pros: Lightweight; warm; comfortable
Cons: Pricey

British mountaineering company Rab has been designing highly-technical sleeping bags for more than four decades, but 2023 marks the brand鈥檚 first foray into sleeping pads. We鈥檇 like to know: What took them so long? While the Stratosphere 5.5 isn鈥檛 the lightest pad in Rab鈥檚 new lineup, the mat鈥檚 plush comfort, quiet 75-denier recycled polyester fabric, hefty insulation, and packability quickly rose to the top. For starters, the outer baffles on the vertically-baffled pad are raised slightly higher than the others, which act like bunkers on a crib. 鈥淚 love the graduated baffles, which help keep you centered on the pad so you don鈥檛 slide around,鈥� said tester Ariella Gintzler, who used it over three nights backcountry camping on the flanks of Mount Taylor in New Mexico. 鈥淚t鈥檚 plush in terms of surface area,鈥� she reported, meaning that other pads of this ilk have a more conservative footprint. 鈥淏ut that pays dividends in sleeping through the night.鈥� Blowing up the cushy hybrid rectangular pad (its four corners are gently rounded) to a thickness of 3.1 inches is fast and easy: it takes about ten puffs into the included inflation sack. That plush loft isn鈥檛 just for show: The pad鈥檚 250 grams-per-square-meter of 100 percent recycled polyester insulation gives it an R-value of 5.5, plenty warm for deep shoulder-season expeditions like those our testers took into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota, where frost is common in mid-September. For a pad this well insulated, testers were impressed with its Nalgene-size packability. Its innovative stuff sack is elasticized on the side rather than at the top, which made it exponentially easier to cram and go when our testers experienced an unexpected snowstorm on the CDT near Grants, New Mexico.

Bottom Line: The Rab Stratosphere 5.5 is a warm, plush, and packable pad for any adventure

Most Sustainable: NEMO Flyer ($150)

Weight: 1.4 lbs (regular)
Sizes: Regular, Regular Wide, Long Wide
R-value: 3.3
Pros: Sustainable; comfortable; quiet
Cons: Cold in shoulder-season weather

NEMO鈥檚 2023 Flyer is one of the few sleeping pads on the market to go through the Bluesign certification process, a strict sustainability audit from the well-regarded Swiss company. In the case of this pad, the outer fabric and stuff sack are 100-percent recycled 20-denier polyester. The trim, stuff like the circle cord, cord lock, webbing, and woven labels are also Bluesign-certified. Needless to say, NEMO has gone above and beyond the typical greenwashing tactics to make the Flyer more sustainable than most modern pads. But the Flyer is more than just a branding story. The secret to the self-inflating pad鈥檚 comfort is in its horizontal polyurethane foam baffles (which are not Bluesign certified). Sixty percent of the open-cell foam is hollowed out, creating open air cells that are nested together, with connective valleys between the baffles that protect the pad from bottoming out. So the sleeper gets the best of both worlds: a lightweight pad with cushy air-and-foam support. One tester, a high-school mountain bike coach, took the Flyer to a September weekend race in southern Minnesota where the temps dipped into the high 40s. He found that the lower-profile two-inch-thick oval pad made it easier for him to sleep in a wide variety of positions without sliding off. The big win for another tester, who tried it while on a week-long trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness: The soft 20-denier nylon fabric made almost no sound, which kept her tent mates happy. While both testers were cozy using this pad in the height of summer, when evening temps bottomed out in the upper 40s, they struggled with this pad in true shoulder season temps. The Flyer鈥檚 comfort and support does come at a cost. While on a backcountry hiking trip in New Mexico, another tester noted that while the pad does self-inflate, it was still slightly flaccid even after 15 minutes of tent setup, requiring a few extra puffs to top it off. It also packs down to roughly the size of two Nalgenes鈥攔elatively bulky for a backpacking pad.

Bottom Line: The NEMO Flyer is a comfortable, environmentally-conscious pad for casual summer trips.

Most Versatile: Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe ($180)

Weight: 1.6 lbs (Regular)
Sizes: Regular, Long, Wide, Wide Long, and Extra-Wide Long
R-value: 4.3
Pros: Comfortable and plush; comes in a size for every body
Cons: Scratchy; crinkly recycled face fabric

Most pads come in limited sizing, which doesn鈥檛 make for restful nights for many backpacker body types. The Boundary Deluxe is the exception, with a rectangular pad that comes in five sizes, enough to accommodate almost every body type. For a canoe trip in northeast Minnesota鈥檚 Boundary Waters, where weight and packability isn鈥檛 as big of an issue as it is on a backpacking trip, our 5鈥�9鈥�, 143-pound female tester chose the middle-of-the-pack 25-by-72-inch option. That鈥檚 a luxurious five inches wider than most standard-sized pads. She found that for canoe camping, the added luxury was worth the extra weight and bulk, offering ample surface area for wiggling into a comfortable sleep position without falling off the pad. It鈥檚 also plenty sturdy, with a soft 40-denier nylon shell wrapped with spandex on the top to give it some stretch and a 70-denier recycled nylon ripstop bottom for extra protection from sharp objects like pens, knives, and rocks. The pad features two low-profile valves on the top. Using the accompanying inflation sack, the Boundary Deluxe took just a few minutes to inflate. When it came to packing up camp, it easily compacted into a 5-by-8-inch roll, about the size of a pineapple. With an R-value of 4.3, the Boundary Deluxe is solid for three seasons, especially because it inflates to 4.25-inches, at least an inch higher than other insulated pads, meaning that it sits farther from the damp, wet ground. But it鈥檚 also got a layer of water-resistant Primaloft synthetic insulation and another layer of heat-reflective film to contain body heat. 鈥淚t kept me warm on a snowy, 35-degree night on the Continental Divide Trail below 11,300-foot Mount Taylor,鈥� reported 国产吃瓜黑料 Gear Editor Benjamin Tepler. 鈥淎lthough my butt did get cold when it dipped into the 20s the next night.鈥�

Bottom Line: The Big Agnes Boundary Deluxe is a luxurious three-season pad that comes in a multitude of sizes.

Coziest: Zenbivy Light Mattress ($189)

Weight: 1.3 lbs (Regular)
Sizes: 20×72, 25×72, 25×77, and 30×80
R-value: 5
Pros: Quiet; comfortable
Cons: Face fabric and valves feel fragile

Zenbivy is best known for its Light Bed, an ultralight setup where, instead of just a pad topped by a quilt or mummy, it鈥檚 an intricate, zipperless system that includes an ultralight half sheet with down hood that attaches to a pad, topped by a down quilt attached via hook-and-loop closures. While our testers found the entire system to be a bit bulky and fussy, they loved the foundation: the Light Mattress. With each vertical baffle on this rectangular mattress filled with 180 grams of insulation per square meter鈥攖he bare minimum required to reach an R-value of five鈥攊t鈥檚 only an ounce or two more than comparable three-season pads. Our tester used it in northern Minnesota on a few nights throughout October, with nighttime temps dipping below freezing. He woke up covered in hoar frost, but felt warmth radiating from below, which convinced us that, for most climates, this qualifies as a four-season pad. Testers liked the reversible air valve鈥攑op it in one way to inflate, pop it the other way to adjust or deflate鈥攂ut worried that the repeated motion could loosen the surrounding enclosure over time and cause leakage. One of this pad鈥檚 greatest selling points is its coziness factor: Because the Light Mattress is meant to be paired with a half sheet and an ultralight quilt, its soft 20-denier polyester taffeta shell fabric was chosen for direct skin contact. (We didn鈥檛 experience any snags, but you鈥檇 be wise to avoid sharp objects). As a result, it鈥檚 softer and more comfortable than other face fabrics we tested, with a quietness that kept our testers鈥攁nd their tent mates鈥攄eep asleep.

Bottom Line: The Zenbivy Light Mattress is light for its warmth with a super-soft face fabric.

Best Car Camping Sleeping Pads

Best for Literal Car Campers: Exped MegaMat Auto ($400)

Weight: 8.5 lbs
Thickness: 4 inches
Sizing: One size
Pros: Specifically contoured to fit in a car; warm; stable
Cons: Expensive

Exped designed this pad specifically to turn the back of a Tesla Model X into a glass-ceilinged bedroom, but it also happens to work perfectly in most other compact SUVs, wagons, and even truck beds. The head of the T-shaped pad is 52 inches wide, filling up a three-seat back row or a three-person backpacking tent before slimming down to 39 inches to fit around wheel wells. Standing four inches high, it does an admirable job of smoothing out the bumps and humps of a vehicle鈥檚 interior. Cracking the dedicated inflation valve nearly filled the open-cell foam pad on its own, and it tops off easily with the included hand/foot-style pump. Ryan Van Horne, a Campbell River, B.C.-based tester, reported that it held full inflation for six days of base camping on a rock climbing trip to Quadra Island. It deflates surprisingly quickly for such a big pad, and the roll-top- style stuff sack swallowed it without a struggle. Rated to R-8.1, it鈥檚 plenty warm for winter use. Wherever we used it鈥攊n a Subaru Outback or a tent, solo or with a partner鈥攖he brushed 50-denier polyester top was, in the words of one tester, 鈥渨onderfully soft and quiet.鈥� The open cell PU foam didn鈥檛 transmit movement, either鈥擵an Horne slept right through the night next to a fidgety partner.

Bottom Line: The Exped MegaMat Auto is a high-end foam sleeping pad built for SUV interiors.

Best Guest Room Mattress: Big Agnes Captain Comfort ($250)

Weight: 6.4 lbs
Thickness: 5 inches
Sizing: 30鈥� x 78鈥�; 41 x 72鈥�; 52鈥� x 78鈥�
Pros: Super wide and supportive
Cons: Hard to get back into stuff-sack

It looks like camping pad, but, according to our testers, it sure doesn鈥檛 sleep like one. 鈥淔elt more like my mattress at home,鈥� reported Ryan Van Horne, a Campbell River, B.C.-based tester. The 50-denier polyester face fabric is cotton-soft and stretchy, and the high density foam, with horizontal coring for compression, creates a firm and supportive feel right to the edges. After self-inflating, just a couple of breaths topped it up to five inches high and 30 inches wide, with a winter-rated R-value of 8.3. It gobbles up tent space, but provides plenty of room to toss and turn. 鈥淚 could sprawl like I do at home,鈥� says category manager Ryan Stuart, who used it on a mountain biking road trip in the B.C. Interior. Our only complaint came when it was time to pack up鈥攚e struggled to get the pad small enough to fit into its included stuff sack. The 75-denier polyester bottom fabric is about average for the category, and we didn鈥檛 notice any durability issues after normal use and abuse. The Captain Comfort lived up to its name with solid sleeps, even over rocky, stick-ridden campgrounds.

Bottom Line: The Big Agnes Captain Comfort is a soft, supportive pad that鈥檚 spacious enough for a guest room.

Best Value: REI Camp Dreamer Double Bed ($279)

Weight: 9.3 lbs
Thickness: 4 inches
Sizing: XL (Single Person); Double
Pros: Easy inflation; soft; easy to pack
Cons: Slow deflation

At less than $300, the Camp Dreamer Double is one of the most affordable two-person car camping pads in the high-end memory foam mattress category, with little sacrifice to comfort or durability. Like many pads in this niche market, the Camp Dreamer uses horizontal polyurethane foam cores to provide stability and cushion, offering 4-inches of lift鈥攍ess than some of the more deluxe models, but, for most sleepers, plenty plush and warm (with a cold weather-friendly R-Value of 6.6). After a 30 minute self-inflation time, the included pump sack delivered the final plumping through a designated inflation valve. 鈥淚t’s convenient enough that I鈥檝e started bringing it even if it鈥檚 just me and the dog,鈥� says category manager Ryan Stuart. The stretch 30-denier recycled polyester top fabric was soft next to skin and quiet, while the 75-denier bottom was tough enough to handle a gravel parking lot. Deflation was a bit arduous鈥攚e took a cat nap halfway through the two minute process鈥攂ut once collapsed, it slid into a stuff sack the size of a large bear canister without a fight. At 55 inches wide (two inches wider than most standard double mattresses) and with all the bells-and-whistles of higher-priced competitors, the Camp Dreamer Double is a no-compromise solution for comfort-seeking couples.

Bottom Line: A deluxe double pad that鈥檚 over $100 cheaper than comparable models

How to Buy

For such a seemingly simple piece of gear, sleeping pads are surprisingly complex. Buy the wrong one, whether it鈥檚 too short, too narrow, too delicate, too heavy, too cold, or too hot, and you can quickly turn a camping trip into a sleepless purgatory. Before you buy, there are three major things to keep in mind.

The Type of Pad

Closed-Cell Foam: Lightweight, inexpensive, and virtually indestructible, closed cell mats are a decades-old favorite. The downside? They鈥檙e bulky, have low R-values, and aren鈥檛 particularly comfortable.

Air Pads: These pads, which derive all their insulative properties from air and often some combination of synthetic or down fill and reflective layers, are lightweight and extremely packable. The flipside is that they can be punctured, rendering them useless unless you can properly patch the pad in the field.

Self-Inflating Pads: Self-inflating pads insulate with a combination of air and open-cell foam. These pads can be quite warm, comfortable, durable, and also (eventually) inflate on their own. They tend to be bulkier and heavier than air pads.

R-value of the Pad

This ubiquitous term will inevitably crop up when searching for the most appropriate pad for your outdoor activity. R-value is a universal measurement that rates a sleeping pad鈥檚 ability to resist heat transfer. R-values in sleeping pads typically range from 1-7. A pad with an R-value of up to 2 works in temps with an expected nighttime low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit; an R-value between 2 to 3.9 works in temps with an expected nighttime low of 32 degrees; an R-value between 4 to 5.4 works in temps with an expected nighttime low as cold as 15 degrees; and a pad with an R-value of 5.5 or higher works in temps down to an expected nighttime low of zero degrees.

Intended Use

What time of year, where, and how you intend to use your pad are crucial pieces to the puzzle. Bikepackers who race Alaska鈥檚 Iditabike will want to invest in an ultralight, insulated air pad with a high R-value. Car campers might want to take advantage of the extra space and splurge on a double-self-inflating pad. Thru hikers who can鈥檛 afford a puncture and have space to strap their pad to the outside of their pack may gravitate toward a closed-cell foam pad.

When it’s time to upgrade your gear, don鈥檛 let the old stuff go to waste鈥揹onate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items, , and send them off. We鈥檒l donate 100 percent of the proceeds to .

The post The Best Sleeping Pads of 2023 appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Rock shoes have evolved light-years since the early days of the 1980s, when there was just one option: board-lasted high-top boots. Today shoes for the sport come in so many flavors, with new models being developed every year, that it takes concerted research to find the niche rock shoes you want. Not to worry, though: we did the work for you, and here present the most interesting, highest-performing climbing shoes of 2023.

The Winners at a Glance

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Scarpa Vapor S

Butora Gomi

Black Diamond Aspect Pro

Black Diamond Method S

Five Ten NIAD VCS

La Sportiva Katana Lace

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan

Red Chili Voltage LV

Scarpa Quantix SF

Tenaya Indalo

How We Test

Number of Testers: 10

Number of Shoes Tested: 16

Number of Vertical Feet Sent: 40,000-plus

Lowest Grades Climbed: 5.6, V0

Highest Grades Climbed: 5.14a sport, 5.12 trad, V10

Most Accessible Testing Venue: A backyard garage gym with a side-by-side MoonBoard and Tension board

Least Accessible Testing Venue: Bugaboo Mountains, British Columbia

Number of Times Our Lead Tester Threw His Shoes at the Rock Because He鈥檇 Punted on His Project Yet Again: At least once鈥攎aybe more (but who鈥檚 counting?)

Our climbing-shoe philosophy rests on two pillars. First: consider each shoe鈥檚 stated niche, and test it on the appropriate terrain. Second: take each shoe outside its comfort zone, to see if it has any surprise attributes. We also emphasize testing each model on as many climbs as possible, both to generate the most thorough feedback and to break in the shoe to see how it really performs. (Any reviewer who offers an opinion after a few gym sessions is full of it.) Testers will also climb the same route or problem repeatedly in different pairs, to see how the shoes stack up against each other on the same footholds and sequences.

This year, ten testers (including myself)鈥攁ll experienced climbers ranging in age from their twenties to their fifties鈥攃onsidered 16 new (and newish) rock shoes, and narrowed our final selection down to ten. We tested on routes between 5.6 and 5.14; we tested at the climbing gym, on outdoor sport routes and boulder problems, and on MoonBoards, Tension boards, and Kilter boards; and we tested on trad climbs, sport climbs, and multi-pitch alpine rock climbs. Our crew covered almost all rock types鈥攕andstone, limestone, granite, basalt鈥攐n everything from slabs to caves, and on cliffs in British Columbia, Colorado, California, New Mexico, Utah, and Kentucky.

The main factors we considered were fit, break-in period, comfort, precision, edging, smearing, hooking, scumming, and jamming. We also considered durability鈥攈ow well a shoe holds its structure and last after heavy use. (Does it stay pointy, precise, and sharp, or does it 鈥渟lop out鈥� too quickly? Are the uppers and other components still intact?)

In this list, we kept the focus on intermediate and advanced climbing shoes, which are typically priced around $150 (but can run into the $200 range) and built for high performance. There is such a glut of undifferentiated, entry-level shoes on the market that it didn鈥檛 make sense to consider them in this review鈥攁nd, to be honest, even newer climbers might do well to consider higher-end offerings after their initial months in the sport, to see what precision footwear is all about as their foot muscles strengthen.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Matt Samet, the former editor of Climbing, has been an avid rock climber since the mid-1980s, the era of high-top Fir茅 rock shoes. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, where he primarily sport-climbs, boulders, and trains on his home wall, and has been testing climbing gear for more than 20 years. The Climbing staff (Delaney Miller, Steve Potter, and Anthony Walsh) were also key testers for this review, as were husband-wife duo Chris and Heather Weidner, who are also based in Boulder and boast decades of climbing experience, as well as a shared hardest redpoint: Stockboy鈥檚 Revenge, a 5.14b in Rifle, Colorado.

The Reviews: The Best Climbing Shoes of 2023

Editor鈥檚 Choice: Scarpa Vapor S ($229)

Weight: 8.3 oz
Pros:

>Insane sensitivity
>A vacuum fit and lots of rubber make for epic steep-rock footwork (hooking, grabbing, and scumming)
>Zero dead space

Cons:

>Squishiness and asymmetry can be distracting on slabbier terrain

Don鈥檛 let the low-key aesthetic fool you: the Vapor S is a powerful, muscular slipper. The key is a sticky, full-length XS Grip 2 outsole married with a surprisingly flat last and touch of asymmetry that curls your big toes inward like talons. None of these attributes alone scream high performance, but consider them alongside the shoe鈥檚 overall flexibility, glove-like fit, gummy M50 rubber over the toe box, semi-stiff heel cup, and a low-profile, rounded toe that deforms preternaturally into tiny pockets, slots, and thin cracks. The collective result is one fierce steep-rock beast. Like a total beast, the kind you can maneuver into subtle heel-toe cams that would feel clunky in any other shoe. For a slipper, the Vapor S is also surprisingly versatile, as Heather Weidner can attest: 鈥淚 was very impressed with the ability to toe in on small edges on more vertical terrain, as well as smear on slopey, sandy feet, but was also able to pull and grab on steep footholds.鈥� Personally, I had the best gym session of my life in these shoes: I couldn鈥檛 get them to slip, whether on jibs or slopers, and I felt everything underfoot. Ditto on Red River Gorge cave climbs, where this shoe dug into the holds but offered just enough heft to see me through edging (smedging!) cruxes on the slabbier outros. The removable Nano Strap closure system looks nice, and I always ratcheted it down, yet it doesn鈥檛 seem to do much more than help angle your toes slightly one way or another.

Bottom Line: The Vapor S is for slipper aficionados who gravitate toward bouldering, gym climbing, and sport climbing. It鈥檚 pricey, yes, but all the elements are done right, and the shoe conforms to the foot like a second skin.

Butora Gomi ($160)

Weight (all weights listed are per shoe): 8 oz
Pros:

>Soft, intuitive, socklike fit makes for a quick break-in
>Regular version accommodates wide feet
>Excellent 鈥渁ll-shoe鈥� sensitivity鈥攇ood feedback in the toe box, heel, and scumming patch

Cons:

>Neo Fuse rubber felt squishy for long sport pitches, especially when sustained edging was involved

This nearly all-rubber boot had some of the best all-shoe feedback of the test. Translation: it鈥檚 sensitive everywhere, from the toe box to the heel cup to the scumming patch. (Most rock shoes only offer supreme sensitivity in one or two of these spots.) One tester confirmed this on a modern-style gym problem that involved rocking over a sloping jib screwed onto the side of a triangular volume. The hold was angled in such a way that you could only drop your heel鈥攏ot toe鈥攐nto it. The Gomi did better than just about all the other shoes I tried on this problem, mainly because I could feel the jib through the molded heel cup and thus trusted the shoes on this bizarre move. Ditto for scumming and toeing into tiny jibs on gym boulders and overhanging rock. The socklike fit and tensioned Power Rand drive you down into the big toe, despite the Gomi鈥檚 merely mild downturn, offering an almost prehensile grip. On the flip side, this pair of shoes is not incredibly supportive, so I experienced some calf fatigue and squish on longer edging pitches, and the toe is a bit too rounded for micro crimps. That said, as a bouldering or sport-crossover shoe fit for wide dogs, the Gomi is one of the better, friendlier-priced options out there.

Bottom Line: This is a well-rounded boulderer-friendly shoe that also crosses over into sport climbing鈥攅specially steeps.

Black Diamond Aspect Pro ($200)

Weight: 10.6 oz
Pros:

>One of the kinder fits for a performance trad shoe
>Solid long-term comfort and incredible stability at stances
>Narrow toe profile great in cracks
>Thick, sticky Fuse rubber outsole was grippy on slabs

Cons:

>Toe box could be sharper, for better precision
>Lace eyelets caused foot pain in deep jams

We began by testing this shoe on a mixed bolt-and-gear granite slab with a strange, leaning, flaring crack, followed by thin nubbin stepping and faith smearing鈥攅xactly the type of climb it鈥檚 designed for. The big news here is that the Aspect Pro has such a kind, cushy microsuede footbed, and a softer demeanor than similar trad shoes, that it performed amazingly out of the box, needing almost no break-in period. On its inaugural voyage, the shoe felt grippy and reliable鈥攁nd even had a dash of sensitivity, despite the full-length bilayer midsole. On smears, one tester found himself enjoying the Fuse rubber鈥攁 kind of thick, softer outsole that wouldn鈥檛 usually be my jam. It deformed nicely to rugosities in the rock. At 21.1 ounces, a pair of Aspect Pros is heavy, but in exchange you get stability and calf support, priceless for stances where you鈥檙e fighting calf fatigue while hunting for protection. The leather footbed promises long-haul comfort, bolstered by a sweat-wicking, knit tongue and thick, ropy laces that hold tension well, ensuring a dialed fit. However, tester Chris Weidner noticed a painful pressure point on the overhanging 5.10+ hand crack of Beach Buzz in Indian Creek, Utah. 鈥淎fter lowering and taking off the shoe, I realized that the combination of small lace coverings over such thick laces caused a single point of lace to be jammed against the crack, and thus also against my foot,鈥� he noted. He did like the narrow toe profile, which shone while climbing Hail of a Beach, a baggy-fingers, thin-hands 5.11- crack also at Indian Creek. 鈥淚 could stuff the tiptoe into the crack, twist, and stand on it reliably,鈥� he noted.

Bottom Line: The Aspect Pro is a great option for trad and multi-pitch climbers seeking stability for long leads and mid-ankle coverage for cracks but favor a soft feel with greater emphasis on smearing than edging.

Black Diamond Method S ($144.95)

Weight: 8.8 oz
Pros:

>Comfortable fit, even when sized tightly, making for great bouldering-session wear
>Designed with a soft, pliable last that鈥檚 ideal for smearing, steeps with big footholds, and volume climbing
>Eye-catching camouflage aesthetic

Cons:

>Some bagginess over the forefoot hampered toe-scumming performance
>Black Label Fuse outsole feels too thick for a performance slipper

A softer sibling to Black Diamond鈥檚 all-arounder, the Method, the Method S is an ideal comfort shoe for long gym sessions and steep routes, thanks to its mild downturn and cozy footbed. It鈥檚 also one of the flashier shoes on the market: both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 versions sport a camouflage heel cup and tension rand that tend to be conversation starters with others. Two testers felt the Method S was great for grabbing extruded footholds on gym boulders and board climbs. 鈥淚 was surprised by how well this shoe toes in on MoonBoard plastic and Tension board wood,鈥� noted tester Chris Weidner. The shoe is sensitive (reason: the Soft Flex midsole is 0.9 millimeters thick, comprised of a small horseshoe in the toe box), making it a choice pick for smearing and steep grabbing. And it鈥檇 be even more so if the outsole wasn鈥檛 so thick鈥攁n odd choice for a slipper. (This issue that resolves over time, as you grind the sole down.) The sensitive squish means almost nonexistent edging performance, so you have to learn to toe in to holds, not on to them. Testers noted there鈥檚 no break-in period, and the shoes held up well, minus some minor toe flattening. My major complaint was that the scumming patch was baggy (albeit amply sized and nicely ridged). On a double-toe-hook parkour move, I slid down before the shoe caught. Though it did eventually snag, and I did send the problem.

Bottom Line: The Method S is the shoe for gym boulderers, board climbers, and cave boulderers who appreciate sensitivity married with a soft fit for long-session wear. It鈥檚 also adapted for smearing and big footholds, resulting in a solid steep-rock shoe that鈥檚 simply fun to climb in.

Five Ten NIAD VCS ($150)

Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚) / 8.5 oz (women鈥檚)
Pros:

>A very stiff, precise toe (though surprisingly rounded) allows for edging and micro-edging support
>Sticky 3.5-millimeter Stealth outsole yields surprisingly good smearing for a shoe with a full-length midsole

Cons:

>The flat last coupled with dead space midfoot hampered a precision fit

Five Ten鈥檚 Anasazi line has enjoyed a cult following since the 1990s. The NIAD family鈥擫ace, Moccasym, and the VCS鈥攊s a reimagining of that line. The VCS is the most well-rounded of the three options, occupying middle ground between the stiffer Lace and the softer Moccasym. It鈥檚 a beast of an edging shoe, with the kind of old-school support (read: a flat last coupled with a full-length, two-millimeter midsole) and precision you want on long, vertical face climbs and trad pitches. 鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 climbed in Eldorado Canyon for a couple years, and I鈥檓 always surprised at how small the toe edges are and how much you have to trust your feet,鈥� said tester Heather Weidner of the Colorado hot spot. 鈥淚n the NIAD VCS, I was able to be precise in my toe placements. The stiffness of the toe edge made it easy to weight my feet without too much calf pump on vertical, technical terrain.鈥� Another tester, Yosemite local Chris Van Leuven, described the toe as 鈥渃hiseled,鈥� and commented on how well it let him lay the shoe against offset seams but also stand on micro edges and granite nubbins. For such a stiff shoe, it offers quite decent smearing performance, thanks to 眉ber-grippy Stealth C4 rubber. As with so many Five Tens, these shoes are better for long, narrow feet, although the toe box is more rounded than, say, the brand鈥檚 Hiangle. Weidner, who is flat-footed, experienced dead space midfoot and had trouble eliminating it with the straps. 鈥淭he flaps under the Velcro need to be arranged perfectly while buckling, which I found annoying, especially on multi-pitch climbs where you take your shoes off and on constantly and have many other logistics to think about,鈥� she said.

Bottom Line: This option is perfect for climbers who tend toward old-school edging, as well as mixed and traditional pitches, and who value support over sensitivity. The fit is geared more for flat, narrow feet, though it鈥檒l accommodate wider feet after break-in.

La Sportiva Katana Lace ($219)

Weight: 8.8 oz (men鈥檚) / 7.5 oz (women鈥檚)
Pros:

>Offers extreme precision for edging and micro-edging
>A long toe box and laser-cut sole promote access to thin cracks, pin scars, and seams that elude other shoes

Cons:

>Very stiff: smearing takes real trust and visual inspection of the foothold

The Katana Lace is among the highest-performing all-around and thin-face shoes on the market, overbuilt for durability, support, and performance in that unique Italian way. Trad aficionado Clayton Laramie wore them to flash his hardest climb ever, a 5.12c gently overhanging a mixed-face-and-seam route in the Tan Corridor of Colorado鈥檚 Staunton State Park, about an hour south of his home in Boulder. 鈥淚 love this shoe,鈥� he said afterward. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my personal favorite for hard trad and vertical face.鈥� Meanwhile, Climbing鈥檚 digital editor, Anthony Walsh, lauded the thin toe profile. 鈥淏oth vertically and horizontally, It provided unparalleled access to thin cracks and a ton of precision,鈥� he said. Walsh said the shoe shone on Zap Crack, a 5.12+ crack line in Squamish, British Columbia, where the crux centers on two parallel, left-leaning seams: a right-hand seam that takes 0.1 cams and a toe jam and left-hand offset seam that you crimp. 鈥淭he Katana was the only shoe that could meaningfully jam the right seam while my left foot edged hard on granite chips,鈥� he said. The key with such a long, thin toe is that it鈥檚 also supportive, with no flex. The Katana held its rigidity and shape over months of testing, in part due to the full-length 1.1-millimeter midsole. On the downside, even after breaking these in, the shoes remained stiff, and you often had to take smears on trust, visually confirming your foot placement. For me, the low-volume women鈥檚 version, with its four-millimeter XS Grip 2 half-sole (versus the men鈥檚 full-length four-millimeter XS Edge sole), climbed much better; its deliberately inbuilt flex and softer outsole rubber render greater versatility while still keeping the precision toe.

Bottom Line: Need a stellar precision shoe for thin face climbs (pockets and micro-edging) and thin crack routes? The Katana Lace is it and will especially appeal to anyone who prefers long, narrow, supportive toe boxes.

La Sportiva Skwama Vegan ($199)

Weight: 8.1 oz (men鈥檚) / 7.1 oz (women鈥檚)
Pros:

>A new vegan option for what鈥檚 a proven, high-performance slipper
>Versatile
>Extremely sensitive
>Perhaps La Sportiva鈥檚 most forgiving last for wide feet

Cons:

>Break-in takes time and patience

The Skwama has a huge fan base for a reason: it鈥檚 a high-torque, highly sensitive slipper that gets the job done鈥攁nd done well鈥攐n just about any terrain, even the slabby stuff. The downturned last drove energy into the forefoot. The XS Grip 2 outsole and pointy toe provided stick and bite on tiny holds, especially bouldery steeps. The bulbous, geometrically patterned heel held its own in stiff hooks鈥攁r锚tes and heel-toe cams鈥攂ut also deformed for technical hooks on crimps and rails while bouldering. This shoe dominated on everything from the 40-degree MoonBoard to a gently overhanging pocket climb called Triple Sec, 5.12d in Kentucky鈥檚 Red River Gorge that involves precision high steps into tiny pockets and smeary feet. The synthetic upper stretches less than leather and complements what La Sportiva calls its SkinLike insole: an interior 0.6-millimeter odor-reducing microfiber layer that鈥檚 adhered to a 1.6-millimeter microfiber upper. These shoes may feel a little squishy to some, especially climbers who haven鈥檛 yet developed strong slipper feet, and they aren鈥檛 great for endless edging routes. But for everything else, the feedback married with power is 100 percent on point.

Bottom Line: Designed for advanced climbers with strong feet, the Skwama Vegan is ideal for those who value feedback, a high-torque fit, and are consciously looking for a shoe with a synthetic upper for ethical or fit reasons (or both).

Red Chili Voltage LV ($180)

Weight: 8.3 oz
Pros:

>A forgiving fit and stretchy elastic tongue meant almost no break-in period
>High marks across the board for smearing, edging, hooking, and grabbing

Cons:

>The uppers and closure system need better integration, to increase tension down into the big toe

Made by a small European brand not often seen in the U.S, the Voltage has long been a sleeper classic. It鈥檚 one of the friendliest downturned shoes available, with a low-key fit that鈥檚 good for steep-rock neophytes, a precise and supportive toe, and a suction heel. Now it comes in a low-volume (LV) version for narrow feet. Our LV tester, Scottie Alexander, mostly bouldered in this new shoe. He praised its precision toe, giving it an eight out of ten on technical demands presented by fussy sandstone and quartzite boulder problems, a seven out of ten for edging, and an eight out of ten for grabbing and smearing. 鈥淭his shoe gets the soft-versus-edging balance as close to optimal as any shoe I鈥檝e worn, and it does so out of the box,鈥� he noted. However, Alexander thought the soft uppers and orange knit tongue were too flimsy to properly impart tension from the double-Velcro-closure straps (especially the upper one, which he felt was misaligned with the plastic eyelet). Red Chili either needs to stiffen the uppers or remove the straps altogether and recast the shoe as a slipper. On the other hand, my wide feet felt happily snug in the regular Voltage, which features a socklike upper and stretchy knit tongue.

Bottom Line: The Voltage LV is a good steep-climbing and bouldering quiver for narrow-footed climbers determined to enjoy a more comfortable fit.

Scarpa Quantix SF ($189)

Weight: 8.1 oz
Pros:

>Extremely precise toe box held both shape and bite over months of use
>The combination of a stiff forefoot with overall flexibility and a soft PAF heel made this shoe a jack-of-all-trades
>A precision all-arounder, marked by its light weight

Cons:

>Pumpkin-orange color may not be for everybody
>Toe-hooking patch is so small that it鈥檚 nearly nonfunctional

The most remarkable thing about the Quantix SF is how much precision you get for such a light, low-key shoe. 颁濒颈尘产颈苍驳鈥檚 digital editor, Steve Potter, concurred鈥攚e both gave the Quantix SF a perfect ten for edging, thanks to a sharp, pointy toe box that digs into micros. However, unlike other precision masters (say, the brand鈥檚 Boostic), the Quantix SF is not overbuilt. The forefoot is stiff鈥攄espite having a gummy XS Grip 2 outsole鈥攂ut the rest of the shoe is super malleable, so you can drop your heels to vary your angle of contact with the rock. It was superb at toeing incuts on a steep wall, particularly when using low feet, yet also solid on slabbier edging. Potter put this versatility to good use on a granite V7 block in the Adirondacks that started with overhanging smears, compression, and heel hooks, finishing on a tech-nine slab that required a pistol squat on a slanting three-quarter-inch edge. The Quantix SF 鈥渂ends enough to allow you to stand on your toes without the surface of the shoe changing its alignment on the foothold,鈥� he said. My ultimate test was a 50-meter lead at Staunton State Park. The bottom half was slabby 5.10, while the top half required precision edging鈥攚ith all that rope weight dragging you down. On the upper crux, the shoe flexed as it was meant to, but stayed locked in on the tiny holds nonetheless. Two dings, in my opinion: the toe-hooking patch is just a thin strip, so you don鈥檛 get much stickum, and the toe box鈥檚 beak-like shape means toe hooks hurt.

Bottom Line: The Quantix SF is a sleek, airy, low-profile best friend for sport climbers, boulderers who climb like sport climbers (or cross over into sport climbing), and anyone attempting hard trad.

Tenaya Indalo ($215)

Weight: 11.3 oz
Pros:

>Well-balanced and precise forefoot structure locks in on small holds
>Forgiving fit for a performance shoe
>Sets up great grabbing, overhanging edging, and smearing, thanks to the XS Grip half sole
>Molded heel cup excels at hooking

Cons:

>Toggles on Draxtor closure system are hard to adjust, due to small components

Like the La Sportiva Solution, the Tenaya Indalo is a downturned, slightly asymmetrical, semi-stiff quiver and bouldering shoe that scored good to great on just about everything. As someone with wide, high-volume feet, I was initially skeptical about the Indalo. It鈥檚 a pointy shoe, and I figured I鈥檇 have to contend with dead space in the toe. But Tenaya nailed it this time, building just enough softness into the microfiber upper and lateral stretch on the bilayer perforated tongue so wide feet can spread out and fill the toe box. The Indalo shone on a hyper-techy, gently overhanging granite project at a secret crag near Estes Park, Colorado, which I ultimately sent in this shoe, after a month; I was able to dig into the smallest divots and micro-edges (the dual-construction double midsole鈥攁 0.5-millimeter textile-and-thermoplastic layer superimposed on a braided-polypropylene layer鈥攊s just stiff enough) but also toe down and grab sloping footholds. Yes, the toe box is long, but it鈥檚 also just the right amount of heavy, and the feedback was off the charts. I also dug the thermally-molded heel cup and its full-wrap rubber panels, which kept me locked in around ar锚tes and on bouldery moves. Tester Anthony Walsh appreciated the stretchy, thin-mesh tongue for hot gym sessions, and he noted that the vegan material 鈥渄idn鈥檛 tear or fray despite yarding on them far too hard a couple times.鈥� My single complaint is that the Draxtor closure system, while highly effective at letting you customize fit, is hard to adjust with fat or pumped fingers.

Bottom Line: This is an amazing, quiver-of-one shoe for sport climbers who lean toward technical, gently overhanging routes and mega-steeps. It鈥檚 a bit soft for dead-vertical edging-fests, but still has enough big-toe bite to squeak by on spots of slabbier terrain.

How to Buy

With brands offering so many rock shoes, including 鈥渇amilies鈥� of shoes (lace, Velcro, and slippers all built on the same last), it can feel overwhelming to pick out a new pair. Really, there are no wrong answers; only the wrong fit or the wrong shoe for the wrong job. Here are some parameters to help refine your search.

Intended Use

This is a big one, with two facets: you should know both how you intend to use the rock shoe and what the brand鈥檚 intended use was when they designed it. These don鈥檛 necessarily need to match up, but it鈥檚 better when they do. First consider what you want the shoes to do for you, then take a look at the product information to see where there鈥檚 overlap. Rock shoes are super niche these days; shop accordingly.

Gym Bouldering and Board Training (Moonboard, Tension Board, Kilter Board, Grasshopper Board, Etc.)

For gym bouldering or board sessions where you鈥檙e frequently removing your shoes, you want a slipper or a Velcro-closure shoe that makes for easy on/off. You鈥檒l also want a versatile shoe that performs both on radical steeps and for volume smearing on comp-style problems. To that end, look at soft shoes with only a mild downturn; you need jib-standing power, but you鈥檒l mainly be smearing, hooking, scumming, and glomming, whether it鈥檚 on the holds or the actual wall surface.

Gym Lead Climbing

It鈥檚 rare to see people wearing lace-ups in the gym, as they鈥檙e often too stiff and too cumbersome to take on and off frequently. Instead, you want a softish, jack-of-all-trades performance shoe, usually a slipper or Velcro version that鈥檚 one notch stiffer than your gym-bouldering shoe. A semi-stiff all-arounder gives you options on your gym鈥檚 lead terrain, which typically varies from vertical to very overhanging. Some climbers like shoes they can keep on for the duration of their session, and there are now purpose-built models for exactly these scenarios (including the ).

Performance Sport Climbing

This is likely the largest category on the market, with each brand offering multiple options. Sport climbs come in all flavors, from radical cave ascents on tufas to techy granite faces and ar锚tes to pocketed limestone. Consider where you鈥檒l be climbing frequently. What attributes do you need the most? A pointy toe for micro-divots and pockets? A neutral (i.e., not downturned) last and a stiff outsole for performance on vert and slab? A slight downturn and medium-sticky rubber for grabbing power on semi steeps? Major downturn, radical asymmetry, and squishy rubber for cave climbs? Or are you looking for a 鈥渜uiver of one,鈥� pretty good at all disciplines and/or able to excel in just one or two?

Bouldering

There are countless high-end bouldering shoes out there. Most are designed to encase the foot in rubber, for fluency with futuristic, non-big-toe-focused moves like heel-toe cams and toe scums. These tend to have an aggressive fit鈥攁n asymmetrical 鈥渂anana鈥� shape and a radical downturn鈥攖o help you bite into small holds on overhanging terrain. They are not meant for edging-intensive climbs or long-duration wear.

Trad Climbing/All-Around

In general, these shoes are flat-lasted so your feet and toes sit in a more neutral, less activated position, for the longer-term comfort you鈥檒l need on traditional and multi-pitch climbs. Trad shoes are meant to be stiff and supportive, so that the small muscles in your feet and calves don鈥檛 fatigue on long, vertical leads. Trad shoes will also often have higher heel cuffs or ankle protection, for wider cracks. They can be very precise, but will typically lack flexibility and sensitivity.

Fit and Break-In Period

Fit is personal and varies from shoe to shoe and genre to genre. If I really love a particular shoe, I may even buy two different sizes: a looser, more forgiving fit for warm-ups, long pitches, multi-pitch climbs, and gym sessions; and a tighter pair for sport climbs and boulder problems at my limit鈥攕hort-duration wear. Here are a few rules of thumb.

Go by Volume

Some brands make shoes that favor wide feet, and some that favor narrow feet. So you may discover that some shoes just work better for you. That said, many climbing shoes now come in regular and low-volume (LV) models, or may be labeled as men鈥檚 or women鈥檚 versions (women鈥檚 fit usually translates to LV). It pays to try on both options. There may also be a difference in midsole support between the two: a thinner or half midsole for lighter climbers (often marketed to women), and a stiffer, full-length one for heavier climbers.

Know How Brands Size Their Shoes

Some brands design their shoes to correlate with your street-shoe size; others design them to be sized down. Check the manufacturers鈥� websites, or go to a shoe demo or retail store, before you commit. For my wide, high-volume feet (street size ten), I鈥檝e figured out the corresponding size by brand, which may help you on your search:

Black Diamond: 9.5

Butora: 9.5

Evolv: 10

Five Ten: 10

La Sportiva: European 40.5 or 41

Mad Rock: 9

Red Chili: 9.5

Scarpa: European 41-42, roughly two to four European sizes off street shoe size

Tenaya: European 41

Unparallel: 10

Again, these are just rough guestimates, but after intensive shoe testing for the past 15 or so years, they continue to serve me well.

For women鈥檚 sizing, I asked Heather Weidner, who wears a women鈥檚 street-shoe size eight (equivalent to a European size 39). For the sizes she鈥檚 sure of, she said:

La Sportiva: 37.5

Five Ten: 39

Scarpa: 39

Recognize the Right Fit

You never want your climbing shoes to fit so tightly that you immediately lose circulation鈥攏ot even during break-in. In a shoe that fits perfectly, your big toe will sit flat or slightly curled at the very tip of the toe box, and your heel will slide all the way into the heel cup. If your big toe or other toes are so curled that you can barely weight the shoe, or if your heel doesn鈥檛 drop down fully into the pocket, the shoes are too tight. At the same time, you don鈥檛 want loose or baggy shoes, except maybe for warming up and long gym sessions. If a shoe is too comfortable out of the gate, it鈥檚 likely too big and will slip on smaller holds, especially as the shoes stretch. Most synthetic shoes only stretch a little (to become a quarter size larger), while those with leather uppers can stretch up to a half size, so take that into account when making your purchase. Finally, with performance sport and bouldering shoes, listen for a vacuum whoosh noise when you put them on鈥攖hat signifies a good, conforming fit.

Don鈥檛 Skimp on the Break-In Period

Some models鈥攅specially high-performance shoes that run $200 and up, with their numerous sewn panels, special materials, and tension rands鈥攁re meant to have a long break-in period. Most performance shoes come with plastic sheets, to facilitate sliding tight, new shoes on over your heels. (You can even climb with the plastic hanging out the back. does it!) I鈥檒l usually wear a tight pair at home (including the plastic sheets) for a night or two in front of the TV, then do a few gym sessions in them, then finally take them on the rock when they鈥檙e more pliable and better shaped to my feet.

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Many swimsuits of years past looked good on land but weren鈥檛 practical in the water. With today鈥檚 range of styles, patterns, and silhouettes鈥攆rom tankini to one-piece鈥攊t鈥檚 easier to find a suit that鈥檚 functional and flattering. Plus, features like built-in shelf bras and back closures help keep everything in one place while you鈥檙e out having fun. We dove in with various styles and came up with the four best contestants鈥攐n the beach and off.

The Winners at a Glance

Patagonia Sunny Tide

Carve Camari

Prana Tulum

Body Glove Mylene

How We Test

Number of Testers: 3

Number of Products Tested: 8

Number of Bodies of Water in Which We Tested: 5

Number of Wardrobe Malfunctions: 3

For those who dream of watery adventures, flattering swimsuits designed to perform well in water (where they belong) shouldn鈥檛 be hard to find. This crew of three testers with different ages and backgrounds鈥攆rom an open-water swimmer to a surfing and SUP fan鈥攖ested swimwear in a variety of conditions, from the swimming pool to large saltwater bodies, stillwater to surfable waves, and even hot springs. We evaluated each suit for comfort, coverage, durability, support, and performance.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Jill K. Robinson is a California-based freelance journalist who writes about travel and adventure for National Geographic, AFAR, Conde Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Hemispheres, and more. She鈥檚 often more comfortable on and in water than she is on land.

The Reviews: The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Swimwear of 2023

Patagonia Sunny Tide One Piece ($129)

Type: One-piece
Size Range: XS-XXL
Comfort on Scale of 10: 9

This simple, strappy tank suit is luxuriously comfortable for paddling, swimming, chasing waves, body surfing, and just hanging out at the beach thanks to its form-fitting style and soft material. Its stretchy fabric (sewn according to Fair-Trade Certified practices) is composed of a recycled nylon and spandex jersey blend, which makes it one of the softer swimsuits we tested. Fully lined, the lightweight suit dries relatively quickly (it should dry within an hour in a dry climate with 80-degree temps), and has a mid-hip fit and moderate backside coverage, so we didn鈥檛 have to worry about a wardrobe malfunction. Flat, non-adjustable straps rest away from the neck for comfort and freedom of movement, which testers especially appreciated while paddling a SUP.

Bottom Line: Flat straps and low bulk make this suit ideal for wearing under a wetsuit.

Carve Camari One Piece ($98)

Type: One-piece
Size Range: 34C, 34D, 34DD, 36C, 36D, 36DD, 38C, 38D, 38DD
Comfort on Scale of 10: 6

Multiple straps on a swimsuit often look like they would offer excellent support, but just end up being unnecessarily complicated, especially for sporty endeavors. That鈥檚 not the case here. The crossover back strap provides solid support and is also fairly easy to tie without help because the tie point is mid-back鈥攁n area where your hands can comfortably reach. The fabric is 82 percent recycled polyester (from plastic bottles) and 18 percent spandex, which was stretchy enough to move with us while surfing and kayaking in Tahiti. We liked the modest cut because it provided solid coverage and looks flattering. Hidden underwire and removable chest pads contribute to support and coverage for water nymphs (when they don鈥檛 fold over during occasional wipeouts). Plus, it鈥檚 rated UPF 50-plus.

Bottom Line: This suit offers great support and provides solid coverage for water-based activities.

Prana Tulum Bikini ($65 Top, $60 Bottom)

Type: Bikini
Size Range: XS-XL
Comfort on Scale of 10: 7

This color-blocked two-piece suit (top and bottom sold separately) features a good amount of coverage for semi-sporty pursuits. (Consider sizing down in the bottoms for a true sport fit, however.) Made from Prana鈥檚 Vita fabric (recycled nylon and lycra elastane), the suit has UPF 50-plus coverage and is salt and chlorine resistant, which adds to its longevity. 鈥淭he crisscross straps offered good stability and support in general, but over time the looseness/tautness dynamic would redistribute, so I had to be more deliberate about making sure all the parts of the straps were tight for serious activity,鈥� said one tester, a surfer and paddler.

Bottom Line: Overall comfort and good coverage ideal for a beach vacation

Body Glove Mylene One-Piece ($98)

Type: One-piece
Size Range: XS-XL
Comfort on Scale of 10: 10

Sometimes you run across a Goldilocks swimsuit鈥攐ne that鈥檚 comfortable, supports you across multiple activities, and even looks good. The Mylene is that suit. 鈥淚 just didn鈥檛 have to mess with it or adjust it ever鈥攁 rarity for a swimsuit,鈥� commented one tester, who wore it while swimming in a freshwater pool as well as surfing in California. The one-piece tank provides full coverage and includes a sliding racer back, a shelf bra, and removable soft cups. Made with Body Glove鈥檚 soft fabric (80 percent nylon and 20 percent spandex), the suit has a high neck with no gaping or opening at the chest area. 鈥淭his suit is optimal for lap swimming and surfing with or without a wetsuit. It stayed put and didn鈥檛 leave any body part unexpectedly exposed,鈥� said our tester.

Bottom Line: A suit that works on all levels鈥攊t鈥檚 comfortable, durable, supportive, and flattering.

How to Buy

Consider your prime activities when you鈥檙e choosing a swimsuit. If you鈥檙e surfing, for example, you鈥檒l want good sun coverage and straps that will keep the suit secure. If you鈥檙e swimming, you may want a streamlined suit designed for minimal drag in the water. Most active-style one-piece suits tend to stay in place better than two-piece suits. But it鈥檚 easier to customize two-piece suits, and when it comes time for a bathroom break, they鈥檙e more convenient. Quick-drying fabrics are ideal if you want the flexibility to go from the water to lounging in the sun or to the poolside bar. It鈥檚 best to try a suit on and move around in it to make sure it鈥檚 a good fit. Because swimsuit liners can be easily removed and swimsuits can be worn by more than one person, it鈥檚 also best to keep your underwear on when doing so. Then, wash your new suit when you get home. Aside from buying directly from each brand, great discount online retailers are The Clymb, Steep and Cheap, REI Outlet, Sierra Trading Post, and Backcountry.

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Summer running is a challenge. Getting up early to put in miles before the sun gets too high and too hot is one thing; dodging evening thunderstorms is another. This is the season when we need running clothes to inspire us鈥攍ike shorts and tops that slip on effortlessly when we鈥檙e still half-asleep in the morning and float on our skin when we鈥檙e cramming in a tempo workout on a sticky afternoon. We searched for, and found, gear that can handle the challenges of summer while making us look good and feel cool.

The Winners At a Glance

Shorts

Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Shorts

Tracksmith Run Cannonball Run Short Tights

Nathan Interval Bike Shorts

Ibex Springbok Short

Tops

Craft Pro Hypervent Singlet

Brooks Distance Short Sleeve 2.0

Rabbit EZ Tee Cropped

Rabbit Seabreeze Tank

How We Test

Number of Testers: 4
Number of Products Tested: 72
Total miles: 500+

Over 12 weeks, we tested more than 70 pieces of women鈥檚 summer running apparel from 20 brands. Our team included four runners of varying sizes and fitness鈥攐ne of us spent the summer training for her second ultramarathon while another was just getting back into running after having her first child. We tested sizes Small to Large, from New Mexico to New Hampshire, on all types of runs: speedy track workouts, early morning road miles, and multi-hour trail races. Every product recommended here was worn and liked by at least two of us. Everything we tested was functional, but the shorts and tops that rose above the rest scored high on comfort and style. Comfort was the priority: No matter how many useful pockets a pair of shorts has or how flattering a tank top looks, we aren鈥檛 willing to compromise on fit. The pieces on our final list weren鈥檛 too tight or too loose, and didn鈥檛 need adjustment on the run.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Svati Kirsten Narula is a writer and editor in Santa Fe. She has been a competitive runner for 17 years, and tested all the apparel on this page while training for a 50k trail race. Her favorite runs were the extra slow ones with lots of elevation gain in the mountains above Santa Fe鈥攊n the company of her dog, Cabot. But she also enjoyed putting gear to the test in the humidity and salt air of the New England coast.

Anna Morenz is a primary care internist in Seattle. An avid climber, she fell in love with trail running and skate skiing after moving to the northwest four years ago and spends as much time in the mountains as possible. For this review, Anna tested 10 tops and eight shorts on more than 40 runs, including her favorite Seattle summer special: a divine two-for-one combining a trail run in the arboretum with a swim in Lake Washington.

The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Summer Running Shorts of 2023

Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Shorts ($59)

Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Comfortable and flattering for most body types
Cons: Just one tiny pocket

These all-purpose shorts were an instant favorite because of their comfortable and flattering fit. One tester described them as, 鈥渓oose enough that they make you feel like you’re in loungewear, but snug enough in the waist that they don’t fall down, and not so much extra fabric that they chafe.鈥� After wearing the Shadelite shorts for a trail half-marathon, Anna praised them for being 鈥渓ight and breezy.鈥� That鈥檚 thanks to the stretchy, quick-drying 100% polyester fabric shell and interior mesh brief. An adjustable drawstring waistband secures the fit just above the hips, and the five-inch-long inseam, slightly longer than usual for running shorts, was the perfect length for several testers. It’s also available with a three-inch inseam for those who prefer less leg coverage.

Tracksmith Run Cannonball Run Short Tights ($88)

Sizes: XS-L
Pros: Exceptionally capable at wicking water and sweat
Cons: Slim fit

Wearing these shorts, Anna loved jumping into Puget Sound in the middle of runs and sometimes she hopped on a bike before or after. Svati took them on 3-mile runs to and from swims in the Atlantic Ocean while on vacation鈥攁 summer routine that usually causes chafing in other shorts. A sleek zippered back pocket is perfect for carrying a credit card or keys. The nylon-elastane fabric has just the right amount of stretch and dries shockingly quickly; it鈥檚 also cool to the touch, so you don鈥檛 need to take a dip to feel comfortable in the heat. Like all Tracksmith apparel, these shorts run slightly small so we recommend sizing up, but once you find the right fit you鈥檒l reach for them over and over all summer.

Nathan Interval Bike Shorts ($65鈥�70)

Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Support, comfort, and they don鈥檛 budge
Cons: Not light or breezy

These nylon-elastane compression shorts got the job done on days when we wanted to feel sleek and supported. The wide waistband didn鈥檛 dig in or fold over, and it held the shorts up even when we had a heavy phone in the back pocket. Testers also noted that these are comfortable enough to run errands in before or after running, which isn鈥檛 always the case with such skin-hugging fabric. Available in both a 6-inch and 3-inch inseam.

Ibex Springbok Short ($100)

Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: The softest interior liner we鈥檝e ever felt on running shorts
Cons: Slim fit

Nothing fancy here, just incredible comfort and a wide back zippered pocket that holds our essentials鈥攑hone, keys, glucose gel鈥攑erfectly. Ibex combined its signature merino wool with eucalyptus-based Tencel to make the liner on these shorts, which has the stinkproof breathability we love from merino plus extra softness, stretch, and durability. The outer short is a durable, slightly stretchy nylon-spandex blend. With a 3.5-inch inseam, these don鈥檛 feel too long or too short. We wish we had multiple pairs.

The Best 奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Summer Running Tops of 2023

Craft Pro Hypervent Singlet ($60)

Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Incredibly light and durable
Cons: Slim fit

This whisper of a polyester mesh tank was an instant favorite among our higher-mileage trail runners. The racerback design and soft flatlock seams around the neck and armpits made the singlet feel invisible when we were wearing it. Anna noted that this piece held up particularly well to dirt, looking fresh even after her dustiest trail runs.

Brooks Distance Short Sleeve 2.0 ($36)

Sizes: XS-XXL
Pros: Classic, flattering, and versatile
Cons: Not the most sweat-wicking

This tee is for the runners who still love the soft, old-school feeling of cotton shirts. (We know you鈥檙e out there.) Brooks made it with its proprietary DriLayer fabric, a 50-50 mix of cotton and recycled polyester that鈥檚 surprisingly good at wicking moisture. Smooth seams and a slightly tapered fit around the waist keep it flattering and comfy, and it comes in 11 colors, some with fun graphic designs.

Rabbit EZ Tee Cropped ($48)

Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Delightfully silky fabric, cute colors
Cons: Cropped style may feel awkward for those with longer torsos

We fell in love with the silky feel of this polyester-spandex top. The cut is relaxed but not boxy, and it falls just above the hips for a shorter fit than most running tees or tanks in our rotation. Multiple testers found themselves sporting this one around town in addition to wearing it on runs. The cropped cut didn鈥檛 get in the way of layering this tee under a light jacket on chilly evenings.

Rabbit Seabreeze Tank ($50)

Sizes: XS-XL
Pros: Perfect for showing off glistening shoulders on the hottest days
Cons: The high neckline wasn鈥檛 loved by all

We found ourselves reaching for this barely-there tank on the hottest days because it felt like it disappeared into thin air once we put it on. With a high neckline and square racerback, this polyester-lyocell tank fit smoothly over even the bulkiest sports bras, and it never showed signs of sweat.

How to Buy

Look for apparel that’s intentionally designed for running. Fit and feel are incredibly important: running clothes should not restrict your leg and arm movement or be so tight as to interfere with your breathing at all. Watch out for how many seams are on the fabric and where they are placed, as they can cause chafing. When trying on garments, do some dynamic stretching such as leg swings, lunges, and arm circles to experience your body’s whole range of motion in the apparel. If you’re trying on a piece with pockets, make sure you test how it feels when the pockets are full鈥攅specially if you intend on carrying something heavy like a cell phone which can drastically change the way a pair of shorts fits and rides.

For summer running, sweat-wicking and quick-drying materials are essential. These are usually made of polyester or wool blends and have a wide variety of names and textures. Polyester weaves tend to be the most breathable and often highly durable, while wool resists odors and has a soft feel against the skin. The final choice is personal: find a fabric that makes you feel cool and comfortable, even when working up a sweat.

When it’s time to upgrade your gear, don鈥檛 let the old stuff go to waste鈥揹onate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items, , and send them off. We鈥檒l donate 100 percent of the proceeds to .

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When smartphones first hit the market 15 years ago, their cameras left a lot to be desired, and we didn’t have apps like Adobe Lightroom for on-the-fly editing. Our DSLRs were getting better, but they had a fraction of the high-end and photographer-friendly features we see today. Camera technology has come a long way since then, and today we find ourselves surrounded by intuitive, powerful cameras that capture the world in beautiful detail. Below are our three favorites for 2023.

The Winners at a Glance

Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Sony a7R V

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

How We Test

Number of Products Tested: 7

Number photos taken: 5,000

Locations visited: 25+

You鈥檝e all heard the cliche about your grandparents walking uphill both ways in a foot of snow to school. For photographers, a similar cliche would start with film cameras and include complaints about 36-frame rolls of film, finicky cameras, and a labor-intensive development and printing process.

The point here is that thanks to digital photography, the proliferation of smartphones, and the rise of social media, nearly everyone on the planet has become a better and more prolific photographer. It鈥檚 a hobby and skill that has been democratized and the world is (mostly) a better place for it.

Today, just when you think that cameras couldn鈥檛 get any better, and the process of toning and sharing your photos that much easier, the industry turns around and launches new technology that moves both those things forward. The developments happen so fast that it鈥檚 almost impossible to keep track and choose what鈥檚 right for your photography needs.

That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e purposely keeping things simple this year. We鈥檝e recommended just three cameras鈥攐ne smartphone, one DSLR, and one drone鈥攂ecause those choices will cover nearly everyone鈥檚 bases. These cameras are so good that no matter where you are, or what you鈥檙e shooting, you鈥檒l come away with stunning photos that tell great stories and capture important moments.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Before Jakob Schiller was a columnist at 国产吃瓜黑料 he spent almost a decade working as a photojournalist at newspapers around the country. He鈥檚 old enough to have shot film, but since the rise of the digital camera, has taken well over 1,000,000 photos on various DSLRs and smartphones. He loves photography because it facilitates adventure and captures important historical moments, but he鈥檚 also a tech lover and can geek out with the best of them about things like resolution, autofocus, and shadow detail.

The Reviews: The Best Cameras of 2023

Apple iPhone 14 Pro ($999)

Pros: A larger camera sensor makes photos that rival those of a DSLR
Cons: Not a DSLR

Thanks to a sensor that鈥檚 65 percent larger than the one included in the iPhone 13 Pro, plus the ability to shoot in the uncompressed Apple ProRAW format, the new 14 Pro can take 48-megapixel photos that have stunning detail for a smartphone. For regular photos, the iPhone automatically takes every four pixels on its sensor and converts them into much larger 鈥渜uad pixels鈥� that can drink in more light and produce a regular 12-megapixel image that looks great even in low light situations. On the software side, the Photonic Engine software allows the 14 Pro to combine multiple, uncompressed images into one single great photo.

Bottom Line: The iPhone 14 Pro is a powerful adventure camera that takes amazing photos and fits in your pocket.

Sony a7RV ($3,900)

Pros: Improved autofocus and class-leading resolution
Cons: You鈥檒l need a suite of lenses to really make the most of this camera

If you鈥檙e trying to land a photo on the cover of 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine, the a7RV is a great camera to use. That鈥檚 because it packs a gigantic 61-megapixel, full-frame sensor that captures humongous and detail-rich photos that look great in print (and online, of course). You鈥檇 also be impressed with the new autofocus that鈥檚 a big step up from the a7RIV model and can help you nail a wide variety of action shots by auto-recognizing and locking onto not only humans, but also birds, insects, cars, and planes. When you鈥檙e shooting action, it will capture up to ten frames per second, even in the compressed RAW mode, and for video, it shoots 8K footage and comes with impressive stabilization.

Bottom Line: If you鈥檙e willing to pay, the Sony a7RV gets you some of the best digital imaging technology on the market.

DJI Mavic 3 Classic (Starting at $1,599)

Pros: Top-shelf features in a more affordable drone
Cons: Still not cheap

DJI made this drone for those of us who need to create high-quality editorial or marketing content but aren鈥檛 professional drone pilots shooting for Hollywood productions. Case in point: It comes with a small but still powerful 4/3 CMOS 20-megapixel Hasseblad camera that has a great color profile and shoots absolutely gorgeous 5.1K footage. A 46-minute flight time is respectable and the omnidirectional sensors help ensure pilots, especially those who are new to drones, don鈥檛 crash the Classic into nearby objects. We suggest you pay the extra $150 and spring for DJI鈥檚 remote, the DJI RC, so that you don鈥檛 have to use your phone as the controller. The DJI RC has a generous 5.5-inch screen and is a joy to use, especially for those of us who are still mastering the art of drone flight.

How to Buy

The best question you can ask yourself before buying a camera is, 鈥渨hat kind of camera do I really need to execute on the job I want to do?鈥� If you’re a weekend warrior who鈥檚 just looking to update your social profiles and maybe make an 8×10 print of your favorite outdoor spot, the iPhone 14 Pro is the best choice. It doesn鈥檛 have a full-frame sensor or interchangeable lenses, but it鈥檚 easier to carry, and packs enough resolution to help you nail the kind of photos you want to take. We also love that you can take a stunning photo on your iPhone, bring it into the Adobe Lightroom app for toning, and then immediately post it for the world to see.

If you鈥檙e trying to break into magazine photography or work for a marketing agency that鈥檚 putting together a big campaign, you鈥檒l need more than the iPhone. A camera like the Sony a7RV has a full-frame sensor that鈥檚 much bigger than the iPhone鈥檚 and therefore drinks in significantly more light and makes photos that are several times more detailed and rich. The a7RV also works with Sony鈥檚 giant selection of high-quality lenses (wide angles, fixed, and zooms) that will help pros or aspiring pros create photos that just aren鈥檛 possible with the iPhone. There are a few downsides, though: building out a full Sony system will cost thousands of dollars; none of the Sony gear fits in your pocket; and you鈥檒l need a high-powered laptop to process the gigantic files.

Finally, we know that anyone who鈥檚 truly invested in drone work will know exactly what they need to get their job done. The rest of us who are drone-curious, or might need a drone here and there, will benefit from the Mavic 3 Classic because it鈥檚 powerful enough for pro-level work but won鈥檛 totally break the bank. It鈥檚 the perfect middle ground and great place to start.

When it’s time to upgrade your gear, don鈥檛 let the old stuff go to waste鈥揹onate it for a good cause and divert it from the landfill. our partner, Gear Fix, will repair and resell your stuff for free! Just box up your retired items, , and send them off. We鈥檒l donate 100 percent of the proceeds to .

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