If there鈥檚 one piece of gear I absolutely hate, it鈥檚 shoe laces. They鈥檙e clumsy, time-consuming, and always come untied at the wrong moments. Shoe laces are the last thing I want to deal with while trying to finish a tempo run, haul in groceries, or traipse through a busy airport with lots of gear鈥攚hich is why I鈥檓 in love with clogs.

I understand that shoe laces are a necessary evil if you want to do anything more than walk. But I will go to my deathbed loving slip-on shoes because they鈥檙e so easy and still hold feet adequately for all kinds of low-key adventuring.

During the summer, I live in sandals鈥� for everyday and travel, and the classic for the river, fishing, and basic hikes. When temps drop, I immediately transition to clogs.

Over the years, I鈥檝e tested dozens of clogs for everything from working at home to a 10-hour plane ride. These four favorites are some of the best clogs you can buy.

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Active recovery footwear is having a moment. It鈥檚 technically a category as old as the bedroom slipper鈥攁nd has existed as a purpose-made product for more than a decade. But we seem to be reaching a new peak in active recovery footwear. New kicks launch each season and new recovery technologies debut every year. Recovery research is increasingly showing us all that we cannot ignore this intrinsic part of the training process. I also need more recovery in my life. And, like many of you, I have grown tired of torturing myself with a lacrosse ball.

This truly luxurious trial gave my barking dogs, tight hips, and sore calves a break (and potentially a recovery boost). And, as a bonus, I got to help you figure out the best recovery sandals for you鈥攁n update that spanned from spring to summer this year. The world, my fitness, and my goals have changed since the first round up but the pure luscious joy that a good recovery slip can deliver has not. Here鈥檚 what I found.

How I Tested

I started the test with a deep dive into recovery sandal research, scouring reviews and zeroing in on the best recovery sandals on the market, then pulling back the curtain on the science of each one to make sure brands weren鈥檛 making any bullshit claims. Once samples arrived, I subjected each one to a couple of tests.

For this most recent round of testing, I reached out to all of the recovery footwear brands that I tested for the previous story and asked if they had updated any of the original slips or taken them off the market. I also reached out to some brands that I missed on my original list and ran them through the paces.

For starters, I ran a similar 4.5-mile loop over the course of two weeks and wore each of these sandals for a full day after each run, taking notes on how they felt. I kept the run as uniform as possible, wearing the same pair of shoes and keeping the same pace, and kept my use of the sandals as similar as possible to reduce the number of variables affecting my results. I wore them inside my house and took them on the four 0.4-mile, head-clearing neighborhood walks I take each day.

In addition to the above daily-driver test, I wore each sandal for an hour and took them each on a 0.4-mile neighborhood walk when my legs were beat to a pulp after my first ambitious 8-mile run. I also cycled through all these sandals after days of manual labor to test their effectiveness against general full-body soreness.

The soreness tests remained incredibly similar for the update. My 4.5-mile loop is basically exactly the same 8 months later except for leg strength training, hill sprint work, and downhill specific run training as I prepare for a Rim to Rim to Rim Grand Canyon run.

Best Recovery Sandals: At a Glance

• For Active Recovery:
• For Foot Injuries:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Cushion:
• For Minimalists:
• Adjustable Support:
• For Camping:
• Most Luxurious:
• Most Stylish:
• Best Upper:
• Best Stimulation:
• What Are Recovery Sandals?
• Do I Need Recovery Sandals?

Best for Active Recovery

Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3

The Ora Recovery Slide 3s were cushy as hell鈥攋ust as you might expect from the brand that made us fall in love with maximalist shoes. The dual-density foam layup is made from a soothingly soft, sugarcane-based EVA midsole and a sturdier, more supportive EVA outsole. The shoe felt truly therapeutic during my sorest steps around the neighborhood. But it was actually the way these slides helped inform my steps that made me fall in love with them.

The Oras take advantage of their huge 33mm/27mm stack height to carve a serious rockered curve in the front. That helps roll your foot forward with every step. This mechanical aid felt like a hand from an old friend when my legs were achy and tired after a long run. I was able to walk it out further, giving the lactic acid more time to flush out of my system. Wearing these did make my legs feel better over the course of the day. It is worth noting that this rocker profile isn鈥檛 for everyone. I bought a pair of these for my dad, and he couldn鈥檛 stand the way they messed with his gait鈥攁nd went back to his beat-to-hell Rainbow Sandals instead.

Best for Foot Injuries

OOFOS OOahh Sport Slides

While these slides were not as cushy as the Hokas or Crocs, they did deliver a top-three performance in terms of comfortable walking stride鈥攅ven on the very first step. That鈥檚 thanks to the ample footbed. At first glance, the footbed looks almost comically large, but that extra material allows it to slope inward, creating a three-dimensional hammock for my feet. It delivered support and an extremely stable walking platform, but with an overall width that really gave my feet room to splay out on each step. This unrestricted feeling was appreciated on every walk, but particularly when my feet were swollen after my long run.

The OOah鈥檚 were the only recovery sandal I wanted to put on after I sustained an embarrassing toe-overuse injury from not clipping my toenails before a high-mileage week. The downside of that ample footbed and upper is that they felt sloppy during quick movements and were ankle-rolling machines when I was on the playground chasing my six-year-old.

Most Versatile

Kane Revive Active Recovery Shoe

It feels almost embarrassing to call anything 鈥渕inimalist鈥� in this test, due to how straight-up huge the three slip-on models are. With the Kanes, there鈥檚 also an added 10mm heel-to-toe drop鈥攁s opposed to the zero-drop Crocs and the 5mm drop on the Hokas. With that said, in terms of movement alone, there was something brilliantly minimalist about how these recovery kicks walked. Credit the heavy longitudinal channels on the outsole, which allowed the shoe to bend laterally with my foot during each step. That flexibility also provided a light stretch to my stiff arches when I walked. I also appreciated the light rocker in the sole, which helped move my steps along.

The Kane Revive is more of a shoe than a sandal, but it still breathed extremely well thanks to the myriad holes in the upper. But the thing I loved most about the show was its versatility. While the footbed texture and smooth ride made them feel like a recovery shoe, plentiful heel support and a more streamlined silhouette made them my favorite for running errands and pretending to be the Loch Ness Monster at my kid鈥檚 playground without worrying about rolling my ankle. The biggest con: The fully encased uppers were the toughest to get on and off of the bunch. If I were recovering from an ultra or a multiday objective, I definitely would prefer the ease of a slip-on.

Best Cushion

Crocs Mellow Recovery Slides

The steps I have taken in these Crocs have been the softest, most marshmallow-y, and best cushioned of my life. The difference was so noticeable that I made audible pleasure sounds during my first test drive鈥攄elivering 鈥渙ohs鈥� and 鈥渁aahs鈥� not yet out of my house. My feet visibly sunk into the footbeds like a fancy memory foam mattress when I first put them on, and they delivered Cadillac-smooth rebound with every single step. These slip-ons were the most luxurious of the bunch in terms of cushioning鈥攁nd I could feel myself sinking into the cush with each step. That helped my whole leg relax, which translated into a tangible feeling of relief all the way up to my back. They were my favorites when my legs were their most sore, both after long runs and after manual labor. As for downsides: The Mellows had the least breathable upper in the test, with only two small vents at the base and an ample amount of plastic over the top of my foot. As a result, my feet swamped out pretty badly on hot days.

Best for Minimalists

Salomon Rx Slide 3.0

A minimalist recovery shoe reads like an oxymoron. Even though Salomon鈥檚 Rx Slide 3.0 had the least cushioned footbeds in the test, it really delivered therapeutic steps to my sore hips and knees. The wide EVA midsole, which cradled underfoot, married with a breathable 3D mesh upper that hugged my Fred Flintstone feet without smothering them felt damn good on my pissed off feet. The dual-density鈥�two part midsole with highly cushioned layer next to the sole of my foot backed up by a slightly denser cradling layer below鈥攈elped absorb impact on my most tired days, while the lightweight construction made them track more like a house slipper than a recovery shoe. I especially appreciated how stable they felt on my short post-run walks around the neighborhood. The wide chassis kept me from pronating when my hips and knees were still wrecked from hill repeats. These were also the pair I reached for on hot afternoons when my feet were swollen and cranky. The open mesh drained heat exceptionally well when I wore them all day during a brutal 95-degree high and the slip-on design made them easy to take off when I wanted to air out. That mesh, which made it so good for the heat, snagged on sticks and rough ground whenever I took these on little trail walks around my office so they wouldn鈥檛 be my top pick for a camp shoe. And while they cradled my feet beautifully at rest, the footbed was flatter than others I tested, so I didn鈥檛 get the same gentle arch massage or mechanical 鈥渞ocker鈥� assistance. Still, for sheer lightness and breathability, the Rx Slide 3.0 was a standout

Adjustable Support

OOFOS OOahh Sport Flex

The original OOFOS OOahh I tested last fall delivered cloud-like softness, yet the Sport Flex has an even more dialed-in fit. The version I tested for the update includes a discreet Velcro strap across the upper that lets you snug them up to your foot鈥檚 exact width, which I found key for getting the full cuddle benefit from the deeply contoured footbed. I wore these the day after hammering out four straight days of running and lifting and immediately noted how the arch cradled my tired plantar fascia. The sole is made of OOFOS鈥檚 signature OOfoam, which feels somewhere between a marshmallow and a dense yoga block, absorbing impact so my calves didn鈥檛 tense up with my steps. The wide, slightly sloping footbed let my forefoot splay, which felt especially nice when my toes were puffy from mileage. Even though the Sport Flex鈥檚 had that wide sloping footbed, they still felt secure thanks to the adjustable upper. This is a real plus compared to the original OOahh that could feel sloppy on quick moves. The plushness does come at a cost: The slide can feel a bit squishy on uneven terrain, so I stuck to sidewalks and indoor recovery with these. As far as pure foot-coddling goes, though, the Sport Flex was one of the most soothing in the entire test.

Best Double-Duty Camp Shoes

Bogs Boga Slip On

Unlike many slides in this roundup, the Boga鈥檚 rubbery exterior and slip-resistant outsole made it perfectly suited for the river-based camping trips that dominate my summer weekends. The contoured footbed offered surprising comfort, with a slightly raised arch and a soft underfoot feel that still provided solid ground contact. I wore these after back-to-back days of shoveling dirt and rebuilding an irrigation system at my house, which left my legs even more beat than my longest runs. The gentle support coupled with a massaging ridge just in front of the ball of my foot before my toes caused me to make an audible pleasure noise. The slip-on design was easy to pop on with muddy hands, and they rinsed clean with a hose. However, the heavier rubber upper trapped more heat than mesh competitors, so my feet got aggravatingly sweaty during walks in temps above 80 degrees. While the Bogas gripped well on damp surfaces, they didn鈥檛 flex with my foot quite as naturally as EVA-based recovery slides. The soft swiveling strap, like a classic Croc, locked the slips to my feet making them an even more capable all around sandal.

Most Luxurious

Roll Recovery Superplush Slide

True to its name, Roll Recovery鈥檚 Superplush Slide felt like stepping onto a memory foam mattress. The broad footbed is engineered with an ultra-soft, proprietary EVA blend that delivered the most decadent cushioning in this update. On the days when my feet were absolutely throbbing after my first hard downhill trail workout for my Rim to Rim to Rim attempt, I was incredibly thankful for how kind those cush sinking feeling steps were to my barking dogs. Credit the proprietary Superplush foam used in the midsole of this recovery slip. The foam is incredibly porous, made of algae along with the EVA foam, which had a lovely soft give and rebound thanks to all of the air in the foam. They reduced the jolt of each step around my block allowing the rest of my kinetic chain to relax. The upper is a simple, wide band that felt secure without pinching, and the footbed鈥檚 slight arch contour offered a gentle, static massage. I also liked the slightly rockered heel-to-toe design, which helped move my foot forward with minimal effort鈥攁n underrated asset when your calves are tight and your hips ache. If there鈥檚 a downside, it鈥檚 that the Superplush was almost too soft for active errands or uneven ground. They felt best when I was shuffling around the house or yard. For pure luxury, though, the Superplush Slide was untouchable.

Most Stylish

Norda 008 Slide

Most recovery slides scream 鈥減erformance foam,鈥� but the Norda 008 is a whole different beast, crafted from a premium Dyneema and bio-EVA combo that is fashionable, durable as hell, and a highly functional recovery tool. Norda鈥檚 running shoes are known for their ultra-strong Dyneema uppers, and designers brought that same ethos to this slide. The 008s are lightweight, breathable, and feel incredibly sturdy in every part of the slip. On foot, the 008 felt surprisingly firm and tracked less like a cushy pillow and more like a supportive platform that encouraged stable midfoot loading. I wore these after a brutal set of weighted box step ups and appreciated how the slight underfoot stiffness seemed to activate my feet rather than simply coddle them. The wide toe box gave my battered toes space to decompress, and the subtle footbed texture encouraged a bit of blood flow. At $145, they鈥檙e easily the most expensive option here and the ride is more stimulating than purely plush, which can feel a bit cruel when your feet hurt like hell. But the muted tones and sleek, lower profile of these recovery slips compared to the rest made me look significantly less schlubby. I even dressed them up with a collared shirt and nice shorts for a date. Note: I would suggest sizing up. My heels ever so slightly crept over the backs of the pair I tested in my normal shoe size.

Best Upper

Vionic Rejuvenate Recovery Sandal

听

The cushioned, two-part upper鈥攚hich is adjustable via a Velcro strap鈥攔eally set the Vionics apart from the rest of the sandals in this test. The customizable fit made my entire foot鈥攏ot just the soles鈥攆eel cradled and loved, and the soft brushed cotton-like fabric interior also had a much more organic next-to-skin feel than the plastic uppers of the other slips. While every foot is different, I found its high arches took some getting used to. For the first 150 to 200 steps, I felt like I was lurching forward, but once I adjusted, I did appreciate the light massage the hump gave the arch of my foot. Another perk is that these slips look much lest orthotic than some of the other options, thanks to that leather-looking adjustable upper. Wearing them made me feel more like a put together adult (when worn with jeans) than a middling-sporty dad when picking up my daughter from school.

Best Stimulation

Topo Athletic Revive

The pronounced, wavy ridges covering the footbeds of Topo Athletic鈥檚 Revives are designed to stimulate blood flow鈥攚hich is why I turned to them when my feet were at their most swollen. The washboard-like texture provides a light massage with every step, which felt especially good on day three of my training plan when my soles were throbbing. Walking around in these babies seemed to positively affect the swelling. The Athletic Revives feature a wide toe box, which also allowed my angry toes to splay out and relax. One downside: These lean more towards slippers than sandals with their rugged Vibram outsole and fuzzy upper, so I鈥檓 less likely to turn to them as a camp shoe. But in a hut setting? Now we鈥檙e talking; I鈥檓 already salivating about how they will feel after a long ski tour this winter.

What Are Recovery Sandals?

Recovery sandals are shoes that are easy to get on and off, are extremely comfortable to walk around in, and stimulate blood flow to your feet. All of the recovery footwear I tested, and most in this category, have versions of the following attributes to achieve those goals:

• Some type of raised surface in the footbed that stimulates blood flow at the bottoms of your feet
• Cushy feel under foot
• A stable platform to walk on 鈥� usually from a wide exterior outsole
• A large, roomy, footbed

Do I Need Recovery Sandals?

While each purchase has a nuanced answer based on individuals鈥� needs and budget, my short answer is: yes. If you have the money and don鈥檛 mind occasionally getting called out for wearing one of these pretty ostentatious styles in public, they are a great investment. If you are going to wear sandals anyway, why not wear a pair that at best benefits your athletic recovery with every dang step?

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Nothing challenges a shoe like thru-hiking a long trail. On the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, you need the Goldilocks of hiking footwear: comfortable, breathable, lightweight, and durable. If that sounds like a tall order, it鈥檚 because it is, and most thru-hikers compromise by choosing comfort over durability, using trail runners that need to be replaced at least four times on the journey from Mexico to Canada.

But the days of compromising are over. The designers at Danner have come up with the new, a hybrid shoe that marries the breathability, comfort, and lightweight materials of trail running shoes with the durability, stability, and traction of more traditional hiking shoes. The goal was to create an option that鈥檚 more appropriate for a months-long thru-hike, says Yoji Kaneda, a product line manager at Danner.

Durability

Kaneda says the Danner team studied how various shoes break down in order to make the N45 more durable. They found that on long thru-hikes, other shoes鈥� midsoles lose cushion over time. After that, the rubber outsole begins to deteriorate. With that in mind, designers found the sweet spot for the N45鈥檚 midsole鈥攐ne with high rebound yet more durability compared to the soles used on typical trail running shoes. The midsole foam is also nitrogen-infused supercritical foam, which adds more cushion and rebound than what鈥檚 found in a lot of hiking shoes, so they feel springy despite having a more durable construction.

Eventually the soles will show wear, as even the most durable rubber deteriorates after enough miles. To help remedy this, at the brand鈥檚 factory in Portland, Oregon, extending their life and adding to the shoe鈥檚 sustainability story.

Of course, long-lasting soles won鈥檛 matter if the uppers don鈥檛 hold up. The N45鈥檚 uppers are made with cut- and abrasion-resistant Perspair, a PU-coated nylon thread woven to create a material that is extremely lightweight and breathable yet incredibly durable.

Performance

Traction is also top-notch, thanks to Vibram Traction Lugs, which flex to increase surface area by 50 percent鈥攁nd more surface area means better grip. 鈥溾�嬧�媁hen I was hiking in Sedona earlier in February, the Vibram Megagrip compound did really well on hot, dry rocks and also on partially snowy forest floors,鈥� Kaneda says.

Comfort

You can鈥檛 have maximum comfort without a great fit, which is why the wo尘别苍鈥檚 version of the N45 is built specifically for the anatomy of a woman鈥檚 foot. That means creating a new last, or foot mold, which requires countless hours of research and design. led to a precision fit for the N45, with a narrower heel and wider forefoot, reflecting how wo尘别苍鈥檚 feet have changed in the modern era. This women-specific fit is also used in the , which is highly breathable and cushioned and retains Danner鈥檚 legendary craftsmanship.

Add it all up, Kaneda says, and with the N45, 鈥測ou get a lightweight hiker that provides more stability, grip, and durability than trail runners while still having the benefit of lightweight, plush cushioning.鈥� Not too hard. Not too soft. Just right.

For nearly a century, has crafted boots with purpose and integrity, footwear to equip those who choose the unlikely path鈥攖hose who cut fresh trails, those who pioneer. Whether you want to hike, work, or simply walk around town, Danner boots are meant to take you somewhere. Lace a pair up and Go There.

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It’s like the logline for a Hollywood action movie: Deep in the Mojave desert, a team of outlaws boards a freight train and then pulls off a daring heist, making off with millions of dollars worth of limited-edition sneakers.听

Well, maybe not the last part.

But reality is sometimes weirder than fiction, and that’s the case with the recent story about train robberies in the Southwest. On February 23, the about ten train heists that occurred between March 2024 and January 2025 in California and Arizona. Thieves boarded freight trains operated by BNSF Railways, cut open the locks to shipping containers, and then tossed cargo off the side, where follow vehicles scooped up the loot.

In all but one of the incidents, the criminals stole limited-edition Nike sneakers, and the combined value of the thefts totaled approximately $2 million. During one heist, which occurred on January 13, the crew took 1,985 pairs of unreleased shoes, the Nigel Sylvester x Air Jordan 4, which sneaker website听

Lawmen eventually caught up with the alleged bad guys. According to the LA Times story, federal agents executed search warrants, raided storage units, and even chased the crooks along dusty dirt roads. that at more than 60 individuals face federal charges related to the train heists. In one heist, , authorities chased down the culprits and found that they were both teenagers.听According to the LA Times, 11 people were arrested after the January 13 heist. The alleged criminals and are now awaiting trial.

This whole ordeal may sounds familiar. Back in October,听国产吃瓜黑料 published Scott Yorko’s investigative story The Great Bedrock Clog Heist about the 2023 theft of 5,364 pairs of shoes from outdoor brand Bedrock Sandals. During that heist, robbers stole the truck carrying a new shipment of unreleased shoes and then attempted to sell them online.

Yorko’s piece, and the recent听LA Times story, both shine a light on the vulnerability of America’s freight transportation industry, which is how our favorite outdoor gear makes its way from factory to retail. It turns out that the items that we all love鈥攜es, including our favorite footwear鈥攁re routinely being stolen from trucks and trains and then sold on the black market. The Times referenced a report from the Association of American Railroads, a trade group representing freight train companies, stating that 65,000 railroad cargo thefts occurred in the U.S. in 2024, up 40 percent from 2023. Verisk CargoNet, a data analytics company that also monitors cargo theft, estimates that the number of cargo thefts in 2023 was up 59 percent from 2022.

“Everyone in this space has said it鈥檚 the worst it鈥檚 ever been in their entire 40-to-50-year careers,鈥� Jimmy Menges, national director at Marine Intelligence and Solutions, a private investigation firm, said in the 国产吃瓜黑料 story. 鈥淭here used to be a lot more dedicated cargo-theft task forces in the FBI and local law enforcement, but they鈥檝e been disbanded.鈥�

I recently phoned up two experts in the world of cargo theft to discuss the LA Times story: Keith Lewis, the vice president of operations for Verisk CargoNet, and Glenn Master, the director of asset protection and security for trucking company McLane. Both men have worked in the business of cargo protection鈥攁nd investigating cargo heists鈥攆or several decades. They shared their thoughts the differences between the Bedrock Sandals and Nike heists, how companies attempt to recoup their lost goods, and how theft like these impact customers like you and me.

A Train Heist Is Different than a Truck Heist

Two years after the Bedrock Sandals heist, there’s still a lingering debate amongst employees and security experts as to whether the specialty shoes were targeted by the thieves, or whether the bad guys simply stole a truck and lucked into the loot.

But my security experts both agree that in the case of the stolen Nikes, the crooks knew what they wanted. Both Master and Lewis said that, based on the by law enforcement, the train thieves were not just breaking into containers at random.

Cargo trains are sometimes a mile or two long, and they can carry hundreds of metal shipping containers, all loaded with different products. But the thieves stole high-dollar Nike sneakers in nine of the ten heists.

“That’s not a coincidence,” Lewis said. “And there are probably a dozen different ways to find out where it’s loaded on the train.”

 

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Lewis said that cargo thieves can learn about the placement of products on a train through savvy online research. Or sometimes, they pay off people working at warehouses or with shipping companies to pass along information about where specific cargo is located. I reached out to BNSF Railway听about this, and the company sent me the following statement:

“BNSF has robust security protocols, and our police department is focused on preventing these incidents on our network. We work hard to protect our customers’ freight from pickup to delivery and have security measures in place to help ensure these goods arrive safely. We are working with federal, state, local, and tribal police departments to coordinate our approach to disrupting criminal activity and arresting offenders.”

Once thieves know the location of cargo, they board the train when it’s stopped. Due to the size of freight trains, security guards can’t patrol the entire vehicle, Lewis said. And train drivers are unarmed. Once crooks find the shipping containers, they cut the locks off with grinders or bolt cutters. Then, they toss the cargo to the ground, hide it in the underbrush, and wait for a follow car to pick it up.

“This isn’t a situation where the train is going 50 miles per hour,” Master told me. “If you have 10 to 15 people walking along the train with bolt cutters to just cut the latch and start unloading a container, it becomes a numbers game. If you have 30 minutes, you can start searching containers until you find the Nike shoes.”

Big Companies Can Investigate on Their Own

The 2023 clog heist had a major impact on Bedrock Sandals. The Montana-based company had just nine employees when the theft occurred. The new clogs were a hot item, and when the truck was stolen, Bedrock Sandals was unable to immediately fulfill orders for them. The company had to wait several months for the next shipment to arrive.

The company’s director of operations, Matt McAdow, had to deal with the misfortune himself: he texted with a suspect asking to have the cargo returned,听and also contacted law enforcement and insurance once it was clear that the sandals weren’t coming back. When the stolen clogs began appearing on eBay and other online resellers, McAdow had to reach out directly, asking them to remove the merchandise.

Lewis has seen this situation play out before.听“At a mom-and-pop company, you’re waiting by the phone for a miracle to happen,” Lewis said.听 “At a big company, they know that a miracle isn’t going to happen unless they’re part of it.”

Master and Lewis told me the process is far different at a major international company. Big manufacturers regularly deal with theft, and many employ their own security experts who work to prevent robberies and investigate crimes after they happen.

 

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“Big companies may have their own investigations unit鈥攁fter a caper like this they are going to do the heavy lifting from an investigation standpoint to find the bad guys and see who did what,” he said. “Sometimes they can bring the investigation to law enforcement in a white box with a bow on top.”

I reached out to a Nike spokesperson for this story multiple times but did not get a response. According to听The LA Times听report and a piece by , the train heists in California and Arizona were foiled by a combination of federal and local police working alongside BNSF security. Authorities hid GPS trackers in the Nike shoes and used the devices to locate a box truck carrying the stolen cargo.

Master said that corporate investigation units have become increasingly important as law enforcement units across the country have shrunk in the post-COVID years. These days, most detectives have enormous case loads, which delay investigations around theft. Corporate investigators can help an investigation move along quickly, even when law enforcement is bogged down.

Master said that McLane’s security unit recently had to investigate a string of cigarette heists. The robberies took place in multiple different municipalities, he said, and the different law enforcement offices struggled with a lack of jurisdictional communication.

“It took us working with these other companies’ security departments to come up with a plan to put GPS trackers in boxes,” he said. “After a year we were able to go to the state police and say ‘here is your investigation’ and they got the warrants to arrest people.”

Where the Stolen Goods End Up

Despite the differences in the heists, Master and Lewis agreed that the stolen cargo was likely headed to the same place: offshore marketplaces.

“When you’re dealing with local thieves doing smash-and-grab jobs, you’ll find the stuff in bodegas and at swap meets, but that’s more general product,” Master said. “When the product is targeted, like the latest iPhones or shoes, a lot of times they already have a buyer overseas.”

Thieves are usually hired by a middle man鈥攁 person called a “fence”鈥攚ho then negotiates a price with the offshore buyer, Master said. Once on foreign soil, the shoes are then sold through the black market to customers around the world.

Stolen cargo in the United States is first sent to port cities where it sits in warehouses awaiting transport overseas in shipping containers. If investigators can get to it before it’s packed, it can be salvaged.

“The moment the stuff gets put into the cargo container, it’s gone forever,” Master said. “The probability of recovery becomes extremely limited.”

Both Bedrock Sandals and Nike were able to save some inventory before it went overseas. Investigators eventually located the remaining Bedrock Sandals clogs in a warehouse in Los Angeles. In the case of the stolen Nikes, investigators raided several private residences and storage units and found hundreds of pairs of shoes.

How to Avoid Theft

Is there any end in sight to the problem of cargo theft in the United States? Both Master and Lewis expressed doubts. America’s supply chain for retail goods has too many weak points, they said, and crooks will always find ways to break in.

Plus, cost-cutting innovations and the subcontracting out of various jobs within the supply chain means that manufacturers don’t always know who is in charge of their product at various points in the journey from factory to retail location.

“Companies just hand it off to the supply chain and it’s someone else’s problem now,” Master said. “You hope the stuff gets there, and if they’re missing a palette, they know they will be made whole by insurance.”

Companies can pay for added security in the form of armed guards, heavy-duty locks, and specialty transport. But this infrastructure is expensive, and it often slows down the speed at which goods reach their final destination. Most companies, Lewis said, are willing to take the risk.

“If you’re shipping a few million bucks worth of goods it probably makes sense to send it with surface escorts for safety,” Lewis said. “But everything adds cost and slows down the supply chain. People want to move freight at the speed of light.”

Manufacturers pay insurance companies to help defer costs in the case of break-ins and theft. But these crimes are far from victimless. Lewis said the mounting costs of insurance, security measures, and internal investigators all ends up being paid by one group.

“It’s the customer,” he said. “That’s the real victim.”

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Recovery is about more than comfort, and it鈥檚 about more than rest. To truly recuperate from active pursuits鈥攖rail or road running, cycling, hiking, climbing鈥攜ou need a recovery period that鈥檚 active as well. Athletes who move wisely in the hours or days between efforts return to their sports feeling fresher than those who take 鈥渞est鈥� a little too seriously.

Engaging in gentle activity while you鈥檙e trying to recover promotes blood flow and helps decrease toxins like lactic acid and metabolic waste. to reduce muscle and joint soreness, and even mitigate muscle strains and tears, when done correctly.

Meet the OOmy Stride from OOFOS, a new and recovery shoe intended to lighten the load on your joints and muscles. By decreasing compressive stresses and aiding both mobility and natural gait patterns, these innovative shoes can help outdoor athletes bounce back better and more refreshed.

The Active Recovery Foam

OOFOS emerged as the pioneer of recovery footwear after the 2011 launch of its OOriginal Slides, which utilized two key components to enhance recovery: OOfoam technology and a patented footbed design. OOfoam is the brand鈥檚 secret sauce鈥攁 proprietary material that鈥檚 noticeably different underfoot than other foams. Instead of a midsole foam like you鈥檇 find in a performance running shoe鈥攐ne that鈥檚 meant to harness energy, rebound quickly, and propel runners鈥擮Ofoam does the opposite, says Dan Hobson, head of product design at OOFOS, by prioritizing energy absorption to create a dampening effect.

鈥淲e鈥檝e engineered a technology that is specific to the purpose of recovery,鈥� adds Hobson, 鈥渁nd truly differentiates us from companies using traditional performance foams like EVA, PEBA, and TPU.鈥� back up those claims, showing that OOfoam absorbs as much as 37 percent more impact than regular foams and can reduce load rates up to 88 percent upon impact鈥攁cting as a natural decelerator for the body.

Ashley Caldwell and Justin Schoenefeld know a thing or two about minimizing impact. The U.S. freestyle skiing teammates (Beijing 2022 gold medallists in mixed team aerials) regularly spend training days launching 60-plus feet into the air. To cope with all those landings, both Caldwell and Schoenefeld swear by OOFOS as soon as their ski boots come off. 鈥淢y feet, my ankles, my knees feel so much better,鈥� .

Other outdoor athletes who put heavy stress on their feet agree. Climbing legend recovers in OOFOS to give her feet rest and mobility after long days jammed into climbing shoes. Right out of the box, the pillowy-soft OOfoam makes its case with a noticeably slow rebound and pressure distribution. In short, this foam cradles feet and mitigates the impact forces from every single walking step, plus it relieves body-weight pressure on feet, knees, and back when standing.

The Active Recovery Shoe

Those intentional steps are indeed crucial, especially if your daily life doesn鈥檛 let you slow down. Because a recovery period that鈥檚 active helps outdoor athletes feel better faster鈥攎aximizing improvements from workouts, exercise, or exploration鈥攖he OOmy Stride is built on a new platform that improves on fit, feel, and ride, 鈥渇rom heel strike to toe-off鈥� when compared to prior models.

The Stride features the brand鈥檚 proven OOfoam technology and signature design features that feel instantly supportive under the arch while distributing peak-pressure zones. The introduction of an advanced footbed geometry with rounded heel and deeper flex grooves on the outsole enhance flexibility to provide the Stride鈥檚 smooth, natural walking motion that rolls you through your gait, step by step. 鈥淚t鈥檚 intended to feel like walking on a natural surface, like grass,鈥� says Hobson.

That footbed is paired with an upper featuring an engineered knit collar and four-way-stretch mesh to let feet breathe and splay more naturally. An antimicrobial lining adds freshness, quarter panels secure feet for long strides, and a padded heel collar cushions the Achilles, all of added benefit to the recovery process.

Step in and Start Recovering

As the world becomes more covered in hard, unnatural surfaces鈥攆rom streets to home floors to workspaces鈥擮Ofoam is an advanced technology that can act as a soft-surface simulator, letting you bring the feel of the outdoors with you into every aspect of life.

Put on a pair. Go for a walk. Feel the pressure relief of OOfoam and the supportive footbed that lets this lightweight, flexible shoe do its thing鈥攖hat is, help you return ready for your next outdoor active adventure.

OOFOS is the global leader in recovery footwear, founded by a team of industry veterans looking to help runners and fitness enthusiasts recover better from their workouts. Made with revolutionary OOfoam technology, OOFOS are designed to absorb 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear. They reduce stress on joints to keep anyone, of any activity level, feeling their best. From professional athletes to casual walkers, OOFOS footwear will make your hardworking feet and body feel better鈥攁ll you have to do is feel the OO. For more information, go to .

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There鈥檚 nothing wrong with wearing running shoes or hiking boots around camp, whether you鈥檙e backpacking or car camping. They work. They protect your feet, as shoes tend to do. But I鈥檓 a firm believer in the value of camp shoes鈥攍ightweight, easy on-and-off footwear to wear when spending nights outside.

If you鈥檙e backpacking, do you really want to keep on those shoes or boots that you鈥檝e hiked in all day while you鈥檙e trying to relax and recoup? Do you want to futz with the shoe鈥檚 tongue, shove your feet inside the heel collar (still wet from the day鈥檚 sweat), and lace up, every time you get out of your tent? Are a few ounces of weight savings worth that?

And if you鈥檙e car camping, why not throw a dedicated pair of camp shoes into the car before heading out? Surely there鈥檚 room in your vehicle, no matter how stuffed to the gills with gear it may be. Packing camp shoes is worth it.

I鈥檝e put a fair amount of camp shoes to the test over 20-some years of car camping around the Colorado Rockies, plus some lovely nights in Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Parks. I define 鈥渃amp shoes鈥� as footwear that I can easily slide my feet in and out of while holding any of the following: a sizzling pan of food hot off the camp stove, a beer in one hand and a guitar in another, or a full bladder (and not the kind you put in a backpack). When I鈥檓 camping, I don鈥檛 want to have to use my hands to tie or untie shoes, especially in the middle of the night when exiting my tent for a bathroom break. And I certainly don鈥檛 want to tie my shoes in the morning before breakfast. Save the tying of things until after I鈥檝e had my coffee.

Car camping, to me, is all about relaxing in the woods鈥攃ooking, lounging, enjoying company, and sliding in and out of comfy shoes. And I don鈥檛 want hiking boots or running shoes laced up and applying pressure on my feet in any way. I prioritize comfort, convenience, and functionality鈥攁nd camp shoes deliver on all three.

Two pairs of camp shoes have stood the test of time for different reasons, and a third recently entered my rotation and will have a longstanding stint. Each excels in a different camping setting and season, so I鈥檓 breaking down the pros and cons of the three to help you home in on shoes that suit your camping style.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside.听Learn more.

Best for Warm Weather and Waterfront Camping

Crocs Classic Clogs

Yeah, Crocs. Rubber shoes. However you may feel about Crocs, feel this: They鈥檙e super-easy to step in and out of, nobody鈥檚 feet have ever overheated in a pair of Crocs, and no other pair of shoes dries quicker. For those reasons, Crocs Classic Clogs work great for camping in hot temperatures, or for camping on a lake where you may be in and out of the water. The tread pattern underfoot provides traction in dirt, should you venture on a short walk or hike. And if temperatures dip, you can always rock socks with Crocs.

Bonus: Crocs are super lightweight and can be clipped to the outside of a backpacker鈥檚 pack.

Downsides: Your feet can get awfully dirty wearing Crocs in a campsite, and Crocs are bulky inside a duffle bag or backpack.

Best for Cold Nights and Mountain Camping

The North Face ThermoBall Traction Mules

Nothing is cozier than a puffy jacket, and these mules are basically a puffy jacket for your feet. The baffled upper is stuffed with 100 percent recycled polyester insulation and enclosed in a water-repellent shell, making chilly mountain air鈥攃ampfire or no campfire鈥攏o match for them. Add to the upper a soft, velour-like fleece insole and interior lining and the cozy level of these slippers is off the charts. The warmth of the polyester fill and water-repellent shell combined with the rubber outsole with traction makes these a good choice for unpredictable mountain weather and apparently makes them appealing to teenage boys for wearing to school in the winter鈥攐r at least my teenage boys.

Bonus: They can be worn as mules with the heel collar down or as shoes with a loose, slip-in fit that stays surprisingly secure.

Downside: They can feel too warm at lower elevations mid-summer.

Best for Moderate Temperatures and Crossover Casual Wear

Teva ReEmber

These slipper-like shoes are insulated with a recycled polyester microfiber encased in recycled ripstop and polyester shell. They鈥檙e less puffy, and therefore, less toasty, than the ThermoBall Mules, making them ideal for moderate temperatures during shoulder season or summer camping trips with cool to cold nights. The outsole, made of 50 percent recycled rubber, provides adequate traction and protection. These even work for around-town wear, depending on the town (in Boulder, they pass as 鈥渃ool shoes.鈥� Like the ThermoBall Mules, the ReEmber shoes can be worn as a mule with the heel collar flattened, or as a shoe, making them easy to step in and out of.

Bonus:听The toe cap, reinforced with a panel made out of 60% polyester and 40% polyurethane, protects in a toes vs. log/picnic table/fire grill situation.

Downside: The footbed feels a bit firm and flat鈥擨 crave a little cushion or contour while puttering around camp and walking the dog.

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There are a lot of ways to be a responsible outdoor enthusiast: practicing Leave No Trace principles, telling someone where you鈥檙e going, carrying enough water. But how does a responsible trail user choose the right footwear? Many of the standard manufacturing processes used to create products like hiking and running shoes produce excessive amounts of waste. So, to get outdoors responsibly, you should build out your wardrobe with responsibly made shoes.

No matter the season, Rossignol has been making great strides to innovate with an eco-conscious mindset via its program, embracing its role as a steward of the environment. By partnering with (ACBC), a leader in applied sustainability, Rossignol created the 鈥攁 light hiking and trail running shoe that raises the bar on eco-friendly footwear. And there鈥檚 no compromise on everyday comfort. Here鈥檚 how it works.

Sustainability

As a change-maker partnering with brands in the outdoor industry and beyond, ACBC uses scientific data on the sustainability process to help create products with smaller environmental footprints. The SKPR 2.0 is the output of one of its many successful collaborations. This shoe integrates responsible materials with the comfort and cushion necessary for light day hikes and trail runs, or just everyday use around town. The upper is made of a breathable mesh, providing a light, airy fit that doesn鈥檛 hold sweat or moisture. But most importantly, it鈥檚 made with a recycled material: 100 percent recycled polyester that is, in part, created from recycled water bottles. Plus, the midsole is 45 percent bio-EVA based on food industry waste. Even the outsole does its part in creating Rossignol鈥檚 most eco-conscious active shoe yet. Made with 25 percent recycled rubber, the outsole integrates pre-consumer factory waste material like that from automotive tires. All of these strategic choices result in a shoe that鈥檚 made from 50 percent bio-based and recycled material.

Performance

A sustainably made shoe wouldn鈥檛 be worth anything if it didn鈥檛 fit and perform well. As an expert in alpine and Nordic ski boot engineering, Rossignol has spent decades studying foot mechanics, providing a nice head start when moving into active footwear. And the brand鈥檚 expertise shines in the SKPR 2.0 Active Shoe. The outsole features a lugged, multi-angle tread to give you solid grip on steep terrain and loose gravel. Rossignol also employs Sensor 3 technology, which bolsters comfort and shock absorption. It works by using three different densities of sole material that are overlaid against the three pressure points of the foot. The result is a supremely cushioned ground feel that will keep your feet comfortable on short-and-fast hikes or runs. And an 8-millimeter drop between the heel and forefoot encourages an ergonomic posture that propels you forward with every step.

Responsibility for protecting the environment falls to both the consumer and the gear maker. Outdoor recreation shouldn鈥檛 be a paradox鈥攖he gear you choose can help protect where you use it. With ACBC methodology and Rossignol鈥檚 industry expertise, the SKPR 2.0 promises the no-compromise, environmentally conscious gear that all brands should aspire to.

Born in the French Alps, is an iconic mountain sport and lifestyle brand with more than 115 years of technical innovation and competitive success. Intrinsically linked with the history of skiing, Rossignol today offers year-round access to the mountains through a comprehensive range of winter sports equipment, mountain bikes, technical soft goods and footwear.

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Spring is right around the proverbial corner: the bend in the river, the ar锚te on the cliff, the switchback on the trail. Outdoor adventure soon turns from sliding on snow to playing on water, rock, and dirt. So, go ahead and daydream. Get out and get active, but don鈥檛 let your desires overlook the need to gear up smartly and to take care of your body.

That attention starts with the base of all activity: your feet. Having healthy, strong feet has been proven to increase performance in both dynamic and balancing sports. Now one of the world鈥檚 most iconic recovery shoe companies, Birkenstock, can help. The brand has expanded that bring its storied footbed to the outdoors鈥攐ne that now includes the new Mogami Terra.

Use Footwear that Helps Your Feet

The simplest way to care for your feet? Wear shoes built for the task of keeping you active: providing support where it鈥檚 needed, promoting circulation, and allowing recovery. While every shoe component plays into that mix of foot-care essentials, the most critical is the footbed, i.e., the part you stand on.

For over 50 years, Birkenstock sandals and their contoured footbeds have provided customized comfort and support. Each wearer鈥檚 overall weight, body heat, and walking mechanics imprint these unique footbeds for a truly personalized fit鈥攐ne that鈥檚 featured听 in a growing lineup of Birkenstock styles built with more outdoor, all-terrain features than you鈥檙e used to from your comfy Birks.

presents that same contoured, ergonomic footbed that Birkenstock is famous for, with one key distinction: It鈥檚 now available in a versatile polyurethane that effectively sheds water and maintains comfort across outdoor activities. Like all Birkenstocks, the footbed鈥檚 wide toe box allows natural toe splay, a raised 鈥渢oe bar鈥� encourages circulation plus healthy foot activation, and four raised arch supports relieve pressure of the ball of the foot and heel. A deep cup also cradles the heel and maximizes the foot鈥檚 natural cushioning.

Whether it鈥檚 cork, polyurethane, or EVA, the support of the footbed remains equally beneficial across the Birkenstock range, setting the full-body foundation for exploring trails, rivers, and rugged terrain. On the Mogami Terra, the footbed secures to the foot via three adjustable, rubberized synthetic straps (two that buckle over the top of the foot and one with a hook-and-loop closure around the heel). Beyond these features and their interaction with the footbed, the outsole鈥檚 rugged tread pattern provides sure-footing on wet and dry surfaces alike. In short, the Mogami Terra is as ready for adventure as you are.

Tradition since 1774. Made in Germany. Learn more at听

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A few of us editors made the best use of the twelfth month in the year by climbing in Patagonia, hiking in New Zealand, and skiing in Colorado. Below is the gear that had us taking advantage of every last moment in 2023.

Outerknown OK Mono Puffer ($314)

It鈥檚 not particularly hard to make a good technical puffer鈥攇et the fit mostly right, pump it full of DWR-treated down, and watch that face fabric weight. Finding a good-looking puffer for use in town that performs just as well as it looks? Not so easy. That鈥檚 why we love Outerknown鈥檚 OK Mono Puffer, a super-stylish, slimming jacket that kept our testers cozy down into the 20s thanks to a healthy plumping of down alternative made from post-consumer plastic. The cut is slender enough to accentuate body shape, but roomy enough to layer underneath. A tall stand collar and stretchy cuffs keep drafts out. It鈥檚 super soft inside and out, with a durable, velvety polyester face fabric. Most important? It鈥檚 almost entirely made of post-consumer plastic and 100-percent recyclable鈥攁 bold claim that few brands can back up as well as this one. 鈥擝enjamin Tepler, gear editor

Rab Mythic Ultra ($495)

Although I originally got this jacket for a yurt trip in the Tetons, I’ve been living in it everyday. My wood stove only heats the upper reaches of my living room, so my office and bedroom are a veritable ice box. The 240 grams of 900-fill-power down are probably better served as a belay parka at a stance on the upper reaches of Ama Dablam, but it performs admirably in my frigid mountain town office. Once the Sierra finally see snow again, it’ll serve as my midwinter ski mountaineering parka and protect me from the gelid air on walks to and from the Clocktower Cellar. It packs to the size of a Nalgene and serves as a pillow on warm nights and a sleeping bag supplement on cold ones. I’m now convinced that I can’t live without it. 鈥擩ake Stern, digital editor

Nemo Forte 35 Women’s Endless Promise Sleeping Bag ($180)

I’ve been a big fan of NEMO’s “spoon bags” ever since they first debuted in 2013 when Backpacker gave it The secret sauce is the hourglass shape: tapered at the waist and feet to keep weight and bulk down, with none of the typical claustrophobia of a mummy bag. Ten years later, I’m even more of a fan. The latest rendition, the Forte, was my bed every night on a recent month-long adventure in New Zealand, and I love it even more than the original. It still performs just as well, but now it’s part of Nemo’s Endless Promise collection, made of 100 percent recycled materials, recyclable at its end of life (not that that will be any time soon). A favorite feature: Nemo’s signature Blanket Fold draft collar, which I can tuck in around my neck or flip out for more airflow. Comfort and sustainability鈥攁 winning combination. 鈥擪ristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and contributing editor

Baloo Stonewashed Linen Sheets ($279), Honeydew Sleep Pillows ($129), and Avocado Silk Duvet Insert ($399)

It’s tough to partake in my favorite outdoor activities in November and December: too snowy to ride, not snowy enough to ski, cold enough that the fish are sluggish and lazy. It is the off-est of seasons. Which I love. During these cold, dark months, I spent a lot of time sleeping underneath , an听听in a听, and atop听. The linens and the silk duvet are soft and cozy, warm on a cool night and cooling on a warm one. The pillows are designed for side sleepers, and you can easily听adjust听the amount of stuffing in each one for the perfect support all night long. When I have to rouse myself to feed the woodstove or top off my tea, I slip into my听, which have a rubber sole and are made with cotton that feels like a sweatshirt for my feet. 鈥擜bigail Barronian, senior editor

Blundstone #500 Chelsea Boots ($210)

I avoided Blundstones for years, averse to the mountain town ritual of sorting through 12 pairs of the same shoes at the听front door of听a party before you can go home. I wanted to be different. To wear Uggs (which I still do and highly recommend). But I finally caved, and I’m so glad I did. Whatever I can say about the classic, beloved boot has already been said, but they are truly the most versatile, low-key, comfortable footwear I have owned in a long time. They are appropriate in a dizzying number of situations: a nice dinner, a short hike, a long day traipsing around a foreign city. They’re good in cold weather, warm weather, and wet weather. They’re grippy on snow and ice. They’re easy听to pull on in the ski area parking lot with numb fingers. They’re simply the best. I got the听, and couldn’t be happier with them. 鈥擜.B.

Jack Wolfskin Men’s Alpspitze 3L Jacket ($350)

German apparel brand Jack Wolfskin markets the new Alpspitze 3L shell as the perfect jacket for backcountry ski days due to its breathable Pertex Shield fabric, but I found it to be ideal for chilly days at the resort. I took my test model out for two extremely cold early-season days at Colorado鈥檚 Keystone Resort, and I expected to have my bones rattled by gusting winds and single-digit temperatures. I was pleasantly surprised when the Alpspitze blocked out the harsh temperatures and left me feeling toasty, even while riding the lift. It’s become my go-to resort garment, replacing my old Lowe Alpine shell, which had six years of heavy use on it. The Alpspitze 3L has many handy features for resort skiers: an oversized hood that will fit over a helmet, a handy sleeve pocket for your season pass, and high-vis reflectors on the back to make you visible to fellow skiers when light conditions are low. Plus, the color scheme stands out amid the contemporary greys and blacks that I see in the lift line. I鈥檝e heard some testers grumble about Jack Wolfskin’s decidedly European听fit (i.e. the brand runs small), but I long ago fatigued on baggy gear for resort skiing. The Alpspitze fits me perfectly. 鈥擣red Dreier, articles editor

Julbo Ultimate Cover Sunglasses ($260)

I have never been a fan of superheroes or their ridiculous costumes, but I will happily overlook the Batman-vibes of Julbo鈥檚 new Ultimate Cover sunglasses. They are light and flexible and stow in a jacket鈥檚 breast pocket without any fuss. The frame can be paired with your choice of five lenses, my favorite being the accommodating 鈥淩eactiv鈥� lens, category 2-4, which adjusts to the available light. I have spent the last month alpine climbing in El Chalt茅n, Patagonia, and I appreciate how once I put the Ultimate Cover shades on, I can climb grey rock in the shade, glaringly white ice in the sun, or watch the sun set behind Cerro Torre without needing to adjust my eyewear. But my favorite feature, of course, is the Ultimate Cover鈥檚 removable Spandex nose and side shields for blue-sky days. My nose has yet to see sunscreen or a sunburn while wearing these glasses, and I don鈥檛 notice the nose shield whatsoever. The Ultimate Cover achieves the ultimate metric of gear success: it performs so well you forget it’s there. 鈥擜nthony Walsh, digital editor, Climbing

Fjallraven Abisko Lite Wool Beanie ($30)

As the cold north wind blew into the high plains during December, I switched from caps to beanies for my daily runs, and was reminded that I have three problems with most running beanies. 1) They tend to be too thick, feeling good for the first mile or so, but then holding in so much exercise heat that I have to take them off and stuff them into the waistband of my running tights. 2) Because I wear them every day and sweat profusely (see point #1), polyester hats quickly get skanky, but most wool hats are even hotter. 3) They’re too tight and don’t stay in place, riding up on my greying hair that is thinner and slicker than it used to be. Fjallraven’s Abisko Lite Wool Beanie avoids all of these pitfalls. Its thin, 50 percent merino, 50 percent polyester fabric is just the right weight to keep my head warm on runs down to as cold as the low 20s Fahrenheit, but breathes well enough to wear comfortably up to around 40 degrees. Its cut and light stretch make it disappear on my head: it stays in place but doesn’t squeeze or ride up鈥攁nd is long enough to cover my ears. Plus, the merino resists odors, even when I’ve worn it so much it has salt lines. I also like the muted colors and Scandinavian feel of the design. I feel ready for a few more months of winter runs with this hat in my collection. 鈥擩onathan Beverly, senior running editor, gear

Solo Stove PI Prime ($299)

I never thought I鈥檇 be a pizza oven guy鈥攐rdering takeout has always suited me just fine鈥攂ut I鈥檝e spent the last couple of months testing out Solo Stove鈥檚 new PI Prime, a propane-fueled pizza oven that reaches temps up to 950 degrees, and it has become a staple in my family鈥檚 weekly dinner plan. I鈥檓 not gonna lie, there鈥檚 a learning curve to this thing. I burned a lot of pizzas when I first started dabbling with the PI, but I eventually figured out the secret (preheat to 700 degrees or hotter, but reduce that heat when you put the pizza in the oven so it doesn鈥檛 burn on top). The pizza I can make with the PI is great, but I like this oven for its versatility. Slip a cast iron skillet into the PI and you can sear steaks in about a minute, or roast a pan of vegetables on the fly. You can only have so much pizza, even when you鈥檙e cooking for kids like I do, but being able to use this oven for two or three meals a week makes it worth the price and space on my grilling deck. 鈥揋raham Averill, contributor

Roark Bommer 2.0 Short ($89)听

I鈥檓 a fair-weather cyclist and trail runner, which means when the temperatures drop, I spend more time in the gym getting swole (Read: checking Instagram while mindlessly spinning on a stationary trainer). The Bommer 2.0 has become my go-to short for gym days thanks to the boxer/brief compression liner, multiple pockets and overall comfy fit. I鈥檓 tall with chicken legs, so I appreciate the 7-inch long hem, and the flat-seam liner completely eliminates chafing. But it鈥檚 the suite of pockets that have truly won me over; the shorts have two standard hand pockets with magnetic closures so your phone doesn鈥檛 fall out in the car on the way to the gym, as well as backside zipper pockets big enough to stash a key or debit card. There鈥檚 even a cell pocket on the thigh of the liner which holds my phone in place when I鈥檓 doing plyometrics. And did I mention they鈥檙e long enough to cover up a good portion of my chicken legs? 鈥擥.A.

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Rab Khroma Latok GTX Pants ($600)

It鈥檚 hard to get excited about pants, but I wore the new Rab Khroma Latok GTX constantly during a three-day backcountry ski trip in Colorado, and it was love at first sight. The fit of the Khroma Latok is perfect鈥攏ot racer tight, but not so loose that you feel like you鈥檙e wearing a skirt鈥攁nd the pants are loaded with smart, user-friendly features that have made them my go-to-choice for backcountry days. The Colorado trip was full of big climbs and knee-deep powder descents, and the Khroma Latok GTX are made from 80D recycled Gore-tex Pro, the most breathable and durable waterproof material that Gore-tex produces. The result is an outer layer that performs like a champ during high-output backcountry adventures when there鈥檚 more climbing than skiing. They breathed like a ventilator going up and kept the deep powder at bay during my embarrassingly high number of falls going down. And if a climb gets truly hot, the pants have big side zippers on the exterior thighs that allow you to dump heat fast. I never needed them, but I appreciate that sort of safety net. The material has some stretch built into it, but Rab also went overboard (in a good way) with articulated knees. No matter what position I found myself in during my testing period, I never felt like the pants were constricting. They were so comfortable, I often left them on while hanging out in the yurt after I was done skiing. 鈥擥.A.

听

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This fall, we mountain-biked under golden leaves, cozied up next to fire pits for end-of-season barbecues, and fly-fished in clear, cold rivers. The below gear had us soaking up the last dregs of 2023鈥檚 warm days鈥攁nd kept us prepared for the newfound cold ones.

Smartwool Women’s Merino Plant-Based Dye Short Sleeve Tee ($80)

About ten years ago, someone gifted me two Smartwool t-shirts. I probably wore one of these tee鈥檚 over a hundred times, and the other one at least three times a week since then. Unlike many wool baselayer items, this tee hung loose, and it was round-necked, so it looked nicer than other crew-neck options. I am super into clothing that can be worn climbing, hiking, and around town, including out to dinner鈥攁t least somewhere casual. This year I saw that the tee was finally, tragically, wearing thin. So I looked at Smartwool鈥檚 website and found the closest thing鈥攖he Women’s Merino Plant-Based Dye Short Sleeve Tee. Like my original, it is soft and, as I wanted, light. I did have to upsize from medium to large for a loose fit. I mourn the loss of the graceful round neck鈥攖hough this one qualifies as a deep crew鈥攁nd so, sadly, it鈥檚 not the unicorn I wore out. But this tee, too, is long, which is great, and comfortable for hiking; I could see backpacking in it day after day. Wool is spendy, but since it鈥檚 odor-resistant, needs less washing than other layers, which helps it last. I鈥檒l be wearing this tee all year. 鈥擜lison Osius, senior editor

Hyperice Heated Head Attachment ($59)

If you ever wished your heating pad could also be a masseuse, look no further. The heated attachment from Hyperice does just that. The head fits into any Hyperice massage gun and provides immediate heat wherever the gun is applied. The attachment has three heat options so it’s customizable to the user’s preference, and one charge lasts hours. The head is also great if you just need heat sans massage on one part of your body.听 The attachment heats up on its own, and it鈥檚 almost instantaneous, so you don鈥檛 have to wait. With winter well on its way, I know the heated attachment will be joining me after every activity on my ski trips, winter hikes, and frigid runs. 鈥擩amie Aranoff, digital editor, Ski

FitJoy Pretzels ($22 per 6-pack of 5 oz. bags)

Since cutting gluten out of my diet I’ve struggled to find snacks that I enjoy eating, and finding a solid pretzal option has been difficult. I stumbled upon the FitJoy pretzels on a recent trip to Wegmans, and I’ve been hooked ever since. They taste like regular pretzels and come in a variety of flavors. I love that there are no oils and preservatives and are also allergen-friendly. You can imagine my thrill when I was offered a mini bag on my most recent Delta flight鈥攆inally, a crunchy snack I could eat! FitJoy also makes entertainment-style crackers which I also found delicious, and I am on the hunt to try the rest of the flavors. 鈥擩.A.

Cannondale Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 Electric Mountain Bike ($7,250)

I’ve been testing Cannondale’s Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 electric mountain bike in a size small for the past three months in Bozeman, and to my surprise, I found myself reaching for it more than my regular downhill bike. Though it’s impossible for eMTBs to offer as lively of a downhill experience as regular trail or enduro bikes, the Moterra Neo Carbon LT 2 was so smooth and such a blast on the uphill, I didn’t mind the heavier ride on the way back down (although it was heavy, it ate up pretty much everything I put in its path). First of all, this bike comes with a mullet setup, a 76.5 degree seat angle, and a 64-degree head angle. Though it’s a heavy bike, I found this combination made it more maneuverable on tight uphill turns than I was expecting. Second, the Bosch Performance Line CX 20 W motor has four different modes to choose from, including Eco, Tour+, EMTB, and Turbo. On Turbo mode, I was literally catching air off berms on the way up one long ride, and couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face for a full hour of climbing. I also found the Bosch motor exceptionally smooth, with little jerking or unnatural movement from the bike while I transitioned from one mode to another. The bike I tested comes in at $7,250, with a 170mm RockShox Seb Select fork, a beefy RockShox Deluxe Select Coil shock, a Shimano SLX drivetrain with an XT derailleur, and Magura MT5 brakes. With the impressive 750Wh PowerTube battery, I never found myself in a situation where I was close to running low on battery (my typical ride was about 25 miles while switching between all four modes). Like I said, an eMTB isn’t going to replace the maneuverability and feel of a non-electric bike on the downhill, but if you want to go far, feel super stable on the downhill, and prioritize a smoother ride, look to this Moterra.

Solo Stove Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Cooking Bundle 2.0 ($560)

For me, September was filled with end-of-season barbecues as the summer travel frenzy waned and friends settled back into town. The Solo Stove, particularly with the Bonfire Cast Iron Grill Cooking Bundle 2.0 (which includes the firepit, the bonfire stand, the bonfire cast iron grill, the bonfire hub, and a carry case), was a key player. Set-up is incredibly easy鈥攖he fire pit on its own is 23.3 pounds, so I just carry it from my shed to my front yard, stack it on the bonfire stand, place the bonfire hub on top of the pit, and adjust the grill on top of that. I鈥檝e made hamburgers, brats, and grilled veggies in fifteen minutes. The carrying case makes it easy to carry the grill, too鈥擨 brought the solo stove to a local lake and had no problem bringing it from my car to the shore. The wide grates on the bonfire hub make adjusting logs and the intensity of the fire easy, so we didn鈥檛 have to remove the grill every time we wanted to add logs. The stove and grill set will be an essential piece in my household for many years to come. 鈥擪elly Klein, associate gear editor

Feetures Trail Max Cushion Mini Crew ($20)

These socks saved me about midway through the 30-mile Art Loeb trail in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina. As all Editor鈥檚 Choice testing trips go, we tested some of the best new gear of the year, but we also inevitably tested gear that wasn鈥檛 the best. I tried a pair of new hikers, and on the first day received blisters about twice the size of a quarter on each of my heels. I slapped moleskine on them, pulled on the Trail Max Cushion Mini crew socks, and expected the worst for the 17-mile day we had ahead of us. But instead, I barely felt a thing on a very technical trail with about 5,000 feet of elevation gain. I tried another pair of socks the next day and immediately felt the blisters again. The polyester, nylon, and spandex blend with strategically placed compression hugged my feet without feeling constricted. Plus, reinforced nylon in the toe, ball of the foot, and heel provide extra durability鈥擨鈥檝e worn these on about five runs and countless walks around town since, and have yet to see any wear. 鈥擪.K.

Topo Athletic Traverse ($150)

In late September, I wore Topo Athletic’s first hiking shoe, the Traverse, on a three-day hike over the 35-mile Art Loeb Trail, and they delivered an ideal balance of comfort and protection. I found the height (30mm heel鈥�25mm forefoot) and density of the Traverse’s elastic, TPU/EVA Zipfoam midsole to be spot-on while hiking a tough trail carrying a 28-pound pack. It provided smooth, bouncy cushioning when striding out on smooth ground, but was firm enough to keep me stable on the trail’s many tricky footplants over jagged rocks and gnarly roots. Those obstacles made the shoe’s forefoot rock plate essential: it blocked all sharp edges and seemed to help me float over the rough trail, yet never impeded my natural foot flex. The beaded TPU insole added another layer of shock-damping comfort and delivered a gentle sole massage that never failed to delight my feet after long hours on the trail. The shoe’s weight was also in the sweet spot: light enough to never feel I was lifting and lugging boots, but substantial enough that I didn’t worry about the shoes getting beat up.

The traction of the Vibram Megagrip sole was superb both on slippery rock faces and dirty or muddy sections. It made me more sure-footed than trail companions wearing hiking shoes from several mountaineering brands. The rugged upper felt a bit stiff for someone used to flexible mesh running shoes, and I had to adjust the lace tightness across my foot a few times every morning. But once dialed in, it held my foot securely (even on steep downhills) while not creating hot spots or squeezing my foot anywhere. The forefoot space from Topo’s signature anatomical last was luxurious and essential: I even wore on one foot (that has a small bunion) without feeling crowded. I found the tightly woven mesh fabric breathable without letting in a lot of dirt, and, most importantly, I didn’t get any blisters throughout the full hike and was well protected from rock scrapes and toe stubs.

Bottom line, I felt both rugged and agile in the Topo Traverse. For most of the hike, I never had to think about the shoes, the terrain or how I was landing. What more could you want from a hiking shoe?鈥擩onathan Beverly, senior running editor, gear

Nathan Sports Essential 9″ Shorts ($65)

For my daily runs, I normally wear lighter shorts with less than half the nine-inch inseam of these from Nathan, but I’ve found myself reaching for these more robust shorts on cool mornings or when I know I’m going to hang out in them after a run. That versatility made me choose them to wear for three days straight while hiking 35 mountainous miles of the Art Loeb trail in North Carolina in September. They proved to be an excellent choice, balancing lightweight, breathable mobility with rugged, dependable protection. I appreciated the longer coverage when scraping through thick brush and sitting on rocks and logs, and was glad for the thin, stretchy, quick-drying, polyester/spandex fabric that stayed out of the way when lifting my knees on high step-ups and moving quickly to beat sundown. The stretchier boxer-brief liner (with a seven-inch inseam), provided comfortable control all day and never felt stuffy, even when working hard up slopes in the humid East Coast air. Two handy side-seam pockets held snacks and my iPhone when I wanted quick access to them (although they weren’t secure enough to trust when scrambling or making time). My only complaint was that the liner didn’t dry completely each night after hanging from a tree near my tent, and was cold when I pulled them on the next morning. But to the shorts’ credit, they never felt clammy and I quickly forgot about them as soon as we started moving. 鈥擩.B.

Alpen Outdoors The Ridge Pant ($150)

My husband and I just got back from an epic vacation. We spent听two weeks cruising around the Irish countryside climbing west-coast mountains, then jetted up to Iceland where we camped in a rooftop tent to hit hot springs, hunt northern lights, and scramble up volcanos. Day after day, I lived in the by Alpen Outdoors. I鈥檓 a light packer as it is, but all of my other bottoms (save my rain pants) ended up being a waste of space. September weather in both Ireland and Iceland ranged from 30-65 degrees Fahrenheit with gusts topping out at 50-60 miles per hour and a mix of relentless sun and slashing rain. A wicking, water-resistant finish helps them dry fast, the two-way stretch fabric ensures a flexible range of motion, interior drawcords keep them put, and reinforced soft-shell material on the knees and butt forgives any missteps. Deep pockets on the front, side, and back are the perfect place to stash a headlamp or protein bar. The best part? They鈥檙e ridiculously lightweight, unlike others in their class. Hands down, these are the most versatile, no-compromise outdoor pants I鈥檝e worn. 鈥擯atty Hodapp, contributing editor

Rux Essentials 70L ($393)

I鈥檝e hauled my bug-out bin around for years. It lives permanently in the back of my mountain rig and has saved my ass in extreme conditions dozens of times. In it, I store essentials I鈥檇 need to escape a backcountry pinch: extra layers, sunglasses, tools, a stove, headlamps, freeze-dried food, power bars, matches and lighters, duct tape, H2O filtration, a hatchet and knife, paracord, med kit, sleeping bag, etc tera. That said, I used a dilapidated, disorganized Tupperware to house it all. (Rifling around for a puffy when you鈥檙e wet and freezing sucks.) Finally, I scored the instead. This roomy, waterproof gear-management system is and work with. It comes with an attachable 25L divider bag and a 3L grab-and-go pouch, so you can classify stuff in order of importance and use, then load it and forget it until you need it. The Rux鈥檚 durable compressed foam base and manipulable nylon webbing straps make it easy to toss around a campsite or cart short distances on your shoulder. Plus, snap bands in the corners allow it to collapse for storage鈥攖hough, it doesn鈥檛 really matter because I鈥檓 always using it. 鈥擯.H.

Oboz Katabatic Mid Hiking Boots ($160)

I like the idea of a waterproof membrane in my hiking boots, but I rarely need one because I live in New Mexico and can barely remember the last time I hiked in the rain. In fact, a waterproof membrane can be problematic because it prevents the boots from properly venting sweat, and sweat leads to blisters. So I was excited to get my hands on the Katabatic Mid, a boot that is explicitly membrane-free, so it breathes like a dream. As soon as I got a pair, I took them on a 10-mile hike in temperatures that hovered around 95 degrees, and my feet had never been so dry and happy. The Katabatic is so light that it made me want to run sections of the trail. But don鈥檛 worry. Like all Oboz hikers, the Katabatic is designed to last. They鈥檙e covered in TPU overlays that protect high-abrasion areas, and even after 80 more miles over rocky, sharp terrain, they barely showed any wear. 鈥擩akob Schiller, correspondent

Trswyop Small Portable Charger ($26)

I went to Japan two weeks ago in October and was out exploring most days from 8 A.M. until 8 P.M. I relied on my phone to refer to notes I’d made about places to visit, to check opening times and admission, and to navigate the streets with Google Maps. By early afternoon, my cell battery was nearly depleted but I still needed my device; fortunately, my brother was the smart one and brought along this portable charger, which juiced up our iPhones in no time. It has no cables, and its curved design fits nicely in the palm of my hand while I carried it around as it did its job. It鈥檚 also offered in more than a dozen colors. I’ve already bought one for my next international trip. 鈥擳asha Zemke, associate managing editor

Smartwool Women’s Active Ultralite Hoodie ($80)

I鈥檝e been living in the ultra-soft Ultralite Hoodie for the past three months and I can鈥檛 say enough about how comfortable and versatile this layer is. Part of Smartwool鈥檚 new Active line鈥攚hich aims to introduce Merino wool to the masses as the ultimate temperature-regulating, sweat-wicking material (one that鈥檚 not just an insulator for cold temps)鈥攖he Ultralite Hoodie blends Merino with Tencel Lyocell fibers for an unbelievably light and silky feel next to skin. It鈥檚 so cozy that it has become my go-to layer to throw on in the morning for lounging around the house. But, as advertised, it shines as an active layer for hikes, runs, and bike rides. I was most impressed with it on a four-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain in early October. The Ultralite Hoodie kept me warm enough when I started with temps in the high 50s, yet cool enough when I started climbing and the sun came out to warm things up. When I reached the summit, I had sweat through the shirt on my back where I was carrying a pack, but it only took 15 minutes for it to dry out. From now on, I鈥檓 only wearing workout and hiking shirts with a Merino blend. 鈥擩enny Wiegand, associate gear director

Yeti Hopper Flip 12 Soft Cooler ($250)

I know I鈥檓 probably preaching to the converted, but you just can鈥檛 beat a Yeti cooler when it comes to keeping drinks and food chilled. I鈥檓 a new mom and needed a reliable way to keep pumped breastmilk cold when I was on the go (attending work functions, or on 5-hour road trips to visit family). Any mom knows that breastmilk is liquid gold and you simply do not mess around when it comes to storing it properly to ensure not a drop goes to waste. The Yeti Hopper Flip 12 put me at ease. It reliably kept contents cool even when I left the cooler in a parked, hot car for six hours (the outside temperature was 70 degrees, but the all-black interior of my small Nissan Leaf warmed up to about 80 degrees in the Colorado sun). Advice to other moms: if you just need a soft cooler to store and schlep a few bottles of breastmilk, the Yeti Hopper Flip 12 is overkill. I鈥檇 size down to the Hopper Flip 8, which would be less bulky to tote around. But if you also want to store snacks or potentially even your breast pump and parts in the cooler, the Hopper Flip 12 is a good size. 鈥擩.W.

Lazarus Naturals’ CBD+THC gummies ($60)

These last couple of months have been very chill. I’m recovering from a long bout of COVID, so my days are filled with slower activities like fly-fishing and long walks. I also have more time for my social life, since I’m not waking up at the crack of dawn to get into the alpine. My perfect companion in this newfound slowness? . I’m a lightweight with weed鈥攁 former stoner who mostly gave it up because I couldn’t reliably achieve a nice, gentle high. I’d end up anxious, my mind racing, overwhelmed by any social situation. Then I found these low-dose gummies, with 25 milligrams of CBD and 2 milligrams of THC. My theory is that the CBD takes the edge off鈥攓uiets my nervous system enough that I can actually enjoy the THC. They’re a hit among my friends, too. They make everything feel just a little softer, a little funnier, and a little more interesting, whether that’s a hike or a dinner party. If you’re a lightweight like me, or just looking for a consistently gentle weed experience, I can’t recommend them enough. 鈥擜bigail Barronian, senior editor

CamelBak MultiBev water bottle ($52)

You likely have a few dozen water bottles, like me. When I travel, I often bring several鈥攐ne for coffee, one for water, and a cup that I use on flights so I can say no to single-use plastic. This one replaces them all. It’s a 22-ounce insulated steel bottle (good for hot or cold bevies) with a very cool feature: the bottom screws off to become a cup that I use for a glass of wine on a flight or a cup of Sleepytime tea at night. For the latter, a nifty silicone sipper lid tucks away into the cap. I’ve even used the cup to keep a can of beer chilled while I watch the sunset over Lake Wanaka in New Zealand. All told, this one vessel replaces a boatload of single-use containers. On a recent business trip, it allowed me to refuse about 34 single-use containers in 72 hours: six coffee cups and lids, at least 20 plastic water bottles, and eight plastic airline cups. That’s a bottle with a serious impact. 鈥擪ristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and contributing editor

KOO Demo sunglasses ($200)

The unwritten rule of bike racing is to never, under any circumstances, try out new gear, apparel, or nutrition during a race. I’ve violated this law many times before, and this past July I did it again. I plucked my pair of KOO Demo sunglasses from their fancy case just a few minutes before starting the Silver Rush 50, a punishing mountain bike race in Leadville, Colorado. Alas, I paid the price for not allowing my eyes to adjust to the shades beforehand. The race sent me through dense tree cover, where the light alternated between eye-burning sunshine and darkened shadows. My eyes struggled to focus with the photochromatic lenses, which feature something called Zeiss Anti-Reflective Technology. I removed the shades during sections of trail in the trees. After the event, I put the Demos on the shelf and vowed never to wear them again. Of course, I violated said promise, and I’m glad I did. Over the past two months, I have worn these shades on many training rides, and they are now officially in my good graces. I appreciate the Demos’ wide face coverage鈥擨 have a larger-than-normal melon鈥攁nd I never have wind flow into my eyes, even on long descents. The elastomer on the temple prevents the shades from slipping. After several months of wear, the temples have lost none of their hugging power鈥攔ecently I noticed that my budget-friendly shades lose their grip over time. Long story short: the KOO Demos have absolutely redeemed themselves. 鈥擣red Dreier, articles editor

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