Matt Bento

When the forecast turns sloppy, a dependable pair of rain boots earns its keep fast. The best pairs do more than just keep water out; they balance all-day comfort, traction, and durability for everything from daily errands to muddy trailheads. For this update, lead tester Ryan Kempfer put eight rain boots through more than 100 miles of walking, guiding, and wading in the soggiest conditions imaginable.

Runners today are spoiled by choice when it comes to hydration vests. Whether you call them running hydration vests, trail running packs, or running hydration systems, the goal is the same: stay fueled and hydrated without breaking stride. What used to be niche gear has become an essential part of long-distance training with designs that prioritize comfort, reduce bounce, and keep essentials close at hand.

If you’ve ever blood-trailed an elk after sunset, you know that having the best headlamp for hunting is critical. That’s the situation I found myself in a couple of years ago after releasing an arrow just minutes before the end of the legal shooting light in Colorado. With an uncertain shot, I needed to spend hours scouring the ground for any sign of blood and tracks.