GO PLAY OUTSIDE.

There’s di erent ways to get outside, and di erent ways to get down a river. In Western Nebraska we go tanking. Bring friends, family, hell bring everyone. Just don’t forget snacks.

Go for a float down a meandering river, play on the sandbars, go play outside.

Find your next adventure in Western Nebraska. Even if that adventure is just a lazy float. Go to Western Nebraska.

WestNebraska.com

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Backpacking in Rocky Mountain National Park and the Indian Peaks, day hikes at Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Itacate Foods

$12.50–$35; itacatefoods.com

WHY IT WON: This startup creating “Latin backpacking food for adventurers with great taste and strong values” offers three hearty, healthy meal options: Charge-up Chilaquiles, Campsite Lentejas (lentils), and Sunset Caldo (soup). They're easy to rehydrate: We clocked just about eightminutes until perfect at 11,000 feet when on a mountain-running trip. Packed with all the protein, calories, and nutrients we need on big endeavors, they taste amazing—and authentic.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Mountain running in the Sierra, paddling on Colorado’s Dolores River

Oboz

Katabatic Low Waterproof

$160; obozfootwear.com

WHY IT WON: Comfy straight out of the box, this lightwight shoe has become our go-to hiker for on-trail adventure. It provided the stability to tackle summit scrambles and big days on the trail, and stayed comfy and dry even when we splashed through puddles and mud.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Hiking in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, birding adventures at eastern Colorado wildlife refuges

Slot

High Noon Sun

Hoody $42; slot-usa.com

WHY IT WON: Designed for the desert, this 30+ UPF, moisture wicking long-sleeved shirt— which doesn’t feel long-sleeved at all—is perfect for hot-weather adventure, providing essential sun protection and even some warmth when the temps drop or you get wet. Bonus points for the convenient hood.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: The long trek to the top of Texas’ Big Bend National Park, the Edwards Plateau hill country

Mystery Ranch

Superset 30 $160; mysteryranch.com

WHY IT WON: We loved the versatility of this sturdy daypack that we used for everything from holding gear on big hikes to going to the gym with kids to catching a flight to a tradeshow. It's an ideal size for airplanes or business travel, and holds a helmet, puffy, laptop, water bottle, headphones… whatever you deem essential.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Everywhere

Exped Deep Sleep Mat

Duo 7.5

$260; exped.com

WHY IT WON: This cushy sleeping mat has changed our way of thinking about backcountry sleeping from suffering on the thinnest piece of foam to treating ourselves to a solid night's sleep. The extra-large valve simplifies deflation and an oversize packsack allows for easy, simple storage as well. In addition, the 7.5 cm of open-cell foam provides excellent back support and can comfortably fit larger tents or in the trunk of a Subaru Crosstrek with room to spare.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Camping in the snow off Guanella Pass, multiday camping excursions in Moab, car and tent camping across Colorado

Scarpa

Kinesis Pro GTX $329; us.scarpa.com

WHY IT WON: Ideal for big adventures and providing plenty of support, these boots are just the ticket for off-trail backpacking and wildlife photography missions in steep terrain. You feel invincible in them.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Cold, wet photography missions in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and far beyond

Gorewear

Distance Kit 2.0 $91 jersey, $130 bibs; gorewear.com

WHY IT WON: This full cycling kit is shockingly affordable and plays in the same pond as much more expensive high-end apparel. It offers a comfortable feel and strikes a nice balance of performance fit without being race-focused. Gore calls it the most comfortable kit you can wear all day; we agree with that sentiment. Plus we appreciate the low-key colors and design.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Gravel and road rides around Colorado Springs and Boulder Xtratuf

Auna

$75; xtratuf.com

WHY IT WON: The tread pattern on this flip-flop grips like no other we've ever tried—on wet, polished concrete, bricks, and on the trail. The footbed features a comfortable, almost massaging, texture and grips nicely so your foot doesn't slide around. It helps that the Auna has a pronounced arch to help grip the foot and the upper strap proves comfortable and secure.

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Cruising around the neighborhood, camping trips, and short hikes

Swytch

Air E-Bike Conversion Kit $499; swytchbike.com

WHY IT WON: Have you ever dreamt of converting any pedal bike into an e-bike for just $500? This year, we successfully transformed a single-speed beach cruiser with coaster brakes into a sleek e-bike with 10 miles of range thanks to the Swytch Air. Additionally, the book-size battery can be removed, easily fitting into the lid of a backpack. The result is a lightweight e-bike that's incredibly easy to transport.

HERE WE TOOK IT: Rides around Yosemite National Park and Mariposa, California

Haglofs

L.I.M. Mimic Hood $360; haglofs.com

WHY IT WON: Super light and compressible and shockingly warm for such a light piece this insulator is just the ticket for the high peaks and backpacking trips. Our tester said, “I am usually a down guy, but this piece is so good I might convert to synthetic.”

WHERE WE TOOK IT: Backpacking in Utah, hiking in Colorado

ROAD TRIP GEAR 07.23