The 14 Best Knives, Outdoor Garments and Adventure Products of 2023

Evolution and revolution are two major themes in this year’s GP100 — and our favorite outdoor gear pushed boundaries with the best of them.

an illustration of a bike with a badge that says outdoors and gp100 2023

By Hayley Helms and Steve Mazzucchi

Published December 15, 2023

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Mount Everest stands 29,035 feet tall; the Mariana Trench dips 36,200 feet below sea level — and everywhere in-between, outdoor enthusiasts convene with nature, in the pursuit of their passions. This year, the adventures continued, and alongside every intrepid explorer was a trusty pair of kicks, a cooler, a headlamp, a jacket … the list goes on.

What sets the best outdoor gear apart from the rest isn’t always weight, durability, sustainability — although these factors come into play — sometimes, it’s boundary pushing. Redefining limits. Just like the horizon-seeking individuals that lace up, load up and head out, some of our favorite gear strives to push the limits of what physical objects can do. With that in mind, here are 14 products that took big steps forward this year.

Oyster Tempo

Why It Matters: Borrowing technology once reserved for drinkware, Oyster launched the first-ever vacuum-insulated cooler on the market — one that doesn’t require ungodly amounts of ice.

The Big Picture: Unlike standard rotomolded coolers, the Tempo doesn’t require a stop by the deli for bags of ice on the way to the beach. Norwegian startup Oyster spent over six years developing its flagship product, working out the mystery of how to translate vacuum insulation, which previously could only take cylindrical form without collapsing on itself, into the classically shaped cooler. The result is a lightweight, beautiful aluminum product that can hold all your drinks and snacks for the day, and only requires two small, reusable icepacks (included) to maintain the chill factor. Weighing in at just 12.34 pounds, the Tempo boasts the capacity of coolers three times its size and — even better — can keep ice pops poppin’ well into the afternoon.

Oyster 1st Edition Tempo Bundle

$500.00 at Huckberry

Patagonia Triolet Jacket

Why It Matters: In addition to its technical superiority, the Triolet is one of the first jackets on the market to utilize Gore-Tex ePe, a new waterproof membrane that replaces the nasty chemicals of the past.

The Big Picture: PFAS (aka per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances aka “forever chemicals”) have bolstered waterproof membranes like Gore-Tex for decades, but as research — and regulation — makes using them unattractive and sometimes illegal, manufacturers are updating their methods of manufacturing. Last year, Gore-Tex introduced ePe (expanded polyethylene), its new waterproof membrane that eschews these chemicals, and still repels moisture like the best of them. Patagonia was one of the first brands to jump on board and test ePe in its line, and the Triolet is one of the first jackets to be rolled out to consumers using the new waterproof membrane. After a week in the backcountry with ePe, our tester swears it’s as good as the original, if not better.

Patagonia Triolet Jacket

$449.00 at Patagonia

Leatherman ARC

a tackle box with a pair of pliers on it

Why It Matters: The first-ever multi-tool to feature an unparalleled MagnaCut steel blade, the ARC also incorporates Leatherman’s groundbreaking FREE tech, so all 20 tools can be accessed with one hand.

The Big Picture: More often than not, the mini blade included on any given multi-tool is made of standard, budget-friendly steel — something like 420HC, with decent rust resistance but unimpressive wear resistance. For its biggest 2023 release, Leatherman upped the ante and slapped a MagnaCut steel blade on the ARC, imbuing it with a higher standard of quality — and overcoming unforeseen engineering challenges in the process. MagnaCut combines the holy trinity of knife attributes: edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance, but these qualities combined literally make it hard to bend to your will. After two years of development, the team got MagnaCut to behave, and the brand’s most ambitious multi-tool — which also boasts 19 other handy functions, and absolutely blew our testers away with its heft, utility and smoothness — was born.

Leatherman ARC

$229.95 at Leatherman

The North Face Women’s Himalayan Suit

a person wearing a red snow suit and standing on a snowy mountain

Why It Matters: Almost three decades after the release of the men’s Himalayan Suit, The North Face finally came out with a women’s-specific treatment, which received key design updates to better serve the female form.

The Big Picture: Before 2023, if you were a woman who wanted to don The North Face’s iconic, summit-ready Himalayan Suit, you had to make the men’s version work. (Spoiler alert: For a lot of women, it didn’t.) Nearly 30 years after the suit’s introduction, TNF revealed a women’s-specific silhouette — but the brand didn’t just shrink it down and slap a “women’s” tag on it. TNF athlete Dawa Yangzum Sherpa provided crucial feedback for the redesign, including wearing the prototyped suit to complete five 8,000-meter climbs. Updates include female-friendly torso and inseam lengths; a redesigned shape and closures of the internal vest; an altered front-length zipper; modified hand pocket size; and maybe most crucially, a Rainbow Zip for easier bathroom access on the mountain.

The North Face Women’s Himalayan Suit

$2,000.00 at The North Face

Lifestraw Peak Series Solo

Why It Matters: Screw this pocket-sized filter onto any standard-sized plastic water bottle, and fresh water is yours for the drinking.

The Big Picture: It’s a little-known secret, but backpackers know the best bottle to take on any extended trek or through-hike isn’t your bulky, vacuum-insulated half-gallon behemoth: it’s the standard plastic water bottle. Lightweight, easily packable (and crushable, if need be) and replaceable just about anywhere, this cheap canteen can be spotted anywhere from the PCT to the Appalachian Trail. In an effort to bring fresh, drinkable water to any level of hiker (or general outdoorsperson) the team at Lifestraw developed a tiny but powerful filter that attaches to any regular ol’ bottle, turning the most mundane drinking vessel into a compact water station that can filter out removes bacteria, parasites and more. Just don’t forget to clean it out when you’re done sipping.

LifeStraw Peak Series Solo

$29.95 at REI

Eddie Bauer Downclime Alpine Sleep System

a woman in the woods wearing a jacket and beanie

Why It Matters: Eddie Bauer’s revolutionary new sleeping bag bottom zips into its well-known parka, shedding weight and adding comfort to alpine snoozes.

The Big Picture: Imagine camping in the mountains with a pack that’s lighter and a sleep set-up that’s warmer. How can these twin joys coincide? Eddie Bauer’s Downclime Alpine Sleep System merges an existing, popular product — the Downclime Parka — with a brand-new concept, one our Outdoors editor calls the mermaid tail: essentially the bottom half of a sleeping bag, which can be zipped into the parka. The system allows for more warmth, greater arm movement and, with a bag that weighs 24 ounces — nearly three pounds less than our highest-rated option — a much lighter load. When you’re packing away half a bag and wearing the other half on your back, you’ll be thanking Eddie Bauer.

Eddie Bauer Downclime Alpine Sleep System

$928.00 at Eddie Bauer

Ledlenser HF8R Signature

Why It Matters: Where other brands add more lumens or cut ounces, Ledlenser decided its latest headlamp would be built to optimize light intensity and direction … hands-free.

The Big Picture: The HF8R Signature features patented Ledlenser Adaptive Light Beam Technology, which measures light, temperature and lamp performance 400 times per second and automatically adjusts, without the wearer having to touch it. Reaching up to 2,000 lumens, the HF8R can switch between flood, spot and mid — depending what it thinks you need. Want to get dinner prepped? The 6.84-ounce headlamp will dim, so you’re not blinding yourself or others as you prep. Looking for your dog that’s run into the bushes? Lift your head and the HF8R will illuminate objects hundred of yards away. While the adaptive mode is seamless, setup is tricky, and if you switch into non-adaptive mode for manual control, it can be trickier. But if you want to go truly hands-free, it’s your best bet — and a standout in the wide world of headlamps.

Ledlenser HF8R Signature

$169.95 at REI

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

Why It Matters: This crafty eMTB more than makes up for its stripped-down motor thanks to a lean profile and nimble handling that recalls classic trail biking — with a lot more oomph.

The Big Picture: For so long, e-bike brands have bamboozled us with gaudy specs, skipping past how you’ll actually feel astride 50-pound beasts that quickly take you away from the simple pleasures of pedaling. That’s what makes the Heckler SL so refreshing. While the 430 watt-hour Fazua Ride60 motor sheds some size, this carbon-framed creature also drops six pounds (vs. the standard Heckler), translating to a lively, natural ride that feels more approachable for novice or smaller MTBers, is easier to launch/get out of a ditch — and totally rips. Throw in mulleted wheels, generous travel and modern geometry, and you’ll have such a balanced, boosted blast, you’ll forget all about those silly numbers anyway.

Santa Cruz Heckler SL

$7,299.00 at Competitive Cyclist

Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions

Why It Matters: Nemo’s newest sleeping pad is the warmest, most insulating ultralight pad on the market, and still the quietest pad in its class.

The Big Picture: Sleeping pads may appear to be a dime a dozen, but what’s under the surface separates the cozy from the catastrophic. Nemo has made some of the best-in-class sleeping pads for years now, but the newest version of the Tensor, the Extreme Conditions, comes in multiple shapes and sizes (including Regular, above, and Mummy, below) with some bells and whistles never seen before. Weighing in at just 17 ounces, the ultra-slim pad has an 8.5 R-value — which means while it’s notably thin, it’s also engineered to be more resistant to cold and heat than any other pad on the market. With those next-level qualities, a 2023 ISPO Award was inevitable, and so was making this list.

Nemo Equipment Tensor Extreme Conditions Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Pad

$249.95 at nemoequipment.com

Gerber Assert

Why It Matters: An incredibly lightweight, user-friendly knife we find ourselves reaching for again and again, the Assert is legit challenging the supremacy of Benchmade’s Bugout.

The Big Picture: If you asked a knife aficionado to name their favorite high-touch pocket knives over the past decade, Gerber most likely wouldn’t make the list. That is, until the Assert came along. The brand released this upmarket offering in June, drawing immediate comparisons to Benchmade’s legendary Bugout thanks to its miniscule weight (1.97 oz.), quality materials and reliable handling. We’ve been testing it for half a year now, and it has sneakily become our go-to choice for jobs big and small. As one of Gerber’s “Made in the USA” offerings, the 2.98-inch blade is slicing up consumer skepticism about the Portland-based brand’s ability to produce top-notch knives right here at home.

Gerber Assert

$180.00 at gerbergear.com

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Crux 40

Why It Matters: An extraordinary combo of lightness, toughness and expertly designed functionality lets this pack go deeper into the backcountry then you ever have before.

The Big Picture: When you’re on a mission to summit and shred 50 classic ski descents, you gotta have a pack that rocks. That’s why world-class skier Townsend teamed up with Hyperlite on a pack made primarily of ultralight Dyneema, which is 15 times stronger than steel at the same weight. The result is loaded with Townsend-approved features, including internal sleeves for organized avalanche equipment and multiple external pockets, straps and attachment points for ski mountaineering gear. The coup de grâce, however, is unprecedented for a pack made of this unique but somewhat unwieldy material: a back-entry panel every backcountry buff will love.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Crux 40

$499.00 at hyperlitemountaingear.com

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low

Why It Matters: This low-profile update to the original Free Hiker, a 2019 GP100 selection, somehow improves upon the design, fit and function of its mid-height predecessor.

The Big Picture: Oftentimes, when brands release “updates” to popular products, they take the form of a new colorway or material upgrade. While the Free Hiker has been a crowd pleaser for years, many folks, including this writer, found the midheight form factor to be clunky and uncomfortable. But this year Adidas Terrex introduced a low version that made everything better in one fell swoop. The fit is more streamlined , and the toebox isn’t as big and bulky. The low height is infinitely comfier while remaining just as capable and stylish as the versions that came before. That’s an update worth writing home about — and lacing up for your next adventure in the city or out on the trail.

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GORE-TEX

$162.00 at ADIDAS

$180.00 (10% off)

OnX Recent Imagery

Why It Matters: The outdoor digital navigation brand’s collaboration with a global satellite imagery provider allows adventurers to see the condition of terrain right now — or close to it.

The Big Picture: Three feature-packed onX apps — Hunt, Offroad and Backcountry — already aid the planning of myriad adventures via high-resolution basemaps, updated every few years. But now, Elite-level subscribers can view, quite literally, recent imagery: detailed satellite captures from Planet Labs PBC, refreshed every two weeks. So, for example, splitboarders can spot where powder lingers late in a season, and hikers can check if mountain passes are dry enough to cross. Such data ensures your next escapade will be more fun — and also that you’ll be a better steward of the outdoors, avoiding fragile conditions that can endanger both the land and yourself.

OnX Recent Imagery (Available With Elite Membership)

$99.99 at onxmaps.com

Pit Viper The Synthesizer

a person in orange jumpsuit holding a rope

Why It Matters: Part snow goggles, part sunglasses, these whimsical specs promise to lighten your eyewear load on the mountain — while going easy on your wallet.

The Big Picture: Debating hard and soft shell tacos, a wise young lady once asked: “Why don’t we have both?” This year, those rascals at Pit Viper approached the (non-existent?) conflict between goggles and sunnies the same way, and The Synthesizer was born. While it resembles PV’s reliable retro wraparounds, a few features mountain-ize it: anti-fog coating, retainer strap, swappable lenses and removable foam inserts enable you to schuss from slopes to après scene as effortlessly as a young Glen Plake. While we wouldn’t recommend The Synth for harsh midwinter conditions, it just might be the perfect mashup for your next bluebird day.