Outdoors and Fitness Staff Picks: What We’re Most Excited About in 2019

Welcome to another installment of Staff Picks from our Outdoors and Fitness team. Every other week, we select our favorite pieces out of the gear we’re testing, mainstays in our kits, as well as items on our wish lists. It’s like a sneak peek at the gear we’re testing and what we’re stoked on. Have something you think we should check out? Or just want to say hi? Drop us a line at [email protected].

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker GTX

We’ve been excited for the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker since its announcement at the last Outdoor Retailer show. The sole features Adidas’ proprietary Boost foam, which is soft on every footfall, yet sturdy enough to withstand hundreds of miles of sticks and rocks. The upper on the Free Hiker looks exactly like the upper on an Ultraboost sneaker, which means it’s formfitting and breathable, with plenty of room for toes to stretch out. For this fall Adidas plans to add Gore-Tex to the in-demand hiking boot so that it can withstand rain, snow and sleet. If it’s anything like the Adidas Ultraboost All Terrain (a great winter running shoe), just with slightly more support underfoot to tackle trails, I can’t wait to run in it. — Meg Lappe, Staff Writer

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: Terrex Fast Mid GTX – Surround ($200) | Terrex Skychaser GTX ($170)

The North Face FutureLight

This year, instead of its usual product-packed booth bigger than some gear stores I’ve been to, The North Face debuted one thing: FutureLight. Simply put, FutureLight is a new waterproof fabric that’s more breathable by magnitudes than anything currently available, Gore-Tex included. I’m the type of person that runs hot during activity; you’re likely to catch me on a mid-February run in a pair of shorts or ski touring at 10,000 feet in a t-shirt. Even the thinnest shells turn into mobile sweat lodges once I get going. Give me a jacket that I can leave on during a jog or climb, and I’ll be a happy man. Look for it in a range of The North Face’s products beginning this fall. — Tanner Bowden, Staff Writer

If you’re looking for something similar, but the pick above isn’t quite right, try these alternatives: The North Face Fuse Brigandine Jacket ($699) | Patagonia Houdini Air Jacket ($169)

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