8 Gear Essentials Every Adventurer Needs

For professional athletes, having high-quality, reliable gear can mean the difference between a PR or WR and having to call SAR. The modern adventure enthusiast expects the same level of quality-products they can trust. With this in mind, these pieces of gear blend innovative technology with dependable design and tried-and-true construction to guarantee an elevated experience — whether navigating the complexities of day-to-day life or your next trip off-grid.

Garmin Fenix 6 — Sapphire Edition

As wearable technology becomes increasingly powerful, the marker of success for a smartwatch in the outdoors is its ruggedness and purpose-built features. Garmin’s fenix 6 Sapphire Edition not only fits that bill, but is a force in the field. Built for those who want to take their adventures further, the multi-sport watch is packed with features like GPS, a barometric altimeter and weather. It’s capable of tracking everything from calories burned and steps taken to sleep cycles and even stress levels. Preloaded topo and ski maps (for more than 2,000 international resorts) mean you’ll always find the trail or line, while an industry-first technology helps manage pace over variable terrain. Best of all, you can enjoy streaming music and control loads of smartphone features, all from your wrist.

Few products transcend the level of influence and authority quite like the PST — or Pocket Survival Tool. Inspired by Tim Leatherman’s original 1983 design, the new Collector’s Edition PST packs 14 tools into just 5.2 ounces of made-in-the-USA stainless steel. It’s complete with a throwback leather case and will be the tool you reach for daily in the city and on the trail.

Boots that balance aesthetics with ruggedness are the pair you’ll reach for more often than not. The feature-heavy Ducan Knit High GTX from historic Swiss mountaineering brand Mammut perfectly blends form and function into a modern hiker that looks as good as it performs. Built with a 3D-knit upper for a supportive, sock-like fit with a spring-steel sole, these Gore-Tex boots ensure traction and comfort you can count on mile after mile on most any terrain.

Truth is, hyperbolic claims are the norm in the outdoor industry, but The North Face’s new Futurelight material lives up to the hype. Developed in-house by the brand (materials are often created by third parties), Futurelight makes use of nanospinning to laminate tiny fibers in a complex network which creates a material with space for air to flow, but not water. The result is a durable outer layer that is more waterproof and breathable than anything else on the market. While the yellow and black color-blocked version is a timeless look for alpine summits, this taupe colorway offers enough city crossover to make the L5 an easily justified multi-use investment.

Leave it to the Swedes to create a pair of pants that work in all weather conditions, feature enough pockets for your EDC and the day’s lunch, vent in four places, stretch where you need it and look great while doing all of it. Fjällräven’s Keb Trousers are built with enough features for a multi-day trek through the forests of Scandinavia but look subdued enough for a visit to the pub after a day outdoors too.

Hydration is essential for any day of adventuring. Japan’s original outdoor outfitter, Snow Peak, created the Kanpai bottle to be the last liquid holder you’ll ever need (or want). Leak-proof, double-walled and stainless steel, the sleek bottle keeps liquids hot or cold for over six hours. Equipped with three lids for retaining heat, cold or drinking, the Kanpai can also act as a micro cooler for a can.

Every detail of the frames and lenses that come from New York City-based District Vision’s sunglasses are carefully considered and backed by research with athletes and experts. The Yukari is designed for running but is at home anywhere performance and dependability are needed. An adjustable anti-slip rubber nose pad allows for a customized fit, while high light transmission polycarbonate lenses brighten views in low light conditions.

With experience building bags for elite military units and wilderness firefighting crews, Montana-based Mystery Ranch exclusively makes products that meet a rigorous set of standards. Its 43-liter Mission Rover pack carries that same quality pedigree into a highly versatile bag driven by an open-book design with internal zippered dividers and capacity to be carried as a backpack, briefcase or duffel.