Some of these are upgraded versions of things I already know well; others are brand-new and surprisingly good. As always, I prioritized function over hype, durability over novelty, and multi-use over single-purpose toys. Here’s what made the cut.
Table of Contents
- Paka Essentials 2.0 – Shirt, Underwear, Socks
- Paka Sol Hoodie
- Pit Viper Wrangler Edition Sunglasses
- Party Shirt International Dusty Lizard Stretch Tech
- Merrell SpeedARC Surge BOA
- Nitecore NB Air
- Nitecore UT27
- Teren Traveler Pants
- Teren Traveler Tee
- High Camp Parkside Flask Mojave Edition
- Fender x Teufel Rockstar Air 2 and Go 2
- BioLite Range 500 Headlamp
- PATHprojects Moab Arm Sleeves
- PATHprojects Wadi Hoodie
- Mountain Hardwear KOR AirShell Hybrid Jacket
- Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Short
- Mountain Hardwear Lickety Split 20L Backpack
- Helinox Table One Hardtop
Paka Essentials 2.0 – Shirt, Underwear, Socks ($55 shirt | $39 underwear | $48 socks)
Paka’s 2.0 essentials bring their alpaca blend into daily-driver territory with better stretch recovery, a sleeker knit, and upgraded durability. The shirt regulates temperature well across a wide window, resists funk after multiple wears, and drapes cleanly under layers. The underwear uses a supportive, stay-put waistband and a gusset that prevents creep during long runs. The socks add denser cushioning underfoot, a tighter weave at the heel and toe for longevity, and enough structure to stay put inside trail shoes.
My Take:
The first gen was good; 2.0 is “reach for it first” good. The tee keeps me presentable when I’m bouncing from a long run to dad duty without a wardrobe change. The underwear not bagging out after sweaty miles is the fix I wanted most. The socks aren’t hyper-minimal, but they hold shape and ride nicely in everything from road trainers to more rock-protected trail shoes. I’ve pushed this kit through multi-day use and it still passes the sniff test, which is gold when you’re living out of duffels. Pricey per piece, but the lifespan and comfort are there.
Paka Sol Hoodie ($95)
This sun hoodie blends alpaca with quick-dry synthetics for a soft hand that still breathes in heat. It’s cut slimmer than the usual billowy UPF tops, which makes it layer smoothly under a vest or wind shirt. The hood stays put under a cap without throat squeeze, and the fabric resists the post-wash pilling that dogs a lot of sun shirts. Built-in UPF coverage keeps the burn away on exposed ridgelines or long paddle days.
My Take:
I’ve cycled through more sun hoodies than I can count and most land in the “great idea, mediocre execution” bucket. This one doesn’t: it breathes, it doesn’t stink, and it doesn’t cling when soaked. The fit is athletic without being tight, so it works in motion and doesn’t balloon in wind. Thumb loops are a small touch that save me from reapplying sunscreen every hour. If you guide or travel where conditions swing fast, you’ll appreciate the range. Not the cheapest, but I wear it constantly, which is the metric that matters.
Wrangler x Pit Viper Sunglasses ($99)
The Wrangler Edition leans into Pit Viper’s rowdy aesthetic while delivering useful performance: polarized lenses that cut glare on water and snow, a wrap shape that blocks side wind and dust, and impact-resistant frames that shrug off abuse. Nose pads and temple tips keep the fit sticky when you sweat. They’re loud by design, but the optics are legit and the coverage is real.
My Take:
If you want a wallflower frame, look elsewhere — these announce themselves. That said, they’re sturdier and clearer than I expected, and the wrap makes them great on water or windy ridges. I still prefer featherweight performance frames for racing, but for rafting, paddling, or post-run hangs these are a vibe with real function. Fogging has been minimal and the scratch resistance is better than budget plastics. “Fun” isn’t a spec, but it does matter, and these bring it without sacrificing eye protection.
Party Shirt International Dusty Lizard Stretch Tech ($59)
This woven button-up takes a loud print and backs it with real utility: four-way mechanical stretch for scrambling or riding, fast-dry fabric that won’t feel swampy, and a cut that reads athletic without going skinny. The collar holds shape after stuffing in a pack, snaps are glove-friendly, and the fabric resists wrinkles for plane-to-trail transitions. Venting at the yoke and underarm keeps air moving on warm days.
My Take:
It’s ridiculous in the best way — eye-catching but actually comfortable when you’re moving. I’ve worn it to family dinners straight after steep, dusty miles and didn’t look like I crawled out of a gear bin. The stretch is dialed, so reaching and twisting feels natural, not bound. As a perennial plaid skeptic, this is the fun shirt I didn’t know I needed. It’s a “mood piece,” sure, but it earns its keep by performing like a tech layer. If you need one shirt that goes from trail to brewery without a costume change, this is it.
Merrell SpeedARC Surge BOA ($290)
This trail runner pairs a high-stack, resilient midsole with a BOA Fit System that dials in tension evenly across the upper. A rockered geometry smooths turnover on fireroads while a decoupled heel keeps things controlled on descents. The outsole uses mixed lugging for loam and slab, and the toebox has enough volume for splay without feeling sloppy. A gusseted tongue and padded heel collar lock the foot without hotspots.
My Take:
I’m historically “laces or bust” on trails, but BOA makes mid-run tweaks hilariously easy — crank for descents, ease for climbs. Cushioning is plush but not marshmallow, and it stayed composed on Katahdin granite where some maximal shoes get tippy. Traction is good in shoulder-season slop; on dry granite it’s predictable, which is what I want. I wouldn’t pick it for skyrace-grade technicality, but for big training days and mixed terrain, it’s a treat. Durability on the dial cable looks promising so far, and the upper’s holding shape after abuse. However, at nearly $300 I’d need to see some extreme durability for this to be worth it.
Nitecore NB Air ($39.95)
This ultralight power bank wraps a 5,000 mAh cell in a carbon-fiber shell, keeping weight low without feeling flimsy. At just 3.14oz, it supports fast charging on both input and output via USB-C, and the slim, rounded profile slips into vest pockets without digging. Pass-through charging lets you top off a headlamp while the bank itself recharges at camp. A subtle charge indicator avoids the flashlight-bright LED syndrome at night. Pair with their QC cable for lighting fast charging!
My Take:
If you count grams, this one’s an easy yes. It’s become my default for long day missions and overnights when I just need a phone and headlamp topped off. The form factor disappears in a running vest and doesn’t rattle around in hip belts. I’ve owned lighter-spec’d banks that felt like toys; this doesn’t. It’s not the cheapest way to carry electrons, but the weight savings and durability have earned it a permanent slot in my kit.
Nitecore UT27 Headlamp ($54.95)
A runner-focused 800-lumen headlamp that runs on a USB-C rechargeable pack or AAAs in a pinch. It weighs just 2.61oz and pairs spot and flood beams for balanced visibility on technical trail, and the low-profile housing keeps bounce to a minimum. The headband is comfortable against skin and helmet-friendly, and the lockout prevents pack-light drain. A red mode preserves night vision for camp tasks or pre-dawn starts.
My Take:
I like redundancy, so dual-fuel is a home run when I forget to charge. Beam quality is excellent for its class: plenty wide to read the trail and just enough punch for scanning ahead. The buttons are glove-friendly and the tilt detents don’t drift over time. It’s not the brightest lamp I own, but brightness isn’t the only metric that matters; comfort and runtime stability do. This one’s become my “always in the vest” pick for night laps and dawn patrols.
Teren Traveler Pants ($129.95)
Built to look like chinos and move like trail pants, these pack a stealth mix of performance features: four-way stretch that doesn’t bag out, stain-resistant finish for travel messes, and a cut that reads clean in town. The pockets are deep without dumping items when you sit, and a hidden zip pocket keeps passports and cards secure. The fabric dries quickly after a rinse and resists wrinkling after being stuffed in a pack.
My Take:
One-bag travel is where these shine, but I’ve also taken them straight onto mellow trails and didn’t feel underdressed. The shape retention after multiple wears is notably better than a lot of “tech chinos” that noodle out. They breathe well enough for shoulder-season hikes and look fine at dinner. I’d still grab burlier pants for scrambling, but these are the pants I actually wear most days on the road. If you’ve been burned by travel pants that scream “airport,” this is the fix. I also wasn’t sure if I would like the magnet closure (instead of a traditional button), but it’s a fantastic feature.
Teren Traveler Tee ($89.95)
This 100% merino wool tee aims squarely at odor control and everyday comfort. It feels cotton-soft but dries fast, and the knit resists pilling after backpack strap abrasion. The shoulder seams are moved off the pressure points for long wear, and the drape makes it presentable under a jacket. It’s the kind of tee you can wear for days on the road without smelling like it.
My Take:
Call it the “pack one, wear four” tee. I’ve pulled multi-day duty in heat and it stayed surprisingly neutral; that saves laundry runs and packing volume. The fabric hand is nicer than most budget merino blends and doesn’t get that scratchy halo with time. It layers under a running vest without seam bite and under a blazer without screaming “technical.” If your tee drawer needs a grown-up that still plays outside, this is it.
High Camp Parkside Flask, Mojave Edition ($149)
A vacuum-insulated stainless flask with two magnetic stainless tumblers that dock on the body, the Parkside is built for tailgates and campfire rituals. The Mojave finish brings a desert-inspired aesthetic that hides scuffs, and the wide mouth makes filling and cleaning easy. The leakproof cap threads confidently, and the insulation keeps hot hot and cold cold for hours. It’s overbuilt in a way that feels heirloom rather than novelty.
My Take:
This is not an ultralight move; it’s a quality-of-life move, and I’m here for it. The detachable cups turn a quick nip into an actual moment with friends, which is half the point of camp anyway. It’s too heavy for big miles, but perfect for basecamps, truck camping, and backyard hangs. The finish is tough and hides the inevitable dings. Every time I bring it out it gets compliments, and more importantly, gets used. If you want a camp piece that sparks smiles, this is it.
Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2 and Go 2 ($479 and $129)
This collab leans on Fender’s design language and Teufel’s acoustics to put real punch in portable speakers. The Air 2 throws sound big enough for a backyard, with a battery that covers long evenings, while the Go 2 is the toss-it-in-the-bag option for trailhead hangs. Both have rugged housings that shrug off dust and the occasional splash, and controls you can use with cold hands. Pairing is quick and stable, and the tuning favors clarity over muddy boom.
My Take:
There are a million Bluetooth bricks; these feel like they were built by people who care about music. The Air 2 fills space without distortion and doesn’t die before the party does. The Go 2 is the one I actually carry everywhere because it’s compact and tough. Aesthetically, they’re fun — retro cues without going novelty. If you want speakers that stand out but still sound right, this duo makes sense. I’ve used them for everything from mellow dinner playlists to finish-line celebration laps. As a bonus, my toddler loves the Go 2’s vibrating speaker cone so we use it often!
BioLite Range 500 Headlamp ($69.95)
BioLite’s Range 500 is a compact, runner-friendly lamp that tops out at 500 lumens with balanced spot/flood output, plus white strobe and red flood modes for night vision and low-impact camp tasks. It weighs just ~2.1 oz and carries an official IP67 rating, so rainstorms and dunkings aren’t a deal-breaker. Power comes from a 1640 mAh built-in, USB-C rechargeable battery with a headline feature: an 8-minute quick charge adds ~1 hour on low, handy for last-minute dawn patrols. Runtime is listed at ~5 hours on High and up to ~250 hours on Low, and the band uses BioLite’s 3D SlimFit construction to keep the lamp low-profile and stable when you’re moving fast.
My Take:
The Range 500 lands in that sweet spot where comfort and beam quality matter more than just cranking lumens. The spot/flood blend reads technical trail well without the tunnel vision that can trip you up at speed. The quick-charge trick isn’t a gimmick — I’ve topped it while lacing shoes and bought myself enough light to get moving. IP67 is confidence-boosting for shoulder-season slop, and the low-profile housing keeps bounce to a minimum. If you do big days, the 5-hour High spec is enough for long pre-dawn approaches; for overnights, plan on Low/Medium plus a bank. I’d still pack a backup for FKT-class pushes, but for most runners and fastpackers this is a strong primary.
PATHprojects Moab Arm Sleeves ($38)
Lightweight UPF sleeves that disappear on the run, the Moab pair well with tees when a full hooded layer is overkill. The knit breathes, dries fast, and plays nicely with sweat—no swampy cling. A soft elastic cuff keeps them from creeping, and flat seams minimize rub under vest straps. Dip them in a creek and you’ve got instant evaporative cooling on long climbs.
My Take:
I used to roll my eyes at sleeves, then I ran with these in heat and got it immediately. They’re adjustable protection—on, off, pushed down—without a full wardrobe change. Cooling them in streams became a ritual on long days and worked better than expected. Zero hotspots under my pack, which is usually where sleeves lose me. For the price, the versatility is huge. They live in my vest now by default.
PATHprojects Wadi Hoodie ($98)
A featherweight sun hoodie tuned for running: quick-dry fabric that doesn’t sag when soaked, a generous yet stable hood, and a trim fit that won’t flap in wind. The knit breathes in direct sun but still cuts the bite on breezy ridges. It layers under a wind shell without bunching and dries fast on the line after a sink wash.
My Take:
When temps spike, I still want coverage (from both sun and bugs), and the Wadi threads that needle. It’s protective without feeling like a greenhouse, which is rare. The hood stays put in gusts and doesn’t screen your vision on technical terrain. I also like it for coastal mornings where mist turns to sun quickly — you never feel overdressed. Between this and arm sleeves, I can fine-tune for almost any shoulder-season run. One of the best value pieces in PATH’s lineup.
Mountain Hardwear KOR AirShell Hybrid Jacket ($189)
This hybrid pairs a breathable wind shell with light mapped insulation at the chest and shoulders, giving you warmth where it counts without cooking your back. The face fabric cuts edge-of-season wind and packs down small, while the stretch panels keep reach mobility for scrambles. A tidy hood fits under helmets, and the hem and cuffs seal without strangling. Hand pockets sit high enough for hip belts.
My Take:
It lives in that sweet spot between “too much puffy” and “too little wind shirt.” I’ve pulled it on for frosty ridgelines and off for sunny climbs, and it never feels fussy. The mapped warmth adds comfort without bulk, so I keep it handy on variable days. Over a tee it’s a perfect morning layer; under a shell it anchors a simple system for mixed weather. Packability is excellent — I forget it’s there until I need it. One of my most-reached shoulder-season pieces this year.
Mountain Hardwear Shade Lite Short ($78.99)
A light, quick-dry trail short with a supportive liner and pockets that actually carry gels without pogo. The waistband lies flat under vests and doesn’t curl, and the cut gives full stride without flashing half the trailhead. The fabric resists snags on brushy singletrack and dries after stream crossings fast enough to forget about it.
My Take:
These vanished the moment I started running—no seam bite, no waistband drama, no chafe. The liner is supportive but not restrictive, which is a hard balance. Pockets are the sleeper feature: gels stay put and a small soft flask rides better than it should — there’s also a phone pocket on the liner. They’ve handled back-to-back days and still felt fresh after a rinse. They jumped straight into my rotation, which is tough company. If you want a dependable hot-weather short, here it is (though at the end of the day, I’m still going for my PATH Graves PX).
Mountain Hardwear Lickety Split 20L Backpack ($149.99)
A clean, minimalist 20-liter pack that spans commutes, short hikes, and travel days. The back panel has just enough structure to keep the load from collapsing, and the shoulder straps are shaped to avoid neck rub. A padded sleeve handles a laptop or hydration bladder, while the front pocket organizes small bits. The fabric wears tough without feeling like sandpaper against clothes.
My Take:
I like packs that don’t pretend to be everything — you carry less and move more. This one’s lane is “fast daypack,” and it nails it. It sits close without hot spots and swallows the essentials without tempting me to overpack. The laptop sleeve makes it a contender for an office-to-trail bag. Stitching and zips feel better than the price point suggests. If you crave simplicity with just enough organization and running-vest-style straps, it’s a great daily driver.
Helinox Table One Hardtop ($169.95)
Light enough to carry to camp and rigid enough to actually use, the Table One Hardtop brings a stable surface to cook, lay out maps, or keep drinks upright. The DAC aluminum frame snaps together quickly and the hard panel top rolls rather than flops, so it packs small. The surface cleans easily after food prep and won’t sag under a skillet. Rubber feet keep it planted on slick rock or pine needles.
My Take:
Once you use a real camp table, it’s tough to go back to ground-level chaos. This one has become standard issue for basecamps and family trips. It’s not ultralight, but the packability is excellent, and the stability is miles better than fabric-sling alternatives. Cooking is easier, cards don’t skid off, and morning coffee isn’t a balancing act. I’ve even used it as a backyard laptop perch when the weather’s too nice to be inside. Expensive, but it has paid for itself in sanity.
Final Thoughts
The best gear always fades into the background — you stop noticing it because it keeps doing the job. From this lineup, the Paka Essentials 2.0 are now default layers, the KOR AirShell Hybrid rides shotgun in my pack for shoulder season, and the Helinox table has become a non-negotiable for basecamp sanity. On the smaller-but-mighty end, the Nitecore NB Air solves the “just enough power” problem without becoming a brick, and the UT27 remains a reliable night runner. The fun pieces — the Pit Vipers and the Dusty Lizard shirt — remind me that enjoyment is part of the equation, not a bonus feature.
As always, durability over months matters more than first impressions; if anything here craps out or exceeds expectations, I’ll update the notes. Until then, consider this your late-summer permission slip to upgrade the few items you use constantly. Those are the ones that change your days the most.
This website is supported by affiliate links, whereby for referral traffic I receive a small commission from select vendors at no additional cost to you. See my affiliate disclosure here.
Brandon Chase is a writer, endurance athlete, and guide based in Maine. He is a former Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State and spent nearly a decade overseas serving at embassies in Egypt, Cyprus, and Pakistan.
Along with a 98-day thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, he has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro, hiked the West Highland Way, fastpacked in the Himalayas, and trekked around New Zealand and South Africa. He also regularly competes in ultramarathons at the 50k, 50-mile, and 100-mile distances. He is a Lead Guide for Andrew Skurka Adventures and the New England Outdoor Center.