Shape Best In Fitness Awards 2023: Best Outdoor Gear

Shape Best In Fitness Awards 2023: Best Outdoor Gear

When you're deep in the wilderness, on the water, or at your local park, the last thing you want is for your outdoor gear to let you down. Every adventurer knows that a blister, a soaking wet sock, or a scraped shoulder can ruin your outdoor experience.

But you can count on this year's picks for the best outdoor gear and gear to handle your hikes, climbs, paddling trips, and more. Here are the Shape editors and expert-approved items to add to your collection, including grippy hiking boots, beginner-friendly longboards, and leak-proof chalk bags.

Best Hiking Shoes: Thesus The Weekend Boot

Handcrafted from more than 95% natural and recycled materials, these lightweight hiking shoes feature a water-repellent upper, a contouring gel insole, and a temperature-regulating lining to keep your feet dry and comfortable on all your hikes. The non-slip rubber sole helps you stay upright even in the slipperiest conditions.

thesis
The weekend boot
$198.00

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Expert Rating:"I'm a year-round hiker, so I put my hiking boots through the wringer and put a lot of use into them. Comfortable, grippy, and waterproof are my must-haves, and these boots tick all the boxes. As a vegan, I found it quite difficult to find a non-leather hiking boot that would meet my needs, but this shoe does the trick." – Maggie Peikon, social media editor at Shape

Best hiking daypack: Osprey Daylite Plus

This 20L daypack is equipped with all the essentials: a spacious main compartment, an interior pocket to store your hydration pack or laptop, two water bottle holders, a mesh-covered foam back panel for excellent ventilation, and pockets galore. For added stability when hauling heavy loads, secure yourself using the chest and hip straps.

Osprey
DaylitePlus
$75.00

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Expert Rating:"What can I say after having it in my luggage after camping, traveling abroad, and many moves? It's my trusty daypack that I can grab at any time, and has compartments for a hydraulic water bag, extra water, and small-scale items like a book and sunscreen." — Anne Reuss, NASM-certified personal trainer and inclusive training expert

Best Hiking Socks: SmartWool Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks

Made from breathable Merino wool, the SmartWool Hike Light socks are cushioned and ventilated where you need it most (read: no smelly feet or blisters). The crew height provides additional protection on the trails to protect your ankles from thorns, brambles or whatever might cross your path.

SmartWool
Hike Light Cushion Crew Socks
$24.00

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Expert Rating:"I never thought I'd be one to preach about socks, but here we are. Not only are these socks supportive and comfortable, but they're also incredibly durable. Seriously, they're all I wore when I climbed Kilimanjaro. Plus, they're designed specifically for the anatomy of women's feet, which is a nice bonus." — Kristen Geil, NASM-certified personal trainer and Shape Senior Fitness Editor

Best Pickleball Paddle: Recess Classic Pickleball Paddle

Recess's classic pickleball paddles are made from strong yet lightweight fiberglass with durable edge protection. The foam handle is covered in perforated faux leather to prevent your hand from slipping during intense rallies, and the paddle even comes with a canvas cover.

recess
Classic pickleball paddle
$86.00

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Expert Rating:"Not only is the Recess paddle a pleasure to hit, but I feel incredibly cool when I use it on the court - a feeling that many people don't associate with pickleball. The designs are on-trend and developed in-house, and each paddle makes a statement." - Cool

Best Stand Up Paddleboard: Feath-R-Lite Inflatable Stand Up Paddleboard

This 10-foot inflatable paddleboard is 35 percent lighter than other models on the market, weighing just under 19 pounds, and is equipped with a handle that makes transporting it from the car to the water hassle-free. The non-slip pad helps you stay upright while paddling over the waves. Multifunctional elastic cords keep essentials in place, and it even comes with a waterproof pocket for your phone.

Feather R Lite
Inflatable stand up paddle board
$170.00

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Expert Rating:"Stand-up paddling is such a rewarding activity for the mind and body and gets you under the sun. I don't think prices or size should deter people from this accessible activity. I had no problem with this affordable product and love that it's portable." — Reuss

Best mountain bike: Trek Marlin 8 Gen 2

This mountain bike is available in seven frame sizes and is a perfect fit for riders of all heights. The bike features locked suspension to increase pedaling efficiency, rack mounts to carry all your essentials, and shift and brake cables housed within the frame to create a truly sleek look.

Trek
Marlin 8 Gen 2
$1,330.00

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Expert Rating:"This bike rides fantastic on the road or trail. I love its versatility! The Marlin 8 has impressive features that make the ride smooth, fun and comfortable on any terrain." -Peikon

Best Longboard for Beginners: Paradise 40″ Drop-Through Longboard

This 40-inch longboard is equipped with comfortable footrests and is perfect for cruising around the neighborhood or the local park. The trucks' baseplates are mounted through the deck (hence the name drop-through), which places the board closer to the ground and gives you more stability when going downhill. The wheels are designed to accelerate quickly while providing a smooth ride.

paradise
40″ drop-through longboard
$180.00

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Expert Rating:"I purchased my Paradise 40" drop-through longboard shortly after I learned how to ride about eight years ago, and it has sailed smoothly ever since. The board is long and wide, making it easy to find and adjust your stance between strokes, and the lowered platform keeps you stable as you pick up speed." — Megan Falk, Shape deputy editor

Best Road Bike: Specialized Allez

This bike is billed as an entry-level road bike and offers everything new riders need to hit the road. It features a lightweight aluminum frame and a carbon fiber fork (the part that holds the front wheel) for smoother riding and easier cornering.

Specialized
Allez
$1,000.00

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Expert Rating:"The Specialized Allez is my first road bike and [is] good quality [and] durable at a relatively low price. I'm 5'10" and it only needed a few adjustments to get it to fit perfectly!" — Kayla Jeter, NASM-certified personal trainer and certified functional strength coach

Best climbing shoes: Scarpa Origin

Designed specifically for beginner climbers, these climbing shoes feature a grippy rubber sole for superior grip, a leather upper for a luxurious feel, and a pressure-absorbing fit system that promotes improved heel fit. The two adjustable strap closures give you the option to make the shoes as tight as you want.

Scarpa
Origin
$119.00

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Expert Rating:"I was lucky enough to find these at an REI garage sale - they're comfortable, and I love the easy-to-put-on and easy-to-adjust Velcro straps. The rubber is sticky, which feels like a helpful aid for a new climber, and the pull loops are great for attaching to my climbing bag or crash pad." -Peikon

Best Chalk Bag for Climbing: Cotopaxi Halcon Chalk Bag

The colorful 1.5 liter chalk bag is designed with a structured edge opening and an adjustable drawstring closure, as well as an elastic loop to carry your brush as you climb the wall. To ensure your chalk doesn't spill onto the floor beneath you, thread the included waist strap through the bag's two loops.

Cotopaxi
Chalk bag from Halcon
$30.00

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Expert Rating:"Colorful and powerful, this chalk bag holds a sizable amount of chalk and has an easily adjustable drawstring closure to keep it from spilling everywhere. The back pockets might be my favorite feature, though - they hold my oversized phone (iPhone 12 Pro Max), keys, and snacks!" -Peikon

Best Bluetooth speaker: JBL Charge 5

This Bluetooth speaker has an incredible 20-hour battery life, so the party never has to stop. It's waterproof and dustproof, perfect for outdoor adventures, and the built-in power bank lets you charge your phone without missing a beat.

JBL
Fee 5
$180.00

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Expert Rating:"My household's JBL Charge goes everywhere with us - to the lake, to the golf course, to picnics, and it even served as our car's speaker for a few months while ours broke down. It's small, but mighty." - Cool

Best hiking shoes: Allbirds Trail Runners SWT

Combining all-day Allbirds comfort with the functionality of a water-repellent upper and a grippy lug-sole base, these hiking sneakers are designed for tougher terrain. A tight collar keeps debris out to prevent pesky pebbles from slowing your hike, while the ripstop material and thick fender remain durable even in questionable conditions.

Allbirds
Trail runner SWT
$140.00

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Expert Rating:"I can't even begin to count how many sneakers I've ruined on muddy, wet ground, but I've finally found my favorite pair for training in challenging conditions. This traction hiking style is durable enough to handle virtually any terrain—from slippery pavement to rocky new heights—while keeping my feet supported, protected, and dry." – Zarah Kavarana, beauty e-commerce editor at Dotdash Meredith

Best hiking belt bag: Janji Multipass Sling Bag

Technically a running bag, this belt bag is tough enough to take on the trails thanks to its water-repellent material, a breathable back panel, and multiple storage compartments. Wear it around your waist for quick access to your essentials or over your back when climbing.

Janji
Multipass shoulder bag
$52.00

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Expert Rating:"Janji's spacious shoulder bag has permanently replaced my small daypack. It's big enough to hold my phone, keys, wallet, snacks and even my lightweight running jacket, but compact enough that it doesn't restrict my freedom of movement. Plus the honeycomb back prevents my back from getting sweaty on mid-summer hikes." – Falk

Best Portable Hammock: DoubleNest Hammock from Eagle Nest Outfitters

This lightweight, silky hammock is just the size of a grapefruit when rolled up, so it won't take up valuable space in your hiking bag, backpack or tote bag. The 9.5-foot hammock is large enough to fit two people comfortably, and it packs into its own “stuff sack” to make storage a breeze.

Eagle Nest Outfitters
DoubleNest hammock
$75.00

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Expert Rating:"My DoubleNest hammock has traveled everywhere with me for the past six years: parks, trails, campgrounds, backyards, and yes, even living rooms, but it shows no signs of wear and tear. My partner and I have slept in it together while camping in freezing temperatures, and we both slept like babies." – Falk