Gear In Review: My Favorite Finds In 2025, From Trail Staples To Health Tech

Leatherman has been adding itty-bitty blades to its multitools for decades, but 2025 marked the year the Oregon brand went all in on folders and fixed blades. Among the five new knives Leatherman unveiled this year, the Glider quickly became one of my favorites, with its MagnaCut sheepsfoot blade and ceramic-coated handle. Capable and now customizable, Leatherman nailed its first go at true EDC blades. The Blazer is also worth a look if you prefer a drop-point folder.

My flat, wide American feet have never fit in La Sportiva’s narrow European shoes, until I laced up the Prodigio Pro, found enough wiggle room, and fell in love. It’s not just the shoe’s nitrogen-infused foam, mesh upper and grippy sole, but also a combination of everything that helps this dirt demon stand out. Though I’ll be the first to admit that it shines as a racing and tempo shoe, you’d be hard-pressed to find something that feels more nimble and fun for those hard-and-fast efforts. And I guess it’s proof that you don’t really need a carbon plate to get moving (though at $225, you’ll pay just as much as you would for a carbon-plated shoe anyway).

The Dometic Recon is one of those “what you see isn’t what you get” products. Though it looks like every other cooler on the market, clever details emerge the more you use it. The lid, for example, flips open from both sides, and it’s fully removable. A hidden magnet located just above the drain plug prevents you from losing said drain plug. Dometic throws in a divider and food tray because it’s not stingy. And if you like one of the Recon coolers enough to buy another, you’ll notice they nest for seamless storage. Honestly, it’s just one of those everyday outdoorsy items that designers took a little more time to get right, and it shows.

Coros unveiled quite a few new wearables this year, and while I could wax poetic about each of them, I think the Nomad left the biggest impression as the answer to Garmin’s Instinct line. Unlike the Instinct, the Nomad comes with colored maps, voice notes and onboard music, and it retains that simple, rudimentary user experience Garmin moved away from with the Instinct 3 AMOLED. Oh, and did I mention the Nomad is cheaper than the Instinct by at least $50 (depending on which Instinct model you get)? Don’t look now, but Coros might be eating Garmin’s lunch in the near future.

I experienced some sort of runner’s shell shock when I was let down by the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 and subsequently brought back to life by the Rocket X 3. Though both shoes share racing DNA, the latter felt so much more balanced, supportive and ready for those race-day efforts. Weighing in at 8 ounces, it’s not even close to being the lightest race shoe on the market right now, but that’s easy to overlook when it makes every step fun and nearly effortless. If nothing else, it actually got me excited for those dreaded training runs at marathon pace, which is saying something.

You couldn’t pay me to make the switch to running tights until I squeezed into the Sentinel Half Tight. Though I fell in love with the fabric—it’s thicker than run-of-the-mill compression shorts—and how confidently it hugs in all the right places, it’s the six pockets that truly make the design so usable. There’s room for keys, gels, bars, gloves and even a soft flask if you need hydration. A special shout-out goes to the zippered phone pocket for its ability to hold a full-sized phone without bouncing, even as the fabric loosens on those long mileage days.

Winter may be off to a slow start out West, but the Smith Vantage 2 distracts from the seasonal dismay. Complete with a BOA fit system, Koroyd protection and 40 vents (that’s not a typo), this lid wants nothing more than to accompany you down big lines. You’ll pay a pretty penny for all that airflow and protection, but you won’t find another helmet that’s as well-rounded as this one. Also, I appreciate that Smith goes all in on a variety of helmet colors to truly complete your kit—someone who loves standing out on the hill needs to commit to this one.

When Brooks sent over the Hyperion Elite, I was admittedly skeptical given that the shoe looks kind of weird, and it’s made by Brooks (a brand known for its everyday trainers). Upon lacing it up for a run, however, I was put in my place as its SpeedVault plate, mesh upper and DNA Gold PEBA foam worked in harmony to shed weight and make every step feel explosive. Even a casual run around the block felt like an energized, enlivened affair—I actually stopped mid-run to look the shoes over in disbelief before pressing on. Again, it’s not the lightest, fastest, craziest race shoe out there, but man, is it a hoot. And it’s a sign that Brooks is headed in the right direction.

Bike rack innovation may be in decline, but that didn’t stop Thule from launching the Verse, or what is essentially the successor to the T2 Pro XTR. Thanks to better ergonomics, tool-free adjustments and space to accommodate longer wheelbases, it’s the one hitch rack you’ll need for the entire fleet. And although it’s a bit heavier than the T2 by about 6 pounds, the hassle-free experience of loading and unloading your bikes more than makes up for the added weight. Accessories like the loading ramp and repair stand earn extra points, though they aren’t necessary.

If all this talk of gear has you wondering where you’re supposed to store it, especially when you’re on the move, then look no further than the Kitworks Adventure Duffel. I spent a month living out of this bag over the summer, filling it with cycling, running and backpacking equipment knowing full well it would keep things organized. Unlike a traditional duffel that swallows everything whole, the Kitworks bag uses dividers, pockets and packing cubes to maintain order, all of which fit into the bag like a satisfying game of Tetris. While the duffel itself is pricey and accessories cost extra, it’s truly the last carryall you’ll need for bombproof, organized storage, from the gear closet to life on the go.

Okay, the Flash isn’t all that new, but this best-selling camp stove received a few upgrades in 2025 that made it better. Jetboil redesigned the igniter to ensure it delivers a flame-inducing spark every time; the under-pot grip and valve are easier to hold and adjust, respectively; and even the measuring cup/bowl has more measurement markings, so there’s no guessing when a dehydrated meal calls for 2.25 cups of boiled water. The ultralight community will call it overkill and car campers will say it’s underpowered, but for the rest of us, the new Flash is really all you need.

Mount to Coast released quite a few new shoes this year in addition to some limited-run collabs, but the H1 stole the show. Tested by Arizonan Jamil Coury, who ran over 700 miles in a single pair to win a year’s supply of free burritos (a wholesome story we all need right now), the H1 delivers comfort and traction in equal amounts. It was one of the only shoes I wore this year that felt truly comfortable for those exploratory runs, as roads gave way to trails, rivers and maybe a mountain or two. It may not be the shoe to ruin all other shoes for you, but it will supply you with the padding and protection you need to seek out all sorts of terrain.

The original Suunto Vertical was my smartwatch of choice for over a year, and the refresh has me ready to switch back. Outfitted with a bigger screen, flashlight mode and redesigned HR sensor, the Vertical 2 is every bit as good as its top-tier rivals. You’re guaranteed 20 days of battery life in smartwatch mode—impressive given the AMOLED screen—and up to 65 hours in performance-tracking mode, all but ensuring your watch won’t die mid-workout. Toss in offline maps, 115-plus activity modes and sleep tracking, and odds are high you won’t take the Vertical 2 off.