Prepare for your next outdoor adventure with this gear for the open road. Below, you'll find the best equipment we've tried to enjoy your time outside and abroad.
Note
Product prices were accurate at the time of publication but may have changed since then.
BioLite CampStove Complete Cook Kit ($249.95)
When it comes to high-tech camping, BioLite’s CampStove remains at the top of the stack. Power your phone and make food just by burning sticks, no electricity or gas required. BioLite has camping essentials—coffee and good food—covered with its CampStove Complete Cook Kit. Just feed the CampStove sticks and pellets to build a fire, which you can then use as a cooking surface or to heat up coffee in your KettlePot, French Press-style. The CampStove also houses a 3,200mAh of power so you can plug your iPhone in to charge (though don’t expect it to be fast!).
Barebones Railroad Lantern ($99.99)
During a particularly stressful workweek, my husband and I got into watching a New Zealand-based YouTube channel of a man camping with his dog Ted, featuring relaxing nature sounds and extremely cool rugged gear. That’s where we discovered Barebones, which makes high-tech lanterns with a vintage feel. The Edison-style bulbs cast a charming (and functional) light over your tent and can last for up to 100 hours on low. Its USB-C connector means you can just bring one charger for your iPhone 16 and lantern!
Garmin Vívoactive 5 ($299.99)
While the Apple Watch with its intuitive move goals remains our top recommendation for fitness tracking, if you’re looking for a more serious alternative, turn to the household name in GPS. The new Garmin Vívoactive 5 got a major body style upgrade from last year with an inky OLED display and slimmed down strap, and the same heavy-duty tracking capabilities like cycling, running, hydration, fitness age, all-day stress, and my favorite—body battery score, which tracks your vitals and sleep stats to help you decide when to take that walk versus opt for a nap. Bonus: the battery life lasts up to 11 days on one charge.
Nitecore Summit 10,000 Power Bank ($119.95)
I’ve never used such a slim power bank that packs this much power. Its sleek carbon fiber body sits sturdily in my hand, and its USB-C ports make it easy to charge my iPhone 16 and AirPods Pro in tandem. What really sets the Summit 10,000 apart though, is its cold-weather capabilities. Power banks usually don’t work well in cold weather, but this one can charge your iPhone twice even in -40-degree Fahrenheit temperatures. I like to keep the Nitecore in my car’s glove compartment in case of emergency!
Atomi Alpha Electric Scooter ($299)
If you’re looking to take a cruising outdoor adventure, this electric scooter is the way to go. While it’s fairly heavy to transport, it offers a fun and smooth ride with three different modes allowing you to top out at different speeds, so you can play it safe or enjoy some speed. The app allows you to customize settings and view your previous rides as well as battery level. It’s easy to use, great for exploring cities and towns, and a low threshold to a fun time. But always remember to practice caution and wear protective gear, especially when traveling on busy roads!
Nomad Sport Slim Band ($60)
Whether you’re taking your Apple Watch on an afternoon stroll or a 5K, you’ll need a band that can withstand sweat, rain, dust, and sun. I’ve found the Sport Slim Band from Nomad to be the most comfortable and secure option. The grooved rubber surface is breathable and resistant to discoloration unlike Apple’s sport line, and the stainless-steel pin feels sturdier too. For a more rugged option, we like Nomad’s Rocky Point Band ($80) with titanium hardware. While both are waterproof, the Slim Band is great for everyday use whereas the Rocky Point is more suited to outdoor adventures.
Kamado Joe Konnected Joe 18 in. Digital Charcoal Grill and Smoker ($1,699)
This grill and smoker is a worthy investment for the outdoor cooking enthusiast. Once you get past the sticker shock and setup (the Joe weighs in at over 200 pounds of ceramic), you’ll find operating to be refreshingly simple. Add your charcoal and hit the automatic fire starter button, and you’re on your way. The Kamado Joe app is easy to connect and gives you automatic and manual temperature control. You’ll still have to work on your grill master skills to get the perfect steak or chicken wings, but once you’ve got a recipe down, you can make it again and again.
MPowered Luci Solar String Lights + Detachable Power Hub ($69.95)
These string lights are an affordable way to add mood lighting to your next outing! The solar-absorptive unit soaks up the sunlight and turns it into fun, bright lighting in the evening. They’re especially magical when strung through trees above a campsite but can also add ambiance to the inside of a car, RV, or tent. You can charge your iPhone from the base and charge the base via USB if you’re in a place without sunlight. We appreciate the warm tone of these lights— no cold fluorescent vibes here. It’s enough light to be able to see, but not so bright that you’ll be blinded if you look at them.
Scosche PowerUp 600 Torch Emergency Jump Starter ($149.99)
Feature Writer Leanne Hays makes a point to keep an emergency road kit in her car at all times, and this jump starter has made that kit more compact than ever. The combination 600-amp battery jumper, flashlight, and power bank is great when her truck or tractor battery dies. The 300-lumen flashlight has four modes, including SOS mode, helpful for flagging down passing cars in the event of a breakdown. The 5-volt charging port is a lifesaver if your other electronics need an emergency charge. Be sure to charge the PowerUp regularly, including after every jump, so you’re prepared for any roadside emergency.
PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence ($499.95)
My husband and I have discussed installing a fenced-in yard for years but can’t stomach the financial investment. That’s why we opted for the PetSafe Guardian GPS fence, which
uses static and tones to keep your pet safely in your yard. Just set up your fence perimeter with the My PetSafe app (you’ll need a minimum of ¾ acres), and the GPS-equipped collar will take note. Since my dutch shepherd has a strong prey drive, I still like to stay outside with him but feel much more secure having him roam the yard while I relax. Bonus: Wherever you travel, you can bring the guardian and set up a perimeter—the ultimate fence on the go!
Buyer's Guide 2023: Nature & Travel
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Garmin Vívoactive 4 with GPS ($199.99)
While the Apple Watch with its intuitive daily move goals remains my top recommendation for fitness tracking, if you’re looking for a more serious alternative, turn to the household name in GPS technology. Garmin’s Vívoactive 4 with GPS is an awesome option for tracking long-distance cycling, running, or other outdoor sports. What you lose in simplicity you’ll gain in advanced metrics like hydration, fitness age, all-day stress, and my favorite—body battery score, which tracks your vitals and sleep stats to advise you whether to hit the gym or hit snooze to avoid burnout. Bonus: the battery life lasts up to three days on one charge but will drop down to one with intensive use.
Targus Cypress Hero Backpack with Find My Locator ($129.99)
For any airport travel or urban expedition, a good backpack like the Cypress is a must. Its deceptively slim profile can safely stow Apple devices with room to spare. It has four main compartments with dividers that can easily fit a MacBook, iPad, iPhone, and chargers. No need to attach an AirTag to the Cypress—Targus integrated Find My technology into the bag so you can track it alongside your Apple devices right from your iPhone. It has a sturdy build, high-quality zippers, and is eco-friendly, constructed from 26 recycled water bottles. This pack looks good, and you can feel good about using it too.
Biolite CampStove Complete Cook Kit ($249.95)
During summer camping trips to Northern Iowa, I’ve discovered two essentials—a good coffee maker and solar-powered lanterns to safely light your tent. Biolite has both bases covered with its CampStove Complete Cook Kit. Just feed the CampStove sticks and pellets, fill the KettlePot with water, and press coffee grounds down with the included CoffeePress. I was impressed at the large size of the KettlePot which is bigger than your standard French Press. The CampStove also houses a 3,200mAh of power so you can plug your iPhone in to charge. The crown jewel is the Biolite lantern, a camping staple that has a way of making any outdoor scene feel cozy and inviting.
TRIBE Running Phone Holder Armband ($29.95)
On morning runs over the summer, I relied on this arm strap for my iPhone to give me full access to my Spotify library (I can only load a few playlists onto my Apple Watch at a time). While the Velcro strap chafed my arm slightly with long use, it worked much better than any other phone carrying accessory I tried. My phone fell to the ground in pants with phone-carrying pockets and jostled around distractingly when stowed in even the slimmest waist pack I could find. While not the most elegant solution, the Tribe has become one of my go-to running accessories.
Nomad Sport Slim Band for Apple Watch ($60)
Whether you’re taking your Apple Watch on a stroll or a marathon, you’ll need a band that can withstand sweat, rain, dust, and sun. I’ve found the Sport Slim Band from Nomad to be the most comfortable and secure option. The grooved rubber surface is breathable and resistant to discoloration unlike Apple’s sport line, and the stainless-steel pin feels sturdier too. It served me well on a recent hike near Whistler, British Columbia, along with an Otterbox Power Bank with Apple Watch Charger ($49.95) to top off my phone and watch on the way down the mountain.
