What’s better than springtime? It really is a wonderful time of year. Warmer, longer days, blooms and baby animals everywhere, and (usually) a break from the extreme temperatures of winter and summer. Spring is the perfect time to refresh your outdoor gear for all the adventures ahead. For outdoor runs, camping trips, hiking, surfing, and other fun activities, check out our spring gear essentials—all tested and approved.
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XERO Shoes HFS Original Road Runner – Men and Women
Road runners, have you tried a “barefoot” shoe? XERO Shoes already has me hooked on zero-drop hiking and lifestyle shoes, but I have to admit, I’d never tried to run in this shoe style until I tried the HFS Road Runners. Turns out, I like it just as much as I like hiking in zero-drop shoes.
XERO’s Original HFS Road Runners for men and women are quality-built shoes that give you a low-to-the-ground feel, a roomy toe box, and a flexible sole all in a lightweight, attractive package. (And yes, I have the fun, “Xero Multi” colorway pictured above.)
I recently ran a spring 5K with my daughter wearing my pair of HFS Road Runners, and I couldn’t believe how light they felt. (A women’s size 7 weighs just 6.5 ounces.) I could feel the ground, but it wasn’t jarring every time my feet struck the pavement.
If you haven’t worn barefoot shoes before, give yourself some time to train in them and build up your distance.
The Landmark Project Apparel – Unisex Hat, Unisex Tee, Women’s Tank Top
If you wear The Landmark Project outdoors, you’ll get compliments. I’ve been enjoying a few pieces from the brand’s spring/summer 2026 collection, including the unisex Smokey’s Reminder 5-Panel Trucker Hat, the U.S. National Parks Short Sleeve Tee, and the Tread Lightly Women’s Tank. Each piece is well made and beautifully designed.
What’s more, purchases from The Landmark Project give back. Pick up the Smokey’s Reminder trucker hat, for instance, and you’re supporting wildfire prevention education through the brand’s partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. The U.S. National Parks tee has 63 unique designs by Steve Wolf on the back of the shirt, commemorating each one of the national park sites in the United States.
New to The Landmark Project’s lineup this spring are women’s tank tops! I love their boxy tees designed for women, so I was excited to try out a tank. It’s perfect for spring, and the graphic is just the right vibe for outdoor adventures.
Rumpl’s Wrap Sack Sleeping Bag
As a person who adores my Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Rumpl’s new sleeping bag, the Wrap Sack. It didn’t disappoint. The Wrap Sack 20° sleeping bag offers a unique layering system that allows you to customize your warmth, depending on the weather.
You can cover with one layer or two, you can clip the layers to keep them secure while allowing for movement, or you can go full zip for maximum insulation. For people like me, who start the night freezing cold and then wake up a few hours later feeling hot . . . problem solved. Just unclip a layer.
The Wrap Sack is roomy, it’s thoughtfully designed with features like a pillow pocket hood, and it’s also gorgeous. The latter quality is what’ll strike you first when you see it in person. The Watercolor Glow blew me away. It also comes in two other equally stunning colorways: Cascade Fade and Baja Fade.
OGERY Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad
Comfy sleep made easy—that’s what’s in store for you this spring with OGERY’s Self-Inflating Sleeping Pad. Honestly, it couldn’t be easier to inflate this thing. Just unfold it, insert the portable, rechargeable air pump, and slide the button over to inflate. It’s just as easy to deflate (simply slide the button to the side marked “deflate”).
Though too heavy for backpacking (5.95 pounds), this sleeping pad is just right for tent and car camping. With an R-value of 9.5, it’ll also help keep you warm through chilly spring nights. The fabric is moisture-proof and breathable, it has a built-in pillow, and, importantly, it won’t break the bank.
Takeya Sport Water Bottles – Adult and Kids
Up your hydration game this spring for sports, hiking, and just life in general with Takeya’s sport water bottles. The 40-ounce Takeya Sport Water Bottle with Straw Lid is made from stainless steel with triple-wall insulation that’ll keep your drinks cold. Plus, it offers a leakproof lid, and it’s easy to clean.
What more could you ask for in a water bottle? Maybe cute colors? Don’t worry, there are eight colorway options, as well as a range of sizes (from 22 ounces to 64 ounces). There are even two lid types to choose from—straw or spout.
Takeya also offers a kid-sized version of its sport water bottle. My son loves the Starry Glow version, which holds 18 ounces, is triple-wall insulated, and has a glow-in-the-dark bumper.
Sea to Summit Foam Core Pillow
Sea to Summit has updated its Foam Core Pillow for 2026 with improved materials. If you have spring travel plans, including camping, check out this compact option for on-the-go comfort.
This all-around pillow rolls up easily for travel (no straps or carry bag required), and you’d be surprised how comfortable it is. I recently brought the updated version on a camping trip, and it really is shocking how a pillow so portable can give you so much support.
The pillow has soft brushed stretch-knit fabric, and it’s machine washable to keep it fresh and clean between camping trips. Sea to Summit has crafted its updated version from RCS-certified recycled face fabrics, recycled Revive Loft insulation, and foam offcuts from the company’s self-inflating sleeping mats.
Breakwater Supply River Ute Waterproof Backpack
What’s that? A fully submersible, waterproof pack? Yes, for real! I have big summer plans for my 20L Breakwater Supply River Ute Waterproof Backpack, but it’s also a great grab for spring. For rainy hikes, water sports, and more, this IP68-rated backpack will keep your gear bone dry, even when everything around you is sopping wet.
Breakwater Supply has thought of everything with its submersible River Ute backpack, which is made from permanently waterproof TPU-coated Hydrowall material. Unlike your typical dry bags, it actually functions like a backpack. That means it has inner compartments for organized storage, a waterproof zippered compartment on the outside of the bag (!!), mesh pockets on the sides for water bottles, and padding around the straps and back panel for comfort.
If you’re getting in water this spring, don’t miss out on this killer bag for life’s soggier adventures.
Vissla/Sisstr Wetsuits – Men and Women
Surf’s up this spring, as long as you have the right gear. Vissla’s New Seas 3-2 U-Zip Wetsuit is a fantastic fit for men. Could it best the wetsuit ever? My husband thinks so, and he’s tried a lot of wetsuits. This premium suit is made for cool weather (56-65°F), and you’ll love its lightweight, buttery-soft feel.
The U-Zip is pretty special. If you’re used to the standard back zip, it might confuse you the first time you put it on, but it’ll win you over when you duck under a wave and there’s no cascade of cold water rushing in. Vissla says the U-Zip Complete Closure not only prevents flushing but also increases your range of motion while paddling, plus it makes getting the suit on/off easier.
Vissla’s New Seas 3-2 U-Zip Wetsuit is also incredibly stretchy. It’s made from “Feather-Foam” Japanese limestone-based neoprene, along with recycled rubber, and the Thermal Fever Fiber lining insulates heat and dries fast—perfect for spring surf sessions.
Sisstr is Vissla’s sister brand for women, and I’m a big fan of Sisstr’s 7 Seas 3-2 Chest Zip Full Wetsuit. The fabric feels premium, the fit feels tailored, and the chest zip will keep water out and heat in. While surfing in chilly water, keeping water out is much appreciated. A 3-2 suit is just right for this time of year (at least on the West Coast of U.S.).
PAKA Trail Crew Socks
For breathable, comfy, and sustainable socks that’ll stand up to all of your outdoor adventures this spring, take a look at PAKA. Founded in Peru, PAKA creates natural, traceable clothing for outdoor lovers. The company leverages alpaca fiber in its products and supports the communities where its products come from.
As if all of that wasn’t enough, the socks are really great. PAKA’s Trail Crew Socks are a safe place to start, if you’re new to the brand. They’re soft, durable, and made from 32% traceable alpaca fiber (plus 7% Tencel, 57% recycled nylon, and 4% Spandex). Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking, trail running, or just wearing socks around the house, these trail socks will make you feel good about what you’re putting on your feet.
Nathan VaporAir/VaporAiress 8L Hydration Pack – Unisex and Women
As the weather warms up, you’ll need to plan for proper hydration while road running or trail running. Nathan Sports offers a wonderful lineup of hydration vests, including unisex and women-specific fits. The VaporAir 4.0 8-Liter Unisex Hydration Pack and VaporAiress 4.0 8-Liter Women’s Hydration Pack will exceed your expectations for on-the-run hydration.
The vests’ 3D mesh maximizes airflow, keeping you comfortable and dry as you run. The included 2L Nathan x HydraPak bladder is easy to use on the move, and it has a quick-release hose to make cleaning easy. I also love all the pockets. Besides the main zippered compartment in the back, there are also front mesh pockets and a front zippered compartment (with more pockets inside), plus an external bungee on the back that allows for additional storage, if needed.
The VaporAiress offers an interior wrap panel designed specially for women’s bodies. External toggles around the bottom of the vest allow you to make tiny micro-adjustments to the vest’s fit, which comes in handy for preventing bouncing as you run.
OGERY Camping Fan
OGERY’s clever camping fan will win you over the first time you need some airflow this spring. The rechargeable fan offers four speeds, 270° vertical tilt, oscillation between 30° and 120°, and an integrated light with three levels of brightness. You can control it on the unit or with a remote.
The fan’s formfactor is attractive and convenient. There’s a handy carry handle on top, as well as a useful hanging hook on the bottom. I appreciate that it has a “night mode,” which turns off the operation lights for sleeping. There’s also a convenient built-in timer, so you can choose to run the fan for one hour all the way up to eight hours with an auto shut off.
What’s your favorite piece of outdoor gear for spring?
Header stock image by Jordan Siemens/Getty Images
