When taking a sleeping bag deep into the backcountry or high into the alpine, you have to balance comfort with portability鈥攜ou do have to drag them up there, after all. This is not the case with a car camping sleeping bag.

As far as we鈥檙e concerned, car camping is all about comfort鈥攕ave the rehydrated meals and paper-thin foam sleeping pads for the backcountry. And if there鈥檚 any part of your kit where you shouldn鈥檛 cut corners, it鈥檚 your bedding. The scenery always looks that much nicer after a good night鈥檚 sleep.

The good news about shopping for sleeping bags in 2025 is that there鈥檚 something for every type of camper, but the downside of that abundance is that it can be hard to parse all the models and features to find what you really want. Our testers, a mix of men, women, and children with different sleeping preferences (hot/cold; side, stomach, back sleepers, etc.) put 24 sleeping bags and blankets to the test on cold, windy shoulder-season trips and balmy summer nights. These sleeping bags and quilts came out on top.

Updated April 2025: We added five new sleeping bags to this list, including our new “Best Overall” pick, the Rumple Wrap Sack. We also updated pricing and info on the sleeping bags we previously included and still highly recommend.听

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best Value:
• Roomiest:
• Most Versatile:
• Best for Families:
• Best Blanket:
• Best Wearable Bag:
• Other Sleeping Bags We Tested
• How to Choose a Sleeping Bag for Camping
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Don’t miss: The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style

Best Overall

Rumpl Wrap Sack Sleeping Bag 20

Weight: 5 lbs
Sizes: Standard
Dimensions: 82鈥� x 35鈥�
Comfort rating: 20-30F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide temperature range
鈯� Roomy
鈯� Smart design
鈯� Too cold below 30F
鈯� Clips could be uncomfortable to roll on

This unique sleeping bag is the most comfortable and innovative bag we鈥檝e tested in a while.

The best way to describe the Wrap Sack is a hybrid between a sleeping bag and an adult swaddle. Two wings on either side of the bag offer two different amounts of Rumpl鈥檚 proprietary recycled synthetic insulation. Depending on how mild or chilly it is at night, you can wrap one or both of these sides around yourself and secure them via four easy-to-close clips; when it鈥檚 cold out, zip the outer layer of the Wrap Sack like a traditional sleeping bag.

This layering design made the Wrap Sack versatile enough to accommodate big temperature swings at night. It proved ideal for summer nights that start out in the 80s and drop down into the 40s, which is common in the parts of far Northern California where we tested. That said, one tester cautioned that the Wrap Sack does not have enough insulation to live up to its stated 20-degree comfort rating. Even with the bag fully cinched, he woke up cold on a 28-degree night on the Scott River in California.

While it鈥檚 not a bag for nights that dip below freezing, the Wrap Sack鈥檚 ability to handle big temperature swings above 32 degrees and its roominess made it a tester favorite.The rectangular shaped bag allowed active sleepers enough space to toss and turn, and our 6鈥�2鈥� tester had enough room to stretch out even with the Wrap Sack鈥檚 hood stuffed with a camp pillow.

Even after over 20 days in the field and two machine washes, the robust, fully-recycled nylon exterior showed no visible wear. The Wrap Sack packs down to the size of a watermelon鈥攏ot exactly small, but smaller than the Big Agnes Echo Park, the other extra-roomy option on this list.

Best Value

The North Face Wawona 20 Sleeping Bag

Weight: Regular 4.9 lbs (Regular); 5.3 lbs (Long)
Sizes: Regular, Long
Dimensions: 78鈥� x 32鈥� (Regular)
Comfort rating: 20F and 35F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Good value
鈯� Soft liner fabric
鈯� Incorporates recycled materials
鈯� Large pack down size for a single
鈯� Comfort rating is off
鈯� No hood

The Wawona is reasonably priced yet doesn鈥檛 feel like a budget bag. Testers gave it top marks for its next-to-skin comfort thanks to a cozy, brushed high-pile fleece that comprised the top interior of the bag. At 78 inches by 32 inches (regular), this rectangular bag is also comfortably roomy.

With only a $10 price difference between the 20-degree and 35-degree versions, we opted to test the Wawona 20 to see how well it performed in lower temps. While the recycled polyester fill proved sufficient in 40-degree temps, testers noted that it didn鈥檛 live up to its stated 20-degree comfort rating. The lack of a hood left one tester wishing he had worn a beanie and needing to layer up in a down jacket to make it comfortable during a 28-degree night on the Scott River in Northern California. We would have expected a bag that packs down to no smaller than a five-gallon cooler to have more insulation power.

Still, testers had plenty of good things to say about this more affordable sleeping bag. The 50-denier polyester ripstop outer proved surprisingly durable鈥攊t was no worse for wear after we used the Wawona as a blanket on bare, rocky ground for some stargazing. And the hearty YKK zipper (usually the first thing to go on a budget bag) worked just as well after a season of camping as it did at the start. One tester especially appreciated the storage pocket built into the bag鈥檚 lining at chest height, where he stashed his essential ear plugs when not in use.

And perhaps the Wawona鈥檚 biggest flex: At such a reasonable price, campers could buy two Wawona bags and zip them together to enjoy an affordable double bag.

Roomiest

Big Agnes Echo Park

Weight: 4 lb 16 oz
Sizes: Regular
Dimensions: 80鈥� x 30鈥�
Comfort rating: 0F and 20F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Good value
鈯� Roomy design
鈯� Integrated pad and pillow sleeves
鈯� Heavy and bulky

While technically a little bit smaller than Rumpl Wrap Sack, the Big Agnes Echo Park is the roomiest traditional bag we tested with a higher temperature rating, making this our top pick for larger campers who want a comfortable, spacious bag that can hack it in lower temps.

The Echo Park comes in 0-, 20-, and 35-degree temperature ratings and uses Big Agnes鈥� proprietary FireLine Max Eco synthetic insulation. We tested the 20-degree version ($200) to see how it stacked up to the other bags in the same price range (at 0 degrees, the Echo Park bumps up to $230). It proved toasty on a 28-degree night in Northern California, yet testers were also able to dump enough heat via full-length zippers on the either side to stay comfortable on nights that didn鈥檛 dip below 60 Fahrenheit. The cotton-polyester blend on the interior felt supple next to skin and as comfortable as our bedding at home.

Big Agnes lists max user height for the Echo Park as 6鈥�6鈥�, which we found to be accurate; a 6鈥�5鈥� tester commented that this was the first bag he鈥檇 tested where his feet had room to spare. It is wide without being as boxy as the Rumpl and North Face sleeping bags on this list, with a 74-inch hip girth and a 64-inch foot girth, which feels snug but not constricting like a mummy bag. This lightly tapered design enhances space and comfort while still keeping the bag close enough to the body to help insulate.

On top of being incredibly roomy and high on the creature comfort scale, the Echo Park is packed with features we would expect to see on higher priced bags, making it a great value. The integrated sleeping pad sleeve accommodates pads as wide as 30 inches and successfully kept our pads from moving around at night; the pad sleeve also features a separate pillow pocket to keep your camp pillow in place. While incredibly comfortable, the Echo Park also proved plenty durable鈥攖he 40-denier ripstop exterior showed little wear and tear after two months of use.

The large footprint and quantity of synthetic insulation did make this bag a beast to pack down. It doesn鈥檛 get much smaller than the size of a carry-on bag, so you won鈥檛 fit the Echo Park into a backpack. But if packability isn鈥檛 a priority, this comfy, extra-roomy bag is a good buy.

Most Versatile

Kelty Supernova 20

Weight: 3 lbs (regular)
Sizes: regular and long
Dimensions: 75 inches (regular)
Comfort rating: 20F

Pros and Cons
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Good temperature regulation
鈯� No hood

No single sleeping bag will be optimally comfortable and functional for every body type, sleep style, and trip destination, but for the frontcountry camper, the Kelty Supernova Down comes pretty darn close.

This summer, lead tester Miyo McGinn brought it on a very loosely planned summer road trip that she knew at the outset might include sea kayaking; backpacking in the alpine; and car camping in the mountains, desert, and beach. At each disparate location she stopped for the night, the Supernova worked beautifully鈥攊t fit comfortably in a backpacking pack, and felt light and unrestricting even when fully zipped up. The 550-fill down offered ample warmth for high elevation overnights with temps around freezing, opened up flat like a quilt for mild seaside nights with 55-degree lows, and the zipper allowed for plenty of venting for everywhere in between.

The roomy mummy-ish shape (with some extra space around the knees and hips, in addition to the shoulders, before tapering around the feet and lower legs) is particularly comfortable for side sleepers and anyone with wider hips, without sacrificing all the insulating benefits that a form-fitting cut provides.

The recycled 50-denier recycled polyester taffeta liner fabric felt buttery soft next to skin, and 20-denier recycled nylon taffeta exterior held up well over three weeks of constant use. The Supernova isn鈥檛 quite ultralight, nor does it pack down as tiny as some dedicated backpacking sleeping bags, but it still tilts the scales at a perfectly respectable 3 pounds and fits in a stuff sack about as big as a family-sized bag of potato chips.

鈥淢ost bedding that鈥檚 as luxurious as I want on a comfortable car camping trip is too bulky or too delicate for more rugged adventures, like short backpacking or sea kayaking trips鈥� said McGinn. 鈥淏ut the Supernova was great for all of the above鈥攊f it replaced all the other three-season quilts and bags in my gear closet, I wouldn鈥檛 miss them.鈥�

Best for Families

NEMO Jazz Double

Weight: 8 lbs 15 oz
Sizes: double
Dimensions: 78鈥� x 129鈥�
Comfort rating: 32F

Pros and Cons
鈯� As comfortable as home bedding
鈯� Integrated, removable bed sheet
鈯� Passed its comfort rating with flying colors
鈯� Bulky packed size

Thanks to its versatility, the NEMO Jazz Double became test director Joe Jackson鈥檚 go-to family sleeper for his crew of three last summer. The 78-by-129-inch double bag was roomy enough to comfortably sleep two adults (5鈥�9鈥� and 5鈥�11鈥�) plus a six-year-old kid. Most impressively, this 30-degree bag鈥攎ade with a supple, recycled taffeta interior, and featuring Nemo鈥檚 proprietary synthetic recycled Stratofiber insulation鈥攚orked for all three of their different heat preferences.

The double zipper pulls on either side of the bag are a smart design feature that let campers dump heat from their upper body or from their feet if they get too toasty. The Jazz Double鈥檚 incredibly soft, integrated polyester-stretch bedsheet offers an in-between layering option and proved warm enough on its own on milder nights in the 50s. Bonus: The sheet is removable for easy washing.

For a bag this plush, the Jazz Double also impressed us with its hardiness. One tester used the Jazz Double coupled with the NEMO Roamer Double sleeping pad鈥攕lipped into the bag鈥檚 integrated pad sleeve鈥攐n a night on the Scott River that was below 30 degrees and reported that it really did live up to its 32-degree comfort rating. Credit the insulated quilted layer added to the top of the pad sleeve for adding extra comfort and warmth. The bag鈥檚 50-denier recycled polyester outer also survived more than two dozen nights of camping and two washes and dries without breaking down in any visible way.

Our biggest gripe is that this almost-nine-pound bag is extremely bulky. Packed down into its stuff sack, the bag still measures 33-by-16-inches, which took up the entire driver鈥檚 side seat of one tester鈥檚 Toyota Tacoma during transport.

Best Blanket

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Quilt

Weight: 1 pound 15.4 ounces
Sizes: 0/S
Dimensions: 82鈥� x 59鈥�
Comfort rating:听N/A

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredibly versatile
鈯� Durable
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Expensive for a blanket
鈯� Not warm enough in 30-degree temps

Featuring the same sterling materials that Mountain Hardwear incorporates into its highest-end jackets, the Stretch Down Quilt is the most high-tech camp quilt we鈥檝e ever tested.

Weighing in at just shy of two pounds, this 650-fill down quilt offers an incredible warmth-to-weight ratio for a blanket. While we don鈥檛 think anyone would be comfortable using it as their sole cover on nights that dip below 40 degrees, this blanket makes a versatile layer for those who camp in milder climates where a sleeping bag would be overkill.

The stretchy 20-denier nylon and elastane exterior meant this 82-by-59-inch blanket had enough give to comfortably envelop a family of three sitting by a campfire and was notably pleasant next-to-skin. Testers also appreciated the corner snaps that let them turn this blanket into a wearable poncho for lounging around the campfire.

For how supple it feels, the Stretch Down Quilt held up admirably after we used it as a picnic blanket on abrasive volcanic rock and rocky beaches that would have shredded lesser exteriors. Its durability is a good thing, too, because at $300, we would hope to get many years out of it.

Best Wearable Bag

Mountain Hardwear Yawn Patrol 30F

Weight: 2.1 lbs
Sizes: regular, long
Dimensions: 72鈥� x 62鈥� (regular); 78鈥� x 64鈥� (long)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Convenient temperature regulation; Packability
鈯� More restrictive than some rectangular bags

Most sleeping bags that also claim to be loungewear tend to be more on the gimmicky end of the spectrum. Not the Yawn Patrol, which is a sleeping bag, quilt, and extra long poncho all in one, thanks to clever zipper design.

One smooth-running zipper extends from the top of the bag to the feet to split it into a quilt. Another runs a third of the way down for easy entry and to create sleeves for reading or drinking while inside the bag. Josie Boulding, a Union Bay, B.C.-based tester, loved the bag鈥檚 poncho mode. 鈥淚 could wear the whole thing in camp to stay warm around the campfire,鈥� she says.

Tougher, 45-denier nylon protected the bottom of the bag from dirt, while a lighter-weight 30-denier nylon top shell and the interior were both soft next to skin. When she actually slept in the nearly rectangular bag, the insulated hood with a pillow pocket, phone pocket, draft collars, and 650-fill down kept Boulding toasty and all those zippers gave the bag a huge comfort range, from the 60s to its 30-degree limit. Bonus: At just 2.1 pounds, it can be pressed into service for short backpacking trips.

Other Sleeping Bags We Tested

• :听The Xenith II had the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any bag we tested in this category. But for most car campers, this bag would be overkill, especially at this price.
• :听We tested the Exped Megasleep head-to-head with the Nemo Jazz Double. We preferred the Jazz for its supple, integrated sheet.
• : The Boost features brilliant arm holes (which doubled as vents) and a great heat-dumping center zipper, but felt like a better fit as a backpacking sleeping bag than a car camping option.

How to Choose a Sleeping Bag for Camping

Finding the ideal sleeping bag or quilt is a little like finding the ideal life partner. When you start looking, the options might seem overwhelming. But the more you focus on what you really want, the easier it is to narrow down. Here are four aspects to consider.

Seasons and Temperature Rating

Bags generally fall into three temperature categories: Summer (rated 30 degrees F and warmer); three-season (rated between 15 and 20 degrees); and winter (rated 15 degrees and lower鈥攕ome expedition bags are rated as low as -40 degrees). These temperature ratings are based on 鈥渁verage鈥� sleepers and don鈥檛 consider external factors like the thickness and rating of your sleeping pad; climatic factors like wind or humidity; or how quickly your body regulates heat loss or gain. Even if you tend to prefer cold sleeping environments, we recommend erring on the side of buying a higher temperature bag鈥攜ou can always open zippers, but making a bag warmer requires extra layers.

Camping vs. Backpacking Sleeping Bags

Car camping, or camping at a campground or near your vehicle, is about comfort: look to prioritize roominess, fabric feel, and features, like pillow pockets and multiple zippers, rather than weight and packability. Cotton, fleece, or flannel-like interior linings will make sleeping that much more cozy than the usual polyester stickiness you experience with backpacking bags. Pockets help corral slippery pillows right where you want them; an additional pocket to keep a headlamp, phone, or watch close at hand is a nice bonus feature. And extra zippers provide options for customizing warmth and lounging in camp.

What Type of Insulation Is Best in a Sleeping Bag?

Down bags are generally warmer for their weight and more compressible than bags with synthetic insulation. But if down bags get wet, they lose insulating capacity and take longer to dry out than synthetic bags. Many manufacturers use down processed with a hydrophobic chemical that prevents it from absorbing as much water. Others keep the insulation dry with a water-repellant finish or fabric.

Pay attention to fill power. That number measures the volume taken up by the amount of down in your sleeping bag; the more loft your sleeping bag has, the more efficiently it will trap warm air. It will also weigh less and pack down smaller than bags with a lower fill power rated to the same temperature. Synthetic bags are more affordable, and therefore an excellent choice for new campers who are unsure how often they want to sleep outside, or backpackers who are headed to wet environments.

How Roomy Should a Sleeping Bag Be?

Bags come in many shapes and sizes鈥攔ectangles, mummies, modified mummies, and double bags. Mummies are warmer and lighter-weight than rectangular bags, but can also be claustrophobic. Rectangular bags are excellent for restless sleepers who need to move and don鈥檛 have space or weight constraints. Some quilts can be opened up to act as comforters, although they require a warm sleeping pad and don鈥檛 come with hoods. Women-specific bags often come in modified mummy shapes to accommodate the curvier parts of a woman鈥檚 body. Doubles are simply sleeping bags built for two, although many solo bags can be zipped together to create a double bag.

How We Test

• Number of Sleeping Bags Tested: 24
• Warmest Temperature Tested In: 80F
• Lowest Temperature Tested In: 20F
• Number of Nights Camped: 42
• Number of Testers: 16

In this category, we primarily considered sleeping bags designed for car campers versus backpackers. This meant focusing on more affordable options with comfort-forward features and weeding out the highly technical and expensive bags that would be overkill for most recreational campers.

In the end, we tested 24 sleeping bags that fit the bill on multiple camping trips along the Scott River. We then pitted the top contenders against each other in a head-to-head test in Crescent City, California, where we kept one camp up for an entire month and invited testers to try the different options. We asked testers to rate things like next-to-skin comfort, warmth, feature-set, and packability.

The bags that made this list were rated as the best picks for casual campers who care more about comfort and affordability than packability and performance in cold climates.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Joe Jackson

Test director Jackson has been testing gear professionally for 国产吃瓜黑料 for over a decade. By his best estimation, he has tested more than 100 sleeping bags for this publication. His most trying sleeping bag test took place on an incredibly cold night on Donner Summit, where he intentionally soaked sleeping bags to see how long each wetted bag could keep him warm in freezing temps.

Saylor Flett

Saylor Flett runs the outdoor recreation and leadership program at Feather River College in Quincy, California. He once spent a month sleeping in a cave in Yosemite and has spent hundreds of nights camping out on portaledges and riverbanks.

Josie Jackson

The test director鈥檚 daughter is arguably the most mobile sleeper of our 16 testers, and as a seven-year-old, is the least likely to be subject to brand bias鈥攕he could care less about who makes a sleeping bag, all she cares about is if it鈥檚 warm and comfortable.

Miyo McGinn

Miyo McGinn is an assistant editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. Miyo got her start reviewing gear as 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear editorial assistant in 2021.

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The post The 7 Best Sleeping Bags for Car Camping appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is not easy. You need shades that fit your face and stay in place even when you鈥檙e doing something active like jogging or paddling. They should be athletic鈥攂reathable, with premium optics and durable construction鈥攕o you can be active in them, but not so overly techy looking that you can鈥檛 wear them on a stroll around town.

We asked 11 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers to help us narrow down dozens of sunglasses (81 in total, to be exact, tested over the past 12 months) to find the ones that performed the best for a wide range of year-round activities. We put these sunglasses to the test while Nordic skiing, road tripping, trail running, rock climbing, and more. This collection of sunglasses represents our favorites for every type of outdoor play.

Update April 2025: We selected new winners in eight categories and updated prices on eight models that are still available and continue to stand out among all the sunglasses we’ve tested.

At a Glance

• Best Oversized:
• Most Lightweight:
• Best Apr猫s Glasses:
• Best Budget Shields:
• Best Full Coverage:
• Best for Swapping Lenses:
• Best Glacier Glasses:
• Best When On Water:
• Best for Cycling:
• Best for Running:
• Best in Mixed Light:
• Most Fun:
• Best Ventilation:
• Best Casual Shade:
• Most Versatile:
• Best Under $25:
• How to Choose Sunglasses
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Oversized

Dragon Amped

Lens: Non-polarized polycarbonate
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large to extra large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Full-coverage eye protection
鈯� Fun frame and lens colors for a style-forward look
鈯� Exceptionally comfortable fit over the nose
鈯� Too big for small faces

Dragon took cues from the brand鈥檚 top-selling DX3 Goggles to create the shape and style of their first-ever shield sunglasses, the Amped. These massively oversized sunglasses give you the full-coverage feel of a wrap-around goggle but in a surprisingly lightweight, easy-to-wear package. We first used these shades while mountain biking and sitting on the back of a wakesurfing boat, but found they worked just as well for Nordic skiing and hiking, too. Be warned: These are attention-getting glasses; you鈥檒l stand out in the crowd.

Testers liked that the Amped didn鈥檛 pinch at the nose鈥攊t comes with a wide nose bridge鈥攁nd had a super comfortable feel, but those with smaller faces felt a bit overshadowed. 鈥淚 think these are too big for my face, but I want to wear them anyway because I feel cool in them,鈥� one tester said. The indestructible polycarbonate lens has Dragon鈥檚 signature Lumalens technology, which optimizes color and contrast, and effectively boosts depth perception while blocking 100 percent of UV rays.

The frame is made from a plant-based resin, a nice touch if you鈥檙e trying to eliminate excess plastic from your life. The base price of $150 gets you the smoke black version, or pay $10 extra for a flashier-colored Ion lens.

Best Ultralight

Scott Stride

Lens: Toric
Frame shape: Frameless square shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ample field of view
鈯� Featherweight in feel
鈯� Breathable rubber nose pad for sweaty pursuits
鈯� You might snap them if you accidentally sit on them
鈯� Red lens color wasn鈥檛 for everyone

The Scott Stride鈥檚 toric lens (shaped like the edge of a donut) didn鈥檛 seem noticeable at first, but eventually, we realized we had more peripheral vision than we鈥檙e used to without suffering from a bubble-shaped lens that distorts vision. For sports where seeing clearly makes a big difference鈥攍ike road cycling, mountain biking, and trail running鈥攁 toric lens can help you take in the whole picture of the terrain ahead. One tester called them futuristic and praised their non-obstructed view. 鈥淭he lens provided ample coverage and great clarity in a comfortable, non-slip fit,鈥� he said.

The Stride is built frameless for the fast-and-light crew, like uphill skiers, marathon runners, and backpackers. It tips the scales at a mere 27 grams鈥攜ou won鈥檛 even feel it on your face. Plus, the pliable temples fit perfectly under bike and ski helmets. The glasses come with two lens color choices: a white or a red chrome. The red blocks more intense rays but it鈥檚 a little jarring to look through as it makes the world look like it鈥檚 been dyed in strawberry Kool-Aid; opt for the white lens if you want a more toned-down, everyday look.

Best Apr猫s Glasses

Shady Rays Allure

Lens: Polarized, choose from seven lens colors
Frame shape: Round
Fit: Small to medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Resilient, heavy-duty feel
鈯� High-quality lens for its price
鈯� Not as sporty as other glasses on this list
鈯� Jostled during high-impact activity

We put the Shady Rays Allure to the test on hikes and light runs and found it satisfactory, albeit lacking the best stay-put feel in the group. But where it really shone was afterward. Testers wore these shades on a sunny deck after spring skiing, tailgating post bike ride, and on sunset dog walks along the beach. Thanks to sturdy metal temples, the Allure feels hefty and unbreakable, despite its delicate look. 鈥淎 little on the heavy side,鈥� one tester said, 鈥渂ut that also made me feel like I could stash this in my jacket pocket while skiing and not worry about damaging it.鈥�

The polarized lens, which comes in mirrored and non-mirrored options, was high quality given its relatively low price (it鈥檚 not easy finding a good polarized lens for under $60) and got the job done even on snow and water in bright sun. The diminutive, rounded frame makes these more suited to those with smaller faces. Shady Rays calls them women鈥檚 frames, but our male testers were equally happy in them. They鈥檙e a nice contrast if you鈥檙e not into the big, oversized shield look that鈥檚 so prevalent these days.

Best Budget Shields

Knockaround Campeones

Lens: Non-polarized polycarbonate
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Affordable and high performing
鈯� Super lightweight
鈯� Not as comfortable as other glasses
鈯� Less effective at cutting glare on water

Unless you鈥檙e deep-sea fishing or lake kayaking, you actually don鈥檛 need a polarized lens, which helps cut glare from flat, reflective surfaces like water and roads. The Knockaround Campeones come with intentionally non-polarized lenses to allow for more depth perception, higher contrast, and less eye fatigue during non-water-based activities where glare isn鈥檛 an issue. (Plus, not having polarization keeps the price down.)

These were our testers鈥� favorite shields in the lower price bracket. We wore them Nordic skiing, backcountry skiing, and road running, and they stayed put on our faces during all of those activities, mostly due to an adjustable rubber nose pad that gives you a custom fit. Plus, unlike some sunglasses that show every morsel of sweat and sunscreen smudged across the lens and require constant cleaning, these stayed mostly clean despite heavy use, thanks to an oil-resistant lens treatment. 鈥淚 sweat in them all day without dealing with greasy smudges. I call that a win,鈥� one tester said.

Best Full Coverage

POC Devour Glacial

Lens: Comes with two interchangeable lenses
Frame shape: Oversized shield
Fit: Medium to extra large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fits like sunglasses, performs like goggles
鈯� Zero fogging
鈯� Lenses were clunky to swap out
鈯� A little overbuilt for casual wear

The POC Devour Glacial is based on the design of POC鈥檚 top-selling glasses, used mostly by downhill mountain bikers, but has additional features that make them more suitable for snow and mountain travel. The Devour Glacial comes with lenses you can swap out, side shields for added protection, and the same color-sharpening lens technology as POC鈥檚 ski goggles. Testers wore them backcountry skiing in place of goggles, and they did the job of both breathable sunglasses on the skintrack uphill and goggles for wind protection on the way down. 鈥淲hy carry more stuff if you don鈥檛 have to?鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭his is the ultimate two-in-one tool.鈥� Even our more skeptical testers were converts: 鈥淚 would usually never ski down in a pair of sunglasses, but these are not normal sunglasses.鈥�

Since they come with a dark full-sun lens and a completely clear lens, one tester figured: night skiing? She took them on a night backcountry tour under a full moon and the crisp, clear lens and wide field of view were perfect. You鈥檙e likely not going to want to wear these shades around town afterward鈥攖hey look like techy lab glasses. If you want more of an everyday style with similar features, consider POC鈥檚 more streamlined instead.

Best for Swapping Lenses

Tifosi Moab

Lens: Comes with three interchangeable polycarbonate lenses in different tints
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comes stock with three lenses
鈯� Quick and easy to swap lenses
鈯� Lightweight at just 31 grams
鈯� Some fogging issues, despite ventilation system

Not everyone wants to spend $250 on a pair of sunglasses that they may leave on the roof of their car. Tifosi gets that. The brand somehow manages to find the sweet spot of high-performing, good-looking glasses that don鈥檛 cost more than your monthly phone bill. The Tifosi Moab, which debuted in fall 2024, is one of their higher-end sport shields, but it still runs you less than $80. And it comes with not one but two extra lenses, making it even more of a bargain. We mostly wore the dark lens on sunny days Nordic skiing and running, but a lower-light lens and a clear lens came in handy while running at dusk. 鈥淩arely do I find a lens that shines in all conditions,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淚 tried these in full sun, low light, and snow鈥攖hey provided great contrast in all conditions.鈥�

Fit and airflow were remarkably good even as effort and speed increased. One tester complained of fogging during a sweaty backcountry tour, but well-placed vents along the bottom and side of the lens kept everyone else fog-free. Adjustable rubber nose tabs and bendable temples made these shades comfortable on a range of faces. 鈥淭he Moab is a basic shield, perfect for Nordic skiing, running, or cycling but not so techy that I felt weird wearing it into the post office afterward,鈥� another tester said.

Best Glacier Glasses

Revo Himalaya

Lens: Polarized glass
Frame shape: Aviator
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredible optic clarity
鈯� Removable side-eye covers
鈯� Durable frame material
鈯� So pricey, you鈥檙e not going to want to lose them
鈯� Glass lenses can feel heavy

Revo teamed up with climber and filmmaker Renan Ozturk to help design the Himalaya. These are stylish modern-day glacier glasses with a hint of retro charm that you can wear climbing a high-altitude peak or doing more casual, everyday outings. A removable leather side shield gives you sleek side-eye protection if you want it, or take it off if you鈥檙e not traversing glaciated terrain.

The lenses on the Himalaya are polarized crystal glass, offering the elevated visual clarity that only glass lenses can deliver. Our testers wore them skiing around Tahoe, climbing in the desert, and trout fishing local streams, and they earned high marks for performance and clarity in all of those activities, especially on snow and water. 鈥淭he lenses protected my eyes like a windshield while skiing on a sunny spring day,鈥� one tester said. The chunky frame and burly lenses have a solid go-ahead-and-try-to-break me vibe. One caveat: They鈥檙e heavier than other options.

Best When On Water

Bajio 12 South

Lens: Polarized glass or polycarbonate
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Cushy rubber temples and nose pad
鈯� Temples hinge out for custom fit
鈯� Ultra-clear, high definition polarized lenses
鈯� Available in a prescription lens
鈯� Heavy at 40 grams

Designed for saltwater fishing but versatile enough for everyday and multi-sport use, the Bajio 12 South sunglasses are packed with smart tech without looking, well, techy. They鈥檙e cool without trying too hard. And they stay put whether you鈥檙e running on the beach or casting a line.

High definition polarized lenses鈥攚hich come in the polycarbonate we tested or a slightly pricier glass option鈥攈ave a patented blue-light blocking technology that made our eyes feel rested even after a day of boating on Lake Tahoe in harsh sun. 鈥淭hese lenses are some of the clearest I鈥檝e ever looked through,鈥� one tester said. 鈥淭hey made everything sharper.鈥�

The bridge and arms come with injection-molded rubber pieces for a soft touch, and flexible hinges at the temple made these some of the most comfortable shades in the test on a range of head sizes.

Best for Cycling

Zeal Harbinger

Lens: Comes in polarized and non-polarized options
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Small to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight and simple; not overbuilt
鈯� Universally appealing fit
鈯� Frame is made from a plant-based resin
鈯� Smudge easily

These were some of our favorite sunglasses of the test鈥攁n overall crowd pleaser. The Zeal Harbinger was designed for endurance sports like running, cycling, and ski touring. It鈥檚 lightweight and feels invisible on your face, with a comfortable, no-slide fit. If you鈥檙e into shields but don鈥檛 want a pair that takes up half your face, this is a nice in-between: big enough to protect your eyes from wind and sun but not so oversized that you look ridiculous and those with smaller faces can鈥檛 pull it off. Testers with a variety of head shapes unanimously approved of these glasses. The one lens was versatile enough to work well in bright sun and low-light conditions.

Testers wore these mountain biking in the Southwest and on a backcountry hut trip in the Sierra. The cyclists had the highest praise for the Harbingers. 鈥淭hese might be the best cycling glasses I鈥檝e ever worn,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey fit perfectly with my helmet, offered ample peripheral vision, and never once fogged.鈥� Only gripe: The lens is scratch and impact-resistant, but it easily showed smudges from oily sunscreen and greasy fingerprints. For $199, you can get a non-polarized lens; or upgrade to a polarized one for $249.

Best for Running

Julbo Density

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic
Frame shape: Shield
Fit: Large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely minimalist feel considering the wide field of view
鈯� Pliable rubber temples don鈥檛 snag hair
鈯� Grippy rubber nose pad stays put
鈯� Looks huge on smaller faces
鈯� Feel fragile

These are the sunglasses you forget you鈥檙e wearing until you walk indoors. Even then, the transition lens adapts so shockingly well from bright light to dim darkness that you don鈥檛 need to take them off.

Our testers wore these in a ski-mo race, up a 12,000-foot peak in Yosemite, and while running and Nordic skiing over 100 collective miles. They are invisibly light鈥攁 mere 20 grams鈥攚ith thin, delicate rubbery temples that one tester described as 鈥渞eminiscent of bird bones.鈥� Testers praised the full coverage that didn鈥檛 sacrifice venting, and one called them the 鈥渕ost fog-resistant sunglasses I鈥檝e ever used.鈥�

Testers repeatedly chose the Density (and even fought over who got to wear them) for late afternoon mountain bike rides, early morning trail runs, and ski touring on cloudy days. 鈥淭his is the only pair of sunglasses I鈥檝e used that I could put on starting a ski tour pre-dawn and wear into the middle of a bright April day, while never fogging鈥攄espite lots of uphill slogging,鈥� tester Goran Lynch said.

If you鈥檝e got a smaller face, check out ($145), which is similar to the Density in lens tech and lightweight feel but in a more diminutive frame size.

Read our full review of the Julbo Density.

Best in Mixed Light

Glade Ramble

Lens: Cylindrical photochromic lens made from 50 percent recycled content
Frame shape: Full frame shield
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight design
鈯� Ample ventilation
鈯� Comfortable nose bridge with no pressure points
鈯� A bit techy for everyday use

You know how some full-frame shield sunglasses look like overkill, as if you should only be allowed to wear them while racing bikes in Leadville or sky running in Chamonix? These are not those glasses. The Glade Ramble is built for sport, but has a laid back, under-the-radar vibe. 鈥淭hese are the non-obnoxious version of full coverage glasses,鈥� wrote one tester, while another added: 鈥淭hey strike the sweet spot of good looks and functionality at the right price.鈥� Hitting just under $100, the Ramble has a high-end feel without the sticker shock of pricier glasses.

Testers wore these while skiing Mount Shasta and on a weeklong ski touring trip in Lofoten, Norway, as well as during summer鈥檚 mountain biking window. They excelled in variable light conditions: The photochromic lenses transition from light to dark, which means when you鈥檙e moving between a forested area where the light is fickle and bright sun, your sunglasses magically adjust as needed to keep your vision clear and comfortable. 鈥淚 unabashedly have a crush on these glasses,鈥� said Tahoe tester Kate Shaw. This is the perfect shade for runners, cyclists, or skiers who prioritize lightweight, durable, style-forward gear.

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Columbia Firecamp Polarized Sunglasses ($65)

Columbia鈥檚 Firecamp Polarized Sunglasses are engineered to keep you protected no matter where the day takes you. The metal, double-bar bridge gives these sunglasses a sleek, modern look, while the lightweight design provides all-day comfort. And polarized lenses help reduce glare and eyestrain so you can focus on what matters most.

Most Fun

Blenders Millenia X2

Lens: Polarized
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium to large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Flashy and cool
鈯� Lightweight design at just 26 grams
鈯� Lenses were easily smudged with fingerprints
鈯� No rubber padding on temples or nose bridge makes them less comfortable than others

Who said sunglasses needed to be so serious? Blenders鈥� Millenia X2 have an 鈥淚鈥檓 just here for a good time鈥� vibe. We tested the Citrus Blast color鈥攁 shiny cotton candy pink frame with a mirrored rose-gold lens鈥攂ut these glasses come in more subdued colors, too, like black or silver.

Multiple testers said these were the sunglasses they picked for springtime apr猫s ski on the deck at Palisades Tahoe, but they held up well in sporting mode, too. 鈥淚 ran and cross-country skied in these shades and was shocked at how clear the optics were,鈥� one said. 鈥淭hey are equal parts stylish and functional.鈥�

The tint of the polarized lens we tested was dynamic, perfect for bright sunny days, but not so dark that you couldn鈥檛 wear them as the sun was setting. The frames fit testers with medium to large faces best, but they鈥檙e not so oversized that they look ridiculous on smaller faces.

Best Ventilation

Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep

Lens: Choose from 10 color options, including clear
Frame shape: Sporty shields
Fit: Small

Pros and Cons
鈯� Ultra light for endurance sports
鈯� No sweat-induced fogging
鈯� Massive rubber nose pads that stay put
鈯� Too sporty to wear casually
鈯� A little tight at the temples

For running, cycling, and other sweaty pursuits, the Oakley Sutro Lite Sweep was a true champ. 鈥淕reat combo of ventilation and coverage for a hard training ride,鈥� said tester Tristan Queen, who trained for the Leadville 100 in these shades. 鈥淕ood airflow meant I wasn鈥檛 getting sweaty eye area syndrome.鈥� (Yes, that鈥檚 a thing.)

In mixed lighting through forests or dimly lit roads, the lenses鈥攚hich one tester called A+ quality鈥攑opped color and light without distortion. This is a slight, minimalist option for athletic types who鈥檇 rather not wear a massive shield but still want the wind and sun protection of a full-coverage shade.

Best Casual Shade

Kaenon Ojai

Lens: Three polarized color options
Frame shape: Rounded square
Fit: Medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unscratchable lenses
鈯� Featherweight frame
鈯� Snug fit with no bounce
鈯� So light they feel like they could break easily

Beachgoers and casual runners looking for a light, sporty shade they can wear throughout the day need search no more. The Ojai hits this magical sweet spot: At $125, they鈥檙e high-end enough to have a lavish feel but not so pricy you鈥檒l panic when they go missing. They鈥檙e also perfectly unisex and flattering on a wide range of face shapes and sizes.

These were among the lightest frames in the test (at just 24 grams) and felt breezy and whimsical while bike commuting through town and paddleboarding on a high-alpine lake. Runners reported minimal slipping and appreciated the lightweight feel. 鈥淭his one takes skinny and light to a whole new level,鈥� one tester said.

The Ojai has a boho, casual vibe, like you鈥檙e going wine tasting at a hip vineyard, but is sporty enough to pull off scrambling up a big peak. A keyhole bridge over the nose and integrated rubber nose pads make for a comfortable fit.

Most Versatile

Smith XC Sunglasses

Lens: Polarized in three color options
Frame shape: Flip-up shield
Fit: Medium/large

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly breathable
鈯� Versatile
鈯� The look isn鈥檛 for everyone

Smith went back to its 1983-84 collection to find inspiration for these one-piece flip-up sunglasses. Why, you ask, would anyone need this feature? Because sometimes you want your glasses securely on your face with the arms over your ears but you don鈥檛 want the lenses in front of your eyes.

Case in point: tester Jakob Schiller took these glasses for an early-morning run in Mexico City and was able to flip the lenses up until the sun peeked over the buildings and then flip them down to create needed sun protection after dawn. While the glasses sat far enough off the face to breathe well, testers said sometimes it was nice to flip the lenses up while exercising in order to get a full blast of fresh air.

Yes, the glasses look absolutely ridiculous with the lenses flipped up, but who cares. These days, we鈥檙e all out there wearing bright colors, form-fitting tights, and any number of funny-looking gear in order to have fun and feel good.

Best Under $25

Goodr OG

Lens: Polarized, in 13 color options
Frame shape: Sporty square
Fit: Narrow/medium

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Complete protection that鈥檚 affordable
鈯� Lenses difficult to keep clean
鈯� Lenses easily damaged

The OG is Goodr鈥檚 best-selling style, and for good reason: Their frame is almost universally flattering, they come in 25-plus colorways, and ring up at a mere $25.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 usually race in sunglasses, but I wore these in the Berlin Marathon,鈥� said tester Jacqueline de Berry. 鈥淚 thought for sure I would get annoyed by them toward the end of the race and want to toss them away鈥攁nd I wouldn鈥檛 even have minded due to how affordable they are. But they were so comfortable I wore them to the finish, and they helped me score a new PR [personal record].鈥� Hunsucker, who has logged over 1,000 miles in the OGs, points out that they鈥檙e best when it鈥檚 super sunny. 鈥淭hey can affect your depth perception in the shade, so I only wear them on sunny, non-technical trails,鈥� he says.

They may not be as high-tech as other lenses, but they鈥檙e lightweight, don鈥檛 budge, and offer plenty of eye protection for an attractive price. Any athlete with a penchant for losing or damaging sunglasses should consider having a pair or two of Goodrs on hand. 鈥擜shley Mateo

How to Choose Sunglasses

Trying on sunglasses in person is helpful to make sure they fit and flatter your face shape and size. These days, a lot of sunglass brands also offer virtual try-on features online. Your face shape can determine what works best for you. Larger, rounder faces tend to work best with oversized or shield glasses; smaller faces might be more suited to round or wayfarer styles.

Consider what you need from your sunglasses before you buy. Are you wearing them for high-motion sports like cycling or running, or for water sports like fishing or paddling? Or do you need them for everyday use, like driving or walking? Some versatile shades can do all of those things, but others are more specialized. And if you plan to use your sunglasses in low-light conditions, consider a lens suited for that or an interchangeable lens that you can swap out based on the light.

In terms of lenses, you have a few options there as well. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, more durable, and shatterproof, usually designed for high-output sports like running, biking, or ski touring. Glass lenses tend to have superior optic quality but are heavier and can be easier to break. If you plan to wear the glasses on water or snow, spring for a polarized lens, which is usually pricier but helps cut glare significantly better than non-polarized options. Some glasses come with options for lens tint, which is really up to personal preference and where you plan to use the glasses most of the time. Yellow or pink lenses will help boost color and can work well in low-light or on snow. Green and blue lenses cut glare. Gray lenses function well in both low-light and full-sun conditions, while brown lenses can improve contrast.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 11
• Number of products tested: 81 in total (51 in a previous test and 30 in this most recent test)
• Countries sunglasses were tested in: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Georgia, Turkey, Japan, Norway, Austria, Italy, Chile.
• Longest distance Nordic skied during the test: 32 miles
• Number of hut trips taken while testing: 4
• Number of sunglasses that fogged: 2
• Number of sunglasses we broke: 3

To determine our favorite all-around sunglasses of the year, a group of 11 Lake Tahoe, California-based testers were handed boxes of around five to six sunglasses from different brands and told to wear them during their normal routines outside. They exchanged them after a few weeks with another set鈥攅ventually rotating through as many as possible. Testing goes on year-round, to accommodate all the seasons, with new rounds of products tested several times each year.

Testers鈥攚ith a wide range of backgrounds, ages, outdoor interests, and face shapes鈥攑ut the shades through the ringer in both winter and summer conditions, from low-light blizzards to mid-day July sun and while doing everything from running ultramarathons to multi-day river trips. We wore these sunglasses while fishing in Mexico, backcountry skiing in the Caucasus Mountains, powder hunting in Japan and Utah, and daily runs, bike rides, and everyday outings around the Lake Tahoe area. Testers were chosen based on a diversity of recreational pursuits, but mostly because they鈥檙e opinionated about gear and they get outside regularly. Once they鈥檇 sufficiently wear-tested products, they filled out in-depth feedback forms where they reviewed characteristics like lens quality, fit, features, and durability. Testers ranked the sunglasses on a scale of one to five, and the ones chosen here represent the products that scored consistently the highest.

Meet Our Testers

All of our testers are outdoorsy, well-traveled, and opinionated folks who call the Lake Tahoe area home. Key testers quoted here include ski shop employee Kim Olenic, Arcade Belts cofounder Tristan Queen, Peak Design graphic designer Molly Street, and robotics engineer Goran Lynch, among others.

The post The 16 Best Sunglasses for Every Outdoor Activity appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Stooping in a lightweight, minimalist backpacking tent while camping out of your car isn鈥檛 much fun. Neither is getting blown over in a flimsy big-box store shelter. With that in mind, we tested 17 tents designed for car campers and families who prioritize spaciousness, convenience, and storm-worthiness over all else. These six options had us lounging in comfort and style no matter what conditions rolled through the campground.

Updated April 2025: After months of additional testing, we added four new tents, including our new top-pick, the NEMO Aurora Highrise 4. We’ve also updated info and pricing on some of our previous picks that we still highly recommend.听

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Easiest Setup:
• Most Durable:
• Best Budget Buy:
• Most Convenient:
• Best for Glamping:
• Other Tents We Tested
• How to Choose Tents
• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Best Overall

NEMO Aurora Highrise 4

Weight: 13.8 lbs
Peak height: 75鈥�
Interior space: 90鈥� x 100鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy setup/takedown
鈯� Effective ventilation
鈯� Spacious vestibule
鈯� High ceiling
鈯� Floor gets dirty fast

The Aurora Highrise 4 stood out in our test thanks to its supreme livability. Unlike many other four-person tents out there, this one does, in fact, comfortably house a family of four thanks to its 75-inch peak height, steep sidewalls, and two generous 19.5-square-foot vestibules.

During testing, two families of four remarked on the internal geometry, which maximizes space and freedom of movement. Its steep walls create more headroom above the 62.5-square-foot floor area than other dome tents鈥攁 6-foot-2 tester could easily stand upright and move around freely. Two doors on either side allowed campers to enter and exit the tent without disturbing others and were tall enough that our 6-foot-2 tester didn鈥檛 have to crouch to get in and out.

With just two base poles that set up the main body of the tent and two cross poles that pitch an awning at the top, the Aurora Highrise proved easy enough for first-time campers to set up without having to look up directions. One veteran tester was able to set it up by herself in about 15 minutes. It was just as easy to break down and pack up thanks to its oversized stuff sack.

Testers who camped out in Crescent City, California during a 17-hour rainstorm applauded the tent鈥檚 waterproofing and ventilation. The hearty 68-denier polyester body material and burly 150-denier polyester floor make this freestanding tent a hoss. It proved impervious to 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts without any help from the included guylines. The PU polyester rainfly, rated to 1,2000-millimeters, boasts a structured overhang that extends six inches beyond the mesh windows, which kept the tent dry even with its two windows opened for ventilation

We loved the small details on this tent that made a big difference in comfort and convenience, like a light-diffusing pocket in the canopy for pre-bed rituals, and the slightly opaque mesh on the windows that offered shade on the hottest days but didn鈥檛 spoil views.

Our only dig on this tent is its mostly-white floor, which proved impossible to keep clean鈥攁 problem for anyone bringing kids or pets along for the ride. Overall, the Aurora Highrise 4 is a standout in the car camping category for its balance of comfort and performance at a reasonable price.

Easiest Setup

Big Agnes Big House 4

Weight: 12.6 lbs
Peak height: 70鈥�
Interior space: 90鈥� x 92鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Very easy setup
鈯� High ceiling
鈯� Blew heavily in high winds
鈯� Vestibule sold separately

Testers loved the Big House 4鈥檚 simplicity above all. Though big and boxy, the 90-by-92-inch tent was the easiest to set up across the category. A veteran tester was able to get the Big House 4 up on her own in under ten minutes thanks to its straightforward geometry and color-coded webbing and snaps.

With a 57-square-foot floor area, the Big House 4 is billed as a four-person tent, but testers reported that you鈥檇 need to purchase the vestibule鈥攕old separately ($180)鈥攖o make room for four folks and all their gear, from the stuff you鈥檇 want to keep outside like mud-covered shoes to wet swimsuits.

That said, the generous 70-inch ceiling height meant our six-foot testers could stand upright and move around the interior freely. Testers also appreciated the tent鈥檚 two giant doors鈥攕panning 80 percent of two walls鈥攚hich allowed them to enter and exit the tent without crouching. Eight internal pockets were more than enough for a family of three to stash personal items like toothbrushes, phones, and headlamps.

The Big House 4 also impressed us with its waterproofing and durability. A 75-denier polyester taffeta rain fly with a 1,500mm waterproof polyurethane coating kept the tent body (made from the same material) and the interior perfectly dry through three days of rain in Crescent City, California. That hearty PU coating also appeared to reinforce the durability of the tent鈥攊t showed very little wear and tear after over three months of testing.

Our only gripe: The tent鈥檚 height proved suboptimal in high winds. Even when secured with its guy lines, the tent blew heavily in 25-mile-per-hour winds.

Most Durable

Snow Peak Alpha Breeze

Weight: 24.2 lbs
Peak Height: 73″
Interior Space: 109″ x 102″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Four points of entry
鈯� Excellent ventilation
鈯� Durable
鈯� Heavy

The Alpha Breeze showcases Snowpeak鈥檚 emphasis on designing elegant, simple products with a decidedly luxurious fee. The top-tier materials鈥攊n this case, polyester fabric and duralumin poles鈥攁re strong and functional, and durable enough to stay that way for quite a while.

The extra-thick copper-aluminum poles gave us confidence when a sustained 15 mph wind picked up during an overnight on Camano Island in Washington. The structure barely flinched under the gusts, and the forearm-length Douglas fir boughs they knocked down onto our campsite. The 75-denier, DWR-treated polyester taffeta rain fly and 300-denier polyester tent floor both looked brand-new after two dusty, rocky trips in Montana鈥檚 Bitterroot Mountains.

Besides the fact that it felt indestructible, Seattle-based tester Maeve Axtell loved the boxy tent鈥檚 four doors, with one on each side. 鈥淚t was easy to get in and out without disturbing other people sleeping in the tent, and when it got warm we could get cross-breezes from every direction,鈥� said Axtell. The tent鈥檚 high ceiling and two mesh-covered 鈥渨indows鈥� on opposite walls contributed to the spacious feeling inside that the four doors created, although all those openings only left space for four mesh pockets and 10 loops to stash small essentials inside.

All good things come at a cost, though, and with the Alpha Breeze, the cost is weight. Despite its heft, it鈥檚 not excessively bulky and doesn鈥檛 take up an unreasonable amount of trunk real estate. Another ding? It鈥檚 not especially easy to set up: and the tent鈥檚 6-plus-foot height makes the Breeze a tad unwieldy to pitch. Testers ultimately forgave those shortcomings, since both features made for a rock-solid pitch and roomy, comfortable interior.

Best Budget Buy

Coleman 8-Person Darkroom Skydome

Weight: 21.6 lbs
Peak height: 68鈥�
Interior Space: 12鈥� x 9鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great price
鈯� Blocks sunlight
鈯� Poor wind performance

At $230, the eight-person Darkroom Skydome costs less than half what other popular eight-person tents cost (like The North Face Wawona 8 and Big Agnes Bunk House 8), making it a great entry-level option for families. You don鈥檛 get the same high-performance materials with that price, but for casual frontcountry camp trips in mild temperatures and weather, the Darkroom Skydome gets the job done.

Besides the price and easy setup, the tent鈥檚 light-blocking fabric is what made this tent stand out, especially for folks with little kids. Coleman uses a dark-coated polyester on the rain fly and inner panels of the Skydome to block out 90 percent more light than the brand鈥檚 normal car-camping tents. Besides creating ideal sleeping and napping conditions even when the sun is still up, the dark fabric also helps keep the interior cool during the day.

While inexpensive tents don鈥檛 always have the best track record in terms of durability and weatherproofing, the Darkroom Skydome proved surprisingly robust for a budget option. After over a dozen days in the rain, testers gave its 300-millimeter-rated polyurethane rainfly high scores for waterproofing in spite of the low rating. One tester used it for over 30 nights鈥攊ncluding on three different rafting trips, which are notoriously rough on tents because they鈥檙e exposed to the elements not only when they鈥檙e pitched, but also while being transported on the water. It held up admirably to rain and rough pack jobs until sustained 20 mile-per-hour wind gusts snapped one of the two aluminum poles.

At 68-inches tall, it鈥檚 slightly shorter than the other tents on this list. That made it easier to pitch鈥攕etup was incredibly simple despite its massive footprint鈥攂ut didn鈥檛 offer the same generous standing height. Testers taller than 5鈥�10鈥� had to crouch significantly in the tent. And like many large-capacity tents, this 鈥渆ight person鈥� shelter is stretching it with six occupants.

It鈥檚 not our pick for seasoned campers who head out into the wild no matter the weather, but for families with young kids and the budget-conscious, the Darkroom Skydome is a smart buy.

Most Convenient

MSR Habiscape 4P

Weight: 12.7 lbs
Peak Height: 73″
Interior Space: 95″ x 95″

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lots of livable space
鈯� Highly weatherproof
鈯� Mediocre ventilation

There鈥檚 a lot we liked about the Habiscape, from the generous elbow room (86 square feet including the vestibule) to the ample standing height (73 inches), but it was a dual-sided pocket that hooked us. Next to the door MSR built in something they call a 鈥減ass-thru pocket鈥濃�攁 bug mesh-lined portal that鈥檚 accessible from both inside and out. Without opening the door, testers could reach through to grab car keys, bug spray or a headlamp. 鈥淚t seems like a little thing, but the convenience was huge,鈥� says Chris Baikie, a British Columbia-based tester. 鈥淭here were definitely fewer bugs in the tent because of it.鈥�

Set-up for the Habiscape requires two people, but the asymmetric design and color-coding helped make it quick and easy. The dome structure and low-hanging 68-denier polyester fly stood up to a 20 mile-per-hour windstorm with little flapping. The rest of the tent is equally tough, with the same 68-denier poly on the floor, 40-denier ripstop nylon walls, and 7000 series aluminum tent poles.

We had to duck under the vestibule door to get inside, but it provided enough room for a cooler and gear, and kept drips out of the tent during rainstorms. A second door came in handy for frequent nighttime bathroom excursions. The Habiscape packs down easily, and ends up smaller than many tents of its size, at roughly nine inches by two feet. 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost perfect,鈥� says lead tester Ryan Stuart. 鈥淎nd it鈥檚 not even that heavy.鈥�

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The North Face Wawona 4 Tent: 4-Person 3-Season

Set up more than just a place to sleep鈥攕et up a basecamp for adventure. The North Face Wawona 4 Tent delivers just that with enough room to stand up inside, stash all your gear, and even set up a cozy lounge area. The extended front vestibule keeps gear organized and protected, while large mesh windows and a top vent ensure you stay cool on warm nights. Sturdy DAC poles and a waterproof fly provide confidence in unpredictable weather, and an easy-pitch design means you can pack up in no time.

Best for Glamping

White Duck Outdoors Rover Scout Tent

Weight: 62 lbs
Peak Height: 84鈥�
Interior Space: 8鈥� x 13鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable materials
鈯� Very weather-resistant
鈯� Complicated setup
鈯� Heavy

Tester Saylor Fleet, a longtime wall tent lover who used the previous version of the Rover Scout Tent for over a decade, likened this updated model to a sprinter van. 鈥淚t’s big enough to stand up in, sleep in, and cook in,鈥� he said. Heck, this 8-by-13-foot tent is essentially a canvas-sided cabin that easily sleeps six adults. Its size and sturdiness make it ideal for families or hunters looking to set up a basecamp for extended stints in the backcountry.

During testing, we set up a luxury camping situation for two adult testers with individual cots and a small kitchen鈥攊ncluding a Coleman stove, dishware, and a small wash bin on a roll-a-table鈥攁nd still had plenty of space to walk around.

But the Rover Scout isn鈥檛 just for those who like to spread out; it鈥檚 also got performance chops. Testers appreciated how well the Dynatek cotton and recycled polyester canvas held onto heat on a night in the low 40s on the Klamath River in Oregon. On the flip side, they liked that they could easily roll up the two doors and two walls of the tent to dump heat when temps rose into the mid 70s during the day.

Unlike car-camping-oriented tents with traditional pole structures, the Rover Scout necessitates the use of guy-outs to stay upright and storm-worthy. You have to be selective about your site because you have to be able to drive stakes in the ground to firmly secure those guy-outs鈥攜ou鈥檒l have a tough time pitching this tent on loose sand and bedrock.

While it took a while for two testers to hunt down an ideal site鈥攁nd a good 30-minutes to erect鈥攐nce it was up, it wasn鈥檛 going anywhere. Category managerJoe Jackson pitched it on the Klamath River in the fall and left it up for two weeks between camping stints. During that time, it saw four days of rain and wind gusts of over 30 miles-per-hour, yet Jackson returned to find it unscathed and fully dry after his time away.

White Duck鈥檚 canvas not only proved durable, but it avoided the achilles heel of canvas tents: It did not get covered in mildew when it was put away slightly wet. The downside to the Rover Scout鈥檚 design? While the canvas is lighter than that of wall tents we鈥檝e tested in the past, the aluminum and steel frame is heavy: At 62 pounds, it was too heavy for our smaller testers to handle on their own.

That said, it packs down to roughly the size of a couch cushion, compact enough to fit into the back of a Honda Element with room left over for camp supplies.

Other Tents We Tested

• : We used this as a base camp for a raft guide weekend. We loved it as a communal shelter but found it too large and expensive for most campers.
• : This tent really did pop up in under 30-seconds thanks to a two-handled ripcord that erects the tent from the top. Ultimately, it鈥檚 too small for most recreational campers.
• : The Fernweh felt like a member of the Jackson family at the end of three summers of testing because of how comfortably the massive living space accommodated months of family camping. But it takes two adults over an hour to set up properly, even with practice.

How to Choose a Camping Tent

Size and Dimensions

Start with the number of people who will be sleeping in the tent and add at least one. No one ever complained about a little extra elbow room, and ultra-wide camping pads often need extra space. Next, consider packability: If you have limited storage or trunk space, a more packable option will make jamming it between all of the coolers and propane easier. Height is crucial, but comes with a tradeoff: Being able to stand up to get dressed or stretch your legs is nice, but means it will be harder to set up, especially if you鈥檙e doing it solo.

Feature Set

Look for ample pockets for staying organized, big vestibules and/or high bathtub walls that protect the interior from blowing rain, multiple venting options, and roomy doors. Of course, a tent鈥檚 principal job is to protect you from the elements, so weatherproofing should be a primary consideration. A fly that reaches to the ground provides the most coverage, but can also limit venting, making for uncomfortably stuffy conditions when it鈥檚 hot. A tall pole structure is susceptible to high winds, so make sure the tent has plenty of guy-out points for stabilizing and protecting the tent from gusts.

Budget

Price is always important, but try to prioritize value. Spending a bit more for a tent with more durable materials, like higher denier fabrics and burly aluminum poles, will save you money in the long run. You can find a no frills, serviceable four-person summer tent in the $200 range, with waterproofing, durability, and reparability generally improving as you start getting into higher price ranges.

But if you鈥檙e looking for a tent to use three seasons of the year, that you expect to get a lot of use in stormy weather, or that you鈥檇 like to use for the rest of your life, we recommend budgeting between $350 and $600. That鈥檚 the cost of more reliable construction and waterproofing鈥攚hich, as all of our testers who have woken up to puddles inside their tents can tell you, is priceless when you really need it.

How We Test

• Tents tested: 17
• Number of nights camped: 50+
• Number of testers: 17
• States tested in: California, Oregon, Washington

For this test, we mainly considered four- to eight-person, three-season tents because they tend to be the best fit for most car campers who prioritize comfort and space over weight and packability. When all was said and done, our crew of 17 testers tested 17 tents鈥攏ewer options on the market as well as some perennial favorites鈥攖o find the best for frontcountry campers.

We tested these tents in the beaches, rivers, and mountains of California, Oregon, and Washington from September through November. Conditions included everything from sub-freezing temps and sustained rainstorms to blazing hot rafting trips on the Klamath River in Northern California.

After a number of weekend camping trips, testing concluded with a month-long field-testing stint in Crescent City, California, to whittle down the final contenders. Testers included four families with kids ranging in age from two to eleven, and parents in their early thirties to their mid fifties. Some were first-time campers, while others could measure the amount of time they鈥檝e spent in years.

We asked all testers to evaluate tents on their functionality, ease of setup and take-down, standout features, and overall comfort and livability.

Meet Our Testers

Joe Jackson has been professionally testing gear for 国产吃瓜黑料 for over a decade and has pitched and slept in over 90 tents during that time. While he is proud of the breadth of tents he has tested for this publication, his biggest flex is that he lived out of an in Oregon for eight months.

Miyo McGinn is a former assistant editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 based in Bozeman, Montana. She has camped in a dozen different states and four continents, but Washington state, where she grew up, will always be her favorite place to pitch a tent. McGinn got her start reviewing gear as 国产吃瓜黑料鈥檚 gear editorial assistant in 2021.

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The post The Best Tents for Camping in Comfort and Style appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Trail running shoes are like adventure partners: find a good one, and you feel safe, confident, and excited to explore all sorts of terrain. We put the season鈥檚 offerings to the test on every kind of topography, from Rocky Mountain singletrack to Santa Barbara bluffs, Nebraska gravel backroads, and the rocky, rooty maze of the Appalachian Trail. Our team scrutinized every model鈥檚 fit, traction, and ride, and selected the winners for their ability to confidently and comfortably take us where we want to go, time and again.

Update April 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new models in nine categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide. We are continually testing and will be updating this list of best trail running shoes throughout the year as new models impress our testers and editors.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around: Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide ($250)
• Runner-Up All-Around: La Sportiva Prodigio Pro ($195)
• Best Trail Super Shoe: Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra ($220)
• Best for Ultrarunning: Hoka Tecton X 3 ($275)
• Best Daily Workhorse: Scarpa Spin Ultra 2 ($179)
• Best Value: Saucony Peregrine 15 ($140)
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Lone Peak 9 ($140)
• Best for Speedy Scrambles: Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx ($112)
• Best for Soft Terrain: Scarpa Spin ST ($179)
• Best for Groomed Trails/Gravel: The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 ($160)
• Best Road-to-Trail: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 ($140)
• Best Max Cushioned: Brooks Caldera 8 ($150)
• Most Natural Ride: Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 ($150)
• Best for Beginner Trail Runners: New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 ($155)
• How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best All-Around

Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide

Weight: 10.2 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 41鈥�35 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 4.5-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5.5-14, 15 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Unmatched combo of comfort and trail performance
鈯� Quick-feeling for such a cushioned shoe
鈯� Outstanding grip
鈯� Quicklace system is difficult to adjust

Thick soles typically feel unstable on rocky, rooty trails, sloped surfaces, or sharp descents. But the Salomon S/Lab Ultra Glide defies expectations, delivering a surprising blend of cushioning, stability, and responsiveness. 鈥淚’m always a little wary of big-stack trail shoes because some of them feel mushy and slow, or even worse, unstable,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淭hese were none of those. I felt like I nestled right into the soles and bounced right along.鈥�

Aesthetically, the S/Lab Ultra Glide looks like no other. The funky-looking wavy midsole with ankle-deep sidewalls combines a chassis of firmer EVA for stability with a softer, bouncier PEBA/EVA core underfoot. The outsole molds to the wavy midsole, creating circular indents across the bottom of the foot, designed to defuse impact. The combination works: the shoe delivered a soft, responsive, and adaptable ride that morphed over uneven terrain. On the open trail, the four-millimeter lugs proved reliable, biting into packed dirt and loose gravel with ease.

鈥淭he shoe provided a smooth, supported run on a variety of terrains,鈥� noted one tester, who was surprised that even when the footing got rocky, the S/Lab Ultra Glide 鈥渄elivered a commanding performance, allowing for precise, responsive running.鈥�

The soft but strong engineered mesh upper molded and moved with the contours of the foot, while providing a slight stretch for added toe box room. The gusseted tongue snugged our insteps nicely, but Salomon鈥檚 signature Quicklace system takes some adjusting each time you lace up to get the proper amount of pressure鈥攏ot a dealbreaker, but not quite an effortless 鈥渟et it and forget it鈥� experience.

Once dialed in, however, the fit and ride topped every shoe in this year鈥檚 test selection, making them the shoes we always seemed to reach for.

Runner-Up All-Around

La Sportiva Prodigio Pro

Weight: 8.9 oz, 7.9 oz
Stack height: 34鈥�28 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7.5-15.5 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lively midsole that still allows ground feel
鈯� Great traction
鈯� Some pressure on the top of the foot

The Prodigio Pro runs unlike any other La Sportiva shoe we鈥檝e ever tested. We鈥檝e enjoyed many from the brand, known for its nimble, rugged trail models. But this one is the softest to date and delivers a remarkably lively, fun ride. The midsole鈥攁 core of bouncy, nitrogen-infused TPU surrounded by a more stable, nitrogen-infused EVA cage鈥攆eels snappy underfoot. 鈥淵our foot just pops off the ground with each step,鈥� said one tester.

The bootie construction鈥攁 sock-like, engineered mesh upper encircling the ankle鈥攕uccessfully kept trail debris from sneaking inside the shoe. The durable upper, made from a mix of polyester, TPU, and nylon threads that the brand is calling 鈥淧ower Wire鈥� mesh worked in conjunction with the secure midfoot wrap to hold our feet securely and comfortably. One knock on the upper: The tongue, with an interesting, tubular padding, caused a little irritation on the top of the foot beneath the laces for some testers. Most, however, found it a comfortable upper overall, one that was a pleasure to pull on.

Underfoot, a Frixion outsole with multidirectional, four-millimeter lugs did a fantastic job at gripping all surfaces. 鈥淭his shoe has great traction in mud, slush, dirt, rocks, and roots,鈥� said one tester, who noted that the shoe performs expertly on off-camber terrain. 鈥淭his shoe makes me feel more nimble and quick than most shoes do.鈥�

Best Trail Super Shoe

Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 8.1 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 38鈥�30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast, smooth, and lively ride
鈯� Adaptive stability
鈯� Not great in really rocky terrain

Every Agravic Speed Ultra tester was in awe of how easily faster paces felt while wearing this shoe. 鈥淚 consistently ran about 30 seconds per mile faster while running in these shoes than what the effort felt like,鈥� said a masters tester. Adidas designers skillfully adapted the elements of a road super shoe to create a similar, effort-reducing, propulsive feel in a shoe that works on the uncertain terrain of the trail.

Underfoot, the main ingredients are a bouncy-but-not-too-soft gas-infused TPEE-based midsole working harmoniously with an embedded, trail-specific 鈥減late.鈥� Instead of a solid, rigid plate, Adidas uses semi-flexible rods that react independently to variations in the terrain. Made of PEBA in its hard plastic form as often found in track spike plates, the four prongs in the forefoot and two in the heel are splayed wider and closer to the edges than those in Adidas鈥檚 road shoes, to enhance stability. One tester said the resulting ride 鈥減rovided a lively pop without being tippy on variable surfaces or prescribing a set, rigid roll.鈥�

Deep sculpted side walls surround a beveled heel, delivering smooth, secure landings, and a narrow midfoot waist widens to a generous, flared forefoot, providing an agile and stable stance. The aggressively rockered geometry from heel to toe delivers what one tester described as 鈥渁 balanced ride that makes it easy to stay forward on my feet and drive backward with each stride, creating a quick, powerful push-off.鈥�

For the outsole, Adidas uses the same trustworthy, grippy Continental rubber found on most of the brand鈥檚 running shoes. This trail-specific version features variable 2.5- to 3-millimeter lugs for surefooted, no-stress traction. As one might expect in a high-level racing shoe, the upper is kept to a minimum for weight reduction. Made with a non-stretch, breathable, quick-drying, woven material, we found it offered a secure, snug lockdown while providing a touch of abrasion protection.

Given the tall stack height, testers had to cautiously check their foot placements through technical rocky terrain. But wherever the terrain smoothed out and allowed for full strides, the Agravic Speed Ultra came alive and delivered a ride that testers said felt like flying. If you鈥檝e been holding out for a plated trail racing shoe that gets almost everything right, the wait is over.

Read our full review of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra.

Best for Ultrarunning

Hoka Tecton X 3

Weight: 10 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 40鈥�35mm (men鈥檚); 39鈥�34mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: Men鈥檚 7-14, Women鈥檚 5-11

Pros and Cons
鈯� Gaiter keeps out trail debris
鈯� Excellent balance of comfort and responsiveness
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 feel tippy, despite carbon fiber plates
鈯� Pricey

This third iteration of Hoka’s Tecton X is the best yet (and we鈥檝e loved them all, awarding the debut model Gear of the Year in 2022). Like the first two, the Tecton X 3 features two carbon fiber plates within each shoe that sit parallel to each other, allowing them to move independently. This enables the shoe to morph over rocks and roots instead of tipping the foot, a sensation we鈥檝e felt in some trail running shoes that utilize one large plate. The two plates in the Tecton X 3 are slightly wider than those in version 2 and feature a winged shape under the heel that鈥檚 meant to add to the shoe鈥檚 stability on technical terrain.

Other updates include a softer layer of PEBA foam above the plate and directly beneath the foot which testers reported enhances the joint-comforting cushion over long, rugged runs. The bottom layer of foam remains firmly responsive for a tactile ground feel.

And then there鈥檚 the unique upper. While some testers were skeptical of having a gaiter built into the shoe, it proved not only comfortable but also highly effective. A tester who worried the material around the ankle would annoy her reported, 鈥淭he gaiter is stretchy and adds to the overall comfort and techy feel.鈥� Every tester appreciated how the built-in gaiter kept debris out of the shoes with zero irritation or awkward clips. The Matryx upper, made of high-strength synthetic yarns, was stretchy enough for easy on-and-offs and to move with the foot, while also doing a great job holding feet in place over wild terrain. Its also highly breathable: 鈥淚 ran straight through a river, and the shoe dried out very quickly,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado-based tester.

The entire package鈥攖wo layers of foam, four-millimeter Vibram Magagrip lugs, carbon-fiber plating, and a gaiter鈥攃omes in at minimal weight for such a rugged and feature-rich ride. 鈥淭his thing is light, especially for a trail shoe,鈥� marveled a female tester, adding, 鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely speed-inspiring.鈥� The Tecton X 3 is our pick for ultra-runners and regular folks looking for a great shoe that can tackle the most mountainous terrain in comfort.

Best Daily Workhorse

Scarpa Spin Ultra 2

Weight: 10.2 oz (men), 8.8 oz (women)
Stack Height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: EU 40-47, 48 (men鈥檚), EU 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Durable outsole, midsole, and upper construction
鈯� Nimble and cushioned ride
鈯� Runs narrow

When the Scarpa Spin Ultra first came out in 2019, it impressed our crew so much that we named it the Gear of the Year. It embodied everything we looked for in a trail running shoe鈥攁 secure yet comfortable fit, a protective midsole with dependable cushioning, and an outsole with outstanding traction. Six years later, Scarpa has completely updated this award-winning model, retaining those award-winning characteristics while making it tougher than ever.

The most notable update is Scarpa鈥檚 debut use of Supercritical TPEE foam. This high-tech midsole material is created by injecting a gas into the foam and exposing it to extreme pressure and heat, creating bubbles that make the foam light and bouncy. While the Scarpa midsole is not as soft and trampoline-like as some of the supercritical foams we鈥檝e tested, its firmer nature provides impressive durability, stability, and quick underfoot responsiveness. One tester described the shoe as a 鈥渧ery stable, rugged trail runner, with minimal flex.鈥� Another said, 鈥淭he midsole cushions just enough to dampen impact without dulling the feel for and engagement with the trail, enhancing nimble footplants and springy toe-offs.鈥�

Like a lot of European-made shoes, testers found the Spin Ultra 2 to fit rather tight, especially in the toe box. Once laced up, the recycled mesh upper with bio-based TPU print overlays doesn鈥檛 have much give, locking your foot securely in place. While it enhances stability on technical terrain, it may feel restrictive for runners who prefer a bit more wiggle room.

If you鈥檙e after an easygoing, plush shoe, this isn鈥檛 it. But if you prefer a firmly-responsive stance and stable ride that can get beat to hell and keep going, these are for you.

Best Value

Saucony Peregrine 15

Weight: 9.7 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 28鈥�24 mm
Drop: 4 mm
SIZES: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Performance features at a reasonable price
鈯� Light, flexible, and nimble ride
鈯� Deep outsole lugs
鈯� Forefoot cushioning can feel slight on long runs

In an era that鈥檚 serving up increasingly fat midsoles, we鈥檙e happy to see that Saucony鈥檚 longtime performer remains relatively low to the ground, making it flexible and connected to the trail. It doesn鈥檛, however, run too firm. The reformulated EVA-based midsole with a premium, bouncy TPU-based insole feels soft underfoot and is plentiful enough to cushion the impact even on hard rocks and packed dirt.

The Peregrine 15鈥檚 outsole features aggressive, widely spaced, five-millimeter-deep, chevron-shaped lugs made of Saucony鈥檚 proprietary rubber compound. The bite gives the Peregrine secure traction on soft terrain, like loamy soil and fresh snow. Due to its low profile, secure-fitting upper, and light weight, the shoe also feels nimble on rocky, technical terrain. That upper is a simple, flexible-but-rugged mesh with a gusseted tongue and midfoot straps that tie into the laces, keeping the foot snugly in place.

鈥淭hese kept me stable while running on both singletrack and wider fireroad trails, and I felt fast because they鈥檙e so lightweight,鈥� said a tester. Another raved, 鈥淲ith the light and flexible feel of a toothy racing flat, the Peregrine always inspires me to pick up the pace and fly, but I never feel beat up in them no matter how far I go.鈥�

For a shoe that can tackle all sorts of off-road adventures comfortably and capably, $140 is a steal.

Best Zero Drop

Altra Lone Peak 9

Weight: 11.1 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 25鈥�25 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Sizing: 7 – 13, 14, 15, 16 (men鈥檚), 5.5 – 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Retains the best qualities of Lone Peak 8
鈯� Outstanding traction and grip
鈯� New protective toe bumper reduces flexibility in the toe box

鈥淚f it ain鈥檛 broke, don鈥檛 fix it鈥� has been Altra’s motto regarding their flagship trail shoe for years. The Lone Peak 9 stays true to its roots, maintaining the zero-drop platform, wide toe box, and reliable grip, with a few minor updates, including a re-engineered upper, improved outsole, and lighter midsole.

The midsole is still made of Altra EGO foam, but the compound has been reformulated to weigh less and have more resilient compression, so it should last longer. Testers found the changes minimal, with the shoe maintaining its signature flexibility and excellent ground feel.

The upper, which received the lion’s share of updates, features 100 percent recycled ripstop mesh with no-sew overlays. A new protective toe bumper wraps up and extends over the top of the toe box in the front and along the sides. One tester with toe arthritis dinged the new bumper for reducing the flexibility in the toe box, but no other tester noted a problem. One small but clever addition is an additional set of eyelets, spaced farther apart, that allows the option of creating a tighter midfoot hold for those with low-volume feet.

Underfoot, Altra continues to use their proprietary MaxTrac outsole with 3.5-millimeter lugs but increased the rubber coverage for this version. One tester who slogged through the wet, snowy Wisconsin winter described the outsole as 鈥渢op-notch.鈥� The heel rudder that extends out the back has been split, improving stability by reducing lateral torque. (Note, a version 9+ was recently released that is identical except for a Vibram Megagrip outsole and a new ripstop mesh).

Bottom line: If you鈥檙e a Lone Peak fan there鈥檚 nothing new here that will jeopardize that. Slight improvements sharpen the ride without altering the shoe鈥檚 core identity. 鈥淭he Lone Peak鈥檚 strengths haven’t changed for me,鈥� said one longtime Lone Peak fan.

Best For Speedy Scrambles

Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 Matryx

Weight: 8.3 oz (men鈥檚), 6.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 23.5鈥�19.5 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight, low-profile
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� Nimble over rough terrain
鈯� Cushioning can feel slight under toes

If you鈥檙e in need of an amazingly agile shoe to scale mountain trails like a bighorn sheep, the Long Sky 2 Matryx is here for it. The new upper, made out of Matryx鈥攁 thin, breathable, quick-drying synthetic fabric reinforced with super-durable Kevlar threads鈥攕ecures the foot, with a half-booty tongue adding extra hold. Cutouts in the Vibram Megagrip outsole save weight between the tacky, grippy-rubber, five-millimeter lugs. The flexible, compression-molded EVA midsole is on the slight end, enabling confidence-inspiring proprioception and secure footplants on tricky terrain, and firm-but-adequate cushioning on hard-surface trails.

The upper and sole combination locks each stride to the ground. 鈥淚t is such a lightweight shoe, with great traction and fit, that moving your feet over terrain is easier than in a more bulky, highly-cushioned shoe,鈥� said Lousiville, Colorado-based tester Terri Kazanjian.

This was our go-to shoe for any fast-effort trail runs, or days we craved a highly nimble shoe that felt like an extension of our body. Kanzanjian summed up: 鈥淭his shoe makes you feel nimble and peppy on technical terrain, like you can run up those hills and bomb those descents faster than normal.鈥�

Best for Soft Terrain

Scarpa Spin ST

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Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 22鈥�18 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: European sizing 40-48 (men鈥檚), 36-43 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Effective, toothy grip on soft surfaces
鈯� Low gaiter-link heel collar helps keep out debris
鈯� Harsh ride on hard-packed trails

The 鈥淪T鈥� in the name stands for 鈥淪oft Terrain,鈥� which is what this shoe is best suited for. Here鈥檚 the main reason why: 7 mm(!) lugs made out of Vibram Mega Grip rubber take hold in soft dirt, mud, and snow, offering secure footing on even the sloppiest surfaces. Complementing the toothiness is an impressively secure foothold from PU overlays that encase a stretchy mesh-paneled upper and pull securely around the foot when the laces are tightened. A tester with a bunion on one foot noted the shoe鈥檚 narrow and unstretchy toe box caused some irritation but raved about the shoe鈥檚 ability to grab hold in soft dirt.

We reached for this shoe often on snowy terrain鈥攅ither on trails or when snow turned neighborhood roads into trails. The high heel collar made out of a neoprene-like stretch woven textile, which keeps trail debris out of the shoe in summer, also does a good job keeping kicked-up snow from infiltrating socks. The upper isn鈥檛 Gore-Tex, however, and doesn鈥檛 try to keep water out. Instead, moisture flows both in and out, and we appreciated the breathability on all-season runs where high effort caused hot feet, and for wet conditions when we wanted drainage. A plus: a lace-locking device and hidden lace pocket both eliminates unwanted loosening and snagging on low branches and roots.

With slight EVA cushioning in the midsole (22 mm under the heel and 18 mm under the forefoot), this isn鈥檛 a shoe you鈥檇 want to wear running hard-packed trails or road sections. But for the soft terrain it was intended for, the underfoot feel was just right, making the Scarpa Spin ST excel at tearing up the trail.

Best For Groomed Trails/Gravel

The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4

Weight: 10.1 oz (men鈥檚), 9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 32鈥�26 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚); 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great balance of stable and cushy
鈯� Propulsive feel
鈯� Can feel tippy on technical terrain

The North Face Enduris 4 is a downright comfortable shoe with a performance ride. Upon step -in, our feet felt cradled, secure, and ready for anything. The shoe excelled on routes like the 5.25-mile dirt-road loop around the Boulder Reservoir that is mostly loose gravel with occasional rocks and ruts. On smoother terrain like that, the super-trainer combination of lively cushioning sandwiched around a full-length TPU plate with rockered geometry made us feel smooth and energetic. The shoe can also handle technical terrain, but the plate makes it feel a tad tippy.

The swallow-tail design鈥攖he sole flares out behind the heel with a notch in the middle鈥攕eemed to aid a heel-striking gait, cushioning landings and helping to roll feet forward rather than torquing them inward. Traction comes from four-millimeter multidirectional lugs which worked well on a variety of surfaces and didn鈥檛 feel too clunky on smooth terrain, although one tester noted, 鈥淢ud seemed to stick to the outsole and stay there.鈥� All testers found the seamless engineered mesh upper breathed great and kept feet in place.

Overall, we鈥檙e big fans of the updated Enduris 4 with more cush. 鈥淭he shoe actually felt lighter than expected and easy to run in for both road-to-trail routes and straight trail running,鈥� said one tester.

Best Road-To-Trail

Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 8.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 37鈥�27.5 mm
Drop: 9.5 mm
Sizes: 6-15 (men鈥檚) 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Transitions well from asphalt to dirt
鈯� Secure fit for off-road confidence
鈯� Good-looking enough for casual wear
鈯� Not as cushioned as some other road-to-trail shoes

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is for runners who value a shoe that can take them from home to the trail and back, running smoothly on pavement while offering traction and foothold on even the most technical off-road terrain. What puts this shoe above other road-to-trail options is its superior performance on uneven, rooty, and rocky terrain. Flywire technology (super-strong, thin, and lightweight thread) in the upper kept our feet from sloshing around inside the shoe and helped us maintain quick, secure foot plants. 鈥淚 felt confident in both the traction and how my feet remained in control on a burly trail with lots of rocks and ups and downs,鈥� said a Boulder, Colorado, tester.

The cushioning is updated in this version to Nike鈥檚 smoothly responsive ReactX foam, with a stack soft and thick enough to soften pavement impact, especially under the forefoot. The shoe runs smoothly on roads with its flexible forefoot and 3.5 mm lugs that are hardly noticeable. But when you reach dirt those lugs kick into action and deliver solid traction.

Tightly woven mesh around the toe box adds durability, while strategically placed holes around the midfoot allow breathability. The addition of a looped cord at the heel makes this shoe easy to pull on鈥攁 simple feature we appreciated every time we used it.

This shoe also looks fashionable enough to crossover to casual wear, adding to its versatility. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great shoe for travel that might include hiking, running, walking, and general adventuring,鈥� said our lead tester, who put it through its paces in Colorado and Costa Rica.

Best Max Cushioned

Brooks Caldera 8

Weight: 10.6 oz (men鈥檚), 9.3 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 38.5鈥�32.5 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizes: men鈥檚: 7-14, 15 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfort on long and short runs
鈯� Wide, stable base
鈯� Protective upper
鈯� Minimal ground feel

We鈥檝e long loved the high-cush, wide-silhouette Caldera for its ability to let us just zone out on a run. It鈥檚 a forgiving shoe, like a truck with really good shocks that allows you to mindlessly roll over rocks and roots. The Caldera 8 is a good companion for anything from short after-work trail jaunts to ultra-distance epics.

The midsole cushioning鈥擝rooks鈥� nitrogen-infused, EVA-based DNA Loft 3鈥攊s ample, while still lightweight. The Caldera 8 can feel like a lot underfoot, especially for lighter-weight runners, but testers said it successfully softened the ground impact of every step without wallowing in cush. Despite the massive stack height, flex grooves on the outsole help enable a smooth flowing stride. Aiding the Caldera鈥檚 forgiving nature is its wide silhouette that keeps it from being tippy, a large surface area for secure ground contact, and solid traction.

This year鈥檚 model features higher raised sidewalls to provide extra stability, and a smooth upper intended to evade snags from branches, both of which seem to work in our testing.

Best Natural Ride

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4

Weight: 10.4 oz (men鈥檚), 8.2 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack height: 35鈥�30 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizes: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚); 6.5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Instantly comfortable on a variety of feet
鈯� Highly cushioned while still allowing ground feel
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 grab loose dirt well

The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 4 fits like a classic Topo shoe鈥攁 secure heel hold gives way to a wide toe box allowing the foot to splay out naturally. Even narrow-footed testers noted the secure and comfortable hold of this shoe, and enjoyed the feeling of support under the arch, which seems to further promote a relaxed forefoot.

The Topo Ultraventure 4 has a relatively high stack height and an ample amount of lively cushioning, which testers particularly noticed and appreciated under the ball of the foot. But unlike its high-cush contemporaries, the slightly firm, responsive, flexible midsole allows great feel for the ground. We enjoyed the surefooted feeling of being connected to the trails instead of floating on top of them.

The upper鈥攁 recycled mesh with a polyurethane wrap around the front of the shoe for protection from toe stubs鈥攊s slightly stretchy and conforms around the foot. 鈥淭his felt like a slipper with traction,鈥� said one tester.

Underfoot, wide, flat, 3.5-millimeter-deep lugs made of Vibram rubber stuck to steep rock slabs on dry trail runs in Boulder, Colorado, and ran smoothly on packed dirt. We craved a little more toothiness on loose trails, but appreciated the versatility and overall natural feel of this shoe. 鈥淭he Ultraventure 4 felt better the longer I went and more tired I got, encouraging and supporting a soft midfoot landing and gentle roll that ate up the miles,鈥� said one tester.

Best For Beginner Trail Runners

New Balance Fresh Foam X Hierro v9

Weight: 10.3 oz (men), 8.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 42鈥�38 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (men鈥檚); 5-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Both well-cushioned and stable
鈯� Aggressive traction
鈯� Large lugs can feel rough on hard pack

If you鈥檙e just getting into trail running, you need a shoe that provides stability, grip, and comfort鈥攊n essence, one that makes you more confident on the trail. Testers all agreed the New Balance Hierro v9 fit that bill better than any other shoe we tested. In this version, New Balance used two layers of their EVA-based Fresh Foam X in the midsole鈥攁 softer layer closer to the foot for cushioned comfort sits on top of a firmer layer that enhances stability. One tester noted this midsole combo 鈥渁bsorbs shock well and returns energy efficiently.鈥� She also praised the shoe鈥檚 forefoot rocker profile, which 鈥渕akes for a smooth push-off and helps with your forward motion and efficiency.鈥�

Despite having four millimeters more cushioning under the heel (and eight more under the forefoot) than version 8, bringing the total stack to a whopping 42鈥�38 millimeters, we found the Hierro v9 shockingly stable as long as we steered clear of technical terrain鈥攚hich most beginners tend to do anyway. Grippy 4.5-millimeter lugs鈥攚hich one tester described as 鈥渧ery aggressive鈥濃�攊nstill confidence, particularly on loose dirt and gravelly trails. The downside is that those long lugs contributed to a rough ride on hard-packed dirt or road.

A tough-skinned mesh upper with a gusseted tongue felt supportive, yet provided enough comfort for all-day use. All in all, the combination of a thick stack of soft cushioning, grippy outsole, and comfortable and secure upper make this a standout choice for beginner trail runners eager to explore.

How to Choose a Trail Running Shoe

If you鈥檙e in the market for a trail running shoe, first consider the type of trails you run on regularly: do you tackle rugged, mountainous terrain, or stick to mellow dirt paths? Some trail shoes can handle both adequately, while others are specialized and excel in one or the other. Shoes with smaller lugs are generally better on smoother, firmer terrain, whereas shoes with deeper, more aggressive outsoles are optimized for steep, muddy, or rocky trails. If you like to feel the trail and dance around rocks and roots, you鈥檒l likely prefer a light, more minimal shoe, but if you鈥檇 rather let the shoe roll over trail variations, cushioning and protecting while you zone out, you should look for a shoe with a thicker midsole.

Once you鈥檝e narrowed the search to a certain type of trail shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner鈥檚 body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each trail shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of trail running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you鈥檙e running. To determine fit and feel, there鈥檚 no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb鈥檚 width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn鈥檛 slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it鈥檚 time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the 鈥渃omfort filter,鈥� but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your 鈥減referred movement path.鈥� In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you鈥檒l know that you鈥檝e found your pair.

It鈥檚 likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between 鈥淎鈥� or 鈥淏,鈥� 鈥�1鈥� or 鈥�2.鈥� You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties鈥攍ike cushioning or pronation control鈥攚ith running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don鈥檛 consistently reduce injuries.

Don鈥檛 assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you鈥檙e a heavier runner, or if you鈥檙e a beginner鈥攅vidence doesn鈥檛 support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on ).

How We Test

• Number of testers: 18
• Number of shoes tested: 84
• Number of miles: 22,000+ over a year
• Most Memorable Trail Run: Having a mild winter afternoon turn into a blizzard while three miles from home in the western Nebraska sandhills.

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand鈥檚 new offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (84 throughout the year, 34 trail running shoes this season) that are most promising, and distribute them to 26 testers who range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, terrain, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in shoes from within the same category (all rugged, backcountry trail shoes, or all road-to-trail crossovers) so everyone can test apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on varied terrain and in all conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every trail running shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. We then weigh this season鈥檚 bests against the heroes from previous seasons that are still available and choose winners and honorable mentions for each category.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for 国产吃瓜黑料. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa鈥檚 written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the shoes and gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner鈥檚 World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running鈥攔eally running鈥攁fter walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She鈥檚 happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt鈥ut is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn鈥檛 Suck: How to Love Running (Even if You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he鈥檚 determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master鈥檚 circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he鈥檚 tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, Runner鈥檚 World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners鈥� to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

One of Cory Smith鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner鈥檚 World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century鈥攁nd a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the 鈥�70s鈥攈e鈥檚 given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume and slowed his pace鈥攂ut he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book which explores how each individual鈥檚 gait鈥攁nd thus shoe preference鈥攊s unique. He enjoys getting scientists鈥� take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe鈥檚 ride.

One of Jonathan Beverly鈥檚 go-to routes for testing trail running shoes:

The post The Best Trail Running Shoes for Every Terrain appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

The most significant factor that determines your marathon performance is the quality of your training. Once training is in the bag, you need effective pacing, fueling, and hydration strategies. But there’s one more thing you can do to ensure you get the most from that training and planning on race day: invest in a pair of marathon racing shoes.

An effective marathon racing shoe can help reduce the repeated impact that miles after miles听 put on your body while allowing you to get more energy out of each footstrike. Even more importantly, the right marathon racing shoe will provide you with a platform that is stable and cushioned enough to carry you through 26.2 miles in security and comfort. We鈥檝e spent the last two years rigorously testing every option on the market to help you pick the best pair for you.

Update March 2025: We removed one discontinued shoe and updated four categories with new models from Hoka, Saucony, Adidas, and Topo.

At a Glance

Best Marathon Racing Super Shoes

• Best Overall: Nike Alphafly 3 ($285)
• Runner-up: On Cloudboom Strike ($280)
• Most Stable: Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris ($250)
• Lightest: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo ($500)
• Bounciest: Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 ($275)
• Best Zero Drop: Altra Vanish Carbon 2 ($260)
• Best Trail: Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra ($220)
• Softest Marathon Super Shoe: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 ($275)

Best Non-Carbon-Plated Marathon Shoes

• Best for Beginners: PUMA Deviate Nitro 3 ($160)
• Most Versatile: Adidas Adizero Evo SL ($150)
• Most Supportive: Saucony Tempus 2 ($160)
• Best for Wide Feet: Topo Specter 2 ($165)
• Best Minimalist: Topo Cyclone 3 ($150)

Honorable Mentions

Tips and How We Test

• How to Choose Marathon Shoes
• FAQs
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

Best Marathon Racing Super Shoes

Eight years after the debut of the first super shoe, the thick-stacked, carbon-plated racers are ubiquitous at the front of every marathon and increasingly common among runners in the pack looking to optimize their performance. These shoes have been lab-proven to improve running economy by a few percentage points, making it easier to maintain a faster pace. Runners also report that they experience less muscular fatigue when running in a super shoe that complements their stride.

These are some of the super shoes that our testers found most comfortable and effective at marathon pace, but your experience may vary (as we found when we had three testers compare 16 super shoes in a ). Every super shoe boasts some sort of ultralight, hyper-responsive foam with an embedded, curved carbon-fiber plate鈥攂ut each delivers a surprisingly unique ride. You鈥檒l have to experiment to find one that gives you wings.

See our “How to Choose Marathon Shoes” section at the bottom of this article for more guidance on whether you should consider a super shoe and how to select a pair that works for your stride.

Best Overall Marathon Super Shoe

Nike Alphafly 3

听

Weight: 7.8 oz (men), 6.2 oz (women)
Stack Height: 40鈥�32 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Bouncy, propulsive midsole
鈯� Breathable, form-fitting upper
鈯� Lighter than ever
鈯� Difficult to get on/off
鈯� Unstable heel

Designed specifically for marathons, the Alphafly set a new standard as the fastest marathon shoe ever when Eliud Kipchoge wore them while breaking the 2-hour barrier in a staged marathon, clocking 1:59:40.2 in October 2019.

Now, in its third iteration, the Alphafly 3 continues to dominate as the ultimate marathon racing shoe. Designed with Nike鈥檚 Air Zoom Units in the forefoot and a PEBA-based midsole, our more competitive, efficient testers praised the Alphafly 3 for its bouncy, energy-efficient ride.

Subtle adjustments to the shoe’s geometry, including a wider footprint and carbon fiber plate, paired with repositioned Air Zoom Units and strategically sculpted midsole, give the Alphafly 3 a distinctly different feel from its predecessor. These changes effectively address some of the issues found in the Alphafly 2, which many felt was heavy and clunky compared to the original.

The new Alphafly 3 is surprisingly nimble, weighing in as the lightest Alphafly to date. Even running as fast as 5k pace, I found the Alphafly responded quickly, encouraging a fast turnover. That said, it may be too sharp of a tool for some runners, as those who require a stable stance may find it a bit wobbly, especially in the heel.

The redesigned Atomkit 3.0 upper is about as race-y as you can get鈥攅xtremely light and airy. Though a bit tough to put on because of its tightly woven mesh (like previous models), the new upper is highly breathable and secure, with sawtooth laces that stay tied tight throughout the marathon.

Read our full Alphafly 3 review听and how it compared to other racers in our .

Runner-up Marathon Super Shoe

On Cloudboom Strike

Weight: 7.6 oz (men), 6.6 oz (women)
Stack Height: 39.5鈥�35.5 mm
Drop: 4 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly cushioned without sacrificing bouncy responsiveness
鈯� Outstanding cushioning-to-weight ratio
鈯� Somewhat unstable

A stark contrast to On鈥檚 previous carbon fiber racing shoe, the firm-feeling Cloudboom Echo, the Cloudboom Strike is soft, bouncy, and fun to run in. Runners who can maintain their balance on what is a fairly unstable platform are rewarded with a lively, highly cushioned ride that鈥檚 comfortable and responsive, making it ideal for long-distance efforts.

The secret to the Strike’s sweet ride lies with the insole. On swapped out the traditional Strobel (a thin layer connecting the upper to the sole) and sockliner for a thick, removable layer of high-energy PEBA foam, thus increasing the amount of performance-enhancing foam underfoot. The result is a legal racer with cushioning that feels like it exceeds the World Athletics鈥� maximum stack height.

The smooth, ultra-cushioned ride is surprisingly quick for such a thick shoe, responding nimbly even when exceeding 5k pace. The shoe accommodated both long-striding testers and those who prefer to turn over faster.

The Cloudboom Strike fit runs long enough that you might consider sizing down by half a size. However, the one-piece mesh upper, which breathes well and effectively repels moisture, easily cinches down for a secure foot hold.

Read our full

Most Stable Marathon Super Shoe

Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris

Weight: 6.5 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 39.5鈥�34.5 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizing: 3.5-13 (men鈥檚), 5-14.5 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Wide, stable stance
鈯� Long, smooth rocker
鈯� Versatile ride
鈯� Stiff heel counter can be uncomfortable

The Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris gives runners the best of both worlds鈥攁 highly energetic, cushioned feel and a stable ride. Super shoes鈥檚 tall, thick midsoles often create a wobbly sensation, forcing your stabilizing muscles to work harder to maintain balance.

The key to the Metaspeed Sky Paris鈥檚 stability is its wide base under the forefoot, coupled with an updated, wider carbon fiber plate. This makes the Metaspeed Sky Paris an excellent choice for beginner, intermediate, or unstable runners who want to enjoy the benefits of super shoe technology while still having a supportive, predictable platform. One back-of-the-pack tester noted that the broad base provided a 鈥渟mooth ride, and the running dynamics worked extremely well with my foot and my own personal gait.鈥�

The shoe鈥檚 stability, however, doesn鈥檛 compromise its stride-lengthening performance for experienced, efficient marathoners. Testers found that the Metaspeed Sky had the ability to work well for a wide range of runners and paces.

The shoe also has a new, more pliable and comfortable mesh upper and midsole foam that鈥檚 approximately 8 percent lighter and, Asics says, has an 8.2 percent better energy return over the previous model. The best part: The shoe got nearly an ounce lighter, making it one of the lightest marathon-racing options.

Read more about the Asics Metaspeed Sky Paris in our .

Lightest Marathon Super Shoe

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1

Weight: 4.6 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 38鈥�32 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 5-10 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely light
鈯� Best cushioning-to-weight ratio on the market
鈯� Energetic forward roll
鈯� Lacks durability for heavy and inefficient runners

The groundbreaking adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1 shatters the mold as the lightest super shoe ever made, weighing nearly 2 ounces less than the next lightest super shoe. Yet from the outset, I was amazed that a shoe this light could have this much cushioning.

The Pro Evo 1鈥檚 rocker is long and aggressive, curving up to a high toe spring (elevation of the toe box). Initially, at well-below marathon speeds, it felt forced and unnatural. However, once I picked it up to around marathon pace and my toes engaged with the steep curve, I sensed a smooth rolling action that energetically pushed me forward. I believe marathoners averaging seven-minute miles or faster will see the most benefit from these.

Besides being the lightest super shoe on the market, the Evo 1 also claims the title of the most expensive. That, coupled with initial talk of the shoe only working for a single marathon, makes the Evo 1 a big investment. Our test pair, however, lasted nearly 200 miles before the midsole showed signs of wear. While not every runner can expect similar durability, those with an efficient stride should enjoy everything the Evo 1 has to offer much longer than a single marathon.

Read our full .

Bounciest Marathon Super Shoe

Hoka Cielo X1 2.0

Weight: 8.1 oz (men’s), 6.8 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 39鈥�32 mm
Drop: 7 mm
Sizing: 5-12, 13, 14 (men鈥檚), 6-13, 14, 15 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely bouncy midsole
鈯� Lighter than original by over an ounce
鈯� More comfortable upper
鈯� Steep rocker can feel awkward
鈯� Still one of the heavier marathon racing shoes

With a ride that feels like bouncing on a pogo stick, the Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 delivers unmatched spring with every stride. Designed with two layers of 眉ber-responsive PEBA foam separated by a winged carbon fiber plate, and a severe, heel-to-toe rocker profile, testers marveled at how much fun these shoes were. One tester described the shoe as 鈥渁 marshmallow meets a trampoline鈥攕oft and cushy, yet with a springy, propulsive feel.鈥�

Significant updates include a lighter, more breathable upper, a more aggressive rocker, enhanced forefoot cushioning, and improved outsole traction. Undoubtedly the most noticeable change is weight鈥攊t鈥檚 more than an ounce lighter than its predecessor. While it鈥檚 still one of the heavier marathon racing shoes, it鈥檚 leaps and bounds more competitive than the previous version.

The rockered profile from heel to toe forces a midfoot landing, which takes a little getting used to. Some testers found it produced a forceful ramp for toeing off, while others noted that it 鈥渇eels like it is in control鈥攏ot me.鈥� All, however, appreciated the more streamlined, breathable, and accommodating engineered mesh upper that replaced what was previously a rough, rather uncomfortable foot wrap (with God-awful stiff laces) on the Cielo X1.

鈥淗oka got it right with this update,鈥� said one tester. 鈥淚t’s an enjoyable ride that produces high speed in comfort.鈥�

Best Zero Drop Marathon Shoe

Altra Vanish Carbon 2

Weight: 8.1 oz (men鈥檚), 5.8 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 36鈥�36 mm
Drop: 0 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5.5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly cushioned
鈯� Wide toe box with fitted midsection
鈯� Balanced stance heel-to-toe
鈯� Foam not as bouncy as some super shoes

Unfortunately, there are not a ton of choices when it comes to highly cushioned zero drop racing shoes. Fortunately, the only option is a really good one. Now in its second iteration, the Altra Vanish Carbon 2 features three more millimeters of softer, more flexible underfoot cushioning heel to toe. Embedded in the soft, nitrogen-infused, TPE-based midsole is a full-length carbon fiber plate that adds a bit of stabilizing and propulsive stiffness without feeling controlling.

The Vanish Carbon 2鈥檚 midsole doesn鈥檛 have as dramatic a trampoline sensation as some other marathon racing shoes, but it delivers a smooth, cushioned ride that’s hard to beat. Even as someone who typically struggles with zero-drop shoes, I found the Vanish Carbon 2 enjoyable and surprisingly easy to run in, thanks to the high stack and rockered profile. Testers said the low heel helped increase their cadence and kept them more on their toes.

Despite not having a ton of structure, the lightweight, breathable mesh upper does a surprisingly good job of securing your midfoot while your toes have room to splay in Altra鈥檚 signature wide toe box.

Read more about the Altra Vanish Carbon 2 in our .

Best Trail Marathon Super Shoe

Adidas Agravic Terrex Speed Ultra

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Weight: 9.5 oz (men鈥檚), 7.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 38鈥�30 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Extremely efficient
鈯� Well cushioned
鈯� Agile ride
鈯� Tipsy through highly technical terrain

When it comes to replicating the performance benefits of road super shoes for the trail, shoemakers have struggled to achieve the same level of success. The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is a standout exception. Designed with one of the most aggressive rockered profiles on a trail running shoe, the Terrex Speed Ultra feels awkward initially, almost like you鈥檙e walking downhill.

However, once you get accustomed to the unique profile that wants to push you forward, you鈥檙e rewarded with a propulsive ride unlike any other trail running shoe. Inside, the high-performance TPEE (Thermoplastic Polyester Elastomer) midsole incorporates a four-pronged, slightly flexible PEBA-based rod system, providing extra stiffness to the soft foam without creating instability on technical terrain. While it manages well on groomed or rocky sections, like most highly cushioned trail shoes, it’s not designed for prolonged precise technical maneuvering.

Staying true to its race-ready design, the upper is razor-thin and slightly padded to keep weight at a minimum. The quick-drying synthetic material, combined with a gusseted tongue and sawtooth lacing that bites like a threatened rattlesnake, provides excellent midfoot lockdown. The only drawback is the unstructured heel counter, which can cause some heel lift if the laces aren鈥檛 pulled extra tight.

Read our full Adidas Agravic Terrex Speed Ultra review.

Softest Marathon Super Shoe

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Weight: 7.0 oz (men鈥檚); 6.4 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 40鈥�32 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 3.5-14 (men鈥檚), 5-15.5 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Bouncy midsole
鈯� Breathable and comfortable upper
鈯� Too soft for some
鈯� Unstable

Some updates refine a shoe, while others reinvent it completely. The Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 falls into the latter category. Bearing virtually no resemblance to the original, what was once a firm, stable marathon shoe has transformed into the softest race-day option we tested.

The shoe debuts an all-new foam for Saucony called incrediRUN. It鈥檚 an ultralight, highly bouncy, supercritical (gas-infused), TPEE-based foam that feels squishy and unstable when walking around, almost like sinking into a sponge. But once you start running, the magic happens. This way-too-soft foam suddenly changes tune to become bouncy, cushioned, and extremely smooth. Somehow, the thick foam, full-length carbon fiber plate (slotted in the forefoot for a hint of flexibility), and sharply rockered forefoot combine to dispel the spongy feeling and propel you forward. 鈥淥nce I started to pick up the pace, the foam firmed up and became insanely responsive,鈥� said one tester.

That said, these aren鈥檛 immune to stability issues. Runners who aren鈥檛 used to 眉ber-soft foams, or who run with a strong heel strike and whose stride has more roll than spring may find their feet and legs working harder to counterbalance the instability.

The upper is equally transformed in this version. The new, flexible knit and airy mesh rests softly against the foot, creating one of the more comfortable and breathable uppers we tested.

While the drastic changes will not suit every runner鈥攅specially those who preferred the firmer feel of the original鈥攖he Endorphin Elite 2 delivers an undeniably energetic and cushioned ride.

Best Non-Carbon-Plated Marathon Shoes

Not everyone wants or needs a super shoe when covering 26.2 miles听(See our 鈥�How to Choose鈥� section for a discussion on why). Here are some top options without a rigid carbon-fiber plate, sorted with consideration for specific needs and preferences.

Best Beginner Marathon Shoe

Puma Deviate Nitro 3

Weight: 8.8 oz (men鈥檚), 7.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 39鈥�29 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Stable for such a cushioned shoe
鈯� Excellent stride and pace versatility
鈯� Comfortable, secure fit
鈯� High drop doesn鈥檛 work for some

Supershoes鈥� tall, highly cushioned soles create an unstable and wobbly platform, especially for beginner runners who spend more time in contact with the ground than their faster counterparts. Plus their rigid, curved plates dictate how the foot rolls, and are tuned to be optimal for fast, efficient runners.

Puma鈥檚 Deviate Nitro 3 combats these issues by combining two foams, a softer one closer to the foot with a firmer one closer to the ground, separated by a semi-flexible carbon-fiber composite plate. This design offers most of the cushioning and propulsive benefits of a super shoe, without the instability or the prescriptive stride control.

What sets the Deviate Nitro 3 apart most, however, is its remarkable ability to deliver a smooth ride at any pace. There鈥檚 nothing restrictive about the shoe鈥攊t adapts to your running speed and performs effortlessly, making it double as a great everyday trainer as well as a racing shoe.

Keeping comfort in mind, the upper features an engineered knit mesh with moderately padded heel collar. Testers felt the fit was true to size with a small amount of stretch throughout the upper to accommodate foot swelling or irregularities, such as bunions. The stretchy laces received mixed reviews, as one found he needed to keep tightening them to feel secure during the run.

Read our full .

Most Versatile Marathon Shoe

Adidas Adizero Evo SL

Weight: 7.9 oz (men鈥檚); 6.6 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 39鈥�33 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 6.5-15, 16 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Suited for any pace, any type of runner
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� High value for bargain price
鈯� Thin laces can be tough to tie

Combining the best elements of a speedy everyday trainer with a light and lean racer, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL proves that a plateless design can still be 鈥渟uper.鈥� Inspired by the 鈥攖he lightest super shoe we鈥檝e ever tested鈥攊ts design is refreshingly simple: keep it light, make it comfortable, and use a high-quality, high-energy foam.

Under the hood it features a responsive layer of Adidas鈥� Lightstrike Pro foam (the same found in the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 super shoe), reinforced with a nylon shank for just the right touch of stiffness. The ride is remarkably smooth and gentle: not too soft or too firm, striking a balance between bouncy and responsive. It鈥檚 one of those rare shoes that will work well with any runner鈥檚 gait or pace, neither unstable nor prescriptively controlling the stride

One tester noted that at slower paces (9- to 10-minute miles) the midsole, while providing superb cushioning, encouraged a slow cadence and long ground contact time. But the response quickened considerably when he sped up, adjusted his balance forward, and exerted more force on push-off. 鈥淭he shoe feels like it would take care of me even when I鈥檓 beat up and surviving in the later miles but rewards a stronger, faster stride with more energy,鈥� he said.

At 7.9 ounces for men and 6.6 ounces for women, it鈥檚 light on the feet, in line with the best marathon shoes listed here, but still offers plenty of cushioning. 鈥淚t feels fast on the foot, but has the stack/cushion of a trainer,鈥� observed one tester.

Most Supportive Marathon Shoe

Saucony Tempus 2

Weight: 9.4 oz (men鈥檚), 8.2 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 33鈥�25 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Highly stable without sacrificing responsiveness
鈯� Supportive without excessive control
鈯� Snug and comfortable fitting upper
鈯� Not as cushioned as most super shoes/trainers

When the Saucony Tempus first came out, we were blown away by its ability to control the soft, unstable nature of a PEBA midsole without taking away its high-energy, performance-enhancing benefits. Keeping everything the same underfoot, but adding a better fitting, more breathable mesh upper, the Tempus 2 continued to wow us with its supportive, yet lively ride.

The combination of soft, bouncy PEBA foam and a firmer EVA frame that uniquely wraps over and under the high-performance core helps guide the foot into a more stable position, making it perfect for beginners, or any runner, who may struggle with foot alignment, particularly during a long and exhausting marathon. The moderate stack height of 33mm in the heel and 25mm in the forefoot strikes a perfect balance鈥攏ot so thick and cushioned that you can鈥檛 push off effectively, yet not so thin that it compromises comfort. The dual foam midsole, without a plate, provides ample underfoot protection while still allowing for a good sense of ground feel and accommodates any stride pattern.

The main drawback is that it’s relatively heavy for a racing shoe (while light for a trainer). Weighing 9.4 ounces for men and 8.2 ounces for women, it鈥檚 the heaviest shoe on our list. However, if you prioritize stability and want to tap into the performance benefits of PEBA in a supportive but not prescriptive shoe, this is still the top choice on the market.

Read our full Saucony Tempus review.

Best Marathon Shoe for Wide Feet

Topo Specter 2

Weight: 8.1 oz (men鈥檚), 7.0 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 37鈥�32 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizing: 8-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 6-11, 12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Roomy toe box
鈯� Great fitting upper
鈯� Natural, flexible, springy ride
鈯� Midsole may be too firm for some

Known for its wide toe box designs, Topo has mastered the balance of offering plenty of space for your toes while ensuring a secure midfoot lockdown. One of only four shoes in this roundup without a plate in the midsole, the Topo Specter 2 delivers a more natural and flexible experience than your stiff-plated super shoe or super trainer. A generous layer of Pebax foam underfoot is tuned firmer than usual, but still delivers its signature bouncy ride. One tester described the midsole as 鈥渇irm and springy with a lot of response,鈥� adding, 鈥渢he shoe feels airy and fast with the perfect balance of stiffness versus flex.鈥�

Testers found the Specter 2 incredibly versatile. It delivers the same ease and comfort on easy run days as it does on uptempo runs or races, thanks to its highly cushioned, responsive, and adaptable sole, and low overall weight.

Where the shoe truly stands out, however, is in its fit. One tester said about Topo shoes, “They’ve gone from being one of my least favorite brands to offering some of the best-fitting shoes I鈥檝e tested.” The wide toe box isn鈥檛 just for runners with wide feet. Even our runners with regular-width feet appreciated the extra space, once they got used to their toes having room for their natural positioning and splay.

Best Minimalist Marathon Shoe

Topo Cyclone 3

Weight: 6.9 oz (men鈥檚), 5.5 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 28鈥�23 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizing: 8-13 (men鈥檚), 6-11(women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Superb fit
鈯� Unrestricted, natural, proprioceptive ride
鈯� Soft, bouncy midsole
鈯� Cushioning is too thin for some
鈯� Sole is too flexible for some

As foams have become increasingly lighter, marathon racing shoes are getting significantly thicker and more cushioned. Rather than allowing your foot to react to the ground and move naturally, these thick-soled shoes blunt the underfoot feel and dictate how your foot moves through the gait cycle to various degrees. While this works well for some runners, others prefer a more minimalist ride.

If you鈥檙e the kind of runner who finds today鈥檚 thick cushioned shoes squishy, cumbersome and as restrictive as a stiff suit of armor, look no further. The Topo Cyclone 3 is a free and flexible lightweight racer that lets your foot control the shoe, not the other way around. Testers described the ride as 鈥渘imble鈥� and 鈥渇lexible鈥� with a 鈥渟lipper-like鈥� feel.

Except for the new upper, this version remains the same as its predecessor. The Cyclone 3 still relies on Topo鈥檚 PEBAX midsole to deliver the soft feel and springy response of a super shoe, but the comparatively thin stack height (28mm/23mm) keeps the squish and bounce moderate, and lets you feel the ground under the cushioning. You won鈥檛 find a plate embedded in the flexible midsole鈥攊nstead, there鈥檚 a slight rocker profile to help smooth the transition from stance to toe-off.

We鈥檝e always found that Topo Athletic makes some of the best-fitting shoes on the market, and the Cyclone 3 certainly follows suit. The updated upper brings a few subtle tweaks, including a lower-sitting tongue to prevent rubbing and a redesigned engineered mesh for improved ventilation, although we didn鈥檛 notice a significant difference. A tailored midsection with excellent lockdown gives way to a roomy anatomical toe box that complements the flexible sole and lets your feet move and engage naturally.

Another strong option, if you鈥檙e looking for a low-profile, flexible ride with some rotational support is the Brooks Hyperion GTS 2, which has a moderate stack height (34/26mm), responsive cushioning, and gently guides the gait with firmer, raised sidewalls alongside the rearfoot.

Read our full Topo Cyclone review.

Honorable Mentions

• – For better or worse, the Adios Pro 4, offers a significantly different running experience than its predecessor. Unlike the stable and firm Adios Pro 3, the Pro 4 rides more in line with other , catering to efficient, forward-balanced runners. Though it sacrifices stability, its performance at tempo paces and marathon efforts makes it a strong option for those who favor a plush, propulsive feel. Read our full .
• – Best described as a more accessible, fast-training counterpart to the Hoka Cielo X1, the Mach X2 impressed our testers with its energetic and responsive ride. A great option for those who want a super shoe ride for training and racing without paying the super shoe prices. However, some testers found the geometry and plate to be prescriptive鈥攄ictating how the foot rolled鈥攚hich prevented it from making our top picks.
• – Diadora isn鈥檛 as widely known in the U.S. as other brands, but the Italian company has a strong tradition in athletic footwear. Sporting an 眉ber soft underfoot feel, the shoe鈥檚 geometry keeps it surprisingly stable for such a spongy shoe. The one knock is the $300 price tag, making it the second most expensive super shoe that we鈥檝e tested.
• – While not as bouncy as some of the above supershoes, this shoe shines in its cushioning abilities. With a soft and extremely smooth ride, we found these best suited for long runs at marathon pace when we wanted some extra protection. Marathoners who prioritize maximum cushioning will enjoy racing in these.

How to Choose Marathon Shoes

After dedicating countless hours to marathon training, it’s just as crucial to invest time and effort into choosing the right running shoe for race day. Unlike your everyday trainer, a marathon racing shoe must strike a balance between providing enough stability to maintain your form over 26.2 miles and offering sufficient cushioning to protect your legs from the constant impact, while not weighing you down or holding you back. Here鈥檚 what you must consider when buying the ideal marathon racing shoes.

Stability

As running shoes become thicker and softer, they can start to feel unstable and wobbly. This instability forces the stabilizing muscles in your feet and legs to work harder, which can lead to premature fatigue and even injury. To prevent this, it’s crucial to choose a marathon racing shoe that provides a stable enough platform for your stride, ensuring consistent support throughout the race, even when you grow tired and your stride becomes less efficient. Stability is built into a marathon racing shoe by using embedded plates, firmer midsoles, a widened base, and a more structured heel counter and rearfoot hold.

Cushioning

Cushioning refers to the perceived underfoot firmness of a running shoe. While cushioning levels are a matter of personal preference, wearing softer running shoes during the marathon can be beneficial. One with 32 recreational runners found that wearing highly cushioned running shoes improved performance by 5.7 percent and reduced oxygen consumption by 3.2 percent during incremental treadmill tests. However, runners must balance cushioning benefits with stability and propulsion needs.

Fit

Given the length of the marathon it鈥檚 crucial to make sure your marathon racing shoes fit well. Since over the course of the 26.2 miles your feet may swell, you should make sure you have enough room in the toe box to accommodate this swelling. A good general rule of thumb is to make sure you have at least a thumb鈥檚 width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. You should be able to wiggle your toes without them bumping up against the front of the shoe. While you want space for your toes to splay, the upper should hold your foot securely around the heel and instep.

FAQs

Should You Train in a Carbon Fiber-plated Shoe?

While this is a highly debated topic, the current thinking is to limit the amount of time spent training in carbon fiber plated shoes. These shoes are built with a thick, highly cushioned, and unstable platform, and a rigid rocker profile. Unlike more flexible running shoes that allow your foot to move naturally, carbon fiber shoes dictate the way your feet strike the ground and roll forward, potentially altering your natural gait, which can lead to injury. In addition, the powerful bounce magnifies any instability, causing more stress on your muscles, tendons, and joints. Ideally, limit your carbon-plated shoes to race day and a few speed sessions. Ideally, limit your carbon-plated shoes to race day, a few speed sessions, and a moderately long run to test how your stride reacts to the shoes when fatigued. Super trainers鈥攚ith the same high-end foams but more flexible plates鈥攃an be a great alternative for weekly speed sessions or fast-finish long runs.

How Long Do Marathon Racing Shoes Last?

The length of marathon racing shoes varies on a runner’s weight, stride efficiency, and model of shoe. Typically, lighter runners who have an efficient stride will realize longer shoe lifespans, while heavier runners who spend more time on the ground will see less. Generally speaking, you should get somewhere around 100 to 200 miles from your marathon racing shoes before the midsole begins to decompress. Visual cues, such as worn down outsole, uneven midsole compression, or holes in the upper, can be your best indicator of it being time to replace your marathon shoes. 国产吃瓜黑料 of that, I鈥檝e found if you start to question whether it鈥檚 time to replace your shoes, it鈥檚 usually time.

Should Beginners Race in a Carbon Fiber Shoe?

There are a few factors beginner runners should consider before choosing a carbon fiber shoe. First, most carbon fiber running shoes are designed with fast, efficient runners in mind. have shown that slower runners get less improvement in their running economy from the shoes, and the shoes actually make running harder for a significant number.

If you have developed solid mechanics, you may benefit from a carbon fiber shoe. However, if your form is still a work in progress, the stiffness of the carbon plate and the hyper-responsiveness of the foam could actually magnify poor mechanics, reduce your performance, and increase the risk of injury.

Additionally, every carbon fiber shoe is built differently鈥攖he placement and shape of the carbon plate, geometry of the midsole and properties of the foam all are different, model to model. This means no two carbon plated shoes will run exactly the same. It鈥檚 important to match your individual gait to a carbon fiber shoe by testing several options for the one that feels the best. In general, beginners should be cautious and make sure they’re fully comfortable in carbon fiber shoes before racing in them.

How We Test

Our exhaustive testing process involves evaluating every marathon racing shoe on the market, sometimes as long as over a year, with input from more than 20 experienced wear-testers. They each fill out a detailed testing questionnaire evaluating key points such as fit, comfort, cushioning, and speed. The completed questionnaires are compiled and combined with testing feedback from lead tester Cory Smith, who brings over a decade of experience testing running shoes for 国产吃瓜黑料. Shoes that excel in specific areas are then ranked and categorized in relation to their strengths.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Cory Smith

Cory Smith, a former Division One runner at Villanova University, has been running since the mid-1990s. With over a decade of experience testing and reviewing running apparel and shoes for publications like 国产吃瓜黑料 and Runner鈥檚 World, he continues to compete as a masters athlete, boasting a masters personal best of 4:31 in the mile at the age of 44. He consistently logs 30 to 40 miles per week on roads, trails, and the track.

The post The 13 Best Marathon Racing Shoes for Every Type of Runner appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

There was a time when you had to choose between comfort and off-roading chops when it came to pulling your adventure home along with you. You could spend a week in a luxury trailer as far as the pavement would take you, or sleep off-kilter in a Jeep pop-up camper deep in the wild. Now, whether you chase your motor-powered thrills at a gravel campground or 500 miles from the nearest interstate, your options are better than ever.

Our favorite slide-in, pop-up, and tow-behind equipment of the year keeps your storage space usable, maximizes sprawl鈥攜es, there’s a short-bed camper that fits a king-sized mattress鈥攁nd promises as much off-road prowess as you can dream of.

Updated April, 2025: We added a new pick鈥攖he Wayfarer Vans Walt Conversion鈥攖o this list, and updated other pricing and product info throughout.听

At a Glance

• Best Van Conversion:
• Best Minimalist Camper:
• Best Off-Road Trailer:
• Best Luxury Rig:
• How to Choose a Trailer or Camper
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Van Conversion

Wayfarer Vans Walt Conversion

Type: Van Conversion
Material: Laminated composite wall and ceiling panel; Havelock wool insulation; 9-ply solid-core baltic birch plywood

Pros and Cons
鈯� Simple, high-quality build
鈯� Modular layouts
鈯� Will convert used vans
鈯� 2-3 day install time
鈯� Conversions only available for Ram Promaster and Ford Transit
鈯� No custom work

Watch: Inside Look at the Wayfarer Walt Van Conversion

Van conversion companies are a dime a dozen these days. The vast majority offer expensive, fully custom buildouts loaded with complicated electrical and plumbing systems that can easily cost six figures鈥攕ometimes even without factoring in the price of the van itself鈥攁nd take weeks, if not months, to build.

That鈥檚 not the case with Colorado Springs-based Wayfarer Vans: their largest conversion, built on a 159鈥� High Roof Ram Promaster cargo van platform, starts at $25K. While that price can climb to around $55K if you add every optional accessory possible, like a 12V air conditioner, bug screens, 400 watts of solar, and a Propex Heater, it鈥檚 still an incredible value in today鈥檚 campervan marketplace. Wayfarer also completes the installation in just 2-3 days.

The value is what originally caught our attention, but what stood out during a multi-week test last summer was the quality and functionality. There鈥檚 tons of storage space for gear throughout, and the Baltic Birch cabinets and furniture felt solid and didn’t rattle loose鈥攅ven after we drove on miles of washboard roads in Montana. A simple hand pump and removable, five-gallon fresh and grey water containers meant we didn’t worry about built-in tanks leaking or accidentally leaving the water pump on while out fishing for the day.

An over-bed shelf with bungees kept things like extra layers and blankets out of the way without adding the additional weight of more cabinets. The built-in, insulated partition that separates the cab and living area made for a great privacy screen while changing at trailheads, and quickly rolled up and out of the way during travel.

We also loved the modular interior: all the furniture simply bolts into cargo track on the floor, which meant we could move things around to accommodate multiple bikes and other bulky items. Most other vans with modular interiors we鈥檝e tested feel more like camping in a mobile erector set, whereas the Walt felt like a cozy, minimalist cabin with the added benefit of modularity. It鈥檚 the perfect blend of #vanlife and practical work van functionality.

Despite the reasonable price point, the brand still uses proven, premium materials throughout, like Havelock Wool insulation, 9-ply solid-core Baltic Birch plywood, and laminated composite wall and ceiling panels. Translation? They鈥檙e built for the long haul, and you鈥檇 be hard-pressed to find a better-built, more adaptable, and well-thought-out campervan for the money.

Best Minimalist Camper

Tune Outdoor Tune M1

Type: Canopy-style popup truck camper
Weight: From 387 lbs (short-bed Tacoma)
Material: Aluminum/Composite

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredible space-to-weight ratio
鈯� Sleek
鈯� Retains bed utility
鈯� Heavier than some wedge campers
鈯� Expensive

Watch: Tour of the Tune M1 Truck Camper

True innovation has been tough to come by in the lightweight, shell-style truck camper market lately, but that changed when Denver-based Tune Outdoors launched its Tune M1 in 2023.

Instead of releasing just another wedge camper or traditional slide-in, Tune combined some of the best existing features on the market, like building with aluminum extrusions and honeycomb composite panels, and added its own twist: The Tune M1 rests on a truck鈥檚 bed rails, but the side walls flare out at the bottom to provide far more interior living space than anything else out there. That extra width also provides more standard sleeping space鈥攊n fact, an optional bed extension platform accommodates a nearly king-sized mattress on a short-bed Tacoma.

The Tune M1鈥檚 starting price includes features that cost extra at many other brands, like built-in lighting, a 4-inch memory foam mattress, and 440-plus feet of T-Track. All that T-Track means you can bolt nearly anything to the camper, and easily build out the interior if you wish.

Bonus: Side awning panels fully open for gear access. Our favorite option is the tempered glass side panels, which not only look fantastic, but also let more light inside and allow for panoramic views. 鈥淭he packed-down silhouette is so tight that we never held back on even the burliest roads,鈥� says Aaron Gulley, a longtime 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor and gear tester. 鈥淏ut it has so much popup space that the truck bed felt roomy for two people even with coolers, a generator, and requisite camping gear.鈥�

The perfect cross between a fully featured slide-in and a wedge camper, the Tune M1 is ideal for families who need more space, or anyone who wants a truck camper but also wants to continue using their truck bed for truck things.

Best Off-Road Trailer

Boreas Campers EOS-12

Type: 4-Season off-road travel trailer
Material: Composite and metal construction
Weight: 3,750 lbs (dry weight)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Incredibly capable off road
鈯� No-wood construction (no mold, rot, etc.)
鈯� 50-gallon fresh water capacity
鈯� Expensive
鈯� No indoor sink/cooking option

Watch: Inside the Boreas EOS-12 Trailer

We鈥檝e followed Pueblo, Colorado-based Boreas Campers closely since it debuted its AT and XT models, both class-leading off-road teardrops, a few years ago. The EOS-12 builds on the solid foundation of those campers and takes everything to a new level鈥攍iterally.

The EOS-12 is a 20-foot, overland-style pop-up travel trailer built to go anywhere and keep you comfortable off-grid for extended periods of time in any weather conditions. Composite panel construction keeps the rig well insulated and light on its feet with a dry weight of 3,750 pounds.

The trailer features a slim canvas pop top that keeps it aerodynamic, a well-appointed outdoor kitchen, and a full indoor wet bath. With one queen-sized main bed and a dinette that folds out to about a twin sized bed, we found it could sleep three adults comfortably, and appreciated the copious amounts of storage inside.

The EOS-12 really shines when it comes to its mechanical and electrical features. It rides on a Cruisemaster XT鈥攁n independent trailing arm suspension with airbags and auto-level, capable of handling much rougher terrain than you鈥檙e likely to experience鈥�540 amp hours of Battleborn lithium batteries, Victron electrical components, and 400 watts of solar panels.

Everything on this camper, from the exterior rock lights to the air compressor and the furnace, are operated by a portable Garmin O.N.E. tablet, which, despite our initial hesitation, performed flawlessly.

鈥淲e loved using the EOS-12 on a 5-day mule deer hunt,鈥� says Eric Ladd, a mountain biker, hunter, skier, and all-around adventure seeking ER doc based in Santa Fe, NM. 鈥淲e never worried about where we were towing it, it didn鈥檛 come close to running out of power or water, and we ate like kings thanks to the amazing outdoor kitchen鈥攄espite being off grid the entire time.鈥�

Best Luxury Rig

Airstream Trade Wind

Type: Travel Trailer
Material: Aluminum
Weight: 6200 lbs (dry weight)
Length: 25鈥� 2鈥�

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fully off-grid power system
鈯� Gorgeous interior design
鈯� Roomy floor plan
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Not as off-road-capable as others

Watch: Tour the Airstream Trade Wind Trailer

The reintroduction of the Trade Wind model shows that Airstream is listening to consumers. While the Basecamp models have been marketed towards younger generations looking to get a little further off the beaten path, the Trade Wind is the first of the company鈥檚 iconic, silver bullet-shaped travel trailers to come off the factory floor with everything a boondocker needs鈥攁nd, as it turns out, everything our testers have added to their personal Airstreams.

It comes with a robust solar system, Battleborn lithium batteries, a 3-inch lift kit and all-terrain Goodyear Wrangler Workforce Tires. When you combine the system upgrades with a stellar floor plan that sleeps up to five, gorgeous interior design, and other smart features like a recirculating water heater, optional composting toilet, and an optional rear hatch that lets you easily load bulky gear, it all adds up to an incredible, luxurious, off-grid basecamp.

鈥淲e have owned an Airstream for nearly a decade and modified it for heavy, backcountry, boondocking use. The new Trade Wind is everything we always wanted ours to be鈥攁nd much more,鈥� said Gulley. 鈥淭his is a rig built to go anywhere and do everything, and to do it in classic Airstream style. We definitely see an upgrade in our near future.鈥�

How to Choose a Camper or Trailer

Buying a camper of any kind is a big investment, so it鈥檚 best if you can try one out or at least see one in-person before pulling the trigger. Visiting a dealer is great, but a lot of today鈥檚 best rigs are sold direct-to-consumer, which means that events like Overland Expo are a great way to see a camper up close.

Even better, try renting the type of rig that interests you on to get a real feel for it. Even if they don鈥檛 have the specific model you鈥檙e looking for, you鈥檒l get an idea of whether you鈥檙e a van, trailer, or truck camper person.

What Kind of Camper Should I Buy?

The short answer is, it depends. In general, we think most folks are better served by buying a tow-behind they can pull with their current vehicle. Trailers have more space than a van or truck camper could ever provide, and they don鈥檛 have engines, transmissions, and other expensive parts to maintain.

How Much Should I Expect to Spend?

For a new rig, you should budget anywhere from $100-250K for a van, $10-30K for a truck camper (sans truck), and $30-130K for a trailer, depending on your tastes and needs.

How Much Solar Do I Need?

It all depends on how much luxury you want off grid. For most weekenders, around 200-300 watts of solar and 100-200 amp hours of lithium batteries will be more than enough.

How We Test

• Number of testers: 6
• Nights Spent Camping: Over 20
• Number of campers/trailers tested: 7
• Longest Stint Spent Off-Grid: 7 days
• Most Challenging Test Drive: 23 miles of rugged, New Mexico washboard

Between attending overland expo shows to tour the latest rigs and testing demo trailers on extended trips, category manager Bryan Rogala spends over 30 nights camping in everything from rooftop tents to Airstreams every year.

Because evaluating adventure rigs isn鈥檛 as simple as testing a pair of running shoes, our testing criteria looks a bit different. We look at build quality, standard features and components, pricing, and availability, as well as details like trailer suspension and camper wall construction methods, in an effort to find a broad array of what we think are the most well-made and value-driven rigs on the market.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Bryan Rogala is a longtime contributor to 国产吃瓜黑料 and has been reviewing trailers and campers since 2018. He covers overlanding gear and rigs in his regular column, and his 101 video series for 国产吃瓜黑料 Online. As a hunter, mountain biker and skier, he鈥檚 in a constant search for the perfect adventure rig.

Aaron Gulley and Jen Judge, both former 国产吃瓜黑料 contributors and gear testers, spent 3.5 years living full-time in their 2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB. Their travels as cyclists, hikers and hunters have taken them and their Airstream all around the U.S., and provided serious insight into the world of travel trailers.

Corey Leavitt is a filmmaker, truck nerd, and adventure rig enthusiast. He鈥檚 filmed and helped produce all of Rogala鈥檚 101 videos, rehabbed a truck camper, and spends more time on Craigslist seeking the next rig than anyone should.

Eric Ladd is a mountain biker, hunter, skier, and all-around adventure seeking ER Doc. He鈥檚 modified his own travel trailer for off road and off grid use, and takes his young family of four camping all over the Western U.S.

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Creating high-quality video content has never been easier. Small action cameras now feature powerful sensors that capture stunning footage day or night, mind-boggling stabilization, and easy integration with quality wireless mics. But remember that your video is only as good as your adventure, so get out and get after it.

At a Glance

• Best Overall:
• Best GoPro Update:
• Best for Beginners:
• How to Choose an Action Camera
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Overall

Insta360 Ace Pro 2

Sensor Size: 1/1.3″
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Battery Capacity: 1800mAh

Pros and Cons
鈯� Buttery stabilization
鈯� Nice low-light footage
鈯� Great color profile
鈯� No need for 8K video

GoPro and DJI have long dominated the action camera market, but Insta360 takes over this year with the Ace Pro 2. Co-engineered with Leica, the camera shoots ultra high-resolution footage, rich 4K slow-mo, and captures high-quality audio. It also has a laundry list of amazing features, including a dedicated chip to help with low-light shooting, a back screen that flips up for great selfie footage, and industry-leading stabilization.

The total package makes it nearly impossible to shoot bad footage. No matter what we were doing鈥攕kiing, cycling, overlanding, etc.鈥攖he Ace Pro 2 produced video that we were always excited to edit and share. Shooters with more experience will find it easy to dial in custom settings, but the camera鈥檚 user interface was also easy to navigate for testers who had less experience.

Insta360鈥檚 accessory ecosystem is not as big as GoPro鈥檚, but there is still plenty to choose from, including chest and handle-bar mounts, tripods, fast-charge battery packs, and ND filter sets. The company is not pushing integration with wireless mics, but it鈥檚 easy to pair a mic from a company like DJI to improve the quality of interviews or narration.

We were hard-pressed to come up with any critiques of the Ace Pro 2. Just one comment: No one really needs 8K footage on an action cam. That kind of resolution is overkill for social media (even YouTube), which is where most action-cam footage ultimately ends up.

Best GoPro Update

Hero13 Black

Sensor Size: 1/1.9″
Weight: 5.6 ounces
Battery Capacity: 1900mAh

Pros and Cons
鈯� Better battery life than previous model
鈯� Class-leading accessories
鈯� Great color profile
鈯� No upgrade to the sensor

The new Hero13 comes with two big upgrades. First, it includes a higher capacity 1900mAh battery that lasts up to 2.5 hours (depending on settings) and is now the standard for all of GoPros flagship cameras (we can hear videographers cheering from here). And second, GoPro has expanded its already robust accessories ecosystem by adding a suite of lenses you can slap on the new camera.

Related: Is the GoPro Hero13 Black Better Than the GoPro Hero?

These include an ultra-wide lens ($100) to increase the field of view, making it 36 percent wider and 48 percent taller, and a macro lens ($130) that lets you get up close and personal with small things like tiny animals or flowers. GoPro also just released its new Anamorphic lens ($130), which allows shooters to capture pro-level cinematic-quality footage. When you affix any of these lenses, the GoPro automatically recognizes it and adjusts its settings accordingly.

We鈥檙e fans of accessory lenses because they provide different perspectives: a new way of seeing and of capturing content. These days, all action cameras offer amazing resolution and stabilization; if you want to capture unique footage, different lenses open up new avenues for creativity. We hope that other action camera companies follow GoPros lead in this department.

GoPro plopped the same sensor from the Hero12 into the Hero13, so there鈥檚 no bump in resolution or low-light video quality. GoPro has been criticized for this, butit doesn鈥檛 bother us much because the lens integration is what you鈥檙e buying with the Hero13.

The biggest downside to the Hero13 is that the new lenses have to be purchased separate from the camera and its included standard lens. As a bundle, all three lenses cost $360. But we think that鈥檚 a smart, long-term investment since these lenses will likely be used with, and outlive, the 13, 14, and other GoPros to come.

Best for Beginners

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

Sensor Size: 1″
Weight: 6.3 ounces
Battery Capacity: 1300 mAh

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy to use
鈯� Great stabilization
鈯� Best for social
鈯� Lower quality footage

It鈥檚 not lost on us that the most expensive action cam on this list is one we recommend for beginners. It would be cheaper to get a GoPro, but we think this camera鈥檚 user-friendly design makes it a worthwhile investment for novices.

Most action cams are designed to be attached to accessories like tripods, monopods, and various grips to capture footage on the go. The Osmo Pocket 3, on the other hand, is an all-in-one unit with an easy-grip handle and built-in three-axis stabilizer, which allows you to grab the camera at a moment鈥檚 notice, hit the power switch, and start recording silky smooth 4K footage almost immediately. We also love the two-inch screen that you can flip vertically to record social footage and keep horizontal to record wide-angle footage that鈥檚 great for YouTube.

DJI makes the best wireless mics on the market and they seamlessly plug and play with the Osmo Pocket 3 so you can record interviews or film yourself with high-quality sound. If you鈥檙e vlogging, you can also set the camera down and tell it to lock onto your face so you stay in focus while walking around within the frame.

While this camera isn鈥檛 designed to be strapped to a mountain bike (the built-in handle gets in the way), we have reliably used it to capture decent action footage while skiing. It can鈥檛 compete with the likes of GoPro or Insta360 in this department, but it鈥檚 a great option for traveling and hiking.

One note: the Osmo 3 has been around for a while. While it鈥檚 still available for sale, we鈥檇 be willing to bet that DJI is working on an update.

How to Choose an Action Camera

Purchasing an action cam is just like buying a bike or a set of skis in that you need to think first and foremost about how you will use it. Invest in a GoPro if you want a huge ecosystem of accessories, go for the Insta360 if quality footage is what matters most, and we suggest the Osmo Pocket 3 if social is where most of your videos will land.

You鈥檒l need to look elsewhere if you plan to produce full-length documentaries. Action cams are best for gathering shorter videos that go on social platforms or that get spliced into longer edits. Take Cody Townsend鈥檚 鈥淭he Fifty鈥� for example: He had a full-time videographer, , who used pro cameras to capture most of the footage. Townsend was also filming with a GoPro so that we could see his first-person perspective, but the editors would only include his footage when it made sense.

Storing and Editing Video Footage

It鈥檚 easy to shoot fun footy, but without proper organization and equipment, it can be a pain in the ass to store and edit. Make sure you have a hard drive that鈥檚 big enough to store video footage (we suggest you start with something that鈥檚 at least 10 or 12 terabyes), and use a naming convention that鈥檚 easy to search so you can go back and find the footage you shot last month, or last year.

On the editing side, there are lots of apps such as that will help you splice your best clips together to create a short Instagram reel, but they can鈥檛 help you produce a thoughtful three-minute mini documentary. If you want to create something longer, you鈥檒l need to learn how to use video editing software such as Adobe Premier Pro.

Battery Life

Always invest in extra batteries. Companies say their batteries will last hours, but they never do, so it鈥檚 important to have at least two extra batteries on hand if you鈥檙e on an all-day adventure.

How We Test

• Number of Testers: 5
• Number of Products Tested: 10
• Hours of footage captured: 20+
• Number of times we jokingly said 鈥渇ooty鈥� and 鈥済nar鈥�: 100+
• Highest elevation while testing: 10,500
• Coldest temp while testing: 0掳贵

Camera geeks are the best testers because they鈥檙e geeks. While most people just want to start shooting, the geeks also want to dig into the minutia and spend hours debating the merits of one camera versus the other. Thankfully our camera geeks have gotten good at digging into the details but then backing out and putting themselves in the shoes of the regular consumer so they can make recommendations based on general use.

For this year鈥檚 test we sent cameras on a wide variety of adventures and told testers to push the limits to find out where they failed. One tester took his camera on a full-moon skin to see how well the low-light option worked. While you could make out what was happening, the footage was not pretty to look at, letting us know that while action cams have come a long way, they鈥檙e still not as good as a bigger pro-level camera.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Category manager Jakob Schiller was a gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料 and is now a columnist. The father of four kids and two dogs, he鈥檚 a bit pinned down but still manages to run, ski, or bike every day and often brings a camera with him. Sometimes he nails the footage. Sometimes it鈥檚 total junk.

can鈥檛 sit still so he鈥檚 always thinking up an adventure like driving all the way to Alaska, raving in the Nevada desert, or riding his motorcycle up mountain roads. It鈥檚 easy to hand him a camera and tell him to push record.

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Running shoe technology is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the wide range of people getting out, gaining fitness, and pushing their personal limits. Today, the range of styles available to runners is greater than ever before, with shoe developers constantly introducing new foams and novel shapes, stack heights ranging from close-to-the-ground minimal to impossibly high maximal, and a smorgasbord of unique rides to complement any stride and preference.

A multitude of choices, however, can sometimes lead to decision paralysis. To help you find the best running shoe for your specific needs, we鈥檝e tested more than 100 pairs of new and updated models with a diverse team of over 20 testers. Whether you鈥檙e seeking a speedy shoe to make you feel like you鈥檙e flying (and help you PR), or a daily workhorse that you look forward to lacing up, our guide is here to help.

Update March 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new models in 11 categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Asics Novablast 5.

At a Glance

Training Shoes

• Best All-Around: Asics Novablast 5 ($140)
• Best Cushioned Trainer: Nike Vomero 18 ($150)
• Best Distance Trainer: Brooks Glycerin Max ($165)
• Best Value: Brooks Launch 11 ($120)
• Best Lightweight Trainer: Mizuno Neo Zen ($150)
• Best Super Trainer: Nike Zoom Fly 6 ($170)
• Best for Recovery Runs: Diadora Nucleo 2 ($160)
• Best Natural Ride: Mount to Coast R1 ($160)

Stability Shoes

• Best All-Around: Asics GEL-Kayano 31 ($165)
• Best Plush Stability: Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 ($150)
• Best Lightweight Stability: Brooks Hyperion GTS 2 ($140)

Racing Shoes

• Best Marathon Racer: Nike Alphafly 3 ($285)
• Runner-Up Marathon Racer: Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 ($275)
• Best For Shorter Road Races: Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4 ($250)

Trail Running Shoes

Tips and How We Test

• How to Choose a Road Running Shoe
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Testers

Best Training Shoes

Best All-Around

Asics Novablast 5

Weight: 9 oz (men), 7.9 oz (women)
Stack Height: 41.5鈥�33.5 mm (men鈥檚); 40.5鈥�32.5 mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Great weight-to-cushioning ratio
鈯� Smooth ride
鈯� Poor outsole grip in slick conditions

Versatile, cushioned, and responsive, few shoes check as many boxes as the ASICS Novablast 5. Underfoot, ASICS upgraded the midsole to FF Blast Max, a polyolefin-based compound that鈥檚 a touch softer and bouncier than its predecessor. Testers praised it for its 鈥減lush experience鈥� and 鈥渓ively and energetic feel underfoot.鈥� The shoe delivers a buttery smooth ride with a noticeable poppy feeling most everyday trainers lack. Despite the thick stack of foam underfoot, the Novablast 5 remains surprisingly nimble for an everyday trainer. While it鈥檚 not our first choice for dedicated speedwork, it handles uptempo efforts better than any other daily trainer we tested. The ride is also surprisingly stable thanks to the wide base and the responsiveness of the foam, which saves it from feeling squishy.

The fit, which is true to size, remains largely unchanged from the Novablast 4. Testers appreciated the new stitch-free engineered jacquard mesh upper, noting it felt a touch softer, improving overall comfort. Straight out of the box, the Novablast 5 felt run-ready with no break-in required.

One area that could be improved is the outsole. In an effort to keep the weight down, ASICS skimped on the rubber. This didn鈥檛 affect traction on dry surfaces, but one tester noted that he lacked confidence in the shoe during cold and wet runs. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not slick, but it doesn鈥檛 grip,鈥� he said.

We rarely suggest one shoe that would work for every runner, but the ASICS Novablast 5 is a standout that just about anyone would appreciate for almost any type of run.

Best Cushioned Trainer

Nike Vomero 18

Weight: 11.5 oz (men), 9.3 oz (women)
Stack Height: 46鈥�36 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: 6-13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Outstanding stability for such a tall shoe
鈯� Extremely comfortable
鈯� Heavy, slow

When it comes to adding volume to running shoe midsoles, more isn鈥檛 always better. Sometimes more is just more. That鈥檚 not the case with the Vomero 18. With an added six millimeters of foam underfoot, everything about this shoe exudes comfort. Holding the title as Nike鈥檚 most thickly cushioned running shoe to date, the Vomero 18 features a dual-density midsole that pairs a new version of Nike React X鈥攚hich Nike claims has 13 percent more energy return鈥攚ith ZoomX foam. React X, the firmer, more durable layer, delivers structure and support on the bottom, while the softer, more responsive ZoomX鈥攆eatured in Nike鈥檚 Alphafly and Vaporfly鈥攕its on top for a bouncier ride. The pairing delivered a smooth, cushioned ride that testers found both plush and surprisingly stable for such a high-stack shoe.

Nike didn鈥檛 just add more cushioning underfoot鈥攖he revamped engineered mesh upper also receives a healthy dose of padding for all-day comfort. The downside to all this plushness is that the Vomero 18 tipped the scales at 11.5 ounces for men and 9.2 ounces for women, making it the heaviest shoe we tested. While they are well balanced and don鈥檛 feel like weights on your feet, testers did note the shoe is best suited for everyday, easy, comfortable runs.

Best Distance Trainer

Brooks Glycerin Max

Weight: 10.5 oz (men), 9.5 oz (women)
Stack Height: 45鈥�39 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14, 15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Tuned midsole is both soft and responsive
鈯� Wide platform keeps tall midsole stable
鈯� Feels somewhat bulky

The Brooks Glycerin has long been Brooks鈥� premium highly cushioned everyday trainer. However, with stack heights increasing across the industry, its 38mm/28mm profile no longer stands out as a true max-cushioned option for long-distance running. Enter the Glycerin Max, which is Brooks鈥� highest-stacked shoe to date but manages to not feel overly tall.

Brooks鈥� new DNA Tuned midsole starts with its familiar nitrogen-infused EVA-based compound, but instead of being a consistent density throughout, the foam has different-sized cell structures in different locations, making it softer on the outside of the heel and firmer and more responsive on the inside of the heel and throughout the forefoot. 鈥淭he result is a high-cushion shoe that I found doesn鈥檛 wallow and allows the foot to engage as it rolls through the stride, making it a shoe that I, usually a max-shoe hater, wanted to wear more,鈥� noted one tester.

Raised sidewalls and a noticeably wide base aid in creating a stable stance for such a tall shoe. To enhance a smooth roll from an otherwise inflexible sole, a rockered forefoot encourages a natural forward transition, helping maintain momentum with each stride. A rather simple engineered mesh upper, consistent with other Brooks models, provides a true-to-size fit that complements the shoe鈥檚 plush underfoot feel. All in all, the Glycerin Max coddled our feet while rolling smoothly through the miles, making us want to keep going no matter how far from home we wandered.

Best Value

Brooks Launch 11

Weight: 7.7 oz (men), 7.1 oz (women)
Stack height: 35.5鈥�27.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 7-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� A lot of bang for the buck
鈯� Foot-following fit and ride
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Narrow for some

It is not easy to find a good running shoe for less than 125 bucks these days, but the Brooks Launch 11 is an exception. The Launch 11 may not offer massive cushion or a carbon or nylon plate, but we kind of love that about it. Instead of the trampoline-like ride of so many other shoes on the market right now, the Launch 11 provides a classic, almost old-school vibe by allowing groundfeel while still offering a little bouncy rebound. Paired with an upper that conforms around and moves with your feet, plus looks great, we think this shoe gives a range of runners great bang for their buck.

With this update to the Launch, Brooks added 1.5 millimeters more lightweight, responsive cushioning (Brooks nitrogen-infused DNA Flash foam) under the heel and 2.5 millimeters more under the forefoot, with an insert of even lighter and springier DNA Flash 2. This gives the Launch 11 a higher stack height but a lower heel-toe offset (eight millimeters instead of 10) than the Launch 10. We found this update super comfortable and more than capable for everything from daily miles at a cruisy pace to shorter, faster efforts, and even allowed us to dance nimbly over tame trails. One tester noted that this shoe feels 鈥渓ight and springy and propels you forward,鈥� while another called it 鈥渄ownright snappy.鈥� Another tester gave the $120 Launch 11 a score of 10 out of 10, raving that it has 鈥渙ne of the best sneaker fits so far鈥� for her narrow foot, with 鈥渁ll the bells and whistles needed.鈥� Some other testers, however, found the fit too narrow.

Best Lightweight Trainer

Mizuno Neo Zen

Weight: 8.4 oz (men), 7.1 oz (women)
Stack Height: 39.5鈥�33.5 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 6-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Energetic midsole
鈯� Smooth, accommodating ride
鈯� Upper bunches for those with narrow feet

As the market has gravitated toward softer shoes, Mizuno鈥攍ong known for its firm underfoot feel鈥攈as lagged behind. That is, until now. Testers were blown away by the comfort and smooth ride of the Mizuno Neo Zen. The standout feature? Its nitrogen-infused supercritical TPU midsole. 鈥淚t feels completely different than anything out there. It is very soft but feels responsive when you get moving in it,鈥� said one tester, while another added, 鈥淚t鈥檚 soft enough to soak up impact on easy runs but has a propulsive energy return that makes picking up the pace feel effortless.鈥� There鈥檚 no shortage of cushioning either with just under 40 millimeters of foam under the heel. Yet, despite all that foam, it remains impressively lightweight.

Ironically, given Mizuno鈥檚 history of using wave plates, the Neo Zen doesn鈥檛 have a plate embedded in its midsole like most super trainers. This contributes to the shoe having less of the trampoline-like bounce we鈥檇 like for race day, but it does offer an energetic feel for uptempo running and delivers a flexible, forgiving ride.

The upper features a stretchy, one-piece knit design that adapts to a variety of foot shapes and sizes. Often, a one-piece knit upper can be hit or miss, lacking the ability to wrap differently shaped feet securely. However, outside of some rippling across the forefoot when tied tight, testers were impressed by its sock-like fit and out-of-the-box comfort.

Best Super Trainer

Nike Zoom Fly 6

Weight: 9.3 oz (men), 7.7 oz (women)
Stack height: 40鈥�32 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Works for a variety of runners
鈯� Performs at a variety of paces
鈯� Can feel funky when heel striking

By definition, supertrainers combine racing technology with more durable elements. The Zoom Fly 6 borrows ZoomX, Nike鈥檚 premium Pebax midsole foam, from the lauded Vaporfly super shoe racer. But while the Vaporfly 3 (and Alphafly 3) are solely built with ZoomX cushioning, the Zoom Fly 6 adds a bottom layer of more stable and durable EVA foam, making it a daily trainer built to last day in and day out. The Zoom Fly 6 also has a wider profile to feel less tippy than the raceday rockets, and a lower stack height which allows greater connection to the ground.

While the previous version of the Zoom Fly could feel thick and chunky on the foot, the 6 is lean and streamlined. We found it felt light and fast on tempo runs or when doing speedwork, and stable and comfortable on longer, slower runs, although the heel-toe transition is less smooth when heel striking at an easy pace.

The carbon plate sandwiched between the two layers of foam, which feels slightly less rigid and aggressively rockered than that in the Zoom Fly鈥檚 racing siblings, seemed to stabilize the ride and save energy. The texturized rubber outsole does a great job gripping dry or wet roads, and even feels capable on smooth dirt. The woven mesh upper is comfortable and breathable, and the partially gusseted tongue cradles the foot. The Zoom Fly 6 feels capable and fun for daily miles, but is no slouch as a race-day choice either.

Runners who don鈥檛 want to fork more than $250 for a race-only super shoe may just fall in love with the Zoom Fly 6, as many of our testers did.

Best For Recovery Runs

Diadora Nucleo 2

Weight: 9.7 oz (men), 7.4 oz (women)
Stack height: 35鈥�30 mm
Drop: 5 mm
Sizing: Men鈥檚 7-15; Women鈥檚 6-11.5

Pros and Cons
鈯� Good combo of cush and control
鈯� Comfortable upper
鈯� Tight across the toe box for wide feet

Yes, a shoe with a massive amount of soft cushioning can feel good underfoot for a cruisy run at an easy pace, but we think a comfy shoe with some stabilizing features works great for recovery. The Diadora Nucleo 2 is billed as a neutral trainer but has an updated heel counter that extends further towards the midfoot than the original Nucleo and provides some guidance to a tired stride. 鈥淭he stiff heel counter makes me feel protected and stable,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淚t made me feel capable for a longer run.鈥� We like how the cushioning from Diadora鈥檚 proprietary 鈥淎nima鈥� foam absorbs impact without feeling squishy for runs where we just wanted to zone out, and we appreciated the outsole鈥檚 ability to keep us sure footed.

We also enjoyed how the outsole of this road shoe allows for a little exploring. It鈥檚 made out of the brand鈥檚 anti-abrasive rubber, and even offered grip on slippery roads with alternating snowmelt and ice. 鈥淚 like that it has a little more traction than some shoes,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淚t can be used on road/packed trail, or road with imperfect conditions.鈥� And the soft-yet-secure mesh upper with a nicely padded tongue and heel collar feels like a comforting hug鈥攚hich is just what the doctor ordered after a day of hard training.

Read more about the Diadora Nucleo 2 in our stability shoe guide

Best Natural Ride

Mount to Coast R1

Weight: 8.5 oz (men), 7.5 oz (women)
Stack Height: 35鈥�27 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 6.5-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Smooth ride,
鈯� Stable,
鈯� Adjustable lacing system
鈯� Not very cushioned

Hong Kong-based Mount to Coast may be new to the shoe scene, but it鈥檚 already making waves with its innovative approach to road running shoes. Marketed for ultra distance running, their debut shoe, the R1, is a medium stack height, everyday trainer with a suburb ground feel. One tester described the ride as 鈥渁lmost minimalist in allowing natural foot motion and sensitivity while dampening harsh landings.鈥� The magic lies in the combination of a proprietary nitrogen-infused supercritical PEBA-blend midsole with an embedded S-shaped PU-based insert that extends from the lateral midfoot to beneath the big toe. Testers reported that the firmer insert provided a slightly more stable platform during the transition from landing to toe-off without any hint of control.

What鈥檚 really unique is the dual lacing system that features a traditional shoelace over the midfoot and a separate, quick-pull tie for the forefoot. This design lets you customize tension independently, ensuring a tailored fit for both areas. We loved how it allowed for a roomy fit through the toes with a secure midfoot lockdown.

Although Mount to Coast markets these as an ultra-distance shoe, we’d confidently recommend them as a daily trainer for runners seeking a touch of cushioning while maintaining a natural feel.

Best Stability Shoes

Best All-Around

Asics GEL-Kayano 31

Weight: 10.7 oz (men鈥檚), 9.2 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 40鈥�30 mm (men鈥檚); 39鈥�29 mm (women鈥檚)
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: Men鈥檚 6-16; Women鈥檚 5-13

Pros and Cons
鈯� Well-cushioned sole and upper
鈯� Smooth rolling ride
鈯� Stable without being firm or stiff
鈯� Somewhat heavy

Our testers were big fans of the Asics GEL-Kayano 30, which was a big departure from previous versions of the franchise shoe and a great example of how shoe companies have been rethinking traditional strategies to provide stability. The Kayano 31 built on the success of the 30, and we love it even more. 鈥淪ince the Kayano is a stability shoe,鈥� said a tester, 鈥淚 expected it to feel harder. But I was very pleasantly surprised at the high level of cushioning.鈥�

Like the 30, the 31 has a wide midsole and significant heel bevel, a flared sole under the forefoot, and soft, high-energy foam under the arch where we鈥檙e used to finding a firm medial post. Rather than attempting to block rotational movement, Asics says the bouncy insert, in combination with the shoes鈥� geometry, is designed to reduce the time at peak pronation and gently guide an over-rotating foot back into a more neutral position as it transitions from heel to toe-off.

The 31 boasts a new, engineered mesh upper that provides a great fit, regardless of foot shape. Testers loved how the upper 鈥渕orphs鈥� and 鈥渉ugs鈥� their feet, and raved about the plush comfort of the padded tongue and heel collar, as well as the cushioning underfoot. Also improved is the rubber outsole, which we found grippy on wet roads. This is a great update to an already reliable stability shoe that runs smoothly, responsively, and comfortably.

See our full round-up of stability shoes

Best Plush Stability

Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2

Weight: 10.4 oz (men), 8.1 oz (women)
Stack height: 38鈥�28 mm
Drop: 10 mm
Sizing: 7-13, 14 (men鈥檚), 6-11 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Soft and smooth
鈯� Stable without feeling controlling
鈯� Toe box uncomfortable for some

The Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2鈥檚 significant stack of nitrogen-infused TPE foam underfoot and a wide forefoot silhouette make this feel like a lot of shoe. This thing is plush. But for that much cush this shoe comes in at a reasonable weight and offers a forgiving, comfortable ride.

Testers found the foam鈥攁 combination of a softer core surrounded by a firmer perimeter 鈥攖o feel great underfoot, noting that the shoe ran 鈥渟mooth and easy.鈥� That鈥檚 not a description that comes easy for a stability shoe, and makes the ForeverRun Nitro 2 stand out. Complementing the underfoot cush is a premium engineered mesh upper that eliminates interior seams (aside from the partially gusseted tongue, which adds midfoot hold) to provide a welcoming step-in feel.听 The secure heel hold with a stabilizing external heel clip gives way to a narrow/secure-fitting midfoot, then splays out to a wide forefoot geometry that seems to add inherent stability throughout the gait cycle.

Despite the wide forefoot shape at the base, some testers craved more room on the interior, noting a feeling of crammed toes. But overall, the ForeverRun Nitro 2 is a great option for those seeking a combination of stability and cushioning in a good-looking shoe.

See our full round-up of stability shoes

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HOKA Clifton 9 Running Shoe

Need a light, plush shoe for your everyday miles? Meet the HOKA Clifton 9. HOKA added more foam underfoot yet somehow dropped ounces to give increased shock absorption at a lower weight, making the ride smoother and your stride freer. The strategically placed rubber zones ensure this pair holds strong against the rigors of a daily trainer, while the articulated heel collar keeps you locked in mile after mile.

Best Lightweight Stability

Brooks Hyperion GTS 2

Weight: 7.6 oz (men鈥檚), 6.9 oz (women鈥檚)
Stack Height: 31.5鈥�23.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: Men鈥檚 7鈥�15; Women鈥檚 5鈥�12

Pros and Cons
鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Low-profile, agile-feeling, and supportive ride
鈯� Highly breathable upper
鈯� Can feel too squishy in the heel for some

We loved the first-iteration Hyperion GTS for its lightweight comfort and springy, nitrogen-infused cushioning that one tester described as 鈥渇un and fast.鈥� The second version is updated with a new midsole compound鈥攏itrogen-infused DNA Flash v2鈥攚hich Brooks says is lighter weight and more responsive than its predecessor. We concur鈥攐ne tester described it as 鈥渟nappy,鈥� while another remarked on how it seems to push back while compressing and offers impressive rebound.

The GTS 2 still features stabilizing guide rails along the sides of the heel鈥攁 raised extension of the midsole foam on the outside, a firmer TPU piece on the inside鈥攖o help reduce heel shift and rotation for runners whose stride strays excessively inward or outward, especially towards the end of their run as a result of fatigue.

We appreciated the feeling of support while still being able to run smoothly and speedily when we wanted to up the effort. 鈥淚鈥檇 definitely speed train in these,鈥� said a tester. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e responsive, nimble, and light.鈥� These shoes are ideal for any runner looking for a daily trainer or racer that gives them a connected ground feel without being minimal. The cushioning is noticeable and lively, while the stability features are discreet. 鈥淚 found these easy to run in at any speed,鈥� said one. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e very responsive to whatever I feel like doing in them.鈥�

See our full round-up of stability shoes

Best Racing Shoes

Best Marathon Racer

Nike Alphafly 3

Weight: 7.8 oz (men), 6.2 oz (women)
Stack Height: 40鈥�32 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 6-15 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Bouncy, trampoline-like ride
鈯� Works for a wide range of runners
鈯� Lighter weight than previous versions of the AlphaFly
鈯� Heel can feel unstable
鈯� Can be hard to find in specific sizes

We鈥檝e run in all three versions of the AlphaFly to date and think this third iteration is a great update. Subtle adjustments to the shoe鈥檚 geometry, including a wider footprint and carbon fiber plate, paired with repositioned Air Zoom units and strategically sculpted midsole, give the Alphafly 3 a distinctly different feel from its predecessor, which many found heavy and clunky compared to the original. This shoe again feels bouncy, fun, and fast.

Complementing the cush and rebound of ZoomX (Pebax) foam and Air Zoom units (pockets of compressed air and tensile threads) is a full-length carbon fiber plate that gives the shoe extra snap and adds a touch of appreciated stability that even the most efficient runners can benefit from when fatigued (marathon, anyone?). One of our more competitive testers praised the Alphafly 3 for its bouncy, energy-saving ride and says she鈥檒l wear no other shoe for races longer than 10 miles. Another speedy tester noted, 鈥淓ven running as fast as 5k pace, I found the Alphafly responded quickly, encouraging a fast turnover.鈥� Some slower runners noted, however, that landing on the Alphafly鈥檚 sculpted heel can create a feeling of instability until the plate is engaged at the midfoot roll.

The upper of the Alphafly 3 is a lightweight, super-breathable mesh with an integrated tongue and thin, notched laces that pull tight and stay tied. Our feet were comfortable and secure without any pressure points on top of the ready-to-fly platform. We love that this shoe got lighter than its previous versions, which adds to its race-readiness.

Read our full review of the Alphafly 3. .

Runner-Up Marathon Racer

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2

Weight: 7.0 oz (men)
Stack height: 39.5鈥�31.5 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Sizing: 3.5-14 (men鈥檚/unisex)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Fast and springy
鈯� Secure foothold
鈯� Slightly unstable

Talk about an overhaul. This second iteration of the Saucony Elite could not be more different than the first. The primary reason is the underfoot feel of Saucony鈥檚 new, proprietary midsole material made out of TPEE that they鈥檙e calling 鈥淚ncrediRUN鈥� foam. While the original Elite鈥檚 midsole felt until compressed powerfully, the Elite 2鈥檚 midsole feels wildly squishy and unstable when walking or slow jogging in the shoe. But, as one tester noted, 鈥淥nce I started to pick up the pace, the foam firmed up and became insanely responsive.鈥� With a stack height that falls just within legal limits for a marathon-racing shoe, that massive amount of rebounding foam鈥攃ombined with a carbon fiber plate that鈥檚 slotted in the forefoot for flexibility (the same plate as in the original Saucony Elite) and an aggressive toe spring鈥攎akes this shoe beg for speed.

The upper has also been drastically updated, and we dig it. A combination of knit and mesh plus an airy knit tongue makes the shoe highly breathable. Testers found the heel collar and areas underneath the TPU overlays a bit warmer, but loved the secure heel fit paired with a roomier toe box. This is a fast, fun, lively shoe for race day.

Fit notes: We found this shoe to run a bit short. Also, the heel collar comes up high enough that a longer-than-no-show sock is needed.

Best For Shorter Road Races

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

Weight: 7.1 oz (men), 6.1 oz (women)
Stack Height: 39鈥�33 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Sizing: 6-13.5, 14.5 (men鈥檚), 5-12 (women鈥檚)

Pros and Cons
鈯� Soft, bouncier midsole than previous versions
鈯� Great fitting, comfortable upper
鈯� Less stability and ground feel than previous versions

For short road races like the 5k and 10k you need a shoe that鈥檚 lively, explosive, and ready to roll. The new Adios Pro is all that. 鈥淯nlike the Pro 3, which felt more like a cruising shoe, the Pro 4 actively pushed you forward,鈥� one tester remarked, adding that 鈥渋t makes fast paces feel easier.鈥� To achieve this, Adidas overhauled the Adios Pro 4 from top to bottom. Previously recognized as one of the firmer and more stable super shoes, it now joins the ranks of softer, bouncier super racers built for maximum cushioning and energy return. The newly formulated midsole is noticeably softer and bouncier.

Adidas鈥� signature energy rods are still embedded in the midsole, adding a bit of rigidity to the squish and roll. The start of the rocker, however, has been shifted backward, from 70 to 60 percent of the distance from heel to toe. When building their ultralight, high-performing race model, the , Adidas鈥� designers learned that the longer rocker engages the foot earlier in the stride and benefits forefoot and midfoot runners, enabling a smoother transition from midfoot to toe-off. Testers noted the change, with one saying, 鈥淭his shoe allows you to push off of your toe a lot easier than other shoes, which gives that fast feel.鈥�

Substantial improvements were also made to the upper, which is now crafted of a one-way stretch-woven upper material that鈥檚 incredibly soft and form-fitting. Testers loved how it adapted to their foot鈥檚 shape, providing a secure, locked-in feel for total control. 鈥淭he upper disappears on my foot in the best way possible,鈥� remarked one.

鈥淭he Pro 4 is lighter, bouncier, and responsive than the Pro 3鈥攁 huge step up.鈥� Unfortunately, those who liked the firmer, more stable and grounded feel of the Pro 3 may feel differently.

How to Choose a Running Shoe

When choosing a road running shoe, the first step is to determine the type of running you鈥檒l primarily be doing in them. Do you need a speedy racer, a shoe that offers comfort during long, slow jogs, or a versatile trainer that can handle various distances and paces?

Next, consider your preference for the feel of the shoe鈥檚 cushioning: do you like a soft, forgiving ride, a more energetic, bouncy sensation underfoot, or a firmer platform that provides better ground feel? With advancements in foams and technologies, many shoes today offer cushioning without compromising responsiveness or stability. However, each shoe balances these characteristics differently, providing a spectrum of options to choose from. The key to finding the perfect running shoe is choosing the one you鈥檙e most comfortable with.

Once you鈥檝e narrowed the search to a certain type of road shoe, you need to find a pair that complements your unique body and stride. Every runner鈥檚 body, gait, speed, experience, and ride preferences are different, so every runner will interact differently with each running shoe. The shoe that your best friend or your sister-in-law loves may be uncomfortable for you and make running feel slow, sluggish, or even painful. Finding the perfect pair of road running shoes is a seriously personal affair.

The process for choosing the best running shoes is a matter of finding the models that both fit your foot and also feel best when you鈥檙e running. To determine fit and feel, there鈥檚 no substitute for trying the shoes on and running in them.

Fit: Match Your Foot Shape

When assessing fit, first pay attention to length. You need room at the end of your toes as your feet lengthen during their dynamic movements on the run. A rule of thumb is to allow a thumb鈥檚 width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Runners often wear a running shoe a half or full size bigger than their street shoes.

Ensure that the shape of the sole and the upper matches your foot shape. The sole should be as wide or wider than your foot for the whole length, and match the curve of your arch comfortably. The shoe should hold your foot securely over the instep, while allowing the ball of the foot and the toes to splay and flex when you roll forward onto them. Your heel shouldn鈥檛 slip when you lift it, and the arch should be able to dome and lengthen naturally. Nothing should bind or rub as you roll through the stride.

Feel: Match Your Movement Path

If the shoe fits, it鈥檚 time to take them on a short run on a treadmill, around the store, or, ideally, down the block and back. Every running shoe has a unique ride created by the type and density of foam in the midsole and the geometry of that foam: its thickness, width, heel-to-toe drop, molded sidewalls or flares, and forefoot flexibility or rocker shape (plus, in an increasing number of models, the presence of and type of embedded plate). Each of these elements interact with each other and your stride to determine how the shoe reacts on landing, how much it cushions, how stably it supports, how smoothly it transitions from landing to toe off, and how quickly and powerfully it rebounds.

The best way to choose the shoes that complement your body and stride is to find the ones that feel right on the run. Benno Nigg, the world-leading biomechanics professor who , calls it the 鈥渃omfort filter,鈥� but makes clear it is far more than how plush the shoe feels when you step into it. What you want to assess is whether the shoe allows and supports the way your feet want to move, what Nigg calls your 鈥減referred movement path.鈥� In the right shoe, while running at your normal pace, you will touch down where you expect to land, roll smoothly and stably through the stride without noticing the shoe, feel both cushioned from and connected to the ground, and push off naturally, quickly, and powerfully. When this comes together you鈥檒l know that you鈥檝e found your pair.

It鈥檚 likely that several shoes will feel good on your feet. To find the most comfortable, it helps to compare them back to back, like an eye doctor will do with corrective lenses: flipping between 鈥淎鈥� or 鈥淏,鈥� 鈥�1鈥� or 鈥�2.鈥� You may also find that different shoes feel better at different paces or level of fatigue, and you may want more than one pair. In fact, research shows that wearing a variety of different shoes is one of the few to reduce injury risk as it appears to vary the stresses on your feet and joints.

What About Injury Prevention?

Running shoes have long been marketed and sold as prescriptive devices to help runners stay healthy, but there is correlating shoes, or any specific shoe properties鈥攍ike cushioning or pronation control鈥攚ith running injuries. Medical professionals say that it is highly difficult to determine whether a runner needs a certain type of shoe, and studies have shown that prescribing shoes using traditional methods like treadmill gait analyses or wet-foot arch height tests don鈥檛 consistently reduce injuries.

Don鈥檛 assume that you need more cushioning or more stability if you have sore joints, or if you鈥檙e a heavier runner, or if you鈥檙e a beginner鈥攅vidence doesn鈥檛 support many common beliefs. The best way prevent injury is find two or three different pairs that feel right on the run, ease into using them, and vary your shoes, your running surface and your pace regularly (plus avoid rapid increases in your training load and work on ).

How We Test

• Number of testers: 27
• Number of shoes tested: 102
• Number of miles: 21,000+ over a year

To test running shoes, we begin by researching every brand鈥檚 upcoming offerings for the coming season. We wind up with dozens of samples of the models (40 road shoes this season, 102 over the year) that are most promising鈥攏ot just for us, but for 27 testers that range in age, ability, running form, geographical location, and preferred shoe types. We try to put each tester in models from within the same category (e.g., neutral, stability, carbon fiber, zero drop or uptempo) so everyone can compare apples-to-apples.

After three to six months of running in each model on paved roads, concrete multi-use paths, treadmills, sandy beach paths, dirt roads, and tracks at a variety of distances, paces, and weather conditions, our crew members report back with their assessments of fit, comfort, traction, cushioning, flexibility, stiffness, pop, what type of running the model is best used for, how the shoe compares to other models, and more. We also run in every shoe ourselves, and, combining all the tester feedback with years of personal experience, hone in on the best. This guide combines the best recent shoes with outstanding shoes still available from the past two test periods.

Meet Our Lead Testers

Lisa Jhung

Freelance journalist, editor, and author has researched, tested, and written about running shoes for the past decade and a half, much of that time for 国产吃瓜黑料 and 国产吃瓜黑料 Buyer鈥檚 Guides. She coordinates a fleet of female shoe testers out of Boulder, Colorado, and says her home office is a perpetual obstacle course of cardboard boxes and piles of running shoes. Lisa鈥檚 written about gear of all kinds for numerous national magazines as both an editor and freelancer, including a stint as the Shoes & Gear blogger and trail running microsite editor for Runner鈥檚 World.

A high school jumper and occasional sprinter/hurdler, she started running鈥攔eally running鈥攁fter walking off the collegiate volleyball team, and moved on to road and trail races of any distance, triathlons, adventure races, and mountain running. She鈥檚 happiest testing rugged trail shoes on gnarly terrain, and also loves a good neighborhood jaunt鈥ut is almost always looking for ribbons of dirt. Lisa is the author of Running That Doesn鈥檛 Suck: How to Love Running (Even If You Think You Hate It) and Trailhead: The Dirt on All Things Trail Running.

Cory Smith

passion for running started over 30 years ago in high school when he became the number six ranked runner in the nation at 3000 meters his senior year. After high school, he competed at Villanova University, earning two NCAA Division I Championship showings. Today, he鈥檚 determined not to let age slow him down and competes on the national master鈥檚 circuit, running a 4:12 (4:30 mile pace)) 1500 meters and 9:04 (4:52 mile pace) 3000 meters in 2021 at age 43. He prefers a hard track workout or tempo run over an easy long run any day but also appreciates a challenging trail or mountain run.

His obsession with running shoes started in 2014 when he wrote his first shoe review for Gear Institute. Since then, he鈥檚 tested and reviewed hundreds of running shoes, clothing, and gear for 国产吃瓜黑料, Runner鈥檚 World, Footwear News, and other outlets. He has a soft spot for speedy shoes over heavy trainers but loves dissecting all shoes equally and thinking like a product engineer to explain the why behind every design detail. Cory is the Founder of , an online running coaching business, and since its inception in 2014, has coached runners鈥� to over 100 Boston Marathon Qualifying times.

Here鈥檚 one of 颁辞谤测鈥檚 shoe-testing routes on MapMyRun:

Jonathan Beverly

Jonathan fell in love with running his freshman year of high school and quickly became fascinated with finding the perfect pair of running shoes. That quest got a boost when he became editor of Running Times in 2000 and started receiving every new model as they were released. The parade of shoes continued while he served as shoe editor for Runner鈥檚 World, then editor of PodiumRunner, and currently fitness gear editor at 国产吃瓜黑料. Having now worn nearly every running shoe created in this century鈥攁nd a fair amount of those dating back to the early models of the 鈥�70s鈥攈e鈥檚 given up on finding the one best and now relishes the wide variety of excellent options.

Once a 2:46 marathoner regularly doing 50+ mile weeks, recent injuries and his age have reduced his volume by about half and slowed his easy training pace to around nine-minute miles鈥攂ut he says he still enjoys an uptempo workout or two each week. Beverly is the author of the book which explores how each individual鈥檚 gait鈥攁nd thus shoe preference鈥攊s unique. He enjoys getting scientists鈥� take on new shoe trends and trying to describe the nuances of each shoe鈥檚 ride.

The post The Best Running Shoes for Training and Racing appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

If backpacking is a minimalistic pursuit, car camping is a celebration of excess. Thanks to trunk space and truck beds, racks and rails, campers have room for all the essentials鈥攑lus some luxurious extras. For outdoor enthusiasts with outsized toy collections, there鈥檚 no better way to travel.

Whether you鈥檙e chasing swell, singletrack, steelhead, or some other white rabbit, this top-rated, thoroughly-tested camping gear will ensure that you feel right at home no matter where you choose to park it.

Updated March, 2025: We added four new picks to our list and updated product information and pricing throughout.听

At a Glance

• How We Test
• Meet Our Testers

Helinox Beach Chair

Weight: 3.4 lbs (packed)

Pros and Cons:
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Stable
鈯� Low to the ground
鈯� Cumbersome setup

After an embarrassing and painful incident involving hot pizza, an affable black lab, and a tippy camp chair, we鈥檝e come to appreciate stability in camp furniture. Thanks to a low-slung design and wide, splayed feet for beachside buoyancy, the Helinox Beach Chair is stable and secure, even when you lean back.

The stout yet lightweight anodized aluminum frame is tilted at the perfect reclined angle for comfort and support. (It鈥檚 also crafted by the same folks who make your favorite tent poles, and rated up to 320 pounds.) The hard-wearing, 600-denier polyester fabric stretches between the four poles, cradling the rump and lumbar with hammock-like suspension. There鈥檚 even a headrest flap to turn your puffy into a pillow. In a word, we find the Beach Chair napable.

Demerits are few and far between.. Although the setup of the frame is painless, stretching the fabric seat into place requires some tugging. Additionally, the chair is so low and comfortable that it鈥檚 best suited for campfire lounging over mealtime or card games 鈥榬ound a camp table.

Xtratuf Riptide Unisex Sandal

Weight: 8 oz (men’s 8)
Sizes: men’s 4-14; women’s 6-16

Pros and Cons

鈯� Lightweight
鈯� Comfortable
鈯� Heel strap isn’t adjustable

A more streamlined and stylish alternative to the ubiquitous, crocodile-stamped clogs, Xtratuf鈥檚 Riptide Sandal is the car camping slip-on you never knew you needed. It鈥檚 so versatile, our testers continued to wear the Riptide well after testing was wrapped.

Pair it with a cozy sock, and it鈥檚 a comfy camp slipper. Walk the dog or go for a little hike, and the heel strap keeps your foot locked in place while the textured outsole provides a modicum of traction. The foam construction is comfortable for all-day use and floats, too, making these a welcome replacement for water shoes on paddle and rafting adventures. Hell, one of our testers did his first kickflip in over a decade wearing these things.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e super lightweight, flexible, and comfortable. I use them for everything from my sandals on backpacking trips to a slipper for midnight bathroom runs when I鈥檓 camping in my van,鈥� reported one Tahoe-based gear tester. Our biggest gripe is that 鈥渟port mode,鈥� as it were, is permanently engaged. If you try to slip into the Riptide without pulling the heel strap in place, you鈥檙e inevitably stepping down on the strap, which isn鈥檛 comfortable for more than a minute or two.

Onwrd Supply ON2 Single Seat Organizer

Weight: 5.5 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Modular design
鈯� Durable
鈯� Hidden laptop compartment
鈯� Adjustable components
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Patches felt unnecessary

Smart car campers stay organized and turn underused nooks and crannies into dedicated gear storage. Onwrd Supply鈥檚 ON2 Single Seat Organizer helps tick both of those boxes. The system is built around an adventure-proof, 900-denier base panel designed to hang over most driver and passenger seats (we also tested it by hanging it on the backdoor of a custom van build and the wall of a gear room).

The panel features a flat, stealthy zippered pocket for hiding your laptop or other valuables鈥攁 welcome and unexpected stash spot for the wary wanderer. The main attraction? Six rows of MOLLE-style velcro loops, which are designed to house and hold Onwrd鈥檚 ever-expanding lineup of modular components. The result, according to our test team, is a system that鈥檚 endlessly customizable.

The ON2 comes with six components, including a water bottle holder (which we also used as a mini trash can), an insulated soft cooler perfect for refrigerating gas station booty, an organizer that doubles as a briefcase and triples as a shoulder bag, a nifty tool roll, and a collapsible tote that saved us from having to buy plastic grocery bags on multiple occasions. The seventh is a patch kit that, honestly, we could鈥檝e done without, especially if that kept the price more palatable. We care less about the aesthetic of a seat organizer than its gear-hauling abilities, but that鈥檚 the beauty of modular systems鈥攖o each their own.

Radius Outfitters Camp Seatback Laundry Bag

Weight: 1.5 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Various hanging options
鈯� Breathable, odor-proof mesh
鈯� Versatile
鈯� Expensive

What to do with dirty laundry while camping? If the answer is to cram it in an airtight bag or bin, sealing it off like radioactive waste in a nuclear entombment facility, we have a less stinky solution: the Radius Outfitters Camp Seatback Laundry Bag.

Like all of the Radius Outfitters gear we鈥檝e tested over the years, the Camp Seatback Laundry Bag is well-made and off-road-ready. A combo of thin yet bomber straps, g-hooks, and velcro allow you to hang the bag on seatbacks, grab handles, tree branches, and more.

The mouth of the bag is robust and rigid, while the mesh portion is collapsible. Crafted from a resilient PVC material, the mesh is strong and, most importantly on longer adventures, breathable and aroma-proof. There鈥檚 even a zipper down the center, so you can empty the guts from the bottom of the bag or access a specific item without digging through every sweat-soaked sock and garment.

For longer-term trips or full-time vanlifers, this useful accessory lets you stay on top of your laundry. But don鈥檛 let the word鈥檚 鈥淟aundry Bag鈥� fool you. This utilitarian accessory won鈥檛 be pigeonholed, and along countless road trips, we鈥檝e also deployed it as a trash can, recycling bin, ski pole receptacle, you name it. It is, however, more expensive than the sleeping bag stuff sacks we鈥檝e been using for camp laundry.

Nemo Double Haul Convertible Duffel and Tote

Weight: 3.1 lbs (55L)
Sizes: 30L, 55L, 70L, 100L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Multiple carry options
鈯� Wide range of sizes
鈯� Durable recycled polyurethane-coated nylon fabric
鈯� Mesh pockets helpful for smart camp storage
鈯� Soft-sided storage isn鈥檛 ideal for electronics

We tested plenty of gear boxes and bags last summer and fall, but Nemo鈥檚 Double Haul Duffel was a shoo-in favorite thanks to its brilliant design that transforms this bag from duffel to pack to tote.

鈥淭he options are outrageous,鈥� commented tester and outdoor photographer Katie Botwin, who chucked her camera gear, clothes, watercolor supplies, and hiking essentials in the 100-liter version for a three-day trip in the Sierra and still had volume to spare. Her personal favorite hauling configuration was backpack mode: the comfy, cushioned straps made hauling the heavy pack a breeze and simultaneously freed up her hands.

Others preferred to unzip and prop the Double Haul open, converting it into a massive, rectangularly-mouthed tote. Thanks to the rigid trusses incorporated into the lid of the bag, the Double Haul stays open and doesn鈥檛 flap in transit, allowing you to pack heaps of gear in this thing when it鈥檚 in tote mode.

We also appreciated the interior and exterior organizational mesh pockets and included zippered storage sack, which doubles as a gear organizer for smaller essentials otherwise destined to disappear in a 100-liter duffel.

Testers agreed that the ability to sling the Double Haul over the shoulder like a traditional duffel or grab the reinforced handles when loading the rig only increased its utility for serious expedition use. 鈥淚鈥檇 happily use this for backyard car camping trips, international mountaineering trips, and everything in between,鈥� summed up Botwin.

The Bluesign-approved, polyurethane-coated recycled nylon fabric was durable and weatherproof, according to Utah overlander and aircraft mechanic Emerson Bowling, who tested the 55 liter version on trips to Wyoming, Montana, and throughout his home state.

鈥淚t got rained on for about eight hours when I left the bag outside overnight after a few too many campfire beers with some friends. Luckily, everything inside was completely dry after my dumb mistake.鈥�

Rux Waterproof Bag

听

Weight: 1.2 lbs
Volume: 25L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Inner liner unfurls into a roll-top dry bag
鈯� Heavy-duty
鈯� Waterproof
鈯� Expensive

At first glance, Rux鈥檚 Waterproof Bag looks like an overpriced tote. But this sack is burly, crafted from a waterproof, resilient, 840-denier TPU-coated nylon, and sports sturdy handles and lash points. The best feature? A hidden liner that unfurls into a roll-top dry bag, boosting carrying capacity, increasing camping utility, and justifying the price tag. “If James Bond had a tote bag this would be it,” said one tester. “Technical yet simple, rugged yet sophisticated.”

Impressed by the two-in-one bag鈥檚 durability and waterproofing, testers also used this bag for hauling wet surf gear. 鈥淣ever went to the river surf wave without it,鈥� commented one. He appreciated that he could count on the bag to keep his change of clothes and personal effects dry while he was surfing, then stash his wet gear on the way home.

鈥淚t鈥檚 ideal for vanlifers, car campers, and everyday adventurers鈥攜ou can use it tote-style to haul groceries one day and as a dry bag the next.鈥�

Radius Outfitters Tool Roll

Weight: 2.5 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Construction is rugged, easy to clean
鈯� A variety of pockets and sleeves
鈯� Cinching straps ensure any tool stays put
鈯� Pricey

The Radius Outfitters Tool Roll is 鈥渁 great way to keep your vehicle tools organized,鈥� according to Utah overlander and aircraft mechanic Emerson Bowling. 鈥淵ou can carry a surprising amount of tools for how small this packs,鈥� he reported, noting that if you do carry a smaller kit, the roll鈥檚 cinching straps still allow you to batten down the hatches and ensure a rattle-free ride.

That said, Bowling filled it to the brim, and he was subsequently appreciative of the three stacks of tool sleeves鈥揾is go-to for stashing wrenches, adjustable wrenches, a ratchet, and a pipe wrench that he joked doubles as his hammer. He also loved the multiple zippered pockets: In the two narrower pockets, he carries a screwdriver with interchangeable apex tips, sockets, wire stripper-crimper tool, and hex key set, while the massive main zippered compartment holds consumables like wiring, connectors, duct tape, and other bits and bobs.

Although the simple yet well-executed design earned two thumbs up from Bowling, it鈥檚 the roll鈥檚 construction that makes the piece worthy of trailhead show-and-tell with fellow off-road-trippers. 鈥淭he materials they chose for this are top-notch,鈥� said Bowling, referencing a durable Cordura exterior fabric and easy-to-clean PVC interior. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e nice to the touch yet hold up well to heavy use, and tools don鈥檛 mar up the inside at all.鈥�

Gregory Alpaca Gear Wagon

听

Weight: 28.8 lbs
Volume: 140L

Pros and Cons
鈯� Collapsible construction
鈯� Heavy-duty build and 8-inch wheels
鈯� Can handle 250-lb load
鈯� Can get bogged down on sand
鈯� Pricey

While Gregory is best known for its backpacks, its new Alpaca Gear Collection of totes, gear boxes, and storage solutions is a slam-dunk. Our favorite piece of Gregory camping gear? The collapsible 140-liter Gear Wagon, which sits on beefy, eight-inch, all-terrain wheels, can haul 250 pounds of gear, and folds up to fit in a relatively easy-to-store carrying case. 鈥淚t collapses small enough that we can easily pack it car camping in our Subaru Outback,鈥� noted outdoor photographer Katie Botwin.

While recovering from back-to-back shoulder and knee injuries, Botwin relied on the wagon heavily, whether she was packing for a camping trip, unloading groceries, or organizing equipment for a photo shoot. It makes camping easier for everyone else, too.

鈥淚f you鈥檙e tent camping, and the site is a short walk from the car, or you鈥檙e heading to the beach for a picnic, the wagon will save you time and energy鈥揳nd maybe save you from an injury of your own,鈥� said category manager Drew Zieff, who appreciated this wagon鈥檚 ability to navigate especially rugged terrain.

Testers鈥� sole complaint was that the wheels could be overwhelmed in deep sand, especially when the wagon load was imbalanced toward the rear.

Therm-A-Rest Honcho Poncho Kids

Weight: 11.5 oz

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comes in kids-specific sizing
鈯� Available in rad colors and animal prints
鈯� Expect it to get covered in sticky s鈥檓ores

Last year, we included the adult version of Therm-A-Rest鈥檚 Honcho Poncho Down鈥攁 campfire cloak that鈥檚 admittedly silly, but extremely comfortable. This year, the brand released a kid鈥檚 version that鈥檚 stuffed with synthetic, hollow-fiber insulation and designed to fit most five to 10-year-olds. If our adult testers loved the Honcho Poncho, our kid testers were borderline elated.

According to one Bend-based tester, her 7-year-old kiddo loved the snug, warm poncho during afternoon thunderstorms and late-night meteor showers on a road trip to Montana. 鈥淚t was uncharacteristically cold and wet in southwest Montana, so this poncho got more use than expected,鈥� she reported. 鈥淲e probably wouldn鈥檛 have stayed up to see the Perseids meteor shower if it wasn鈥檛 for this poncho鈥攊t added the warmth and fun factor needed to stay up late.鈥�

Mom鈥檚 one gripe? The Poncho鈥檚 鈥渂illowy sleeves鈥� will inevitably get spattered with s鈥檓ores. 鈥淎fter a few weeks of use, we definitely have several marshmallow goo stains.鈥�

UCO Flatpack Smokeless Firepit & Grill

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Weight: 14.9 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Rugged construction
鈯� Packs flat, easy to store
鈯� Firepit doubles as a grill
鈯� Sharp metal can cut your fingers

This is a packable, multi-purpose fire pit primed for any car camper or vanlifer who enjoys a contained campfire, has limited trunk space, and prefers an open-flame char.鈥淚t鈥檚 perfect for sunset beach hangs with friends,鈥� reported a vanlifer and gourmet chef who took the UCO Flatpack Smokeless Firepit & Grill on a circuitous California-to-Colorado road trip. He loved that the flat-packing design was easy to set up, take down, store, and clean.

Durability was excellent, which our tester vetted by chucking the firepit off a 40-foot cliff at San Onofre, confirming 鈥渋t鈥檚 still sturdy as a rock鈥� after retrieving it from the ravine. He happily noted that the pit fit several full-sized logs, and nerded out over the double-wall construction and smoke-siphoning air channels.

鈥淭he design allows the sediment to flow down and not accumulate, and there鈥檚 good airflow, which is ideal for the burn,鈥� he reported.

Luno Packable Camp Pillow

Weight: 2.8 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Comfy
鈯� Compressible
鈯� Easy-to-clean, two-sided pillowcase
鈯� Pricey
鈯� Smaller than your pillow at home

Smaller and more compressible than your average pillow at home, at 24-by-13-by-6.5 inches (flat), Luno鈥檚 Packable Camp Pillow is a worthy addition to any camping setup. 鈥淚 was asleep within six minutes of unboxing,鈥� reported one tester, a Sierra hut keeper and snowboard guide.

A shredded memory foam filling makes it soft; those scraps are also removable, enabling campers to customize firmness to taste. The pillow also comes with an easy-to-clean two-sided pillowcase: one side is a polyester jersey blend meant for warmer weather, and the other is a polyester spandex blend best employed on chilly nights.

Dometic GO Area Camp Light

听

Weight: 1.2 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Area light, hanging lantern, or flashlight
鈯� Color and brightness settings help find lost gear, set the mood, or banish bugs
鈯� Removable, replaceable light diffuser
鈯� Pricey
鈯� Bulky

This 400-lumen lantern sports four brightness settings, eight color settings (including an amber option that doesn鈥檛 attract bugs), and a hook and handle combo for a multitude of carry and campground possibilities.

Category manager Drew Zieff, who took the Area Camp Light on a van trip down Highway 1, loved the misted plastic light diffuser, which softens and spreads the otherwise brilliant bare light. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 trying to keep a low-profile camping in a residential neighborhood, the diffused glow comes in clutch鈥損lus, it鈥檚 easy on the eyes, whether you鈥檙e having dinner at camp, reading before bed, or putzing around at dawn, looking for a bar of surf wax while your partner sleeps in,鈥� reported Zieff.

Another tester took the lantern on a climbing trip in the Sierra and offered similar praise. He loved the vibe-enhancing color settings, 鈥渟oft and pleasant鈥� dimmable light, long-lasting battery life, and USB output. If your speaker or phone is running low on juice, you can plug into the lamp and charge up.

Yeti Loadout GoBox 60 Gear Case

听

Weight: 17.2 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Removable divider and caddy
鈯� Built-in pockets in the lid
鈯� Durable
鈯� Expensive
鈯� Few included accessories

Yeti is famous for its bombproof coolers. But if you鈥檙e storing gear instead of beer, the uninsulated Loadout GoBox 60 Gear Case is cooler than any cooler. The cargo box is pricey (who鈥檚 surprised?), but our testers found the cost to be worth it. For one thing, the GoBox comes with multiple zippered storage pockets integrated into the lid, a removable divider, and a partitioned caddy. That made it easy to stay organized both in camp and on the road.

On a surf road trip from Canada to California, we filled the box with bulky gear like ratchet straps, a massage roller, and tools, and we organized smaller items鈥攍ike fin screws, fin keys, and wax鈥攊n the compartmentalized pockets and caddy. Testers loved the organization system, but they did wish the GoBox 60 came with multiple caddies and dividers rather than just the one each. That said, you can always accessorize further by tacking on more pricey extras at checkout. (An is $15, a , $20.)

Testers found the hard plastic box quite durable. It meets IP65 and IP67 ratings鈥攎eaning it鈥檚 dust-proof and submersible to one meter for up to 30 minutes. It’s also quite sturdy. 鈥淎 couple of days after filling the tub with tools, I found myself using those tools (and the GoBox as a step-stool) for an hour to fix a broken surf rack on the van,鈥� reported category manager Drew Zieff.

He appreciated that the build was sturdy enough to hold his 155-pound frame, though later research revealed Yeti doesn鈥檛 recommend standing on the GoBox鈥攑erhaps because heavier folks can max out the plastic lid. It’s not a bad suggestion: the longer, skinnier dimensions of the box feel a little tippy, so it鈥檚 generally best deployed as a camp stool rather than a casting platform while fly fishing. But in our experience, the impact-resistant plastic was sturdy enough to take a bit of beating and show no worse for wear.

Nocs Provisions Field Tube

听

Weight: 8 oz.

Pros and Cons
鈯� Easy to use
鈯� Compact
鈯� Focus dial is smooth and intuitive
鈯� Too big or bulky for certain ultralight adventures
鈯� Pricey

The Nocs Provisions Field Tube is the definition of big fun in a small package. The fog- and waterproof monocular is five inches long with a 32-millimeter front lens, making it packable for road trips, day hikes, and car camping adventures. The simple, one-handed design is intuitive, too鈥攋ust look through the eyecup, aim, and roll the smooth, outsized focus wheel to dial in sharpness and clarity through the multi-coated lenses.

The monocular boosts vision with either 8x or 10x magnification, depending on the version you choose, and provides crisp visuals. We found it handy for everything from scoping potential campsites to spontaneous bird- and whale-watching outings, although dedicated birders may prefer the , which we also tested and appreciated.

But for its price and convenience for most in-camp uses, the monocular won out. 鈥淚 could watch fish rise from way down river in California, and check out waves from way up the beach on the Oregon coast,鈥� reported one tester.

The North Face Base Camp Gear Box

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Weight: 4.1 lbs

Pros and Cons
鈯� Sets up and packs down quickly
鈯� Folds flat for efficient storage
鈯� Duffle-style grab handles
鈯� Multiple compartments for smaller gear
鈯� Doesn鈥檛 hold as much weight as hard-sided storage cubes

From hauling ski boots to organizing climbing gear, The North Face鈥檚 Base Camp Gear Bins are infinitely useful. (We tested the 65-liter medium size, but the Base Camp is also available in a for $175 and a for $99.)听 鈥淚t鈥檚 like a picnic basket鈥攂ut for gear,鈥� noted one tester.

She added that she loved the multiple carry options. When loads are light, the ergonomic, duffle-style carry handles enable one-handed hauling from trunk to campsite. When you’ve got more cargo, the reinforced grab handles on all four sides of the box come in handy: they let us carry up to 45 pounds without issue

The Base Camp sports four internal mesh pockets, which let us organize small items like headlamps or sunscreen, and the water- and abrasion-resistant, TPU-coated polyester fabric features a transparent window so you can remember what you鈥檝e stashed inside. The lid and base of the box are both padded, inspiring one tester to flip the empty box open and use it as a changing mat in gravel and concrete parking lots.

Aside from a trace of dirt and grime, the fabric is no worse for wear.听 The soft-sided box retains its shape thanks to a pair of foldable metal kickstands, which pop up or stow away in seconds. The resulting structure is sturdy enough to stack gear on top, though not sturdy enough to stand on.

How We Test

• Testers: 15
• Products Tested: 55
• Miles Road-Tripped: Approximately 17,144
• Highest Elevation Driven: 11,000 feet
• Longest Road Trip: A 2,500-mile, detour-stacked adventure down the California coast, through Nevada, Utah, and Colorado
• Longest Stint on the Road: Eight weeks

To find the best camping gear and accessories of the year, we enlisted a diverse crew of road-tripping testers, ranging from a wildfire-chasing podcaster in the Pacific Northwest, to outdoor photographers in California, to a Utah-based aircraft mechanic who works on his overland rig in Utah鈥檚 Uintas.

Road-tripping and car-camping rigs were similarly diverse. They ranged from the two-door Nissan Versa鈥攁n atypical adventure mobile that only turns heads when it鈥檚 putzing along in your blind spot鈥攖o a handful of double-take-worthy machines, including a well-loved 2000 Toyota Tundra with a platform camper bed; a 2006 Chevy Express with 30-inch topper and wood stove; a custom-built 2008 Sprinter 3500; a powerful 2021 GMC Canyon Diesel with a camper shell; a 2023 Ford Bronco Badlands; and more. One even included a Sprinter van made famous on the hit Netflix show 鈥�.鈥�

We asked this squad to hit the road, put 42 products to the test, and report back. After road trips, surf chases, bike journeys, camping weekends, and more, they filled out review forms. Testers rated gear on a quantitative scale for aspects like durability and practicality, and dove deep on qualitative feedback, discussing everything from pros and cons to installation woes and favorite features. Finally, our category manager, Drew Zieff, sifted through these review forms, picked winning products, then penned the reviews on this page.

Meet Our Testers

Drew Zieff

is a Tahoe-based freelancer who writes for Backcountry Magazine, REI, Gear Junkie, and Forbes, among others. A regular 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor, he heads our snowboard gear coverage in the winter. A few years back, he and his partner turned a plumbing van into their dream adventure mobile. After a couple years of vanlife, the highlight of which was surfing from Canada to Mexico, the couple put roots down in Tahoe, though they still take van trips to the coast when there鈥檚 swell. Familiar with the needs of both weekend warriors and full-time road trippers, Zieff happily directs our camping accessories and camping kitchen coverage each summer.

Amanda Monthei

is a writer, public information officer on wildfires, and the host of the podcast. A former wildland firefighter herself, she applies knowledge gleaned from the front lines to educate the public. She鈥檚 written about wildfires and natural disasters for 国产吃瓜黑料 as well as NBC, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. She鈥檚 also an avid angler, surfer, and skier, and she pens stories on a range of outdoor subjects. Monthei tested gear while camping for business and pleasure in her 2000 Tundra throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Cody Buccholz

is a professional chef who enjoys surfing, snowboarding, and adventuring in his 2008 high-top Sprinter with his pup, Jefecito. Even when he鈥檚 not slinging gourmet grub, you can often find Buccholz posted up in a beach or trailhead parking lot, whipping up savory meals for new and old friends. He tested a small mountain of gear while on a long, detour-filled road trip from California to Colorado.

The post The Best Camping Gear and Accessories to Add Comfort and Organization to Your Trips appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

This year, there have been some nice trends in Bluetooth speakers: 鈥淭rue stereo,鈥� which lets you pair two speakers at once and play the left channel in one and the right in the other, is available in more and more models. While it may be a clever way of selling you two speakers instead of one, it makes the experience more like sitting in front of your home hi-fi system. Meanwhile, battery life keeps on improving across the board, and it鈥檚 kind of stunning how water-resistant these devices have become: All of the speakers below have an ingress rating of at least IP67, which means they can be submerged in three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. If you鈥檝e ever combined a swimming hole and a large dog in the same outing, you know why this matters. All of which makes the new speakers highlighted here some of the best ever for outdoor adventures.

Update March 2025: We鈥檝e tested and selected new Bluetooth speakers in five categories, including a new best all-around pick of the Beats Pill.

At a Glance

• Best All-Around:
• Best for Parties:
• Best Value:
• Most Portable:
• Most Rugged:
• Best for Audiophiles:
• Best for Travel:
• How to Choose
• How We Test
• Meet Our Lead Tester

Better Beach Afternoons

A few years ago I visited an old high school friend in L.A. This was a friend you want to model yourself after: He鈥檇 founded his own company and designed his life so that work was done by 1 p.m. Then he鈥檇 pack up a self-designed and professionally fabricated 鈥渇un cart鈥� that rides on fat wheels. He鈥檇 trundle over to the beach and unfurl the built-in umbrella, roll out a cushy beach blanket, unpack a cooler full of cured meats and olives and a bottle of rioja, and tune his FM radio to a local station.

The whole ritual made me think of the last line from James Wright鈥檚 poem 鈥淟ying in a Hammock at William Duffy鈥檚 Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota:鈥� 鈥淚 have wasted my life.鈥�

The next time I visit Miguel, however, we are going to up his audio game. Today鈥檚 Bluetooth speakers are lighter than ever, and built to laugh off the ravages of water, sand, and accidental drops onto the pavement. No beach afternoon should be absent some smooth-sounding melodies: We鈥檒l take anything with a .

Here are reviews of seven of our current favorite Bluetooth speakers, depending on your needs and budget. We鈥檒l be updating the list over the course of the year. In the meantime, maybe you want to think about taking a 鈥渟ick day,鈥� shutting down the laptop, and finding some tasty waves.

Bluetooth Speaker Reviews

Best All-Around

Beats Pill

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Fun size and shape
鈯�听Impressive sound
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Not omnidirectional

It鈥檚 not hard to figure out what makes a speaker stand out. It鈥檚 the sound, stupid. Yes, I know, but what I love most about the Pill is the way I can grasp it in my hand like a tallboy of Rolling Rock or, going back to junior high memories, like a baton I鈥檓 passing to the anchor sprinter in the 400 relay. The design, which comes in five pleasing colors, might be the best of the year.

And the sound is, in fact, pristine鈥攚hat one tester described as 鈥渕ore open and detailed鈥� than the others in this test. That may be owing to what鈥檚 called a racetrack woofer on the inside, an oblong shape that makes the best use of a small space to produce big sound with less distortion. Gone are the days when a little two-pound unit like this was reserved for travel; this sucker sounds good enough to be your mainstay indoors and out.

The Pill was easy to connect, served brilliantly as a speakerphone, and, as one tester opined, gets 鈥渆xtra credit for aesthetics and a lack of any glitchy issues.鈥� If you get worn out swiping through your Bluetooth settings, you can use the USB-C cable to play music directly from your phone; Beats bills this as high-resolution audio, and we detected a slight improvement.

The speaker runs for an impressive 24 hours at medium volume, has a 鈥淔ast Fuel鈥� function to get two hours of playback from a 10-minute charge, and, if lost, can be located via the 鈥淔ind My鈥� apps on both Apple and Android devices. The soft silicone backing gives it a cushion against falls, and a lanyard lets you strap it around your wrist. One drawback: It鈥檚 not omnidirectional. While it stands securely on a flat base, it has to be pointed toward you to deliver the best sound.

In the end, facing off against an assortment of stellar-sounding speakers, the Pill edged out the others because, no surprise, it sounded the most crystal clear and mellifluous.

Best For Parties

Treblab HD-Max

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Loud volume when wanted
鈯�听Great value
鈯�听One-dimensional sound
鈯�听Confusing LED modes

When you need more volume and more bass, the HD-Max delivers. The sound is not as detailed or three-dimensional as the others in this guide, but that matters less when it鈥檚 about a crowd and, as the evening wears on, they鈥檙e getting down and boogying. Treblab鈥檚 newest offering has the power to fill a sizable outdoor space, and if you want to go a notch higher, a bass-boosting feature adds even more thump. 鈥淚t makes you feel like dancing,鈥� said one reviewer.

Two other fiesta-friendly novelties are a pair of multicolor lights on either end that can be turned off and on, and a bottle opener on the removable carry strap. It鈥檒l get 20 hours of play time if you keep it at 10 percent volume, but at 100 percent it鈥檚 certified for only 6.5 hours鈥攕till, enough to get you through the night, or, if not, you can always plug it in. (And the power goes both ways: If your phone is running out of juice, the HD-Max can charge it.) One thing that could use improvement: It鈥檚 hard to tell when you鈥檙e in indoor, outdoor, or bass mode; they鈥檙e indicated by a clunky system that involves deciphering a series of blinking LED lights.

These are small trade-offs when you consider that the HD-Max is a tough-built, five-pound, foot-wide boom box that retails for $200鈥攂ut can be found for 33 percent less than that. Others in its class, like Ultimate Ears鈥� , usually set you back $350 or $400. When the fun is over and it鈥檚 back-to-work time, the speaker has a built-in mic that works well for conference calls, with an average range of 33 feet. One tester said the HD-Max had 鈥渢he best combination of sound quality, volume, and portability鈥� in the test.

Best Value

Fender x Teufel Rockster Go 2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Sound fills the room
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Controls not all in same place

The German audio engineers at Teuful got together with the American guitar and amp brand Fender to make this thing of beauty. The sleekly designed Rockster Go 2 is smaller than a hardcover airport novel, at eight by four inches, but it pumps out some of the best, bassiest sound in this size range. Much like Bose鈥檚 鈥攚hose latest version weighs in at 1.3 pounds and costs $149鈥攖he 1.6-pound Rockster Go 2 amazed us with its 鈥渟traight-ahead sound quality and musical vividness,鈥� as one tester put it. It goes one step further than Bose with a button that engages what鈥檚 called Dynamore virtual stereo sound, an impressive, non-gimmicky feature that seems to magically move the music to the corners of the room. (Like the Beats Pill, this speaker is unidirectional, but the Dynamore feature does a lot to make it sound good from the front or the back.)

The speaker is supposed to last for up to a whopping 28 hours in Eco Mode (which reduces the bass), though you鈥檒l probably get more like the 15 hours it promises in regular mode at medium volume. Quick charging, however, gets you out the door faster if you forgot to plug it in the night before. A short carry strap enables easier toting, and GoPro users will appreciate the quarter-inch threading on the base, which is compatible with camera mounts. Although its range is only 30 feet, one reviewer remarked that 鈥渨ith a design that鈥檚 worthy of residing on your bookcase plus its rugged build, this may be the ideal indoor/outdoor speaker in the midsize range.鈥�

Note: The Rockster line includes two other, larger sizes: the $180 and the monster $480 .

Most Portable

Ultimate Ears Miniroll

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Very compact
鈯�听Impressive sound for its size
鈯�听Bungee strap is useful
鈯�听Can get only so loud

Over the past decade, the 鈥渕ini speaker鈥� category has been trying and trying to achieve a level of sonic quality that sounds so much better than your laptop speaker that it warrants a purchase. With the Miniroll, we may have achieved the singularity. At less than 10 ounces and a fits-in-your-hand, five-inch diameter, this grab-and-go disc produced some moments of startling loudness for its size. Physics wouldn鈥檛 allow it to be in the same acoustic class as the others in this test, but testers were impressed by what it can do.

Think of the places it can go: With its eminently handy built-in rubber strap, the Miniroll can bungee right over your bike handlebars, onto your belt loop, or鈥攁 habit I鈥檝e acquired solely on account of this speaker鈥攐ver the shower curtain rod, so I can keep clean while keeping up with the news. As secure as the strap is, a bouncy bike ride might eventually dislodge it, but with its sturdy build, we wouldn鈥檛 be too concerned about damage鈥攁nd its crazy-long range of 131 feet means you won鈥檛 lose connection when you turn around to retrieve it. A PartyUp feature lets you pair multiple Minirolls together for more power or a stereo effect.

Anyone debating whether to pack a speaker for an overseas flight can be confident that the Miniroll鈥攚ith its 鈥渞oad-friendly size and shape鈥� and at 1.25 percent of an airline鈥檚 50-pound weight limit鈥攊s well worth the consideration.

Most Rugged

Turtlebox Gen 2

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Extremely tough
鈯�听Easy to tote
鈯�听Smooth sound
鈯�听Not cheap

Like Pelican and Otter, Turtlebox thinks in terms of durability that will see you through any terrain on earth, if not other planets. Case in point: The company claims that they were able to park a six-ton monster truck on this speaker, to no ill effect. Encased in super-hard plastic and completely waterproof (even floatable), the Gen 2 has quickly garnered a following among fishermen and watersports enthusiasts for more than being tough. The 120-decibel speaker is 鈥渂oth incredibly loud and impressively refined,鈥� one tester observed. Indeed, our team was hard-pressed to find many differences in audio quality between the Turtlebox 2 and the other top scorers in this year鈥檚 test. The unit also plays for 25 hours at lower volumes and about six hours at max volume, such as what you鈥檇 need for a big party.

During LCD Soundsystem鈥檚 鈥淭ribulations,鈥� the bass tones flowed smooth as silk and distortion-free, thanks to the 6-by-9-inch woofer, and, to our surprise, the high and midrange sounds also came across with great clarity. With five color options and an ideal form factor鈥攁 lunchbox-size 9.5-pound boombox with a hard nylon handle coated in rubber, plus rubber bumpers on the undercarriage鈥攖he Turtlebox Gen 2 gets just about everything right, and its fairly high price tag is less scary when you consider its durability.

Best for Audiophiles

Bose SoundLink Max

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Very rich, loud sound
鈯�听Long battery life
鈯�听Easy to pair
鈯�听Needs 5-volt charger; standard USB-C is slow

For those who were wowed by Bose鈥檚 1.3-pound SoundLink Flex (our 2022听Editor鈥檚 Choice winner), this larger and far more powerful 4.9-pound edition of the SoundLink will be true love. It punches above its weight, with rich bass and perfect balance in the higher registers. While the addition of a rubber-coated rope handle is both convenient and cute, the sticking-to-basics features from this classic brand made it a bit less fun than other party-ready units in this test. Where Bose beats them, though, is with more subtle orchestral and ambient tracks. Max Richter鈥檚听The New Four Seasons听came through with a dynamism and presence that was a notch above.

Battery life is 20 hours, range is a passable 30 feet, and Bose鈥檚 app is more versatile than those that accompany most speakers, with EQ settings to suit your tastes and listening environment. IP67 water and dust resistance means it鈥檚 fine being dropped in the pool for up to 30 minutes. The SoundLink Max does cost a lot for its size, but for those among us who like to just sit and focus on great music, it may be the most ideal鈥攁nd ideally sized鈥攑ortable speaker to date.

Best for Travel

Klipsch Nashville

Pros and Cons
鈯�听Great sound in small package
鈯�听Nice design
鈯�听Bass can get distorted

Ten years ago, it would鈥檝e been inconceivable to hear sound this deep and loud coming from a speaker so small. Such are the advances of science. Klipsch鈥檚 Nashville is the Goldilocks among a new trio of IP67 water- and dust-resistant speakers from the brand (alongside the larger Detroit and the smaller Austin). All of them sound great, but the Nashville won us over because it overdelivers for its size, a mere 2.4 pounds and seven inches wide. A pair of 2.25-inch full-range drivers鈥攐ne on the front and another on the back鈥攃reate what the company calls 360-degree sound, so it works nicely in the center of a room as opposed to a bookshelf.

The tough build鈥攚ith cushy rubber cladding all around鈥攊nstills confidence in its durability, and its 24-hour battery life makes it even better for carrying through remote places without power. The Nashville has a 40-foot range and can be wirelessly linked together with up to 10 other compatible Klipsch units. We also like the built-in mic, which allows it to work as a speakerphone, courteously pausing your music on its own. 鈥淭he cool retro looks don鈥檛 prepare you for how thoroughly modern this speaker sounds,鈥� one tester said.

How to Choose

When shopping for a new Bluetooth speaker, first consider whether you鈥檒l be using it indoors, outdoors, or both. Check its to get an idea of how much water and dust resistance it offers; these are typically reliable. Next, think about how much you鈥檒l be carrying it around鈥攂etween house and backyard, say, or moving from campsite to campsite鈥攁nd whether you鈥檒l be on foot (carrying a pack or duffel, or not) or on wheels. Then consider what makes sense in terms of weight and dimensions. As a general rule, the heavier a speaker is, the more volume you鈥檒l get out of it, but playing it loud isn鈥檛 always a necessity鈥攕ome of you will be entertaining large groups, but others will just be setting it up for mellow creekside cocktail-hour listening with your partner.

If you鈥檙e someone who moves around a lot, a speaker with long battery life might also make a difference. These days most new models will play for a good 10 hours or more even at high volume, but some are longer-lasting than others, as detailed in the models reviewed here. Finally, more and more models offer 鈥渢rue stereo鈥� linking, where two or more speakers can be paired to play at once but in stereo; this makes smaller models with this option a little more attractive than before, because if you later decide to invest more, you can give your soundscape an appreciable boost.

Finally, don鈥檛 assume that if one of the speakers in this list doesn鈥檛 sound great to you, it鈥檚 your fault. Different folks have different tastes, and some types of music sound better鈥攐r worse鈥攐n certain speakers. If you make a purchase and are feeling lukewarm afterwards, keep an eye on your return window and don鈥檛 feel guilty if you have to exchange it.

How We Test Audio Equipment

• Hours of Testing: 246
• Test Environments: Running, hiking, dog walking, cycling, windsurfing, skiing, rock climbing, yardwork, car camping, conference calls, video streaming, noisy coffee shops
• Highest Elevation: 10,152 feet, Leadville, Colorado
• Lowest Elevation: 5 feet underwater in Lake Pleasant, Arizona
• Most Listened-To Tracks: Childish Gambino: 鈥淟ithonia,鈥� The Cure: 鈥淎lone,鈥� Drugdealer and Kim Bollinger: 鈥淧ictures of You,鈥� Fontaines D.C.: 鈥淔avourite,鈥� J Dilla: 鈥淲orkinonit,鈥� Kenya Grace: 鈥淪trangers,鈥� Magdalena Bay: 鈥淚mage,鈥� Slowthai ft. James Blake and Mount Kimbie: 鈥淔eel Away,鈥� Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross: 鈥淐hallengers鈥�

The first thing we do with any Bluetooth speakers is attempt to pair them with our phones without consulting the user manual: The quicker, more intuitive, and easier the sync, the more points scored. Then we put them through hours of testing doing the kinds of things 国产吃瓜黑料 readers do鈥攕oaking in remote hot springs, inviting friends over for outdoor dance parties, playing audiobooks while riding a bike, etc.

Our team turns in reports on each product tested, providing a score of 1 to 10 for five different measures: sound quality, pairing and connectivity, fit and comfort, rain and drop protection, and user friendliness. Scores are averaged, with more weight given to sound quality and (knowing our audience) how well they stand up to the elements. Note: Battery life estimates in these reviews are based on manufacturer specs; it鈥檚 difficult to confirm those numbers, given the time involved and variances among user habits (different volumes, different uses, different functions enabled). Actual results may be 10 to 20 percent lower, judging from averages experienced in general testing.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Will Palmer has been testing gear for 21 years for 国产吃瓜黑料, where he was managing editor and copy chief for nine years. Based in Santa Fe, he has been a runner since 1984, and while the mile counts have decreased over the years, he鈥檚 kept motivated to head out the door on the hottest, coldest, and wettest days by the opportunity to test the best new products鈥攁nd to commune with the junipers and pi帽ons.

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