As the days grow crisp and cool, the leaves begin to turn, and the trails seem freed from the masses of people, Fall beckons us into the great outdoors. Of course you’ll need the right gear to tackle the terrain, so we’ve checked in with our editors and asked them share some of their favorite gear to comfortably carry you through every Autumn adventure.
Base Layer: ICEBREAKER OASIS CREW
The most effective way to prepare for unexpected weather during a hike is to layer up, and just like anything else in this life, your foundation matters. The Oasis Crew has been everywhere with our field team from the quiet country sides of Europe to frigid Fall mornings of Yosemite. Wear this magical merino wool as a baselayer or solo, either way, it’s a virtual mandatory item for your adventures. Lest you question the sheer brilliance of Icebreaker Merino wool, take a look at our review here.
$95; us.icebreaker.com
Outer Shell: HELLY HANSEN ODIN H2FLOW JACKET
When an outdoor brand names their gear after the chief divinity of the Norse pantheon, know that you’ve got a piece of gear that you can rely upon day in and day out, through all conditions and terrain. True, it may just be Fall, but as you approach the peak, where the air gets thinner and the trees get smaller, temperatures can drop dramatically and you’ll want an exterior layer to handle the elements while keeping you comfortable and confident. Featuring the same H2Flow venting and warmth technology as the H2Flow Jacket, consider the Odin H2Flow your divine protection out in the thick of it all. This jacket offers light insulation at the places you need it the most while letting you ventilate and cool down through the unique H2Flow system. Add in an advanced exterior shell and its no wonder our editors love this jacket.
$400; HellyHansen.com
LL BEAN CRESTA HIKING PANTS
LL Bean’s top-of-the-line hiking pants are the prime choice for the outdoor enthusiast looking to cover maximum ground in minimum time. The Cresta hiking pants breathe well, dry quickly, protect you from the sun and allow you to move freely. They’re made of a lightweight, trail-ready nylon fabric that wicks moisture, has built-in UPF 40+ protection. Durable construction means these pants can take a beating but never dish one out thanks to two-way vertical stretch that provides freedom of movement. If you need something a little heavier, check out the LL Bean Knife Edge pants.
$64; LLBean.com
TREKSTA ALTA GTX
Winner of our Editor’s Choice Award, the Alta GTX is built with the gumption you’ll need to get through every Autumn adventure and beyond. The Alta GTX features TrekSta’s NestFIT system which cradles the foot according to its natural curves giving you a virtually customized fit right out of the box. A Gore-tex membrane allows it to breathe even when it’s shucking off the elements and the soon-to-be legendary Hypergrip outsole let’s you bag peaks, conquer rugged terrain, and comfortably descend steep sketchy trails.
$200; TrekStaUSA.com
KEEN MARSHALL COLLECTION
There are those who prefer an option that’s slightly lighter than the more traditional leather hiker, which is why we’re also including the new Marshall Collection from KEEN. Designed with an athletic mindset to meet the demands of todays fast and light hikers, the Marshall collection’s mantra is faster, lighter, brighter. A KEEN.DRY membrane allows these hikers to breathe even when they’re shucking off the elements, and a solid sole will grip just about everything Mother Natures puts in your path. Plus, you have the option of going with the mid-cut or low-cut version to fit your hiking preference.
$120; Keenfootwear.com
DARN TOUGH VERMONT LIGHT HIKE/TREK SOCKS
Never underestimate the interface between you shoes and your feet. The new Light Hike/Trek Socks from Darn Tough follow the brands tried and true recipe for comfort and performance: The industry’s densest knitting pattern (1,441 stitches per square inch); super-fine Merino wool yarns (17.2 micron); a lifetime guarantee. Add in the fact that it’s 100% American made and you’ve got the best mid-cushion hiking sock we’ve ever used.
$19; darntough.com
PLATYPUS SPRINTER XT 25
With 22 liters of gear storage, the Platypus Sprinter X.T. 25.0 Hydration Pack easily carries enough gear and food for adventures on or off the beaten path. Durable weatherproof construction with all-day load support and a modern design make this pack an easy choice for Autumn adventures when you want to keep things light while still being prepared for Mother Nature’s fickle side. And remember, while Fall hiking might not subject you to the threat of heat exhaustion, dehydration is always a possibility when your body is faced with physical exertion. Towards those ends, the Sprinter XT 25 comes with Platypus’ flawless 3 liter reservoir.
$140; cascadedesigns.com/platypus
Light and Motion SoLite 250
You can’t beat the hands-free lighting convenience offered by a headlamp. But what sets the SoLite 250 apart from all the others is versatility. Designed to function as a headlamp, flashlight, bike light, helmet light and even a free standing light, the Light and Motion Solite 250 is a multi-sport marvel. Select from three different power modes to fit changing conditions and activities so you’re ready for everything from a nighttime training run to a multi-day adventure race. Powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, the Solite 250 will give you up to 100 hours of useable light. Consider it your packable, dependable illumination that can handle a little tough love.
$149; lightandmotion.com
Note: Always take the time to check the latest trail conditions and weather reports before embarking on your Autumn adventure. Let someone know where you are going, and when you expect to return. Finally, we always advise packing the “Ten Essentials” for any outdoor adventure.