I spent seven years writing about hiking equipment for one of Canada’s largest outdoor retailers, so I’m pretty picky when it comes to my gear. I also spend a ton of time in the backcountry researching my hiking guidebooks and trail guides, so good gear is important.
Each year I make a list of the best new gear that I tried. The ten pieces of gear in this post are my favourites from 2024. These items are the ones that pleasantly surprised me and that I brought on tons of trips.
Hey there: I bought most of the gear in this post with my own money, but a few of the products in this post were gifts from brands. I also received lots of other gear that didn’t make the cut so you can be sure that I only share info about products that I really use and love. As well, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support. -Taryn
Loop Quiet Ear Plugs
I’ve always been a light sleeper, and it gets worse when I’m away from home. I don’t mind the white noise of a rushing river, but the quiet sound of a neighbour’s tent zipper opening in the middle of the night can wake me up.
I’ve been bringing ear plugs on backpacking and camping trips for years, but they were usually just cheap, disposable contoured foam earplugs.
This year a friend recommended Loop’s Quiet earplugs. They are tiny reusable earplugs with soft silicone tips, similar to what you would find on earbuds. They come with a bunch of different tip sizes so you can get a good fit. And you can easily clean them, which you’ll want to do after a while. (So much wax!)
Loop says they will give you 24dB of noise reduction, and I think that’s pretty accurate. They definitely dull the noise of the outside world enough to let me sleep pretty soundly.
I also find them more comfortable than foam earplugs. They stay in more securely too – although I have had to hunt around in my sleeping bag for them a few times when one has fallen out in the middle of the night.
(Side note: I also have the Loop Experience ear plugs that block 17dB of noise. I use them at concerts and sporting events, which used to give me a headache. I haven’t had a headache since I started using them!)
Specs: Provides 24db of noise reduction. Comes with four ear tip sizes. Includes a carrying case. Weighs 11g including case.
Check Prices: Amazon
Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie
Ok, so I officially have a sun hoodie addiction. (In fact, I wrote a whole guide to the best sun hoodies!) The Mountain Hardwear Crater Lake Hoody made my list of favourite gear in 2022. And in 2023, I put the Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Hoody on my list.
This year’s sun hoodie pick is the Outdoor Vitals Tern Ultralight Merino Wool Hoodie. It’s a merino/polyester blend sun hoodie. And if you know me, you know that I don’t always like merino wool.
BUT… I think the fabric of this sun hoodie pulls in the best of both fabrics. The Merino wool makes it anti-microbial and temperature-regulating. And the polyester makes it quick-drying while adding durability.
Since it’s wool, it’s a little warmer than most sun hoodies, so I don’t reach for it on hot days. However, it has been great for sunny hikes in milder weather, including in Moab and Newfoundland.
The only downside is the unisex fit – it’s a bit tight through the chest for me and I would like a bigger hood to accommodate my ponytail. But the fabric is fairly stretchy, so that’s a minor nitpick.
Specs: Made of 115 gsm 63% Merino wool, 29% polyester, 8% nylon. Weighs 153g.
Check prices: Outdoor Vitals
Arc’teryx Proton Hoody
I own a ton of puffy jackets. But ever since I got the Arc’teryx Proton Hoody, it’s pretty much the only one I wear. Unlike most puffy jackets, it doesn’t get all clammy inside since the fabric is really breathable. That means I can keep it on when I’m hiking uphill or working hard.
The Proton uses synthetic PrimaLoft insulation with a water repellent treatment, so even if it gets sweaty, it still keeps me warm. It also seems to dry really quickly.
Like most Arc’teryx clothing, it also has lots of nice details, like soft and stretchy knit cuffs and an adjustable hood that’s not enormous.
Side note: tons of people here in Squamish have the Arc’teryx Atom hoody. The Proton is warmer since it has more insulation. It’s also more breathable. However, the Atom is lighter and more compressible.
Specs: Made of 20d breathable face fabric with Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation. Weighs 360g.
Check prices: Arc’teryx, Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated Sleeping Mat in Long/Wide
For the last few years, I slept on an Exped Ultra 5R sleeping pad for summer trips. (It even made my fave gear of 2022 post.) I found the vertical baffles more comfortable than my previous pick, the Therm-a-rest NeoAir XTherm, and I didn’t care that it was a bit heavier.
This summer I borrowed my husband’s pad, the Sea to Summit Ether Light XT in long/wide… and refused to give it back. (Perplexingly, he switched to the ultra-basic Therm-a-rest Z-Lite!) The Ether Light weighs about 100g more than the Exped, but it was even more comfortable!
The long and wide size means that I don’t have to worry about my arms falling off the side of the pad onto the cold ground. (Or going numb from dangling).
I also found that the dimpled construction felt more supportive than the vertical baffles of the Exped. I had an overuse injury in my hip last winter, and it was still tender this summer. The Sea to Summit cradled my hip much much better!
However, it only has a 3.2 R-value. This is a good 3-season rating for warmth for most people, but since I get cold easily, I can only use this pad on trips where the temperature doesn’t get too cold – I find it best above 5C.
I also wish it was a bit lighter. For its warmth, it’s heavier than my Exped and my Therm-a-rest, both of which have higher R-ratings. But it is more comfortable, so I’m still bringing it!
Specs: Made of grippy 40D nylon with Thermolite synthetic insulation. R-value: 3.2. Dimensions: 198 x 64 x 10 cm. Weight: 690 g.
Check prices: MEC, Altitude Sports, Amazon, Valhalla Pure Outfitters
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3-Person Tent
Our beloved Z-packs Triplex was starting to show its age (so many little holes repaired!), so this year we splurged and bought a new tent: the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 3-person.
For context, we already own an older MSR Hubba Hubba 2-person (which we love but is tight for two people in bad weather), as well as the Triplex (which is a single-wall tent), so we were looking for something different.
We decided we wanted a double-wall 3-person ultralight tent. We would use it primarily for multi-day backpacking in situations where the single-wall Triplex didn’t perform as well – basically trips with rain and high humidity where the single-wall gets lots of condensation.
After a fair amount of research, we settled on the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 because it was quite light for the amount of room you get and had moderate durability compared to the fragility of some other ultralight options.
We took it backpacking on the Yoho Valley Loop and Egypt Lake in Banff National Park and we also slept in it frontcountry camping in the Rockies. Overall, we’ve got about 2 weeks’ worth of nights in it.
So far I’m pretty impressed with it for the weight. It’s roomy inside. It has lots of pockets, which we haven’t had before. It held up well to pouring rain and wind without any condensation issues.
I have a few nitpicks though: I think the double zippers so you can create an awning is an unnecessary gimmick and makes the doors less functional than the ones on the Hubba Hubba. And I wish the peg loops were adjustable the way they are on the Hubba Hubba.
Otherwise, we are really pleased with this purchase. Even though it weighs a kilogram more than our 600g Triplex, I think we are going to end up using this tent a lot.
Specs: 3-person freestanding tent. Made of lightweight nylon ripstop with 1200 mm waterproof coating. Floor area: 3.8 square metres. Weight: 1.59 kg.
Check prices: MEC, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Altitude Sports, Amazon
Cork Massage Ball
I’ve had issues with tightness in my calves and lower back over the last few years. At home, I use a knock-off Theragun massage gun and a big foam roller. But that’s not an option on the trails.
A few years ago, I got a cork massage ball and have since brought it on lots of backpacking trips, road trips, and vacations. It’s dense enough to get deep into my tight muscles, but light enough that I’m not upset about bringing it. At 55 grams, it weighs about the same as a chocolate bar.
There are lots of options online – mine is this basic one from Coengwo on Amazon.
Specs: Made of cork. Three-inch diameter. Weighs 55 g.
Check prices: Amazon
Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ Trekking Poles
I really didn’t need to buy these poles – my Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Poles were doing just fine. But I had been eyeing the FLZ-style folding poles for a long time since they fold up so much smaller than telescoping poles and are so fast to deploy.
If you’ve followed my newsletter for a while, you’ll know that I have weak ankles and sprain them fairly often. (I sprained my right ankle badly in June this year and then minorly again in November.) So I wanted to try out poles that were easy to carry in my pack, then pull them out when I need them on more challenging terrain or steep descents.
(I typically always use poles for backpacking and snowshoeing, but I try not to use poles all the time when day hiking because I need to force my lower leg muscles and core to work on stability.)
I bought the Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ poles when they went on sale. Since they arrived I haven’t used my old poles once. I love how small they pack down – they even fit in the side pockets of my smallest day pack. Their packed size is also a bonus for flying with them.
The cork grips are super comfortable, although like most cork grips they aren’t that durable. However, I get sweaty hands and won’t use non-cork grips since they just don’t feel as nice.
Deploying them takes a little practice. If you’ve ever used an avalanche probe, is the same technology. But it’s easy enough to master. So far the locking mechanism seems quite stable. And they do have one adjustable section so I can increase or decrease the length on slopes or to use with my trekking pole tent.
They are a bit heavier than my BD Alpine Carbon Cork poles since they aren’t carbon. But only about 50g heavier, which is pretty negligible. It’s also worth mentioning that they are pretty expensive, but I think they are worth it.
Specs: Made of 7000 series aluminum in 3 sections. 15 cm of adjustable height. Available in small/medium (max 125 cm) and medium/large (max 140 cm) lengths. Weighs 496g (small/medium).
Check prices: MEC, Altitude Sports, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Amazon
Branwyn Essential Hipster Underwear
It has been a few years since I tried Merino wool underwear. The ones I tried before had serious durability issues and stayed damp for a long time. For the most part, I told people that I didn’t recommend Merino underwear.
But this year I tried the Branwyn Essential Hipster underwear. I had low expectations and thought maybe I would wear them for travel or other less sweaty situations than hiking.
However, these underwear have slowly won me over. They feel a little thicker and more durable than other merino undies I’ve tried, but they aren’t hot. The Merino is blended with 12% nylon which isn’t much, but is enough to add a lot of durability.
They also have 7% spandex. So far, that has meant that they fit great and hold their shape well. (Most Merino tends to get baggy after a while.)
Like all Merino wool, they are anti-microbial so they resist odors, which is great.
I liked them so much that I put them on my list of the best hiking underwear and I’m considering buying another pair… but they are expensive. They are also heavier and bulkier than my other fave underwear, Patagonia Active and Exofficio Give-N-Go Sport Mesh.
Specs: Made of 81% Merino wool, 12% nylon, 7% spandex. They don’t list a weight, but my XL pair weigh 55g.
Check prices: Branwyn
Outdoor Research Mega Trail Mix Fleece Zip Hoodie
I own a lot of fleeces, both for casual and technical use. For hiking and backpacking, a fleece is my go-to midlayer. My preference is a fleece that is stretchy and lightweight for the warmth.
That often means grid fleece. The open grid weave traps warm air, which means that you get lots of insulation in a lightweight package. Grid fleece is also quite breathable, so it’s great to wear when you’re working hard.
Over the years I’ve tried lots of different grid fleeces. Right now my favourite is the Outdoor Research Megal Trail Mix Fleece Zip Hoodie. The fabric is so soft and cozy, but it’s still pretty lightweight.
The fit is also casual enough to wear off the trail, but technical enough for a good fit while hiking. I love the thumb holes since they make it easy to layer my fleece under warmer layers for snowshoeing. It’s also cut a bit longer in the back for better coverage when I bend over.
If you’re looking for a lighter weight version, I recently got the MEC Quickdraw Micro Fleece. I haven’t had a chance to wear it a ton yet, but so far I love it.
Specs: Made of quick-drying and breathable polyester grid fleece. Weighs 386g.
Check prices: Outdoor Research, MEC, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Amazon
Osprey Savu 2 Waist Pack
I never thought I would be a waist pack person, but living in Squamish has changed me. I often go for short hikes on my local trails where I don’t need to bring much. This summer, I also started mountain biking and needed a small pack to take with me.
I decided that a waist pack would work best since it would avoid the sweaty back problem. But a must for me was a way to carry bear spray for both hiking and mountain biking. The bear population near my house is very active and I’ve had some surprise encounters.
I also wanted to be able to carry my phone, a small snack, some basic first aid supplies, and maybe a tiny windbreaker (like my Mountain Hardwear Kor Airshell which is on my list of 2022 fave gear).
After looking at a few options, I got the Osprey Savu 2. It has only 2 L of capacity, but it fits everything I need. And it has an external water bottle holder that I can use to carry my bear spray. It even has an elastic loop to keep the bear spray (or water bottle) from bouncing.
I’ve worn it a ton for both hiking and mountain biking and it’s been pretty comfortable. It doesn’t bounce too much and the foam ridged back keeps me from getting too sweaty. The way it fits is designed for the riding position where you are bent over a bit, but I find it fine for hiking too.
Specs: Foam pack panel with mesh overlay. Two zippered pockets with angled bottle sleeve. 2L capacity. No official listed weight, but I weighed mine: it’s 258 g.
Check prices: Altitude Sports, Valhalla Pure Outfitters, Amazon
Final Thoughts
There are a few other pieces of gear I wanted to include in my list, but sadly they are discontinued. For example, the Mountain Hardwear Airmesh Hoody is an amazing lightweight baselayer/hoody hybrid made with a super breathable and fluffy fabric. But it’s discontinued!
What were your favourite pieces of outdoor gear in 2024? Share them in the comments.
READ NEXT:
- My Favourite Hiking Gear – 2023 Edition
- My Favorite Hiking Gear – 2022 Edition
- Best Sun Hoodies for Hiking
- Best Hiking Underwear For Women and Men
- Is Merino Wool Worth It? Pros and Cons
- 20 Ways to Save Money on Hiking Gear
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