Our Favorite Gear We're Testing in Fall 2025
Outdoor gear and apparel our Treeline Review testers are excited about this fall
The leaves are turning, the air is getting cooler, and fall gear and apparel testing is in full swing for our Treeline Review contributors. We’re stoked to share some of our favorites for fall 2025!
While we like to spend a lot of time with outdoor gear before including them in our in-depth reviews and guides, sometimes we test gear we immediately know will be a hit. Or we’re just excited to try out whatever new bells and whistles have come along! So while we typically don’t showcase shiny new toys or unweathered apparel, this seasonal article allows us to geek out on gear we’re excited about and gives you a sneak peek into our current testing process.
Sharing these early testing successes also allows you a chance to hop on some adventure gear early before these items become well-worn or well-used fixtures in our guides.
Our writers were asked to only share one thing they love so far this season, so we're being choose-y in what we're sharing. For our favorites from last season, check out our New Gear We’re Testing in Summer 2025 article.
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Royal Robbins El Cap Canvas Shacket
The Royal Robbins El Cap Canvas Shacket is a midweight, long-sleeve-shirt-like jacket that is comfortable and durable. It’s made with a cotton, lyocell, and elastane blend and polyester sherpa lining. You can close the shacket with snaps, though we’ve found it most comfortable left open (unless it’s really cold).
It comes in three color options for men’s and women’s—saddle (light brown), forester (dark green), loganberry (women’s only), and granite (men’s only)—all of which feel neutral enough to style with other clothing, outdoorsy or casual.
Outside of the comfort and style, the highlight to me is the pocket options: an interior chest drop-in pocket, and two hand pockets accessible as drop-in and side-entry pockets. In testing, I love that I can drop my phone or keys in the drop-in hand pockets and slide my hands in the side-entry pockets. It’s also worth noting the women’s shacket is $30 cheaper than the men’s, which is rare to see.
I got this El Cap Canvas Shacket in the spring and quickly ran out of cool days to wear it, but as the weather has cooled in the Rockies and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I’ve been able to wear it on a recent hike and appreciate how comfortable it fits.
Despite running hot while hiking, I’ve found the El Cap Canvas Shacket to be quite breathable. I also appreciate that it feels durable and capable in the outdoors while looking stylish to wear around town. As the temperatures continue to cool, I’m looking forward to testing it on my fall hiking, camping, and traveling adventures.
Royal Robbins El Cap Canvas Shacket
men's
Women's
BougeRV CRH Portable Car Fridge
I’ve spent months living out of the back of my Subaru in the name of adventure, and one of the first things I always come to miss is refrigerated food. I love produce, meat, and cheese. But I don’t love the hassle of dealing with a sloppy cooler full of ice while sleeping in the desert. This is why I recently picked up the BougeRV CRH Portable Car Fridge.
Unlike other coolers and fridges I’ve used, the BougeRV CRH Portable Car Fridge is compatible with a detachable battery that allows it to function independently of your car (and trust me, you don’t want to drain your car battery while you’re a 50-mile tow away from civilization). The battery provides up to 8.5 hours of power, and can be recharged off a standard outlet.
The fridge itself has a large temperature range, allowing you to set it from -4 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which is great if you’re an ice cream addict like me. But the best part about this cooler is that it’s significantly more affordable than big-name electric coolers, boasting about a fifth of the cost at $219.
BougeRV CRH Portable Car Fridge
Alpine Fit Fastpacker Alpha 90 Fleece
I have been hearing so much about Alpha 90 as the new ultralight, breathable, warm, almost-magical fleece, so I was excited to finally get my hands on a hoodie from Alpine Fit to test it out. Many brands making Alpha 90 hoodies are only making unisex sizes, so it is refreshing to see a women’s-specific design complete with a ponytail hole in the hood.
The fit on this is shorter in the torso for a modern fit with lots of stretch in the body and shoulders. It is easy to layer a puffy or windbreaker over this to hold more heat, and the shorter length keeps it from getting snagged at the bottom if you have a pack or something on over your shell.
Alpha 90 fabric is notoriously delicate, you want to keep it away from Velcro, zippers or anything that can pull or snag it. I recommend getting a lingerie bag, like BAGAIL Laundry Bags Mesh Wash Bag for Intimates Lingerie and Delicates, which will also keep any bits that shed in the wash from getting into your washing machine.
I have been wearing the Alpine Fit Fastpacker Alpha 90 Fleece on hikes and camping trips. It keeps me warm at night when I am cold and it breathes well on hikes when I start to overheat. I love sleeping in this hoodie while camping or backpacking, and this is especially warm under a down jacket. The Alpha 90 fabric is soft enough to be worn against the skin and is super soft.
It is quickly replacing my other sleep clothing on my backpacking trips, especially as we head into cooler weather. I heard a rumor that pants are on the way to match and I will be first in line to grab a pair to complete my Alpha 90 outfit for sleeping and lounging around camp.
Find more of our favorite fleece jackets in our Best Fleece Jackets guide.
- Sara Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator and Contributing Writer
Alpine Fit Fastpacker Alpha 90 Fleece
Sky View Tent: Backpacker, V1
Hand-sewn and engineered in Buena Vista, Colorado, the Sky View Tent fell into my hands earlier this summer. I’ve used it on one backpacking overnight, a few car camping trips, and on a group rafting trip—all trips where weight didn’t matter too much, but comfort, ease of use, and protection from the elements definitely still did.
I was wowed initially by this tent’s design—an A-frame style backpacking tent that prioritizes immersing you in the outdoors by offering mesh on all sides that’s nearly see-through. To the founder’s point: the whole reason why so many of us go camping or backpacking is to be in the elements and enjoy nature. Sadly, with most tents, you do that without a view of the night sky and stars due to layers of tent fabric or rainfly fabric between you and the great outdoors. With this tent and its unique mesh fabric, you can lie down, look up, and soak it all in….
And, you can do so without getting soaked! (I know you were probably thinking, where the heck is the rainfly?) If you are stargazing, no need to exit the tent to deploy the rainfly; simply pull the proprietary interior rainfly from one end, and attach it to a fixed cord and some guy line with hooks that quickly clip through some grommets in the fly to pull it taught. And that’s it.
Everything about this design is unique, and for a first-ever iteration of such a tent build, I was very impressed. Right now, there’s the backpacker (1-2 person) or the XL version (4-person). Be on the lookout for updated stock (as these tents are sewn in-house in CO, availability of stock changes quickly) and design updates soon.
Barring winter, this is seriously the only way I want to camp going forward.
Find more of our favorite tents in our Best Backpacking Tents and Best Camping Tents guides.
Sky View Tent: Backpacker, V1
The Sky View Tent is an A-frame style backpacking tent that prioritizes immersing you in the outdoors by offering mesh on all sides that’s nearly see-through.
Altra Experience Wild 2 Trail Running Shoes
I’ve always been a fan of Altra trail running shoes, with their wider toebox and durable construction for the trails, but I wasn’t entirely sure if the zero-drop option was the best choice for me. I’ve never had foot, knee, or hip problems, but I do have aches and pains. This summer, I wore the first iteration of their 4mm drop shoes, the Experience Wild, while training for the Crested Butte Ultra, a 34k trail race in Crested Butte, Colorado, put on by Mad Moose Events.
Since the spring, I've worn these on all my training runs and during the race; I’ve never once felt foot pain or noticed any parts of the sole or upper falling apart from the many times I kick a rock or root. Altra debuted this line of minimal-drop shoes last summer (4 mm) with the entire Experience line—three road-running options and a favorite of mine, the trail runner, Experience Wild.
Currently, the Experience Wild 2 is on the market, but there aren’t many differences between the first and second iterations. The main distinctions are related to making the upper a bit more durable, with a few key reinforcement areas along the toe. However, Altra is coming out with the Experience Wild 3 this spring, and that’s where you’ll see a few more changes in the midsole foam, as well as a version with a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
Overall, I’ve always trusted Altra with any of their changes over the years, and my feet have always been happy—as I head into fall and winter training, I don’t plan on lacing up anything else.
Find more of our favorite trail running shoes in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guides.
- Mattie Schuler, Contributing Writer
Altra Experience Wild 2 Trail Running Shoes
men's
Women's
Zpacks Trail Cool Joggers
After testing 10 different pairs of running pants over the winter and into the spring, I enjoyed many months of summer weather running in shorts. But the days are getting shorter and the air is becoming crisp and cold again. As I grudgingly move towards pants season again, I’ve been delighted to begin testing Zpacks Trail Cool Joggers.
The fabric is soft and stretchy, with no limitation on my range of motion. I can just as comfortably climb over a downed tree as curl up on my couch. The waistband is slightly elastic but doesn’t push into my sides like some pants do, and there’s a drawcord to securely tie them. The Zpacks pants have large side pockets with lots of room for snacks, and a zippered rear pocket too.
As a shorter person, it’s also nice to find that these pants aren’t overly long. The slim fit cut looks nice and prevents extra material from bunching around the ankles. And they’re quite durable–I tripped and fell onto my knee the very first trail run wearing these pants, and the pants held up with no damage (sadly, not the same for my knee, but the pants definitely helped). I’m looking forward to testing these in a wider range of conditions this fall.
Zpacks Trail Cool Joggers
Zpacks Trail Cool Joggers on trail.
7mesh Guardian Air Jacket
Fall is arguably the best time for mountain biking: the dirt is tacky, the air is cool, and the aspens and tundra are on fire with hues of red, orange, and yellow. But fall also means the weather is often more variable. To get that perfect dirt, you’ve got to have some precipitation after all.
Finding the ideal layer to pack for long fall days in the saddle can be tricky. You don’t want to pack anything too bulky, but don’t want to have to skimp on weather protection either, should the skies decide to open up with a cold rain. The new Guardian Air jacket from 7mesh just might be the goldilocks jacket for fall biking—and lots of other mountain romps, too.
The Guardian Air feels nearly as light as my emergency windbreaker, and it’s almost as packable, too. But instead of a light layer that’s only good enough to fend off some wind and light precipitation before it turns into a wet trash bag, I’ve got the protection of a 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE hardshell.
Features are minimal but dialed: there’s a drawcord on the hem, Velcro adjustable cuffs, a single chest pocket, and a nifty hood stow system. I’ll need to test this more thoroughly and in nastier weather to truly determine the weatherproofing and durability chops of this piece. But, after a couple rainy fall hikes and shoulder season trail rides, I’m optimistic that the Guardian Air will become my new go-to rain and wind layer, both on and off the bike.
7mesh Guardian Air Jacket
men's
Women's
Arc'teryx Olera Zip Neck Midlayer
The Olera Zip Neck was just released and has quickly become the midlayer I reach for the most. The Olera is new as of this fall but has already sold out in Arc'teryx's home country of Canada.
To be honest, I didn't quite know what to make of it when I first saw it. It looks like the high-fashion version of the soft, cotton thermals my mom dressed me in as a kid. Unlike most midlayers, it's not the thick, microplastic shedding fleece I associate with fall pullovers.
Instead, the Olera is quite lightweight and feels thin for the warmth it delivers. It gets this feel (and look) with a Japanese fabric made with a cotton-like circular knit. It's unlike anything I've seen before. It also dries quickly, perhaps even better than a traditional fleece. And it's made of recycled, PFAS-free material in a Fair Trade-Certified facility.
Like a lot of Arc'teryx's apparel, the Olera has a clean cut and smooth face that makes me feel more put together than I usually feel. As I head into a busy fall, I've been throwing this over my ratty workout tee and celebrating myself for not being totally scattered. Made with hollow-core fiber, it's got a casual aesthetic while still being breathable and functional. It's like a Patagonia Better Sweater, but more stylish and not as thick or bulky.
Since I'm not quite ready for fall, a thin midlayer that is actually a lot warmer than it looks is just what I mentally need.
Arc'teryx Olera Zip Neck Midlayer
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Down Top Quilt
This is kind of cheating because I’ve been using this backpacking quilt all summer and into the fall. But I’m excited to continue testing the Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Quilt into the fall. Because, as the nights get longer, having an insulating down quilt that stays dry is even more important.
The Stormloft is stuffed with Allied Feather Down ExpeDRY 800-fill down with FUZE Technology. This down has tiny gold particles that help the down dry faster and a DWR coating to keep it dry. I used this quilt on the Pacific Northwest Trail, and it really impressed me with how dry it stayed in wet, humid conditions. Even after five days of constant rain, sleeping in a wet tent on the Olympic Peninsula, it kept me warm and dry every night.
Honestly, I didn’t think this gold-flake-fortified down would be much different than other hydrophobic down commonly used in sleeping bags and quilts. However, even when using this quilt in near 100% humidity, inside a tent that weighs noticeably more from all the moisture on the outside and inside from the night before, the down remained lofty and kept me warm. I had several nights when my quilt was covered in moisture from condensation. After shaking off the water from the outside and stuffing it into my backpack for the day, it was shockingly dry when I pulled it out the following night. Once I fluffed it up and crawled inside, it seemed to loft even more from my body heat.
Using the zero or 15-degree version of this quilt would be an excellent option for cold-weather camping this fall or winter. And the 30-degree version I’ve been using feels warmer than many 20-degree quilts I’ve used in the past, which is more than warm enough for the overnight lows you’d have during the fall.
Outdoor Vitals Stormloft Down Top Quilt
Surly Straggler Shaggy Carpet CUES
The thing I’m really enjoying testing this fall is the new Staggler gravel grinder from Surly. It’s a spritely, responsive ride that handles well and is the first update Surly’s made to the well-regarded bike in over a decade. Surly sent us the 54cm Shaggy Carpet version, but it’s a Cinnamon Girl (Neil Young not Lana del Rey), thanks to the gorgeous sparkling copper finish on the 4130 Chromoly tubing. I added a similarly colored bar tape to the wide, flared Salsa Cowchipper bars, and found that flare on the drops made it comfortable to charge in them in a position I’m usually not comfortable in on a traditional dropbar.
In a couple weeks I’ve clocked about 100–150 miles on it already, whilst also mountain biking and pedicabbing. Before going on longer missions I converted it to a tubeless tire setup, since I already had a goathead get stuck in the Surly Knard 700c x 41 mm tire and popped a tube.
Shifting is smooth on the Shimano CUES 11-speed drive system and though it lacks the 90mm Trans-X dropper post and Shimano GRX transmission of it’s more expensive sibling, the Subtropic Algae model, it’s a comfortable, capable gravel grinder that doesn’t mind riding on the road when it needs to. With pack mounts on the forks, rack mounts on the rear stays, two bottle mounts, and a mount under the downtube, you can attach any manner of pack to the frame, making it ideal for light bike packing and longer journeys.
Surly Straggler Shaggy Carpet CUES
CNOC ThruBottle
Several Treeline Reviews writers have been testing the new CNOC ThruBottle since their early release at PCT Days in August. We've taken it on the Timberline Trail, week-long off-trail routes in the Beartooths in Montana, and section hikes in the Sierra on the PCT.
Designed with the skinny dimensions of a Smartwater bottle (the most common single-use plastic bottle used among thru-hikers), it is made of a plastic that is known to leach less than PET bottles, especially at high temperatures. Additionally, single-use plastic bottles contribute to microplastics and more waste in landfills. Years before the bottle launched, CNOC had been looking into microplastics and nonplastics in water bottles used by hikers and backpackers and trying to come up with a solution. The ThruBottle is their solution.
- Treeline Review Staff
CNOC ThruBottle
