Editors’ Choice Awards: Best Outdoor Gear of 2025
Innovative gear, apparel, and technology that changed the world of gear this year
One of the most fun parts of the year was our big Treeline meeting to discuss what legendary gear came out of 2025. One indicator a piece of gear made this list? If multiple Treeliners couldn't stop talking about it.
Out of the hundreds of pieces of gear we’ve tested, these are the items that weren't just great, but that changed the world of gear as we know it.
From entirely new genres of gear to materials that are lighter, and changes in how gear is made, these singular gear items are changing the outdoor game as we know it.
Most importantly, we award gear with state-of-the-art features that also works well. For example, it isn't enough that the Outdoor Research Foray rain jacket is the first technical apparel certified climate neutral by Climate Impact Partners, it also has to be a great fitting, waterproof, breathable, durable rain jacket. The voice-activated technology on the COAST headlamp existed last year, but it is only in 2025 that updates to the headlamp make it fit comfortably that we gave it an award.
Our Editors’ Choice top gear and apparel from 2025 ranges from smartwatches to backpacking stoves to rain jackets, running shoes to raw materials like HyperBead fabric and BOA Dual Zone technology. We even wrote a collective award in honor of a new stand-out piece of gear from 2025 that we all agreed should win at the end of this guide.
With such a range in outdoor activities represented, there’s something really cool for everyone. And chances are you will see this technology expand into all sorts of outdoor activities in the near future.
Check out our Writers’ Choice: Best Gear of 2025 for more of our favorite gear items from the year.
Editors’ Choice Gear of the Year Comparison Table
| EDITORS' CHOICE GEAR ITEM | CATEGORY | WHY IT DESERVES TO WIN |
|---|---|---|
| Altra Lone Peak 9+ Men's Women's |
Trail-running shoes | After 10 years of customer requests, finally added a Vibram sole |
| Coast FL97R | Headlamp | Voice-activated on-off, mode-changing actually works |
| COROS NOMAD | GPS watch | Voice-activated note-taking directly to your watch, not an app ("Adventure journaling") |
| Craft Xplor 2 Men's Women's |
Trail-running shoes | The pinnacle of a new genre of shoe, it is a truly versatile running shoe for all surfaces that allows you to buy less and pack more efficiently |
| Big Agnes HyperBead fabric | Backpacking/ camping tents | Lighter, more waterproof, more eco-friendly tent material |
The Winners
Altra Lone Peak 9+ Trail Running Shoes
Why it deserves to win: long-time customers' most asked-for outsole improvements on an already popular shoe
The Altra Lone Peak 9+ is our favorite version of the well-loved Lone Peak series, which says a lot. It’s identical to the Lone Peak 9 in every way except it has a Vibram Megagrip outsole, an upgrade long-awaited by Altra Lone Peak users (we've been asking for this since 2012).
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Women's
The Altra Lone Peak 9+ made this list partly for that reason—not only is it a fantastic shoe that performs well on trails of varying terrain, but it now has better grip, better traction in wet conditions, and actually sticks on steep rock slabs. And that’s noteworthy—in a world of oversaturation and a country that embraces high levels of consumerism, not everything needs to be “new, new, new.” An improvement of this magnitude is worthwhile, too.
It’s worth noting Altra already has some other shoes that use Vibram as well, so this was not a hugely technical lift for them as a brand, but rather a conscious decision and commitment to making this specific shoe better—answering runners' and hikers' pleas to add Vibram Megagrip to the Lone Peak was a smart move.
Our testers for the Altra Lone Peaks have each hiked thousands of miles in dozens of shoes, and hundreds of miles in this one, and confidently agree that the Lone Peak 9+s are some of the best zero-drop trail shoes out there right now. We named them Best for Long Distances in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide.
““These shoes are great.” -Sam Schild”
COAST FL97R Voice-Activated Headlamp
Why it deserves to win: accurate and extremely functional, voice-activated, hands-free headlamp
The COAST Voice Activated FL97R Headlamp is a game-changer in the category of headlamps. The COAST FL97R offers up to 1,250 lumens (compared to the RL35R’s 1,100-lumen max) with warm, white, focused spot, wide-angle, and red, green, or blue beams—all of which can be changed completely hands free thanks to voice control.
The voice control feature can be turned on or off (meaning you are welcome to use your hands to change modes if you’d like!), but for climbers, those working with their hands, hiking with trekking poles, setting up or breaking down tents/camp in the dark, rigging a bear hang, and more, the voice-activated ability to switch beam types or colors, as well as high medium or low dim settings is insanely useful.
We’ve had multiple writers already begin to test this headlamp, and they are incredibly impressed in testing so far. The technology isn’t just a cool gimmick—it’s purposeful and functional. And the 15-hour run time, charging time, and IP54 dust and water-resistance rating are all notable features too.
While technically, voice activation existed in last year's COAST RL35R (rear-loading) voice-activated rechargeable headlamp, we didn't seriously consider it because we much prefer a front-loading style.
Aside from the fact that it’s slightly more front-heavy than some other headlamps we use frequently, we can see the FL97R easily surpassing other headlamps in our go-to gear kits. It works that well.
COROS Nomad GPS Watch
Why it deserves to win: a GPS watch for runners and backpackers with a feature we've never seen before–an innovative adventure journaling feature (plus excellent navigation and activity tracking modes)
With the NOMAD, COROS added a brand new function called “adventure journaling” to the world of hiking and running watches. This voice-activated feature works directly with your watch (no need to take out your phone) to capture your thoughts and photos at the precise GPS location where you made the note. The adventure journaling feature makes it much easier to share with family, friends, and social media. It even translates certain words into appropriate icons. For instance, if your voice note is "water source," the watch automatically makes the icon a water faucet.
Like many other GPS watches, the NOMAD has extensive activity tracking modes, detailed performance data, and structured training tools to monitor improvement and stay motivated. With battery life that outlasts multi-day expeditions, it's particularly well-suited for thru-hikers and ultrarunners pushing serious distance.
Navigation is another standout feature. You can build routes directly in the COROS app or import GPX files from platforms like Strava, Ride With GPS, and Gaia, then follow turn-by-turn guidance on the roads or trail. Thanks to an upgraded processor, maps now display street names and points of interest with minimal lag when zooming or panning.
After several months of field testing the NOMAD on hikes, bike rides, daily walks, fishing, and general activity tracking, we've been consistently impressed. The feature set is robust, customization options are extensive, and the COROS app proves remarkably intuitive. For ultra-endurance athletes seeking a capable, reliable watch at an incredible price point, the NOMAD not only is changing the genre of GPS watches, but delivers exceptional value.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the COROS NOMAD GPS watch. You can also find more of our favorites in our Best Hiking and Backpacking Watches guide.
Craft Xplor 2 Gravel Shoes
Why it deserves to win: the pinnacle of a new genre of shoe, it is a truly versatile running shoe for all surfaces that allows you to buy less and pack more efficiently
While many running footwear innovations improve shoes for niche audiences–like carbon plates for marathon racing or improved outsoles for mountain trail running–Craft released shoes that broadened its use. The Xplor 2 shoes span multiple use cases and may help you buy less.
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With the Vittoria bike tire outsole, the Xplor 2 running shoes are grippy enough for most trail conditions without feeling sticky on the roads. We tested them throughout summer, fall, and early winter weather–on pavement, gravel, hardpacked dirt, and rocky trails–and found the traction to work really well on everything but mud (due to the lack of lugs). This means one shoe for almost any running.
While testing these shoes, we found them most game changing for travel. Rather than worry about packing a road running shoe and a trail running shoe, we can save space and pack one pair of running shoes in our adventure travel packs. Similarly, if we know we’re going to run after work, but don’t know whether we’ll run on roads, trails, or both, we can just pack this shoe in our commuting bag.
Are these shoes “gravel shoes?” Yes–they perform better on gravel than any other proclaimed “gravel shoe” we’ve tested so far.. But this is more than a convenient term for retailers and reviewers who don’t know how to categorize a shoe that works across all surfaces. The “gravel” label sells these shoes short, as they’re really designed for running that traverses varied terrain, as many of us naturally do.
Again, these aren’t a perfect crossover shoe in the sense that the lack of lugs makes it difficult to run on muddy trails. But otherwise, we have been impressed by the traction, comfort, and versatility of this running shoe, as well as its potential to help you buy less.
HyperBead fabric
Why it deserves to win: new innovative tent fabric with reduced weight, increased waterproofness, and more sustainable practices
Big Agnes has long worked to reduce its environmental footprint and the HyperBead technology is another step in the long hike to lower impacts. We’re stoked that the company has also reduced the weight of its fabric (claimed 6% lighter) while increasing its waterproofness (claimed 25% more waterproof) and gotten rid of PFAS and DWRs.
When Big Agnes launched HyperBead in January 2025 we had asked, “When will the bikepack version be available?” The answer was essentially, “Not sure.” We figured it would be another year or so since it’s usually a year or two after an introduction that a major change to a line makes it to the more niche applications, but we got our hands on the Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack in late September 2025—just four months after we tested the HyperBead fabric in the Copper Spur and Tiger Wall backpacking tent versions.
In addition to testing the backpacking version of the Hyperbead Copper Spur and Hyperbead TigerWall throughout the winter in snow and lab-style sustained rain simulations, we tested the Copper Spur UL 2 bikepack were able to get out and set it up whilst testing mountain bike lights on a rainy, misty night in the Buffalo Creek Recreation Area. It easily withstood the rains that evening with water beading on the rainfly like little drops of dew. However, we’ll have to get out for more testing in the spring.
What we know now is that the bikepack version of the tent adds in a lot of versatility for adventures with limited storage space, like bikepacking and packrafting, thanks to its shorter pole segments, making it pack into smaller, narrower spaces.
Overall, we’re stoked that the other environmental bonafides Big Agnes has used in making its tents, like using solution dyeing—which reduces the amount of energy and wastewater expended in dyeing, and a green anodizing method for poles stakes—is still used by Big Agnes. In the past we’ve seen some other brands tout using things like solution dyeing and then quietly shying away from them because the costs are higher—but Big Agnes has stuck with them. By adding HyperBead to its award-winning tent lines Big Agnes has taken the old adage, “If it broke, don’t fix it” and changed it to, “If it ain’t broke, make it better.” Hence, HyperBead is an innovative award winner, and one many of our writers are proud to get behind given its potential for making truly sustainable gear.
Editors’ Note: The HyperBead fabric is currently found in the Big Agnes Tiger Wall Backpacking tent, Big Agnes Copper Spur backpacking tent, Big Agnes Copper Spur bikepacking tent, and will likely be added to new tent models in future years.
Big Agnes Tiger Wall Backpacking Tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur Backpacking Tent
Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepacking Tent
Jetboil Flash 1.0 L Backpacking Stove
Why it deserves to win: the easiest backpacking stove with stable and smooth locking mechanisms and a kitchen stove-top easy on-off switch that is intuitive even to new campers
After ten years of customer-driven improvements, the Jetboil Flash 1.0 L backpacking stove is more than just an evolution of the Jetboil stove renowned for its quick boil. The star feature is an integrated ignition system that is as simple to use as turning a kitchen stove knob.
As an integrated stove, a genre the original Jetboil Flash revolutionized, it includes a heating element and a pot. But the newest iteration has a secure and easy-on, easy-off connection that feels as easy as putting on an electric kettle. Everything is insulated with no sneaky exposed spots to accidentally burn yourself. The improved lid stays on and pours water like a kettle from one end and drains water like a pasta pot from the other. And like the old Flash, the included pot changes color to alert you when your water is hot, a feature I wish every cookpot had.
Since it came out this year, I've made countless cups of instant coffee, freeze-dried backpacking meals, and hot electrolytes on the Jetboil Flash 1.0 L. I love using it so much, I actively look for excuses to bring it along on everything from overnighters to day hikes.
It's not the lightest stove, but it is so freakin' easy to use, I carried it on a thru-hike of the West Coast Trail. Other Treeliners swear by the Flash, too, with writer Sam Schild saying, "I'd never carry a stove that weighs over 1 oz except for this." From thru-hikers with tens of thousands of miles to people new to the outdoors, everyone I've shown the Flash 1.0 L has been impressed and wants one for themselves.
Kahtoola MICROspike Ghost Ice Traction
Why it deserves to win: a customer-demanded upgrade to the MICROspikes traction device line, with significantly lighter weight and improved traction
The Kahtoola MICROspike Ghosts are a marked improvement on their original namesakes. The Ghosts are a whopping 43% lighter than the original Kahtoola MICROspikes, thanks to a thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) matrix and toe harness, instead of the stainless steel chains.
There are 12 spikes per foot on the new Ghosts (same as the originals), but with the angles of the spikes slightly adjusted for better traction. The Ghosts’ articulating rivets at the connection points now let the spikes move independently, also providing improved traction.
Basically, the Ghosts are the by-product if you combine the original MICROspikes and the Kahtoola Exospikes. But maybe better? Several of us have already enjoyed testing these on snowy, packed, mixed, and icy trails, and look forward to taking them trail running and testing further into winter.
Ultimately, these are similar to other traction Kahtoola already makes, but they are a huge improvement on the original MICROspikes, and a deserving addition to the winter traction device market nonetheless. We can already see these being incredibly popular on the trails in a few seasons to come.
La Sportiva Lumina Down Jacket
Why it deserves to win: an incredibly warm and lightweight down jacket with 1000 fill-power down at a relatively low cost
At risk of this list turning into a La Sportiva fan page (see below for more from La Sportiva), we also think the Lumina down jacket is worthy of the Gear of the Year accolade.
In short, this high-quality 1000-fill, Responsible Down Standard-certified down jacket is incredibly inexpensive for what it is.
Lumina 100
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Lumina 200
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Women's
The Lumina jacket comes in a 100, 200, and 300, with the higher numbers having more down fill. We’ve tested the Lumina 100 and Lumina 200, and they’re both great. The 100 weighs 6.1 ounces, and is for ultralight thru-hikes and alpine climbing in warmer temperatures. The 200 weighs 8.3 ounces and is great for shoulder season and winter trips when you need a little more warmth.
The closest comparison to the Lumina is Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer. The Lumina 100 weighs less and costs less than the Ghost Whisperer. The Lumina 200 weighs about 0.3 ounces more than the Ghost Whisperer, but is significantly warmer. Somehow, the Ghost Whisperer uses 800-fill down, which isn’t as warm for the weight as the 1000-fill down used in the Lumina. You would think this would mean the Lumina 100 costs more than the Ghost Whisperer, but strangely, it costs $50 less. And the Lumina 200 barely costs more than the Ghost Whisperer, while being much warmer.
It’s not every day that a new high quality ultralight down jacket comes out that is this affordable. And for that reason, we think the Lumina is worth including on this list as well.
NEMO Tensor Elite Sleeping Pad
Why it deserves to win: the most ultralight inflatable sleeping pad and it is actually comfortable and durable enough for a 2000+ mile thru-hike
The NEMO Tensor Elite sleeping pad weighs 8.3 ounces and has an R-value of 2.3. This pad is the newest Tensor model available. We used the Tensor Elite for an entire thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail and had zero issues. We’ve slept on the Tensor All-Season and Tensor Extreme over thousands of miles, and find the sleep on the Tensor line can’t be beat. And the Tensor Elite is no exception; we slept well on the AT.
We’ve long hoped for a reliable ultralight sleeping pad, and honestly thought it might come from Therm-a-Rest in the form of a new, less pop-resistant Uberlite. But NEMO answered the call, and we couldn't be more impressed with the result. Not only is the Tensor Elite comfortable, but it didn’t get a single puncture through an entire 2,200-mile thru-hike over 100 nights.
While the Appalachian Trail doesn’t have as many sharp, thorny plants as some trails out west, we’re still impressed with how durable the Tensor Elite is. And while discussing the best gear of the year, Sam mentioned the tattered old piece of polycro he used as a ground sheet with the pad. If you could see the look on the Treeline editors’ faces as Sam described his tattered ultra-thin plastic sheet, missing pieces, punctures, tears, and all, you’d also be sure the Tensor Elite deserves a spot on this best Gear of the Year list.
Outdoor Research Foray/Aspire Jacket
Why it deserves to win: first outdoor technical apparel certified as carbon neutral by Climate Impact Partners and a durable, reliable, well-fitting waterproof rain jacket, too
Our testers have worn the Outdoor Research Foray jacket while trudging in snowshoes through waist-deep unbroken snow in -20 degrees on the Maine-Canadian border, bushwhacking to one of the New England Hundred Highest peaks, and ridgerunning the Appalachian Trail. We also tested the women’s Aspire jacket while hiking in rainy Washington.
Men's Aspire
Women's Aspire
While we've tested three versions of the Foray over thousands of miles in tough conditions, this year's model is different: It holds the astonishing superlative of being the first outdoor technical apparel to be certified as carbon neutral by Climate Impact Partners.
Additionally, this year's 3-layer jacket uses 100% fully recycled nylon for all layers and like most rain jackets we tested in 2025, was redesigned to no longer use PFAS in the waterproofing.
It's the jacket we trust to keep us warm and dry when we have ambitious winter objectives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, like a Presidential Traverse with 50 MPH steady wind and 70 MPH gusts and negative windchill. Again and again, we've returned to this jacket as a durable and reliable waterproof layer. This year's model delivers a similar experience as past versions, while also being a remarkable evolution in terms of sustainability.
Like past versions, there are pit zips that go all the way from biceps down to the hem, a helmet-compatible adjustable hood, Velcro cuff closures, and two large side pockets and one chest pocket that can fit most smartphones. While it's not quite as breathable as previous versions that used PFAS, this is a small trade-off for a carbon neutral, sustainable jacket that continues to offer outstanding warmth and waterproofing.
This jacket won our award for Best for Commuting in our Best Lightweight Rain Jackets guide. You can also learn more in our in-depth review of the Outdoor Research Foray 3L Jacket.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Trail Running Shoes
Why it deserves to win: it could be the next thru-hiking "it" shoe, incredible comfort, durable construction, and long-lasting trail running shoes that offer better value for your dollar
The La Sportiva Prodigio Max is our new go-to trail running shoe for long distances because it’s highly durable and provides stellar traction over any terrain. Whether you’re trail running or thru-hiking, this is a fantastic shoe. We’ve gotten nearly 800 miles out of two separate pairs of these shoes and only stopped using them because we felt guilty—our physiotherapist and thru-hiker friend says to replace trail runners every 500 miles or sooner. We’re pretty sure the Prodigio Max would last 1,000 miles over smooth terrain.
As you might have guessed from the name, this is a max-cushion trail shoe. It has a firmer midsole than many other high-stack shoes, which means the midsole doesn’t compress as quickly, providing more cushion for longer. While this midsole doesn’t feel as pillowy-soft as some shoes, we love it for the longevity and the firm platform it provides as you push off the ground.
The mesh upper is also long-lasting. The breathable mesh is reinforced with TPU wire overlays in high-wear areas. So even if the mesh develops tears, the entire shoe won’t fall apart. We’ve had several tears develop at the edge of the toe box, where the shoe creases with each step. But since there are also TPU wire overlays there, the tears never grow into a more substantial hole.
La Sportiva is known for being a climbing shoe company and fittingly, the FriXion XT 2.0 rubber outsoles are also the grippiest of all similar trail running shoes we’ve tested.
The Prodigio Max is slightly more expensive than other trail running shoes. But since they last longer than other shoes, you pay less per mile than for those shoes. And anything you don’t have to replace as quickly deserves to be called the best Gear of the Year, in our book.
The La Sportiva Prodigio Max won Best for Long Distances in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes guide and Best Upgrade in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide.
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro Trail Running Shoes
Why it deserves to win: These shoes feel different. Springy yet stable trail running shoes that provide excellent comfort over long distances
We know, we know, we also said the Prodigio Max was our favorite Gear of the Year. But despite La Sportiva’s confusing naming conventions, we also think the Prodigio Pro is worthy of the title Gear of the Year as well.
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The Prodigio Pro is a supershoe for the trail, but it doesn’t have a carbon plate, which would make it unsuitable and unstable on trails. It’s pretty expensive for a trail running shoe, but the super critical EVA foam midsoles feel fast, springy, and downright dreamy over long miles. These are the shoes we grab for a trail race or other important long-distance endeavors.
This spring, we wore the Prodigio Pros for a Rim to Rim to Rim run across the Grand Canyon. While the shoes didn’t make R2R2R easy, we had virtually no foot problems over 45 miles and 22,000 feet of elevation gain.
They have a dual-density midsole that consists of supercritical nitrogen-infused TPU in the middle with EVA around the edges for stability and durability. The supercritical EVA core creates a bouncy platform for your foot to push off. But it’s not too bouncy either, which is ideal for technical trails. And these shoes are excellent on technical terrain. They have an integrated ankle collar that keeps dirt and debris out and the same TPU overlays as the Prodigio Max.
While these aren’t the number one trail shoe we recommend to most people because of the price, if money were no object, we would only wear these shoes. And if you’re looking for a special shoe for your next trail race, these are the best.
BOA Dual Zone Ski Boot Technology
Why it deserves to win: new, easy-to-adjust ski boot system for a more precise fit
Buckles have been used on ski boots since 1955, so it was about time we had an upgrade. The BOA Dual Zone technology, which was added to ski boots this year, eliminates buckles and replaces them with an upper and lower BOA lace so skiers can get comfortable, even pressure on their boots.
The BOA Dual Zone system works like shoe laces, pulling diagonally across the shell to create even tension across the entire boot. The lower BOA replaces the buckles over the foot and the upper BOA replaces the buckles above the ankle, creating two separate areas for fit. This allows for skiers to adjust the pressure over the feet separately, which comes in handy during ski breaks.
The BOA Dual Zone works differently than what we have seen with snowboarding boots–this BOA dial goes both directions with clicks allowing for precise adjustments. BOA Dual Zone boots allow for precise fitting each time with micro adjustments and are easily adjusted with gloves or mittens on.
There hasn’t been a lot of progression with ski boots over the last several years. The buckle and Velcro power strap has been standard for quite some time. Dialed in micro-adjustable fit makes this tech one of our picks for Gear of the Year.
Editors’ Note: The Dual BOA system is currently used in Atomic, K2, Fischer, Salomon, Dalbello, Head, and Nordicaski boots.
Salomon S/Pro Supra Dual BOA 120 GW Men’s
Salomon S/Pro Supra Dual BOA 115 W Women’s
Smith Forefront 3
Why it deserves to win: a lightweight, breathable, comfortable, and protective bike helmet with great style
Unique style and helmets aren’t two things you often find paired together, but the Smith Forefront 3 switches that up. The Forefront has been a longstanding favorite among mountain bikers for both its excellent safety features and its good looks. Previous iterations sacrificed a little too much breathability for the sake of extra Koroyd protection.
But the Forefront 3 looks like both an evolution and a totally redesigned helmet. It’s lighter and more breathable without sacrificing impact protection from Mips and Koroyd. It’s got great coverage for a half shell helmet and it’s incredibly comfortable. One of our testers has spent five seasons mountain biking in different versions of the Forefront, and the Forefront 3 is the most comfortable yet.
But the real reason we’re giving this helmet our gear of the year award? Style. This helmet has a more unique and interesting look than any of the other (boring-looking) mountain bike helmets we’ve tested. And yet it’s still understated in its overall look, depending on your color preference. Making bike helmets actually look good is tough, but somehow Smith has done it with the Forefront 3.
Mount to Coast T1
Why it deserves to win: with a dual lacing system, energizing and lightweight midsole technology, and Kevlar-inforced upper, these trail running shoes will last a really long time
When an upstart brand wins an ISPO Award with their first trail shoe, we pay attention. With the T1, Mount to Coast delivered what ultrarunners and thru-hikers have been begging for: a shoe engineered for the long haul that doesn't sacrifice performance or the planet.
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The Mount to Coast T1s have an innovative lacing system, the TUNEDFIT dual lacing system, which includes two independent speed laces that let you dial in forefoot and midfoot tension separately. This dual lacing system finally solves the fit problem that plagues distance runners and hikers when feet swell at mile 50 or in extreme heat. Your foot feels secure while your toes still have room to splay out.
The LightCELL PEBA midsole (Mount to Coast's proprietary midsole) weighs half what traditional EVA does while delivering 45% better energy return, giving you high cushioning, without feeling sloppy, in an extremely lightweight shoe.
But it's the Kevlar-reinforced upper (five times stronger than steel) that steals the show here. With some Mount to Coast athletes getting 1,000 miles on a single pair of T1s, we knew we had to test them for ourselves. At $180, the price per mile is unbeatable.
Mountain House Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Bowl Freeze-Dried Backpacking Meal
Why it deserves to win: hot pizza in the backcountry is self explanatory
Editors’ Note: We waxed poetic here by writing an exquisite corpse-style review. This means someone writes a line, passes it to the next person who adds their line and hides the previous line, and so on. We asked some of our testers who have tried the Mountain House Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Bowl to contribute to this exquisite corpse–here’s the resulting review.
This backpacking meal is like if a pizza were actually more like lasagna or ravioli, but you’ve been backpacking all day and don’t care because it’s the closest to hot pizza you’ve ever had in the backcountry.
I have often packed out cold pizza in a ziplock bag, warmed it on top of my pack all afternoon, and eaten it for dinner; Mountain House dehydrated pizza is similar, but it takes the asking for a ziplock at the pizza place out of the equation.
As a highly food-motivated person, when the next section of trail features a monster climb, an icy traverse, a dangerous river ford, or horrendous bushwhacking, there is nothing like the Mountain House Pizza to motivate and comfort after a near-death experience.
The only thing more comforting than sitting back with a bag full of delish pizza is customizing it with toppings—sure, we’ve got parmesan and red pepper packets—but Mountain House: where’s the dehydrated black olives, pepperoncini, and pepperonis?
Not everyone would classify gas station pizza as a meal worthy of craving, but those people probably aren’t thru-hikers. Those sorry souls out there eating nothing but trail miles and cold-soaked oats would love nothing more than a piping hot, overly salted slice of ‘za that’s probably been sitting under a heat lamp for too long. Thankfully, Mountain House Pizza tastes exactly like that and delivers all the carbs, calories, and flavors that hiker trash dreams are made of.
How We Chose This List
Our editorial team invited all Treeline Review contributors to submit their picks for best gear of the year and join a meeting to discuss, debate, and narrow down our list. With 10 folks from the Treeline Review team present, we went through each item on the list and made a case for our favorites. If we debated for a while, we decided that much talk alone was a good case for keeping something on the list.
Our intention with this list is to differentiate from our Writers’ Choice 2025 Gear of the Year by compiling what we see as game changing and innovative, whereas the Writers’ Choice list has looser requirements and may include gear that our testers reached for and enjoyed the most, but may not have been particularly innovative.
End of the Year Reflections
Our Treeline staff and testers are passionate about the outdoors and finding the best, long-lasting gear. So when we get excited about something, we want to make sure we share it with our readers.
Whether you’re planning a major thru-hike or trying to get out the door more, it’s important (and more sustainable) to find the right gear for you. We’ve featured the gear on this list out of everything we’ve tested this year because it helps us achieve one of our core missions: to help more folks get outside and thrive outside.
