The Gear That Changed My Mind
We thought we never wanted or needed it…until we tried it
September 2nd, 2025
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Is there an outdoor gear item that you thought you'd never want or need, then you tried it, and changed your mind? Did you spend years talking down about a category of gear only to try it and have it open your world?
Maybe you always thought you could live without camp shoes, or a GPS unit, or an inflatable sleeping mattress or pad. And then a friend gifted you something or you saw someone with something, and boom! Your mind was changed forever.
This article is dedicated to the idea that you don't have to do the outdoors the same way for your entire life. You can learn, grow, and adapt as new gear becomes available or as you try out items that are new to you. What will make you be able to go farther, push harder, feel safer, or be more comfortable when you're outside?
Our writers have taken that growth mindset to heart and are sharing what gear changed their minds.
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Summary table
| Gear | Gear Category | Writer |
|---|---|---|
| QiWiz Ultralight Titanium Backpacking Cathole Trowel | Backpacking accessories | Liz Thomas |
| Garmin Edge 540 Solar Bike Computer | GPS & electronics | Naomi Hudetz |
| Crocs Classic Clog | Camp shoes | Stasia Stockwell |
| Eucerin Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray | Spray sunscreen | Katie Hawkes |
| HydroJug Traveler Tumbler | Insulated tumblers | Amy Gravlee |
The gear that changed our minds
I used to think that carrying a potty trowel was unnecessary weight for an ultralight backpacker. After all, a shoe, rock, or trekking pole can get a decent enough cathole, right?
After years of unsatisfying bathroom breaks where I came away with a guilty face fully knowing that I hadn't dug a full 6 inches down to do my duty, I was gifted a QiWiz Potty Trowel. At 0.4 oz, I figured at least I could try it.
Mind blown. I could actually dig through rocks and roots and get a proper-sized hole. I didn't have to struggle and ultimately, in an emergency, resign myself to shameful catholes. Had this trowel been on the other size of 0.5 oz, I may have poo-pooed carrying it. But at a svelte 0.4 oz, I could do the right thing at a minimal penalty. The QiWiz changed my mind about poop shovels, and I have become so enamored that I wrote a whole story, really, an ode to potty trowels.
QiWiz Potty Trowel
I've always been a little slow to adopt new technology. A smartphone? Who needs that?
So again, I was resistant when I heard about bike computers. A standalone bike computer? Who needs that? As it turns out, I need that! After using the Garmin Edge 540 on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, I figured out why:
Waterproofness and durability. I rode through some nasty rain and hailstorms on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route (GDMBR), and I didn't have to worry about putting away the Edge 540. With my phone safely stowed away, I didn't have to worry about losing my primary communication device.
Battery life. With the built-in solar charging, I never ran out of battery. Not once. And I didn't have to drain the battery on my phone.
Turn-by-turn directions. Navigation is much simpler and easier with turn-by-turn directions. It notifies you if you're off-course, and offers re-routes to get you back on the route.
ClimbPro. I love Garmin's ClimbPro feature. It shows upcoming climbs, how long they are, how steep they are, and remaining distance once you've started a climb. The Garmin Connect app also shows the climb ratings, like the Tour de France.
Pairs with Garmin Vario Radar. I struggle with rear-view helmet mirrors. The Garmin Vario RTL515 rearview radar and taillight is incredible. It has audible alerts when a car or bike is approaching behind you, shows how close it is to you, and shows the number of vehicles approaching. It's super helpful, even on dirt roads.
Garmin Edge 540 Solar Bike Computer
Every time I saw my friends roll up to camp in their wide, holey foam shoes I’d think to myself, “You look like a dork!” That’s now what my husband says to me every time I wear my Crocs—which is a lot. And by a lot I mean almost every day outside of the dead of winter.
For years I thought Crocs were ridiculous: cheap and silly shoes that people wore when they didn’t want to splurge on proper camp shoes. Meanwhile, I’d drag my 200-pound Chacos into the backcountry, or schlep my beloved Bedrock sandals which were far lighter, but left my toes cold when the sun went down at camp (no, I will not wear toe socks with my sandals—you’ve got to draw the line somewhere).
I reluctantly got a pair of Crocs Classic Clogs to test for the Best Camp Shoes review. The first time I slipped my feet into the foamy synthetic Croslite material, it felt like I was stepping onto a cloud. “Oh,” I thought, “this is pretty nice.”
But I kept those thoughts to myself, too stubborn to admit the immediate comfort. Then, I took them backpacking and marveled at the weight savings. I slipped my warm, sock-covered feet into them as I brewed my morning coffee in the chilly mountain air. When it came time for a creek crossing, I slipped the Crocs back on and then, well, just left them on. As we picked our way across the trailless route to an alpine lake, I put them in what my Crocs-loving friends call “sport mode,” with the strap around the back of my heel, and effortlessly scrambled up a short pitch of rock.
But when I’m not in the backcountry, I also regularly wear them to take my dog to the river, to go to the grocery store, or in the garage while I tinker on bikes. I’ve even usurped the confidence of my aforementioned Crocs-loving friends, who claim they’ll only wear them around the house or at camp—never, god forbid, out and about in public. You want to meet me for a drink in town? There’s now a good chance I’ll be wearing my Crocs. And after multiple years of dedicated use in the front and backcountry, they’re still going strong.
Crocs Classic Clog
When I started research for Treeline’s Best Spray Sunscreen reviews, I was a 100% sunscreen lotion devotee. Generally speaking, skin experts don’t recommend spray sunscreens because people don’t apply them correctly. Personally, I used them for re-application sometimes, but as someone writing about sunscreen, I certainly wasn’t ever going to recommend a spray over a lotion. I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that Eucerin Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray changed my mind.
Like all spray sunscreens, it’s more lightweight than a lotion, but unlike most spray sunscreens, it doesn’t come out in a cloud of fumes, but rather as a sort of froth. A bit weird at first, but the lack of fumes means I can apply it in my house and/or in my car, which is generally where I’m applying sunscreen (and where the fumes from traditional spray sunscreens can waft everywhere, stick to the floor, and make the room smell perfumey for ages).
It’s also moisturizing (important in my dry climate), truly fragrance-free, and doesn’t bother sensitive skin, all of which I love. I never thought I’d be swayed from my lotion SPF lifestyle, but this spray sunscreen made me a convert.
Eucerin Advanced Hydration SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
Sizes available: 20 oz, 32 oz, 40 oz
I never jumped on the straw tumbler trend. I had a couple of Hydro Flasks I picked up from a lost and found at the climbing gym I worked at that no one ever claimed. Between those and a couple of Nalgene bottles, I felt pretty set in the water bottle department.
But when I’m on long drives, those water bottles can be a pain to drink out of. Same thing if I’m walking–I know it seems small but tipping a big bottle back while moving around is awkward and messy. So when my sister told me about the HydroJug Traveler, I decided to give it a try.
I am happy to report I am better hydrated now (the straw really does make it a better drinking experience). It fits in every cup holder I’ve come across so far, which is more important than I realized. And if you need the extra cup holder space, just flip the straw down, it’s leakproof, so you can toss it on the floorboard of your car and let it roll around without spilling a drop.
I also learned from a friend that the stiff straws on some tumblers can cause injuries to young children if they fall on them. Being able to flip the straw down feels safer in that way, too.
The Hydrojug does a great job of keeping drinks cold. I usually don’t add ice, so the fact that my water stays at a pleasant drinking temperature even after sitting in a hot car for hours is impressive. I’m sure it works even better with ice.
The ergonomic handle deserves a mention, too. My hands often get tired from gripping large water bottles or even coffee cups. This handle is big enough to slip my hand through, so it’s more comfortable to hold and actually saves my grip.
The 32-ounce Sage is my personal favorite, but it comes in two other sizes and lots of fun colors and patterns.
The HydroJug Traveler really did change my mind. Highly recommended.
– Amy Gravlee, Treeline Review Copyeditor and Contributing Writer
HydroJug Traveler Tumbler
I used to firmly believe I did not need a pillow for backpacking. I thought I could be more utilitarian, more resourceful, more efficient with my packing by using spare clothing or my puffy as a pillow. And sure, that works, especially if you’re trying to shave pack weight. But I’m no ultralight thru-hiker–I prefer car camping at the trailhead or 1-3 night backpacking trips, and why not be as comfortable as possible?
The Exped Mega Pillow, which won Best for Side Sleepers in our Best Backpacking Pillows guide, is now an important feature in my camping and backpacking sleep system setup. It’s larger than most backpacking pillows but packs down easily. It’s comfortable and is such a simple, easy way to upgrade an outdoor sleeping experience. I’ve used it on camping trips–both in tents and in cars–and on a backpacking trip in Scotland.
Since the Mega Pillow is larger than other backpacking pillows, it offers excellent neck and head support. It’s easy to adjust the firmness as well. I also appreciate that the soft, removable cover is easy to clean.
For what it’s worth, the first backpacking pillow to convert me was the NEMO Fillo, which won Most Comfortable in our Best Backpacking Pillows guide. I’ve switched to the Exped Mega Pillow, though, since it’s easier to pack down and stuff away without me worrying about it getting dirty. In any case, backpacking pillows like the Exped Mega Pillow are the number one piece of gear I didn’t know I needed.
Exped Mega Pillow
I am an ultralight backpacker, so adding something to my pack weight has to really be worth the ounces to make the cut. When I first heard that people were carrying lightweight pad inflators I thought it was the silliest idea–who would want to add precious grams to their pack instead of just blowing up a pad and pillow every night?
Last summer I was on a ladies overnight trip when I heard my neighbor using the Flextail Portable Air Pump to inflate her sleeping pad and she offered to let me try it out. As a gear nerd I had to test it out at least so I could say how unnecessary it was to carry such a thing on trail. I used it to inflate my pad and then my pillow and it was so fast, and it took away the annoying task of sitting in my tent exhausted from a day of hiking and blowing into my pad. Not to mention that it also feels more sanitary and clean than using my lungs to fill up my pads.
Now I have my own Flextail Portable Air Pump and I carry it on all my trips. It is super useful for traveling with a partner because you only need one to share, and as shared gear it is really half the weight if you are doing hiker math. Bottom line, at the end of a long day of hiking I just want to be horizontal in my tent as quickly as possible and this little gadget helps me get into my sleeping quilt that much faster. Once you try this out, you won’t want to go back to filling up your pad without one again.
- Sara “Socks” Kruglinski, Contributing Writer and Ops Coordinator
Flextail Tiny Pump X 2024
As someone who typically needs to squat to pee, I’ve tried many different stand-to-pee (STP) devices over the last decade. The appeal of being able to pee while fully clothed is magnetic, but operationalizing this has been remarkably difficult. I tried 4+ different (often expensive) products and had negative experiences with all of them. Some collapsed if held firmly, others leaked or overflowed. I quickly learned that I should always test at home in the shower before taking it on the trail with me. Most STPs take a lot of practice and user error (or design flaws) can take a basic bodily function into a complex, stressful experience. It was frustrating and upsetting when STPs inevitably didn’t work, especially when I’m out backpacking and only have two pairs of underwear. So I just stopped using one, and instead would take the time and trouble to go further off trail.
However, I was at an LGBTQ outdoor event last year and there were pStyles for everyone who wanted one! I decided to try a STP one more time. This spring, as I prepared for a LASH (Long Ass Section Hike) of 415 miles of the New Mexico Continental Divide Trail (CDT), I realized that long road walks with no tree cover or bushes for coverage were in my near future. I knew I’d really want a way to pee while fully clothed on my hike so I added it to my pack.
I remembered that I’d packed a potential solution to this problem, and whipped it out. With no practice whatsoever, I turned my back to the road, faced the barbed wire fence, slid the pStyle between my clothes, and enjoyed a perfectly normal pee! I used it dozens of times over the course of my CDT LASH, and it was perfect every time. It kept my shoes dry and my clothes on, and didn’t require my legs to be on board with squatting. Paired with a Kula cloth, it’s the perfect pee kit for anyone who can’t already stand to pee!
pStyle stand-to-pee device
I used to be more of a climber and paddler than a hiker in my early 20s, but over the last five or six years, I've gradually become a more serious backpacker. Although I'd always hiked, I never truly understood the need for trekking poles. Most felt cumbersome, taking up space and adding weight in my pack (because I would get annoyed and stop using them), and weren't comfortable for me. After trying several brands and designs, I finally landed on one brand I use year-round. Over the past four years, I've relied on the Diorite Telescopic Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles on hiking trips across the Cascades in Washington, as well as in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, northern Minnesota, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, northern California, and Montana.
They are hand built in Portland, Oregon, and are lightweight yet stiff, with 100% carbon fiber shafts that reduce vibration while offering stability in snow, mud, and rugged terrain. The ergonomically shaped, fully compressed cork grips feel excellent in the hand, absorb sweat, and allow for quick adjustments mid-stride. Paired with padded, adjustable wrist straps, they make long treks far more comfortable. The friction quick-lock system keeps the poles secure without damaging the shafts, and the EZ Tip design allows carbide tips to be replaced easily without tools.
Designed to last a lifetime, every part is replaceable, and the local supply chain emphasizes sustainability and right-to-repair. While they are an investment, Diorite poles are built for serious hikers and backpackers who want reliable, high-performing gear. If you want a discount, check the Diorite website periodically for refurbished or blemished poles sold at a lower price. After years of testing across diverse trails and conditions, these poles have become a staple I keep in my car to bring even on short day hikes in the mountains.
Diorite Telescopic Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
It took me years to come around to the idea of using a subscription-based athletic tracker. I couldn’t fathom the idea of using a watch that required you to perpetually make payments. I thought you should just have a one time fee and then be able to use your device until its death, since that’s the model that Garmin and Suunto offered. Then my sister convinced me to try WHOOP, which is a watch-like device that tracks both your athletic endeavors and your body’s ability to recover.
While most athletic trackers emphasized performance, few of them evaluate health data to determine how your habits impact your ability to perform. I used the first version of the WHOOP for two years, and by the end of the second I had to admit that it did a better job of evaluating my overall wellness levels than the race watches that I was accustomed to using.
The device evaluated heart rate variability, stress levels, and sleep to aptly determine when my body was ready for a peak performance day. And it made it a lot easier for me to determine when it was time to take a rest day (something that’s notoriously difficult for me to do).
I’ve just started using the updated version of the WHOOP 5.0, which was released this spring, and the brand is making it even more difficult to ditch the subscription with its updated features. This device features the same tools as the previous WHOOP, but it also has an extended battery life, it monitors your blood pressure, and your ECG capabilities.
While I still find that athletic watches like the Coros Apex 2 do a better job of evaluating real-time performance, the WHOOP and WHOOP 5.0 are game changers when it comes to maximizing recovery. As much as the subscription model hurts, at this moment in time, I have yet to encounter a non-subscription device that competes with the WHOOP.
WHOOP 5.0 Athletic Tracker
The Bottom Pocket on the LiteAF Curve Full Suspension Backpack
I value easy, on the go, access to essentials (maps, snacks, hand sanitizer, etc.) when backpacking. I had been skeptical of the bottom pocket, a stretchy pouch located at the bottom of the backpack, because I wasn’t sure if it would keep items secure. However, the bottom pocket is now my favorite backpack feature.
I have been carrying the LiteAF Curve Full Suspension Backpack for over a year, including a thru-hike of the Mogollon Rim Trail. LiteAF backpacks have an optional spandex/nylon bottom pocket. I typically used the pocket for snacks and maps. I could easily retrieve the items while on the move, and I never lost any items out of the bottom pocket. The stretchy bottom pocket was even large enough to hold a full two-liter water bladder when necessary.
The bottom pocket is easier to access than hip belt pockets, and it eliminates the need to stuff my hiking shorts’ pockets. It also increased my pack volume with a minimal increase in the weight of the pack.
LiteAF Curve Full Suspension Backpack
Digital Maps/GPS Units
By now you may be seeing a theme from some of the other writers; a sense of pride that prevented them from capitalizing on the pleasure or utility of a piece of gear. Alas, I have not escaped this pitfall either.
As an elder millennial, I was raised on good ol’ USGS paper maps. I learned how to read a map, use a compass to triangulate my position and take a bearing to travel cross country. When GPS units started making their way into the backcountry in the 90’s, I scoffed at those who used them, judging them as outdoorspeople with lesser skills than I. I had never been truly lost, I reasoned, only temporarily misplaced.
Citing all the usual reasons against GPS–they were bulky, relied on batteries that could die, often were not intuitive, didn’t work if there was even a modest amount of tree cover–I continued to scoff into the 2020’s, adding mapping apps and cell phones to my GPS complaint list.
Then I went on a short backpacking trip in which my hiking partner's mapping app alerted us early that we had taken a wrong turn. We would have figured it out…eventually…but the seed was planted. Maybe there was something to these digital maps. After talking to friends, last year I finally started using a mapping app, and then bought a Garmin Mini 2. I wouldn’t say I’m a total convert (I still carry paper maps), but I no longer hold the prejudice (and gatekeeping attitude) that I did before.
There are many options for good apps out there (I personally use Gaia GPS app and FarOut), and GPS units have evolved immensely in the 20 years since I had last used one for work. These apps make it relatively easy to know where one is in the backcountry. In the case of FarOut, there is an information sharing aspect, which allows previous hikers to share important beta, like if a water source is still flowing. And as a parent who is planning on venturing to more remote places with my child as she gets older, I appreciate the safety aspect of a GPS.
On a trip two summers ago when we woke up to forest fire smoke, my hiking partner was able to message with a support person at home, and ascertain that we were safe to proceed on our intended route. I now primarily use a mapping app when traveling in the backcountry, and I no longer feel the loneliness of the false superiority of the paper map navigator.
Digital Maps/GPS Units
