1 min readTHANKS TO THE ever-growing number of individuals participating in outdoor recreation, the gear space continues to grow. According to the Outdoor Foundation’s 2024 Outdoor Retail Trends Report, total outdoor retail sales topped $27.5 billion, with casual outdoor participants lending the highest growth when it comes to purchasing accessories and equipment. That means a whole lot of people are diving deeper on their newfound hobbies.
It's no secret legacy outdoor brands are welcoming this wave of consumers with open arms, but they're adamant on creating products that prioritize function over everything. Just this spring, Patagonia released a massive marketing campaign where founder Yves Chounard announced, “Fashion is not our business.” Chounard asked consumers to instead recognize his company is about quality, longevity, and sustainability.
Long-term functionality is at the core of our annual report of the best new gear in 2024. Ahead, you’ll find products our editors tested in the past year that will make outdoor life more fun for years to come.
Nothing screams “summer vibes” like a hammock. The Vista sets up easy from your backyard to the front country, leaving you more time for what matters (like sipping cold beers around the campfire).
Ditch your bulky, old-school camp cook set that’s taking up its own tote. Gerber’s all-new ComplEAT (get it?) Camp Cook Set packs 16 pieces of essential cookware and dinnerware into an impossibly small space so that you can feed a group of four anytime, anywhere.
Oyster proves that ice isn’t as cool or necessary as it used to be. Its lightweight, iceless Tempo cooler uses the same vacuum-insulated technology as your favorite travel coffee mug. Now, you have room for more important things, like beer, bacon, and brats.
Make comfy year-round car camping a reality with this go-anywhere AC/heater combo. It warms up any compact space in just five minutes, and the battery keeps you cool or warm (your call) for up to eight hours.
Camping under the stars amid a pitch-black sky is glorious. Stumbling around the woods to find a pee-tree or chase off varmints after dark isn’t. Light up your next camp with this portable, 6,000-lumen “streetlamp” from GoalZero.
Create a go-anywhere dining room, living room, or game room (maybe) with this clever, origami-inspired outdoor furniture collection. It expands to full-size tables, chairs, and ottomans when you need them but packs down pretty darn flat when it’s time to break camp.
Summer camping doesn’t have to be hot, clammy, and miserable. This all-new tent is ultra-lightweight and insanely ventilated to keep you feeling easy and breezy, even in the warmest weather conditions. Bonus: The eco-friendly design is made without PFCs!
Upgrade your morning camp coffee ritual with a French Press that’s every bit as drool-worthy as Yeti’s handsome, bulletproof coolers. It’s vacuum-insulated, ceramic-lined, and automatically stops the brewing process, so you'll never overdo your brew.
Lighten your hiking load with this all-in-one water bottle/purifier. The titanium finish not only looks sweet but is durable enough to allow the GeoPress Ti to double as a mini-camp pot for impromptu campfire cooking.
With a 40-degree comfort rating, Kelty’s fan-favorite Cosmic Down strikes the perfect balance of weight, warmth, and eco-friendliness (it’s made with recycled fibers), making it a near-perfect three-season bag.
Sleek, trim, and minimalist, Thule’s latest AllTrail Hydration Pack is everything you need and nothing you don’t. The 16L capacity is built to keep you well-hydrated, with extra room for maps, a first aid kit, and a mountain of trail mix.
For short overnights or long day hikes, this backpack is perfectly sized to tackle them all with a breathable back panel, infinitely adjustable fit, and a super comfy waistbelt.
For your wettest, dirtiest, most epic outdoor adventures, nothing beats a legit duffel. Ortlieb’s RC is fully waterproof with detachable straps, so it converts from duffel to backpack in seconds.
Keep your most valuable EDC gear protected on the go. This waterproof hard shell is large enough for your phone, wallet, AirPods, and Dad’s old pocket watch, yet compact enough to stash in a daypack.
The OG smartwatch from Casio still reigns supreme, in this case with a chunky, all-business aesthetic, solar-powered battery, and a retro-mod monochrome display that’s as functional as it is handsome.
In-the-know adventure lovers have been crushing on Suunto for years. Its latest Vertical is the brand’s best, most rugged outdoor watch yet, with offline maps, dual-band GPS/GNSS, and solar charging to keep its 60-day battery topped up.
Portability is paramount for toting your favorite chilled snacks and bevvies into the backcountry. This backpack cooler carries easy and features a full inch of closed-foam insulation, plus welded (not sewn) seams for maximum ice retention.
Pack twenty essential tools—pliers, scissors, drivers, openers, and a next-gen MagnaCut steel blade that’s razor sharp and ultra-durable— on your hip with Leatherman’s latest multitool.
The Roadie is an emergency kit you can truly pack and forget. With more than 100 essentials, from bandages and zip ties to a digital thermometer and even a portable urinal, you’ll be ready to face even the most unexpected scenarios on the road.
Nothing kills the vibe of a good campfire hang like swarms of hungry mosquitos. This clever portable repellent system creates a 15-foot zone of mozzie-free bliss without any weird chemical messes or scents.
From the office to the airport to the trail, these shorts do it all. They’re lightweight, breathable, and buttery soft, with an abrasion-resistant design that’s tough enough to tackle whatever the day throws at you.
Lightweight and ultra-comfy, Patagonia’s Go-To Shirt lives up to its name. With a timeless silhouette and wide color selection (from basics to bold patterns), we suggest grabbing more than one to mix and match with the Kuhl Renegade Short above.
With a featherweight design, ridiculously soft, stretchy fabric, and a UPF 25 rating, the Elevate Hoodie is guaranteed to become your new go-to summer staple.
Gym, beach, couch, repeat—these hybrid trunks are ready for your daily circuit. A 16.5-inch hem and an elastic waistband make for the perfect summer fit. Bonus: They’re eco-friendly, too, made from a blend of coconut and recycled Repreve fibers.
When the going gets tough—like “peak-bagging in the Pacific Northwest rainy season” tough—Arc’teryx always has you covered. This featherweight rain jacket shell protects you on those wet shoulder season days when the weather just can’t seem to cooperate.
Beyond its legendary running shoes, Hoka brings its serious footwear chops to these fan-favorite hiking boots. Ultra-durable, ridiculously comfortable, and ready for whatever mountain adventures you’re dreaming up next.
If you’re not yet a Birkenstock stan, now’s as good a time as any to join the club. The Mogami Terra is waterproof sandal with a rubber bottom that grips any surface like a champ, making it the perfect summer sandal.
We’ll say it: The Cloudhorizon is On’s most cushioned and comfortable hiking shoe ever. Over most terrain, this is a near-perfect waterproof hiker with rock-solid grip and arch support for every kind of foot.
There are two types of people: Those who’ve already made the switch to armless sunglasses and those who will. Ombraz’s all-new Cammina features a slim tortoiseshell frame with a dash of Euro-vintage flair that’s guaranteed to make you a convert.
It’s hard to admit to a “sock obsession.” But, with a full-height design, gobs of cushioning, and an unconditional lifetime guarantee, these midweight hiking socks from Darn Tough really are obsession-worthy.
Bring the noise (literally) to your next camp hang with this next-gen portable Bluetooth speaker. It’s 100% waterproof, crazy loud (120 decibels!), and gets more than 20 hours of playback on a single charge.
Don’t let surprise water crossings ruin a good hike. This ultra-packable packraft is lightweight, under $1,000, and packs down ridiculously small, so it’s a no-brainer to toss in your overnight backpack.
Lighter, longer-casting, and built with an ultra-durable carbon weave, Trika’s 6X rod is purpose-built to be twice as sensitive as its also-ran competition. Whether spinning or casting, it gives you the edge to feel every underwater twitch and quiver.
Portable power stations are all the rage right now, and even DJI’s getting in on the action. Its all-new Power 500 dishes out 512Wh of power for charging smartphones, tablets, drones—heck, even your portable karaoke machine (no, not really).
Forget piecing together your on-the-go “creator kit.” Lume Cube packs everything you need, including an LED vlogging light, a mic, a grip, and an extendable selfie tripod, into one premium, grab-and-go pack.
A portable folding design? Check. 20” x 4” fat tires? Check. An affordable price? Also check. HeyBike’s latest Mars 2.0 ticks all the must-have boxes to be this year’s go-to electric bike.
The OG action camera just keeps getting better. GoPro’s “best ever” HERO12 captures beautiful HDR photos and stunning, ultra-wide-angle 5K video with ree-dic-you-less-ly smooth stabilization—all with up to 1.5 hours of runtime.
Whether cruising around your lake cabin, mending fences at the ranch, or crushing muddy mountain trails, this flagship UTV from Polaris tackles them all with aplomb.
Take your favorite binge-worthy streams almost anywhere (movie night under the stars, anyone?). The Android-powered Capsule 3 features a bright, 300-lumen laser light and up to 1080p HD resolution, all in a lightweight, two-pound gadget that’s designed for the outdoors.
Protecting your brain is sexy. This cutting-edge helmet does just that with an integrated MIPS system and a built-in crash sensor that pairs with a mobile app to alert emergency services in the event of the unthinkable.
Finding the perfect, all-season boot has long seemed impossible. This versatile Chelsea is like the Swiss Army Knife of boots—handsome, comfy, and rugged enough for year-round wear.
If you’re not yet a Birkenstock stan, now’s as good a time as any to join the club. The Mogami Terra is waterproof with a rubber bottom that grips any surface like a champ, making it the perfect summer sandal.
The perfect trail running shoe doesn’t exis—nevermind. The Cinder might be the world’s most responsive trail runner. Built for hardcore technical terrain, it delivers a better ground feel, more heel comfort, and clever midsole geometry to keep you feeling confident mile after mile.
Prop styling by Mia Katoh.
John Thompson is the Senior Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he covers fashion, grooming, gear, and technology. He was previously the Style & Gear Editor at BroBible.com, and a commerce writer for TheManual.com. His interests include attending concerts, spending time outside, and following his favorite baseball team, the Kansas City Royals.
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South Africa, and survived a near-miss great white shark attack in Mexico. His travel advice has appeared on the websites for Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. He loves the great outdoors and good bourbon, and (usually) calls Tulsa, Oklahoma home. Mike also enjoys speaking in the third person.
