We live in a golden age of outdoor kit. Never before has there been so much choice from so many products, with so much of it being so good. But this proliferation of good gear can make finding the great gear challenging.
While the diminishing differences in kit performance may be inversely proportional to the seemingly exponential expansion of kit choices, the truth is that some outdoor gear just remains better than others.
The answer to finding it? Try loads of kit in loads of conditions in loads of places. That’s exactly what the gear testers at Trail and Live for the Outdoors do every day. Welcome to our Gear of the Year 2025.
Gear of the Year 2025 winners at a glance
Best waterproof jacket:
The Tierra Nevado Jacket Gen.3 is a robust waterproof jacket featuring a Gore-Tex ePTFE membrane. It’s designed for durability and breathability, with a 28,000mm HH rating and a RET <6 score for breathability, offering excellent performance for all-round outdoor use.
Here's why we love it
Waterproofing: The 3-layer Gore-Tex fabric is durable and fully taped, ensuring solid waterproof protection.
Breathability: The RET score and large pit zip vents help manage heat during intense activity.
Weight: At 470g (men’s small), it strikes a great balance between weight and protection.
Read our full Tierra Nevado Jacket Gen.3 review here
| Weight: | 470g/16.5oz (men’s S) |
| Sizes: | XS-XXL (men’s), XXS-XXL (women’s) |
Best walking boots:
When it comes to hiking boot design, form should always follow function. The Salewa Mountain Trainer 2 Mid GTX is a technical boot for technical mountain terrain. It's a very capable companion for more challenging mountain days and highly proficient on rocky ground.
we love it for scrambling along ridgelines, crossing summit plateaus, traversing hillsides, and negotiating scree slopes. Despite being highly technical, it strikes a balance between high-end performance and comfort for laid-back hikers.
Here's why we love it:
Precise and agile: The Mountain Trainer 2 has a slim heel with a narrow midfoot and a broader forefoot, making it ideal for precise foot placement on demanding terrain.
Stable and supportive: The boot features a full rubber rand, solid heel cup, and Salewa’s 3F system, offering enhanced ankle support and stability.
Reliable traction: The Vibram WTC2 outsole provides stable traction, great for rocky terrain and wet or muddy conditions.
Read our full Salewa Mountain Trainer 2 Mid GTX review here
| Weight: | 600g/21.1oz (men's EU 43/UK 9) |
| Uppers: | 1.6mm suede leather with stretch soft-shell panels |
| Waterproofing: | Gore-Tex Performance Comfort liner |
| Outsole: | Vibram WTC2 |
| Sizes (UK): | 6-13 (men’s); 3-9 (women’s) |
Best hiking backpack:
The Osprey Exos Pro (men's) and Eja Pro (women's) are ultralight backpacks with impressive carrying comfort and functionality. These packs weigh only 980g (Exos) and 930g (Eja) while maintaining a full feature set, making them ideal for lightweight backpacking.
Here's why we love them
Lightweight yet functional: The Exos Pro and Eja Pro deliver comfort and practicality in an ultralight package.
Great fit: Gender-specific sizes and an adjustable torso system ensure a precise, comfortable fit.
Comfort and ventilation: The Airspeed back panel and well-padded harness provide excellent comfort and ventilation for long hikes.
Read our full Osprey Eja Pro 55 backpack review here
| Weight | 930g/32.8oz4 (Eja XS/S) |
| Capacity: | 55l |
| Fabric: | NanoFly 100D Nylon x 200D UHMWPE ripstop with PFAS-free DWR |
| Sizes: | Exos S/M & L/XL, Eja XS/S & M/L |
Best tent:
Shop the tent here
The Sea to Summit Alto TR2 Plus combines ultralight design with exceptional liveability. It’s a 2-person, 3-season tent with innovative Tension Ridge architecture that increases headroom and vestibule space, while still weighing only 1447g.
Why We Love It
Internal liveability: Tension Ridge design maximises headspace and vestibule space for comfort in a lightweight design.
Upgraded materials: The nylon inner and rugged groundsheet improve the tent's waterproof performance compared to lighter models.
Ultralight: Despite its spacious interior, the Alto TR2 Plus weighs just 1447g.
Read our full Sea to Summit Alto TR2 Plus review here
| Weight: | 1447g / 51oz |
| Packed Size: | 53x13cm |
| Internal Dimensions: | 215x134cm (head), 97cm (foot) |
| Internal Peak Height: |
Best sleeping bag:
Simond’s Makalu I offers remarkable warmth and value. With an EN/ISO comfort rating of -5°C and 800 fill power duck down, it delivers premium performance at a mid-range price. Its mummy shape maximises warmth, making it ideal for most 3-season campers.
Here's why we love it
A warm bargain: The Makalu I offers impressive warmth at an affordable price, with EN/ISO comfort ratings of -5°C.
Premium down: 800 fill power duck down provides excellent loft and warmth, while the 560g fill weight ensures comfort.
Alpine shape: The mummy design reduces cold spots, maximising warmth-to-weight ratio.
Read our full Simond Makalu I review here
| Weight: | 1070g/37.7oz (M), 1160g/40.9oz (L), 1260g/44.4oz (XL) |
| Packed Size: | 35x19cm (M), 36x19.5cm (L), 37x20cm (XL) |
| Dimensions: | 190x78cm (M), 200x80cm (L), 210x82cm (XL) |
| Sizes: | M, L, XL. |
Best head torch:
Tom Bailey | LFTOThe BioLite Headlamp 425 is one of the lightest and most comfortable headtorches in its class. It features a sleek design with the LED unit integrated into the headband, and the battery pack positioned at the back for stability. With a maximum brightness of 425 lumens and multiple light modes, it's an excellent choice for year-round use, including trail running, hiking, and camping.
Here's why we love it
Bright: With a 425-lumen output, the headlamp delivers a strong beam, useful for various outdoor activities. It runs at full brightness for up to 4 hours.
Light and versatile: Weighing just 78g, it’s incredibly light and versatile, making it ideal for trail running, fast hiking, and camping.
Stable and well-balanced: The design evenly distributes the weight, providing stability and minimising bounce during active use.
Tech Specs
Read our full BioLate Headlamp 425 review here
| Max power: | 425lm (high) |
| Max burn time: | 60 hours at 5 lumens |
| Max beam distance: | 85m |
| Weight: | 78g/2.7oz |
| Ingress Protection Rating: | IPX4 (splashproof). |
Best hiking shoes:
The AKU Rocket DFS GTX shoes are mountain-ready and designed for fast hiking. They provide excellent support while remaining lightweight, thanks to their ergonomic design and dual lacing system for an adjustable fit. These shoes offer reliable grip on diverse terrains, making them a standout for more demanding mountain days.
Here's why we love it
Structured support: The synthetic uppers feature a crossed rib structure and laminated overlays for added rigidity, while the double-density PU midsole provides stability without sacrificing flexibility.
Adjustable fit: The DFS Dual Fit System allows for a precise fit, with a quicklace system that enhances midfoot control for fast, technical movement.
Superb traction: The Vibram Traction Lug outsole increases surface contact and offers improved grip on various terrains, with 4mm lugs and serrated rubber teeth for enhanced traction.
Read our full AKU Rocket DFS GTX review here
| Weight (per shoe): | 370g/13oz (men’s EU 42/UK 8) |
| Uppers: | Fabric Mesh/textile |
| Waterproofing: | Gore-Tex Performance Comfort liner |
| Outsole: | Vibram Traction Lug Megagrip |
| Sizes (UK): | 7-12 (men’s); 4-8.5 (women’s). |
Best mid layer:
Synthetic insulation is often a better choice in the UK’s wet conditions, as it retains warmth even when damp.
The Rab Cirrus Ultra Hoody, using PrimaLoft ThermoPlume+, mimics down insulation but performs better in wet weather. We tested it in some truly depressing weather, and it delivered superb warmth and comfort.
Here's why we love it
Down-like insulation: ThermoPlume+ is made from 100% recycled materials, offering warmth similar to down with superior damp performance.
Heat reflecting: The TILT lining reflects heat back towards your body, improving insulation.
Body mapped: Rab's design adapts insulation, breathability, and stretch to different parts of the body for comfort and efficiency.
Tech Specs
Read our full Rab Cirrus Ultra review here
| Weight: | 584g/20.6oz (men's M), 494g/17.4oz (women's 10) |
| Fabric: | 87% recycled content |
| Sizes: | S-XXL (men’s), 8-16 (women’s) |
About the author
Fliss Freeborn is a devoted gear enthusiast who also happens to be a writer for LFTO. She spends most weekends outdoors doing something daft, and always puts her gear to the test in Scotland's unrelenting rain. Not because she enjoys the rain, but because lives in Glasgow and has no other choice.