Have you ever been at a loss over which gear to buy for your next outdoor adventure? Luckily for you, Appalachian Outfitters hires only outdoors people to help you find the best equipment for your needs.
We recently collected feedback from our staff to explain which gear is their favorite and why, and then we compiled their answers into a concise, readable format. Never get lost searching for gear again!
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PICK #1 – No More Sore Feet“I wear Superfeet Carbon in all of my shoes, both when I’m hiking and every day at work. My feet feel so much better at the end of the day when I wear them. They fit a wide variety of footwear including trail runners, boots and fashion shoes so everyone should have a pair of Superfeet under their feet!”  –Nicole C. |
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PICK #2 – Prana Bronson Lined Pants“The Prana Bronson Lined Pants are my go-to pant for the fall and winter. They are flannel lined, flattering and super comfortable during those cold lonely nights by the campfire. The durable outer fabric is great for anything from splitting wood to carving small mythical gnomes to fund my craft cider addiction.”  – Joshua J. |
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PICK #3 – Stretchable, Breathable, Functional Comfort“The Black Diamond Induction Shell jacket offers a great range of use over three seasons. With seam-taped Windstopper construction, it offers more breathability than other Gore-Tex shells while still offering full waterproof protection. This jacket has great stretch which adds to its performance in high output activity. From mountain biking to ice climbing, this piece excels on fit and functionality. Besides its technical features, it’s extremely comfortable and my go-to for the spring and fall months.”  –Greg K. |
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PICK #4 – Light Weight And Low Maintenance“My North Face Thermoball Jacket offers light weight construction and breathability. It is plenty warm while still maintaining packability and comfort. It even packs into its pocket! For the eco-minded customer, its outer fabric is Blue Sign approved meaning its fabric is sustainably produced.”  –Josh G. |
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PICK #5 – Adjustable Light“The Black Diamond Storm Headlamp is a great headlamp for several of its features. It is waterproof which is great for kayaking and its red LED lights are excellent for maintaining night vision. The power tap function is great for quick brightness adjustment. Being able to go from dim to full power and back with just the touch of a finger is one of its best features.”  – Dale T. |
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PICK #6 – Warm Layers From Nepal“The Sherpa Dikla Quarter Zip Tee is a great layering piece! It is both warm and super soft on the inside. Its functionality for the cooler months is great for any outdoor activity or everyday wear. I am a big supporter of the Sherpa Adventure Gear company because of the care and passion the Sherpa family has for their workers. The majority of their products are made in Nepal and some are even made in the homes of native Nepalese people.”  – Kristen L. An experienced outdoorswoman who has hiked Alaska’s Denali National Park. |
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PICK #7 – Cooking While CampingI have been using the MSR Whisperlite Series Stoves and Whisperlite Universal for over 18 years now. I have found them to be very dependable, durable and fuel efficient. These stoves are great for the backcountry chef that is cooking for small groups of four to five people or for the coneseaur that wants to do more than just boil water for freeze-dried meals. The Whisperlite is a great beginner stove and the Universal is a more durable and stable version that can use up to four different types of fuel.”  – Tim K. An experienced camper who leads outdoor programs throughout North America. |
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PICK #8 – Pants That Climb With You“The Kuhl Ryder Pant is an extremely durable pant with an ergonomic fit. They have a rugged aesthetic and durable material, yet do not impede my movement while climbing. I wear them three times a week for my workouts at Kendall Cliffs. Though I’ve had them for over six months, they show no signs of wearing out. I plan to get many more seasons of wear out these pants.”  – Tim N. A rock climbing specialist at Appalachian Outfitters and Kendall Cliffs. |
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PICK #9 – Easy To Pack And Warm To Wear“The Smartwool NTS Mid 250 Zip T is an amazing piece for all four seasons. Its sleek design uses merino wool, a premium fabric that offers comfort in cool or hot weather conditions. I use it as a base layer under a down jacket for snowshoeing and winter hiking as well as a stand-alone piece for cool summer nights on the trail. It’s the only mid layer I bring in my pack because it is super packable, yet offers unbelievable warmth. I never leave for a trip without it!”  – Sarah M. An outdoor adventurer who has used only a map and a backpack to explore the Southern California Coast in her jeep. |
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PICK #10 – Oboz Yellowstone BDry“I absolutely adore these Oboz Yellowstone BDry boots. They have amazing arch support and can protect my feet from rocks, uneven terrain and anything else that the trail puts in front of me. They fit like a glove and have a super aggressive tread for a mid-hiker.”  – Andrea P. |
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PICK #11 – Cozy Up With Duck Down“The Sea to Summit Talus Ts 1 Sleeping Bag is the lightest in the series offering great three season warmth while still being ultralight at only 1 lb. 15 oz. I have had it for years and it works great for a wide range of activities such as hunting, hiking and camping trips. It uses a 750+ loft premium European duck down which offers amazing comfort and warmth while featuring Sea to Summit’s Ultra-Dry Down technology.”
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PICK #12 – The Tool For Daily Use“The Leatherman Juice CS4 Multi-Tool is lightweight and useful for everyday tasks. I keep it in my apron at work or in my pocket while hiking or just doing everyday tasks at home. I use the scissors most often, but it has other great functions such as the awl and saw blade that I use for leather work.”
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PICK #13 – Fashionable Plus Versatile“I love this Patagonia Synchilla Snap T Fleece Pullover. It is the perfect weight for those cooler months and keeps me warm throughout the day at school, work or on the trails. This piece is awesome because it is easy to get on and off for layering during winter sports or outdoor activities. As well as being functional and fashionable, its construction is made up of recycled polyester for those who are environmentally conscious.”
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PICK #14 – Colorful And Compact Rain Gear“I love my Columbia EvaPOURation rain jacket! It has travelled with me all over the United States on various backpacking and hiking trips. It has held up really well and has kept me both warm and dry in the cooler weather. It is light weight and compact – it even packs into its own pocket! This is a great feature for stowing in a small daypack or larger pack for longer trips. Plus, they come in awesome colors!”
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