Get the f*** out(side)

PLUS: Gear that makes fall the superior season: hoodies, backpacks, fitness trackers, boots, knives, base layers, and more.

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This week: The best gear for the great outdoors—our expert’s favorite backpack, hoodie, coffee grinder, notebook, and more.

In 2017, WIRED’s Scott Gilbertson moved his wife and three children into a vintage RV. They spent the next seven years at home on the road. Five people, 100 square feet. The cramped interior meant that most of the time, rain or shine, they were outside. What’s the secret to living well outdoors? Having the right gear, Scott tells me. As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad stuff. Exclusively for our weekend newsletter, he threw together a short guide to the products he and his family came to rely on. They get the WIRED endorsement whether you’re an occasional hiker or living outside full-time.

Cooper Fleishman Executive Commerce Director

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All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links. Learn more.

ON THE WISHLIST

Curated by Scott Gilbertson

A Great Merino Hoodie This time of year, you want something heavy and warm. I like this Minus33 merino wool hoodie for its warmth and durability. I’ve had mine for three years, and it still looks great. Another I bought for my oldest has now been passed down to her brother, and it’s still going strong. With 400-gsm fabric, this thing is warm. Don’t buy this for lounging around the house—buy this for hitting the trail, even when the snow is coming down.

The BIFL Backpack I work from home, and I work out at home. A book of bodyweight exercises has been my workout bible for years now. But I also love hiking, which somehow became militarized into rucking. Rucking is hiking with extra weight. You don’t need any special gear to ruck. But if you put 20 pounds in your average day pack, you’ll quickly discover it’s not very well made. When you wear through what you’ve got, get a GoRuck. They’re nigh on indestructible, have a lifetime warranty, and they’re purpose-built for rucking. But they make a damn great daypack as well.

For the Rise-and-Grind This delightfully solid and compact grinder is made of aircraft-grade aluminum and built to survive the zombie apocalypse—or a bumpy ride to your favorite campsite. The handle is clever. It folds out to provide leverage while you grind and can also serve as a hook to hang the java when you’re not using it. As for the brew itself? I’m a well-documented moka pot guy.

A Notebook for the Road The leather-bound Traveler’s Notebook has been my primary notebook for over five years. I keep two notebooks, one for planning and one for journaling. Originally released by the Japanese stationery company Midori, the notebook proved so popular that it has since been spun off into a separate company. There are many specialized notebooks available (here’s a weekly diary and a monthly planner), as well as inserts for business cards and more. The tall, skinny page shape feels odd at first, but it grows on you.

A Knife That Makes the Cut A good knife is indispensable when you’re headed outdoors. Benchmade knives aren’t just buy-it-for-life; they’re heirlooms you can hand down to your kids. The Crooked River is my personal favorite and everyday carry, but the company makes dozens of beautiful knives. They even make shorter knives for those of you in states that don’t allow you to carry big-boy knives.

THE SMARTER BUY

You don’t need a $1,000 fitness tracker or smartwatch. Some of our favorite entry-level options cost less than $200. Right now, the Garmin Vivoactive 5 and Garmin Forerunner 165 are more than 20 percent off. Run, don’t walk, and scoop up one of them.

THE SPLURGE

Life is too short for a sub-par Oxford shirt. I can’t say enough good things about Knickerbocker’s “Beefy” Cotton line—the perfect fit, weight, material, and comfort.

LIFE-TESTED, EXPERT-APPROVED

Chris Haslam’s picks for fall footwear.

The Boots I Keep Coming Back To My very well-loved pair of Danner Mountain 600 boots live in my trunk, ready to go whenever I need them. SHOP NOW My Stylish, Stable Hiking Shoes I love these reassuringly robust hiking shoes from Swiss brand Mammut. SHOP NOW

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ONE LAST THING

Flashlights are better than headlamps. Yeah, I said it. This one is tiny, reasonably priced, and surprisingly bright. —Scott Gilbertson

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