Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. Late summer and early fall are ideal times to explore mountain environments. Trails are as clear as they’ll get before the next snowfall, colors on the approach are magnificent, temperatures are moderate and the days are still reasonably long. This is our favorite time of year for peak-bagging excursions, going from trailhead to peak and back in one massive day.
Peak bagging has a particular set of gear needs to help ensure success, which we break down below with the items we tested this summer.
Long-sleeve hoodie: Ridge Pursuit Ultralight Air Merino Hoodie ($108)
This category of tops is uniquely suited for high mountain environments, in that they provide full coverage for insulation and sun exposure but still breathe well enough to ventilate and support high-intensity movement. We wore the Ridge Pursuit Ultralite Air as a base layer for alpine starts, and as a standalone layer when the day got warm. The shirt builds upon the company’s existing Pursuit fabric and adds Axio mesh panels under the arms and on the back for enhanced breathability, plus a half-zip if you want to quickly dump heat build-up. Axio yarn is a Japanese spinning technique that wraps a polyester filament inside soft merino wool to save weight while simultaneously improving durability. The remainder of the garment is entirely merino wool that is stretchy, odor-resistant, highly moisture-wicking and comfortable enough to wear against the skin all day and into the night. The design details we appreciate on this shirt are a just-right hood size that can layer under a helmet or stretch over a hat, a one-inch drop tail in back for easy tucking and thumb holes to keep full coverage under a pair of gloves (see next item). Available at www.ridgemerino.com.
Gloves: Seirus Soundtouch Hyperlite All Weather ($50)
A versatile pair of gloves is a key piece of gear to keep your fingers comfortable on a long mountain day. We typically start with them in pre-dawn cold, take them off once the sun hits and pull them out again in advance of a wind chill when approaching a summit. The Seirus All Weather collection consists of form-fitting gloves that maintain dexterity, allowing you to easily manipulate zippers, headlamps or watch buttons. They use a Weathershield tri-laminate technology combining a four-way stretch outer, a windproof/waterproof breathable middle membrane and a Polartec moisture-wicking inner lining. The Hyperlite style has a sleek profile that can be layered under thicker gloves in harsh winter conditions, but insulates well on its own with temperatures into the 30s. Ultragrip synthetic leather on the palms and base of the thumb provide traction with larger items, and Soundtouch pads at the thumb and index finger of each hand allow you to operate your smartphone without removing them. Available at www.seirus.com.
Day pack: Janji Revy ($170)
Designed primarily as a run commute pack, the Revy also works great as a day pack for off-road adventures when you need to carry a lot of gear and fluids. The overall cargo volume is 18L, with a maximum weight capacity of 30lbs, and has a four-point adjustable harness system to keep the load secured and minimize lateral movement. A large semi-clamshell rear compartment has plenty of space for extra layers and food, and has two-way zipper access so you can grab things lower in the pack without unloading everything. The pack comes with two 500ml soft flasks which fit in drop-in pockets on the front, and an additional rear compartment has a pouch and clip for a 2L reservoir (not included) or, if you are run commuting, a laptop. Dual zippered mesh pockets on the front provide secure storage, with one side large enough for pretty much any smartphone, and three large external mesh drop-in pockets on the back side accommodate larger items like microspikes or trekking poles. Lightweight compression shock cords cinch the bag to prevent bounce or secure taller items in the side pockets.
A top stash pocket fits sunglasses, a wallet or other small items, and a clip inside the front zipper pocket keeps a key secure. The entire pack is constructed from durable, lightweight, weather-resistant materials that served us well during extended stretches of class 3 scrambling this summer. Available at www.janji.com.
Water filter: Lifestraw Peak Series Collapsible Squeeze 650 ml ($38)
When running in the mountains, you often don’t need to carry massive amounts of fluid because there are usually natural sources for refilling your water along the way. However, it’s critical to filter water in the wild to decrease your risk of disease. This LifeStraw squeeze filter is made from premium BPA-free materials and has strong durability to withstand being crammed in your pack, scuffed against river rocks or accidentally dropped into the dirt without causing leaks or punctures. A screw top cap adds to the secure build quality and prevents dripping from the top. It weighs just over 3 ounces and collapses down to the size of an orange when not in use, so it’s perfect to stuff into the front pocket of a pack for easy access. A relatively large capacity of 650ml increases your overall carrying capacity, but the shape fits easily into many flask sleeves on various vests, such as the Janji pack above. The filter membrane has a high flow rate that allows for convenient drinking straight from the bottle or rapid refilling of a reservoir. Its pore size of 0.2 micron protects against bacteria, parasites, microplastics, silt, sand and cloudiness, and lasts for up to 2000L of use. Available at www.lifestraw.com.
Headlamp: Black Diamond Distance LT 1100 ($130)
Long summit efforts usually involve covering some approach miles before the sun comes up, and often working through darkness on the way back to the trailhead. A bright and dependable headlamp that is lightweight and compact for easy storage when not in use is one of your best tools for extending your trail hours. The rechargeable Distance LT1100 packs impressive brightness into a relatively sleek housing, which rides comfortably on multi-hour pushes, and stays in place well when moving at high speeds. It burns for over 4 hours at a max setting of 600 lumens but can extend duration to 14 hours at 300 lumens. Engineered lens design creates broad, diffuse lighting disbursement with a combination of depths to better spot obstacles and improve overall visibility. A PowerTap cranks the brightness up to 1100 lumens for 10 seconds by simply tapping on the side of the casing, which is perfect for reacting to unexpected noises on the side of the trail. Sealed housing with weather resistance of IP67 makes it fully waterproof and dustproof, so it’s ready for all mountain conditions. After the sun comes up, a digital lockout feature safeguards against accidental use and battery drain before you have to pull it out again at night. Available at www.blackdiamondequipment.com.
Poles: LEKI Skytera FX Carbon SL ($220)
We use poles on any trek into the mountains, given their ability to offload some leg muscle energy on steep ascents and provide additional points of contact for balance on technical downhill stretches. The LEKI Skytera FX Carbon SL is a packable and adjustable pole designed specifically for thru-hikers and mountaineers and combines comfort and durability aspects of the company’s hiking poles with lightweight construction of their performance models to help you move fast when needed. Each carbon fiber pole weighs only 6 ounces, with slightly tapered dimensions of 14mm in the top portion and 12mm at the bottom. A highlight here is the new Verticon grip system. It is made from soft but dense ergonomic foam, with thin mesh loop straps that are easy to apply and remove, and an angled alignment to position the wrist more naturally when applying downward pressure. The grip extends below the primary grip area for use when navigating extremely rough terrain, and the top rests comfortably in our palms when using the poles for downhill stability. These poles are adjustable between 110 and 130cm, using Speedlock levers that are dependably secure even when making frequent adjustments. They collapse down to a very compact 16” length for storage in a pack when it’s time for boulder scrambling or downclimbing. Available at www.lekiusa.com.
Waterproof shell: Gorewear Concurve Gore-Tex Jacket ($250)
A stowable hardshell jacket can be a lifesaver in high mountain environments, as it protects from increased wind chill and the likelihood of precipitation in summit environments. The Concurve jacket features the next generation Gore-Tex EPE (expanded polyethylene) membrane, which is thinner, lighter and more environmentally friendly than the previous standard. The PFAS-free membrane is combined with recycled content textiles for its external layer and interior lining, to create a three-layer system that delivers the same fully waterproof and windproof protection as old school Gore-Tex garments, while adding a degree of breathability to support higher intensity outings. Its membrane technology is impressive, crafted with over nine billion pores per square inch. Each pore is 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times larger than water vapor, which effectively keeps rain out while still allowing body perspiration to vaporize away. Fabric panels are cut and positioned to allow full freedom of movement, with a somewhat slim fit through the forearms that is more true to size in the torso. This jacket has one of the best functioning hoods we have used, with a magnetic clip to keep it in place when down, and a secure elastic hem and shock cord adjustment to prevent it from being blown off when it’s up. Available at www.gorewear.com.
Glasses: Vuarnet Racing 02 ($265-$325, depending on lens)
We reviewed this model with our trail glasses roundup earlier this year, and it has proven to be our choice when venturing above treeline because of its extensive coverage and glare protection. The frames are relatively tall and have a pronounced curvature that functions as full wraparound coverage. Bio-nylon frames have strong durability and sit close to the face, with adjustable rubberized temples and nose pads that create a rock-solid fit when we’re scrambling up and down talus. Mineral glass lenses are heavier than plastic equivalents but provide ultra-high-definition vision and the highest level of solar protection. They also have inherent visual purity that makes the lenses distortion-free, so you can maintain optical precision in vast granite landscapes. Vuarnet lenses are made from 100% natural materials and undergo a 17-step manufacturing process to ensure exceptional impact resistance, along with being inherently scratchproof. The Racing 02 model has several additional lens technology options, such as photochromicity or bi-mirror treatments for enhanced glare protection. Available at us.vuarnet.com.
Double navigation (watch and app: choose your own)
This is more of a public service announcement than a specific gear recommendation. One of your biggest dangers when heading into the mountains is straying off course, which, at a minimum, adds unnecessary hours to your day, but has much more severe repercussions such as getting lost or being forced to bivouac without adequate supplies. A cardinal rule of exploration is to research your route in advance, and whenever possible, use at least one device that identifies your location in real time in relation to your intended route. Most GPS watches have robust enough memory and battery life to download routes and navigate through an entire day, and there are many trail apps that allow you to download maps so you can see your location on screen, even when your phone is in airplane mode. We are partial to the Garmin Enduro 3 watch ($900) and AllTrails app (free version available, but spring for the $40/yr for downloading ability), and will have our route on both devices in case one of them gets buggy for some reason. There are multiple comparable devices available that serve the same function.
Transport bag: Osprey Transporter Squffel 44 ($200)
The first challenge of adventuring into the mountains is how to organize and transport all of your gear to get there. We appreciate cargo pieces that are equally capable of handling air travel or campsites, and the Osprey Squffel 44 has been a remarkably rugged and versatile option for all of our exploits. It is constructed with Buesign-approved NanoTough exterior fabric made with 100% recycled high-tenacity nylon and carbonate coating that is highly water-resistant. A Squffel can be utilized as a traditional top-loading duffel bag with full zip-top opening, or in backpack style with a 50/50 clamshell layout and three-quarter perimeter zipper layout for ease of access. The padded backpack straps and sternum clip stow into the bag when not in use but deploy easily and stay comfortable and secure for long walks through airports. This bag seems to have compartments on top of compartments, with all of them easily accessible and zipper-secured. Some are even ventilated to store damp items if needed. Grab handles on all four sides make it easy to pull from any pile of equipment, and eight webbing lash points allow you to attach additional gear as needed. We continue to find different applications for this bag that make it easy to organize and access gear. Available at www.osprey.com.