The Outdoor Gear That Totally Makes Us Swoon
Do you have a favorite piece of outdoor gear? Something that’s not just functional but makes you smile every time you use it? :)
Here we’re sharing our absolute favorite outdoor gear – the things that we swoon over every time we grab them from the gear closet. From jackets to boots to sleeping bags to tents, check out our outdoor soulmates.
Outdoor Gear We Love
All of this outdoor gear is a personal favorite of one of our She Dreams of Alpine team members. This isn’t just the stuff we like, but the stuff that we completely adore!
If you want to grab some of this outdoor gear, definitely check out the benefits of REI membership to help you save money and try the gear yourself thanks to their generous return policy.
Note: The list below contains affiliate links.
Rab Softshell Jacket
I adore my Rab Upslope! It's the Goldilocks of jackets and the perfect softshell for just about any conditions. It has all the pockets I need to carry hiking snacks, handwarmers, and headbands!
It's also stretchy, so my movement is never restricted, and it's even comfortable enough to climb in. The biggest bonus is that the sleeves are plenty long enough for my long arms (I'm 5'10) which I have found to be quite rare in jackets!
Kate, She Dreams of Alpine Content & Community Manager
Rocky Outback Boots
I have REALLY struggled with boots in the past, many of them causing a bad bout of bursitis in my achilles tendon, but I have finally found MY boot: the Rocky Outback.
These boots are SO comfortable and keep my feet dry, even when I'm stomping thru creeks and snow. They are great all year round, providing plenty of warmth in the cold months and somehow breathable in the hot months. I've had them for two years now and they are still holding up beautifully.
Kellie, She Dreams of Alpine Social Media Coordinator
Teva ReEmber Slip-Ons
When Kellie saw these on my feet at our recent team retreat, she asked if I liked them, and I responded, “they’re my best friends!” While that was a slip of the tongue, when I thought about it, I realized it was actually true. The Teva ReEmber Slip-ons are my platonic loves.
These are truly the perfect camp shoe – comfy, cozy, and easy to slip on and off. And they’re not just for camp! They’re great for slipping on to get the mail or run errands around town. I have the old style, but the new ReEmbers are even better since they’re made with recycled materials.
Kate, She Dreams of Alpine Content & Community Manager
Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL3 Tent
Michael and I originally wanted a newer lighter-weight 2-person tent, but opted for this 3-person tent for our JMT hike, since it was actually LIGHTER than our old 2-person tent. And we couldn’t be happier with this decision, since we absolutely love this tent!
It’s also extremely easy to set up, and it’s so roomy, with plenty of space for both of us to feel like we have our own space to put our stuff (which was really nice during our JMT thru hike). Plus, it has tons of POCKETS for things! We loved this for putting clothes and stuff into at the end of each day at camp on the JMT.
Allison, She Dreams of Alpine Founder & CEO
Nemo Disco 15 Sleeping Bag
One of the reviews for this bag is called "Side sleepers and cold sleepers rejoice!" and I couldn't agree more! Let me introduce you to...the spoon shape. This is a shape of sleeping bag specifically designed with side sleepers in mind. Extra knee room for that classic fetal position and for wiggling around when you're looking for that cozy sweet spot.
This bag has a "blanket fold" that provides a touch of cozy I appreciate as well as temperature regulation zippered openings for a bit more breathability when you need it. It's not an ultralight choice, but it's plush comfort with a reasonable weight for backpacking adventures thanks to the magic of down.
Katie, She Dreams of Alpine Client Success Coordinator
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad
I absolutely love the Nemo Tensor Insulated UL. I'm a side sleeper and I move quite a bit throughout the night. One of my favorite sleep moves is pulling my knees up into my chest. I'm also weak to cold.
All of that means I need a sleeping pad that is thick enough to cushion my hips, wide enough to curl up without falling off, quiet enough not to disturb my tent mates, insulated for warmth, and light enough to not be a burden when backpacking. I found her, y'all. This is the one. You can choose the width and length that works for you to save weight where you can, and they also have an uninsulated option.
Katie, She Dreams of Alpine Client Success Coordinator
Hennessy Hammock
Y'all KNOW my first love is the hammock! :) My current favorite is the classic Hennessy Hammock ! The bug net is attached and the hammock is asymmetric to keep me laying flat (instead of pea-podding!). It's perfect for napping in a park or long strenuous backpacking trips.
I ALWAYS look forward to relaxing down time in my hammock and it's the best sleep I get! It saves my body from the severe soreness I get in my hips from sleeping on the ground.
Kellie, She Dreams of Alpine Social Media Coordinator
Garmin inReach Mini
The Garmin inReach Mini gives us so much peace of mind knowing we can communicate with others while on the trail if we need to. I also love this for solo-backpacking since I can send Michael updates about where I am and how my trip is going.
The inReach Mini was really a life saver on the trail when Michael and I thru-hiked the JMT during wildfire season as well. A friend was our designated safety contact, and thanks to the inReach Mini, she could update us on fire conditions and closures while we were in the backcountry. We even were able to coordinate a last-minute shuttle pickup from a trailhead during 2020 when we had to bail last-minute due to National Forests closing.
Allison, She Dreams of Alpine Founder & CEO
Kula Cloth
This simple piece of fabric is truly a game-changer for anyone who squats to pee outdoors. The anti-microbial cloth clips to your pack so you can leave the toilet paper behind when you pee. Plus, he Kula Cloth comes in a ton of fun patterns to fit your personality.
How many Kula Cloths is too many? We haven’t found the limit yet! :)
The entire She Dreams of Alpine team
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Those are a few of our very favorite things! What’s your favorite piece of outdoor gear? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for even more hiking and backpacking gear recommendations? Check out these articles on the site!
Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
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