At GearJunkie, we test, use, and rely on all manner of gear — for all seasons and conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!
Favorite Gear We Tested in September
Patagonia Macro Puff Quilt
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
One GearJunkie staffer is someone who always wants to be cuddled up with a blanket. And with fall just around the corner, she found the coziest down blanket in the Patagonia Macro Puff Quilt.
Constructed of ultralight nylon ripstop Pertex Quantum and treated with a DWR finish, the Macro Puff Quilt utilizes the same materials as the Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody — making it lightweight and water-resistant.
The quilt is filled with lightweight PlumaFill insulation, offering better warm-when-wet performance than natural down. The quilt is 83 x 69 inches, which is just shy of a queen-size mattress. For convenient transportation and storage, the quilt stuffs into its own stuff sack.
This cozy quilt travels with her everywhere now. From the campsite to the cabin, the Patagonia Macro Puff Quilt is the perfect adventure companion!
HydraPak Seeker Collapsible Water Container — 3L
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Marketing Director
HydraPak has made a name by creating collapsible water bottles and containers that cut down on weight and space during adventures. The Seeker series builds on that reputation with three new containers offered in 2L, 3L, and 4L sizes.
The beauty of these containers is that they’re made of TPU nylon. You can fold or crush them down to a fraction of the size of an ordinary water bottle, which saves space in your pack. Plus, they only weigh 2.7-3.7 ounces.
One GearJunkie team member used the 3L Seeker on a camping road trip in Alaska last summer. The space saved was essential for the plane ride up there and the trip itself. He liked that the opening is compatible with any 42mm water filter like the Katadyn BeFree, which saved him even more space. He also found the material quite durable and appreciated the handle and load-bearing lash points that make for easy carrying.
Merrell Nova 2 GORE-TEX Trail Runners
Tested by: Chris Potter, Community Manager
A trail runner with great ambition, the Merrell Nova 2 GORE-TEX is natural on any terrain. Featuring sneaker-light comfort and hiking shoe-like durability, the Nova 2 is constructed with a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane, a Vibram rubber sole, and weighs a scant 20 ounces.
One GearJunkie team member tested the Nova 2 and he says it is the most comfortable trail runner he has tested yet. With burly 5mm lugs, he ascended and descended steep and loose Colorado trails with grippy confidence. Long haul trail runs remained cushy as time went on, making foot fatigue a thing of the past. The breathable GORE-TEX membrane offers excellent protection and doesn’t affect the shoe’s weight or flexibility.
If you’re looking for an uber-comfortable, stable, and versatile trail shoe for long runs and hikes, Merrell’s Nova 2 GORE-TEX shoes are an amazing choice.
Space Innovation Labs Tail Table
Tested by: Chris Potter, Community Manager
Your tip-free camp table solution has arrived. The Tail Table from Space Innovation Labs is a go-anywhere-your-vehicle-can-go floating table.
For all kinds of outdoor occasions, the Tail Table conveniently attaches to the metal U-latch or I-latch that’s standard in the rear cargo area of most cars, SUVs, and vans. The table is modular and includes a chopping board and a spacious, octagonal dining area. The table extends to 48 inches long, 30 inches wide, and has a slim profile.
The two biggest takeaways from a GearJunkie team member’s test of this table are its thoughtful design and its sheer convenience. From the insertable cutting board to its built-in wine glass-holders and high-quality carry bag, the Tail Table is an ideal way to upgrade your outdoor eating experience. Whether you’re setting up multiple camp chairs or just sitting on either side of the table in the back of your vehicle, the tabletop provides a convenient amount of dining space for your picnic.
Quick to put together, the table locked onto his Jeep Grand Cherokee’s U-latch with ease. He didn’t get a chance to fire up his camp stove on top of it, but it can certainly handle the weight. If you want an innovative camp table that you can set up virtually anywhere without a thought of wind or stable ground — the Tail Table deserves your attention.
ROKA Evans
Tested by: Mary Murphy, Editor
ROKA is known for its bold, high-performance sunglasses. Anyone who knows ROKA knows its shield lens or GP series. And while the new Evans shares some of the same qualities (style, premium lenses, etc.), they stray pretty far from ROKA’s norm.
The Evans sunglasses are one of ROKA’s newest, and, in our opinion, best lifestyle shades the brand has to offer.
Here’s what the Evans bring to the table: ROKA’s ultralight TR-90 nylon frames with spring-loaded hinges, a midcentury shape, anti-scratch, anti-reflective, anti-fog, hydrophobic- and oleophobic-coated lenses, and no-slip GEKO grips. (We chose the clear frames with the polarized, 17% VLT Ranger lens.)
Our editor has been wearing the Evans for weeks, mainly walking, hiking, and running (to test their performance side). The no-slip grips are comfortable, and she found the Evans hugged her face nicely during activity. But she’s also been rocking them on weekend mountain drives, to happy hours in the park, and anywhere she finds herself in full sun.
Sunglasses serve a pretty simple purpose: protect your eyes, add some style to your look. That’s it. You don’t want to sacrifice one for the other. And the Evans are a perfect balance.
Garmin fenix 6X Pro Solar
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
Garmin has been a leader in multisport wearables for years, and the fenix 6X Pro Solar touts significant upgrades over previous models.
Offered in multiple sizes and colors, the fenix 6X Pro Solar has a “Power Glass” solar charging lens and customizable power manager modes. The brand says these help the watch stay performance-ready for weeks.
One GearJunkie staffer has been using a fenix 5 that he bought used a few years ago. While he had no complaints, he was eager to get more power, data, and solar charging in a smaller package on his wrist.
The 6X Pro Solar has been just that. As soon as he put it on, he realized how much larger and clunkier his fenix 5 was. Comfort is important, and the fenix 6X Pro Solar delivers that for him.
Second, its solar charging is fantastic. You can easily track the intensity of the sun and monitor how the watch is converting it to battery life.
He actually forgot that he had to charge this watch, and it shocks him when he realizes it’s under 5%. That’s with using it to track runs, cardio workouts, walks, hikes, and more multiple times a week. This watch helps track practically every type of activity under the sun.
Beyond solar charging, he has been keen to track his sleep and stress metrics. Honestly, he’s not sure if he actually likes knowing that he has “poor” or “fair” sleep most nights, and let’s not discuss his stress score. But he finds it interesting to look for patterns and make adjustments.
The fenix 6X Pro Solar is expensive — no doubt about it. But if you’re determined to get the most of your data with incredible battery life in a sleeker package, this is worth consideration.
Sunski Yuba Polarized Sunglasses
Tested by: Jennifer Hansen, Affiliate Marketing
One of our editors triple-checked her bag for these Sunski Yuba Sunglasses before every trip this summer. They’re so lightweight that she forgot she was wearing them and jumped into the ocean with them a few times. They’re also sturdy and, thanks to the scratch-resistant coating, have survived her dropping them down a rocky cliff, sitting on them, and tossing heavy gear on top of them.
Sunski is an all-around awesome brand. The company is carbon-neutral, sustainable, and the frames are recycled plastic. Oh, and all of the sunglasses come with a lifetime warranty.
The frames come in a wide variety of both women’s and men’s styles, so you’re bound to find a pair for yourself and a friend. At $58, they’re also affordable, especially considering they’re polarized to protect to reduce glare and provide 100% UV protection from the sun.
Hillsound PackStack PRO Backpacking Organizer
Tested by: M.T. Elliott, Contributing Editor
The Hillsound PackStack PRO is a D-shaped waterproof stackable stuff sack shaped to fit the contours of a backpack. Used as a system, three to five PackStacks can compartmentalize your gear.
Experienced backpackers know the value of a packing system (or at least a general strategy). There are several stuff sacks on the market, but this isn’t a compression sack. Instead, it’s a modular system to organize gear. The brand designed it around the natural shape of most backpacks; the flat side goes against your back.
Its simplicity is its appeal. Using just one during a long day hike, it easily held a medical kit, toiletries, a just-in-case puffy jacket, and snacks. For longer adventures, you can go all-in on your pack organization and load up a backpack with four or five of these, but you should use at least one. Their stackability provides a great system.
The Pro is waterproof and $30; the weatherproof PackStack starts at $17. They both come in two sizes to fit 40L and 60L backpacks. I like the redundancy of the waterproof pack for certain essentials but would likely rock a mix of both for a full system on longer backpacking trips.
Mountain Hardwear Phantom Alpine 30 Sleeping Bag
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
Although she has her sleep system pretty refined, her sleeping bag always seems to be our project manager’s largest piece of gear. Not anymore — thanks to Mountain Hardwear.
The Phantom Alpine 30 Sleeping Bag is a lightweight and durable sleeping bag. The shell is constructed of recycled ripstop nylon, and the bag is filled with 850-fill goose down. The mummy cut fits close to the body to keep you nice and warm, while the dual side zippers allow your arms and hands to move freely outside the bag. It’s perfect for finding that comfy sleeping position.
During those late-night bathroom breaks, you won’t find yourself searching for the zipper thanks to the glow-in-the-dark zipper pull. The bag comes with a nylon compression sack and mesh storage bag, and it weighs 1 pound 7.9 ounces.
Her favorite things about this bag are how small it compresses down, the overall warmth of the bag, and, of course, the colors! The Moutain Hardwear Phantom Alpine 30 Sleep Bag is perfect for backpacking. And it’s also a great option if you’re looking for a lightweight, warm, durable sleeping bag that doesn’t take up half your trunk!
La Sportiva Cyklon
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
La Sportiva has been a stalwart in the trail and mountain running scene for decades. With products produced and designed in a small mountain town at the foot of the Dolomites, you can expect every detail to be seamless on La Sportiva products. The Cyklon trail runners are no exception.
The BOA Fit System provides a precise fit that feels even and consistent across my foot. La Sportiva added a “Spyral Tongue” and “Dynamic Cage Contrsuction” design to the Cyklon, giving it an offset closure that combines with the BOA Fit System for stability while uphill and downhill running. It’s also very easy to adjust if you go from technical trail to steady-state running or even scrambling. Adjustments are simple and can be done on the fly.
Beyond that, there’s a shockproof toe cap that provides some extra protection from rock strikes and other mishaps. The ankle cuff is comfy and keeps out unwanted dirt and debris.
There’s a lot to like about these shoes, but their comfort and stability are what impress one of our team members the most. He could tell he was going to love them immediately. He admits to not being the most graceful trail runner, but these shoes add peace of mind.
Roll Recovery R8 Plus Deep Tissue Massage Roller
Tested by: M.T. Elliott, Contributing Editor
The Roll Recovery R8 Plus is an update to the original model you’ve likely seen before. The key addition to the R8 Plus is an adjustment dial. It lets you change the pressure from the spring-loaded arms that push the rollers into your leg muscles for a deep-tissue massage.
If there’s one method of recovery this editor likes more than sleep, it’s rolling out his legs after exercise. He also does some light massage before exercise to get the blood flowing and check in with any sore spots. He has used the R8 Plus every which way on his legs, and even his arms. Cranked up the dial for more pressure when massaging thighs and turned it down for the sides of his calves.
In his words, “One finicky part is massaging the calves, where I want deep pressure, but don’t want any pressure from the counter roller against the shins. The workaround is to simply use the handle and pull it away from the shin and then really dig the other roller into the calf.”
While the dial adjusts the pressure, but the firmness of the rollers is set. However, you can also buy R8 Inserts that are firmer or softer and use them accordingly.
Smith Guide's Choice XL Sunglasses
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Marketing Director
The Guide’s Choice sunglasses are some of Smith’s most popular shades, and the new XL offers fans another version. The XL gives — you guessed it — an extra-large fit and more coverage.
There are three frame colors and six lens colors to match whatever water you fish. All of the ChromaPop lenses are scratch-resistant and polarized to reduce the glare off the water. Best of all, the sunglasses come with an integrated leash so you don’t drop or lose them while adventuring.
One GearJunkie editor has been testing the Guide’s Choice XL sunglasses fishing, driving, hiking, and paddling for the past few months. The polarized mirror blue lenses had crisp, vivid color while ocean and river fishing in Alaska, boating in Minnesota, and fishing lakes around the Midwest. Any time you’re outside while the sun’s out, these shades do the trick.
With the removable leash, he has yet to drop or scratch them, which (he says) is a nice change. The wide arms give extra coverage, and the frame shape wraps around the face very well to keep the sunlight out and give better visibility. Plus, they’re comfortable enough to wear all day.
