At GearJunkie, we test, use, and come to rely on all manner of gear — for every season and all conditions. Take a peek at the products we love this month!
Favorite Gear We Tested in April
Solo Stove Bonfire
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
“White rabbits, white rabbits, white rabbits” — try as you might, but mumbling this chant will not magically make campfire smoke disappear. So Texas-based Solo Stove set out to create a nearly smokeless bonfire and for a white-rabbit-free experience.
How did the brand do it? Solo Stove uses its Signature 360 Airflow Design to pull in air from vent holes along the base to help fuel the fire. That preheated air is then drawn to the top vent holes, creating a secondary burn, fueling the flame, and reducing smoke.
This secondary combustion also allows the fire to burn even hotter, creating a cozy environment even at a distance. The Solo Stove Bonfire weighs 20 pounds. It comes with a robust portable bag, making it a go-to option for your backyard patio, neighborhood picnic, or next beach adventure.
I’m gonna be honest. I was skeptical about the Solo Stove and its hefty price tag, but all it took was one fire to convert me. It felt so nice to sit around the bonfire with no one playing musical chairs! While I’m still practicing social distancing as much as possible, it’s nice to have people over on chillier spring evenings and know that we’ll be nice and toasty.
Check out our full review.
Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
Big, burly, and warm, the Super Alpine Down Parka delivers when you need it. Outdoor Research combined 800-fill power from responsibly sourced goose down insulation with PU-coated, Pertex Quantum Pro 30D ripstop to keep you warm and dry during the coldest adventures. The Super Alpine Down Parka is made for early alpine starts, ice-climbing belays, and general deep-cold pursuits. Available in both men’s and women’s styles.
Minnesota winters are rough, with a deep cold that is pervasive for months. Staying active outside helps stave off the winter blues, so having warm gear for the coldest days is imperative.
The Super Alpine jacket’s 800-fill goose down is very warm, and Outdoor Research is transparent about sourcing its down responsibly. Better yet, Outdoor Research provides you with a lot number that you can use to track the down in your jacket.
The two-way main zipper is clutch when belaying. And, several stash pockets throughout the jacket are super convenient for storing my essentials.
I’d be remiss to not mention the tall front collar with a brushed tricot across the chin and a brushed tricot inside the hand pocket. It is those small details that make this a standout piece for me. While this jacket is expensive, it is a must-have for adventurers who don’t say “no” when the temps take a dip.
Altra Torin 4.5 Plush Running Shoes
Tested by: Jennifer Hansen, Affiliate Marketing
Designed to be a road-running shoe, the Altra Torin Plush is lightweight, fast, and reactive on the pavement. In fact, the 4.5 is designed to be an ounce lighter than the previous plush model. The knit upper, in addition to being lightweight, is also very breathable.
Altra’s Balanced Cushioning, zero-drop platform places your forefoot and heel at equal heights. The brand claims this provides better alignment and lower impact landings.
And, according to Altra, its Footpod technology supports natural foot movement by mapping the bones and tendons of your foot. The Torin Plus shoes are available in both men’s and women’s styles and come in a variety of sweet colors.
These Altras were ready to go right out the box, and I’ve worn them almost nonstop for the past two months. They are so comfortable I actually wore them running on a few trails.
Being my first pair of Altras, and the first time I’ve tried a running shoe with a wide toebox, I wasn’t sure what to expect around fit, as my feet are small and quite narrow. I was worried the toebox might be too spacious.
But they fit great — Altra designed the toebox to follow the natural shape of a woman’s foot, which allowed my toes to spread out while running and offered more balance. This added stability allowed me to use them on the trail when I went camping and forgot my trail runners.
Although the wide footbox took a few days to get used to, these are now one of my go-to running shoes.
Houdini Mono Air Houdi Fleece Jacket
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Content Commerce Manager
Houdini is an ambitious brand out of Sweden with a focus on high-performing, sustainable apparel. The Mono Air Houdi is a standout jacket designed to reduce plastic waste.
When you wear and wash garments, tiny fibers shed and end up in our waterways and oceans. The innovative construction of the Houdi — using Polartec Power Air Light — sheds 80% fewer microfibers than traditional fleece.
Moreover, it is circular, meaning that it’s made either from recycled and recyclable materials, or renewable and biodegradable fibers. Because this Bluesign-approved jacket is recyclable, if it ever wears out you can return it to a retailer and Houdini will use the raw material in new products.
I’ve been testing this fleece jacket through the winter and spring as a layer and a standalone jacket. The hand-feel of the Mono Air Houdi is unique. It feels like a softshell, but it’s warmer because there’s a layer of knitted fibers between the face and back fabric.
So far, it’s proven durable through climbing sessions and brush-filled hikes. And I expect it to last for years. It’s ideal for cooler weather, and I’ve been using it as a standalone in 40- to 55-degree hikes and colder temps for higher output activities. It’s available in both men’s and women’s styles.
Benchmade 535-3 Bugout Knife
Tested by: Chris Potter, Community Manager
The Benchmade Knife Company is known for producing American-made knives of superior quality and craftsmanship. Building on the success of its ultralight Bugout series, this new carbon fiber folder stands as the strongest sibling in the Bugout family.
Made for the outdoor adventurer who demands lightweight high performance from their blade, the 535-3 Bugout comes with a contoured carbon fiber handle and a blade made of premium S90V super steel.
When I set out to find a new EDC knife, I wanted something that thrived during daily use at home, on the trail, and in the camp kitchen. I set my sights on the 535-3 Bugout.
First off, this knife is fancy. From its premium materials to its clean design, it’s essentially what I visualize when I think of an excellent EDC knife.
I’ve gotten a lot of use out of this knife at home and on the trail this spring. I love the feel and carry of it. It balances well in hand, and the long-term edge hold of the S90V steel blade is impressive. And the blue accents give it a satisfying look.
If you’re on the lookout for a versatile, well-balanced, and capable EDC folder, I would highly recommend this knife. Yes, it’s expensive; but for what you get for the price, it’s a great value.
Kokopelli Rogue-Lite Packraft
Tested by: Jake Ferguson, Content Commerce Manager
Packrafts are selling like crazy right now and for good reason. These inflatable adventure rafts easily fit into a backpack, making epic paddling more accessible.
Kokopelli designed the Rogue-Lite to be your single raft for most adventures. The Kevlar bottom and 210d TPU nylon sides make it durable enough for mild whitewater, but lightweight enough to take deep into the backcountry.
The entire setup (boat, paddle, seat, inflation bag, and tube) only weighs 9.2 pounds. Plus, it easily stows in a suitcase, making it a simple option if I want to paddle elsewhere.
I feel it’s best suited for rivers, although you can use it on lakes as well. Keep in mind that it will not be as fast as a kayak or canoe.
I have used this raft for a couple of years now, and it’s opened up a new world of adventure for me. I use the Rogue Lite to explore mountain streams in search of class I-II whitewater and to find new fly fishing spots.
It’s awesome to hike into a fishing hole and raft back to the car. Equally fun are urban adventures, like floating the Mississippi River and smaller creeks near Minneapolis.
Garmin Varia RLT515 Radar Tail Light
Tested by: Zach Burton, Projects & Partnerships
The Varia RLT515 from Garmin is a bike tail light that pairs with your bike computer or phone to alert you of vehicles approaching behind you. The small device is compatible with nearly any bike and boasts 16 hours of battery life in day flash mode.
The Varia RLT515 provides audio and visual alerts for vehicles approaching from behind up to 153 yards away, giving the cyclist time to move over in their lane and prepare for the vehicle to pass. The tail light has several light modes, including a “peloton” mode that softens the light, so as not to be harsh for riders behind you in your group.
I ride my bike somewhere between 100 and 200 miles each week, many of which are in Minneapolis and the greater metro area. Needless to say, there is plenty of traffic, so having a feel for where vehicles are can go a long way in staying safe on the roads.
I paired my VariaRLT515 with the Garmin Edge 830 seamlessly, and right away I was impressed with what this device can do. I had heard good things from several people, but didn’t believe it could actually do what I heard it could — I was wrong.
The radar picks up on vehicles long before I can hear them. Plus, the visual cues on the Garmin 830 show (with color) the rate of speed at which the vehicle is approaching, and the progress the vehicle is making toward you.
You can watch the icons on the Garmin overtake you on screen at the same time the vehicle passes you. I’ve found it to be very accurate and reliable over the last several weeks of riding.
GU Energy Strawberry Hibiscus Roctane Drink Mix
Tested by: M.T. Elliott, Contributing Editor
Gu livens up its line of hydration mixes with a lighter flavor that doesn’t taste like the electrolytes it delivers. This caffeine-free formula is on the subtle side, which is a nice change from bolder flavors on hot, hard-effort days. The Roctane line includes branched-chain amino acids, which some studies suggest may reduce mental fatigue and muscle damage while training.
With temps in the 80s for the first time in months, outdoor running resumed and the Strawberry Hibiscus Roctane offered a gentle-on-the-palate return to electrolyte mixes. It is formulated for endurance efforts and roughly one serving per hour. My soft-sided water bottles only hold 16 ounces, so I adjusted the suggested serving size to one-and-a-half scoops per bottle.
Similarly, the Summit Tea flavor tastes like instant tea (and brought back childhood memories). It was another welcome break from intense, citrusy flavors. The Summit Tea mix includes 35 mg of caffeine in addition to amino acids and sodium. A 12-serving container costs $30.
Chrome Cobra 3.0 Merino Hoodie
Tested by: Adam Ruggiero, Editor-in-Chief
Back in black! Chrome’s Cobra Hoodie is the urban cycling brand’s longest-running product SKU — and for good reason. In an industry where the wonders of Lycra and spandex create enclaves of serious, speed-focused riders, merino offers comfort, versatility, and off-the-bike style to boot.
The Merino Wool Cobra 3.0 carries over all that made the silhouette a fan favorite, while adding the latest tech to make it the best Chrome hoodie yet. This time around, Chrome blended the anti-odor, super-breathable perks of merino with recycled polyester in key areas to add durability. Chrome claims this will help the Cobra 3.0 keep its shape over time. It’s also available in a women’s style.
As a daily commuter through the mean streets of downtown Denver (trust me, traffic here is half-Texas, half-California, and half-stoned), I love having cycling wear that can handle erratic weather but doesn’t scream, “I’m a cyclist!” when I reach the bar.
The pass-through — mesh! — rear pocket offers zippers on both sides, which I love. Add in two zippered handwarmer pockets to help keep items from jangling out, and I’m a happy camper.
The Cobra 3.0 is as soft as you’d expect from merino, but also pleasantly stretchy, breathable, and totally unbadged — so I don’t feel like a walking advertisement. At $180, it’s an investment — but that’s how you should look at it. I expect to wear this for years to come.
Igloo EcoCool 7-Quart Cooler
Tested By: Mary Murphy, Reporter
Igloo’s new EcoCool cooler series is fully made from post-consumer recycled plastic, which is awesome in itself. But even better, these “green” coolers still keep things cool.
To incorporate recycled content, Igloo uses a recycled resin made from post-consumer plastic — think milk jugs, plastic cups, and more. The resin isn’t just used on the outside, but in the liner and lid as well. In fact, the brand touts them as “the world’s first hardside coolers made with recycled plastic.”
We took the cooler out for a long weekend amid Colorado’s latest spring heatwave (we’re talking temps fluctuating between 35 and 80 degrees.) Igloo advertises that the Playmate holds nine cans (which is accurate). But we found that if you really wanted to ensure contents stayed chilled, five to seven cans and a couple of ice packs (or a few cups of loose ice thrown in) would be more accurate.
For an array of activities, this cooler is perfect. It carries what you need, and the recycled construction doesn’t seem to affect Igloo’s cooler powers at all. Even after baking in the direct, high-altitude sun for 5 hours on the deck of my paddleboard (and then sitting at camp), I found my mules, beers, and snacks to be as chilled as when I left home.
The EcoCool Coolers come in 7-quart (the classic Playmate, which we tested here), 30-quart, 52-quart, and 60-quart options. The coolers range from 25 to 65 bucks — a steal compared to many other coolers on the market. And, Igloo still makes all its coolers in the USA.
prAna Becksa 7/8 Legging
Tested by: Jennifer Hansen, Affiliate Marketing
The perfect pair of leggings doesn’t exist. Or, for me at least, it didn’t. prAna dominates the market when it comes to comfortable, ultraflattering, multiuse pants in all the best colors. My latest obsession is the Becksa 7/8 Legging. For hiking, running, yoga, or even exploring a new town, these leggings seal the deal.
The two pockets are big enough to carry my phone and keys, but also remain surprisingly unobtrusive due to the flatlock seam construction. prAna’s Becksa fabric is designed to be both soft and durable.
The 1×1 compression is super-elastic to keep everything in, plus the leggings keep their shape long-term through many washes (no sagging here). And the icing on the cake — they are UPF 50+ to protect those precious legs from the sun.
I used to think that finding the perfect pair of leggings was a never-ending pursuit. Now I have an alert set for every time the Becksas go on sale.
The convenience of the side pockets was what initially won me over. The confidence boost they give me is what keeps me coming back for more pairs. The soft, ribbed texture, its high-rise cut, and the 7/8 length make them oh-so-flattering.
I recently wore them on a multiday hiking excursion, and they kept their shape the whole time — all while keeping me cool and dry. Not to mention, I love having my phone readily available in my pocket to snap waterfall pictures around every river bend.
Injinji Women's Ultra Run
Tested by: Katie Jedlicka Sieve, Project Manager
If you are not running in Injinji toe socks, then you are doing it wrong. Injinji kept the toe sock look of the 1990s alive and transformed it from a fashion trend into a must-have performance sock. They are designed to prevent blisters, wick away moisture, and allow your entire foot to properly engage during athletic activity.
The Injinji Women’s Ultra Run Mini-Crew features cushioned terry fabric throughout the entire foot and toes. Not only does this help prevent blisters, but it also softens the impact of tough workouts and runs. Being a women’s-specific sock, they’re designed to fit the size and shape of a woman’s foot perfectly. There is a unisex style as well.
After my first marathon, I had 11 blisters on my feet, which significantly hindered my performance. When I began training for my second marathon, a friend recommended that I start wearing Injinji socks.
Years later, while I’m still getting used to their look, they’ve saved my toes and countless Band-Aids. I’ve never looked back and now only wear Injini socks during all workouts from casual runs to races.
