Our Favorite Gear We're Testing in Summer 2025
Outdoor gear and apparel our Treeline Review testers are excited about this summer
Summer gear and apparel testing is in full swing for our Treeline Review contributors, and we’re stoked to share some of our early favorites for summer 2025!
While we like to spend a lot of time with outdoor gear before including them in our in-depth reviews and guides, sometimes we test gear we immediately know will be a hit. So while we typically don’t showcase shiny new toys or unweathered apparel, this seasonal article allows us to geek out on gear we’re excited about and gives you a sneak peek into our current testing process.
Sharing these early testing successes also allows you a chance to hop on some adventure gear early before these items become well-worn or well-used fixtures in our guides.
Our writers were asked to only share one thing they love so far, so we're being choose-y in what we're sharing. For our favorites from last season, check out our New Gear We’re Testing in Spring 2025 article.
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Lems Switchback Sandals
I began wearing minimalist sandals about ten years ago while on the Pacific Crest Trail, a pair of Bedrock Classic sandals that became my go-to water and camp shoes. When those finally gave out, I moved over to a pair of Shamma Mountain Goats, which have a very similar design.
The issue with both of those sandals, however, is that I had to constantly fiddle with them to dial in the fit. Not so with the Lems Switchback, which I’m testing out on the John Muir Trail / Nüümü Poyo and other hikes this summer.
The Switchback features webbing that moves through a trademarked piece of hardware (called the Switchback Slydr) to create a precise fit that doesn’t loosen as you walk. At least, that’s been my somewhat miraculous experience thus far–I’ve never before worn a sandal that doesn’t require micro-adjustments while you’re moving!
On top of the fiddle-free fit, the Switchbacks were comfortable straight out of the box thanks to a wide profile, strategic neoprene and microfiber inserts located at potential hot spots, and a just-contoured-enough footbed that seems to perfectly cradle my foot. True minimalists may balk at the 3mm drop and substantial rubber sole (with a 14-17mm stack height), but I’m happy to carry a more substantial sandal on trail knowing that I can comfortably walk in the Switchbacks for miles while hauling a full pack.
I look forward to seeing how the Switchbacks handle in wet conditions (online reviews are positive), and to see how they handle the rough Sierra granite. But in the meantime, I’m happy to just let my feet luxuriate in surprising comfort.
Update from mile 88 of the trail: So far, the Switchbacks hold up well in rocky water crossings, staying put during and after. The slightly embossed footbed helps channel water away from your sole, so there’s no swampy, sliding feel afterwards. I’ve walked several miles a day in them - on dirt, sand, duff, and granite, and they are supremely comfortable–swapping into my Lems feels a bit like putting on a recovery sandal at this point!
For more of our favorite sandals, check out our Best Hiking Sandals and Best Camp Shoes guides.
Lems Switchback Sandals
Men's
Women's
I tested out my new Enlightened Equipment Revolution Quilt 850FP on two separate one-night backpacking trips in June. The first thing I love about it is how light it is, weighing 1.6 lbs with the stuff sack and two sleeping pad attachment straps.
The first night in the Eastern Sierras I camped at a little over 11,000 feet and the temps dropped into the 40’s. I only attached one of the straps because I wanted to try out having more mobility in my upper body. That is why I wanted to get a quilt in the first place. Mummy bags are too constricting and uncomfortable for me, especially as a side sleeper.
I was nice and toasty in my tent, although I did notice it was a little drafty around my back because I didn’t have that second attachment strap holding the quilt to my sleeping pad. It wasn’t a big deal, but a few times during the night, I did have to wrap the quilt around my body and “tuck it” under me to trap more of the heat. I didn’t get the style with a draft collar.
But with the absent draft collar, the toggle that tightens the cinch at the top of the quilt is right in the top center and sits against your face/chin while sleeping if you have the quilt tucked up under your chin. That was a bit uncomfortable and annoying.
The second night of backpacking I took the quilt to around 10,100ft where the temps dropped to the high 40’s/low 50’s. I attached both straps and felt a noticeable difference in warmth. I definitely prefer quilts now! For more of our favorites, check out our Best Backpacking Quilts guide.
Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt
Arc’teryx Sima Pullover
Staying cool and protected in the summer sun is always a challenge. I usually opt for a sun hoodie that keeps me protected from UV rays. However, most sun hoodies I wear are thick, cling to my body, and, honestly, make me feel hotter than without one. It wasn’t until I wore the Arc’teryx Sima Pullover that I realized how comfortable and lightweight a sun hoodie can truly be.
Unlike regular sun shirts that cling to your skin, the Sima is ultra breathable and extremely lightweight. It weighs a mere 5 oz and provides tons of room for airflow. I despise women’s fit that’s form-fitting and hugs your waist. Arc’teryx did an impressive job designing a more relaxed fit for this long-sleeved shirt. I find there’s plenty of room around the waist, hips, and biceps (which I appreciate as a larger-bodied hiker).
I wore this pullover while hiking on several occasions in the unusually hot and humid weather we’ve been experiencing this summer in the Midwest. Even in over 78-degree heat with full sun exposure, this long-sleeved shirt kept my temperature regulated. The airy fit and super-thin polyester fabric allowed for wind to flow through. Even when I did sweat, it dried in what felt like no time at all. Plus, it promises up to UPF 40+ protection.
I can’t recommend this pullover enough for warm-weather adventures in all climates–from arid desert to the muggy Midwest.
Arc’teryx Sima Pullover
Men's
Women's
I’m not a mountain biker, so I’m not sure how I ended up wearing a technical mountain biking shirt on a recent backpacking trip, but I’m really glad that I did. The Flylow Phoenix Shirt is a comfortable, lightweight, breathable, cute women’s-specific shirt. It’s made out of an 85% polyester, 15% spandex material blend, which makes it stretchy in all the right places. Yet it’s durable enough to stand up to many days of use.
I exclusively wore this shirt over the course of four days on New Mexico’s Rio Grande Trail, where I navigated 85-degree temperatures, thunderstorms, and hail. It was my pajama shirt, my hiking shirt, and my sit-by-the-river-and-watch-the-bugs shirt. Somehow, it managed to adapt to every outdoor challenge we navigated by drying quickly and allowing the moisture to evaporate off of my skin when the sun crested overhead. What’s more is that its 50+ UPF rating turned out to be invaluable against the late-spring sun, which was a little more ferocious than anticipated.
Admittedly, this shirt comes with a significant $90 price tag, which can be hard for some of us to stomach. But in this case, the shirt is worth the investment. If ever I end up in a position where I can only wear one top for months at a time, this will be my selection because of its functionality, design, and overall comfort.
While the Flylow Phoenix Shirt is women’s specific, you can find men’s hiking shirts in our Best Men’s Hiking Shirts guide.
Flylow Phoenix Shirt
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Trail Running Shoes
I’ve been stoked on the La Sportiva Prodigio Max trail running shoes since seeing an early sample last winter. Described as a more cushioned version of the beloved Prodigios, the Prodigio Max is designed to meet at the intersection of maximum cushion, responsiveness, and rugged technical performance on the trail. La Sportiva launched the Prodigio Max trail running shoe on for a few retails this month with a full release planned for this fall.
The Prodigio Max has 4mm lugs and a dual-compound Frixion XT 2.0 outsole that’s super grippy and sticky. The midsole is made of XFlow Endurance, La Sportiva’s new nitrogen-infused eTPU technology. The goal is a lot of cushion without sacrificing agile, responsive movement. It’s a mid-drop shoe with 6mm of offset, and the heel-to-toe stack is 37-31 mm–these specs are similar to the HOKA Speedgoat 6.
I just received my advance pair and I immediately noticed how hefty the shoes felt relative to so many other new trail shoes on the market that cater to the ultralight movement. Rather, the Prodigio Max feels durable, rugged, and capable on technical and rough terrain–perfect for trail runs in the Colorado mountains, while still comfy enough for daily trail runs wherever you roam. The women’s shoes weigh 9.1 oz per shoe and men’s are 10.4 oz, so not overwhelmingly heavy, just not ultralight. For reference, the HOKA Speedgoat 6s weigh 8.2 oz (women’s) and 9.8 oz (men’s) per shoe.
But we’ll see–as of writing this I haven’t had a chance to take them for a spin yet. But my hopes are high and I can’t wait to update our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide with my review.
La Sportiva Prodigio Max Trail Running Shoes
Men's
Women's
When the refrigerator gave up the ghost at the mountain cabin I'm staying at this month, I had to think fast. While I got the YETI Hopper M30 soft cooler for picnics and keeping drinks cold on the kayak, I've relied on this newly redesigned cooler more than I was planning this summer and it's saved the day.
I can confidently say it holds ice for more than 48 hours, keeping food cold that otherwise was destined for spoilage. I'm testing a couple other coolers, but the M30 is by far my favorite to use, noticeably holding ice longer. Since this is a soft-sided cooler bag, when my fridge is back up and running, I can squish it down to save some space.
I originally was testing this cooler to understand the recently redesigned opening system. The new magnetic closure system is so intuitive, easy to use, and reliable, it's hard to remember that the old system had issues that kept it out of our Best Soft Coolers guide. It is definitely going back into that story and getting re-crowned overall winner.
This is all a reminder to me that outdoor gear isn't just for having fun. When emergencies happen, outdoor gear pulls double duty.
YETI Hopper M30 Soft Cooler
I've been using custom orthotic insoles for the last decade, and they're a key part of my footwear to keep me moving forward without pain or injury. But custom work is expensive and I can't always get new insoles quickly, so I've been exploring my non-custom options this summer. Blaze Physio recommended that I try SOLE, and I'm very happy that I did!
SOLE insoles are suitable for any arch height, distribute weight evenly, have odor prevention built in, and are zero drop. All of their insoles are moldable by heat and wear. Their insole base comes in EVA foam (Active) and cork (Performance); I went with foam for its durability and ability to withstand high-intensity use.
They then offer three thicknesses: thin, medium, and thick. Medium or thick is recommended for running or trail shoes and hiking boots, since it's based on the volume of space available. SOLE also offers wide insoles and insoles with a metatarsal pad in each base and thickness.
I went with the Active medium with Meta Pad, since I have metatarsal pain in standard insoles and I wanted to try their average height insoles. I wear a men's 8.5-9, so I bought the size 9 and trimmed it down, using a factory insole as a guide.
The met pad is well designed and unnoticeable when I'm out on the trail. And the cover on the insole lets me easily slide my socked feet into my shoes, which is a nice change from my custom insoles. I've used them for hundreds of miles already this spring and summer already, and I've had no blisters or discomfort! I have found that there's room in my backpacking shoes for more volume, so I’ll be trying the SOLE Active Thick insoles on my next CDT LASH!
SOLE Active Insoles
Paka Sol Hoodie
Alpaca? For a sun hoodie? Yeah, I was skeptical too. But based on how much I love the Paka Trail Crew socks, I decided to give it a try. I was looking for a natural-fiber alternative to most sun hoodies, and the Sol Hoodie is 67% Tencel, 14% royal alpaca, 14% nylon, and 5% Spandex. Tencel is a human-made fiber made from wood pulp. And while the Sol Hoodie does have 14% nylon and 5% spandex, its microplastic footprint is much lower than a 100% synthetic sun hoodie.
The Sol fabric feels amazing to the touch–soft, silky, no itch. Paka says the temperature range is 50F to 100F ish. I've worn it in 90F heat on a bike ride with a 2,700' fully exposed climb and I did not feel overheated. The hood is big enough to wear over my bike helmet. Thumb holes protect most of my hands. It's 30 UPF.
So far, I'm absolutely loving it. You can find more of our favorite sun hoodies in our Best Sun Shirts guide.
Paka Sol Hoodie
Men's
Women's
I originally wanted this overland mat as a soft clean spot for my dogs to relax while camping outdoors. It works great for that purpose. They love laying on it while camping or even outside around the BBQ at the farm. We even wrapped our senior dog in it at night so she would be extra warm while sleeping.
What I didn’t expect was that I was going to want to use this mat more frequently. It is a waterproof durable mat on the bottom and has a soft top that easily shakes off or rinses clean.
There are tabs on all four corners so you can stake it out on windy days and it will stay in place. It is great on beach or lake days and provides a nice clean dry spot to have lunch. It is also just what I needed for Music in the Park nights where I set up on wet grass. It is soft like a quilt so you don’t feel all the tiny little rocks and branches that are underneath you like you would with a thinner blanket or tarp.
This overland mat also comes with a cute zippered storage bag so you can shake it off and pack it up for the next adventure, although it probably won’t be stored for long. I have used this almost everyday since I got it and I am having a hard time leaving it behind.
While the Overland Mat is not exactly a blanket, Rumpl is no stranger to our guides as they’ve held winner spots in our Best Outdoor and Camping Blankets guide.
- Sara Kruglinski, Operations Coordinator and Contributing Writer
Paka Sol Hoodie
