Are you a casual neighborhood runner logging a few miles each week and the occasional weekend hike? Or an endurance junkie chasing big miles? Maybe you fall somewhere in between.
No matter where you land, running watches have become essential tools for tracking training, recovery, and overall health.
From simple, entry-level options to feature-packed designs built for data-driven athletes, we’ve rounded up the best running watches of 2026.
Our goal is simple: help you find the right watch so you can focus on what matters most—getting out there and enjoying the trail.
Happy tracking!
Whether you’re counting ounces for a thru-hike or just prefer to move light, these are our top picks for ultralight gear.
Do you have a favorite piece of ultralight gear? Let us know in the comments. We know there are some passionate opinions out there. 😉
If you’ve purchased outdoor gear in the last two decades, you’ve likely seen the Bluesign logo hanging around on tags or packaging. The Bluesign label indicates that a company is making a serious sustainability commitment, and it assures you that your gear meets strict chemical safety standards and has a lower environmental impact.
Learn more about Bluesign products and partners at BetterTrail.com.
A roof cargo box is the kind of gear you buy once and count on for years.
Whether you’re hauling skis to the mountains or packing up for a family camping trip, we tested the top models on the market and rated each one for capacity, features, durability, installation, and more.
Read the full gear guide before your next gear-hauling extravaganza.
Sorry, did someone say coffee? Tea? Hot chocolate?
Yes, we would like to go through great physical effort, mostly just to enjoy a hot drink in a remote natural environment. Thank you. 🙏
Every now and then, a piece of gear enters the chat and stays in the chat. The Patagonia Nano Air UL is one of the lightest insulated jackets available, offering a fun mix of breathability and warmth for those high-output days. It's become a favorite of the Better Trail testing team for shoulder season running, mountain movement, and climbing, sometimes even replacing the wind jacket in our kit.
You can read the full review at BetterTrail.com.
Y stakes, V stakes, shepherd’s hooks and tubes! What’s the difference?
We break down the ins and outs of the most common tent stake styles, explaining how they work and the best-use scenario for each style.
Read the full article at BetterTrail.com!
Posing with your catch of the day, but make it sleeping pads. 🎣
What’s your favorite backpacking pad? If you’re due for a new sleep system, we wrote a guide to the best backpacking sleeping pads, covering dozens of models.
Happy adventuring!
Raise your hand if you prefer a squeeze filter over other types. ✋
There’s still a time and place for pump, gravity, and chemical water filtration—but we can’t deny that we love the on-the-go functionality and impressive versatility of squeeze filters.
Check out our recommendations for the top squeeze filters on the market, plus the pros and cons of each model.
The new Brooks Cascadia Elite has knocked our socks off during testing with its best-of-all-worlds personality. Brooks has merged its flagship Cascadia with all the trimmings of a modern, high-performance, race-ready shoe, delivering the comfort and protection needed for long days in the mountains while retaining speed and agility for when you want to push.
The Cascadia Elite is a strong competitor against both the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro and the On Cloudultra Pro. When it’s time to head out the door, we just might lace up the Cascadia Elite over other shoes on the rack.
Head to our site to read the full review, plus full comparisons against other trail shoes.
A tent is a tent is a tent, right?
Any gearhead knows that is wrong. There is so much nuance in the construction of a backpacking tent, especially when it comes to materials.
We did a deep dive into the backpacking tent fabrics on the market in 2026. From nylon to Dyneema, we break it all down.
