Hydro Flask Unbound Series Soft Cooler Pack
Our take Unlike a hard-sided cooler, this picnic pack is great for destination lunches thanks to adjustable, cushy shoulder straps and a padded backpanel. “Even without a hipbelt, I comfortably carried more than 20 pounds of beverages for miles in the Grand Canyon,” one tester says. The insulated, waterproof Unbound keeps food and drinks cold for up to two days. Its molded rectangular base holds the pack upright when not in use, while a full-zip top-load opening grants easy access; along with the streamlined design, the wide opening made cleaning Grand Canyon dirt from the main compartment a breeze. Two external waterproof pockets—one on the side, and one on top—hold essentials like phones, wallets, or extra layers. Ding: price.
Trail cred “It fit 18 cans of beer, some cheese, and a salami on a three-day paddling trip down New Zealand’s Whanganui River,” one editor says. “Afterward, I hosed the sand and grime out, dried it off, and put my laptop and toiletries inside for the flight back.”
$275; 2 lbs. 7 oz.
Nemo Stargaze Recliner Low
Our take Does the world need another camp chair? Turns out, yes. This one is strictly for paddle trips and car camping—it’s too heavy for anything else—but we loved the rocking chair feel and reclining comfort. “It was the most coveted chair on a canoe trip on Utah’s Green River,” says a tester. “We liked it for stargazing, as the name implies, but mostly we enjoyed the relaxing swinging motion. And setup is easy—simply snap together the frame and hang the mesh chair.” The auto-reclining system is smart; just lean back and find your preferred angle. Tip: If your priority is watching the night sky, upgrade to the Luxury model ($220), which has a headrest. Minor gripes: The feet sink into soft sand, and the cup holder is awkwardly close…
