The Best Outdoor Gear Gifts of 2026
From a trail-to-city shoe to the best-looking cooler around, our favorite gear of the year is ready to wrap for the adventurers on your list (or, honestly, for yourself).
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE / ST. LOUIS & BEYOND
Gear can make getting outside more comfortable, capable, and a whole lot more fun. Browse our archive of tested gear and features covering the latest outdoor products for running, biking, camping, hiking, paddling, climbing, and snow sports.
From a trail-to-city shoe to the best-looking cooler around, our favorite gear of the year is ready to wrap for the adventurers on your list (or, honestly, for yourself).
From bikes to gear, these smart cycling picks will keep you safer, faster, and more comfortable mile after mile.
Our writer tests out the Salsa Timberjack mountain bike on local singletracks, private mountain bike parks, and several gnarly trails.
Hoka co-founder Jean-Luc Diard on why going bigger — and bolder — sparked a revolution in running shoes.
If your trunk, hatchback, or truck bed looks like a gear explosion every time you head for the trailhead, this big, high-impact crate is a tidy fix.
When the forecast hints at spring but your wardrobe isn’t ready to commit, these five jackets and shirts offer an effortless, and stylish, transition.
Several staff members at River City Outdoors recently checked out the newish outdoor store in Kirkwood. Here’s what they found.
How a St. Louis running shop is helping women run farther, faster, and far more comfortably.
Whether you’re running on icy roads, snowshoeing quiet trails, or camping below freezing, these winter-ready picks deliver serious warmth, smart design, and the kind of reliability Midwest winters demand.
Plated “super shoes” promise bounce, propulsion, and faster recovery — but do they deliver enough to justify the premium price?
From rugged travel packs to pocket-ready protein snacks, these 10 gifts will make even the crankiest adventurer crack a smile.
In a tucked-away brewery loft in south St. Louis, bikes are reborn and gear is built for adventure.
The Switchback outdoor expo and conference in Nashville showcased the latest gear in hiking, backpacking, camping, apparel, and footwear — including these eight gems.
Do you need to replace your sleeping bag with a sleeping quilt on your next backpacking trip?
If anyone knows about functional aquatic gear, it’s the river guides at Big Muddy Adventures. Here are the items that float their boat.
Electric mountain bikes, like Salsa’s new Moraine Cues 10, add range, route options, and capability to every trail ride.
