Roundup: Gear to Get Outside and Adventure This Autumn
Ready for larch trees, uncrowded parks, crisp weather and colourful foliage? Us too. Get outside and hike, camp or paddle in (arguably) Canada’s most beautiful season: Fall. Here are 15 gear items to elevate and inspire your outdoor experiences this autumn.
MEC Greycoast Rain Jacket
This A-line silhouette rain jacket is tough against the weather while remaining breathable and comfortable. The split hem and two-way zipper makes it easy to sit without fully unzipping. As a tall woman, I appreciate the long sleeves (with half elastic cuffs) and full length (it hits about 10 centimetres above my knees—for reference, I’m 182 centimetres tall). With two spacious zippered pockets, a cinching waistband, adjustable short-brim hood and snap-down storm flaps, whatever drizzly autumn adventures come my way, I’ll be ready.
Buy it here: mec.ca
MEC Rockwall Half Zip Midlayer
mec.ca
Looking for a shoulder season midlayer that will transcend into winter layering? You won’t want to put away the Rockwall Half Zip. It’s super versatile, stretchy, soft and comfortable. Thin yet warm, it’s made from a durable thermal fleece material that’s easy to move in, whether you’re scrambling up cliffs or setting up the tent. The zippered chest pocket is large enough for a snack or phone, and the long sleeves will keep you cozy.
Buy it here: mec.ca
Helly Hansen Blaze 7/8 Hiking Tights
These comfortable, compressive and durable hiking tights have reinforced softshell material on the lower legs, knees and rear for abrasion-resistance wherever you sit or scramble without compromising freedom of movement. With a high-rise waist, these tights offer four-way stretch for speed and support on areas that typically get torn by the underbrush so you can adventure without worry. The single zippered pocket can fit an iPhone 14 Pro and the simplistic logo detail keeps these tights unassuming and stylish for modern hikers.
Buy it here: hellyhansen.com
Therm-a-Rest Honcho Poncho – Unisex
Cozy up in an insulated blanket you can wear this autumn. The Honcho Poncho doubles as a camp blanket to keep you warm on crisp, cool evenings around the fire. Easily compressible into its own zippered pouch pocket, the poncho is made with warm eraLoft™ water-resistant synthetic fill, which uses hollow fibres to reduce weight without compromising warmth. The outer shell is water-resistant and breathable polyester ripstop with a brushed taffeta lining. Keep your hands cozy in the kangaroo pocket and slip on the hood for extra protection.
Buy it here: mec.ca
Canada Goose Glacier Trail Sneaker
You likely know Canada Goose as a manufacturer of high-quality down jackets, but the brand also makes hiking shoes. The Glacier Trail Sneaker is a fully waterproof and breathable multi-season hiking shoe with an impressive multidirectional tread. The hoof-like heel flare extends ground contact, offering better grip and stability when descending steep trails. It is quite extreme, so make sure the look fits your style before purchasing, as with all Canada Goose products, these shoes have an opulent price tag to fit the luxurious brand.
Buy it here: canadagoose.com
Lululemon Define Jacket
lululemon
Layer up with this form-fitting, breathable full-length zip-up that hits at the hip. Luon is a Nylon fabric with four-way stretch that feels like cotton, without being cotton. While it’s not as buttery soft as Nulu, the Define Jacket in Luon is more durable and supportive. It’s also (relatively) water-resistant and quick drying, making it an excellent choice for shoulder season adventures when the weather can be unpredictable.
Buy it here: lululemon.com
Coleman Camp Wagon
Now that we have a collapsible wagon, I don’t know how we managed before. This wagon folds down and expands extremely easily. We load it up with our camping gear to transfer it from our house to our adventure vehicle; pile in our deflated kayak and paddling gear to transport it down to the water; and tot our extra heavy gear that we don’t want to carry in a backpack to the campsite. Whether you have kids, go to folk festivals or just enjoy bringing extra gear, this will save you time—and back pain.
Buy it here: coleman.com
Helinox Sunset Chair
This technical, well-built chair is perfect for paddlers, campers and day hikers. It’s portable—folding down into an 18.5-inch (47-centimetre) including carry case. With a weight capacity of 320 and a packed weight of only three pounds, eight ounces (1.6 kilograms), this camping chair offers a sturdy seat in an efficient package. It’s easy to set up, take down and store anywhere, from your backpack to your canoe.
Buy it here: helinox.ca
Duo 2-Person Double Camping Hammock
This two-person hammock is made from a strong mesh material. It stretches between three trees, rather than two, making a taut surface to relax on and watch the clouds drift by. Although it was a bit of a process to set up with multiple ratchet straps and seeking out the right triangle of trees, the second time should be a lot easier. The storage nets for stashing gear beneath the hammock are a nice touch and the anti-roll floor system means each person gets to enjoy their side in peace and comfort. For sleeping, invest in a tree tent to stack on top.
Buy it here: tentsile.com
Blonyx Beet-It Sport Nitrate 70ml
Athletes looking to improve their performance should check out Beet-It Sport Nitrate 400, now carried by Blonyx Biosciences. This concentrated beet juice shot with a dash of lemon juice should be taken two-to-three hours before an outdoor activity. I like beets, so I was excited to try it to improve my performance on hikes. The taste is quite bitter—akin to a cold tomato soup. The 400 milligrams of nitrate increase the efficiency of mitochondria in the muscle and increases blood flow to working muscles, allowing adventurers to move faster for longer.
Buy it here: blonyx.ca
Kathmandu Valorous Pack 28 L
This unisex backpack is perfect for a long day hike or one-night camping trip. The spacious and breathable Crossflow AirXF harness is designed to allow air flow to your back while providing cushioned support. The hip belt is pre-curved to ergonomically hug your hips, and the extra padding is offset by a breathable opening, so you feel confident but not sweaty. The main fabric contains recycled nylon ripstop for abrasion resistance and the wide U-shaped opening keeps your gear easy to access. Load lifter straps, gear loops, zippered compartments and stretchy pockets top off this perfect autumn trekking pack.
Buy it here: kathmanduoutdoor.ca
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station
It can be difficult to find a reliable, effective and durable power source for your outdoor adventures. Overlanders and RV campers should check out BLUETTI’s portable power stations. The AC180 weighs about 35 pounds (16 kilograms) and offers nine output ports for multiple devices (even a wireless charger for your phone). Eco-friendly, clean, quiet and cost-effective, this battery pack can recharge from 0 to 80 per cent in 45 minutes with the 1,440W AC input. Download the BLUETTI App for smart control and easy monitoring.
Buy it here: bluettipower.ca
MEC Northern Lights Hoodie
Camping, paddling, cycling, climbing, walking or hiking—whatever your fall adventure, meet your new favourite lightweight jacket. With a full-length YKK zipper, internal storm flap and chin guard, two insulated zippered hand pockets, a cinchable hem, elastic cuffs and ultra lightweight insulation that surrounds your core with warmth, this reinvented jacket will take you from frigid fall mornings to early winter evenings. The exterior is made with 20-denier recycled nylon ripstop coated in DWR, while the interior is filled with 60g EcoSoft recycled synthetic insulation. Compress it into the left-hand side pocket for easy portability—you’ll want to bring this optional layer everywhere.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Newly available across Canada, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 launched at the same price point as the first Ultra ($1,099). New and improved features include the all-new S9 SiP, a brighter display, a reimagined compass that moves with you for better orientation on the trail, advanced map details for backcountry trips and a battery life that will last for 36 hours (72 on low power mode) so you’ll need to recharge before your watch does. This band is the trail loop, which offers a smooth inside surface, designed for comfort (less friction; no rubbing) when moving in the outdoors.
Buy it here: apple.com
Apple Watch Series 9
Not ready to splurge for the Ultra 2? The new Apple Watch Series 9 has impressive new features that make it a worthwhile investment at $549. The most captivating update is the Double Tap gesture (available in October). Need to answer a call, but one hand is busy holding your hiking poles, flipping burgers on the BBQ or paddling your SUP? Simply lift your watch-clad wrist and tap your thumb and forefinger together twice. You can hang up, pause/start music and more. It’s truly like magic. Featuring the same chip as the Ultra, it’s got a twice-as-bright display and comes in carbon-neutral combinations.
Buy it here: apple.com
More Outdoor Adventure Gear Reviews:
Is This $600 Cooler Worth It? YETI Roadie® 48 Wheeled Cooler Test & Review
Editor Picks: 5 Outdoor Essentials That Made My Summer Great
Why Hemp Is Great for Outdoor Adventures
