Spring Gear Roundup: Outdoor Adventure Gear and Clothing
Spring is here! Days are growing warmer, nights are getting longer and outdoor adventures are kicking up a notch. Whether you’re camping, hiking, mountain biking or climbing, you need to stay warm, comfortable, safe and dry on your outdoor adventures this spring.
Here are 12 of the best gear items that will help you get outside more this season:
Helly Hansen Women’s Essence Mid-Length Jacket
I love this soft, light, waterproof rain jacket. Beyond the beautiful lilac purple colour and the extremely comfortable fit, this mid-length raincoat pairs a stylish, feminine silhouette with technical windproof, waterproof and breathable fabric. It has a lining made from 100 per cent recycled materials and a lightweight exterior impregnated with PFC-free DWR. It fits slightly large, allowing for layers underneath. Cinch the adjustable hood, waist and hem drawcords to stay dry and look cool.
Buy it here: hellyhansen.com
Helly Hansen Men’s Active Ocean Bound Jacket
Wet, cold or windy weather doesn’t stand a chance against this robust jacket. It fits long and slim, with ample room for mid layers underneath. Highly advanced fabrics, specifically engineered for protection and performance, meet ocean-bound recycled material. The PFC-free DWR sheds moisture while remaining eco-friendly. With adjustable cuffs, taped seams, a chinguard and a tail drop, this urban raincoat transitions easily from hiking trails to city streets.
Buy it here: hellyhansen.com
MEC Rockwall Midlayer
Looking for a lightweight, zippered fleece that’s perfect for both mild, sunny afternoons and cool, drizzly days? This sweater does it all. Made of a thermal polyester/elastane fabric, it’s impressively thin, soft, stretchy and slim fitting. Use it as a mid layer on brisk outdoor jaunts or wear it over a tank top on temperate walks. The snug hood will protect your ears from wind while fitting easily beneath a bicycle or climbing helmet.
Buy it here: mec.ca
Ridge Merino Natural Merino Tencel Tee
Made with 60 per cent premium wool and 40 per cent TENCEL™ (which is known for being softer than silk and cooler than linen), this airy, light tee offers temperature regulation and fits long and relaxed. As a member of 1% For the Planet, Ridge Merino donates at least one per cent of profits to environmental non-profits. This garment also comes with the Ridge Guarantee—a warranty covering repairs and replacements for all manufacturing and material defects for the product’s lifetime.
Buy it here: ridgemerino.com
Turtle Fur Bucket Hat
For chilly spring days, tug on this cozy Lush Fleece Bucket Hat. Made with 100 per cent recycled fabric, this ultra-soft bucket hat is available in luscious pink, violet and black. It’s fully adjustable and transitions from cold winter days to cool spring evenings. Created as an ode to the 90s, this bright, fluffy hat makes a bold, hot statement for spring adventures.
Buy it here: turtlefur.com
YETI Yonder™ Water Bottle
This has become my go-to water bottle. It’s light yet durable; the two-part handle and carry cap make it effortless to sip from and the wider spout provides instant access to hydration. From road trips to the trailhead, it’s easy to carry and refill. This translucent bottle is not insulated, making it ideal for lightweight hydration on-the-go, whether you are embarking on long and legendary ascents or quick, technical treks.
Buy it here: yeti.ca
Hotcore Hypnos 3 Insulated Sleeping Air Pad
The HYPNOS 3 Insulated Air Pad from Hotcore inflates to a plush seven centimetres thick. It’s insulated with Thermolite Ecomade synthetic insulation to trap warmth and dispel cold spots. It comes with an inflation sack, which means you don’t have to blow moist air directly into the pad and compromise thermal efficiency. It’s an all-purpose, three-season sleeping pad with baffle wall construction for more comfort in all sleeping positions.
Buy it here: hotcoreproducts.com
Mountain Hardwear Yawn Patrol™ -1C Sleeping Bag
New for Spring 2023, the Yawn Patrol sleeping bag was made for campers who toss and turn. With a less restrictive design and zippers that allow the bag to be worn around the campsite, insomniacs can now stay cozy and comfortable when they crawl out of their tents. This sleeping bag also provides awesome ventilation on hot summer nights. With 650-fill RDS-certified down insulation in a lightweight 30D (45D bottom) nylon ripstop shell fabric, the Yawn Patrol might be your favourite spring sleeping sack.
Buy it here: mountainhardwear.ca
The North Face Wawona 6 Tent
Looking for a spacious, comfortable, well-reviewed tent? Pack it all with this front-country tent from The North Face. The whole family can fit inside while stashing your camping gear in the extended vestibule. Improved features include double-walled construction and re-engineered poles for easier setup. With an impressive height of six-foot-six, most people can stand up and stretch in the mornings. Plus, there are plenty of pockets: in the ceiling for headlamps, tablets and lanterns, plus internal organizational pockets to keep essentials on hand.
Buy it here: thenorthface.com
MEC Mountain Blanket
Made with Primaloft® Black Rise insulation, this durable, breathable, warm and Bluesign® approved recycled blanket is as cozy as they come. The shell is made from repurposed 30-denier ripstop nylon, leftover from MEC sleeping bags. It’s not slippery, nor does it make that annoying fabric sound of snow pants rubbing together. The blanket is treated with DWR to shed moisture and repel light rain. Toss it over your legs while relaxing at the beach, wrap it around your shoulders while hanging out around the campfire or stake down the corner loops at a windy outdoor picnic. (186 cm x 140 cm.)
Buy it here: mec.ca
Apple Watch Series 8/SE
The new Apple Watch Series 8 helps adventurers understand and improve their health and safety through advancements like the enhanced Workout app, Crash Detection and sleep stage tracking. Fitness+ programs like “Time to Run” and “Get Ready for Snow Season” can help you prepare for upcoming adventures. For adventurers on a budget or first-time Apple Watch wearers, the SE has almost all the same features. Both watches have a new compass app that allows hikers to leave Waypoints to Backtrack if they are in the backcountry.
Buy it here: apple.com
CLIF® Thins
I love CLIF® bars. Protein and energy bars have been a staple in my backpack since I started hiking. However, sometimes those bars can feel too dense and heavy for a quick bite on the trail. The new CLIF® Thins solves this problem. Thin, crispy and delicious, these bars come in pairs to share with a friend or save for later. Honestly, though, you might want to devour both right away. The two flavours (chocolate chip and white chocolate macadamia nut) are super tasty. Due to the thin texture and satisfying cookie-like crunch, I prefer these over regular CLIF® bars.
Buy it here: clifbar.ca
Disclaimer: some of these items have been provided to be tested & reviewed.
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How to Properly Store Your Winter Gear
Top 10 Things People Forget When Camping
