With the Mafate X, HOKA has successfully brought their winning road running shoe formula into a trail sneaker. It’s a training shoe of the times, with a carbon-fibre plate and a high stack of supercritical foam that at once provides stability and speed. And, in classic HOKA fashion, the Mafate X has a stable ankle and lots of rock-forward power. The treads, shaped little pizzas and tacos (just roll with it), will also leave you satisfied over any terrain.

When it comes to shoes, I rarely venture away from the brands that I know, but the Katabatic Wind by Montana-based company Oboz was my surprise revelation of the year. It’s a fastpacker’s dream — light, responsive and built to last. Its ACTNitro dual-density foam offers lightweight cushioning without sacrificing support, while the abrasion-resistant mesh and TPU overlays ensure durability on rugged trails. The pièce-de-résistance: a carbon plate in the forefoot that provides propulsion, efficiency, and balance on the hills.

While the Mafate X and Katabatic Wind feel like bulldozers for feet, the Arc’teryx Vertex Speed is lighter, faster and more refined. Their minimalist silhouette is perfect for faster climbs and trail runs where agility and ground feel are essential. Featuring a Vibram Megagrip outsole and a TPU film for enhanced traction, they weigh just 8.0 oz, keeping you quick and secure on the move. A zoned outsole grips confidently on rock and soft terrain, while shock-absorbing cushioning ensures stability on both climbs and descents.

It’s in the name: the Alpha Jacket is the best piece of hiking gear I’ve worn in the past year. Made from abrasion-resistant, ultra-light GORE-TEX, it delivers an exceptional balance of breathability and waterproof performance. The StormHood keeps your head and face dry, even in harsh conditions. It’s reflective, insulated, backed by a limited warranty, and impressively lightweight at just 370g for a hardshell. Of course, quality comes at a cost — the Alpha is an investment, but a worthwhile one.

Just like their counterpart Alpha Jacket, the pants are also stellar, expensive and come with a warranty. They are waterproof, windproof, breathable and durable thanks to a GORE-TEX outer fabric; and allow for complete range of motion at the knees. What’s cooler is they are built with adventure in mind: full side zips make layering and quick changes effortless, and their waist cinch fits well with a climbing harness. They excel in every condition.

The world of mountain-friendly GPS watches is now completely saturated with adequate options, though I’ve been impressed with the Vivoactive 6 because it offers top-level GPS and connectivity at an affordable price. It comes with a range of health tracking settings like heart rate variability, fitness measurements and sleep metrics, and also apps that come in handy on the regular, like Garmin Pay and an irregular heartbeat detector. The Amoled display is straightforward and bright, and the 11-day battery life is highly impressive.

I am not sure why it’s so hard to find light, properly-fitting, affordable T-shirts these days, but it is. When a brand manages to create a sporty top with a flattering fit, they price it at $120. The Seeker Short Sleeve Shirt, in contrast to that, is a sigh of relief. It falls on the body where it should, and has breathable, sweat-wicking polyester material made from recycled carbon that is just right for summer runs and hikes. And best of all, its cost is easily digestible.

My nickname for the Gnarwhal 25L is Narnia Wardrobe: a lot more fits in there than you think. Made with lightweight, durable 500D CORDURA Nylon, and bolstered with a steel frame, it comes with two separate main compartments, an avalanche tool pocket, hydration nooks, and even a laptop pouch. There is even a velvet hidden pocket, which makes a cozy spot to store valuables.