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2025 hiker’s gear guide — 9 pieces of outdoor gear I can’t live without
It’s hiking season, baby. The days are long and the vibes are good, which means it’s time to get out there and explore nature! Whether you’re strolling intercity trails, public parks or remote mountain routes, the right hiking gear can make or break your outing.
As a longtime resident of the U.S. Pacific Northwest and as Tom’s Guide’s resident outdoor gear expert, I have some pretty strong opinions about which apparel and equipment is most worthy of your hard-earned money.
With that in mind, these are the nine pieces of hiking gear I can’t live without in 2025, including my favorite trail-tested footwear, the perfect windbreaker for those breezy summits, the ultimate hiking socks for breathability and comfort, and my go-to sporty, grime-repelling sunglasses.
1. Timberland Motion Access Mid Waterproof Sneakers
Breaking in a new pair of hiking boots is no joke, that is, unless you pick up a pair of Timberland Motion Access Mid Trail Sneakers. While these are technically hiking shoes rather than boots, they offer the same level of stability and foot protection as even the best hiking boots I’ve tested, but with the comfort of a pair of trail sneakers.
More importantly, there’s virtually no break-in period with these bad boys. And I should know. The first time I field tested them was during an epic hike in the Columbia River Gorge. I’ve also rocked them while hiking in torrential downpours for hours on end, with not a drop of water penetrating.
Beyond that, the Timberland Motion Access Mids are seriously grippy — even on wet, moss-covered rocks — while providing adequate toe protection and ankle support. They’re also seriously stylish, especially in all black.
2. Timberland Mt. Maddsen Waterproof Hiking Boots
The Mt. Maddsen hiking boots are one of the core pieces of footwear that put Timberland on the map oh so many years ago. Of course, this is a fully modernized, updated version of that boot, despite its classic styling and all-leather mid and upper.
One of the best old-school-style hiking boots you can buy today, the Mt. Maddsens are surprisingly well-priced, especially considering they’re all but indestructible; seriously, these are the kinds of boots you’ll own for years to come.
And while there are more technical hiking boots out there, the Mt. Maddsens still offer plenty of responsiveness, grippness and ankle support, making them a great option for casual and even first-time hikers.
3. Timberland Winnick Waterproof Shell
I own more high-end technical jackets than I care to admit. However, one that’s seen heavy rotation lately is the sporty and very comfy Timberland Winnick Waterproof Shell. Made from 100% nylon, it boasts an adjustable storm hood, elastic cuffs, diagonal zippered pockets and of course, a wind- and waterproof design.
It may not be the lightest shell in my arsenal of outerwear — at 136, it's also far from heavy — but it's easily one of the best-looking pieces I own, thanks to a sporty-meets-retro two-tone design and slim fit. Beyond that, an inner mesh lining gives it excellent breathability while fully-sealed seams ensure the wet stuff stays out.
4. Timberland Earthkeepers Sunglasses
I recently made the switch from prescription glasses to contact lenses, and now I’m drowning in a sea of sunglass choices, from super-cheap gas station fastboys to high-end Timberland sport sunglasses with high-tech fingerprint-resistant lenses.
As the name implies, Timberland’s Earthkeepers line is all about prioritizing the use of recycled and sustainable materials in each pair of sunglasses. And these hater-blockers feature no less than 60% recycled materials.
Super lightweight, flexible and comfortable, I’ve been rocking my Earthkeepers while taking on epic hikes, hitting the golf course and cycling around the Pacific Northwest.
Without pinching my head, they stay in place as if their glued to my temples, no matter how sweaty I get. Plus, the lenses offer crisp, contrasty views with excellent polarization even in direct sunlight.
5. Timberland Smartwool Hiking Socks
Some will say, ‘socks are socks,’ but I’m willing to bet those folks have never experienced the utter bliss of glorious Merino wool on their feet, a feeling I’ve become accustomed to by way of Timberland’s Smartwool Hiking Socks.
Merino wool is world-renowned for its softness, sweat-wicking capabilities and breathability, whether you’re operating in hot or cold conditions.
My hands-down favorite socks for hiking, Timberland’s Smartwool socks feature a mix of Merino wool and synthetic materials, resulting in not just an outrageously comfortable on-foot experience, but also plenty of stretchiness.
6. Garmin Instinct 3 smartwatch
The Garmin Instict 3 is my preferred smartwatch for tracking hikes thanks to its supremely long-lasting battery, pinpoint accurate location and elevation tracking, robust suite of holistic sensors and helpful workout recovery tools. It’s also built to take on Mother Nature’s wrath, with an impact-resistant case, 100 meters of water resistance and an aluminum-reinforced bezel.
Perfect for camping, a nifty LED ‘torch’ flashlight adorns the 12:00 position on the Instinct 3 and can be adjusted in both brightness and color (red or white). Some version of the Instinct 3 — namely, those with ‘Solar’ in the name — can even be recharged with nothing more than the sun.
7. Rocky Talkie Mountain Radios
No cap, I’m in love with my set of Rocky Talkie Mountain Radios. These petite, reasonably affordable hand radios are designed with outdoor adventurers in mind, whether you love hiking, skiing, climbing, hardcore mountaineering or something else.
Lightweight and palm-sized, Rocky Talkie Mountain Radios boast a waterproof and impact-resistant exterior, a built-in carabiner clip for attaching to a pack or jacket, excellent audio quality, and impressive range. They also work in extreme conditions, down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit and as hot as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Having tested them in mountain, blizzard conditions with excellent results, I can attest to their reliability.
8. Nocs Zero Tube telescope
The Nocs Zero Tube is an impossibly compact spotting scope with 10x magnifying power. The smallest and lightest optic in the brand’s lineup, it weighs just 6.5 ounces and measures a mere 4.5 inches in length. This makes it small enough to slide into a jacket or pants pocket.
It’s also completely waterproof — I tested that by submerging mine in a bucket of water for forty minutes with no leaking — and also fogproof thanks to a nitrogen-filled interior chamber. A twist-up eyecup accommodates both glasses-wearers and those without, and a rubberized, impact-resistant exterior, plus a lifetime warranty, means there’s no excuse not to bring it along on each and every outdoor adventure.
9. Helinox Chair Zero
Lugging a camping chair to the top of a mountain just to have a comfortable place to kick it may seem silly until you meet the Helinox Chair Zero. One of the lightest, not to mention comfiest, camping chairs I’ve ever encountered, it takes up minimal space, yet assembles and disassembles in roughly a minute while supporting up to 265 pounds.
I can easily slide mine into the waterbottle pocket on my backpack — the Chair Zero is about three inches in diameter when collapsed and a little over 13 inches — and forget it’s there until I need it. Of course, the minuscule 18-ounce weight contributes to its portability.
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