The East Coast might have gotten walloped with a blizzard this week, but the spring season is tantalizingly close. There’s no stronger evidence of that than a bunch of outdoor brands dropping their spring 2026 collections. There’s almost too much new gear (but in reality, there’s no such thing).
Backpackers have got a bounty of new products to look at. YETI released a line of backpacks designed for everything from casual dayhikes to weeklong adventures in the backcountry. Rab also dropped the Mythic 20, its lightest-ever sleeping bag, with a bunch of new tech to keep you toasty warm in the alpine.
If running is more your jam, there’s something for you too. Bandit heard the call of women everywhere and dropped sports bras designed to reduce chafing. Scarpa just put out a lightweight version of its bestselling Golden Gate shoe, and it’s aiming to become your do-it-all running shoe.
Check out all the latest and greatest in gear below, and get stoked to get out. Spring will soon have sprung!
YETI Packs
Ever since YETI bought backpack brand Mystery Ranch in 2024, we’ve eagerly been waiting to see what the brand does in that market. Now, we have the answer. YETI recently debuted its line of Skala packs ($300-400), ranging in size from 32L to 60L in both women’s and men’s versions.
They’re made with an AlumaLite external frame that YETI says is ultralight and super supportive, and the weather-resistant Guardcore nylon fabric on the exterior helps protect your stuff. For larger packs, there’s dedicated storage in the bottom for your sleeping bag, and over eight different pockets.
Content Creator Laptop
When it comes to creating sick outdoor content, recording footage with your GoPro is only the first step. Then, you’ve got to edit it and create an engaging video. That’s where GoPro’s new collab with ASUS comes in. The ASUS ProArt GoPro Edition laptop ($3,000) is specifically designed for on-the-go outdoor enthusiasts who are always working on their next video project.
The 13-inch laptop can be converted into tent or tablet mode, and, with a weight of just 3 pounds, it’s ultra-portable. It also has an integrated GoPro hotkey to launch the brand’s software immediately, and uses local AI acceleration to create fast workflows.
Ultralight Rain Jackets
A waterproof jacket is an essential piece of outdoor apparel, and brands are constantly working to improve and reinvent this staple. Take Outdoor Research’s new spring line of rain jackets.
There’s the Helium UL Jacket ($225), made with Toray Dermizax, a new kind of waterproof fabric. The brand says it’s the perfect balance between protection, breathability, and durability. For anyone looking to shave off ounces, the jacket clocks in at just 5.6 ounces, and the chest pocket turns into a stuff sack for easy packing.
The new Women’s Stratoburst Stretch SE Jacket ($225) is as cute as it is functional, with a flattering cropped fit and unique speckled pattern, along with Aquaguard zippers and an adjustable hood.
Versatile Outdoor Shoe
Scarpa’s Golden Gate ATR 2 was our top overall pick for best trail running shoe of 2025, so we’ll be interested to get our hands on the brand’s latest release: the Golden Gate LT ($150). Scarpa designed the shoe to be an everyday workhorse, going from work to road running to the trail, with a lug pattern constructed to work well on multiple kinds of terrain.
It incorporated a stretchy fabric into the tongue to reduce bulk and give the shoe a more sock-like fit. Additionally, “a combination EVA and Pebax midsole provides stability with a responsive feel, while a breathable engineered mesh upper maximizes airflow and comfort,” the brand said.
Fresh Daypacks
Cotopaxi recently dropped its spring 2026 collection, and it’s going all in on daypacks, with three new releases. The Clase 28L ($120) can carry your gear to work and on the trail, with a laptop sleeve and reverse bucket zipper to make it easy to access your stuff.
The brand designed the Consuelo 22L ($120) specifically for women, with a shorter torso and contoured straps to “provide extra space for people with busts.” If you’re looking for a school backpack that can also hang outside, there’s the Abierto 26L ($105). All three bags are made with durable, 100% recycled fabric.
Zipperless Sleeping Bag
When designing its new sleeping bags, Kelty had a bold idea: Ditch the zipper. With zipper cold spots and snags, it thought sleeping bags might be better without them. Instead, the new Eclipse 15 ($185) and Eclipse 35 ($150) bags are oversized and have a removable integrated comforter for easy entry and exit. There’s also a self-sealing foot vent in case you get too warm and need some fresh air.
The bags are made with ThermaPro Eco Synthetic insulation and a ripstop nylon shell with a PFAS-free water-repellent coating. An oversized hood helps keep your pillow in place, and an internal pocket allows you to store your keys or phone.
Better Bras
Making a good sports bra — one that hits all the right notes on comfort, support, fit, and style — is a Herculean task, but Bandit is betting it’s hit the nail on the head. The running brand recently released several new sports bras and bra tops.
The medium-support Stamina-V Squareneck Run Bra ($72) is your everyday workout hero. It’s made with a fabric that the brand says increases evaporation on the skin’s surface to better manage humidity.
If you prefer a longline fit, there’s the Striped Cadence Longline Run Bra ($78), with a ribbed knit that is both stylish and durable. When race day comes, suit up in the Stamina-V LYRA Race Crop ($88). It’s got four gel pockets and three waterproof phone pockets, and mesh detailing for extra breathability.
Cutting-Edge Climbing Tech
A personal anchor system, or PAS, is an essential tool for any outdoor climber. It helps them safely attach to the wall to belay on multi-pitch or to clean routes. C.A.M.P., an Italian climbing brand, just released a new PAS that is different from anything else on the market. The Reel Lanyard ($70) is the first one I’ve seen with a mobile cam to make it easier to adjust the length of the tether. C.A.M.P. says its even possible to adjust it under load.
A common issue on PASs is when its excess tail gets in the way, but the Reel has a leash to clip it to your harness. The Karstop keeps your locking carabiner in the correct orientation, too. For climbers navigating more complex anchor situations, C.A.M.P. also made a two-armed version, the Reel Duo ($80).
Ultralight Sleeping Bag
For ounce counters, sleeping bags are one of the heaviest expenditures on trails; a lighter bag can save you multiple pounds on trail. Enter Rab’s new Mythic 20 sleeping bag ($625), which weighs just 1 pound, 9 ounces. When designing the bag, Rab rethought everything from the ground up. It made the Mythic with LOFT 3D, a new design of twisted, helix-shaped baffle to prevent down from ending up compressed in the bottom of the bag.
The TILT lining is meant to reflect your body heat back on you for a better warmth-to-weight ratio. Rab didn’t scrimp on durability either, adding a Pertex Quantum ripstop fabric for protection. The Mythic isn’t cheap, but for alpinists looking to move fast and stay warm, it might be worth the price.
Responsive Trail Runner
In recent years, La Sportiva has seriously built up its street cred in the trail running market with its popular Prodigio line of shoes. The newest member of the family, the Prodigio 2 ($170), aims to be a “versatile workhorse,” the perfect middle ground between the ultra-supportive Prodigio Max and speedy, race-day Prodigio Pro.
The brand says it’s lightweight and breathable while also offering enough cushion to support you on long runs. The high-tenacity mesh upper offers a secure fit, and on the sole, Frixion Red delivers a stickier rubber in the center, with a more durable rubber on the outside.
Read the full article here
