Venturing into the great outdoors requires more than just an adventurous spirit. From the mountains to the beach, we’re here to get you prepped with the camping, hiking, skiing and recreation gear you need to become a natural in nature.

Hiker walking on a trail
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
The best hiking gear you actually need in 2025, according to real hikers
We talked to expert hikers for tips, tricks and gear recommendations for your first time hitting the trail.
Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro in a backyard.
Joe Bloss/CNN Underscored
I tested the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro. It’ll change how you see your yard
Our bird-obsessed testing writer tried the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro in his own yard, and the photos and videos it captured wowed him.
Five beach umbrellas set up but closed in front of the ocean at Hermosa Beach, California
Michelle Rae Uy/CNN Underscored
Don’t burn at the beach. Here are the 3 best beach umbrellas in 2025, tried and tested
After testing nine popular beach umbrellas and consulting experts, we only found three worth your cash.
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Alex Rennie/CNN Underscored
The best coolers in 2025, tested by editors
We tested 24 of the best hard, soft, wheeled, rotomolded and injection-molded coolers and found four we consider the absolute best for most people.
Man wearing Ombraz sports sunglasses on a hike
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
Here are the 25 best sports sunglasses for running, hiking, fishing and beyond
Whether you’re trail running uphill, biking downhill or casting into the shallows all day, these sports sunglasses will help protect your eyes while outdoors.

More outdoors

A person and an inflatable flamingo in a pool.
Joe Bloss/CNN Underscored
I rented a stranger’s pool with Swimply — and I’d do it again
Man backpacking with a view of the mountains
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
The best backpacking gear to keep you alive in the woods, according to experts
RTIC Soft Pack 30 in yellow
Alex Rennie/CNN Underscored
The best beach coolers in 2025, tested by editors
best-hiking-sandal-cnnu.jpg
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
I tested the best hiking sandals in 2025 for comfort, traction and more
White woman reclining on a blue and white dotted blanket while reading a book
Jillian Tracy/CNN Underscored
The Nomadix Festival Blanket turns any terrain into a lounge space. Here’s why it’s my new summer staple
Thermacell EL55 on a log with CNN Underscored Editor's Pick badge
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
Mosquitoes don’t stand a chance against the Thermacell EL55 Mosquito Repeller
Three of the beach chairs the writer tested for this guide
Michelle Rae Uy/CNN Underscored
The best beach chairs in 2025, tried and tested
Hydro Flask Micro Mini Lead.jpg
Hydro Flask
I’ve been trying to get the Hydro Flask Mini for months, and it just restocked in every color
Woman sitting on beach blanket looking at the ocean.
Michelle Rae Uy/CNN Underscored
Soak up the sun with the 19 best beach blankets experts swear by
three first aid kits and a badge over the image that says "CNN Underscored best tested 2025"
Alex Rennie/CNN Underscored
The best first aid kits in 2025, tried and tested
Man wearing Ombraz sports sunglasses on a hike
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
Here are the 25 best sports sunglasses for running, hiking, fishing and beyond
Three flashlights in a row on white surface
Alex Rennie/CNN Underscored
The best flashlights in 2025, tried and tested
Hiker walking on a trail
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
The best hiking gear you actually need in 2025, according to real hikers
Wilson tennis racket on tennis court
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
New to tennis? Here are the best tennis rackets for beginners, according to seasoned players
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Yeti
Yeti just launched its new water-resistant Cayo backpack, and it’s already selling out
Seven walkie talkies on the beach
Alex Rennie/CNN Underscored
The best walkie-talkies in 2025, tried and tested
Man wearing Patagonia Baggies Shorts in Tidepool Blue while hiking in Southern Oregon
Maxwell Shukuya/CNN Underscored
The 31 best hiking shorts for men and women, according to experienced hikers
Five portable fans placed next to a pool.
Gareen Puglia/CNN Underscored
The best portable fans in 2025, tried and tested
Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro in a backyard.
Joe Bloss/CNN Underscored
I tested the Bird Buddy Smart Bird Feeder Pro. It’ll change how you see your yard
kids playing in a kiddie pool
Funboy
The 15 best kiddie pools for babies and toddlers, starting at $12
The Tiki Patio Smokeless Fire Pit with a roaring fire inside.
Joe Bloss/CNN Underscored
The best smokeless fire pits in 2025, tried and tested by editors
Yeti coolers on a lawn
Alex Rennie/CNN Underscored
The best Yeti coolers in 2025, tried and tested
Striped beach towel covering chair on the sand. Best tested badge in bottom right corner.
Michelle Rae Uy/CNN Underscored
The best beach towels in 2025, tested by editors
Author wearing UPF clothing pushing a wheelbarrow at a garden
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
The best sun-protective clothing, according to dermatologists and outdoor experts
Hiker wearing Altra Lone Peak 9+ standing on a rock. "Editor's Pick" badge in bottom right
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
I hiked in the Altra Lone Peak 9+ for a month. They’re the best version yet
Writer sitting in Yeti chair on the beach, relaxing with feet propped up on Yeti cooler
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
I’ve tested the best Yeti products for years. Here are 22 actually worth your money
gardening-tools-cnnu-02.jpg
Mark Amadio/CNN Underscored
The 27 best gardening tools, according to expert gardeners
best camping chairs
Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
Best camping chairs in 2025, tried and tested
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Kai Burkhardt/CNN Underscored
The best rain pants that will actually keep you dry in 2025, tested by editors
the beach wagons we tested on a beach
Michelle Rae Uy/CNN Underscored
The best beach wagons in 2025, tested by editors