The Best Outdoor & Hiking Gear of 2024

2024 has been a great year for outdoor adventure with a variety of different activities. Therefore, to be best prepared for every weather and terrain, the collection of outdoor hiking gear was improved upon. Over the last few years, I have researched and collated my trekking, climbing, camping and hiking gear which has created the Packing List Guides in the Kit Room. The main trip for 2024 was Solo Trekking in Patagonia which needed lightweight and robust camping gear with a Camping Packing List coming soon! This is the Top 5 list of the Best Outdoor Kit I bought this year and have tested out.

Honourable Mentions

Before jumping into the Top 5, there was hiking gear that performed very well and deserved an honourable mention. Firstly, after 15 years of using a Trespass neck gaiter, I finally upgraded to a Buff Merino wool buff. It’s thin but warm which meant I wore it non-stop in Chile. Secondly, the Montane Windjammer Gloves were excellent in fit and wind protection! They are medium warmth so best to use a glove lineer too for freezing winter days but they have great dexterity and touchscreen compatibility.

Another great buy this year was the Sea to Summit Aero inflatable pillow. It is ultralight & packable but has a soft outer with contoured baffles to help get a great night’s sleep. The 3L Gregory 3D Hyrdo Bladder was a much needed upgrade with many key features. The easy filling up inlet, hose leverand magnetic attachments all proved beneficial. Unfortunately it leaked 2L of water in my tent so has not made the Top 5. Finally, the Sea to Summit X-Bowl is a collapsible camping bowl that takes limited space, doubles as a chopping bowl and has a great capacity-to-weight ratio. It was super easy to clean and kept the food warm for a good amount of time.

5. Montane Dynamo Waterproof Trousers

I have finally upgraded from a cheap Trespass over-trouser and as I mainly hike in Montane Terra Route trousers, I didn’t need fully Gore-Tex trousers but a lightweight packable over-trouser. In the end, I double downed on Montanes instead of the Rab Downpout Eco Pants or Berghaus Deluge 2.0 Pants. The Montane Dynamo Waterproof trousers are super lightweight, breathable and stylish! They pack up so small they take minimal space in a backpack and are easy to slip on with the 3/4 leg length zip. Unlike some over-trousers, these have a tapered fit and using Pertex Shield material, they offer great protection against heavy rain. The Dyanamos are versatile in being a stand-alone hiking trouser or an outer layer because of the soft inner lining. For £65 instead of £90, the Montanes have proved great value so far!

4. Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Mat

My camping equipment was in dire need of an upgrade and a sleeping mat was high on the list. After researching Big Agnes, Thermarest and Nemo, I decided on the Sea to Summit Ultralight Insulated Sleeping Mat paying £82 instead of £130 RRP. The key selling points were the good 3.1 R-Value (Late spring to early autumn) and how small it collapsed into for packing. The noise of the baffles have been a complaint by some customers but I didn’t notice much compared to the comfort offered. It was noticeable the difference in temperature on the ground with and without it! The inflation used the stuff sack as an air pump to quickly inflate with 4-5 bag fulls. Even though it is lightweight, the materials are durable and the valve system is handy to adjust the inflation and deflate quickly.

3. Peak Design Camera Capture Clip

The Peak Design Capture Clip V4 was a surprise gift from Roisin before my travels to Chile. In Zermatt, the landscapes were stunning but every time I wanted to take a photo, it was slow to get it out of the pack and then put away again. The Capture Clip is an innovative product which allows cameras to be securely attached to a bag strap or belt for easy access on the go. The mounting plate screws into the bottom of the Camera and the quick-release pin means it’s easy to detach and re-engage the camera to clip. It feels very secure and rigid when hiking with no concerns about the Camera every falling. The Capture has allowed me to up my photography game by conveniently having my Fuji for quick snaps while hiking. Many other travellers, asked about the clip and would highly recommend it to any travel photographers.

2. Big Agnes Copper Spur Tent

Before Patagonia, I needed to buy a lightweight 2 man tent for the trek. There were many options on the market for every budget, weight and style. I opted for the popular Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Tent because it’s a 3-season, free-standing ultralightweight tent designed for backpacking. I loved the dual door access and large footprint & height making it feel spacious inside. The tent could be pitched in 5 mins and the stuff pack made it easy to roll up. The Copper Spur had to handle heavy rain and snow which it kept out well but the 70mph winds were almost too much. There were cheaper tents on the market but the quality material used and abundance of smart features meant, there was a level of comfort while camping in the wilderness.

1. Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket

The Number 1 Best Outdoor and Hiking Gear goes to the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket!
The Arc’teryx Beta AR is a high-performance, lightweight and packable hard-shell waterproof. It has a Gore-Tex Pro construction to deliver ultimate weather resistance and durability with many innovative features. Such as the Stormhood which is compatible with helmets, RECCO reflector for emergency rescue and Storm Collar as a barrier around the neck. This Jacket excels in waterproof performance, all-day comfort & fit and durability. So far, I have tested the Beta AR in Zermatt during thunderstorms, against snow and gale-force winds in Patagonia and Iceland as an outer hardshell. In these conditions, the Arc’teryx was reliable and up to the challenges. It’s a jacket that feels of high quality and well crafted so it should (fingers crossed) last for many years! The main downside is the price tag with the Arc’teryx brand premium attached. Overall, it’s the perfect companion for mountain adventures and high-output activities.
Check out the full Review of the Arc’teryx Beta AR Jacket

Bargain of the Year: Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket

After Patagonia, I was inspired to get some name-sake merchandise in particular a Fleece Jacket. Ideally, a warm winter jacket before travelling to Iceland a month later would add well to the hiking gear. I had my eye on a Patagonia Classic Retro-X Fleece Jacket but couldn’t justify the £210 price tag. Instead, I found a bargain on Vinted getting a green jacket second-hand for £60 and couldn’t be happier. The Jacket was much warmer than expected and the windproof backer really works effectively on cooler days. There’s a reason it’s a classic Jacket for Patagonia and I’ve had multiple friends and family compliment the Retro-X Jacket.

What’s been your favourite kit in 2024? I’d love to find more great outdoor kit and hiking gear to make adventures even more incredible! Please feel free to share this post with people looking for new equipment going into 2025.