TRENDING GEAR
What people are buying and talking about this season, for adults and for kids and families. Each pick says why it's on the list and links the article or award behind it. We don't take payment for placement.
FOR ADULTS
The season's standouts, sport by sport.
- Electric mountain bike
S-Works Turbo Levo 4
Specialized · $10,999.99Specialized's top-spec full-power trail e-bike with an 840Wh battery and 150mm of rear travel. It is the bike many riders benchmark other e-MTBs against.
Design & Innovation Award 2026 winner; the Turbo Levo 4 platform was also a Singletracks Editors' Choice 2025 pick · design-innovation-award.com
Maker's page - Suspension fork
Podium
FOX · $2,199FOX's inverted single-crown enduro fork, a break from conventional fork layouts that has drawn a lot of discussion among aggressive trail riders.
Design & Innovation Award 2026 winner · design-innovation-award.com
Maker's page - MTB helmet
Deflectr Helmet
Canyon · $$Canyon's first half-shell mountain bike helmet, using a bearing-based rotational-impact system and a three-position visor.
Design & Innovation Award 2026 winner · design-innovation-award.com
Maker's page - Disc brakes
Maven Ultimate
SRAM · $$$SRAM's most powerful four-piston mountain bike brake, aimed at e-bikes, enduro and downhill riders who want more stopping power with less hand effort.
Singletracks Editors' Choice 2025 · singletracks.com
Maker's page - Wireless drivetrain
XTR M9200 Di2
Shimano · $$$$Shimano's wireless electronic 12-speed XTR groupset, its first Di2 option at the top of its mountain bike range.
Singletracks Editors' Choice 2025 · singletracks.com
Maker's page - Tubeless tire plug tool
Dynaplug Pill
Dynaplug · $63.99A small capsule-shaped tubeless plug tool that stores plugs inside and fixes punctures without removing the wheel.
Singletracks Editors' Choice 2025 · singletracks.com
Maker's page - Climbing harness
Solution Harness
Black Diamond · $99.95A comfortable all-round sport and gym harness that spreads load across wide, thin webbing.
GearJunkie Best Climbing Harnesses 2026: Best Overall · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Climbing harness
CORAX
Petzl · $A fully adjustable harness with buckles on the waist and leg loops, so one harness fits a wide range of body shapes and layers.
GearJunkie Best Climbing Harnesses 2026: Best Beginner (added May 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Climbing harness
Zone Harness
Black Diamond · $169.95A light, minimal harness built for hard sport climbing where low weight and freedom of movement matter.
GearJunkie Best Climbing Harnesses 2026: Best Sport Climbing Harness · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Climbing shoe
Katana Lace
La Sportiva · $239A moderately downturned lace-up shoe that is comfortable enough for long multi-pitch days but precise on small edges.
GearJunkie Best Climbing Shoes 2026: Best Overall · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Climbing shoe
Drago LV
SCARPA · $229The low-volume version of SCARPA's soft, sensitive bouldering shoe, with a large toe-hook rubber patch.
GearJunkie Best Climbing Shoes 2026: Best Bouldering · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Hiking boot
QUEST 5 GORE-TEX
Salomon · $240A supportive waterproof boot for multi-day hikes on rocky, technical ground.
GearJunkie Best Hiking Boots 2026: Best Overall · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Hiking boot
X ULTRA 5 MID GORE-TEX
Salomon · $190A lightweight waterproof mid boot that feels closer to a hiking shoe, for day hikes and fast trips.
GearJunkie Best Hiking Boots 2026: Best Lightweight · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Hiking boot
Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Merrell · $175Merrell's long-running best-selling hiking boot, comfortable out of the box with a Vibram outsole and waterproof membrane.
GearJunkie Best Hiking Boots 2026: Best Budget · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Hiking boot
Speedgoat 6 Mid GTX
HOKA · $180A mid-height waterproof version of HOKA's popular trail running shoe, for hikers who want cushioning and low weight.
GearJunkie Best Hiking Boots 2026: Best Hiking Boot-Shoe Crossover · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Hiking boot
Rush 2 Pro Mid GTX
SCARPA · $199A nubuck and fabric waterproof mid boot with a stable heel, suited to hikers with narrower feet.
GearJunkie Best Hiking Boots 2026: Best for Narrow Feet · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Trail running shoe
Speedgoat 7
HOKA · $165The latest version of HOKA's best-known trail shoe, with a new supercritical foam midsole and reworked lugs for technical terrain.
GearJunkie Best Trail Running Shoes 2026: Best Overall (updated Nov 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Trail running shoe
Peregrine 16
Saucony · $150A versatile everyday trail shoe with Vibram Megagrip and more PWRRUN cushioning than earlier versions.
GearJunkie Best Trail Running Shoes 2026: Best Everyday · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Trail running shoe
Kjerag 02
NNormal · $215The second version of NNormal's light trail racing shoe, with more stack and rocker than the original and a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
GearJunkie Best Trail Running Shoes 2026: Best Lightweight · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Trail running shoe
Ribelle Run 2
SCARPA · $199A precise, protective trail shoe for steep, rocky mountain running.
GearJunkie Best Trail Running Shoes 2026: Best Technical · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Trail running shoe
PULSAR
Salomon · $140A light, fast trail shoe for rocky and technical terrain at a lower price than most race shoes.
GearJunkie Best Trail Running Shoes 2026: Best Budget · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page 
Image: Atomic (press image) All-mountain skiMaverick 96 CTI
Atomic · $$$A 96mm-waisted all-mountain ski that is easy to turn yet stable at speed, for skiers who ride the whole mountain.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Skis 2026: Best Overall (updated Oct 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page- Freeride ski
SOUL 102
Rossignol · $799.95A light, versatile freeride ski for soft snow in bounds and beyond, with a titanal beam for stability.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Skis 2026: Best All-Mountain Freeride · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - All-mountain ski
QST 94
Salomon · $749.95A 94mm all-mountain ski aimed at intermediate skiers moving from groomers into mixed snow.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Skis 2026: Best Progression Ski for Intermediates · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Avalanche beacon
EVO BT
Arva · $349.95A three-antenna avalanche transceiver with Bluetooth app setup and multi-victim marking, at a mid-range price.
GearJunkie Best Avalanche Beacons 2026: Best Overall · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Avalanche beacon
Barryvox S2
Mammut · $$$Mammut's latest professional-level avalanche transceiver, an update of the Barryvox S used by many guides and patrollers. Mammut recalled early Barryvox 2 and S2 units in November 2024 (a misaligned power switch could change the mode); if you have one from then, check it was repaired (free) via Mammut's recall page.
GearJunkie Best Avalanche Beacons 2026: Best for Professionals · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - All-mountain snowboard
Descender
Stranda · $$$A premium directional all-mountain board from a small Swedish maker, built for carving and freeride.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Snowboards 2026: Best Overall Premium · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - All-mountain snowboard
Ravine
Rome · $599.95A directional all-mountain board that GearJunkie rates as strong value for riders who like to carve and ride trees.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Snowboards 2026: Best Value Directional · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - All-mountain snowboard
Howler
Jones · $699.95A stiff, poppy freestyle-oriented all-mountain board for riders who use the whole mountain as a park.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Snowboards 2026: Best Aggressive Freestyle (added Aug 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Freeride snowboard
Passport
K2 · $$$A versatile freeride board meant to handle groomers, trees and powder on one setup.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Snowboards 2026: Best Versatile Freeride · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Freeride snowboard
Family Tree Hometown Hero Camber
Burton · $$$A directional camber board from Burton's Family Tree line, built to handle everything from hardpack to deep snow.
GearJunkie Best All-Mountain Snowboards 2026: Best All-Conditions Freeride · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Recreational kayak
Loon 120
Old Town · $1,199.99A stable 12-foot sit-inside kayak with a comfortable adjustable seat and good tracking for lakes and slow rivers.
GearJunkie Best Kayaks 2026: Best Overall (updated Nov 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Inflatable kayak
Coaster Inflatable Kayak - Single
Retrospec · $299.99An affordable single inflatable kayak that packs down for car trunks and apartments.
GearJunkie Best Kayaks 2026: Best Budget (added Aug 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Pedal kayak
Mirage Passport 12.0 R
Hobie · $1,849A 12-foot rotomolded pedal-drive kayak, Hobie's lower-priced way into hands-free pedal kayaking.
GearJunkie Best Kayaks 2026: Best Pedal-Drive · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Sit-on-top kayak
Tarpon 120
Wilderness Systems · $999A long-running sit-on-top kayak used for day touring and fishing.
GearJunkie Best Kayaks 2026: Best Sit-On-Top · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Fishing kayak
Sportsman 120 PRO
Old Town · $1,999.99A 12-foot sit-on-top fishing kayak with bow and stern trolling-motor mounts and long accessory tracks.
GearJunkie Best Kayaks 2026: Best Fishing (added Aug 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Wetsuit
Furnace Natural Upcycler
Billabong · $379.95A neoprene-free wetsuit made from a natural rubber blend with a graphene thermal lining.
The Inertia Best Wetsuits (updated Apr 2026): Best Overall · theinertia.com
Maker's page - Wetsuit
Hyperfreak
O'Neill · $404.95O'Neill's very stretchy performance chest-zip wetsuit, popular for its comfort.
The Inertia Best Wetsuits (updated Apr 2026): Most Comfortable / Runner-Up Best Overall · theinertia.com
Maker's page - Wetsuit
EQUATION 4/3 FZ
Picture · $350A front-zip wetsuit made with limestone- and oyster-shell-based foam instead of petroleum neoprene, at a mid-range price.
The Inertia Best Wetsuits (updated Apr 2026): Best Value · theinertia.com
Maker's page - Wetsuit
Men's Comp+ Full Wetsuit
Xcel · $379.95Xcel's light, flexible high-performance fullsuit for surfers who want minimal restriction.
The Inertia Best Wetsuits (updated Apr 2026): Most High-Performance · theinertia.com
Maker's page - Wetsuit
Vyrl
Hyperflex · $$A budget-friendly fullsuit from Hyperflex that keeps price low without giving up much stretch.
The Inertia Best Wetsuits (updated Apr 2026): Best Budget · theinertia.com
Maker's page - Kite
2026 Switchblade Apex
Cabrinha · $1,659Cabrinha's long-running five-strut freeride kite, known for predictable, easy handling across a wide wind range.
TheKiteMag 2026 magazine test · thekitemag.com
Maker's page - Kite
Reach Kite
North · $1,579North's do-it-all three-strut kite, updated for 2026 with a higher aspect ratio and lighter leading edge for better low-end.
TheKiteMag 2026 test: called a clear upgrade over the previous Reach · thekitemag.com
Maker's page - Kite
Nitro Apex
Cabrinha · $1,799A five-strut, high-aspect big-air kite that the tester found also works well as a high-end freeride kite.
TheKiteMag 2026 magazine test · thekitemag.com
Maker's page - Kite
Evo SLS
Duotone · $$$$The lighter, stiffer SLS build of Duotone's all-round Evo kite, which the tester found lifts harder and loops faster than the standard version.
TheKiteMag test of the 2026 Evo, Evo SLS and Evo D/LAB · thekitemag.com
Maker's page - Kite harness
Elite Type 2 Hyperlock Harness
Ride Engine · $659A stiff hardshell waist harness with Ride Engine's Hyperlock system, designed to reduce harness ride-up and shifting.
MACkiteboarding Hyperlock review; repeatedly ranked at the top of 2026 kite-harness roundups · mackiteboarding.com
Maker's page - Dive computer
Peregrine TX
Shearwater · $760An air-integrated version of Shearwater's easy-to-read recreational dive computer with a rechargeable battery.
Bluewater Photo Best Dive Computers 2026 guide: Best Overall · bluewaterphotostore.com
Maker's page - Dive computer
Perdix 3
Shearwater · $1,295The third generation of Shearwater's technical dive computer, popular with trimix and rebreather divers.
Bluewater Photo Best Dive Computers 2026 guide: Best Technical · bluewaterphotostore.com
Maker's page - Dive computer watch
Suunto Ocean
Suunto · $899A dive computer that doubles as a GPS sports watch, with an AMOLED screen and optional tank-pressure pairing.
Bluewater Photo Best Dive Computers 2026 guide: Best Dive Computer Watch · bluewaterphotostore.com
Maker's page - Dive computer
Descent X50i
Garmin · $1,499.99Garmin's large-format dive computer with a 3-inch touchscreen, built-in light and sonar-based messaging between divers.
ScubaLab Testers' Choice (air-integrated dive computers) · scubadiving.com
Maker's page - Dive computer
Puck 4
Mares · $437.95An entry-level wrist computer with nitrox and multigas support and Bluetooth log uploads.
Bluewater Photo Best Dive Computers 2026 guide: Best Budget · bluewaterphotostore.com
Maker's page - Canyoneering shoe
TX Canyon
La Sportiva · $$A draining canyoneering shoe with a Vibram Idrogrip sole, sized up to fit over neoprene socks.
Named among the best canyoneering shoes in Scoutorama's canyoneering shoe guide · scoutorama.com
Maker's page - Canyoneering descender
PIRANA GUIDE
PetzlAn adjustable-friction canyoning descender with three rope set-ups and a friction spur, for independent canyoneers and guides.
Covered in Scoutorama's best canyoneering descenders guide as Petzl's current Pirana model · scoutorama.com
Maker's page - Canyon rope
8.3mm Canyon Fire
Imlay Canyon GearA sheath-heavy static rope made for sandstone canyons of the Colorado Plateau, light to carry but resistant to core shots.
Picked as a favourite in Scoutorama's best canyoneering rope guide · scoutorama.com
Maker's page - Canyon rope
CanyonTech Canyon Rope
Sterling · $$A 9.5mm canyon rope with a Technora sheath for abrasion resistance in aggressive canyons.
Named in Scoutorama's best canyoneering rope guide · scoutorama.com
Maker's page - Running vest
ADV SKIN 12
Salomon · $165A 12-liter running vest with soft flasks that carries mandatory kit for long trail and multi-sport races without bouncing.
GearJunkie Best Running Vests 2026: Best Overall · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Headlamp
HM55R RENEGADE Headlamp
Fenix · $74.95A rechargeable 1,200-lumen headlamp that replaced GearJunkie's previous top pick in 2026.
GearJunkie Best Headlamps 2026: Best Overall (updated Nov 2026) · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Headlamp
Range 500
BioLite · $69.95A 500-lumen headlamp with a rear battery pack that balances the weight for comfort on long nights.
GearJunkie Best Headlamps 2026: Most Comfortable High-Performance · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - Headlamp
Distance 1500 Headlamp
Black Diamond · $249.95A 1,500-lumen headlamp with swappable rechargeable batteries, built for running and racing through the night.
GearJunkie Best Headlamps 2026: Best Headlamp for Distance Running · gearjunkie.com
Maker's page - GPS watch
Forerunner 970
Garmin · $749.99Garmin's premium running and multisport watch with full-color maps, a built-in flashlight and long battery life.
Singletracks Editors' Choice 2025 · singletracks.com
Maker's page
KIDS & FAMILY
Bike seats, balance bikes, carriers, harnesses, life jackets and more. Age ranges are the maker's.
- Kids' bike seatKids · 9 months–5 years
SHOTGUN PRO EVO
Kids Ride Shotgun · $439A front-mounted child seat for mountain bikes: a harnessed set-up for 9–24 months converts to a saddle-style seat for 2–5 year olds, so kids ride between the parent's arms.
Design & Innovation Award 2026 winner; Treeline Review long-term review (Oct 2026) · treelinereview.com
Maker's page - Kids' bike tow ropeKids
QUICK FIT MTB TOW ROPE
Kids Ride Shotgun · $69.99An elastic tow rope that clips between adult and kid bikes so a parent can pull a child up climbs.
Velomotion review (Sept 2026), scored 85% · velomotion.net
Maker's page - Kids' bike tow ropeKids
Kids/Youth TowWhee CONNECT Kit (Light)
TowWhee · $64.99A bungee tow rope that stays attached to the adult bike and stretches to smooth out the pull on a child's bike.
Two Wheeling Tots: 'the best bike tow rope for beginning mountain bike riders' (updated 2025) · twowheelingtots.com
Maker's page - Off-road balance bikeKids
DIRT HERO OFF-ROAD BALANCE BIKE
Kids Ride Shotgun · $399.99A balance bike with mountain bike geometry and wide 2.25-inch tires that converts between 12- and 14-inch wheels.
MBR review: 'my kids balance bike pick' (score 9/10) · mbr.co.uk
Maker's page - Balance bikeKids · 1.5–3.5 years
woom GO 1
woom · $249A light 12-inch balance bike with a hand brake and steering limiter, sized for young toddlers.
Two Wheeling Tots Best Balance Bikes (updated Nov 2026): Best Overall for young toddlers · twowheelingtots.com
Maker's page - Balance bikeKids · 1.5–4 years
Biky Air 12 (Balance Bike)
Biky · $229A 7.2 lb, 12-inch balance bike with air tires, designed for 2 to 3 year olds learning to glide.
Two Wheeling Tots Best Balance Bikes (updated Nov 2026): Best Overall for 2 to 3 years · twowheelingtots.com
Maker's page - Balance bikeKids
14x Sport
Strider · $$A 14-inch balance bike that converts to a pedal bike with an add-on kit, for older kids still learning balance.
Two Wheeling Tots Best Balance Bikes (updated Nov 2026): Best for Shorter Kids, 4 to 6 years · twowheelingtots.com
Maker's page - Balance bikeKids · 1.5 years+
Alpha Zero MkII
Prevelo · $239A 12-inch, 7.4 lb balance bike with a low saddle height and kid-sized brake for active toddlers.
Two Wheeling Tots Best Balance Bikes (updated Nov 2026): Best for Playful Riders · twowheelingtots.com
Maker's page - Kids' bike seatKids · 1–5 years
Thule Yepp 2 maxi rack mount
Thule · $249.95A rear rack-mounted child bike seat with a padded harness and adjustable footrests.
Featured as an alternative in Treeline Review's Kids Ride Shotgun Pro EVO review (Oct 2026) · treelinereview.com
Maker's page - Kids' bike trailerFamily
D'Lite X
Burley · $999.95A two-seat child bike trailer that converts to a stroller, with suspension and a roomy cabin.
OutdoorGearLab Best Bike Trailers: top overall pick · outdoorgearlab.com
Maker's page - Kids' bike trailerFamily · 2 children, up to 49 lb each
Thule Chariot Cross 2 double
Thule · $1,499.95A weatherproof two-seat multisport trailer for biking and strolling, with optional jogging and ski kits.
Cycling Weekly best child bike trailers: top pick for build quality and longevity · cyclingweekly.com
Maker's page - Child carrier backpackFamily · From about 9 months
Kid Comfort
deuter · $330A framed child carrier with a ventilated back system, adjustable fit and a sun canopy.
Outdoor Life best baby carriers for hiking: top toddler pick · outdoorlife.com
Maker's page - Child carrier backpackFamily · From about 9 months
Poco Premium Child Carrier
Osprey · $450Osprey's top framed child carrier with a removable washable cockpit, 36L of storage and included sunshade and raincover.
Treeline Review best baby and toddler hiking carriers: best overall · treelinereview.com
Maker's page - Kids' climbing harnessKids
MACCHU
PetzlA fully adjustable sit harness for kids, with leg loops and waistbelt that adjust as they grow.
OutdoorGearLab Best Kids' Climbing Harness: Best for Versatility · outdoorgearlab.com
Maker's page - Kids' full-body harnessKids · Child height 94–126 cm
OUISTITI
PetzlA full-body harness for small children whose hips are not yet defined enough for a sit harness.
OutdoorGearLab Best Kids' Climbing Harness: top full-body pick · outdoorgearlab.com
Maker's page - Kids' climbing harnessKids
Kids' Momentum Harness
Black Diamond · $64.95A kids' version of Black Diamond's popular entry-level harness, with adjustable leg loops.
Shortlisted in The Adventure Junkies best kids' climbing harness guide (updated July 2026) · theadventurejunkies.com
Maker's page - Kids' life jacketKids · 33–55 lb
Lil Legends Child PFD
Mustang Survival · $74.99A foam child life jacket with a head-support collar and grab handle.
Paddling Magazine Best Child and Youth Life Jackets 2026 (picked for flotation) · paddlingmag.com
Maker's page - Kids' life jacketKids · 33–55 lb
Child All Adventure Life Jacket
Onyx · $64.99A Coast Guard approved child life jacket with a leg strap and grab strap, cut for freedom of movement.
Paddling Magazine Best Child and Youth Life Jackets 2026 (picked for mobility) · paddlingmag.com
Maker's page - Kids' life jacketKids · Child size 30–60 lb (infant and youth sizes too)
Nimbus Children's Vest
Salus · $A children's PFD with durable outer fabric and lots of colour and print options.
Paddling Magazine Best Child and Youth Life Jackets 2026 (picked for colour options) · paddlingmag.com
Maker's page - Kids' kayakKids · Kids up to 120 lb
Hi Five
Perception · $$A 6'6" sit-on-top kayak sized for kids, light enough for a child to help carry.
Paddling Magazine Best Kayaks for Kids & Youth 2026 · paddlingmag.com
Maker's page - Youth kayakKids
Banzai 9.5
Ocean Kayak · $$$A 9'6" sit-on-top kayak with low, kid-friendly seating for older kids and teens.
Paddling Magazine Best Kayaks for Kids & Youth 2026 · paddlingmag.com
Maker's page - Ski tip connectorKids · Under 6 years
Edgie Wedgie
Ski Teaching ProductsA rubber connector that clips the ski tips together so a beginner can hold a wedge without the skis crossing.
First pick in Skiis & Biikes' 5 Best Kids Ski Accessories (a long-standing standard rather than a new launch) · skiisandbiikes.com
Maker's page - Kids' wetsuitKids
Youth Reactor-2 3/2mm Back Zip Full Wetsuit
O'Neill · $134.95An affordable back-zip youth fullsuit with stretch panels in the shoulders and knee pads.
Cleanline Surf 6 Best Youth Wetsuits of 2026: Best Affordable · cleanlinesurf.com
Maker's page - Kids' hiking bootKids · Youth sizes 1–7
Youth Fastpack Hiker Mid Waterproof Boots
The North Face · $89A waterproof, ankle-high kids' hiking boot with a cushioned midsole and reflective pull tabs.
CleverHiker Best Hiking Shoes for Kids 2026 (updated Aug 2026): Best Waterproof · cleverhiker.com
Maker's page
How we pick
An item counts as trending if it was named in a 2025–2026 award or best-of list from a named publication (GearJunkie buyer's guides updated in 2026, Singletracks Editors' Choice 2025, the 2026 Design & Innovation Award, The Inertia, TheKiteMag's 2026 tests, ScubaLab, Bluewater Photo's 2026 dive computer guide, Paddling Magazine's 2026 kids guides, Two Wheeling Tots, Treeline Review, OutdoorGearLab and others). Each item's trendSignal names the list and the label it was given, and source links to that list or review. Every maker page was checked on 2026-11-13, by loading it or, where the site blocks automated requests, through search results that show the live product page. Prices are the maker's current US list price where one could be read, otherwise null; the price band falls back to the price printed in the source. Items the maker has dropped from its range were left out. Canyoneering is thinly covered by mainstream outlets, so its signals come from specialist guides.