Some of the best gear we’ve ever reviewed is included in Backcountry’s massive Black Friday Sale, so we mined through a decade of reviews and Buyer’s Guides to find you the best gear at the best prices.
The North Face
The North Face ThermoBall Insulated Jacket ($149; 25 percent off)
The ThermoBall made the list as one of our favorite insulated jackets in 2014 thanks to that revolutionary synthetic filling, which we noticed is, “nearly as compressible as goose fill but dries quickly and wicks moisture like a synthetic.”
The North Face Terra 40 Backpack ($120; 25 percent off)
We fell in love with this pack several years ago because it handles 40-pound loads with ease for a bargain price. And it’s only gotten better over the years.
The North Face Homestead Roomy 2 Tent ($172; 25 percent off)
One of the best tents we tested in 2016, this shelter is so big, our testers declared it was bigger than their bedroom at home. It’s one of the rare two-person tents with room for three.
Patagonia
Patagonia Capilene Baselayer ($39; 35 percent off)
These mid-weight base layers have been our Gear Guy’s go-to base layers for more than a decade, and he likes the newest version best because they’re “as light and supple as ever, and wick better than the old fabric.”
Patagonia Nano-Air Insulated Jacket ($174; 30 percent off)
The Nano-Air is one of our favorite mid layers thanks to its “superior breathability and stretch.”
Patagonia Lightweight Snap-T Synchilla Fleece ($65; 35 percent off)
The iconic Snap-T makes us swoon because it offers “next-to-skin softness but has the wool-like ability to keep the wearer warm, even when wet.”
Patagonia Baggies Board Shorts ($27; 45 percent off)
These “barely there” baggies made it into our 2016 Summer Buyer’s Guide due to the fast-drying nylon material that’s light and comfy, offering a go anywhere/do anything cover up.
Marmot
Marmot Tungsten 4P Tent ($237; 30 percent off)
The Tungsten made our pick for the best family backpacking tent this year because, with 53-square-feet of volume, it has enough real estate to keep the siblings from feuding after the bonding stops.
Marmot Randonnee Gloves ($70; 30 percent off)
We’ve been touting the Randonnee as one of the warmest gloves on the market for well over a decade. The glove offers the perfect trifecta of leather palm, Primaloft insulation, and a waterproof Gore-Tex lining.
Marmot Anderson Flannel Shirt ($52; 30 percent off)
Marmot’s line of flannels wooed us last year, largely because they’re cut from a super-soft blend of cotton and Coolmax that’s like “wearing a cloud, but with buttons and a collar.”
Marmot Kompressor Speed Backpack ($65; 35 percent off)
This is the pack you need to finally tick that ultramarathon off your bucket list. The Kompressor keeps things simple, focusing on a single task: “haul water while staying snug to your body.”
Marmot Graviton 34 Backpack ($111; 30 percent off)
The Graviton made our list of best backpacks in last year’s Summer Buyer’s Guide. It’s a little pack that plays big, with all kinds of big haul features (like compression straps and daisy chains) but half the weight.
Mountain Hardwear
Mountain Hardwear Trango 2 Tent ($487; 25 percent off)
The ultimate winter camping tent, it’s been “field-tested for a decade in the nastiest conditions by the company’s top athletes.”
Mountain Hardwear Monkey Man Fleece ($131; 25 percent off)
The Monkey Man proved to be “a comfy insulator under a shell on ten-degree powder days,” earning a spot on our list of best mid layers in last winter’s Buyer’s Guide.
Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded Down Jacket ($262; 25 percent off)
Our correspondent spent months hiking the PCT and decided the Ghost Whisperer was indispensable because it’s “the perfect trifecta of warm, light, and reasonably affordable.”
Mountain Hardwear AP Scrambler Pants ($55; 35 percent off)
The versatility of the Scrambler impressed us during testing. They’re sturdy enough to handle the gym wall, but “slick enough to wear to the bar after a workout.”
Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30 Backpack ($112; 25 percent off)
When the Summit Rocket hit the market, it quickly earned a spot on our list of favorite backpacks. Its ample size gives it a place on gear-heavy climbing trips, but it’s light enough to use on less-intense day hikes too.