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Fall Is The Best Season For Hiking And Camping, So Here Are 30 REI Products You’ll Want
Leaf peeping is a million times better when you’re doing it while wearing bear socks.
1. A lightweight daypack for one-and-done hikes, so you can carry exactly what you need without getting bogged down with what you don’t. This 22-liter, frameless pack has all sorts of bells and whistles to get you to the summit, from exterior loops to hang your extra gear off of to a sleeve compatible with most hydration packs. The padded back even slides out, so you can use it as a sit pad while you take in the fall foliage.
2. Or, an Osprey Eja 58 backpacking pack, if you’re in for a longer-haul hike or camping trip. This heavy-duty, aluminum-framed pack is surprisingly lightweight for the amount it can hold; strategically placed mesh provides breathability without sacrificing durability; and reviewers say it’s so comfortable to carry, even when it’s packed full of enough gear to last a week-long trip.
3. OR a child carrier pack that’ll introduce your littles to the joys of leaf peeping right along with you. A pack that keeps your kiddo strapped safely to your back, and stores 22 liters’ worth of gear while it’s at it? Yes, please.
4. An insulated water bottle with a LifeStraw built right in, so you can make sure you always have access to potable water, no matter where in the wilderness you are. LifeStraws use two types of filters — a membrane microfilter and an activated carbon one — to clean out bacteria, parasites, and microplastics from each sip before it gets to you. With this stainless steel bottle, you get all that packed into one handy, double-walled package that’ll also keep your water the perfect temperature, too.
5. Or, a three-liter hydration reservoir, if you need some serious hydration power that’s also hands-free. Fill ‘er up, stick ‘er in your pack, run the hose wherever it’s most useful to you, and voila — no need to fumble with a big ol’ clunky bottle every time you want a sip. Just because it’s not boiling hot anymore doesn’t mean you can skip out on staying hydrated!
6. A pair of mid-rise waterproof hiking boots that’ll keep you on your feet, no matter what your favorite fall trail throws at you. Cushioned midsoles, grippy outsoles, and breathable construction that still manages to keep the water out make these boots from Merrell perfect for woods and mountains alike.
7. Or, a pair of lightweight hiking shoes ideal for shorter hikes or less strenuous autumn adventures. They grip like hikers, but they wear like sneakers. Heck, you might like ‘em so much, you’ll want to wear them off the trail all season long, too!
8. A pair of merino wool hiking socks that are as adorable as they are practical. You can’t do better than merino when it comes to hiking sock material — it wicks moisture away, keeping your feet dry; it’s excellent for temperature regulation, both in warm and cool weather; and it’s naturally antimicrobial, so there’s a lot less stink that you might expect there to be. And these socks? They have all that, and they’ve got the cutest little bears on them. Perfect hiking socks? Perfect hiking socks.
9. A no-frills hiking compass, because you absolutely need one of these in your wilderness toolkit, no matter what season it is. This one isn’t fancy, but it does exactly what you need it to do, and it’s nice and durable, to boot.
10. Some collapsible trekking poles that’ll give you that little extra bit of support while you’re crossing tricky fall terrain. When collapsed down for storage, they shrink to a mere 25 inches in length — but then they can expand to anywhere from 41 inches–55 inches when in use, so they’ll work for both shorties and taller folks alike.
11. A Leatherman multitool, because you never know when something like this will come in handy. This camping must-have packs a blade, needle-nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, two Phillips head screwdriver bits, two flathead screwdriver bits, and a bottle opener all into one teeny, space-efficient package. If you’re gonna hit the trail, hit it prepared for anything.
12. A pair of hiking tights that work as well on their own as they do as a base layer. Whether fall tends to stay a little warmer where you are (*raises hand*), or whether it cools down to proper fall temperatures for you, these moisture-wicking, 7/8-length leggings from Patagonia will cover your butt, both literally and figuratively.
13. And some hiking pants, because honestly, you need at least one pair of these things in your wardrobe even if you’re not a hiker. Breathable and quick-drying, these extremely practical pants have plenty of pockets — including a zippered one so you don’t have to risk something very important falling out while you’re scrabbling up rocks or crossing streams — along with reinforced knees and kickplates at the back ankles. Excellent on the trail. Excellent off the trail. Excellent everywhere.
14. A long-sleeve base layer you’ll want to wear for every hike or camping adventure, both this season and beyond. Moisture-wicking for comfort, UPF-rated 50+ for sun protection, and even boasting extra touches like thumbholes in the sleeves (love a good thumb loop), this pick has everything you could want for a perfect day or night in the woods.
15. A rain jacket built for the trail, because unexpected fall storms are no joke. This waterproof yet breathable pick will keep you both dry and warm — without turning into a greenhouse inside, if the day warms up as you go.
16. Or a lightweight down vest, if it’s cold enough where you are to need a little extra warmth for your core when you’re traipsing through the woods, but not so cold that you need a full jacket to survive. Bonus: This option makes the transition to outdoor winter adventures easily, as well — it works great as an additional layer under a ski or snowboarding jacket. Who doesn’t love a good multi-use wardrobe item?
17. A highly rated, much-beloved camping hammock, so you can drift off to sleep as the autumn leaves drift down around you. Durable, comfortable, and (key point!) big enough for two people, this DoubleNest hammock from Eno is a camping favorite for a reason.
18. Or a two-person trail tent, if you like a little more protection from the autumnal elements while you snooze. Big enough for two, but easy enough to set up alone, this three-season tent even includes its own footprint — no need to spring for a separate ground cover.
19. The camping pillow to end all camping pillows, because you deserve to dream your dearest autumn dreams with your head resting on nothing but the best. Whereas a lot of camping pillows are just little inflatable sacks that feel like pool floaties, this one is sort of a hybrid: It inflates, but it’s also got a layer of foam inside to, y’know, make it feel more like an actual pillow. Sleep well!
20. A puffer-type camping blanket that’s way more versatile than you’d expect. I mean, sure, it’s perfect for wrapping yourself up in as you gather round a soothing fall campfire — but thanks to its clever snaps, you can fasten it around your neck to wear as a cloak, or even button all the way up to use as a sleeping bag. It even folds up into its own little pouch when it’s time to break camp. A-plus, no notes.
21. And a mummy-style sleeping bag to keep you warm when the sun goes down (fall nights and early mornings can be chilly!). This three-season bag’s temperature rating of 20 degrees is pretty much ideal for fall camping — and it even includes its own stuff sack for easy packing.
22. A camp chair that rocks in more ways than one. It is, in fact, a foldable rocker, so you can glide back and forth to your heart’s content while you toast marshmallows for the perfect fall s’mores; and, as reviewer after reviewer notes, it also rocks in the figurative sense. Ugh. So relaxing.
23. A portable lantern to light your way at night after the campfire’s been extinguished. (Autumn moonlight might be pretty, but it’s also probably not quite bright enough to stop you from tripping over yourself.) Rugged enough to stand up to the elements, this battery-powered lantern packs five light modes — warm low, medium, high, red, and flashing red — so you can switch things up depending on your needs.
24. And a headlamp for hands-free lighting while you’re enjoying the crisp, fall air. It’s true that there are fancier headlamps out there; this one only has one button and a handful of brightness settings. But its beauty is in its simplicity, according to tons of reviewers — it does exactly what you need it to, and it’s super affordable, too. No more tripping over stray sticks on early morning hikes, especially as the sun starts to rise later with the change in seasons!
25. A compact little camp cooking kit, so you can feed yourself and your favorite camping buddy on all your outdoor adventures this fall. True, you might not be whipping up elaborate three-course meals with this stainless-steel set from Stanley — but it’ll absolutely get a warm meal in everyone’s bellies at the end of a long day of hiking.
26. And a titanium spork that’s literally the only camp dining utensil you need. I know, I know — the humble spork gets a lot of flak for being a little… odd. But you know what? Its strength is in its oddness. It literally does everything — and this titanium version of it is basically indestructible, making it perfect for the trail. Your fall camping dinners won’t know what hit them.
27. AND a backpacking mug, because you’re going to need something to keep your coffee, or your oatmeal, or your soup, or whatever warm while you enjoy it. A spill-resistant top makes this one particularly good for on-the-go use — and even better, it’s made of durable, nonleaching, recyclable polypropylene, so it won’t burn your lips off like a metal camp cup will.
28. A lightweight, quick-drying, super absorbent towel, in the event that your fall hiking or camping escapades take you somewhere a bit… damp. Whether you’re using it to dry yourself off, dry your gear off, or dry something else off, this ultra-packable towel is basically magic — that’s how much water it can absorb, and how fast it dries.
29. A reusable anti-microbial pee cloth, because, I mean… you’re going to need it. You are. May as well be prepared, right? What this cloth has going for it over most other cloths is that one side is waterproof, so your hand will stay dry while you take care of business. File this one under “Things you didn’t know you needed, but now can’t live without.”
30. And lastly, an emergency whistle, so you can make sure you’re putting safety first even while you’re crunching through all those delightfully crisp fall leaves. An essential part of any hiker’s, camper’s, or backpacker’s safety kit, this powerful whistle clips easily to your pack or belt loops; if you need help, blast away.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.