The Gear That Backpacker’s Editors Loved in June 2025

“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>

We’re officially a week and a half into summer—how are you spending yours? The Backpacker editors have used the season’s first and longest days to dayhike Arches National Park and Colorado’s Hanging Lake, backpack our way through New England and Catalina Island, and beat the heat at Washington’s Colchuck Lake. This month, we’re celebrating the gear that helped us send it. From a caffeine spray that fits a week’s worth of morning pick-me-ups into a shorts pocket to a lightweight power bank to two very different trail shoes, this is our favorite gear of June 2025.

Allday Energy Spray

$36 for 8 at Allday

Caffeine is the only chemical habit I have left, and on trail days where I’m rising with (or before) the sun, I take a lot of comfort in it. I’ve tried every option for getting it from instant coffee to stuffing Red Bulls in my trail-running vests, but Allday’s lipstick-size energy spray bottles may be the lightest and most convenient I’ve found so far. Two spritzes of the sour candy-flavored concoction packs in 64 mg of caffeine, about the same as a shot of espresso. The 0.1 ounce bottle contains about 12 sprays in total (and carries roughly the maximum recommended daily dose of go juice for a healthy adult). It’s not necessarily going to replace my morning coffee or energy drink, but for a lightweight, on-trail pick-me-up, it’s taken up residence in my pack. —Adam Roy, Editor-in-Chief

Saucony Xodus Ultra 4

$170 at REI

I’ve always been partial to Saucony trail shoes for how they fit my feet, and their confidence-inspiring grip on loose trails. (The Peregrine 13 ST was my favorite pick in January of last year.) The latest addition to the Xodus lineup, the Xodus Ultra 4, has immediately become my go-to shoe for hikes and trail runs thanks to its soft and springy cushion and unmatched comfort. After battling a bout of shin splints this spring, I needed a higher-cushion shoe to reduce impact on my lower legs while running and hiking. The Xodus Ultra 4 provides just that, with a thick layer of the brand’s PWRRUN PB foam that feels super cush underfoot and has aided in my recovery. The 4 mm lugs are slightly shallower than others in Saucony’s trail running lineup; I find that the Xodus Ultra 4s offer a tad less grip than the Peregrines in loose terrain, but are more confidence-inspiring on rock. On a recent hike in Arches National Park’s Fiery Furnace, I was able to scramble up and down steep slickrock with ease.  —Zoe Gates, Senior Editor

Blundstone Original High Top Boots

$200 at REI

I’d had Blundstones saved on my Pinterest board for several years before I finally gave in and snagged a pair, and while these may not take the place of my dedicated hikers, they’re proving to be a perfect crossover for sneaking in a hike while I’m traveling. So far, they’ve joined me on my everyday adventures from the local coffee shop to walks around my neighborhood, but this past month showed me the true versatility and durability of my beloved boots.

My boots first came with me to Denver on a work trip for Outside Festival. Since I was capturing photos and video at the festival, I put many miles on these boots, maxing out at 9 on one of the days. They transitioned handily with me from day to night as I headed from work to afterparty. However, it wasn’t until late June that I truly understood the durability of my city boot.  On a last-minute hiking trip to Leavenworth, Washington, we decided to hike Colchuck Lake. I wasn’t prepared and didn’t have any of my hiking gear. Without the proper supplies and shoes, I was hesitant to make the trek at all. Luckily, these durable boots withstood 6 hours of hiking, 2,000-plus feet of elevation gain, and many muddy sections on the trail. It’s safe to say these will be my go-to shoes on any adventure that requires me to be out in the city and hit the trail. —Teaghan Skulszki, Social Media

Nitecore Carbo 10000

$65 at Amazon

I’m not exactly gentle on my backpacking gear. In fact, I positively obliterated the last power bank I owned after setting my pack down on a large boulder, rendering it useless on a two-week-long backpacking trip in New Hampshire. The Carbo 10000, thankfully, has a unibody shell made from carbon fiber, making it less prone to cracking or crushing. So far, so good: I unceremoniously dropped my pack onto some more boulders with the power bank sitting at the bottom without so much as a scuff. (Thank the rounded edges on the battery case.) On top of its durability, the newest Carbo 10000 is also incredibly lightweight relative to other power banks: it weighs in at 5.6 ounces on my scale, and is just slightly larger than those nifty iPod Nanos from the late 2000s. USB-A and C ports mean you can charge two electronic devices at once, and it allows for pass-through charging—a big plus for long distance hikers trying to shorten their pitstops in town. —Benjamin Tepler, Senior Gear Editor

Janji Endurance Trail Tee

$51 (25% off) at Janji

As the days are getting sunnier, I’ve been on the hunt for some short sleeved shirts that are, well, a little more long-sleeved. A lot of women’s cut shirts are closer to a cap sleeve, which leaves plenty of real estate for missed sunscreen spots or an inevitable farmer’s tan. A simple solution was to wear men’s cut shirts; those arm sleeves cover the entire bicep, which is what I’m hoping for, but the torso is so long that it fits me like a dress. I found my answer in the form of the Janji Endurance Trail Tee. The fit is close-cropped, but not tight, which left plenty of room for my skin to breathe this month during an exposed, sweaty hike of the Trans Catalina Trail. Janji had backpackers in mind when designing this tee: On the back and sides of the shirt, there are panels of durable fabric built to withstand the friction of a heavy pack. The Endurance is UPF 50+ too, so I can feel good about taking care of my skin while wearing something light and wicking on trail, too. The best part? Right now, it’s 25% off.  —Emma Veidt, Associate Editor