Coolest Gadgets is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Learn more
Gear
When it comes to outdoor gear you want something that you can rely on in tough situations. Don’t settle for a mediocre headlamp that will break during a light rain storm or a tent that won’t protect you from the elements. Instead read our outdoor gear reviews and follow our guides to pick the best equipment, from multi-tools to walkie talkies.
The best cycling backpack for most riders is the ArcEnCiel 25L. It offers 25 liters of volume and a 2,5 liter hydration bladder, while still looking extremely stylish. The tactical MOLLE webbing allows you to add a wide range of accessory packs and items.
Our top pick for the best rechargeable flashlight is the Anker Bolder LC90. It offers 900 lumens and a 3,350 mAh USB rechargeable battery that will last for a solid 6 hours with a full charge. Its 1000 foot maximum range should be more than enough for most people.
The best hydration pack for most people is the IBTXO 12L Hydration Vest. It comes with an insulated 2-liter hydration bladder and 12-liters of storage capacity. It’s designed for running but also works for most other use cases.
Our favorite tactical pen is the Impromptu Tactical Pen. It’s made in the USA, comes with a Cerakote coating and works with space pen refills. It looks sleek while still offering all the features you might want in a tactical pen.
The best solar powered wrist watch is the Casio Pro Trek. It looks elegant while still being very durable, offering water resistance down to 100 meters. It comes with a digital compass, a barometer, an altimeter, and and a thermometer.
The best handheld GPS for hiking is the Garmin GPSMAP 64st. Great hardware as well as plenty of storage and the included 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription are hard to beat for this price.
The best filtered water bottle for the outdoors is the LifeStraw Go. It’s durable, filters up to 1000 liters of water and is very easy to use. It’s an amazing gadget to have on any backpacking or hiking trip.
After hours of research we chose the the Knox Electric Cooler and Warmer for our top pick. It offer plenty of storage space, its wheels make it easy to move even when filled up with food and beverages.
Our favorite solar charger is the RAVPower 24-Watt Solar. It can power up to three devices at once and it’s extremely portable thanks to its folding capabilities. It’s perfect for backpacking and camping.
The MOICO 7-LED Rechargeable Headlamp offers all the essential features for a reasonable price and is extremely bright. We think it’s the best headlamp for camping as well as for running.
The best walkie talkie for beginners and intermediates is the Retevis RT-5R. It offers impressive 128 channels and a 36 mile range, which should be more than enough for most use cases. If you need even more range you should go for the Luiton LT-188H VHF 10W Walkie Talkie.
The overall best soft sided cooler is the Engel HD30 Waterproof. Its unique cooling system allows ice to stay frozen for up to 4.5 days. Our budget pick is the Coleman 30-Can, which is more than enough for your average day trip.
The AmazonBasics Pop-up Canopy Tent suits most people’s needs and is a great budget option. If you are ready to spend a little more and are looking for something a more sturdy, we recommend the Quick Set Escape Shelter Pop-up Canopy.
The Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL 750 comes with 750 lumen, a range of up to 880 feet and is the overall best tactical flashlight on our list. Its build quality is excellent and it has an IPX7 water resistance rating. In case you are on a budget, we recommend checking out the Solaray ZX-2 instead.
The overall best multi-tool for the average user is the Leatherman Surge Multi-Tool. It’s reasonably priced and comes with 21 tools that will help you with almost any task or profession you might need a multi-tool for.
After looking at countless emergency radios, the American Red Cross Emergency Radio is the overall best buy. Solar panels, a charging handle and a huge 2600 mAh battery make it a radio you can rely on in extreme situations.
Casio is a name not to be reckoned with when it comes to two things — the calculator, as well as their range of G-Shock timepieces. Granted, these are not…
FuellessGenerator.net has just shown off a tiny portable energy bike that is able to churn out to power in order to recharge its portable solar powered generators, now how about…
Halloween is just around the corner, which means we’ve been spending the month watching scary movies. Sadly, a common theme is that people are always out of power for their…
Once again, I have something to share, live from the New York Toy Fair, and how I wish I had come across this booth first, instead of on my last…
Instead of hiding your nerdy love for math, show it off on your wrist for all the world to see. This watch makes math look exactly like it always should. …
This Inflatable Sleeping Coat is more versatile than the jacket that Marty McFly wore in Back to the Future II. This super-jacket, for lack of a better word, is designed…
Some people aren’t worried about being prepared for emergencies. Either because it never occurs to them or they think it’s silly attempting to prepare for every little disaster. However, for…
If you’re tired of dealing with batteries, then this would be one less gadget you’d need to purchase batteries to use. Although it won’t make everything you own magically convert…
Those of you that enjoy your Stanley tools might not mind that this watch is incredibly bulky. It’s said to have some convenient perks to it. One of which being…
Solar power is pretty big, and as time progresses, research has pushed the technology even further forward with a greater degree of efficiency for its solar panels. After all, using…
Now that weather is nice and warm outside, spending a day at the beach might be nice. If you live close to one and are out there on a regular…
Although solar bags are nice since they charge up all of our little gadgets through the sun. Not all of them are made out of the greatest materials. It’s always…
A relaxing day at the beach calls for a great summer reading paperback novel. What vacation would be complete without a few Tom Clancy, Agatha Christie, or John Grisham books…
If you’re prone to suffering from cold tootsies, then Scarpa have the answer with their heated footbeds, curiously named Grizu. Grizu’s are compatible with any shoe or boot that has…
Product Boxes: Last updated on 2021-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API