Autumn is arguably the best stretch of the outdoor calendar — crisp air, fewer crowds and trails that finally quiet down. But it also throws everything at you: morning frost, afternoon rain, and early dusk. The team at Explore Magazine has just published its Fall Gear Guide for 2026, with tested picks from staff across the company. Here's what made the cut and why it's worth a look before your next shoulder-season trip.
Topping the list is Explore's own collaboration with Canadian brand Northern Sun, and it's a three-piece layering system. The Chinook Shell ($200) is a waterproof-breathable 10K/10K jacket with taped seams and an adjustable hood, made without PFAS "forever chemicals." Publisher David Webb uses it for everything from rainy North Vancouver hikes to ski days in the Okanagan. Pair it with the Packable Down Jacket ($225), which is RDS-certified, uses a plant-based water repellent, and — the clever bit — stuffs into its own horseshoe-shaped sack that doubles as a neck pillow for flights. Rounding out the set, the Chinook Sherpa fleece ($90) has a stand-up collar and flatlock stitching and works as a snug mid-layer or campfire layer on its own.
For two-wheeled travellers, editor Alison Karlene Hodgins put Castelli's Espresso 2 women's bib shorts ($259) and matching jersey ($199) through their paces on Quebec's 40-plus-kilometre Le P'tit Train du Nord rail trail. The shorts use a women-specific chamois and breathable mesh; the jersey weighs just 108 grams, offers UPF 30 protection, and has four rear pockets including a zippered one for cards or keys.
City cyclists get a shout-out too: Winnipeg-based staff picked the LITELOK X1 ($300), a Sold Secure Diamond-rated lock whose Barronium armour is designed to grind down angle-grinder blades before it gives way — a meaningful upgrade if you're touring a city by bike.
On the camping side, the HAVEN 10000 ($115) combines a lantern, flashlight and 10,000mAh power bank with a built-in solar panel, which proved handy on cabin and boat trips away from outlets. And for trail runners, the Helly Hansen Kestrel TR ($190) earned praise as a first trail shoe: comfortable out of the box, secure on the foot, and grippy enough on wet, muddy terrain after 15-plus kilometres of testing.
Why it matters: shoulder-season travel rewards good layering more than any other time of year. Prices swing wildly in peak summer; gear like this is built for the in-between months when one day can deliver sun, sleet and a cold night. The down-jacket-as-neck-pillow trick alone is worth knowing about for anyone flying budget with a carry-on only. Cyclists planning rail-trail trips — Quebec's P'tit Train du Nord being a classic — will find the Castelli picks especially relevant, while the lock and lantern are practical adds for bike-and-camp itineraries anywhere.
