Autumn, with its crisp mornings and sunshine-on-your-shoulder afternoons, brings a special kind of magic—particularly when the maples, dogwoods and aspens burst into hues of yellow, orange and red. Ready to go leaf-peeping? Gather up this collection of cozy apparel and essential accoutrements and head out for a long hike or Sunday drive. After all, ’tis the season.
REI Co-op Wallace Lake Flannel Shirt (Women’s & Men’s)
Soft and rugged at the same time, the REI Co-op Wallace Lake Flannel Shirt is just the thing for taking the chill out of an early-morning walk or soaking in the view while sipping a warm bevvy. It’s made with organic cotton that stands up to washings and wear and has two roomy chest pockets. If plaid’s not your thing, the Wallace Lake comes in solid, heathered colors. $74.95
Merrell Speed Solo Hiking Shoes (Women’s & Men’s)
Autumn hikes are all about looking up. You can do that with confidence thanks to the grippy Vibram® ECOSTEP outsoles and chunky 4 mm lugs on these Merrell Speed Solo Hiking Shoes. A rock plate underfoot and bonus rubber in the toe and heel further boost the protection factor, as do the bellows on the tongue designed to block trail debris. Best of all: These kicks are made with partially recycled materials and also feature a lightweight, performance-driven midsole made partly from renewable, algae biomass, so you can be certain those leaves you’re ogling will approve of this shoe. $110
REI Co-op Magma 850 Down Hoodie (Women’s & Men’s)
Whether you’re kicking up leaves in the neighborhood or taking in autumnal gold on a backpacking trip, this lightweight technical jacket is your ticket to staying warm and cozy. The latest iteration of the REI Co-op Magma 850 delivers high-quality insulation (850-fill-power goose down)—at just 10.6 ounces. That makes it easy to pack up and take on any excursion. Layer it under a shell jacket or wear alone. Co-op designers tucked extra insulation to the chest pocket, added baffled construction to keep insulation in place and redesigned the hood to keep more warmth in. $249
Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars
With eight times the magnification power and a 25mm objective lens, the Standard Issue Binoculars from Nocs Provisions offer high-end optics in a lightweight, go-anywhere package. Plus, they’re fully waterproof and have fog-preventing technology, allowing you to leaf peep even amid fall drizzle. Space in your backpack at a premium? Opt for the smaller monocular, which is just a bit bigger than a Twinkie and a whole lot better for your arteries. $95
REI Co-op Trail 2 Waist Pack
The REI Co-op Trail 2 Waist Pack’s offers hands-free access and an undeniably handy design. The co-op’s take on the cool-again fanny pack offers 2 liters of storage space spread across four pockets: one front zip, an interior slip, a hidden zippered stash pocket on the back and, of course, the wide-mouthed primary compartment, which has a double-slider zipper for extra-easy access. The dual-adjustable buckle cinches on waists up to 46 inches for quick fitting and flexible pack placement. And if it rains on your parade—or, rather, your leafy adventure—no worries. The Trail 2 Waist Pack’s recycled ripstop nylon shell repels moisture thanks to a nonfluorinated durable water-repellant (DWR) finish. Available in standard solids, trail-ready prints and a Pride edition. $29.95
Fjallraven Kiruna Padded Insulated Parka (Women’s) & Skogso Padded Insulated Jacket (Men’s)
A hard-wearing outer layer is essential when temps dip. The Fjallraven Kiruna and Skosgo overcoats feature the brand’s trademark wind- and water-resistant G-1000 Original fabric plus synthetic insulation to put the kibosh on autumn’s chill. The Kiruna comes in a parka style for extra warmth, while the Skosgo falls to the hip with an articulated cut for easy movement on the go. Add Greenland Wax to either option for even more durability. $350–$365
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
Blustery fall days call for cozy blankets. Enter Rumpl, which brings a touch of style and recycled materials to your snuggly covering. Channel your inner superhero (or more easily hold your coffee mug) with the Cape Clip™ feature. Planning a peeping picnic? Bring along a few tent stakes to slide through the corner loops, securing your feast when the wind picks up. $99–$199
Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid – 16 fl. oz.
Whether you’re getting an alpine start or enjoying an afternoon adventure, the Hydro Flask Coffee with Flex Sip Lid mug will keep your morning java warm or your craft kombucha cold for hours. The leakproof sipping lid, flexible strap for easy transport and cup holder-ready size will make this your go-to container for on-the-go color hunting. $32.95
REI Co-op Flexlite Air Chair
Kick back and enjoy the vibrant hues of autumn with this lightweight camp chair from REI Co-op. This scoop-style ripstop nylon seat features an aluminum frame and four-leg design for added stability. Weighing just one pound the Flexlite Air Camp Chair packs into the included stuff sack for easy carrying. $99.95
Ruffwear Stumptown Dog Jacket
You have your go-to extra layer when temps turn chilly. Shouldn’t your four-legged fellow adventurer have one too? The cozy Stumptown dog jacket from Fido-approved Ruffwear is just the thing. The relaxed-fitting vest sandwiches 120 grams of recycled polyester insulation between a rugged, 300-denier ripstop shell fabric and 30-denier polyester lining, all in a handsome, quilted package. The Stumptown jacket’s bluesign®-approved, nonfluorinated durable water-repellant (DWR) finish keeps raindrops at bay, while reflective trim simplifies spotting Spot in low-light conditions. Side-release buckles ensure an easy on/off process for getting out the door before those earlier-and-earlier fall sunsets. Available in XS to XL doggo sizing. $79.95
Interested in more staff picks and kits? Find more collections here.