Gear & Tech

Tested on trails, at the gym, and in real life.

Saturday Strides Varsity Striped Crew Socks

The reach-for-it-without-thinking sock. Good cushion, holds its shape, works for a 5-miler or a gym day or anything in between. If you want one sock that does most things well, this is it.

Shop Saturday Strides →

Sidas Run Anatomic Light Crew Socks

For longer efforts and real mileage. Lightweight, no bulk, and they keep hot spots from turning into problems. Recommended by the staff at Rendezvous Run in Kimball Junction — they know what they're talking about.

Shop Sidas →

Free People Rally Reflective Ruffle Socks

For shorter gym sessions, Peloton rides, or a casual run. They're cute, and that counts for a lot.

Shop Free People →

Apple Watch Ultra

Accurate GPS, a battery that doesn't die mid-run, and direct Spotify streaming so the phone stays home. Half of a two-watch system: the Ultra for workouts and trails, the smaller one for everything else.

On Amazon →

Athlytic

Recovery and readiness data that feels like a conversation instead of a grade. Syncs across both watches so nothing is lost in the swap.

athlyticapp.com →

Brick$59

A little square that lives on the fridge. Tap your phone to it and the apps you've chosen to block stay blocked until you tap again. No battery, no subscription. Physical separation beats willpower.

getbrick.com →

Books

For your summer pack.

Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World — Katie Arnold

A Zen meditation wrapped in a memoir about what happens when the thing that defines you is taken away. Read it if you're in a season of transition and need permission to slow down without losing yourself.

Get the book →

Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest — Melissa Arnot Reid

The first American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen, on the question that drove her up it: am I enough? Read it if you need a reminder that even the most accomplished women feel imposter syndrome.

Get the book →

To the Gorge: Running, Grief, and Resilience — Emily Halnon

460 record-setting miles across Oregon after losing her mother. It will make you cry, then make you want to sign up for something impossible and call your mother. Read it if you've ever used movement to process something your brain couldn't hold alone.

Get the book →

A Walk in the Woods — Bill Bryson

The antidote to the seriousness above. Read it if you need to be reminded that not everything has to be a journey of self-discovery — sometimes you're just a person walking through the woods.

Get the book →

Trail Essentials

The small things that decide whether a long day out is great or miserable.

Trader Joe's Daily Mineral Sunscreen$9

Holds its own against the fancy stuff: mineral, lightweight, no white cast. Buy multiples — it's not always in stock. (It reads like a dupe of Supergoop, if you'd rather pay more.)

Trader Joe's →

Squirrel's Nut Butter

Anti-chafe that actually works — under the bra, side of the arms, inner thighs, all the fun spots.

On Amazon →

Lanolips 101

A lip ointment that moonlights as a fix for everything dry: cuticles, nose bridge from sunglasses, chapped spots. Keep one in the car, desk, pack, and purse.

On Amazon →

Tailwind Endurance Fuel

Calories, electrolytes, and hydration in one scoop. In the pack for every long effort.

On Amazon →

Trail Toes

Apply to hot spots before you head out — heels, toes, anywhere your shoes might turn on you.

On Amazon →

Travel

Packing tricks from two weeks in the Dolomites with only a backpack and a carry-on.

Cotopaxi Arenal 32L Backpack

The whole family carried this pack hut-to-hut. Great size, great price — watch for sales on Steep & Cheap.

Shop Cotopaxi →

BAGAIL Packing Cubes (8-Set)

Eight sizes means clothes are compressed, shoes are separate, and nothing ends up at the bottom of the bag.

On Amazon →

Vacbird Vacuum Bags for Travel

Compress the bulky layers and repack between destinations with the lightweight pump. How two weeks fits in a carry-on.

On Amazon →

Avantree Airplane Bluetooth Adapter

Plug into the seatback jack and use your own wireless headphones for the whole flight. No cords, no airline earbuds.

On Amazon →

Lake Days

Straight out of Mindy's lake bag — Wasatch Front tested, Bear Lake approved.

Dry Bag + Waterproof Solar Speaker

Two jobs, one piece of gear: keeps your stuff dry and the playlist going.

On Amazon →

Babe Boost Clean Energy Drink Packets

Easy hydration for hot days on the water.

Shop Bucked Up →

Towel Poncho

The lake-day upgrade you didn't know you needed.

On Amazon →

Wet Swimsuit Bag

No more soggy tote bags on the drive home.

On Amazon →

The Swimsuit That Stays Put

Survives a full day of paddleboarding.

Top → Bottoms →

Jewelry That Keeps Up

Made for women who don't take it off at the trailhead.

Bronwen Jewelry

Handmade in Bend, woman-owned, and designed for active women: pieces built to be worn on the trail, in the lake, and out to dinner without a second thought. Start with the Tiny Charm necklaces ($49).

bronwenjewelry.com →

Haley Kelly Designs

Local sparkle: one-of-a-kind pieces from a Park City jeweler, dainty but sturdy enough for the trail. She also does permanent jewelry — a great excuse for a girls' night. Book a pop-up through her site.

haleykellydesigns.com →

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