The first full month of fall has come and gone, so we’re looking back at October to see what piqued the interest of Outside readers in the world of gear.

The crisp air and quiet trails that come with the end of summer offer the perfect opportunity to put in some significant efforts before winter descends upon us. Whether that meant taking a late-season backpacking trip or logging a few high-mileage trail runs, we know you were out and about in October—because one of the most popular trends was recovery slides. Crocs’ Mellow Recovery Slide, Hoka Ora Recovery 3 Slides, and Oofos OOahh Sport Slides were all in the top ten most shopped items of the month.

While recovery was top of mind, we also noticed that readers had at least one eye looking toward winter, because Sitka Gear’s Hyperdown collection and the Blizzard Rustler 10 skis also made the top ten. With snowfall set to start at any time now, it makes sense to get the gear closet ready for ski season.

Read on to see the top ten products you bought during the month of October and what our gear experts had to say about them.

Crocs Mellow Recovery Slide

Our tester gave these recovery slides from Crocs some very high praise, saying, “The steps I have taken in these Crocs have been the softest, most marshmallow-y, and best cushioned of my life. The difference was so noticeable that I made audible pleasure sounds during my first test drive—delivering “oohs” and “aaahs” not yet out of my house.” And, apparently, that was enough to get you guys on board, too.

Hoka Ora Recovery 3 Slide

Another winner in the recovery category last month was these slides from Hoka. It’s no surprise, considering Hoka is the brand that made us fall in love with plush, shock-absorbing cushioning. The style really works, too. Our tester said that the high-stack foam “helps roll your foot forward with every step.” They went on, “This mechanical aid felt like a hand from an old friend when my legs were achy and tired after a long run.” This “old friend” seems to have made a lot of new ones in October.

Sitka Gear Hyperdown Collection

If you’re going to go hunting in the winter, you need exceptional gear that will keep you from giving in to the elements. Our favorite outfit for late-season hunts is made up of the Sitka Hyperdown collection. The collection features a vest, a few jackets, a pair of down pants, and a down sleeping bag—all designed for the harshest conditions. Even if you don’t hunt but need some hard-wearing technical outerwear for winter, Sitka is one of the best brands you can buy.

Onwrd Supply Co. Trasher Trash Can

Onwrd Supply Co.’s Trasher uses the seatback, one of the most underutilized bits of real estate in your car’s interior, as home for a handy trash can that will help keep your car clean throughout a car camping trip, road trip, or just in your daily life running around town. After hundreds of miles of driving with the Trasher in tow, our tester praised its durability and easy-to-clean, welded, waterproof lining, along with its handy magnetic lid that keeps trash in place and prevents it from being strewn throughout the backseat.

Big Agnes Big Six Armchair (30% Off)

Our pick for the best camping chair you can buy, the Big Agnes Big Six is an easy-to-pack, supportive camp chair that instantly elevates your campsite, the beach, or the sidelines of a soccer game. It has functional cupholders that actually do their job, and weighs less than four pounds, meaning you can pack it in and out without worrying about breaking your back. According to one tester, the Big Six “would be a great chair even if it never left camp.”

On Ultra Hydration Vest Pro

Picking a running vest can be tricky, especially if you tend to overheat. Our testers found the On Ultra Hydration Vest Pro to be the best hydration vest for hot weather, which, apparently, a lot of you were experiencing well into fall (some coastal runners may even be wearing this vest year-round). The vest has a number of excellent features, like comfortable stretchy mesh panels and multiple front access pockets, but our favorite feature is the detachable, waterproof pouch on the backside that can be added when you are hauling more stuff and removed when you only need the bare minimum.

Oofos Ooahh Sport Slide Sandal

Here we are again: it’s another recovery slide. Our favorite pick for folks with foot injuries, these may not have the squishiness of other picks, but what they lack in foam, they make up for with support. They have a wide, unrestrictive footbed that allows for a natural stride and plenty of room for your toes to splay, which is all the more important when nursing an injury on your foot or elsewhere.

Goodr OGs Polarized Sunglasses

Polarized shades for $25? Sign us up. Our favorite budget sunnies for all outdoor activities, the Goodr OG is a wayfarer-style frame with lenses that cannot be beat for the price. Whether you’re wearing them on a run, chasing the kids around the park, or hitting the local pool for some laps and relaxation, these will be your new go-to companion. They’re not the most durable sunglasses we’ve ever tested, but for $25, that’s really no big deal. At that price, you can buy a few pairs in a few different colors and you’ll be set all season long.

UCO ECO 4-Piece Mess Kit (30% Off)

This mess kit from UCO probably made the top ten thanks to its killer price at REI (and the fact that it was on sale for the entire month), but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s been one of our favorite camping accessories for a few years now—we picked it as one of our favorite pieces of backpacking gear in 2023 and it still holds up in 2025.

Blizzard Rustler 10 Skis 2026

Skis were a massive hit amongst Outside readers in October, but the Blizzard Rustler 10 took the price as the most purchased ski, just sneaking into the top ten products of the month. Our pick for the most playful all-mountain ski for 2026, the Rustler is a lively ski that is damp and dependable at speed, making it an absolute blast across the board. One of our testers even went so far as to call it a “unicorn ski.”