Gear Shed: Summer Trails

ML staff and partners showcase the latest trail-ready apparel and gear.

Rab Veil 12L Lightweight Running Vest

When you’re putting in the miles and need space for additional kit, the Veil 12 is equipped with a larger volume and generous back compartment fitting everything you need on ultramarathons and long-distance mountain runs. With a lightweight construction that feels worn rather than carried, the vest is built around a Mono Mesh Chassis designed to support, reduce bounce and contour to your body, giving you complete freedom of movement over bumpy terrain. Form-fitting and highly breathable, it is 50% lighter and retains 70% less water than alternative spacer mesh constructions, keeping moisture to a minimum when the gradient rises. https://rab.equipment/ca

Rab Xenair Vest

Expertly adapting to changes in intensity, pace, and temperature, this lightweight synthetic insulated vest offers the warmth and breathability of Rab’s iconic Xenair range, without the bulk of sleeves. Ideal as a midlayer or a versatile outer, it’s compact and built to respond to your output whether you’re questing up a frozen waterfall or transitioning from skin to ski. It features an improved, highly breathable lining that moves sweat through the system more quickly than ever before. Combined with body-mapped, dual weight insulation designed to maintain warmth only where you need it, it keeps you comfortable for longer and removes the need to change layers in mixed conditions. https://rab.equipment/ca

Roark Hybro Hybrid Shorts

The Hybro will take you farther and never slow you down when the going gets wet. With its amphibious fabric (92% polyester/ 8% Elastane) it’s almost a boardshort but offers the structure and comfort of a utility short, with a full suite of mesh-lined pockets (including hidden zippered back right pocket and cell stash back pocket) plus belt loops, removable drawcord and carabiner loop. At 18.5″ it also offers more length than a typical boardshort. This is an ideal hot-weather/travel short that plays even harder than you, from trail to town. www.roark.com

Shokz OpenFit Air

Featuring Shokz’ signature ergonomic open-ear design, with a newly adaptable ear hook for improved comfort, the OpenFit Air is an unbeatable active-wear earbud. Unlike traditional earbuds, Shokz’ DirectPitch technology uses finely calibrated reverse sound waves (“air conduction”) to optimize sound pressure gently but directly to your inner ear. This translates to crystal-clear audio for you, with minimal sound leakage for those around you. With IP54 water- and sweat-resistance, and and weighing only 8.7 grams, the OpenFit Air is ready for anything from trail or track running to MTB to intense gym sessions. You can directly control audio playback and calls via the integrated touchpads, freeing your hands without additional phone operation. Also: the mic is super-responsive, so you can have phone conversations mid-workout. www.shokz.com

Peak Performance Women’s Trail MTB Shorts

The Peak Performance Trail MTB Shorts boast a functional and durable trail-ready design with an adjustable waist and extended leg length to be worn with or without knee pads. The water-repellent fabric is stretchy, light, breathable and comfy during long ascents or XC sufferfests. And the wind protection serves riders well on exposed descents. The shorts dry very quickly so you can even jump in a lake at the end of your ride but don’t forget to take your phone out of the zippered mesh pocket! www.peakperformance.com

YETI SideKick Dry Gear Case

The SideKick Dry Gear Case is the worry-free way to carry your keys, wallet, fishing license and phone in the wild. Featuring interior mesh pockets, a waterproof seal and RF-welded seams, it’s designed for use on its own, attached to a belt or with the Sideclick Strap to create a crossbody bag. Available in 1L, 3L and 6L sizes. Learn how to attach to the SideKick Dry Gear Case here. www.yeti.ca

Flylow Men’s Davis Jacket

Whether you’re mountain biking, hiking or trail running, the weather is always a wildcard—and the Flylow Davis Jacket is your insurance against the elements in spring, summer or fall. It’s a lightweight, air-permeable, year-round windbreaker treated with a PFAS-free durable water repellent. Adding a layer of defense with supreme breathability, you won’t have to take it off even when your temps go up. www.flylowgear.com

Related content from ML:

Zeal Cumulus

The medium fit, wayfarer-esque Cumulus boasts a frame made from recycled plastic and upcycled agricultural waste (e.g., flax) to keep its footprint as light as a cloud. Plus: Ellume Polarized lenses—the world’s first lens made using a plant-based bonding agent, with no compromise in the optical clarity or impact resistance—let you see the world around you in startlingly crisp colors, with unrivaled clarity and contrast. Cumulus also features Zeal Optics’ revolutionary Proflex rubber, strategically injected in the temple tips and nose bridge, to keep your sunglasses in place for all your sun-chasing sorties. We tried the Horizon Blue lens to battle glare, combining Zeal’s copper base with an exclusive blue mirror, for long days on the sun-drenched trail, in the alpine and on the water. www.zealoptics.com

Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid

Step into the future of hiking in the revolutionary Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid. Lighter, grippier and more comfortable, this waterproof next-gen hiker embodies 40 years of trail innovation into Merrell’s most tech-savvy Moab yet, built with an ultragrippy Vibram TC5+ outsole designed to shed debris while you move. The lightweight FlexPlate technology provides torsional rigidity, lateral stability and forefoot flexibility. The boot also boasts Cleansport NXT for natural odour control, which is always a good thing. www.beckershoes.com/merrell 

Arc’teryx Men’s Norvan 7″ Short

With a minimalist design that frees you to travel fast and light, the versatile Norvan is a go-to for summer mountain runs—and one you’ll grab for hikes and other high-output adventures. The Diem fabric—a light, breathable, 100%-recycled stretch polyester—dries fast and offers excellent next-to-skin comfort. A zippered centre-back pocket provides storage with minimal bounce and the breathable elastic waist adjusts with a drawcord for a secure fit. www.arcteryx.com

Gregory Jade 28 LT Women’s Daypack

The voluminous but compact Jade 28 LT daypack uses a dynamic FreeFloat system that moves with your body, preventing sore spots and giving you free range of movement. The 3D hipbelt design conforms to the shape of your body, seamlessly providing the padding and support needed to carry heavy loads. Summer hikers will love the full-length tensioned mesh that creates space between your back and the pack to allow heat to escape. And the hydration sleeve with SpeedClip hydration hanger is compatible with Gregory’s 3D Hydro reservoirs (not included). www.mec.ca

Rose Boreal Horizon Sweatshirt

This classic hoody has an oversized cut for total comfort and offers the perfect level of warmth for chilly morning hikes or cozy campfire evenings. Rose Boreal—a made-in-Canada women’s athleisure wear and accessories brand based out of Quebec’s Laurentians—prioritizes eco-conscious materials and ethical practices, ensuring that each piece reflects their dedication to preserving the environment. A certified B Corp, Rose Boreal encourages us to cherish connections with our outdoor environment. www.roseboreal.com

Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool

A perfect fit for any trail or adventure, the Signal combines 19 tools into a compact, 4.5-inch size. This sleek multi-tool readies you for the unexpected with its fire-starting ferro rod, emergency whistle and 420HC combo blade (with a straight edge for slicing and a serrated edge for tough materials). Plus, the blade is easy to sharpen and Signal even has a built-in sharpener for touch-ups on the go! And you can tighten up your gear with the customizable bit driver and anchor your tent stakes with the built-in hammer. www.leatherman.com

PAKA Performance 3/4 Crew Socks

The new Performance 3/4 Crew is a reinvention of the activewear sock. PAKA returned to the drawing board for this one, seeking input from their ambassadors who live the adventures that demand performance in every piece. The mountain bikers asked for more padding on the back of the heel and ankle, while hikers requested a sock that wouldn’t slip down, even after days on the most punishing trails. The result is brilliant and must be worn on a trail to be believed. www.pakaapparel.com

DJI Osmo Action 4

The new Osmo 4 waterproof action camera offers improved image clarity and low-light performance with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor, capturing your best rides and any other adventure from dawn to dusk. The battery performs even in low temperatures of -20°C (-4°F) and can record up to 150 minutes non-stop. The 4K ultra-wide field of view immerses you in the action, from swooping singletrack to epic waves. The three stabilization modes provide steady footage, whether conquering rugged terrain or executing daring stunts. Comes with the Action 4 Standard combo and includes three batteries with a multifunctional quick-charging case. www.dji.com

Check the ML Podcast!