A rugged survival knife, a lightweight pick-me-up, and a peerless pair of socks: This is the gear that helped our editors get outside this month.
Published September 23, 2026 03:14PM
The leaves may just be starting to change, but at Backpacker, we’re in full fall mode. In September, we got around, logging a few last paddling days and flying to South America in search snow before heading to Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail to test gear for the 2027 Spring Gear Guide. This gear helped us start fall strong—and could be a valuable addition to your pack, too.
Outdoor Element Flicker Feather
This knife is technically a “survival chisel” and has a lot of neat features that make it stand out from your typical fixed blade. To start, the VG10 steel blade is uniquely shaped with a flat tip that offers a second, perpendicular sharp edge. The handle is very ergonomic and makes fine blade movements easy. Unfortunately, the bevel only faces one direction, meaning that you’ll need to buy a different version depending on whether you’re left- or right-handed.
Beyond the knife itself, the real star of the show is the Flicker Feather’s sheath. It’s hard plastic and locks the knife in place when stored. I feel extremely confident that it won’t get shaken or knocked out of place when I’m carrying it. A large metal clip allows you to secure the knife to a strap or belt, and a lanyard makes it wearable around your neck. There is a small sharpening plate to hone your blade in the field, and even a ferro rod to start fires without a lighter. It also comes with a survival whistle threaded through the knife’s pommel. For just $60, it’s a very affordable knife compared to most hiking-oriented fixed-blade alternatives. —Will Brendza, Associate Editor
Paka Trail Crew Socks
A perfect sock is an oft-overlooked but essential component to any backpacker’s kit. While I’ve long been a merino wool devotee, the Trail Crew socks from Paka have converted me to a fan of alpaca wool. Not only is the material baby soft and thermoregulating, but it’s also anti-stink like its sheep-derived counterpart. Thanks to thoughtful construction, these are the comfiest socks I own. They’re lightly compressive, offering just a touch of arch support, and don’t slip down or bag out even after many sweaty miles.
Paka incorporated thoughtful details like a heel cushion that extends higher up the achilles than on most socks, offering extra padding and durability near the cuff of a trail runner or bike shoe where my other socks tend to wear out fastest. The brand claims that alpaca fiber is three times lighter than sheep’s wool and retains less water, so they dry faster after dunking or profuse sweating. Mostly, I love that they don’t slip and feel like a comforting hug for my feet. These have become my go-to socks for every activity on and off the trail. —Zoe Gates, Senior Editor
Buzz Bomb Caffeine Powder
After 20 years of alpine starts and as many as a journalist, I’ve cultivated a caffeine habit that would make Tony Montana blush. So when Buzz Bomb told me that they had created a brand new, lightweight way of consuming the stuff, I was game to try. The brand’s flavored powders aren’t meant to be mixed into water; instead, they’re sublingual, meaning you pour them under your tongue and hold them there until they dissolve. Buzz Bomb claims that they absorb faster than energy drinks—within a minute—for a quicker, cleaner burst of energy. I didn’t time it, but I can attest that I did feel responsibly energized after taking one. (Unlike most energy drinks, which pack in up to 300mg of caffeine, each 1-gram Buzz Bomb pack has a reasonable 50, about the same as a cup of black tea.) The flavors, like Lemon Drop and Peach Mango, are palatable. My only complaint, I guess, is philosophical: Pouring caffeine powder into my mouth did briefly make me wonder if I’d taken my habit too far. —Adam Roy, Editor-in-Chief
