Spring in the Rockies is a study in contrasts, from snow to 90-degree days. Any equipment you plan on taking into the mountains had better be able to handle those swings. (Case in point: When we shot this video, Denver was coming off of one of the driest springs in its history. Immediately afterwards, it rained on and off for a week. Time to put away the shorts and dig out the jackets again, at least for a while.)
The adventures our editors went on this month showed us all of spring’s faces. We climbed in the Utah desert, skied on French glaciers hiked through New England rain, and ran trails during record Western heat waves. This is the gear that helped us do it.
Katadyn Be Free AC Bottle 0.7L
Katadyn BeFree AC Water Filter Bottle 0.7L
When Katadyn released its now-classic BeFree filter back in 2017, our reviewers said it had “fixed every problem with squeeze hydration.” Its fast flow rate—about 1 liter per minute—and easy-to-clean design—just swish it around in a stream—would ultimately earn the BeFree an Editors’ Choice Award and a place on our trips for years to come. The newest version of the BeFree improves on the original design by swapping the soft flash for a bike-style bottle that’s light and flexible enough that I could still use it as a squeeze filter, but rigid enough that I didn’t worry about it springing a leak like one of my originals did on a trip up Longs Peak’s Cables Route. The AC in the name stands for “activated carbon,” and unlike the original edition, it comes with a carbon filter that screws in underneath the mouthpiece to pull out off-flavors. (Like other BeFrees, Katadyn discourages users from backflushing the filter, which means it can be hard to unclog once it’s good and plugged, so make sure to clean it regularly.) For long dayhikes or weekend trips with easy access to water sources, it’s an easy, all-in-one solution.—Adam Roy, Editor-in-Chief
Zoe Gates modeling the Smith Venture (Photo: Zoe Gates)
Smith Venture with ChromaPop Glacier PhotoCromic Lenses
I love shield-style sunglasses for most outdoor activities (the Julbo Fury is my longtime favorite) thanks to their wide coverage and seamless integration with a bike or ski helmet. But for hikes or around town, they make me feel a little dweeby. The Smith Venture offers the full-coverage protection I loved about my other glasses, with a style I’m not embarrassed to wear off the trail. Removable side shields are designed to offer maximum protection on a sunny glacier; I found they blocked enough sun and breeze that I could replace my ski goggles with the Venture on spring ski days. The photochromic lenses adjust their tint depending on light conditions. I also appreciate the included removable strap that keeps the frames secure whether I’m barreling down singletrack or bending to stuff a jacket into my pack. On a recent ski trip to Chamonix, France, that saw me skiing glaciers and eating croissants at sidewalk cafes in equal measures, the Venture was my go-to eyewear as long as the sun was up. —Zoe Gates, Senior Editor
Patagonia Nano Air (Photo: Benjamin Tepler)
Patagonia Nano Air Light Hoody
Patagonia’s Nano Air midlayer cult has many members, and for good reason: It’s one of the most breathable (and one of the original) active insulation layers on the market. For fall 2026, Patagonia is putting out updated versions of its entire Nano Air line with an even more breathable liner fabric, and a stretchier and more durable face fabric. Whatever tweaks they made to the liner seem to be working: I never had to remove the Nano Air Light, even when climbing steep trails in the low 50s. As with previous iterations, that Nano Air material goes both ways: it’s extremely breathable and porous. On windy days in the high 30s, this hoody was simply too permeable to be comfortable on its own. But as a niche midlayer, it’s hard to beat. Luckily (or unluckily for the bank accounts of Patagonia die-hards), they make lighter and heavier versions of the same jacket, appropriate for every 10 degree interval between winter and spring. —Benjamin Tepler, Senior Gear Editor
Women’s Rab Momentum Pants (Photo: Rab)
Rab Women’s Momentum Pants
If you’re in the camp that considers wearing pants a necessary evil, the Momentums aren’t here to argue with you. I spent a week wearing the Momentums in 80-degree-Fahrenheit weather in the Utah desert this spring, and I was surprised to discover that they provide all the UPF and abrasion protection of traditional hiking pants, but with the breezy feel and broad, stretchy waistband I’ve come to associate with my favorite running shorts. A drawcord keeps them in place under a hipbelt, and the three low-profile pockets each fit keys or a small smartphone but never felt bulky.
But the main reason for the gossamer feel comes down to Rab’s lightweight, stretch nylon fabric. (In newer versions of the Momentums, that fabric is also pocked with laser-cut ventilation holes for bonus breathability.) Over the course of long, sun-drenched hikes, I found the breezy nylon significantly reduced inner thigh sweat (a tall order) and the pants dried fast when they did get wet during a creek crossing. A gusseted crotch and articulated knees made for easy high-stepping and scrambling in Moab’s slickrock formations, and a tapered leg eliminated bunching and swishing around the ankle. In short: This is a pair of pants for shorts lovers. And after that trip, I consider myself all but converted. —Corey Buhay, Interim Managing Editor
The post The Gear That Backpacker’s Editors Loved in April 2026 appeared first on Backpacker.
