Poll: What Are the Best and Worst Gear Trends?

Time will tell, that’s what I always think. As a gear reviewer, I see products ranging from the creative to the kooky, and one of the questions I ask is: How likely is it that this will be in my kit five years from now?

Barefoot running shoes? Gone. Water-resistant down? Check. Selfie stick? Never there.

Gear comes and goes, trends come and go. Some of this is fueled by the media, some of it by manufacturers hungry for an edge, a gimmick, or a hot proprietary idea. And that it’s a trend doesn’t by itself mean that it’s a bad thing. Indeed, one person’s worst could be another’s best. But, again, over time cream rises to the top and the junk sinks to the bottom. And given that AJ readers are as opinionated about gear as they are everything else, it’ll be interesting to see just what’s down there and what’s up above.

WIN SMITH SUNGLASSES JUST BY VOTING
This week, one poll participant will receive Smith Optic’s Rockford sunglasses. We’ll pick the winner via random number generator (and announce it here) – all you have to do to enter is vote and leave a comment so we have your email to contact you. Must have a U.S. or Canadian address. Contest ends Sunday, November 8, at midnight PST.

Congratulations to Dane Greenwell, who wins the Smiths this week!

Photo by Kevin Baird