Each year, the team at Men’s Health releases an array of awards — ranging from food awards to grooming awards — to help their readers find their next go-to products, whether it be a tried-and-true pair of sneakers or a cooler that promises to keep their drinks cold.
Today, Men's Health editorial director Richard Dorment is showcasing a handful of winners on the 3rd hour of TODAY from their 2025 Outdoor Awards.
From camping gear to athletic essentials perfect for keeping you on the move, Men's Health found the best of the best to ensure you're prepared for any and all outdoor adventures. See below for winners across multiple categories, starting at $40.
Men's Health Outdoor Award winners seen on the 3rd hour of TODAY
Thanks to an elastane and polyester fabric blend, these shorts will remain quick-drying and stretchy for a comfortable fit. It also has "baked-in anti-odor technology to keep you looking, feeling and smelling fresh all day," says Dorment.
"In a unit about the size of a tallboy beer can, JBL delivers a long battery life, powerful protection against the elements and a huge, bass-rich sound," raves Dorment. "And somehow the thing weighs only 1.23 pounds."
The team at Men's Health truly tested it in the outdoors, and even dropped it onto concrete, noting that it kept "kicking" after a fall, proving its durability.
The two words used by Dorment to describe this cooler: heavy-duty and lightweight. While it might not remain as such when filled to the brim with cans, wine bottles or snacks, you can rest assured they'll remain chilled.
The brand says the cooler "locks" in cold temps, promising contents will stay cold for up to four days — that's 96 hours!
Dorment dares to ask the question we're all thinking: "Do you really need a voice-activated headlamp? Maybe not, but that doesn’t make this one from Coast any less cool," he admits.
"The touch-free operation means you’ll never have to fumble for buttons and switches in the dark or when your hands are full," he adds, further noting, "We’ve found it a breeze to operate with the commands, and the four light colors and different types of beams mean it’s up to any task where you need lighting."
"The retro-cool Army canteen-inspired design aside, this portable power bank is surprisingly capable," admits Dorment.
Dorment adores this portable charger, raving about its three USB ports, making it easy to charge multiple devices in one go.
Dorment says you can upgrade any campsite or outdoor area with the use of this fan that has four different speed settings and the option to set automatic timers.
"With automatic oscillation, a powerful airflow and compatibility with virtually any portable battery pack, it’s the next best thing to camping with air conditioning," he says.
More Men's Health Outdoor Awards winners to shop
Men's Health deemed this soap "Best Camping Soap" due to its plant-based oils to clean and hydrate skin. Safe for all skin types, fragrance-free and easy to travel with, this bar is great for on the go. And at only $17 on Amazon, this is an affordable camping basic to bring on your next trip.
Shoes aren’t the only treat for your feet on this list. These socks from Feetures will protect your feet no matter what shoes you’re wearing or activity you’re embarking on. Men’s Health rates these the “Best Low Hiking Sock,” and Amazon reviewers agree — they have almost 7,000 Amazon reviews.
This spray sunscreen is perfect for all-over coverage, including your face. While Men’s Health does acknowledge that the product goes on heavy, it’s incredibly effective at combatting the sun for hours on end — making it their winner of “Best Body Sunscreen.”
Winner of “Best Sun Hat,” this hat features UPF 50 to not only shield your eyes from the sun, but protect your head and face, too. With water-resistant and sweat-wicking material, and an adjustable drawstring, this hat was made to perform for any outdoor adventure.
Reviewers and Men’s Health editors alike love this shirt for its comfort and performance, with many customers buying more than just the one. With sweat-wicking fabric and built-in odor-control, the magazine understandably rates it as the “Best Hiking Shirt.”
Winner of the “Best Waterproof Trail Running Shoe” category, these hiking sneakers are loved by the magazine for their impressively soft cushioning, breathability and traction that make them the perfect shoe for any adventure.
These sandals truly give you the best of both worlds with an open toe and a sole made for hiking just about any terrain. The shoes are waterproof, so you can be prepared no matter what you run into. For Men's Health, these sandals are worthy of the "Best Hiking Sandal" title.
Meet the expert
- Richard Dorment is the Editorial Director at Men's Health.
How we chose
These picks were chosen by the Men's Health team. Additionally, the Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to help readers on the hunt for the latest trending products make their lives easier. Items are sold by individual retailers, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of time of publication.
