T3 Awards 2026: all Outdoor winners announced

The best outdoor gear isn't just about surviving the elements anymore; it's also about making every adventure easier, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.

Over the past year, we've seen brands refine everything from hiking footwear and waterproof jackets to drones, action cameras and camping equipment, helping people spend less time wrestling with their kit and more time enjoying the outdoors.

Innovation has come in many forms. Outdoor technology continues to shrink while becoming more capable. Portable power stations now keep entire campsites running for days, and hiking boots are lighter and more comfortable than ever without sacrificing support or protection.

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At the same time, brands are beginning to rethink who outdoor gear is designed for, proving that inclusivity can drive innovation just as effectively as cutting-edge materials or clever engineering.

After months of hiking, camping, filming and exploring with this year's contenders, these are the products that impressed us most. From category-defining classics to bold new ideas, the winners below represent the very best outdoor gear of 2026.

Best Outdoor Innovation

The North Face Universal Collection

Innovation often means adding new features, but The North Face's Universal Collection proves that removing barriers can be just as transformative.

Developed in collaboration with adaptive athletes including Vasu Sojitra and Maureen Beck, the collection reimagines camping gear through the lens of accessibility.

From magnetic FIDLOCK closures and oversized pull loops to tactile touchpoints and simplified setup, every detail has been designed to make the outdoors more welcoming, not just for people with disabilities, but for everyone.

What's particularly impressive is that accessibility never comes at the expense of performance. The Universal Collection includes thoughtfully redesigned tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and camp accessories that are every bit as capable as The North Face's traditional outdoor gear, yet easier and more intuitive to use.

By putting inclusive design at the heart of product development rather than treating it as an afterthought, The North Face has created gear that genuinely improves the outdoor experience for a wider range of people. It's a powerful example of innovation with real-world impact, and a deserving winner of T3's Best Outdoor Innovation award.

Best outdoor innovation shortlist

Olight ArkPro, Helinox Chair LT, Coleman Snap ’N Go, Patagonia Capilene Cool Sun Collection, The North Face Universal Collection

Highly commended

Helinox Chair LT

Best Action Camera

DJI Osmo Action 6

DJI has spent the last few years steadily closing the gap to the action camera establishment. With the DJI Osmo Action 6, it feels like it's setting the pace instead.

The Action 6 combines outstanding stabilisation, excellent low-light performance and thoughtful usability improvements into one remarkably capable camera. It captures smooth, detailed footage in conditions that would challenge many rivals.

Fast magnetic mounting, intuitive controls and reliable battery life make the Action 6 a pleasure to shoot with, while its rugged construction inspires confidence wherever your adventures take you.

Action cameras are judged by the moments they help you capture, and few do it with the consistency and confidence of the DJI Osmo Action 6. It's our Best Action Camera of 2026.

Best Action Camera Shortlist

Insta360 X4 Air, Insta360 Go Ultra, GoPro Max 2, DJI Osmo Nano, DJI Osmo Action 6

Highly commended

Insta360 Go Ultra

Best Drone

DJI Mini 5 Pro

DJI has become synonymous with consumer drones, but the DJI Mini 5 Pro proves the company still knows how to push the category forward.

Remaining just below the all-important 250g weight limit, it packs professional-level imaging, intelligent flight features and impressive obstacle sensing into an incredibly portable package.

The result is a drone that's equally appealing to first-time pilots and experienced aerial photographers seeking maximum capability with minimal compromise.

The Mini series has always excelled at removing barriers to entry, and the Mini 5 Pro continues that tradition. It flies with remarkable confidence, captures stunning footage and takes much of the complexity out of aerial photography, allowing users to focus on composition rather than worrying about the aircraft.

Portable, approachable and astonishingly capable, the DJI Mini 5 Pro represents everything a modern camera drone should be, making it our Best Drone winner for 2026.

Best Drone Shortlist

Antigravity A1, DJI Mini 5 Pro, HoverAir Aqua, DJI Avata 360, DJI Lito X1

Highly commended

Antigravity A1

Best Portable Power Station

Jackery Explorer 3000 V2

Portable power stations have evolved from niche camping accessories into essential outdoor companions, and the Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 is among the finest examples we've tested.

Despite its substantial capacity, the Explorer 3000 V2 remains surprisingly manageable thanks to its refined design and practical features. It delivers dependable performance with the versatility to handle almost any situation.

Fast charging, generous output options and Jackery's polished user experience make it refreshingly straightforward to use, while the robust battery technology provides the confidence to head off-grid for longer.

It has the capacity serious users demand without becoming intimidating or cumbersome, making the Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 a worthy winner of T3's Best Portable Power Station award.

Best Portable Power Station Shortlist

BLUETTI Elite 30 V2, DJI Power 1000 V2, Jackery Explorer 3000 V2, DJI Power 1000 Mini, Ecoflow DELTA 3 Max Plus

Highly commended

DJI Power 1000 Mini

Best Tent

Dometic TRT 120E

Camping has never been more comfortable, and the Dometic TRT 120E is a perfect example of why roof tents continue to grow in popularity.

It transforms almost any suitable vehicle into a comfortable basecamp at the press of a button, allowing adventurers to spend less time wrestling with poles and more time enjoying the outdoors.

The robust construction, thoughtful ventilation and generous sleeping space make it equally suited to weekend escapes and extended road trips.

Dometic's attention to detail shines throughout, from the premium materials to the clever design touches that make everyday use noticeably easier. It's a product built by people who clearly understand what campers actually need.

Combining convenience, comfort and durability in one beautifully executed package, the TRT 120E raises the bar for vehicle-based camping and is our Best Tent of 2026.

Best Tent Shortlist

Dometic TRT 120E, Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P Tent, Coleman Spruce Falls 4 BlackOut Tent, Big Agnes Tiger Wall 2 Platinum, Hilleberg Soulo Red Label Tent

Highly commended

Nemo Dagger Osmo 2P Tent

Best Hiking Boots

Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid

Salomon has spent decades refining its hiking footwear, and the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid feels like the culmination of everything the brand has learned along the way.

Light enough to maintain the agility of a trail-running shoe yet supportive enough for demanding mountain days, it strikes an outstanding balance between comfort, stability, and protection.

Excellent grip inspires confidence across wet rock, muddy trails and loose terrain, while the supportive mid-cut design helps keep feet secure over long distances.

What elevates the X Ultra 5 Mid above many rivals is its versatility. It's equally happy tackling day hikes, multi-day adventures or fast-paced hill walks, making it an easy recommendation for a huge range of outdoor enthusiasts.

Comfortable straight out of the box and engineered for years of adventures, the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid is a deserving winner of our Best Hiking Boots award.

Best Hiking Boots Shortlist

The North Face Offtrail Hike Mid GORE-TEX, Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid, Hoka Transport Hike GTX, Vivobarefoot Tracker Textile AT II, Keen Targhee Apex

Best Walking Shoes

Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo

Walking shoes don't need to be flashy to be exceptional, and the Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo proves exactly that.

Combining lightweight construction with dependable waterproof protection and outstanding underfoot support, the shoes disappear beneath your feet, allowing you to focus entirely on the trail ahead rather than what you're wearing.

Lowa has long been known for uncompromising build quality, and the Maddox Pro GTX Lo continues that tradition with premium materials and a reassuringly robust feel. Excellent grip across mixed terrain only adds to its versatility, whether you're exploring local woodland paths or tackling more ambitious hill walks.

Reliable, comfortable, and exceptionally well-made, it's the sort of footwear you'll reach for again and again. That consistency is precisely why the Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo is our Best Walking Shoes winner.

Best Walking Shoes Shortlist

Lowa Maddox Pro GTX Lo, Adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX, Hoka Kawana 3, Danner Trail 2650, Altra Lone Peak 9+

Highly commended

Adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX

Best Trail Running Shoes

Lowa Skyterra

Lowa may be best known for its brilliant hiking boots and walking shoes (see above), but the Lowa Skyterra proves the brand can build a superb trail running shoe, too.

The trainers combine impressive cushioning with reassuring stability, delivering a ride that feels equally comfortable on forest tracks, rocky singletrack and longer mountain adventures.

Confident grip and a secure fit encourage runners to tackle more technical terrain, while the generous comfort makes it a shoe you'll happily spend hours wearing.

Perhaps most impressive is how approachable it feels: the Skyterra welcomes newcomers while offering enough performance to satisfy experienced off-road athletes.

It's a confident debut that successfully bridges the gap between hiking heritage and modern trail running performance. For producing one of the year's most enjoyable off-road shoes, Lowa takes home our Best Trail Running Shoes award.

Best Trail Running Shoes Shortlist

Hoka Rocket X Trail, Vivobarefoot Primus Trail Flow, Hoka Mafate 5, Lowa Skyterra, adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra 2

Highly commended

Hoka Rocket X Trail

Best Waterproof Jacket

66ºNorth Dyngja Shell Jacket

When your home is Iceland, you learn a thing or two about building waterproof jackets.

The 66ºNorth Dyngja Shell Jacket reflects decades of experience creating apparel for some of the harshest weather on the planet.

Lightweight enough for fast-moving adventures yet protective enough for genuinely challenging conditions, it offers the dependable weather protection serious outdoor enthusiasts expect without feeling bulky or restrictive.

Excellent breathability, thoughtful pocket placement and premium construction make it as practical as it is comfortable, while the clean Scandinavian design ensures it looks every bit as impressive as it performs.

Great waterproof jackets disappear into the background until the weather turns, and the Dyngja Shell Jacket does exactly that. Combining premium materials, outstanding craftsmanship and all-weather confidence, it's our Best Waterproof Jacket winner for 2026.

Best Waterproof Jacket Shortlist

66ºNorth Dyngja Shell Jacket, Arc'teryx Beta AR (2025), Fjällräven Keb GORE-TEX (2025), Rab Firewall Light, Outdoor Research Helium UL Jacket, Montane Alta Lite Shell

Highly commended

Rab Firewall Light