Photo: Rozette Rago

Whether you’re going on a leaf-peeping day hike with friends or tackling an ambitious backpacking route, you need a good pair of hiking boots to protect your feet and stabilize your ankles.

Over seven years, we’ve worn 59 pairs of hiking boots while trekking more than 1,600 miles and taking some 2 million steps across all types of terrain. Our testers have schlepped through mud, splashed in water, scampered up steep inclines, and slid on snow.

After all that, we walked away (ha!) with a top-pick pair that is breathable and waterproof. It provides solid traction and support, and also has several essential features—including a wide toe box and sturdy heel protection—that allowed us to hike comfortably for miles.

Get out there this fall→

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Image: New York Times

Great kitchen gear can last a lifetime, explains Michael Sullivan on this week’s episode of The Wirecutter Show. Some of his best recs? Cast-iron skillets, solid wood cutting boards, and drinking glasses that, in our tests, didn’t break even after being dropped 20 times onto a marble slab. He also chats with our hosts about best practices for taking care of your cookware (yes, a little soap on your cast iron is OK), and how to find deals on everything from Le Creuset Dutch ovens to high-end blenders.

Listen now on: Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Another piece of hiking advice? We’re sorry to say that your baseball cap probably isn’t cutting it when it comes to real sun protection. Since 2016, we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing hats specifically designed to keep the sun off your head, looking for the right combination of protection, comfort, and, importantly, style. And after our latest round of testing, we have a new, quite good-looking bucket hat recommendation for casual adventures.

Our new favorite (currently on-sale!) sun hat→

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