Trail Gear Roundup 2026: Hoka Speedgoat 7, Merrell Agility Peak 6 and More

Introduction

A fresh batch of trail and adventure gear has landed, and this roundup covers four items that each fill a distinct role: a long-running trail shoe series back for another round, a trail shoe from a brand worth another look, a camping kitchen bundle for base-camp style trips, and a new self-filming drone for capturing the runs themselves. None of these are full long-term verdicts yet, but the early impressions are useful for anyone shopping this category.

Hoka Speedgoat 7: First Impressions

The Hoka Speedgoat 7 arrives after skipping a generation, and the first thing worth noting is the fit. The toe box runs narrow-ish, and the tongue uses a semi-gusseted design where a full gusset would have been preferred. Lockdown through the upper is where things get interesting: the material itself is not the most comfortable, but the actual lockdown was really solid, with zero heel slip through the heel counter and heel pocket.

After a 30-mile test run with roughly 5,000 feet of vertical gain, the headline finding is the ride. The midsole felt smoother than expected, especially for that distance, which is notable given some frustration with Hoka midsoles over recent years. The Vibram outsole delivered amazing grip, even on rocks, though durability of the rubber over the long haul remains a fair question. The shoe is not the lightest in its class, but the weight is reasonable for the Speedgoat lineup, and it still needs some break-in before underfoot comfort fully opens up.

Merrell Agility Peak 6: A Long-Awaited Return

It has been years since a Merrell trail shoe got this much attention, and the Agility Peak 6 makes a strong case for giving the brand another look. The standout specification is the Vibram Megagrip outsole, the same grippy rubber compound trail runners consistently rate highly for wet rock and mixed terrain.

There is not enough tested distance yet for a full verdict, but on paper this is a sensible alternative for runners who want proven outsole traction without leaning on the usual big-name trail shoe options.

BioLite CampStove 2.0 and the Car-Camping Setup

BioLite has put together a bundle that genuinely changes the shape of a camping trip: the CampStove 2.0, a matching kettle pot and coffee set, and a 50-W foldable solar panel. The kettle and coffee set speak for themselves for anyone who treats trailhead coffee as non-negotiable.

One honest caveat: this setup is too much for backpacking. It is built for camping out of the car, where the extra bulk buys real comfort and the solar panel can keep small devices topped up. For hut-to-hut or town-to-town running adventures, the solar panel may not make the packing list, but at a base camp it earns its place.

Hover Air Pro Max X1: The New Chase Drone

For runners who film their own adventures, the Hover Air Pro Max X1 is the headline item here. After years of relying on a Skydio drone for chase footage, this is the first alternative that felt worth switching to. The company has been on the radar for at least two years, but the reported 8K recording, not just 4K, is what finally makes the move make sense.

For anyone who has terabytes of self-chasing footage and wants the next generation of it, a compact drone that films in 8K while following the action is exactly the upgrade path to watch.

Overall Buying Advice

If you need one trail shoe for big vertical days, the Speedgoat 7 has the grip and a surprisingly smooth ride, with the caveat of a narrow-ish toe box and some break-in time. If you want a fresh alternative with proven outsole rubber, the Agility Peak 6 is the value angle. Campers traveling by car should look hard at the BioLite bundle, while runners focused on self-filming have a genuinely new option in the Hover Air Pro Max X1.

Conclusion

This batch of gear covers the full loop of a running adventure: the shoes on your feet, the coffee at camp, and the camera in the sky. Early signs point to strong picks in every category, and longer testing will refine the verdicts.