Trail Blazers

As summer winds down, there are fewer and fewer opportunities available for lazy, leisurely days in the sun. So there's no better time to strike out into the wilderness with a few buddies. But no matter how spontaneous the outing, make sure to observe the two rules of day hikes: leave early and leave prepared. Accomplish the latter by snagging a durable and stylish hiking pack that can handle your gear well into winter. Tough materials like nylon ripstop and weatherized cotton will keep your pack in rotation for years to come—even if the only roughing it you do is taking the red eye.