Captain's Pick 15 · Summit & Rails

GoPro HERO13 Black

Tough enough for dust, drops, and one perfect canyon shot — the same camera these adventures get filmed on.

See it on Amazon →

What it is

The GoPro HERO13 Black is a small, waterproof action camera that shoots high-resolution video with strong stabilization.

Why it's on my list

Strap it to a chest mount on a canyon railroad or a trail ride and you get the view you actually saw, not a shaky phone clip.

Best for

Families who want the trip on video without holding a phone the whole time.

Captain's tip

Bring a spare battery; cold mornings and long days drain them fast.

More from Summit & Rails

Read the full guide: Hiking Gear for National Parks: Summit & Rails

Captain's Pick 11

Osprey Stratos 24

Full suspension that disappears on your shoulders at mile one — with a built-in raincover, because the mountains don't check the forecast.

See it on Amazon →Read Captain Ron's review

Captain's Pick 12

Merrell Moab 3 Mid WP

America's best-selling hiker — real ankle trust on switchbacks and scree, comfortable out of the box. No blister tax.

See it on Amazon →Read Captain Ron's review

Captain's Pick 13

YETI Rambler Bottle

Ice water at the summit, hot coffee on the morning train platform. Third YETI on the route — the captain packs what works.

See it on Amazon →Read Captain Ron's review