A pair of binoculars is an excellent addition to any hiking kit: they allow you to spot distant peaks and zoom in on wildlife. “It’s easy to spend upward of $500 on field binoculars, but for the beginner or intermittent enthusiast, Nocs makes a solid pair at an affordable price,” wrote contributor Aleta Burchyski in her how-to guide to birdwatching. We also included Nocs (pictured above) in our 2020 Summer Buyer’s Guide: “A high-end prism enhances sharpness, and the textured grip and waterproof housing are adventure-ready,” wrote tester Stephanie Pearson. In 2020, we interviewed our moms about their favorite gear, and the Nikon Monarch 5 made the list: “It’s a phenomenal buy for an amateur birder,” wrote former editorial assistant Claire Hyman’s mom. At $300, it’s a little more of an investment than the Nocs, but you get an enhanced zoom to spy on far-away nature.